Wednesday, March 31, 2010

How to Choose a Wireless Heart Rate Monitor

A wireless heart rate monitor is a very useful tool for anyone who exercises, especially those who are striving to exercise within the maximum zone for effective cardiovascular exercise. This type of heart rate monitor will keep you constantly updated as to how hard you are exercising and will do so conveniently and easily, without you being attached by wires to any machine.

There are many different types of wireless heart rate monitors available on the market today and they take a variety of forms. The best way to choose which is best for you is to learn a little about each one and try them on for comfort if you have that opportunity.

One of the most popular versions of the wireless heart rate monitor is the one that resembles a wristwatch. Discreet and small, this monitor is easy to check. These come with and without a chest band. The chest band is lightweight and comfortable, made to be worn under your shirt, while the watch simply displays the heart rate. However there are also other types of wireless heart rate monitor watches that monitor your heart rate through your pulse in your wrist. Wristwatch monitors are ideal for anyone who loves variety in their workout and loves to exercise in different places, while they do different types of activities, because of the watch’s portability and ease of use.

If you do your cardiovascular workout exclusively on a treadmill, you can have the benefit of a wireless heart rate monitor that is only a chest band. It monitors your heart rate constantly and displays the results on the display of the treadmill. This is a great option for someone who does not like exercising with a watch on or someone with a very regular routine.

In order to choose the best wireless heart rate monitor for your needs, you will need to choose from the styles and options available. There are a variety of the watch style monitors that come in distinctly male or female models. They also have different features that appeal to certain people but not to others. Some of these features include: light, sound, water resistance, timing capability, memory and more.

When you have the wireless heart rate monitor of your choosing, put it to good use. By checking your heart rate as you exercise you can learn whether or not you actually are overexerting or not. Even if you are breathing heavily, you can check your heart rate and know whether or not to push yourself harder. This can make all the difference in passing plateaus in training and when exercising for fitness. Find out your optimal heart rate while exercising and use your wireless heart rate monitor to ensure that you continually exercise at that rate, except during warm up and cool down. This ensures that you get the maximum effects from your exercise.

Get a wireless heart rate monitor now and put it to work as your new exercise best friend and you can be in the best shape of your life.

Published At: Isnare.com Free Articles Directory - http://www.isnare.com/
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=367832&ca=Wellness%2C+Fitness+and+Diet

Living With an Adjustable Gastric Band - Am I Hungry Or Am I Full - Does My Band Need Filling?

Have you been struggling with your weight for years?

Are you looking into weight loss surgery?

Do you wonder if you will still be hungry?

I was banded in May of 2004 and for the first year I did not need a "fill" or any fluid added to my band.

I was asked by someone who I am helping along on her journey, "Does the hunger ever go away?"

The best way to answer that question was for me to review some of the feelings I had, and methods I used, during that first year as I tried to understand what living with a band was all about. I applied the rules of the band as per my doctor's instructions and started learning to really pay attention.

Living with a gastric band the first year was an amazing experience for me. I saw my surgeon every 4 weeks to check my weight, my blood pressure and my eating habits. I kept a journal religiously, writing down every morsel that entered my mouth, every drop of liquid, the nutrition content for all of it, and month after month hopped on the scale and was pleasantly rewarded with continued weight loss. I knew I had a band. My hunger between meals was pretty much gone, and I was satisfied with small portions at meals. Notice, I never said I was full. This is probably the most important distinction to understand and the most difficult to really "get".

As long as I was no longer hungry when I finished the portion I put on my plate -- I was done. This was great because I was not hungry between meals either. Or, if I thought I was, I would have water or tea and suddenly I didn't feel what I had interpreted as hunger pangs any more. Guess I had just been thirsty. Month after month, just the band as it was "installed", consistent weight loss, no fill, no hunger. I can do this! It was great!

Then one day I was feeling hungry between meals. No, I mean really hungry. Water, ice tea, hot tea, nothing took care of it. This was scary. Fortunately I had an appointment coming up in about a week so I knew I could white knuckle my way through and make sure I had not been doing anything differently. Checking the journal daily, eating and drinking the same as the month prior, guess maybe I finally needed a fill.

I did get a fill ( a small amount of fluid added to my band) when I next saw my doctor, and the hunger between meals disappeared!

In summary, it is extremely important to pay close attention to what you are eating and drinking, as well as to the signals your body is giving to you. Writing down everything you eat and drink, putting small portions on your plate, writing down how you feel when you have finished what is on your plate, and noting how long before you are hungry (really hungry, not thirsty) will help you and your doctor identify whether or not you need a fill.

The great side effect is that you begin to understand the difference between "hunger", "satiety", and "full" so you can use your Lap-Band or Realize band to the best advantage on that journey to better health.

http://www.sandisbandedliving.com to learn more about Banded Living™ and how Sandi Henderson has been maintaining her 250 lb weight loss. You'll also have access to our interview, the 7 Things We Wish We Had Been Told Before We Had Lap-Band? Surgery at http://www.sandisbandedliving.com/7-things/

DISCLAIMER - The author of this article is a patient, not a medical professional, and this article does not constitute medical advice. The author's experiences and results may not be typical of those experienced by others. Always consult a qualified physician familiar with your condition before making any medical decisions. The author of this article and Banded Living, LLC disclaim all liability to any person arising from the content hereof.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sandi_Henderson

Monday, March 29, 2010

Health Benefits of Omega 3 Fish Oil For Obesity - Is This True?

Are you amongst thousands of people who are quite conscious about the extra flab on your waist? Well, then you have come to right place. In this article, we shall explore the deep relation between weight loss and essential omega 3 fats and shall discuss the health benefits of omega 3 fish oil for obesity.

Until recently, benefits of fish oil were confined only to brain and heart. However, with the conclusions on recent study on omega 3 and weight loss, health benefits of omega 3 fish oil for obesity are also revealed.

One of the most important health benefits of omega 3 fish oil for obesity is the decreased levels of triglycerides and insulin in the body. Insulin is used as energy; however, if the body has less insulin, stored fat is burnt as energy. Thus, the body has increased fat-burning ability. These fatty acids also inhibit the conversion of carbohydrate to fat.

You will be surprised to know that omega 3 fatty acids increase the feeling of fullness, hence reduces the hunger bouts. In addition, when fish oil supplements are clubbed with minor physical exercise, the result on your body especially around abdominal region is remarkable.

In a clinical trial, 100 obese people were divided randomly in two groups. For a month time, all the members of both the groups were put on same diet and aerobics. The only difference was that that members of one group were given fish supplements while the second group was put on the placebo.

After one month, it was observed that people who had omega 3 fats reduce 5kg more as in comparison to members in the other group.

Besides, being helpful in reducing weight, these supplements also helpful in other areas too, like reducing the body's blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Obese people often have high cholesterol; they suffer from hypertension and have high risk of heart attacks and strokes. Blood-thinning property of omega 3 fats inhibits the plaque to build up on arterial wall and hence reduces the chances of thrombosis.

One word of caution, all these health benefits of omega 3 fish oil for obesity can only be reaped if a high quality supplement is consumed. A substandard one can do more harm than good.

For best results look for supplements that have high amount of DHA. 1000mg of oil should at least have 250 mg of oil. Supplements that have undergone the molecular distillation process are the purest and of pharmaceutical grade quality.

To more learn in detail about high DHA, fresh and pure hoki-tuna blend fish gels to reap the maximum health benefits of omega 3 fish oil for obesity, visit my website Omega 3 Brief today.

Chuck Blake is an active researcher and consumer of fish oil products. Visit his website http://omega3brief.com today to learn more about the powerful benefits of omega-3 fish oil.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chuck_Blake

Salon Sterilization - What People Don't Know About the Possible Dangers Lurking in Their Nail Salon

Plantar warts, nail fungus, lice and even herpes - just a few of the nasty pathogens and diseases that could be lurking at the salon. Knowing how to keep salon instruments properly sanitized can help greatly diminish the risk of infection or the spread of bacteria. It's not just about spraying down combs and nail files with a disinfectant spray as many of them don't kill the toughest and most resilient germs. The best way to keep pathogens in their place is through the use of salon sterilization pouches.

How To Keep Your Salon Clean And Sanitized

A clean, hygienic salon is a popular salon. Using sterilization pouches, such as those used in hospitals, clinics and dental offices, is an ideal way to protect your salon instruments from getting soiled with bacteria, viruses or fungi. A high quality, medical-grade sterilization kit is placed in a sterilizing machine called an autoclave, where steam pressure and optionally heat kill even the most stubborn disease-causing agents. They're made with transparent, tough plastic fibers on one side to prevent punctures and tears, while the opposite side is made of paper so that the steam vapors can seep through and kill any microbial residue left on the salon tools.

What To Look For In A Salon Sterilization Pouch

Just like surgical instrument pouches, these storage kits should have indicators, both inside and outside of the pouch, which will alert you to any tears, rips or holes - even those you may not see. Good pouches will also allow you to access your tools easily and will seal themselves effortlessly. Sterile kits should also be written on with lead-free ink and the paper side should be made with non-recycled craft paper for tougher tear resistance. Buy only medical or hospital grade sterilization pouches for maximum effectiveness and choose a vendor with a strong reputation in safeguarding patients and customers from harm.

Additional Ways To Protect Your Salon From The Spread Of Infection

Beyond using salon sterilization pouches, you should also have jars of tuburculocidal disinfectant for combs, brushes, scissors and other trimming and cutting equipment. Wooden items like nail files and certain brushes should not be used on multiple clients because of wood's natural ability to harbor bacteria. Last, but certainly not least, you should take steps to educate your staff on the dangers of using non-hygienic tools which have not been properly sterilized before use. If a customer feels any stinging or pain during common salon work such as a manicure or pedicure, you should have the customer alert you right away, and take preventative maintenance steps accordingly.

Always open your salon sterilization pouch in plain view of the customer's sight to help her feel more at ease when having her nails or hair trimmed. When you follow the right procedures for a healthy, clean salon, you can expect more business to come your way almost instantly!

Salon Sterilization techniques are vital in protecting patrons from the dangers some salons might pose. Not knowing what to look for in cleanliness and hygiene could cause many types of infections in your nails. To learn more about sterilization practices and techniques, visit the industry leading authority, SterilizationPouches.org the best information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Giovinco

Saturday, March 27, 2010

How to Know if You’re Overweight

There are people out there that are obviously obese, but our perception of a what healthy weight looks like may be a bit off. If we look around and feel we are about the same size as everyone else we consider ourselves to be normal and not think much more about it. But, what if everyone we compare ourselves to is overweight? One-third of the adults in the United States are obese, so by comparison we may think ourselves to be quite thin. Actually, researchers estimate that 67 percent of adults are overweight. That means only 33 percent of adults are at a healthy weight!

To determine if you are overweight, calculate your body mass index, commonly referred to as your BMI. BMI is a measure of body fat using your height and weight and it works the same for both men and women alike. Your BMI is calculated by taking your current weight in kilograms and then dividing that number by your current height in meters squared. Don’t worry about converting your stats or doing the math yourself - there are online calculators available, so all you have to do is enter your weight in pounds and height in feet and inches. A simple search online for “BMI Calculator” will yield several results.

If your BMI number is 18.5 to 24.9 you have what is considered to be a normal BMI and are not overweight or obese. If your BMI number is 25 to 29.9 then you are classified as being overweight but not yet obese. Finally, any BMI number that is 30 or greater is classified as obese. Obviously, the higher the number is over 30, the more obese you are and thus the more susceptible you are to health risks and other related issues. There a few limitations to the BMI calculations. For athletes or others who have muscular build, the BMI may overestimate body fat. Conversely, in older persons or those who has lost muscle mass, the BMI may underestimate body fat.

With roughly sixty-seven percent of Americans with BMIs over 25, statistically there is a two in three chance you will find yourself overweight. You may be surprised to find yourself close to the cut off 29.9 for obesity. Regardless of where you fall on the scale, it’s good to know where you stand and what action needs to be taken.

There’s a wide array of health problems associated with being overweight and obese including heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and even cancer. Another common way to determine weight related health risks is measuring abdominal fat. This measurement is taken simply by placing a measuring tape snugly around your waist and measuring the circumference. High numbers, over 40 inches for men and over 35 inches for women, increase the risk factors several health problems, most notably heart disease.

If you find yourself in a high risk category, lowering your BMI score and waist circumference will have a positive effect on your health and attitude, which in turn can benefit those around you. Small changes in your lifestyle can lower your current weight. There are several resources out there to help you in your quest to achieve lasting results so you never wonder if you are overweight again.

Published At: Isnare.com Free Articles Directory - http://www.isnare.com/
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=461431&ca=Wellness%2C+Fitness+and+Diet

Obesity Effects - How Obesity is One of the Most Common Causes of Fatigue

Fatigue is a condition that is commonly associated with extreme fatigue. If excess weight is present it is always suspected as one of the causes of fatigue. Even ten or twenty pounds of excess weight can have an effect on Insulin Resistance (defined later) which can cause unexplained tiredness.

Obesity Defined

Obesity is typically defined as a person with a BMI (body mass index) over 30, because they are generally about 30 pounds over their ideal body weight for their height. (See note on BMI later on in this article.) An obese person is defined as a person who is "very fat, stout, or corpulent."

Obesity Effects - The Real Weight of Being Overweight

Fatigue and obesity are now known to be linked to a common abnormality - a condition known as Insulin Resistance. At a healthy body weight insulin facilities the transport of glucose into your body's cells where it can then be utilized for energy. Insulin Resistance desensitizes the cells of your body to insulin and impairs this process. As a result, glucose and insulin levels become unbalanced in your blood stream, which can later cause diabetes and other serious health risks.

The unbalance of glucose and insulin levels in your blood stream is one of the obesity effects that can be most life changing to an overweight person, yet it gets less attention than other obesity effects. Diabetes, the later effect of Insulin Resistance, is known as the sleeping killer of Americans because so many people are unaware and undiagnosed with this disease. Additionally, it is said that about 50% of people's Insulin Resistance is caused by genetics, while 50% is caused by lifestyle factors and choices.

Insulin Resistance, along with excess weight, both are causes of fatigue. Coupled together, the result is a double-whammy of tiredness.

Obesity and Its Relationship to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, the mysterious and often misdiagnosed illness that includes unexplained fatigue that lasts for 6 months or longer, has symptoms that are also often present in an obese person. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome symptoms include: Significant impairment in short-term memory or concentration, muscle pain, joint pain without swelling or redness, headaches, unrefreshing sleep and malaise that lasts for more than 24 hours after exertion. Additionally, a person with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome also exhibits sore throat and tender lymph nodes.

Severe obesity, as defined by a body mass index (BMI) equal to or greater than 45, rules out Chronic Fatigue Syndrome as a reason for experiencing these symptoms. The reason a severely obese person will not be diagnosed with CFS is because the symptoms of severe obesity is so similar to CFS. Doctors will always treat severe obesity first and if the symptoms of CFS persist, then after severe obesity symptoms are gone then it will be treated next. (Note: Body mass index values vary considerably among different age groups and populations. No "normal" or "average" range of values can be suggested. The range of 45 BMI or higher was selected because it falls within the range of severe obesity.)

Fighting Fatigue and Fighting the Causes of Fatigue

The best way to fight fatigue, especially when its due to obesity, being overweight or Insulin Resistance, is increased exercise. Increasing your exercise regiment is vital to improving Insulin Resistances and immediately reduces the causes of fatigue. Generally, Insulin Resistances starts to improve just days after a new exercise routine is begun - even before any significant weight loss occurs.

Next, eliminate causes of fatigue by beginning a sound nutritional plan. Seek nutritional guidance to help you find a healthy way of eating for you - not an extreme diet, but a healthy lifestyle change. You may consult a healthy living coach to help you in both the area of adding exercise to your daily routine and finding a new nutritional plan that works best for you.

Finally, consider supplementing your diet with herbs, vitamins and minerals which are meant to increase your level of energy and balance your body, as well as combat causes of fatigue. Again, a healthy living coach can help you find a balance of these nutrients that will fit your goals. Being inactive, whether weight gain is present or not, will always make one vulnerable to fatigue. The rule of thumb is when you don't feel like being active, that's the best time to do so.

Kevin Rush, Healthy Living Expert. [http://www.FatiguetoFitin30Days.com]

Download a free report to Living Fatigue-Free in less than 30 days! Kevin Rush has been a certified personal trainer for 12 years and during his tenure with the U.S. military he ran the Navy physical fitness program for Naval Air Station North Island in California. To say Kevin is physically fit is an understatement. However, when Kevin worked as a combat air traffic controller aboard Naval vessels he began to feel a sense of fatigue. He worked out but he was still tired. That's when he launched his research on fatigue and thus began the development of Kevin's program. Kevin has assisted hundreds, if not thousands, of individuals to overcome fatigue. Download your free report to overcoming fatigue in less than 30 days at [http://www.FatiguetoFitin30Days.com] today.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kevin_Rush

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Makeup Application - 5 Tips to a Fresh Face!

For many years, different types of makeup and cosmetics have been used to enhance the natural beauty of a woman's face. Many women have become so accustomed to wearing makeup that it's as natural as taking a shower in the morning.

You've seen the Cover Girl commercials, but how exactly do you get that flawless look at home? Applying makeup isn't an easy trick to learn but, we assure you, once you know you'll never forget.

Here are 5 steps to a fresh and flawless face:

1. Wash Before Beginning. One of the most important things to remember when applying makeup is to start with a clean slate. Washing your face (and exfoliating when needed) will give you the perfect base to begin your makeup application. Once you're washed, you're ready to go.

2. Eyes First. For a long time, there has been a huge misconception that you should begin your makeup application with your foundation. Sorry ladies, this simply isn't true - especially if you're using sparkly eye shadow. See, the sparkles and dust from your eye shadow will undoubtedly fall onto your cheeks during the application process. Beginning with your eyes means any sparkles or dust that falls off your eyes and onto your cheeks will later be covered up with foundation and concealer. Now that's a good tip for a flawless face.

3. It's Not Just About the Face. One of the worst things you can do when applying makeup is forgetting about the neck and chest. Many women only put foundation on their faces which leaves an unattractive line across the perimeter of your face where the makeup ends and your skin begins. Make sure you extend your makeup all the way to your hairline, down your neck and across your chest. This way, you'll avoid the two-toned appearance (which isn't an attractive look for anyone) look of a makeup novice.

4. Less is More. It's a known fact that men prefer natural women - especially when it comes to makeup. Your makeup should enhance your natural beauty - not alter it completely. Minimal makeup should be used to create fresh face; you don't want to end up with that caked-on look.

5. Blush is your Best Friend. When it comes to mastering the art of a fresh face, a little bit of blush can go a long way. If you don't have time to do anything else, be sure to splash some blush on the apples of your cheeks. A pink blush will add brightness to your face and will finish off the fresh look you've been trying to achieve.

We hope our tips have helped!

Alysha Frederick is an expert when it comes to Makeup Advice. She teaches Makeup Application Tips to teenagers. In her spare time, she shares her tips and tricks with the readers of ThinkGlam.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alysha_Frederick

Thriving Hoodia Gordonii Industries In The Blueprints

Aside from Hoodia extract being used as an appetite control supplement, large companies focusing on the cacti are planning immense expansion in the future.

Hoodia gordonii, or the “slimming cactus” as it is known by many, is a South African cactus variety whose use is similar to cocoa. While cocoa staves off hunger by introducing some caffeine and plenty of sugars, Hoodia gordonii has a steroid-like compound that suppresses hunger and thirst signals directly from the brain.

The active ingredient in the Hoodia gordonii cactus from the Kalahari is responsible for sustaining the San tribe during hunting days. Since the Kalahari is wide and largely without ample vegetation, the San people of South Africa are required to travel for days without food. The appetite control supplement that is Hoodia gordonii allows the Sans to do this.

Hoodia world?

Since products like appetite control supplement from Hoodia gordonii are being consumed by an enthusiastic market, large companies remain interested. According to Roger Chennels, the spokesperson for Anglo-Dutch conglomerate Unilever: "I envisage hoodia cafes in London and New York. Salads will be served and the hoodia cut like cucumber on to the salad."

When asked regarding the shares of the South African San tribe in the Hoodia enterprise, Chennels responds plainly with: "We will create trust funds with their hoodia royalties and they and their children will join South Africa's middle classes in our lifetime."

Clearly, the cactus, which was once used only as an appetite control supplement is gaining ground in other market niches as well.

How it works

In the 1930s, people were already aware of the potential of Hoodia gordonii as a hunger-suppressing food additive. However, it was a few years past the millennium when P57 was identified.

P57 is a steroid-like compound that takes care of the hunger pains. To illustrate the effect of P57 on the human brain, let us imagine a set of electric plugs and an equal set of electric wall outlets.

Electrical signals run when plugs are fitted snugly into the wall outlets. This is how chemical signals function in the human brain. The sensations of hunger and thirst are regulated in a particular region in the hypothalamus.

Now, imagine there are individual guardians plugging in and pulling out the electrical sockets. This is where the compound P57 steps in.

The P57 prevents the electrical sockets from being plugged in, thereby effectively preventing chemical signals from being sent out. Without the chemical signals, a person taking Hoodia would not feel hunger.

Issues

Some issues with herbal diet pills have been raised, taking the Hoodia gordonii supplements with it. One argument states that there could be possibly detrimental effects with too many antioxidants.

Fortunately for people who are taking Hoodia gordonii diet pills, these claims apply only specific people who have adverse allergies to phytochemicals. To minimize any risks, simply ask your general practitioner whether or not a particular herbal diet pill would be safe to use. Often, the risks associated with good products result only from lack of proper information or misinformation. Generally, legitimate and standardized herbal diet pills are safe to use.

Published At: Isnare.com Free Articles Directory - http://www.isnare.com/
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=362169&ca=Wellness%2C+Fitness+and+Diet

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Lasting Weight Loss Tips

When it comes to weight loss there are many tips that are effective and many more that simply do not work. If you look online you will find an endless supply of quick weight loss tips and pills all designed to do one thing; make the companies that are selling them money. When it comes to weight loss there is no shortcuts you have to be dedicated if you want results to last.

Here are some weight loss tips that will give you lasting results if you follow them:

•Be aware of what’s in your fridge: Look through your fridge and see all of the junk that you are putting into your body. Now ask yourself if you need all of it? If the answer is no, throw it out. If the answer is yes, can you replace it with something better? For example, you may love mayonnaise on your sandwiches but do you have to have the regular or can you get by with the light? This can save you calories and the fewer calories you ingest, the less you need to burn.

•Make time to exercise: If you say that you are too busy to exercise then you are lying to yourself. Everyone is busy these days but you have to find the time to exercise. How much television do you watch every day? Try taking some of that time and devoting it to an exercise regimen.

•Get creative: If you give the typical excuses such as, you have kids and can’t get to the gym, then try taking yourself or the entire family for a walk after dinner. If you work in a building that has both an elevator and stairs, take the stairs. The point is that exercise can be found almost anywhere you look; you just have to be willing to do it.

•Create NEW habits: Everyone has bad habits and when it comes to weight loss it is imperative to form new good habits. Get in the habit of taking a walk every night. Get in the habit of eating fruit instead of ice-cream. Drink good old water instead of soda. Once a good habit is a habit, then you will feel funny if you are not doing that habit on a regular basis.

•Stop making excuses: You have no one to blame for your weight loss regimen not working but you. If you make a plan stick to it. Don’t take breaks and cheat, stay focused on your goal of losing weight. Don’t start next week, start today. In life and especially with weight loss it is easy to come up with excuses, but hard coming up with solutions.

Losing weight doesn’t have to be a losing battle for you. You can realize the results you want if you simply create new habits and stick to what you do. Make a plan and execute it and start right away. Remember that to lose weight you have to eat right and you have to exercise. There is no magic pill that will make you look and feel better, but you do have it inside you to make yourself look and feel better you just have to dig deep and let it out.

Published At: Isnare.com Free Articles Directory - http://www.isnare.com/
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=464267&ca=Wellness%2C+Fitness+and+Diet

How Weight Loss Surgery Saved My Life

Has your weight bounced up and down over the years?

Are you worried about, or do you have some medical conditions that are directly related to being overweight?

I have been maintaining a 250 pound weight loss since 2006.

The following is my story of success after gastric banding surgery in 2004.

I have been fighting the fat war since I was 4 years old. I finally won the war, leaving only small skirmishes that crop up regularly. My friends tell me these little battles are what a "normal" person always deals with.

Just over five years ago, I was 424 pounds, had arthritis in my right knee, and had trouble walking across a parking lot. My asthma forced me to stop and catch my breath several times as I crossed a parking lot. I rented a scooter to be able to take my grand kids to Disneyland. I let my husband go into the market while I waited in the truck. People looked fearfully at me when I was getting on a plane, hoping I wasn't sitting next to them. I had no life and no hope.

In March 2004, at 424 pounds, I had a hypertension crisis that got my attention. To this point, my arthritis, asthma, reflux, and sleep apnea had not yet been enough to make me take notice.

I have succeeded at most everything I have tried in life -- I have a wonderful marriage of more than 40 years to my soul mate, a great daughter, four awesome grandchildren, and a successful business I built from scratch over 20 years ago. But I could NEVER get a handle on my weight for longer than five minutes.

On 5/28/2004, at 55 years old, I had life-changing, and life-saving lap band surgery. Within 28 months I had lost 250 pounds and made permanent lifestyle changes. Now, more than five years after surgery, I am holding at 175 pounds and loving it. I am off all my medications and move freely and vigorously through my new life.

With the help of this tool and a great support team I have reached a place where it is fun to go anywhere and try new things, and I actually enjoy looking at pictures of myself (well, most of the time).

The answer is unequivocally, yes,gastric banding works. The band has been the tool I have needed to help me make the permanent lifestyle changes that resulted in better health and a normal weight.!

As the old saying goes, information is power. If you are struggling with your weight, you deserve to have the information necessary you can make the best decision possible for you to have a richer life.

http://www.sandisbandedliving.com to learn more about Banded Living and how Sandi Henderson has been maintaining her 250 lb weight loss. You'll also have access to our interview, the 7 Things We Wish We Had Been Told Before We Had Lap-Band? Surgery at http://www.sandisbandedliving.com/7-things/

DISCLAIMER - The author of this article is a patient, not a medical professional, and this article does not constitute medical advice. The author's experiences and results may not be typical of those experienced by others. Always consult a qualified physician familiar with your condition before making any medical decisions. The author of this article and Banded Living, LLC disclaim all liability to any person arising from the content hereof.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sandi_Henderson

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Obesity Effects - How Obesity is One of the Most Common Causes of Fatigue

Fatigue is a condition that is commonly associated with extreme fatigue. If excess weight is present it is always suspected as one of the causes of fatigue. Even ten or twenty pounds of excess weight can have an effect on Insulin Resistance (defined later) which can cause unexplained tiredness.

Obesity Defined

Obesity is typically defined as a person with a BMI (body mass index) over 30, because they are generally about 30 pounds over their ideal body weight for their height. (See note on BMI later on in this article.) An obese person is defined as a person who is "very fat, stout, or corpulent."

Obesity Effects - The Real Weight of Being Overweight

Fatigue and obesity are now known to be linked to a common abnormality - a condition known as Insulin Resistance. At a healthy body weight insulin facilities the transport of glucose into your body's cells where it can then be utilized for energy. Insulin Resistance desensitizes the cells of your body to insulin and impairs this process. As a result, glucose and insulin levels become unbalanced in your blood stream, which can later cause diabetes and other serious health risks.

The unbalance of glucose and insulin levels in your blood stream is one of the obesity effects that can be most life changing to an overweight person, yet it gets less attention than other obesity effects. Diabetes, the later effect of Insulin Resistance, is known as the sleeping killer of Americans because so many people are unaware and undiagnosed with this disease. Additionally, it is said that about 50% of people's Insulin Resistance is caused by genetics, while 50% is caused by lifestyle factors and choices.

Insulin Resistance, along with excess weight, both are causes of fatigue. Coupled together, the result is a double-whammy of tiredness.

Obesity and Its Relationship to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, the mysterious and often misdiagnosed illness that includes unexplained fatigue that lasts for 6 months or longer, has symptoms that are also often present in an obese person. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome symptoms include: Significant impairment in short-term memory or concentration, muscle pain, joint pain without swelling or redness, headaches, unrefreshing sleep and malaise that lasts for more than 24 hours after exertion. Additionally, a person with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome also exhibits sore throat and tender lymph nodes.

Severe obesity, as defined by a body mass index (BMI) equal to or greater than 45, rules out Chronic Fatigue Syndrome as a reason for experiencing these symptoms. The reason a severely obese person will not be diagnosed with CFS is because the symptoms of severe obesity is so similar to CFS. Doctors will always treat severe obesity first and if the symptoms of CFS persist, then after severe obesity symptoms are gone then it will be treated next. (Note: Body mass index values vary considerably among different age groups and populations. No "normal" or "average" range of values can be suggested. The range of 45 BMI or higher was selected because it falls within the range of severe obesity.)

Fighting Fatigue and Fighting the Causes of Fatigue

The best way to fight fatigue, especially when its due to obesity, being overweight or Insulin Resistance, is increased exercise. Increasing your exercise regiment is vital to improving Insulin Resistances and immediately reduces the causes of fatigue. Generally, Insulin Resistances starts to improve just days after a new exercise routine is begun - even before any significant weight loss occurs.

Next, eliminate causes of fatigue by beginning a sound nutritional plan. Seek nutritional guidance to help you find a healthy way of eating for you - not an extreme diet, but a healthy lifestyle change. You may consult a healthy living coach to help you in both the area of adding exercise to your daily routine and finding a new nutritional plan that works best for you.

Finally, consider supplementing your diet with herbs, vitamins and minerals which are meant to increase your level of energy and balance your body, as well as combat causes of fatigue. Again, a healthy living coach can help you find a balance of these nutrients that will fit your goals. Being inactive, whether weight gain is present or not, will always make one vulnerable to fatigue. The rule of thumb is when you don't feel like being active, that's the best time to do so.

Kevin Rush, Healthy Living Expert. [http://www.FatiguetoFitin30Days.com]

Download a free report to Living Fatigue-Free in less than 30 days! Kevin Rush has been a certified personal trainer for 12 years and during his tenure with the U.S. military he ran the Navy physical fitness program for Naval Air Station North Island in California. To say Kevin is physically fit is an understatement. However, when Kevin worked as a combat air traffic controller aboard Naval vessels he began to feel a sense of fatigue. He worked out but he was still tired. That's when he launched his research on fatigue and thus began the development of Kevin's program. Kevin has assisted hundreds, if not thousands, of individuals to overcome fatigue. Download your free report to overcoming fatigue in less than 30 days at [http://www.FatiguetoFitin30Days.com] today.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kevin_Rush

Popular Weight Loss Review - How Diet Pills Effect Your Body?

With a multi-billion dollar industry behind it, the commerce of marketing weight loss solution in diet pills and food supplements has never been more lucrative. The FDA can only dismiss many over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and supplements as ineffective and often unsafe with a list of banned and tainted diet pills on its website.

But as soon as any drug gets banned, you have a couple more appearing in the dieting market landscape. There’s always something new and improved in the formulation of weight loss supplements riding on the ever-popular “organically grown and all-natural” product claim in their ingredients.

Is There Truth To Claims Of Efficacy?
Unfortunately not all claims and promises behind diet pills and supplements are completely true. Some may have a measure of efficacy but none of them truly live up to these claims. If they did, the problem of obesity and overweight afflicting more than 60% of the US population would have been solved and you’d see the statistical percentages dwindling every year. The fact is that by 2015, this figure is expected to grow to 75%. So what efficacy are they talking about?

Among the weight loss solutions out there, only the FDA approved drugs can truly claim to any level of efficacy as they are “effective and safe when taken as directed.” Unfortunately these are your prescriptive diet pills you cannot obtain without a valid doctor’s prescription. For the rest of them, anything goes.

Altering Your Body Processes
Diet pills work in various ways depending on their active ingredients. But in general, they work by altering or interfering with your natural body processes.

Appetite Suppressants
Appetite suppressants are the most common sliming solutions in the market. They often contain 5 HTP enzymes that stimulate the production of certain chemicals in the brain like serotonin and catecholamine to trick you into thinking you are full and thus suppress hunger. Some have GLP-1 hormonal action that delays gastric juice secretion so you feel satiated and have no desire to eat. Whether natural or not, these diet pills can cause cardiovascular diseases and interfere with various prescriptive medication you may be taking to treat other body ailments. Other ingredients that do the same like Yerba are known to cause nausea, dizziness and frequent urination.

Metabolism Boosters
Metabolism boosters are likewise common and they have natural ingredients like Guarana that have more caffeine content than coffee to boost your stamina and burn-off fat along the way. But its stimulant effect can cause heart palpitations and insomnia similar to taking inordinate amounts of coffee. L-Carnitine is another common ingredient that is naturally produced in liver and kidneys to break down fat into energy but could cause health problems if you have existing vascular diseases, liver or kidney ailments.

Fad or fashionable diet pill ingredients like Acai Berry or Hoodia are ending up in a growing list of weight loss products mainly because of the media attention showered on them when a celebrity speaks how he or she got slim with one. Acai Berry is widely advertised as a weight loss miracle due to its anti-oxidative properties but there are no scientific studies to confirm this and users have reported side effects like diarrhea.

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Friday, March 19, 2010

Obesity and Health Risks

The modern world supplies us with a lot of food and conveniences but has yet to provide a way to stop calories and obesity. In the US alone, around 60% of the people are overweight and 30% are obese. These figures, as bad as they are, only seem to get worse with more and younger people becoming obese too. With this, there has been an increase in health problems caused by obesity.

What are the health risks of obesity? Being overweight is certainly about a lot more than just one's appearance. There are very serious health concerns that arise from obesity. These diseases, if not checked in time, can even prove to be fatal. Some of the diseases that can be caused or worsened by obesity are:

Diabetes: When there is excess fat on the body, muscles and tissues become resistant to insulin, and the sugars in the blood are not converted to energy for these muscles and tissues they way they normally would be. The increased levels of insulin in the blood this leads to can eventually lead to Type 2 diabetes. As the obesity rate has increased, so has this type of diabetes.

Cardiovascular Disease: Heart disease is the biggest killer in the Western world and being overweight is a major factor in it. Being overweight causes stress on the heart and arteries. Obesity leads to the thickening of blood vessels, increased arterial resistance and increased heart output and blood volume. All of this increases the load on the heart.

Cancers: High BMI or body mass index increases the rates of cancers to include prostate, colon, breast and kidney.

Fortunately, many of the health problems brought on by obesity can reduced with weight loss. Some other benefits from weight loss are:

Drop in blood cholesterol: A healthy diet and fitness regimen is certainly going to cut down the cholesterol levels in the blood. This in turn will protect from heart attacks and strokes.

Energy boost: Being overweight takes up a lot of the body's resources, and this in turn makes it more difficult for obese people to do the things they really enjoy in life. Obese people are forced to live sedentary lives devoid of many of the activities fit people are free to enjoy. Losing that extra weight gives people the energy to do the things they enjoy.

These are not the only risks of being overweight and benefits of taking those unneeded pounds off. To address the obesity problem, prevent it from getting worse and eventually reverse it, people will have to be informed of its risks and the benefits of losing weight so that they will be motivated to take action.

For advice and tips on staying healthy and fit, see Current Health Events to keep abreast on health topics to include mental health, fitness, diet, motivation to exercise and nutrition.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tom_A_Smith

Obesity and Social Setup

Sociologists and psychologists have shown that seeding localized social groups with certain ideas or behavioral trends can impregnate or implement these across entire global networks the social epidemics depend on few key influential individuals from whom everyone follows.

There are several phenomena which unwittingly pick up and pass through our social networks. One may be at a risk of gaining weight when he is among obese friends i.e. obesity appears to spread through social ties... The researchers have found that individual's chances of becoming obese increased by 57 percent if their spouse did, irrespective of age Obesity appears to be adopted through the social norm, i.e. as one sees his friends, in particular of the same gender, gain weight, this changes his idea of an acceptable weight gain. This could also help to explain the habits of eating disorders among groups of school girls and/or /boys recently.

Similarly, people quit smoking; they do so along with whole clusters of friends, relatives, social contacts, who are either non-smokers or are offended in presence of a smoker.

Though many may be aware of the problem, yet they are still susceptible, even when they are seeking to avoid undesirable behaviors or adopt positive habits. Cutting ties with old friends might be a bit drastic and uncomfortable, though spending less time will indeed be of benefit in order to change the present life style. In a word, one has to create subtle social orientation. We can be choosy about new friends, seeking out people whose life styles we try to adopt: if we want to lose weight. For example, one can join an athletic club and-most importantly-socialize with its members

Since one cannot avoid spending time with certain people whose behavior or emotional states, one desires not to adopt(certain relatives and family gatherings,for example), one would try to suppress natural inclination; not to be influenced with body language,facial expression, and so limit the contagion effect(s) of these groups.

We will always be vulnerable to those around us, and therefore we make sure that we are with the right people.

However, obesity acquired through the aforementioned traits can be easily reversed through the decisive attitude of losing weight by adopting slimming protocols and physical training.

There are also several herbal and synthetic drugs which may help to this effect, in particular, eating suppression disorders. We can summarize the slimming protocols in little point here:

• Eating food of low calorific content such as green vegetables and fruits of low carbohydrate content.

• Dieting with lean meat, poultry and fish as a daily intake in moderate amounts, and seasoned with desired with appropriate spices.

• Moderate physical exercise in regular and non-extraneous way, in order to burn excess fat versus carbohydrates only. Use interval training with cardio exercise walking, running, cycling, rowing or swimming.

• Some describe taking Acai berry pills, once per day, which have a high anti-oxidant content, and a powerful colon cleanser. This will induce elimination of sludge from the walls of the intestine, colon, and help to get rid of gas and bloating and regulate the metabolism.

• Using green tea as a beverage with low or no sugar content. It has a strong anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant property, and to induce slimming action as well.

• Many medications prescribed in pharmacological world are in fact of herbal origin; extracts of plant parts and the purified active principles, presented in the form of pills, drinks, ointments and gels. These will reduce the body fat through excessive burning or undue release. and however, be taken with medical advice and in moderation.

Name: George iskander
Borne in Khartoum (Sudan), 1942. Atained the following qualifications:
BSc(1964), MSc (1966), PhD(1970) Univ of Khartoum//Liverpool (England)
Affiliates: FRSC(CChem) England, MRACI (Australia), MSCS(Switzerland)

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Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Weight Loss Strategy For New Mothers

For new mothers there is nothing better than looking at their little bundle of joy and just reveling in all that they represent and all that they will become, but what many new moms hate is their shape after the baby is born. So what are some effective weight loss tips for new mothers? Because your new baby will require a lot of love and attention it is hard to find time for a workout schedule, but fear not. If you implement some strategy and imagination you will be back to your pre-baby shape in no time at all.

While the days of heading off to the gym for hours at a time may be over for the time being, there are plenty of effective weight loss strategies for new mothers that are both simple and effective. Here are some of the best ways for new moms to go about losing weight:

•Walk it Off: Once your baby is old enough to be taken outside a great way to get your baby some fresh are and get yourself back into shape is by taking walks. Just load up your little one in a stroller and have at it. Once you get used to taking walks after awhile and you feel like you want more you can purchase a jogging stroller and instead of walking your baby, you can jog your baby.

•Take Advantage of Shopping: When you come home from the grocery store and your little one is sleeping you will have an opportunity to burn some extra calories in a rather quick fashion. Simply put your baby down in the crib like you normally would but instead of trying to carry in all the bags at one, only carry in two at a time. This will equate to some extra trips to and from the car and thus will help you to burn some extra calories. While not a ton, every little bit helps when it comes to weight loss.

•Walk Instead of Rock: When calming down your baby try walking around instead of sitting down in a chair. You can still effectively calm the baby while gently rocking the child, but because you are moving around you are going to be burning calories. Once again, this will not represent much, but it will add up to extra weight loss over time.

•Take Advantage of Nap Time: There is no doubt that you will be as tired as your baby when it is nap time but if you want to get back into shape you have to take advantage of quiet times whenever you get them. If your baby typically naps for a half hour, then take ten minutes for yourself and do some jumping jacks, or sit-up, or whatever. Then take the remaining time to catch up on your sleep.

The bottom line is that you simply need to use your imagination and keep moving as much as you possibly can and the weight loss you desire will come. Just be sure that while you are getting back into shape that you are still enjoying the fact that you have a baby. Before too much longer you will be burning plenty of calories just chasing your little one around the house all day. Enjoy it while you can because they really do grow up fast and you are only a new mother for a very short time.

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Combating Teen Obesity

In addition to all of the other stresses a teen faces, teen obesity is rising to the top of the list. Fast food and convenience foods have contributed significantly to the teen obesity problem we are seeing today. In a world where we want everything as big as we can get it, our teens don't seem to be an exception. Teens eat more and exercise less. Unfortunately, the adults in their lives do not often set the best example. It is important to try to establish good nutrition habits at a young age. There are several contributing factors to our ever-expanding teens and their waistbands.

Sedentary Activities

Television and video games are two of the biggest contributors to teen obesity. When given the choice, a lot of teens are more likely to choose sitting in front of the television, computer, or video game over any outdoor activity. We need to get back to backyard family soccer and football games. Sports are a great way to encourage more physical activity. Every increase in activity is a step in the right direction to burn more calories to begin a path that will guide us towards a healthier youth.

Junk Food and Drink

Another major contributor to teen obesity is the amount of junk food and sugary drinks/soda pop that are so readily available. Even as adults, a lot of the time it is easier to grab a candy bar than to take the time and effort to prepare something healthier, yet if you set the right example from a young age with your kids, it can be an important first step. One of the things that parents-and teens-have to realize is that it is never too late to change eating and activity habits. Join your teen in developing better habits to help fight against teen obesity.

Health Effects of Teen Obesity

There are many negative effects teen obesity can have that will carry throughout their lifetime. It is common for obese teens to have problems with diabetes, sleep apnea, and high blood pressure. But health is not the only thing an obese teen struggles with. Obese teens often also face ridicule from their peers. While teen obesity is on the rise, there is still the model-thin mentality, especially among teen girls, thanks to the media. Being obese affects teen self confidence. It can lead to depression. The cost of being an obese teen is almost immeasurable. It can have a lifetime of lasting effects, both mental and physical.

Motivation

There are so many health benefits to becoming more active and making more nutritious choices. Being healthy can have such a positive effect on the mental well-being that is so important for teens and their successful, healthy navigation through adolescence. It is important to find the right kind of motivation for each individual teen. Motivation is especially important in the beginning to be successful in making the lifestyle change necessary to achieve health and weight loss goals. Starting to make healthier life choices can truly make a difference between life and death.

Norbert Georget is an accomplished professional speaker, teen motivator, parenting expert and author of the book, No-Nonsense Parenting For Today's Teenager - How To Feel Like A Good Parent Even When Your Teenager Hates You. You may get a FREE REPORT called No-Nonsense Parenting for the Disrespectful Teenager. All the answers you'll need to deal with your disrespectful teenager.

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Monday, March 15, 2010

Diet Pills, Weight Loss and Hoodia: The Facts

Herbal slimming pills are the rage today- because these products offer the possibility of losing weight minus the aches and pains of more traditional approaches to weight loss.

In the United Kingdom, people buy UniqueHoodia and other products. Around 9 million sterling pounds are spent a year in the proverbial battle against unwanted flab. The market is growing, the same way waists are growing and bursting against belts and buttons.

While it is possible to lose some weight with other products, people who buy UniqueHoodia are partaking of a unique tradition of staving off the hunger pangs that spans more than three hundred years.

Surviving the Kalahari

Deserts are unfriendly places. The average rainfall of a desert is about 150-250 millimeters a years, as compared to 5,000 to 10,000 millimeters of rainfall in tropical countries. That kind of dryness produces food and water scarcity.

In South Africa, a tribe had been exposed to such conditions for hundreds of years. And still, the San tribe continues to live its rich traditions to this day. Traditional knowledge pointed the San tribesmen to partake of one of nature's secrets to conquering hunger and thirst- the hoodia gordonii cactus.

According to UniqueHoodia reviews, the San people actually chew the cactus for long periods of time, consuming the vital juices. In the 1960s, the component that helped the San people survive had been isolated. Resembling a steroid molecule, the P57 compound was the hunger-fighting component of the South African succulent.

How hoodia is used

Since it's nigh impossible to obtain fresh South African hoodia gordonii, UniqueHoodia reviews recommend that powdered cacti would suffice. A person takes the Hoodia pills before and after meals, to reduce further calorie intake.

While calorie reduction varies from person to person, it has been estimated that around 2,000 calories may be avoided per day. This translates to plenty of weight loss over a sustained period of time.

A month of "hoodia treatment" can shed at least one pound a week. That's four pounds off the human body. The beauty of this approach lies in the fact that as you take supplements like UniqueHoodia diet pills, the body adapts to changing eating patterns.

In the end, when you no longer need the help of herbal diet pills, the body is well on its way to naturally regulating periodic occurrences of hunger. Products like UniqueHoodia diet pills capitalize on the body's natural capacity to control itself.

Caution

As a general rule, all products should be scrutinized for authenticity. On the globalize scale, different institutions approve or disapprove of particular food supplements. If you are purchasing from a brick-and-mortar store, make sure that what you are purchasing has been appropriately evaluated by the authorities.

Black market products should be considered de facto dangerous. The pedigree of black market products (usually unmarked, with no contact details of the shippers and manufacturers) is often dubious.

There have been several reports of side effects in black market products around the world. Some have resulted in serious health complications. Buyer should always beware, because your own health relies heavily in your purchasing decisions.

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How Overweight Issues Have Impacted the Health of Americans?

Being overweight can cause major health hazards. And so in case you or your loved one is suffering from this problem, you should immediately consult a physician or weight loss clinic. If you are a resident of north Texas, weight loss, can be quite easy. There are many experienced physicians who manage weight loss clinics. You can consult any reputable clinic and assistance in managing your obesity problems.

Overweight problems can cause many health issues and some of them can take a fatal turn. Some of the health problems are listed below.

High Blood Pressure

Although the reasons are not very clear, blood pressure can actually increase with rising weight. So, an obese person might have to deal with high blood pressure and the accompanied health hazards like heart attack and stroke. High blood pressure in obese people can be tentatively attributed to factors such as disturbed blood flow through the veins and the arteries or the high insulin level in the blood. But even losing a few pounds can bring down the blood pressure to a permissible limit.

There are several north Texas weight loss clinics that can help you deal with the problems of being overweight. So, it is important that if you are dealing with issues of obesity or overweight problems that you seek medical advise to address your high blood pressure concerns as soon as possible.

Type 2 Diabetes and Gestational Diabetes

Overweight problems may contribute to instigate type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes during pregnancy. Obesity makes the cells further resistant to insulin as the cells already saturated with glucose cannot absorb the blood sugar anymore. Obesity can also cause various problems during pregnancy. One chief cause of concern is the gestational diabetes which specifically develops at the later stage of pregnancy. Obesity has also been linked with infertility problems and can result in birth defects. A good program can help you deal with obesity keeping in mind all these factors.

Arthritis

Overweight issues have been linked to osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis in both men and women. The most vulnerable areas include the hands, the knees, and the back. You can consider a north Texas weight loss program to help you manage weight loss which is further going to help you deal with your arthritis problems.

Cancer

Women with obesity problems are more likely to suffer from breast cancer after menopause. Many cancers are caused by lifestyle problems and overweight issues have also been linked with esophagus cancer and renal cell cancer.

High Cholesterol Level

Suffers of being overweight can also cause concerns regarding the cholesterol level in the body. This is because being overweight has been linked with lower presence of the high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. HDL is the good cholesterol which mitigates many dangers of heart diseases.

Overweight issues can cause various other harmful diseases like fatigue, gall bladder disease, thrombosis and so on. For a resident of north Texas, weight loss can be an easy task as there are so many avenues through which you can do that. There are clinics specially designed for which adults can effectively deal with their overweight problems. So, being overweight is a major health concern and it should be tackled at the earliest. And a good weight loss program can help you immensely in this regard.

Shape Shifters Weight Loss is a dedicated weight loss company specializing in medically supported treatments to assist the seriously overweight to take control of their health through achieving significant fat loss. The company's professional weight loss consultants work with obese clients to help them shed weight for life with the use of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG), a natural, water-based hormone that acts like a fat liquefier while helping to control appetite and increase metabolism.

Shape Shifter Weight Loss helps their clients to safely and rapidly reduce fat, losing up to 40 pounds in 40 days and then works with them to develop healthy habits and make lifestyle changes that will keep the pounds off. Through weight loss, Shape Shifter clients are often able to eliminate reliance on medications, reduce cholesterol levels, and lower blood pressure while reducing the need for invasive surgical procedures.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Allen_Heath

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Long Fingernails - When Your Nails Have the Fastest Growth Rate

Growing long fingernails can be a real struggle for many, which is why so many woman resort to artificial nails. With the proper fingernail care, you can achieve long fingernails, but like everything it takes time and a little bit of work.

Daily massaging fingernails with oil such as olive oil, almond oil, coconut oil or sunflower oil is good. This way you keep your fingernails moisturized, and hydrated. It is usually because nails are dehydrated that they split, peel and break.

Taking a biotin supplement can help with strengthening nails. Biotin is known to help with the thickness of nails, as well as your hair. Gently tapping your fingers on a hard surface will help stimulate blood flow, and help increase nail growth.

Using a nail buffer will help with nail growth, although you need to be careful you don't over buff, and only use the coarse side of the buffer about once a month, as you can easily thin your nails. Fingernails grow at a faster rate than your toe nails, and if you are right handed, your nails grow faster than your left hand, and if you are left handed, and your nails grow faster than your right hand.

People, who are in the habit of fingernail biting, actually have a faster fingernail growth rate. When you bite your nails, you are increasing blood flow to the nail. Although sadly, you will never get to see lovely long fingernails. Just before menstruation begins, your nails tent to grow quicker, and also for women who are in the beginning stages of pregnancy.

Protein helps nails grow faster, have a diet high in protein and you will see a difference. Include a vitamin D supplement as well. Fingernails grow faster in the summer time than any other season, and men's nails grow faster than woman. Younger people have a faster nail growth rate, and as you age your nail growth slows down. Your middle finger is the fastest nail to grow, and your little finger is the slowest to grow.

Throughout history, long fingernails painted, represented wealth and beauty. The ancient Egyptians were wearing long fingernails long before it became the fashion. They were known for nail shapes made from gold, bone and ivory, which were attached to the end of their fingers, this was to indicate wealth.

Pauline Downie loves all things fingernails, check out her site http://www.beautiful-healthy-fingernails.com and find out how to have lovely long strong fingernails.

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How to Train For a 10k Run

Running is an activity which is taken up by many people, often early on in the year as a New Years’ resolution, or due to a promise they have made as the year closes. Whether you are looking to partake in a 10k run as a celebration of getting back into shape, or if you are doing it for a more serious cause such as a charity run; it is imperative that in order to perform to the best of your ability and also prevent an injury from occurring, that you take up a specific training plan. For some, a training plan may have to begin well in advance if they feel they are not fit enough to start at a later date. If you have any qualms about your physical state-especially if you have not participated in any physical activity for a while, it is a good idea to visit a local gym and ask to speak to a trainer there who can give you an ideal time frame of how long you would require to train for, taking all of your personal and fitness factors into consideration.

An individual with a reasonable level of fitness will be able to jog for 20 minutes without any real difficulty. If you are able to do this, then you will require a time frame of around 4 weeks to train for your 10k run. If you feel that you will need a bit more time, start a month earlier, making your training time a total of 8 weeks. For those who struggle with gentle exercise, 8 weeks of training is a realistic time frame. With a time frame such as this, it should be quite easy to fit your training around your lifestyle and other commitments you have. This being said, aim to stick to your plan as best as you can as if you become lazy or miss too many training sessions, this could lead to your run taking longer than initially envisioned, and could also result in an injury occurring during the final run.

Those who currently run on a frequent basis may feel that simply taking up more running at different speeds and gradients is sufficient enough for their training. If you are an experienced runner or have a high level of fitness, this could be enough for you, but for those who are bringing exercise back in to their lives or have a low level of stamina, a variety of different heart raising exercises will be best as this will stop you becoming bored with your routine. Once you have devised a plan which works well around your lifestyle, whilst also being a realistic goal, aim to complete your plan three days a week. The three remaining days of the week can be used as alternative exercise days such as swimming which will aid in keeping the training interesting. It is imperative that you also leave one rest day a week to help your body re-energize itself.

When beginning your training, aim to keep a good, steady pace for a time limit of 25-30 minutes. Every week, add an additional 5 minutes on to this to help build up your stamina and strength. As your stamina grows, look at slowly eliminating your other activities from the training program, focusing more on duration running which will help you in terms of the length of the race. If you are partaking in the race with a friend or loved one, go for regular runs with them which will help your motivation, as well as making your runs all the more enjoyable.

When it comes to sporting events such as a 10k run, training is imperative in order to make the event more manageable, as well as eliminating the chances of an injury. By taking up a training program, you will not only be more prepared for the run, but are also more likely to enjoy the experience too.

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Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Hair Loss Causes - Taking Common Hair Diseases Seriously

Everyone loses hair every day. Doctors even say that it is normal to lose 100 strands daily. Still, many worry when it comes to hair loss. There are reasons why some should worry especially if a person has a hair disease. Common hair diseases that are related to scalp infections are either caused by fungus, virus or bacteria.

Infections

Tinea capitis or ringworm of the scalp is one of the most common diseases that affect the hair. It is a ring-shaped patch that is red on the sides and the center is usually light in color. This spot is scaly and inflamed. It may even have blisters filled with liquid or pus which may ooze.

The fungus spreads to the hair follicle which causes the hair to be brittle and fall out. Some of them are the Microsporum audouinii fungus which is the most common cause of ringworm, Microsporum gypseum which is carried by pets (mostly cats), Trichophyton tonsurans which can be found in US and Latin American Countries, Trichophyton schoenleinii in Southern Europe, Trichophyton megninii in Africa, and Trichophyton violaceum in the Middle East.

This infection goes away without treatment if the fungus is mild. To totally eliminate the chances of this infection to recur, it is best to take medication prescribed by a physician. You can take Griseofulvin or other anti-fungal drugs like Terbinafine, Itraconazole, and Fluconazole that treat ringworm.

Alopecia Areata

This is a hair disease that can be diagnosed with a gentle tug on a lump of hair near the infected area. This condition makes an affected person lose hair in patches and of different sizes. The person´s immune system attacks the hair follicles causing the patches. Around 0.1 - 0.2% individuals all over the world has this case. It is not contagious and is more common in females.

Some types of alopecia areata are: areata totalis, alopecia areata universalis, alopecia areata monocularis and alopecia areata multilocularis. These types vary by number and areas of spots affected.
Some patients prefer to grow hair naturally and without treatment if the affected area is small. Some take medications like corticosteroids which can be injected or applied to the affected areas. Topical drugs like rogaine or minoxidil are topical sensitizers that are used to treat the condition and cause hair growth.

Scarring Alopecia

This disease is one of the major causes of hair loss around the world. Also known as cicatricial alopecia, this condition affects men and women from all age group. This is a medical condition where the hair follicles are inflamed due to infection.

It starts in small patches which gradually expand. Most cases go unnoticed but there are few instances when the patches hurt, itch or have a burning sensation. It appears red in color which may be lighter or darker than the normal skin.

This condition should be studied carefully by getting a sample tissue or biopsy since this condition presents itself under the skin. Through biopsy, the severity and the cause of scarring alopecia will be determined.

Immediate treatment is needed to prevent irreversible damage to the hair follicle. Treatment is extensive and should be maintained by an individual affected with this condition. Usually, doctors prescribe antibiotics or topical creams. Injections can be used to treat the affected skin for faster results.

Published At: Isnare.com Free Articles Directory - http://www.isnare.com/
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=482076&ca=Wellness%2C+Fitness+and+Diet

Out of the hundreds of weight loss programs out there, you can be sure that there’s one that will suit you best. However, finding the right one can be

Running is an activity which is taken up by many people, often early on in the year as a New Years’ resolution, or due to a promise they have made as the year closes. Whether you are looking to partake in a 10k run as a celebration of getting back into shape, or if you are doing it for a more serious cause such as a charity run; it is imperative that in order to perform to the best of your ability and also prevent an injury from occurring, that you take up a specific training plan. For some, a training plan may have to begin well in advance if they feel they are not fit enough to start at a later date. If you have any qualms about your physical state-especially if you have not participated in any physical activity for a while, it is a good idea to visit a local gym and ask to speak to a trainer there who can give you an ideal time frame of how long you would require to train for, taking all of your personal and fitness factors into consideration.

An individual with a reasonable level of fitness will be able to jog for 20 minutes without any real difficulty. If you are able to do this, then you will require a time frame of around 4 weeks to train for your 10k run. If you feel that you will need a bit more time, start a month earlier, making your training time a total of 8 weeks. For those who struggle with gentle exercise, 8 weeks of training is a realistic time frame. With a time frame such as this, it should be quite easy to fit your training around your lifestyle and other commitments you have. This being said, aim to stick to your plan as best as you can as if you become lazy or miss too many training sessions, this could lead to your run taking longer than initially envisioned, and could also result in an injury occurring during the final run.

Those who currently run on a frequent basis may feel that simply taking up more running at different speeds and gradients is sufficient enough for their training. If you are an experienced runner or have a high level of fitness, this could be enough for you, but for those who are bringing exercise back in to their lives or have a low level of stamina, a variety of different heart raising exercises will be best as this will stop you becoming bored with your routine. Once you have devised a plan which works well around your lifestyle, whilst also being a realistic goal, aim to complete your plan three days a week. The three remaining days of the week can be used as alternative exercise days such as swimming which will aid in keeping the training interesting. It is imperative that you also leave one rest day a week to help your body re-energize itself.

When beginning your training, aim to keep a good, steady pace for a time limit of 25-30 minutes. Every week, add an additional 5 minutes on to this to help build up your stamina and strength. As your stamina grows, look at slowly eliminating your other activities from the training program, focusing more on duration running which will help you in terms of the length of the race. If you are partaking in the race with a friend or loved one, go for regular runs with them which will help your motivation, as well as making your runs all the more enjoyable.

When it comes to sporting events such as a 10k run, training is imperative in order to make the event more manageable, as well as eliminating the chances of an injury. By taking up a training program, you will not only be more prepared for the run, but are also more likely to enjoy the experience too.

Published At: Isnare.com Free Articles Directory - http://www.isnare.com/
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=491182&ca=Wellness%2C+Fitness+and+Diet

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Weight Loss Reviews - Know the Key Secret of the Best Slimming Program

Out of the hundreds of weight loss programs out there, you can be sure that there’s one that will suit you best. However, finding the right one can be downright confusing and frustrating. Is it any wonder that time and again, diet programs fail and you’re in a much terrible condition than when you first started?

Every new diet program on the block claim they are better than the rest yet fail to emphasize where and how they should be used.

The question most asked by failed weight losers is: why is it so tiresome and frustrating to find the best weight loss regimen THAT WILL WORK?

The answer is surprisingly simple: diets don’t work because they are too restricting. They limit your food intake. Man needs to feed on a variety of food in order to function normally and survive. When you go on a strict diet, your body sends out a lot of warning signals that says it’s not getting enough!

No To starvation Diets

Look for a weight loss program that doesn’t advocate a crash diet. Avoid those revolutionary diets where you have to divest yourself of your favorite food and have to go hungry throughout the program.

The best slimming programs will allow you to eat the right amount of food, enough to make you function and exercise normally without feeling weak and famished. The best program is one that will make you lose weight safely.

That’s the bottom line. The best weight loss program should promote healthy weight loss. It will not allow you to lose weight too fast and it will let the body get the essential nutrients it requires to function normally. This program won’t allow you to go hungry, you’ll swear you're not on a diet at all.

Lose Weight Gradually

Now you might be wondering where on earth can you find such a program where you lose weight safely without starving yourself. Is there really such a program?

Of course, there is. Its rules are really simple. It has no fancy gimmicks, no fad diets and no long hours in the gym. If you want to shed those pounds safely, and keep it off, you need a well-balanced program that includes eating a proper diet and the right exercises.

The safest way to lose weight is to lose it safely and at a moderate pace. Rapid weight loss produces undesirable effects on the body. If you shed weight too fast, you have the tendency to gain it back sooner or later.

If you are still allowed to eat your favorite foods, this means your body is not deprived of its essential building blocks. On the other hand, starvation diets lets you eat only the foods they allow and lets you go famished all the time. Starving yourself can make you slip and send you on an eating binge.

The Big Secret

The secret of the best weight loss program lies in burning off what you have consumed. If you ate a lot of fried chicken, then the best way to compensate for it is to burn off the excess calories through exercise. That’s it. That’s the big secret.

Don’t be lazy to exercise so there won’t be an accumulation of fat in your body. This is the best weight loss formula. Eat well and exercise. Avoid exercise and you will remain overweight for the rest of your life.

Published At: Isnare.com Free Articles Directory - http://www.isnare.com/
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=490573&ca=Wellness%2C+Fitness+and+Diet

Expressing Your Personality Through Fragrance

Of all our senses, the sense of smell is perhaps the most ignored as important. However, our sense of smell influences us in many more ways than we realize. Smells are often associated with strong memories. A scent can recall a warm summer day by the ocean or that rainy evening in Paris. Fragrances can invoke strong feeling associated with those memories. When it is time to choose a discount fragrance, it's important to choose one that expresses the wearer's personality. Your discount fragrances should invoke feelings that are descriptive of your personality.

A fragrance with a strong floral note express a feminine, traditional personality. People who are drawn to floral scents usually see themselves as feminine and enjoy rural settings and classical music. This personality type enjoys tradition. Women with this type of personality probably enjoy flowing fabrics, floral prints and cute, feminine shoes. Many classic women's discount fragrances have strong floral notes.

Fruity scented perfume should express a more self-indulgent personality. This personality loves to be pampered. A Fragrance with a clean fruity scent express a fun loving personality. Someone wearing a fruity fragrance is probably friendly and outgoing.

Fragrances consisting of musk and amber are often called oriental scents. These scents express a personality that enjoys exotic locales. People that are most drawn to these discount fragrances often enjoy jazz music. They're sexy, sensual personalities with expensive tastes.

Woody perfumes often come in two flavors. The lighter woody perfumes include fragrances with a clean, ocean scent and tend to be favored by those personalities who enjoy a day relaxing at the beach. People drawn to these scents are often calm and relaxed. The deeper woody aromas on the flip side, are often favored by jet setters. Those that love these discount fragrances have a personality that hungers for excitement and the thrill of something new.

How strong a scent is can also say something about its wearer's personality. Delicate scents that only leave a whisper or suggestion behind suggest more introverted personalities. Deep, long lasting scent, on the other hand, express a sensual and outgoing personality. Many men's discount colognes accomplish this goal.

The fragrance you wear can suggest a lot about your personality. While there are some generalities about the types of discount fragrances different personalities are drawn to, there are no hard rules. Buying discount fragrances means that you can afford to buy fragrances that express a personality that you want to express. For example, perhaps for a special evening date, you'd like to express a sensual feminine personality while your normal daytime fragrance expresses a fun and relaxed personality. Discount fragrances provide the opportunity to experiment and express who you want to be. Have fun with them. And don't forget to shop online for discount fragrances to save lots of money.

Why pay department store prices, when you can shop online for discount Fragrances and enjoy all the benefits? You still receive the same quality name brands, but it costs you half as much, and you'll enjoy great fragrance selection, fast shipping and a full money back guarantee at Bigdiscountfragrances.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Rares

Friday, March 5, 2010

Hair LosHair Loss Causes - Taking Common Hair Diseases Seriouslys Causes - Taking Common Hair Diseases Seriously

Everyone loses hair every day. Doctors even say that it is normal to lose 100 strands daily. Still, many worry when it comes to hair loss. There are reasons why some should worry especially if a person has a hair disease. Common hair diseases that are related to scalp infections are either caused by fungus, virus or bacteria.

Infections

Tinea capitis or ringworm of the scalp is one of the most common diseases that affect the hair. It is a ring-shaped patch that is red on the sides and the center is usually light in color. This spot is scaly and inflamed. It may even have blisters filled with liquid or pus which may ooze.

The fungus spreads to the hair follicle which causes the hair to be brittle and fall out. Some of them are the Microsporum audouinii fungus which is the most common cause of ringworm, Microsporum gypseum which is carried by pets (mostly cats), Trichophyton tonsurans which can be found in US and Latin American Countries, Trichophyton schoenleinii in Southern Europe, Trichophyton megninii in Africa, and Trichophyton violaceum in the Middle East.

This infection goes away without treatment if the fungus is mild. To totally eliminate the chances of this infection to recur, it is best to take medication prescribed by a physician. You can take Griseofulvin or other anti-fungal drugs like Terbinafine, Itraconazole, and Fluconazole that treat ringworm.

Alopecia Areata

This is a hair disease that can be diagnosed with a gentle tug on a lump of hair near the infected area. This condition makes an affected person lose hair in patches and of different sizes. The person´s immune system attacks the hair follicles causing the patches. Around 0.1 - 0.2% individuals all over the world has this case. It is not contagious and is more common in females.

Some types of alopecia areata are: areata totalis, alopecia areata universalis, alopecia areata monocularis and alopecia areata multilocularis. These types vary by number and areas of spots affected.
Some patients prefer to grow hair naturally and without treatment if the affected area is small. Some take medications like corticosteroids which can be injected or applied to the affected areas. Topical drugs like rogaine or minoxidil are topical sensitizers that are used to treat the condition and cause hair growth.

Scarring Alopecia

This disease is one of the major causes of hair loss around the world. Also known as cicatricial alopecia, this condition affects men and women from all age group. This is a medical condition where the hair follicles are inflamed due to infection.

It starts in small patches which gradually expand. Most cases go unnoticed but there are few instances when the patches hurt, itch or have a burning sensation. It appears red in color which may be lighter or darker than the normal skin.

This condition should be studied carefully by getting a sample tissue or biopsy since this condition presents itself under the skin. Through biopsy, the severity and the cause of scarring alopecia will be determined.

Immediate treatment is needed to prevent irreversible damage to the hair follicle. Treatment is extensive and should be maintained by an individual affected with this condition. Usually, doctors prescribe antibiotics or topical creams. Injections can be used to treat the affected skin for faster results.

Published At: Isnare.com Free Articles Directory - http://www.isnare.com/
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=482076&ca=Wellness%2C+Fitness+and+Diet

Weight Loss Reviews - Know the Key Secret of the Best Slimming Program

Out of the hundreds of weight loss programs out there, you can be sure that there’s one that will suit you best. However, finding the right one can be downright confusing and frustrating. Is it any wonder that time and again, diet programs fail and you’re in a much terrible condition than when you first started?

Every new diet program on the block claim they are better than the rest yet fail to emphasize where and how they should be used.

The question most asked by failed weight losers is: why is it so tiresome and frustrating to find the best weight loss regimen THAT WILL WORK?

The answer is surprisingly simple: diets don’t work because they are too restricting. They limit your food intake. Man needs to feed on a variety of food in order to function normally and survive. When you go on a strict diet, your body sends out a lot of warning signals that says it’s not getting enough!

No To starvation Diets

Look for a weight loss program that doesn’t advocate a crash diet. Avoid those revolutionary diets where you have to divest yourself of your favorite food and have to go hungry throughout the program.

The best slimming programs will allow you to eat the right amount of food, enough to make you function and exercise normally without feeling weak and famished. The best program is one that will make you lose weight safely.

That’s the bottom line. The best weight loss program should promote healthy weight loss. It will not allow you to lose weight too fast and it will let the body get the essential nutrients it requires to function normally. This program won’t allow you to go hungry, you’ll swear you're not on a diet at all.

Lose Weight Gradually

Now you might be wondering where on earth can you find such a program where you lose weight safely without starving yourself. Is there really such a program?

Of course, there is. Its rules are really simple. It has no fancy gimmicks, no fad diets and no long hours in the gym. If you want to shed those pounds safely, and keep it off, you need a well-balanced program that includes eating a proper diet and the right exercises.

The safest way to lose weight is to lose it safely and at a moderate pace. Rapid weight loss produces undesirable effects on the body. If you shed weight too fast, you have the tendency to gain it back sooner or later.

If you are still allowed to eat your favorite foods, this means your body is not deprived of its essential building blocks. On the other hand, starvation diets lets you eat only the foods they allow and lets you go famished all the time. Starving yourself can make you slip and send you on an eating binge.

The Big Secret

The secret of the best weight loss program lies in burning off what you have consumed. If you ate a lot of fried chicken, then the best way to compensate for it is to burn off the excess calories through exercise. That’s it. That’s the big secret.

Don’t be lazy to exercise so there won’t be an accumulation of fat in your body. This is the best weight loss formula. Eat well and exercise. Avoid exercise and you will remain overweight for the rest of your life.

Published At: Isnare.com Free Articles Directory - http://www.isnare.com/
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=490573&ca=Wellness%2C+Fitness+and+Diet

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Workstation Health And Fitness For RSI

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) is now a major industrial disease affecting millions of people around the world. RSI includes conditions such as carpel tunnel syndrome, tenosynovitis and tendinitis - often collectively referred to as upper limb disorders, musculoskeletal disorders, occupational overuse syndrome (OOS), computer related injuries or cumulative trauma disorders, or CTD. Often the posotion of workstations and the design of the pc and accessories can affect how our health and safety.

1. Workstation Ergonomics

A well designed workstation is essential to maintaining good posture and reducing the risk of lower back pain and other computer related injuries.

2. Ergonomic Keyboards and Mice

There are quite a few ergonomically designed keyboards and mice available. The Microsoft Natural Keyboard is one example. This keyboard splits the keys into two panels - one for each hand, and angles each panel so that the hands sit naturally on the keyboard, rather than requiring them to be twisted into an unnatural position which is the case with normal keyboards. Many mice are now designed to fit neatly into either hand, and can often have a scrolling wheel, which can make scrolling through documents easier and less stressful than using scroll bars.

These ergonomic devices are generally more expensive than standard designs, but can be well worth the investment.
3. Ergonomic Use of Keyboards and Mice

The computer mouse was originally designed to make using a computer easier - it is much easier to point at a picture and click than to learn a relatively complicated series of keystrokes. However, research has shown that using a mouse is a significant cause of repetitive strain injury. Especially if the mouse is located at the same level and to the side of the keyboard - it's usual location. This requires extending your arm which introduces significant tensions and stresses in your arm, shoulder and neck.

The best position for your mouse is on a raised platform slightly above the numeric keypad on your computer. Also, if you reduce the speed of the mouse and the number of clicks you have to make you can greatly reduce the muscle tension in your arm and hand. Additionally, you can swap the primary and secondary mouse buttons (the left and right buttons), to change the mouse from being right handed to left handed. Using your left hand - or right hand if you are left handed - can take some getting used to, but can be very helpful if you are suffering from any aches and pains in one hand. Regularly alternating between left and right hands can also give your arms and hands a rest, thus minimizing the risk of developing any RSI condition. You can swap the mouse buttons using the Mouse applet in the Windows Control Panel - or directly from the Stress Buster context menu - with fewer mouse clicks and/or key strokes.

To reduce the mouse speed, open the Mouse applet in the Windows Control Panel, select the tab Pointer Options and move the pointer speed slider to the left to slow. Click OK.

To reduce the number of clicks you have to make, open the My Computer icon, then select Tools, Folder Options, and then under Click Items As Follows, choose Single-click to open an item.

If you can you should avoid using the mouse as much as possible. Most actions and commands can be carried out using keyboard shortcuts instead of the mouse. For example, to reduce the number of clicks you have to make with your mouse - as described above, you could use the following keyboard shortcuts:

1. Press the button on your keyboard to open the Windows Start Menu.
2. Use the arrow keys to select My Computer (or the alternative name you may have given to your computer), and then press Enter or Return. This will open an explorer window for your computer.
3. Hold down the Alt key and press "T" to open the Tools menu, then press "O" to open Folder Options.
4. In Folder Options, hold down the Alt key, and press "S". This will select the option Single-click to open an item.
5. Press Enter or Return to close the Folder Options dialog.

Windows Help provides extensive help on using keyboard shortcuts with Windows. Individual applications such as Microsoft Office also have their own keyboard shortcuts - with the appropriate help. Learning keyboard shortcuts can take some time, but once learnt, using them tends to be faster than using the mouse, and avoids much of the discomfort associated with the mouse.
4. Rest Breaks

All ergonomic experts agree that taking frequent rest breaks is essential to avoid the risk of computer related injuries.

You should take frequent "eye breaks" - staring at a computer monitor for long periods causes you to blink less often - resulting in dryer eyes. Every 10 to 15 minutes you should look away from your monitor and blink your eyes rapidly for a few seconds. This will refresh the tear film and clear any dust from the surface of the eyes. Additionally you should focus on something at a distance - preferably 20 feet or more away - look out of the window if you can - this will relax the muscles inside the eye.

You should take frequent short pauses or "micro pauses" - for 10 seconds or so up to a minute - every 10 minutes or thereabouts. You should take regular short breaks - for 5 minutes or more - every hour or so - maybe go for a coffee or a short walk around the office, and you should take a long break every two or three hours - for at least 15 minutes, or preferably 30 minutes to an hour. Exactly how long and how frequent your breaks are depends on your own personal preferences and working environment.

5. Stretching Exercises

Regular stretching is an essential part of RSI prevention and recovery, remember that your body is not designed to be sat at a desk for 8 hours a day clicking a mouse. Respect your body and give it the movement and range of motion it normally expects.

6. Posture

Good posture is essential to avoid repetitive strain injury and other computer related injuries. Well designed workstation ergonomics can help in maintaining a good posture.

* Make sure that you can reach the keyboard with your wrists as flat as possible (not twisted up or down) and straight (not twisted left or right). An ergonomic keyboard can help to keep your wrists straight.
* Make sure that your elbow angle is 90 degrees or more to avoid nerve compression at the elbow.
* Make sure that your upper arm and elbow are as close to the body and as relaxed as possible for mouse use - avoid overreaching. Also make sure that your wrist is as straight as possible when the mouse is being used.
* Make sure that you sit back in the chair and that you have good back support - especially lumber support.
* Make sure that your feet are flat on the floor. Use a foot rest if necessary.
* Make sure that your head and neck are as straight as possible .
* Make sure that you are relaxed. Forcing yourself to sit up straight can sometimes introduce unhealthy tensions in the back muscles.

7. Alternative Input Devices

There are a number of alternative input devices you can use, instead of the mouse and keyboard, which you might find helpful. Examples are the trackball, a graphics table and pen, a touchpad, and even voice control.

RSI is a very serious health risk, especially with the young people who are coming to any industry sector that has continuous use of a PC. You need to take all the actions and preventions necessary to help minimize that risk.

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Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=1870&ca=Wellness%2C+Fitness+and+Diet