By : Shelley Green
Are you thinking about using Pilates videos for pregnancy? Taking a class or would like to find out a little more information? Well I have written this article with you in mind. I hope that you find it useful.
Looking for an exercise program while you're pregnant can be somewhat like choosing chocolates in a candy store. You don't know if you're going to like it once you buy it or if it's going to satisfy your very individual needs and tastes. Pregnant women who are addicted to their weekly Pilates workouts don't need to give them up, they just need to find a workout that takes their new status as a pregnant woman into consideration.
For the sake of convenience, many pregnant women choose to do their workouts at home with one of the many videos or books available on the subject. The question is which one? It's important to choose a workout that will keep you in shape and yet not compromise the pregnancy when choosing Pilates videos for pregnancy. Remember to get a go ahead from your health care provider before beginning any workout program, even if you are used to physical exercise.
Pilates has become really very popular over the last 10 years and due to the fact that certain techniques are safe during pregnancy it is not surprising that many people are looking for the perfect Pilates videos for pregnancy to enable them to use this wonderful form of exercise in their own homes.
Pilates is often seen as a one size fits all program. Pilates takes the core strengthening, stomach flattening, muscle lengthening exercises that Joseph Pilates invented and group them together to target specific needs or are modified so that people who previously thought they couldn't do Pilates can benefit from Joseph Pilates brilliant method.
Many women find Pilates to be one of best exercises to do, both during and after their pregancy. One the top reasons Pilates and pregnancy go together so well is that Pilates is great at building core strength. If your abdominals, back, and pelvic floor/Kegel muscles are toned, they will support a more comfortable pregnancy and delivery. Pilates is also famous for helping new moms get their figures back after baby is born!
When buying Pilates videos for pregnancy, first make sure that the instructor on the tape is an expert in the field. Also look for a section or introduction that addresses safety and posture. Posture is a constant challenge throughout pregnancy. Good posture and alignment can help pregnant women avoid the usual aches and pains. And, like any exercise program, enjoyment is a large part of wanting to work out regularly.
Lindsey Jackson's Video 'PILATES IN PREGNANCY'
This video claims that by doing these exercises women will gain more balance, control of their bodies, energy, self awareness, better posture, strength and flexibility and be able to relax. To a large extent this is true, if done regularly (2-3 times a week) and the workout would take about 30 minutes.
What Others Have to Say
The Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Women's Health said "This video is endorsed by, and was produced in consultation with the Association . . . we were impressed at how thorough Lindsey was in making adaptations, based on the advice given by women's health physiotherapists . . ."
"The video has helped me with a number of things. It has helped my back, which was a problem and has also helped me avoid the slight inconstancy I suffered following the birth of my first baby. I also regained the shape of my stomach far quicker following the birth of this child, than following the birth of my first child when I was not practicing Pilates" Susan Kinderlane
"seeing the effect I could have on my tummy muscles whilst pregnant was incredibly empowering." Kirsty Maddocks
"Clear and correct instructions . . . appropriate modifications .. well selected exercises . . . well produced and well instructed" Lisa Westlake Australian Physio Association
"I would highly recommend this video to all pregnant/post-partum clients, especially those who are experiencing pelvic ring dysfunction. The instructor is knowledgeable, and the quality of the exercise routine is among the best I have seen for this patient population" Lauren Potach, PT Women's Health Coordinator Rehab Partners- Methodist Hospital, Nebraska
About The Author-- Shelley Green is the owner of http://www.pilatesvideosforpregnancy.com, a site that specializes in Pilates Videos for Pregnancy including Pilates and Pregnancy information and also other recommended sites.
Choosing Pilates Videos for Pregnancy
Clever Yoga Tips for Busy People
By : Anmol Mehta
Most of us live very busy and hectic lives. If you are married, have children, have a job, you are going to be busy and even if you don't have all these commitments, you are probably busy nonetheless. Throw in other activities you may be participating in, such as higher education, a fitness routine, other hobbies & interests, sports, blogging etc., and 24 hours starts to seem like awfully little time per day. Unfortunately, what seems to often get sacrificed in keeping up with the rat race is the one thing that should not, your daily spiritual practice. So in this article I will give some handy tips on how you can get more Yoga and Meditation practice into your busy lives by doing some clever multitasking.
Of the many yoga pranayama breathing exercises there are, I think the following 2 stand apart: Breath of Fire Yoga Pranayama & Kapalbhati Yoga Pranayama. These 2 pranayamas have an encyclopedic list of benefits and what's best about them is that they are both simple to do and easy to incorporate into your daily life, specially when you are driving!
Yes that's right, driving. Obviously DO NOT do these breathing exercises if it at all affects your driving, but, generally speaking since driving is mostly automatic for most of us, it provides the perfect opportunity for getting in some additional spiritual work.
A car really is pretty conducive for such pranayama practice. You are already sitting up, so just straighten your spine (use a lumbar cushion if you need to), you have music available so put on some inspirational tunes, you have a clock to time yourself and you even have a fan to stay cool. What more can you ask for?
If you have family in the car with you, great, you can all practice together, why not :-). Both Breath of Fire pranayama and Kapalbhati pranayama are breathing exercises that activate energy pathways within you and increase your energy, so there is no risk of them making you sleepy or drowsy. Really, no significant modification is needed to practice either pranayama while driving so take advantage of this time and give it a try.
To practice Breath of Fire, begin to breathe rapidly through the nose putting equal emphasis on the inhalation and the exhalation. Allow the stomach and diaphragm to stay relaxed and simply pulse to the rhythm of the breath. It is important in breath of fire to not force the air in very deep, but instead keep it at the tip of nose and just breathe rapidly.
To practice Kapalbhati pranayama, again keep everything relaxed and simply expel the air forcefully through your nose, then allow the inhalation to take place as a simple passive recoil. As you exhale forcefully, pull your abdominal muscles in towards your spine, and as you inhale just allow them to re-expand naturally.
If there are other pranayama exercises you are doing, they too might be suitable to do while driving. So be creative and see if driving is conducive to incorporating them. So as you are getting to your physical destination continue to make progress towards your spiritual destination as well.
About The Author-- Anmol Mehta is a Yoga Teacher & Zen Expert. See Free Yoga Videos and explore Free Kundalini Yoga Poses & Exercises on his extensive Meditation and Yoga site, Kundalini Yoga.
Getting Fit With Aerobic Exercises
Aerobic exercises are one of the best ways of loosing a few pounds and staying fit. It is an enjoyable way to stay healthy and energetic all through the day. Today, there is a large amount of material available on the net to help you with customized programs that can lead to weight loss and a healthier you than ever before.
The amount of goodness that an aerobic regime will impart to you is unexplainable. You will probably realize how you will fell more fit, have more energy to do all the things you wanted to and even have a better social and love life. If you have been leading a sedentary life from the very start, do not be surprised if you feel better than what you felt even in your teenage.
The number of aerobic exercise plans that are available on the net will probably leave you confused and wondering which one you should consider. But take some time in choosing the right one for yourself, since it is crucial to the kind of results that you will achieve.
For example, even though jogging is an aerobic exercise and is considered by many to be one of the most easy and straightforward exercises to do, using the wrong techniques to jog may result in dire consequences. Though it does increase your heart rate and makes you sweat, thereby fulfilling the basic criteria on an aerobic exercise, it has the negative of concentrating mainly on one part of the body - the legs.
Other parts of the body are relatively ignored. It is also important to note that undertaking extensive jogging on a bad surface or using the wrong kind of shoes can be hazardous to the knee joints.
You need to choose an aerobic program that does not have any of these issues. Choose one that involves a full body workout and has a number of procedures. Many of them also have a feedback system to help you understand your progress and a personal trainer who can help you in specific problems and also motivate you at times when you are about to give up.
Such online aerobic online programs incite you to eat healthier by providing daily diet tips. It allows you to meet other people who have undertaken aerobic exercises so that you can share your experiences and issues with them. You can contact your trainer via an email and also get onto a live chat periodically to discuss specific issues that you may have.
The best part of these programs is that since they do not involve the personal trainer to be physically present allowing him to handle more than one person at a time, they are easier on the pocket.
About The Author-- To find more tips about caring For your body and getting fit with aerobic exercises visit http://bodycaresite.com
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7 Tips for Exercise When You Have Diabetes
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with diabetes, you need to understand that while there is a change in lifestyle, it is not the end of the world! There are plenty of tips and tricks to managing your diabetes, and just by keeping them in mind, you can make sure that your life runs as smoothly as ever. Take a look at a few exercise tips that were made for people with diabetes.
1. Check with a doctor.
If you have not exercised in a long time, or you are just not sure where to start, begin by going to the doctor! They can suggest some ways for you to ease into the process without getting frustrated. Remember that exercise is cumulative and the more you do, the more you'll be able to do.
2. Start slow!
Don't worry about hitting the gym and being a star. If you've been out of the game for a while, start with something simple. Remember that you can always speed things up, but that if you pull something and are laid up for a while, you'll be even further behind.
3. Explore low-impact alternatives
Many people feel that they can't exercise due to the fact that they have weak or troubled joints. Actually, with activities like swimming or underwater aerobics, you'll find that you're in a great situation to have your joints supported while still getting a workout that will make you sweat!
4. Stretch!
This is all information we learn when we're taking grade school gym, but in many ways, a good warm up session will make make the whole workout more enjoyable for you. You can ease into the harder stuff without fear of straining anything and you'll be able to avoid some of the most common workout problems.
5. Beware of high blood pressure
If you have diabetes, your blood pressure is going to be one of your serious concerns, so be aware of it. Be careful of lifting heavy weights and if necessary, speak with your doctor about where you should start, where you want to be, and what is safe when it comes to weight lifting.
6. Safety first.
Whether you work out at gym, in your home or you simply take long walks, it is imperative that you wear an ID bracelet or dog tag stating that you have diabetes. If you have an injury or develop a problem while working out, this is the best way to alert any rescuers to your needs.
7. Be patient with yourself
If you have a health issue like diabetes, don't be surprised if you find that your workout progression is slower than that of other people. Take your time and remember that every little bit of improvement is significant.
About The Author-- Get more Free information at Diabetesbb and get some help at our Diabetes Forum.
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Fantastic Method to Eliminate Cellulite!
Contrary to popular myth that cellulite is irreversible, cellulite can be removed!
However, you need to have an effective treatment as cellulite is a build up of several years and is not an overnight accumulation. It is the improper distribution of fat which is joined to the connective tissues in the body. The connective tissues are those which help n the distribution of fat below the skin surface and sometimes due to accumulation of toxins in the body, uneven distribution takes place leading to cellulite or lumping. You need not be obese to have cellulite, as even models are known to suffer from it!
It has a drastic effect on your self esteem and especially in the summer months you feel embarrassed wearing short skirts and minis. However, it not restricted to women as equal number of men suffer from it. Cellulite accumulates usually on the buttocks, things and hips which makes it unsightly when you need to wear a swimsuit.
Accumulation of toxins is one of the biggest reasons for cellulite formation as built in toxins hinder proper blood circulation. You must be wondering as to what you eat to accumulate so many toxins- well, think about all the preservatives, alcohol consumption, smoking, colors and artificial flavors all contribute to some extent for the toxin built up in the body. Improper drinking of water becomes the last straw.
To completely flush out toxins, one must drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water which goes a long way to eliminate cellulite also as all of these are inter connected. Proper exercise and inclusion of fresh fruits and vegetable also helps. With research and study, many herbal creams and oils are now available which help in smoothening out the skin. The orange peel look is attributed to lumping up of fat cells under the thin layer of the skin. Effective remedies help in breaking the fat cells accumulations while walking, leg squats, leg exercises also help in proper blood circulation. A rejuvenating massage is also a good idea to reduce the cellulite lumps as massage helps to increase blood circulation and breaks muscle, fat lumps in the body.
There are many anti-cellulite creams, essential oils and lotions available which are known to be effective in curing cellulite completely. However, left alone cellulite creams will not be effective unless you exercise and increase blood circulation in the body but it can definitely go away, is a fact.
Various Symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
Approximately 5% of the population suffers from ADD, with majority of them being children. However, it is possible for ADD to carry on into adulthood due to a lack of treatment. Whilst there is insufficient research to support the causes of ADD, it can be due to genetics, prenatal conditions or neurological damage.
ADD is a condition whereby the reticular activating system is impaired, reducing the amount of norepinephrine in the brain, which causes difficulty in communication within different regions of the brain. The symptoms of ADD are similar for children and adults, although adults are seldom diagnosed as they have a better ability to cover up their reactions. There are many forms of ADD as well, ranging from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Attention Deficit Behavior Disorder (ADBD) and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) to Conduct Disorder (CD).
In general, the symptoms such as inability to focus and agitation are known to carry over into adulthood. For our purposes, we will be identifying the various symptoms without distinction towards adults or children. This is due to the likelihood of symptoms carrying over as the children mature.
Inability to Focus
Due to the short attention span of individuals suffering from ADD, they find it difficult to focus on any one task or thought process at a time. This causes them to appear as bored, and they tend to be forgetful. Misplacing items or having wandering thoughts during discussions are very common for them.
Disorganization
For individuals who suffer from ADD, they tend to be restless and inattentive, making it difficult for them to focus on one task at a time. Hence, they tend to be more disorganized as they jump from one object to another, and most of the times they are unaware of their environment, giving them the appearance of being highly disorganized and flighty.
Hyperactivity
Especially for children, it is easy to observe symptoms of hyperactivity. These is usually reflected in their ability to remain in the same position for more than a few seconds. For children, there is a tendency to ignore instructions and be immersed in playing or running around the room. For adults, it may be subtle signs such as fidgeting in the seat continuously, or playing with their hands and feet.
Impulsiveness
This could be manifested in the need to talk excessively, or cutting into conversations before the other party has finished. For children who are playing, it could be sudden actions or a stubborn streak to halt playtime activities. In the classroom, they tend to speak out of turn without waiting for the teacher to call on them, or even before the teacher has finished asking a question. In adults, there is a dangerous tendency to indulge in dangerous activities without careful considerations of the risks or consequences.
Low Self Confidence
Adults and children alike who suffer from ADD tend to have low self confidence due to self directed frustration at their inability to focus and complete tasks at hand. They also suffer from the social stigma and the fear that they are not good enough due to comments from people around them.
Confused About Your Hair Loss Solution Choices?
By : Nicky Taylor
With so many hair loss products on the market claiming they have the best product to treat hair loss, it's no wonder that someone new to the hair loss crowed would experience confusion over the many messages he encounters. In this article I try to be short and concise with a perspective that's a little easier to understand.
Hair loss solutions fall into two camps, prescription (propecia) or natural hair loss products. I'm sure you are aware that there is currently no cure for baldness, but are you aware that you can effectively treat hair loss. If caught soon enough, prescription or natural hair loss solutions are available that can help you keep a full head of hair most of your life.
The prescription drug Propecia has the approval of the FDA and the medical establishment behind it. Propecia does work. Like any hair loss solution, it doesn't work for everybody. Propecia as with any hair loss product generally become less effective the older you become. How soon you start your treatments after noticing that you are losing hair is also a big factor. Propecia is certainly a good choice for some people, but not necessarily the best choice for others. The possible side effects may make this a bad choice for some people.
You may not be aware that the FDA doesn't test the effectiveness of natural remedies so even though there is a lot of testing by scientist in the private sector, the results are rarely recognized by the FDA or Doctors that are in that camp as being viable or trust worthy results. The FDA exist for a good reason and that is to protect you and I from products that could be harmful or that don't work.
Since natural hair loss solutions are herbal based, they do not come under the category of drugs. However, since the medical establishment is so closely tied to the findings and approvals of the FDA, they often do not give serious consideration to the mounting scientific evidence that indicate natural remedies do in fact work. Some of the most powerful DHT inhibitors are found in your natural hair loss remedies.
Research for natural hair loss solutions has accelerated dramatically in recent years. Scientist are discovering more and more effective natural compounds that inhibit 5-alpha-reductase (the enzyme that produces DHT), that block the androgen receptors and stimulate hair growth. Some of these active ingredients may include Gamma Linolenic acid (GLA), Alpha Linolenic acid (ALA), Linoleic acid, Oleic acid, Azaleic acid, Vitamin B6, Zinc, Saw Palmetto Extract, Beta-Sitosterol and Procyanidin Oligomers. All of these ingredients are clinically proven to be effective in the fight against DHT production. In fact, these are the most powerful inhibitors of 5-alpha reductase known today, and not only that, they inhibit the Type II form of the 5-alpha reductase.
One of the key benefits of the natural hair loss solutions is that the ingredients that are now being included will not cause side effects. However, some people are allergic to certain herbs so it is possible from an allergy stand point to have some reaction to natural hair loss products. No side effects are a key advantage of the best natural Hair loss products.
Easy ways to build the muscles and body
By: Ricky Hussey
When a person is following a muscle building diet then it could be difficult for him to go through this process. If the proper nutrition is obtained by the body then around 80% of the work is done for the weight loss or for building the muscles. If it is not obtained then a person had to wait for a long time to obtain the results.
Nowadays there are different methods available to take the proper nutrition in which the person is interesting. The tongue doesn’t have to taste the things which are liked not by the people. So in order to build up the muscles one has to take the proper diet and body building supplements which can be really beneficial in achieving the results. So here are some of the recopies which can guide the people in achieving their goal and also with full enjoyment.
• Protein Jell-O: - when a person is trying to avoid the sweet and that to with the low carbohydrate diet then can be the perfect dessert which helps in providing a lot of proteins. It can be useful for those who really want to stay on the strict diet. Main ingredients of this recipe includes: -
i. Any flavor of sugar-free Jell-O: 1 package ii. Any flavor of the Syntrax Nectar protein powder: 1 scoop
Procedure: -take 1 cup of the boiling water and get it mixed with the Jell-O powder and then dissolve the 1 scoop of the protein powder. Once this is done, go for the mixing of the cold water and let it settle. Serving can be done with the low fat Cool Whip.
• Blueberry Cookies: - the help in providing a great dosage of the diet and also lot of antioxidants are also obtained for the blueberries. Basic ingredients are: - i. Vanilla protein powder- 2 scoops ii. White eggs-4 iii. Oats- ½ cup iv. Blueberries-1 cup
Procedure: combine all the elements and blend the well. Add blueberries in the grease cookie sheet. Start the baking procedure for 13 minutes.
One for component that can act as the body building supplement is the Syntrax Nectar. The best thing about this is that it gets mixed instantly in the body; amount of carbohydrate and fat is zero. It is available in refreshing fruit juice flavors and proven to be the best taste protein.
Bodybuildingfactory is one of the United States leading Bodybuilding Supplements website. First established in August 2005, its mission is to become the number one site for Syntrax Nectar
Eating Out And Losing Weight
By: Robert Kokoska
One of the hardest things in the world to do is eat out at a restaurant when you are trying to lose weight. Losing weight is all about burning more calories than you consume and when you are not the one preparing the meal, you are often eating higher amounts of calories than you thought would be in a given serving. In order to stay strict with those calories, there are a few tricks to eating out and losing weight.
* Choosing a salad. The salad section of a menu can seem like the safest place to start. But, salads in a restaurant setting are not like the salads you prepare at home. These are often laden with extra calories from the bacon bits to the cheese, the tortilla strips to the dressing. Two tablespoons of blur cheese dressing alone contains 150 calories. If a salad is on your mind, choose the side salad with lemon juice and use this as a starter for the meal.
* Eating from the kids menu. The kids menu offers smaller versions of the adult menu. But, these choices are often larger than a traditional portion you would serve yourself at home. Kids menu options are also most often deep fried and full of the wrong kinds of fats. Staying away from the kids menu is a great choice whenever dining out and trying to lose weight.
* Choosing chicken. Chicken is a safe choice in many restaurants as long as two simple rules are followed. Do not choose the battered version and do not eat the entire serving. A serving of chicken should only be the size of a deck of cards. This can be added to the garden salad to make for a light and healthy salad while dining in a restaurant.
* Flavored tea. Many restaurants are now serving flavored teas as a part of their menus. These teas can be appealing and there are just tea, right? Wrong. Many of the mango, raspberry and strawberry teas are flavored with sugared syrups and can contain more calories than a can of sugared soda. Ask how the teas are flavored before ordering.
* Choosing low carb. Unless you are on a low carb diet, the low carb menu should be avoided at all costs. Losing weight by counting calories is about just that, counting calories. Low carb options will contain fewer carbs but more fat and calories than many other options on the menu.
* Soups. Soups are another no-no in many restaurants. This is especially true for creamed soups. If soup is a must, ask for the nutritional data on the soup before ordering. Then, choose the soup with the lowest calorie count. And, always remember, you do not have to finish the entire bowl.
Losing weight and eating in a restaurant can be accomplished easily and without starving for that burger next to you. If the meal out is a planned one, eating a snack high in fiber before heading off to the restaurant is the best choice. The fiber will keep you feeling full and you will be less likely to order that huge meal sure to bump you off the weight loss track.
Need to lose weight fast? Fat Loss 4 Idiots is the most popular diet available online that enables you to quickly lose up to 9 pounds every 11 days. To Learn more about the Fat Loss 4 Idiots program visit: http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=61937
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I Want a Perfect, White Smile and I Want it Now!
In this age of fast food, drive-thru wedding chapels and microwave meals in 90 seconds, it’s no surprise that people want that speed in other areas of their lives. Why not in their orthodontia?
And, thanks to the progressive dental community, you can get a perfect, white smile now! It’s called Instant Orthodontics or a smile makeover and, compared to other treatments such as braces, it is fast.
With braces, you’d have to wait as long as two years while the metal wires on your teeth slowly correct a twisted tooth here, a small gap there. With instant orthodontics, you can have not only a set of straight teeth, but a beautiful white smile, in about two weeks. It’s really simple, too. A wafer-thin shell known as a porcelain veneer is bonded, using dental adhesive, to the front of the each tooth. When finished, you have a smile that is full of straight, shiny white teeth.
Porcelain veneers can be used to cover up a lot that is wrong with your current smile, such as:
· Chipped or broken teeth
· Gaps between teeth
· Stained or discolored teeth
· Fillings that are stained or washed out
· Uneven teeth
· Teeth that are inconsistent in size
Once your dentist determines that porcelain veneers are right for you, an impression of your bite will be taken so the veneers can be made in the correct size and shape for you. Temporary veneers are placed while the permanent set is created. Once they are ready, the dentist will use the dental bonding adhesive to permanently attach the veneers to your existing teeth.
The next step is the big reveal. You get to see yourself, and your beautiful smile, for the first time. There you have it – a perfect, white smile now!
You also get a renewed sense of self-confidence and will find yourself smiling more often. Not a bad side effect, right? See – you’re smiling!
The Fight Against Breast Cancer
How to Make Your Teeth Appear Whiter the Natural Way
Author: Carol Clifton
When it comes to your teeth appearing white, aging is not your friend.
To prove that point, the next time you go out take a look around and observe that most people have either a grayish cast or a yellow undertone to the color of there teeth. The gray and yellow only intensify in appearance with age and are very unwanted when striving for the end result of a beaming smile. When I was in college my mother told me to wear a blue based pink lipstick because the lipstick color would neutralize the yellow in my teeth thus making them appear whiter.
Try a few of the following tips to achieve whiter teeth in a natural healthy way.fruits-and-veggies.jpg
1. Blend a mixture of Baking soda with a dash of lemon juice and salt as toothpaste. Be careful to use only a small amount of lemon juice due to the acid that can be harmful to the enamel on your teeth. The salt will act as a stain remover on your teeth. Less is more when trying the tip.
2. Eat Strawberries! Did you know that strawberries contain natural bleaching agents? You may want to mash the strawberry and add a small amount to your toothpaste. This genuinely does the trick but you must use caution because strawberries not only contain acid as well as seeds. You may want to consider using a Water Pick after applying this mixture to remove any acid residue as well as imbedded seeds.
3. Celery, Cucumbers, broccoli, carrots, jicama, and raw sweet potatoes should all become part of your daily diet for a variety of reasons including your teeth. These types of highly crunchy vegetables will actually work to dissolve the molecules that will cause deep stains. Umm! Kind of reminds me of a facial exfoiliater only for the teeth.
4. Hydrogen Peroxide is a main ingredient in most teeth whiteners available for over the counter purchase. Use a mouthwash that contains a small amount of hydrogen peroxide.
OH! Yes! Mom's lipstick theory really does work. Try that cooler toned medium Pink if you have a yellow undertone to your teeth.
Weekly Pregnancy Calendar - Almanac For Every Mother To Be
Author: Apurva Shree
A weekly pregnancy calendar is a manual that records the journey of the fetus from conception to birth. It expounds in detail, the pregnancy week by week development that the fetus should achieve in the mother womb. The pregnancy calendar also gives the details about the changes that occur in the mother body and tells how to cope with these changes. This information can help the would-be-mother to ascertain that the fetus is growing in a healthy manner and her pregnancy is safe. Hence, every mother-to-be must possess a pregnancy week by week calendar to keep track of the milestones that the growing fetus achieves every week. Nowadays, there are numerous websites from where you can download these pregnancy calendars for free.
A Look At The Pregnancy Calendar
A weekly pregnancy calendar generally follows a forty week schedule. The calculation of the calendar is very simple. The LMP i.e. the last menstrual period date is the first day of the pregnancy calendar. Forty weeks from the date is the due date. Here, it has to be noted that only in very few cases, the baby is delivered on the due date. Generally any day after the 37th week is safe, because the baby would have attained full development by the 37th week.
A pregnancy calendar generally makes the following information available.
1. The growth and development that the fetus must achieve in each week of pregnancy,
2. The physical and the emotional changes that the mother-to-be undergoes and coping with these changes,
3. Nutritional requirements and exercises for a health pregnancy,
4. The do and do not during the nine months.
In a nutshell, a weekly pregnancy calendar is an excellent reference guide for every anxious would-be mother. It helps her to understand every change and emotion that she would be undergoing through the forty weeks of the pregnancy wheel. It helps her to keep track of what is going on in her womb every minute. The calendar helps in alleviating her anxiety and comforts her.
Maintaining Your Own Weekly Pregnancy Calendar
You can also make your own pregnancy calendar. It is very simple. Once you know your LMP and due date, you can yourself start maintaining the physical and emotional changes that you undergo on a weekly basis. You can compare this with any standard pregnancy calendar to assure yourself that everything is well.
Advantages Of Maintaining Your Own Pregnancy Calendar
In addition to the above mentioned benefits, maintaining your own weekly pregnancy calendar has some apparent advantages.
1. You can use the calendar as a jotting notepad to record your queries, doubts and apprehensions. This will be useful in future appointments with your doctor.
2. The pregnancy calendar is particularly useful in the third trimester of pregnancy (week 26 to week 40). In this final trimester, there are many changes happening in the mother body. The would-be mother will then find the pregnancy calendar handy. With the help of a good calendar, she can identify if her contraction are true or false and if there is a need to consult the doctor.
3. A religiously written pregnancy calendar will be very useful for the doctor in case any emergency arises in the course of delivery.
4. You can use your weekly pregnancy calendar to understand your future pregnancies better.
Nutrition Vs. Diet: are You Getting the Nutrients Your Body Needs?
Author: Healing Headquarters LLC
Today we hear the word diet much more than we hear the word nutrition. There are so many diets on the market that it’s easy to get lost in the fad and forget what nutrition truly is. There is the Atkins Diet, the Zone Diet, Weight Watchers and many others, from Slim Fast to the various one-food diets, such as the cabbage soup diet or the grapefruit diet. Society has become fixated on the ‘diet’, instead of quality nutrition. Unfortunately, this fixation isn’t working. America is the fattest nation in the world, with high rates of diabetes, heart disease and other life threatening illnesses. While diets are becoming more popular, nutrition is suffering.
What is a diet?
While many people think a diet is a set of rules you follow to try to lose weight, your diet is actually the food that you eat to supply your body with the nutrients it needs to function properly. While an average American diet consists of large quantities of processed sugar, white flour, meat and fast foods, a healthy diet is one that supplies the body with vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants and enzymes. These nutritional building blocks affect your energy levels, your quality of life, and have a direct affect on your mood, memory, eyesight, body functions and lifespan. Without a healthy diet that supplies the body with much needed nutrients, you are more susceptible to colds, infections, and illnesses. Your diet, in other words your nutrition, is what sustains your life.
Nutritional Labels
There is much confusion surrounding nutritional labels. Most people look strictly toward the top for calories, fat grams and serving size information. The truth is that nutritional labels offer a look at the nutrients in one’s food, such as vitamins A, C, D and E, as well as calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and folic acid. This information, although lower down on the nutritional label, is very important information if you are seeking to supply your body with nutrients, as opposed to empty calories.
The most important aspect of a nutritional label, although almost completely overlooked, is the actual ingredients within your food. While it may be easier to check to see how many calories and fat grams a certain food product has in each serving, when it comes to healthy nutrition the most important ingredient is what you are actually ingesting. It may have only 220 calories, but where are those calories coming from? Are you ingesting mostly corn syrup and sodium phosphate, or high amounts of preservatives, such as sorbic acid and sulfur dioxide? The ingredients in your food are the tell-tale clues to how much nutrition you are actually taking in. If your food is strictly cheese and flour, as opposed to nutrient providing vegetables and vitamins, it doesn’t really matter if the calories are low.
A Nutritional Diet
Nutrition comes from vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Food sources that are rich with nutrients are whole, living foods that are supplied from the earth. Dark leafy greens offer more calcium than milk, while beans and grains offer high amounts of iron. It is easy to turn your focus from diet to nutrition. And when you do, you might find yourself eating a diet that is rich in nutrients and optimal for losing weight.
Fad Diets, Bad Idea
Author: John Spencer Ellis
It seems almost as if there is a new fad diet every week. Many of these contain elements of truth, but on the whole they contain much more good marketing than good science.
There is the 3-day diet, which touts eating little more than fruits for three days, followed by vegetables or meat or grains the other days. There are lots of variations.
While it's certainly true that eating fruit regularly is a key element to good health - most contain needed carbohydrates, vitamins and fiber - eating almost exclusively fruit for three days leads to imbalance - in carbohydrates, fiber and additional otherwise healthy components. To an extent the body will equalize and store what it needs for later, but there are limits.
Similarly, the 'low carb, high protein' diets, such as Atkins, recommend cutting way down on carbohydrates and eating substantial amounts of food high in protein. Here again protein is vital to proper nutrition, but so are carbohydrates. Putting too much emphasis on the first over the second leads to rapid, temporary weight loss, but at a high cost.
Carbohydrates are essential for supplying energy for all biochemical processes. Though the body, when needed, will use other sources, such as fat and protein. Too great an emphasis on protein reduces the ability of the body to store and regulate the appropriate amount of water, whereas carbohydrates help that.
There are very attractive sounding 'chocolate diets'. Nearly everyone loves chocolate and, contrary to some reports of a few years ago, it is healthy - in moderation. Chocolate contains anti-oxidants and other compounds that are helpful. But, as with anything, too much of a good thing is just that - too much. Also, since many will seek chocolate in forms that come with high fat, high sugar amounts it's possible to get some not-so-helpful elements along with the good.
There are ultra-low fat diets. Once again, the problem isn't with reduced fat, but going to extremes. A certain amount of fat in the diet is a healthy thing.
Any diet which makes promises of radical, rapid or quick weight loss - or any other extreme claim - is almost guaranteed to be more harmful than helpful. The human body has evolved over millions of years and decades of good nutritional research still confirms the common sense truth: balance is good, moderation is healthy.
Eat moderate portions at regular intervals of fruits and vegetables (for vitamins, carbohydrates and fiber), grains (for carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and fiber), protein (for amino acids) and dairy products (for calcium, unless you're lactose intolerant). For the average person, between 2000-2500 calories per day is appropriate. Less for women, on average, and for those seeking rapid weight loss.
A balanced diet, coupled with age-appropriate, moderate and regular exercise, will lead to a healthy percentage of body fat, good muscle tone and a well-tuned system. You'll find you feel better and look good.
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Carbohydrates, The Good and The Bad
By: Michelle Lacroix-toro Email Article
Carbohydrates have been put into the spotlight ever since diets like the Atkin’s Diet and the South Beach Diet have recommended cutting carbohydrates out of your meals as much as possible. However, before you make any drastic decisions about what foods to include and not include, it is crucial to learn about carbohydrates and what they do for your body.
In short, carbohydrates can be good or bad for your body. It is necessary to eat enough good carbohydrates, because that is how our body has enough energy for low-intensity activities during the day. Carbohydrates are found in breads and grains, but actually they are also found in a number of other foods as well, such as fruits and vegetables. When keeping an eye on your intake of carbohydrates it is important to distinguish the good from the bad.
All carbohydrates are basically sugars. Complex carbohydrates are the good carbohydrates for your body. These strings of sugar are very difficult to break down and trap nutrients like vitamins and minerals in the sugar strings. As they slowly break down, the other nutrients are also released into your body, and you are provided with fuel for a number of hours.
Bad carbohydrates, on the other hand, are simple sugars. Because their structure is not complex, it is easy to break down and holds little nutrients for your body other than the sugars from which it is made. Your body breaks down these carbohydrates rather quickly and what it cannot use is converted to fat and stored in the body. Staying away from simple carbohydrates is what most diets recommend, since they have little nutritional value when compared to complex carbohydrates.
More importantly than how carbohydrates work in the body and the difference between good carbohydrates and bad carbohydrates is how you can actually eat these carbohydrates! First, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. These foods include carbohydrates, but also a variety of other nutrients needed by your body. Another great tip is to cut the white bread and bread products out of your diet and replace them with whole wheat or 12-grain breads instead. Look at the packaging. Foods rich in fiber are probably a source of good carbohydrates.
Learning the difference between good and bad carbohydrates is very important if you wish to have a healthy diet. It is not good for your body to cut out carbohydrates completely—in fact, that is very difficult to do unless you only eat meat! Eating a healthy and balanced diet means including good carbohydrates into your meals.
Michelle Lacroix-Toro resides in Southern Florida with her husband and children. She can be reached at mgabalot@peoplepc.com and her website addresses are www.MicMorEnterprises.com and www.MicSanMoneyMaker.com
10 Tips For Successful Weight Loss
By: Gary Grewal Email Article
Losing weight is not a very difficult job. You can find hundreds of people out there who have successfully lost weight and have maintained it to date. Even you can do this, you need to know what they did and follow it with consistency. Following are some tips that you can use to lose weight.
1. Make exercises like swimming, cycling, jogging or walking as part of your life. Follow it every day and make sure that you spend some time on it. Make it a part of your life and no matter what happens you should not skip it.
2. If you get bored of doing exercises alone then find a friend to accompany you. Try to go in a park for walk or try the outdoors. If this doesn’t help then try different exercises on different days, this will keep you busy and you won’t get bored.
3. Try to avoid smoking as much as possible. Chances are that if you smoke you won’t lose weight and if you do lose weight you will not be able to maintain it.
4. Get up early and do your exercises in morning.
5. Don’t weigh yourself every day; this will put you in a doubt. Weight loss does not happen in a day or two. It requires a couple of weeks.
6. Keep a strong focus and be determinant in losing weight. The more willing you are the more interest you will take in losing weight. Don’t give up at all; it takes time so you need to have patience.
7. Don’t try to look for shortcuts; you will see a lot of ads on TV claiming to lose weight. Don’t fall for them always stick to a good and healthy plan. Ask people to give you honest suggestions about the schedule that is effective.
8. Have faith in your body and use healthier food. Don’t go for any un-natural steroids or other nutrition’s. Eat healthy food and take fewer amounts of sugar and fat.
9. Avoid junk food as much as possible and cook your own food. Use healthy vegetables and meat, this way you know what you are eating.
10. Build your body muscle and maintain it, weigh your body once a week and it will give you a good idea about the amount of weight you are losing. Even if you are not losing any don’t get frustrated, give it more time and then look for results.
Another thing to remember is that weight loss is a tricky business and it can take well over a month to be effective. There can be times in which a particular exercise shows result for one person but for others. It’s not working. Don’t get panic in this situation as every person has a different body structure and it can take different amount of time for people. Keep yourself focus, maintain your schedule and follow it with consistency. Try not to skip your work out sessions.
Gary Grewal is the founder of 101weightloss.com; a site featuring many articles on weight loss diets, pills, eating right, exercises etc. Visit his site for many more healthy weight loss tips.
Cancer Awareness
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By: Paul Phillips
Diet is a very, very important factor when it comes to the subject of cancer awareness and prevention. Cancer can manifest (or not) as a result of what you have been putting on your plate day in day out: To be cancer-free it is vital to avoid certain foods. Naturally, diet becomes more critical for cancer sufferers.
Here are some examples of a cancer causing diet. So it is necessary to avoid the following.
1.Dairy Products:
Insulin growth factor (IGF) in dairy such as cow's milk is known to lead to breast & prostate cancer. Other sources of calcium can be found in things like greens and a supply of good rice milk. The immune system can also be compromised thought dairy products.
2. Animal protein. E.g. meat:
A peri-cellular coating or outer layer protects cancer cells. The enzymes called trypsin and chymotrypsin produced from the pancreas break down this outer layer. The cancer cells can then be destroyed. However, when meat is eaten, the pancreatic enzymes from the pancreas are more involved in the digestion of meat instead of breaking down the cancer cell's outer protective layer. Couple this with the fact that a lot of meat, particularly that of the processed sort, has much chemical toxicity, this renders an individual more susceptible to cancer.
3. Processed & fried foods:
Have many chemicals, flavour enhancers, preservatives...The food have been denatured & therefore has poor much of its nutritional value. These foods have been known to cause DNA injury, leading to cancer illness.
4. Refined sugar / Artificial sweeteners. E.g. Nutrasweet and aspartame.
Promotes the cancer processes of uncontrolled rapid cell division. Sugar can lead to cancer of the ovaries, breast, prostate & rectum. Can severely reduce the biochemical formation of vitamin B complexes. Also is capable of interfering with the pancreatic production of trypsin and chymotrypsin enzymes. All if taken on the long term & in large amounts can greatly increase the likelihood of cancer happening.
5. Cafeinated drinks and alcohol:
Take it easy on stimulants like tea and alcohol. However, green tea is very good.
6. Unclean tap water and toothpaste with fluoride. Toiletries with toxic chemicals like sodium laurethsulphate should also be avoided at all costs:
Chloride, fluoride, toiletries and other chemicals in tap water are metabolic poisons.
Active / passive smoking:
At risk of lung cancer...
Remember, the above lists are not an exhaustive account of what shouldn't be eaten. There are many excellent sources of info. on cancer awareness and prevention
Benefits of Honey
By: Ruth Tan
Many people often ask "Why is honey good for you?", "Is this sweetener really more superior than table sugar?". The answer is a clear "Yes!"
1) It is nutritious for you!: A much healthier choice than over-processed, factory-made table sugar table sugar and artificial sweeteners which do not have any vitamins or whatsoever nutrients, this natural liquid from the honey bees contains many vitamins like B6, thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid and certain amino acids and minerals including calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and zinc.
2) It is a healthy food choice!: Honey has a healthy Glycemic Index (GI) , meaning that its sugars can be gradually absorbed into the bloodstream to result in better digestion. Eating excessive high-glycemic foods prompts an elevated insulin release in our body as a result of the pancreas being stimulated to metabolize the sudden surge of glucose into the blood.
3) It builds your immunity against sicknesses!: Honey contains natural antioxidant properties that can destroy biologically destructive chemical agents which have been linked to many diseases such as cancer. Not only can honey's antioxidants help to reduce free radicals in the body, they also provide nutrients for the development of new tissue. Because of this, for centuries, honey has been used all over the world in different cultures as a natural cure for many ailments, and traditionally as an effective home remedy, for instance the honey and apple cider vinegar tonic which is used for treating arthritis and bad breath.
4) It energizes you!: This perhaps is the most common reply kids get from their parents when they ask "why is honey good for you?" An excellent natural supply of carbohydrates which provide strength and energy for our bodies, honey is popularly used for its effectiveness in quickly boosting the performance, endurance and relieve muscle fatigue of athletes. Its natural fruit sugars, fructose and glucose plays an important role in preventing fatigue during exercise and are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream digested by the body. Also, honey is free of cholesterol and it has been reported that adding small amounts of it in the daily diet could even help keep cholesterol levels in check.
5) It beautifies you!: This anti-aging benefit of honey is probably the best reply to "Why is honey good for you?" There exist a huge number of honey products in the market for hair care, baby care, skin care for sunscreen, hand lotions, facial scrubs and moisturizers. Honey's hygroscopic properties also renders it a great cosmetic ingredient as it keeps skin hydrated and fresh and prevents drying. Its natural antioxidant and anti-microbial properties also support the skin's ability to rejuvenate and refresh depleted skin, leaving it feeling silky soft and supple.
Copyright (c) 2008 Ruth Tan
Ruth Tan is the owner of the website Benefits of Honey at http://www.benefits-of-honey.com which is a rich honey resource packed with a wide range of quality contents on honey and health-related issues.
Pre-Natal Vitamins : What They Do For New Moms
By: Tc Yeap
Pre-natal vitamins are very important for mothers and their babies. These vitamins are specially formulated multivitamins that help to make up for any deficiencies that the mother may be lacking her diet. While the supplements contain many vitamins and minerals, the most important components of pre-natal vitamins including folic acid, calcium and iron. All of which are very important for the healthy development of a baby.
Pregnant women need a substantial amount of folic acid in their diets. Folic acid helps to reduce the risk of birth defects in the baby, particularly in the brain and spinal cord. A baby that is born with spina bifida most likely lacked in the folic acid they needed while developing. In spina bifida, the baby is born with nerve damage because the spine is not closed. This can cause a number of issues from nerve damage and paralysis to mental retardation.
These types of defects often occur within the first 28 days after conception. Unfortunately, this is before many women even realize that they are pregnant. Because of this and because half of pregnancies are unplanned, it is recommended that all women old enough to have children take 400 micrograms of folic acid on a daily basis. The FDA also requires that certain food items be fortified with folic acid to help women get the necessary amounts of folic acid that they require through their diets. All foods that are made of flour, such as bagels and breads, these are fortified with folic acid.
In addition to these fortified foods, women can get folic acid from the following sources:
* Green Leafy Vegetables
* Nuts
* Beans
* Citrus Fruits
Calcium is also particularly important in women and a pre-natal vitamin can assist her in getting the recommended amounts of calcium she needs. Women who receive ample amounts of calcium in their diet are able to prevent their own bone loss while the body builds bones for the baby.
Iron helps both the mother and the baby's blood carry enough oxygen for proper function.
It is important to realize that not all pre-natal vitamins are built the same. A woman's doctor is able to advise her on the brands that are best suitable for her.
TC Yeap is the CEO of Singaporean company Sainhall Nutrihealth . Founded in 1990, Sainhall Nutrihealth is a leading distributor for health products in South East Asia.
How Healthy Are You
By: John Callaghan
WELL BEING AND HOW TO RECOGNISE IT!
It seems to me that most individuals are preoccupied with ill health rather than with well being, it appears that our predilection is towards ill health rather than towards health.
Practitioners of Tai Chi Qigong however put their emphasis upon taking responsibility for our health and understanding what well-being means, this means being aware of what good health consist of.
At the foundation level lifestyles that lead to good health include eating organic whole food in season, exercise, adequate sleep, healthy environment, and adequate intake of water, but there is much more to well-being than this.
So what are the signs of good health, to the harmony of body, mind and spirit?
PHYSICAL
a. A continued feeling of well being, from rising in the morning to retiring in the evening;
b. How quick is your recovery rate, how adaptable are you to change? The quicker you recover the healthier you are;
c. Are feelings of lethargy a distant memory, if they are then you are healthy;
d. Are all our joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments supple and flexible, free from pain, if so then you are healthy;
e. Can you walk, run, sustain some physical exercise for a while for a while, without being out of breath, then you are in good health;
f. Is the flesh on your skin firm, free of wrinkles, healthy tissue is firm tissue;
g. Does your sense of sight, smell, hearing remain acute, then you are healthy;
h. When you retire do you go to sleep when your head touches the pillow, to relax and fall asleep is a sign of good health;
EMOTIONAL
a. Once more the recovery rate is important, if you are injured emotionally how quickly you return to an optimistic outlook reflects your emotional health;
b. How quickly can you forgive yourself, a healthy individual learns from their mistakes, and moves on;
c. How able are you to socialize, and accepting of those with whom you come into contact, without judging, the less you judge the more emotionally balanced you are;
d. Are you able to commit to the things that you consider to be important in your life, commitment without obsession is a sign of good mental health;
e. How happy are you with the idea of the security of insecurity, the ability to embrace life from moment to moment is an indication of good emotional well being;
f. Do you express your joy and delight with life on a daily basis, can you express your frustration and anger in a positive manner that supports your ability to be tolerant of all;
g. Can you laugh and smile freely, for this is a sign of the love of life;
h. Are you happy? For happiness is the definition of radiant well being;
i. Are you accepting of yourself, with all your strengths and weaknesses? Good mental health is found in the person who accepts their truth, being highly critical of oneself or others is indicative of conflict within ourselves;
How healthy are you?
Where do you stand in the well being stakes?
Healthy individuals have the capacity to rise above their own self-importance and become filled with love and compassion towards all creation.
Diabetes : What You Should Know
This article will explain what you need to know about Diabetes before you or someone you know are unpleasantly surprised.
Causes of Autism
Author: Reg Ofori
If you are worried that someone you love with autism will not enjoy life to the full then read on. Autism is an arrested development. It hampers development in a human being and occurs normally in children.
