Fattening flub for Big Diets

Jul 06, 2009  
Filed under Tips

Eating a variety of foods
We eat more when faced with different number choices such as low-cal, filling fare such as veggies and lean protein. Chances are your fridge is filled with variety of a different sort and we’ll soon eat a variety of foods were slimming doesn’t fit.

Just limit your shelves to one or two types that ranges to nutritious foods.

Never going for seconds
Loading your plate with a heaping pile of food, chances are, you’ll eat it all. The first second you add a serving, make it less and the second time around add a little less more.

This restrains you from another gauge of hunger but keep it in reasonable portion.

Exercise to eat more
Doesn’t really burn enough calories as you might think. Ann Yelmokas McDermott, director of the Center for Obesity Prevention and Education at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo says, “Thirty minutes on the elliptical, for example, cancels out only one Reese's Peanut Butter Cup.”

Working out may make you feel good, so you eat better.

Aren’t Fruits and Vegies Fattening
Keri Gans, R.D., a spokesperson in New York City for the American Dietetic Association says, “A piece of fresh fruit has 60 calories, and a serving of most vegetables has about 25.”

You rather pick water-rich veggies such as zucchini and spinach and high-fiber fruit such as apples and berries. And replace fatty sauces and dressings with low-cal ones such as salsa, fat-free ranch dressing and spritzes of lemon and lime.

Tips on Boosting your Energy

Jul 04, 2009  
Filed under Tips

So how do you boost your energy that can help you stay productive and happy throughout your workday? There are lots of great list posted out there on how to boost your energy and this tips below are methods I’ll be trying myself.

•    Get rid of that stuffy nose. Allergies will make you feel tired and cranky, but can be relieved with over-the-counter medicines.
•    Have an afternoon power snack.
•    Eat lots of berries, as they contain antioxidants that boost energy.
•    Eat a satisfying breakfast but a light lunch, as a heavy lunch will leave you feeling drained for the whole afternoon.
•    Add more cardio to your gym time, as more aerobic exercise gets your heart pumping.
•    Get on your toes, as it stimulates your circulatory system.

If you have any energy-boosting tips, share your thoughts!

Drinking More Water

Apr 13, 2009  
Filed under Tips

I like how Intent of Shine agrees that drinking more water will help give you more energy.

And here are those personal trick on drinking more water.

Make it a Morning Ritual. I once read in a magazine article that many of us wake up dehydrated, and the first thing you should do before you do anything else is drink two glasses of water. I've now made it a regular morning habit, and it inspires the momentum to continue drinking more for the rest of the day.

Add Some Lemon. Back in the early stages when I couldn't stand drinking water, I squeezed lemon juice into my water. At restaurants, I would ask the servers to provide lemon slices with my water--which makes me sound snobby, but most restaurants are willing and expected to provide this service.

Keep it In the Clear. When your urine is clear, you are properly hydrated. When your urine is a dark yellow, you are definitely dehydrated.

Think of How Pretty You'll Look. I don't know how direct the correlation is between having healthy, glowing skin and drinking a lot of water, but I'm not taking any chances. Whatever psychological trick keeps me hydrated!

Do It Like It's Hot. If you're in the mood for a hot drink, drink heated water. Sometimes we just want the psychological pleasure that comes with having a hot mug cupped in our hands than the actual drink itself. Plus, coffee and tea contain caffeine, which is a diuretic and elevates the rate of water being expelled from your body via urination.

Drink When You Have a Munchie Attack. Sometimes our hunger is thirst masquerading as fake hunger. Drinking a cup or two of water will make you feel "full."

Take Baby Steps. Don't expect to go from zero glasses of water to the full 8 glasses overnight. Start with one glass of water in the morning and one glass of water at night, and build your way up from there.

Cheap cheap. Water at restaurants are FREE!

Always have a full glass of water near you when you are working. It will give you something to mindlessly sip on when you are brainstorming or need something to do with your hands.

Keep your Stress in Check

Mar 21, 2009  
Filed under Tips

Frustration sinks in, and for whatever reason, everything starts to blow up under the unforgiving stress. Who doesn't have it or feel stress most of the time?

Here are some tips that could lower your stress levels and keep them on check tomorrow.

BLOW OFF SOME STEAM
A recent Swedish study found that when stressed-out health care workers got together with others in similar situations to vent, they significantly reduced their levels of work-related stress and burnout. In other words, while friends and family are good for unloading, the best stress relief comes from talking about your job with someone who has experienced the same type of stress.

ORDER A LARGE COFFEE

But don't drink it! You may be able to de-stress by simply sniffing the aroma. When Korean researchers gave a bunch of sleep-deprived, stressed-out rats a whiff of java, it sent the levels of stress-related activity going on in their bodies plummeting. Already have a daily Dunkin' habit? Pop the top off your cup to really free up that relaxing coffee scent. And buy decaf.

BUY SOME GOOD HEADPHONES
Research has repeatedly shown that violent video games increase stress levels in players. But Canadian researchers made an interesting finding recently. When they had gamers turn off the sound while playing, their brains
produced significantly lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol — meaning the noise of the game is what may have been setting off the stress response. Work in a noisy, hyper-loud office? Crank up your iPod or find some other way to block the noise, and your stress may ease up as well.

GRAB A YOGA CLASS
NFL players like Armani Toomer and Jon Dorenbos, and other pro athletes, are incorporating yoga into their workouts. Indian researchers found that regular yoga sessions can help improve your mental health — and reduce some symptoms of stress — in as little as 10 days.

Nail Fungus Care Tips

Mar 13, 2009  
Filed under Tips

I would like to thank LoveNails at Nail Fungus Treatment for the useful tips on self-care about nail fungus. Here are some tips I gathered and hoping it is useful to you as well.

Between the two types of nail fungus, toenail fungus is more common than fingernail fungus. This is because the toenail is more prone to the development of fungus since it is always exposed to a damp, warm, and dark environment. The more you leave your nail fungus untreated, the more damage it will give to your nails and even to your skin. Treating nail fungus does not have to be expensive. You may cure and prevent further nail fungus without the help of the products available in the market. However, more often than not, these self-care tips are only good for mild cases of nail fungus. For those with severe toenail or fingernail fungus, you must seek the help of your doctor and ask what product is right for you.

Proper nail hygiene is the most advisable way to prevent as well as cure nail fungus. Keep your hands and feet always clean and wash them regularly with anti-bacterial soaps. After thorough washing, make sure that you completely dry your hands, especially your feet. Use a separate towel for your feet or hands if ever you already have nail fungus. Additionally, daily use of foot powder such as talcum helps prevent the nail disorder from occurring. The nails should also be properly trimmed. It should not be too long or too short since it can be a very inviting ground for fungus to breed in. Go only to nail salons that you think is sanitized when it comes to their equipments. Do not allow anyone to borrow or don't even think of lending your nail clippers, nail files, and emery board to anyone.

As mentioned earlier, nail fungus commonly occurs in toenails. Thus, most of the self-care tips are about the proper care and prevention happens at your feet. Avoid wearing shoes that are made of synthetic materials. These types of shoes will trigger most moist in your feet and nails, making an excellent place for fungus to set in. Socks that are made from wool or cotton are also excellent materials to prevent nail fungus and avoid further development of the nail fungus in your toenail. It absorbs the sweat when you are wearing closed shoes. If it is inevitable that you have to go to public showers make sure that you wear water proof sandals.

Nail fungus also occurs to people who have a weak immune system. Therefore, eating a healthy diet would help in treating nail fungus. The healthier your immune system is, the bigger the chance that it can fight off the fungus. Your daily diet must always include fresh vegetables and fruits. Moreover, foods that are high in protein can make the nails stronger. If the nails are stronger, the fungus will have a hard time contaminating it. This includes dairy products, pork, chicken, nuts, and seeds.