Saturday, September 28, 2013

The Secret of Optimal Health and Fitness

We live in a society that strongly believes in the significance of personal choices as far as health and fitness are concerned. When it comes to making the right choices therefore, it is always on how to create a balance between proper nutrition and physical exercise. Many people are concerned that every program is normally promoted as the best one in the market even though not every program will work for every person. It is therefore important for everyone to look for professional help in determining their fitness goals and how to best attain them.

As a result of the concern that most people have regarding their own fitness routines, most people end up joining gyms since it is the only option they know. For such people, the availability of fitness equipment in the gym makes them realize they can work out different parts of their bodies without necessarily spending large amounts of money in making purchases. Such people will also take advantage of the company they will get since many other people will also be doing the same thing with them at the same time.

The other advantage these people find in belonging to a gym is the fact that they get training on how to train different muscle groups. Such exercise routines are also dome under the supervision of a professional fitness trainer and, as a result, they can avoid risks associated with injury and muscle strains. At other times, getting physically fit will require a simple exercise such as simply walking around your neighborhood or taking some errands on foot together with activities such as biking and swimming.

However, there are some people who have all the desires to get physically fit but due to their busy schedules; they just cannot create the time to go to the regular gym. Such people may also not have the time to sit at the gym and wait for their turn to use a particular machine or other facilities. Some of these people attend classes when gyms are not too busy or perhaps they have other family obligations. Such people can easily attain their fitness goals by purchasing gym equipment that can be used at home.

Last but not least, remember that for you to succeed in getting physically fit you have to balance all your efforts will with proper nutrition. This includes the consumption of a balanced diet which includes proper foods that will help you to develop your stamina. You can also consider taking some sports supplements so that you fill up all the gaps that are left as a result of your type of diet.

The author of this article is a health and fitness instructor and is currently working for Australia based fitness equipment company Aussie Fitness Equipment.

Thursday, September 26, 2013

How to Escape Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol addiction - A serious problem
Getting addicted to drinking alcohol has serious consequences. It damages the liver and disrupts the normal metabolic activities of the human body. It is difficult to quit but not impossible. Here are a few steps which can be followed to escape from alcohol addiction.

Do not let the intention to die

The intention to quit must be strong and you must first make up your mind clear that you will not be touching them again. You need to think that alcohol is your enemy and you are going to quit drinking for your own welfare. You must not feel that you are forced to stop drinking just because of advice from someone but rather in the bottom of the heart must have the feeling that it was you who initiated and wanted to quit. If you do not have that intention, then there are chances that when that person who wanted you to quit alcohol is not around, you may consume it.

Get rid of everything that reminds you of alcohol

It is recommended that you get rid of all bottles from your premises. If you feel you have guests who drink, then it is definitely not wrong to offer them tea or coffee or any soft drink at least till you are completely out of the addiction. It is better not to visit friends whom you fear that joining with them would make you resume drinking alcohol.

Avoid social drinking during this phase

When you are in the phase of quitting alcohol addiction, it is better to avoid social drinking, as it may tempt you to consume more. There is no necessity to feel shy to say your colleagues that you want to quit alcohol and that is the reason you are not drinking in parties. If you find it difficult to avoid drinking, then it is better not to attend the parties, at least till you are completely out of that addiction.

Consult Rehabilitation Centre

There are several rehabilitation centres around which help you to get rid of alcohol. They train you, motivate you and be with you as you work out to come out of the addiction. The doctors over there would measure your body health and other conditions and update you during the phase. You can also consult a doctor in private without reaching rehabilitation centre. The only advantage of rehabilitation centre is that you will have fear in your heart that someone is monitoring you.

Measure your success

Once you decide to quit and working towards it, then measure how much you drunk previous month, previous week and now. You can feel the difference as you start quitting. You will have a different way of feeling hunger, thirst and the outside world will start seeming to look beautiful to your eyes. It is necessary to make up your mind so that you are strong till you reach a point where you do not drink the entire month. You are completely out of addiction, when you see a bottle of alcohol right in front of your eyes and do not dare to touch it.

Help others to quit

This may seem a bit weird but this has a strong impact on you quitting the alcohol permanently. When you help and advice others, by default you will feel the pressure to quit greatly reduced. When you advice your friend or someone about the negative consequences of drinking alcohol, and joining rehabilitation centre to help others, you are making sure that you do not touch alcohol again.

Friday, February 1, 2013

7 Tips for Healthy Eating at Office

Our workplace is where we spend most of our waking hours. For many it is like a second home as we spend a good part of our day there. To lead a healthy life style, you need to eat healthy whether you are at home or in office. When you work more than eight hours a day, it becomes difficult to eat healthy if you do not plan ahead. Here are a few tips that you can implement straight away to start eating healthy at work.

Healthy Eating Style at the Office

  •     Sleep well at night - This may seem a bit out of place in this article. If you are not well rested, you will not eat well and will feel sluggish. Not only that if you have not slept well, you are likely to reach out for numerous cups of coffee to keep your energy levels up.

  •     Never ever Skip your Breakfast- After fasting for 8 hours the body requires the energy to function the whole day. Therefore, eat some breakfast. Go for protein like egg rather than the carbs such as cereals. Protein will fill your stomach therefore less cravings later in the day. If you're in a hurry, have a healthy milk shake of protein powder, banana slices, water or milk and a handful of berries.

  •     Carry food with you - It goes without saying that homemade food is always better than the store-bought lunches in terms of taste and cost. Even a sandwich and a salad carried from home is healthier than the ones bought from a deli. A simple lunch of natural yoghurt, fruits and nuts is healthier than the greasy food bought from the fast food joints.

  •     Cut down on your drinks - Consumption of beverages such as coke, tea or coffee along with cookies or cakes is bad for your health. The best solution is cut back on the tea and coffee consumption. Drink plenty of water. Fruit juices are good provided they are fresh and without sugar. Sipping green tea is not only healthy but also relieves stress.

  •     Don't stray away from your diet plans - This is easier said than done. You can always say no to the donut that is being passed around, if you are carrying your healthy snack. Stop buying sugary junk. This is one way to avoid eating them. If your work involves frequent meetings, carry with you a fruit or some nuts and a bottle of water. This way you can avoid the unhealthy snacks such as biscuits, cakes or other high-calorie goodies.

  •     Be prepared for late nights - If your work type is such that you may not reach home before 8pm most of the days be prepared. Remember, by the time you get home you're tired and worn out all that you want to do is eating anything and stretch your self. Either wake up early in the morning or make some extra food the previous night. Take the food with you and leave it in the office refrigerator to consume it in evening. This way you need not starve in the evenings.

  •     Eat slowly - Consider using the dining room instead of sitting in front of the computer. The brain and the stomach will sync with each other when you eat your meals slowly.

3 Essential Wellness Tips to Age Without Chronic Illness

Decide to overhaul your attitude. Can you use your present attitude to take you to a higher more powerful place? Attitude is usually developed by innate beliefs and systems that were put in place as you matured. To focus on staying well for the rest of your life, the first thing you must do is to become aware of the habits, thought and belief you are bringing to this new desire.

If you have a lackadaisical attitude about eating this is the time to revive your spirit about choices in food that can keep you well, with your blood pressure in tack and with the correct blood sugar level. Can you envision no colds in the winter, not a single aching bone or chronic Arthritis, no clogged sinuses and a feeling of contentment?

I believe this is possible with the right attitude and a health preserving diet.

Let's look at attitude, Instead of I am old enough to eat what I want - consider your eating paradox - You are aging, a good indication that your body will not tolerate an unbalanced diet with the eating style of a younger person. One of the first indications of this is a diagnosis that you have arthritis, or a disease like diabetes, both of which are associated with excessive simple sugar and a compulsion to overeat on one food group simple carbohydrates. Simple carbohydrates are found in white bread, juice drinks with more than 40 grams of sugar per serving, excessive starchy food like white potatoes cooked in its many forms, white bread usually served with burgers and hot dogs. These are the foods of youth and adolescence and would be quite dangerous for you to use as a stable for your mature life.

Second, it would be wise to change your internal chatter to, 'I can eat to meet the needs of my desire to be well and happy at any age'. Or do you expect to age with illness?

Become a 'control freak' when it comes to your diet and eating. This will enable you to become more conscious of your health as you age. For instance, plan to eat out. Find out more about the restaurants and food preparation and make a list of places you determine that prepare high quality meals, and have superior cuisine skills with regards to food content and preparation. For instance are they serving wild salmon or farmed salmon - there will be a difference in the fat and nutrient content of these animals. It is recommend eating wild salmon from cold waters for essential health benefits...

Third, you should drop the 'going on a diet' paradigm. Switch to another favorite TV station when a DIET commercial starts to play, or take a water break. Whatever you do try and not get sucked into their idea of making money with manufactured food. Think about it, if this is your choice for keeping a healthy weight you would have to do it for the rest of your life. Even if you have a quick weight loss mindset do you want to eat like this for the rest of your life? You must have a strategy, such as regular visits to a farmers market for fresh food, to put in place after you experience the quick weight loss, if not - well you envision it...
Guidance from a good cookbook with healthy recipes and tips would also be extremely helpful.

The fact is everything about your diet and you life can change for you now, with the right information an attitude.

Celia Westberry, Wellness Mentor and Cooking Coach counsels people to become aware of the connection between their eating lifestyle and the impact it has on their bodies to nurture, restore or be detrimental. Her clients learn to open their awareness to the awesome power of food to heal, promote health and restore wellbeing. They achieve energetic balance in their bodies, and also feel empowered to succeed with their health challenges and life intentions. Celia's experiences include doing scientific research in cancer and lecturing at the college level in cell and molecular biology. She is the CEO of Westberry Wellness Programs LLC and the author of the award winning book - Eat Yourself Younger Effortlessly, the easy way to slow aging, feel great and look good.