If only there were more hours in a day! Life is busy and often times exercise seems to take a back seat to everything else we have going on in our lives. With all the benefits of regular exercise we all should really make time to fit in some physical activity into our daily routine…. Your body and mind will thank you for it.
Here are some tips for helping fit some physical activity into your schedule.
Bring a sandwich to work. Instead of spending your time and money buying food at work, pack a lunch and take it with you on a walk or run. This way you can get some exercise in and eat when you get tired. If you usually eat with coworkers, encourage them to pack a lunch and tag along.
Work out instead of vegging out. If you’re like me, there are one or two television programs you just can’t miss. Just because you’re watching TV doesn’t mean you have to sit on your couch. You can use this time to do stretches, sit ups, or even lift weights. If you’re really ambitious, you can try aerobics or jogging in place.
Cut back on coffee breaks. Tomorrow, use clock or stop watch and add up how much time you spend on coffee breaks. If you cut back on coffee, you could use the extra time to walk around the office or climb the steps of your building. Plus, the endorphins from exercise are considered more energizing than most stimulants.
Use exercise as a social event. If you spend a lot of time during your week chatting with one of your friends, encourage them to become your workout buddy. Instead of sitting at a diner or a coffee shop to chat, socialize by jogging or going to the gym.
Do some housework. No, your husband/wife did not pay me to put this in here. Cleaning the kitchen, mowing the lawn, tending to the garden, and even dusting are all great ways to get a work out. Housework lets you stretch, works your muscles, and gets your heart pumping; all essential for staying in shape.
The most important part of any exercise plan is sticking with it. Make a plan keep it. If you build up slowly, you’ll eventually have a great exercise plan that fits into your busy life.
Filed under Exercise, Health Talk by on Dec 6th, 2007. 1 Comment. 
There are a ton of weight loss products on the market. In fact, over a billion dollars was made last year selling these types of products. With all the available options, it’s hard to figure out which one is best for you. Here are some of the most popular natural weight loss supplements on the market today.
Hoodia
Hoodia gordonii, also known as the cactus diet, is a powerful appetite suppressant. It comes from a cactus in South Africa that has been used by native Bushmen for generations. It’s currently available in pill, liquid, or tea form. If you decide to take hoodia, remember to drink a lot of fluids; it’s a thirst suppressant to.
Green tea
This has become a popular item for weight loss in the last few years. It works by speeding up your metabolism so you burn calories and fat faster. Some people also claim that green tea can aid in lowering cholesterol. Green tea contains caffeine, so you should cut back on your other caffeine sources if you’re taking it.
Chitosan
While many diet pills work to suppress your appetite or boost your metabolism, chitosan is used to prevent your body from absorbing fats. The unwanted fat simply passes throughout your system instead of ending up at your waist line. While many people have lost weight with chitosan, it can also cause problems in the digestive tract.
One thing you must remember is that if a weight loss supplement works, that doesn’t mean it’s safe. Many people think that because something is natural, it’s not dangerous. Not only do many supplements have dangerous side effects (think Phentermine and Ephedra); they are usually not rigorously tested so their negative effects are not well documented. It’s always a good idea to check with your doctor before taking any supplement.
While a weight loss pill may be effective, remember that they should be used in conjunction with diet and exercise, not as a replacement. If you do, your diet may just get that extra boost it needs to finally take off excess pounds.
Filed under Diet Supplements, Weight Loss by on Oct 26th, 2007.
If you’re like me, you’re wary of taking any supplement that hasn’t been verified by independent research to be safe and effective. But the urge to take pills becomes much stronger when you see commercials on TV and in other media showing people who have lost so much weight by taking herbal supplements or diet pills. You’ve probably seen commercials recently selling Hoodia or Cactus diet supplements. Before you start taking them, you should have all the information.
Hoodia Gordoni, also know as cactus diet supplements, is a cactus found in South Africa. Tribal Bushmen in the area have been using this cactus for many generations to ward off hunger and thirst. Only recently has this product been commercialized and brought to other countries. Now you can get Hoodia in pill, liquid or tea form.
So how does it work exactly? Hoodia contains a chemical called p57. This chemical affects the way your brain interprets your blood sugar levels. Even though your blood sugar is dropping due to lack of food, your brain doesn’t feel this; so you don’t feel hungry. While they don’t really know why, Hoodia also works well to suppress thirst; you should remember to drink plenty of water when using this supplement.
While Hoodia is often toted as having no side effects, this may just be because it hasn’t been adequately tested. Some people believe it can cause liver damage. This is why you shouldn’t use it if you have liver or kidney problems. Also, because it makes you think your blood sugar is normal when it is actually low, you shouldn’t take Hoodia if you are diabetic or hypoglycemic.
Many people may tell you that they tried Hoodia and it did nothing to suppress their appetite. The reason? It is estimated that 80% of products on the market do not actually contain pure Hoodia. Before you try a product, look around for independent testing of its contents. Official reports are best. Many “recommendation sites” on the internet have been created by specific companies trying to get you to use their brand.
Hopefully this information has helped you make a decision about whether or not the Hoodia cactus diet is for you. Good luck and happy dieting.
Filed under Diet Supplements, Weight Loss by on Oct 6th, 2007.
Omega 3 Fatty Acids are found in oily fish such as salmon and mackerel and have been proven to provide a whole range of health benefits. You’ve probably heard of Omega 3 and many food manufacturers are also quick to cash in on the Omega 3 Fatty Acid. You can now see a wide variety of products ranging from cereal to yogurts with added Omega 3 fatty acids. But exactly what are the benefits of a diet rich in Omega 3 and what should you watch out for?
The American Heart Association recommends eating fish (particularly fatty fish) at least two times a week. According to the AHA fatty fish such as mackerel, trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna and salmon are high in two kinds of omega-3 fatty acids. These are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). You can also get Omega 3 from vegetable sources such as pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, and walnuts.
Why are Omega 3 Fatty Acids so Beneficial to Health?
Research has shown that they can:
* Decrease risk of irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias), which can lead to sudden cardiac death
* Decrease levels of triglyceride (the fat which has been linked to heart disease)
* Reduce potential blood clots
* Decrease growth rate of the fatty plaques
* Reduce blood pressure
New research has even shown that Omega 3 fats can reduce the risks of certain cancers particularly prostate and skin cancer.
Research involving children has shown that increased levels of Omega 3 can help children concentrate better and improve behaviors such as hyperactivity.
Overall it looks as though Omega 3 fatty acids can have great health benefits particularly the fats found in oily fish such as salmon and mackerel.
However, new studies have shown that too high consumption of oily fish may cause other health risks. Contaminants and mercury levels are at an all time high in these types of fish and may cause damage, particularly to pregnant women and young children.
It is recommended that pregnant women, nursing women and children not consume more than two small portions of oily fish per week. Certain types of fish such as mackerel, swordfish and shark contain higher levels of mercury than salmon or tuna.
With all the controversy it’s difficult to know whether you should or shouldn’t consume oily fish. So far it looks as though the health benefits of Omega 3 Fatty Acids outweigh any associated risks, when consumed in moderation and according to guidelines.
Filed under Healthy Eating by on Sep 19th, 2007.
A diet high in fiber is important for many reasons. Adequate amounts of fiber are essential to good health. It keeps your digestive system working smoothly, helps elimination from the body and is rich in vitamins and nutrients.
An increased amount of fiber can also help you feel fuller longer, which is important if you’re watching your weight.
A study conducted at the Harvard School of Medicine found that men who consumed 12 grams of fiber a day were twice as likely to develop precancerous colon changes as men whose daily fiber intake was 30 grams or higher. Scientist are not exactly sure why fiber can help reduce the risks of colon cancer but it is thought that insoluble fiber adds bulk to stools, which helps speed their transit through the intestines, leaving less time for carcinogenic changes.
Other studies have shown that adequate levels of fiber can also help against breast cancer, heart disease, digestive disorders, diabetes and obesity. If you suffer from constipation, increasing your fiber content should help. It also helps to drink adequate amounts of water daily to help the fiber through your system.
An easy way to start the day with an adequate amount of fiber is to have a fiber-rich breakfast cereal and some fruit. Vegetables and fruits are also high in fiber and also many other important nutrients.
Most people tend to eat breads and cereals which are very low in fiber. Even some brown bread varieties only have a small amount so it’s best to check labels and make sure you’re getting a natural whole grain product with sufficient fiber.
Now that you know all the benefits of adding fiber to your diet, here are some quick tips to help you increase your fiber intake:
Eat vegetables with every meal.
Switch from processed carbohydrates such as white bread and pasta to whole grains (these are higher in fiber and nutrients).
Add beans to casseroles, chilli or many other foods. Beans are an especially good source of fiber
Snack on fruit with it’s skin on. Fruits like berries are particularly high in fiber and apples and pears should be eaten with the peel on.
Eat dried fruits such as prunes, figs, and apricots. These are easy to sprinkle on cereal or add to homemade muffins.
Filed under Healthy Eating by on Aug 19th, 2007.