The Top Ten Things You Don't Want to Hear About Losing Weight (But What You Need to Know if You Want to Get Fit!)Written by Suzanne Hiscock
10) No, you won't end up looking like latest hot young model/singer/actress!Let's face it: your body is your body. It's only one you've got. Can you still look great? Sure! But there are some things you can't change. You can't make your legs longer or your feet smaller. You can't grow five inches or elongate your torso. You have what you have, so work with it! Concentrate on making a healthy and fit you instead of wishing you looked like someone else. You don't have to be perfect to be attractive. A strong, fit body as well as self-confidence it brings can make any person attractive! 9) It's better to be muscular and weigh more than to be flabby and weigh less. I've said it so many times: I'd much rather be 135lbs and muscular than 120lbs and flabby. I've been both, and 135lbs with a lower percent of body fat was definitely better! I was smaller, stronger and had much more energy. So, don't always seek that magical number on scale, but look at your total body composition instead. 8) You can't get fit in a week. Okay, well, you can, but only if you're one week away from being in peak condition and you keep working out. Otherwise, forget about it! If you want to look good for that class reunion or because you'll be in a bikini soon, then get moving way before that. Or better yet, get moving for your own health and not for "things" like reunions and bikinis. 7) You need to put some effort into it. You want to get fit? You have to work at it. You have to plan it, you have to schedule it, and, most importantly, you have to do it. No excuses. Sitting on couch, telling yourself you should be doing something will not burn up a lot of calories. If nothing else, get out there and start walking. And while you're out there walking think about a plan of action for a healthier you and get started on it today - not tomorrow! 6) You need to exercise. Can you lose weight just by diet alone? Sure, you can! But if you want to get fit, you need to exercise those muscles, including your heart. And that heart won't get any exercise if you're sitting on couch, eating broccoli. Lose weight that you need to lose and you'll just end up with a thin, but flabby, body. Get moving! Weight training is ideal, but if you're really not into weight training, find an activity you like to do that work all your major muscle groups. 5) You need to eat properly. Putting aside any low carb/low fat/high protein controversies, simple fact is, if you want a fit body, you need to nourish it. Protein, carbs and fat are important, but vitamins and minerals are key elements that your body needs, too. No matter what way of eating you're following make sure you're getting enough vitamins and minerals. Add a variety of fresh vegetables and fruit to your diet. The next time you go grocery shopping, linger around produce section and not only pick out some old favorites, but experiment a little by trying something new!
| | Natural Bodycare From Your CupboardWritten by Maggie Julseth Howe
Natural Bodycare From Your CupboardWhy is natural bodycare important? Our skin is largest organ of our body. It acts as our protector, and filter from pollutants of outside world. At same time it allows us to absorb things into our body – for better or for worse. Think of some medications/treatments that are absorbed by your skin (the nicotine patch, or birth control patch are two common examples) and we begin to see why we should pay attention to soaps, lotions and powders we slather on our skin every single day. We tend to forget that things we put on our body have direct, lasting impacts on our health. Read ingredient label on your favorite conditioner or hand cleanser and then compare to simple ingredients listed below. Honey, grains, oils, salt, flowers and herbs – these are some common, natural ingredients that can replace artificial cleansers and moisturizers we all use. Creating our own bodycare products is more economical, wastes less packaging and transportation resources, and gives us a better healthier, higher-quality end result to boot! Oatmeal and Honey Bath Soak 2 cups mineral salts (Epsom salts), sea salt, or plain cooking salt 1/2 cup dried oatmeal, any kind 2 tbsp. honey 2 tbsp. vegetable oil (any kind) Optional: Cinnamon powder, vanilla or almond extract In a bowl, combine salts with 1/2-cup dried milk powder. Grind oats into a fine powder, using a blender, food processor or coffee grinder. Add to salt/milk mixture, along with honey and oil. Mix thoroughly - it's a bit difficult to mix honey in - you can use your (clean) hands to make task easier if you like. Add powdered cinnamon for scent, color and herbal benefits (cinnamon is invigorating and warming, excellent for tired feet and muscles). You can also add vanilla or almond extracts at this point, if you like, for a lovely fragrance. To use: Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup to a warm bath. Soak, and relax. This is an excellent soak anytime but is especially useful for any rashes, skin irritations or sunburns. Oatmeal is soothing to skin, especially dry, irritated or sensitive skin. Honey is a natural humectant, which means it attracts moisture to skin, while soothing it. Salts are purifying, and help relax muscles and soothe aches and sprains. Packaged in a recycled jar, this makes an excellent homemade gift idea. Lively Lemon Salt Scrub 1 cup salt, sea or regular The juice and grated zest of one lemon ¾ cup vegetable oil, any kind will do Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Keep by kitchen sink for a wonderfully effective hand scrub that removes unpleasant odors. It’s also effective for removing grease and oil from hardworking hands. Or, take to tub or shower and use as an all over body cleanser, exfoliator and moisturizer in one. (Over time, salt will sink to bottom of jar. Simply give a good stir or shake and scrub is ready to use again). Salt is cleansing and purifying, oil is moisturizing, and citrus juice and essential oil (in rind) is invigorating and uplifting, as well as antibacterial! Makes a fabulous foot scrub/soak also. Salt scrubs are an excellent alternative for those who have sensitivities to soaps and other cleansers, or for people who suffer from dry skin or excema.
|