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Are you the type who keeps trying to lose weight but keeps failing? Have you tried all sorts of diet programs but never seem to succeed? Well, you may have habits that ruin everything. Or you just picked up a wrong diet program filled with misconceptions. Here are some tips that may break the cycle for you.

1. Don’t starve yourself. Starving yourself never works. Your body is smarter than you think. You may lose some weight the first couple of days. But as soon as your body realizes your eating less, it will go into “save mode” and will drastically lower your metabolism. It will conserve the minimal food you eat and burn less calories for your activities. Instead, eat in small quantities frequently. This will prevent you from overeating.
2. Eat more fruits and veggies. Make fruits and vegetables a staple in your daily diet. Consuming more fiber is not only good for your health, but it also fills you up more than sweets or junk food. Soda and junk food are loaded with so much sugar and saturated fats — there is no question that you will gain weight that would be so difficult to lose if you take them regularly. Read the rest of this entry »

Ever wondered if there is something out there that works just as well as your facial moisturizer that wouldn’t cost you a hand and a foot?Apparently, the best facial moisturizer can be found in nature.  Many women attest that Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) is just as good as the most expensive moisturizer in the market.  Olive oil breaks oil from the skin and contains Vitamin A and E, anti-oxidants, and minerals.

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Coffee drinkers have a lot to cheer about. Research show that long-term coffee drinking will not increase a person’s risk of early death. As a matter of fact, it has been discovered that regular intake of coffee may cut a person’s chances of dying from heart disease.

Previously, there were mixed results that prove various benefits that were offset by setbacks. Now, studies have shown that regular coffee drinking (even up to 6 cups a day) was not associated to increased deaths among the middle-aged. Coffee drinkers, especially women, experienced a small decline in death rates from heart disease. However, there was no link between coffee consumption and cancer deaths.

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I’ve lost significant weight in the past 2 months because of my Mom’s hospitalization.  I also have trouble sleeping.  I’m just about 10-15 lbs away from my ideal weight.  However, since last week, my weight has plateaued.  Even if I have kept down the carbs and minimized my intake, nothing has changed. Maybe they are right. The most difficult to lose is the last 10 pounds.

My friend suggested I try weight loss pills and there are several in the market to choose from.  But I’m not that fond of taking medicine — I’m always afraid of putting too much chemicals in my body.  My friend suggested that I take Acomplia — it is good for those trying to lose weight and quit smoking.  There is such a thing?  It’s like hitting 2 birds with one stone.  I went on and did my own research just to make sure that I stay

For those who have been going on a diet, you all know that the most difficult part to trim down is the belly. We all dream of having a flat belly. But it seems to be the most stubborn part of our body and is usually the last part to lose fat. Aside from avoiding food with high carbs and sugar, exercise is a necessary part of the regimen. However, I find doing numerous crunches and other exercises a big strain.

Yoga and Pilates, on the other hand, has been known to have exercises or poses that help a lot in trimming the abs. Here are some yoga poses that concentrates on strengthening the abs and trimming down excess fat. I will add more in futures posts, including pilates workouts that will give you a flat belly.

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As the outbreak of swine flu claimed more lives in Mexico City, world health officials race to prevent the flu strain from reaching other borders.  The US prepared for the worst as news of contamination have already reached their shores.  The swine flue was reported to have spread already to at least 4 countries, though it unusually did not result in deaths similar to Mexico.

To prevent widespread outbreak, the US is preparing as if it will already become a pandemic.  This will ensure that extreme measures are taken to contain the new flu strain.  Meanwhile, other countries have become strict in allowing visitors in their country by placing those with symptoms in strict quarantine.

In Mexico, there have been 152 deaths reported due to swine flu.  Though the country is considered ground zero of the outbreak, Mexican officials claim the origin of the outbreak is still undetermined.  They even believe it could have come from the US.

The World Health Organization raised the alert level to Phase 4, meaning there is sustained human-to-human transmission of the virus causing outbreaks in at least one country.   It was the first time on Monday that it has ever been raised above Phase 3.  Phase 6 would mean a full-blown pandemic with outbreaks in at least 2 regions of the world.

Strangely, 50 cases were reported in the US but none were fatal.  Worldwide there were 79 confirmed cases, including six in Canada, one in Spain and two in Scotland. Thirteen are suspected in New Zealand, and one is suspected in both France and Israel.

Swine flu symptoms include a fever of more than 100, coughing, joint aches, severe headache and, in some cases, vomiting and diarrhea.  The new flu strain is a combination of pig, bird and human viruses that humans may have no natural immunity to.  Nevertheless, Mexico reported that the number of new cases has declined the past 3 days.  To prevent mass contagion, Mexico canceled school nationwide until May 6 and is currently considering shutdown of public transportation.

Most residents of Mexico City wore blue surgical masks, despite reports that it offers little protection.  Many victims are in their 30s and 40s in Mexico while no deaths outside the country due to the flu were ever reported.

WHO officials claim that it could take 4 to 6 months before the first batch of vaccines are available.

My eldest son was only 10 when he discovered wall climbing. His body was perfect for it and his coach said he was a natural. He went on to become part of the school’s wall climbing team and even qualified as part of the Philippine team. I didn’t know much about climbing and found it necessary to acquaint myself with the sport.

The first thing I had to do was find him the best climbing accessories to support his training and competition. I surfed the net to learn more about the Climbing Gear he would need. There were several online stores offering various gears and brands that I was unfamiliar with. I was able to get him good climbing shoes and a nice chalk bag. I got stuck on getting him harness and decided to choose Petzl after I received good feedback from his coach.

Wall climbing did help my son a lot in terms of fitness. Though he was a bit lanky for his age, I noticed how much stronger his limbs had become. He could open jars without even flinching and his resistance has absolutely improved. According to his coach, it is a good exercise for those trying to lose weight. Climbing up one wall is equivalent to running the treadmill for 30 minutes. Most of his trainees have lost considerable weight while gaining strength and flexibility. I am actually consider climbing with my son soon.

When he qualified for the national team, my son asked if I could get him a Suunto Vector as his reward. Apparently it’s a great watch used by most climbers. It was a cool watch and I was really proud of his accomplishment. I did give in despite the price. It was definitely worth every cent.

Are your daily moisturizers eating up your budget? Instead of going to your local beauty store, why not look around your kitchen? Remember that most of the ingredients active in branded moisturizers can be found in your kitchen like the almond oil.

A light touch of almond oil on the body does wonders that can match the effects of expensive moisturizers in the market. It is easily absorbed and you don’t feel like jumping on a frying pan or oven.  Almond oil has a substantial amount vitamin E which is considered one of nature’s age-fighting anitoxidant. It also restores skin moisture and does not leave any scent that will mix with your perfumes or colognes.

If you check the ingredients of some lotions and other beauty products, almond oil is among the main ingredients.  Among those in the market are L’Occitane’s Almond Supple Skin Oil ($30 for 3.4 oz.) and Almond Body Butter from The Body Shop ($8 for 1.7 oz.). However, there is nothing like the real thing which will cost you half the price at twice the volume.

Who said beautiful skin had to be expensive?

Would you believe it possible for a brassiere to prevent breast cancer?  Well, a recently well-marketed brassiere claims that it can prevent the disease most women fear.  It is called Brassage, a bra built with bumps on the side that supposedly massage away toxins from the breast.

According to its maker, Christina Erteszek of Intimate Apparel, traditional bras are hazardous to women’s health as they typically cause toxins to be retained in the breast.  And of course, this revolutionary $59 bra with its massage bumps stimulate lymphatic flow and flush those toxins away.

ABC news investigated the claim and sought the advice of Dr. Susan Love, a breast cancer researcher.  According to Dr. Love, there is no scientific proof that toxins accumulate in the breast on a daily basis.  In other words, it’s all bull.  It is also worth noting that the doctor who invented the bumps in the Brassage as published in their website is not actually a physician, he is actually a chiropractor.

When ABC News’ Juju Chang pointed out Dr. Love’s comments to Erteszek during an interview, Erteszek became upset and stalked out.  She did return eventually after calming down, but her confidence and composure was not the same as it was during the start of the interview.  Following the interview, the manufacture of Brassage has ceased and only a few retailers now carry the product.

There are more products out there that offer unsubstantiated claims. Needless to say, women should not allow other people to exploit our fears.  Let us be more discerning and avoid falling prey to these unscrupulous merchants.

Human vanity encompasses not only the skin and body figure.  A large part of vanity involves a healthy head of hair.  They say that the hair is the body’s crowning glory and enhances beauty.  Thus, hair loss has been considered a major problem for most people, especially men.

Hair loss is common for men due to the natural occurrence of “Male Pattern Baldness.”  In this phenomenon, men gradually lose hair over the front, top, and the crown while those on the sides and lower back of the head are retained.  With this pattern, specialists developed hair transplant which is considered the most successful remedy to balding or thinning hair.

With hair transplant, donor hair will be taken from the sides and lower back of the head and transplanted to the balding areas.  The procedure results in the most natural solution to hair loss.  Transplanted hair is exactly the same shade as the rest, it can be cut and combed as if it had naturally grown there.

Nu/Hart Hair Clinics are considered the experts in hair transplant.  Some of their clients are popular Hollywood stars or international celebrities that bank on their looks for a living.  The procedure is done by a specially trained physician.  They have mastered it so well that it now translates to faster healing, more grafts, and the best results in just 6 months.  Due to their success, they now have 10 offices around the world and have already performed over 30,000 successful hair transplants.

Why use sprays, shampoos, pills, or laser treatment?  Reliability of such remedies are so poor that many realize too late that they have wasted so much money for nothing.  If you are not a candidate for hair transplant, Nu/Hart can offer other solutions that would still achieve better results than other treatments.  If you are still wary about the procedure, you can avail of a free consultation to get expert advice on what would be the best solution that would fit your problem.

Most women obsess about getting wrinkles or looking old. It is no wonder that the cosmetic industry continues to grow at a fast and steady pace. Now, even men have their own skin regimen. It is an accepted fact that no human being wants to age and lose his/her youth.   In ancient times, myths about the Fountain of Youth have been spun into so many tales, proving that vanity remains a value held by many regardless of gender or era.

While we hear so many claims from cosmetic manufacturers about the magic they can do for your skin, none can actually validate their claims beyond reasonable doubt.  As such, it would still be practical to stick to natural and safe ways of taking care of your skin.

1. Use a soap-free facial cleanser. It is not necessary to purchase expensive facial cleansers for your face. The objective is to rinse off dirt, oil, and other impurities on your face without making it dry. The key is to use a soap-free cleanser that will help retain moisture while cleaning your face. For oily skin, a foaming gel or an alpha hydroxy acid wash works best to degrease your face. Massage your face with cleanser at least 30 seconds to be able to break down make-up and sebum on the surface.
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As the world continues to grapple with the multitude of diseases and health problems, many likewise strive to find the remedies that would alleviate human suffering. Nevertheless, many life-threatening disease are still left untouched in decades while the list of incurable illnesses increase. While traditional medicine still cannot provide the cure nor relief, it is not surprising that many seek out unconventional ways to find the answer.

Alternative Medicine is not a new concept in the world. As a matter of fact, some of them are based on ancient practices of our forefathers. They are merely called alternative because the process or methods have not been validated through the scientific method and standards imposed by the medical industry. Yet, some alternative procedures also use advanced technology that have provided relief to hose who have almost lost hope.

One of the clinics that do specialize in alternative therapies is the Whitaker Wellness Institute.  The clinic provides Acupuncture, Chelation Therapy, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, and many more.  It was founded by Julian Whitaker, MD and he is supported by a team of medical doctors and doctors of osteopathic medicine.  This is a team of dedicated physicians and professionals whose aim is to improve the lives of their patients.  Notably, the clinic will not suggest any reduction or discontinuation of medicine a patient is currently taking without the consultation of their physician.  Though the clinic is intent on healing its patients, they are responsible enough to understand the limits of their treatments.

At a point when you think that your illness has gotten the best of you and all else fails, remember that there is always hope.

Probably one of the bestselling and most profitable products in the market today are those that involve delaying the effects of age on the body. The market segment for anti-aging is not only exclusive to women but likewise involves all other genders. Products from botox to viagra have proven to be profitable, not only to manufacturers, but also to dealers or retailers. This also translated to the popularity of cosmetic or dermatological treatments.

Since I belong to the female gender, let me just talk about those that make women pour out their hard-earned bucks to just to stay young and beautiful. During the 20th century, only women in their late thirties or in their forties are known to put all sorts of gunk on their face to slow down the appearance of wrinkles or make them younger than they are. Now, dermatologists suggest that skin care should start as early as 25. With so many brands in the market, it’s almost impossible to pick the right one. Even research proves futile since everyone knows that testimonials are paid endorsements and most don’t hold much water. Beauty forums actually give out better and more reliable information – - women do take care of each other. What I do regularly though, that has given positive results is diamond peeling. I have a reliable dermatologist do this for me every month. It is a bit pricey but I get mine at a good price since she includes a free facial cleaning before the actual procedure. Read the rest of this entry »

One of the problems that women are always trying to resolve in terms of beauty and hygiene is getting rid of unwanted hair. Before science or research finally discovered good options for hair removal, the only option is shaving. Then using hot wax became the new method. This gets rid of unwanted hair but the risk of burning your skin and making it hyperpigmented was high. Thus, I kept to the shaving part. The problem with this is, the hair that would grow back stiff and thick. If you miss out on shaving, it was very uncomfortable, not to mention unattractive. I even consider myself luckier than other girls because I only had my underarm to shave. Other women have to do their legs or their upper lips or arms.

Well, finally the angels gave women the answer to their hair problems. Aside from treating the hair follicles with laser to remove unwanted hair, cold sugar waxing was discovered. With laser treatment, some dermatologist claim that several sessions can make that part of the skin permanently hair-free. However, you have to pay a hefty price for this. Being a bit thrifty, I went for the more reasonable option. I tried cold sugar wax in a waxing salon. It did better than I anticipated. After the waxing, the skin on my underarm was smooth and hairless. No razor ever did this for me. The wax is made of sugar, lemon, and honey. The good thing about this method is that the lemon can make the discoloration on your underarm go away. And like the laser treatment, when the hair grew back, it was fine and soft. Some even claim that after several cold wax treatments, chicken skin on the underarm disappears. I don’t have much chicken skin since I never plucked, but there are minimal bumps on some areas due to shaving.

Whenever I gain weight, it’s my tummy and my waist that usually gains first. It’s frustrating because it is also the most difficult to trim whenever I try to lose weight. For those who have the same problem, here are some tips from health experts on how to trim off those belly fat. Here is a list of nutritious food your diet shouldn’t be without. Complement these with moderate exercise, and those stubborn fat on your middle plus all other excess flabs will melt away.

1. Spinach

2. Yogurt

3. Tomatoes

4. Carrots

5. Blueberries

6. Black Beans

7. Walnuts

8. Oats

These will not only help you lose weight, but will also keep your muscles strong, your heart healthy, and give you protection from the dreaded C.