My Weight Loss Journey: Discovering The Real Me

blogging

2011-10-29T15:07:00.000-07:00

I know that I haven't been around lately, and when I have blogged it has been about pain and different kinds of treatments. I am thinking about starting a new blog on pain management, covering Arthritis, Migraines, and back pain.

There are so many different types of treatments out there, it is stuff that I need to learn to help myself and so I was thinking that as I was doing it for my self that I may be able to help other people with the same problems as me.

I will keep every one updated on what I am doing and when I start the new blog.

Migraine Headache Relief - Medications and Treatments That Will Effectively Relieve Migraines By Jackie Jones

2011-08-24T15:41:00.000-07:00

There are millions of migraine sufferers all over the United States. If you are one of the people suffering from this neurological condition, you know how painful migraine attacks can be. In fact, they can be so painful that they can render you immobile for the whole day or even the whole week depending on the severity of your headache.

This is a very disabling disease that causes many companies with employees suffering from the condition to lose millions of dollars every year because of loss of productivity.

Fortunately for you, there are now a wide range of treatments and medications available which can help you in preventing migraine attacks and even relieving the headaches once they attack.

To treat yourself in your home, you can try using a frozen towel. Try to get a frozen towel handy in order for you to be prepared whenever you feel that a migraine attack is coming. All you need to do is wet the towel, squeeze it and place it inside the freezer for about 5 minutes. After that, place the towel on your head and your eyes. You will see that this will be able to provide relief from the pounding pain you will experience during an attack.

You may want to lie down on a quiet and dark room and try getting some sleep. This will help relieve the headache pain. You can also massage yourself on the head or get someone to massage your head.

NSAIDs are also very effective in reducing the severity of attacks. The doctor will also be able to prescribe you some prescription pain medication which can effectively prevent migraine attacks before it happens.

All in all, knowing about the triggers of migraine attacks will be able to help you manage the disease very well. By knowing about the triggering factors, you will be able to avoid such situations and help you prevent migraine from happening to you. These are the things that you should remember about migraine attacks and the available treatments and mediations to relieve the pain.

To Learn More About Relief Techniques and Medications for Migraine Headaches, Visit the Migraine & Headache Resource Center today at http://migraines-headaches.org/

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Migraine Headaches Can Be Understood In A Different Way - Check Out Ayurveda By Dr. Helen Mary Thomas

2011-08-24T15:40:00.000-07:00

Migraine is a French word derived from the Latin word hemicrania, which means "pain in half of the head." Ayurveda have unique dosha principles to understand migraines. Unlike a tension headache this type of headache does usually affect only one side of the head, bringing severe throbbing pain. Migraines consist of two phases. In phase one the blood vessels constrict and the brain receives less blood, leading to an early warning sign called an aura. Most often the aura consists of visual disturbances such as visions of light, bright or geometric shapes and lines, and tunnel vision.Other auras include sensations of a strange taste or odor, tingling, dizziness, slurred speech, ringing in the ears, and weakness in a part of the body. This phase may also include nausea, vomiting, chills, and extreme fatigue. As the next phase occurs, the blood vessels open abnormally wide, which stimulates the nerves in the blood vessel walls. The pain begins and is usually accompanied by extreme fatigue. A migraine may last for hours or days and most often affects women.

Such headaches tend to run in families. Ayurveda teaches migraine may be triggered by hypersensitivity or allergic reactions to foods; if you have persistent migraine headaches, allergies are an important consideration. Also at play may be alcohol, bright lights, loud noises, hormonal fluctuations such as occur with the menstrual cycle, and some drugs. As is the case with tension headaches, Ayurveda teaches migraines and their treatment differ from dosha to dosha:

Ayurveda Vata migraine headache: This headache starts on the left side and is associated with other common vata disorders, such as insomnia, constipation, and flatulence. It occurs during the vata time of day (two to six P.M. and two to six A.M.) and is aggravated by vata-aggravating foods: bitter, pungent, astringent, thy, hot, and spicy.
Ayurveda Pitta migraine headache: This type starts on the right side and is associated with pitta disorders such as heartburn, sensitivity to light, and digestive upset. It usually occurs in the middle of the night, worsens during the pitta time of day (ten A.M. to two P.M. and ten P.M. to two A.M.) and improves at night.
Ayurveda Kapha migraine headache: This headache is usually caused by ama in the form of mucus and is therefore described as sinus headache. Your migraine is of this type if, when you bend over from the waist, the headache feels worse.

Migraine headache can be so severe that home care measures (and most conventional medicines) don't offer much help. Ayurvedic remedies prescribed by a professional are the best source of relief and prevention. However, following the Daily Lifestyle Regimen to balance your doshas may help minimize migraines.

Biofeedback teaches you how to warm your hands by increasing the blood flow to them. This appears to be effective in relieving migraine headaches for some people.
Try to discover what foods might trigger your migraine-several foods have been implicated, including chocolate, nuts, coffee, cheese, citrus fruits, and alcohol. Vata headache is frequently caused by indigestible food combinations, in particular combining milk with yogurt, bananas, or fish.
Understand A Very Unique Ayurveda Principle. Repression of natural urges and emotions is one of the most common causes of toxic accumulation and disease. This is especially relevant for migraine because a type of nervous tissue called majja produces tears as a waste product. It is extremely important therefore that you explore any emotions you feel may be trapped inside you.

HERBAL REMEDIES Start with the tri-doshic remedy (for all doshas), and if that is not effective, use one of the remedies for specific doshas.

For all doshas: Combine 2 parts brahmi (gotu kola) with 4 parts of either ashwaghanda (Withania somnifera) or shatavari (Asparagus racemosus); take 1/8 teaspoon of this mixture in 1/2 cup boiled milk or water. You may also combine 1 teaspoon vacha (calamus) with enough warm water to make a thick paste and apply to the forehead until the headache is relieved. You may also cut onions to stimulate crying; tears release toxic accumulations in your eyes, sinuses, and brain.
For Ayurveda vata and kapha: Combine 1 teaspoon cinnamon with enough ghee to make a paste and apply to forehead until the headache is relieved.
For Ayurveda vata and pitta: At onset of symptoms, take one ripe banana blended with 2 cardamom seeds and 1 teaspoon ghee. Repeat, if necessary, every 8 hours.

FIVE-SENSES THERAPIES

Taste: Vata and pitta types should emphasize sweet and bitter tastes, while kapha types benefit from pungent taste at this time.
Smell: Use the aromatherapy tailored to your dosha; for example vata types do well with sweet, warm aromas; pittas with sweet, cool aromas; and kaphas are helped by spicy, warm aromas.
Sight: Use yellow-green color therapy for vata; blue for pitta; and red for kapha.
Hearing: Listen to ragas during the appropriate hours of the day, depending on your dosha: Vata should listen to the noon or late-afternoon ragas; pitta to the midmorning raga; and kapha to the sunset raga.
Touch: massage the head, scalp,ears with sesame oil.

Hi, I am Dr. Helen Thomas. My passion is teaching people about Ayurveda because its helpful. In India, there are 500,000 ayurvedic physicians practicing in hospitals and clinics everyday. Migraine headaches are just one of the many health problems Ayurveda helps. Its different, alternative, and a different perspective. Come Visit, http://www.AyurvedaTreatmentGuide.com

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Types of Migraine Headaches By Margaret Bell

2011-08-24T15:39:00.000-07:00

Let's briefly discuss these types of migraines: basilar, classic, menstrual, hemiplegic and exertion.

For those who suffer with migraine they know only too well the classic symptoms associated with it. The terrible and throbbing headache that can persist from a matter of hours up to several days. Some migraine suffers may experience an 'aura', the flashing lights that cause distressing visual disturbance.

Other sufferers may have vomiting and constant nausea. Some migraine sufferers may experience one or all of these symptoms because there are several types. In fact, there are different types of migraines classified according to the causes and symptoms.

• Basic Types - with or without aura

Firstly, there are two different types of migraine based on aura. These are classified as migraine with or without aura. Migraines with aura have initial symptoms such as light flashing in front of the eyes or a blind spot, often referred to as ocular or ophthalmic migraine. Ocular migraine sufferers may not necessarily have a headache with this type.

• Children

We tend to associate migraine with adults, but children as young as five can develop a type of migraine called abdominal migraine. The symptoms for abdominal migraine are severe abdominal pain near the navel.

Children may suffer the other classic symptoms such as,

• vomiting,
• diarrhea and
• nausea, but not necessarily the headache.

It is for this reason that the condition can be easily missed for some time and put done to just a 'tummy ache' or an excuse for not wanting to go to school etc. It is not until the abdominal pain becomes frequent, that it is investigated. It has been found that most children who experience abdominal migraine, go on to suffer migraines with or without aura, later in life.

• Basilar

This is one of the most painful kinds and is often found in young adults. Basilar migraine is often accompanied with vertigo, a condition that makes everything feel it is spinning round. This may make walking and standing difficult. Basilar migraine is a that has an aura and is often found in people with a family history of this condition.

• Classic

Classic migraine is one with aura and headache. The symptoms include, flashing lights in front of the eyes, nausea, weakness and eye pain. Usually analgesics are given to treat the pain and there are now many good pain relief products available specifically for this type.

• Menstrual

Menstrual migraines are those that are experienced by women just before or after a menstrual period. This type of migraine is due to the hormonal fluctuations in a woman's body. Certain medications may aggravate this condition such as oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy.

• Exertion

Exertion migraine is a type of migraine brought on by physical exercise often combined with dehydration. Sometimes it can be brought on by a fit of sneezing or bending over. Fortunately, this type of migraine is normally short lived.

• Hemiplegic

Hemiplegic migraine is a type of migraine where a migraine headache begins in the form of temporary paralysis on one side of the body. This can be very frightening for the sufferer when first experienced as it can easily be mistaken for symptoms of a stroke.

• Most Types - Similar Symptoms

Most migraines share the same basic migraine symptoms, which is why most people assume there is only one type of migraine. Migraines afflict millions of people world-wide. They can occur at any age, but tend to diminish after age 50. The frequency and severity of a migraine attack varies from one person to another and on the type of migraine suffered. Although this is a very common condition, it affects can be very debilitating. For this reason it is always advisable to seek a health care professionals advice on treatment and medications, knowing which type of migraine you suffer from can help with this.

And now I would like to invite you to visit http://www.AHealthInfo.com for FREE Instant Access to more information on NATURAL MIGRAINE REMEDIES This could be the help you need.

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Migraine Headaches - Common Food Triggers By Steve Clegg

2011-08-24T15:38:00.000-07:00

ncredibly there could be 1 billion people in the world today suffering from migraine headaches, that's around 1 in 7 of the world's population.

What is even more incredible is how little is understood about the condition. There is no known cure. Many theories, many ways to manage the problem, many ways to help to relieve the symptoms and reduce the frequency of the migraine attacks but no cure.

One common issue that comes up time after time is a reaction to certain foods. Again, the reasons for these findings are unproven and nobody really knows why these foods should be connected with migraines. However, there have been many studies over the years and they show that many people are sensitive to certain foods which do seem to trigger their migraine attack.

The list could be huge but the most commonly reported triggers are:-

Cheese - Particularly hard or mature cheese
Chocolate
Alcohol - Especially beer and red wine
Processed meats - Hot dogs, salami, (these contain nitrates and msg)
Aspartame - An artificial sweetener used in many low calorie foods and drinks
Citrous fruits - Oranges, lemons etc
Monosodium Glutamate - MSG, a food additive that used to be associated with Chinese restaurants but is now included in most processed foods as a flavour enhancer. Common in canned soups, sauces, salad dressings, chips (crisps), most fast foods,frozen dinners and many more products.
Caffeine withdrawal

I would not suggest cutting out all or any of the foods that you might normally eat but what you can do is to become a detective. Start a food diary. Begin to write down everything that goes into your mouth each day. Food and drink.

Hi, my name is Steve Clegg from the UK

And if you would like to learn more about migraine facts figures and remedies then please feel free to visit the article section of my website here http://www.toptenonthenet.co.uk/articles.html

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Migraine Headaches and Chiropractic Care By Dr Collin Dolan

2011-08-24T15:37:00.000-07:00

Migraine headaches affect millions of people on a daily basis. Females are affected twice as often as males and headaches usually begin around the onset of puberty but can vary. There does seem to be a genetic predisposition in families especially seen in females in a family. This category of headaches is typically broken down into to subcategories: Migraine headaches accompanied by an aura (Classical Migraine), and those without an aura (Common Migraines). Common migraines constitute the overall majority of migraine sufferers with about 80% of the cases whereas classical migraine sufferers make up the minority with about 20% of the cases. Most people commonly associate an aura with a migraine when discussing these headaches but it is not the norm statistically.

The aura leads up to the headache and is a nervous system reaction that typically involves the sensory system. Auras can be visual, auditory, sensory, and even motor. The most common visual aura is a visual change known as a scintillating scotoma which appears as a hazy spot in the central field of gaze followed by a patterned light that expands. The second most common aura is the pins and needles sensory feeling called paresthesia that can start in the hands or feet and radiate upward through the limbs to the face. Other common associated conditions include sensitivity to light (photophobia) and sound (phonophobia). The pain associated with the headache itself is usually graded as moderate to severe and is usually described as throbbing. The most common location for the pain is the frontal and temporal regions of the skull and in the area of the eyes but it can vary per case. The pain is typically one sided or unilateral and will build over the course of a few hours to become widespread and diffuse. The pain can last any where from 1-2 hours to more than a day depending on the severity of the episode. Nausea, vomiting, pallor, clamminess, and muscle aches can accompany the migraine as well.

The most common theories behind the cause of migraine headaches include trigger factors, vasoconstriction/vasodilatation, and autonomic nervous system overreactions. Scientists have identified a number of these triggering mechanisms. These include physical activity, stress, tension, poor posture, hormonal changes related to menstruation, puberty, and menopause, changes in blood sugar, allergies, and certain foods. The most commonly identified foods include coffee, tea, alcohol, caffeine, MSG, niacin, processed foods, histamine, and tyramine rich foods like chocolate, cheese, and red wine. The first step for anyone suffering from migraine headaches is to keep a "headache diary" in order to identify triggers or patterns. In the diary you should note diet, hormonal cycles, activities, interactions, medications, and any other environmental factors as well as timing, duration, and severity of headaches. This will allow patients to identify possible triggers in order to avoid them in the future. Stress management is another important factor in the treatment of migraines which can include meditation, relaxing, or even taking a break from stressful activities.

Chiropractic care offers patients relief from recurrent migraine episodes using a wide variety of proven treatments. Soft tissue myotherapy in the areas of the upper back, neck, and head help to reduce muscle tension. Gentle spinal manipulation has been proven to reduce muscle tension and improve migraines by reducing the frequency and severity of the episodes. Nutritional supplementation is helpful with omega-3 fish oils, calcium, vitamins D, B2, and B6, magnesium, riboflavinoids, and 5-hydroxy-tryptophan. Hot pack therapy has been shown to help during an episode and acupuncture to help prevent migraines from occurring. Patients experiencing severe, frequently occurring migraine headaches should consult a medical professional and those taking any medication should consult with their physician before attempting any nutritional supplementation. Migraines can run your life if they are left undiagnosed or untreated. There are a number of alternative and traditional medical treatments available to migraine sufferers so seek help today.

Aurora Chiropractors at Dolan Family Chiropractic are specialists in treating all kinds of back pain. Chiropractic Care successfully treats a wide variety of muscular and skeletal injuries including back pain, neck pain, and headaches without the use of harmful medications and surgeries. Dolan Family Chiropractic is considered to be one of the top chiropractic offices in the Aurora and Naperville areas of Illinois and is conveniently located in Aurora, IL on the corner of Eola Rd and North Aurora Rd in the Jewel Shopping Center.

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Learning to Live With Migraine Headaches By Moira G Gallaga

2011-08-24T15:36:00.000-07:00

Having a migraine headache can be a very debilitating and frustrating experience. Some people are lucky enough never to know the pain of a migraine headache, while others must take precaution and search for the best treatment.

Symptoms of a migraine are more severe than a regular headache. The Mayo Clinic describes this type of headache as lasting for several hours or even days accompanied by sensitivity to light, feelings of nausea, sensitivity to sound and possible vomiting. Many sufferers even experience blind spots, flashing lights, and tingling sensations in their arms and/or legs.

Just imagine trying to finish a day's work when your head is pounding. Migraines make easy everyday tasks more difficult because all the victim can do is focus on the throbbing. During very severe episodes, you will probably not be able to do anything at all. If you suffer from light and sound sensitivity during a migraine you would be better off isolating yourself in a dark room in utter silence.For some of us who suffer migraines, a door being opened and closed as gently as possible still sounds and feels like a drum banging beside our heads. As such, family members or people living with you must be aware of this so they don't make things worse for you.

There is no known cure for migraine headaches. This makes life challenging and unpleasant for those who have chronic migraines. Doctors can prescribe medications to help alleviate the pain and other symptoms, but waiting the headache out can be a very draining and excruciating experience. It is important to note that medicines to deal with the pain brought about by a migraine is more effective when it is taken before the migraine has become severe. You will need to know how to anticipate the onset of an attack and take your medication before its get more serious. It may not necessarily stop the migraine, but it may somewhat decrease its severity.

While experiencing a migraine headache can be a terrible, all-consuming feeling, there are certain triggers that you can watch out for and learn to avoid so you can minimize the onset of your migraines.

Stress is a huge trigger when it comes to migraine headaches. According to WebMD, when a person undergoes a stressful experience, the brain releases a set of chemicals to combat the strain. Even though the brain is trying to fight the headache, these chemicals often makes it worse.

This is why it is so important for those who are susceptible to migraines to learn how to be calm and deal with stress. With less stress, the frequency of migraine occurrences might diminish. Being less frazzled does not necessarily mean that these painful headaches will go away. Thus, it is still important to look out for other factors in your life that might be causing migraines as well.

Another migraine trigger happens to involve what you eat or drink. Some doctors believe that migraines can be helped by controlling diet. Offenders include cheese, alcohol, caffeine, peanuts, tea, non-aged meats, wine, chocolates etc. We may love these things, but is it worth the constant headache? No, it is not. Dietary triggers for migraines are usually unique to each person. What can trigger a migraine in one person does not necessarily trigger a migraine in another person. You might need to do a bit of trial and error to figure out what are your specific dietary triggers, but it will be worth the effort as this will allow you to avoid food and drinks that are sure to cause a migraine attack.

Diet and stress are not the only causes of migraines, though. Sleep patterns, light sensitivity, hormones, physical exertion, and much more can contribute. Since these are aspects of life that we cannot escape at times, it is imperative to learn to identify these factors and manage them as much as possible.

In the end, migraine headaches might beat us down at times, but it is in our power to be cautious and be able to manage it. There is no way to completely make these headaches disappear, but lessening the severity and frequency is a very real possibility by learning how to identify the triggers, adjust your lifestyle so as to avoid those triggers and developing methods to help you cope during the onset of a migraine attack.

Civil servant from the Philippine Foreign Service. Specializes in Protocol and served 3 Philippine Presidents as Presidential Protocol Officer. Had the opportunity to travel extensively as part of her work and the privilege of discovering and exploring new places, cultures and peoples. Also assigned along with her diplomat husband and son in Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles and Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C. for 3 years and 3 and a half years, respectively.

She enjoys reading books, trying out new cuisines, fashion, yoga, scuba diving (PADI Rescue diver), football (soccer), biking in the countryside, travel, and the beach, among other things.

She is opinionated, headstrong, adventurous and uncompromising.

An aspiring writer who finds satisfaction in sharing her thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences.

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What Causes Migraines? Learn 7 Things That Can Trigger a Painful Migraine By Dixon George

2011-08-24T15:35:00.000-07:00

This is a question that many people seem to ask all the time. However, sometimes the doctor can never really give them a straight answer. Why? Because it is honestly hard to tell what is causing your migraines without doing a bunch of tests. However, below I have listed a partial list that might just cause them for you.

Now, for starters, there are a few people who get migraines from a single thing, or maybe 2 at the most. But, the vast majority of people who are sufferers, do not have any single trigger, or do not know what actually is causing this painful suffering.

Here is a partial list of what can potentially cause an attack:

- Bright lights: If you already have a sensitivity to light, being exposed to brighter than normal light may just cause you pain, and thus would trigger an attack.

- Loud noises: Like most sensory perception, they require the brain to tell you about them, anything that overloads the brain, such as an unusually loud noise, could bring on an attack. A example of a loud noise could be loud music that you are not accustomed to, or a siren from a fire engine, or ambulance going down the street.

- Certain smells: Now, this does not mean smells that you like, but most often smells that irritate you, such as foul odors, or really strong perfume. When it does come to smells, it actually might be an allergic reaction to something in that smell that is triggering it.

- Alcohol: Alcohol is a known diuretic, and with the loss of body fluids causes a "hang over", this is where the brain loses enough fluid to shrink in size just enough to pull on the membrane keeping it attached to the skull. This is the cause of the pain in a hangover. This can trigger a migraine, which is all together a different kind of pain.

- Tension headaches: These types of headaches are called tension, because it feels like your head is being squished between something, or like there is a rubber band wrapped around it. This might actually trigger a migraine, or even be an onset symptom that you are about to get one. This one is rather tricky to figure out.

- Foods containing MSG: This is more or less an allergic reaction to MSG more than anything. This is your body telling you to stay away from this kind of thing.

- Foods containing nitrates: There is something in foods such as bacon, hot dogs, and salami that is triggering your pain. Again, most likely this is an allergic reaction of some sort.

Now, your question before was: "What causes migraines?", well, this should answer your questions a little bit better. However, one thing to remember is this; everyone who experiences these, do not necessarily all have the same trigger, everyone is different, so most peoples triggers could be different as well.

If you are experiencing one, or have in the past, then I would advice seeking out medical help to resolve this, there is no reason to suffer.

Learn more about causes of Migraine Headaches and free information for treating Migraine Headaches go here.

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Life.....

2011-03-25T15:18:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since I have blogged and I've been thinking a lot lately about my life and the things that I am doing, the way that it is going and things that I want change.

I have been having a really difficult time the last little while, I need to get my BUTT in gear and start getting some more of this weight off. It will help with my back problems and will just help me feel better about my self period. When I got to the current weight that I am at now, I was feeling pretty thin and good about my self. But the longer I stay here the worse I feel, most days I feel like a disqusting blob and I don't like the way that I feel.

Some of my friends are taking a water spinning class and I am thinking about taking the class with them. The chlorine in the water irritates my skin but I really need to start doing something. I really feel like a failure and I don't like this feeling.

I am also having to make some major adjustments to my diet due to the inflammation in my need and back due to the problems that I have been having. There are a lot of things that I am going to be changing, adding to my diet and eliminating from my diet. I have found some really good websites the last little while that I think may really help. Life according to Eggface is a really good blog (http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/) I haven't gotten the chance to really go through her blog, but what I have glanced through I was really immpressed. She has a lot of really good food ideas and recipes I am going to try out.

I just thought that I would touch base and let everyone know what was going on in my life. I am feeling down on my self right now and I am trying to find a way to boost my self and get going on the right track again. I have another 75 to 100 pounds that I would like to loose even though every one tells me that is too much. We shall see when I get close what I decide to do.

I want to thank every one for the love and support that you have shown me over the years. It has meant a lot too me

Another New Year

2011-01-28T15:57:00.000-08:00

I cannot believe that it is 2011, time seems to go by so fast. I keep saying that I am going to start doing better at blogging....but...it NEVER happens. There are so many things going on in my life, so many trials that I am facing. There are times that I am just so over whelmed that I don't know what to do or where to start taking care of some of these problems.

Since I learned about the problems that I have with my back, I have talked to a lot of women who have had a Gastric Bypass and years later discover that they have bulging and herniated disc's. I know that it is not due to the Gastric Bypass, it is from all that excess weight that we carried around for so long. I know that weighing 420 pounds DID NOT do my back any good, and know that I have lost a lot of weight I am in so much pain from my back that it isn't funny.

People ask me how it feels to have lost so much weight, and if I feel great. It feels wonderful to have lost so much weight and all in all I feel great from having lost it. But dealing with back problems and this constant pain some days is more than I can bare. Well, I guess that I shouldn't say that I am in constant pain, because a lot of the time I can't even tell when it is irritated except for the fact that I am extremely nauseated; and my legs are numb. That is how I know that my back is bothering me.

I am going to be doing research on weight loss and arthritis through out the year and I will pass a long the information that I find. I know that there are a lot of people out there that deal with Osteo Arthritis and Obesity, it is a real problem and we need to do something about it. My major problem right now is the pain that I am in, and finding the self motivation to get my self moving to do something about it. When I walk every day and get active it really helps my back feel better.

So, I am going to make a goal for my self. I am going to try to loose 25 pounds by my birthday. I am going to really watch what I am eating to help with the arthritis and walk, I want to get to were I can walk 8 miles a day. I am going to take control of my life again, and get back on the winning track. I will keep you all updated on the things that are going on in my life.

Thanks for the love and support.

Arthritis - Its Debilitating and Detrimental Effects By John Robben

2011-01-28T15:50:00.000-08:00

Did you know that Arthritis is one of the most disabling diseases? It's true! Arthritis currently affects more than 40 million Americans and that figure is expected to rise to 60 million by the year 2,020. It is imperative that you read this article and find out what this devastating disease is truly about.

Arthritis: What it Is

Basically, Arthritis is inflammation of the joints. There are currently over 100 forms of Arthritis and remarkably, that number continues to rise. The most common forms of Arthritis include: Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Gout (see our next article, "Symptoms of Arthritis" for more information). Osteoarthritis is the result of degenerative joint disease, or simply "wear and tear" on the joints. Rheumatoid Arthritis is the result of an over active Immune System that results in inflammation. Gout is the oldest form of Arthritis and is the result of too much Uric Acid. The Uric Acid deposits crystals in the joints, leading to "Gouty Arthritis". The joint pain, inherent to all Arthritis sufferers, is referred to as "Arthralgia". Not only are the joints susceptible to attack, but the surrounding muscles, tissues, and organs are vulnerable to the effects of Arthritis as well. In fact, Arthritis has been known to attack the heart, kidneys, lungs, and liver.

Many people mistakenly believe that Arthritis is a disease that only affects the elderly. This simply isn't the case. Yes it's true that seniors, especially senior women, are effected the greatest by Osteoarthritis, yet the average age for onset of Arthritis is 47 years old, and sufferers are generally afflicted between the ages of 20-50. Sadly, even infants have been diagnosed with forms of Arthritis.

One of the most devastating effects of Arthritis has to be that it is a chronic condition. Arthritis is so weakening that it only grows worse with time. In fact, Arthritis is so detrimental that of the diseases that instill chronic physical disabilities, Arthritis is second only to Heart Disease.

The cost of Arthritis is not only measured in the loss of quality of life, but it is also measured by dollars and cents as well. It is estimated that over $150,000 is lost by an individual over the course of a lifetime due to the debilitating effects of Arthritis. This is totaled by lost wages, medical treatments, and the cost of medically based needs and care.

The overall conclusion is that Arthritis is a seriously unbearable condition that causes chronic pain and weakness. It does not only affect seniors, but forms of Arthritis also plagues children. There are over 100 forms of Arthritis and all Arthritis sufferers share one thing in common, chronic joint pain. The top three common forms of Arthritis include Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Gout. We have seen that Arthritis isn't cured, but managed.

Some steps and treatment plans used by Arthritis sufferers include:

· Losing Weight (thereby reducing stress and strain on the joints)

· Increasing their Nutritional Intake

· Reducing Stress (both physical and emotional)

· Participating in Gentle Stress Free Exercises such as Stretching

· Using both Hot and Cold Therapies

· Protecting Joints by use of Splints and Braces

· Drug Therapies

· Surgery

If you suffer from Arthritis, don't give up. There are many people who are discovering that with the proper management and health care provisions, they can live better, healthier, and pain free lives.

· Stay tuned for the next article in our series on Arthritis, "Symptoms of Arthritis".

Written by John Robben [http://www.ultimatewatermassage.com/] of Ultimate Water Massage, Inc. Providing Massage Services and Pain Relief products.

Visit our Arthritis Information Center [http://www.ultimatewatermassage.com/research-health/arthritis-basics.htm]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Robben

Symptoms of Arthritis By John Robben

2011-01-28T15:48:00.000-08:00

In a previous article, we discussed what Arthritis is and its many forms, now it is time to take a look at the symptoms of Arthritis. Arthritis shows up in various ways. Some of the first symptoms include things like knees cracking when you stand up, general pain or swelling around joints that lasts for more than two weeks, you may also notice that pain in your joints increases as you move, also you may notice increased stiffness in your joints when you wake up in the morning, and your joints may appear red and feel warm to the touch.

Some other symptoms of Arthritis include fever, a sense of feeling tired all the time, even a feeling that you have the flu. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is imperative that you see your doctor or physician at once. Only a doctor can truly diagnose whether you have Arthritis, and because there are over 100 forms of Arthritis, it is also important to determine which form of Arthritis you have. The different forms of Arthritis have different symptoms as well. It is also important to seek medical treatment as soon as possible, since Arthritis has no known cure, the sooner you seek treatment and begin a regimen of care, and the better your results of managing your Arthritis will be. Your treatment plan may include things such as a specific course of medicine, plenty of rest, adequate diet, and proper nutrition, losing weight if you are overweight, and in severe cases, surgery may be required. In future articles we will look at treatment options, from Acupuncture to Zinc.

Is it Rheumatoid Arthritis or Osteoarthritis?

We've discussed that there are over 100 forms of Arthritis. The most common forms are Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Gout. All of these forms have different symptoms and require testing by your physician for an accurate diagnosis. Here are some of the symptoms and differences between Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis.

Symptoms of Osteoarthritis:

· Osteoarthritis Typically begins in one Joint

· Osteoarthritis Typically affects only the Joints

· Osteoarthritis does not affect Internal Organs

· Osteoarthritis affects Cartilage

· Osteoarthritis causes Stiffness in the Joints when waking in the Morning

Osteoarthritis is a result of cartilage being broke down. As this takes place, the bones rub together. This typically happens in the knees, hips, hands, and spine. Unfortunately, when the pain sets in there has already been a substantial loss and damage to the cartilage.

Rheumatoid Arthritis has different symptoms than Osteoarthritis. Here are the symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

· Extreme Tiredness and Fatigue

· Low Grade Fever

· Muscle Pain and Aches

· Appetite Loss

· Painful and Swollen Joints

· Redness and Heat at the Joint Site

Typically, Rheumatoid Arthritis affects the joint of the body in a symmetrical fashion.
Rheumatoid Arthritis is a systematic disease and it often affects other organs in the body, and not just joints.

The symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis often appear, and then enter a state of remission. There is no proven reason as to the exact cause of Rheumatoid Arthritis, however it has been suspected that bacteria, fungi, and infections may cause it. There has also been evidence that Rheumatoid Arthritis is a hereditary condition. It is also believed that certain triggers, such as poor nutrition, stress, and infection can bring on Rheumatoid Arthritis.

· Stay tuned for our next article, "Osteoarthritis: Cause and Treatments".

Written by John Robben [http://www.ultimatewatermassage.com/] of Ultimate Water Massage, Inc. Providing Massage Services and Pain Relief products.

Visit our Arthritis Information Center [http://www.ultimatewatermassage.com/arthritis-series-intro.htm]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Robben

Osteoarthritis: Causes and Symptoms By John Robben

2011-01-28T15:45:00.000-08:00

In our last article, we briefly discussed Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. This article will take a close look at the cause, symptoms, and current treatment used for Osteoarthritis. So let's take a second look at what Osteoarthritis is.

Osteoarthritis is known by many as "wear and tear" Arthritis. It is one of the most common forms of Arthritis and is the result of cartilage wearing away from the joints. This cartilage is responsible for the smooth gliding of joints, and once it begins to deteriorate, the patient is left with pain, joint swelling and inflammation, and even deformity.

Osteoarthritis patients usually state that their pain is greatest during times of movement, and then lessens significantly during periods of rest. Osteoarthritis affects many more women than men. There is an estimated 24 million Osteoarthritis sufferers in the United States and roughly 74% are women.

The cause of Osteoarthritis is not known, yet doctors have many suspicions. Some of the symptoms of Osteoarthritis boggle the minds of scientists and more research needs to take place to determine the actual root of the disease. For instance, X-rays can tell that Arthritis is present, yet the amount of pain reported by Osteoarthritis sufferers differs from the results of the X-ray. Though many people refer to Osteoarthritis as the "wear and tear" disease, evidence shows that this disease and its mysterious cause are not as simple as that definition. In fact, "wear and tear" does not take place in just one joint, but affects joints simultaneously throughout the body. An example of this, is that sufferers with Osteoarthritis of the knee, offer suffer Osteoarthritis in the hand. Also, doctors have noted that patients don't suffer with Osteoarthritis on just one side of the body (as would be expected due to wear and tear) but because it seems to affect the body concurrently, it appears that Osteoarthritis is a systematic disease affecting all of the cartilage at once.

One suggestion is that Osteoarthritis is a result of cartilage that has stopped functioning at optimum level. Cartilage is continuously undergoing a process where it is broken down, then rebuilt. Some theories state that this process becomes unbalanced and out of hand. This is referred to as "End Stage Osteoarthritis." It is at this stage that joint pain and impairment begin to manifest. There are many natural remedies that show promise in the management of Osteoarthritis pain and symptoms. Look for future articles in our Arthritis Series that will offer natural remedies that may prevent enzymes from damaging cartilage.

Some other ideas that point to the cause of Osteoarthritis include:

· Previous Sports related or Joint Injuries

· Genetically Inherited (it appears that Osteoarthritis runs in families)

· Repeated Occurrences of Bleeding into a Joint (as occurs with Hemophilia and other diseases)

· Repeated Occurrences of Gout and Gout like Diseases

· Avascular Necrosis- this is a condition where blood near a bone is cut off, this leads to bone death as well as joint damage. Avascular Necrosis typically afflicts the hip joint.

· Previous Rheumatoid Related Illness- such as Rheumatoid Arthritis can lead to chronic inflammation of the joints.

· Osteoporosis-due to the high risk of bone fractures and injury, Osteoarthritis may develop in joints.

· Metabolic Disorders- for example, Hemochromatosis can result in high levels of Iron being deposited in the joints

· Joint Infection-It is believed that cartilage may deteriorate in people who have defects in their cartilage and joints.

We've discussed the potential causes of Osteoarthritis, now it is time to look at the various symptoms of Osteoarthritis. The symptoms of Osteoarthritis include:

· Joint Pain- this tends to be worse when rising in the morning

· Joint Swelling and Inflammation- this occurs during periods of activity

· Feeling a "Grinding" Sensation when a Joint is moved

· Loss of Mobility and Flexibility

There is no sure way to prevent Arthritis in any of its forms. There are however some things that you can do to help lower your risk of developing Osteoarthritis or any other type of Arthritis.
Some of the preventative methods that you may add to your lifestyle today include:

· Maintain an Ideal Body Weight

· Take steps to prevent the development of Osteoporosis.

Some of these include taking adequate Vitamin D and Calcium, exercising, and taking medication if needed.

· Do your best to prevent injuring your bones and joints -try to avoid accidents such as sports related, implementing joint protection by using splints and braces.

Written by John Robben [http://www.ultimatewatermassage.com/] of Ultimate Water Massage, Inc.

Providing Massage Services and Pain Relief products. Visit our Arthritis Information Center [http://www.ultimatewatermassage.com/research-health/arthritis-osteoarthritis-causes-3b.htm]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Robben

Weightloss Strategy - 7 Simple Steps For Building Your Fitness Blueprint

2010-12-01T14:05:00.000-08:00

Weightloss is not achieved in leaps, but in steps. Create your own blueprint for fitness success by implementing the following 7 simple steps.

1. Have a Plan

The most successful people in business have a plan. Why is this any different when it comes to your exercise and nutrition strategy. You will be most successful if you write down your plan. Determine what will be your workout schedule. What will be the types of exercise you will do and for how many minutes. Will you be exercising at the gym, your home, or the park.

When it comes to your nutrition, plan your meals on a calendar. This will be your meal planner. Next, create shopping lists for added structure. It's always best to have ready made snacks in the refrigerator - fruit, crunchy vegetables, and lean meat protein are some of my favorites.

Make room in your plan for missteps. I'm emphasizing balance here. There will be times when an evening out sidetracks you from your goal. Just ensure you know to get back to your position of strength at the next meal.

2. Create Systems

Anyone could run my friend Jennifer's household. Why? Because she has a system. She has created a system to operate the entertainment center by laminating all the steps for programming, and it is located next to the television remote. Another system she created is for her daughter's dinner/bath/bedtime routine. It, too, is laminated and posted in the kitchen. There is no guessing. These are good examples of tested systems. Her husband, mother or a babysitter could walk in and take over. This is very relevant to a successful weightloss strategy.

If you have a systematic workout routine and your snacks and meals are thoughtfully planned and executed then the rate of your success is much higher than if you had simply created a plan and dashed off in the dark with hopes of following through. For example, you can put out your clothes the night before and set your alarm. When the alarm goes off you get on your clothes and go to your designated workout area to start with exercise number one.

Regarding nutrition, you could have your weekly shopping list generated in a word document so you can find it easily and/or need to change it. The shopping list would contain the ingredients that will make the meals on your meal planner. Instead of leaving your grocery shopping until a time when you can fit it into your week, commit to doing it the same day each week. If you can designate that chore, do so!

3. Get Out the Door

Most days my clients don't wake up with a smile saying, "Wow! I am so excited to go and exercise first thing this morning." But what I employ is the 5 minute rule. My clients have to get out the door and begin with 5 minutes of exercise. After 5 minutes they usually find that they can go 5 more and then soon the workout is completed. Try that tactic. You will feel great from all the endorphins that were lacking before started.

4. Trash the Junk

There are many temptations facing us in our culture today. We have to be mindful that removing those temptations establishes a greater opportunity for more blessings to flow our way. The same goes for poor food choices. If there are bad choices in the pantry then we are tempted to grab for the chips or ice cream. Poor food choices include processed foods like chips, fries and sugary cereals. By cutting out junk choices there are more room for the nutritious foods.

5. Enlist a Friend

It's important to have a non-judgmental friend to be the cheerleader in your corner - a person who can hold your feet to the fire. It could be a workout buddy or just someone you call and confide in regarding your regular progress. I can't underscore the power of a buddy enough.

6. Create a Measuring Tool

I like to use body fat measurement. However, a scale can just as easily be used to measure progress.

7. Write It Down

Journaling is proven to be one of the top tools to keep people connected to their exercise and nutrition plan. Each day there should be an entry for the type and duration of exercise. Just as important, you should log food intake. It is amazing what you eat if you actually log it. By glancing over the journal at a time when you are unmotivated or feel like the wheels are coming off you will find renewed strength from your past success so that you can continue to move forward.

Bonus Tip: Create a Reward System

Establishing rewards to mark milestones in fat loss is powerful. The key is to make the reward significant enough to matter. I strongly discourage food items as a reward. Instead, think of a movie that you're looking forward to viewing. Or, a night out with your girlfriends. Buy the movie coupons ahead of time and post them on your bathroom mirror as a reminder.

And, if you want a real jumpstart on your plan. I'm giving you the opportunity to apply for a complimentary fitness strategy call http://www.YourWinningFitnessStrategy.com with me. It's important to let me know your exact fitness challenge.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ashley_Mahaffey

"The 10 Commandments Of Weight Loss Success" By Frank Smoot

2010-08-06T17:06:00.002-07:00

A major new clinical research study, involving more than 14,000 people and spanning some 16 years, has allowed us to identify what does--and what definitely does not--lead to safe, struggle-free, lasting weight loss. As a result, we now know "The 10 Commandments Of Weight Loss Success."

Commandment #1: Get The Facts Before You Act!

Be certain that whatever you do is based on real data, not on hype and wild claims. Recent research has revealed a wealth of new insights into what works--and what doesn't. Some prime examples:

- An astonishing 96% of weight loss attempts fail.

- We gain back a tragic 95% of all the pounds we lose.

- Dieting is worse than useless. It's counterproductive.

- Relying on will power often leads to weight gain.

- Most of the reasons we're overweight have nothing to do with food or diet.

- But, not being aware of these simple truths, people turn to food-based approaches like dieting--and fail by the millions.

Commandment #2. Set Realistic Weight Loss Goals.

Your "target weight" must be based in reality, not fantasy. If you're trying to look like Barbie or Ken (or Pamela Anderson or "Arnold,") you are in Fantasyland--and in danger as well. Make your goal to be healthy...not "perfect."

Commandment #3. Beware Diet Industry "Solutions."

Failed diets cause tremendous amounts of unnecessary suffering. Yet we still turn to dieting and other heavily-promoted "solutions" because the Diet Industry still pushes them relentlessly. Climbing out from under their avalanche of misinformation is "Weight Loss Job #1."

Commandment #4. Understand That Weight Loss Success Is NOT About Food

Being overweight is actually not "the problem," but a physical symptom of a non-physical problem. In other words, the excess weight you can see is only a symptom of a problem you can't see. We fail because we can't solve problems by attacking symptoms, but only by dealing with the real, root causes of obesity.

Commandment #5. Know Who You Are Losing Weight For

Who are you really trying to please or impress by losing weight? The only acceptable person to lose weight for is you. If your goal is to please or impress anyone else, you are already in trouble. Getting to your healthiest weight is one thing in life that really should be "all about you."

Commandment #6. Get Your Whole Being Involved

"Body-only" or "food-oriented" weight loss approaches are doomed from the start. For lasting weight loss, you must involve your "whole" being -- your body, mind, and spirit. See weight loss success as a 3-legged stool. If even one leg is missing, the stool will collapse--no matter how sturdy the other two legs are. To succeed, you must involve and align all three aspects of yourself toward your weight loss goals.

Commandment #7. Be Very Careful What You Put In Your Mouth

Diet drugs, pills, and "metabolizers" are, at best short-term fixes. At worst, they can be deadly. Weight loss pills not only breed dependency, but the minute you stop, you "Yo-Yo" back to your original weight--or higher.

And just because something is "natural" doesn't mean it's healthy. Nature is full of things that can kill humans and other animals. (Amazon tribes count on it!)

Commandment #8. Have A Realistic Time Frame

Trying to lose more than 1-2 pounds per week sets you up to get sick, to fail, to be miserable, and probably all of the above. "Losing 10 pounds in 2 days" is very unlikely and very unhealthy. You didn't put on your unwanted pounds in a hurry. Don't try to take them off that way.

Commandment #9. You MUST "Tune Up" Your Colon For Long-Term Health

Poor colon function is epidemic, dangerous, and is a primary factor in excess weight. Too little exercise, too much protein, fat, sugar, salt, alcohol, nicotine, and not much fiber adds up to lousy colon function--causing discomfort, sluggish digestion, poor nutrient assimilation, heartburn, gas, allergies, even cancer.

Fortunately, colon function is easy, inexpensive (and very rewarding) to correct. (For more details about the crucial importance of colon health, please read the article here, or send an e mail to frank@coachfranksmoot.com)

Commandment #10. See Effort and Struggle As "Red Flags"

Fact: Nearly everyone who stays at their target weight year after year uses a proven "success recipe" that makes success struggle-free and virtually effortless. Only a few researchers are aware of this. And you can be sure you won't hear it from the Diet Industry.

Dr. Frank B. Smoot, MA, DD, is a professional weight loss coach and counselor, author of dozens of related articles, and creator of several highly effective weight loss programs, including "Get Motivated For Life!" and "Weight Loss God's Way." He is available at http://www.CoachFrankSmoot.com and http://www.WeightLossGodsWay.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Frank_Smoot

"How Blast Past Your Fitness Barriers!" - Part 3 By Frank Smoot

2010-08-06T17:06:00.001-07:00

Welcome to Part Three of this 6-part series. Today we'll continue to explore the insider secrets of how to deal with the inevitable roadblocks, bumps, and barriers on the road to lifelong fitness success.

Last time we looked at Roadblocks 4-6 and how to blast them out of your way. In today's article (Part 3) we'll look at the next three in some detail. I'll cover the rest of them as we move through this 6-part series.

Success Roadblock Number Seven: Severely Limiting (But Unconscious) Self- Sabotaging Beliefs And Attitudes Are Still In The Way

In Chapter 8 we laid out a step-by-step plan for creating your own personal health and fitness Recipe For Success. As you got into steps six through nine of that program, your primary job was to evaluate whether your current plan was working. If it's not, it's a safe bet that you still have some "search and replace" work to do with your beliefs and attitudes.

The bad news about beliefs and attitudes is that they are very often hiding out in your subconscious, where you can't really detect them. It's hard to conquer an enemy you can't see.

The good news is, you don't have to identify and replace all of your problem beliefs and behaviors. All you really need to do is correct enough of them to tip the balance scale in your favor.

You only need to achieve what I call a "critical mass" of self-supportive beliefs and attitudes. Once you have that, it's a simple matter of statistics. In any given circumstance, you will now be more likely to make a healthy decision and a healthy choice than an unhealthy one. Does that make sense?

Success Roadblock Number Eight: An Inadequate Sense Of Self-Worth

As you may have guessed, the previous roadblock related to Success Factor One, and this one relates to another Success Factor. Based on my own experience, I have never met a coaching client who didn't have some self-worth / self-esteem / deservability issues.

As resilient as we human beings are, most of us have still been beaten up enough in childhood -- either physically, psychologically, or perhaps both -- that our sense of value as a person is nowhere near what it could or should be. And that's truly tragic, because low self-esteem most often keeps us from claiming or even acknowledging the good things that are rightfully ours.

One reason I prefer to the term "deservability" over "self-esteem" is because the psychological community has tended to look upon the latter as a single, measurable factor. Then they have traditionally tended to label people as either having high self-esteem, low self-esteem, or something in between.

The truth, however, is that we all have areas of good self-esteem and not so good self-esteem. We all have what I call "cavities" in our self-esteem.

It is the presence or absence of these cavities that ultimately determines what we do and do not believe we deserve in life -- even including good health, fitness, and happiness. Until we fully understand the consequences of having low deservability, we probably won't take any serious steps to fix it, which means we probably won't end up getting the good things that we should be getting and enjoying in life.

Success Roadblock Number Nine: A Habitually Poor Self-Image

As with a low sense of deservability, a poor self-image is almost invariably the product of our early childhood experiences. What sets our self-image apart from our self-esteem is that it is primarily a visual thing as opposed to a psychological thing.

If you close your eyes and visualize yourself in the buff, it's pretty hard to avoid discovering what your true self-image is. And if visualizing yourself naked causes negative feelings in you, then you can be sure you have some work to do in this area.

This brings us to another pitfall to be especially careful of. Almost without exception, people believe that they will feel better about themselves when they look better. But this is exactly backwards. The truth is, you will begin to look better only when you feel better about yourself.

Now, obviously, if you woke up tomorrow morning perfectly fit and trim and at your ideal weight, you'd feel pretty good about that. But if you didn't also learn to feel good about you, then you would almost certainly gain back your weight and get sloppy again pretty soon.

On the other hand, once you develop a true, deep-down affection and appreciation for who you are, then you will naturally and automatically move in the direction of healthier behaviors, with the inevitable result being a healthier body and a happier life.

The roadblocks you've just read about were excerpted from my new ebook, "Ultimate Fitness Secrets: Revealed!" To learn how to blast all 20 roadblocks out of your way, and discover the secrets of lifelong, struggle-free fitness, bulletproof health, and low-stress living, please visit the UltimateFitnessRevealed.com web site and get the whole story!

Please stay tuned for Part Four!

Dr. Frank B. Smoot, MA, DD, is a professional fitness & weight loss success coach, and the creator of several highly-effective fitness and weight loss programs. For full details please visit [http://www.UltimateFitnessSecretsRevealed.com], http://www.CoachFrankSmoot.com, and http://www.WeightLossGodsWay.com or email "Dr. Frank" at DrFrank@CoachFrankSmoot.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Frank_Smoot

"How Blast Past Your Fitness Barriers!" - Part 2 By Frank Smoot

2010-08-06T17:05:00.001-07:00

Yes, as much as we'd like the road to fitness to be straight, smooth, and uninterrupted, it's a fact of like that you're going to bump into a few obstacles along the way.

Last time we looked at Roadblocks 1-3 and how to blast them out of your way on the road to success. In today's article (Part 2) we'll look at the next three in some detail. I'll cover the rest as we move through his 6-part series.

Success Roadblock Number Four: Inadequate Motivation - You Don't Have Clear & Compelling Reasons To Succeed

As a success coach, I can tell you that very few people understand the necessity for having compelling reasons to power them toward their goals. If you don't have sufficiently strong motivations to overcome the inertia of the status quo, then you're either going to stay right where you are or end up right back where you are. It's really just that simple.

So what you need are two kinds of motivations. First, you need strong and compelling reasons why it's critically important for you to succeed. You need to be clear about the "cost-benefit equation" How will you benefit from achieving your goals? How will your life improve?

Second, you need strong and compelling reasons why it is utterly unacceptable for you to fail. Together, these opposing motivations will provide you with both the "push" and "pull" we talked about in Chapter 8 -- a truly powerful combination!

Success Roadblock Number Five: Rationalizing Your Self-Defeating Behaviors

If there's one thing we're all really good at, it is rationalizing our own self-defeating behaviors. I think this is something we learn from birth, or perhaps even in the womb, since all of us seem to suffer from it one way or another.

You can call it denial or whatever else you want, but the fact is that we seem to like to plod along from one day to the next in a blissful state of ignorance about our problems, and particularly about our health problems.

Actually, considering the state of contemporary "health care," this is completely understandable. As I never tire of pointing out, our medical / pharmaceutical / food processing industry is much more focused on illness than on health. And we, the public, can't help but pick up the money "vibe" behind everything they do.

Not that there aren't thousands of sincerely dedicated health care providers out there, but any objective observer would have to say that contemporary medicine is all about getting rid of the symptom, because they simply don't have either the time, the will, or the skill to solve problems at its root.

That's why it becomes our job to "repossess" the responsibility for our own health-care, to come out of denial, to be wide awake about the problem, and to actively pursue and find our own solutions. If we'll leave it up to the health-care industry, we'll have no one to blame but ourselves when we fail.

Success Roadblock Number Six: Arguing For Your Own Limitations

If this is a concept you're not familiar with, I can tell you it's a mighty important one. In a way, it is closely aligned with Success Factor Number One -- the belief that you can and will succeed. [Details about the ebook that explains the four Success Factors are at the end of this article.]

You can tell when you're arguing for your own limitations when you hear yourself starting sentences with, "I have never been able to..." or "This sort of thing just runs in my family," or "I don't see how I could ever..." or, the most popular one of all, "Yes, but..."

Arguing on behalf of your own limiting beliefs is the surest way to make sure they stay intact and in place, and continue to sabotage you forever.

It's safe to say that you have been arguing for a lot of your own limiting beliefs for as long as you have been able to argue. Can you think of any personal beliefs that fall into that category?

Several places in this book I have suggested that you start a Success Journal. Keeping this journal is a mandatory part of the success process. I've also talked about the importance of recognizing the negativity in your own internal dialogue. That's why I suggest keeping a Negativity Journal, where you will start to zero in on the specific wording that your negative, self-sabotaging beliefs and attitudes feed into your mind.

Being able to actually see your negative inner dialogue in print will make a huge difference in your consciousness awareness, and that is the first step toward eliminating any self-sabotaging behavior.

The roadblocks you've just read about were excerpted from my new ebook, "Ultimate Fitness Secrets: Revealed!" To learn how to blast all 20 roadblocks out of your way, and discover the secrets of lifelong, struggle-free fitness, bulletproof health, and low-stress living, please visit the UltimateFitnessRevealed.com web site and get the whole story!

Copyright 2006 Frank Smoot

Dr. Frank B. Smoot, MA, DD, is a professional fitness & weight loss success coach, and the creator of several highly-effective fitness and weight loss programs. For full details please visit [http://www.UltimateFitnessSecretsRevealed.com], http://www.CoachFrankSmoot.com, and http://www.WeightLossGodsWay.com or email "Dr. Frank" at DrFrank@CoachFrankSmoot.com. Thanks!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Frank_Smoo

"How Blast Past Your Fitness Barriers!" - Part 2 By Frank Smoot

2010-08-06T17:05:00.000-07:00

How To Blast Past Your Fitness Roadblocks! - Part One By Frank Smoot

2010-08-06T17:04:00.000-07:00

Sure, you'd love to get fit, stay fit, and have it all be a piece of cake. But in real life, the cake often seems a lot more appealing than the fitness.

The truth is, when you set out to go from not-so-fit to "Wow, I love my body like this!" you're going to bump into a few obstacles along the way. With that reality in mind, here's a look at the Top 20 Roadblocks To Fitness Success, and how to keep them from kicking you to the curb.

In today's article (Part 1) we'll look at the first three in some detail. I'll cover the rest as we move through his 6-part series.

Success Roadblock Number One: Attacking Symptoms While Ignoring Root Causes

I have listed this as Roadblock Number One for a very good reason. Just as the American "health care" system has degenerated into having a near-total focus on eliminating symptoms without ever correcting -- or even acknowledging -- the real, root cause of a problem, so it is in the areas of fitness, health, and happiness.

You want instant happiness? That's been the pharmaceutical companies' top money-maker for decades. To their way of thinking, getting you hooked on a chemical crutch is just a smart business decision. That way you'll become their bread and butter -- a "repeat buyer."

And just as there's a pill for every little problem with your health (courtesy of your friendly neighborhood pharmaceutical mega-corporation), you can also find a "quick-fix" remedy for your every fitness problems.

There's every imaginable kind of device that promises you the sun, moon, and stars. You want instant weight loss? Saturday morning TV will give you a ton of "solutions." Of course, none of them work. But that doesn't seem to slow down sales very much.

Am I overstating the case? Not really. You see, here in America we are absolutely obsessed with quick fixes and easy solutions. And we'll spend every dime we have to get them.

The tragic irony is that doing what actually works is not only less expensive and much healthier, it's also quicker. Because when you make your changes where it counts -- in your own motivations -- then doing the healthy thing becomes automatic, and you're now set for a struggle-free lifetime of real fitness, great health, and the kind of happiness that no pill can provide.

That's why the major focus of this book is on making changes where it counts, by identifying your self -sabotaging beliefs and attitudes, and replacing them with self supportive ones. And if you will focus on doing that first and foremost, these other 19 roadblocks will become little more than speed bumps that you can step over easily whenever you come to one.

Success Roadblock Number Two: Problems With Goals - (Unrealistic, Lame, Extreme, Vague)

If you don't know where you want to go, how do you expect to get there? And if you don't know where you want to go, any road will get you there. That's why a large part of success involves three basic things:

First you have to be clear about where you are. Second, you have to be clear about where you want to go. And third, you need some kind of a realistic plan for getting there. If you've been following the guidelines laid out for you in this book, you're off to a very good start.

Just keep in mind that setting goals is a process of continual refinement. You don't need to get it perfect from the start. You just need to have a reasonably good sense of where you want to go, and then be willing to continuously refine your goals as you go.

Success Roadblock Number Three: A Fuzzy/ Unfocused / Inconsistent Vision

A goal is something you put in writing -- ideally with as much clarity and specificity as possible -- and a vision is something you see in your mind's eye. It is a picture, an image, of what your life will look and feel like when you reach your goals. Many experts believe that clear vision is the single most powerful factor in propelling you toward your goals.

That's because our brains relate more naturally to pictures than to words. Way back before people could communicate through the spoken or written word, they could almost certainly form images in their minds. And it's been demonstrated time and again that a clear mental image of what you want to experience is an extremely powerful tool for helping you get there.

The problem for most people is that they don't spend very much time focused on what they want, but instead dwell on what they have and don't want. Creating a clear vision and keeping that vision in front of your mind's eye also gives your ego something to attach itself to, which helps transform it from being your worst enemy into being a powerful ally on the journey to success.

The roadblocks you've just read about were excerpted from my new ebook, "Ultimate Fitness Secrets: Revealed!" To learn how to blast all 20 roadblocks out of your way, and discover the secrets of lifelong, struggle-free fitness, bulletproof health, and low-stress living, please visit the UltimateFitnessRevealed.com web site and get the whole story!

Please stay tuned for Part Two!

Copyright 2006 Frank Smoot

Dr. Frank B. Smoot, MA, DD, is a professional fitness & weight loss success coach, and the creator of several highly-effective fitness and weight loss programs. For full details please visit [http://www.UltimateFitnessSecretsRevealed.com], http://www.CoachFrankSmoot.com , and http://www.WeightLossGodsWay.com or email "Dr. Frank" at DrFrank@CoachFrankSmoot.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Frank_Smoot

obsessive Weight loss.....

2010-08-06T16:47:00.000-07:00

I have been having some very unhealthy thoughts and feelings the last few months, I am so obsessive about my weight loss and the lack there of. I keep thinking that I need to work out everyday for 3 hours and that I need to only eat 500 calories a day, (probably don't get many more than that any ways)I keep thinking about starvation (would make me deathly ill) and many other dangerous and other unhealthy ways of loosing weight.

I know that I should be happy about the weight that I have lost, because I have lost A Lot but I am not happy. I still would love to loose 100 more pounds, but that would put me at an unhealthy weight and honestly I only need to loose another 60 or so. The problem is getting myself back into the loose weight mode. It seems like every one around me is obsessive about weight loss, whither or not they have any thing that they need too loose.

When I reflect back on my child hood I always had a weight problem, I was always over weight. I was on one diet after another and I seemed to loose for a little while then I would stop. I hate being obese, it is not fun and some times I feel powerless to my own mind and self destructive ways and thoughts.

When I look into a mirror I don't see a woman who has lost 170 pounds, that has gone from 420 lbs to 270. I see a 420 pound woman and she makes me sick, she is ugly and she disgust me and I do not like her, and most of the time I avoid looking into mirrors all the time. They tend to tell the ugly truth and I don't want to see it or hear it. I don't know what to do to stop this train of thought, I am not sure about how to go about make me feel better about my self.

I have found some articles that I think might help all of us get over and past our destructive weight loss road blocks. Good luck every one lets see if we can get through this together.

Keep on Keeping on.....

2010-08-02T17:19:00.000-07:00

I know that it has been a while since I've blogged, I set a goal for my self that I was going to blog regularly and I just haven't had anything to blog about. Life has been absolutely insane, most days I don't know wither I am coming or going but I manage to get through.

My husband and I had started walking a couple months ago and it really helped my back pain A LOT, I was rather surprised Dr. Clifford keep telling me that if I would get active it would help with the back pain. I am a firm believer in the power of exercises. I am hoping to start getting my weight to start going down again, even though I haven't lost weight I have gone down another clothing size. Which makes me feel good, I really would like to get down to a size 12 some day. All I can do is keep on keeping on and get back on the wagon, I have been watching what I eat very carefully the last little while I don't always make the smartest food choices, and I am trying to do better at that.

My body has this wonderful thing that it does, every time I eat something that it doesn't like I get sick and it is a horrible feeling. You would think that, that in it's self would keep me from eating these foods but it doesn't always. I need to get away from eating easy foods and really concentrate on protein's, protein's and more protein's. I know that a well balanced diet is good but since I had my gastric bypass I can not eat Carbs I get sick.

Something else that I have been doing better at is drinking A LOT of water. Between 100 and 200 ounces a day, it depends on the day and how I feel to how much I drink. There are days that I feel really dehydrated and those are the days that I really pack in the water, and on top of it being healthy for you it is also very good for your back, so that has been helping with my back as well.

So....other than that not really a whole lot is going on in my life, I just spent a fun packed week with my sisters kids (will post pics soon), Spending time with my 80 year old grandmother. They gave her a pacemaker almost a month ago, but is still having difficulties breathing. We know that her time is close at hand and I think about her and worry about her everyday. I know that she doesn't want to die and is not ready to but she is just in so much pain, and is having a hard time not being able to do anything. I am hoping to spend some more time with her before she dies, she is the last living of her family.

Keep her in your prayers, remember that I love all of you deeply and that your love and support over the past two years has helped more than you know. I keep thinking that I need to do some recent pictures and post them on here it has been a while! Have a wonderful week!

Ciao

Phantom of the Opera: Love Never Dies by Andrew Lloyd Weber

2010-05-27T15:13:00.000-07:00

I have read many reviews on the sequel to highly popular Phantom of the Opera; I am now going to put my two cents in for what it is worth.

When I started to listen to Love Never dies, I did not expect it too be any thing like the original Phantom, sequels usually don’t compare and having been told that it was trash I went into it with an open mind. Having said that I can tell you that I like “Love Never Dies” it is a musical that I feel can stand on its own and doesn’t need the Phantom. It is different than Phantom and has a different ore and feel too it.

It takes place ten years later in New York; It is a beautiful love story between to unlikely lovers. I am going to past the synopsis her so that you can read what it is about instead of trying to explain it myself. If you are open minded and are whiling to give this musical a chance you should it is really very good!

Plot
Act I
In a brief prelude, Madame Giry walks along an abandoned pier recalling Phantasma, Coney Island's 'City of Wonders' ("Prologue"). She is then confronted by Fleck, a freak who once worked with her there, who reminds her of 'the good old days' and blames her for 'what happened.' The audience is transported back in time through "The Coney Island Waltz."

It is now ten years after the events at the Paris Opera House, and the setting is at Phantasma on Coney Island in New York. An excited group of vacationers arrive overwhelmed at everything that Phantasma has to offer, and speculate about its reclusive, masked owner - known only as Mr. Y ("Heaven by the Sea"). Meg Giry, Christine Daae's friend from the Opera, is now a headlining performer at Phantasma with Madame Giry, her mother and the Opera's ballet mistress, at her side.

As Meg prepares for her performance, she wonders what the boss will think and states she will be performing "Only for Him." She wins the crowd over with her performance of "Only for You," and learns afterward that Madame Giry has arranged for her to "meet" an important client.

In "The Aerie," it is confirmed that the Phantom is Mr. Y, the mysterious creator and owner of Phantasma. In a dark, private lair in a tower high above the park, he interacts with an automaton that resembles Christine. In spite of the ten years that have passed and his many successes, he still longs to be reunited with her ("Til I Hear You Sing"). Meg intrudes and presses the Phantom to give feedback on her performance, but he dismisses her as an annoyance.

Madame Giry is irritated that the Phantom is still longing to be with Christine after all the help she has given him over the years ("Giry Confronts the Phantom/Til I Hear You Sing - Reprise"). She reveals that she and Meg helped smuggle him out of Paris and to a ship departing from Calais, where he made his escape to America. Ignoring Giry, the Phantom summons Fleck, who appears with two other freaks, Squelch and Gangle. The Phantom has them send a letter to Christine inviting her to come and perform at Phantasma.

Three months later, Christine, Raoul and their son, Gustave, arrive in New York to crowds of paparazzi ("Christine Disembarks"). It is revealed that Christine is no longer performing and that Raoul has spent much of their fortune on drinking and gambling. They are greeted by the freaks who arrive by a strange mechanical horse and carriage and take them to Coney Island ("Arrival of the Trio/Are You Ready to Begin?").

Raoul is angry at the way they have been greeted by the freaks and upsets Gustave by not playing with him ("What a Dreadful Town!"). In spite of Christine's pleas, Raoul leaves to go drinking as Christine tells Gustave to "Look With Your Heart" to try and help him understand his father’s behavior.

After Gustave leaves to go to bed, the Phantom enters and reveals that it was he who summoned her to sing at Phantasma. The Phantom and Christine recall the night of passion they shared the day before her wedding ("Beneath a Moonless Sky"). Early the next morning, Christine awoke prepared to abandon Raoul for the Phantom, but found that the Phantom had left her. He admits that he left because he was too afraid of being rejected by her again.

They recall that "Once Upon Another Time," they thought their love had a chance of succeeding, although current situations prevent that from happening. Gustave wakes up screaming from a nightmare and meets the Phantom for the first time as Mr. Y ("Mother Please, I'm Scared!"). The Phantom promises to show Gustave more of Phantasma the next day.

In the rehearsal studio for Phantasma, Meg unexpectedly reunites with Christine, and is surprised and jealous to learn she will be singing there. Raoul runs into Madame Giry and discovers it is the Phantom who has invited Christine to sing there ("Dear Old Friend"). Christine becomes concerned when Gustave goes missing. The freaks bring Gustave to the Aerie where he is greeted by the Phantom.

Gustave plays a haunting melody on the piano, which leads the Phantom to have a revelation that he could be Gustave's father ("Beautiful"). The Phantom questions Gustave about his feelings and musical abilities, finding that they are kindred spirits. He unmasks himself, believing Gustave will accept him ("The Beauty Underneath"). Gustave is horrified and screams.

Christine enters to comfort a terrified Gustave. When the Phantom presses her about Gustave, Christine confesses to the Phantom that Gustave is his son ("The Phantom Confronts Christine"). The Phantom declares that everything he owns will go to him. A furious Madame Giry overhears this and fears all of her work over the years for the Phantom has been for nothing.

Act II
Following the ("Entr'acte") we see Raoul sitting alone in a bar contemplating his relationship with Christine ("Why Does She Love Me?"). He is joined by Meg who suggests that he should leave that night with Christine and Gustave.

Raoul refuses, saying he is not afraid of the Phantom, who has since appeared behind the bar. The Phantom makes a bet with a drunken Raoul: if Christine sings Raoul must leave alone; if she doesn't then all their debts will be wiped away. He also makes Raoul question his paternity of Gustave ("Devil Take The Hindmost").

At the beach, it is the last day of the season and the holiday makers are enjoying the experience ("Heaven By The Sea - Reprise"). A balloon then lands on the beach and the freaks advertise that night's performance ("Ladies...Gents!/The Coney Island Waltz - Reprise"). That night, they present Meg, who performs a strip-tease routine about her choice of swimming costume ("Bathing Beauty").

Backstage, Madame Giry tells Meg that the Phantom had not been there to watch the performance, and it had all been for nothing ("Mother, Did You Watch?").

("Before the Performance"), Raoul asks Christine to reconsider her decision to sing, asks her to leave at once if she loves him. As Raoul leaves, the Phantom enters and tells Christine that Raoul knows his love is not enough and that she must sing for him once more.

Alone in her dressing room, Christine recalls the Paris Opera House where she had to make the difficult decision between Raoul and the Phantom. Backstage, Madame Giry, Raoul and the Phantom are wondering whether or not Christine will sing and who will win the bet.

As Christine prepares to perform, Meg makes a hurried exit ("Devil Take The Hindmost - Reprise"). Christine then walks on stage and performs an aria for the crowd ("Love Never Dies") while Raoul and the Phantom watch from the wings.

The Phantom greets an overwhelmed Christine following her triumphant performance("Ah Christine"). Christine finds a letter from Raoul stating that he has left for good. Christine realizes that Gustave is missing and becomes worried("Gustave, Gustave"). Fleck reveals she had discovered Meg's dressing room smashed up and seen her with a small figure. Madame Giry believes she knows where she has taken him.

On a pier, a distraught Meg is preparing to drown Gustave when she is confronted by the others. She holds up a gun to them so that the Phantom will listen as she reveals the truth: the resources that Madame Giry has afforded him all these years have mainly come from Meg being forced to work secretly as a prostitute to supporters of Phantasma. The Phantom tries to get the gun from her but in the confusion Meg accidentally shoots Christine.

The Phantom rushes to a mortally wounded Christine as Meg watches, horrified by what she has done. Christine reveals to Gustave that the Phantom is his father. Her final words tell the Phantom that her love for him will never die. They have one final kiss, and she dies in his arms. The Phantom hands the body of Christine to Meg and he comforts Gustave who unmasks him as the curtain falls.

HOME :: Health-and-Fitness / Alternative 5 Important Benefits of Chiropractic Care and Wellness

2010-05-08T16:12:00.000-07:00

There are many benefits to chiropractic care. As a doctor of chiropractic here in Vero Beach Florida, I have seen the true therapeutic benefits and advantages of chiropractic and wellness. Individuals with chronic neck and back pain, degenerative disc disease and other spinal problems can truly improve the quality of their life with gentle, safe, fast non-surgical alternatives to back, neck head pain.

Here are 5 Major Benefits of Chiropractic Care (although there are many others as well).

1. Prevent Surgery: Many individuals have been able to avoid surgery on their back, neck and spine after having treatment by their local chiropractor. With spinal decompression being the latest gentle, highly effective non-surgical alternative to surgery, it is certainly worth a look at.

2. Head, Neck, and Back Pain Relief: Chronic back pain is the biggest reason for disability and missed work in this country. Getting relief from this would most certainly improve the quality of a persons' life in many areas. Chiropractic care has helped people suffering from whiplash resulting from automobile accidents. In addition, a visit to the chiropractor has helped individuals with migraine, cluster, or tension headaches find tremendous relief.

3. Improved Immune System Function: Immune system function can be improved with chiropractic care and wellness treatment. There will be improved nerve supply to organs related to immunity. Staying well is an important part of a chiropractic physicians' philosophy.

4. Breathing and Cardiovascular Success: Receiving treatment from your local chiropractor can help with respiratory function and opening of the lungs. Allergies, asthma, sinusitis, and the common cold have been improved with chiropractic care. Other therapeutic benefits include a greater nerve supply to the heart and to coronary arteries.

5. Improved Sense of Well-Being: Chiropractic has shown to help individuals improve their sleep patterns. Studies have also shown that people have a decrease in anxiety, depression, and unhealthy stress response. Other benefits include improved memory and a greater relaxation response.

It is hoped that this article has helped you to understand the strong benefits of chiropractic care and wellness. If you suffer from chronic back, neck, or head pain, a chiropractic care consultation could be something to think about.

Ted Perkins DC, Chiropractor Vero Beach Florida

Florida Spine and Chiropractic Care Group
780 US 1, Suite 201
Vero Beach Florida

772-567-7777
http://www.floridaspine.us

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ted_Perkins

Benefits of Walking Part 1 of 2 By Yoko Nishi and Geoff Lawrence

2010-05-06T19:51:00.001-07:00

Are you excited about the benefits of walking?

We are so passionate about walking too...the best exercise ever, even at our ages!

It's so SIMPLE!

Just put one foot in front of the other. You're on your way to improving yourself just by walking. And...starting to feel GREAT again!

All you need is a good pair of properly fitting walking shoes and socks. What you do NEED to bring though is your daily dose of dedication! You'll reap the rewards of a healthy lifestyle for years to come!

Some Basic Benefits of Walking
# You can leave that couch behind, get great exercise, improve your health and fitness...and start to feel great again. The benefits of walking are all for free!

# Walking reduces your blood pressure and improve your cardiovascular functions. Heart health is huge in enjoying a healthier lifestyle.
# Walking has a positive impact on your weight and age-related illnesses. It helps build muscle strength and endurance and maintain healthier bones and joints.
# Your stress level is diminished and...you've slowed down the aging process. An added bonus is you leave the extra baggage in the 'caboose' behind!
# Renewed energy gives you the urge (and ability) to start doing more outdoor activities with your family and friends.

Five Benefits of Walking to Feeling and Looking Great

Controlling Your Weight

Walking is a great way to control your weight. You daily walking actually burns calories and you feel the difference, as your walking distance and speed increases.

You gain a new sense of energy. It's the start of your walking journey to be the best you can be!

Natural Anti-Aging

Fitness walking gives you great cardiovascular exercise, gets your heart rate up, reduces cholesterol, builds muscle and burns fat. You feel better and you're happier. Add those all up and you're enjoying natural anti aging and slowing the aging process!

Regular walking also increases your overall health by boosting your circulation, keeping your energy level up and your spirits high. You look and feel younger longer!

Walking in the sunshine helps your skin produce vitamin D, a vitamin essential to good health. Recent studies in both Canada and the US show that this essential vitamin can lower cancer rates, risk of death and risk of osteoporosis in people over 50.

Walking helps shape and tone your legs and butt, slims your waist and helps you sleep better. Your stress level goes down as you spirit goes up! More reasons to put a big smile on your face.

Walking Helps Alleviate Symptoms of Depression

Walking for 30 minutes, three to five times a week for 12 weeks reduced symptoms of depression by 47% (as measured using a standard depression questionnaire).

It also gets you outside to get your daily dose of vitamin D. Your spirit is lifted.

No need to worry about meeting any grumpy walkers on your walks. Walkers are happy people! They're happy to stop and chat a bit before moving on.

You've found a fun way to meet new friends. That's one of the very special benefits of walking for sure!

Walking Improves Fitness

Walking just three times a week for 30 minutes can significantly increase cardiorespiratory fitness. Walk tall, look ahead, and swing your arms. Your circulation and breathing is improved. You feel the spring in your steps!

Soon you're a whole lot more fit and hooked for life!

Walking Improves Your Daily Physical Functioning

Walking improves your fitness and ability to carry out the activities of daily living. Things like dressing, bathing, grooming, personal hygiene. It has also been shown to help in the prevention of disabilities in older folks!

Walking helps you keep your balance. It keeps you stronger and more flexible. Everyday physical activities becomes easier, making it a lot more fun!

These benefits will certainly make you feel more energized and fit. We hope you will find them helpful to motivate you to walk for fitness.

Benefits of Walking Part 2 will help keep you healthier by your dedicated effort.

See Your Doctor or Health Professional First!

Check with your doctor or health professional and let him or her know you want to start a walking program. You'll need to talk also about eating healthy and follow a good diet designed just for you! Get your 'green light' so you can be on your way to enjoying the many benefits of walking!

Ready to go? Let's start walking!

Would you like to know more? Visit with Geoff Lawrence and Yoko Nishi at http://www.50plus-fitness-walking.com. These two 50 plus'ers are passionate about helping people get fit again just by walking. They share how they conquered leg & knee surgeries, back pain and foot pain to feel great again with simple fitness walking. Choose your best fitness walking program. Learn how to pick, fit and care for the best shoes for your type of walking.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Yoko_Nishi

Benefits of Walking - Part 2 of 2 By Yoko Nishi and Geoff Lawrence

2010-05-06T19:50:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Part 2 of Benefits of Walking. You'll learn about 6 more great walking benefits to keep yourself healthy. (See Benefits of Walking Part 1 for the top five benefits of walking if you missed it!) Just click on "Article Source" at the bottom of this article.

Are you convinced yet? Do you see a few benefits of walking here that might get you up off the couch? Great! Why not join us now and start walking?

Check with your health professional before you start any walking program. Get the most benefits by walking daily and having fun with it.

Six More Benefits Of Walking

* Walking Is Good For Your Bones
* Maintaining Your Blood Pressure
* Walking is Good For Your Brain
* Walking Reduces Risk of Breast & Colon Cancer
* Walking Helps Prevents Type 2 Diabetes
* Heart Health

Walking Is Good For Your Bones

Research shows that postmenopausal women who walk approximately one mile each day have higher whole-body bone density than women who walk shorter distances. It also shows that walking is effective in slowing the rate of bone loss from the legs.

Maintaining Your Blood Pressure

Even if you do a little bit of weekly exercise, it's enough to lower your blood pressure and improve your overall fitness.

Thirty minutes of walking three times a week. Or nine easy ten minute walks throughout the day and week.

Either way it's enough to have a healthy effect on your blood pressure. Works great on your measurements around the waist and hip too. Soon you'll be saying bye bye to some of your 'caboose'!

Walking is Good For Your Brain

Researchers studied women who walked at an easy pace for at least 90 minutes each week. They found those women had significantly better cognitive function and less cognitive decline than women who walked less than 40 minutes per week.

Think about that!

Walking Reduces the Risk of Breast and Colon Cancer

Women who walk briskly for between 75-150 minutes per week, had an 18% decrease in risk of breast cancer compared with inactive women.

Many studies show that exercise also helps prevent colon cancer. In individuals that had developed colon cancer, the benefits of exercise appeared to continue - both by increasing their quality of life and reducing their mortality.

Those are certainly powerful benefits of walking aren't they?

Walking Helps Prevents Type 2 Diabetes

The Diabetes Prevention program showed that walking 150 minutes per week and losing just 7% of you body weight can reduce your risk of diabetes by 58%!

The new findings also show people don't need to run marathons or try starvation diets. Just walk! Seven percent weight loss is a reasonable goal don't you think?

That's a pretty easy way reduce your diabetes risk.

Heart Health

As you walk more and pick up momentum, you start to feel different...fitter and stronger! With this improvement you also improve your cardiovascular function and reduce the possibility of a heart attack. Walking strengthens your heart!

If you're a female who walk three hours or more a week, you reduce your risk of a heart attack or other coronary event by 35% compared to women who did not walk.

If you're a retired male who walks less than a mile a day, your risk of heart attack is nearly twice that of retired men that walk more than two miles per day!

Stop and think about how many friends or family have had a heart attack. Would reducing that possibility be one of the huge benefits of walking for you?

These are just a few healthy benefits of walking that will get you moving in the right direction. It's a very do-able activity that will help you feel great and keep you healthy! Now is best time to get off that couch. Join us now and start walking!

Would you like to know more? Visit with Geoff Lawrence and Yoko Nishi at http://www.50plus-fitness-walking.com. These two 50 plus'ers are passionate about helping people get fit again just by walking. They share how they conquered leg & knee surgeries, back pain and foot pain to feel great again with simple fitness walking. Choose your best fitness walking program. Learn how to pick, fit and care for the best shoes for your type of walking.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Yoko_Nis

Seven Benefits of Walking By Corrine Michaels

2010-05-06T19:48:00.001-07:00

I know you have heard it all before: walking is great exercise! Well the reason you have heard it is because it is true. There are some great health benefits of walking. Benefits of walking are not just for your health, there is much more!

The first benefit of walking is that it is good for your heart! This covers several different aspects of your heart. It helps keep your cholesterol down, blood pressure down and helps you avoid heart disease.

Second, walking helps manage weight. Not only manage your weight, but it can help you lose weight. Whether you need to lose weight or maintain it, walking is a simple way to do it!

Third benefit is walking can help you handle the stress in your life. Walking is a way to escape and get away from it all. It is where you can go and dream about your favorite place or even walk to your favorite place!

Fourth, it is great for increasing your activity without risking injury. Walking is a great way to get started in exercise before moving on to other forms of activity!

The fifth benefit is you have a better chance of a good night's sleep. This can be a critical benefit for some. Becoming more active during the day helps you relax better at night. Thus turning into a good night's sleep!

Number six is you can prevent health problems, such as depression, constipation, cancers, bone issues and more. I would say walking is a lot cheaper than a pill to prevent these problems!

Last benefit is one that I enjoy the most: it just makes you feel good! Moods are enhanced because of the mood-lifting hormones that are being released. These hormones are also called the feel-good hormones. Walking makes me feel good!

Corrine Michaels is a walking fanatic. It is her exercise of choice. This is why she created the website and blog http://www.walkinghelps.com. Go there now and you can sign up for her Walking Helps Newsletter!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Corrine_Michaels

Sunday Musings

2010-05-02T15:50:00.000-07:00

I know that this is a weight loss blog, but there are of health issue that I am
trying to learn how to deal with. It is really hard to want to exercise when your back hurts all the time and you have muscle spasms in your lower back, and your legs are always numb. I have been to Doctors and they tell me to exercise or walk, I’ve been told to also do Pilates and Yoga that the two of them will really help stretch my back and help with core strengthening, and that is what I need.

Last week I started walking at my 8:30 break and I can’t believe how much it helped my back. I am going to continue to walk at work and every day I am going to try to walk a little more. Last week I walked around the parking lot once and a half and I personally think that, that was good. This week I am going to try 2 laps and so on, I want to get up to 3 or 4 times. I actually need to figure out home many times is a mile, it may take some speed walking but that it is okay, I am up for about anything right now.

All I know is that I am sick of being in pain all of the time, and need to get this under control. I am not going to let this get the best of me, it is not going to beat me and I am not going to have surgery unless I hurt my back and it becomes necessary. So if any one who reads my blog has any advice for me I am open for anything. Just through it my way, I am willing to try anything.

I am looking into getting the rest of this blasted weight off; I think first and foremost I need to get out of the habit of eating easy foods. I need to get back to watching my proteins and Carbohydrates that I eat everyday. I need to try to get in as many Proteins as I can a day, and stay away from those evil wicked Carbs, Mmm I love Carbs. Even though they make me sick to my stomach and don’t last long it exit’s as fast as I eat it.

I need to start paying attention to my body and listening to it when it talks to me. The surgeon told me to listen to my body it will tell me what it needs and what it doesn’t. But I have just gotten out of the habit and doing what I know that I need to do, it is just too easy to fall back into old routines and that is something that I will not allow. I WILL not gain all that weight back; if I do I don’t think that I will be able to handle it.

Weighing over 400 pounds is not easy and I would never wish it on any one, okay I lied I would wish it on all those girls in school who made my life a living hell. I would love for them to walk a mile in my shoes and then maybe they would think twice about doing it to some one else. I would love for them to feel the emptiness, the loneliness and the self loathing that you feel when you don’t fit into the world around you.

I wish that there was something that I could do to help every body out there that has a lot of weight to loose; I wish that they knew that it was possible to loose your weight. That weight loss surgery isn’t the only answer, that there are other weight loss programs out there that work. I would hold their hands and give them words of encouragement every day. I would help them to meet there goals and to have an easier life.

I would say a HAPPIER life, because losing weight doesn’t make one happy. It does make life easier, and makes you feel better physically and mentally but no it doesn’t make you happy. You have to find happiness with in side of your self, you have to learn to love your self and except your self for the person that you are. No on else can love you if you can’t love and except your self.

So if you need to loose weight and you want or need some help you can email me and I will do what I can to help you on your journey. Remember; that a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step!

The Orkney Island in the Scottish Highlands, I could get lost here!

Pilates and Stretch For Weight Loss and Pain Relief

2010-05-02T14:26:00.000-07:00

A person in pain is a person in need of a cure. Back pain can be one of the worst types of pain that one can experience. The causes of your back pain might be obvious, but some people have it happen to them out of what seems like literally nowhere. Perhaps some of the most typical causes of back pain come from a combination of regular activities involved in everyday life. Bad eating habits, poor posture, and years of sitting and/or standing can all play major contributions toward back pain, and pain in general.

Being overweight is also another big reason why people experience pain in or around their backs. Too much weight can really take a toll on the entire body, and all functions that exist within. The mind, brain, heart, lungs, and internal organs cannot perform at their best when there is too much pressure and stress weighing them down. The effects that excess fat have on your back can be very detrimental. But, there is something that can help, and it is called Pilates. Pilates is an exercise that involves strengthening the muscles located within the core. Those muscles consist of the buttock, hip, abdominal, and lower back muscles. Once strengthened, the back naturally aligns itself, and everything goes back to normal.

While in the process of performing daily Pilates movements, your metabolism speeds up as well. The deep breathing techniques that are used by doing Pilates can increase circulation, and can also help to get rid of the wastes that have been thought to be related to fatigue. You will notice that your breathing and overall lung function improve rapidly. Mental focus is much easier to maintain due to increased blood flow. Once the body learns how to properly and naturally rid itself of toxins and built up pollutants, weight loss becomes a more frequent occurrence.

We were not meant to suffer. The body was made to stay maintained at a certain level of health and strength. Of course, aging will slow us down a bit, but it shouldn't slow us down to the point where we can no longer function. There is no excuse for not taking care of our bodies. Everyone should look at the relationships that they have with their bodies as give and take. When you perform a daily Pilates and stretching routine, your body will reward you with a straighter spine, and a stronger core. The core of the body is where everything comes together. Loose muscles within the core are not strong enough to hold everything together, hence, that is why our body's fall out of alignment.

Have you ever notice that some people just mysteriously develop a curvature in their spine in the middle of their lives? Those folks do exist, and there are more of them than you think. Bulging and herniated discs can also happen due to a weak core. Pilates reverses this damage and brings everything back to where it should be, and in less time that you might imagine. But, you must stay consistent, because nothing happens overnight. The best part about it is that most workouts are only ten minutes long! Anyone can do this, all they have to do is try.

There are a range of DVD's on sale at http://www.pilatesorstretchforbackpain.com which have been recommended by a leading British Osteopath/Physiotherapist. Please visit my blog at http://www.stretchorpilatesforbackpain.com

The author, Steven Giles is a 55 year old former accountant who has been suffering from back pain for several years and has found that Pilates provides relief from this. He lives in Greater Manchester in the North-West of England.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steven_Giles

Non-Surgical Bulging Disc and Spinal Decompression Therapy Symptoms and Treatment

2010-05-02T14:24:00.000-07:00

Bulging disc and spinal decompression or herniated disc may be the result of degenerative disc disease, or an injury to the spine causing the spongy, gelatinous nucleus of the disc to bulge out of the protective annulus layer. A bulging disc and spinal compression may occur over time as a result of a sedentary lifestyle, or the degeneration of the discs that can come with advanced age.

The herniated disc can impinge on the sciatic nerve causing shooting pain or numbness and tingling in the legs. A bulging disc might never cause pain or be detected unless it begins to cause friction against a nerve. If a herniated disc occurs in the neck area of the cervical spine, the pain will radiate to the shoulders and arms.

What is a bulging disc?

Let's take a step back and get a clear picture of what is going on if you've got a bulging disc. Spinal discs act as shock absorbers in between each vertebrae of the spine. They provide a supple cushioning effect that absorbs the stress and pressure placed on the spine. The disc has a soft, spongy nucleus, which is encapsulated by the annulus, which is a protective outer layer. Over time this protective layer can get worn down and compressed in people who may not be very active or get poor nutrition.

The disc will finally begin to bulge out from between the vertebrae. The pain you feel is from the nerves whose job it is to make sure that you feel everything. Nerves transmit sensation--both pleasurable and painful--from the extremities back to the central nervous system, which is connected to the brain.

When this network of nerves gets impinged upon, you will definitely feel it in the form of shooting pain, numbness and tingling, or even muscle weakness when the nerve is being compresse. It's not unlike getting a crimp in the garden hose. If you stand on the hose you can diminish the flow of water from a gush to a trickle.

Treatment for bulging disc

Medical doctors that practice conventional, Western medicine may prescribe medications to relax the muscles and relieve the pain. They also offer cortisone injections and epidurals, but these are only temporary solutions that mask the symptoms rather than treating the cause of the bulging disc.

Spinal Decompression Therapy

Your local Chiropractor has a painless, non-surgical treatment option to relieve the pain of bulging disc and facilitate the restoration of the disc. It's called spinal decompression therapy. Non-surgical Spinal Decompression is a revolutionary new technology used primarily to treat bulging and herniated discs in the neck and low back. Spinal Decompression Therapy is designed to take the pressure off the bulging disc and compressed nerves by slowly and gently stretching the spine at a certain angle followed by cycles of partial relaxation. This pattern of distraction and relaxation creates a "vacuum effect" or negative intra-discal pressure.

The negative pressure may induce the retraction of the bulging or herniated disc back into the inside of the disc taking pressure off of the nerve. The cycle of decompression and partial relaxation, over a series of visits, promotes diffusion of water, oxygen, and nutrient-rich fluids into the disc. The nutrients enable the torn and degenerated disc fibers to begin to heal.

Would you like to learn more about bulging disc and spinal decompression in Springfield, VA? If so, please visit, http://www.SpringfieldSpinalDecompression.com, where you can get all of the details about how you can find non-surgical pain relief that will allow you to resume your vibrant, healthy lifestyle.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr_Todd_Sullivan

Second Anniversary

2010-03-30T19:52:00.000-07:00

Wow does time fly, I realized the other day that I had missed my two year anniversary. You know over the past year I have not lost a whole lot of weight, but I have succeeded in staying the same weight and that is some thing that I have never been able to do. I will get some one to take some pictures of me this weekend so I can post a two year pic, I know that my skin is starting to catch up, and the last week my pants have not been as tight. I usually have to suck in a tiny bit too get my pants done up because I buy them a little too tight. I do that for a reason.

Other than staying the same weight and and injuring my back the year hasn't been too exciting or eventful. I am going to continue to try to post several times a month, we are heading to Colorado next month for Birthdays and I will take lots of pictures while I am out there. My kids are getting so big! Ok so there not my kids but I love them like they were mine, they are thee best kinds of kids to have! You can love them, spoil them and send them home too there mom!

Thank you for all the love and support!

Trimming Stomach Fat By Leif Wheeler

2010-03-03T16:34:00.000-08:00

The most successful book about trimming stomach fat and getting 6-pack abs is titled Truth About 6 Pack Abs. The book is a web program for those of us who would like to get rid of stomach fat and develop a flat, muscular tummy. This is the best stomach workout course in the world and one of the all time highest ranking diet and fitness programs with users from over 150 countries.

Even though this system is typically an abs development program, the author, Mike Geary, wrote it to be an overall fat reduction program. When you read the nutritive and exercises guidelines, you understand that this is a complete body fitness program that doesn't just concentrate on one body part.

This aspect is one of the things I really like about Mike's program. I think to get 6-pack abs and sustain them, you want to get your entire body lean and not to just focus on your abdominal muscles. Many people fail to understand that your entire body must be involved in the fat burning process, not just one part.

As to the best stomach workout plan itself, it is an average length book which discusses nutritive and fitness practices in detail, as well as the proper ways to improve workout habits, burn off more fat, increase metabolism, and improve your overall health. The exercise section is complete with descriptive photographs to illustrate the proper movements and includes suggestions for comprehensive exercise schedules.

The author does a good job in convincing you to practice a healthier lifestyle. This is much more than just an exercise manual, it's more of a lifestyle manual. Some of the reasons Mike gives for a healthy lifestyle go into easy to understand detail and explains in layman's terms why the things you eat and the exercises you perform are good for you.

In general, Mike explains the reasons for muscle gain, places more importance on weight and resistance training than he does on cardiovascular training, and explains the benefits to eating properly. Disciplining yourself to stick with the program does require some effort. But isn't that true of any worthwhile endeavor? This type of effort and dedication is the one and only way to get firm and sexy abdominal muscles. In other words, there is no quick and easy fix.

As far as support goes, Mike gives expert email support free of charge. I have used his support many times and I've always gotten a response from him in less than 12 hours. This is very impressive considering he has over 250,000 customers worldwide. Finally, this program's reputation as the best in the world is well deserved. This is the best stomach workout program for any man or woman who wants to achieve those sexy 6-pack abs and get healthier at the same time.

Leif Wheeler is a strong advocate of staying in shape. If you're serious about trimming
stomach fat, a good place to start is Best Stomach Workout.

Article Source:

Autumn Soy Chai Tea

2010-02-25T15:22:00.001-08:00

Serves: 3
1 cup soy milk (fat-free milk can be substituted)
2 cups water
2 black tea teabags
1 tbsp honey
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ tbsp cardamom
½ tbsp cinnamon
1/8 tbsp ginger
2 whole cloves

Directions:
Place all ingredients except milk in a small saucepan over medium high heat.
Simmer for 3 minutes and remove from heat.
Next add soy milk.
Let Chai stand for 2 minutes to allow the spices to season the tea.
Strain tea to remove any large particle and serve hot/warm.
Nutrition: calories 70, calories from fat 15, 1.5g fat, cholesterol 0mg, sodium 45mg, carbohydrate 10g, dietary fiber 1g, sugars 6g, protein 4mg.

Breakfast- Pear and Apple Couscous

2010-02-25T15:20:00.000-08:00

Serves: 8
2 cups fat free milk
2 cups dry couscous
¼ cup almonds, slivered
1/3 cup fresh pears, peeled and chopped
1/3 cup fresh apples, peeled and chopped
2 Tablespoons honey
2 teaspoons cinnamon

Directions:
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the milk, honey and cinnamon.
As soon as it comes to a boil, stir in the couscous.
Turn off the heat, cover and let stand for 5 minutes.
Stir in the pears, apples, and almonds.
Serve warm.
Nutrition: calories 230, calories from fat 20, 2g fat, cholesterol 0mg, sodium 35mg, carbohydrate 43g, dietary fiber 3g, sugars 8g, protein 8g.

Poblano Mexi Chicken Stew

2010-02-25T15:17:00.001-08:00

Serves: 10
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ cup celery, chopped
½ cup carrots, chopped
1 cup onions, chopped
1 poblano pepper, chopped fine
3 cloves garlic, chopped fine
2 tablespoon flour
5 tomatoes, cut in half and seeds removed and chopped
1 cup frozen corn
1 can low sodium black beans, drained
1 pound boneless skinless chicken, cut into ¼ inch cubes
½ gallon low sodium chicken stock
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

Directions:
In a large stock pot over medium high heat add oil.
Once oil is heated add celery, carrots, onions, poblano pepper, and garlic and sauté for 5 minutes.
Next add the chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper, and flour and sauté an additional 3 minutes.
Add tomatoes, corn, black beans, chicken, and chicken stock and bring to a simmer.
Turn heat to medium low and simmer for an additional 45 minutes remembering to stir occasionally to keep the food from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
Remove from heat and add fresh cilantro and serve.
Serve.
Note: This freezes well for up to three months.
Nutrition: calories 170, calories from fat 30, 3.5g fat, cholesterol 25mg, sodium 610mg, carbohydrate 21g, dietary fiber 4g, protein 18g.

HCG Drops - Good Or Bad? By Marcus G McReynolds

2010-02-22T16:15:00.000-08:00

There is a huge interest in the weight loss industry about the HCG Diet, as you read about this surprisingly easy way to lose weight, you will find both positive and negative reports about the HCG Diet.

There are many publications on this subject, one of the best is Kevin Trudeau's book "The Weight loss Cure"... he explains it very well but fails to mention where you can purchase the HCG Drops or even find HCG (Human chorionic gonadotrophin).

Although HCG treatments are not fully accepted by the conventional medical industry, there is however a wide acceptance throughout the alternative and complementary health industries, especially in using the natural homeopathic HCG drops helping dieters to learn portion control as they navigate the 500 calorie diet, which is proving to be very successful without any side effects.

The homeopathic HCG drops are ideal to give the dieter a 'kick start' into the weight loss arena, you should always remember that any drastic weight loss program does not end when the diet ends; maintenance of a healthy weight is vital in order to keep and enjoy the long term benefits of weight loss. In order to maintain your new body and enjoy real quality of life and increased general health, you must create and retain new lifestyle habits that will help you succeed.

Multiple thousands of dieters around the world are finding that the homeopathic HCG drops are easy to use and enables one to get a good start on losing unwanted weight, the various programs available allow you to see fast results that help encourage you to change to a healthy lifestyle of fitness and health.

Marcus McReynolds - Expert in alternative health medicine

Buy HCG Drops

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marcus_G_McReynolds">

*I am noting here that I am NOT a supporter of The HCG drops and or injections. From what I have seen from the people around me that are using the drops, that the diet is not very healthy. They don't eat much AT ALL and from all the dieting that I have done over the years, the one thing that I have learned is that you need to eat a good well balanced diet of at least 1200 calories a day. Watch your Carbohydrate intake, cut back on sugar, bread, pasta, rice, potatoes and Carbonation. Add a good work out too that and you are guaranteed to loose weight.*

Diet Information & High Protien Low Carb Diet By William Walters

2010-02-22T16:11:00.000-08:00

Today we are going to talk about the importance of to a healthy High Protein Low Carb Diet and how it will help you to lose weight.

The rise in the number of fast foods joints that have a lot of saturated fat in the meals, the use of a lot of refined sugar in sodas and other processed foods and eating food with less fiber have all contributed to the high protein low carb diet in working to get those pounds off, and keep them off. Fact that there are more people than before who are classified as either overweight, or are obese, or a little chunkier than they would like to be.

A lot of other factors cause this to happen such as genetics, overeating, saying no! to that second plate of food, and as people age; the metabolism slows down making it harder than before to burn the food that was just consumed and very harder to lose the weight they just put on.

The rate that a person loses weight is commensurate to how it is gained. Rapid weight is not any good advisable since it leaves the person with lose skin and the only way to get rid of that would require surgery which is very expensive to say the least.

Weight loss depends on the condition of a person which includes the following; weight, health, calorie-intake, age, gender, lifestyle, stress level and fitness routines.

Being overweight does not necessarily make a person unhealthy though. It just makes the person a bit unfashionable, and feeling sluggish, and non-motivated sometimes. Medical Studies have shown that people who are a bit overweight live longer than those who have normal weight don't ask me why? but,its been proven already.

There is no quick or overnight solution for quick weight loss. You will have to stay on a high protein low carb diet something as zone diets, and gather some diet information then start your diet and stick with it and you'll eventually lose the weight you want to lose.

Nutritionists and other Medical experts will say that a person's weight with proper exercise can actually help lose a certain number of pounds per week The best way to do this is with a low calorie diet and a great daily or weekly exercise plan.

The first thing a person needs to do is to choose a diet program designed by a dietitian or another health or medical professional. The patient has to be evaluated before any program can be started. The program usually consists of an daily eating plan, and an exercise program that does not require the use of supplements or one to purchase any expensive fitness equipment what I mean by this is a good frisk walk around the park daily would be proper for an elderly person. Whereas a mile or two run would be great for a younger person. Always ask your doctor's advice before starting a rigorous exercise program.

The best exercise plan should have cardiovascular and weight training exercises also. This helps burn calories and increases the muscle to fat ratio that will increase ones metabolism and lose weight quicker.

A good healthy diet should have food from all the food groups.

This is made up by two things. The first is carbohydrates. The food that a person consumes should have vitamins, minerals and fiber. A lot of this can come from oats, rice, potatoes and cereals. The best still come from vegetables and fruits since these have phytochemicals, enzymes remember the old saying! an apple a day keeps the doctor away, also micronutrients that are essential for a healthy diet.

The second is fat which can come from mono and poly-saturated food sources rather than animal fats. Since fat contains more than double the number of calories in food, this should be taken in small quantities to lose weight. "Stay away from any kind of animal fats" if you want to lose weight.

All diet plans are designed to make the person reduce the amount of calories taken into the body. This does not mean that the person has to eat less, just eat healthier portions. Means that one has to eat smart by choosing the foods that have less calories. This makes it possible for someone to lose weight without the need to eat less.

During the course of the program, the person should still consult with his or her doctor and other health experts to monitor ones progress. There will be times that it is essential to modify the diet plan, and maybe even the exercise plan to further lose weight.

It is up to the person individually to stick to the program to see that it works for them.

William Walters, the owner of OurDiet.info is interested in writing articles relating to health issues. Visit the site - http://www.OurDiet.info – for more information on everything you should know about Ediets, Zone Diet, Acid Reflux Diets, Zone Diets, South Beach Diet Information, High Protien Low Carb Diet and while you're there pickup some FREE reports " On Dieting and Losing Weight" Learn How To Fight Back” from the site.

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Yoga For Beginners - Five Useful Things You Need to Know About the History of Yoga By Ntathu Allen

2010-02-21T08:41:00.000-08:00

"What is Yoga? What style of yoga do you teach? What do I need to practice yoga?"

As a Yoga Teacher, I am often asked these questions by potential yoga students.

Given the vast array of yoga classes available it can be quite overwhelming to choose a programme most suited to your individual health and well-being needs and lifestyle.

You may have heard that yoga helps you to relax, calms your mind and releases tension from sore muscles, but how can you be sure if the yoga class advertised at your local Leisure Centre is the right form of exercise for you?

There are many styles and ways of teaching yoga. "Yoga" means different things to different people. I have three teenage daughters, each have their own understanding and definition of yoga ranging from:

- "Yoga is a peaceful way to exercise and, a good way to let your feelings out"
- "Yoga is mum's job!"
- "Yoga is gentle stretching and balancing exercises"

The following top five tips give you a clear introduction about the practice and teachings of yoga.

Top Five Useful Things You Need to Know About Yoga

One: Yoga is a form of exercise which consists of a programme of stretching exercises,(known as asanas) which gently open and stretch the body, increasing flexibility, suppleness and strength; breathing practices (known as pranayama) designed to cleanse the body and calm the nervous system and emotions; and guided relaxation to release body tension and promote a sense of well-being. Some yoga classes also include meditation and chanting. Meditation helps you to calm and focus your mind and have a sense of inner peace.

Two: The traditional meaning of the word 'yoga' originates from Sanskrit yuj meaning to yoke, unite, union, join together. Traditionally speaking, the goal of yoga is to achieve union, connection with the Divine. In more general terms, yoga is seen as a practical way to help you achieve a state of balance, sense of harmony and union into your life

Three: There are four main paths of Yoga practice, which all traditionally serves as a means to help you achieve your potential and unite with your divine nature: Karma Yoga (the path of selfless service and action), Jnana Yoga (the path of intellect, knowledge and wisdom), Bhakti Yoga (the path of devotion and love), Raja Yoga (the physical practice of yoga - asanas, breathing, plus spiritual, ethical guidelines, known as the Yoga Sutras or Patanjali's Eight Limbs of Yoga.)

Each path of yoga will appeal to different people depending on your personal temperament and personality.

Four: There are various styles and different approaches to yoga. In essence, asanas, breathing exercises, relaxation and in some cases meditation and chanting form the basis of all yoga styles. All yoga is known as "Hatha Yoga." However, different schools of yoga place difference emphasis on these aspects. Some yoga teachers, may focus more on breathing techniques (known as pranayama ), whilst another may pay more attention on the alignment of the body in the poses. The most common styles of yoga taught are Iyengar Yoga, Sivananada Yoga, Viniyoga Yoga, Astanga Yoga and Bikram Yoga

Five: The practice of yoga exercises (asanas) is one aspect of yoga. As a way of balanced holistic living, the other elements of yoga consists of paying attention to eating a wholesome, preferably vegetarian diet, proper breathing; proper relaxation; positive thinking and meditation.

The practice of yoga is a personal journey. The holistic nature of the practice and range of tools equips you with a range of useful tools to help you find inner peace, calm and balance within your life.

Ntathu Allen, Yoga Teacher, teaches professionals simple yga stretches and meditation to manage stress at work , improve creativity and strengthen relationships at work and at home. Contact Ntathu for your free monthly Yoga and Polarity Enewsletter - Healing for the Soul. Email :ntathu@yogainspires.co.uk ; http://www.yogainspires.co.uk phone: 07973 777 882

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ntathu_Allen

Which Type of Yoga is Right For Me? By Sarah Freeland

2010-02-21T08:38:00.000-08:00

With the popularity of yoga rising throughout the western world, you have probably heard about it's healing powers by now. However, you still aren't sure exactly what kind of yoga may be right for your lifestyle. Chances are, you have probably asked everyone you know who practices yoga. While they may have a few suggestions, they may be bias in their decision making when it comes to which type of yoga you should choose.

Iit is fairly simple to find the right kind of yoga for you. Especially if you have all of the information there is to know about yoga. First and foremost you should try to consider why you are planning on entering the yoga lifestyle. Whether it was suggested to you from your doctor for medical treatment, or if it is a means for you to reconnect with a healthy lifestyle.

Just remember that you aren't alone. Many people struggle with trying to find the right yoga class for them. Some can spent years jumping from class to class, type to type, or different yoga teachers before finding the right match. You may find yourself drawn to the names of each yoga class, often times witty and inspiring. However, I would suggest making your decision on more than just the location or name of your yoga class. Instead taking the time to sit down with each of the teachers, and getting a feel for their technique of teaching.

It may be helpful if you can find a teacher that will allow you to sit in on each type of class. This will give you a first-hand view of what would be expected of you during your yoga class. While some may promote the use of props, and focus on slow and controlled movements. Others may focus on spirituality, or exercise. All of which are beneficial to many different people in their walks of life. However, power-yoga may not be the best choice if you suffer from chronic back pain. For this reason, you should take care in choosing the right type of yoga.

Before we look into the different types of classes and what you can expect you should first remember that as with any exercise program; you should first consult with your doctor. This is especially true if you have any diagnosed health problems that reduce your range of motion.

Once you have begun to visit the many different yoga classes available in your area, you will find that there is a common denominator among them all. That of which is that they are focused on bringing oneness to one's life. A unity between body, mind, and soul. Regardless of the fact that this oneness is all something we hold inside of ourselves on a daily basis. However, most people will find that it can be difficult to reach this place in our own selves without a little help.

Unfortunately there is no real way to answer the question of "what type of yoga is right for me?". It is more or less an moment of inspiration that you will find enter your mind once you have found the right class. As with so many things in life, yoga is specialized. However there are many different options to choose from. No one yoga class is going to be right for everyone who practices yoga. Just like no one yoga prop or work out wear will be right for one person. Think of it as a "fitting" for your lifestyle. Try your yoga class on for size, if it doesn't fit your lifestyle, your schedule, or your medical needs; then you should probably try to find something different.

While it is a common misconception among newcomers to yoga. You don't need to have a particular religion or belief to practice yoga. Just as you don't need to be of any one shape, or size to practice yoga. Everyone can and will benefit from the healing nature of yoga. It is even common for families to practice yoga together. If this is your plan, then finding a low-impact yoga will be imperative for younger children. Which will allow all of you to relax while getting healthy together. This of course is one of the many reasons that yoga has become so popular in the western world. As we all fight to keep our lifestyles healthy in a stressful and fast-pace lifestyle. We find that there just isn't enough time to run from one yoga class to another. Instead finding one class that will fit as a whole with your group of yoga friends, or family will help to keep your schedule relatively un-scathed.

The different types of yoga can be fairly difficult to differentiate. However, there are a few key differences that can help you choose which yoga is right for you. Whether you are looking for a high-impact yoga to help you drop pounds quickly; or simply trying to find relief from arthritis, or other chronic pain. There is a yoga that will be the perfect fit for you!

Hatha yoga (of which means union) is a term for yoga that employs both physical, and breathing exercise to calm the mind. This is only one of eight branches of traditional yoga, which has been passed down for generations in ancient Indian philosophy. It is thought that this style of yoga can help to attain enlightenment. Among these types of yoga that have stemmed from Hatha, you will find Raga, Mantra, and Tantra. All of which are considered to be philosophical styles of yoga, which are focused on elevating a person's mental state. It is common for Hatha yoga classes to ask their practitioners to follow a certain dietary conservation as well as ethical codes of living.

There are several different disciplines that you will find practiced in Hatha yoga. However due to it's popularity, some classes may even teach a fusion of several different styles of yoga. Including Hatha yoga. Most of these hybrid yoga classes (especially those that include Hatha yoga) are often times the best for beginner yoga practitioners. Simply because they will offer a wider range of poses, breathing, and physical elements. All of which are needed to practice yoga safely and get the most out of your workout.

While Hatha yoga has increased in popularity within the western world. There are many other kinds that can be found here in the United states alone. Ashtanga Viniyasa is one of the most increasingly popular forms of yoga in the last few years. It is a physical and mentally challenging form of yoga. Of which focuses on the unity between movement and breathing. However, this form of yoga can be fairly taxing and shouldn't be utilized for anyone with severe medical conditions. If you are a beginner, it is imperative to join a beginners Ashtanga class, so that you are able to learn at your own speed without posing an injury risk to yourself.

Along with Hatha and Ashtanga Viniyasa yoga's you will find a few other choices to choose from. One of which being Sivananda yoga. Which is based around as little as twelve postures. One such posture sequence includes the sun salutation. Of which focuses on breathing and meditation. This is one of the most well-rounded yoga classes that can be found today. It is especially suitable for all levels of expertise, ages, and physical abilities. Making it one of the most family friendly forms of yoga available.

Another popular form of yoga is Viniyoga. Of which is known for it's personalized touch. Each session of Viniyoga is tailored specially for the individual practitioner and their needs. These classes can vary from as short as fifteen minutes to two to three hours. However it is one of the best one-on-one yoga training that you can find. This is especially wonderful for anyone who might find it difficult to follow an instructor within a large class. This class is particularly well suited for children and those with medical conditions. Simply because it is so personal, and allows the trainer to keep your body, health, and physical limitations in mind when creating your routine.

The last form of yoga that is commonly practiced in the western world is Iyengar. Which is a slower and more precise means of practicing yoga. It is by far the most practiced yoga throughout the world (spanning not only in the western world). It plays in important role in one's bodily alignment and posture. This is particularly well suited for those with back-pain or any other severe or chronic pain. This form of yoga is also particularly suitable for seniors, as they practice with many different props to aid in their posture progression.

Remember, as with any new workout regiment that you should always know your own body's limitation. This will help you to choose the right style of yoga class for you. There is no right or wrong answer, simply knowing what you can and cannot handle is key. Regardless of the class, you should become prepared once you have chosen the right type of yoga for you. Your yoga instructor will be able to give you a list of the items you will need, whether it be yoga mats, blocks, blankets, or any other prop. It is best to come prepared!

The three popular types of yoga you may have heard of are hatha yoga, power yoga and bikram yoga. Hatha yoga is the style of yoga most practiced today. It is what you will think of when you think of yoga in general. Power yoga is a more aerobic-style yoga, with an emphasis on cardio. Bikram yoga is a style of yoga performed in a heated room to accelerate detoxification. Universal Yoga sells everything you need to practice these and other forms of yoga, pilates and meditation including cropped yoga pants, yoga mats, workout clothing, meditation cushions, yoga bags, uplifting apparel, spiritual jewelry, and yoga DVDs.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_Freeland

The Mortal Instrument Series by Cassandra Clare

2010-02-20T08:21:00.000-08:00

For any of you who like to read Teen Lit, you must read the mortal instruments by Cassandra Clare. Every time I would go to a store that sold books, the books all jumped out at me. I had thought about reading them for a while but didn't know if I really wanted to.

I read the Twilight Saga and it was good, good story good characters and I know that this is going to get me into trouble but it was not well written. Stephenie Meyer tells a good story but she is not a brilliant writer. Then I decided to give the Vampire Diaries ago, the books were well written but so terrible slow I had a hard time getting into give and gave up for a while. I will finish the books, I just had no reason to keep going.

I finally decided to give the Mortal Instruments a chance and I have to tell you that I LOVE THEM! They were so good, Cassandra Clare is not only a good writer but she tells an intriguing story as well. These books are kind of like Harry Potter meets Twilight, you have the NEPHILIM, Werewolves, Vampires, Warlocks and Demons of all kinds. The books are exciting and action packed from the first page. You even have your fair share of an incredible romance.

Here is a link to her website and the series, it will give you a lot more on the books, I don't to ruin any thing for any one who wants to read them.

http://www.mortalinstruments.com/mortalseries.html

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

2010-02-05T17:18:00.000-08:00

A Tale of Two Cities (1859) is a novel by Charles Dickens, set in London and Paris before and during the French Revolution. With 200 million copies sold, it is the most printed original English book, and among the most famous works of fiction.[1]

It depicts the plight of the French peasantry under the demoralization of the French aristocracy in the years leading up to the revolution, the corresponding brutality demonstrated by the revolutionaries toward the former aristocrats in the early years of the revolution, and a number of unflattering social parallels with life in London during the same time period. It follows the lives of several protagonists through these events, most notably Charles Darnay, a French once-aristocrat who falls victim to the indiscriminate wrath of the revolution despite his virtuous nature, and Sydney Carton, a dissipated British barrister who endeavours to redeem his ill-spent life out of love for Darnay's wife, Lucie Manette.

The novel was published in weekly installments (not monthly, as with most of his other novels). The first installment ran in the first issue of Dickens' literary periodical All the Year Round appearing on 30 April 1859; the thirty-first and final ran on 25 November of the same year.

I Read this book when I was in the ninth grade, but to be honest with you I don't think that I really enjoyed it all that much. I did not remember anything about this book, unless it was that long enough ago that I forgot.

I think that this is one of the most beautiful and tragic stories of the ultimate love and sacrifice one human being can make for another. When I first started the book it flopped back and for between London and France and some of the different characters so much that I was getting confused and lost. (I was suffering from A.D.D and the time) I listened to the unabridged version on audio book, it was narrated by Frank Muller. He is one of my favorite narrators; he is brilliant. This Book brought out a lot of emotions in me, Anger and revulsion. I thought that the British back in the day were brutal when it came to punishment, but they were nothing compared to the French during the French Revolution. If the citizens didn't like the cravat that you had on they would send you to the Le Guillotine, for the closet shave in France.

I loved this book; The characters the plot everything about this book. If you have never read Charles Dickens "The Tale of Two Cities" Add it too your to read list. It is defiantly worth the read.

Narrator Frank Muller

Benefits of Pilates - 25 Reasons to Give Pilates a Try

2010-01-03T07:34:00.000-08:00

Pilates has come a long way in the last 50 years. It started by being a means of conditioning for a very small group of people (dancers primarily in New York), gradually progressed through the years and exploded as a exercise trend about 10 years ago.

Now its glory is fading away while giving place to other new fads. When Pilates became popular everybody was talking about its benefits and how great it is but today almost every reputable source is trying to disclaim all its benefits simply by saying that there is no scientific research to prove anything that links Pilates with being an exercise that should be respected. While not all Pilates benefits are proved scientifically, still there are millions of people who tried it and proved by their own example that Pilates can do miracles and change lives. Here is what they say.

1. It's the best way to get a flat belly especially after pregnancy. Just 1 month of Pilates after delivery strengthens your core and improves muscle tone.

2. Pilates improves posture. Pilates puts a lot of emphasis on proper alignment during exercise. It makes you more aware of your body and the right position of your body at all times. It also exercises muscles that are responsible for your posture - the muscles of your trunk. These three facts make Pilates different from all other exercise programs out there and make it more effective for creating a graceful posture.

3. Pilates gives you a lean body like a professional dancer. Pilates is an endurance workout that is why it exercises red fiber muscles that tend to shrink in diameter in response to exercise.

4.Pilates helps people who have back pain. This is especially true for those who suffer from pains that are due to a sedentary lifestyle, muscle tightness and weak muscle tone. A study published in Journal of Orthopedics and Sports Physical Therapy, July 2006, proved that Pilates is effective for people suffering from chronic lower back pain.

5. Pilates helps to lose weight. Pilates itself won't make you slim in the shortest period of time, but if you add Pilates workouts to your regular cardio routines and combine it with a well-balanced diet then you can expect some really amazing results.

6. Pilates helps to cope with discomfort and even pains during your menstrual cycle. Practice it a few days before the period starts and even during menstruation (choose easier exercises), and you will feel the difference.

7. Pilates makes you more flexible. A lot of Pilates exercises increase flexibility of your back, the area that causes the most problems for all of us, as well as your suppleness in general. Being flexible means having fewer injuries, less pains connected with tight muscles and performing better in any type of physical activity.

8. Pilates energizes you after even the most exhausting day.

9. It makes you feel light and relaxed, like you have just had a massage at a spa.

10. Pilates helps you to sculpt your body and give it the shape you are dreaming about.

11. If Pilates is performed with weights or a resistance band then it increases bone density.

12. It purifies your mind while it exercises your body. Pilates is a mind and body technique that promotes health of your body as well as health of your mind and inner balance.

13. Pilates helps with your sexual life because it gives you the body that you like as well as helps you to understand and feel your body better.

14. If you practice Pilates with your partner then it's a very sexy workout that can grow into another workout, in a different place.

15. Pilates does not hurt your joints if performed properly. Please note that if you have any joint pains or injuries then you should talk to your doctor and make sure that you can try Pilates. Private class at a Pilates studio that specializes in rehabilitation might be the best option in this case.

16. Pilates helps you to find your inner balance and get rid of anxiety. A recent study at Tel Aviv University found that a simple course of workouts with Pilates can increase balance as well as resolve anxiety problems.

17. Pilates enhances neuromuscular coordination.

18. Pilates can help to improve memory. Workouts that include exercises for coordination as well as sequences of a few exercises help to improve memory.

19. Pilates mat exercises can be practiced anywhere.

20. The study published in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies proves that Pilates improves stability and balance in older adults. This is a very important fact because it can greatly improve the quality of life of older people.

21. Pilates strengthens you core. All Pilates exercises use your midsection as the starting point for all movements that guarantees strong abs and a strong back.

22. Pilates promotes body awareness that changes the way you sit, walk and look.

23. Pilates teaches you body control. It does not isolate any muscles; instead it exercises your body as a whole which does not create any muscle imbalances that are common with other types of exercises. Pilates works the whole body in synergy, which is how we should be moving on a daily basis.

24.Pilates improves blood circulation in your body that makes your skin more radiant and your body healthier.

25.According to a recent study held at the Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, Pilates improves self-efficacy, sleep quality and mood.

If you would like to know more about Pilates benefits, please refer to the original article Pilates Benefits at the Balance In Me Blog.

This article was proudly submitted by Anastasiya G, the author of the Balance In Me blog. The main goal of Balance In Me is to bring balance into the lives of all readers through valuable tips about nutrition, exercise, lifestyle and mental happiness.

2010

2010-01-02T08:29:00.000-08:00

I have been thinking about all of the blogs that I am trying to keep up with and failing miserably at. Therefore, this year instead of having four different blogs for everything, I am going to do one blog and do a little bit of everything. Spice up life a little.

I will still post good dieting advice when I come across it; I am going to keep blogging about the things in my life that are the basis of my blog. My weight loss and the journey that I am still on, it is more frustrating than ever right now. I am going to blog about my back problems and what I am doing to help maintain the pain. I know that there are many things that I can do too up my weight loss that will also help my back. You will never hear me admit that loosing more weight will help my back hurt less, because it will not! What is wrong with my back is permanent and what ever it is that I can do will only help it.

I am also an avid reader and have been trying to do a book blog, so when I read a book that really touches me and has an impact on my life I will do a book review as well, and add a picture of the book cover! I read over a hundred books a year, and it is my goal this year to read 100 new books. I might reread books through out the year but I want to find 100 new books and some new authors to read as well. I have gone through all of my favorite authors and am running out of things to read. So I am starting to widen my Verizon’s, I am going to read Dostoyevsky, Emily Bronte, Tolstoy, and Charles Dickens to name a few.

I will add a recipe now and then, possibly one of my mothers that every one is always asking for. I also have some good low fat recipes that I have come across over the last year and have half that I will post.

Therefore, I am going to do a little bit of everything and spice up my blog, as my weight loss has spiced up my life. I hope I can keep up and maintain the changes! I hope that you all enjoy the changes that are coming.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Another New Year…..

2009-12-29T16:52:00.000-08:00

As another year comes to a close, there is a lot to look back and reflect on. This has been a year for new beginnings and tragic endings.

The one thing that has been on my mind of late is the lost of my best friend Jackie Hutchison. Her death was not a surprise or at that a shock; I knew the summer of 2008 while she was in Utah visiting that she wouldn’t be with us passed a year. Since she had her daughter Emma Jo, her health went down her. She worked as a nurse for many years and had injured her back in a car accident thirteen fourteen years ago. When she had her daughter when they put the Epidural in her back they did something wrong and finished completing the damage too her back.

She had back surgery to repair her bulging disc, (L4) they put a rod in her back and fussed it. That did not do anything to help her; in fact, it made her problems worse. I watched her go in for spinal blocks that didn’t do much to help her, and then watched her health decline even more when she started with a pain clinic. In the end, they had her on so many different pain meds that her body couldn’t handle them. Gastric Bypass patients bodies don’t absorb everything, it mal absorbs everything and on July 19, 2009 her poor body said no more and her heart just stopped. When they got her death certificate cause of death was from a high toxicology.

I love her very deeply and feel her lose very strongly in my life. We had not talked in almost a year when she died and I would give anything to go back in time and fix things between us. I also didn’t get to say goodbye to my best friends so I didn’t get to have that closure you get from going to a funeral. I know that I cannot and there is no use in regretting the past; it does no good to deal on what can’t be changed. I have told her that I love her and that I am sorry about everything that happened between us and have faith that no of that matters any longer, what is past is past.

I have watched the health of other people that I am close to decline; they are fighting a strong battle to regain strength to continue with life as normal. I have lost a few friends but have made many new friends that have made a major difference in my life. I have learned over the last few months who my real friends are and who my fair weather friends are. I have discovered a lot of about my self over the past year.

Take my back for example; I did not think that I would ever be able to deal with what Jackie was going through. Now I am heading down the same path that Jackie was on when she died, they want too send me to a pain clinic. Dr. Clifford thinks that I would benefit from it, but the thing that scares me about it is that they deal with many pain meds, and I really cannot handle many pain meds and do not really want them either.

I trust Dr. Clifford with my life and will consult with him about my treatment, he works at the pain clinic I will be going to and will be able to work with the doctor I will be seeing very closely. I think that it could be a good thing; I am waiting to see what Sedgwick is going to let me do. All I know is that I am in a lot of pain and that something needs too be done about my back; I cannot handle much more.

I have a bulging disc at 7 mm and four herniated disc about that, and am constantly in pain. There are days I can barely stand up and walk I am in that much pain and I find inner strength to push forward and keep going. I will keep all of you updated over the following year about my back and what is being done, I am thinking about looking into the surgical route.

I have had many trials this year but overall it has been a good year. I am starting to think about the goals that I am going to set for my self for 2010, lets see if I can see them through. Maybe if I blog about each goal when I accomplish it, it will keep me honest and going . I hope that 2009 was good for all of you and that 2010 will be even better.

See you in 2010 I love you all thank you for the love and support!

Updates

2009-12-27T09:34:00.000-08:00

First off I want to wish all of you a Merry christmas; I hope that if was filed with the love of christ and the family that you love and care so much about. Our Christmas was wonderful, we put in a special request to santa and asked him to come to our house early. My sister is assistant Manager of Walkers oil gas station in Lehi and she got to open the store Christmas morning. She worked from five in the morning till one in the after noon. We had Christmas on christmas eve because santa said that he would come to our house first. My dad is in tight with the big man; for those of you who don't know my dad is one of santa's many assistance's during the christmas season. I will post some pictures of my parents dressed as Mr. and Mrs. Clause. They are cute!

It was nice to go to bed christmas eve and know that I didn't have to get up really early too open presesnts. I got up between seven and eight because my brother and sister in law came over for breakfast. We have christmas Breakfast together every year it has become our family tradition, so that they can have dinner with her family.

I did not feel well on Christmas day, I was up all night throwing up and with diarrhea; and did not feel well at all that day. On top of my stomach that was upset with me, I had a wicked headache, and the worst of all was my back.

Sarah and Hallie because we had Christmas on Christmas eve went to see the movie Alvin and the chipmunks with our friend shandy Christmas day. I stayed home and watched Harry potter and The Half Blood prince and played on the computer. Our friend Stephanie came over to visit that night.

I love christmas, it is the perfect time to tell the one's in your life that you love them. The birth of Christ is the most precious gift that any one could have given us; and it doesn't matter what religion race or creed that you are that birth plays a part in our lives. It is through him that we are all here and through him that we will have eternal life. I hope that we all stoped for a moment on Christmas day to remember or savior and the impact that his life had on ours. He is truly the the most precious gift that our father could have given us. I don't care what religion you are I hope that you set a side a moment for reflection on what it is that you believe in.

Update:

I went to a specialist about three weeks ago for my back; he is a spinal rehabilition specialist. they sent me too him for a second opinion, they want to send me to The Nexus Pain Clinic. But I have to tell you after watching what my best friend went through over the last four years. She had back sergery, they put a rod in her back and fused it; and from what I saw from a distance she went down hill from there. Spinal block and pain therapy didn't help her one bit. I blogged about her death a couple of months ago. I talked to her husband Joe last Saunday too see how him and the girls are doing. He told me that they got her death certificate and she died from all of the drugs that the pain clinic had her on. She was using Fentanol Patches, Methadone, oxycodon, Loretabes and those are only the ones that I knew about. Her poor body just decided that she couldn't take any more and it gave up.

So here is my dilemma; I am heading down the same path that Jackie was taking. I need to make a decision, do I want to go to a pain clinic and take my chances, trusting that Dr. Clifford can influnence my form of treatment. Or do I request to see my own doctor for my own second opinion, and see if they will let me see Dr. King, he specializes in Holistic Medicine and doesn't believe in the use of pain meds. I think that I would really feel safer going that route than the other.
I am still waiting too see what the Dr. said, and what Sedgwick is going to let me do.

All I know is that I am sick and tired of being in pain and I just want it too go away and I don't want to deal with it any more. But I don't think that it is going to be that easy. When I find out what is going on I will keep you all posted. I want to Thank all of you for your well wishes, love and prayers; they help me more than you will ever know.

Tis’ The Season…..

2009-12-06T12:44:00.000-08:00

Every year at Christmas time I am filled with the spirit of Compassion and Love. God’s Presence is all around us in everything that we do, and say. I find my self wanting to reach out and help the homeless mother who doesn’t have any where for her children to sleep, and to be able to give the beggar enough money to get a warm meal and a warm safe place to sleep.

There is so much degradation and loss in the world around us that it makes my soul cry and my heart bleed for everyone who doesn’t have what I have. Even though we go through our rough patches, we have what we need to be able to live. My parents are wonderful and let is stay in there basement, and as grateful as I am to them I want more than anything to have a place of my own. I don’t think that they will ever know just how grateful I am to them and how much I truly love them, they are angles and I know that they love me or I would be sleeping in my car.

I know that life isn’t always going to be easy, It was never meant to be easy.. We face trials on a daily basis no matter how big or small they are there. They help us to become the people who we are meant to be. We can’t grow and advance in this life if it were a bowl of cherries and we never had to worry about a thing and always had everything handed to us on a silver platter.

There are thousands of families apart this Christmas because there mother, father, husband, wife or child is over sea’s fighting in the war against terrorism. There are even thousands more than that who will never spend another Christmas with their loved one’s because they are no longer with us in this world; because their lives came to a tragic and horrific end or it was just there time to go on. The thought of children getting up on Christmas morning, having one of there parent’s absent from this world, brings a tear to my eyes.

My best friends family, The Hutchison family is one of those families who are facing there first Christmas with out there beloved mother. She passed a way five months ago and it left a huge gaping whole in all of our lives; and I pray that the sweet and tender mercies of the lord with be with their family and any other family who has had the loss of a loved one this year.

Christmas to me is the perfect time to celebrate our saviors birth, The most priceless gift that any one could ask for or receive. Lets not forget to take a moment this holiday season to stop and reflect on the life of Jesus Christ our Savior and remember the ultimate sacrifice that he made for us. It is through him that we will all have life eternal, and will conquer death. Through him all things are possible, if we only but open the door and allow him into our lives we will want for nothing.

Let Christ into your heart, let him carry your burdens; he has once already in the form of a cross. He’s burdens are light and he will give rest to your soul. I want to wish every one a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanuka, A Happy Kwanzaa, or just a Happy Holidays.

The Innkeeper by Joyce Carr Stedelbauer

2009-12-05T21:00:00.000-08:00

The night fell like a blanket on the hills and valleys of
Israel, a black blanket tucked into every curve and cave where
Isaiah had promised 700 years before that.

The people that sit in darkness will see a great light.

For a child is born to us, a Son will be given to us, and
the government shall rest upon His shoulders and His name
will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal
Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9

Mary and Joseph had the Word in their hearts when they
arrived at the Inn in Bethlehem needing a place to rest. They were
in the precise place that the Father had ordained when He spoke to
Micah the prophet centuries before … Bethlehem in Judah.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We call you old in the Christmas pageants, perhaps
you were merely a young son, sent to unbolt the door.
We malign you as mean-spirited and cutting
as a sharp wind on a lonely night.
We accuse you of our locked hearts, there is
no room at the Inn of the Soul.

Frantic with preparation of food, frustrated
with stacks of gifts to buy, bills to pay,
overwhelmed with cards to write, aggravating
burned out lights, exhausting parties and pageants –
are the angel wings on straight – careful
the shepherd doesn’t trip on his robe!

One snow-bright Christmas eve,
Great-grandfather Kennedy
taught me the lesson of the Innkeeper.
I poured more steaming coffee as we gathered
around the glowing Tree. Daddy added fragrant
pine to the fire, as the Grandmother – Angels,
softly singing Silent Night,
fluttered their imaginary wings.
Grandpa A.E., governor of Syria, ordered the census.
Our young son, as Joseph, readied the donkey-dog,
big sister cradled her baby doll and walked wearily
to the Inn of the Living Room.

The compassion in the Innkeeper’s eyes,
the caring in his outstretched hands,
the tenderness in his voice –
No room in the Inn,
but come with me to the stable,
the animal’s steam will warm you,
the hay is dry and sweet, there will be no charge.
You are my guests in this poor humble abo

Destry Thayne Austin

2009-11-15T16:52:00.000-08:00

I have been thinking about Destry a lot the last little while and I thought that I would post the poem that I wrote for him after he passed away. For those of you who knew him you will appreciate the person that he was. I only wish that I could have written this for him before he passed a way. He asked me when he found out that I wrote poetry if I would write one for him; I guess that it's never too late!

There are so many things that I want to say about you,
But nothing seems to sound right.
You were an angle to every one you knew,
You touched us all with your light.

You were a rock and a foundation
For so many along the way,
An inspiration and a guide
For those who had gone a stray.

So many hardships and trails,
You battled with on your own.
You were such a beautiful person
I want you to embody this poem.

You always had a warm smile,
For all those who you’d meet,
You made every one feel special
Friendship was what you would seek.

Always positive and out going
Never a negative word did I hear you say,
You looked for the good in all
Even when you were, having the worst of days

A wonderful son, brother, father and friend
You embodied the meaning of all.
Dedicated to your family
You would never let them fall.

Friends are a dime a dozen,
You befriended every one that you would meet.
For them you would go the distance
You helped keep them on there feet.

When it comes to being a daddy,
Island was an unexpected surprise.
However, when it came to that little girl,
She was the twinkle of starlight in your eyes.

When you were a young man
A hardship hit at home,
You stepped up to the plate
Playing an adult roll.

I guess everything that I wanted to say,
Came out here in this poem.
You touched my life and helped me,
In so many ways that you will never know.

I just wish that I could have wrote this,
For you in this mortal life,
However, I could never find the words,
They never seemed to come out right.

By knowing you, my life was better,
You touched the deepest part of my soul.
You were the greatest person,
I had the opportunity to know.

So spread your wings and fly away,
You deserve this eternal rest.
Because of you, every one you knew,
Had a life that was blessed!

Destry, I love you and miss you,
I cannot wait until the day we are to be reunited again.

Ronda Hard

MIA

2009-11-13T13:31:00.000-08:00

It has been so long since I last blogged, there isn't really a whole lot going on in my life. My back is starting to feel better; I am not nearly in as much pain as I have been in over the past five months. I have been doing Traction for my back and I love it, it feels so good and I feel really good after I do it. Next week when I go to see Dr. Hardy he is going to release me; and I have to tell you that I am very nervous about this because I don't feel like I am ready to be in my own.

I know that this is something that I am going to struggle with for a lot of my life; and that it will get to the point that it is bearable but it is just going to take time. Dr. Clifford showed me some exercise to do to decompress my back on my own, I am going to start walking at work and I am going to start doing Pilates in the evening.

Not only am I looking for things that will help my back, but to get my weight loss going again. I want to loose this last seventy pounds, I don't want to be fat my whole life. Even though some of my friends are so sweet and tell me that I am not fat trying to make me feel better about my self. I don't feel fat but I still have weight that I want too loose. I want to weigh under two hundred pounds some day, that is the other thing that I want. I know that it's not important and that my husband loves me the way that I am but I want to feel better about my self and I think that, that is the only way that it is going to happen. That and having a butt lift, tummy tuck and a breast job but that is going to coast a lot of money and it may never happen and I will get to the point where I am OK with my body the way that I am.

I have been thinking about Jackie a lot the last few weeks, I really hope that they get the Autopsy report back soon because it is killing me. I want to know why she died, I have some Ideas but I don't want to speculate any more I want to know WHY? There is still so much regret there and I want it too be gone and done with but I know that it is going to take time. I am not going to dwell on the past because it is, the past I am going to think about our friendship and the wonderful times that we shared together.

Self Loathing

2009-10-07T17:34:00.000-07:00

When you look in the mirror,

What is it that you see?

What’s in your reflection?

What is it you’re meant to be?

Do you see a beauty queen?

With men falling at your feet,

Or do you feel uncomfortably common

And that love is obsolete?

There is so much emphasis on appearance

That you can’t look your self in the face;

With out hating the shape of your body

With out feeling a hint of disgrace

If people would take the time

To look inside your heart;

True beauty lies deep with in,

The pretty face is just a place to start.

Ronda May

05-28-01

In Loving Memory, Jacquelyn Renee Hutchison 10/27/72 - 7/19/09

2009-09-08T11:33:00.001-07:00

This is the story of two young girls who met through the New Kids on The Block fan club, we hit it off very fast and soon became the best of friends. She was the greatest friend that I have ever had; she was my rock and my foundation. She was my confidant and the shoulder that I would cry on, we shared the joys and heartaches that this life gives. It seems like we have been through it all together.

Even though through the years we had times when we would drift apart, that strong bond that we had was always there. I knew if I need to talk to her that she would be there for me and vice versa. I remember after the death of her son Devon we talked for hours on end for days on end; there isn’t any thing that I would not have done to take away her pain.

A little over ago she brought her family out here so that I could meet them and vise versa. She had been married for eleven years, she has three beautiful little girls that miss there mommy very much, and my heart goes out to here husband who has had a rough road over the last four years dealing with her medical problems. When she had their youngest daughter Emma jo they damaged her back when they gave her the epidural, and that was the beginning of the end of Jackie’s life.

Last summer when she was here I knew that we would have Jackie with us for more than a year. While she was here she ended up in the hospital with a major bowl obstruction that nearly killed her. That was very difficult for me to deal with when I was alone with my husband I would cry for hours, I was afraid that I was going to loose her then and I felt like it was my fault because she had come out here to see me. It was a blessing that she was here because she was at one of the best hospitals and had one of the best surgeons in Utah.

There are so many things that I wish that I could go back and change; I would have worked harder to make our friendship better, I wouldn’t have let what she said affect me and I would have let it go for what it was. I love her and miss her very much and it is very hard for me because we weren't very close friends at the time of her death and there are things between us left unsaid and unfinished. It is also hard to find out about this after the fact, and finding out about it on the New kids on The Blocks website. The tribute was beautiful and I am happy that Donnie shared his memories of Jackie with the fans. He described the Jackie that I met nineteen years ago, she was a beautiful confidante and strong women, but the circumstances of her life and her health problems are more than any one person can handle. She did a good job facing them with courage and doing every thing that she could to live a full and normal life, so that she could be a mother to her children and a good wife to her husband.

Jackie touched the life of every one that she met whether it was for good or bad, she made an impact. I hope that every one that knew her will say a pray for her mother and father, her husband and the three little girls that she left behind; that they will find peace if mind and heart.

So here is where our story ends, it ended and began with the New Kids on The Block. I met the Best Friend that I will ever have through them and learned that she left this mortal life through their website. I have so much to thank them for and hope that some day I will get the chance to do it in person. I love Jackie and will always miss her, my heart is broken and I am sure that with time that it is going to heal; until then I will hold my memories of her close to my heart, and wait for the day that we are reunited again.

July 20th, 2009

REST IN PEACE - Jacquelyn Hutchison - 10/27/74 – 7/19/09

THE NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK ARE DEEPLY SADDENED TO LEARN OF THE PASSING AWAY OF JACKIE HUTCHISON THE DAY AFTER THEY COMPLETED THEIR FULL SERVICE SUMMER TOUR. AS THEY UNDERSTAND THE CURRENT INFO AVAILABLE TO THEM, SHE BATTLED SEVERAL SERIOUS MEDICAL ISSUES THROUGHOUT HER LIFE. SHE WAS ABLE TO ATTEND MANY CONCERTS AND NKOTB EVENTS OVER THE LAST SEVERAL TOURS INCLUDING THE FINAL SHOW OF THE TOUR IN HOUSTON. SHE IS A TRUE NKOTB FAN AND HER LOVE AND SUPPORT WAS APPRECIATED AND WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. THE BAND WOULD LIKE TO SEND THEIR DEEPEST SYMPATHIES TO JACKIE’S HUSBAND JOE HUTCHISON AND THEIR CHILDREN. GOD BLESS.

A NOTE FROM DONNIE –

“I will remember Jackie as a lovely woman who was always smiling and full of so much love. Jackie was one of those very special fans whose enthusiasm, despite whatever suffering she may have been going through, always seemed to inspire me to give just a little bit more. In all of the many times I was lucky enough to meet her- Jackie’s joy and loving spirit always shined through… I will miss her”

Jackie and Donnie @ Hush, Houston, TX 7/18/09

From L-R, Jacquelyn is on Donnie’s left

Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression For the Treatment of Herniated Or Bulging Discs

2009-09-06T11:34:00.001-07:00

A herniated or bulging disc is a back condition where by the internal gel-like portion of the intervertebral disc has infiltrated through the outer segment of the disc. The gel-like center of an intervertebral disc is held together by layers called the annulus fibrosis. Once the center of the disc has penetrated through the annulus fibrosis, it may cause mechanical pressure on neighboring structures and elicit chemical reactions resulting in back pain. If this problem is left untreated, it may develop into a life-altering back pain condition.

Herniated or bulging discs may be caused by a severe strain or injury, as well as ongoing movement or stress associated with daily lifting. As we get older the continuous wear and tear of the intervertebral disc may also lead to disc herniations. The symptoms of a herniated or bulging disc will vary depending on the location of the problem and your body's response to pain.

Herniated lumbar disc symptoms have always been difficult to differentiate from other spinal disorders, as well as minor back injuries. Intense lumbar or low back pain radiating to the buttocks, legs and feet are a common symptom of those suffering from a herniated or bulging disc, which may also feel worse by simply coughing or laughing. Tingling or numbness in legs or feet is also a symptom for this back pain condition. If the disc herniation is not corrected, a back pain sufferer may experience muscle weakness or even muscle deterioration as time passes by.

A herniated cervical disc may lead to slight or severe neck pain. Neck pain may be classified as slight or intense pain in shoulders, upper arm, chest, forearm, hands and fingers. Neck pain may be intensified by simple movements such as turning or bending over, laughing and coughing.

A relatively new back pain therapy identified as non-surgical spinal decompression, provides relief of back pain associated with herniated, bulging discs, degenerative disc disease, posterior facet syndrome, and sciatica. The theory behind non-surgical spinal decompression is a course of action whereby forces are applied to the spine in a manner that maximizes spinal elongation.

Non-surgical spinal decompression utilizing the DRX9000™ involves application of forces logarithmically to elongate the spine without causing the muscles that guard the spine to contract. The technology necessary to apply spinal decompressive forces is very advanced. The DRX9000 True Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression System™ utilizes high-speed treatment computers to calculate the logarithmic spinal decompression treatment curve for each patient. Recently published clinical research data demonstrates very promising results for patients suffering with herniated or bulging discs.

While herniated and bulging discs are a common back pain condition in America, patients today have a new effective, non-surgical alternative with the DRX9000 True Non-surgical Spinal Decompression System™. To view clinical research data on the DRX9000, please click here

This article is not intended nor should be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult your physician before considering any medical treatment method available.

Rick Durand is the marketing analyst for Axiom Worldwide. To learn more about non-surgical spinal decompression therapy and the DRX9000, simply click on the live links provided above or call 877-438-0663 to find a DRX9000 physician near you.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rick_Durand

What Is A Herniated Disc, How Is It Different From A Bulging Disc, And What You Can Do About It? By Jesse Cannone

2009-09-06T11:31:00.001-07:00

So what in the world is a Herniated Disc??? Well, rather than confuse you more, I am going to give you my simple, easy to understand definition… a herniated disc is simply a protrusion, or sticking out of the disc. Think of a disc as a balloon being held in place between your hands… if you push your hands together unevenly the balloon will bulge out on the opposite side. This is what happens to the disc between the vertebrae.

A Bulging Disc is the same thing as a herniated disc… just a different name.

Herniated discs are probably one of the most common diagnosis’s for back pain out there and is often used when a doctor can’t find an explanation for the person’s pain… similar to a doctor explaining away various aches and pains as arthritis.

The problem is, many people who are diagnosed with a herniated disc don’t have pain because of it… and, for years, research has shown that in many cases, people live with herniated discs yet never have any back pain or symptoms. The point is, if you’ve been diagnosed with a herniated or bulging disc, it may not be what’s really causing your back pain!

Even if you’ve had x-rays and MRI’s done that show a herniated disc, chances are still very good that it’s not the problem… so read on to learn more and find out what’s causing your back pain…

So what causes a disc to herniate?

Well, many people want you to believe it’s old age, excess weight, stress, poor genetics, or how you lift a heavy object…

while these are all potential factors, the biggest factor or cause is uneven pressure placed on the disc. Yes, you read that right… uneven pressure on discs is the biggest cause of herniated discs.

Remember we talked earlier about the uneven pressure? Well, months and years of this uneven pressure causes discs to breakdown.

Do you have any idea what causes this uneven pressure?

It’s something so simple that it amazes me how many people, including the experts (orthopedic specialists, chiropractors, physical therapists, etc) fail to recognize it.

So what is it??? Muscle Imbalances.

You see, muscle imbalances pull your bones and joints, especially the pelvis and spine, out of place and this places excess and uneven wear and tear on the body.

This is where Chiropractors come in…

The whole concept of chiropractic care is to manually move the bones and joints back into the proper position.

Makes sense right? WRONG! Why? Because the same muscles that pulled those bones and joints out of place to begin with, will do so again, usually within days.

The ONLY way to address muscle imbalances is to first identify them, then work on correcting them with the right combination of corrective exercises and stretches… and any treatment that fails to include this formula, is doomed to fail!

To learn more about muscle imbalances, be sure to read my article titled “Aches, Pains, and Injuries” here: http://www.losethebackpain.com/achesandpainsarticle.html

So when does a Herniated Disc actually cause pain?

Typically, a herniated disc will cause pain when it is putting pressure on a nerve or nerves and this pain is usually felt down the backside of the leg. However, occasionally individuals experience pain in the disc itself or the area around it.

How do you know then what’s causing your back pain?

Whether your pain is in the disc or shooting down your leg, I am willing to bet that it has something to do with muscle imbalances.

In my opinion, it always makes sense to start at the beginning… so the first thing to do is identify what muscles imbalances you have and then begin work on correcting them.

DON’T try things like ultrasound, electrical stimulation, cortisone shots and then feel disappointed that they didn’t work… how can they??? Remember, they don’t address the root cause of the problem!

I am not saying that these types of treatments don’t have a place, it’s just that they will not give you the long-term relief you are looking for. For example, ultrasound may be helpful in conjunction with a corrective exercise and stretching program but it’s not likely to do much on it’s own.

The real key is to not only treat the symptoms, but address the cause of the problem also. You can learn more about how to identify and correct your muscles imbalances in our video, Lose the Back Pain.

In it, we take you thru a series of self-assessments in which you’ll identify which specific muscle imbalances you have. We then show you step-by-step what to do to correct them in our Corrective Action Plans… all you have to do is follow the instructions and in weeks, maybe days, your back will be feeling great again. Order your copy online at http://www.losethebackpain.com or call 1-888-343-FITT (3488)

About The Author

Jesse Cannone is a certified personal fitness trainer and post-rehab specialist and he has helped hundreds of individuals to eliminate their back pain. Visit his site now and be sure to sign up for his free email course on eliminating back pain.

support@losethebackpain.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jesse_Cannone

5 Amazing Diet Tips for Powerful Weightloss By James Allen

2009-09-06T11:25:00.000-07:00

Before you try starving yourself or turning to diet drugs in order
to lose weight, take some time to research and discover more natural
and safer methods of reaching your weight loss goals. Here are five
food and exercise tips that you can get started with today.

1. Try to have breakfast within one hour of waking. It's always best
to have breakfast within an hour of waking so that your body can
charge itself with the energy it needs for the day. The idea is not
to wait for yourself to get really hungry. Breakfast is the most
important meal of the day but that does not mean that it should be
the most filling meal of the day.

2. Eat fresh fruit instead of drinking fruit juice. Juice is often
sweetened but fresh fruits have natural sugars. When you eat fruit,
you are taking in a lot of fiber, which is needed by the body, and
fruits of course are an excellent source of vitamins.

If you do have a craving for fruit juice then go for fresh fruit
juice instead of those that contain artificial flavors and colors. Or
even better, try making your own fruit juice taking care not to
sweeten it with too many calories.

3. Fix times to have meals and stick to it. Try to have food at
fixed times of the day. You can stretch these times by half an hour,
but anything more than that is going to affect your eating pattern,
the result will either be a loss of appetite or that famished feeling
which will make you stuff yourself with more than what is required
the next time you eat.

4. Tuck in your tummy whenever you walk. Get that proper gait. And
the best way for that is to tuck in your tummy and inflate your
chest. Do not let your tummy hang above your belt line like some
unruly layer of flesh. Bring it under the belt.

Each time you tuck in your tummy, you will feel the pressure on the
muscles of your stomach. This tightening and loosening of these
muscles is even better than stomach crunches.

5. This excercise routine is our favorite - punching your pillow. It
may sound like one of those weird ideas but believe me it works. Not
too many of us have punching bags at home and if you have really
fluffy pillow giving it a good punching routine is just as good as
anything else.

This is also a nice way of letting off steam, so go for it. After all,
something is better than nothing. But I would suggest that you do not
hit it too violently or else the stuffing might come out. Do not
bother too much about the force with which you hit the pillow. It is
number of hits that are important. Try to get at least fifty punches
in one bout.

I would like to give you a little tip over here. If there is
somebody that you particularly dislike like your boss or your
neighbor, or may be your ex-boyfriend or girlfriend, try fixing a
picture of the person's head on the top of your pillow and then try
punching it. I promise you, it will give you a lot of satisfaction!

James B. Allen is the publisher of Power Living Press. He invites you to come learn more about living a healthier, wealthier, more beautiful and more powerful life TODAY by visiting:

http://www.PowerLivingPress.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Allen

Trials....

2009-09-05T17:31:00.001-07:00

I have a large central disc herniation. L5-S1 which is extending 7 mm beyond the extended disk margin. Central disc herniation L2-L3 a left central T12-L1 disc herniation and central disc bulge at T11-T12 there is also a narrowing of the AP diameter ...of the spinal canal at L2-L3, I am not nearly in as much pain as you might think.

I know that this isn't going to effect my weight loss, I actually think that it might help kick it back into gear. I haven't start physical therapy for it just yet; I start on Wednesday but our safety guy
Bill from work has told me that I need to walk. He showed me some stretches that he does for him back. So walking is what I am going to do, Walking is one of the things that doesn't hurt if you can believe it. Sitting is horrific because my legs go numb and tingle; in fact I have started getting the most horrible cramps and pains in my legs and I think that it is from my back.

I am not going to let this get me down; I am strong and can face anything put in front of me. I know that loosing some more weight will help with my back, that is a priority for me I am trying to decide how I am going to do it. I think that I am going to go back on the diet that Dr. Belnap put me on before surgery. Carbohydrates make me sick when I eat them so it wont be difficult for me too do. All I know is that I don't want to have to have back surgery and I will do what ever I have to do to prevent it.

Dr. Hardy is referring me to Dr. Lincoln Clifford; I am happy about that because I have known him for eleven years and he is a very good friend of mine and I trust him with my life. I know that he will do what is best for me, I know that eventually we can get this problem taken care of. My left shoulder is finally healed after all these years, I didn't even realize it until I went into see him for my neck strain. We had made a lot of adjustments to my work are and how I was sitting at my machine and between that and seeing him, the tendon in my shoulder healed. There are days that it aches a little bit; but it is wonderful to be pain free.

It's funny because since I started loosing weight I have been wonder what my trial is going to be, and I think that I have figured it out. I will keep every one updated on what is going on and how I am doing.
I love you all and appreciate all the love and support. I am hoping that this is going to get me blocking regularly as well.

MIA

2009-08-03T17:31:00.000-07:00

I have been out of touch with everything, I am feeling a little detached from myself and trying to figure everything out. I am trying to decide what diet I am going to follow too help me get the rest of this annoying weight off, I am going to start doing pilates and walking at break again at work.

I just feel rather lazy and I rather feel like a failure, I know that I'm not but that is how I am feeling right now. I have done great thus far and I am going to continue to do good. If I can loose another seventy pounds I would be happy. I have been having a hard time finding things that I want to eat these days and have come up with a couple of my own recipes. I think that they are good, other people might not but I will type up my recipes and post them on my blog. I hope that you all will enjoy them.

I am going to get back to blogging regularly and I need to get things going again. I did better when I was blogging and getting encouraging words from all of you. I love you all and the support means more to me than I thought that it did. Thank you all and I hope that you have a wonder night.

Ciao
Ronda

The King of Pop...Michael Jackson is gone

2009-07-03T14:02:00.000-07:00

I am sitting her watching a VH1 special on Michael Jackson, and I still can’t believe that he is gone. Michael Jackson Music has been a part of my life since I was a young girl. I loved the song “Ben” and “Rocking Robin” I was so little when I first remember hearing these songs. Then when I Was in the fifth grade “Thriller” came out and I was lost in the world and music of Michael Jackson, he is amazing, he brought love and joy to the world of music, the world of pop will never be the same now that its king is gone.

There are questions about his death, The Los Angeles Coroners office is awaiting the Toxicology Report and that can take as long as four to six weeks. He left behind three children, and a world full of fans that will mourn his death for years to come. We all are waiting on tinder hooks to find out what took the life of one the worlds greatest singers and performers.

He had a lot of bad press and there are ugly Allegations about him that tarnished his reputation. I am saying Allegations because I was not there I didn’t see what happened and I didn’t know the man and it isn’t my place to judge him. I know that what he did in this world he has meant his maker and has paid for the things that he did.

I know that I still can’t believe that he is gone, it just doesn’t seem possible that at the age of fifty Michael Jackson was taken from us. The morning after he passed away I was laying on the bed watching the BBC news and I was over come with his death. I laid there and had a good cry for Michael Jackson and the impact he had on my life and the joy, laughter and smiles that he brought to my life to make it better. There will always be a hole in my heart that no other performer will be able to fill; not even Donnie Wahlberg and the New Kids on The Block doesn’t even feel it.

I know that I am sick to death of hearing people bad mouth and belittle him. I know that every one has the right to their opinions but I have the right not to listen to what they have to say. I want to remember the man and his music and nothing else, I want to remember the man and the music and the Legend that he left all of us.

Mom and Dad

2009-06-20T07:28:00.001-07:00

Alcoholism After Gastric Bypass - A Real Problem

2009-06-18T16:14:00.000-07:00

Monday, July 24, 2006

After weight loss surgery, many post-ops find themselves trading the addiction that they once had to food for something even more dangerous: alcohol. I haven't witnessed it firsthand (hopefully never will...) but I keep reading about others who have gone down the path of either alcohol, drugs or gambling, because they can't fill the void that food filled in the good old days. It would be beneficial for pre-ops to understand this, and have some sort of plan in place for their addictive personalities. You need SOMETHING to do. After the initial flood of weight loss excitement wears off - what do you do? Start tipping the bottle? Go to the casino? What can YOU do? Alcoholism after weight loss surgery is a very real problem and a very dangerous one.

Source: ABC News

"After a five-year boom in gastric bypass surgery, many people who lost hundreds of pounds find they've now gained something else — an alcohol or drug problem.

Have they traded one addiction for another?

Patty Worrells and Jeannine Narowitz both had gastric bypass surgery, then found themselves battling alcoholism.

It's a common problem for people in substance-abuse treatment. Psychologists call the phenomenon of swapping one compulsive behavior for another "addiction transfer."

New Social Life, New Problems

Worrells, 5 feet, 4 inches, weighed 265 pounds. Narowitz, a mother of seven, weighed 274 pounds. Both women suffered from health problems because of their weight.

Worrells said she used food as "comfort," while Narowitz believed she had a food addiction. Before her surgery, Narowitz said she would often consume up to 4,000 calories a day out of boredom and depression.

"I woke up thinking about food. I went to bed thinking about food," Narowitz said. "I used it to solve many problems."

After undergoing gastric bypass surgery, both women lost about 130 pounds. They met and became friends in a support group for people who had lost a great deal of weight.

Worrells said the group met weekly and often got together socially for parties, camping and other events.

"We started doing things together," she said. "We were no longer someone who had to hide."

Because gastric bypass surgery shrinks the size of the stomach, alcohol hits drinkers much faster. Worrells said that at one point she was drinking 12 or more tequila shots at a sitting.

"I was able to accomplish in 10 months with alcohol what some people took 10 years to accomplish in a drinking career," she said.

Both women said they knew they had developed a new problem. Narowitz said she once woke up with a black eye and wasn't sure how she got it. Her teenage son was mortified, she said, and poured out all the liquor in the house, replacing it with water.

Addressing Emotional Problems

About 140,000 people have weight-loss surgery each year, and it is estimated that somewhere between 5 and 30 percent of them pick up new addictive behaviors afterward.

Dr. Keith Ablow, a psychiatrist and addiction specialist, said it's common for people to switch from one addiction to another. People who quit drinking may begin smoking, or they might take up some other compulsive behavior like gambling, shopping or exercise.

Ablow said there is usually an emotional problem at the root of addictive behaviors that needs to be addressed.

"Until people address the underlying emotional turmoil that makes them have to seek comfort from food or have to have 15, 20 shots in a sitting, they are not going to be able to overcome it," Ablow said. "You have to face your pain, not anesthetize it with shopping, food, gambling."

Gastric bypass surgery does not lead to alcohol abuse, but Ablow said that people who undergo the surgery need to be aware of and deal with emotional issues behind their weight gain.

Worrells and Narowitz said they continue to confront those emotional issues. Worrells has been sober for two years; Narowitz said she drinks occasionally but only has one or two drinks.

"If you're going to take a step to deal with addictive behaviors," Ablow said, "you need to get to the why of why you're doing it."

From Beyond Change:

Recommendations on the Use of Alcohol After Surgery

A 32-year old male 5 months out from gastric bypass surgery was issued a DUI after attending his brother’s wedding reception. According to the patient, he had only consumed 2 glasses of champagne, although his blood alcohol levels were above the legal limits to operate a motor vehicle.

A female patient, 50 years of age and one-year post-gastric bypass hit and killed a pedestrian with her automobile after having less than 2 glasses of wine. When police arrived she had difficulty with her coordination, slurred her words and seemed somewhat confused, although her alcohol test suggested that her blood alcohol levels were shy of the legal limit.

Were these patients telling the truth about the amount of alcohol they had consumed or did their surgery affect the way the body absorbs or metabolizes alcohol?

A recent study reported in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology (1) found that the gastric bypass procedure significantly affects alcohol absorption and its inebriating influence. According to the study protocol, a group of gastric bypass patients, three years post-surgery, and their non-surgical controls consumed an alcoholic drink after an overnight fast, and blood alcohol levels were examined over a period of time. The data showed that blood alcohol levels of the gastric bypass patients were higher and required much less time to peak than those of the non-surgical controls.

The more rapid absorption of alcohol and heightened blood alcohol levels would cause the bariatric patient to have a more pronounced feeling of inebriation during and shortly after drinking. And, such effects could have serious ramifications with regard to driving an automobile or performing other skilled tasks such as operating heavy machinery, piloting a plane or any other task that may influence the safety of the individual or that of others.
Why would alcohol absorption be higher for someone who has had a gastric bypass (or other surgical procedure that reduces the size of the stomach, i.e. biliopancreatic diversion with or without the duodenal switch, gastrectomy)? With the gastric bypass procedure, more than 95% of the stomach is bypassed. Alcohol passes directly from the stomach pouch, usually without restriction, into the intestines where, due to the large surface area of the intestines, alcohol is rapidly absorbed.

In addition to anatomical changes that influence alcohol absorption, the bariatric surgical patient may be more sensitive to the effects of alcohol because of low calorie intake. Several studies found that alcohol absorption is more rapid and blood levels higher if alcohol is consumed on an empty stomach than if provided with a meal or drank soon thereafter (2-3). During the first several months following bariatric surgery, total daily calorie intake is quite low. Drinking alcohol, even small amounts, at this time, would increase significantly an individual’s risk for intoxication.

Metabolic changes that occur with rapid weight loss, as well as the morbidly obese condition, can also alter the rate that the liver is capable of clearing alcohol from the body by the liver’s primary pathway for alcohol metabolism. Reduced clearance of alcohol by this pathway may further increase blood alcohol levels and the risk for intoxication and alcohol toxicity (4-6). Metabolic changes that occur with massive and rapid weight loss may also increase the clearance of alcohol by a secondary pathway of alcohol metabolism that substantially increases the risk for liver damage while, at the same time, makes an individual more sensitive to the toxic and cancer-promoting effects of pollutants in the air, industrial solvents (such as those in household cleaners), and certain drugs (4-6).

Alcohol use can also cause brain damage, a loss of consciousness or even death by reducing the supply of sugar (glucose) to the brain. Muscle, heart, liver and other tissues use fat and sugar (glucose) for fuel. The brain, however, needs sugar to function. To avoid a depletion of sugar, the body stores sugar in the form of glycogen. Glycogen stores, however, can be depleted in a short period of time with prolonged work or exercise, fasting or a diet low in carbohydrate. Furthermore, alcohol reduces the process that allows sugar to be stored as glycogen (7).

The bariatric patient, particularly in the rapid weight loss period and if on a low carbohydrate diet, may have low amounts of stored sugar (glycogen). Drinking alcohol could deplete those stores and cause blood sugar levels to decline. The body, however, has another mechanism to maintain appropriate amounts of sugar in the body. This process is known as gluconeogenesis and is a chemical pathway that converts certain components of protein, lactic acid and other substances into sugar. However, alcohol reduces the production of sugar by this process (4-7) and can, thereby, cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

Usually when blood sugar levels fall, there are certain hormones produced that restore blood sugar levels to normal. However, when someone drinks alcohol, the response of these hormones to low blood sugar is blunted. To make matters worse, hormone responses to low blood sugar are also blunted or depressed in postoperative bariatric patients (8). The bariatric patient, therefore, would have a much higher risk of becoming hypoglycemic (having low blood sugar) than someone who drinks that has not had the surgery, particularly if the patient drinks alcohol during the rapid weight loss period.

Since the brain and nervous system need sugar for fuel, low blood levels could adversely affect neuromuscular and cognitive functions, causing a loss of coordination and balance, slurred speech, poor vision, and confusion. These are all conditions that mimic those associated with intoxication. The patient described earlier, who appeared extremely intoxicated even though her blood alcohol levels were not high, may have been hypoglycemic. Low blood sugar, over a period of time, can result in a ‘black out’ or loss of consciousness, brain and nerve damage, and even death.

The use of alcohol after surgery could also cause irreversible brain and nerve damage, coma and possible death by inhibiting the absorption of important vitamins, including B-complex vitamins such as thiamin (B1) or vitamin B12. Alcohol inhibits the absorption of thiamin and other B-complex vitamins, reduces activation of certain vitamins, and stimulates the breakdown of vitamin A, pyridoxine, and folate (4-6). These vitamins may already be deficient in bariatric patients because of nutrient restriction, malabsorption or impartial digestion of foods produced by the prospective surgery. Alcohol use, then, would compound the negative effects that bariatric surgery has on vitamin/mineral status and increase the risk for associated health problems, including nerve and brain damage, defects in metabolism, a decrease in the ability of the body to heal, low immunity, fatigue and more.

Alcohol has numerous other toxic effects in the body. Not only does alcohol cause liver disease but also negatively affects other tissues. Alcohol’s influence on the heart inflammation (myocarditis), a loss of heart tissue (cardiomyopathy), and irregular heart beats (arrthymias) that can lead to sudden death. Skeletal muscle is particularly susceptible to alcohol with loss of skeletal muscle fibers and strength. Alcohol also causes inflammation of the intestinal tract, gastritis, pancreatic, acid reflux disease and increased risk for gastric and esophageal cancer. And, alcohol causes damage, often irreversible, to the brain and nervous system.

In addition to the numerous health problems that drinking alcohol after surgery may cause, the bariatric patient should also be cautious of alcohol addiction. The prevalence of food addiction and associated eating abnormalities, i.e. binge eating, carbohydrate cravings, are high among individuals with morbid obesity. With bariatric surgery, the addictive tendency for food and aberrant eating behavior are considerably improved. However, individuals with addictions often transfer their addiction to yet another substance, such as alcohol. According to the findings of Austrian psychologist, Dr. Elisabeth Ardelt, addiction transfer may occur in as many as 25% to 30% of bariatric patients.

Drinking alcohol after surgery may also reduce maximal weight loss success. Alcohol has no nutrient benefits and contains high numbers of calories that may cause weight gain or prevent weight loss. One 12-ounce can of beer, for instance, contains 150 calories; 3.5 ounces of wine contains 70 calories; 1.5 ounces of gin, rum, vodka or whiskey contains between 97 and 124 calories; and 1.5 ounces of liquer contains 160 calories.

Are there guidelines for using alcohol after surgery? Presently, there are no official guidelines that have been established pertaining to the use of alcohol after having bariatric surgery. However, based upon knowledge of changes in the absorption and metabolism of alcohol, coupled with the metabolic state of the bariatric patient at various stages postoperatively (4), the following suggestions are recommended

Do NOT drink alcohol during the rapid weight loss period.
When drinking, remember that small amounts of alcohol can cause intoxication or can result in low blood glucose with serious consequences.
Do not drive or operate heavy equipment after drinking alcohol, even small amounts.
Eat if you plan to have a drink.
Make certain to take your bariatric vitamin and mineral supplements.

Cynthia Buffington, Ph.D.

courtesy of Melting Mama

My Favorite Lee Mead Performances......

2009-06-12T18:59:00.000-07:00

I think that this was one of my favorite Lee Mead Performances of the entire series. He is wonderful; I have a soft spot for a man who can sing! He just released an album but unfortunately it is only available in the UK so I am going to have to have it imported if I want it an believe me I do!

This is my other favorite performance; he is just stunning.

My New Hobby....or Obsession (really cute hair clips)

2009-05-25T06:41:00.000-07:00

Improve Your Metabolism With Chinese Herbs For Weight Loss

2009-05-17T12:01:00.000-07:00

For many centuries Chinese herbs have been used to treat illnesses, increase health and reduce weight. A benefit that is resulting from using Chinese herbs is that they will modify the method that the body's metabolism works. This is a significant consideration for any person that is looking to reduce their weight since optimum metabolism plays a significant role in lowering weight. A Chinese herb for weight loss is an alternative worth trying out and there are in fact many different types of herbs that you can choose from.

Do Away With Fat

The majority of Chinese herbs for weight loss work by enabling the body to process fat content in a more resourceful method and at the same time they help in preventing unnecessary fat buildup in the body. Among Chinese herbs for weight loss that have been confirmed as being capable of weight loss are names such as citrus aurantium and immature citrus peels plus magnolia bark.

Citrus Aurantium is a particular kind of Chinese herbs for weight loss that is known to contain synephrine that is well recognized in assisting the body burn up fat, as has been exposed by McGill University in Montreal study findings. Another plus as far as Citrus Aurantium is concerned is that it does not negatively impact a person's nervous system, as is the case with using ephedra.

There are a number of additional Chinese herbs for weight loss and these herbs also assist by escalating the quantity of yang and qi power in the person's body. Among these herbs are ginseng, atractylodes and astragalus, while herbs such as cinnamon, ginger and eucommia bark as well as epimedium are recognized to be helpful Chinese herbs for weight loss.

Chinese herbs for weight loss are also identified to provide a person with an increase in energy levels, this in turn helps in maintaining a regular exercise regime. In addition, these Chinese herbs for weight loss also help the individual absorb their food better and the metabolism also quickens and is more proficient. If you have a weight dilemma then these Chinese herbs for weight loss will do the trick for you.

Chinese herb tea has also been recognized to offer you with abundant benefits such as better digestion and less stress, improved weight loss and even better memory. The bottom line with regard to using Chinese herbs for weight loss is that such herbs have been confirmed to have helped in improving a person's metabolism and increase the energy levels to a healthier level as well as keeps the mental attitude more balanced.

For more articles on herbs and how they can help you please visit:http://www.nametheherb.com/

Fast Weight Loss Can Be Achieved With a Positive Mental Approach

2009-05-17T12:00:00.001-07:00

A positive mental approach is extremely important when it comes to achieving successful weight loss. Negative thoughts can and will hold you back from achieving your goals of fast weight loss. Once this positivity has been attained it is only a matter of time before you start to benefit from fast weight loss and it will be a lot easier than you ever imagined possible. Please allow me to give you an example.

If you close your eyes and visualize yourself I would like to bet that the mental picture you have of yourself is one of a fat person, and that is why you struggle, or are unable to lose any weight, I wouldn't be surprised if you look at the person you are visualizing in your head and hate that person. Don't be afraid or upset about feeling like that, it is perfectly normal and is how many people visualize themselves, and not just about weight issues either.

The trick is to change the way you view yourself, imagine if you saw yourself slim and dressed in clothing designed for thin people; the positive impact it would have on your goal of fast weight loss would be amazing. Your attitude and your mindset will either make or break your weight loss goals, and we will now look at ways to develop a positive mental attitude.

As you know, fast weight loss cannot be achieved overnight nor should you expect a sudden eureka type transformation of your mental attitude, so give yourself some time and allow these changes to be incorporated into your life slowly!

1. Your Reasons:

Why do you want to lose weight? Why is it that you are driven relentlessly towards losing weight? Are you fed up of the taunting and the ridicule from your workmates or complete strangers, or maybe it's because you want a figure like Jessica Alba? Or is it because you are getting turned down for dates or maybe you're not even being asked. Whatever the reason is, you need to write it or them all down. You need to be completely honest with yourself and no matter how stupid you may think the reason sounds or how big or small it is it needs to be noted.

Now go get yourself some Post--It-Notes(r) stickers and jot down your listed reasons on them, and make many copies of them. Now the fun part, you need to stick these Post--It-Notes(r) in every conceivable corner of your home especially the fridge and cookie jar and anywhere where temptation rears its ugly head. What you are doing is reinforcing your desire to lose weight by using a forced suggestion method as a trigger to stop you eating un-necessarily or things you shouldn't be eating.

2. Motivation and goal setting:

You need to set some realistic goals for yourself and in order to do that you will need to know what your ideal weight is for your height, you can do this by using a BMI Index chart which you can find on HowMuchShouldIWeigh.com. Once you have your ideal weight you need to subtract your current weight from it and the remainder is what you need to lose. Now, if look to realistically lose no more than 2 pounds a week you need to divide the total weight you need to lose by 2 and you will have the number of weeks required to reach your ideal weight.

Once you have done this it is time to get motivated, and for this you again use your list of reasons. If for example the main reason is because of taunting you receive from colleagues at work why not do something drastic like having a bet with one of the main instigators or if it is because you want to have a figure similar to a celebrity you like, post pictures of that celebrity around your home with current pictures of yourself alongside. As stated motivation is about how you perceive yourself and if you can perceive yourself to be a winner, a fighter and thin you will be all three.

On a final note, I mentioned that 2 pounds a week should be your expected weight loss each week, but there are fast weight loss plans that do work on a consistent basis and not just for the first two to three weeks, as is the case with most plans. These programs use a calorie shifting plan that enables you to continue eating well and still lose weight quickly. To find more information about these methods visit the sites at the bottom of this article.

For more information about achieving Fast Weight Loss and an ongoing weight loss solution. Visit HowMuchShouldIWeighnow.com and read about other popular weight loss products and programs.

Weight Loss…

2009-05-17T11:50:00.000-07:00

I have been sitting at the same weight for a few months now; and I have been very frustrated. Now that summer is nigh at hand and the warm weather is approaching I have broke out my Capri’s and have been wearing them everyday. Well like I said I have been sitting at the same weight for a while now so I figured that I would be good through the summer, well to my surprise when I pulled them out; the ones that fit me last year are now too big for me and hang on my hips.

So even though I haven’t lost weight over the last little while I am still shrinking and it is a wonderful feeling. I have been told that it is a good thing because it will give my skin some time to catch up. I still want to loose a bit of weight but right now I feel really good; I plan on getting the rest of the weight off. I have started walking at work at break and I have to tell you that it feels really good to walk it gives me lots of energy and it makes me feel good. I am going to keep pushing to get the rest of this unwanted weight off.

I am going to post some articles on a positive attitude in weight loss I hope that it will help every one that reads my blog.

5 Amazing Diet Tips for Powerful Weightloss

2009-05-03T11:51:00.000-07:00

Before you try starving yourself or turning to diet drugs in order
to lose weight, take some time to research and discover more natural
and safer methods of reaching your weightloss goals. Here are five
food and excercise tips that you can get started with today.

Each time you tuck in your tummy, you will feel the pressure on the
muscles of your stomach. This tightening and loosening of these
muscles is even better than stomach crunches.

James B. Allen is the publisher of Power Living Press. He invites you to come learn more about living a healthier, wealthier, more beautiful and more powerful life TODAY by visiting:

http://www.PowerLivingPress.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Allen

Weightloss4idiots - Features and Benefits Revealed

2009-05-03T11:50:00.000-07:00

Weightloss4idiots is a widely used diet and is also known as Fat Loss 4 Idiots. But what makes it so popular? One might want to know more about the program before actually going through it. Here are the characteristics and benefits you can expect from this effective, simple and easy program.

1. Calorie Shifting Method.

This method helps make your metabolism rate go high which helps in losing weight fast but safely. Its menu is to increase calorie intake and you need not worry about how much calories you take in. It is a great combination of proteins and carbohydrates. You get all the essential nutrients while losing weight.

2. Four Meals Per Day Plan.

You are required to eat four times a day on unlimited amount of food but you will not go hungry as you would already have enough food for your diet.

3. Generator Supply Line.

You will get to create eleven diet menus when you get an access to life member space and change your menus and have any food you like any time.

4. Three Days of Freedom.

After every session, you will be given three days to eat anything you want casually. It will make your diet more relaxed.

5. Ten Idiot Proof Diet Rules.

It teaches you the correct methods on turning to carbohydrates, proteins and getting essential nutrients healthily.

6. Create your own personalized menu

You can customize your own menu and choose the foods you like any time.

The above mentioned characteristics make Weightloss4idiots different from other diet plans. However, the main reason for its popularity is its simplicity and efficiency. This method manipulates fat burning hormones. It is very easy to follow, very effective and very fast which shows that it will put you on the right track!

Be prepared to be impressed by this weight loss program, You will see yourself losing a few pounds in no time.

If you want to read about comments and feedback from ACTUAL users who have tried Fat Loss 4 Diets, visit: weightloss4idiots/weight loss for idiots

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jackie_Tay

My Two Favorite Male Vocalist.....

2009-04-19T08:43:00.000-07:00

Here is a clip from the BBCs "Any Dream Will do" Josh Groban is performing with Lead me "You Raise me Up"

Any Dream Will do...

2009-04-12T12:14:00.000-07:00

Lee Mead

I have been watching the Reality Series "Any dream Will do" on the BBC! I am a huge have of show tunes and Broadway and I love the musical "Joseph and The Amazing technicolor Dream Coat", it is funny and it makes me happy!

The show "Any Dream Will do" They are searching for the next leading man to play Joseph; the contestant that I really love, his name is Lee Mead he is amazing and cute. I think that it's the curly hair, I have a soft spot for men with curly hair and the fact that he can sing helps! I can't wait to watch tonight's episode!

Stress And Weight Loss

2009-03-31T16:51:00.001-07:00

Can Stress cause weight gain?

Stress and weight loss are linked. Emotions influence our hormones which in turn influence our emotions which influence our eating habits.

The hormone adrenaline is released when we are frightened, excited or anxious.Adrenaline tends to speed up our metabolic rate, the release of this hormone is likely to promote weight loss.
Although,long term stress can have the opposite effect for weight loss. The hormone cortisol, released when we are stressed, can increase fat storage, especially in the abdominal area.
As a conclusion, short bursts of stress may help you to lose weight, but long term stress can make you overweight.

Since our neuro-endocrine system doesn't know what to do in stress situations, it responds to stress with the hormonal signal to replenish nutritional stores, which may make you feel hungry and overeat.

Stress and Weight Loss – The Mind Over Matter

When you are stressed, you have an impulse to do something, to move, and often, eating becomes the activity that relieves the stress. It's very easy to do and it's also comforting.

Here’s what the experts recommend:

1. Exercise when you are stressed.
Yoga, meditation, stretching, weight training and cardiovascular exercise are all good stress relieving activities that you can perform for stress relieving.These types of exercises are also very good for weight loss because you burn calories by exercising.The answer is to choose the activity that you really enjoy doing.

2. Eat a balanced diet and don't skip meals.
Eat breakfast and try to consume six small rather than three larger meals every day, with foods from all the food groups,especially healthy ones.This helps in keeping blood sugar levels steady, which in turn put a damper on insulin production and eventually reduce cortisol levels,all helping to control appetite and also promote weight loss.

3. You must sleep enough,don't lose sleep, over your stress and weight loss problems,when you don't get enough rest, cortisol levels rise, making you feel hungry and less satisfied with what you eat.

4. Take time for relaxation.
This because it works much like exercise to produce brain chemicals that counter the effects of stress and promote weight loss,it’s best finding the activities that make you feel relaxed and calm.
For some people, yoga can help very much. Others may prefer meditation techniques or deep breathing techniques.
Never underestimate the relaxing power of sitting up or under a sofa with a good book or magazine, or even watching your favorite movie.
Anything that makes you feel calm and relaxed will help counter the biochemical effects of stress.

5. When snacking,choose whole grain or high fiber foods.
Try eating foods high in fiber and low in sugar, like oatmeal, whole wheat bread, or fruits such as pears or plums.
Foods that are high in sugar and simple carbohydrates,like white flour, cookies, cake, white rice, or pasta, cause insulin levels to rise.This increases stress hormones and makes you feel more hungry.

6. Avoid caffeine, cigarettes and alcohol at all costs.
If you are going through a lot of stress, stay away from alcohol, caffeine, tobacco and junk food.
These are foods with no nutritional value,they are not good at all.
According to the American Institute of Stress, cigarettes, caffeine soft drinks, coffee, tea, and even chocolate, can cause cortisol levels to rise, stress to increase, blood sugar to decrease and hunger to appear resulting in a slower weight loss. The institute also cautions against drinking too much alcohol, which can affect blood sugar and insulin levels and it’s also very high in calories.

7. Take some vitamin supplements.
Many medical studies have shown that stress can deplete important nutrients ,particularly the B complex and C vitamins, and sometimes the minerals calcium and magnesium.

These nutrients are needed to balance the effects of stress hormones like cortisol, and may even play a good role in helping us burn fat, it's important to keep nutrient levels high.
While a good diet will help, taking a multi-vitamin supplement can insure you give your body what it needs to deal with the stress and also burn fat and lose weight.

Massage is another method that is very effective in reducing stress in your body .
The massage helps the body get rid of toxins released into your blood stream when you are stressed.

Increasing your protein intake by eating protein more often will help your body deal better with stress.
There are some herbal supplements that can help you when you are going through stressful times. Chamomile is a calming herb available in tea form.
Valerian root is another relaxing herb that comes in pill form.
Kava was very popular for a while as a natural relaxation supplement.
There are also herbal combination supplements that are not harmful to your body.
A good B-complex supplement always helps you feel better if you are verystressed.
Taken in the morning and in the evening the B vitamins complex will nourish your nervous system.

And speaking about stress and weight loss,here’s one piece of information thay you may be happy to hear:
Experts are saying you shouldn’t go on a strict diet when you’re under extreme or chronic stress.
Severely limiting calorie intake could modify many biochemical events that not only increase stress levels, but can also make you feel hungry.

Alberta McKain is nutritionist woman who used to be fat. After testing tens of so-called "wonder diets" she decided to create a Weight Loss Programs Review Website, containing a top of the 3 best programs with a brief description about their features and benefits.

Visiting the website will help you make a wise decision. http://www.LoseWeightFast.999answers.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alberta_McKain

One-Year Checkup

2009-03-29T16:37:00.000-07:00

I still cannot believe that it has been a year since I had surgery! I do not think that I have done as well as I think that I should have; I feel like I am a failure. I did have a friend tell me a few months back that I was going to fail and that I would be fat for the rest of my life. I do not know what to think about that, all I know is that a REAL friend would never have said something like that too me!

I have lost all of this weight and I have to be honest and tell you no it makes me any happier than I was before. Because happiness comes from inside your self, not from bettering your self, I am not saying that bettering yourself can bring happiness, but not complete happiness.

I talked to Belnap about some of the health problems that I have been having; things that are not normal for a gastric bypass patient to be having. I told me that I maybe dumping, but I know that I am not because when ever I eat almost anything I end up sick with diarrhea. I told him that I had many digestive health problems before I had surgery, I have had two positive H Pillory test and that scares me. After I had surgery I found out that, it causes stomach cancer and I think that it maybe positive again because of some of the stomach pains that I have been having.

Therefore, I think that I maybe working with him a little bit longer; we will see where things take us and what ends up happening. There is a lot more that we talked about but I thin that I Want to keep some of that private. Just know that I am fine and healthy and there is not any thing wrong with me; well nothing that might kill me!

The love and support that all of you have shown me over the last year has been great, it has really helped me a lot and I appreciate it very much. I love you all very much thank you for the love and support. Over the next year, I am going to be trying to blog s little more to see if it will help me through the last leg of my weight loss. This last little bit that I need to loose is going to be hard and I am going to need all the support that I can get.

Thanks for the support

Lots of Love

The Secret to Stubborn Pounds and Belly Fat

2009-03-15T09:37:00.000-07:00

Your body is protecting you.

You have two small pyramid shaped glands that sit on top of your kidneys called the adrenals. Your adrenals are nicknamed your stress glands or your stress organs. The hormones they release can be triggered by emotional stress, chemical stress, or even physical trauma. The adrenals are a part of a feedback loop that helps control and respond to various functions of your body's hormonal and nervous systems.

These tiny adrenal glands are responsible for the funny feeling you get when you are scared by something. Just imagine the last time you were driving or riding in the car, when suddenly another car cuts in front of you. The brakes are slammed to avoid an accident and hopefully the near accident was avoided. That "wave" of fear and funny adrenaline rush you get is called your "fight or flight response". This is an instinctive reaction by your body for your protection. This reaction is designed to either get you out of a dangerous situation or allow you to deal with a dangerous situation for your ultimate survival.

There are an amazing number of hormones being released to prepare you for stressful scenarios whenever the body deems it necessary. The problem occurs when this protective mechanism that is designed for promoting survival is fooled into being active when no true stressful event is present. When you get scared by something there are certain physiological functions that occur such as an increased heart rate to pump more blood to your extremities in case you need to flee, your digestive system stops breaking down food to allow more energy for other areas of the body and you become more focused. All of these responses occur during the excited state of the nervous system.

Stress and belly fat explained...stay with me I'm going somewhere with this.

The true problem occurs when your nervous system is functioning in the excited state during a relaxed scenario. Here's a brief example. If you are like millions of people in this country and enjoy a hot cup of coffee or tea to start your day or get you through a mid afternoon meeting, to battle your chronic fatigue, you are causing this false scenario to occur. Caffeine is a researched and known stimulant that triggers the same functions that are triggered when you are scared. The problem is after you ingest the caffeine your body is left in the excited state during a relaxed scenario.

Some of the physiological effects are an increased heart rate, changes to the digestive system and better mental focus. This is great to avoid being caught sleeping in a boring meeting but not so great for your body. You have just sent the signals to your adrenals and nervous system that some dangerous scenario is occurring. The body is very smart but also very dumb. It will do what it's told just like a computer. When the user tells a computer to delete something, that's exactly what the computer will do. The body can't differentiate between right and wrong when it comes to releasing hormones and reactions to stress. Physiologically the body cannot tell whether you were almost in a car accident or sitting in the weekly board room meeting.

I'm often asked, what is the best way to lose belly fat?

While you will increase abdominal strength doing exercises, doing them is not the best way to lose fat. The quickest way to lose is through stress management. Stress and belly fat have a very intimate relationship that you can easily abolish. You must eliminate or decrease the stressful influences on the body so the adrenals don't release stress related hormones on a continual basis. When these hormones are released they travel through the blood stream in search of problems to fix. When no true problem is discovered your body will begin to prepare itself for some impending stressful scenario that the body assumes must be on the way. After all why would there be a stress response if no stress were coming?

A hormone that you may be familiar with is called cortisol. Cortisol is released when the body gets information that it is in danger. Cortisol is responsible for controlling inflammation and swelling when there is a physical stress on the body. Once the adrenals release the cortisol because of increased stress, the hormone does not just disappear if no trauma is discovered.

When there is no dangerous situation the one protective mechanism is to use the cortisol to store fat around internal organs to protect them from a future risk. This is where the unwanted belly fat comes from. When this hormone is triggered with other protective hormones it will appear that the exercise and dieting you have so intensely committed yourself to are in vain. The problem stems from another source and that is the reason for the poor results with your weight loss protocol.

How can you decrease the emotional, chemical and environmental stress?

Obviously we all have things that concern us. The best way to deal with emotional stress is by using avenues like prayer or meditation to help balance your mental well being. Exercising is a great way to promote adrenal health. This can be doing something as simple as walking, yoga, swimming or more intense types of exercise. The emotional component of stress is extremely common in our society and can be the most damaging. This is because we can potentially think "bad" thoughts constantly and constantly keep our system in a position to release fat storing hormones.

The chemical and environmental stressors are somewhat easier to handle because we can all make better choices of the products we consume and use. Are you on a diet? I recommend avoiding diets and just adopt better habits and lifestyle changes over a period of time. You have higher chance of sticking with it if you're not overwhelmed by the sudden changes in your routine.

The easiest changes to make are centered at the foods you eat. Avoid foods made with preservatives, additives and other synthetic chemicals that trigger stress responses. Substances like alcohol, nicotine and caffeine all cause the adrenals to become active. Sugars and artificial sweeteners also contribute to causing elevated adrenal stress. Weight loss pills will only make your problem worse when the bottle is finished and should be avoided at all cost. A great and simple way to start is to decrease the amount of liquids you consume that contain caffeine and excess sugars. Then choose a time frame to start reducing certain foods from your diet that lead to adrenal stress.

Environmental stress can be reduced by making better choices around the home and using more "green" products. Using more organic friendly cleaning products and personal hygiene products is not only better for your body but may also help you with your weight loss protocol. It has been researched for over half a century that certain types of chemicals will cause your hormonal system to function less than optimum. Research has been performed by the FDA, EPA, CDC, major pharmaceutical companies and medical universities showing the effects of certain chemicals on your body. The fancy name for these problems is "endocrine disruptors". I suggest you just search the term on Google and read the information for yourself.

Belly fat is only one of the symptoms that you will experience when the adrenals are compromised or fatigued. The adrenals are also responsible for a few other key functions in your body. The adrenals do not only control inflammation and swelling.

You may have adrenal fatigue if you notice any of the following symptoms:

chronic fatigue, osteoporosis, trouble falling asleep or difficulty sleeping through the entire night, anxiety, constant worrying, high blood pressure, cravings, arthritis, difficult menstrual cycles, low sex drive, allergies and asthma.

One of the best ways to know if your adrenals are compromised is to have an Adrenal Stress Index performed. This is a saliva test that will measure your hormonal levels over a period of time. The test is non-invasive & can be performed wherever you are. Saliva is collected under real life conditions and there are no stressful blood draws and no gallon sized urine containers to carry around for 24 hours. With blood and urine testing, a number of borderline adrenal conditions are missed due to lack of sensitivity.

This is not the case with the Adrenal Stress Index because samples are taken within one circadian cycle and the more definitive free fraction is measured. Treatment options are expanded by 400-500% over blood test and urine test results.

Once you understand the mechanisms for many of the symptoms that are causing your difficulty, it becomes much easier to handle the battle of the bulge. Good luck to you and I trust this information will serve you well.

Dr. Evans practices in Marietta, GA Please visit his website: http://www.dtoxdoc.com for more information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eva_Ringold

A Year in Photo's

2009-03-14T08:18:00.001-07:00

January 19, 2008 417 lbs

March 14, 2008 375lbs

February 21, 2009 269lbs

Look at these pictures fills me with so much emotion, I cannot believe that the top picture was me a little more than a year ago. The changes that I have gone through over the past year are incredible and the pictures are a good reminder of who I am and where it is that I came from. I never thought that I would ever get my weight off. I am so grateful to my Dr. Brain Platt for sending me to Dr. Belnap; and for Dr. Belnap and his wonderful staff for everything that they have done for me.

One-Year Anniversary….

2009-03-14T08:13:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe that today is March 14, 2009; one year ago, today I had my life changing surgery. I do not regret having surgery; but out of all the lessons that I have learned through out my life, Do not regret the past. How can I regret the fact that I feel absolutely AMAZING, I look pretty good as well.

If there is anything that I regret, it is the stress that I have been under the last eight months. I am not one of those people who loose weight when I am stressed out, I actually gain; but right now I am staying the same so I can’t complain much about that either. I would like to loose another seventy pounds but I think that I am actually going to have to earn that weight loss. They say that you only loose about 70% of your weight the first year and I feel good about what I have done.

Wow, is all I can say about the last year; it has been bloody amazing and I wouldn’t go back and redo it for anything in the world. There are maybe a few things that I would change, but not the surgery. I want to thank all of you who have been there for me over the last year; thank you for all the love and support that you have shown me through this difficult time. It has helped more than you know; I hope that I can return the favor some day! I love you all Thank you!

Cute Note Books I made last Night.....

2009-03-08T08:30:00.001-07:00

This is the front of the book

This is the back of the book

My New Pictuers...

2009-03-04T16:29:00.000-08:00

Anthony isn't a Little Boy Anymore...

2009-03-03T15:41:00.000-08:00

This is not a attractive picture of me, I don't look my best first thing in the morning. But Anthony is no longer shorter than I am the boy is 5'11''. He is such a handsome boy I just wish that he could see how wonderful that I and every one else that loves him thinks that he is. Being a teenager is difficult, but even more so when you are trying to find your self and fit in, when you aren't sure what and where that is.

Wow Almost a Year!

2009-02-24T17:54:00.000-08:00

In just a few weeks I am going to be a year out from surgery, and I can't believe that it has already been a year. I know that I was hoping that I would have lost more than I have, but I can't complain because I have lost almost 160 pounds and it is amazing.

I had my pictures take Saturday and as soon as I am able too I will post the pictures on my blog, they turned out great and I can actually tell you that I love them!

On March 14 I will take another picture to update even if there isn't much of a difference, it will be nice to compare a year! Thank you for all the love and support that all of you have shown over the last year, it has meant a lot to me and I don't think that I would have gotten through if it weren't for all of you.

Much Love!

January 19,2008
417 pounds

January 2009
269 pounds

Little Miss Kahi

2009-02-24T17:45:00.001-08:00

These are Hallie's 8 year old pictures; can you believe that she is getting so big. She is such a beautiful little girl I am scared to see what she looks like when she grows up! I love this little girl she is my life, I may not have any of my own and she feels a void in my life. She is a ray of light in my life.

Hallie's 8th Birthday Party at Color Me Mine...

2009-02-18T16:10:00.001-08:00

Hallie refusing to smile, she can be such a turd at times!

Hallie and her friends creating there own creations and "Color Me Mine"!

Even the adults had fun, and yes we all made coffee cups!

That which does not kill me......

2009-02-11T16:33:00.000-08:00

There is a quote that I like; "That which does not kill me, will only make me stronger!" Well I have to tell you that today at work was straight from HELL!!!! The minute I got to my machine I got jumped on (and not by my supervisor) and the day went down hill from there. My CD player broke and I just felt like some one had pissed in my cheerios and I didn't appreciate it.

Especially because right now I am going out of my way and stepping up to try to make sure that both the cotton and the Silque lines get there work out. I am constantly being told that I am not fast enough and that they need more work out of me. I already run well over 100% and I don't know how much faster I can go. Not only does my shoulder stop me at times because of the Arthritis in it, but having had a Gastric Bypass and the diet that I am on makes it very difficult to have the energy that I need to push through the work days some times.

I don't feel very appreciated right now and it makes me upset; but I guess that there is nothing I can do about it. I just need to go to work every day and do the best that I can and remember that there is one who appreciates my hard work and that the way that other people think and feel about me doesn't matter.

So..."That which does not kill me, will only make me stronger!" is going to be my Mantra and maybe I will help me get through the rest of my week!

Thank you for letting me vent I fell a little better! Lots of Love

I Need A Vacation...

2009-02-07T10:25:00.000-08:00

I really think that I need a vacation from life, work, my family and my husband. I just need me time but I don't see that happening any time soon. I feel like I am going crazy at work; the two other women that do the same job as me are both out; Shirleen Howard how surgery on her foot and will be back to work very soon. Suzanna is out of the country caring for her sick mother and wont be back until April; but once Shirleen is back we will be okay, I think that thing will start going a little smother.

Other Than that things are going good; my stomach sounds like a volcano today and isn't too pleased with me, but it happens a lot since my surgery. I am feeling amazing though and that is all that matters. The weight is starting to come off again, just at a slower rate than it was before. I happy with how every thing has gone over the last (almost) eleven months.

I hope that all of you are having a wonderful weekend and that it is prettier were you are than it is here. Lots of Love

Ronda

Eating Disorders

2009-01-31T15:17:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking a lot the last little while about a lot of different things; and I am a little concerned that now since I have had this surgery and lost all of this weight that I am going to develop an eating disorder. I know that right now I get major guilty feelings when I eat something that maybe isn't a good food choice. There are times that I think that maybe if I just throw up that my body wont register that it was ever there and that every thing will be fine.

Let me say this, I am not going and eating what ever I want and how much that I want. I am still trying very hard not to stretch my pouch; I still have seventy pounds that I want to loose and I don't want to have to fight to get it off. I am going to succeed at this surgery and I want to be the best me that I can be. I am trying really hard to not worry about how my friends are doing and concerning my self with MY WEIGHT LOSS; because that is all that is important.

I sit and watch people who have had the surgery and I see how they eat and how much they eat; I am really surprised that they have lost as much as they have. I know what I have been taught, I know what my body can handle and I am doing what I know that I need to do.

I went to the library this morning and I had an experience that made me feel really good. Our local library has a security guard 24 hours a day; and to day when I walked in he glanced up at me like they normally do; but to day he took a double look and smiled at me and watched me walk into the library. It made me feel so good about myself; and the changes that I have under gone since I've lost my weight. To tell you the honest truth it made me feel very sexy and I really liked it. People tell me all the time that I am being noticed by men when we go out places; but once in a while I notice it my self and it makes me feel great.

I want every one to know that I am very happy with the choices that I have made for my self and that I am very glad that I choice to have this surgery. My quality of life is so much better than it use to be, I never thought that I would ever feel this good about myself. I am thinking about taking up speeding walking; I never thought that my mom would have to keep up with me when we are at the grocery store, but she does and it is a great feeling.

I love you all; the love and support that I get from all of you is amazing. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Much love

My New Haircut...

2009-01-28T17:00:00.000-08:00

Woo Hoo five More Pounds...

2009-01-27T15:16:00.000-08:00

Well I don't know if it is just time for me too loose a little more weight; or if it the green tea tablets that I am taking but I am down five more pounds. I am very happy I am not getting my hopes up about being over my plateau yet but I am on the right track again!

I am getting my hair cut tomorrow and I will take a pic and post it on my blog but if I don't say so my self my new hair cut is dang cute!

I’m Proud to Be an American

2009-01-20T15:44:00.000-08:00

Today I’m filled with pride for our country and the growth that we have made as Americans. I remember when I was a little girl when Jessie Jackson ran for President; and whatever one said about having an African American as President. They would always say that we would never see it happen.

Therefore, when Barack Obama announced his candidacy for office I am not sure what I thought about it. However, I listened to what all of the candidate had to say and I liked what I heard from Obama; But when I said that I liked Obama word spread like a wild fire and I was attacked from all sides. I felt that I did not have the right to think for my self. There are many rumors out there that he is a Muslim; and that he was not a born U.S Citizen. There are pictures circulating were he is not saluting the flag of the United States; how do we know that all these things are true. The pictures are fixed and that you can tell if you look closely.

I am proud of the steps that we have taken as a country and I am glad that I was able to see it happen. We have become a stronger country because of it; and I feel that there is a since of equality in the events that have taken place. Obama’s speech was very powerful he talked about how sixty years ago his father would not have been served in a restaurant in this country and today he was sworn in as the 44th President of The United Stated of America.

There have been three Historical events happen in my lifetime; the fall of the Berlin Wall, Russia is now a Socialist country and is no longer run by a Dictator, and the swearing in of the First African American President. Dr Martin Luther King’s dreams have come true, and I think that Abraham Lincoln would be proud of what this country has become.

I look forward to the future to see what Barack Obama does for this country and all the great things that are to come. God Bless him in his term in office that he may be able to do the things that need to be done to make this country a better place to live; and to get this country back to what it was meant to be all those years ago.

Just a Little Post...

2009-01-19T07:45:00.000-08:00

I just thought that I would let every one know how I am doing. I am doing great, I am still at a plateau but I am ok with it because I am not gaining weight I am staying the same and it is giving my tummy skin time to catch up just a little bit. I am trying to get an appointment to get my hair cut, when I do I will post new pics because I have a stinking cute new hair cut I love it.

other than that all is well, I've been sick since Christmas but I am starting to feel some what human again. Life is good the world is beautiful and I couldn't ask for anything more (except for a vacation). I hope this finds all of you well!

Lots of love

Dying on the other end of the line

2009-01-17T15:38:00.001-08:00

You tell me that we need to talk
And that it just can’t wait,
It seems some things have changed
There are some sacrifices to make.

After seven years of marriage
You say that you want out,
That you just don’t feel the same
That this is was life is about.

You tell me that there’s some one else
That makes you feel complete,
Gives you everything that you need
And knocks you off your feet.

You loved me once was all you said
As tears filled up my eyes,
I loved you once, but not any more
As I die on the other end of the line.

I gave you everything I had
My heart, my life, my love;
I thought that I was the only one
That our love was sent from above.

You promised me forever
I gave my soul to you,
We ventured out together
To start a life brand new.

Now we have three children
Do you really think that they’ll understand?
That daddy doesn’t want us anymore,
That he left us for another man.

In all our years together
Who would have stopped to guess?
That you would ever leave me;
Taking the heart right out of my chest.

You loved me once was all you said
As tears filled up my eyes,
You loved me once, but not anymore
As I die on the other end of the line.

I see that you’ve made your choice
There’s no use in asking you to stay,
You loved me once, but not anymore
My life will never be the same.

I realized now that it’s over
You’re finished saying goodbye!
I wonder what I’m going to do next
I feel like I’m dying inside.

You’re no longer on the phone
There’s only a dial tone in my ear,
Whispering those haunting words
That I never wanted to hear!

There was once I loved you
As tears filled up my eyes,
But I’m in love with a man
I can’t go on living this lie.

You loved me once was all you said
As tears filled up my eyes,
I love you still, hung up the phone
And died on the other side of the line

Ronda Gardner

Ronda... The Meaning of My Name!

2009-01-16T17:40:00.000-08:00

* The name of Ronda gives you a clever, quick, analytical mind, but you suffer with a great deal of self-consciousness, lack of confidence, and much aloneness because of misunderstandings.

* Your idealistic and sensitive nature gives you a deep appreciation for the finer things of life and a strong desire to be of service to humanity.

* There are times when you experience inner turbulence at your inability to say what you mean.

* It is far easier for you to express your deeper thoughts and feelings through writing than verbally.

* You find pleasure in literature, in poetry, and in your ideals and will turn to them when you feel you have been misunderstood.

* You are deeply moved by the beauties of life, especially nature.

* Although the name Ronda creates an interest in the deeper aspects of life, we emphasize that it limits self-expression and friendly congeniality with a moody disposition.

* This name, when combined with the last name, can frustrate happiness, contentment, and success, as well as cause health weaknesses in the heart, lungs and bronchial area.

What Type of Beauty Are You?

2009-01-16T17:35:00.001-08:00

You Are an Exotic Beauty!

No matter what your ethnic background, you've got a unique look

And your one of a kind beauty makes an imprint in every man's mind

You hardly ever wear the same outfit twice, and your hair is always changing

As a result, your look is always new and fresh - never outdated or stale

What Type of Beauty Are You?

What Kind of Wine Are You?

2009-01-16T17:25:00.000-08:00

You Are Chardonnay

Fresh, spirited, and classic - you have many facets to your personality.

You can be sweet and light. Or deep and complex.

You have a little bit of something to offer everyone... no wonder you're so popular.

Approachable and never smug, you are easy to get to know (and love!).

Deep down you are: Dependable and modest

Your partying style: Understated and polite

Your company is enjoyed best with: Cold or wild meat

What Kind of Wine Are You?

I love these pictures...

2009-01-12T15:54:00.000-08:00

Trying to be a Better Person

2009-01-11T16:07:00.001-08:00

I blogged earlier about not believing in making new years resolutions; no one ever keeps them and it is pointless. I know that I want to become a better and stronger person this year.

Therefore, this is what I am going to do this year; I am going to live every day as if it were the last. I am going to better everyday than I was the day before, I just want to be a stronger person, I want to be able to handle my trials (problems since surgery) and be able deal with them. I do not want to let them effect me any longer. I am going to go back on the diet I was on right after I had surgery; and all the foods that make me sick are no longer going to a part of my diet.

This is my life, I am taking control of the wheel, and it is going to be good. I am just tired letting everything control me and it is time that I take that control back. I will keep all of you updated on my progress and how I am doing through out the year. I am going to loose 80 more pounds and be fabulous at the beginning of 2010! Keep watching for the new me!

I love all of you and thanks for the love and support!

New Pictures Of The Kids

2009-01-07T19:31:00.001-08:00

Trying To Make a Fresh Start...

2009-01-05T16:37:00.000-08:00

I have made contact with an old friend and I am trying to fix the mess that I made so many years ago; she was really one of my best friends and I have really missed her through the years. I pray that as she thinks about things and does some soul searching that she kind find it in her self to be friends with me again. There are so many things that I want to talk to her about and so many things that I want want to share with her.

I miss the conversations that we used to have; we had some good times together. Years ago when we ended our friendship I took all the cards and pictures that we took together and was going to throw them a way. I am so glad that I didn't now; I can't tell you how good I feel since I contacted her it is a good feeling to think that I am doing something good, that I am trying to right a wrong and no matter how this turns out I know that I did the right thing and my heart can rest easy. I miss her friendship a lot and will be very happy to have it back; if that is how it turns out.

New Beginnings and New Years Resolutions

2009-01-02T13:58:00.000-08:00

I do not really believe in making new years resolutions; No one ever completes them or does what they say that they are going to do. Therefore, my thinking is why bother! I do like to set goals for my self-things that I would like to see my self-do. Things that will help me become a better person or just goals to read so many books or simple-minded things like that.

I am excited to see what the New Year has in store for Mark, I, and our marriage. There are things that I do want to accomplish and goals that I have set for my self; I want to loose the last eighty pounds that I have left too loose. I know that I have said this before; but after having the last week and a half off from work, I have played and toyed with my diet to see what it is that is making me sick. I have narrowed it done and it comes down to this; sugar, greasy foods, milk, and carbohydrates make me REALLY sick. So this is what I have decided, I am going back to the basics I am going to follow the diet that I was first on right after surgery. I am going to start doing palates four times a week; and really try to focus on getting more water into my system every day. I cannot believe how sick you get when you are not drinking enough water.

There is one thing that I am worried about; I have had several positive H Pillory test and I have learned that since I had my bypass that patients that suffer from that are at high risk for stomach cancer. Therefore, my question is, if I were to develop stomach cancer would they find it. The majority of my stomach is no longer hooked up to anything. It is just hanging out in my abdomen; so will the doctors notice it through blood test or some thing if I were to get it. However, I am not concerned about it that I am obsessing over it; it is just something that I have thought about it a couple times since I heard it on the news!

There is one New Years resolution that I am making for my self; and every one might think that it is funny but it is something that I want to do. I want to read 200 books this year! I work in production and I sit and listen to music or books all day so that is what I am working towards this year. I think that I can do it between reading at home and listening to books at work. I am also going to discover new authors and classic literature; and Great America Novels. I love reading and wait to see what I can discover.

Well I am done rambling for now; I am off to the store and to get some stuff done. I love you all and appreciate the love and support that all of you have shown me you have helped to make my journey and transition easier.

Much Love!

The Ultimate Christmas Gift

2008-12-24T14:06:00.000-08:00

As I sit and wonder, I ponder on my life
I think about my savior and his birth on that silent night.
A little infant in swaddling clothes a sleep in a manger bed;
For you this day a child is born, the herald angles said.

The Shepard’s left there flocks, to come bow on bended knee
Three wise men came from a far, to worship the new born king.
Oh what a holy night for the birth of our savior and king;
What a precious gift of love, and sacrifice this sweet child would bring.

If I could stand in front on him, what would my reaction be?
Would I fall to my knees, shed tears of love at his feet?
The love that the savior has for me, I can not comprehend;
When I was in darkness he’s right there holding my hand.

Every year at Christmas time I am filled with the saviors love;
I ask my self if it was me, could I make the ultimate sacrifice of love.
I wish that I could give all of you, something as special and rare as this;
The love the savior has for us, the ultimate Christmas gift.

So this is what I am going to give you, I am going to remind you of his love;
Not only the love of our savior, but our heavenly father above.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son,
That who so ever believeth in him, should not perish,
But have ever lasting life.

So this Christmas morning, when you’re opening your Christmas gifts;
Remember to think of our savior and the atonement
THE ULTIMATE CHRISTMAS GIFT!

Ronda Gardner
12/19/2006

Nine Months Out….

2008-12-17T18:26:00.001-08:00

I can’t believe that it has been nine months since I had surgery; I am too the point were my weight loss has slowed down and it is a bit frustrating but I know that it is normal. I am starting to worry that I am not going to loose anymore weight; I know that I will that it is going to be slow, I just need to be patient.

There are certain foods that still make me absolutely sick and I am never going to add them back to my diet, I know that it will be better for me in the long run. I think that I am doing really good; the only good thing is, is that I am not gaining weight I am staying the same. I know that I am going to really need to kick the exercise; I know that it is going to be key important to the rest of my weight loss. I am going to start doing to Pilates (at home that is) I don’t really like going to the gym, it stinks and it really gives me a headache.

I still have about eighty pounds that I want to loose and I need to really start working harder to get it off. I will let every one know what I am going to start doing and whether or not it is working. I am just concerned about it I know that I shouldn’t be worried about anything until my surgeon tells me that I am doing something wrong.

I love you all very much and am grateful that I have the love and support that I do it means a lot too me!

The Three Trees

2008-12-13T08:09:00.000-08:00

Christmas is my favorite time of year because at Christmas is the only time of the year that people step out side them selves and do this that they normally wouldn't do any other time of the year. This is my favorite Christmas story and I would like to share with all of you. I hope that it touches you the way that it touched me.

The Three Trees

Once upon a mountain top, three little trees stood and dreamed of what they wanted to become when they grew up. The first little tree looked up at the stars and said: “I want to hold treasure. I want to be covered with gold and filled with precious stones. I'll be the most beautiful treasure chest in the world!" The second little tree looked out at the small stream trickling by on its way to the ocean. “I want to be traveling mighty waters and carrying powerful kings. I'll be the strongest ship in the world! The third little tree looked down into the valley below where busy men and women worked in a busy town. I don't want to leave the mountain top at all. I want to grow so tall that when people stop to look at me they'll raise their eyes to heaven and think of God. I will be the tallest tree in the world.

Years, passed. The rain came, the sun shone and the little trees grew tall. One day three wood cutters climbed the mountain. The first wood cutter looked at the first tree and said, "This tree is beautiful. It is perfect for me." With a swoop of his shining ax, the first tree fell. "Now I shall make a beautiful chest, I shall hold wonderful treasure!" the first tree said.

The second wood cutter looked at the second tree and said, "This tree is strong. It's perfect for me." With a swoop of his shining ax, the second tree fell. "Now I shall sail mighty waters!" thought the second tree. “I shall be a strong ship for mighty kings!"

The third tree felt her heart sink when the last wood cutter looked her way. She stood straight and tall and pointed bravely to heaven. But the wood cutter never even looked up. "Any kind of tree will do for me." He muttered. With a swoop of his shining ax, the third tree fell.

The first tree rejoiced when the wood cutter brought her to a carpenter's shop. But the carpenter fashioned the tree into a feed box for animals. The once beautiful tree was not covered with gold, or treasure. She was coated with saw dust and filled with hay for hungry farm animals. The second tree smiled when the wood cutter took her to a shipyard, but no mighty sailing ship was made that day. Instead the once strong tree was hammered and awed into a simple fishing boat. She was too small and too weak to sail to an ocean, or even a river, instead she was taken to a little lake. The third tree was confused when the wood cutter cut her into strong beams and left her in a lumberyard. "What happened?" The once tall tree wondered. “All I ever wanted was to stay on the mountain top and point to God..."

Many days and nights passed. The three trees nearly forgot their dreams. But one night, golden starlight poured over the first tree as a young woman placed her newborn baby in the feed box. "I wish I could make a cradle for him." Her husband whispered. The mother squeezed his hand and smiled as the starlight shone on the smooth and sturdy wood. “This manger is beautiful." She said. And suddenly the first tree knew he was holding the greatest treasure in the world.

One evening a tired traveler and his friends crowded into the old fishing boat. The traveler fell asleep as the second tree quietly sailed out into the lake. Soon a thundering and a thrashing storm arose. The little tree shuddered. She new she did not have the strength to carry so many passengers safely through the wind and the rain. The tired man awoke. He stood up, stretched out his hand, and said, "Peace." The storm stopped as quickly as it had begun. And suddenly the second tree knew he was carrying the king of heaven and earth.

One Friday morning, the third tree was startled when her beams were yanked from the forgotten wood pile. She flinched as she was carried through an angry jeering crowd. She shuddered when soldiers nailed a man's hand to her. She felt ugly and harsh and cruel. But on Sunday morning, when the sun rose and the earth trembled with joy beneath her, the third tree knew that God's love had changed everything. It had made the third tree strong. And every time people thought of the third tree, they would think of God. That was better than being the tallest tree in the world.

Lots of Thoughts

2008-12-06T17:25:00.000-08:00

There are a lot of things going on right now in my life; with friends and family and I just don't know what I am going to do about anything any more. In know that I have blogged about my frustrations before; but let me know you that the longer these things go on the more upset and frustrated I get about everything. So many of my friends treat me so different these days because of the weight loss; but I've noticed that it isn't all of my friends it is only my friends that are over weight. It's almost like they can't deal with the idea of me being smaller than them.

I honestly don't care how they feel and think about my weight loss; that is there problems. But the thing is, is that I am the same person today that I Was yesterday so I don't understand why they are dong this. I am sure that things will get better or I will just stop being friends with all of them. I do have to say that I have a LOT of very supportive friends who have been there for me through this entire process and I am very grateful to them for the love and support; I know that it has made all this a heck of a lot easier. Thank you all

Much Love

Strawberry Salad with Crab and Red Onion

2008-12-01T14:09:00.000-08:00

Servings: 6

Salad Dressing

3 Tablespoon raspberry vinegar

3 Tablespoon water

1 Tablespoon honey

2 Tablespoon canola oil

1/8 Tablespoon salt

1/8 Tablespoon pepper

Salad Mixings

3 cups strawberries, quartered

10 ounce spring mix blend salad greens

2 teaspoon pine nuts

6 ounces can lump crab meat

1 small red onion, sliced thin and ringed

Directions

1. Combine first 6 ingredients and stir well with a whisk.

2. Combine strawberries and green.

3. Add the salad dressing; toss to coat.

4. Sprinkle with pine nuts.

5. Top with crab and red onion rings.

6. Serve.

Chef Dave’s Turkey Salad Left-Over’s

2008-12-01T14:08:00.000-08:00

6 Servings

2 cups turkey, cubed or shredded

½ cup light mayo

½ tsp garlic powder

½ tsp onion powder

2 hard boiled eggs, peeled and chopped fine

¼ tsp celery salt

¼ tsp poultry seasoning

Place into a mixing bowl and mix well.

Salad is now ready to be “Gobbled” up!

Per Serving: 160 calories, 14 grams protein, 10 grams fat (2 grams saturated fat), 2 grams carbohydrate, 0 grams fiber, 250 mg sodium