,

रोजाना कुछ देर ऐसे बैठें आंखों की कमजोरी दूर हो जाएगी

लगातार कई घंटों तक कंप्यूटर पर काम करने, टी.वी. देखने या पढ़ाई करने से आजकल अधिकतर लोगों को आंखों से जुड़ी समस्याओं का सामना करना पड़ता है। योग से हर बीमारी का उपचार संभव है। कई हस्तमुद्राएं ऐसी है जिनका नियमित रूप से अभ्यास कर इंसान कई तरह की शारीरिक समस्याओं से छुटकारा पा सकता है। आंखों से जुड़ी परेशानियों के लिए प्राणमुद्रा को सर्वश्रेष्ठ माना गया है।

प्राणमुद्रा- अंगूठे से तीसरी अनामिका यानी रिंग फिंगर तथा चौथी कनिष्ठिका यानी लिटिल फिंगर दोनों अँगुलियों के पोरों को एकसाथ अंगूठे के पोर के साथ मिलाकर शेष दोनों अँगुलियों को अपने सीध में खडा रखने से जो मुद्रा बनती है उसे प्राण मुद्रा कहते है। ह्रदय रोग में रामबाण तथा नेत्रज्योति बढाने में यह मुद्रा बहुत सहायक है। अंगूठे से तीसरी अनामिका तथा चौथी कनिष्ठिका अँगुलियों के पोरों को एकसाथ अंगूठे के पोर के साथ मिलाकर बाकि दोनों अँगुलियों को अपने सीध में खडा रखने से जो मुद्रा बनती है उसे प्राण मुद्रा कहते हैं। ह्रदय रोग में रामबाण तथा नेत्रज्योति बढाने में यह मुद्रा बहुत सहायक है। साथ ही यह प्राण शक्ति बढ़ाने वाला भी होता है।

प्राण शक्ति प्रबल होने पर मनुष्य के लिए किसी भी प्रतिकूल परिस्थितियों में धैर्यवान रहना अत्यंत सहज हो जाता है.वस्तुत: दृढ प्राण शक्ति ही जीवन को सुखद बनाती है। साथ ही यह प्राण शक्ति बढ़ाने वाला भी होता है। यह मुद्रा रोज करने से इम्युनिटी पावर तो बढ़ता ही है साथ ही दिल से जुड़ी बीमारियां होने की संभावना भी कम हो जाती है। कहते हैं अगर यह मुद्रा के लिए सिर्फ दस मिनट देकर आप आंखों से जुड़ी हर परेशानी को मुक्ति पा सकते हैं। इस मुद्रा से आंखों के थकान तो मिटती ही है आंखों की ज्योति भी बढ़ती है।

,

Does Facebook really cause depression?

New evidence thrown up by researchers debunks the finding that spending time onFacebook and other social sites causes depression.

The University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health study suggests that it may be unnecessarily alarming to advise patients and parents on the risk of "Facebook Depression" based solely on the amount of internet use.

Last year, the American Academy of Paediatrics released a report on the effects of social media on children and adolescents, which suggested that exposure to Facebook could lead to depression, The Journal of Adolescent Health reports.

Researchers led by Lauren Jelenchick and Megan Moreno from Wisconsin surveyed the 190 students aged between 18 and 23 using a real-time assessment of internet activity and a validated, clinical screening method for depression, according to a Wisconsin statement.

The students were surveyed with 43 text message questionnaires at random intervals over a seven day period between February and December of 2011. The students were asked if they were currently online, how many minutes they had been online and what they were doing on the internet.

The study found that the participants were on Facebook for over half of the total time online. When Jelenchick and Moreno evaluated the data including the depression screening results, they found no significant associations between social media use and the probability of depression.

"Our study is the first to present scientific evidence on the suggested link between social media use and risk of depression," said Jelenchick, who just received a master's degree in public health from Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.

Moreno, a paediatrician, advises parents to look at their children's social media use in the context of their entire lives. She says parents do not have to be overly concerned if their child's behaviour and mood have not changed, they have friends and their school work is consistent.

SOURCE- TIMES OF INDIA

,

How women de-stress for mental health

Getting into a woman's mind is as complex as understanding the uncharted human brain.
Each emotion and mood swing is not just a sign of PMS - that great vortex to which is attributed nearly everything wrong with a woman's day; these are signs that she needs tender care, consideration and space. Since the world doesn't really get this, women have a system of fighting and de-stressing. Today we're listing it out for the uninitiated amongst our readers. Men might not understand these complex rituals, but you may try at your own risk. We open the Pandora's Box on how women deal with stress and depression in a positive way.

Shopping sprees are stress-free
Confessions of a shopaholic is not just a book, it is 'the' book for women and how to deal with a boring work life. Shopping is a great way to hangout with the girls, gossip about the men in their lives, but most importantly - a way to purge themselves from all worries and anxieties. Shopping forms a de-stress mantra that cannot easily be explained, but the health benefits are like the effects of an antioxidant fruit. The smile on a woman's face is priceless after a shopping spree.
 Dolling up to brighten the day
If men are trying to decode this de-stress mantra then you need to get in touch with your emotions. Women believe that when they wear their best outfit, bright and sassy, with accessories to boot and their favourite shoes, their day will feel a whole lot better. Dressing up makes women feel pretty, confident and makes them smile. They feel light and carefree like a butterfly; they experience a sense of excitement. It's true and sadly it cannot be scientifically proven.

 Reading is a hobby
Recently China revealed that women are obsessed with fashion magazines. We beg to differ. Women are not obsessed with fashion magazines, it's merely a way to chill out and read about the latest and the hottest fashion of the season. Fashion magazines are ways to escape reality, just as men are 'obsessed' with automobile and gadget magazines.

 But no stereotyping here, we'll stick to the fact that reading (no matter what the content's sexual orientation) makes for a great de-stressing tool for all the ladies out there.

 Nothing's wrong with applying make up
Make up can hide a woman's true feelings; you don't know what the woman feels behind that red lipstick. Cosmetics help women add a bit of glamour in their lives, it adds the oomph quotient to spruce up and spice life. It may be a mask, but it sure makes women cheer up and admire themselves in the mirror.

 Flaunting the best 'pics'
Social networking sites are a way to flaunt your life and the travel plans. It completely conceals the true identity of the account holder. But women love to upload 'pics' in their best dresses from exotic locations. It definitely puts you on the cool list among 'friends.' Women receive sympathy, love and praises thanks to that glamorous array of pictures. When dozens of people tell you that you look great, your day is bound to get better.

Rom-coms are women's favourite pastime
Feeling low and out? Switch on your favourite romantic comedy with a tub of 'healthy snacks'. This is one formula that works with women; it feels great to watch SRK romancing Kajol or Cameron Dias making you laugh with a quirky persona. Women love reel life over the mundane, same old real life. Movies, too, are a way to escape life's taunting moments.

 Communication is therapeutic
Any shrink will tell you, it's best to talk about your emotions and feelings. That is exactly what women love to do. Let's not get judgmental about it and the cell phone bill. Life is tough and women want to share their problems and love to offer solutions. Men may be able to discuss their problems in one sentence, but women need to really talk about the issues. Stress and depression can make women 'irritable', hence it is importance for women to relieve this tension the way they are comfortable in. Conversation is not just a discussion - it's therapy!

SOURCE - TIMES OF INDIA

, , ,

Test your cholesterol with a simple photo

Indian researchers claim to have developed a non-invasive way to test cholesterol levels in people with increased risk of heart disease using a photo of the back of the patient's hand.

Researchers in India claim to have developed a total cholesterol test that uses a digital camera to take a snapshot of the back of the patient'shand rather than an invasive blood sample. The image obtained is cropped and compared with images in a database for known cholesterol levels.

Writing in the International Journal of Medical Engineering and Informatics, researcher N R Shanker of the Sree Sastha Institute of Engineering and Technology, Chennai, and colleagues describe how they have developed a non-invasive way to test cholesterol levels in patients with increased risk of heart disease. The researchers' approach is actually based on the creation of a large database of cholesterol levels recorded using standard blood tests and linked to a standardised photograph of the hand for each patient.

According to the Chennai-based researchers, the cholesterol is concentrated in the creases of the persons fingers. The team also developed an image-processing computer-based program that compares the image from a new patient with the thousands of the existing entries in the database and matches it to a specific cholesterol reading.

Measuring the amount and type of cholesterol circulating in the blood is an important risk factor in cardiovascular disease. Previous research has shown that excess cholesterol not used by the body in making hormones and building cells is laid down on the inner wall of arteries as a waxy plaque, which can reduce the normal flow of blood, potentially causing serious heart problems and even increasing the risk of cerebral stroke.

The total cholesterol test devised by the researchers is a useful early indicator, although more detailed testing that distinguishes between the HDL (high-density lipoprotein) and LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and triglycerides are needed for a more accurate health assessment of the patients that were found to have high total cholesterol. It is low-density lipoprotein, so-called "bad" cholesterol that contributes to the formation of artery chocking plaques also known as atherosclerosis.

The presence of different total levels of cholesterol can be revealed through image analysis of the skin.

A simple non-invasive and inexpensive method for cholesterol screening would allow this risk factor to be determined in a much larger patient population without the need for costly and inconvenient blood tests that many patients already fear, the Chennai-based researchers mentioned in the release.

The team will soon also publish the details of the extension of this work to classifying cholesterol type using their approach.

SOURCE - TIMES OF INDIA

, ,

Easy ways to lead a healthy, happy life

Keep yourself hydrated

When you are dehydrated, it slows down yourblood flow leaving you tired and listless. Drink water when you wake up to give yourself a boost of energy. Make it a point to drink at least eight to 10 glasses of water during the day.

Don't skip breakfast

While skipping any meal isn't good, missing your breakfast is one of the biggest mistake you can make. Research shows that skipping breakfast makes one burn fewer calories during the day. This is especially true for those on a diet. Several dieters assume that a skipped meal is beneficial in reducing the calorie intake when this isn't true at all.

Have snacks

Snacking can actually be good, however, ensure that what you eat is healthy. Snacking on dried fruit, low fat cheeses or yoghurts can keep your metabolism running on high gear and keep youenergetic throughout the day.

Exercise regularly

Make exercising a fun activity, not a chore. Use the stairs instead of the elevator, walk or cycle instead of taking the cab or bus, and brisk walk for 20 minutes daily. Listen to music while you walk or ask a friend for company.

Reduce alcohol intake

While indulging in alcohol daily doesn't slow down your metabolism, studies show that having it everyday can result in weight gain because your body processes alcohol first, leaving the calories you ate from your meal until last. This means that those calories are most likely to be stored as body fat.

Don't go on fad diets

When you regularly keep going on different diets, you are depriving your body of essential nutrients. You might be unintentionally consuming fewer calories than are required to keep your body active — this results in lethargy. If you really must diet, make sure you consult an expert who will know what diet to put you on. And don't expect miracles overnight. Healthydiets take time to show results.

Take a break

Relaxing and taking breaks will make you feel rejuvenated both physically as well as mentally. Sleep for seven to eight hours every night and make it a point to relax during the day. Even unwinding for a few minutes daily makes a big difference.

SOURCE - TIMES OF INDIA

, ,

Health benefits of walking

Did you know that walking not only helps you to lose weight but also prevent diabetes and breast cancer? Read on to know the health benefits of walking.

Walking is said to be a great exercise which has proven to be an excellent fat burner. If you walk at a steady pace for 30 to 45 minutes at least six days a week along with a healthy diet, you will gradually witness a change in your weight.

There are several benefits of walking. Some of them are as follows-

Walking regularly at a good speed improves your muscle strength and endurance and also helps build stamina.

It is good for your heart. Walking is known to reduce your blood pressure, improve your blood circulation and all round cardio vascular functions.

Walking is said to be good for your bones. It is a great way to strengthen your bones.

Walking about 30 minutes a day increases your bone density and slows down bone loss in your legs. This low-impact exercise is also said to target your spine, legs and hips.

It promotes mental well-being. Known as a great stress-buster, if you walk outdoors, the combination of fresh air and exercise is an excellent way to boost your morale and mood.

Helps prevent type 2 diabetes. Studies have revealed that walking approximately 150 minutes per week can reduce the risk of diabetes.

Reduces the risk of colon and breast cancer.

Last but not the least, walking is said to be safer than running. Fitness experts are of the opinion that walking is better for your knees and joints as compared to running. It leads to fewer injuries and is said to be a good beginner workout.

Source - Times of India

, ,

Apple peel can help stave off high BP

Eating an apple a day without removing the peel can help prevent high blood pressure.

Canadian scientists have found that the fruit is more effective than other "superfoods" including green tea and blueberries as a source of antioxidants and chemical compounds called flavonoids that combat the potentially life-threatening condition.

In a study, researchers from Nova Scotia Agricultural College tested the peel and the fleshy fruit of apples separately.

The peel was found to be up to six times more effective in inhibiting an enzyme called ACE, which is known to cause hypertension and high blood pressure, according to the team's results in the journal Food Chemistry.
Source - Times of India
"Apples are one of the most popular and frequently consumed fruits in the world," the Daily Express quoted the researchers as stating.

"Apple peel is a rich source of flavonoids which provide numerous health benefits - apple peel flavonoids inhibited the enzyme ACE," they added.

,

वैज्ञानिकों ने बनाया हेपेटाइटिस सी का पहला टीका

मेलबर्न। वैज्ञानिकों ने हेपेटाइटिस सी जैसी घातक बीमारी से बचाव के लिए अपनी तरह का पहला टीका विकसित करने का दावा किया है। हेपेटाइटिस सी एक संक्रामक रोग है, जो हेपेटाइटिस सी वायरस से फैलता है। लिवर को क्षति पहुंचाने वाली इस बीमारी से दुनियाभर में करीब 20 करोड़ लोग प्रभावित हैं।
मेलबर्न स्थित बर्नेट इंस्टीट्यूट के शोधकर्ताओं के मुताबिक हेपेटाइटिस यह एक महत्वपूर्ण खोज है। इसकी मदद से पहली बार हेपेटाइटिस निरोधक टीका बनाने में मदद मिलेगी। हेपेटाइटिस सी वायरस अपनी संरचना बदलने की क्षमता रखता है। वायरस के संक्रमण से शरीर की प्रतिरक्षा प्रणाली पूरी तरह प्रभावित हो जाती है। ऐसे में इस वायरस से बचाव का टीका विकसित करना काफी मुश्किल था। शोधकर्ताओं के मुताबिक, 'हेपेटाइटिस के संक्रमण के बारे में अक्सर पता नहीं चल पाता है,लेकिन एक बार होने पर यह लिवर को गंभीर रूप से प्रभावित करता है और लिवर सिरोसिस होने की आशंका बढ़ जाती है। यह यकृत की सबसे गंभीर बीमारी है, इस बीमारी का इलाज लिवर प्रत्यारोपण के अलावा कुछ नहीं है।
कुछ मामलों में सिरोसिस से पीड़ित मरीजों को आगे चल कर लिवर के फेल होने और लिवर का कैंसर होने का खतरा रहता है। प्रमुख शोधकर्ता बर्नेट इंस्टीट्यूट की सहायक प्रोफेसर हेदी ड्रमर ने बताया हेपेटाइटिस सी से बचाव के लिए यूरोप में कई टीकों का परीक्षण किया जा रहा है, लेकिन हमारा टीके में अलग तकनीक का इस्तेमाल किया गया है। ड्रमर ने अपनी नई खोज को गत 13 अगस्त को अमेरिका के मैसाच्युसेट्स के कैंब्रिज में इम्यूनो थेरोप्यूटिक वेक्सीन समिट में पेश किया।

Source - JAGARAN

, ,

जैतून के तेल से हड्डियां होती है मजबूत

मेड्रिड। जैतून के तेल में बने भोजन के साथ एक फल का सेवन करने से हड्डियों की मजबूती पर सकारात्मक असर पड़ता है। स्पेन में किए गए एक अध्ययन में यह बात सामने आई है।

उम्र बढ़ने पर हड्डियों के घनत्व एवं मजबूती में धीरे-धीरे कमी आती जाती है और इससे महिला एवं पुरुष दोनों समान रूप से प्रभावित होते है। यह हड्डियों में क्षरण एवं इसके टूटने के अहम कारक होते है।

वैज्ञानिक पत्रिका क्लीनिकल एंडोक्राइनोलॉजी एंड मेटाबोलिज्म के अनुसार अध्ययन में यह सामने आया कि ओस्टियोपोरोसिस की दर यूरोप के भूमध्यसागरीय इलाकों में कम है।

इसका एक कारण पारम्परिक भूमध्यसागरीय भोजन जिसमें फल एवं सब्जियों की भरपूर मात्रा और जैतून एवं जैतून का तेल शामिल होता है, हो सकता है।

शोध दल के नेतृत्वकर्ता जोस मैन्युल फर्नाडीज-रियल ने कहा, ''जैतून के तेल के सेवन से ओस्टियोपोरोसिस में कमी आती है। यह प्रयोगशाला एवं प्रयोगशाला के बार सिद्ध किया गया है।''

दो वर्ष तक चले इस शोध में 55 से 80 वर्ष आयु वर्ग के 127 लोगों को शामिल किया गया था।
Source - Jagaran

, ,

जल्द आएगी पुरुषों के लिए गर्भनिरोधक दवा


लंदन। महिलाओं के लिए गर्भनिरोधक दवाएं तो दशकों से मौजूद हैं, लेकिन पुरुषों के लिए ऐसी कोई गोली उपलब्ध नहीं है। मगर अब वैज्ञानिकों ने दावा किया है कि वे पुरुष गर्भनिरोधक दवा बनाने की प्रक्रिया के काफी करीब पहुंच गए हैं। वैज्ञानिकों ने चूहों पर इसका सफल परीक्षण भी किया है।
पुरुषों के लिए गर्भनिरोधक गोली न होने की वजह से बड़ी संख्या में अनियोजित गर्भ धारण करने के मामले सामने आते रहे हैं। वैज्ञानिकों के सामने चुनौती एक ऐसी दवा बनाने की थी, जो खून से सीधे अंडकोष में जा सके।

यह शोध अमेरिकी पत्रिका सेल में प्रकाशित हुआ है। वैज्ञानिकों के मुताबिक, चूहों पर दवा के परीक्षण से उनकी यौन क्रियाओं पर असर नहीं पड़ा, लेकिन उनकी प्रजनन क्षमता अस्थाई तौर पर समाप्त हो गई। बीबीसी की रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक, यह परीक्षण काफी उत्साहपूर्ण है, इंसान पर इसका परीक्षण होना अभी बाकी है। डाना फार्बर कैंसर इंस्टीट्यूट एंड बेलर कॉलेज ऑफ मेडिसन में अमेरिकी शोधकर्ता 'जेक्यू1' नाम की दवा का परीक्षण कर रहे थे। यह दवा प्रोटीन की एक किस्म पर निशाना साधती है, जो सिर्फ अंडकोष में ही पाया जाता है और शुक्राणु उत्पादन में अहम भूमिका निभाता है। जिन चूहों को दवा दी गई, उनके अंडकोष सिकुड़ने लगे। शुक्राणु कम होने लगे और कुछ की प्रजनन क्षमता अस्थाई तौर पर चली गई।

यूनिवर्सिटी ऑफ शेफील्ड के डॉक्टर ऐलन पेसी ने बताया कि अब तक जितने भी परीक्षण हुए हैं, उनमें इंजेक्शन या इम्प्लांट के जरिए टेस्टोस्टिरोन हार्मोन से छेड़छाड़ की जाती थी, ताकि शुक्राणु न बन सकें, लेकिन यह तकनीक रुटीन इस्तेमाल में नहीं लाई जा सकी। इसलिए ऐसी दवा की जरूरत है, जो हार्मोन पर निर्भर न हो।

Source - jagaran


, ,

ब्रॉकली से ब्रेस्ट कैंसर के उपचार की तैयारी

Broccoli: The new weapon against breast cancer as researchers discover it could suppress tumours
ब्रॉकली से ब्रेस्ट कैंसर के उपचार की तैयारी

लंदन। स्तन कैंसर से जूझ रही महिलाओं के लिए यह शोध किसी वरदान से कम नहीं है। वैज्ञानिकों का कहना है कि स्तन कैंसर से जूझ रही महिलाओं के लिए ब्रॉकली (एक प्रकार की गोभी) का प्रयोग लाभदायक साबित हो सकता है।

वैज्ञानिकों का कहना है कि ब्रॉकली स्तन कैंसर पर प्रतिकूल प्रभाव डालकर उसे बढ़ने से रोकता है। हालिया हुए एक शोध में पता चला है कि ब्रॉकली खाने से शरीर में एक ऐसे तत्व का निर्माण होता है जो स्तनों की कोशिकाओं को क्षय से बचाता है। वैज्ञानिक इसी तत्व सल्फोराफेन को दवाइयों में मिलाकर स्तन कैंसर से पीड़ित महिलाओं के उपचार की तैयारी कर रहे हैं। यह भी माना जा रहा है कि गोभी या ब्रॉकली गठिया और अन्य प्रकार के कैंसर में भी सहायक सिद्ध होता है।

वैज्ञानिकों का मानना है कि सल्फोराफेन के प्रयोग से शरीर में कैंसर निरोधी तत्व बनते हैं। नॉरविच के खाद्य अनुसंधान संस्थान की वैज्ञानिक डॉक्टर मारिया ट्राका ने कहा कि सल्फरोफेन बहुत आवश्यक तत्व है। शोध में मिले प्रमाणों से पता चलता है कि इससे शरीर में एंटीऑक्सीडेंट का संतुलन बना रहता है। इस लिहाज से हफ्ते में तीन से चार बार ब्रॉकली का सेवन लाभदायक है। ब्रॉकली को खाने से मिलने वाले पदार्थ ग्लूकोराफेनिन से हमारे शरीर में सल्फोराफेन बनता है। माना जाता है कि सल्फोराफेन जीन पर प्रभाव डालता है। जिससे एंटीआक्सीडेंट के स्तर में बढ़ोलरी होती है।

इससे एचडीसी एंजाइम की रोकथाम होती है और ट्यूमर की वृद्धि रुक जाती है। शोध से पता चलता है कि इससे कैंसर के उन मूल कोशिकाओं का भी विस्तार रुकता है जो कीमोथेरेपी और रेडिएशन थेरेपी में रुकावट पैदा करते हैं।
Source - Jagaran

,

114 Tips for Weight loss tip

Weight loss Tip 1
When eating out, always choose the smallest portion size available.

When we choose larger meals, most of us tend to eat past the point of hunger and in doing so consume more kilojoules than we need which contributes to weight gain.

Remember that if you are still hungry after choosing a smaller meal, you can always fill up with something else and enjoy a wider variety of tastes in the process.


Weight loss Tip 2

If we absolutely must eat chips, opting for straight-cut and fatter chips instead of crinkle-cut and thin chips will help minimize fat intake.

Straight-cut and fat chips have less surface area than crinkle-cut and thin chips so hold less fat.

Extra fat equals extra taste, but if we want to lose weight we have to make some sacrifices!

Weight loss Tip 3

Try drinking a glass of water before a meal.

If you tend to overeat at certain meal times (like dinner for example), try drinking a medium to large glass of water 10 to 15 minutes before you sit down to that meal.

Drinking water before your meal will partially fill your stomach and may reduce your hunger levels, because often when we think we are feeling hunger, our body is actually telling us that it is getting dehydrated and needs some water.

Weight loss Tip 4

Offer to be the "designated driver" more often.

If you go out for dinner and drinks with family and friends, offering to be the designated driver will save you hundreds of kilojoules because you can't drink as much alcohol.

In addition to drinking fewer kilojoules, you'll probably eat less as well because alcohol often makes us "let our guard down" and eat when we are no longer hungry.

Weight loss Tip 5

If you often find yourself reaching for chocolate or lollies in between meals, try eating a handful or two of mixed, unsalted nuts instead.

For best results, mix your own and include nuts that you don't necessarily eat on their own. Eating mixed nuts together means you won't even notice the ones you don't normally eat.

Although some nuts are relatively high in fat, the fat they contain is good fat that our body needs to stay healthy. And because they are so filling, you will probably end up consuming far less total calories than if you ate a less healthy alternative.

Weight loss Tip 6

Try to break unhealthy food associations.

Many of us get into the habit of enjoying unhealthy food and drink while we're doing everyday things like watching our favourite TV shows, visiting cinemas, going to our favourite club, etc.

Every time you go to the movies do you habitually order a large popcorn, ice-cream, large coke, bag of lollies or chocolates before sitting down? Or can you watch your favourite soap opera without a cup of coffee or tea and a few chocolate biscuits?

If the answer is yes and no respectively, you could have some unhealthy food associations that could be making you heavier or preventing you from losing weight.

Weight loss Tip 7

If you often fail to go on planned bicycle rides because it's too windy, reconsider.

If it's windy outside, it does make it harder to ride our bikes, particularly heading directly into a strong wind.

But for those of us who want to lose weight, this is actually a good thing because the harder we are forced to work, the more calories we'll burn each minute!

Just be sure not to try to maintain the same speed you were doing with the wind when you're against it, you may get your heart rate a bit higher than is absolutely necessary.

Just slow down a little and enjoy the ride (as best you can under the circumstances!).

Weight loss Tip 8

Get into the habit of carrying a bottle of water with you wherever you go.

Keeping water handy will help keep you sufficiently hydrated and will help stop you reaching for the closest thing available when you inevitably become thirsty, such as carbonated drinks full of sugar or coffee, which actually causes further dehydration.

It's a well documented fact that many of us often mistake hunger for thirst and actually eat unnecessary calories when we are actually thirsty. When we are well hydrated, we're also less likely to overeat when we do sit down at the table.

Weight loss Tip 9

If you're a weekend food binger, plan ahead to make sure you have plenty of healthier snacking options in the house.

For example, pre-prepare some air-popped popcorn, mix up a blend of your favourite unsalted nuts, have some low fat yogurts ready to go in the fridge and try adding a dash of cordial to carbonated mineral water instead of drinking high sugar colas, etc.

Weight loss Tip 10

Opt for lighter choices once in a while at restaurants.

Many restaurants have lighter options on their menus these days, some have low-fat options and some have even jumped on the low-carb band wagon and offer low-carb options.

Whenever you're sitting in a restaurant looking through the menu, ask yourself if a lighter option would be a better choice. Where possible choose steamed, poached, boiled or baked foods rather than those that have been fried or deep fried.

Weight loss Tip 11

Try to reduce the Fat, Sugar and Salt in your diet.

Diets high in fat and sugar are typically also very high in kilojoules or calories which when combined with low levels of exercise or activity can contribute greatly to us being overweight.

In addition, excessive levels of fat, sugar and salt in our diets have been shown to contribute to a variety of serious health conditions.

Foods that are 'low in fat' have 3g or less fat per 100g. Drinks low in fat have 1.5ml or less per 100ml.

Foods 'low in sugar' have 5g or less per 100g and drinks low in sugar have 2.5g or less per 100ml.

Foods 'low in salt' have 120mg or less per 100g.

While all the foods we eat won't have levels of fat, sugar and salt as low as this, these measures can be useful when we are comparing food options.

Weight loss Tip 12

Join a gym or hire a personal trainer with a friend.

Joining a gym or hiring a personal trainer with a friend has many advantages.

Foremost among these advantages are that you'll have a workout buddy, who can keep you motivated and keep you company while you get used to the gym environment and exercising regularly, and you'll save money because most gyms and personal trainers offer discounts when you join or train with a friend.

Just be careful to make sure that both of you are as committed to exercise as each other and be prepared for the time when your workout buddy isn't able, or doesn't want to, workout any more or as regularly as you do.

Hopefully by the time this happens (if it happens at all), you'll have made new friends at the gym or enjoy exercising so much that you are motivated and happy enough to do it on your own or find a new workout buddy.

Weight loss Tip 13

Participate in a weight loss challenge.

Getting yourself a diet buddy or buddies and setting yourself a 12 week weight loss goal is a great way to lose weight.

Losing weight when you've got someone else to compete against will give you extra motivation and help you to stay on track.

The members of the Weightloss Forum currently have such challenges which you can participate in simply by registering as a member of the forum, which is totally free.

Weight loss Tip 14

Walk for a ½ hour instead of watching TV.

Some people believe that watching TV is a great way to wind-down after a hard day and doing exercise is often the last thing on their minds.

But going for a half-hour or hours walk instead of plonking down in front of the TV can help you de-stress, clear your mind and set you up for a relaxing evening and a great night's sleep.

You can make the walk even better if you take your partner, children or dog with you.

Weight loss Tip 15

Share an entree or dessert with a friend.

Many of us put on weight because we make careless or unconscious eating decisions, like automatically ordering an entree or dessert while at a restaurant.

Most restaurants main meals are already too big and as well as eating them, many of us eat entrees and/or desserts as well.

If this sounds like you, start sharing your entree or dessert with a friend and your waist-line will thank you.

Weight loss Tip 16

Vary your exercise.

In addition to helping us avoid boredom, adding variety to our exercise program actually helps us lose more weight and become fitter.

When we perform the same exercises at the same intensity, our bodies get used to our routine and stops responding. Muscles only get stronger when they need to adapt. By changing exercises and the order in which we do them, we keep our body guessing and force it to respond and adapt.

Weight loss Tip 17

To get a an idea of your fitness level before starting a new exercise program, try running or walking for 12 minutes and see how far you get.

If you can walk or run 1.6 kilometres in 12 minutes or less, then you're in decent shape. Most beginners won't make it this far in under 12 minutes, so don't be too hard on yourself if you don't.

Beginners should start out at a comfortable pace and increase their speed as their fitness improves.

Weight loss Tip 18

Eat leaner red meat & poultry.

Fat contains 37 kilojoules (9 calories) per gram while protein and carbohydrates only contain around 17 kilojoules (4 calories) per gram so it makes sense to try to reduce the amount of dietary fat in our diets if we are trying to lose weight.

One relatively simple way of doing this is to eat the leanest red meat and poultry available to us.

As well as buying the leanest meat and poultry we can in the first place, we can also trim off any access fat from our cuts of meat and remove any skin from our poultry.

Weight loss Tip 19

One of the reasons many of us are putting on weight year after year is that we have lost all sense of correct portion sizes.

Because most meals served in restaurants and at home are much larger than we actually need to maintain a healthy body weight, some people use a very simple technique to successfully lose weight and keep it off – they only eat half of what is on their plate!

Could this work for you?

Weight loss Tip 20

Walk during your lunch break.

For most of us our lunch break is an ideal time to go for a walk but many people miss this opportunity to build their fitness, relieve stress and burn precious extra calories.

If you aren't motivated enough to go walking alone, organise a walking group among your colleagues, you're sure to find other people who want to get fitter and lose a little weight.

Weight loss Tip 21

Park your car further away from the shops and walk.

Increasing the amount of incidental exercise we do each day is one of the secrets to successful weight loss.

By parking further away from the shops than you normally would you'll force yourself to increase the number of steps you take in a day which will help burn off extra calories and help improve your fitness.

Weight loss Tip 22

Set Realistic Goals.

Successful weight loss doesn't happen overnight, it takes months and years, not days and weeks.

Concentrate more on changing your habits than you do on what your bathroom scales say and with time what they tell you will start to reflect the changes you've made in your life.

Weight loss Tip 23

Don't Keep Goodies You Can't Resist In The Cupboard.

Keeping chocolates, lollies, soft drink and other tempting goodies in your cupboards makes eating them inevitable.

Even people with very strong will power have moments of weakness from time to time and if we've got a lot of weight to lose, will power is not likely to be one of our strong points.

Clean your cupboards out (including those nooks and crannies where you've got an emergency stash of chocolate hidden!).

What you'll find if you do is that when you go looking for goodies to satisfy a craving you'll be forced to eat a healthier option which in time will become your new habit.

And remember; there are plenty of shops full of goodies that will still be there when you're ready to eat them in moderation again.

Weight loss Tip 24

Have A Support System In Place To Help You Stay Honest.

Because dieting is a day to day challenge it becomes easy to feel lonely. At the end of the day, dieting is one of those things that no one can do for you but they can help; particularly if they are dieting themselves or have successfully dieted in the past.

Having a support system can take many forms including family and friends you trust, work colleagues or fellow dieters on a weight loss forum like ours.

Sometimes having a solid support system is the only way to make it through a tough day.

If you've been obsessing over a particular food or you're tempted to eat for reasons other than being hungry, a telephone call, an email or writing a post on a forum may be just the way for you to regain control.

Weight loss Tip 25

Eat More Than Just Three Meals A Day.

If you've ever dieted before you'll know that 3 meals a day just doesn't cut it; particularly when the new diet severely restricts calories.

When we restrict calories, our body senses it and slows down our metabolism (the rate at which it burns energy) to compensate. One way of overcoming this is to eat smaller meals more frequently, say every two or three hours or five to six times per day.

Weight loss Tip 26

Pre-Plan All Of Your Meals.

There's an old saying in business “Plan the work - work the plan”.

This saying is just as applicable to successful dieting as it is to successful business.

By pre-planning and where possible pre-preparing your meals, you'll find those times when you're in a situation where you're tempted just to grab a quick take away and set your diet back weeks will almost disappear.

Weight loss Tip 27

Keep A Food Diary Or Weight Loss Diary.

Keeping a log of what you eat, when and why you eat it allows you to look at the big picture and learn more about your eating habits.

Be sure to write down as much information as possible and use the knowledge you gain to plan ahead and change your daily eating habits for good.

Weight loss Tip 28

When Eating Out, Don't Be Afraid To Ask For What You Need.

In the future, restaurants are going to be forced to make their mainstream menus much healthier as more and more of us become increasingly conscious and knowledgeable about good nutrition and demand to be offered healthier food choices. Until then it's going to be up to us individually to speak up and ask for what we want.

Luckily, most restaurants are getting used to adapting their food to the dietary needs of their patrons. Most waiters don't even batter an eyelid when someone requests an entrée sized meal as their main, their salad dressing on the side, or their fish steamed instead of pan-fried.

Weight loss Tip 29

Shop With A List And Shop The Perimeter.

Have you ever noticed that in every supermarket you've visited, regardless of its banner, that the staple products, like bread, fruit, vegetables, meat, fish and dairy (notice that most of these are unprocessed) are situated around the perimeter while products like chocolate, soft drinks, potato chips, biscuits, lollies and the like are in the aisles near the centre of the supermarket.

This being the case, those of us watching our weight should do most of our shopping around the outside of the supermarket and only venture into the inner sanctum for other essential items. We just need to be aware that some of those essential items will be strategically placed right next to the chocolate bars and this is where our shopping list comes in.

Once you have your shopping list, only buy things that are on it and nothing else.

Weight loss Tip 30

Look To The Mirror And How Clothes Fit Instead Of Scales.

Let's face it, how we look and feel is what matters most.

Don't get too caught up on what you weigh. Scales don't differentiate between body fat and muscle (even those fancy ones that purport to do so) and body weight is only one of the measures that can provide us with feedback about our progress.

So what if you've only dropped a kilo or two, or even weigh the same as you did when you started! The important thing is, do you look and feel better?

Weight loss Tip 31

Eat Meals On Smaller Plates.

Getting used to eating smaller portions is often more important that getting used to eating healthier foods when it comes to weight loss.

Two simple ways to reduce our portion sizes are to leave some of the food on our plates uneaten or to eat everything on a smaller plate.

Because some of us can't stand leaving food on our plate the best option is usually the smaller plate.

Weight loss Tip 32

Keep Going... Plateaus Happen!

Our bodies don't like dramatic change.

Thousands of years of evolution have taught our bodies that dramatic weight loss is a bad thing and it has automatic responses designed to minimise the damage.

Most people do notice immediate results when they first start a diet. Inevitably, these results drop off sharply after a few days or weeks.

Weight fluctuation is quite normal and sometimes our body just needs to get used to the idea of being at a new weight, even if it is a healthier one.

Above all else, persistence and consistency are the most important aspects of any weight loss program or diet. If you experience a plateau, don't waste your time worrying about it, just stick with your program and try mixing things up a bit and you'll get there.

Weight loss Tip 33

Tape a picture of your skinny self to the refrigerator for inspiration. To remind yourself what you can look like.

Weight loss Tip 34

To make a delicious low fat mayonnaise, simply combine one teaspoon Dijon mustard or one teaspoon of satay sauce with a low fat yoghurt.

Weight loss Tip 35

When you get a sweet tooth or feel like something you know you shouldn't, go brush your teeth.

Even if you do go ahead and eat you won't like the taste as much and it may stop you from craving it again in the future.

Weight loss Tip 36

If you're having problems dropping the kilos, consume Negative Calorie Foods

These are foods that take up more caloric energy to digest then the calories that are in them.

Your body has to expend energy in order to digest and absorb foods, in fact, 10% of your daily caloric intake is used to process foods in your body. So these "negative" calorie foods are foods that take more calories to digest then actual calories in the item of food.

Weight loss Tip 37

If you're overweight and start to feel tired while walking or you find yourself with a hill to climb, do what I do:

Think about what you've done to yourself through neglect and bad living. Get angry with yourself, and speed up while you're going up that hill (don't run). You'll find that you get to the top quicker that way.

Walk down the other side with your head up high. You did it. Watch out world - nothing can stop you now!

Weight loss Tip 38

Go dancing.

Dancing is a great form of exercise because it's fun and doesn't feel like exercise at all.

Best of all you'll burn plenty of calories, get fitter and meet lots of new friends.

Weight loss Tip 39

Ride your bike to work.

If you don't have time to exercise outside of working hours this is a great way to get your daily does of fat burning activity.

Because you'll be planning your day ahead on the way there and planning your evening on the way home you probably won't even realize that you're exercising and the time will fly.

If riding to and from work is a bit much to begin with, catch a train to work with your bike and ride home.

Weight loss Tip 40

Buy some exercise DVD's to keep at home and use them on rainy days.

Exercise DVD's are very cost effective and are very convenient because you can use them at any time that suits you.

Weight loss Tip 41

If you are going to have a treat, work out how much exercise you need to do to burn it off and only have that treat if you are willing to do the exercise.

Weight loss Tip 42

Stop sabotaging your potential for change.

We subconsciously use defense mechanisms to shield us from situations we perceive to be scary or painful. A part of you may want to grow and change, but another part may be resisting because change always moves you into new territory in your thinking and emotions.

If you find you are getting anxious, fearful, angry, frustrated, dismissive or unmotivated, then defense mechanisms are at work. Watch for them and know them to be signs of fear that wants to hold you back. Then courageously move through them.

Weight loss Tip 43

Recognizing emotional hunger (as apposed to real physical hunger) is one of the keys to overcoming or staving off frequent emotional eating.

Some of the characteristics of emotional hunger include:

* Emotional hunger comes on suddenly.

* One minute you're not hungry at all and the next minute you're starving.

* Emotional hunger often craves specific food, like pizza, chocolate, or a cheeseburger.

* Emotional hunger begins in the mouth and the mind, not the stomach.

* Emotional hunger often accompanies an unpleasant emotion.

* Emotional hunger involves automatic or absent-minded eating.

* Emotional hunger isn't satisfied when you're full.

* Emotional hunger makes you feel guilty.

Weight loss Tip 44

Keep believing in yourself.

You are in control and have the power to make changes in your life.

Weight loss Tip 45

Develop new mood regulation strategies.

For example, share your problems when anxious and exercise when you're bored.

Weight loss Tip 46

Try to eat more foods that are high in fibre.

Research shows that people who have diets high in fibre typically have lower body weights, lower body fat and lower body mass indexes.

Some researchers believe that the high incidences of obesity in the western world is in part due to the fact that our diets are typically very low in fibre compared to other regions of the world such as Africa and Asia, where diets are predominantly plant based.

Weight loss Tip 47

Where possible, eat whole fruits instead of drinking fruit juices.

Many fruits have most of their goodness in the skin which isn't always used in making fruit juice.

Weight loss Tip 48

Replace white rice, bread, and pasta with brown rice and whole-grain products.

These products are less refined than their white counterparts and often have much more fibre in them which is digested slower, keeps us feeling fuller longer and releases its energy slower which keep our blood sugar levels even and helps us avoid cravings.

Weight loss Tip 49

If you internalize hurt and rely on food to deal with negative emotions, don't swallow your emotions for the sake of sparing others from getting upset.

If they've upset you, let them know about it and tell them that you won't tolerate that kind of behaviour in the future

Weight loss Tip 50

Love yourself for who you are and forget about trying to be perfect.
Weight loss Tip 51
Use portion controlled packaged foods to help you get used to eating smaller portions (prepackaged frozen meals and single serve snack packs for example).

Weight loss Tip 52

Gradually reduce your serving sizes over time until they reach the ideal size.

Weight loss Tip 53

When ordering takeaway food, don't buy super-sized, up-sized or so-called ‘value' options.

Weight loss Tip 54

When it comes to changing your diet, making small permanent changes are better than radical changes that you won't be able to live with.

Weight loss Tip 55

When it comes to changing your diet or exercise levels, remember that to make these changes habit you are going to have to continue to practice them consciously for awhile (maybe up to 3 months) until they become unconscious.

Weight loss Tip 56

Put your fork or food down between bites.

This will give your body time to digest the food properly and recognize when your stomach is full.

Weight loss Tip 57

Don't eat while cooking – this increases your total serving size, often without being noticed.

Weight loss Tip 58

Begin eating main meals with a healthy soup or a salad with low calorie dressing.

This will help fill you up and may provide valuable nutrition not otherwise contained in your main serving.

Tip 59

Try to reduce stress in your life and other things that cause you to eat on emotion.

Tip 60

Eat the widest variety of foods possible.

A healthy diet is a balanced diet and a balanced diet has plenty of variety - occasional fast food meals are OK; just don't make them the staple.

Weight loss Tip 61

Try to stay happy.

When we are overweight, there is a fair chance it will get us down from time to time.

But if we want to lose weight and lead a happier, healthier life it's very important that we try to keep our spirits high and enjoy life.

Weight loss Tip 62

Always eat a healthy breakfast.

Breakfast is so important that it is the logical place to begin when trying to improve your diet. Whole-grain, high-fiber cereals with low-fat milk are an excellent choice.

Weight loss Tip 63

Understand and read the Nutrition Facts labels on packaged food.

We can't get away with not eating packaged and processed foods these days. However we can choose to eat the healthiest choices available and being able to read nutritional labels contained on all packaged foods is the first step to making the right choice.

Weight loss Tip 64

Compare the nutritional facts of like products and if possible, opt for the choice with the lowest calories, sugar, salt and/or fat.

Weight loss Tip 65

Be adventurous; try new dishes whenever you can.

Weight loss Tip 66

Remember that the cooking method you use can increase or reduce the calories contained in food.

The best cooking methods to keep calories to a minimum are usually steaming, broiling, grilling, microwaving and baking.

Weight loss Tip 67

Buy a new cookbook or food magazine for healthier food ideas.

Weight loss Tip 68

Exchange healthy recipes with friends and family.

Weight loss Tip 69

Alternate alcohol with low calorie drinks (water is perfect).

Weight loss Tip 70

Invite friends over for a vegetarian (or other theme) meal or join them at a new vegetarian restaurant that neither of you have tried.

Weight loss Tip 71

Feel proud every time you say "no" to a problem food.

Weight loss Tip 72

Neutralize food. There are no good or bad foods - all foods are OK when eaten in moderation.

Weight loss Tip 73

Watch your language, especially when talking to yourself.

Try to be positive and encouraging and don't be too hard on yourself. Treat yourself with the same level of respect and understanding that you would a close friend.

Weight loss Tip 74

Change your reward system so that it is not based on food and rewards behaviour modifications, not weight loss results.

Weight loss Tip 75

Be a role model and set a good example for your children by eating healthier yourself.

Weight loss Tip 76

Encourage your kids to eat healthy food by making sure it is tasty, well prepared, and easily available at home.

Weight loss Tip 77

Limit fast and snack food temptations by eating healthy food choices before visits to shopping centres, the movies, etc.

Weight loss Tip 78

Stock your home with healthy foods, like fruits, vegetables, whole grain cereals and bread, lean meats, poultry and seafood, and low-fat dairy products.

Weight loss Tip 79

Prepare meals with your children - kids often enjoy cooking and as well as having fun, they can learn about healthy cooking and food preparation.

Weight loss Tip 80

Don't force children to finish their food if they are full, they'll eat more than they need to and will adopt the 'clean plate' eating philosophy for life.

Weight loss Tip 81

Encourage your children to drink water and limit their opportunities to drink soft-drinks, fruit drinks and the like which are usually packed with sugar and calories.

Weight loss Tip 82

Start teaching your kids good eating habits as early as possible.

Weight loss Tip 83

As well as doing whatever we can to make sure our children are eating healthy foods, it's just as important to also make sure they are getting enough exercise and developing a love of being active.

Weight loss Tip 84

Try to help your child get at least thirty to sixty minutes of "exercise" broken down into ten or fifteen minute segments.

Weight loss Tip 85

Be a role model by being active yourself and engage your children in activities like walking, hiking, tennis, swimming, basketball, or bike riding.

Weight loss Tip 86

Make fitness a family affair and get the whole family involved in walks, bike rides, hiking, tennis, basketball, etc.

Weight loss Tip 87

Take advantage of family holidays by making sure they are "active breaks" and not just excuses for laying around and eating too much.

Weight loss Tip 88

Help your kids to develop basic fitness skills by helping them to enjoy swimming, walking, cycling, running, dancing, hiking, skating, etc.

Weight loss Tip 89

Keep your alcohol consumption in check.

Alcohol is high in kilojoules/calories. In fact 1g of alcohol contains around 28 kilojoules or 7 calories. In addition, all of these calories are known as "empty" calories because they provide no real nutritional value to our body.

Weight loss Tip 90

Where possible, try to reduce the number of calories contained in alcoholic drinks.

For example, use low-cal mixers in your spirits and make wine Spritzers using mineral or soda water and your favourite wine.

Weight loss Tip 91

Ask for Sporty presents.

If our partner, family and friends don't know what to buy us for Christmas or our birthday, ask for something sporty that will encourage you to do some physical activity of some kind, like a new tennis racket, pair of runners, treadmill, exercise bike or golf clubs.

Weight loss Tip 92

Don't let your exercise routine slip during the holidays.

The end of year holiday season may be a time of catching up with old friends and family mixed with a little overindulgence, but it shouldn't be a time when we have to give up completely on our regular exercise routine.

Weight loss Tip 93

Never eat just to please others - eat only what and how much you want, not as an obligation to others for cooking our favourite foods.

Weight loss Tip 94

It's not always a good idea to skip meals prior to a dinner out or a holiday feast. Being overly hungry before a meal can cause us to eat a lot more than we normally would once we do sit down at the table.

Weight loss Tip 95

Try not to pick at foods before or after a meal. The things we're all likely to pick at are those things that will add the greatest amount to our waistlines.

Weight loss Tip 96

Cross Train.

Quite often people who want to lose weight rely solely on one exercise like walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, rollerblading, yoga, Pilates, aerobics classes or weight training to meet all of their fitness and weight loss needs.

This is a mistake.

Weight loss Tip 97

Make sure your exercise routine includes activities that promote all three aspects of physical fitness – aerobic training for our heart and lungs, strength training for our muscles and bones and stretching for flexibility of ligaments and tendons.

Weight loss Tip 98

Ensure that your exercise routine includes some days of pure rest to ensure total recovery and provide true life balance.

Weight loss Tip 99

Whatever activities you choose to help you get fit and lose weight, always start slowly and build up your exercise time and intensity gradually.

Weight loss Tip 100

Don't take weight loss too far.

An appropriate amount of weight loss can make many of us healthier and happier. But for others who take weight loss too far, eating disorders can lead to very unhealthy outcomes and can even be life-threatening.

Weight loss Tip 101
It's all a matter of time. Getting healthier and losing weight takes the same thing as anything else worthwhile; time.

Getting fitter and stronger and eating healthier food takes time and effort and plenty of it.

The good news is that after a while doing the right things becomes second nature and it doesn't feel like you are doing anything special at all - you're just living your new life.

Weight loss tip 102

Say no to soft drinks, and say goodbye to 15 unwanted kilos per year.

Millions of people drink an average of 2 regular soft drinks a day, which adds an extra 1350Kj or 320 calories a day to their dietary intake. When you add these extra kilojoules up over a year, they result in around 15 kilograms of weight gain!

Would you like to lose 15kgs in one year?

Weight loss tip 103

Don't try to eliminate fat altogether, as dietary fat is necessary to maintain a healthy body.

Dietary fat is a vital component for building body tissue and cells, and it aids in the absorption of some vitamins and other nutrients.

Many people eat too much of the bad fats, but also eat too little of the good fats required for optimal health.

Weight loss tip 104

Skate your way to good health.

Do you remember rolling around on skates as a child or teenager? Did gliding down the street or around the rink make you feel free?

You probably didn't even notice you were exercising. When exercise is fun it's easy to keep doing. When exercise is too hard and no fun, many of us get bored and unmotivated and stop altogether.

Weight loss tip 105

Let your clothes be your guide.

'Clothes don't lie' is something a friend said to me the other day, and they're right.

They were explaining that their clothes were starting to feel tighter and it was time to up the intensity of their exercise.

Rather than buy larger clothes, they diet and exercise until their clothes fit comfortably.

Weight loss tip 106

Beware of the three elements that most often lead to poor food choices.

Three elements that commonly lead to poor food choices are Habit, Emotion and Opportunity.

Being aware of these three traps may help you avoid poor food choices so that you can achieve your weight loss goal.

Habit leads to poor food choices because it leads to unconscious behaviour, like choosing food which tastes the best and buying more food than we need.

Emotional eating is very common and results in us managing our moods with food. Eating chocolates, cake or ice cream when we're sad or depressed is only one example. Drinking alcohol and eating a five course meal to help us celebrate is another.

Opportunity in the context of poor food choices relates to having poor food choices readily available. An example of this would be to keep potato chips, cans of cola and sweets in our pantry. If this type of food isn't there when we crave it, we can't eat it.

Weight loss tip 107

Make sure there's a bowl of fruit in the office kitchen.

Having a bowl of fruit available in the office kitchen at all times will help those who sometimes need to skip lunch because of meeting.

It will also help those of us who normally make poor afternoon or mid-morning snack choices.

Fresh fruit is a little like cookies or chocolate; if it's there, people will eat it.

Weight loss tip 108

Manage stress and boredom with exercise, not food.

Many of us turn to junk food when we're bored or stressed.

Why not try going for a walk or jog instead, or better yet, pump some iron or go a few rounds on a punching bag, you'll feel a lot better.

Managing stress and boredom with food only leads to more emotional issues, like guilt, self-pity and unhappiness, particularly when we are already overweight and are trying to do something positive about it.

Exercise on the other hand not only helps us relieve stress and boredom, it also helps us achieve our weight loss and fitness goals.

Weight loss tip 109

Always keep a container of cereal and a protein bar in your desk drawer at work.

Whole grain cereal is high in fibre and protein bars are usually high in (you guessed it), protein.

Fibre and protein are great because they keep us feeling full longer, so they make a great snack or emergency breakfast or lunch.

Weight loss tip 110

Understand how the weather affects your food choices.

If you're like most of us, you choose comfort food choices in winter and eat more salads during summer.

By keeping this in mind, you are better able to mix-it-up during the colder months and include the odd healthy soup or meat and salad sandwich instead of the hamburger and fries combo.

Weight loss tip 111

Sushi is now a popular lunch option among those of us who buy our lunch ocassionally.

The problem is that the Sushi we buy is often "Australianised" to suit our Western palates.

When you're choosing between Sushi dishes, choose sashimi instead, or choose sushi filled with Chicken or Tuna instead of fried fillings. Also try to avoid dressings like mayonnaise and use salty flavour enhancers like soy sauce sparingly.
Weight loss tip 112

Avoid foods with more than 10% fat. Read the food label to find out the number of grams of fat per 100g in what you are about to buy. If it is more than 10g per 100g don't buy or use the ingredient.
Weight loss tip 113

Avoid the "all or nothing" mentality, this will set yourself up for failure.
One small hiccup or over indulgence doesn't mean you've ruined your healthy eating plan.
Simply put the hiccup behind you and move on from these tempting foods. If you have had something you shouldn't have then tomorrow you should make up for it and do extra exercise or eat more fuit or veg.
Weight loss tip 114

Replace one cup of coffee each day with a new herbal tea. Every week you should purchase a new flavour to alternate. Over a period of time you will have a vast selection of teas with none of the calories that your coffee or latte would have had. Herbal Teas will also aid you in digestion and fluid retention. Great teas to alternate are peppermint, green, raspberry and camomile teas.
There are specialist tea shops where you can have fun in tryinginteresting flavours you normally wouldn't see in the supermarkets. You will find after a few weeks that your taste buds will look forward to the clean cleansing taste of your new teas.
Source - weightloss.com

Tips for healthy hair this monsoon

Is your hair falling, your scalp itchy and those lustrous locks getting sticky this monsoon? Worry not, experts have a host of suggestions, including simple homemade remedies like vinegar and methi seeds, to keep your hair healthy and sorted.

The problems occur because humidity leads to excessive perspiration and the scalp gets oily.

"Oil and sweat secretions tend to stick to hair and scalp. It also attracts grime and pollutants in the air. To handle all this, one needs to shampoo hair more frequently, especially if hair is oily," renowned beauty expert Shahnaz Husain said.

Her advice is to use shampoos containing herbal extracts like shikakai, reetha, brahmi, amla and henna.

But won't your hair get spoilt with frequent washing?

Not at all, says hair stylist Renee Malik.

"Wash hair as often as required but choose your shampoo wisely. Go for a mild cleansing shampoo for regular use and pair it up with a suitable conditioner for your hair type," Malik said.

Apart from hair fall, itchy scalp is something that troubles many people during this season.

According to Geetika Mittal, medical director of the International Skin and Anti-Aging Centre (ISAAC), it could be a sign of unhealthy hair.
"Itchy scalp is a symptom of unhealthy hair; so cleansing and nourishing of hair is important. Besides that, using hair mask and getting hair spa treatment is also a good idea in this season," Mittal said.

Husain adds that the itching could be due to a scalp infection.

It is best to consult a dermatologist to rule out a fungal or other scalp infection, she said, offering a homemade solution for relief.

"Add a tablespoon of vinegar to a mug of water and use as a last rinse after shampoo. It helps to relieve itching," said Husain.

Oiling your hair is usually a good nourishment but one needs to take care about how long it stays during the rainy season.
"Oiling is good for nourishing hair roots. But one has to keep in mind that during the monsoon, the scalp anyway gets oily; so oil your hair two hours before washing. This will not let your scalp get oily and will also prevent your hair from being frizzy," said Mittal.
Oil can also help remove dandruff.

Heat olive oil or sesame seed oil and apply on the scalp with cotton wool, rubbing gently, to dislodge the flakes, said Husain.
Husain, known for her herbal beauty products, also recommends a rinse of marigold flowers to improve hair texture.

"Add a handful of fresh or dried marigold flowers to three cups of hot water. Allow it to stand for an hour. Strain and cool the water and use as a final rinse. It benefits oily hair, adding shine to it," she said.
"Also, one can soak methi seeds overnight in water. Strain the water next morning and use it to rinse the hair to tackle all kinds of hair trouble," she added.

Other homemade remedies to bring back the shine to dull and lifeless hair include vinegar, banana and avocado oil.
"Wash scalp with vinegar or mash a banana and add avocado oil and apply it on hair as a mask and rinse hair after an hour. It makes your hair smooth and shining," said Mittal.

Eating right is important too.
"Drinking amla juice first thing in the morning is advised for healthy hair and skin as it is loaded with vitamin C, iron and calcium," said Malik.

One needs to include fresh fruits, raw salads, sprouts and yogurt in the daily diet. Also, drink at least eight glasses of water daily and avoid oily food.
Source - Times of India

,

Dyslexia caused by faulty signal processing in brain: study

Dyslexia, a learning disability can result when the medial geniculate nucleus in the thalamus of the brain does not process speech sounds correctly, a new study has claimed.

Researchers from Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences in Leipzig found that many difficulties associated with dyslexia can potentially be traced back to a malfunction of the medial geniculate nucleus in the thalamus.

The thalamus is a large, dual lobed mass of grey matter buried under the cerebral cortex. It is involved in sensory perception and regulation of motor functions.

There are three proposed cognitive subtypes of dyslexia: auditory, visual and attentional.

People who suffer from dyslexia have difficulties with identifying speech sounds in spoken language. For example, while most children are able to recognise whether two words rhyme even before they go to school, dyslexic children often cannot do this until late primary school age.

The research found that dyslexic adults have a malfunction in a structure that transfers auditory information from the ear to the cortex, the medial geniculate body in the auditory thalamus does not process speech sounds correctly.

“This malfunction at a low level of language processing could percolate through the entire system. This explains why the symptoms of dyslexia are so varied,” Begona Diaz from the Institute said.

The researchers conducted two experiments in which several volunteers had to perform various speech comprehension tasks.

When affected individuals performed tasks that required the recognition of speech sounds, as compared to recognise the voices that pronounced the same speech, magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) recordings showed abnormal responses in the area around the medial geniculate body.

In contrast, no differences were apparent between controls and dyslexic participants if the tasks involved only listening to the speech sounds without having to perform a specific task.

“The problem, therefore, has nothing to do with sensory processing itself, but with the processing involved in speech recognition,” Diaz said.
Source - The Hindu

, , ,

Control your BP with a healthy lifestyle and diet.

Increased blood pressure is possibly one of the most common health concerns; medically referred to as hypertension. Blood pressure is the force of blood against the artery walls. It is expressed as systolic and diastolic pressures. Both numbers must be maintained within normal values. A normal reading should be less than 120 mmHg for systolic and less than 80 mmHg for diastolic pressure.
Pre-hypertension is a stage when the systolic reading is between 120 and 139 mmHg and when the diastolic is between 80 and 89 mmHg. Stage 1 hypertension is indicated by a systolic reading between 140 and 159 mmHg and diastolic between 90 and 99 mmHg. Stage 2 is when the systolic reading is 160 mmHg and diastolic 100 mmHg.

Many people with high blood pressure have no significant signs or symptoms and are often diagnosed as hypertensive during a routine medical examination. So it is important to monitor blood pressure regularly, especially for those over 50 years even when they’re feeling fine. High blood pressure does not happen overnight. It typically takes some years to develop. In some people, there is no known or identifiable cause for the chronic elevation of blood pressure and this is referred to as essential or idiopathic hypertension.
Why is uncorrected hypertension a health risk? Uncontrolled hypertension can cause damage to the heart, brain, kidneys and even the eyes. When diagnosed as hypertensive, the doctors may prescribe medication. In addition to pharmacological interventions, there are other ways to control blood pressure. Of these, lifestyle changes and diet are perhaps the most important.
Lifestyle changes
This includes maintaining a healthy weight, regular physical activity, limiting the alcohol intake, quitting smoking and managing stress. Yoga, meditation and deep breathing exercises all help manage blood pressure.
Maintain a healthy weight: If you are overweight or obese, shed a few pounds to reach the ideal weight. This is possible through a healthy eating plan and sustained exercise. For Asians, the recommended BMI is < 22.9 kg/m2. A waist measurement of less than 72cm for women and less than 78 cm for men is best. Work towards 30 to 40 minutes of moderate physical activity daily. If that’s not possible, divide the 30 minutes into shorter periods of 10-15 minutes each.
Healthy eating: What you eat influences your blood pressure. Choose foods low in salt and sodium. Lower your salt intake to as low as possible. The WHO recommends a daily salt intake of no more than 5 gm, while a committee set up by the Institute of Medicine suggests 3.75 gm as adequate to ensure nutrient adequacy. One teaspoon of salt is about six gm. Many packaged and processed foods contain added salt. Check labels for salt content. If you feel that food is less appetising, add spices like cinnamon, cloves and ginger and herbs like mint and coriander to make it tasty. Combining the DASH eating plan with a low sodium diet gives the biggest benefit in preventing and managing hypertension.
Deficiencies: Deficiency of potassium can cause retention of sodium and elevate blood pressure. Foods high in potassium include sweet lime, musk melon, peaches, plums, many green leafy vegetables, brinjal, drumstick and most dals and pulses. Food that contains calcium and magnesium also help lower blood pressure. Go for low fat dairy products for calcium and pulses, nuts and leafy vegetables to supply the magnesium. The higher the protein intake, the lower the blood pressure. This is especially true of vegetable sources of protein like soya bean.
Other foods: Dark chocolate (not milk or white) contains high amounts of a phytochemical called flavonol, which induces vaso-relaxation and lowers blood pressure (both systolic and diastolic). Garlic, green and black tea contain many compounds that can have beneficial effects on hypertension while aerated drinks, including the diet drinks, could pose an increased risk. Omega -3 fatty acids, found predominantly in fatty fish, walnuts, flaxseeds and canola oil, also help.
Serving size: It is not only what you eat, but how much you eat that contributes to your calorie intake, overweight status and blood pressure.
Note: Drugs prescribed by the doctor have to be taken regularly. Do not stop just because you feel better.
Risk factors
Family history
Increasing age
Being overweight or obese
Physical inactivity
Smoking
Excessive consumption of alcohol
Constant stress
High intake of salt and fat
Abnormal cholesterol levels
Diabetes mellitus
Conditions like atherosclerosis
DASH diet
The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet is high in potassium, calcium, and magnesium, as well as protein and fibre. It has low amounts of fats and red meat. Here’s how it goes:
Eight to 10 servings of fruits and vegetables a day
Use whole grains instead of refined cereals
Include poultry, fish, nuts and 2-3 servings of low fat dairy foods

Source - The Hindu

 

news health articles © 2012 | Designed by Cheap Hair Accessories

Thanks to: Sovast Extensions Wholesale, Sovast Accessories Wholesale and Sovast Hair