Ah-choo! Oh, that awful achy feeling when every muscle and bone in your body just hurts. You can’t sleep, you have no appetite and you certainly can’t afford to be under the weather for even just a few days. Cold and flu season will be upon us again and there is no better time to protect yourself than right now with a strong immune system.
What is the immune system? Very simply, our immune system is like a shield that protects our body from the germs, bacteria and viruses that can cause illness. The weaker the immune system, the more vulnerable we are to getting sick. The stronger the immune system, the more we protect ourselves from getting sick. This isn’t to say that we won’t ever catch a cold, but with a strong immune system, we will also be better able to fight off any illness faster.
So, how do you build a strong immune system? There are several things we can do to make sure our immune system stays healthy and becomes strong.
The first is nutrition. You know the saying, “garbage in, garbage out?” It’s the same thing with our bodies. Bad eating habits result in poor nutrition, which cannot give our bodies the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients it needs in order to stay strong. There’s nothing wrong with a cheeseburger or ice cream on occasion, but moderation is the key.
Unfortunately, even the best nutritional habits are challenged to provide the body with all it needs to build a really strong immune system. Nutritional supplementation, such as vitamins, minerals and immune boosters are important to help fill in the blanks that even the best nutrition can’t.
Exercise is another great way to help build a strong immune system. You don’t have to join a gym or hire a personal trainer to exercise. Ever notice how much better you feel after a nice long walk? Regular bike rides; walks, gardening, and yes-even housework are all great forms of exercise that will help contribute.
There are also certain things to avoid. Excessive stress and smoking are just two things that can really compromise and weaken the immune system. I know from experience when I was in a high-stress work environment, I felt terrible and became sick more frequently.
Building and maintaining a strong immune system is not something that happens overnight and that we can forget about in just a few short months. It is something that we must continue to strive for our entire lives. We will be less apt to get sick. We will be able to fight off illness better and we will be able to lead a much higher quality of life for the long term.
Get started today and create real smart health for today and tomorrow.
About the author:
Patty Gale is a successful entrepreneur who specializes in personalization and customer care for all of her clients. She exchanged her suits, hose and heels to work from home in her "jammies" and is on a mission to empower others to do the same.
She can be reached at: http://www.Immune-System-Boosters.com
Saturday, March 1, 2008
How to Perform the Heimlich Maneuver
On average 3,000 adults die per year as a result of accidentally inhaling and choking on food. When food gets stuck in your throat, it blocks your trachea making it very difficult to breathe. Because the airway is blocked, it may take less than a minute to die after the food is consumed. It is important to act fast in these situations and a slight hesitation could mean the difference between living and dying. The Heimlich maneuver is a standard component of all first aid courses and is an effective technique which all individuals should learn.
When someone is choking the Heimlich maneuver is performed to dislodge the obstruction which is blocking the trachea. By compressing the abdomen just below the level of the diaphragm, the air is forced out of the lungs removing the obstruction which was blocking the air flow. At this point, the material which was blocking the trachea will be brought back up into the mouth.
Now that you’re aware of how important it is to know how to perform the Heimlich maneuver, here is a brief explanation on the steps involved in the process:
1. Ask the person if they are choking. Performing the Heimlich maneuver when not necessary can be harmful and can also waste time in getting the victim the correct form of help.
2. Stand behind the victim, make a fist with one hand and place your thumb towards the victim below the rib cage and above the waist.
3. Wrap your arms around the victim, placing your other hand on top of your fist.
4. Thrust upwards from 6-10 times. These thrusts should be relatively hard but not so hard that they can damage the victim further. Do not give up if the first attempt fails. It is very unlikely that it will be effective the first time, keep trying even if it takes 5 or more attempts.
Before you attempt to perform the Heimlich maneuver on a choking victim, you should be aware of the precautions involved in this technique. Improper application of the Heimlich maneuver can potentially cause damage to the ribs, chest and internal organs of the victim. If you are not completely sure of how to perform this maneuver, take a first aid class which will outline the exact techniques involved.
It is also important to note that when performing the Heimlich maneuver on children the amount of force exuded is considerably less than the amount for adults. Children are not as strongly built as adults and for this reason the amount of force should be decreased so they are not put in any additional danger.
Please be aware that these are just guidelines and they are in no way meant to be taken in replace of a first aid or CPR course. I strongly suggest taking first aid courses to ensure you have the confidence required to successfully perform this maneuver should your assistance be required.
About the author:
Steve Larson is a volunteer firefighter who is passionate about saving lives. This led him to take a freelance writing position for http://www.firstaid101.com – which offers information about first aid and first aid products - and includes information on creating special things like a ' target='_blank' class='navigation'>http://www.firstaid101.com/first-aid/first-aid-kits.aspx">first aid kits.
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When someone is choking the Heimlich maneuver is performed to dislodge the obstruction which is blocking the trachea. By compressing the abdomen just below the level of the diaphragm, the air is forced out of the lungs removing the obstruction which was blocking the air flow. At this point, the material which was blocking the trachea will be brought back up into the mouth.
Now that you’re aware of how important it is to know how to perform the Heimlich maneuver, here is a brief explanation on the steps involved in the process:
1. Ask the person if they are choking. Performing the Heimlich maneuver when not necessary can be harmful and can also waste time in getting the victim the correct form of help.
2. Stand behind the victim, make a fist with one hand and place your thumb towards the victim below the rib cage and above the waist.
3. Wrap your arms around the victim, placing your other hand on top of your fist.
4. Thrust upwards from 6-10 times. These thrusts should be relatively hard but not so hard that they can damage the victim further. Do not give up if the first attempt fails. It is very unlikely that it will be effective the first time, keep trying even if it takes 5 or more attempts.
Before you attempt to perform the Heimlich maneuver on a choking victim, you should be aware of the precautions involved in this technique. Improper application of the Heimlich maneuver can potentially cause damage to the ribs, chest and internal organs of the victim. If you are not completely sure of how to perform this maneuver, take a first aid class which will outline the exact techniques involved.
It is also important to note that when performing the Heimlich maneuver on children the amount of force exuded is considerably less than the amount for adults. Children are not as strongly built as adults and for this reason the amount of force should be decreased so they are not put in any additional danger.
Please be aware that these are just guidelines and they are in no way meant to be taken in replace of a first aid or CPR course. I strongly suggest taking first aid courses to ensure you have the confidence required to successfully perform this maneuver should your assistance be required.
About the author:
Steve Larson is a volunteer firefighter who is passionate about saving lives. This led him to take a freelance writing position for http://www.firstaid101.com – which offers information about first aid and first aid products - and includes information on creating special things like a ' target='_blank' class='navigation'>http://www.firstaid101.com/first-aid/first-aid-kits.aspx">first aid kits.
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How to Naturally Improve Your Vision
What is 2020 vision?
20/20 vision is a term used to express normal visual acuity (the clarity or sharpness of vision) measured at a distance of 20 feet. If you have 20/20 vision, you can see clearly at 20 feet what should normally be seen at that distance. If you have 20/100 vision, it means that you must be as close as 20 feet to see what a person with normal vision can see at 100 feet.
20/20 does not necessarily mean perfect vision. 20/20 vision only indicates the sharpness or clarity of vision at a distance. There are other important vision skills, including peripheral awareness or side vision, eye coordination, depth perception, focusing ability and color vision that contribute to your overall visual ability
How to Naturally Improve Your Vision without Glasses or Surgery:
Discover the natural vision improvement method that touts a great success rate in reversing and improving bad vision. Thousands now have better vision without glasses or laser surgery
I already heard about this method many years ago, and I was really impressed with this theory. Then, all of a sudden I could not find the information anymore. Now I have found it again. And it makes so much sense. So, I have done further investigation into this theory. I love researching helpful information. I would like to share this with you.
The catch is dedicating 25 minutes a day to the exercises and techniques. The program is very easy-to-follow and is laid out in a step-by-step, minute-by-minute format. Once you receive the package you can begin the exercises within 10-15 minutes.
How He Beat It: Optical calisthenics
Twenty-six-year-old Orlin Sorensen dreamed of flying combat missions like his grandfather, but his 20/80 eyesight kept him below standards for naval flight training (20/30, no glasses or surgeries allowed). Commercial airlines, however, aren't as strict -- for several years, Sorensen flew for Horizon Air while wearing glasses. Then came September 11, leaving the airline industry decimated and Sorensen flying a lot less. "I was bummed, but I decided to try to turn my life around," he says.
He used the time to put a curiosity to the test: Can a man improve his vision by "exercising" his eyes? Inspired by World War II fighter pilots who used vision-training exercises, and by a 1920 book by Dr. William Bates (The Bates Method for Better Eyesight without Glasses), Sorensen stockpiled information until he had enough exercises to begin his own program. "I trained my eyes to do things they don't normally do," Sorensen says. "I treated the program like physical exercise." He "worked out" 25 minutes a day, 6 days a week, for 30 days, doing exercises like slowly rolling his eyes in a full circle. The results? The navy measured his vision at 20/30, he no longer needs glasses.
A wholistic orientation to health. Mr. Bates Theorym.
Bates also developed a theory that people with abnormal vision used their eyes differently than people with normal vision, then created a system designed to help people to relearn the right vision habits and to unlearn the wrong habits. Advocates of the Bates Method claim that relearning and improving the right vision habits which they assert are inseparably connected to normal vision. They assert that the Bates Method is a natural method that improves movement, relaxation, and circulation of the whole visual system.
Theory of accommodation/focusing
Accommodation is the process by which the eye changes focus between objects that are far and objects that are near. Bates maintained that the eye focuses, not by the action of the ciliary muscles on the crystalline lens, but by varying elongation of the eyeball caused by the extraocular muscles.
Benefits from practicing Natural Vision Improvement can include:
• Increased clarity of sight
• Increased mental clarity
• Enhanced depth perception
• A more relaxed way of being
• More connection with the world around you
• A sense of greater balance and harmony
• Greater awareness
• Greater connection with yourself
• Better eye health
• Better balance and coordination
Almost half a million Americans underwent corrective vision surgery in 1999 (more than double the number who attempted it the year before), and complications that may arise from these procedures are still uncertain, as the science is so new and untested.
Diet and Vision
I have heard the following statement over and over again. I have also experienced it myself.
I began eating a diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, non-gluten grains, fish, chicken and no dairy. After a few weeks on this diet I began noticing a sharpening in my vision. I have noticed this in the past; an improvement in diet correlating with improvement in vision.
Early studies have indicated that "good" eicosanoids such as PGE1 reduce macular degeneration. One of the best ways to increase PGE1 is to follow the Zone Diet and consume extra fish oil either as fish or fish oil supplements.
Many optometrists are expanding their traditional role to include other areas that affect eye health, such as nutrition. Research has shown that nutrition can impact the development of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which are the two leading causes of blindness and visual impairment among millions of aging Americans. Nutrition may be particularly important given that currently, treatment options after diagnosis for these eye diseases are limited.
About the author:
My name is Ruth Bird. I have been married for 27 years to my husband, Chris. Chris has been battling the monster, MS, for a number of years. People and Pet Health Care are my passions. Contact me here http://www.mimfreedom.com
Vision Improvement: http://seebetter.blogspot.com/
20/20 vision is a term used to express normal visual acuity (the clarity or sharpness of vision) measured at a distance of 20 feet. If you have 20/20 vision, you can see clearly at 20 feet what should normally be seen at that distance. If you have 20/100 vision, it means that you must be as close as 20 feet to see what a person with normal vision can see at 100 feet.
20/20 does not necessarily mean perfect vision. 20/20 vision only indicates the sharpness or clarity of vision at a distance. There are other important vision skills, including peripheral awareness or side vision, eye coordination, depth perception, focusing ability and color vision that contribute to your overall visual ability
How to Naturally Improve Your Vision without Glasses or Surgery:
Discover the natural vision improvement method that touts a great success rate in reversing and improving bad vision. Thousands now have better vision without glasses or laser surgery
I already heard about this method many years ago, and I was really impressed with this theory. Then, all of a sudden I could not find the information anymore. Now I have found it again. And it makes so much sense. So, I have done further investigation into this theory. I love researching helpful information. I would like to share this with you.
The catch is dedicating 25 minutes a day to the exercises and techniques. The program is very easy-to-follow and is laid out in a step-by-step, minute-by-minute format. Once you receive the package you can begin the exercises within 10-15 minutes.
How He Beat It: Optical calisthenics
Twenty-six-year-old Orlin Sorensen dreamed of flying combat missions like his grandfather, but his 20/80 eyesight kept him below standards for naval flight training (20/30, no glasses or surgeries allowed). Commercial airlines, however, aren't as strict -- for several years, Sorensen flew for Horizon Air while wearing glasses. Then came September 11, leaving the airline industry decimated and Sorensen flying a lot less. "I was bummed, but I decided to try to turn my life around," he says.
He used the time to put a curiosity to the test: Can a man improve his vision by "exercising" his eyes? Inspired by World War II fighter pilots who used vision-training exercises, and by a 1920 book by Dr. William Bates (The Bates Method for Better Eyesight without Glasses), Sorensen stockpiled information until he had enough exercises to begin his own program. "I trained my eyes to do things they don't normally do," Sorensen says. "I treated the program like physical exercise." He "worked out" 25 minutes a day, 6 days a week, for 30 days, doing exercises like slowly rolling his eyes in a full circle. The results? The navy measured his vision at 20/30, he no longer needs glasses.
A wholistic orientation to health. Mr. Bates Theorym.
Bates also developed a theory that people with abnormal vision used their eyes differently than people with normal vision, then created a system designed to help people to relearn the right vision habits and to unlearn the wrong habits. Advocates of the Bates Method claim that relearning and improving the right vision habits which they assert are inseparably connected to normal vision. They assert that the Bates Method is a natural method that improves movement, relaxation, and circulation of the whole visual system.
Theory of accommodation/focusing
Accommodation is the process by which the eye changes focus between objects that are far and objects that are near. Bates maintained that the eye focuses, not by the action of the ciliary muscles on the crystalline lens, but by varying elongation of the eyeball caused by the extraocular muscles.
Benefits from practicing Natural Vision Improvement can include:
• Increased clarity of sight
• Increased mental clarity
• Enhanced depth perception
• A more relaxed way of being
• More connection with the world around you
• A sense of greater balance and harmony
• Greater awareness
• Greater connection with yourself
• Better eye health
• Better balance and coordination
Almost half a million Americans underwent corrective vision surgery in 1999 (more than double the number who attempted it the year before), and complications that may arise from these procedures are still uncertain, as the science is so new and untested.
Diet and Vision
I have heard the following statement over and over again. I have also experienced it myself.
I began eating a diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, non-gluten grains, fish, chicken and no dairy. After a few weeks on this diet I began noticing a sharpening in my vision. I have noticed this in the past; an improvement in diet correlating with improvement in vision.
Early studies have indicated that "good" eicosanoids such as PGE1 reduce macular degeneration. One of the best ways to increase PGE1 is to follow the Zone Diet and consume extra fish oil either as fish or fish oil supplements.
Many optometrists are expanding their traditional role to include other areas that affect eye health, such as nutrition. Research has shown that nutrition can impact the development of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which are the two leading causes of blindness and visual impairment among millions of aging Americans. Nutrition may be particularly important given that currently, treatment options after diagnosis for these eye diseases are limited.
About the author:
My name is Ruth Bird. I have been married for 27 years to my husband, Chris. Chris has been battling the monster, MS, for a number of years. People and Pet Health Care are my passions. Contact me here http://www.mimfreedom.com
Vision Improvement: http://seebetter.blogspot.com/
How to Make Your Own Rose Hips
I was enjoying a long (very long) hike over the weekend that brought me in contact with a wide variety of plants and animals. While taking a breather at a ranger station, I was admiring a plant which had what looked to be cherry tomatoes or some kind of red berry sprouting from its branches. The ranger said I was looking at a rose bush and the red fruit it was producing went by the name of rose hips.
“Rose Hips” I shrieked. I had known of the supplement for years but had never seen a real live rose hip. I was informed that rose hips form after the rose bloom has died. Almost any rose variety will produce hips but the ranger informed me that the Rosa rugosa formed the tastiest variety if you planned on eating them. Further research confirmed that Rosa rugosa is the bush of choice for tasty rose hips.
Why Eat Rose Hips?
Probably the best reason to eat or drink rose hips is the incredible source of vitamin C that it provides. Studies have shown vitamin C to be helpful with fighting infection, colds/flu, sore throat, fatigue and stress to name a few. Hips provide almost 20 times the amount of vitamin C found in Oranges.
How do I Grow Rose Hips?
As I have mentioned, there seams to be a consensus that Rosa rugosa is the best plant to use for growing rose hips. Let the blooms die on the bush (resist the temptation to cut the beautiful blooms, the more you cut the less hips you will produce) and the hips will begin to form. They will start out green and begin to turn red similar to the way a tomato ripens. Harvest them when they become completely red but not overripe, this usually occurs after the first frost.
Preparing the Hips
You can use rose hips either fresh off the vine, dried, or preserved. To dry the fruit spread the hips out on a clean surface. Allow them to dry until the skin begins to feel dry and slightly shriveled. At this point, split the hips in half and take out all of the seeds and tiny hairs in the center. Remember not to use aluminum pans or utensils as this will destroy some of the vitamin C.
After the seeds are removed you can let the hips dry completely. Don’t wait to remove the seeds until hips are completely dry or you will have trouble with de-seeding.
Store the dried hips in sealed plastic bags. Freeze for long term use or put in the refrigerator if you plan on using over a two or three month period. Hips can be eaten as a semi-sweet snack at anytime. You can also make tea and preserves; I have listed two recipes below to get you started.
What about Supplements?
Rose hip supplements are available at most health food and vitamin stores. For me, the fun is in making your own hips. If you just want vitamin C there isn’t really a whole lot of difference between taking regular vitamin C supplement and vitamin C with rose hips (except the price, hips will cost a bit more).
Recipes
If you are fortunate enough to have roses at your home, here are some recipes you might want to try:
Hip Tea Recipe
Place 4-6 hips (prepared as noted above) in the bottom of a non-aluminum pan
Add 2 cups of cool water
Allow water to come to a boil
Let simmer for about 30 minutes (less if you like a weaker tea)
Strain and add sweetener to taste
Hip Marmalade
Prepare hips as noted above and soak in cool water for several hours
Bring hips soaking in water to a boil for about 20 minutes
Strain out water
Add one cup of brown sugar or granulated sugar per one cup of the strained water
Boil the sweetened water until it becomes thick and syrupy
Add the previously boiled hips and continue boiling until hips are tender
Pour into jars and seal
Enjoy!!
About the author:
Mike Brooks has been a life long follower and proponent of the fitness lifestyle. Through his avid research, Mr. Brooks has come to the realization that being healthy is a choice and encompasses not only proper diet but also a fitness regimen that includes the mind, body and soul. Mike Brooks is the publisher and editor-in-chief for the health information site http://www.Ultimatehealthreport.com.
How To Lose 20 Pounds REALLY, REALLY Fast
Back “in the day” when I used to be a full time personal trainer and I met with clients in person at my New Jersey Health Club, the first thing I would always ask my clients during the initial consultation was:
"Tell me exactly what you want... and I'll show you how to get it."
Typical reply from client:
"I want to lose 20 pounds fast."
My reply:
"Are you SURE that's what you want? If I can show you how to lose 20 pounds REALLY, REALLY fast, will that make you happy?"
They nodded their head affirmatively as their eyes lit up in anticipation of the quick weight loss secrets I was about to reveal...
Their face went white when - with a totally straight face – I pulled out a hacksaw and started walking towards them.... menacingly.
Not sure whether to laugh or to run away in sheer terror, they said,
"What the heck are you doing?"
"You said you wanted to lose 20 pounds fast. This is the easiest, surest, most effective way I know to take 20 pounds off you FAST! In fact, I figure that right leg of yours might even weigh 25 pounds!"
I kept walking closer and started to get into sawing position, wielding my fast, effective and guaranteed weight loss tool...
"Bear with me because this IS quick, but sometimes it takes a few minutes for me to cut through the bone."
By this time, my client and I are either completely cracking up, or I have seriously scared the living you know what out of them, or they just think I'm a complete lunatic... (it depends on whether I was able to keep a straight face or not).
Finally, the light bulb goes on, and my client would see where I was going with this:
"Okay, smart alec," I get it... I don't want to lose WEIGHT, I want to lose FAT."
Sometimes I would be having so much fun, I would just keep on playin'...
"But why not? This is easy, fast and guaranteed - just what everyone wants these days... it's even better than taking a pill! Come on... let me hack it off! You'll be my next testimonial: 'I lost 20 pounds in 5 minutes!' Imagine what that will do for my business!"
"Very funny. I told you, I get it, I get it! I want to lose FAT, not muscles and bones. I need my leg!
Naturally, of course, I didn’t always have to pull out my trusty blade. Every once in a while... about as often as a total solar eclipse... a client answers my question like this:
"What do I want? Tom, I want to lose 20 pounds of body fat in the next 12 weeks. I want to do it slowly, safely and healthfully and then keep it off permanently. I want all the fat around my hips and thighs completely gone and I want a firm flat stomach. I want muscle all over my body while still looking feminine. I'd like to see myself at about 16% body fat and maintain all my muscle or gain a few pounds of lean mass if I can, especially in my arms. This is important to me because I want to set a good example for my kids, I want to be healthy and live to at least 90 and I want my husband to look at me and say, "I love your body, honey," and I want to be able to *honestly* say back to him, "me too!"
It is on these rare occasions that I know there is still intelligent life on this planet.
If you could answer the question, "What do you want" with the degree of clarity that this woman did, I don't think you would ever have any difficulty reaching your health and fitness goals... or any other goal in your life, for that matter.
This answer is what you call a very "well-formed" goal, backed up with lots of emotional motivation-inducing "reasons why."
"I want to lose weight" is a poorly-formed goal.
"Weight" is not the same as "fat." Weight includes muscle, bone, internal organs as well as lots and lots of water.
If you only get ONE thing from this article, get this:
WHAT YOU REALLY WANT IS TO BURN THE FAT, WHILE KEEPING THE MUSCLE!!!!
FAT LOSS is what you want, not weight loss.
If your body was 100% rock-solid muscle, with absolutely nothing that jiggled (unless it was supposed to), would you care how much you weighed?
I bet you wouldn't!
SO STOP WORSHIPPING THE SCALE AND START MEASURING YOUR BODY COMPOSITION!
By measuring your body fat, you take the guesswork out of your health and fitness plan and you get an accurate picture of what's really happening in your body as a result of your diet and exercise program.
Instead of worrying about whether you are losing muscle, or wondering if you are losing fat, you can measure it and KNOW for sure. (I always get a good chuckle when someone tells me they're worried about losing muscle when they don't even measure how much muscle they have!)
Instead of being confused by all the "opinions" from weight loss and exercise "experts" who are all telling you something different, you can MEASURE your body composition and based on the results, you can KNOW for sure whether your program is working.
A very wise man once said,
"A single measurement is worth a thousand opinions."
So, how do you measure body fat?
There are many methods. Thanks to technology, there are some methods today that are so accurate, they can tell you whether your left pinky has more fat than your right pinky! Unfortunately, many of them are either too expensive or they are inaccessible, being found only in hospitals or research facilities.
Instead of boring you with a lecture about all the various body fat testing methods, let me give you three quick and easy, practical suggestions:
Suggestion 1: Have a trainer or fitness professional measure your body fat if this service is available at your local health club. Sometimes, there's a charge - usually $15 - $25, although some clubs offer the service for free to all their members.
Suggestion 2: Purchase an Accu-measure skinfold caliper. The Accumeasure was designed to allow you to measure your own body fat in the privacy of your own home (you don't need someone else to measure you). Do a google or yahoo search to find a reseller.
Some people wonder if this is really accurate. Truth is, it's not quite as accurate as a multi site skinfold test from an experienced tester, but it's better than nothing. Besides, what's most important is not the "accuracy" per se, but the reliability and consistency of your measurements so you can track your progress. Skinfold calipers in general are not accurate or inaccurate, it's the person doing the test that is accurate or inaccurate.
Suggestion 3: If you have a spouse, roommate, or friend who can measure your body fat, you can purchase a “Slim Guide” body fat caliper. The Slimguide is the best inexpensive (about $20), caliper available for multi-site testing, but it wasn't designed for you to measure your own body fat like the Accu Measure. Other models of body fat calipers (if you want to splurge), range from $150 to $450. (At our health clubs, I use the electronic "SKYNDEX" caliper with the 4-site "Durnin formula.")
The calipers come with instructions, or you can use these formulas, which I have used and found to be very accurate:
4 Site formula for men (abdomen, suprailiac, thigh, tricep)
% fat = .29288(sum of 4 skinfolds) - 0.0005(sum of four skinfolds squared) + 0.15845(age) - 5.76377
4-Site Formula for women (abdomen, suprailiac, thigh, tricep)
% Fat = (.29669)(sum of 4 skinfolds) - (.00043)(Sum of four skinfolds squared) + .02963(age) + 1.4072
Source: Jackson A S, Pollock, M (1985) Practical assessment of body composition. Physician Sport Med. 13: 76-90.
Body fat percentages vary based on age and gender, but 20-25% body fat is average for women (15-19% is ideal), while 15-20% is average for men (10-14% is ideal).
Once you know your body fat percentage, then weigh yourself and record your weight and body fat on a progress chart. You can also calculate your lean body mass (muscle and other fat free tissue) very easily just by crunching some numbers:
For example, if you weigh 200 pounds and you have 10% body fat then you have 20 pounds of fat (10% of 200 = 20). That means you have a lean body mass (LBM) of 180 pounds. Now we're talking! With this data, you can get a really clear picture of how your exercise and nutrition program are affecting your physique.
Losing weight is very easy. Losing fat - and keeping it off without losing muscle - is a much bigger challenge. If you simply wanted to lose weight, we could just chop off your leg. Or, (slightly less painful), I could show you how to drop 10 - 15 pounds over the weekend just by dehydrating yourself and using natural herbal diuretics. Bodybuilders and wrestlers do it all the time to make a weight class. But what good would that do if it’s almost all water and you’re just going to gain it all back within days?
You don't have to "throw away your scale" like many "experts" tell you to. By all means, keep using the scale, the tape measure and even photographs and the mirror - the more feedback the better, but body fat is where it's at.
By the way, I recently bought a chain saw and a shiny new axe from Home Depot, and I've been practicing my "American Psycho" and Jack Nicholson, "The Shining" impersonations... so if you want to come to my office any time soon for personal consultation, you'd better have the right answer to my question, "What do you want?"
About the author:
Tom Venuto is a certified personal trainer, natural bodybuilder and author of the ##1 best selling diet e-book, "Burn the Fat, Feed The Muscle. You can get info on Tom's e-book at http://www.burnthefat.com. To get Tom's free monthly e-zine, visit http://www.fitren.com
"Tell me exactly what you want... and I'll show you how to get it."
Typical reply from client:
"I want to lose 20 pounds fast."
My reply:
"Are you SURE that's what you want? If I can show you how to lose 20 pounds REALLY, REALLY fast, will that make you happy?"
They nodded their head affirmatively as their eyes lit up in anticipation of the quick weight loss secrets I was about to reveal...
Their face went white when - with a totally straight face – I pulled out a hacksaw and started walking towards them.... menacingly.
Not sure whether to laugh or to run away in sheer terror, they said,
"What the heck are you doing?"
"You said you wanted to lose 20 pounds fast. This is the easiest, surest, most effective way I know to take 20 pounds off you FAST! In fact, I figure that right leg of yours might even weigh 25 pounds!"
I kept walking closer and started to get into sawing position, wielding my fast, effective and guaranteed weight loss tool...
"Bear with me because this IS quick, but sometimes it takes a few minutes for me to cut through the bone."
By this time, my client and I are either completely cracking up, or I have seriously scared the living you know what out of them, or they just think I'm a complete lunatic... (it depends on whether I was able to keep a straight face or not).
Finally, the light bulb goes on, and my client would see where I was going with this:
"Okay, smart alec," I get it... I don't want to lose WEIGHT, I want to lose FAT."
Sometimes I would be having so much fun, I would just keep on playin'...
"But why not? This is easy, fast and guaranteed - just what everyone wants these days... it's even better than taking a pill! Come on... let me hack it off! You'll be my next testimonial: 'I lost 20 pounds in 5 minutes!' Imagine what that will do for my business!"
"Very funny. I told you, I get it, I get it! I want to lose FAT, not muscles and bones. I need my leg!
Naturally, of course, I didn’t always have to pull out my trusty blade. Every once in a while... about as often as a total solar eclipse... a client answers my question like this:
"What do I want? Tom, I want to lose 20 pounds of body fat in the next 12 weeks. I want to do it slowly, safely and healthfully and then keep it off permanently. I want all the fat around my hips and thighs completely gone and I want a firm flat stomach. I want muscle all over my body while still looking feminine. I'd like to see myself at about 16% body fat and maintain all my muscle or gain a few pounds of lean mass if I can, especially in my arms. This is important to me because I want to set a good example for my kids, I want to be healthy and live to at least 90 and I want my husband to look at me and say, "I love your body, honey," and I want to be able to *honestly* say back to him, "me too!"
It is on these rare occasions that I know there is still intelligent life on this planet.
If you could answer the question, "What do you want" with the degree of clarity that this woman did, I don't think you would ever have any difficulty reaching your health and fitness goals... or any other goal in your life, for that matter.
This answer is what you call a very "well-formed" goal, backed up with lots of emotional motivation-inducing "reasons why."
"I want to lose weight" is a poorly-formed goal.
"Weight" is not the same as "fat." Weight includes muscle, bone, internal organs as well as lots and lots of water.
If you only get ONE thing from this article, get this:
WHAT YOU REALLY WANT IS TO BURN THE FAT, WHILE KEEPING THE MUSCLE!!!!
FAT LOSS is what you want, not weight loss.
If your body was 100% rock-solid muscle, with absolutely nothing that jiggled (unless it was supposed to), would you care how much you weighed?
I bet you wouldn't!
SO STOP WORSHIPPING THE SCALE AND START MEASURING YOUR BODY COMPOSITION!
By measuring your body fat, you take the guesswork out of your health and fitness plan and you get an accurate picture of what's really happening in your body as a result of your diet and exercise program.
Instead of worrying about whether you are losing muscle, or wondering if you are losing fat, you can measure it and KNOW for sure. (I always get a good chuckle when someone tells me they're worried about losing muscle when they don't even measure how much muscle they have!)
Instead of being confused by all the "opinions" from weight loss and exercise "experts" who are all telling you something different, you can MEASURE your body composition and based on the results, you can KNOW for sure whether your program is working.
A very wise man once said,
"A single measurement is worth a thousand opinions."
So, how do you measure body fat?
There are many methods. Thanks to technology, there are some methods today that are so accurate, they can tell you whether your left pinky has more fat than your right pinky! Unfortunately, many of them are either too expensive or they are inaccessible, being found only in hospitals or research facilities.
Instead of boring you with a lecture about all the various body fat testing methods, let me give you three quick and easy, practical suggestions:
Suggestion 1: Have a trainer or fitness professional measure your body fat if this service is available at your local health club. Sometimes, there's a charge - usually $15 - $25, although some clubs offer the service for free to all their members.
Suggestion 2: Purchase an Accu-measure skinfold caliper. The Accumeasure was designed to allow you to measure your own body fat in the privacy of your own home (you don't need someone else to measure you). Do a google or yahoo search to find a reseller.
Some people wonder if this is really accurate. Truth is, it's not quite as accurate as a multi site skinfold test from an experienced tester, but it's better than nothing. Besides, what's most important is not the "accuracy" per se, but the reliability and consistency of your measurements so you can track your progress. Skinfold calipers in general are not accurate or inaccurate, it's the person doing the test that is accurate or inaccurate.
Suggestion 3: If you have a spouse, roommate, or friend who can measure your body fat, you can purchase a “Slim Guide” body fat caliper. The Slimguide is the best inexpensive (about $20), caliper available for multi-site testing, but it wasn't designed for you to measure your own body fat like the Accu Measure. Other models of body fat calipers (if you want to splurge), range from $150 to $450. (At our health clubs, I use the electronic "SKYNDEX" caliper with the 4-site "Durnin formula.")
The calipers come with instructions, or you can use these formulas, which I have used and found to be very accurate:
4 Site formula for men (abdomen, suprailiac, thigh, tricep)
% fat = .29288(sum of 4 skinfolds) - 0.0005(sum of four skinfolds squared) + 0.15845(age) - 5.76377
4-Site Formula for women (abdomen, suprailiac, thigh, tricep)
% Fat = (.29669)(sum of 4 skinfolds) - (.00043)(Sum of four skinfolds squared) + .02963(age) + 1.4072
Source: Jackson A S, Pollock, M (1985) Practical assessment of body composition. Physician Sport Med. 13: 76-90.
Body fat percentages vary based on age and gender, but 20-25% body fat is average for women (15-19% is ideal), while 15-20% is average for men (10-14% is ideal).
Once you know your body fat percentage, then weigh yourself and record your weight and body fat on a progress chart. You can also calculate your lean body mass (muscle and other fat free tissue) very easily just by crunching some numbers:
For example, if you weigh 200 pounds and you have 10% body fat then you have 20 pounds of fat (10% of 200 = 20). That means you have a lean body mass (LBM) of 180 pounds. Now we're talking! With this data, you can get a really clear picture of how your exercise and nutrition program are affecting your physique.
Losing weight is very easy. Losing fat - and keeping it off without losing muscle - is a much bigger challenge. If you simply wanted to lose weight, we could just chop off your leg. Or, (slightly less painful), I could show you how to drop 10 - 15 pounds over the weekend just by dehydrating yourself and using natural herbal diuretics. Bodybuilders and wrestlers do it all the time to make a weight class. But what good would that do if it’s almost all water and you’re just going to gain it all back within days?
You don't have to "throw away your scale" like many "experts" tell you to. By all means, keep using the scale, the tape measure and even photographs and the mirror - the more feedback the better, but body fat is where it's at.
By the way, I recently bought a chain saw and a shiny new axe from Home Depot, and I've been practicing my "American Psycho" and Jack Nicholson, "The Shining" impersonations... so if you want to come to my office any time soon for personal consultation, you'd better have the right answer to my question, "What do you want?"
About the author:
Tom Venuto is a certified personal trainer, natural bodybuilder and author of the ##1 best selling diet e-book, "Burn the Fat, Feed The Muscle. You can get info on Tom's e-book at http://www.burnthefat.com. To get Tom's free monthly e-zine, visit http://www.fitren.com
How To Have A Healthy Heart
Keeping our hearts healthy is important, but how do we do it? Fortunately the answers to this are very clear.
Being overweight, particularly if you carry the weight around your waist, puts unnecessary strain on the heart. To find out if you have a problem you need to know your height to weight ratio (WHR). To work this out measure round your waist in centimetres and divide it by your hip circumference. The measurements need to be in centimetres, so if your measuring tape is in inches, multiply each measurement by 2.5 before dividing one by the other. If the figure you end up with is greater than 0.9 for men and 0.8 for women then your fat distribution is likely to be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Research has shown that many overweight people with angina, raised blood cholesterol and high blood pressure found their condition improved greatly, even after losing only some of their excess weight. Many of those who kept their weight off were able to reduce their medication or even stop it entirely.
Exercise is important for your heart too. If you take regular exercise, it will speed up your basal metabolic rate. This means that you will burn more calories, not only when you are exercising but for some time afterwards as well. People often imagine that they have to exercise hard to have an effect, but it’s enough just to take exercise that leaves you warm and breathing heavily, but still able to hold a conversation.
Did you know that each day most of us take between 3,000-4,000 steps? And that's just not enough. Experts say that we should aim to take 10,000 steps to maintain a healthier lifestyle. Increasing to 10,000 steps a day will burn between 2,000 and 3,500 extra calories per week, which will result in achieving a vastly better health profile and longer lifespan. There are lots of ways you can increase the number of steps you take: get up to change the TV rather than using the remote; park further from the supermarket; take a walk around the local park or your garden/yard; walk rather than take the car on short journeys. Using a pedometer will help motivate you to clock up those extra steps.
Giving up smoking is likely to have a dramatic effect on your heart. Carbon monoxide produced when you smoke cigarettes attaches to red blood cells, so that in smokers up to half the blood can be carrying carbon monoxide rather than oxygen. No wonder many smokers are breathless! If you need help giving up smoking, try one of the books or CD’s by Allen Carr. He has helped thousands of people to give up.
And, if you don’t already, start flossing your teeth! This may seem bizarre in relation to the heart, but it has been shown that there is a link between gum disease and heart disease. The exact mechanism isn’t understood fully yet, but flossing your teeth and having regular dental checks is important for a healthy heart.
Finally, give and receive love. The scientific evidence isn’t there (yet) for how important this is for our hearts, but it has been established that people who have loving relationships also tend to have long and happy lives.
About the author:
Jane Thurnell-Read is an author and researcher on health, allergies and stress. Her web site http://www.healthandgoodness.comis full of tips and information to help you be happier and healthier.
Being overweight, particularly if you carry the weight around your waist, puts unnecessary strain on the heart. To find out if you have a problem you need to know your height to weight ratio (WHR). To work this out measure round your waist in centimetres and divide it by your hip circumference. The measurements need to be in centimetres, so if your measuring tape is in inches, multiply each measurement by 2.5 before dividing one by the other. If the figure you end up with is greater than 0.9 for men and 0.8 for women then your fat distribution is likely to be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Research has shown that many overweight people with angina, raised blood cholesterol and high blood pressure found their condition improved greatly, even after losing only some of their excess weight. Many of those who kept their weight off were able to reduce their medication or even stop it entirely.
Exercise is important for your heart too. If you take regular exercise, it will speed up your basal metabolic rate. This means that you will burn more calories, not only when you are exercising but for some time afterwards as well. People often imagine that they have to exercise hard to have an effect, but it’s enough just to take exercise that leaves you warm and breathing heavily, but still able to hold a conversation.
Did you know that each day most of us take between 3,000-4,000 steps? And that's just not enough. Experts say that we should aim to take 10,000 steps to maintain a healthier lifestyle. Increasing to 10,000 steps a day will burn between 2,000 and 3,500 extra calories per week, which will result in achieving a vastly better health profile and longer lifespan. There are lots of ways you can increase the number of steps you take: get up to change the TV rather than using the remote; park further from the supermarket; take a walk around the local park or your garden/yard; walk rather than take the car on short journeys. Using a pedometer will help motivate you to clock up those extra steps.
Giving up smoking is likely to have a dramatic effect on your heart. Carbon monoxide produced when you smoke cigarettes attaches to red blood cells, so that in smokers up to half the blood can be carrying carbon monoxide rather than oxygen. No wonder many smokers are breathless! If you need help giving up smoking, try one of the books or CD’s by Allen Carr. He has helped thousands of people to give up.
And, if you don’t already, start flossing your teeth! This may seem bizarre in relation to the heart, but it has been shown that there is a link between gum disease and heart disease. The exact mechanism isn’t understood fully yet, but flossing your teeth and having regular dental checks is important for a healthy heart.
Finally, give and receive love. The scientific evidence isn’t there (yet) for how important this is for our hearts, but it has been established that people who have loving relationships also tend to have long and happy lives.
About the author:
Jane Thurnell-Read is an author and researcher on health, allergies and stress. Her web site http://www.healthandgoodness.comis full of tips and information to help you be happier and healthier.
How To Have A Beautiful Smile
Begin with a healthy diet.
Avoid snacking between meals. Brush and floss your teeth after every meal. If you must snack, make them healthy snacks Instead of snacking on junk food, try chewing on fresh fruits and vegetables, especially the crunchy foods. Apples, pears, celery and carrots are good suggestions. They will aid in enzyme production and the natural chewing of the crunchy foods will stimulate the gums.
Drink plenty of water.
Keep your mouth moist and avoid dry mouth. Remember that dry mouth is a harbinger of dental disease. We also need that water to stimulate the production of saliva.
Avoid drinking soda pop.
Americans consume gallons of soda pop a day. Most is loaded with sugar which obviously leads to dental disease and discolored teeth. Don’t be fooled by a “diet soda” label. Even they have huge amounts of acids that are deadly to the enamel on your teeth.
And, if you thought that just sodas are the culprit, think again. A recent study claims that all those popular sports drinks we buy may not be such a good idea after all. They may re-hydrate the body, but they can cause irreversible damage to the dental enamel.
The study reports that fitness water, sports drinks, energy drinks and other non-cola beverages increase the risk of damage by anywhere from 3 to 11 times!
It should be mentioned that the findings are indicative of long term use. However, it appears that these drinks may not necessarily beneficial as a substitute for plain old-fashioned fresh water!
About the author:
This article provided courtesy of http://www.brighter-whiter.com
Avoid snacking between meals. Brush and floss your teeth after every meal. If you must snack, make them healthy snacks Instead of snacking on junk food, try chewing on fresh fruits and vegetables, especially the crunchy foods. Apples, pears, celery and carrots are good suggestions. They will aid in enzyme production and the natural chewing of the crunchy foods will stimulate the gums.
Drink plenty of water.
Keep your mouth moist and avoid dry mouth. Remember that dry mouth is a harbinger of dental disease. We also need that water to stimulate the production of saliva.
Avoid drinking soda pop.
Americans consume gallons of soda pop a day. Most is loaded with sugar which obviously leads to dental disease and discolored teeth. Don’t be fooled by a “diet soda” label. Even they have huge amounts of acids that are deadly to the enamel on your teeth.
And, if you thought that just sodas are the culprit, think again. A recent study claims that all those popular sports drinks we buy may not be such a good idea after all. They may re-hydrate the body, but they can cause irreversible damage to the dental enamel.
The study reports that fitness water, sports drinks, energy drinks and other non-cola beverages increase the risk of damage by anywhere from 3 to 11 times!
It should be mentioned that the findings are indicative of long term use. However, it appears that these drinks may not necessarily beneficial as a substitute for plain old-fashioned fresh water!
About the author:
This article provided courtesy of http://www.brighter-whiter.com
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