Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Stay Fit While Pregnant With These Top 5 Exercise Routines
Staying in shape while you’re pregnant is great for you and for your baby. It’s important to enhance your endurance and muscle tone to make labor and delivery much easier. This will also help you recover faster after the baby is born. Staying fit will also help you get back to your original weight after pregnancy. Remember to always ask your physician before starting any type of exercise program.
Here are the top five favorites of pregnant women:
1.Walking tops the list of exercise favorites of pregnant women. Not only is it beneficial for your body (and your baby), it's the kind of exercise that can be done anytime, anywhere. And, it's much easier on your knees – not to mention your breasts – than running. Before you begin, be sure to invest in a good pair of walking shoes that are supportive and comfortable. If you are just starting out, take it slow and set realistic goals. It's a good idea to warm up for at least 10 minutes prior to walking. A few simple leg stretches, arm swings, and neck rolls should suffice. While walking, keep your posture straight and swing your arms in unison with your legs. During the last 10 minutes, start cooling down by slowing your pace and relaxing your arms. Once stopped, perform a few stretches to prevent muscle cramps.
2.Swimming is a great option for pregnant women. This low-impact form of exercise works the large muscle groups while improving your circulation, helping you build endurance, and increasing muscle tone. As with all exercise, you'll burn calories, feel more energized, and sleep better after a workout. As for the best type of stroke? The breaststroke is probably best suited to pregnant women as it doesn't require any rotation of the torso, and you'll exert less energy than, let's say, the crawl or the butterfly. Swimming poses a very low risk of injury, so you'll be able to swim throughout your entire pregnancy. Best of all, as your belly gets bigger, you'll appreciate the feeling of weightlessness in the water.
3.Yoga soothes the mind and body – and who better to reap the benefits of a calming workout than a pregnant woman? It's important to find a program (DVD or class) that's specifically designed for pregnancy as these routines focus on strengthening and stretching the muscles that will be used during pregnancy and labor. Yoga calms both body and mind, providing a much-needed physical and emotional outlet. Breathing exercises will teach you how to cope with the pain of contractions, as rhythmic breathing during labor maximizes the amount of oxygen available to you and your baby. If you opt to take a class, you'll have the opportunity to meet other pregnant women who can offer support and advice.
4.Stationary Cycling is the perfect choice for those who enjoyed biking before pregnancy because you can continue doing what you loved without having to worry about falling and harming your baby. Your breasts and belly will thank you, too, as stationary cycling will prevent your body from bouncing around as you won't be traversing any tough terrain. Even better, you can read or watch television while exercising, something you may not have time to do once the baby arrives! To avoid back strain, opt for a stationary cycle that allows you to sit upright or reclined.
5.Light Weight Training is very beneficial during pregnancy. Not only will it strengthen your muscles (which will help tremendously during labor and delivery) it will also speed weight loss after pregnancy. You'll feel more energized and sleep better, too. Keep in mind that if you've never used weights before pregnancy, it's probably not a good idea to start now. And, machine weights are definitely safer than using free weights. It's a good idea to check with a trainer about the types of exercises best suited for pregnant women. You should increase your caloric intake by 300-500 calories (yeah! ) to keep up with the additional demands of weight training and your pregnancy. Be sure to give your muscles a rest by training no more than 3 times a week, and perform all exercises in a sitting position to prevent your blood from pooling.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
The Big FAT Lie
Over two thirds of Americans are over weight, and half of them are considered obese. Most of the remaining third of Americans are concerned about becoming overweight! While we are obsessed with avoiding food that is high in fat, America has the dubious distinction of its population having the highest percentage of overweight people of any nation in the world! England is number two!
One of the most common and harmful misunderstandings is the misinformation (lie) that we are fat because we eat too much fat. Though eating excess fat can contribute, the primary culprit for excess body fat and many degenerative diseases such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes is NOT eating foods high in fat, but eating too much carbohydrates and sugar, and especially in combination with fat, such as French Fries and corn or potato chips. People on a high carbohydrate and low fat diet tend to be more unhealthy, carry more excess body fat and don’t live as long.
Putting the Brakes to Your Metabolism!
What creates excess body fat, more than anything else, is a high RATIO of the carbohydrates to protein and fat, and especially certain types of carbohydrates that have a high conversion rate to fat. When the percentage of a meal (not just for the day) is higher in sugar or carbohydrates (a long chain of sugar molecules), much more of that food will be converted to fat instead of being burned as energy (calories). The effect of this is putting the brakes on your metabolism, which results in lower energy and greater storage of fat. Obviously, this is NOT what you want!
Plus this sets up a vicious cycle of over eating. Once the carbohydrates are converted to fat, you get a blood sugar drop, which makes you hungry for more carbohydrates. So you eat more to raise your blood sugar, and the whole vicious cycle repeats! Soon, you’ve gained weight, and feel even more like a failure.
According to the Glycemic Research Institute, many of the “fat-free” foods are much more fattening than they were before the fat was removed, because sugar has been added (and often disguised) to compensate for the low fat!
This is because carbohydrates and sugar, and especially certain carbohydrates, stimulate insulin production. Insulin directs your body to convert the food to fat and store it as fat instead of just burning it as energy. To measure this fat conversion and storage effect, foods are rated by what is called the glycemic index. The higher the index, the higher percentage of that food and the other foods eaten with it, will be converted to fat, regardless of the fat content of the food.
So for an example, eating high glycemic foods like baked potato, rice cakes, corn flakes or cooked oatmeal which are low in fat, is more fattening than eating a juicy beef steak or a bowl of ice cream!
High Fat Conversion Foods
These are some common foods with their glycemic index numbers, that are especially high on this index, and thus stimulate fat storage:
Common sugar (sucrose)—92
Macaroni and cheese—92
Potatoes (mashed—100; French fries—107; baked—121; potato chips—high)
Corn—78; pop corn—79; corn chips—105; corn flakes—119
Pizza—86
White rice—83; brown rice—79
White and wheat bread—101
Cold cereals (most). E. g. Life—94; Grape nuts—96; Cheerios—106; Total—109
Cooked cereals (e. g. Cream of Wheat—100, oatmeal—87 (steel cut is less)
Bananas—77
Most juices and all drink mixes and soft drinks (97)
Desserts (ice cream—87); donuts—108
Fat-free bottled “lite” dressings (due to added corn syrup and maltodextrins).
High fructose corn syrup—89
Maltodextrins—150 (added to many foods, but deceptively not counted as sugar! )
Did you notice that some of these foods are worse than pure sugar? It is wise to eat these foods sparingly. And when you do eat these foods, balance the glycemic index for the whole meal by eating low index foods with them.
Fat Burning Foods
Here are some of the foods that are rated as having a low glycemic index:
Fructose—32
Trutina Dulcem (a fruit sugar fifteen times sweeter than regular sugar)
“Super sugars” (glyconutrients)
Stevia—though not “approved” by the FDA as a sweetener, it is often used as such
High protein foods (e. g. fish, meat and eggs)
Most vegetables including sweet potatoes and yams
Beans—40
Salads—low
Avocado—low
Stone ground bread and sprouted grain—low
Barley—36
Rye—48
Most pastas—varies; spaghetti—59 (but very low nutritional value)
Berries—low
Cherries—32
Apples—54
Oranges—63
Peaches—60
Pears—53
Dairy products; whole milk—39 (there are other concerns mentioned previously)
Soy milk—43
Seeds and nuts—as low as 21 (peanuts)
Butter (in moderation—far superior to margarine)
Olive oil
Soy beans—25
Celery—very very low
There is one other huge advantage to using low glycemic foods besides weight control: longevity! According a study by T. Par entitled "Insulin Exposure and Aging Theory" in the Journal of Gerontology - 1997; 43: 182-200, high insulin levels, which result from consuming high glycemic foods, promotes accelerated aging. Both calorie restriction and a low glycemic index diet appear to be important for longevity, BUT a diet of low glycemic foods is even more effective than calorie restriction for longevity.
Click here for more information
Total Body Warmup
One of the most common and harmful misunderstandings is the misinformation (lie) that we are fat because we eat too much fat. Though eating excess fat can contribute, the primary culprit for excess body fat and many degenerative diseases such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes is NOT eating foods high in fat, but eating too much carbohydrates and sugar, and especially in combination with fat, such as French Fries and corn or potato chips. People on a high carbohydrate and low fat diet tend to be more unhealthy, carry more excess body fat and don’t live as long.
Putting the Brakes to Your Metabolism!
What creates excess body fat, more than anything else, is a high RATIO of the carbohydrates to protein and fat, and especially certain types of carbohydrates that have a high conversion rate to fat. When the percentage of a meal (not just for the day) is higher in sugar or carbohydrates (a long chain of sugar molecules), much more of that food will be converted to fat instead of being burned as energy (calories). The effect of this is putting the brakes on your metabolism, which results in lower energy and greater storage of fat. Obviously, this is NOT what you want!
Plus this sets up a vicious cycle of over eating. Once the carbohydrates are converted to fat, you get a blood sugar drop, which makes you hungry for more carbohydrates. So you eat more to raise your blood sugar, and the whole vicious cycle repeats! Soon, you’ve gained weight, and feel even more like a failure.
According to the Glycemic Research Institute, many of the “fat-free” foods are much more fattening than they were before the fat was removed, because sugar has been added (and often disguised) to compensate for the low fat!
This is because carbohydrates and sugar, and especially certain carbohydrates, stimulate insulin production. Insulin directs your body to convert the food to fat and store it as fat instead of just burning it as energy. To measure this fat conversion and storage effect, foods are rated by what is called the glycemic index. The higher the index, the higher percentage of that food and the other foods eaten with it, will be converted to fat, regardless of the fat content of the food.
So for an example, eating high glycemic foods like baked potato, rice cakes, corn flakes or cooked oatmeal which are low in fat, is more fattening than eating a juicy beef steak or a bowl of ice cream!
High Fat Conversion Foods
These are some common foods with their glycemic index numbers, that are especially high on this index, and thus stimulate fat storage:
Common sugar (sucrose)—92
Macaroni and cheese—92
Potatoes (mashed—100; French fries—107; baked—121; potato chips—high)
Corn—78; pop corn—79; corn chips—105; corn flakes—119
Pizza—86
White rice—83; brown rice—79
White and wheat bread—101
Cold cereals (most). E. g. Life—94; Grape nuts—96; Cheerios—106; Total—109
Cooked cereals (e. g. Cream of Wheat—100, oatmeal—87 (steel cut is less)
Bananas—77
Most juices and all drink mixes and soft drinks (97)
Desserts (ice cream—87); donuts—108
Fat-free bottled “lite” dressings (due to added corn syrup and maltodextrins).
High fructose corn syrup—89
Maltodextrins—150 (added to many foods, but deceptively not counted as sugar! )
Did you notice that some of these foods are worse than pure sugar? It is wise to eat these foods sparingly. And when you do eat these foods, balance the glycemic index for the whole meal by eating low index foods with them.
Fat Burning Foods
Here are some of the foods that are rated as having a low glycemic index:
Fructose—32
Trutina Dulcem (a fruit sugar fifteen times sweeter than regular sugar)
“Super sugars” (glyconutrients)
Stevia—though not “approved” by the FDA as a sweetener, it is often used as such
High protein foods (e. g. fish, meat and eggs)
Most vegetables including sweet potatoes and yams
Beans—40
Salads—low
Avocado—low
Stone ground bread and sprouted grain—low
Barley—36
Rye—48
Most pastas—varies; spaghetti—59 (but very low nutritional value)
Berries—low
Cherries—32
Apples—54
Oranges—63
Peaches—60
Pears—53
Dairy products; whole milk—39 (there are other concerns mentioned previously)
Soy milk—43
Seeds and nuts—as low as 21 (peanuts)
Butter (in moderation—far superior to margarine)
Olive oil
Soy beans—25
Celery—very very low
There is one other huge advantage to using low glycemic foods besides weight control: longevity! According a study by T. Par entitled "Insulin Exposure and Aging Theory" in the Journal of Gerontology - 1997; 43: 182-200, high insulin levels, which result from consuming high glycemic foods, promotes accelerated aging. Both calorie restriction and a low glycemic index diet appear to be important for longevity, BUT a diet of low glycemic foods is even more effective than calorie restriction for longevity.
Click here for more information
Total Body Warmup
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Fitness And Kids - FIT-4-Kids, An Exercise Program Just For Kids
Introducing kids to a healthy lifestyle can be a challenge in our fast food, video game laden society. Thirty minutes once a week in P. E. class isn't nearly enough to maintain the cardiovascular system, much less keep an overall healthy bodyweight. One thing that P. E. class has right though is that classes are fun and they allow kids to socialize. The Fit Express' FIT-4-Kids exercise program along with their specially-made kids exercise equipment gives kids what they need and want.
So little Johnny's not thrilled about running 30 minutes on a treadmill? It's already hard enough for adults, who understand the importance, to exercise on a consistent basis. I've trained children, I can tell you from experience they get distracted and bored even easier. Introducing health and wellness at an early age is important and it's up to us to give them a fun option.
There are many ways kids can get physical exercise from after-school sports, jungle gyms, parks, recreational centers, kids gyms. However , most of these don't consist of a strict program (that doesn't feel strict) that makes them do at least 30 minutes of continuous cardiovascular exercise and also includes functional strength training using complete range of motion for all of the body's muscle groups. The FIT-4-Kids exercise program contains the key aspects of fitness and provides cardio and strength exercises in a safe, fun and sociable way.
Fluid interval training (i. e. FIT) works very similar to circuit training. exercise machines (each working different muscle groups) are placed in a circle or other arrangement. Every 2 minutes a central timer goes off and everybody switches to a different machine that they do continuously for the next 2 minutes. This allows multiple muscle groups to be worked simultaneously, the heart rate stays up, and it doesn't get boring. Two minute timer's just a suggestion; custom workouts can be easily created.
Worried about kids exercise equipment being dangerous? Don't be! FIT is extremely safe! What do sports, rec. centers, parks, and jungle gyms all have in common? They all allow kids to do uncontrolled movements, on their own, with minimal supervision. Running around, kicking, jumping, swinging-there's lots of potential for muscle and joint injuries! Kid's don't have the motor coordination to perform the unassisted exercises like squats, pull-ups, etc . with proper form and technique. Even when they could do these exercises, it's not fun for them and they don't have the patience or enjoy repetition sets. FIT is perfect, it's continuous and it doesn't require concentration or slow/boring movements.
Unlike most gym equipment you're familiar with, FIT-4-Kids doesn't use bulky machines with weight stacks, it uses Fit Express' kids hydraulic fitness equipment. By pushing or pulling oil through hydraulic cylinders to create resistance it provides an extremely smooth fluid movement that is much safer and kid-friendly. Never worry about dropping a weight stack, pushing or pulling too far, or hurting joints. You can pause at any point during the movement! And unlike most gym equipment with hard-to-understand seating levers and controls, the FIT4Kids machines are smaller (for children 4' to 5'9) with fixed seating and control arms. An easy-to-reach lever that controls if the exercise is harder (more strength) or easier/faster (more cardio) is the only option. So they can just get on and go!
Call your local kids gyms, recreational centers, schools, and ask them if they have a FIT-4-Kids circuit! Visit www.FitExpress.com for more information.
Friday, May 25, 2012
A Great Way To Spice Up Your Workouts -- Interval Training
There’s been a lot of buzz recently about interval training. So , you may be wondering what it really is and, more importantly, why you should incorporate it in your fitness workouts. Well, if you want a workout that can help propel you to the next fitness level, burn more calories, increase your speed, improve your power and more, then it’s time to learn more about this effective technique.
A simple definition of interval training is: short, high-intensity exercise periods alternated with periods of rest. These higher and lower intensity periods are repeated several times to form a complete workout. Here’s a basic example: walk for 5 minutes at 3. 5 MPH, walk for 1 minute at 4. 2 MPH and then repeat this sequence several times.
Most people spend their workout time only performing continuous training exercises. These are exercises where the intensity level is basically constant throughout. An example of this is walking at 3. 5 MPH, at 0% incline for 30 minutes.
Continuous training is very effective and should not be eliminated from your weekly workouts. However , it’s recommended that you include both interval training and continuous training sessions as part of your fitness regimen.
Why should you include interval training? As previously mentioned, there are many benefits to this type of training and execution is relatively simple. interval training can help you improve cardiovascular fitness, increase speed, improve overall aerobic power, burn more calories, break-through a plateau, increase workout duration, reach new exercise levels, expand your workout options and increase your workout threshold – just to name a few.
Plus, this training method has useful applications for beginners, intermediate exercisers and even conditioned athletes. There are two basic types of interval training. For the majority of exercisers (novices and intermediate) Fitness interval training methods are recommended. Athletes can choose a more advanced technique known as Performance interval training.
The Fitness training method utilizes periodic increases in intensity. Typically the higher-intensity levels range from 2-5 minutes in duration and are followed by lower-intensity periods that also range from 2-5 minutes. And, a critical element in Fitness interval training is determining the appropriate level for the higher-intensity periods. This level should not exceed the anaerobic threshold (which is usually reached below 85% heart rate reserve).
On the flip side, the Performance training technique involves periods of near maximal or even maximal intensity (e. g. >85% heart rate reserve – even reaching 100%). The higher-intensity levels can range from 2-15 minutes in duration and are followed by lower-intensity periods that also can range from 2-15 minutes in duration.
Don’t let the two types of training and their ranges confuse you. Incorporating interval training methods into your exercise routine is actually quite easy. Since the majority of exercisers fall into either the beginner or intermediate category, we’ll focus on getting started with those techniques.
To begin, choose the type of exercise: walking, jogging, swimming, biking, etc . Next determine your lower-intensity level. This is usually somewhere between 50-65% target heart rate. This will be your baseline, lower-level intensity. Then simply increase the intensity-level up to where you feel like you are working hard to very hard, but avoid reaching a level over 85% target heart rate. If monitoring your heart is not feasible, instead use the RPE scale where 1 is basically at rest and 10 is working extremely hard. For example , if you find that when you are exercising at a comfortable level you rank a 5, then bump up to a 7 for the higher-intensity intervals.
You may choose to systematically raise and lower your intensity (e. g. 2 minutes lower intensity followed by 1 minute higher intensity and repeat) or you can alternate more randomly by raising and lowering the level at your discretion. To increase your intensity, you may choose to change the speed, incline, or some other variable.
interval training can be especially helpful in situations where you are trying a new form of exercise. For example , this can be very beneficial when first learning to jog. If you attempt to jog continuously without building up to it, you will probably fatigue quickly and even give up. However , if you begin with intervals of walking interspersed with jogging periods, the workout will be much more enjoyable and effective. Also, you will be more likely to stick with the program and achieve the end result – continuous jogging.
Now that you know the benefits of interval training and the basic techniques for it, why not give it a try for yourself. Not only will it provide health benefits and improved fitness levels but it is also a great way to avoid workout boredom. Plus, with interval training workouts often are more enjoyable, go by quicker, and improvement results come faster. So why not try spicing up a stale, run-of-the-mill workout with Interval options? You may even find yourself excelling in an activity you were skeptical of even trying.
Craig Ballantyne Explains Fat Loss Interval Training
A simple definition of interval training is: short, high-intensity exercise periods alternated with periods of rest. These higher and lower intensity periods are repeated several times to form a complete workout. Here’s a basic example: walk for 5 minutes at 3. 5 MPH, walk for 1 minute at 4. 2 MPH and then repeat this sequence several times.
Most people spend their workout time only performing continuous training exercises. These are exercises where the intensity level is basically constant throughout. An example of this is walking at 3. 5 MPH, at 0% incline for 30 minutes.
Continuous training is very effective and should not be eliminated from your weekly workouts. However , it’s recommended that you include both interval training and continuous training sessions as part of your fitness regimen.
Why should you include interval training? As previously mentioned, there are many benefits to this type of training and execution is relatively simple. interval training can help you improve cardiovascular fitness, increase speed, improve overall aerobic power, burn more calories, break-through a plateau, increase workout duration, reach new exercise levels, expand your workout options and increase your workout threshold – just to name a few.
Plus, this training method has useful applications for beginners, intermediate exercisers and even conditioned athletes. There are two basic types of interval training. For the majority of exercisers (novices and intermediate) Fitness interval training methods are recommended. Athletes can choose a more advanced technique known as Performance interval training.
The Fitness training method utilizes periodic increases in intensity. Typically the higher-intensity levels range from 2-5 minutes in duration and are followed by lower-intensity periods that also range from 2-5 minutes. And, a critical element in Fitness interval training is determining the appropriate level for the higher-intensity periods. This level should not exceed the anaerobic threshold (which is usually reached below 85% heart rate reserve).
On the flip side, the Performance training technique involves periods of near maximal or even maximal intensity (e. g. >85% heart rate reserve – even reaching 100%). The higher-intensity levels can range from 2-15 minutes in duration and are followed by lower-intensity periods that also can range from 2-15 minutes in duration.
Don’t let the two types of training and their ranges confuse you. Incorporating interval training methods into your exercise routine is actually quite easy. Since the majority of exercisers fall into either the beginner or intermediate category, we’ll focus on getting started with those techniques.
To begin, choose the type of exercise: walking, jogging, swimming, biking, etc . Next determine your lower-intensity level. This is usually somewhere between 50-65% target heart rate. This will be your baseline, lower-level intensity. Then simply increase the intensity-level up to where you feel like you are working hard to very hard, but avoid reaching a level over 85% target heart rate. If monitoring your heart is not feasible, instead use the RPE scale where 1 is basically at rest and 10 is working extremely hard. For example , if you find that when you are exercising at a comfortable level you rank a 5, then bump up to a 7 for the higher-intensity intervals.
You may choose to systematically raise and lower your intensity (e. g. 2 minutes lower intensity followed by 1 minute higher intensity and repeat) or you can alternate more randomly by raising and lowering the level at your discretion. To increase your intensity, you may choose to change the speed, incline, or some other variable.
interval training can be especially helpful in situations where you are trying a new form of exercise. For example , this can be very beneficial when first learning to jog. If you attempt to jog continuously without building up to it, you will probably fatigue quickly and even give up. However , if you begin with intervals of walking interspersed with jogging periods, the workout will be much more enjoyable and effective. Also, you will be more likely to stick with the program and achieve the end result – continuous jogging.
Now that you know the benefits of interval training and the basic techniques for it, why not give it a try for yourself. Not only will it provide health benefits and improved fitness levels but it is also a great way to avoid workout boredom. Plus, with interval training workouts often are more enjoyable, go by quicker, and improvement results come faster. So why not try spicing up a stale, run-of-the-mill workout with Interval options? You may even find yourself excelling in an activity you were skeptical of even trying.
Craig Ballantyne Explains Fat Loss Interval Training
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Top 5 Exercise Plateau Breakers
Plateau. That dreaded word that you do not want to hear, let alone experience. Especially if you have been diligently exercising in an attempt to get fit or lose weight. We have all experienced a plateau at some time - all of a sudden you stop losing weight or you just cant seem to run any faster. When you hit a plateau, don't panic. It doesn't necessarily mean you need to work harder or spend more days at the gym.
Here are five ideas that may help you break through in record time.
Take an Active Rest
If you have hit a plateau, it may be time for an active rest. Take a week off from structured exercise, and instead take leisurely walks, play ball with the kids, or take a yoga class. Active rest rejuvenates the mind and the body and allows for overworked muscles to rest and rebuild. You will return to exercise stronger and ready for new challenges.
Time to Eat
As you increase your fitness level, your body's metabolism may increase and so will your calorie needs. If you hit a plateau, evaluate how much you are eating. You may need to eat more than you have in the past for your body to continue to increase its fitness level. If you find you are often hungry, this is a clear sign you need to eat more to sustain your exercise program.
Mix it Up
If you do not vary your workout routine your body will eventually run on cruise control, and you will experience a plateau. Try new cardiovascular activities, or use free weights if you always use machines for strength training. Changes in your routine will surprise the body and force it to adapt, bringing you to new levels of fitness.
Different Day, Different Intensity
Varying your activities, or cross-training is important to avoid or break through a plateau. While cross-training the type of activity is often recommended, it is also important to cross-train the intensity of your workouts. Specify different days of the week as low, moderate or high-intensity days. Try interval training work at a low intensity for a couple of minutes and increase to a high intensity for a couple of minutes, and repeat. If you use a heart rate monitor, be sure your average heart rate for your exercise sessions vary from day to day.
Sleep It Off
Be sure you are getting enough sleep. Getting the right amount of sleep for your body will allow time for your muscles to recover from exercise. This will ensure that you can come to your next exercise session with enough energy and at full strength to take on a challenging workout.
If you are still frustrated, find inspiration in the story of Chris Witty, winner of the Gold Medal in 1000 meter speed skating in the 1998 Winter Olympics. A month before she was to compete in the Olympics, she was diagnosed with mononucleosis. Of course she had to cut back on training, and at the time that she should have been preparing to peak for competition. Not only did she win the Gold Medal, which nobody expected, she broke the world record! Imagine what a little rest might do for your workouts!
If you find you still cant break through that plateau, then make the decision to ride it out. Sometimes a plateau is necessary to allow the body to catch up with a new body weight or fitness level. Rest assured your body knows what is best and will break through the plateau at the right time!
Best Fat Burning Exercises and Interval Training
Here are five ideas that may help you break through in record time.
Take an Active Rest
If you have hit a plateau, it may be time for an active rest. Take a week off from structured exercise, and instead take leisurely walks, play ball with the kids, or take a yoga class. Active rest rejuvenates the mind and the body and allows for overworked muscles to rest and rebuild. You will return to exercise stronger and ready for new challenges.
Time to Eat
As you increase your fitness level, your body's metabolism may increase and so will your calorie needs. If you hit a plateau, evaluate how much you are eating. You may need to eat more than you have in the past for your body to continue to increase its fitness level. If you find you are often hungry, this is a clear sign you need to eat more to sustain your exercise program.
Mix it Up
If you do not vary your workout routine your body will eventually run on cruise control, and you will experience a plateau. Try new cardiovascular activities, or use free weights if you always use machines for strength training. Changes in your routine will surprise the body and force it to adapt, bringing you to new levels of fitness.
Different Day, Different Intensity
Varying your activities, or cross-training is important to avoid or break through a plateau. While cross-training the type of activity is often recommended, it is also important to cross-train the intensity of your workouts. Specify different days of the week as low, moderate or high-intensity days. Try interval training work at a low intensity for a couple of minutes and increase to a high intensity for a couple of minutes, and repeat. If you use a heart rate monitor, be sure your average heart rate for your exercise sessions vary from day to day.
Sleep It Off
Be sure you are getting enough sleep. Getting the right amount of sleep for your body will allow time for your muscles to recover from exercise. This will ensure that you can come to your next exercise session with enough energy and at full strength to take on a challenging workout.
If you are still frustrated, find inspiration in the story of Chris Witty, winner of the Gold Medal in 1000 meter speed skating in the 1998 Winter Olympics. A month before she was to compete in the Olympics, she was diagnosed with mononucleosis. Of course she had to cut back on training, and at the time that she should have been preparing to peak for competition. Not only did she win the Gold Medal, which nobody expected, she broke the world record! Imagine what a little rest might do for your workouts!
If you find you still cant break through that plateau, then make the decision to ride it out. Sometimes a plateau is necessary to allow the body to catch up with a new body weight or fitness level. Rest assured your body knows what is best and will break through the plateau at the right time!
Best Fat Burning Exercises and Interval Training
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Interval Training for Fat Loss Not Aerobic Training
Announcing interval training for fat loss
Forget long steady state aerobic training if you want to lose fat.
Why?
1. Its boring! Who really wants to spend half an hour or more running, cycling, rowing, etc .
2. Your body will adapt to it! As you get fitter, it becomes harder to burn the same amount of calories as when you started exercising because your body adapts and becomes more efficient. So what do you do to burn the same amount of calories as you used to? Well if you continue with aerobic training the answer is either go for longer or do the same time quicker neither of which are particularly enjoyable.
3. The fat burning zone or heart rate training doesn't work. Yes, you burn a higher percentage of fat at a sub-maximal intensity but the overall calories burnt are less than a higher intensity workout. (See the post below for more on Fat burning zone and heart rate training for fat).
4. Sprinters have less fat than marathon runner.
5. Yes, you burn calories whilst doing aerobic training however it may be detrimental to your muscle growth. As I've said many times before, the more toned you are the more calories you burn whilst sitting at home. Aerobic training is largely catabolic (breaking down), which can consequently reduce the development of muscle growth. Less muscle = lower calorie expenditure = lower fat loss.
The answer? interval training
Interval training is not aerobic exercise! Before I tell you what interval training is let me tell you what aerobic training is. Aerobic training (with oxygen) is exercise at a low or moderate intensity that can be maintained for a relatively large amount of time as long as oxygen is available for the muscles.
Ok, so now let me tell you about interval training. This form of training is known as anaerobic training (little or no oxygen available). The key benefits of this training method are that it not only burns calories whilst you are doing it, it also burns more calories when you have finished as it revs up your metabolism for up to several hours afterwards, therefore helping you burn more calories through the day.
So what exactly do I do when interval training?
First off, choose an activity, running, rowing, etc . However , I recommend you do not do the same exercise every time. Remember your body will adapt! Try changing the machine or the activity every 2 sessions to avoid this.
Once you have warmed up (5 mins) increase the intensity for 1 minute. This should be full out effort or as close to as possible (not recommended for those with heart problems). Think of a scale between 1-10, 10 being the most difficult, 9-10 is where you should be at this point. Once you have completed that slow down to a comfortable (5-6 out of 10) that you can maintain for 2 minutes. This is one bout, you should repeat this between 3-6 times depending on your level of fitness followed by 3 minute cool down. The total work out should be between 17-26 mins depending on how many bouts you do carry out.
Remember, always check with your doctor before starting any exercise program. Now, go ahead, give it a go. You'll be pleasantly surprised by the results. Give me some feedback either way, thanks.
Why?
1. Its boring! Who really wants to spend half an hour or more running, cycling, rowing, etc .
2. Your body will adapt to it! As you get fitter, it becomes harder to burn the same amount of calories as when you started exercising because your body adapts and becomes more efficient. So what do you do to burn the same amount of calories as you used to? Well if you continue with aerobic training the answer is either go for longer or do the same time quicker neither of which are particularly enjoyable.
3. The fat burning zone or heart rate training doesn't work. Yes, you burn a higher percentage of fat at a sub-maximal intensity but the overall calories burnt are less than a higher intensity workout. (See the post below for more on Fat burning zone and heart rate training for fat).
4. Sprinters have less fat than marathon runner.
5. Yes, you burn calories whilst doing aerobic training however it may be detrimental to your muscle growth. As I've said many times before, the more toned you are the more calories you burn whilst sitting at home. Aerobic training is largely catabolic (breaking down), which can consequently reduce the development of muscle growth. Less muscle = lower calorie expenditure = lower fat loss.
The answer? interval training
Interval training is not aerobic exercise! Before I tell you what interval training is let me tell you what aerobic training is. Aerobic training (with oxygen) is exercise at a low or moderate intensity that can be maintained for a relatively large amount of time as long as oxygen is available for the muscles.
Ok, so now let me tell you about interval training. This form of training is known as anaerobic training (little or no oxygen available). The key benefits of this training method are that it not only burns calories whilst you are doing it, it also burns more calories when you have finished as it revs up your metabolism for up to several hours afterwards, therefore helping you burn more calories through the day.
So what exactly do I do when interval training?
First off, choose an activity, running, rowing, etc . However , I recommend you do not do the same exercise every time. Remember your body will adapt! Try changing the machine or the activity every 2 sessions to avoid this.
Once you have warmed up (5 mins) increase the intensity for 1 minute. This should be full out effort or as close to as possible (not recommended for those with heart problems). Think of a scale between 1-10, 10 being the most difficult, 9-10 is where you should be at this point. Once you have completed that slow down to a comfortable (5-6 out of 10) that you can maintain for 2 minutes. This is one bout, you should repeat this between 3-6 times depending on your level of fitness followed by 3 minute cool down. The total work out should be between 17-26 mins depending on how many bouts you do carry out.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
7 Killer Ways To Maximize Your Fat Burning In The Gym
Hey, we all want to shed some pounds and get back to the body that we had when we were younger and didn’t appreciate it but it takes discipline, planning, and dedication to make that happen. All too often people shed 10 or 15 pounds and then seem to stop losing weight. There is definitely a reason this happens and it should not be seen as failure or an excuse to give up on your weight loss goals. Here are 7 absolutely killer ways to maximize your fat burning routine and help ensure success with your weight loss goals.
1) Anaerobic exercise
If you think you can just run laps or pedal that fat away, think again. Muscle tissue is what burns the most calories in our bodies and you need to life weights in order to create bigger muscles that will burn more calories. Now although aerobic exercises such as cycling or swimming are also necessary, the fact remains that building bigger muscles is the best way to lose weight and keep it off. This is because you are creating a more efficient calorie burning machine by lifting weights which will ensure you succeeed with your weight loss goals.
2) Warm-up and Cool Down
Warming up before exercising and taking the time to cool down afterwards with some light exercises are not generally seen as essential to a fat burning program. However , the reason why a lot of people tend to give up on their weight loss goals is because they failed to see the progress they hoped for when they began. An injury, even one that only lasts for a few days, can set your weight loss goals back by weeks and lead to a loss of stimulation. You need to plan an extra twenty minutes into your weight lifting routine for these two essential activities or you risk injury and derailing your weight loss plan.
3) Diet, Diet, Diet
This should not be a killer way to maximize your weight loss goals but it is. The reason for this is because people tend to think of losing weight in two ways: diet, or exercise. Hey, these two go hand in hand and you are never going to maximize your fat burning routine in the gym unless you take care of your body outside of the gym. Stop thinking of meals in terms of three: instead, think 5 meals with smaller portions. The FDA recently developed a new food pyramid with this very idea in mind and you should check it out before starting your fat burning program because it can save you a lot of time and energy if you get the diet part figured out before even stepping into the gym.
4) Plan Workouts
The body is the most complex machine on the planet and you can’t just hope to step into a gym and jump on a machine or some weights and think that you are going to see the results you want without knowing how they affect your body. The ideal exercise routine is done only 3 or 4 times per week and only for 30-45 minutes at a time. You cannot work your body more than this because it will actually cause your muscles to break down which means you will be burning fewer calories, and therefore, not maximizing your fat burning routine in the gym. If you have any doubts about what kind of routine is ideal for your goals, don’t be afraid to consult a physical trainer to help you set up a program that is best suited for you.
5) Nutritional Supplements
If you really want to maximize your fat burning routine in the gym, then you need to consider using nutritional supplements. Now I am not talking about those crazy supplements that promise to burn fat for you while you sit and watch tv! I am talking about essential fatty acids, amino acids, whey protein…. things that will truly maximize your workouts that you can’t always expect to get in the foods you eat every day. Again, consult a physical trainer if you want to know which supplements are best for your weight loss goals.
6) Set Weekly Goals
I know that this just seems terribly obvious but the truth is that most people are not thrilled with the idea of working out so it is easy for them to skip a session or indulge in some pizza and think that they will make up for it next time. Listen, next time never comes and when you stop seeing the scales go down, the motivation just seems to stop. By setting weekly goals, you can track your progress and make it that much more likely that you will adhere to the goals when you see things are not going as expected.
7) No More Late Night Snacks
This one may not seem to make sense, but I assure you that it will help maximize your fat burning exercises. The reason is your metabolism. When you eat right before you go to bed, it throws your body off and you probably notice that you awaken and don’t feel hungry. Then, you skip breakfast entirely or only snack on a bagel or something on you way into work.
The result: the body goes into conservation mode. This means that it slows down your metabolism and that means you are burning less calories throughout the day. Plus, it increases the likelihood of snacking and basically just sets the scene for a bad cycle. Eating five smaller portioned meals per day also has to do with your metabolism as it has been found that metabolism remains highest when there is a consistent supply of food in the body. You might not believe that late night snacking affects the way your body burns fat when working out, but it does.
Now some of the things listed above are obvious while some just seem silly. And yet, taken together and consistently adhered to, these 7 little ideas will maximize your fat burning in the gym and get you to that body you can see in your mind but not the mirror far quicker than if you just go about things in a disorganized and inconsistent manner.
Free Belly Fat Burning Tips
1) Anaerobic exercise
If you think you can just run laps or pedal that fat away, think again. Muscle tissue is what burns the most calories in our bodies and you need to life weights in order to create bigger muscles that will burn more calories. Now although aerobic exercises such as cycling or swimming are also necessary, the fact remains that building bigger muscles is the best way to lose weight and keep it off. This is because you are creating a more efficient calorie burning machine by lifting weights which will ensure you succeeed with your weight loss goals.
2) Warm-up and Cool Down
Warming up before exercising and taking the time to cool down afterwards with some light exercises are not generally seen as essential to a fat burning program. However , the reason why a lot of people tend to give up on their weight loss goals is because they failed to see the progress they hoped for when they began. An injury, even one that only lasts for a few days, can set your weight loss goals back by weeks and lead to a loss of stimulation. You need to plan an extra twenty minutes into your weight lifting routine for these two essential activities or you risk injury and derailing your weight loss plan.
3) Diet, Diet, Diet
This should not be a killer way to maximize your weight loss goals but it is. The reason for this is because people tend to think of losing weight in two ways: diet, or exercise. Hey, these two go hand in hand and you are never going to maximize your fat burning routine in the gym unless you take care of your body outside of the gym. Stop thinking of meals in terms of three: instead, think 5 meals with smaller portions. The FDA recently developed a new food pyramid with this very idea in mind and you should check it out before starting your fat burning program because it can save you a lot of time and energy if you get the diet part figured out before even stepping into the gym.
4) Plan Workouts
The body is the most complex machine on the planet and you can’t just hope to step into a gym and jump on a machine or some weights and think that you are going to see the results you want without knowing how they affect your body. The ideal exercise routine is done only 3 or 4 times per week and only for 30-45 minutes at a time. You cannot work your body more than this because it will actually cause your muscles to break down which means you will be burning fewer calories, and therefore, not maximizing your fat burning routine in the gym. If you have any doubts about what kind of routine is ideal for your goals, don’t be afraid to consult a physical trainer to help you set up a program that is best suited for you.
5) Nutritional Supplements
If you really want to maximize your fat burning routine in the gym, then you need to consider using nutritional supplements. Now I am not talking about those crazy supplements that promise to burn fat for you while you sit and watch tv! I am talking about essential fatty acids, amino acids, whey protein…. things that will truly maximize your workouts that you can’t always expect to get in the foods you eat every day. Again, consult a physical trainer if you want to know which supplements are best for your weight loss goals.
6) Set Weekly Goals
I know that this just seems terribly obvious but the truth is that most people are not thrilled with the idea of working out so it is easy for them to skip a session or indulge in some pizza and think that they will make up for it next time. Listen, next time never comes and when you stop seeing the scales go down, the motivation just seems to stop. By setting weekly goals, you can track your progress and make it that much more likely that you will adhere to the goals when you see things are not going as expected.
7) No More Late Night Snacks
This one may not seem to make sense, but I assure you that it will help maximize your fat burning exercises. The reason is your metabolism. When you eat right before you go to bed, it throws your body off and you probably notice that you awaken and don’t feel hungry. Then, you skip breakfast entirely or only snack on a bagel or something on you way into work.
The result: the body goes into conservation mode. This means that it slows down your metabolism and that means you are burning less calories throughout the day. Plus, it increases the likelihood of snacking and basically just sets the scene for a bad cycle. Eating five smaller portioned meals per day also has to do with your metabolism as it has been found that metabolism remains highest when there is a consistent supply of food in the body. You might not believe that late night snacking affects the way your body burns fat when working out, but it does.
Now some of the things listed above are obvious while some just seem silly. And yet, taken together and consistently adhered to, these 7 little ideas will maximize your fat burning in the gym and get you to that body you can see in your mind but not the mirror far quicker than if you just go about things in a disorganized and inconsistent manner.
Free Belly Fat Burning Tips
Friday, November 18, 2011
Five Easy Toning Exercises you can Do Anywhere
Exercise is an important part of our lives. Staying in shape is one way to increase your life expectancy. Weight bearing exercises are important also for increasing muscle mass and bone density as you age.
Most of us have learned what to do when it comes to exercising. The problem is where and when to get the job done. With a busy lifestyle, making time for exercise is a challenge.
Weight bearing exercises aren’t just for bodybuilders. As you age, especially once you hit the
Most of us have learned what to do when it comes to exercising. The problem is where and when to get the job done. With a busy lifestyle, making time for exercise is a challenge.
Weight bearing exercises aren’t just for bodybuilders. As you age, especially once you hit the
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Discovering the 31 Day Fat Loss Cure: The Secret to Losing Weight Fast
You know how a lot of fat loss programs are all about simple tips and tricks that all basically follow the same diet routine and boring work-out plan that don’t really work but instead are designed to make you purchase more and more of their “weight-loss” products to finally see noticeable results? There are loads of these programs out there today, marketing themselves to help you cut the fat and lose weight in a few weeks, a few days or in a year by simply following a diet or a
Weight Loss Myths: Don't Believe Them!
Where weight loss is concerned, there is a wealth of good as well as bad information out there. And when people are desperate to lose a few pounds, they will believe almost anything they hear, hoping for a quick fix! In this article, we will expose a few of the weight loss myths that can actually slow your progress instead of speeding it up!
Some people hold to the belief that there is a "Metabolic type," and that based on your genetics and family history, your diet should consist of a
Some people hold to the belief that there is a "Metabolic type," and that based on your genetics and family history, your diet should consist of a
The 10 Best Power Packed Foods
What is the secret to a long and healthy life? It is in the food that we eat. As you well know, all foods are not created equal. Choosing and eating the right foods may help increase your life expectancy as well as the quality of your life.
Here are ten of the top power packed foods designed to give you energy, vitality and all around good health!
1. Beans – If they give you gas, take precautions before you eat them. Soaking them first can help. Beans of all kinds (kidney,
Here are ten of the top power packed foods designed to give you energy, vitality and all around good health!
1. Beans – If they give you gas, take precautions before you eat them. Soaking them first can help. Beans of all kinds (kidney,
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
How To Avoid The 3 Biggest Fat Loss Diet Mistakes
There is so much information on fat loss and more added everyday, yet most people continue to make the same diet mistakes all the time.I do not mean a small indulgence in a piece of cake, or missing a workout, I mean the big diet mistakes that basically guarantee failure in losing weight. Here are 3 of the biggest.
1.The negative attitude of sacrifice. Dieting does not mean giving up all the so called unhealthy foods, it just means eating less of them. The key, and the secret to a healthy
1.The negative attitude of sacrifice. Dieting does not mean giving up all the so called unhealthy foods, it just means eating less of them. The key, and the secret to a healthy
10 Easily Achievable And Realistic Fat Loss Tips
Are you still counting calories and preparing perfectly proportioned meals and snacks everyday? Are you still weighing your food to achieve that perfect portion? No? Too hard to maintain? Well, here are 10 easily achievable and realistic fat loss tips that will make your weight loss or any health plan that much more manageable, and ultimately more successful.
1.Keep healthy snacks within sight. Keep that bowl of fruit on your kitchen table or some dried fruit on your office desk, so that
1.Keep healthy snacks within sight. Keep that bowl of fruit on your kitchen table or some dried fruit on your office desk, so that
Significant Fat Loss Tips for Significant Results: Tips That You May Not Even Have Considered
There are a lot of ways to lose weight. This goes without saying as there are hundreds upon hundreds of weight-loss programs, books, workout videos and endless lists of diet programs that all tackle different ways to cut the fats and lose weight efficiently and proficiently. There are loads of different tips that pool together and they have all become common knowledge for a lot of people. Examples are the routines to focus on protein and to eradicate carbohydrates from your meals or to keep
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Five Easy Toning Exercises you can Do Anywhere
By Maxx
Exercise is an important part of our lives. Staying in shape is one way to increase your life expectancy. Weight bearing exercises are important also for increasing muscle mass and bone density as you age.
Most of us have learned what to do when it comes to exercising. The problem is where and when to get the job done. With a busy lifestyle, making time for exercise is a challenge.
Weight bearing exercises aren’t just for bodybuilders. As you age, especially once you hit the age of forty, you begin to lose muscle mass. For women especially, bone loss becomes a problem. When the body is in need of calcium it can rob it from your bones. Building muscle not only increases their mass but your strength.
Here are five easy toning exercises that can be done anywhere and whenever you have time. At home, at the office, or on vacation, you can do these easy yet extremely effective exercises.
1. The Bridge Butt Lift – Sounds like a plastic surgery technique but it is an easy way to tone your buttocks. Lay down with feet flat on the floor, legs shoulder width apart. Place your hands, palm side down, on either side of your body. Pushing with your feet, squeeze your gluteal muscles and lift your butt off the floor. Hold the position for a count of five to ten and release down to the floor.
2. Squats – Squats work the butt, the hamstring muscles and the quadriceps. If you aren’t sure of proper form, you can use a chair. Stand with feet shoulder width apart and feet firmly planted. Push your butt back as if you were preparing to sit in a chair. Keep your abs tight and your upper body straight. Once you reach chair level stop and hold the position for a count of two to five and release. At the lowest point, place all of your weight on your heels for balance and maximum toning.
3. Reverse Lunges – Lunges work the quadriceps muscles. They can be hard for people with knee problems. A reverse lunge still tones the right muscle groups but with less pressure on the knee. Stand with feet together and arms at your sides. Take one leg and move it backwards until you are in lunge position: front leg bent at a 90 degree angle and back leg extended until you are on the ball of your foot. From this position lower yourself down until the back knee almost touches the floor. Hold for a count of two and return to starting position.
4. Pushups – This is a classic toning exercise that works all areas of the arms plus the chest muscles. If you aren’t comfortable or strong enough to perform a pushup on your toes, lower your body to your knees. Be sure your arms are tucked into the body and your back straight as you lower and lift your body.
5. Crunches – Abdominal muscles can be worked every day to build strength and muscle tone. Lying on the floor in sit up position, lace your fingers behind your head. Squeezing your abdominal muscles, lift your upper body until your lower back is about to come off the floor. Hold for two to five counts and return to starting position.
These five exercise moves can be done whenever you have time. The best thing about exercise is that its effects are cumulative. Even five or ten minutes at a time will work to your advantage.
Exercise is an important part of our lives. Staying in shape is one way to increase your life expectancy. Weight bearing exercises are important also for increasing muscle mass and bone density as you age.
Most of us have learned what to do when it comes to exercising. The problem is where and when to get the job done. With a busy lifestyle, making time for exercise is a challenge.
Weight bearing exercises aren’t just for bodybuilders. As you age, especially once you hit the age of forty, you begin to lose muscle mass. For women especially, bone loss becomes a problem. When the body is in need of calcium it can rob it from your bones. Building muscle not only increases their mass but your strength.
Here are five easy toning exercises that can be done anywhere and whenever you have time. At home, at the office, or on vacation, you can do these easy yet extremely effective exercises.
1. The Bridge Butt Lift – Sounds like a plastic surgery technique but it is an easy way to tone your buttocks. Lay down with feet flat on the floor, legs shoulder width apart. Place your hands, palm side down, on either side of your body. Pushing with your feet, squeeze your gluteal muscles and lift your butt off the floor. Hold the position for a count of five to ten and release down to the floor.
2. Squats – Squats work the butt, the hamstring muscles and the quadriceps. If you aren’t sure of proper form, you can use a chair. Stand with feet shoulder width apart and feet firmly planted. Push your butt back as if you were preparing to sit in a chair. Keep your abs tight and your upper body straight. Once you reach chair level stop and hold the position for a count of two to five and release. At the lowest point, place all of your weight on your heels for balance and maximum toning.
3. Reverse Lunges – Lunges work the quadriceps muscles. They can be hard for people with knee problems. A reverse lunge still tones the right muscle groups but with less pressure on the knee. Stand with feet together and arms at your sides. Take one leg and move it backwards until you are in lunge position: front leg bent at a 90 degree angle and back leg extended until you are on the ball of your foot. From this position lower yourself down until the back knee almost touches the floor. Hold for a count of two and return to starting position.
4. Pushups – This is a classic toning exercise that works all areas of the arms plus the chest muscles. If you aren’t comfortable or strong enough to perform a pushup on your toes, lower your body to your knees. Be sure your arms are tucked into the body and your back straight as you lower and lift your body.
5. Crunches – Abdominal muscles can be worked every day to build strength and muscle tone. Lying on the floor in sit up position, lace your fingers behind your head. Squeezing your abdominal muscles, lift your upper body until your lower back is about to come off the floor. Hold for two to five counts and return to starting position.
These five exercise moves can be done whenever you have time. The best thing about exercise is that its effects are cumulative. Even five or ten minutes at a time will work to your advantage.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Understanding The Two Principle Types Of Diabetes
By Donald Saunders
Diabetes is a chronic condition which is typified by a
distorted metabolism and raised levels of blood sugar which
lead to reduced levels of insulin. The symptoms of diabetes
can look very much like those of a host of other conditions
and the disease can therefore go undiagnosed for years.
Screening for this particular condition is important because
early diagnosis and treatment greatly improve the quality of
life for those who have this condition.
There are 2 key types of diabetes that individuals who are
not familiar with the disease normally find it difficult to
tell apart and these are type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is caused by the destruction of cells within
the pancreas which occurs because of an auto-immune attack.
It cannot be prevented and accounts for approximately ten
percent of the cases of diabetes in North America and
Europe. Type 1 diabetes is found in children and adults and
is often referred to as juvenile diabetes.
It is possible to treat type 1 diabetes very successfully by
closely monitoring levels of blood glucose and adjusting the
level of insulin in the body. Both forms of diabetes can
require the enhancement of the body's insulin level and
diabetic coma can result if the body's insulin level falls
too quickly.
Apart from the administration of insulin, the best form of
management for type 1 diabetes is a program of exercise and
diet. People with this condition need to be aware of their
body glucose level and ensure that insulin is replaced by
injection or use of an insulin pump.
Type 2 diabetes is different from the type 1 form of this
disease because it occurs as a result of insulin resistance
or a sensitivity to insulin combined with the body's reduced
insulin production. This form of diabetes is common in
people who are obese, are advanced in age, have a family
history and who do not exercise.
Type 1 diabetics have to use medication because their bodies
cannot make insulin. Type 2 diabetics however have several
different choices in terms of controlling their condition.
Diet and exercise might well be enough to keep type 2
diabetes under control but oral medication and insulin might
also be included in treatment.
There are numerous different treatment options available but
the most critical element of the treatment equation is the
patient. This is a chronic condition but this does not mean
that it has to be a lost cause and there are numerous ways
to keep your body in good health when you are suffering from
diabetes. Indeed, the diabetic is the most important factor
in the fight against the side effects of this all too common
disease.
If you have questions about diabetes then visit
http://diabetes-treatment-and-cure.com where you will find a
wealth of (http://diabetes-treatment-and-cure.com) diabetes
questions
Diabetes is a chronic condition which is typified by a
distorted metabolism and raised levels of blood sugar which
lead to reduced levels of insulin. The symptoms of diabetes
can look very much like those of a host of other conditions
and the disease can therefore go undiagnosed for years.
Screening for this particular condition is important because
early diagnosis and treatment greatly improve the quality of
life for those who have this condition.
There are 2 key types of diabetes that individuals who are
not familiar with the disease normally find it difficult to
tell apart and these are type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is caused by the destruction of cells within
the pancreas which occurs because of an auto-immune attack.
It cannot be prevented and accounts for approximately ten
percent of the cases of diabetes in North America and
Europe. Type 1 diabetes is found in children and adults and
is often referred to as juvenile diabetes.
It is possible to treat type 1 diabetes very successfully by
closely monitoring levels of blood glucose and adjusting the
level of insulin in the body. Both forms of diabetes can
require the enhancement of the body's insulin level and
diabetic coma can result if the body's insulin level falls
too quickly.
Apart from the administration of insulin, the best form of
management for type 1 diabetes is a program of exercise and
diet. People with this condition need to be aware of their
body glucose level and ensure that insulin is replaced by
injection or use of an insulin pump.
Type 2 diabetes is different from the type 1 form of this
disease because it occurs as a result of insulin resistance
or a sensitivity to insulin combined with the body's reduced
insulin production. This form of diabetes is common in
people who are obese, are advanced in age, have a family
history and who do not exercise.
Type 1 diabetics have to use medication because their bodies
cannot make insulin. Type 2 diabetics however have several
different choices in terms of controlling their condition.
Diet and exercise might well be enough to keep type 2
diabetes under control but oral medication and insulin might
also be included in treatment.
There are numerous different treatment options available but
the most critical element of the treatment equation is the
patient. This is a chronic condition but this does not mean
that it has to be a lost cause and there are numerous ways
to keep your body in good health when you are suffering from
diabetes. Indeed, the diabetic is the most important factor
in the fight against the side effects of this all too common
disease.
If you have questions about diabetes then visit
http://diabetes-treatment-and-cure.com where you will find a
wealth of (http://diabetes-treatment-and-cure.com) diabetes
questions
Monday, April 25, 2011
Aromatherapy - Heal Yourself Naturally
By Gabriel
Have you ever considered aromatherapy for your health and
well-being? Well before you go into it, lets take a look at
what it is and what it is not.
First off, aromatherapy is considered a science and art of
healing and maintaining the subtle energy balance of the
human body. This art has been in practice for many
centuries.
It dates as far back as the ancient Egyptians to the
classical Greeks. Though technically it is not recognized
by the medical establishment as a hard-core science, its
healing track-records are proven. They range from
alleviating headaches to curing certain diseases.
Of course as with all things, not all aromatherapies are
created equal. The effectiveness and efficacy of this
ancient art really depends on the skill of the user and the
quality of the oils used. It must be said that aromatherapy
is not a cure-all. What it does is that the aromatherapy
oils help the body to heal itself.
Let me explain. Unlike medical science, which administer drugs
that will cause certain effects in the body, aromatherapy oils
actually have an indirect effect on the human body.
It stimulates certain natural functions of your body which
knows how to heal and repair itself. The efficiency of the
aromatherapy oils depends a lot on how well the blood
circulates in the body. The faster and smoother it
circulates, the greater the effect it can have.
Certain oils like the lavender can be soothing and helps the
body to unwind while other types can aid in other bodily
problems like indigestion or insomnia. If you wish to fully
benefit from the many wonders of aromatherapy, than you
should seek out a quality store that stocks good essential
oils.
Aromatherapy oils are basically taken from the extracts of
trees and plants. Ancient tribes knew the benefits of these
plants as they experimented and cataloged its uses and
properties. These oils were then passed down orally or
written in texts to let the next generation know of it.
Alternatively, you can also visit an aromatherapy therapist.
What the therapist will do is a basic diagnosis of your
health issues. Than he or she will select certain essential
oils that will have the best effects for your custom needs.
Remember, certain oils may not be suitable for some people,
so take care to only approach qualified aromatherapy
therapists for advice. I hope the above article has given
you a clearer picture of what aromatherapy is and clear up
any common misconceptions of it.
The general rule of thumb is: Look for professionals who
know what they are doing. Stick with this advice and you
will be fine. Now go and bathe yourself in that nice
aromatherapy bath!
Get more helpful tips and information on
(http://myorganicaromatherapy.com/) the art of organic
aromatherapy through my website on
(http://myorganicaromatherapy.com/how-does-aromatherapy-work/)
how does aromatherapy work.
Have you ever considered aromatherapy for your health and
well-being? Well before you go into it, lets take a look at
what it is and what it is not.
First off, aromatherapy is considered a science and art of
healing and maintaining the subtle energy balance of the
human body. This art has been in practice for many
centuries.
It dates as far back as the ancient Egyptians to the
classical Greeks. Though technically it is not recognized
by the medical establishment as a hard-core science, its
healing track-records are proven. They range from
alleviating headaches to curing certain diseases.
Of course as with all things, not all aromatherapies are
created equal. The effectiveness and efficacy of this
ancient art really depends on the skill of the user and the
quality of the oils used. It must be said that aromatherapy
is not a cure-all. What it does is that the aromatherapy
oils help the body to heal itself.
Let me explain. Unlike medical science, which administer drugs
that will cause certain effects in the body, aromatherapy oils
actually have an indirect effect on the human body.
It stimulates certain natural functions of your body which
knows how to heal and repair itself. The efficiency of the
aromatherapy oils depends a lot on how well the blood
circulates in the body. The faster and smoother it
circulates, the greater the effect it can have.
Certain oils like the lavender can be soothing and helps the
body to unwind while other types can aid in other bodily
problems like indigestion or insomnia. If you wish to fully
benefit from the many wonders of aromatherapy, than you
should seek out a quality store that stocks good essential
oils.
Aromatherapy oils are basically taken from the extracts of
trees and plants. Ancient tribes knew the benefits of these
plants as they experimented and cataloged its uses and
properties. These oils were then passed down orally or
written in texts to let the next generation know of it.
Alternatively, you can also visit an aromatherapy therapist.
What the therapist will do is a basic diagnosis of your
health issues. Than he or she will select certain essential
oils that will have the best effects for your custom needs.
Remember, certain oils may not be suitable for some people,
so take care to only approach qualified aromatherapy
therapists for advice. I hope the above article has given
you a clearer picture of what aromatherapy is and clear up
any common misconceptions of it.
The general rule of thumb is: Look for professionals who
know what they are doing. Stick with this advice and you
will be fine. Now go and bathe yourself in that nice
aromatherapy bath!
Get more helpful tips and information on
(http://myorganicaromatherapy.com/) the art of organic
aromatherapy through my website on
(http://myorganicaromatherapy.com/how-does-aromatherapy-work/)
how does aromatherapy work.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Want To Build Muscle While Burning Fat? Use Interval Training
By Jared Conley
You've been told a hundred times: it's impossible to build
muscle up and melt fat at the same time. You've been told that
building muscle involves an increase in calories, while fat
burning involves a decrease in calories. This conventional
wisdom is based in fact, but the beliefs are being tossed on
their ears with research into interval training. The truth
is, you can achieve muscle weight gain at the same time as
you burn fat if you add interval training to your sessions.
Interval training isn't new, but it's been more widely
understood, accepted, and implemented in recent years. While
standard cardiovascular training was looked at as the only
efficient way to shed fat, and the only effective workouts
for endurance athletes, high intensity interval training
(HIIT) has been shown to be advantageous to athletes in all
sports, and for people with wildly varying goals.
Standard aerobic activity is referred to as "steady state,"
which essentially means that you work up to a fixed
intensity level and continue working out at that level
throughout the workout. During the workout, your body gets
half of its fuel by burning fat, and gets the rest through
oxygen intake, and by tapping into your glycogen and muscle
stores.
Interval sessions, conversely, consist of short maximum
intensity intervals followed by lower intensity rest
periods. HIIT sessions are muscle sparing and are quick, but
pack a wallop. A fifteen-minute HIIT session can raise your
base metabolism for almost 24 hours, enabling you to
continue burning higher levels of fat for up to a day.
In addition to this, because your muscles consume calories
during every minute of the day, the more lean mass you have,
the more fat you burn, even while you're doing nothing.
Because HIIT not only spares your muscles, but also helps you
build muscles up, your future fat burning ability is
increased.
The bottom line is that regardless of your fitness goals,
HIIT sessions can help you increase your overall fitness
level with very short sessions. Better still, if your goals
include muscle building and fat burning, adding HIIT to your
workout schedule is a no-brainer.
Jared is a time-strapped professional who is always on the
lookout for techniques to get better results in less time.
Over the years, he has reviewed most of the popular
(http://www.joefission.com/build-muscle/) build muscle up
products available on the market. His objective product
reviews and informative content are freely available to
anyone looking to (http://www.buildmuscleupfast.com/)
exercise, build muscle and strengthen their bodies.
You've been told a hundred times: it's impossible to build
muscle up and melt fat at the same time. You've been told that
building muscle involves an increase in calories, while fat
burning involves a decrease in calories. This conventional
wisdom is based in fact, but the beliefs are being tossed on
their ears with research into interval training. The truth
is, you can achieve muscle weight gain at the same time as
you burn fat if you add interval training to your sessions.
Interval training isn't new, but it's been more widely
understood, accepted, and implemented in recent years. While
standard cardiovascular training was looked at as the only
efficient way to shed fat, and the only effective workouts
for endurance athletes, high intensity interval training
(HIIT) has been shown to be advantageous to athletes in all
sports, and for people with wildly varying goals.
Standard aerobic activity is referred to as "steady state,"
which essentially means that you work up to a fixed
intensity level and continue working out at that level
throughout the workout. During the workout, your body gets
half of its fuel by burning fat, and gets the rest through
oxygen intake, and by tapping into your glycogen and muscle
stores.
Interval sessions, conversely, consist of short maximum
intensity intervals followed by lower intensity rest
periods. HIIT sessions are muscle sparing and are quick, but
pack a wallop. A fifteen-minute HIIT session can raise your
base metabolism for almost 24 hours, enabling you to
continue burning higher levels of fat for up to a day.
In addition to this, because your muscles consume calories
during every minute of the day, the more lean mass you have,
the more fat you burn, even while you're doing nothing.
Because HIIT not only spares your muscles, but also helps you
build muscles up, your future fat burning ability is
increased.
The bottom line is that regardless of your fitness goals,
HIIT sessions can help you increase your overall fitness
level with very short sessions. Better still, if your goals
include muscle building and fat burning, adding HIIT to your
workout schedule is a no-brainer.
Jared is a time-strapped professional who is always on the
lookout for techniques to get better results in less time.
Over the years, he has reviewed most of the popular
(http://www.joefission.com/build-muscle/) build muscle up
products available on the market. His objective product
reviews and informative content are freely available to
anyone looking to (http://www.buildmuscleupfast.com/)
exercise, build muscle and strengthen their bodies.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
4 Fad Diets To Avoid
By Ada Denis
The insanity regarding weight loss has affected every obese
person out there. And why not? A decision to lose weight is a
good one, but you need to do it healthily. Unfortunately,
most people take to the unhealthy weight loss method called
'fad dieting' and end up losing muscles rather than fat.
Keep in mind that a fad diet cannot offer you a permanent
weight loss solution; only a healthy food plan can. So don't
focus on how to lose weight fast; rather, focus on how to
become healthy through weight loss. In this article I will
tell you about top four fad diets you mustn't follow.
1. Liquid Diet
Under this diet plan, you are required to eat only liquids
and avoid all solid foods. Liquids such as milk, protein
shakes, and fruit juices are recommended. If you follow this
diet only for a few days, you will become weak and limp.
This is definitely not a practical diet to go with since you
won't be able to follow it for the rest of your life.
2. Grapefruit Diet
Have you ever heard of or followed this diet? If you have,
you will know that this diet plan restricts your food intake
to a ridiculously low level, probably to that of a baby.
Under this diet plan, you need to eat only grapefruit and
protein-rich foods at every single meal of the day. This
diet is based on the belief that when protein is combined
with grapefruit, it accelerates a person's fat burning
process by enhancing his metabolism, thereby helping him
lose weight.
Now this might be true, but ask yourself - could you eat
grapefruits all your life? I would surely get bored. Plus
the weight loss you achieve through this diet would be just
temporary. Obviously, this is not a diet plan for you.
3. Egg Diet
This is basically a stem of the Atkins diet. This diet is
based on the concept that if you eat a protein-rich diet and
avoid all carbs, your body would be forced to burn fat to
produce energy since it won't find any carbohydrates. For
this reason you are suggested to eat as many eggs as you
can, along with cheese and meat.
In reality though, the concept doesn't work. When your body
doesn't get an adequate supply of carbohydrates, it won't
burn your fat deposits; instead, it would start burning your
lean muscles. Gradually, you will turn into a smaller
version of your former self, albeit with the same huge
potbelly you had. But far from that, your metabolic rate
would be reduced to a very low level as well. Do you still
think it is a good idea to go with this diet?
4. Banana Diet
Yet another crazy diet, which asks you to eat only bananas
for your breakfast. Of course, you could eat anything for
the rest of the day. The rationale behind this is that
bananas help in quicker digestion, thereby preventing the
body from absorbing all calories and turning them into fat
deposits. There is no scientific study or proof to backup
this claim, so I am not sure if this diet works at all.
When choosing a diet plan, you need to choose one which is
not only healthy but also viable; plus it should help you
achieve permanent weight loss. None of the above fad diets
fit this criteria, so they are definitely not for you. If
you are just looking forward to losing a few pounds, then
definitely go with any of the diets above, but don't be
surprised if those pounds come back as soon as you quit
dieting.
Any other fad diet you know of that works or not? Leave
a comment and let us know.
The insanity regarding weight loss has affected every obese
person out there. And why not? A decision to lose weight is a
good one, but you need to do it healthily. Unfortunately,
most people take to the unhealthy weight loss method called
'fad dieting' and end up losing muscles rather than fat.
Keep in mind that a fad diet cannot offer you a permanent
weight loss solution; only a healthy food plan can. So don't
focus on how to lose weight fast; rather, focus on how to
become healthy through weight loss. In this article I will
tell you about top four fad diets you mustn't follow.
1. Liquid Diet
Under this diet plan, you are required to eat only liquids
and avoid all solid foods. Liquids such as milk, protein
shakes, and fruit juices are recommended. If you follow this
diet only for a few days, you will become weak and limp.
This is definitely not a practical diet to go with since you
won't be able to follow it for the rest of your life.
2. Grapefruit Diet
Have you ever heard of or followed this diet? If you have,
you will know that this diet plan restricts your food intake
to a ridiculously low level, probably to that of a baby.
Under this diet plan, you need to eat only grapefruit and
protein-rich foods at every single meal of the day. This
diet is based on the belief that when protein is combined
with grapefruit, it accelerates a person's fat burning
process by enhancing his metabolism, thereby helping him
lose weight.
Now this might be true, but ask yourself - could you eat
grapefruits all your life? I would surely get bored. Plus
the weight loss you achieve through this diet would be just
temporary. Obviously, this is not a diet plan for you.
3. Egg Diet
This is basically a stem of the Atkins diet. This diet is
based on the concept that if you eat a protein-rich diet and
avoid all carbs, your body would be forced to burn fat to
produce energy since it won't find any carbohydrates. For
this reason you are suggested to eat as many eggs as you
can, along with cheese and meat.
In reality though, the concept doesn't work. When your body
doesn't get an adequate supply of carbohydrates, it won't
burn your fat deposits; instead, it would start burning your
lean muscles. Gradually, you will turn into a smaller
version of your former self, albeit with the same huge
potbelly you had. But far from that, your metabolic rate
would be reduced to a very low level as well. Do you still
think it is a good idea to go with this diet?
4. Banana Diet
Yet another crazy diet, which asks you to eat only bananas
for your breakfast. Of course, you could eat anything for
the rest of the day. The rationale behind this is that
bananas help in quicker digestion, thereby preventing the
body from absorbing all calories and turning them into fat
deposits. There is no scientific study or proof to backup
this claim, so I am not sure if this diet works at all.
When choosing a diet plan, you need to choose one which is
not only healthy but also viable; plus it should help you
achieve permanent weight loss. None of the above fad diets
fit this criteria, so they are definitely not for you. If
you are just looking forward to losing a few pounds, then
definitely go with any of the diets above, but don't be
surprised if those pounds come back as soon as you quit
dieting.
Any other fad diet you know of that works or not? Leave
a comment and let us know.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
The 10 Most Frequently Asked Questions About Teeth Whitening
By Gregory Chase
Afraid to smile? Afraid to show those not-so-white teeth?
Afraid that you'll be looked down upon because you don't
have pearly white teeth like the movie stars? Well, relax.
Not to worry. We've put together the top 10 teeth whitening
questions here, so you can find out what it takes to
brighten that smile. Check it out, and prepare to get
noticed!
1.Can anyone benefit from teeth whitening? Everyone wants a
bright, white smile. Unfortunately, not everyone can get
one, at least not without spending a lot of money. Those who
are fortunate enough to have healthy teeth can easily
benefit from teeth whitening.
However, the teeth whitening systems of today can't do too
much for those who've had re constructive dental work. Also,
those with really bad teeth stains aren't guaranteed of
totally white smiles, either, although they will see some
improvement.
2.What does a teeth whitening system consist of? There are
different types of teeth whitening systems, ranging from an
hour-long procedure done in the dentist's office, to teeth
whitening strips you can put on your teeth as you go about
your daily activities.
The most popular systems use bleaching trays and a whitening
gel. That's about all there is to it - simple and effective.
Of course, there are all kinds of
(http://www.teeth-whitening-smiles.com/whitening-toothpaste.html)
whitening toothpaste available on the market, and they do
a good job, too, although they're a little more superficial.
3.How does a teeth whitening system work? Probably the most
common tooth whitening system today uses a bleaching tray,
which either you or a professional lab, mold to the shape of
your teeth. Then you fill the tray with whitening gel, and
wear it from one to four hours a day.
Most gels have hydrogen peroxide in them which chemically
breaks down the stains on your teeth. Some gels use
carbamide peroxide instead of hydrogen peroxide, but the
results are good, either way. Over a period of time, the gel
bleaches your teeth, getting rid of stains, and returning
your teeth to their original, natural shine.
4.How long will it take for the bleaching system to whiten my
teeth? If you want your teeth whitened quickly, say perhaps
for an important date, then you can take advantage of a
system like the
(http://www.teeth-whitening-smiles.com/laser-teeth-whitening.html)
Zoom! Teeth Whitening System . This is done in a dental
office, and takes an hour. Your teeth will come out about
six shades lighter in that short period of time. Or, if you
have a bit more time, you might want to use the Zoom!
Take-Home System. That system uses the bleaching trays and
the whitening gel to brighten your teeth. There are many
other systems that use the same principal, so shop around to
find the one that suits you best.
5.How do my teeth get stained in the first place? There are a
number of things that'll stain your teeth. They're referred
to in the industry as chromogenic agents. The most common
chromogenic agents are tea, coffee, red wine, and smoking.
If you drink a lot of any of those liquids, or if you smoke
a lot, then you're probably going to have some discoloration
in your teeth. As you get older, the enamel on your teeth
breaks down and you're more susceptible to stains.
6.Do teeth whitening systems hurt? Since most teeth whitening
systems use some form of peroxide, then it's possible that
you could experience a small amount of pain. But it's
nothing like getting teeth pulled or anything like that.
It's more of just a discomfort, and it doesn't last very
long. The discomfort is usually felt in the gums, because
that's where the nerves are. If you have too much
discomfort, you should contact a professional and find out
what you can do to prevent it.
7.What are moldable bleaching trays? Moldable bleaching trays
are an integral part of the teeth whitening system. They're
the parts that hold the whitening gel against your teeth
which, ultimately, cleans and brightens your teeth.
It's important that you have a bleaching tray that's exactly
formed to your teeth, otherwise the gel may not get even
coverage of your teeth, and you may get what they call zebra
teeth. It may also take a lot longer for the system to work
if the gel isn't in constant contact with your teeth. And
that means you'll have to buy extra gel.
If you don't think you can get a proper fit by yourself,
then you can take the bleaching tray and make a mold of your
teeth. Then you send it to a professional lab who'll make
the tray for you and return it to you within a few days.
Then you're sure of the right fit.
8.How long will my teeth stay white after using a teeth
whitening system? The actual time your teeth keep their
natural shine depends on what you eat and drink. If you come
into contact with a lot of chromogenic agents, then your
teeth won't stay white as long.
Most teeth whitening systems last for a couple of years, but
it's recommended that you do touch-ups every 6 months to a
year. That way, you'll keep your lovely smile all the time.
9.What's the difference between Boil-and-Bite trays and the
trays you send to a lab? The general rule, when dealing with
a profession, is to use a professional. After all, that's
what they're there for. However, if you want to save a
little money, there's no reason you can't do a reasonable
job yourself.
So the choice is yours. If you're confident that you can
make your bleaching tray yourself, then by all means, use
the Boil-and-Bite trays. All you do is soften them by
dipping them in boiling water, then mold them to your teeth.
It's quite a simple process. However, as always, if you're
not able to do something yourself, then there are
professionals waiting to help you out. And you know the job
will be done right because that's what they're trained for.
10.Do I have to stop drinking coffee and red wine to keep my
teeth white? It's not necessary to change your lifestyle
just to keep your smile bright and shiny. If you see your
teeth starting to discolor, then it's ok to do a little
touch-up for a few days, every four to six months.
In summary everybody wants to have a winning smile. It's the
first thing other people see, and first impressions are
important, whether you are in the business field or engaging
in social activity. A bright smile is an icebreaker in any
situation.
So that's why teeth whitening systems were developed.
Whitening teeth isn't rocket science. That's why you're
given the choice of doing it at home on your own if you
want. Or you can go to a dentist's office and get more
sophisticated treatment, like laser teeth whitening.
Whichever method you choose, you don't need to go to the
great expense and hassle of cosmetic dentistry. All you need
is a good teeth whitening system. And where do you get that?
Check out all the great online teeth whitening systems -
they'll have your smile back to its natural whiteness and
brightness before you know it. Then you can go around
flashing that lovely smile!
Greggory Chase writes for
(http://www.teeth-whitening-smiles.com)
http://www.teeth-whitening-smiles.com where you can read
about the latest on crest white strips.
Afraid to smile? Afraid to show those not-so-white teeth?
Afraid that you'll be looked down upon because you don't
have pearly white teeth like the movie stars? Well, relax.
Not to worry. We've put together the top 10 teeth whitening
questions here, so you can find out what it takes to
brighten that smile. Check it out, and prepare to get
noticed!
1.Can anyone benefit from teeth whitening? Everyone wants a
bright, white smile. Unfortunately, not everyone can get
one, at least not without spending a lot of money. Those who
are fortunate enough to have healthy teeth can easily
benefit from teeth whitening.
However, the teeth whitening systems of today can't do too
much for those who've had re constructive dental work. Also,
those with really bad teeth stains aren't guaranteed of
totally white smiles, either, although they will see some
improvement.
2.What does a teeth whitening system consist of? There are
different types of teeth whitening systems, ranging from an
hour-long procedure done in the dentist's office, to teeth
whitening strips you can put on your teeth as you go about
your daily activities.
The most popular systems use bleaching trays and a whitening
gel. That's about all there is to it - simple and effective.
Of course, there are all kinds of
(http://www.teeth-whitening-smiles.com/whitening-toothpaste.html)
whitening toothpaste available on the market, and they do
a good job, too, although they're a little more superficial.
3.How does a teeth whitening system work? Probably the most
common tooth whitening system today uses a bleaching tray,
which either you or a professional lab, mold to the shape of
your teeth. Then you fill the tray with whitening gel, and
wear it from one to four hours a day.
Most gels have hydrogen peroxide in them which chemically
breaks down the stains on your teeth. Some gels use
carbamide peroxide instead of hydrogen peroxide, but the
results are good, either way. Over a period of time, the gel
bleaches your teeth, getting rid of stains, and returning
your teeth to their original, natural shine.
4.How long will it take for the bleaching system to whiten my
teeth? If you want your teeth whitened quickly, say perhaps
for an important date, then you can take advantage of a
system like the
(http://www.teeth-whitening-smiles.com/laser-teeth-whitening.html)
Zoom! Teeth Whitening System . This is done in a dental
office, and takes an hour. Your teeth will come out about
six shades lighter in that short period of time. Or, if you
have a bit more time, you might want to use the Zoom!
Take-Home System. That system uses the bleaching trays and
the whitening gel to brighten your teeth. There are many
other systems that use the same principal, so shop around to
find the one that suits you best.
5.How do my teeth get stained in the first place? There are a
number of things that'll stain your teeth. They're referred
to in the industry as chromogenic agents. The most common
chromogenic agents are tea, coffee, red wine, and smoking.
If you drink a lot of any of those liquids, or if you smoke
a lot, then you're probably going to have some discoloration
in your teeth. As you get older, the enamel on your teeth
breaks down and you're more susceptible to stains.
6.Do teeth whitening systems hurt? Since most teeth whitening
systems use some form of peroxide, then it's possible that
you could experience a small amount of pain. But it's
nothing like getting teeth pulled or anything like that.
It's more of just a discomfort, and it doesn't last very
long. The discomfort is usually felt in the gums, because
that's where the nerves are. If you have too much
discomfort, you should contact a professional and find out
what you can do to prevent it.
7.What are moldable bleaching trays? Moldable bleaching trays
are an integral part of the teeth whitening system. They're
the parts that hold the whitening gel against your teeth
which, ultimately, cleans and brightens your teeth.
It's important that you have a bleaching tray that's exactly
formed to your teeth, otherwise the gel may not get even
coverage of your teeth, and you may get what they call zebra
teeth. It may also take a lot longer for the system to work
if the gel isn't in constant contact with your teeth. And
that means you'll have to buy extra gel.
If you don't think you can get a proper fit by yourself,
then you can take the bleaching tray and make a mold of your
teeth. Then you send it to a professional lab who'll make
the tray for you and return it to you within a few days.
Then you're sure of the right fit.
8.How long will my teeth stay white after using a teeth
whitening system? The actual time your teeth keep their
natural shine depends on what you eat and drink. If you come
into contact with a lot of chromogenic agents, then your
teeth won't stay white as long.
Most teeth whitening systems last for a couple of years, but
it's recommended that you do touch-ups every 6 months to a
year. That way, you'll keep your lovely smile all the time.
9.What's the difference between Boil-and-Bite trays and the
trays you send to a lab? The general rule, when dealing with
a profession, is to use a professional. After all, that's
what they're there for. However, if you want to save a
little money, there's no reason you can't do a reasonable
job yourself.
So the choice is yours. If you're confident that you can
make your bleaching tray yourself, then by all means, use
the Boil-and-Bite trays. All you do is soften them by
dipping them in boiling water, then mold them to your teeth.
It's quite a simple process. However, as always, if you're
not able to do something yourself, then there are
professionals waiting to help you out. And you know the job
will be done right because that's what they're trained for.
10.Do I have to stop drinking coffee and red wine to keep my
teeth white? It's not necessary to change your lifestyle
just to keep your smile bright and shiny. If you see your
teeth starting to discolor, then it's ok to do a little
touch-up for a few days, every four to six months.
In summary everybody wants to have a winning smile. It's the
first thing other people see, and first impressions are
important, whether you are in the business field or engaging
in social activity. A bright smile is an icebreaker in any
situation.
So that's why teeth whitening systems were developed.
Whitening teeth isn't rocket science. That's why you're
given the choice of doing it at home on your own if you
want. Or you can go to a dentist's office and get more
sophisticated treatment, like laser teeth whitening.
Whichever method you choose, you don't need to go to the
great expense and hassle of cosmetic dentistry. All you need
is a good teeth whitening system. And where do you get that?
Check out all the great online teeth whitening systems -
they'll have your smile back to its natural whiteness and
brightness before you know it. Then you can go around
flashing that lovely smile!
Greggory Chase writes for
(http://www.teeth-whitening-smiles.com)
http://www.teeth-whitening-smiles.com where you can read
about the latest on crest white strips.
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