Fidgeting: The Natural Weight Loss Diet
October 31, 2008
It’s now official. The simple act of fidgeting can mean the difference between lean and obese. It’s the natural weight loss diet.
My friend likes to relate a story from time to time about when he was just a lad. His grandfather called him “Worm”, because he fidgeted so much. And between you and me, it can get rather annoying.
But he had the right idea, even if it wasn’t intentional. He’s 5′8″ tall and weighs around 145 lbs.
To my knowledge, he doesn’t work out, jog, or go to the gym. He fidgets. When we visit, I watch him twist and turn, tap his feet in the air, get up and down from the chair and walk around. It’s enough to drive you crazy, but his slim physique speaks volumes.
I’ve always believed that fidgeting is a result of a fast metabolism, so he naturally burns more calories, producing natural weight loss. But I also believe that fidgeting can be learned. Of course that’s all we need, more people to drive us crazy!
What the Philosophy of Tai Chi Can Do For You
October 31, 2008
Taoist Philosophy
To understand the purpose of the form it is important to understand its basis and roots.
The origins of Tai Chi go back over 5,000 years and are based in Taoist philosophy developed and refined by the great Taoist thinkers such as, Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu.
The core concept of Taoism and Taoist philosophy is that everything in the universe is subject to change and when dealing with this change we should act not to fight it but work with it and avoid conflict.
The core Of Taoism is that action should always be effortless and come from spontaneous creativity, but this should not require mental or physical effort.
According to Taoist philosophy change is constant but, by understanding change and acting in accordance with the laws that govern it, we can work effortlessly to achieve our aims.
Taoism is about working within the laws of change, not struggling to oppose them, this is seen as futile and a waste of energy.
In Tai Chi this manifests itself in that a posture will always be difficult and a struggle, unless there is union of mind and body, to make the move an effortless interaction.
Gastric Bypass Patients Should Include Tomatoes in Their Diet
October 31, 2008
After weight loss surgery it is important to include as many healthy foods in our diet as possible while still respecting the the restrictive nature gastric bypass system. One of the foods that many patients report having a high tolerance for is tomatoes. It’s well known that a high intake of tomato products is associated with lowered risk of colon and prostate cancers, a beneficial effect thought to be due to tomatoes high content of the carotenoids, lycopene and beta-carotene.
Lycopene is a member of the carotenoid family of phytochemicals and is the natural pigment responsible for the deep red color of several fruits, most notably tomatoes. Recently scientists have found evidence that supports the role of lycopene in human health, specifically in the prevention of cancers of the prostate, pancreas, stomach, breast, cervix and lung, as well as in the prevention of cardiovascular disease, cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration.
Lycopene is also believed to play a role in the prevention of heart disease by inhibiting free radical damage to LDL cholesterol. Before cholesterol can be deposited in the plaques that harden and narrow arteries, it must be oxidized by free radicals. With its powerful antioxidant activity, lycopene can prevent LDL cholesterol from being oxidized.
Understanding Vegetarianism
October 31, 2008
Like the Sun, Moon, and Earth, there are three kinds of vegetarians in existence: ovo-lacto, a vegetarian that eats vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, seeds and nuts, as well as eggs and dairy products. Lacto, a vegetarian that eats everything the “ovo-lacto” does, except eggs. Finally, we have vegans, a vegetarian that eats what the rest of the others eat, except for any kind of animal products, period. Each group of vegetarian is unique, but branches from the same tree of life.
Why would anyone want to be a vegetarian? Well there are many reasons as there are stars in the heavens. Some reasons are for health purposes, religious/spiritual, environmental, and the love and protection of animals. Other reasons may be for very personal ones. No matter the reason, we all meet at the same intersection on the road of health.
What Can Vegetarianism Do For Me?
Science has proven time and again that vegetarians are among the healthiest people on the planet. They live longer and are less prone to chronic diseases. Eating a low fat vegetarian diet can also help in losing excess weight. Obesity can lead to adult onset diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and cancer. Eating a vegetarian type diet can reverse heart disease and other health complaints such as arthritis. In addition, the vegetarian diet can lower blood pressure. Because potassium is plentiful in fruits and vegetables, the vegetarian diet lowers blood pressure by helping the kidneys abolish sodium and modify blood pressure-regulating enzymes.
Hypnosis and the Treatment of the Agoraphobic Eleven
October 30, 2008
Agoraphobia: fear of the market place.
?not, as many people imagine, a fear of open spaces.
There are no phobias that are fun to have, but agoraphobia is one of the worst, simply because it’s almost impossible to avoid the object of fear on a day to day basis. This is because the object of fear is Life itself. Fear of Life manifested as a fear of social encounters; a fear of being trapped; a fear of feeling foolish; a fear of looking foolish; fear of humiliation?
Another deadly aspect of agoraphobia is the speed with which it develops to the point of the sufferer being afraid to leave the house alone. Often its onset is started by a panic attack ? in itself frightening enough, without this possible consequence. The closing in of a personal world within a matter of weeks is a terrifying experience, and one that friends and relatives find almost impossible to understand and to cope with.
I have observed eleven factors that are frequently present with agoraphobia:
1. Low self-esteem
2. Lack of interest in job
3. Lack of a creative outlet
4. Insecurity
5. Lack of individuation
6. Insecurity in Relationship
7. Strong dependence
8. Fear of the cure
9. Nothing to live for
10. Lack of play/fun
11. Lack of regular exercise
Doubts About Gastric Bypass? One Womans Final Effort to Lose Weight Without Surgery
October 30, 2008
One may think that on a website called "LivingAfterWLS" you would never read about conventional dieting: losing weight the old fashioned way by eating less and exercising more. One would think WLS proponents would say, "It can’t be done. The only way to lose massive weight is with surgery." We should shake our heads with all-knowing smugness and think, "Well, it won’t be long and she, too, will be on the surgical table."
But I don’t think that is fair. Who among us, in the first two difficult post-op years hasn’t questioned, "Was this really my last hope? Was this the only way to become healthy by losing weight?" I’ve questioned myself dozens of times, "Kaye, did you really give it your all before you had surgery?" I don’t know the answer.
It is too late for me to ask questions. My stomach has been chopped in two and my intestines re-routed for life. But it’s not too late for Kelly McCamey to ask questions and that’s exactly what she did.
Alternative Fibromyalgia Therapies
October 30, 2008
Fibromyalgia is a mysterious disease that is effecting more and more people, as increasing numbers of patients are being diagnosed with this disorder. What is fibromyalgia, and what are some alterative therapies and treatments for this often-times debilitating disease?
Fibromyalgia is defined as a chronic musculoskeletal disorder with symptoms of widespread and persistent muscle and soft tissue pain, fatigue, and tenderness in several key points of the body such as the neck, shoulders and hips. Fatigue is often present in the more severe cases of fibromyalgia, and the degree of pain also depends on the severity of the disorder in the individual.
Fibromyalgia can be caused by stress, muscle injury or overusage of the muscles. Alternative therapies for fibromyalgia are being perfected as we speak, and there are some promising therapies and treatments in development now that can really help improve people’s lives.
There are many traditional and alternative therapies prescribed to treat fibromyalgia. They range from traditional treatment with NSAID’s (a powerful prescription pain killer which inhibits pain-triggering chemicals from releasing in one’s body and reduces swelling which often contributes to pain) and other anti inflammatories, to magnet therapy, physical and massage therapy, and herbal treatments.
Motivation and Dieting - Whats the Missing Link?
October 30, 2008
If you are like everyone else who has hit rock bottom with their weight struggles, and have declared that this day will be the first day of your diet, then this article is for you.
Too often it seems that most dieters jump on the weight loss boat, yet fail to bring along a months pass. Instead, they are usually on the boat for a couple of days, or maybe a week at best.
We all have the motivation to lose weight and look good. Some of us even diet for medical reasons. Whatever reasons motivate you to lose weight, hold onto them.
To many of us fall victim to that one cheat day, or that one hour where we fall off the boat and can’t get back on. My experiences with people just like that have shed some light on that missing element that makes people fall prey to losing their diet focus.
Steroid Stars
October 29, 2008
A long time ago, in the country far, far away, a young boy decided he wanted to change his stars for good. He decided that bodybuilding would be his ticket to the top and starts pumping iron. He quickly became successful, but that was partially due to the fact that bodybuilding was the least popular sport in his country at the time. He continued to win other prizes all over Europe, but realized that he could only succeed completely if he went to U.S. and win it there.
Upon arriving to U.S. our hero was surprised to learn that his American Competitors were leaner and more graceful. On his first American Mr. Universe he came in second and was completely disappointed. His thoughts at the moment were: "I’m away from home? In America, and I’m a loser" a day later he decided: "I’m going to pay them back; I’m going to show them who is really the best!". He succeeded and became a 7 time Mr. Olympia, a successful actor, and now holds an important political function.
Whats Missing Could Be Making You Sick
October 29, 2008
Here’s something you probably don’t know. The fruit and vegetables you eat today are not as nutritious as the food from fifty years ago.
Who says so? The USDA. When you compare the Food Composition Tables from the 1950 Agriculture Handbook with the latest version, you’ll see the shocking truth.
In fact, that is exactly what researchers Donald Davis, Melvin Epp, and Hugh Riordan did. They compared the data for 43 garden crops. They found that the group of vegetables showed "statistical reliable declines" for many nutrients.
There was less riboflavin, protein, iron, vitamin C, Vitamin A, calcium, potassium, and magnesium, and other nutrients. In some cases the nutrient drop was more than 50%.
The cause of these nutrient losses may have been from changes in the vegetable varieties, according to the researchers. It seems that the plant breeders are more interested in vegetables that ship well and look good on store shelves. Appearance is everything when it comes to creating profits. Nutrition is a secondary consideration.
Not mentioned was the probable lack of trace plant nutrients in soil that has been mined by unsustainable farming practices over the years. This is what the organic farming people have been saying for years.
