Motivation Is Key

If you're having a hard time staying on the right track of proper weightloss, your determination could be waning.  Succeeding with your diet relies on staying motivated and grounded in your reasons for wanting to shed those excess pounds. Beyond food restrictions and rigid exercise regimens, your reasons serve as the backbone of your entire diet program. Having the wrong reasons for dieting could mean losing motivation halfway through it. Below, I share the three main reasons that motivates me to keep up with the diet I have started:

• My health
  Having reached my 30's with all these unsightly excess weight puts me at risk of coming down with many illnesses. Since heart disease and diabetes runs in my family, losing weight is imperative if I don't want to contract either one of them. Moreover, my chances of getting them earlier than my other older relatives is higher given the kind of stressful lifestyle I live.

• My sanity
  Several heartbreaks lead to countless binge-eating sprees. These resulted to more than 50 pounds of unwanted flab accumulating mostly around my tummy. And with this my self-esteem took a radical plunge. To keep myself from going mad due to the anxiety borne of poor self-esteem, I mustered the courage to finally get serious with weightloss.

Written By: Maris Modesto

Three Great Health Habits to Live by

Growing old gracefully doesn't mean resigning ourselves to the inevitable negative health effects that come with aging. Even if I have yet to see the telltale signs of the years manifest themselves on my face and health, as early as now, I've resolved to practice living healthy. Of the many helpful practices we must follow, these three measures top my list:

• Stay on top of stress.
  Stress control begins with the mind. Many illnesses result from stress overload. Apart from practicing relaxation techniques and other recognized stress-relieving measures, I see to it that I've got my mind properly programmed to take on stress. How? By predisposing myself to stay calm all the time and never let the small stuff get to me.

• Never scrimp on sleep. I know sleeping a full eight hours every day is a real challenge given today's busy lifestyle. But I do try. If ever I lack sleep, I make up for it by sleeping more the next day or taking power naps.

• Pile on the fruits and veggies. Fruits and veggies are our top sources of antioxidants. Besides taking daily vitamins, I make sure that I eat more fresh fruits and veggies than meat. 

Written By: Maris Modesto

Why am I optimistic?

There would always be two ways of looking at everything: Either we see the glass as half-empty or half-full. Regardless of which one we are inclined to choose, our decision does nothing to change the reality set before us. However, it could impact us deeply on a personal level, laying the ground for the direction our lives take.

From a medical standpoint, researches have advocated the truth on how our way of thinking affects our overall health. Though we may not be aware of it, making the deliberate, albeit unconscious, choice to see the glass as half-empty(pessimistic) or half-full(optimistic) does affect our body's immunity system, especially our ability to take on stress. Taking these into serious consideration, the reasons I've listed below explain why I've intentionally programmed my mind to always look on the bright side:

• I want to be happy.
  Life would always be a matter of ups and downs. Rolling with the punches and seeing the good in things no matter how dismal is the best way I know how to keep myself sane and happy.

• I am no masochist.
  Being pessimistic only intensifies life's blows needlessly. Why punish myself further? 

Written By: Maris Modesto

Diet Slips to Avoid

• Gorging during eat-outs.
  In the fast-paced life characterizing today, eating at fastfoods and restaurants are part and parcel of city living. And because foods served in these establishments are often calorie-laden and at times even unhealthy, practising vigilance whenever you eat out is a must.

• Indulging yourself in family food faves.
  It does not mean that your hubby and kids are feasting on a pizza, you can do the same too. Knowing that such foods can be bad for you when you eat too much, you should muster the self-discipline to practise control whenever necessary—and this includes those uber-tempting times when you are forced to watch everyone else have their fill of a local favorite. Should you find yourself in such a situation, it would be best to just divert your attention. Busy yourself with other things while everyone eats.

• A nibble here, a nibble there.
  Nibbles may not count as much when you look at it individually. But accumulated nibbles could rake in as much or even more calories than you realize. You would be better off dealing with your hunger pangs by having a full meal instead of eating bit by bit.

Written By: Maris Modesto

The Mentally De-cluttering Benefits of House Cleaning

The visually rewarding merits of living in a clean environment cannot be argued upon. But did you know that such visual pleasure also radiates positive health benefits capable of affecting your mind? Classified as one of the practices of mindfulness, house cleaning possesses a literal (tidying up your house) and figurative (doing away with your emotional baggage) interpretation. Both of them serve to benefit you mentally by bringing your mind into a state of mindfulness. Being mindful means having your mind cleared of unwanted and unnecessary thoughts induced either by your environment or your mind per se—as a reaction to your experiences.

As the cliché goes, “It's all in the mind.” And to ready your mind for maximizing the midfulness reward you get from cleaning your house, observe these important pointers:

• Before you start tidying up, you must first program your mind to view the exercise as a beneficial one—an easy but very effective way of understanding yourself in a deeper sense.
• Tell yourself that cleaning your house  relieves your stress—each area cleaned lifts the burden off your mind.
• While you are cleaning, focus on the sensations perceived by your senses in every activity of the moment.

Written By : Maris Modesto

Lifestyle Changes for Successful Weight Loss

If you are looking to succeed in losing weight, serious lifestyle changes have to be made. Like everything else, turning your exercise regimen and healthy eating plan into a routine requires diligence and practice. To help you get started, consider these suggestions:

• Better your workout routine.
  To keep your metabolism up, perform a combination of cardio and resistance exercises. Do this on a regular basis.

• Practice effective stress management.
  Stress can derail you from pursuing a healthy eating plan and workout routine. As such, it could send wrong signals, prompting you to eat more or binge whenever you are confronted by adverse emotions or situations. To keep it under your control, learn to practice effective stress management—meditation, creative pursuits, journaling, etc.

• Don't miss out on sleep.
  Some studies have pointed out the definite link between lack of sleep and weight gain. Even if keeping up with a busy schedule means compromising sleep at times, make sure that you make up for them, and try not to scrimp on your snooze time as much as possible.

Written By: Maris Modesto

The Compulsive Eater

As a teen, it never occurred to me that I had an eating problem. But as my binging frenzies increased—along with the rising stress I had to deal with as I matured—it wasn't long before my digestive system finally reacted, causing pain and bowel irregularities that worsened with the passing of the years.

After a third vist to the doctor, the reality behind my destructive inclination was finally brought to light. Although my attending doctor then didn't really give me a formal diagnosis of being a compulsive eater, he suggested that I get counseling to address any underlying issue that could have prompted my wild eating habits. All these indications I had fit the profile of a compulsive eater to a tee:

• Gorging on copious amounts of food though I wasn't physically hungry
• Eating at a faster than usual, especially when stressed out
• Inability to stop even when full
• A strong urge to eat alone and hide my eating habits from others
• Guilt/depressive feelings following a binging spree
• Linking my frustrations and failures to my weight
• Jumping from one diet to another in an effort to lose weight
• Making eating and dieting the focus of my life

Written By: Maris Modesto

How Alcohol Affects Teens

As a teenager, I've never been predisposed to drinking beer or any alcoholic beverages. Besides loathing the taste, I've suffered tremendously from chest pain and nausea after having tried it once during a casual drinking spree with friends. As it turns out, my decision to steer clear of it after that horrible incident was right. Researchers have confirmed that alcohol does adversely affect certain functions of the brain, especially for teens.

• Alcohol impairs teens' decision making ability, as the perfrontal cortex—part of the brain responsible for decisions and planning—isn't bound to mature until after the teen years. Imbibing alcohol could lead to teens' inability to rationalize and weigh consequences properly.
  
• Also, they may become forgetful, as their memory is bound to be adversely impacted.
  
• Since drinking often could develop a tolerance among teens, hence making them drink more, they risk becoming alcoholic dependents.
  
• Alcohol can prompt them to indulge in risky behviors. In turn, the latter could promote damages to the brain's connections as they mature.
  
• Alcohol could either interfere or result to deadly consequences if they're taking certain medications. Bad chemical reactions between alcohol and medicines can negatively impact judgment and motor skills. 

Written By: Maris Modesto

Common Stress Overload Triggers

Pressure that is either too intense, prolonged, or both serves as the primary factor behind stress overload. Combine this with how each of us individually react to stress given our distinctive personalities, then we have an individualized stress equation in our hands, meaning that no two people experience stress overload in exactly the same way.

Nonetheless, these differences does not discount the truth that despite individual variations, our frequent or continuous exposure to the following stress-inducing circumstances would likely result to stress overload , a.k.a breakdown, in the long run:

• Violence and other emotionally straining scenarios
• Being bullied or our failure to assert ourselves
• Relationship issues, particularly those involving loved ones
• Heartbreaking emotions associated with losing a loved one
• Failure to resolve problems persisting for a long period
• Inability to vent negative emotions properly
• Overloaded schedules, especially those which leaves little or no time for rest and relaxation or personal enjoyment

Written By: Maris Modesto

Trim Down via Food Substitution

If there's one thing I've realized about having a bulging waistline is that it doesn't only shroud your good looks, but it also risks your health. All that extra fat baggage ups my chances of developing heart disease, obesity, and diabetes. However, as easy as it is to talk about dieting and losing weight, doing it and sticking to it has been confirmed to be quite an ordeal, not only by yours truly but by all wanna-be weightloss victors worldwide.

Before, I always ended up gaining all the lost weight after laboring hard to shed them. And that was when I decided to do an intensive research on food. I realized that I didn't have to go out of my way to prepare special meals or take diet drinks to trim down. Easy food substitutions was all I needed to get started. By this, I prepared and ate the usual dishes without having to make extra purchases. A little healthy tweaking here and there sufficed to yield the results I needed. However, don't rely on your own research alone. Consult with your doctor to get advice on what foods would best work for you given your current health condition.

Written By: Maris Modesto

No-Hassles Creativity Boosters

 

Having a hard time getting your creative juices flowing? Try these easy but foolproof tips:

• If nothing comes to mind no matter how hard you push; sit back, relax, and just stop thinking. Stimulating your creative juices requires you to perform certain exercises acclimated to your specific preferences and personality traits. And no aspect of either one could be linked to force. In fact, the more you force your mind to work to your liking, the more likely it wouldn't budge. Moreover, you risk coming down with a bad migraine headache if you persist.
 

• Go out for a walk. For some creatives, letting their minds drift while strolling works to conjure creative thoughts, which they could use for their particular endeavor. Walking, even when done leisurely, serves not only to ready their minds for creative thinking. It also loosens stiff muscles making them feel more at ease, hence more apt to think creatively.
 

• Doodle or play around with your head. Scientific researches confirmed that doodling, despite its seeming idleness, effects concentration positively. But if doodling isn't your thing, then feel free to do any activity that involves your mind—answer a crossword puzzle, sketch, play with numbers, do anagrams, etc.  

Written By: Maris Modesto

Learning to Be Hardy

Half the time, I find myself unable to control my responses to certain situations life hurls at me. This happens whenever troublesome events arise suddenly, or problems avalanche, leaving me helpless and miserable. Sounds like you? Do not despair.

Not all of us are born with hardy personas—stress-resistant personalities, but we could work hard to acquire some, if not all of its qualities.

• Staying committedBeing commited is having a purpose. Having a purpose defines our reason for living. Whether this involves making ourselves and loved ones happy or achieving excellence in our chosen fields, any kind of purpose suffices to motivate us to put our efforts, time, and abilities to good use.
  
• Taking controlNone of us could be in command of everything all the time. However, having a sense of control implies that we know how to take charge of ourselves, especially in handling our stressors.
  
• Living up to the challengeSeeing life as a challenge that needs to be overcome instead of a burden is what differentiates a hardy person from his weak counterparts. Hence, he acquires a positive outlook in life, enabling him to bounce back and stay rooted in his values despite adversities.

Written By: Maris Modesto

The Good and the Bad

Stress: you can neither have too much of it nor too little. The minutest inconsistency in balancing between these two extremes could spell a big difference in how we would fare in the face of life's daily challenges. Stress is as innate to living as breathing. Basically, since we can't keep ourselves from reacting to the events that confront us, there is no way we could prevent stress from setting in. But despite the negative connotation, stress is not always bad. In fact, in the right doses it could even be good for us. 

Good Stress

Instances like avoiding accidents causes an adrenaline rush, giving us the needed faculties to react accordingly and effectively. This adrenaline rush, also referred to as the flight and fright response, is stress—good stress to be exact. Activated in milder forms, good stress can push us into doing what needs to be done, even performing astounding feats we didn't know we're capable of, to steer us toward the right direction. 

Bad Stress

If adequate stress is good, too much automaticlaly means bad. Stress overload, especially when chronic, could turn our overall system upsidedown. Left alone, this could result to many kinds of health problems. 

Written By: Maris Modesto

Harnessing Your Emotional Resiliency

Saying that you can always stay in control of your emotions is one thing, but living up to it is another. If like me, you find it hard to stay tough when confronted by emotionally taxing situations, then harnessing your emotional resiliency is compulsory. But before you proceed, be reminded: being emotionally resilient does not give you an immunity from life's hassles.

If it has to rain, it would rain. There is not much you can do about it since staying alive means being exposed to problems time and time again. But the benefit of emotional resiliency you could definitely not do without would be having that presence of mind and positivity to help you react advantageously and bounce back should you get knocked down.  To help you develop your emotional resiliency, try out these tips:

Do not shy away from strong emotions. Let yourself experience them so as to get familiarized.

But do not leave yourself vulnerable to them when your spirit is down. Their combined forces along with your already stressed out self spells trouble for you in the end.

Face your challenges.

But know your limitations and give yourself enough time to recharge your spirit and energy.

Written By: Maris Modesto

Health Trivia That May Boost Your Health

Trivia is a wonderful distraction. But it can also be handy at times. Look over this collection of health trivia for bits of wisdom that can improve your health and reduce your risks of infection and diseases.

Dentists recommend that you store your toothbrush at least six feet away from the toilet. This reduce risks of airborne particles from flushing coming into contact with your toothbrush.

Sleeping burns more calories than watching TV. If you want to lose weight but aren't in the mood to exercise, snooze instead of turning on the TV.

Moisturize if you are allergic to dust. Why? Most dust particles in your house are made of dead and dried skin cells.

Here's a good reason to wash your pits and dry them well: The skin of the armpits can harbor up to 516,000 bacteria per square inch, while drier areas, such as the forearm, have only about 13,000 bacteria per square inch.

Enjoy your food while you still can. The average human has about 10,000 taste buds located in the tongue, its underside, and insides of the cheek. However, most people lose half of their taste buds, hence, compromising their sense of taste by the time they reach 60.

Written By: Kristine Gonzaga

Laugh, Snicker, Giggle: It's Good For You

Laughter is the best medicine - there is a truth to this cliché. You see, stress and anxiety are usually the cause of many disorders and illnesses - causes that can easily be relieved and remedied by some laughter. 

There are several other benefits that laughter can do for you that you might have overlooked like:

• Stimulate body organs
• Trigger your stress response
• Soothes tension and aches
• Boost your immune system
• Relieve pain
• Improves positive outlook

Here are some tips on getting more laughs in your life without being crazy:

Make humor part of your routine. Subscribe to an online comic strip that makes you laugh or put a collection of funny pictures on your desk so you can easily get a laugh into your daily routine.

Think silly. A lot of people are afraid of making a fool of themselves that they get so uptight about things. Aside from increasing anxiety and stress, they also miss out on the humor.

Look for jokes. Deliberately scan through copies of joke books in your local bookstore. There is a high chance that the jokes are corny, but the stupidity of it all may be just enough to get you cracking up.  

Written By: Kristine Gonzaga

How to Fight Mid-Day Sleepiness

If there's one thing that distracts me from work the most, it's feeling sleepy. It's kind of hard focusing on work when you're feeling dizzy because of sleepiness.

How do you fight sleepiness anyway?

The best way is to get enough sleep at home. Eight to ten hours of restful, undisturbed sleep should suffice to provide you with enough energy to go through the day.

But since it's impossible for most people to get at least eight hours of sleep, let's try the next best thing - the power nap. The power nap is the more popular term for a 20-minute nap that seems to works wonders in re-energizing the body.

Go with time-tested caffeine. Coffee is guaranteed to help us snap out of sleepiness. Just be careful not to drink too much coffee past 3pm, because it may make it difficult for you to sleep in the evening.

Wash your face. For some people, splashing their face with cold water jolts their minds back to consciousness. Although this may be true, the effects don't really last very long.

There you go, some tips on how you can fight off mid-day sleepiness. 

Written By: Abbey Grace Yap

Cooking Tips That'll Help You Lose Weight

Many have jumped the fitness bandwagon and have chosen to follow fad diets left and right. Many of us think that by limiting our menu choices, we actually take ourselves one step closer to our goal.

But is it really just the food we eat? Why don't we take a look at how we prepare it?

Let's start off with meal choices. Instead of cooking on the fly, why not plan the menu at the start of the week? This way, you'll save time thinking of what's good and healthy to prepare for the day.

Start choosing lean cuts. Be it beef, pork, or chicken, make sure that most of the fat is removed from the meat. This allows you to get the protein your body needs, but less the fat and calories.

Go with simple recipes. Don't choose menu entries that take too many steps to prepare and cook. Example of simple dishes are baked, steamed, or broiled meats.

Remember that even the healthiest of food can turn bad when it's prepared the wrong way. So before you start thinking of which foods are healthy, go back to the beginning and think of healthier ways to prepare your food instead.

Written By: Abbey Grace Yap

Pets and Their Positive Effect On Our Health

Most people adopt pets just so that they have something cute to play around with. But aside from the 'aww' factor, what else is keeping a pet good for?

Would you believe me if I tell you that your health may benefit from picking up a pet from the shelter? Sounds hard to believe? Let me tell you why.

Once you get a pet of your own, you instantly pick up a friend. They're always there with you when you're at your lowest, listening to you when you need to rant, and they're still beside you when you're having the best day of your life. People with pets are generally less stressed that people who don't have one.

Also, if you have a pet, specifically a dog, you're going to have to take him out for walks or play with them as they are naturally playful animals. You may not think so, but that, right there, is physical activity. The more physical activity you have, the more fat you burn and the more excess weight you begin to shed.

Now, who would've thought having a pet around could do so much good?

 

Written By: Abbey Grace Yap

Get the Long, Shapely Legs You've Always Wanted

Would you agree with me when I say that the legs are the hardest to keep toned? Why, even models have a hard time keeping their legs cellulite-free. You can just imagine how difficult it would be for regular people to combat cellulite.

But fitness trainers explain that by performing leg-specific exercises, you can slowly work your way to perfect, shapely legs. Here are some examples of leg-shaping exercises:

1. Lunges and step-up exercises have been well-endorsed because these routines work out all the different leg muscles at once. You can easily do it anywhere and don't necessarily require expensive equipment.

2. Squats are also great for the legs and calves. Unfortunately, they're not easy on the knees as they tend to carry most of the stress of the exercise.

3. Leg lifts are also a great way to give your legs some work out. However, it tends to focus more on the thighs than the calves. Adding weights to your leg lifts can increase the speed of progress.

For more information on these exercise and how to safely perform it, consult a fitness professional for guidance. It's better to be safe than sorry after all.

Written By: Abbey Grace Yap

How to Drop One Pound A Week

Health professionals advise obese and overweight individuals to get started on dieting to shed excess pounds and decrease their risks of developing chronic diseases like heart attack and diabetes.

But the big problem is finding the will to stay away from the foods that we're so used to eating. What if there's a way to shed pounds slow and steady without fighting the urge to eat your favorite foods.

If you're a big potato chip junkie, learn to control your consumption by not holding on to the big bag while you munch. Get a small bowl and fill it with enough chips. The reason behind this is that as long as your hand can feel that there's something to grab and stuff to your mouth, it'll keep feeding your mouth with chips.

If you have a sweet tooth, why not choose something natural. Dried fruits can make for a great alternative for the sweet stuff. You can replace your sugary drinks with home-made fruit juices to keep things natural and chemical-free.

Keep in mind that you want to be able to stick to your diet. Cutting your guilty pleasures out completely only increases your chances of failing.

Written By: Abbey Grace Yap

Control Overeating By Curbing Your Hunger

When I'm hard pressed with time, I tend to skip meals and compensate for the missed meal on the next one. And because this tends to happen a lot, I get told that I overeat.

I hate to say this but because I did overeat, I gained weight. This is why I'm trying to learn to curb my hunger so that I can stop overeating. I've found several ways to naturally curb my hunger without the use of diet pills, here are some of them:

• Take in lots of water. Water has been known for its filling properties.
• Take time to chew. The longer you chew, the more time you give your stomach to realize that you're filling it with food.
• Break your food consumption down into smaller chunks and eat in two to three hours intervals.
• Choose high fiber foods as they are more filling. It also takes a longer time for the feeling of fullness to go away.

It'll take a little getting used to, but I'm going to stick with this to finally control my eating habits and eventually lose weight.

Written By: Abbey Grace Yap

Sing to Health

So I've been backtracking American Idol season nine episodes lately and found this one auditionee who had asthma. And I got thinking, how could someone who has respiratory problem get into singing?

Apparently, singing does us a world of good, both physically and mentally.

Singing can act as a great stress reliever. It can help take our mind off of whatever it is that's troubling us. Also, it can also serve as a creative channel to express our emotions.

As for the physical benefits of singing. It can act as an aerobic exercise that works out our lungs, our abdominal muscles, and pumps up your blood circulation. A pretty great lung workout for someone with asthma, don't you think?

The constant breathing that comes with singing makes your lungs and abs contract more and it also gets more oxygen into your blood and into your system. The more oxygen you have in your blood, the better equipped your body becomes to protecting itself from diseases.

Now that I've learned about this, I don't think I'm going to pass up on the opportunity to sing whenever I can. And that would be in the shower while I get ready for work.

Written By: Abbey Grace Yap

Working Around Your Lactose Intolerance

As much as I love dairy products, there's only a certain level that I can take because I have, to an extent, lactose intolerance. I'm just lucky that I can take more than enough to give me my fix of dairy everyday.

For those like me who can tolerate lactose to a certain degree, learning to moderate one's dairy consumption can help create a compromise between your love of lactose-based products and your inability to digest them fully.

First up, determine just how much dairy you can take. This way, the next time cheese is on the menu, you'll know just how much your body can take and stop when you reach that point.

I've learned that I can take more milk or cheese when it's mixed with something else. I drink milk with a little chocolate and take my cheese mixed into my salad.

I've also learned not to take my dairy without anything prior to it. I found that my stomach revolts to the lactose faster when I eat cheese on an empty stomach.

Again, it would be best to consult your doctor to understand more about your lactose intolerance and ask for workarounds to your condition.

Written By: Abbey Grace Yap

Healthy Breakfast Choices For An Energy Boost

As a person who sleeps late, I find myself almost always feeling tired and fatigued every morning. This feeling usually extends until after lunch where work starts picking up.

My roommate tells me it's because I don't eat breakfast, not the right kind anyway. She tells me that there are lots of breakfast foods that will help me feel energized early in the morning.

Take eggs, for example, she says. It's filled with protein, which stimulates the production of a brain chemical that makes us alert and increases the heart rate. It also takes a while for protein to be fully digested, so you're sure to have a steady supply of energy for a few hours.

Multi-grain cereals are also a great energy starter. They are high in iron, a mineral that helps distribute oxygen to your muscles. The more oxygenated the muscles, the more energetic you are.

Lastly, a glass of OJ should be part of your breakfast if you want to be up and energized early. Thanks to carnitine found in citrus fruits, fat gets distributed to cells to be used as energy. Vitamin C also reduces the effects of stress, making you less prone to fatigue.

Written By: Abbey Grace Yap

Reasons to Eat Breakfast

My mom always said that I should start my day with breakfast. When I was a kid, I'd go along and eat what she had prepared. But as I grew older, I felt like it wasn't a big deal and thought that breakfast was a waste of time.

But when I saw a doctor to consult about how to prevent myself from unhealthy habits, I brought up the topic of breakfast. He told me that eating breakfast can help keep me healthy. Here are some of the reasons my doctor stated:

1. Breakfast helps keep your weight in check. It curbs your cravings, prevents overeating, and help you build better eating habits.
2. Breakfast gives you startup energy boost for the day. The food you eat from breakfast will provide you with enough energy to do your thing until lunchtime.
3. Breakfast improves one's intellectual performance. Like batteries to a dying flashlight, the nutrients you get from a hearty and healthy breakfasts boost your brain, thus, improving cognitive functions.

So the next time you feel like skipping breakfast, ask yourself if you're willing to miss out on all the benefits the first meal of the day has to offer.

Written By: Abbey Grace Yap

Dealing With Hair Breakage

If there's one thing a woman considers most as her crowning glory, that would be her hair. But how can you expect a woman to be proud of her hair if it's prone to split ends and breakage?

What causes hair to break apart so easily? Experts point their fingers at wear and tear. Well, if you're always treating your hair with different kinds of chemicals (coloring, straightening, curling agents), I won't be surprised if your hair gets stripped off of its protective layers.

How can you avoid subjecting your hair to such a harsh beating then? You can start by choosing hair products that are gentler than the ones you're currently using.

If you're using ammonia or peroxide-based hair dyes, go with semi permanent ones instead. You can also recover your hair's lost protective barrier by using damage repair shampoos and conditioners.

Keratin, wheat, or soy protein-based hair products can help strengthen your hair and protect it from breaking so easily. Deep conditioning products that are made with natural oils can have just the same effect.

Your hair is just as much a part of you as any other body part, so take care of it. You don't want to go bald from constant hair breakage now, do you?

Written By: Abbey Grace Yap

When Too Much Exercise Is Too Much

You know people take words too seriously that they over exaggerate it? Well, some people take incorporating exercise into their daily lifestyle to a whole new level.

Instead of the ideal one hour's worth of moderate exercise, some exercise nuts overwork their bodies by putting in at least two hours of exercise per session while working multiple exercise sessions a day.

If you think that by exercising more you'll reap the benefits of being physically active faster, then you're dead wrong. The more you overwork your body, the more chances of you injuring yourself from muscle overuse.

You'll start off with minor muscle strains and sprains. But over time, you'll experience more severe problems like bursitis and tendonitis to name a few.

Over-exercising will end up costing you more in medical bills as opposed to what you intended to save when you started working out.

To prevent overuse injuries while exercising, consult a fitness expert first. They'll be able to tell you what to do and how long you should do a routine without compromising your health.

Written By: Abbey Grace Yap

Arm Swinging is Good For Your Health

Health experts have been keen to remind people that exercise is a vital part of staying fit and healthy. The problem with hearing the term exercise is that people often associate it to difficult routines or exercise sets.

But what if I tell you that you can exercise by swinging your arms?

Arm swinging is a Tai Chi warm-up move that helps get you pumped up for the day. How do you do the arm swing? Here's a quick guide:

Swing your arms backwards as far as gravity allows, then swing your arms forward. Do this for a couple of minutes before intensifying the workout.

Increase the intensity by lowering your center of gravity a little and lifting your heels while you swing your arms forwards and back.

You can up your arm-swinging level some more by jumping as you sway your arms. Jump higher as you progress.

The exercise is good for 15 minutes. It should be done twice daily to enjoy the full benefits of arm swinging. Also, don't forget that to end the exercise, you must gradually slow the pace down to a full stop.

So what are you waiting for? Start arm-swinging today.

Written By: Abbey Grace Yap

Natural Diarrhea Recovery Boosters

I hate it when I have diarrhea. I hate taking frequent trips to the toilet and the fact that I need about a day or two to fully recover from it. It's an experience I don't care to have, but somehow can't seem to avoid.

You can say this is what led me to my search for remedies that will help speed up my recovery from diarrhea. I found out that these foods can help us get better from diarrhea in lesser time:

• The BRAT diet - Banana, rice, applesauce, and toast have been known to work miracles for diarrhea when eaten together. This is most likely because of the fiber these foods contain.
• Ginger - Ginger is known for it's soothing properties. It works just as perfectly to relax irritated bowels that are the primary culprit for diarrhea.
• Oatmeal - Known to be an excellent source of fiber, oatmeal is also high in antioxidants and nutrients that will protect you from the damages diarrhea deals to your body.
• Water - Drinking lots of water will protect you from getting dehydrated from defecating too much. It also helps flush out what's irritating your bowels faster.
  

Written By: Abbey Grace Yap

Creative Outlets for Anger

Most angry people choose to brood over the emotion and dwell in it. But why waste your time swimming in such negativity when you can use it to fuel your creative side.

Anger, among many emotions, set off inspiration in a lot of artists. Why not use the feeling to tap into the artist in you and try out these creative outlets:

• Painting. Some people let off steam by bringing out their paint brushes and creative works of art. Some say that it's the colors they use for the paintings that calm them down, while others say focusing on painting makes them forget about the anger altogether.
• Writing. You can choose to use the anger to write an inspiring story of overcoming such negative emotions or write an emotional poem describing how hurt you were at the time. Be it a song, story, or poem, you can choose to use the feeling to create literary pieces that allow you to vent and entertain at the same time.
  

You can try out other forms of art like carving, pottery making, or even landscaping. Find one that works for you and use it to ease out of the emotion. You'll feel calmer and you'll have a masterpiece to show for it too.

Written By: Abbey Grace Yap

You Are Your Biggest Work Stressor

Most people would blame work for the stress they're experiencing. But are you sure you're pointing a finger at the right culprit? Is it really the mountains of workload? Or is it your work habits?

You'll find that three office personalities are often the most stressed ones.

• The buzzer-beater. These are people who wait until the last minute before starting work. It may work for some people, but for most people, it can be very stressful trying to produce quality work in a short span of time.
• The brown noser. These are people who commit themselves to too many projects at once. Guess how much pressure they set themselves up for trying to meet multiple deadlines all at the same time.
• The clutter bug. These are the people whose work stations look like it's been run over by a hurricane. Just looking at the mess can already be stressful, let alone try to work effectively in it.

If you find yourself guilty of being one of these people, then you might want to start looking in the mirror first before pointing your finger at what's causing your stress. Because quite frankly, it might be you.

Written By: Abbey Grace Yap

Eatings Habits That Are Eating You

Do you want to age early? I don't. I mean, aging is fine, I'm just not rushing to get there. But did you know that some of our eating habits make us age faster.?

Which eating habits am I referring to? Here are some examples:

Keeping a fast-food diet.
Most of us live on fast food meals because we're too busy to cook. Doctors say that grab-and-go meals are brimming with trans-fat which decreases our cells' ability to regenerate over time.

Over-indulging one's sweet tooth.
Although sugar converts to energy, there's a limit to what the body can process effectively. The excess sugar then causes a ruckus on the body by setting off an age-accelerating process called glycosylation.

Eating only when we're really, really, REALLY hungry.
The hormone that signals the brain of our hunger doesn't immediately normalize once you start eating. This causes a tendency to overeat. And when this happens often, your risk of obesity increases. And we all know that obesity does nothing good to the body.

So again, do you want to age early? If not, then you might want to look out on your eating habits.

Written By: Abbey Grace Yap

Secrets to Aging Well, Revealed

Everybody wishes to age well. Not just physically, but also psychologically and emotionally. But not everybody knows just how to age well. You can say that life gets in the way and it takes a pretty heavy toll on you.

But nonetheless, there are ways to ensure that we age well, despite of how much stress life brings to us. Here are some secrets to aging well:

1. Learn to pace your life. Don't go through life in one big rush as it will wear you out sooner than you can imagine.
2. Got pet? Pet owners have been noted to be healthier, less prone to giving out to stress, and lead happier lives that people who don't have pets.
3. Always hydrate. Eight glasses of water everyday will help keep your skin from drying out and aging prematurely.
4. Stay positive. Looking at the brighter side of life may seem naïve for some, but it does wonders to keep stress at bay.
5. Catch some Zs. Sleep is essential in keeping the body healthy. Getting six to eight hours of restful sleep should aid in keeping you in shape.

How about you, can you share some of your own secrets to aging well?

Written By: Abbey Grace Yap

A Feast For The Eyes

Our eyes are often the most strained of our senses because we use them day in and day out with only sleep as their rest. The eyes are also among the most commonly ignored body organs.

How do you take care of your eyes? Vitamin A supplements and giving your eyes quick breaks in between the day can help. But did you know that eating certain foods can actually help you show your eyes some love too?

• Rasperries, which are rich in vitamin C, can help lower your risks of developing cataracts.
• Lutein-rich broccoli and omega-3 rich salmon are great foods to help you prevent age-related macular degeneration.
• Eggs, which are high in vitamin A, promoted proper retina function.
• Spinach, which contains zeaxanthin, protects your eyes from light damage and natural oxidation.
• Almonds, a great source of vitamin E, delay the progression of age-related eye problems.
• Yogurt, with it's high Zinc content, can help the body absorb powerful eye antioxidants like vitamin A into the system.

There you go, food for the eyes, literally! Who knew protecting your eyes could be this great tasting, right?

Written By: Abbey Grace Yap

How to Stay Healthy the Natural Way

Our health is, undoubtedly, our greatest wealth. Even if we run out of material things, we'll always have our health to use to get the material things we want or need. It is for this reason that we need to actively take care of our health and well-being.

Let's get you started with two tried-and-tested secrets to good health:

• Soak up some sun. Spending time under the sun, during the safe hours (5 – 10am) is actually a good way of getting vitamin D into your system. Avoid staying out in the sun unprotected from 10am to 4pm to avoid risks of skin cancer.
• Take a breather. Don't take your rest days for granted. Use them on some well deserved R&R. Your body was not meant to be worked out and stressed 24/7. So give your body some time to recuperate from the damage all that working does to it.
  

There are other ways for you to stay healthy without the use of medications or supplements. It is best to talk to your doctor to find out more ways to protect your health the natural way.

Written By: Abbey Grace Yap

What's Bad is Good

You now how some people tell you not to eat certain foods because they're bad for the health. It isn't necessarily true. Some “bad” foods actually turn out to be good for the health if you know how to choose them.

Here are some three examples of “bad” but good foods:

• Chocolates. They're sweet and have a lot of fat. The milk chocolate kind, that is. Dark chocolates contain something that'll do you good – flavanols. These are antioxidants that have a blood-thinning effect which is good for your heart.
• Beef. Beef is high in cholesterol and saturated fats. Not really good for the heart. But if you're wise about your beef cuts, you've got yourself a low-fat goldmine of protein and iron which are good for muscle building and circulation respectively.
• Eggs. Eggs are high in dietary cholesterol, which can be bad for the heart. But eggs are actually very filling. Eating it with a toast makes you feel fuller longer than having a bagel of equal calorie count. Also, eggs contain compounds that lower one's risk of blindness-causing eye damage.

Well, now that you know these things, can you still call these things bad foods?

Written By: Abbey Grace Yap

Secrets to Aging Well

I doubt if there's anybody who'll disagree to wanting to age well. Who would want to grow up to be a dry and sickly old person anyway?

Some people say others age well because of their genetics. There may be some truth behind that. But even then, just because you belong to family of people who didn't age well, it doesn't mean that you can't do anything to prevent becoming like them.

How can you ensure that you'll grow old healthy? Here are some great tips:

• Ditch your vices. Vices, like cigarette smoking and excessive alcohol drinking, do nothing but damage your body. Eliminating these habits will ensure that you stay healthier for a longer time.
• Get enough rest. Your cells get repaired during sleep. By getting enough sleep, you keep your cells and their functions in good working order.
• Observe personal hygiene. By keeping your body clean, you lower your risk of skin infections and keep your skin in healthy condition. Healthy skin will actually make you look younger.

Lastly, learn ways to effectively deal with stress. Stress has been noted to trigger different diseases as well as make you look older faster.

Written By: Abbey Grace Yap

Foods Pregnant Women Should Avoid

It's important for a pregnant mom to be careful about what she eats because she's eating for two - herself and her baby. There are lots of considerations about what a pregnant woman can or can't chow down on.

Here are some examples of foods that expectant moms should steer clear from:

• Raw meats. Raw and half-cooked pork, beef, poultry, and seafood present a risk for salmonella contamination, coliform bacteria infection, and toxiplasmosis.
• Soft cheeses. Be careful about imported soft cheese as you may never know if these have been contaminated with listeria. Listeria is a bacteria that may cause miscarriage.
• Unpasteurized milk. This kind of milk has not been treated and may contain listeria. The bacteria may cause life-threatening infection or blood poisoning to the unborn baby.
• Fish rich in Mercury. Shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish are only some fish that are high in mercury. The mercury content in these fish may cause brain damage to the fetus.

For more information on what foods you should avoid during pregnancy, consult your trusted gynecologist or find a local dietitian. It pays to be careful with what you eat, considering that you're eating for two.

Written By: Abbey Grace Yap

All Natural Cough-Cold-Sore Throat Remedy

You've probably noticed how cold it has become since the second half of 2009. We have global warming, and us ultimately, to blame for all this. But if there's one thing that you can expect to rise with this temperature drop is the incidence of cold weather-related disease.

There's cold, cough, and sore throat to name a few. But instead of immediately reaching for the usual pharmaceutical remedies, why not try to go with an all-natural cough-cold-sore throat buster?

For this concoction, you'll need:

1 whole lemon

1 cup apple juice

1 inch ginger

1 tbsp honey

1 pinch cayenne

Place all ingredients in a blender and puree it until the mixture is smooth. Strain the solids and put them away. The liquid that remains will work in soothing you from your cough, cold, or sore throat.

This drink was originally intended to soothe sore throat problems, but have been found as effective in dealing with coughs and colds too. You can choose to drink it as is after draining the solid bits or heat it up in the microwave to make it more comforting for your throat. It's your choice.

Written By: Abbey Grace Yap

Medical Marijuana: Blessing or Curse?

For the longest time, a debate about marijuana being a safe medicine to use for painful conditions has been going on. On one side, people see it as a double-edged sword that could backfire and end up causing more harm than good. On the other hand, others believe that if control and regulation are implemented, addiction and substance dependency can be controlled and the full benefits enjoyed.

More and more states are allowing access to medical marijuana. This is because it has been proven to work in helping relieve discomfort in various medical conditions like chronic pain, glaucoma, cancer, and the likes.

But in as much as cannabis offers such benefits, the fact remains that it is still a potentially addictive substance. It's bad enough that these people are already sick, we have to get them high on weed?

I doubt if the two opposing sides will ever agree about using medical marijuana. It is, after all, both potentially good and bad. Personally, I think regulation is the only way to make sure that using marijuana for medicinal purposes won't blow up on our faces. We've seen that happen too many times with narcotic pain killers.

What do you think?

Written By: Abbey Grace Yap

Safety Over Comfort: Condoms For STD Prevention

Like it or not, one's sexual health is just as important as any other aspect of our well-being. And with society becoming more and more sexually permissive, it's only natural that we learn how to protect our sexual health from dwindling.

We're not simply talking about keeping our ability to reproduce here. We're talking about keeping ourselves protected from the many sexually transmitted diseases going around.

For some people, using condoms isn't really an enticing idea because: 1. it decreases the sensation; and 2. wearing a condom feels unnatural for some people.

However, you have to keep in mind that using a condom is the best way to protect against STDs. How do most STDs get passed on? Through flesh and semenal fluid contact. Condoms make sure that there is very little, if any at all, of that.

Seriously, what's a little discomfort if it means that you don't have to worry about contracting a sexually transmitted infection and the shame that comes along with it.

Written By: Abbey Grace Yap

Tips to Get Better Sleep

Sleep is the time our bodies go on repair mode. You may not see it, but the stress we go through everyday causes minute cellular damage that can ultimately lead to different diseases. Getting enough sleep is actually a great way to stay healthy.

“What if I can't sleep well?”, you ask. That makes you part of the many who seem to have sleeping difficulties.

Fear not, though, as there are ways to get better sleep.

1. Make sure your room is conducive for sleep. Keeping your room dark, well-ventilated, and clean ensures that you get comfortable and undisturbed sleep.

2. Don't drink stimulating beverages before sleeping. How can you expect to sleep when you just chugged down something that'll jolt your system up?

3. De-stress before sleeping. A warm bath, a 20-minute meditation session, or journalling may help leave the day's stresses behind. Stress, be it physical or psychological, actually helps keep you awake.

Make sure to get 8 to 10 hours of undisturbed sleep to enjoy the full benefits of sleep. If you can't, then try to get as much of it as your schedule can possibly allow because your body needs all the rest it can get.

Written By: Abbey Grace Yap

Losing Stubborn Cellulites

Cellulites are stubborn. Once you have it, it's going to be hard to get rid of it. It's unflattering and unsightly, especially if they're really that obvious.

Let's start off with some facts about cellulite. Cellulite isn't the build-up of excess fat. It is actually caused by unevenly toned and unused muscle.

Exercise and dieting can help you shrink cellulite, but it'll take a while before you can see the effects. This is most true for people who perform generic exercises in an attempt to reduce cellulite.

However, if you perform cellulite-busting exercises or regimens that are meant to tone cellulite prone areas like the underarms, thighs, and buttocks, then you can expect to get visible results.

Heel pushes can tone the calves as well as the front and back side of your thighs. The butterfly position will help stretch and tone your inner and outer thighs too.

It's all a matter of finding the correct toning exercise that will focus on your problem area. To be safe, ask a licensed physical therapist or fitness instructor for the right exercise for your goal.

Written By: Abbey Grace Yap

Caring For Your Face

If you ask what part of the body they first look at when they meet somebody, many would say that they initially look at the face. It is for this reason that one should take good care of one's face.

Here are some face care tips I've picked up:

You don't need to spend so much for facial care products. Having a pH balanced soap, moisturizer, and oil blotter should do the trick.

Start off by washing your face with soap and water before going out and before going to bed. Doing so eliminates the chances of dirt sinking deeper into your pores.

Next up, don't forget to moisturize after washing your face with soap. Although you may have a pH balanced soap, it still strips off some of the natural oils in your face. These oils help keep your skin soft and supple.

Now, throughout the day, your skin will continuously produce oil. If you don't clean them off, they can accumulate and trap dirt. Dirt that may lead to pimples which you do not want to have.

Like it or not, we live in a world where you're going to be the butt of all jokes if you don't observe proper facial hygiene. You don't want that to happen to you now, do you?

Love Your Skin: Tips to Keep Skin Moisturized, Naturally

Dry, scaly skin can be very unsightly, and nobody wants to have that. Sure you can buy all those expensive moisturizers to keep your skin smooth and glowing, but why spend on something chemical when you've got natural solution to your skin moisture problem?

Let's start off with water. We've always been told to drink eight to 10 glasses of water daily. This is because each and every cell in the body requires water to function. It is the water in our skin cells that give its supple feel.

But skin will only stay supple while its moisture-locking barrier is intact. Once its gone, you're going to start showing signs of water-loss (wrinkles, dryness, flaking, etc.). To make sure that the moisture stays in, try including omega-3 fatty acid-rich foods like salmon and tuna to your diet.

Of course, I'd have to say steering clear of alcohol and other dehydrating drinks will be a good idea if you don't want to lose your skin's moisture this early on. You don't want to look like you're 40 before you even reach mid-30's do you?

Cancer-Combatting Foods

We've always been told to eat healthy because it'll keep us healthy and disease-free. As kids, I always thought that this was just my mom's way of tricking me into eating vegetables, which I really hated back then.

But as it turns out, it's all true. I've recently read that there are certain foods that actually help lower one's risk of cancer. Which foods are these? Here are some examples:

1. Brussel sprouts. I used to hate eating these. But as it turns out, brussel sprouts are rich in indole, a compound that triggers hormone breakdown in the liver. This is actually great in preventing hormone-dependent cancers from starting.
2. Spinach. Yet another of my least favorite veggies as a child. But this leafy vegetable is regarded as the healthiest of all. Rich in powerful antioxidants, spinach has been observed to combat liver, ovarian, colon, and prostate cancer.
3. Berries. I'm not a big fan of sour fruits, but berries are said to be rich in anthocyanins. These A-grade antioxidants have been studied to impede cancer cell growth without affecting the growth of normal cells.

Now who would've thought my least favorite foods were good for fighting cancer?

Be Happy and Lice-Free

Growing up, I remember having lice infestation every summer. And every summer, I'd have to endure hours of nitpicking sessions with my cousins. I tell you, having lice infestations weren't nice.

I used to think that it had something to do with the humid weather we had during summer. But then as I grew up, I found out that you can pick up lice by simply sharing things with someone who's had lice.

Of course, hours of nitpicking sessions would often do the trick for getting rid of lice. But that would be a bit of an inconvenience if you don't have a lot of spare time. But nowadays, there are shampoos that can help kill lice and stop them from multiplying.

Shampoos that contain coconut oil or olive oil contain fatty acids that break down the exoskeleton of lice and eventually kill them. Also, shampoos that contain tea tree oil or eucalyptus oil are said to have an odor that drives away lice.

People with lice infestations have it easy nowadays. With the right choice of shampoo, they can be lice-free in as little as a week. No more extended hours of nitpicking. You guys are so lucky!

Why You Should Think Twice About Smoking Inside the Home

Smoking is one of many vices that men and women are hooked on. Like drugs and alcohol, smoking is a form of substance dependency. And believe it or not, it's much harder to quit smoking than to drop drug usage or excessive drinking.

For some people, smoking has become a normal part of their day that they do it anywhere – even inside the home. But what they don't know is that by doing so, they endanger the lives of their loved ones.

It wouldn't hurt to keep in mind that second-hand smokers have it worse than actual smokers. They have a higher risk of getting lung cancer than first-hand smokers. Also, children who live with smokers tend to develop respiratory tract conditions like asthma or chronic bronchitis. Trust me, it's not fun to have these conditions.

Now, it wouldn't hurt to be more considerate about the people you share the house with. If you want to smoke, take it outside instead of puffing deadly smoke inside the house. Remember that it's not just your life you endanger whenever you light up inside the house.

Molds: Invisible Attackers

So you think your house is clean. You may not be aware of it, but you may be keeping an unseen assailant inside your home – the molds.

Molds are fungi that multiply by letting their spores float in the air until they latch on to something they can migrate on. The thing about molds is that their spores are not visible to the naked eye. It won't be until they have grown.

Floating mold particles can perch on anything inside your home. And because they haven't attached themselves to anything, it's easy for you to inhale them. The scary part is that once it's in your system, it can cause a gamut of health complications, most of which are respiratory tract-related.

Keep in mind that molds thrive in damp and humid environment. This makes your bathroom and laundry area likely areas for growth. Using dehumidifiers will significantly lower your chances of having mold growth inside your home.

To be safe, make sure to have your house checked for the presence of mold every so often. It may be an extra cost to hire professionals to test your house for molds, but it'll be all worth it if it ensures the safety of your loved ones.

Protect Yourself Against the Sniffles

With the weather becoming more and more unpredictable, it's only natural for people to get sick more often.

For people who are not acclimated to the abnormally cold weather, colds and flu are fast becoming a common health concern. But there are steps you can take to avoid having the sniffles during these weird weathered times:

1.Get sufficient sleep. Completing the recommended 8-10 hours of sleep every day allows your body the time to recharge and strengthen itself enough to combat bacteria that can make you sick.

2.Eat healthy. Choose foods that help boost up your immune system. Junk foods may be tasty as hell, but you want to be wise about your food choice during these times.

3.Drink lots of water. Water not only helps your body digest the food you eat better for the absorption of nutrients, but it also helps flush out toxins that could make you sick during the cold season.

4.Take your vitamin C regularly. Vitamin C has been known to combat flu. So take vitamin C once or twice daily. If you're not a big fan of taking vitamins, try getting Vitamin C straight from fruits like oranges and strawberries.


For medical consultation service and medical plan provider, visit our Online Doctor Consultation at EasyHealthMD.com

Taking Care of Our Eyes

Eye is one of the most important part of our body. Without our precious eyes, our life wouldn't be that colorful. So if you do still have these eyes, you are so blessed. You should love it because seeing the beauty of the world is priceless.

There are lots of ways to take care of our eyes. Of course it must begin on the food we eat. Fruits and vegetables are very helpful to keep our sight healthy. One good example for this are the Carrots. Carrots are rich in beta carotene; an organic compound source of pro-vitamin A.

Avoid wearing contact lenses for more than 19 hours. This might cause permanent damage or extreme discomfort on the eyes. Also, do not just use eye drops immediately especially if you are wearing contact lenses. Carefully read the labels of the eyes drops you're going to use because many drops cannot be used while wearing contacts. Eye drops can make your eyes feel better but their medical benefits have not been entirely proven.

Sunglasses are not just for fashion. It also gives protection to our eyes. Get polarized lenses, NOT just darker lenses. The lenses that only make the world darker will just make your pupils dilate and don't do a thing to stop the UV rays. Prolonged exposure to UV rays can harm your eyesight, protection in youth can help prevent loss of eyesight in later years.

Rubbing is not advisable if you have something in your eyes. Use a clean cloth or wash it immediately with clean water to avoid irritation. Be sure to wear goggles or other eye protective wear when working with chemicals or any place with harmful airborne particulates.

Try not to spend so much time in watching or looking to computer screens. Exercise your eyes too and also be sure to relax them. One way to relax them is to press two cold sliced cucumber and gently massage it to your eyes for at least 10 minutes before going to sleep.

Visit your optometrist every year. They can diagnose problems that may be fixed with glasses, contacts, or surgery. They will also check for dry eyes, problems with your retina, and even conditions of the whole body like diabetes and high blood pressure. Some conditions have no symptoms like glaucoma which can lead to total blindness if left untreated. But all the time, prevention is still better than cure.


For medical consultation service and medical plan provider, visit our Online Doctor Consultation at EasyHealthMD.com