Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Sleepless Nights Can Cause Relationship Conflict

Couples who did not sleep enough ended up fighting with each other on an increasing frequency according to a study by the University of California. This new discovery revealed more information on how couples with sleepless nights could not deal with conflict while previous studies demonstrated how lack of sleep could impair romantic relationship. Even you sleep well most of the time, just one bad sleep will cause conflict with your partner the following day.


“Couples who fight more are less happy and less healthy. Our research helps illuminate one factor that leads couples to engage in unnecessary and harmful conflict by showing that couples experience more frequent and severe conflicts after sleepless nights.” Amie Gordon, the psychologist of University of California


If lately you’ve been fighting with your spouse more frequently, maybe it is time to check if both of you have enough sleep.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Should You Buy An Aerial Yoga Hammock

Have you wondered what is an aerial yoga hammock? This exercise equipment can be contributed to the latest craze in yoga. The creator of this yoga is Christopher Harrison, a dancer and a former gymnast.
If you are looking for an exciting and fun way to work out, then you should take a look at...
This article appeared originally at Should You Buy An Aerial Yoga Hammock.

Sunday, September 15, 2013

How To Lose Muffin Top

When you see overhanging flesh around your waist, this is your muffin top. It doesn’t look pleasant at all especially if you wear half shirts or low-cut jeans. So how to lose muffin top?
One of the best ways to get rid of muffin top is to do interval training. If you are a...This article appeared originally at How To Lose Muffin Top.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Zumba Workout Videos

Keep Yourself In Shape With Zumba Workout Videos



If you want best results from your workouts, you need a variety of routines. Running everyday will not give the kind of body that you want. Simply because there will come a time when your body become adapted to running. Thus, it hits a plateau, showing no further improvement.


Zumba Fitness is something you can explore if you want to incorporate new drills into your daily cardio exercise. It is a fast-paced workout that features Latin dance movements. Since it started a few years ago, it has become a worldwide phenomenon. Today, you can find various Zumba workout videos which you can do at home. The best Zumba fitness DVD is the ones that can meet your goals.


Customer's Review

"When the first song started, I anxiously wondered what I had gotten myself into and thought about planning an exit strategy. But when the class ended, I was drenched in sweat and grinning like an idiot, in disbelief that an hour had just flown by. After years of being a slave to the elliptical machine, I walked out of that class feeling like I had just had a major fitness revelation: Working out could be both productive and fun!Melinda Hershey of SparkPeople.com

Should You Eat Like A Caveman



If you do some research on paleo diet, you will come across some bold claims that it is one of the most effective ways to lose weight. Furthermore, this form of eating helps to reduce blood pressure and sugar levels. More often than not, your energy level will improve. You also tend to be stronger.

So what is a paleo diet that people are raving about? It is about eating the way our stone-age ancestors do. Thus, it is known as the caveman's diet.

This means if the caveman does not eat certain foods, you should not as well.

Obviously when you look back at our ancestors, their bodies are in better shape than most of us today. They are fitter, more muscular, taller than us. In today's hectic  lifestyle, you don't get to enjoy such a rock body. You have to deal with various medical issues, lack of exercise, and unhealthy eating habits.

If you are thinking about adapting Paleo diet, then make sure you only choose fruits, vegetables, and meat. That's right. No refined carbs or processed foods.

Well, it is not that bad after all. Can you imagine swapping tofu with a healthy serving of delicious bacon?


If you are the kind of person who feel very hungry the next morning, then you are not alone. With Paleo diet, you can have eggs. And you can cook them in many ways. After all, they are considered the best food for paleo dieters after bacon. However, eating eggs every day can be boring.

Alternatively, you can switch to bacon. Here is a tip that I think you would like. Use the bacon grease to cook your eggs. You will love it as it enhances the taste.

Always remember to avoid any food that uses flour. It is an enemy to any paleo dieters.

You can forget about frozen foods. All foods should be fresh just like how the cavemen prepare their meals.

For snacks, it is tempting to grab a bag of potato chips. Instead, munch on fruits or nuts.

If you are cooking, you have to use certain oil. Most paleo dieters prefer avocado, olive, coconut, and macadamia oil.

When you eat like a caveman, over time, you will notice you have more energy and sleep better. You have more strength to perform workout on a longer duration.

If you want to lose weight and enjoy greater level of energy, you may want to consider Paleo diet. But it is not going to be easy. You need to be discipline. Sometimes, you tend to fall back on your bad eating habits. As long as you are committed to follow through, your body will reap the benefits in the end.
Paleo In A Kitchen


Photo courtesy of Flickr

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Newly Married Couples Are Likely To Gain Weight If...

Just the other day I was looking at my old wedding photos and thought to myself, "how I wish I was still as slim". I'm pretty sure if we looked at old wedding pictures of friends and family, we will be amazed at the difference in weight. The once handsome bridegroom that was slim now have a bulging belly. The then size 6 dazzling bride is now a size 14. What's with marriage and putting on weight?
Well, researchers from the Southern Methodist University took a closer look. They studied if there was a relation between marital satisfaction and weight gain. The study involved 169 newlywed couples. Data on marriage satisfaction and body measurements were collected over a 4-year period. What did they find? Andrea S. Meltzer, a psychologist and the lead researcher stated that spouses gained more weight over time when they were satisfied with their marriage. Those that were less satisfied, didn't gain as much weight. You'll find this study published in the journal Health Psychology. 

So I guess we can safely assume that chubby couples are the happiest couples? In my humble opinion, it kind of makes sense. If you are happy in your relationship, there's less stress. That could mean you're eating better and sleeping better too. What are your thoughts on this? Have you gained weight since you got married?

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Coffee And Green Tea May Prevent Stroke


Are you a coffee drinker? Or would you rather green tea? When it comes to reducing the risk of a stroke, it doesn't matter which one you choose. They are both helpful in that respect. This is according to a 13-year Japanese study involving 82 369 people of both genders. You can read about it in a journal called "Stroke" by the American Heart Association.


Apparently, if you want to greatly lower your chance of a stroke, you just need to drink more green tea. If you prefer coffee, one cup a day can make a difference. Daily coffee drinkers are less likely by 20% to suffer a stroke than those who drink occasionally.

So, what is it about green tea and coffee that contributes to the health of the heart?

Let's talk about green tea first. Dr. Yoshihiro Kokubo who is the lead researcher and from the Department of Preventive Cardiology, National Cerebra and Cardiovascular Center in Osaka, Japan explains that catechins found in green tea effectively control your blood pressure and improve your blood circulation. If you suffer from hypertension, your large arteries may harden. In the end, the small blood vessels in your brain might get blocked. Hypertension could also weaken your brain's blood vessels, increasing the chances of it bursting. So yeah, you want to regulate your blood pressure because your blood pressure level and chances of stroke are directly related.

Now lets turn our attention to coffee. The helpful ingredients in coffee are quinides and chlorogenic acid. They help in 2 areas: body weight and blood glucose tolerance. As you know, being overweight and having an impaired glucose tolerance raises your chances of getting a stroke. So shedding your extra weight and keeping your glucose tolerance level normal are important if you want to avoid a stroke. 

Of course we know that most people drink coffee not so much for the benefit of their heart but more for their brain. Some people need it to wake up in the morning and get their brain working. You might find it interesting to know that coffee can chase away the blues too. A study recently published "Archives of Internal Medicine", took a look at more than 50000 American women. They found a less likelihood of depression among those who had a minimum of 2 cups of coffee daily.

Of course, when it comes to nurturing a healthy heart, it would take more than just drinking coffee and green tea. Eating a healthy diet and exercising must not be ignored.

Image from Flickr

Friday, April 12, 2013

Why You Should Avoid Petroleum Jelly During Sex


There are times when women get a little dry in the vaginal area and they decide to use petroleum jelly as a sexual lubricant. If you have the same idea, I suggest you find another solution to your problem. Using petroleum jelly vaginally can increase your chances of getting bacterial vaginosis. This is the finding of a study headed by Dr. Joelle Brown of the University of California, San Francisco. From their 141 female test subjects, they learned that incidences of bacterial vaginosis were 2x more than non-users.

Of course, having bacterial vaginosis does not threaten your life. However, it can be very uncomfortable and I'm sure every woman will want to avoid it as much as they can. Nobody wants to deal with the vaginal itching, fish smelling discharge, and burning sensation during urination. Let's not forget the embarrassment too if your sexual partner finds out that you have it.

So one way to avoid such discomfort is to use vaginal lubricants that are water based. Stay away from petroleum jelly and douching.

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

What You Eat May Be Responsible For Your Acne

Did you know that more than 17 million Americans are acne sufferers? What do you do to get rid of acne?  The most common way to fight acne is to find an effective topical cream and apply that to the infected area. There is another way to clear up your complexion and most people don't pay enough attention to this area: Watch what you eat. Yup, changing your diet could help keep the acne away.

According to a study published in the March issue of the Journal of Academy of Nutrition and Dietics, acne sufferers should cut out dairy products and high GI (glycemic index) foods. These kinds of food were found to contribute to acne problem. This was the conclusion of researchers from the New York Medical College and New York University after scrutinizing studies ranging from the year 1960 - 2012. All those studies contained data that studied the relationship between diet and acne.

pasta

So, what exactly is the glycemic index? It is a measurement to show how fast certain foods will spike up your blood sugar level. Ideally, you want to choose foods that have a low GI. Foods that are high GI include white bread, pasta, rice and potatoes.

Besides cutting out dairy products and high GI foods, you can turn to thyme to help fight your acne. This natural herb, when applied topically, is able to kill the bacteria that causes acne. The effectiveness of thyme on acne was presented at the Society for General Microbilogy's Spring Conference in Dublin. In fact, it is said to be a better antibacterial solution than benzoyl peroxide.

Photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/nadircruise/8532366231/

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Should You Wear Sports Bras After Breast Augmentation

I was planning on having my breasts done in the near future. So for the past few months, I was on the lookout for the perfect breast surgeon. I searched the web and even asked colleagues at work. Some of them recommended a few good ones -- a handful of them even had me touch their breasts so I can get a good look and feel! I fought the urge to cringe and just thought to myself, "Now is not a good time to be awkward", as a co-worker from Finance had me poke her breasts just to convince me that hers doesn't feel all "jelly-like".

A few weeks ago, I was able to finally trim my choices down to two. The first surgeon is the doctor who performed the breast augmentation on my cousin Martha. The second one is a doctor who performed the surgery on three of my co-workers. I decided to pay them a visit and ask a few questions. I am particularly keen on finding out which bra to wear post-op. And I was able to gather interesting information which I decided to share with you.

After surgery, the breast may swell, and it is a good idea to invest in good fitting sports bras for large breasts. This is to accommodate the swelling as well as keep you comfortable for, at least, a month. In fact, one of them suggested to go bra-less. I like being sexy and all but I can never leave the house without a bra, and the surgeon suggested wearing a nice, comfortable sports bra.

One of the surgeons suggested not to invest in expensive sports bras in the meantime, as no one is certain how large the swelling will be, and for how long. He suggests putting of buying more expensive lingerie after 2 or 3 months.

When on the lookout for sports bras for large breasts, try to steer clear of under wired ones. Both of the surgeons I talked to suggested wearing a nice, non-wired sports bra. This is to let both the breast and the implants settle in their new shape.

I asked both surgeons if it is alright to resume gym activity, since I'll be wearing a sports bra to support my new breasts. Both of them said that, as most post-op patients, I need to stay away from strenuous physical activity. Walking is fine, so is swimming and yoga. But I have to put off jogging for a bit later. I guess I'll have to skip the marathon this year.

So I guess, one of the things I have to bring with me on the big day is a good sports bra. I better find a good one as soon as possible.

Monday, January 21, 2013

How To Prepare For Flu Epidemic

Are you sufficiently protecting yourself against the flu? The CDC made a statement a few days ago that more people in the U.S. are getting the flu this year compared to the same time last year. It could be because certain areas are getting it really bad.

At the end of the first week of January, the flu had spread across 47 states. On the 9th January, Boston's mayor declared a public health emergency. In the Northeast, hospital emergency rooms are becoming crowded with flu stricken patients. If you don't want to get sick, you better be vigilant now. It could be right at your doorstep.  The CDC has yet to confirm whether the flu is peaking or winding down. They will have a better idea in a few weeks time.

At a news conference, the Director of CDC urged all Americans to get a flu shot. Do not wait too long to get the shot because if you do, it will be difficult to find a doctor or clinic that have supply of the flu vaccine.  The CDC is expecting around 135 million doses from the flu vaccine suppliers. Already 128 million doses have been distributed by 4th January. So, you do the math.
FluGetting the vaccination is not a 100% guarantee that you won't get the flu. Its effectiveness is only 62%. So yeah, there is still that little risk of getting it. Does that mean you should not waste your time with it? Well, it is better than nothing. When it comes to flu prevention, this is currently the most helpful solution. The flu vaccine this year is no different from the other years.

Here are a few more ideas on how you can avoid the flu.

  1. Wash your hands constantly. You never know when you might come in contact with the virus. Take extra precaution if your line of work has you meeting lots of people. Definitely wash your hands after you're done visiting someone who is sick. To wash properly, scrub your hands hard for around 20 seconds. Instead of counting to 20, someone suggested that you sing "Happy Birthday" twice. Make sure you don't ingore the back of your hands, between your fingers and under your nails. The scrubbing will help remove germs and viruses from your skin.

  2. Carry an alcohol-based hand sanitizer wherever you go. Sometimes, you may be in a situation where you can find water and soap to wash your hands. This is when the hand sanitizer comes in handy. It can also help you eliminate the germs.

  3. Stay healthy. Watch what you're eating and live a healthy lifestyle. Make sure you are eating nutritious food. You want your immune system to be in tip top shape. If you smoke, try to stop. If you have allergies, get it under control. You don't want to inflame your upper respiratory tree. That just makes it easier for the virus to attack you.

  4. Keep your surroundings clean. Look around you and ask yourself what could be contaminated. You might want to disinfect things like phones, door handles and remote controls. Even at the office, clean your work space daily. Just be more aware of where germs might be lurking.

  5. Get proper rest. Sleeping late and waking up early will take a toll on your body. You need enough sleep so your body can efficiently fight whatever flu or cold that comes your way.


At this time, it would be wise to do a stock check on your medicine cabinet. Make sure the batteries for your thermometer is still working.  Do you have the medications you need to fight cold and flu? Make certain you have pain relievers, fever reducers, cough syrups and decongestants readily available.