Hair Care Tips For Any Length and Style

Hair Care Tips For Any Length and Style

Regardless of its length or style, we all want one thing: a healthy, great looking head of hair. But the first step to having healthy, luxurious hair is to know its exact type. Is it oily, dry or normal? It your hair naturally curly or straight? Are you troubled by dandruff? Has your hair been processed in some way? Is it brittle or strong? Knowing your true starting point will allow you to better care for your hair and keep it looking its absolute best.

With short hairstyles, it’s important to protect your hair and your scalp every time you are in the sun. Look for protective styling products, and be sure to wear a hat to avoid sunburn. If your hair is short and curly, you should know that curly hair tends to break easier and needs more moisture than other types of hair.The key to keeping medium-length to long hair beautiful and healthy looking is to protect it from split ends and becoming brittle. The longer hair is, the heavier it is, and as a result, more prone to breakage. If you have long or medium-length hair, never use a rubber band to pull your hair back into a ponytail as they can pull and damage hair. Instead, use a something elastic that is covered in a soft cloth to avoid breaking the delicate hair shafts.

Here are a few simple do’s and don’ts to remember for every length and style of hair :


6 Essential Hair Care Do’s :

- Do gently brush your hair each night before going to bed as it will stimulate blood flow to your scalp and promote healthy hair growth.

- Do be sure to hold the hair dryer at least six to eight inches away from your hair and keep it moving at all times to avoid scorching the hair.

- Do gently wash your hair using a mild shampoo suitable for your type of hair with lukewarm water.

- Do use a conditioner to keep your hair manageable, healthy, and free of tangles.

- Do be sure to drink plenty of water and follow a balanced diet. Many people aren’t aware of the important role that proper nutrition plays regarding healthy hair care. Water is essential to keep your body and hair properly hydrated.

- Do try to avoid touching your hair unnecessarily as the oils from your hands can cause your hair to lose its luster and become dirtier faster.

6 Essential Hair Care Don’ts :

- Don’t brush wet hair, use a comb instead to avoid pulling and risking breakage.

- Don’t blow-dry your hair every day, the constant heat will cause it to become brittle and prone to breakage. Likewise, use your curling iron on the lowest possible setting.

- Don’t over process your hair using strong dyes and chemicals. If you do relax your hair or have it permanently waved, be sure to wait as long as possible in between treatments to avoid over processing and damage.

- Don’t change your hair color to more than three shades, in either direction, lighter or darker, to avoid excessive damage.

- Don’t wash your hair in extra hot water, instead use warm, and use cool water for the final rinse.
- Don’t allow stress to adversely affect your health, including your hair.

25 Health Tips to Swear By

25 Health Tips to Swear By

How sex, dental floss, and belly laughs can make a good life great. Best-selling author Mehmet Oz, M.D., explains.


1. ROTF, LMAO

Laughing not only eases stress, promotes social bonding, and lowers blood pressure, it may also boost your immune system. So bring some humor into your life, whether it's through friends or even a new TV show (preferably mine).


2. Don't skip breakfast

Fiber in the morning means less hunger late in the afternoon, when you're most likely to feel tired and gorge yourself on sugar. My morning dose comes from steel-cut oatmeal, usually mixed with raisins, walnuts, and flaxseed oil. An early start on eating also keeps your metabolism more active throughout the day; breakfast eaters are thinner than people who just rush out the door.


3. Hit the sack

Conan and Dave are funny, but they're not worth the strain on your system. Seven hours of sleep a night not only helps you live longer, but also lowers your stress, sharpens your memory, and reduces cravings for pants-splitting foods. Set a bedtime and stick to it. My target is 10:30 p.m. I record the late shows and then watch them the next day as I pedal a stationary bike.


4. Admire your work

Don't be so trigger-happy with the flusher. Turn around and take a look at your poop, which speaks volumes about your gut and overall health. Poop should be smooth and S-shaped, like your colon. If it comes out too lumpy, or drops into the bowl like marbles, you're constipated. Increase your fiber and water intake. This happens to me when I travel, so I fiber-load before a trip to avoid getting irritable. But you don't need Metamucil-here are 30 great-tasting ways to add fiber to your diet.


5. Don't pamper your bad back

Even if you're hunched over in agony, taking to your bed will only make a bad back worse. The latest research shows that bed rest weakens back muscles and prolongs the suffering. Married men may suffer more than single men because of all the pampering. I used to love milking the care from Lisa, but the best solution is to get up, take a pain reliever, and be a soldier.


6. Taste the colors

Foods with bright, rich colors are more than just nice to look at. They're also packed with flavonoids and carotenoids, powerful compounds that bind the damaging free radicals in your body, lowering inflammation. (Sadly, Skittles do not count.) Eat nine fistfuls of colorful fruits and vegetables each day and you'll reap the benefits without having to give up other foods. Whenever I shop the produce aisle, I'm reminded that these foods are often more powerful than the drugs sold in pharmacies. My favorites are arugula and blueberries.


7. Brushing is not enough

If you plan to spend your later years eating more than yogurt and applesauce, invest in some floss. No matter how thoroughly or long you brush your teeth, you're missing a good portion of their total surface. That's like washing one armpit after a workout. But the dangers of skipping floss go beyond hygiene: The bacteria that linger can increase your risk of heart disease. I use Reach Ultraclean floss, which stretches to glide between teeth.


8. Take a deep belly breath

Do this anywhere, anytime. Push out your bellows and suck air through your nose until your lungs are full. They'll fill with nitric oxide, a chemical found in the back of your nose that opens up blood vessels. The dose of oxygen will make you feel happier and more alert. This is my secret technique for calming down before a show or a tough stitch in the OR.


9. Join a yoga class

Yoga is the most important exercise of my daily routine. Being surrounded by beautiful women in spandex should be reason enough for you to join a class, but if you need more motivation, consider this: Yoga eases stress, lowers blood pressure, slows heart rates, and increases flexibility. And there's nothing mystical about it. Loosening your muscles will make them more adaptable, so you may be less likely to injure yourself playing sports. Sure, some of the poses may look ridiculous, but that's for a reason you'll learn quickly enough. Yoga can reach and work muscles that are ignored during routine sports and daily life. My favorite maneuver is the sun salutation.


10. Don't be an island

Ever wonder why women live longer than men do? One major reason: They form tight networks and actually talk about their problems. If you face life's stresses alone, you will make yourself older. Bankruptcy, for example, causes enough stress to wreak havoc on your body. With another person's love and support, that inner aging can be reduced. You really can remake your body into a sleeker, fitter, stronger version of its younger self: Here's everything you need for your best body at 40+.


11. Avoid fad diets

The secret to weight loss is not to avoid carbs, fats, yellow foods, solid foods, or foods that start with the letter G. The real trick is to lower your daily intake by about 100 calories. You'll hardly notice, but it'll add up to a loss of about 10 pounds in a year. Calorie restriction has been shown to lengthen life (in rats and monkeys). I cut back once a year to reset my appetite and tastebuds. Healthy food tastes great afterward. Frankly, any food would.


12. Be a smart patient

Your doctor can help keep you in good health, but the responsibility ultimately falls on you. Seek a second opinion before undergoing any procedure, because 30 percent of the time, that opinion will change the diagnosis or plan. Keep a written medical history, and educate yourself about any family problems, even if that means calling your creepy uncle. You might even consider signing onto Microsoft HealthVault so your files are accessible in case you find yourself in trouble away from home.


13. Lose the beer belly

Most men fasten their belts below their waists. It's just another way of avoiding the truth about that gut. Grab a tape measure and put it around your body at the level of your belly button. That number should be less than half your height. So for my 6-foot, 1-inch frame, I need to keep my waist under 36.5 inches. If avoiding heart attacks and diabetes isn't enough motivation to eliminate that gut, consider this: For every point your body mass index is over 25, your testosterone drops 3 percent, which isn't very manly.


14. Go green

I drink green tea three times a day. It's packed with heart-boosting and cancer-stopping polyphenols that black tea doesn't offer. (These beneficial chemicals are lost when it's fermented.) Green tea also delivers a boost of alertness, but from a smaller dose of caffeine than black tea. Green tea can even fight dandruff, although only if you pour it directly onto your scalp. (It's probably a good idea to let it cool down first.)


15. Sweat till you're wet

If you can work up a sweat for just one hour a week, you'll enjoy a range of benefits: reduced risk of heart attack, better mood, and lower blood pressure. I like interval training on the elliptical, with 15 pullups and 15 dips every 10 minutes. Your muscles will become more efficient, so you'll have more stamina for more enjoyable activities that also work up a sweat.


16. Put it in the bank

Most people rank personal finance as their No. 1 stressor, usually because they feel powerless. Stress not only shortens lives, it also drives people to habits like smoking, drinking, or bingeing on food. Keep some money in a special bank account, safe from your lust for a new television, and you'll establish an emotional comfort zone with major health benefits.


17. Have as much sex as possible

If a 50-something man could have sex 700 times a year, the exercise and stress reduction would make him look and feel years younger. I wouldn't recommend quitting your day job in order to hit that number—but what's the harm in trying? The next time your loved one says she has a headache, tell her she's literally killing you. It works for me. Or use this fun schedule to have sex eight times this week.


18. Know your numbers, and then aim lower

Take the part of your brain dedicated to your steak house's phone number and reassign it to your heart's vital signs. These include blood pressure (which ideally should be below 115 over 75), LDL cholesterol (under 100), resting heart rate (under 70), and fasting blood sugar (under 100). If your numbers aren't ideal, change your diet until they improve.


19. Add some weights

Just 30 minutes twice a week spent lifting weights can build significant muscle mass. What's more, working all that muscle burns tons of calories, making it a great way to lose your gut, too. Don't have weights? Try lifting yourself: Pullups are the most valuable muscle-building exercises I do. Oprah's trainer, Bob Greene, pointed out to me that pullups work the back, pecs, arms, and belly all at once. And since you're lifting yourself, you'll think twice before eating that doughnut, because you'll just have to lift it later. A simple setup in a door frame is convenient and inexpensive.


20. Grab your nuts

Nuts are among the best sources of healthful fats and protein around. I keep a bag of walnuts in my fridge and use their massive dose of omega-3 fatty acids to boost my brainpower while I see patients. Half a handful eaten about 30 minutes before a meal will temper your appetite and help you avoid the drive-thru.


21. No, seriously, grab your nuts

Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men in the 15-to-35 age group, but it's usually curable if it's caught early enough. I strongly urge you to grab your testicles. Check them for bumps at least once a month. Each testicle should feel smooth and slightly soft, and one should hang slightly lower than the other, like two avocados (which, in Aztec, actually means "testicles") growing on a tree. Here is everything else you need to know to to keep your package healthy.


22. Hit the dance floor

Crosswords and card games aren't the only way to keep your brain razor sharp. It turns out that any kind of dancing with complex moves is stimulating enough to give your neurons a workout. Even the simplest moves provide some physical exercise. So don't be such a wallflower on your next night out. As a bonus, dancing may help you with tip No. 17.


23. Do your penis a favor and step on a treadmill

Men who exercise enough to burn 200 calories a day significantly lower their chances of impotence. That's because impotence often has the same cause as heart attacks: blocked arteries. Your penis is like a dipstick for your arteries, so check it. If you're interested in keeping it up later in life, lace up the sneakers now.


24. Learn to cook

Think you know how much butter goes into those mashed potatoes at a restaurant? You're probably off by half. If you can cook, you not only save money but also gain control over what goes into your meals. Plus, for most women, a man who knows how to cook is as sexy as one who stars in movies. I have trouble boiling water. Thankfully, I'm already married.


25. Some pills should be popped

The indoor life gives modern man protection from the elements and the ability to watch Gossip Girl in private. Unfortunately, roughly half of us are deficient in vitamin D, of which the sun is a major source. This crucial vitamin may aid in fighting cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. I take a 1,000 IU supplement each morning. 

Weight Loss Tips

Weight Loss Tips

General Tips 
1. Eat at least three times per day.
2. Pay attention to your body. When you feel like you have had enough to eat, stop. Quit before you feel full, stuffed, or sick from eating. You can have more if you are really hungry.
3. If you still feel hungry or unsatisfied after a meal or snack, wait at least 10 minutes before you have more food. Often, the craving will go away.
4. Drink plenty of calorie-free drinks (water, tea, coffee, diet soda). You may be thirsty, not hungry.
5. Pick lean meats, low-fat or nonfat cheese, and skim (nonfat) or 1% fat milk instead of higher-fat/higher-calorie choices.
6. Get plenty of fiber. Vegetables, fruits, and whole grains are good sources. Have a high fiber cereal every day.
7. Cut back on sugar. For example, drink less fruit juice and regular soda.
8. Limit the amount of alcohol (beer, wine, and liquor) that you drink.
9. Keep all food in the kitchen. Eat only in a chosen place, such as at the table. Don’t eat in the car or the bedroom or in front of the TV.

Food Preparation 
10. Plan meals ahead of time.
11. Try cooking methods that cut calories:
12  Cook without adding fat (bake, broil, roast, boil).
13. Use nonstick cooking sprays instead of butter or oil. You can also use wine, broth, or fruit juice instead of oil when cooking.
14. Use low-calorie foods instead of high-calorie ones when possible.
15. Cook only what you need for one meal (don’t make leftovers).
16. If you do make extra portions, put them away as soon as they are ready so you can save them for other meals. Store the leftovers in containers that you can’t see through.
17. Cook when you are not hungry. For example, cook and refrigerate tomorrow’s dinner after you have finished eating tonight.
18. Make fruits, vegetables, and other low-calorie foods part of each meal.
19. Drink water while you cook.

Mealtimes 
20. Drink a glass of water before you eat. Drink more during meals.
21. Use smaller plates, bowls, glasses, and serving spoons.
22. Divide your plate into four equal parts. Use one part for meat, one for starch (such as pasta, rice, potatoes, or bread), and two for nonstarchy vegetables.
23. Do not put serving dishes on the table. This will make it harder to take a second portion.
24. Put salad dressing on the side instead of mixing it with, or pouring onto your salad. Then dip your fork into the dressing before you spear a bite of salad.
25. Change your usual place at the table.
26. Make mealtime special by using pretty dishes, napkins, and glasses.
27. Eat slowly. Take a few one-minute breaks from eating during meals. Put your fork down between bites. Cut your food one bite at a time.
28. Enjoy fruit for dessert instead of cake, pie, or other sweets.
29. Leave a little food on your plate. (You control the food; it doesn’t control you.)
30. Remove your plate as soon as you’ve finished eating.
31. If there’s no good use for leftovers, throw them out!

Snacking 
Snacking can be part of your plan for healthy weight loss. You can eat six times per day as long as you plan what to eat and don’t eat too many calories.
32. Plan ahead. Be sure to have healthy snacks on hand. If the right food is not there, you may be more likely to eat whatever is available, such as candy, cookies, chips, leftovers, or other “quick” choices.
33. Keep low-calorie snacks in a special part of the refrigerator. Good choices include the following:
34. Reduced-fat string cheese, low-calorie yogurt, and nonfat milk.
35. Washed, bite-size pieces of raw vegetables, such as carrots, celery, pepper strips, cucumbers, broccoli, and cauliflower. Serve with low-calorie dips.
36. Fresh fruit.

Eating and Emotions 
Do you use eating to deal with feelings other than hunger, such as boredom, being tired, or stress. If you eat for these reasons, here are some other things you can try:
37. Call a friend for support.
38. Use inspirational quotes to help you avoid the temptation to eat.
39. Take a warm bath or shower.
40. Listen to music or a relaxation CD.
41. Take a walk.
42. Try activities that keep you from eating. For example, it’s hard to eat while you’re exercising. If you are gardening, you probably won’t eat while your hands are covered in soil. 

Nail Care Tips

Nail Care Tips

The nail is made of a hard protein called keratin. A protein is one of the building blocks which make up the body. The nail care help protect the ends of the fingers and toes from trauma and also help us pick up small objects.

Over the last hundred years, the nails have become more important for cosmetic reasons and less important for protection.

Manicuring is the care of the hands and nails. Basic manicuring should be done once a week.  Nice looking, neat, natural nails require care and proper manicuring. A shortish nail that is straight across the top with rounded edges is the current in style shape.  Other shapes include square, round, and oval.

1. Infections
- you may have a nail fungus infection if your nails go crumbly and whitish/yellowish and separate from the nail bed
- hangnails or loose skin around the sides of your nails should be trimmed with a shape scissor or nail nipper to reduce the risk of skin tearing or infections getting into the skin

2. Basic Nail Care
- Wash hands with mild soap, using a nailbrush.
- Soak the hands in warm water for a few minutes to soften the cuticles (the bits of skin at the bottom of the nails).
- Very gently push back the cuticles if they are long and ragged.
- Trim the nails to the same length, cutting off any snaggy or spiky bits.
- File the ends of the nails to smooth them off.
- If your hands are dry, apply some hand cream (it doesn't have to be the girly stuff that stinks of flowers, lads).
- Try not to bite your nails.

3. Filing Nails:
- file the nail when the free edge is 1/4 th  long (otherwise the nail will weaken)
- file from the corner of the nail towards the center in one direction.
- Should be done whenever necessary (sharp edges, weekly basis)

4. Buffing Nails:
- gives nails a shinier finish
- don't go back and forth to create heat - does damage to the nail
- should not be done all the time

5. Clean Nails:
- clean the nails from oils, lotions, and old polish
- ensure the nails are dry before beginning your new manicure

6. Base Coat:
- the base coat protects the nail from staining and keeps the polish from chipping (so it lasts longer)

7. Applying Polish:
- two thin layers of polish looks better than one thick layer
- apply polish to the sides and finish through the centre to keep a nice finish to the polish
- ensure the polish is thin enough prior to applying to the nail Drying Time:
- allow several minutes for polish to dry before applying the next coat
- drying time allows the next coat to adhere properly to the first coat
- dark shades need more time to dry

8. Top Coat:
- apply to nail once last coat of polish has dried completely

9. Moisturize:
- after nails are completely dry, apply moisturizer to hand and nails especially the cuticles

10. Cuticle Oil:
- massage into the cuticle to moisturize and soften dry spots on the cuticles

11. Bed Time:
- apply cream to nail and hands before going to bed

Tips to stay fit and healthy

Tips to stay fit and healthy

Dieting alone does not have a long lasting effect on weight reduction, unless complemented with regular physical exercise.  Besides, exercise has a lot of other benefits.

Exercise can help promote our physical and mental well-being. Regular exercise can improve heart and lung functions, reduce the risk of heart and related diseases, and control weight. It also improves muscle strength and suppleness, as well as joint and muscle flexibility. By exercising regularly, we feel better, work better and cope better with the stresses in life. To stay healthy and fit, cultivate habits and behaviours that will enhance your health and reduce the risk of illness.

Regular exercise may help to improve your outlook. People who exercise regularly have a
lower chance of getting depressed than those who don’t exercise. They also sleep better and feel more rested. As a result, you may feel better about yourself.


Exercise
Exercise for 30 minutes a day, three to five times a week.

Take part in some kind of sport.

Do active work at home like work in your garden or yard or clean the house.

Take a brisk walk, jog or swim.

Smoking 
Do not start smoking, or stop smoking.

Alcohol and drugs
Drink alcohol moderately, or stop drinking.

Do not take drugs.

Practise safe sex
Abstain from sex; delay starting to have sex; do not rush into sex with each partner.
Be faithful to one partner.
Use condoms to protect yourself during sex.

Eating 
Eat balanced meals.
Eat a variety of all food groups (starch, protein, fat, dairy products).
Eat at least two portions of vegetables and fruit a day.
Reduce fat in the diet.
Take less sugar and salt.
Drink at least eight glasses of water every day.

Sleep
Sleep seven to eight hours a night.

Simple Tips And Technics To Keep Your Body Fit And Healthy

Simple Tips And Technics To Keep Your Body Fit And Healthy

How do you feel to be healthy? Nice! Must be wondering if there is that magic wand, I can become slim, fit and healthy. Nice to think but how to make this a reality? Takes time. Can't happen overnight.

You can follow certain simple and easy technics which will help you be fit and healthy. Have you decided to go for it! then read on.

1- Do not make a future plan for your exercise, if you have to do it, just do it now.

2- Wake up a bit early, pull your pants up and start walking out. If not like an exercise, just walk out. Go where you like, spend sometime out in the morning. You can opt to buy milk, vegetables, newspaper or whatever... just go out. Slowly increase the speed of your walk.

3- Follow the Golden Rule - Breakfast like a KING, Lunch like a Prince and Dinner like a PAUPER. Keep your dinner very light, avoid cheese, butter, curd or any other fat products.

4- Breathe in and breathe out deeply whenever your remember. Do simple stretching exercises.

5- Last of all... Don't worry.. Be happy. Stress can cause lifestyle diseases. Be away from stress. Life is short, enjoy every moment of it.

Tips to Prevent Pimples

Tips to Prevent Pimples

Pimples is really a problem that faced by teenagers nowadays. In this post, I got some tips to prevent this irritating pimples coming out to our face. Our face suppose to be bright, clean and looking nice,right. Here is the tips:

1. Never frequently touch the face with our hands, bacteria might get contact with our face and start breeding and it will lead to pimples.

2. Personal hygiene is utmost important, for instance, blanket, bedsheet, pillow and towel has to cleaned all the time.

3. Minimize the consumption of junk food, peanuts, and cake which is high in sugar. All this food is contributing to pimples.

4. Exercise can facilitate metabolism, therefore, it will be benefit our health and skin.

5. Balance diet has to practiced, take in a lot of vegetables and fruits and do not take canned food will help to get rid of pimples.

6. Stress can cause pimples, thus, we have find ways to release stress. I suggest exercise or you may find other method to get the stress away. Always think positive and be optimistic in everything we do.

7. Sufficient of sleep is essential. Suggested to sleep before 12 midnight.

8. Beautiful face begin with face washing. We got to wash our face at least twice a day to make it clean.

9. Ultra violet coming from sun is able to damage our skin, so apply anti sunburn lotion to protect our face or skin.

Hope the tips will help to prevent the pimples coming out to our face.

15 TIPS FOR A HEALTHY HEART

15 TIPS FOR A HEALTHY HEART 

Image source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en:Creative_Commons

1. Know your risk factors for heart disease.

2. Talk to your doctor about reducing your risk of heart disease.

3. Have your blood pressure checked regularly. Avoid excess salt intake to maintain normal blood pressure.

4. Know your cholesterol numbers. [These include total cholesterol, HDL or "good" cholesterol, LDL or "bad" cholesterol, and triglycerides.]

5. Have your blood sugar level checked for diabetes.

6. Do not smoke cigarettes or use other tobacco products in any form including passive smoking.

7. Eat for your heart health. Healthy balanced food intake of at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, avoiding saturated fats and trans fatty acids.

8. Get regular physical activity. At least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on most or all days of the week. Include physical activity in your working schedule - cycle to work if possible, take the stairs, and go for a walk during lunch breaks.

9. Aim for a healthy weight.

10. Know the signs and symptoms of a heart attack and the importance of  seeking medical help immediately.

11. Positive attitude with balanced approach to life, avoiding negative mental stress and strain.

12. Workplace wellness should be promoted by incorporating relaxation techniques like stretching and meditation.

13. Know your numbers- visit a healthcare professional to know your blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels - keep all below 100 (mean BP< 100 mmHg, LDL cholesterol<100mg, fasting blood glucose<100mg).

14. Maintenance of optimal body weight (body mass index (BMI) below 25) especially avoiding abdominal obesity.

15. Flavor foods with herbs, garlic, mustard, lemon juice, salsa, tomato sauce, or seasoned vinegars.  Limit high fat additions like butter, margarine, mayonnaise, sour cream, and creamy sauces.

Tips for Gaining Weight- the HEALTHY Way

Tips for Gaining Weight- the HEALTHY Way

Gaining weight should be “simple.”  Eat more calories than you expend and you’re sure to gain weight, right?  Gaining weight in a healthy way, though, can be a bit more challenging.  Here are 11 steps to help you assure that you are doing what’s best for you and your body as you pursue your weight gain goals.

1.  Set attainable goals.  Face it, very few people are destined to appear on the cover of a fitness magazine.  Our body shape and size is determined primarily by genetics and secondly by our lifestyle.  Healthy weight gain is a slow process that requires patience and realistic goal-setting.

2.  Eat breakfast.  Every day.  A well balanced breakfast is an excellent way to wake up your metabolism and your appetite.  Make sure you have a grain, some protein, and a fruit to start your day.  Try a yogurt berry parfait with granola OR a bagel sandwich with eggs & cheese and some juice.  In a hurry?  Grab a fruit smoothie OR cereal with milk and
berries.

3.  Follow basic nutrition recommendations.  Contrary to popular belief, living on fast food, pizza, and milkshakes is not the best approach to weight gain.  Although these foods can be incorporated into your meal plan, be sure to balance them with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and a variety of protein sources, such as meat, nuts, beans, and dairy.    

4.  Plan to eat 5-6 times/ day, at least.  Prevent excessive fullness by eating reasonable portions spread throughout the entire day.  Plan to have 3-4 meals each day with several snacks in between.  At the end of the day, your “energy in” must be greater than your “energy out” in order to gain weight.

5.  Vary your diet, especially the protein.  Eating the same foods every day can be boring.  Get creative and try something new.  Start with a variety of protein sources: cheese, nuts, beef, fish, yogurt, pork, beans, chicken, yogurt, turkey, cottage cheese, lamb, eggs, etc.

6.  Pack snacks to-go for extra calories.  Trail mix, granola bars, fruit with peanut butter, chips, dried fruit, veggies and dip, cheese and crackers, nuts, smoothies, sunflower seeds, and cookies are portable options that can help you keep up with your needs throughout the day.  Cereal with milk, ice cream, and hot chocolate can be great snacks to end your day.

7.  Choose caloric beverages.  You’re going to drink something, so pick fluids with calories.  Juices, milk, and even an occasional soda (non-diet, of course) will do the trick.  Drink plenty of fluids that supply calories like juice, milk, milkshakes, and sports beverages. For example, drinking 1 quart of grape or cranberry juice supplies 1000 calories. 1 quart of 2% milk supplies 720 calories.

8.  Consider high-calorie nutritional supplements.  Energy-dense, high-quality nutrition can be hard to come by, but Ensure Plus, Boost Plus, and Carnation Instant Breakfast provide quick and easy calories with the added bonus of vitamins and minerals.  Consider using these products as your “nutrition medicine” on the days you’re not feeling hungry, but know you still need to eat.

9.  Balance cardio, flexibility, and strength-training exercises.  Exercise, especially cardio work-outs, burns calories that you must replace by eating more.  However, it can help to stimulate your appetite and assure that you build an appropriate amount of muscle.  3-5 days of physical activity each week can assure optimal outcomes.
(Note: Severe malnutrition can require a period of inactivity as the body heals and repairs.  Consultation with a medical provider and/or dietitian can help to establish a safe plan in these situations.)

10. Get regular sleep
The human body needs adequate rest in order to “keep up.”  On average, most people need 8 hours of sleep/ night.  However, some people function well on 6 hours/night while others need 10+ hr/ night to feel fully rested.  Bottom line, listen to your body and get the sleep you need.

11. Set realistic goals
Genetic factors can play a large role in physique. You are not going to look like Arnold if your parents look like Pee Wee Herman.

Tips for Coping with Depression

Tips for Coping with Depression

What is Depression?
Anyone can feel down from time to time or experience bouts of emotional grief or sadness due to some unexpected life event. For instance, they grieve when someone dies, or feel the sadness and loss when a close relationship ends, or even lose a job.

All these feelings are normal and are part of the ups-and-downs of life. But clinical depression is more than just the blues, more than the expected grief after any loss, and most certainly more than a bad couple of days.

Depression is a deep and dark state, a black hole that may seem impossible to emerge from, and a serious medical condition involving a delicate balance of brain chemicals. Unlike a bad mood that you can simply snap out of, depression can severely disrupt the ability to function properly and can extend through every aspect of your life with serious consequences.

Signs of depression may include feeling somewhat flat, tired and unmotivated. As it progresses a person with depression may no longer want to participate in social activities or hobbies that they once enjoyed.

Eventually individuals with depression may even lose the drive to work altogether, their relationships become strained and they push people away and become unreachable, and the will to live a happy, productive life slowly fades.

Although the future for someone suffering with depression may look bleak, there is a light at the end of the tunnel - depression is treatable and those suffering can live a happy, normal life. 

Signs of depression

• Weight loss or weight gain 
• Sleep disturbances: Difficulty falling or staying asleep (insomnia) or sleeping too much (hypersomnia) 
• Difficulty thinking and concentrating 
• Difficulty making decisions 
• Fatigue or loss of energy 
• Feeling physically slow, agitated, or restless to the degree that others begin to notice 
• Physical complaints such as headaches, joint pains and stomach aches 
• Low self-esteem, feeling worthless or excessively guilty 
• Low libido or diminished interest in sex 
• Suicidal thoughts, or continuous thoughts of death and self-harm

Tips for Coping with Depression
1. Regular exercise! Even if only for 30 min at a time, three days a week, a good workout will increase happiness inducing endorphins while burning the stress hormone cortisol which is associated with depression. If you do not feel motivated, or dislike exercising at first, keep going for long enough and you will definitely begin to see benefits within 3 - 6 weeks.

2. Talk it out. Talk to someone you trust, a close friend or a licensed counselor and try and come up with a plan of action. Often it is the first steps to recovery that are the most difficult, so try not to do it alone.

3. Eat a healthy diet. A poor diet depletes energy levels and a deficiency in certain nutrients (e.g. iron) can result in fatigue and feelings of depression.

4. Ensure that you are getting all the vitamins and minerals that your body needs, and explore serotonin uplifting foods such as oats, turkey, milk, pasta and other carbohydrate-rich foods.

5. Set realistic goals and responsibilities. It is important to have a plan of action and to start taking responsibility for the future, but know your limits and set your goals within reason. Small steps taken consistently are better than big steps which cause you to bomb out.

6. Prioritize and learn to say no. Avoid unnecessary stress by doing what needs to be done first and learn to look after your own needs. Be careful not to allow others to overload you with their responsibilities.

7. Make a conscious effort to stop negative thoughts. Try and change these thoughts into neutral thoughts and do not indulge in pessimism. Remember that this will take time, and may be difficult at first, but it can also be life-changing. Psychotherapy can be very helpful in this regard.

8. Take action! While your symptoms of depression may make you feel like crawling into bed or existing in your pajamas and slippers all day, make a decision everyday to get up, get dressed and do something. Simply cleaning your room, going for a scenic drive or doing something creative can be uplifting and help break a bad cycle.

9. Turn to nature. One of the best ways to re-energize and uplift your spirit is to get in touch with nature. Go for a walk in the forest, a picnic in the park or a simply sit on the beach and watch a sunset.

10. Let others help you. Don’t turn down a helping hand or a comforting hug. When depression hits, you may feel like pushing people away, but this is the time you need love and affection the most. Pets are also a great source of love and comfort!

11. Help others. One often feels a loss of purpose when depressed, so regain a positive purpose by helping others. Volunteer at a soup kitchen or help out at an organization that could benefit from your time and skills.

12. Make a change. Change is often very invigorating and refreshing. Aim to change your life-style to a healthier one, change your negative attitude towards life, and change your job if you know that your current work makes you miserable. It need not even be a drastic change. Simply re-arranging furniture or giving a touch of paint to a dull room can go a long way to uplifting your mood - better yet, it will keep you busy.

13. Read all about it. There are many books which are very helpful in learning how to manage depression. These include books written by experts in the field - as well as books published by ordinary people with a useful or uplifting contribution to share.


Research what is best for you. If you have a chronic or life threatening condition, don’t make changes without first discussing them with your doctor in order that your condition may be monitored. Well informed and supportive practitioners will support patients who want to take responsibility for their own health.