50 Secrets of the FITTEST

50 Secrets of the FITTEST

Can you keep a secret? Better yet, can you keep 50? Can you use these secrets to change your life and your body for the better? If you did nothing other than incorporate these secrets into your daily life, in a year's time they would amount to substantial change.
Here is what a fit person does


1.Always keep a water bottle and drink from it often. Water is the drink of choice, not soft drinks.
2.Look at exercise as a pleasure and privilege -- not a burden or chore
3.Think twice before deciding what to eat and why, making sure that it is healthy and will give the body good nutrition.
4.Measure intake based on activity, not how you "feel"; need mandates intake, not mood.
5.Take action to solve problems when things get emotional, instead of turning to food as a cure.
6.Start the day with a well-balanced meal.
7.Start each day with positive input from material that's listened to or read. This will help you to remain positive throughout the day.
8.Drink a minimum amount of caffeine only in the form of coffee or tea.
9.Make long-term goals and a plan of how to achieve them, leaving nothing to chance.
10.Focus on short-term goals with an emphasis on completing daily actions.
11.Live with a purpose. Wake up each day knowing what you are working toward: something "greater than" can be accomplished in a lifetime.
12.Keep a daily planner with the day's actions written down in order to keep track of what needs to be done, what has been done and what was not accomplished.
13.Review each day at the end of the day to set tomorrow's actions and plan.
14.Always make time for relaxing and rewards at scheduled times.
15.Never live an unhealthy life when on vacation.
16.See health as a privilege and not as something to take for granted.
17.Enjoy contributing to the health of others by having a partner or friends to exercise with, as well as recruiting others who desire to get fit.
18.Learn new ways and new techniques for exercising.
19.Avoid monotony by taking up new forms of exercising.
20.Subscribe to health magazines to keep focused on a healthy way of life.
21.Invest in workout clothes, good tennis shoes and other apparel.
22.Never take your health for granted by taking a day off from a healthy life.
23.Know when too much of a good thing is no longer a good thing.
24.Keep a sharp mind and a positive attitude with educational and motivational material.
25.Take time to count the many blessings that are present in life each day.
26.Realize that life and all things natural are a gift and should be taken care of and preserved for the health of all.
27.Brush off criticism and don't dwell on negative comments from others.
28.Attempt to bring calm and reasoning to a hostile or chaotic situation.
29.Respond to a challenge instead of reacting to what difficulties may be present.
30.Know that there is so much that is not known.
31.Understand that time is limited here on Earth.
32.Learn to live without regrets and know that life is the experiences that we choose.
33.Take daily vitamin and mineral supplements that support a healthy balance.
34.Value organization so as not to have "clutter" in your life.
35.Value good hygiene inside -- the mind and organs and muscles -- as well as on the outside: your skin, hair, and nails.
36.Seek natural methods of health care including massage, chiropractic and naturopathic in addition to medical care.
37.Take exercise to new levels.
38.Create a schedule for ultimate health and fitness.
39.Move beyond the boundaries of weight loss and into fitness.
40.Strive to reach your dreams everyday.
41.Live each day to its fullest.
42.Do not get into "wacky" diets and eating plans.
43.Live a balanced life -- exercise, work, family, and GOD.
44.Get adequate amounts of sleep.
45.Avoid medications and drugs of all sort unless absolutely necessary.
46.Limit alcohol intake only for special occasions.
47.Do what the average person doesn't want to do.
48.Exercise discipline by following a daily regimen.
49.Take a vacation by doing activities such as jet skiing, mountain biking, hiking in the outback or going to a getaway spa.
50.Know that life is fulfilling with optimal health in the mind, spirit and body!

Are any of these habits present in your life today? As you read them, did they seem too unrealistic to ever be part of your life? Trust me, in time they not only can be, they should be part of your life!

Tips For Losing Weight after Pregnancy

Tips For Losing Weight after Pregnancy

Have you had a baby in the recent times? Pregnancy and motherhood are excellent but there are a lot of hassles associated with them. The most depressing thing about pregnancy is the fact that after the baby is born; you have to undergo a lot of weight gain. There are certain scientific explanations which justify why the mother gains so much weight after pregnancy.

As the mother has to take care of two lives at once, it becomes very difficult for the body to make sure that both are receiving good nutrition. After the baby is born, the body continues to extract the maximum number of nutrients from the food products ingested by the mother, thereby leading to a lot of weight gain. In addition, since the mother is asked to rest after childbirth, she does not get any exercise and hence gets fat faster.

But there are simple ways by which you can lose weight fast. Indeed, it is very important that you make sure to lose all the extra kilos that you have gained over a period of nine months. Even though it may sound difficult, all you need is a dedicated schedule towards making sure that you lose weight within a stipulated period of time. The best thing to do is to indulge in some physical activity. Although, you must make sure that whatever you indulge into should not be very hardcore and you must not strain yourself since your body is very delicate.

If you detest the idea of having to work out and want to rest until you get better, utilise the time by resorting to a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables. Make sure that you include a lot of fibrous fruits and vegetables in you r daily diet to make sure that they are able to clean your system. Whatever you eat, make sure that it does not have a lot of calorie content. The body is in a save-all mode at this point of time and wants to absorb all the nutrients it gets.

Another way to make sure that you keep off high calorie foods is to eat lesser quantities of food more number of times in a day. This will quench your urge to eat something and also keep you off unhealthy foods. Also make sure that you eat only when you are hungry. This helps in preventing the unwanted incorporation of unhealthy fats and calories in your body and you tend to lose weight much faster than you think.

7 Benifit to use carrot

Among other types of vegetables, including carrots vegetables the most popular. Sweet flavor and crunchy texture. Made perfect healthy snack. If you do not like this bunny's favorite vegetables, you are the losers in the group. Because, you lose a lot of benefits provided to health carrots. Want to continue losing money? Of course not. Immediately began to like this one vegetable. Well, to gain maximum benefit carrot that must be considered is to choose the carrot jelly. Select a color carrots rather young and bright. This indicates that the carrot is still young and fresh. Here is a list of the benefits of carrots you need to know. Who knew there was a recipe that you need.


1. Overcoming Hypertension
Take 500 g carrots washed and cut into pieces, put some boiled water, then blend. Strain, and drink immediately. Try to drink water routine these carrots 3 times a day.

2. Overcoming fever in children
Take a carrot and 200 grams of clean laundry. Grated and juice squeezed right out. Feelings boiled water, drink while warm.

3. Overcoming burns
Mashed carrots until smooth and spread on burns. Do it as often as possible until the skin is not hot.

4. Cough cure
Take a carrot and then cleaned and grated. Give a few tablespoons of hot water wring clan. Add a little palm sugar, stir until smooth. Drink 2 times a day.

5. Overcoming menstrual pain
250 gr carrots washed and cut into pieces. Add a little water, then blend. Try to drink this potion at least 2 times a day.

6. Overcoming constipation
Take 2 young carrots and wash and grate. Add 2 tablespoons of boiled water and a little salt, then wring it out. Drinking water 2 times a day.

7. Smoothing facial
Take 2 to 3 carrots peeled clean, then wash and grate. Then apply directly to the face as a mask. Wait until dry, then rinse with water.

Want To Lose Weight? Eat a Bigger Breakfast.

When I first heard about this weight loss method I was far from convinced. After all when you think about losing weight, you automatically associate diet with eating less not more.

If you have ever tried to diet before you will know about the food cravings and those feelings of constant hunger that always make you reach for the biscuit tin, but the theory behind eating a bigger breakfast will put an end to all of that.

I have tried this myself with great success so I can put my hand on my heart and honestly say that this does works.

Try to consume around 500 to 700 calories for breakfast every morning, but do it healthily, this is not an excuse to open that bacon packet or grab a couple of sausages! A good breakfast that fits into this calorie count will consist of a bowl of cereal, two slices of toast with a thin spreading of your favorite jam, a yogurt and a glass of fresh orange juice.

Eating this much for breakfast will stop your mid morning hunger pangs and sweet cravings, carrying you through until lunchtime and giving you more energy in the afternoons when you most need it.

If you think about it, eating a bigger breakfast really makes sense. Consuming more calories in the morning gives you more time to burn them off during the day, rather than saving them up for your evening meal before you go to bed where any unused carbohydrates turn into sugar.

So if you are like the many millions of people out there (me included) trying to lose some excess weight, then try eating a bigger breakfast and see your healthy eating plan can become much more appealing.

What Causes High Blood Pressure?

When we think of someone having high blood pressure, we usually consider them to be anxious, tense or hyperactive.

The truth is that high blood pressure, or hypertension, can affect just about anybody and you don't need to have high stress levels to have this medical condition.

So what does cause high blood pressure? In most cases scientists cannot be sure what causes it. Initially it causes no obvious symptoms but can produce some serious and long term complications. Many people can have high blood pressure and not even know it, but more alarmingly, they are more prone to complications such as heart disease and heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failure.

Blood pressure does have a tendency to rise with age, however certain pre existing medical conditions can cause hypertension. Chronic kidney disease, sleep apnea and thyroid disease can all cause a rise in blood pressure as can some asthma medications, cold relief products and the contraceptive pill.

I have already stated that most people will not even know they have high blood pressure, but there are a few symptoms that you can watch out for:

- Persistent / frequent headaches
- Nausea
- Vomiting (very rare)
- Dizziness, becoming lightheaded and suffering with Vertigo
- Blurred vision
- Nosebleeds
- Palpitations
-Shortness of breath

Even though there is no one direct cause of high blood pressure, a few other factors can determine whether or not you are more prone to the condition.

If you have a family history of high blood pressure, you are overweight, rarely exercise, consume more than the RDA of alcohol, have a high salt intake or have a high fat diet, then you are more likely to suffer with hypertension.

Studies at the Tulane Center For Cardiovascular Health (USA) have also shown that those who were born with a low birth weight are likely to develop the condition as they get older.

The good news is that the condition can be medicated, but with a few simple lifestyle changes, high blood pressure can even be prevented.

Just remember that prevention is better than cure, particularly if you find you have a family history of the condition so start looking after yourself today for a better you!

How To Perform A Breast Self Examination

Wednesday 21st October 2009

Although doctors recommend that women begin practicing breast self-exams (BSE) at age 20, many are still unaware of how important this procedure is to their heath. As 1 in 9 women will develop breast cancer, early detection is the best way to fight the disease. The key is to notice tumors before they grow to be potentially deadly; a BSE carefully searches the breasts for signs of these tumors.

A special advisory group of doctors created standard procedures for a BSE to assist women in becoming 'breast aware.' This awareness refers to knowing your normal breast fully, and being more likely to notice a change that could be cancerous. Naturally, the breasts will change overtime, and regular self-examinations can help decide what is normal and what is a concern.

While there is no definition for a normal breast, you should know the symptoms that a BSE searches for.

• A lump or bumpy area in the breast or armpit
• A noticeable change in outline or shape of the breast
• A non-milky nipple discharge, or an inverted nipple
• A dimpling, scaling or discolouration of the skin around the breast

A breast self-exam is recommended every month a few days after your period ends. By searching improperly, you may miss a tumor! Not every cancer can be located in this way, but a BSE is a critical step for becoming 'breast aware.' The earlier you begin regular exams, abnormalities will be less difficult to discover. For women who find tumors in their early stages, 80% will survive.

First, examine your breasts in a mirror with the arms both lowered and raised; search for the visible symptoms described above. Next, feel your breasts while lying down. Using a firm and smooth touch cover the entire breast from the collarbone to the top of the abdomen, and from the armpit to cleavage. Breasts often have different zones where tumors can occur ...be sure to examine them all.

If you find a lump or one of the other named symptoms, consult your GP as soon as possible. Remember, early discovery is the best way to combat breast cancer.

In this video Dr Chris shows you how to check your breasts for any possible signs of growths or other symptoms.

Be aware that this video does contain scene of partial nudity for educational purposes.




Credits: Photograph courtesy of www.femalefirst.co.uk

The Secret To Losing Weight

The Secret To Losing Weight – Maintaining a Journal

It has been proven time after time, that those people, who write down everything they eat and drink and make a record of all of their activities, have a far better chance for success at losing weight than those who do not.

Did you ever keep a diary or a journal? Sometimes just writing down your day’s events can help relieve stress and put things in a different perspective. The same goes for keeping a diet and exercise journal. By writing down everything you eat and drink, you come face to face with what works and what doesn’t.

By writing down everything you eat and drink you are taking responsibility for what you are eating. Maintaining the journal gives you a clear and concise evaluation of which foods work for you. Recording your activities helps to chart your progress as you improve flexibility, build strength and increase stamina.

You see, in order to be successful at anything, you have to master the task in your mind first. You have to make a plan to succeed. When you put the plan into writing, you give yourself proof of your commitment to achieve the goal.

Losing weight is not easy. It takes courage, commitment, inspiration, motivation and a great amount of faith. Keeping a journal will help to keep you on track, keep you inspired and motivated and will remind you of the commitment you have made to yourself.

When you begin your journey to achieve your desired weight, you should record your present weight and all of your measurements. As you progress through your weight loss goals, it will be fun to look back and see how far you have come.

Remember to write down everything you eat and drink; that should include all of your snacks that you consume too. Pay special attention to the amount that you are eating as well as any sauces that you add to your foods.

The journal is such a simple tool that brings about a tremendous amount of success. I strongly urge anyone who wants to lose weight and get in shape to keep a journal. It is truly a guaranteed way to keep you accountable and help you to become the woman you are meant to be.