Monday, September 27, 2010

Why Is Natural Soap Better Than Regular Soap?

Are you aware of the difference between a regular soap and a natural soap? A natural handmade soap is organic and natural. It is made up from chemical reaction between water, lye and oil. The different kinds of oil are used in making handmade soaps. Each type of oil has its own properties and it is this that makes a handmade soap slightly different from the others.
 The problem with commercial soaps that are mass-produced or brought from department stores or grocery stores is that they cannot be considered as soaps at all. They are in fact detergents, made up from petroleum such as gasoline or oil. This is the reason why regular soaps causes irritation on the skin. Individuals have also been seen suffering from extreme problems of irritations by using these kinds of petroleum products. Alkali is the most common irritant present in regular soaps. This compound however, doesn't exist in a natural soap and so individuals using natural organic soaps do not face problems of dry skin and irritation.

Have you ever felt your skin to get itchy, tight or flaky? If yes, it might be due to the use of regular soaps. The presence and high amount of alkali in the detergent-based soaps causes all these things to happen. Other than alkali there are also many other harmful ingredients included in these detergent-based soaps. They are alcohol, isopropyl, Tricoslan and BHT, which are mostly present in antibacterial regular soaps. These chemicals are not at all good for the skin.

Switching on to an organic, natural soap will stop cause all these problems and make the difference in the skin. Pamper your skin by using handmade organic soaps. They don't even cost much. Moreover, they are also easily available.

The organic handmade manufacturers use glycerine in the handmade soaps. This is in fact one of the most prominent ingredient that distinguishes an organic handmade soap from a regular soap. The commercial soap manufacturers usually extract glycerine to use them for lotions and other such beautifying products but a high quality organic handmade soap will always have glycerine in it. This is a compound that soothes and moisturizes the skin. Since glycerine can draw moisture out in air, it helps the skin to remain soft and moist for a long period of time, which generally doesn't occur when using detergent based, mass-produced soaps.
It's a misconception that you can buy organic handmade soaps in only one generic kind of bar. This is however a complete misconception. Bath soaps with natural and pure ingredients are available in various forms, shapes and sizes. Natural liquid soaps are also widely available in the market.

Soaps are an item that most of the individuals do not give a second thought on while purchasing. Soap is one of the most important products that can make the skin glow. By using a natural one for your skin you can ward off premature wrinkles on the skin as well as stop skin irritation. There are a number of stores selling natural organic products. However, its best to go through users reviews before buying them from an online shop.
Buy natural soap online from http:// www.cocoonuorganic.co.uk at affordable rates. Cocoonorganic provides natural soaps and other products like organic skin care products, shampoos and others, which are made from pure organic ingredients.

How to Pamper Oneself Without Over Spending

After a long, heavy week of work you will feel drained, exhausted and worn out. Your duties in your job and your responsibilities at home can cause you stress and pressures that are evident through your lined, hard face. This might be awful but it's reality.
After you received your paycheck in a month you will notice it won't allow you to have the luxury of treating yourself like a king or a queen. More often than not, it will only suffice to provide your needs until the next pay day comes. Are you willing to live such a grumpy and boring life like that? Of course not! Be creative and here are some tips that will help you pamper yourself without the lavish spending of your earnings
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- Buy your favorite scented candle and arrange your bedroom as in a hotel's suite room.
- Create your own warm bubble bath and listen to your favorite music soothing to your ears down to your soul.
- Invite your close friends and together do your own foot spa, manicure and pedicure. You will discover that you can create your own nail polish designs and change them as often as you want to.
- Try ordering your favorite food and have it delivered home at least once a month. Make the dinner cozy with your own scented candle near the flower petals you bought from a flower shop.
- You can unwind by taking a long walk in a nearby country side especially when you seem to be suffocated with your papers in the office or endless routine.
- You can go mall hopping with your friends then, try fitting the ones you like without buying them.
- You can join a retreat for your spiritual growth and development which usually ask only minimal registration fee.
- You can take a walk on the beach and start collecting different seashells.
- You can attend a free orientation on beauty products which are usually free and you can volunteer as the model for the make - over.
- You can also visit museum or public amusement park that only ask for donations as entrance fee.
 
- You don't have to go to a movie theater to watch your favorite movie. You just rent a disc and prepare your own snacks. You can invite friends if you want to have some fun.
- You can look for a place ideally, in an over - looking hilltop for you to meditate and rest without the hustle and bustle of the city.

Next time never deprive yourself of the luxury to unwind and to be pampered after a tiresome weeks of work. There are ways and means that won't cost you that much. Try it and you'll be satisfied with the results.
You can pamper yourself without overspending by choosing the right beauty salon Worcester which offers calming services that can help you relax...every penny that you pay is worth it. You can get into the spa in Worcester every once in a while and have a massage of perhaps have a foot spa to release stress from your tired feet.

Beauty Secrets Revealed

As we become older, the signs of aging start developing. Saggy skin, bags under the eyes, wrinkles, age spots and forehead lines are the signs of aging. Aging is unavoidable but it does not mean one should look old.
There are things which can help anyone look younger. Let us reveal some beauty secrets.

• Lipstick shades should not be matte, because their traces remain in the fine lip lines. Creamy lipsticks or lip glosses are better.
• As with matte lipsticks, the traces of powder blushes and shadows remain in the fine lines on the skin. Also dry looking skin is a sign of aging. Therefore, creamy blushes and creamy shadows are better and they give the skin a plumy look.
• Curled lashes look good. First, mascara should be applied and allowed to dry, and then the lashes can be curled up.
• Hair length should be between the chin and the shoulders.
• Eyebrows should not be over plucked as they do not grow well after excessive plucking.
• Less make up is better as makeup should not be used to cover the age.
• Alcohol intake and smoking should be decreased to a minimum.
• Teeth may become yellow due to drinks like red wine, tea and coffee. They can be whitened by using over the counter teeth whiteners.
• Adequate and sound sleep at night also helps in looking younger. Due to lack of sleep the skin looks dry and the face looks shapeless.
• Apart from beauty and tips to look young, standing straight is also important to look and feel young.
• Well balanced diet is helpful in younger looks. As with age, the metabolism becomes slower and increase in weight is more obvious. There should be control on weight increase. To control weight, life style should not become sedentary.
• Along with diet, regular exercise is also important. This helps with better blood circulation. Due to this, nutrients reach to the extremities and toxic products are removed. The type of exercise is not important. Just being active is also an exercise.
• Techniques to reduce stress (stress relaxation techniques) should be learned as stress makes an individual look older.

Besides these Beauty Secrets, there are products which can turn around the signs of aging and help you look younger.
Collagen is a substance present in skin which helps in looking younger. Several creams from animal sources are available but these large molecules can not penetrate the skin. Therefore substances which stimulate the production of collagen and can penetrate the skin are more useful. Cynergy TK is one such natural ingredient. Same is for hyaluronic acid. Phytessence Wakame is the ingredient helpful in increasing the elasticity of skin. Free radicals production increases with age. Antioxidants which are present in fruits and vegetables scavenge free radicals. Therefore, antioxidants also make one look younger. Creams containing antioxidants help in reducing signs of aging from outside.

Natural Ways to Lower Blood Pressure - Simple Steps You Can Take

There are many natural ways to lower your blood pressure without having to take prescription drugs. Really in my opinion taking prescription drugs for the rest of your life should be a last resort. Also if you are taking a prescription it should be only temporary, just until you can change your diet and lifestyle to lower your blood pressure through natural means. We all have a grand mother or grandfather who has to take a whole fistful of pills everyday. I remember my grandfather having those pill organizers with the different compartments so you can keep track of all the pills and what days to take them all! I always said to myself "I never want to be like that" As they say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Hypertension is one of the most preventable conditions but it still contributes to over 15% of deaths in the united states. Although hypertension has no symptoms, It does certainly increases the risks of leading diseases such as heart attack, stroke, aneurysms, cognitive decline, and kidney failure. 28% of adults in American have high blood pressure and don't even know it.
The good news is through some simple changes in your lifestyle and diet you can lower your blood pressure through natural ways.
  1. First you can go for walks. People who walk at a quick pace generally found that their pressure was reduced 6 to 8 points. Exercise 30 minutes a day helps your heart work more efficiently so it can pump blood easier which lowers your blood pressure.
  2. Relax. Reducing stress in your life will significantly reduce hypertension. Meditation or slow breathing exercises have been shown to really help in reducing stress and thus improving your overall health.
  3. Reduce your salt intake. Salt or sodium is well-known to cause hypertension. So not only do you need to stop adding salt to your food but also remember to read food labels and only eat foods low in salt or with no salt is even better. 1500 milligrams. Per day is the recommended allowance per day.
  4. Eat dark chocolate with at least 70 percent cocoa. Research shows dark chocolate contains flavanols which increase the elasticity of the blood vessels thus decreasing your pressure.
  5. Drink alcohol. Research has shown 1 to 2 drinks per day is actually good for your heart function and relaxes you thus reducing stress and your blood pressure as well.
  6. Cut caffeine out of your diet. Some studies have shown caffeine can raise your blood pressure by constricting your blood vessels and worsening the effects of stress on your body.
  7. Work less. Studies have shown that working more than 40 hours a week actually raises your risk of developing hypertension 15%. We tend to not workout, eat right or take good care of ourselves when we are over worked. We tend to be much more stressed out too.
  8. Listen to relaxing music. Music has always been known to have a calming effect on people. As they say music calms even the savage beast. So put on some soft relaxing music.
These are a few examples of steps we can take to easily and naturally manage our hypertension. There is much more information available at the link below. I have had great success since I implemented these practices and highly recommend that you too take advantage of this easy to follow program which will certainly help you to manage your blood pressure and maybe even save your life. Natural Ways to Lower your Blood Pressure.

Symptoms of Hypertension - Though It Is Known for Its Silence, Hypertension Symptoms May Occur

Symptoms of hypertension may occur even though hypertension is known to exist in people who are not experiencing any symptoms at all. Because hypertension can afflict those who are not feeling any ill effects from it, it is said to be a silent killer. However, there are some ways in which hypertension makes itself known in many people.
In this article, we will discuss some of the common symptoms high blood pressure sufferers sometimes experience. Though these symptoms may be felt by those with elevated readings, these symptoms can be felt for other reasons as well. So, if you suspect your pressure may be elevated, you should see a doctor to find out if, in fact, you do have hypertension is the problem.

Dizziness
One of hypertension's common signs is dizziness. This dizziness is usually experienced upon standing up after sitting or lying down. However, dizziness upon standing is also a symptom of hypotension, or low blood pressure. Sometimes it is accompanied by a rushing sound in the ears.
Headaches
Often people, whose blood pressure is above normal, experience headaches. Often it is said that severe headaches are sign of hypertension. In reality, even mild headaches can be a symptom. The other side to the coin is the fact that there are probably a million different reasons one could have a headache.

Tinnitus
Tinnitus, or ringing in the ear, may also indicate hypertension is present. Once again, there are other reasons why a person may hear a ringing in his/her ears. One of these reasons is this person has been listening to loud music or working in an environment where there is a high decibel level and proper precautions were not taken. Still, elevated blood pressure could be behind tinnitus and if you experience such a symptom you should find out if it is.

Nosebleeds
Other than getting punched in the nose, it could be hypertension that is behind frequent nosebleeds. Though this is a relatively common sign, most people who find they need to lower their blood pressure have never experienced nosebleeds. Still, if there is no apparent reason for nosebleeds to be occurring and they are, you should try to find out what the cause is.

Vision Disturbances
Vision disturbances are somewhat common in people who have high blood pressure and people who have migraine headaches. Some of these visual disturbances can be a blurring of vision. Other times these disturbances can be of the flashing lights or color variety. Though it is common for those experiencing this symptom to worry about other possible underlying causes, such as a brain tumor, it can actually be relatively mild hypertension causing this problem.
Once again, it sounds like a copout, but hypertension can come with or without symptoms. Therefore, it is best to have regular checkups. Also, it is helpful to own your own instrument so that you can monitor your readings yourself so you can become aware at the very first symptom of hypertension.

Causes of Hypertension - What Are the Common Reasons a Person's Blood Pressure Rises?

The causes of hypertension are many and varied. Yes, it is true hypertension can come on without any particular reason behind it. When this happens, it is said to be primary or essential hypertension. This type of hypertension that has no reason cause is usually thought to be hereditary. Still, there often is no reason behind the disease.

Alcohol
There is no doubt about it; heavy alcohol use is not good for a person with hypertension. Even not-so-heavy use of alcohol can have a detrimental effect on a person's blood pressure readings. It is true; alcohol does not affect everyone the same way. So, some frequent alcohol users can get away with it better than others. Still, alcohol use is very often a very big contributor to very high blood pressure readings.

Obesity
Being overweight alone can cause hypertension. When one is young, being overweight will usually not have too detrimental an effect. However as one ages, the years and the weight can add up to poor health. Naturally, one cannot stop aging but he/she can certainly lose weight. Even in situations where weight loss is difficult, making a change to a healthy lifestyle including a good diet and a healthy exercise regiment is often just what the doctor ordered; literally.
Improper Diet
Sometimes it is the weight alone that is causing the hypertension. Other times, it is not the weight as much as the diet that is causing the problem. Many of us live on diets that are high in fast foods and other types of pre-prepared foods. This type of diet very often leads to hypertension. Other times it leads to high cholesterol. Often it leads to both.
Conversely, a diet that consists mainly of fresh foods is one that will regulate blood pressure and cholesterol. In other words, a diet high in fiber and steeped in fresh vegetables and fruits is one that is very good for anyone's general overall health.

Anxiety
It has been known for a long time nervousness and anxiety can raise blood pressure readings. This is true when one becomes very nervous his reading may be high at that time. Actually, there is a type of hypertension known as white coat hypertension. This is a situation where a person's pressure readings are high when he is at the doctor's office and normal when he is home. This is an example of one's blood pressure becoming high when he/she is nervous.
Over time, nervousness has the potential to raise one's blood pressure long term. The moral to the story is, if there is a lot of anxiety in your life, seek a solution for it. Finding the solution for anxiety can make a person feel much better in many ways.
This is by no means an exhaustive list of hypertension causes. However, they are very common and for the most part they are things that we all can control. Yes, it will take a little work but the result can be a longer life and a greater sense of well-being.

Controlling Hypertension - Can I Lower My Blood Pressure by Natural Means?

Controlling hypertension is a full-time job. Some people expect to go to a doctor, get a pill to take every day and this will take care of the problem forever. This is not how it works. Controlling blood pressure is best achieved by use of a partnership between the hypertension sufferer and the medical community.

Exactly what types of control measures are used depends upon how severe the problem is. When first a patient is told by his/her doctor hypertension is the diagnosis, this patient is often told what should be done for the next several weeks to keep the blood pressure under control. The patient is then given another appointment to return to the doctor to see what kind of results these instructions rendered.
BP over the Long Haul

Usually, it is only after the patient is unable to get his/her BP readings to return to normal simply by following the doctor's orders that he/she is given medication. The reason for this is we usually think of BP control as a long-term proposition. In other words, anyone can have high blood pressure at any time. It is when the person has elevated readings over a long period of time that it becomes dangerous to his/her health.
So obviously, there are things one can sometimes do to control hypertension on his/her own. Of course, the patient should tell the doctor what he/she is up to. Also, the patient should return to the doctor periodically for blood pressure checks.
Diet and Exercise, of Course!

In the meantime, the hypertension sufferer should pursue a diet conducive to controlling hypertension. Such a diet would be low in salt and high in fiber. The diet should include fresh foods and should not include fast foods. Also heavy, and even in some cases moderate, alcohol use is counterproductive. While we are on the subject of vices, do I even have to mention the fact we all should avoid smoking?
Exercise is also a natural means by which one can improve his/her health. Once again, your doctor should approve of any exercise regiment you would undertake. It is important to start exercising slowly and intensify the daily routine at a very gradual rate. This is because when the body is not properly prepared for exercising, it could do more harm than good.

Many times, people think of natural blood pressure control as a regiment of vitamins and herbs. Remember herbs have as many side effects as most prescribed medications do. Therefore, it is best to avoid this type of regiment unless it is condoned by your doctor.

Hypertension In A Nutshell

Blood pressure is expressed as two components, with a larger top number (systolic pressure) and a smaller bottom figure (diastolic pressure). These readings are measured in millimeters of mercury. The systolic pressure reflects the heart's contraction as blood is forced out of the heart; the diastolic measure reflects the pressure during the heart's resting stage when its chambers are filling with blood in preparation for the next contraction. Normal blood pressure depends on age and other variables but is usually considered high if it is above 140/90 for extended time periods
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Hypertension is an elevation of systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure. There are two types: primary (essential) and secondary. The cause of primary hypertension is unknown. Heredity probably predisposes individuals to hypertension, but the condition is usually attributed to a complex of physiological, genetic, and emotional factors. Approximately 95% of all high blood pressure is diagnosed as essential hypertension. Secondary hypertension is associated with such medical conditions as kidney disorders, toxemia of pregnancy, adrenal tumors, or ovarian tumors. Blood pressure usually returns to normal once the underlying medical condition is treated.

Hypertension affects approximately 15% of the adult population in the United States. If untreated, it can cause serious and irreversible damage to the brain, heart, kidneys, eyes, and blood vessels. It can even prove fatal by causing strokes, heart attacks, or kidney failure. High blood pressure is a particularly difficult medical problem to deal with because people often have no symptoms and may not even know they have the condition.

It is mandatory that high blood pressure be medically treated. The person with hypertension can be treated with several types of antihypertensive medications. One type, called beta blockers, reduces the contractility of the heart and the output of blood. A diuretic may be administered to remove some of the sodium and water from the body and thus decrease the total volume of blood. Sympathetic nerve inhibitors keep the sympathetic nerves from causing arteries to constrict. Vasodilators reduce tension in the blood vessel walls and let them dilate. Newer types of drugs inhibit the body's production of angiotensin, a chemical which causes arteries to constrict. Calcium antagonists can help relax blood vessels and decrease the heart rate. Salt restriction is usually prescribed, in addition to medication; dietary changes can be equally as important as taking medication. Medication used to treat hypertension can be expensive and can cause unpleasant side effects such as lethargy, weakness, sexual impotency, depression, dry mouth, and sleep disturbance.
However, the long-term problems resulting from hypertension are much worse than the side effects of medication.

Many people use relaxation techniques, including biofeedback training and meditation, in conjunction with their antihypertensive medication and salt restriction. Weight loss may help return blood pressure to normal; increased physical exercise can help reduce blood pressure, and alcohol use should be restricted since more than two ounces daily raises blood pressure in some people. Lifestyle changes and the practice of relaxation methods are important adjuncts to medication. They can help reduce the dosage levels of medication required, and in some cases medication can be discontinued completely. This must always be monitored by a medical doctor since high blood pressure frequently has no symptoms. Ongoing medical supervision is required for adequate treatment of this dangerous and potentially life-threatening condition
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Research has shown that people who attend church regularly tend to have lower incidence of hypertension than does the general population. Regular churchgoers perhaps have lower levels of anxiety and anger, both of which activate the nervous system and increase blood pressure.

Because high blood pressure does not produce noticeable symptoms, it has been termed the silent killer. It is extremely important to have one's blood pressure checked at least once each year and more frequently if high readings have ever been obtained. If hypertension is diagnosed, working closely with a physician and following the doctor's treatment prescriptions will minimize the effects of this condition. If hypertension is detected early and treated, the hypertensive can live a long and productive life.

4 Steps to a Lower Blood Cholesterol Level

Changing the amount and type of fat eaten can help to lower blood cholesterol. there are several types of fat in the diet which can act differently in the body, and it is helpful to be aware of the differences.

CHOLESTEROL
Cholesterol is a substance made in the body. It also occurs naturally in certain foods. The cholesterol in food has only a small influence on blood levels. To help lower your blood cholesterol it is much more important to eat less of all types of fats, than simply to avoid cholesterol rich foods.

SATURATED FATS
Saturated fats raise your blood cholesterol level. All animal and some vegetable fats are saturated and should be restricted.

UNSATURATED FATS
In moderation, unsaturated fats help to keep your blood cholesterol level down. There are two different types of unsaturated fat, namely monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat.
Olive oil and rape-seed oil are particularly high in monounsaturated fats
Polyunsaturated fats are found in oily fish and certain vegetable oils e.g. corn oil, sunflower see oil. You may read about 'cis' and 'trans' forms of polyunsaturated fat. The 'cis' form is thought to be the most beneficial for lowering blood cholesterol.

HOW CAN I LOWER MY BLOOD CHOLESTEROL?
  1. Eat less of all types of fat
  2. Be careful about the type of fat you do eat
  3. Lose weight if you need to
  4. Eat a high fibre diet
HOW CAN I EAT LESS FAT?
  • Fat or oil used in cooking should be used sparingly. Try cooking methods such as - baking, grilling, steaming or microwave, which do not need extra fat.
  • Milk and dairy foods, choose from a wide range of low-fat cheeses, yoghurts, skimmed and semi-skimmed milk.
  • Eggs add variety to your diet and in moderation (up to 4 per week), will not increase cholesterol.
  • Meat and fish, trim all visible fat off, use lean and small portions of red meat. Remove skin from poultry, add variety by having oily fish such as sardines, pilchards, tuna, mackerel or herring. They contain the right type of fat for a healthy heart.
  • Manufactured foods contain more fat than you would expect. Check food labels for the fat content in similar foods.
WHAT TYPE OF FAT CAN I EAT?
  • Use a magarine labelled high in polyunsaturates to spread on bread, most also have low-fat varieties.
  • Use low-fat cooking methods, or if oil is required choose, Olive Oil or a pure vegetable oil high in polyunsaturates - Corn Oil, Sunflower Oil.
  • Lower fat foods are becoming widely available, although care is needed as some of the fat has been removed, they still remain high in fat levels.
DO I NEED TO LOSE WEIGHT?
YES - To lose weight you need to eat less calories and exercise regularly. For specific advice, consult your Doctor or a Dietitian.
NO - If you do not need to lose weight, then you will probably find that you need extra starchy foods such as bread and potatoes to fill yourself up.
By using unsaturated fat margarines and oils will not help you lose weight, as they are just as fattening as butter or dripping!
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO EAT MORE FIBRE?
A healthy diet is high in fibre. The type of fibre in fruit, beans and oats are particularly good for helping to lower your blood cholesterol.
  • 5 portions of fruit and vegetables per day
  • Replace some meat with beans or pulses in stews.
  • Adding different types of beans to soups and salads
  • Choosing an Oat based cereal - Porridge or muesli
  • Eating wholemeal bread

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Nutritional Supplements - A Simple Solution to Achieve Your Fruit and Vegetable Nutrition Needs!

Fruit and Vegetable nutritional supplements are an excellent way to easily and inexpensively add vital nutrition to your diet.
So many of us lead busy lives and simply don't find the time to eat a proper diet. Busy parents are relying on the microwave or fast food to feed their families and this leads to poor nutrition and a diet absent of the vital nutrients that come from fruits and vegetables.

In turn, many people feel a level of guilt and stress that is associated with not getting the nutrition they know they need, or for not providing it for their family. This is not healthy or necessary!
Let's take a look at 3 important reasons why fresh fruits and vegetables or fruit and vegetable nutritional supplements are so important to your good health and overall wellness.
First: The importance of fruits and vegetables in your diet.

Studies "overwhelmingly" have found that without an adequate intake of fruits and vegetables in your diet, you could be at increased risk for:
• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Cardiovascular disease
• Alzheimer's disease
• Obesity
• Osteoporosis (weak and brittle bones)
• Macular degeneration (age-related blurring)
• And several types of cancer
These are serious issues! According to the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, people who eat more fruits and vegetables as part of an overall healthy diet are more likely to reduce the risk of chronic diseases. In addition, many in the health care industry today have come to refer to fruits, vegetables and whole grains as "cancer preventing foods".

Second: The importance of "Antioxidants".
Without getting "too" technical here, Antioxidants are molecules (nutrients in our food) that can inhibit "oxidation" of other molecules. That's a good thing! Oxidation occurs naturally as our bodies use oxygen, which in turn produces bad things known as "free radicals". Free radicals can start chain reactions which ultimately damage our cells. Antioxidants serve the very valuable purpose of terminating these chain reactions and hence prevent and repair cell damage caused by free radicals. Heart disease, cancer, diabetes, etc. are all connected to oxidation and free radical damage to our cells. Antioxidants can help reduce these harmful effects.

The most commonly known "Antioxidants" are vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E.
Vitamin A is found in bright colored fruits and vegetables such as broccoli, cantaloupe, carrots, peaches, spinach, sweet potatoes and tomatoes. Vitamin A plays a vital role in the growth and repair of body tissues, and is particularly important in maintaining good eyesight and healthy skin, as well as aiding in bone and teeth formation. Vitamin A is also important to fetal development, reproduction and helps the immune system fight off infections.

Vitamin C is prominent in foods like asparagus, bell peppers, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cantaloupe, cauliflower, grapefruit, kiwi, oranges, papaya spinach and strawberries. Vitamin C plays an important role in preventing and treating the common cold as well as the development of bones, teeth and our ability to heal from injury. Vitamin C is responsible for producing collagen. Collagen is present in your muscles and bones and is responsible for holding the cells together.

The third common antioxidant is vitamin E, which is found in foods such as nuts and seeds, asparagus, broccoli, mango, papaya, peppers spinach, tomatoes and whole grains. Vegetable oil is another excellent source of vitamin E. Vitamin E is essential to the health and anti-aging of skin cells. Vitamin E is particularly important for the protection of our cell membranes as well as keeping your skin, heart, blood circulation, nerves, muscles and red blood cells healthy.

Third: Variety Matters!
If you are like most people, you manage to have maybe an apple, an orange and one vegetable in a given day, and you feel like you're doing pretty good! In a perfect world we need a serving of multiple fruit and vegetable colors. Red, dark red, green, dark green, orange and yellow are all important for different reasons. Basically, each color represent a different antioxidant and fruit and vegetable nutritional supplements are the ideal way to assure you are getting a multitude of colors every day.

For more information on how you can take the necessary next step for your fruit and vegetable nutritional supplement needs visit http://www.livinghealthyessentials.com.

Vitamin E Is A Must For Healthy Living

The best way you can remain healthy and help your body to function properly is by ensuring that you enjoy a healthy well balanced diet. Also to further help your diet there are certain vitamins that you will need to make sure that you are consuming in it. One of the most important of all the vitamins we should be including in our diet is Vitamin E.

However for some people due to health problems their bodies find it difficult to absorb this type of vitamin. So before these people decide to increase their consumption of this vitamin they need to speak to their doctor about whether because of their condition the absorption of it will be affected.
This vitamin contains very powerful anti oxidant properties and can help to neutralize free radicals in the body. If these free radicals are allowed to grow then damage can be caused to both cells and tissue in the body, which can lead to other health problems.

Also if a person were to ensure that their diet includes this vitamin in it they will find that it helps to improve the way their body's circulatory system functions. Should a person cut themselves they will find that as their body has good levels of Vitamin E in it their blood will clot much more quickly and also they find that the wound heals much faster.

So how much Vitamin E should a person include in their diet each day? For women they should be consuming at least 8 milligrams of this vitamin each day, whereas for men their consumption should be no more than 10 milligrams each day. If however you consume too much of this vitamin then it can lead to other problems. People who consume too much may well suffer from digestive tract problems and nausea.
Of course you can if you want take a supplement of this vitamin, but the most effective way of getting it is by including certain foods in your diet. The kinds of foods that you should be eating which contain high levels of this vitamin in them are avocado, wheat germ, whole grain products, liver, nuts, the yolk of the egg and peanut butter.

The best way of ensuring that as much of the Vitamin E remains in the food you eat you should make sure that you store it in the correct manner. So make sure that all fresh produce is kept chilled in a refrigerator and any of the grains are stored in a cupboard so that they do not become damaged by strong light. However if you are taking supplements of this vitamin make sure that you again store them properly. The container in which they are kept must remain at room temperature and also stored in a place that is dry.

You can now purchase Vitamin E and Vitamin C online at Australia Best Buys

4 Herbs That Improve Overall Health

Did you know that taking certain herbs can help your health overall? It is true and many cultures and societies have known this for many years. Only recently has the Western cultures began taking a closer look at herbs and how they can help with various ailments and bring about vitality.

1. Turmeric is one of the most powerful herbs you can take to better your overall health. Some of the benefits include a natural anti-inflammatory, helps prevent breast cancer, liver detox, natural pain-killer, can help with weight loss, helps lower bad cholesterol. Turmeric is used in Indian foods and is also used a dye color, yellow.

2. Red reishi was one of China's known for its health benefits. It a mushroom and can help lower bad cholesterol, has immune boosting qualities, strong antioxidant properties, and helps to restore overall health and balance to the body when taken daily.

3. Ginger is a wonderful herbs that helps with morning sickness, nausea, reduces pain, reduces inflammation, brings heartburn relief, helps relieve menstrual cramp, prevents colds and flu. For best results, you should take the standardized extract of ginger.

4. Hawthorn berries is a wonderful herb that lowers high blood pressure, treats angina, has been used to treat heart failure, and strengthens the heart muscles. In addition, the herb naturally lowers cholesterol and aids in digestion.

Many herbs help to bring about good overall health and by incorporating them into your daily life, you can discover the many benefits of herbs. Just because herbs are natural, you should never assume that they are not as powerful as drugs, in fact, many herbs are more potent than pharmaceuticals. This means you should treat herbs as you would any of medicinal treatment and be sure to mention any and all herbs that you take to your doctor.

Natural and organic green teas are yet another example of natural herbs that can boost your health and are utilized to cleanse your digestive system, or all round inner body. Herbal plants are used as medicines, vitamin supplements, dietary supplements, etc.

Herbal medicines can come in many different forms.. They may be obtained in pills, capsules, liquids (tinctures or extracts) or in their natural form as obtained from plants. Speed the recovery and relieve the soreness by taking a relaxing herbal bath and getting a massage.

All natural health products and also alternative medications can do wonders for our own well-being. The objective is to help you achieve your natural health goals and objectives. Natural medications can support all of us here devoid of the side effects of many pharmaceutical medications.

Bob Smithson has been writing articles online for nearly 4 years now. Not only does he have a passion for writing but you can also check out his latest website about a kids ride on car as well as battery operated riding toys and accessories.

Better Health - Exercise, Rest and Water

Better health is what you should aim for. Our hectic daily routine often drains the stamina of our body. To avoid it, you need to do something to make the body fitter and fresher, one of them is sports. Exercise like jogging and walking increase our endurance, especially for the muscles. In addition, it is the cheapest and easiest sport to do. Slower movements will improve our stamina, but make sure that the speed is as consistent as possible.

Train yourself by going for a 30 minute jog or cycling outdoors. Morning and afternoon are the perfect time to do these activities. Furthermore, outdoor sport brings fresher atmosphere than indoor, especially the oxygen that we take. More oxygen in the body means more heat in the organs that could work to increase the production of energy. And as you know, one thing leads to another.

However, if for some reasons you can't do it outdoor, you can work out in a gym, fitness club or your own home. Nowadays, fitness club or gym is equipped with fancy tools and machine to help us train, such as treadmill, bench press, static bike, and etc. Those gears can burn more calories and faster, especially if you have a personal trainer to guide you through. You will get better health by using those equipments.

To gain a better health, you will also need enough rest. If you keep on working without taking a break, your body will be prone to diseases. Your body uses resting time to regenerate new cells to substitute the old one and build the immune system. So, you can imagine what will happen if you don't have enough sleeping. It is better if you have eight hours sleep every day.

One thing that you shouldn't forget is drinking water. Do not forget to drink because one of the causes of body fatigue is due to lack of body fluids. The result, the blood will coagulate and becomes slow. It took longer time for cells to obtain oxygen, which certainly makes the stamina to be reduced. Drinking pure water every day will also minimize the risk of kidney disease or urinary problems. So, even though there are many tasty drinks, you should not forget about water for better health.

From now on, improve your health by workout at home, with the complete guidance in the website adjustable dumbbells.

Food and Activities That Can Make Life Longer

In a recent study of scientific and medical experts they found out that living life simple and making small changes in our lifestyle can have a significant effect in our life span making a person feel younger, stronger and smart. Below are some of the items that they have discovered that we can observe:

1. Stay away from diseases by eating pineapple - this particular fruit is the only fruit that contains bromelain, an enzyme that can help prevent osteo or rheumatoid arthritis that millions of women around the world are suffering from.

Consumption of pineapple serves as painkillers wherein bromelain contains a certain kind of anti-inflammatory properties that helps reduce inflammation.
Pineapple also helps in maintaining a clear eye sight and reduces the risk of age-related macular degeneration, the number one reason for having blurred or loss of vision.
The recommended dosage of pineapple is about three (3) cups per day.

2. Strengthen your heart by the help of sugarcane - sugarcane contains policosanol, an organic compound that helps in reducing LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) cholesterol also known as bad cholesterol by about sixteen percent (16%), and helps in increasing HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) cholesterol also known as good cholesterol by about twenty nine percent (29%).
If functions by reducing the rate of production of cholesterol from the lever that comprises about eighty percent (80%) of the whole body's cholesterol.
Consumption of sugarcane also keeps a person alert and reduces the risk of blood clots and muscle pains due to poor blood circulation.

3. Avoid the risk of stroke by using dental floss - in studies, experts have discovered that fifty percent (50%) of people who are 55 years old and higher have a gum disease, a certain condition that increases the risk of stroke.
If bacteria's in the mouth suddenly increases, there's a possibility that it can enter the bloodstream and cause a fatty build-up in the arteries of the neck.  This condition can reduce the blood flow to the brain and cause a stroke.
The easiest way to prevent this condition is to use dental floss at least four (4) times a week and always brush your teeth.

Successful Skin Care Tactics for Men and Women in Their 50's

The symptoms of ageing (which start when a particular person is in his thirties), turn out to be fairly prominent and conspicuous when the particular person reaches his 50's, owing to the enormous diploma of hormonal adjustments in the physique (specially in the situation of women, menopause brings about a vast diploma of modifications in the body's hormonal levels).

Decades of exposure of the pores and skin to the solar, use of harsh soaps and cosmetics, substantial anxiety ranges, reduced elastin and collagen manufacturing in the entire body, diminished creation of sebum, skin color dryness, accumulation of free of charge radicals in the entire body and the resulting damage to the skin color is clearly obvious by the time a individual reaches his fifties and except the man or woman efficient epidermis proper care rejuvenation techniques, the fee of development of good traces and wrinkles will be far as well substantial. This is since with age, the body's restore mechanism slows down a lot and consequently, the fee at which the tissue are damaged is comparatively much greater than the charge at which the cells in the physique are repaired.

The outer epidermal layer gets dried up and thickened, the center layer of the epidermis becomes thinner (thereby weakening the power and firmness of the skin color) and last but not least, the loss of firmness of facial muscle tissues (simply because of loss of subcutaneous excess fat with grow older) can make the pores and skin appear loose and sagging. A lot of other adjustments also occur with age these kinds of as formation of strong folds and creases due to repeated muscular movements (motion wrinkles), crow's feet, grow older spots, blemishes, brown spots, good traces and wrinkles can be noticed.

Use of anti wrinkle lotions can surely assist lessen these visible signs of ageing. These wrinkle creams include suitable moisturizers to hydrate the epidermis; gentle acids which support in exfoliating your pores and skin and removing the dead epidermis and debris from your epidermis; antioxidant minerals this kind of as zinc, selenium, calcium, copper peptides, antioxidant nutritional vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E; sunscreens to shield your epidermis from the damaging ultraviolet rays of the solar; collagen enhancing substances to firm and strengthen your skin, and numerous other very helpful anti ageing components.
Alternatively, as a substitute of anti ageing lotions, a particular person in his 50's can also adopt a typical epidermis care rejuvenation routine such as - skin color cleansing, pores and skin toning (one ought to use toners containing anti ageing components), pores and skin hydration (by way of the use of appropriate moisturizers), periodic exfoliation of your skin making use of either facial scrubs or chemical peels, topical application of estrogens and progesterone hormones (only underneath healthcare supervision) for elevated epidermis tissue turnover, and so on.

In the circumstance of more specific ageing difficulties such as brown spots, the use of gentle acids this sort of as kojic acid or any other epidermis lightening agents is recommended. For much more serious instances, the use of a lot more superior kinds of remedy may well be needed, this kind of as taking botox injections for strong expression strains, laser skin resurfacing, chemical peels, or even face lifts or other invasive indicates of remedy may well turn into necessary.

The Secret of Having a Young and Smooth Skin

No one can deny that when your face is smooth and zit-free life is a lot easier. For the women, it means being able to put on make-up easily and without flinching. And even without make-up and on a bad hair day, one feels nice and presentable.

So what is the secret to having clear and smooth skin? The answer doesn't lie in numerous visits to expensive dermatologists. In fact, the regimen is pretty simple.

First of all, make sure to remove all the make-up before going to sleep. Cleaning your face before resting will assure you that you won't be blocking your facial pores with silt, dust, and make-up for the hours you'll be lying fast asleep. When you wake-up, your skin will be clean and refreshed, ready to face the next day.
Another tip comes from the advice of dermatologists which is to wash, tone, and moisturize the face consistently. When washing the face, think of a product that will remove dirt and oil without drying out your skin. Gentle hypoallergenic facial cleansers are great for doing this. They take off the oil but do not clog up the pores with residue.

Not all the dirt is removed after washing the face. Hence, a toner is needed to remove any that is left behind. Many toners also minimize the pores to make skin look smoother and tighter.

And then, moisturize. The combined washing and toning can end up drying out the skin so rehydrate it with a moisturizer that is not oil-based. Oil-based products tend to block the pores which can cause unwanted outbreaks.

If a pimple happens to be forming on your face, you can rub the area with a gel or cream containing salicylic acid. This will dry up the oily area and help to minimize the pimple.

Last but not the least, exfoliate. Each week it helps to rub off the dead skin cells that make your skin look dull. Exfoliating will unclog pores and reveal the softer and younger skin that lies beneath.

Tips for a Healthy Glowing Skin

Keeping one's face healthy radiant is really important. It is easier to apply cosmetics. With beautiful skin, you can go over day even when you do not have time to prepare your hair.
Having a clean and healthy skin does not require medical treatment by professionals as most would assume. In reality, it depends on your discipline.

First, remember to take away any cosmetics before you lie on the bed and take your sleep. This applies to everybody who either uses cosmetics or does not. This habit assures that the dirt accumulated during the day would be washed away.

Medical professionals advice us to wash, tone and moisturize our skin. They recommend that we use on our face mild cleanser that can take away unwanted oil, while leaving enough oil to keep the skin soft and pores opened.

After cleaning, it is also recommended that we use toner to extract dirt that is deep rooted. There are a number of toners available in the market. Choose a toner that will reduce the opening of each pore. When the toner works, you would feel your skin getting tighter and skin getting closer for a smoother texture.
Once the skin is cleaned using a cleanser and a toner, you should be ready to moisturize the face to maintain its flexibility and pink complexion. However, this procedure is not recommended for people with oily skin. Avoid oil based materials for moisturizer.

If you have pimples, it would be wise to apply some salicylic acid on them. But be careful where you apply, the acid prevents pimples from spreading by taking away the fluids in the area and the scars.

Finally, take time to exfoliate at least once a week. By doing so, dead skin cells are removed from your face, leaving only the healthy ones so you would sparkle. On top of that, exfoliating removes undesired blackheads.
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Prevent Premature Wrinkling of the Skin With These Simple Tips

If you're concerned about premature wrinkling of the skin take a deep breath. Whether you're already seeing the signs of this wrinkling or you're just worried that it could happen to you there is something you can do.
What can you do to prevent premature wrinkling?

You can protect your skin from the sun. Wear sunscreen, a hat and long sleeves/pants if the sun is strong. Your skin is a barrier between your body and the high UV rays of direct, harsh sun. Protect your skin and it'll look younger for years to come.

Don't smoke. Smoking will increase the wrinkles around your mouth because of the repetitive nature of the movements. It also will make your skin look dull and unhealthy.
Your diet affects your skin.

Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables so you're filling your body up with antioxidants. These antioxidants destroy free radicals in your environment that are present everywhere. These free radicals break down your cells prematurely. They can cause wrinkles, sagging skin and have been linked with cancer. Eat your spinach, broccoli, tomatoes and berries to protect your skin.
Use skincare products with antioxidants like Vitamin C, E and Active Manuka Honey to give yourself extra protection against wrinkles.

Moisturize your skin. Dry skin leads to wrinkles. Use a high quality moisturizer rich in antioxidants and collagen and elastin boosting ingredients. These will work together to reduce the affects of aging and prevent premature wrinkles.

Collagen and elastin are the proteins that give your skin shape and structure. As you age, they break down and your skin shows this by wrinkling and sagging. Even if you already see the early signs of wrinkles, using a product that is proven to increase these cells will help to reduce your signs of wrinkles. If you're not seeing those signs yet, they'll delay the appearance of wrinkles. There's a cutting edge ingredient called Cynergy TK that is proven to increase your collagen and elastin production.

Another ingredient that will boost your collagen and elastin cells is Active Manuka Honey. This special honey is from New Zealand and studies show it has a string of health benefits. It moisturizes your skin, provides you with loads of age fighting antioxidants and it boosts your collagen and elastin proteins. It can be hard to find so you'll have to do a little research.

If you're interested in learning more premature wrinkling of the skin and how you can avoid it, please visit my website where I share about the products I personally recommend.

Why Does The Skin Wrinkle As You Age? Here Are 3 Reasons

Your skin is the largest organ of your body and it can show your age quickly if you don't take precautions. If you look in the mirror and wonder why does the skin wrinkle as you age you probably know it's a scientific fact.
Here's why:

Your skin cells breakdown.
Namely the collagen and elastin proteins that make up your body. These proteins help your skin maintain it's youthful shape. For example, when your face starts to wrinkle it's because your skin isn't repairing itself fast enough. When you're young, your cells are constantly renewing themselves and creating more collagen and elastin proteins. But, now that you're older, you body has slowed down this regeneration.

Collagen and elastin are important because they create your facial structure. Collagen is the layer of "cushion" between your bone structure and your epidermis. As it breaks down, your skin starts to sag and wrinkles form. Your elastin proteins work with your collagen to give your skin its "elasticity". In other words, when you rub your face, your skin "bounces" back to its former shape.
When you lose these cells, your skin starts wrinkling.

Another reason your skin will wrinkle as you age is because of your facial expressions. If you're constantly squinting or furrowing your brow, you'll develop lines between your eyes on your forehead or across your forehead. The best way to prevent these wrinkles is to be aware of your expressions and try not to make them. You can also make sure you apply extra moisturizer with antioxidants to those areas to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Antioxidants are crucial to reducing your wrinkles. Eating lots of fruits and vegetables and using skin care products with Vitamins E, C and other ingredients like Active Manuka Honey will destroy free radicals in your environment. Studies show they may even protect you from cancer.
Your skin will also wrinkle as you age based on your lifestyle. If you don't protect it from the sun when you're growing up and as an adult, it'll dry out and show wrinkles faster.

So there you are, 3 key components that lead to wrinkles. Natural cellular breakdown, repeat facial expressions and overexposure to the sun.

If you take care of your skin by using sunscreen when in the sun, getting plenty of antioxidants in your diet and skin care, you'll go a long way toward reducing your wrinkles. Plus, taking good care of your skin by regular cleansing and moisturizing will improve your skin and can actually help reverse that cellular damage that occurs naturally.

If you're interested in learning more why does the skin wrinkle as you age and the steps you can take to prevent it, please visit my website where I share about the products I personally recommend.

3 Best Ways to Get Flat Stomach Fast

Are you wondering the best way to get a flat stomach fast? If so, you are not alone. Most people wished they had an effective insight into what is needed to slim out the appearance of their belly. Is the process a difficult one? No, in fact if you follow a very easy three-step program, you will discover that the potential to gain a toned tummy is not that difficult at all.

Here are the top three ways to get a flat stomach:
  1. Improve your diet. No one is ever going to see your flat stomach if you are carrying a ton of excess fat around your midsection. Too much fat lying in between the skin and the muscles making the appearance of a six-pack of abdominals impossible to display. By cleaning up your diet and throwing out poor food choices, reducing your calorie intake, and eating six smaller meals per day, you will be well on your way to getting a flat stomach
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  3. Perform a regular cardio exercise. You cannot burn enough calories from diet alone to get a toned tummy. A decent amount of cardio - 30 minutes per day, four to five days per week - could prove to have a significant impact on your physique. You may discover that cardio work would be among the best strategies to answer how to get a flat stomach fast.
  4.  
  5. Don't forget those crunches. This step goes without saying! If you are not performing a regular amount of abdominal exercises daily,  such as your crunches, your potential to develop a flat stomach is going to be limited. 20 - 30 minutes a day, 2-3 times per week, of various ab exercises will work wonders towards attaining a ripped and flat belly. Crunches will tone those muscles making them more visible so you look even leaner
No, it is not tough to get a flat stomach and there are ways to do it fast, you simply just have to be consistent and stick to the program. By following this three-step approach you will be on your way to achieving the abs you desire!
Then be sure to visit my Fat Burning Workouts Blog today! Becky Fox is a Knoxville Personal Trainer and enjoys helping women get the foxy body they always wanted!

What Is The Difference Between Exercise And Fitness?

In reality exercise and fitness go hand in hand. You can not have true fitness without extensive exercise because exercise is one of the key tools to keep your body in top operating condition. Depending on your goals your exercise and fitness requirements can be very different from someone else. Factors such as age, chronic illnesses, diet and the amount of sleep you get also are factors in your fitness.

Make no mistake with the complexities of the human body and mind your goal of total fitness will be unattainable unless you combine several lifestyle changes together. Changes like like the kinds of food you eat, how and when you eat them, and to a degree how you think about yourself and others around you. We abuse our bodies and minds in so many ways it is a wonder any of us are healthy. Smoking, drinking, drugs, junk food, lack of sleep all work against us in our quest for fitness and health. To be really healthy and fit we all need to reexamine our own lifestyles to see how we can modify them to help us achieve our goals.

The reason people start looking for health and fitness solutions is usually when we notice we are getting fat or frumpy looking. The reason you are trying to get healthy goes along way to motivating you towards your goal. Trying to attain a slimmer well developed body might not carry you in the long run if you forget the underlying benefits of a healthy lifestyle. A slimmer well muscled body is a wonderful goal but do not try shortcuts like steroids or powders to achieve that goal. A healthy well balanced diet and lifestyle will get you much farther.

By using a natural approach to your fitness and exercise plans you will begin to develop more self awareness. As you learn the basics of good, healthy nutrition you will start to read the labels on your food. After your initial shock wears off you will begin to make informed rational choices about what you put into your body. Healthy nutrition is the major building block for any type of exercise and fitness program.

The final thing I would like to mention is sleep. Our bodies need about 6-8 hours of sleep a night. Try to get closer to 8 if you can. This helps the body regenerate from the abuses of the day before. This way you will have enough vitality and energy to tackle the events of your coming day like working out at the gym and handling those problems at the office.

The Desire to Stay Fit - Lean, Fit and Healthy Body

How to get a Lean, Fit and Healthy Body
Every time we watch a movie or television, we always admire celebrities who look fit and lean in their swimwear or evening gown. What's not to like? Having a lean, fit and healthy body means a better self-esteem, more self-confidence and a better life. And yes, sometimes, even the love life is smoking.

A lean, fit and healthy body is just a result of proper nutrition and exercise. So many books and many videos are out in the market selling the same promise. But bottom line is always this: it all depends on you and your will power. And so again, you ask yourself: what's the best way to stay slim forever or how can you lose your unwanted body fats?

In order to achieve a lean, fit and healthy body, you have to do the right exercise that will make you burn those fats. The best way is always the cardio way. The following exercises are surely going to make you lose a lot of calories and fats in no time:

1. Jumping jacks - this fun exercise is a good way to warm up. This is to increase your heart rate and at the same time, ready your body from even more physical exertion later on.

2. Burpees - Usually, this exercise begins with a squat. Then you place both palms on the floor and then you jump with both legs backwards until you are in a push up position. Okay, so this may not be one of those easy exercise routine but this will surely make you burn, baby!

3. Forward lunge with bicep curl - this exercise is good for the upper body and the lower body as well. You hold a dumb bell on each hand; take a few steps forward for that much needed lunge, then, curl dumb bells together. Return to the first position and lunge again. This is to give you those sexy arms and legs you have been wanting to have.

So yes, those three basic exercise routines will give you a leaner and fitter body - so make sure to do some repetitions everyday. Have fun!
Want to lean more about How to get a Lean, Fit and Healthy Body?
Visit my website at http://www.leanfitbody.com
I have much more practical and helpful step-by-step exercise tips which will help you become leaner and fitter.