Tackling Your Body's Problem Areas

/

Everyone has different areas of their bodies that they don’t feel 100 percent confident with. Sometimes, there is excess weight that just clings on and won’t go away no matter what physical activities you engage in.

Everyone’s bodies store fat in different ways. Of course, you can target your problem areas directly with techniques such as neck liposuction. In this blog post, we are going to look at some of the key causes that lurk behind the most commonly complained about areas.

 

Stomach

If you feel like you have done endless abdominal exercises and weight loss techniques to reduce your belly fat, you may find that this is a problem which is brought on by stress. When you feel stressed, your body releases extra cortisol from your adrenal glands, resulting in extra fat storage around the stomach. So, you could try out some stress-busting techniques to add a greater sense of calm to your life. If this doesn’t work, it may be the bacteria in your stomach which is causing bloating, so you could try cutting out sugars, grains or perhaps even citrus fruits to see if this makes any difference at all.

Arms

If your arms are the area of your body that is causing you problems, this could be down to high levels of insulin. This may be a result of your diet including too much fast food, sugary items, and processes dinners. Also, if you are not currently getting enough protein, fiber or healthy fats in your diet, this could also be causing you problems. Stress may also be playing a role in all this as well. So, try some experimentation with your diet to start off with, making it more balanced and less unhealthy. Stress management may also be a solution which proves to have some positive effects for you.

Thighs

Maybe excess weight and fat in your thighs is down to the fact that your oestrogen levels are high and they are causing it to be distributed here. Try limiting the amount of excess oestrogen in your body by steering clear of soy products, as well as milk, coffee, and food which comes in plastic packaging or other similar containers.

Love Handles

Even if you are on the skinny side, you may find that you can’t seem to get rid of your love handles. It could be that your body simply isn’t handling insulin particularly well. We already talked about a few of the ways that you can deal with this issue. Cutting down on your sugar intake is one of them. As it seems to be a running theme throughout this article, stress may also be the culprit which is leading to the issue.

 

Hopefully, the advice provided in this article has presented you with some useful techniques which you can employ yourself to tackle the areas of your body which have been causing you problems and anxiety.

LETS GET SOCIAL...

Fundamentals of a Muscle Training Program

/

There are three indispensable factors to gain muscle: nutrition, training and recovery. The basics of a muscle training program for gaining muscle is relatively simple to understand. The secret is to stimulate the body just enough to gain muscle without increasing recovery time or putting the body in a state of overtraining.

To simplify your task, I'll just introduce what worked for me and help me gain more muscle without gaining more fat. It is no secret that many men and even many women want muscular arms. The purpose of this post is not to make you huge or extremely muscular, but to give you the keys that will allow you to build muscle in the long run because that's how you will have the most results.

The problem is that the training frequency is very important for muscle mass gain and if you increase your recovery time you reduce the frequency of your workouts. On the other hand, you should also rest as much as possible. Training is the only way to finally have results.

Do three sessions a week

This allows you to train each muscle twice, while also allowing you enough rest between two stimulations so that you can rest and grow. The volume of these training sessions may also be reduced.

However, depending on the week and the number of bodybuilding sessions, you will train on different days of the week, by combining different muscle groups each week. You want to change, take your training in hand and add a few extra pounds of muscle. Intensity techniques such as series, negative repetitions and super-sets will, therefore, be decisive for your results.

If training does not challenge your muscles, you will not grow. The main mistake I made for many years is that I had a high frequency of workouts for my muscles thinking that it would promote muscle gain. Therefore, during the third, fourth and fifth weeks, you should strengthen your arms three times a week. You must only do this, and no other sport during this period.

There are many different training programs for mass gain, and here are some ways to employ them. For example, wave periodization, which consists of simply increasing weight and repetitions at each training session, seems to be superior to other forms of periodization. Each training is therefore composed of the same exercises, but each one has a part of the body which is more targeted.

The principle is quite simple, you do these movements each session. Do as many sets as you want. The first week should also be designed to train your biceps and triceps.

But the program is exactly the same, only nutrition changes. Several studies have shown that when people had exceeded their limits for several weeks, they developed their muscle mass significantly during the two less intensive weeks that followed. The extra food will therefore only be used for muscle reconstruction.

Nutrition


Your body will react to the level of stimuli that you impose on it. In the case of muscle gain, nutrition becomes even more important. Because even if your program is perfect, if you do not have a muscle-gaining diet, you're not going to get muscle the way you want.

After your workout, your muscles are ready to absorb a large number of macronutrients to rebuild themselves and become stronger. Snacks are more easily digested than a large, hearty meal and are great if you get full quickly because of a small stomach volume.

Supplement appropriately

A good supplementation is essential to gain mass. It was when I started eating properly that I started to get muscle fast. On the other hand, you may wonder, “How do I determine my calorie intake?” Well pre-packaged dinners for men like Nutrisystem should make it simple to start eating healthier as well as to lose weight.

 

This type of training requires a lot of calories but produces good results. Three traditional meals and three snacks are recommended per day. There is no secret...if you want to build muscle you will have to provide your body all the tools necessary for muscle construction and your body builds muscle through a high-calorie diet. Therefore, do not forget that to gain muscle you need to eat a lot of protein.

LETS GET SOCIAL....

A Great Framework: Building Healthy Bones

/

As humans, we all benefit from a decent amount of structure. The greatest example of a structure in us, as people, is our bones. We may not be able to see them, but like depression and other internal issues, we feel them, but they’re not necessarily seen. So, what is the best way to build healthy bones, especially as bone density tends to weaken as we get older?

Boost Your Calcium Consumption

Yes, it may be obvious, but while people think that calcium is all they need to build healthy bones, this is not the main solution! The key is to pair calcium with vitamin D, as well as other key nutrients, like magnesium. If you have a diet rich in leafy green vegetables this will be a big help, but if you are struggling to fight a losing battle with a bone condition like osteoporosis, you may want to supplement your healthy diet. You can look at the AlgaeCal reviews on Amazon and see that a lot of people who are fighting osteoporosis or osteopenia have a lot of praise for it. However, remember that supplements aren’t a cure just by itself. You need to make sure you have the adequate diet in place to get the benefits of a wide range of nutrients, like vitamin K as well as Vitamin D, also known as the sunshine vitamin.

Delve Into Your Family History

If you have any concerns about your bones, you may want to do some research into your family history to see if there are any issues in your immediate family, such as a parent or a sibling. If you have any close members of the family who have had osteoporosis, you are more likely to develop it yourself.

Start Exercising!

It appears to be the cure all for many health issues, and your bone health is one of those. If you start to integrate weight-bearing exercises into your workout routine, such as running, skiing, or jump rope, these have been shown to keep the bones strong. It's also beneficial to start resistance training, by doing weightlifting or starting at home with body weight exercises.

Cut Down On Your Vices

Yes, unfortunately all those things that we like to consume to excess aren’t particularly good for our bones. Not just nicotine and alcohol, but caffeine has a big impact on how our bodies can absorb calcium. So it's is recommended to cut back on your caffeine intake, but not give up on it entirely, just as long as you have more than your adequate share of calcium in your diet, not just from milk, but leafy vegetables.

Get Out In The Sunshine

As previously mentioned, vitamin D has a sufficient impact on our ability to absorb calcium. If there isn't much sunshine where you live, and you can't get the recommended 10 to 15 minutes in the sun three times a week, you can get your vitamin D intake through shrimp, sardines, egg yolks, or tuna.

 

Building our bones as a strong framework for our body is a priority. It's what will make us run faster and feel much more vibrant. So it's important for you to take control of your bone structure now.

LETS GET SOCIAL...

From Yoga to Yogi: Advanced Yoga Made Basic

/

Something simple can quickly become over-complicated; especially when it’s trending and Instagrammers all over the world are crawling into complicated postures, preaching veganism, and attending hour-long meditations in the depths of forests. They seem to get through entire sun salutations entirely on their head, everything they eat is green, and their yoga outfits were last seen on a catwalk a couple of weeks ago.

Some of us would just like to practice in peace. If social media has taken the funk out of your favorite exercise and you’ve positively fallen out of love with your mat, it’s time to get back to basics.

Find comfort in the fact that yoga is more than 5000 years old and simply sniffs at all the hype around it these days. You can practice without having to be perfect - and enjoy its simplicity to the fullest.

Yoga as a way of life

For the best results, you should roll your mat out every day. It’s one of the things that makes yoga so difficult to grasp for those who have barely done it; while a lot of people go for a jog once a day, not everyone is able to incorporate meditation and breathing techniques while they’re at it. Yoga Karmasu Kaushalam means that yoga is perfection in action - one that has practiced for years already will strive towards perfection in their everyday activities, a calm and steady mind throughout the hustle of any week day.

This is perhaps the reason that so many people have been caught up in the hype lately. It is used as a counterbalance to the stressful lives we lead and a way to find peace in the midst of chaos. If this is what you’re looking for, you need to switch off your mind and find peace on your mat for at least half an hour everyday.

It doesn’t help to be inspired to perform an intricate dancer-pose because you saw someone do it and it looked amazing; you’ll just be bringing your expectations with you to the mat. Switch everything off and enjoy perfecting your own postures - if a yogi strives towards anything, it is to fall deeper into each pose and achieve her own goals of perfection.

The Sun and the Moon - Surya Namaskar and Chandra Namaskar

Did you know that there is a moon salutation as well as a sun salutation? While the latter is better known, the moon salutation aims to calm down the body and mind, preparing it for the evening. It is yin and yang where the moon is the yin, and the sun is the yang - energizing and preparing you for a day of activities.

The sun salutation is, of course, the perfect way to warm up before your practice. You might see these two different versions of namaskar as opposites or even independent; the truth is that, just like the sun and the moon, they rely on each other for balance and so should you.

Use the moon salutation to cool down at the end of a long session and as a calm, meditative exercise at the end of a long day.  

Every posture in the sun sequence is made to open your chest, close it up again, and stretch your way to deeper breathing. When you bend forward, your chest is closed; open it up in cobra, and close it again in downward facing dog. It makes sense, right?

The best way to embark on your path to yoga is incorporating at least a couple of sun salutations every day. Although most sessions should be about sixty to ninety minutes, including a warm-up, twists, standing poses, sitting poses, a few inversions, as well as ten minutes of meditation, it’s understandable that few of us are able to devote this much time every day. 

Do a couple of sun sequences on the days you’re a bit busier - and save the longer workouts for when you have the time and attention for it. Whatever you do, don’t rush your session. 

What should I wear?

From yoga pants to bodysuits, the active wear fashion has spread all the way over to our mats - unsurprisingly, perhaps. You should wear something you’re comfortable in, first of all, and avoid anything that’s too loose. 

If you prefer to go to a yoga studio, you’ll quickly notice how the rest of the class have a full view of your sports bra when you’re in an inversion - and you’ll most likely notice it already in downward facing dog. Even if you prefer to exercise at home, that loose-hanging fabric will tickle your nose and be a nuisance in general. 

Choose something tighter; if not to be sexy, then at least to be comfortable. 

Needless to say, you’re not going to be in better shape just by purchasing expensive outfits to exercise in. On the other hand, nice and soft clothes to slip into before your practice is a great way to boost your motivation and will make you feel a lot better than when you’re pulling that old top over your head, yet again. 

A good idea is to look for something discounted, such as the yoga stuff they have at DontPayFull.com so that you can sweat all over your new clothes without feeling bad about it. Find your yoga mat and something cozy to wear, first of all, and forget about the rest of the props; you don’t really need it.

That’s the great thing about yoga. Wherever you go, you’ll be able to enjoy your routine as all you really need is a healthy body. Use the lawn as a mat when you’re away, do it naked if you’re not in public, and love the feeling of not being in need of anything at all.

Breathing Techniques - Pranayama

What most people love about this exercise is that it is holistic. It incorporates your mind as well as your body, in other words, and the breathing techniques can remind a bit about those a therapist would recommend if you struggle with anxiety. Breathing is the single most important thing we do to keep ourselves alive - while we can go days without water and weeks without food, we can barely go a few minutes without breathing.

You should practice this together with a yoga teacher, first of all, and read more about it in yogajournal.com. The basic idea is that, to cool down your mind and stop the train wreck of racing thoughts, you need to bring attention back to the way you are breathing.

Start by lying flat on your back, knees bent, and your hands resting comfortably on your stomach. Breathe in slowly, give it a little pause, and exhale slowly again. Try to notice how the air flows through your body, and feel how your increased attention makes you breathe a bit deeper.

When you practice yoga, every movement should have a breath. It sounds odd when you’re holding a static pose, but the mindset will help you to stretch a bit further when you inhale - and fall deeper into the pose as you exhale. Your entire attention is focused on the pose you’re in, the exact moment you’re breathing in, stretching towards - and release.

The end of your session should include a bit of meditation. It can be as simple as just lying on your back, spine curled naturally and not pressed against the floor, focusing on your breathing, and feeling the calmness of a body that’s been well-exercised.

 

Sit in a few minutes of peace or even stand there if you like, and namaste - the moment is yours.

LETS GET SOCIAL....

Small Oversights That Are Damaging Your Health

/

Staying on top of your health is difficult these days. You can try to do all of the basic things that keep you healthy, but that isn’t always enough. There are so many things that can have an adverse effect on your health that you hadn’t even considered. Regardless of what you do, if you don’t realize that you’re making these mistakes, you could end up developing health problems a few years down the line. In order to help you keep on top of things, watch out for these hidden health mistakes.

Working Too Much

Most of us are working too much these days. Hours are getting longer and holidays are few and far between. We’re all getting emails sent straight to our phones and tablets so it feels like there’s no way to escape. If this is you, you could seriously be damaging your health in a number of ways. Firstly, spending so much time rushing around working makes it far harder for you to find the time to eat properly and get some exercise. The second problem is that if you’re burning the candle at both ends, you’re going to be incredibly stressed out. High stress levels can lead to serious mental health issues, as well as damaging your physical health later in life. Without taking proper time out to relax, this stress will only get worse until it becomes too much to handle and you’ll do yourself some serious harm.

Being Too Clean

Being clean is obviously good for your health. If you don’t clean yourself and your house often enough, you are exposing yourself to more germs that can make you sick, however, you can take it too far the other way. There are so many antibacterial products out there and people tend to think that they’re good for you. But the truth is, if you’re using them too much, you could be doing yourself more harm than good. Your immune system benefits from small amounts of bacteria because it gives it a chance to build its strength and better resist disease. If you’re using antibacterial cleaning products all of the time, your immune system will be weak and you’ll be more susceptible to illness. Recent research has actually found that increases in allergies are linked to an increased reliance on these kinds of antibacterial cleaning products. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use it all, but make sure that you aren’t going overboard.

Your Home

Your home could be a source of chemicals that are making you ill without you even realizing it. If you live or work in an older building, you could be exposed to asbestos which can cause serious illness in the long-term. Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is usually caused by asbestos exposure. If you’ve been affected, you could have a case for compensation. Contact a mesothelioma law firm to see whether you have a case. You could be awarded the money that you’ll need to have it removed and make your house safe again.

Radon is another dangerous chemical that could be leaking into your house without you realizing. It tends to affect older houses that have damaged foundations. Radon is one of the leading causes of lung cancer so if you’re being exposed to it, you need to know right away.

Eating Too Little

When people are dieting, they often make the mistake of eating too little. Instead of changing their habits and making them healthier, they just start cutting down on the amount of food that they eat. This doesn’t make you healthier, it just means that your body isn’t getting all of the nutrients that you need. You should be eating the same amount that you normally would, but make sure that you’re eating fresh ingredients that are actually good for you instead. If you aren’t getting enough calories, your immune system can suffer so not only are you lacking in nutrients, but you’re also going to be more likely to get sick.

Photo Credit

Photo Credit

Washing Vegetables

It’s a common myth that you need to wash all of your vegetables before you use them. It’s true that you need to wash a lot of them because they haven’t been washed already and they’re coated in bacteria. However, any products that are packaged are usually pre-washed. If you are unwrapping them and throwing them into the sink, you’re probably covering them in all sorts of bacteria that’s sitting in the sink and making them far dirtier than they were to start with. Always check the labels before to see whether they’re pre-washed or not.

 

All of these small mistakes can quickly add up and seriously damage your health, so make sure that you avoid them. 

LETS GET SOCIAL...

Health Precautions To Prioritize If You Want To Live A Healthy Life

/

When you decide that you want to commit to living a healthier lifestyle, your mind can often be buzzing with all of the different ideas you’re keen to put in place. Some of them will be really great for you, and others may be more hassle than they’re worth. However, it’s important to understand the small steps that may be able to make the most difference to your life.

First of all, there are better habits that you could think about adopting that can help your health levels overall. And the best news is, they’re all relatively easy to take on. When you’re trying to be healthier, it’s a misconception that you need to make drastic changes to your lifestyle and live in a bubble. Instead, there are a few key precautions that you need to take, as well as few simple steps, and you should find that you’re able to enjoy a healthier lifestyle overall.

Here’s how to get started.....

Staying Hydrated

It’s the age old suggestion that you’ll hear time and time again, but it’s repeated because it works. When you’re trying to take measures towards a better level of health, nothing can beat hydration. When you’re hydrated, you have more energy, your body functions better, and you’ll even get clearer skin. So what’s not to love? If you struggle to drink enough fluids, try adding different flavors in, sipping throughout the day, or even use an app that can remind you to drink up!

Staying Active

Another very effective preventative health measure is again nothing new, and you’re probably tired of hearing about it, but exercise really works. Not only does it keep you in good shape, but when you are in good shape, you’re at less risk of serious health problems like heart disease, high cholesterol, and obesity. Plus, when you commit to working out, you’ll often find that your mind is clearer, you have more energy, and that you feel better in yourself.

Avoiding Stress

One sure fire way to feel awful and harm your health is to let stress get to you. When you’re stressed out, you’re only doing yourself a disservice. Not only will your mind struggle, but your body can show signs of wear like tiredness, dry skin, and weight loss too. So, try to reduce your stress levels as much as you can. You may find that breathing, being present in the moment, switching off a bit more, and, as we just discussed, exercising can help too.

Getting Enough Sleep

Another key precaution to make sure you’re as healthy as possible is to get enough sleep. Now, that’s often easier said than done, but sleep is a magic healer. When our bodies sleep, they repair. Not only can you ensure that your health is at its peak by getting good quality sleep, but you will also find that you have more energy. So, focus on getting enough sleep, and you should notice a difference in your health.

Having Good Oral Health

Then you’ve also got your physical health to think about. Sometimes, there are only so many precautions that you can take. When it comes to your oral health, you may want to look into emergency dental care options in case you need them. However, regular checkups should suffice until you do. Plus, brushing twice a day, using mouthwash and flossing when you need to should be enough to keep the emergency appointments at bay.

Staying On Top Of Check Ups

Similarly, you should also make sure that you are on good terms with your doctor's office. You may feel like avoiding your doctor means that you have a good bill of health. But that’s not always the case. It’s healthy to have checkups. Whether you need to check your heart health, cholesterol, or blood pressure, look into any specialist care that you may need, or just have health MOT’s on a semi-regular basis, getting checkups is always a precautionary measure that you should aim to prioritize.

Avoiding Toxins

Lastly, you should also aim to avoid toxins as much as possible. Like stress, which is a kind of toxin in itself, toxins can have a significant impact on your health levels and stop you from leading a healthy lifestyle. In fact, you could benefit from going organic in life. Also, try to limit your alcohol intake and never binge drink, quit if you are a smoker, avoid processed and chemical-laden foods, and try to stay away from chemical beauty products too. Then, you should find that your body will run better.

LETS GET SOCIAL....

A Foolproof Guide To Developing Healthy Habits

/

When it comes to healthy habits, you probably know what you should be doing.

It would be difficult not to, in truth. The realities of the health decisions we make are made clear every single day. It’s fair to assume that most people will - at least in abstract - know the following things they should or shouldn’t do regarding their health:

  • Eat a healthy, balanced diet that is low in sugar and refined fats.

  • Eat a good amount of oily fish for optimal health.

  • Be neither over or underweight, instead finding a “just right” zone for yourself.

  • Exercise regularly, at least three times a week though preferably more.

  • Drink plenty of water, ideally around two liters per day.

  • Don’t binge drink alcohol or exceed your weekly recommended intake limit.

  • Don’t smoke cigarettes, period.

The above are pretty much the established things we all know we should do, but… don’t.

Life has a tendency to get in the way. You want to eat a healthy diet with meals at regular intervals, but then you have to work through lunch on a tough office project. You want to work out three times a week, but then you have a clash of social engagements and work-related events and you just don’t have the time. You know you shouldn’t drink excessively, but you’ve had a hard week, what’s an extra glass of wine going to do? And so on and so forth.

It’s fair to say that knowledge is not the problem when it comes to healthy habits. We all know them; they’re all repeated to us often enough. Just because we know something doesn’t mean we can do it; it’s the implementation that’s the problem. We’re busy; we get distracted; we forget just how important these things can be.

So how can you learn healthy habits - and keep them established?

 

#1 - Repetition

It takes 30 days to make a habit, or so the conventional wisdom goes. That means that to truly establish a good habit, you’re going to have to commit to it, every day, for 30 days.

So let’s take an example, an easy one to begin with: quitting smoking. If you go cold turkey when you quit smoking, the chances of success aren’t good. You’re far better off with nicotine replacement therapy or - most commonly - switching to vaping, which is generally considered to be a far safer alternative to tobacco. If you’re interested in using vaping to quit cigarettes then you can learn more at www.vaporescence.com/pages/aspire; for NRT ideas, or contact your doctor.

So on day one, you don’t smoke - and you don’t change that at all for 30 days. Try and see this as a 30 day stretch; ignore the fact that after 30 days, you still won’t smoke. Just focus on those thirty days; run a countdown; do anything you can to keep yourself on track for that period.

By the time the 30 days are up, you won’t even want to return to your bad habit. The new, better habit will have become the normal. It’s a psychological trick on yourself, but it’s incredibly effective if you get yourself to see through those 30 days.

#2 - Start Early

So let’s think about an exercise regime; perhaps you want to do yoga, thanks to the myriad of benefits it has to offer its practitioners.

If you plan to go to a yoga class at the end of the day - when you have already gone through an entire eight hours of work - then you’re not making it easy on yourself. You’re relying on the idea that you will have the time, effort, and inclination after a day that is already long enough. For the first few times you’re meant to do it, your newfound optimism and determination will be enough to get you into the studio - but it’s incredibly unlikely that's a routine you’re going to be able to continue.

So rather than tagging your new yoga routine at the end of the day, start with your new plan. Get up 20 minutes earlier and do yoga in front of the TV, while you wait for coffee to brew and your breakfast to cook. At this point in the day, you’ll be more open and receptive to the idea, because you’ve yet to tire yourself out with the stresses of a normal working day. If you need some advice on getting up earlier, then www.goinswriter.com/wake-up-early has got you covered.

This also means you can bask in the fact you’ve ticked off your new routine before most people have got out of bed. Allow yourself a little smugness - you’ve earned it!

#3 - Try Hypnotism

Sometimes, the best thing you can do to establish healthy habits is to make your existing habits distasteful to you. In comparison, the healthier way of doing things naturally becomes preferable.

But how do you make yourself dislike food that’s bad for you? We don’t eat junk food, sugar, and processed meals because we dislike them - we do it because they taste good. They are specifically designed to not only taste good, but make us want to come back for more and more. How can you possibly convince yourself they’re actually terrible, when your entire body is craving them?

Hypnotism might be the answer you’re looking for. Under clinical settings, a hypnotist can attempt to “rewire” the way you think about certain foods. Rather than seeing them as delicious, your brain can be awakened to associating them with ill health and feeling uncomfortable. The success of this depends on how susceptible you are to hypnotism in general, but you won’t know unless you find out.

 

Establishing healthy habits is difficult, especially if you’re trying to do everything at once. Nevertheless, it is possible to change the way your mind works and establish a reliable pattern that allows you to move forward in healthier, more beneficial ways. Repeat; trick; and even hypnotize yourself into seeing the light - you’ll be better off for it in every possible way.

LET'S GET SOCIAL...

Want To Wow This Summer? Eat A Balanced Diet!

/

Ladies love to look great every single day, but summer is the most important season on the calendar. When the temperature rises, the clothes come off and we tend to spend more time in social situations. So, when you are out with the girls baring more skin, it’s vital to be on top of your game. Plus, there is the beach to think about when you go on an inevitable summer vacation. For these reasons, women have wondered about the best way to wow. Well, The Kashonna Files can confirm it is all about your diet. If you are a non-believer, here are the reasons why. 

Photo Credit

Photo Credit

Nutrients Make Skin Glow

A balanced diet has a range of different nutrients, from L-lysine to cod liver oil and vitamins A to D. And, all of these elements have lots of benefits for a person’s skin. Why? It’s because they contain antioxidants which improve skin tone by reducing damage to the cells. Also, they keep skin less dry and moister, so there is less chance of an outbreak of spots. And, if that wasn’t enough, they can tackle conditions such as eczema and shingles. Studies show that butternut squash is the most powerful food to flatten bad skin.

And Thicken Hair

Don’t you get jealous when you see a woman on the street with luscious locks? Well, there is no need to anymore as the same nutrients that affect your skin work wonders on hair, too. It is mainly down to lysine as this is one of the amino acids which boost the production of keratin. Keratin, in general, is a skin protector as it limits the damage of external and internal factors, such as the cold and stress. Quite simply, it is the guardian of hair, so consuming more will increase volume. Methionine, Glycine and Proline are three other amino acids to implement into your diet for hair growth.

Weight Loss

It isn’t a secret, but it is worth remembering that a balanced diet helps to regulate body weight. Of course, losing a few pounds is always a good way to look and feel good, especially in the summer. To begin with, there is less reason to be anxious about because your body has fewer flaws. Also, there is the fact that losing weight is a health benefit. With less fat in your system, all of the bodily systems and functions are more effective. This can affect everything from skin to muscle tone and beyond.

Improves Mood

It’s easy to own the physical benefits, but the mental side of a balanced diet is very important, too. Let’s face it – everyone wants to enjoy the summer. The sun is out, so are the people, and everyone is having a good time. If you are not, it will affect your appearance. To begin with, you will seem as if you have a bee hive in your mouth, which isn’t attractive. Plus, a bad mental attitude can lead to stress.

 

And, the more you have in your system, the worse your body will look this summer.  

Ways Vanity Can Be Good For You

/

Everybody’s a little bit vain. Some people are just a little more open about it than others. You can’t help but inspect yourself in the mirror each morning; appearance is something that we give great important. Of course, none of that means anything if you only strive to “look” healthy and not actually “be” healthy. The greatest way to achieve the former is to strive for the latter. You can use vanity as the motivation to start looking after your body better, but the key here is that you should be doing things which are genuinely making you healthier and not just making you “look” healthier. Here are some ways in which vanity can be a good thing for you.

Getting into shape the right way.

Getting into shape is pretty much impossible when it feels like a chore, so you need to think about a way to approach exercise and healthy eating which suits your lifestyle. You could try small tricks such as switching your large dining plates for smaller ones so as to force yourself to prioritize healthier carbohydrates and nutrients in your meals rather than overloading on unnecessary extra food. Everything should be eaten in moderation (even healthy fruits and vegetables), so smaller dining plates could help with that. Making substitutions with empty carbs for nutritional carbs is also important.

 In terms of keeping your body active, don’t force the gym or cycling if neither of those activities are exciting to you. You want a form of exercise that you can stick to because it fits nicely in your routine. Perhaps walking or jogging are relaxing to you because you can enjoy the scenery of your local park as you do so. Perhaps you’ve always been keen on martial arts or swimming; there are so many different ways to get your body moving, so just find something that suits you. Maintaining muscle strength and cardiovascular health is important for your heart and your body as well as your appearance in the mirror.

The smart route to pearly whites.

Everybody wants white teeth, but not everybody cares about whether they’re healthy or not; you may have had them whitened, but does that say anything about plaque build-up or the healthiness of your gums? You should be flossing as well as brushing your teeth; avoiding plaque and tar build-up is the smartest way to avoid gum disease and other health problems with your teeth or mouth in general. You could always consider affordable dental care if you were put off visiting your last clinic regularly because of the expense, as your health shouldn’t be something that you have to put a price on; you should always prioritize it, and that goes without saying.

Sleeping well can improve your appearance.

Those bags under your eyes and your slouching posture are both things which diminish your appearance. Both could be improved by simply sleeping well because better energy levels mean better concentration and better posture in your office chair or at home (rather than slowly sinking into your seat as you begin to doze off). Of course, sleeping well is important for your body so many different ways. It’s not just about getting enough sleep but sleeping in a bed which supports your body and its posture. You don’t want to have aches and pains throughout the day; ensure your mattress is supportive. Ideally, you should change them every seven years.

Looking after your mind.

You might be wondering how your mental state could possibly affect your physical appearance, but there’s a clear link between the body and the mind. Your stress levels, for example, can have a huge effect on your facial appearance. Blemishes such as acne definitely flare up during periods of intense stress, so it’s important to work on taking better care of your mental health. Practice meditating to focus on centering yourself, and you might notice the physical benefits.

LET'S GET SOCIAL...

When Do You Need A Doctor?

/

It’s a good question, and a lot of people simply don’t have the right answer. Some people think that you should go to the doctor whenever you notice a change to your body and of course, this isn’t true. The human body is a weird place, and it can change without reason or rhyme multiple times through the year. A perfect example of this would be blood spots. Now, if you start to see tiny, pinprick dots on your body, you might be understandably worried. It can be difficult when we see a change and don’t know the cause, particularly if it doesn’t appear to be going away.

However, it’s important to understand that a condition like this can be caused by numerous factors. It can occur due to straining. So, if you’ve been lifting heavy items recently, that could be the cause for these blood spots. Or, maybe it’s just age. Lots of people develop these little spots as they get older and this can begin at age 25. Of course, if you look online, you’ll find one of the top results links petechiae to leukemia, but that doesn’t mean it’s the most likely cause. So, when should you visit the doctor?

When It Hasn’t Disappeared

Most changes to your body will disappear within two weeks. That’s true if you have a cyst on your body that you are convinced is a cancerous lump. If within two weeks, it’s gone, there’s no need to take a trip to the doctor. If it’s still there after two weeks, well that’s another matter. But don’t worry, it’s probably still nothing serious, it’s just better to be safe than sorry.

When It Gets Worse

Yes, some times over those two weeks your condition will get worse, or you will see new symptoms. At that point, you should definitely head to an urgent care clinic. The benefit of urgent care is that there are really no wait times. So, if you are worried about your condition, you can get treatment from a doctor immediately. It’s always best to tell someone about your condition first though so you can get a second opinion before taking a trip to the doctors.

It’s worth pointing out that there are plenty of diseases and illnesses where the outlook is brighter when noticed and treated early. However, two weeks won’t make that much of an impact on a diagnosis, and it can keep you from succumbing to paranoia.

When You’re Injured?

You might think that if you have been injured, there’s no reason to visit a doctor. Particularly, if there seems to be no sign of pain or even any permanent damage. Do be careful though because the human body is quite odd. Pain can develop weeks or even months after an injury if it hasn’t been treated properly. That’s why you want the advice of a doctor whenever you suffer an injury.

Hopefully, this advice will help you decide when it’s actually time to see a doctor to stay in good health and when you should just wait for your symptoms to pass.

LET'S GET SOCIAL...