Archive for September, 2007

How to Plan Like a Pro

It's one thing to tell people to plan their workout and their exercise programs. It's another thing to know how to do it. I know this is one of the most common questions I get - how do I make a plan that will work? How do you fit the schedule in with everything else that's going on? Let's talk about that so we can learn to plan like a pro.

How To Do It

Start by making a list of all the things you have to do. Put these things into three categories. The first category is all the things you have to do (it should include things like taking the kids to school, grocery shopping, going to work, after school activities). The second category should be things you want to do, but don't necessarily need to do (catching your favorite television program, going to a movie, having a lunch date with the girls at the office) and the third part is the things you want to do (a hiking vacation, a trip to the mall, getting your nails done).

Once you have all of these events, sit down with a calendar and fill in your schedule. Be sure to include the rest of the family's activities and responsibilities. Once you have it all out on paper, look for empty slots, times that you do not have booked for something. Once you have all of these events, sit down with a calendar and fill in your schedule. Be sure to include the rest of the family's activities and responsibilities. Once you have it all out on paper, look for empty slots, times that you do not have booked for something. These are places where you can make exercise happen.

You can be very effective in your workout program if you are doing two sets of 15 minute workouts or 3 sets of 10 during any given day. Sometimes it can be hard to find 30 to 45 minutes to work out, but we can all find 10 minutes.

Now, once you have the times booked out. Plan what you need to have. For example, I always keep a pair of walking shoes in my car. Whether I am in an office, teaching at school or running errands, I have the walking shoes with me to do the workout I need or want to do. When I had access to a gym on a regular basis, I used to keep a fresh set of workout clothes in a duffle in my trunk. That way if I had time to swing by the gym, I always had my clothes with me.

Be Creative

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My daughter takes two dance classes a week and that's 45 minutes of just sitting there time unless I am creative with it. Most times I read my text books, my current book or work on my laptop. But when the weather is great, I throw on my shoes and start walking. What ways can you incorporate exercise into your day?

Tips for strong hair

Hair is an important part of our personality that we are proud of. It is a challenge to keep it secure from day to day dust and pollution. Everyone wants their hair to be more beautiful, strong, silky and shiny. But most of the people face lots of hair problems, and they suffer to maintain the natural elegance properly. There are numerous hair experts who offer tips for strong hair. Hair care is important both for men and women.

With proper attention and by following proper tips for strong hair, you can reduce the chances of hair loss to a large extent. Several people use a lot of market products for their hair, but many of them have strong side effects.

Here are some tips for strong hair :

  • Smoothly comb your hair, a rough combing can cause hair loss. Do not comb your hair in the opposite direction. This also can cause hair falling.
  • Do not comb wet hair. You should first dry your hair with a towel, it’s always better to let your hair dry naturally, then put some oil and gently massage it.
  • Apply coconut milk to alternate with the salon hot oil treatments. Use it into the scalp and hair with a cotton ball. Leave on overnight and shampoo in the morning.
  • Verify the quality of your cosmetic products. Do not use harsh detergent based shampoos, or even bad soaps. They tend to make your hair extremely dry, leaving it without the necessary oil and moisture content. Always prefer mild shampoos, and also it is necessary to apply a conditioner after each shampoo.
  • If you have fine hair, use shampoos that include wheat proteins and polymers. These elements make your hair look thicker by covering the hair shaft. You do not need to apply various market products, which may damage your hair. Remember this tip to make your hair strong.
  • Be conscious about your scalp condition. Several types of cosmetics should be suitable to your hair. People with dry hair should apply moisturizers to maintain the normal oil balance of their hair. People with oily hair can rinse their hair on a regular basis, but only with a pH-balanced mild shampoo.
  • A well balanced diet is essential for your hair. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables to get protein, complex carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and iron is necessary for healthy and strong hair.
  • You can get rid of dandruff with anti-dandruff shampoos. Make a mixture of two teaspoons of vinegar and six teaspoons of water and apply it on the scalp before you go to bed.

Motivation Trees

I went to the doctor a couple of days ago because I wasn't feeling great, I'd had a persistent cough I couldn't get rid of and it was really messing with my workout and my plans. I was frustrated; I've had enough with the health problems this year beginning with my husband's emergency surgery last December to my surgery in February to the most recent escapade getting my wisdom teeth taken out. So when I discovered that I had walking pneumonia - well let's just say my attitude was less than thrilled. I mean seriously, who did I annoy?

Motivation Trees

That being said, it's really difficult to get motivated when you are constantly tripping over stumbling blocks along the way. In fact, it can be downright discouraging. The best way to cope with this kind of disappointment and struggle, in my opinion, is to tackle your motivation head on. A motivation tree lets you free think your way to the motivation that will work for you.

How do you do this?

Start by getting a piece of paper and a pen. Go ahead, I'm right here and I'll wait for you to get it. Got it? Good. Now, write your name in the center of the paper and put a little circle around it. From that circle draw a line and write the first thing that comes to mind with regard to your fitness. You might write:

  • Need to lose weight
  • Need to build endurance
  • Not happy with it
  • What fitness?
  • Exercise, blegh
  • Love it, can't live without it

Now, circle that phrase or word. Once you've done that, go off to another corner and write where you'd like your fitness to be. Whether it's top conditioned, athletic or just in enough shape to keep up with the kids. I once wrote a dress size there. You want to put a box around that.

Now, between where you are and where that box is, you have several paths you can take. Brainstorm away and write down all the things you can think of that would work for you. You might write personal trainer. You might write gym membership or partner. You might write down this blog. Whatever it is you can think of, write it down. Circle all the ones that are doable. Put a triangle around the ones that you'd like but are impossible and put a square around those that you could do if you make the time.

Some things will have squares and circles or squares and triangles. That's okay. Now, plot a course between your name, your first circle and that initial square you made by drawing a line from each through all the other squares on the page.

Now you have a plan - and once you see it on paper, you'll be amazed by how motivated you are to find a way to make all of that happen.

Blame parents for Obesity in Children

Most of us will not accept that parents are the reason behind their child having obesity. It is not just because of genes, doctors say, but it could be parents negligence that children might end up being obese.

Child psychologists say that the same parents who help their children with studies, and games, do not help their children with exercise. Instead here are some tips that parents can try and remember and help their child:

  • Spend 5-10 minutes with children talking about nutrition in a playful and yet a serious manner.
  • Take a walk before/after supper and state the reasons why you do it.
  • Eat together whenever possible. Do not try and sit in front of TV or Laptop while you eat.
  • Know your child’s dietary habits at school.

Also, if as a parent you are already aware that your child is overweight, and is feeling embarrassed by it, you need to take even more care. You need to inculcate in them that they can work on their weight,. Also tell them that the best answer to any kind of ‘comments’ on their weights is to loose weight! But make sure you do that with of lot of careful words.

Home Remedies for Stinking Feet

Feet stink while you wear shoes. If your foot remains wet, bacteria makes them stink and if they are too dry, fungi make them stink. Persistent feet stink is because of the combination of both the situations.

Stinking feet are very much curable. The only word that can keep you from feet stink is “Hygiene”. Here are a few tips to keep your feet from stinking:

  • Change your socks every two days. If you have more than one pair of shoes keep changing the pairs in three days time.
  • Wash your feet after removing your socks and wipe them dry.
  • Use synthetic socks instead of cotton ones. This is because cotton socks retain moisture and synthetic socks don’t.
  • For people who have severe feet stink, try soaking your feet in tea. The tannin in tea helps prevent bacteria.
  • When the shoes start stinking, put them in a plastic bag and keep them in the freezer for 24 hours and that will kill the bacteria.

If you are unable to control the bad odor then perhaps you need medical help. Doctors or podiatrists will prescribe anti-fungal and anti-bacterial medicine to help you combat stinking feet.