Burn Fat With Cardio Kickboxing And Kettlebells
January 30, 2008 | 1 Comment
Photo by Ganessas
Cardio Kickboxing is by far the hardest form of exercise I have ever done.
But it is also the most rewarding. Never have I felt stronger or more fit than I do now since cardio kickboxing has become a regular part of my daily routine. Cardio kickboxing is non-contact kickboxing which combines boxing, martial arts, and aerobics while giving a total body workout. It is a high intensity, high impact form of exercise that provides amazing health benefits to the body.
For instance,
- It will burn anywhere from 350 to 500 calories per hour (or more).
- It burns lots of fat and creates lots of muscle.
- It reduces and relieves stress.
- It will make you feel more empowered and confident.
- It will teach you simple self-defense moves.
- And if you keep your heart rate elevated by including a lot of jumping, bobbing, and weaving amongst your punches and kicks, your cardiovascular system will benefit too.
Cardio-kickboxing provides a full-body workout. If you do the jabs, punches, and kicks with power, you’ll strengthen your upper body and will start to see nice muscle definition. The kicks will strengthen your hamstrings and give you a nice shape in the legs. And the knee strikes will help firm your abdominal muscles.
But I have a second addiction, and it’s called Kettlebells.
Kettlebells is another fitness phenomenon that is changing the shape of bodies. Kettlebells (which look like a tea kettle without the spout) is a low-impact workout that can benefit overall health and wellness in just 20 to 30 minutes a day … and in only two or three days a week. Made of cast iron, they are available in a variety of weights and you can find them at your local Target or Dick’s, and, of course, you can find them along with training DVDs on eBay! By lifting and extending the weights away from the body in slow movements, they, like cardio-kickboxing, offer a full-body workout. With regular use, you’ll get improved strength, flexibility, balance, and muscle tone in half the time as other workouts. And it burns lots of body fat! Because this is a low-impact workout, even those with back problems can benefit. Check out this video of a Kettlebell workout.
The best reasons for a good exercise program are that it can slow down or even reverse the aging process while making you healthier. To really get healthy though, you need both cardio activities and weight training. Cardio kickboxing and Kettlebells both provide cardio and strength training. They both will give you a well-toned body and the look and feel of an athlete.
Let me know what exercise program works for you.
Technorati Tags: cardio kickboxing, Kettlebells, burn fat, sexy abs, strength training, weight training
Lybrel: Freedom From The Dreaded Curse?
January 29, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Photo by Dusdin
Some women feel menstrual suppression liberates women. Others feel it is a threat to womanhood.
In July 2007, Lybrel entered the market as the first oral contraceptive designed not only to prevent pregnancy, but also to eliminate periods. And with this new pill, many women yelled, “freedom!”
The use of oral contraception to prevent menstruation has been around for a long time. But in the past it was kept quiet and only recommended to women who had unbearable menstrual pain or other health issues. But according to Natural Resources Magazine, doctors are saying that they are receiving Lybrel inquiries from young women with reasons ranging from camping trips to being sexually active. So, have we entered the era of no periods?
Some women see menstruation as a sign of good health and an important part of womanhood. It is natural and it shouldn’t be messed with. But others see it very differently. In fact, it is quite the controversy and women seem to be divided on the issue. We now have TV ads implying that periods are bad, disabling, and most importantly, unnecessary unless you are planning to have a baby. We are told not to worry though as we can stop them and finally be freed from the dreaded curse, thanks to Lybrel.
Things every woman should know before taking Lybrel.
First, I’ll state the benefits Lybrel provides. Lybrel prevents unwanted pregnancies and it stops menstruation which can be quite painful for some and simply quite bothersome for others. Women can take Lybrel for the sake of convenience when vacations and honeymoons are being planned. And I cannot leave out that taking contraceptive pills, even the conventional kind, decreases the risk of ovarian cancer by 40 percent.
But it is just as important to know the risks as it is to know the benefits. The risks which we know about are the ones that come with all birth control pills. Mainly, estrogen levels in contraceptive pills can be four times higher than the levels during a regular menstrual cycle. And research shows that as a result of these higher levels, women taking the pill double their risk for strokes and heart attacks. The pill has also been linked to depression and cervical cancer.
There could be long-term risks that we do not yet know about.
With continual-use pills, such as Lybrel, being on the rise, there is the possibility that we will start seeing an increase in risks. Leading concerns include,
- Women taking these new pills may have significant bone loss compared to women not taking the pills.
- There may be more estrogen than the breast tissue can handle.
- Some doctors feel that bleeding cleanses a woman’s body of harmful elements. Menstrual suppression may prevent the cleansing of precancerous cells in the uterine lining.
Only time will tell, of course. And whether research proves that menstrual suppression is safe or dangerous, either way, Lybrel is bound to teach us more about the health benefits of a menstrual cycle.
Technorati Tags: Lybrel, menstrual suppression, dangers of oral contraception, the pill
Queen Latifah Speaks Out On Diabetes and Losing Weight
January 22, 2008 | 1 Comment
Photo by Mel B.
Queen Latifah, now a diabetes spokesperson, has joined Jenny Craig and hopes to lose 5-10% of her body weight.
Her reason for doing so: “I am taking the first step to improving my health by announcing my goal to lose 5-10% of my body weight with Jenny Craig. My hope is to help educate people and motivate others to take their first step to have a positive impact on their health. By losing just 7% of your body weight, and increasing weekly activity, you can lower the risk of developing type II diabetes by 58%.”
The Back In Skinny Jeans blog asks its readers if they find it disappointing that Queen Latifah, who has always spoken about how proud she is of her full figure, is now promoting a weight loss program. So what do you think, inspiring or disappointing? Will people see this as a let down or will they be motivated to lose weight? Here’s how I see it.
Queen Latifah is a new spokesperson for a Type 2 diabetes campaign. Her Grandmother had Type 2 diabetes whom Queen Latifah watched become sick and fragile from this disease. According to Queen Latifah, her Grandmother “lost her leg, part of her sight, and eventually her life.” Obviously, Latifah’s personal connection is a motivation for becoming a spokesperson. And as a spokesperson for diabetes, she needs to state the risks of dying from diabetes among the overweight. Yet, on the flip side, Queen Latifah is a full-sized woman and a gorgeous one at that. She sets the perfect example that larger women can be beautiful, successful, and accepted. She has publicly stated she is proud of her body, and she should be. But being both beautiful and content with our size does not protect us from illnesses which we acquire due to the excess fat we are carrying. Being content does not make us exempt from bad health and/or an early death. Queen Latifah is in the spot light. She is admired by many and looked up to. She reminds us all that fuller women should be accepted for their size. Yet, for her to be standing in front of her peers and claiming there is nothing wrong with excess weight can be quite dangerous.
While I am grateful that Queen Latifah’s image tells young women to be happy no matter what their size, I think it is a good thing that she is now telling them to take control of their health. She is not claiming that women need to be a size 6. She has learned from a bad experience, and she wants to pass that knowledge on to others before it is too late for them. I applaud her for that.
Technorati Tags: Diabetes, Queen Latifah, Jenny Craig, weight loss
There’s A Health Carnival, And We Are There!
January 21, 2008 | 1 Comment
Photo by Sister72
Carnivals are great, and this one you can attend and never leave home.
Our friends at FitBuff.com hold a weekly “Total Mind And Body Fitness Blog Carnival“ and this week they’ve included my article titled, “The Race To Good Health.” Thanks, FitBuff! It would be well worth a person’s time to check out this carnival as it includes health related articles on exercise, nutrition, grooming, money, sex, stress, work, and even brain power. Looks like they’ve got us covered.
Please send me your e-business card.
I would love to meet the people who are reading my blog. Over the weekend I’ve joined Entrecard and now you can send me an Internet business card. Entrecard is a new service … only a couple months old …. but is quickly gaining popularity. It is a great way to get to know other bloggers and I’ve already met quite a few. It also provides you an opportunity to advertise on other blogs without spending a dime. If you would like to send me a card, find the Entrecard in the column on the right and click on “drop yours.” Or if you want to learn more about Entrecard before joining, Problogger covers it pretty well.
Technorati Tags: health blog carnival, FitBuff.com, Entrecard
Topics Other Health Blogs Are Talking About
January 20, 2008 | 1 Comment
Photo by Bru
Here is a list of posts I found interesting over the week and wanted to share. Hopefully, you’ll find them of interest too.
Did you know that flouride is slightly more toxic than lead?
So one has to ask then, why is it in our toothpaste and our drinking water? Dr. Wang over at Green Health Spot discusses how studies are now showing that flouride is more toxic than scientists orginally believed. Read about her flouride concerns here.
Do you have an addiction to junk food?
Wellness Junction provides us 5 Ways To Quit Eating Junk Food. Many of us eat junk food because of “lack of time.” But it quickly becomes a habit and it leads to obesity. If it is a habit you need to change, perhaps this article can help.
Are you thinking about buying an abs machine?
Well, don’t! At least not before reading the Diet Blog’s humerous take on it. In its article, “Don’t Buy Another Ab Machine: Read This First,” we find out what an ab machine will and will not do for us. Don’t be fooled by the gorgeous models demonstrating the machines.
Everyone loves free stuff.
Fat Man Unleashed is providing to its readers a free “Blogger Proof Workout Ebook” … a simple workout for bloggers who don’t normally workout.
Occasionally, I’ll be linking to great articles that I’ve run across. If you know of any good health and wellness articles that you want to share with me, please post the links in the comments and I’ll check it out!
Technorati Tags: safety of flouride, junk food, abs machine, free ebook
The Race To Good Health
January 17, 2008 | 2 Comments
Photo by Jef Poskanzer
“The person who learns the power of sacrifice is the person who will accomplish great things.”
That quote can relate to many things, but for the purposes of this blog, I am using it in reference to good health. With the new year still just beginning, many of us have just recently reset our health plans for the year. That usually means … losing weight, eating healthier, exercising, fighting an illness, or all of the above. But usually by the end of January we have already lost faith in reaching our goals and many of us will, quite honestly, give up. Good health can add years to your life. Don’t be one of the many who loses faith. When you strive for better health, you are in a sense entering a race … not against others, but against life. In most races, only one person wins the prize. But in this race, we can all run together and we can all win. In this post I will share with you some essentials to winning the race for good health.
Prepare for the most important race.
- Discipline yourself. One of the biggest reasons why we fail in reaching our goals is we lack discipline. We have good intentions to achieve our goals. We’ll even spend lots of money on the latest gadgets which we believe to be the answer to our problems. But even the best equipment is worthless if we don’t have the discipline. In order to achieve, we have to discipline ourselves to change our habits, change our planning, and change our efforts. We must discipline ourselves or we will never cross the finish line. We must get serious!
- Set goals. Goals are a must, but before you set your goals in this race, be confident that you have the passion to finish. Do not set goals until you have passion.
- Have Aim. When you run the race, don’t run without a reason. State your reasons for the goals you set. Then aim to finish the race. Run in such a way as to get the prize. Run to win.
- Go into strict training. Any athlete who competes in a race goes into strict training, and this race should be no different. Everyone who pays the price of careful training can win. Put yourself in training and expect to experience a little agony.
- Hurdle the obstacles. Obstacles hinder us and most of us are experts at letting excuses stop us in our tracks. We don’t have enough time in our day or money in our pocket. Jump over anything that will hinder you and keep going. And eliminate bad attitudes which can also be an obstacle. Bad attitudes limit you.
- Maintain self control and sacrifice. No one will be in control of their health without some sacrifice. And no one will be successful without some sacrifice. You have to take control of your health in order to win victory, and sometimes that’s not much fun. Finish the race, even when you are hurting.
Technorati Tags: health, wellness, weight loss, fitness
Why You Should Skip The Dry Cleaning And Do Your Laundry At Home
January 15, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Photo by batega
Your dry-cleaned clothing could be harming your health.
You may be breathing in a carcinogen from your work clothes and not even be aware you are doing so. That is because three out of four dry cleaners use the chemical PERC (perchloroethylene) as their primary solvent for cleaning clothes. The EPA calls PERC a possible-to-probable carcinogen which could over time lead to an increased cancer risk, memory loss, liver and kidney illness, and birth defects. The most common symptoms one may encounter are irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat; dizziness; fatigue; nausea; and other problems with the nervous system. Dry cleaners love PERC because it washes even the most delicate fabric without fading or shrinking. And many people who have worked in the dry cleaning industry for years will argue it’s safety stating that PERC is perfectly safe when used properly. But the state of California believes in it’s dangers so strongly that it became the first state in the nation to ban PERC, calling it a health threat. In fact, California ordered PERC to be phased out over the next 15 years and it plans to be a completely PERC-free state by 2023.
What should you do to be on the safe side?
- Remove clothing from dry cleaning bags immediate. Do this outdoors or in a garage so as not to release PERC inside your home.
- Allow your clothes plenty of time to air out before wearing them or bringing them inside, preferably 4-5 days.
- Don’t wear dry-cleaned clothes daily. The more you wear them, the bigger the risk.
- Find a dry cleaner that uses non-perc alternatives, which are better for the environment and for us. Go here to find a greener cleaner near you.
- Stop buying clothes that require dry cleaning. This will save you money too!
Some clothes marked “dry clean only” can actually be handwashed, such as cashmere and wool. Use a delicate cleaner such as The Laundress Wool & Cashmere Shampoo. Be careful of shrinkage though and lay the garments flat to dry.
Technorati Tags: PERC, dangers of dry cleaning
The Benefits Of A Power Nap
January 11, 2008 | 2 Comments
Photo by Willem
A 20 minute power nap is like pushing the reset button.
Many people associate mid-day napping with laziness. The truth is an afternoon power nap will supplement your normal sleep by providing rejuvenation. It can help you function better throughout the remainder of the day and it has several health benefits.
A power nap can:
- improve memory
- lessen afternoon drowsiness
- create more alertness, productivity, and energy level
- reduce the risk of heart disease
- reduce stress hormone levels
- refresh the mind and improve creativity
But here are some things to keep in mind so that your nap doesn’t leave you feeling more tired than rejuvenated.
Try to limit the power nap to 30 minutes, and never nap more than 90 minutes. If your nap is too long, it may end up disrupting your nighttime sleep schedule. Plus you don’t want to enter a normal sleep cycle without being able to complete it. Doing so can result in grogginess, disorientation, and being sleepier than you were before the nap. Also try to eliminate all sound and light from the room. And never try to substitute your nap for a good night’s sleep. While power naps can improve one’s health, they alone cannot keep you healthy.
Technorati Tags: power nap, sleep, health and wellness
5 Top Reasons Why Women Don’t Get Mammograms
January 10, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Photo by Brian U
What do wine, women, and mammograms equal?
A midnight mammogram soiree! And in some areas, midnight parties of wine, cheese, and mammograms are exactly what doctors are resorting to in an effort to entice women to get their mammograms. This is great and it can make the process of getting a mammogram a lot more fun, but you shouldn’t wait for an invitation to a party before getting a mammogram.
Mammograms save lives. Some studies show that mammograms decrease breast cancer mortality by 25 to 50 percent. Yet, even though many women know the risk, they don’t make time to get their yearly mammogram. The American Cancer Society reported that by 2005, mammography rates had decreased by four percent nationwide. The researchers couldn’t say why women aren’t getting mammograms, but here are some of the most common excuses:
- It’s too uncomfortable. True, but the entire process only lasts twenty minutes.
- It’s too expensive and my insurance doesn’t pay. Mammograms generally costs between $200 and $250 and part of the cost is usually covered by health insurance or Medicare. If you lack either of those options, call Susan G. Komen’s Cure’s Breast Care Helpline at 1-800-I’M AWARE (1-800-462-9273) for information on finding a low-cost mammogram.
- My schedule doesn’t allow the time. Early detection may result in fewer surgeries later.
- The radiation exposure may increase my risk of getting cancer. Radiation exposure from mammography equipment has been reduced by as much as 50 percent in recent years.
- I’m afraid of the results. Yes, but it could mean the difference between life and death.
Questions to ask.
Mammography is the best method of detecting breast cancer at its early stages, which means a higher chance of survival. Women 40 and over should have a mammograph once a year. Women who are a high risk for cancer should start sooner. And if you have concerns, here are some questions to ask when you schedule your next mammogram (or midnight wine party):
- Does your radiologist have training in mammography? Training is essential for obtaining the best images with the least possible radiation and for properly reading those images.
- Do you use “dedicated” mammography equipment? This means the equipment is designed specifically for mammography and provides the best mammographs with as little radiation as possible.
- How often is your mammography equipment inspected? It should be annually.
Technorati Tags: mammogram, breast cancer
Breathe Better: What Is A Neti Pot And How To Use It
January 9, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Photo by MegElizabeth
Did you know that some countries have water bags hanging on poles with a hose so people can get a nasal cleansing when they pass by?
But fortunately, most of us have access to Neti Pots. A Neti Pot
Take a look at the benefits:
- Using the Neti Pot each day will keep nasal passages clear of airborne particles of dust and pollution.
- Regular use helps to alleviate chronic allergies and other sinus conditions such as asthma and hayfever.
- Water irrigation is a natural alternative to antibiotics, decongestants, and antihistamines.
- Nasal cleansing soothes dry nasal linings.
- When used at the first onset of a cold, it may stop it from developing, and if you already have a cold, it will help you heal faster.
- Regular use may reduce headaches and sleep problems.
- May even help smokers stop smoking.
How to use the Neti Pot:
Although you may be skeptical at first, once you get past the first treatment, it’s easy to use! Fill the Neti Pot with lukewarm water. Add 1/4 teaspoon non-iodized salt and stir until completely dissolved. Then pour the water mixture into one nostril while the head is tipped forward. Lean forward so as not to swallow salty water and be sure to breathe through your mouth. The water will drain out through the other nostril. Blow your nose to get all the water out. Then repeat on the other nostril. Use once a day to keep nasal passages clear. Use twice a day if you feel a cold coming on.
If not used right, you may encounter these problems:
- A stinging sensation in the nose (similar to water in the nose while swimming). This may occur because the water was too cold or too hot, or there was too little salt, or the salt was not completely dissolved.
- Water running down the back of the throat. This occurs when the head is not tilted properly. The chin should be tucked in a little with your forehead titled forward.
Neti is not new. It has been used by practitioners of yoga and ayurveda in India for hundreds of years. But only in the last few years has it taken off in the U.S. You can buy Neti Pots at health food stores or some pharmacies. For most people, the results are instant with easier breathing.
Technorati Tags: Neti Pot, Allergies, Sinus Problems
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