Back Pain

90% of Americans have suffered with back pain at one point or another. Lower back pain is second (behind the common cold) in reasons for missing work as well. Millions of daily tasks can cause stress on our backs. Between poor posture during the day, and intra-abdominal disorders, taking care of our back has fallen as a low concern.

If you experience pain through your front, side or down your leg, it may be connected with your lower back pain (although some only feel pain in their back). The pain may become worse with movement, or with prolonged sitting like in a long car ride or at work.

To help with the pain, consider sleeping with a pillow between your knees on your side. The use of heat or cool therapy has also helped many with back issues. Most experts agree that a long rest period will help those with back related problems.

However, there are several methods of prevention to this extremely common threat. Exercising can be a real danger to back related problems. If you are using machines incorrectly or with poor posture, you’re putting your back at risk. Also, depending on your mattress, you could wake up feeling tight and tense in your back.

Abdominal crunches have been shown to decrease back pain. When they are performed correctly, they strengthen your stomach muscles which help your back as well. Stretching before or after any physical activity will be most helpful to your back. Consider stretching when you wake up if your back feels sore from the past night, or when you get up from sitting all day in the office.

Your back is your biggest muscle, yet most ignored. Take time to take care of it now and you’ll save yourself pain later on. Have you ever experienced severe back pain? What activities cause the most pain for you?

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Burst Exercising

Ever been to the gym and look over at the girl on the treadmill next to you, just to be discouraged to see she’s been running for the past 45 minutes? Don’t be. Researchers have found that several short bursts of exercise are actually the same if not more effective than slaving in the gym all day.

Working out for three 10 minute doses is actually very beneficial. The downtime allows your muscles to regain the oxygen they lose during a long workout, and therefore after a few burst, your muscles are stronger from the renewed oxygen supply.

In addition, after jump starting your body with a quick workout, your body continues to assume it’s in workout mode for awhile afterwards. This means, you can be sitting in the car, and sitting in your office and your muscles will just be finishing their job. Consider the advantage of tricking your body into working out longer three times daily instead of once.

Another perk of burst workouts is the variety. In the Seattle Times article, a personal trainer says that keeping the same routine at the gym becomes mundane for you and your body. Soon your body begins to understand the pattern and stops responding as it first did.

The variety in burst workouts is also great for women on the go. A morning workout doesn’t sound so bad when you think about it lasting for as long as your coffee takes to brew. During lunch hour, the idea of walking the stairs in your building at a brisk pace sounds do-able when you consider you’ll be 2/3 done with your daily workout afterwards. At night, jog with the dog half way around the block, and walk the rest. What’s your typical workout schedule? If you split your day into workout bursts, what activities would you do?

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Red Wine vs. Grape Juice

Whining about keeping up with the suggested glass a day? Replacing your red wine with grape juice may actually be better for you. Research has found that the health benefiting aspects of red wine are found in grape juice as well.

Additionally, the recommended portion of red wine/grape juice intake is about 12 oz a day, making grape juice a better choice than wine. Doctors have found that grape juice helps the blood from clotting, as does wine; however the amount necessary to prevent clotting would make someone legally intoxicated.

Grape juice has also been proven to linger in the body longer than wine, creating longer lasting effects. Make sure you’re drinking a good dark purple juice, and nothing something loaded up with sugar, and you’ll find the same great advantages as wine lovers and be able to drive home.

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There's nothing quite like getting sympathy gift baskets on your special day. Corporate gift baskets can come in all sizes and shapes depending on what type of gift basket you want to give. Some of the popular kinds of gift baskets include gift baskets for men, wine gift baskets and Tex-Mex gift baskets.

Whiten With Food!

After reading the new post on one of my favorite blogs, Faking Good Breeding, I decided to explore some other options for daily dental hygiene. Clean white teeth have become society’s obsession lately. Through all the products and treatments promised to work, there may be an easier way to take care of your mouth.

Monitoring what you eat and drink can affect the health of your teeth and gums. This article gives a couple helpful tips on teeth-friendly foods.

It explains that it’s not the amount of sugar in your diet that produces cavities, but when you decide to eat it. Eating a few sweets with lunch or dinner is the best option to keep your teeth clean. The other foods continue to help produce saliva in your mouth which washes out the sugar from sticking to your teeth.

The article also suggests staying away from sticky foods, like honey, jams and jelly because they tend to stick between your teeth increasing the risk of bacterial infections. And of course, drinks like coffee, tea, sodas and fruit juices can be just as harmful and break down tooth enamel.

Think about using a straw when possible. It will limit the contact liquids make with teeth. Also, after snacking, consider rinsing your mouth with water, eating a small piece of cheese, or chewing some sugar free gum. All of these options act as a cleanser for bacteria left in your mouth.

With all that in mind, consider sticking to all around healthy snacking. Fruit, vegetables and whole grains were among the many listed to promote strong teeth.

Healthy Shortcuts- Snacking

My prime snacking weakness time comes when a busy day is ending. If I haven’t had time for a good dinner, I’ll find myself trying to make up for it with snacking through part of the night. It’s easy to feel bad after not making time to eat right.

However, there are several ways to avoid the post snack guilt by snacking smart. By thinking about snacking before the hunger bug hits, you can save yourself extra pounds plus stretch your dollar on snack goods. Even if you aren’t big into snacking, these tips can also help control portion sizes at meal times, or give you a new plan for food on the go.

1. Prepackage your snacks-

When you come home from the grocery store with a bag of pretzels and crackers, repackage them into plastic baggies. This allows you to control your intake of snack foods plus makes that $2 box of crackers last much longer than it normally would have. Pre-packaging also makes heading out the door in a hurry a little brighter with easy to go treats.

2. Mix your own-

This may sound overwhelming but I promise it takes only minutes. Consider gaining more power over your snacks. Creating your own trail mix of dried fruit, cereal, and nuts is a great way to take the reigns over your cravings. Your need for salty and sweet can be satisfied in one snack, and you can mix and match for endless possibilities.

3. Don’t feel forced-

When friends or family pop over, don’t feel obligated to supply the typical chips and candy. Think about jazzing up the basics so you can feel comfortable snacking with a group. Consider making your own chips (slice pita bread, lightly coat with olive oil, salt and pepper and bake until golden brown), and pairing them with light cheeses or fruit slices. For those feeling adventurous, try whipping up your own dips by combining low fat store bought cheeses or whirling diced tomatoes, peppers and lime juice in a food processor.

Also, Really Useful Fitness blog has a great article posted on 10 smart snacking foods.

These tips are just a few ways to end the endless snack battles. Your body will thank you if you take the time to think about food before you’re hungry. What are your snacking weaknesses? When do you snack the most?

Alternative Exercise- Rowing

Jumping on a rowing machine at your local gym can really make a splash in your workout.

Rowing generally utilizes your arms, back, abdominals and thighs resulting in a great kill a few birds with one stone kind of machine. In fact, the movements of rowing have been said to mimic several other popular gym machines.

Rowing can also be a great aerobic working, counting as your recommended 30 minutes a day by the American Heart Association. It’s a great alternative to typical workouts and most machines are fairly comfortable considering rowing is completed in a sitting position, utilizing as much strength as you determine necessary.

Also, rowing is a great transitional workout during the warm and cool seasons. Kayaking on open water can be very relaxing, and many public waterfront parks offer inexpensive boat rentals. Strengthening your back and arms with a stationary rowing machine will better prepare you when on the water.

Women looking to build lean muscle can also turn to rowing. Properly using several muscle groups effectively, creates a leaner muscle over a bulky look. Rowing is a great endurance builder as well. Increasing time spent on a rowing machine and you may find you’re able to keep up on your other machines longer as well!

Tips To Great Workouts

I’ve talked a few times about ‘daily workouts’, but it’s understandable that not everyone is on track with working out in a normal routine. For those readers who haven’t quite mastered getting to the gym regularly, or for those who have but aren’t sure if they are really making good use of the time there, this post is for you.

The average woman with a busy schedule doesn’t have the time or know how of a personal trainer, but this article on Really Useful Fitness Blog give some great times on making your workouts count. Here are a couple notable tips!

1. Start out easy

Many looking to shape up jump into intense activity too quickly. Don’t get anxious, start out slow. Spending 20 minutes doing some low-intensity cardio (jogging, swimming) twice a week will make a great base for beginners, and will ease you into the lifestyle of weekly workouts.

2. Don’t skip stretching!

Loosening up your muscles before a workout can be boring and take up time, but it’s an extremely important element to your physical activity. Stretching can prevent injuries, and helps with flexibility and blood flow, allowing you to get the most out of your workout.

3. Set realistic goals

Consider writing down a series of short and long term goals. Keeping up with simple, attainable short term goals like making it to the gym three times next week and spending 5 more minutes on the treadmill than normally will improve your mentality towards workouts and make reaching your long term goals much easier.

4. Exercise correctly

Nothing is worse than wasting workout time doing an exercise incorrectly, or using a machine that you won’t benefit from. Consider asking a staff member at your local gym to show you around and introduce you to the machines. Also, much can be accomplished without a personal trainer, but paying for a one time 15 minute session can teach you how to properly use each machine.

5. Concentrate on larger muscle groups

Women in particular should focus on their legs and back. Don’t spend too much time obsessing with getting your shoulders to look perfect. By spending your time working on larger muscle groups, you’ll see better results in a wider area.

6. Drink up

Keeping water on hand during workouts is a necessity. Even when you don’t feel thirsty, keep drinking! When the feeling of thirst comes on, your body is already dehydrated. Challenge yourself to bring a water bottle and drink the whole thing before leaving the gym.

What keeps you going at the gym, or what are some of your favorite workout tricks? What are your favorite machines?

Donating Organs

We have all had a loved one in a medical situation who was in need of love, prayers and a good doctor. However, for thousands each year, a loved one is in need of the donations of others to survive. Discussing plans with your family in case of an unfortunate event is a step often left out of our lives. If organ donation is not for you, think about reviewing different options with your loved ones. If you aren’t well-informed about donating, take the time to do some research.

The U.S. Organ & Tissue Donation and Transplant site offers more than enough information for making a suitable decision. The site explains that no matter your age or medical condition, almost all organs are accepted for donation. Doctors review all organs prior to transplant surgery, but a patient may receive a transplant in less than perfect condition if no other organs are available.

Included is also a reference guide for religious views on donating. The reference, including citations from many religious figures provides a quality explanation behind the ideals of different beliefs. Besides providing a well rounded source of information on transplants, the site discusses risk factors of organ failure. Even for those uninterested in donating, this section can be valuable for living a healthy, satisfying life.

However, not everyone believes in donating organs. Several religions condone separating the deceased from their organs. In addition, such famous cases like Terri Schiavo have publicized the argument over which family member should be allowed to make decisions for a loved one who had not already decided. In that case, the debate over who should make the final decision is much grander than the scale of this blog.

Some argue that those who are in need of an organ due to alcoholism should not be granted donations. While other arguments have been made that the bodies of organ donors are mistreated and seen as “supplies”, horror stories have spread regarding doctors harvesting organs before donors have been pronounced deceased. Those against organ donation tend to have strong reasoning supporting their decision.

Overall there is no debate that discussing your desired plans with family members is the key to insuring your wishes are met. Giving after life or keeping as you were given, where do you stand?

What’s your opinion on organ donating? Should our organs stay with us after death?

Potassium For Cramping

Muscle cramping can be extremely painful and come on without warning. I’ve fallen victim to leg cramping when I use to swim, and when talking to my dad last, he told me about cramping so badly that it woke him up yelling with pain in the middle of the night. If you’ve experienced any sort of lengthy cramping during or after workouts, you’re probably in a situation much like me and my dad- lacking potassium.

Potassium is a mineral that helps with muscle contractions and maintaining electrolyte balance in cells. But for those who are already taking a multi-vitamin, (and especially if you dislike bananas like me and my dad) you should educate yourself on other ways to up your potassium intake.

A variety of foods contain potassium, and for those cramping up, it’s just a matter of finding ones you like and knowing which form is the best to consume it in. Broccoli, orange juice, potatoes, bananas, avocados and pomegranates all provide excellent sources of potassium. Other vegetables and meats provide a balanced amount as well. To obtain the maximum amount of potassium in these foods, steer away from cooking them, or cook them in a small amount of water for a short period of time.

Staying well hydrated and stretching regularly also helps control muscle cramping. During workouts, drink even when not thirsty (as that is a sign you are already dehydrated). Also, consider stretching when you wake up in the morning and before you go to bed at night regardless of physical activity during the day. This can help loosen your muscles if you are prone to moving around often in the night.

Flip Flop Danger

Flip flops are a long time staple of warm summer days, but wearing them for extended periods of time can actually be harmful.

This article caught my eye when web surfing this morning. Someone telling me not to wear one of my many beloved pairs of flip flops? However, most flip flop fanatics can relate to some of the stories in the article. One woman slipped and broke her ankle; another took a spill at the supermarket. This seems pretty insignificant when you think about those small incidences.

But, in reality, our favorite summer shoes don’t nearly offer enough support for as often as we wear them. I knew an older woman who was involved in a pretty large fender bender because her summer shoe got stuck behind the gas petal. I’ve fallen victim to my flip flop sliding around under my foot providing inadequate support.

Most health related problems occur when woman replace their normal walking shoe with everyday flip flops. The amount of walking an average woman does in a day can be seriously over looked. When you realize that your day consists of running errands around town, and looking after the kids, flip flops are not your best choice. Running, driving, and wet areas can all be especially hazards for summer shoes.

The quoted foot doctor in the article also said problems with nerve endings, poor joint stability, tendinitis in the ankle, knee, hip and back, can all be explained by extensive flip flop usage.

Although this article may seem slightly far fetched, consider housing your feet in something a bit more stable when you’ve got a long day of moving ahead of you. There are plenty of cute summer shoes that hold your feet better for driving and making a quick trip to the grocery store!

Relieving Stress through Creativity

If you’re not already stressed before reading this, you are one of the few. Stress is a major part of our daily lives, and if you’re a busy working woman, stress is probably your middle name. In addition, research has shown that stress directly relates to weight gain. When stressed, your body releases a molecule that stimulates fat cells to grow. However you choose to cope in stressful situations, unleashing your creative side may be a new and helpful technique.

Although these behaviors may sound juvenile, don’t deny the comfort you’ll receive from taking pleasure in these simple activities.

1. Write.

Unleashing your feelings onto paper is a great way to work out frustration and stress. Often thinking up a story, no matter how short it may be, and concentrating on a plot line for it exercises your brain in a healthy and creative manor while taking your mind off other troubles.

2. Draw.

Try scribbling on a sheet of scrap paper if you’re feeling bogged down. Working out your emotions (as ugly as your picture may be) can be very therapeutic. Try sketching a quick scene of where you would rather be. Stick figures and all don’t worry about the quality, but put your thoughts into your work and it will take you away from feeling stressed. If you have the time or notice you are stressed more often than not, purchase some cheep paint and grab some computer paper. I knew of a college student who finger painted weekly with friends to escape the pressures of constant studying.

3. Daydream.

As a competitive swimmer, before a big swim meet, my coaches use to lead us in a group visualization of our races. Basically, it was a group daydream to relieve the pressures and worries of performing well. Before you go to sleep at night, or when you wake up in the morning, take a few minutes to let your mind wander. Visualize completing your daily tasks or imagine yourself floating away in relaxation. Simple daydreams like this can allow you to gain control of your day.

4. Cook.

As silly as it sounds, making dinner for yourself, a friend or family members may help alleviate your stress as well. Cooking something healthy (when stressed we tend to eat poorly or excessively) and use dinner time to relax and feel creative with food and its presentation. Afterwards you’ll feel better for not giving into eating poorly as well.

These tricks plus others (listening to music, gardening, and exercise) may be just what you need to relieve pressure from every day life. Plus, sometimes resorting to our childhood habits can feel so good! What stresses you the most? How do you deal with stress? When you were young, how did you deal with frustration and stress, or how did your parents encourage you to deal with it?

Obesity In The States

Earlier this month, CNN posted an interactive map showing the growth of obesity in the states over the past 20 years.

Watching the map change from light blue colors to the growth of bright red- high obesity states is alarming. However, as researchers and scientists explain all their hypothesized ideas on the growth of obesity, I’m not buying in.

Most stand by fast food joints have been around long before the 1980’s, and health awareness has been ever growing for the past 5 years at least. Personal trainers are the new in-town celebrities, and it seems that everybody knows of at least one super self-motivated success story living in their neighborhood.

And although we’ve grown into a society more reliant on cars the planes to move us around, information has been pouring out like a landslide about the risks and causes of obesity. It’s not just America either. Research shows that very few countries are living without the obesity epidemic.

So, my question is what’s really going on here? Is this a case of extreme stubbornness, denial and disbelief, or is losing weight too hard? Changing your lifestyle is not easy, but it’s do able, and it appears, for more than half of Americans, necessary.

What’s your take? Why does obesity continue to rise despite the growth of information discussing the dangers? What changes have you made in your life to keep in shape, and what sort of solutions would you offer others?

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Summer Treat- Fresh Fruit

The summer may be winding down, but your summer treats don’t need to be! Make the best of all your favorite fruits while they’re fresh. Introducing yourself and loved ones to fruit in its prime season encourages healthy habits to continue through the cooler months.

Cut berries in half and drop them in your ice cube tray for a surprise in your next glass of water. Freeze your own healthy popsicles or fruit slurpies with a combination of squished fruit and lemonade.

Jazz up your breakfast by throwing fruit into oatmeal or cereal. Create a festive lunch by topping your salad with pears, strawberries, dried cranberries, cherries, or apple slices.

Don’t forget about your fruit at dinner! Grilling sliced apples, plums, or pineapple brings out their rich flavors (plus makes a damn good dessert when topped with ice cream).

Frozen fruit can go to delicious fruit crisp in a minute. Experiment with different fruits, mix pears, apples, peaches or apricots with a bit of sugar. Top them with a mixture of oats, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon, combined with enough butter until it’s crumbly. Bake at 375 for about 30 minutes.

Keeping a bowl of bite sized fruit around in your fridge is great for quick snacking, encourage family members by example, that reaching for fruit instead of snack foods can be much more refreshing. What are your favorite fruit recipes? How were you encouraged to eat fruit growing up?

Heat Injuries

Much of the summer’s hot days have passed us, but the end of August tends to provide enough long sunny days to keep heat related illnesses as an issue.

Heat stroke can occur when your body becomes overwhelmed with heat and is unable to properly cool itself. At this point, without medical attention, your body temperature continues to dangerously rise.

Be aware of the symptoms of heat stroke especially when outdoors with family members and friends. A person suffering from heat exhaustion may appear confused, have muscle cramping, or be sweating profusely. If conditions continue to worsen, the victim may experience heat stroke, and may feel faint, have a headache, and can become so dehydrated that sweating all together stops. To treat for someone with a heat illness, immediately call 911, bring the victim indoors or in shade. Remove excessive clothing and provide water.

Because the signs of heat illnesses can vary, it’s important to be extra observant when around friends and family in the sun. Make sure to stay hydrated, and limit sun exposure. When exercising out doors, be mindful of these signs and be understanding of your limits. Nothing is more dangerous than being out exercising alone in the middle of the day, far from your home without water or means of contacting someone for help if needed.

Alternative Exercise- Speed Walking

Jazzing up your typical workout with speed walking can offer some great benefits. This activity is no longer reserved for older couples at the mall. Speed walking can be a great part of your workout if you do your research . The beauty of this low-key exercise is that it’s simple; walking the dog at night or taking a leisurely night stroll can be pumped up and transformed into a calorie burning routine.

Speed walking is walking at a brisk pace (usually 3.5-5.5 mph) without moving into a run. And before you write off this activity as goofy looking and good for nothing, think about this- a 150 lb speed walker moving at a 4.5 mph pace can burn about 440 calories per hour. This could mean burning off a good part of dinner just by taking Sparky around the block a few times after dark.

Another perk for those not into the gym scene- speed walking on gravel or grass burns more calories than treadmill walking. Also, this can be a great group activity. Consider getting family or friends together and catching up while speed walking to the park. The exercise can be performed by generally anyone at any age.

In addition, speed walking is a very health-beneficial activity. Participants are less likely to develop heart disease or suffer from other heart related problems. Also, it’s great for those with sensitive joints, because the smooth motion puts less stress on your knees, hips, ankles and back.

While the weather is still warm, try to be the motivator in your household to spend some good healthy time together. Speed walking can be a great addition to your workout! How do you keep your workouts from becoming mundane? When was the last time someone got you up and moving and excited about an activity?

Portion Control

With some mindful eating, we could all be possible of shedding extra pounds without diet or exercise.
By carefully watching your portions and meal times, you can become better prepared to loose weight. Try to eliminate eating with your eyes and think about these tricks!

1. Serve on a smaller plate
Everyone loves the look of a well stocked dinner plate, but that’s often much more food than one person needs. Keep in mind that the serving sizes your boyfriend or brothers eat are not normal for that of a female. Spread your food out on a smaller plate, and eat what you’ve served yourself. Take smaller bites, and enjoy your food instead of rushing through your meal. If you finish and still feel hungry, wait a few minutes before going in for seconds, doctors say it takes a few minutes for our bodies to feel full.

2. Do not be swayed by restaurant servings
Serving sizes at restaurants are usually out of control. When out to eat, consider splitting dinner and a side with a friend, it’s usually about enough, and if you’re unsure, you’re waiter can tell you if it will work out alright. Ask for a half or lunch portion, or even ask for a take away box as soon as your dinner comes. By removing half from your plate at the start, you can feel better about eating out and feel confident that you have a nice portion controlled dinner for tomorrow too!

3. Look up the terms
A true serving size may be much smaller than you think. Generally speaking, a serving is about the size of a deck of cards. Think about dishing out dinner from measuring cups instead of that big heaping serving spoon, you may be surprised to see just how many servings you eat in one sitting!

4. Sides, sides, sides!
If you’re already prepared to do some serious damage to that pot of spaghetti, think about your side dishes. Pair main dishes with vegetables or fruit on the table and try to even out your eating. You’ll consume less pasta before you get full and will also add some vitamins to your meal.

By being aware and practicing good control during meal times, you can easily keep off extra pounds. You may even be surprised by how good you feel by not over stuffing yourself! What foods can you not resist second and third helpings of? Did growing up in a family of over or under eaters create harmful habits now?

The Beef about Fish Oil

The latest craze in supplements is surrounding fish oil. Omega-3 is a fatty-acid (don’t be turned off by the name) found in fish products. Why is taking a fish oil supplement important? While many other vitamins and nutrients can be produced by our bodies, omega-3 can’t be.

Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids help growth development, brain function, reduce inflammation, and prevent heart disease and arthritis. In fact, research shows adding this supplement to your diet can also help lower cholesterol and blood pressure, protect against stroke, diabetes, and depression, lessen menstrual pain, and fight signs of breast cancer among many other beneficial things.

What reason do you have not to up your fish intake? However, if you desire to increase your omega-3 fish oil intake in food form instead of pill, beware of the dangers of eating fish. Consuming fish naturally raises the risks of digesting mercury, which can be damaging to your brain as well as develop into problems with your spinal cord and kidneys.

Omega-3 intake does come in several other forms. Flax and flaxseed oils are more popularly used, while eggs and walnuts also contain small amounts as well. What kind of daily supplements do you take? In what other ways do you fulfill meeting the recommended amount of vitamins?

Dark Vs. Light Greens

What's in a green? Salad may be all the same to some, but being mindful of the color of your greens may pay off.

Paler vegetables generally contain fewer vitamins than darker, and tend to be less flavorful. The lighter the leaf, the more water it contains. Who wants a salad full of crunchy h2o? Picking vegetables darker in color instantly boosts your vitamin intake, including dietary fiber, folic acid, and vitamin A. Vitamin A keeps your vision clear (specifically bright colors appearing bright) and helps bone growth. Darker greens like spinach also help up your metabolism and support energy.

Mixing leafs can also change the taste of your simple Caesar salad. Arugula and watercress can add a peppery bite, and Radicchio can taste bitter. For those light lovers unsure of turning a darker leaf, consider mixing light with dark. Most grocery stores have a wide selection of pre-packaged greens. Spring mixes usually contain a good mix of several darker leafs, none of which are too strong tasting.

Easy changes or mixing vitamin rich foods with an old favorite is a simple way to a healthier lifestyle. What kind of changes have you made in your life to encourage a better well being? What’s a weakness, or a food habit you’ve had a difficult time overcoming?

Limiting Time in Front of the Screen

How often do you find yourself sitting in front of a computer or television? It's nothing new to hear that the amount of time you spend on your laptop and watching TV could effect your health.

Generally, more aggressive behavior results, for those glued to their email or TV. In addition, research shows that poor social skills and lack of thinking and language are all results as well.

So what are the options for an adult with a hectic life who relies on these devices? Try to break your computer time up. Instead of running back to your computer every 5 minutes, check your email, then turn it off while you eat lunch and do some chores around the house.

Steer away from using the computer or television as means to relax, it's shown that this activity only results in adding extra stress. More so, try to give your brain some old fashion exercise with puzzles or crosswords. Many have forgotten about these brain stretchers as a sharpening tool, which may be more than necessary in a technology buzzed world.

Swimming Into Shape

Integrating swimming into your workout is beneficial for many reasons. Spending time in the water is generally a relaxing experience for most, and greatly reduces joint stress or pain. Because of the support the water naturally provides, swimming is usually added to the regiment of those in physical therapy or with other sports related injuries. The water support also attracts participants of all ages and abilities. Swimming also provides a great full body workout, requiring the movement of arms and legs simultaneously.

With the summer in near end, consider adding a few laps to the time you spend a the pool with family and friends. This exercise can be sporadically included in play time, and makes for a great group activity. For those spending time on lakes this summer, consider that open water swimming tends to be much more difficult than swimming in an enclosed pool.

For those beginning exercise in the water, I would recommend a cheap pair of flippers. The aid from the flippers will help propel you through the water easier and also lengthen the time most beginners spend the in the water before becoming too tired.

Including swimming in your workout routine breaks up the often mundane activity. How do you keep your workouts exciting? Do you often incorporate different activities into your daily workouts?

Plastic Surgery as an Appearance/Weight Management Option

The concept of utilizing plastic surgery as a method of maintaining a desired weight/appearance has been a more available approach in the past few years. While in the past, most recipients of plastic surgery also participated in psychological exams prior to surgery (webmd), society has grown to accept plastic surgery much more.

Cosmetic altering TV shows celebrating how quick some procedures can be have also warmed up the public to going under the knife. Our favorite Hollywood stars have helped reinforce this by undergoing mostly secret (but obvious) procedures. All this is magnified when celebrities speak adamantly about their all-natural shape, or try to deny sudden changes in their appearance. When many prominent figures consistently and quickly transforming, women are being sent the message that plastic surgery is an easy, fix-all option.

However, sometimes with the best diet and exercise, women tend to find problem areas that fail to shape the way they hope. As a result, many self-conscious women walk among us (including ourselves). The ability to mold yourself into a mental, emotional and physically pleasing shape has gained the appreciation of thousands.

What's your stand? Should plastic surgery be limited to those with psychological issues? Do you believe cosmetic surgery is an acceptable method of controlling your figure?

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