Counter Assertion

Beautiful flower gardens have been a part of our world for thousands of years. Yet, flowers don’t provide us with food, clothing fibers, or any other item considered necessary for survival. So, why do we spend so much time planting and caring for flowers?

A recent study conducted at Rutgers University, the State University of New Jersey, offers scientific proof that flowers do provide happiness, surely a necessity for our emotional well being. The study was conducted under the direction of Jeannette M. Haviland-Jones, Ph.D., who is a psychologist and internationally known expert in emotional development in human behavior. Of the results, Dr. Haviland-Jones said, “What’s most exciting about this study is that it challenges established scientific beliefs about how people can manage their day-to-day moods in a healthy and natural way.”

The study lasted for 10 months and produced proof of the following:

* Flowers immediately affect happiness. * The impact of flowers is positive and long-term. * Flowers help to enable connections between people.

In the stressful world we live in, isn’t it nice to know that by taking the simple step of purchasing flowers, you can quickly improve your own mood or someone else’s? And, better yet, the flowers you buy for yourself will make those who see them happy as well. Just place them in a high-traffic area like the entryway to your home, on your kitchen table, or in the family’s sitting room. Dr. Haviland-Jones agrees, saying, “Flowers bring about positive emotional feelings in those who enter a room. They make the space more welcoming and create a sharing atmosphere.”

Want to boost the mood of your employees and customers? Place flowers in your lobby and in areas used by your employees, like the break room, cafeteria, or meeting rooms. You’ll benefit by having a more beautiful workplace and you’ll see more smiles around the office. Improved morale can also increase employee productivity, so your small purchase of flowers can result in huge returns!

Your florist can help you choose the perfect flowers for any occasion and can even help you pick the right flowers to match the recipients personality or the space they’ll be placed in. Just pick up the phone and call or visit the flower shop to discuss what you need and what you’d like to achieve.

Concentrate on quality physical training and proper technique and then increase the quantity of your training… Leave your ego out of your workout program.

Eliminating your ego from your workout program and concentrating on quality physical training over the quantity of training will bring about the greatest amount of fitness performance improvement.

Whether you believe it or not… you are competing every time you train.

No, you are not competing with the guy or girl next to you at the gym… you are competing with yourself!

Remember… The point of physical training is performance improvement.

Who’s performance?

YOUR performance!

The object of your training sessions are to improve the performance of physical skills compared to past performances… Being able to do more, better than you did before.

Who cares if you can do more or less than so-and-so?

The reason I bring this up is that more often than not people get into competition with those around them… and their training suffers.

Usually, they will focus on a limited amount of exercises with the intention of “maximizing” their performance and “beating” those around them… Instead of focusing on quality physical training.

But “maximizing” your performance in one particular physical skill is the fastest way to move away from over-all fitness excellence.

“Optimizing” performance… showing competence, ability and quality in a variety of physical skills, is the path to fitness excellence.

This is the path of quality physical training.

By competing with those around them, people inevitably sacrifice quality physical training for quantity training.

In an effort to out-perform those around them, there is an excessive emphasis on load and fatigue seeking… leading to poor technique and ineffective, potentially dangerous form.

Quality physical training is much more important than beating the person next to you… So leave your ego out of your workout program.

Your fitness excellence will not just be measured by how much you can do… but how much you can do properly compared to past performances.

Do not increase the quantity of an activity, either by increasing weight, increasing repetitions or decreasing rest periods… until you can perform the activity with proper form and quality of motion.

>From a coaching standpoint, I measure the effectiveness of training by measuring the amount of improvement in the skill seen over time.

Look at it this way…

There are two people training a resistance activity…the first one lifts more but has not seen any improvements in a long time, and the second one lifts less but shows noticeable improvement from one month to the next.

Who is performing a more productive physical training program?

The person that shows improvement… even though the total output is less!

I know it is hard not to judge ourselves by those around us.

But remember this… when you focus on quality physical training you will make improvements that will ultimately allow you to outperform others with proper form and technique.

Quality physical training produces good habits that will lead to solid, sustainable performance improvement… where focusing on quantity of load or fatigue is a short-cut to injury.

And how well can you perform in sport, work and life when you are injured.

Make strength, conditioning and fitness improvements through quality physical training… and you will enjoy long lasting performance improvements that can actually exceed your expectations.

Active weight watchers consistently ask what foods can I eat and what foods should I avoid. This is a genuine thing because if you have set a goal to lose weight you want to be sure that you are eating the right things. The good news is that there are very few foods that you should avoid such as:

- Any type of fast food. (Pizza’s, burgers etc.) - All soft drinks that fizz. - Never drink beer when you eat, or eat when you drink beer. Beer will stop your body from breaking down fats.

What is more important is how much you eat. The excess weight that you put on is the difference between calories digested and calories burnt off through exercise. Therefore if you lead an active life you are able to consume more calories and your activity will burn them off. If your lifestyle lacks physical activity you must consume less calories and search for ways to become more active. Therefore the size of the serving depends upon your lifestyle. The wife of a physical worker needs to serve him larger portions because he needs it to create the energy required to get through a physically exhausting day. The risk that she takes is that by serving large meals to him she tends to serves similarly large meals to herself; often using the excuse that she is only eating two-thirds the amount he consumes. If her activity level is only half of his then two-thirds could be over-eating.

In the developed world adults consume on average 3,500 calories each day. Adults actually require 2,000 calories to function properly. Now imagine lowering your calorie intake to 3,000 per day. The 500 calories less consumed each day equates to 3,500 calories per week less or six days food every seven days. It just happens that 3,500 calories equals one pound in weight and if you can lose one pound (450 grams) each week you are at the optimum weight loss level. As a general rule diets that reduce weight by greater than one pound per week are short term and 99% of people put that weight back on. One-pound weight loss per week is the most sustainable amount.

How can you achieve this reduction in calories consumed? Easy, at the start of each day decide what you are not going to consume that day. Say Monday becomes no bread day. That means that you do not eat any bread on Monday. More importantly you don’t eat more of something else to compensate. Tuesday may be no potato day. Wednesday no cakes or cookies etc. etc. At the same time as you do this you increase your exercise level. Park the car at the furthest point from the supermarket door. Use the stairs rather than an escalator. Take a walk after dinner. Just do things that you’ve been avoiding and see how quickly you lose weight and keep it off.

This article is copyright © David McCarthy 2006 and may only be re-produced without alteration or addition.

We all want to save money and buy at a discount. When it comes to treadmills getting the best value is particularly important when you consider the price. A treadmill can cost a small fortune. And if you are not sure it won’t end up as an expensive clothes hanger, you want to be cautious on how much you spend.

Whether you buy online or in a retail store, you’ll find just about any treadmill is marked down significantly from its list price. List prices have no basis in reality of the true value of the treadmill. It is no different than other products like cars, jewelry, furniture, etc. The problem becomes, what is the real value, and how does that compare to the discount price.

Having worked in the treadmill business for a number of years I know how companies manipulate the prices to give the illusion of value. You’ll find some retailers suggesting their prices are reduced as much as 60%. That is absurd.

So how do you determine the true value of a treadmill, regardless of the discount price? By comparison shopping. There are three important factors to consider when buying a treadmill:

Features and Components

Treadmills have a number of features and components that are found on models. Examples are the motor, deck, running service, incline, programs, console and rollers. By comparing the various components and features you can determine how one model compares to another.

For example, you may find a treadmill selling for $1,000 that has a 18″x 52″ running surface, ” deck, 1.5 hp motor, 4 programs, 1 3/4″ rollers, LCD console and weighs 150 lbs. You could find a treadmill at the same price with a 20″x 54″ running surface, 1″ deck, 2.5 hp motor, 7 programs, 2.5″ rollers, LED console and weighs 200lbs. The numbers reveal that the second model is a much better buy.

Warranty

It should be noted that not all treadmill components are equal in quality. And the unfortunate truth about the treadmill industry is they tend to exaggerate on the specifications of the parts. One factor that reveals the true quality of the treadmill is the warranty. An extensive warranty suggests the treadmill is built to last. If it wasn’t the company would go out of business with excessive repairs. When purchasing a treadmill look for a minimum 5 year motor, 2 year parts and 1 year service warranty.

Company Reputation

Another important factor in determining the value of a treadmill is the company reputation for quality and customer service. There is a good chance that once you purchase a treadmill you will either have some questions or you may need service. You want to purchase from a company that stands behind their machines, and is there when you need assistance. Check out some of the more popular shopping comparison sites for information on customer satisfaction. There are also a number of sites that review treadmills, including www.treadmill-ratings-reviews.com, www.treadmilldoctor.com and www.consumerreports.org.

So ignore the discount price, which is nothing more than marketing hype. Follow the recommendations above and you will determine the true value of a treadmill.

Fred Waters worked in the treadmill industry for a number of year and is author of the Treadmill Rating and Review site. Check out the latest reviews on over 75 of the most popular treadmills, and get important buying tips from the Treadmill Buyer’s Guide.

Copyright 2006 Marc Deschamps

Home health remedies made with plants, herbs and natural elements can do a lot for you. Contrary to aggressive chemical drugs their action is mild and beneficial for your body.

I am in danger, you are in danger, the whole humanity is in danger. While our health …. geez … our survival is mortgaged, we keep ignoring that we are colonized by the pharmaceutical industry and our health system. While more and more drugs are being developped, we have never suffered so much from cardiac, neurological, mental and immune support diseases.

We continue to ask our governments to finance the cost of this major degradation of our health condition. We continue to push medical spending through the roof by using and consuming presciption drugs that are toxic to our system and can cause severe side effects. Perhaps, we should not accept to be so dependent of products developped by the pharmaceutical companies and financed by governments. Maybe … we should conquer our independance and recover our health condition through home health remedies.

Let me take you with me and bring you to the …. kitchen. Fruits, vegetables, herbs, plants and other natural elements can form your army of home health remedies and they can help you win the war for enhanced wellness and better health. Don’t wait tomorrow, start today !! Don’t think I am “green” or vegetarian. I just think we should nourish our body with essential nutrients and reduce the damages caused by toxins from drugs, processed food and polluted water. Redefine the balance between the “good” and the “bad”.

Only your will and desire to change the way you treat your body can make a difference. Just think of producers of canned food, alcohol, tobacco and precriptions or over-the-counter drugs. Why are they getting richer while our health is getting poorer ? We are told that processed products are good while they are actually toxic. Consumers are duped and the day they start asking for more and better, non-toxic products will manufacturers react. The same goes for pharmaceutical companies : if we demand more natural home health remedies, only then, will the production of toxic drugs go down and medications proposed become truly beneficial for our health.

While we should start a wave of “new” demands, we already have numerous home health remedies readily available. Combined with a healthy diet and appropriate physical activity they can treat certain conditions such as constipation, toothache, sore throat, hemorrhoids, colds, cough, dry hair, heartburn, etc.

We have put together a collection of free home remedies (see under the left navigation bar). To obtain good results those recipes must be prepared accurately and the remedies taken daily during the period of the treatment. They are mainly composed of herbs and plants that will provide their full healing action.

How to prepare these Home Health Remedies :

- Prepare them in non-metallic heat-resistant pots - Use the right quantity indicated - Prepare them one or two nights before the daily intake; let rest in the pot for better results - Each condition requires a 3-week treatment. Then stop for one week and evaluate the results - Several home health remedies are proposed for the same condition. You can vary the recipes to reduce the risk of dependance - Home remedies are not “magical” treatments. Evaluate the results and determine if they are working well for you - Plants can be stored for up to one year; blends prepared should be kept in a cool place

We realize that preparing home health remedies is not always practical. Time and budget constraints may make it difficult. But they are part of a “package” to improve your health that should also include a balanced diet, exercise and health supplements.

Whether you are a fitness buff or a complete exercise beginner, a treadmill can be a wise investment. But with the hundreds of companies out there selling treadmills, there is an array of options to choose from.

In this article, I will discuss four of the most important items that you should look for, when shopping for a treadmill.

Motor

When shopping for a treadmill, the most important consideration is the motor.

The majority of treadmills operate on a DC electric motor that provides an easy to control electric current. Quality treadmills use a power output anywhere from 1.5 to 5 horse power (Hp). Obviously the larger Hp will be more expensive.

If you are using your treadmill for your home and for only a few people, then 2 Hp is all you need.

Running Deck

Since you will be doing your exercise entirely on the deck of the treadmill, it is very important that you find one that will fit your frame and provide comfort.

Usually running decks on most treadmills come with two rollers on each end, which help operate the belt. The deck is generally composed a wooden or fibre board that provide some level of spring every time a foot impacts on it. Shock absorbance is important to preventing injury.

When shopping for a deck you should primarily look for decks that can maximize the impact of your legs. In addition, look for at least a 60″ length and 20″ width. This will provide enough room for the average person’s running stride. If you are bigger, then you might need more room.

Frame

Treadmill frames should be composed of a steel or aluminium material. Over time, these frames are known to be much more durable then plastic or wood frames. Durability is the key, so only select a frame that can take a pounding without breaking.

Console

The final factor to consider is the console. This is the one section where treadmill retailers overwhelm consumers with a bunch of jargon and cool sounding gadgets.

When you shop for treadmills, the important item you should look for is a control panel that will display your speed, time, pace and distance. Anything beyond that is your personal preference. While many people love extras, you can get by with just these items.

So if you have a little more in your budget, you can look for some factors such as:

Programmed workouts Incline settings Maximum speeds going up to12 mph Safety features that allow for quick turning off of the machine Heart rate monitors that can be clipped to your chest, ear or finger Entertainment functions that can help distract the user

Buying a treadmill can be confusing because of the technical terms and jargon. By understanding the basics of what you need, then you can ignore all the fancy sounding names and focus on what is important. When you understand the basics of a quality treadmill, then it will be easy to find one that is perfect for your home and budget.

For hundreds of years, mankind has recognised the soothing, remedial effects of bathing. Several decades ago the medical profession acknowledged the benefits of hydrotherapy and began to prescribe the use of whirlpool baths as an effective treatment of many common physical ailments, a course of action that is now often used in clinics and hospitals around the world.

Hydro massage relieves the effects of stress, balances your bodies negative reaction to tension, relaxes muscles, lowers your heart rate and helps blood pressure and circulation return to normal.

Like a tightly compressed sponge, a tense muscle retains less fluid than one that is relaxed. This lessens the circulation of blood and increases the pressure placed on your heart. It can leave you feeling tired and aching, reducing your precious energy levels and making you feel irritable and lethargic.

Whirlpool hydro massage eases tense muscles and increases circulation, allowing the bodies cells to receive much-needed oxygen and energy-producing nutrients. Metabolic waste products are removed and your blood count increases, resulting in even better oxygen distribution.

Relaxing in a whirlpool bath will help dissolve the tensions that build up in every day life,
your heart rate will settle, warm circulating water will help ease the nervous system and slow the natural rhythm of your body resulting in deeper breathing and a peaceful revitalising nights sleep.

Remember that your body has to last the whole of your life, so why not choose a whirlpool bath relax, lie back and let the soothing sensation of whirlpool hydrotherapy help you to look after your most precious possession.

Liz Cooper is part of the team working at http://www.clickbathrooms.co.uk

A startling statistic has been circulating over the Internet. This stat claims that half of all those who want to lose weight don’t exercise. While this might seem mind-boggling at first, it is not entirely surprising, when you stop to consider what American culture has become.

In the early days of the republic, the majority of Americans did hard labor on farms. They were used to exercise during their normal workday, so they ate large meals in order to give them the energy they needed to complete their tasks. There weren’t any Oprah Winfreys around back then to question their eating habits.

In the 19th century, Americans began moving into cities to take factory jobs. Again, they spent much of their time on their feet. Many walked to work and to school, so exercise was a part of their normal routine. They didn’t have to worry about doing Pilates or strength training, since ordinary life afforded many opportunities to exercise.

Fast-forward to today. Many people have sedentary jobs, working on computers, working at desks, working at cash registers. They have little opportunity during their work days to move, let alone get up and stretch. At home, they may spend much of their time sacked out in front of a television set, or on their home computer.

However, studies have proven that the best weight loss plan combines sensible diet with exercise. Certainly, you can reduce your calorie intake. But it is also important to boost your metabolism, and that is best done through an exercise routine. Since you must burn a phenomenal amount of calories in order to lose pounds, exercise is crucial to long-term weight loss success.

But what if you don’t enjoy exercise? How can you possibly start an exercise program?

In short, you need motivation. This can come from a variety of sources. For instance, you might want to play your favorite up-tempo music during your exercise drills. This can provide the incentive you need in order to get moving. Another motivator can be to exercise with your children in tow. This could mean doing jumping jacks with your kids, or jogging while you push a stroller. You might also consider joining a “Mommy and Me” exercise class. Another winning strategy is to employ the services of an exercise buddy. This can be your mate, a friend, or even your mother. You can encourage each other, helping each other to overcome various hurdles to regular exercise.

Another strategy is to base your exercise program on something you really enjoy. Even those of us who are not athletic usually have some physical activity that we look forward to, whether it’s volleyball or tennis, bowling or swing dancing. The type of activity isn’t as important as the fact that you are engaging in it regularly.

If at all possible, you should add strength training to your exercise regimen. Lifting weights can boost your metabolism, causing you to burn calories while also adding muscle to your frame. Strength training can also help you to guard against osteoporosis and other health problems.

You might also consider hiring a personal trainer. He or she can act as your coach, urging you on when you feel like quitting. A trainer can provide you with the inspiration necessary to achieve your weight goals. It has also been shown that those who employ a trainer reach their optimum weight faster than those who do not.

You should also prioritize exercise. You should mark it in your daily planner and stick to a regular exercise schedule. The important thing is to make exercise a regular part of your life. It should not be limited to special occasions, or those times when you are in the mood. It needs to be as regular as breathing.

In order to be a healthy person, you simply need exercise. And exercise is also beneficial to your mind as you begin your weight loss program. It can clear your head and help you to work out your frustrations. In short, it can give you a sense of accomplishment that will put you in the right frame of mind when trying to shed weight.

Taking those first few steps towards establishing a Fitness Lifestyle can very well be intimidating, especially if the decision is made to sign-up for a gym membership. In fact, deciding on even using a gym can be a double-edged sword of sorts. On one hand, there are many of us who feel that we’ll become more motivated towards exercising regularly if we do sign-up for a gym membership. After all, you’re now investing more money into your health so you certainly don’t want to just throw that money away. Additionally, there are typically many more people working out at the gym than anywhere else, so you’ll probably be more likely to get caught up in the ambience and energy of others exercising as well. However, on the other hand, because there can be so many people working out at the gym, you may feel intimidated beginning those first steps towards getting back in condition in front of others. When you stop to consider all of the pros and cons with signing up for a gym membership, you may find that making this decision was a more daunting task than you first thought.

Fortunately, there are many gyms and fitness facilities available now to accommodate virtually every factor and consideration involved in your own decision making process. From the large fitness clubs such as Bally’s and 24-Hour Fitness to the local YMCA or university health centers, and from the private one-on-one training studios to even mobile Personal Training trailers, chances are excellent that a gym can be found to match your own personal preferences. What’s important to keep in mind is that every gym and fitness facility has it’s own unique personality and subsequently, there’s a gym to match your own unique personality as well. Therefore, with a little gym shopping savvy and factors that we’ll providing you for consideration, you’ll be on your way towards locating a gym that’s a perfect match for you!

Presented here then is a brief summary of several factors for you to consider when shopping for the gym that’s right for you:

1) Location

Typically, you’re better off when your gym is near to your home or work. The greater the distance that you’ll have to travel to exercise, then the greater the chance that you may find an excuse not to. At the same time, don’t let location be your sole determining factor, as it’s important that you don’t join a gym that you dislike simply because it’s nearby.

2) Management Attitude

When you walk into your gym, I strongly believe that you should never feel like only a dollar sign or a second-class citizen. Look for honesty, sincerity, politeness, and above all, respect. The vast majority of gyms that I have stepped foot into are operated by managers and staff members that genuinely enjoy their jobs and genuinely enjoy assisting their clients. However, if you feel like a gym is not interested in your needs at all, then you may wish to keep looking.

3) Hours

How does your own personal schedule fit in with the gym’s? If conducting early-bird workouts is your best option, then at what time does your gym open up? What if you can only workout late at night? Is your gym a 24-hour gym? Is it open 7 days a week?

4) Price

This factor is actually most people’s first consideration when searching for a gym. As this issue can be largely affected by your own personal taste and budget, I would simply propose the following points to consider. First, look at the entire package before you just consider the cost. Being the cheapest gym around does not necessarily make it the best fit for you. You do sometimes get what you pay for. Secondly, be mindful of the contracts you sign. There are fitness chains that have been notorious for absolutely locking you into a long-term contract and then making it nearly impossible to cancel should you decide to withdraw at a later date. If you are not convinced that you’re going to stick with regularly working out at a gym, you may then prefer to sign a short-term contract instead even if it costs more per month.

5) Sanitation

For me, this is a direct reflection on management. Bathrooms, showers, pools, saunas, tanning beds, and the gym equipment should be cleaned on a regular basis. Granted, while club members are working out, no gym will ever be 100% perfect, but as long as a club still places an emphasis on proper hygienic practices, then it demonstrates responsibility and concern for their members.

6) Client Volume

If you’re just beginning a gym membership for the first time and feel a bit insecure about working out for the first time, you may (or may not) prefer a smaller gym or even a personal training studio. Also, the best gym in the world for you may still be the wrong fit if you’re going to have to regularly wait in line to exercise on a piece of equipment. A crowded gym can result in irritable attitudes and inefficient workouts. Your best bet may be to locate a fitness facility with the proper combination of number of members and number of equipment that will allow you to maintain a steady workout.

7) Environment

Do you prefer an “Iron Dungeon” with a perpetual cloud of hand chalk and chorus of loud yells and grunts? Or do you prefer a club that feels more like a Singles joint where the clients seem more concerned with meeting the members of the opposite gender? Just like the design of the gym’s building, a gym’s environment can come in all versions as well. If you feel uncomfortable upon your initial walk-through, you may wish to continue looking at other gyms and fitness facilities nearby. When you sign up for a gym membership, it’s vitally important that you sign up at one that you feel comfortable at and enjoy the atmosphere because if you don’t, then there’s a good chance that you won’t succeed in regularly working out there.

There are still many additional factors not listed here you may wish to consider before selecting the gym of your choice such as amenities, the equipment itself, and the clientele. Just be sure to give yourself a little bit of time to shop around and determine which choice is best for you based on your needs and tastes. I truly believe that signing up for a gym membership is an outstanding investment on your physical and emotional health and is well worth the time and money spent to locate the one that’s the best match for you. Most gyms and fitness facilities today are ran by professionals in their field who enjoy their jobs and there is a good chance that this high level of enthusiasm will only energize you further.

So shop around, it’s well worth the effort!

About The Author

Nathan Boyd is author of the highly rated ebook, “The Fitness Lifestyle” and the current Director of Pro Fitness of Texas. Nathan encourages everyone in their pursuit of becoming physically fit and maintaining it for a lifetime. All questions and comments are always welcomed!

http://www.weightloss-cookies.com/page4.html

weightloss@weightloss-cookies.com

Pranayama, also known as yogic breathing is the method of silencing the breath. Prana has been defined as the air which flows through the body. Pranayama is made up of three parts: controlled inhalations, controlled exhalations and holding of the breath. When you do all three parts, it is called sahita, while doing only the holding breath without the other two is called kevala. You should start with sahita till kevala comes into being. This is a technique that controls all that is associated with prana.

Our breathing is made of two acts of inhalations and exhalations. These acts are followed in cycles where inhalations and exhalations succeed each other, where you take in air into the lungs and then release some of it back from the lungs. In between the inhalation and exhalation, there is a short gap which usually escapes our attention. This act is called respiration and is usually completed in four seconds in the resting phase. We usually respire nearly fifteen times a minute. You can take in about 400 cubic centimeters or 0.4 liters in a minute. When you do deep inhalations, you take in additional 1.6 liters of air and 2 liters in all. At the time of deep exhalations, you throw out all these 2 liters of air but still your lungs contain another 1.5 to 2 liters of air.

Thus, the total lung capacity of the human body for a normal individual is about 5 liters. The amount of air that you can exhale through deep exhalation after a deep inhalation is called as Vital Capacity. Dividing this number by the weight of the body gives you the Vital Index, which shows the capacity to breathe as well as the vitality of the body and its efficiency in the body’s functions. Regular practice of yogic breathing has been shown to increase yogic breathing. This raises the vitality of the body and efficiency of the bodily functions.