Health and Beauty in Women

A Healthy Diet Plan

2007-06-03T22:30:00.001-07:00

Introduction

Free diet plan is based on balanced intake of fats, proteins and carbohydrates in different calorie count. Free diet plan stimulates your body burn the fat much easier, only by changing your daily calorie intake. Free diet plans are so common in society that many people have very restrictive ideas about what is healthy and natural in free diet plans eating. The best thing about free diet plan is that you burn the fat only.

Diet

Studies show that a lifestyle approach to nutrition, not a short term crash diet, is most likely to lead to permanent weight loss. You should consult with a health care professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem. Monitor your weight or the way your clothing fits on a weekly basis and add or take away calories from your current diet according to what has been happening with your body.

Plan

The Diet Planner is merely a pattern to show individuals an example of what can be eaten for a certain number of calories while dieting. Be sure and follow the information outlined in the Planner Information. The first rule when formulating a diet plan should be to count calories. Don't pay attention to any free diet meal plans, grapefruit diet plan or loss weight fast anorexia tips you've read in the newspapers.

Health

Health & Fitness – Choosing a free diet program is a very difficult task. Healthy eating varies in response to your free diet plans hunger, emotions, schedule, and accessibility to free diet plans food. Healthy eating means leaving half your free diet plans dessert on your plate because you have recognized you are full and satisfied. Healthy eating means being able to eat when free diet plans and to continue eating until you are both physically and psychologically satisfied.

Calories

Try adding or subtracting 100-200 calories per day, and test that level for about a week before you make a decision. The rest of your daily calories can come from carbs. If you are willing to track calories, use a maintenance figure you know is accurate as a starting point, or multiply your body weight by 15 to get an approximation of your maintenance calorie level. *If you have 150-200 pounds to lose, you will need to add an additional 400 calories per day to your diet plan. Do NOT go below 1,200 calories per day or you may lose your hair, your muscles, and any chance of winning the Lotto. If you require a 1,500 calorie diet, simply add 150 more calories to your daily diet. The above calculations are based on average calorie intake of 2250 calories.

Conclusion

Highly effective people and free diet plans achievers always double up and do two things at once whenever possible. We're all in the same boat in the free diet plans beginning and free diet plans intermediate learning stages. So far, the best free diet plans book I've ever read on free diet plans for fat loss is Chris Aceto's "Everything You Need to Know About free diet plans. In addition, free diet plans also contain antioxidants and phytochemicals which have been shown to prevent cancer, heart disease, strokes, and other diseases. A recent study of 23 lean men and 23 obese men found little difference in the total number of free diet plans calories each group consumed. No more than 25 percent of your total free diet plans calories should come from fat, fewer than 10 percent from saturated fat, the most damaging form discussed in detail in the GHF free diet plans component.

The Best Hair Loss Remedy

2007-05-31T15:42:00.001-07:00

The most common cause for hair loss is iron deficiency. Iron deficiency is also known as anemia in medical terms wherein the body has a low iron level than what the body requires. Due to iron deficiency the number of red blood cells is reduced in the blood and result in a number of ailments. In most of the cases the person suffering from anemia will suffer extreme feelings towards hot or cold temperature (that is the person feels either too cold or too hot even at normal temperatures). This is because iron is used to maintain the body temperature. Due to iron deficiency in the body the hair begin to fall. The person who is suffering from iron deficiency also takes time to recover from blood loss.

More than 80% women suffer from some type of anemia. The common reason for iron deficiency is that there is insufficient iron in their diet. Iron is one of the key elements in creating red blood cells in the body. Due to fewer red blood cells the person appears pale (due to loss of pigmentation) and the hair follicles become weaker. The weakened hair follicles cause hair loss.

The best method for hair loss prevention due to iron deficiency is, to consume nutritious food containing high iron content. Doctors usually stress the patients to increase iron intake by consuming dried fruits, fish, legumes, meat, molasses, potatoes, dark green leafy vegetables, wheat germ, and grain products in the diet. Sometimes lack of vitamins in body can also cause excessive hair loss in women. Deficiencies in folic acid and vitamin B12 one of the causes for hair loss. For immediate recovery doctors usually give iron and vitamin pills. However these medicines are dangerous and should be consumed only after consulting a doctor.

Cellulite - What Is It?

2007-05-29T21:43:00.001-07:00

Cellulite can best be described as a lumpy looking substance that can be seen on the person's stomach, thighs, and rear end. Cellulite is, in reality just a name for build-ups of fat that bear against the connective tissues underneath an individuals skin, this then causes the surface layer of the skin to sort of dimple and appear lumpy. Contrary to popular belief, cellulite is not just seen in overweight people, as it can also be found on people of average weight and on thin people.

There are several factors which may influence whether you as an individual have cellulite and to what degree. Your gender, genes, how much fat there is on your body, how thick your skin is, and your age, are all factors which can affect the amount of cellulite you have, and how it appears.

Whatever causes cellulite, you must realize that there are not any quick cures or treatments that can get rid of it. For instance, I have seen some treatments advertised purporting to banish cellulite, when in reality all they do is temporarily improve the appearance of it.

Liposuction and mesotherapy treatments can be expensive and may produce improvement, but usually only in the short term. Warnings have been issued by many doctors that liposuction is not a good treatment because it is designed to eradicate deep fat, not fat that is near to the skin.

If your intention is to try to lessen the amount of cellulite on your body, you must try to reduce any excess body fat. Combine this with strength training and aerobics for best results. Even with this course of action, cellulite may still be seen, even on women without excess weight problems.

With the number of obese people rising everyday in certain western countries, cellulite is sure to become an ever-increasing problem, particularly in obese women. Because, at this point in time there is no absolute cure, most women just learn to put up with it.

Ramonabant (Acomplia) for Weight Loss - Sinner or Saint?

2007-05-28T15:46:00.001-07:00

If you went to college in the 60's and 70's you may remember the "munchies" or voracious appetite which sometimes accompanied marijuana smoking. Little did the pot heads of that day realize that medications in the future which block the munchies would help them shed the pounds that they would gain over the next 30 or so years.

This new medication, ramonabant (affectionately known at metabolism.com as Ramona), brand name Acomplia, is presently available in Europe and may soon be available in the United States. The company which produces this medication, Sanofi-Aventis, has been in lengthy negotiations with the FDA regarding gaining the critical approval required to bring Acomplia to market in the U.S. There has been much speculation about the reasons for the lengthy delay in gaining approval from the FDA. One possible reason is that although extensive clinical trials suggest that the new drug is safe and effective for weight loss, many experts are concerned about potential side-effects of ramonabant.

Studies show that about 30-40% of obese people taking ramonabant lost more than 5% of their body weight and 10-20% of subjects lost over 10% of their body weight above what they lost on diet alone. Because Ramona acts on the liver as well it had beneficial effects on triglycerides and other fats in the blood. Blood pressure reduction has also been observed with Ramona treatment.

Ramona works by blocking an important chemical pathway in the brain known as the endocannabinoid system. Scientists speculate that our body naturally manufactures substances resembling cannabis (marijuana, pot, reefer erc.), which interact with the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system not only participates in the control of appetite but is active in many areas of the body including the gastrointestinal tract, mood regulation, bone development, muscle control, blood pressure, adaptation to stress and the reproductive system. Several experts such as University of Colorado at Colorado Springs biology professor Dr. Robert Melamede have warned that the long term use of Ramona for weight loss could result in unwanted side-effects involving these other body systems. In fact, depression is listed as one of the side-effects that may limit Ramona's tolerability occurring in about 3% of obese subjects in a weight loss study. Nausea was another important limiting side-effect.

Industry experts speculate that Acomplia may be available for U.S. consumers by this summer but no one knows for sure. Insurance companies in the U.S. will not pay for medications for weight loss. Only a drug that treats a medical illness or condition will be "covered" by an insurance company. For that reason it is thought that Sanofi-Aventis will approach the FDA for an approval to use Ramona in the treatment of diabetes. This is because many diabetics will see an improvement in their blood sugar as they lose weight and because Ramona may have a direct beneficial effect on glucose and cholesterol regulation, as well. It will then be up to the FDA to finish their analysis of the safety and efficacy of the drug for this purpose. How long this will take is anyone's guess.

In the meantime we wait and wait and wait for Ramona. At metabolism.com we have been thinking that it might help if our members wrote a song about their feelings on the matter.

We took a stab and came up with this little ditty.

(in a Calypso beat)

Lyrics by GPepper, Director Metabolism.com

Oh Ramona, Oh Ramona

Why you left me so blue?

Xenical not nearly so sweet as you.

Oh Ramon, My Ramona

Me want to shed these ugly pound

Me getting to look so soft and round

Oh Ramona, Oh Ramona

Why you left me so blue?

I'm all alone wit'a powerful taste for some yellow cheese fondu.

Oh Ramona, Oh Ramona

I don't know if you sinner or saint

You make my liver happy but the rest of me body complaint.

Please add your comments and your own song to the blog at metabolism.com. It may help you feel better.

Only you and your doctor can decide on what medical treatments are best for you. The articles on metabolism.com such as this one are meant for educational purposes only and should not be used to guide you in your medical care. Speak to your health professional before undertaking to change or initiate medical treatment plans.

Gary Pepper M.D.

Editor-in-Chief

http://metabolism.com

How to Win a Beauty Pageant

2007-05-26T21:37:00.001-07:00

Every girl who enters a beauty pageant has one goal in mind- winning. However, no matter how beautiful or talented each contestant is, there can only be one winner. So, you may be asking yourself the number one question. "What can I do to win a beauty pageant?" To begin with, if you want to win a beauty pageant you will have to do your research and prepare for hard work.

Just being a beautiful girl is not going to make you a winner. In fact, beauty pageants consist of more events then simple appearance alone. You must be prepared to present yourself as an eloquent and intelligent speaker, you must be poised, dignified, and showcase your talent with expertise. All of this requires hard work, determination, and taking the time to research each beauty pageants rules as well as their history.

One of the most important steps that you can take to ensure that you win is to hire a beauty pageant coach. Studies have shown that the majority of beauty pageant winners have coaches. Coaches are privy to information regarding simple things that the judges are looking for. The pageant contestant may inadvertently ignore these simple things. For example, ensuring that you have the proper model stance can be the difference between first place and runner up. Most beauty pageant winners are the first to admit that their coaches played a vital role in their success.

Training hard is essential to ensuring that you win your next beauty pageant. You will need to practice your public speaking skills, your specific talent, your walk, modeling stance, as well as work on your smile, hair and makeup. It is a good idea to study videotapes of previous winners of the beauty pageants that you are competing in. This is a great way to see what qualities the judges are looking for in a winner.

You will also need to have an enormous amount of self-discipline. Winning a beauty pageant requires that you are disciplined in every aspect of your life. You should consider the beauty pageant as if it were a marathon or an event that you were in training for. Discipline in your sleeping habits, exercise routine, and nutrition are essential to ensuring that you remain in prime condition. Many women have lost their spot as a beauty pageant winner due to overindulgence in food, drinking, and lacking exercise. You must be committed to doing whatever it takes to win your next beauty pageant to see your dream come true.

Make sure that you always behave appropriately and respectfully. This includes how you treat the other contestants, the judges, and the organizers of the contest. If you present yourself as having a horrible, snobby attitude you will find that it will work against you in the long run. Often times, people confuse self-confidence with arrogance. They are definitely two different things. Judges are looking for a woman who exudes grace as well as confidence, but a woman who presents herself as believing that she is better than everyone else and treats other people badly will never be successful.

An Easy Weight Loss Program for Anyone

2007-05-25T15:44:00.001-07:00

Weight loss is something that so many people think about but very few ever really do anything about. Sure we all would like to lose a few pounds, but what is the real way to do it? There are so many stories out there about how people lost a lot of weight and then gained it all back, and if you have spent any time in the grocery store at the checkout you know that the magazines are full of articles promising you how you can lose a pound a day, but is that realistic?

Sure, there are ways that you can lose weight quickly, and some of them actually do drop the weight off of you, but the problem is that it is water weight and not actually fat that you are losing and water weight comes back just as quickly as it goes away. So if you want to lose weight and keep it off what is the secret? Well, there are ways that you can drop weight, but only one of them is really effective for long term and permanent weight loss. That is slow weight loss that actually targets the fat in your body and not just the extra water that you are carrying.

If you really want to lose weight and keep it off you will want to get on some kind of a program that not only takes that fat off but boosts your metabolism in a way that makes it stay off. This is done by not only adjusting your diet to where you will have a calorie deficit, but you will also want to incorporate some kind of exercise that will build muscle. The additional muscle will weigh more than the fat that your body lost, but it will burn additional calories even when you are at rest.

So if you want to lose weight and keep it off there really isn't a better way than building muscle in order to lose body fat. That is the easy weight loss program that anyone can follow, and if you follow it you will be happy with the results.

Channel Perfumes - The True Channel is Inimitable

2007-05-23T20:52:00.001-07:00

There are many perfumes in the world that stay in our memories as being wonderful or even great. These perfumes however are eclipsed by the most famous perfume of our modern times. This is the Channel Perfumes that bears the simple number 5 on its label. We know this perfume as it is now called Channel No.5.

There are many stories about how this Channel perfume came into being. What is known is that it was created by one Ernest Beaux and relesed at the premier of one of Channel's fashion shows. This was in 1921. The perfume was a hit because it departed from the usual standard of perfumes that were sold during that era.

This particular Channel perfume set the stage for many new innovations in the perfume world because of the new ideas that were used to create this perfume. Instead of the usual flower scents that were used Ernest Beaux used synthetic perfume oils as well in his creation. He let Channel choose the sample that she wanted to present and when it became famous other perfumes were made around this same idea.

Today while Channel No.5 is one of the most famous perfumes in the world there are other types of Channel perfumes for us to see and try. Some Channel perfumes have followed the trend of the first Channel perfume. These perfumes bear a simple number as their name.

Besides these Ernest Beaux created other famous Channel perfumes for us. These include Channel 22 which was released in 1922, Cuir de Russie which was intorduced in 1925, Gardenia which the public saw in about 1925, and Bois des Isles which came into our lives during 1926. These perfumes were later reintroduced to the world as boutique exclusives in 1986.

Other than these Channel perfumes there are some new brands on the market. For instance in 1984 the house of Channel launched their tribute perfume to Channel. This Channel perfume was simply called Coco in honor of Coco Channel. Allure the Channel perfume for the woman of today was released in 1996.

The Channel perfume range is always released with the help of a beautiful celebrity. The first such person who helped make Channel perfume well known was Marilyn Monroe. In an interview with a journalist Marilyn Monroe said that she only wore Channel No.5 to bed.

Nicole Kidman became the new face of Channel perfumes during 2004. As we knew her as a talented actress the idea that she wore Channel perfumes brands made sure that we would try a Channel perfume the next time that we went to buy perfumes. This constant change of well known personalities and celebrities helps to keep Channel perfumes in our minds.

For all of these reasons Channel perfumes is an iconic perfume. When we buy even a small sample perfume we are buying into history, because no other perfume has changed the way that we look at perfumes and ourselves.

Edi Kurnik

Discount Perfumes & Fragrances.com

Star With Cellulite - Can A Picture Of A Star With Cellulite Make You Feel Better?

2007-05-16T20:54:00.001-07:00

Have you seen a star with cellulite? Cellulite affects most women, including those with optimal body weight. Many women look into some magazines hoping to see a picture of celebrity with cellulite. Indeed, many women who struggle with the cellulite problem feel better when they see a picture of a star with cellulite.

Although the rich and famous also suffer from cellulite, they also have money to get the best treatment for cellulite. Celebrities can afford a personal trainer, a dietician, the expensive best anti cellulite creams and surgeries. This is why it is rare to see a picture of celebrity with cellulite. However, one in a while you can see a star with cellulite.

So, what can an ordinary woman who is not a celebrity do to get rid of cellulite? The first step is to lose weight. Women's bodies store excess fat on the highs, butt, thighs and legs. Losing weight will naturally eliminate your cellulite.

Exercise on a regular basis. Take a 30 minutes brisk walk everyday. Join up a club that involves some physical activity. This may be swimming, playing tennis or dancing. You must incorporate physical activity into your life through things that you have fun doing.

Use some exercise to rid cellulite that target the parts of your body that is affected by cellulite. There are many sources for these exercises which have been proven to help eliminate cellulite.

Cut down on the amount of food that you eat, and eat only healthy foods. Your diet must have more vegetables and fruits. Cut out excess carbohydrates, fatty foods and takeaways. Drink at least eight glasses of water everyday.

Get a massage done on the parts of your body that are affected by cellulite. Massages increase blood flow and the vigorous rubbing during the massage also breaks down the cellulite fats.

Look for the best anti cellulite cream and use it on a regular basis. There are many affordable anti cellulite creams on the market today, all you have to do is to buy proven and recommended best cellulite creams.

So you do not need to see a picture of celebrity with cellulite to feel better. You will rarely see a star with cellulite because they all seem to have perfect bodies most of the times. What you need to do is to get rid of your own cellulite so that you can look like a star and have a stunning and attractive butt, thighs and legs!

Diet Comparisons

2007-05-07T20:55:00.001-07:00

In today's world, diets have become a way of life. Popular diets have become the focus of talk shows, magazines and entertainment news where celebrities and their spokes-persons are continuously endorsing one diet or another. Whether it is to shed a few pounds, put on extra muscle mass or just simply to stay in shape, every individual is looking for a diet that is most suited for his or her body type.

Contrary to popular belief, a 'diet' is not eating only celery sticks, digestive crackers and drinking carrot juice all day long. In fact a healthy meal combining of fruits, vegetables, proteins, grains, cereals and lean meats, all in moderation would be considered an ideal diet as well as a good dietary habit. People lose weight over a few months time only to gain it back in no time at all. It has been established that the true secret of losing weight and to maintain that loss is to make some permanent changes to your eating and lifestyle habits.

The meal you eat is influenced by several factors that include how hungry you are, how long it has been since you have eaten your last meal, smell and taste of food as well as the genetics that shape your appetite. Perhaps, the most important is the feel of satisfaction that one derives after eating. You only feel full when the stomach sends the requisite signals to your brain. Satisfaction however, does not depend only on how much you eat but what kind of foods you choose to eat.

Although most people tend to overlook it, a healthy diet is a matter of common sense. When one is really looking to shed a few pounds, besides sacrificing excessive fried foods and desserts, all one needs to do is eat few calories per ounce of food ingested. Fruits, vegetables, soups, stews or whole grain cereals are some instances of such foods. They are full of fibre and have high water content which not only provide you your share of nutrients but leave you feeling satisfied without having broken the calorie bank.

There are several different kinds of diets to suit individual needs. The most popular are:

Atkins - The Atkins Diet, although extremely popular, is a move away from the conventional. Instead of an emphasis on the inclusion of a combination of different food types that typically make up a healthy, balanced diet, the Atkins approach is towards eating more of protein, fat and cutting down on carbohydrates. Although it represents a drastic lifestyle change, you can eat as much as you want as long as you keep to the restricted food groups. The diet has proven very effective and helped people achieve their weight loss goals, but whether, it is an healthy option in the long run, remains to be determined.

Jenny Craig - The Jenny Craig diet offers much more than just a weight loss program by including exercise, healthy meals and lifestyle change. With a great deal of support it inculcates counselling and prepared meals within your diet regimen. Moreover, along with prepared meals delivered home, it also offers vegetarian options. It may not however, be suitable for people who travel constantly and those who are cost conscious, because buying prepared meals on a daily basis may prove expensive. It however advocates the moving away from the prepared meal option after acquiring the weight loss results initially aimed at.

The Zone is similar to the Atkins Diet in that it emphasizes on increased protein intake and less carbohydrates. However, as compared to Atkins, you can eat greater amounts of carbohydrates with smaller portions. It is a more balanced approach and even allows the intake of vegetables. However, for people who like larger portions, variety and flexibility in their diets, the Zone can be restricting.

NutriSystems- The NutriSystems is an easy to follow plan which concentrates on low Glycemic index, good carbohydrates and optimal amounts of protein to keep your sugar levels stable as well as aims to keep you satisfied. The plan offers a NutriSystem meal, pre packaged and delivered on order which you supplement with different food items like fresh fruits, salads, dairy etc.

Weight Watchers- The Weight Watchers Diet believes that dieting is one part of long-term weight management. It does not tell people what they can or can't eat. The goal is to help people make healthy eating decisions and encourage them to enjoy more physical activity, thereby losing weight safely and sensibly -- and keeping it off. It gives information on food choices, recipes and meals as well as exercise plans. It has an online support network and weight loss tracker and progress chart to keep you motivated.

South Beach- The South Beach Diet is more like the Atkins Diet and restricts carbohydrates except for some good carbs which are allowed. What is an absolute no-no are food types like potatoes, fruit, bread, cereal, rice, pasta, beets, carrots and corn. Again it discourages fats but promotes the healthy ones. It is a diet for life. Eat normal foods in portions.

Pulling The Root- Cause Of Hair Loss

2007-05-03T20:47:00.001-07:00

Hair loss is a common disorder many men and women experience as they grow older. Sometimes hair loss lowers a person's self confidence. Men are more accepted being bald than women. Both men and women can experience baldness with equal frequency. Men are more visibly bald because of their characteristic receding hairline not seen in women. Women on the other hand have a more generalized type of balding. Both of these occurrences are referred to as common baldness. Unfortunately, this form of baldness is beyond cure. However intensive the researches are to find cure for this bane, still no perfect treatment has been discovered yet.

Aside from common baldness, there are also other kinds of hair loss that we should be aware of.

Alopecia areata is a form of hair loss where all the hairs in one small area are completely lost. However, the scalp underneath is usually normal. The causative factor related to alopecia areata is still unknown. Luckily, people affected with this type of hair loss can usually expect hair re-growth within 12 months. Yet, an estimated 40 percent of patients with this type of problem will encounter similar hair loss within the next four to five years. Doctors often prescribe cortisone creams to make the hair grow back faster. However, discontinued use of the cortisone cream will make the new hair fall out again.

Abnormalities in the scalp skin or hairs themselves can also result to hair loss. When these happen, treatment by a competent medical practitioner is needed. One of the most common scalp skin problems that cause hair loss, is ringworm. This is characterized by a red or scaly scalp, which may contain oozing pustules. The hairs infected by the ringworm fungus will become so thick and can easily break. Abnormality in the scalp and hair appearance can often be remedied with a physician's expert care. Ringworm is often detected by just mere hair and scalp examination. Some instances may require a few samples of hair to be examined under the microscope. Ultraviolet lamp is often used to determine ringworm of the scalp since some types of ringworm usually fluoresce under Ultra-violet light. Oral drugs like griseofulvin are often the medication of choice for ringworm. Creams and lotions applied to the affected area are often not used to treat ringworm because these are not sufficient enough to penetrate into hair follicles and kill the fungus. One or two decades ago, X-rays were used to treat ringworm. However, today this form of treatment should no longer be used. If your physician suggests this form of treatment, reject it and find a better practitioner.

Innocent children may also suffer from hair loss. This may not be related to any disease or health disorders. A friend while playing may accidentally pull your child's hair, which can result to hair loss. Tight braids and ponytails can also cause hair loss. If you notice your child frequently pulling his or her hair, your physician should be informed about the behavior.

Finally, hair loss can also be attributed to a lot of other factors including major surgery or illness, hormonal problems like over-active or under-active thyroid glands and hormonal changes in pregnancy.

Coping With Hair Loss For Women

2007-04-29T21:53:00.001-07:00

Women are told so often that our hair is our crowning glory that it can become a real heart-breaker when we notice that we are losing some of it. Hair loss in women is less often discussed around women then men, but the results to your self-esteem can be devastating. Whether your hair was long and luxurious or kept short and cute, seeing thinning patches of hair is never good for you.

While hair loss in women can be a blow to our vanity, there are many other concerns to think about. This can be a symptom of something larger in our life that needs to be taken care of. One large factor in hair loss for women is stress. Stress can cause you to lose your hair, whether it's from problems at your workplace or a recent surgery. Happily enough, this hair loss is temporary, and when your body recovers, so will your hair!

Slightly more serious is the hair loss that occurs from hormonal issues. An under-active or over-active thyroid gland can cause hair loss in women, as can differing levels of testosterone and estrogen. Similarly, hair loss in either sex can be caused by medication or by infections.

When you start to notice hair loss, do not panic! In many cases, it's curable, and your hair can go back to looking as lovely as you did before. There are a few things to think about if you want to reverse your hair loss.

The first is to try to identify the cause. Have you started taking any new medications? How have you been eating lately? Are you stressed? If you answered yes to any one of these questions, you might have the answer to your hair loss right there.

Hair loss can be a warning sign that you are having problems with your body. The health of your hair can reflect your health in general, so when your hair starts thinning, or becoming dry and fragile, it's a good time to start worrying.

One thing you do on your own is trying to reduce stress. Remind yourself eat well, and set some time apart every day for an activity that is relaxing to you, like yoga.

Remember to take care of your body as well; take your vitamins and and be proactive in figuring out what medications are going into your body. Your new hair loss may something to do with a new birth control, or from a food that you have started or stopped eating.

When in doubt, consult with a doctor. A doctor can tell you more precisely what's wrong and give you steps to fix it. If this sounds extreme for simple hair loss, think of this way: hair loss in women is often a sign of something else, something more serious. With that in mind, this is something that you cannot afford let go unexamined!

Effective Cellulite Solutions

2007-04-28T15:47:00.001-07:00

We liken it to orange peel or cottage cheese. Women have it, so do men. Cellulite, also known as dermatomyoliposclerosis, affects the young, the old, the fat, the slim, the gym-sculpted and the couch potato. General estimates say up to 90 per cent of women have it. But can we do anything about cellulite? Cellulite is a disease of the fat level of skin. The fat cells are arranged in chambers surrounded by fibrous bands. When there is a build-up of toxins and poor lymphatic drainage, water retention occurs and cellulite forms. The fibrous bands can contract, resulting in a permanent dimpling of the skin.

Unfortunately, once formed cellulite is hard to dispel with lifestyle changes alone. Many have suggested drinking more water, exercising and eating healthily, but none of these are effective. Even liposuction, often touted as the cure for cellulite, can worsen the situation. Hormonal changes also contribute to cellulite, which partly explains why women are more prone to it, and genes are thought to play a part. Cellulite appears largely on the thighs and bottoms, but can be found on the inner knees, hips, lower abdomen and under the arms.

Advances in Aesthetic Medicine have brought with it a number of effective cures for cellulite:

Mesotherapy improves the circulation, dissolves excess fat deposits and removes hardened fibrous connective tissue. Mesotherapy can dispel cellulite after 6-10 sessions, but mild to moderate cellulite responds as well, if not better, to machine treatments.

Endermologie, the use of suction and rolling technology, physically improves the circulation and expels toxins from the affected areas. The skin tone is improved, and even end stage fibrotic cellulite can be less visible after such treatment.

Ultrasound treatment can melt the fat in the treated areas and therefore reduce the bulging in the affected area. Coupled with lymphatic drainage, toxins can be eliminated for effective cellulite elimination.

Biomesosculpture is the latest in cellulite treatment. This technology stimulates the extra-cellular matrix surrounding our cells to reduce toxin stagnation. The infusion of a luxurious chocolate slimming cream infused with pure plant botanical and homeopathic extracts (ivy, dandelion, juniper) reduces cellulite and fat buildup. MRI studies show the instant inch-loss is due to fat reduction and not just water loss. The slight rise in temperature generated stimulates collagen production, hence stimulates skin firming and rejuvenation.

Of all the treatments listed thus far, Biomesosculpture shows the most promise as it treats cellulite formation at root cause. This detoxifying treatment has immediate, permanent results. With minimal downtime, this treatment is safe enough to use every day. Cumulative inch loss is far greater than surgical fat reduction if sessions can be taken in close succession, with the major advantage of minimal discomfort or disruption of normal activities. Ten sessions are suggested for each area. Results may continue to improve after the treatment course, as the toxins causing the imbalance and stagnation have been eliminated. Biomesosculpture can be used for spot reduction, reducing the appearance of cellulite, lymphatic drainage, buttock lifting, thigh tightening, waist reduction, hip reshaping and stomach rejuvenation. It can also be used for facial rejuvenation and chin/jaw line lift.

The 3 Biggest Factors for Weight Loss

2007-04-26T21:50:00.001-07:00

Cardio exercise is NOT needed for the best weight loss workout routines. In fact, to get the most fat loss, you don't need cardio at all. Instead, you need to focus on strength training and fat burning exercise.

Whenever a client starts using strength, interval, and bodyweight exercises, I introduce them to the 3 biggest factors in fat loss.

First up, is social support. A study from Stanford University showed that social support is the #1 factor for success in female fitness programs. I'd bet that its also important in male fitness programs - no matter how much guys would be unwilling to admit it.

And this should come as no surprise...just look at the popularity of Internet message boards dedicated to fitness and fat loss.

And while the social support can come from your spouse, family members, friends, or co-workers, the Stanford study showed that individuals have a greater chance of sticking to an exercise program when they have to be accountable to an authority figure - such as a doctor, lifestyle coach, or trainer.

Regardless, don't feel that you need to do this on your own. Get some social support and watch your success rate soar.

(I also encourage everyone to do a lifestyle review with his or her physician, especially if you are over 30 years of age and previously sedentary. Better safe than sorry. And it's also great to get your doctor into your social support group.).

Good communication and professional instruction will significantly increase your chances of success.

The second most important factor is nutrition. That's right, what you eat is more important than how you exercise.

It's always tough for me to admit this, but its true. No matter how great a strength and interval workout can be, it's no match for eating a large pizza or scarfing down a huge piece of chocolate cake. Nutrition will always have the final word on your fat loss success.

So make sure you know how many calories you are eating and have an expert check to make sure that you aren't eating something that you think is healthy, but in reality is actually an obstacle to your success.

And finally, the 3rd most important factor in fitness is exercise. And the more customized your program is for you, the better your results will be. When you combine a great workout program with proper nutrition and accountability, you can make incredible changes...you can even feel like you are reversing the aging process.

And now there are less than 12 weeks until the first long weekend of the summer. Will you be ready?

Understanding Hair Growth- A Guided Tour Of The Hair Follicle

2007-04-25T15:56:00.001-07:00

With the average person having about 100,000 hair follicles on the scalp to produce head hair, much work is going on daily in these tiny hair factories. Understanding the process of hair growth and how hair is formed can give a better understanding of why production stops resulting in hair loss.

Let's take a brief tour of the hair follicle with explanations in layman's terms, given the fact that few of us have taken medical studies.

The tour starts at the outer layer of skin called the epidermis which in turn has three layers starting with the germinative layer at the bottom, the granular layer above, and finally the cornified layer, the part which is visible.

The Bottom

The hair follicles are tiny pear shaped cups located in the germinative and granular layers of the skin on the scalp. While there are numerous layers and components that make up the hair follicle, our attention centers on the dermal papilla, located at the bottom end of the hair follicle.

Tiny blood vessels provide the nourishment needed for the dermal papilla or bulb shaped part of the hair follicle to keep up new cell production.

Now here is where a fascinating process kicks in. As new cells are formed in the bulb shaped dermal papilla, older cells are pushed upwards. As they reach the top of the bulb the cells are remarkably arranged into cylindrical layers, one inside the other, six in total.

While the outer 3 layers form a sheath in the hair follicle, the inner 3 layers begin to form the actual hair.

Other cells in the bulb produce the pigment (melanin) that gives hair its color. As the hair moves up the hair follicle, being pushed up as new cells are formed, the pigment or melanin in the inner part of the hair is carried upwards also.

The Middle

It is in the middle of the hair follicle that the cells which have been growing die. As they push upward they harden and now consist of a variety of proteins called keratins forming what we recognize as hair. Keratins are made up of smaller units called amino acids.

Interestingly some of these keratin proteins contain a high level of sulphur. (Some hair loss herbal remedies on the market use sulphur containing amino acids to provide an underlying matrix for healthy hair growth. See resource box below for NewHair Biofactors)

The Top

As this process of new cell creation from the bottom pushes older cells to the middle where they die and harden they finally arrive at the top of the hair follicle where they emerge from the scalp as the hair shaft.

Sebaceous glands near the top of the hair follicle produce an oily secretion called 'sebum' which helps make the hair water proof, and plays an important role in preventing bacteria from getting out of control which may become harmful.

Hair Close-Up

When you examine a hair under a powerful microscope you will see the surface almost resembles the scales on a fish. When the scales are smoothed in one direction the hair looks shiny and lays flat. When the scales are roughed up by an ingredient that moves 'against the grain' the hair appears stiffer and stands up. This characteristic is utilized in some hair products that claim to increase body and volume.

To use another comparison, hair may be likened to a tree with a tough outer bark. The inner shaft of the hair is moist lying beneath the protective bark. If the outer protective covering is stripped off through rough treatment the inner part of the hair, the cortex, is exposed and may break.

What does this tour of the hair follicle teach us about hair loss and hair growth?

It can be seen that hair production is an amazingly complex process that can be affected by many things. As these tiny hair factories, the hair follicles depend on a supply of healthy, oxygenated blood that is part of a healthy circulatory system, lifestyle choices are likely to affect hair loss and hair growth to a considerable degree.

So if you are concerned about thinning hair, take a look at your diet and exercise regimen. They can have a huge bearing on the health of your skin and scalp.

Helpful Resources

Jonathon E. Phillips, a leading hair loss analyst, firmly believes in this 'whole body' approach to hair loss rather than relying on prescription drugs which often require almost a lifetime commitment with subsequent side effects.

He sets out his Step-By-Step Hair Power Regimen in his illuminating 168 ebook "Hair Loss No More." I personally have a copy and enthusiastically recommend it to anyone concerned about hair loss. (See resource box)

Another resource I use is a hair shampoo from a company called Nisim International, hair specialists for over 20 years. Their NewHair Biofactors System contains a deep cleansing shampoo which neutralizes the effect of DHT, the substance which gets into the hair follicle and basically shuts it down causing loss of hair. Again, see the resource box for details.

An understanding of hair growth can help us be very cautious when evaluating the claims of some hair loss products on the market which attempt to treat the problem superficially from the outside rather than getting to the root of the problem from the inside.

Additionally, educating ourselves about hair growth and the function of the hair follicle can be a major factor in controlling hair loss and doing what is necessary in our lives to promote healthy hair growth.

Retinol - Essential To Get Rid Of Dark Eye Circles

2007-04-24T01:34:00.001-07:00

Retinol, the active form of Vitamin A, is a yellow fat-soluble, anti oxidant vitamin important in vision and bone growth. It belongs to the family of chemical compounds known as retinoids. Retinol is ingested in a precursor form; animal sources (milk and eggs) contain retinyl esters, whereas plants (carrots, spinach) contain pro-vitamin A carotenoids.

So what does Retinol do for you?
Retinol helps to plump skin. This is very effective when it comes to combatting fine lines on the eye area. Retinol also thickens the epidermis. Now, this is valuable for the eye area as the skin around the eyes are twice thinner than the skin on the face. Therefore, it is highly sensitive and has a lesser ability to build collagen to smooth the skin. Retinol also helps to improve texture and blood circulation. As we already know by now, dark eye circles are mostly caused by your capilaries around your eye area. These capillaries sometimes break very easily thus leaking blood around the eye area which results in red, purple or blue rings under your eyes. These are actually your dark eye circles. Therefore, use creams that also has Vitamin K in it as Vitamin K helps to constrict capillaries.

Hence, with retinol, it helps to circulate your blood around the eye area so blood will not be pooled in the eye area so easily. Besides, the skin in the eye area are the thinnest thus they are easily damaged by sun. Retinol helps to rebuild damaged cells from harmful UV rays.

Here are some good food sources rich in retinol:

Sweet Potato

Carrot

Kale, boiled

Mango

Turnip Greens

Spinach, raw

Papaya

Red Bell Pepper

Apricot

Cantaloupe

Milk, Fat Free

Romaine lettuce

Egg, large

Milk, whole

Tomato, raw

Broccoli

Green Bell Pepper

Orange

Apart from eating a diet rich in retinol, you can also indulge in some highly recommended eye creams/masks that are infused with retinol as part of your beauty regime. You can find out more of these creams in recommended retinol eye creams

Also, learn how to combat dark eye circles the natural way at natural remedies for dark eye circles

What Is Microdermabrasion

2007-04-21T16:02:00.001-07:00

While you might have heard about skin dermabrasion, you may be asking "what is microdermoabrasion?" This treatment is an alternative to the more rigorous and harsh skin treatments previously available and it is rapidly gaining popularity among those who want great results without having to suffer through weeks of unsightly skin. Here we will discuss the basics of what is microdermabrasion.

Microdermabrasion is similar to dermabrasion, but much gentler. It uses a crystallized cream containing aluminum-oxide crystals to gently abrade the skin and remove only the outer layers. This cream is most often applied with a battery-operated tool that has interchangeable heads, a scrubbing brush, an applicator, and a sponge. These help lightly "sand" the affected skin, remove it and then soothe it with a gel or cream designed to stimulate cell growth.

What is microdermabrasion effective at treating? This new method of improving problem skin is very useful for virtually any surface problem. It has been proven effective against fine lines and wrinkles, age or liver spots, mild sun damage and also surface scars, such as those caused by acne. It can also reduce or even eliminate stretch marks and large pores. Many people are turning to microdermabrasion for minor problems instead of resorting to the major process of chemical peels or regular dermabrasion.

Microdermabrasion has many benefits over the more standard, invasive techniques previously used to treat similar problems. For one, it has virtually no recovery time, you can do it on your lunch break and go right back to work afterwards. You might be a little red, but the slight discomfort experienced during the procedure shouldn't affect you once it is over. You will probably even have your co-workers wondering what is microdermabrasion, eager to try something so simple.

By now, you are probably wondering "what is microdermabrasion NOT good at?" While very effective against surface problems like little scars and uneven skin tone and texture, microdermabrasion is not meant for deeper treatments. Even for such disorders as acne scarring or stretch marks, you may need repeated treatments in order to get the results you want. This can end up being nearly as expensive (though not as painful!) as a regular dermabrasion treatment.

If you were asking, "what is microdermabrasion?" you now know. Deciding whether or not to choose this treatment over regular skin resurfacing methods is really a matter of personal preference, budget and pain tolerance. Microdermabrasion might just be for you!

How To Measure Your Servings?

2007-04-19T21:00:00.001-07:00

Do you know much you eat? Maybe you do, and maybe you don't. It's amazing how many people struggle with weight loss for years, convinced that don't eat a lot. Yet the weight stays on or actually increases over time.

When, people nosh their way through the day in a distracted state and don't pay attention to the fact that they're eating. More often, they know what they eat, and they know how many servings they have of what they eat. The problem is their notion of what counts as a serving.

When doctors and other expert spell out guidelines for weight loss, they usually create a plan they recommends a certain number of servings of any food or food group. To know what they mean by the word "serving", you have to read through the particular guidelines that you're following. The side panel on a cereal box routinely reports nutrition information according to one serving. But one kind of cereal considers one serving to be one cup of the cereal, while another, higher fat, sugary cereal may specify one quarter cup. In the case of the cereal manufactures, they understand that the buying public expects one serving of any cereal regardless of its makeup to contain approximately the same number calories as the rest. So the people who make and tell cereal simple adjust the volume of the cereal that they call one serving.

On the diet programs, one serving is actually one unit of the food. One serving of strawberries might be one quarter of a cup, and you'd be allowed two servings of the berries in a single sitting. One serving of beef might be designated as one ounce, which means that at a single sitting, you would be allowed four serving. A more understanding of "serving" would be the standard total of that particular food for one meal. Thus, one serving of strawberries would be a half cup, while one serving of beef would be four ounces.

Having said all that, and even knowing all that, some people still don't know how much they eat. They don't actually measure a cup. They eyeball it. Or they measured once, and now they're gauging by what remember about how it looked in a certain dish.

They only accurate way to know how much you're eating is to measure it. If you think you're consuming one designated serving and routinely, it turns out to be twice that, you can see how you might quickly find the weight staying on or moving upward. It only takes a moment to measure food, which is far less that it takes to lose a pound of extra weight. Measuring cups and a simple food scale are all it will take to get in touch with the amounts of your food consumption.

The Effects of Ramipril and Hair Loss

2007-04-14T16:43:00.001-07:00

Ramipril is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure), heart attacks or strokes in patients. It is also used to help treat heart failure and may be used to treat people with diabetes who have developed kidney problems.

Ramipril works by causing blood vessels to relax, lowering blood pressure and increasing the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart. Although effective at intended use, there have been concerns about the sides effects of Ramipril. One of the concerns is the side effect of Ramipril and hair loss.

Before taking Ramipril, make sure that you are prepared for any and all side effects. It should be noted that not every person experiences all side effects and some don't have any at all. Ramipril and hair loss do not go hand and hand but it needs to be discussed because it can be very scary when you suddenly look in the mirror to find that you no longer have as much hair as you did yesterday. Typically, only between 1 and 2% of people taking Ramipril frequently may suffer from hair loss.

However, if your hair is really important to you, make sure you discuss Ramipril and hair loss with your doctor. By discussing this nasty side effect well in advance, you can hopefully skip that morning when you find you have a hairball stuck to your hairbrush or that your drain is clogged from the hair that should be on your head.

Ramiprila and hair loss can affect men and women. Hair loss can be traumatizing, but again, if the Ramipril is being given to save your life, hair or no hair, listen to your doctor and take the medication so that it can do its job effectively.

There are many drugs on the market today and they are used to treat many ailments each and every day. Sometimes, those medications that we take have side effects. Some are barely noticeable and some are completely devastating or life hindering. The important thing to remember is that the medications prescribed are by a professional so you should never try to alter or not take your correct dosages, even when you are afraid of certain side effects such as Ramipril and hair loss.

If you take Ramipril and experience hair loss, tell your doctor immediately. Your doctor can sometimes prescribe other medications that don't have as many side effects or that have different ones. If you take Ramipril and experience hair loss, understand that it is not the end of the world. You are taking Ramipril to potentially save your life and if that means that you have a little less hair, that should be one sacrifice you're willing to live with.

Best Pubic Hair Shaving Method

2007-04-13T14:52:00.001-07:00

The best pubic hair shaving method has just been upgraded from the regular old razor blade to the much improved personal shaver;

Personal shavers have become one of the most popular methods of removing unwanted pubic hair. Perfect for women and men, personal shavers have been specially designed leave your pubic region smoothly shaven without ever nicking, cutting or biting your skin.

Because personal shavers are used on dry skin, the whole process of shaving down there becomes less messy and more time efficient. Most good quality shavers can actually be used on a daily basis.

The reason why these amazing devices are so effective at leaving you smoothly shaven, is due to the special thin foils and rotary blades that they carry. These rotary blades have been designed to shave even the most stubborn curly pubic hair on your body.

Personal shavers can also be used to shave unwanted pubic hair off the testicles without ever causing any injury to them. Now that's what I call safe! Keep in mind that you still need to pull the skin tight in this area before attempting to shave it.

Please understand that not all personal shavers are the same Quality. Purchasing a poor quality one can leave you with more nicks and cuts than your old razor blade.

It is for this reason that you should always invest your money into a good quality personal shaver. This will ensure that your pubic area is always smoothly shaven without the any risk of injury.

Hair Thinning Is A Problem For Women Too

2007-04-12T03:08:00.001-07:00

Today you will find that the majority of women will be to lose their hair by the time they reach 50. Often their are a number of reasons as to why hair is thinning and it may be because of one particular thing or a combination of things. However, in order to find out why your hair is thinning you will need to have a through examination at your doctors. Without doing this you are unlikely to find out what is causing your hair to thin.

Certainly hair thinning in women is a problem but often the pattern is slightly different from that of male hair thinning. Also when the thinning of hair commences also differs in men and women. In most cases the thinning of hair in women will generally start when they reach their late 40's or 50's and will not have a receding hairline as you see in many men who are suffering from a thinning of their hair. In fact some women will only experience a thinning of their hair on the top of the scalp whilst others tend to become thinner over broader regions of the whole head. But at present scientists are unsure as to what exactly causes the thinning of hair on women, but they feel it may well be related to hormonal changes in a woman's body as they grow older.

In the US alone more than 4 out of 10 women are experiencing some form of thinning hair and this works out at about 43 million women. Certainly most of them (over 30 million) are suffering from thinning hair because it is an inherited condition known as androgenetic alopecia. Whilst others you will find that are suffering from hair thinning it has been caused by hormonal changes to their body, a change of diet or some other underlying medical condition. However, because there is no credible information available with regard to this problem, many women are still somewhat confused about the reasons as to why their hair is thinning.

However in the case of hereditary hair thinning a woman's will tend to be more spread out over an area of the head that can be found between the bangs and the crown. In most cases women suffering from this form of hair thinning will refer to it as see through hair. Unfortunately hair thinning is a natural part of aging and can even occur in the most healthiest of women.
So if you do notice a sudden thinning of your hair do not worry as it is all a natural part of the aging process and luckily there are products available which can help to prevent the problem escalating as well as helping the growth of your hair.

Weight Training for Women - Fitness for Weight Loss

2007-04-10T10:46:00.001-07:00

As obesity levels rise higher and higher around the world, there is one aspect to this problem that hasn't changed...

You have to expend some energy and put in some effort if you want to achieve weight loss and fitness with diet and slimming exercises and weight training.

While there are many ways to go about this one of the most efficient weight loss methods continually meets resistance... (Hmm. Maybe that's why it's called resistance training ...) namely, weight training.

Women generally have the hardest time accepting weight (resistance) training into their fast fighting repertoire. After all, few women want to bulk up and look muscular and less feminine...
and that's what'll happen if you pump iron, right?

Wrong!

The only time you see a female body builder is when they're posing on stage and a common reaction is 'Yuk. I don't want to look like that! I just want fitness and a nice slim figure.'

Yet if you saw those same women in normal clothes in normal situations you'd most likely want to have the trim, shapely body that they have.

The common misconception is that if you do weight training you are going to suddenly bloom out with muscles all over you. If only that were true; keeping the weight down would be easy.

The fact is, very few women could ever make themselves look like a Ms Olympia body builder. They are professional athletes who work incredibly hard in their training and on their diet in order to maximize their muscle mass and muscular appearance.

Believe me, getting too muscular is the least of your problems. So don't reject this major weapon in your arsenal against body fat on a mistaken assumption.

Instead, consider what weight bearing exercise will do for you in the war on fat:

1. Build a firm foundation to your muscle structure.

You have muscles all over you. We all do. Without them we wouldn't be able to move. Moderate resistance training is all that's required to firm and tone your muscles. Remember, it takes a lot of work to actually look muscular.

2. Burn more calories right away.

You know aerobic exercise burns calories while you've doing them but a real boost comes from weight training. Your metabolism (rate of calorie burning) stays quite elevated for 20-40 minutes after an aerobic workout. With resistance training your metabolism stays elevated for at least an hour after your workout. Overall your metabolism will stay somewhat elevated and boosts calorie burning for anything from 4 to 24 hours depending on the intensity. It is important that your resistance training be progressively increased in intensity.

3. Burn even more calories in the long run.

With resistance training you are actually building muscle tissue, which is very active metabolically in comparison to fat, which is nearly inert. A kilo of muscle requires 50-100 calories a day just to maintain itself. So the more muscle tissue you have the more energy (fat) you'll burn off just by living, even when you're resting!

4. Strengthen bones and supporting muscle structure.

This is so you don't become prematurely old, stooped and weak and susceptible to injury. This is a major reason why even women who don't need to lose fat should still be concerned about maintaining muscle tissue.

5. Improve self-esteem.

When you look good you tend to feel good. With more toned muscle you not only look better but feel good because you actually have more energy. You feel more confident and positive about life, and better able to cope with stress.

So c'mon ladies, regardless of your age, let's assist your diet and slimming program and boost your general fitness. It's time to get into moving some weights around so you can move that excess weight off your body and raise the quality of body and life. Don't wait. Start your weight training today.

Just What Is DHT And How Does It Cause Hair Loss?

2007-04-09T05:46:00.001-07:00

Although we do not completely understand how hair loss and baldness is passed down through our genetics, what we do know is that some individuals have hair follicles that are super sensitive to the "DHT" that runs through their blood.

DHT is a hormone with the initials standing for "dihydrotestosterone".

DHT is an androgen, created from testosterone, and is considered a male hormone. Surprisingly, even though this is a male hormone, women also have a small amount that runs through their blood, some higher than others. When a female inherits hair follicles that are super sensitive to DHT, they will start to lose hair just as men do.

When a person inherits the genes for hair loss, their hair follicles are also sensitive to DHT in other ways. Not only does a person's hair fall out, but they will have also inherited hair follicles that, when regenerated through the three growth cycles, grow strands of hair that come back thinner and with less pigmentation.

This phenomenon also clears up the mystery behind why some people have thinning hair that seems to change color as the person ages.

In other words, it is perfectly normal for everybody's hair to grow and then shed, and then regrow back again. This allows the hair to reenter the anagen phase, then the catagen phase, and finally the telogen phase, which results in a new strand of hair. But now, since a person's hair follicles are sensitive to the DHT in the blood supply, it prevents the hair from regenerating to its normal size after each repetitive growth cycle. They come back smaller and smaller. In time, a person's scalp will contain hair so small that it resembles fuzz, which can barely be seen, hence becoming "bald".

Don't Be Too Discouraged To Find Out You Are Loosing Your Hair

Although being genetically predisposed to hair follicles that are sensitive to DHT may seem like a no-win situation, there is still hope! For starters, anybody who is experiencing hair loss can improve their look by carefully styling their hair in a way that does not emphasize this loss of hair.

There are also many hair care products on the market that can help give the appearance of extra hair. And if you really wanted to make an improvement, there are many high-quality wigs and hairpieces that look as real as a natural head of hair.

Also, medications exist that are widely available that are designed to help protect sensitive hair follicles that are affected by DHT. Some medications can even help by reducing the amount of DHT in a person's bloodstream, which will help slow down the process of hair loss.

Although there is no "magic bullet" for everyone in terms of medication for hair loss, there have been some truly amazing results with treatment and medication where patients have experienced a total reversal of their hair loss!

The Cheap And Easy Way To Buy Discount Contact Lenses

2007-04-07T16:18:00.001-07:00

With a contact lens prescription in hand, it's possible to buy discount contact lenses from stores, the Internet, over the phone, or by mail. The easiest way for most people to buy is online. Among the many kinds of contact lenses you can buy are: novelty, colored, crazy, Halloween, special effects, theatrical, costume, scary, glow in the dark, wild eyes, mirrored, black, white, and red. Now it's easy to order the perfect contact lenses online at a great discount.

You'll want to take simple precautions to make any lens purchase safe and effective. There are 75 million contact lens wearers worldwide and 31 million in the U.S. alone.

If you plan to wear lenses for more than 18 hours for the purpose of eye color change, then buy colored soft lenses. Newer soft lens materials include silicone-hydrogels to provide more oxygen to your eyes. Rigid gas permeable contact lenses are more durable, resistant to deposit buildup, and generally give a clearer, crisper vision.

People who have good distance vision but need help for reading can get a monovision reading lens for one eye. While the ability to hold water increases the oxygen permeability of soft lenses, it increases their fragility quotient as well. Some doctors prescribe disposables as planned-replacement lenses, which are removed, disinfected, and reused before being discarded.

Disposable lenses don't come with instructions for cleaning and disinfecting, while those labeled specifically for planned replacement do. Rigid lenses generally give you more clear vision. The length of continuous lens wear depends on the lens type and your doctor's evaluation of your tolerance for overnight wear.

Extended wear lenses are usually soft contact lenses; made of flexible plastics that allow oxygen to pass through to the cornea. You can become adjusted to soft lenses within just a few days, compared to several weeks for rigid ones.

Wherever you buy, shop for quality and value and don't forget you want to do what's best for your eye health. Check to see if you have a health insurance plan that includes vision coverage. When you place your contact lens order, request the manufacturer's written patient information for your contact lenses; it'll give you important risk and benefit information as well as instructions for use.

Compare prices - get quotes from two or three online and offline suppliers. Always buy from a reputable company; you can buy contact lenses without a prescription, but the company is selling you a prescription device as if it were an over-the-counter device violating FTC regulations by selling you contact lenses without having your prescription. You can buy contact lenses from an eye doctor, on the Internet, from an optical store or a warehouse club.

There are many good contact lens retailers now on the Internet making their lenses available at a good discount for prescription and non-prescription lenses. Carefully check to make sure the company gives you the exact brand you ordered, the name of the lens, the power, sphere, cylinder, if any, axis, if any, diameter base curve, and peripheral curves, if any. Beware of attempts to substitute a brand different from the one you want when buying contacts.

Daily-wear lenses are removed daily for cleaning and are a safer choice, provided they aren't worn during sleep. Don't wear lenses any longer than they're prescribed for, nor when sleeping unless you are otherwise directed. Always throw away disposable lenses after the recommended wearing period.

If your eyes become red or irritated, remove the lenses immediately and consult with your doctor. The use of homemade saline made by using salt tablets mixed in water is one of the biggest contributors to Acanthamoeba keratitis in contact lens wearers: the FDA no longer condones the use of salt tablets. One sight-threatening concern is the infection Acanthamoeba keratitis, which is caused by improper lens care; this difficult-to-treat parasitic infection's symptoms are similar to those of corneal ulcers.

Shopping for contacts online will save you a lot of money; contact lenses are deeply discounted. If you haven't had a check-up in the last one or two years, you may have problems with your eyes that you're not aware of, or your contact lenses may not correct your vision as well as you'd like. It's becoming easier and easier all the time to shop online and often the shipping is free.

What Are The Effects Of Early Menopause?

2007-04-06T12:46:00.001-07:00

While it is estimated that some women can experience the onset of perimenopause and menopause beginning in their 30's, early menopause can cause great anxiety. What are the effects of early menopause?

While most people associate menopause with older women, it can occur in younger women as well. Any women who is going through the full menopause cycle before the age of 40, is considered to be experiencing premature or early menopause. Imagine the emotional affect this can have on a young woman. In addition to the associated symptoms of menopause, experiencing this premature cycle can add another level of emotion which could be just as devastating.

One of the causes of early menopause is premature ovarian failure, in which your body's immune system attacks itself causing your ovaries to stop functioning.

Early menopause can also be induced by surgery. So too, if you have had surgery either to remove the ovaries or a full hysterectomy, your hormone levels drop instantly and you will experience instant menopause. Even if you do not have your ovaries removed during a hysterectomy, the ovaries may be damaged during the surgical procedure or the blood flow to the ovaries may be affected resulting in early menopause. In addition, early menopause may also be derived by having your tubes tied. Other causes of early menopause include excessive weight loss associated with anorexia.

To determine the cause of premature menopause, it is necessary to ask your mom at what age she became menopausal. If there is a lack of estrogen, it is more likely that early menopause will lead to menopausal symptoms which include: hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, loss of libido, joint discomfort, change in skin, and sleep disturbances. These tend to be more severe for younger woman who are in menopause, than it is by women who experience menopause naturally.

If you are among many women who are going through menopause at an early age, it may help you to join a support group to help you through this rough time. Seek the advice of your doctor to determine if this in fact, early menopause or something else. More importantly, losing the ability to have children is devastating and the time should be taken to grieve. The support of family and friends is crucial at this time.

Finally, understand and experience the loss. Your feelings and thoughts should be expressed in an honest and forthright manner. Remember, these results of early menopause are not your fault; it just simply happens. You will be going through many emotions at this time, and adding guilt to them will not alleviate the pain. There are always alternatives which you can discuss at a later date, but for now, allow yourself the time you need to mourn.

Preventing Morning Sickness Could Be Easier Than You Think

2007-04-05T10:42:00.001-07:00

What you're going to read about preventing morning sickness will probably surprise you. In fact, it's so revealing you might even have trouble believing it. But facts are facts and can't be denied. So keep reading and you'll discover an amazing truth about preventing morning sickness.

What's more, keep this following statement in mind as you're reading this article. "I'm prepared (as with any claim I make) to back-up what I'm about to reveal to you regarding preventing morning sickness with a live public demonstration."

So let's get started and discover something amazing about preventing morning sickness...

Have you ever wondered why some women suffer morning sickness that is so severe it even threatens the life of their unborn child? Yet others go through pregnancy almost without any sickness at all?

Furthermore, although called "morning sickness" as you probably know already, it doesn't just occur in the morning. It can, and does for some women, occur anytime of the day.

Well, being a man, I have absolutely no concept of what it must be like to have a fetus develop and grow inside you, and then bring that life into this world. But I can tell you one thing for sure – even the thought of it terrifies me!

If you're not a mother, just think of all the aspects of pregnancy that an expectant mum has to worry over. "Will my baby develop normally in my womb?" ... "Will I have any medical problems while I'm pregnant?" ... "Am I likely to have any complications giving birth?" ... "Will my baby be strong and healthy when it's born?"

These are just the tip of the iceberg. Furthermore, we must also remember that problems in these areas could be a matter of life or death for the mother and her baby! Unlikely, but a possibility.

So, is it any wonder a mother-to-be can become anxious when she discovers she is pregnant? Not to mention, if it's her first pregnancy. Furthermore, a woman will subconsciously know she's pregnant long before she consciously knows, or when her doctor
tells her.

So let's accept, for a moment, that a mother-to-be has some serious thoughts to contend with - no matter how excited and pleased she is to be pregnant.

Now let's review briefly what anxiety is. Anxiety is fear that comes from within us. In this case it is the worries, concerns and negative images that a pregnant mother has during pregnancy. And fear is an emotion that can, and does, create nausea and sickness.

Therefore, is it a major leap to conclude that morning sickness could be generated by the subconscious anxiety an expectant mother has to deal with - regardless of whether the pregnancy is wanted or not?

Doctors usually say they don't really know what causes 'morning sickness'. But then go on to say it's often due to hormonal changes and/or lower blood sugar during pregnancy.

But don't women suffer hormonal changes and low blood sugar at other times in their life without being sick? Why should hormones during pregnancy be any different? I know there are some in-depth explanations to this answer, but stay with me for a minute.

Leading on from this, let's answer the question, "why do some women suffer 'morning sickness' that is so severe it even threatens the life of their unborn child?" Yet others go through pregnancy almost without sickness at all?" I'm aware of one case where doctors were considering terminating a pregnancy because the mother's morning sickness was so severe they were concerned for her wellbeing.

Well, as with all subconscious anxieties, the intensity of the problem is proportional to the intensity of the anxiety. Therefore pregnant women suffering from severe morning sickness must be harboring severe anxiety over some aspect of their pregnancy. Therefore, preventing morning sickness is possible if the underlying anxiety can be resolved.

Let me give you a brief case study of a precision analysis I carried out with a woman who was suffering from debilitating morning sickness, which was accompanied by general feelings of weakness and lack of energy. In addition to this she also felt unwell most of the time.

The lady in question was forty-two years of age and already had four children. Two of which were in their late teenage years and had left home. This fifth pregnancy of hers was with a different partner than the previous four. The pregnancy was, however, planned and certainly wanted.

Once she was relaxed into deep hypnosis the cause of her anxiety soon came to the surface after a little detective work ...

It transpired that during the process of giving birth to her four previous children she hemorrhaged on each occasion. Each time she hemorrhaged it caused her great concern, but with good medical treatment she never suffered any complications.

Unfortunately, when she gave birth to her forth child the doctor attending the delivery asked her if she intended having anymore children. Her answer was no! The doctor's reply to this was "good, you've hemorrhaged rather badly and as you're now approaching forty, giving birth to another baby could be dangerous for you."

These words spoken by the doctor when she was very emotional, and therefore in an extremely receptive state of mind, made a deep impression upon her at a subconscious level. So it naturally followed that when she fell pregnant this time, at a level below her conscious awareness, she began to suffer great anxiety.

Subconsciously she was seriously concerned about dying during the process of giving birth to the baby she was now carrying. The possibility of her dying was probably remote, due to modern medical care, but her subconscious fear was extremely real and based on the words her doctor spoke just after she had delivered her 4th child.

I'm delighted to say that once we had alleviated her subconscious anxiety and boosted her wellbeing with suggestions, her morning sickness stopped. Furthermore her feelings of being tired and unwell also dissolved away.

The remainder of her pregnancy went smoothly and, in the fullness of time, she delivered a healthy baby boy - with no complications. Plus this time, because of what she had learnt during her sessions with
me - she didn't hemorrhage!

This precision analysis is just one of many I've conducted with pregnant women suffering from severe morning sickness.

Other intense anxiety cases causing morning sickness that I've uncovered include ...

A woman who had been told in many ways by many people that - 'she was just like her mother'. Over the years this had made an impact on her at a level below her conscious awareness, but did not appear to have caused any problems - until she became pregnant. The sad case here is that she had never met her mother. Her mother died of complications shortly after giving birth to her.

Below her level of consciousness, because she was 'so much like her mother' she was terrified that she too, would die whilst giving birth to her baby, just as her mother had. As with most other cases, once her subconscious fear was allayed her morning sickness stopped.

In this next case example, the woman became pregnant while having a brief romantic affair during her marriage. Unfortunately, she had no idea whether the father of her child was her husband or lover. This in itself didn't seem to trouble her too much. Plus, she was delighted to be pregnant for the first time.

She told me that she was basically happy in her marriage and that her affair had now finished. But, and it's a BIG but! Her affair was the root cause of her anxiety problem. Let me explain, her and her husband were Anglo-Saxon in origin and therefore white skinned, where as her boyfriend was from Jamaica and definitely very dark skinned!

What would she do when her baby was born if it was of mixed origin? This was the anxiety that kept her suffering from severe morning sickness day after day.

She didn't want to leave her husband, or the quality of life he was providing her with. Nevertheless, she had no doubt that if her baby was of mixed origins her husband would not be understanding, and would throw her out immediately!

If this was not enough to cause her major concerns, she had very little in the way of family, and unconsciously, carried a strong fear that she could be homeless with a newborn child!

Unlike most cases, I was not able to help this woman in any useful way. Simply because although her anxiety was mostly generated by her imagining, her problem was based on the real fear of what would happen to her and her baby if the baby was obviously not her husband's when it was born.

I have no follow-up information on this case.

Fasting for Quick Weight Loss

2007-04-02T06:47:00.001-07:00

First and foremost, there are a lot of diet plans on the market today that profess quick weight loss. In most instances, you should avoid these diet plans like the plaque. Most people who have decided to begin a weight loss plan have lots of pounds they want to lose. If this is the case, quick weight loss should not be an option. You should place your emphasis on a long-term, well-structured diet regime.

For those of you looking to lose just a few pounds for whatever the specific reason, perhaps you should consider fasting as an option. Fasting provides a quick weight loss of approximately five to fifteen pounds. While focusing on a quick weight loss fast, make sure you plan this fast to be short term. A simple five-day fast could be the answer for you to lose a few pounds to get into your wedding dress in a few weeks, that beautiful evening dress you bought for the theater, that little bikini you bought for your vacation in a couple of days, or any other reason you might have.
I found a great five-day fast that gave me phenomenal quick weight loss results. I had no immediate reason for quick weight loss but the five-day fast gave me the motivation I needed to jump start my long term weight loss plan. At the beginning of 2007, I resolved to lose eighty pounds during the year. Eight days into this year (2007), I had no idea of what or how I was going to accomplish this resolution. Furthermore, eight days into this year, I had almost forgotten about the resolution. I realized that I made a resolution that I would not even try to meet. I make almost the same resolution every year. This year (2007), I made the resolution a little more specific – 80 pound weight loss goal.

I tried the five-day fast and at the end of the five days, I had lost an amazing fifteen pounds. Of course, I knew that the scale was only portraying mostly water loss, but I was still elated with any weight loss. Why, because this was what I needed to get on track to meet my new year's resolution.

Quick weight loss should never hold your attention because if you lose weight too quickly, you are doomed to gain that weight back very quickly. It takes time to get your body and mind acclimated to a change in diet. Quick weight loss does not afford you the opportunity to get used to a change in eating or to a change in lifestyle. A five-day fast will introduce your body to change but it would be best to engage in a fast that would still provide the vital nutrients your body needs.

To be successful in your weight loss goals, you must first be in the right mindset. You must first understand how your mind is going to react to your plan of weight loss. The mind is the catalyst behind every action we do. Therefore, we must put our minds in sync with the weight loss program we have decided to undertake. Weight loss is a science, of sorts that has to be researched and analyzed in order to bring the desired results. Get your mindset to positive thinking about your weight loss. A five-day fast could possibly be the mechanism to achieve this feat. As long as your fast provides everything healthy for your body, it should be a breeze to get your mindset on positive results for the long term of dieting and exercising. Mental health is essential to body health.

Cast your mind to some positive benefits of weight loss:

1. You won't have to shop at targeted stores anymore. You won't have to shop at the "Big" stores for clothes. The stores that we label "little peoples' store" is within our reach.

2. Your body will feel much better because it is healthier. You will remove a lot of fat that surrounds your heart that is making your heart work harder.

3. Your pockets will be fuller. You will have more money to do other things with because you will have given up buying all the wrong things that were making you unhealthy.
Always keep positive thoughts about your weight loss in your mind. Never let the negative dieting thoughts enter. You will see that positive attitude will take you to a greater altitude for a much better aptitude.

Always remember to consult your physician before starting any weight loss program.

How Can Women's Hair Loss Be Treated?

2007-03-30T07:12:00.001-07:00

Did you know that more and more women are having to cope
with hair loss? Understanding the root cause of hair loss
in women is one of the most important fact finding missions
that you can do for yourself.

Finding the root cause of your hair loss will lead you to
better understanding of your situation and hopefully finding
some sort of relief in stopping hair loss.

Hair loss in women is not confined to any age barriers.
Women in their early years have also been affected with this
problem and whether their old or young in years, women have
to learn to cope with their hair loss. One of the tasks to
cope is understanding why it happens in the first place.

Just as our body grows in cycles so does our hair grow in
cycles. When women's hair loss is affected the growth cycle
of hair is interrupted. Growth of hair usually grows at
about half an inch per month with individual hairs having a
growth phase of between two to six years. After the growth
period then there is a dormant period then that strand of
hair falls away naturally and a new strand of hair replaces
starting the hair growth cycle all over again.
It is when this cycle is interfered with by either hormonal
imbalance, medication effects, psychological stresses is
when our body reacts and thus we have hair loss in women.

Balding patterns identified.

Just as males and females are different in all aspects, hair
loss is no different. The hair loss pattern identified in
women is quite different than male balding. We all have
different heads of hair of course but the effects of balding
concentrates on different parts of the head. Balding effects
in women are identified by having it goes around the whole
top of the head versus men when they lose hair is mainly on
the temple at the crown.

A common cause for women's hair loss.

Truly one of the most predominant causes of women's hair loss
is hormones. Since women have to go through traumatic
stages in the life especially when it comes to childbirth,
women are more susceptible to hormonal changes than men are.

In all cases of hair loss the most important issue is
getting a valid diagnosis of the hair loss. Until you see
your physician and he can give you an expert opinion on your
condition you should investigate your matter thoroughly.

Identifying hair loss patterns.

You need to identify whether this hair loss pattern is
temporary or permanent. Did the hair loss come on suddenly
or has it happened over time? Answers to these questions
may open up the root cause for your hair loss. If your hair
loss is patchy then most likely it is related to stress.
Have you been stressed out lately? Really take a look at
your lifestyle and maybe you can find the reason for your
hair loss.

What can you do about hair loss?

Well first things first, beware of miracle cures. A lot of
hair loss treatments are predicated on the fear factor. Some
myths of hair loss are how women have the wrong chromosome
count in them. Can you believe that someone would come up
with a reason like that? Another fear factor reason is that
women brushing or combing their hair too much. Certainly
overdoing anything to excess is likely to have consequences
but please put some common sense into these issues.
There are medical treatments available like the drug
Minoxidil. This drug was originally designed to treat high
blood pressure but studies showed that a side effect was
hair growth.
You can also try hair transplantation or scalp reduction if
your budget allows you too.
But before you try any of these treatments make sure that
the hair loss you're experiencing is definitely permanent
and isn't temporary.

Women's hair loss is definitely something that women want to
take care of before it gets out of hand. Understanding the
root cause, identifying the type patterns and seeing what
treatments are available is just the beginning of stopping
hair loss.

Offering alternatives to combating hair loss can be found
at Jim's website that may offer some hope of getting your
hair back. You just may be surprised at what you may learn.

Getting Intense - Anaerobic Exercise

2007-03-28T17:48:00.001-07:00

Everyone in the world needs to work out. No matter who we are, cardiovascular exercise is necessary for health and a good quality of life. It has numerous benefits and can improve life for people in all kinds of different ways. There are two kinds of cardiovascular exercise: aerobic and anaerobic. Why do we need to do either one of these?

Aerobic exercise is activity that is usually lower in activity level and longer in duration. The word aerobic means with air or with oxygen. It is done to condition the body to be more active for longer amounts of time. It is often known as endurance training or cross training. Some aerobic exercises include; walking, jogging, biking, or swimming. A great amount of oxygen is required to produce the energy for these activities and maintain the body's endurance. Aerobic exercise is very important for good health and improved performance.

Anaerobic exercise is different than aerobics in that it is usually done in a shorter amount of time at a higher intensity. The term anaerobic means without air or without oxygen. As the body is worked in very strenuous activities it produces a by-product known as lactic acid to keep it energized. While aerobic exercise is done to increase stamina, anaerobic exercise is to increase muscle strength for times when great amounts of energy are required in a short period of time.

The lactic acid that is produced is what causes muscle fatigue. Before more anaerobic is attempted the muscles must use this lactic acid up in a rest period. The muscles use oxygen to restore the energy burned during anaerobics. Lactic acid removal can become more efficient with training. Some examples of anaerobic exercise are; sprinting, hill climbing, running intervals, jumping rope, and other activities that require big bursts of energy.

In general, anaerobic exercise ends up burning less calories than aerobic exercise does, but it does build muscle and lean body mass. Increased muscle mass leads to lost weight and a leaner figure as muscle groups burn more energy than fat cells. As you start to exercise anaerobically, there is a shortage of oxygen to the muscles. With anaerobic training the body can become better equipped to handle fatigue. As the fitness level increases, the body produces less lactic acid and the removal of it from the bloodstream becomes more efficient. With increased muscle capacity, the groups can operate from 12% to 50% more effectively, allowing the body to accumulate higher levels of lactic acid during exercise.

Anaerobic training is generally for people who have already achieved a certain level of fitness and are trying to increase speed, agility, and power. Participants should do a good deal of aerobic warming up and stretching before and after an anaerobic exercise session. It is not recommended to participate in anaerobic exercise if you are a pregnant woman. Also, if you are a beginner to exercise, you should start out at about 50% intensity rate for your particular fitness level.

Why Many Diets Are Doomed to Fail- How to Choose the Right Diet for You

2007-03-27T16:42:00.001-07:00

You have probably seen it before. You or someone you know starts a new diet full of enthusiasm about the amazing weight loss to come. They stick with the diet for about a week, and then return to their old habits and lose all of the ground they had made. This is the saga that goes on in many people's lives indefinitely. Always signing up for the next diet that is going to melt the pounds off in a big hurry only to quit in less than two weeks with no permanent results. This is not the recipe for lasting weight loss.

So what causes people to start out strong a new diet and quickly fade into old habits? This article is going to reveal where most diets go wrong and show you how to avoid this weight loss trap.

A lot of people hold the belief that they need a strict, harsh diet to be able to achieve great weight loss. While these kinds of diets may work, how likely is a person to really stick with something so extreme for the long haul? The diet was doomed to fail because it is too hard to stick with.

If you are accustomed to eating anything you want all day and then suddenly start eating carrots, apples and rice, how do you think you would react? You might be able to stick it out for a couple of weeks, but sooner or later you would likely quit. This is because the diet is not satisfying. If you don't feel ok with what you're eating you will crave all of the things that the diet doesn't allow. These cravings only become stronger with time.

This is why it is critical to choose a diet that is healthy and satisfying. This will give the best of both worlds. You will like the food you eat, and you will experience lasting weight loss. What starts as a healthy diet becomes a lifestyle. This is where all lasting results are found… in a lifestyle change. I hope you take this article to heart and begin a reasonable diet that will provide the change you desire.

Ever Thought of Using Natural Deodorants? Well, Now Is Your Chance

2007-03-25T09:08:00.001-07:00

Did you know that it is entirely possible to create your own natural deodorants? Creating your own deodorants cuts down costs, helps the environment and is a lot better for your skin!

Why Use Natural Deodorant?

Natural deodorant is definitely better for your skin than the ones which are laced with chemicals. They control the sweat naturally and do not clog up the pores like other deodorants can do.

They come in two different forms, either ones which you can eat to improve your own unique scent, or ones which are used externally to cover up the body odor. It is also possible that some natural deodorants actually work with your body odor to compliment the natural smell, rather than masking it. This usually occurs because it does not allow the offensive bacteria to grow.

How to Create Your Own Natural Deodorant

There are several ways in which you can make your own deodorant and some of them are extremely simple. If you want to first make sure that you smell nicer naturally, it may be worth looking into what your diet consists of. Junk food can often make our bodies smell quite bad, and if you tend to eat a lot of meat that can also cause your natural body odor to be quite strong.

Yogurt is supposed to be good for changing the bacteria within the body, and therefore it is a good food to eat when wanting to improve body odor.

Now, the ordinary deodorant acts as a body spray which uses a nice smelling fragrance to reduce the levels of bacteria. Unfortunately they do not stop you from sweating, and if you just use deodorant instead of antiperspirant, you will notice how quickly you will start to smell. When you do start smelling, deodorant will mask the smell but it will not get rid of the sweat itself so you will still end up with sweat patches.

The amount of alcohol you drink can also have a negative effect. So, take a look at what you are eating before you decide upon which natural deodorant you would like to create. That way you will have the best possible chance of creating something that will work really well. If you are really struggling, sage and peppermint are quite good natural deodorizes used in drinks. Sage should be used in tea, and a couple of drops of peppermint should be added to an ounce of water and drank every hour or so. Some other natural deodorizers include:

Witch Hazel. Used as an underarm splash

Borax Mixed With White Willow Bark. Acts as a deodorant wash for strong smelling sweat. It is better to also add a few drops of Patchouli also for best results

Chaparral. – You use this externally under the armpits as a natural deodorizer
Orange and Lemon Peel. Blended together into a powder, these two make a really good, fruity underarm deodorizer.

Those are just a few low maintenance natural deodorizers you can create and use, however, if you have a little extra time to spare there are some really good natural deodorizers you can create including:

Unisex Lavender Body Powder

This Lavender Body Powder is great for both men and women, and men in particular seem to really like the scent on their body. All you need is 2oz of Lavender, PO and 2os of unscented talcum powder.

Simply mix the ingredients together and sift them through a fine sieve. Be sure that any large particles from the ingredients are discarded. That is basically all you need to do and if you want a more refreshing scent, half an ounce of lemon peel could easily be added.

Violet Body Powder

This natural deodorizing powder has a really light, pleasant scent and is mainly suited to women. To create it you will need 1oz of powdered Violet flowers, 4 drops of Violet oil, 2 drops of bitter Almond, 1oz of powdered Orris root and 2oz of unscented talcum powder.

To start simply add the Violet and the bitter Almond oil onto the Violet flowers in a container. Close the container and then shake to mix the ingredients together. Now add the Orris root and close the container and shake once more. Next add the talcum powder and mix the ingredients thoroughly before sifting them through a fine sieve. Store the mixture in an airtight container and simply use when needed.

Overall, it is quite simple to make your own deodorant once you have the ingredients that you need. It is not that expensive and your body will really thank you for it.

Natural deodorants work just as well, if not better than shop bought ones and you have the added benefit of knowing what is actually in them. So what are you waiting for? Try making your own deodorant today, you never know, you might like it!

Types Of Cosmetics

2007-03-23T14:39:00.001-07:00

Make-up and cosmetics are used all over the world by all kinds of different people. Cosmetic products are defined as, "a substance or preparation intended for placement in contact with any external part of the human body". This definition can include a variety of products.

Shampoos and soaps are products that usually contain some kind of fragrance and clean the skin by the use of surface-active agents, or surfactants. These surfactants are molecules that have both lipophilic and hydrophilic, or fat soluble and water soluble parts. The fat soluble part of the product clings to the oil and dirt as the water soluble part allows the lipophilic part to be washed away. Detergents for dishes and clothes work in pretty much the same way but will have different ingredients that make them more harsh for use on hard, solid surfaces. It is usually not a good idea to try and use these detergents on the body and hair, for it can lead to irritation.

Lipstick is another cosmetic product that contains hydrophilic properties. They are manufactured by combining wax, a non-volatile oil such as beeswax with castor oil, and water. The combination produces a thick substance that is water-insoluble and spreads easily on the lips. Because of its lipophilic properties, lipstick won't dissolve on the lips when exposed to saliva or liquid from drinks. Other lipsticks will have a dye in them that react to amino acids on the top layer of the skin. This makes the the product appear blue or green in the container and change to red when applied to the lips.

When water is lost on the top layer of dead skin cells faster than the living cells under them can absorb the moisture our skin becomes dry. This is when we need the help of a moisturizer. When the skin becomes dry and scaly, moisturizers can assist by preventing further water loss, known as occlusion, and by adding humectants, substances that increase the hydrophilic properties of the skin. Humectant moisturizers contain substances such as alpha hydroxy acids or glycerine and add moisture to the top layer of skin while occlusive moisturizers form a waterproof layer over the skin that reduces moisture and allows the body's natural rehydration process to return the layer to a normal level.

Choose Wisely From Among Cheap Perfumes

2007-03-22T12:37:00.001-07:00

Fragrance can do much to complement a beautiful outfit – whether casual or formal. A signature scent adds another layer to your look and helps define your style – clean and natural, sophisticated and elegant, edgy and creative; the type of fragrance that you choose to wear says a lot about you and is very reflective of your overall personality. And while some may think that it's necessary to choose a high-priced perfume in order to get the scent they want, it is not always the case. There are a variety of cheap perfumes on the market today - some of which can give you all that you desire at a fraction of the price of high-end, retail priced fragrances.

There are a number of classifications associated with cheap perfumes. In some cases, less expensive fragrances refer to those scents that are modeled after designer fragrance. It's like buying a piece of clothing that you may have seen on the red carpet and costs thousands of dollars – in a retail store where it's being mass produced and sold inexpensively. If you are in love with a designer fragrance that is just too cost-prohibitive for you to purchase, you may want to check out these lines of fragrance. They can most often be found in perfume shops and department stores.

Other cheap perfumes refer to the actual designer fragrance that is sold at a less expensive price. Some discount perfume stores will offer designer fragrance at a fraction of the price you would find it for at full retail value. And as wide a selection as these stores may have, you are likely to find an even wider selection in a variety of online resources. Buy wisely when it comes to online purchases however; you need to ensure that you are dealing with a reputable vendor who will give you exactly what you expect rather than a knock-off product. You may also be able to find a number of designer perfumes – at much cheaper prices – in duty-free shops along borders and in airports. Next time you take a trip, take a couple of extra minutes and do some shopping for your favorite fragrance.

Another reference to cheap perfumes is the lower quality fragrances that can be found for very affordable prices in drugstores and cosmetic stores. If you find a particular fragrance that appeals to you then by all means, buy it! Just know that the cheaper fragrances tend to wear off relatively quickly so you may need to reapply more often.

Fragrance can add a whole new level to your personal style; and finding that style often does not require a large financial commitment. Start off by finding the scent that most appeals to you. If it is a designer fragrance that you find to be cost-prohibitive, then search other retail outlets to find it at more affordable prices if available.

Ultimately, it does not make sense to sacrifice quality for price. There's nothing wrong with less cheap perfumes if they work for you. But if the fragrance is low price and low quality – resulting in a less than desirable scent – it may not be worth the price you do wind up paying.

5 Specific Symptoms To Look For With Yeast Infection

2007-03-21T11:29:00.001-07:00

If you are suspicious that you may have a yeast infection, there are specific symptoms that can help clarify whether or not you indeed have an infection. Although it can be embarrassing and possibly painful, you're not the only one out there to get a yeast infection. In fact, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention says that around 80% of women will be afflicted by vaginal yeast infection at least once during their lifespan. So what are the yeast infection symptoms to look for?

1. Burning Sensation During Urination

Men and women can be afflicted by a yeast infection, and both may notice a burning sensation during urination. If you notice that it hurts to urinate and burns for more than a few bathroom breaks, it's a sign that you need to talk with a physician.

2. Pain During Intercourse

This is only relevant for women who have a vaginal yeast infection. Although it is uncommon, it is possible for a woman to infect a male partner through vaginal intercourse. Because of this, it is vital that the women avoid vaginal intercourse completely until treatment has cured the infection.

3. Discharge

For the male, there are very few yeast infection symptoms, but a discharge from the penis is one of them. This can be either during urination or ejaculation. For the women, the production of a thick white vaginal discharge will be found that often resembles cottage cheese.

4. Itching

Any kind of itching around the vagina or penis is a red flag. It can become extremely irritating and is a clear sign that something is not right. In this case, it is vital that you get a medical exam immediately.

5. Irritation Or Redness

Going along with the itching, women may experience other forms of irritation around the vagina. The vagina may also begin to appear red and begin to rash. Although this often is more irritating than painful, it can become quite painful without quick treatment.

When you are concerned that you may have a yeast infection, it is vital that you check for all of the above symptoms that may be relevant. Sometimes having just one symptom isn't enough. For example, irritation for women can be caused by the use of products such as perfumed soaps, bubble baths and sprays. If you do have a symptom and are worried, the safest thing to do is to go and get a medical examination. This is the most efficient way to get rid of a yeast infection prior to it worsening.

Obesity In Young Children Is Now Being Seen In The Very Young

2007-03-20T10:19:00.001-07:00

It has been well known for some time now that obesity, which has reached epidemic proportions in the United States, is being increasingly seen amongst teenagers but it appears that this epidemic has now reached children who are barely old enough to walk.

Although it hardly seems possible, one recent study which examined nearly two thousand children found an alarmingly high number of overweight and obese children at just three years of age.

The study focused its attention on a group of children from low income families living in twenty large US cities who were born between 1998 and 2000 and recorded their height and weight at three years of age. Astonishingly, the researchers found that nearly one-third of white and black children were either overweight or obese and that this figure rose to forty-four percent in the case of Latino children.

The high numbers in general are very worrying, but just why such a high incidence of obesity was seen in Latino children is something of a mystery. Although the study showed that there was more of a tendency for Latino children whose mothers were overweight to be overweight themselves and also found that Latino children were more likely to be given a bottle when they were put to bed, this, while clearly contributing to the problem, seems unlikely to completely account for it.

The results of this study are extremely worrying as, apart from the stigma that is still attached to being overweight and the pressure that this will place on very young children, we are also beginning to see a number of medical problems such as asthma and even high blood pressure appearing at earlier and earlier ages. Indeed, young children are now beginning to present themselves with 'adult' problems such as high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes.

Whatever the reason for the spread of obesity across the Western world as a society we must sit up and take notice of what is happening. It's bad enough that this problem should affect us as adults but when it starts to appear in children as young as three years of age it is time to act.

Information On Women's Hair Loss

2007-03-19T06:43:00.001-07:00

Introduction

A popular misconception is that only men suffer from hair loss. A related fallacy is that only a very small percentage of women experience hair loss. Both assertions are not true; it is estimated that six out of ten women will undergo some degree of hair loss. This process is even more devastating for women because it seems that it is not as prevalent (as hair loss in men) and a woman's beauty is closely tied in with lustrous, full-looking hair.
Probably one of the most traumatic experiences that can affect a woman is losing her hair. Baldness occurs when hairs begin to fall out (which is normal- about 100-150 per day), but do not grow back. Science is still tackling with exact reasons for the start of the process, but we know that genetic predisposition, aging, and diet are closely (if not directly) related.

Reasons for Hair Loss

Genetic hair loss and increased shedding (chronic telogen effluvium) is responsible for the majority of hair loss grievances by women (up to 95% before menopause). Unlike men, women are more likely to experience thinning from behind the front hairline to the crown.
There are two types of hair loss: telogen effluvium and anagen effluvium. The latter is due to medications or processes such as chemotherapy. The former is due to an abnormal number of hair follicles being in the resting stage. The following are reasons for telogen effluvium:

- Stress on the body due to surgery, illness, anemia, rapid change in weight, etc.

- Stress on the mind due to mental illness, death, depression, etc.

- Thyroid abnormalities

- Medications such as high doses of Vitamin A, blood pressure pills, gout medications, etc.

- Hormonal causes such as birth control pills, pregnancy, and menopause

The following could be reasons for temporary hair loss:

- Too little protein or iron in the diet

- Alopecia areata

- Traumatic stress or illness

- Childbirth

- Ringworm

When these above causes are remedied, a return of normal hair growth will follow.

Diet

A good, healthy, and well-balanced diet contributes to voluminous hair. Large amounts of vitamin A should be avoided. Protein and iron rich foods will contribute to healthy hair. Vegetarians and Vegans often may be targets for hair loss because of their modified diets. Protein, iron, and zinc supplements should be ingested on a daily basis if you are a vegan or vegetarian.

Physical and Emotional Stress

Undergoing severe illness and emotional stress can contribute to hair loss. The body begins to break down and normal functioning is altered. The body knows that hair production is not vital to survival, so it will devote its energies elsewhere and in effect create hair loss. In most cases there is a three month delay between an event and the advent of hair loss. It may take up to three months for hair to grow back after the resolution of a traumatic event.
Health conditions such as anemia, low blood count, and thyroid abnormalities attribute to hair loss. These conditions can be combated and can easily be indicated by a blood test.

Hormonal Change

Hormonal changes can cause hair loss in women. Pregnancy and the discontinuation of birth control pills can cause hair loss. When a woman is pregnant their levels of the hormone progesterone becomes high and causes hair to be in a dormant state. When hormone levels re-balance, the woman will experience re-growth of the hair. Ironically, when a woman undergoes restoration, she will see a great deal of hair falling out. This is the dormant hair being replaced by healthier, fuller hair.

Remedies

- A well balanced diet including foods high in protein and iron

- Regular doctor check ups

- Counseling for stress (especially after a traumatic event)

- Hair weaves, changing hair style, and or wigs.

- Hair transplants

- Minoxidil (Rogaine)

The good news is that if you are experiencing hair loss, most likely the cause can be remedied. It is up to each woman to take care of herself and be proactive to fight hair loss. Because it takes some time to overcome and re-grow hair after many of the instances of hair loss, finding a great looking wig is suggested, so that you will not experience a lack of confidence and cause more stress (which is bad for the hair) while your hair is growing back.

How Goodia Gordonii Plus Works

2007-03-17T15:51:00.001-07:00

Hoodia Gordonii Plus is a cutting-edge, advanced appetite suppressant, metabolism booster, fat burner and energy enhancer... all in one. Hoodia Gordonii Plus contains thermogenic ingredients which support an exclusive, all-natural supplement with No Ephedra, No Ma Huang,
and No Ephedrine.

Hoodia gordonii (pronounced HOO-dee-ah) is also called hoodia, xhooba, khoba, Ghaap, hoodia cactus, and South African desert cactus. Hoodia is a cactus that's causing a stir for its ability to suppress appetite and promote weight loss. 60 Minutes, ABC, and the BBC have all done stories on hoodia.

Hoodia gordonii can be found in the semi-deserts of South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and Angola. Hoodia grows in clumps of green upright stems and is actually a succulent, not a cactus.

It takes about 5 years before hoodia's pale purple flowers appear and the cactus can be harvested. Although there are 20 types of hoodia, only the hoodia gordonii variety is believed to contain the natural appetite suppressant.

Although hoodia was "discovered" relatively recently, the San Bushmen of the Kalahari desert have been eating it for a very long time. The Bushmen, who live off the land, would cut off part of the hoodia stem and eat it to ward off hunger and thirst during nomadic hunting trips. They also used hoodia for severe abdominal cramps, hemorrhoids, tuberculosis, indigestion, hypertension and diabetes.

In 1937, a Dutch anthropologist studying the San Bushmen noted that they used hoodia to suppress appetite. But it wasn't until 1963 when scientists at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), South Africa's national laboratory, began studying hoodia. Initial results were promising -- lab animals lost weight after taking hoodia.

The South African scientists, working with a British company named Phytopharm, isolated the active ingredient in hoodia, a steroidal glycoside, which they named p57. After getting a patent in 1995, they licensed p57 to Phytopharm. Phytopharm has spent more than $20 million on hoodia research.

Empower Yourself - Discover 5 Ways To fight...And WIN...The Battle Against Heart Disease

2007-03-16T14:46:00.001-07:00

One of America's most dangerous killers will be responsible for 40% of all deaths this year, attacking men, women, and children alike* ...

This year, 910,000 Americans will die of heart disease.** The incidence of congestive heart failure has tripled in the last 15 years*, exceeding 7,692 per week according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Over 70 million Americans live every day with some form of heart disease including high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, stroke, angina (chest pain), heart attack, and congenital heart defects.** Coronary heart disease kills more people in the United States than the next 7 leading causes of non-violent death combined.†

Fortunately there's a simple program empowering men and women to take control of their heart health by following a simple, easy-to-use plan. And, along with a few minor changes in daily routine, some people on certain medications can even stop taking them after just a few short weeks.‡

Lenny writes – "... I had neglected a lot of things because I felt tired and sluggish all the time ... my health improved so much that I was able to get off all the medications I had been on within a month."

What's the secret?

5 protective supplements put the power to control your heart health back in your hands!

Taken in conjunction with weight control and a healthy diet, Herbalife supplements provide advanced nutrients for comprehensive support and protection of your heart and cardiovascular system. For instance, Herbalife's Core Complex puts the power of heart health back in your hands by providing 5 essential heart healthy supplements in one convenient packette. With each packette you'll get:

1 - Plant sterols, shown to reduce LDL or "bad" cholesterol for less buildup in your arteries.

2 - B vitamins to support healthy homocysteine levels for healthier arteries.

3 - Tocopherols, quercetin, and alpha lipoic acid, a powerful 1-2-3 punch for maximum antioxidant protection against heart disease.

4 - Tri-Shield® with Neptune Krill Oil (NKO®), for enhanced nutrient absorption and a powerhouse of antioxidants to help protect cell membranes.

5 - Herbalifeline with EPA and DHA Omega-3 fatty acids, shown to reduce LDL ("bad") cholesterol and triglycerides and may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.

"I feel empowered now to take care of my heart health ...I have control over my heart health ... by limiting my risk factors." - Gina K., World Team Member

In addition, Niteworks® Powder Mix triggers essential amino acids in your body while you sleep. These amino acids produce Nitric Oxide, which can provide a cascade of beneficial reactions for improved circulation, immune, and nervous system functions. Niteworks® is rich in vitamin C and natural vitamin E to support cardiovascular and circulatory health.1

Mega Garlic Plus gives you maximum antioxidant garlic power in one, easy-to-take pill for healthy circulation and a healthy heart!

Protecting your heart health ... and your family's ... is easy with Herbalife's complete line of powerful heart healthy nutritional supplements.

* Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA)
** American Heart Association
† Source: eMedicineHealth.com
‡ Never discontinue medication without first consulting your doctor.
‡‡ Consult your doctor before taking any new supplement or medication.
1 These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

An Insight into the Countless Benefits of Green Tea Dieting

2007-03-15T09:03:00.001-07:00

Green tea has been used as a medicine in China for at least 4,000 years and the Chinese have been using it to treat everything from headaches to depression. Unlike black tea which is processed in a different manner, green tea retains its original color and the nutrients which are beneficial for your body. The benefits of green tea dieting are endless, and I will describe just a few of the benefits of green tea dieting in this short article.

The benefits of green tea dieting come from drinking 3 to 5 cups a day of green tea along with a balanced healthy diet and regular exercise. The easiest approach to attain the benefits of green tea dieting is by simply drinking a cup with each meal and snack you eat.

Since green tea is not as processed as black tea, one good chemical that remains is called catechin polyphenois which works with chemicals in your body to burn more fat. As a result, one of the many benefits of green tea dieting is a faster metabolism. In fact, a study published in 2005 indicated that drinking green tea can lead to a reduction in body fat and cholesterol levels which is one of the major benefits of green tea dieting.

Another one of the many benefits of green tea dieting is that it helps depress leptin which decrease the appetite. This means you will feel full with less food, and as a result of the calorie reduction, you will lose fat, assuming of course that you eat healthy food.

One of the benefits of green tea dieting not often mentioned is its role as a glucose regulator which basically means that it slows down the digestion of carbohydrates which can cause rises in blood sugar levels and insulin spikes that cause fat gain. To get these benefits of green tea dieting, you need to drink green tea on a regular basis.

Aside from weight loss, there are other benefits of green tea dieting such as its many health benefits. Green tea contains a powerful antioxidant which helps boost your immune system and researchers suggest that the active ingredient may be up to 200 times more powerful than vitamin E.

Another one of the benefits of green tea dieting is that instead of drinking green tea, you can take green tea pills. These are often 500 mg capsules which are to be taken two to three times daily. Studies show that green tea helps people to lose weight, regardless of whether in pill or liquid form.

What's more, while some green tea pills contain caffeine, it is often half of that in coffee. This lower amount of caffeine means you can lose weight naturally and safely, and avoid the ephedra or prescription weight loss drugs which can raise heart rates.

You may be wondering if aside from all the benefits of green tea dieting, are there any negative points, such as side effects? While green tea may have some side effects it will be mostly from the caffeine, since a 6 oz. cup of green tea contains around 30 mg of caffeine. If you have over 6 cups a day this can cause sleeplessness, irregular heart beat, diarrhea, vomiting, dizziness, headaches, and a loss of appetite. However, you can get caffeine-free green tea pills to avoid these side effects.

The benefits of green tea dieting are very clear. Even if your intention is not necessary to lose weight, these benefits of green tea dieting should not be underestimated.

Childrens Hair Loss - Alopecia

2007-03-14T07:44:00.001-07:00

As the parent of a child suffering from hair loss, you want the safest solution to your child's problem. However there is a lot of conflicting data on the web.

The good news is that in many children with alopecia hair loss, a small patch can correct itself without treatment. In many children it reverses on its own and may be gone for ever. In some cases the childs alopecia may return at a later date. There is currently no way of being certain.

However the dilemma that a parent such as you faces is that in many children the patch (or patches) can spread rampantly and may extend to the eyebrows and eye lashes too. So it is difficult to just wait and hope that in your child it stays contained.

That is why we encourage parents of such children with alopecia hair loss to seek help as fast as possible. The standard medical treatment is Corticosteroids which act on the immune system by blocking the production of substances that trigger allergic and inflammatory actions.

However, they also impede the function of white blood cells which destroy foreign bodies and help keep the immune system functioning properly. This immune suppression increases susceptibility to infection so this is not a treatment that can be used over a prolonged period of time.

What is known about alopecia areata in children is that it is a malfunction of the auto-immune system. Many parents try to pin-point what exactly brought about its onset. Whatever the reason for the onset of your child's alopecia, the treatment we use is always the same.

What Vitamins Does A Breastfeeding Mother Need?

2007-03-13T06:15:00.001-07:00

No single source of food gives you all the vitamins you need except for breastmilk. Because a breastfeed baby gets all the nutrients it requires from its mother breastmilk it's vital that a nursing mother is getting all the vitamins she needs.

Breastfeeding is the best way to give your baby all the nutrients it needs to grow and thrive. And, as a breastfed baby gets all its vitamins for her mother's milk, it's important that a breastfeeding mother is getting her daily quota of vitamins; you get out what you put in.

Amongst other nutrients, such as minerals and protein, vitamins play an important role in your baby's development. A nursing mother should be aware of what vitamins are important and what part of her diet provides these vitamins.

Vitamin A and C, and the B group

Vitamin C is needed every day for a baby to develop well. Vitamin C helps our bodies to fight off infection and disease as well as helping to heal wounds. Vitamin C also plays a role in preventing anaemia (lack of iron in the blood). Vitamin C can't be stored in the body, so we must eat food that gives us the vitamin C we require. Eating fruit and vegetables is the best way to get vitamin C. Citrus fruits especially are a great source as is papaya, broccoli, strawberries, cauliflower and kale. Some breastfeeding mothers may need more vitamin C than others, especially when overcoming a cold, surgery or some form of injury. In these circumstances, it is a good idea to increase your intake of foods rich in vitamin C.

Vitamin A (also known as retinol) helps in the formation and maintenance of healthy skin, hair, and mucous membranes. It is also necessary for proper bone growth and tooth development. Unlike vitamin C, which is water-soluble, vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin. Good sources of vitamin A include cheese, eggs, oily fish (such as mackerel), milk, fortified margarine and yogurt. Liver is also a rich source of vitamin A but is to be avoided during pregnancy. However, after birth a breastfeeding mother can eat liver but, because it's such a rich source, if you already eat it every week, you might want to choose not to have it more often.

There are many B group vitamins. Vitamin B12 (also known as cobalamin) is needed for the production of new cells. It also contributes to a healthy nervous system and is involved in the making of fatty acids. Vitamin B12 is only naturally found in foods that come from animals such as meat, fish, eggs and milk. It is very rare for a woman who eats animal foods to be deficient in B12. If you are a vegan breastfeeding mother then you may need to eat foods that have been fortified with vitamin B12. You might also consider a B12 supplement.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is important as it helps our bodies to absorb calcium, which is important for bone development and strong teeth. Babies who don't get enough vitamin D are at risk of developing rickets - a softening of the bone that causes curvature. Vitamin D can be manufactured by the body when our skin is exposed to natural sunlight. However, many mothers - especially during winter - don't get enough sunlight for their bodies to make enough vitamin D. Foods like salmon, tuna, liver and kidney are good sources of vitamin D. Also, many foods are now fortified with vitamin D such as breakfast cereals and margarine.

If in doubt about your recommended daily amount of vitamins needed while breastfeeding, you should first consult your doctor. But, if you have a well-balanced diet, and eating the 5 portions of fruit and vegetables each day as recommended, the chances are that your baby is getting all the vitamins it needs.

Aunt Annie's 7 Biggest Beauty Mistakes

2007-03-12T05:08:00.001-07:00

At the tender age of thirteen, my mother sent me to "Finishing School" (a.k.a. modelling college). It was the custom in her family that all the girls got beauty and etiquette lessons rather than learning the basics from mothers, friends or magazine articles. I hated it, at the time. But now that I'm older, and hopefully wiser, I look back on the time fondly. My favorite class was Busting Beauty Mistakes. The following are the top seven biggest beauty mistakes women make today and what to do to correct them.

1. Scrubbing your face with harsh cleansers. My mom caught me using an Apricot Facial scrub on my acne prone skin when I was a teen and quickly banished the product from the house. Here's why: Using abrasive face cleansers strips the face of essential moisture and exacerbates oily skin. If heavy cleansing is required (for example to remove heavy makeup) use a makeup remover before you wash your face. Oily skin types should stick with an oil-free and alcohol-free cleanser.

2. Not wearing a moisturizer with SPF during the day. I am gloriously afflicted with Nicole Kidman-type fair skin. So for any time spent outdoors, even if I'm travelling in the car, I need to be wearing sunscreen. My tan-prone friends think that all the sunscreen I slather on my skin is a waste of money. Just because you're not sun-bathing doesn't mean the sun's damaging rays aren't affecting your skin. Use SPF 15 everyday. Most moisturizers come with added SPF protection so it should be easy to incorporate this tip into your beauty routine. If you are exposed to the sun frequently, bump it up to SPF 30 and wear a hat.

3. Wearing the wrong foundation. You foundation should match your skin tone exactly. If your skin tone changes throughout the year, make sure you change your foundation too. If you love that sun-kissed look, dust a bronzer on top. You'll get better results than using a foundation that's a shade darker than your natural color.

4. Wearing only one makeup product. A polished look is all about balance. So if you're guilty of only wearing eyeliner and nothing else, add a little lip color to balance it out. Not sure what looks best, pick up any magazine and look closely at the women and try to follow what the makeup artist has done.

5. At-home hair color. The products on the market today allow you to inexpensively cover up a few grays or touch up your roots, from the comfort of your home. If you're planning a more drastic makeover (going from brunette to blond), head to the salon. You can always maintain the color yourself at home once changed but drastic changes require a professional.

6. Ignoring your brows. Untamed or overgrown eyebrows can mean the difference between looking polished and looking like our gorilla ancestors. For first-timers, visit a waxer or threader who can clean up and shape your brows. Pluck stray hairs yourself in between treatments with a good set of tweezers.

7. Neglecting your nails. Like it or not, your nails get noticed. Maybe regular manicures aren't to your liking. At minimum, you should apply a coat of clear polish, which will protect nails and give them a healthy shine.

With these tips, you'll be able to maximizing your features and assets, but don't forget it's your own uniqueness and what's on the inside that makes you beautiful, not what you put on your skin.

Variety, One Key To Optimum Results

2007-03-10T21:54:00.001-08:00

Although any physical activity is beneficial to your health, variety is an important component to getting maximum results from your fitness program.

Our bodies are constantly adapting to the physical stresses placed upon them– figuring out the most efficient way to perform an action. If you follow a regular strength training routine, your body will adapt to that program in approximately 4-6 weeks. Although you will still benefit from doing that program, changing to a new group of exercises will challenge your muscles in new ways, resulting in better results.

Adaptation also takes place with cardiovascular exercise. Runners who follow the same course every run would get more effective workouts by using different routes. Cross training is also a great way to add variety to your aerobic workouts. If you're a regular walker, you might try swimming, cross-country skiing, dancing, or biking for a change. Those of you who go to the gym and always use the same cardio machine, on the same program, for the same amount of time at the same intensity would do much better to mix it up. Use different equipment on different days or even alternate machines within one cardio workout. Varying machine can also help you avoid repetitive stress injuries.

Besides physical boredom, another important reason to spice up your fitness regimen is to avoid mental boredom. Studies have shown that people who routinely change their workout programs are more likely to exercise regularly. Yes, initially, it may take a little more thought and a little more time to learn a new activity or a new strength training program but the benefits are definitely worth it.