Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Disability Insurance


We all know how important typical health insurance is, but did you know that disability insurance is just as important? In the event that you are hurt on the job, and cannot work, disability insurance will give you peace of mind—you will still able to provide for your family. While we would like to think that we always work safely, accidents do happen and you need to be sure that you have every angle covered in the event of an accident. If you become ill or injured on the job and as a result you are unable to return to work, there are a couple of options that will replace lost income. These types of disability insurance are not going to fully replace your income because they want you to have an incentive for returning back to work once you get well.

Social Security benefits are paid to you when your disability is expected to last for at least 12 months. Most of the time this is when no gainful employment can occur and you must remain out of work for the entire duration of your leave. Employer-paid disability is required by almost every state in the United States. This type of disability insurance is deducted from your paycheck, and is there for you in the event of an accident. When you are looking at disability insurance policies, it is important to understand what they mean. While the two available policies are both for disability, they both cover a different amount of time you will be covered, and when you will start receiving your compensation.

A short-term disability policy means that you will be covered for no longer than 2 years. With this policy you may have to wait up to 14 days before you start receiving compensation. A long-term disability policy is a little different. The disability compensation will not kick in for several weeks, sometimes a couple of months. However, long-term disability will cover you for a longer period of time, and sometimes for the rest of your life.

Along with having the two different types of insurance policies, there are also two different protection features. Protection is offered to you to ensure that you are not going to be treated unfairly due to your inability to work. Non-cancelable means that for no reason other than not paying your premiums can your policy be canceled. With this type of policy you will lock in your premium and will not risk a decrease in the benefits. On the other hand, a guaranteed renewable policy means that the same benefits will be available every year. The only way that your premium will be increased is if every policyholder within the same rating class as yourself increases also.

While there are many options when choosing disability insurance as well, these are the most popular selections. It is important to discuss all available options when choosing a disability insurance policy to ensure that you know what you will receive in the event of an accident or illness. Research your options to find the best choice for you and your family.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Will acupuncture help pregnancy?


The art of acupuncture is a part of Chinese traditional medicine and it has been round for the past thousand years or more. You will find that it was just recently accepted in the western world, especially the United States. However, the needles will not impregnate you, but it will allow you to let go of all your negativity and your body will begin to open it up. You will find that acupuncture will help both male and females with infertility problems. In fact, many people are turning to acupuncture as a way to help them conceive.

Most of the time, you will find that it’s older women who wish to have a child that tries this. This can be quite successful, especially when used in conjunction with more typical child-bearing-friendly activities such as eating a healthy diet. If you have fallopian tubes blockage or just a hormone imbalance, you will find that acupuncture could be prescribed to you. Along with acupuncture, women can use other TCM methods in order to battle infertility. Men can also benefit from acupuncture. Acupuncture with male infertility will be treated for low sperm count and it is very popular. Acupuncture, in this case, is used along with herbs to treat the energy of the kidneys.

When it comes to acupuncture you will find that your whole body is affected by a little bit of negativity, and that is why infertility will affect the way your whole body reacts. Rather than treating the symptoms of a disease in the body, acupuncture seeks to find the root of the problem and treat that. Acupuncture can also be used to create a healthier body in general—it may not cure you of your infertility problems, but by becoming healthier in general (less stressed, for example), traditional treatments for infertility have a better chance of working. Acupuncture will help even if you are thinking about getting artificially inseminated or using other methods of conceiving because your entire body is in a good place.

After conception, certain types of acupuncture can still be done, and can help relieve back pain, curb cravings, and create a better environment for your fetus. After you have the baby your energy is thrown off, and you will want to go to an acupuncturist so that you can get quickly over postpartum depression and other negative feelings.

Acupuncture happens to be a tool that couples use through out the entire pregnancy (before and after). This is not for everyone, but it is a method that has been studied very carefully and it does have a high success rate. You will want to make sure that you research acupuncture and ask your doctor for any advice about the treatment. You may find that acupuncture could allow you to conceive quickly and you will be able to enjoy having a child.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Fat



Numerous sources of information will tell you that fats are potentially harmful elements of your diet. While this is true in general, it does not imply that fats are not valuable from a nutritional point of view. In fact, fats are absolutely necessary for maintaining proper health. Fats are the chief form of energy stored in the body. During times of unavailability of food, the fats stored in the body provide energy to prevent starvation.

There is good scientific reason behind why fats, and not carbohydrates, remain the chief form of stored energy in the body. The body cannot store glycogen (the dominant form of the body's carbohydrates) in great amounts because glycogen holds a great deal of water and is very bulky. Fats, on the other hand, can be packed tightly together without water. They can store much more energy than glycogen in a small space.

Foods rich in fats are valuable in many situations. One gram of fat (or oil) provides twice as many calories as obtained from one gram of carbohydrates. People doing hard physical labor and those traveling in cold climates require ample supply of fats to provide energy in the form of heat. Fatty foods usually carry tempting aromas and flavors that cause you to eat these foods in excess, getting unneeded calories.

How do you know when to stop eating? Well, there are certain fats in the food that slow digestion and give the brain a signal to stop eating. That is why fatty foods give a fuller feeling of satisfaction.

The vital organs of the body are surrounded by and cushioned in fat pads that function as shock absorbers. Also, the layer of fat beneath the skin prevents the body from extremes of temperature conditions. Fats also dissolve some essential nutrients like vitamins A, D, E, and K.

Without some fat in our diet, we cannot survive. The fear of eating too much fat and gaining weight is often associated with anorexia and other eating disorders, but fat, in moderate amounts, is actually healthy for your body. Look for fats that are good for your body, such as those found in olive oil, and reduce the fats that are bad for your body, such as the ones found in fast food. Remember to eat a small amount of good fats every day so that you can maintain good health.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Rule of Photograph


When it comes to the most beneficial rule of composition is to keep in mind that there is a rule of thirds. This will be helpful to the professionals and amateurs. You will find that there rule of the thirds will help you to get your composition set up. It is not difficult to learn or even use. You will always want to keep the rule in mind so that you can see a drastic improvement in the quality of the pictures that take.

Fortunately, our minds think in Rule of Thirds mode even if we do not know it. It is very important that you follow this real so that you can get things in motion taking a picture that is pleasing to look at and also appealing. If your viewfinder has a grid option, use it. This was set up to make using the Rule of Thirds easy. If your camera does not have this option, you’ll have to imagine it. When looking at a frame, you will want to draw a mental note of a tic-tac-toe box so that you can see lines that running horizontally and vertically.

Next, check out your subject matter in relationship to the horizontal lines. Your picture will have the most impact if the horizon is placed close to one of these lines, so that your sky occupies about 1/3 or 2/3 of the picture. This will have a visual impact. The next step is to look at you subject matter in relationship to the four points on the grid where the horizontal and vertical lines meet. Also known as “sweet spots” for photographers. By placing visual importance in these spots, your picture will look more balanced.

A good photographer will include diagonal lines. It will appear more pleasing if they run through one or two of the sweet spots. You will find that your subject also matters when it comes to using the rule, but you should always keep the rule in mind when you are taking the picture of anything. You need to be willing to break these rules, but you need to understand the importance of the elements will help you to make great shots, however, you have to keep in mind that not everything will fit picture perfectly in the sweet spots. When you keep the rule of thirds in mind you can create wonderful pictures with more of an impact. You can practice using it when it comes to still life shots, landscapes, and when arranging portraits. You can take a good picture and make it great within a few seconds.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Niacin’s Importance


There are many different vitamins that a person should take every single day in order to stay healthy, strong, and safe from injury. Niacin is just one of these supplements. Known as one of the B vitamins, Niacin is a water-soluble supplement. That means it cannot be stored in the body like fat-soluble supplements. Since you cannot store niacin in the body, it is crucial to eat foods with niacin each day in order to replenish the vitamins your body needs. If you do not, there could be serious consequences. For those who do not believe they are getting enough niacin with daily diet, vitamin supplements are important to avoid these consequences.

Niacin is important in the body for growth, reproduction, and the immune system. It can help you convert food to energy by assisting in the function of the stomach, intestines, and other parts of the digestive system. It is also important for building and regeneration of nerves and skin. If you do not have enough niacin in your body, these parts of your health will be greatly affected.

How can you make sure you have enough niacin in the body? Simply put, it is important to consume foods rich in niacin. If you look on the label, you should see niacin, niacin acid or B3. This is found in milk, cheese, and other dairy products, as well as meats like poultry, fish, and lean beef and nuts. Eggs can give you a good source of niacin as well, and if you eat enough legumes, like beans, you will be sure to be getting enough niacin in your diet. Other products that may contain niacin include enriched foods like breads and cereals. Be sure to check the label.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends that adults (over the age of 14) should get about 14 to 16 milligrams of niacin every day to stay healthy. This number increases if you are pregnant or breastfeeding and decreases if you are younger or have special dietary needs. Again, the best way to get enough niacin in your body is through food sources, but vitamin supplements can help you receive enough of this vitamin if your are worried you may not be getting enough.

When you don’t have enough niacin in your body, you develop a deficiency known as pellagra. Symptoms of this deficiency include flushed skin and rashes, digestive disorders, and mental impairment. However, large doses of niacin can be unhealthy as well, causing peptic ulcers and skin discomfort. Therefore, this is definitely a vitamin supplement that you should only take under complete medical supervision.

Friday, December 11, 2009

Fibromyalgia Treatment: Acupuncture



Did you know that Fibromyalgia is a disorder that had affected thousands of people and still there is no cure for the disorder? There are only treatments to offer you some temporary pain relief. With the plain in your muscles, you will find that there is pain in your joints that will cause you to have many problems like stiffness, sleeping problems, and even fatigue. Even though you may be eager to try some alternative medicine, you will find that the Chinese Acupuncture will help you the best. There are many with the disorder who have found success with the acupuncture and other traditional treatments. If you are someone who you love happens to suffer from fibromyalgia to help relieve the symptoms.

Acupuncture is well tolerated with minimal side effects, so patients who participate in this medical treatment will at least leave the doctor’s office no worse than when they arrived. With needles with the thickness of hair, acupuncturists will use the needles to stimulate the body You may feel a slight pinch as they are inserted, but when done properly, acupuncture is both safe and painless. That is why you are going to need a professional.

Fibromyalgia patients receive treatment specifically to help their condition. Not only will the acupuncturist use the needles, but they will also use cupping and warming techniques to help the energies that cause the joint pain. This process takes a relatively short amount of time, and many patients have said that they feel instantly relieved of pain after a treatment. Others, however, seem to feel no relief at all. It can be expensive for you to have acupuncture so you will want to make sure that it is something that will be right for you. Many patients have said that this technique works best with repeated treatments, so realize this could be an expense that you must include in your weekly budget.

Acupuncture is something that could help you with fibromyalgia, however, there is little proof other than the opinions of the patients who have tried it. The studies are simply just difficult to carry out because it can be a mind over matter thing. There are people who have believed that it works to relieve the pain and that is the reason why they have been able to find the relief. Before you go out finding an acupuncturist, you may want to speak with your family doctor and see what they think about the acupuncture. They will give you all the information that you need to find a certified acupuncture practitioner, but also about all the procedures.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Healthcare for Long-term Patients: Is this Insurance Right for You?


Long-term care insurance is not right for everyone. For a small percentage of the population this coverage is an affordable and worthwhile type of insurance. Determining whether or not long-term care insurance is right for you won’t be the only task at hand; looking for scams will also be a concern.

As you get older, the need for assistance in your everyday life increases. Whether it is in-home care or residing in a nursing home for a few months you will most likely need some way to pay for these types of services. In order to maintain long-term care insurance you must pay for them each and every year until death. Many policies are canceled by policyholders that are on fixed incomes and are simply unable to pay for the increasing premiums as they get older. If the only funds you are receiving were those from Social Security or SSI, then it would be wise to not purchase a policy. Also, if you find that every day purchases and paying for utilities makes you stretch your budget to the limit, you probably should stay clear of this policy. This type of policy is only right for someone who has significant assets they want to preserve for their family, remain independent, or just to spare their family the expense of a nursing home bill.

Comparing policies can prove to be difficult because every company is selling a different combination of benefits and coverage. Many companies offer to pay a fixed amount for each day you receive care, while others will cover a percentage of the overall cost of care or supply a specified amount. Beware of these types of policies unless they offer inflation protection. You see, if they do not account for the increasing cost of nursing home costs, then you are stuck with a policy that really does you no good.

Just like a standard healthcare plan, you will have to receive services at designated locations. If you go outside of this network they will simply refuse to pay for any care that you receive. If you have any type of mental disease or nervous disorder then don’t expect many carriers to accept you (the one exception is Alzheimer’s). There are more restrictions in this type of insurance than any other health insurance.

If this type of policy is right for you, please make sure that the company is reputable. There are many individuals who thrive on the fact that not many people will make an informed decision when it comes to purchasing long-term health insurance. Be sure to read the fine print and find out everything you can about the policy before committing to a company and a long-term health insurance plan.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Practicing Yoga safely While Pregnant


If you are a yoga student and just recently found out that you are pregnant you may till be able to do these exercises. Contrary to what many people think, Yoga is good for both you and your unborn child. You will not hurt the baby, but you will be able to create a healthy environment for the baby if you learn to do the yoga poses correctly. You can also begin to do yoga when you are pregnant. There are some poses that you will want to avoid, but if you learn to avoid the harmful poses and master the poses that are suggested as prenatal yoga. You will want to learn about these poses before you begin to do yoga. You will want to ask your pediatrician about whom you will be able to contact. Be sure that you know what you are doing, because you don’t want to hurt yourself or the baby.

Yoga is beneficial because it is a mental exercise as well as a physical one. Those who try to learn and use yoga as a meditation tool, they are able to relax and control their breathing. This will help you during labor, especially if you are opting to give birth without the use of drugs. You will learn how to stay calm in your later stages of your pregnancy, since many new mothers can easily frustrated.

You will want to learn the rules that you will need to follow when practicing yoga when you are pregnant. First, stay hydrated, stopping often for water breaks. If you get too overheated, your core body temperature rises even more, which can harm the baby. For this reason, “hot” yoga is dangerous and should be avoided while you are pregnant. You will also want to eat some extra calories since you are eating for two, however, you will want to exercise to burn the extra calories from yourself and the baby.

You will want to make sure that you avoid certain poses because they can be harmful towards the baby. Lying flat on your back, for example, can cut of blood flow to your brain and to the uterus, making you dizzy and causing developmental problems for your baby. After your first trimester you will not want to because it’s just not safe. Also skip positions that are inverted, or those that require great amounts of balance. Remember that your stomach is growing every day, so you will never be able to fully get used to your new shape and stay balanced. Keep in mind that you don’t fall because it can hurt yourself or the baby. If the position includes major twisting or stretching in the abdominal region, they may also not be best for you and your baby. Finally, avoid transitions in which you must stand quickly from a laying or sitting position, since this can be uncomfortable and cause you to be dizzy, as well as restrict blood flow to your uterus.

There are a lot of positions that you will find to be helpful, however, most pregnant women will either practice yoga or they will do things to stretch their body. You will want to talk to your yoga instructor on what they recommend for your and your unborn child. You should also speak with your medical doctor and ask them if yoga will help you and your baby to stay healthy.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Overdose Dangers of Vitamin Supplements


There are many people who end up having problems with vitamin and mineral supplements. You might not know it, but there is such a thing as too much of something that is good. Many people believe that if a little bit of something is good for you, then a lot of something is even better. Some people also get themselves into trouble because they end up taking several different vitamin supplements at once, which might end up being detrimental because you are taking too much without even knowing.

Yes, taking too many vitamins can lead to overdose, and this can be bad for you. It is very rare that you are going to find people who overdose on vitamins naturally – most of the time the overdoses will happen because someone has taken too much of a vitamin supplement. The fact remains that supplements of vitamins and minerals are meant to replace what you aren’t getting in your diet. You body does not need a lot of the vitamins and minerals in order to be healthy. In fact, most of the time you only need a small amount. However, some people take much more than they are supposed to for many reasons. Sometimes they don’t understand how much of a vitamin is in a supplement, and more often they don’t understand how much their bodies need.

When someone has had too much of a certain vitamin, there are several things that might happen. The most common side effects of vitamin overdose include vomiting and diarrhea, and well as nausea. The good thing is that these symptoms are easy to see and easy to notice. Some symptoms, that occur with long term vitamin and mineral overdose might include liver damage or damage to other organs, and these are harder to see.

The thing that is good about vitamin overdose is that once you have had the symptoms and you know what you have been doing wrong, it is fairly easy to correct, and begin to do it right. Most of the time, with vitamin or supplement overdose, you will find that the damage simply goes away when you have corrected the problem. For this reason, it is obviously much better to overdose on vitamins than on other types of drugs. If you think you have taken too much of a vitamin or mineral, stop taking the supplement, and consult your doctor to see what you should do next. The most important thing is to make sure that you are getting just what you need, and nothing more.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Soy is powerful for your body


Soy use is relatively new. You will find that there are tons of health benefits that you will be able to get from soy, but you will also want to include it into your diet regardless of the risk for heart disease, if you may have it. You should know that most vegetarians will eat soy as a substitute for meat, but it will also allow patients to lower your high cholesterol levels. You will want to check with your doctor about adding soy to your diet

There are a lot of doctors that recommend that you replace meat with soy so that you can avoid the bad fats, but get the protein that you need. At this rate, daily, soy has been proven to lower cholesterol. Even the FDA or the Food and drug Administration has noticed the effects of soy and how it can greatly reduce your risk of heart disease. Cholesterol clogs veins and arteries with a fatty substance that hardens to produce plaque; too much plaque in the arteries can close them completely, causing a heart attack. If you eat soy, you’ll be to reduce your cholesterol levels in your blood so that you can avoid build up in your arteries and heart. Lowering the amount of cholesterol by eating more soy can also reduce your risk for having a stroke.

You will also notice that the benefit that you will get from using soy in your diet does not just stop at helping you with cholesterol. You will also find that it can help women with their hormone troubles during menopause. The health benefits of soy do not stop at lowering cholesterol, however. Soy is also very beneficial for menopausal women, since it increases estrogen levels.

Then that will reduce the effects of menopause such as night sweats and hot flashes. Because it has been known to raise estrogen levels in the body, eating soy can also be very beneficial for men trying to treat prostate cancer. There are still some studies being done about how good soy can help you lose weight and deal with diabetes.

You will find that soy is a healthy food that can help you with many things including menopause. You can also use it to lower your cholesterol levels, but also make yourself generally healthy. You will want to ask your doctor about the effects of soy and how it may help you fight to become healthier. You will find that your doctor will fill you in with all the wonders and questions that you might have about adding soy to your diet and by using soy and exercise to make you healthier. You will want to add things like fruits, veggies, and grains so that you can have a stronger and longer healthy life.

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Vitamins for Athletes


If you are an athlete, chances are that you have thought a lot about what vitamins and minerals are important for you to have during your life. Some of them are going to be more helpful than others, but certainly if you are in training for a sport you are going to want to do everything you can to not only give yourself the edge when it comes to competition, but to do everything in your power to keep your body healthy while you do so. Even though sports might be one of the most important things in your life, you don’t want to sacrifice your good health in order to compete. Luckily, there are several things that you can do when it comes to vitamins and minerals to make sure that you are able to keep your body strong and healthy while still doing your best at your sport.

One of the most important things to remember is that you should make sure you are eating a healthy diet, no matter what sport you are playing. This will insure that your body is getting the best chance to be completely healthy that you can give it. If you aren’t getting enough of a certain nutrient in your diet, it is a great idea to supplement it, because living a balanced life when it comes to vitamins and nutrients is one of the most important things when it comes to competing. Using vitamin supplements can be safe and effective if you follow your doctor’s recommendations.

One thing that you should remember when you are an athlete thinking about vitamins and minerals that you are putting into your body is that you should always remember that your immune system is going to be compromised while you are training. This means that the extra stress you are putting on your body to get it into shape for whatever sport you perform is going to cause you to be in a situation where you are much more prone to illnesses. Vitamin supplements can help prevent this. Having the right vitamins in the body helps your cells to become stronger and builds up the immune system to resist disease.

As an athlete, you should create a diet and supplemental intake plan around a system of getting a balance of all of the proper nutrients and vitamins as well as getting enough carbohydrates so that you can train without your immune system being compromised. Vitamins are also crucial in helping to build hormones, which can help you train longer, run faster, jump higher, and much more. Talk to a doctor today if you think vitamin supplements could help you stay healthy.

Friday, December 4, 2009

The energy of acupuncture


When it comes to acupuncture, you will find that there are basic concepts that you have to understand in order to learn the entire process known as “qi”. Qi happens to the energy of the body. Anything negative that you body may go through, like disease or illness, is because your Qi is disrupted. When it comes to the stimulation that you will get from Acupuncture, you will find that there are needles that are placed in specific points of the body so that the Qi flow can be affected. An acupuncturist is someone who uses the use of the needles to heal or unblock your qi flow. The concepts of the qi is difficult for most beginners, but it can be broken into easily understand concepts that you can learn one at a time.

First, it is important to note there are five main types of qi energy: Qi, Jing, Xue, Jin Ye, and Shen. Qi can be roughly translated to “matter-energy.” It causes the movements in the universe, but it is a vital part of your own good health. Some equate the Qi to the soul. Jing can be most closely translated to “essence” in the English language, but there are no exact words in Western terms that mean Jing. When it come to Jing, it is something that is inherited like DNA and then we are able to create out own by eating certain foods and through the air that we breath. Jing, then can be somewhat called “health,” since we genetically receive some health predisposition, but also effect our own health and the health of our children with our lifestyle choices.

Literally meaning blood, Xue is the liquid that flows in the blood and through the Qi or energy of the body. The health of the two is dependent on one another. Jin Ye is also a tangible idea—bodily fluids. These include saliva, milk, tears, genital secretions, sweat, stomach fluids, and other liquids of the body. Finally, Shen is simply just the spirit of the body. Traditionally, your spirit is located in your heart.

Acupuncture is a way that you can treat the energies and to help create a healthy body. The energies are important since that help us develop body heat, defend illness, grow and develop, control the body’s blood and organs, transform, and break down the body’s metabolism. If you get acupuncture done on a regular basis, then you will be able to turn all of your negativity in your Qi to be released.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Aerobics for Beginners


If you are just getting started with aerobics, you might be feeling overwhelmed. It is true that there are many ways to work out, and that if you can manage to get a good workout you are going to be much more healthy. It is also true that you need to have a course of workout in which your body is moving fast and your heart and lungs are forced to work harder than when you are at rest. This is called aerobic exercise, and it is something that is very important that you understand.

Don’t think that you have to start at the top right away. Advanced aerobics can be something that you have to work up to. This includes running in place and doing a series of movements that you might find very intimidating to start with. And also, it isn’t safe to start anywhere other than as a beginner, because you might hurt yourself and you also might run into problems. Therefore, you have to start form the beginning if you want to be able to get the most benefit from your routine.

Beginning aerobics are very easy and they are something that you can do even from home. The point is to get your blood flowing, so beginning aerobics using start with walking in place and moving your arms and legs in order to get your heart rate up. Then, you gradually proceed to doing more and more movements and to doing them faster.

A great thing to do for beginning aerobics is to start by walking or jogging in place. You can then start moving your arms up and down. The point of aerobics is to get your heart going, and the best way to do this is to keep on doing movements, like jumping jacks, for as many repetitions as you can do. This is the best way for you to start with aerobic training, because you are able to work your way up from nothing and really get in good shape as you do this.

Something else that you should keep in mind is that aerobics often work better to music. The way that it works is that you can use the music to keep your tempo and to keep your working hard. You can also time your exercises to music – you can do one set for an entire song, for instance. Music can be your motivator and it can help you keep working out.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Five Tips to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain

If you’re working on a weight loss plan, one of the most difficult times of year can be the holidays. Around Christmas and New Years, the parties and meals you’ll attend will include foods that are high in fat and calories and low in nutrition. Fortunately, by following these five tips you can stick to your weight loss plan even as visions of sugarplums dance in your head.

First, avoid the alcohol. Cocktails and beer are usually served at holiday parties, but they can be full of calories. When you drink, you also have a decreased will power when it comes to saying no to other holiday foods and your appetite will be stimulate, so you’ll eat even more than you normally would eat at a party. Having one drink on a special occasion may be fine, but don’t overdo it every time you head out to celebrate the season.

Another great tip to stick to your plan during the holiday season is to show up fashionably late after you’ve already eaten a meal. If you do this, you won’t feel pressured to eat an entire meal of junk foods or snack on cookie or hot chocolate. Of course, showing up late may be insulting at smaller parties, so make sure you are not rude to the party host.

Use the holidays to get outside as well. You can play in the snow if the weather allows, which actually burns tons of calories. Walking up the hill to sled and having a snowball fight are great ways to get your heart pumping as well as work off those candy canes.

If the weather isn’t cold or snowy, use your time to head to the mall. When gift shopping, make a number of laps around the mall and take the stairs instead of the escalator. Keep this in mind at parties as well—get up and move around as much as possible. Christmas caroling is also a great way to stay off of your rear. This will allow you to do some walking while spreading the holiday cheer.

Lastly, avoid gifts of food. Of course, you can’t tell people what to buy for you, but if you find yourself with a bunch of brownies or boxes or chocolates, why not share the love? You can take these products into work or even donate unopened items to your local food bank. These tips keep you staying slim, every as you’re surrounded by goodies.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Binge Eating: Practicing Control for Weight Loss


There are a number of very dangerous eating disorders that effect people of all ages, races, sexes, and economic statuses. While you may hear a lot in the news about anorexia and bulimia, one of the lesser-known weight loss disasters sweeping the nation is binge eating. Binge eating is very bad for your body and can cause heart disease, diabetes, and a number of other medical conditions, which actually could result in death. Therefore, it is important to learn about binge eating and to seek help immediately if you think this could be a problem for you.

Binge eating is basically a form of overeating at its worst. There are times when we all overindulge in good foods, such as at a holiday or when eating out at a restaurant. However, a binge eater faces overeating problems more than a few times a week. Binge eaters often find themselves overweight and unhappy, which can make the situation worse.

Binge eaters will overeat to the extent that they feel sick. In many cases, they will eat thousands of calories in one sitting, and many of the foods they are eating are not very nutritional and include comfort foods. Binge eaters may enjoy sweet or savory foods, and may also have a problem with alcohol. In one day, a binge eater may eat more than the normal person will eat in a week. Foods that a person will binge eat vary and can even change for a particular binge eater from day to day.

Unlike people who are suffering from bulimia, binge eaters will not induce vomiting in order to rid themselves of the food they’ve eaten. Therefore, binge eaters tend to be overweight. In some cases, a binge eater may eat non-stop for an entire day, but then spend the next three or four days starving him- or herself and exercising vigorously in order to stay at the same weight if possible.

Binge eating goes hand in hand with a number of other physical diseases, but it can also effect a personal mentally and emotionally. Man binge eaters star because they turn to food for comfort as a way to work out their problems, which is unhealthy. Binge eaters are also usually very emotionally charged about their body weight and may experience depression because of it, regardless of if they are overweight or not. Binge eating is not only dangerous for the binge eater, but can affect everyone in his or her life. If you or someone you know is suffering from this disease, it is important to seek help as soon as possible. This is not a good way to lose weight.