Are You Ready To Get Back In Shape?

Are you ready to get back in shape? If you're like most adults, you've been flirting with fitness for years; getting into reasonable shape then letting it slide until you're finally bothered enough to do something about it again. But to get - and stay - in shape you need to break that cycle and move towards living a healthy lifestyle.

To truly move towards a healthy lifestyle usually means addressing health concerns in a number of areas. First, you need to schedule a full physical & blood workup with your doctor, if only to be sure of what conditions and concerns you need to allow for as you get started. Changing your diet, sleep patterns and exercise level places some stresses on your system initially, even if those changes are designed to bring you better health over time.

Discuss your planned return to fitness with your doctor while you're there. While your doctor may not know as much about exercise physiology as your personal trainer or as much about current nutrition research as your registered nutritionist, he or she knows a lot more about YOUR body and systems than anyone else. While you might never get your doctor to create my exercise plan or design your meal plan, you should never ignore their advice regarding your body and it's internal workings - that would just be foolish and potentially dangerous.

Once your licensed medical professional has given you the green light to start working out and changing dietary habits, be prudent about getting started and especially realistic in your expectations. Chances are you didn't get out of shape in just a few weeks or months, so don't expect to reverse the damage and get in shape in that short a time period. For one thing, the loftier your goals and shorter your expected time to achieve that level of fitness, the greater the risk you'll do more damage than good.

For example, when trying to get back in shape many people will pick up one or two bodybuilding magazines, find the workout routines competitive bodybuilders are using, and try to start out with those. After all, if it worked that well for them then it has to do the same for you, right? WRONG. The pro bodybuilders featured in most magazines have a) been working out for years, building up to a point where their bodies can handle a workout like that, and b) most pro bodybuilders are using thousands of dollars a month in steroids and other drugs to help their bodies heal faster and stronger - without those drugs even they would have to dial their workouts down a few notches... And their central nervous system is already used to those heavy weights and grueling workouts - think of what they'd do to YOUR body!

To truly get in shape and stay in shape, don't even consider using drugs to get bigger, get stronger or lose weight. Fitness isn't a cosmetic concept - those sexy bodies with their healthy glow are a side effect of being in great shape. Fitness is a health issue, and using illicit drugs to reach certain goals quicker is counter-intuitive to being as healthy as you can be.

Besides, unless you have a life-threatening condition or are morbidly obese, you most likely have a lot of time to get in shape. Trying to achieve a great fitness level or that 'perfect' body too quickly will lead to disappointments that will quickly erode your motivation and probably result in you abandoning your quest yet again.

Instead of starting out with the goal of losing 30 pounds, benching 250 pounds or running the next marathon, set your goals to be a little better each week than the week before. Start each week with the goal to lose 1 - 2 pounds, add 5 pounds to your bench press or run a quarter mile farther than you did last week. Setting reasonable goals will still have you reaching to achieve them each week while giving you a greater chance of success - success that will help you stay motivated to get in better shape week after week.

And while you won't meet or exceed your goals every single week, your overall patter of success will lead you further and further along your path to a truly healthy lifestyle and the resultant fitness, energy and health benefits.

After flirting with fitness for about 50 years, D. Champigny finally came to realize that life can only be enjoyed to the fullest when one is healthy and fit, brimming with the energy to face every day - and every challenge - with confidence and gusto. Now a certified personal trainer and publisher of FlirtingWithFitness.com, Champigny has made it his mission to help anyone interested in getting in shape or staying in shape.

To that end, his site contains thousands of articles on health & beauty, exercise, nutrition, weight loss and flirting & dating, all free to access by those looking for more information on getting in shape and staying that way for life. Get started on your path to a healthy lifestyle today, starting with a visit to FlirtingWithFitness.com right now!

Psyllium Husk

Psyllium husks, commonly known as isabgol, ispaghula and psyllium, is derived from the seeds of Plantago ovata plant (Psyllium) which is cultivated in the Northwestern region of India. These consist of the epidermis & the collapsed adjacent layers removed from the dried ripe seeds of Plantago Ovata.

Psyllium husk contains extensive amount of soluble as well as insoluble natural fibers which is responsible for its laxative action. Light brown to white in color, depending upon the purity, the fibrous husks that are processed from psyllium seeds find usage in Pharmaceutical, Cosmetics, Food and varied allied industries.

In traditional herbal systems of India and China, Psyllium husk was used to treat bladder problems, coronary heart diseases, diverticular diseases, hemorrhoids, high blood pressure and urinary disorder. It was also used to treat skin irritations, poison ivy reactions as well as insects bits & stings.

These are hygroscopic, mucilaginous and widely used for colon cleansing, better blood circulation and treating diarrhea, constipation & irritable bowel syndrome. According to studies, Psyllium husk is also useful in lowering cholesterol and to control diabetes. In addition to this, these act as a cooling, demulcent, mild purgative and natural lubricant which is beneficial in treatment of inflammatory affection.

Psyllium husks can be consumed in their natural state or in dried, chopped & powdered form for easier consumption by mixing these with water or another fluid. Apart from treating various ailments, these can also be used for gluten-free baking. Psyllium seed husks bind moisture and help make the bread less crumbly.

Various uses of Psyllium husk are listed below:

Recent study reveals that, it consists 70% soluble and 30% insoluble fibers & can be effectively used to reduce cholesterol level, constipation, IBS (Irritable bowel syndrome) and diabetes. When consumed with water, juice and other liquids, these form a gel like gelatinous mass that moves down the digestive organ soaking up toxins, harmful residues and then flushing these out of the body through stools.

Uses in colon cancer: The insoluble fiber content in Psyllium husk either dilutes cancer-causing bile acids or moves feces out of the colon more quickly. This reduces contact-time of feces in digestive system, further reducing chances of producing cancer-causing agents called carcinogens.

Use in cholesterol control: These contain cellulose fiber which reduces the absorption of cholesterol into the blood stream, thus reducing the risk of high cholesterol.

Use in constipation: These increase the passage to the bowel content through formation of bond water. Hydrophilic in nature, these contain gel-forming fibers that are composed of micro-polysaccharides & cellulose. The gel like starch softens the feces and makes it easier to eliminate.

Uses in diarrhoea: These helps in slowing down the movement of intestines in order to reduce bowel movements. These absorb excess liquid in the intestines and help adding bulk to stool which stops watery outlet during diarrhoea and dysentery.

Use in diabetes: The high fiber content reduces the release of dietary sugar from the digestive tract into the blood stream, thus helping in the normalization of blood sugar level.

Sher Bahadur Thapa has written this article on the topic " Psyllium Husk ", which is used as dietary fiber to relieve from several diseases.

What Can a Shoulder Specialist Do for You?

The shoulder is one of the most important joints in the human body. It has a greater range of movement than any other joint. As a result, it is prone to a greater number of injuries than most of our other joints. This is why, if you are experiencing shoulder pain, it is important to consult a shoulder specialist. A specialist will be able to help you in a number of ways that other doctors might not be capable of matching. It is vital, then, that you consult a specialist for many reasons.

The first advantage that you will experience by visiting a shoulder specialist is the experience that he or she brings. A specialist will bring a wealth of experience to your consultation that will prove to be exceedingly beneficial for you. Instead of seeing a general practitioner, you will be meeting with someone who has devoted his or her career to diagnosing and treating patients who are going through exactly the same circumstances that you yourself are experiencing. This dedication gives the specialist a uniquely helpful insight into how best to help you.

Another advantage of seeing a shoulder specialist is the up to date information that he or she will have concerning your condition. Since the specialist's job is to treat the shoulder and nothing else, he or she will most certainly be well apprised of the most current and advanced techniques to treat shoulder injuries or chronic shoulder conditions. This will directly benefit you since you will be sure to be on the cutting edge of the most advanced techniques that the medical community has to offer. Rather than visiting a general practitioner and running the risk of being treated with out of date methods, consulting a shoulder specialist will ensure that you are getting the best possible treatment.

In all, a shoulder specialist can be the most important factor in making sure that your course of treatment is as effective as possible and that your recovery goes as smoothly as you could hope. The experience and up to date knowledge that the specialist brings to the table could mean the difference between a smooth treatment with quick recovery and a series of complications accompanied by chronic pain. While many doctors who are not specialists are extremely knowledgeable, it is extremely important that you seek a specialist to treat your shoulder. You will be happy that you did.

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Recovering From Your Shoulder Surgery

In many cases, the most nerve wracking thing about surgery is the thought of the recovery process, and this is no different when it comes to shoulder surgery. However, the recovery period need not cause you any anxiety. If you follow your doctor's instructions and work hard, your recovery should go smoothly, and, in the long run, you should be back to your normal self. During the recovery period, though, there are some things that you should keep in mind.

Managing Your Pain

The most daunting part of shoulder surgery for most people is the thought of the pain that will come after the procedure. However, given modern surgical procedures, pain management is much easier than it used to be. In many cases, surgeons are able to perform arthroscopic surgery to repair a shoulder. This type of procedure is much less invasive than traditional methods and results in less post-operation pain. Additionally, your doctor will provide you with pain medication as well as some light stretches that will help to ease the pain associated with your procedure.

Physical Therapy

An important part of your recovery is the course of physical therapy that you will likely participate in after your shoulder surgery. A trained physical therapist will support you through your recovery period by teaching you a variety of exercises that will help to get your shoulder back to its original strength and flexibility. A good therapy program is vital in the recovery process, and the help that you will receive will make the stress and anxiety of your recovery almost disappear.

What Not to Do

Perhaps the biggest obstacle to a patient's recovery from shoulder surgery is the patient himself. In many cases, especially near the end of the recovery process, it is tempting to try to push the envelope and over exert the shoulder. For example, it is easy to give in to the temptation to pick up an object because it doesn't look all that heavy even though your doctor instructed you not to pick up heavy objects. Likewise, it is tempting to take your arm out of a sling prematurely because you think it feels good enough to go without one. These sorts of mistakes can lead to extremely undesirable consequences. As you're recovering from your procedure, even the slightest overuse of your repaired shoulder can have long term effects on your strength and range of motion. Therefore, it is extremely important to follow all of your doctor's instructions very carefully.

All of these things can help you to overcome the stress associated with your recovery from shoulder surgery and will allow your recovery to be smooth and successful.

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Cholesterol Fear Mongering

In 2007, almost one in seven Americans took a statin (cholesterol-lowering) medication according to a Medco Health Solutions study. This is alarming, considering that patients who take those medications have a higher death rate than those who don't. It is counter-intuitive to take a medication which will increase the chance of death, yet somehow we have been trained to fear high cholesterol more than we fear cancer and brain hemorrhage, both of which are significantly increased in statin drug users. Is there no alternative to this risk?

First of all, we need to form an understanding of cholesterol and its purpose in the body. Cholesterol is a fatty substance produced in the liver and obtained from food sources. It is an essential component to many cell parts, especially of nerve coatings, and plays a vital role in the production of several hormones. Cholesterol is not our enemy. What we should be concerned about, however, is the oxidation (damage) of cholesterol, which is caused primarily by toxins, stress, and poor diet.

Usually, when we consider dietary changes to improve our cholesterol condition, we immediately jump into a low-fat diet. However, this is putting our efforts toward the wrong direction. We need fats in our diet. Switching to a low-fat diet causes a depletion of our healthy dietary fat and leads to a higher sugar intake, as manufacturers increase the sugar content of their low-fat foods in order to improve the taste. High sugar intake actually leads to an increase in cholesterol production by the body, as the body rapidly tries to offset the danger of high sugar content in the blood.

So what types of fat should we eat? Olive oil? Fish oil? What about butter? Fish oil, for one, actually possesses cholesterol-lowering and triglyceride-lowering properties, which is why we are encouraged to not only eat fish but to eat oily fish such as salmon. Olive oil is also known to be one of the most healthful fats, but it's best eaten raw or cooked using only the lowest of heat settings. Cooking with oils, even olive oils, transforms them to trans fats at high heat, and this is counter-productive. What about butter? Butter is a natural fat, and although it contains cholesterol it does not contribute to the increase of cholesterol levels. Butter contains lecithin which is helpful in the metabolism of cholesterol. Above all, stick to naturally occurring fats and avoid any "created" fats such as margarine, Olestra, and any new ones which come on the market. These work contrary to the body's own intelligence and function.

You are your own best advocate for your health. Research the facts and be willing to look beyond the latest study. Look to see who funded the study and what profit they may obtain from the results.

Laurie Geter, R.N., natural health advocate. Author of Mastering Cholesterol: Simple Steps to Natural Cholesterol Management. Author of 46 Steps to Stress Management: Real Help for Stress Relief and the Prevention of Premature Aging

Understanding What Chiropractors Do

Chiropractic takes a holistic approach and recognizes the body's innate ability to heal itself. Chiropractic treatments effectively remove nerve interference which helps to restore proper function allowing the body to heal itself. It is well known that the nervous system is the master system in the body and literally controls all systems, organs and cells in the body. When there is interference with the nervous system, disease and dysfunction in the body will occur.

The brain and spinal cord make up the central nervous system. One of the main functions of the spine is to protect the spinal cord and delicate nerves that exit out of the spine. When injury occurs, spinal bones can become misplaced causing irritation of the delicate nerves. This will lead to pain and dysfunction in the body. Misaligned spinal bones may also stretch the muscles attached to them causing muscles spasms.

Surrounding soft tissue may also become irritated. When misaligned spinal bones remain uncorrected, spinal degeneration and disease may develop over time. Chiropractic adjustments help to restore normal alignment and remove the interference to the nervous system which restores normal function in the body.

People commonly seek chiropractic care for the treatment of headaches, neck pain, back pain and arm or leg pain. Chiropractic is effective in helping many musculoskeletal disorders which involve problems in the joints. Chiropractic adjustments effectively reduce pain, restore proper motion of the joints and restore normal nerve flow in the body.

Problems in the joints of the body are caused from various different causes. They may be the result of a single traumatic event such as a car accident or they may be the cause of overuse of the joints over time or from poor postural habits.

Chiropractic treatment is well known to be a safe and natural form of healthcare. Chiropractors are trained to perform a thorough evaluation and diagnosis. They may also take x-rays to help rule out fractures, diseases and to see a picture of the alignment of the joints. These tests can help determine if chiropractic treatment is the best option for the individual. Chiropractors work with other healthcare professionals and will refer to them when necessary.

Chiropractors perform treatment in various ways. There are several different techniques to correct misaligned joints in the body. Some methods involve hands on treatment which uses a quick, precise thrust over the misaligned joint. Other methods may use instruments especially designed to adjust the joints. Chiropractors also have special tables that help adjust the spine.

- Nathan Leavitt DC

Dr. Leavitt continues to help improve the health of many through natural chiropractic treatment. To learn more go here: chiropractor Knoxville TN

You can also see patient testimonials here: chiropractor Knoxville TN

Once You Find a Dialysis Center - Then What?

People with kidney failure often undergo a process called dialysis, which artificially performs the important functions of the kidneys. During dialysis, machines filter waste out of the blood, allowing you to continue functioning normally. If your doctor recommends dialysis, it's important that you find a dialysis center that you will want to go to on a regular basis, with each session lasting three to five hours.

Schedule Regular Appointments

Once you locate dialysis centers in your area, you need to schedule your appointments at one or more centers. You don't have to go to the same one every time, so if your schedule makes one center more convenient than another on some days of the week, you can alternate between them. Your doctor will have told you how frequently you need to have dialysis treatment, and it's your responsibility to make appointments according to that schedule. Most patients will go to dialysis treatments three times per week.

Prepare for and Attend Appointments

Your dialysis appointments will take up a large part of your time, so you'll want to make sure you're comfortable during your appointments. You want to wear comfortable clothing that won't make you feel pinched while you're sitting. You may feel cold during dialysis because your blood circulates outside of your body to the dialysis machine, so you will probably also want to wear something that will help keep you warm. Lastly, bring something to do while you sit, whether it's reading material, supplies to write letters, or knitting equipment.

Plan Dialysis During Travel

You can travel when you are undergoing dialysis treatments, but you will need to locate dialysis centers along each stage of your trip. Because the process is so standardized, you can make an appointment at a center just once when you're passing through an area. However, you'll want to plan all of your appointments well in advance so you can be sure you'll have the life-sustaining treatment you need at each location you travel to. Dialysis centers can be busy, and you don't want to assume that they'll have open slots in their schedule.

Follow Dietary Recommendations

You may need to change your diet during dialysis to make the process go more smoothly. After you find a dialysis center and attend an appointment, keep in close contact with your medical care providers to learn if you need to be modifying your diet. They may recommend limiting fluids and salt to help keep your body from holding on to unnecessary water.

Angelica Bond needed to find a dialysis center in her area when her mother became ill and needed kidney dialysis. Dialysis Finder can help you locate dialysis centers in Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles or where ever you may be.