How To Lose Your Beer Belly Without Cutting Beer Out Completely

There are not many people on the planet that can say that they are entirely happy with the way they look. I think we all have our little insecurities and largely there is a wish to eat healthily and feel good about ourselves.


One of the areas we are most conscious of is our stomach. Not only can it appear unsightly but often times it is also very uncomfortable to have a bloated tummy.Men with beer guts and ladies trying to get a flat stomach both experience that yuck feeling sometimes.


There are a couple of changes you can make straight away which will make you feel a bit better. I'm not saying cut out everything you enjoy but it is worth replacing processed foods with some healthy alternatives. Try brown bread instead of white and perhaps have tuna instead of cheese in your sandwich. Don't discount the importance of water. I have recently slipped into a toast coffee and biscuit habit while my daughter has been poorly as it seemed easy to grab a quick snack. The result, fat stomach feeling sick and grumpy mum! I wrote down what I was eating and made a few notes as to what I would change.


Over the past few days I have made small changes and am already feeling a bit better. I have not gone all out and emptied my cupboards of all things processed as I know that won't work for my and my family will hate me for it. I am however thinking before I open a packet of potato chips and picking up a piece of fruit instead and I am having chicken or tuna sandwiches instead of my standard tuna


I have found that one of the biggest things for me is increasing my water intake and the reduced hot drinks. I am making sure I get a walk, go to the park or just play with my toddler for a while every afternoon. I am doing a fewsit ups and walking up and down my stairs but nothing too drastic. The main change is the reduction of starchy foods and more fruit and veggies.


After a couple of days my stomach is far less bloated and I feel much healthier. I have been doing the pilates one hundred exercise and some tummy cycle exercises but that's about all. My theory is that if I can feel so much better after such small changes I can lose a few inches if I really apply myself.


As my initial few days have been successful I am going to keep a blog of the changes I make and how I progress. I intend to add recipes and exercises and recommendations of anything I've found useful. I also have some pictures of me but the jury is out at the moment on whether I will publish them.

Use of Inhaled Corticosteroids Associated with Increased Diabetes Risk

Corticosteroids are a class of drugs that are closely related to cortisol, a steroid hormone produced in the adrenal cortex. This medication is used to treat inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile arthritis, poison ivy, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), allergic rashes, Crohn's Disease, lupus, polymyositis, scleroderma and vasculitis. 

A recent study associated inhaled corticosteroids, which are primarily used to treat asthma and COPD, with the development and progression of diabetes mellitus. Patients on corticosteroid treatment experience a higher risk of developing type2 diabetes. Corticosteroids can induce insulin resistance and increase Glucagon secretion from the pancreas. The drug elevates the blood glucose levels, especially when taken for more than a few days. 

Study Links Inhaled Corticosteroids with Elevated Risk ofDiabetes 

A study conducted by researchers at the Lady Davis Institute of the Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, and the McGill University, associated administration of inhaled corticosteroids with increased rate of diabetes progression and increased requirement for intensification ofdiabetes therapy. 

The researchers examined the data of over 380,000 patients from the Quebec health insurance databases, who were treated for respiratory ailments (COPD or asthma). The participants were followed up for a period of five and a half years. It was observed that nearly 30,167 subjects developed diabetes and another 2,099 progressed from oral hypoglycemic therapy to insulin treatment during the follow-up period. 

The researchers found that the inhaled corticosteroids can cause a 34% elevation in the rate of diabetes onset and diabetesprogression. Moreover, the highest inhaled doses can increase the risk of diabetes onset by 64% and diabetes progression by 54%.

The research findings are especially important for patients suffering from COPD because over 70% of the COPD patients use inhaled corticosteroids to fight their disease.

Diabetes: The Link Between Periodontal Disease and Diabetes

Diabetes affects about 24 million Americans or about 8% of the population. It is a disease that is characterized by high levels of blood sugar caused by malfunctioning insulin production. An insulin resistant individual becomes diabetic when the pancreas can no longer put out sufficient insulin to lower the blood sugar and the organ becomes exhausted. 

The pancreas is controlled by hormonal feedback mechanisms. Acute and chronic infections create hormonal chaos in the body. Periodontaldisease is the most widespread infectious disease on the planet, consequently provokes a great deal of chaos. 

The sugars found in the mouth aid in gum disease. The constant introduction and presence of sugar in the mouth (like a sippy cup with juice), feed the bacteria that leads to periodontal disease. 

Blood vessels in a diabetic are also compromised. They thicken and slow the delivery of oxygen to the extremities. Likewise, they slow the removal of waste from these tissues. All of which lowers the defense to infection, including periodontal infection. 

A Dentistry Today publication detailed the link between periodontaldisease and diabetes. Those with diabetes have more severe periodontal issues and those with periodontal disease have a more difficult time controlling their diabetes. The link is found in both adults and children. About 50 percent of children have periodontal disease according to the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University Medical Center. Unfortunately the symptoms of periodontal disease are often not noticeable until the disease is advanced. A dentist can diagnose the disease in the early stages, prior to parents realizing their children have it. Thus, it is important that children with diabetes receive regular oral check ups. 

A study at the School of Dental Medicine at the University at Buffalo found that obesity is significantly related to periodontal diseasethrough the pathway of insulin resistance. Sara Grossi, director of the UB Periodontal Disease Research Center and lead author of the study said, "Now we see a relationship between obesity, insulin resistance and periodontal disease in a large, population-based cohort. This relationship is significant because obesity is an important risk factor for Type 2 diabetes and heart disease." (http://www.sdm.buffalo.edu/news/20000408_obesity.html) 

Today, adults and children with diabetes have a better chance of keeping this disease under control. Besides diet, it also takes diligence and thoroughness in oral health. One of the best ways to do that is by using the Dental Air Force system, which combines tooth brushing and flossing, by cleaning between teeth and around the gums.

Dehydration - What causes it?

Dehydration is a widespread precursor to disease along with rapid aging. An occasional mildly dry body is something just about everyone has experienced at one time or further in our lives. But, a mild case every day for several years bring about serious disease. It begins accompanied by a disruption to your acidity alkaline balance and via there, you can experience a variety ofhealth issues.


Your body's acid alkaline balance is rather delicate. Everything you actually eat, drink, breathe, and feel is metabolized because of your body, used for energy then discarded as waste back in the fluid surrounding an individual's cells and organs. Once you put garbage in, which garbage is metabolized directly into acid, put back directly into your body's fluid. The toxins developed with this process are stored with your fatty tissues, in your own joints, arteries, etc. until your body is very polluted (a condition identified as acidosis) that you wind up with arthritis, diabetes, many forms of cancer, high blood pressure, excessive cholesterol, or any selection of diseases we know in. 


Your body's acid alkaline balance is rather delicate. Everything you eat, drink, breathe, and feel is metabolized from your body, used for energy after which you can discarded as waste back to the fluid surrounding ones cells and organs. If you put garbage in, that garbage is metabolized to acid, put back straight into your body's fluid. Throughout another nine months, one of the major challenges you face is definately not about eating during having a baby. Instead, what you drink will become your Number A single concern.


Too often, no matter if women aren't pregnant, they find it hard to drink enough water a day. It's not at all uncommon for women to become dehydrated but not know it. Add the problems of morning sickness towards mix and you then have a whole new dimension in the problem! As for mineral water retention, many women experience bloated tummy before their periods and never understand what causes it or how to fight it. In this posting, we will discuss a differences between dehydration plus water retention, as most certainly as their common formula: drinking plenty of h2o.


Throughout our next nine months, one of the number one challenges you face will not be about eating during motherhood. Instead, what you drink will frequently become your Number You concern. Too often, even though women aren't pregnant, they fight to drink enough water every day. It's not at all uncommon for girls to become dehydrated and not know it. Add the problems of morning sickness to mix and you've got a whole new dimension for the problem! As for water retention, many women experience bloated tummy before their periods and never understand what causes it or how to combat it. In this guide, we will discuss that differences between dehydration in addition to water retention, as well as their common solution: drinking plenty of the water.

Have You Got Depression? Omega 3 Supplements May Help

The Omega3 essential fatty acids DHA and EPA are essential to good health. Not only that but they essential to the optimum operation of your brain, and there is now emerging evidence that those who are deficient in their intake of the Omega3 essential fatty acids may well help ameliorate depression and other mental conditions like bipolar disorder by increasing their intake fish oil.


That's because fish, and in particular oily fish, are the finest food source of the Omega3 essential fatty acids DHA and EPA. In the past fish made up a larger percentage of our diet, but now do not do so. Fish have been replaced in our diet with burgers and chips and pizza.


Our brain is made up of more than 50 percent fat, and DHA is an essential part of that fat. There is emerging evidence that is showing that a good supply of DHA through infancy can help improve mental development in children, and can also help children with ADHD and ADD.


And there is also evidence that those with depression may well experience some relief from increasing their intake of the Omega3 fats.


And it's not just depression, there is also evidence that more Omega 3 can help with anxiety as well.


A study which has been published recently in the Journal called Brain, Behaviour and Immunity has found thatstudents who were given Omega3 supplements were less liable to both anxiety and depression.


It is not entirely clear why this should be the case. However it is well known that the Omega3 fatty acids are extremely effective anti-inflammatories, and this is why they are so good for a range of different health problems.


And it is postulated that this anti-inflammatory effect means that the production of cytokines in the body, which produce inflammation, is reduced when there are more Omega3 fats available. Links have been shown between cytokine production and psychological stress and anxiety.


Another study found that there appears to be "a plausible link between rates of seafood consumption and rates of both depression and bipolar disorder, with lower seafood consumption being linked to higher rates of depression and bipolar disorder".


Seafood, and in particular oily fish, is the best food source for the Omega3 fats.


Of course this doesn't mean that if you have depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder you should immediately start taking high doses of Omega3 supplements. Always consult your doctor first, however it may well be that taking Omega3 supplements could be a valuable part of an overall treatment strategy.

Your Ideal Body: Cardiovascular, Resistance and Weight Training, Balanced Nutrition

Results in fitness are dependent on a three-part formula of lifestyle choices. One part of the formula does not work well without the other parts. Those who have tried one or two without the third know something is missing. This article is going to address the three-parts of the equation to help you make positive steps to a healthy body. A healthy body can provide you with a healthy mind, increased energy and stamina, more productivity and self-confidence. 

Here are the three parts: 

1. Cardiovascular training 
2. Resistance and weight training 
3. Balanced nutrition 

Now, the questions are why, what, when, where and how? Many people diet without exercise and others exercise without eating right. Their intentions are good yet they don't get the results they want so badly to achieve. Allow me to simplify basic fitness and balanced nutrition principles. In the informational age in which we live, people are confused with what to do, so they do nothing. Let me be straight with you, achieving the "ideal" body isn't easy, you have to put effort, consistency, and commitment to achieve your desired results. The first step is to develop a positive mindset. If you think it's impossible, it will be. If you think you can, you will. I can't speak strongly enough how important your mindset, mental thoughts, and self-talk play such an important role on your results. 

 
So let me begin with foundational principles that will make a difference. I'll start with cardiovascular training. For the ease of understanding, cardiovascular, cardio-respiratory, cardio and aerobic training are all synonymous. The goal is to keep a healthy function of the heart, lungs, and circulatory system. Sustaining aerobic training for a period of time will increase the endurance of the cardio-respiratory system. Cardio training will also burn calories that will decrease body fat stored. Cardio training has been reported as beneficial for many health reasons including: decreasing blood pressure, cholesterol, and depression. It has also been reported to increase heart, lung, and circulatory function as well. 

 
Don't worry about when is the best time to do your cardio exercise. Just do it. I like to get my cardio workout in during the morning. That way I won't be tempted to blow it off during the day and I won't be too tired at night to do it. But, if you are not a morning person, this might be more difficult. Schedule your exercise into your life just like all your other appointments. Your cardio workout is important to your health, just like your child's soccer game or tennis match is important to them. Put it on your calendar then check it off after you do it. 

 
Cardiovascular exercise is one type of exercise where you don't need any equipment. Unless your doctor, restricts you, anyone can walk. I see people walking around my neighborhood, public school tracks, and in the shopping mall all year round. Other people prefer to do their cardio exercise in their home. Cardio equipment is available at most sporting stores, specialized exercise stores, and even at garage sales. Treadmills are the most popular cardio equipment, exercise stationary bikes, and stair steppers. The newest, most popular, are elliptical machines. Find what type of cardio training is best for you and be consistent with it. If you like variety and get bored easily, then a variety of cardio exercise works really well. 

 
To get maximum results from your cardiovascular training keep track of your heart rate. I wear a heart rate monitor when I do my cardio exercise. Another way to check your heart rate is counting the heartbeats per minute. If you count your heartbeats for 6 seconds and add a zero behind the number you have your heart rate. By keeping track of your heart rate, you know how hard your heart is working or how much harder it needs to work. 

 
Now, you need to figure out your maximum heart rate. A simple formula is to take the number 220 and subtract your age. That is your maximum heart rate. To burn fat, your heart should work at 65 – 75 percent of your maximum heart rate. For cardio-respiratory fitness your heart rate should be at 75 percent. Don't exceed 85 percent of your maximum heart rate. 

 
For optimum conditioning, cardio five to six times a week for 30 – 60 minutes is best. Your training heart rate should be at 65 percent for a minimum of 20 minutes. Depending on your goal and the results you want to achieve, the minimum I would recommend is three times a week for 20 minutes. 

 
If you take medication with beta blockers, or have any question about your health condition, always check with your doctor first to determine where your heart rate should be. 
Now, I will explain why weight training is important and give you the basic principles of weight training. 
Weight training is for everyone. I start clients as young as 8 years old and my oldest client was 99 years of age. Yes, their workout design is different, but everyone between those ages can and should exercise with weights. Weight training strengthens, firms, and builds muscle. If you don't use or challenge your muscles they will atrophy (get weak and wither away). You are never too old to weight train and muscle knows no age. 
Let's talk briefly about metabolism. Your muscle is your metabolism. If you don't have good muscle tone, you will have a slower metabolism. The more muscle on your body, the faster your metabolism. There are three things that directly affect your metabolism: 
1. Muscle 
2. Nutrition 
3. Hormonal Imbalances 
You can control and change your metabolism by weight training and eating "right". 
For women, don't worry about bulking up. It doesn't happen by accident. Women bodybuilders take tremendous effort to lift heavy weight; they train for years and sometimes use anabolic steroids. This is not the fitness training we prescribe. 

 
Any weight training should start with lighter weight and progress to moderate weight. Don't start to heavy; just use enough weight to challenge your muscle. I hand many of my new female clients a 5 or 8 pound dumbbell on their first visit. They get real nervous thinking it's too heavy. I can pretty well guess that their purse weighs more than 5 pounds. Men, don't be in a hurry to look like Arnold by next week. It won't happen and you're only setting yourself up for injury. 
There are a couple factors we use in designing workout programs. First, we look at your goal. Second, after determining your goals we decide the right mix of repetitions, sets and rest. Repetitions or reps are how many times you lift the weight. Sets are the number of times you perform a given number of reps per exercise session. Rest is the time you allow the muscle to recover before the next set. 
Below is a general guideline to the proper mix of reps, sets and rest. 
Muscle endurance: 
• 12-20 reps, 1-3 sets, 20-30 second rest 

Strength and size: 
• 8-12 reps, 1-6 sets, 30-120 second rest 

Strength and power: 
• 4-8 reps, 1-5 sets, 2-5 minute rest 

Since my average client is trying to lose body fat and get lean, I generally use 12-20 reps, with 3 sets and 30-60 second rest. I like to teach my clients to perform active stretching between their sets. This will increase their flexibility, prevent injury and further challenge the muscles. I also recommend exercising all major muscle groups. Make sure your program includes the following muscles: chest, back, shoulders, arms (bicep and triceps), lower back, abdominal, legs (quadriceps, hamstrings and calves) and gluts. 

 
To fit most people's lifestyle, I recommend weight training at least 2 times per week, however, 3 times is better. If you train 5 times a week your workout design will be much different from people who train 2-3 times per week. I tell my clients, the difference between 2-3 times per week is the difference in your time schedule (what is doable in your life), your goals and priorities. 

 
One last important thing regarding weight training, if you do the same workout week after week, month after month, and year after year…your muscles know exactly what you are asking them to do and you will reach a plateau. You are no longer challenging your muscles. You are only maintaining their current status. If you have not yet reached your goal, change your workout program once a month to challenge the muscles. Changes can be as simple as changing the order of exercise, the number of repetitions, the number of sets, your rest time, the pounds of weight, the intensity, or do circuit training. One or more of these changes will make a big difference in how your muscles respond to your workout. Have fun and keep lifting! 

 
Are you tired of yo-yo dieting? Do you have a difficult time sticking to a diet? You are not alone. More people who diet fail rather than succeed. Dieting doesn't work. To get real results it takes a concentrated effort. Most people aren't willing to do what it takes. They want a fast, quick solution that's not out there. 

 
Why is eating right so challenging? We're all too busy and convenience foods seem limitless. We let our minds get in the way, we don't focus on our goals, and stress can play an important role in sabotaging our efforts. 
If feeling good about yourself, being healthy and looking good is important to you, then you have to eat sensibly. It's true you are what you eat. Here are 4 tips on eating right. I call it my 4 P's of Nutrition. Do these 4 things every week and you'll be on your way to a leaner and healthier you. 

1st P: Plan: Plan what you are going to eat either one-day at a time or a week in advance. Planning includes writing out a menu. For example, oatmeal for breakfast; chicken, yams and broccoli for lunch; fish, brown rice and green beans for dinner; apple and yogurt for snacks. 
2nd P: Purchase: After you plan what you're going to eat, write out your grocery list. Remember that most of the items you need to purchase are around the perimeter of the store. If you only purchase what is on your list, you will save a lot of money and calories. 

 
3rd P: Prepare: Now that you have all your ingredients, prepare your food. I work 6 days a week, 12-14 hours per day. What works for me is to prepare all my meals for the week on Sunday afternoon. It takes me only 2 hours in the kitchen. That takes the guess work out of my meals, it eliminates the "what do I feel like eating", and saves me a ton of time throughout my week. I've been preparing my family's meals like this for several years. It's just part of my routine and it works for me. 

 
4th P: Package: After I prepare all my meals for the week, I put the food in plastic reusable containers and take the meals with me to work. This way I can control the portion size, quality of food, amount of fats and sugars and it makes my life a lot easier. This keeps me eating healthy every day. 

These tips really work for me and will work for you. Once you get in the habit of planning, purchasing, preparing and packaging your meals you will see an improvement in your nutrition. You will have more control over your eating habits, portions size, healthy balance, and nutritional value in your meals. 

Get Motivated With These Powerful Fitness Tips

People's actions are usually motivated by self interest. Starting an exercise program is one such activity that you do to help yourself. You are helping yourself stay healthier and happier, and those are two excellent reasons, right there! Fitness is also an investment in your future, as it's good to be healthy and mobile as you age. There is really an ultimate moment of truth for all of us. It's the moment when we will either decide to make progress or simply stop trying. You don't have to look far to find people who give up. The important thing is to realize that it's a personal decision that each of us makes. If you're reading this, it means you want to be motivated, and the three fitness tips that follow can make this easier for you.


Some people get impatient if they don't instantly get results from their fitness activities. At the same time, nothing can motivate you like seeing results. After you see some evidence, you realize that this is effective. You feel a sense of accomplishment. At this point, you are justified in feeling wonderful about yourself. The "catch," however, is that you first have to begin. If you can just get started, you can increase your progress little by little. Your first goal can be to simply begin an exercise program. It will be much easier to continue once you actually see the results.


Being consistent with fitness or exercise programs means changing your entire way of life. It's been shown that creating new habits in your everyday life takes approximately three weeks. So armed with that knowledge, you can approach a new exercise program with the resolve to stick it out for just three lousy weeks. If you want to make sure it sinks in, let's say a month! Try to establish a daily routine that includes your physical activity or fitness program. The trick is to get yourself used to working out at a particular time every day, and after a month, you may find it's already a comfortable part of your routine.


Having a more positive way of looking at life can help you overcome almost any challenge. Yes, we are living too, and we know that holding a strong positive attitude can be challenging at times. The rewards, however, are great, so it's worth making the effort. Staying motivated and working out will be easier for you if you can manage to orient yourself in a positive direction. This is a fundamental principle that holds true for any pursuit. Keep in mind that whatever you do will have an effect on the rest of your life as well. When you're consistent about exercising, this will create a great feeling for you. That good feeling will only reinforce and make stronger your positive attitude. You should try it.


It's a good idea to search for fitness tips on your own, so you can keep increasing your level of motivation. You can't really have too much information in this area, as you never know when you'll need a new way to stay motivated when the going gets tough.

Argireline Can Help Your Wrinkle Cream work More Effectively

If you look at your local drug store or search online for wrinkle cream, you will find hundreds or even thousands of different options. This can certainly be overwhelming, especially for people who have already learned that 99% of these products do not work. In fact, most of these products do more harm than good, drying out the skin and leaving it vulnerable to infection. When you are looking for a quality product, seeking out ingredients such as Argireline can help. 

Argireline is an amino peptide that is designed to penetrate deep intothe skin. This peptide can help to relax facial tension by reducing both the intensity and the frequency of contractions of the facial muscles. This helps to stop the breakdown of collagen and can help reduce the depth and severity of wrinkles. It helps to provide the skin with a flatter appearance by disrupting local nerve signals that create frown lines. This produces an effect similar to Botox, but without the need for injections or side effects. 

One of the things that makes a wrinkle cream with Argireline more effective is if it contains only natural ingredients. When a skin care product is laden with chemicals, dyes, and fragrances, these things can often render even the best ingredients ineffective. The drying and damaging effects of these chemicals will also typically do more damage to the skin than any healthy ingredients can replace. The end result is that you have spent a great deal of money on a product that simply makes your skin worse. 

Taking the time to seek out quality wrinkle cream is always worth both the time and effort required. You will find that the Internet is the best place to look because it enables you to research every ingredient and company and to purchase directly from the manufacturer. This means that you get access to the very best products without having to pay extensive costs. Spending money on skin care products is very worthwhile, but only when you are choosing products that actually serve to make your skin healthier.