Monday, August 8, 2011

Lose Weight by Eating More

Has it ever occurred to you that you may not be eating enough food? The average North American woman is not eating enough, which is a result of frequent dieting, fear of overeating, and busy schedules. This seems a bit bizarre, considering the average American is also overweight. Is there a correlation?
I believe there is a direct correlation and there are other experts and research that backs this up. When you don't eat enough, your body doesn't get enough calories to fuel its energy requirements.
To manage this imbalance your body has to adapt by lowering your metabolic rate. It does this to survive what is perceived as a food shortage, and when your body is in this state it also begins to hoard fat. The more often your body is in a food shortage mode, the more the body anticipates future food shortages and becomes a fat storing machine, ensuring that when you do get enough food some of it gets stored as fat. Do you think that has happened to you?
Unfortunately, the body is quick to store fat, but reluctant to use it - unless it experiences an extended food shortage or famine (usually an extreme diet). At this point, the body is even quicker to rebuild its fat stores after the food shortage is over, in case it is needed for an even longer famine.
For this reason, frequent dieters have less success and more weight gain with each successive diet. I hear this all the time from people that don't understand why it was once so easy to lose weight on a diet, and now they can't seem to lose anything on a diet and are hitting their all-time high weight levels. They feel like they are failing at dieting.
They are not failing - the diet is failing them. Diets are one of the primary causes of obesity; because they put the body into a starvation mode and ultimately accelerate fat-storing that is difficult to stop once the metabolic rate has been lowered.
When you do not eat enough food, you may also experience exhaustion, weakness, lack of motivation, headaches, lack of concentration, irritability, or possibly depression or moodiness. Food is fuel for the cells in our body, and the brain is particularly affected when it doesn't get enough carbohydrates - its only source of fuel. So if you aren't feeling that well, maybe you aren't eating enough food or enough carbohydrates balanced with protein and fat. Many people who did the Atkins diet found that they didn't think as clearly and got easily fatigued when on the diet, and that is because they weren't getting enough carbohydrates - the body's primary source of fuel. If you did a low carb diet, did you notice any change in your moods, concentration or energy levels?
Another indicator that you might not be getting enough food is if you've been sick a lot, become prone to injuries or stress fractures, or even missed menstrual cycles. Again, food is what fuels our cells and gives us the vitamins and minerals we need to stay healthy. When we don't get enough, it affects our internal functions, immune system and even bone density, because the body will start to break down muscle, bone and tissue to get any fuel that is stored in these places to survive.
There is a reason food is called energy or fuel, and that is because every cell in our body needs that fuel as energy to function properly. We are an amazing physical machine that burns energy efficiently to keep us both healthy and alive. But when we don't give our body enough fuel, it doesn't work as well.
One of the things that can happen when you deprive yourself of food is an uncontrollable urge to overeat. This is called the deprivation backlash and it can drive you to eat more than you want or need. What is interesting is most people are driven to overeat carbohydrates when they don't eat enough, and it actually makes sense. When you don't get enough food, you have both a physical and emotional response. Physically, the body gets desperate for more fuel and carbohydrates (particularly simple carbs) is the fastest way to get it, and emotionally, if you've been deprived of carbs you will become more obsessed with them. When was the last time you experienced this?
So this week pay attention to whether you are getting enough to eat. Notice if you are skipping meals and then overeating later, or if you are in a diet mentality and limiting how much you feed yourself. It is best to eat when you are hungry and stop before you are full, letting your body signal you on how much is enough. Try listening to your hunger signals to govern how much food is right for you.

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Are You Wearing the Right Sized Bra?.com

Numerous media reports cite studies that claim more than 80% of women are wearing the wrong sized bra. Do you know whether your bra fits correctly? And does it really matter?
Wearing the correct bra size does matter, especially for older and curvier women. Younger women can get away without wearing a bra, or wearing one that doesn't support them properly, as their young muscles and tendons keep things in place. But as we age, proper support becomes vital. Besides, an ill fitting bra under a T-shirt or close fitting top is just plain ugly.
There are other, potentially more serious problems with ill-fitting bras, especially if you have a curvy figure. Breasts that are not properly supported can lead to problems with your back and shoulders as well as cause skin irritation. If you have never been properly fitted, why not try it? You may well find the bras you buy in the future will completely change how you carry yourself, bringing your shoulders back and boosting your self-esteem considerably.
Although many women are wearing bras that do not fit them correctly, many of us have the tendency to consistently buy the same size.
Often the best thing to do is keep trying on bras until you find one that fits properly and provides the support you need. Avoid relying too much on a tape measure, for in today's market, there are many variables in bra manufacturing.
Those variables include: fabric type, how the fabric is cut, level of support/elasticity, design, cup style (full cup, balconette, demi-bra, strapless, bustier etc.), variations in sizing between brands, variations in sizing conventions in different countries, variables in the production process, and fashion sizing (i.e.: putting smaller sizes on the label than the garment actually is …)
…and all this before you even start to consider how your own body alters over the course of the day, the month, the year, or events such as pregnancy, measurable weight loss or gain, or surgery.
Thus the best way of finding the right bra is to try on as many as necessary until you are happy with the fit, comfort, and look. If a bra is right for you, it will:






1. Feel comfortable - there will be no red marks or wheals
2. The back band will be parallel with the front band.
3. If it is underwired, the underwires will sit comfortably at the back of the breast without digging in. The front of the underwires will sit comfortably between your breasts and rest against your breast bone.
4. The cups will be full - not overflowing, and not sagging.
5. The straps will not cut in, and they won't slip down.
When you have bought the right bra for you, follow the care instructions to keep it doing its job as long as possible. Bras usually only have an effective life of around 5/6 months and will lose some elasticity each time they are washed. You will probably need to alter the straps and the hook position over that time to compensate for this.
Yes, there are too many women wearing the wrong sized bra. And yes, it does matter. There are many bras to choose from, so enjoy your search!

for more beauty,Fashion and health care tips visit http://www.sumaiqa.com

Make Your New Year's Fitness Resolution Stick

If you are like most North Americans, you made at least one New Year's resolution. And, if you are like the majority of these promise-makers, at least one resolution is probably related to health and fitness. In a recent study of New Year's resolutions, 55 percent promised to eat healthier, 50 percent resolved to exercise more, and 38 percent wanted to lose weight.
While resolutions are well-intentioned, unfortunately most people fail at keeping them. With all the hype surrounding these promises, it's easy to get caught up in the hype without taking them seriously.
So, what is the secret to successful resolutions? While you can't wave a magic wand and make your resolution come true, there are some easy steps to take that will make it easier to fulfill your promise to yourself.
Choose an obtainable goal.
Resolving to look like a super model is not realistic for the majority of us, but promising to include daily physical activity in our lives is very possible.
Avoid choosing a resolution that you've been unsuccessful at achieving year after year.
This will only set you up for failure, frustration and disappointment. If you are still tempted to make a promise that you've made before, try altering it. For example, instead of stating that you are going to lose 30 pounds, try promising to eat healthier and increase your weekly exercise.
Create a game plan.
At the beginning of January, write a comprehensive plan. All successful businesses start with a business plan that describes their mission and specifics on how they will achieve it. Write your own personal plan and you'll be more likely to succeed as well.
Break it down and make it less intimidating.
Rather than one BIG end goal, dissect it into smaller pieces. Set several smaller goals to achieve throughout the year that will help you reach the ultimate goal. Then, even if you are unable to reach your final goal, you will have many smaller, but still significant, achievements along the way.
For example, if your goal is to complete a 10K race, your smaller goals could be running a 5K in less than 30 minutes, adding upper and lower body strength training to increase your muscular endurance, and running 2 miles with a personal best completion time.
Ask friends and family members to help you so you have someone to be accountable to.
Just be sure to set limits so that this doesn't backfire and become more irritating than helpful. For example, if you resolve to be more positive ask them to gently remind you when you start talking negatively.
Reward yourself with each milestone.
If you've stuck with your resolution for 2 months, treat yourself to something special. But, be careful of your reward type. If you've lost 5 pounds, don't give yourself a piece of cake as an award. Instead, treat yourself to something non-food related, like a professional massage.
Don't go it alone!
Get professional assistance. Everyone needs help and sometimes a friend just isn't enough. Sometimes you need the help of a trained professional. Don't feel that seeking help is a way of copping out. Especially when it comes to fitness, research studies have shown that assistance from a fitness professional greatly improves people's success rate.
Limit your number of promises.
You'll spread yourself too thin trying to make multiple changes in your life. This will just lead to failure of all of the resolutions.
On average, only about 20% of us keep our New Year's resolutions. Unfortunately, some of the biggest failures are found in fitness resolutions. But don't let the statistics get you down. By following the tips in this article you'll equip yourself for success.

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Summer Beauty Tips

Summer is a great time for relaxation, recreation and renewal. If you're like most of us, you probably take advantage of the longer days and warm weather to enjoy extra time with family and friends. While enjoying the hot, lazy days of summer, keep in mind that different beauty rules apply. Here are a few tips to keep you looking as good as you feel:

Summer Hair Care

  • If you spend lots of time outdoors and want to spice up your look naturally, try combing a little lemon juice through your hair. The sun will lighten those strands faster than your locks sans lemon, giving you an attractive sun-streaked look. It's also easier on your budget than salon highlights.

  • Be sure to deep condition your hair at least once a week, especially if you swim a lot. Hair tends to become dry, dull and brittle if it is soaked and dried too often.

  • If you like to swim lengths, try spritzing on some leave-in conditioner under your swim cap to help ward off damage from chlorine and salt water.

Summer Skincare Tips

  • It may be hip to be tanned, and it does tend to camouflage a multitude of imperfections, but don't deep-fry your skin for the sake of fashion. Your best bet is a high quality bronzer in a bottle. The Body Shop has a great all-natural formula. Just remember to use a facial scrub prior to application to slough off any dead skin cells. You may also want to use a pair of gloves, lest your palms turn orange!

  • If you spend lots of time outside, be sure to use sunscreen with minimum SPF 15. The cancer-preventing benefits are obvious, but protection is also a must for those of us who don't want to look old before our time.

  • Make sure that you are adequately hydrated - at least 8 glasses of water a day and even more when you are outside.

  • If you do burn, apply Aloe Vera or lotions containing it. This will cool and soothe your skin and help you to heal faster. A personal trick is to apply cream containing zinc to my face at night. This is an effective way of healing my burn by the morning.

  • Nothing is more revolting than skin full of little red mosquito or bug bites, not to mention the new threat of West Nile Virus, so don't forget the bug spray. You may want to try one of the new two-in-one sunscreen and insect repellants.

  • For a quick skin boost in the sun, fill a misting bottle with a little bit of toner and water, and spritz your face and body for a quick cool off. Just remember to close your eyes so you don't risk burning them.

Summer Make-up Tips

  • Take on summer with a fresh face forward - less is best! Accentuate your glowing skin by brushing on a light shimmering powder instead of a heavy foundation. You don't want to appear like you are melting under the hot sun.

  • Those of you who read my column know that I'm a big advocate of the powder bronzer. This is a great way to give yourself a pretty glow. I like to use a matte finish on my face and then a shimmer powder on my eyelids, above my cheekbones, and on my shoulders and collarbone.

  • A hot look on a bronzed face is shiny lip gloss. The BEST is "Lip Glass" by MAC. It gives you ultra shine over lipstick (applied with a brush) or on its own. Plus, it stays put - a big bonus for die-hard lip gloss wearers!

  • Try a light shimmering eye shadow in beige just under your brow bone to draw attention to your eyes.

  • If you are wear mascara, try a waterproof. This way you will avoid "Raccoon Eyes" when you are perspiring or near water. Don't forget the must-have partner, eye make-up remover, or else you really will end up with the dreaded dark circles!

My number one beauty booster tip is simple: relax…and summer is the perfect time to do it. Take time to sit back, relax and enjoy time with your friends and family. Check back with LifeToolsforWomen in September for my fall beauty and fashion tips
for more beauty,Fashion and health care tips visit http://www.sumaiqa.com