Archive for June, 2008

Diet Plans Versus Diet Reality

Thursday, June 19th, 2008

By Johnny T. Flynn I have found that there exist two different worlds in the realm of dieting. The first is the world of planning. In the world of planning you can plan out every meal for the next week or month or for however long you want to plan. If you are detail-oriented, write down how many croutons will be in your salads, or specify the appropriate length for the banana you want to eat. Why not? The more specific you are in your plan, the easier it will be to follow, right? Well, maybe not. Lets talk now about the other world: the world of reality. In the world of reality, you change your mind about what you want to eat, often. You go out with your friends for dinner on a few nights that you hadnt planned for, and on two of those nights you eat pizza, lots of pizza. You eat a banana split one night because everyone else is having one, and you dont want to stand out. On three occasions you buy and eat three candy bars within 20 minutes for no apparent reason. You eat three huge meals that your Italian mother cooked, because you know how happy she is when you have to loosen your belt just to breathe after her meals. Nothing ever goes as planned. Thats the important message. Circumstances will usually change and you will be forced to modify your original plan. I had to learn how to handle these situations. Lets say that for this Wednesdays dinner, youre planning to have eight ounces of skinless chicken with vegetables, but you have just been invited to a barbeque (hotdogs, hamburgers). Dont torture yourself and stay home, unless you dont like that group of people. Have fun, but try to limit yourself. You will probably take in more calories at the barbeque than your original dinner, but maybe you can adjust your weeks meal plan. Making adjustments to your eating behavior is an art form that requires a little bit of practice. Try using logic and not your emotions when making these kinds of adjustments. Try to eat slowly at the barbeque, because they will throw meat at you if you are empty-handed. It is easy to just panic and toss down a few greasy burgers while you arent paying attention. Ive done that too many times. Try to look busy, and always have a food item in your hand, but dont take any bites. Tell the hosts youve already eaten three burgers when youre actually on the first one. Another way of looking at these two different worlds in dieting is to notice the difference between logical thought (planning) and emotional execution (reality). You can be very logical when making your plan, because you probably havent even started your diet yet. You will count up the correct number of calories per day, hit all the different food groups, and still be able to eat one piece of a candy bar every single day. Thats greatuntil the diet starts. Once you find yourself on the inside of the fishbowl rather than on the outside, everything seems to change. The rules now seem unfair. Why do I have to eat this crap every single day? I have desires (pizza, enchiladas, chow fun). I feel like Im in prison. We often forget that we volunteered for this diet. And we can get so emotional that the execution of our diet, just following the plan, becomes completely impossible. That is how we came to be overweight. The types of food and the quantity we eat became too important to us. We try to give it up, but part of us still puts up a tremendous fight. It is part of us now, unless we can change. I have a friend named Jeff. Ive known him for about nine years. He is just like you and me except he genuinely dislikes eating. I know thats hard to imagine. Jeff told me one day that he wishes that he could just take all his nutrients in pill form. Thats right. Just slosh them down with water. That way he wouldnt waste any time having to chew anything. The reason I have introduced you to Jeff is to show you that there are other ways to be. There is Jeff, us, and everyone in between. You can step into that in between. When your emotions are locked on a bear claw, think how much better youd look if you lost an inch anywhere. Losing the weight has got to be more important than a one-night stand with some chocolate Kisses. If you want to stop eating certain types of food (like cookies or pies) the best place to start is in your own home. Take a look around your house, especially in your refrigerator and freezer. Do you see anything that will tempt you greatly? I generally have to keep all types of fatty foods and desserts completely out of my house, because if I know they are there, they will eventually crawl right into my mouth. I dont mean to do it. I may be a victim of my own genes. So instead, if I absolutely have to have something, Ill go to 7-Eleven and buy just one of whatever it is (usually chocolate) and bring it back. Thats my rulejust one regular-sized piece of junk food. Of course I could go right back and buy another one, but if the same clerk is at the store, hell think Im a pig to come back so soon. I dont usually take that chance. But many other stores sell candy bars, and unfortunately, I could drive to many of them blindfolded. Some of you dont live alone as I currently do, and you may have to get some help from your spouse or roommate to keep fattening foods out of the house. This may be more of a challenge for you, because your food environment might not be under your control. A little give and take may be in order. Hopefully, your spouse or roommate is someone with whom you can feel comfortable sharing the details of your diet. Or maybe he or she would also like to lose some weight. Having a supportive friend would be great, assuming he or she takes the diet seriously. It is usually easy to tell if someone is taking a diet seriously. If your roommate starts declaring Wednesday as All-You-Can-Eat Pizza Night, or if he or she feels that two Big Macs is the perfect meal, you are on your own. Johnny T. Flynn (Author) Heavy Lettuce: Adventures of a Journeyman Dieter, ISBN: 0976352516, website: http://www.heavylettuce.com, email: Johnny@heavylettuce.com Johnny T. Flynn’s first book, “Heavy Lettuce: Adventures of a Journeyman Dieter” was released in March of 2006. Johnny likes to entertain his readers with crazy-but-true stories from his 15 years of dieting experience. Johnny has lived in San Francisco for most of his life. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a Master’s degree in Finance from San Francisco State University. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Johnny_T._Flynn http://EzineArticles.com/?Diet-Plans-Versus-Diet-Reality&id=235292 egg personal loan plastic surgeon paycheck bombay money lenders act how much can i borrow from a cash advance

How to Make Your Own T-Shirt

Sunday, June 15th, 2008

By Emma Drosy Everyone has their own unique sense of style, and we all have different ideas about what looks good. But its hard to display your own individuality when all your friends seem to wear the same clothes as you. Learn how to make your own T-shirt, and show the world that you’re one of a kind. Here’s what you need: a plain T-shirt in any color, and a design. You’ll want to draw the design on a sheet of transfer paper (which can be found at any art supply store), and make sure the design is to scale. Whatever size you want the design to be on the shirt, put it in that size on the paper. If you’re interested in learning how to make your own T-shirt, you probably already have a design in mind. You’ll need to take your T-shirt and the design to a silk screening company. These business are everywhere, and you can find them in the phonebook. A lot of the T-shirt making stalls in the mall are expensive, so look in the phone book and find professional silk screeners. These companies make T-shirts for sports teams and other businesses, and offer much more competitive rates. This is how to make your own T-shirt. Sounds simple, right? That’s because it is! But if you want to know how to make your own T-shirt without using another company, that can be accomplished as well. Gather up any pieces of fabric, buttons, or other decorations you’d like to include in your T-shirt design. Grab some permanent markers, your sewing kit, and go to town. You never know what you’ll create, because one you know how to make your own T-shirt you’ll find that it’s hard to stop. Soon, your closet will be filled with original designs. Save money and lend a creative flair to your wardrobe by learning how to make your own T-shirt. Trust me, your friends will be jealous – but they’ll never be able to own one of your original designs. Who says the best fashions are purchased in a store? Do you want to start your own T-shirt Company? Need help find cheap tees, Finding good designs? Click Here! Make Your Own T-Shirt! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Emma_Drosy http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Make-Your-Own-T-Shirt&id=329988 personal loans easy to get bad credit loans no lenders faxless payday loan online 5000 cash loan

Food Choices For Dieting

Saturday, June 7th, 2008

By Kim Jamieson Have you ever wondered what to eat while you are dieting? Well today is your day. These are just a few suggestions for you to supplement on those tough days. Food Choices Meats: avoid using anything cured or processed with honey. You may try boiled ham. If you would like to purchase lunch meat these are great too, but use only low fat or fat free. All the lean cuts are legal, as long as they are prepared using healthy methods. Chicken is permitted as well as turkey but limit the quantity of dark meat. You may want to snack on rolled up lunch meat wrapped in lettuce. Add a bell pepper, scallion or some avocado to add a little flavor. You may want to add condiments that do not have sugar. Stay away from ketchup unless it is sugar free. Try adding a little fish and shell fish. You can have 1% or fat-free cottage cheese, milk, or plan yogurt, but remember no more than two servings a day. Remember to stick to cheeses containing no more than six grams of fat per serving. Use egg whites and egg substitute. Try scrambling two egg whites with a small amount of vegetables, or eat a hard boiled egg. Eat as many as you would like! Vegetables are a great choice. Cut up and dip sparingly into hummus (see website for recipe) or some fat free, sugar free dressing. Good snacks are cauliflower, cucumbers, snow peas, zucchini, celery, and asparagus. Try a few nuts. Peanuts (20 small), pecan halves (15), and pistachios (15) are all great snacks to eat during the day. These items are suggested to supplement your diet. Please use them sparingly, so it does not hinder your weight loss goals. To your success in living healthy, Kimberly Jamieson www.healthypainfreeliving.com has achieved success in living and maintaining a healthy fit lifestyle and has helped thousands achieve this success by using her fitness, diet, lifestyle and motivation tips. She is committed to helping womens fitness, and womens health and wellness and helping others achieve ultimate health and wellness. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kim_Jamieson http://EzineArticles.com/?Food-Choices-For-Dieting&id=397152 payday loans in one hour plasma money cash florida plasma -loan -loans payday loan scam cash advance now

Depression

Sunday, June 1st, 2008

By Craig Burton There is no escaping it - Britain is fast becoming a Prozac nation! That’s the cold hard fact from The Independent newspaper today (Sunday 16th April). The article titled ‘Prozac Nation’ (Drugs crises: 3.5 million are on anti-depressants. Now ministers want to put Britain on the couch) reveals how GPs are stuck in the middle and forced to prescribe drugs as a ’second best’ treatment. With a recent survey finding 9 out of 10 GPs prescribing anti-depressants because of long waits to other mental health services like counselling. (1) That is a very sad predicament but an obvious question comes to mind (naturally of course since it is my field): but what about exercise as an alternative to treatment? In the following article I wish to put the case for exercise as one of the safest and most effective treatments for depression by addressing the following: 1. Current state of our mental health 2. Research behind exercise as an effective treatment 3. How exercise can benefit depressed people 4. Supporters of the exercise alternative 5. Who’s dropping the ball when it comes to passing on the message 6. Questions to consider before undertaking an exercise routine: 7. Conclusion 1. Current state of our mental health The figures are nothing short of alarming with anti-depressant prescriptions skyrocketing out of control by almost tripling in the last 12 years from 9.9 million in 1992 to 27.7 million in 2003, costing the NHS now nearly 400 million - that is a 2000 % rise from 1992. (2) 2. Research behind exercise as an effective treatment One Harvard study confirming the effectiveness of exercise showed that the relative risk of depression over a 25 year period was 27 % lower for men who played three hours or more of sport a week. (2) A recent study [09-13-05] carried out by Japanese researchers from Wakayama Medical University supports the use of exercise as a way to combat depression. The study was performed on 49 female volunteers between the ages of 18 and 20 who showed mild-to-moderate symptoms of depression. After eight weeks of participating in the study, the results showed a significant decrease in depressive symptoms in the group participating in the exercise regimen. Symptoms showed no change in the group receiving no exercise. (3) 3. How exercise can benefit depressed people According to the Mental Health Foundations booklet ‘Up and Running’ there is a number of ways exercise can assist those depressed: For starters we can get a natural high through exercise from a release of endorphins (chemicals that fight depression and increase our sense of joy and wellbeing) body. Exercise gives us a chance to meet new people and find support. A healthier self image is created through the benefits of exercise and the lifestyle changes that often go with it like more supportive eating. Exercise fills a void and creates a sense of purpose. (4) 4. Supporters of the exercise alternative When the Chief Medical Officer was asked whether exercise could play a role in combating the growing depression epidemic his answer was a resounding yes. He stated: ‘Physical activity is effective in the treatment of clinical depression and can be as successful as psychotherapy or medication, particularly in the longer term.’ (2) Television presenter Trisha Goddard, who has a predisposition to depression, says: ‘When studies revealed that exercise was a more effective way of handling depression that medicine alone, it wasn’t news to me. People often react with surprise when they hear how I’ve built a daily cross-country run into my life. I’m labelled an exercise fanatic, but I see what I do as a tried and trusted way of living with a predisposition of depression rather than suffering from it.’ (3) 5. Who’s dropping the ball when it comes to passing on the message So why isn’t this filtering to GPs? With the Mental Health Foundation (MHF) finding that only 5 % of GPs recommended an exercise programme (the Independent article raises no mention of exercise as treatment only Cognitive Behaviour Therapy). Well, for many people the ‘what to do?’ and ‘how to do it?’ can be daunting experiences like joining gyms. (2) Fortunately organisations like the Mental Health Foundation have been busy promoting the role of exercise. At the start of Mental Health Action Week 2005, the MHF launched a year-long campaign calling for patients with depression to be offered exercise on prescription. There are now many programs linked with the NHS and so as they say for more information, ask your local G.P. 6. Questions to consider before undertaking an exercise routine: What physical activities do I enjoy? Do I prefer group or individual activities? What programs best fit my schedule? Do I have physical conditions that limit my choice of exercise? What goals do I have in mind? (For example, weight loss, strengthening muscles, or improving flexibility or mood enhancement) 7. Conclusion Sometimes the most simple common sense solutions are the ones hardest to implement. Today we face epidemics like depression, obesity and preventable diseases and the need for regular exercise message is now greater than ever. Having been involved in teaching and prescribing exercise for over 10 years I have no doubt that regular exercise is one of the most powerful tools in overcoming depression, and promoting health and wellbeing. So naturally it is my drug of choice! References (1) Prozac Nation, Jamie Doward, The Independent, 16th April, 2006 (2) GPs ignore ’sport not pill’ advice for depression, Francis Elliot and Sophie Goodchild, The Observer, 27th March 2005 (3) Effects of physical exercise on depression, neuroendocrine stress hormones and physiological fitness in adolescent females with depressive symptoms, Eur J Public Health, 2006 Apr;16(2):179-84 (4) Up and Running, Mental Health Foundation, www.mentalhealth.org.uk/html/content/exercisedepressionbooklet_patient.pdf About the Author: Article by Craig Burton. Craig is a prominent European based holistic health and fitness coach with more than 15 years experience. Craig is a Sports Science graduate of Edith Cowan University and has postgraduate accreditations in nutrition, massage, athletic training, and corrective exercise therapy. He is the author of “The 21 Day Roadmap to Health” available at http://www.3dpts.com If you enjoyed this article, please feel free to forward it to others, make it available from your site or post it on forums for others to read. Just make sure that this paragraph and URL are included. For more information and articles on health and fitness visit http://www.3dpts.com/articles To join the FREE monthly Peak Performance Newsletter and to find out more about your current health status with our FREE questionnaire go to http://www.3dpts.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Craig_Burton http://EzineArticles.com/?Depression&id=537487 pay day max adverse credit fast loan fast angel money direct lender in pa one hour payday loans