Overall fitness tips

waterbottle19140841.jpg
Staying in shape is getting increasingly hard to do these days. The average American person will spend approximately 2000 hours in the office a year; which doesn't leave much time for staying fit and being healthy. An overall fitness plan is extremely important to staying healthy. It consists of good and proper nutrition (and weight loss if necessary) and exercising to either tone, build muscle, and lose fat. If you're struggling to find time to stay healthy here are some over fitness tips to consider.

Tip #1: Take a close look at your eating habits
The most important thing to remember in overall fitness is your eating habits. When we talk about eating habits we're not just talking about what kind of foods you're eating. We are also talking about your habits in general; things like eating late at night or snacking on unhealthy foods, etc. In order to stay fit and healthy you need to look closely at what you're eating and when. You could have a fairly healthy diet, but be eating at the wrong times during the day. For example, late night cravings and snacks can really pack the pounds on without you even knowing what's happing and why. Make sure you are eating well balanced meals as well as grabbing healthy snacks throughout the day. Snacking is a great way to keep your body in check and keep yourself from eating too much during meal times. Just make sure that you're eating healthy snacks and not a bag of Doritos. In your endeavor to understand your eating habits always remember to eat breakfast. This is seriously the most important meal of the day and can give your body the fuel it needs to function properly. If you're one the go then try some healthy breakfast bars, protein shakes or smoothies, or some granola and yogurt. And you might do well to remember that an apple a day really does keep the doctor away. Fruits and vegetables give your body the nutrients it needs so if you find yourself lacking energy then look for some fruits and veggies.

Continue reading "Overall fitness tips" »

Keeping your skin soft and supple during the dry months

lotion33272453.jpg
Winter can be extremely hard on your skin. If you don't take care of it your skin can become dry and chapped leaving you with undesirable skin and spending more money to fix the problem. Keeping your skin soft and supple during the dry months can be a daunting task but can save you money and time in the end. Here are some tips on how to keep your skin soft and supple during the dry months.

Tip #1: Protect your skin
Sometimes we forget that the sun doesn't just shine during the summer; it also shines during the winter dry months as well. Remember, before you go out in the cold dry weather to put sunscreen on those parts of your body that will be exposed to the sun. Especially if you're going to be outside for a long period of time. Have you have ever seen someone come home who has been skiing all day long and has forgotten to protect their face with sunscreen? Looks pretty painful doesn't it? Not only is it painful, it is extremely damaging and can seriously hurt your skin in the long run. Sunscreens with SPF 15 are usually strong enough for normal days, but if you're going to be out for hours at a time then stick with the SPF 30; even if you never burn. It's better to be safe than sorry. Another part of your face you need to protect is your lips. Lips especially during the dry months can become cracked, chapped, and brittle. Not only does this kill your dating life, but it hurts. So before you got out, go to the store and purchase some lip balm with SPF in it.

Continue reading "Keeping your skin soft and supple during the dry months" »

Keeping your legs and arms toned

weights33276767.jpg
A well balanced diet can only take you so far if you're trying to keep your legs and arms toned. Those two places on your body (if you haven't noticed already) take much more time and effort to keep up. The arms are usually the first to sage, and the legs are usually the first to gain all the weight. So if you think by just eating healthy that's going to cut it. Yes, keeping your legs and arms toned can be an exhausting task, but if you're ready for the challenge let's get started.

Toning your Legs
There are a number of different things you can do to keep your legs toned. They range from yoga exercises, to weight lifting. Every woman wants sexy legs, especially as the summer months approach and your wardrobe will be changing from sweaters and sweats, to shorts and bathing suits. Here are some ideas to help get those legs toned.
 Lunges- standing with your hands on your hips about hip width apart, take a step forward until your thigh is parallel to the floor. Step back to your original position and then repeat it with your other leg. You can do these in sets of ten to start out and gradually work your way up as it gets easier. This is a great way to work out your hamstrings and get rid of some of that extra fat you acquired during the holiday seasons.

Continue reading "Keeping your legs and arms toned" »

How to not get a cold this cold season

blowingnose32355108.jpg
How to not get a cold this cold season can be a tricky question, especially if you have to work, have kids in school, or generally have to leave your house at all. The common cold can spread quickly and leave you feeling achy, tired, and cranky. So how do you avoid a cold this cold season? It may surprise you to know that there are many simple things that can be done to help you avoid being sick during the holiday season. Here are some tips to not getting a cold this cold season.

Tip #1: Choose foods that will boost your immune system
You may be thinking that there's no such thing, but in actuality there are certain ingredients found in foods that will help your body's immune system. There are over 200 viruses that attack our bodies every year.
 Ginger- the Chinese have used ginger for centuries to ward off the common cold. It does however need to be fresh ginger, so try grating it into a honey and lemon drink.
 Cabbage- The rich cabbage leaves help kill bacteria which can help with the runny nose and puffy eyes.
 Oranges- probably the best tasting immune booster, it has the Vitamin C your body needs to fight off the sniffles.

Continue reading "How to not get a cold this cold season" »

How to be preemptive about breakouts

facial10733251.jpg
Acne breakouts can be one of the most frustrating things to deal with. Although most common during the teenage years, breakouts can happen to everyone during any stage of life. Breakouts can disrupt social activities and can have long term psychological effects on self esteem. There are however some ways to stop and prevent it from happening as much. Here are some suggestions on how to be preemptive about breakouts.

1. In order to be preemptive against breakouts you need to make sure that you have a thorough cleansing routine. Using a good cleanser, exfoliate, and toner can drastically improve your skin's appearance. Many breakouts occur because there is too much dead skin on your face. By exfoliating first you can get ride of the excess skin. You can exfoliate your skin simply by using a wash cloth to wash your face with. Toner will help to tighten up the skin after it has been washed and exfoliated. Choose cleansers and toners that are designed to gently balance combination skin. Some acne treatment cleansers and systems will dry out your skin if used excessively. You can cleanse and tone your skin up to three times a day.

Continue reading "How to be preemptive about breakouts" »

How to avoid earaches when you spend time in the pool this summer

swimmer60514274.jpg
Are planning on spending time in the pool this summer? If so, make sure that you take precautions against getting swimmer's ear. Earaches from the pool can be uncomfortably unpleasant and can last for long periods at a time. Earaches most commonly result from a biological factor that quite simply things grow well in a warm moist area. The inner ear canal is full of moisture, especially during the hot summer months from swimming in the pool. If it isn't dried out well, the moisture remains and bacteria and fungus can find a place to live. And although it is children that are commonly getting the ear infections during the swimming season, adults are actually more susceptible to infection. Adults have a narrower ear canal making it easier for moisture to stay put once it gets in. There is however some things you can do to help prevent such things from happening. Here are some suggestions on how to avoid earaches when you spend time in the pool this summer.

Continue reading "How to avoid earaches when you spend time in the pool this summer" »

Getting ready for bathing suit season

swimming30904332.jpg
The summer is quickly approaching which means that getting into a bathing suit will be a part of your daily routine also. Getting ready for bathing suit season doesn't have to be painful if you give yourself enough time to get into shape and find the right bathing suit. Everyone has different motivation for getting into shape when they know they'll be putting on a bathing suit; finding the right motivation for you is the key. It is possible to shed a few extra pounds before you hit the beach this summer so let's get started.

Start with you
Starting early is the key to being ready for the bathing suit season and life on the beach. You can't possibly expect to get fit, trim, and lose all that holiday fat in a week can you? Of course not; that's not fair to ask your body to do, so make sure you give it some time to get back into the right shape. Set some realistic goals for yourself and give yourself the time you need. It will take hard work and discipline but if you're serious then you can do it.

Continue reading "Getting ready for bathing suit season" »

Copyright © 2005-2008 by Breakthrough Consulting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.