Healthcuring's Blog

Healthcuring is a health blog that is dedicated to providing the best information on health, fitness, weight loss, and beauty tips.

Secrets to tone up your body October 5, 2009

Filed under: Fitness, Health, Weight loss — healthcuring @ 12:11 pm
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When you wake up in the morning – pray for a minute and then leave your bed. Drink a glass of lukewarm water and maintain a healthy nutritious diet all through the day. Follow this pattern everyday and feel the difference.

In addition to healthy diet, daily yoga practice could do wonders. Following is a simple an effective yogic practice that you can do on a daily basis:

DRUTUTTANAPADASANA:

Stretch your body, inhale and raise both of your legs up. Put all pressures on both of your hands. Align your leg at 90 degrees to the floor and slowly bring them down, raise both legs back up.

Repeat this yogic procedure at least 8-10 times till you feel tired. Remember, inhale while raising the legs and exhale while bringing them back.

Benefits: This simple and effective yogic practice reduces stomach flab, strengthens stomach muscle, and tones up digestive organs.

Cautions: People who are suffering from problems such as backache, slip disc, high blood pressure and heart diseases should practice this yoga with only one leg at a time.

 

Fat Burning Supplements: Are they safe? October 4, 2009

Filed under: Weight loss — healthcuring @ 4:44 am
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Fat burning supplements are flooded in the market promising easy weight loss. Do you think these supplements really work like wonders or there is a downside to these magic pills? Anyone who is willing to experiment with these magic pills, I would advise them to first take a close look at what the product is all about.

What are fat blockers?

Fat blockers are fat burning supplements used to get rid of the body fat. These supplements are made from a shellfish called chitosan. It enters the body and binds to the fat in the food you have ingested and keeps it from being absorbed by the body. There are two drawbacks to this method – first, the fat blockers also inhibits the body from absorbing essential nutrients. Second, that bound fats also need to leave the body, which remain in the body and often cause stomach pain, and diarrhea, etc.

What are appetite suppressors?

Another form of weight loss suppressor is called appetite suppressor. Body appetite is suppressed by altering the body chemicals and hormones. Supplements used to take away general hunger are called noradrenergic drugs. Negative side effects of these supplements vary from nervous feeling to heart attack.

Active Metabolism:

Increasing the body metabolism has long been used a method of weight loss. The most common drug used for this purpose is caffeine. When caffeine enters the body and the blood, it releases the hormone that quickens the body metabolism. Overuse of metabolism stimulants can have negative side effects and often reverse the metabolic rate.

Are Supplements Safe?

Well, companies who sell these supplements often claim that these drugs are safe when taken in small quantities and work wonders at the same time. But since these drugs interfere with body’ s natural physiological processes – the side effects are obvious that range from small effects to fatal effects.

Those who have any hormonal or heart problems – they should always avoid taking supplements. However, for others, its their personal choice but one needs to consult with a doctor before taking it.

 

Weight loss facts October 3, 2009

Filed under: Weight loss — healthcuring @ 4:01 am
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Weight loss program should always be practiced on a long term basis. Nobody loses weight continuously week after week. You can check any weight loss graph pattern — all signify that weight loss happens in spurts with phases of stabilization.

We often feel great when we lose more weight than our expectations. But we cannot realize that at the end of the month, the total weight loss would come to a set amount only. If you lose more weight in a particular week, it does not mean you will follow the same pattern in future too. And we often begin to add bits and bytes in our diet and that add up finally. Also we eat the same kind of food day after day. Our body adapts itself and lowers the rate of metabolism leading to a plateau.

Some weight loss precautions are mentioned below:

1. Eating late dinners is the quickest way to stop losing weight.

2. Avoid sweets like mouth freshners and other such products.

3. Over use of diet foods can add to weight gain.

4. Eating sour food and high salt food might add to your weight.

5. Refined foods are likewise a no no.

The  only way to break the diet plateau is to maintain an honest food diary, eat light dinners — add more fibers to your meals and bring some variation in your exercise plan.

 

Weight Loss Mistakes October 1, 2009

Filed under: Weight loss — healthcuring @ 5:02 am
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Weight loss mistakes are common among women. But what kind of weight loss mistakes I am talking about? Eating nothing the whole day and having a heavy meal at night is one of the most common mistakes women make in their lives. They do this because they tend to be busy with so much activity all through the day. But the consequence of this is felt soon because out bio-rhythm work differently. Our body metabolism peaks between 12 noon and 4Pm and after 9Pm, it slumps. Therefore, not eating anything when metabolism is at its most efficient and overeat when its at its lowest will not suffice weight related problem.

In addition, there are other common weight loss mistakes, which are mentioned below:

  • Practicing fancy diets, which promise frequent 2-3 kg weight loss a week. They might work when you are on the diet, but rebounds the moment you stop.
  • Using laxatives and diuretics. These practices are not good for our body, as they deprive the body of key minerals and lead to weaknesses and loose skin.
  • Over-exercising – this leads to constant body fatigue, muscle injury and builds a tendency of over-eating.
  • Women who do not live an active lifestyle cannot lose weight.
  • Many women compare weight loss results with men in a family or groups. Weight loss is a personal activity and comparisons are often self-defeating.
  • Cooking boring food. We love taste – can you imagine a food with no taste or bad taste. The result would be quite negative – you will break down and binge on fast food.
  • Checking your weight at least 4 times a day. This is really a bad practice and often sounds funny. But many women become obsessed with their weight and drive themselves nuts.
  • Using too many diet products such as chocolates and drinks. These should not be consumed beyond a limit.
  • Using gizmos to tighten loose muscles. These do not work at all.
 

The Role of Exercise September 30, 2009

Filed under: Fitness, Health, Weight loss — healthcuring @ 1:58 pm
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Have you ever thought how much will exercise contribute in weight loss program? Well, the bitter truth is that short-term exercise plan will contribute not more than 15% towards immediate weight loss. However, the good news is that long-term exercise plan will help resist your body from the dreaded rebound weight loss phenomenon.

What is the biggest problem for women? Most women tend to exercise on short-term plans (where they expect more results but practically find no significantly motivating results). Therefore, women should require exercising regularly and on a long-term basis.

The best forms of exercise for women are:

1.      Brisk walking with alternate days of yoga.

2.      Pilates with light dance aerobics.

Women can make their exercise plan effective and efficient only if they do enough to boost body circulation and not so much to boost their appetite.

 

How can women lose weight and stay fit? September 29, 2009

Filed under: Health, Weight loss — healthcuring @ 1:30 pm
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Before answering this question, there are certain things that need to be considered about women: Physiology, Emotions and their bodies experience with time. There are certain challenges to a woman’s weight loss efforts, which are mentioned below:

  • A woman carries more body fat as compared to a man. A woman at her target weight would have 25% body fat as compared to a man (15% body fat).
  • Women fat cells are controlled by female hormones (particularly estrogen) that intentionally make her hard to let go of fat.
  • Women posses low muscle ratio. Since muscle is the fat burning tissue – it becomes harder to lose weight through exercise.
  • A woman exercising as tough as a man would not burn similar amount of calories. Neither her metabolism would stay high after exercise as that of a man.
  • In the first 14 days of her 28 days menstrual cycle, a woman’s body will grab fat from food under the control of estrogen and in the last seven days before menstruation. It will hold more water under the influence of progesterone. During that period, she will also feel craving for carbohydrates, which could be anything from French fries to chocolates.
  • Women are very emotional by nature and perceptive of their environment. For them, any relationship with romantic partners, children or family is sacrosanct. So, whenever she gets hurt or disappointed by any relationship, she tends to find comfort in food and the support of someone close to her.
  • A woman’s body changes with time more frequently than a man. As an adolescent, fats tend to deposit around the waistline, thighs and breasts. Hormones change the position of this fat when she becomes a mother. When menopause sets in – hormones level fall and the position of fat changes again.

In my last blog, I have mentioned about three types of bodies that woman possess. The first one is the LEAN WOMAN / ECTOMORPHIC, MEDIUM BUILT WOMAN / MESOMOROHIC and the WELL ENDOWED WOMAN / ENDOMORPHIC. So, categorize your body type and work in that direction – success will be yours.

 

Three different body types September 28, 2009

Filed under: Health, Weight loss — healthcuring @ 12:14 pm
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There are three different kids of body patterns found in women depending upon their dietary habits. These three types have been discussed below:

Ectomorphs: Women belonging to this category tend to have low appetite but feel hungry frequently. Therefore, women with kind of food habit should eat small but frequently. Ectomorphic women can practice yoga, which balances their body hormones. They also require body massages with oil for their skin.

Mesomorphs: Women belonging to this category should keep them away from overeating or eating in anger or frustration. Exercises such as walking, pilates or any stretching could be of great advantage.

Endomorphs: There are two basic tips for women belonging to this category: eat more fiber and consume less fat. Good exercises such as walking, running or dance aerobics are beneficial.

 

What is the biggest misconception about weight loss? September 22, 2009

Filed under: Fitness, Health, Weight loss — healthcuring @ 5:35 am
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Well, the biggest misconception is that a diet program will kick off the excess weight. However, the reality lies in one’s attitude and behavior towards eating habits and exercise. Changing old habits is really tough for many.

Q. What are the most common comments women make about weight loss?

    1. Does this dress suit me? (It means, does it make me look slim and appealing?)
    1. Have I put on weight? (It means, I know but does it show to others as well?)
    1. You have lost weight (It means, you are looking slim and good).
    1. You have lost too much weight (It means, I can’t let you get away with looking good for a long time, so why I shouldn’t make a remark?)

Comments on weight are common among women because they manage to hit women where it hurts more. Well, I don’t still understand why people make comments on others about their body size – everyone has got a mirror in which he or she can see oneself.

 

What is the age group of people who are more concerned about weight loss? September 21, 2009

Filed under: Fitness, Health, Weight loss — healthcuring @ 9:08 am
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Well, the result is quite astonishing. Children who are about 5 years old are aware of their bodies. However, women above 80 years of age are equally concerned about weight loss and need to knock off a few kilos.

Weight loss reasons for children and old people are quite different. The child wants to look like other children in his group so that he/she is not teased any more. Recently I saw a TV program where a Bollywood Film director said that when he was in school, no one would talk to him because he was so fat. He finally decided to kink off extra fat and he succeeded in doing so. Now he is a slim and smart guy.

Women in their 60s, 70s, and 80s are worried about carrying extra weight that might lead to some serious problems. And everyone knows the current trend of new generation men and women – they don’t want to take pain of helping old aged people whether he/she is his father, mother or anybody. Therefore, self-help is the best way to tackle the hard situation. Overweight is not a curse, but it might pose a serious problem in the long run so why carry it for long time – keep yourself active and do some exercise, yoga and meditation.

 

How many people want to lose weight? September 17, 2009

Filed under: Health, Weight loss — healthcuring @ 1:14 pm
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In my opinion only few people want to lose weight. I can justify my statement as the current trend of weight loss is based on gadgets, gizmos and other such products that are available all across the world. Definitely, these are not result-oriented. Now the question is why do people buy such things, which are of no use? The answer to this question is quite simple – the lucrative ads on television and other media sources attract people. What attracts more is the guaranteed result.

If you guys agree with my opinion then do comment on this blog.