What’s the first thought that comes to your mind, when you think of strawberry – a mouth-watering dessert of strawberries mixed with fresh cream? To end an interesting evening on sweet note, this is just the right dessert. Strawberries serve more than just fulfilling the sweet tooth. It is packed with hordes of health benefits, making a nutritious fruit for mind and body.
Eat this succulent fruit in its raw form or serve it as jams, syrups, salads, smoothies, wine, juices, and more. Strawberries are full of vitamin C, potassium, sodium and iron as well as being low in calories. Not just delicious, a strawberry is also a great skincare additive, especially due to its mildly astringent properties. Strawberry flesh and juice is recommended mainly for oily skin to improve texture, minimize greasiness and encourage a healthy and more radiant complexion. The ellagic acids in strawberries appear to inhibit the growth of tumors (cancer cells). They are also a good source of salicylic acid that removes dead cells and clean pores.
Strawberry helps in soothing sunburned skin, skin blemishes as well as discolored teeth. An alternative to placing cucumber on the eyes, place a sliced strawberry to reduce the puffiness. They are known to fight heart disease and provide a number of vitamins and minerals that support overall human health. By adding strawberries to your diet, we build a healthy immune system. In addition to various nutrients and minerals, strawberries are an excellent source of vitamin K and manganese, as well as folic acid, riboflavin, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, copper, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Packed with immense health benefits, strawberries when added to beauty recipes for skin exude magic… Try out these homemade recipes made with this luscious fruit as main ingredient.
Kiwi Cucumber Strawberry Facial Cleanser - Blend 5 to 6 strawberries, 1 kiwi, peeled and 1/2 cucumber to a smooth paste, not a runny mixture. If the mixture is slightly runny, add bit of oatmeal until the potion is of proper consistency. Apply to your face and neck area with gentle massage to exfoliate the skin. Let the paste settle on your skin for 10 minutes and then rinse well with warm water. Your skin will feel fresh and clean.
Strawberry Facemask - Combine 2 or 3 ripe strawberries with 2 tbsp of finely grounded oats and 1 drop of lemon essential oil to form a paste. Spread the paste on to the face and neck area with fingertips. Relax for 20 minutes. Rinse off with cool water followed by a toner and moisturizer. The pieces of strawberry seeds aid in the skin treatment process.
Antioxidant mask with Strawberry and Papaya starring - ½ papaya, 4 strawberries, 1 tbsp rolled oats, 1 tsp honey and 1 tsp fresh lemon juice. Grind the oats, blend papayas and strawberries until smooth and warm honey until it is flowing freely. Combine and mix well all the ingredients. Apply this mixture on the face and let it remain for 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water followed with moisturizer.
For beautiful and radiant skin – mash 1 or 2 strawberries mixing it with water to form a smooth paste. Apply the paste on your face, neck overnight. Rinse it in the morning.
Face Lifting Face Pack - 3 to 4 strawberries, 5-6 grapes, 1/2 pear, 1/2 apple and 1 ounce of orange juice. Before putting this paste on apply a coat of honey which is later on covered with this fruit mixture. Leave it for 30 minutes and then rinse it with lukewarm water. For the final rinse use vinegar to give your face, a perfect lift.
Strawberry Mask – 4 to 5 strawberries, 1 tbsp. milk and 1 tbsp. cornstarch. Mix all the three ingredients to make a paste to be applied on your face for 20 minutes. Rinse it first with warm water, then cold water. You can better this pack by using a mild astringent and then use a light moisturizer. You can use this pack for week.
Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautions while following instructions on the recipes from this article. Avoid using if you are allergic to something. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
How to get back in shape
Before starting to work out make sure you get a full physical from your doctor and a letter stating it is ok for you to do physical activity. Many gym and aerobic centers will require this before letting you start.
Depending on how long it has been since you last did regular exercise it is recommended that you start off slow and gradually build up your workout to harder levels.
It is generally recommended to start off at the gym with just the treadmill and the lifecycle for the first week or 2. This is to wake the muscles up and to slowly get you prepared for a harder workout.
You will generally want to find a speed on the treadmill that is a pace you can keep up with little discomfort and do it for 20 minutes. After this take a 5 minute break, stretch a little and have a drink of water, then go back and increase the speed just a bit then do another 20.
Remember that pushing yourself too far is taking a gamble that you may not be able to live with. In a casino you can put everything you have on the roulette table and maybe you win and maybe you lose, but in the gym if you push too hard you can die, so take things slowly.
Many people make the mistake of getting back into an exercise program and going all gung ho an trying to get back in shape in just one hour, well let me tell you this will not work. The only thing this will do is make you very sore the next day and you will not be able to workout that day, and it will make you lose interest fast in the gym. Discomfort in ok pain is not.
Depending on how long it has been since you last worked out, I recommend working out 4 or 5 days a week. This may seem like a lot but if you were trying to win a poker tournament you would go to a casino or an online casino and poker room to practice almost every day right? So you will have to do the same with the gym.
Working out 5 days a week does not necessarily mean you have to go to the gym every day. I recommend the gym 3 times a week and the other day or 2 you can just go for a long fast paced walk around your neighborhood. Try to vary the things you do so that you do not work out the same parts of your body 2 days in a row.
Most professionals will tell you that if you work out your arms and chest on a Monday do not exercise those muscles again for at least 48 hours. This is to give the muscles time to heal and grow. It is this straining and resting of the muscle that makes it grow not just the working it out. If all you did every day was work the same muscle group in a few days the muscle would be more likely to tear in a painful experience and the only thing you will be able to do for several months will be playing in an online casino from your laptop in bed.
Depending on how long it has been since you last did regular exercise it is recommended that you start off slow and gradually build up your workout to harder levels.
It is generally recommended to start off at the gym with just the treadmill and the lifecycle for the first week or 2. This is to wake the muscles up and to slowly get you prepared for a harder workout.
You will generally want to find a speed on the treadmill that is a pace you can keep up with little discomfort and do it for 20 minutes. After this take a 5 minute break, stretch a little and have a drink of water, then go back and increase the speed just a bit then do another 20.
Remember that pushing yourself too far is taking a gamble that you may not be able to live with. In a casino you can put everything you have on the roulette table and maybe you win and maybe you lose, but in the gym if you push too hard you can die, so take things slowly.
Many people make the mistake of getting back into an exercise program and going all gung ho an trying to get back in shape in just one hour, well let me tell you this will not work. The only thing this will do is make you very sore the next day and you will not be able to workout that day, and it will make you lose interest fast in the gym. Discomfort in ok pain is not.
Depending on how long it has been since you last worked out, I recommend working out 4 or 5 days a week. This may seem like a lot but if you were trying to win a poker tournament you would go to a casino or an online casino and poker room to practice almost every day right? So you will have to do the same with the gym.
Working out 5 days a week does not necessarily mean you have to go to the gym every day. I recommend the gym 3 times a week and the other day or 2 you can just go for a long fast paced walk around your neighborhood. Try to vary the things you do so that you do not work out the same parts of your body 2 days in a row.
Most professionals will tell you that if you work out your arms and chest on a Monday do not exercise those muscles again for at least 48 hours. This is to give the muscles time to heal and grow. It is this straining and resting of the muscle that makes it grow not just the working it out. If all you did every day was work the same muscle group in a few days the muscle would be more likely to tear in a painful experience and the only thing you will be able to do for several months will be playing in an online casino from your laptop in bed.
Healthy Beverages
It is important to have a variety of health beverages in your diet. Today, there are too many people subsisting on diet sodas, regular sodas, and energy drinks. These consist mostly of artificial sweeteners, artificial flavoring, and caffeine. The body will not perform to peak performance with a steady intake of these types of beverages.
My favorite beverage to have in substitute of a soda is orange juice. It tastes good, it is natural, and is readily available. Orange juice provides a good dose of Vitamin C. An 8 ounce glass contains as much potassium as a banana. It has a remarkable variety of phytonutrients. Beyond the great vitamin and nutrient content, a study has shown that orange juice can lower your blood pressure.
Another great beverage is apple juice. Fresh apple juice carries a significant amount of Vitamin A and C. The old time saying that an apple a day can keep the doctor away is true. Recent studies have shown that drinking apple juice can help slow down the process that leads to heart disease.
Cranberry juice is another powerful drink that should be added to your diet. Medicinal properties of the cranberry have been recognized for centuries. It provides powerful antioxidant qualities. A common treatment for urinary tract infections is to drink cranberry juice. It is thought that the strong acidic content of the juice provides an inhospitable environment for bacteria.
Beyond the standard juices, you can get a bit more exotic. Mango, pineapple, carrot, wheatgrass, and tomato are all great juices that provides wonderful health benefits. Many companies are now offering smoothies and other freshly made juices. As people become more health conscience, these will become the future of the beverage industry.
I hope you will see that there are many options to sodas. You will feel a great impact to your health once you have given them up and integrated the more healthy juices into your diet. At first it will take will power, but as time goes on, you will find that you will completely loose your taste for those sugary sodas.
My favorite beverage to have in substitute of a soda is orange juice. It tastes good, it is natural, and is readily available. Orange juice provides a good dose of Vitamin C. An 8 ounce glass contains as much potassium as a banana. It has a remarkable variety of phytonutrients. Beyond the great vitamin and nutrient content, a study has shown that orange juice can lower your blood pressure.
Another great beverage is apple juice. Fresh apple juice carries a significant amount of Vitamin A and C. The old time saying that an apple a day can keep the doctor away is true. Recent studies have shown that drinking apple juice can help slow down the process that leads to heart disease.
Cranberry juice is another powerful drink that should be added to your diet. Medicinal properties of the cranberry have been recognized for centuries. It provides powerful antioxidant qualities. A common treatment for urinary tract infections is to drink cranberry juice. It is thought that the strong acidic content of the juice provides an inhospitable environment for bacteria.
Beyond the standard juices, you can get a bit more exotic. Mango, pineapple, carrot, wheatgrass, and tomato are all great juices that provides wonderful health benefits. Many companies are now offering smoothies and other freshly made juices. As people become more health conscience, these will become the future of the beverage industry.
I hope you will see that there are many options to sodas. You will feel a great impact to your health once you have given them up and integrated the more healthy juices into your diet. At first it will take will power, but as time goes on, you will find that you will completely loose your taste for those sugary sodas.
Does The Sloppy Joe Have An Origin?
In most of the United States, the sloppy Joe sandwich is a lunchroom staple, consisting of skillet-cooked ground meat, usually beef, spicy tomato sauce or tomato paste, and bread or a bun. Sometimes greasy and oversweet, the sloppy Joe has been served in school cafeterias for years. Certainly, when one considers the commercially available versions of the sandwich, this is what comes to mind; the manwich, for example, which is seasoned beef and sauce in a can, ready to be heated and poured over the bread.
Ideally, though, the meat in the sloppy Joe is both sweet and spicy At the same time, and is heavily sautéed to give the sauce thickness, And far from the cold, greasy monstrosity served to school kids. It has become, in some more fashionable delis, an experiment in bringing Diners back to their youth with combinations that go well beyond tomato Paste and beef. One possible selection, for example, is pork in tomato Sauce with ginger, garlic, and chili sauce. With cheddar cheese and on a freshly baked Kaiser roll, topped with fresh spices, it is a far cry from something on a hamburger roll served by a lady in a hairnet.
In New Jersey, however, the sloppy Joe is something completely different. Instead of ground beef, it contains some kind of deli lunch meat, for example, turkey, ham, roast beef, or even sliced cow tongue. It is served on rye bread, often “double-“ or triple-decker.” The sandwich is dressed with Swiss cheese, cole slaw, and Russian dressing, similar to a reuben sandwich.
One theory of the origin of the sandwich is that it originated at Sloppy Joe’s Bar in Havanna. The New Jersey version, however, first appeared on the menu of the Town Hall Deli in South Orange, NJ in 1936. To this day, that version, called the original sloppy Joe, is a triple-decker sandwich with layers of ham, tongue, and Swiss cheese, with Russian dressing served on long, thin slices of buttered rye and cut into quarters. Another version is made with smoked salmon, creamed cheese and egg salad, and yet others include corned beef.
Some further evidence of the Cuban connection is seen in a sandwich served in the West Village of New York City.It is essentially a Cuban ropa vieja sandwich, which is based on a marinated pulled skirt steak that is then stewed in a combination of tomato sauce with garlic, cumin, tomatoes, peppers and chilies. This particular iteration is then served on a steam-oven bun.
The New Jersey version of the sandwich, legend has it, was brought Back to the states by a mayor of Maplewood, NJ in 1934 or 35. Of course, given all the versions of the sandwich, there are many explanations for its invention and name. Some hold that it originated in Sloppy Joe’s bar in Cuba. Others attribute it to Sloppy Joe’s in Key West (a favorite hangout of Earnest Hemmingway), which is responsible for the first appearance of the name in print. Still another attributes the ground-meat form of the sandwich to a diner in Iowa, or to the depression-era habit of making almost anything out of hamburger.
Whatever its origin, the sloppy Joe, staple of school cafeterias and New Jersey delis both, remains a favorite of all ages, with wide regional variations – all of them delicious.
Ideally, though, the meat in the sloppy Joe is both sweet and spicy At the same time, and is heavily sautéed to give the sauce thickness, And far from the cold, greasy monstrosity served to school kids. It has become, in some more fashionable delis, an experiment in bringing Diners back to their youth with combinations that go well beyond tomato Paste and beef. One possible selection, for example, is pork in tomato Sauce with ginger, garlic, and chili sauce. With cheddar cheese and on a freshly baked Kaiser roll, topped with fresh spices, it is a far cry from something on a hamburger roll served by a lady in a hairnet.
In New Jersey, however, the sloppy Joe is something completely different. Instead of ground beef, it contains some kind of deli lunch meat, for example, turkey, ham, roast beef, or even sliced cow tongue. It is served on rye bread, often “double-“ or triple-decker.” The sandwich is dressed with Swiss cheese, cole slaw, and Russian dressing, similar to a reuben sandwich.
One theory of the origin of the sandwich is that it originated at Sloppy Joe’s Bar in Havanna. The New Jersey version, however, first appeared on the menu of the Town Hall Deli in South Orange, NJ in 1936. To this day, that version, called the original sloppy Joe, is a triple-decker sandwich with layers of ham, tongue, and Swiss cheese, with Russian dressing served on long, thin slices of buttered rye and cut into quarters. Another version is made with smoked salmon, creamed cheese and egg salad, and yet others include corned beef.
Some further evidence of the Cuban connection is seen in a sandwich served in the West Village of New York City.It is essentially a Cuban ropa vieja sandwich, which is based on a marinated pulled skirt steak that is then stewed in a combination of tomato sauce with garlic, cumin, tomatoes, peppers and chilies. This particular iteration is then served on a steam-oven bun.
The New Jersey version of the sandwich, legend has it, was brought Back to the states by a mayor of Maplewood, NJ in 1934 or 35. Of course, given all the versions of the sandwich, there are many explanations for its invention and name. Some hold that it originated in Sloppy Joe’s bar in Cuba. Others attribute it to Sloppy Joe’s in Key West (a favorite hangout of Earnest Hemmingway), which is responsible for the first appearance of the name in print. Still another attributes the ground-meat form of the sandwich to a diner in Iowa, or to the depression-era habit of making almost anything out of hamburger.
Whatever its origin, the sloppy Joe, staple of school cafeterias and New Jersey delis both, remains a favorite of all ages, with wide regional variations – all of them delicious.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
The Perfect Rep Range For Building Muscle
No matter what you read or who you talk to, everyone has their own opinion of what the "perfect" rep range should be to allow for maximum muscle stimulation and growth. In this article I’m going to clear up the confusion once and for all and teach you the truth about choosing the most effective rep range for optimal muscle-building results.
Sets that utilize heavy weight and low reps are without a doubt the most effective means of stimulating muscle growth. For every set you perform in the gym, you should utilize a rep range of 5 to 7. This means that for every set you perform, the weight should be light enough that you can complete 5 reps in good form, but heavy enough that you cannot complete more than 7. What's so special about 5 to 7, you ask? Well…
1) Each set will only last between 20-30 seconds.
Maximizing your muscle gains is all about intensity and efficiency. By utilizing a lower rep range, your sets will only last a short period of time, allowing you to generate 100% mental focus and effort. Training with 100% intensity is critical to stimulating muscle growth and it is much easier to maintain this level of effort for shorter periods of time. You will not have to psyche yourself up for marathon sets lasting minutes on end, but rather for a short burst of all-out effort lasting only several seconds.
2) Muscle stimulation will be maximized.
Our bodies are made up of 2 main types of muscle fiber: slow twitch and fast twitch. Slow twitch fibers cannot generate large bursts of power and are utilized during prolonged activity. They have a high tolerance for endurance exercise but do not have a very high potential for increased growth. Fast twitch fibers on the other hand produce large bursts of power and are utilized during short, explosive movements. They contain a large amount of mitochondria (an area in the muscle cell where energy is produced) and have the highest potential for increases in both size and strength. By utilizing a rep range of 5 to 7 you will tap into these extremely responsive fibers and this will result in the greatest amount of muscle growth and strength gain possible.
3) Maximum resistance can be used.
By performing only 5 to 7 reps per set, you will enable your muscles to handle heavier amounts of weight than you could with a higher rep range. Building muscle is a byproduct of building strength, and training in a lower rep range is the most effective way to accomplish this. Since your strength will shoot up much faster using 5 to 7 reps per set, so will your muscle size.
4) Lactic Acid production will be kept to a minimum.
Training in the range of 5 to 7 will also decrease the amount of lactic acid that is secreted within the muscles. Lactic acid is a metabolic waste product that is produced as the body burns carbohydrates for fuel. Lactic acid accumulates in the muscle tissue at increased rates the longer you exercise. By limiting the amount of lactic acid production you will decrease muscle catabolism and create an environment in the body where greater amounts of energy can be generated. This will translate into greater power output and maximum strength potential.
Okay, so we've established that a rep range of 5-7 is the absolute most effective means of stimulating muscle growth. However, this does not apply all the time or on every single lift. There are a few select muscle groups that should be stimulated using a slightly higher rep range. These are the calves, abs, forearms and upper traps. These muscle groups are predominantly made up of slow-twitch fibers, and therefore will respond better to higher reps. For this reason, a rep range of 10-12 should be utilized for these muscle groups. Again, this means that the weight should be light enough for you to complete at least 10 reps, but heavy enough that you cannot complete more than 12.
Summary:
Perform 5-7 reps for the chest, lats, biceps, triceps, shoulders and thighs.
Perform 10-12 reps for the calves, abs, forearms and upper traps.
Sets that utilize heavy weight and low reps are without a doubt the most effective means of stimulating muscle growth. For every set you perform in the gym, you should utilize a rep range of 5 to 7. This means that for every set you perform, the weight should be light enough that you can complete 5 reps in good form, but heavy enough that you cannot complete more than 7. What's so special about 5 to 7, you ask? Well…
1) Each set will only last between 20-30 seconds.
Maximizing your muscle gains is all about intensity and efficiency. By utilizing a lower rep range, your sets will only last a short period of time, allowing you to generate 100% mental focus and effort. Training with 100% intensity is critical to stimulating muscle growth and it is much easier to maintain this level of effort for shorter periods of time. You will not have to psyche yourself up for marathon sets lasting minutes on end, but rather for a short burst of all-out effort lasting only several seconds.
2) Muscle stimulation will be maximized.
Our bodies are made up of 2 main types of muscle fiber: slow twitch and fast twitch. Slow twitch fibers cannot generate large bursts of power and are utilized during prolonged activity. They have a high tolerance for endurance exercise but do not have a very high potential for increased growth. Fast twitch fibers on the other hand produce large bursts of power and are utilized during short, explosive movements. They contain a large amount of mitochondria (an area in the muscle cell where energy is produced) and have the highest potential for increases in both size and strength. By utilizing a rep range of 5 to 7 you will tap into these extremely responsive fibers and this will result in the greatest amount of muscle growth and strength gain possible.
3) Maximum resistance can be used.
By performing only 5 to 7 reps per set, you will enable your muscles to handle heavier amounts of weight than you could with a higher rep range. Building muscle is a byproduct of building strength, and training in a lower rep range is the most effective way to accomplish this. Since your strength will shoot up much faster using 5 to 7 reps per set, so will your muscle size.
4) Lactic Acid production will be kept to a minimum.
Training in the range of 5 to 7 will also decrease the amount of lactic acid that is secreted within the muscles. Lactic acid is a metabolic waste product that is produced as the body burns carbohydrates for fuel. Lactic acid accumulates in the muscle tissue at increased rates the longer you exercise. By limiting the amount of lactic acid production you will decrease muscle catabolism and create an environment in the body where greater amounts of energy can be generated. This will translate into greater power output and maximum strength potential.
Okay, so we've established that a rep range of 5-7 is the absolute most effective means of stimulating muscle growth. However, this does not apply all the time or on every single lift. There are a few select muscle groups that should be stimulated using a slightly higher rep range. These are the calves, abs, forearms and upper traps. These muscle groups are predominantly made up of slow-twitch fibers, and therefore will respond better to higher reps. For this reason, a rep range of 10-12 should be utilized for these muscle groups. Again, this means that the weight should be light enough for you to complete at least 10 reps, but heavy enough that you cannot complete more than 12.
Summary:
Perform 5-7 reps for the chest, lats, biceps, triceps, shoulders and thighs.
Perform 10-12 reps for the calves, abs, forearms and upper traps.
The Three Most Important Keys To Understanding Effective Bodybuilding Nutrition
Let's break down and simplify this important aspect of bodybuilding. You basically need to understand three things about nutrition:
• The main purpose for each of the three macronutrients: Protein, carbohydrates, and fat
• The “right” ratio, or the “correct” percentages, of protein, carbohydrates, and fat that your food should be divided into in order to meet your bodybuilding goals
• The number of calories you should consume to meet your specific physique-enhancement goals
Good nutrition seems much easier when it is broken down and you look it at from that perspective, doesn't it? But what do the three macronutrients do for our bodies? What ratio of our food should be allocated to protein, carbohydrates, and fat? How do I determine how many calories I should eat? I'll answer those questions—and a whole lot more.
Those questions about nutrition provide a wide range of answers that are not necessarily easy to find. But, with experimentation, patience, and persistence , you'll eventually figure out what's best to help you reach your personal goals. Unfortunately, there are no easier ways around this fact. There are no magic numbers, solutions, or formulas that I, nor anyone else, can give you to make the process effortless—no matter what you are told. These answers not only vary from person to person, they also can vary within the very same person during different periods of time.
• The main purpose for each of the three macronutrients: Protein, carbohydrates, and fat
• The “right” ratio, or the “correct” percentages, of protein, carbohydrates, and fat that your food should be divided into in order to meet your bodybuilding goals
• The number of calories you should consume to meet your specific physique-enhancement goals
Good nutrition seems much easier when it is broken down and you look it at from that perspective, doesn't it? But what do the three macronutrients do for our bodies? What ratio of our food should be allocated to protein, carbohydrates, and fat? How do I determine how many calories I should eat? I'll answer those questions—and a whole lot more.
Those questions about nutrition provide a wide range of answers that are not necessarily easy to find. But, with experimentation, patience, and persistence , you'll eventually figure out what's best to help you reach your personal goals. Unfortunately, there are no easier ways around this fact. There are no magic numbers, solutions, or formulas that I, nor anyone else, can give you to make the process effortless—no matter what you are told. These answers not only vary from person to person, they also can vary within the very same person during different periods of time.
Workout Without a Gym
We know that using free weights and machines is the fastest and most efficient way there is to improve your metabolism and strength, but for many reasons these may not be convenient or readily accessible to you.
You may also have no access to a commercial gym, home gym or are on business trip, but there can be a solution, a strength-training workout without the need of expensive machines.
As with any exercise, whether you are using your own body weight, machines or free weights, if the resistance doesn't increase, your muscles won't be worked to their maximum capacity and the stimulus these fibres need to grow will be missing.
Exercises done correctly will build the lean muscle and increase your metabolism in the same way as performing exercises at a gymnasium, but without the time constraints and associated costs.
These exercises can be easily done in a bedroom, hotel room, a park, school yard, ceiling rafters in a garage or in a doorway and all you have to do is use your imagination. There will always be a way to add more resistance to your workouts.
Please remember: It doesn't matter where you are working out — at home, a hotel, or a park — always warm up properly before beginning your session, and cool down and stretch when you are finished.
Leg Exercises
Squats -
They build muscle in the thighs, shape the buttocks and improve endurance. Position your feet about 13 to 17 inches apart or at shoulder width, keeping the back straight and your head up. If you want you can use something that will give you some support, i.e. a desk, bookcase, sink etc.
Now squat down to where the tops of the thighs are parallel to the floor, hold for a second and then stand up, but don’t bounce at the bottom of the movement, use a nice fluid motion. Always exhale your breath as you stand up.
Lunges –
Stand straight in correct posture; now stand with one leg forward and one leg back. Keeping your abdominal muscles tight and chest up, lower your upper body down, bending your leg (don't step out too far).
You should have about one to two feet between your feet at this stage, the further forward you step, and the more your gluteus and hamstring muscles will have to work.
Do not allow your knee to go forward beyond your toes as you come down and stop where your feel comfortable (try not to let your back come forward) then push directly back up. Do all your reps on one leg then switch legs and do all your reps on the other leg.
Back Exercises
Chin-ups -
Chin-ups are a great upper body workout, particularly targeting your biceps, deltoid and lat muscles. Use a doorway chin-up bar, ceiling rafters in a garage or grab the moulding of your door frame, position your hands with an under hand grip and hang down stretching the lats, slowly raise your body until your chin reaches the bar level.
Pause a moment before slowly lowering yourself back to the starting position. Don’t swing or use momentum to get your body to the top, just use the target muscles. Doorway chinning bars remove from the doorway when you are not using them and can be put up and taken down in seconds.
Bent Over Row -
Take up a position with your right hand and right knee braced on a sturdy bed or some other flat surface that will provide a good support. Now pick up a dumbbell or something heavy that you can hold onto with your left hand.
Visualize your arms as hooks and slowly bring the dumbbell or object up to the side of your chest, keeping your back straight, then lower the weight back down to arms length, no lower, on extremes, safe form only please. Concentrate on your back muscles. Reverse the whole procedure and do the exercise now with your right arm.
Chest Exercises
Push-Up -
The push up is used for building chest, shoulders and arms. Lie face down on the floor with your hands about shoulder width apart and keeping your palms turned slightly inward. Now push-up until your arms are straight, lower and repeat for repetitions.
To make it more difficult elevate your feet. Try placing the toes of your feet on a stable, elevated surface such as a bench, chair or a stair. Straightening your body, position your hands on the floor at shoulder width, lower your body until your chest touches the floor at the bottom, and then return to the starting position in a nice fluid motion.
Dips -
This exercise can be done between two sturdy chairs or other surfaces that provide stability. The dip is another great upper body exercise. It’s a compound movement as well and involves working all the muscles that the push up works.
Keep your head up and body as vertical as possible. For the beginning of the movement, start at the top (arms fully extended) and lower yourself until your upper arms are parallel to the seat of the chairs, hold and then push up to the top of the movement until your arms are fully extended again. Keep looking straight ahead and don’t bounce at the bottom of the movement.
Adding Weight
Although the simple weight of your own body is enough resistance to provide an effective workout we need progressive overload (added resistance) to become stronger.
So all we need to do is add some weight wherever we can find some. Because there are no metal plates and fancy machines to use it doesn’t matter because the body doesn’t care where it is as long as it's receiving resistance of some kind.
You can use heavy books clasped in your hands. You can buy some cheap weighted dumbbells or ankle weights. A weighted vest will also allow you to add resistance for both chin-ups and push-ups. Try to buy one that will let you remove and add weight as you see fit. Also a backpack filled with books can be perfect for most of the exercises and is a cheap alternative.
How about a couple of buckets and fill them with a certain level of water? As you get stronger fill them with more water. This is perfect because depending on the exercise, all you need to do is to increase or decrease the amount of water in the buckets for the required amount of resistance.
To wrap things up…
We know that using free weights and machines are the fastest and most efficient way there is to gain lean muscle and strength, but by performing the exercises in this article you’ll find that they will provide you with the same benefits as going to a gymnasium but without the ongoing costs and time constraints.
You may also have no access to a commercial gym, home gym or are on business trip, but there can be a solution, a strength-training workout without the need of expensive machines.
As with any exercise, whether you are using your own body weight, machines or free weights, if the resistance doesn't increase, your muscles won't be worked to their maximum capacity and the stimulus these fibres need to grow will be missing.
Exercises done correctly will build the lean muscle and increase your metabolism in the same way as performing exercises at a gymnasium, but without the time constraints and associated costs.
These exercises can be easily done in a bedroom, hotel room, a park, school yard, ceiling rafters in a garage or in a doorway and all you have to do is use your imagination. There will always be a way to add more resistance to your workouts.
Please remember: It doesn't matter where you are working out — at home, a hotel, or a park — always warm up properly before beginning your session, and cool down and stretch when you are finished.
Leg Exercises
Squats -
They build muscle in the thighs, shape the buttocks and improve endurance. Position your feet about 13 to 17 inches apart or at shoulder width, keeping the back straight and your head up. If you want you can use something that will give you some support, i.e. a desk, bookcase, sink etc.
Now squat down to where the tops of the thighs are parallel to the floor, hold for a second and then stand up, but don’t bounce at the bottom of the movement, use a nice fluid motion. Always exhale your breath as you stand up.
Lunges –
Stand straight in correct posture; now stand with one leg forward and one leg back. Keeping your abdominal muscles tight and chest up, lower your upper body down, bending your leg (don't step out too far).
You should have about one to two feet between your feet at this stage, the further forward you step, and the more your gluteus and hamstring muscles will have to work.
Do not allow your knee to go forward beyond your toes as you come down and stop where your feel comfortable (try not to let your back come forward) then push directly back up. Do all your reps on one leg then switch legs and do all your reps on the other leg.
Back Exercises
Chin-ups -
Chin-ups are a great upper body workout, particularly targeting your biceps, deltoid and lat muscles. Use a doorway chin-up bar, ceiling rafters in a garage or grab the moulding of your door frame, position your hands with an under hand grip and hang down stretching the lats, slowly raise your body until your chin reaches the bar level.
Pause a moment before slowly lowering yourself back to the starting position. Don’t swing or use momentum to get your body to the top, just use the target muscles. Doorway chinning bars remove from the doorway when you are not using them and can be put up and taken down in seconds.
Bent Over Row -
Take up a position with your right hand and right knee braced on a sturdy bed or some other flat surface that will provide a good support. Now pick up a dumbbell or something heavy that you can hold onto with your left hand.
Visualize your arms as hooks and slowly bring the dumbbell or object up to the side of your chest, keeping your back straight, then lower the weight back down to arms length, no lower, on extremes, safe form only please. Concentrate on your back muscles. Reverse the whole procedure and do the exercise now with your right arm.
Chest Exercises
Push-Up -
The push up is used for building chest, shoulders and arms. Lie face down on the floor with your hands about shoulder width apart and keeping your palms turned slightly inward. Now push-up until your arms are straight, lower and repeat for repetitions.
To make it more difficult elevate your feet. Try placing the toes of your feet on a stable, elevated surface such as a bench, chair or a stair. Straightening your body, position your hands on the floor at shoulder width, lower your body until your chest touches the floor at the bottom, and then return to the starting position in a nice fluid motion.
Dips -
This exercise can be done between two sturdy chairs or other surfaces that provide stability. The dip is another great upper body exercise. It’s a compound movement as well and involves working all the muscles that the push up works.
Keep your head up and body as vertical as possible. For the beginning of the movement, start at the top (arms fully extended) and lower yourself until your upper arms are parallel to the seat of the chairs, hold and then push up to the top of the movement until your arms are fully extended again. Keep looking straight ahead and don’t bounce at the bottom of the movement.
Adding Weight
Although the simple weight of your own body is enough resistance to provide an effective workout we need progressive overload (added resistance) to become stronger.
So all we need to do is add some weight wherever we can find some. Because there are no metal plates and fancy machines to use it doesn’t matter because the body doesn’t care where it is as long as it's receiving resistance of some kind.
You can use heavy books clasped in your hands. You can buy some cheap weighted dumbbells or ankle weights. A weighted vest will also allow you to add resistance for both chin-ups and push-ups. Try to buy one that will let you remove and add weight as you see fit. Also a backpack filled with books can be perfect for most of the exercises and is a cheap alternative.
How about a couple of buckets and fill them with a certain level of water? As you get stronger fill them with more water. This is perfect because depending on the exercise, all you need to do is to increase or decrease the amount of water in the buckets for the required amount of resistance.
To wrap things up…
We know that using free weights and machines are the fastest and most efficient way there is to gain lean muscle and strength, but by performing the exercises in this article you’ll find that they will provide you with the same benefits as going to a gymnasium but without the ongoing costs and time constraints.
Bat Speed: What It Is And How To Get It
The term "bat speed" is all the rage these days among players, coaches, instructors and parents alike. Everyone is searching for the "Holy Grail" of hitting...bat speed.
But wait, not so fast. Bat Speed is important, but a VERY generalized term. Let's break it down so you understand it and how to develop it...
When most people say "bat speed" they picture Manny Ramirez, Gary Sheffield or any MLB with world-class bat speed putting a hurting on a baseball. This is obviously the goal every hitter has. But please understand this is the end result, the culmination of hard work, being a student of the game and yes, of course, great genetics.
It's not like you can take your average high school player, add 5-10 mph on their bat speed and all of a sudden they are Manny Ramirez. It simply doesn't work that way. While you can argue that player would be better, he still would have average mechanics and vision.
Now, I do believe if you increase your bat speed you have a better shot at raking than if you didn't. It certainly gives you a leg up on the competition and allows for a certain amount of error, which as you know will help any hitter.
What I'm worried is bat speed is becoming like the radar gun for pitchers. Now all someone cares about is how fast their bat speed is on the bat radar machine. One question…Who cares?
Swinging as hard as you can in a cage without having to make contact with a ball has absolutely zero carryover to hitting. Sure your "bat speed" may have increase, but your mechanics are now down the toilet. I've seen it happen over and over and over again. And despite my warning the players, coaches, instructors and parents are left shaking their heads why Johnny is barely hitting his weight.
Hard to believe, yes. But, sadly, also true.
I'll make this statement and some self-proclaimed "expert" will argue with me but "You don't need world-class bat speed to be a world-class hitter". It certainly helps, but is not mandatory...
However..."You do need world-class Game Bat Speed to be a world-class hitter"
That's right "game bat-speed". Or how quick you can dial it up when you actually have to see the ball, locate it, decide what pitch it is, figure out if it's in your zone and then pull the trigger. All in the matter of milliseconds. Some call it natural hitting ability. Others call it instinct. It's possible to have average, or even below average "bat speed" and have outstanding game bat speed.
And it's VERY common to see players with great bat speed during practice and batting practice and then be terrible hitters. These players are called 5 o'clock hitters because they mash at 5 o'clock (the time pro teams take BP before a 7pm game) and stink when game time rolls around.
You don't want to be a 5 o'clock hitter do you? Nobody likes that guy...
Here are 3 things you need to work on if you want to develop game bat speed, which is the REAL money-maker in hitting...
1. Baseball-Specific Vision
I don't care how fast your bat is, if you don't pick up the ball early you can forget about becoming a great hitter. Sadly, 99.9% of coaches and instructors get this ALL wrong. You can't get it by sitting in front of a computer screen, hitting different colored baseballs (did I miss something? Does a baseball change color?) or any of the gimmicks sold today.
2. Proper Dynamic Flexibility and Range of Motion
This one is so overlooked its ridiculous. Coaches and instructors spend hours upon hours trying to force hitters to do things their body simply cannot do. You can teach rotational hitting till you're blue in the face, if the hitter who you're teaching does not have proper dynamic range of motion throughout their hips, shoulder and lower body you can all but forget they will EVER pick up the mechanics. It's IMPOSSIBLE! Spend time developing dynamic flexibility and range of motion before you begin to engrain poor mechanics that will be impossible to break.
3. Ability to Generate Force
Here's another one that the greats do naturally and the coaches and instructors miss. If you can't generate force from WITHIN you won't be able to put a hurtin' on the ball. You'll simply be a "soft contact" hitter, unable to generate game bat speed and put the ball into play with authority.
Learn correct strength and conditioning drills to do with your players in order to develop this. Not machines, not stupid "balance" exercises or bodybuilding workouts. Specific methods that will develop world-class force generation.
Get these three aspects in order and you're well on your way to explosive game bat speed and huge triple-crown category numbers!
But wait, not so fast. Bat Speed is important, but a VERY generalized term. Let's break it down so you understand it and how to develop it...
When most people say "bat speed" they picture Manny Ramirez, Gary Sheffield or any MLB with world-class bat speed putting a hurting on a baseball. This is obviously the goal every hitter has. But please understand this is the end result, the culmination of hard work, being a student of the game and yes, of course, great genetics.
It's not like you can take your average high school player, add 5-10 mph on their bat speed and all of a sudden they are Manny Ramirez. It simply doesn't work that way. While you can argue that player would be better, he still would have average mechanics and vision.
Now, I do believe if you increase your bat speed you have a better shot at raking than if you didn't. It certainly gives you a leg up on the competition and allows for a certain amount of error, which as you know will help any hitter.
What I'm worried is bat speed is becoming like the radar gun for pitchers. Now all someone cares about is how fast their bat speed is on the bat radar machine. One question…Who cares?
Swinging as hard as you can in a cage without having to make contact with a ball has absolutely zero carryover to hitting. Sure your "bat speed" may have increase, but your mechanics are now down the toilet. I've seen it happen over and over and over again. And despite my warning the players, coaches, instructors and parents are left shaking their heads why Johnny is barely hitting his weight.
Hard to believe, yes. But, sadly, also true.
I'll make this statement and some self-proclaimed "expert" will argue with me but "You don't need world-class bat speed to be a world-class hitter". It certainly helps, but is not mandatory...
However..."You do need world-class Game Bat Speed to be a world-class hitter"
That's right "game bat-speed". Or how quick you can dial it up when you actually have to see the ball, locate it, decide what pitch it is, figure out if it's in your zone and then pull the trigger. All in the matter of milliseconds. Some call it natural hitting ability. Others call it instinct. It's possible to have average, or even below average "bat speed" and have outstanding game bat speed.
And it's VERY common to see players with great bat speed during practice and batting practice and then be terrible hitters. These players are called 5 o'clock hitters because they mash at 5 o'clock (the time pro teams take BP before a 7pm game) and stink when game time rolls around.
You don't want to be a 5 o'clock hitter do you? Nobody likes that guy...
Here are 3 things you need to work on if you want to develop game bat speed, which is the REAL money-maker in hitting...
1. Baseball-Specific Vision
I don't care how fast your bat is, if you don't pick up the ball early you can forget about becoming a great hitter. Sadly, 99.9% of coaches and instructors get this ALL wrong. You can't get it by sitting in front of a computer screen, hitting different colored baseballs (did I miss something? Does a baseball change color?) or any of the gimmicks sold today.
2. Proper Dynamic Flexibility and Range of Motion
This one is so overlooked its ridiculous. Coaches and instructors spend hours upon hours trying to force hitters to do things their body simply cannot do. You can teach rotational hitting till you're blue in the face, if the hitter who you're teaching does not have proper dynamic range of motion throughout their hips, shoulder and lower body you can all but forget they will EVER pick up the mechanics. It's IMPOSSIBLE! Spend time developing dynamic flexibility and range of motion before you begin to engrain poor mechanics that will be impossible to break.
3. Ability to Generate Force
Here's another one that the greats do naturally and the coaches and instructors miss. If you can't generate force from WITHIN you won't be able to put a hurtin' on the ball. You'll simply be a "soft contact" hitter, unable to generate game bat speed and put the ball into play with authority.
Learn correct strength and conditioning drills to do with your players in order to develop this. Not machines, not stupid "balance" exercises or bodybuilding workouts. Specific methods that will develop world-class force generation.
Get these three aspects in order and you're well on your way to explosive game bat speed and huge triple-crown category numbers!
American Distance Running Legends
When people prioritize sports in the United States the top three are usually football, basketball and baseball. These sports receive a lot of media attention making the athletes superstars and heroes to many kids. Sports such as distance running don’t receive attention and it’s heroes are not known as well.
Distance running in the United States has had many athletes that have achieved legendary greatness. One such person is Jim Ryun from Kansas. While in high school he was the first prep miler to break four minutes in the mile. He also won three State mile run titles and set the high school record for the mile of 3:55.3, which stood for 36 years.
When Jim finished high school he continued to set records on the track. He held five world records during his career and was named the youngest Sportsman of the Year in 1966. Jim Ryun was also a three-time U.S. Olympian in the 1500 meters and earned the silver medal in the 1968 Mexico Olympic Games. Jim Ryun has been a four term congressman since retiring from the sport.
Billy Mills is another hero in our sport. Billy is a native Indian who came from an impoverished background and defied many odds to be successful. He is best well known for one of the greatest moments in Olympic history. At the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan a virtually unknown American athlete stunned the world by winning the Olympic gold medal in the 10,000 meter race.
With a lap to go Billy Mills was one of three runners that were competing for the Olympic gold medal, when he was pushed out to lane three. Billy kept his composure and work his way back up methodically to the other known runners. In the final 100 meters he sprinted past the other two runners to win the gold medal. After retiring from the sport, Billy Mills became a successful life insurance salesman and also is a professional motivational speaker.
Our next sports hero is Bill Rodgers. Bill Rodgers is known as the most celebrated men’s distance runner of all time. Bill was a four-time winner of the Boston and New York City marathon. Track and field News ranked Rodgers #1 in the world in the marathon in 1975, 1977 and 1979. He was also a member of the 1976 U.S. Olympic marathon team.
Bill Rodgers has won many awards including Tiffany’s Man of the Year (1989), the New York Runners Club Abebe Biklla Award (1989), and the Ct. sports writers Alliance Gold Key award (1994). Rodgers still holds five American records and one current world record. Bill Rodgers currently is a spokesperson for Etonic shoe company and is the owner of the Bill Rodgers Running Center. He still runs and has many speaking engagements he attends.
One of the most popular and greatest running legends of American distance running is Steve Prefontaine. Pre was born in Coos Bay, Oregon and attended Marshfield High School. He was undefeated in Track and Cross Country his junior and senior year. As a senior at Marshfield he broke the American record for the two mile run. His outstanding performances got the attention of Bill Bowerman a legendary coach at the University of Oregon.
Steve Prefontaine attended the University of Oregon in 1969 and became an instant celebrity. He would fill the University’s Hayward Field to capacity with fans that would cheer for him when he entered the stadium. Pre won seven NCAA titles : three in cross country and four on the track. He held eight collegiate records and his 3 mile and 6 mile records are still standing. Prefontaine also broke his own and other American records 14 different times.
After college Steve Prefontaine continued to train and was in the 1972 Olympic Games held in Munich, Germany. During that race he was content to stay with the pack of runners for the first two miles. With a mile to go he took the lead and start picking up the pace. With 600 meters to run Pre was passed by Finland’s Lasse Viren. Prefontaine gave it everything he had to stay with Viren, but fell short of the gold medal and finished fourth.
Steve Prefontaine was the epitome of toughness. His confident personality and gutsy performances was what people were attracted to. Steve Prefontaine was killed in a car accident on May 30, 1975. It shocked the distance running community world wide. He was 24 years old and was cut down in the prime of his running life. Prefontaine till this day has an impact on distance running. Many high school and collegiate runners have quotes from Pre on the back of their shirts. There is also a track meet in his honor every year at Hayward Field called the Prefontaine Classic.
Distance running in the United States has had many athletes that have achieved legendary greatness. One such person is Jim Ryun from Kansas. While in high school he was the first prep miler to break four minutes in the mile. He also won three State mile run titles and set the high school record for the mile of 3:55.3, which stood for 36 years.
When Jim finished high school he continued to set records on the track. He held five world records during his career and was named the youngest Sportsman of the Year in 1966. Jim Ryun was also a three-time U.S. Olympian in the 1500 meters and earned the silver medal in the 1968 Mexico Olympic Games. Jim Ryun has been a four term congressman since retiring from the sport.
Billy Mills is another hero in our sport. Billy is a native Indian who came from an impoverished background and defied many odds to be successful. He is best well known for one of the greatest moments in Olympic history. At the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan a virtually unknown American athlete stunned the world by winning the Olympic gold medal in the 10,000 meter race.
With a lap to go Billy Mills was one of three runners that were competing for the Olympic gold medal, when he was pushed out to lane three. Billy kept his composure and work his way back up methodically to the other known runners. In the final 100 meters he sprinted past the other two runners to win the gold medal. After retiring from the sport, Billy Mills became a successful life insurance salesman and also is a professional motivational speaker.
Our next sports hero is Bill Rodgers. Bill Rodgers is known as the most celebrated men’s distance runner of all time. Bill was a four-time winner of the Boston and New York City marathon. Track and field News ranked Rodgers #1 in the world in the marathon in 1975, 1977 and 1979. He was also a member of the 1976 U.S. Olympic marathon team.
Bill Rodgers has won many awards including Tiffany’s Man of the Year (1989), the New York Runners Club Abebe Biklla Award (1989), and the Ct. sports writers Alliance Gold Key award (1994). Rodgers still holds five American records and one current world record. Bill Rodgers currently is a spokesperson for Etonic shoe company and is the owner of the Bill Rodgers Running Center. He still runs and has many speaking engagements he attends.
One of the most popular and greatest running legends of American distance running is Steve Prefontaine. Pre was born in Coos Bay, Oregon and attended Marshfield High School. He was undefeated in Track and Cross Country his junior and senior year. As a senior at Marshfield he broke the American record for the two mile run. His outstanding performances got the attention of Bill Bowerman a legendary coach at the University of Oregon.
Steve Prefontaine attended the University of Oregon in 1969 and became an instant celebrity. He would fill the University’s Hayward Field to capacity with fans that would cheer for him when he entered the stadium. Pre won seven NCAA titles : three in cross country and four on the track. He held eight collegiate records and his 3 mile and 6 mile records are still standing. Prefontaine also broke his own and other American records 14 different times.
After college Steve Prefontaine continued to train and was in the 1972 Olympic Games held in Munich, Germany. During that race he was content to stay with the pack of runners for the first two miles. With a mile to go he took the lead and start picking up the pace. With 600 meters to run Pre was passed by Finland’s Lasse Viren. Prefontaine gave it everything he had to stay with Viren, but fell short of the gold medal and finished fourth.
Steve Prefontaine was the epitome of toughness. His confident personality and gutsy performances was what people were attracted to. Steve Prefontaine was killed in a car accident on May 30, 1975. It shocked the distance running community world wide. He was 24 years old and was cut down in the prime of his running life. Prefontaine till this day has an impact on distance running. Many high school and collegiate runners have quotes from Pre on the back of their shirts. There is also a track meet in his honor every year at Hayward Field called the Prefontaine Classic.
All About Pier Fishing
Not every saltwater angler owns a boat. Now, that would be seen by most people as an apparent limitation to their ability and opportunity for fishing. How would you go saltwater fishing without a boat? Adding to this misconception is the fact that most fishing magazines feature pictures and articles about fishing that usually involves having a boat. And not just any boat. Take a look at some of those articles and you’ll find expensive boats with all the bells and whistles. This has disheartened many a potential fisherman, making him feel like he can only share in the joys of these great fishing adventures by reading about them.
But if you’ve been keeping your eyes open, chances are you’ve also observed a growing community of shore-bound anglers that doesn’t let the lack of a boat stop them from enjoying the pleasures of fishing. They come in all sizes, ages, and gender. The lack of a boat has even led them to develop their own, unique, and effective style of fishing. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the pier fishermen.
They are seen in fishing piers everywhere, some with expensive tackle, some well-worn and taped together. Their tackle boxes also come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, as long as it can be carried or wheeled easily to the pier. Perhaps the lack of a boat has led them to develop an uncanny sense for creativity and innovation, because you’ll be amazed at the things you’ll find in most tackle boxes used by these pier anglers. In fact, lots of so-called “original” products that are marketed for pier fishermen were inspired by the original designs that are regularly used by these people everyday.
Before some non-believers begin to scoff at the skills of pier fishermen, let me say that pier fishing is an art all its own. Nobody can just plunk a chair down at a pier and start hauling in fish every minute, without the skills born by experience. Pier fishermen develop an innate sense about where the action is. Since most of the fish generally come in waves, it’s going to be very difficult getting even one bite if you don’t know where and when to cast. You can usually find them bottom fishing, hauling in two or three catches at a time. How they do that is beyond me. Pier rats just have a way of knowing when to reel in their line after hooking more than one fish.
And if you start thinking that bigger catch like mackerel and king mackerel are unreachable for pier fishermen, think again. Have you ever seen those people at the end of the pier using all sorts of weird-looking contraptions specially designed to float live bait just under the surface? They use kite rigs, too, so that they can fish as far off the pier as possible. I’ve seen perhaps a dozen contraptions that deserve a patent on the spot. Mostly these folks use a technique called the “two rod approach”. This is where they use a heavy fishing rod with the bail open and another lighter rod where the bait is attached to. They cast out, the line is placed several yards off the pier, and when a fish bites, the bait rod is pulled back, leaving the fisherman with the heavier one to fight the fish with.
However, don’t expect to see pier fishermen release their fish after catching them. Most of these folks go fishing for dinner, not for getting the big one to show off on a mantelpiece. They come to enjoy fishing, talk and socialize with each other, and even to help a few beginners that appear to need it. They are a special breed and possibly have more patience, inventiveness, and endurance than any other fishing group.
But if you’ve been keeping your eyes open, chances are you’ve also observed a growing community of shore-bound anglers that doesn’t let the lack of a boat stop them from enjoying the pleasures of fishing. They come in all sizes, ages, and gender. The lack of a boat has even led them to develop their own, unique, and effective style of fishing. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the pier fishermen.
They are seen in fishing piers everywhere, some with expensive tackle, some well-worn and taped together. Their tackle boxes also come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, as long as it can be carried or wheeled easily to the pier. Perhaps the lack of a boat has led them to develop an uncanny sense for creativity and innovation, because you’ll be amazed at the things you’ll find in most tackle boxes used by these pier anglers. In fact, lots of so-called “original” products that are marketed for pier fishermen were inspired by the original designs that are regularly used by these people everyday.
Before some non-believers begin to scoff at the skills of pier fishermen, let me say that pier fishing is an art all its own. Nobody can just plunk a chair down at a pier and start hauling in fish every minute, without the skills born by experience. Pier fishermen develop an innate sense about where the action is. Since most of the fish generally come in waves, it’s going to be very difficult getting even one bite if you don’t know where and when to cast. You can usually find them bottom fishing, hauling in two or three catches at a time. How they do that is beyond me. Pier rats just have a way of knowing when to reel in their line after hooking more than one fish.
And if you start thinking that bigger catch like mackerel and king mackerel are unreachable for pier fishermen, think again. Have you ever seen those people at the end of the pier using all sorts of weird-looking contraptions specially designed to float live bait just under the surface? They use kite rigs, too, so that they can fish as far off the pier as possible. I’ve seen perhaps a dozen contraptions that deserve a patent on the spot. Mostly these folks use a technique called the “two rod approach”. This is where they use a heavy fishing rod with the bail open and another lighter rod where the bait is attached to. They cast out, the line is placed several yards off the pier, and when a fish bites, the bait rod is pulled back, leaving the fisherman with the heavier one to fight the fish with.
However, don’t expect to see pier fishermen release their fish after catching them. Most of these folks go fishing for dinner, not for getting the big one to show off on a mantelpiece. They come to enjoy fishing, talk and socialize with each other, and even to help a few beginners that appear to need it. They are a special breed and possibly have more patience, inventiveness, and endurance than any other fishing group.
A Guide To Your Boating License
If you are familiar with the process of obtaining a drivers license, the acquisition of a boating license won't bring anything new to you. Just like when you were training for your driver's license you will be required to follow a boating course and at the end of that be successful in passing the final test. The entire mechanical operation of your vessel must hold no secrets to you and all the elemental safety procedures with respect to weather characteristics and navigation must be acquired knowledge.
Where to Find a Certification Course?
Your nearby department of recreation will be able to help you locate a boating license certification course. Most of these courses are conducted during spring and summer. Depending on the sort of vessel you want to apply for, your training course will be either short or very extensive.
It goes without saying that a lot more education will be required from you if you want to navigate in a large and powerful craft. It is a good thing as well because the bigger and faster a boat is, the greater the risks involved for you, your passengers and other fellow boaters. Your local department of recreation will be able to give you more ample and more specific information
Like so many things nowadays you can even find boating license classes online. You must ask yourself however how much value these classes can offer you. There is no substitute for going out there on the water to gather real hands on experience. The presence of water and other vessels around you will surely make you learn as much as possible to get you to become a safe and responsible boater.
A "real world" class will also give you the opportunity to work closely with your instructor. Being face to face you will be able to ask questions and get the necessary feed back from him. Both these elements are vital to your boating instruction.
Limitations
In this matter of seeking a boating license there are a few limitations you need to be aware of. Just like with the driving license there is an age limit: the applicant must be at least sixteen years of age. It is however possible to get a provisional boating license for youngsters between the age of twelve and sixteen. They have to complete the necessary boating education and have to be accompanied by a licensed adult whenever they are driving a vessel.
You have to pay attention to the different state laws, most state boating licenses are valid across the state borders, but it always is a good idea to check the regulations of the state you are planning to go to before you set sail. Sometimes the age requirements change between one state and the other, so make sure you comply with the state law. Happy boating.
Where to Find a Certification Course?
Your nearby department of recreation will be able to help you locate a boating license certification course. Most of these courses are conducted during spring and summer. Depending on the sort of vessel you want to apply for, your training course will be either short or very extensive.
It goes without saying that a lot more education will be required from you if you want to navigate in a large and powerful craft. It is a good thing as well because the bigger and faster a boat is, the greater the risks involved for you, your passengers and other fellow boaters. Your local department of recreation will be able to give you more ample and more specific information
Like so many things nowadays you can even find boating license classes online. You must ask yourself however how much value these classes can offer you. There is no substitute for going out there on the water to gather real hands on experience. The presence of water and other vessels around you will surely make you learn as much as possible to get you to become a safe and responsible boater.
A "real world" class will also give you the opportunity to work closely with your instructor. Being face to face you will be able to ask questions and get the necessary feed back from him. Both these elements are vital to your boating instruction.
Limitations
In this matter of seeking a boating license there are a few limitations you need to be aware of. Just like with the driving license there is an age limit: the applicant must be at least sixteen years of age. It is however possible to get a provisional boating license for youngsters between the age of twelve and sixteen. They have to complete the necessary boating education and have to be accompanied by a licensed adult whenever they are driving a vessel.
You have to pay attention to the different state laws, most state boating licenses are valid across the state borders, but it always is a good idea to check the regulations of the state you are planning to go to before you set sail. Sometimes the age requirements change between one state and the other, so make sure you comply with the state law. Happy boating.
Dream About A Marathon
A marathon is the ultimate dream for many runners. People who have been running for years and some that have never run a day in their life love the idea of finishing a marathon. There seems to be something magical about the concept of a marathon, almost as if it seems super-human to compete in one or even to complete one.
Have you been pondering the idea of running a marathon for fun or for competition? If so, you must know that it takes months of hard and consistent preparation before the dream can become a reality because a marathon is no walk in the park.
One of the best strategies for making the dream of a marathon possible for you is to find a partner. Talk to your friends and find someone who is willing to begin the journey of marathon training with you. Figure out a way to mesh your schedules so that you can train together, at least on your long runs. You've heard it said that 'no man is an island,' and that concept it certainly true when it comes to preparing for your first marathon. Most people last a few weeks at best when they have no one to train with and no one to hold them accountable as the training schedule becomes more intense.
Once you've found the perfect marathon partner you should also take time to research the best training schedule for your time, needs and running goals. Getting on a specific schedule for marathon training will prevent you from overworking yourself or underworking yourself. It is no easy thing to get your body in shape for a twenty-six mile run, so make it a priority to find a schedule and then stick to it.
Talk to your physician about your dream of running a marathon. It is never a bad idea to check with a healthcare professional for any warnings or advice. See if your physician has any suggestions for ways to supplement your training with adjustments to your eating or sleeping habits. Proper eating and sleeping will only benefit the physical training you do to prepare for the marathon.
Running a marathon is something that many people dream about but far fewer people actually accomplish it. With some careful planning and a lot of dedication you can be one of the few that makes the dream of running a marathon a reality.
Have you been pondering the idea of running a marathon for fun or for competition? If so, you must know that it takes months of hard and consistent preparation before the dream can become a reality because a marathon is no walk in the park.
One of the best strategies for making the dream of a marathon possible for you is to find a partner. Talk to your friends and find someone who is willing to begin the journey of marathon training with you. Figure out a way to mesh your schedules so that you can train together, at least on your long runs. You've heard it said that 'no man is an island,' and that concept it certainly true when it comes to preparing for your first marathon. Most people last a few weeks at best when they have no one to train with and no one to hold them accountable as the training schedule becomes more intense.
Once you've found the perfect marathon partner you should also take time to research the best training schedule for your time, needs and running goals. Getting on a specific schedule for marathon training will prevent you from overworking yourself or underworking yourself. It is no easy thing to get your body in shape for a twenty-six mile run, so make it a priority to find a schedule and then stick to it.
Talk to your physician about your dream of running a marathon. It is never a bad idea to check with a healthcare professional for any warnings or advice. See if your physician has any suggestions for ways to supplement your training with adjustments to your eating or sleeping habits. Proper eating and sleeping will only benefit the physical training you do to prepare for the marathon.
Running a marathon is something that many people dream about but far fewer people actually accomplish it. With some careful planning and a lot of dedication you can be one of the few that makes the dream of running a marathon a reality.
A Few Hints for Turkey Hunters
If you are a novice or intermediate turkey hunter, you might have discovered that it's harder than it appears. The turkey out in the wild, even with it's name, is a difficult bird for a person to pursue and hunt. It may have a humorous name, but the turkey has a surprising intelligence level and sharp eyesight. It can take a long time for a hunter to improve the qualifications it takes to close in on and creep up on a turkey. But you can really increase your chances in turkey hunting by having the advantage with an effective camouflage. This cuts down on visibility for the turkeys and allows the hunter to get in close enough to take a shot.
For the hunter on the field, the most effective type of camouflage available is the ghillie suit, which was developed over a hundred and fifty years ago in the highlands of Scotland. It is a suit that you can place over your normal clothes to significantly alter your form and significantly lower your visibility to animals out in the wild. Strands of fabric like jute or burlap hang down all over the suit, making it extremely hard for game to spot you. This makes the human blend in to their surroundings by blending the human pattern and form. Ghillie camo can be so efficient that it is possible for game to come right up to a hunter that is being really still.
A turkey's fine vision is bewildered when human forms are broken up with the help of a ghillie suit. In order for a person to successfully hunt a turkey, they must get within a range to have a kill shot to stop an injured turkey from running off in the forests. A person stalking the turkeys can cut this distance between themselves and a gang of turkeys by moving slowly and staying low to the ground.
It is best to try and locate turkeys in the evening as they are getting ready to roost. Stalking a turkey is extremely difficult. In fact, there's a good possibility it's already seen you if you spot a turkey in the field. It is hard to stalk them because they not only can see a large distance but have a broad range to their eyesight. A gang of turkeys will often face each other in circles to see all sides of the field and prevent other animals from sneaking up behind them.
Staying in a single location and waiting in a heavily populated turkey area can be a somewhat slow process that takes a lot of time being very still. And then there's the chance that before you get an opportunity to get a good shot the gang of wary turkeys will spot you the moment you move and be on the run. It may take patience and ingenuity, but it is possible to get within range of a group of turkeys. With a good gun, a ghillie suit, and an effective turkey call you could get those turkeys once and for all.
For the hunter on the field, the most effective type of camouflage available is the ghillie suit, which was developed over a hundred and fifty years ago in the highlands of Scotland. It is a suit that you can place over your normal clothes to significantly alter your form and significantly lower your visibility to animals out in the wild. Strands of fabric like jute or burlap hang down all over the suit, making it extremely hard for game to spot you. This makes the human blend in to their surroundings by blending the human pattern and form. Ghillie camo can be so efficient that it is possible for game to come right up to a hunter that is being really still.
A turkey's fine vision is bewildered when human forms are broken up with the help of a ghillie suit. In order for a person to successfully hunt a turkey, they must get within a range to have a kill shot to stop an injured turkey from running off in the forests. A person stalking the turkeys can cut this distance between themselves and a gang of turkeys by moving slowly and staying low to the ground.
It is best to try and locate turkeys in the evening as they are getting ready to roost. Stalking a turkey is extremely difficult. In fact, there's a good possibility it's already seen you if you spot a turkey in the field. It is hard to stalk them because they not only can see a large distance but have a broad range to their eyesight. A gang of turkeys will often face each other in circles to see all sides of the field and prevent other animals from sneaking up behind them.
Staying in a single location and waiting in a heavily populated turkey area can be a somewhat slow process that takes a lot of time being very still. And then there's the chance that before you get an opportunity to get a good shot the gang of wary turkeys will spot you the moment you move and be on the run. It may take patience and ingenuity, but it is possible to get within range of a group of turkeys. With a good gun, a ghillie suit, and an effective turkey call you could get those turkeys once and for all.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
6 easy ways to find a good dog training professional
Finding a good dog training professional
With so many people advertising in the field of professional dog training today, trying to determine who's truly qualified to look after your dog can be overwhelming. What to look for when choosing a professional to help you with dog training :
1) A good reputation, ask around and get recommendations from your vet, other dog owners, or local kennel clubs.
2) Experience. - Inquire about their background, i.e. number of years experience.
3)A genuine love of and devotion to dogs.
4) Extensive and up to date knowledge. Dedicated trainers keep themselves updated by attending dog training and animal behaviour courses, conferences, seminars and workshops.
5) Their training methodology and handling skills. A good trainers first concern should be the dogs well being.
6) Memberships with reputable associations, organizations and training clubs.
General dog obedience tips
Training should be a positive and enjoyable experience for both you and your dog. If you are not in the right mood for training, don’t even begin. Always reward your dog for obeying your commands promptly! A reward is anything that your dog wants and is willing to work for. Treats are an obvious reward but other rewards could be verbal praise and toys. Several shorter sessions are usually better than one long one. Training should not involve any negative components or punishment . There should be no shouting, no hitting or smacking, no chain jerking on choke chains or collars, and absolutely no electric shocking! Each training session should be enjoyable and positive with rewards for jobs well done.
Training with head collars
Pulling on the lead is one of the few unpleasant experiences of bringing up a new puppy or dog. Using a head collar for dog training has become very popular over the last few years. Training with a head collar does have some advantages over the traditional training collar. Although very simple to use, it is important that head collars are fitted correctly and your dog properly introduced to the collar. Head collars are generally more intuitive to use than a traditional training collar. Head collars are very effective when controlling dogs in difficult situations.
With so many people advertising in the field of professional dog training today, trying to determine who's truly qualified to look after your dog can be overwhelming. What to look for when choosing a professional to help you with dog training :
1) A good reputation, ask around and get recommendations from your vet, other dog owners, or local kennel clubs.
2) Experience. - Inquire about their background, i.e. number of years experience.
3)A genuine love of and devotion to dogs.
4) Extensive and up to date knowledge. Dedicated trainers keep themselves updated by attending dog training and animal behaviour courses, conferences, seminars and workshops.
5) Their training methodology and handling skills. A good trainers first concern should be the dogs well being.
6) Memberships with reputable associations, organizations and training clubs.
General dog obedience tips
Training should be a positive and enjoyable experience for both you and your dog. If you are not in the right mood for training, don’t even begin. Always reward your dog for obeying your commands promptly! A reward is anything that your dog wants and is willing to work for. Treats are an obvious reward but other rewards could be verbal praise and toys. Several shorter sessions are usually better than one long one. Training should not involve any negative components or punishment . There should be no shouting, no hitting or smacking, no chain jerking on choke chains or collars, and absolutely no electric shocking! Each training session should be enjoyable and positive with rewards for jobs well done.
Training with head collars
Pulling on the lead is one of the few unpleasant experiences of bringing up a new puppy or dog. Using a head collar for dog training has become very popular over the last few years. Training with a head collar does have some advantages over the traditional training collar. Although very simple to use, it is important that head collars are fitted correctly and your dog properly introduced to the collar. Head collars are generally more intuitive to use than a traditional training collar. Head collars are very effective when controlling dogs in difficult situations.
5 Minute Guide To Choosing A Pet ID Tag
Buying a Pet ID tag is like buying insurance – you do so with the devout wish that you’re never going to need it. The “possible cost” of not having a pet ID tag is more expensive than the “actual cost” of buying the pet tag itself.
The type of pet identification tag that you buy is important, so take 5 minutes or so to think it through. Impulsively choosing a collar tag because it’s cheap or cute often proves to be unwise, long-term.
Consider the following before purchasing any pet id tag:
1.What is the level of risk to your pet?
Lost pets are certainly common – we’ve all seen “Lost Dog!” signs tacked around town, or dead pets lying by the side of the road. If your pet is a master at escaping the fence, or a breed of dog that cannot resist following a scent, or a young pet that’s full of energy, or a new pet that isn’t properly trained, the risk of a lost pet is high.
But losing your pet isn’t the only risk.
Some pets are stolen. A pet thief may snatch Fifi or Fido in hopes of getting a reward for its return, or to use in dog fights (even small or gentle dogs are susceptible – they can be used as “bait”), or for use in cult rituals.
And what is the risk to your pet if something happens to you, its owner?
If you’re a senior adult with a pet, particularly if you live alone or are in ill health, there’s a good chance that at some point someone else will need to care for your furry friend, perhaps with little notice. And anyone can be struck by tragedy or disaster which leaves you unable to care for your companion.
In this instance, will your pet’s new or temporary caregiver know that Rover hates cats, or that Fluffy needs medication, or even whether or not Max is housetrained? A pet ID tag that contains more than your name and phone number would be extremely helpful.
2.What level of risk are you comfortable with?
Some pets are simply more important to their owners, and the risk of losing that particular animal warrants a specific, more expensive type of pet ID tag. Risk is proportionate to value.
Note that there is more than one way to assess the value of your pet. It may be monetary (a rare purebred dog) or functional (a guide dog or herding dog).
But for most pet owners, the emotional attachment they have to a particular pet determines its value. For many people, cats or dogs are family members, dearly loved and impossible to replace.
3.Based on your answers to the two previous questions, what do you need in a pet ID tag?
Pet ID tags come in varying shapes, sizes and materials and hold varying amounts of information. Some contain logos or artwork, too. Most pet ID tags are designed to be hung from a collar.
At a bare minimum, a pet ID tag should contain the name, address and phone number of the pet owner in a durable, legible format. Plastic tags are lightweight but easily chewed. Stainless steel tags are durable and don’t rust or fade. These traditional types of tags can purchased from any veterinarian or pet store. They’re inexpensive but the amount of information they hold is limited to the size of the tag.
Fortunately, you have many more options in pet tags these days, such as microchipping, tattooing, digital display tags, pet registry web sites and voice recorded pet id tags.
One of the newest entries in the pet identification market is the high-tech USB drive that hangs from your pet’s collar (or is attached to their cage) and which holds 64MB of data (including complete medical and diet information). The tiny USB drive is encased in a sturdy plastic case and can be plugged into any computer, where it is easily updated and easy to print sections for sharing with your vet or pet sitter.
No matter what pet ID tag you choose, making sure your pet wears some type of pet identification tag brings peace of mind that far outweighs its costs.
The type of pet identification tag that you buy is important, so take 5 minutes or so to think it through. Impulsively choosing a collar tag because it’s cheap or cute often proves to be unwise, long-term.
Consider the following before purchasing any pet id tag:
1.What is the level of risk to your pet?
Lost pets are certainly common – we’ve all seen “Lost Dog!” signs tacked around town, or dead pets lying by the side of the road. If your pet is a master at escaping the fence, or a breed of dog that cannot resist following a scent, or a young pet that’s full of energy, or a new pet that isn’t properly trained, the risk of a lost pet is high.
But losing your pet isn’t the only risk.
Some pets are stolen. A pet thief may snatch Fifi or Fido in hopes of getting a reward for its return, or to use in dog fights (even small or gentle dogs are susceptible – they can be used as “bait”), or for use in cult rituals.
And what is the risk to your pet if something happens to you, its owner?
If you’re a senior adult with a pet, particularly if you live alone or are in ill health, there’s a good chance that at some point someone else will need to care for your furry friend, perhaps with little notice. And anyone can be struck by tragedy or disaster which leaves you unable to care for your companion.
In this instance, will your pet’s new or temporary caregiver know that Rover hates cats, or that Fluffy needs medication, or even whether or not Max is housetrained? A pet ID tag that contains more than your name and phone number would be extremely helpful.
2.What level of risk are you comfortable with?
Some pets are simply more important to their owners, and the risk of losing that particular animal warrants a specific, more expensive type of pet ID tag. Risk is proportionate to value.
Note that there is more than one way to assess the value of your pet. It may be monetary (a rare purebred dog) or functional (a guide dog or herding dog).
But for most pet owners, the emotional attachment they have to a particular pet determines its value. For many people, cats or dogs are family members, dearly loved and impossible to replace.
3.Based on your answers to the two previous questions, what do you need in a pet ID tag?
Pet ID tags come in varying shapes, sizes and materials and hold varying amounts of information. Some contain logos or artwork, too. Most pet ID tags are designed to be hung from a collar.
At a bare minimum, a pet ID tag should contain the name, address and phone number of the pet owner in a durable, legible format. Plastic tags are lightweight but easily chewed. Stainless steel tags are durable and don’t rust or fade. These traditional types of tags can purchased from any veterinarian or pet store. They’re inexpensive but the amount of information they hold is limited to the size of the tag.
Fortunately, you have many more options in pet tags these days, such as microchipping, tattooing, digital display tags, pet registry web sites and voice recorded pet id tags.
One of the newest entries in the pet identification market is the high-tech USB drive that hangs from your pet’s collar (or is attached to their cage) and which holds 64MB of data (including complete medical and diet information). The tiny USB drive is encased in a sturdy plastic case and can be plugged into any computer, where it is easily updated and easy to print sections for sharing with your vet or pet sitter.
No matter what pet ID tag you choose, making sure your pet wears some type of pet identification tag brings peace of mind that far outweighs its costs.
5 Great Gift Ideas for Pet Lovers
With the holidays just around the corner, it's time to start thinking of gifts to give your friends and loved ones. Finding unique gifts can present a challenge, and most people never consider giving pet-related gifts. Since the chances are good that more than one person on your holiday gift list has a pet that he or she adores, why not give a distinctive gift that your recipient will treasure? Here are five great gift ideas to get you started:
1. Fine Art Animal Prints
Dogs may come in many shapes and sizes, but each has a personality all its own. One of the most delightful gifts you can give to a pet lover is a fine art print of his or her breed. One of the most notable artists offering fine art animal prints is Lorena Pugh. Her print, "Princess," for example, depicts a white toy poodle laying atop a stack of twelve colorful pillows, while "Angel Face" showcases a gorgeous pug who has just snagged a cluster of grapes off of a dining room table. In "Chocolate Craving," she realistically captures the yearning of a chocolate lab as he reaches for a tennis ball against a beautiful background of blue sky. These limited edition animal prints are sure to be treasured, as each comes with a consecutively numbered dog tag to match the tag in the print.
2. Crystal Animal Statues
Whether your gift recipient has a dog, cat, horse, or rabbit, he or she is sure to enjoy an elegant crystal animal statue. Typically made from 24 percent lead crystal, hand-finished animal statues are beautiful yet whimsical. Crystal animal statues can depict a wide variety of pets, from a sitting cat to a dog with a bone; from a turtle to a frog; from a horse to a mouse; and from a duck to a dove.
3. Stone Animal Statues
Who wouldn't love a playful stone animal statue depicting their beloved pet? Animal garden statues are perfect gifts, as are stone animal statues for the home and office. While some statues - like a sleeping spaniel puppy or an eager dachshund - make you feel warm inside, others - like a cat holding a pair of binoculars up to his eyes, ever watchful for a bird - make you chuckle. Stone animal statues are available for virtually any type of pet, and are certain to be cherished.
4. Animal Posters
If you've ever owned a pet, you know how funny they can be. Animal posters depict pets in a variety of outlandish situations (remember the cat in "Hang in There"?), and are eminently affordable. An animal poster is sure to bring a smile to your recipient's face.
5. Entertainment
When it comes to gifts for pet lovers, there's nothing more unique that pet-related entertainment. There is actually a music company that creates music for animals, so consider giving a gift of music about and for cats, dogs, or birds. Another great gift idea is to buy a DVD or video that is designed to entertain your recipient's dog or cat. Your friend or loved one can play the DVD or video while he or she is at work or out running errands - guilt free!
It's both original and thoughtful to give a gift that acknowledges your recipient's pet as a central part of his or her life. Pet lovers will appreciate and treasure your gift, whether it's a fine art animal print or an entertaining DVD.
1. Fine Art Animal Prints
Dogs may come in many shapes and sizes, but each has a personality all its own. One of the most delightful gifts you can give to a pet lover is a fine art print of his or her breed. One of the most notable artists offering fine art animal prints is Lorena Pugh. Her print, "Princess," for example, depicts a white toy poodle laying atop a stack of twelve colorful pillows, while "Angel Face" showcases a gorgeous pug who has just snagged a cluster of grapes off of a dining room table. In "Chocolate Craving," she realistically captures the yearning of a chocolate lab as he reaches for a tennis ball against a beautiful background of blue sky. These limited edition animal prints are sure to be treasured, as each comes with a consecutively numbered dog tag to match the tag in the print.
2. Crystal Animal Statues
Whether your gift recipient has a dog, cat, horse, or rabbit, he or she is sure to enjoy an elegant crystal animal statue. Typically made from 24 percent lead crystal, hand-finished animal statues are beautiful yet whimsical. Crystal animal statues can depict a wide variety of pets, from a sitting cat to a dog with a bone; from a turtle to a frog; from a horse to a mouse; and from a duck to a dove.
3. Stone Animal Statues
Who wouldn't love a playful stone animal statue depicting their beloved pet? Animal garden statues are perfect gifts, as are stone animal statues for the home and office. While some statues - like a sleeping spaniel puppy or an eager dachshund - make you feel warm inside, others - like a cat holding a pair of binoculars up to his eyes, ever watchful for a bird - make you chuckle. Stone animal statues are available for virtually any type of pet, and are certain to be cherished.
4. Animal Posters
If you've ever owned a pet, you know how funny they can be. Animal posters depict pets in a variety of outlandish situations (remember the cat in "Hang in There"?), and are eminently affordable. An animal poster is sure to bring a smile to your recipient's face.
5. Entertainment
When it comes to gifts for pet lovers, there's nothing more unique that pet-related entertainment. There is actually a music company that creates music for animals, so consider giving a gift of music about and for cats, dogs, or birds. Another great gift idea is to buy a DVD or video that is designed to entertain your recipient's dog or cat. Your friend or loved one can play the DVD or video while he or she is at work or out running errands - guilt free!
It's both original and thoughtful to give a gift that acknowledges your recipient's pet as a central part of his or her life. Pet lovers will appreciate and treasure your gift, whether it's a fine art animal print or an entertaining DVD.
4 Things to Think About Before Declawing your Cat
Declawing is a major surgery known as onychectomy, performed under anesthesia, that removes the tip of each digit (from the first knuckle out) of the cat's forepaws. There is a slight chance of death in the surgery, and a declawed cat may have an increased risk of infection and life-long discomfort in its paws. This surgery is not recommended for an adult animal and is considered an act of animal cruelty in some countries (see below).
People generally have cats declawed to prevent them from hunting and from damaging furniture. Rarely, vicious cats are declawed. In the United States, some landlords require that tenants' cats be declawed.
Veterinarians are generally critical of the procedure and some refuse to perform it because the absence of claws in a cat:
1. Deprives it of its main defense abilities, including escaping from predators by climbing trees;
2. Impairs its stretching and exercise habits, leading to muscle atrophy;
3. Compromises its ability to balance on thin surfaces such as railings and fence tops, leading to injury from falls;
4. Can cause insecurity and a subsequent tendency to bite.
This operation is rare outside of North America. In Finland, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland, declawing is forbidden by the laws against cruelty to animals.[17] In many other European countries, it is forbidden under the terms of the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals, unless "a veterinarian considers [such] non-curative procedures necessary either for veterinary medical reasons or for the benefit of (the) animal". [18] In Britain, animal shelters find it difficult to place imported cats that have been declawed and subsequently most are euthanized.
An alternative to declawing is the application of blunt, vinyl nail caps that are affixed to the claws with nontoxic glue, requiring periodic replacement when the cat sheds its claw sheaths (about every four to six weeks). However, the cat will still experience difficulties because the capped nails are not as effective as claws.
People generally have cats declawed to prevent them from hunting and from damaging furniture. Rarely, vicious cats are declawed. In the United States, some landlords require that tenants' cats be declawed.
Veterinarians are generally critical of the procedure and some refuse to perform it because the absence of claws in a cat:
1. Deprives it of its main defense abilities, including escaping from predators by climbing trees;
2. Impairs its stretching and exercise habits, leading to muscle atrophy;
3. Compromises its ability to balance on thin surfaces such as railings and fence tops, leading to injury from falls;
4. Can cause insecurity and a subsequent tendency to bite.
This operation is rare outside of North America. In Finland, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland, declawing is forbidden by the laws against cruelty to animals.[17] In many other European countries, it is forbidden under the terms of the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals, unless "a veterinarian considers [such] non-curative procedures necessary either for veterinary medical reasons or for the benefit of (the) animal". [18] In Britain, animal shelters find it difficult to place imported cats that have been declawed and subsequently most are euthanized.
An alternative to declawing is the application of blunt, vinyl nail caps that are affixed to the claws with nontoxic glue, requiring periodic replacement when the cat sheds its claw sheaths (about every four to six weeks). However, the cat will still experience difficulties because the capped nails are not as effective as claws.
3 easy to teach dog tricks
To teach your dog tricks even easy ones you need to have some small reward treats, be in a quiet suitable place and keep the training sessions to 10 - 15 minutes or your dog will start to get board, remember when he gets something right lots of praise and a reward treat, just be careful not to get him over excited or he will loose concentration.
Getting your dog to give you his paw, first get your dog to sit, then as you say the word 'paw' take your dogs paw in your hand, give the dog a treat, repeat this, after a few times do not take his paw so quickly, say the word, count to one then take it, you should notice he is bringing his paw up as you say the word if he does not go back to saying it at the same time, do it a few more times then slow your response again. After 2 or 3 sessions most dogs pick this one up quite happily.
The high five, like a lot of tricks the high five is a progression of an earlier trick, in this cast the paw trick. Hold a treat in your fingers and raise your hand slightly higher than you would for the paw trick. You dog will think you want to do the paw trick and will reach for the treat with his paw as we taught him earlier, as he reaches up you say “high five” and give him the treat. Once your dog has mastered the paw trick this one should be very easy to learn and with just a few sessions he will be doing it on hand signal rather than voice control.
Getting your dog to jump through a hoop, before you start this one I would just like to ask you to be a little sensible and not hold the hoop too high as you do not want your dog to heart himself while doing the trick. Sit your dog on one side of a hoola hoop, get the dogs attention on your hand on the other side of the hoop take a treat in your hand and give the dog the command to release him from the sit, at first he may attempt to go around or under the hoop, if this happens start again, your dog wants the treat and will soon learn that going around or under does not get it so he will soon start going through it, when he does say hoopla and give him the treat. He will soon be jumping through the hoop on the command of hoopla.
When I started doing this trick I had a medium sized dog (a Labrador) so I started with the hoop 6 inches from the ground and slowly raised it to waist height, if you have a smaller dog you might want to start with the hoop touching the ground so the dog just goes through the hoop and then slowly raise it as he gets used to the trick.
Getting your dog to give you his paw, first get your dog to sit, then as you say the word 'paw' take your dogs paw in your hand, give the dog a treat, repeat this, after a few times do not take his paw so quickly, say the word, count to one then take it, you should notice he is bringing his paw up as you say the word if he does not go back to saying it at the same time, do it a few more times then slow your response again. After 2 or 3 sessions most dogs pick this one up quite happily.
The high five, like a lot of tricks the high five is a progression of an earlier trick, in this cast the paw trick. Hold a treat in your fingers and raise your hand slightly higher than you would for the paw trick. You dog will think you want to do the paw trick and will reach for the treat with his paw as we taught him earlier, as he reaches up you say “high five” and give him the treat. Once your dog has mastered the paw trick this one should be very easy to learn and with just a few sessions he will be doing it on hand signal rather than voice control.
Getting your dog to jump through a hoop, before you start this one I would just like to ask you to be a little sensible and not hold the hoop too high as you do not want your dog to heart himself while doing the trick. Sit your dog on one side of a hoola hoop, get the dogs attention on your hand on the other side of the hoop take a treat in your hand and give the dog the command to release him from the sit, at first he may attempt to go around or under the hoop, if this happens start again, your dog wants the treat and will soon learn that going around or under does not get it so he will soon start going through it, when he does say hoopla and give him the treat. He will soon be jumping through the hoop on the command of hoopla.
When I started doing this trick I had a medium sized dog (a Labrador) so I started with the hoop 6 inches from the ground and slowly raised it to waist height, if you have a smaller dog you might want to start with the hoop touching the ground so the dog just goes through the hoop and then slowly raise it as he gets used to the trick.
3 Tips to Improve Your Golf Swing
Do you have a favorite golf player? Is it Tiger Woods or Ernie Els? Have you ever thought that your swing looks like theirs? Woods and Els are two great golf players. When you watch them play, you will definitely notice their graceful and powerful swings. Honestly, it is difficult to imitate that just by watching.
Having a good swing needs constant practice. Also, your body needs to be well tuned up for it to perform well. Here are some basic tips to help you improve your golf swing and may help you shoot in the 90s or even 80s.
1. Warm up. Just like any other game or sport, golf players need a little warming up before starting a round. This is what most players, especially amateurs, often take for granted.
It is best to come early at the golf course and take a few minutes to stretch those muscles and warm up. This will make your muscles "know" that they are in for something and that they should be prepared. Taking a few swings in the driving range will also help you get tuned up and perform better.
2. Exercise. This is really important, not only for golf. Constantly exercising your body and muscles will keep them toned and ready for any activity. This will also prevent common body aches and pains that you usually feel when playing golf.
Getting into the habit of exercising, especially tuning up your muscles will have a great impact on your swing. It will help you have a good stance and increase total balance and control on your swings.
3. Do not swing too hard yet. It is really tempting to give your swing that extra effort. However, it is not recommended unless you already have the control of your swing. The key to a powerful and graceful swing is the balance and control that you have, add to it the proper form and stance.
So how do you get to learn to control your swing? Again, it's tip number 2. Regular exercise will, in time, allow you to have a faster, more controlled swing.
Aside from these simple steps to do, it is also best to ask help from the pros, personally or thru online methods. They can give good advices as they already have learned a lot from their experiences. Keeping updated with the latest about golf will also help.
Also, most players tend to be so conscious in their desire to improve their swing that their minds are focused on every aspect of the swing itself; doing that will only make your swing look awkward. Instead, it is best to keep your mind off your swing. Try to focus on something else and the good swing will just follow.
Try to do these things when you play golf again. And do these regularly, then notice the change it will make on your next golf swing.
Having a good swing needs constant practice. Also, your body needs to be well tuned up for it to perform well. Here are some basic tips to help you improve your golf swing and may help you shoot in the 90s or even 80s.
1. Warm up. Just like any other game or sport, golf players need a little warming up before starting a round. This is what most players, especially amateurs, often take for granted.
It is best to come early at the golf course and take a few minutes to stretch those muscles and warm up. This will make your muscles "know" that they are in for something and that they should be prepared. Taking a few swings in the driving range will also help you get tuned up and perform better.
2. Exercise. This is really important, not only for golf. Constantly exercising your body and muscles will keep them toned and ready for any activity. This will also prevent common body aches and pains that you usually feel when playing golf.
Getting into the habit of exercising, especially tuning up your muscles will have a great impact on your swing. It will help you have a good stance and increase total balance and control on your swings.
3. Do not swing too hard yet. It is really tempting to give your swing that extra effort. However, it is not recommended unless you already have the control of your swing. The key to a powerful and graceful swing is the balance and control that you have, add to it the proper form and stance.
So how do you get to learn to control your swing? Again, it's tip number 2. Regular exercise will, in time, allow you to have a faster, more controlled swing.
Aside from these simple steps to do, it is also best to ask help from the pros, personally or thru online methods. They can give good advices as they already have learned a lot from their experiences. Keeping updated with the latest about golf will also help.
Also, most players tend to be so conscious in their desire to improve their swing that their minds are focused on every aspect of the swing itself; doing that will only make your swing look awkward. Instead, it is best to keep your mind off your swing. Try to focus on something else and the good swing will just follow.
Try to do these things when you play golf again. And do these regularly, then notice the change it will make on your next golf swing.
Monday, December 28, 2009
2 Basic Steps to Improving Your Golf Swing
The game of golf is truly an individual sport. The basics are the same for everyone; however, due to the differences in people’s body types no two people will ever have the same golf swing. Each person will have to adapt their bodies to perform a proper golf swing in their own way. Taking the time to develop your own method of playing golf will greatly improve your enjoyment and success at the game. Practicing the basic fundamentals of the game until they are ingrained in your muscles will lead to confidence on the course, and that confidence will lead to success and enjoyment of the game.
One of the most basic steps that you can put into action and see an immediate improvement to your golf swing is to keep your head still and look straight at the ball. The position of your head should be straight in line with your spine, and your nose should be raised up a bit so that when you start to swing, your left shoulder fits under your chin. Many players tuck their heads into their chests to try and keep their heads still and look straight down at the golf ball. Unfortunately, they cannot perform a proper golf swing while in this position.
If you are one of the many that are having difficulty keeping your head straight and an eye on the ball try the following. The next time you approach the ball, assume the correct stance with your feet and knees in position but keep your head and back straight, bend forward slightly at the waist and look straight at the ball. If you try and take a swing in this position, your left shoulder will most likely hit your chin. While keeping your eyes on the ball, raise your head slowly until your left shoulder does not hit your chin. Make sure that your head does not move from side to side by keeping your eyes fixed on the ball. Slowly go through the backswing and downswing portions of your golf swing. Do not hit the ball and do the follow through. Practice this portion of your golf swing focusing on keeping your head straight and eyes on the ball.
Practice this exercise in your backyard for about 25 times in a row and then take a break and relax a bit, then start again. Make minor corrections to your head and body position as needed to keep your eyes straight on the ball and your left shoulder from hitting your chin. This exercise will "train" your body, and your muscles will "remember" the correct position you need to be in to perform the movement correctly. Think about any sports athlete, they train and train to place their bodies in the correct stance and position to properly execute the movements necessary to be successful in their particular sport. You are doing the same thing by "training" your body to keep your head straight and position itself so that you can successfully execute a proper golf swing.
Another basic step that can work greatly towards improving your golf swing is to relax. I know it is easier said then done, especially when you are getting ready to put all your power into drive with an audience of either your co-workers, or better still your friends who will not let you forget it if you mess up. However, relaxing your muscles will help you to maintain the proper balance that is important to a great golf swing. Regardless of the golf clubs you use, your balance is the primary foundation of your golf swing, and the way to achieve good balance is to practice. A good way to practice improving your balance is to assume the address position with your club, relax your body and try holding it there for about 30 seconds. Does it feel like you have more weight on one foot or the other? Is one part of your body more tense then another?
Keeping your head straight and maintaining good balance are just two basic parts of a great golf swing. The exercises given above are just two ways that you can start training now to improve your golf swing. You can work on either one separately, or combine them together into one exercise. Improving your golf swing begins and ends with you. Training the muscles of your body to properly perform specific movements takes time and practice. The effort spent improving your golf swing will pay off on the course. Through exercise and practice, you will be able to slip into the proper address position and perform an effortless, powerful golf swing and feel just as if you were sliding your hand into a warm soft glove.
One of the most basic steps that you can put into action and see an immediate improvement to your golf swing is to keep your head still and look straight at the ball. The position of your head should be straight in line with your spine, and your nose should be raised up a bit so that when you start to swing, your left shoulder fits under your chin. Many players tuck their heads into their chests to try and keep their heads still and look straight down at the golf ball. Unfortunately, they cannot perform a proper golf swing while in this position.
If you are one of the many that are having difficulty keeping your head straight and an eye on the ball try the following. The next time you approach the ball, assume the correct stance with your feet and knees in position but keep your head and back straight, bend forward slightly at the waist and look straight at the ball. If you try and take a swing in this position, your left shoulder will most likely hit your chin. While keeping your eyes on the ball, raise your head slowly until your left shoulder does not hit your chin. Make sure that your head does not move from side to side by keeping your eyes fixed on the ball. Slowly go through the backswing and downswing portions of your golf swing. Do not hit the ball and do the follow through. Practice this portion of your golf swing focusing on keeping your head straight and eyes on the ball.
Practice this exercise in your backyard for about 25 times in a row and then take a break and relax a bit, then start again. Make minor corrections to your head and body position as needed to keep your eyes straight on the ball and your left shoulder from hitting your chin. This exercise will "train" your body, and your muscles will "remember" the correct position you need to be in to perform the movement correctly. Think about any sports athlete, they train and train to place their bodies in the correct stance and position to properly execute the movements necessary to be successful in their particular sport. You are doing the same thing by "training" your body to keep your head straight and position itself so that you can successfully execute a proper golf swing.
Another basic step that can work greatly towards improving your golf swing is to relax. I know it is easier said then done, especially when you are getting ready to put all your power into drive with an audience of either your co-workers, or better still your friends who will not let you forget it if you mess up. However, relaxing your muscles will help you to maintain the proper balance that is important to a great golf swing. Regardless of the golf clubs you use, your balance is the primary foundation of your golf swing, and the way to achieve good balance is to practice. A good way to practice improving your balance is to assume the address position with your club, relax your body and try holding it there for about 30 seconds. Does it feel like you have more weight on one foot or the other? Is one part of your body more tense then another?
Keeping your head straight and maintaining good balance are just two basic parts of a great golf swing. The exercises given above are just two ways that you can start training now to improve your golf swing. You can work on either one separately, or combine them together into one exercise. Improving your golf swing begins and ends with you. Training the muscles of your body to properly perform specific movements takes time and practice. The effort spent improving your golf swing will pay off on the course. Through exercise and practice, you will be able to slip into the proper address position and perform an effortless, powerful golf swing and feel just as if you were sliding your hand into a warm soft glove.
Excessive Exercise and Eating Disorders
In our society, the perceived perfect image of women falls right in line with the slenderness of girls 10 to 12 years old. This unrealistic perception spawned by the supermodels seen today in ads for popular clothing and undergarment makers such as Victoria’s secret has caused many women to become obsessed with their own images.
In our society, women are ten times more likely to develop eating disorders and compulsive exercise habits that can be life threatening and often do prove to be fatal.
Here are the most commonly developed eating disorders:
“Anorexia nervosa” is a life threatening disorder that occurs when you eat very little food and become obsessed about your weight even when you are badly underweight. An anorexic person will often see themselves as being fat when they look at themselves in the mirror even though they appear very skinny to everyone else. People with this disorder often turn to laxatives and various diet aids such as fat burning pills to bring their weight down to dangerous levels.
“Bulimia” is a disorder that occurs when you go on an eating binge, and then immediately purge it all out. You will eat a large amount of food, even junk food, and then get it all back out of your system by both self-induced vomiting and laxative use. This practice may throw off your body’s mineral balance in the blood and put the health of your heart at risk.
“Compulsive overeating” followed by “compulsive over exercising” is a pattern that is not as dangerous as anorexia and bulimia but still can lead to both physical and psychological problems. This is a pattern in which you will eat a large amount of food followed up immediately by exercising excessively hard and for a long period of time.
It is estimated that more than one out of three collage female athletes may at one time develop an eating disorder. If you suffer from an eating disorder, seek medical help as soon as possible because if left untreated, these disorders can cause permanent health problems and even death.
In our society, women are ten times more likely to develop eating disorders and compulsive exercise habits that can be life threatening and often do prove to be fatal.
Here are the most commonly developed eating disorders:
“Anorexia nervosa” is a life threatening disorder that occurs when you eat very little food and become obsessed about your weight even when you are badly underweight. An anorexic person will often see themselves as being fat when they look at themselves in the mirror even though they appear very skinny to everyone else. People with this disorder often turn to laxatives and various diet aids such as fat burning pills to bring their weight down to dangerous levels.
“Bulimia” is a disorder that occurs when you go on an eating binge, and then immediately purge it all out. You will eat a large amount of food, even junk food, and then get it all back out of your system by both self-induced vomiting and laxative use. This practice may throw off your body’s mineral balance in the blood and put the health of your heart at risk.
“Compulsive overeating” followed by “compulsive over exercising” is a pattern that is not as dangerous as anorexia and bulimia but still can lead to both physical and psychological problems. This is a pattern in which you will eat a large amount of food followed up immediately by exercising excessively hard and for a long period of time.
It is estimated that more than one out of three collage female athletes may at one time develop an eating disorder. If you suffer from an eating disorder, seek medical help as soon as possible because if left untreated, these disorders can cause permanent health problems and even death.
Discover This Fascinating Wellspring of Health and Energy
Does this sound familiar to you? After getting through a long day of work, engaging in obligatory social activities and then doing the upkeep on your house or apartment you may feel as if every last second of your time and every last drop of your energy have been spent.
By that point, you just want to collapse on the floor, exhausted. Then you wake up and have to do it all over again the next day.
Fortunately, there is help. You just need to know about an amazing exercise and self improvement system. This may be the easiest exercise to learn that you have ever seen. You'll feel wonderful and energized afterwards, unlike ordinary workouts. Its called Falun Dafa.
I attribute the disappearance of my back pain to Falun Dafa. Another thing I feel that it did for me personally was give me the energy to get things done. You may also be excited to learn that it is something you can implement in your life very easily, without a lot of effort.
What you'll want to do is visit Falun Dafa website. You'll want to get the book, Zhuan Falun, and exercise instruction videos. Both are available for free download. You'll want to read the book to gain the full benefits of this self improvement system.
Now, you may be thinking that it might not be easy to learn all the ins and outs of these 5 sets of simple, energizing exercises just from a video.
You'll find the solution for that on the very same website. There is a volunteer instructor list. Scan it for your city or one near you. The list covers most major cities around the world and even many smaller cities.
The best part is that none of these volunteers will accept a penny of your money. They will show you these exercises free of charge and with no strings attached.
The reason they will do this is because they have also received amazing results from this practice. For this reason, they are willing to take their own time to show you how to do it at no cost to you.
So, what are you waiting for? Go over to that website and get started on what might be the most amazing and beneficial treasure you'll uncover in this lifetime. Discover for yourself an incredible wellspring of health and energy.
This article is for information purposes only. It is not meant to prevent, treat or diagnose any health condition or disease. If you have or suspect you have a health problem, and before embarking on any exercise program you should consult your physician.
By that point, you just want to collapse on the floor, exhausted. Then you wake up and have to do it all over again the next day.
Fortunately, there is help. You just need to know about an amazing exercise and self improvement system. This may be the easiest exercise to learn that you have ever seen. You'll feel wonderful and energized afterwards, unlike ordinary workouts. Its called Falun Dafa.
I attribute the disappearance of my back pain to Falun Dafa. Another thing I feel that it did for me personally was give me the energy to get things done. You may also be excited to learn that it is something you can implement in your life very easily, without a lot of effort.
What you'll want to do is visit Falun Dafa website. You'll want to get the book, Zhuan Falun, and exercise instruction videos. Both are available for free download. You'll want to read the book to gain the full benefits of this self improvement system.
Now, you may be thinking that it might not be easy to learn all the ins and outs of these 5 sets of simple, energizing exercises just from a video.
You'll find the solution for that on the very same website. There is a volunteer instructor list. Scan it for your city or one near you. The list covers most major cities around the world and even many smaller cities.
The best part is that none of these volunteers will accept a penny of your money. They will show you these exercises free of charge and with no strings attached.
The reason they will do this is because they have also received amazing results from this practice. For this reason, they are willing to take their own time to show you how to do it at no cost to you.
So, what are you waiting for? Go over to that website and get started on what might be the most amazing and beneficial treasure you'll uncover in this lifetime. Discover for yourself an incredible wellspring of health and energy.
This article is for information purposes only. It is not meant to prevent, treat or diagnose any health condition or disease. If you have or suspect you have a health problem, and before embarking on any exercise program you should consult your physician.
How Dance Dance Revolution is getting kids off the couch
Dance Dance revolution is the latest dance craze that is a fun and addictive way to lose weight and get into shape.
Are you concerned about the lack of exercise your child is getting?
Would you like to see them up and moving instead of sitting around so much?
Dance Dance revolution is the latest dance craze that is a fun and addictive way to help your child get get up and move without realizes they are even exercising.
Our kids health and fitness is more important today than ever before since video games, TV and computers are turning our kids into couch potatoes.
This new dance craze called Dance Dance revolution is a video game played on a gaming system but it is not your typical video game. This fun and exciting Dance pad is hooked up to any play station or Xbox then the player chooses one of their favorite songs from the DDR video game.
This fast paced game will surely get your child’s heart pumping and their feet moving! The player chooses their song and they move their feet to the pattern of the arrows on the dance pad while keeping the beat to the flashing arrows that are moving side to side and up and down. As your child gets more practice on this engaging game, you will move to higher and higher levels which will progressively turn the game into a fun and challenging workout.
There are many kids today that do not like the typical physical activities that sports provide but once they try Dance Dance Revolution they are usually hooked.
There are many levels from beginner to advanced even the youngest of children can play Dance Dance Revolution.
What better way to get your children involved in exercise than by doing something they love.
If you have a gaming system such as a Play station or Xbox you can own Dance revolution, just connect the DDR Pad to any of these systems. If you want your kids up off the couch doing something that is good for them while they are having fun I highly recommend DDR. What better gift can you give them? Next time your child asks for a play station or Xbox game buy them the DDR pad and game.
Make sure your child keeps his water bottle close by, he’s going to need it after this workout.
Weight Loss and Dance revolution
Dance Dance Revolution games offer a specific "Workout Mode" in which players can choose a song, and play accordingly using either the normal step routine, or a modified step routine designed to provided a workout. The workout mode also allows players to track their progress, not in the standard step scores, but by calories burned, minutes played, and distance traveled. The game also calculates the equivalent of DDR dancing to common exercise activities, and can keep track of a player's weight as well.
The built-in workout features have inspired many DDR fans to make playing DDR their primary source of exercise, and some have built entire weight-loss regimens around the game. However, as with all new diet or exercise plans, it is recommended that one discusses the changes with their doctor
There are many different types of DDR pad you can purchase. You will need a gaming system such as a Play station or an Xbox and of course the DDR pads and DDR games
So if you are interested in an extremely fun way to get in shape go ahead and give Dance Dance Revolution a try!
Hear what others are saying about DDR:
Natalie, 14, was drawn to the pulsing techno songs, and didn't realize she had slimmed down until she went clothes shopping.
"I went to go buy pants and the 14s were too big. The more I played, I gradually had to get smaller size pants," said Natalie, who now buys size 8 baggy.
Zachary 13, I did not even realize that I was exercising until my mom said something to me one day about losing weight. I realized that Dance revolution was not only fun but I was getting a great workout!
Are you concerned about the lack of exercise your child is getting?
Would you like to see them up and moving instead of sitting around so much?
Dance Dance revolution is the latest dance craze that is a fun and addictive way to help your child get get up and move without realizes they are even exercising.
Our kids health and fitness is more important today than ever before since video games, TV and computers are turning our kids into couch potatoes.
This new dance craze called Dance Dance revolution is a video game played on a gaming system but it is not your typical video game. This fun and exciting Dance pad is hooked up to any play station or Xbox then the player chooses one of their favorite songs from the DDR video game.
This fast paced game will surely get your child’s heart pumping and their feet moving! The player chooses their song and they move their feet to the pattern of the arrows on the dance pad while keeping the beat to the flashing arrows that are moving side to side and up and down. As your child gets more practice on this engaging game, you will move to higher and higher levels which will progressively turn the game into a fun and challenging workout.
There are many kids today that do not like the typical physical activities that sports provide but once they try Dance Dance Revolution they are usually hooked.
There are many levels from beginner to advanced even the youngest of children can play Dance Dance Revolution.
What better way to get your children involved in exercise than by doing something they love.
If you have a gaming system such as a Play station or Xbox you can own Dance revolution, just connect the DDR Pad to any of these systems. If you want your kids up off the couch doing something that is good for them while they are having fun I highly recommend DDR. What better gift can you give them? Next time your child asks for a play station or Xbox game buy them the DDR pad and game.
Make sure your child keeps his water bottle close by, he’s going to need it after this workout.
Weight Loss and Dance revolution
Dance Dance Revolution games offer a specific "Workout Mode" in which players can choose a song, and play accordingly using either the normal step routine, or a modified step routine designed to provided a workout. The workout mode also allows players to track their progress, not in the standard step scores, but by calories burned, minutes played, and distance traveled. The game also calculates the equivalent of DDR dancing to common exercise activities, and can keep track of a player's weight as well.
The built-in workout features have inspired many DDR fans to make playing DDR their primary source of exercise, and some have built entire weight-loss regimens around the game. However, as with all new diet or exercise plans, it is recommended that one discusses the changes with their doctor
There are many different types of DDR pad you can purchase. You will need a gaming system such as a Play station or an Xbox and of course the DDR pads and DDR games
So if you are interested in an extremely fun way to get in shape go ahead and give Dance Dance Revolution a try!
Hear what others are saying about DDR:
Natalie, 14, was drawn to the pulsing techno songs, and didn't realize she had slimmed down until she went clothes shopping.
"I went to go buy pants and the 14s were too big. The more I played, I gradually had to get smaller size pants," said Natalie, who now buys size 8 baggy.
Zachary 13, I did not even realize that I was exercising until my mom said something to me one day about losing weight. I realized that Dance revolution was not only fun but I was getting a great workout!
Balancing Hope And Reality To Plan A Dignified Death
Dealing with the end of life and the decisions that accompany it bring critical challenges for everyone involved-patients, families, friends and physicians. In fact, "managing" the progression toward death, particularly when a dire diagnosis has been made, can be a highly complex process. Each person involved is often challenged in a different way.
Communication is the first objective, and it should start with the physicians. In their role, physicians are often tasked to bridge the chasm between lifesaving and life-enhancing care; thus, they often struggle to balance hopefulness with truthfulness. Determining "how much information," "within what space of time" and "with what degree of directness for this particular patient" requires a skillful commitment that matures with age and experience.
A physician's guidance must be highly personalized and must consider prognosis, the risks and benefits of various interventions, the patient's symptom burden, the timeline ahead, the age and stage of life of the patient, and the quality of the patient's support system.
At the same time, it's common for the patient and his or her loved ones to narrowly focus on life preservation, especially when a diagnosis is first made. They must also deal with shock, which can give way to a complex analysis that often intersects with guilt, regret and anger. Fear must be managed and channeled. This stage of confusion can last some time, but a sharp decline, results of diagnostic studies, or an internal awareness usually signals a transition and leads patients and loved ones to finally recognize and understand that death is approaching.
Once acceptance arrives, end-of-life decision-making naturally follows. Ongoing denial that death is approaching only compresses the timeline for these decisions, adds anxiety, and undermines the sense of control over one's own destiny.
With acceptance, the ultimate objectives become quality of life and comfort for the remainder of days, weeks or months. Physicians, hospice, family and other caregivers can focus on assessing the patient's physical symptoms, psychological and spiritual needs, and defining end-of-life goals. How important might it be for a patient to attend a granddaughter's wedding or see one last Christmas, and are these realistic goals to pursue?
In order to plan a death with dignity, we need to acknowledge death as a part of life-an experience to be embraced rather than ignored when the time comes. Will you be ready?
Mike Magee, M.D., is a Senior Fellow in the Humanities to the World Medical Association, director of the Pfizer Medical Humanities Initiative, and host of the weekly Web cast "Health Politics with Dr. Mike Magee."
Communication is the first objective, and it should start with the physicians. In their role, physicians are often tasked to bridge the chasm between lifesaving and life-enhancing care; thus, they often struggle to balance hopefulness with truthfulness. Determining "how much information," "within what space of time" and "with what degree of directness for this particular patient" requires a skillful commitment that matures with age and experience.
A physician's guidance must be highly personalized and must consider prognosis, the risks and benefits of various interventions, the patient's symptom burden, the timeline ahead, the age and stage of life of the patient, and the quality of the patient's support system.
At the same time, it's common for the patient and his or her loved ones to narrowly focus on life preservation, especially when a diagnosis is first made. They must also deal with shock, which can give way to a complex analysis that often intersects with guilt, regret and anger. Fear must be managed and channeled. This stage of confusion can last some time, but a sharp decline, results of diagnostic studies, or an internal awareness usually signals a transition and leads patients and loved ones to finally recognize and understand that death is approaching.
Once acceptance arrives, end-of-life decision-making naturally follows. Ongoing denial that death is approaching only compresses the timeline for these decisions, adds anxiety, and undermines the sense of control over one's own destiny.
With acceptance, the ultimate objectives become quality of life and comfort for the remainder of days, weeks or months. Physicians, hospice, family and other caregivers can focus on assessing the patient's physical symptoms, psychological and spiritual needs, and defining end-of-life goals. How important might it be for a patient to attend a granddaughter's wedding or see one last Christmas, and are these realistic goals to pursue?
In order to plan a death with dignity, we need to acknowledge death as a part of life-an experience to be embraced rather than ignored when the time comes. Will you be ready?
Mike Magee, M.D., is a Senior Fellow in the Humanities to the World Medical Association, director of the Pfizer Medical Humanities Initiative, and host of the weekly Web cast "Health Politics with Dr. Mike Magee."
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Baldness Solutions to End the Hair-raising Story of Hair Loss
Hair is a striking feature of human body. Hair loss, especially by female/male pattern baldness is matter of great concern. Pattern baldness is particularly is very troubling condition. In this type of baldness the hair is regularly lost at both the temples and at top of the skull. At last the person is left with a horseshoe pattern in the head.
Male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) is the chief devil that causes hair loss. With age one suffers from this disorder by acquiring the genetic predisposition and presence of male hormones. Contrary to the common perception, hereditary baldness is not a must in each generation. However, if one’s father is completely bald and one loses hair at an early stage, then he is said to be in male pattern baldness due to alopecia and 95% of complete baldness occurs by alopecia.
Excess amount of male hormone also causes hair loss. Besides, stress, improper nutrition and pollution together accelerate the baldness. One under stress will loss hair at double the speed of a normal human.
Taking dietary supplement and/or external application of cosmetics is fruitless to stop baldness. Fortunately, there are several baldness solutions, the most popular ones being hair transplantation surgery, scalp reduction surgery and scalp flap surgery.
There is no such thing as true hair transplant. Surgeons replace the bald area from some other hair-healthy area of the head. Hence, the name hair replacement transplant. Hair transplant works when there is enough donor hairs. Victims of female/male pattern balding are the best candidates for hair transplant. If you still have hair growing anywhere around the scalp flaps hair transplantation can be easy and effective.
Scalp reduction surgery is a popular balding solution to cure the baldness caused by flaking scalps. It can be done in conjunction with hair transplants and involves surgically removing of a portion of the balding area, which causes the bald spot to be smaller. This means that there are fewer areas to graft to the head during a hair transplant.
Scalp flap is an invasive procedure that involves surgically removing a portion of healthy scalp and hair from the back or sides of the head and transplanting it on the bald areas. This creates a new hairline for the males who suffer from male pattern baldness. Scalp flaps are usually performed on patients who have complete balding in the front area of the scalp. Those candidates whose hair is just beginning to thin or is thinning in patches in random areas spanning the head may want to choose a different type of treatment.
Male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) is the chief devil that causes hair loss. With age one suffers from this disorder by acquiring the genetic predisposition and presence of male hormones. Contrary to the common perception, hereditary baldness is not a must in each generation. However, if one’s father is completely bald and one loses hair at an early stage, then he is said to be in male pattern baldness due to alopecia and 95% of complete baldness occurs by alopecia.
Excess amount of male hormone also causes hair loss. Besides, stress, improper nutrition and pollution together accelerate the baldness. One under stress will loss hair at double the speed of a normal human.
Taking dietary supplement and/or external application of cosmetics is fruitless to stop baldness. Fortunately, there are several baldness solutions, the most popular ones being hair transplantation surgery, scalp reduction surgery and scalp flap surgery.
There is no such thing as true hair transplant. Surgeons replace the bald area from some other hair-healthy area of the head. Hence, the name hair replacement transplant. Hair transplant works when there is enough donor hairs. Victims of female/male pattern balding are the best candidates for hair transplant. If you still have hair growing anywhere around the scalp flaps hair transplantation can be easy and effective.
Scalp reduction surgery is a popular balding solution to cure the baldness caused by flaking scalps. It can be done in conjunction with hair transplants and involves surgically removing of a portion of the balding area, which causes the bald spot to be smaller. This means that there are fewer areas to graft to the head during a hair transplant.
Scalp flap is an invasive procedure that involves surgically removing a portion of healthy scalp and hair from the back or sides of the head and transplanting it on the bald areas. This creates a new hairline for the males who suffer from male pattern baldness. Scalp flaps are usually performed on patients who have complete balding in the front area of the scalp. Those candidates whose hair is just beginning to thin or is thinning in patches in random areas spanning the head may want to choose a different type of treatment.
Bald Heads
Over the ages, baldness has been considered a disease. Lately, it has also been followed as a fashion. However, greater numbers of people still feel that a head covered by hair is always more attractive than a bald one.
Every month, hair grows by about 1 inch. Normally, around 85% of the hair on your head is always in the growing phase at any time, and 15% is not. Five years is the maximum amount of time for which hair normally lives. Considering these statistics, it is difficult to understand the causes of hair loss, which might be more apparent in a few of us.
The follicle is a cavity in the skin where the hair sits. In cases of hair loss this follicle shrinks over time, thereby causing shorter and thinner hair. The final result could be a very tiny follicle with no hair in it. Usually the hair grows back, but for people who are already balding, the follicle is unable to grow a new hair.
Peladic is a disease which leads to hair loss. Some people are repelled at the sight of a bald head, and fear going bald themselves. This fear is called peladophobia.
In the dating arena, some women feel very strongly against men with bald heads, and insist that dating a bald guy is almost next to impossible. However, many women do not mind dating a man with a purposely shaved head. It’s almost like dating on the basis of your capability to grow more hair on your head.
Every month, hair grows by about 1 inch. Normally, around 85% of the hair on your head is always in the growing phase at any time, and 15% is not. Five years is the maximum amount of time for which hair normally lives. Considering these statistics, it is difficult to understand the causes of hair loss, which might be more apparent in a few of us.
The follicle is a cavity in the skin where the hair sits. In cases of hair loss this follicle shrinks over time, thereby causing shorter and thinner hair. The final result could be a very tiny follicle with no hair in it. Usually the hair grows back, but for people who are already balding, the follicle is unable to grow a new hair.
Peladic is a disease which leads to hair loss. Some people are repelled at the sight of a bald head, and fear going bald themselves. This fear is called peladophobia.
In the dating arena, some women feel very strongly against men with bald heads, and insist that dating a bald guy is almost next to impossible. However, many women do not mind dating a man with a purposely shaved head. It’s almost like dating on the basis of your capability to grow more hair on your head.
Antioxidant Food Supplements
Antioxidant supplements play a protective role for our general health including the health of our hair. Antioxidants supplements are supposed to slow down the oxidation reactions which are brought about by the free radicals. The Free radicals are highly reactive unstable atoms generated in our body that can damage cells leading to a number of diseases and ageing.According to the Free-radical theory of aging, these highly reactive oxygen species (ROS), damage the DNA, proteins and other cellular structures like the cell membranes and cell organelles.
The reaction of free radicals within cells, and subsequent damage has been linked to a range of disorders and chronic diseases including cancer, arthritis, atherosclerosis, alzheimer's and diabetes and inflammatory conditions
Antioxidants are able to slow down or block these dangerous reactions in the body. They do it either by reacting with intermediates and halting the oxidation reaction directly. They react with the free radicals and prevent the oxidation reaction from occurring.
Antioxidants supplements can be taken as dietary supplements or taken as tablets and capsules. Studies suggest those dietary antioxidants supplements provide a range of are benefits for our health. However, excess antioxidant supplementation may be counter-productive. Diet carrying antioxidant supplements A healthy and balanced diet containing antioxidant supplements plays a pivotal role in retaining your hair’s health. Some of the herbal nutrition supplements and some fruits which contain antioxidants serve as natural medications for hair loss.
Antioxidant food supplements are found in various forms – vegetables, fruits, grain cereals, legumes, nuts, etc.
The sources of antioxidants include fruits (berries and peppers, apple skins, cider, wine), vegetables (spinach, tea leaves), fungi (mushrooms), whole grain cereals (hops, barley, millet and maize), nuts (pecans, pistachios, almonds), beans (cacao including chocolate, coffee). Polyphenol antioxidants This type of antioxidant is characterized by the presence of several phenol functions. It is found in a wide array of phytonutrient-bearing foods. Examples include - most of the legumes; fruits like apples, blackberries, cantaloupe, cherries, cranberries, grapes, pears, plums, raspberries, and strawberries; vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, celery, onion and parsley. All the above are rich sources of polyphenol antioxidants.Alternative sources of polyphenol antioxidant include red wine, chocolate, green tea, olive oil, bee pollen and several grains. Antioxidant vitaminsSome of the vitamins that are good sources of antioxidants,. the antioxidant vitamins are--vitamins A, C and E.
Vitamin A
The animal form of vitamin A is retinol. It is a yellow, fat-soluble antioxidant vitamin found in animal foods such as eggs, liver, whole milk and fortified foods like fat-reduced milk, cereals and breads. Vitamin A, are the dark-colored pigments found in plant foods like fruits and vegetables (especially dark green leafy ones) and include spinach, cantaloupe, carrots, sweet potatoes and squash.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a natural antioxidant helpful in maintaining healthy hair. Sources of this vitamin are foods such as citrus fruits, kiwi, pineapple, tomatoes, green peppers, potatoes with their skins and dark green vegetables. The daily recommended dose for vitamin C is 60 mg.
Vitamin E
It increases scalp circulation which is crucial for hair growth. You get vitamin E from foods like wheat germ oil, soybeans, raw seeds ad nuts, dried beans and leafy green vegetables. The daily recommended dose for vitamin E is up to 400 IU.
The reaction of free radicals within cells, and subsequent damage has been linked to a range of disorders and chronic diseases including cancer, arthritis, atherosclerosis, alzheimer's and diabetes and inflammatory conditions
Antioxidants are able to slow down or block these dangerous reactions in the body. They do it either by reacting with intermediates and halting the oxidation reaction directly. They react with the free radicals and prevent the oxidation reaction from occurring.
Antioxidants supplements can be taken as dietary supplements or taken as tablets and capsules. Studies suggest those dietary antioxidants supplements provide a range of are benefits for our health. However, excess antioxidant supplementation may be counter-productive. Diet carrying antioxidant supplements A healthy and balanced diet containing antioxidant supplements plays a pivotal role in retaining your hair’s health. Some of the herbal nutrition supplements and some fruits which contain antioxidants serve as natural medications for hair loss.
Antioxidant food supplements are found in various forms – vegetables, fruits, grain cereals, legumes, nuts, etc.
The sources of antioxidants include fruits (berries and peppers, apple skins, cider, wine), vegetables (spinach, tea leaves), fungi (mushrooms), whole grain cereals (hops, barley, millet and maize), nuts (pecans, pistachios, almonds), beans (cacao including chocolate, coffee). Polyphenol antioxidants This type of antioxidant is characterized by the presence of several phenol functions. It is found in a wide array of phytonutrient-bearing foods. Examples include - most of the legumes; fruits like apples, blackberries, cantaloupe, cherries, cranberries, grapes, pears, plums, raspberries, and strawberries; vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, celery, onion and parsley. All the above are rich sources of polyphenol antioxidants.Alternative sources of polyphenol antioxidant include red wine, chocolate, green tea, olive oil, bee pollen and several grains. Antioxidant vitaminsSome of the vitamins that are good sources of antioxidants,. the antioxidant vitamins are--vitamins A, C and E.
Vitamin A
The animal form of vitamin A is retinol. It is a yellow, fat-soluble antioxidant vitamin found in animal foods such as eggs, liver, whole milk and fortified foods like fat-reduced milk, cereals and breads. Vitamin A, are the dark-colored pigments found in plant foods like fruits and vegetables (especially dark green leafy ones) and include spinach, cantaloupe, carrots, sweet potatoes and squash.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a natural antioxidant helpful in maintaining healthy hair. Sources of this vitamin are foods such as citrus fruits, kiwi, pineapple, tomatoes, green peppers, potatoes with their skins and dark green vegetables. The daily recommended dose for vitamin C is 60 mg.
Vitamin E
It increases scalp circulation which is crucial for hair growth. You get vitamin E from foods like wheat germ oil, soybeans, raw seeds ad nuts, dried beans and leafy green vegetables. The daily recommended dose for vitamin E is up to 400 IU.
Advancement in Hair Transplantation
A standard hair transplantation procedure involves the removal of donor strip of hair from the back of the head from where the follicular unit grafts are dissected under a microscope. These grafts are then preserved in saline and are then transplanted on a bald patch on the crown area of the scalp.
Given the time consuming and tedious nature of this procedure, a hair transplant surgeon is often able to transplant only about 500 to 600 follicular unit grafts per day. However, thanks to the recent hair transplant advances, this technique is often replaced by the follicular unit extraction (FUE). The cost per graft of FUE is typically twice the cost of the standard follicular unit hair transplant procedure discussed above but it is comparatively faster and minimally invasive.
Some hair transplant advances
In a typical FUE procedure a small round punch is made in the donor area to directly extract 1, 2, 3 and 4 hair follicular unit grafts. The follicular units extracted using this process is typically referred to as "blunt dissection" where a punch is made to envelope the entire follicular unit separating it from the surrounding soft tissues.
Once the underlying follicular unit is separated from the surrounding tissues, it is easily extracted using a small forceps. The small holes left behind after the follicular unit extraction gradually heal over the next few days and are not detectable to the naked eye once the patient's hair grows out. The healing time is much less than the donor strip extraction procedure.
While the FUE procedure has been adopted by most hair transplant clinics, the standard strip excision method is still the most popular hair transplant procedure because it is more economical than the FUE.
Moreover, due to some recent hair transplant advances such as the use of trichophytic closure technique, the linear donor scar created by the strip excision procedure is now often rendered almost undetectable to the naked eye. This advancement in the hair transplantation technique has made FUE procedure relatively less appealing.
Hair transplantation research
Besides the hair transplant advances in the transplantation procedures, a lot of research is also underway to clone the hair. If the hair transplantation research is successful it will be possible to make several copies of donor hair in the laboratory. The application of this technique would be used in the form of hair transplantation. In the traditional procedures, the biggest limitation is often the donor which is not able to meet required density. However, hair cloning promises to overcome this problem by having the amount of hair required to be grown in a laboratory from a single donor hair and then implanting it into the scalp.
Hair transplantation research for cloning is very difficult and there are many hurdles that have to be overcome regarding the safety and cosmetic characteristics of the cloned hair. Some hair transplantation research has also provided breakthrough for some hair loss medication like Dutasteride.
Given the time consuming and tedious nature of this procedure, a hair transplant surgeon is often able to transplant only about 500 to 600 follicular unit grafts per day. However, thanks to the recent hair transplant advances, this technique is often replaced by the follicular unit extraction (FUE). The cost per graft of FUE is typically twice the cost of the standard follicular unit hair transplant procedure discussed above but it is comparatively faster and minimally invasive.
Some hair transplant advances
In a typical FUE procedure a small round punch is made in the donor area to directly extract 1, 2, 3 and 4 hair follicular unit grafts. The follicular units extracted using this process is typically referred to as "blunt dissection" where a punch is made to envelope the entire follicular unit separating it from the surrounding soft tissues.
Once the underlying follicular unit is separated from the surrounding tissues, it is easily extracted using a small forceps. The small holes left behind after the follicular unit extraction gradually heal over the next few days and are not detectable to the naked eye once the patient's hair grows out. The healing time is much less than the donor strip extraction procedure.
While the FUE procedure has been adopted by most hair transplant clinics, the standard strip excision method is still the most popular hair transplant procedure because it is more economical than the FUE.
Moreover, due to some recent hair transplant advances such as the use of trichophytic closure technique, the linear donor scar created by the strip excision procedure is now often rendered almost undetectable to the naked eye. This advancement in the hair transplantation technique has made FUE procedure relatively less appealing.
Hair transplantation research
Besides the hair transplant advances in the transplantation procedures, a lot of research is also underway to clone the hair. If the hair transplantation research is successful it will be possible to make several copies of donor hair in the laboratory. The application of this technique would be used in the form of hair transplantation. In the traditional procedures, the biggest limitation is often the donor which is not able to meet required density. However, hair cloning promises to overcome this problem by having the amount of hair required to be grown in a laboratory from a single donor hair and then implanting it into the scalp.
Hair transplantation research for cloning is very difficult and there are many hurdles that have to be overcome regarding the safety and cosmetic characteristics of the cloned hair. Some hair transplantation research has also provided breakthrough for some hair loss medication like Dutasteride.
A Hair Loss Cure For Men
Procerin is a natural remedy for hair loss has been found effective in reversing hair loss in men caused by androgenetic alopecia, the most common cause of male hair loss, thinning hair and receding hairlines often reffered to as widows peak. Basiclly men suffering from androgenetic alopecia have extremely high levels of the chemical dihydrotestosterone, a by-product of the major male hormone testosterone, so when this hormone is converted into DHT the results are hair loss and this is where Procerin steps in and blocks the production of DHT and unlike other medications does not with react with testosterone.
Procerin has been scientifically designed to help men retain and regrow their hair. The 17 active ingredients are all-natural herbal, vitamin, and mineral DHT inhibitors and include, Saw Palmetto Berries, Gotu Kola, Nettles, Magnesium, Zinc Sulfate, Siberian Ginseng, Vitamin B-6, Pumpkin Seed Meal, CJ-11 Factor, CJ-9 Factor, and Mura Puma Root, because the Procerin hair loss product for men contains only natural ingredients the only known side effects are mild stomach discomfort for the first few days, if you are suffering an illness it is wise to consult your doctor before use especilly if you are currently taking a MAOI inhibitor.
Studys have shown that Procerin is more effective as a natural hair loss remedy in men aged between 18-35 and those whose hair is still in a growth phase. Men that still have growing hair experience an increase in hair count, and improvement in both hairline and thinning at the crown of their head, becuase hair grows at an extremely slow rate ( about 1" every two months) it best to take Procerin for at 1-2 months before results can be expected, but some users of Procerin have reported good results after only 2 weeks, most men take 1-3 months before before significant increases in hair count occur, not bad comparing to Propecia that can take upto 6 months for good hair growth results.
So does Procerin work? Procerin has had many good results with many success storys and the companys boasts that Procerin the natural hair loss remedy works with 92% of men who suffer androgenetic alopecia the most common cause of hair loss plus Procerin is a cost effective alternative to other hair loss products like Propecia & Rogaine and unlike prescription medication Procerin is backed by a 90-Day Unconditional, No questions asked Money Back Guarantee so you have nothing to lose except your hair of course.
Procerin has been scientifically designed to help men retain and regrow their hair. The 17 active ingredients are all-natural herbal, vitamin, and mineral DHT inhibitors and include, Saw Palmetto Berries, Gotu Kola, Nettles, Magnesium, Zinc Sulfate, Siberian Ginseng, Vitamin B-6, Pumpkin Seed Meal, CJ-11 Factor, CJ-9 Factor, and Mura Puma Root, because the Procerin hair loss product for men contains only natural ingredients the only known side effects are mild stomach discomfort for the first few days, if you are suffering an illness it is wise to consult your doctor before use especilly if you are currently taking a MAOI inhibitor.
Studys have shown that Procerin is more effective as a natural hair loss remedy in men aged between 18-35 and those whose hair is still in a growth phase. Men that still have growing hair experience an increase in hair count, and improvement in both hairline and thinning at the crown of their head, becuase hair grows at an extremely slow rate ( about 1" every two months) it best to take Procerin for at 1-2 months before results can be expected, but some users of Procerin have reported good results after only 2 weeks, most men take 1-3 months before before significant increases in hair count occur, not bad comparing to Propecia that can take upto 6 months for good hair growth results.
So does Procerin work? Procerin has had many good results with many success storys and the companys boasts that Procerin the natural hair loss remedy works with 92% of men who suffer androgenetic alopecia the most common cause of hair loss plus Procerin is a cost effective alternative to other hair loss products like Propecia & Rogaine and unlike prescription medication Procerin is backed by a 90-Day Unconditional, No questions asked Money Back Guarantee so you have nothing to lose except your hair of course.
A Guide To Balding Men's Hairstyles
It’s unbelievable how difficult it is to find any decent information on the internet about balding men’s hairstyles.
You’ll know this yourself if you’ve ever tried to do a search on Google for ‘balding men’s hairstyles’, ‘hairstyles for balding men’, ‘balding hairstyles’ or any other amount of variations on the theme.
This is surprising considering how many balding men there are who deserve a decent hairstyle as much as any one else…
So… faced with this injustice I’ve put together my own guide to balding men’s hairstyles…
It’s a fact that 95% of all balding or bald men suffer from male pattern baldness. Male pattern baldness usually starts with a receding hairline at the front and is frequently accompanied with thinning at the top.
Over time, this thinning turns into a full fledged bald spot, and the bald spot grows to cover the head, apart from the sides and around the back.
Regardless of this, as long as there is a single hair left on my head I’ll still demand a stylish coiffure. So, what balding hairstyle options are available?
The worst balding men’s hairstyle is the comb over. This is the classic look beloved of men of a certain age whereby the hair is grown longer on one side of the head and ‘combed over’ the bald area to the other side.
This strategy only spells disaster even in the slightest of breezes and is to be avoided at all costs.
But assuming you already know this, what are the other do’s and don'ts to balding men’s hairstyles?
The first common mistake is combing the hair straight back. This may cover bald spots, but it only exposes the forehead and draws attention to the receding hairline.
The second is growing your hair longer at the back to make up for what's lacking on top. This unbalances the head and draws even more attention to the scalp and the baldness.
Younger men with thinning hair might be tempted to use gel… but this isn’t recommended. Gel clumps your hair together and reveals the scalp.
Likewise, growing your hair long in an attempt to cover up actually causes hair to separate and show more scalp.
So, what are the do’s?
Get more natural looking fluff to your hair by using mousses and conditioners.
Grow your remaining hair by a few inches, get it layered and brush it forward to break up the receding hairline.
If your hairline isn’t receding too badly, but the top of your head is thinning, you can get away with keeping the front long and combing your hair straight back to cover the bald spot.
Eventually however, your bald spot will expand.
The ultimate balding men’s hairstyle when faced with a shiny bald dome, is to go the whole hog and shave it off or at least a very close trim.
You’ll probably be amazed at people’s reactions and the compliments you’ll get – the shaved look is a totally acceptable balding hairstyle these days.
Start with electric clippers like you find in the barbers. After you've clipped the heavy stuff, lather up with shaving gel. This gives you a closer, smoother shave than shaving cream.
Then using a razor, start at the top and shave down with the grain taking care at the back - it’s recommended to watch what you’re doing with a small mirror.
Shaving your head only takes a few minutes and you don't need to do it every day (two to three times a week is fine).
Taking care of your new shaved head is much like taking care of your face. Wash regularly with moisturizing soap, rather than a harsh deodorant soap that can dry out the skin on your head.
Also use a good quality moisturizer after every wash – cheaper moisturizers will just clog up your pores.
For the summer, find a moisturizer with a sun protection factor of at least 15 to avoid sunburn on your head. And you'll need a warm hat in winter to maintain your body heat.
If shaving doesn't tickle your fancy then you can always opt for a hairpiece as a last resort - though I wouldn't recommend it :-)
You’ll know this yourself if you’ve ever tried to do a search on Google for ‘balding men’s hairstyles’, ‘hairstyles for balding men’, ‘balding hairstyles’ or any other amount of variations on the theme.
This is surprising considering how many balding men there are who deserve a decent hairstyle as much as any one else…
So… faced with this injustice I’ve put together my own guide to balding men’s hairstyles…
It’s a fact that 95% of all balding or bald men suffer from male pattern baldness. Male pattern baldness usually starts with a receding hairline at the front and is frequently accompanied with thinning at the top.
Over time, this thinning turns into a full fledged bald spot, and the bald spot grows to cover the head, apart from the sides and around the back.
Regardless of this, as long as there is a single hair left on my head I’ll still demand a stylish coiffure. So, what balding hairstyle options are available?
The worst balding men’s hairstyle is the comb over. This is the classic look beloved of men of a certain age whereby the hair is grown longer on one side of the head and ‘combed over’ the bald area to the other side.
This strategy only spells disaster even in the slightest of breezes and is to be avoided at all costs.
But assuming you already know this, what are the other do’s and don'ts to balding men’s hairstyles?
The first common mistake is combing the hair straight back. This may cover bald spots, but it only exposes the forehead and draws attention to the receding hairline.
The second is growing your hair longer at the back to make up for what's lacking on top. This unbalances the head and draws even more attention to the scalp and the baldness.
Younger men with thinning hair might be tempted to use gel… but this isn’t recommended. Gel clumps your hair together and reveals the scalp.
Likewise, growing your hair long in an attempt to cover up actually causes hair to separate and show more scalp.
So, what are the do’s?
Get more natural looking fluff to your hair by using mousses and conditioners.
Grow your remaining hair by a few inches, get it layered and brush it forward to break up the receding hairline.
If your hairline isn’t receding too badly, but the top of your head is thinning, you can get away with keeping the front long and combing your hair straight back to cover the bald spot.
Eventually however, your bald spot will expand.
The ultimate balding men’s hairstyle when faced with a shiny bald dome, is to go the whole hog and shave it off or at least a very close trim.
You’ll probably be amazed at people’s reactions and the compliments you’ll get – the shaved look is a totally acceptable balding hairstyle these days.
Start with electric clippers like you find in the barbers. After you've clipped the heavy stuff, lather up with shaving gel. This gives you a closer, smoother shave than shaving cream.
Then using a razor, start at the top and shave down with the grain taking care at the back - it’s recommended to watch what you’re doing with a small mirror.
Shaving your head only takes a few minutes and you don't need to do it every day (two to three times a week is fine).
Taking care of your new shaved head is much like taking care of your face. Wash regularly with moisturizing soap, rather than a harsh deodorant soap that can dry out the skin on your head.
Also use a good quality moisturizer after every wash – cheaper moisturizers will just clog up your pores.
For the summer, find a moisturizer with a sun protection factor of at least 15 to avoid sunburn on your head. And you'll need a warm hat in winter to maintain your body heat.
If shaving doesn't tickle your fancy then you can always opt for a hairpiece as a last resort - though I wouldn't recommend it :-)
A Cure For The Age Old Problem Of Hair Loss
Men aren't the only ones looking for a cure for hair loss. Some women are also affected. One solution is delving into the Internet for answers. Cyberspace will provide you with a number of solutions to this confidence-breaking problem. You can even sift through a variety of reviews posted by individuals who have tried specific products.
Depending on what you're willing to spend, there is surely a cure for hair loss suitable to you. I recall when my older brother began losing his dew toward the end of high school. I felt awkward about this I must admit. Why do some guys start losing their hair at such a tender age? Much actually depends on genetics and stress. I'm guessing it was stress in this case since my mother's father has a full head of hair.
If you watch television, then you've most likely spotted a hair loss commercial or two. Those sometimes quirky, yet cheesy ads don't offer much solace when we start going bald up top or the forehead starts to expand. Luckily there are quality solutions at hand. The first step you should take concerning a cure for hair loss is consulting a family doctor or possibly a trichologist. He or she will be able to present you with some decent options.
The good news is many of these products are effective, but not so expensive these days. You can get your hair back. You just need to exhaust your resources in order to pinpoint that perfect cure for hair loss.
This certainly is the simplest choice, but it doesn't have to be your only option. You can find an effective cure for hair loss if you do your homework. In the cosmetically advanced world we currently reside in, there's no reason why you have to take your hair loss like a man.
Are you in desperate search of a cure for hair loss? Many men across the world are going through a daily struggle with hair loss. The inevitable affliction sadly becomes a reality for many of us. Although most men do not prefer a bald scalp, some are taking this route and avoiding the struggle altogether.
This can be helpful in your search for the right and ideal cure for hair loss. You've simply got to love the Internet. If you discover an over-the-counter cure for hair loss, you can likely pick it up at any corner drug store.
Depending on what you're willing to spend, there is surely a cure for hair loss suitable to you. I recall when my older brother began losing his dew toward the end of high school. I felt awkward about this I must admit. Why do some guys start losing their hair at such a tender age? Much actually depends on genetics and stress. I'm guessing it was stress in this case since my mother's father has a full head of hair.
If you watch television, then you've most likely spotted a hair loss commercial or two. Those sometimes quirky, yet cheesy ads don't offer much solace when we start going bald up top or the forehead starts to expand. Luckily there are quality solutions at hand. The first step you should take concerning a cure for hair loss is consulting a family doctor or possibly a trichologist. He or she will be able to present you with some decent options.
The good news is many of these products are effective, but not so expensive these days. You can get your hair back. You just need to exhaust your resources in order to pinpoint that perfect cure for hair loss.
This certainly is the simplest choice, but it doesn't have to be your only option. You can find an effective cure for hair loss if you do your homework. In the cosmetically advanced world we currently reside in, there's no reason why you have to take your hair loss like a man.
Are you in desperate search of a cure for hair loss? Many men across the world are going through a daily struggle with hair loss. The inevitable affliction sadly becomes a reality for many of us. Although most men do not prefer a bald scalp, some are taking this route and avoiding the struggle altogether.
This can be helpful in your search for the right and ideal cure for hair loss. You've simply got to love the Internet. If you discover an over-the-counter cure for hair loss, you can likely pick it up at any corner drug store.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
5 Hot Hair Style Trends For 2006
If 2005 was a time for trendy locks, then 2006 promises to be even trendier. 2005 was the age of the great re-invention, when old styles were rehashed with greater imagination. The basic styles were evidently from the late 60s and the 70s. All could see that the inspiration behind the styles lay firmly at the doors of the good ol' days. But, each new style had that little something- a sizzling zing that gave the old style a completely fresh and stunning look.
Trends in the fashion industry seem to be taking some time in making a global sweep. From the time of its inception, a particular style takes a few years to gain acceptance and a few years still to frizzle out. Accessories are a MUST this year. 'ACCESSORISING RIGHT ' is what 2006 is all about! The 5 hot hairstyles trends that are set to sweep you off your feet in 2006 are as below:
The Hollywood makeover: Classic vintage Hollywood - that's what smooth waves of lush hair with deep side partings remind you of. There are some easy ways to get this look. After a shower, pat dry your hair. Toweling will spoil the effect. Follow this with some finger waving. Pin curling will also achieve this effect. Classic vintage accessories like rhinestones and feathers will complete the look. Ostrich feathers are going to be a rage in the coming year.
The trendy 80s: The 70's have worn themselves off with the whole "Hippie/disco" look finally petering out. Now, it is time to rock with the decade of decadence, as the 80s are often called. Straight is out and crimps are in. More movement, short layering styles and tousled, wind-blown look. Pig-tails are a definite "no-no". Keep a sharp eye for brightly colored sweatshirts, tapering blue jeans and spiky stilettos. Junky jewelry is another 80s passion.
The Beatles reborn: The mod hairstyle of the 50s and 60s has come back in a big way. This new version is shorter, with more texture in the crown, and blunt bangs that almost touch the eyelashes. An ultrashort hairdo and angular cuts will be a rage in 2006. Colors and highlights give extra depth to the hair, and reflect the more playful and experimental attitude of the times.
Asymmetric cuts: Extreme angles and blunt edges give this hairdo a sculptural look. The unexpected blunt edges make this a rather extreme and edgy trend. There is no blending and smooth transition here. An asymmetric cut where one side is longer than the other makes 2006 an exciting time for youngsters who do not mind experimenting. The angle at which the hair is cut can be a gentle slope or even a drastic plummet. People who have very short hair can turn this style to their advantage. Fun patterns carved into the side of the head makes this style a real showstopper.
The Mohawk style: Another versatile style that people with short hair can wear beautifully. This style is well suited for both guys and girls, long-haired and short-haired. The classic Mohawk style has a narrow strip of hair down the middle of the scalp. This was also known as the "scalp lock". If the hair is short, use a gel or wax to simply push your hair up in the center of the head. A temporary Mohawk is easily achieved. Just plaster the hair to the sides and push the hair at the center to the top. An authentic Mohawk look will need you to trim the sides and the back of your hair and create an elevated "peak" at the center. This style is a little difficult to achieve and maintain.
Trends in the fashion industry seem to be taking some time in making a global sweep. From the time of its inception, a particular style takes a few years to gain acceptance and a few years still to frizzle out. Accessories are a MUST this year. 'ACCESSORISING RIGHT ' is what 2006 is all about! The 5 hot hairstyles trends that are set to sweep you off your feet in 2006 are as below:
The Hollywood makeover: Classic vintage Hollywood - that's what smooth waves of lush hair with deep side partings remind you of. There are some easy ways to get this look. After a shower, pat dry your hair. Toweling will spoil the effect. Follow this with some finger waving. Pin curling will also achieve this effect. Classic vintage accessories like rhinestones and feathers will complete the look. Ostrich feathers are going to be a rage in the coming year.
The trendy 80s: The 70's have worn themselves off with the whole "Hippie/disco" look finally petering out. Now, it is time to rock with the decade of decadence, as the 80s are often called. Straight is out and crimps are in. More movement, short layering styles and tousled, wind-blown look. Pig-tails are a definite "no-no". Keep a sharp eye for brightly colored sweatshirts, tapering blue jeans and spiky stilettos. Junky jewelry is another 80s passion.
The Beatles reborn: The mod hairstyle of the 50s and 60s has come back in a big way. This new version is shorter, with more texture in the crown, and blunt bangs that almost touch the eyelashes. An ultrashort hairdo and angular cuts will be a rage in 2006. Colors and highlights give extra depth to the hair, and reflect the more playful and experimental attitude of the times.
Asymmetric cuts: Extreme angles and blunt edges give this hairdo a sculptural look. The unexpected blunt edges make this a rather extreme and edgy trend. There is no blending and smooth transition here. An asymmetric cut where one side is longer than the other makes 2006 an exciting time for youngsters who do not mind experimenting. The angle at which the hair is cut can be a gentle slope or even a drastic plummet. People who have very short hair can turn this style to their advantage. Fun patterns carved into the side of the head makes this style a real showstopper.
The Mohawk style: Another versatile style that people with short hair can wear beautifully. This style is well suited for both guys and girls, long-haired and short-haired. The classic Mohawk style has a narrow strip of hair down the middle of the scalp. This was also known as the "scalp lock". If the hair is short, use a gel or wax to simply push your hair up in the center of the head. A temporary Mohawk is easily achieved. Just plaster the hair to the sides and push the hair at the center to the top. An authentic Mohawk look will need you to trim the sides and the back of your hair and create an elevated "peak" at the center. This style is a little difficult to achieve and maintain.
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