Healthy Grocery Shopping Tips!

Grocery shopping is something we all have to do, even
though choosing the right foods can be very hard
indeed. To assist you with your healthy grocery
shopping, the tips below can indeed help make things
easier than ever before:

1. Never go grocery shopping on an empty stomach.

2. Select canned fruits and tuna that are packed in
water, not oil or syrup.

3. Look at the labels for the words "hydrogenated"
or "partially hydrogenated". The earlier you see
them appear on the list, the higher the amount of
unhealthy trans fatty acids the food will contain.

4. Don't buy turkey with the skin on it, and if
you plan to buy chicken - buy a chicken breast
meal.

5. When you select frozen dinners, select those
that are not only low in fat, but low in sodium
and cholesterol as well.

6. If you aren't consuming enough dairy products,
go with calcium fortified orange juice instead.

7. Go for whole grain breads, cereals, and rolls.

8. Give cantaloupe a try. With just 95 calories,
half of the melon will provide more than a day's
supply of Vitamin C and beta carotene.

9. Don't be tricked into buying yogurt covered
by nuts or raisins, as the coating is normally
made of sugar and partially hydrogenated oils.

10. Get some of the low fat treats, such as
pretzels, ginger snaps, and angel food cake.

By following the above tips when grocery shopping,
you'll avoid the bad foods and get those that you
need. There are many different healthy foods at
the grocery store, all it takes is the will power
to go past the bad foods and on to the good ones.


Make it a great day!

Chris Walker

Kitchener's Weight Loss expert!

Chris Walker has helped thousands obtain " permanent weight loss, quick and easy everytime!" To download a free copy of "Why Can't I Lose Weight? How to lose 10 pounds in 30 days visit http://www.chriswalkersfitness.com/

5 Tips For People Who Don't Want To Exercise!

All around you, people are waking up to the fact that some type of daily exercise is important. Still, you can't seem to get up the motivation to settle into an exercise routine. Before you reach for that box of doughnuts and turn on the television, here are five tips that may help to motivate you to get up and get moving today.

Tip # 1 - You'll Live Longer

People who get at least some exercise often live more years than persons who are essentially sedentary. If you want to be around to see what the world looks like in twenty, thirty, or fifty years, you are much less likely to achieve this goal if you are not at least engaging in some activity such as walking or biking.

Tip # 2 - You'll Have A Stronger Body

Your body needs to move in order to keep muscles working properly. This also goes for such muscles as your heart as well as those biceps, triceps and all the other muscles around the body. A strong body provides you with the basis to do many things that simply cannot be accomplished when the body is out of shape and run down.

Tip # 3 - You'll Have A Better Mind

Exercise helps to release chemicals known as endorphins into the bloodstream. Endorphins are one of several chemicals that help to keep our brains and other parts of the nervous system functioning properly. Getting up and working out will help to provide your brain with what it needs to operate at optimum efficiency, keep your nerves balanced, and result in an outlook and emotional capacity that leaves you ready for anything life happens to throw your way.

Tip # 4 - You'll Have More Confidence

Being in decent shape means not having to dig around for "big" clothes, have trouble being comfortable in an airplane, or fretting about the fact that the seatbelt on the car seat seems to get shorter every few months. Exercise helps to keep the body proportioned properly so it is easier to look good in what you wear, and feel comfortable and confident going anywhere you please.

Tip # 5 - You'll Enjoy A Better Sex Life

Exercise helps to condition the body for activity. Hardly anyone would not regard sex as an activity that is not pleasant and desirable. However, it is an activity that requires some level of endurance and physical response if the maximum amount of benefit is to be derived. If for no other reason, regular exercise will help you be more responsive during sex and enjoy orgasm to a degree you never thought possible.

Whether you think in terms of short term or long term goals, regular exercise just makes sense. Don't waste another day denying yourself the benefits of regular exercise. Get off the couch today and begin your new way of life. You'll be happy that you did.


Make it a great day!

Chris Walker

Kitchener's Weight Loss expert!

Chris Walker has helped thousands obtain " permanent weight loss, quick and easy everytime!" To download a free copy of "Why Can't I Lose Weight? How to lose 10 pounds in 30 days visit http://www.chriswalkersfitness.com/

Give yourself a pat on the back!

A quick search on the internet brings up the following definitions of the word reward:

Payment made in return for a service rendered
An act performed to strengthen approved behavior
Recompense in recognition of someone's behavior or actions

Do you reward yourself for your achievements?

Many people lack motivation when working for themselves or striving towards their goals because they do not realise the importance of rewarding themselves. When we are in full time employment, we are rewarded with a salary for work done. If our work is exceptional we sometimes receive bonuses, another reward.

There are many types of reward given by employers, such as:

Pay increase
Monthly/Annual bonus
Shares
Commission
Extra holiday
Gifts, ie bottle of wine/champagne/flowers
Certificate of merit
Extra training
Promotion
Recognition

Employers know that rewards are a great tool for motivating employees. An employee who receives a reward often feels good about themselves and realises that it is their efforts which are being rewarded, they are also more likely to want to put in more effort in future. A reward often acts as a reminder that your hard work has paid off.

When you are working for yourself or towards a goal, it is essential to reward your own hard work and achievements. It is important to reward yourself when you reach any goal because:

It feels good
It will motivate you further
It shows you are making progress
It is a reminder that working hard pays off
It celebrates the achievement of a goal
It helps you to measure your progress

You should reward ALL your achievements, whether it is a long term or short term goal. If you have a long term goal you should break it down into smaller, more achievable short term goals and reward yourself for achieving each of them. The reward does not necessarily have to be financial, it could simply be a long hot bath, as long as it is something which will make you feel good about your achievement.

Let's say for example that you are training to run a marathon. The long term goal would be to finish the marathon. In order to achieve the long term goal you would need to increase your fitness and stamina, therefore it is essential to set specific short term goals which will help you do so. Perhaps you could target yourself to run a mile twice a week, increasing the distance by half a mile each week. Many people stop here when setting goals, not realising the benefits of rewarding their achievements. It is easy to say "I'll skip it tonight" or "I'll do two miles next time." Many people fall into this trap because the achievement of the goal is not an incentive for all the hard work put into achieving it.

A reward acts as an incentive, if your goal is to run a mile, maybe you could reward yourself with a new pair of training shoes. Once you are running five miles you may buy an MP3 player so you can listen to music while you run. As your fitness increases you will be able to run longer distances, reward each milestone to stay motivated. You must also set an appropriate reward for your long term goal. For finishing the marathon you could book a weekend away with your partner in a nice hotel.

We all want to achieve our goals, however, we sometimes need a push in the right direction. By rewarding yourself for each goal reached, you will stay motivated and increase your chances of success.


Make it a great day!

Chris Walker

Kitchener's Weight Loss expert!

Chris Walker has helped thousands obtain " permanent weight loss, quick and easy everytime!" To download a free copy of "Why Can't I Lose Weight? How to lose 10 pounds in 30 days visit http://www.chriswalkersfitness.com/

The Importance of Fiber in Your Diet!

You’ve finally accepted the need for diet. That’s great. You’ve gone past the denial stage already- something that’s more than you can say for other people. But there’s more to ponder, like what type of diet should benefit you?

If you don’t have any answers for that at the moment, we suggest that you give a closer look at the importance of fiber in your diet. It could lose you a lot of pounds!

Fiber? What Fiber?
Food with fiber should always be a part of everyone’s diet. Fiber helps in treating many digestive disorders, especially those having to do with the colon or the large intestine.

Where On Earth Can You Find Fiber?
There are several tasty sources of fiber that you can include in your diet: whole grain foods and breads, certain types of fruits, root vegetables such as potatoes, and raw and fresh vegetables.

How Can Fiber Help You?
There are a number of ways that the inclusion of fiber in your diet will help in improving and maintaining good health:

Twin Problems: Diarrhea and Constipation
It doesn’t matter which of the two you’re suffering from because both digestive disorders are equally problematic and irritating. With diarrhea, you need to rush to the comfort room ever so often. With constipation, there’s a physiological urge to do so as well, even if there’s no actual need.

If you have diarrhea, you must increase your intake of fiber. If you are constipating, you must temporarily decrease your intake of fiber. It’s that simple!

Better Weight Management
Do you want to eat less but feel full at the same time? That’s easily achieved with a high-fiber diet. Because fiber is more difficult to chew, the eating process becomes longer and makes you feel full even if you’ve eaten less than you ordinarily do. To maximize the benefits of this technique, you can also drink lots of water while eating your high-fiber meal. By doing both, you’ll feel like you’ve been to a buffet when in actuality, you’ve just eaten a bird-size meal.

Diverticulosis: Worse than IBM
Let’s say that you ignored our advice and neglected treating any of the twin problems we’ve mentioned earlier. If you did, your not-so-little problem will grow into a big one, like diverticulosis. This illness causes small pockets to develop in the colon. If these pockets are in any way infected or become inflamed, calls of nature will become tortuous to answer. A high-fiber diet is de rigeur if you want this illness to vanish.

Longer Intervals between Meals
Besides being harder to chew, fiber is also equally difficult to digest. This will make you feel full for a long, long time, creating a longer interval between meals.

Fiber versus Colon Cancer
Earlier, we’ve talked about the lighter side of things that a high-fiber diet could treat. Now, it’s time to get down to serious business. Colon cancer has been found to be prevalent in the Western region of the globe. It’s curable if the illness is detected and treated immediately, and when symptoms are only starting to manifest. But why wait for colon cancer to develop, right? A high-fiber diet will significantly minimize your risks of developing colon cancer. You should also avoid eating foods with high quantity of carcinogenic ingredients.

Fiber against Glucose
Are you suffering from diabetes or any similar disorder that stems from having too much glucose in your body? If so, you might wish to adhere to a high-fiber diet as well. We’ve already mentioned that fiber is very difficult to digest. This affects the overall digestive system, causing the whole process to slow down. When this happens, glucose also takes a longer time in entering the body. Simply put, more fiber means less glucose. And that’s what you need right now, isn’t it?

Other Ways to Improve Diet and Health
Take it one bite at a time. As long as there’s no need to rush, savor each bite. Eating slowly and chewing your food carefully and completely will make you feel full without consuming as much as you ordinarily do.

Drink lots of water or other liquids, just as long as they don’t contain too much sugar or alcohol.

Lastly, exercise. Diet will get the fats off, but exercise will whip your skin and body back to shape. Good luck!


Make it a great day!

Chris Walker

Kitchener's Weight Loss expert!

Chris Walker has helped thousands obtain " permanent weight loss, quick and easy everytime!" To download a free copy of "Why Can't I Lose Weight? How to lose 10 pounds in 30 days visit http://www.chriswalkersfitness.com/

Problem Solving & Getting rid of excuses!

How many times have you caught yourself saying that there could be no other solution to a problem – and that that problem leads to a dead end? How many times have you felt stumped knowing that the problem laying before you is one you cannot solve. No leads. No options. No solutions.

Did it feel like you had exhausted all possible options and yet are still before the mountain – large, unconquerable, and impregnable? When encountering such enormous problems, you may feel like you're hammering against a steel mountain. The pressure of having to solve such a problem may be overwhelming.

But rejoice! There might be some hope yet!

With some creative problem-solving techniques you may be able to look at your problem in a different light. And that light might just be the end of the tunnel that leads to possible solutions.

First of all, in the light of creative problem-solving, you must be open-minded to the fact that there may be more than just one solution to the problem. And, you must be open to the fact that there may be solutions to problems you thought were unsolvable.

Now, with this optimistic mindset, we can try to be a little bit more creative in solving our problems.

Number one; maybe the reason we cannot solve our problems is that we have not really taken a hard look at what the problem is. Here, trying to understanding the problem and having a concrete understanding of its workings is integral solving the problem. If you know how it works, what the problem is, then you have a better foundation towards solving the problem.

Not trying to make the simple statement of what problem is. Try to identify the participating entities and what their relationships with one another are. Take note of the things you stand to gain any stand to lose from the current problem. Now you have a simple statement of what the problem is.

Number two; try to take note of all of the constraints and assumptions you have the words of problem. Sometimes it is these assumptions that obstruct our view of possible solutions. You have to identify which assumptions are valid, in which assumptions need to be addressed.

Number three; try to solve the problem by parts. Solve it going from general view towards the more detailed parts of the problem. This is called the top-down approach. Write down the question, and then come up with a one-sentence solution to that from them. The solution should be a general statement of what will solve the problem. From here you can develop the solution further, and increase its complexity little by little.

Number four; although it helps to have critical thinking aboard as you solve a problem, you must also keep a creative, analytical voice at the back of your head. When someone comes up with a prospective solution, tried to think how you could make that solution work. Try to be creative. At the same time, look for chinks in the armor of that solution.

Number five; it pays to remember that there may be more than just one solution being developed at one time. Try to keep track of all the solutions and their developments. Remember, there may be more than just one solution to the problem.

Number six; remember that old adage," two heads are better than one." That one is truer than it sounds. Always be open to new ideas. You can only benefit from listening to all the ideas each person has. This is especially true when the person you're talking to has had experience solving problems similar to yours.

You don't have to be a gung-ho, solo hero to solve the problem. If you can organize collective thought on the subject, it would be much better.

Number seven; be patient. As long as you persevere, there is always a chance that a solution will present itself. Remember that no one was able to create an invention the first time around.

Creative thinking exercises can also help you in your quest be a more creative problems solver.

Here is one example.

Take a piece of paper and write any word that comes to mind at the center. Now look at that word then write the first two words that come to your mind. This can go on until you can build a tree of related words. This helps you build analogical skills, and fortify your creative processes.

So, next time you see a problem you think you can not solve, think again. The solution might just be staring you right in the face. All it takes is just a little creative thinking, some planning, and a whole lot of work.


Make it a great day!

Chris Walker

Kitchener's Weight Loss expert!

Chris Walker has helped thousands obtain " permanent weight loss, quick and easy everytime!" To download a free copy of "Why Can't I Lose Weight? How to lose 10 pounds in 30 days visit http://www.chriswalkersfitness.com/

Does calcium really build strong bones?

Our body needs calcium, there's no denying it. But do you know what you need it for? This is the question that needs to be answered. The body requires the regular intake of calcium to keep the bones and the teeth healthy. The bones require calcium to remain strong, support the body structure and to protect the organs of the body. In case of deficiency in calcium, osteoporosis sets in. Simply put, osteoporosis is a gradual degradation of the bones for want of calcium.

Sources of calcium
Calcium is very essential in maintaining the health of the bone and teeth and there are quite a few foods that are rich in calcium. These foods must be consumed on daily basis to get the required quantity of calcium. Calcium rich foods include: milk, milk products such as cheese, butter, and few vegetables. Tofu, wheat bread, apricot, rye bread, broccoli and cottage cheese do contain good quantity of calcium. Most nuts and cereals also contain calcium in sufficient quantity.

One important factor regarding calcium absorption is the requirement of vitamin D. If you are not getting enough vitamin D from your diet or from the sunlight, you will not properly absorb and use the calcium you get, even if you get an abundant amount of calcium.

Calcium may also be consumed in the form of calcium supplements. Daily consumption of a simple antacid fortified with calcium can help keep the teeth and bone strong and healthy. However, before turning to supplements, every attempt made to consume required quantity of calcium through diet is worth the effort. The important thing to note here is that your required amount of calcium should not be received from supplements alone. Healthy foods rich in calcium, if not providing enough, can be taken with calcium supplements to fulfill the body's daily calcium requirement.

Need for calcium
Growing children require more calcium than the average adult. How can the children grow taller without proper bone growth? How can the bones grow without the help of the calcium and vitamin D? Bone is a mixture of calcium, phosphorous, magnesium and other minerals. Deficiency of calcium or vitamin D will result in diseases like rickets and children affected by this disease may be prone to many other health hazards as well.

The calcium requirement differs at different stages of the life. At some stages the requirement of calcium is more. For example a pregnant women requires more calcium. This is for the development of bone of the baby in the womb. Likewise the lactating mother too requires more calcium than the ordinary women because calcium will be utilized for the milk production. As mentioned earlier the growing children will also need more calcium than the adult man as the bone mass will keep on growing.

Calcium Source for those who have milk intolerance
There are few people who cannot digest milk due to a lack of enzymes that help aid the digestion of milk. As a result, these lactose intolerant people feel sick soon after drinking milk or dairy products. Lactose intolerant people should consider taking calcium lactate supplements to get the calcium they need.


Make it a great day!

Chris Walker

Kitchener's Weight Loss expert!

Chris Walker has helped thousands obtain " permanent weight loss, quick and easy everytime!" To download a free copy of "Why Can't I Lose Weight? How to lose 10 pounds in 30 days visit http://www.chriswalkersfitness.com/

Meditation Techniques!

Meditation refers to a state where your body and mind are consciously relaxed and focused. Practitioners of this art report increased awareness, focus, and concentration, as well as a more positive outlook in life.

Meditation is most commonly associated with monks, mystics and other spiritual disciplines. However, you don’t have to be a monk or mystic to enjoy its benefits. And you don’t even have to be in a special place to practice it. You could even try it in your own living room!

Although there are many different approaches to meditation, the fundamental principles remain the same. The most important among these principles is that of removing obstructive, negative, and wandering thoughts and fantasies, and calming the mind with a deep sense of focus. This clears the mind of debris and prepares it for a higher quality of activity.

The negative thoughts you have – those of noisy neighbors, bossy officemates, that parking ticket you got, and unwanted spam– are said to contribute to the ‘polluting’ of the mind, and shutting them out is allows for the ‘cleansing’ of the mind so that it may focus on deeper, more meaningful thoughts.

Some practitioners even shut out all sensory input – no sights, no sounds, and nothing to touch – and try to detach themselves from the commotion around them. You may now focus on a deep, profound thought if this is your goal. It may seem deafening at first, since we are all too accustomed to constantly hearing and seeing things, but as you continue this exercise you will find yourself becoming more aware of everything around you.

If you find the meditating positions you see on television threatening – those with impossibly arched backs, and painful-looking contortions – you need not worry. The principle here is to be in a comfortable position conducive to concentration. This may be while sitting cross-legged, standing, lying down, and even walking.

If the position allows you to relax and focus, then that would be a good starting point. While sitting or standing, the back should be straight, but not tense or tight. In other positions, the only no-no is slouching and falling asleep.

Loose, comfortable clothes help a lot in the process since tight fitting clothes have a tendency to choke you up and make you feel tense.

The place you perform meditation should have a soothing atmosphere. It may be in your living room, or bedroom, or any place that you feel comfortable in. You might want an exercise mat if you plan to take on the more challenging positions (if you feel more focused doing so, and if the contortionist in you is screaming for release). You may want to have the place arranged so that it is soothing to your senses.

Silence helps most people relax and meditate, so you may want a quiet, isolated area far from the ringing of the phone or the humming of the washing machine. Pleasing scents also help in that regard, so stocking up on aromatic candles isn’t such a bad idea either.

The monks you see on television making those monotonous sounds are actually performing their mantra. This, in simple terms, is a short creed, a simple sound which, for these practitioners, holds a mystic value.

You do not need to perform such; however, it would pay to note that focusing on repeated actions such as breathing, and humming help the practitioner enter a higher state of consciousness.

The principle here is focus. You could also try focusing on a certain object or thought, or even, while keeping your eyes open, focus on a single sight.

One sample routine would be to – while in a meditative state – silently name every part of you body and focusing your consciousness on that part. While doing this you should be aware of any tension on any part of your body. Mentally visualize releasing this tension. It works wonders.

In all, meditation is a relatively risk-free practice and its benefits are well worth the effort (or non-effort – remember we’re relaxing).

Studies have shown that meditation does bring about beneficial physiologic effects to the body. And there has been a growing consensus in the medical community to further study the effects of such. So in the near future, who knows, that mystical, esoteric thing we call meditation might become a science itself!



Make it a great day!

Chris Walker

Kitchener's Weight Loss expert!

Chris Walker has helped thousands obtain " permanent weight loss, quick and easy everytime!" To download a free copy of "Why Can't I Lose Weight? How to lose 10 pounds in 30 days visit http://www.chriswalkersfitness.com/

It's time to start a Healthy life: your 7 Day Program!

"The Way to Wellness" It's time to start a Healthy life: your 7 day program !

How many times have you gone to sleep at night, swearing you'll go to the gym in the morning, and then changing your mind just eight hours later because when you get up, you don't feel like exercising?

While this can happen to the best of us, it doesn't mean you should drop the ball altogether when it comes to staying fit. What people need to realize is that staying active and eating right are critical for long-term health and wellness -- and that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The more you know about how your body responds to your lifestyle choices, the better you can customize a nutrition and exercise plan that is right for you. When you eat well, increase your level of physical activity, and exercise at the proper intensity, you are informing your body that you want to burn a substantial amount of fuel. This translates to burning fat more efficiently for energy.
In other words, proper eating habits plus exercise equals fast metabolism, which, in turn gives you more energy throughout the day and allows you to do more physical work with less effort.

The true purpose of exercise is to send a repetitive message to the body asking for improvement in metabolism, strength, aerobic capacity and overall fitness and health. Each time you exercise, your body responds by upgrading its capabilities to burn fat throughout the day and night, Exercise doesn't have to be intense to work for you, but it does need to be consistent.

I recommend engaging in regular cardiovascular exercise four times per week for 20 to 30 minutes per session, and resistance training four times per week for 20 to 25 minutes per session. This balanced approach provides a one-two punch, incorporating aerobic exercise to burn fat and deliver more oxygen, and resistance training to increase lean body mass and burn more calories around the block.

Here's a sample exercise program that may work for you:

* Warm Up -- seven to eight minutes of light aerobic activity intended to increase blood flow and lubricate and warm-up your tendons and joints.

* Resistance Training -- Train all major muscle groups. One to two sets of each exercise. Rest 45 seconds between sets.

* Aerobic Exercise -- Pick two favorite activities, they could be jogging, rowing, biking or cross-country skiing, whatever fits your lifestyle. Perform 12 to 15 minutes of the first activity and continue with 10 minutes of the second activity. Cool down during the last five minutes.

* Stretching -- Wrap up your exercise session by stretching, breathing deeply, relaxing and meditating.

When starting an exercise program, it is important to have realistic expectations. Depending on your initial fitness level, you should expect the following changes early on.

* From one to eight weeks -- Feel better and have more energy.

* From two to six months -- Lose size and inches while becoming leaner. Clothes begin to fit more loosely. You are gaining muscle and losing fat.

* After six months -- Start losing weight quite rapidly.

Once you make the commitment to exercise several times a week, don't stop there. You should also change your diet and/or eating habits,' says Zwiefel. Counting calories or calculating grams and percentages for certain nutrients is impractical. Instead, I suggest these easy-to-follow guidelines:

* Eat several small meals (optimally four) and a couple of small snacks throughout the day
* Make sure every meal is balanced -- incorporate palm-sized proteins like lean meats, fish, egg whites and dairy products, fist-sized portions of complex carbohydrates like whole-wheat bread and pasta, wild rice, multigrain cereal and potatoes, and fist-sized portions of vegetable and fruits
* Limit your fat intake to only what's necessary for adequate flavor
* Drink at least eight 8-oz. glasses of water throughout the day
* I also recommend that you take a multi-vitamin each day to ensure you are getting all the vitamins and minerals your body needs.

I suppose that's all I can think of for now.

Make it a great day!

Chris Walker

Kitchener's Weight Loss expert!

Chris Walker has helped thousands obtain " permanent weight loss, quick and easy everytime!" To download a free copy of "Why Can't I Lose Weight? How to lose 10 pounds in 30 days visit http://www.chriswalkersfitness.com/

Exercise and Pregnancy!

Prescribing a medication for pregnant women is a complex process.

Before obstetricians and gynecologists decide which dose of which drug can best treat a condition without putting any harmful side effects on the mother and the baby, they consider the patient’s age, general health, the number of months before delivery, tolerance for medications, and any other drugs the pregnant patient may be taking.

Prescribing exercise on pregnant women has to be just as scientific and precise. The type, intensity, frequency, and duration of a “dose” of exercise are all critical. One person’s healthy, vigorous workout could be hazardous to another. These dangers may be greater in pregnant women because they are more likely to have strains and other serious side effects for the would-be mother.

However, if exercise will be implemented and carried out in a normal, average range, exercise will not have an effect on the overall condition of the pregnancy and especially on labor or delivery.

Pregnancy

Quality prenatal care should be given to a mother during her pregnancy. She should be prepared for the normal delivery of a healthy baby. Complications should be prevented at all costs.

All of these things are boiled down to the fact that a pregnant woman should be cared in such a way that she will not be compelled to do vigorous work but should not also stay in bed and be inactive until she gives birth to her baby.

Consequently, a pregnant woman’s condition varies in relation to the growth and development of the baby in side her womb. Therefore, it is necessary that proper health guidance be provided by her physician during her visit.

Moreover, it is important to keep the pregnant woman’s life active in order to promote good health, not only for her but also for the baby most importantly.

Physical conditions like blood pressure, weight and health status is usually monitored during the pregnant woman’s visit to her doctor. For this reason, it is significant to note that exercise can be the number one factor in order to keep these aspects in good condition.

As the health experts contend, adequate physical and emotional information is needed by a pregnant woman to prepare herself for delivery. She needs practical health messages in keeping herself and the baby healthy.

Hence, for mothers or would-be mothers who are not yet aware why they should exert some effort in engaging into moderate, normal exercise, here is a list of some of its benefits so that you will be able to understand the reason why pregnant women have to exercise regularly:

1. Defiance against fatigue

As muscle becomes fatigued, it produces less force. To accomplish a task like climbing the stairs, for example, or shoveling snow, more units of muscle must be called into play to back up the wearied muscles.

The tired muscles are both less efficient and less effective. Hence, this will just put more strain on the pregnant woman because of the weight that is continuously adding up each day. That is why tired muscles will usually result to leg cramps or sore muscles.

What every pregnant woman must know is that exercise improves the condition of the muscles and their ability to work longer without fatigue.

2. Reduce backaches

Even when you sit or stand, some muscles are working, and such relatively easy postures can tax some muscles and cause fatigue. The muscles of the lower back, for example, can be exhausted and worn out by the effort of keeping erect when a pregnant woman stand still for several hours.

With exercise, a pregnant woman can correct this error by developing her posture.

3. Increase the amount of oxygen

Work and exercise rely on glycogen, a substance produced by the body from complex carbohydrates and stored muscles and liver. The supply of glycogen in the muscles determines and limits the duration of activity. Exercise depletes the glycogen in the muscles and leads to tiredness.

However, when glycogen is depleted by strenuous activity, it is replaced in quantities greater than before, as if the body recognized the need to lay in a larger supply of fuel.

Hence, oxidation is essential for converting glycogen to the energy that pregnant women need to wiggle a finger, flex a muscle, or practice the lungs and heart for some blowing action during normal delivery.

These are just some of the many benefits exercise can bring to pregnant women. Besides, nothing is completely wrong for a pregnant woman doing some moderate exercises. The only important thing to remember is that before starting an exercise program, whether pregnant or not, it is best to consult your doctor. As they say, doctors know best!

Make it a great day!

Chris Walker

Kitchener's Weight Loss expert!

Chris Walker has helped thousands obtain " permanent weight loss, quick and easy everytime!" To download a free copy of "Why Can't I Lose Weight? How to lose 10 pounds in 30 days visit http://www.chriswalkersfitness.com/

Develop your intuition!

Have you had that experience when all of a sudden you just had this huge hunch that something is about to happen, and to your surprise, that intuition was eventually translated to reality?

When you feel strongly about something without logical basis to it, that's called intuition. It comes in three impressions: clairvoyance or "the third eye", sensing clearly and feeling through listening.

Clairvoyance is when your eye goes beyond what it can see. This is when you know what is happening somewhere.

Sensing clearly is basically what we refer to as "hunch" or "gut feel." This is the time when you are overwhelmed with a feeling and you can't explain it and all you can say is "I just know."

On the other hand, feeling through listening or clairaudience is being able to "listen" between the lines. Intuition also happens at times when a certain sound, whatever it is - be it a car's honk or a bird's twitting - ushers in an intense feeling.

They say only a number of people are gifted with intuition. Astrologers even insist that people born under the Scorpio or Pisces signs are naturally intuitive it almost borders on E.S.P. But studies have been sprouting left and right that proclaim that anyone can develop intuition.

Why the need to develop intuition, you ask? Why not let your emotional and psychological state as it is? First and foremost, intuition promotes good communication. It makes you more sensitive to the people around you; it often keeps you from hurting those you love because you are intuitive enough to understand them. Intuition also makes you far more creative than ever. Intuition means releasing more creative juices for any means of expression. Lastly, intuition has a healing power. This healing power is not in the physical sense, but in delving deep into your soul to eradicate some negative energy buried in it.

With that being said, are you ready to develop your intuition? Here are some ways to unlock this gift:

1. Hypnosis

Oh yes, get yourself hypnotized. Hypnosis is not limited to watching a pendulum move back and forth. Perform self-hypnosis or you can avail of hypnotic programs that can strengthen your intuition.

2. Meditation

Meditating means finding peace in yourself. If your mind and heart are cluttered with too many baggage and hurt, you wouldn't be able to quiet down that part of you that could eventually initiate intuition. There are so many ways to meditate: take a yoga class, or just simply practice some breathing that could bring you straight to Zen.

3. Think positive!

A worry-free, fear-free state could do so much to improve your intuitive ability. By staying positive, you attract good energy that would be able to easily recognize imminent feelings and events.

4. Just let go.

What does this mean? If you are on the brink of making a huge decision, let go of all the inhibitions and head to a quiet place where you could find out where the letting go has brought you. Sometimes you just have to listen to the voice within you, and that voice wouldn't come out unless you let go.

5. Never expect.

After letting go of the inhibitions and all those things that stop you from thinking and feeling clearly, never expect for an answer right away. Never expect that the "hunch" would fall on your lap immediately. Give it a little time then you'd just get surprised that -- wham! -- now you have your answer.

6. Believe in your first impressions.

When you see someone for the first time and think that he is a bit too arrogant for your taste, chances are that impression actually holds true. Most of the time, first impressions are brought by intuition.

7. Stay happy!

See? All you need to be intuitive is to stay happy! Happiness attracts immense power and such power includes intuition. In tapping your intuition, your motivation must be happiness and contentment. Given that premise, intuition will fall to you easily.

Intuition is helpful, because sometimes it leads you to something that cannot be achieved otherwise. A lot of lives have been saved by intuition alone. Decisions are easier done if armed by this gift. Develop intuition now and reap benefits you have never imagined.


Make it a great day!

Chris Walker

Kitchener's Weight Loss expert!

Chris Walker has helped thousands obtain " permanent weight loss, quick and easy everytime!" To download a free copy of "Why Can't I Lose Weight? How to lose 10 pounds in 30 days visit http://www.chriswalkersfitness.com/