Why Health Equals Wealth

When it comes to health and wellness and improving your quality of life, it isn't always the cheapest to do so. The costs of eating properly, gym memberships, personal training, high quality workout apparel, and high quality supplements can take up room in your purse or wallet. While this may be dismal for excuses not to live a healthy lifestyle, opting out for cheaper convenience may opt more on your own health in the long run.

Often from some people complain about the costs of a gym membership. Instead of paying $40 a month at a local gym just right around the corner, people will pay for a cheaper gym farther away from their own home. While it might save you money in a front end perspective when going to a cheaper gym, the costs of gas increase and as well as the sacrifice of convenience. If the more expensive gym is closer to your home versus the cheaper one, you are more likely to stick to your workout routines and be consistent with a foot in a gym if it were right next door.

If you're new to the gym scene, hiring a personal trainer might seem extravagant. But if you have someone to teach you how to use the workout machines, create a workout routine specified towards your goals, and teach you proper form of exercises prescribed, you'll be ahead of the pack in terms of workout efficiency. So instead of wasting months and months on what works for you through trial and error, why not spend a few hundred to get you on the right track off the get go.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/John_O'Riley/228453

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9247034

Do You Eat Your Fruits and Vegetables Every Day?

What is the recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables? Depending on age, gender, and calorie intake, a person should consume 1.5 to 2 cups of fruit and 2 to 3 cups of vegetables a day. WOW! That is a lot of apples and carrots. Now if you eat some with your breakfast, for a morning snack, some at lunch, some for an afternoon snack, some at dinner and some at a nighttime snack you can get your daily amount in. When you think about the size of your stomach, about the size of your fist, just one cup can fill you up without eating anything else. Unless you are a vegetarian or Vegan, you may want more than just fruits and vegetables at each meal. There is another factor regardless of portion size that needs to be considered. Are the fruits and veggies you are buying giving you what you need?

The larger vegetables of today actually have less nutrients in them than the smaller ones from the past. Why? Because they are made up of mostly dry matter (carbohydrates). The reason for the size increase is because consumers tend to buy the larger produce thinking they are getting more for their money. These enhanced vegetables have gone through the "genetic dilution effect", so even though they are bigger, they carry less nutrients. Also, growers use fertilizers to speed up the growth process so they can harvest more, more often. This means that the vegetables have less time to absorb the nutrients from the earth, the exact nutrients we are trying to get by eating them. This is done so that growers can get more yield each year from several harvest and make more money.

Now if you have the time to purchase fruits and vegetables and prepare them every day then the best way to go is organic. These types tend to cost more but you will get more out of them. These types of fruits and vegetables are typically grown naturally without the use of chemicals such as pesticides or fertilizer. You can usually find them in your local grocery store and farmers markets. They tend to not be as big as the other kind, but as I mentioned before, bigger is not better. Buying fresh means you need to consume them quickly or they go bad and you have just wasted a lot of money.

If you are like me and do not have the time to do this because of a super busy life with work and a child I highly recommend "Greens". I take this every day. Greens help balance your body's pH levels and give you the nutritional boost of 8+ servings of fruits and vegetables with every glass.

l

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amy_J_Arbour

Did you find this article helpful? 0 0

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8479474

Get The Right Natural Supplements For Your Body

A lot of people take natural supplements to bridge the nutrition gap of their body, but the question arises here is that, are you taking the right supplements? The answer to this question lies in your body itself. It is very important for an individual to first evaluate the requirements of his/her body and then reach on to any conclusions. What happens sometimes is that we take the wrong supplements which is very dangerous as the intensity of a nutrient with normal value in your body increases causing some kind of body malfunction or disease.

I have also seen people taking medicines to lower their nutrition gap which is not the right way. Medicines have side effects and can cause some deadly diseases like cancer or a heart stroke. We should make use of the natural substances rather than these artificial medicines, as the natural substances do not have any side effects whatsoever. On the contrary, they repair other body organs which like getting a bonus for doing nothing extraordinary. Most people suffer from heart diseases and over weight problems these days and these two problems arise from the bad routine that we follow. Lack of exercise, junk food and less sleep are the common factors for getting those deadly diseases.

Obesity is a deadly disease because if you don't get fit in time, then your cholesterol level, sugar level and HP level will increase immensely, causing you a heart attack. You can take the help of the natural supplements by properly evaluating the needs of your body. Nature has everything stored for us and with proper knowledge, we can cure any kind of disease. If you are suffering from overweight problem, then there are a few things that you can do in your daily life to overcome it:

Drink Water: Drink 12-15 glasses of water on a daily basis, and try to drink normal or Luke warm water because cold water is harmful for the muscles.

Eat Fibrous Food: Eat fibrous food like cucumber, Beetroot, Onion, fruits and vegetables because they are easy to digest and have high nutritional value.

Avoid Junk Food: Junk food is made up of refined flour and refined oil, which is not good for health. Refined flour does not get digested easily too, thus making you fat.

Exercise And Gym: A routine of proper exercise and work out is very important. Sitting idle in the office and just clicking and typing is considered as work, so you have to do some physical exercise to make yourself fit and healthy. Sitting idle will create a thick layer of plaque in your arteries, making blood clots and initiating a heart attack.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Shaffer

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8480647

8 Supercharged Foods

Are you feeling worn down and fatigued? Before you reach for that energy drink try some of these all natural supercharged energy foods to put that pep back in your step!

1. Eggs - Eggs contain a ton of protein and numerous vitamins including many B-vitamins and vitamin D in a small package. Vitamin D helps keep your immune system running smoothly while B-vitamins help convert food into energy. Talk about a substantial energy boost.

2. Sweet potato - Being a carbohydrate, sweet potatoes pack a punch when it comes to energy. They help fuel the body in the form of glucose which energizes the brain and central nervous system (plus a bunch of other functions). The high carb load of sweet potatoes along with its load of vitamin A and C will help you stave off fatigue any time of the day with a perfect snack.

3. Honey - Want nature's natural energy drink? Try a spoon full of honey! It helps refuel and replenish muscles during and after a workout due to it acting as a time released sweetener.

4. Bananas -Bananas are loaded with fructose, sucrose, and glucose, this can provide a substantial boost of energy. But combine this with its high fiber load and you get a sustained boost of energy.

5. Spinach - This food rocks! Spinach is one of the most nutrient dense foods there is. Loaded with iron, vitamin C, and antioxidants spinach provides a great energy boost by replenishing any nutrients you may be running low on which helps make the body run more smoothly, leaving you feeling revitalized!

6. Beans -Beans offer your protein and the energy boost of a carbohydrate! Likewise, beans are loaded with fiber meaning they will stick with you longer, balancing out your energy level. Plus they are loaded with magnesium and iron which can help boost energy levels.

7. Nuts - Nuts are of America's favorite snacks and for good reason. Nuts provide a ton of nutrients like manganese, riboflavin, copper, selenium, vitamin E and a good dose of heart healthy omega-3s. These nutrients will help your revitalize and reboost one handful at a time.

8. Yogurt - Protein plus calcium plus magnesium, yogurt offers a plethora of options that help energize us. Magnesium is crucial for energy release while the protein helps us stay fuller longer.
Bonus Supercharger: Exercise - Get out and exercise. Exercise is one of the best energy boosters there is. It gets your blood pumping, oxygen flowing and endorphins releasing to cause you to feel more energized but also just gives you a greater sense of well being. An endorphin rush can go a long way!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=J._R._Anderson

Healthy Nutrient Rich Diet for Good Health

In order for the human body to function properly, it should be fed the right balance of vitamins and nutrients in order to have a good nutrient rich diet. There are three primary macro-nutrients in our daily diet which we consume, these are: protein, fat, and carbohydrates.
Without these macro-nutrients, our bodies wouldn't be able to function on a proper level. Since our body cannot synthesize vitamins in a sufficient quantity, these vitamins must be obtained from outer dietary sources. Our bodies also require several minerals for smooth function.
Calcium and phosphorous, for example, aside from being an important source of mineral which in turn aides in the strengthening and lengthening of your bones and is also needed by the heart to pump the circulatory system efficiently. Salt, aside from adding flavor to your dishes, contains sodium and chlorine which will help in maintaining fluid balance and producing digestive juices, respectively.
Mineral salts are ionic in nature, they regulate pH levels in your blood and body. The maintenance of proper pH levels is crucial and essential for the proper functioning of the body, a balanced supply of necessary mineral nutrients ensures the natural pH balances in the body are maintained.
There are also minerals which we require in a smaller amount, such as iron, iodine and zinc. While only very small levels are required, several ailments will emanate when insufficient mineral intake causes to not being able to meet the recommended daily dietary allowance suggested overtime.
You can consume both macro-minerals and trace elements from a variety of dietary sources. If your diet is deficient in essential nutrients, taking dietary supplements on a regular basis is highly recommended.
Beside mineral nutrients, the body needs water, your body needs to keep properly hydrated. A recommended 6 to 8 glasses of water a day should be more than sufficient for the average person, even though if you have a very active lifestyle, your requirement will be much higher.
Drinking the sufficient amounts of daily fluids is essential for the growth and maintenance of your body. Fluids such as water are also important in the elimination of unwanted and harmful substances and toxins from your system. Alkaline water, called so because of its intense alkaline pH, is believed to have benefits on the body by reducing its blood acidity.
This trend is brought about through the heightened awareness the public has to alkaline water benefits. Manufacturers of such alkaline water additives have claimed that regular consumption of alkaline water can protect against cancer and may even slow down the aging process. Alkaline water which is also called ionized water, its preparation is mineral-rich and consequently keeps the blood pH at a neutral state.
It is known that certain foods, most notably carbonated drinks and junk foods, can and will make the blood acidic. When it is not neutralized, acidic blood that can have deterioration effects, and may cause lethargy and abnormal heart rhythms.
Still there are those who do not believe in alkaline water benefits stating that these are overstated. The argument between believers and non-believers essentially fuels interest for this product. Ultimately, the users of alkaline water are the only ones' that can testify to whether or not alkaline water works, and the present consensus is that it does work.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jaime_L_Pagan

4 Nutrition and Fitness Facts That You Probably Didn't Know

These days there is so much junk that clogs up the internet in regards to fitness that it's hard to keep up. With new research coming out daily, it's difficult because what you know now can be obsolete tomorrow. Let's look at four of the more interesting tidbits that we all should be more educated about.

1. How many should I cut to lose weight?
There are roughly 3500 calories in one pound of body weight. So if you were to have a 500 calorie a day deficit in your diet then you could potentially lose a pound per week. That being said, as you cut your calories to a certain extent your metabolism starts to slow down. Instead of cutting 500 calories form your diet; try cutting only 200 calories (1800 daily calories). This sets yourself up for a more sustainable weight loss that can take you further then quick diet restriction.

2. Can I spot-train to burn specific regions of fat?
Nope you sure can't! Doing all those crunches will not reduce the fat specifically from the abs but it will cause muscle growth there. Through your diet you can decrease the fat throughout your body which will help the muscles underneath that region show more. That is exactly how you get toned.

3. Are all supplements the same?
First and foremost, multivitamins are great for overall health and immune function. The problem is that many multivitamins are not absorbed very well by the digestive system because they are synthetics. Likewise, a Consumer Report study indicated that almost all store-bought pill multivitamins were practically the same; so buy the cheap stuff! An alternative is liquid multivitamins. They are easier to take for those that have problems swallowing pills and they have been found to be absorbed faster (already dissolved and ready to use) then pills.

4. Should obese individuals start-off with running?
Obese individuals should not start off on a running routine because it can lead to injury and dropout from the exercise routine. Being obese puts more pressure on your joints, especially when running on pavement; the constant joint pounding can cause injury. Starting out too hard too fast can cause the individual to be sore or just quit the program. One way to begin is by briskly walking for 45 minutes each day until you build up your exercise efficiently and lose body weight. Eventually you can progress into a running routine.

Conclusion
New research always is coming to light that shapes our views on fitness. Keep these four topics in mind next time you are trying to lose weight, choose a multivitamin, or develop an exercise plan!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=J._R._Anderson

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8275525

Restoring Your Health Through Mindful Eating

Now that the holidays and their distractions are behind you, have you begun thinking about how to restore or maintain your healthy eating habits and overall wellness? The holiday season can be stressful and cause you to order your priorities poorly. Instead of keeping health and wellness at the top of your list, did it fall to the bottom while you planned parties and shopped for gifts?

Oftentimes, you may find yourself with a few extra pounds of weight and feeling sluggish, stressed, and sometimes even depressed. Are you experiencing these post-holiday health blues? Keep reading to find out how to improve your health and reverse the negative effects the holiday season had on you.

Use food as medicine and approach eating in a mindful way. What is mindful eating? Mindful eating is not a diet or meal plan; instead, it's an emerging approach to health that fosters an awareness of what is going on in your body and mind. It encourages you to become aware of your emotional and physiological motivations to eat. By engaging in mindful eating, you are better able to balance what you eat, the way you eat and why you eat.

Here are three steps to get you started on the path to mindful eating:

Tune into physical characteristics of food - Tuning in to the physical characteristics of food involve using three of your senses: smell, taste and sight. With smell, you take in the aroma of the food. Make note of how it smells, is it a pleasant smell? With taste, make note of how it tastes in your mouth and whether it satisfies your taste buds. Notice how it feels in your mouth and whether you enjoy the texture. With sight, how does it look? Is it appealing to you? Use your mind's eye to envision seeing yourself enjoying what you eat.

Tune into repetitive habits and the process of eating - Notice your daily eating patterns. Take note of what times of the day you eat and what activities you are doing that may contribute to mindless eating. These include watching television while you eat, eating at your desk while writing emails, or standing over the sink shoving food into your mouth. Also take notice of whom else is present while eating and what they might be eating; sometimes we like company and eat just because the other person is eating or is present.

Tune into mindless eating triggers - There are certain habits, activities, places, emotions and people that can trigger your eating habits and cause you to eat when you are not even aware of it. You must strive to become aware of what prompts you to eat. Take a deep look at your physical, emotional and environmental triggers. If you know how to recognize your triggers, then you can better anticipate them and catch yourself before you plunge and maybe even begin to change your habits.

Mindful eating is a long-term commitment and takes lots of practice. The main key to this approach is observation. You must first learn to observe your body cues, such as hunger, satiety and energy level. Second, you must observe your psychological state by being aware of your thoughts and emotional triggers. You will get lots of information by observing your mind and your body.

Practice being in the moment; this is easier said than done since most of us run on autopilot much of the time. Sometimes it's easier to fall back on habit or routine rather than being in the moment. Habit and routine take the enjoyment and excitement out of everything and leave you feeling empty and numb. People often eat in an effort to fill the emptiness, however mindless eating only adds to the emptiness. When you are in the moment, you are more apt to notice things as they are happening. Furthermore, you are more aware of how your food tastes, smells, feels in your mouth, and whether it satisfies your hunger or leaves you feeling bloated and sluggish. Practice being in the moment by avoiding eating in front of the television, while driving, or while engaging in other activities and multitasking.

Mind your environment. Create a mindful environment to avoid a toxic environment. Mindful eating environments include those that do not include distractions, are comfortable and promote mindful eating.

Learning and practicing mindful eating will put you on the path to improved health and wellness for the rest of your life. You'll experience increased energy levels, weight loss or maintenance, and an overall sense of peace with food.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bonnie_R_Giller

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8282491