5 Ways to Age-Proof Your Body While You Still Can

Early humans only lived to 30, and our bodies haven't entirely caught up to our long lives.


 April M. Short

Despite the fact that the average life expectancy for American men is 77 years, your body begins to lose its fortitude earlier than you might have thought. “You start to lose strength in your twenties,” as Jordan Metzl, a sports doctor in Manhattan, told GQ magazine.

Our early human ancestors only lived until roughly 30, and our bodies haven’t completely evolved to match our modern-day longevity, as GQ explained in a recent article“How to Old-Proof Your Body (While You're Still Young).” So, you pretty much peak in your 30s, and it’s all downhill from there.

But don’t freak out because if you start now, there are simple (though sometimes strenuous) steps you can take to improve your betting odds against the Grim Reaper. Here are 5 of the best tips GQ has for age-proofing your body. (Their tips were man-centric, but the following can apply to either sex.):

1. That is according to the authors of a study by the Centre for Research in Epidemiology and Population Health, in France. The study found that memory might actually begin to flicker as early as 45, and suggested that heart health equals head health.Cardio prevents memory slippage.

2. Roll out your soon-to-be-creaky joints.

“Every day, grab a foam roller—those long logs in a gym that look like American Gladiators weapons—and roll out every major body part for a minute each.”

3. Stretching throughout the day keeps your hunchback away.

“Think about your daily movements, whether they're typing or wiping your ass: It's all about bending forward. … So every few hours at work, toss your hands behind your head and stretch for few minutes; you'll open your chest and bend yourself back upright.”

4. Low impact exercise, calcium and vitamin D all help keep you standing tall, literally.

“[Men] lose about half an inch per decade, starting in your forties,” GQ explains. NYU spine doctor Jeffrey Goldstein said this is because of spinal-disk degeneration and bone weakening. “It'll happen even faster for runners, heavy laborers, and others who stress their spines,” GQ wrote.

5. You won’t live to 90 if you’re overweight.

Lew Hollander, the world's oldest Ironman competitor at 84, told GQ: "There are no fat old people. Show me one. Show me a 90-year-old fat person. They don't exist! Who's 90 years old? The little old man—well, he's not fat, and that's how he got old.”

http://www.alternet.org/personal-health/5-ways-age-proof-your-body-while-you-still-can

9 LIES OVERWEIGHT WOMEN LIKE TO TELL THEMSELVES

BY ROGER JAMES


All overweight women do it. The little white lies that we say to cover the undeniable fact that we’re eating too much. During my “chubby years”, when I was still over 200 pounds, I was shopping in the grocery store when one cute little girl came near and said, “Why are you fat?” She quickly ran off to her mom without waiting for me to say a word. And she left me to think about the answer to her question.

Most obese and overweight women have their list of excuses that they tell others and themselves on why they’re overweight. We often make lots of excuses because truth really hurts and facing the reality that we badly need an intervention is even more hurtful. Below, I’ll be sharing with you a list of the most common lies or shall we say – alibis, among overweight women that they like to tell.

1. “This is just water weight.”

Though water retention can cause weight gain, blaming it for a 25 kg excess in your weight is just ridiculous, because that’s retaining 25 liters of fluid in your system. In that case, you would be the equivalent of a huge human sponge or a human camel! To avoid water retention, lessen the intake of salty foods because salt holds water.

2. “I have big bones.”

Our bones normally make about 15% of our total body weight, so a person weighing 85kg can expect a skeletal mass of 15 kilograms. If you are 25kg overweight due to being big boned, your skeletal mass would be almost twice as much as the norm. This is already an extreme case. Though bone weight is not the same from person to person, the differences are only slight.

3. “We have chubby genes”

Do fat parents encourage their kids to eat large portions of food? Are they over feeding them? Let’s face it, overeating is highly addictive and it’s much easier to blame nature for our circumstances. Did you ever stop to think about this? Nobody says it’s easy to shed pounds but why do some people manage to do it all the time?

Though having a genetic predisposition for being fat is truly possible, the truth remains that taking fewer calories will result to weight loss. A healthy food regimen, combined with a consistent exercise routine can neutralize those body-plumping genes.

4.”Healthy foods are too expensive”

This is perhaps the biggest excuse that most overweight women like to tell. It is totally not true. Though unhealthy foods are cheap, they are highly addictive. Soon, you’ll keep eating more slices of pizza, more cookies and more bags of potato chips, not to mention sodas. So, what’s the best go-to snack? Fiber-rich foods that will fill you up for hours. Try snacking on oranges, apples or carrot sticks. These healthy snacks aren’t even that expensive to begin with and will pay off in the long run.

5. “I need more food because I’m heavy”

This is true but should not become an excuse to avoid cutting down safely. A very heavy person with a sedentary lifestyle weighing 350 pounds (25 stone) needs to eat 2300 calories per day as their body will use this amount of calories up doing nothing (see BMR calculator http://www.myfitnesspal.com/tools/bmr-calculator). If you are heavy and want to lose weight you definitely need to cut down food consumption but not all at once. You should reduce your calorie intake gradually over the coming weeks. Start with something manageable like a reduction of 500 calories per day. Then gradually build up until you are at a comfortable number.

6. “Foods can’t be addictive”

This is another huge lie among overweight women. Junk foods and sugar are very addictive; they seem like a drug that we can’t live without. They are enticing and overdosing on these foods is no surprise. It’s not hunger but there’s really something about them that makes us feel better.

Ditch the junk foods in the pantry and eat healthy snacks, vegetables, protein snacks and fruits. Accept it, some foods are and can be addictive. You can survive without them.

7. “I hardly eat anything.”

The foods that made you gain weight aren’t the regular meals. Guess what? It’s the food you eat in between. These are the foods eaten secretly, the sugar-laden snacks and foods eaten at a drive-through fast-food as a treat. They give you that instant energy boost but they don’t last that long or keep you going for long enough.

8. “I don’t have time to exercise.”

You set aside time for the things that rank high in your priorities in life. If achieving fitness through exercise is important for you, then you’ll make time for it. If you are not comfortable jogging or walking outside – maybe because of prying eyes – then joining a health club could be the best solution. Mind you, some women jog with their dogs and just go wherever they want. It all boils down to one thing – determination.

9. “I have slow metabolism.”

According to studies most overweight women’s metabolic rate isn’t that low compared to people of normal weight – with increased fat, the metabolism often goes up and not down. The heavy folks only use the slow metabolism excuse to justify their failure to lose weight.

The Moment of Truth

Overweight women are truly smart in making justifications and excuses for holding excess kilos. If we desire to be healthy, the first thing to do is to accept the truth and take the weight of denial off your shoulder. There’s no hope of shedding even a single pound if all our weight loss lies are still holding us back. In reality, there is no shortcut to weight loss, we have to create a calorie-deficit plan, and this can only be attained through a combination of diet and exercise. This is a good time to start drinking meal replacement smoothies, which you can find here, as part of a sensible weight loss plan.

After that incident in the grocery store, I started changing things for myself and for my family. It was far from quick and easy, and it was not instantaneous. It required time, commitment and sincere intentional effort – to feel better and become healthier. It was a sacrifice that was worth every minute of doing without the cakes, cookies and chips. Though I am still a work in progress, I know I am definitely moving towards my goal of wellness.

How about you? What lies have held you back from achieving the dream of being fit and healthy? Leave a comment and share your own personal story.
http://myjuicecleanserecipes.com/overweight-women/

11 Reasons Dehydration Is Making You Sick And Fat

Adverse effects from not drinking enough water include digestive, skin, bladder and kidney problems, fatigue, and even headaches. We need water as much as the air we breathe in! Keeping your body hydrated is not a joke.

Did you know that dehydration actually sets in just before you start feeling thirsty? Sipping water throughout the day is the best way to handle it. Always have a bottle or a glass of water handy! If you’re not a morning person, having two glasses of water right after you wake up will boost up your blood pressure to normal levels, and it’s way healthier than having your first coffee on an empty stomach.

Many of us believe that merely drinking fluids like sweetened juices, soda or tea will hydrate you as well as water does. This is not true. It’s actually the opposite! To deal with the excess sugar and salt you are taking in your body wastes immense amounts of precious water just to clean it out from your system. And if you love your coffee, make sure to drink one extra glass of water for every cup you have.

Drinking water regularly speeds up your metabolism and makes you feel more ‘full’. You will eat less once you start drinking more! It’s the safest and healthiest way to lose weight. Drink up!

http://themindunleashed.org/2014/09/11-reasons-dehydration-making-sick-fat.html

7 Signs You Have Too Many Toxins In Your Life

BY   BRITTA ARAGON


You think you’re healthy, but you don’t feel vibrant. You struggle to find the energy to get through the day. You’re irritable. Your stomach isn't acting right. And all those headaches!

These types of ailments affect many of us in our daily lives. They’re not serious enough to warrant a trip to the doctor — or maybe you tried only to be told there was nothing wrong — but they still tend to drag you down, wearing away your resistance and leaving you feeling like you’re just getting old.

I have good news for you — it probably has nothing to do with aging. Instead, you may simply be surrounded by too many toxins.

Not sure? Here are seven signs to look for — and how you can clean up your system and feel better in 30 days!

Note: Always check with your doctor to eliminate any possible medical conditions as causes of these symptoms.

1. Consistent fatigue

Even if you’re sleeping well, you may fight to get through the day. This could be a sign that your body is working too hard to get rid of the toxins you’re pouring into it. How do you cope with fatigue? If you’re answer is “more coffee” or “sweet foods,” you can bet that you’re only making the problem worse. That fatigue could also be in response to hormone disruptors that are zapping your immune system.

2. Stubborn weight gain

It’s never easy to lose weight, but if you’re exercising daily and cutting back on calories and you’re still putting on the pounds, you could be looking at a hormonal problem. Strangely enough, our natural hormone function can be greatly affected by the toxins in our foods and personal care products. You need a complete detox of your diet and personal care routine to give your body a fighting chance.

3. Bad breath

You brush and brush, chew gum, rinse, and swallow breath mints, and still, you can’t get rid of it. Bad breath is often related to digestive problems, but it can also mean that your liver is struggling to get rid of the toxins in your body. Until you tackle the problem from the source, you’ll continue to scare away anyone who comes close!

4. Constipation

The intestines get rid of a lot of toxins every day of our lives. When we’re constipated, we’re storing up all those toxins, allowing them to negatively affect our bodies. In addition to stomach upset, constipation can cause headaches, aches and pains, and tiredness. It can also be related to the toxins in your life, especially if you’re consuming a lot of processed foods filled with chemicals, pesticides, and preservatives.

5. Sensitivity to scents

Strong reactions to smells — particularly fragrances — might mean that you’re simply sensitive to chemicals, which many of us are. It can also mean that your body is fighting toxic overload. Particularly if you suffer headaches or stomach upset simply from scents, this may be the case.

6. Muscle aches and pains

If you can’t tie these to your workout yesterday, could be that the toxins in your life are working away at your muscles and joints. This is more likely if you experience muscle aches on a regular basis.

7. Skin reactions

Acne, rashes, and other skin problems may signal a toxic overload. Acne, in particular, can be related to the toxins in our diet or skin care products. Puffy eyes and eczema or psoriasis outbreaks can also be signs that you've just reached your toxic limit.

My Solutions

If you find yourself suffering from any of these seven symptoms, here are a few tips that may help:
Support your liver with things like dandelion tea, parsley, cilantro, and milk thistle.
Drink more water — it helps flush toxins out of your body.
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day. Exercise gets the circulation moving, helping to move toxins along.
Get a good daily supply of digestion-supportive probiotics, found in kefir, yogurt, sauerkraut, Kombucha tea, miso soup, tempeh, and kim chi.
Always brush your tongue — even better, use a tongue scraper—when brushing your teeth.
Practice deep breathing — we get rid of a lot of the toxins in our bodies through our lungs.
Use only natural skin care products that are free of fragrances, sulfates, phthalates, parabens, and other potentially toxic ingredients, and always read labels. Use my Ingredients to Avoid list to find safer options.
Choose clean, whole, and organic foods whenever possible!
Here's to living a healthy, toxin-free life!

http://newfreebooks.com/amazing-superfoods-to-boost-your-health-naturalhealthsherpacom/d9ebb0a2c399775e531b2184d8c496e7/

HOW TO GET RID OF CELLULITE FOREVER (NATURALLY)

CONTRIBUTED BY – JOEY ATLAS, WOMEN’S BODY ENHANCEMENT SPECIALIST — M.S., EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY

Cellulite has often been termed “the curse of women” because so many suffer from the annoying orange peel skin dimples and fat deposits on their hips, bums and thighs. Unfortunately, too many women also throw thousands and thousands of dollars down the drain on totally ineffective “treatments” and useless products.  That is because most people don’t really know what “cellulite” is, or what causes these odd dimples on the lower body trouble zones…

So if you don’t know what cellulite is, how can you treat it?

Fact is, there is no real difference between cellulite fat, and regular fat. All of the cellulite sponges and creams designed to “dissolve” cellulite and other gimmicky devices are all ripping you off. Unfortunately, cellulite is actually caused by muscular atrophy, a condition that occurs when the layer of muscle becomes weak and undefined, and separates from the skin, making the unattractive fatty deposits visible. So the first thing you need to know is that cellulite treatment has nothing to do with your skin and everything to do with the muscles underneath the skin. And remember, cellulite removal has NOTHING to do with weight loss. Even the skinniest of girls can suffer from cellulite.

The good news is that there is a way to reverse muscular atrophy, and banish annoying cellulite forever. And no matter how much you weigh or how old you are, you can do this naturally without popping pills or using phony lotions.

HERE ARE 5 TOP TIPS TO GET RID OF YOUR CELLULITE FOREVER:

1. You CANNOT get rid of cellulite with creams or lotions: Stop using them! It’s that simple. There are dozens of cellulite reduction creams on the market, but they don’t do anything to treat your cellulite. The dimples caused by cellulite are a superficial result of a problem below the surface of your skin, therefore creams will do nothing.

2. Medi-Spa Treatments do not work: Numerous FDA reports show that medi-spa treatments designed to remove cellulite have actually scarred and injured a number of women permanently. From body-wrapping to endermologie, these treatments are completely ineffective (but can be very expensive).

3. Cellulite is NOT genetic, you CAN get rid of it: Ignore what you’ve been told, cellulite is not a genetic problem and you do not have to be stuck with it forever. Believing these falsehoods will just prevent you from taking the steps you need to get rid of your cellulite.

4. You can get rid of cellulite no matter how old you are: Because cellulite is a muscle issue, you can always fix it by strengthening your muscles. All you have to do are some simple movements that target specific muscles in the cellulite affected area to get rid of your cellulite. You can do these movements at home – they are not vigorous or overly strenuous and can be performed by women of all fitness levels.

5. The ONLY way to get rid of cellulite forever is with specifically targeted lower-body movements: The movements are unique, and directly target the muscles in the cellulite areas. They focus on lifting, toning and shaping the muscle layers, pushing them towards the skin and getting rid of the dimpled appearance. Unfortunately, these are not movements that you’ll be able to learn at your nearest gym. This natural way to remove cellulite does not make use of weights or machines. These exercises specifically target cellulite.

With this program you will learn how to target every single one of your lower body muscles, with simple, light movements. Follow this program and you will attain the tight and sexy look that you’ve always dreamed of. If you have some fat in your cellulite zones, it will be burned off as fuel so you will also lose any unhealthy excess body fat.

You can do these movements from the privacy of your own home and if you start with this targeted muscle stimulation method today you will start seeing results after approximately 2 to 4 weeks. It’s your body so just go ahead and do the right thing for it!

http://womenslife.today/body/get-rid-of-cellulite-forever-naturally?utm_source=taboola&utm_campaign=77104

11 Ways to Keep Your Heart Healthy

11 Ways to Keep Your Heart Healthy
by Dan Cassidy

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in both men and women. But luckily it is preventable. So put down the cheeseburger, order a funny movie from Netflix, and read these 11 ways to keep your heart healthy for many years to come.



1. Eat Healthy
This should be a no brainer…the foods you put in your body will affect how it runs. Just think, if you were to put low-grade gasoline in a high-performing car, do you think that engine is going to run as well as it can? You’re right, it won’t. So your “high-performance gasoline” should include a heart-healthy diet full of fruits & vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats like the kind in olive oil, salmon, and nuts. Steer clear of foods high in saturated fats; this means you’ll need to say “no” to Ronald, the King and all the other fast foods you pass on your daily commute!

2. Maintain a Healthy Weight
Being overweight or obese can increase your risk of heart disease. If you’re not sure whether you’re in either of these risk categories, go to your doctor and get measured to find out…and then take action to drop the extra pounds.

3. Get Moving!
Regular exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight while lowering cholesterol and blood pressure. The Surgeon General recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise daily. Don’t have time? Try these 4 ways to sneak in a workout while you’re on your way to work.

4. Check your Blood Pressure
Unless you’re monitoring your blood pressure, it could be super-high and you may not know it. And since heart-attacks can happen at any time, you’ll want to minimize your risk factors and make sure your blood pressure is within a healthy range.

5. Don’t Smoke
Along with all the ugly stuff smoking does; stain your teeth, give you bad breath, and pull your hard-earned money out of your pocket, smoking is proven to cause cancer, stroke, emphysema, and that’s right…heart disease. Learn how to drop this bad habit on your way to reclaiming your health.

6. Limit Alcohol Use
Drinking alcohol in excess can raise your blood pressure. That means men should have no more than 2 glasses of alcohol daily, and no more than one for women. See a few tips on how you can drink less alcohol here.

7. Check your Cholesterol
Get your cholesterol levels checked at least once every 5 years. It’s a simple blood test and could show early indications that you’re at elevated risk of heart disease.

8. Manage your Diabetes
If you have diabetes it’s important you monitor your blood sugar levels closely.

9. Take your Medicine
If your doctor has prescribed medication for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes, make sure you take it as prescribed and talk to your doctor if you have questions.

10. Laugh!
The old saying that laughter is the best medicine actually has some truth in it. According to a study by cardiologists at the University of Maryland Medical Center, laughing may actually reduce your risk of heart disease.

11. Relax…
High-stress levels can increase your risk of heart disease. So if you’re stressed, what can you do? Tons! Try meditation, acupuncture, measuring your stress levels (yup, that works), or mini-meditations and affirmations to help you relax.

The Takeaway
If you’re at risk for heart disease, follow these ways to keep your heart healthy so you can be around for your friends, family, and most important, yourself! And if you’re in great health already, share these tips with someone who can use a nudge in the right direction.

http://inspiyr.com/american-heart-month-heart-healthy-tips/2/