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Chi Machine - The Passive Exercise

April 15th, 2009    Subscribe To Our Feed

The cells of the body require two things to produce energy: nutrients from the food we eat and oxygen. Cell oxygen deprivation can contribute to immune dysfunction, fatigue, blood chemistry disturbances, cardiac symptoms, anxiety, sleep and respiratory problems, dizziness, and intestinal problems, just to name a few. The Chi Machine addresses oxygen issues through ‘exercise’ massage.

The Chi Machine was developed by Dr. Shizuo Inoue, a Japanese doctor who spent 38 years researching and studying the effects of oxygen on the body. His research led him to create this machine that employs a unique speed and movement. Internationally patented for it’s exact speed, height, swing motion, motor and components, it’s unique in assuring suitability with the body’s physiological design.

Fifteen minutes on the machine can deliver to the body the amount of oxygen taken in during a brisk 90 minute walk. Please understand, this is not to replace your cardiovascular workouts, but is to oxygenate the body.

Clinical trial studies show that the device is clinically tested and proven to:

* Improve lymphatic drainage and circulation,
* Reduce body fat and body weight and,
* Provide pain relief.

It is recommended to start with 2-5 minute sessions and to work up from there.

Healthy Heart - Things You Should Know

March 29th, 2009    Subscribe To Our Feed

The leading cause of death among North Americans continues to be cardiovascular disease. As lifestyle factors play such a major role in heart disease, it is important to understands some aspects of the disease and what you can do to prevent it.

The heart is a muscle in the body that like all muscles needs its own supply of blood in order to function. Working properly, it then pumps blood through the circulatory system, delivering oxygen and nutrients to the body and removing wastes such as carbon dioxide.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Heart disease begins in many when plaque begins to build up in the arteries. This causes the arteries to become narrow thereby restricting the blood flow through them. As the blood flow is reduced, the amount of oxygen delivered to the heart is reduced. This tends to create pains in the chest, called angina. Heart attacks result when the blood flow to the heart is totally blocked.

Diets low in fat, high in fiber coming mainly from fruit and vegetables help the body respond to CAD. Omega-3 oils found in foods like cold water fish and flax seeds are of benefit for a healthy heart, as they are felt to inhibit the blood from becoming ’sticky’ thereby limiting the likelihood of clots forming and may slow down the process of plaque formation. In addition, regular exercise and stress reduction are also beneficial.

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

Congestive heart failure and related forms of heart failure affect over five million North Americans. It is a condition in which the heart cannot adequately supply the body’s other organs with blood. While a serious condition, the word failure does not mean that the heart stops beating.

As the pumping action of the heart is decreased, the blood does not move efficiently through the circulatory system and starts to back up, which then causes an increase of pressure in the blood vessels, and forces fluid from the vessels into body tissue. When the left side of the heart starts to fail, fluid tends to collect in the lungs, while when the right side starts to fail, fluid tends to collect in the feet and lower legs.

People with congestive heart failure tend to tire easily, have shortness of breath and can experience fluid retention and swelling. Diabetes, obesity and sleep apnea are commonly associated with CHF.

As with CAD a low fat, high fiber diet is recommended along with treatment for associated diseases. CoQ-10, a powerful antioxidant, has been clinically shown to be of benefit to CHF patients. Though exercise may be difficult for people with CHF, it would still be of benefit and therefore one should consult with their health professional to determine what the possibilities might be.

High Blood Pressure

As a leading cause of heart disease, high blood pressure, often called hypertension, is a condition in which too much pressure is being exerted on the walls of the arteries. Called ‘the silent killer’ high blood pressure can be present without a person experiencing any apparent symptoms.

In about 90% of high blood pressure cases an associated cause is not known. This is defined as primary hypertension. If it results from another disease or condition, it is called secondary hypertension and often returns to normal when the originating cause is treated.

There are some factors that though not causes, are often associated with high blood pressure such as: CAD as previously discussed, arteriosclerosis which is hardening of the arteries, imbalances in organs such as the kidneys, lungs and liver, obesity, lack of exercise, sodium (salt) sensitivity, alcohol consumption, and various pharmaceutical drugs. (Note this is not a comprehensive list.)

Once again a heart-healthy diet containing plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and fish, while low in saturated fats, salt and sugar is recommended for people with high blood pressure. As exercise helps lower blood pressure a regular exercise routine should become part of the daily routine.

Chickpeas, beans, soy products, proteins found in garlic, and other antioxidants such as bilberry help improve lipids in the blood and lower cholesterol. Avocados and nuts have been shown to boost your ‘good’ cholesterol.

Finally, a heart-healthy lifestyle will limit the amount of alcohol consumed as it has been shown to have an affect on cholesterol levels. It is recommended that women consume no more than one drink per day and men no more than two. Smoking has also been linked to heart disease, so the sooner a person can quit the better.

Get Healthy - Lose Weight

February 1st, 2009    Subscribe To Our Feed

Do you remember the days of being able to eat whatever you wanted, whenever you wanted, without seeing any change in what the scale was reporting? Weren’t those the days! So what happened? As time passes, digestive systems take a real beating and many find themselves starting to pack on extra pounds. The good news is, it does not have to stay that way.

The Problem Starts Early

Studies have reported that as early as the age of three the stomachs of many children are already in a state of shock from what they are forced to process. While it usually takes a few years for symptoms to appear, the assault started long before.

Shocking The System

Besides the affect of unhealthy food choices and chemical ingestion, the stomach and digestive system as a whole is hard-hit from the impact of life’s daily stress. Since our body systems are intertwined, a blow in one area ripples into the others.

Toxins Build

As the digestive system becomes impaired in its ability to process all that is sent its way, toxins start to build up in the body. As a survival mechanism the body then starts to gain mass to reduce the percentage of total body toxicity, storing the toxins in the fat cells. This then tends to push people to start dieting, which for many is the beginning of a frustrating loop of weight loss and weight gain - determination and disappointment.

A Fact About Weight Loss

The body really does not care how much it weighs. It is most concerned with how its systems are functioning and will spend its energy coming to the aid of any system working at a sub-optimum level. Since fat loss requires so much energy, there is none available for it if some system is out of order.

Lose The Fat Forever

So, the key to permanent weight loss is to get to the root of the problem, which for many is going to be getting their stomach out of the state of shock and back to operating at its full potential. While this can take some time, many will see results quickly when they start to provide their bodies with premium fuel: whole foods with live enzymes that the body can easily and readily assimilate for its essential processes.

Essentials of Good Nutrition

To adequately provide your body with good nutrition, the whole foods should include a variety of colors and should incorporate different tastes such as bitter, sweet, sour, salty, astringent (cranberries and tea) and pungent (hot, spicy). As you start to nourish your body with nutrient dense foods, you will find that yourself drawn to making healthy choices and find that you are totally satisfied with eating less, as it’s quality, not quantity that your body is look for.

Watch The Fat Melt Away

Once the body nourishes its systems back to health, it will then have the energy to focus on weight loss. As you nourish your body with nutrient-packed food, it will at some point turn its attention to the removal of the toxins that are stored in the fat. As those toxins are released, the body will shed the fat and you will effortlessly return to your natural healthy weight.

Win The Battle

If you have tried dieting and have been unsuccessful, don’t beat yourself up; instead turn your attention to finding ways to nourish your body with superior nutrition, then watch what your body will do for you.

Holiday Eating Without Gaining Weight

October 28th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

The holidays are here. Typically this means people have dozens of opportunities to eat plenty of great holiday treats and traditional foods with friends, family, and coworkers. For many this also means entering the ‘weight gain’ season.

Who doesn’t gain weight during the holidays? It almost seems like an annual tradition for many Americans to gain 5 to 15 pounds of extra weight between October 31 and January 1.

It starts by munching way too much of the Halloween candy and then snacking all the way through Thanksgiving where everyone tends to overstuff themselves. Then you’ve got all those Christmas parties right up until Christmas dinner and then the big New Year’s party. By the end of the joyous holiday season you may have packed on weight like a roly-poly jolly Santa Claus.

There are ways to avoid gaining weight during the holidays. First, you need to have a plan. Second, you need to have the resolve to stick with your plan.

Rather then just giving up and planning on gaining weight you truly can set yourself up to enjoy the holidays and even have a few treats and NOT gain weight.

So start the holiday season by making a decision to have a healthy happy holiday time. You do not have to let loose and abandon your healthy eating for the next two months. You can choose to have some self-control. The pride of having a trim figure is far more satisfying than the brief pleasure of fattening food! (You might want to post that where you can start your day off by reminding yourself of it.)

Here are some tips that may help you:

When you eat take small portions so that you can still enjoy all the special holiday foods. If you take the time to thoroughly chew your food, put down your fork between bites, and enjoy some conversation with your friends and family, you may find you will not be so apt to have second helpings.

Pace yourself on days when you know the you will be attending several parties or holiday functions in a row. Don’t overeat at each one. Instead, choose to eat a little bit at each event so that you’re still hungry when you arrive at the next one.

Eat a good healthy breakfast each day. You may want to try eating fruit each morning during the holidays. This will help you start off your day with a light and low-calorie nutritious meal that tastes great.

Continue with your exercise program. Or if you’re not exercising yet, begin walking at least 30 minutes each day. Instead of mindlessly eating when you feel holiday stress, go outside and get some fresh air and enjoy a walking break to center yourself.

Drink lots of fresh water each day. Our bodies tend to need more hydration during dry winter months. The extra water will help you feel much better and it also helps you feel a bit fuller so you’re less likely to overeat.

People that have a plan beforehand and then stick to that plan are the ones that finish out the holiday season feeling great as they have not only enjoyed the wonderful times with family and friends they also still fit very comfortably into their clothes.

Healthy Eating Habits and Weight Loss For Teenage Girls

September 28th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

Unfortunately, weight loss for teenage girls frequently means, for many, improper dieting. These crash diets or experimentation with laxatives and diet pills can often lead to eating disorders, malnutrition and other significant health problems.

According to the U.S. Surgeon General, almost 70% of girls have tried to lose weight or go on a diet prior to their eighteenth birthday. This means kids are making the effort to drop the pounds - but do they really need it, and are they doing so in a way that’s truly helpful?

Instead of simply encouraging your teenage daughter to eat healthy meals, it’s also important to instruct her on healthy weight management habits that she can use for the rest of her life.

To learn how you can teach your child healthy weight management and weight loss habits, keep reading.

Encourage Gradual Weight Loss

If your child does actually need to shed some weight, a responsible parent should always encourage slow and gradual weight loss. The ideal rate for weight loss is 1-to-2 pounds per week. Anything more is often an indication of poor nutrition.

Additionally, rapid weight loss is often only temporary with the surprising likelihood of not only regaining all that was dropped but also continuing to gain beyond the original weight. Such a yo-yo pattern is not only discouraging, but it unhealthy for the heart.

In contrast, weight loss that’s gradual is more likely to be sustained in the long term.

Cut Out Fizzy Drinks

Among the greatest weight gain culprits for teens is high-sugar beverages like soda, energy drinks and sugary juices. Instead of routinely serving or providing these, encourage your teen to drink water as a replacement for the other calorie-laden liquids.

Make It a Family Affair

The best approach to teaching your teenager healthy eating patterns is to practice at home. If you don’t already do so, stock your kitchen with healthy foods, prepare well-rounded meals, and provide snacks that are nutritious, filling, and tasty.

When it comes to needed weight loss, teens who have the support of their families are often much more successful at weight loss and maintenance than those who do not. In addition, children who grow up trained in healthy habits at home tend to embrace them for the rest of their lives.

Make Breakfast a Priority

Teenage girls frequently skip breakfast - whether because they don’t feel hungry, are running late, or think doing so will help them lose weight. The truth is, taking a few extra minutes for your daughter to eat a nutritious breakfast will not only fuel the body and brain, but will also kick-start her metabolism, meaning she’ll burn more calories throughout the day.

Stop Eating At Least 2 Hours Before Going To Bed

Night-time snacking can be a real habit in a person’s life. Many find themselves eating out of boredom rather than hunger. If you notice your daughter eating after supper on a regular basis ask her to consider if she’s really hungry or is she’s just bored. Also, explain to her that experts say that it’s wise to finish eating for the day at least 2 hours before calling it a night to lessen the likelihood of those final calories being stored as fat. Encourage your daughter and her friends to center evening get-togethers around physical activities rather than eating ones.

Discuss Body Issues

If you suspect your teen is wrestling with her weight or has body image issues, it’s critical to discuss these concerns with her openly. You should resist the temptation to chastise or blame her for extra weight or poor dietary habits.

Rather, encourage your daughter to open up about eating patterns, whether her goal is truly a diet, why dieting has become such a priority (if indeed it has), and her own body image concerns. Weight loss for teenage girls is a touchy subject, but parents should not consequently allow the discussion to go ignored. Her lifetime health is at stake.

Cellulite - What Is It?

August 26th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

Cellulite is the term given to the lumpy substance resembling cottage cheese which is most commonly found on the thighs, legs and butt. While cellulite can be seen on both males and females, it is more common for women as they have more body fat, which is typically stored on these problem areas, in the event of pregnancy.

Contributing Factors

There are a few different factors which typically contribute to the presence and extent of cellulite. Genetics plays a major role here, as does your gender, the amount of fat on your body, your age, and the thickness of your skin. Diet, insufficient water intake, drinking coffee, smoking, tension and stress, medication, and a sedentary lifestyle also play a factor in cellulite’s appearance.

Poor Skin Tone And Inflexible Skin Tissues

Poor skin tone, thin skin and inflexibility of the skin tissues allow the normally hidden large fat cells to make their appearance. Skin tone is necessary to keep fat cells smoothly beneath the skin. Stretched skin or thin skin does not have the ability to cover the fat cells adequately. When the connective tissues beneath the skin become inflexible, their attachment points to the skin pull the skin constantly, which gives the dimpled appearance.

Weight gain and loss of skin tone can cause the appearance of cellulite. Weight gain produces more fat cells and fills up fat cells underneath the skin surfaces. As more weight is gained, more cellulite may make its appearance. Though it’s important to understand that cellulite can be seen on a person who is not overweight if their skin tone and connective tissue become inflexible or have any of the other contributing factors.

Diet, Exercise And Massage

Your options for natural care of cellulite include diet, exercise and massage. Eating diets rich in nutrition while low in fat and sugar provides the body with the fuel it requires to keep cells healthy and functioning at their best. And healthy cells make healthy bodies.

Hydrate

Drinking plenty of water is always necessary to help the body stay hydrated and aid the body in flushing toxins out.

Work Out

Regular exercise brisk enough to break a sweat helps in many ways. Exercise is a great means to gain and maintain muscle tone, burn calories, strengthen your cardiovascular system, and aid in the removal of toxins. In addition, most people who exercise find it helps them not only feel better physically, but increases their self-esteem as well.

Massage Therapy

Massage is also a great way to keep the skin and tissues toned to prevent inflexibility and help keep the fat cells covered allowing the body to maintain a smooth look.

While there is not much you can do about your genetics, your gender or your age there is plenty you can do about the other factors that contribute to cellulite’s appearance. The degree to which the cellulite bothers you may be the factor that regulates your motivation to make some lifestyle changes in hopes of seeing its appearance fade.

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