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If you’ve been trying to lose weight and are having trouble, a sluggish metabolism might be to blame.

Metabolism is a complicated process that converts calories in what you eat to energy. If your metabolism is high you’ll lose weight more easily than someone with low metabolism will, even if you both take in the same amount of energy in the form of calories.

If you have a slow metabolism, you won’t be able to eat as much as someone with a higher metabolism without the risk of gaining weight. That said, there are things you can do to increase your metabolic rate and continue on towards your desired weight goal.

Here are 10 ways to increase your metabolism:

1. Exercise. This is the most effective way you can raise your metabolism. The more muscle you have, the more calories you burn, even when you’re doing “nothing.” This is because muscle burns more calories and fat even when you’re resting. Work out with weights at least twice a week, and do 30 minutes a day of cardiovascular exercise. Go for a walk, take a quick jog on the treadmill or visit your local gym and do some cross training. There also easy and nearly effortless ways to increase your exercise, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator, parking further away from your office building, or even doing some fast paced housecleaning.

2. Eat mini meals. Having four to six substantial snacks throughout the day instead of three big meals will keep your metabolism revving all day.

3. Don’t skip meals. If you think skipping meals means you’ll lose weight, you’re wrong. If you don’t feed your body when it expects to be fed, your metabolism grinds to a halt, thinking that you’re in starvation mode. See tip number 2.

4. Eat unrefined foods such as fruit, veggies, and whole grains. The high fiber content of these foods helps to keep your metabolism running efficiently because you feel full sooner and for a longer time.

5. Add some spice to your life. Spicy foods like cayenne and curry have been shown to increase metabolism.

6. Cut back on or even eliminate sugar. Sugar is a high calorie food that raises blood sugar levels significantly and then causes them to crash; this can make you store fat.

7. Increase your water intake. When you burn fat, you release stored toxins. Water helps you flush those toxins out and can also help you lose weight.

8. Sip some green tea. Research has demonstrated that green tea can increase metabolism. Plus, it has many other health benefits that make it a valuable part of your diet.

9. Get enough sleep. People who don’t sleep enough are much more likely to be overweight or obese than their peers who do get enough sleep.

10. Lose your stress. Emotional and physical stress can prompt the release of cortisol, a steroid hormone that lowers your metabolism. Plus, you’re likely to eat more when you’re stressed out.

So don’t be discouraged and give up if the scale isn’t budging. Try these tips to give your metabolism an edge, and you should be burning calories again in no time. Remember, healthy eating and fitness are a way of life, not just a quick fix to drop some pounds.

When shopping for a treadmill there are many things you should keep in mind. Most people know that a treadmill’s motor, weight limit, stability and special features are key factors in knowing whether a treadmill is good quality. However, did you know that a treadmill warranty is often the easiest way to tell whether a machine is worth purchasing?

There is as much variety with treadmill warranties as there is with the features and components. In fact, you can learn a lot about a treadmill just by its warranty. The warranty on any exercise equipment demonstrates the confidence the manufacturer has in its products. When you are shopping and comparing treadmills know that machines with short warranty periods, such as a 90 days or 12 months, are generally machines the manufacturer predicts will break down or need repairs often. If the manufacturer is nervous about insuring a specific machine past 90 days or one year, why should you feel confident purchasing it?

Knowing what to look for in a treadmill warranty can make your shopping experience fairly easy. Bypassing exercise equipment that has short warranties allows you to eliminate the cheap machines from the high quality ones. For instance, if you come across treadmills that have lifetime warranties, you can be certain that these machines are made to last. Manufacturers that offer lifetime warranties are standing behind their products. This should reassure you that your money will be spent wisely.

Another thing that you should keep in mind when comparing treadmill warranties is what exactly the warranty covers. Yes, part replacement is a necessary part of a good warranty, but are you required to replace the parts yourself? Would you know how? Look for treadmill warranties that not only have part replacement, but in-home servicing as well. In-home servicing means someone who is educated on servicing treadmills will come out to your home and actually replace the part on your treadmill for you.

When looking at a treadmill’s warranty, be sure to read everything including the fine print. Look for any loopholes or hidden costs in the coverage. Make sure you know what a treadmill’s warranty does and does not cover before you purchase it.

No one wants to invest in a treadmill only to have it break down. Not only will you have to deal with the loss of momentum in your workout program, dealing with exercise equipment that needs repairs can be a headache. Having a good warranty that will cover you in this situation is crucial. When shopping and comparing treadmills, keep all of the machine’s features and capabilities in mind, but don’t forget to compare treadmill warranties. It could mean the difference between the life and death of your machine and your workout.

At first glance, the Pilates Reformer looks like a refugee from the medieval times. Something that might have been used to extract information from less than willing participants! A closer examination reveals that the Pilates Reformer is actually quite an elegant machine and something that has been well made for what it is designed to do.

Explaining what the Pilates Reformer actually does wouldn’t make a lot of sense without actually explaining what Pilates is and how it is intended to work.

The aim of a Pilates workout is to improve your core strength, rather than just your external appearance. It pays particular attention to the stomach muscles (abdominals) and the back muscles, which quite honestly are key to any serious workout anyway.

This definition is further broken down into the following principals that govern Pilates. Centering, Concentration, Control, Precision, Breath, and Flow. Let’s examine each of these in turn. Incidentally, I should point out that these definitions were not actually stated by the creator of the Pilates system, but were rather inferred by instructors at a later stage.

When talking about centering, we are really talking about where the Pilates exercises are aimed, namely in the centre of the body, specifically in an area between the pubic bone and the lower ribs.

As the name implies, concentration means giving your full attention to the matter in hand. As with any exercise or fitness program, 100% concentration on the exercise will give you better results.

Control means undertaking the exercises in a controlled manner and not flinging yourself into them willy nilly.

Precision is referring to carrying out the exercises exactly as outlined by the instructor. Any deviation from these instructions will impact on the quality of the workout and the benefit that you receive.

Correct breathing is very important to Pilates as it is to many other forms of fitness and exercise. Pilates requires you to coordinate your breath with your motion for the best effect.

When referring to flow, Pilates means that your actions should be smooth and even rather than jerky. Again, any deviation from this principal will impact on the benefit that you receive from doing the exercise.

In order to get the maximum benefit from your Pilates workout, it is imperative that you keep these six basic principles in mind at all times.

Now having read and understood the basic principles of Pilates, you will be better placed to understand how the Pilates Reformer can work for you. The Reformer provides finely tuned resistance to assist you with the technical principals of Pilates. The principals like the breath though are still down to you! Used correctly, the Pilates Reformer will help improve your core strength, which is the overriding design of Pilates.

Products to control weight are numerous and every week there seems to be yet another ‘quick fix’ solution although the ‘Hoodia’ plant could be the exception; the potential of this plant is even getting experts excited. Of course it was only a matter of time until the diet industry added Hoodia weight loss products to their range; this is now the number one slimming product to use. Although you may have heard the name, do you know anything about this unusual and rare plant?

Found in some of the deserts of South Africa, the Hoodia is a cactus, one of thirteen different varieties. The Gordonii species has the ability to suppress (and eliminate) the appetite of someone who eats it. To date, nothing medical science has created or investigated has come anywhere near as close to this plant and as a consequence there is a great demand for products containing it as an ingredient.

Scientists actually researched the cactus plant in depth over a period of years using volunteers to test its effectiveness. For instance some members of a BBC team went for a one day tour without eating or drinking, only eating a Hoodia leaf and declared they felt neither thirst nor hunger for the entire day.

Unlike many other appetite suppressants, Hoodia weight loss products do not have any side effects. One doesn’t need to worry about the adverse effects common to other weight loss products such as an abnormal heartbeat or digestive problems. Another benefit of using products containing extracts of this plant, is that users claim they do not feel tired even though they are not eating, as it provides a normal energy levels for the entire day.

Nevertheless, whilst it is being taken, the user should still drink plenty of fluids and eat a healthy diet. The idea of using the Hoodia weight loss pills on a regular basis is just to reduce the amount of food you normally consume; however, just because a person doesn’t feel hungry, they still need to eat, otherwise their health will suffer. Ideally, this is how Hoodia should be used, especially in obese people, just to control how much they eat.

Remember the cactus is found in remote areas and is rare so weight loss products containing the extracts will be expensive. In many areas where a product is expensive, unauthentic Hoodia weight loss pills and other supplements allegedly containing the plant are readily available on the internet. Be warned if you see them at very low prices, it is unlikely to be the genuine product. Be prepared to pay a premium for any product containing Hoodia as it is considered to be the best natural appetite suppressant in the world. Avoid those offers that appear to be ‘too good to be true’.

For people who are serious about losing weight, the discovery of the Hoodia plant has made quite a stir amongst the scientific community; this natural remedy could not have been found at a better time. In typical fashion, the manufacturers of slimming and dietary supplements have been quick to recognize the potential of Hoodia weight loss products; each year the number of people becoming overweight is increasing so the market for this plant is huge. Although you may have heard the name, do you know anything about this unusual and rare plant?

Hoodia Gordonii is a particular variety of plant which suppresses the appetite. It is only this type of Hoodia cactus that appears to possess this quality, despite there being twelve other varieties of the plant that can be found in the remote regions of South Africa. This wonder plant has caused a stir and is greatly sought after. No other natural product has ever been discovered that is as effective at blocking hunger pangs.

The cactus was in fact studied for quite some time by scientists around the world before it was allowed to be used. Many tests have been carried out but one that is notable surrounds the BBC team who went for a whole day without eating or drinking after just consuming one Hoodia leaf each.

Hoodia weight loss products are all the more effective given the fact that they are completely free from side-effects. There are no unpleasant digestive problems or heart rhythm disturbances that often happen with other appetite inhibitors. The strange thing is the fact that whilst the product is being used, it does not make the user feel tired or listless.

Nevertheless, whilst it is being taken, the user should still drink plenty of fluids and eat a healthy diet. The purpose of the Hoodia weight loss pill is not to starve yourself but to control unnatural and unnecessary food cravings; however, just because a person doesn’t feel hungry, they still need to eat, otherwise their health will suffer. Many people are turning to Hoodia as the right way to keep their meals on the right track.

Be prepared to pay a premium for any weight loss products that use real extracts as the production costs involved are high. In many areas where a product is expensive, unauthentic Hoodia weight loss pills and other supplements allegedly containing the plant are readily available on the internet. Be warned if you see them at very low prices, it is unlikely to be the genuine product. Buying cheap Hoodia extracts is not only false economy as you cannot produce this product cheaply, but you do not actually know what is being used as the substitute.

Many wonder what the difference is between the different types of electronic Muscle Stimulators. It is easy to say that there is a difference between the different devices because of their different names, but exactly what the differences are need to be defined. The two types of EMS devices are TENS and Russian Muscle Stimulation. Different devices can do different things such as stimulate sensory nerve endings rather than just muscles.

EMS

Electronic Muscle Stimulation uses a relatively low voltage that targets motor nerves in order to stimulate them. What this does is cause a contraction of the muscle. The muscle then relaxes between shocks and then contracts again when the shock occurs. This constant contracting and relaxing has been used as an effective method to treat various vascular and muscoskeletal conditions. This keeps circulation going and better circulation means oxygen and nutrients can be carried to the muscles much easier.

TENS

This device is also a type of Electronic Muscle Stimulator, but it behaves in a different manner than the standard EMS device. This one is used to stimulate sensory nerve endings in order to control pain. The pain signals are blocked and endorphin production is stimulated. We have all probably heard at one time or another that endorphins block pain. They are kind of like the body’s natural morphine in painful situations. These systems are not found on the open market because they are primarily used by physicians to treat a plethora of problems. Some of those issues involve:

Preventing atrophy of the muscles when they have not been used in a while due to paralysis, being bedridden, or due to severe injury.

Strengthening the nerves in certain groups of muscles

Muscle spasm and muscle pain reduction

These devices have been successfully used within the medical community for quite some time. Electrodes connected to adhesive pads are stuck to the skin and the electric pulses are sent through the skin to the muscles via these pads. This makes TENS very effective in pain relief because of the production of endorphins. TENS has also been used in the treatment of arthritis, back pain, labor pain, shingles, sciatica, postoperative pain, and cancer pain.

Russian Muscle Stimulation

The Russian Muscle Stimulation device is also an EMS used for nerve stimulation. The electric currents that result are stronger and they penetrate deeper into the muscles. Sometimes the contractions of the muscles and nerves can be quite painful because they are more complex than with other EMS devices. This EMS is definitely one that should only be used by medical professionals such as a doctor or a physiotherapist.

Overall benefits

When used with exercise, EMS devices can be quite helpful. For those simply wanting to use them to get those six-pack abs, the EMS device should be used in combination with exercise. However, a device such as the Russian Muscle Stimulator should not be used for toning of the body. This is a much more intense device that needs to be used under the supervision of a doctor. But when using an EMS during exercise, the nerves and muscles will recover faster and the growth of the muscles as well as their endurance and strength do improve when used before and after exercise. There are also areas of the body that may not be reached through exercise and an EMS device can stimulate those areas, which helps promote overall physical health. However, the EMS device can’t produce a rock solid body alone, but what it can do is act as a great companion to other effective lifestyle changes.

One of the most trendy sports today is kickboxing, which is featured in film, TV shows, and live events worldwide. Some of the most distinguished names in the business of kickboxing, such as Chuck Norris, were superstar kick boxers and these individuals managed to increase interest in the game dramatically

Many of the athletes who enter the field have a background in kickboxing London and were often included with the best athletes in their chosen activity. Many expert boxers also get into the sport of kickboxing London, after a trainer has shown them how to kick.

The purpose of a martial arts match is to out punch and out kick the opposing player to the point where they cannot keep fighting or until the stop of the event when the judges will select the victor of the match

Unlike a kickboxing tournament, the participantss in a kickboxing match will typically wear some defensive gear, such as mouth guards, boxing gloves, and a groin shield. This is to take care that the participants in the match do not experience lasting injury from their experience in the ring.

When it comes to kickboxing London is one of the top ranked places to observe and participate in matches. Many European regions have embraced kickboxing London as an authenticc sport and eagerly hold meets that thousands of their residents attend.

I empathize with women who are pear shaped, because I am one myself. I know how difficult it is to get a slim and lean pair of legs. I have learned a few things about how to exercise the lower region to not only lose weight, but also to achieve proportion to our whole body.

First off, in order not to lose hope and beat ourselves up, we must accept a few things.

1. Come to terms with the fact that your lower half is heavier than your top - most of the fat is stored in our lower bodies (hips, thighs and butt).

2. Look at your lower body as a place where fat accumulates. Example, fat is easily accumulated on the thighs, hips and buttocks and it is very hard to get rid of (but it can be done!)

3. You need to know that it will take a lot of work to slim down the lower half of your body.

If you can accept the above, then you’ll be armed with a more realistic mindset when working out and trying to lose fat. You’ll be able to be patient with yourself and won’t give up.

Now the good news!

1. Leaning out the hips, thighs and buttock areas is not impossible!

2. Getting a great pair of legs CAN be yours!

3. You can balance out your upper body so that you are well proportioned and symmetrical.

So how do we make our lower bodies smaller and make our upper bodies more balanced?

First, you will have to eat very clean and watch your fat intake. Stick with fruits, fibrous veggies, tuna, tilapia, chicken, lean meats and egg whites (high protein) Eat more of the green types of veggies and lots of salads. Eat starchy veggies (potatoes, rice, pastas etc…) in moderation. Drink lots of water.

The best time to eat fruit is in the mornings, before you go and sweat. Try to stick to eating fruit before 2pm - 3pm. Best fruits: all kinds of berries, grapefruit, apples. Best veggies: brocolli, green beans, asparagus, green, onions, garlic, red, yellow, orange peppers, spinach, cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce.

Rules: Never fry your food. Grill, boil, steam, bake or pan fry with Pam Spray, never in a pan of oil. If you’re going to have a cheat day, make sure to do it early enough in the day so you can burn it off throughout the day. Never have a cheat meal at night. Try (if you can!) to only cheat twice a month (if you can’t do this, then start off with once per week). What is a cheat day: ONE cheat meal only! Not a whole day of cheating!

You should start seeing leaner results as you start eating differently. The fat will start to melt off of your overall body. You’ll see it in your lower body too, relax! Your clothing will not fit as before, so be prepared to buy some new clothes!

But this isn’t the end of it. Sexy slim legs are created with specific exercises that address your body type.

From my results, women who are shaped like pears need to workout their lower bodies using moderate to heavy weights and alternate between lots of reps and low reps. Lots of cardio in between too.

We need a totally different approach for our upper bodies.

To get that harmonious and even look all over, we need to use heavy weights to make our shoulder and backs wider and get sexy arms too. We shouldn’t fear lifting heavy. We can’t get big. To reassure you (or maybe not!), pear shaped women resist muscle far more than other body types.

I know, I know, but we can still get that lean, defined, sexy and well proportioned body we’re seeking.

I’ll share with you the workout I am using and that I am responding to very well. You will need to be patient and keep your eyes on your goal as you decide not to be swayed from your program. Soon you will have the sexy, well shaped and balanced body that everyone admires so much.

Here’s the work out plan that I am currently using:

Thighs, hips and butt workout - 3 times per week.

Choose from a range of exercises specifically for the legs such as lunges, squats, butt blaster, leg presses, leg extensions, hip exercises, leg extensions and hamstring curls.

I choose 4 - 5 exercises for my lower body workouts.

Ex.

Day 1: squats, lunges, leg presses, calves

I do five sets each. With moderate weights, I do 20 - 30 repetitions. With heavier weights, I do between 10 - 12 repetitions. I rest in between for 45 - 60 minutes.

Day 2: Upper Body, cardio, abs Chest and Tri’s. I choose from 3 - 4 exercises, go with heavier weights and do about 8 - 10 reps.

Day 3: Five sets of leg extensions, hamstring curls, butt blaster, calves. 20 - 30 reps with moderate weight. 10 - 12 reps with heavy weights. Rest - 45 - 60 seconds.

Day 4: Upper Body, cardio, abs Back and Bi’s 3 - 4 exercises with heavy weights and 8 - 10 reps.

Day 5: Five sets of walking lunges, hip exercises, hack squats, calves. 20 - 30 reps. with moderate weight. 10 - 12 reps with heavy weights. rest for 45 - 60 seconds.

Day 6: Upper Body - Shoulders, cardio, abs. I choose from 3 - 4 exercises with heavy weights and 8 - 10 reps.

Don’t worry if you can’t do all the sets and reps when you start. Do what you can. Don’t hurt yourself.

Cardio: 45 - 60 minutes - jogging, treadmill, elliptical machine, jumping rope, swimming, cycling, aerobic classes etc…

**If you are very overweight, then you’ll want to do more cardio like 4 -5 times per week if you’re able to.

So in closing, here is what my exercise program looks like (most of the times!)

Upper body - 3 times per week. Lower body - 3 times per week. Cardio - 3 - 4 times per week Abs and Calves - 3 times per week

I find that this intense workout PLUS eating a CLEAN diet, is very effective in leaning out the lower half of our bodies plus balancing out our upper halves.

Be sure to get alot of relaxation too!

Just one pear shape sister to another……

When it comes to any sort of medical treatment, side effects are a common thing. It doesn’t matter how natural or safe a medication or drug is, there are occasions where the chemicals in the drug or medication that don’t appeal with the body of the patient. There is no exception to this fact when it comes to acne treatments. Nevertheless, there is one acne product on the market that does promise alot more benefits than side effects which it also promises to keep to a minimum. This medication is known as Acnezine.

Losing confidence

Alot of youngster suffer from acne, it is very common and is what they have to deal with during their teenage year. Pimples, blackheads and the likes are only the results of the body’s hormones in overdrive as a result of adolescent development. This sort of acne usually disappears or dramatically reduces as the person changes with age.

Nonetheless, there are occasions where acne does stay with the individual for life long after puberty. This can have terrible effects as self-confidence or self-esteem can be the result of acne. Not only this but it can also cause the individual to become afraid of social interactions, or simply going out in public. All that can be said about acne is that it can take any normality out of one’s life.

Acnezine = Clear skin?

Of all the products we’ve tried, it seems Acnezine is the most effective. It aims to cure the problem of acne from the inside where it begins. Acnezine is an all-natural oral medication that you can buy over-the counter without the need for a doctor’s prescription. Once a day is the usual dosage for most people, but you may choose to consult your doctor if you would need a higher dose.

Amongst the mimimal side effects caused by Acnezine due to containing mostly natural ingredients, it also contains several strong antioxidants (including Vitamin E) that can tackle the free radicals within the body. Should you experience headaches and other sorts of discomfort, rest assured that these are normal reactions to the cleansing that Acnezine does, this should not be for any cause of concern.

If you have tried many other acne treatment products with no success, highly consider using Acnezine. You should see results within a few weeks.

Nintendo’s fitness game for the Wii is on pace to become the fastest selling Wii game ever. The game, simply named “Fit”, has outdone all previous records on Play.com by selling out its entire allocation in just one day.

Opening the Wii Fit package you’ll find the actual game and a wireless Balance Board. When layed on the floor in front of your TV, this board is used to interact with the game using it’s pressure sensitive technology. It picks upp all directional shifts in balance which is used for different game variations.

Since Nintendo Wii announced Wii Fit, there have been many discussions regarding whether this game really can get you fit. Studies have been made on previous games like Wii Sports and showed that uses is able to lose up to 12kg a year by a daily exercise given from Wii. Now With Wii Fit you could really get the physical side of Wii to the next level.

Wii Fit is divided into 4 categories of exercises: Aerobic exercise, Muscle Conditioning, Yoga Poses and Balance Games. In total there are around 40 different activities included. Examples of the training are:

Step Aerobic Exercise: Step up and off the Balance board to the rythm of nice background music.

Muscle Conditioning: Controlled motions using arms legs and other body parts.

Yoga exercise: This excersise focuses on balance and stretching in classic poses.

Ski jumping: Make a good jump by squating as low as possible, while maintinging balance, and then quickly standing up.

Balance Games: These fun activities include heading soccer balls and hula hooping. Challanges for the players overall body balance.

Nintendo has said it has at least ten games in development that support the board and not just fitness games either. Fighting and Sports games can also take advantage of the unique balance-based interface.

A Wii Fit feature is the daily Wii Fit tests where results will be tracked and viewed by everyone via progress charts:

Body Mass Index (BMI): A weight evaluation based on a ratio of weight to height. Wii Fit Age: The Wii Fit Age is measured by factoring the user’s BMI reading, testing the Wii Fit user’s center of gravity and conducting quick balance tests.

Some very overweight persons might feel dissapointment that there is a weight limit of 136kg on the Wii balance board, but if they just work themself down to the weight limit and then start working with the balance board, they will surely lose some weight quickly just by having fun playing.