Having been blessed with 7,107 islands, we are surrounded by water everywhere. And anytime is the best time to enjoy Nature’s gift of sun and surf. Here are some water sports to try out with family and friends. (more…)
Every time a person opts for fast food instead of home cooked or restaurant meals, he is significantly raising his body mass index (BMI), according to researchers whose study packed enough evidence to prove ties between frequent fast food dining and excess weight.
The report involved 3,394 young adult participants of a study on heart disease. The researchers from University of North Carolina looked closely into the participants’ consumption of fast food and traditional restaurant fare during the 7th and 10th year of the study. The incidence of eating at fastfood and traditional restaurant were compared with the participants’ BMI (ratio of weight to height) to determine if a person is underweight, normal weight, overweight, obese or morbidly obese.
While researchers didn’t find proof linking consumption of traditional restaurant fare to excess pounds, they found out eating fast food had a corresponding rise in BMI.
Based on year 7 data, researchers observed that consuming an additional fast food meal a week resulted in a 0.13 rise in BMI. Likewise, the year 10 data showed eating an additional fast food meal per week increased a participant’s BMI by 0.24. To put in a clearer picture, a 0.13 and 0.24 hike in BMI is equivalent to an extra 0.9 and 1.7 pounds for a person with a frame of 5 feet and 10 inches.
Committed exercisers dread getting sick because they have to stop exercising. They know it is easy to lose momentum and difficult to start again. So what should they do if they are feeling under the weather? Should they continue exercising? How long should they rest? How soon can they return to exercise? (more…)
Both old-timers and greenhorns in fitness programs experience fitness routine boredom. It is quite natural because humans, by nature, love variety. That is why the “Just do it” cliché won’t work sometimes when you feel that your fitness routine is getting monotonous. Slimmers World offers tips on how to liven up workout routines so that you can chase away your boredom blues and still get a great body. (more…)
Bones are one of the most neglected parts of the human body. We never realize how important our bones are until we grow old and experience different bone pains and injuries. According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation, “as we get older, we are no longer able to replace bone tissue as quickly as we lose it.”
Women are more prone to bone diseases than men. Their body framework and women’s declining ability to produce estrogen as they age are the reasons they are prone to such diseases. When this happens, the bones become less dense until it produces holes and becomes light and weak, causing osteoporosis. However, men shouldn’t be too complacent either for they also suffer from bone loss, although the rate of loss is much slower than in women. (more…)
Before we leap like ballerinas and tiptoe over tulips, there are important requisites to attaining optimal bone health. The safeguarding of bone health should be three ways: through proper nutrition, intake of medications as needed, and appropriate exercises. Proper nutrition includes eating a diet rich in calcium and allowing 10 to 15 minutes of sunlight exposure two times a week for Vitamin D. A yearly medical check-up from age 45 and up, that includes a bone density test called DEXA will determine the status of bones and the presence of osteoporosis. The need to take medications, especially bisphosphonates, calcium and Vitamin D supplementation will be determined by the doctor. (more…)
In ancient times, men carried a newborn calf on their backs every day until it was fully grown to improve body strength. Egyptians packed sand in bags then use them for swinging and throwing exercises. And the Greeks used the “halteres” – an object made of metal or stone – for physical activity. (more…)
Every year, February brings that distinct aroma of love and romance that we anticipate so much, especially for couples. It’s a season that’s definitely filled with flowers, balloons, teddy bears, chocolates, and cakes. These are just some of the usual ways we show our love and affection to our partners. Yes, February is a time of mushiness and emotions but you can also make it the month to start living a fit and healthy lifestyle. (more…)
With the advent of everything instant nowadays, from instant noodles to instant body slimming supplements, people are now taking shortcuts to a better way of living. In return, people either suffer the adverse effects of these or waste their money on non-beneficial products. Also, they regularly buy health supplements to enhance certain parts of their health like lowering blood pressure or balancing the cholesterol level. (more…)
