Healthy Lifestyle

“Every human being is the author of his own health or disease”

A healthy lifestyle consists of all activities and deeds that foster a better wellbeing for us and our families. These range from simple habits to a shift in the way we live our lives. Adapting a healthy lifestyle can sometimes be difficult, but the rewards are indeed very promising and should serve as our motivation
Here is a simple seven step guide to help you reap the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

Believe in what a healthy lifestyle can bring to your existence. Often, a lot of people give up on the thought of living a healthy life. This is because of all the turbulent times that they expect to encounter, which dissuade them from practicing what is demanded of a healthier life even before they could try it out. A little positive thinking wouldn’t hurt. The promises of a healthy lifestyle are too favorable to ignore. Keeping in mind the many wonderful things that it could give your body and your family would motivate you to keep on pursuing this healthier choice.

EXERCISE
One of the biggest problems today is lack of activity. It’s good for us but we avoid it. The truth is, movement is movement and the more you do, the healthier you'll be. Even temperate activities like errands, gardening and walking can make a difference.

Just adding a little movement to your life can:
- Reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes
- Improve joint stability
- Increase and improve range of movement
- Help maintain flexibility as you age
- Maintain bone mass
- Prevent osteoporosis and fractures
- Improve mood and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression
- Enhance self esteem
- Improve memory in elderly people
- Reduce stress
So, even if you opt for small changes and a more modest weight loss, you can see the benefits are still pretty good.

Simple Ways to Move Your Body
You can start the process of weight loss now by adding a little more activity to your life. If you're not ready for a structured program, start small. Every little bit counts and it all adds up to burning more calories.
- Turn off the TV. Once a week, turn off the TV and do something a little more physical with your family. Play games, take a walk...almost anything will be more active than sitting on the couch.
- Walk more. Look for small ways to walk more. When you get the mail, take a walk around the block, take the dog for an extra outing each day or walk on your treadmill for 5 minutes before getting ready for work.
- Do some chores. Shoveling snow, working in the garden, raking leaves, sweeping the floor...these kinds of activities may not be 'vigorous' exercise, but they can keep you moving while getting your house in order.
- Pace while you talk. When you're on the phone, pace around or even do some cleaning while gabbing. This is a great way to stay moving while doing something you enjoy.
- Be aware. Make a list of all the physical activities you do on a typical day. If you find that the bulk of your time is spent sitting, make another list of all the ways you could move more--getting up each hour to stretch or walk, walk the stairs at work, etc.

EATING WELL
Eating a healthy diet is another part of the healthy lifestyle. Not only can a clean diet help with weight management, it can also improve your health and quality of life as you get older.

- Eat plenty of high-fiber foods—that is, fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains
- Make sure to include green, orange, and yellow fruits and vegetables—such as broccoli, carrots, cantaloupe, and citrus fruits. The antioxidants and other nutrients in these foods may help protect against developing certain types of cancer and other diseases. Eat five or more servings a day.
- Limit your intake of sugary foods, refined-grain products such as white bread, and salty snack foods.
- Cut down on animal fat. It’s rich in saturated fat, which boosts blood cholesterol
- Cut way down on Trans fats, supplied by hydrogenated vegetable oils used in most processed foods in the supermarket and in many fast foods.
- Eat small small 4-6 meals instead of 3 big and heavy meals.
- Keep portions moderate, especially of high-calorie foods.
- Drink Plenty of water. Atleast 2 lts a day
- Eat a variety of foods. It is possible that not every essential nutrient has been identified, and so eating a wide assortment of foods helps to ensure that you will get all the necessary nutrients.
- Whole grains include whole wheat, brown rice, oatmeal, whole grain barley and millet. Avoid food with refined grains including many breads, pastas, and breakfast cereals.

Above all, Healthy eating begins with learning how to “eat smart”. -- It's not just what you eat, but how you eat.
Take time to chew your food: Digestion begins in the mouth. Chewing breaks the food into smaller particles and mixes the food with saliva that contains digestive enzymes. Thorough digestion is key to the absorption of nutrients and to good health! Chew your food slowly, savoring every bite. We tend to rush though our meals, forgetting to actually taste the flavors and feel the textures of what is in our mouths. Reconnect with the joy of eating.
Avoid stress while eating. When we are stressed, our digestion can be compromised. Avoid eating while working, driving, or watching TV (especially disturbing programs or the news). Also avoid confrontations, serious discussions or worry during meals. If you feel stressed or upset, stop eating and relax before continuing with your meal. Try taking some deep breaths prior to beginning your meal, or light candles and play soothing music to create a relaxing atmosphere.
Listen to your body: Stop eating when you feel full. It actually takes a few minutes for your brain to tell your body that it has had enough food, so eating slowly can help you get a more accurate read on this, as well. Eating just enough to satisfy your hunger will help you remain alert, relaxed and feeling your best, rather than stuffing yourself into a “food coma”!
Eat early, eat often: Remember this old saying: breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, dinner like a pauper. Starting your day with a healthy breakfast can jumpstart your metabolism, and eating the majority of your daily caloric allotment early in the day gives your body time to work those calories off. Also, eating six small, healthy meals throughout the day, rather than the standard three large meals, can help keep your metabolism going and ward off snack attacks.

“To insure good health: eat lightly, breathe deeply, live moderately, cultivate cheerfulness, and maintain an interest in life”

Bollywood may soon be known as Blogywood

Sometime back when I was surfing the channels on my TV I got to know that superstar Amitabh Bachchan is blogging these days, quiet exciting huh!!! Curiosity took me to google and there it was. I was reading Big B's blogs and felt as if I am sitting in front of him. Wow it was quiet a feeling :D.
Go ahead and read his blogs here.
Thats not all stars are now trying to come close to their fans through their websites.
Check out the sites for few of them.
Aamir Khan - For me heez like Bollywood's Tom Hanks.
Ajay Devgan He is an OK actor, according to me.
John Abraham Hunk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bipasha Basu pssssss..............

GM Diet - To Look Thin or Turning Up Old ?

GM DIET
Day One All fruits except bananas. Your first day will consist of all the fruits you want. It is strongly suggested that you consume lots of melons the first day. Especially watermelon and a loupe. If you limit your fruit consumption to melons, your chances of losing three lbs. on first day are very good.
Day Two All vegetables. You are encouraged to eat until you are stuffed with all the raw or cooked vegetables of your choice. There is no limit on the amount or type. For your complex carbohydrate, you will start day two with a large baked potato for breakfast. You may top the potato with one pat of butter.
Day Three A mixture of fruits and vegetables of your choice. Any amount, any quantity. No bananas yet. No potatoes today.
Day Four Bananas and milk. Today you will eat as many as eight bananas and drink three glasses of milk. This will be combined with the special soup which may be eaten in limited quantities.
Day Five Today is feast day. You will eat beef and tomatoes. Eat two 10 oz. portions of lean beef. Hamburger is OK. Combine this with six whole tomatoes. On day five you must increase your water intake by one quart. This is to cleanse your system of the uric acid you will be producing.
Day Six Beef and vegetables. Today you may eat an unlimited amount of beef and vegetables. Eat to your hearts content.
Day Seven Today your food intake will consist of brown rice, fruit juices and all the vegetables you care to consume.
You must drink 10 glasses of water each day

BENEFITS CLAIMED BY GM DIET
Fruits are nature’s perfect food. They provide everything to sustain life. Vegetables and tomatoes are calorie free and provide essential vitamins and fibre. Beef is a good source of iron and protein. The effectiveness of this seven day plan is that the food eaten burn more calories than they give to the body in caloric value.

SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS
Fruits and vegetables are great source of fibre, vitamins and minerals but lack protein, complex carbohydrates and good quality fats. Beef and other meats such as chicken are good sources of first class protein but lack in complex carbohydrates, fibre and good quality fats.
But all essential nutrients are not allowed together even for a day! The exclusion of two or more food groups each day’s diet makes it highly nutrient deficient. This leads to loss of body fluids and lean tissues, which shows as a drastic weight loss and weakness in body.
Cutting out essential nutrients and creating an imbalance does not ‘cleanse and purify’ the body. Detoxification is an essential process that is a daily part of any nutritious balanced program including optimum hydration and balance of all vitamins and minerals.

NEGATIVE EFFECTS
Weakness: The breakdown and loss lean tissues lead to a state of illness with a great drop in fitness level and physical capacity.
Out of shape' body: The diet gives weight loss but without much loss of inches. This worsens the body composition, and the body loses its firmness and shape. Sagging, lose skin and an untoned body is a common end result.
Rebound Effect: Loss of active lean tissues slows down the basal metabolic rate (BMR) and leads to lower calorie burning during all activities. This leads to faster regain of body fat even with a restricted calorie diet. The person goes back to the same or higher weight with higher body fat and greater risk of health problems.
Accelerated Aging: Age related problems result from it. The accelerated breakdown does nothing but speed up the degeneration process and the body grows older than it actually is.
Think about it-would you want to be 5 kg lighter in a week, if at a end of it your body looks five years older.

Dance Aerobics Workout- A Great Fun

If you have a hard time exercising, but wish to have a beautiful body, then the perfect idea to keep yourself in shape is to perform dance aerobics workout.
It's a great fun activity that helps in strengthening your body, giving you energy to carry out your day-to-day activities effectively and efficiently.
There are innumerable benefits of aerobic dance. It provides you the best of all, on one hand, it helps in losing weight, and then on the other hand, it helps in keeping you fit.

Following a regular aerobics program gives you a sense of commitment and control, positive mental attitudes that help counteract stress. Aerobics also relax tense muscles, thereby relieving your body's stress response.

Aerobic dance steps are actually a blend of distinctive dance forms like jazz, disco and ballet.
It has acquired the status of a popular sport that can be enjoyed by all age groups, by both men and women. Dance aerobics craze is spreading everywhere and is sweeping millions of people.


Tips for bringing aerobics safely into your daily life

• Maintain a comfortable pace. For example, you should be able to hold a conversation while walking briskly. If you do not feel natural again within 10 minutes following exercise, you are exercising too hard. Also, if you have difficulty breathing or feel faint or weak during or after exercise, you are exercising too hard.

Increase your workout in stages to get the most benefits with the fewest risks. If you have not been exercising, start at a slow pace and gradually increase the amount of time and the pace of your activity as you become more fit.

Select activities that fit your personality and have an element of fun. For example, if you like team sports or group activities, choose basketball or an aerobics class. If you prefer individual activities, choose swimming or walking. Also, plan your activities for a time of day that suits your personality. If you have more energy in the morning, plan activities that can be done at the beginning of the day.

Plan a workout schedule. To gain the most health benefits it is important to exercise as regularly as possible. Alternating your aerobic activities helps to keep the excitement and anticipation in each sport alive.

Maximize your safety and comfort. There are legitimate reasons why so many athletics shoes exist in the market today. Diverse exercises like walking and tennis require a shoe designed quite differently than an aerobics or running shoe. Also, the proper workout attire that moves and breathes properly is essential.

Encourage your family or friends to support or join you in your activity. When parents are active, their children are more likely to be active and stay active for the rest of their lives.

Challenge yourself. Set short-term as well as long-term goals and celebrate every success, no matter how small. Whether your goal is to control your weight or just to feel healthier, becoming physically active is a step in the right direction. Take advantage of the health benefits that regular exercise can offer and make physical activity a part of your lifestyle.

The Top Five Cancer-Causing Foods

There are some foods that people who are at high risk for developing cancer should definitely avoid-- A BIG NO NO to them. Generally, says natural health researcher Mike Adams, they should avoid foods that contain ingredients known to cause cancer, such as refined sugars and grains , hydrogenated oils, and nitrates. But which foods are the absolute worst?

The top five cancer-causing foods are:

1. Hot Dogs Because they are high in nitrates, the Cancer Prevention Coalition advises that children eat no more than 12 hot dogs a month. If you can't live without hot dogs, buy those made without sodium nitrate.

2. Processed Meats and Bacon Also high in the same sodium nitrates found in hot dogs, bacon, and other processed meats raise the risk of heart disease. The saturated fat in bacon also contributes to cancer.

3. Doughnuts Doughnuts are cancer-causing double trouble. First, they are made with white flour, sugar, and hydrogenated oils, then fried at high temperatures. Doughnuts, says Adams , may be the worst food you can possibly eat to raise your risk of cancer.

4. French Fries Like doughnuts, French fries are made with hydrogenated oils and then fried at high temperatures. They also contain cancer- causing acrylamides which occur during the frying process. They should be called cancer fries, not French fries, said Adams .

5. Chips, Crackers, and Cookies All are usually made with white flour and sugar. Even the ones whose labels claim to be free of trans-fats generally contain small amounts of trans-fats.

Ten Foods for Long Life

1. Tomatoes. A major source of the antioxidant lycopene that reduces the risk of cancer by 40% -- notably prostate, lung and stomach cancers and increases cancer survival. Tomato eaters function better mentally in old age and suffer half as much heart disease. Concentrated tomato sauces have 5 times more lycopene than fresh tomatoes, and canned tomatoes have three times more than fresh.
2. Olive Oil. Reduce death from heart disease and cancer. Recent research shows that heart-attack survivors on a Mediterranean diet had half the death rates of those on an ordinary low-fat diet. Olive oil is also high in antioxidant activity.
3. Red Grapes. Red grapes have moderate antioxidant power, while purple grape juice has four times more antioxidant activity than orange or tomato juice.
4. Garlic. German researchers have found that garlic is packed with antioxidants known to help fend off cancer, heart disease and all-over aging, and prolong cancer survival time. Let crushed garlic "rest" about 10 minutes before cooking to preserve disease-fighting agents.
5. Spinach.Second among vegetables only to garlic in antioxidant capacity and is also rich in folic acid, which helps fight cancer, heart disease and mental disorders. New University of Kentucky research shows folic acid may help prevent Alzheimer's disease. Eat both raw and steamed for benefit.
6. Whole grains.A University of Minnesota study suggests the more whole grains you eat, the lower your odds of death by 15%. Whole grains contain anticancer agents and help stabilize blood sugar and insulin, which may promote longevity. Whole-grain "dark" breads, cereals such as All Bran, and "old fashioned" oatmeal are an excellent source.
7. Salmon (and other fatty fish). Contains high amounts of omega-3 fat that performs miracles throughout the body, fighting virtually every chronic disease known. Without it, your brain can't think, your heart can't beat, your arteries clog, and joints become inflamed. You need one ounce a day, or two servings of salmon, sardines, mackerel, herring or tuna per week.
8. Nuts. Eating more than 5 ounces a week can cut heart-attack deaths in women by 40% and help prevent deadly irregular heart beats in men a Harvard University study found. Almonds and walnuts lower blood cholesterol. Most of the fat in nuts is the good-type monounsaturated and/or omega-3. Unsalted nuts are best.
9. Blueberries. High in antioxidants, Tufts University researchers say a half-cup of blueberries a day can retard aging and can block brain changes leading to decline and even reverse failing memory.
10. Tea. Green or black tea has equal antioxidant benefit. One cup a day can cut heart disease risk in half Harvard researchers found. Make from loose tea or tea bags, instant and bottled tea has little effect Tufts University shows.