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My Weight-Loss Journey – TODAY.com
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Courtesy Beth Dammarell
When Beth Dammarell realized she needed to lose weight she turned to food journaling and walking. Since losing 117 pounds she loves her new life.
After a health scare at 900 pounds, Laura Somers started losing weight. When she hit a plateau, celebrity trainer Don Saladino pitched in.
After having a heart attack following the birth of her fourth child, this mom knew she needed to make healthy changes.
Losing weight meant that Jacqueline Adan finally tried to ride a bike for the first time since she was a child.
When his doctor said his weight might be fatal, this man made simple changes to lose 200 pounds and change his life.
Lexi and Danny Reed made it their New Year's resolution to lose weight and be healthier. What a success!
See the star's trim new look.
When Jasmine Parent saw a picture of herself at 300 pounds, she knew she had to lose weight. In 10 months, she and her partner shed 215 pounds combined.
The Whole30 diet program is often slammed for being too restrictive and not based on independent science. But it's changed my life.
When Kim Monroe realized her weight was keeping her from being the best mom and wife she could be, she turned to 80-Day Obsession to make a change.
Today Doug Bopst is a fitness trainer helping other people on the road to recovery.
Combined the people featured in the top 10 weight loss stories of 2018 shed an incredible 1,382 pounds
After a sharp pain in her side started bothering her, Maxine Wren knew she had to do something about her weight. With some support, she lost 245 pounds.
When Dara Sarshuri learned he weighed 390 pounds he changed his diet and started exercising. In just 10 months he shed 180 pounds and transformed his life....
After being too embarrassed to take his shirt off during a beach vacation, Paul Eulette knew it was time to lose weight and transform his health.
When Greta Ross was prescribed medication for her heartburn, she decided that it was time to change her lifestyle by getting healthy.
After shedding so much weight, Lexi Reed experienced a lot of pain. The excess skin hanging from her body was making life much harder.
After a beach vacation where Tori Lewis felt too uncomfortable to wear a bathing suit, she knew she needed to lose weight.
After a series of events it became very clear to Kristen Pridham that it was time to lose some weight.
After Gary Hall didn't get a job because of his weight, he started exercising and eating healthy foods. In 3 years, he lost 300 pounds.
When Jeanne Traver's son went to college he encouraged her to take his gym membership. That helped her lose 206 pounds and transform her health.
When Eileen Daly was pregnant the second time, she gained 160 pounds. After years of struggling she lost it all and feels much better.
After college, Veronica Castorena was unhappy weighing 450 pounds. She lost 118 pounds, but developed heart failure and gained it all back. Today, she lost...
When Maria Landers was researching weight loss she found Ben Landers and they began a long-distance romance based on their weight-loss journeys.
Dr. Kevin Gendreau watched his sister die of cancer and realized she had no choice in health. But he did. With intermittent fasting, he lost 125 pounds.
After watching her friends travel and camp, Laura Morgan realized her weight was holding her back. She changed one bad habit at a time to lose 140 pounds.
When Janielle Wright realized being overweight held her back, she decided to lose weight. The 16:8 intermittent fasting diet helped her lose 71 pounds.
Throughout the years, Emily Fruhling gained and lost weight. She shares what is helping her succeed this time.
When the Chinese buffet was closed one day, Mike Powers found himself at a gym. He discovered he loved boxing and transformed his health.
After being overweight her entire life, in part because of a hormone condition, Tess Fitzgerald focused on herself and lost almost 200 pounds.
After a humiliating experience on a flight, Michaela Martin learned to love herself, eat healthy and exercise. She's since lost 77 pounds.
Today, she feels great and has even started going to the gym.
After relying on fast food for too many meals, Hannah Lester weighed 285 pounds. A weight-loss challenge at work motivated her to lose the weight.
Hunter Hobbs' time-lapse video shows his dramatic transformation from 202 to 160 pounds in just 3 months.
When Karen Scales agreed to lose weight with her friends, she never believed she could. She shed 126 pounds in 18 months and feels she's a better mom.
When Guillermo Flores was in his early 30s, he worried his weight was impacting his health. An app helped him shed 105 pounds in 18 months.
When Joel West's son started playing sports, West realized his weight was holding him back. He started exercising and eating better and lost 55 pounds.
When XY Jesse noticed his dad's weight was affecting his mood, he took his dad to the gym. In 7 months, the entire family transformed.
When Bri Blank discovered that she weighed 306 pounds she knew it was time to take control of her weight and her health.
After gaining weight together as they struggled with infertility, the Magnarinis realized their needed to lose it together. In 1 year they lost 115 pounds....
When two women realized they needed to do something about their weight, they turned to the Live Longer & Stronger Challenge, shedding 95 pounds combined.
As Anne and Vic Tenaglia tried calming their anxious foster dog, they tried long walks. The exercise helped the dog and transformed their health.
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My Weight-Loss Journey - TODAY.com
7 Surprising Ways To Help Your Pet Lose Weight (And Why It …
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Dr. Ernie Wardlists seven great (and perhaps unexpected) ways to help your pet lose weight. For more from Dr. Ward, find him onFacebookor atwww.drernieward.com!
According to the latest veterinary surveys, over half our nations dogs and cats are overweight. This means almost 80 million pets are at risk for developing crippling arthritis, debilitating diabetes, catastrophic kidney and heart disease, high blood pressure and many forms of cancer. How can you slim down your super-sized pet, keep them fit and reduce their risk of developing many serious diseases? The answer may be easier than you think. Try these seven tips to trim excess pounds from your pet and keep them trim.
1. Calculate CaloriesIf you dont know how many calories your pet needs each day, you dont know how much to feed. And dont think you can trust the bag; feeding guides are formulated for adult, un-spayed or un-neutered active dogs and cats. That means if you have an older, spayed or neutered indoor lap potato youre probably feeding 20% to 30% too much if you follow the foods instructions. Instead, ask your veterinarian to calculate the proper number of calories your pet needs each day. Another good starting point is to use this formula: Divide your pets weight by 2.2. Multiply this figure times 30. Add 70 and youve got a general idea of how many calories you should be feeding a typical inactive, indoor spayed or neutered dog or cat weighing between 6 and 60 pounds.** [(pets weight in lbs/2.2) x 30] +70 **Of course, each pets metabolism is different so be sure to consult your veterinarian before starting a diet.
2. Measure MealsA pet parents single greatest tool in the fight against excess weight is a measuring cup. Too many pet owners simply fill the bowl or guesstimate how much theyre feeding. Even worse, some pets, especially cats, are fed an all-day buffet that results from the just keep the bowl full feeding method. TheAssociation for Pet Obesity Preventionhas done studies to show that feeding as few as 10 extra tiny kibbles of food per day can add up to a pound of weight gain per year in indoor cats and small dogs. After you calculate how many calories your pet needs, determine how much food you should feed each meal and measure it.
3. Tactical TreatingFirst off, Im not anti-treats. I am anti-junk treats. If youre going to give your pets extra goodies, make em count. Too many pet treats are what I call calorie grenades laden with sugar and fat blowing up our pets waistlines and destroying their health. Choose low-calorie, no-sugar goodies that provide a health benefit. I like single ingredient treats such as sweet potato, salmon, and blueberry bites or functional treats that provide a bonus such as helping to keep teeth clean or promote mobility. Whatever treats you give, be sure to count those additional calories. Many pet owners feed the proper amount of food but sabotage their efforts by adding one or two snacks throughout the day. As few as 30 extra calories per day means your pet gains over three pounds in ayear.
Better yet, dogs dont do division. Break treats into peewee pieces and divvy them out whenever your pet earns it. Be cautious of guilt-treating the practice of giving your pet a treat because you feel guilty leaving them home alone. Instead, use treats only as a reward for good behavior. Pets (and people) need to learn to earn extra goodies.
4. Vital VeggiesAs an alternative to highly-processed store-bought treats, try offering baby carrots, green beans, celery, broccoli, cucumbers, sliced apples and bananas or ice cubes. These naturally nutritious tasty tidbits are a healthy option for many dogs. Be sure not to feed dogs a full apple or banana, as they have high sugar content. For cats, try a flake of salmon or tuna when youre feeling generous. While youre at it, put down the potato chips and share a carrot with your pooch. Youll both be healthier for it.
5. Hustle for HealthWhen it comes to living a long, pain-and disease-free life, research proves our most powerful partner is daily exercise. Speaking of partners,anyone with a dog has a built-in, no-excuse exercise buddy. For dogs, as little as 20 to 30-minutes of brisk walking is all it takes to boost immune function, improve cardiovascular health and reduce many behavioral problems. For cats, try playing with a laser pointer, remote-controlled toy or ball of paper for 5 to 15 minutes each day. Do yourself and your dog a favor and commit to daily walks, rain or shine. The health benefits of walking extend to both ends of the leash.
6. Smart SupplementsA couple of supplements may help keep your pet (and you) fit and trim. Almost every dog, cat and person can benefit from taking a daily omega-3 fatty acid supplement. These powerful fish oils pack a potent anti-oxidant punch that has been proven to help prevent and treat numerous diseases. In addition, they may help ease achy joints and perhaps encourage weight loss. L-carnitine has been shown to aid weight loss and promote lean muscle mass in some studies. Ive been prescribing (and taking) l-carnitine for over 13 years and been impressed with the results. Ask your veterinarian if either (or both) of these supplements make sense for your pets condition and which ones are good quality.
7. Cut Down the CarbsMost of the pet dogs and cats I treat for dont need a high-carbohydrate diet. Yet thats exactly what most of us feed our pets. Many diets contain 60% or more carbohydrates when you analyze the food label. I suggest diets that have balanced protein and carbohydrates. As a general rule, I recommend trying a higher protein / low carb diet first for weight loss in my patients.Be sure to check with your veterinarian before making any diet changes. Pets with certain conditions, such as kidney failure, may do better on a different type of diet.
Its the responsibility of each of us to help our pets maintain a healthy weight. Just as youd never walk your dog without a collar and leash or allow them to eat only pizza and ice cream (which many dogs would LOVE!), its up to pet owners to feed healthy, nutritious foods and treats and exercise daily. By using these seven simple suggestions, youll be on your way to your pets best and healthiest year yet!
For additional information, visitwww.PetObesityPrevention.orgorwww.DrErnieWard.com. Join the conversation atwww.Facebook.com/DrErnieWard.
If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.
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7 Surprising Ways To Help Your Pet Lose Weight (And Why It ...
How to lose the most weight in one day (almost 20lbs / 24h)
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Written by David Brown, Last updated: September 26, 2017
If you're trying to figure out how to lose the most weight in one day, then you'll love to read all about my extreme weight loss challenge.
I will show you exactly what I did to lose almost 20 pounds (9 kilograms) in just 24 hours.
But before you read any further, you need to know what I did IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. So DO NOT REPEAT everything that I did.
I know my way around weight loss science, so I did try to stay as safe as possible during my extreme weight loss experiment (you'll see how I did that in a minute).
But no matter how much you know about your body, going through such an intense experience can literally cause your heart to fail[1]. So don't follow in my footsteps.
Before we get started, here' a short overview of everything that I've covered:
If you really want to lose the most water weight in a day, you need to have a lot of water in your body to begin with.
So before I even began my extreme weight loss challenge, I tried to gain as much water weight as possible.
I knew that the more water weight I put on before the experiment, the easier it will be for my body to let go of that weight.
So here's exactly what I did before my extreme weight loss experiment:
Now, some people might think I cheated, that I tried to "fake" better weight loss results because I gained a lot of water weight before my challenge.
But the main reason why I did this was to prevent ending up in a severely dehydrated state (where my body would lose too much water). If I ever reached that state, I'd risk serious damage to my health.
To me, no weight loss challenge will never be worth endangering my health, so I made sure I "loaded up" as much water weight as possible.
Ok, so this is how I put on a lot of water weight before my challenge, now let's take a look at how I actually lost that weight.
First, I heated my living room to a nice "working temperature".
Then, I drank down one caffeine pill and 2 pills of Water Out. Both of these act as a diuretic, which means they help you get rid of that water weight faster. Caffeine does one more thing, but we'll get to that later.
I started my 24 hour timer at six o'clock in the afternoon, and I was going to finish exactly 24 hours later.
The room temperature was already high, but I still put on some warm clothes. I could have gone overboard, put on some plastic body wraps, or added 3 more layers of clothes. That would make me sweat even more (and lose weight even faster), but I felt too hot as it was.
Exercising in an overheated state was stressful enough on its own, so I did it at a slow pace. The entire time I spent on my elliptical trainer, I exercised at the optimal fat-burning pace.
I burned 1200 calories in over two hours on my elliptical trainer. Just like that, I lost 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg) of weight. But that was the easy part.
I kept waking up during the night, because my body was burning up even hours after it had a chance to cool down. In the end, that probably helped speed things up, because by 8 am the next morning, I already lost 10.9 lbs (4.9 kg).
I took another caffeine pill and another 2 pills of Water Out, but this time, I only drank them down with 1 dcl of water. After my living room heated up again, I spend another two hours on my elliptical trainer.
I burned off another 1000 calories (2200 in total), but now I was completely out of gas. Our bodies store about 2000-2500 calories of energy (in a form of glycogen), and by 1 pm I completely wiped out those energy reserves.
At this point, my body was forced to rely on nothing my body fat reserves for energy. The problem with our body fat stores is, that the energy from them gets released incredibly slowly. In other words, I couldn't exercise on the elliptic anymore, because even the smallest of efforts would exhaust me completely.
By 1 pm I lost 15.1 lbs (6.8 kg) in total, but I refused to give up "just" because I had no energy left.
I drank down another caffeine pill with 1 dcl of water. I knew caffeine speeds up the release of energy from your body fat reserves, and this should give me a temporary energy boost.
And it worked. However, caffeine only got me through another 200 calories (2400 in total), before I was out of energy again.
I still had three hours left, so I pulled the last ace out of my sleeve. I ate about 100 grams of dried dates, because I knew that those 300 calories worth of date-sugar will rush into my blood stream really quickly. And yes, because of those dates, it only took a couple of minutes before I was back on the elliptic (exercising like nothing happened).
Those dates took me through another 400 calories (2800 in total), but I still had had some time left.
I used every mind trick I ever learned to get through those last 200 calories. And in that exhausted state, that final half an hour felt like eternity. I had to lie down on the floor three times, just to regain enough strength to get back on the machine.
By 6 pm, I burned off 3000 calories, and completed my weight loss experiment 19.5 lbs (8.8 kg) lighter.
When your body loses a ton of water, you have to start drinking slowly. I knew this, but I still went overboard with my drinking (I didn't even realize how thirsty I was before I actually started drinking), so my stomach did hurt for a while.
I also couldn't start drinking "pure" water, but I had to add electrolytes (just a fancy word for minerals like sodium, calcium...) to it. So I added an isotonic powder to the water, to slowly restore the balance of minerals and water in my body.
How much weight did I regain? Well, after I dealt with my thirst, I faced the strongest onset of hunger I felt in years.
So I did eat a little more than usual (to make up for the last 24 hours), but it still took the next two days, before my cravings returned to normal. Those two days were also enough for almost all of my weight to come back.
There really is just one reason why I put myself through this dangerous weight loss experience.
I wanted to personally demonstrate just how fake the promises of "overnight" weight loss results can be. Now, I did lose more weight in 24 hours, than some people can lose in a month.
But the fact that I regained ALL of it within two days, should tell you that I actually lost little to no body fat.
So hopefully, because of what I did, a few less people will be scammed into dangerous, overnight "quick-fixes".
This is literally the only "understandable" reason I can think of why anyone would even begin to ask themselves how to lose the most weight in one day:
You absolutely must drop 5 or 10 pounds (or more) in just one day, because something really important depends on it.
And I'm not talking about ridiculous goals like looking better on the beach tomorrow. I'm talking stuff like a professional boxer or an mma fighter having to "make weight".
If you're in that sort of trouble, then you'll probably go through with some of the things I did (if you are, then at least be smart about it and stop as soon as you've hit your target weight).
But like I said, just because I went through with this experiment, I can't in good conscience recommend ANYONE to try and repeat the stuff that I did.
(So do whatever you want, just remember, you didn't hear it from me.)
1. Kim D, Mun JB, Kim EY, Moon J. Paradoxical heart failure precipitated by profound dehydration: intraventricular dynamic obstruction and significant mitral regurgitation in a volume-depleted heart. Yonsei Med J 2013;54(4):1058-61.
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How to lose the most weight in one day (almost 20lbs / 24h)
How to Deal with Testosterone Decline
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Testosterone is an androgenic sex hormone produced by the testicles (and in smaller amounts in womens ovaries), and is often associated with manhood. Primarily, this hormone plays a great role in mens sexual and reproductive function. It also contributes to their muscle mass, hair growth, maintaining bone density, red blood cell production, and emotional health.
Although testosterone is considered a male sex hormone, women, while having it at relatively low levels, are more sensitive to its effects. While conventional medical thought stresses that testosterone is a catalyst for prostate cancer,1 even employing castration (orchiectomy) as a form of treatment, recent findings have shown otherwise.
The prostate gland requires testosterone for it to remain at optimal condition. Testosterone levels in men naturally decline with age beginning at age 30 and continue to do so as men advance in years.
Aging-induced testosterone decline is associated with the overactivity of an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase, which converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This process simultaneously decreases the amount of testosterone in men, putting them at risk for prostate enlargement, androgenic alopecia (hair loss) and cancer.
Unfortunately, widespread chemical exposure is also causing this decline to occur in men as early as childhood, and is completely impacting their biology. Recently, for instance, both statin drugs and the active ingredient in Roundup herbicide were found to interfere with the testicles ability to produce testosterone.2
The escalating amount of chemicals being released into the environment can no longer be ignored, as these toxins are disrupting animal and human endocrine systems. Whats even more alarming is that many of these endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have gender-bending qualities.
EDCs are everywhere. They lurk inside your house, leaching from human products such as personal hygiene products, chemical cleansers, or contraceptive drugs. They also end up in your food and drinking water, causing you to unknowingly ingest them.
EDCs pose a threat to mens health as they interfere with testosterone production, causing men to take on more feminine characteristics.
Heres one proof: in a number of British rivers, 50 percent of male fish were found to produce eggs in their testes. According to EurekAlert,3 EDCs have been entering rivers and other waterways through sewage systems for years, altering the biology of male fish. It was also found that fish species affected by EDCs had 76 percent reduction in their reproductive function.
Sexual development in both girls and boys are occurring earlier than expected. In a study published in the journal Pediatrics,4 boys are experiencing sexual development six months to two years earlier than the medically-accepted norm, due to exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals.
Some boys even develop enlarged testicles and penis, armpit or pubic hair, as well as facial hair as early as age nine! Early puberty is not something to be taken lightly because it can significantly influence physical and psychological health, including an increased risk of hormone-related cancers. Precocious sexual development may also lead to emotional and behavioral issues, such as:
Pregnant or nursing women who are exposed to EDCs can transfer these chemicals to their child. Exposure to EDCs during pregnancy affects the development of male fetuses. Fewer boys have been born in the United States and Japan in the last three decades. The more women are exposed to these hormone-disrupting substances, the greater the chance that their sons will have smaller genitals and incomplete testicular descent, leading to poor reproductive health in the long term.
EDCs are also a threat to male fertility, as they contribute to testicular cancer and lower sperm count. All of these birth defects and abnormalities, collectively referred to as Testicular Dysgenesis Syndrome (TDS), are linked to the impaired production of testosterone.5
Phthalates are another class of gender-bending chemicals that can feminize men. A chemical often added to plastics, these endocrine-disrupting chemicals have a disastrous effect on male hormones and reproductive health. They are linked to birth defects in male infants and appear to alter the genital tracts of boys to be more femalelike.
Phthalates are found to cause poor testosterone synthesis by disrupting an enzyme required to create the male hormone. Women with high levels of DEHP and DBP (two types of phthalates) in their system during pregnancy were found to have sons that had feminine characteristics Phthalates are found in vinyl flooring, detergents, automotive plastics, soaps and shampoos, deodorants, perfumes, hair sprays, plastic bags and food packaging, among a long list of common products.
Aside from phthalates, other chemicals that possess gender-bending traits are:
It may be unlikely to completely eliminate products with EDCs, but there are a number of practical strategies that you can try to limit your exposure to these gender-bending substances. The first step would be to stop using Teflon cookware, as EDCs can leach out from contaminated cookware.
Replace them with ceramic ones. Stop eating out of cans, as the sealant used for the can liner is almost always made from powerful endocrine-disrupting petrochemicals known as bisphenols, e.g. Bisphenol A, Bisphenol S. You should also get rid of cleaning products loaded with chemicals, artificial air fresheners, dryer sheets, fabric softeners, vinyl shower curtains, chemical-laden shampoos, and personal hygiene products. Replace them all with natural, toxin-free alternatives.
Adjusting your diet can also help, since many processed foods contain gender-bending toxins. Switch to organic foods, which are cultivated without chemical interventions.
As mentioned above, your testosterone stores also decline naturally as you age. However, there are methods that can help boost your levels. Below are some options you can consider:
If you suspect that you have insufficient testosterone stores, you should have your levels tested. Issues linked to testosterone decline include:
A blood test may not be enough to determine your levels, because testosterone levels can fluctuate during the day. Once you determine that you do have low levels, there are a number of options to take.
There are synthetic and bioidentical testosterone products out on the market, but I advise using bioidentical hormones like DHEA. DHEA is a hormone secreted by your adrenal glands. This substance is the most abundant precursor hormone in the human body. It is crucial for the creation of vital hormones, including testosterone and other sex hormones.
The natural production of DHEA is also age-dependent. Prior to puberty, the body produces very little DHEA. Production of this prohormone peaks during your late 20s or early 30s. With age, DHEA production begins to decline. The adrenal glands also manufacture the stress hormone cortisol, which is in direct competition with DHEA for production because they use the same hormonal substrate known as pregnenolone.
Chronic stress basically causes excessive cortisol levels and impairs DHEA production, which is why stress is another factor for low testosterone levels.
It is important not to use any DHEA product without the supervision of a professional. Find a qualified health care provider who will monitor your hormone levels and determine if you require supplementation. Rather than using an oral hormone supplementation, I recommend trans-mucosal (vagina or rectum) application. Skin application may not be wise, as it makes it difficult to measure the dosage you receive. This may cause you to end up receiving more than what your body requires.
I recommend using a trans-mucosal DHEA cream. Applying it to the rectum or if you are a a woman, your vagina, will allow the mucous epithelial membranes that line your mucosa to perform effective absorption. These membranes regulate absorption and inhibit the production of unwanted metabolites of DHEA. I personally apply 50 milligrams of trans-rectal DHEA cream twice a day this has improved my own testosterone levels significantly.
However, please note that I do NOT recommend prolonged supplementation of hormones. Doing so can trick your body into halting its own DHEA production and may cause your adrenals to become seriously impaired down.
Prostate hyperplasia (BPH), or simply an enlarged prostate, is a serious problem among men, especially those over age 60. As Ive pointed out, high testosterone levels are not a precursor to an enlarged prostate or cancer; rather, excessive DHT and estrogen levels formed as metabolites of testosterone are. Conventional medicine uses two classes of drugs to treat BPH, each having a number of serious side effects. These are:
According to Dr. Rudi Moerck, an expert in chemistry and drug industry insider, men who have low levels of testosterone may experience the following problems:
Instead of turning to some drug that can only ameliorate symptoms and cause additional complications, I recommend using a natural saw palmetto supplement. Dr. Moerck says that there are about 100 clinical studies on the benefits of saw palmetto, one of them being a contributed to decreased prostate cancer risk. When choosing a saw palmetto supplement, you should be wary of the brand, as there are those that use an inactive form of the plant.
Saw palmetto is a very potent supplement, but only if a high-quality source is used. Dr. Moerck recommends using an organic supercritical CO2 extract of saw palmetto oil, which is dark green in color. Since saw palmetto is a fat-soluble supplement, taking it with eggs will enhance the absorption of its nutrients.
There is also solid research indicating that if you take astaxanthin in combination with saw palmetto, you may experience significant synergistic benefits. A 2009 study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition found that an optimal dose of saw palmetto and astaxanthin decreased both DHT and estrogen while simultaneously increasing testosterone.6
Also, in order to block the synthesis of excess estrogen (estradiol) from testosterone there are excellent foods and plant extracts that may help to block the enzyme known as aromatase which is responsible producing estrogen. Some of these include white button mushrooms, grape seed extract and nettles.7
In addition to using bioidentical hormones or saw palmetto, there are two nutrients that have been found to be beneficial to testicular health and testosterone production.
Zinc Zinc is an important mineral in testosterone production.8 Yet, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that about 45 percent of adults over 60 have low zinc levels due to insufficient intake. Regardless of supplementation, 20 to 25 percent of older adults still had inadequate levels.9
It was found that supplementing with zinc for as little as six weeks has been shown to improve testosterone in men with low levels. On the other hand, restricting zinc dietary sources yielded to a drop in the production of the male hormone.10 Excellent sources of zinc include:
Oysters
Protein-rich foods like meats and fish
Raw milk and raw cheese
Beans
Fermented foods, like yogurt and kefir
You may also take a zinc supplement to raise your levels. Just stick to a dosage of less than 40 milligrams a day. Overdosing on zinc may cause nausea or inhibit the absorption of essential minerals in your body, like copper.
Vitamin D Vitamin D deficiency is a growing epidemic in the US, and is profoundly affecting mens health. The cholesterol-derived steroid hormone vitamin D is crucial for mens health. It plays a role in the development of the sperm cell nucleus, and helps maintain semen quality and sperm count. Vitamin D can also increase your testosterone level, helping improve your libido.
Have your vitamin D levels tested using a 25(OH)D or a 25-hydroxyvitamin D test. The optimal level of vitamin D is around 50 to 70 ng/ml for adults. There are three effective sources of vitamin D:
Healthy sun exposure
Safe-tanning beds
Vitamin D3 supplementation
Learn more about how to optimize your vitamin D levels by watching my 1-hour lecture on vitamin D.
Research presented at the Endocrine Societys 2012 conference discussed the link between weight and testosterone levels. Overweight men were more prone to having low testosterone levels, and shedding excess pounds may alleviate this problem. Managing your weight means you have to manage your diet. Below are some ways to jumpstart a healthy diet:
Limit processed sugar in your diet As excessive sugar consumption (mainly fructose) is the driving force of obesity. But this isnt a license to use artificial sweeteners, because these also have their share of negative effects.
It is ideal to keep your total fructose consumption, including fructose from fruits, below 25 grams a day. If you have a chronic condition like diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, it is wise to keep it below 15 grams per day.
Eliminate refined carbohydrates from processed foods Like cereals and soda, because they contribute to insulin resistance.
Consume vegetable carbohydrates and healthy fats Your body requires the carbohydrates from fresh vegetables rather than grains and sugars. In addition to mono- or polyunsaturated fats found in avocados and raw nuts, saturated fats are also essential to building your testosterone production. According to research, there was a decrease in testosterone stores in people who consumed a diet low in animal-based fat.11
Aside from avocados and raw nuts, ideal sources of healthy fat that can boost your testosterone levels include:
Olives and olive oil
Coconuts and coconut oil
Butter made from raw grass-fed organic milk
Raw nuts, such as almonds or pecans
Organic pastured egg yolks
Avocados
Grass-fed meats
Palm oil
Unheated organic nut oils
Consume organic dairy products, like high-quality cheeses and whey protein, to boost your branch chain amino acids (BCAA) According to research, BCAAs were found to raise testosterone levels, particularly when taken with strength training.12 While there are supplements that provide BCAAs, I believe that leucine, found in dairy products, carries the highest concentrations of this beneficial amino acid.
For a more comprehensive look at what you should or shouldnt eat, refer to my nutrition plan.
Unlike aerobics or prolonged moderate exercise, short, intense exercise was found to be beneficial in increasing testosterone levels.
The results are enhanced with the help of intermittent fasting. Intermittent fasting helps boost testosterone by improving the expression of satiety hormones, like insulin, leptin, adiponectin, glucacgon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), cholecystokinin (CKK), and melanocortins, which are linked to healthy testosterone function, increased libido, and the prevention of age-induced testosterone decline.
When it comes to an exercise plan that will complement testosterone function and production (along with overall health), I recommend including not just aerobics in your routine, but also:
High-intensity interval training Work out all your muscle fibers in under 20 to 30 minutes. Learn more about my Peak Fitness regimen.
Strength training When you use strength training to raise your testosterone, youll want to increase the weight and lower your number of reps. Focus on doing exercises that work a wider number of muscles, such as squats or dead lifts. Take your workout to the next level by learning the principles of Super-Slow Weight Training.
For more information on how exercise can be used as a natural testosterone booster, read my article Testosterone Surge After Exercise May Help Remodel the Mind.
The production of the stress hormone cortisol blocks the production and effects of testosterone. From a biological perspective, cortisol increases your fight or flight response, thereby lowering testosterone-associated functions such as mating, competing, and aggression. Chronic stress can take a toll on testosterone production, as well as your overall health.
Therefore, stress management is equally important to a healthy diet and regular exercise. Tools you can use to stay stress-free include prayer, meditation, laughter, and yoga. Relaxation skills, such as deep breathing and visualization, can also promote your emotional health.
Among my favorite stress management tools is the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), a method similar to acupuncture but without the use of needles. EFT is known to eliminate negative behavior and instill a positive mentality. Always bear in mind that your emotional health is strongly linked to your physical health, and you have to pay attention to your negative feelings as much as you do to the foods you eat.
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How to Deal with Testosterone Decline
The Latest: Kim hopes for "successful" summit with Putin
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The Associated Press In this photo released by the Press office of the administration of Primorsky Krai region, North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un leaves a carriage after arriving at the border station of Khasan, Primorsky Krai region, Russia, Wednesday, April 24, 2019. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un arrived in Russia on Wednesday morning for his much-anticipated summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Pacific port city of Vladivostok. (Alexander Safronov/Press Office of the Primorye Territory Administration via AP)
VLADIVOSTOK, Russia The Latest on the summit between Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un (all times local):
2:20 a.m. Thursday
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has stepped out of his khaki-green armored train in far-eastern Russia, smiling and upbeat ahead of a much-anticipated summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin
The summit Thursday comes amid deadlocked global diplomacy over North Korea's nuclear program.
Dressed in a black coat and a fedora, Kim first met Wednesday with Russian officials at Russia's Khasan train station near its border with North Korea before traveling on to Russia's Pacific port city of Vladivostok for a summit Thursday with Putin.
Speaking to Russia's state-owned Rossiya-24, Kim said he's hoping for a "successful and useful" visit and would like to discuss with Putin the "settlement of the situation in the Korean Peninsula" as well as bilateral ties with Russia.
It was his first visit to Russia as North Korean leader; his late father, Kim Jong Il, visited Russia in 2011.
___
6:40 p.m.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has arrived in Russia's Vladivostok for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Kim arrived on his armored train, which pulled into the station in the Pacific port of Vladivostok Wednesday evening. He was greeted by a military orchestra before he got into his personal limousine that traveled with him, and drove away.
Kim's Russia trip comes about two months after his second summit with U.S. President Donald Trump failed because of disputes over U.S.-led sanctions on the North.
___
9:55 a.m.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has arrived in Russia for his summit with President Vladimir Putin in the Pacific port city of Vladivostok.
Russian news agency Tass quoted a local official as saying Kim was given flowers, bread and salt at the Hasan train station after crossing the border.
Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov told Russian media Tuesday that the summit Thursday will focus on North Korea's nuclear program.
Kim's Russia trip comes about two months after his second summit with President Donald Trump failed because of disputes over U.S.-led sanctions on the North.
The state-run Korean Central News Agency said Kim was seen off by officials and residents as he left Pyongyang by his special train at dawn Wednesday.
In this photo released by the press office of the administration of Primorsky Krai region, North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un, center left, surrounded by Russian and North Korea's officials arrive in Vladivostok, Russia, Wednesday, April 24, 2019. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un arrived in Russia on Wednesday morning for his much-anticipated summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Pacific port city of Vladivostok. (Igor Novikov/Press Office of the Primorye Territory Administration via AP)
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The Latest: Kim hopes for "successful" summit with Putin
Vladivostok – Wikitravel
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Vladivostok
Vladivostok (Russian: , vlah-dee-vah-STOHK) [30] is a city in Primorsky_Krai, Russia. It serves as the eastern terminus of the Trans-Siberian Railway and a major Pacific port. Some travellers arrive here at the end or the beginning of a trip on the Trans-Siberian. But it has enough attractions and atmosphere to support a couple of days. The city held the APEC summit in September, 2012 and is under huge renovations and construction now.
San-Francisco and NaplesFritiof Nansen, the Arctic explorer described the city: "It reminds me of Naples by its location on terraces. Although there is no Vesuvius the city has a beautiful harbor and islands". Later on these hills enticed Soviet leader Nikita Khrustchov to call for making Vladivostok San-Francisco. The words were catchy but not historically new since they had already been said in the 1930s. Still the shadow of San Francisco is hovering over the city's hilly streets.
Surrounded by Amursky Gulf from the west, Ussuriysky Gulf from the east and Golden Horn Bay along the south Vladivostok is the home of the Russian Pacific Fleet. The city is separated from its souternmost part, the Russkiy island by Eastern Bosphorous strait and comprises a couple of smaller sparsely populated islands - Reineke and Popov. From its foundation in 1860 as a military post the city recieved the status of porto-franco that boosted international commerce and development. The October revolution brought Japanese, American, French and Czechoslovak armies sided with the Whites. During 35 years of the Soviet era (from 1958 to 1992) Vladivostok was off-limits to foreigners and finally was re-opened for tourism. The city centre, at the edge of the water, has sweeping boulevards of ornate, century-old buildings; magnificent, decaying, and in dire need of a scrub. Further out, on the steep hills overlooking the bay, similarly decaying Soviet blocks dotted with new high-rise buildings provide accommodations for most of the city's residents.
The beautiful oak woods are surrounding the city which along with Nakhodka could be a starting point for weekend bus-tours to the winter ski-slopes or water-falls in summer. A few lotus lakes are attraction for campers and forest lodgers when the flowers are blossoming in August.
Vladivostok is located at the same latitude with Russian subtropical sea resort of Sochi, but its average annual temperature is nearly 10 degrees lower due to the Siberian High that brings cold winds from Yakutia for much of the winter. Thus the winter is typical for Manchuria: cold, clear and very windy. The snow is scarce and in some years may not fall at all. The weather usually stays the same, cold and clear.
January is cold at -14C (7F), and August is fairly warm at 24C (75F), though these are average temperatures, and hot/cold spells can bring much more extreme conditions. It is not unheard of of the below -30C frosts in February, and similarly August can be >30, but in general August and September bring the most sunny and pleasant temperatures. The end of summer, however, could bring Pacific monsoons that last for a few days in a row.
Citizens of certain counties can obtain an e-visa for visits up to 8 days, (citizens of the US, Canada and EU countries must obtain a visa in advance, an e-visa is unavailable). For additional information, see Russia#Get in for visa requirements to Russia.
See also: Trans-Siberian Railway
Tickets for the Trans-Siberian Railway sell out and it is best to buy tickets well in advance. Tickets are sold by the operator as well as via agencies and resellers.
The main line of the Trans-Siberian Railway runs between Moscow and Vladivostok. The Rossiya train leaves every other day from Moscow at 13:20 and from Vladivostok at 4:25, while the slower but cheaper train #99 leave Vladivostok every day around 18:56. Major stops from Vladivostok include Ulan Ude (62-67 hours), Irkutsk (81 hours), Krasnoyarsk (99 hours), Novosibirsk (113 hours), Omsk (121 hours), Yekaterinburg (134 hours), Nizhni Novgorod (5 days), and Moscow (6 days).
Note that if entering Russia by boat, you can stay for 72 hours without a Russian visa. For more information, see Russia#Get_in.
The ferry port in Vladivostok is right next to the train station.
Business Intour Service is the official booking agent for ferries operated by The Far Eastern Shipping Company (FESCO) between Vladivostok and the Fushiki port in Takaoka, Japan. The trip costs 48,400 including meals (alcohol costs are additional). The ships do not have many working amenities. Ferries both ways leave on Friday evening and arrive two days later on Sunday morning. You'll need to arrive at the port a few hours early for immigration procedures.
The Eastern Dream boat of the DBS Ferry Company operates service to/from Donghae, South Korea (US$180+) and Sakai Minato, Japan (US$220+). From March to November the ferry leaves Sakai Minato on Saturdays, briefly stops in Donghae on Sundays and arrives in Vladivostok on Mondays. In the winter, the ferry lays over in Donghae until Monday and arrives in Vladivostok on Tuesday. The nearest major city to Sakai Minato is Kyoto, 3 hours by train.
There is also a ferry service connecting Vladivostok and Sokcho, South Korea. It costs about US$200 and takes two days. One ship leaves Sokcho each week, on Thursday, although they become more frequent in the summer months (June-August).
It is also possible to travel to/from anywhere in the world by booking a berth on a merchant ship. Usual caveats of freighter travel apply, though (it's definitely NOT for a casual tourist), and one need to keep in mind that Russian border and customs officials aren't used to people traveling this way.
Vladivostok International Airport (IATA: VVO, ICAO: UHWW) is 40km northeast of Vladivostok, near Artyom. It is the largest airport in the Russian Far East and serves over 1.5 million passengers per year. Flights to/from Vladivostok are to other Russian cities or cities in Korea, China, or Japan. Flights to other Russian cities are relatively cheap and flights to Korea/Japan can be cheap if booked in advance through low-cost carriers.
To travel between the airport and the city:
departures at airport: 08:10,08:30-every 30min-17:30,18:00,19:00,20:00,22:00
departures at station: 05:40,06:40,07:00,07:20-every 30min-13:50,14:30,14:50,15:30,15:50,16:20,16,50,17:20.
Bus tickets can be bought at the bus station in Vladivostok or from ticket agencies. Buses operate to/from most suburban locations and nearby towns. International routes link Vladivostok to cities in Northeastern China such as Harbin (RUB2,400, 12+ hours; daily at 6:20AM), Mudanjiang, and Suifenhe (RUB1,900).
It takes about 5 hours to get to Vladivostok from the Chinese border, and the road goes through one of the most picturesque areas of the Russian Far East.
Vladivostok has a wide range of transportation, from streetcars to funicular railway. The trams and trolleybuses have, unfortunately, mostly disappeared in an effort to improve traffic it hasn't worked though, mainly because at least two lanes on most downtown streets are still used for unregulated parking. However, there are talks of reinstating at least some trolleybus routes, and lengthening the network to include some suburban destinations. For tram, on the other hand, while the mayor pays some lip service to it, his actions prove otherwise.
While planing your trip, take into account traffic jams. From morning to evening central, streets are filled with slow moving cars. The situation is worst during rush hour: it takes at least 1 hour by bus to get from the railway station downtown to the main bus station in Vtoraya Riechka.
By far the most common is the bus, both large route buses (mainly used Korean ones, some could be seen still carrying Seoul or Busan route plaques) and marshrutka--shared-taxis (which generally follow the bus routes). Buses are extremely crowded but frequent; the fares are a flat 21 r. ($0.30) on 2017-10-13 for the downtown routes, but go up to 120 r. ($4.00) for suburban ones. Hop on the bus in the rear and then pay the driver as you exit at the front. Many buses depart from outside the "Clever House" (Clver House) Department store.
About half of the buses are equipped to receive payments by a refillable Dolphin smart card that can be bought and refilled at the automated kiosks at most major stops. Push the card to the terminal near the driver for a couple of seconds until it beeps twice, and then you are set. Because the cards and kiosks are issued by a major local bank, the card also can be used as a normal debit card in some select shops; and in the kiosks, you can pay with your mobile phone, etc.
On the downside, the bus companies are constantly criticized for neglecting the state of their fleet: running the buses well past their service lives, unduly economizing on cleaning and personnel (they tend to hire recent immigrants, who can be paid as little as possible), and creating competition for the passengers' fare among the drivers, which leads to long delays on stops and reckless driving.
The city has recently stepped in by reinstating the municipal bus company with newer buses and better controlled drivers. All municipal buses are equipped with electronic payment system and trackers, as the city also pushes to equip all the buses with the tracking hardware. The positions and waiting time for the equipped buses can be seen at the Bus 125 website, and major stops are gradually being equipped with electronic timetables.
Access to the outlying areas is generally best done by bus or suburban commuter train called "elektrichka". The train station is accessible and provides a great way to see neighboring cities like Khabarovsk.
There are a number of taxi companies, and hailing one is easy. There is no meter because most companies and freelance drivers charge a flat rate of RUB300 for one hour. The rate is usually negotiable but not below RUB150 per hour. Expect to pay at least this much for a single journey over a short distance.
Although it is the main port of used Japanese car imports in Russia, the century-old streets of Vladivostok are ill suited to heavy traffic. They are usually filled to capacity and traffic jams are common, especially in rush hours. The local driving style is also rather aggressive; and speeding, cutting off, tailgating and ignoring recently-changed traffic lights are widespread. Despite this, car horns are rarely heard.
The city centre is only a short walk from the train station, and most of the sights can be reached easily on foot. Aleutskaya St runs north/south, passing the train station; head north to Svetlanskaya St, which is the main east/west road for the city.
As much of Vladivostok is situated on steep hills, walking can be physically demanding. The ice and wind in winter and the conditions of the pavements mostly preclude bicycle use.
However, MTB and weekend bike tours are very popular among the people for there is quite a lot of scenic places hard-to-reach by vehicles but still worth the effort. The most attractive destinations range the closest islands and the coastline even when the ice covers the bays.
Ferries run between Vladivostok Sea Passenger Terminal (located some 300 meters from Railway Station) and nearby islands. There are regular ferries to Popov, Reineke islands and Peschany. Fare price is only 54 rub. to each destination. Ferries go one-two times per day and schedule changes frequently. Be sure to check the departure time a day before. Visiting Popov and Reineke islands is an excelent opportunity to escape the city and see Eugnie de Montijo archipelago. On summer months these routes are very popular with locals. Camping and swiming opportunities are abundant, though you will not be alone. Be aware that during storm boat runs will be canceled and you might get stuck on an island until boats are resumed!
If you've arrived in Vladivostok on the Trans-Siberian, at the end of a trip that began in Moscow, head straight for Sportivnaya Harbor. The still waters of the sea will likely provide sweet relief after several days on the train. However, if you're fresh off a ferry from Japan or Korea, head up to Svetlanskaya and Ploschad Bortsov Revolutsy for a stroll to get your land legs back. (Both destinations usually have food and drink vendors.)
Civil engineering buffs can gawk at the numerous construction projects peppering the city streets in preparation to 2012 APEC Summit, including the two enormous bridges across the Golden Horn Bay and Eastern Bosporus strait (the Russian Navy officers first exploring the area were big fans of Istanbul harbour), the latter of which would be a largest cable-stayed bridge upon its completion. Locals are more ambivalent about all that construction, but the bridges and hotels nevertheless already have become a frequent visitor attractions.
Russia's Pacific Fleet (not all of it, mind you, just its destroyer squadron) is parked right in the downtown, in Golden Horn Bay. A walk along the waterfront on Korabelnaya Embankment offers the closest views; to get any closer, you will have to enlist. Photographs with an average-sized camera shouldn't attract any problems, but be mindful of your surroundings or an enterprising police officer might invent a fine for you to pay.
If you're a connoisseur of Lenin statues, don't miss the one overlooking the train station from the west, next to the post office (the popular joke goes that the World Proletariat Leader says "You're going the right way, comrades", while pointing at Japan). There are also some interesting statues heading east on Svetlanskaya, both Soviet-era and abstract.
If you'd like to swim, the beach at Sportivnaya Harbor is the place to do it (not Golden Horn Bay, where the Pacific Fleet is parked). Be sure to salute the half-submerged mermaid statue out in the water. Alternately, in the winter, locals aren't shy about strolling out on ice.
Both abovementioned universities can set you up in their dorms as well as do the necessary paperwork for you to study in Russia. Some more information on Russian language course at the International relations department: [38].
There's a GUM (literally means Great Universal Market; former Kunst&Albers) department store on Svetlanskaya, across from Ploschad Bortsov Revolutsii, and electronic stores further east that can help with power converters and the like.
Local markets are spread throughout Vladivostok and provide the basic groceries for a neighborhood. Some even have a butcher but most all provide sausages and frozen meat. Larger markets sell clothing, shoes, and everything else imaginable in addition to food.
Sportivnaya Market is the largest market in Vladivostok. Its maze-like warrens are full of people selling most everything. There is a large Chinese presence here, and knockoffs and Chinese imports abound. The range of food sold at this market is fabulous but is probably a bit unusual for everyday fare.
Sunday morning brunch at the Vlad Inn (below) is a tradition for the handful of ex-pats living in the city.
Magic Burger, Subway, Cinnabon, Royal Burger, RestoGrad (), Baskin Robbins, Country Fried Chicken, Magic Bell, beer restaurant network Republic () could be easily hit in the center.
Russian dorm rooms in Vladivostok range from awful to OK. Generally, foreigners are dormed in reasonable accommodations, but you should know exactly what you are getting into before arriving. Important things you might take for granted include: private or communal kitchen and bathrooms, number of roommates, number of clothing washers and dryers.
The Far Eastern National University (above) offers reasonable dorm rooms but foreigners are separated from Russian students, so if you are looking for more Russian immersion, ask them about arranging a home stay.
The hotels in the city center are targets for huge tour groups, who block out availability for weeks on end, so reserve in advance if possible.
A few roads can only be crossed by poorly-lit underground passageways, which can be a bit nerve-racking at night. Beggars tend to congregate near the doors, including children with very quick hands, so cover your pockets as you pass.
Although you'll see plenty of locals stripping down for a swim on the boardwalks off Naberezhnaya, take care; there is plenty of rusted metal about. Stick to the beach unless you're very confident in your tetanus shots.
The main post office is on the other side of Aleutskaya from the train station. Internet access is available on the first floor of the post office. There are a few Internet cafes in the town center.
ATMs are easy to find, and most are connected to international bank networks. Otherwise, many hotels have exchange desks, although some have exchange rates decidedly skewed in their favor. Banks are the most obvious choice for currency exchange. There will also be dodgy money-changers near Sportivnyaya Harbor.
Mobile operators are the same as anywhere in Russia: MTS () and Megaphon (). Local NTK () will automatically switch your Beeline () phone to roaming service. Buying a SIM card needs a passport in Russia. Refilling locations are QIWI terminals or salons of mobiles: Evroset (), Svyaznoy () and Sotoviy mir ( ).
The number of wi-fi spots is over 130 which are availiable in most of cafes in the downtown.
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Vladivostok - Wikitravel
Exercise Science Major | Lebanon Valley College
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Promote Health and Wellness with a Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science
Whether you want to work in strength conditioning, corporate or community wellness, or cardiac rehabilitation, LVC's exercise science major prepares you to work with clients who have a range of needs, diseases, and injuries. By the time you graduate, you'll be able to help your clients perform exercises and improve their overall well-being, all while designing interventions based on scientific research.
At LVC, we'll help you tailor your exercise science degree to your career interests. You can pursue the Professional/Graduate Track or the Health and Wellness Track.
Professional/Graduate Track:includes foundational sciences of biology, chemistry, and physics, along with fundamental and advanced exercise science coursework. Students in this track are on a trajectory toward possible graduate school admission in allied health fields, basic science, or more clinically oriented careers such as cardiac rehabilitation and exercise physiology.
Health and Wellness Track:designed for students who wish to pursue careers in health and fitness areas such as community based adult and child fitness, corporate wellness, performance optimization, and health promotion. This track focuses on foundational anatomy and physiology, chemistry and physics, and foundational and advanced exercise science coursework.
In both tracks you'll develop a background in scientific knowledge, create an outstanding portfolio of independent projects, and gain the hands-on experience you need to jump-start your career in exercise science.
Apply to our Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science for first-year undergraduates, or transfer in as a non-traditional student.
Our dedicated faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and project-based learning opportunities ensure that you'll be prepared for a world that needs you. Students in exercise science explore how human performance affects exercise and learn how to promote a healthy, balanced lifestyle to the publicall under the watchful eye of faculty members who are practicing clinicians.
Through presentations and our professional practicum, you'll learn the patient communication skills employers seek. We promote critical thinking, evidence-based research, and self-directed learning, so you can contribute to society through education and community service as a lifelong health careers professional.
You'll gain hands-on experience with athletes and clients, and get out in the community through our professional practicum.
Depending on your career interests, gain hands-on experience in a practicum setting with organizations like:
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Exercise Science Major | Lebanon Valley College
How to Lose Weight Safely in Two Weeks and Keep it Off
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Do you need to know how to lose weight safely in two weeks? Since youre reading this, were going to assume that you do! We can help, whether you have a vacation coming up or an important event and you want to look your best. If you stick to the guidelines below, you can make a noticeable change in your appearance in the next 14 days.
We dont recommend extreme weight loss methods, but really fine-tuning your diet and exercise routine can help you shed some excess weight and inches, quickly and safely. When it comes to losing weight quickly, simply cleaning up your diet can make a huge difference. What you eat and drink each day (and, what you choose not to consume) will determine your results. Then, adding in exercise and workout routines will get you the rest of the way!
Make sure to Eat Enough You might be surprised to learn that eating enough is crucial to quick weight loss. Often times, when were trying to lose weight quickly, we essentially starve ourselves. This is not only unhealthy, but its also incredibly ineffective.
While it is imperative to decrease daily caloric intake, your body and metabolism still require a certain number of calories to burn fat at an optimal rate. For this reason, the first thing that youll want to do is find outHow Many Calories You Should Be Eating Daily to Lose Weight.
Plenty of Protein Protein is by far the most important macronutrient that you can eat for fast weight loss. Its not free of calories; in fact, there are 4 calories in each gram. But, digesting protein takes longer and requires more energy. This means that when you eat protein, your body works harder and burns more calories than if you were eating carbs or fat.
Beyond that, consuming sufficient amounts of protein each day will boost your metabolism, slow down digestion, keep you feeling fuller for longer, and even help your muscles recover faster from your workout!A general rule of thumb for weight loss is to eat at least 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight. For instance, if you weigh 140 pounds, youll want to eat 140 grams of protein daily for the next 14 days.
To ensure that you dont get sick of your protein sources, check out this Ultimate List of 44 High-Protein, Low-Carb Foods.
Fewer Carbs Decreasing your carb intake temporarily can be extremely beneficial to shrinking your waistline! When you eat carbs, your body holds on to water. Limiting carbs allows your body to let go of water, enabling you to lose inches as well. Furthermore, decreasing carbs will help you reduce your daily calorie intake, assisting in the weight-loss process.
The list of high-protein, low carb foods above will be extremely helpful, but you may also want to try one of these effective eating plans:
Plenty of Water Water is essential to increasing your rate of fat loss. Staying properly hydrated will help maintain the speed of your metabolism, flush out toxins, keep you energized and focused, and even allow you to lose more water weight. That may sound contradictory, but when your body is hydrated, it doesnt feel the need to hold onto excess water. This means youll drop weight and inches!
Drink a minimum of 64 ounces of water each day. Space it out throughout the day, so you dont have to chug it all in the evening. We recommend drinking an 8 oz. glass right after you wake up and again before each meal. This will do two things: help you reach your water goals and keep you from overeating.
Read: 12 Easy Ways to Increase Your Daily Water Intake
Black Coffee Water is the only beverage that you need to drink, but black coffee can temporarily increase fat burn. We say black coffee because once you add cream and sugar, its no longer a zero calorie beverage. The caffeine content in black coffee will speed up the rate of your metabolism for an hour or two after you drink it.
Green Tea This is the other beverage youre permitted to drink when trying to lose weight fast. Green tea also contains caffeine, and it will have similar effects to black coffee. Its an excellent way to switch up your beverages if you begin to get bored with water. Keep in mind, however, that green tea does not count towards your daily 64 ounces of water!
Everyday Activities Increasing your movements throughout the day can add up, and before you know it youre burning hundreds of extra calories. If you are able, walk to work or school. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Park in the farthest parking spot from the entrance. Clean the house! The more you move, the more weight you will lose.
HIIT This is one of the most effective forms of exercise that you can perform. You not only burn hundreds of calories during the workout, but you continue to burn them even after its over due to the boost in metabolism! HIIT has become extremely popular, not just because of the results it will get you but also because it takes less time out of your day. If youre trying to lose weight within the next two weeks, youre definitely going to want to perform these HIIT routines:
Tabata This form of training is just as effective as HIIT, but it can be completed in an even shorter amount of time. The goal of Tabata is to combine all-out bursts of energy with rest periods, increasing metabolism and fat-burn. Traditional Tabata workouts can be completed in as little as 4 minutes. Try these fast and fun routines:
If you can adhere to these guidelines for the next two weeks, you will notice a significant improvement in the way that you look and feel.
After your vacation or event has passed, dont go back to your old ways! Get back on track so that the next time a special occasion comes up, youll already be ready. Continue eating clean and working out regularly. Youll be so glad that you did!
Follow us on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for all of the best fitness tips, plans, and routines.
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How to Lose Weight Safely in Two Weeks and Keep it Off
Soma Spray For Long Term Weight Loss | HGH.com
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Losing Weight After 60 Is Hard Here Are 9 Ways to Drop …
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Lets face it trying to lose weight after your 60 years old is really hard. Back in the day, you could eat whatever you wanted (for the most part). Now, you eat a Hersheys Kiss, and you gain 2 pounds overnight.
As our bodies age, we lose our ability to eat whatever we want. Suddenly, we have to track calories and steps to stay ahead of the scale.
Before we get into 9 ways you can realistically lose weight, stay in shape, and feel like youre 25 again, its important to understand why keeping the weight off has suddenly become so difficult.
If youre 65+ and are enrolled in Medicare, there are plans that offer free gym memberships as a part of your health insurance. It's never been easier to get motivated and stay in shape! Learn more
Losing and maintaining your weight can start to become an issue as early as age 50, though many experience this annoyance around age 60.
What is going on?
For starters, your metabolism slows down as you age.
Robert Herbst, a personal trainer and 19-time World Champion in powerlifting explains, Im 60, so I know what it means to be 60. The slowing of the metabolism is a function of decreased production of testosterone and human growth hormone (HGH), which causes a loss of muscle mass.
Dont worry that loss of muscle mass can be reversed, and well get to that in the next section.
Carolyn Dean, MD and author of 30 books, including The Complete Natural Medicine Guide to Womens Health also explains, The loss of nutrients such as magnesium has decreased the production of metabolism-boosting hormones, so your weight loss efforts are handicapped.
In essence, this isnt your fault. With age, your body becomes less efficient with producing the key hormones it needs, which makes losing weight well, really hard.
For women, perimenopause and menopause are a reality of your 50s and 60s. Because of this shift, you actually burn fewer calories than you used to.
Jill McKay, Certified Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor, explains, With menstruation, our body temperature would fluctuate, so we would get a bonus calorie burn of about 300 calories per month. Its not much, but it adds up over time.
Another issue that comes with both perimenopause and menopause is insulin-resistance, which makes losing weight even more difficult.
This means that the things you used to eat, you cant eat anymore! That also goes for portions you might not be able to eat as much as you could before without gaining weight.
When youre nearing retirement, theres more time. More time to exercise, of course, but is that really how we like to spend our free time?
Jill notes that, generally speaking, older adults often have more opportunities for socializing (and better finances to go to nice dinners).
In fact, were more likely to eat more if were around other people who are eating. All that socializing is making it harder to stay in shape.
For most people, losing weight after 60 is hard, but thats normal. However, if losing weight is exceptionally hard, you may want to check with your doctor that you dont have any health conditions.
The two most common health conditions that can cause weight gain are 1) the thyroid losing function, and 2) insulin becoming less functional.
The common test called hemoglobin A1c can tell you if youre able to metabolize your sugars well. If not, you could be at risk for diabetes.
For women, these conditions are most common around menopause.
So, losing weight after 60 is a real problem that many men and women face. However, there are some tricks to nudging that weight off so that you can tip the scale in your favor.
Related: Over 60? How to Use Smartphone Apps to Lose Weight and Track Fitness
Strength training, also called resistance training, isnt usually the first thing older adults think of when they think of exercise. Typically, cardio exercises, like walking on a treadmill or hopping on an elliptical are the most common.
However, Idea Fitness Trainer of the Year, Carol Michaels, worries that many seniors are forgetting about strength training.
The missing exercise component to help those over 60 lose weight is oftentimes strength training. This is an exercise using weights (or your own body weight) to strengthen and build muscle. It increases the size and strength of the muscle fibers and strengthens the tendons, ligaments, and bones.
As we age, we lose muscle mass mainly because of the slowing metabolism, which then contributes to an even slower metabolism, and suddenly, youre in a vicious cycle.
However, you can stop that cycle of muscle loss by strength training in fact, you can reverse the muscle loss at any age.
Carol continues, Since muscle is metabolically active, the more muscle mass that you have, the faster your metabolism. Therefore, strength training can help with weight loss.
But the benefits of strength training dont stop at weight loss. Other benefits of strength training include:
Who thought exercise could actually energize you?
Robert Herbst offers another way to think about strength training, The body will build additional muscle which is metabolically active and burns calories, even when at rest. Having this new muscle also raises the metabolism, just like a six cylinder car burns more gas than a four cylinder one, even when idling at a red light.
In essence, your new muscle will help you burn more fat, and youve suddenly stopped the vicious cycle of aging, and instead started a cycle of weight loss and weight management.
Now that were on the same page strength training is awesome! you might be wondering how exactly to go about this.
Carol says that many older adults around age 60 dont know where to begin. Should you go to the gym and use the machines? Should you buy some free weights?
A few popular machines you can use at the gym
She explains, Although machines can be helpful for those with balance issues, exercise with free weights has several benefits.
Free weights can be used at home or at the gym
Gyms also have free weights, so if youd rather pay for a gym membership than buy your own free weights, you have the choice.
Sure, strength training sounds nice, but if you think Im going to do it every single day for 2 hours a day
Dont worry. You dont have to do strength training like a madman to get the benefits.
Carol suggests that you should aim for 2 times per week.
Strengthen each muscle group, alternating from upper to lower body. Make sure to work the front, back, and side of the body so that you do not create imbalances. If you are new to exercise and over 60, you might start with a very light weight.
Once you have your exercises planned, Carol suggests doing 5-10 repetitions of that exercise. By the 5-8th repetition, you should start to feel the muscle really working. By the final repetition, you should feel that youve worked the muscle, but youre not exhausted. If youre exhausted, youre doing too much weight.
You can call your local gym in order to have a personal trainer show you what exercises to do, but there are a lot of experts online who have strength training programs with pictures and tutorials.
Bodybuilding.com dont be scared off by the name has a huge amount of pre-planning workout regimens. You can sort them by level beginner, intermediate, and advanced as well as length, 4, 6, 8, 12 weeks, etc.
You can browse those workout plans here: https://www.bodybuilding.com/workout-plans.
Dieting after 60 is confusing even if carb-heavy meals and delicious desserts have never been an issue for you, you might start to notice your body changing. That daily dessert might cause you gain weight, even if youve stayed the same weight for years.
But the bigger problem is that older adults over age 60 tend to have higher blood sugar due to insulin resistance.
Denny Hemingson, a 61-year-old Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner explains, Insulin signals the liver, muscle, and fat cells to take up glucose out of the blood stream. When those cells become resistant to insulin, glucose doesn't get used and ends up staying in the blood creating high blood sugar. Eventually, this leads to pre-diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and type II diabetes. In this state, it's much harder for the body to release extra pounds.
The solution? Reducing carbohydrates. Denny goes on to say that focusing on blood sugar retention over 60 is an important reality, and by reducing carbs, youre reducing your blood sugar, which will make it easier to maintain your weight.
Carolyn Dean is an advocate for the Keto diet, which is a high fat, moderate protein, and low carb diet. This allows the body to use up carbohydrate stores of sugar called glycogen, and then turn on fat burning to burn excess fat cells as energy.
The Keto diet is slowly gaining more recognition in the fitness and medical community as a way to burn fat faster than ever before, but its still recommended that you talk with your doctor before trying it.
Carolyn says that with the Keto diet, your goal is restrict carbs to 20-50 grams per day.
Drinking water doesnt in itself help you lose weight, but the reality is that many people think theyre hungry when theyre really just thirsty.
The cure? Drink a ton of water.
Carolyn and Denny both advise that you drink half your body weight (in lbs) in ounces of water. Carolyn explains, Often, people think they are hungry but they are really thirsty.
So, for example, if you weigh 200 pounds, you should drink 100 ounces of water. Thats about 5-6 bottles of water per day.
Something you may have never thought of is adding magnesium to your diet.
Magnesium is an energy mineral and weight loss/metabolism-boosting mineral that helps synthesize proteins, carbs, and fats.
Carolyn explains that of the 700-800 magnesium-dependent enzymes, the most important enzyme reaction that magnesium contributes to involves the creation of energy. Magnesium activates adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the fundamental energy storage molecule of the body.
Getting magnesium into your diet is as simple as adding to your water. Carolyn says, Add sea salt and an absorbable form of magnesium, such as magnesium citrate powder, to your water. This will definitely make following low-carb diet easier, and it will help you avoid the loss of energy, sluggishness, and headachy feeling associated with electrolyte depletion.
Another thing to note is that sugar stresses the body and depletes magnesium, so staying away from sugar can help neutralize the effects of stress. Who knew?
OK, dont get sunburnt or anything, but make sure to get some Vitamin D!
Without Vitamin D, you might find yourself running to the cupboard for more snacks than you need.
Denny explains, Vitamin D works alongside the hormone leptin to regulate hunger signals. When Vitamin D is deficient, this process malfunctions causing people to overeat.
Get outside, take in some sunshine, and bask in the fact that youre controlling your appetite!
Its no secret that stress can cause us to overeat.
When youre stressed, do you go to the freezer for some chocolate ice cream? Youre not alone.
A great way to manage stress is to relax. And sometimes, you need some prompting.
Denny suggests yoga, which does more than just ease stress. Youll improve your balance, your core strength, and your mindfulness.
Other ways to manage stress are to consider meditation, prayer, and nature walks.
The app called Simple Habit has free, quick meditations that you can try if youre interested in giving meditation a shot.
Popular meditations include "Simple Habit Starter" and "Coffee Meditation," which are both only 5 minutes long.
Sleep has incredible effects on your overall health.
Not only will you have more energy for that strength training workout, but when you sleep, your body actually produces the human growth hormone (HGH).
Denny advises that you get 7-8 hours of quality sleep. The best way to make sure your sleep is of quality is to:
Sleep brings youthfulness, so dont skimp on it!
Meal prepping can force you to eat healthier foods throughout the week, even when you dont have time to cook. (Or you just dont feel like it.)
Jill advises, Stop eating manufactured food. Yes, this is challenging if you live alone. Look into meal prep for the week that way, you cook larger portions and break them down to smaller meals during the week.
If youve never tried meal prepping before, Thirty Handmade Days has an excellent blog post called Meal Prep Ideas Why, What, and How.
There, youll learn how to do it, and there are even recipes to get you inspired.
Finally, dont be so hard on yourself!
If you go an entire week without losing an ounce, dont worry! That can be extremely normal.
All of our experts advise that you dont cut your calorie intake by too much. Jill explains, Adequate calories are important don't cut calories too drastically! Fast weight loss leads to muscle loss, and that changes body composition (and can slow the metabolism.
In other words, all your strength training progress can be lost if you arent eating enough.
Finally, dont push yourself too hard in the gym, either. Jill explains her own pet peeve: One of my biggest pet peeves is when an inexperienced personal trainer tries to make a Baby Boomer complete a workout that is so challenging that they are so sore the next day that they can barely brush their teeth or get up off the toilet. That is NOT necessary!
If you need a break, take one! If you feel the weight is too heavy, lighten up! The goal is to keep yourself healthy not to make yourself miserable.
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Losing Weight After 60 Is Hard Here Are 9 Ways to Drop ...