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Do Eat With Your Emotions?

 

Weight Loss Hypnosis

Is binging your number one problem? When you are alone and relaxed do you eat anything and everything. It doesn’t matter what it is — you feel have no self-control. It doesn’t matter how I’m feeling because either way I always eat. Please help!

First, realize you are very much in control. It sounds like you are using food to meet needs and handle feelings that you don’t know how to deal with in a healthier manner.

Yes, it feels "out of control" as "emotional eaters." It often feels like the jelly doughnuts sprout wings and cram themselves down your throat. Other times it feels like an alien presence has invaded the decision-making center of our brains, making us do stupid things against our will. We criticize ourselves for being so weak and powerless, when what we really want is to be thin and healthy.

Let’s get real. Fattening foods don’t really fly. Eating requires a decision to eat. Eating requires a deliberate act. Therefore, it’s impossible to be "out of control" of our eating.

Yes and no.

To understand this dilemma, understand that although eating does require a conscious decision to eat, it is influenced by both conscious and unconscious factors. We’re not always aware of the feelings and issues that drive us to binge. We can be in such internal conflict that while our right hand is stuffing our face the left hand tries to stop it. We are bewildered with this vicious battle and end up feeling like a loser every time.

To understand this we also have to recognize the emotional power of food. Food is unique. It gets right down into our belly where we have all those "gut-wrenching" feelings and soothes turmoil. For many, food is a primary emotional coping technique. It distracts. It calms. It’s dependable. And it is almost always readily available. No wonder, then, that so many of us feel out of control in the face of stress. We don’t know what else to do besides eat.

When we spend all day meeting everyone else’s needs, it’s often the case that after the kids are no longer demanding our time and energy, we sit down and "give" to ourselves with food. It’s crucial to avoid buying into the destructive and disempowering notion that we are "out of control" by recognizing that eating requires a choice. If we tune into the lurking feelings and issues that affect our judgment, then we can make a coping choice that might be more direct and ultimately, more satisfying than overeating.

Only then can we truly be in control.

Try an eating strategy called "empowered eating." By becoming an empowered eater you will be more aware of what you eat and why you eat it, which will help you develop more stable eating patterns. Get started with the following three steps.

Step 1: Take responsibility for your eating. Be accountable. Specifically, find an eating plan that can fit into your lifestyle. You must recognize that no one can do this for you. You must take the lead.

Step 2: Eat with a purpose. View all eating as goal-directed. An eating goal may be physical, like nourishing the body, or it may be emotional, like coping with psychological issues.

Step 3:Be mindful of your eating behavior. Pay attention. Be fully aware of your feelings and the issues that are associated with your eating. Being an empowered eater doesn’t mean you never again overeat because of emotional stress. It does mean, however, that when you do overeat, you understand why. And understanding the "why" behind your choices will make it easier for you to develop new, healthy habits.


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Nov 03, 2009 | 0 | Healthy

Goji and Great Sex


A healthy sexual relationship can promote every aspect of your life, including your physical health and self-esteem.  And although sex in your idle or later years may be a bit atypical from how it was in your twenties, it can be every bit as pleasing and fulfilling.  Simply understand the normal changes that are occurring in your body and your partner’s body. These changes can affect your capability to have and enjoy sex and, if not addressed, you might have difficulties with arousal or performance (sexual dysfunction). Results from a national research of people aged 18 to 59 years reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association indicate that sexual dysfunction is common among both women (43 percent) and men (31 percent).

Boost Your Sex Drive with Goji

Your libido (sex drive) is regulated by the hormone testosterone. Although classified as a male hormone, testosterone is produced by both men and women. As you grow older, your body produces less testosterone. Thus results significantly diminished interest in sex.

The renowned herbalist Ron Teeguarden reports that in Chinese studies, goji was shown to markedly increase testosterone levels in the blood, increasing libido in test subjects.

Testosterone is not the only hormone that influences your desire for sex and sexual pleasure. As women approach menopause, you may experience a drop in levels of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. This causes vaginal tissues to become thinner, drier, and less flexible, which makes sexual activity unpleasant or even painful. Longer foreplay and the use of water-based lubricants can help, and having intercourse regularly actually helps maintain lubrication and elasticity. You may find yourself feeling too exhausted or ill to enjoy sex. Changing hormone levels can also cause you to have problems sleeping, and can result in heavy, irregular, or lengthy menstrual periods.

Your desire for sex is also influenced by emotional factors. According to the Association of Reproductive Professionals, at least 50 percent of troubles with sexual desire have to do with relationships. For example, partners may have problems communicating with one another about their feelings in general, or their sexual needs. They may have monotonous sexual routines, or may no longer feel sexually attracted to each other. Feeling drained or stressed about your life situation — your job, finances, children — and other factors can also cause you to lose interest in sex.

If you feel that things like gray hair or wrinkles make you less attractive or desirable to your sexual partner, then you may find yourself looking to avoid sex.  Thus, your body image is also important.

As men age, it might take you longer to achieve an erection. Your erections may be less firm and may not last as long. After climax, it may take longer before an erection is again possible. Some men may find they need more foreplay. As men get older, erectile dysfunction (ED) becomes more widespread. Also referred to as impotence, ED is the loss of capacity to have and maintain an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse.

By age 65, about 15 to 25 percent of men have this problem at least one out of every four times they are having sex as reported by the National Institute on Aging. This may happen in men with heart disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes — either because of the disease or the medicines used to treat it.

For enhanced male arousal and sexual performance, one should have freedom from stress and distraction.  If you are overly stressed with worries about how you will perform, it can trigger impotence. More than enough reserves of stamina and endurance are also necessary for a stress-free sexual experience.
Goji berries have been traditionally considered in Asia as a longevity, strength-building, and sexual potency food of the highest order. In several study groups with elderly people, the berry was given once a day for three weeks. The results showed that spirit and optimism increased significantly in all patients.

Consequently, nearly all patients reported improved appetite and better quality of sleep. More than 35 percent of the patients saw a marked recovery of sexual function.

The goji berry is also legendary for helping to spark the passions. In fact, an old Chinese proverb cautions men who are traveling far from their wives and families: “He who travels one thousand kilometers from home should not eat goji!”



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Nov 03, 2009 | 0 | Healthy

4 Steps To Better Health

It’s possible to learn HOW to better your health in only 4 steps and this article will show you how. Each step is a bite-sized nugget of healthy living information you can actually use.

Let’s get started…

Step 1: Nutritional Supplements

In my opinion, they are very necessary and very beneficial- especially when combined with healthy eating habits. It’s very difficult to get all the nutrients your body needs through food alone, but combining proper nutrition with nutritional supplements is very powerful.

That being said, the one supplement everyone should be taking is a good multi vitamin/mineral. Look at it as added insurance- eatig well is crucial, but now that you’re also taking a multi, you can rest assured you’re getting the nutrients your body needs.

Step 2: Nutrition

Good nutrition is SO important. You are what you eat…remember that. Make a conscious effort to gradually improve your eating habits, eating more of the good foods (nuts, berries, peanut butter, olive oil, greens, chicken, whole grains, etc.) and less of the bad foods (fried food, saturated fat, fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, etc.). Reading the label of what you’re eating will tell you a lot.

You may think you lack the needed will power, but you’ll be amazed at what happens when you start to gradually improve your eating habits.

Step 3: Exercise

Exercise is the missing piece of the puzzle when it comes to better health. There are so many benefits of exercising, including stronger bones and improved libido- it’s a no brainer to start doing it. Your goal should be to exercise 3-5 times a week with a combination of cardio exercises and strength training (but no more than 1 hour per workout session).

It’s been measured that if you add 3 pounds of muscle to your body, this added muscle will burn as many calories as if you ran 1 mile. Muscle burns calories!

Step 4: Stress Management and Sleep

Stress management and getting good sleep each night round out your path to better health. Until you find a way to manage your stress, it will continue to do damage to your body. Two tips you might want to implement include prioritizing your day each morning and practicing deep breathing exercises (yes, you probably already knew this, but have you tried it?).

Getting enough sleep each night is equally important when you consider your body uses this time to repair itself. You should aim for 7-9 hours each night. Two tips you might want to implement include exercising and avoiding late night eating.

Now that you have the basics, expand on this information. Step 1 research more about Nutritional Supplements, Step 2 research more about Nutrition and so on. I guarantee after the 4 steps you’ll feel more confident about reaching your health & fitness goals.



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Nov 02, 2009 | 0 | Healthy

Detox Products And Diets Are Here To Save The Day

Home Detox has many advantages compared to clinical detox on alcohol addiction.

 

More often than we want to, instances happen wherein problems of almost every kind simultaneously pour in; piles of workload to finish in a short span of time, rare illness or death in the family, inadequate money to pay for bills, and the like can occur all at the same time. In times like these, you just want to hide under your sheets and pray that the gods transport you in a utopian dream and be back only until everything is settled. Since teleportation to paradise is highly improbable, you really have no choice but to face the reality (no matter how distasteful it may be). But, after the storms have passed, you’re too stressed beyond imagination. On top of everything, you notice how your skin looks incredibly dull and lifeless and how your energy level and immune system has dropped. What should a sensible person do? Well, for one, you should boost your youthful glow once again by using certain detox products aimed at improving your damaged skin. Following a detox diet, on the other hand, can help you in regaining lost vital nutrients.

Did you know that detox products are no longer seen as paraphernalia for vanity’s sake but are for legitimate needs? Since it is a need, you should not feel guilty for purchasing stuff that can revive your energy and make you feel well. Detox kits, which are available in wide array of varieties, are made of select herbs and other organic ingredients with cleansing and purifying properties. If you are a habitual drinker, you should definitely try detoxification diets or products specifically aimed at eliminating traces of alcohol in your system. But you should also make sure to avoid, as much as possible, drinking alcohol after your detox program. Detoxification diets and products are available not only to cleanse our systems, but also to teach us a thing or two about self-discipline.

A particular nutritionist, who has an article published in the internet, said you should not wait until your body sends telltale signs (such as problems pertaining to digestion) before doing something about it. Excessive amounts of alcohol in the body, if not thoroughly eliminated, can cause serious dysfunction of your internal organs, especially the liver and colon. Detox diet programs for alcohol drinkers include staying away from liquors for a certain period of time. Aside from following a specific diet, you can try taking detox products in order to cleanse your system even if you are not a habitual drinker. Nutritionists want you to remember that there are several causes of impurities aside from alcohol and cigarettes. Everyday, people encounter all kinds of pollutants that bring harm to their bodies. That is precisely why you need to undergo detoxification no matter how ‘healthy’ you think you are.



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Oct 30, 2009 | 0 | Healthy

The Versatile Antioxidant Vitamin

 

Slice an apple into half, and it turns brown. A copper penny suddenly becomes green, or an iron nail when left outside, will rust. What do all these events have in common? These are examples of a process called oxidation. If the sliced apple is dipped in a lemon juice, however, the rate at which the apple turns brown is slowed. It is because the Vitamin C in the lemon juice slows the rate of oxidative damage.

Since its discovery 65 years ago, vitamin C has come to be known as a “wonder worker.” Because of its role in collagen formation and other life-sustaining functions, Vitamin C serves as a key immune system nutrient and a potent free-radical fighter. This double-duty nutrient has been shown to prevent many illnesses, from everyday ailments such as the common cold to devastating diseases such as cancer.

The water-soluble vitamin C is known in the scientific world as ascorbic acid, a term that actually means “without scurvy.” We depend on ascorbic acid for many aspects of our biochemical functioning; yet human beings are among only a handful of animal species that cannot produce their own supply of vitamin C. Like these other animals, including primates and guinea pigs, we have no choice but to obtain this nutrient through food or our daily diet.

Vitamin C can enhance the body’s resistance from different diseases, including infections and certain types of cancer. It strengthens and protects the immune system by stimulating the activity of antibodies and immune system cells such as phagocytes and neutrophils.

Vitamin C, as an antioxidant, helps reduce the activity of free radicals. Free radicals are by-products of normal metabolism which can damage cells and set the stage for aging, degeneration, and cancer. It shouldn’t come as any surprise that vitamin C is being used for cancer treatment. In large doses, Vitamin C is sometimes administered intravenously as part of cancer treatment.

Vitamin C prevents free radical damage in the lungs and may even help to protect the central nervous system from such damage. Free radicals are molecules with an unpaired electron. In this state, they’re highly reactive and destructive to everything that gets in their way. Although free radicals have been implicated in many diseases, they are actually a part of the body chemistry.

As an antioxidant, vitamin C’s primary role is to neutralize free radicals. Since ascorbic acid is water soluble, it can work both inside and outside the cells to combat free radical damage. Vitamin C is an excellent source of electrons; therefore, it “can donate electrons to free radicals such as hydroxyl and superoxide radicals and quench their reactivity.”

The versatile vitamin C also works along with glutathione peroxidase (a major free radical-fighting enzyme) to revitalize vitamin E, a fat-soluble antioxidant. In addition to its work as a direct scavenger of free radicals in fluids, then, vitamin C also contributes to the antioxidant activity in the lipids.

Optimal health, however, requires a balance between free radical generation and antioxidant protection. One of the functions of Vitamin C is to get and quench these free radicals before they create too much damage.

However, there is research to show that vitamin C may act as a pro-oxidant. In other words, vitamin C, under certain conditions anyway, may act in a manner that is opposite to its intended purpose. This has raised concern among thousands of people who supplement their diets with vitamin C…but that’s another story.



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Oct 30, 2009 | 0 | Healthy