Thursday, September 27, 2012

Signs That It Is Time To Look For A New Personal Trainer


There may come a time when you decide that you want to end your relationship with your personal trainer. If your fitness professional is no longer meeting your expectations, it may be time to cut your ties and move on. Just like any other type of relationship you have, the one that you have with your exercise coach can change over time, and may eventually not satisfy you as it once did.
You need to know what signs to look for when it comes to the two of you parting ways. Let us look at those now.
You want to see results, but you are no longer seeing them. Results matter when it comes to the time you spend sweating it out in the gym. Your muscles have their own kind of memory. For this reason, you should change up your exercise routine every few weeks so that your muscles do not get too familiar (and therefore too lazy) when it comes to certain moves.
If your personal trainer has fallen into a rut and your progress is minimal, suggest some adjustments be made to your program. If your fitness person is not up for it, look for a new person who will provide you with more challenges.
There is the trainer that does not challenge you enough, but there is also the one that pushes you too hard. If your personal trainer is constantly pushing you past your physical limits, move on. A fitness pro who is more like a drill sergeant can be harmful to your health. If you have gotten injured from your workouts, or are constantly sore and extremely exhausted, talk with your fitness pro about this. Suggest that your current routine be modified. If your exercise guru does not respect your wishes or tries to tell you that your comfort does not matter, find someone new. You need to be challenged but you want to do it in a safe manner.
Is the workout you are doing customized for you, or are all of the fitness specialist's clients doing exactly the same things? The program you follow should be tailored to fit your specific needs. It needs to be about your fitness level and goals. Your goal may be to shed pounds, tone up, increase flexibility or build muscle. You hired an exercise pro to cater to your unique fitness requirements. If he or she is not doing that, you need someone who will.
A trainer who is unprofessional is an individual you do not need to put up with. It is your money you are spending, and you should be able to work with someone who is respectful, competent, polite and punctual. It may be time to break up with your exercise guide if they make you feel uncomfortable in the things they say and do, or if they are constantly late or seem distracted or bored. If you like the person, bring up the issue with them first. If nothing changes, find a new exercise helper.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Spas for Your 25th Anniversary


It may be time to pick from different spas for your next big anniversary. If you and your spouse no longer look as young as you used to, why not go to a unique location that can help restore some of the youthful charm to your looks? Some facilities offer far more than just your average massage and foot rub. They go much further to offer you some exciting opportunities to take years off the way you look through many different cosmetic procedures. If you are ready to take back your great looks and to get rid of the wrinkles, this could be a good option for you both.
Fixing Your Face
One of the most popular treatments spas offer is a way to take the wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin off your face. Spas often offer various ways to do that. There are non-invasive treatments that can help improve skin quality and enhance some of the youthful features still present. On the other hand, you may want to consider more invasive procedures such as facelifts or a rhinoplasty.
Since the face is such an important tool for improving the way you feel, be sure to talk to your surgeon about all of the options that could help you. From minimal treatments to specific areas of the face, such as the eyes, to more thorough procedures to add collagen or to remove excess skin, you want to be happy with the final result.
Boosting Your Figure
It is not just the face that cries out for treatment. Your entire body may need some attention. If you want to take years off the way you look, consider a treatment plan that will sculpt your body back to the way it used to be. Spas that are associated with a plastic surgery clinic may offer both men and women a variety of treatment options. You could consider breast augmentation or a lift. You may want a breast reduction as a man. You may want to consider liposuction for those troublesome areas or even a more invasive tummy tuck to get your midsection back to the way it used to be. There are some non-invasive options, too, including the use of lasers and massages to stimulate improvement to the way your skin looks.
Take some time to think about spas for your next anniversary. It could be just what you need to turn the corner on the way you feel about yourself getting a bit older. Do it together so that you can both feel great again about the way you look and feel. You may love the time you get to spend together rejuvenating, too.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Knowing Whether You Are a Good Fit for a Tummy Tuck


A tummy tuck might be a good option for you. Most people do not realize how much skin they have until they lose a good amount of weight without giving it time to tighten up. When this happens so quickly, they are left with loose skin that actually has weight of its own. This type of plastic surgery is one way to get rid of this.
If you are in good physical shape but cannot seem to lose the extra inches in your belly or tighten up the skin that hangs there, you might be a good candidate for a tummy tuck. Most people probably think that the ones who need it are those who are overweight. It is actually only a good option for those who are at a good weight. 
If someone still is overweight when they get a tummy tuck, it will defeat the purpose of getting rid of the loose skin because there will still be more after weight is possibly lost later. It is a surgery after all, so it is also important that someone be a healthy weight because some problems such as diabetes that is common with some who are overweight can cause problems for the procedure. With this in mind, be sure to give your plastic surgeon access to your medical records before your surgery. Most likely he or she will not even perform a surgery without access to these.

Part of the procedure can be liposuction to remove excess fat, so do not think that you have to have no fat to have the surgery. That would not make sense because everyone has some fat in their belly. During a tummy tuck, some fat will be removed by liposuction, muscles will be tightened up in the belly, loose skin will be removed, and the skin that is left will be tightened. Your navel will also likely need to be repositioned depending on the type procedure you end up having.
Besides being in good physical shape, it is also important that an individual have good skin elasticity so that the skin will stay tight as it should. Older individuals and people who smoke have less skin elasticity.
If you are tired of loose skin from weight loss or from a pregnancy, you may want to consider a tummy tuck. If you are interested, make sure to visit a few different plastic surgeons before deciding on one. Consult with them to see how much they charge for their procedures as well as to see if you believe you would like to work with them. Do not go with any doctor who is pushy and tries to persuade you to have a surgery or surgeries that you do not want. Make sure that he or she is educated and experienced in the area of plastic surgery in which you are interested.

Friday, August 31, 2012

Physical Therapy For Your Child With Torticollis


Physical therapy is important when your child is born with congenital Torticollis in the muscle. When your child is born with this, you might not know what it means, and you might be a little scared. This is a problem with the neck where a child will only want to look one direction because the muscles are tight or in some cases because of a malformation of the cervical vertebrae. It is actually important to know what is causing your child's problem because it is important if your child has not yet had an x-ray of his or her spine
If your child was born with Torticollis, it is considered congenital. The muscular type can be treated through physical therapy. The type that has to do with a malformation in the bones cannot be treated in this way. If it is the type that has to do with the bones, you will also need to have your baby's hearing and kidneys checked, as these can be associated problems with this type of Torticollis.
If your baby does have Torticollis, he or she will probably not want to lay their head on the one side. This can cause an asymmetrical shape to the skull. Although it is not dangerous, it can be disfiguring, so it is important to get help with this, or they may end up needing to wear a helmet to correct it.
Within physical therapy there are different techniques that might be beneficial for your baby with Torticollis. Myo-fascial release is one type. One that is associated with this is cranio-sacral. Both of these will be beneficial if your child has the muscular form of Torticollis.
Sometime insurance does not cover as much physical therapy as you would like. Another option is to see if they cover an occupational therapist because someone in this profession is also trained in physical therapy.
If your insurance will not cover either of these, another option is to find an Osteopathic doctor or see if one is already on staff at your pediatrician's office. Some doctors trained in Osteopathy are also trained to do some manipulation for Torticollis.
It may take some work, but you should be able to find the help that you need for your child's problem. It is important to remember that you are your child's advocate. You are the one who speaks for them and makes decisions for them until they are able to do it on their own.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Sports Medicine - A Look at the Role of a Specialist


If you have wondered what exactly a sports medicine specialist is and why you should see them, it is time for you to learn how important that doctor is to your health. This professional is a person that diagnoses and provides treatment for injuries that trouble the musculoskeletal system. This means that injuries where the knees, arms, joints, back, bones, and muscles are hurt need special attention to make sure that they heal properly. These injuries can be sustained a variety of ways, including everyday activities to exercising and even playing sports. In addition to receiving treatment from this professional, you will also be instructed on how to prevent and reduce your risk for future injuries.
Even though the majority of patients a sports medicine doctor will see may be athletes, they will also have some patients that are regular people. These injuries happen very often to people of all ages and in some cases require immediate treatment. Upon arriving at the specialist for treatment, your doctor may run some tests and further evaluate your condition so they can get a clear picture of what has happened and what is going on with your body. Depending on how severe your condition is, you may need to have therapy or surgery to resolve the issues that you are having.
Even if you are not an athlete, you can still benefit from seeing a sports medicine doctor. They will not turn you away especially if you were hurt doing some sports related activity. It doesn't matter if you have a strain, sprain, dislocation, broken bone, or torn ACL, you will be treated so that you don't continue to experience any pain or discomfort during the course of your treatment. In many cases you will be given a prescription for an anti-inflammatory pain medication and prescribed some therapy to rehabilitate the affected joint. Rest may also be advised in the event of sprains, strains, and broken bones. In the event of a torn ligament, you may need surgery. Keep in mind that some injuries may require more testing in order for the doctor to determine what the best method of treatment should be. These tests can include X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans.
Keep in mind that a sports medicine specialist doesn't work alone. They work in cooperation with several other types of professionals that also play a significant role in how well you recover from your injuries. They work with physical therapists who can help you learn how to effectively use your body while recovering and encourage healing through special stretches and exercises. You can find sports medicine doctors in hospitals, both private and group practices.
If you need to see a specialist, check with your insurance company to find out which practitioners accept your insurance. If you don't have insurance, contact your personal doctor for a recommendation to see a specialist.

Monday, August 6, 2012

Astaxanthin - Potent Antioxidant


Astaxanthin is a carotenoid, and like many other carotenoids, astaxanthin is a colorful fat-soluble pigment that is very high in antioxidants, and it has a very low toxicity when taken by mouth. Carotenoids are a very large family [about 700] of fat-soluble pigments. These carotenoids are responsible for the lovely red and yellows we see in fruits and vegetables, and these pigments are produced by fungi, algae, plants, and some bacteria and phytoplankton.
Sources of astaxanthin include micro-algae, yeast, salmon, trout, krill crayfish, shrimp, crustaceans, and the feathers of some birds. In plants and algae these pigments are part of the light 'harvesting' process along with chlorophyll. The red color of salmon meat comes from this pigment, and also the red color in cooked shellfish, while the pink flamingo eats the spirulina, filters then converts the yellow carotenoids beta-carotene and zeaxanthin into the pinkish-red carotenoids astaxanthin and canthaxanthin which goes into their plumage, making that glorious color.
Poor nutrition, stress, air pollution, smoking, ultraviolet light or disease can upset our oxidative balance. The oxygen we breathe, we get from air, and we need oxygen for normal metabolic activity. This is called 'ground-state' or 'triplet' oxygen, and is stable unless it is converted to other forms that present severe challenges to cells. These harmful reactive oxygen species such as singlet oxygen, superoxide, peroxyl and hydroxyl radicals are formed as a result of photo-oxidation, physiological stress and normal immune system functions. Singlet oxygen is an excited form of ground state oxygen that is formed from normal biological functions; it is highly reactive and long-lived and must transfer this excess energy to another molecule to relax again to the ground state of oxygen. Astaxanthin is especially effective in absorbing the excess energy from singlet oxygen then releasing it as heat then returning both oxygen and itself back to the grounded state. This action is known as 'quenching'. So it goes to show that just breathing and living requires an army of antioxidants to achieve a healthy oxidative balance. The free-radical scavenging ability of astaxanthin makes it useful in preventing chronic diseases, and also in supporting joint and tendon health; eye and brain health; and it also helps to improve recovery after exercise. It can also benefit skin during UV and sun exposure, and generally is of benefit throughout our body to obtain a healthy oxidative balance.