Foot Steam Spa

There are cases when your body doesn't need to move much and you still would be able to lose weight.  Such an example is this foot steaming Spa.

 

 

at Bio-Safe Center

This is one of the new age technology that promotes a better immune system that at the same time will promote weight loss.

This is based in Traditional Chinese Medicine and uses an herbal solution while your having the foot steam.

While doing the process, some reflex points are being activated. Therefore more benefits are gained in this herbal foot steaming such as : detoxification through sweating, prevents premature aging, helps improve sleep and better blood circulation.
One of the first ones who promote this kind of therapy is the Bio-Safe Center. Click here for more info about them, and don't miss to join their online contest on facebook to avail of many free health services.
Here's to your healthy chi!

Alkaline Green Drink

One of the great things that some dieters include in their program is consumption of a more alkalizing diet. These particularly are vegetable greens. They are alkaline by nature because they help reduce too much acidity of the body. When our body is too acidic, we are usually prone to many health problems. We should always be on the neutral scale.

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When we are stressed, when we are too badly emotional, tired, exhausted and eat unhealthy, we tend to be more acidic, we tend to be more prone to various health challenges including overweight and obesity. Added to that, as we age, our metabolism slows down.

Taking an effort of consuming a more alkalizing diet such as vegetable greens will help prevent those health challenges we may encounter in the midst of a toxic life. Benefits increase when we consume them in liquids because the body can absorb them easily and we get more nutrients then.  

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There are two ways that we can do in consuming an alkaline green drink. One is by juicing vegetable greens and leaving its pulp, therefore you consume more nutrients than eating them as a salad. The other one is blending them with coconut water instead of pure water. 

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Coconut has its natural sweetness; it adds life to the taste of a vegetable green juice. Taking this once a day as a snack replacement is such a healthier approach to losing weight.

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Below is a sample recipe of an alkaline green drink, you can create your own depending on the availability of the organic greens. 

          Blended Alkaline Green Drink

             1-2 pcs cucumber

             3-4 stalks celery

             about 100 grams lettuce

             about 20 grams vegetable sprouts 

             about 1/4 slice of green apple

             optional:  1/2 slice of pineapple 

             coconut water

Here's to your green juice day!

Detox Programs As Weight Loss Solutions

Detox programs has been getting popularity nowadays in helping someone to lose weight. It is actually a great practice to have it once in a year for better health and wellbeing. The term detox has become a common term nowadays from the word detoxification. It is our body's process of eliminating accumulated toxins we got from unhealthy diet and lifestyle. Environmental pollution, food allergens and chemicals contribute to health challenges such as overweight, hypertension, diabetes and other health conditions. 

The following are good components of any detox programs:

• Your mind and body should be prepared before starting any detoxification regimen. It shouldn't be done just because you want your partner to be happy since he/she's been insisting that you should undergo a detox program soon.  A positive attitude creates a better success in any detox regimens. I've seen this many times in my practice.

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• A diet of natural, fresh whole foods. It is a good practice to stay away from foods with additives and artificial flavors while on the program. Foods rich in enzymes such as fresh fruits and vegetables contribute to increasing one's vitality at the same time the fiber components of these foods also helps in the cleansing process.
• An exercise program. This helps to improve better lymphatic circulation while it brings you to a relaxation phase in any detox programs. It shouldn't be a strenuous exercise that could bring about an oxidation process such as extreme fatigue. Remember that your body is doing a detox process in many ways and it is important to have an extra energy for such process.

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• More information. Providing yourself with added information about what's healthy and what's not and understand further the detoxification process will help to increase motivation as you undergo any detox programs.  Attend a health discussion/lecture with a health/medical professional who also understands and knowledgeable about detox programs or you could provide yourself with health books that you could read while in a program.

Cover of Detox (Natural Care Handbook)

• Rest and sleep. It is important to find time to rest and have a good sleep while you're having a detox. If you have sleeping problem, there are natural remedies available and this should be discussed with your health/medical practitioner. Sleep deprivation leads to rest deprivation which eventually leads to fatigue and is very likely to make any detox programs less effective.
• Have a massage. Not necessarily everyday but at least one every two or three days. This will help to improve better circulation at the same time gives you a relaxation phase while undergoing any detox programs.
• Have a physical cleansing regimen such as dry skin brushing, a body scrub, a bath therapy, or taking some cleansing drinks. Some would go for an enema, however it is advisable to do it under the approval and supervision of a medical professional.
• Natural supplements should also be added while doing any detox programs. This ensures that you also provide yourself with more nourishment.
• Health consultation. This is important prior to starting any detox programs. Your health/medical practitioner can assess if your body is physically ready to undergo any detox programs. 

There are various ways of doing any detox programs. Having the above components will contribute to a more successful detox regimen. But because not all people can undergo a detox program, seeking medical advice is recommended prior to commencing any detoxification regimen.

Here's to your detox success!

You Don't Have to Skip Carbs to be Thin

Remember when you were at a party and your "sweet tooth" was finding it hard to resist the foods because you were trying to avoid foods that have carbohydrates in it? You must have heard the myth that to lose weight you should avoid carbohydrate rich-foods.

Carbohydrates are one of the three main energy-producing substances that our body needs. It comprise mostly of the foods that is usually available on the table. Without them, the body will have difficulty in doing the tasks needed on a daily basis, the body will have a sensation of starvation and the body will soon feel weak and sick. Our body needs carbohydrates, but we just have to choose the good carbohydrates. Most of the time,  we indulge in white breads, pasta, white rice and sugar. These are bad carbohydrates. Too much of these contribute to the culprit in gaining weight. However, we don't necessarily need to avoid carbohydrates to be thin. We just have to choose the good carbs.

Image by Christian Santos Galang

Do you know that vegetables and fruits are carbohydrates?  And so are the beans, grains and nuts are also sources of carbohydrates. These are the kind of foods that helps sustain our energy because these are the good carbohydrates that contains the much-needed phytonutrients to support our immune system .  You can eat as much as you can of the vegetables, which are good carbohydrates, and never to worry about gaining weight because the fiber content of the vegetables supports a better elimination.

So to be healthier and thin, don't skip the carbs,
choose the good carbs and enjoy a full healthy meal.

Image via Wikipedia

Here's to your weight loss success!

How Stress is a Threat to Your Weight

Most have tried diet pills, weight loss machines, slimming teas, detoxification programs but losing weight seem to be a struggle forever, and this contributes to their stress, creating an additional culprit to weight gain.

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As defined by Hans Selye,MD.,Ph.D, "stress is a nonspecific response of the body to any demand".  In the Wikipedia dictionary , stress is defined as a failure to respond appropriately to emotional or physical threats, whether actual or imagined.

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Stress therefore, can be coming from anywhere. it is the body's reaction to change such as environmental conditions, social scorn, physical and emotional issues. Being overweight is such a huge stressor itself.
Stress affects the hormonal balance in the body therefore also affects the body's ability to lose weight. In the event of stress, the body release a hormone called cortisol. This hormone is responsible in regulating the physiological responses associated with stress.
During long periods of stress, the body releases more cortisol, decreasing the body's sensitivity to leptin, a hormone that is responsible in giving signal to your brain that you are full. When this happens, there is a tendency that you will crave for more sugar, therefore you tend to eat more, adding more calories and pounds retained. This is also the mechanism that happens to most people who craves for chocolates, cakes or anything sweet when they suddenly encounter an emotional stress (now understand your brokenhearted friend and your anxious mom).

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Consider relaxation techniques such as massage and meditation as a part of your weight loss regimen, so you lessen the release of too much cortisol when you see a plateau on the weighing scale. Soon, the pounds will start to fall off again.

Here's to your weight loss success!

Weight Loss Holidays

In this season of food feast, reunions, parties and holiday vacations, it is but tempting to indulge in any kind of foods especially in those nutritionally-devoid but deliciously-prepared meals. What usually matters is the bonding moments created in the space of excitement and delight  while having the fun and spirit of the season. However, on top of these, you should still need to be mindful  largely on your health . Know the nutritional  values of healthier food choices and spare yourself sometime to be a little bit healthier.
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Fresh raw living foods has been known for its great benefits to health. There are many nutritional experts that have written books , have talked about and  spread the good news about raw food.  During the holiday season where gaining weight is usually the unlikely reward, you have the option to treat yourself healthily without spoiling the massive food fun on the occasion.
Here's a list of the value you can get from eating raw fresh plant foods:
1. It has enzymes that gives more life to the plant. Enzymes are catalyst that speeds up the chemical reaction. We normally have enzymes and it helps in all body metabolic  processes. Eating foods rich in enzymes helps to boost our immune system
2. It has very low calories makes it ideal for those who are on a diet
3. It contains high fiber thus makes you feel full longer thus lessen the cravings for more foods
4. It helps to detoxify. Because of its high fiber content, it promotes better elimination.
5. It contains more nutrients than cooked foods. Cooking foods destroys the enzymes and lessen the nutritional value of foods.
6. You'll find more valuable nutrition in raw plant foods especially in green leafy vegetables such as chlorophyll, and the mineral magnesium. These contributes largely in promoting  good health. 
You really have a choice to be healthier.
Here's to your healthy holiday feast!

Your STEPS To Weight Loss

Here's a scenario: It's coffee break and the cafeteria is just two floors down from your office, and the elevator door is just right next to your office doorsteps. What would you choose to do, use the stairs in going down or the elevator?

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Chances are, in usual cases, many would use the elevator. Many wants the quick ways, right? Who wouldn't want it?. No sweat, no extra effort. But if you want to lose weight, you'd better be committing to yourself to walk your way a little bit, choose to have an extra effort so that you'll get every chance to sweat and every little chance to burn calories. In the long run, you'll reap the benefits anyway.

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One of the great ways to stay fit is choosing to walk most of the time. This is considered to be an exercise. If you find it a hassle to go the gym class, then schedule a few minutes, few days a week of walking. A 30-minute walking exercise a day, three times a week will already help in giving you health benefits. You start with baby steps and as you continue on increasing a little bit faster, you are already making your big STEPS to your own weight loss program.

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To get you more motivated, here are some more benefits of walking:

• Helps to speed up metabolism and supports weight loss
• It helps to relieve stress, depression and anxiety
• Helps to keep bones strong, therefore a very good preventive approach to osteoporosis
• It helps improves the body's ability to use insulin, therefore it helps to regulate blood sugar level, beneficial for diabetics
• It helps to improve sleep therefore helps to address some sleep problems
• It helps to build strength and stamina. 

Now get up and begin early the STEPS to your weight loss program.
Enjoy the walk!

JuJu Cleanse

Considering a juice diet? Recently there's a couple who came up with such a great idea of helping people achieve their goal of staying healthy through healthy juices. Health advocates who find it hard to spare more time to prepare fresh juices could find this new juice diet regimen very rewarding.  This is now popularly known (in the Philippines) as Juju Cleanse.  "JuJu" stands for "just juice".

Just Juice Cleanse, which means that through taking fresh juices, you also get the benefits of cleansing aside from its health nourishing effect on the body.

Juices come in 6 bottles of different pure fresh juices placed in a trendy-environmentally friendly bag. You can choose to have juices on a Level 1, or Level 2 or 3. As a starter, you are always recommended to do the Level 1 juice diet, and you may stay there for another day. This is being discussed with you through email or phone. That means that you are guided all through-out the cleansing process! The good thing about this juju cleanse is that it is sustainable when it comes to starting or continuing a cleansing program. It's more than like taking a vegetarian multivitamin pill, because it also gives you the feeling a satiety. Imagine yourself taking a bottle of pure fresh fruit and vegetable juice for your meal and snacks instead of taking those pills...super nourished and full...wow! What a great meal!

With the guidance of the maker of juju cleanse... you'll never get lost finding your way to a healthier body and a lighter, healthier lifestyle.

Here's to your "juju" day!

Biguerlai , slimming tea?

In an effort to slim down, some would resort to slimming teas. Think more than twice. There are some laxatives that most sexy wannabes are using with the thought that it is a slimming tea. One of these is the Biguerlai tea, available over the counter in the Philippines. It's an herbal laxative Senna (Cassia Augustifolia Vahl), which is used to address constipation in a natural approach instead of using the traditional conventional medications. Laxative increases the release of water from our own system and goes together with the waste materials that needs to be evacuated. This creates a feeling of abdominal discomfort such as gassy abdomen, rumbling feeling in the gut, and an urge of immediate bowel movement, resulting to transient diarrhea. It doesn't block the absorption of fats, especially bad fats which dieters are dreaming of, but will only hasten the release of waste matter and water from the gut. Therefore frequent use could make someone dehydrated. Be careful in deciding to use slimming teas. However, herbal laxative teas are good alternative laxatives instead of being dependent of synthetic ones.

Here's to your easy moves!

Is Colon Cleansing Really Beneficial?

Elimination. This is one of the reason why we sometimes have to use the rest room. But there are ways of elimination that a different kind of rest room is used and this is where you see some colon cleansing procedures. This is called an enema room or colonic room.
One of the strategies to help lose weight is cleansing the colon, or the large intestine. Once the body gets rid of the long staying waste or toxins, it's a lot easier for the body to do its process in losing weight. It can be done by the simple enema or coffee enema, or through the use of a colonic machine. However , it is still best to consult your physician before doing this because there are also some contraindications to this, such as: bleeding hemorrhoids, recent abdominal surgery, colon polyps or cancer, uncontrolled hypertension, and even pregnancy is a contraindication. Colon cleansing is something that helps to enhance the process of our own detoxification. This should not be done as a regular activity replacing the normal body activity of elimination through the colon.

The following are some of the many benefits of a colon detoxification:

• It helps to normalize bowel movement.
• It helps to clear up the skin from having recurrent skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, eczema
• It helps to remove excessive abdominal bloating because of frequent gas accumulation
• It makes you feel lighter and clean
• it helps to naturally bring down high cholesterol and triglyceride levels especially if done together with a diet modification
• it's a good jump-start to a weight loss program

It is always recommended to take a probiotic (good bacteria) supplement as a nutritional support during a colon cleansing and at least one week after the colon detoxification.

Here's to your healthy colon!

Psyllium and Fiber Supplements

If we want to lose weight, one of the substances in the foods that we should be always looking for is "fiber". This substance has the power or ability to increase the process of weight loss. Other benefits of fiber are its ability to lower blood sugar and cholesterol, therefore helps in reducing the risk for heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
How does fiber aids in weight loss? It acts like a friendly sponge in our kitchen absorbing the fats and toxins that we have had accumulated as a result of unhealthy diet. It also acts like a broom as it sweeps away the hardened toxins that were left inside the so-called human wastebasket. Since fiber creates a bulk, it gives also the feeling of satiety, allowing someone to feel full for some more time.
There are many high fiber supplements available; however, it is still best to consume a natural fiber such as psyllium fiber and those that are found in fruits such as apple, watermelon, and grapefruit.

Have a high fiber day!

Cleansing fast

Choosing foods that allows the body to cleanse helps to speed up the process of losing weight. Aside from the physical elimination of toxins, it also carries with them some emotional releases, or unburdening of the emotional baggage which contributes to a person's appetite and therefore becomes a hindrance to the goal of losing weight.
A cleansing fast is a way of resting the body from consuming foods that have preservatives, food additives, artificial flavorings, and foods that are difficult to digest. During this period, what is advisable is to eat whole foods; these are foods that are in its natural state and as much as possible, organic and fresh. This activity can be, as a start, just plainly having easy to digest foods such as fruits and vegetables, avoiding meat temporarily and choosing healthier choices of foods such as brown/red rice over white rice. Avoidance of white sugar and white bread is important. To meat lovers, this is already such a big step. You may stay on this stage for about two weeks and observe for yourself how you feel. Increase level of activity, such as having a regular exercise even just walking exercise compared to none. Keeping yourself hydrated by taking 8 to 10 glasses of water daily plays a big role in a cleansing fast.
By doing this, a mild process of detoxification is already achieved.

Detoxify and live high!

Fats...Friend or Foe?

" It's a torture not to eat those chocolates, but I'm on a diet, I stay away from fats.
" I can't eat those nuts, I avoid fats".
" Those avocados are fattening, It's my favorite but I'm on a diet"
" I don't eat anything with fats, I'm trying to lose weight"

Does any of those statements sounds familiar to you? Do you also believe that fats shouldn't be in your diet if you're trying to lose weight? Think twice because our body needs fats! FATS! OILS! FATS! OILS! Not as many as I am writing it down now, but to a certain percentage so that our body is not being devoid of those necessary nutrients that is dependent on fats. These are nutrients that will help prevent premature aging and will keep us looking younger. If we will always be avoiding fats, those nutrients that would keep our youthful look will also avoid us. I'm referring to some of the fat soluble nutrients: Vitamin A and Vitamin E. These are antioxidants, meaning they help in neutralizing free- radical damage. In a more layman's term, it protects us from harmful effects of toxins from environment, from stress, and from unhealthy diet and lifestyle. We need its absorption to be maximized. To have that happen, we should have fats in our body. But, we have to choose healthy fats. Good fats such as avocado, olive oil, Durian, virgin cold-pressed coconut oil, fish oil, and fats we get from nuts and seeds such as almonds, macadamia and flax seeds. We lessen or avoid intake of bad fats from animal sources, and add on these good fats to our diet.

Fats therefore can be a foe when it’s the bad fats you consume, but a friend when you replace it with good fats.

Now, find and enjoy those friendly fats!

How Detox Can Make You Lose Weight

There are many ways to lose weight. One of them is going on in a special diet. Some people would go for a cleansing program. This one has the primary goal of helping one's body in the detoxification. It is already a normal process of our body to eliminate excessive toxins--these are substances that have been created in response to the body's metabolic processes. Our own mechanical system digests, absorbs and eliminate the excess substances that could be harmonious to our health. Imagine your trash bins full of your 2 to 4-day garbage or a one-week garbage if not being thrown away on a daily basis. It ruts, stinks and can even ruin your day. This is what's happening to our system if toxins are not eliminated regularly, and our amazing body has its way to do it! We just have to ensure our elimination channels are not clogged up. What are these elimination channels? Here they are, not in order of importance for they are all important.
1. Skin - This is a large organ of elimination. From head to toe! Sweating is one of those ways to enhance detox through the skin.
2. Large Intestine- This is considered to be the human body's wastebasket. How do you feel when you're beside a full, foul-smelling trash bag that hasn't been emptied for the past 7 days? That’s how stingy our waste system could be if we don’t have our regular toilet habits.
3. Kidneys- these functions to filter and release waste fluids from our body. We normally have a more concentrated light yellow urine in the morning on our first void. However, if that highly colored urine will keep happening all throughout the day, it's time to have yourself checked , or ask yourself if you are drinking enough water.
4. Liver- Whatever we eat or drink is being processed by this magnificent organ. It is like an authoritative powerful security guard on the bank, screening everyone and everything that goes inside. It's toxic, that powerful guard has to do something about it to protect the system. Therefore, love your liver because it loves you that much.
5. Lymphatic system- There are many organs involve in this area of elimination, such as the tonsils, the appendix, the spleen, among others. It's like a battalion squad doing elimination and protection for the body's healthy immune system.

There's so much to say about each of those detox channels. You can see now how our body spectacularly does its job of throwing toxins out through all this route of elimination. Doing a cleansing diet primarily helps our system to detoxify and weight loss is such a great, healthy secondary grain.

Here's to your weight loss success!