Entries Tagged 'alternative ideas' ↓
June 19th, 2008 — Meals, alternative ideas, healthy eating, nutrition
All of us know that we need to start eating healthier and get more fruits and vegetables into our diets. The hard part is actually doing it. For many people, it’s just hard to get past the taste. However, there are ways that you can easily add more servings of fruit or vegetables to your diet with little effort. We’ll show you ways to cheat and still enjoy your food.
1. Start with salsa substitution.
If you eat a lot of dips, you’re adding a whole bunch of useless calories into your daily rotation. Put away that dip and bring out the salsa. It contains numerous vegetables and fruit and the taste is terrific. Better yet, it’s fat free and extremely low calorie. You can use salsa on just about anything to make it taste better and you’re getting the benefit of adding more servings of these important foods to your diet with little effort.
You can use it with chips, or tortillas, on eggs or pretty much anything. If salsa is not really your thing, try experimenting with a couple of different brands or you can even try to make your own with vegetables you like. Fruit salsa is surprisingly good when combined with cottage cheese or other low fat dairy products. This is probably the easiest way to get more fruit and vegetables into your diet with little effort.
2. Add one more serving of vegetables or fruits with every meal.
At breakfast, have some low sodium tomato juice or a sliced apple. At lunch, you can add in some delicious corn or a pear. With dinner, try experimenting with a tossed salad with low fat dressing. This makes it easy to get at least three more servings of fruits or vegetables into your diet without any effort at all. What’s more, these servings will help you fill up faster and avoid overeating other foods that are less healthy.
3. Retrain your palate.
Some of us simply just don’t like fresh fruits or vegetables. The key here is to retrain your palate and make your brain think that you actually enjoy them. Start small and add low fat sauces or little things to make the vegetables taste better. For example, you can spread a little bit of peanut butter inside a stalk of celery. Suddenly, that tasteless stalk actually tastes good and you’re getting the added benefit of more protein. This makes a great afternoon snack. Just don’t overdo it on the peanut butter or you won’t be getting any benefit.
Simple things can make vegetables and fruits a lot better. However, you can also try experimenting a little. Just because you don’t like one fruit or vegetable doesn’t mean you may not love another. Get creative and go outside your usual routine with new vegetables you’ve never tasted before. You can actually have a lot of fun by trying out all sorts of new foods and seeing which ones you enjoy.
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June 16th, 2008 — alternative ideas, exercise
One of the latest crazes in the exercise world is functional training. If you’re not familiar with this, it targets what you do, and helps you do exercises that will make you better at it. This is a great way to lose weight, since you’ll be able to incorporate these exercises into your every day life. Functional training has many purposes, and when used correctly, can be a great way to lose weight.
In order to start functional training, you’ll need to focus on what you do. If you are a stay at home mom, chances are you probably spend a good chunk of your time cleaning and running around. This means that aerobics and running are the best matches for your functional training exercise plan.
If you work as a construction worker, or other profession that requires a great deal of physical strength, than weight lifting or strength training is the perfect fit. Another great example is for those in high stress jobs that don’t really require a lot of physical prowess. It can seem as though there aren’t any exercises that would benefit this line of work, but yoga is actually quite useful in functional training.
As you can see, these exercises are designed to help you do what do you better. If you’re trying to diet, adding exercise is essential if you want to keep losing weight. Why not pick exercises that will actually help you with your current line of work? This gives you not only the added benefit of losing weight, but you’ll be more fit and capable of doing your job.
If you don’t have a gym in your area that offers functional training, you may have to just take that initiative on your own. Try to put together a plan that targets what you’d like to be able to do better at your job or at home. For example, if you want to be able to run up the stairs to check on the kids without being out of breath, you can add some time on the stairmaster or the treadmill.
If you want to be able to hoist girder beams around a lot easier, add some arm curls into your weight lifting routine. If you find that you are frequently stressed out, add in yoga techniques that require a lot of deep breathing. You can put all of these techniques to work for you outside of the gym.
Functional training can be used by absolutely everyone, even if you don’t have an actual job. We all have things that we’d like to be able to do better, even if it doesn’t necessarily mean doing physical labor. The key is that functional training can also be used to bulk up your brain. You’ll be getting the benefit of increased circulation with your exercises, and your brain will be able to handle stress better and stay on task. In addition, that discipline that you learn at the gym will follow you to all the other corners of your life.
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June 11th, 2008 — alternative ideas, exercise, goals, gym
Let’s face it, when it comes to starting an exercise plan, few of us actually enjoy it. Who wants to get all tired and sweaty when it’s so much easier to sit on the couch and languish? This causes most of us to make excuses and find ways to keep busy so that we have a reason to avoid exercising. However, there are ways that you can get past this stage and make that effort towards getting healthier. And you know what? Once you start exercising regularly you’ll most likely find that you feel better when you’re done. That’s right, eventually you will like exercising.
So, let’s start off at ground zero. You need to exercise, but you don’t want to. First, make a list of all the reasons that you need to start exercising. Now, next to this column, make a list of the reasons that you don’t want to exercise. Let’s take a look at that second column and start blowing these excuses away.
Biggest excuse - you don’t have enough time.
Well, there are several ways to look at this. Most of us need to exercise at least thirty minutes a day. While it’s better to get it done all at once, there’s no rule that says you have to do thirty minutes in one sitting. Can you find three 10 minute blocks in your day where you usually do nothing? Turn that time into exercise time! It may not be easy if you’re at work, but there are ways that you can start exercising even on the job.
Second biggest excuse - I’m embarrassed to go to the gym in my current state.
Yes, walking into the gym and being the biggest person there is not fun. However, chances are, those people looked just like you at one time or another. You don’t need to feel ashamed of your body. If you find that you’re not welcome at one gym, try another. If all else fails, get some exercise equipment for you home or start a walking plan around your neighborhood. Keep at it until you feel comfortable enough to walk into the gym.
Third biggest excuse - The gym is too far away.
This is one of the few excuses that actually makes a lot of sense. We’re all pretty busy and driving that extra twenty minutes out of our way doesn’t fit into our schedules. If you cannot find a gym that is within a short distance of your home or work, try to get some exercise equipment of your own, or find ways to exercise that don’t require actual equipment, such as walking or running.
Fourth biggest excuse - I’m too out of shape and it’s too hard.
Well, with this mentality, you’re never going to get anywhere. Instead of leaping into a marathon training regime, you’re going to need to start small. Build up your exercise in five minute blocks, adding more moves until you are able to do them all at once. This helps you gradually get into better shape and it’s not so hard to get started.
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June 5th, 2008 — alternative ideas, exercise, motivation
There are literally hundreds of different ways that you can get exercise, but not all of them are suited for you. Each one of us has different likes, dislikes and capabilities. The problem facing most people who try to adopt an exercise plan is choosing one that does not fit their body’s needs. By aiming too high or picking the wrong plan, you can easily doom yourself to failure.
In order to avoid this, you’re going to need to find your exercise niche. It make take a lot of trial and error, but there are exercises that will keep you motivated and will help you have fun while you’re losing weight. Exercise is hard enough, there is no need to torture yourself while you’re at it.
Let’s look at just a few of your options:
Aerobics -
When it comes to burning fat quickly, it’s hard to beat aerobics. However, it can be difficult, especially at first. If you are interested in this type of exercise, but you have some physical issues that make it too hard, it’s ok to start slow. Go with a low or no impact work out and pick an instructor that you can actually like. It may not be easy, but the right teacher really makes the difference when it comes to sticking with your exercise plan.
Spinning/Stationary Bike -
If organized aerobics are not your style, you can still get your heart pumping in private with a spinning machine or stationary bike. In many cases, you can even get one for your home where you can exercise in private. This is usually a lot easier for those who have issues with their knees or backs and it is a great way to get started.
Organized Techniques -
Tae Bo is a great example of a technique that incorporates several different elements. The classes are usually quite fun and focus on building upper body strength as well as losing fat. If you need a high energy workout that will keep you coming back for more, this is a great choice.
Weight Lifting -
While weight lifting this isn’t the best for weight loss, it can be a good place to start. You’ll need to add some sort of aerobic element however to keep burning fat. It is important to lift in order to build lean muscle mass however, so everyone can benefit from this type of exercise.
Walking/Running -
If you want to do your own thing, one of the best ways to get started is by walking. You can gradually increase the distance each day until it becomes easier to make it. Running is usually pretty tough to start with, especially if you are really out of shape, but you can try walking for five minutes, running for ten, walking for five, etc… By changing it up, you’ll be building up your endurance levels.
There are numerous other techniques and it is a great idea to explore several to see what is really right for you.
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May 18th, 2008 — alternative ideas
Pinhole glasses, otherwise known as stenopeic eyeglasses, are a unique form of visionary aid that have a series of pinhole sized holes in a sheet of plastic for a lens. Pinhole eyeglasses work by allowing a narrow beam of light to enter the eye through these small perforations. This helps to reduce the size of the circle of confusion that is placed on the retina of the eye and can help to increase the field of depth in your vision. Pinhole glasses do have some beneficial affects over those that need a visionary aid, however there are also some negative aspects to the glasses that make them a poor choice for some.
Pinhole glasses have been used for hundreds of years by optometrists and ophthalmologists. They are beneficial in helping to correct vision problems such as myopia or near-sightedness and hyperopia or far sightedness. They are also beneficial for those that suffer from conditions such as cataracts and astigmatisms. Pinhole eyeglasses can be used for many stationary activities such as working at your computer, watching television and reading.
There are monetary benefits to using pinhole glasses as well. Unlike prescription eyeglasses which may change prescription over a course of years resulting in you continually having to spend money on new glasses, pinhole glasses do not change. One pair will last you years, and you never have to worry about changing prescriptions. They are truly a one time investment. Additionally, you do not have to worry about the lens of pinhole glasses becoming scratched and damaged, which necessitates buying a new pair. Pinhole eyeglass lenses are strong and durable and will last for many years.
As with anything in life, there are some negative aspects to using pinhole eyeglasses. While pinhole glasses can be used by those who suffer from both myopia and hyperopia, they can only be used by those who suffer from these conditions to a certain degree. These glasses will not work for those who suffer from a severe form of the condition. Since pinhole eyeglasses also reduce brightness, they are not ideal for people to use in dim locations as they can pose a hazard by diminishing your vision and not allowing you to see correctly. Pinhole glasses also reduce the amount of peripheral vision that you have, so they should not be used by a person that is operating machinery or driving a vehicle. It is important to note that having your peripheral vision impaired can also be potentially dangerous even while walking.
As you can see, there are both pros and cons to using pinhole eyeglasses. Your best option is to discuss possible use of them with your eye doctor, to help determine whether they may be beneficial to you. You can of course, also just try a pair on your own and see how you like them. It may be quite possible for you to use them in conjunction with another form of eyeglass. Pinhole glasses aren’t for everyone, but there is no harm in finding out if they are right for you.
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May 12th, 2008 — alternative ideas, exercise, hydration, moderation, potassium, sodium, water
Summer is almost here and if you’re trying to get healthy and start exercising more, there are plenty of reasons to get discouraged and stop. If you’re not used to exercising in hot weather, it’s also very easy to get sick. Let’s look at some ways that you can keep exercising, even if the mercury is rising.
First and foremost the key to successful exercise in the warmer months is to get plenty of water. You’ll be sweating more and you can dehydrate much more quickly. But you can’t stop with just water. You’ll also need to make sure that your potassium and sodium levels are good so that you have enough energy to keep going. Sports drinks are a good solution, but they do contain some sugars. Try to find the lowest calorie option and make sure that you drink it before, during and after your exercises. A salty snack is a low calorie option; like five almonds before exercise.
In order to avoid getting overheated while you’re exercising, you’re going to need to modify your plans a little bit. For example, if you usually walk or run in the afternoon, it is a good idea to try this in the early morning or early evening. It will be much cooler and you won’t have the sun beating down on you. If you live in a really hot climate, try to find some creative ways to get your walking in without withering.
In this case, you can go to a mall where they have air conditioning and get your walking in while you’re inside. This is a very safe way to get your exercise done no matter how hot it gets outside and it is also useful during summer storms or inclement weather. Even if you’re not used to walking or you normally do other exercises, adding in some walking in a mall can be a great substitute when it’s too hot out.
If you normally exercise in a gym that is climate controlled, you shouldn’t have too many problems with the heat. Again though, you’re eventually going to have to go outside and you’ll need to make sure that you didn’t deplete your body’s store of water and nutrients. Just because you exercise where it’s cool doesn’t mean that you can skip proper hydration.
If your home or gym is not climate controlled, it can be pretty tough to want to go and get even hotter. Place a fan near you to help the air temperature feel cooler while you exercise and make sure that you don’t overdo. Break your workout up into five or ten minute blocks and allow yourself a breather in between. This will help you avoid getting overheated.
Summer exercise isn’t easy and in most cases, it’s even more difficult than trying to get fit during the winter months. However, by staying safe and keeping hydrated, you can ensure that you’ll stay on your exercise plan no matter what the weather throws at you. Just remember - hydration and moderation is key.
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