What is Yoga

Yoga, which means discipline, was developed in the year 300 by an Indian Hindu named Patanjali. Its purpose is to stretch the muscles, strengthen the body and increase concentration. It can also help you relax, if you have trouble doing that.

No wonder this ancient discipline has become popular among modern entertainers and athletes. Depending on who practices it, yoga can be simply a set of exercises or a total way of life.

Some who practice yoga, called yogis, try to use the discipline to reach a high level of consciousness. They respect certain abstentions (things not to do), such as not lying, stealing, being greedy or harming other people. They also practice certain observances (things to do), such as being clean, content, self-controlled, studious and devoted.

Physical control is also important in yoga. Yogis train themselves to take full, deep breaths. They consider breathing a life force, counting a lifespan not in years but in the number of breaths taken.

Unlike exercises that work only on strength, yoga also helps the body become flexible. As a result, some yoga exercises (called asanas) look a little strange, and you may think you need to be a human pretzel to do them. Not so. You just have to relax.

In yoga, you ease into stretches, never forcing yourself. The saying no pain--no gain simply does not apply. You do only the best you can at the moment, and at some later moment you will do more.

All yoga poses demand balance. And since you can't balance if you're thinking about last night's TV show, yoga also demands concentration. Learn to concentrate in yoga, and you will be better able to concentrate in baseball, tennis or even school.

Yoga exercises copy nature. Many yoga poses can be traced to the shapes of creatures, such as the cobra, cat, dog, tortoise, crab and eagle.

In the cobra pose, for example, you ask yourself, What would it feel like to be a cobra. You lie on your stomach with your forehead to the floor. As you inhale, you slowly roll your head back, supporting yourself with your hands. You hold that pose, then come down slowly, trying to move as a snake would move.

All yoga exercises promote strength and calmness. Each move's effects on a muscle, a gland or a nerve center are carefully thought out.

You can choose certain exercises to rid yourself of particular pains, such as back pain from back-packing or leg pain from jogging. Yoga can help condition you for skiing or help you control feelings of depression or fear.

Any good book on yoga will describe various asanas and tell how each works. You may even have done yoga exercises already. Ever done a handstand, or the wheel. Many exercise programs borrow from yoga.

6 Fast Weight Loss Techniques

Other than physical appearance weight affects a person in many ways. This could be the overall quality of life, self-esteem, depression, health risks, and physical in-capabilities.

There are a lot of positive changes once a person experience weight loss.  It is for this reason why a lot of people are searching for a weight loss technique that will surely trim down those fats and get a super slim head turner body.

The first thing that an over-weight should do is seek a doctor to recommend the best weight loss regimen.

This will be done after a full physical examination, which leads to the determination of proper weight loss technique.

And to lose weight fast and effectively four aspects of life should be changed: what to eat, how to eat, behavior and activity level.

Here are fast tips that can change an over-weight's life:

1. Fast weight loss composes of a multi-faceted technique that consists mindset, exercise, and in other cases, diet supplements.

Begin by learning a diet food plan that can easily be accustomed with.  Incorporate an exercise plan that allows even at least fifteen minutes a day like brisk walking, running, swimming, and dancing.

2. Set realistic approaches.  The ability to focus and have proper mindset enables someone on a diet to quickly lose those extra pounds. With discipline and proper mind set, a dieter will never be discouraged and lose focus.

3. Listen as the body speaks.  Each and everyone's body metabolism reacts differently to different fast weight loss programs and plans.  Try substituting one program for another to compensate the body's reaction.

 Exercise program must be suitable to one's body, as others are not able to exercise as rigorously as others can.  If walking is all that can be done, then walk for this is proven the best exercise. 

Muscles burn more calories than fats so it's also best to put on a little muscle and looking good too.

4. Eat more fibers for it makes a person full sooner and stays in the tummy longer, slowing down the rate of digestion.

A single serving of whole grain bread moves fat through the digestive system faster.  Grains turn into blood sugar that spikes the body's insulin level.

 Thus, making the body more energized and ready to tell the body when it should stop burning fats or start storing.

5. Keep away from fried foods especially deep-fried as this contains a great amount of fat.

Although fish and chicken appear leaner than beef, this white meat can contain more fat than when a beef is fried.

It is recommended for those on strict diet to opt for grilled food as this does not have or contain less amount of fat after the food is cooked.

6. Takes lots of fluid.  Drinking at least six to eight glasses of water a day keeps the body refreshed.  Since weight loss depends on how the body eliminates body wastes, the body must stay hydrated.

All in all, discipline and consistency is still the best practice and the key to a rapid weight loss success.

 Light dieting, workout, and right amount of supplementation applied in a regular way everyday will result in faster weight loss than having a massive action only to be followed a return to old habits as this would only lead to gaining more weight than when the weight loss plan has started.

Have a good time.

What To Know About Weight Loss Products

There are a lot of weight loss products that offer that fast weight loss results, however, are these really guaranteed?  Could these products live up to their assurance of a fit body?

In US, there is an estimated 50 million people who try to lose weigh, unfortunately, only 5 per cent are successful.  One thing's for sure, beware of fraudulent claims and extreme high cost because there is no magic to losing weight.

Samples of weight loss products in the market nowadays:

·    Diet Patch – this was already removed since 1990’s by FDA since they were proven ineffective.
·    Magnetic Diet Pills – allegedly flushes out fat, but not.

·    Guar Gum – causes internal obstruction.

·    Electrical Muscle Stimulators – no proven effect.

·    Eyeglasses that Suppress Appetite – These claims that the projected image on the retina decreases appetite.  No proven fact.

·    Weight loss earrings – through acupuncture, suppresses appetite.

There are also examples of weight loss products:

Diet drinks that are mixed with beverages or food are used as meal substitutes.  A downside of this is that once a person stopped taking the drinks, they would eventually regain the lost weight after a short period of time due to feeling of emptiness in the stomach.

Another is diet supplements and medicines that also don’t work long-term.  Over-the-counter pills that compose of phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride may raise blood pressure and palpitation.  Ephedra on the other hand can cause serious side effects such as heart problems, seizure, stroke, and even death. E.g.:

§    Herbalife Nutritional Program – good as two meals, dieters may rely on shakes and follow artificial dieting methods and just don’t want food to work into their lives.

§    Mega-Thin 100 Formula – Its formula contains an anti-fat weapon, however, diet is not emphasized that’s why it’s concluded that it has an appetite suppressant.

§    Nestlé’s Sweet Success – recommended to take three times a day and it does not promote healthy eating habits.  Weight loss is difficult to maintain once intake is stopped.

§    Ultra Slim Fast – this plan requires regular exercise but does not teach good eating habits.

§    Diet pills with Ephedra and PPA – many of these have enclosed diet plans.  Slimming can come from the diet plan and not the pill intake and there are risks of adverse side effects.

§    Chitosan products – contains fibers which were taken from shellfish that may cause diarrhea, bloatedness, and gas.  This will only work if a low fat diet is practiced.

§    Chromium Supplements –claim that products will lower blood sugar, body fat and cholesterol but causes anemia and even memory loss.  Studies show only minimal or no beneficial effect at all.

§    Green Tea Extract Products – known as strong anti-oxidants that help lower cholesterol and triglycerides, and promote weight loss, however, the caffeine content could cause insomnia and restlessness.

§    Algae Tablets - Spirulina contains significant nutrients that can be an acceptable food when used as part of a varied diet but are very expensive.

§    St. John's Wort Supplement - Claims that it will suppress appetite and promote weight loss but it could lead to gastrointestinal discomfort, tiredness, sleeplessness, and arouse allergic reactions.

§    Glucomannan Products – claim that two capsules before each meal decrease food absorption.

Known as food thickeners but not yet proven safe or effective.  Weight loss will only happen if good diet plan is followed.

Even if you plan on using over-the-counter weight supplements or even participate in a weight loss activity, the verdict is that you still have to eat fewer calories than you burn to lose weight.

 When choosing a weight loss product or program, collect as much information as possible.