Archive for year: 2016

A lot of people put a lot of focus on mental and physical health and fail to put enough health focus on other aspects of their body. Your Skin is apart of your body that is often neglected or overlooked.

If you have skin issues that you want to correct, you will quickly find out that you have a sea of choices. But that sea can easily be reduced to the size of a small pond as you rule out options that won’t work for you. Then you will be left with only the best choices to pick from. Here are some tips that can help you decide if lasers or other skincare methods will work for you.

Know Your Skin Type and How That Can Impact Treatments

Dry skin and oily skin react in completely different ways to certain skincare treatments. The same is true of thin and thick skin, light and dark skin, or clear complexions versus scarred skin. Any one of those factors can help you rule skin treatments in or out. You can use all of them together to narrow your options down significantly.

If You Have a Laser Procedure, Have the Right One

If you are thinking of having a laser procedure done, make sure you have the right procedure and are treated by the right device. Lasers fall into many different categories, including Fraxel, ablative, and non-ablative varieties. They also specialize in different things. For example, if you want to get rid of unwanted hair then you should be treated by a hair removal machine, but if you want to get rid of unwanted wrinkles then you should use a laser type that is recommended for wrinkle removal instead.

You also need to understand that each laser model is slightly different. Some of them are better at treating people with lighter skin tones. Others are less specific and can be used on darker skin colors as well. It may take you some time to find the one that will treat your skin problems without creating more of them.

Make Sure You Understand Your Other Skincare Choices

While laser treatments can be excellent for treating some skin problems, far too many people seem to think that they are the only treatments available aside from surgery. That couldn’t be further from the truth.

One options is that you could potentially use lotions or creams to treat minor skin problems. You can even get prescription creams, if you need something a bit more potent. Another choice, if your skin issues are moderate, is to have light therapy or sound wave therapy. Both of those types of treatments can make your body produce more of its own naturally healing substances, such as collagen. There are also plenty of treatments for severe skin concerns, including microdermabrasion and chemical peels.

Don’t Get Frustrated if You Don’t See Positive Skincare Results Right Away

Many of the skincare treatments above and other skincare methods don’t work right away. Some of them take repeated applications or clinical treatments before you will start to see your skin improve.

So, one big skincare tip is don’t move from one treatment type to another too quickly. Be sure to give whatever you try a good amount of time to work before you deem it unsuccessful.

Discuss Skincare Methods with an Expert Before Choosing One

The most important thing you can do when choosing a skincare treatment is talk to an expert. They can tell you all about each treatment choice you have, the skin types each treatment tends to work well on, and how long it will take to see results. Then you can make your final choice about which skincare method to use.

The likelihood is we all have a celebrity fitness DVD hanging around behind the TV. And in many cases, probably a few more. These workout programs make up a huge percentage of the fitness program industry and sell at an astonishing rate. But are they worth your money, and do they ever – honestly – work? Let’s take a look at some of the biggest problem areas I have found with celebrity fitness programs.

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Celebrities have personal trainers

First of all, the rich and famous have money to burn – and they can afford to pay for a personal trainer. And not just the one session a week that the rest of us can afford. Their personal trainers will – in effect – live with them for months at a time to put them through their paces. You can’t expect to replicate that by doing a workout DVD once or twice a week.

You pay top dollar

Heard about the latest fitness craze? Kayla Itsines is a celebrity, albeit she became one through her fitness program. She has 5.3 million Instagram – that’s twice as many as Gwyneth Paltrow. And she’s big business. But take a look at any honest Kayla Itsines review, and you’ll find out a few things. One, it is expensive. There are PDF guides and a $20-per-month app to buy. And it’s hard, too – perhaps too much for the first time trying to take control of their fitness for the first time. Now, the program will give you results – but the information it gives you is nothing you can’t find by yourself online and on forums.

The before and after scam

We’ve all seen those before and after shots on websites. They are the prime selling point for most fitness DVDs, regardless of whether they are celebrity-hosted or not. The trouble is, what do these pictures tell you? Sure, they show dramatic results. But as plenty of people have proved, you can do amazing things with a camera.

They target the wrong areas

You can’t target areas where you want to lose weight. If you have big thighs, nothing is going to make them smaller unless you lose weight all over. It’s the same with your waist. Core exercises will help you develop your muscle, but you have to lose weight everywhere if you want your abs to show through. So, the next time you see a ‘Tiny Tummy’ celebrity DVD that focuses on waist training, forget it.  

It doesn’t result in lifestyle change

Take a look at most celebrity fitness programs and they will all tell you the same thing. Workout x times a week for y weeks. But what happens afterward? The vast majority of people just return to their old routines, put the weight back on, and buy another DVD the following Christmas. Good for the celebrity workout industry, sure. But not good for your permanent fitness and physique, or your bank balance. You are far better off learning about exercise and nutrition yourself and making the necessary changes slowly.

Have you have success from a celebrity DVD? If so, why not prove me wrong in the comments section below!

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For many men, getting the perfect muscles is a life-long dream. Although the only way to get there is through hard work, there are shortcuts.

Magical pills and miraculous workouts have taken the world by storm. Claiming to lead to a lean body, these methods are often criticized by experts, but do they work?

Although it’s hard to tell which workouts actually work, there are ways you can ensure you’re getting the most out of them.

It’s important that you take into consideration your circumstances. Make sure you set reasonable goals before starting any routine, and ideally see a doctor.

As you may already know, building mass is only partly done through working out. Having a balanced diet is a huge part of the process. It’s important to remember that things take time, so be patient. Don’t expect results overnight. Also, remember that your health should always be your priority. Don’t push yourself too hard, and know your limits.

Balanced Diet

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Anyone who’s into working out knows that a balanced diet is very important. Working out can get you great results but without eating right, you might be sabotaging your progress.

Depending on what you are trying to achieve, come up with a meal plan. This is important as it will serve as a starting point. It’s important not to push yourself too hard at first. Give your body plenty of time to adjust. This way you don’t risk any health complications occurring.

What you eat depends entirely up to what you’re trying to achieve. Consulting with a professional is always recommended before making any drastic lifestyle changes.

Working out

A lean muscle mass workout might not be for everyone. Although it’s important to set goals, remember to be reasonable. Wanting to see results overnight is unrealistic. Everything takes effort and if you’re not prepared to put that in, you might never see results.

Start slow and build up your tolerance over a period of time. It’s recommended that you don’t start with anything too difficult, as it will take its toll on your body.

Take baby steps and let your body adjust. Only increase your workouts once you feel your body is ready. Don’t try overdoing it, as it won’t impress anyone. Take control of your own body, and know what’s best for you.

So, are lean muscle mass workouts a scam? No, but they require a lot of preparation and effort. Don’t enter the process until you’re ready, and remember that health always comes first. There are no shortcuts in life, so don’t attempt anything stupid. Be smart with your routine, and you will see results overtime. Putting your body under too much pressure will only result in health complications occurring down the line.

Working out can be a rewarding experience but only if done right. There are a lot of scams out there claiming they can get you results overnight. Don’t fall for them. Only use trusted sources for information. Be smart about your workouts, and you will see results in no time.

Cycling is an excellent way of getting fit. It’s one of the most effective exercises in burning calories. It can also help you build real muscle in your arms, legs and your core. There’s no wonder that so many enjoy it as a hobby. But it’s also a lot more dangerous than you might initially imagine. Bicycle riders have the highest rate of accidents and injuries per rider, despite being the least common vehicle on the road. That’s not to say you shouldn’t go riding, however. You just need to be extra prepared to look out for your own safety.

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Never assume safety

Regardless of where you are, assuming that you have a totally open path and are at no risk is incredibly dangerous. For example, one of the most common misconceptions is that the intersection is the most dangerous place for a cyclist to be. However, that’s not true at all. The majority of road accidents involving cyclists don’t happen at intersections. Instead, they might very well happen with parked cars opening their doors. Do your best to learn proper safety protocols when cycling. Be able to recognise and adapt to dangers that you’ve studied on the road. Remember that the cyclist is always the one at most risk in an accident.

Look after your bike

You’ll be able to adapt a lot better to risks on the road if you’re looking after your bike properly. You don’t want your bike to suddenly give way under you, throw you off or lose control. That’s why close, regular maintenance is an important part of being a cyclist. If you’re not prepared to get personal and learn about how your bicycle works, perhaps it’s not the method of fitness for you. First, make sure that your tires are fully pumped before every ride. Keep the bicycle safe from water, such as rain or salty sea air. The best way of doing that is keeping it inside. Or lubricating it, which also stops the bike from seizing up under you.

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Share the road

There’s a certain sentiment being shared a lot in regards to bicycle safety. That is the idea of ‘sharing the road’. The sad fact is that the campaign puts as much responsibility on cyclists as it does on other vehicle drivers. Despite the fact that the cyclist is at a lot more risk and wields a lot less power in that situation. The most important point that this campaign brings up is the fact that drivers don’t often take cyclists as seriously as they should. Your space might not be respected, nor your right of way. The key for you is to be able to adapt to the other presences on the road. This includes being aware of your surroundings, which we’ll get into next.

Awareness of vulnerability

A higher degree of awareness is needed for cyclists at all times. For example, knowing the kind of space you have to take in regards to certain vehicles. Bicyclists have the unfortunate ability to appear invisible to big cars or lorries, so you need to steer as far from them as you can. It’s not just your eyes that you need to keep peeled, either. One of the biggest mistakes you can make while cycling anywhere is putting in earplugs. You won’t be able to hear oncoming cars or pedestrians telling you to stop. If you need to listen to music to help you exercise, get yourself a cycling speaker instead. Otherwise, you’re putting everyone at unnecessary risk.

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Being prepared for the risk of an accident

The fact is that you’re the one who’s going to be at a lot more risk if you get involved in an accident. That’s why you should always keep a small first aid kit on your person. If you are involved in a collision with a vehicle that’s not your fault, you shouldn’t have to suffer all the consequences either. Instead, think about services like personal injury compensations claims solicitors for cycling accidents. If you’re able to, record as much of what happened at the scene of the event as possible. Using a dash cam on your bicycle or helmet can do a good job of recording for you. Otherwise, take photos if you can and collect details of witnesses and those involved in the crash. Take all the evidence you need to make sure responsibility is properly distributed.

Safety gear is crucial

It’s obvious that safety gear is an important part of riding. There are some questions as to its effectiveness, but it’s important that you wear a helmet simply because it’s a legal necessity in a lot of places. Shin pads and elbows pads are also important for the chances of taking a lighter spill off your bike. By far the most important safety equipment, however, is that which provide visibility. Bike lights and reflective gear. High visibility gear is vital for staying seen by others on the road at night. Your visibility is just as important in the day, however. In those situations, visibility is about contrasting with the traffic and your surroundings. Bold colours can be a better choice than high-vis gear in the day.

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Use the right bike for the right place

Of course, keeping control of your bike is also influenced by what kind of bike exactly that you’re using. If you take the wrong bike or wrong wheels to the wrong terrain, you’re a lot more liable for a spill. Cycling is as much about exploring as it is about working out, so don’t be afraid to get out there. Just make sure that you’re prepared for the kind of terrain that you’re going to be coming up against. For example, use a mountain bike if you’re going mountain biking. Read up on adapting your suspension and wheels if you’re gravel cycling.  

We hope the tips above give you a safer experience out there on your bike. If you do get injured, don’t be afraid to act on it. So long as you share the road, others should as well.