Exercise: The Key to Healthy Skin

Regular exercise and physical activities like weight training, yoga, and aerobic exercises have been known to improve physique and aid in weight-loss. People workout regularly so that they can develop a more toned and leaner physique. They do this by burning fat through exercise. Working out also promotes greater muscle density, bone strength, and helps reduce the risk of breaking bones as one gets older. Recent medical studies suggest that regular exercise and physical activities may also be beneficial to overall skin health and clean the skin of acne and other impurities. Adding exercise in a daily routine is essential for skin care.

Exercise improves the skin by improving the blood circulation in the body and, therefore, provide oxygen and other nutrients to the skin cells. As one sweats, the body removes toxins through the open pores of the skin. This process effectively cleanses the pores from dead skin cells, dirt, and excess sebum. Sebum is the oil secretions of the sebaceous glands and may clog pores that cause the production of acne. This substance is scentless but its bacterial breakdown may produce odors. In addition to these benefits, exercise enables the kidneys and liver to function properly. These developments makes the elimination of toxins from the body more effective and efficient. It is always best to take a shower after a workout since bathing washes away any waste material and bacteria that is present on the skin. It also prevents the buildup of bacteria that is attracted to sweat. These bacteria may cause body odor and the development of acne.

Drinking enough water after working out may guarantee proper hydration of the body and help reduce skin dryness and is important factor in skin care. However, it is advised to drink the right amounts of water because too much or too little may bring unwanted effects. Needless to say, water is essential in eliminating body toxins and in replacing all the water that was lost from sweating during exercise.
A better physique and healthy-looking skin are not the only benefits of exercise and physical activities. They also have emotional and mental benefits. These activities are good for stress relief and in keeping the mind active and focused. This is possible because of moderate or intense physical activities may prompt the body to produce substances called endorphins. These substances are produced by the brain that may elevate one's mood and eliminate feelings of stress and anxiety. This effect is called by many health experts as the “runner's high.

Furthermore, individuals who want to engage in exercise and other physical activities should consult health professionals or train with a professional instructor. Because improper or too much training may do more harm than good. Extreme exercise may increase the production of stress hormones like cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. These hormones aid the body switch to more efficient fat-burning metabolism to preserve glycogen in the muscles and aid blood vessels in the delivery of oxygen to the muscles.

Stress overload can occur if an individual does not reduce the intensity of training even for short periods. This may cause an increase in white blood cells that eliminate bacteria, viruses, and even cancer cells. When the intense exercise is finished, the number of immune cells may decrease. It is theorized that any viruses or bacteria present in this stage may multiply and cause infection which may weaken the immune system. Exercising is critical in overall health and skin care. Adding them in one's lifestyle may lead to the development of healthy-looking skin.

Herbal Medicines And Problems of the Heart and Blood

Diseases of the heart and blood vessels (particularly the arteries) are not only the single biggest cause of death in the modern world, particularly the Western world, but the most preventable.

Together they kill almost as many people as all other diseases together, including cancer, particularly in northern Europe and North America.

Most heart and arterial disease is caused by poor eating and living habits (including smoking), stress, lack of exercise and excess weight. More than half the people who are overweight die of heart disease or related problems such as stroke, for example, while in most Western countries an increasing number of quite young people, even teenagers, are suffering from advanced arterial disease.

Yet both conditions seem to be almost unknown among primitive societies - which is why they are often called "the classic diseases of civilization" and why they are variously estimated to be about 95 percent preventable. Recent research, particularly in the United States, has shown that the same factors that can cause disease can also reverse it if turned around.

Balanced diet, exercise, relaxation, and healthy living generally have now been shown to be capable of unclogging arteries and reenergizing the heart. For this reason, alternative medicine has moved to the forefront in many countries in the treatment of heart and arterial disease, and could become more important than conventional management drugs in the years ahead.

Heart, blood vessels, and blood make up the circulai system, which circulates blood around your body.

Blood carries oxygen from the air to "fuel" the cells, nutrients to feed the body, and other chemicals, such as hormones, essential for the body's function, repair, and maintenance as well as protection against disease.

Poor Circulation

The heart pumps the blood, arteries carry it from the heart, and veins return it to the heart. Normally, the heart pumps about 10pt/51 of blood per minute around the body. However, if the blood flow is restrictead for some reason, circulation is slowed down. Poor circulation occurs mainly in the elderly and most often affects the areas farthest from the heart. Medically the condition is known generally as peripheral ischemia and can result in a wide range of symptoms, from cold hands and feet and cramp, to gangrene in extreme cases, where an area of tissue dies and starts to decay. Poor circulation is usually the result of the combined effect of a less healthy heart and narrowed and hardem arteries, normally as a result of age. Smoking is the most common cause but it can also be a concomitant symptom of diabetes, infection, long exposure to cold.

Treatment

Treatment should concentrate on stopping smoking and increasing the supply of blood to the area by helping the blood vessels to expand and the heart to pump more effectively. Improvement in the quality of the blood, particularly its red cell count, should also be sought.

Massage This is a good way to stimulate the circulation in any condition. Do not massage directly over injuries (cuts, bruises, or breaks), inflamed veins (phlebitis), varicose veins, or tumors. Alternatives to massage are reflexology and aromatherapy with black pepper and rosemary essential oils.

Hypnosis/Biofeedback Temperature biofeedback training may help to raise the temperature of the extremities.

Diet and Nutrition In addition to a generally healthy diet, eat plenty of oily fish such as mackerel, herring, salmon, and tuna. Food supplements recommended are vitamin A, C, E, selenium, zinc, manganese, and the essential fatty acids EPA and GLA.

Herbal Medicine The following herbs are widely believed to act as tonics on the blood: garlic, hawthorn berries (crataegus), echinacea, ginger, cayenne, chili and black pepper, prickly ash, and hops.

Alternative Treatment For Pain

Pain is an unpleasant sensation that ranges from mild discomfort to almost unbearable agony, and can be acute or chronic.

Acute pain is short term and can last from a few seconds to a few hours, days or weeks - for instance, pain caused by injections, migraine, burns, and surgery. The pain may be self-limiting, or it may act as a warning that something is wrong and requires immediate treatment.

Chronic pain is persistent, intractable pain that may worsen rather than improve with time. Common examples are arthritic pain, backache, postherpetic pain (after shingles, for instance), neuralgia, and phantom limb pain. Many complementary medical techniques are useful for chronic pain, which is usually more deep seated than acute and often more distressing, because of its longevity. The prospect of long-term drug therapy to control pain often tips the balance in favor of a decision to try alternative medicine, for this is often gentler, less invasive, and has fewer side effects.

Treatment

Exercise helps to stimulate the endorphins, the body's natural painkillers, and also provides distraction from pain. Even a brisk, ten-minute walk can help, but do seek professional advice before undertaking any exercise program.

Psychological Therapy Our thoughts, feelings, and behavior have a considerable impact upon how much pain we feel, regardless of the causes. If we are depressed or anxious, pain is likely to affect us more; the more we dwell on it or encourage others to treat all as ill, the worse it is likely to become. Psychologists who specialize in pain-relief programs suggest that chronic pain sufferers take up active hobbies or interests as a distraction from it. They also advise positive thinking, whenever feelings of pain threaten to overwhelm them.

Diet and Nutrition

The pain-relieving amino acid DL-phenylalanine (DLPA), which is found naturally in foods such as nuts, cheese, avocados, bananas, sesame, and pumpkin seeds, is available as a dietary supplement, and has proved useful in treating pain. However, consult your physician, since migraine victims and some sufferers of high blood pressure should not use it.

Aromatherapy

Different oils, either sprinkled in a bath or inhaled from a few drops on a handkerchief, can ease various types of pain. For instance, camphor, lavender, and sage can relax painful muscles. Lavender is also analgesic, and is often used in the treatment of migraine. Bergamot, camomile, and marjoram are used to relieve pain.

Visualization This is a technique that helps man people. Close your eyes, relax, and choose an image you could believe would soothe your pain, such as a warm golden glow that melts it away, or a gently flowing stream that carries away. Use whatever works for you.

Relaxation Pain generally feels worse when you are tired, stressed, and tense, so practicing relaxation technique on a regular basis should help to relieve it.

Consult a qualified practitioner/therapist for:

Massage A gentle massage can soothe many kinds of pain and relieve tension. Fear and tension often contribute to the level of pain.

Acupuncture Acupuncture is often used successfully to help relieve conditions such as arthritis, back pain, and chronic migraine. The principal approach is treatment of the meridians passing through the painful area.

Tens (Transcutaneous Electrial Nerve Stimulation) This can relieve back, arthritic, musculoskeleta, cancer, postoperative, labor, phantom limb, neuralgia, migraine, and sports injury pains.

Acupressure This has been known to help relieve chronic arthritis if carried out daily.

Osteopathy and Chiropractic These treatments may help particularly musculoskeletal problems such as neck and shoulder pain, backache, and sciatica.

Alexander Technique Pain that has its root in tension, or is exacerbated by tension, may be relieved by this technique. Backache, arthritis, migraine, and other problems can be successfully treated.

Hypnotherapy, Autogenic Training, Healing, Yoga, and Meditation Any of these disciplines may also be helpful in combating pain, since they are all calming, de-stressing techniques.

You Can Do It- Lose weight fast

These are 9 things every man should set a goal for. Look up the word "fit" in the dictionary. Does is say anywhere how much a man should be able to lift or how fast her should be able to run? No. So we can't find a real definition of what fit means. Use this as your dictionary and get fit with us. Before you call yourself "in shape" try these rules. Any man can follow in the and if you can't go all the way at first we'll give you what you need to make it there. We say a fit man can bench press 1 1/2 of his body weight. Upper body strength for more then just the actually exercise. You'll look good in a tank top, when that guy at the bar hits on your lady you'll be able to throw his weight around.

You'll never have to worry about him again. Lye down flat on a bench press machine, keeping your feet flat to the ground the entire time. Divide the heaviest weight you've lifted times your body weight.

Score: Less than 1.0: a little weak but we can fix this. 1.0–1.49: Ordinary, you're not that bad off. 1.5 or more: You definitely know what's going on.

You want to strengthen a muscle? The key is to lift fats. Follow these for a few weeks and you'll see how much you've improved.

*Take a weight that's about 40% of what you can lift at one time. Do nine sets of three reps. Don't forget to rest about 50-60 seconds between sets. Lower and raise the bar as fast as you can, changine your grip every three sets. Example :start at 16-20 then 20-24 inches apart.

*About three to four days after do three sets of flat, incline or decline barbell presses with the heaviest weight you can lift (six times).

*Press you head into the bench as you are lifting. Doing this will ensure that your spine is perfectly straight. Pushing your head into the bench activates neck extensors.

A man in shape can run a mile and a half in 11 minutes. Your body's ability to give oxygen to your working muscles shows that you're in peak performance. Doing exercises regularly (running) lowers your cholesterol and keeps your body fat to a minimum. This is good for prevention of heart disease. Run a mile and a half as fast as you can (try to keep on the flat surfaces) If you're trying to achieve aerobic capacity you need to be able to run long and fast.Follow these tips for 6-10 weeks and you'll improve your endurance up to 30%.

*If you need to walk that's okay. Every Sunday take a 40-60 minute run. Make sure that you never feel winded at any time. Like I said you can walk.

*On Tuesday do 4-6 half mile intervals at your won pace. Set a goal. If your goal is to run this in 10 minutes, each interval should be 3 minutes and 20 seconds.Don't forget to rest in-between.

*Thursday do 4-6 up hill runs. Run at a good pace. Take two minutes to rest in-between intervals. For the last interval jog for about 10-15 minutes.

*Split the distance into four 600-yard intervals and run them at a pace that's 10 percent faster than your 11/2-mile pace, resting 1 minute after each.

A man in shape can be able to give a good leap forward. This shows lower body strength and speed. This is good for when you're trying to steal base etc...A man that's in shape should score high for a vertical jump. Grab a piece of chalk when doing this, chalk you fingers and stand flat footed against a wall, Put your chalked fingers as high as you can up the wall and mark it. Without taking a step, dip your knees and swing your arms and jump. The distance between the two marks is your vertical distance. Score:20 inches or less: You're not jumping far enough to lift off the ground. Between 20 and 26 inches: Not too bad but you have room for improvement. Higher than 26 inches: Great job.

*If you want to jump higher you'll have to practice it.
*Stand on something that's about 12" off the ground and step off the box. The minute your feet touch the ground jump as high as you can. Keep repeating this about 5 times.

*Do four more sets, rest 30 seconds between sets.

*Never use your first jump to score. You're just getting started. When it comes to strength, your lower half is your better half. Your butt and leg muscles are the root of your body.You need your lower half for almost everything. Get in position in the leg press machine, lower the weight until your legs are bent about 90 degrees then push the weight back up. To figure out your score divide the highest amount of weight you've lifted times your body weight. Score: Less than 1.8: Not very sturdy. 1.8 to 2.2: Not too bad but you can do much better. More than 2.2: Nice leg power, keep it up. Want stronger legs in three weeks? Try this.

* Use a weight that's about 95 percent of the amount you lifted when you first tried. Do 10 sets of one rep, rest for 80 seconds after each set.

*This should be done at least two times a week, and every time you do it take away 10 seconds out of your resting period. period . When your rest period is down to 30 seconds, retake the test and use more weight.

* Before you take the test do a leg press with 20% more weight than what you think you can lift. Lower the weight only halfway before pushing it back up. When doing this your muscles will be expecting a heavier weight. It'll seem a lot easier and you'll be able to lift more.

Swimming is a great workout. It needs aerobic capacity and upper body muscle. Swim as much as you can in 12 minutes. Your total distance in yards will be your score. Less than 500 yards: You're drowning. 500–700 yards: Good but room for improvement. More than 700 yards: Go fishy! There's only about 2 out of 100 people that can swim a quarter mile without stopping. Thats probably because they have poor form and this can greatly affect the way you're swimming.

*Always keep your head straight with your body. *When breathing, I know this sounds weird but breath from your belly button and roll. Don't change the position of your head. You'll float better and use less energy. This way you'll be able to swim more. * Swim 25 yards to practice your form. Begin swimming a total of 200 yards every time you practice. Eight 25 yard intervals. yards Each week add 50 yards until you're swimming at least 500 yards. Bring on 25 more intervals every two weeks, until you can to swim the entire distance without stopping.

How does 40 push ups sound? Tough? Pushups measure upper-body strength .Do you think you can drop right now and do 40 push ups? Try it and see how you do. If you can do this when you really need your upper body strength you'll have it. Get you body on the floor and make sure your arms are parallel to the floor and you shoulders. Start to push yourself up and do this as many times as your body will let you. Score 25 or fewer: not tough enough bud. 26–39: Not too bad but also not too good. 40 or more: Nice bod keep up the good work.

Building an upper body. * Do sets of half the number of pushups that you just did. Rest 60 seconds between sets. When you've done a total of 40 pushups. Example: if you did 12 pushups in the test, you'll need to do seven sets of six pushups.

* Each time you work your upper body do it every four days. Take off 5 seconds from the rest interval. After 12 sessions of this you'll be able to do 40 pushups without resting.

*Time how long it takes you to do as many pushups as you can. Then rest for the same amount of time. Repeat this two to four times. You'll improve your upper-body strength fast.

What does your belly look like? If your belly is growing faster than your kids you have big problems. More fat you have in your belly the greater risk you're at for heart disease. We want you to be a man that's in shape you won't get heart disease. The easiest way to figure your risk level is to do a comparison of your waist and hip measurements. Get a measuring tape and measure your waist at the narrowest point. Measure the distance around the widest part of your butt and hips. Divide your waist measurement by your hip circumference to find out your risk level. Score 0.92 or higher: You're not doing too well. 0.82 to 0.91: Not bad but room for improvement. 0.81 or less: Good going Arnold.

To lose this extra weight you will have to exercise and eat good foods Which probably mean you'll have to go on a diet. Try this, take 250 calories out everyday and burn away 250 calories a day with exercise. That's 500 calories in one day. You're going to do great! 250 calories is about the same as a 355 ml can of Coke and two handfuls of chips. If you want to burn the same number of calories through exercise, try lifting weights for 30 minutes, walk 2 1/2 miles, whatever you're doing it has to get your heart rate up above normal. Only allow so much inside you. Watch your carbohydrates. Which you eat after 5 p.m. As the day goes on your body will store what you eat and turn it into fat.

Whether you're chasing a man who has robbed an elderly lady or running just because you want to see how fast you can go, every now and then a man just needs to test himself. Is it possible for you to do 300 yards in 60 seconds? If so, you have the speed you need for about anything. Run as fast as you can. Do this 6 times, for a total of 300 yards. Score More than 70 seconds: Way too slow bud. 60 to 70 seconds: Keep trying you're on the road for improvement. Less than 60 seconds: Fast as lightning.

*Run at 85% of everything you've got for 1 minute. *Then run at a lower pace, maybe 40% of everything you've got. Alternate between speeds for about 20 minutes. *Try this on a hill to get even better results.

Run as hard as you can each time you push off the line for your first three steps. Run though the middle area of each 25 yard run. Try and keep the same speed you gained from your sprint. This will help your speed alot. Beginning and stopping parts of the run are where most guys give up. Getting started is the hardest part and is much more.

We're not telling you to be a gymnast but you do need to be a bit flexible. even to tie your shows. If tying your shoes is already a problem for you listen up. Flexible muscles will help keep you moving at whatever it is your doing. Research shows from the ages 35-50, an average man's flexibility has gone down by 25 %. Without flexible muscles you can be heading into a bit of trouble. Here's some tips to help you make yourself a bit more flexible.

*Measure out 15 inches on the floor. *Sit down with your legs out in front of you and have your heels at the edge of the tape. *Place both hands on top of one another and reach towards your feet. Reach as far as you can without bending your legs. The score will be set by if you reached your feet or not.

Score Less than 15 inches: You're in need of some yoga. 15 to 17 inches: Room for improvement. More than 17 inches: You're great at this. Show me more little gymnast!
Completely relax yourself and your muscles will be more receptive to being stretched.

*Put your left leg on a step or whatever is near you thats almost as high as your waist. Have your leg straight and lean forward, as far as you can go and still being comfortable.

*Keep leaning as you're bending your knee, push the heel of your foot into the bench for 10 seconds. Relax and put your leg straight. Just from doing this every few days you'll be able to lean forward more then when you first started. than when you started. When doing this try and hold the position for 20-30 seconds.

*Do this three times. Going forward more each time.
* Always do a few little stretch before any exercise. Stand and put the heel of you foot on top of a ball. Have your leg straight and have them out in front of you. Don't move your body but try and move your foot in a circle motion. This will relax your leg muscles.

It's been told that a man that's in shape can throw a basket ball 75 feet from his knees. Here is why this is important, throwing for a certain distance measures all of your upper body strength. A man in shape should have a strong arm. Not just to throw a ball but also to kick some ass if he ever need to. Kneel on the court and throw the basketball overhand as far and as hard as you can. Score Less than 60 feet: I think you need a new arm. 60 to 74 feet: Need improvement but okay. More than 74 feet: You're on fire!

Tips on how to make your upper half strong. Try doing some single arm presses .This will improve upper-body speed and strength. *Get a dumbbell with a grip on it and hold it in your left right hand. *Stand with your feet parallel to you shoulders have your knees bent just a bit. Pull that dumbbell right up in the air and bent your knees a bit. Then get back up. *When pulling up move the weight in an arc over your upper arm until the dumbbell rests on the top of your shoulder. Make sure your upper arm is still parallel to the floor. Bent your knees again and go. * Push the weight over your shoulders until your arm is fully straightened. Start again but switch arms. *Do this two days week and rest for three days. Do three sets of four reps with a heavy weight in one of the workouts. Do eight sets of one repetition with a much lighter weight(30 % of the heaviest weight you can lift in the other arm.) *Try throwing the ball on a 40- 45 degree angle.