Monthly Archives: January 2011

How Self-Confidence Breeds Self Control

How Self-Confidence Breeds Self Control

You may be wondering how you can turn your life around. If only I had a secret bullet, you say, where I could simultaneously deal with the several areas I’d like to improve; my health, my productivity at work, and my personal creativity could all use a boost, and the general feel of lag that comes around the holiday season isn’t helping.

More self-confidence

More self-confidence (Photo credit: ESP Indonesia)

Deep down, your probably recognize that your seeming inability to achieve the goals you want stems from some more vital source than just being too busy to work out or not having the time to finish that book of short stories. Self-doubt and a general lack of self-confidence is likely attacking your motivation and keeping you from believing that you can get what you want, on a fundamental level. Let me show you how nurturing your self-confidence can manifest itself throughout your entire life.

• Exercise and Health: Remember how good it feels to have worked out for an extended period of time? That increased muscle tone and the satisfaction of taking care of yourself made you want to keep going to the gym, to push those results even further. Making positive choices inspired you to make even more, to keep that positivity flowing.

• Happiness: One source of happiness is emotional stability. Being confident in your life choices and the general direction of your life will let you enjoy your partner and your social life on a much deeper level. Instead of constantly comparing yourself to others and worrying about being “good enough” you’ll find yourself enjoying your friends’ accomplishments as much as your own. You won’t have to worry as much about emotional instability, sudden mood swings, and a lack of control over your internal state.

• Creativity: Having self-confidence in your own abilities will help you fully explore and hone your skills with a higher level of self-control. Refusing to be overly harsh when judging your own work will free you up to be more productive and to develop your skills. Self-doubt slows down the creative process like molasses, and keeps you from making interesting breakthroughs. Self-confidence will inspire you to trust your work; this trust will give you the drive to keep coming back and making it better.

Cultivating Self Confidence

You can see the benefits that can happen from really gaining a sense of self-confidence in your life. Getting to that state isn’t always easy, however. Here are some posts to get you started.

Does Raising Self-Esteem Improve Your Quality of Life?

How to Gain Confidence and Take a Fearless Step

Joy Paley is a science and technology writer based in Berkeley, California. She is a guest blogger for My Dog Ate My Blog and writes onaccredited online degrees for Guide to Online Schools.

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Why You Shouldn’t Overcomplicate Exercise

I’ve worked as a personal trainer for five years now and during my time in the industry both in a professional capacity and through training in my own time I’ve noticed a common trend amongst gym goers that consistently fail to get results. In my experience I find that people who want to build muscle and loose fat – that is 99% of males that enter the gym – make their task way more complicated than it should be by working themselves into a state of confusion about everything they listen to and read about muscle building and fat burning.

I can say with my hand on my heart that the reason most of these individuals are failing in their physique conquests is because they are talking, thinking and reading too much, and not doing nearly enough. Take two trainers, A and B, both are very enthusiastic:

Trainer A

A spends all his time reading all the literature on fitness that he can on muscle building, researching, talking to peers and personal trainers when he does go the gym, he takes everything he hears as gospel truth is unable to develop a consistent workout plan because he keep changing his mind about what ‘works’

Trainer B

B doesn’t pay much attention to any fitness publications in the media, instead of spending his time reading an in-depth study about whether or not you can emphasize the lower chest by doing decline bench presses, he gets in the gym, and works his ass off. He doesn’t worry about if what he’s doing was endorsed in the latest issue of muscle and fitness, or panic when he realizes he’s forgotten his protein shake.

Of these two types of trainer, B is poised to make quicker, more impressive gains. This is because trainer A’s body does not recognize that he spends hours research what ‘the best form of whey protein is’. B simply gets in the gym, moves some iron around, shocks his muscles, then goes home and eats some meat. While he could improve in some areas by swatting up on nutrition and work out plans, he is far more likely to make progress than A who over-thinks things.

Because of this restrictive mindset, trainer A will always find it hard to get out the blocks because he is so indecisive. I can tell you right now that success in the gym is not based on what you do (the types of exercises) but how often you do it. A consistent trainer doing 3×8 all the time will always trump the trainer that does powerlifting-type training for a week then switches to crossfit. The bottom line: Don’t worry, get in the gym, do your stuff, get out, swat up if you have time, love training.

Joe is an experienced personal trainer and is currently working as a freelance copywriter for a company that sells cheap washing machines . You can follow him on twitter @ joe__johnson__

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Therapies that Support a Natural Detox Cleanse

Treatments such as acupuncture and massage help to heal the body, eliminating toxins, these methods help to improve the body’s energy flow or “Qi” as it is known in the East and bring the body into back into balance. The flow of energy within and through the body is improved and this helps to rid the body of the build up of chemicals that get stored in the fatty tissue over time, creating a healthier body and mind.  Once you have chosen the dietary and lifestyle changes you feel comfortable with to help you on your natural detox cleanse, the next step is to combine these with complimentary therapies of your choice.  These are a nice addition to weight loss programmes, not only can you use them to further aid the cleansing process, but you can also take time out for yourself helping your body to get back into balance naturally:

Acupuncture: Is an ancient therapy, based on the belief that life energy flows through your body along different channels called meridians.  This flow of energy depends on the balance of two opposing forces ying and yang, a balance which is easily disrupted through factors such as stress, emotional upset and poor dietary habits, when this energy flow becomes blocked, symptoms of illness are triggered.  Although there are over three hundred different acu-points in the body, the five acu-points in the ear are usually focused on during a cleanse, these points help to overcome cravings for sweets, fatty foods cigarettes and alcohol.

Chiropractic: This therapy is based on a belief that poor body alignment and abnormal nerve functioning are direct causes of ill health.  A chiropractor will manipulate the spine, gently realigning the muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints.  These techniques help to strengthen and balance the body’ promoting the elimination of toxin build up, easing tension and promoting relaxation.

Homeopathy: Is based on two principles, the first that like cures like and the second that less cures more. By diluting substances many hundreds, thousands of times their healing properties are enhanced whilst any undesirable side effects are lost.  A form of homeopathy, known as the drainer complex is very effective for a detox cleanse and can be taken for one, or two weeks at the beginning of the diet.  The aim is to stimulate the natural excretory organs of the body, assisting in the cleansing of toxins and providing support for the liver, kidneys, lungs, skin, lymph vessels and mucous membranes.

Naturopathy: This is based on the belief, that the body can balance and heal itself given the right conditions.  Naturopathy aims to identify the underlying cause of illness, rather than merely relieving the symptoms.  A naturopath will focus on maintaining a balance between the body’s biochemistry and will guide you through a variety of treatment options, that will include dietary changes, vitamins, minerals, biochemical tissue, massage and skin brushing to enhance the cleansing process further.

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Getting Rid of Acne Permanantly

Flawless and acne free skin has been a fantasy for one and all. Acne does not necessarily affect only teenagers; it can be a problem for many. It can often occur on the face in the form of blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, red scales, and nodules. As many people believe it does not occur only on the face, it can also break out on the upper chest and on the back. It is important to treat acne as soon as possible, if you want to prevent permanent scarring, and increase your self esteem. The are many causes of acne, some of them are –

1.Overactive oil glands on the skin
2.Hormones
3.Inflammation or infection, etc

There are several types of treatment options you can go for such as medications, therapies, over the counter medications, chemical peels, etc. There are also several natural remedies for acne that you can try. While it is best to approach a dermatologist and get his/her opinion on the type of treatment that would suit you best, there are certain things you can do yourself. Here are a few tips for a healthy and flawless skin –

1.Washing the face –
It is important to use products that are suited for those with acne problems. With the variety of cleansers and face washes in the market, this should not be a problem. The reason why only specific products should be used is because others might end up being too harsh and damage your skin by making the situation worse. It is also good to remember that everyone’s skin is different, and what might work for one, may not work for others. So, don’t be scared to experiment but make sure you don’t use products that are not suitable on your skin. Be gentle while washing your face, and do not wash more than twice a day.

2.Type of skin –
It is necessary to find out the type of skin you have, in order to buy products accordingly. When you buy products make sure they are oil-free, and can be used on sensitive skin. It is best to ask your dermatologist, what ingredients need to be avoided when you purchase make-up products. Try not to use too many products at once, because in case of a break out you will not know which product has caused the reaction.

3.Sunscreen –
Sunscreen is very important for all types of skin. If you have sensitive skin, with acne, it is even more important to protect your skin from the harsh rays of the sun. Always look for a sunscreen that protects you with UVA and UVB rays. The SPF rate should be at least 15 or 20, the higher the SPF rate, the more you are protected. Make sure to reapply your sunscreen at least every 3 hours when outside, for best protection.

4.Diet –
One of the important factors that add to your acne problems is your diet. It is not proved that junk or greasy food causes a breakout, but certain items such as diary products can aggravate the skin. Consuming lots of fruits, vegetables and other food rich in vitamins and minerals will surely clear up your skin. Different people react differently when it comes to diet and acne. Some may find breakouts after consuming caffeine, while some may not. Hence, it is necessary to know what causes a break out in your skin and cut back or eliminate it accordingly.

5.Healthy life style –
Maintaining an overall healthy lifestyle, by getting adequate exercise, cutting back on stress and eating a healthy diet can do wonders for your body and skin. While stress does not really cause acne, it will surely aggravate it, and make the situation worse. Stress-relieving activities such as yoga can have a positive effect on your life as well as significantly reduce acne.

If for any reason even after following these tips, you acne does not reduce or gets worse, it is essential you see a dermatologist. It is also necessary to follow the exact instruction given, as it many take even a few months for you to see a change in your condition. If you would like to learn more about acne home remedies, please read on.

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Quick tips to help you feel healthier and happier

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It’s that time of year again – New Year resolutions are pouring in from everyone you know. It would be very surprising if you or someone you know weren’t planning on losing weight, getting in shape, or striving for a healthier lifestyle in the New Year.

Many people struggle with keeping in shape or loosing weight. Here are a few tips that can go a long way to help shed those unwanted rolls.

Don’t skip meals

If you are thinking that fasting to lose weight is a good idea, think again. Fasting and skipping meals actually leads to a decrease in weight loss, and in most cases an increase in weight gain. This is usually due to unnecessary cravings getting the best of you and binging when you should be eating healthy.

If you do not have time to cook or feel like you need to skip a meal because you are too busy, try meal replacement shakes as an alternative. Get the nutrients and protein you need to lose weight.

Start small and build up

It’s hard to go from eating out every night to eating nothing but whole foods and eliminating your junk cravings. Start with one thing at a time – whether replacing fast carbs with slow carbs, or eating more whole foods instead of processed snacks and meats.

The same can be said with exercise – don’t think you will commit to going to the gym every day if you haven’t seen the inside of a gym in over 6 months. Baby steps are the way to lose weight. Stay focused and conquer one thing at a time.

Change the way you snack

Instead of snacking on chips or candy, try replacing your usual snack time with an actual meal. Make a very small meal consisting of a good balance of healthy food and eat that instead of snacking. You’ll notice that you will soon lose your cravings for junk food all together.

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Effective Ways to Prevent ADHD Drug Abuse

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Reports of addictions to prescription psycho stimulant drugs to treat attention deficit hyperactive disorder, or ADHD, is now alarming medical health experts. Though they have been deemed effective in treating this disorder, the danger lies in the improper use and abuse of these medications which often lead to a variety of adverse side effects that can trigger gastrointestinal disorders, depression, psychosis, and even death. After reading the overview below, you can find a more thorough examination of these adverse reactions at www.adderallabuse.net.

Drugs commonly prescribed for ADHD includes Ritalin, Concerta and Adderall. As they are compacted with amphetamine properties to address hyperactive symptoms, they are also classified as schedule II drug in the category of controlled substance, further illustrating how high their potential for addiction is. As we become more aware of the risks involved in the use of these psychotropic medications, the more we should acquire the right know how to effectively prevent our loved ones from falling prey to addiction.

Proper Administration of the Medication

One factor you should always bear in mind is the fact that these drugs are meant to treat a specific disorder and thus should be properly prescribed and administered under the supervision of a health care professional. Additionally, do not take medications if they were not properly advised by a doctor.

Take your medicines only as directed. Do not even think of self medicating. If you feel that you are not getting the effects you are expecting from your daily prescribed doses, then discuss this with your doctor and never try to increase dosage on your own.

Improper and irresponsible medication can lead to substance abuse, increased dependency, and tolerance; as well as brain problems arising from the addiction.

Know the Difference between Use and Abuse

In addition, individuals suffer from a great deal of denial. As these amphetamines boost the person’s energy and euphoria, they become unaware of the fact that they may be taking too much.

Take the Meds as Directed

Most ADHD medications are taken either in capsule or tablet form and should only be ingested this way. When they are crushed, snorted or injected, the effects brought about by the medication are heightened and can lead to addiction. At the same time, taking ADHD medication alongside other drugs such as nasal and cough syrups can increase its “high” effects increasing one’s chances of falling prey to addiction.

Learn About the Risks

An effective way to prevent a person from substance abuse is to forewarn them of the risks and adverse effects involved which may includes heart problems, gastrointestinal disorders and thought alteration such as paranoia, psychosis and suicidal inclinations. Knowledge of these horrifying effects can be enough to keep them off addiction.

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