Archive for the ‘Health and Fitness’ Category

Fatigue, weight gain, mood swings, tenderness, swelling, cravings, constipation, cramps, headaches. Pregnancy can really get you down. However, many women are turning to yoga for the duration of their pregnancies to alleviate many of the unfortunate symptoms, for keeping excess weight off during those trying months and to provide their babies with the healthiest possible start.

Pregnant women practice yoga for physical benefits. For instance, yoga practice can teach techniques that will be helpful during labor, such as breathing and relieving tension around the cervix and birth canal. Additionally, prenatal physicians recommend combining a light cardiovascular exercise (like walking) with a relaxing, muscle-toning exercise (like yoga) to maintain your physique, in spite of the intense cravings and normal weight gain associated with pregnancy.

Other pregnant women practice yoga for mental benefits. For one, it can be a great support to meet other women going through the same thing you are. Also, there is much emphasis on focusing on the moment and deriving happiness from each and every day, which can be vital when your hormones are out of whack. Yoga has been known to stimulate beta-endorphins, which also brings comfort and a sense of relief.

Yoga for pregnancy improves circulation, leg strength and increases energy. Sitting and standing positions are the most recommended, with pressure put on the shoulders and back, rather than the abdomen.

To find prenatal yoga classes, check Yoga.com. If you’re looking for yoga videos you can do at home, here are some suggestions. “Yoga Zone: Postures For Pregnancy” is a good start for beginners. “Yoga Journal’s Prenatal Yoga with Shiva Rea” gives you yoga for each trimester in short 15 minute segments with a guided relaxation / meditation part to help insomnia or depression. “Dr. Christine Anderson’s Dynamic Prenatal Yoga” is highly recommended, with a more spiritual focus that encompasses baby bonding, energy flow, meditation, poses and 90 minutes of total preparation for the months to come. Explanations are given for beginners and modifications are discussed for seasoned yoga pros. Another great video focusing equally on movement, breath and relaxation is “Prenatal Yoga: A Complete Home Practice for a Healthy Mother and Baby,” which was selected as an Editor’s Pick by Fit Pregnancy magazine in 2006. On the “Yoga Journal and Lamaze present: Yoga for Your Pregnancy” DVD, prospective moms can find: part 1 featuring energizing and strengthening, part 2 featuring relaxing and rejuvenating, as well as Pranayama breathing techniques, a guided meditation segment, birthing room techniques and postnatal workout. “Tantric Yoga For Blissful Pregnancy” combines more authentic yoga practices with pregnancy-safe poses.

It may surprise you to learn that Yoga dates back to 3300-1700 B.C.E. and has long been a practice of Buddhists, Hindus and other Eastern religions. But what should not be surprising the tremendous benefits that this form of exercise and meditation can bring to your life. Working professionals, students, home-makers and the retired alike are finding how wonderful they feel after participating. The sense of calm that prevails as well as the satisfaction of muscles well worked all make Yoga the perfect blend of philosophy, religion and exercise. Even if you do not practice the spiritual aspects of this ancient practice, you can still benefit. Click here to see more: Yoga Clothing and at Power Yoga also at Yoga Posture Techniques

16
Dec

What Exactly is a Tummy Tuck And How Can It Help?

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Many people hear tummy tuck and think weight loss surgery, but actually it is a procedure done after a significant weight loss has already taken place, to remove loose skin and improve ones appearance. Many times it is considered a minor procedure, when in reality it is a major operation, with just as many risks as any other invasive surgery.

Another term for this surgery is abdominoplasty, where loose skin, and at times, skin that has stretch marks is removed. The abdominal muscles are usually tightened up with sutures as well. This results in a dramatic reduction of a protruding abdomen.

Of course, as with any surgery there is some swelling and pain. Depending on the extent of the surgery you may be discharged within a few hours, or remain in the hospital for several days. After surgery you will be encouraged to take a slow walk, however, it is likely that you will not be able to stand straight. Since the skin on the abdomen will be quite tight you will be instructed to remain bent over at around 45 degrees.

There will be drains placed in your body during the surgery to remove extra fluid. While the drains are in place, you will be on bed rest with a very small amount of walking. Approximately 4 days after the surgery you may begin to straighten up but your doctor will advise you to not overdo the movement. Remember, even though it is an elective surgery, it is still a major invasive surgery and recovery times will reflect this fact.

Your doctor may suggest an alternative to the full procedure if he feels that it would be more beneficial to you. This alternative, called a mini tummy tuck, is very similar to the original procedure but this one targets the lower abdomen only. There are, of course, other benefits to having this particular surgery, which is also known as a partial abdominoplasty. One benefit is the fact that it will take less time for the operation.

Some are under the impression that this method is the same as a liposuction procedure, but that is not the case. The major difference is that an abdominoplasty is performed to remove excess skin that has been stretched out, possibly after a substantial weight loss. Liposuction surgery is used to actually remove the fat.

Perhaps you have wondered why someone would want to have a tummy tuck, which is an elective surgery. If a person was seriously overweight and suddenly lost a significant amount of weight, which may be the result of some type of weight loss surgery, their skin will very likely no longer “fit” their body. When this type of weight loss is achieved, you naturally want to improve the rest of your appearance, which would include removing the excess skin and tightening up the muscles.

Cosmetic surgery has become all the rage and it is no wonder. People are simply unhappy with their bodies. Perhaps it is a few wrinkles or it may be a pocket of cellulite that simply will not go away with exercise. Have hope though before you go under the knife of a plastic surgeon. There are alternatives to liposuction that may work out to your advantage. Creams and certain lotions have been proven to help reduce cellulite and it may be just what you need to rid yourself of that unsightly cellulite budge. Click here for more information:Liposuction Chart and at Liposuction of The Tummy

16
Dec

How Crucial Is Cosmetic Surgery ?

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How many of your friends or acquaintances have had cosmetic surgery performed? Are there many of them? Does it tend to make you feel like you are the odd one, the one in the minority? Should they have just been happy with what they had or do you think having a choice is the best solution? Perhaps you and your friends feel that with so many advancements and improvements it would be a shame not to take advantage of the opportunity to make changes in yourself, despite what anyone else thinks.

This has been looked at and talked about for so long, along with being the subject of many talk shows and books, that it is difficult not to have an opinion. One person may say that if it is reconstructive surgery that is being performed, then it is ok. While a counterpart may believe that having that type of surgery for any reason, even if you are unhappy with your looks, is not ok. Is a surgery, especially an elective surgery, performed after a necessary operation considered frivolous? In other words, if you underwent surgery for something like a Mastectomy, would it be wrong to undergo another surgery to correct the appearance of your breasts? And what about surgeries to rid the body of excess fat, such as a liposuction procedure? A weight loss surgery such as an this may be considered totally cosmetic, but for those who are morbidly obese, this type of operation may be a life saver.

If you have breast surgery after a Mastectomy is that still considered a frivolous form of cosmetic surgery? Since the original problem has been removed you shouldn’t worry about what the results look like, right? So, do they believe you should just be happy with what you have left after the original surgery and not waste money on any further surgery or do they perhaps consider that one reconstructive?

Surgeries of this type are, of course, a personal choice. Perhaps it does seem strange to some that you would choose to have surgery for something that was not absolutely necessary. Maybe they think that having elective surgery is completely wrong, but wrong for whom? Is it wrong to want to look normal or even better than average? Should you have to walk around for the rest of your life and have a constant reminder of what you went through every time you look in the mirror?

For some, the term cosmetic surgery may automatically make them think that it is an unnecessary procedure, as cosmetic refers to appearance and in their minds it is a waste. Even so, do they have the right to try to make you change your mind or to try to make you feel ashamed of your decision? Or should they keep their mouths shut and get on with their own lives?

There are so many cosmetic procedures currently out on the market, it is a wonder that we have not turned ourselves plastic with all the remodeling. Liposuction is one of these cosmetic procedures used to rid the body of unwanted cellulite. Before you make that important decision to have liposuction you should try less invasive procedures. Some of these procedures do show a dramatic difference in the cellulite pockets and are easy to use. No machines and no needles are the answer you should seek out first. Simply take a look at the non-invasive procedures before making your mind up. Click here for more information:Liposuction and at Liposuction Risks