Baby steps to a better diet in Bath

Big diet adjustments have you overwhelmed? Then start with baby steps.

Whether you need to change your diet in order to shed pounds or improve the health of your heart, it can be hard to know where to start. If you've set a weight loss or health goal for yourself, the best way to achieve and maintain that goal isn't to completely overhaul how you live your life overnight. You're more likely to maintain good habits if you start out slow and steady.

So what baby steps can you take to make a healthy diet a life habit instead of a mere goal?

Sip on This

It may sound simple, but drinking more water is a great goal to get your healthy lifestyle started - especially if you love soda. Did you know that if you drink two glasses of soda every day for a year, you will gain 24 pounds? Sound crazy?

Consider this: The sugar found in sodas, caffeine products, and juices taste great, but these drinks may actually make you thirstier instead of quenching your thirst like water does. That's why you wind up downing glass after glass of soda when you go out to eat.

Try replacing at least one soda a day with a cup of ice water. You'll cut out excess sugar and calories, and the cold water will help you burn calories by forcing your body to warm up the water. If you simply can't cut soda completely out of your diet, drink diet soda instead of regular.

At the same time you're cutting soda out, you should also switch to skimmed milk.

Even drinking one-percent milk adds hundreds or thousands of grams of fat to your body each year. Skimmed milk may taste a little different, but it still has the same amount of vitamins and minerals and less fat. If you're currently drinking whole milk, switch to two percent. Give it a few weeks, and then jump to one percent for a couple weeks, and finally work your way to skim.

Go Color

When you think of colorful foods, don't think about red velvet cake or green icing. Think about fruits and vegetables. Having a colorful plate at each meal is a healthy thing to work toward, so take small steps to add them into your meals and snacks. If you find yourself reaching for chips or cookies at snack time, try an apple or baby carrots instead. And don't worry about becoming a vegetarian. Including at least one fruit or vegetable at each meal will help you take great strides toward a healthier diet.

Stay Balanced

Breakfast is often overlooked and forgotten. After all, many people are too busy in the morning to sit down to eat or perhaps they just aren't hungry first thing in the morning. However, eating even a small breakfast can make a big difference in your health. Skip breakfast, and you can expect to be extra hungry when lunch rolls around, causing you to overeat and add extra, unneeded calories to your physique. Don't think you can become a breakfast eater? Go with a small piece of toast, a hard-boiled egg, or a spoonful of peanut butter to get started.

Also, be sure to include healthy snacks as part of your day, and don't let more than a few hours go by without food. Otherwise you will suffer the same fate as if you didn't eat breakfast. You'll become overly hungry and eat more than necessary at the next meal.

Other small changes to make in your meals include using olive oil instead of butter, switching to whole grain breads and pastas, and checking nutrition labels to reduce sodium and sugar in your diet. But don't sweat making all these changes at once. Remember - baby steps!

Beetroot - Can this wonder food promote good health in Bath?

Want to boost your stamina or lower your blood pressure? Try some beetroot.

When you were a child, your mother probably had to force-feed you beetroot at dinner. While this dark purple-red vegetable may have a strong flavour that didn't agree with your young taste buds, your mum was on to something. That's because beetroot has been found to have significant health benefits.

Whether you're an endurance athlete; are well over the hill; or if you suffer from respiratory, cardiovascular, or metabolic diseases, beetroot should be of special interest to you. What is it about beetroot that gives it such powerful qualities and how much do you need to consume to get its benefits? Your answers await!

Endurance Enhancement

Beetroot juice contains many essential vitamins and minerals, including potassium, folate, and vitamin C. Often mixed with other juices such as carrot, lemon, or apple to improve its taste, beetroot juice has an uncommonly high nitrate content. Thanks to that nitrate content, beetroot has some serious perks for those who drink it down. Scientists suspect that nitric oxide, the byproduct of nitrate, gives you the ability to exercise with less oxygen and gives you more energy than usual. This is possible because you can exercise for longer periods of time when less oxygen is burned by your muscles during exercise. Green leafy foods such as spinach and lettuce, as well as cabbage and radishes, are also rich in nitrates, but beetroot may be one source you've not tapped into yet. In the past few years, research has shown that juice from the beetroot has the power to increase your stamina, allowing you to exercise up to 16 percent longer than your normal limit. Yes, 16 percent. Starting to thirst for some beetroot juice yet? Then keep reading.

Drinking beetroot juice a few hours before training seems to give athletes a boost in their performance that can't be achieved through additional training. Studies have shown that individuals who drink two cups of beetroot juice daily for a week improve on their race times by one to two percent for a set distance.

While this may seem like a small amount to some, this is very significant for elite athletes for whom every second counts. Not a world-class athlete? Don't leave beetroot juice on the shelf. It may be just what your body needs to make exercising more tolerable or even enjoyable.

Reduce Blood Pressure

If you're looking for a natural, home remedy to lower your blood pressure, look no further than our good friend, beetroot. Because on top of enhancing your athletic performance, the nitrate found in beetroot juice has been found to lower your blood pressure, cutting your risk for stroke or heart attack.

A recent study found that drinking two cups of beetroot juice a day keeps your blood pressure in check for up to 24 hours. While this study was small and did not take place over a long period of time, the results are fascinating and warrant additional research into the relationship between beetroot juice and cardiovascular diseases.

More than Root

If you want to amp up your workout routine or lower your blood pressure, beetroot juice can't be the only weapon in your arsenal. To achieve these goals or overall health, you'll need to go with a healthy, varied diet full of fruits and vegetables, and exercise on a regular basis. Otherwise, all the beetroot juice in the world won't be enough to give you good health.

No Mas, Por Favor.

Beetroot juice is a great addition to your diet. Just be careful. Drinking too much of it can lead to purple urine, abdominal cramps, or diarrhea.

Sprains - How to prevent them

Sprains come in all shapes and sizes - none of which is too fun. Here's how to avoid sprain pain.

You're in the middle of a football match, rowing a boat across the river, or working under the hood of your car. Suddenly, a pain springs up that you can't ignore. It's a sprain.

A sprain is a common injury that occurs when you overstretch or tear a ligament somewhere in your body. Elastic bands of tissue, ligaments' job is to connect bones where they meet together in joints such as ankles, knees, wrists, and thumbs. A sprain is common in sports, but it can occur any time you fall or twist in the wrong direction.

What can you do to avoid getting a sprain, and what is the treatment for sprains if you do get one?

Contributing Factors

There are many causes of sprains, and they depend on the ligament sprained.

You are more likely to sprain your ankle if you walk or run on an uneven surface or if you fall on the side of your foot. Spraining your knee occurs during activities during which you pivot or twist your legs. Your wrist is at risk for sprains if you land on your hand during a fall. And believe it or not - you can sprain your thumb. This is most likely to occur during sports such as skiing or those that use a racquet such as tennis. While anyone can suffer a sprain, your muscles are weaker and are more likely to get injured if you're not in good shape.

Fatigue is also a contributing factor in getting a sprain, so calling it quits when you've run out of energy can protect against sprains. Additionally, if you exercise without a sufficient warm up, your muscles and joints will be tight and more prone to tears and stretches.

Prevention

To best avoid sprains, it is important to be in good physical shape. Keep your muscles strong by eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and exercising every day. Before you hit the gym hard and heavy, spend a few minutes stretching and warming up. Any time you're tired or have suffered a minor injury, don't fight through it. Get off your feet and rest.

When running or walking, wear shoes that fit well and that offer protection and support. Any time the tread or heels on your shoes wear down, get new shoes. Also, wear the correct protective equipment when playing sports.

When the Unexpected Happens

Unfortunately, accidents happen and sprains do occur. Symptoms of a sprained ligament include pain, bruising, swelling, inability to completely move the injured joint, and possible redness or streaks radiating from the injured area. Another telltale sign? When the sprain occurs, you may hear a popping sound and feel a tear. The pain will begin right away. It may be so severe you think you've broken a bone.

Sprains range from mild to severe. Initial treatment for the pain and swelling are rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE).

Rest: Avoid using the joint for the first day or two, and get around by using a cane or crutches if necessary.

Ice: Apply ice to the injured joint 20 minutes, four to eight times a day.

Compression: Use special bandages, splints, casts or boots to squeeze the injured area.

Elevation: Be sure to elevate your ankle, wrist, knee, or thumb on a pillow. This prevents excess blood from causing the sprained area to swell.
Along with RICE treatment, take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen as needed. After treating the pain and swelling for a day or two, it is helpful to gently exercise the affected area to prevent stiffness and strengthen the joint.

In most cases, home treatment is enough to overcome a sprain. However, if pain and swelling are severe or continue after two or three days, head to your physician to determine the next step in treatment.

Bulky Killer Calves

Wish your calves were to die for? With the right steps, you can go from common to killer calves.

Having good-looking calves improves your legs' strength and appearance, giving you added confidence and athletic ability.

But if you're like many people, you probably don't spend much time working your calf muscles out. Sure, you run and do squats, but you rarely give your calves your undivided attention. Unfortunately, if you're just bringing your calf muscles along for your exercise routine without pushing them, you're missing out on what your calves can be.

What can you do to turn your everyday calf muscles into something to take notice of? It depends on your end goal.

For Bulk

If your goal is to bulk up your calves, you'll want to squeeze in calf exercises three days a week, with a full day's rest between each routine. Otherwise, they'll wear down and won't give you the growth you seek. Once you're in the gym, use these exercises.

Donkey Up: With one of the most entertaining names in weight training, the donkey calf raise will give your calves an immediate boost. To get started, bend at the waist with your upper body resting on a table approximately the height of your knees and your toes resting on the edge of weight plates or a stable platform. In this position, have someone sit on your lower back and then raise yourself up on your toes, keeping your body bent over in an L shape.

Sit and Raise: Have a seat at the calf-raise machine with the pads resting above your knees on your upper thighs. From this position, lower your heels as close to the ground as possible and then raise your feet onto your toes as high as possible in a slow and methodical movement. Once you hit the pinnacle of the toe raise, pause, return to the starting position, and repeat.

I will not retire while I've still got my legs and my make-up box. - Betty Davis

Raise the Toes: Something like the opposite of a calf raise, toe raises can have a great impact on the size and shape of your calves. Stand with the heel of your feet on a stable platform or a weight plate. Then, rest a dumbbell across your left foot and lift your toes as high as possible, lower, and repeat.

After a few reps with your left foot, put the weight on the other foot and repeat. As with all exercises, do this in a controlled motion for maximum effectiveness and safety.

For Beauty

Prefer to keep your calves slim and trim? No problem. With a handful of exercises, you can have killer calves that won't be bulging at the seams.

Jump Rope: Yep, one of your favorite childhood activities is also fantastic for your calves. Get in as much jump roping as often as you can, and you will feel the burn in your calves until it turns into the perfect shape you've been seeking. Just remember to make every jump work for you. In other words, if you're going so slow that you're jumping flatfooted, stop. It's only helpful for your calves if you're staying on your toes the whole time.

Run Faster: Long-distance running will certainly tone your legs, but short sprints seem to have a greater and more immediate impact on your calf muscles. So the next time you're at the track, do a series of short sprints and stay on your toes the whole time. After a while, your legs will thank you with some great-looking calves.

Press It: The old-fashioned leg press machine at your local gym is good for all kinds of stuff when it comes to shapely legs. And if you use it properly, it can also tone your calf muscles. For maximum effect, you have two options. The first is to do the complete leg press motion with your toes resting where your heels would normally. By doing this, your toes push through the entire motion, working your calves constantly. For a different technique, perform a typical leg press with your feet in the normal position. At the top of the press, extend the pressing plate out using only your toes.

Make It Happen

Want to keep your body in tiptop shape every day of the year? Then you're going to have to make some changes to how you operate. Try the following tips to maintain a healthy weight from now until this time next year:

•                get rid of fattening foods that are hard to resist

•                tell your loved ones what you're doing and encourage them to get onboard

•                make your own food as often as possible

•                adopt an exercise routine that you can maintain

Eat well all year round! Diet Tips in Bath

A few reasons you should eat well from January 1 to December 31.

Life is one huge seasonal event. Spring turns into summer, summer to autumn, autumn to winter, and winter to spring. As you pass through these seasons, you go through your own seasons: from being a toddler to a child, the teenage years, and adulthood. And while the world and your age may operate seasons, your eating habits should stay sure and steady throughout the year.

Why? Good question. Here are a few answers to help you stay on track with your healthy eating ways.

Swimsuit Season Is No Surprise

Have too much to do each day and not enough time to figure out when you should start your swimsuit exercise and diet regime? Then why not stay in swimsuit shape all year long? That way, if you just happen to take a trip to the tropics in mid-February, you will get to have to wear your most flattering swimsuit instead of that unappealing sweat suit you've had since high school.

Not planning to hit a tropical locale during the cold months? You'll feel comfortable enough in your own skin to hang out at the indoor pool when a company trip has you living in a hotel for a few days.

Consistency Does the Body Good

Imagine dropping dirty oil into your car's engine for a few months every year. Even with six or eight months of feeding your car the best oil available, the dirty old oil will gradually wear your car out. The same is true for your body. In order to get the most from your body, you need to maintain a healthy weight all year long, throughout every season. It may not be easy to lay off those fattening comfort foods during the cold winter months, but your body will thank you.

Energy Up

When you wake up and the weather is dreadful, it can be difficult to get out of bed and get moving. Gain some extra pounds during the cold months, and it will be even harder. That's because it takes more energy to move your heavy frame than your lighter, more svelte frame. Help make it easier to get out and about by feeding yourself healthy calories that provide energy to get through the day. Leave the extra, unnecessary calories alone - unless you're looking for a way to have less energy.

Farewell, Seasonal SADness

Each year, folks around the globe suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD) during the darker, colder months. With SAD, you experience light symptoms of depression that make you feel tired for no reason. Eat the right foods and maintain a healthy weight, however, and you will have increased energy and a better outlook on life, making it possible to fend off SAD. In the event you do experience a bout with SAD, your healthy weight can cause the episode to pass faster.

Guilt, Be Gone!

If you've ever let your weight go up and down, you know what happens when it's on the up and up: guilt! With year-round weight management, that self-loathing goes bye-bye. In its place is a confidence you've never experienced. And while others are wondering how you're saying no to a third piece of pie, you're content knowing the benefits of staying healthy 365 days a year.

Make It Happen

Want to keep your body in tiptop shape every day of the year? Then you're going to have to make some changes to how you operate. Try the following tips to maintain a healthy weight from now until this time next year:

•                get rid of fattening foods that are hard to resist

•                tell your loved ones what you're doing and encourage them to get onboard

•                make your own food as often as possible

•                adopt an exercise routine that you can maintain

Don't get upset when you eat more than you should, but use it as a learning experience to avoid doing so next time

Welcome To The Blog of Steve Joynson, Bath Personal Trainer and Bath Weight loss Expert

Hi there and a big welcome to my Bath Personal Training Blog.

I am Steve Joynson, Bath Personal Trainer and an expert at Weight Loss in Bath. Please ensure you check out all the recent blog posts in the coming months on the right of the page which will cover Bath Fat Loss, How to Lose Weight in Bath, Bath Fitness and Nutrition. Please feel free to browse my other websites, Bath Personal Trainer and Online Personal Training to see if I may be of help and service to you.

To subscribe to my twice monthly newsletter, latest offers and receive your FREE report on 5 Must Know AB Exercises to get that tummy you`ve always wanted, please just drop your email address into the box at the top of the right hand side and gain immediate access. Don`t worry, I detest spam as much as you do so will never share your details with anyone.

Have a great day and I hope you enjoy my Fitness in Bath blog.

Committed to your good health,

Steve
Steve Joynson

Personal Trainer in Bath

Not enough time for exercise? Rubbish!! - Get Fit in Bath

Is your schedule so full that it's hard to find time to work out? Here are six times to squeeze in some exercise.

You know exercise is vital to your health and well-being, and you've tried to fit it in. So why is it so difficult to make regular exercise a priority in your schedule? It probably has something to do with life. From work to kids to meals to errands to chores to sleep, fitting in anything else is virtually impossible.

But no matter how busy your life may be, you can find time to add more activity - if you're willing. Though a minimum of 30-minute increments of exercise are recommended, as little as 10 minutes can still make a difference. Squeeze in 10 minutes a day every day, and you'll rack up 300 minutes or five hours a month. How do you do it?

Fitting in Fitness at Home

Vacuuming, mopping, and scrubbing the bathroom. Like it or not, you probably spend time each week doing household chores. What great ways to be active! Instead of getting it over with as soon as possible, turn on your favorite dance tunes and work at a pace fast enough to get your heart rate up. Even while folding the laundry or making dinner you can stand on your tiptoes or do squats. And don't forget outdoor chores such as mowing the lawn, raking leaves, and gardening. These are excellent ways to burn extra calories all while doing normal activities around the house.

Lunch Break = Exercise Break

Tired of staring at the computer screen all day or dealing with cranky clients? Take a quick walk outside during lunch or other break times. If you'd like company, find a coworker to join you. Even better, if there is a gym near your workplace, use lunchtime to get in a quick workout. You'll return to work feeling energized to finish the day, unlike your coworkers who are ready to go to sleep.

Parking Lots and Elevators

Do you find yourself circling the parking lot to find the closest spot or standing in line waiting for a slow elevator? Turn these moments into exercise opportunities. Why not take the farthest parking spot and walking the distance to the door? You may actually end up saving time by walking instead of searching for a closer space. It's also a good idea to skip the elevator and use the stairs. You'll burn a few calories and don't have to worry about someone sneezing on you on the way up.

Get off the Couch

After a long day at work, relaxing on the couch and watching television or talking on the phone catching up with a friend is rather appealing. While it's fine to rest after a busy day, don't forget to take advantage of these exercise opportunities. Grab a couple canned goods out of the cabinet to use as hand weights. Sit on a stationary bike and pedal away while you watch your favorite sitcom or talk on the phone. Get on the floor and do some leg lifts, push-ups, sit- ups, stretches, or yoga positions. Also, get rid of the remote control. It'll force you to get off the couch to change the channel or better yet - it will make you want to turn off the television and get active.

Include the Kids

If you have children, you may find your time divided between taking care of kids and taking care of yourself. Why not do both at the same time? Involve your whole family in exercise. Get out and take a walk or ride bikes together after dinner. Instead of a family movie night, plan a trip to the zoo or go hiking in the mountains. Play a game of kickball or soccer together at a park. If possible, walk with your kids to school in the morning. Another fun activity is to take a fitness class along with your children. You may even want to join in their karate or tennis classes. Many gyms now offer "mommy and me" swim or exercise classes for mothers with new babies, so take advantage of them.

Be Social

The final way to add activity into your busy schedule is to include exercise in your social life. Join a dance club with a friend sign up for a softball team through the local recreation department. Not only is being part of a team a great way to stay committed and motivated to exercise, it is also a great way to have fun with friends.

Start Slow.

These five exercises are the most popular workouts for developing your lat muscles. As usual, if you've had previous back injuries or pain, be sure to check with your doctor before beginning an exercise program. And to prevent injury and strain, start slowly and work your way up.

Want to boost your lats?- Weight Training in Bath

Here are five of the best exercises to work the largest muscles in your back. 

Your latissimus dorsi, commonly known as lats, are broad, fan-shaped muscles in your middle to lower back that connect to all the other back muscles. While you may not give them much thought, your lats work to rotate and move your arms and shoulders. They also play an important part in your overall weight and resistance training and add width to your body that give your physique the unique "V" shape that shows you mean business.

Want to turn your body into a V-shaped beacon of musculature? Try out this handful of exercises.

Old-Fashioned Pull-Ups

You can use all sorts of machines to pump up your lats, but pull-ups are actually the best possible workout for your lats - as long as you do them the right way. To do a pull-up correctly, use your widest overhand grip. For a front pull-up, pull up until the bar touches the top of your chest and then let yourself all the way down. Don't jerk or swing your legs at any point in the motion, as this will subtract from your lats workout. Instead, make the entire motion in a controlled, fluid motion. For the best lats routine, start and end your back exercise routine with pull-ups.

Lat Pull Down

The second best workout for lats is the lat pull down, and there is a machine made just for it. So take a walk around your gym until you find the lat pull and have a seat. Whereas pull-ups require you to pull your weight upwards, the lat pull requires you to pull weight towards yourself. When doing so, use a wide overhand grip to grow your lats outward, or keep your hands close together and palms facing you to increases the thickness of your lats.

Seated Cable Row

The seated cable row machine includes a bench, footrests, and a cable. Sit down and pull the cable toward your body while sitting upright on the bench with your knees slightly bent. When you pull the weight, make sure you pull towards your lower stomach, and return the handle slowly, keeping your back straight the entire time. This motion works your middle back lat muscles as well as your arms.

Bent over Barbell Row

The bent over barbell row is another great workout for developing your back strength and thickness, as it works your lats and the rest of your back. To do the bent over barbell row, your legs must be slightly bent, your back should stay straight, and you ought to lean forward until you are almost parallel to the floor. Once in this position, pull the barbell up toward you until it touches your stomach. Pull the bar toward your mid to low stomach to develop your lower lats. Pull it toward the top of your stomach or chest, and you'll work your upper lats.

Bent over Dumbbell Row

While it may sound similar to the bent over barbell row, the bent over dumbbell row is a very different exercise. Whereas the bent over barbell row works your entire back, bent over dumbbell rows hone in on your lats. To do this exercise, place one knee on the bench and lean over, resting your hand on the bench. Stand on your opposite leg and hold the dumbbell with that arm. Lift the dumbbell off the floor and raise it up, pulling it close to your body at your chest or shoulder level. Lower the dumbbell slowly and repeat. Continue with the other side of your body. Try not to let your shoulders or arms do the work, and avoid performing barbell rows in the same workout as dumbbell rows.

Start Slow.

These five exercises are the most popular workouts for developing your lat muscles. As usual, if you've had previous back injuries or pain, be sure to check with your doctor before beginning an exercise program. And to prevent injury and strain, start slowly and work your way up.

Post workout soreness - Fitness Training in Bath

A few tips to ease the soreness in your muscles and get them ready for your next trip to the gym.

Working out and muscle soreness go together like peanut butter and jelly. Experiencing a bit of pain following a good workout is practically inevitable, and while you may want to skip the gym to get over the pain, there are better ways to overcome your soreness.

Wondering what they are? Read on to find out.

Stretch It Out

For many people, the idea of stretching is old fashioned, doing nothing but cutting back on the amount of time spent actually working out. However, if you want to beat soreness and avoid greater injury, stretching is a must. The best way to incorporate stretching into your exercise regimen is to do some light exercise first and then stretch out the muscles you will use during your routine.

But don't only stretch before you workout. You'll also want to stretch after a workout. Doing this will allow you to reap the benefits of reduced soreness, reduced risk of injury, and increased range of motion.

Apply Warmth, Cold, and Pressure

Another great way to beat muscle soreness is to apply heat and cold. If you find yourself dealing with regular soreness, toss some ice in a plastic bag and place the bag on the muscles bothering you most. You can also apply a heating pad, which will help bring additional blood to the site of your soreness and therefore bring some relief. Just be sure to not leave the heat or ice on your sore muscles for more than 15 minutes at a time.

When you want an even more enjoyable way to overcome exercise-induced soreness, beg your significant other for a massage or head to the office of a massage therapist. After a good massage, you'll feel better than you have in a long time and be ready to keep on your workout schedule.

Work It Again

Feeling sore can make you want to stay in bed, applying ice and heat and more ice and more heat. However, staying still at home is not going to help you beat your soreness. Actually, this will cause you to suffer soreness after every workout from here to eternity. To beat your muscle soreness, get back out there and get some more exercise. Once you've been exercising for a few minutes and get past your initial discomfort, the aches you felt will be a thing of the past.

For the best protection, you should work out all your various muscles on a regular basis. This way, you can go ahead and let all the muscles in your body grow sore and in the process get more accustomed to working out. In the end, this will result in less post-workout soreness.

Bringing the Pain

Wish you could altogether do away with muscle soreness after working out? Well...you can't. Because what you're dealing with after exercising is as natural and inescapable as death.

The pain you experience after a good workout is known as delayed onset muscle soreness, a.k.a. DOMS. True to its name, DOMS sets in a bit after you're done working out - between 24 and 48 hours later. Your DOMS shows up when you push your muscles beyond what they're used to, causing tiny tears in the muscles being worked out. But have no fear.

These tears are not dangerous for the long-term health and function of your muscles. Beyond some post-workout soreness, the tears should have no consequences.

In the event you experience pain immediately after a workout or your pain does not subside after a few days, you may have done more than push your muscles to cause DOMS. You may have suffered a more serious muscle trauma. If a few days of rest don't help you overcome the pain, contact your physician to prevent a more serious injury.

Prevent a stroke- Good Health Tips in Bath

Maintain your mobility, communication ability, and quality of life - for the rest of your life.

Want to live life to the fullest, enjoying your children and grandchildren for years to come?

Then you're going to have to take some steps today to give yourself the greatest possible protection against a life-changing or life-threatening stroke tomorrow and well into the future.

What can you do to arm yourself against one of the leading causes of disability across the globe? You're about to find out.

Put Your Food Where Your Mouth Is

As with most conditions, one of the first places to look for protection against stroke is your mouth. Pay careful attention to what you're putting in it every day, and do your best to make sure you're filling up with as much good stuff as possible.

Wondering what the good stuff is? It's what mama always told you to eat: fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Get at least eight servings of fruits and vegetables each day, and your likelihood of suffering a stroke drops drastically. At the same time you're amping up your good food intake, it's a good idea to curb your appetite for salty foods and foods that have saturated fat or hydrogenated fat, as these can actually lead to stroke.

Keep the Bad Stuff Away

Now that you know what you should be eating, there are a couple things you'll need to avoid putting in your mouth that aren't foods. The first is cigarettes. Despite what they may do for your mood, your nerves, or your image, smoking wreaks havoc on your entire body, including the arteries that go through your neck. When these arteries are clogged and damaged, stroke can result.

Second on the chopping block is alcohol. No, you don't have to cut alcohol out of your life altogether. But you do have to be smart about your consumption of it. Drink no more than a couple glasses of alcohol each day, and do your best to avoid high-calorie alcoholic beverages. These may taste good going down, but they don't help your body avoid stroke once they settle into your belly.

Work It Out Often

So you're eating the right foods, you've stopped smoking, and you're drinking more responsibly. However, there's still something else you should be doing every day to help your body fight against a potential stroke. You've got to get out from behind your computer desk, step away from your kitchen table, get up off the couch, and go to your local gym for a rigorous workout.

Get in at least 30 minutes of exercise five days a week, and you can reduce your risk for stroke by nearly 25 percent. Sound too good to be true? Talk with your physician to see what he or she thinks. Or better yet - get in the gym and start working out more regularly, with more intensity. The way you'll feel after a few good workouts should be enough to convince you that your routine is indeed leading to the greatest level of stroke protection you've ever enjoyed.

What You'll See

Recognizing stroke is key to a full recovery. Someone who is in the midst of a stroke will experience the sudden onset of the following:

•                difficulty speaking

•                severe headache with no known cause

•                confusion or difficulty understanding speech

•                changes in vision

•                loss of movement, tingling, weakness, or numbness in the face, arm, or leg - especially on only one side of the body

•                problems walking or maintaining balance

If any of these symptoms exist, don't waste time sitting around. Get to the hospital immediately. There is a short window of time following a stroke that allows the sufferer to sidestep many long-term consequences, but you've got to move fast.

Banish Bingo Wings - Fitness in Bath

Thanks to push-up bras and BOTOX parties, women have new opportunity to reverse the power of gravity and time. But what about the sagging that so often takes place on the underside of women's arms? You could undergo plastic surgery, but wouldn't you rather try a low-cost method that gives you a sense of accomplishment?
If you're wondering how to keep the flab at bay or to banish it once and for all, you've come to the right place. Keep reading to learn what exercises you should be leaning on to keep flabby underarms from hanging out with you.

Push-Ups

One of the beacons of old-fashioned exercise enthusiasts, push-ups provide all sorts of benefits. To tighten and tone your underarms, you'll want to place your hands close together on the ground. Once in the push-up position (on your toes or knees, torso straight and arms extended out to hold your weight above the ground), lower your body to the ground. As you go down, keep your elbows against your side. Once your chest touches your hands, push yourself back to the starting position, careful to keep your elbows by your side throughout the motion. Go for three sets of 8 to 15 repetitions each.

Women aren't meant to fly. So there's no reason for you to live with wings any longer!

Dips

Looking for another easy triceps-shaper that you can do no matter where you are? Dips fit the bill nicely. To perform dips, find a weight bench or a couple sturdy chairs. Facing away from the bench, bend down and place your hands facedown on the bench. Place your legs directly in front of you, the heels of your feet resting on the ground. Slowly lower your body until your arms make a 90-degree angle. Push yourself back to the starting position and repeat 5 to 10 times. You can do the same thing on dip bars at the gym and have the same helpful results!

Dumbbell Extension

Unlike the first two exercises, you'll need to grab a dumbbell for this one. When first getting started, use a three- or five-pound dumbbell. Standing up straight, hold the dumbbell directly overhead with both hands. Keeping your elbows and arms parallel to one another and your elbows in the same position throughout the movement, lower the weight behind your head. Once the weight is close to your shoulders, raise the weight back to its original position and repeat for three sets of 10 repetitions each. As the exercise gets easier, increase the amount of weight you use.

Tricep Kickbacks

With the same dumbbell in your right hand, place your left knee and left hand on a weight bench, your right foot on the ground to keep your body balanced. Hold your right arm at a 90-degree angle, with your bicep against your side and your back straight. From this position, lift the weight backward until your entire arm is straight and against your side. Hold for a moment, return to the starting position, and repeat for three sets of 8 to 10 repetitions on both sides.

Skull Crushers

While the name may sound frightening, the results are user-friendly. To perform a set of skull crushers, grab a dumbbell or light barbell and lie on your back on a weight bench. Start by holding the weight directly over your face, both arms completely extended up. Slowly bend at the elbows and lower the weight toward your face. Once your arms nearly hit your head, raise the weight back up. For maximum effect, spend three of four seconds on each motion (the lowering and raising of the weight). Repeat 8 to 10 times for three sets.

The Top 12 Foods To Strip Away Belly Fat - Weight Loss in Bath

I’m sure you’ve seen lists like this before, but here are my top 12 foods to strip away belly fat. Some of these foods have side-kicks that are also great. Walnuts are a great side-kick to almonds, strawberries are a great side-kick to blueberries, etc.  You’ll find that these foods are similar to the ones recommended in the book called The Abs Diet.

Combine these foods with my 6 Diet Tips To Get Rid Of Fat and your body will turn into a lean, mean fat burning machine.

 1) Almonds

Great for building muscle and fighting off cravings and hunger, almonds are one of your best choices of nut. Almonds are high in protein and monounsaturated fat (which is a good type of fat for your body). And a handful of almonds gets you about half of your daily requirement of vitamin E and even some calcium. Almonds also contain magnesium which is important for muscle building. You can eat about 1-2 handfuls a day which will do a great job at suppressing your appetite.

2) Black Beans

Great for building muscle, burning fat, regulating digestion, controlling hunger. Black beans are a good source of protein, fibre and iron. They are also a rich source of antioxidants. In a recent research study in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, black beans were found to have more antioxidant activity, gram for gram, than any other type of bean.

3) Spinach

These are great for fortifying nutrient stores and fighting obesity. Spinach is rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, magnesium and several vital antioxidents. It is also a great source of folic acid which helps protect against  heart disease, stroke and colon cancer.

4) Blueberries

Blueberries are loaded with soluble fibre that helps you feel full longer. They are one of the most antioxidant rich foods out there. Blueberries are super fruits, high in antioxidants including vitamins C and A. They also offer 3.5 grams of fibre per cup.

5) Oatmeal

Oatmeal is very low in fat and is a great source of water-soluble fibre, an integral part of a fat loss plan that helps make you feel full over a long period of time. Oatmeal is also free of both sodium and cholesterol and also keeps your blood sugar levels steady.

6) Eggs

Eggs are packed with a variety of nutrients including protein, zinc, iron and vitamins A, D, E and B12. Research has shown that eating eggs helps reduce the loss of lean tissue, promotes the loss of body fat and stabilizes blood glucose levels.

7) Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are one of the most nutritious foods there are. They are rich in dietary fibre, complex carbohydrates, protein, vitamins A and C, iron and calcium. The numbers for the nutritional sweet potato speak for themselves: almost twice the recommended daily allowance of vitamin A, 42 percent of the recommendation for vitamin C, four times the RDA for beta carotene, and, when eaten with the skin, sweet potatoes have more fibre than oatmeal. All these benefits with only about 130 to 160 calories! Among root vegetables, sweet potatoes offer the lowest glycemic index rating. That’s because the sweet potato digests slowly, causing a gradual rise in blood sugar so you feel satisfied longer.

8. Natural Peanut Butter (almond and cashew butter are also good choices)

Peanut butter is packed with heart healthy monounsaturated fats and helps build muscle while burning fat. It is high in calories, so don’t overeat it. Limit yourself to 2-3 tablespoons daily.

9) Olive Oil and Coconut Oil

Olive oil controls cravings so it helps you eat less. It will help you burn fat while keeping your cholesterol in check. A tablespoon or two on your salads instead of dressing is a great choice! Coconut oil is good to cook with and is a good source of saturated fats. Coconut milk is also good for smoothies.

10) Lean Turkey

Lean turkey helps build muscle and boosts your immune system. Protein takes longer than carbohydrates to digest, so they require more energy and more protein you eat, the more calories you burn. Turkey is packed with niacin and vitamin B6. If you buy ground turkey, make sure it says ground turkey breast on the package. This is the leanest type of ground turkey.

11) Whey Protein

Whey protein is a high quality protein that contains essential amino acids that builds muscle and burns fat. Putting some in with your post-workout smoothie with some non-fat milk, a banana, and some peanut butter will accelerate your fat loss results.

12) Low Fat, Low Sugar Yogurt or Greek Yogurt (I prefer Greek yogurt)

Dairy is great for making your bones stronger and it helps speed up the weight loss process. A recent study in the International Journal of Obesity showed that adding yogurt to your diet may rev up your body’s fat burning engines, speed weight loss and trim your tummy.