The Benefits of Doing Cardio (in support of the jogging)

With all the talk about running or jogging, I thought it was important to outline the major benefits of cardiovascular activity. So here it goes:

Reduces risk of disease: Including obesity, hearth disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, stroke and certain types of cancer.

Improves blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels: Exercise increases your HDL cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol) and decreases your LDL cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol) in your blood.

Reduces risk of osteoporosis: Weight - bearing aerobic exercises (walking) reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

Improves muscle mass: Muscles move your body, the healthier the muscles are, the better you move. Keeps you feet and helps improving the posture of your body.

Increases calories burned: More calories burned means more weight lost. By improving the muscles, you stimulate them working and burning calories even while you are resting.

This does not include all the emotional and aesthetic benefits you get from a few good runs or workouts on the elliptical (clear head, less stress, more sleep, improved sexual performance etc.).

How to Shower: Women vs. Men

glumbert.com - How to Shower: Women vs. Men

Running or Jogging

What is the better?

Running means you are moving at faster pace than jogging. The question is - how much faster?

Technically, if it takes you less than 6 minutes to complete 1 km, you are running. If it takes you more than 9 minutes to complete the 1 km, you are jogging.

Both are considered great cardio and aerobic exercise that work your muscle to go faster, bounce up-and-down, breath deeper, and balance. Running requires more effort than jogging, and is more intense. It requires stamina to go faster, and endurance to go for longer periods of time.

So which one is better?

Well that depends on your fitness goals. Jogging is a great form of exercise and help you lose weight, decrease pressure, build bones - both are great forms of exercise. If you are training for a marathon and speed is your thing - aim for a 9 minutes a mile.

Great Tips: If you are new to running, start slow. Begin by walking fast, then work up to jogging, and then you can move on to running. You have got to train your body to be a runner, which could take anywhere from a month to a year, depending on your body and the consistency or your workout schedule. Set reasonable goals for your self, gradually build on them, and celebrate when you reach them.

Food to Sleep On

Around 10 pm the rest of the world is slowing down, only you are up and around. Maybe you have got plenty of energy or it could be what you are eating too. Here is the list with the top 10 foods to calm you down and help you for a good night sleep.


Bananas. They practically are a sleeping pill in a peel. In addition to a bit of soothing melatonin and serotonin, bananas contain magnesium, a muscle relaxant.
Chamomile tea. The reason chamomile is such a staple of bedtime tea blends is its mild sedating effect - it's the perfect natural antidote for restless mind/bodies.
Warm Milk. It's not a myth. Milk has some tryptophan - an amino acid that has a sedative - like effect - and calcium, which helps the brain use tryptophan. Plus there is the psychological throw-back to infancy, when warm bottle meant "relax, everythink is fine".
Continue to the rest of the sleepy food (Link).

Are You Drinking Enough Water?

How much water am I supposed to drink in a day? I've heard 8 glasses, 6 glasses, 10 glasses - but how do I know what's right for my own body?

Take the pee test. Sounds classy, I know. But it can be quite informative.

After you pee in the toilet, take a look. Really, it's serios. What color do you see? Is it dark yellow, light yellow, or does it look clear?

The color of pee (Link) is caused by bile, the chemical your liver produces to break up fat. When our bodies break down bile, the pigment urochrome turns pee yellow. The lighter the color, the more it's watered down.

Here is the deal: If you are drinking enough water for your body, your urine will be as clear as water. If your pee is - then you passes the test.

Also, your water needs can change from day to day, so monitor it by checking your pee. If it's clear, you are all good.

How important is to share a bed?

There are thousands of studies on sleep and even more on marriage and relationships, but only a handful on couples sleeping together.Some of the common and often humorous issues couples face when sharing a bed are spooning, sheet-stealing and snoring.
It has been estimates that 61 percent of the population share their bed with a significant other. And while the very presence of another person in bed increases the chance of sleep disruption, 62 percent of those polled prefer to bed down with their partner. Even though many couples say they sleep better alone, they still share a bed. Most are married heterosexual couples but some were unmarried hetero- or homosexual couples. Intimacy and comfort are the primary reasons couples gave for sleeping together. The bed is where they find privacy and are able to leave behind the distractions and separate interests that keep them apart during the day. There’s also something about late night that allows them to open up and connect. Difficulty sleeping together or sleeping apart can lead to the dissolution of marriages and is essential to maintaining the relationships.
Partners have to adjust to sleeping together. Many face conflicts over bedroom temperature, where to locate the bed and how to make the bed. Watching television, reading and eating in bed were other contentious issues, as it's sleeping in the nude. There were quarrels over the alarm clock and whether to allow children or pets into the bed. Therefore couples developed their own systems. These systems usually became comforting routines of how people prepared for bed, got into bed, behaved once in the bed, fell asleep and woke up.
And even though we may take sleeping with our partner for granted, it’s through these kinds of shared social systems that we build and nurture our relationships, and perhaps uncover the underlying meaning of our lives.

Big Handbags Pose a Health Hazard

With big handbags becoming a key fashion accessory for working women, health experts are warning they can also become a key health concern.
Bags for women have become bigger and heavier as designers combine briefcases with handbags and straps have become longer but the extra leverage has many patients complaining of neck, shoulder and back problems.

The weight of some of the newest fashionable "purses" is between 3 to 5 kg.

Carrying those can cause an aggravated neck or shoulder and can lead to upper back problems, meaning pain. The designers should be urged 'to place a cute, educational caution tag on all bags to inform of potential neck and shoulder dangers.

Tips:

The correct posture is a must while carrying bulky purses - keep the head and shoulders aligned upright.

Fashionista should also frequently change the size and weight of purses carried.

Laptop Neck

Tempted to leave work early to catch the last of the day’s sun and maybe finish off tasks on a laptop at home? It could leave with you with painful shoulders, or aches in the neck, arms or wrists.
“People should be aware that working on a laptop can cause them to hunch their shoulders and lean forward because of the screen and keyboard size”.
When you are in office you can adjust the chair height as well as the height of the desktop screen, but the laptop screen and keyboard are one unit. So while they are convenient they are not designed for everyday use.
Top Tip:
Get a monitor stand so that the laptop screen can be used at eye level, and buy a separate full-size keyboard, mouse and wrist rest to reduce wrist strain.

The Wellbeing Show

Last year the Wellbeing Show was held at Jumeirah Beach Hotel. Every visitor was given a purple bracelet at the entrance in stead of a pass. I keep mine until today and wear it often with casual outfits in order to remind me to stick to the well-being principals.

The next coming Wellbeing Show 2007 will be staged at the Dubai International Conference and Exhibition Centre from January 18 – 20.
Workshops, live demonstrations and comprehensive program of activities are also scheduled at this popular event. The show features four dedicated zones covering a holistic spectrum of inner and outer health and beauty.

The “Look Good and Feel Good Zone” explores the latest in spa and cosmetic treatments, including state of the art breakthroughs in healthy aesthetics.

The “Food and Nutrition Zone”, meanwhile, looks at the benefits of organic diets and eating plans that are guaranteed to suit every modern lifestyle.

Advances in exercise, personal training and related equipment will take centre stage at the “Health and Fitness Zone”. Visitors are also taught how to open their minds to a better body at the “Mind, Body and Soul Zone”.

Guest speakers will include renowned astrologer Von Strunckel as well as Holford, a best selling author and spokesman on food, nutrition and environmental health.
Fragrance expert Roja Dove promises to take visitors on a magical journey into the world of scents, while Shakespearen actor and voice coach Stewart Pearce will focus on the art of self projection and presentation.

Looking Good!

Appearances do matter. Looking good makes people feel good. Looking after your self and your skin makes very good sense. How you look projects your personality and demonstrate that you are thinking positively about your self.
For the young, looking good become all-important- for some, a consuming passion. For many people, as the years advance, interest in hair, skin care, make-up, healthy eating, posture and dress begins to wane.
It shouldn’t have to and doesn’t need to!
There are bound to be people reading this who disagree with me. They will say: “It doesn’t matter what someone looks like. It’s the actual person that’s important. Inner beauty will shine trough no matter what.”
Of course it can. But there is nothing wrong with giving it a little encouragement. After all, how a person looks is often a reflection of how he/she feels. And fillings affect the attitude.
Cosmetic beauty may be only skin-deep, bur real beauty reflects your whole being. And two are connected. I believe that there is an inextricable link between good health and beauty at all levels. Good skin care and hair care can transform a personality. Even something as simple as applying some lipstick or giving your nails a salon treatment can chase a negative outlook away for long enough to spur you into more positive action.
Nourishing and nurturing yourself properly bring immense and immeasurable rewards of confidence, vitality, energy, positiveness and good health, of looking and feeling good- inside and out.
And age really has nothing to do with it. One person’s wrinkle is merely another person’s laughter line.

Looking to Quit, Just Cut Back

Trying to quit smoking but cold turkey is just not working for you? Remember how Sarah Jessica Parker's character had such a hard time quitting cold turkey on Sex and the City?
New Research from the University of Vermont shows that simply cutting back on smoking may lead to unexpected quitting. Researches found that:
In 16 of the 19 studies reviewed, smoking reduction in people who did not want to quit led to an increase in the percentage of them who did quit. In most of the studies, smoking reduction was accompanied by the use of nicotine replacement products.

Interestingly enough, cutting back is an acceptable method of quitting in Europe, but has not been acceptable in the United States until now. So if you smoke, and haven't been able to quit, try cutting back, it could work for you. The health benefits of quiting are amazing!

Tip: If you smoke, you should know that cutting back does not reduce smoking-related health risks -- and cutting back should only be a step toward quitting.

Shake it while you bake it!

Cooking and baking really calm me down, which is great since the holidays (often the reason for cooking & baking) kind of stress me out. Standing at the stove or sink, I often find myself clenching my bum and that is definitely NOT a sign of a relaxed cook.
So take some inspiration from Shakira, the best booty shaker out there, and shake "it" while you saute. The onions don't need to be the only thing heating up in the kitchen. You can not shake your hips while clenching your butt - it is impossible. Clenching your butt is not good for your lower back and puts undo stress on your hips and knees.
So put on some rocking' tunes and move it while you cook. And like this lovely painting, there is no need to dance alone. Get your personal sous chef out on the floor with you.
Tip: Just be careful not to boogie down with your 9 inch chef's knife in hand!

Detox After a Big Meal

If you ate more than you wanted to at your Friday lunch meal you are not alone. If you want to help the digestion process along here are few ideas to help.
The night after the meal:
Drink ginger tea - it helps to improve digestionChewable papaya enzyme can help promote digestion as well
The next morning:
Oatmeal is really high in insoluble fiber which helps the gut get things moving
Drink plenty of water to help the body digest and eliminate waste
The rest of the day:
Eat foods high in insoluble fiber like carrot sticks with sandwich on whole wheat breadGet exercise - nothing helps more than a little motion and a little sweating to help the body process and burn the extra callories you consumed.

Don't get ''MALLED'' By The food Court

I hate to be the one to bring it up, but it's that time of year again - time to think about getting that Holiday shopping done.(Insert scream heard round the world.) I usually have to make the obligatory trip to the mall for something that I couldn't get at the grocery. While I am there, I get hungry. It's unavoidable, and it just happens.What's worse? Not only am I hungry but also know there is a place where food is so easily accessible. A place that reminds me of the fast food holy land: The Food Court.
For ways to hit the food court without hitting rock bottom on your diet, read more.

New trend at the Mal of The Emirates

A new, healthy and quite smart (I can say) trend is set at the Mall of The Emirates.
As an early bird today morning I headed to the Mall as soon as my kid departure to school. Of course on my arrival at 8.30 am all of the shops were closed. Even the supermarket Carrefour is opening at 9 am. Well, no much choice left, but to walk around and do some window shopping until the shops open. The stores and boutiques on the second floor are far more interesting than on the ground floor, so I went up. Walking around I was surprised to see two ladies in their sports outfits hurrying towards the Home Centre. At first seem it as they are part of the staff on the way to open the store and I didn’t pay a lot of attention. But then a group of four girls passed by and I began to figure that this is a sport activity. Impulsively I drag the camera out of my bag, but than saw the surprised look of one of the girls face and put it down. It wasn’t right to interrupt them with some picture taking (for a moment I felt as hated paparazzi invading the privacy of individuals). Despite all I wanted to take a picture and waited for the girls to go little far. Few minutes later a local man passed by and I already alerted paid quite an attention. And than another two older ladies in sports outfits and covered with scarves hairs hurried opposite me.
Well, it is not the first time I hear about walking at the Malls. Actually last year there was an article at the 7DAYS newspaper about recreational walking at the City Centre. Today for first time I actually see it happening and I like it. It makes a lot of sense as the weather is not always good for walking in Dubai. I love walking and on and off am rounding my neighborhood, but at least 4 months a year is too hot, sometimes windy or sandy, often noisy with all of the construction going around.
What more can I say??
I will definitely give it a try. All those is far from my home, the calming atmosphere
of the about to open Mall of the Emirates and the scenery of shop displays are tempting. Here I am not going to discuss the benefits of a good walk as they are familiar to any one.
If any one wants to find more information about the size of the Mall of The Emirates along with the shops, stores, boutiques and coffee shops (breakfast option after a good walk), please click here.

Watch this!!!

The Slimming Obsession

A new and alarming weight loss epidemic has gripped the A-list and the Non-list. Women are sometimes going to extreme measures in order to fulfill their ‘’obsessions’’ with staying as thin as possible.
Why?
Posh’s obsession began following the Rebecca Loss scandal.
Jessica Simpson’s body began when she landed the bikini clad role of Dasiy Duke in Dukes Of Hazzard.
Naomi Campbell lives on a mixture of water, lemons and cayenne pepper. It fuels her rage and keeps her in the first 5 worldwide on the catwalks even at age of 36.
I know some teenage girls and young women who live on diet coke and few sticks of carrots and cucumbers in order to preserve their size 4.

Is it The Slimming Obsession food disorder of freedom of choice??