Health and Fitness

Dr. Oz talks extreme weight loss ‘thigh gap’ diets and magnesium energy boosters

Posted by menyok on in Health and Fitness

For several years, girls, teens and young women have been obsessed with achieving the newest slim sensation: Thigh Gaps. But their extreme weight loss plans can pose dangers, according to Dr. Mehmet Oz. On his Feb. 25 talk show, Dr. Oz explored thigh gap diets. Plus: Find out how to boost your energy with magnesium.

As an example of how these diets can become obsessive, Dr. Oz talked with Camille Hugh, author of “The Thigh Gap Hack: The Shortcut to Slimmer, Feminine Thighs Every Woman Secretly Desires” (click for details). Camille feels that her book does a service in offering tricks such as overcoming hunger, exercises and focusing primarily on very low calorie foods. She defended her desire to achieve the thigh gap look.

However, Dr. Oz is concerned that books and views such as Camille’s can lead to eating disorders. He asked eating disorder specialist Dr. Jennifer Thomas to offer her insights.

Author of “Almost Anorexic: Is My (or My Loved One’s) Relationship with Food a Problem? (The Almost Effect),” Dr. Thomas notes that Camille’s emphasis on extreme weight loss and low body fat parallels the development of anorexia. By obsessing on those goals, young girls are at risk of developing eating disorders.

In addition to the emotional aspects of anorexia, girls focused on developing thigh gaps put their health at risk, warned Dr. Oz. They may lose muscle, which impacts the metabolism and even can affect the heart.

Note: This week is National Eating Disorders Week, designed to spread awareness: Learn more by clicking here. And find out about resources on eating disorders, from memoirs to DVDs to self-help guides, by clicking here.

Also on the show, Dr. Oz discussed magnesium for energy and health. Symptoms of insufficient magnesium include constipation, anxiety, fatigue and muscle spasms. Studies show that up to 75 percent of American adults lack enough magnesium.

To boost your magnesium levels, eat these foods:

  • kidney beans
  • black beans
  • brown rice
  • quinoa
  • bran cereal

How to Get Rid of a Pear-Shaped Belly

Posted by menyok on in Fashion, Health, Health and Beauty, Health and Fitness

Pear-shaped bellies occur in people whose bodies have a tendency to store fat in the lower region of their midsection. Lower belly fat may seem frustratingly difficult to reduce, but if you develop a targeted plan to replace your stomach fat with muscle and pay close attention to how many calories you consume, you stand a good chance of getting your tummy under control once and for all.

Instructions

  1. Wear control-top pantyhose or a stomach-reducing undershirt. Starting your belly-slimming plan with a confidence-boosting undergarment can help you feel better about your physical appearance, and give you strength to resist the temptation to overeat or skip exercise.
  2. Drink plenty of water. Research suggests that drinking water can help you stay full, especially when consumed before meals. No matter where the excess fat is located on your body, if you take in less calories than your body needs you are going to burn it off.
  3. Buy a stability ball and use it to do crunches targeted at your lower abdominal muscles. Repeat three series of ten crunches each morning while lying on top of the ball, resting your lower back on it. For each crunch, clasp your hands behind your head and lift your upper body to a 45 degree angle; hold it for a count of two.
  4. Perform a hundred bicycle crunches every evening to help tighten up your entire midsection. Lay on the floor with your hands behind your head and pull your knees to your chest. For each crunch, extend one leg straight up in the air and touch the elbow on the same side to the knee of the other leg; repeat for the opposite side.
  5. Eat small breakfasts packed with fruit, fiber and protein to keep yourself feeling full through each morning.
  6. Pack modest lunches and swap calorie-containing drinks for water.
  7. Share a meal with your family instead of making a separate entree for yourself. Have a smaller portion than you would normally and encourage your family to try healthier entrees. Many dieters forsake their diet plans at dinnertime because the temptation to eat what everyone else is having can be difficult to resist.

Boosting Sensuality in Women – Help Her Get Back in Gear

Posted by menyok on in Health, Health & Fitness, Health and Beauty, Health and Fitness, Health and Medicines, Health Care & Medical

A partner with a healthy sensuality makes for a man with a happy male organ. But there may be extended periods of time when a woman’s drive may be in a lower gear than a man desires. Jumpstarting that drive is important for a couple’s emotional and intimate lives, and since good male organ health includes a proper amount of sensual activity, it’s also important for a guy’s overall health status.

What accounts for her decreased interest in intimacy?

There can be many reasons why a woman might not be “in the mood,” either short term or long term. For example:

  • Timing. Nature created woman to be more inclined toward sensual activity around the time that she is ovulating.
  • Estrogen levels. In addition to monthly fluctuations in hormones, sometimes general estrogen levels are too low. Not only does this affect desire, it can also affect the body’s ability to prepare itself for sensual activity; female tissue may become dryer with subnormal amounts of estrogen, making intimacy painful.
  • Medical reasons. Lack of iron or a poorly functioning thyroid can also have a major effect on a woman’s desire.
  • Emotions. Many believe that this is the biggest reason for a decrease of interest in sensuality for women, especially pre-menopausal women. Depression, stress, sorrow, grief, low self-esteem and a host of other emotions are not conducive to a positive sensuality.

What a guy can do

There are several things a man can do to help a woman recover her interest in intimacy:

  1. Talk about it. A man should gently raise the subject, perhaps by saying that he has noticed that she doesn’t seem as interested in intimacy lately as he does. Find out if she feels the same way and why she thinks this might be. If there might be a medical component, encourage her to consult with a doctor. If she feels there is a problem in the relationship, let her talk about it. Suggest couples therapy if that seems to be appropriate. If there are emotional issues, discuss ways to handle these emotions; this not only will help to restore her interest in intimacy but will make her a happier and emotionally healthier person all around.
  2. Assess himself. After this conversation, a man should take a good long look at himself to see how he might be impacting his partner. Is he neglecting to pay proper attention to her feelings? Does he only show increased interest in her when he wants some action? Is he “selfish” in bed, skipping appropriate foreplay or only reluctantly bringing her to pleasure if he finishes early?
  3. Take action. Guys need to act on the information they get from their partners. Depending on what he has been told, he might surprise her with a special romantic dinner; read that novel that she’s been reading so they can discuss it together; praise her for some of the everyday tasks that she thinks he doesn’t notice; do the grocery shopping or go with her to the store when she goes; send flowers; call her at work just to chat; take a shower with her before intimacy; extend the amount of time he spends kissing and cuddling before embarking on relations; tell her (and not just during intimacy) how attractive she is; talk dirty to her (but in terms that she finds appealing); or just hold hands when out together.

Each woman has different needs and desires, but the key to reigniting the fire is to pay attention to and appreciate her, and to let her know in a real and sincere way, through both words and actions, that she is desired, special and loved.

Increasing a mate’s sensuality can make for a happy male organ, but it can also lead to a sore one. Regular use of a first class male organ vitamin cream (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil) can take care of that problem. The best creams contain an ingredient like shea butter, a spectacular emollient that when combined with the hydrating power of vitamin E can provide tremendous soothing relief. Look for a cream that also contains vitamin C, which is valuable for its role in collagen production and male tissue firmness. A healthy, well-hydrated male organ that looks and feels appealing can also help to boost her interest in some bedroom playtime.