THERE IS MORE TO LIFE.

Take it easy
Today it's all about speed. Whether we are making a meal, breaking a sweat or even visiting our doctor, life can move so quickly, we risk sacrificing effectiveness and enjoyment for efficiency.
Science and common sense shows us that sometimes it's better to slow down.

Wake up time
When you wake up your bed, don't just pop up and out bed, linger a bit and when rising, rise slowly. Some times your brain and body can't keep up, increasing the risk of a fall from light-headedness or a stumble due to painful joints or a cramp.
Slow down and stretch in bed to loosen your outer hips and hamstrings, two areas that get tighter with age.

Here's what can do: Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the bed. Lift your left leg and cross your ankle over the top of your right thigh above the knee. Next reach under your right thigh and pull gently towards you. Hold for five deep breaths, and stretch each side twice.
Natural levels of the stress hormone cortisol peak at about 30 minutes after waking and caffein boosts cortisol, so waiting a few hours later - till your levels naturally dip - to have your first cup of coffee will give you a lift when your body needs it.

Moving muscles
Take time to exercise; strength training is crucial to healthy aging. It keeps muscles, bones and joints strong, as well as improves balance and help prevent osteoporosis. Work the entire joint structure, the result is more strength, stability and range of motion.

Avoid anger -
The best way to defuse anger? Don't let it get going in the first place. biologically, when angry, your body pumps out stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, which further fuel your rage. If you are over 60 male, decreasing testosterone can affect your mood, working to make you angrier faster.
What you ca do is to engage your slow-down strategy. Call a time-out, then hit reset by going for a walk, listening to soft music, taking a few deep breaths, drink a cup os cold water before reengaging.
One thing proven to help you slow down your angry thought or action is writing down your thought and feelings in longhand on paper. The beauty of writing is that it allows you to capture you creative thoughts.
But it's not just writing; it's taking time to think and process recent life events. The ritual is an effective way fot you to analyze situations creatively and to stay centered during difficult times.

CAN DIET SODA CAUSE WEIGHT GAIN ?

A diet soda can cause weight gain. Sometimes it's because we overestimate the calories we are saving from drinking diet soda, so we splurge on fries and cookies, thinking it's okay since we added a diet soda. So we end up actually eating more food. Your best bet is just to drink water. If you need the fizz, switch to sparking water.
"DIET" doesn't mean calorie free. "NO CALORIE" claim doesn't actually mean "ZERO CALORIE"
I have read in several places and blogs claiming that 'diet soda' help to loose weight or can cause or causes weight gain.
Some researches are inconclusive and the concluded ones are not convincing enough. The science isn't just there to back it up.
In my opinion, people who drinks diet soda gets overconfident about the so call diet soda and loose their focus regarding the amount of calorie they consume for a meal.

Last week, I was talking to a friend on how he was coping with his weight loss program, he was very proud on how he's been drinking a lot of diet soda to help him cut down on his weight but was "disappointed that nothing has changed yet!"
Apparently, he has been drinking of a lot diet soda unabated as if it's diet liquid medicine.
After we finished our aerobic exercise at the community park last night, my friend wanted to get some food for dinner and wanted me to go there with him. He took me to a fast food place, I decided to go inside with him, I was shocked  to see someone who claimed that diet soda is making him gain weight ordered his "usual" two double cheese whopper, two large fries and some chicken nuggets, then one extra large diet soda "to wash it down" he said.
Why are you getting diet soda if you are going to eat so much calorie? I asked him.
His defense was that; "the diet soda will prevent all these calories to be absorb into my system".
He was so wrong in his believe and practice, no wonder he has been gaining weight instead of loosing.
In fact, some research found out that the artificial sugar in diet soda can make you more hungry, causing you to eat more and thus promoting weight gain.
His question was; "should I order regular soda instead?"
And my answer to him and you that is reading this is--; "for you to loose weight and live healthy, you have to exercise regularly, eat healthy diet food, lots of fruits and veggies and I actually don't think you should drink any soda, DRINK WATER ALWAYS!"
 

DON'T GO UNDER THE SURGICAL KNIFE UNTIL YOU READ THIS.

ANY SURGERY IS DANGEROUS

The body consider an operation a serious insult, and even some minor procedures come with major risks, such as bleeding, blood clots infection, and damage to other organs. So, it's essential to know if surgery is necessary-- or beneficial. The following four operations are over performed for a variety of reasons: Some are moneymakers for hospitals and doctors, others are expedient, and still others seems to work, at least in the short term. But evident shows that all have questionable long-term outcome for treating certain conditions, and some may even cause harm. Here's what to do if doctor recommends one of them.

KNEE ARTHROSCOPY - FOR OSTEOARTHRITIS

With this procedure a surgeon places a tiny camera in the knee, then inserts small instruments through other incisions to repair torn or aging cartilage. Studies show the operation works well when patients have in fact torn their meniscal tissue, but it is no more successful than non invasive remedies in treating osteoarthritis of the knees. In a 2008 study, 178 patients with osteoarthritis received either physical and medical therapy without surgery, or therapy, or therapy plus surgery, after two years the groups had nearly identical outcomes, reporting less pain and stiffness and more mobility.

KNEE PAIN

Knee pain can be caused by a sudden injury, an overuse injury, or by an  underlying condition, such as arthritis. Treatment will vary depending on the cause. Symptoms of knee injury can include pain, swelling, and stiffness.

ALTERNATIVES TO SURGERY

If you have knee pain, start with the least harmful and invasive treatment and work your way up the ladder. This includes life style changes such as exercise, as well as medication and cortisone injections. 

Home treatment may help relieve pain, swelling, and stiffness.

Rest and protect an injured or sore area. Stop, change, or take a break from any activity that may be causing your pain or soreness.When resting, place a small pillow under your knee.

Ice will reduce pain and swelling. Apply ice or cold packs immediately to prevent or minimize swelling. Apply the ice or cold pack for 10 to 20 minutes, 3 or more times a day.

• For the first 48 hours after an injury, avoid things that might increase swelling, such as hot showers, hot tubs, hot packs, or alcoholic beverages.
• After 48 to 72 hours, if swelling is gone, apply heat and begin gentle exercise with the aid of moist heat to help restore and maintain flexibility. Some experts recommend alternating between heat and cold treatments.

compression, or wrapping the injured or sore area with an elastic bandage (such as an Ace wrap), will help decrease swelling.

• Don't wrap it too tight, since this can cause more swelling below the affected area. Loosen the bandage if it gets too tight. Signs that the bandage is too tight include numbness, tingling, increase pain, coolness, or swelling in the area below the bandage.
• Don't expect the bandage to protect or stabilize a knee injury.
• Talk to your doctor if you think you need to use a wrap for longer than 48 to 72 hours 
• . A more serious problem may be present

Elevate the injured or sore area on pillows while applying ice and anytime you are sitting or lying down. Try to keep the area at or above the level of your heart tp help minimize swelling. 

Reduce stress on your sore knee (until you can get advice from your doctor)

use a cane or crutch in the hand opposite your painful knee.

Use two crutches, keeping weight off the leg with the sore knee.

You can get canes or crutches from most pharmacies. Crutches are recommended if a cane cause you to walk with a limp.

Gently massage or rub the area to relieve pain and encourage blood flow. Do not massage the injured area if it causes pain.

Try the following exercise to maintain flexibility;

HAMSTRING STRETCH

KNEE TO CHEST EXERCISE.

Avoid high impact exercise, such as running, skiing, snowboarding, or playing tennis, until your knee is no longer painful or swollen.

DO NOT SMOKE. Smoking slows healing because it decreases blood supply and delays tissue repair.