7 Secrets of a Long, Healthy Life

Why do some people age in failing health and sadness, while others grow old with vitality and joy? Most of us wonder why some people die young, whereas others live long lives, and there are many ideas about this subject floating around. From the booming anti-aging supplement industry to scientists in the lab, everyone wants to know the secrets of a long and healthy life. Recently, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a study showing that people who practiced certain basic healthy habits lived longer on average than those who didn’t. Genetics, lifestyle, nutrition – all of these factors play an important role in aging. The tips outlined here are tried-and-true healthy habits from people who have lived long lives, and research has verified that they work.

1. Diet and Aging – Gain a Nutritional Edge

What we eat is directly apparent in our body; our skin and hair reflect our nutritional state. To learn about the lifestyle of the old and healthy, many researchers look to Okinawa, Japan, which boasts the world’s highest concentration of healthy 100-year-olds. The diet of Japanese people was studied to find out the keys to longevity. Studies have found that Japanese people most rely on grains, vegetables and fruits. Their diet is low in red meat, dairy products and eggs. The lesson here is to choose your fats and carbohydrates wisely. Switch to healthier options such as wheat breads, whole-grain pasta or nuts, instead of refined flour products like white bread, cakes and muffins. Whenever possible, use monosaturated and polysaturated oils, and avoid trans fats completely. Several research studies have also agreed on the fact that a vegetarian diet is generally healthier than one based on animal protein. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains are full of fiber and nutrients.

2. Don’t Blame Everything on Your Genes

There is no doubt that your genes contribute a lot in terms of certain age-related diseases. However, studies have found that when it comes to living a healthy life, our genes only contribute roughly 10% to our overall health, while a staggering 90% is all about lifestyle choices. The way each of us chooses to live every day greatly impacts the quality and length of our lives. So when you’re feeling worn down or dealing with aches and pains, don’t simply blame it on heredity; examine your lifestyle.

3. Eat Foods in Their Natural State

Foods in their natural state are full of nutrients. Cooking actually changes the chemical composition of the food, thus affecting the nutrient levels. Steaming and roasting are known to be the best methods of cooking food, because they are better at preserving the nutrients in their natural state. A great way to maintain health is to consume three to five servings of raw veggies and fruits every day. It is also important to eat in moderation. Filling your stomach too much causes gastrointestinal problems, which in turn affects your overall health.

4. Develop Healthy Habits

If you want to live a long, healthy life, make sure you cultivate healthy habits and avoid unhealthy ones. Most important of all is to avoid smoking, which has long been known to contribute to various heart and lung diseases, and shorten your life span. Alcohol is another major culprit in an unhealthy lifestyle. Drink only in moderation to stay away from adverse health conditions.

5. Exercise

There is no doubt that, along with diet, exercise is the key to a healthy life. Most of the lifestyle-related disorders, including heart diseases, diabetes and others, originate from a sedentary lifestyle. Studies have found that 15 minutes of exercise per day adds three years to your life. Exercise lowers your vulnerability to heart attacks, heart failure and arrhythmia. Exercise also helps by improving the body’s ability to fight oxidative stress, a chemical by-product of cellular energy production. Oxidative damage of cells increases your vulnerability to various diseases. Many of us cannot spend regular time at a gym, but we can include leisure-time physical activity in our daily routine to stay fit and healthy. Include activities like tennis or swimming in your weekly routines, or just make some time to go play with your kids or pet in the park.

6. Make Good Friends You Can Trust

In today’s high-technology era, we all are connected to each other via social networks, smartphones, etc. Many of us are surrounded by people that we ‘know,’ but few of those we can truly call friends. It’s important to have people with whom we can share our happiness and sorrows. Negative personal relationships add stress, which in turn affects your overall health. The secret to a healthy, happy life is believing and trusting in people, and studies have proved the health benefits of having good friends. Friends provide emotional support, which helps us deal with stress, and feeling loved actually boosts production of the mood-elevating chemicals dopamine and oxytocin, which promote brain growth, combating aging.

7. Live Life to the Fullest

In today’s fast-paced lifestyle, we are often multi-tasking. Slowing down and enjoying the simpler aspects of life sometimes becomes an afterthought. Once in a while, it is important to relax a bit, and seek pleasure in whatever you are doing. Develop a positive attitude toward seeking the little joys in your life. This helps in strengthening the immune system, and equips the body to fight against diseases. Find something that helps you unwind and relaxes your mind and body. Set realistic goals for yourself, since goals help us find meaning in our lives. Most successful people who had long, happy lives felt they had a true purpose. This does not need to be about money or career at all; it could be related to your family, friends or personal interests.

A healthy life is a combination of emotional, spiritual, social and lifestyle factors. No matter what your age, these factors, when they are largely positive, can help you live to a grand old age. Incorporate these guidelines for longevity in your day-to-day routine and live a healthy, happy and long life.

Quick Weight Loss Tips

Quick weight loss is not impossible but if you are thinking that it happens instantly without any effort on your part, you are seriously misled or living in delusion. If you are willing to observe and stick with a proper plan, together with steps and quick weight loss tips I will reveal in this article, you will find yourself ready for some fast weight loss. Are you ready to lose weight starting from today?

Weight loss and diet programs come and go. Some are just the fad of today, and people chase after them without fully understanding if they would work for them. Of course, there are some long-standing ones which do work such as the Atkins and Cambridge Diets. However, over-relying on a special diet program is not for everyone due to our different genetic make-up. There could be adverse side-effects that could surface and result in long-term health problems.

Weight loss is a lifestyle than a physical act. Let's take a closer look at why most people fail in their weight loss attempts. Survey results showed that the majority failed due to the lack of proper preparation. To be more specific, their will and motivation to lose weight are not strong enough and they give up easily each time a weight loss program does not work for them. Many others give in fast to temptations of personal indulgence like food, snacks and the like. Still there are some who simple find it too tough to work out physically. Unless you take your weight loss seriously, there is a high chance that you will throw in the towel after a while.

Assuming you are serious about losing weight, you then qualify as a good candidate to apply those quick weight loss tips shared here. Losing weight successfully requires your mindset to be fixated on your quick weight loss plan and goal, no matter which route you have chosen. Plans do work but only if we work on them. Ask yourself what are the reasons for you wanting to lose weight. Make sure they are motivating enough. Think of the worst case scenario should you fail; the ugly stares at your fat tummy, not feeling confident when approaching the girl/guy you wish to date? The purpose of this whole exercise is to condition your thinking. Ok, once you have found the strong reasons to lose weight, you are one step ahead of many others.

Now, we will look at 3 practical quick weight loss tips:

1. Be Prepared to Put in Effort

Your fat does not melt while you are sleeping or dreaming about it. You need to do something about it. We live in a world where everything seems to be ideal in the media. The movies we watch feature only beautiful ladies with excellent figures, handsome looking men with nice abs, and so on. TV commercials flash nice advertisements with a famous celebrity endorsing some slimming pills that touts itself as the "Diet Pill of the Century" and that's how they got their svelte figures. Frankly, these are gimmicks playing on your fears and anxiety. The celebrities or models you see already have great figures before they shoot the advertisements. Everyone wants a wonder pill that helps them to lose weight instantly without any effort. That is why people would not hesitate to try these diet pills and supplements. Unfortunately, most don't work.

2. Be Focused in Your Weight Loss Goal

Quick weight loss can be achieved if you can stick with your exercise regime and dietary plans. It may take some time but it will happen. Stay focused on your goal, and keep reminding yourself on the motivating factors of your weight loss when you are starting to feel disappointed. It is important to share your goal with close friends and family members or even join a support group. Their constant encouragement would spur you on to fulfill your weight loss dream. No man is an island. Remember to put this quick weight loss tip into practice.

3. Have Fun in Your Weight Loss Exercises

Many folks fail to realize that weight loss can be an enjoyable experience. It requires deliberate but simple effort to inject fun. People have shared that they hated weight loss because they have to sacrifice their time with their TVs, their computer games, and give up on their favorite foods, and so on. Weight loss seems to have a negative connotation. If you are burning your calories, why not engage in games that you love? Like playing a game of tennis, or take a plunge in the pool and have a relaxing swim? For people who don't like physical sports, they can go for brisk walking. Take a nice stroll with your loved ones. You wouldn't even realize that you are exercising.

I hope these preparatory quick weight loss tips are beneficial to you. Find out what are the 10 easy weight loss tips that you can follow straightaway to lose weight fast in my blog.

The Foods You Think Are Healthy, But Aren't

There are a lot of foods out in the world that have been promoted as healthy, but they actually are not. Certain food products get advertised as healthy to make us believe they are good for us. The reality is that there are many unhealthy foods we perceive as "healthy." Knowledge is power, so here are some "supposedly good" foods that you should stay away from.

Canned Tomatoes:

Since tomatoes are prominent in many delicious recipes, this is hard to hear. You are better off using fresh, organic tomatoes to make those recipes. Why aren't canned tomatoes good for you? Most cans contain BPA, which is a toxic chemical that leads to an increased risk of developing prostate or breast cancer, diabetes, heart disease, or other health problems. Tomatoes are naturally acidic and that causes the BPA to leak into the food. Some cans say that they are BPA-free. Don't be fooled! Companies started removing BPA from products after severe pressure from the public, but they started using another product called BPS, which is just as bad. Avoid cans and go for glass jars.

Salad Dressings:

We like eating salads with different flavors. Our taste buds have become used to salad dressings, but most all of them are unhealthy and counteract the nutrients of the vegetables. Most salad dressings are full of sugar, vegetable oils, artificial chemicals, and trans fats. A great way to get the proper nutrients from salads is to make your own dressings. Apple cider vinegar and extra virgin olive oil are the two best ingredients for salad dressings. Add the spices or herbs of your choice, or try this recipe.

Vegan Junk Food:

It doesn't mean it's good just because it has the word vegan in it. It's still junk food, which means it's processed. Case in point.

Pre-made Smoothies or Juices:

Those pre-made or store bought smoothies and juices aren't as healthy as you think they are. These smoothies are not the best kept health secret. They are actually loaded with sugar and can contain 680-1,000 calories. The high sugar content in these can cause blood sugar levels to spike or drop, which can lead to type 2 diabetes. Even those bottled green drinks aren't giving you the healthy nutrients you think you're getting. There can be as many as 50 grams of sugar in one of those bottles. You are way better off making your own smoothies or juices to actually get the nutrients from fresh fruits and veggies.

Trail Mix:

Trail mix is a great snack, if you make it right. Most people like the ease of grabbing a handful or a small bag of trail mix to snack on. The reality is that most trail mixes are high in calories, contain high amounts of sodium and sugar, have chocolate or candy-coated pieces, or have dried fruit, which contains sulfur dioxide and sugar. Most trail mixes are full of trans fats, refined carbohydrates, and simple sugars. Look for trail mixes that have unsalted nuts and no sugar. Better yet, make your own using raw, unsalted nuts and seeds and freshly dehydrated fruits.

Soy Protein Isolate & Unfermented Soy Products:

The health facts you have come to believe about soy are lies. The number one problem with soy is that 90-95% of soybeans, from which soy is derived, grown in the US are genetically engineered. Most soybeans are designed to be "Roundup ready," meaning they are supposed to survive lethal herbicides. The primary ingredient in Roundup, glyphosate, can disrupt the female reproductive cycle. Whether or not you eat soy milk or tofu, you have to pay attention to labels because there are many names for soy additives. You can be eating genetically modified foods without even knowing it. In addition to soy protein isolate, you should avoid all unfermented soy products. You should only eat soy products if it is organic and has been properly fermented. Other than that, stay away from soy.

Whenever you buy food, be it organic or locally grown, look for the highest quality product you can get. Avoid foods that have been grown with pesticides, genetically modified organisms, and have added growth hormones. Seek out your local farmer's market or organic grocery store to get the best foods you can. Places to get actual healthy food are more abundant and closer to you than you think.

4 Vital Health Benefits of Massage

Over the years, people have embraced the fact that massages are not only good for relaxation and rest, but it has several other health benefits as well. Practiced over hundreds of years, this kind of therapy has always been the preferred choice for individuals who are looking to take the most holistic approach to maintaining their health.

Not everyone has ample time to go to a parlour or spa for a therapy session. Precisely for this reason, several new techniques have been introduced to make life easier for people. Now it's not necessary to go to a parlour to enjoy such therapies. Chairs have been introduced with fully automated controls to help you relax and remove all your ailments.

Some of the major benefits of such treatments through a chair are:

• Eliminates health problems: Be it headaches or back pains, this kind of therapy is the best option for you. More often than not, people resort to painkillers in these scenarios but the truth is that they are not good for your health. A recent survey has proved that holistic therapies are the far more effective in eradicating health problems than any pill or medicine. Also, when it comes to osteoarthritis, there is nothing better than this therapy. Sessions of one hour every week is enough to remove the stiffness in your joints.


• Prevents lactic acid from building up: Most people are already aware of the fact that these therapies help enhance blood flow inside the body which in turn decreases the build up of lactic acid within your body. Due to the repeated compression of muscles, the vessels will pump the blood in and out which will remove toxic substances from your body. If you have physical exertion, this kind of therapy can significantly reduce the fatigue.


• Relief for cancer patients: Massages are a great supplement to medicines which are used to treat cancer patients. Not only will it provide relief but it will also reduce the symptoms of cancer. By strengthening your immune systems, it will prevent relapses, nausea and fatigue. But its benefits are not just limited to physical aspects as these therapies can also help in relieving anxiety and depression.


• Decreases blood pressure: Due to the immense pressure everyone is subjected to these days; it's normal for people to have high blood pressure. These therapies can come in really handy if you want to reduce the level of blood pressure.

Be it any health problem that you are suffering from, nice long sessions of such therapies can be extremely beneficial to you. But not expect to get all rejuvenated just after a single session, you need to be regular in order to reap its benefits.

How I Lost 36 Pounds And Achieved My Goal Weight

How I Lost 36 Pounds And Achieved My Goal Weight

Real Story

As we know losing weight is NOT easy. It takes a lot of commitment and action. I had finally reached a point in my life when I made a decision that I was going to control my weight and not let it control me!

I remember the day I stood in my local grocery store in the cookie section talking to a package of cookies... well more like yelling at them, letting them know that I had power over them. My husband and another shopper just stared at me in disbelief lol. Now these were not just any cookies, these were fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies. Ones that I absolutely loved! So I did what I had to do to unleash my inner power that motivated me to leave the store without that pack of cookies.

I had decided that day that I was going to do something about my weight once and for all. I was "sick and tired of being sick and tired." You may even know how that feels. I was sick and tired of not having enough energy. I was sick and tired of feeling stuffed in my clothes. I was sick and tired of being bullied and overpowered by food, and I made up in my mind that enough was enough!

I am going to share with you some of the things that I did in addition to yelling at that package of cookies to lose weight. This article is not meant to replace any medical advice or professional advice, it is designed to be a source of information and inspiration. And all of these tips might not work for everyone, but surely they can at least motivate you to get going, or stay on track!

• : Tip 1

I developed the right mindset to support my desired weight loss. I developed a way of thinking that would move me toward my weight loss goals and not away from them.

• : Tip 2

I used positive and empowering self-talk. I called myself the things that I wanted to be. I said it until I saw it. I stopped calling myself "fat" and I started saying "I am getting healthier and healthier everyday!" I knew that I would not excel any higher than what I believed about myself.

• : Tip 3

I did things that worked for me. I had to heighten my awareness as it related to who I am. I had to realize that I was not meant to do what worked for everyone else. I had to discover what worked for me and then stick to it. Doing what worked for me is one of the biggest contributors to me achieving my goal weight.

• : Tip 4

I made small but beneficial changes as it related to my eating habits and activities. I didn't try to do everything in one day. Every morning that I woke up I focused on doing better than I did the day before. I realized that the weight didn't show up overnight, and it wasn't going to magically disappear overnight. And no matter how small my changes were I knew that even small changes would lead to BIG results.

• : Tip 5

I focused on the things that I loved about myself, and took my eyes off of what I perceived to be the things I didn't like about myself.

• : Tip 6

If I made a mistake when it came to my eating I didn't beat myself up. When I fell, I got back up, dusted myself off and stayed on track.

• : Tip 7

I surrounded myself with positive, supportive and uplifting people who were a source of encouragement on my weight loss journey.

  3 Healthy Changes You Have To Make

Abandoning yourself for different things can leave you in a state of meaninglessness. The same are the results when you choose to work with a false-self system where you edit your thoughts and rehearse emotions and perform according to what you feel others expect from you. Hiding your true self or forgetting who you are will leave you more or a robot than a human and nothing good can come out of such a state.

When you want to live your life to the fullest, achieve your dreams and be happy, you must be willing to reclaim yourself from the shadow you have become. And just like most changes, it is not that hard to start making a difference in your life. To bounce back to a life that focuses more on who you are, what you want and where you wish to be, there are three areas in life that you should start focusing more on.

Healthy thinking

Healthy thinking starts by understanding that you are worth so much more than you initially thought. When you love the person you are, there is really nothing that can stop you from achieving your full potential and remaining happy while at it. Appreciate your flaws and weaknesses and improve on those that you can. Let your thoughts always incline on positivity over negativity and you will have an easy way handling even the toughest times in your life. Healthy thinking also entails stopping to worry about what people think about you and fading of the thoughts that people are always judging you and taking everything that happens to you personally. Concentrate your thoughts on what makes you happy and the goals you want to achieve and you will start matching towards personal fulfillment.

Healthy eating

What you eat determines your appearance, moods and how strong you are to fight infections and diseases that would otherwise steal off the value of your life. To reclaim yourself, therefore you should also take action towards eating healthy. This way, you will be able to maintain a body you are proud of and happy with, remain active and happy and ward off diseases and infections. If you have been worried about your weight, then it should be time to start making healthy eating choices. Eating balanced, what the body needs and just enough is the key to better health and a better you for that matter.

Healthy living

Healthy living touches on so many areas of life from relationships to habits. Drop unhealthy relationships or relationships that drain you and create beneficial ones when you are ready. It is also a very good idea to adopt an exercise program to maintain good health and keep your good moods and energy levels up to get things done. You will also need to have regular health checks, balance your work and leisure as well as drop bad habits that only rob you value of life. In general, you should strive to be a better person than you are to start living healthy.

Life is largely dependent on the choices you make and how you work towards achieving goals you have. You need to start somewhere, start by reclaiming yourself today.

Why you should have sex in the morning

Why you should have sex in the morning

For most of us, the sound of the alarm clock blaring in our ears first thing in the morning is definitely not a happy sound.

But instead of hitting that snooze button and sinking back into meaningless slumber, why not make use of that rude awakening to spruce up your sex life! Begin your day with some brilliant lovemaking. After all, morning sex is not only good for your love life, it is also beneficial health-wise. So surprise your partner by trying out the following tips and heighten the pleasures of that early morning rendezvous... This may not seem too relevant at the time, but always remember to relieve yourself of bodily fluids before you head to bed the night before. Nothing kills the mood more than trying to hold back the urge to visit the bathroom, while you are about to do it!

- Don't forget to brush your teeth the night before. Also, consider keeping some dissolvable mints (NOT chewing gum) at your bedside to pop, when you wake up. Bad breath can ruin any sexual experience.

- Try initiating sex in a different way, instead of opting for the same old predictable routine. Give your man a sexy 'wake-up call'. To do this, play some soft romantic music, and as soon as you both are awake and aroused, quietly slip out of your clothes. He'll definitely get the hint.

- Keep condoms in an arm's length of the bed, for you never know what the early morning cuddling may lead to. You definitely don't want to scavenge the room searching for them.

- Morning sex is refreshingly primal because it is difficult to hide your physical flaws, thanks to the view daylight offers. So let go of your inhibitions and draw back the shades; enjoy sex with a visual thrill!

- You could experiment with positions too. Since you both will be groggy, try a position like spooning that requires little effort.

- Your sexcapade need not be restricted to the bedroom. Take a hot-water shower together. You can rub aromatic body gel on each other's bodies, so that the scent arouses both of you.

- After your lovemaking session, you can make your man feel special by getting him his favorite breakfast in bed.

- If you are running late but still don't want to miss out on spending time with your partner, indulge in a quickie. Mornings are the perfect time, because you will probably be in a rush, and the heart-pounding adrenaline of hurried sex will intensify the entire experience. Also, quickies don't necessarily have to end in intercourse. A hot-and-heavy makeout session, before you dash out of the door for work, will go a long way towards igniting your passion.

Why morning sex is good for you... - People who begin their day with sex are healthier and happier than those who simply opt for a cup of tea and breakfast before heading out of the door. No points for guessing the reason!

- Having sex in the morning releases the feel-good chemical oxytocin, which makes couples feel bonded all day long.

- Apart from the fact that regular morning sex makes you feel upbeat for the rest of the day, it also helps in building a stronger immune system.

- Believe it or not, it makes you less susceptible to catching a cold or flu and can also improve the quality of your hair, skin, and nails.

- Having morning sex three times a week lessens the risk of a heart attack or stroke. What are you waiting for?