Heart and Cardiovascular Diseases in Women? {Women Stuff}

Today is World's Heart Day. So, I am borrowing this article from The Hindu Magazine, September 23, 2012. They had published a small article on how to take care of the heart. I shall try not to infringe on the copyright and am again asserting that this post may end up being a copy of the article. So, the entire credit for the post goes to the Hindu newspaper.

Symptoms of CVD in women feeling of discomfort between breasts or behind breastbone pain radiating over arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach shortness of breath, weakness or fatigue unusual anxiety or nervousness indigestion or nausea  sudden sweating, dizziness and collapse

Cardiovascular diseases are getting more prominent in women. Its no longer a man's disease!!!Its especially dangerous if you smoke, drink or lead a sedentary life or have high blood pressure or sugar or cholesterol levels or are under huge amount of stress due to personal and professional problems.

In fact, even children are at risk from the condition called Cogenital Heart Defect. The improper development of heart during the pregnancy can result in this. Mothers who do not take care of themselves or their diet during pregnancy have a high risk of having children with this defect. Also, if you are a diabetic, your child is prone to heart-related problems.

How to Prevent? Be physically active!!! Walk or exercise daily. Avoid salt, sugar and fatty foods. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables.  Maintain a healthy weight.   Quit smoking and avoid respiratory irritants.  Limit or stop alcohol.  If you have lung problem, get influenza vaccination annually.

The reason for these heart diseases are mainly the fatty deposits on the walls of the arteries. Interestingly, these deposits may occur on both the inner walls as well as the outer walls. And, in fact, there is absolutely no cure to remove the deposits on the Outer walls of the arteries so that makes weight management and diet a very important consideration in life.

If the arteries are blocked even partially due to these deposits, the blood flow is not smooth to the heart and heart may fall short of adequate oxygen and other nutrients needed to function properly. When this blockage gets severe, it can result in heart attack. Women of 50-52 are at more risk and especially if there has been a family history of coronary diseases.

So, how do you take care of your heart?
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Sexy @ Sixty

Do you stop in middle of your exercises? {Your Opinion}

This question is prompted by two facts. One of my friends with whom I regularly go for a walk always gets tired by the end of fourth round and prefers to sit down before continuing. We walk on a walking track of around 750 metres on which we prefer to take four rounds every night. Also, I have another friend whom I used to accompany occasionally on her walking trips and she used to totally halt in between the walks because she used to get tired. And, no it never used to be brisk or on a very difficult terrain either and not long even (around just 1km) and she always had jogging shoes on!!!

Yes, I do feel bad for people who are young and can't walk even that much. This is when I always realize how important it is to be physically active because I do not desire to be in either of my above-mentioned friend's place. I am lazy and that's where it all ends. But, I just wanted you to ask if you stop in between when you are doing any mild form of exercise. Also, it opens up an interesting theory which I have been meaning to share with you all since quite long.

Did you know that when you are exercising, it is advised to vary your paces with time. So, for example, if you are walking, start slowly and then work up to a brisk walking pace and then suddenly slow your pace to slow walk and then keep on varying the speeds of your walk. Likewise, when you are cycling, going from vigorous to light to medium to heavy to vigorous is recommended. The reason is it improves stamina and burns more calories. But, at any point of time, stopping the exercise in between is never EVER recommended. If you are used to doing so, never ever do that!!! Always start slow and end slowly and if you feel you are tired, slow down but NEVER STOP.

So, for how long do you take your walks or keep your exercises going? Do you prefer to stop or vary your paces?

PS: For all the book lovers, check out my review of "The Krishna Key", the latest anthropological thriller by Ashwin Sanghi here. Looking forward to seeing you there :)

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Do you love midnight snacks? {Your Opinion}

So, my question for today. I totally love to gorge on at midnight but yes, let me make my disclaimer here. Its a very unhealthy habit. You should eat light at dinner and go to bed directly (after two hours and by midnight, you should be deep in sleep). Being awake till midnight is bad for your health and gorging on food is even worse!! It does lead to weight gain as well. 

But, I totally love to have midnight snacks. At one point of time, I used to have ruffles and good day biscuits. But, I am trying to control and have slowly changed to hippo and aliva but I would prefer not to have anything in fact. I wish I could sleep by then but the problem is that whenever there is a Friday and Saturday, I feel like celebrating. 

Either, I end up watching movies or something on lappy or read into the wee hours of morning. Do you also have such habit? And, what do you think of midnight snacks? Do you have a healthier version for midnight snacking?

Image Courtesy:powerpuff.wikia.com

Body Weight vs Body Fat {Health}

This is for all those people obsessed with weight loss who start in the dark and don't seek enlightenment. When you are getting on to a weight loss regime, you should be definitely aware of certain facts. I am definitely not a big supporter of gymming but lately one of friends told me about the extra facilites a gym provides. You are given a trainer on a payment basis which is I think you are already aware of. 

But, what you might not be aware of is that they calculate right from your height to measure your BMI, cholesterol levels, fat levels and all other things which even I am not aware of :D So, this enlightenment came to me when I was talking to my friend and so, I thought I would spread it out to you :)

So, the very important thing you want to remember is that your fat levels should be in limits. And, no body weight is not directly proportional to body fat. Even people with normal weight can have higher fat levels depending on their lifestyle. So, when you start on a weight loss or fitness regime, you would want to keep or bring your fat levels in control.

Btw, I would like to tell you an interesting fact. Stairs are damn good to burn your fat levels. So, get going :) Also, if you had followed my Dare to Change series (I know, I have been very lazy lately!!), my first challenge was to use stairs instead of lifts as much as possible. And, then, I read this book called Sexy@Sixty in which the author asks one question "Can you climb up three flight of steps without gasping for breath?". And, I can proudly say that I can climb upto 3 floors without really getting short of my breath and 5-6 storeys with a long breath inside!! Yay, I am happy to know I am fit enough :D What about you? How many floors can you climb without being too much stressed out?

Sexy @ Sixty {Book Review}

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Overview of the Book

Sexy at Sixty. Is that possible? Namita Jain, the prestigious wellness expert, shows you how in Sexy @ Sixty, which is a celebration of this wondrous phase in your life. She aims to make it even more wonderful by giving you enough ammunition, in the form of many helpful tips on lifestyle, food, exercise and staying positive, to slay the bugbears that threaten to rain on your parade. Aimed at the modern not so young man or woman, the book is full of practical, easy to understand information:

• Tables showing you the exact calorie count of your meals.
• Illustrations for safe ways to exercise, whether by gentle stretches or strength training.
• Chapters on how to tackle everything from skin care and weight gain to stress, arthritis and diabetes.
• Easy to follow explanations for menopause or prostate issues.

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My Review of the Book
To start off, I would like to say this is a book which will urgently make you go and exercise!! Yes, it really gives that feeling of urgency, written in a fun and very compelling way. I have never read any health books prior to this one and I beg ignorance about the author, Namita Jain, but apparently she is very famous and has authored quite a few books before this.

The book as the title suggests is aimed at middle-aged people. BUT, why am I suggesting this book is because an early start would only do you good. Namita talks about exercise and diet throughout the book and she outlines how the combination of two can protect your body from the numerous health risks which attack people above 30-35.

chapters covered

She covers all topics from menopause and prostrate to diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol, heart issues, osteoperosis, arthritis, stress and also about Postures. I would have definitely loved if she had taken some of the topics in more detail but I think she meant the book to only be an introduction. The starting chapter of the book deals with the question that whether you are a couch potato or not?

which activity burns how many calories!

Can you climb up three flight of steps without gasping for breath? Do you sleep well? Do you wake up most mornings looking forward to the day? Do you go for a walk, visit the gym, play a sport or engage in some other energetic activity at least thrice a week? Do you eat wholesome, nutritious food? Do you relax and take time out without feeling stressed?

If you answered a 'yes' to most questions, it means you lead a fit life. And, if no, you need this book. Oh, I also forgot to mention that she provides some substitute recipes for high-calorie foods. Yes, the book did make me count the calories whenever I ate anything :( But, the author is very practical and realizes that today's lifestyle is different and mentions various things in a way which will sit well with our routine. For example,

If you are going for a party, take a light healthy snack before leaving. If you are dining out, order a clear soup and some salads to fill you up and prevent binging. If going for shopping, never go on empty-stomach. That makes you pick up cookies and indulgences which you would otherwise avoid.

calorie count of foods

And, that's really true!! Happens with me. She gives a lot of exercise tips and also illustrates various yogasanas which are easy for people of 35-50 to do. She also mentions what shouldn't be done. And, finally finishes off with chapters dealing with a well-balanced diet and colors on the plate and talks about surgeries like liposuction and tummy tucks and whether they are worth pursuing or not. The best part of the book is that it talks about weight loss being essential for health and not just looks. Many examples have also been given throughout the course of the book which makes it more relate-able.     

Availability
You can buy the book here on Flipkart.com
Price - Rs 164 (18% Off)

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This review is a part of the Book Reviews Program at BlogAdda.com. Participate now to get free books!

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PS: Post contains affiliate links.

You can get hungry for water!! {Health}

We all get hunger pangs at different times of day. But, the weirdest thing I read about these hunger pangs was that sometimes, our body needs water and sends us signals which we misinterpret as hunger pangs and gorge in on the food and lead to excess of calories. 

In fact, the moment I was reading this piece of book (which I shall talk about in a week), I was feeling damn hungry. I try to make my dinner light and that day, I went for a long walk after my dinner. Consequently, I thought that my dinner is all digested and my body needs more fuel. 

I was thinking on what snacks to binge on but I came across this piece of information. And, funnily enough, I recalled that I had not had water since an hour or two so I fortified myself with water and voila, no hunger pangs any more!! So, if you ever feel hungry, try drinking water. It may be as simple as that!

Did you ever come across such piece of information?

Image Courtesy:www2.emmagem.com

Meals should be full not heavy {Health}

Ok, so there is a lot of difference between feeling full and feeling heavy after finishing a meal. Many people tend to get confused. You should always feel full but any meal which makes you feel heavy or uneasy is supposed to undergo a review. 

What I call full?

First of all, any meal of the day should be stretched over a time period of 20 minutes of consumption. Why? Because, only after twenty minutes, can our brain signal that whether we have had enough of food or not. Also, I know that these days its very difficult for anyone to spend so much of time on a meal. 

We all tend to have meals on-the-go. So, obviously, you wouldn't know whether you are over-eating or not when you have so rushed a meal which almost always makes you feel heavy or you do not have enough of food at once. So, make your food full of fiber. That will ultimately make you feel fuller. 

White foods

Avoid foods which are white because they generally end up bloating you so you feel heavy instead of full. When consuming white rice, try to take unpolished instead of polished as it tastes just like rice (for those who can't like the taste brown rice). Also, unpolished rice has the advantage of being lighter than the brown counterpart.

What I suggest?

The reason I am doing this post is because very lately I had done a post on Bloated Stomach and what all makes one feel uneasy after a meal and as I have been talking about a changed place since a bit of time, I am eating organic food (non-perishable items are all organic mostly from 24 Letter Mantra which is USDA certified). 

Even though I am pretty sure that I am eating just as I used to, I do not feel heavy or bloated at any point of time or rather have not felt it yet!!! We are served unpolished rice here and I usually avoid it at night but yesterday I had it at night and even then, I was full but not heavy. 

So, make sure whatever you eat makes you feel full and not heavy. How do you prefer to eat?

Dare to Change : Use Stairs

I am starting a new series starting this month. Since I have changed the place of my dwelling, it has given me a new energy and I want to explore myself beyond I have ever gone. So, I shall start with simple challenges and might move on difficult ones. For now, I have a simple challenge:

"Avoid lifts and Use Stairs especially when going up!!"

My apartment is on 5th floor and I am getting an overdose of potatoes these days :( So, keeping my weight in control is getting damn difficult. So, I hit upon this simplest solution to use the stairs instead of the lift. I have already been trying this out for a couple of days and today morning, its brought me to a point that I am not really able to walk :( I am feeling lethargic and can feel a little pain in the legs. 

Ok, I have never been an athlete in my life and have hardly exercised so this simple work actually seems pretty heavy for me. You can say that on average, I have to climb up 5 flights of stairs 2-3 times a day and probably none on weekends if I sit around being lazy and lying down. Anyways, I do feel muscles in places I have never felt before and its fun in its own way :D 

PS: Ok, there is one relief in this resolve. I can use the stairs lift while coming down if I am getting late or feel too tired.

So, the Dare to Change series is a push to change my lifestyle for the better. Would you care to join in?

3 Healthy Foods I love {Health}

I have been lacking bad too badly in the health posts so I thought I would compile a list of healthy foods which I absolutely love and would have in any form. And, trust me, coming up with only 5 items was so damn difficult that I can't even think of all the foods.

Broccoli, Baby Corn / American and Indian Corn

For those who don't know what it is, it is a greaan vegetable and highest in protein content and is absolutely delightful vegetable to eat whether steamed or boiled or pan-fried. It looks like green cauliflower.

And, I also love baby corns. Even the roasted bhutta and if you know that maize is dropped in Sambhar also and it tastes absolutely amazing :) And, maize is one of the foods you can have without worrying about pesticides and insecticide issues.

And, the best part is that both of them are amazingly high in fiber content and make you feel full for around 3 hours. So, one of the healthiest of snack as well. In fact, I did do a post on American Corn being a healthy snack long back.   

Kabuli Chana (Chickpeas) and Kala Chana (Black Beans)

I love the huge white chanas and I love chole bhature which is not exactly healthy but you can make tikkis with kabuli chana or boil them and make a nice filling salad or snack by mixing in tomatoes and cucumber and onions and a little sprinkling of lemon!! Absolutely yum and your tummy would be so full that you won't feel hungry for hours together. And, its high in proteins and fiber (two cups provide entire day's fiber). Also, higher fiber means less junk and binging.

Black Beans are my absolute fav and always makes me wish that people would call me for 'kanjak' :D That's a tradition in which young adoloscent girls are called home early in the morning, worshipped and fed puri chana and halwa and are given gifts and the whole breakfast is just yum. Its done during ram navmi and durgashtami (the two sacred 9 days in the hindu calender). I am missing it already!! Ok, yes, puri and halwa are not exactly healthy but black beans are a must. They are rich in proteins and full of fibre (more than the chickpeas) and great for snacks, salads or even for burger fillings. Mashed black beans bound with some flour make great tikkis or cakes (I don't exactly know what tikkis are called in english but I know aloo tikki is potato cake!).

Btw, black beans are rich in phytonutrients which protects us from sun's rays, dirt, pollution, insecticides and all the bad things. So, an additional reason to gobble them up. Mixed with tomato and lemon, they make a traditional Indian snack.

Spinach

Ok, so, I don't exactly love spinach in every form, for example: boiled or steamed. But, palak paneer is my fav and I have never yet had it as a smoothie or a juice but I would definitely love to try it. Its amazing for hair growth. And, dark green veggies are great for its anti-oxidant power. According to me, the best way to eatc a spinach is raw in a sandwich and it tastes amazing. Also, another way is to incorporate it in the salad by chopping a bunch of spinach leaves. It has high amount of Vitamin A which is great for eye sight issues and also to fight aging effects. Also, it improves the body's immunity to the sun's rays.

Image Courtesy: 123rf.com, chatpatkhana.com, veggieplatter.blogspot.com, hyatt.jobs

Foods to eat and avoid during weight loss regime {Health}

I had posted about my weight loss resolution a while back. Not that its really working out great but I thought I would do a post on what foods to avoid during weight loss regimes.

Substitute Brown Rice for White Rice

Brown Rice has amazing amount of fiber and nutrition as compared to white rice. You can read about the comparison here. Also, it has amazing amount of health benefits as well. More fiber is equal to increased metabolism of the body and higher rate of fat burning. And, fiber keeps a person full for longer and control the cravings. I have noticed that whenever I eat white rice I always put on weight which doesn't happen when I eat brown rice.

Avoid Potatoes

Potatoes are one of the most dangerous foods when on a weight loss regime. I love potatoes to the core and can't ever avoid them in any form, be it sandwiches or parathas or golgappas :D My mouth is already watering!!! So, try to avoid the huge potatoes and if you have to eat the potatoes, go for the baby potatoes as they are more nutritious and have less starch as compared to the bigger ones. Oh, I forgot to tell you that you can always have baked potatoes.

No Carbohydrates after 6:00 PM

This is one of the most important things to remember. Eating sugar or any carbohydrates after 6 is bound to increase your fat. Because, the carbohydrates and sugar get accumulated and do not get metabolised by the body in the evenings properly. So, say no to pastries and cheese and rice and all the yummy things after 6!!! For dinner, concentrate only on more of the fiber intake so that the digestion is faster and easier.  

Would you like to add anything to the list?

Image Courtesy:f-factordiet.co,padhuskitchen.com,clinicme.com

PS: Don't forget the enter the Aloe Veda giveaway. 

Lose weight with these easy tips {Health}

The inspiration to this post is that I am trying to lose out all the extra flab I have put on and I have exactly a month to do that. So, lets get on with the tips :) I have done a post on all these tips individually so I am linking them to the posts directly. Click on the headings to read the post.

• Deep Breathing
• Water for Weight Loss
• Chew your food morsels properly
• Early to Bed 
• Early to Rise
• 20-minute Walk
• Eat four to six times a day
• Sit on the ground 
• Sit on the chair properly and with your spine erect

These were the simple habits which helps a lot in controlling the excess weight. Apart from that, simple yoga postures which help in weight loss are:

• Anuloma-Viloma
• Some postures to cut back the belly fat

Hopefully, this post will make me again practice all the simple daily habits which I had forsaken in the state of extreme laziness. Also, do let me know how do you like to lose your weight?

Image Courtesy:bestweightlossprogram.freereviews.org

Brown Rice vs White Rice {Health}

[Source: hindu.com]

Which rice do you like: Brown or White? Two years back, when I actually came across brown rice, I had done some digging up on its benefits which you can read here. Since then, I have had brown rice on and off with the white rice. And, in the starting, I did really find it a little weird in taste and texture but slowly I got used to it and now I actually prefer brown over white.

What's Brown Rice?

For those who never had brown rice, it is the least processed rice and is brown in color. The reason is that the cover of the rice which is a fibre is not removed. That ensures that all its nutritional value is preserved when compared to white rice.

White rice undergoes a lot of processing and polishing which removes majority of its nutritional value and instead makes it harmful for consumption. Look at the figure for the comparison.

White Rice leads to Diabetes

“Higher consumption of white rice is associated with a significantly increased risk of Type 2 diabetes, especially in Asian (China and Japan) populations,” wrote the authors from the Harvard School of Public Health, Boston. White rice primarily contains starch, as the polishing removes most of the nutrients found in the bran such as insoluble fibre, magnesium, vitamins, and lignans (a group of chemical compounds acting as antioxidants). Insoluble fibre and magnesium, for instance, have been found to lower the risk of Type II diabetes. Unlike brown rice, polished rice has a high glycaemic index (an indicator of glucose-raising effect of a food) and is a major contributor of dietary glycaemic load. Higher dietary glycaemic load is generally associated with the increased risk of diabetes. Hence, the harmful effects of polishing are two-pronged — it removes the nutrients that would cut the risk of diabetes and at the same time pushes up the glycaemic index, thus increasing the risk of the disease. [Source]

So, do you like your rice white or brown?

Fitness Tips for Brides {Bridal Files}

Simple routine changes in daily lifestyle can impact out fitness levels to a lot of extent. And, then, you really have to look fit and glowing on your D-Day. So, a little effort wouldn't go amiss.

[Source:prettymomguide.com]

Sleep at 10 and wake up at 6

This is probably the best tip I can ever use on myself and give to someone. Why? Early Birds have benefits of controlled weight and higher energy levels and the skin also glows in better health.

I myself have seen difference in my skin when I used to sleep at 10. It revitalizes better if you sleep early. And, you don't even have the danger of over-sleep because your daily need of sleep gets fulfilled by the time it is 6 or 7 in the morning. And, then, the early morning sun rays are really good for skin, hair and body overall.

Eat small and regular meals

Eating four times a day really helps your body's metabolism and the better your body digests the food, the better it can extract nutrition from it and feed you from the inside. Make sure you take a lot of fiber and liquids as it is summers now. And, starch also doesn't come amiss in this season so include rice in your diet. And, always chew your food properly before swallowing.

Breathe Deeply

It helps better intake of oxygen and improves the oxygen levels in the body which in turn helps in better functioning of the organs and better blood circulation. Also, it helps your brain function faster. Read more about how deep breathing helps the body here.

Hope these tips help you :) Pin It

How am I maintaining my weight? {Health}

I am getting tired of the pressure of putting up a new post everyday and I want to maintain it as a routine. And, frankly, I am not getting a lot of me-time these days which help me do whatever I want. So, I decided I will write on something happening with me these days. 

[Source:life123.com]

I had mentioned in one of my earlier posts in December or some time that I am not eating properly and consequently my health was suffering. Now, I have started to keep a healthy eating routine since almost two weeks and I am amazed that my weight has not yo-yo'ed this time. So, I decided that I would just discuss that with you all. 

My weight always zooms up and down depending on the kind and amount of food I eat. Not that I am eating junk or less food, this time my routine is coupled with a healthy daily routine. So, let's check out and see if you can incorporate something out of it. Btw, I am not doing anything new. No exercise too.

• I have to get up everyday in between 7 and 7:30. Trust me, its damn difficult and my mom wakes me up. She has this habit of repeatedly calling my name and I have an aversion to getting up hearing that, so it always works :D

• Consequently, I take bath immediately and have my breakfast before 9. It is supposed to be a very good habit to have your breakfast at around 8:30. 

• I like my breakfast heavy but I am not able to eat much of it so let's just say that my breakfast has oats or cornflakes w/o sugar and something going with it like bread with sesame butter I got from NaturalMantra recently or jams (that's not a breakfast I relish!!) or poha or a single paratha (which is generally not enough). I did try to take fruits regularly till now - apple, banana, oranges till now.

• Then, I have my lunch in between 1 and 2. Either rice or roti with vegetables. Btw, currently, the oil I am using is sesame oil.

• I come back from work at around 5:30 or 6. I like a light snack time with tea. It can be bread, biscuits, chiwda or mixture made at home or if I am feeling really hungry, sunfeast pasta or maggi.

• Then, my dinner at 9. Pretty light. Generally, some rotis.

• And, I sleep by 10 - 10:30 (my beauty sleep) :D

So, that's what is my current routine is like. And, my day comprises of walking for 1km probably, not more. Oh yes, I forgot to mention, I am desperately lacking on the amount of water needed in the system everyday. I really need to increase it. And, another bad habit I am facing is the addiction to tea. I have to cut that down as well. So, yes, I do need to work on some things but my weight is pretty much constant right now.  

And, btw, did you notice how hot Hyderabad has got in this past week. Don't know what will happen in the summers this time. 

Control your Craving for just 10 minutes {Health}

[Source:howlosebellyfat.com]

Weight Loss has again become an iddue after all the binging during the Christmas and then, New Year and then, Lohri and Bogi and Pongal and Makar Sankranti so I have a simple tip for you today to keep a check on your weight and not go off the course to weight loss.

Scientists have found that a craving for a certain food typically lasts for about 10 minutes. (Source:Yahoo Lifestyle)

I don't remember where I have read this but the article said that if you are able to contain yourself for just 10 minutes without giving into your craving then you will no longer feel the craving. It is those crucial 10 minutes you just have to endure. So, whether it is a pizza, burger or any dessert you are craving, better take an apple or a banana at the same time and your craving will pass over.

Another way to control the cravings is to increase the fiber content in your diet. Eat lots of fiber and it will make you feel full and you will really not feel like binging. 

How do you control your cravings? Pin It

Read more articles on weight loss here.

3 unlikely places for fat accumulation {Skin Care}

[Source: Google Images]

Which parts of your body do you think accumulate fat the fastest?

• Tummy - oh yes, you eat anything and it goes straight ONTO your stomach. And, extremely difficult to get rid of!!! A continuation of the fat goes as flabs to the lower back.
• Thighs - Lot of fat accumulates there especially when there is less physical activity

So, which are the 3 most unlikely places where fat gets accumulated? 

• Hips: Yes, your posterior expands as you indulge yourself in sinful delights!!! This is continuation with fat on your lower back and thighs.
• Shoulders and Upper Back: The whole region starts from the upper arms and continues to the middle of your back. And, this completely changes your body postures and body shape. Also, this fat continues and deposits on the breast region too.
• Face: Right from the temples continuing to the double chin which creates jowls on the neck, you can find the fat being deposited and that changes your face shape too. 

These are three most unlikely places and generally, unnoticeable by you when you see yourself. But, the fats on these regions are not stubborn and not so difficult to get rid of. Also, the hips and upper back are prone to appearance of stretch marks easily so be careful. Proper routine and exercise does take care of these areas. Back bending exercises are especially useful for these areas.

Suryamudra to produce heat inside your body {Health}

[Source: Google Images]

Inability to get up in the mornings is one of the worst side-effects of winters and going to schools, colleges, works and that woo with the exams on the head, its just mind boggling!!! So, try out this yoga pose which is supposed to produce heat in the body. 

• Sit in a meditative pose. 
• Hold your hands vertically upright with palms open near your ears.  

[Source: Google Images]

• Press the ring finger with the thumb and keep the palm upright for both hands. 
• Do not tense your body. Let it relax but sit upright position.

Hold this pose for 5 minutes and feel the heat seep inside your body. This position is also great for controlling obesity and for weight loss. It is a simple pose and doing it for 5-10 minutes daily can make your morning much easier so give it a try!!!

Caution: Do not do this pose if you have high blood pressure, ulcers or are suffering from fever or any other inflammatory conditions. 

Also read:
Get soft lips this winter
Is your skin itchy?
Hair Care in Winters
Keep your skin moisturized this winter with Banana
Winter Skin Care Lotions
How to protect skin this winter?

Healthy Weight is Good {Tip of the Day}

Another tip today on how to look young. Maintaining proper weight according to your height is the key. Being too thin or too fat makes you look older and unhealthy and doesn't create a good impression but having love handles and a little bit of flabby fat makes you look chubby and young. So, take care of your weight and maintain it and do not go for yo-yo diets which cause too much of weight gain or weight loss as it directly impacts your skin.

Bad Diet and My Health {Health}

[Source: Google Images]

Ok, so I have to confess that I am not at the ideal blogger. I do not act on what I preach and since the past one year almost, my diet has been so bad that I can see the affects now so I thought I would share my experiences with you so that you would never make the mistakes I made or at least you will give it a second thought!!! 

My Lifestyle

First lets have a look at past one year of my life. What have I been eating for the past one year. Frankly, nothing!!! Yup, I have gone empty stomach countless times, literally lived on samosas and cups of tea and some pizzas. That has been my major chunk of the diet. 

And, I am stressed out and my sleep is either fragmented or disturbed.I have spent many sleepless nights and ignored my health entirely.

Results

• My weight is down by 6-7 kgs and is yo-yoing between 56 and 59 right now. Yes, I am looking really thin but dangerously frail. Trust me this is no way to reduce weight. Its not at all healthy.
• I am weak, pale and constantly have fainting spells. You really don't want that. 
• I have become forgetful and heavily so!!! My brain doesn't work as it used to and I have to really struggle with things sometimes. 
• I do get twinges of pains at any point in my body and I have definitely suffered from muscles aches sometimes. 
• Since I have been heavily stressed too, so my skin has lost its natural glow and hair is definitely showing a little degradation. 
• The worst I have suffered is on the front of my "Immunity". It gone bad to worse and I have enjoyed the best immunity all my life!!! I have suffered from cold about 3-4 times in the past year and bad cold that too and one in July was so bad that I was suffering from dry cough and cold for a month.

And, these results are really very minimal as compared to my negligence towards my health. So,I would request everyone to take care of your diet and not to neglect your Health. It can be very dangerous also and definitely not comfortable to live with.

Tips for Healthy Diet {Health}

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Dieting is not recommended to lose weight, as you all are well aware. Why? Dieting makes tissues and muscles weak and makes the body weak internally. So, the right thing is to exercise to cut down the calories. But, before that, there is another step which you should add another habit to your routine - healthy diet. 

• Drink 10-12 glasses of water daily. You can go for more too. 
• Eat dinner 3-4 hours before you sleep. And, keep the dinner extremely light. And, no carbohydrates in the dinner.
• Replace butter and mayonnaise with mint chutney. Its more yummy and delicious and gives a flavor to your snacks. 
• Drink tomato, amla (Indian gooseberry), ginger or spinach juices.
• Sesame seeds and dry fruits and nuts are recommended in the daily diet but don't over do them. 
• Coconut water, lemon juice, vegetable soups, kabuli chana soup, buttermilk, ice tea without sugar, lemon mint juice are some of the drinks which will fulfill your need of liquids. 

These tips will help in controlling your weight and do not resort to dieting for weight problems. Constipation, acidity, hormonal problems, dark circles, aging skin, memory loss are some of the aftereffects of dieting. So, think before you resort to dieting.