There are a million reasons why you should be getting a massage every two weeks or so. But the main reason people get them is the relaxation and pampering they experience from it. The whole setting you experience can be overwhelming for the best of us, I know always fall asleep on the table. I worked for the past 7 years as a massage therapist and there are many other reasons, useful reasons, to get that regular massage. Whether you want a deep tissue or Swedish, you should be regularly getting one.

Thought of as a luxury, it actually has many healing therapeutic benefits. A few of the benefits are stress relief, pain management, muscle maintenance and repair, increases joint flexibility, lessens depression, reduces spasms and cramping, releases endorphins (natural painkillers), and enhances sleep quality. Many of us walk around with problems that can be solved by a few sessions with a massage therapist. Ever feel a knot or pain in your neck or shoulder? A massage therapist can help, if not remove, the knot, pain, and kinks in your body.

A massage is so relaxing and calming, it makes me wonder why everyone doesn’t get them. More amazing, there are many people walking around who have never experienced one. After a massage, you will feel energized and ready to face the world. Just remember to drink lots of water after, to help flush the toxins and help with any soreness from deep tissue. The effects are so profound, if you haven’t ever gotten a massage, make an appointment today! You can thank me later .

Yoga has always interested me. The whole flexibility and cool poses, makes me want to learn. It’s like a Yoga movement going on and I want to be apart of it. Yoganians(word I made up) live the yoga life, it’s not just an exercise but a way of life for them. Exercise is said to be just one part of yoga, well that’s the part I am in for . It is about disciplining your body, mind and soul. I believe I can handle that.

     There are many different poses and types of yoga. The benefits of yoga go on and on. A few of them are hand-eye coordination improves, immunity increases, sleep improves, (here’s the biggie) weight normalizes, energy level is increased, and improved flexibility and joint range. You can go to almost any city and any gym and learn yoga. You can also go online and take some classes….lol. If for nothing more than the cool equipment and outfits, I am going to take me some Yoga…sooner or later….. I want to be a fit, healthy Yoganian, too! Which do you prefer yoga or regular exercise? Also, would you rather do yoga or pilates?

That question can be answered simply, for your health. But the reasons it helps your health is what you really need to know. These are the reasons that should push you to stay on your exercise routine and help you to maintain it. The main reason people exercise is weight loss and maintaining their weight. But here are some health benefits from exercise that you should know about:

• Boosts your immune system by increasing your white blood cells
• Decreases the risk of developing some types of cancer, including some breast cancers and some colon cancers
• Makes sure brain works faster, improves memory and concentration
• Makes bones stronger, builds muscle which increases metabolism.
• Keeps heart strong by increasing your heart rate.
• Promotes a feeling of self confidence
• Stress reliever

The benefits go on and on. Exercise makes you look and feel better, period. We should all be getting atleast 30 minutes of exercise a day, which can be broken up to 10 minute intervals. Here are some tips to get you 30 minutes a day for a busy person. When you go to the grocery store park at the end of the parking lot and walk in. Anytime you’re going shopping at the mall, park at the far end from where you need to be and walk to where you are going (this will really help you clock some minutes). Play with your kids. If the kids are running around the house, run and play with them….it’s a reason they get so out of breath…good luck hanging in with them. Do crunches, squats, push-ups, and leg lifts at your home. Anytime you can squeeze in some. These are some things I do, I am sure there are hundreds of easy ways to get in some extra exercise a day. just look around.

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I recently read an article about how too much or too little sleep can cause weight gain. I have always heard that too little sleep would make you tired and hungry, which in turn makes you pack on the pounds. But too much sleep, well that’s a new one on me. After reading the article, it does makes sense. I guess I just needed it spelled out to me, literally .

Ok, getting too much sleep makes you put on weight. I always called marathon sleepers lazy, but actually they are just..umm…lazy . They believe that people who sleep too much are actually short sleepers, they don’t get a complete restful sleep. So they pretty much just lay there dozing in and out of sleep, but not wanting to get up. Now this is when you don’t have a medical condition, of course. The correct amount of sleep is a solid and restful 8 hours a night. Too little is less than 6 and too much is more than 9 hours.

This is yet another blow for new mothers, not sleeping with that new baby almost guarantees packing on extra pounds and more fatigue. Atleast now you actually have a proof of why it is hard to lose weight and keep it off. With the trials and tribulations of having newborn, you barely get sleep. Hence, too little sleep means weight gain…interesting, and it sucks.

It was found that those who changed their sleep habits, gained energy which led to being able to start and stick with an exercise routine which in turn made them lose weight. It all makes sense now.

Well, gotta run, I need to get some more sleep . I am all about losing some weight!

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When I was younger I suffered horribly from Fever Blisters (Herpes Simplex 1), they would cover my whole lower face. My mom was at her wits end trying to find me some relief until one day we walked into a pharmacy and the pharmacist, a very nice woman, advised my mother to try me with Lysine. She advised I should take one pill a day and it may keep the blisters at bay. Well she was correct. Every since that day the only time I have fever blisters is when I can’t/don’t take my Lysine. I take about 500mg a day and 1000mg when I feel one starting. I sometimes forget because I am so used to not having any, but as soon as I feel a tingle or an itch I remember very quickly.

When I was pregnant with my kids, I couldn’t take Lysine so I had to get prescriptions from my Dr’s to help with my problem. Lysine can not be taken when pregnant so you will have to use an alternate prescription. Nothing can take the place of Lysine for me. It is easily available and no prescription needed. Lysine is one of nine essential amino acids that the body need for growth and tissue repair. It is encouraged that every one take Lysine supplements or eat foods with high levels of Lysine. Lysine is said to help canker sores, herpes, and shingles; it acts as a viral blocker. It has many other benefits including collagen formation in the joints, helps the immune system by aiding in the production of antibodies, and I heard somewhere that it is good for your skin.

There are some foods that are high in Lysine that you can eat if you prefer not to take pill. Yogurt, cheese, fruits, milk, meats, nuts, grains, and veggies are good sources of Lysine. It is a good supplement to add to your diet that has many positive benefits. Maybe you should give Lysine a try….

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Along with my newly found working out, I have decided to see what increasing my water intake will do. I also knew water was good for you, but until I decided to start drink more, I didn’t really know what all it was good for. Water helps the keep the skin radiant, removes toxins and impurities, and it will help you to feel full. Water suppresses the appetite naturally and helps the body to metabolize store fat. An increase in water can actually reduce fat deposits.

Many times I will forget to drink water during the day. If I get too busy with the kids or housework, I will never even think about it. So there are a few tips I do to try and remember to drink your water. I drink my water room temperature so I can drink more at time.I also place a jug with how much I want to drink for the day on a counter, I drink about a gallon a day. Using the jug, I can see how much I need to be drinking…and by the end of the day I can make sure I have drank it all. I always drink a glass of water when I first wake up in the morning, we are naturally thirsty when we awake so I make water the first thing I do in the morning. Another great tip is to keep a bottle of water with you all day and don’t just sip on it, when you take a drink gulp it down and refill the bottle. Sipping water will make you end up not drinking much water at all.

The amount of water needed differs from person to person, but a good place to start is the 8×8 rule; drink eight 8oz glasses of water a day. If you are overweight you need additional glass for every 25 lbs of excess weight. By drinking this amount you should start feeling better. So I will continue drinking my water and see what all benefits I get from it and I will post it here. So far, I have a lot more energy and I have been drinking for almost a week. I also heard that drinking water will help with bags and dark circles under your eye as well as assist in the minimization of wrinkles….pretty nice how much water does for you. 

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Today was a very very good day. I have officially started working out since having the baby, WHOO HOO!!!! Me and Hubby went on a run through a nature trail. It was, let’s just say difficult (I’ll keep the moans and cries to myself). It was an extreme nature trail, up hill and down and through rocky terrain. I plan, no I will make this a part of my work out routine. With this all I should have to do is some light exercising at home and stay away from the sweets and I will be good to go! I was only able to run, ummmm excuse me, walk/jog once around then rest and walk one more time. The hubby ran twice and walked both times with me, such a sweetie! Well my goal is to be able to RUN the whole thing within a month. So I have 4 weeks to train….I’ll keep making updates!!!!!!

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