Friday, May 31, 2013

How to Find a Good Medical Spa in Your Area

We always stress the importance of finding a high quality medical spa. Finding a reputable medical spa, and a location with staff you can trust is of the utmost importance.

The single largest advantage a medical spa has is the knowledge of the staff. Doctors who can listen to your needs and help identify the right treatment are an essential first step. Although essentially all procedures available at a medical spa are extremely safe and unlikely to cause injury, this always assumes well-trained staff members are using the device correctly over the course of your treatment.

This article will provide an overview of things to consider when seeking out a medical spa. We'll be looking at three main areas that can be used to identify reputable place: who owns or operates the spa, what sort of training does the staff receive, and is their equipment safe and modern? We'll also identify some easy questions you can ask over the phone to help you find the right medical spa before you go.

Is There a Doctor in the House?

One of the primary things to consider is who owns or operates a medical spa. The best medical spas tend to be either owned by doctors or run by them. Depending on the treatments offered by a spa, some or all of them will require consultation with a doctor. You certainly want to speak with a doctor before any treatment that involves prescription medication, or that may have serious dermatological impact.

If doctors seem aloof or hard to speak to, it may be a warning sign. Make sure to suss out if this doctor will be able to proactively guide you through your treatment cycle in a way you can understand and are comfortable with. When you call in, you should be easily able to book a consultation with them, and they should be friendly and knowledgeable during the consultation. Beware of anyone who keeps saying 'We can fix that' - you're looking for a realistic doctor, not an over-promising salesperson.

What to ask on the phone: What medical qualifications do the owners or operators of your spa have?

Who is Performing Your Procedure?

In addition to finding a medical spa that is run by doctors, it is also important to make sure the staff who perform the procedure have been well-trained. The ideal spa should have staff who are very experienced using the equipment required for your procedure. Try looking up some online reviews about the business on Yelp or just by searching their name online with the word 'reviews'.

Many medical spas also keep before and after photo collections of former patients as a testament to the skill of their staff and their experience with these treatments. Try asking to see such a portfolio if you have concerns about the people who are performing your procedure. If they're not good at it, their results will probably be poor also.

What to ask on the phone: How much experience does your staff members have with this procedure? What is the training procedure?

Is the Equipment Up to Date?

Lastly you want to make sure that whatever medical spa you choose has modern equipment. There have been significant advances in areas like photo facials, laser skin tightening, and redness removal treatments, among others. You want to make sure that all the equipment used is reasonably modern and is incorporating the latest advancements. Many of the prices for medical spa services seem high because the equipment is cutting edge and rather expensive itself, so beware of spas with unusually low prices. This often indicates the equipment is old and out of date, or that it was bought second-hand. The latest equipment for many laser based treatments is significantly less painful than the earlier models, another big upside.

What to ask on the phone: What equipment do you use for the Procedure, and how long have you had it for?

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Buy The Right Proform Treadmill

Treadmills are very pricey machines with a lot of moving parts, so poor maintenance can make more damage and costly repairs. Additionally, it has a wireless heart control regulation. It's units weight, running area and total dimensions of machines like Proform 505. Treadmills like these usually are not the sort of machines that you buy on a whim, so people who buy them usually do some research first. The amenities include two bottle holders along with a three speed cooling fan to deliver relaxing cool workouts.

75 HP motor, Space - Save design, i - FIT technology, 21 workout programs, and far more. Some models offer fans with three speeds that you'll be able to adjust. Twenty Five Miles - Edwin Starr - If this song won't allow you to move faster since it soulfully encourages you "go on walking" and reminds you which you "got just to walk on," Then have someone take your pulse. Using a Proform treadmill for Running is one in the best ways to get into shape and remain in great condition, since it can be a sport activity you can perform in your own time frame, and without a large amount of extravagant machines.

Time Passed - For most individuals, time elapsed is much more critical that range covered. It is based on Proform warranty which supplies a lifetime guarantee around the motor and frame, with one year of parts plus-home service guarantee. Treadmill lubricant comes having a soil repelling function which extends lifespan and also the high quality of the treadmill devices and patio's, ensuring you the top functionality of those components for the whole year, providing you sleek practice several hours. The Proform 505 CST treadmill could possibly be an outstanding selection for those who would like to begin walking or running within your own home.

So the opportunity to limit your body's natural running movement is the only drawback to using a good treadmill, It works to observe your heart fee so it is possible to make yourself last longer. Proform treadmill is a top ranked, popular cardiovascular machine for home fitness as well commercial gym for several reasons as you don't need to rely on outside weather conditions to plan your walk or run, Making it easy to exercise before the your preferred TV Show or listening your music allow you to entertain while burning your extra calories. This the most important question to ask, which is why it's listed first.

It is equipped with a deluxe sound system that can surely entertain users, 14 in-built workouts, as well as an adjustable cooling fan. The real key which is no prime secret, does the best form; in addition to doing the right level of exercise. Plus, the action of getting the belt to advance initially and make it moving might cause a strain on your joints. This can affect you afterwards because once you understand the particulars in the treadmill, you will be able to use it to your advantage in exercising.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

The Medifast Diet And Salads: What Types Are Best?

I often hear from folks who think that a salad might be an easy way to incorporate their lean and green meal on the Medifast diet. In case you don't know, the lean and green meal is when you are supposed to add in a fresh and healthful meal to the five meals that the company already provides. This is the one meal that you design on your own. I believe the purpose of this is to make sure that you get fresh foods every day and also that you learn how to make good choices. After all, the whole idea is that you aren't on the diet forever.

I get a lot of questions about what type of salad you should be eating. Common questions are whether you can eat a fast food or restaurant salad. Or if the salad can have some type of meat in it. I also get asked a lot about salad dressing. So in the following article, I will try to clarify this.

The lean and green requirements are pretty simple. You should have 5 - 7 ounces of lean protein and three servings of vegetables. Many salads can be made to fit that description. It's best to try to stick to low glycemic vegetables. So you probably wouldn't want to have salad with corn or potatoes. A green salad with some meat, egg, or other vegetarian protein does fit the bill. Most people try to stick to a low calorie and low carbohydrate salad dressing. A good rule of thumb is two tablespoons of a dressing that contains less than five grams of fat and less than six grams of carbohydrates. If you are eating out and ordering your salad from a restaurant, it makes sense to ask them for a dressing that is low in fat and calories and then have them bring it on the side rather than pouring it liberally over the salad.

And yes, I believe that you can make this work with restaurant meals and salads as long as you are careful and not afraid to speak up and make requests. Honestly, if you look carefully at fast food restaurants, you will often find a couple of selections that will work. Any garden or green salad with grilled chicken and a careful choice of dressing applied sparingly can work. Now, a salad that is loaded in bacon, croutons, and cheese isn't going to be the best choice. But a salad that is a true green and light salad meets the guidelines. I don't think that there is any need to feel as if you need to chop up vegetables if you don't have time to do that. Bagged salads and restaurant salads can work as long as you chose them well.

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Rapid Weight Loss Diet Fads - Important Information and Advice

How many diets or crazy weight loss regimes have you tried in the past? No doubt countless. In fact, because today's society has more overweight persons than ever before in the entire history of the human race, weight loss regimes are among the number one practices that humans spend so much time, effort and money on. I'm sure you would agree. But why are so many of us still fat? Clearly these rapid-burn weight loss regimes (i.e., fad diets) do not work, otherwise we'd all be skinny by now, and weight problems would be a thing of the past. The following paragraphs will relate some of the crazy fad diet ideas which clearly have proved to be faulty and non-fruitful.

Crazy diet fad #1 - The Grapefruit Craze

This promises rapid weight loss if you eat unlimited amounts of grapefruit (and little else) during the day. This is based on the belief that grapefruit speeds up one's metabolism to the point where weight will magically start to melt away. This diet is not only based on starvation methods but is also very dangerous and could cause one's body permanent damage.

Crazy diet fad #2 - The "No-Carbs" Diet

I honestly don't know who made this diet up, but when you think about it, it makes little to no sense. Everyone knows that if you have 100g of fat, 100g of protein, and 100g of carbs all lined up on the table - it is the fat should be avoided due to the high kilojoule content, not the protein or the carbs. In fact, carbs by themselves are very low kilojoule. I've never been able to work this one out!

Crazy diet fad #3 - The Low-fat to No-fat diet

This also makes no sense. Fat is a highly nutritious and important element to our daily food intake. In fact, avocado, olive oil, fatty salmon and walnuts all contain healthy omega 3 fats which are absolutely essential to a healthy diet. If these fats are omitted or drastically cut back from one's intake - cravings, low-energy, low-concentration and extreme bouts of will inevitably occur. Clearly this is not how we are supposed to eat in the long-run!

Crazy diet fad #4 - The Replacement Shakes

Although I see no harm in swapping one meal a day with low-calorie diet shakes, any more and a person is liable to start going crazy. That's right, literally bonkers! You know why; it's because us humans are born to enjoy fine food, and most days, we incorporate this into our social life. If we are not able to sit down and enjoy a meal anymore, depression and moodiness often take over our 'otherwise' happy or positive self. Can this type of diet be maintained for very long? You tell me.

Crazy diet fad #5 - Counting Calories to Lose Weight

Let's be honest - who of us has not attempted counting our calorie (kilojoule) intake at some point in the past? I know I have. It can sort of be fun at first, but after a few days of it you seriously start to go loony! Keeping this up requires a massive amount of work, not to mention a lot of time involved in reading food labels and recipe energy content, recording your energy consumed, and calculating your new daily total with each consumed addition! If you want to remain reasonably sane, then counting calories to lose weight is NOT the way to go! I'd stay clear from this idea altogether.

Clearly, there are no rapid weight loss diets (i.e., crazy fad diets/ crash diets) that are really safe or suitable to conform to for very long. Attempting to burn rapid amounts of weight off is not safe and is liable to damage your body. The initial weight that comes off from fad diets may excite you, but this is only water weight that you are losing, not actual fat. Rather than attempting to lose weight rapidly you should instead undergo a healthy diet plan and moderate exercise regime that will give you steady results and will be achievable.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Tips And Tricks For When You Are Tempted To Cheat On Medifast

I sometimes hear from folks who are concerned about what is going to happen when cravings or fatigue hits when they are on the Medifast diet. They often wonder if this means they are going to not lose any weight that week, or if they are going to gain weight. Even worse, they worry that this will be the catalyst that takes them out of compliance and puts that at risk of quitting altogether.

It's my opinion that the fear of cheating is sometimes worse than the cheating itself. I believe that cheating is a fact of life on any diet. And often, it's not the cheating that sabotages you, it's the fact that you don't get back into compliance quickly or that you don't just pick up where you left off. I also believe that how you cheat is more important than if you cheat. So in the following article, I'll offer some tips on how to handle the urge to cheat and what to do if you decide to go ahead and give in.

Know That It's Normal: I find that many people who are considering Medifast think that those who have great success never cheat and are always in perfect compliance. I don't believe that this is the case. I believe that those who have success stick with the diet until they get the results that they want. And this means that if and when they cheat, they pick themselves up and carry on. It is absolutely normal to have bad days. But the key is to not let those days turn into several days that nudge you into quitting.

Try To Distract Yourself Before You Take Action: Let's say that you have a sudden craving for a piece of chocolate fudge and you have just eaten you lean and green meal. My first course of action would be to do something else. If possible, it's optimal to go for a walk or do something physical out of the house. If this isn't possible, brush your teeth. I find that brushing my teeth makes me less likely to cheat because I don't want to contaminate my clean mouth, as silly as that sounds. Another thing that I will try is putting on new jeans that look very nice because of the weight loss. This can sometimes work to snap you out of any desire to cheat. You can also try writing in a journal. Sometimes, just describing the food and how you feel about it will be enough of a release to take your attention away from it. Finally, you can post on one of the forums on the company's website and ask for tips or just for someone to listen. Sometimes, just getting some friendly encouragement will allow you to move on.

If These Things Fail, Look For Safe Alternatives Within The Diet: Let's say you've tried all of the above and you still want that fudge, the next step would be to try and find something on the Medifast menu that will work as an alternative. I am particularly thinking of the brownies or the soft serve. You can also try one of the Medifast approved snacks like the jello or the popsicle.

If You're Going To Cheat, Then Immediately Move On For The Next Meal: I understand that sometimes that coveted food is calling your name and nothing else is going to satisfy you. If this is the case, try to eat a small portion of the food rather than having a colossal pig out session. It's my personal opinion that you may as well savor it if you are going to cheat. Why do it if it's not going to be enjoyable? Once you've made the decision, allow yourself that small and temporary pleasure and put it behind you. Don't waste time or emotional energy feeling guilty or fretting about it. What is done is done. Now it's time to move on. Go right back on the diet for the next meal and just continue forward. Because honestly, the real risk is in allowing this to derail you are get you off the diet. So it's vital that you just move on and get back in compliance without making that big of a deal about it.

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Just Let Your Natural Beauty Shine This Summer

Summer is a time to celebrate natural beauty. Indeed, with such a wonderful chance to spend time at the beach or the cabin, who has time to worry about putting on makeup?

Of course, for many people, the thought of going "au naturale" can be daunting. Most of us have wrinkles, noticeable pores, and skin discoloration that we don't want ruining our fun in the sun, and taking away from our sun-kissed summer glow. And on top of that, many of us consider eye makeup a must have for any public outing, and can't bear the thought of leaving the house without it.

The good news, however, is that at medical spas, you can address get summer-ready in no time with effective and non-invasive procedures and products. This article will address three of the most exciting summer procedures you can get at a medical spa.

3D Skin Rejuvenation for a New You

Most of us have at least one - but probably a few - skin conditions that we'd love to live without. That's why we go to great lengths to hide them from sight, often sacrificing summer fun like swimming or sun tanning.

Thankfully, 3D Skin Rejuvenation, which is available at major medical spas, effectively addresses multiple skin conditions including: redness, wrinkles, sun spots, sagging skin, and large pores. What's more, unlike other laser treatments that only address one or two conditions and therefore oblige you to combine treatments, 3D Skin Rejuvenation has all your skin needs covered!

This treatment is available to men and women of any age, and can be found at cutting-edge medical spas. While most commonly used on the face and neck, the treatment is excellent for hands, arms, and the abdomen (so you can feel confident in that new bikini). 3D Skin Rejuvenation is non-invasive, and results can be seen immediately, which means you can walk out of the medical spa and into a sizzling summer with confidence.

Pearl Photo Facials to Address Sun-Damaged Skin

Unfortunately, many skin problems are actually triggered by our love of summer. Alas, wrinkles, sun spots, and other skin can result from catching up on some rays. And while we try our best to protect our skin in the summer, sometimes our efforts still leave us with some damage or unsightly spots.

Fortunately, Pearl Photo Facials from leading medical spas are a non-invasive procedure that can reverse sun-related skin damage. And the news get even better: It only takes about 3-4 days for your damaged skin will peel off and reveal the fresh, bright, and beautiful skin hiding underneath.

Also remember that you can combine Pearl Photo Facials with other skin procedures to get the most out of your medical spa experience. That means you can take care of those other pesky skin problems, while taking a stand against existing sun damage!

LATISSE Eye Lash Enhancement for Glamorous and Low-Maintenance Lashes

With LATISSE, you can put your mascara tube aside for the summer without worrying about sparse, dull eyelashes. LATISSE is an eye lash enhancement product available at medical spas that helps you grow fuller, darker eyelashes in only 8-12 weeks. Imagine waking up on your summer vacation with beach-ready eyelashes. You won't have to worry about your mascara bleeding while in the sun or the water!

Plus, if you want to put on some extra eye makeup for an ultra-glam night on the town, it won't interfere with your LATISSE applications. So now, you can face the heat -- or all of your fun summer adventures -- with effective, safe and popular medical spa products like LATISSE.

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Grip, Lift and Rip: Implementing Sandbag Training in a Home Gym Workout - A Beginner's Guide

When the trend of fitness training began at about fifteen years ago, people really didn't care much for sandbag training. The fitness routines that were practiced at their home gym workout or at the gym mainly consisted mostly of generic workouts or aerobics. Fast forward fifteen years, and today, trained athletes, fitness specialists and the fitness industry in general have come to realize the importance of sandbag training.

Why Use a Sandbag?

First of all, sandbags are portable, which makes them great functional tools. They are also unstable, as far as lifting weights go, which can be an excellent addition to a person's workout routine and especially to a home gym workout.

The following are some of the reasons why sandbags are considered as the best home workout tools, and why you should be thinking of applying sandbag training to your gym in home workout.

Versatility:

It goes without saying that people look for versatility when choosing any form of equipment, especially for their home gym workout. With most of them having common concerns about money and time, it is often considered silly to invest great amounts of money into home gym equipment that has limited use. In this regard, sandbags offer the best home workout, since they can be used in a variety of exercises.

For instance, if one thinks that squatting is getting a bit too easy, they can do them while lifting a sandbag on one or both shoulders. A person can also hold a sandbag overhead, hold it in their arms like a zercher squat, or use it as a bear hug, etc. The versatility of a sandbag allows you to use your imagination while going through your gym in home workout.

Simplicity:

It may sound contradictory, but the most obvious reason for using a sandbag during a home gym workout is its simplicity. What makes sandbags some of the best home workout tools is the fact that one does not need to invest money for coaching or have to read complicated instruction manuals.

Rehabilitation:

If you happen to have an injury, incorporating certain sandbag movements into your gym in home workout routine can help build strength without risking any further damage to those muscles.

Improves Athleticism:

Training with a sandbag is also considered the best home workout, not only because it improves one's flexibility, but it is also a great way of enhancing a person's balance and endurance.

Sunday, May 5, 2013

What to Expect in Medical Spa Weight Loss Plans

Previously, we've focused on many of the medical treatments available at local medical spas to help you lose weight or slim down. And while all of these treatments are beneficial, quite often the best weight loss approach is to maintain a healthy diet.

Indeed, the professional staff and bariatric specialists at medical spas constantly study nutritional science in order to identify the best foods - including combination of foods - for losing weight. What's more, these doctors and other medical experts can review your medical history, your ongoing health concerns or conditions, and your overall weight goals to create a realistic nutrition strategy that works best for you.

In the remainder of this article, we'll look at what else medical spas can offer you with respect to weight loss programs, including: the benefits of weight loss programs, what to expect when you visit a medical spa, and importance of working with trained professionals. Ultimately, all of the information here is designed to help you get healthy, feel great and look your best!

The Benefits of a Weight Loss Plan
A weight loss plan from a medical spa gives you so much more than just instructions on how to follow a diet. Rather, a plan takes into account many different aspects of your lifestyle, and identifies what steps you need to take to reach your goals. It also provides you with a realistic framework of what you can expect, helps determine what steps to take along the way, identifies the ideal diet designed to shed pounds while meeting any dietary restrictions, and displays test results that give you valuable insights into what caused or causes you to gain weight.

And perhaps most importantly of all, a plan also gives you the motivation, guidance and encouragement you need to take - and keep - control of your weight, so that you can start seeing results!

What to Expect During your Medical Spa Visits
When you visit a medical spa for your first session, you should prepare to cover a lot of territory. Generally the process involves a consultation, followed by an exam performed by a doctor who specializes in bariatric medicine or nutrition. After that, your doctor will chat with you to collect more information about your medical history and other basic details, and then perform a body fat analysis, a Body Mass Index (BMI) measurement, and any other laboratory tests or EKGs as necessary. Once your doctor and her or his team have a solid understanding of your medical history and needs, it's time to discuss various options to find a diet that will achieve your weight loss goals while, of course, keeping you healthy.

The Benefits of Going to a Doctor-Owned Medical Spa for Your Weight Loss Program
Why are programs available at medical spas so successful? It's largely because each one is developed and implemented by an experienced doctor who truly understands the science of weight loss. What's more, these doctors are constantly learning, and as such they know how to separate facts from fiction, and other best practices in the field of non-invasive weight loss treatments.

Add it all up, and it simply and clearly means that when you go to a medical spa with bariatric specialists on staff, you can be assured that your personalized diet or weight loss plan will be safe, medically appropriate, and scientifically proven. What's more, you'll discover unparalleled insights into your root causes of weight gain, which will help you stay healthy and happy for decades to come!

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Alcohol Addiction - Behavioural or Chemical?

Understanding The Difference Between Behavioral and Chemical Addictions

Again I'll use simple terms to describe the differences. Very roughly it is estimated that it can take 7 or 8 years to reach alcoholism, that is a full blown chemical addiction. But what happens in the years preceding that? In my case the Alcoholism Stages were something like this:

  • First alcoholic drink at the age of 13. A half-pint can of Watneys Pale Ale.
  • First drunkenness at 16 at a wedding. 7 small cans of beer, or 3.1/2 pints
  • Got married at 20. My wife was very homesick initially, and I started to drink more to try to cope with it.
  • First child, a daughter, at 21.
  • Second child a son at 25, and by this time drinking spirits regularly
  • Pressure of work. An excuse for heavier drinking, and started getting objections to it from my wife and parents which I ignored.
  • Aged 28-29. Stopped drinking for 12 months.
  • Restarted drinking and back on it full blown within 2 weeks. Becomes a way of life.
  • 29-39 Alcoholism
  • 39-52 Dry

My estimate, or reckoning, is that my behavioral addiction turned to chemical addiction around the age of 29.

Behavioral Addiction

This is when a drinker's use of alcohol becomes a habit, then a way of life. At this stage it is reversible because if the drinker reforms, or cuts back they are still able to take alcohol, but in moderate quantities and still be in control of it.

For example, one may go to the pub every evening to enjoy the social atmosphere with other drinkers, or may enjoy a drink with company in one's own home. Nothing wrong in that you may say, but beware when you believe that you need drink to make a social gathering work. Alcoholism Warning Signs are when it becomes a habit initially, say to have a drink at lunchtime, another when coming home from work, then one or two in the evening. It becomes part of your life, part of your routine, and you find that it becomes a way of life. At this point you may even kid yourself you need a drink in the morning to help with facing up to the day ahead, and so on. You'll find that you are making the day revolve round drinking opportunities - and opportunities there are, but by this time you beginning to get devious. Hiding the bottles or receipts, disguising the alcohol in the glass with coke. Eating strong mints and so on. As this becomes full-blown,the change comes. You won't know exactly when it happens, but you find out the results later. The behavior dependency facts can be corroborated by any honest alcoholic.

Chemical Addiction

This is the stage from which there is no return. Quite simply there is a chemical reaction that occurs in the brain, an imbalance of chemicals that is like flicking a light switch. You have now become dependent on alcohol. You are unable to stop at one drink, and your drinking spirals out of control. You have one, then another, then another. Weekends and bank holidays stretch out endlessly, punctuated with drinking/sleeping/drinking. Weekdays not so bad because you can crash out into bed, until the next morning when you've got the Physical Effects Alcoholism brings: you feel nauseous, your head pounds, you shiver and sweat... You realize how bad the drink is making you feel, the terrible Effects of Alcohol, so you make a promise not to touch it for a day or a week. As soon as that time is up, your straight back on it.

My point is this. Most observers cannot understand why you can't control it, but when this stage is reached, it is literally impossible to stop at a single drink. And I mean literally. You have to have another, and another... It's a vicious illness, and that's what it has become, and you have to have the guts to face up to it that you're caught, trapped.

Kindly, well-meaning friends and family may try to help by offering to control your drinking by keeping the bottles out of sight and pouring you a drink at an agreed time. It never works, it can't do. The drinker goes underground with his own supply of liquor and drinks surreptitiously, deceitfully. Hiding places are found which only someone with experience of alcoholism could relate to. Toilet cisterns, inside the vertical vacuum cleaner, mixed with lemonade and left on a shelf in the garage, concealed in cans of cola to name a few.

What Do Behavioral Addiction and Chemical Addiction Have In Common?

Both are slowly killing you. You'll know about it from pain around your liver and kidney areas. You start vomiting and feeling nauseous even without the drink. You get shaking hands, your body shrieks at you to stop. You can't think clearly or concentrate, and you are wracked with guilt as you realize you made a fool of yourself again in front of friends. But very importantly, both behavioral addiction and chemical addiction bring out the base human traits of deception, deceit, lying, deviousness, cunning and so on. You become a very difficult person to live with. These chemical dependency facts are confirmed by my own experience.

Does This Ring Any Bells For Anybody Else?