Kettlebell Use Offers Impressive Benefits For Users

Kettlebell training offers additional richness to an exercise program. A kettlebell is an exercise tool that resembles a bowling ball with a handle. Made of cast-iron, kettlebells come in a variety of weight options, from 8 pounds to 105 pounds. Historically, evidence of kettlebell use in Ancient Greece has been found. Since the early 1700s, Russian athletes have developed kettlebell use. Beginning in the late 1990s, kettlebell use has become more popular in the West.

Beginning users may find the movements involved to be awkward and difficult, but with proper training and practice, kettlebell use offers many benefits including cardiovascular, strength, and flexibility training. Kettlebell training typically includes a series of many repetitions of movements. Exercises may include the typical movements involved with barbells and other conventional weights.

kettlebell

Additionally, movements specific to kettlebells include snatches, wings, cleans, and jerks. During these movements, several muscle groups come into play. This combination improves strength and cardiovascular strength simultaneously.

Research shows that a twenty minutes workout with a kettlebell burns the same amount of calories as a person who runs a 6 minute mile. This level of calorie burn indicates a high level of cardiovascular exercise. Users of kettlebells also improve flexibility. They typically see improvement in mobility and range of motion. Core strength is also improved. The combination of all three aspects of exercise combined into one activity is unusual and speaks to a high level of efficiency for the programs using a kettlebell.

While kettlebell training is a highly efficient workout, it also provides benefits that make it more likely to be a consistently used program. The kettlebell is a single, compact tool that can be stored in a variety of convenient places. Workouts can be performed anywhere without the cost of a gym membership. Travelers can carry their kettlebells, making it less likely to miss workouts. Kettlebell workouts typically take less time because of the efficiency of movements. Users benefit by being able to workout when they choose for a shorter period of time.

In addition to time management benefits, the workouts with kettlebells are stimulating compared to conventional workouts. Users are not as likely to be bored and give up. The exercises require focus. The routines inspire a feeling of success that can not be gained on a treadmill. Kettlebell users experience efficient exercises, efficient use of time, and stimulating workouts.

Finally, kettlebell workouts are relevant. The movements within the workouts lend themselves to real life. For example, carrying groceries, picking up children, performing chores, and various other daily activities can be seen within the movements of kettlebell exercises. The workouts strengthen the core as well as other muscle groups that are needed in life.

This relevance makes the exercise mean more and inspires consistent use. The use of a kettlebell becomes a lifestyle, not just an exercise. Considering the many benefits of kettlebell use, it is no wonder that the tool is gaining popularity. Any tool that includes all three aspects of exercise in one workout, can be stored and used anywhere, banishes boredom, and relates to real-life needs is sure to become a staple within the exercise world.

10 Skin Care Tips You Should Follow Daily

Healthy skin is really one of the most important ingredients for beauty-enhancement. This article on skin care tips is an effort to bring the 10 best skin care tips to you.

The list of skin care tips has been restricted to 10 because anything more than that would not only be difficult to remember, but also shadow the more important skin care tips. So let’s see what these top ten skin care tips are:

skin care

  • Knowing your skin type is one of the most important skin care tip. This is important because not every skin care product suits everyone. In fact, all the skin care products specify the type of skin they cater too.

  • ‘Drink a lot of water’. This will not keep your skin moist but will help in overall upkeep of your health (and in turn your skin). It might seem a bit awkward to some, however, this is an important skin care tip.

  • Cleanse your skin regularly (1-2 times every day).  A very effective skin care tip that helps in getting rid of the dirt and other harsh elements from your skin. Cleansing is especially important when you have been out of your house (and hence exposed to pollutants, dust etc.). This skin care tip also advocates the use of Luke warm water for cleansing (hot and cold water, both, cause damage to your skin)

  • Be gentle, after all it’s your skin. Don’t scrub/exfoliate too hard or too often. Similarly, don’t apply too much or too many skin care products. A must-to-follow skin care tip.

  • Keep your skin moist at all times. This is one of the most important skin care tip.  Don’t let your skin get dry. Dryness causes the outer layer of your skin to break, leading to a rough and unattractive appearance. Use moisturizers/ emollients. Moisturizers work best when applied while the skin is still damp.

  • Avoid the use of soap on your face. Soap should only be used from below the neck. A small but important skin care tip.

  • Use sunscreen to protect yourself from sun’s harmful UV radiations. You can use day-time moisturizers that have sunscreen built into them. Use them even when it’s cloudy. UV radiations are known to cause skin cancer, so follow this skin care tip without fail.

  • A bit of exercise and good sleep are essential too, not just for skin care but for your health as a whole. Lack of sleep can lead to formation of wrinkles below your eyes and lack of exercise can cause your skin to slack. Moreover, exercise and sleep also help in beating stress.  So besides being a skin care tip, this is also a health care tip.

  • Treat skin dilemmas with care.  This skin care tip is about not ignoring any skin dilemmas. Consult your dermatologist before you go on to use a skin care product (lest you do end up harming your skin even more).

  • Beat the stress. The harmful effects of stress are known to everyone, however, sometimes stating the obvious is essential too (and hence this skin care tip found its place here). Yes, stress harms skin too. So, take a break or indulge in a warm bubble bath or just get good sleep.

Medical Treatment for Adrenal Fatigue

Adrenal glands are an important part of your body. They are, “small, triangular-shaped endocrine glands, situated on the top of the kidneys. These glands regulate body’s stress response through the synthesis of catecholmines and corticosteroids, including adrenaline and cortisol.

Stress is usually the reason behind adrenal fatigue. Excessive stress may be due to work pressure, moving, change in job, death of a beloved one, marital problems and physical illness. Some other factors that contribute to adrenal stress are fear, anger, guilt, depression, anxiety, excessive exercise, physical or mental strain, sleep deprivation, trauma/injury, surgery, toxic exposure, chronic pain, chronic infection, maldigestion, malabsorption, chronic illness, low blood sugar and nutritional deficiencies.

Adrenal

Adrenal Fatigue is a condition that was first described in medical texts in the 1800’s. However, over most of the last one hundred years, doctors argued as to whether it was a legitimate medical condition or not. The main stumbling block to the recognition of Adrenal Fatigue as a scientifically valid medical condition was that science had yet to determine a way to test for its existence.

There are so many symptoms for adrenal fatigue. For instance, it causes weight gain, and an inability to lose the weight. There is also “High frequency of getting the flu and other respiratory diseases that tends to resist treatments” and “Experiencing upper back or neck pain with no apparent cause.” Next, there is reduced sex drive. There is also the difficulty in waking up in the mornings. Also forgetfulness is another symptom of adrenal fatigue.

There are more symptoms: there is the feeling of being lethargic in the evenings and still being unable to sleep. Furthermore, there are “cravings for salty, fatty, and high protein foods such as meat and cheese,” and an increase of PMS symptoms for women. It does not stop there. The “periods are heavy and then stop, only to start flow again a couple days later.

Proponents of the adrenal fatigue diagnosis claim this is a mild form of adrenal insufficiency caused by chronic stress. The unproven theory behind adrenal fatigue is that your adrenal glands are unable to keep pace with the demands of perpetual fight-or-flight arousal.

Take your blood pressure while sitting down. Then, stand up and immediately take your blood pressure again. Your systolic (first) number should have raised 8 to 10 mm. If it dropped, you probably have adrenal fatigue. Pupil dilation exam — (Equipment required: Flashlight and a mirror) Look into the mirror and shine the flashlight into the pupil of one eye. It should contract. If after 30 seconds, it stays the same or, even worse, dilates, you most likely have adrenal fatigue. Pain when pressing on adrenal glands (located over kidneys).

Kettlebell Training Works Efficiently and Effectively For Overall Improvement in Health

Americans love efficiency. In almost every activity of life, from work to chores at home, Americans prefer to gain as much as possible in the shortest amount of time. This preference stems from the hectic schedules most Americans have. They want to spend the greatest amount of time on their top priorities, and exercise is generally not a top priority. For this reason, an exercise technique that offers a high level of efficiency is sure to gain popularity among Americans.

Over the last decade, this trend has proven to be true. Developed in Russia over the course of centuries, kettlebell training developed as a body building technique and grew to include many athletes because of its efficiency and level of effectiveness. Kettlebell training offers strength training, intensive cardiovascular exercise, and flexibility improvement within one workout.

kettlebell training

The anatomy of the kettlebell itself provides insight into its potential effectiveness. The kettlebell is composed of cast-iron. It is typically described as a ball with a handle. The weight options vary from small to extremely heavy. Users may typically grasp the kettlebell in three positions depending upon the move performed. The handle is the most common place to hold; the horns offer another place to grasp; and the base, or ball itself, offers the most stability though it is the heaviest portion of the kettlebell.

A variety of movements may be performed with a kettlebell. Beginning users should seek appropriate training. Although kettlebell training can be therapeutic for back injuries, using the equipment incorrectly could lead to further damage and injury. Kettlebell training exercises can consist of typical exercises that would be used with conventional weights. Additional, more effective exercises include snatches, wings, cleans, and jerks, among other kettlebell exercises.

Studies demonstrate that active kettlebell exercises of a twenty minute duration burn the same amount of calories as a person running a mile in six minutes. That level of intensity indicates a high level of cardiovascular activity. While this highly intense cardiovascular exercise occurs, kettlebell activity simultaneously strenthens muscle. The user lifts and swings heavy kettlebells, developing muscle and strength. Holding the kettlebell and maintaining balance also provides core strengthening at the same time. Kettlebell exercise provides core strength training, muscle training, flexibility training, all while providing a highly intense cardiovascular workout.

Other elements involved in kettlebell workouts provide benefit as well. Because the activity works out several muscle groups at once, calories continue to burn even after activity ceases. Not only do calories burn during muscle repair, the increase of muscle mass raises the resting metabolism of the individual. These factors increase the ability of kettlebell training to burn calories and lead to highly efficient fat loss.

Kettlebell training increases other areas that lead to higher metabolism. Flexibility, posture, and muscle mass all influence metabolism. Great improvement can be seen in these areas following kettlebell training. Kettlebell exercises are quite specific; training is essential when beginning a kettlebell routine. However, consistent kettlebell training leads to higher metabolism, toned definition, cardiovascular health, improved flexibility, stronger cores, and an overall more healthy body.

 

An Herbal Approach to Skin Care

Skin care is not a topic of recent times; it has been in practice since ancient times, when herbal skin care was probably the only way to take care of skin. However, skin care has transformed in a big way. Herbal skin care routines have been replaced by synthetic/chemical-based skin care routines.

The herbal skin care recipes which once used to be common place are not so popular today (and even unknown to a large population). This transformation from herbal skin care to synthetic, can probably be attributed to two things – our laziness (or just the fast pace of lives) and the commercialization of skin care.

herbal

Even herbal skin care products have been commercialized. These commercial herbal skin care products have to be mixed with preservatives in order to increase their shelf-life, hence making them less effective than the fresh ones made at home. However, it seems that things are changing fast and more people are now opting for natural and herbal skin care routines. But still, none want to make them at home and hence the commercial market of herbal skin care products is on the rise.

So, what are these herbs or herbal skin care mechanisms?

Aloe Vera, which is an extract from Aloe plant, is one of the best examples of herbal skin care product. Freshly extracted aloe Vera is a natural hydrant that helps in soothing skin. It also helps in healing cuts and treating sun burns.

A number of herbs are known to possess cleansing properties. Dandelion, chamomile, lime flowers and rosemary herbs, are a few examples of such cleansers. Their herbal skin care properties get invoked when they are combined with other herbs like tea.

Antiseptics are another important part of Herbal skin care. Lavender, marigold, thyme and fennel are good examples of herbs that are known to possess antiseptic properties. Lavender water and rose water also form good toners.

Tea plays an important part in herbal skin care. Tea extracts are used for treatment of skin that has been damaged by UV radiation.

Oils prepared from herbal extracts present another means of herbal skin care. Tea tree oil, Lavender oil, borage oil and primrose oil are some popular oils used in herbal skin care. Some fruit oils (e.g. extracts from fruits like banana, apple and melon) find use in shower gels (as a hydrating mix)

Homeopathic treatments and aromatherapies also come under the umbrella of herbal skin care remedies.

Herbal skin care is good not only for the routine nourishing of skin but also for treatment of skin disorders like eczema and psoriasis. Most herbal skin care products don’t have any side effects (the most important reason for preferring them over synthetic products) Moreover, herbal skin care products can be easily made at home, hence making them even more attractive. So, herbal skin care is the way to go.

However, this does not mean that you totally discard the synthetic products. Some people go to the extent of debating with their dermatologist, if he/she suggests a synthetic product. You should accept the fact that some skin orders might need usage of clinically proven non-herbal skin care products.

How to Beat the Mental Fatigue Associated with Stress?

It is harder to deal with stress the older you get as the pressures of work, personal life, friendships, relationships, and dreams, goals, benchmarks become more demanding. So, what is a guy or gal to do?

First, there are cardinal rules about taking care of yourself. You probably know them: eat well and sleep well. Alan Li writes, “The simplest method for beating fatigue is to get enough sleep each night. Build a routine. Go to bed at the same hour every day and try getting up at the same time each morning. Make sure not to distract yourself by reading or watching TV late into the night and take whatever precautions you need to get an uninterrupted night’s sleep. Also, begin a regular exercise routine. Being in better shape gives you more energy to burn.

stress

Li explains, Eating regular nutritious meals helps your body keep in tip-top shape and lets you perform better. Be sure to eat breakfast, because failing to do so can leave you sluggish for the entire day. If you can’t find the time eat a healthy breakfast, consider snacking more often between meals to make up for it. Avoid eating junk foods with high fat and sugar content. The point is to make sure your daily meals are nutritious, healthy, and with controlled portions. Make sure you are drinking lots of water, taking lots of walks, moving your body as much as possible.

The stressors of a daily job, relationships, friendships, dating, marriage, engagement, or whatever is stressful for you, are plenty to handle. So, try to give yourself time outs, a leisure time, If removing these factors is impossible or impractical, try taking some time out of each day to listen to music, take a hot bath or doing anything else that you consider relaxing. Use your leisure time for relaxing rather than mulling over problems.

Finally, know your body and mind. Get to know when you are okay and when you are under the weather. And when you are under the weather, seek help. Seek medical help. As someone with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, I can tell you that I was used to living with the stress. But it does not have to be like this. You can relax. You can handle the deadlines, the fights, the pressures to perform at a high level.

Sometimes, you just need to have the right team on your side, cheering you on, supporting you, and giving you the help you need. It is not vain to need someone on your team. If anything, it gives you the courage, the confidence, the extra oomph to face daily struggles.

Dry Skin – The Recipe for Skin Care

Dry skin cannot be ignored. Dry skin leads to cracking of the upper layer of skin and gives it a real bad appearance. The main causes of dry skin include: dry climate, hormonal changes, too much exfoliation and treatment of other skin disorders. Moreover, dryness could be the inherent nature of one’s skin. Whatever be the cause, ‘dry skin care’ is very important (but not very difficult).

Dry skin care’ starts with moisturizers, the most effective remedy for dry skin. Generally, moisturizers are classified under 2 categories based on the way they provide ‘dry skin care’.

The first category includes moisturizers that provide ‘dry skin care’ just by preserving the moisture within the skin e.g. Vaseline. These moisturizers are relatively inexpensive and are readily available (even at grocery shops).

The second category includes moisturizers that work by drawing moisture from the environment and supplying it to the skin. This is a very effective way of ‘dry skin care’ in humid conditions. The moisturizers that provide ‘dry skin care’ in this way are also called humectants. For proper dry skin care, you must use a non-greasy type of moisturizer, as far as possible. Humectants fall in this category. The ingredients of humectants include propylene glycol, urea, glycerin, hyaluronic acid etc.

‘Dry skin care’ is not about just using moisturizers but also using them properly. The best ‘dry skin care procedure’ is to cleanse the skin before the application of moisturizer. You can make your ‘dry skin care’ even more effective by applying the moisturizer while the skin is still damp (after cleansing). Also, make sure that you use soap-free products (especially on your face, neck and arms). Exfoliation does help in dry skin care, by removing the dead skin cells. However, don’t exfoliate too hard. Your dry skin care procedures/products should also take care of sun protection. Avoid too much and too direct exposure to sun (simply by using an umbrella/hat etc.). Use a good sunscreen lotion before going out. A lot of moisturizers provide sun protection too, along with dry skin care.

You also have natural products for ‘dry skin care’ i.e. products that provide ‘dry skin care’ in a natural way (without the use of synthetic chemicals). These dry skin care products supply lipid enhancements to the skin, hence enabling moisture retention within the skin. Another, important thing for ‘dry skin care’ is the temperature of water you use for shower or for washing your face – Use warm water; too hot or too cold water can cause dryness too.

‘Dry skin care’ is also about being gentle with your skin. You should avoid harsh detergents and alcohol based cleansers. Also, after a face wash, do not rub your towel on your face, just pat gently to soak the water off.

Overall, dry skin care is really simple for anyone who takes that seriously.

When Does Fatigue Start in Early Pregnancy?

Fatigue starts, for some people, right away during a pregnancy. Trying to pinpoint and make general statements about pregnancy for everyone. According to Mayo Clinic, “Fatigue also ranks high among early symptoms of pregnancy. During early pregnancy, levels of the hormone progesterone soar — which can put you to sleep. At the same time, lower blood sugar levels, lower blood pressure and increased blood production might team up to sap your energy.

As early as the first few weeks of pregnancy , hormones can rage as your body works to create and grow a tiny new life. Your body is working so hard that it’s no wonder one of the earliest signs of pregnancy is fatigue, which the American Pregnancy Association says can set in within as little as one or two weeks after conception.

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Between two to eight weeks, “Nausea is often one of the first warning signs that women may recognize as pregnancy. It can happen as quickly as the second week after conception , says the Mayo Clinic. While commonly classified as “morning sickness,” nausea in early pregnancy can occur at any time of day.

Afterwards, six to eight weeks later, your body starts to develop further. “Within six to eight weeks after conception, as your uterus expands, you may find yourself needing to urinate far more frequently. The American Pregnancy Association says that increased urination is a telltale sign of pregnancy. You may also find yourself craving certain foods, whether it’s pickles and ice cream or a big pizza. Food aversions also commonly appear within the first month or two after conception, and you may notice that some of your favorite foods suddenly make your stomach turn.

According to whattoexpect.com, there are so many tips to keep in mind. First, “Listen to your body. If you’re tired, rest. Pace yourself, keeping your body’s message in mind — and don’t try to be super (expectant) mom. Let the dishes wait until later, and turn the other way as the dust bunnies breed under your dining table. Don’t book activities — or take care of chores — that aren’t essential. Never been a napper — or a slacker? There’s never been a better time to try those on for size.

Another piece of advice is,  Ask for help. Don’t play the mother-to-be martyr. Let your partner know exactly how sapped you are, so he can do his fair share (and then some). If your friends or family ask if they can give you a hand, say yes — always! Having a pal pick up some groceries for you can mean you might actually have enough energy left to drag yourself out for a walk (before you drag yourself into bed).

A Comparison Of Kettlebell Training To Regular Weight Training

Strength training is a critical element of any exercise program. Increasing muscle promotes fat loss and increases resting metabolism. The conventional methods of strength training generally include weight training of some sort. Kettlebells offer an alternative to traditional weight training, and this style of weight training may offer some surprising advantages over regular weight training.

Kettlebell training involves specific rhythmic movements of a kettlebell. Kettleballs are objects made of cast iron that resemble a ball with a handle. They range in weight from less than ten pounds to over 100 pounds. Kettlebells have seen regular use in Russia for hundreds of years. In recent decades, they are becoming more popular in the West because of the varying aspects that benefit cardiovascular health, strength, and flexibility.

kettlebell

Compared to regular weight training, kettlebell training offers several additional advantages. While all of the traditional exercises with weights can be performed with kettlebells, several exercises are specific to kettlebells. Regular weight training typically targets specific muscle groups, but with kettlebell training, several muscle groups operate to perform the movements. The two types of weight training, regular and kettlebell, offer similar results, but kettlebell training takes less time because it works several areas at once. Regular weight training is generally done separately from cardiovascular training.

However, kettlebell training offers intensive cardiovascular exercise simultaneous to strength training. The same is true for improvements in core strength and flexibility. Because of the asymmetrical nature of the kettleball, training requires improvement in balance. Additionally, the movements involved require full range of motion that improves flexibility while it strengthens the core. When comparing regular weight training to kettlebell training, the differences are seen in the advantages stemming from kettlebell training.

While kettlebell training offers additional benefits to cardiovascular health, flexibility, and core strength, the strength training gained from kettlebell training remains as effective as weight training, possibly more so. As with weight training, should the person desire bulk, they should use a heavier kettlebell. Should the person simply desire toning and weight loss, lighter kettlebells suffice. Specific areas can still be targeted with kettlebells. A person can still perform bicep curls, tricep curls, and other exercises associated with regular weight training.

However, kettlebells increase the effectiveness of the workout with exercises including the snatch, wing, clean, jerk, and others. Additionally, many prefer kettlebell training because it simulates real world activities, like carrying children or groceries. The muscles groups required for situations faced in life are actually the muscle groups developed. Comparatively, regular weight training focuses on the development of the muscle in a standing or lying position. These exercises do not relate to real-life needs as kettlebell exercises do.

When comparing regular weight training to kettlebell training, the results to strength training are similar. The differences include the time necessary to see the same results, the additional cardiovascular workout, the strengthening of the core, and the improvements to flexibility. Kettlebell training should be initially approached with the tutelage of an expert who can teach the proper technique and ensure the movements are done safely. When done safely, kettlebell training is highly effective for numerous areas of physical health, including strength training.

Caring for Your Skin – Skin Cream Verses Lotion

There is no dearth of skin care creams and lotions in the market. Name an ailment, and you will find hundreds of skin care creams, lotions and other products for it. As a result of ongoing research and due to ever increasing demand, the number of skin care products seems to be on the increase. Skin care lotions and skin care creams are the most popular forms in which these products are available, and there always seems to be a debate on which form is better?

Well, there is no definitive answer to this. It seems more like a matter of personal choice. However, greasy creams are surely less popular as compared to the non-greasy (or less greasy) ones. Since the application of skin care creams is easier, they seem to be preferred (over lotions) in cases where the skin care product is not to be removed immediately after application.

skin

So, skin care creams seem more popular as moisturizers than as cleansers or toners. For toners, lotions seem to be preferred over skin care creams. There are some skin care creams that acts as toners too, but generally the toners are available in liquid form only. For cleansing, lotions and skin care creams are equally popular; however, the tilt seems more towards lotions.

Creams are known to be most effective in keeping skin moist; hence, the most popular form of skin care creams is moisturizers. Due to the same reason, a lot of people tend to associate skin care creams with dry and sensitive skin. Though it is true to a certain extent, skin care creams are not used only for dry skin, they are also used for making products for oily skin e.g. vitamin A creams and Sulphur creams that help reduce the rate of sebum production.

Skin care creams are also used for products that cater to skin disorders especially for disorders that require the application of product over a small localized area. This is again due to the fact that skin care creams are easier to apply (without wastage) on the affected area. However, in cases where skin needs to be washed using a medicine/product, lotion is a better choice. Mostly, the manufacturers to realize this fact, making it easier for you to choose between a lotion and a skin care cream

Eye-creams and anti-ageing creams are other examples where skin care cream is preferred over its lotion counterpart.

Whatever your choice be, cream or lotion, knowing how to use it effectively, is more important than anything else.