Thursday, January 1, 2009

Tobacco Helps you Cope?

By Sara Mendez

I've helped a lot of people quit smoking. While doing this, I've been told a lot of reasons why it is good to smoke.

I've been told smoking sharpens your mind, relaxes you, calms you, keeps you from yelling at the kids (or spouse), tastes good with coffee, tastes better after a meal. In short, makes you feel "better". (I always ask "better than what"?)

You don't believe these reasons. Not really. If you did, you wouldn't also want to quit smoking. Right? Actually you CAN have it both ways. You can believe your reasons to smoke at the same time you don't believe them. It is the difference between 'knowing' something and 'feeling' something.

The obvious and overlooked part is you must have a strong reason to continue smoking or you would have already stopped. By the way, there is no law that says your reason to keep smoking has to make any logical sense. It rarely does.

Almost all of the reasons you continue smoking can easily be proven wrong. Example: Maybe smoking helps you relax during work breaks because you get away and go outside to do it.

Most of the time you KNOW the reason doesn't make sense. That doesn't change the craving though, does it? Just one more one more reason in your list of reasons to quit. A list that doesn't have much chance against the well-rooted cravings to smoke.

It's basically about two things. The motivation that smoking will make you feel better and the feeling that you're trying to feel better than. That is all.

If you're thirsty you crave something to drink. If you're hungry you crave food. If you feel bad (tired, stressed, overwhelmed, angry, lonely, whatever...) you want to feel good. And, whatever your mind has been taught feels good, you will crave.

This is simple explanation of a craving. Some smokers have more than one type of craving, the 'first thing in the morning' craving might feel different than the 'on the phone' craving.

So, what are you supposed to do? I can write several pages talking about this (and I have, look for them) But, it all comes down to modifying the feeling, motivation and belief involved.

First, feeling bad needs to be looked at and helped. If it's stress, get it managed, if it's a bad situation, do what you can to fix it or get help.

Second, you belief that smoking helps you feel good (it's probably the innocent mistake that smoking equals being an adult, in control, strong, capable, etc...) In truth, a cigarette is a plant leaf and chemicals wrapped in paper. The good feeling you're anticipating from smoking is created by your mind. YOU make yourself feel better when you smoke. So it only makes sense that you can make yourself feel good by doing something that is healthy. If, your mind believes it makes you feel good.

And that's the trick. Quit smoking is mainly about modifying behavior. That's why the success rate of medication and nicotine replacement alone is so poor. The only current exception is Chantix and even Pfizer, the makers of Chantix, recommend behavior modification along with the medication. - 15343

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What's The Best Way To Remove Stretch Marks?

By Rashel Dan

Aside from stretch marks being unsightly, they also cause discomfort. Because of the overall dryness of the skin around stretch marks, the individual can suffer from itchiness and even burning sensations.

The people most likely to have stretch marks are those in their puberty stage and those who are expecting. Both situations have one thing in common and that is rapid growth. For some people stretch marks are inevitable. But also do have options and it's up to them to choose the best way to remove stretch marks from their bodies.

Diet & Exercise

If you want to get rid or even prevent stretch marks from further developing, follow the a well-balanced diet and a regular exercise routine. A good diet consists of one that is rich with essential fats. You will want to stay away from foods that are rich in fatty acids that seem to collect in various parts of your body like in your thighs or buttocks. What you want to eat are foods like fish and vegetables. Fruits that will help make your skin "glow" are also advisable such as citrus fruits.

For your exercise routine, make sure that you do not exercise too much. This is especially important if you are a bodybuilder. Bodybuilding can speed up the process of muscle growth and if your dermis is not healthy enough, you might end up with stretch marks where those muscles grew.

Removal Creams & Lotions

Another option would be to use stretch mark creams and lotions. You can find these products from various companies. This is a great way to get rid of stretch marks especially if you do not want to go through a surgical procedure that will set you back hundreds of dollars. They are available over the counter and there are even some prescription remedies that a dermatologist can offer to you depending on the extent of stretch marks that have occurred on your body. This is the best way to remove stretch marks if you do not want to risk surgery.

The Laser

Laser treatment is also another option which is gaining popularity these days as stretch mark treatment. Laser treatment sessions are not cheap but they are a lot cheaper than they use to be when first introduced.

In this treatment, a laser is run over areas where you have stretch marks and the laser will literally burn away the stretch mark. This is one of the most effective ways to get rid of stretch marks because they are permanently removed.

There is also another way to get rid of stretch marks and that is through a surgical procedure known as dermabrasion. This involves skin being frozen for a time and then a special instrument is then used to smoothen the skin. It is quite complicated and may not be the best way to remove stretch marks especially since it is easier to go through laser treatment. However, it might be cheaper and it can only be done by a dermatologist surgeon. - 15343

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Dieting Doesn't Burn Fat

By Jason King

Any successful weight loss/fat burning program relies on a healthy diet. Without a carefully planned diet you won't be able to burn fat even with a good exercise program. An extra 10 minutes of cardio isn't go to burn off that burger you had at lunchtime.

Exercise is important when you're burning fat, and you must eat the right foods to give you the energy to exercise. A diet that has gotten a lot of media attention over the last few years is the low carb diet. And these fad diets have been backed by famous celebrities because of the rate in which they help you lose weight.

Low carb diets burn muscle as well as help you to lose fat from your body, and this muscle loss causes your metabolism to slow down. While you're on the diet you'll be happy at the weight you're losing, but when you start eating a normal diet again the pounds will pile back on with extra weight as well.

You need to exercise to speed up your metabolism, and you need to eat carbs to have the energy to exercise. Carbohydrates are also a feel good food. Depression soon sets in when you cut carbs from your diet. And a diet is suppose to make you feel good.

Low fat diets are another fad diet. You only need to start cutting down on your fat intake is if you're suffering from an illness such as heart disease. Fat is as important as any other macro nutrient if your goal is to lose weight.

You don't get fat by eating too much fat. Healthy, unsaturated fats play an important part in helping your body burn the fat it has stored already. Your body's cells rely on healthy fats such as Omega 3's to regenerate themselves. Your brain is largely made of fat, and these fats are food for the brain as well. many vitamins are fat soluble so your body needs fat to store and transport these to the cells in your body.

Protein is food for your muscles so this a very important for your weight loss program. Your muscle get bigger when you feed them, and then your metabolism increases. Your metabolic rate needs to be increased in order for you to burn fat. With a higher metabolic rate your body will burn more calories even while you're resting.

On top of your food combining you need to introduce a good exercise program into your fat burning regime. Your muscles will start to grow when you exercise, and you also burn extra calories. When your muscles grow you increase your metabolism, and your body burns fat faster then you could have imagined. - 15343

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Chlamydia 5 minute guide Chlamydia Quick guide

By Andrew Sutton

Chlamydia, often misspelt as clamidia / clamydia, is an extremely common sexually transmitted infection. Unfortunately, many people do not know enough STD facts to help prevent themselves from contracting infections such as chlamydia (clamidia / clamydia).

Chlamydia can affect anyone who is sexually active, as it can be spread through any kind of sexual act. Consequently, it is the most pervasive STD in Great Britain, and many sufferers are unaware that they been infected by it.

Symptoms include: a burning sensation when urinating, pain in the lower back and abdomen and discharge from the penis or vagina.

Chalamydia can, in the long term, cause serious fetility problems if undiagnosed, as well as affecting the health of the sufferer.

There is also an increased risk among females of catching HIV if you have contracted chlamydia.

If you think you have contracted chlamydia, which is sometimes wrongly spelt as clamidia or clamydia, you can go to your doctor for a simple swab test or urine sample which will be sent away and tested for infection with chlamydia (clamidia / clamydia). Your doctor can also provide you with STD facts to help you prevent any other infections contracted through sexual activity.

If you are found to have contracted chlamydia, doctors will prescribe a course of antibiotics. Your doctor will also advise that you let any previous partners know that you are having treatment for chlamydia, so that they can also get tested for it. Like other sexually transmitted infections, chlamydia is far quicker and simpler to treat if detected early.

The way to prevent and protect yourself from chlamydia (as well as other STI's) is to ensure that a condom is used during sexual intercourse. It is also important to use any information on STD facts available to you, and to follow the aforementioned steps if you do contract chlamydia. - 15343

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Jewelry Making for Fun and Profit

By Ethan O. Tanner

An familiar proverb articulates that work isn't really work if you take pleasure in what you're doing. If one of your spare-time activities is jewelry making, why not modify this activity into a lucrative enterprise? You already enjoy it anyway, and it wouldn't take too much extra effort to share your jewelry creations with others who would respect them and be willing to pay for them. With a little extra work, time management and discipline, jewelry making is an excellent method to have fun and earn a bit of extra income on the side.

Whether you're just beginning your entrance into the jewelry making line of business or whether you're already a professional jeweler, there are always various key aspects to regard. First, it's fundamental to have a decent work space where you can work unbothered for a set duration of time every day and where you can keep your jewelry making materials and instruments. It doesn't have to be a humongous space, just a corner or room where you can center on bringing your thoughts to life and set yourself aside from unwanted distractions.

If you haven't already, decide on the kind of jewelry you are going to make. If you're just getting your feet wet in the jewelry making arena, start out with something simple. Think about what type of jewelry you'd enjoy and feel comfortable wearing and go on from there. Whatever materials you might need are readily available either on the Internet or in a physical retail store. Then, as you become more adept at what you're doing, you can start exploring other, more complex jewelry making techniques. Remember, there is a plethora of information resources to help you make money from your hobby: books, specialty magazines, the Internet, and other jewelry makers.

After you've constructed a fair amount of jewelry items, there are strides you can take to get other people curious about them. Be a walking advertisement for your jewelry making enterprise. Show off some of your art pieces whenever you go out: wear them to work, when you head to the store, or when you attend parties. In addition, the spoken word is an effective way to inform other people about your jewelry making endeavor. Reveal some of your finished artistry to family and friends, and encourage them to spread the word.

The most valuable thing to remember is that you retain your enjoyment in jewelry making and that you pride yourself in your creations. Your love for this avocation and business will provide you with mental and financial rewards. Your passion for jewelry making will be the utmost agent in nurturing your creative thinking level and it will permit you to invent the designs that appreciative clients will buy. Always keep the 'fun' factor in jewelry making, as this will be mirrored in your portfolio, and the 'revenue' element will succeed. - 15343

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Ways to Get Rid of Cellulite Quickly

By Jessica J Kavanaugh

Cellulite occurs when the fat underneath the skin becomes lumpy and is often seen on the thighs, buttocks and stomach. The condition occurs mostly in women and the risk of being affected increases as a woman becomes older. Most women will have cellulite in their 30's but it can occur earlier or later. Getting rid of cellulite is difficult but there are various methods available that can help you to reduce its appearance.

The number one cause of cellulite is too much fat. The condition occurs at the level below the skin where there exists a thin layer of fat. When a person is overweight the fat here becomes lumpy and uneven which causes the skin above to become dimpled. Research has shown that women will add around 15 pounds of fat every decade and this is one of the major contributors to cellulite. The first step in losing cellulite is to start eating more healthy foods and increase your intake of water.

But a diet change is only half the battle if you don't incorporate exercise in to your lifestyle. To do this you should focus on cardiovascular exercise and weight training to ensure that you build muscle to replace the fat that you burn.

When choosing a cardiovascular exercise you can do any type that is able to get your heart rate elevated quickly and for an extended period of time, and that will burn fat. This could include walking, cycling or stair climbing.

When choosing a muscle building exercise you should choose one that focuses on the problem area. So, for example, if your problem area is your thighs then you should select an exercise like lunges, leg press or squats as these will tone the area around the cellulite and help increase the muscle. Make sure you exercise these muscles intensively.

Stretching is also an important part of your exercise routine. While this won't reduce cellulite directly it will keep your muscles long and flexible, and decrease the chance of your getting an injury from the intense workout.

A quick and simple way to reduce the appearance of cellulite is to get a spray on tan. Making the skin dark will reduce the appearance of the dimples. However, don't get a tan from the sun or tanning bed as the UV rays can do harmful things to skin that will actually increase the cellulite. - 15343

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Gemstone Give Jewelry Life

By Ernst Ralborg

Forget plain, old colorless diamonds. Today, the jewelry stores are alive with color and colorful jewelry is becoming a mainstay of the high fashion set. It used to be the case that colorful jewelry meant rubies that your grandmother wore, but that is no longer the case. Now, from sapphires and topaz to emeralds and onyx, jewelry pops with every color under the rainbow.

Of course, now that gemstone jewelry is becoming more and more popular, it can be hard to find a truly unique piece that will make you stand out from the crowd. Where can you go to stay on the cutting edge of gemstone jewelry and still be the only one in the room who has the accessories that you have? Where can you find unique celtic engagement rings you've always wanted? The following places should be tops on your list.

Gemstone Jewelry Styling Events

Chances are, your local jewelry hosts styling events at least once a month, and these events are great ways to get in on the new designs before anyone else. During styling events, jewelers come to the store and bring with them a huge selection of loose gemstones and different settings from which to choose. Although the settings are technically pre-designed, you can be assured that they are the latest the designers have to offer.

An added bonus of shopping for jewelry this way is that the jeweler is only around for a limited time, so often your brand new piece of jewelry is created on the spot, or at least within a few hours of you picking it out, so you can start enjoying it right away. This includes necklaces, earrings or even engagement rings.

Custom Gemstone Jewelry Designers

Another way to find your dream piece of designer gemstone jewelry is to pay a visit to a custom jewelry designer who is well versed in working with gemstones. Custom jewelry designers usually keep a selection of gemstones on hand for customers to see, but if they don't have exactly what you want, they can usually get it for you very easily. Custom jewelry designers can't work as fast as the jewelers in styling events, especially if you decide to special order something, but they can design everything for you, from the setting up, so that extra time will pay off with the piece of jewelry of your dreams.

If you can't bring yourself to wear the paltry styles of gemstone jewelry in the shops that everyone else is throwing on, these two options can help you get jewelry with that "wow" factor you are after. In fact, you are really limited only by your imagination, so get designing and get the perfect piece of gemstone jewelry for you. - 15343

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