Those who killed themselves this year

With suicide rates hitting the roof in medical and technical institutes, here's a round up of the list this year.

Name: G. Varalakshmi ( 18) of Vignan Engineering College, Hyderabad
When: January 30, 2011
A first year BTech student of Hayathnagar ( a sub- urban town of AP), Varalakshmi succumbed to burn injuries. Unable to bear the harassment by the college management for not being able to pay tuition fee, she committed suicide. The delay was caused by the state government not granting fee reimbursement.

Name: Manish Kumar ( 20) of IIT Roorkee
When: February 6, 2011
His death was IIT Roorkee’s first suicide. A second year student from Muzaffarnagar, Manish jumped off the fifth floor of his hostel. Kumar’s family alleged that he took killed himself after a few senior students made “ casteist” remarks about him.

Name: Linesh Mohan Gawle of National Institute of Immunology, Delhi
When: April 16, 2011
Linesh Mohan Gawle, a PhD student committed suicide in his hostel room. He came from a poor Dalit family who lived in Dindori tehsil near Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. Reasons for his suicide remain unknown.

Most suicide cases are reported in technical and medical institutes. Is stress and pressure from friends and parents too much to tackle? What could be done to stop this?

Should you have sex with friends?

While friends with benefits (FWB) may sound convenient, tread carefully in these torrid waters. Read the complete manual on FWB, along with the risks involved.

Meet the new-age Indian woman. She's sexy as hell. She's smart. She pays her own bills. And she wants to have sex with you. Just sex, no strings attached. What's the catch? She's a friend. 'As long as she's not related to me, how does it matter?' you think. Because when it comes to sex and relationships, we end up colouring outside the lines anyway. So unfolds a new pact between Venus and Mars: Friends with Benefits.

Yes, if you're bored. You've been playing lap dog for more tears and less sex and even then it's the same monotonous missionary with the same girl. Your balls are tied up on a short leash while mini-skirted beauties pass you by. 'Nuff said. Maybe, if you're drained out.

You're in control.
A rebound's aim is to distract. "If you're fresh out of a relationship, you're looking to numb yourself from the pain," says Indore-based sexologist Dr Mahesh Nawal, MBBS, ACST. "You shouldn't expect the same emotional security you once received. For that matter, you shouldn't have any expectations apart from great chemistry."

Your needs match...
Joanna Grover, 21 was coerced into a relationship for six months by her ex, "because he'd convinced himself that sleeping together would give a shot at a relationship-but he forgot to ask me if I had the same feelings or not." A lot of women and men sleep with their friends in the hope that it will eventually lead to a relationship, says Bhalla.
A US study found that depressed single women were more likely to have more casual sex than happier singles. Depressed people, especially 'women seek out sexual intimacy to make themselves feel more secure,' says Sabura Allen, a clinical psychologist.

You are both horny..
Sex is no longer a dirty crime committed before marriage. When you need it, you need it. It doesn't justify paying for a hooker, which anyway ups your risk of STDs (you still have some self-respect.) "But if she's comfortable with you and vice versa," why shouldn't you give in to your bodily needs?" says Dr Nawal. Practice safe sex-people assume that because this is their friend, they can trust that he or she will not have any disease and therefore may not feel as compelled to practice safe sex, says Justin Lehmiller, a US-based psychologist. What's more 'friends with benefits' are 44 per cent more likely to be polygamous than people who first have sex as committed partners, he adds.

But beware...

You might get attached.

The same US study reported that only 10 per cent of such relationships evolve into romantic ones and more than half developed feelings for their partners at some point in the relationship. And just so you know, it's not only the women. "It's not a free breakfast-ultimately, when your feelings are not reciprocated, the relationship turns sour and you run the risk of ruining a good friendship as well,"

You're wasting money..

It's typically acceptable to go Dutch or take turns to pick dinner tabs when you're friends, but the minute you're in an FWB relationship, things change. Technically you're not dating, so should you be footing the bills for her maintenance? "Chivalry's still not dead, so women would still expect you to pay most of the time, but stop to consider if you're paying for everything!" says Dr Samir Parikh, HOD, mental health and behavioural sciences, Max Healthcare, New Delhi. Hint: When she expects you to fuel her car up every time or get her salon bills.

You can't stay alone..

"If you end up sleeping with the same friend between relationships, you're weakening yourself mentally," quips Dr Nawal. You don't have the propensity to survive on your own. "If she's still waiting for you, then she's clearly more emotionally involved, which is not something you want to face," he says. Nobody wants a whining Siamese twin in an emotionally detached relationship, after all. It'll kill the chemistry and show you as a desperate wannabe who's using her.

You are missing out..

It's like being caught in limbo-both of you are elevated above the position of friends, yet you haven't gained the priority of that 'special someone'. "It's harder for Indian men and women to talk, meet and date strangers-our society just doesn't function as fast as the West," says Dr Nawal. So when you've already found someone, you're cutting into your already limited chances of running into the perfect woman. And when either of you do, the other person loses a bit of that pedestal he or she's been placed on, making them resentful. "Everybody likes a fair amount of attention," says Dr Parikh. "When it's taken away or given to someone else, questions are bound to pop up and invariably you end up being the guilty party."

So, when should you call it quits?..

When the dreaded question arises, "So, where are we?" And if you think, this doesn't happen in an FWB relationship, you're misinformed. "It'll either manifest itself in your head or be brought up by her eventually," says Bhalla. In a US study, more than half the respondents involved in FWB relationships indicated they were consistently asking themselves what kind of a relationship they were in, such as how to make sense of it. Yet, 84 per cent of them didn't initiate any discussion because they felt awkward talking about it, or feared losing a friend, 73 per cent didn't talk about ground rules and only nine per cent could muster up the courage to bring up the topic as jokes. "The topic can be mentally draining, especially when asked by the other party," says Dr Nawal. But if her questions aren't bothering you or messing with your erection: Congratulations pal. You're both well on your way into a relationship.

Anger never lets you win

As a little kid growing up on a sheep farm near Christchurch, New Zealand, Martin was a bright, hardworking boy, prone to losing his temper and getting angry. He would end up saying harsh words to his friends and family without often realising the impact of his angry outbursts.

Intent on mending his son’s ways, Martin’s dad decided on a plan. He gave his son a sack of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the wooden fence at the back of their farm. The son agreed. The first day, he hammered 35 nails into the fence. As the days passed, the number of nails hammered into the fence gradually decreased. It was quite a task going all the way to the back of the farm and hammering a nail. Young Martin figured it was easier to just control his temper, and not get angry.

And then, one day, he did not lose his cool at all. A day of no nails! Delighted, he told his father about it. And the father said that for every day that Martin did not lose his temper, he should pull out a nail from the fence. Martin did as told, and some months later, all the nails in the fence had been removed. Martin was pleased. And so was his dad.

The father led young Martin to the back of the farm and pointing to the wooden fence he said “You have done well, my son and I am proud of you. But notice the holes left behind by the nails? They will never go away. The fence will never be the same again. It’s like that with our anger too. When we are angry, we say things that leave a scar. And no amount of apologizing thereafter can ever remove those scars. Remember that!”

It’s a lesson Martin has remembered all his life. And it’s a lesson we would all do well to take to heart too. Keep your cool. Don’t lose your temper. And you will see a significant improvement in your relationships. People will like you more, they will respect you a lot more – and you will find that hardly anybody gets angry with you. If you find yourself losing your cool often, maybe you should set yourself a punishment equivalent to hammering nails on the fence. Like Martin, you too might then find yourself controlling your temper a lot better. Good to remember that you can never really win when you get angry. You always lose -your temper, your cool and a whole lot else besides.

Saying ‘Sorry’ is like using one of those erasers on the top of a pencil. It’s easy to use, it feels like you have erased what was written, but the marks remain on the sheet of paper forever. And in this era of instant messaging and on-the-go e-mails, it becomes even more important to watch your words. If you are upset and want to shoot off an angry e-mail or message, hold it! Draft a mail perhaps – but leave it as a draft. Don’t hit the ‘send’ button whilst you are angry. Tell yourself that you will take a look at it the next morning, and only then send it. Chances are, with a cooler head the next morning, you will realise the folly of sending out the angry email. And it does not matter that you are in the right, or that you think your anger is justified. If you lose your cool, remember, you lose. Period.

Next time you are angry and want to say something, take a deep breath. Pause. And maybe say nothing at all.

Starting today, resolve to keep your cool. Watch what you say. And see the difference!

Prakash Iyer is MD, Kimberly-Clark Lever and Executive Coach. For more inspiring life lessons, read Mr Iyer's new book The Habit of Winning.

World's oldest-living conjoined twins

 The world's oldest living conjoined twins have defied doctors' predictions and are set to celebrate their 50th birthday this Sunday.

George and Lori Schappell, who are joined at the head, are marking the landmark birthday with a trip to London.

Remarkably, the Siamese twins are able to live very different and separate lives, with Lori having had relationships and George - who was originally named Dori - deciding to live life as a man.

Lori is also a champion ten-pin bowler and George performs as a country and western singer.

Click on photo to view slideshow

"When we were born, the doctors didn't think we'd make 30, but we proved them wrong," the Daily Mail quoted Lori as saying.

"We have learned so much in the last 50 years and will continue living life to the full," she added.

While Lori, who is 5ft 1in, was born able-bodied, 4ft 4in George suffers from spina bifida, which has caused severe mobility problems.

The twins, from Pennsylvania in America, were born sharing 30 per cent of their frontal lobe brain tissue and critical blood vessels, meaning they cannot be separated. 

Are you being Cheated?

According to new research published in the Archives of Sexual Behaviour your man may look elsewhere if he has issues in the bedroom. Great! As if things weren’t bad enough. In the study almost a quarter of men (23.2%) admitted they had cheated during their current relationship. Naughty, naughty boys!
Professor Robin Milhausen said: “Those who have any number of sexual concerns are more likely to be unfaithful. What we’ve interpreted from this is that people with problems in the bedroom, where their issues can become a self-fulfilling prophecy are more likely to look outside their relationship.

Do you have a happy, fulfilling relationship but your bloke has a little bit of trouble in between the sheets? If the answer is yes then be warned – he may be more likely to cheat!

“Being with a new partner is risky and exciting, and might help someone increase their arousal enough to avoid sexual problems.”

Are you worried about this? Does your man have a wandering eye? Does he struggle in the satisfaction department? If the answer is yes, read on to discover what psychologist and sex and relationship expert Donna Dawson thinks about why men cheat.The opportunist:

We all know this guy! He’s the Mark Wright of the cheating world. It’s not about your relationship or even you for that matter, it’s about him being in the right place at the right time. If he’s always out getting drunk with his mates all the time then be wary, he could be playing away.The infatuation junkie

You know the feeling you get when you spot someone you fancy, the chemical high and the butterflies? Well this guy loves those feeling and is more likely to cheat when he meets someone new and exciting.

The affair of ego massage

How predictable – this is the guy who just wants to know he’s still got ‘it’ and he’s still attractive. This bloke is most likely in a long-term, stable relationship but he’s eager to recapture his youth.

The affair of protest

If your relationship is a bit rocky or you haven’t got enough time for one another then your boyfriend might be out finding someone to provide what you’re not giving. He may drop hints as a cry for help – keep an eye out for lipstick on the collar ladies.

The serious affair

This is the one to watch. This man is prepared to give up anything for his new love and he doesn’t care if he gets caught.

The CEO who got fired from his first job

Talk of computers the first thing that strikes anyone today is 'Apple'. Know the success story of the brain behind this massive player.

Inspiring excerpts from the commencement speech by Steve Jobs, at Standord University on June 12, 2005.

Truth be told, I never graduated from college, and this is the closest I've ever gotten to a college graduation. Today, I want to tell you three stories from my life.

Best decisions I ever made

The first story is about connecting the dots. I ped out of Reed College after the first six months. Why? Well, it started before I was born. My biological mother was a young, unwed graduate student, and she decided to put me up for adoption.

She felt very strongly that I should be adopted by college graduates, but my biological mother found out later that my mother had never graduated from college and that my father had never graduated from high school. She refused to sign the final adoption papers. She only relented a few months later when my parents promised that I would go to college.

This was the start in my life. And 17 years later I did go to college. But I naively chose a college that was almost as expensive as Stanford, and all of my working-class parents' savings were being spent on my college tuition. After six months, I couldn't see the value in it. So I decided to out. It was pretty scary at the time, but looking back it was one of the best decisions I ever made.

It wasn't all romantic. I didn't have a dorm room, so I slept on the floor in friends' rooms. I returned coke bottles for the five cent deposits to buy food with, and I would walk the seven miles across town every Sunday night to get one good meal a week at the Hare Krishna temple. I loved it. And much of what I stumbled into by following my curiosity and intuition turned out to be priceless later on.

Let me give you one example: I decided to take a calligraphy class at Reed College and learned about serif and san serif typefaces, about varying the amount of space between different letter combinations. None of this had even a hope of any practical application in my life. But ten years later, when we were designing the first Macintosh computer, it all came back to me. If I had never ped out, I would have never ped in on that calligraphy class, and personal computers might not have the wonderful typography that they do. Of course it was impossible to connect the dots looking forward when I was in college. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.

Love and Loss

My second story is about love and loss. Woz (Steve Wozniak) and I started Apple in my parents' garage when I was 20. We worked hard, and in 10 years Apple had grown into a two billion dollar company with over 4,000 employees. We'd just released our finest creation the Macintosh a year earlier, and then I got fired.

I really didn't know what to do for a few months. I felt that I had let the previous generation of entrepreneurs down. I even thought about running away from the valley. But something slowly began to dawn on me: I still loved what I did. The turn of events at Apple had not changed that one bit and I decided to start over.

The heaviness of being successful was replaced by the lightness of being a beginner again, less sure about everything. It freed me to enter one of the most creative periods of my life. During the next five years, I started a company named NeXT another company named Pixar, and fell in love with an amazing woman who would become my wife. In a remarkable turn of events, Apple bought NeXT, and I retuned to Apple. I'm pretty sure none of this would have happened if I hadn't been fired from Apple.

I'm convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking until you find it. Don't settle.

If today were the last day of life

My third story is about death. When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: 'If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you'll most certainly be right.' It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I've looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: 'If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?' And whenever the answer has been 'No' for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.

Remembering that I will be dead soon is the most important tool I have ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. About a year ago I was diagnosed with cancer. The doctors told me this was incurable, and that I should expect to live no longer than three to six months. My doctor advised me to go home and get my affairs in order, which is doctor's code for 'prepare to die.' I lived with that diagnosis all day. Later that evening I had a biopsy, and was told that it turned out to be a very rare form of pancreatic cancer that is curable with surgery. I had the surgery and, thankfully, I'm fine now.

This was the closest I've been to facing death. Having lived through it, I can now say this to you with a bit more certainty than when death was a useful but purely intellectual concept: No one wants to die. Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice.

When I was young, there was an amazing publication called The Whole Earth Catalogue created by a fellow named Stewart Brand and he brought it to life with his poetic touch. On the back cover of their final issue was a photograph of an early morning country road, the kind you might find yourself hitchhiking on if you were so adventurous. Beneath it were the words: 'Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.' It was their farewell message.

And I've always wished that for myself. And now, as you graduate to begin anew, I wish that for you. Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.

Want to reduce your belly fat

Are you tired of having belly fat? Now, eat two small apples, one cup of green peas and one-half cup of pinto beans and exercise vigorously for 30 minutes, two to four times a week.

cording to the researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, vegetables, fruit and beans contain more soluble fiber and will help reduce visceral fat, or belly fat, around the midsection.

They found that for every 10-gram increase in soluble fiber eaten per day, visceral fat was reduced by 3.7 percent over five years. In addition, increased moderate activity resulted in a 7.4 percent decrease in the rate of visceral fat accumulation over the same time period.

"We know that a higher rate of visceral fat is associated with high blood pressure, diabetes and fatty liver disease," said Kristen Hairston, assistant professor of internal medicine at Wake Forest Baptist and lead researcher on the study.
"Our study found that making a few simple changes can have a big health impact," he added.
The researchers examined whether lifestyle factors, such as diet and frequency of exercise, were associated with a five-year change in abdominal fat of African Americans and Hispanic Americans.
At the beginning of the study, which involved 1,114 people, the participants were given a physical exam, an extensive questionnaire on lifestyle issues, and a CT scan. Five years later, the exact same process was repeated.
The researchers found that increased soluble fiber intake was associated with a decreased rate of accumulated visceral fat, but not subcutaneous fat.
"There is mounting evidence that eating more soluble fiber and increasing exercise reduces visceral or belly fat, although we still don't know how it works

The amazing things yoga can do to you

“What yoga can do for me” is a question this is increasingly popping up in the minds of the people.

One way yoga can be defined is “as a series of exercises that are meant to promote control of one's body and mind”. These exercises are based on a Hindu school of thought that is focused on training a person's consciousness for a period of ideal spiritual tranquility and insight.

If done properly, yoga can do wonders for your body and mind. Some if its biggest benefits are: increased blood circulation, stress alleviation, removal of toxins, energizing the body, and promoting sleep.

Let's discuss these benefits in some detail:

1. To begin with, yoga exercises increase the circulation of blood in a person's body which is crucial for proper functioning of the body. Increased blood circulation works as a natural energy booster for people who feel drained out and tired all the time. So stop guzzling those bottles of Gatorades and try some yoga.

2. Toxins are poisonous substances within living cells and organisms and yoga can come to your rescue when it comes to them. With every single movement, some toxins are removed from the body. Yoga also helps drain the lymph nodes, which allows blood to flow properly and the body to function as it should.

3. Actually, the removal of toxins is associated with how the exercise alleviates stress. In fast-paced times of today, people are more stressed out than ever. Balance, focus, patience, and tranquility have been cited as the end results of practicing yoga movements on a consistent basis. Yoga enables the practitioner to focus on the moment instead of the future. This allows a person to let go of his worriesand just remain in the present.

4. Yoga is great energizer. If you practice yoga properly in an organised setting, you'll be happy to give up caffeine for your energy needs. Not only do yoga movements provide energy, they also lift one's spirit, provide energy, and motivate a person to be more happy. You feel you have an incentive in life for doing things. A practitioner will either be taken to a tranquil state or he will be re-energized.

5. Yoga is a great way to get your sleeping habits right. These days, almost every other “urban” person suffers from some sort of sleeping disorder or the other. Yoga relaxes the body and mind; it can bring about a tranquil state. It should be practiced thirty minutes prior to one's bedtime in order to achieve maximum results. 

Practice Yoga to reduce stress

Strike these poses for a calmer and happier you.

Hypertension is not just common, in a strange twisted way it's a status symbol. It shows you have arrived, are busy and lead a stressed life. However, it takes a toll on your heart, spikes your blood sugar and insulin levels and that's bad news.

Recent studies show that yoga brings about a balance in your autonomous nervous system and regulates your blood pressure by stabilising your sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system.

As a yoga practitioner, I have experienced the calming effect that this alternative therapy can provide. Being static, yoga postures are less demanding and require less oxygen. This causes minimal strain during exercise and keeps your muscles relaxed. Here are a few postures that you can practise to keep your stress levels under control.

Vajrasana
Sit with your legs extended, hands by the side of your body and palms resting on the floor. Bend your right leg at the knee and place your foot under the right buttock keeping your soles tucked in. Do the same with your left leg. Rest your hands on your thighs, keeping your back straight. Hold for some time, come back to the starting position.

GomukhasanaSit on the floor stretching your legs forward. Slightly bend both your knees and place your left leg under your right thigh. Take your right leg over your left leg, making sure your left knee is under the right one. Now take your right hand behind your back with your palm facing downwards and place your left hand behind. Try clutching your palms together, making sure your back is straight and aligned with your neck. Hold for some time and come back to the starting position.

Ardha shalabhasana
Lie in prone position (on your stomach), bring your legs together, toes pointing outward, hands by your body, fists closed and chin on the floor. Then slowly raise your right leg without bending at the knee, do not tilt the pelvis. Hold for some time and come back to the starting position. Switch sides and repeat.

Padmasana
Sit on the floor, stretch your legs and place palms along the side of the body. Now hold the sole of the right foot and place it on the left thigh. Take the left foot over the right. Keeping your back straight, place your palms on the knees and slowly close eyes, focussing on your breath. Hold for some time and slowly come back to the starting position.

Anulom-vilom pranayama
Sit straight and close your right nostril with your right thumb and inhale from the left nostril. Then close your left nostril with your right index and middle fingers and exhale from the right nostril. Now do the reverse. Inhale with the right nostril, close your right nostril with your right thumb then exhale with the left. This forms one round of anulom-vilom pranayama.

Made it possible...The treadsetter

Woodland has not just carved a niche for itself in the shoe and apparel sector. Know what this massive player does beyond foot wear and clothes?

It's a successful shoe and apparel empire. Woodland is also helping 8000 families in Chandrapur, Maharashtra, get safe drinking water everyday.


Treading North

Since my childhood I have been a creative and adventure-loving person. Even as a child I believed in perfection and it helped me become what I am today. Academically, I was an average student but I had a flair for learning more. And because I have been involved with the family business since childhood, I knew what I wanted.

Furthermore, my passion for adventure sports reflects in the brand philosophy. We used to go for long treks where I developed a fascination for adventure sports. So in order to give students what we couldn't have, I am trying to inculcate the adventure lifestyle for school students. Our first initiative will be with Modern School, Delhi, where we are creating an adventure zone.

How it began

The brand Woodland is owned by Aero Group, the flagship company which began its operations in 1960's and now has an asset base of over US$100 million. Woodland was started in Quebec, Canada, for making winter boots and entered India in 1992. It was one of the brands that we launched in India from the vast portfolio of Aero Group.

When we entered India, the footwear market was largely unorganised. Woodland created a new category of specialised 'outdoor sports' shoes. Our product positioning was different and we were known as a rugged, outdoor leather shoe brand, the kind usually preferred by adventurists. Youngsters took a fancy to our shoes. That was in the beginning and we gradually developed a product line especially for India.

On the job

Being an outgoing person, I wanted to establish something related to the field of adventure. I faced a lot of difficulties in the initial years because of wrong adventure gear and it was a challenge to get the right gear in India. I used to pick up adventure sports apparel, footwear and accessories whenever I travelled abroad.

After completing my education, I started working with my father and created the brand Woodland. Our logo is a tree which in itself speaks about our connect with nature. After it was established, we created Proplanet, our corporate social responsibility (CSR) wing and have been working closely with nature-friendly ideas since.

Eco-friendly My main focus has been to bring to everybody's doorstep; quality and ecofriendly products. We use raw materials which are less harmful to the environment. Our main focus has been on materials like organic cotton, specialised fabrics for adventure sports.

Customer connect

Commercial success is necessary but customer satisfaction matters more. Today, when I see a person wearing a Woodland product, I feel very proud. Woodlanders are known for their spirit and enthusiasm. Our products and processes speak for itself. Today we have one lakh plus fans on Facebook who constantly give us there feedback. A lot of them also upload their pictures sporting the brand and various adventure events.

A social server

Very recently, Woodland under its CSR wing Proplanet, tied up in a four month long association with the United Nations agency United Nations Children's Fund to promote their WASH campaign which aims to provide safe drinking water to 8000 families in the Chandrapur district of Maharashtra.

We are reaching out to our wide customer base to contribute Rs 10 to the cause against every purchase they make. Besides this, we look to partner with entities that environmentally committed, eliminate toxic and hazardous substances from products, minimise resource wastage, disclose their environmental footprint, and take responsibility for proper waste management.

Tips for success

Clarity: To know what you want personally and professionally, question your resolution and clarify.

Exploration: In order to learn, one must experiment. Try to learn from the experiences of life.

Patience: Instant gratification is not always possible. Gaining exposure in the early years is more important that a higher salary.

Presentation: It helps communicate, which is essential today. A lot depends on how you present yourself.

How to Quit Alcohol

Show of commitment to yourself and family
On those days that you just need a drink, you'll feel that you're letting them down. You could also spread the word around in your gang of friends, colleagues and relatives to create an extended network of supporters, as well as make yourself accepting of their approval.

Cold turkey
You suddenly think - enough! You can’t go on depending on alcohol. You decide to leave alcohol there and then!
It might be the culmination of days of thinking, or observing another alcoholic that creates an aversion to alcohol.
Cold turkey works great for weekend-drinkers and social-drinkers i.e. people who aren’t heavy alcoholics. However, this might be be fatal for people with a major dependency on alcohol. In such cases the person is advised to seek professional help.

Rehabilitation center

For the heavy drinkers, the medical supervision and aid at a rehabilitation centers may be the only safe way of quitting alcohol quickly. 

Learn to say no and make changes
Learning to say no to your friends or the boss or your girlfriend or the pushy colleague who invites you to drink might just be the bravest and the best thing you do in your mission to quitting alcohol. Don’t always be the yes-man! You might also think of making some lifestyle changes e.g. spending your weekends with your parents rather than in the club or on a romantic date with your girlfriend.

Fun ways to quit drinking
Who said quitting drinking always had to be painful?
Get into a relationship with someone intolerant of alcohol, drugs, or cigarettes.
Get broke and don’t ask for money
At parties, pour soda or other liquid in a cocktail glass and hold it in your hand and take sips from as if it's alcohol
Make a goal like running a marathon and sign up for a team in training.
Reward yourself with something really fancy like a watch or a new phone after your first dry week. Arrange a small party with your friends and parents to mark the milestone.

A long time alcoholic who suddenly stops drinking will experience physiological discomfort.
These feelings are known as withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms may vary from very light to extremely heavy, and depend on how long an individual has been abusing alcohol.

What happens to you once you quit alcohol? 
Acute withdrawal-the immediate effects: When a person who has been repetitively abusing alcohol suddenly stops, he might observe some of the following withdrawal symptoms :

• Profuse sweating
• Anxiety, irritability, tension and restlessness
• Stomach ache and loss of appetite
• Excessive Headaches
• Hallucinations
• Sleeplessness which might extend to more than 36 hours
• Feeling thirsty all the time
• Rapid heart beat  
• Excessive shaking of hands

It is important to have someone to look after you during this period to provide the mental and physical support required to overcome this painful process. Excessive drinkers should quitting alcohol only under professional supervision.
Protracted withdrawal-the long term effects: This symptom is observed after the immediate effects of withdrawal have passed. Some withdrawal symptoms can linger for at least a year after discontinuation of alcohol.
Symptoms can include

• Craving for alcohol
• Inability to feel pleasure from normally pleasurable things
• Clouding of sense organs
• Disorientation
• Nausea and vomiting or headache
• Insomnia

The ex-drinker has to understand that most incidences of relapse during this phase occur due to insomnia. So if you observe a disturbed sleep pattern over a long period of time, resort to professional help.

What can be done to make the process easier?

The process of alcohol withdrawal is an excessively painful and hence difficult one. It is particularly so if you have been a long time user and have been physically and psychologically dependent on alcohol.
Following are some things you can do to overcome withdrawal symptoms.

• Take up a routine: Joining a gym or a yoga club or just jog in the mornings, anything to take your mind off the sense of loss or the occasional craving you might feel for alcohol. You could also take up mediation.
• Talk it out: Talk to someone. Talk to anyone in your life who can give you encouragement, support or practical help, such as family or friends – the people who love you and want to help you in any way that they can. You might be surprised at how supportive they can be.  If you feel like no one understands and you have no one to talk to about this, please know that there are many other people who do understand and can help you.  Remember, you don’t have to be alone in this.
• Drink a lot of water and fruit juice: This might sound trivial, drinking a lot of water helps you recover a lot faster by detoxifying your blood stream of chemicals acquired through years of alcohol abuse. A recovering alcoholic should drink  between 4 and 5 liters of water a day. 

Why You Must Run...

Running is one of the best forms of exercise, not only for getting fit but for weight control too. A 30-minute run, three to four times a week, trims your waistline, strengthens the cardiovascular system, improves muscle tone and definition and helps foster a positive mental attitude. Running can also be a great social activity. Here are the top 25 tips on why you should start running today.

1. Running is the quickest way to cardiovascular fitness. You get fitter faster by running regularly.

2. Running is one of the cheapest forms of exercising. You only need a pair of running shoes and shorts and T-shirt to get started.

3. Running is easy to learn. Most people have run at some point in their life, either competitively or at school/college, so there is no steep learning curve involved.

4. Running makes you feel good, not only physically, but mentally as well.

5. Running is excellent for reducing stress levels. There is nothing better than a run to clear your head and concentrate the mind. Many great ideas have been formulated on training runs.

6. Running is one of the most flexible methods of training around. Wherever you are in the world, it is nearly always possible to get out for a run. You can jog, steady run or sprint depending on how you feel that particular day.

7. Running is good for your heart. It not only strengthens the heart but also reduces the actual resting heart rate.

8. Running is accessible to all. As long as you are physically able, you can go for a run virtually anytime and anywhere. There are no race barriers to running.

9. Running helps you to lose weight and tone muscles. The more your train and run, the more weight you will lose. Also by toning up, you are getting rid of the excess fat and converting it to muscle.

10. Running is for people of all ages. Old or young, everyone can benefit from running.

11. It is good for your sex life! By being more physically active you increase your sex drive.

12. When run training, you can get away with eating chocolate and legitimately say it is part of your training program.

13. Running is a great way to recover from a hangover. A run will help clear your head faster than sitting around feeling terrible.

14. Running is a great safety aid. Being able to run away from people puts you in a much better position if you are chased.

15. You can use running to change other people's lives. Run for a charity and raise money to help the needy or less able.

16. Running with friends gives you time to catch up on gossip and get fit at the same time.

17. Running is a time-efficient way to get fit and lose weight so you have more free time after exercising to enjoy yourself.

18. Running is a challenge that can be motivational and bring great personal satisfaction.

19. Running is a great way to see a new place if you have limited time available for sightseeing. Just think how much more of a place you can see when running around it compared to walking.

20. Running improves your concentration as you are forced to concentrate more when running. This in turn improves your concentration when you have to focus in other areas of life.

21. You nearly always work better after a run because you are still on a runner's high and feel ready for anything.

22. Running is a great way to meet people, especially if you join a club or enter a race.

23. There are no monthly subscriptions with running. You just put your running shoes on and go.

24. Endurance built-up through running can be transferred to other sports.

25. If you drink alcohol you can just run a little bit further the next day to work off the extra calories.

Top 10 Ways to not Get Drunk while Drinking

Some people have the desire to drink but they dread its ill-effects.

They want to drink, but not get 'drunk'! Many people start misbehaving and pick up fight after drinking. This not only ruins their personal image but also creates nuisance for others. Also, this can have an adverse effect on your health. If you are one of those people who exercise self-control in the pub, here are 10 tips you can follow to stay sober and not let those drinks get onto your head and nerves. This can help you avoid you from those obnoxious hangovers, preventing you from becoming a “Stu, Alan, Phil or Doug”.


The best way to avoid getting drunk is to try to limit your alcohol consumption. Now, not all of us are good with self-restraint. In this case, make sure that you always drink in the company of some friends and ask one of them to stop you after you've drowned a certain number of friends.

Have protein or high fat snacks along with it. It might add some kilos to your weight but would surely help you minimise the ill effects of alcohol.


Make sure that you do not drink concentrated pegs. Dilute your drink and then enjoy it.

Do not drink with an empty stomach as it may lead to bad health. Before picking up the “glass” you must have eaten something before, otherwise you may get a bad feeling.

Here's another simple step. If you find it difficult to contain yourself when you your favourite liquor being served in a pub, then bring a limited amount of money with yourself!

Having a glass of warm water can help you get rid of intoxication.


Drinking orange juice before going to bed would help you avoid hangover the next morning.

Refrain from mixing different brands while drinking. Also, don't try and mix different types of liquor. Heard the saying: “beer before liquor, never been sicker; liquor before beer, you're in the clear”.
Another good idea is to have a glass of milk to line your stomach right before you start drinking. Once you are done with drinking, you can have another one. This way, people at your home, wouldn't feel your smell.

See if you can do with non-alcoholic drinks or you can have just one or two alcoholic drinks to be social when you go to a party or got out with friends. (MensXP.com)

Alcohol as Home Medicine

In an October 2007 issue of the Phuket Gazette, I read of monks in Phuket who poured rice wine over a woman’s breasts, stroked them with a copper knife, and chanted spells.

All this to cure their patients. Not of congestion, or even breast cancer, but black magic. When these enterprising monks were interrogated, they explained that black magic resided in the chest area. Tiny metal pieces were found embedded in the accursed areas.
Read on to find out how to channel the powers of Rum and other booze to heal your body. Rum
Old Monk or Contessa. 
As an Indian, I can only recommend the two highest selling rum brands in our defence forces. (As an Indian, I’ll also have you know that the Bombay Prohibition Act of 1949 still recognises Rum, Brandy and Champagne as medicines!) Rum can be mixed with a bit of warm water. It’s not unmanly to add a bit of honey; it does taste very pungent otherwise.

Beer

Beer is a beneficial brew of good things. Antioxidants slows down aging, vitamin B6 cuts your chances of cardiovascular disease and hops, which flavor beer has many medical benefits, such as fighting cancer. The darker, the more bitter, the better.

Xanthumol comes from hops, and more hops makes beer darker and bitter.
Basic bodily processes get a bit subdued with age, and beer dilates blood vessels, and helps in sleep, urination, and preventing kidney stones.

Europe has seen a recent spurt of beer spas, where people soak in beer. However, a more pragmatic way to avail brewski benefits is to wash your hair out with it. After imbibing a bit, people usually tend to leave a few ml worth in their bottles. Collect the leftover beer, and rinse out your hair with it for the extra shine.

Brandy

Ask your grandparents about this one. Most will swear by brandy as a bit of loving care in the treatment of cough, cold, and congestion. A spoon or so can warmly conquer a sore throat.

Coughs are of two categories: productive (which produces sputum/phlegm) or dry, hacking cough (in which your throat is dry, and you can’t cough up anything). The latter can be soothed a lot by a tablespoon of brandy with a bit of brandy. Add hot water, in case it’s unpalatable otherwise. Toothaches can be temporarily numbed by soaking cotton in brandy, and direct application. If you don’t have cotton, just hold in small amount, preferably over the painful spot for 30 seconds, and then spit or swallow (kids should spit it out)

 

Whiskey

The classic winter drink, a hot toddy is colloquially a whiskey, with honey, lemon juice and hot water. For an ounce of whiskey, add an ounce of honey and lemon juice and honey each, and 3 ounces of hot water. Since it is antiseptic, whiskey can also be dabbed onto wounds. Honey is sweet, warm and medicinal; it can be added to toddy made of rum or brandy as well. Like beer, whiskey also contains antioxidants, which are good you.
Red Wine
While it contains beneficial antioxidants, red wine is specifically known for its role in preventing the growth of cancerous cells. Even a 30 ml daily dose of red wine can improve cancer prognosis, notably in Esophaegal cancer, as well as overall immunity. Fresh red wine combined with a tablespoon of pink clay, a tbsp. of red can also be used as a face mask. Leave on for 15 minutes, and rinse off with a sponge and warm water as a treatment for greasy skin. Red wine contains reservetol, which reduces inflammation, arterial plaque, and lower abdominal fat deposits.

Alternative Uses of Beer

While we don't need scientists to tell us that drinking beer is good for your health, they still do.

It cuts your risk of having strokes, heart disease, increases HDL (good cholesterol) and anti-oxidants. It's also good for your blood - it reduces blood clots, and contains Vintamin B6 needed to make haemoglobin. You can also ease out kidney stones with beer and clean your stomach with the fiber content of malted barley - as much as 60% of daily recommended fiber in one liter. It even detoxes your liver, expanding your liver's small blood vessels and speeds up metabolism of toxins.




coolmaterial

Heck, it even fights cancer - xanthohumol, found in beer hops helps your body break down carcinogens (chemicals that cause cancer)

However, for optimum beer nutrition, drink dark beer which has more flavanoids (natural oxidants that fight disease)

But apart from being accessory to a good a time, beer has a lot of other uses.




beer.bottle.solar.panel

There's This dude in Quqiao village (in China), who even built solar-powered water heater out of old bottles, warming enough bathwater for his family of free.




flickr.com © stephen-oung
Setting Lotion for Hair

Before hitting the shower, mix 3 tablespoons beer in 1/2 cup warm water. Rub this into your hair after you shampoo and rinse it off to get volume, shine and some awesome waves.

Or, you can soak your hair in beer and then soak some sunrays for all-natural highlights in your hair.
Bubble Bath

Pour in into your tub for a bubble bath that's good for your skin and hair.
Tenderize Meat

Beer's slightly acidic pH level lets you enjoy lean meat without ripping and gnawing - it can tenderize the meat.

It's also better than wine- and vinegar-based marinades in not imparting too much flavor to the meat.
Insomnia

Another slightly obvious use of beer - beer's Lactoflavin and Nicotinic Acid content promote sleep. Hops too are a natural sedative.
Stomach Ache

Beer's fizz (carbonation) can sooth an upset stomach, and it's also a mild sedative when the pain is too much to bear (and you don't have a painkiller lying around) (MensXP.com)

How vodka and wine makes hair and skin shine

London, July 18 (ANI): It is well known that a glass of red wine can be good for our hearts, but now it has emerged that the ingredients in our favourite alcoholic drink can be beneficial for our skin and hair too.

More and more beauty companies are incorporating extracts from popular drinks like champagne, beer, vodka, cider and wine into their formulations, and the following are the reasons why.

"The grape extracts from champagne provide antioxidant protection from the free radicals which can prematurely age skin," the Daily Express quoted Sarah Adam, beauty buyer for QVC Skincare, as saying of champagne.

"They also help balance out uneven pigmentation," she explained.

Where beer is concerned, the proteins from beer hops help add volume to hair, boosting shine and even stopping frizz.

"Hops can have antibacterial, astringent and toning properties on the skin too," skincare expert Esther Cooney explained.

Vodka on the other hand works to tone, brighten, cleanse and polish the skin, said Rowena Bird, co-founder and product inventor at Lush.

"It's often also used when creating perfume. It stabilises a perfume's scent," adds fragrance expert Michelle D'Vaz.

Next, cider helps to keep our hair clean from pollution by stripping away dirt.

"It can help clean away the build-up in hair caused by pollution and lime from hard water," Karine Jackson, organic hair colour specialist said.

"It's alcohol based so will strip the hair of impurities. Try it before you have a colour to clear out build-up," Jackson advised.

Wine, which is already beneficial for our hearts, is the most powerful antioxidant.

"Elements from the vine have amazing benefits," Professor Joseph Vercauteren, from Montpellier University of Pharmacy in France said.

"Grape seed polyphenols are the most powerful antioxidants in the plant world and protect the skin. Grapevine stalk (resveratrol) is a fantastic anti-wrinkle and firming ingredient for the skin. "Grapevine sap (viniferine) boosts radiance, prevents and corrects dark spots and gives a luminous complexion," he added.

60 ways to look young (and feel great)

'Beauty is what health and happiness look like on the outside,' Good Housekeeping told readers in 1916.

Our advice has changed little since because we've always extolled the fundamentals: The right diet, exercise and spirit promote long life - and keep you looking and feeling young. (Of course, a fabulous haircut, lipstick, and the right pair of jeans can't hurt, either.)
Here's the ultimate clock-resetting guide - beauty how-to and health must-do.

Mind your brain

These strategies will help keep you sharp-witted(and healthy, too!) throughout your life

Drink up

Your coffee, that is. Swedish and Finnish researchers found that moderate consumption of coffee (3-5 small cups a day) cuts the risk of dementia by 65 percent.

Get moving

Middle-aged women and men who exercise 5-6 times a week (brisk walking is okay) are far less likely to develop mild cognitive impairment later in life.

Check your numbers

High cholesterol in your 40s can up your chances of developing Alzheimer's later in life, researchers reported at a 2008 meeting of the American Academy of Neurology.

Also Keep an eye on

Your high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Low levels are linked to memory loss and dementia, a University College, London, study of 3,673 participants found.

Watch your weight

Obesity can increase the dementia risk by 80 percent, a Johns Hopkins, US, study found. Most dangerous: fat around your middle.

Be a groupie

Payoffs from having a circle of friends or people you see regularly at a club or other gathering:
Lower blood pressure
Delayed memory loss
Reduced risk of recurrent stroke and even the common cold

Save your skin

Choose the right products but follow through with some mustdos as well... Your chest is thin-skinned, making it susceptible to sun damage. to renew it, gently exfoliate regularly with a face scrub. Wear a hat that has at least a three-inch brim in order to shade your face. or carry a parasol. on cold days, give your face extra protection with a super-rich thick moisturiser. Use sunscreen with a minimum spf of 15 - no matter where you live or what your skin colour, use every day, whether it's winter or summer. and don't forget the after-sun face wash.

Keep an eye on your vision

Dark green leafy vegetables are prime sources of both lutein and zeaxanthin, plant pigments that protect your eyes from uv damage. make lettuce salads - and make sure spinach is on the menu, too.

Happy birthday!

Celebrating one of these milestones? Gift yourself new cosmetics and a new look. Move beyond the bare essentials.

Don't hold back - treat yourself to...

AT 30 tinted moisturisers, loose body powders and shimmers.
AT 40 lengthening mascara, eyelid primer.
AT 50 rosy blush, glowy foundation.
AT 60 shimmery shadow, hydrating lipstick.

Dress code

7 fashion tricks that will make you look younger-instantly

1. Try the new black - It's actually black and white; the combination makes you look sophisticated but still playful.
2. Experiment with a new trend - It updates your look and gives you a more youthful vibe.
3. Learn the power of shapewear - They can give you a sleeker line by invisibly smoothing the areas that bulge out a bit. A more supportive bra adds lift - and subtracts years.
4. Show some leg - Who said that once you're 40, hems should be below the knee? At the knee or just above is most flattering.
5. Skip the Mommy jeans - A dark wash, lower waist, and slimmer-cut jeans will give you the impression of legs you had in high school.
6. Go casual - A T-shirt under your jacket instead of a buttondown shirt, for example, can make you look younger.
7. Keep it in proportion - A slim pant, paired with a longer tunic, will take away years (and conceal extra pounds).

Go fish

For omega-3-rich sources. The fatty acids in these cold-water fish fight inflammation (precursor to heart disease, arthritis, diabetes) and boost mood.

Best high-in-fat:

Salmon (canned is fine)
Mackerel
Sardines
Pomfret
RohuIf you can't find these fish, or your tastes are more turf than surf, then take fish oil supplements containing 500mg of EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid). Seven Seas Seacod and Maxepa are locally available brands. While you can get omega-3s from plant sources, they're in a form that don't give you similar protection.

Love lessons

A study conducted at Columbia and Yale Universities found that elderly women who named their husbands as their primary confidants had a reduced risk of dying over the next six years. Bonus: Their husbands lived longer, too.The give-and-take of couple-dom may help keep the neurons firing, say Scandinavian researchers whose study of 1,400 men and women found that people who live alone at mid-life are twice as likely to develop cognitive impairment later in life as against those who are paired up.

A hand up

Pure lemon juice is one of the finest things for the hands,' Good Housekeeping reported in 1897, foreshadowing today's fruit-acid craze. While citric acid remains a great slougher, here are two more smooth moves: To avoid chapping, always dry hands thoroughly and follow with a hand cream. Keep gloves in your kitchen and bathrooms, to protect your hands whenever you're washing or cleaning.

Build a better memory

Our ability to commit new information to memory - and then retrieve it when we need it - slows down over the years.

To minimise the decline:

Practise paying attention Forcing yourself to observe and recall the details of your day - which tie did your husband wear? Did the supermarket cashier have her hair up or brushed back - sharpens your memory, even if you never need the information.

Watch TV, or unwind in whatever way works for you - a long walk, a chat with a girl friend. Stress hormones (cortisol) may interfere with encoding and retrieving information; as you age, chronic elevated cortisol levels are linked to memory impairment.

Do crossword puzzles, or learn a new instrument or language. Mentally challenging activities build fresh connections in your brain, creating "cognitive reserves" that may protect memory later in life.

Shine on

'The price of a head of good hair is never ending vigilance,' warned Good Housekeeping in 1910. Today, thanks to new techniques and products, you can drop your guard but keep your looks.

1. Gray hair, which can be coarse, needs extra conditioning. Try hair products which soften hair. Hot oil treatments are still your best bet.
2. Hair becomes drier as you age; keep it healthy-looking with frequent trims and deep-conditioning.

A cut above

Ask your hair stylist for bangs. They look young and fun, and hide forehead lines.Make waves. Stick-straight hair can look severe (read: older); gentle curls soften the contours of your face.

Short cuts create the illusion of more hair. If you prefer to keep your hair long, add face-framing layers for a subtle lift.

A la smart menu

'Proper diet? will tend to ward off diseases,' Good Housekeeping said in 1919. Today, research has identified specific foods that can help you stay healthy and happy:? Berries of all hues are rich in antioxidants. They combat chemicals that can cause cell-damage and chronic inflammation. Spinach and other dark leafy greens deliver Vitamin K, which strengthens bones. Red wine contains resveratrol, an antioxidant, inflammation-deterrent, and artery-protector. Curd and other dairy products are a terrific source of bone-building protein and calcium.

In a Japanese study conducted recently, eating 1/4 cup of curd a day led to a 50 percent reduction in tooth loss, possibly because of the probiotics in curd. Whole grains can protect against diabetes, heart disease, stroke, colon cancer, and gum disease. Dark chocolate helps keep your arteries functioning well. But have no more than 42gm a day. Too much will pack on the heartdamaging kilos.

Keeping lips luscious

Whatever your challenge - dryness, shape - there is a solution.

Lift droopy corners, apply a basic colour first, then go over the centre of lips with a slightly deeper shade.Prevent the lipstick from melting away into lines. Use a pencil to line lips before you apply lipstick. Then, avoid too-creamy or glossy formulations, which tend to migrate or melt into those lines.

Soften your pout. Gently rub a warm, damp washcloth over your lips to slough dead skin. Follow with a balm.

What's so funny about that
A University of Maryland, US, research found that laughing can increase blood flow by 22 percent and may protect against heart problems. It also relieves stress.

As the crow's(feet) fly

In 1931, Good Housekeeping referred to them as those "hateful little lines," and advised - as a deterrent - avoiding 'visual strains of all kinds,' including 'lack of glasses when they are not needed.' Besides not smoking, here's how you can minimise the dreaded crinkles:
After you've washed your face, pat around your eyes to dry the delicate skin - rubbing stretches it.
Even if you have oily skin and don't use a face cream, moisturise around your eyes twice a day. Apply moisturiser with your ring finger; it's your weakest one and thus least likely to cause damage to your eyes, or result in wrinkles.

Master your metabolism

You'll reverse middle-aged spread - and help keep your body slim and strong for years to come. Shed pounds slowly Crash dieting leads to greater loss of metabolism-boosting muscle. A fast-like diet will drop the average woman's metabolic rate by at least 25 percent.

Pump iron
Adding weight training to your cardio routine helps you avoid losing the 2.3kg muscle that otherwise disappear every decade, simply from getting older.
Switch it up
Trying different routines keeps muscles from getting bored - they have to work in new(challenging) ways.

4 Eye-Openers

1. Curl your lashes.
2. Cover dark undereye circles without telltale chalkiness - apply powder foundation in a shade that matches your skin tone to the darkened areas, then pat with a damp sponge.
3. Liner trick - choose a creamy eyeliner pencil. Hard pencils can pull at delicate skin.
4. Because of its texture, the skin around your eyes looks youngest with just a bare minimum of setting powder.

Top 6 low-intensity workouts

Water workout

Taking to the water can provide a great workout and be ideal for people who are just starting out in fitness or working their way back after an injury. There are a variety of options, from a full aqua aerobic session to sessions consisting of walking on underwater treadmills – really it’s all about being active, but in the water.
The water supports your bodyweight (up to 85 per cent of it), minimizing the impact on your joints, making it suitable for people of any age, size or fitness level. The number of calories burnt is dependent on the depth of the water – the deeper the water, the more calories you will burn as more energy is required to push your body mass through water. On average, a half hour session in the water will burn around 200 calories – and even more should you add additional weights to your body.

Tai-Chi

At first sight, Tai Chi may not appear as the most taxing of workouts, yet the flowing
succession of slow and graceful movements can be a great calorie burner. Tai Chi is as low impact an exercise as you will find, yet a half hour session can burn on average 140 calories.
When done correctly, Tai-chi raises the heart rate significantly (to approximately 60 per cent of maximum) – enough to be classed as moderate exercise. In addition to the calorie burn, there are other benefits including improved strength, flexibility, concentration, and balance. And best thing of all is that Tai Chi can be done almost anywhere, anytime.

Get your skates on

In-line skating provides a great low impact workout which some studies have suggested provides the same level of aerobic activity as running or even riding a stationary bike. The calorie burn will depend on your size, the effort you put in, and the route you take, but it is estimated that half an hour skating could burn in excess of 200 calories.
Inline skating develops muscles in the entire upper leg, rear end and hip, as well as the lower back. Muscles in the upper arms and shoulders are also developed when arms are swung backwards and forwards while skating and you can increase your calorie burn just by swinging more vigorously.

Swimming

Swimming provides a great cardiovascular workout and is suitable for all due to the fact that it is non-load bearing with the water cushioning your joints as you swim. Breaststroke is the lowest intensity stroke and as such burns fewer calories – around 180 calories for a half hour session – but it’s a stroke that generally enables you to swim for longer and therefore burn more calories from a longer session.
Breaststroke expands the lungs, works the chest muscles and inner thigh, shoulders, triceps, legs and hamstrings – and some even swear it increases the size of your breasts! If you wish to swim other strokes to increase your calorie burn then half an hour of swimming burns the following: freestyle/front crawl – 300 calories; backstroke – 240 calories; and butterfly – 450 calories.

Yoga

Not only is yoga great for improving your strength, flexibility, muscle tone and reducing stress, it’s also a great calorie burner. Consisting of a series of deep-breathing exercises and ‘poses’ which are held for a set period of time, these can be adapted to suit  any fitness level. A typical half hour session will burn around 200 calories.
And the great thing is you can do a yoga workout with working up too much of a sweat which is great if you are really pushed for time. If you want try yoga of greater intensity to burn even more calories, then consider options like Bikram Hot Yoga, Power Yoga or Zero Gravity yoga.

Walking

Quite simply the easiest and most accessible form of workout is walking. Without the joint jarring that occurs when running, walking is a workout that can easily be fitted into your daily routine or added as a leisure pursuit during your free time. You can happily choose the intensity to work at which suits you.
If you are not used to a walking workout, then start with a short distance and walk at a pace that suits you. You can easily crank up your speed and distance for improved calorie burn count. The number of calories burned will depend not only on your size, but also the speed you walk and the route you take. As an example, an average sized woman walking on a flat route at around 3mph will burn around 150 calories.
Note: calorie burn figures are approximate as they are dependent on bodyweight, the intensity of the workout, routines or routes followed and individual’s fitness level.

Forget gym, now burn calories by sexercise!

Forget running on treadmills or hitting expensive gyms to shed those extra pounds, as now a cheaper way to lose calories has emerged in the form of - sexercise.

A study has revealed that, women are more inclined to have sex after a long day if they think it will help them lose weight.

couple_sexercise_430Research showed that 76 percent of women are more inclined to weave the nocturnal workout into their routines if they think they will burn calories.

And almost two thirds of women who do own gym memberships said they were happier to carry out such activities as having sex and even doing the vacuuming if they thought it would burn as many calories as a traditional workout.

According to Kerry McCloskey's book, 'The Ultimate Sex Diet', a half-hour session of lovemaking will burn about 150 to 250 calories, and even up to 350 calories, depending on just how active you are.

Simply kissing for an hour burns over 200 calories - equivalent to three HobNob biscuits.

"We are burning calories constantly as we go about our day to day business," the Daily Mail quoted Darren Linnell, creator of Aspire drinks who commissioned the survey, as saying. "It's about being aware of the small things we can do to give us that extra boost," he stated.

4 REASONS FOR THAT FATIGUE

IF "I'm feeling tired" has become a part of your daily dialogue with people, then you need to stop and take stock.

While everyone’s energy level does flag at different times of the day and month, if you feel sapped all the time and keep hoping that a cup of coffee will revive you, you may need to head to the doctor’s clinic. We tell you about the four most common reasons for fatigue.


tired-fatigue_430# 1 HEART TROUBLE

THERE’S no getting away from the connection between heart disease and fatigue. Studies of heart attack survivors show that up to 70 per cent of them reported an unusual fatigue in the weeks before the attack took place. This can be attributed to unusually clogged arteries which inhibit the circulation. While men who complain of tiredness are generally sent off to the cardiologist for tests, women’s complaints are typically ignored. Yet there is a stronger association between cardiac disease and tiredness in females than in men.

TESTS:

After some basic tests such as cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar, your doc may recommend an exercise stress test or angiogram. If you have symptoms such as shortness of breath and indigestion, a CT scan or echocardiogram may also be called for.

# 2 LOW THYROID

MIDDLE-AGED men and women are often struck by an under-active thyroid. Located at the base of the neck, the thyroid gland produces hormones T4 and T3, and in mid-life, may slow down the production. Consequently, the other processes in the body also slow down. Weight gain, feeling cold, constipation, dry skin and hair fall are other symptoms of a sluggish thyroid.

TESTS:

Blood tests for levels of T4 and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). High TSH plus low T4 is a sign of chronic hypothyroidism.
Even if your TSH is on the higher side despite T4 being normal, this signals hypothyroidism.

# 3 BLOOD IMBALANCES

CHRONIC fatigue often results when the body’s supply of iron is depleted. This can happen if you are a vegetarian, work out too much or have a stomach bug that eats away at your nutritional stores. It can happen to women when they are menstruating or pregnant or even breast feeding. Other symptoms of anaemia include abnormally pale skin, a fast heartbeat and a feeling of irritability. Fluctuating sugar levels caused by diabetes or can also cause fatigue.

TESTS:

A haemoglobin test will reveal your blood iron level, and blood sugar tests both fasting and two hours post breakfast will show how well your body is metabolising sugar.

# 4 LIVER ISSUES

LIVER damage by a virus may be the reason for your persistent fatigue. So if you’ve ever had a blood transfusion, any history of cocaine use through a straw, or an abnormal liver function test, do consider the idea that you may be harbouring the hepatitis C virus. Other symptoms are a diminished appetite, fever, aches and other flu- like symptoms that occur soon after infection, though the tiredness can set in even twenty years later.

TESTS:

Get your liver function tests done. A blood test for hepatitis C antibodies is also called for.

10 brain-boosting superfoods

Berries

Berries are rich in antioxidants and are thought to help build healthy connections between brain cells. Blueberries are widely considered to be one of the healthiest foods around - these sweet little bursts of goodness are also rich in fibre, which helps improve your cardiovascular system as well as your brain.


Dark chocolate

It's true - chocolate can be good for you! Dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa) has plenty of brain-boosting compounds, is rich in antioxidants and has just the right amount of caffeine to keep you alert. It also sends your serotonin skyrocketing, so you can stay happy during those long, boring days in the office.

Curry

This fiery staple of Indian and Thai cuisine often contains potent spices that are known to reduce inflammation. On top of this, animal studies have shown that curcumin - curry's active ingredient - is effective at clearing away proteins called amyloid plaques, which can cause serious brain problems.

Broccoli and other green vegetables

Former U.S. president George W. Bush may have been vocal in his hatred of this much-maligned foodstuff, but it is known to increase brain power. Broccoli and other green vegetables such as kale, cabbage and brussels sprouts are filled with antioxidants like vitamin C, as well as brain-protecting plant compounds called carotenoids.

Seeds

Seeds such as pumpkin seeds contain lots of brilliant mind-boosting minerals like zinc and magnesium.

Wholegrain foods

Eating a diet rich in whole grain foods is proven to increase cognitive function. One recent study found that women who increased their intake of folic acid, vitamin B12 and vitamin B6 (all of which are found in whole grains) were significantly better at recalling information than those who did not.

Avocado

Avocado is rich in Vitamin E - an important antioxidant for maintaining a healthy brain.
Green and black tea

Green and black tea

A fresh-brewed cup of tea is a rich source of catechines (antioxidants), which are great for boosting your brain. However, tea does of course contain caffeine, so avoid drinking more than two to three cups a day.

Water

Staying hydrated is vital as every cell in your body needs water to thrive. Studies show that people who are well hydrated score significantly better in tests of brainpower, compared with those who aren't drinking enough.