Category Archives: food

Lifestyle Changes To Help You Lose Weight

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Making the decision to lose weight involves more than choosing a diet plan and hitting the gym here every now and then. You always hear people say “It needs to be a lifestyle change in order for it to work.” So what does that entail? How can you go a step above a “diet” and make changes that are going to last? The truth is, if you want to lose weight, and to more importantly, keep the weight off, you really do need to change your lifestyle, to change your mindset, and you may also need to get some professional help so that this is a positive move in your life.

Here are some tips to help with this.

  • Find a Diet that suits you.

If you are over 45, losing weight can be more difficult as this can also be colliding in changes in your body as you approach menopause. You may find that you need to seek professional help, rather than attempting to do this by yourself. Andrew Hanoun has been helping woman over 45 to lose weight through his programmes that target women who have tried everything else. He helps them to  finally release all the weight, get back in control of their health and adapt a sustainable lifestyle change.

The programme involves a lot of education – you need to understand why you are gaining the weight in order to lose it and keep it off. It combines group support, interesting recipes, motivational videos and live events to help women to support women and has, most importantly of all, a high success rate.

  • Start Writing

Studies have shown that people who journal and write down everything they eat have more success in losing weight and keeping it off. There are two components to successful journaling.

One, you want to write how you are feeling each day and the various activities you do. How did you feel when you chose to eat the apple versus the chocolate? What was going through your head when you couldn’t stop at just one chip? Try to get in tune with your though processes as you make the choices you make. Look for patterns over time so you can try strategies to help you avoid making mistakes and making healthy choices.

The other component to successful journaling is to write every bite down. This means each snack, taste, and spoonful you take. You can count your portions in whatever way works for you, but make sure you write them down and are being accurate.

  • Pretend You Live in Another Country

Remember that year you backpacked through Europe or that amazing trip to Mexico? Did you spend all of your time in your car zipping around place to place? No. What did you notice about the people who lived there? They walked. Everywhere. So many people are dependent on their cars to get them from point A to point B. Skip the car and grab the bike, run, walk, jog, or dance walk. Yes, that’s a thing now, and it’s amazing.

  • Get Enough Sleep

Scientists have discovered a relationship between weight gain and sleep deprivation. Buy new pillows and crisp sheets, set your air conditioner at 69F and try to get at least 7 hours of sleep per night. Some people may need more. Aim for the amount that makes you feel rested where you can wake up without the alarm.

 

Natural Beauty from a Healthy Lifestyle

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Becoming a generally healthy person requires gradual lifestyle changes. Good health is a priority and when you feel good, you look good as well. There are simple and effective steps that you can take towards enhancing your beauty from within while maintaining optimal health. Everyone can be healthy regardless of gender, age or current conditions.

Beautiful and Healthy Smile

Maintain a dazzling smile by protecting your teeth by brushing, flossing and visiting your dentist regularly. Be sure to choose a reputable one for the best services.  Do not ignore any face and jaw pain as this can be a sign of something more serious.The muscle that connects your jaw to your skull, the temporomandibular joint, can became misaligned, damaged, or inflamed causing Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, which is better known as TMJ. Sore facial muscles and jaw aches caused by TMJ can greatly affect your overall wellbeing by interrupting sleep and causing pain, but you do not need to live with this pain, as a good cosmetic dentist can have this sorted very quickly, and can return your smile and your regular life pattern.

Exercise

Exercise is highly beneficial and you should strive for a minimum of thirty-minute workouts on a daily basis for the best results. There are different physical activities that you can choose from ranging from swimming to brisk walking. Exercising regularly is also good for your skin, energy and happiness.

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Healthy Diet

Healthy eating is important although you can spurge on your favorite treats occasionally. Maintaining a healthy diet will improve your appearance right from within and contribute to helping you look great. All your meals should be balanced and nutritious.

The recommended number of balanced meals per day is three, along with healthy snacks in between for extra energy. Skipping meals is not an effective strategy because you may end up feeling hungry and binge-eating.

Make sure that you consume a considerable portion of vegetables and fruits each day. Avoid over-processed foods or food that contains a lot of fat because they compromise the efficiency of the digestive system.

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Skin Protection

Protect your skin to ensure that it always looks clean and healthy. Keeping your face clean and using the right products will help you maintain beautiful skin. Regardless of the skin tone you have, minimize exposure to the sun. If you cannot avoid constant exposure, invest in a quality sunscreen product for sufficient protection.

Stay hydrated by drinking enough water. Water is vital for hydrating your skin and preventing it from drying or peeling. You should wash your face at least two times everyday. Gentle cleaners are useful for different skin types and help to prevent breakouts and other skin problems.

Using a lip balm will keep your lips moisturised and you can consider wearing subtle makeup if you want to enhance your facial features. Whenever you have makeup on, do not forget to remove it before you go to bed.

Hygiene

Proper hygiene is an integral aspect of beauty and health. Staying clean and fresh makes a positive and favourable impression in everyone you meet. Take a bath or shower everyday, wash hair as often as recommended and wear deodorant. Your hands and feet work hard everyday and should be given the attention and care they deserve. Keep the skin on your hands and feet healthy by moisturising them.

 

 

Dream Kitchen Style

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In general, I love my home. I love the fact that I have a dining room, my bathroom is my oasis of calm and has a huge Victorian stand alone bath which I love, and I have a huge garden that is integral to our family life. So, in general, pretty happy with my lot. But if I could change anything at all, it would be my kitchen. It is small, just slightly larger than a galley style. And although we have made the situation better by creating an extension for the utilities, there is still very little space when preparing food, and it can feel cramped with more than one person in it.

So what sort of kitchen would I have in an ideal world with more space? The sort that have huge islands in the centre where family can eat and chat together, or kids can do their homework whilst you prepare dinner (I’m sounding all Brady Bunch here, aren’t I?). The sort that have all those cupboards where space is properly utilised, so that you have a space that is earning its keep.I love hand built and individually designed kitchens, the work of skilled craftsman that are designed to last, that can be handpainted in any colour that you chose, so that, as well as designing your layout, you get a kitchen that suits your personality too. I love solid wood flooring that is not only stylish, but is also hard wearing, and can either give your kitchen a heritage look, or one that is totally contemporary and minimal.

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I love Shaker style kitchens. These have a traditional feel as they are based on pieces from the 19th century, in American provincial style. Units tend to be wood rather than modern glossy materials, and the style is one that avoids fashion and trends, meaning it will still be good ten years after you have installed it. The Shaker style below shows how using a shot of beautiful colour can make the traditional design feel bang up to date, and totally aspirational – my dream kitchen!

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You really can create the most wonderful and desirable kitchen spaces, that also include products that will be durable and long lasting. A dream kitchen is an aspiration that is not beyond your wildest dreams, so if you are looking for kitchen design, maybe do a bit of reseaching on pinterest to see what others have done with a space similar to yours. Or just enjoying dreaming of your perfect space.