Getting the flu is bad enough, but getting the flu while you're pregnant can be a nightmare. There is a greater chance that you will stay sick longer, there are only have a few medications that you can take to safely relieve flu symptoms, and your risk for developing flu-related complications is increased. That's why the best thing for pregnant women to do during flu season is to take all possible precautions to avoid the virus, including getting a flu shot.
Influenza, or the flu, is a very contagious virus that affects the upper respiratory system causing fever, muscle aches, cough, sore throat, runny nose and weakness. The flu usually makes its appearance in winter and early spring, but it can also strike in the fall and late spring as well. While the virus is a nasty thing for anyone to catch, with pregnancy and the flu it can be particularly risky because a woman's immune system has weakened slightly during the pregnancy. Because of this, pregnant women are more likely to experience symptoms for a longer period of time, and their risk of developing complications, such as pneumonia, is increased. Studies have shown, however, that pregnancy and the flu poses little risk to an unborn child.
The best way for pregnant women to avoid the flu is to get a flu shot. Flu shots are recommended for nearly all pregnant women and are usually given in October or November right before flu season starts. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself from the virus and can save you a lot of discomfort during the flu season. Other ways to avoid combining pregnancy and the flu include:
Frequent hand washing:
This is one of the most important things you can do for yourself to avoid illness. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after meals, after using the bathroom and frequently throughout the day. Washing your hands with antibacterial soap to get rid of germs is one of the easiest ways to stay healthy.
Stay away from people who have colds or the flu:
Common sense should tell you to avoid people who are already sick. Coming into contact with contagious individuals is an easy way to get sick yourself, so if possible, just avoid sick people altogether until they are no longer contagious.
Keeping your hands away from your nose, mouth and eyes: Germs like to come in through these particular places, so try not to touch them.
If you are unfortunate enough to get the flu, there are a few things that you can do to ease the symptoms and recover faster. Remember though, with pregnancy and the flu, there are many medications that you cannot take because they could be harmful to you or your baby. Be sure to talk to your doctor before taking any medicine to treat your flu symptoms. The following treatments can help if you come down with the flu:
-Acetaminophen for fever, aches, and pains
-Chlorpheniramine, an antihistamine
-Honey or other natural ingredient lozenges for a sore throat
-Lots of rest
-Increased fluid intake, especially water, juice, and tea
Getting the flu is no fun. Getting the flu while you're pregnant is REALLY no fun. Pregnancy and the flu just don't mix, so do your self a favor by getting a flu shot and taking preventative measures to avoid the virus.
Showing posts with label Health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Health. Show all posts
Breast Enhancers
Throughout history, women have gone to great lengths to change the shapes of their bodies. More specifically, they have focused on changing the shape and size of their breasts. So many different products have been advertised to make the breast bigger and fuller, that an entire industry was created fore the sole purpose of breast enhancement.
After researching all the crazy attempts to market products that boast of being able to actually make breasts larger, it is easy to come to the conclusion that there is really only a couple of ways to actually increase bust size.
The most efficient breast enhancer available to women today is a good push-up bra. Even though there are an abundance of products on the market claiming that they have the latest pill, cream, gel or gadget that will enhance the size of a breast, the reality is, with the exception of surgery, the only thing that truly does enhance a womens breast is a breast enhancing bra.
The purchasing power of women in search of larger breast is so undeniably enormous that it has led to the continuing quest to find the perfect breast enhancing bra.
The breast enhancing bras goal is to push up the breast to make the cleavage more pronounced and the breast seem larger. A good breast enhancing bra will give a woman enough added inches to her breast to make her feel sexier and more attractive. This being the manufacturers intention, there is a wide variety of bras out there designed specifically for this purpose.
Bras have come a long way since the corsets of Victorian times. The first bras to have actual cup sizing, a, b, c or d, were not patented until 1935. Since then there have been quite a few attempts to sell women that perfect bra that is sure to enhance the size of her breasts.
From foam padding, to water or gel filled breast cups, many bra makers have tried to come up with the ultimate breast enhancing solution. Of course, most of the major designers lay claim to that their bra is the best available on the market today.
A push-up bra basically takes what a woman already has to offer and lifts and molds these assets to their most flattering potential. The task of any breast enhancer is to optimize the breast and make it look as full as possible.
After researching all the crazy attempts to market products that boast of being able to actually make breasts larger, it is easy to come to the conclusion that there is really only a couple of ways to actually increase bust size.
The most efficient breast enhancer available to women today is a good push-up bra. Even though there are an abundance of products on the market claiming that they have the latest pill, cream, gel or gadget that will enhance the size of a breast, the reality is, with the exception of surgery, the only thing that truly does enhance a womens breast is a breast enhancing bra.
The purchasing power of women in search of larger breast is so undeniably enormous that it has led to the continuing quest to find the perfect breast enhancing bra.
The breast enhancing bras goal is to push up the breast to make the cleavage more pronounced and the breast seem larger. A good breast enhancing bra will give a woman enough added inches to her breast to make her feel sexier and more attractive. This being the manufacturers intention, there is a wide variety of bras out there designed specifically for this purpose.
Bras have come a long way since the corsets of Victorian times. The first bras to have actual cup sizing, a, b, c or d, were not patented until 1935. Since then there have been quite a few attempts to sell women that perfect bra that is sure to enhance the size of her breasts.
From foam padding, to water or gel filled breast cups, many bra makers have tried to come up with the ultimate breast enhancing solution. Of course, most of the major designers lay claim to that their bra is the best available on the market today.
A push-up bra basically takes what a woman already has to offer and lifts and molds these assets to their most flattering potential. The task of any breast enhancer is to optimize the breast and make it look as full as possible.
Ergonomics - Are you sitting comfortably?
Where you've probably heard the term, though, is used in relation to computer equipment: mice, mouse mats, keyboards, monitors, and the like. The traditional design of a lot of computer equipment is very unergonomic, meaning that if it is used for extended periods of time (as you do when you are using it at your job), you can get all sorts of injuries, the most famous being RSI (repetitive strain injury).
Whatever you might think of your employer, the chances are that they don't want you getting injured: they'd have to get along without you, or go to the trouble of replacing you, not to mention the legal liability they might have if you could prove that it was there equipment that hurt you. For this reason, ergonomic computer equipment is becoming more and more common in office environments. If your keyboard is oddly-shaped, that's because it's ergonomic. If your mouse mat has a little soft spot to rest your wrist on, that's because it's ergonomic. There are plenty more examples.
It's these little, inexpensive extras that go some way towards reducing the possibility that you will get injured at work. One thing you might not have considered, though, is that they can also work well in the home. If you use your computer a lot at home – whether as a hobby, or as a freelancer, or for home working – you should get some ergonomic equipment for yourself. If you injure yourself through computer use, you'll have no-one to sue or blame but yourself, which might mean that you won't be able to afford the costs of caring for and treating the condition. RSI really isn't pleasant, so you should make sure to take measures to protect yourself, wherever the computer you're using might be.
Is Your Bra Hazardous To Your Health?
Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer found in women, and this year alone 192,000 new cases will be diagnosed in the U.S. It eventually strikes one out of every eight American women. Breast cancer also causes more deaths than any other form of cancer in women under age 55.
As women, we all fear breast cancer. It is the one disease that sends chills down our spines and puts a knot in our stomachs. I am not about to go over all the reasons why women get breast cancer or who is or isn't a high risk factor. I will leave that subject to those who are far more qualified than I, however, there is one factor that affects your breast health and that is the fit of your bra.
Right now, as you read this, 80% of all the women in America are wearing the wrong size bra. Most of them are uncomfortable and most of them are too small. Your breast is all about circulation and the flow of lymph. If you want healthy breasts, follow a regular care program, including a monthly self exam, routine visits with your doctor, and a mammogram when recommended for your age and family history, Most importantly, wear a bra that fits you.
A tight, binding, constricting, and ill fitting bra is bad for you and can cause major discomfort as well as retarding the circulation in and around your breast. So what can you do to change that? Find a bra that fits you perfectly.
This process is very simple but requires the help of an "expert". When I was growing up in Brooklyn, New York, my mother use to call them the "brassier ladies". They were mostly European born and had worked in corset shops in Europe as fitters or seamstresses. This noble group of women worked in neighborhood lingerie shops. You never bought a bra without their expertise.
They had such a trained eye that the minute any woman walked in the door they knew what size she was. They would take one look and say, "34C". It was like radar, they just knew from afar, and when they measured you, they were almost always right.
Today there is a more modern version of these women called lingerie fitters. They are in local shops (if your town is lucky to have one), or work in major department stores in the lingerie department. So your first step to finding the right bra is to go see one of these gals. They will take your measurements, first under your rib cage and all around your back and then across your breast. One tells what your bra size is (34, 36, 38 etc.) and the other tells your cup size (A, B, C, D etc.) Now that you know this they will usually recommend a style for your body type based on your needs. During your session, tell this person all about your basic wardrobe. Are you looking for a bra to wear under a tee shirt or a knit, one for sports or the gym, or a special occasion look? Or do you need to establish a basic bra wardrobe?
Believe me, one hour spent with one of these experts will not only save you money in the long run (by avoiding having a drawer full of ill-fitting bras you can no longer wear), but you will be saved the daily agonies of wearing bras that hurt, are too tight, dig into your shoulders or are just plain torture!
Once you have established your size and needs, then follow these simple suggestions for a long and comfy relationship with your bras.
HOW TO PUT ON A BRA
Bend forward, put the bra on, and fasten.
Look at the fit and make sure that the cup holds all of your breast. If you are spilling out, it is too small. If you have "overhang" it is too small.
Next, take your right hand and smooth the skin of the left breast into the cup. Do the same on the other side.
Stand up straight and see how the straps fit and feel. They should be comfortable without feeling like a vice. Adjust as needed until perfect.
Now, look straight ahead into a mirror and make certain that each nipple is in the CENTER of each cup.
Adjust the back of the bra so it lies smoothly between your shoulder blades.
Take a deep breathe, how does it feel?
A word about brand names. Not every manufacturer cuts the same way, that is true of bras as well as clothes. You might be a size 34C in one brand but a 34D in another. And there may be some brands you can't wear at all.
BRA DO's & DON'TS –
Do get measured again every time you lose or gain weight, after a pregnancy, or if you are on hormone replacement therapy.
Don't ever buy a bar without trying it on and stay away from the sale rack.
Unless there is a brand and style there that you wear, pulling one off the rack because it is marked down is no bargain. Chances are it will have a long and happy life in your lingerie drawer.
Do buy an under wire style if you are full breasted and need firmer support.
Do buy a minimizer if you want to have a large breast appear smaller.
Do try one of the new soft cup bras that offer construction for a smaller breast. (Soft cup means sans under wire.)
Do throw away any and all bras that hurt you or are uncomfortable, no matter how much you paid for them.
Important points to remember
Ask a salesperson to measure you but let your eye and your body be the ultimate test. A bra shouldn't ride up, dig into your back, or slip off your shoulders.
When trying on a bra in a store, take several, in various sizes, into the fitting room. The difference between a 34 and 36 might be one hook.
For the best fit, your bra should be fastened with the middle hook.
Reevaluate your bra wardrobe at the beginning of every season.
If you find a bra that you love, by all means buy more than one.
Never put a bra in the dryer.
Learn How the Mind and Body Works with the Five Psychological Phases of Fitness
Whether you are a military special operations soldier, an athlete, or just a regular person seeking to lose weight, all groups experience similar personal obstacles. Those who succeed in their training programs learn to conquer self-doubt. That is the key to fitness!
Every day, excited people join fitness clubs determined to attend classes or workout for an hour a day, five days a week. This exuberance for vitality typically lasts for 10-14 days before self-doubt, sleeping in, and skipping workouts take over. In two short sentences, the first two psychological phases of fitness were described. The five phases of becoming fit are the following:
Excitement and Highly Motivated
Doubt Toward Goals
Conquer Doubt
Total Change in Energy Level / Confidence
Make New Fitness Goal / Challenge
The five phases are used to describe to people how they are going to feel in the near future about starting a fitness program whether as a beginner or as an advanced athlete preparing for Special Forces training. Typically, both the out of shape beginner and the advanced Special Operations candidate develop into their goals through the five phase process.
In Phase One of fitness, a person makes a decision to get healthy, or decide to serve their country as a Special Forces member. This phase takes 2-3 seconds, but it actually takes about 2-3 weeks to replace old, bad habits and to create new habits that will fuel your desire to obtain your goals. Hang in there at least three weeks. It takes 2-3 weeks to BUILD GOOD HABITS. This phase is filled with motivation and a general excitement about fitness and exercise. Statistics show that people who workout in the morning before work are twice as likely to complete the workout compared to those who wait until after work to exercise.
In the Phase Two, doubt enters and can either crush your progress or make you stronger. It is absolutely natural to have doubts about what you are undertaking. My advice is to start doubting as quickly as possible and get over it. Realize self-doubt is part of the process and it will be encountered again throughout your fitness journey. Even SEAL trainees doubt themselves, but those who become SEALs conquer their doubt. Likewise, those who lose 60-80 pounds in a year, conquer their doubt as well.
Phase Three is one of the most exciting phases when you realize you have conquered your doubt. You may reach this phase continually throughout your quest for fitness or Special Forces status, but once you do, you really can do anything you set your mind to. This is where the mind and body connect. Use the workouts to be a catalyst in all areas of your life: work, relationships, school, spirit, financial, and others. I am a firm believer that exercising your body will give you the stamina and energy to exercise your mind, spirit, and achieve those life long dreams you have for yourself.
Phase Four is the total identity change and self-confidence realization period for most people. You now associate yourself with fit and healthy people. Now, you are fit in mind and body. Your example will inspire others. Be a role model to another heavy person or aspiring Special Operations soldier. People will be amazed by your new work ethic at work and play. Eating healthy is now a habit for you too. In fact, eating fast food or unhealthy snacks makes you feel slightly ill. This is because your body will naturally crave healthy foods as you subject yourself to a long-term physical fitness routine.
Phase Five is the next step, but the journey never ends. Set and conquer goals for yourself. Whatever you like - run, swim, bike, weight lift, etc. Challenge yourself to run a 10k, bench press 300 lbs, do a triathlon. The options are unlimited, after all fitness is a journey – not a destination.
Cardio-Boxing for Super Fitness
Sports scientists agree that cardio-boxing is one of the best forms of exercise, because it conditions the total body and provides a complete workout for your cardiovascular and endurance systems.
The major benefits of cardio-boxing include:
- Increased Stamina
- Increased Strength
- Increased Speed
- Increased Coordination
Cardio-boxing also promotes a person's well being by strengthening their self-discipline and combined with strength training it's well and truly the total package for self-defence and fitness and usually consists of:
Adjusted heart rate work
Actual boxing techniques
The usual workout consists of the age-adjusted heart rate work starting with 10 minutes for beginners and leading up to 20 minutes for the more advanced. For the second part of the workout, you'll need to perform and practice 20 minutes of actual boxing techniques.
Cardio
The best way to measure the effects of an exercise program on your body is to check your pulse.
The easiest way to check the pulse is to place your index and middle fingers on your carotid artery or the wrist. Immediately after the exercise, count your pulse for 15 seconds and multiply by 4.
You can also check your pulse during the exercise but with safety as a first priority. To get a more precise reading of your pulse rate, purchase an electronic device from any sports store.
Now you have your exercising pulse rate or heartbeats per minute. We'll be concentrating at the upper end of your pulse region: the 50% - 70% ranges.
To figure this out, deduct your age from 220. Suppose your age is 40, deduct this from 220 and you get 180.
50% of 180 is 90 beats a minute,
60% of 180 is 108 beats a minute,
70% of 180 is 126 beats a minute and so on.
Don't jump into 70% work straight away. Start with 50% and slowly work your way up to the 70% upper limit.
Start with no more than 10 minutes, and work up to 20 minutes. Once you're comfortable with working out for 20 minutes at 70% then try to increase the heart rate up to 80%.
Mix up your cardiovascular activities in the gym. Use the treadmill, skipping, rower, climber, and bike and other equipment that might be available to you.
Boxing
The boxing stance is the posture a boxer takes before and after every action depending on whether you are left or right handed. We'll be dealing with the most common; right-handed. For left-handed people, just reverse the instructions.
Stand with your feet shoulder width apart, with your left foot in front of your right foot. Your right heel should be slightly raised with your left foot flat on the floor and toes pointing ahead.
Bend your knees a little and balance your weight comfortably and evenly.
Place your elbows close to your body with your left fist held at head height and in a position that corresponds to your left foot.
The right fist should be at head height also and guarding the chin, with both elbows protecting your body and both fists protecting your chin.
This is your defensive and offensive position after throwing punches, so please practice this before going any further. When moving forward in this boxing stance the left foot moves forward first and then the right follows.
When moving back, the right moves back and then the left follows. When moving sideward to the right, the right foot moves first followed by the left. When moving sideward to the left, the left foot moves first followed by the right.
Practice this moving forward, back and sideward in the boxer's stance until it is done smoothly and quickly. Remember to keep your guard up and elbows tucked in to your sides.
Keep your head at eye level with your upper body leaning forward slightly. In boxing it is important that punches are thrown quickly and then bought back quickly to assume a defensive posture.
Punching
A left jab has many uses, it can be used for both offensive and
Defensive actions. From the set stance the left arm is pushed quickly and forcefully forward, the weight is shifted to the front foot. The fist moves in a straight line and straight back again for defence.
At the moment of impact the back of the hand and the lower arm are in a straight line. Keep the right fist in the defensive position and elbow tucked into the body during the movement.
The straight right is also known as the punching hand and can be thrown with considerable force. The arm moves straightforward from the chin, the body weight is shifted to the front foot with the ball of the foot of the back leg pushing into the floor for more power.
The back of the hand is straight and pointing up at the moment of impact. The arm is then immediately pulled back for protection after the hit.
The left hook to the head and body is an effective punch for closer range work. From the set stance turn your left shoulder quickly and move your elbow up to shoulder height. The fist moves in a circular motion to the target, with the elbow bent.
Rotate your hip and body whilst pressing your front left down keeping the back of your fist pointing up and in a straight line with the lower arm. The left hook to the body is similar to the above but increases the rotation of the body
The right uppercut is also carried out at close range. Drop the lower part of your punching arm until the lower and upper arm is at right angles to each other. The back of your hand should be pointing away from you, now thrust your arm forward and upward to your target.
Shift your body weight to your front leg and rotate your hip and shoulder on the same side. Remember to keep your left fist guarding your chin during the entire movement. Now practice all your punches until they are done quickly and smoothly.
To develop speed and endurance, try punching straight left and right combinations into the heavy bag. The duration of the exercise period is the same as the rest period i.e. 10 seconds exercise, 10 seconds rest, 20 seconds exercise, 20 seconds rest, and so on. Move up higher as your condition improves.
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