Monthly Archives: January 2009

Discover How to Get Out of a Bad Mood

Posted on January 29, 2009 by | Leave a comment

Being in a bad mood can be bad for your health. Frowning all of the time can leave your mouth full of lines. If you’re going to have lines, why not have laugh lines instead of frowning ones? Remember, you always have a choice. You can either stay in a bad mood or snap out of it. If you don’t you could earn the nickname Ms. or Mr. Crabby Pants!

They say laughter is the best medicine. If this is true, why are so many people in bad moods? They also say misery loves company. You may consider being more mindful of the company you keep. The people you hang out with could be slowly killing you. The more stress you are under, the more pressure your heart is under.

You can apply the old age wisdom of mind over matter. There is no reason for you to stay in a bad mood all day. You can choose to move to a place that feels better. When you’re in a bad mood, you put your body in the “flight or fright” mode. Your muscles will become tense and your pulse races. This is not good for your body.

Tips to Get Out of a Bad Mood

  1. Laugh.
  2. Take a walk.
  3. Surf YouTube for funny videos.
  4. Think about something to be grateful for
  5. Just smile.
  6. Listen to music.

A change of scenery can do wonders for you. Go for a drive or walk through the park. Getting out in nature will snap you out of a bad mood. Breathing the fresh air and feeling the sun on your face will lift your spirits.

If you’re a coffee lover, go for a great cup of coffee at your favorite café. Breath in the deep, rich aroma of the coffee. Pickup a local newspaper or buy a magazine, and you’ll make a speedy recovery. You’ll be so relaxed that you’ll forget what set you off.

Journaling is a great way to vent your anger and frustrations. Getting it on paper is better than taking it out on someone else. If you are susceptible to bad moods, you may discover what is causing them. It could be that you are feeling stuck in your life and you’re ready for change.

Do not stay in a bad mood because life is too short. You can be living life to its fullest. The next time you feel a “bad mood” coming on strong, stop it before it gets out of control. Count to 10, take a deep breath, and say to yourself “this to shall pass.” Give it a try and see what happens.

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How to Avoid a Rocky Start to Indoor Rock Climbing

Posted on January 26, 2009 by | 1 Comment

You can avoid a rocky start to indoor rock climbing by learning the “ins and outs” of rock climbing. Indoor rock climbing is not that easy. Sure the Travel Channel showcases indoor rock climbing establishments, but it takes a little know how.

If you find yourself in Phoenix, AZ, check out The Phoenix Rock Gym. This is a great place to go indoor rock climbing. However, if you are a beginner, you may be overwhelmed. It will behoove you to know the “basics” of rock climbing. This includes knowing how to tie a figure 8 knot, understanding rock climbing lingo, and most importantly knowing that you are on your own. The staff shows you the equipment and goes over it and then you and your friend are good to go. If you’re lucky, a staff member will go over the equipment and how to tie a figure 8 knot more than once. They do not give you a helmet to wear — you may want to bring your own. Otherwise, good luck to you and don’t look down.

Rock climbing is a very physical sport. It requires the use of both lower and upper body strength. Those with long arms will naturally want to grab and pull themselves up. Wrong! Use your legs otherwise you’ll become tired fast.

Indoor rock climbing walls have different levels of difficulty. Most have beginner and advanced walls. Some of the walls have “fun” labels such as death! If you’re a beginner, you may want to stay away from the death wall.

If you are serious about rock climbing, you may want to invest in some rock climbing lessons. It’s better to take one or two classes and learn the ropes from a professional. When you go to a rock climbing gym you’ll know what you’re doing.

Rock Climbing in Arizona

  1. Lifetime Fitness, Tempe AZ.
  2. Climbmax, Tempe AZ.
  3. Rocks and Ropes Climbing Gym, Tucson AZ.
  4. Phoenix Rock Gym, Tempe AZ.
  5. Vertical Relief Climbing Center, Flagstaff AZ.

Indoor rock climbing is a great workout. It’s a great way to stay fit and burn fat! If you’re thinking about getting in shape, consider indoor rock climbing as part of your weight loss system. Just keep in mind that it is not a sport for the faint of heart. If you have a fear of heights, you may want to forget about indoor rock climbing. Unless, of course, you are ready to face your fear of heights.

However, if you would like to develop your core muscles, go ahead and try indoor rock climbing You’ll never know if you’ll like it until you experience it. Make sure to consult your physician before engaging in this strenuous activity. Once you are cleared for take-off, you’ll be ready to ascend to new heights in your fitness routine!

Where is your favorite place to go indoor rock climbing?

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Posted in Broadening Your Horizons, Healthy and Well

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How to Get a Flat Stomach Without Crunches

Posted on January 18, 2009 by | 2 Comments

Many people get down on the floor and crunch away for an hour or so. They hope the crunches will flatten their stomach. Unfortunately, crunches do not work that well. You are only moving back and forth and not really strengthening your core.

Many people do not like to exercise, but it is necessary if you would like a flat stomach. There is no way to avoid it. A lot of people get bored with their workouts, so change your workouts from time to time.

To get your “middle” in shape, review your diet. If you are eating too many carbs, these will pack on the pounds. Most foods are loaded with salt and sugar. Avoid excess salt and sugar by putting the salt shaker away. Using a sugar substitute is one way to “wean” yourself off of sugar. However, if you must have “sugar” look for sugar substitutes that are organic or natural.

Flatten Your Stomach with These Moves

  1. Cardio exercises: running, biking, hiking, and walking.
  2. Dancing.
  3. Pilates.
  4. Weight Training.
  5. Yoga.
  6. Hold a medicine ball and “twist” your middle from side to side.

To get your middle into shape, alternate weight training and cardiovascular exercise. These exercises will “rev up” your metabolism which will help you to burn fat. You will lose your middle in no time.

For a list of “belly blasting” exercises, visit Prevention.com. They have wonderful articles with step-by-step instructions.

Stomach Flattening Food Suggestions

  1. Avoid salt.
  2. Do not buy foods labeled as “low carb” or “sugar free.”
  3. Limit your carb intake.
  4. Eat cooked vegetables versus raw.
  5. Watch out for foods that may cause excess gas — broccoli, legumes, citrus fruits, peppers are some foods that may cause gas.

Standard crunches are becoming outdated. Today, it’s about getting an all over body workout. Test different exercises and see what works for your body. Remember, all bodies are not the same. A workout system that may work for you may not work for someone else.

If you are unsure of how to get your abs into shape, hire a fitness coach. You could hire a coach for a day or two or even one week. Let them help you design a workout system for your body. They will be able to show you how to properly do the moves that will help you “blast” your belly into shape.

To stay motivated, track your progress. When you see the results, you’ll feel good. Not only will you see the weight loss when you look in the mirror, you’ll see a flatter stomach. You may want to reward yourself when you reach goals such as 5 lbs. or 10 lbs. Treat yourself to a manicure, pedicure, or a massage.

Finally, do not waste your money on “ab machines.” In order to lose excess fat from your middle, you must get an “all-over body” workout. Complement this with foods that are right for your body, and you have a successful formula for shaping your middle!

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Take a Bite Out of Your Negative Online Reputation

Posted on January 13, 2009 by | Leave a comment

Is your online reputation being compromised? Some people believe that publicity, whether it is positive or negative can be good. However, negative publicity can do more harm, especially if it’s on the internet for millions of people to see. When you find out your image has been tarnished, stay calm, and take immediate action. Help is available to you so you can rebuild your online reputation.

No person or organization wants negative publicity. Unfortunately, you risk being subjected to negativity because the internet is accessible to millions of people around the world. You cannot please everyone!

Many companies and individuals will benefit from reputation management. Taking steps to rebuild your reputation does not have to be painful. Acknowledge and accept that it has happened and find solutions to squelch the negativity once and for all.

First Step – Acknowledge the Damage

Many people have a difficult time accepting that something did not go their way. This includes their online reputation. No one wants to be viewed in a “negative” light, but it does happen. Whether or not it’s valid makes no difference. Negative publicity can hurt your organization. Before you know it, the numbers on your P&L (profit/loss) statement take a nose dive!

If your brand has been targeted with negative comments or websites, the key is to create quality content that reverses the damage. Forget about getting even with people. Take control of the situation by posting testimonials, educational, and promotional information. This is a way to “stuff” down the negative and bring up the positive. It may take some time, but it will happen.

Choose online reputation management solutions that will help you or your company regain a solid reputation. Begin today to shed some light on this issue. The time is now to rebuild and enhance your reputation!

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Is Your Attitude Making You Sick?

Posted on January 6, 2009 by | Leave a comment

Are you an optimist or a pessimist? Some people see the glass as half empty or half full. When something bad happens, pessimists tend to blame themselves. They can go on and on about the event and before they know it, the “negativity” transfers to other areas of the their lives.

Optimists are total opposites. They will not blame themselves and expect minor consequences for a short period of time. Whatever “bad” thing happened, it will not affect other parts of their lives. They will “bounce” back and take steps to move forward from the experience.

Being a pessimist or optimist can affect your health. Christopher Peterson, Ph.D, a researcher at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, says “pessimists end up being sick more days in any given month than their more optimistic counterparts.” Pessimists go to the doctor more frequently than optimists because their IgA levels decrease which makes them more susceptible to catching colds and the flu!

Pessimist Checklist

  1. Listen to doom and gloom speak of family, friends, and the media.
  2. Blame themselves for everything that is wrong in their lives.
  3. Dwell on past and present mistakes.
  4. Constantly focus on everything that is wrong in their life.
  5. Moody.
  6. Focus on things that are out of your control.

Optimist Checklist

  1. Focuses on the present.
  2. Recovers from setbacks in a quick manner.
  3. Sees the glass as half full.
  4. Does not dwell on mistakes; learns from them and moves forward with their life.
  5. Visualize themselves as being a success.
  6. Vent to family and friends; do not hold onto feelings of anger or sadness.

The above checklists are just some examples of being a pessimist or optimist. If you’re not sure which one you are, you may want to ask your family and friends. You’ll be able to tell by the look on their faces!

If you tend to lean towards pessimism try a few of these techniques:

  1. Laugh.
  2. Control what you can and let go of the rest.
  3. Give yourself a “pat” on the back when you experience success.
  4. Smile everyday.
  5. Stop hanging out with the “Debbie or Doug Downers.” You can find other friends. If these people are family members, limit your time that you spend with them.

It’s time to take control of your life. Each year, many people make New Year’s resolutions that last until the beginning of February. Make the decision to change your attitude today because your health may depend on it tomorrow!

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How You Can Travel with Your Pets

Posted on January 4, 2009 by | Leave a comment

Many people travel each year and go home for the holidays. If you have pets, you have a decision to make: do you put Fido or Felix in a kennel or find someone to watch him?

The alternative is to travel with your pets. This can be tricky because some pets travel better than others. But, it may be worth it if you do not have anyone to watch your pet. and avoid costly kennels.

Air Travel

If you plan to travel by air, take your pet to the veterinarian. Some airlines will ask to see a certificate that verifies your pet is healthy. The airline may ask for proof of rabies and distemper vaccinations.

You may want to ask your veterinarian if your pet needs tranquilizers. Some veterinarians will suggest giving your pet Benadryl or nothing at all. If you choose to give your pet a tranquilizer, give them one a few days before you leave. This way you will be able to see how your pet reacts to the medicine.

Make sure you have an airline regulated pet carrier. The size of the carrier will vary from airline to airline. Find a PetSmart Store near you and purchase a carrier that is acceptable by the airlines.

You may want to feed your pet an hour before your flight. Make sure your pet goes to the bathroom before you leave. You do not want any accidents while you’re in the air!

Consider bringing some food and or small animal water feeder with you. Your pet may or may not be hungry or thirsty on your flight, but it’s best to be prepared. Many pets are too nervous to eat or drink and most will sleep for the duration of the flight.

Car or RV Travel

For those who travel via a car or RV, make sure your pet is in it’s carrier and buckled in just like you! After all, you do not want your pet to be “rolling around” as you drive, especially on a winding road.

Every 90 minutes or so, stop at a rest stop to feed your pet. It’s good for you and your pet to stretch your legs and go to the bathroom. If you’re traveling with a cat, make sure you have enough litter for your trip. Carry bags with you so you can put the litter or “doggie doo” in it. Remember to clean up after your pet.

If you plan to stay at a hotel or hotel and resort, make sure they accepts pets! You do not want to show up at your hotel and find out that Fido is not welcomed. Before you book your hotel, ask if they accept pets.

If you must travel with a pet, make sure they will be comfortable. Of course, the best option is to leave them at home. If you cannot do this, take every precaution to ensure that both of you will have a smooth and seamless travel experience.

Traveling with pets does not have to be difficult. It’s kind of like traveling with kids! You still need to bring food, water, treats, and their favorite toys. Happy traveling to you and your pets!

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How to Combat Feeling-Fat Days

Posted on January 2, 2009 by | Leave a comment

Many women have days where they feel fat. At one point in time, all of us have had way too much to eat for one reason or another. After you gorge yourself, the next day you feel fat and do not want to look in the mirror. Feeling fat days are much worse than a bad hair day because you can grab a hat and cover up your hair!

As you look in your long mirror, you see that your stomach looks like a “muffin top.” You then make your way to the bathroom; all the while your thighs reacquaint themselves. Your face is puffy and you notice a few more wrinkles on your face. All you really want to do is go back to bed.

The key to “feeling fat” days is to thank God that you can still move. You may have ate an entire cheese pizza the night before, but you can work it off the next day. Make sure you drink plenty of water as well. Staying hydrated is good for you, and it will make you feel full!

Combat Fat Days

  1. Wear different colors. Avoid wearing bland colors like beige. Grab that red or deep yellow blouse. Also, make sure you have a blouse or shirt that has ruffles; any body can wear ruffles. They are very feminine and will lift your attitude.
  2. Workout the next day. A good workout will help to combat your feeling fat. Sweat like you have never sweated before in your life!
  3. Do your hair and makeup. Put makeup on and blow dry your hair. Style your hair with a curling or flat iron. When you look in the mirror, you’ll like what you see.
  4. Have a good attitude. Put things in perspective; you’re still alive and breathing. Take responsibility for your actions. No one told you to gorge yourself on ice cream. If you use food for comfort, stop right now! This is no way to deal with your emotions. Get to the root of your emotions instead of “stuffing your emotions with food.” Workout or hire a life coach to find out why you use food to deal with your emotions.
  5. Wear a belt. If you wear a belt, you will see your waist. You will see that your waist did not leave you.

When you have a day where you feel fat, start thinking about what you can do about it. You can get moving to take off the pound you gained. You can be grateful that you can workout to lose the one pound. It’s all about perspective. Also, since you know how you feel on a “fat day,” you’ll think twice about eating that ice cream sundae!

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