Deciding About Arthroscopy

By Dr. Richard Edelson

Orthopedic Knee Evaluation: What is Involved?

When you see your general practitioner regarding your knee problems, you will surely be referred to an orthopedic surgeon. Once there, you may expect three things to happen. You will be given a physical examination. A medical history will be taken. You will be sent for a variety of tests.

Your orthopedic surgeon will ask you about both your specific knee problems and your general health when conducting your medical history.

The main focus of your physical examination will be your knee and your leg. The orthopedic surgeon will examine your knee to evaluate its stability, strength, and ROM (range of motion). He or she will also look at the alignment of your leg.

Your orthopedic surgeon will order a number of tests. Among them will be x-rays, blood tests to determine whether or not you have arthritis, and possibly an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), which will produce a different kind of image than an x-ray. An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) gathers images using sound waves. It can give your orthopedic surgeon more detailed information about the soft tissues of your knee.

Once all of your test results have come back, you will meet with the orthopedic surgeon to discuss the results and decide on a course of action. Your options will probably include medication, physical therapy, and a variety of surgical options. Arthroscopy will, no doubt, be explained to you at this time.

Click here for more on knee injuries .

Your orthopedic surgeon will talk to you about the risks involved in arthroscopy - both those that may be encountered during the surgery and afterwards.

Arthroscopy is very likely to be recommended to you. It is the technique of choice under a number of circumstances, including: Exhaustion of options. If you have tried knee supports, medications, physical therapy, and a number of other things without relief, surgery with arthroscopy is a good choice. Additionally, if you are simply afraid to do the things you need to do because your knee hurts constantly, is swollen, gives out on you, catches, and is just generally undependable and painful, arthroscopy could certainly be your answer.

Overall, arthroscopy is a safe and successful procedure that is appropriate for a broad range of people. Patients generally range in age from 20-60; however, this surgery has been successfully used on patients under the age of ten and on those over the age of eighty.

How to Get Ready for Your Arthroscopy

Once your decision is made, your orthopedic surgeon will send you back to your physician for a complete physical. By doing this, you will be sure that everything is in good working order, and you will know about anything that may cause complications before your surgery.

Additional testing may be requested at this time. Your orthopedic surgeon may ask that your doctor conduct more blood tests or a cardiogram or any other test that may be beneficial to overall familiarity with your health. All of these precautions work together to ensure that you will have a safe surgical procedure.

If you are taking any over-the-counter products such as medications or supplements, remember to let your doctor and your orthopedic surgeon know about it. If you need to discontinue any of these products before surgery, they will inform you. - 17274

About the Author:

Dr. Edelson is a Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon specializing in sports medicine. His clinic, Sports Medicine Oregon, focuses on athletes of all ages. Click here to learn more about Dr. Edelson, Oregon ACL Surgery and Oregon Athletic Injuries.

Relieving Massage Chair Treatments

By Kris Fornew

Massage chairs continue to keep pace with the overall advance of technology. You can now find many different types of therapeutic massage treatments which were not available just a few short years ago. Massage chairs have replicated many of the most popular massage techniques found around the world. These are now available in a massage chair at the touch of a button.

Massage chair seek to provide certain types of movements which help to stretch and elongating muscle and other soft tissue areas. They employ a variety of systems to accomplish this. Massage treatments use the stretching, bending and elongating of muscle and soft tissue to restore flexibility.

Massage chairs are advancing rapidly to replicate mechanical hands. Currently, a roller system is used to provide massage treatments to the back areas. These roller systems are effective and penetrating deeply through the muscle tissue and stretching them also.

The roller mechanism can perform kneading, swaying, rolling, tapping, gripping and compression massage movements. Each of these movements is typically coordinated in an automatic program. Certain programs have been developed to replicate famous techniques such as Swedish, shiatsu, deep tissue and acupressure.

Many of these famous techniques use a combination of movements. These movements are done in particular sequences to deliver the massage treatments. Massage chairs use sophisticated programs to emulate many of these famous massage techniques.

Different types of sensors are also used in massage chairs. Some of these sensors are used to perform any body scan while others may be used to detect stiffness and tight muscles. The information gathered from these sensors is then fed into the chairs computer. It is then used to customize the massage treatment for the individual.

Another popular technology being integrated into massage chairs is air compression. In air compressor is used to pump air to air bags located throughout the chair. These airbags are specially designed for different muscle areas.

The air compression systems deliver a compression type massage. This is a squeeze, hold and release type pattern. Many of these are used similar to a pressure point release. They push on the muscle tissues for a few minutes at a time and then release this helps to soothe these stiffer areas.

Before you exercise, you should perform some light stretching. Light stretching helps to prepare the muscles for activity. It helps to make them more flexible which can help minimize injury. Massage chairs come equipped with stretching systems for different areas of the body.

The stretching systems can stretch out the larger muscles and joints of the body. Massage chairs in particular have should stretching systems for the lower body. This helps to take pressure off the lower back while elongating the joints and larger muscles. Many times this type of stretching can not be accomplished in ordinary ways.

Heating systems are being integrated into many massage chairs. Heat has been used by athletes for many years. It is helpful to reduce swelling and to increase blood flow to a particular area. Generally, heat is applied in short durations and usually after physical activity.

Many massage chairs still incorporate vibration. This is an effective way to penetrate deeply through the muscle tissue. It is very relieving for tired and aching muscles. Massage chairs use it in a variety of ways to stimulate different parts of the body.

Massage chairs are operated using a remote control. These remote controls contained both automatic functions and manual program options. The higher and massage chairs have an LCD screen. This uses icons to visually display let the massage chair is doing. Massage chairs have a variety of therapeutic massage treatments. They provide tremendous convenience to get massage treatments on demand. - 17274

About the Author:

Browse Massage Chair Therapy by massage type offered in many different types of massage chairs. Find the right set of Massage Chair Treatments to meet your most demanding of requirements and whims. These massage recliners offer the fantastic access to massage therapy on demand. When you need it most.

How To Lose Weight - Great Tips

By April Kerr

Today programs which promise quick weight loss are everywhere. It is hard for anyone who watches TV, or reads newspapers and magazines to miss these weight loss advertisements. These fad diets are very convincing, and are hard to resist for many people in our health-conscious society. Unfortunately, individuals who have quite a bit of weight to lose are frequently the true target audience for these programs. If fat diets worked, this would be fantastic. Sadly, most do not work. Overweight individuals spend a fortune on fad diets, only to be left in the same condition, or worse than before the "diet". Many of these people are left feeling like they failed, rather than realizing that the fad diet program failed.

It is important to understand that the "diet industry" exists as a money making enterprise. It is not a charitable organization, and they do not operate out of the goodness of their hearts. Notice, most will not tell you "here is what you need to achieve healthy, permanent weight loss. Here is everything that you need, no charge". Why is this? Because they are in the business of making money, not the business of making people successful, and healthy.

Here is the secret that the weight loss industry does not want people to learn. It will require hardly any money at all to become slimmer, stronger, and more healthy. This is the absolute truth. The largest investment that a person will make, will come from within themselves. What will be required, is the determination to succeed, and the willingness to continue. The weight loss industry understands that most overweight individuals possess an enormous amount of these characteristics. Think about it, how many people have the stamina to be told that they have failed, only to continue trying over and over again? The real problem, is that these very people have been misinformed, and used.

It is very important to forget just about everything that has been learned about weight loss through the "diet industry". It is time to except the truth, which has existed all along. Just about all individuals possess the ability to achieve healthy weight loss, with very little, and usually no assistance. Stop blaming yourself, and lay the blame where it belongs. Now it is time to move forward to success.

You will need comfortable shoes and clothes. You will need a water bottle, and a healthy, vegetable focused food plan.

Make it your goal to add just five minutes of exercise every day. A person may ask what good five minutes will do, however, for many, last week, getting off of the couch may have been an emotional challenge. Add five more minutes weekly, until you are in a regular workout routine.

With healthy eating, regular exercise, lots of water and self love, you will achieve healthy weight loss. - 17274

About the Author:

April Kerr writes for AXP Health Care which is all about losing weight topics such as burning fat and how how well does hydroxycut work for weight loss.

Herniated Discs

By Dr. Jason Fowler

A 30-year-old mom bends over to pick up her four-year-old and feels a sharp stabbing pain in her lower back. A 60-year-old man bends over to pick up his five-year-old grandchild and feels an electrical shooting pain in his lower back. For both of them, the pain is so severe they need to sit down.

The next day, both the mom and the grandfather notice they now have pain and numbness radiating down one leg, and they are having trouble walking.

What's going on, how did it happen, and what can be done about it? First of all, a little basic anatomy is useful. Spinal discs are weight-bearing shock absorbers. They contain a gel-like ball-bearing center, which is surrounded by tough fibrous cartilage, arranged in concentric, criss-crossing circles.1

As a person gets older, the discs naturally lose some of their water content, and cracks and fissures naturally develop in the fibrous cartilage. If a weight-bearing stress is unusual and unexpected, the gel-like material in the center of the disc can push through one of the fissures and possibly irritate a spinal nerve.

If enough of this material pushes through, the nerve can become inflamed and cause symptoms. Radiating pain and/or numbness, and possibly weakness, in one leg can occur.

Such pain and/or numbness radiates down the leg, traveling below the knee and possibly into the foot.

These symptoms, with or without back pain, are highly suggestive of an inflamed spinal nerve. In fact, the person will usually say the leg symptoms are much worse and of greater concern than any back pain that may be present.

If an MRI confirms the disc herniation and suggests an inflamed nerve, the diagnosis is complete. What's next?

In the best scenario, conservative treatment may be sufficient and the nerve inflammation improves with time. Anti-inflammatory medication may be helpful. Chiropractic conservative therapy may include physical therapeutic modalities and gentle trigger point therapy to relieve the associated muscle spasms.

A spinal surgeon should be consulted to provide an additional opinion and input. If the pain is severe and there is neurologic loss, surgery may be the best option.

The best management, as always, is prevention. Pay attention to safe lifting procedures. Exercise regularly and get sufficient rest. Your chiropractor will be able to provide guidance and recommend effective protocols to help you achieve and maintain good health and wellness.

1Postacchini F: Lumbar Disc Herniation. Springer, 2004, Chapter 2. 2Rothoerl RD, et al: When should conservative treatment for lumbar disc herniation be ceased and surgery considered? Neurosurg Rev 25(3):162-165, 2002. 3Lumbar Disc Herniation. New Engl J Med 347(21):1728-1729, 2002. - 17274

About the Author:

For more information on health feel free to contact Dr. FowlerDr. Jason Fowler at www.lakestlouisdc.comwww.lakestlouisdc.com

Body Building for Beginners, Do's and Don'ts

By Ricardo d Argence

There are a myriad of techniques or routines that you can use to build your muscle mass that, if performed properly and in concert with watching your daily food and water intake, will ensure success. Of course, you also have to make sure that you are taking proper care of yourself and you muscles by resting and recovering from all your hard work. Nevertheless, there are quite a few additional things you should avoid doing, as these actions could damage your health or cause an undesirable imbalance in your constitution.

A bodybuilding training exercise should never be started without a plan. Initially you need to buy a writing book and a good writing instrument. Keep this training journal handy and up to date. Write a strategic plan that starts where you are now and identifies the necessary tactics to reach the achievement of your overall goals.

To implement your strategy, you need to outline your daily steps of action in order to achieve your goal.

Keeping a training journal and calendar will aid you in preventing from skipping any of your scheduled workouts. It's very important never fail to your scheduled workouts when you are a bodybuilder. Also, keeping up with your measurements allows you to see yourself moving towards your goals as well as knowing when you have reached your goals

For your health, include the category of diet in your training journal to track your progress or use a separate journal just for your diet plan. Your diet is an essential part of your overall plan to get rid of fat and build up your muscles, so it's important to pay attention to what you eat. Remember you cannot starve yourself and build muscle.

Numerous products for bodybuilding can be found on the market. Most of these claims are false, so be sure you don't fall for them. To achieve your intended goal it is better to stick with methods that have been tried and proven. Otherwise, the potential exists that you may be throwing away your time and your resources.

In order to grow muscles, you need to constantly be challenging yourself through constant techniques. Your muscles may get to a particular point where the growth pauses since it satisfies the push you give it from doing the same this weekly without taking on a challenge. Adding weight to your lifting is a great way to surpass your prior accomplishments.

Rest and recovery, in the proper amount, is something else you will need. The best recovery results come from plenty of sleep. - 17274

About the Author:

Get the best selling natural bodybuilding program, the Muscle Gain Truth No-Fail Method and achieve the best results in some weeks. Visit us if you want to read more Fitness Articles

One Way Is Yoghurt for Long Health

By Anastacia Sampson

It has often been said that longevity is associated with regular yoghurt consumption. Is it a myth or can it be backed by sound based medical studies? According to current research there is truth. Yet we may ask how yoghurt is healthy? What needs attention is the quality of the yoghurt.

Yoghurt is fermented milk with the milk being altered by acid-producing bacteria. Acid-producing bacteria ?eat? or feed on sugars and in milk the simple sugar known as lactose is converted into lactic acid. However all acid-producing bacteria do not only feed on lactose, milk sugar, but also alter other sugars and foods. The over consumption of high protein containing foods favours the less healthy bacteria in our colon by supplying more ?food? for those bacteria that oppose the acid-producing bacteria. All bacteria types build up an environment in the colon by eating and fermenting food they need. Generally the acid-producing bacteria do not need high protein but rather more carbohydrates (complex sugars).

We should realise that after a course of antibiotics it is a healthy policy to supply what was destroyed. Take in direct sources of highly populated live acid-producing bacteria supplements after antibiotic prescriptions; antibiotics means against life! While a general term to cover bacteria supplements is probiotics meaning pro life. Our colon houses various and numerous types of bacteria that all have their place to different degrees! Many billions of live bacteria are needed to re-establish or improve bacterial conditions in our colon. A viable supplement can supply this and regulation of contents needs rigorous attention and care to protect the consumers from poor contents and misguided claims.

As bacteria are in vast numbers due to their extremely minor size, we need those billions in dosages! Yoghurts should be ideally plain, low-fat and with a guarantee of healthy live cultures or live bacteria. Processing of milk ensures it?s safe from harmful pathogens, such as the tuberculosis bacteria, before acid-producing bacteria are added. Food poisoning is often due to poor hygienic practices in the preparation of animal foods. It?s imperative to wash all contact services and hands, while cooking raw animal products thoroughly to evade consumption of those pathogenic bacteria. Bacteria that live in yoghurt have been shown to improve immune functions!

That means it may protect against auto-immune diseases, and colds and flu from viruses and insure a healthy living style of life.. We know the history of live plain yoghurt that seems to have prolonged life in some areas of the world. The lesson to us is not to mess around with a sound policy. Adding flavours via flavourants and mixing in other odd preservatives and colourants isn?t the best for health. Mucking about with something that?s healthy and natural alters it. Ensure you?re aware of what you actually are feeding yourself by checking labels, made hopefully by a quality guaranteed manufacturer of the product. - 17274

About the Author:

Anastacia Sampson is a Nutritional Medicine Practitioner and freelance journalist,and lives in East London in South Africa. It is through consulting and advising the public on nutritional information that her health book has been published. Anastacia Sampson also runs a website,Healthy Living,where you will find information on her books.

Body Building Tips & Workouts to Achieve Muscle Growth

By Ricardo d Argence

You will have better luck building your muscles if you begin as young as possible. Until you can grasp the meanings of water, food and supplements in your daily consumption, it is better to keep your bodybuilding lifestyle minimal. The best thing to do is to begin your workout as early in the morning as possible in order to jump start your metabolism while building muscle and burning fat during the entire day which will produce even more muscle mass.

Commit to ignoring marketing ploys and comparing the appearance of other bodybuilders to yours when focusing on your own endeavors. It is imperative that you understand how or why you are doing what you do to build muscle mass.

Also, you have to understand that if you frequently change your workout routines you are not stimulating your body properly. The body takes time to adapt to change. That means you have to do something repeatedly in order to experience the change or growth of muscles. Growing and maintaining your muscles will a lot take time, patience and steady repetitious sessions or applications. Keep in mind, however, that when growth of a muscle group reaches a certain point and seems to stop, you will need to change up your workout routine to produce more active growth.

After you find your ideal weight-training routine you should not change it. When you notice it is becoming non-effective change it. Derive whatever you are able from it and then proceed to a another influential routine.

Keeping things simple means achieving your goal by sticking to the basics. Since there are so many products such as workout programs, supplements, pills, training methods and theories out there you will have to use your best judgment before believing any claims. Keep yourself focused and motivated by using healthy and straightforward values. Speaking of supplements, yes you do need them to get all your necessary nutrients and vitamins. You need protein, creatine and various multivitamins when you are a bodybuilder. They aid in recovering from your intense daily workouts.

One of the essential lessons you need to learn about exercise is that compound movements help create muscle quickly. Movements which are isolated can give you the ability in dealing with things as well as help you to reach your highest level of hormones which will build your muscles fast, but, you will have to do a hard workout with heavy lifting. Meaning sensibly heavy enough for you to achieve results. The quantity of weight will probably increase gradually while you work out.

To get the best results you will also have to pay attention to your diet. To ensure long term growth of muscles you have to be careful not to improperly diet down. Improper dieting can actually cause you to lose muscle mass. There is a 60% loss of muscle and 40% of fat loss for every pound of total body weight you may lose. Do not starve your body of what it needs. Remember cardiovascular workouts will burn the calories and they should be alternated by days with your training routines.

Don't forget that you need rest and time to recover from exercise-related inflammation and promote muscle building for the long run. - 17274

About the Author:

Don't waste your time, effort and money on B.S. "Miracle Programs" that don't deliver results! Learn the honest truth revealed by a genuine Body Building expert and at last start noticing the gains you deserve.Visit us to read more Muscle Building Articles

Are Protein Nutrition Bars Healthy Or Not?

By Matthew Gelder

Do you know what to look for when buying protein nutrition bars? Should you be focused on taste, nutritional value, quality of the ingredients, or price? Well, all actually. There are protein bars out there that are tasty, have great nutritional balance, are made from quality ingredients, and are not too expensive. Remember, no protein bars are made equal.

How do we tell, if an PR bar is good or bad? Nutritionally, if it's made mainly from carbohydrates, then that's not good. Carbohydrates are sugars and if sugars are the main source of fuel, then that's bad. Nutritional balance is very important.

A good energy bar will not depend mostly on sugars. It will have a balanced ratio of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. What ratio is best is still a subject of debate. Many say that 40% of carbohydrates, 30% of proteins, and 30% of fats is optimal.

How healthy are these snacks? First, it depends how nutritionally balanced they are - they need to provide a proper ratio of nutrients. Then look at the quality of the ingredients - trans fats are not healthy, for example. A healthy PR bar should also contain vitamins, minerals, and other healthy substances.

Taste is another important factor when choosing a protein bar. Taste, however, is a very individual matter and everyone has its own preference. Today that's not a problem anymore, because most brands come in a wide range of flavors - from chocolate to lemon.

Protein bars usually don't last too long around the house and are eaten pretty fast. That's why price is also very important. So what's a good price? Well, you don't wanna be too cheap, because you do get what you pay for, but I wouldn't go over 2 dollars a bar.

Protein bars are a great choice when looking for a snack or a quick meal on the go. Convenient, tasty, and healthy. But choose wisely. - 17274

About the Author:

My favorite snacks are these best tasting protein bars. For more info take a look at supplements.

Will Starting a Good Tennis Program Actually Help Me Reduce Bruising Easily?

By Carolyn Cooper

As we get older, it is not unusual to look down and see more bruises than we used to notice when we are younger. Although easy bruising is a condition that can be linked to some problematic diseases or disorders, you will find that in all likelihood, bruising easily is nothing serious at all; it is only a natural part of the way that your body functions as you get older. On the other hand, it is a completely natural reaction to decide that you want to find the means to reduce those bruises as well.

Take a few moments to learn what bruising causes really are and what tennis, of all things, can do to reduce the bruising that you now too often see. You are not helpless in the face of bruising, and there are many things that you can do to help alleviate this condition. Depending on your specific situation, you will see that tennis might be the best solution for you.

To start with, you should understand that tennis can provide a highly aerobic workout. Tennis involves a high level of coordination, and it is a full body workout which greatly enhances muscle tone. You need to decide how much preconditioning this sport will require of you. Whether you practice your tennis on an indoor court or an outdoor court, you will enjoy numerous healthy benefits.

Whether you are just getting started with tennis, or you are returning to the sport after a long absence, you are probably wondering how it can help you prevent your bruising. The thing that you need to recall is the fact that easy bruising is usually a result of the breakdown or lack of collagen in your body. Collagen is a substance that gives your skin its elasticity, and as you get older, its absence can make you more prone to bruising as your skin and blood vessels have less protection than when you were younger.

You should recognize that you need to find a way to strengthen your blood vessels. The ideal way to toughen up your blood vessels and thereby make certain that they are not going to suffer injury from mild trauma or light pressure is to take part in regular cardiovascular activity. This cardiovascular activity will lessen your tendency toward easy bruising with little provocation.

Consider what your options are going to be to get the proper amount of cardiovascular activity into your normal routine which will, in turn, cause the strengthening of your blood vessels. By strengthening your heart and your cardiovascular system, you will experience the ability to reduce the bruising that you are now suffering, especially bruising easily that is caused by your getting older.

Once you decide to get started with tennis or with any other type of regular cardiovascular activity, remember to have a consultation with your doctor, especially if you have any other health conditions that might limit your new program of cardiovascular activity.

Even though there are a number of benefits that the cardiovascular nature of a tennis program offers, you also need to consider starting an all natural, daily supplement program like Bruises Be Banned which has been proved to provide you help to reduce bruising or prevent bruising altogether. - 17274

About the Author:

Carolyn Cooper is recognized as a renowned expert on bruise treatment through a combination of her educational experience in nutrition and her real life expertise with nutritional supplements for athletes, ranging from kids to the professional ranks. Get a free Special Report on bruising causes and see what she's done to get us beyond the nightmares of easy bruising and prevent bruising

Eating Foods that Fight Deadly Toxins

By Dr. Lorna Mistranski

The acai fruit is a tasteful, fresh, organic fruit that comes with a wealth of antioxidants. In order to prevent damage to the body as well as slow the aging process, antioxidants are needed as part of a regular diet.

The process of the body's cells using oxygen produces by-products (also known as free radicals) that can do damage to our body. Antioxidants prevent and repair damage done by these free radicals. By ensuring your body is full of antioxidants, you can protect yourself from this damage.

The breaking down of the body's DNA and causes of cancer have been linked to Free radicals. They can wreak havoc on the body when left unchecked. The damage can be so severe to the cells that at times free radicals are responsible for them not working at all.

Depending on where the damage was created by these toxic radicals, the range of destruction can lead to neurological damage all the way to hormonal problems. The acai berry produces enough antioxidants that when taken as a regular part of your diet can prevent and fight off these free radicals.

Research has shown for years that when antioxidants are taken on a regular basis, the body is able to repair and maintain its cellular strength from recent as well as future attacks from these dangerous free radicals.

Dr. Perricone is the one who introduced the mainstream audience to this amazing fruit by writing a book entitled, the Perricone Promise. In this book he writes that the acai berry is the most perfect food on the planet.

When it comes to a food that will make you look and feel young, Dr. Perricone says that the acai berry has all of the ingredients needed to accomplish this. Also, when looking for a diet that will revitalize your health and slow the aging process Dr. Perricone says look no further than the acai fruit berry.

The acai fruit is known as a super food that contains every nutrient your body needs in fighting harmful free radicals. If your goal is to improve your overall health, as well as strengthen and maintain your body, then you should look further into the numerous benefits of the this amazing fruit.

In conclusion, if you are looking for a diet that will fight off free radicals, improve your health, and reduce aging, then looking further into the benefits of this miraculous super food could be just the next step for you. - 17274

About the Author:

free diet pills site that offers good instruction when you are looking for which diet solution is ideal for you. She also has an informative blog that looks at the best free diet pillstrials available and which ones to avoid.

Popular Weight Loss Myths Exposed by the Best Personal Trainer in Washington, DC

By Josef Brandenburg

There are a lot of made up facts regarding weight loss which have gained huge popularity among us all. Most of us in our desperate search for the best Washington, DC personal trainer get impressed by those who profess to be experienced and masters of fitness. But all that ends up happening is we get cheated out of our money.

Myth #1: Aerobic workouts are the answer to weight problems.

Busted: A 60 to 90 minute aerobic workout was recommended for effective weight loss by USDA back in 2005. However, later studies have revealed that these recommendations did not provide expected results. Those clients who had exercised for 1 hour a day, 6 times a week, throughout the year finally ended up getting rid of body fat of only up to 6.5lbs.

The truth is, aerobic training is the least effective weight loss prescription that you might get. This works more for endurance training than weight loss. The best, by far, is interval training, which can actually provide you a 12 to 36-hour metabolic boost post-workout.

Myth #2: Crunches will give me washboard abs

Busted: The best Washington, DC personal trainers explain that we naturally have nice abs hiding beneath the layers of fat snuggling in our tummies. The only way to reveal great abs is to throw the fat out of the window. You think an isolation exercise, such as crunches, can effectively do that?

It is always advisable to involve more muscles in a workout in order to burn fat. This helps in spending more energy. Isolated exercises usually concentrate on a particular region or muscle of the body which gets more stressed and if not done correctly, may even end up doing more damage than good.

Personal trainers at Washington DC feel that squats are a more efficient way to lose excess fat because they involve both upper and lower body muscles. This activity is highly useful in recruiting more muscles rather than just the muscles in one particular area. When this fat is burned, you will be happy to realize that you had wonderful naturally designed abs hidden beneath the fat all along.

Myth #3: By increasing reps, light weights will help in developing well toned muscles.

Busted: Using heavy weights, is the only way, for both men and women to tone their muscles. If you are going to use a 1 lb dumbbell, save yourself the trouble and just lie on your couch and watch TV instead, because a light weights like that are not going to make a difference.

Myth #4: Eat less, exercise more.

Busted: Exercise more and eat a lot of food that is good for you. It can be quite discouraging with people all around you going on diets, losing weight and then putting back all the weight they lost. But this happens because they choose to go on yo-yo diets, which is one of the worst ways to lose weight, because they lose weight as long as they avoid food and balloon up again when they start eating. Starvation only increases your appetite and makes you crave more food and that builds to a point when you finally lose self control.

Eat better foods, exercise more. Munch on better foods such as fruits and veggies, whole-grain foods, nuts and beans! - 17274

About the Author:

Josef Brandenburg has been called the best personal trainer in Washington, DC. He specializes in helping people on the go create the bodies they want, in the time that they actually have. His average client drops 8-0lbs of body-fat in the first 4 weeks alone with only 3 to 3.5hrs of exercise. Click here to find out how to get started absolutely free.

Magnesium Supplements Do You Really Need Them?

By Neil Butterfield

The short answer is yes, but do you know why? In today's trying times we are more likely to eat on the fly and gulp down whatever food is easiest than we are to eat vegetables picked from a garden. Then, once eating the easy food has left us overweight, we are likely to try the most recent fad diet or pill to lose this weight. That's why our diets do not supply us with enough magnesium, and why you need to take a magnesium supplement.

The good news is that around 75% of Americans already consume calcium, chromium, selenium, and magnesium supplements. Wait " its not all good news. If you are taking tablets or capsule minerals you are absorbing no more than 25% and most times its considerably less than that. In order to actually maximize absorption you need to take a liquid magnesium supplement. Actually this applies to all minerals. You should choose liquid ionic minerals for nearly 100% absorption.

Over the past 25 years, magnesium deficiencies have been on the rise, while heart disease, diabetes, and hypothyroidism have also been on the rise. If you're lacking magnesium, then you're probably also lacking chromium, zinc, calcium, as well as other minerals.

This brings up the question of which came first? Are people with these diseases lacking magnesium because of the disease, or was it the lack of magnesium that brought on the disease? Experts agree; it's a lack of magnesium that brings on these, and other, diseases.

A lack of magnesium can cause fatigue, migraines, leg cramps, depression, and loss of appetite, high blood pressure, nausea, and vomiting.

Its a well known fact that magnesium is a very important mineral that for the most part is overlooked. Over 90% of all Americans dont even get the recommended daily allowance of magnesium even when they do take a magnesium supplement because they are taking the wrong type of magnesium.

The RDA for men is 400 mg/day of magnesium and for women it is 320 mg/day. To meet that recommended daily allowance you would have to consume a very large quantity of foods that are high in magnesium. Foods like mixed nuts, leafy green vegetables, and whole grains are good sources of magnesium, but still in many cases enough magnesium is not consumed. Thats why a magnesium supplement can be such a good choice.

If you have renal failure you should not take a magnesium supplement until you have talked to your doctor.

Magnesium helps keep your bones strong your heart healthy, helps the absorption of calcium and potassium, and even helps those with cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

Did you know 80% of people with type 2 diabetes have a severe lack of magnesium? Similarly, people with high blood pressure or who suffer from coronary heart disease or have had heart attacks are also severely deficient in magnesium. Magnesium can also lower cholesterol more than 20%, and help menopausal or pregnant women in addition to warding off osteoporosis.

Since you now know you can no longer rely on the food you eat to keep you healthy, you now know why taking a liquid mineral supplement like magnesium is more important now than ever. - 17274

About the Author:

To learn more about the power of magnesium supplements as well as other important mineral supplements, visit us online and get your FREE audio Minerals: What your body needs and why. Neil Butterfield is the mineral expert at Mineralife, a company know nation wide for its excellent mineral supplements.