I must congratulate those who are trying to quit or those who have quit already!
Smoking is a really bad habit to break, and every single step you take to reduce your nicotine means that you're taking a better choice for a healthier life. But how do you deal with the incessant craving of nicotine?
These are some tips to help you (after you've chucked all your cigarette supplies down the loo):
1) Exercise
Instead of reaching for a ciggie, or something sweet (it's been said that most smoke-quitter tends to opt for more snack to keep themselves occupied), how about a walk around the block? Or even a run if you insist! Do it for at least 5 minutes, and remind yourself why you want to quit in the first place, and that exercise is also a step toward a healthier life!
2) Deep breathing
Practice deep breathing to calm yourself down, use the moment to contemplate why you want to quit smoking in the first place.
3) Healthy snack
Like I mentioned earlier, once you've tried to quit, you tend to reach for something to put in your mouth (smoking is an oral fixation--Freud must believe so!). So instead of stocking up in cheetos or chocolates, opt to buy snacks like carrot sticks, celery, apples. Get pistachios or sunflower seeds (more work to eat!), and if necessary (if you're a big eater like I am), put things in smaller packages so that you know how much you've eaten and you should've eaten.
4) Drink water
Staying hydrated usually will help with the cravings, plus water helps flush toxin out of your body.
5) Break your routine
Most likely, smoking is tied into your daily pattern, routines, rituals. Try to mix things up, do things differently so that you don't fall into that old habit.
6) Keep your hand busy
Idle hand crave cigarette. Join a local craft group, start knitting or sewing or do a jigsaw puzzles. Or better yet, teach yourself a new card trick!
Enjoy and good luck
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Saturday, April 28, 2007
I walked a THOUSAND miles today...
Well, not quite.
It felt like that this afternoon.
Lois dropped by again, all ready to go walking. I was happy because I do need to keep on with my daily walk if I ever were serious in trying to be healthier and fitter. So we decided to take a longer route than yesterday. Instead of 2 miles, we're closing to 3.78 miles today.
I can't believe how fast she walked too! She assured me that in time it'll be a piece of cake (she's been power walking for 2 years), I was just trying to stay alive, keep walking in her fast pace, trying not to think about walking uphill, which we did, although inside I kind of regretted that I didn't bring my cellphone (in case I wanted Michael to come pick me up).
But we made it home just fine. She told me I did good (yay), and tomorrow, there'll even be more walking.
The better news is that I actually feel much better, happier, despite being tired. It's like I've accomplished something awesome.
So yeah.
It felt like that this afternoon.
Lois dropped by again, all ready to go walking. I was happy because I do need to keep on with my daily walk if I ever were serious in trying to be healthier and fitter. So we decided to take a longer route than yesterday. Instead of 2 miles, we're closing to 3.78 miles today.
I can't believe how fast she walked too! She assured me that in time it'll be a piece of cake (she's been power walking for 2 years), I was just trying to stay alive, keep walking in her fast pace, trying not to think about walking uphill, which we did, although inside I kind of regretted that I didn't bring my cellphone (in case I wanted Michael to come pick me up).
But we made it home just fine. She told me I did good (yay), and tomorrow, there'll even be more walking.
The better news is that I actually feel much better, happier, despite being tired. It's like I've accomplished something awesome.
So yeah.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Today is Fit Day
According to a study published in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition the best way to lose weight is NOT cutting carb. It's about cutting calories. Altering the glycemic load does not have an impact on weight loss. Rather what determines the amount pounds shed is overall caloric consumption.
However, since this is a small study (tested on 34 adult participants), I suppose that we need more proofs or a larger scale study to really determine what works best for weight loss.
Needless to say, despite that calories is an important factor, eating healthy is key in any weight loss program. Dieters should strive to both cut calories and increase the proportion of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
If this study were noticed or its validity recognized in a broader scale throughout the diet industry, I must say that many low-carb diet will probably either deny it or sales to these diet programs will drop.
Then again, many swore by the goodness of low carb diet, such as I am. I lost 6 lbs in 2 weeks (awhile back) when I followed low-carb diet program on Curves diet book. Unfortunately, I had to drop the program because it is hard for myself to restrict all type of carb.
Today is fit day for me.
I feel much better and the weather is very nice. It was such a shame to be staying in the house. Chris and I played ball outside and then Lois (my neighbour) stopped by our place and we decided to do a power walk.
We walked 2 miles today, and I was wearing my 5-lbs-sport shoes (made by Nikken). It was a great feeling to sweat and to simply look at the evening sun (it didn't set until around 7:30 or so). But I was so tired afterward.
Talking to Lois inspired me to actually go outside and start to exercise from now on. She told me she used to weigh at least in the 300 lbs area, but she lost at least 150 lbs via eating right/diet and exercise, all in 1 1/2 year time! What a marvelous example of will-power and strength. She's awesome.
Also, thank you for the hug Michelle! I hope everything is copacetic in UK front :) Give my love to both Freya and Chris!
Love,
Tracy
However, since this is a small study (tested on 34 adult participants), I suppose that we need more proofs or a larger scale study to really determine what works best for weight loss.
Needless to say, despite that calories is an important factor, eating healthy is key in any weight loss program. Dieters should strive to both cut calories and increase the proportion of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
If this study were noticed or its validity recognized in a broader scale throughout the diet industry, I must say that many low-carb diet will probably either deny it or sales to these diet programs will drop.
Then again, many swore by the goodness of low carb diet, such as I am. I lost 6 lbs in 2 weeks (awhile back) when I followed low-carb diet program on Curves diet book. Unfortunately, I had to drop the program because it is hard for myself to restrict all type of carb.
Today is fit day for me.
I feel much better and the weather is very nice. It was such a shame to be staying in the house. Chris and I played ball outside and then Lois (my neighbour) stopped by our place and we decided to do a power walk.
We walked 2 miles today, and I was wearing my 5-lbs-sport shoes (made by Nikken). It was a great feeling to sweat and to simply look at the evening sun (it didn't set until around 7:30 or so). But I was so tired afterward.
Talking to Lois inspired me to actually go outside and start to exercise from now on. She told me she used to weigh at least in the 300 lbs area, but she lost at least 150 lbs via eating right/diet and exercise, all in 1 1/2 year time! What a marvelous example of will-power and strength. She's awesome.
Also, thank you for the hug Michelle! I hope everything is copacetic in UK front :) Give my love to both Freya and Chris!
Love,
Tracy
Thursday, April 26, 2007
So. Would You Like to Makeover Yourself?
Discovery Health is an awesome channel or so I just found out. Like every other American, I've immersed myself in this crazy fad: makeover-ing myself. Insane, I know. Why would anyone makeover him/herself? But if you're interested in the concept, let me affirm that the Discovery Health channel is imho the best makeover teacher on TV.
Out of all different healthy-living/fitness/etc makeover shows available on this channel, the one that stood out the most to mes the Dan Ho show. A successful immigrant (he's originally from Guam. He lived the "perfect" life until one day, he's had a seizure that opened up his eyes and prompted him to change his life).
His motto (to be healthy, happy, simple and sane) is what hooks me to the show despite the fact that I secretly think he's a little too eccentric for my taste. But he's right up my alley though. All I want in life is to be healthy, happy, simple and sane. Sure, his tv show may not be the best makeover, nor the prettiest looking show on TV (As a girl, "pretty" tv show is mostly appealing to me), but he makes me feel that me, myself is ENOUGH as I am.
Creepy how a show can actually affirm my self-worth. But yeah, to enlighten thee who may not believe me, I'm presenting from his website (http://health.discovery.com/fansites/danho_fansite/danho_fansite.html), this lovely segment called:
Ho'ism (Dan Ho manifesto):
1. The Mind-Body-Health Connection is nothing more than style.
2. Style is not visual—it comes from the inside. So it doesn't matter what things look like. If you're not feeling it, we're not tasting it, we're not smelling it, and it definitely won't look good.
3. If you have self-respect, you will be healthy.
4. Color, texture and pattern are meaningless without heart.
5. Healthy eating isn't deliberately low fat—it just happens to be low fat.
6. Your level of fitness isn't how much you work out, it's how willing you are to take the stairs instead of the elevator.
7. Live with your silver and crystal—what are you saving it for?
8. Entertaining isn't in your table settings, wine and candlelight—it's rolling up your rug and dancing.
9. The soul of the home isn't in the kitchen—it's within its inhabitants.
10. If you have a garlic press, you're wasting time.
------------
Thank you for being patient. I haven't been feeling up to par these days. I promise to return to my witty and write-y self in the next week or so.
Love,
Tracy
Out of all different healthy-living/fitness/etc makeover shows available on this channel, the one that stood out the most to mes the Dan Ho show. A successful immigrant (he's originally from Guam. He lived the "perfect" life until one day, he's had a seizure that opened up his eyes and prompted him to change his life).
His motto (to be healthy, happy, simple and sane) is what hooks me to the show despite the fact that I secretly think he's a little too eccentric for my taste. But he's right up my alley though. All I want in life is to be healthy, happy, simple and sane. Sure, his tv show may not be the best makeover, nor the prettiest looking show on TV (As a girl, "pretty" tv show is mostly appealing to me), but he makes me feel that me, myself is ENOUGH as I am.
Creepy how a show can actually affirm my self-worth. But yeah, to enlighten thee who may not believe me, I'm presenting from his website (http://health.discovery.com/fansites/danho_fansite/danho_fansite.html), this lovely segment called:
Ho'ism (Dan Ho manifesto):
1. The Mind-Body-Health Connection is nothing more than style.
2. Style is not visual—it comes from the inside. So it doesn't matter what things look like. If you're not feeling it, we're not tasting it, we're not smelling it, and it definitely won't look good.
3. If you have self-respect, you will be healthy.
4. Color, texture and pattern are meaningless without heart.
5. Healthy eating isn't deliberately low fat—it just happens to be low fat.
6. Your level of fitness isn't how much you work out, it's how willing you are to take the stairs instead of the elevator.
7. Live with your silver and crystal—what are you saving it for?
8. Entertaining isn't in your table settings, wine and candlelight—it's rolling up your rug and dancing.
9. The soul of the home isn't in the kitchen—it's within its inhabitants.
10. If you have a garlic press, you're wasting time.
------------
Thank you for being patient. I haven't been feeling up to par these days. I promise to return to my witty and write-y self in the next week or so.
Love,
Tracy
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Just for Fun
Do you like checking on your horoscope?
I'd suggest you haul yourself to : http://www.astro.com
I put in my data as a guest user (therefore: FREE), and here's what they have to say about my personality (mind you, this is only a part of what they've written):
Sun and Moon in Aries
You have the potential to be a natural leader. Your thoughts and feelings are harmonious with the actions you ultimately take. You are a very dynamic individual who loves action. You are an ardent, somewhat aggressive, and commanding person and you make others aware of these qualities.
These qualities of your character are generally beneficial, but at times you may run into trouble because of your impatience.
There are three keys to balance your character better and permit the most development. First, exert more control over your impulses; second, have more patience in dealing with others; and third, realize that you don't need to prove yourself repeatedly by rushing toward danger.
I'd suggest you haul yourself to : http://www.astro.com
I put in my data as a guest user (therefore: FREE), and here's what they have to say about my personality (mind you, this is only a part of what they've written):
Sun and Moon in Aries
You have the potential to be a natural leader. Your thoughts and feelings are harmonious with the actions you ultimately take. You are a very dynamic individual who loves action. You are an ardent, somewhat aggressive, and commanding person and you make others aware of these qualities.
These qualities of your character are generally beneficial, but at times you may run into trouble because of your impatience.
There are three keys to balance your character better and permit the most development. First, exert more control over your impulses; second, have more patience in dealing with others; and third, realize that you don't need to prove yourself repeatedly by rushing toward danger.
Ascendant in Virgo, Mercury in the Seventh House
At the time of your birth the zodiacal sign of Virgo was ascending in the horizon. Its ruler Mercury is located in the seventh house.
This indicates that throughout your life you will assume a reserved, quiet, analytical, critical, and receptive attitude.
Although you are not an individual with a very strong ambition, you possess the ability to persevere and exert ingenuity.
Some selfishness is noted. However, if you are able to counteract this trait with your natural helpful and sympathetic attitude and address your positive qualities to resolve the problems of others then you will accomplish your highest spiritual duties and your degree of consciousness and perception will be expanded.
You are not afraid to work but you like to do things where you can use intellectual resources rather than mechanical ones. There is some independence here but don't try to be forceful about it because Virgo's natural habitat is one in which the person is led by some powerful authority and where the important decisions are best made by others.
You are very attentive to detail and this makes you a good worker, especially so in those jobs that require a great deal of precision and observation. You have a desire for purity and though you don't mind relating to others there is something that you do dislike: continuous intrusion of your privacy. Business and practicality should be very important in your life. Although we are not advising you to turn against your natural traits, which make you slightly reserved, we would suggest that when in love you let yourself relax and respond so as to be able to return some of the affection you are receiving.
Life will find you in many situations in which you will function as advisor and counsellor; make use of these opportunities to project the power of your creativeness.
Your life will be geared to the acquisition of success through joining associations and uniting with people. Your partner may be too intelligent and clever for your own good as he may not always be sufficiently trustworthy. He may not only be active and progressive, but also slightly shrewd.
------
Pretty neat, huh? I think it's pretty dead-on (except the part where they say I'll be a "natural leader"). I never was a "leader" type, I'm pretty much happy with being the wallflower.
P.S.
They ask for your date and hour of birth, your country of birth, etc. So yes, it's a pretty exciting and detailed result for a free reading!
Do You Believe in Fasting?
I've recently discovered this interesting link to fasting as a way to "diet," or detox.
Here's the link:
http://www.phifoundation.org/fast.html
Some notable passage from the website:
"...The fasts talked about in this are therapeutic fasts with only pure water. Many trying a fast prefer to try the Master Cleanser Lemonade Diet created by Stanley Burroughs (not Borroughs). His book from 1976 is at the bottom of this page. Elson M Haas, M.D. says "Ever since I did my 10 day Master Cleanser back in 1975, I do it every spring with a group of 20 or 30 people at my office. It is such a profound experience."
On the Oprah Winfrey Show, Beyonce Knowles announced that she lost 20 pounds in 10 days for the movie, Dream Girls from the lemonade detox diet. Also Robin Quivers, Howard Stern's assistant, lost 73 pounds from doing the master cleanse lemonade diet 3 times (218 down to 145). She said after losing that weight "I never felt this good about my body before" according to People Magazine. She heard about it from the famous magician, David Blaine.
You can drink lemonade, instead of water, throughout the entire day (6 to 10 glasses). It has almost all the benefits as water fasting except for the benefits for serious health problems like cardiovascular disease. Only water fasting can reduce hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), which causes high blood pressure according to Dr Fuhrman who has studied the recent medical research on fasting. For some people, just losing weight will lower blood pressure and the master cleanse is great for weight loss, like for the prom..."
Is fasting really a way to give your body a "rest" instead of starving yourself 'thinner?' The matter is still up for a debate. It depends on which side you're on.
Here's the link:
http://www.phifoundation.org/fast.html
Some notable passage from the website:
"...The fasts talked about in this are therapeutic fasts with only pure water. Many trying a fast prefer to try the Master Cleanser Lemonade Diet created by Stanley Burroughs (not Borroughs). His book from 1976 is at the bottom of this page. Elson M Haas, M.D. says "Ever since I did my 10 day Master Cleanser back in 1975, I do it every spring with a group of 20 or 30 people at my office. It is such a profound experience."
On the Oprah Winfrey Show, Beyonce Knowles announced that she lost 20 pounds in 10 days for the movie, Dream Girls from the lemonade detox diet. Also Robin Quivers, Howard Stern's assistant, lost 73 pounds from doing the master cleanse lemonade diet 3 times (218 down to 145). She said after losing that weight "I never felt this good about my body before" according to People Magazine. She heard about it from the famous magician, David Blaine.
You can drink lemonade, instead of water, throughout the entire day (6 to 10 glasses). It has almost all the benefits as water fasting except for the benefits for serious health problems like cardiovascular disease. Only water fasting can reduce hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), which causes high blood pressure according to Dr Fuhrman who has studied the recent medical research on fasting. For some people, just losing weight will lower blood pressure and the master cleanse is great for weight loss, like for the prom..."
Is fasting really a way to give your body a "rest" instead of starving yourself 'thinner?' The matter is still up for a debate. It depends on which side you're on.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Coffee soap? Does It Really Work?
Are you a caffeine addict who decides to cut down on your morning pre-work coffee drink?
Now, there's a new caffeinated soap called Shower Shock ($6.99) available for purchase at http://www.ThinkGeek.com
Quite a name for a soap, isn't it? Worry not, because it doesn't contain harsh ingredients like ethanol, diethanolamine, polyethylene, glycol or cocyl isethionate. It's a gentle soap scented with peppermint oil and infused with caffeine anhydrous.
Each bar of Shower Shock contains approximately 12 servings/showers per 4 ounce bar with 200 milligrams of caffeine per serving (more than a cup of coffee). The makers claim the caffeine is absorbed through the skin. Hum, not sure about this one. If you're still interested, then buy it from ThinkGeek.com.
As always I am curious, what do you guys think? Would you skip your Starbucks/or what-have-you for morning coffee, for this?
Now, there's a new caffeinated soap called Shower Shock ($6.99) available for purchase at http://www.ThinkGeek.com
Quite a name for a soap, isn't it? Worry not, because it doesn't contain harsh ingredients like ethanol, diethanolamine, polyethylene, glycol or cocyl isethionate. It's a gentle soap scented with peppermint oil and infused with caffeine anhydrous.
Each bar of Shower Shock contains approximately 12 servings/showers per 4 ounce bar with 200 milligrams of caffeine per serving (more than a cup of coffee). The makers claim the caffeine is absorbed through the skin. Hum, not sure about this one. If you're still interested, then buy it from ThinkGeek.com.
As always I am curious, what do you guys think? Would you skip your Starbucks/or what-have-you for morning coffee, for this?
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