Increase Your metabolism With Green Tea

Wondering how you’re going to keep the weight off this holiday season?  Instead of reaching for the coffee pot in the morning, replace it with green tea.  Green tea has many benefits and one important function is that it can help you loss weight. 

Research has shown that green tea helps to reduce weight by stimulating the body's thermogenesis process, which raises your energy level in turn boost your metabolism making you burn more calories.  Catechin antioxidants in green tea reduce your body fat and help control obesity.

I don’t suggest drinking green tea alone for your weight loss.  You still need to eat healthy and exercise.  If you’re concerned about the taste, there are several delicious flavors such as pomegranate or you could just add a bit of honey.  There are many significant benefits with green tea.  You literally can’t go wrong and it’s a nice way to start your day!

There’s Always Room For Improvement

Obesity is an on-going problem in America.  When I looking around, I see so many overweight people.  I’m not talking about curvy, big-boned or voluptuous people. I’m talking people who’ve really let themselves go, given up and morbidly obese.  I often wonder at what age and when did they give up.  What’s the true problem for the mental break down?  Did they wake one day feeling hopeless and say, “This is as good as it’s going to get”.  If this is you, just know that you’re not alone.  Let’s break that negative thinking starting today because the truth is, there’s always room for improvement.  We can always be better!

I know far to many people who’ve stopped taking care of themselves once they get into a serious relationship or get married.  They feel that they don’t need to impress anyone anymore.  It’s not about impressing others, it’s about being healthy.  Being admired for your physique is only a plus.  Even if that was the case, isn’t your partner worth looking good for?

As we age, it’s even more crucial that we take care of ourselves to avoid future health issues.  Don’t give up because you think you’re too old.  Staying fit will make you feel younger.  You’ll have more strength and energy to do the things you want to do.  You are responsible for the health and maintenance of your own body.  Every little effort you do to take care of yourself will improve your overall fitness.

Here are some guidelines to help you get started.  You can do it! 

1)  Have a positive attitude and change your negative thinking.  

           (Stop making excuses.  Start saying - I can & I will)

2)    2)  Set a short-term goal. (Example - losing 2-3 lbs. per week)

3)  3)  Set a long-term goal. (Example losing 50 lbs in a year)

4)  4)  Create a nutritional plan.  (Low calorie meals and cutting your food portions)

5)  5)  Have a workout routine (Cardio exercises are best for losing weight)

People are always fascinated how I maintain myself physically.  That’s because I don’t wake up thinking that what I have is good enough.  I wake up thinking,  “How can I improve myself today?”  No matter at what age, I’m constantly challenging myself to be better and I won’t stop until the end of time.

It doesn’t matter how you put on the weight.  It’s about finding a solution.  When do you stop taking care of your body?  The answer is never!

Self Defense Is The Best Protection

When a crime is committed against you, what exactly do you think will protect you?  Nobody can protect you better than yourself.  This is one of the reasons why I’m currently taking Wing Chun martial arts class.  Women and the elderly are targeted more when it comes to crimes because they are considered the easiest and weakest to overpower.

I want you to seriously think about this especially if you’re a female or an elderly person.  If you’re being attacked, how would you defend yourself?  Even if you call the police, it could take them 10 minutes or longer to respond.  Which in most cases will be too late.

Years ago, my mom came home from church and told me that four guys sneaked up on her and snatched her purse as she was walking out of Mass.  I asked her if she was allright.  She said, “I’m fine.  I was only carrying $3 and a bible.  They can have it!” and laughed hysterically.  Many people won’t be as lucky as my mom.  Most people will probably end up getting hurt and losing so much more.

I’m currently taking martial arts class and when I’m in my golden years, I surely will not be intimidated because of my age.  If someone tries to assault me, they better be ready for a battle.  Although I’m a petite woman, I won’t give up without a fight because I refuse to be a victim.  You should never limit yourself by thinking that you’re “too old”.  Many women have a false sense of security thinking a man or someone else can protect them.  That’s great if you can be escorted 24/7 but what if they’re not around?  You should always be able to defend yourself.

Learn how to protect yourself before it’s too late.  That’s why it’s important to stay physically fit and active.  Take a self-defense class, you’ll learn a new skill and feel great about yourself at any age.  The first mistake is thinking that it could never happen to you. I don’t know about you but I take every precaution to protect myself and my loved ones. 

Burn Off The Calories By Swimming

One of my favorite overall cardio workout is swimming, it’s low impact but it works your whole body.  And if you like the water, then it’s just considered a fun activity that’s beneficial to your body.  Swimming is one of the most important cardio exercises for losing weight, building muscles as well as having an aerobic affect that improves the body’s use of oxygen and increases lung function.  When you swim, all your major muscles are working at once.  Swimming is good for building muscles because water resistance is greater than air resistance therefore your muscles have to work harder.

If you don’t know how to swim, anytime is a good time to learn.  It’s never too late.  I taught myself to swim at 9 yrs. old.  I had no fear and it didn’t take me a long before I could swim like fish.  Up to this day, I still love the water and swim on a regular basis.  If you don’t have a pool, look for a gym, the YMCA or a community pool for a fun place to practice or learn as most places even have swimming lessons. 

Swimming burns about 3 calories a mile per pound of your bodyweight and improves your ability to maintain a healthy weight.  For example, if you weigh 150 lbs and swim 1 mile, you would burn 450 calories (3 calories x150 lbs = 450 calories burn).  If it takes you 30 minutes to swim 1 mile and 1 hour to swim 2 miles, you would burn 900 calories in 1 hour!  Swimming will burn up a lot of calories but be careful not to eat a big meal after you swim.  If you do then you’re just simply replacing all the calories you just burnt up.

Swimming also promotes proper breathing, stimulates your circulation and easy on the joints.  I swim on a regular basis because it’s fun as well as it builds up my muscle strength, endurance and cardio fitness.