Health Mistakes

All of us make little health mistakes that cause damage to our bodies in the long run simply because we are unaware we are doing something wrong. Here are some of the most common mistakes made by many of us.

Crossing legs
Do you cross your legs at your knees when sitting? Although we may believe that this is the lady-like elegant way to sit, sitting this cuts down circulation to your legs. If you do not want varicose
veins to mar the beauty of your legs and compromise your health, uncross your legs every time you realise you have one knee on top of the other. The best way to sit is to simply place both legs together on the floor, balancing your weight equally. If you feel like changing position, instead of crossing your legs, simply move both legs together to one side. As an alternative, you could also consider crossing your legs loosely at the ankles. This is a classically elegant way to sit, and is far better for your legs and your health than sitting with your legs crossed at your knees.

Not changing your toothbrush
How often do you change your toothbrush? Most of us wait until most of the bristles have either fallen off, or are in such bad shape that we would be embarrassed to pull out our brush in public. However, since not many of us need to pull out our brush in public, we carry on with our frayed one until we lose it. Replace your toothbrush often. Damaged bristles can harm the enamel, and do not massage your gums well. If you find brushing your teeth a pain, but know you must do it, you might as well be doing it right. Imagine going through the annoyance of brushing your teeth twice a day only to find out that you are damaging your enamel every time you clean your teeth. Also, use a brush with soft bristles unless your dentist has advised otherwise.

Eating out often
There are oils that are high in cholesterol, and oils that cause little harm and are better for your heart. However, no matter how light the oil is, it is never a good idea to eat too much of it.
Avoid fried foods. Remember that in all probability your favourite Indian food restaurant throws a huge, HUGE chunk of butter in a tiny bowl of dal. Rita, who worked in the kitchen of a 5 star hotel, was shocked when she saw the cook chop a 500gm butter slab in half, and throw half into a Paneer Makhani dish. No wonder the customers left licking their fingers. And no wonder they felt so stuffed and heavy afterwards. Limit outdoor eating unless you know that you are getting served light and healthy food.

Skipping breakfast
Never, ever skip breakfast. Remember, when you wake up in the morning it has been around 10-12 hours since your last meal. Your body needs food now, more than at any other time. Eat a heavy breakfast. You will then be busy through the day, and the calories will get expended quickly. If you are trying to diet, eat a light dinner.

High heels
High heels sure look great, but they're murder for your back. This however doesn't mean you should steer clear of stilettos. Wear them, but not when you know you will be walking around a lot. Wear them when going out for lunch or dinner - when the only walking you will be doing is to your car, to the table, and back. Avoid high heels when you are going somewhere on foot. If you are constantly tempted to wear your heels, take a good look at your flats. Is there something about them you dislike? Invest in a new pair of beautiful flats or shoes with a low heel. Buy something you love, that you will enjoy wearing. If possible, get a matching bag. You will then enjoy your flats as much as you do your heels.

Sleeping on a soft bed
You don't have to sleep on the floor be kind to your back, but do make sure you have a firm mattress. Although a mattress on springs is soft and lovely to sink into, it's bad for your back. If you already have an old bed with springs, you don't need to invest in a new one - simply get a thick wooden plank put over the springs, and place the mattress on the plank. Similarly, if your mattress is old and lumpy, throw it out and get a new one. Your neck and your back will thank you. The same rule applies to sofas. If you will be spending hours on a sofa, get a firm yet comfortable one. Sofas you completely sink into are not the best idea.

Pillows
No matter how comfortable sleeping with ten cushions is have pity on your neck and resist. Sleep with one pillow, and make sure it is not too thick. If your pillow gets lumpy, discard it and go for a new one. Get a thin pillow if you sleep on your stomach and something a little thicker if you sleep on your back, to give your neck adequate support.

Not exercising
So all of us know we should exercise more, but many of us don't. This is a health mistake we consciously make! And why is that? Simply because we refuse to admit the damage we are causing to our bodies by not working out. A number of people only start working out once they've experienced a warning signal. Don't wait for a heart attack to strike before you decide to opt for a lifestyle change. Make the change now. You don't need to train for the marathon to be in top
shape. Half an hour of brisk walking three to four times a week will make a world of difference to your health. You could then increase this to forty minutes, four times a week - and you're all set. If you
haven't exercised for a week, you're making a mistake.

Healthy sex- Its good for you

Physical intimacy doesn’t just feel good…. Making love is good for you as shown by hundreds of major medical studies. These studies are suggesting that an active sexual life may lead to a longer life, better heart health, a healthier immune response, reduction in chronic pain symptoms, lower rates of depression and even protection against some cancers.

The key to many of these qualitative life-shifts from lovemaking is the release of oxytocin, which influences everything from regulation of body temperature to wound healing, pain-relief, and the development of emotional bonds.

Lovemaking is also an excellent form of aerobic exercise which tones the heart, can burn as much as 200 calories, and is equivalent to running for 30 minutes. Studies show that men who have sex twice per week have half as many heart attacks as men who have sex only once per month. In fact, a regular love life has been shown to extend one’s life by as much as ten years.

Frequent lovemaking also boosts levels of immunoglobulin, key immune cells that fight infection. These physical effects are matched by the powerful emotional healing of lovemaking. A strong sex life will calm anxiety, ease fears and break down inhibitions. Sexually active people are also significantly less vulnerable to depression and suicide. In addition, sexual activity dulls the chronic pain of migraines, arthritis and back pain.

So go on, have a little good clean love and report back on how much better you feel.

The Ten Commandments Of Startups

God doesn’t have much to say about small business—maybe He’s too busy watching where the Mail Streets and Wall Streets are heading? However, applying these ten commandments of startups could help entrepreneurs avoid certain financial death.

1. Thou Shalt Not Set Up Shop in a Bad Location

Bad locations are usually the most common reason for startup failure. In fact, some successful businesses are willing to relocate their once thriving store if there is a significant change in the local community.

2. Thou Shalt Not Create a Market That Doesn’t Exist

This could imply literally creating an untested, unproven market or choosing a marginal niche that is much too costly to compete in. When you decide to go niche just to avoid competition, you may as well just surrender to the Philistines.


3. Thou Shalt Not Make an Imitation of Anything Already Existing
   
   There’s a big difference between imitating a successful company or product and improving upon a successful company or product. Imitating will only get you so far—improving upon a successful product could make your company great.
   
   
4. Thou Shalt Not Hire a Poor Staff
   
   Your employees represent you and your company. Hire technically incompetent or personably awful workers and you will regret it.
   
   
5. Thou Shalt Not Dilly Dally Around
   
   One of the least discussed reasons for startup failure is slowness in launching. If you succeed at creating new interest in your service or product you must follow up that interest immediately or it will be lost as the months fly by.
   
   
6. Thou Shalt Not Abandon Thy Capital
   
   A lack of capital is usually counted as the most contributing cause to new business failures. Know that most successful startups require extra funding at some point; have you made those plans well in advance of the company opening?
   
   
7. Thou Shalt Not Be Wasteful
   
   Another common reason for business failure is due to excessive spending. While it’s true you can count most of these expenses as a tax deduction, it’s also true that you need to control these expenditures until you get out of the red.
   
   
8. Thou Shalt Not Be Distracted by Thy Neighbor’s Anything
   
   If you are distracted with everyday life or worse yet, working two or more jobs, then your startup may be a disaster waiting to happen. Most successful business owners have had to put all their efforts into the new business, putting secondary jobs and family drama on hold.
   
   
9. Thou Shalt Not Be Stubborn Like Pharaoh
   
   Remember Pharaoh of Egypt? (He looked sort of like Yul Brynner) Just remember that stubborn adherence to your own vision may not be the wisest move in business. If your company is to survive, it must adapt to the market around you. Following your vision through and dispensing with logic and the advice of others will make you a legend…in your own mind.
   
   
10. Thou Shalt Not Give Up Faith
    
    While you must remain adaptable to your surroundings, your personal perseverance is the most important quality. Without your efforts, the company will not survive no matter how brilliant the master plan. You are your company and owe it yourself to give 100%.
    

Slim Down With the Sex Diet

By Kim Droze

Dieting and deprivation have long gone hand in hand. It’s as if there’s an unwritten law that says you must first suffer…with a capital S. But put your dieting fears aside. Author Kerry McCloskey has discovered a more pleasurable, R-rated way to lose weight. And it’s as simple as taking your clothes off. Plus:Test your sex drive…

If you have a big appetite for food and an even bigger appetite for sex, we’ve got the weight-loss plan for you.

It’s The Ultimate Sex Diet (Berkley Trade, 2006) and it’ll give you a darn good reason to add some hanky panky to your diet regimen.

Don’t believe a menu of sensual foods and intimate intercourse for dessert can help you peel away the pounds?

Author Kerry McCloskey managed to shed 23 big ones following this “x-rated” approach to weight loss.

While other diet and fitness plans are defined by specialty foods or pricey exercise gear, the most important ingredient on The Ultimate Sex Diet is, well, sex.

A study conducted by Brown University revealed that people who dieted with a buddy lost twice as much weight as those individuals going solo.

And who better to help you take it all off – the weight that is – than your lover?

Diet-Appealing Sexual Healing
Experts have long touted the health benefits of sex.

Countless studies have shown that intercourse burns calories, reduces stress and boosts the immune system, among other things.

Now, McCloskey is taking it one step further by wrapping up healthy eating and everyone’s favorite physical activity in one titillating package. See related article: A Plateful of Pleasure)

The Ultimate Sex Diet starts like most others – with a two-week meal plan that emphasizes fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, seafood, spices and herbs, whole grains, nuts, and more.

But here’s the twist: It also includes foods to spice things up in and out of the bedroom.

For starters, try the appetizing aphrodisiacs: Oysters, garlic or truffles followed by a libido-boosting theme dinner: Japanese finger food (sushi and edamame) and saucy Mexican gazpacho soup and fajitas.

“This is a balanced diet that stays away from refined sugars and flour,” McCloskey tells LifeScript.

“The plan is very healthy and it incorporates all of the essential nutrients that are important for a healthy lifestyle.”

But what would The Ultimate Sex Diet be without a whole lot of sex?

McCloskey encourages couples to engage in intercourse three to five times a week and double up on weekends. (See related article: Tap Into Tantra)

She also recommends doing 30 minutes of cardio together, at least three to four times a week – whether it’s walking, jogging, swimming, or some other sort of activity.

The benefits are two-fold, says McCloskey: You’re strengthening your body and your relationship.

Get Physical with These Four Sexercises
What makes The Ultimate Sex Diet completely unique are 14 sexy exercises created exclusively by McCloskey. The “sexercises” are new sexual positions that target arms, legs, stomach, back, and butt.

Traditional exercises with a sexy spin, they’re great floor play and foreplay. She suggests doing a few sexercises 20 to 30 minutes, three or four days a week, preferably as a precursor to the main event.

Here are McCloskey’s four personal favorites (done naked):

1. Crunchy Kiss

Lie on your back with knees bent and hands crossed in front of your chest. Have your partner get down on his knees and gently hold your ankles. Contract your ab muscles as you lift your torso to a sitting position. As you come up, lean forward and give your partner a full-mouthed, wet kiss. Lower yourself back down to the floor. Do two sets of 10 and then switch roles with your partner.

2. Bridging Your Differences
Sit facing your partner three to four feet apart. Bend your knees so they’re hip-width apart in front of you. Line the soles of your feet up with each other and clasp your hands together outside of your legs. Slowly raise and straighten your legs to form a bridge in the shape of an upside-down V. If the back of your legs are tight, bend your knees. Pull in your abdomen and hold for three seconds. Continue holding hands while returning your legs to the starting position. Repeat three times.

3. Love Squat
Stand facing your partner with legs shoulder-width apart. Hold each other’s hands in front of you, comfortably but firmly. While holding hands, bend at the legs and lower your butt until your thighs are nearly parallel to the floor. Don’t lower your butt below your knees.

Remain in the squat position for three seconds. While balancing each other, slowly straighten your legs to a standing position. Repeat five times.

4. Push Up Your Love Life

Lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor, hip-width apart. Keep your arms at your sides, palms facing down. Inhale and gently arch up your lower back and pelvis. Exhale and tighten your butt muscles. Draw your abdomen in and then press the small of your back and pelvis gently back down to the floor.

Repeat five times, rhythmically tightening and releasing the muscles to make a wave-like motion.

The Joys of Sex
When you follow The Ultimate Sex Diet, expect to increase your pleasure, improve your health and strengthen your relationship, McCloskey says. And relish in the fact that you’ll be exercising without the hard work.

Is there an easier way to have fun losing weight? We didn’t think so.

Want to learn more? Get your own copy of The Ultimate Sex Diet.

Rate Your Sex Drive
Is your sex drive running on fumes or is it revved up to go the distance? To answer this question, don't go by how often you're getting busy - it's really more of a measure of how interested or aroused you get. Find out where your libido rates on the sex-o-meter, and what you can do if you're running low on steam with this sex drive quiz.