Author: Jon Cardozo.

Have you ever noticed that in this day and age, most people seem to look for the easy way out? We in our society tend to look for the magic bullet that will take care of all of our problems instantly and without effort. Unfortunately, this rarely works, but most people still persist with this dangerous habit. This leads us to the inevitable Dr. Phil moment: How’s that working out for you?

When it comes to building muscle, why should things be any different? Stop it - it just doesn’t work. You will almost always be disappointed when looking for the easy way out.

Supplement companies will continue to push the latest and greatest breakthrough pill from now until the cows come home. (By the way, I’ve always wondered about this expression ‘ when exactly do the cows come home?) Simply put, don’t bother looking for the perfect supplements in some magazine.

Consistency and commitment form the real muscle supplement. If you follow progressive resistance training and a good weight gain diet, you stand a much better chance of success.

Are you a little disappointed with that conclusion? Are you still looking for something that you can spend your money on, something that excites you when you open the tub for the very first time? Well, since you insist, I’ll mention a couple of supplements which can be useful to your muscle building efforts. Protein powder can be a great supplement to have because it is very convenient. If you’re going to try to build a large amount of muscle, you’re going to need a considerable amount of protein in your diet. For example, a common formula given by many is to eat 1.5 g of protein per pound of body weight. It can of course be difficult to consume enough protein without resorting to supplements. Thus, protein powders can provide a great and convenient way to get some extra protein each day.

The second supplement you may want to consider is creatine, a popular supplement trusted by many trainers, which can replenish your energy reserves and allow you to train harder. Of course, this supplement will make little difference if your overall weight training and diet program are not set up properly. This is where following a comprehensive muscle building program can really pay off.

About the Author:
If you would like to learn more about how to gain muscle naturally , visit Jon Cardozo’s Web site at http://maximum-muscle-gain.com. Learn the secrets to building a muscular physique and avoid the myths of the bodybuilding industry. Brought to you by Jcardozium.

Author: Dr Barry Eppley.

The facial features most associated with masculinity is the chin and jawline. A stronger chin and jawline conveys increased masculinity, smaller chins and ill-defined jawlines convey timidity and weakness. While this perceptions may not always be true (and often aren’t), they certainly help create a first impression by their appearance. In today’s plastic surgery, newer generation implants make this look possible more than ever before.

The evolution of chin implants has really evolved over the past decade with many different styles and size options. The most important change has been that they have been extended in their shape rather than small ‘buttons’. Having an enhanced chin that flows better into the surrounding jawline is a newer implant concept. To have a smooth transition from the chin implant to the back of the jaw, the implant must extend back further to blend into the jawline. These newer implants are longer and more tapered at the ends, although they can still be placed through a small incision right under the chin. Because they extend back further they give an enhanced but natural appearance to the chin. Slightly widening the anterior jawline by filling in this area between the chin and the back of the jaw creates a more balanced look. In addition to jawline width, chin and jawline height can also be lengthened by having a ‘wrap-around’ implant that extends lower than the existing edge of the bone. Prior to these type of implants, only cutting the bone or bone grafting could have achieved this look. This increases the height of the lower third of the face, a very male-enhancing effect.

New implant options also exist for bolder cheekbones and more square jaw angles. Small cheekbones generally are not as obvious as a smaller chin but the effect on the appearance of the face is just as real. Underdeveloped cheek bones create a more flat facial appearance or even a face that looks thinner. The cheek area has several differnt styles of implants to fill in the front, back, or even below the cheekbone area. Cheek implants are placed through an incision in the mouth so there is no scarring. A more square and well-defined jaw angle is a very masculinizing look and can only be created with implants. Jaw angle implants can eitehr widen the back of the jaw, make it more longer and more square, or both. Like cheek implants they are placed inside the mouth so scarring is never any issue.

It would not be uncommon to perform several areas of facial enhancement in the male to get the overall look that they want. Computer-imaging must be done in each and everyone of these cases to get an appreciation of facial shape and how the different implants can effect that shape. At least two consultations are usually necessary to adequately cover all the facial implant options and to make sure the patient has a very good understanding of what can be achieved and what can not be done.

About the Author:
Dr Barry Eppley runs a private plastic surgery practice at Clarian Health in Indianapolis. To learn more about the latest trends in plastic surgery, spa therapies, or skin care, go to his daily blog, http://www.exploreplasticsurgery.com .

Author: David Osgathorp.

Through bad lifestyles, repetitive sports or general lack of movement we have created chronic cases of bad posture brought about by muscle imbalances. By imbalances we mean, some of the muscles have become weak and lazy and are allowing other muscles to do the extra work as we move around- these become short and tight.

When there are muscle imbalances around joints such as the spine, shoulder or knee, the tight muscles pull the joint out of position as the weak ones are no longer able to counterbalance the pull. The result? Pain and inflammation.

How do most people deal with their pain and inflammation? They take anti-inflammatory tablets! This will not get that stressed shoulder back into position, it may numb the pain for a short while but you can guarantee it will be back. So instead of taking a pill to numb the pain we should correct this imbalance ourselves and bring the joints back to their optimal alignment.

This can be done with a simple stretch and strengthening programme designed to attack those short/tight and long/weak muscles.

As you take yourself through the stretch checklist pay particular attention to the muscles being stretched. How tight do they feel?

a) Is it almost painful to move into the stretch? If the answer is yes, you have found a short tight muscle that has been working too hard. For each one that feels this way, give it a tick and add to your stretch list. This may need prolonged stretching over a number of weeks, hold the stretch at the point you feel discomfort- not pain! Try holding for up to 30 seconds x 2-3. Over time this should start to become easier.

b) Can you feel tightness but its not too painful? Again if the answer is yes add this to your list. However after a few days stretching this may ease off with any tightness disappearing. At this point, cross this stretch off your list.

c) Are you feeling no stretch at all in that particular muscle? If this is the case, cross this off your list, this muscle is either at a normal length or has become long and weak. In which case strengthening is necessary not stretching!

Create your stretch programme by going through the list right now! You will be halfway to creating a better posture and better you! Just stretching alone may alleviate those painful symptoms. Try this for the next few weeks and you will be ready to take it to the strengthening phase. Thus ensuring you remain in this position of ideal alignment forever!

About the Author:
David Osgathorp Owner, All About You Performance & Wellbeing. Unit 3 Broadbent Close, Highgate, London, N6 5JW. Tel: 020 8348 9706, Mob: 07779 729122. If you would like more information then pleas contact us via the website: http://aayou.co.uk/default.aspx

Author: Patnaree Sukgrarongka.

Ringworm is a common fungal skin infection caused by a mold-like fungus, known as Dermatophyte. This kind of skin infection generally occurs due to unhygienic environment or surroundings. That is why, mainly young children get more affected with this skin infection because of the lack of proper self hygiene. Also, babies staying in nurseries, care homes and schools are more exposed to the ringworm skin fungal infection. Ringworm infection can also be transmitted to a person while cleaning dogs or cats or while petting. In many cases, humans can get the disease from other kinds of animals such as goats, horses and cows. Ringworm infection can take place in the form of red patches on any part of the skin, and if not treated on time, the infection rapidly expands to non-infected area too in ring-like shape. A person can also catch the ringworm infection easily if he or she shares personal accessories like clothes, combs, beddings, brushes and towels with a person who is already affected with the infection. Mainly there are two species of fungus that are the major cause of ringworm infection, including Trichophyton and Microsporum.

These two species causing fungal infection infect different parts of the body. This kind of fungal infection in legs, arms and trunks is scientifically known as Tinea Corporis, if it is in scalp it is scientifically known as Tinea Capitis and if the infection is in groin area it is known as Tinea Cruris. The fugal infection in feet is known medically known as Tinea Pedis, in toenails and fingernails it is called Tinea Unguium and in palm and hand it is known as Tinea Mannum. These are the major parts of the body that get affected by the ringworm infection. Ringworm infection on the scalp usually begins with the emergence of tiny pimples that spread rapidly leaving crusty patches of temporary baldness. The infected scalp makes the roots of the hair weak eventually leading to break off. Sometimes, yellowish crusty may also take place during the occurrence of ringworms. The ringworm on the nails might infect one or more nails of a person’s feet or hands. In this situation, the nails might turn out to be pale, thick and weak. However, the probability of ringworm on nail is less found in puberty but more found in children.

Ringworm infection on feet usually happens to people like athletes who may not have time to take care of personal hygiene. The symptom will start from rashes between toes that expand rapidly if the proper treatment is not taken in early stages. Similar to this, ringworm rashes occur in the jock-related area too. The type of ringworm infection that occurs on feet and jock might not have appearance like ring but will be scaly and red. If we talk about the treatment of ringworm infection, one can consult a dermatologist who identifies the type of ringworm infection and accordingly can prescribe anti-fungal drugs to cure the disease. The common anti-fungal drugs prescribed by doctors include Clotrimazole and Miconazole. However, in some case, a dermatologist has to scratch off a small part of the infected flakes and diagnose it under the microscope to find the fungus.

About the Author:
Please visit following websites to find out information about ringworm symptoms and treatments: Ringworm Symptom Ringworm Treatment

Author: Rob Pilger.

Learn why the jump rope is such a power training tool. People seem to neglect this tool BIG time in their training. Fighters have been using the jump rope for years in their boxing training workouts to shred the fat from their bodies. Now you will to.

Why do so many people neglect the jump rope? I feel people really don’t want to look foolish using this wonderful training tool. Jumping rope takes coordination to use. It seems that many people like the timing. When people begin jumping rope they tend to get frustrated as the rope gets tangled in their feet. I say if you can’t, you must! and you will start to build a beautiful rhythm if you stay with it. That’s the great benefit of using this tool. Your conditioning improves, you burn lots of fat, and your coordination improves like never before. Like the saying goes, Nothing great in life comes easy!

Here is a sample jump rope workout you can use to get started.

Getting Started

You can start out using one or two minute rounds. This will all depend on your current condition. If you’re out of shape start with one minute rounds. If you are an intermediate try using two minute rounds of jumping rope. Rest one minute between rounds. Keep a nice constant brisk pace going. Try performing 2-4 rounds. Again, this all depends on your current condition.

Stay close to the ground while jumping rope. Jumping to high will beat up your joints. Just stay relaxed and build a nice rhythm.

Mixing it up

You can mix up the workout by shuffling your feet while jumping. Move your feet front to back while jumping rope low to the ground. Be patient, as this takes a lot of coordination to do.

Putting it to use

If you can stick with the above guidelines, I guarantee that you will see your waist line shrink. You will gain confidence, along with improved coordination. Try getting this from a stationary bike, stair climber, or elliptical! I can’t emphasize enough, on why this workout makes so much sense to perform! Along with the low cost of the jump rope, it takes little space to perform. You get a great workout in less time. If you do it at home you also save on drive time to the gym.

This is even more reason to go get started!

About the Author:

Grab a 21 day trial membership while it lasts to boxingperformance.com to learn more jump rope workouts along with other boxing training secret workouts at http://www.boxingperformance.com Rob Pilger is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and Level II USA Boxing Coach

 Author: Weston Lyon.

Today I want to give you a specific meditation. This mediation will help you in your overall life, and it will especially help you get optimal results from your exercise regimen.

Here tis:

1. Find a quiet place to lie down.

2. Close your eyes and start to breathe deeply from your diaphragm. Concentrate on your belly moving up when you breathe in and down when you breathe out.

Concentrate on this for 1-2 minutes…you’ll feel very relaxed and not have a care in the world if you’re truly concentrating.

3. Now, think of the body you desire. Craft it in your mind’s eye.

- What will your abs look like? Toned, ripped, etc.

- What will your shoulders and arms look like? Defined, ripped, etc.

- What will your thighs and glutes look like? Firm, toned, etc.

- What feelings do you get from this? Pride, excitement, happiness, etc.

Really paint the picture in your mind’s eye of what you look like and how you feel.

4. Make the picture you painted bigger and brighter. Imagine it becoming clearer as it grows, NOT pixilated, CLEAR. Continue to breathe deeply as you picture this.

5. Finally, as your picture becomes brighter, bigger, and clearer put a smile on your face and get the feeling inside your body of how you felt on Christmas morning as a child.

This feeling should create a smile on your face. It should feel natural and not forced. This feeling should also make you smile in your gut and down to your toes.

Try this meditation and let me know how you feel afterwards. This meditation is easy to do and should only take you 5-10 minutes depending on how into it you get.

Playing motivational music in the background will help you get into this even more. Be careful though…too much mediation that leaves you feeling like this will bring on results faster than you think. Be careful what you wish for (and imagine).

Do this meditation at least once a day and record how you feel in your journal. How you feel afterwards is extremely important. Write this down and see if you accomplish your goals faster.

NOTE: If you don’t achieve your goals faster with this meditation I bet you’re not consistent with doing this on a daily basis. I’m telling you this before you start so you understand to make this, or any meditation, work you have to make it a HABIT.

Have fun with this and really FEEL yourself like you imagine. Remember, your life is emotion driven…use that to your advantage!

About the Author:
Weston Lyon, KING of the Functional Fitness Jungle, is widely recognized as a leading expert on functional fitness. You can receive Weston’s weekly tips and FREE e-book at http://www.westonlyon.com

Author: Tim Kauppinen.

Your struggles with losing weight, getting in shape and burning nasty ugly fat may have a lot to do with how you are exercising. If you’ve been stuck too long, read on carefully… because I’m going to fill you in on what kind of exercise you should be using.

What I’m about to tell you may go against everything you’ve learned about fat burning. But, if you’re willing to open your mind and think outside the box, it might just be the most important information you’ve ever read.

The truth that there is a better way to exercise. It’s the way sprinters and other high level athletes have done for years. It does not involve hours of grueling time on a treadmill or miles and miles of distance on the road. It can give you maximum results in as little as a couple of minutes of exercise per day.

Sprinters (and most other athletes) train primarily their anaerobic energy system… using the energy stored in their muscles to fuel short bursts of high intensity exercise. This type of exercise will give you more “bang for the buck” because it is the most effective way to burn fat and calories while also building lean, functional muscle.

These are benefits that low intensity, high volume cardio just won’t give you.

High intensity allows you to “double dip” during your workouts.

First, as a fat burner, this type of exercise is hard to beat. That’s because raising the intensity of your exercise results in your body burning huge amounts of calories. The demands placed on your body in quick short bursts of exercise require a lot of energy. Training like a sprinter will burn more fat due to these high energy demands (and, according to one study, may even teach your body to burn fat first).

Not only that, but your body will keep burning calories long after your workout. One study showed that doing high energy exercises every other day could lead to an extra 2 pounds per month (or more) of fat loss, just from the rise in metabolism and extra calories burned. Do the math ‘ that adds up to an extra 20 plus pounds of fat burned per year due to this post-workout metabolic effect.

And better yet, according to a report released by the American Diabetes Association, high intensity exercise is the best way to burn the fat around your middle (a.k.a. belly fat), one of the most difficult places to melt off the flab. Low intensity, high volume cardio will not give you the same effects.

But, high intensity exercise doesn’t just burn fat. The second “dip” in your workout will result in building lean, powerful muscle as well. Because, let’s face it, losing fat is only half the battle. If you want to look good (and feel better about yourself), it’s equally as important to tone and firm the muscles in your abs, arms, thighs, hips and backside. If you just lose the fat, you could look soft and flabby. Defining your muscles through high intensity exercise can take care of a lot of that and make you proud of the way you look.

High intensity exercise like interval training builds muscle by putting you through full body, ground-based movements. Forcing your muscles to work in unison - as a functional unit. Just the ticket to raise your natural HGH levels and make your muscles look and feel young again.

Long, slow cardio may actually have the opposite effect… shrinking your muscles to make your body more efficient for the long haul. Upping the intensity of your workouts will burn more calories and fat than tired old cardio. And, in a 2 for 1 bonus, it will also help you build strong, sexy muscle at the same time. (Not to mention that most high intensity workouts can be done in just a few minutes ‘ much less than the 30 minutes to an hour you’ve been trying to do on the cardio machines).

Losing a couple pounds of fat or adding a few pounds of muscle will make you look and feel good. Doing both with high intensity training can make things GREAT instead.

Anyway, it’s time you made a choice my friend. Stick with traditional cardio in the “fat burning zone” and see minimal results. Or, try something different and up the intensity of your workouts to get into the best shape of your life. After just a few sessions, you’ll see and feel the difference.

About the Author:
Tim Kauppinen, or Coach K, has over 20 years experience as an athlete,coach and personal trainer. He has helped people of all ages and abilities get and stay in top shape. Coach K is the author of the Uphill Fitness Training, and publishes a FREE daily training email newsletter. Tim can be contacted through his website at http://www.makesyoufast.com

Author: Zach Hunt.

Is Your Wedding Day Around The Corner ? Then I Have A Few Quick Questions That Will Whip Your Body Into Shape.

Do you have any idea what your body is going to look like 1, 2, or 3 months from now?

Or how about 6 months from now on your Wedding day?. Are you doing anything right now, taking the action to make a metamorphosis in your body.

Do you have a Bridal fitness plan in place that will dramatically reshape your body? Or are you going to let your circumstances decide what your body is going to look like on that once in a lifetime day, the day that will mean so much to you?

Get going on your fitness plan. Take a moment right now and make some goals of what you want your body to look like 3-6 months from now on that day. What do you want your figure to be like on that day. Then decide what it’s going to take to get their, what type of Bridal Fitness Strategies will you need?

If you’re not happy with your current wedding health plan and how you look or feel right now - then guess what - doing the same thing for the 6 months will not result in a healthier and happier you.

Make sure your actions are in line with your goals. If your goal is to lose weight Then make sure that every meal you eat and every bite of food you deliver to your mouth has a purpose of progressing you toward those goals.

So the next time you are faced with that platter of cookies at the office party or that cheesecake at the family potluck - you will know the right decision to make, based on your Wedding fitness goals.

“What the future has in store for you depends largely upon what you place in store for the future.” - Anonymous Planning ahead for your Bridal fitness is indeed a strong indicator for reaching your goals.

Grocery shopping is a superb example! Plan out your supermarket shopping with a checklist before you go. When you get there hold fast to that checklist rather than following your stomach, eyes and nose.

Even if the cookies are on special 2 for 1 or the pumpkin pies are buy 2 get 3 free, you are going to be much better off without those enticing foods lurking around the house.

Figure out what you want to look like 1,2 or even 6 months from now, then take the necessary action!

About the Author:
Zach Hunt is a Bridal Spokane & Spokane Wedding expert, personal trainer and owner of Physzique, a fitness coaching service in Spokane, WA. Go here: Fitness Spokane

Author: Dr Barry Eppley.

While the overall number of male plastic surgery procedures performed in the past decade is up, women still far outnumber male patients by about 10:1 in most parts of the country. While male plastic surgery patients undergo some different procedures than women, their motivations for undergoing face and body changes are also different.

While both men and women undergo plastic surgery to look physically better, you have to dig beyond this obvious level to understand what their true motivations are. The desired physical concerns or desired changes are just a reflection of their unspoken concerns. Generally speaking, most women undergo plastic surgery for internal self-image motivations. They want to fell better about themselves. Correcting a physical flaw is one approach to self-improvement. (and perhaps the easiest?) Whether it is a tummy tuck to look better in clothes or t have their eyes done to look more refreshed, plastic surgery for women is mainly about improving themselves and is not necessarily for others. I hear this over and over…’my husband says I look fine the way I am’…or…’my friends say I look fine’. But yet, women want to have the surgery anyway…because they to effect an internal self-image change. Men, conversely, often undergo plastic surgery because they want things. Whether it be to have more women, sex, money or power…it most always deep down is motivated by a desire for external or more tangible things. As a plastic surgerycorollary to ‘Men are Venus, Women are from Mars’…Women do things for themselves, Men usually do things for somebody else. or other external raesons.

The male plastic surgery patient is also different from the female patient in other ways as well. They often do not prefer to undergo radical procedures that make a drastic change in appearance, have less pain tolerance, follow postoperatve instructions less carefully, do not want a prolonged physical or social recovery, and can be more vocal about the outcome of the surgery. (or they are at least more vocal) Much of this has to do with the general greater impatience of men who want to get to the final result quickly…and usually more discretely. This is why smaller more subtle procedures for men are often better, even if the result is not as significant. Men get no accolades, and certainly little support, in society for suffering through a plastic surgery recovery. And the aging of men is generally better accepted in all societies. Women, conversely, garner more empathy if they are suffering to look more ‘beautiful’. In fact, our society expects them to do so.

The handling of the male plastic surgery patient, I have found, is quite different from a female patient. Because of the male mentality, some plastic surgeons do not enjoy working with men. They often require more time and patience than most female patients. And the demands of the younger male patient are higher than that of an older man. The young male patient, who often is more consumed with his personal appearance, can be quite demanding and is most likely to require more than one surgery to make happy.

About the Author:
Dr Barry Eppley runs a private plastic surgery practice through his hospital-based medspa locations at Clarian Health in Indianapolis. To learn more about the latest trends in plastic surgery, spa therapies, or skin care, go to his daily blog, http://www.exploreplasticsurgery.com .

Author: Alien.

When it comes to beauty, a general rule of thumb is “the less the pain, the less dramatic the gain.” Keep this in mind if you’re looking for big results. For instance, if you’d like to create a satiny-smooth finish on pockmarked skin, eradicate moderate lines, or restore firmness to a slack area of the face, the quick “lunchtime” procedures we have just described probably won’t give you what you want. However, there are more intensive procedures available.

Not all big-deal treatments are performed in hospital. In fact, many are done in a dermatologist’s in-office surgery suite.

TCA peels

With the advent of laser resurfacing, PhotoFacials, and microbrasion treatments, the TCA peel has waned in popularity. Named after its active ingredient, trichloroacetic acid, the TCA peel is a medium-deep treatment that “freshens” the skin, removes some sun damage and rough scaly patches, reduces freckles and irregular pigmentation, and softens fine wrinkles. There is some evidence that it may also reduce the risk of skin cancer by destroying precancerous cells. The treatment involves painting trichloroacetic acid onto clean skin until the skin whitens.

During the 24 hours following the procedure, your skin will be slightly swollen and red. Over the next few days, the treated skin dries to a crispy brown; to keep things moist, your doctor may suggest coating your face with a thick layer of Vaseline. Things get uglier: between days 5 and 7, the leathery skin begins peeling in large sheets.

As irresistible as picking at skin is after a skin treatment, let it peel at its own pace: pulling it can cause deep scars and infections. As soon as “lour face is done shedding, you can return to your regular skin-care routine.

Jessner’s peel

The Jessner’s peel resembles the TCA peel: a medium­deep treatment that is designed to remove the top layers of skin, thus evening pigmentation, improving the skin’s texture, and minimizing fine lines. Instead of containing trichloroacetic acid, however, the Jessner’s peel consists of a mixture of salicylic acid, lactic acid, and resorcinol.

The Jessner’s peel solution is applied to clean skin. Immediately afterward, your skin will be red and slightly swollen, and after 3 or 4 days, it will become dry and tight. At this point it should begin to crack and peel; to keep things moist, your doctor may suggest coating your face with a thick layer of petroleum jelly. After 5 to 7 days, skin should be healed enough for you to return to your regular skin-care routine.

On dark skin, olive-toned skin, or skin that scars easily, chemical peels, laser treatments, and dermabrasion can cause scarring, light­ colored patches, or dark patches. Do not consider any of these resurfacing treatments before getting a dermatologist’s evaluation.

About the Author:
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