EXPERT BIO

Vic Walker is a Senior Industrial Designer at Dimension One Spas, and has designed consumer products for over 15 years. Walker’s skilled background in biomechanics and ergonomics has helped him create and redefine many features and products in the hot tub industry.

With more than 15 patents, Walker is passionate about his continual quest to improve hydrotherapy experiences for consumers. Walker is also responsible for the creation of D1 Spas’ exclusive Bay Collection product line, which has set new standards for hot tub design and functionality.

Dimension One Spas (www.d1spas.com)

What do you see as the top three Outdoor Living design trends for 2009?

My top outdoor living design trends for 2009 are:

* Increased sophistication in outdoor area design
* New and improved designs and materials for outdoor products
* Focus on eco-friendly designs and solutions

In our current economic climate, most homeowners are looking to stretch their dollar and still have things they value, and if possible, use all the time.

Taking social areas outdoors is a rapidly-growing trend. Outdoor living areas often contain water features, fire pits, cooking areas and conversation clusters, and the universal product trend now is a more sophisticated use of materials and design.

Outdoor products are looking more and more like indoor products. “Form factor” and colors are playing increasingly more important roles. Comfort (cushions are making a big comeback) and good ergonomic design are also taking precedence. Furniture designs have become more “indoors influenced” and many companies offer sofa and table solutions that mimic indoor configurations. Consumers are often expanding outdoors knowing that the new space will add value to their home if done correctly. These new spaces also provide an excellent venue for families to reconnect in a different environment than the normal “TV” room or kitchen. There is something about being outside that is comforting and yet refreshing.
There have been many innovative, technology based outdoor living products introduced over the last few years. How do you see the increase in smart outdoor living appliances/products making life easier for homeowners?

Innovation has long driven the indoor home décor market, so it was only a matter of time before consumers and trends allowed the same sort of thinking to occur in outdoor living spaces. Why shouldn’t a homeowner’s outdoor lighting and fountain systems become part of their SmartHome?

As the outdoors has become a more mature space, products are also starting to become more integrated with existing systems and or adaptable to current platforms. Ease of use and functionality drive these innovations. Current systems can give consumers complete control of the features in the backyard –lights, water features, swimming pool, cooking areas, TV sitting areas, etc.

Innovation has done more than just create smart products. High performance cooking areas also make outdoor dining just as easy as in the kitchen and the added ambiance of nature cannot be matched. From fuel-efficient / alternative fuel fire pits to hi performance LED low volt lighting; technology is helping the outdoors become a place where design can be beautiful and durable.

Advanced smart electronic systems in items like outdoor hot tubs make cost of ownership lower than ever and allows consumers to expand their backyard value and experience at minimal cost. For example, the Bay Collection hot tubs I design for Dimension One Spas can cost as little as $15 a month to stay hot and clean. Also, advanced water management systems take all of the worry out of owning these hot tubs, allowing the user to focus on the benefits of hydrotherapy and relaxation.
Where do you find inspiration for your designs?

I am influenced by a variety of things.

Inspiration from observation is a primary source of motivation for my design solutions. My Grandma, who was a big influence on my design career, always told me, “When you slow to smell the roses, take also the time to smell the life around the garden.” Life, like design, is about composition — not just about one thing.

Other design inspirations include nature, nature, nature, and watching how it solves problems and surrounds us with beauty. I love machines, especially exotic sports cars and high performance jets — there is something sultry about them. I also thrive on the interaction between humans and products. Whether a sports car, jet fighter, or an outdoor grill, the common component is the human using the product. Watching humans interact with the products that industrial designers create reminds me of the importance of my job. And having the opportunity to enhance the lives of others through good product design, that is very inspiring unto itself.
What advice would you give to homeowners considering an outdoor room/ outdoor living area?

I would tell homeowners to ask each other and expert sources lots of questions up-front so they can best determine what experience they want to create. Instead of zooming in on the products, think about how you want to feel in your outdoor space –- the products will follow. Some helpful starting questions include:

* What is the theme or goal we want our outdoor project to accomplish? Is it entertaining, private space, health benefits?
* What design would work best with our current environment that includes geography and home design?
* What activities will likely occur here and what would we like the main focus to be?

From outdoor social rooms to soothing Zen gardens, backyard experiences can be as personal and varied as a homeowner’s imagination allows. Though popular outdoor room elements include seating arrangements, patios, accent and task lighting, and flowerbeds, components such as outdoor kitchens and home spas are becoming much more popular. At D1 Spas, I’m working hard to design eye-pleasing hot tubs that are not only functional social centers for the backyard, but also offer real healing solutions.
Tell us about your favorite outdoor living design project.

I am working on one of my favorite projects right now, which has a rustic Tuscan design theme. My goal is to create a social area for adults and children that allows for interaction, conversation, and ease of maintenance. Having a private area for reflection is also a must for the final solution.

This project, which features mostly natural materials and textures, will include an outdoor cooking area, fire pit and fire elements, multiple water features including streams, large flowerbeds, an herb and vegetable garden, extensive use of both natural and LED lighting, a large swimming pool and of course an Amoré Bay hot tub by Dimension One Spas.

Our Amoré Bay hot tub is a luxury hydrotherapy appliance that will be one of the focal points of the project. Other smart products will allow homeowners to control all the lighting and water features from inside their home, while the programming can be adjusted from a phone or web browser. Automated systems will help maintain water systems and allow for different custom settings depending on the client’s needs.
In your personal outdoor room/outdoor living area – what is the product or products that you can’t imagine living without?

My favorite backyard feature is my hot tub by Dimension One Spas –- the Amoré Bay. This hot tub is my family’s favorite conversation tool –- we use it several times a week to have family discussions and reconnect with each other. When I use my hot tub alone, it becomes the most relaxing hydrotherapy experience that allows me to unwind, heal and sleep better. My family, and outdoor living space, would not be the same without this home spa that is an outdoor sofa of sorts that also offers warm water therapies.
Imagine designing your dream outdoor living area. What style would it be? What products would you use ?

I really like the European rustic look and the timeless design style of the Mediterranean countryside. I am Italian and my trips to Europe always left a big impression on me. I love the use of natural materials, but I also like modern conveniences.

My dream outdoor area would include a large salt pool with a natural pebble bottom. Multiple water features would add ambiance and movement. Large elevated planted areas with colorful flowers and shrubs would help create interest and texture. Open sitting areas shaded by natural trees would provide areas where friends and family can gather, while furnishings by Lloyd/Flanders or Brown Jordan would add excellent design and functionality.

Cooking areas that are both efficient and stylish like the Kalamazoo Outdoor Kitchen always enhance any outdoor composition. Gas fire pits can be designed to fit almost any setting and really add a primal element to any backyard. And last, but not least, I would have a wellness center focused around a Dimension One Spas hot tub. The Amoré Bay is a beautiful example of a full-featured hydrotherapy product whose beautiful fountains and LED lights can enhance any outdoor setting. The whole family can enjoy the hot tub’s barrier-free seating for up to 7, and smart features and a patented water management system make owning this hot tub easy and rewarding.
Green design is an important consideration for many homeowners. Do you have advice for homeowners who want to “green” their outdoor living area?

Greening your backyard can be as easy as integrating the products you have decided you need with the harmony of your outdoor room’s natural surroundings. Use trees to create shade areas and vines can soften trellises.

“Green” doesn’t have to mean that every product is made from recycled materials. It can just as easily mean that your backyard is healthy enough to attract birds and butterflies, to be a haven for plants and flowers of all colors and sizes. Going green also means embracing natural settings and solutions –- integrating an outdoor space with your lifestyle means you will use it more frequently and enjoy rewarding experiences. A great outdoor space should do more than just look good, it should enhance the moments and days of those who experience it.

[via DecoratingDiva.com]

NEW YORK, April 6 /PRNewswire/ — The Tea Council of the USA, Inc. proudly announces the 3rd Annual Calm-A-Sutra of Tea(TM) Competition, giving college students an opportunity to win a $15,000 educational scholarship. Misty May-Treanor, professional beach volleyball champ and former “Dancing With The Stars” contestant, launches this much-needed scholarship, in her call-to-action to inspire college students to get creative with the many health benefits of tea.

Specifically, students are asked to submit their own video creations about tea. The student who submits the most unique one- to two-minute video on the health benefits of drinking tea, will be selected by a panel of Tea Council representatives to receive a scholarship of $15,000 paid directly to the school or educational institution on the winner’s behalf.

“While educating the public, including young people, on the emerging science supporting the health-related benefits of drinking tea is one of the Tea Council’s main objectives, we also strongly support America’s young people seeking a higher education,” said Joe Simrany, President of the Tea Council of the USA. “With rising tuition costs, the Calm-A-Sutra of Tea scholarship competition is an ideal vehicle for this internet generation to pursue their search for financial aid for the upcoming 2009-2010 school year.”

The 2008 Calm-A-Sutra Competition garnered 700 student videos and, based on the high interest in financial aid among college students, the Tea Council predicts this year’s draw could exceed that number.

“It is so important for people to stay healthy and fit, and tea is a great way to do just that,” says Misty May-Treanor. “In this economy, students can definitely use some extra cash and this is a fantastic way for students to learn about the health benefits of tea and possibly earn $15,000 towards their education. With a prize this great, the competition is sure to be tough. I can’t wait to see the unique videos that the students are bound to create!”

All entries must be original videos created by the entrant and must contain at least one valid message regarding the health benefits of tea, specifically black, green, white or oolong tea, all of which are from the Camellia sinensis plant. Open to legal residents of the United States and Puerto Rico, who are at least 16 years of age, all entries must be received electronically at www.teausa.org/calmasutra no later than midnight on Sunday, May 31, 2009.

Final judging will be conducted by a panel of representatives of the Tea Council of the USA, Inc. based on the following criteria: HEALTH-RELATED MESSAGE (50%), CREATIVITY (20%), INDIVIDUALITY (20%) and POPULARITY (10%). Entries that contain any nudity, sexual content, inappropriate language, unsuitable behavior or adult material will be automatically discarded and not considered for submission.

For more information and to submit your video for consideration, please visit www.teausa.org/calmasutra.

Do you realise how poluted our air is, how much less greens we are seeing, how the climate around the world has gone haywire? I could go on and on to point out all these things but I’m sure you know them as well. So why not we each do our part by living a smart and healthier lifestyle by going green to safe the environment?

Here are a few green ways in which we can contribute to help preserve the environment. These environmentally friendly way of life tips are not exhaustive, and I’m sure with a little creativity, we can all do our little parts to help make a big difference to living an eco-friendly lifestyle.

1. Go paperless with your banking

Request for e-statements for your bank accounts instead of having them delivered every month. All of us have at least 1 bank statement coming to us on a monthly basis, be it a credit card bill or a current account banking statement. Imagine how much trees we can save when banks don’t need to send out paper statements to every customer for every banking account!

2. Use eco-friendly products

We can opt to use bio-degradable products like washing detergent, dishwashing liquid, etc. We use these on a daily basis, so switching to an eco-friendly product can help a lot from one household to another.

3. Plant more trees

If you have a garden or a yard at home, make use of the space to plant more trees. Not only is this activity literally a green one, but gardening can be a therapeutic activity for many people too. Kill two birds with one stone!

4. Recycle your things

I bet if you look around your home, you will be able to find many things that you throw away to be easily recycled. Don’t just throw away those cans from canned drinks or that pile of read newspapers and magazines. Put them in the recycle bins. If you have kitchen waste like fruits and vegetables, consider making enzymes out of them instead of wasting the food by throwing them out.

5. Don’t use plastics

Avoid using plastic bags when shopping. Use paper bags or better yet, an eco-friendly bags that you can reuse whenever you go shopping. Many retailers these days give these bags away for free if you purchase a certain amount of products from them, or they may offer these bags for sale at very affordable prices.

6. Contribute to green causes

There are many green causes and activities by environmentalists. Join these groups to lend your support, be it getting involved to help spread the effort to live a greener lifestyle or to contribute in monetary terms to support a green activity. Even if you don’t get involved with any causes, you can still do your part by sharing with your friends about your eco-friendly ways and encourage them to join you make a better world for the future generations.

7. Teach your children about being eco friendly

Not only do we need to do our part to keep our environment a safe one to live in, we should also educate the next generation about the impact of a deteriorating environment, and what it means to them. After all, they would feel the impact more than the generations before them!

[From SmartLifeTips.com via Mixx]

It seems then, that his ability to understand the human brain and the relevant decisions made within it allow him the near superhuman prowess to avoid the pitfalls of most guests that come on Colbert. Ergo, read his book. Why? To learn the power of your own mind and it’s ability to help center us as people. That kind of balance and cognition go hand in hand with a healthy lifestyle.

“Cash or credit? Punt or go for first down? Deal or no deal? Life is filled with puzzling choices. Reporting from the frontiers of neuroscience and armed with riveting case studies of how pilots, quarterbacks, and others act under fire, Jonah Lehrer presents a dazzlingly authoritative and accessible account of how we make decisions, what s happening in our heads as we do so, and how we might all become better deciders. Luckily, this one s a no-brainer: Read this book.” –Tom Vanderbilt, author of Traffic: Why We Drive the Way We Do (and What It Says About Us)

Modern lovers seem to be equally fervent about being great in bed! According to a healthcare information company, Wolters Kluwer, in 2005, Americans spent about $1.4 billion to treat male sexual dysfunction disorders alone, of which Viagra ran up a sale of $1.2 billion for Pfizer. Levitra and Cialis are other drugs in the US market, aspiring to compete with Viagra.

There is a difference, of course, between tackling sexual dysfunction and arousing passions. You don’t necessarily need Viagra and the likes for a better sex life. What you do need to do is to eat healthy – Certain nutrients are especially helpful in regulating the levels of sex hormones in our body, and some can even help to protect our reproductive system from any potentially damaging effects of infection or disease. Below is a list of top 10 foods which will help you pep up your sex life, by improving your sexual and reproductive health. In addition these foods also help you fight the stress, tiredness and a lack of sexual energy induced by the current lifestyle. Try these to get your mind and body ready for bed tonight!

1. Oysters

Oysters are rich in zinc, required by the body for the production of testosterone, which in turn boosts sperm production; as well as dopamine, which can increase your libido. Men with sexual dysfunction often have low zinc levels. According to a recent study, certain sea-foods like mussels and oyster have two varieties of amino acids that bring on excess secretion of sex hormones in the body. Ensure that you chew shellfish thoroughly because it helps pull out more of these amino acids. If you do not enjoy eating oysters, you could try other sources of zinc like beef, pork, turkey, crab, chicken and lobster. If you are vegetarian, try beans, yoghurt, brown rice, cashews, raisins, peanuts, sunflower seeds and oats.

2. Avocado

Avocados help metabolize proteins and increase stamina and energy. They also contain vitamin B6, which increases male hormone production and potassium, which aids in regulating the female thyroid gland.

Interestingly the Aztecs called the avocado tree a “testicle tree” because they thought the fruit hanging in pairs on the tree looked like male testicles.

3. Celery

The ancient Romans believed that celery was an aphrodisiac and liberally used this vegetable. Raw celery contains a male hormone called androsterone, which acts as a pheromone, and arouses females sexually. In women, celery acts as a mood booster. Celery salt and celery seed are spices made from this vegetable, and are rampantly used in several recipes.

4. Bananas

Bananas were discovered in 327 B.C. by Alexander the Great. Ever since then, civilizations have believed in the sexual power of bananas. The minerals and an enzyme called bromelain in banana act as an aphrodisiac in men. Bananas have B vitamins, which convert carbohydrates into energy and help in the production of the male sex hormone, testosterone. Bananas are the perfect food to help you sustain your stamina in the bedroom. Try eating a banana a few hours before making love to keep your energy up.

5. Chocolate

There’s a reason that chocolate is the standard gift on Valentines Day. Not only are chocolates delicious, but they also contain antioxidants, serotonin and theobromine, which are stimulants that can improve your mood. Eating chocolates causes a feeling of relaxation, intoxication, and pleasure. The chemical phenylethylamine in chocolate supposedly triggers feelings similar to “falling in love.”

6. Pomegranate

The very fact that pomegranate has numerous seeds itself is supposed to represent a symbol of fertility for several thousands of years now, and happens to be one of the oldest fruits on the planet. It also has the reputation of being a potent aphrodisiac.

Pomegranate fruit can be served in a multitude of ways from cocktails to desserts. Splash pomegranate juice in your drink for a pretty-in-pink Shirley Temple or pop seeds into champagne for a simple cocktail.

7. Asparagus

Asparagus contains folate, which is required for histamine production and histamine is necessary for both males and females to reach an orgasm. Asparagus is also high in vitamin E, which is considered to be a sex hormone stimulant.

8. Oats

The origin of oats dates back to about 2000 BC. Oats are known not only for lowering cholesterol, but also for stimulating libido in both sexes. They contain zinc, proteins and minerals needed to produce healthy seminal fluids. Carbohydrates, the predominant component of oats, act as a rich source of energy. To increase your libido by the time you go to bed, eat oats everyday for breakfast.

9. Red wine or champagne

Try drinking a glass of red wine or champagne before you get into bed. It will awaken your libido by keeping your arteries open and blood flowing.

But avoid drinking too much because excessive alcohol decreases your sexual performance and desire.

10. Ginger

Ginger originated in China thousands of years ago. It is an indispensable ingredient in most Asian food preparations. Ginger aids in the treatment of nausea and diarrhoea. It increases the libido in both genders by increasing the circulation in the genital areas.

Even the smells of certain foods have been found to be sexually arousing, according to studies at the Smell and Taste Foundation in Chicago — notably pumpkin pie and buttered popcorn for men and licorice candy for women.

[Article Courtesy: Family Health Guide]

25 Surprising Ways You Are Harming your Brain

Taking hard drugs, not wearing a helmet during a drag race and snorting paint are of course harmful to your brain and might even be deadly in some cases. But did you know that getting too much sleep, not having any friends and not reading food labels is also harmful to your brain? Read on for 25 surprising ways you’re not protecting yourself the way you should.

Personal Habits

From negative thinking to letting your brain gelatinize, these harmful personal habits have got to go.

1. Not getting enough sleep: Besides making you feel sluggish and unfocused the next morning, a consistent lack of sleep affects the body and brain by “disrupting hormones that regulate appetite,” according to the Washington Post. This evidence supports scientists’ theory that chronic sleep deprivation also contributes to obesity. Besides the appetite connection, too little sleep also affects memory loss and your brain’s ability to process information, as your mind requires down time to preserve memory and retain information.

2. Getting in a rut: Just like any muscle or any organ in the body, your brain needs to be flexed and exercised in order to stay in top shape. If you haven’t challenged yourself in any way by trying a new sport, meeting new people or stepping outside your box even a little, your brain won’t be as sharp or quick as you age.

3. Smoking: Smoking is an unhealthy habit that stresses out your entire body, including your brain. WebMD even maintains that “smoking cigarettes affects [the] brain like heroin,” because of its stimulated production of opioids, which “known to play a role in soothing pain, increasing positive emotions, and creating a sense of reward,” like heroin.

4. Lack of practice: Keep your brain sharp and in practice by doing crossword puzzles or playing brain teasers and strategy games. Time even suggests that this activity can reduce your chances of developing dementia.

5. Too much sleep: Just as too little sleep is harmful, too much sleep can also cause health problems. Oversleeping too much can shorten your life span.

6. Botox: Botox is actually a very deadly poison, but has been approved for cosmetic use because it isn’t likely that it can enter the bloodstream and affect nerve cells or the brain. Newsweek reports, however, that “contrary to what turned up in preclinical testing, botulinum toxin [Botox] can travel along neurons from the injection site into the brain, at least in lab animals.” This discrepancy poses a threat to humans who receive Botox injections, and at least 28 people have died since 1989.

7. Stress: Even if you think procrastinating leads to an adrenaline rush of panic, scientists believe that stress clouds the brain, especially among males.

8. Urban life: Boston.com’s Jonah Lehrer reported in January 2009 that urban life actually “impairs our basic mental processes,” affecting memory and focus. One of the factors attributed to this finding is the lack of nature in city environments. Apparently, the more trees and natural surroundings we see, the better our brains function.

9. Watching TV: TV is a common scapegoat for laziness, obesity, ADD and the inability to focus, but this report details a study that may prove watching TV under the age of 2 is harmful to brain development. The 2004 study “suggested that TV might overstimulate and permanently ‘rewire’ the developing brain,” according to an Associated Press story published on MSNBC.com.

10. Head-banging: The myth that head-banging kills brain cells might not be completely true, but the rocker move is still hazardous to your health and “can put you at risk for brian injury, whiplash, and even stroke,” according to Discover Magazine

Social and Mental Factors

Work on your attitude to amp up your brain health.

11. Isolating yourself: A lack of social interaction doesn’t just damper your mood, it can drastically affect your overall mental health and happiness. The AARP reports that “experts say that how socially connected a person tends to be is one of the most important ways of predicting his or her health and independence in later years.” Even if you’re shy or content to be alone, try reading a book at a coffee shop or joining a club to buoy your spirits and preserve your health.

12. Temper tantrums: If you’re constantly losing control and throwing a temper tantrum, you could be shrinking memory censors, according to AARP.

13. Not exercising: Exercise is paramount to brain health, as it increases blood flow, oxygen intake and manages depression. The Mayo Clinic’s Gabrielle J. Melin, M.D. writes that “exercise definitely can improve your depression and this has been proven in many scientific studies,” due to the production of endorphins, “the feel-good chemical that all human bodies make.”

Diet and Nutrition

This list of brain foods includes coffee, blueberries, and other low-calorie foods.

14. Cutting out caffeine: Too much caffeine can cause irritability and cause sleep problems, but cutting it out altogether isn’t wise, either. As it turns out, coffee “may cut the risk of dementia by blocking the damage cholesterol can inflict on the body,” according to a report from BBC News.

15. Not getting enough omega-3 fatty acids: The best brain food contains omega-3 fatty acids, like salmon, walnuts and eggs.

16. Not getting enough berries or other antioxidants: Besides omega-3 fatty acids, the brain also needs lots of antioxidants, which keep the brain young. The best antioxidants contain vitamins C, E, and beta carotene, according to the AARP. Antioxidant-rich foods include strawberries, blueberries oranges, kale, spinach and red bell peppers.

17. Overdoing alcohol: Red wine in moderation can help your heart block cholesterol, but indulging in too much alcohol is bad for the brain, and may even shrink it, according to CNN.

18. Too many calories: Medical News Today reports that low calorie diets “may help prevent Alzheimer’s.” Low calorie diets are also supposed to improve memory, as long as it isn’t taken to extremes. Malnutrition can impair focus and energy.

Toxins and Chemicals

Understand how toxins and chemicals like MSG are harmful to your brain.

19. Aspartame: Aspartame is a chemical used in artificial sweeteners like NutraSweet. It is approved by the FDA but is controversial because of its affects on babies, and after a recent study, its capacity to cause brain seizures. Opt for natural sweeteners, like natural honey, when mixing your coffee or tea, not chemically enhanced sugars that contain aspartame.

20. MSG: MSG, a chemical used to add flavor to certain foods, can cause severe headaches, fatigue and vomiting in humans, as well as other animals. MSG is also thought to negatively impact memory and the brain’s learning sensors. A 2008 study conducted by a high school student in India even showed that MSG slows brain growth.

21. Not using proper ventilation methods: Gasoline, toxic cleaning supplies and other approved products and chemicals can cause severe headaches and perhaps cause damage to brain cells if you do not properly ventilate the area and take breaks. If you must work around chemicals for a long period of time, wear a face mask and open windows to increase air flow.

Check-ups and Health

Make a point to visit the doctor regularly and ask about the risks of medical treatment in order to promote brain health.

22. Ignoring headaches: Headaches are caused from all types of conditions, including fatigue, stress, hunger and dehydration. But severe chronic headaches could signify a much more serious problem, like a brain tumor, severe sinuses, or another underlying condition.

23. Missing check-ups: Missing check-ups means that you have less face time with your doctor to talk about any health concerns or irregularities. It also means that you will miss tests that can catch health problems early on and will only worsen in the future.

24. Taking Warfarin: The blood-thinning drug Warfarin “can increase the risk of death from a brain haemorrhage,” according to the Telegraph. The paper reports that a U.S. study found that Warfarin–usually prescribed to patients at risk from eschemic stroke caused by a blood clot in the brain–risks the chance of making blood too thin, resulting in a brain hemorrhage.

25. Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is now a standard treatment for many types of cancer, but it also poses a risk to the brain. A University of Rochester Medical Center study found that chemotherapy and other “common drugs used to treat cancer may be more harmful to healthy brain cells than the cancer cells that they are intended to destroy.” The Mayo Clinic also reports that chemotherapy can cause memory problems.
[Article Courtesy: Online Degree World]

Secret #1 – Focus on burning carbohydrate, not fat, during your fat-loss workouts.

Sounds backwards, right? But not when you look at how I structure my workouts. Remember that Turbulence Training focuses on resistance training and interval training. Both of these use carbohydrate as the main source of energy. So it’s obvious the workout is designed to burn carbohydrates during the training session.

I have no interest in you trying to train in your “target heart rate zone” for fat burning (aka – the fat burning zone). The whole idea of a fat-burning zone is an over-simplified idea of how the body works during exercise.

Leave the inefficient fat burning zone to the mis-educated trainers in the commercial gyms (that not surprisingly, also want to sell you a heart rate monitor so you can stay in your “fat burning heart rate zone”).

If you want to get the most results in the least amount of time, focus on burning carbohydrates, not fat.

Why do my fat loss workouts focus on burning carbohydrate rather than fat? In order to burn more calories after the workout, that’s why. When you exercise with intervals and heavy resistance training, your body uses more calories in the hours after exercise than it would if you did traditional cardio and lifted lighter weights.

Alwyn Cosgrove calls this ‘afterburn’, and I call it ‘Turbulence’. By any name it gives you the same results – maximum improvements in your body composition (helping you lose fat while gaining muscle).

Secret #2 – Use a range of repetitions in your strength training workouts.

In order to train more muscle fibers and burn more carbohydrates, I have clients use a range of repetitions within the same workout. My workouts now use 6, 8, and 12 reps per set in order to work the muscle the most effectively.

This will burn more carbohydrates and promote as much muscle growth as possible when you are keeping the calories low.

Secret #3 – Use the stationary cycle for interval training.

I choose the stationary bike for intervals whenever possible because cycling against a resistance can help maintain muscle mass.

Cycling against a resistance also allows you to perform a large amount of mechanical work, and that is a key determinant of the Turbulence in my training.

But please note: I don’t use low-intensity, fast pedaling ’spinning’ intervals as I’m convinced that the hard, resistance based intervals are more effective for fat loss. My clients only cycle against a strong resistance in their intervals.

I really like the bike, but there are many other ways to do intervals. Use what works for you, but if you are at a plateau, try the bike.

Secret #4 – Increase meal frequency

Okay, so this isn’t really a secret to anyone that has read about fat loss. But a 2005 study from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that eating 6 times per day was associated with eating fewer calories per day, lowering cholesterol levels, and lowering post-meal insulin levels.

Combine an increased meal frequency with an increased protein and fiber intake, and you’ll see your body composition improve rapidly.

If you need more nutrition help, then you’ll love the new Turbulence Training Nutrition Guide for Men & Women – written by Dr. Chris Mohr, Ph.D.

See below for more details…

Secret #5 – My Synergistic Turbulence Training Workouts

My Turbulence Training Fat Loss workouts are fast becoming the most effective way to burn fat, build muscle, and get lean. The synergistic strength training-interval training workouts are efficient and effective – getting you in and out of the gym in under an hour.

Here are some tips that you can use for an advanced training phase

- use these tips for 2 weeks then return to your normal training
schedule:

a) Add 10 seconds to each interval but maintain the intensity

b) Add in some bodyweight circuits (10-20 minutes per day) done in the morning or evening (if you do your regular workout in the AM, do your bodyweight circuits after dinner; otherwise, do the bw circuits first thing in the AM, and then do your regular workout at lunch or later in the afternoon or evening)

If you are advanced, you can use squats, pushups, and bodyweight rows for your circuit.

If you are a beginner, you could use lying hip extensions, modified pushups, and stick-ups.

c) Add an extra set to each exercise in the first superset you do in each workout.

Again, use these three tips for an advanced fat loss period of two weeks, then return to a normal training schedule.

But always stick to the best fat loss nutrition plan possible.

If you have any other questions, just let me know.

“I lost 14 pounds this month and the weight is just falling off me. I can fit into my old jeans again which is a big deal for me. I just cut back on starches and bread and do your routine 2-3 times a week. I never thought in a million years that just 10-20 minutes of weight training followed by some cardio would get me such steady results. I even cheat a bit on the weekends.”

Billy Williams

[Article Courtesy: Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS]
via [Roger Davies]

Natural treatment of panic attack works better, it doesn’t have any side effects and works as effective as traditional treatment without the complication of side effects.

The strong desire to recover from anxiety will become the most powerful force that pushing the patient towards recovery. The patient need self-confidence and faith in the treatment program, they will do as instructed and follow the steps to recovery.

Some elements to be follow:

1. Regular Exercise – Exercise 30 minutes per day proved to reduce anxiety significantly, and drinking a lot of water helps too…

2. Sleep Early – Sleep and get up early are vital to a healthy life, and reduce panic attacks when the body is at a healthy state.

3. Avoid Junk Food – Any kind of junk food and stimulant food should be avoided at all cost, such as chocolate, smoking, alcohol, tea and coffee.

4. Herbal Medicine – Use herbal medicine such as ReloraMax and Native Remedies to replace prescription medicine, unless existing medicine works well, don’t change it.

5. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy – Panic Away and The Linden Method had proven themselves very effective against anxiety and panic attack, by far the best treatment of panic attack.

Using these combinations of positive treatments and try to avoid prescription medication; When combine with the patient dedication will to recover, the result is astonishing! As high as 90 of the patient recovered just from using the treatment above. However, the more severe patient might need prescription medicine in the treatment of panic attack, please consult your doctor for advice.

[Article Courtesy: TreatmentForAnxiety.org]

Metabolic syndrome has been shown to lead to a greater risk of stroke, diabetes or heart disease, and this new study might be the first that shows depression from a strained marriage as a new route that leads to metabolic syndrome. The women that participated in the study, which followed 276 couples who had been married an average of 27.5 years and were around age 54 on the average, proved that the negative emotions that come from a strained marriage lead directly to depression and then metabolic syndrome.

Although men were a part of the study, as well, it seems that metabolic syndrome was only developed through depression in women, though men were just as likely as women to have depressed feelings that developed as a result of a negative marriage; more research is needed on the topic.

[Article Courtesy: EON]

Getting a good night’s sleep is key if you want to protect your health long-term, as well as to being awake enough to function every day. People will go to almost any lengths to find relief, including taking potentially dangerous or addictive sleeping pills. What the world really needs is natural sleep help, something that will help you get a deeper, more restful sleep without relying on drugs.

Thankfully, researchers have discovered that there are natural sleep aids which make it possible for people to get deep, restful sleep at night. Several years ago, research published in the journal Chronobiology International reported that lavender essential oil, when inhaled, behaves like a mild sedative, which makes it easier for you to get to sleep and helps you to sleep deeper. The study reported that the people who inhaled the scent of lavender::

* Increased the amount of time they were in a deep sleep
* Spent less time in Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep
* Felt more vigorous the morning after being exposed to lavender

In other words, people who used lavender while they slept, got a better night’s sleep and felt better the next day. These results are similar to those found a few years earlier, where people inhaled jasmine as they slept, making the combination of lavender and jasmine promising as safe, all natural sleep help without having to resort to potentially dangerous or habit-causing sleeping pills.

Are you wondering how to bring the scents of lavender and jasmine to your bedroom? Well, one easy approach is to apply an oil containing them before you go to bed. Simply applying a few drops of oil to your chest or shoulders would surround you with the soothing scents all night, giving you the natural sleep help you need with a minimum of hassles.

It’s unlikely you will find guaranteed-organic natural sleep help (with or without jasmine and lavender) at in mass-market locations. One great option is to try Nature’s Inventory Natural Sleep Aid, a certified organic, vegan Wellness Oil that combines jasmine and lavender and other soothing natural oils to give you a deep, relaxing night’s sleep without prescription drugs.

[Article Courtesy: HowToLose30Pounds.com]