The Top 6 Cause of Skin Pigmentation

Lindsay Lohan has uneven pigment and dull texture. Image by totalbeauty.com

Skin pigmentation is a flat brown spot on your skin. It is usually caused by an age factor. As we get older the skin will lose its elasticity and less able to repair itself from damage. But younger people may experience skin pigmentation too.

There are a few factors that relate to skin pigmentation;

1. Pregnancy

During pregnancy, a woman's facial skin may darken when exposed to sunlight. This condition is called melasma. Generally, the skin will return to its original pigmentation after pregnancy.

2. Medication

Melasma can occur while woman taking birth control pills. The skin pigment usually appear around mouth and cheeks. More commonly it resolves after  stopping the oral contraceptive pill. Antibiotics (tetracycline) and antimalarial drugs may cause hyperpigmentation in some people too.

3. Exposure to the sun

Regular expose to the sun are the fastest way to damage and age the skin. When the skin cells called melanocytes get damaged by the sun, we produce freckles which are abnormal collections of melanin pigment, packaged in a different way than a normal melanin pigment is packaged. They are most common on areas regularly exposed to the sun such as the face and hands. 

The best advice is avoid the midday sun and avoid excessive sunbathing. Always apply around your face and neck a Sunblock Lotion, SPF 50 or at least SPF30, to prevent skin pigmentation.

4. Diet

According to research, the sensitivity of skin is known to increase with the intake of foods containing psolarens such as parsley and lime. Since, skin becomes more sensitive, its exposure to sun causes skin discoloration.

5. Genetic factors and disease

Liver disease causes yellow skin, albinism causes white skin, anemia causes paleness and cyanotic heart disease causes cyanosis.

6. Unhealthy lifestyle 

Unhealthy lifestyle including smoking and stress can contribute to uneven skin pigmentation. Quit smoking and learn to manage your stress.

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Bride Lose Weight Fast for Wedding - Kate Middleton's Weight Loss Plan

Kate Middleton: Prince William's princess bride-to-be.

Kate Middleton, 29 is counting days to her marriage with famous British Royal, Prince William this Friday 29th April. Like other bride, Kate wants to look perfect in her best wedding dress. Being the focus of everyone's attention, every bride want to lose some weight, tone up and slim down on that big day.

During a royal visit to Northern Ireland recently, a woman in the crowd told Kate to not lose any more weight. But Kate replied that it was “all part of the wedding plan”. So what has Kate done to slim down for her wedding?

Prince William and his fiancee, Kate Middleton during a recent trip to Northern Ireland

 As quoted by OK! Magazine from ABC News, Kate trying to lose weight ahead of the wedding, with a high protein low carb diet that originated in France. This French-style dietary pattern known as Dukan diet is also reportedly followed by Jennifer Lopez, People's Most Beautiful 2011 and Nicole Kidman to lose weight.

The diet is divided into four stages: attack, cruise, consolidation and stabilization. 

1. The first phase, dieters must consume as much food high protein and low in fat, including wheat bran and water. 
2. Then followed by consumption of vegetables, but without fruit in the second stage.
3. The next stage, eating two pieces of bread with cheese and fruit, and two servings of carbohydrate per day. 
4. Two days a week, dieters are allowed to eat dessert.
5. In the last phase, the dieter can eat whatever he wants. But afterward, dieters have to go back to the first stage of the diet occupation, namely the consumption of high protein, low fat, wheat bran and water.

Source: healthystylist.com

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Queen Rania of Jordan: How She Maintain a Great Shape

Queen Rania of Jordan

According to Forbes Magazine, Queen Rania is the most powerful woman in the middle East. She is married to King Abdullah of Jordan. Always elegant and active, Queen Rania follows the GI diet to maintain her slim silhouette.

What is GI diet? GI stands for glycaemic index - which measures the speed at which carbohydrates break down in the body. If you tired of counting calorie, this diet could work for you. The GI die is easy to follow. You still can eat out, have lunch on the run or indulge in the odd treat. 

The GI diet compromises a unique combination of foods that have two essential characteristic: they make you feel full for longer and they're low in calorie. Due to the emphasis on fresh fruits, veg, legumes and nuts, you can save on food preparation time. According to Rick Gallop, the author of The G.I. Diet, by following this plan, you can expect to lose up to 2lb-3lb per week, if you are more than 10% overweight.

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How Much Should You Weight?

Maintaining a healthy weight is very important for protection against obesity related illness or disability.

RELATED: The Obesity Epidemic: What Caused It? How Can We Stop It?

If your weight is currently over the healthy range for your height, losing weight will certainly be beneficial to your health, your looks and how you feel. Check your height to weight ratio using the approximate height to weight chart guide above.

Source: disabled-world.com

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Salma Hayek's Diet: Juice Cleanses To Lose Weight Fast

Salma Hayek tells usmagazine.com that she is doing juice cleanses to look great on red carpet. Have been on juice cleanse for 15 years, she collaborated with pal and professional juicer Eric Helms to create Cooler Cleanse, a three or five-day juice detox delivery program.

RELATED: Nature's Secret 5-Day Fast and Cleanse Kit

Although fruit and vegetables are good for us, it is possible to overdose on too many calories by eating too many. Each juice probably provides 100-150 cals. To lose 2st, it is recomended that we follow a 1,500-cals diet. A large glass of carrot, apple, beetroot, spinach and parsley juice will fit with this and leave room for toast or cereal.

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Jewel on Shape: How to Drop Pounds Without Your Partner's Help

Jewel's bikini body: on the cover of Shape Magazine

Singer, Jewel, 35 admit that she is hurt on being called "the chubby Renee Zellweger" in the media years ago. She ended up bingeing on an entire cake and tried to throw it all up afterward, but then she decided to not do harm to her body.

She perform an abs exercise two or three times a week to stay slim. On an interview with Shape she revealed that her husband, Ty Murray don't work out at all. His high metabolism allows him to eat whatever and not worry about weight gain. 

If you are in similar situation, you can still slim down even if your spouse won't support your efforts or even tries to interfere with them. Moneywatch.com tells how:

Jewel and husband, Ty Murray

1. Seek Out Support. 

Find a friend, colleague, or other family member who is willing to lend encouragement. Exercise together or meet for a healthy lunch a few times a week. Or consider a formal weight-loss support group or program. Keep in mind that some programs require a fee.

2. Talk to Your Spouse.

If you encounter resistance, like snide comments about your weight or a refusal to eat the healthy foods you serve, ask how your spouse feels about you losing weight. Your partner might be insecure about your motivation for looking better and try to sabotage your efforts. 

If you can't soften your spouse's resistance, learn to protect yourself from criticism so you'll stick with your weight-loss program. And if your spouse criticizes the meals you're making, describe their health benefits rather than their weight-loss benefits. Explain that foods like fish and leafy greens help prevent heart disease.

P/s: Last year, Jewel announce that she and husband are expecting their first child.

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How To Make Fitness Fun

Madonna is photograph jogging with a friend. Image from dailymail

Many working mothers of Madonna’s age count themselves lucky if they can steal away to the gym for a few days a week. But finding a hobby that helps you exercise will make the process easier and more enjoyable. If you can't bear to join a gym or exercise class, or to do a workout at home, there is another way to make your everyday life more active.

SEE ALSO: Jane Fonda's Step Aerobic and Abdominal Workouts

• Aerobic for 10 minutes burn 71 calorie. 
• Cycling in moderate speed for 10 minutes burn 79 calorie. 
• Running a mile in nine minutes burn 129 calorie. 
• Walking briskly for 10 minutes burn 46 calorie. 
• Swimming slowly for 10 minutes burn 71 calorie. 
• Moving household furniture burn 70 calorie - you won't even realize that you are exercising!

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Weight Loss Success Stories: How Sheryl Get Motivated to be 74lbs Lighter

Sheryl weight 200 pounds in 1991

Staying focus and motivated is the greatest challenge in any weight loss plan. This is what I learn from people who has success their weight loss goal. It's inspiring to read weight loss success stories because they motivate me a lot in my weight loss journey.

Sheryl in 2006, Approx 195-200 pounds

I found an amazing weight loss success story on Bitch Cakes. The blog author, Sheryl spent almost her entire life overweight and obese. Her heaviest weight ever recorded according to Sheryl, the blog author was 208.2 pounds (in Spring 2004). After years of losing and gaining weight and giving up, she is now 134 pounds! (October 2010).

The latest Sheryl: At the bike & run event

I quoted a piece from Sheryl's blog here on how and what keep her motivated in weight loss plan. You can follow further Sheryl's journey through her blog,  sherylyvette.com to get more inspiration.

There are many external things that keep me motivated - things like my meetings, Weight Watchers magazine, reading some of your blogs, watching the Biggest Loser (I know I never talk about it; but I really love that show), and shopping for clothes :) But if I had to say the single most important thing that keeps me motivated is completely internal - It's how I think about myself, aspects of my journey and how important this is.

One major revelation that helped me get to that point was when I finally realized that I had to stop trying to be perfect. I had to have realistic expectations (ie not perfection!) from myself and my body. I also accepted the fact that this was forever - an actual lifestyle change - not a short term thing. I'm not sure if it's because I'm older (and perhaps wiser) now or if things just finally sunk in, but I spend a lot more time thinking about this than I ever did before.

I remind myself that: This is it - I have one life. (Think about that, even if you're afraid to. You're here now, make the most of it!) How do I choose to spend it? Eating whatever and whenever I want but suffering by being fat, miserable and unhappy all the time?

I remind myself that: I wasted the most of 3 decades being very overweight, insecure and unhappy. That was such a waste of time!

I remind myself that: There are people who for whatever reason cannot walk, run, jump and play. They have no choice in that matter. But I am lucky enough to have a working body and I am going to use it.

I remind myself that: My body is mine. I make every choice that pertains to it. I have one body and I want to treat it right so it treats me right! I am in total control of my actions and ultimately my success.

I remind myself that: Nothing is guaranteed in life. Every day is truly a gift - and any one of them could very well be my last. I want to feel good about myself for the brief time I am part of this world.

So, my mental attitude - the way I think about things - has probably been the biggest and most important change, and is what helps to keep me motivated.

I hope you are inspired, as I do. Thank you, Sheryl for giving me permission to publish this. You can also follow Sheryl tweet to stay up-to-date with her activity. Send your weight loss success story HERE and inspires others. Love to hear from you!

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Helen Mirren Flashes Flat Stomach

Helen Mirren

Dame Helen Mirren is certainly the most attractive woman in show business. Being 65, She proves that age is not an excuse to not get into shape. The Oscar-winning actress spotted at Aero Theater in Santa Monica last January where she watched a double screening of Ben Affleck's movies, The Town and Gone Baby Gone.

Dame Helen Mirren bared her toned midriff as she left the Aero Theatre in Los Angeles

Mirren flashes her flat stomach unwittingly as she lifted her arms to cover her hair with a hooded top. It is not the first time Helen has impressed with her figure. Back in 2008 the star flaunted her toned physique on the beach while holidaying in Puglia, Italy, in a striking red bikini.

2008 vacation at Puglia, Italy: Dame Helen Mirren is happy to flaunt her enviable curves and flat stomach in a bikini.

To get a flat stomach maybe harder for someone especially if you have keep stubborn fat for ages. However, it is still possible to get a flat stomach with the right diet and exercise. You may want to give  AmiLean Slimming Lotion a try to combine with your diet and exercise and achieve the look you want this year. AmiLean™ has active ingredients clinically proven to be effective. Its non-greasy texture is easy to apply and absorbs quickly. You will see and feel the firming and tightening effects of AmiLean™ after only a few days of use.

 
SEE ALSO: HIP HOP ABS DVD SET

The young and beautiful Helen

News source: dailymail.co.uk

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Julianne Moore Advice Young People: "Stay Out Of the Sun!"

Pose for InStyle: Julianne Moore looks seductive and amazingly youthful.

Sun is a good source of Vitamin D. Vitamin D are essential to build strong bones and teeth and  helps the immune system to fight infections. But exposing yourself to the sun too long can damage your skin. Skin cancer and risk of eye damage are among the danger.  Sunlight is also responsible for premature aging.

Julianne Moore at 50: Looking fabulous on InStyle cover, May issue.

Skinnyvscurvy quoted Julianne Moore on how she keeps her skin soft and wrinkle-free: "I say this to every young person I know. Stay out of the sun! I have very fair skin and it would have been super-damaged. I always wear sunscreen and I walk on the shady side of the street." The 50-year-old actress is on the cover of InStyle magazine, May issue. She looks amazingly gorgeous.

Wear umbrella when you are outside to protect you against the sun.

When you are outside, using sunscreens can help you reduce the risk of skin damage from sunlight. The hours between 10 am and 3 pm are the worst times to be outside. To give your skin a chance to fully absorb, apply sunscreen about one-half hour before going out in the sun. The sunscreen SPF number gives you some idea how long you can remain in the sun before burning. For example, you would normally burn in 10 minutes without sunscreen, applying a 15 SPF sunscreen may provide you with about 150 minutes in the sun before burning.

Many people thinks sunblock and sunscreen are the same. According to Harvard Medical School report, this opinion is wrong. Sunblock reflect the UVB light and blocking the sun's rays from reaching our skin. Sunblocks, such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, are highly effective in protecting against both UVA and UVB rays, the types of UV radiation that cause sunburn and skin cancer.
Sunscreen absorbing and reflecting UV rays and allows a certain range of UV light to be absorbed into the skin.It helps protect against UVA rays as well as UVB. You'll see these ingredients listed as oxybenzone, octyl salicylate, or octyl methoxycinnamate.

P/S: My husband use to got sunburn after playing golf, even when it's cloudy outside. I suggested him to use Banana Boat Sport Sunblock Lotion, SPF 50 and it worked very well on him.

Which do you pick, a sunscreen or a sunblock?

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Beyonce Drink Milk: 7 Reason to Include Milk In Your Meal Plans

Beyonce and her mom pose for Got Milk? campaign

Got Milk? is an American advertising campaign that have feature celebrities such as Beyonce, Heidi Klum and Britney Spears posing in print advertisements sporting a "milk mustache," employing the slogan, "Where's your mustache?" to encourage the consumption of cow's milk. 

Drink milk is not all a baby thing. Milk good for an adult too. If the celebrity you see in the Got Milk? campaign fail to convince you to drink milk, here are 7 reason to drink milk.

1. Drink milk to get help for hair, skin and nails.

Milk is one of the best sources of the vital  nutrients that helps promote external beauty. Protein, lipids, calcium, Vitamin A, B6, biotin and potassium work together to help keep hair soft and shiny. They are all found in a glass of milk. Cleopatra, the famous Queen of Egypt bathed daily in milk and honey to nurture her skin. 

2. Drink milk to get help rebuilding muscle

Muscle breaks down after exercise, and that is why active people need to supply their bodies with the right kind of protein to help their muscle recover fully. Chocolate milk is an excellent way to recharge after a hard workout.

Britney Spears and David Beckham in Got Milk? campaign

3. Drink milk to Ease PMS Symptoms

Research has shown that a diet in high rich calcium foods, like milk, may cut the physical and emotional symptom of PMS in half. With 300 mgs calcium per glass, milk is the perfect PMS comfort food.

4. Drink milk to get help with better sleep

For those suffering symptom of insomnia, a protein naturally occurring in milk may improve sleep quality and next-day alertness. Drink warm milk  before bed to induce sleep. According to Charaka Samhita, the most ancient text of medicine, milk produces ojas which creates a sense of well being and thus promotes sleep.

RELATED: The Good Sleep Guide: 10 Steps to Better Sleep and How to Break the Worry Cycle

5. Drink milk to build strong bones

Drink 3 glasses of milk a day may significantly reduce your risk of bones disease and fractures. 

Model mom, Heidi Klum for Get Milk? campaign

6. Drink milk to reduce cavities

In addition to calcium, milk contains multiple antibacterial and proteins that promotes overall oral health. Casein, a protein found in milk helps prevent cavity-causing bacteria from sticking to the tooth surface.

7. Drink milk if water is boring.

It is suggested that we should drink at least 8 glass per day. And other fluids such as lemonade, milk and fruit juice also count. Milk is a healthy alternative if water is boring for you. 

 

Article source: gotmilk.com

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Catherine Zeta-Jones Goes to Rehab to Treate Bipolar Disorder

Actress Catherine Zeta-Jones,41 entered a mental health facility to seek treatment for bipolar II disorder, according to the actress representative.

The source tells People Magazine that Catherine made the decision to check in to a mental health facility after dealing with the stress of the past year. The rep says in a statement, "She's feeling great and looking forward to starting work this week on her two upcoming films."

SEE ALSO: Catherine the Great starring Catherine Zeta-Jones

Wedding photo with Michael Douglas, 18 Nov. 2000

What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder also known as manic depression. Unlike ordinary mood swings, the mood changes of bipolar disorder are so intense that they interfere with your ability to function. It causes serious shifts in mood, energy, thinking, and behavior–from the highs of mania on one extreme, to the lows of depression on the other. More than just a fleeting good or bad mood, the cycles of bipolar disorder last for days, weeks, or months.

Signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder can look very different in different people. The symptoms vary widely in their pattern, severity, and frequency.

There are four types of mood episodes in bipolar disorder: mania, hypomania, depression, and mixed episodes. Each type of bipolar disorder mood episode has a unique set of symptoms.

Catherine Zeta-Jones at this year's Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills

Common signs and symptoms of mania include:

• Feeling unusually “high” and optimistic OR extremely irritable
• Unrealistic, grandiose beliefs about one’s abilities or powers
• Sleeping very little, but feeling extremely energetic
• Talking so rapidly that others can’t keep up
• Racing thoughts; jumping quickly from one idea to the next
• Highly distractible, unable to concentrate
• Impaired judgment and impulsiveness
• Acting recklessly without thinking about the consequences
• Delusions and hallucinations (in severe cases)

Hypomania symptoms

Hypomania is a less severe form of mania. People in a hypomanic state feel euphoric, energetic, and productive, but they are able to carry on with their day-to-day lives and they never lose touch with reality. To others, it may seem as if people with hypomania are merely in an unusually good mood. However, hypomania can result in bad decisions that harm relationships, careers, and reputations. In addition, hypomania often escalates to full-blown mania or is followed by a major depressive episode.

Common symptoms of bipolar depression include:

• Feeling hopeless, sad, or empty.
• Irritability
• Inability to experience pleasure
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Physical and mental sluggishness
• Appetite or weight changes
• Sleep problems
• Concentration and memory problems
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• Thoughts of death or suicide

RELATED: Why Am I Still Depressed? Recognizing and Managing the Ups and Downs of Bipolar II and Soft Bipolar Disorder

Signs and symptoms of a mixed episode

A mixed episode of bipolar disorder features symptoms of both mania or hypomania and depression. Common signs of a mixed episode include depression combined with agitation, irritability, anxiety, insomnia, distractibility, and racing thoughts. This combination of high energy and low mood makes for a particularly high risk of suicide.

Treatment for bipolar disorder
Diagnosing the problem as early as possible and getting into treatment can help prevent these complications. Ignoring the problem won’t make it go away; in fact, it will almost certainly get worse. Living with untreated bipolar disorder can lead to problems in everything from your career to your relationships to your health.

5 Self-help for bipolar disorder

1. Get educated. Learn as much as you can about bipolar disorder. The more you know, the better you’ll be at assisting your own recovery.

2. Keep stress in check. Avoid high-stress situations, maintain a healthy work-life balance, and try relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing.

3. Seek support. It’s important to have people you can turn to for help and encouragement. Try joining a support group or talking to a trusted friend.

4. Make healthy choices. Healthy sleeping, eating, and exercising habits can help stabilize your moods. Keeping a regular sleep schedule is particularly important.

5. Monitor your moods. Keep track of your symptoms and watch for signs that your moods are swinging out of control so you can stop the problem before it starts.


Read more about The different faces of bipolar disorder

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Celebrity Diets: The Olsen Twins Drink Coffee to Lose Weight

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are Hollywood's most famous young twins in the world. They are actresses since childhood. They were first famous as Michelle Tanner on Full House.

The twins confess to eat salads, sushi, light coke and Starbucks coffee.  Ashley drinks coffee to speed up her metabolism and keep her energy up. Mary-Kate Olsen, who downs two to four Starbucks drinks a day, has been drinking coffee for much of her life. "I remember at 10 sneaking my own coffee and pouring a ton of sugar in and going up to the playroom and drinking it," Olsen told W magazine in January 2006.

Drinking coffee help you lose weight. If this statement encourage you to drink more coffee, read the 65 myths below and discover the facts about coffee. 

RELATED: Drink This Not That!: The No-Diet Weight Loss Solution

Myth: Coffee gives you more energy for a tougher workout that lasts longer, making it possible to burn more calories.

Fact: Coffee contains caffeine which is a stimulant. It can enable people to feel more alert and help them to be more active, leading to weight loss. Drinking coffee during the afternoon or after dinner can help to reduce cravings for snacks or sweets, by filling the stomach and suppressing the appetite, without the addition of calories.

Myth:  Caffeine speeds up your metabolism making it easier for us to burn more calories --- even while at rest.

Fact: Coffee might also stimulate your metabolism by increasing your rate of thermogenesis (how your body burns calories to create heat and energy). However, this is only a slight increase and studies have not shown it to have a very large effect on weight loss. 

RELATED: I Love Coffee!: Over 100 Easy and Delicious Coffee Drinks

Myth: Coffee has diuretic effect and caused increased urination.

Fact: Studies have shown that drinking it in moderation does not lead to water loss. Indeed, drinking coffee increases your fluid intake by the same amount as drinking water, which might make it easier for those who love coffee but dislike water to keep their fluids up.

Myth: Coffee requires your pancreas to over-work. This is because your pancreas now has to produce extra insulin to reduce this  extra blood sugar. This can lead to overeating and eventually might turn into diabetes.

Fact: Recent studies have shown that coffee itself is not the cause of the insulin resistance. The sugar often used in coffee is more likely a factor, as well as other unhealthy lifestyle choices.

Myth: Coffee is a good source of antioxidant.

Fact: Study by researchers at the University of Scranton (Pa.) shows that coffee provides more than just a morning jolt; that steaming cup of java is also the number one source of antioxidants in the U.S. diet.
 

RELATED: Lose Weight with Green Tea: A Safe Weight-Loss Method That Works

Myth: Coffee can cause insomnia, which might also lead to a higher consumption of calories.

Fact: Heavy caffeine users suffer from sleep-deprivation because their nervous system is too stimulated to allow them deep, restful or prolonged sleep. Coffee contains other chemicals which stimulate the production of cortisone and adrenaline. These chemicals increase stress levels, and cortisone has been linked with an increase in abdomen fat, which causes more health concerns than fat in other areas.

Coffee is very controversial when it comes to weight loss. Some say that it can be of benefit to dieters, while others say that it can be detrimental to a weight loss plan. The bottom line is, coffee most likely has both positive and negative effects on weight loss, depending on how it's consumed and other factors. 

Source of article: Fitday

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Cabbage Soup Diet 7 Day Plan

Sarah Michelle Gellar is a fan of cabbage soup diet.

Remember: This diet should only be followed for 7 days at a time, with at least two weeks in between.

Day One:

Fruit: Eat all of the fruit you want (except bananas). Eat only your soup and the fruit for the first day. For drinks- unsweetened teas, cranberry juice and water.

Day Two:

Vegetables: Eat until you are stuffed will all fresh, raw or cooked vegetables of your choice. Try to eat leafy green vegetables and stay away from dry beans, peas and corn. Eat all the vegetables you want along with your soup. At dinner, reward yourself with a big baked potato with butter. Do not eat fruit today.

Day Three:

Mix Days One and Two: Eat all the soup, fruits and vegetables you want. No Baked Potato.

Day Four:

Bananas and Skim Milk: Eat as many as eight bananas and drink as many glasses of skim milk as you would like on this day, along with your soup. This day is supposed to lessen your desire for sweets.

Day Five:

Beef And Tomatos: Ten to twenty ounces of beef and up to six fresh tomtoes. Drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water this day to wash the uric acid from your body. Eat your soup at least once this day. You may eat broiled or baked chicken instead of beef (but absolutely no skin-on chicken). If you prefer, you can substitute broiled fish for the beef one one of the beef days (but not both).

Day Six:

Beef and Vegetables: Eat to your heart's content of beef and vegetables this day. You can even have 2 or 3 steaks if you like, with leafy green vegetables. No Baked Potato. Eat your soup at least once.

Day Seven:

Brown rice, unsweetened fruit juices and vegetables: Again stuff, stuff, stuff yourself. Be sure to eat your soup at least once this day.

Source: Cabbage Soup Diet

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Weight Loss Diet: Cabbage Soup Recipe

The Cabbage Soup Diet is a 7-day, rigid diet plan lasting aimed at kick-starting weight loss. Celebrities like Sarah Michelle Gellar have slurped the low-calorie concoction and dropped around 10 pounds in a week.

The critical aspect of this diet that contributes to weight loss is it’s low carbohydrates and low rotund combination too. However, it isn’t a offset long-term eating plan. If you mix in an efficient and swift weight loss plan, you can see rapid results and pick up a few encouragement.

Read my entry on Cabbage Soup Diet 7 Day Plan

Image from beautyhill.com

The Famous Cabbage Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 head cabbage
• 6 medium onions
• 6 spring onions
• 6 carrots
• 2 green or red peppers
• 3 large tomatoes
• 5 stalks celery, trimmed
• 4 oz (110 g) uncooked brown rice
• salt and freshly-ground black pepper

Step to Step:

1. Cut the vegetables into small pieces. Place in a large pott and add enough cold water to cover. Bring to boil and then simmer uncovered for about ten minutes.
2. Cover, and then simmer on a low heat until the vegetables are soft. (Old cabbage soup recipe versions say, that this should take about an hour – newer researches know that this is too long as the vitamins will vanish! 10 – 15 minutes simmer time is more then enough!)
3. While the soup is simmering cook the rice according to the instructions on the packet. Add the rice when the soup is cooked. Season to taste with salt, preferably low-sodium and pepper.

Image from weightlossdietwatch

The Original Cabbage Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 head cabbage
• 6 Large Green Onions
• 2 Green Peppers
• 1-2 Cans Diced Tomatoes
• 1 Bunch Celery
• 1 Package Lipton Onion Soup Mix
• 1-2 Cubes of vegetable broth low sodium

Step to Step:

1. Cut vegetables into small pieces and cover with water.(V-8 juice and water can be used).
2. Boil fast for 10 minutes.
3. Reduce to simmer and continue cooking until vegetables are tender.
4. Season to taste with salt, pepper, parsley, etc.

Recipe from Successful diet cabbage soup

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Posh Spice's Acne Battle: How to Handle Adult Acne

Spotted: Victoria Beckham

Almost all kids suffer from acne. But teenagers is not the only group whom affected by acne. Adults suffer with acne too. High-profile celebrity, Posh Spice aka Victoria Beckham suffers from serious adult acne. She was plagued by skin problems since her teenage years. In 2007, she was pictured by the paparazzi with an incredibly spotty forehead.

What is the causes of adult acne? Hormonal imbalance likely the cause of both teen and adult acne. Women may experience acne during pregnancy or after discontinuing use of birth control pill.

Acne is also stress-related. When you’re stressed out, your adrenal glands secrete androgen which enlarges the oil glands and stimulates excess sebum production. Your pores get clogged and you end up with pimples.

RELATED: Healing Adult Acne: Your Guide to Clear Skin And Self-confidence

Despite of many myths, chocolate, caffeine, or eating junk food like french fries and greasy pizza are not statistically related to causing acne based on overall studies. However unhealthy lifestyle, diet and cosmetic may lead to adult acne.

Adult acne treatment and skincare solution

Adapt a healthy lifestyle. Avoid eating too much meat, sugar and processed food, instead include more vegetables, fresh fruits and whole grains in your meals. At the same time, take up some form of exercise to sweat out the toxin and cut down on smoking, caffeine and alcohol.

Over scrubbing can irritate the skin and dry it out excessively, stimulating the sebaceous glands to react. Avoid overly harsh skin care solutions. Benzoyl peroxide makes an effective treatment for mild to moderate acne. I recommend Proactiv Solution. My sister using this and I can see her complexion improve within 3 months of use. However, each person will respond differently to skin care products. So, if you haven't find the one that suit you yet, don't be discouraged, take time to evaluate the various options.

Keep your hands away from your face as much as possible. Resting your chin on your hands or rubbing your nose can encourage the growth of bacteria and cause breakouts. Picking at pimples can drive bacteria deeper into the skin, potentially increasing inflammation and scarring.

Keep stress level under control. Cortisol, a stress hormone, can stimulate over-production of oil, which mixes with dead skin cells and bacteria to create breakouts. Check the product you use too. Some cosmetic, moisturizers and sunscreens can clog pores and create breakouts. Even the one which claim for oily skin.

Nothing we can do about hormonal changes which cause acne, but we can take a hygienic approach to avoid it become worst. The latest news, Victoria Beckham is pregnant with her fourth child. This fourth pregnancy has helped get rid of her acne.

Victoria has tried everything under the sun for her skin, yet nothing has worked as well as getting pregnant with her fourth baby. "The hormones really suit her and she's said this pregnancy has cleared up her spots," said a source. The texture of her skin is much smoother and any open pores seem to have closed up. "She's been drinking lots of water and eating fruit like kiwis and strawberries", the sources added.

MUST READ: That Extra Half an Inch: Hair, Heels and Everything in Between by Victoria Beckham

Victoria is due to give birth to her fourth child this summer, and even husband David Beckham think she is sexier than ever.

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How to Lose Belly Fat: Standing Abs Exercise for a Flat Belly

If you think floor abs exercise is annoying, then this standing abs exercise is going to work for you. I found this video on youtube and I love doing it because I don't have to deal with neck pain or back pain as with sit-ups. Only 10 minutes a day. Enjoy!

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Double Chin: Exercise to Lose Double Chin

Double chin usually happens when the skin in our necks becomes loose and starts sagging forming an extra, or even worse, two additional chins. It gives a bad look, particularly to the unmarried girls, it is a major problem.

Obviously we all know that plastic surgery can take care of the problem, but before decide to go under the knife, we can do some exercises to get rid out of our double chin. These are double chin exercises:

Exercise No.1:

• Be seated on a chair with a table in front. 
• Put your right elbow on the table with your folded hand pressing your chin side-ways from below. 
• Now try to open your mouth while, at the same time, put pressure from your hand to prevent the mouth from opening. 
• This two-pronged pressure 'attack'- launched at least 4 to 5 times in a day-goes a long way to remove the double chin problem.

Exercise No.2:

• Bring your two feet together and stand erect as a ramrod. 
• Now gradually tilt your head backwards. 
• When having reached the point, you can tilt your neck back as for away as possible, then freeze your movement. This way, by putting pressure on the chin with reverse movement, you can make your chin free from the folds of flesh.

Exercise No.3:

• While going to sleep, tilt your head over the pillow to such an extent that it stretches your neck and throat muscles. 
• The muscles which we are working are the 'Platysma' muscle group. 
• You need to feel those muscles tighten. 
• At first, you might have some trouble sleeping in this posture, but gradually you will get accustomed with sleeping your neck a bit.

Exercise No.4:

• Sit on an armless chair, hold both sides. 
• Now lean forward as far as you can. 
• Open your mouth wide, stick your tongue out as far as possible. Hold this for 5-10 seconds. 
• Now relax for a minute. 
• Repeat this exercise 5 times in a row. You can do this two to three times a day.

Exercise No.5

• Press the palms of your hands on your forehead. Gently press. 
• Apply some resistance with your head and neck muscles. Hold this posture for 10-15 seconds. 
• Sense that your face and neck muscles go tight. Gradually release the pressure. 
• Relax for a minute. 
• Once more do the same exercise after placing your palms over the back of your scalp, then both the sides cupping your ears with your palms. 
• Repeat the procedure for 5 times in a row. Do the whole sequence two to three times a day.

Keep in mind that reducing a double chin, may not be the only problem. There may be a weight problem and you may need to lose some weight to really benefit from these work outs. You need to watch what you eat and follow other weight reduction techniques too. Double chin removal is not something that can be done in a crash course. You need to be patient and wait for the chin exercises to work.

P/s: Combine these exercises with Contouring Chin Wrap to see quick result.

Article Source: Beauty Cosmetic Guide and EzineArticles.com

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Lose Belly Fat: Abs Exercise Ideas with Stability Ball

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The Top 10 Diet Blunders That Keep You Fat

Image from healthyandhot.com

When we make the decision to lose weight, we start off with the best intentions and a focused, unflappable mindset. However, many of us frequently find that only after a few days into the plan we begin to slip back to old habits and then eventually back to square one. Realbuzz.com has narrowed down the top 10 dieting blunders that may be holding you back.

1. Missing meals

A major problem for many people who commonly believe that by missing a meal they are actually reducing their calorific intake. This is often counterproductive; as you may become so hungry that at your next meal you overindulge.

2. Skipping carbohydrates at meal times

Thinking that bread and potatoes are fattening is a big mistake. Starchy foods such as bread, rice, pasta and potatoes are filling foods and should not be avoided — the portion size is what you have to watch.

RELATED: How To Lose Stubborn Tummy Fat Without Cutting Carbohydrates In Your Diet 

3. The belief that you have to eat less when you want to lose weight

A full plate is not possible when you’re on a diet — right? Wrong! Many of us believe that we should be cutting back on food to lose weight whereas we really should be eating more. The most important foods that we should be filling up on are vegetables — so fill your plate with them!

4. Not increasing your exercise levels

Upping your exercise levels will maximise your loss of fat and minimise your loss of lean muscle. It will also help you maintain your weight long-term and prevent weight re-gain. Try to do around 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity at least four times a week.

RELATED: Forget Gym. Learn to Dance and Lose Weight

5. ‘All or nothing’

This approach is the downfall of many — don’t make the mistake of thinking you should never have a treat. A pizza is okay, there is nothing wrong with having a pizza — just make sure that you don’t follow it with a large helping of chocolate fudge cake and ice cream!

6. Make realistic changes to your diet that you can stick to

Dieting severely is not advisable in the long term; it may seem boring, but making a few small changes that you can stick to is far more likely to result in a weight loss that can be maintained over the long term.

7. Buying foods such as chips and chocolate for the kids

Having these types of foods in the house can be a temptation; you are more likely to reach for the chocolate if it is to hand, whereas if you had to make the effort to go to the shops — you probably wouldn’t bother!

8. Being influenced by others; are there saboteurs in your house?

Are you being held back by your friends or family? It may be uncomfortable to address these issues as family members or friends may not want you to change — think about talking through your plans with them.

9. Is your routine holding you back?

Do you pass Starbucks every day and can’t resist their carrot or chocolate fudge cake? If you were to take another route to work would that help you curb your habit of nipping in to buy something for that mid-morning snack?

10. Planning — this is often where successfully slim people do well; they plan their meals and write their shopping list accordingly each week.

Read more in realbuzz.com

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Dandruff: Top 4 Easy Steps To Cure Dandruff at Home

Who doesn't want Kimora Lee's healthy and shiny hair? Picture from eonline

Dandruff as defined by wikipedia is the shedding of dead skin cells from the scalp (not to be confused with a dry scalp). Dandruff is sometimes caused by frequent exposure to extreme heat and cold.

Having dandruff makes your hair look ugly with all those white flakes that may even fall on your shoulders and are very much visible. It is embarrassing and irritating experience skin problem that could happen to you.

Image from bellasugar

There is no cure for dandruff yet, but there are ways that you can control and limit dandruff. For a mild case of dandruff, shampooing your hair with a regular shampoo daily or twice a day will usually do the trick.

RELATED: Neutrogena T-Gel Overnight Dandruff Treatment

Start out by trying a mild shampoo. Stronger shampoos can irritate and dry out your hair making dandruff flaking worst. Rinse your hair well for 30 seconds. It's very important to remove everything from your hair.

Besides the anti-dandruff creams, lotions, oils and shampoos available in the market, indobase.com has ideas to fight dandruff with household remedies.

J. F. Lazartigue Massage Gel for Deep Cleansing Pre-Shampoo ( Oily Scalp Treatment ) Cleanses prepares scalp for further purifying treatments Contains soothing, anti-bacterial agents to heal scalp

1. Hot Oil Therapy is one method to cure dandruff. Massage hot oil into the scalp at bedtime. Next morning an hour before bath, rub lemon juice mixed with cosmetic vinegar (mix 1:2 ratio) into the scalp. Give the hair a good wash with egg shampoo.
2. Give your hair a hot steam bath. Massage hot oil with a hot damp towel and leave it on the head like a turban so that the steam can fight dandruff. You may use two towels for this purpose. This will improve the moisture of your scalp skin to fight against forming dandruff.
3. After giving your hair a good wash, boil five teaspoons of dried and used tealeaves in lime water, use it as a last rinse after shampoo, to give your scalp skin, the factors of anti-dandruff formation. This gives your hair a lustrous shine and provides nourishment too.
4. Instead of shampooing, massage handfuls of baking soda into the hair and scalp to absorb oil and to loosen dead skin on scalp. Rinse thoroughly and use no other shampoos. While initially the hair may seem dry, after several weeks, dandruff will go off and hair will be smooth and shiny.

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