Tips and Tricks for Losing Weight

Most people who switch to a low-carb diet, a paleo diet, or a low-carb paleo diet find great success in losing weight.  I, myself, have lost 120 pounds using these strategies (low-carb for the first 100 pounds and paleo for the last 20 pounds).  But if your weight-loss seems stalled or too slow, there are some extra tricks that will help you lose weight faster and/or get beyond those natural set points that our bodies all seem to have.

1.  Don’t Eat for 3-4 Hours Before Bed:  When you eat shortly before bed, you increase your metabolism and stimulate growth hormones, which makes it very difficult to lose weight.

2.  Get Lots (and Lots and Lots!) Of Sleep:  Getting plenty of sleep will help regulate your cortisol levels and give your body plenty of time to rest and repair.  If you are prioritizing sleep but still not sleeping well, see my post Trouble Sleeping? for tips.

3.  Manage Stress:  Do whatever you can to keep your stress level in check.  This is about the stress hormone cortisol, which profoundly affects the ease at which our bodies access stored energy, how we metabolize fat versus sugar, our insulin sensitivity and our leptin (hunger hormone) sensitivity.  For more tips on stress management, see my post Managing Stress.

4.  Get Lots of Low-Strain Exercise:  Things like walking, yoga, and swimming are fabulous for regulating your hormones and reducing stress (exercise is not about burning calories, it’s about regulating hormones).  They also build muscle tone without stressing your body.  Some light resistance training (yoga, pilates, lifting weights without going nuts) can be very helpful aswell.  One of the key points here is that “over-training”, by which I mean doing something that is too stressful for your body, ends up increasing cortisol and derailing your weight loss efforts.

5.  Get Outside:  Our bodies need sunlight.  Sun exposure helps regulate our circadian rhythms and our adrenal glands (via the hypothalamus and pituitary gland), which affects cortisol regulation, as well as a whole host of other hormones.  If getting outside just isn’t possible for you, make sure you are taking a Vitamin D3 supplement (I recommend somewhere in the 2000-10,000 I.U. daily range).

6.  Eat 2-3 Meals per Day (and maybe one snack):  Eating less frequently is better for your insulin and leptin sensitivity (and actually all of your hormones).   If you are also keeping your sugar intake fairly low, then this is really great for regulating your hunger too.  Some people like to create a calorie deficit by occasionally skipping meals.  This only works if your stress levels (specifically your cortisol levels) are well-managed (you should be getting plenty of sleep and lots of low-strain exercise).

7.  Reduce Carbohydrates:  Keeping the carbohydrate intake on the low side (check out my post How Many Carbohydrates Should You Eat?) can be very helpful in curbing your appetite and regulating insulin.  The end result is that you eat less, which creates a calorie deficit so your body uses stored energy instead.  Typically, if your carbohydrate level is on the low side, you don’t need to worry so much about portion control (your body does this naturally).  But do still be aware of how much of certain calorie dense foods (like nuts and seeds) you are eating.

8. Increase Carbohydrates:  Wait, didn’t I just say reduce carbohydrates?  Well, that doesn’t always work and sometimes it backfires completely.  If you are already eating fairly low carbohydrate (say less than 50-75g per day), you might actually be going too low carb for your body.  Insulin is actually required for the conversion of the thyroid prohormone T4 to the active hormone T3.  Since thyroid hormone controls metabolism, increasing your carbohydrate intake a little to support thyroid function can actually help boost weight loss.  Other things that are good for supporting your thyroid are managing stress, getting enough sleep, and eating lots of seafood (for the iodine and the selenium).

9.  Promote Healthy Digestion:  If you feel that you are stuck at a “set-point”, first evaluate your health.  Do you really need to lose more weight?  Maybe it’s time to turn your focus to fitness goals and creating lifelong habits for maintaining a healthy weight.  If you do still feel like you need to lose more weight, you might be dealing with micronutrient deficiencies or something like small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.   See my post on Repairing the Gut for ways to address this.  You might also consider focusing on more highly nutrient-dense foods, like organ meat, seafood and eating more vegetables.  Adding digestive support supplements (see the end of this post) can also be very helpful.  Once your gut health is improved, the weight should start coming off again.

10.  Patience:  As I mentioned above, it’s possible that you are already at a great weight for your body, even if it isn’t what you were hoping to achieve.  How do you feel?  Are you energetic? fit? happy?  If you do still have weight to lose and you are doing everything else right, it might just be that your body needs some time to adjust hormone levels (but also check out my post on Female Hormones, Weight and Autoimmunity), adjust the number of receptors on cell surfaces, and repair itself.  When your body is ready (and this might take one to three months), you will start losing weight again.

Lose Your Belly with Just Two Exercise Moves

A couple of month's ago, Men's Health asked Alwyn Cosgrove, C.S.C.S.—one of the world's top trainers—to create a cutting-edge fat loss program for Men's Health. And, of course, he obliged. But a curious thing: One of the workouts in the plan featured just two exercises.
That's right: When asked to create a super-effective, calorie-torching routine, Cosgrove gave us a workout that had readers do only a dumbbell swing and a squat thrust. This confused some folks, who wondered, "How can you lose fat with just two exercises?"
Cosgrove's response: "Running is just one exercise, but no one questions that when it comes to burning fat." (Another great way to lose fat: Avoid the 20 worst drinks in America.)
He makes a good point. And in fact, once you understand the philosophy behind Cosgrove's routine, you start to see why it works so well. But first, an explanation of the actual routine itself.
Here's how it works: You do 15 repetitions of the kettlebell swing (you can also use a dumbbell for this), followed immediately by 15 reps of the squat thrust. (See below for descriptions of both exercises.) Then, without resting, do another 14 reps of the swing and another 14 reps of the squat thrust. Continue this pattern until you complete only one rep of each exercise. This is called a countdown workout.

Sure, that's just two exercises, but do the math: If you complete the entire routine—from 15 down to one— you'll do 120 repetitions of each exercise. That's 240 repetitions. And these aren't just any exercises: They're movements that challenge your entire body.
They're also done at a fast pace. On average, it'll only take you about three seconds per rep. So you'll do those 240 reps in just 12 minutes or so. That'll light your muscles on fire and have you gasping for air (in a good way).

If you think that sounds too easy or too fast, I suggest you try it. You may find you can't even finish. But that's OK—you can just start with a lower number of reps, like eight, and work your way up as you improve your fitness. (In fact, I recommend this strategy.) If you want an even greater challenge, you can always take a breather and repeat the routine.
Remember: Whether you're running or lifting, your muscles require energy to help you move. And this workout forces more of your muscles into action than you'd ever use while jogging for the same duration. It'll also boost your metabolism for hours after your workout.

What's more, unlike jogging, these aren't joint-pounding exercises. So this is actually a "low-impact" workout that you can do at a high intensity, making it ideal for overweight folks. The best part: You can do the routine without even leaving your house since all you need is a single kettlebell or dumbbell. (And for another fast way to fight fat, check out this awesome 9-minute kettlebell workout.)
An important note: This isn't a complete workout program, but it is a great routine that you can do almost anywhere, anytime. And it's a fantastic substitute for 15 minutes on the treadmill.

                                                                                             
Kettlebell (or Dumbbell) Swing

Bend at your hips, and hold a kettlebell (or dumbbbell) with both hands at arm’s length in front of you. Now, rock back slightly and “hike” the kettlebell between your legs. Then squeeze your glutes, thrust your hips forward forcefully, and swing the weight to shoulder height. Allow momentum to swing the weight—you're not trying to actively lift it with your arms. Reverse the movement, so that you swing the kettlebell between your legs again. Make sure you don't round your lower back at any time; it should stay naturally arched when you bend at your hips. Continue to swing back and forth.

Squat Thrust

Stand with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. Bending at your hips and knees, squat down and lower your body until you can place your hands on the floor. Kick your legs backward—into a pushup position—and then immediately reverse the move and quickly stand up from the squat. That's one rep. To make the exercise even more challenging, you can jump up from the squat instead of simply standing up quickly. 

10 Beauty Tips: Get Rid of Acne for Smooth Skin

1. Slather on the sunscreen. We know, we know—you've heard it a million times, but wearing sunscreen is the single easiest way to look younger for life. "Ninety percent of wrinkles are from sun exposure," says Day. "It's so much easier to prevent the damage than it is to fix it afterwards." That means no slacking during winter months either, when rays are just as strong and can reflect off of buildings and sidewalks. Look for a formula that offers broad-spectrum protection to guard against UVA rays (the ones that cause premature aging) and UVB rays (one of the main causes of skin cancer). Try Philosophy Shelter Broad Spectrum Sunscreen in SPF30.

2. Clean your makeup brushes. A British study found that 72% of women never wash their brushes or sponges, even though they harbor dirt and bacteria which can cause breakouts. "You should wash loose powder brushes every two to three weeks, and those used to apply foundation once a week," says Jessica Wu, an LA-based dermatologist and author of Feed Your Face. Mix a couple of drops of gentle facial cleanser or shampoo and lukewarm water in a cup, swish your brushes around, rinse with lukewarm water, pat dry, and lay flat to air dry.

3. Munch on mixed nuts. Brazil nuts are rich in selenium, which increases skin elasticity and may decrease skin cancer, according to recent studies. Throw in walnuts—which are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids—to lower inflammation and put the brakes on breakouts, says Molly Morgan, Board Certified Sports Specialist Dietitian and author of The Skinny Rules. Finally, add some macadamias. "They're full of high quality oils and fatty acids that aid in skin repair and rejuvenation" says integrative practitioner Isaac Eliaz. Aim for a handful of each daily to reap their pore-perfecting benefits.

4. Start using serum. "It's much more concentrated than cream or lotion, so you tend to only need a small amount daily to see results "How to Get Clear, Smooth Skin". Look for one with antioxidants, the skin's major defense against free radicals and stress, and pentapeptides, which are a must-have when it comes to boosting collagen, the support structure that gives skin a firm, youthful appearance. Don't worry about spending a fortune on the ingredients; one of Cook-Bolden's favorites is Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Serum, a sheer formula whose small molecules can dive deep into pores. For best results, apply to freshly washed skin; follow with sunscreen or moisturizer to lock in hydration.

5. Sanitize your Smartphone. According to a Stanford University study, that iPhone you can't keep your hands off of can get more germ-infested than a toilet in a subway bathroom. In fact, the glass touchscreens on mobile devices are so good at spreading viruses that sharing them may be almost as bad as sneezing in someone's face. Here's a scary thought: All those germs land right on your cheek and jawline every time you chat away, causing pimples and irritation. To keep your phone (and face) bacteria-free, wipe it down with an antibacterial wipe like Clorox Disinfecting Wipes a few times a day.

6. Put your skin stash in proper order. The sequence in which you apply your products could be even more important than the products themselves. Reach for those with the most active ingredients as soon as you wash and pat skin dry. "These are the most powerful, so you want them to come into direct contact with your skin," says Syed Amiry, a dermatologist practicing in Reston, Virginia. If you're using more than one active product (like an antioxidant serum and Retin-A), start with the thinner one. "Anything that's water soluble should go first, followed by the product that's thicker and creamier. If you do it in reverse, the heavier cream will block the ingredients of the lighter one from penetrating the skin, so they won't have any impact." If you need moisturizer, it's next up in line, followed up by—what else?—sunscreen each morning.

7. Drop dairy from your diet (even that little bit in your latte). "Dairy products—even those that are organic—contain cow hormones that stimulate your oil glands and your pores, leading to acne," explains Wu. Beware of hidden dairy in foods like salad dressing, protein bars, and shakes. And if you have to go there, stick to skim. "The hormones are concentrated in the fat, so it's your best option."

8. Start using retinol. "Everyone should use retinol," says New York dermatologist Doris Day. "It has decades of clinical data to support its efficacy, helps skin cell turnover, and boosts collagen production to keep skin firm and youthful." Most dermatologists agree that if you're only going to use one anti-aging product, prescription Retin-A (and even over-the-counter versions like RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Daily Moisturizer SPF 30 or Olay Pro-X Deep Wrinkle Treatment) is the magic bullet, and can even reverse abnormal and cancerous growth, among other forms of sun damage. "It has great anti-inflammatory effects, which is why it's as effective at treating acne as it is at treating wrinkles and other signs of aging," adds Amiry.

9. Hit the sack early. We know, you've heard it all before, but it's called beauty sleep for a reason. "Sleep deprivation lowers circulation, which is why you look pale and washed out if you only get a few hours," says Amy Wechsler, one of only two U.S. physicians board-certified in both dermatology and psychiatry. It's also the best time to rejuvenate your skin. "Your body's cellular renewal team has the night shift, so this is when you want to equip your skin with as many nutrients and hydrating ingredients it needs to do a fine job," she says.

10. Exfoliate for smaller-looking pores. It's amazing how something so tiny can feel so huge, but enlarged pores are one of the most common beauty complaints. "Pores appear larger when they're filled with dirt, oil, dead skin cells, and keratin, a protein that lives on the surface of skin," explains Amiry. "Remove those plugs, and they seem to shrink." To clear out the gunk, start exfoliating regularly with daily applications of salicylic and glycolic acid, like those in Murad Exfoliating Acne Treatment Gel. Then add in microdermabrasions (like Physicians Formula Derm@Home Mineral Microdermabrasion System) once or twice a week to clear the dead surface cells. To keep pores from getting even bigger as you age, practice safe sun. "Sun damage breaks down collagen, which can affect pore size as well."

Rihanna New Album Release Update 2014

Synopsis

Born Robyn Rihanna Fenty, on February 20, 1988 in Barbados, Rihanna signed with Def Jam records at age 16 and released her first album, which sold more than 2 million copies worldwide, in 2005. She went on to release more albums and hit songs, including "Unfaithful," "Disturbia" and "Umbrella." Rihanna has also won multiple awards including Grammys, MTV Video Music Awards and Billboard awards.Latest Rihanna Video.

Early Life

Singer Robyn Rihanna Fenty was born on February 20, 1988, in St. Michael Parish on the Caribbean island of Barbados. She is the eldest of three children born to Monica Fenty, an accountant, and Ronald Fenty, a warehouse supervisor. Rihanna's childhood was marred by her father's struggles with addictions to alcohol and crack cocaine and her parents' marital problems—they divorced when she was 14 years old.

However, since that time, Rihanna's father has managed to conquer his addictions and the pair are now very close. "Now my dad is like the coolest person on the planet," Rihanna says. "He doesn't smother me. He lets me live my life. And he's been like that a lot, even when I was younger. He would watch me making a mistake and he wouldn't stop me. My dad, he lets me make it and then I learn."

Rihanna also struggled with crippling headaches for several years during her childhood, a condition she attempted to hide from her friends and classmates so that they would not think she was abnormal. "I never expressed how I felt," she remembers. "I always kept it in. I would go to school ... you would never know there was something wrong with me." Rihanna New Album Release Update 2014

As a teenager, Rihanna turned to singing as a release from her troubles at home. She formed a girl group with two classmates; when they were 15 years old, they scored an audition with music producer Evan Rodgers, who was visiting the island with his Barbadian wife. Rogers wasawed by the precociously beautiful and phenomenally talented Rihanna, to the unfortunate detriment of her two friends. "The minute Rihanna walked into the room, it was like the other two girls didn't exist," he admitted.

Less than a year later, when Rihanna was only 16 years old, she left Barbados to move in with Rogers and his wife in Connecticut and work on recording a demo album. "When I left Barbados, I didn't look back," Rihanna recalled. "I wanted to do what I had to do, even if it meant moving to America."Latest News.

Guide To Buy A Property in USA

The great land of opportunity across the Pond still beckons for British property buyers. Now prices have fallen, stabilised and are now recovering in our beloved Sunshine State, a lifestyle of winter sun, golf and beaches is tantalisingly affordable.

It’s just about still the greatest buyers’ market in recent US history, with property prices frequently 50 per cent less than in 2006, yet rising consistently now in areas such as Orlando and Miami. And the last time we looked, Disney World Florida still attracts more Brits that Disneyland Hong Kong (where property prices have not nosedived, either).

People buy property in America for many reasons, but you can divide them into two camps: those seeking the ease factor and those the excitement factor.

It’s easy to buy property in America because there are no restrictions on foreign ownership, we speak the same language, they have a well-regulated, easy to understand property market plus a sophisticated internet infrastructure (MLS) that lists every property for sale and every bit of data you could ever want to know about an area. There are plentiful flights throughout the year, wonderful roads and welcoming people. It’s just all very easy – especially if you can pay cash (mortgages are hard to get for non-Americans).

Culturally, for many British people America is far and away the most exciting place on the planet, with much of our entertainment industry coming from there and with every corner from New England to New Mexico, Oregon to Orlando having some sort of cultural resonance. It’s also a place where many British people would love to emigrate to “live the American dream” and make a lot of money.

Despite the barriers, many do. Every year around 3,000 new British emigrants register as permanent residents of California alone.

  

Hollywood New Releases 2014 Upcoming Movie DR CABBIE Review And Preview

DR. CABBIE SYNOPSIS

An unemployed doctor turned cab driver becomes a local hero when he converts his taxi into a mobile clinic. Dr. Cabbie is the heart warming journey of a young Indian doctor who immigrates to Canada with the selfless ambition of healing others while beginning a new life in the land of opportunity. Dr. Cabbie discovers his true purpose and true love when he embarks upon this journey of a doctor turned cabbie.

DIRECTOR : Jean-Francois Pouliot.
CAST : Vinay Virmani,Kunal Nayyar,Isabel Kaif,Adrianne Palicki,Lillete Dubey,Mircea Monroe,Lilly Singh.
PRODUCER : Salman Khan,
STORY WRITER : Manu Chopra,Ron Kennell,Vinay Virmani
MUSIC DIRECTOR : Ken Worth.
EDITOR : Dominique Fortin


Plot: An unemployed doctor turned cab driver becomes a local hero when he converts his taxi into a mobile clinic. Dr. Cabbie is the heart warming journey of a young Indian doctor who immigrates to Canada with the selfless ambition of healing others while beginning a new life in the land of opportunity. Dr. Cabbie discovers his true purpose and true love when he embarks upon this journey of a doctor turned Cabbie
 

America's Best Comfort Foods

Cutting-edge cuisine has its place, but sometimes you just want a hearty meal with your favorite comfort foods.

A dish of pasta shells loaded with creamy, bubbly, perfectly browned cheese. A sprinkling of spices. And all of it rich and gooey. That’s the mac ’n cheese at Slows Bar B Q, a neighborhood joint in Detroit where the star side dish has earned the nickname of “crack-n-cheese” thanks to its highly addictive deliciousness.

There are certain feel-good foods we universally reach for when we need to be comforted. A fragrant bowl of chicken soup. A dose of silky mashed potato. A 10-napkin serving of unctuous barbecue. Restaurant trends may come and go, but comfort foods are forever. Fortunately, America is awash with restaurants where the traditional never went out of style.

“As everything around us changes faster than ever, there’s a comfort in things that stay pretty much the same,” muses Salma Abdelnour, a New York–based food and travel writer who blogs about her food adventures at salmaland.com. “There’s a reason why comfort food is comforting…we know what it’s going to taste like, and we know how we’re going to feel when we eat it. That kind of predictability is priceless.”

In this era of food anxiety, it’s no wonder we sometimes feel the need to throw the book away and tuck into foods that remind us of simpler times. “[Comfort foods] soothe the psyche by reminding us of comforting childhood memories,” says Peggy Trowbridge Filippone, a food columnist who writes about home cooking for About.com. “For most of us, these foods are far from gourmet, and generally epitomize home cooking.”

Of course, the foods we tend to most associate with comfort aren’t likely to win any accolades from nutritionists and dietitians. In fact, unapologetic carb-loading is probably the single most satisfying element in a good comfort food dish. When Filippone asked her readers for their favorites, they sung the praises of such fat- and calorie-laden stars as meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and fried chicken. (Strangely, salads didn’t make the cut.)

While on the hunt for America’s best comfort foods, we stuck to tried-and-true dishes that tend to evoke a sense of place. We found a bigger-than-Texas chicken-fried steak in Houston, biscuits and gravy worth lining up for in Nashville, and a chicken soup recipe handed down through generations in Philadelphia, along with a host of other feel-good staples.

The common denominator: all of them are unpretentious, homemade, and in most instances, the kind of dishes that would cause a riot were the restaurants to take them off the menu. About the only things you won’t find on our list are any radical surprises. And isn’t that kind of comforting?