From these occurrences it appears as if many out-of-shape people recognize the need for regular exercise and sensible eating habits as they gain an acceptance of a pleasingly contoured physique that exudes vitality, strength, coordination and muscularity.
Because of widespread media coverage, a now national preoccupation with being in shape and staying trim has incited additional would-be fitness enthusiasts to join recreational facilities.
However, scores of these new enthusiasts shell out hundreds of dollars for memberships, then immediately start to invent some imaginative but rather unconvincing excuses to avoid ever again setting foot in what more than a handful of them collectively call “sweat producing chambers.”
Their intentions usually are good, and, some, even praiseworthy. (For example, one woman said that she wished to reduce her body’s subcutaneous fat and redistribute her weight so that she would feel healthier and look more attractive in her clothes, while a man said that he wished to increase blood circulation and improve his body’s immunity to germs and infections.) Yet, when left to their own devices, a lot of them do not seem to be able to summon up the willpower required to undergo the muscle trembling agony of vigorous exercise on a regular basis. As a matter of fact, recent studies show that well over half of the people who begin some kind of exercise activity quit it within six months.
They start to abandon their facilities for varied reasons such as: He 1: “I really hate the large crowds and deafening noises;” or, She: “I am just too bashful to exercise with a bunch of strangers around me;” or, He 2: “More often than not, I find that all the machines I need for my workout are in use when I get to the club. Consequently, I have to sit around wasting my valuable time until the machines are available.”
Besides those above, there are other reasons why getting into and staying in shape tends to be a hassle for a host of people who wish to do so. One is that, after a tough eight-hour workday, most employees’ primary desire is to go home and unwind. They have to really push themselves not only to follow through with their earlier plan to work out but also to “fight all that dreadful, rush-hour traffic” to travel “all that way” to their recreational facility, making an already difficult day seem considerably longer and even more exhausting. At this juncture, the work out that should be mentally and physically gratifying, and ultimately relaxing, becomes another inconvenient task for them to perform.
As an alternative to the frenzied gym scene, a fair percentage of turned-off exercisers, as well as those engaged in serious athletic training, seek the services of a professional personal trainer to help them get started, or to keep them from becoming bored with working out by suggesting new routines, or overcoming a sticking point. And many of these exercisers find a personal trainer to be what they needed to assist them in putting an end to those and some of the other multifarious problems they encountered through the physical conditioning process.
For the purpose of clarification, a personal trainer is a qualified, competent, conditioning instructor conversant in such subjects as exercise physiology, kinesiology, behavior modification, health assessment, nutrition, and weight management. These days, many elite trainers across the country have either a college degree or are certified by a nationally recognized accredited organization like the American College of Sports Medicine or the American Council of Exercise (other organizations can be found at noca.org).
A personal trainer, after evaluating their clients present physical condition and helping to spell out their goals, works with them to devise and implement exercise and nutrition programs that embody what their clients need to achieve their respective health and fitness objectives. With the trainer as motivator, guide and coach, clients perform a wider variety and a larger number of exercises during their workout sessions than most of them would do on their own. And they are able to do this at a reduced risk of being subjected to musculo-skeletal injuries to their bodies.
These no-nonsense exercises enable clients to develop their bodies faster and with a higher degree of effectiveness than many of them could achieve working out by themselves. Additionally, customized, one-on-one instruction gives clients the opportunity to talk with their personal trainer at each workout session regarding the exercise program.
A committed trainer never forsakes a client. When leaving a client on his or her own, a committed trainer takes the initiative to call to ensure the client is carrying on with the exercise program and to answer any questions the client may have. A committed trainer is also continually on the lookout for safe, innovative ways to help a client get in top physical condition. What’s more, a committed trainer always has high regard for a client and when the occasion warrants mails thank-you, birthday, and anniversary cards.
Currently, personal trainers are one of the most highly sought after groups of exercise specialists in the fitness industry. In the health care arena, their services are used by patients recovering from many types of physical impairments, who with their physician’s permission, exercise to become healthy, strong and ambulatory once again.
However, personal trainers are mostly hired by actors, models, competitive athletes and fast-track corporate executives, whose livelihoods depend on them being fit, functioning at peak ability while on the job and looking youthful. These active, successful people know that individuals who are well-conditioned possess and readily display energy and strength. Plus, they usually have much improved mental capabilities and more creativity as well.
They know, too, that physical fitness in the healthy individual promotes a feeling of being “on top of it all.” Perhaps most important, they are aware of the medical data showing that frequent exercise is one of the best ways to manage the pressures which commonly occur in the life of a hard-working professional.
Furthermore, today’s high-powered men and women at the top, and those moving in that direction, operate under stringent deadlines. With daily calendars full of appointments, their days are hectic, tedious and long. They have precious few, if any, spare minutes. While on the job, every second represents substantial dollars to them and their companies. Therefore, they are very conscious of the ever-ticking clock and find it almost impossible to set aside time for anything other than work.
For this reason, the majority of clients prefer having a trainer who is able to meet with them at a prearranged, mutually convenient time and location. The time could be before the client starts work, at noontime, or at the close of the workday. The location could be privately in the client’s home, the client’s place of business, a recreational facility, or some other place that offers convenience, provides security, and anything else the client and trainer desire to facilitate them in having not only an excellent workout session but also allowing them to arrive and leave in comfort and safety.
But adding the services of a personal trainer to one’s life is not cheap. Actually, it’s quite expensive. Personal trainers charge clients from $25 to $100 an hour. Although, on average, a workout session costs $30 to $35.
So along with finding a trainer who complements your personality, you had better be sure that you are devoted to working out and attaining your preconceived fitness goals when you retain a trainer. Try hard to make your body-conditioning experience one that ends up with you getting positive results by not letting yourself become a fitness dropout. In the final analysis, the benefits you reap from your workouts will only be commensurate with the time and effort you put into them. Visit web site http://hometown.aol.com/buffalofox/joggingandrunning.html.
La Rue Briggs
]]>While all these goals are certainly achievable online, you need to know the facts about making money online. Without knowing the facts, you will be victim to the myths and lies that are prevalent in this industry.
The Facts:
If you are new to internet marketing, full of hope and excitement, you may not want to hear this, but 95% of all internet marketers fail. Is it really that hard to make money online? No, but it’s not that easy either. The good news is that you can be part of the 5% that are successful.
But you need to know why 95% fail, and more importantly, you need to know what the other 5% do differently to succeed.
So why do 95% fail? Well, there are many reasons people fail online, but here are the top 3 in my mind:
Ignorance: People simply have no clue how to make money online. There is a huge learning curve in this industry.
Can you imagine what would happen if hospitals recruited surgeons off the street without experience? What would the mortality rate be? At least 95%! Starting an online business without knowing what you are doing is the same thing. Ok, so nobody looses their life from a failed business. But you could easily loose your life savings. You should make educating yourself in this industry one of your top priorities.
Lack of Driving Desire: Many people dream of the financial freedom they can have through their own online business.
But few are ready to make the commitment necessary to realize their dream. This business takes work. It is an emotional rollercoaster full of ups and downs. If you don’t have a real burning desire to drive you through the obstacles and challenges, you will not make it. Rate your desire to succeed from 1 to 10. If you’re not at least an 11, forget it.
Now I’m not trying to frighten you out of your dream, but you need to be honest with yourself. This is a great business. It not only rewards you with financial freedom, it really develops you personally as well. The best reward this business gives is the person you become in the process.
But you have got to want it so badly that you will do whatever it takes to succeed.
Disillusionment: People fail when their unrealistic expectations are not met. They become disillusioned and quit. In fact, the only way you will ultimately fail is to quit.
As long as you keep learning and applying what you learn, you can ultimately succeed. This is the key to success in any endeavor. But the minute you quit, you fail. So don’t quit.
Now let’s talk about what it takes to have a successful home business online?
Essentials for Success:
Education: I know I already mentioned this, but it is that important. Building an online business without knowing what you are doing is like performing surgery on yourself.
You’re going to get hurt. I’m not saying you can’t do anything until you learn everything. In fact, a big part of your ongoing education will come from doing.
Simply invest time and money in your education as you go.
If you are going to use traffic exchanges, learn about how to use them effectively. If you are setting up an auto responder, read what you can about auto responders and how to write an effective series. And if you are going to use Google AdWords, you had better learn how first.
Don’t deprive your education because you don’t want to pay for a book, course, guide, or whatever. If you learn just one thing from a course that helps make you money, then that one thing will be worth far more over time than the cost of the course. One of my favorite sayings goes, “If you think education is expensive, try ignorance”.
Mindset: Your thoughts are real things, and they are powerful! But they can destroy you just as easily as they can serve you. Invest in a copy of Napoleon Hill’s best seller, Think and Grow Rich. Read it. Successful People are always reading.
You need to learn to control your thoughts and emotions in this business. You need to be positive. You will face many disappointments and challenges on the road to success. It really matters whether you believe you can succeed or not.
Because whichever way you believe, you’re right.
Never blame someone else or some program for your lack of success. Take ownership of your success. Your success is entirely dependant upon you.
A Hot Product or Service: This may seem obvious, but if you are going to be successful, you need a product or service people actually want. It needs to be something of real value. Stay away from fads that only last a short while.
You don’t need your own product or service. You can sell someone else as an affiliate. Or you can build a business reselling digital products. Whichever way you go, it’s important to due your due diligence. Research the demand for your product/service.
A Target Market: This goes hand in hand with a hot product/service. If there is a demand for what you are selling, then there is a market. But who is your market.
Who would want your product? It is important to identify or “target” your market as precisely as possible. Otherwise, you will waste valuable resources marketing to people with absolutely no interest in your product or service. Don’t try to sell steak to a vegetarian.
Define your market by asking questions. Some questions to ask are: What’s their gender? How old are they? What do they do for a living? How much money do they make? Where in the world do they live? Define your customers as completely as you can.
That’s your target market.
An Effective Marketing System: Now that you have a hot product, and have identified your market, you need an effective means to bring the two together. I’m not going into a discussion of all the different ways to market a product online, but I do think it is important to understand what an effective marketing system is, and how to develop one.
An effective marketing system is one that gives a reasonable return on investment (ROI). It not only needs to produce results, it needs to produce enough results to justify continuing with it. Also, your marketing has to be geared towards building your list of contacts. You will here a million times: “the money is in the list”. Building a list of contacts is not just important to your business; it is your business.
Set a marketing budget and stick to it. As you begin to make some profit, reinvest it into your business and increase your marketing efforts. Make a plan designed around your budget.
There are many free and paid ways to market. Decide on a mix that fits your budget.
Also, set a schedule and stick to it.
Setting a schedule with well defined tasks will help you to stay focused and increase your productivity. Don’t over do it. You don’t want to try and build Rome in a day. Don’t neglect your home, while building your home business. Once you have your plan, work it consistently.
Domain Name and Hosting: Even if you are planning on selling someone else’s product as an affiliate, you will want to invest in a domain name and hosting. Your domain is you own address (URL) on the internet. I recommend GoDaddy.com. Their prices are very reasonable, and the service is excellent.
Once you have your domain, you will need to host it someplace.
I recommend using Host4Profit. They have excellent customer service, and an easy to use control panel, all at reasonable rates.
Now why would you need a domain and hosting if you are selling someone else’s product? You will eventually want to use Pay Per Click (PPC) advertising. PPC search engines will not allow you to advertise someone else’s site. You will need to set up a landing page that will send your visitors to your affiliate page.
You can also design and host splash pages for traffic exchanges.
You can set up email addresses on your domain, which will help give you a professional look.
Bottom line is, if you want to be successful online; you will eventually need your own website. For a great deal on your own website, click the link in the resource box at the bottom of this article.
Myths:
Get Rich Quick: Many people think that they are going to get rich quick online. It takes the average person 3 to 4 years before they start to make any real money online.
Do you have to spend 3 to 4 years to make real money online?
No, you can do it much quicker if you know how. It’s just that it takes the average person 3 to 4 years to learn how.
It also takes time to develope a large network of contacts and steady traffic to your website.
The simple truth is that building a long lasting, profitable business online takes time and effort.
You Have to be a Computer Geek: You don’t have to be a computer geek.
However, you should have basic computer skills. I would also suggest investing a little time in learning HTML. What is HTML? HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is the language that browsers read.
Websites and many emails are written in HTML. You don’t have to master HTML, but a basic understanding is very helpful.
You Have to Invest a lot of Money: You don’t need a lot of money to get started. You do of course need a computer and an internet connection.
But beyond the hardware, you can start for next to nothing. However, to reach your goals you will need to invest more money.
The key is to focus on your plan and stay in your budget. Expand your budget as you begin to earn some money. Reinvest everything you earn at first. This way you can start a business on a shoestring budget and use your earnings to build it big.
Lies:
Money Without Work: There is no such thing. Even a crook has to work to rob you. Here’s a very true saying: “The only place you can find money before work is in the dictionary.” An honest business requires an honest effort.
Scams: There are all kinds of scams out there that prey upon the desperate, ignorant, and greedy. It is important to do the proper due diligence before joining any money making program or service. Here are a few tips to help you spot and avoid these internet lowlifes:
One thing that should get your B.S. alarm ringing is outrageous claims.
We all know that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Yet we still fall for wild promises. If someone tells you that for a price you can make $10,000 in a month, RUN. If they guarantee it, RUN FASTER. Evaluate claims with your own good sense, and don’t let greed get the better of you.
Another sure sign of a scam is if there is no real product or service of value.
Whenever you talk about multi-level marketing, someone always asks the question: “Isn’t that a pyramid scheme?” The truth is, almost all effective organizations, whether business or government, are pyramid shaped. This is so for the same reason wheels tend to be round. It really is the most efficient structure.
What makes a pyramid scheme a scam, is that there is nothing of real value flowing down the pyramid, only money flowing up. Everyone at the top makes money, everyone else pays for it. I only deal with programs that offer a product or service that I find valuable.
Check their customer service. Send an e-mail, or call them. If you get no response, run and never look back. Even if you get a response, what kind of response was it? Was it timely? Did it answer your question adequately, or did it just refer you to a FAQs page? The hallmark of an honest, well run business is great customer service.
Check their reputation. Check with the Better Business Bureau, and see if there have been any complaints filed against them. Also checkout what the forums have to say about them. You can do a search on the program to find posts that mention the program in question.
You need to use a little discernment here. Remember, 95% of all online marketers fail. They fail because of laziness or lack of knowledge. When they fail, many of them blame the program and blast it in the forums. So if one or two people cry scam, it may just be a case of sour grapes.
Well I hope this is of help to you in your quest for success. Remember, anyone can be successful online, if they will follow 8 simple rules:
1. Study to learn everything you can about this business.
2. Apply what you learn.
3. Set realistic long and short term goals.
4. Make a plan to achieve those goals.
5. Work hard towards executing your plan.
6. Stay positive.
7. Be consistent.
8. Don’t Give Up.
See you on the beach!
Copyright © Douglas Canary
http://www.TNTMarketingStrategies.com
Doug Canary has been online since 2003. He is the webmaster of TNTMarketingStrategies.com.
]]>Urban Health and Fitness Myth or Fact
1. Inactivity turns muscle into fat: Almost Fact
a. The reality is that muscle and fat are two very different tissues with in the body. No, muscle can’t turn into the fat though a sedentary lifestyle will cause your muscles to burn less calories. The fewer calories your muscles burn the greater amounts of fat a person will store. The correct statement is with inactivity fat replaces muscle. This is another way of saying you have a slow metabolism.
2. Women are going to get drunk quicker than Men: Fact
a. The key difference is body weight. The average male has more weight than the average female. The extra weight results in greater amounts of water in male bodies. The extra water lower the concentration of alcohol for men allowing them to stave off impairment longer. Another key difference is men has high amounts of gastric alcohol dehydrogenase, which breaks down alcohol is the liver. This allows men to break down more alcohol leaving less in the blood stream.
3. Drinking Alcohol Loses Brain Cells: Myth
a. Alcohol won’t make you dumber though you may act dumber. Even binge drinkers are not going to kill brain cells. Studies have shown that heavy drinkers have the same amount of brain cells as the non drinker. Alcohol can kill brain cells though the amounts are too high to consume. You won’t pass out or stop breathing before you would kill any cells.
4. Holiday 5 Pounds is a given: Myth
a. People don’t gain an average of 5 pounds during the holidays. The average person gains about 1 pound over the 6 weeks from Thanksgiving to New Years. This isn’t that different than the weight, from poor food diet and fitness choices that the average American gains at any point in time. The big reason we think about is that come January 1st we are making New Years resolutions and we are thinking about our weight more.
5. Drink green tea to lose weight: Myth
a. Many products and marketing are stating all the weight loss benefits of green tea. Green tea extract has been demonstrated to support weight loss and support increase in calorie burning from your metabolism. The amounts in the tea you drink are too low in concentration though to make much difference. You can still get the antioxidant properties of green tea in your drink though weight loss not much. If you want the benefits of green tea for weight loss you will have to go with nutritional supplements which deliver high concentrations.
Every myth or urban legend typically has some sort of truth to them. The issue it typically isn’t exactly the way people think. The goal with any myth passed down is to do your homework.
Copyright (c) 2007 Al Short
Al Short
]]>Of course, there are a number of vehicles that dealers have tried selling on their lots for some time to no avail before deciding to cut their losses short by disposing of them quickly at the auctions. Maintaining aging inventory costs dealers both money and reputation. However, old or otherwise unattractive inventory accounts for a miniscule portion of the cars sold at auctions. The large part of vehicles sold at dealer auctions is comprised of off-lease returns, replaced rental fleets, company cars, repossessed vehicles and trade-ins.
Let’s look at these sources individually and examine the advantages or risks associated with each of them:
Off-lease: vehicles returned to the financial institution at the end of a lease term. Closed auctions are usually the only venue for such financial institutions to dispose of a large volume of end-of-lease returns.
Advantages: the terms of a lease normally put a restriction on the number of miles driven, require regular maintenance and penalize for excessive wear. Usually, off-lease vehicles are returned within 2-3 years, often before their original factory warranty expires.
Risks: off-lease vehicles are older - two or three years are standard terms of lease.
Off-rental: rental companies normally replace their fleets once a year, releasing a flood of late-model cars to the secondary market. Like the big financial institutions that underwrite car leases, rental companies also rely on auto auctions to sell off their used inventory.
Advantages: these vehicles are well maintained and driven for only one year.
Risks: mileage tends to accumulate quickly on a rental car. Optional features are skimpy - you can count on their having an A/C and automatic transmission, but these cars are otherwise as close to the base model as they can get. Usage of rental cars is rough; chances are that during that first year each rental car will be driven by a normal distribution of all types of drivers in all kinds of conditions.
Company/fleet cars: companies of varying sizes own or lease cars, trucks or vans that they typically keep for two or more years, although it is not uncommon to see current year models sold at the auctions.
Advantages: adequate maintenance and large volumes of similar vehicles.
Risks: like rentals, these vehicles do not have a whole lot of extras and get thoroughly exploited on a daily basis. Unlike rentals, usage of company cars varies greatly from the executive luxury sedan driven slowly and carefully on occasion to the delivery truck that regularly mounts curbs and gets abused in city traffic.
Repossessed: vehicles can be voluntarily or involuntarily repossessed by financial institutions for delinquency or another reason for recall. Auto auctions are again the bank’s only option for deliverance.
Advantages: repossessed vehicles can feasibly sell for less because the financial institution disposing of them only seeks to offset its losses (also restricted by a federal regulation).
Risks: the condition of such cars may be compromised by neglect. There is also the potential for sabotage from ill-meaning previous users (think extensive keying or tearing of the interior).
Trade-in: dealer inventory that is aging or does not meet their profile (e.g., your old Toyota Avalon that you traded in for a shiny new CLK350 Cabriolet at a Mercedes-Benz franchised dealership).
Advantages: traded-in cars may have useful extras and sometimes even after-market modifications (for those consider this an advantage).Risks: the overall condition of such vehicles varies greatly. Some may be considerably older and out of warranty.
Among these types of vehicles one can find a good number of quality cars ready to market. Late models with remaining factory warranty are not uncommon. The law requires listing dealers to disclose mechanical problems, which may void the manufacturer’s warranty and classify the vehicle as junk, salvage, lemon/consumer buy-back, etc. There are special auctions for the adventurous and the mechanically inclined, which sell salvage, rebuilt or junk vehicles, whose source is mostly insurance companies. Other types of auctions specialize in the sale of police or government cars; some of those actually allow public access.
Pricing
Regardless of their source, vehicles are sent to auction with the main purpose to be sold quickly and hassle-free, and this usually happens at prices that dealers can easily recoup with a small profit from a resale. You have probably heard stories that cars can be bought at the dealer auctions for unreasonably low prices. This may happen if there are not enough interested bidders or if the vehicle is exceptionally unattractive, but it is rarely the case and should not be taken for granted. In fact, many sellers put reserve prices on their stock specifically to prevent this from happening. The reserve price is not disclosed publicly and a “winning” auction bid is only considered a sale if the reserve price is met. Sellers have the option to re-list vehicles that did not sell at a particular auction.
Condition
As with any used vehicle, one should not expect to find a car in pristine condition at the auctions. Used cars are for people who do not value the “new car smell” so highly as to spend a few thousand dollars extra at the franchise dealer’s showroom to get it. Many aspects of the vehicle appearance may suffer in the term of everyday use and one should expect any combination of the following damages: stained or otherwise used upholstery, scratched bumpers, dings on the doors, chipped hood, dented quarter panels. Most of these can be fixed with touch-up paint and/or a dent removing kit. Scraped wheels and worn tires may cost more to repair or replace.
Inspection
Pre-sale inspection or test-driving is not allowed at the auctions. The most a buying dealer can hope is to visually inspect the car and turn the engine on, without actually driving it. Mechanics and guests are not allowed to see the cars until after the sale is completed. Some auction locations inspect and prepare the cars for sale if the listing dealer so chooses (at a premium). More extensive reconditioning is also available.
Dealer auctions are an indispensable clearinghouse of used vehicles, offering both a wider exposure to selling dealers as well as an unmatched variety to buyers. Understanding how these car dealer auctions work and what to expect to find there helps alleviate some of the anxiety related to taking part in them.
Chris Herbert is an automotive expert associated with http://Motobidia.com - a direct business-to-consumer online used car broker of high-end pre-owned cars available at dealer auctions nationwide. http://www.motobidia.com/index.asp
]]>Plyometric training combines speed, strength, and change of direction to allow the muscle to react quickly and with maximum power. Most weightlifting is fairly static and isolative. Imagine taking that power and effort, and pushing it out into an enhanced, total body range of motion to harness more power! This is how to picture plyometrics.
Plyometrics are becoming more and more popular as a means to enhance an already strenuous workout in the gym with resistance exercise. Go into any Gold’s or World or Powerhouse Gym and see at least 2 or 3 trainers putting their clients through the paces with balance disks, steps, stairs, and medicine balls, as a supplement to the weights.
Whether you’re a bodybuilder who needs more detail or you also compete in a sport such as boxing or soccer, plyometrics can create strength, agility and elasticity through the promotion and practice of balance. Working with weights in a static manner can only accomplish so much. Working with dynamic exercises, movements and equipment that can expand a range of motion in many different directions, will greatly enhance the scope and potential of any physique.
Plyometrics is also a means by which any bodybuilder can unleash explosive power. This is of particular benefit during an off season phase where squats and other powerlifting basics are what is driving a mass cycle.
A lot of plyometrics incorporate balance oriented movements or exercises that work the proprioceptors within the length of the body. Proprioception is what keeps our bodies balanced. Throw the body off balance and it will find its perfect balance. That’s because proprioceptors within the spinal column and back of the legs, are constantly seeking balance as you walk, run, lift, or just stand.
Here’s a great beginning Plyometric workout, focusing on the legs, that you can combine with your regular resistance workout. You’ll need a partner for some of it:
Squats (without weight) in squat cage holding side bars 1 x 75
Squat-Leaps 1 x 15
Instructions: Keeping a good squat position, get down to a parallel-to-the-floor squat frame and keep legs tight during the full 75 reps. Believe us when we tell you, that you will NOT need weight here. We doubt you could make it to 100 - which is the number you should target prior to the squat-leaps. Immediately following this leg wobbling set of squats, do as many squat-leaps up to 15 as possible.
Hamstring curls or Stiff-legged deadlifts 1 x 50
Lateral Box Leaps 1 x 20
Stair run 2 x 30 steps sprint
Instructions: If doing hamstring curls, use enough weight to keep a light resistance on the legs. If stiff-legged, use just a light pre-loaded bar of 15-20 pounds for 50 reps. Keep tight form throughout sets of either of these.
Immediately run stairs up 30 steps, and down (many gyms have stairs) - if not use an aerobic step apparatus and go up down up down up down up down, alternating feet as quickly as possible. Then immediately go to box leaps. Make sure your first try is using an 8-12 inch step that is about as wide as it is tall. With both feet together, leap from side to side to side to side for 20 reps.
You may think to yourself… I’m not sure this will increase my mass. Well, just wait! It not only can increase mass, but it can reshape the mass you have and make you more functional, explosive and dynamic in the gym. When you become quicker and more explosive, you’ll be able to turn the heat up on your workouts and your intensity will bring you enhanced development.
Dane Fletcher is the world’s foremost training authority. He writes exclusively for GetAnabolics.com, a leading online provider of Bodybuilding Supplements. For more information, please visit http://www.GetAnabolics.com
]]>The hip of the dog works the same as the hip joint in a human. It is a ball and socket joint with the socket attached to the pelvis and the ball part of the joint attached to the femur or thigh bone. Normally the ball and socket fit together properly and there is movement in all directions. There is a ligament and other protective tissues that hold the ball and socket together and keep the joint strong and healthy.
Dogs that develop hip dysplasia have an abnormal growth of the soft tissues around the joint and within the ball and socket mechanism of the hip. This starts when the dogs are very young. The result is that the bones of the hip joint are not in close contact with each other; rather they are separated by the layer of abnormal tissue that has developed in the joint. The constant outward pressure of the joint by this tissue then further leads to a stretching of the ligament that holds the joint together. The result is a separation of the joint known as a subluxation.
Hip dysplasia is a hereditary condition that means that it can only be passed down through breeding. With conscientious breeders having their dogs tested for hip dysplasia before breeding the condition can be controlled. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) has collected data on various breeds and lines since 1966. This database is the largest in the world and is used by reputable breeders to ensure that the lines that they are crossing have little chance of carrying this genetic condition.
Treatment
Hip dysplasia in dogs is usually first noticed by stiffness and pain with walking. This will often result in dogs having trouble sitting or standing as the joint is flexed and extended. Many owners think that their pet has arthritis when this occurs. A vet can verify hip dysplasia with a physical exam, which will manipulate the joint. The vet can tell be the tension or lack thereof in the muscle and connective tissue around the hip. An X-ray can also be used to verify the condition.
There are several ways to treat hip dysplasia and usually the treatment method will depend on the age of the dog and the cost of the procedure. All the methods that involve surgery are very costly and may not completely cure the problem, depending on the amount of damage that has been done to the bones. Usually younger dogs are more effectively treated with the surgical procedures. Total hip replacements as well as altering of the pelvic bones and even removal of part of the joint or connective tissue are all options.
Non-surgical methods include anti-inflammatory, arthritis medications as well as controlled diet and non-strenuous exercise. Since it is a hereditary condition there is no medication that can control the disease but the damage to the joint and the pain that the dog may be experiencing can be effectively managed for many years.
Kelly Marshall is a popular contributor at http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com - where you can find dog beds, dog steps, pet ramps, and more unique dog gear that you’ll never find at your local pet store.
]]>Traditionally, travellers would use either cold cash (converted to local currency) or traveller’s checks. These were sound ways to conduct business although each had their own pros and cons. The problem with carrying cash is that you will always be concerned about your wallet you may miss out on enjoying your vacation. With traveller’s checks, on the other hand, not all establishments honour these. The problem for both is that, when you run out of cash or traveller’s checks, you’re vacation is doomed. Nowadays, travellers no longer need to contend with bulky wallets or dwindling traveller’s checks because they have credit cards.
Credit cards are virtual necessities for the tourist of today. Not only do cards give the holder the power to make purchases anywhere and anytime (as most are accepted by establishments the world over), they are also very handy (does not take up too much space in any purse or wallet) and quite safe to use.
Knowing that majority of travellers now prefer to carry plastic money instead of hard cash, credit card companies have taken it upon themselves to sweeten an already sweet deal. Through travel credit cards, card holders (especially those who travel a lot) not only get a sense of financial security even when they are away; they receive something back for every dollar purchase they make.
Just like earning rewards points, travel credit cards allow card holders to accumulate points which they can then redeem against a selected list of products or, depending on the internal arrangement of the card company and the airline frequent traveller program, convert these to mileage points. Some cards may even give card holders free upgrades in their hotel accommodation.
Travel credit cards were not exclusively created for frequent fliers. Even those who only dream of going places are welcome to use them, although they may not feel nor appreciate the benefits as much as those who belong in the target market. Non travellers can use these cards and, when the time is right, cash in on the points they have accumulated through the years.
There are many travel credit cards in the market and it is difficult to choose one based on hear-say or on gut feel. You have to evaluate the individual offers, determine which one best suits your lifestyle and your travel patterns. You should also try to see which card has existing tie ups with affiliates (hotels, restaurants, boutiques) you frequent. This allows you to maximize the benefits these cards offer. If you don’t want to be burdened with several brochures from different banks, you can do your research on line. There are several websites that list down the travel cards available in the market and, alongside each card, are some basic information, their promotions, and a summary of their benefits. This brief yet concise format makes comparing cards easier for the consumer.
CardsRatings.net website is owned and run by Gloria Smith. At CardRatings.net you will find a listing of over 100 credit cards. Through Card Ratings comparing and applying for a credit card is made easier. After comparing the credit card offers on site, you can immediately apply for the credit card of your choice by clicking the Apply Online button. All applications are secure, and usually, a response will be sent to you right away. To apply for a Travel Credit Card, please visit: http://www.cardratings.net/rtravel.htm.
]]>When considering what breed will make the best avalanche search and rescue dog, there are some key aspects to consider. A keen sense of smell is a must. The dog needs to have a thick coat to withstand the harsh winter temperatures associated with avalanche country. It also goes without saying that dogs of a certain body type will be better suited to long hikes in deep snow. Long legs, large paws, a muscular build, stamina, and an instinct to track things down are some necessary attributes that come together to create a good avalanche dog. Avalanche dogs have to be trainable and responsive to the direction and feedback that they receive. Finally, a rescue dog needs the inner drive to get the job done. Some breeds that fit the bill include Saint Bernard, Great Pyrenees, German Shepherd, Giant Schnauzer, Belgian Malinois, and Retrievers. This is not an all inclusive list, but instead just a few examples of breeds that have performed well as avalanche rescue dogs.
The training of an avalanche dog takes a specific breed of person as well. Training an avalanche rescue dog is both time and labor intensive. It can take two to three avalanche seasons or more. There is a lot of digging involved, a lot of hide-n-seek, and a lot of treats too. The basic idea is to start out simple and increase the level of difficulty gradually. Make sure, especially in the early stages, that the dog wins and makes a successful rescue. For example, a trainer might begin by walking a short distance away from the dog and hiding behind a tree while an assistant keeps the pup from immediately following. When the trainer is out of sight the dog is released and its curiosity takes over and the first rescue is made (usually in a matter of seconds). As the dog’s skills develop, the hiding area and places get larger and deeper, the digging begins. The training is progressive and the learning curve can differ from one breed to another or even from one dog to another. Patience, consistency, lots of digging, and plenty of treats and praises will eventually result in a dog capable of saving lives.
If you are interested in finding avalanche search and rescue dogs for sale, there are several breeds to choose from. Your specific needs and geographic area might lead you to a more specific breed. If you are willing and able to put in the time and effort necessary, the rewards can be immeasurable.
About the Author: Dean Burton is the owner of MyDreamPuppy, a leading provider of puppies for sale.
]]>Giving them away from a cardboard box in your supermarket’s parking lot is not considered finding a good home! You need to make sure that the adopters are willing to make the commitment to care for a cat for the next twenty years.
Did you ever wonder what happened to them after they were taken away?
To be honest, not everyone who adopts one of your sweet little kittens or puppies is being totally honest with you when they say the animal will have a good home.
Giving away any animal. whether it be an adult or a baby, without screening the potential adopter and without charging some sort of good faith fee can put your animal in dangers that you never would have considered.
There are people who make their living by go around picking up these “Free To a Good Home” animals and sell them to labs for medical research. You don’t want to know what happens to them there. They will even bring kids with them so you believe they are a happy family looking for a little kitten
Free animals are also taken for sacrifice, they are used for bait to train attack dogs, they are even used for food for snakes. By just giving them away, you are basically saying that these animals have no value at all.
By putting a set price on them you are making it less desirable for these people as you are eating up their profit.
If you don’t feel right about asking a price for a kitten, you can request that a donation be made to your favorite charity or local animal shelter.
You’ve cared enough about this animal to find it a good home, that entitles you to a donation, or to asking for one for your chosen charity.
How To Find Potential Good Homes For Your Kittens
* Place posters in your local veterinarian’s office, or humane society or animal shelter if they will allow it….always ask first.
* Be careful about putting an ad in the paper. At the very least - do not put a “free kittens or puppies to good homes” ad in the paper.
Here are some of the people that might answer those ads:
Third-class dealers who sell the cats or puppies for about 30 dollars a piece to labs that perform medical experiments on them.
Although animal labs typically get their “subjects” from breeders (and some breeders make a lot of money selling kittens and puppies and other animals to labs), some protocols also call for an “unknown” group of animals, to be used as a control group in the experiment.
You may also get a visit from a fighting dog trainer. Sadly, some dog owners train their dogs to be killers by using live animals as targets.
Then, there are the just plain mean people who abound. Of course, none of these types of “adopters” will identify the true nature of their interest.
* Talk to trusted family members and close trusted friends who are interested in adopting the kittens or puppies. Preferably you want them to live with someone whom you would trust with your own pet, and who has had pets before. Granted, this isn’t always possible.
Once You Get A Contact
Screen adopters carefully! Grill them all you want. See if they’ve had pets before. Find out why they want a new pet. Ask for identification and get an address. If at all possible, try to visit their home to observe the condition, particularly of other animals in the house.
You can draw up a small contract - it is legally binding, in fact (although enforcing it may be a problem.) You can call a shelter, rescue group, or breeder organization for guidelines. In writing, the adopter should commit to the following:
They will spay or neuter the kitten
They will give the kitten proper veterinary care - yearly exams, vaccinations, and visits to examine suspected health problems
The adopter will make the pet a member of the family. That means a companion FOR LIFE.
“Red flags” to watch for. These certainly aren’t automatic disqualifications, but they do merit additional investigation.
Many young kids in the house Frequent traveling or business trips
A small apartment that already has other animals
College students living on campus
Military families
Sadly, the latter two categories contribute heavily to the feral cat colonies that abound college campuses and military bases, because of their transient nature.
Don’t be shy about requesting a follow up visit or three.
Screen people very carefully over the phone and check all references before allowing them to come to your home to see the animal. The best reference is one from a veterinarian. It’s very easy for a person to list their friends, who may not be honest, as references. A veterinary reference is the best way to check the person you are dealing with.
Don’t hesitate to say “no” to someone who doesn’t “feel right,” even after they have visited the pet. If no is difficult to say, tell them that other interested people are coming later, and you’ll call them.
You should ideally leave time to visit the home of the new owner before giving up your pet; this allows you to see the pet’s new surroundings and to see if the person in fact resides at the address given.
http://www.eliminatecatodour.com
Anita Hampton http://www.eliminatecatodour.com
]]>Hormonal imbalance and other cyclical shifts.
Hair loss related to pregnancy postmenopausal trauma.
Effects of medications including birth control pills.
Nervous conditions including tension and stress.
Medical treatments such as chemo therapy and thyroid conditions.
Harsh chemicals such as commercial shampoos, perms, hair color, and bleach
Iron, vitamin and mineral imbalance.
Severely poor diet including dehydration.
Poor circulation can cut off the nutrients that blood flow delivers to the scalp.
Good News For Hair Loss Suffers:
Women have a higher success rate than men, because they have less testosterone and fewer, more evenly dispersed receptor sites in the follicles. In as little as 3 months you can start to notice fuller, thicker hair and even new hair growth.
*Regenerx penetrates the hair shaft, restoring the follicle, resulting in thicker hair.
*Regenerx improves circulation by increasing blow flow to the scalp.
*Regenerx also acts as a thickening agent that naturally conditions and will not alter or damage color treated hair.
*Regenerx is all natural safe alternative to Rogaine however without the side effects associated with minoxidil which can include scalp irritation, itchiness and dryness. Also, unlike minoxidil, Regenerx does not contain any alcohol or propylene glycol (PPG) which can really irritate the scalp and alter or damage color treated hair.
Regenerx- Finally…the solution for thinning hair.
Regenerx was developed from clinical research work conducted at Department of Dermatology, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, in Scotland.
Treatment with this aromatherapy formulation in the patients suffering from mild to severe hair loss showed significant improvement compared with the control group. Researchers have concluded that pharmacologically active stimulants for hair growth are present in this formulation of specific essential oils and that these oils can be therapeutic in patients with alopecia and thinning hair. The researchers also point out that the formulation caused no side effects, while steroids and other common agents can cause adverse side effects as described above.
Regenerx contains a unique blend of natural oils like cedarwood, rosemary, and lavender which help stimulate hair growth by increasing blood flow to the scalp. More blood flow allows more of the important nutrients and vitamins to reach the scalp. Increased blood circulation can help awaken previously dormant follicles and promote new hair growth.
Regenerx formulation also includes jojoba, grapeseed, thyme, and rosemary oils to help condition and revitalize the scalp. These ingredients contain antioxidants like vitamins E and C which neutralize free-radicals that can damage cells of the scalp. Natural oils like these moisturize and soften dry, damaged scalp to help restore hair follicles and promote healthy hair growth. Jojoba and grapeseed oils are also very effective carrier oils. Carrier oils promote the absorption of other oils into the skin to further increase their effectiveness.
Hair follicles can sometimes become clogged with build-ups of sebum that inhibit hair growth. It’s important to clean out this build-up to make way for new hair growth. Lavender, thyme, and jojoba are natural oils that can clear out sebum to make way for new hair growth. In some cases bacteria can inhibit hair growth. These oils also have antiseptic properties that can destroy harmful bacteria and soothe the scalp to create a better environment for hair growth.
Women experiencing hormonal changes often find that their hair starts to thin and becomes brittle. Years of harsh treatment combined with blow-drying and exposure to the sun may irreparably damage hair and decrease volume. Regenerx is a natural way to bring back fuller hair by stimulating hair growth as well as volumizing existing hair using natural essential oils. Whether you are experiencing advanced women’s hair loss, noticing a slight thinning of your hair, or want to prevent hair loss altogether. Regenerx provides a unique and effective treatment for women’s hair loss that can have you seeing noticeable results just in three months. You don’t have to suffer from the effects of hair loss. Finally there is a solution for thinning hair.
Jim Watson is an alternative healthcare specialist & cofounder of NaturePharm with over 25 years experience in global research & development of novel therapeutic agents for leading biotech companies.
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