Suspend-It

Now what’s the hype about magnets curing illnesses anyway? I have seen so many stores selling magnetic bracelets, magnetic necklaces, and even magnetic panty liners! I wonder what they’ll think of next. Magnetic engagement rings?

Anyhow, doing some research, magnets are said to have charged ions that help relieve certain aches and pains in the body. I tried one of their products (bracelet) but it doesn’t seem to do anything for me. A friend of mine who used the “anion panty liner” for a month claimed that she was relieved of dysmenorrhea.

There’s still much debate if these products are effective or not. I guess it’s safe to use them since they are just plain accessories. Just don’t rely on them to cure your illnesses since there are currently no clinically approved claims. As always, it’s best to consult your doctor first.

I had my vision checked with my friend Mark last December 11. Lo and behold, my myopia decreased from 50/25 to 25/25. Would you believe it used to be 150/150 when I was in high school? Even my ophthalmologist was surprised. I wasn’t though. I have been taking care of my eyes since I heard that one of my acquaintances who used to have 250/250 vision no longer needed to wear glasses after several years.

Regaining your 20/20 vision CAN be done. All you need to do is take care of your eyes. One tip is to make sure that when reading, your table lamp is on your left for proper lighting. Another tip which my ophthalmologist gave to Mark, who was suffering eyestrain every now and then due to spending long hours in front of a computer monitor, is to close your eyes first for several seconds before looking at a long distance. This will help your vision adjust from looking near to far.

I’ll update you when the time comes for my “goodbye glasses” - my vision mission. Until then, I’ll enjoy my two new, trendy eye glasses which my friend Mark helped me pick. 0;)

I woke up this morning with a severe pain on my heel after my first few steps out of bed. I’ve been occasionally experiencing this for quite some time now and I’ve had enough of it.

I did some research and found out that this ailment is actually called “Plantar Fasciitis” (PLAN-tur fas-e-I-tis) or heel pain, but is popularly called “flip-flop disease” among US podiatrists. This is caused by the inflammation of the tissue called plantar fascia, along the bottom of the foot that connects the heel bone to the toes.

According to what I’ve read, “plantar fasciitis causes stabbing or burning pain that’s usually worse in the morning because the fascia tightens (contracts) overnight. Once your foot limbers up, the pain of plantar fasciitis normally decreases, but it may return after long periods of standing or after getting up from a seated position.” Hmmmm… So that’s why I experience that pain in the morning.

Anyhow, I need not worry though because there are several steps to prevent heel pain from recurring such as getting night splints which gently flex your foot and toes overnight. To cap it off, based from research, I can overcome it without surgery or other invasive treatments. Thank God!

While having breakfast with my family, my mom showcased a picture of my brother without his ‘excess luggage’ saying wistfully, “This is Raymond’s ideal image.” My brother, not embarrassed with his acquired fats chuckled and replied, “Maybe I should turn to drugs?”

It was a joke of course. But more and more people nowadays are becoming obese by the minute (especially this holiday season) that I do hope they do NOT turn to drugs. Not without consulting their physicians of course. Fat burners, weight loss pill and the likes can make you look good fast, but if not used properly, it may put your health and your future at stake. So before even attempting to lose weight, seek first the expert’s advice – your doctor.

There are just one too many diet pills and fat burners like the “hardcore” Fenterdren being advertised nowadays. I’m not surprised though. This month IS the festive season. There will be reunions and loads of food to whet your “on a diet” stomachs. People who want to maintain their gorgeous figures or aim to have one quickly (just in time for their reunions) will definitely be availing of one of those pills.

Still, be careful when selecting one. Don’t just pop a pill based from your friends’ recommendation. Do thorough research first and consult with your doctor. After all, what works for one person may not work for another. And the diet pill you’re planning to take may have side effects that can be fatal to your current health condition. You want to look drop dead gorgeous, not “drop dead” literally, right?

After the “disappointing” $100-million De La Hoya – Pacquiao fight last December 6, which made most las vegas hotels fully booked, I got curious about how the boxers lose so much weight in so little time. The thing is, I have friends who do exercise in the gym on a regular basis. They have been doing this for months now but I really don’t see any improvement in their physique. They do boast that they have never felt better.  Still, it’s just NOT obvious.

Curiosity piqued, I did some research on how boxers lose weight fast.  I found out that people in the gym usually do only slow cardio workouts which generally won’t shed that much fat. Boxers, on the other hand, do intensive anaerobic workouts regularly which make them have those lean muscles. Moreover, fast, heavy punching and sparring can easily burn calories much quicker than regular gym workouts. The lean body of course can only be achieved by getting rid of garbage food in your diet (Yep.  Start ditching your BicMacs).

Boxing has been the weight loss choice by some people because they get results fast. That and the fact that they don’t get bored or easily tired because of the enjoyment and challenge they feel when sparring with a partner.  It’s cheap, it’s fun, and it works!
Boxing has been the weight loss choice by some people because they get results fast. Plus they don’t get bored or easily tired because of the enjoyment when sparring with a partner. It’s cheap, it’s fun, and it works!

Last December 6, the most anticipated boxing fight of the year took place in MGM Grand in Vegas: The De La Hoya - Pacquiao hundred-million dollar welterweight bout.  According to the news, people were so excited about this event that las vegas hotel reservations were already full the week before.Boxing aficionados were stunned to see De La Hoya turn into Pacquiao’s punching bag!  It ended at round nine because De La Hoya did not have enough strength to fight anymore.  The match was very disappointing considering the high expectations people had in De La Hoya.  They were expecting at least a draw or 12th round.  In fact, there were many speculations about an under the table deal between the two parties.

Health experts say that De La Hoya’s poor performance in the fight was due to his rapid weight loss. He needed to lose weight in order to meet the 147 pound weigh-in requirement. De La Hoya (155 lbs present) needed to shed fats and cut on diet in order to get to this weight. This however was no problem for Pacquiao for he just needed to gain weight from 135 pound.

What happened to De La Hoya during the match is one of the most obvious examples on the effects of rapid weight loss. It can be really unsafe.   Consequently, I strongly suggest that you stick to the old gym routines and balanced diet.  It’s ALWAYS better to be safe than sorry.

Have you heard that mortgage life insurance could be a great help for you? Not only does it rid you from your daily stress ’cause you worry too much about the future, but it also helps you FINISH or SETTLE your worries about the future. You wouldn’t be worried about unlikely events to occur when you have this in the back of your sleeve! It’s kind of like a big advantage not only to you but to your loved ones as well!

So, why not get one? Eh?

I have received so many offers from fitness gyms but this one seems to be a first – karaoke cycling gym. It incorporates stationary biking AND singing. Cool huh! They gave me a free one day pass so I tried it. The class was still small with 20 bikes and a large LCD screen where the lyrics of the songs are shown. I started the session with some stretches then I rode the bike. One member of the class gave me a list of songs from where I can choose. I am not really very good at singing but it’s not a contest anyway. At first the exercises were very easy, just like cycling but without any linear motion. 

When it was my turn to sing, I got the mic and sang with or without you by U2. The exercise, really gave my heart and lungs a total workout. Others told me that after a few sessions, singing and breathing won’t be that hard anymore because my heart and lungs are already warmed up. The session was very fun especially when one member did a Bon Jovi song! It was definitely worth a try. You can even try this kind of setup at home. Next time, I’ll be going with my friends and sing my heart out.

My cousin has been working in a call center company for three years now. She says her pay is great but she is planning to quit and just start a home based business. She had been in graveyard shift since she started and now she is reaping the bad effects of lack of proper sleep - back pains, indigestion, obesity, anemia, and general weakness.

There’s nothing else more effective in energizing the body than a good night sleep. When we sleep, many processes take place inside our body. This includes total relaxation of the muscles, healing of organs, growth of bones, and one of the most important - detoxification.

Detoxification is the body’s garbage collecting process. During our deep sleep, the body collects the toxins, filters the blood, cleans the lungs, and releases antibodies to fight diseases. Lack of adequate sleep hinders the detoxification process therefore making it prone to ailments. Proper sleeping habits is as important as regular exercise and balanced diet. Healthy living requires it so we must never take it for granted.