Hey, Sage here - the “mind/body connection” fitness chick!

Aikido is a modern martial art that is founded by spirituality and philosophy influenced by the Omoto-kyo religion associated with the Aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba. The etymology of the word Aikido stems from three Japanese characters. “Ai” literally means joining, with “ki” meaning something like spirit, and “do” meaning way. Loosely translated then, the meaning of Aikido is the way of joining the spirit.

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Practicing the Art of Peace
The Aikido way is to align body and mind with the spirit or ki and it said that the only way to be able to do this is through cultivating a relaxed state. It is in this relaxed state that nothing is forced or contrived so the mind and body naturally join the spirit or energy and everything becomes one. It is this oneness and cultivation of relaxation that this martial art paradoxically gets referred to as the art of peace.Its founder Ueshiba was a pacifist and it is said that he taught Aikido as a peaceful means to end aggression.

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Although spiritual and philosophical development is important in Aikido training, it has to be put to practical means and examples in actual practice of Aikido techniques and methods.Aikido training usually consists of two parties. The first is called uke or the receiving body and the other is known as nage (although this term varies depending on the Aikido style being taught) who gives the technique being taught.

This concept of uke and nage can be likened to the Chinese yin and yang because in Aikido, uke and nage are not separate entities. They are two parts of one where the Aikido training can be learned with give and take from both parties.For instance, one of the first techniques taught in Aikido training is how to throw and fall safely. It is the task of nage to prevent injury to uke so he can learn to land safely when thrown.

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Furthermore, in Aikido training, the receiver or uke usually initiates an attack against the nage whose aim is to neutralize the assault with an Aikido move or technique.This way, both the uke and nage learn from each other and the Aikido training is not successfully executed without oneness between the two. It is in the give and take of these two entities in Aikido training that the principles of ki and other fundamentals of Aikido techniques are learned. More on Martial Arts.

Hey, Sage here, the “mind/body connection” fitness chick…

The level of physical activity that you expend during the day is a key ingredient to helping you sleep restfully at night. The more active our body is during the day the more likely you are able to relax fully at night and fall asleep easily.

With regular exercise your sleep quality is better and the transition between the cycles and phases of sleep becomes smoother and more regular. Keeping up your physical activity during the day may also be help you cope with the stress and worry in your life.

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Studies indicate that there is a direct correlation between how much we exercise and how we feel both physically and emotionally by changes in our brain chemistry that occur from regular exercise.

Make an effort to increase your physical daily activity during the day. The goal here is to give your body enough stimulation during the day so that you are not restless at night.

Our bodies need a certain level of physical activity in order to function in a healthy manner. It is important to note that you should not be exercising strenuously three to four hours before bedtime. The ideal time for you to exercise is in the late afternoon or early evening. You want to expend your physical energy long before it is time for your body to rest and ready itself for sleep.

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Make an effort to exercise at least three to four times a week for a continuous period of 30 to 40 minutes. This can include something as simple as walking or something as strenuous as running.
The goal is to increase your heart rate and strengthen your lung capacity. Adding a regular exercise activity to your daily schedule will improve your overall health and benefit you emotionally. This is can help promote a natural remedy for your sleeplessness.

Besides walking and running there are many physical activities that you can add to your life to increase your activity level. Aerobic forms of exercise seem to work best to conquer sleeplessness.

Your goal is to increase the amount of oxygen that reaches your blood. There are many types of aerobic activities to choose from. These include running, biking, using a treadmill or eliptical trainer, jumping rope and dancing.

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Some non-aerobic activities may be helpful to you as you attempt to solve your insomnia problem.
The following activities are relaxing and have other healing properties:

Yoga has a stimulatory effect on your nervous system, particularly the brain. Yoga uses breathing techniques and yoga postures to improve the blood circulation to the brain centre, promoting regular and restful sleeping patterns. Regular practice of yoga will relax you as well as relieve stress and tension.

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Tai Chi is a form of breathing and movement that was developed by ancient Chinese monks. The movements involved in Tai Chi are precise and slow, which is ideal if you have joint pain or are unable to participate in high impact aerobic exercises. Studies have shown that Tai Chi may help people with insomnia by promoting relaxation.

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If you find that you have no time to exercise on a regular basis try sneaking extra moments of activity into your daily schedule. For example take the stairs instead of the elevator whenever possible. Try parking your car around the corner and walking that extra block to your appointment. There are many small ways that you can incorporate some added activity into your life. Your goal is to have a healthy, well balanced life.

And of course, if you are a parent, you will be a good role model for your child.

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Hey, Sage here - resident vegetarian!

How does your diet look? What is the balance of carbohydrates and protein in your diet. Are you following a vegetarian weight loss diet?

Excess carbohydrates in the diet is one of the major reasons for weight gain i.e. cereal and toast for breakfast, sandwiches for lunch, pasta for tea and other carb based snacks such as rice cakes and chocolate during the day. Excess carbs are easily stored as fat.

Any meal or snack high in carbohydrates generates a rapid rise in blood glucose. To adjust for this rise, the pancreas secretes the hormone insulin into the bloodstream, which lowers the glucose. Insulin is, though, essentially a storage hormone, evolved over those millions of years of humans prior to the agricultural age, to store the excess calories from carbohydrates in the form of fat in case of famine.

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Insulin, stimulated by the excess carbohydrates in our overabundant consumption of grains, starches and sweets, is responsible for all those bulging stomachs and fat rolls in thighs and chins.

Top Tip for a healthy vegetarian diet - Get Protein into every meal. Protein comes in the form of meat, soy products, cheese and dairy products. However, most of these are in the form of animal proteins, which add greatly to the bad cholesterol in our bodies. Therefore we need to look for high quality proteins, in our diet, from non-animal sources.

Healthy Breakfast
What type of breakfast do you have? Is your breakfast made up entirely of carbohydrates? Really how healthy is your breakfast cereal? How much fibre does it contain? Look at alternatives to breakfast cereals and toast.

Make sure you eat breakfast.
If you don’t eat breakfast, you slow down your metabolism and send the body into “hoard mode,” thinking it’s starving because you’re going a long period of time frequently 8 to 10 hours or more, without food. Or you develop a craving later in the day. Try a protein shake packed with nutrients, hunger busting soy protein and complex carbohydrates instead of skipping breakfast.

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Don’t starve.
Dropping your calorie intake below 1,000 calories a day will signal to your body that you are in starvation mode, and will slow down your metabolism.

Find alternatives to carbohydrate based snacks
The supermarkets are full of carbohydrate snacks. Snacks such as rice cakes, chocolate bars, crisps and other bars where the principal ingredient is carbohydrate. Check the special offers, how many are carb based snacks? Why? Its a high profit item with low cost raw material. Take a look at the GI index of carb based snacks such as rice cakes. Can you open a pack of biscuits and just eat one? Carbs = short term sense of fullness. Protein = long term appetite control. Consider alternative snacks

What about fruit?
Yes a healthy snack as contains fibre and nutrients but avoid snacking on fruit as an alternative to a balanced meal containing protein, especially if sensitive to carbohydrates. There are more nutrients in vegetables!

Top tip when following a healthy vegetarian diet. Get balance of snacks between fruit, protein and vegetables.

Eat smaller meals more frequently.
Smaller, more frequent meals keeps your blood sugar stable and provides a steady source of energy to fuel metabolism.

Build muscle with weight training or resistance exercise.
Muscle burns more calories than fat, and the more muscle you have, the more calories you burn, even at rest! Maintain a healthy muscle mass by maintaining adequate protein in your diet. Regard your muscles as fat furnaces.

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The ratio of macronutrients protein, carbohydrate, and fat-in the meals you eat is the key to permanent weight loss and optimal health.

Water, water, water!!
You’ve heard it before, but drink those 6-8 ,8-ounce glasses of water every day. The energy burning process of metabolism needs water to work effectively.

Vitality
How a variation in your blood sugar levels through consumption of carbohydrates can affect vitality levels. How to boost energy levels?

Find out how to get more protein into your vegetarian weight loss diet

FiveFitnessChicks brings you this post from a Guest Blogger…

It is called Capsule Gordonii Hoodia! Hoodia is a plant very similar to the cactus plant. Hoodia generally is found growing in South Africa and is considered an extremely rare plant. Capsule Gordonii Hoodia has been proven to help people lose weight by acting as an appetite suppressant, so what are you waiting for? As many already know, Green Tea is another known weight loss aid, so when combined with Hoodia, the results are amazing! It is no wonder that Capsule Gordonii Hoodia and Green Tea as a dietary aid is sweeping the nation.

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Studies have shown globally that Capsule Gordonii Hoodia has a special certain molecule that will mimic glucose 10,000 times over!

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As of today, Capsule Gordonii Hoodia and Green Tea have become the number one leading dietary supplement on the market.

For most of us battling weight loss, eating is our comfort, salvation and happiness. My husband and I started noticing the weight being more difficult to come off in our thirties. Little did I know that Capsule Gordonii Hoodia would change the course of our health.

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I found out about the Capsule Gordonii Hoodia and Green Tea dietary supplements and my world changed! Now my husband and I enjoy going out, even eating out!

With Capsule Gordonii Hoodia and Green Tea Dietary Aids, you can. Become healthier, remove the stress from your life and enjoy life once again. You really can lose weight safely and 100% effectively.

As with any dietary supplement, use caution when taking any new products.

Green Tea can have caffeine, so if you are over sensitive to caffeine, try Capsule Gordonii Hoodia products that are either caffeine free or green tea free. Look fabulous, feel fabulous and be fabulous with the new Capsule Gordonii Hoodia and Green Tea Supplements that are now available everywhere.

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These days, there is a new craze. It’s known as Capsule Gordonii Hoodia. Acting as an appetite suppressant, Capsule Gordonii Hoodia has been tested and proven as a method of helping people lose all of those extra pounds. As many people know already, Green Tea is another great weight loss aid. When Capsule Gordonii Hoodia and Green Tea is combined, the results are nothing short of amazing. This explains just how Capsule Gordonii Hoodia and Green Tea have become the newest crazes!

Capsule Gordonii Hoodia

You can find Capsule Gordonii Hoodia in most stores, but not everyone has a capsule that combines both Gordonii hoodia with Green Tea. Recent studies have proven that Capsule Gordonii Hoodia contains a special molecule that is able to mimic glucose, 10,000 times over! This suppresses your appetite, which means you will be eating less frequently.

For hundreds of years, Hoodia Gordinii has been used in South Africa to suppress appetites, especially the appetites of hunters that had to cover long distances in their hunting quests. Today, both Capsule Gordonii Hoodia and Green Tea have become the leading dietary supplements available and we are delighted to be able to offer the only capsule that combines both these elements.

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No matter what you eat at the age of 35, many people around this age have realized that everything seems to pack on the weight. This, sadly, forces people to become depressed and causes them to lose the desire to keep trying to lose weight. Capsule Gordonii Hoodia may be the answer for a lot of us.

Indeed those who have tried out Capsule Gordonii Hoodia and Green Tea supplements have realized that these two products are life changing.

The best way to lose weight is to show yourself and others that you are strong and able to lose weight. If you use Capsule Gordonii Hoodia and Green Tea dietary supplements, you will be able to do just that. You’ll be getting rid of stress, frustration, and extra weight! With these two products, you can lose weight in a safe yet effective way.

With Capsule Gordonii Hoodia or any type of dietary supplement, you should always take caution.

What do you get when you mix Green Tea Capsule Gordonii Hoodia product? One of Hoodia based most powerful diet pill.

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Hey, Chanel here - the “cardio and weight loss” fitness chick…

Is there an easy way to lose weight? Is there a magic pill that you can just take and the pounds will drop while you are drinking soda’s and eating french fries? No, there is no pill that can do that. Can you just skip a meal and lose a pound or two a day? No, because it is proven that fasting burns muscle and muscle helps burn fat and calories. Also you are more likely to binge eat at your next meal.

This may surprise you but there actually is an easy way to lose weight. I had better clarify this I guess before you start calling me crazy or get too exited. There is an easy way to lose weight but it takes a little time for that to happen. In a matter of a few weeks time you can easily lose weight without a whole lot of effort. I don’t know if your definition of easy is the same as mine, so I will explain and you can decide if you think it is easy or not.

In order to lose weight and be healthy you need to know a lot about nutrition. You also need to know a little about how your body functions. Once you know these things then the pounds will fall off as long as you follow the rules. The rules are not difficult rules to follow or live by. They are easy rules once you learn them. The hard part is learning the rules of weight loss and good health practices. That is not really that hard either if you have a little time each day and a computer. You also must be able to sift through the different sets of rules and figure out which rules you want to believe or follow. You know there are hundreds of different sets of rules for weight loss. So many different diets and weight loss plans to chose from. I am a slow learner I guess because it took me over 20 years to figure out which rules I liked and believe in and the ones that work. That is so sad I know. I feel like an idiot at times. I did at one time have the right plan, but just did not know how to use it. I did not understand nutrition at the time like I do now and fell off of that plan and gained back more than I had lost. I also did not have the same kind of mindset that I have now.

Weight loss is complicated. I guess that is an understatement. It is very complicated. You not only have to know about nutrition, and how your metabolism works, and your body functions, but you also have to have the right mindset. Once you know all of this it becomes easy. Only then is it easy. Of coarse not all of us are the same. We are all put together differently. We all have different ways of life too. That even complicates it a little more. Not all of us are as active as others. That makes it a little more difficult.

What you need to learn is what is causing you to not lose weight and pledge to fix that. Change that. This means that you first have to get in the right mindset. List down why you want to lose weight. Think hard about the reasons you have written down. Are those reasons good enough reasons for you to be on a mission to accomplish this weight loss goal. Will your desire for food win out over your desire to lose weight and be healthy? I hope not. You can still eat many great foods and still lose weight. Then you will be both happy and healthy. 

You need to start looking hard at what you consume each day. Then you need to analyze those foods and see how many calories, fats, sugars etc are in those foods. If you are not losing weight, there is a reason. Once you know the reason, then all you need to do is fix that. If you can’t live without drinking a 12 pack of coke a day, but want to lose weight, then you have to decide what is more important. Good health and being thinner or drinking coke. That is the part of the mindset thing. You will have to make up your mind that being healthy and thin is much more important that a couple of minutes of drinking or eating something. Mindset is an important part of being able to loose weight and making it easy to do so.

How your bodies metabolism works is also important. Once you get it running full steam ahead and it is working hard for you, it does half the work. It burns off fat and calories during the day and while you sleep. You want it working hard for you. No weight loss is easy if your metabolism is not working for you. You can eat all the right foods, but if your body wants to hold on to all the calories and fats, then you are fighting a losing battle. You need to somehow tone your muscles because they can help you burn around 15% of the calories. Aerobic exercise is great for burning calories, but strength training is a must for burning calories while you sleep or are not active. You also don’t want your body full of toxins. Toxins are in a lot of our foods and in the air we breath and water we drink. We have to work very hard to not consume them. It is practically impossible unless you live in a bubble and sterilize everything twice before you consume it. Detox is an important part of losing weight easily. Your metabolism will run in slow and high cycles if you don’t keep it fed and fueled too. If your stomach is making noises and is barking or talking to you, your metabolism is starting to run down. You need to eat a healthy snack or eat a meal to keep it running at full speed.

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