Follow These 5 Yoga Poses to Reduce Stubborn Belly Fat

18 February 2016

The ‘spare tire’ area of the body is the most dreaded place for unsightly fat. That section around and near our waistline and extending downward…yep…that stubborn belly fat that those suffering for it would love to remove. Many have tried special diets, exercise routines and expensive equipment to help them rid that extra baggage. But, have you tied Yoga?

Why has worried About The Belly Fat Region?

This is one of the most noticeable areas, thus making many quite self-conscious. While your mental health may be affected by this feeling, your physical health could be at risk also. Fat in this region of the body has been linked to certain cancers, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and insulin resistance; all of which can be life-threatening.

Read also: Bed Time Yoga to Sleep Well

As we get older, this is even worse, as we slow down physically and so does our metabolism often increase this area of fat. So, to maintain a healthy lifestyle, one should learn to use the following exercises and follow them while maintaining a nutritious diet. One without the other simply won’t work.

Specific Postures

The following are some poses that are great for reducing that pesky belly fat. You should try to hold each pose for 15-30 seconds, and try to repeat it about 5 times with 15 seconds rest in between

Wind Easing Posture (Pavanamukthasana)

This one tone and firms the abdomen and relieves the lower back.

Lie flat on your back with your legs stretched and arms at your side.
Stretch your feet out with heels touching
While exhaling, bend the knees and bring them toward your chest
Press tightly toward your abdomen, applying pressure to the abdominal region
As you breathe deep, hold this pose for approximately 60 – 90 seconds
Exhale and release your knees while bringing your hands down to your sides with palms facing downward.

Cobra Posture (Bhujang Asana)

A word of caution should be you suffer from ulcers, back injuries, hernias or may be pregnant this pose should not be done by these individuals.

While lying on your stomach with your legs outstretched and palms under your shoulders, touch your toes and chin to the floor.
Keeping your legs flat on the floor, inhale slowly and begin raising your chest while bending backward as much as possible.
As you exhale, slowly lower yourself back to the original position.

Pontoon Posture (Naukasana)

Wonderful pose for tightening the stomach muscles and strengthening the legs and back.

With your back flat and legs together stretched out and arms at your side (palms down), inhale slowly and begin raising your legs, keeping straight.
Stretch your foot and toes pointing straight and raise your legs as high as possible.
Once you have reached this point, with arms straight, reach to your toes to create a 45-degree angle with your body. Hold the pose and normally breathe for 15 seconds. Release and inhale.

Bow Posture (Dhanurasana)

Strengthen your core with this pose. Full potential can be reached by rocking back and forth.

While lying on your stomach with your arms at your side, outstretch your legs
Bend your legs at the knees and reach backward with your arms to grasps the ankles and hold.
While inhaling, lift the head and begin bending backward while trying to lift your head a high as you possibly can.
Hold the pose for 15-30 seconds, breathing normally.
Exhale and come back to the original position.

Board (Kumbhakasana)

Caution should be taken if you have high blood pressure or and spinal injury.

Start by crouching with hand and knees directly underneath the shoulders and hips.
With the toes tucked under, begin to step back with your feet extending your legs. The entire body should be in a straight line from head to toe. Be sure to keep your hand flat with fingers spread apart.
Hold for 15-30 seconds or as long as possible. Then exhale and drop back to your knees.

It’s best for your body to complete these in the morning. Your best results will be to repeat the poses daily, 3-5 times, three days per week then take a day off.

Kathy Mitchell was born and raised in the USA. She has done MA in English literature. She loves to publish her article on different health websites. In her spare time, she likes to do research on health information. She is an inspirational writer who strongly believes in the power of self-motivation. Also, she is contributing to consumer health digest since 2011, which is a leading health news platform. Connect with her on Facebook and Twitter and Google+.

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Lucia Patterson

Lucia Patterson is the woman behind TheLegalGuides, a blog solely focused on legal guides, tips, and advice. Lucia loves essay writing and blogs at EssayWritingGuides from her college days.

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Addiction Treatment: 11 Tips to Find the Best Rehabilitation Center

When you're in the depths of an addiction or someone you love is, you don't know where to turn. It's a scary, confusing, dark, and overwhelming time for everyone involved. How do you get help? Where do you get help? Can you afford it? Those are all valid questions. Especially if you don't know if you can convince your loved one to go to rehab! All those factors can lead you down a road of what ifs, but there's only one what if that matters. What if you find the best rehabilitation center? Then things will start looking up. Get our guide on where to start and what questions to ask here. What Makes the Best Rehabilitation Center The Best? We can't give you one answer, or one center, that's definitively best. That's because the right rehabilitation center for your loved one isn't the same as the right one for someone else. Some people need a single-gender environment, some need more of a detox, and others need a holistic offering. We'll get more into what all that means and how to tell what they need below. Before we analyze them and their needs, don't take their opinion completely out of the picture. They may be on drugs, but they should get a say in their treatment (except, you know, the sobriety part). 1. Ask A Professional: If you think your loved one needs treatment for addiction, try to get them to a doctor or a professional. There the doctor can diagnose the specifics of the addiction. Maybe they'll run some vitals and decide that your loved one needs a more medically-oriented care setting. Or they can see patterns in their addiction, that the untrained eye can't. You can ask your doctor or professional for a recommendation of the best treatment center. If they don't know any specifics, ask them some of the following questions. 2. How Long of Treatment Do They Need? In theory, the only person who decides how long treatment takes is the addict. The classic programs last ninety days, which gives people time to reform their body, mind, and attitude. But some people can't afford a whole ninety-day stay or maybe their addiction isn't that developed. A thirty-day stay may be more appropriate for a budding addict. Ask your doctor their opinion on length, so you know what programs to look for. If you can't get the addict to a doctor and you've known them a while, think about how they learn and function. Has your addict done well in highly-structured environments? Or do they do better working at their own pace? Think back to school days and the challenges they had in that setting. This can tell you how long and arduous of a program they need. 3. What's The Treatment Approach? On that last note, there are as many types of treatment approaches as there are to teaching or parenting. That's to say, each person believes in a slightly different version than someone else. If you're the addict's mother or family member, this gives you good insight on the type of treatment approach they'll thrive under. Someone who's sensitive and needs coddling won't do well in an orders-barked center. However, someone who went to military school or likes the idea of having structure may like the rules-are-law approach. 4. Counseling Services: What kind of counseling services does the rehabilitation center offer? This, again, is all about the right fit for the addict in your life. In general, there are two types of behavioral therapy: cognitive (ct) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Cognitive only therapy (CT) is a theory from the 1960's that looks at how the patient interprets the situation. It's the more classic, lay on the couch and talk about what's bothering your type of therapy. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is different, but only slightly. CBT therapists look at how behaviors and perceptions work together to create interpretations. CBT usually uses more hands-on approaches, if the situation calls for it, like the empty chair technique. They may not get into the specifics of this on their website, so if you care, call and ask. Most therapists use a mix of both theories, while others use different ones altogether. An up and coming method is called kinetic therapy, where the professional urges the client to connect feelings in their mind to parts of their body. If the addict has had luck with therapy before, even if it's not addiction related, this can help you choose the path that's right for them. 5. Medical Comforts: We all know that apart from the emotional turmoil of addiction, the hardest part is the detox. Detoxification symptoms differ by substance. For opioids and painkillers, the addict can feel like they have the flu for five to seven days, fevers and all. For Benzodiazepines such as Xanax, seizures and an increase in anxiety attacks are common. Cocaine withdrawal looks like depression and restlessness, while alcohol withdrawal symptoms include seizures or tremors. The effects of benzos and alcohol can last for weeks, if not months. That said, you may want to choose a rehabilitation center that offers symptom relief. Having a doctor on-site to prescribe non-psychoactive drugs can help ease the detox process. You need to ask this before-hand. Some centers believe in a completely drug-free approach. 6. Residential or Outpatient care: Whether or not your addict needs to be on site all the time is up to them you and your budget. Residential programs are the most expensive since they have to provide things like meals and housing. However, they're also the most full-service and some think the best for advanced addicts. Other things to take into consideration about residential care is the types of patients. Do they only take opioid patients or do they mix people with different addictions? This is another personal preference area. Some people believe that the similarity of the experience leads to a better rehab, while others believe that addicts of the same kind egg each other on. There's no right or wrong answer. 7. Budget: A lot of the time, when you see rehabilitation centers advertised, they say things like "luxury" and "all inclusive". These are centers that charge an arm and a leg - that have money left over for marketing. Their calls of luxury don't mean their the best. They could be, but they could also spend all their money on the amenities and not pay or pick high-quality staff. You want to find rehab centers that have a balance of both. Obviously, you don't want your addict in a falling-apart facility, but is a waterfall in their room really going to aid recovery? Don't over-spend or over-shoot your budget because one looks fancier than the other. A grand pool or beautiful location won't heal your loved one any quicker. 8. Co-Occurring Disorders: The statistics and correlation between people with addiction issues and people with mental illness are staggering. Approx 7.9 million adults in the united states suffer from substance abuse with a co-occurring illness. We call this a "co-occurring" disorder and most drug treatments won't work unless you also treat the other issue. Someone may do a lot of cocaine because they're depressed and cocaine gives them energy. If you take the cocaine away from them, but they don't address the depression, they're going to turn back to cocaine for energy. Find a center that treats co-occurring disorders along with addictions. This combination gives your loved one a better shot at lasting recovery. 9. Visitation Policies: When you pick a center for your loved one, will they allow you to visit them? Some centers believe in isolation from outside sources. Others don't. Figure out which situation will be best for your addict - and your own sanity as someone as that loves them. 10. Financing Options: Does your rehabilitation center offer a payment plan? Most do these days, but some will ask for half or a deposit up front. You know your finances and there's only so much you can do. Most insurance carriers don't cover rehab, but it's worth a call to see if they'll cover a percentage. 11. Ask the Addict: If you've gotten the addict to agree to rehab, good for you and for them! The biggest success factor in rehab situations is whether or not the addict wants to recover. Ask them what kind of treatment center they see themselves in. It'll give you an idea of what to look for. Rehab Centers: Finding The Right One: Did you know that you can tour some rehabilitation centers before you commit to one? The tours may be short or only show you a bit of the facility to protect patient privacy. At the very least, the best rehabilitation centers should offer a consultation with a therapist or an intake specialist. There you can ask them the questions we talked about in this list and any others burning on your mind. We hope you've gotten some good information out of this eleven part guide and that you'll trust us for more advice in the future. Read Also: 5 Reasons Why It’s Not Too Late To Get Help Is A Loved One Addicted To Opiates? Here Are Common Signs Of Opiate Use

Ways to Improve Your Optimism

Even if you are someone that has optimism in certain aspects of your life, it can be difficult to keep this type of attitude all the time. However, there are ways to improve your optimism, so you can look on the bright side in a multitude of situations. Here’s a look at a few of these ways. 5 Ways to Improve Your Optimism- 1. Think About What You Are Grateful For When you are trying to improve your optimism, one of the first things you should do is remember the positive things in your life. If there are people and events that you are grateful for, take note of them. You may even want to write these things down, so you can look at your notes when you are feeling negative or think that there isn’t much to be thankful for. 2. Reframe Negative Thoughts Something else you can do is reframe negative thoughts. When you are thinking negative thoughts, and there is no reason to, you should change what you are thinking. For instance, if you are trying to get a task accomplished and it happens to be a lot of work, instead of feeling like you will never be able to finish, consider breaking down this large task into more manageable parts. This will make it easier to complete and you won’t have to defeat yourself with pessimistic thinking either. There is research that explains that it isn’t detrimental to health to be optimistic, so you should at least consider thinking in a positive manner whenever you are able to. 3. Don’t Spend Too Much Time on Social Media Another thing that can hinder your optimism is looking at social media pages for many hours a day. When you are looking at people you know and what they are doing, who they are hanging out with, what they are eating, as well as everything else that they post daily, this may cause you to feel bad about yourself. Instead, you can limit your time on social media, which can help you stay more optimistic, especially in terms of your life and what you have accomplished. When you aren’t looking at these social media posts, you will be less likely to compare yourself to others. 4. Understand that Some Things Are Out of Your Control In some instances, it will be hard to stay optimistic about what is going on. This is to be expected. You should remember to stay positive when you can, and if it isn’t possible, you don’t have to feel bad about it. There are times when you may not be able to feel good about a situation. If you want to learn more about how to think optimistically, check out this page: https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/optimism. It should explain how to stay optimistic even in difficult situations. 5. Work With a Therapist You can also choose to work with a therapist when you want to think more optimistically. A counselor will be able to advise you on additional ways to increase your optimism. They can also lend a hand when it comes to learning how to change the way you are thinking, in specific situations. Moreover, you may want to meet with a therapist if you would like to talk to them about the problems that you are facing in your life, as well as what may be triggering your pessimism. Conclusion When you want to be more optimistic, this is something that you can address in a few different ways. You can remember the things you are grateful for, change the way you are thinking when you find yourself being negative, and stay off of social media if it causes you to feel bad about yourself. Besides that, you should work with a therapist if you wish to, considering they might be able to provide further advice on how to become more optimistic. Read Also: Smoking and Other Negative Lifestyle Habits You Need to Kick to the Curb This Year Easy Ways To Live A Healthier Lifestyle

8 Fitness Hacks That Will Make Your Life Better

Are you unsatisfied or bored of your everyday fitness routine? Worry no more as the following tips can help in keeping you focused, motivated and healthy. Eat More Meals Eating more meals and eating more food are entirely different things. Ensure that you break your meals into portions of reduced quantity and eat at regular intervals. In an ideal routine, you should consume a meal every 3 hours. This way, your blood sugar levels, and appetite can be kept in check. Moreover, you will not feel like binging on junk foods and snacks. Read also: Best Super Nutritious Foods To Include In Your Diet Meals That Matter: The Best Foods And The Ways They Make You Fit Begin The Day With Lemon Water We all want to start our day healthy. But, how do you ensure that? Pick up the habit of drinking a glass of water with some lemon drops in the morning. This can help in boosting your immune system and will keep your digestive system healthy. Also, lemon water is well known for its detoxifying and antifungal properties. It will do a perfect job in cleansing your system and will ensure that you are active and focused all day. The “New Exercise” Rule When I hit the gym, I often see people doing the same workouts day after day. Many of us fail to realize that our body has a great ability to adapt and exercises are no exception. When you do the same workouts over and over, it can adversely affect the effectiveness of your workouts. Also, doing the same exercises over and over again can contribute to injuries. Ensure that you devote some time during the weekends to look for more efficient and new workouts on the internet. Not only will it be a learning curve, but it can also take your overall fitness to the next level. Also, if your decline bench press muscles worked today, ensure that you work a different muscle group the next day. Utilize The Internet What makes you hate the most about the gym? The majority will point out to the fact that gym and health clubs membership are costly and often unaffordable. So, how do you curb these costs and still manage to get fit? By exercising at your comfort inside the home. You can consider setting up a home gym and also make use of internet resources like youtube. As a result, your trainer will be at your service 7 days a week and 24 hours a day. Google for fitness tutorials and quit thinking about coughing up money for a fitness coach. Also, make use of subreddits such as r/fitness on Reddit. Get Out Of The Gym What is the most essential factor for growth? It is 'change.' If you keep on doing the same thing every day, then you might end up losing motivation, focus, and interest. Exercising daily at the gym is great. But, limiting yourself to the four walls of the gym can hurt your interest to exercise. Read also: What Are Popular Mind And Body Exercises Available At A Gym? It might be hard to get the benefits of incline bench press outside the gym, but the scenery, the sunshine, and the fresh air can more than compensate for the same. If you are not interested in taking a solo trip or hike, ask your buddies to tag along. Change Your Commute This is a very effective hack. How do you go to your school, college or office on a daily basis? Well, it is time to rethink it again, Choose to walk or bike for a portion of the whole of your commute. This way you will stay more active. Burn more calories and stay off public transport. If you are a person who chooses to use your car to work, then switching to a bike can help you reduce your carbon footprint as well. Exercise To Fast Music Studies point out to the fact that listening to songs which are fast-paced can make people exercise longer and harder. So, ensure that your phone is loaded up with songs which are heart thumping and fast-paced. This can increase the effectiveness of your workouts Get A Workout Buddy Are you a person who procrastinates anything and everything? Then, you should follow this hack no matter what. Working out with a friend will make you less likely to skip the gym and more likely to finish a workout. Ask a buddy with identical fitness levels to hit the gym with you and be wonderstruck at how far you can push yourself. The tips listed above are sure to help in keeping you fit and healthy. Ensure that you reward yourself for achieving fitness goals. This can help a lot in increasing motivation. Read also: Get Up And Workout! Things To Consider 5 Rowing Machine Workout Tips Every Fitness Person Should Know

Follow These 5 Yoga Poses to Reduce Stubborn Belly Fat

Why has worried About The Belly Fat Region?