Sunday 18 August 2013

Hair Today - related article!

Update on my post "Hair Today"

check out this link!!!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2396485/The-cut-point-youth-How-age-46-women-decide-chop-locks-favour-mature-style.html

Indulgence!

The summer months means relaxation and a period of self indulgence.  BBQ nights and socialisation often equates with extra glasses of wine and an obsession with moorish nibbles.  I confess I have been found guilty of these excesses.

Reality dawns when climbing on the scales you find 7 lbs have crept up on you without your permission!!.

I watched a programme were a man in the US had a great deal of weight to lose....his solution was to liquidise green veg which became his sole existence over a 60 day period.  His resolve and determination was inspirational but sadly unachievable for us mere mortals.

Somehow the principles of his programme struck a chord and over the last 10 days I decided to follow my own modified diet along these lines - although my intake did include other more satisfying elements.


Breakfast - one slice of Hovis seed toasted bread with a skim of butter and 2 cups of tea

Lunch     - 2  bowls of home made green veg soup/ cup of tea
dinner     -  piece of fish and large portion of salad comprising of chopped cucmber, mini plum tomatoes, rocket, lettuce, watercress, chillies
No alcohol!!

Also 4/5 days per week of 1 hour exercise

over 10 days I lost 8 lbs!!!

Now this was my personal choice and my experiment and I am in no way recommending this and you must consult a doctor when embarking upon an extreme diet to ensure you are not compromising your own health and have an understanding of your limitations. It does prove that calorie control/healthy food and physical exercise do provide a positive result providing that you stick to the plan your doctor or dietician provides for you. It is hard work but the satisfaction you savour from fitting into the dress you have always wanted to wear but couldn't get the zip passed first base is so so gratifying!!

So 8 lbs lighter I can now go as a guest to an important wedding without the bumps and rolls I detest and which detract from the impact of a wonderful dress on a not too bad figure!

Wednesday 14 August 2013

Health and Fitness - role models??

There are so many people who are the influencers, decision makers, and professionals associated with health and fitness.  The problem with many of them don't practice what they preach .....

Very often it is a question of

"Physician heal thyself"   Luke 4:23

Look at the MPs sitting in Parliament in Prime Minister's Question Time.  As the front benches address  questions of the day the camera pans around the House and focuses on  attendees and inevitably picks up the relaxed posture of the incumbents  revealing their excesses. Check out the size, the large stomachs, the many chins.  There are quite a few jacketed individuals both male and female who seem to be intent on fastening at least one button which obviously presents a challenge to the fabric and its robustness. Now it could be that their lifestyle as an MP does not help but enough of excuses - surely as many speak about the needs of our children to eat sensibly, to exercise more and generally lead a healthy life then they should also think about the image they are projecting.

Think about the hospitals you have visited and the health professionals you have met.  Do they strike you as healthy specimens.  When my mother was very ill a couple of years ago I attended several hospitals regularly in the London area.  I was absolutely staggered as to how many doctors and nurses were seriously overweight.  How can they seek to improve the attitude of patients to encourage them to follow healthier lifestyles if they don't follow their own advice?

Everyday we hear about the growing trend of obesity - we need more visible role models not a do as I say not as I do contingent!!

Sunday 4 August 2013

Pesky Dust Mites

My allergies over the years have got worse. Hay Fever is such a curse but more and more people seem to be suffering from it.  Could it be that all the sneezing and discomfort may be due to other reasons?

I saw a documentary some time ago on how important it is to regularly hoover under beds particularly around the floor area and skirting at the top of the bed as a considerable amount of dust and debris accumulates and becomes a feast for mites and other nasties. It also talked about the need to change bedding and pillows regularly. Apparently a third of the weight of a pillow could be made up of bugs, dead skin, dust mites and their faeces.  Unpleasant thought uh?



Just recently I have seen quite a few articles in newspapers repeating these warnings and advice.

After that original programme paranoia set in and my husband and I make sure we have a rigorous clean and replace pillows from time to time.

So today we set to - it really is exhausting but well worth the satisfaction that follows knowing that we may have taken steps in helping to alleviate some unpleasant symptoms.

I try not to think too much about hotel bedrooms and even hospitals - who knows what is lurking..........

At least we can do our bit to reduce exposure to the pesky problem!!!





http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/28/clean-pillows-avoid-mold_n_2959981.html