My Own Challenge

There seems to be a bit of hostility directed towards me owing to comments/posts made. That was never my intention.

Dax asked me about whether I would be setting myself a 30 day challenge.

I have designed my own challenge, at last. I don't want it to be just external or just physical. I have chosen 20 targets, incorporating the Elimination Diet, yes but also other targets.

It starts in 20 minutes....

If you wish to follow progress/pass comment/voice encouragement then you are more than welcome to do so.

Given that one of the targets is to reduce internet time this blog will now have fewer postings.

We'll see what the 30 days can bring....

Please visit my new blog....

Until August then....(except for occasional posts)

Your diet and global warming.

I could have titled this: 'Fitness and survival' - in effect it reaches the same conclusion.

Please read this extract from Steve's blog:

"To produce one pound of meat requires, on average, about 5000 gallons of water. Compare that to 25 gallons for a pound of wheat. A vegetarian needs 300 gallons of water per day, while a typical meat-eater needs 4000 gallons. It takes energy to transport all that water too, and this means more greenhouse gas emissions.

Then you have to feed the animal. The vast majority of commercially grown animals don’t just roam around grazing on grass. Most animals eat a lot of grain. This requires fields to grow the grain, fertilizers, and lots and lots of water. It also requires transporting and refining the grain, often over vast distances. Growing grain requires tilling the soil, crop dusting, transporting the grain in gas-guzzling trucks, running feed mills, and transporting it to the factory farms.

Then there are the hormones and antibiotics the food animals are injected with. It takes resources to manufacture, transport, and administer those too.

Moreover, you have to transport the animals too. They have to be trucked to the slaughterhouse — more fuel. It takes energy to operate the slaughterhouse. Then the animal flesh is taken to processing plants — more fuel. Those plants require energy and maintenance to operate as well. Then the meat has to be trucked to grocery stores — more fuel. Then it has to be frozen or refrigerated — more energy. Every step in this lengthy process consumes massive energy and causes enormous pollution.

And this is what we get when everything is working properly. When it goes awry and there’s a problem like a mass recall of contaminated meet, all of this energy is wasted completely, and even more energy and pollution are required to conduct the recall."

Now visit his blog and read the rest.

It makes sense doesn't it?

If we're going to change - as with Dax's clients - a simple way is to try it for 30 days - but try what?

Check this out for some ideas.

I am going to start a 30-day blog with all the things I want to try...for 30 days. I'll see how I do....

Strong Lifts . com

I came across stronglifts.com - and I really like it - so here's a plug...

StrongLifts.com contains hundreds blog posts and thousands forum posts. Here’s how to find information quickly on this site.

1. Free eBook. Quick, complete guide that will help you build muscle & lose fat through strength training. StrongLifts.com’s eBook is free and counts 57 pages. To get your free copy, click here.
2. Blog. New posts appear on StrongLifts.com Blog in reverse chronological order. Get new posts delivered to you for free by subscribing by email or RSS. Each post has share, print & email options at the bottom.
3. Best of. The best posts of StrongLifts.com are accessible from the left sidebar. Examples: StrongLifts 5×5, How to Build Muscle, How to Gain Weight for Skinny Guys, How to Lose Fat, etc
4. Archive. All posts published since May 2007 & organized by month are available in StrongLifts.com Archive. Check the sitemap for a similar list but with the posts ordered by category.
5. Forum. Connect with like minded people, ask for advice, get motivated by reading the training logs of other members and start one too. Click here to register to StrongLifts.com Forum for free.
6. Search. Type what you’re looking for in the search form in the top right corner of the blog. The search function will give you relevant posts from StrongLifts.com Blog & StrongLifts.com Forum.

Four ways to eliminate back pain

The below is all stolen from here...

1. Stretch your hip-flexors. It’s kind of counter-intuitive to think that your hip flexors (the muscles at the front of your hip responsible for bringing your knee up to your chest or to fold you forward like in a bow) would actually come into play here, but it’s true. The major hip flexor, your psoas, actually originates at your lower back, swings around the front of you and then attaches at your femur (your thigh bone). Having a tight psoas will pull your pelvis into “anterior pelvic tilt” which is just a fancy way of saying you’ll have an excessive arch in your lower back (so stop the sit-ups already). This will force your gut out, shut your abs down and tighten up all those low back muscles that are responsible for keeping your low back strong (the erector muscle group). Bottom line - stretch your hip flexors to keep you from getting that excessive arch. And if you work at a desk all day, get up and go for a walk or to stretch every now and then.




2. Make sure your butt works. This kind of goes hand-in-hand with point #1. If you sit too much, if you run on the treadmill, if all the activity you get during the day is the walk from the car in the parking lot to the desk in your office, then I’ll bet that you have inactive glutes (your rear end). If your butt is able to “fire” in the right sequence, that means that your hamstrings and low back are not being overworked. It means that all the muscles in the “chain of command” are doing their job. One of the best exercises you can do to make sure your butt fires is the Cook Hip Lift. Simply lay on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the ground. Now take your right knee and hug it into your chest. Brace your abs and lift your hips in the air by pushing your left foot into the ground. With good practice, you should be able to extend your hip so that you create a “bow” from your shoulder to your knee. (see picture) Do this exercise prior to your workout to get your glutes working properly. One or 2 sets of 15 repetitions per side should do the trick.


3. Learn how to BRACE. Probably the most important technique that I’ve learned and taught in my fitness career is how to BRACE MY ABS. You will use this technique ALWAYS - when you’re sprinting, when you’re squatting, when you’re picking your son/daughter off the ground, while you’re moving furniture around the house. If you really want to strengthen your back, then learn this technique and your back will be bullet-proof in no time. To brace, stand up nice and tall with good posture. Now, you want to imagine that you’re about to take a punch in the midsection. What would you do if someone was about to give you a swift shot to your torso? Now hold that contraction, but breathe normally (it’s important to recognize that breathing and bracing are separate functions). Now remember that feeling and use it to make your back bullet-proof.

4. Work your abs the right way. I do the following ab circuit (video below) EVERY NIGHT before bed and it had made a world of difference in my life. When you’re doing it at the top level, it will take no longer than 12 minutes. If you’re just starting out, it will take you 5 minutes. Five minutes isn’t a very big investment of your time for a lifetime without back pain, so I suggest you incorporate this circuit into your routine.

Blood tests

"I received an email yesterday asking me about blood tests following my comment about pre-exercise programme blood tests.

You could do worse than follow the advice of the Life Extension Foundation who say:

"The Life Extension Foundation suggests that a basic battery of tests be performed annually. The recommended male panel consists of a complete blood count (CBC)/chemistry test, homocysteine, free testosterone, estradiol, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and DHEA. The recommended female panel consists of the CBC/chemistry test, estradiol, progesterone, free testosterone, DHEA, and homocysteine. In addition to these special male and female panels, the following tests are especially important for men and women over age 40: fasting insulin, fibrinogen, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and free triiodothyroxine (T3). If a serious abnormality is detected—such as elevated blood glucose (sugar), hormone imbalance, or high cholesterol—testing should be repeated more often than annually to determine the benefits of any therapy you are using to correct the potentially life-shortening abnormality..."

However, in the UK you cannot easily get homocysteine, free testosterone and DHEA tests.Instead you'll have to be satisfied with:

Cholesterol (three measurements)
Triglycerides
Blood pressure
C-reactive protein

So the best thing is to see a specialist i.e. your Doctor and ask for a full blood screening. (In the UK it is free on the NHS). But also read widely and go prepared!

Also ask yourself some questions:

• Has your doctor ever said that you have a heart condition and that you should only do exercise recommended by a doctor?
• Do you feel pain in your chest when you perform physical activity?
• In the past month, have you had chest pain when you were not performing any physical activity?
• Do you lose your balance because of dizziness or do you ever lose consciousness?
• Do you have a bone or joint problem that could be made worse by a change in your physical activity?
• Is your doctor currently prescribing any medication for your blood pressure or for a heart condition?
• Do you know of any other reason why you should not engage in physical activity?

Also ask yourself these medical questions:

• Is there a history of heart trouble in your family?
• Do you have high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, or any breathing problems?
• Do you have bone or joint difficulty?
• Do you smoke?
• Are you obese?
• Are you over the age of 45 if you are a man or 55 if you are a woman?
• Are you diabetic?
• Are you pregnant?
• Do you have a hernia or any other condition that could be made worse by lifting weights?
• Have you had surgery within a year?

Whatever the answers go and see your doctor!

There are other tests you could do - here's one from Dax.

As far as dieting goes, many visitors here are following Dax's Elimination Diet. To be totally accurate though, metabolic typing is needed - and not the one mass marketed by Woolcott etc, but this one.

Anyway, before exercise programme in addition to various external measurements, do INTERNAL measurements i.e. blood tests.

I am going for mine tomorrow!

Free Training Manual

Yet another freebie...

5 Exercises; 5 videos

One:



Two:



Three:



Four:



Five:

Educate thyself - check out these scam reports

Truth about abs report

Fraud I have written about before

And a few more

acaiberrydetox.com - The landing page for some of these scams when you click on the “free trial” link. I can’t say yet that this actual site has been deceptive, but it is associated with known scammers, and pushes a dubious product. Also offers a “free trial.” It is best to avoid.
acaiberryscam.org - An obvious and desperate attempt to appear to objectively review three Acai products - which are all related scams. Basically, it is a scammer telling you which of his products are best.
acaiberrytruth.org - An especially pathetic attempt to appear neutral, when all this site does is promote the variations of the Acai scams found elsewhere here. Sub-par web design looks like it was slapped together. Even uses the same “hands holding berries” photo that most fake blogs here is used.
acaicomparison.com - A lame “review” site that only reviews those Acai products being peddled by scammers all over the internet. It does offer a disclaimer that says you will be charged before your trial ends and has an extensive “terms” page - but why would an “independent” review site even need to warn about a trial period, hmmm? This site claims to be 100% impartial and unbiased, which is hard to believe when it is pushing three products so heavily advertised by scammers. Take a look at grantscompared.com for an almost identical “review” site.
acaifacts.org - Another weak and phony attempt at “ranking” different Acai products, which are all actually related.
acaihealthtest.com - Another fake blog, though a different template. Typical Acai/Cleanse pitch along with a couple of “reviews” that happen to all be good and link to a page to get your contact info and has deceptive references to Dr. Oz, Oprah, and Rachel Ray. Tons and tons of “comments” that all happen to be positive. Advertised on CBS radio 2/6/09.
acaionoprah.com - Typical fake blog, 2-product “free trial” Acai/Cleanse scam, same Oprah/Oz/news photos. Uses the name “Lorrie Miller.”
acaireallyworks.com - The overall template looks updated, and there’s a new photo here, but the same text and misleading references abound. Same Acai product. Uses the name “Melissa Dillon.” Saw ads online 3/5/09.
adrianasweightloss.com - Same basic site as the “Anna Huff” versions. Reused photos, text, comments, and the same Acai/Cleanse scam found all over here, using the name “Adriana”
adriennesweightloss.com - Same before-after photo as nichollesweightloss, familiar text, layout, comments, Acai/Cleanse products, using the name “Adrienne.” 1/28 update - this site has been changed and now uses the “Jenny Conrad” model photos. 2/11 - Site offline.
alanasweightloss.com - Exact copy of the heavily advertised nichollesweightloss.com before it was changed on 1/28, using the name “Alana Livingston.” 2/11/08 - new layout and photo but same products and name.
alliesdiet.com - A slightly made-over version of nichollesweightloss.com (before the 1/28 change), using the name “Allie Bauer.” 2/11 - site incorrectly auto-forwards to acaiburn.com upon loading.
ameliasweightloss.com - Exact copy of jennysdietblog.com, but with the name “Amelia Conrad.” 2/11/09 - site offline.
amydiet.com – Was similar to the myonlinedietblog.com, same Acai/Cleanse products, reused testimonials. Name “Amy Collier” but by 1/19/09 was forwarding to annasdiet.com. 1/28 it now has its own look, but still pushing the same basic bogus products.
annasdiet.com - Was an exact copy of the heavily advertised nichollesweightloss.com pre 1/28 version. Then changed by 1/19/09 using name “Anna Dickson” with same products, Oprah picture, comments, etc.
annasdietingblog.com - Exact copy of one-flat-stomach-rule.com, but using the name “Anna Huff.” On 1/28 it was being parked. 2/11 site wouldn’t load at all.
annasdietstory.com - Exact copy of one-flat-stomach-rule.com, using name “Anna Huff.” 2/11 - site is blank.
anndropslbs.com - Exact copy of jennysdietsecret.com but uses the name “Ann Conrad”
annsdietsecret.com - Uses the exact “Jenny Conrad” template, with all of the same misleading or outright phony verbage. Uses the name “Annie Dickson”
ashleysweightloss.com - Advertised subdirectory of /53lbs/ going to a familiar blog template with the same photo as myonlinedietblog.com, typical Acai/Cleanse products, same news references, etc., using the name “Ashley Monet.” The main directory is a different “Ashley” with the same picture as annasdiet.com. Subdirectory version advertised on FoxNews on 2/10/09.
aubreysdietblog.com - Same photos used for “Anna Huff” but uses the name “Aubrey Huff” with the same Acai/Cleanse products, same Oprah/news pictures, similar layout.
beckylostweight.com – Same before/after photos used in ads for most of the other weight loss sites on here. Similar layout, same Acai/Cleanse products, uses name “Becky Henrickson”
becomeskinnyfast.com – Forwards to britneylostweight.com
bestcelebdiet.com - Was an exact copy of one-flat-stomach-rule.com, but using the name “Lauren Scott” - then by 1/19/09 was forwarded to extremeacaiberry.com. 1/28 now forwarding to pureacaiberrypro.com. Think they’re related hmm??
blogfordiets.com - Was an exact copy of the original nichollesweightloss.com, with a different name. 2/11/09 now a new picture and updated layout, but same products. Uses name “Jessica Brown.”
britneylostweight.com – Same Acai Berry and Total Cleanse products found on all of the other sites listed here. Similar layout, url, and promises.
clarasweightloss.com - Uses the same template as rachelsweightloss.com, but uses the name “Clara Conrad”
cynthiasdiet.com - Copy of rachelrayblogs.com, but using the name “Cynthia Johnson” from a city near you. Saw advertised on Alexa, 3/1/09 and on msnbc.com on 3/6/09.
daniellasweightloss.com - Was exact copy of monicasweightloss.com, but with the name “Daniella Conrad.” 2/11/09- Now using the familiar “Jenny” iStock model.
destinysweightloss.com – Same picture as the myonlinedietblog site. Same layout, same Acai/Cleanse products, uses name “Destiny Collier.” 1/28 now forwarding to puracaiberrypro.com.
dietproductsguide.com - I wouldn’t trust any website that: advertises Acai with a free trial, has pictures of Oprah and Rachel Ray, and can be found advertising in the exact same places (Myspace on 2/8 in this case) as many of the other sites listed here.
donnasdietingblog.com - Exact copy of one-flat-stomach-rule.com, using name “Donna Castro.” Disclaimer covers the signup/cancellation, but not that the persona, testimonal, comments, etc. are fake.
double-diet.net - Almost exact copy of the “Anna Huff” version, using the name “Ariana Huff. Display ad seen online 2/10/09.
elliesweightloss.com - Exact copy of the heavily advertised nichollesweightloss.com pre 1/28 version, with the name “Ellie Lancaster.” 1/28 now using different photos and the name “Ellie Peterson.” 2/11/09 - Changed AGAIN, now to the familiar “Jenny” iStock photo model and using the name “Ellie Stevenson.”
emergevictoriousoverfat.com – The “Sally” version. Same Acai/Cleanse products, reused testimonials. 1/28 it is being parked. 2/11/09 - Now a blog with random health stuff.
emmasdietblog.com - Exact copy of nadiasweightloss.com, with the name “Emma Williams”
emmasweightlosssuccess.com - Same layout, same before/after photo, same Acai/Cleanse scam now with a “tea” product. Uses name “Emma Himes.” Ads seen on FoxNews on 2/6/09.
erinsweightloss.com - Familiar layout, usual Acai/Cleanse products, reused text and comments. Uses name “Erin Richards”
flatbellydiet2009 - Typical Acai/Cleanse phony blog. Same before/after photo, same Oprah references. Uses the name “Molly Sullivan.” Saw advertised on Google 2/27/09.
flatstomachrule.com - Exact copy of the “Anna Huff” template, but uses the name “Tamara Laredo.” Ads noted on FoxNews.com on 2/3/09.
free-dieting.org - Exact copy of one-flat-stomach-rule.com. 2/11 - Offline.
getvitalacai.com - Was taken here without an option after trying to click away from acaihealthtest.com. Kept popping up a window making sure I didn’t want to leave. I would never trust a site linked to by a fake blog, that won’t let me exit, or that is pushing Acai products at all.
healthy-diet-program.com - Exact copy of the original version of nichollesweightloss.com. Pop ups makes it hard to leave this page. 2/11 now an exact copy of blogfordiets.com.
helensdiet.com - Shared advertising with other sites here, similar layout, same Acai/Cleanse combo products, same news/Rachel Ray/Oprah references, subfolders on the site have different pictures of who “Helen” actually is. Uses name “Hellen Miller.”
jackysdietblog.com - Exact copy of the original monicasdietblog.com (AKA “Jenny”) but with the name “Jacky Conrad.”
jeaniesdietblog.com - Almost exact copy of the “Anna Huff” template. Ads on FoxNews on 2/9/09, using the name “Jeanie Rontero.”
jeaniesweightloss.com - Typical and familiar blog layout, reused text, typical Acai/Colon products. Uses the name “Jeanie Rontero” and saw ads on FoxNews on 3/5/09.
jennasweightloss.com – Exact “Jenny” copy, with the name “Jenna Patterson.” 2/11 - site offline.
jennylostweight.com - Reused photos, same Oprah/news pics and references, same Acai/Cleanse products, similar text and layout. Uses name “Jenny” and no disclaimer as of 1/31/09.
jennysdietblog.com – The “Jenny Conrad” version layout, same Acai/cleanse products, reused testimonials. Site created 11/13/08. Uses name “Jenny Conrad”
jensdietsecret.com - Forwarded to extremeacaiberry.com, then by 1/19/09 had the familiar layout, products, text, etc., using the name “Jennifer Collier.”
jensweightlossjournal.com - Forwarded to extremeacaiberry.com. By 1/28 had an incomplete-looking blog template.
jensweightblog.com – Almost exact copy of jensweightjournal.com, using name “Jen Michaels.” 1/28 and 2/11 site was blank.
jensweightjournal.com - Same before/after photos used in ads for most of the other weight loss sites on here. Similar layout, acai berry products. Reused testimonials. 1/28 now only pushing wu-yi tea but everything else is basically the same. 2/11 site didn’t load.
jenydiet.com – Copy of jennysdietblog.com, with name spelled “Jeny”
joansweightloss.com - Typical blog format, same Acai/Cleanse products, typical Oz/Rachel Ray misleading references. This one found me - trying to spam my comments. Thanks to them for that!
judysweightloss.com - Originally forwarded to extremeacaiberry.com, then by 1/28/09 had a the familiar fake blog template pushing Acai/Cleanse. By 2/2/09 it was being advertised online, using the name “Judy.”
juliesdietblog.com – Similar layout, same Acai/Cleanse combo, reused Acai berry photo and video, site created 12/23/08, using name “Julie Greenhouse.”
karlasweightloss.com - Well it’s a new picture at least. Too bad it’s the same Acai/Cleanse products, same layout, same news photos, similar or same text and comments found on emmasdietblog.com, uses name “Karla Owens” was seen advertising on FoxNews.com on 2/3/09.
kellysdietblog.com – Same layout and test as one-flat-stomach-rule.com, but using the original nichollesweightloss.com pictures. Name “Kelly Matthews”
kellysdietsecret.com - Another “Jenny Conrad” variation using the name “Kelly Jacobs”
kellyweightlossblog.com – Same Acai/Cleanse combo, same Dr. Oz photo, using name “Kelly Renay” from West Palm FL. Main article says it was posted 12/30/08 but site wasn’t created until 1/8/09 (The date was updated by 2/11/09).
kelseysweightloss.com - Same blog look, same Acai/Cleanse scam, same before/after photo, same fake comments, uses the name “Kelsey Matthews.”
kimsdietplan.com - Typical Acai/Cleanse scam, blog look, same text, same before/after photo, fake comments. Uses name “Kim Robson.” 1/28 two different subdirectories being advertised, one new layout with name “Kim Masters” and the other still “Kim Robson.”
kimssuperdiet.com - Familiar blog, reused photos, text, misleading media references. Uses the name “Kim Bartley” from a city near you.
laurasbody.com - Typical fake blog by a mother of 3 in a city near you. This one using the name “Laura Allen” and reusing the same photos as the original “Anna Huff” pages. Saw advertised on msnbc.com on 3/6/09.
loseweightjen.com – Same Acai/Cleanse products. Similar layout. Reused testimonials, same Rachel Ray and news references. Uses name “Jen Hammond”
mandysdietingblog.com - Uses the “Anna Huff” template, with a new photo and the name “Mandy Matthews” and includes a disclaimer about being charged if you don’t cancel, but not that the persona, testimonal, comments, etc. are fake. Ads seen on foxnews.com on 2/3/09. By 2/11 the photo was back to the “Anna Huff” version.
mariasdietblog.com - Same Acai/Cleanse products, same Dr. Oz/Oprah/news photos, same before/after picture. Site created 12/15/08, uses name “Maria Stevens.”
maryweightlossblog.com - Typical “Jenny Conrad” fake blog with doctored iStockphoto pictures, same Acai/Cleanse products. Same misleading Oprah/Oz/Rachel Ray references. Uses the name “Mary Sullivan.” Advertised on FoxNews 2/9/09.
megansdietingblog.com - Same photos and layout as the “Anna Huff” version. Same Acai/Cleanse scam, same Dr. Oz/news photos, same text and phony comments. Uses name “Megan Duvalier.” Includes same disclaimer as mariasdietblog.com, ads seen on FoxNews.com 2/3/09. On 2/11 site was blank.
melissasdiet.com - Same photos as the original nichollesweightloss.com, updated layout, same products, using the name “Melissa Bishop.” Comments predate site’s actual creation date.
melsdietblog.com - Updated blog look, but still using the same doctored “Jenny Conrad” model found on iStockphoto. Uses the name “Melanie Thomas.” Ads seen on Hotmail on 2/9/09.
michellesweightloss.com - Exact same “Jenny Conrad” template, but uses the name “Michelle Conrad.”
mollysrecipes.com - Despite the deceptive name, it is a typical Acai/Cleanse scam with the same before/after photo, deceptive Oprah and Rachel Ray references, uses the name “Molly.” Saw on Google ads 2/4/09.
mollysweightlost.com - Same Acai/Cleanse scam, reused photos and text with a slightly different layout, same Oprah & Dr. Oz photos/references. Uses the name “Molly Sullivan.” On 2/11 was forwarding to mollysrecipes.com.
monasweightloss.com - New photo, but same Acai/Cleanse products. Same Oprah & news photos. Text found on other blogs here (Erin and Renee), another “blog” supposedly wherever the reader is located. Uses the name “Mona Peterson.” Includes disclaimer.
monicasdietblog.com - Exact copy of jennysdietblog.com, but uses the name “Monica Conrad.” By Feb 09, it has one new picture and is being advertised. 2/11 back to the “Jenny Conrad” photo.
myacaisuccess.com – Exact copy of rachelsweightloss.com. 2/11 - only showed a list of files and errors actually reference helensdiet.com so they are related. Also found photos of Helen Miller here too.
mydailyrecipes.com - Main page is a decoy, with actual recipes on it. The advertisements, however, point to a subdirectory which is the same phony blog, Acai/Cleanse BS found all over. Uses the familiar photos and name “Jenny Miller”
mysixpacks.com - Uses the “Jenny Conrad” template, but with the name “Jaimie Edwards”
myonlinedietblog.com – Same Acai Berry and Total Cleanse products found on all of the other sites listed here. Similar Wordpress-type layout, url, news photos, and promises. Uses the name “Jennifer Collier”
myowndiet.com - Same reused photos, text, comments, and Acai/Cleanse scam. Uses name “Linda Collier.” By 2/11 the blog portion has a new photo and uses the name “Kay Conrad.”
myweightlostdiary.info - Ads on Google redirect to a subdirectory with the same blog format, same Acai/Cleanse product scam, reused text and comments from other sites here. Uses name “Linda Collier” from Maryland. The main page now uses the same template as this site. I guess they’re fans of wafflesatnoon.com too! By 2/10/09 site was offline.
nadiasweightloss.com – Similar layout, same Acai/Cleanse products, using name “Nadia Williams.” Site created 12/16/08, but phony comments are dated earlier than that! By 2/11/09 the picture of “Nada” has changed.
nichollesweightloss.com - Same acai berry pics used on other sites, fake comments predate the date site was created, 11/20/08. Heavily advertised, same Oprah/news photos, uses the name “Nicholle Stevenson” from wherever the reader is located. 1/28 update - the site has changed with a new “Nicholle” which is the same “Jenny Conrad” model now. New look, but same old bogus products. 1/28 now includes a cryptic disclaimer at the bottom.
onegirlsweightloss.com - Main page is a decoy, with recipes on it. The advertisements, however, point to a subdirectory (/blog.php) which is the same phony blog, Acai/Cleanse BS found all over. Uses the “Anna Huff” photos and the name “Amy Carreli.”
one-flat-stomach-rule.com – Reused comments, same Acai/Cleanse products, reused advertising blurbs, similar format, with the name “Anna Huff” and by 2/11 site was offline.
pams-diet-blog.com – Almost an exact copy of the original version of nichollesweightloss.com, using the name “Pam Burgess”
patdietblog.com - Same text and comments found on other sites here. Same Acai/Cleanse scam. Same references to Oprah, news, etc. Annoying box pops up that you can only click “OK” on. Uses name “Patricia”
provedweightloss.com - A new layout which looks incomplete, but same phony testimonials found on the original version of nichollesweightloss.com, and others. Reuses name “Nicholle Stevenson” but the other Nicholle is from wherever the reader is located. This one is from “Sofia” wherever that is.
rachaelsweightloss.com - Fresh layout, but same old 2-part Acai/Cleanse products. Same “wonderful husband and 3 kids” phony bio using the name “Rachael Anderson.” By 2/11 name had changed to “Rachel Johnson.”
rachelsberrydiet.com - Same layout, same Acai/Cleanse products, similar or same text and comments. They messed up and put 2008 on some of their phony comments! haha. Uses the name “Rachel Richards” and accidentally has the last name “Conrad” left over from jennysdietblog which they copied this template. Their “Privacy” link also links to a different site, acaiberryreviewonline.com - Sloppy! By 2/11 site was offline.
rachelrayblog.com - A bold attempt to cash in on Rachel Ray’s name, but is a fake blog using the name “Melissa Collins” with one of the over-used pictures found on other blogs. This site does offer a dim disclaimer at the bottom that says the blog could be by a fictitous persona and not a real user of the product. Still, it’s peddling the same 2-part Acai/Cleanse junk that all the others are, so should still be avoided. (Just because they admit they’re fake doesn’t make them more valid). By 2/11 name had changed to “Melissa Johnson” with no other obvious changes.
rachelrayblogs.com - Was exact copy of rachelrayblog.com. By 2/11 the subdirectory is still a copy of rachelrayblog.com, still using the orginal “Rachel Collins” name. Main page has random acai blog entries.
rachelraydiet.com - Typical fake blog, Acai/Cleanse 2-part “free sample” scam, reused text and comments, uses the name “Kathy Tanner.” On 1/28 site index of directories was showing up.
rachelraygiveaway.com - Essentially the same as the rachelrayblog.com, and a subdirectory being advertised on the Today show website on 2/20/09.
rachelraygoodies.com - The main page is a decoy, with a benign “Rachel Ray Cookware” giveaway. The page being advertised however is the typical Acai/Cleanse bogus scam fake blog, using the same “Anna Huff” photos but with the name “Amy Carreli.” This site was down a few hours after I found it on 1/28.
rachelraysgift.com - Another site similar to rachelraygiveaway.com, also using the name “Destiny Collier” and advertising on the Today show website 2/20/09.
rachelsdietguide.com – Same photos as the original version of nichollesweightloss.com, updated layout, same products, using the name “Rachel Matthews”. This one actually has a section how to avoid diet scam sites! They should know!
rachelweightloss.com - Appears to be the same “Anna Huff” person, reused text and comments, same Acai/Cleanse pitch, same “blog” feel, using the name “Rachel Richards”
rachelsweightloss.com – Same Acai/Cleanse products, reused testimonials, similar wording and layout, same before/after photo. Uses the name “Rachel Johnson.” Ads seen on Myspace on 2/4/09.
reannesweightloss.com – Exact “Jenny” copy, with the name “Reanne Conrad” but by 1/28 was using a new layout, but still selling the same stuff and the last name changed to “Edwards”! Noticed an error under photo where they forgot to fill in the city! By 2/11 there was a new photo and the name changed again to “Reanne Henrickson.”
reneesweightloss.com - Usual Acai/Cleanse pitch, text found on other fake blogs here. Same comments found on many other sites here. Same before/after photo. Uses name “Renee Sullivan” from San Diego in one spot and the name “Maria” in another. Oops!
rickiesweightloss.com - A new layout and photo, but same text, reused comments, and typical Acai/Cleanse garbage, uses the name “Ricki Jones.” 2/11 - site was offline.
sarahsweightloss.com – Forwarded to extremeacaiberry.com on 1/10/09, but by 1/19 had the familiar “Jenny Conrad” layout, using the name “Sarah Anderson.” The Jenny before/during/after photos have her head cropped out on this one.
sarasweightloss.com - Originally a “Jenny” clone site with the same pictures, products, Oprah/News photos, layout, etc, using the name “Sara Collins.” On 1/28 I noticed a new template which is identical to kelseysweightloss.com.
sarahs-weightloss.com - Surprisingly not the same photos as sarasweightloss.com! These are the “Anna Huff” photos, using the name “Sarah Williams”
sashasdietblog.com - Exact copy of jennysdietblog.com but using the name “Sasha Conrad.” I noticed the /articles.html page mistakenly has “Jenny’s Diet Blog” as the page title instead of “Sasha.” Forgot to change your phony template guys!
secretofdiets.com - Exact copy of the original version of nichollesweightloss.com but on 2/11/09 I noticed it was now a clone of blogfordiets.com, also with the name “Jessica Brown.”
sophiasweightloss.com - Exact same scam site as the “Jenny Conrad” version, but using the name “Sophia Henderson.” 1/28 forwarding to vitalacaisupreme.com. 2/11 back to the “Jenny Conrad” copy.”
sophiesweightloss.com – Originally forwarded to reannesweightloss.com, by 1/19/09 was forwarding to secretofdiets.com. 1/28 forwarding to reannes again.
tanyasdietblog.com - Almost exact copy of monicasdietblog.com but with the name “Tanya Conrad.”
tanyasweightlossblog.com - Usual Acai/Cleanse pitch. Familiar layout and text. Same photo used for Anna Dickson and Jen Hammond. Uses the name “Tanya Edwards”
thisdietsavedme.com - This was an exact copy the original version of nichollesweightloss.com. Popups make it hard to leave the page. By 2/11 it was now a clone of blogfordiets.com, with the name “Jessica Brown.”
tinasdietblog.com - Reused blog template, same 2-part Acai/Cleanse bogus products, same misleading references to Dr. Oz and news reports, uses the name “Tina Johnson”
tonyasdietdiary.com - Same Acai/Cleanse, same blog feel, same news picture, same “stomach” picture used on other sites here. Uses the name “Tonya Edwards”
tracysweightloss.com - Typical Acai/Cleanse fake blog scam, reusing text and layout. Uses name “Tracy Johnson” from Cincinnati. Noticed a long disclaimer by 2/11/09 and being advertised on Hotmail on 2/13/09.
trynaturesbestacai.com - Misleading references to Oprah, Dr. Oz, and Rachel Ray, eager to grab contact info, “Just pay shipping” ploy, disclaimer admits that “users” are actually models, linked to by a fake blog on here.
weightlossduo.com - Typical reused blog layout. Same Acai/Cleanse products and references to Oprah. Uses the name “Ellen” and was advertised on FoxNews on 2/10/09.
winfreysweightlossblog.com – Was an exact copy of one-flat-stomach-rule.com, but using the name “Winfrey Huff” but on 1/19/09 changed to a more generic site with the same old YouTube videos, Acai/Cleanse products (Same as secretofdiets.com)
www-grants.org - More proof that the phony grant sites and these phony Acai sites are related. The url is for grants, yet we see the original “Nicholle Stevenson” layout here, which is an exact copy of amysdietsecret.com. Note the dash in the url (so it could be entered www.www-grants.org) Uses the name “Amy Jameson”.

Sunday video

Download a book to read....

...in between exercising etc.

Think and Grow Rich...

You can also BUY the audio MP3 version if you wish - but have the book free anyway....

Or go here instead...

There are more free books here....

In fact there are loads....

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

Acres of Diamonds by Russell H. Conwell(coming soon)

The Way to Wealth by Benjamin Franklin(coming soon)

The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace Wattles(coming soon)

The Art of Money Getting by P.T. Barnum(coming soon)

(NEW) Scientific Advertising by Claude Hopkins

A Message To Garcia by Elbert Hubbard(coming soon)

The Magic Story by Frederick Day(coming soon)

As a Man Thinketh by James Allen

The Art of War by Sun Tzu (coming soon)

The Republic by Plato (coming soon)

(Source)

In fact there are many many free books available...

Here's another Elimination Diet....

...and it doesn't eliminate exactly the same things as Dax's....

Check the food list - eggs are excluded....


Here are some resources...

Recipes...

Phase 1

Phase 2

Phase 3

Articles

I found the Elimination Workout

The Elimination Workout I mentioned yesterday I have now found. It is here.

There's also a book Eat-stop-eat which is to do with intermittent fasting.

This is how to lose babyfat......

This is about metabolism.

This is about short term fasting - I don't see any on the Elimination Diet (maybe EODD diet? )

A quick word about LINKS. You can buy the Elimination Diet cookbook from Lulu. But if you try this link, it's page not found...If you try this secure order page it's not found either!

Just make sure it is the right one....i.e. not this one!

Questions, questions, questions....

None of the above are on the 30-day program...as far as I know!

Before I continue here are four freebies:

a. How I lost 300 lbs - a report

b. Recipe book

c. Lose 40lbs of fat in 12 weeks

d. Gain muscle

I have no connection with the above...


The blog: http://30lbin30days.blogspot.com/






The blog: http://catherines30in30challenge.blogspot.com/

I predict a rapid improvement for this young lady!



Other blogs: http://shelle30lbsin30days.blogspot.com/

What's good about blogs is contact with others. I started posting a bit about the Dax Moy 30 day weight loss and it seems this has caused a little bit of interest.

Rather than pester peoples' blogs asking questions I thought I'd just ask a few here - and make some observations.

Please answer/comment if you can/wish.

1. Am I right in saying that the exercise on the Dax Moy program is 3 x 15-20 minutes of tabata-style exercises?

2. On first, second and third glance it looks like there are hardly any males on this program - certainly no fatties. If that is correct, it's a pity as male obesity is a greater problem than female obesity...

3. In at least one case the participant seems close to the ideal weight anyway...

4. Women may well be able to lose weight more easily than men at the early stages IF the weight is because of water retention. (Women are more likely than men to suffer from water retention.) I see many people have posted pictures and vital statistics - but how many actually got their health checked by professionals BEFORE undergoing this regime? If people were able to post before and after blood test results - that would be really helpful - and significant. Certainly in the UK blood tests would be free.

5. Any recommendations for a post-exercise drink?

6. Metabolism, it is true, (Dax's comment) is often the key to losing weight and younger people have a higher metabolism. Hence my comment about the trial. (Still haven't seen a fat over 50 person who is in the trial...)

7. Is there a particular exercise routine - eg is 'the meltdown' a particular program?

8. Are people following the Integrated Movement Training I referred to earlier?

9. Most exercise routines suggest ONE period of exercise a day followed by a day of rest. This appears to be 2-3 exercise periods a day and then NO rest.....

Here's a post on home workouts


Here are some - alleged - weight loss accelerators...

Elimination Experiment Workout (Brad Pilon)

I have been reading Brad's Elimination Experiment Workout...for Workouts. He talks a lot about how people may do TOO MUCH exercise. As with Dax's Elimination Diet (in a way...) various exercises are dropped until an optimum is reached.

Here's his cheat sheet:

~Elimination Workout Cheat Sheets
1. Take your measurements
2. Measure your strength
3. Cut out all extra workouts
4. Cut out all isolation movements
5. Add an extra rest day after EVERY workout
6. Increase your rest to 2‐3 days in‐between EVERY workout
7. Reduce your exercises to only the bare minimum core lifts
8. Reduce your volume (number of sets)
9. Identify your own personal minimum
10. Identify your own personal MEASURABLE goals
11. Add in new exercises or programs for 1 to 2 month trials
12. Compare your strength and measurements
13. If they improve and move you towards your goal keep the new exercises, if they
do not, eliminate them and move on
14. Repeat steps 11‐13 as needed

I also read on the Steve Pavlina blog that if you eat organically you can eat as much as you want and you'll not gain weight as your body will simply process the food.

I also found this post interesting as it would seem to suggest that 2 x 15 minute workouts = the same fat loss as 1 x 30 minute workout. This presupposes that the afterbrun is twice as much for the 30 minute workout - which seems nonsense. If, for example, you did 5 x tabata workouts a day do you really think the afterbrun in total would be the same as aftare 1 x 20 minutes (when of course the intensity would be less?)

(I cannot find Brad's elimination workout experiment...but maybe if you google enough it'll be there...)

Post-exercise drink

Normally I would drink Goodness shakes.

But they contain milk and milk is on the banned list.

Any suggestions?

Also, 'raw butter'. Very healthy - so why banned in 50 states...?

Rather difficult to buy!


Also I see no blog posts about people doing Integrated Movement Training - I wonder if that is one of the exercises...

"This one system of training has been responsible for more weight loss, performance
enhancement and injury rehabilitation than pretty much any other single program I’ve
ever used and continues to be the foundation of every single fitness program I design
due to its amazing ability to restore and improve the function of virtually everyone who
uses it."

Finally found some MEN on the Dax Moy challenge

First up is this person: http://bradfords30in30.blogspot.com/







Immediately, a problem:

Age: 24 (on Monday)
Height: 5'10
Weight: 205
Chest: 41"
Waist: 38" (41" at belly button)
Hips: 40.5"
Thighs: 23.5"
Calves: 14"

YOUNG.

Yes, he has some fat but at that age it will come off very easily. I predict startling progress.

Next up is this person: http://30lbsin30days-jin-ks.blogspot.com/

Interestingly she says: "Regardless of weight, I've lost 2 1/4 inches in 3 days which is pretty amazing. To see these kinds of results so quickly is unheard of. Especially when you consider that before being offered the place on Dax's 30lbs in 30 days I was in the gym for at least an hour, 5 days a week...the results came but slowly. I'm now working out for a shorter period of time on a daily basis and ache all over, more than I ever did before." This shows the effect of diet as 90% of weight loss is achieved by activities in the kitchen! As said before. women lose weight more easily than men - which is why I am more interested to see the effects on men on this challenge.


Next up is Jo: http://joes30in30challenge.blogspot.com/

But...he's ONLY 29 and doesn't look fat anyway!

I predict another immediate success...

The quest goes on...

Making contact with those on the Dax Moy challenge

OK I have now left messages on most of the people whose blogs are featured here and are on the Daw Moy challenge.

We shall see what the response will be.....

Maybe they will post here - who knows?

If anyone does perhaps you'd be kind enough to explain what the 'densities' are that several of you write about. Also is it three work-outs a day and if so, for 15 minutes of intensive exercise?

Please feel free to visit the rest of the site- you can see I am an impartial commentator - you can see I have already tried the elimination diet - and failed tragically!

I will use your blogs as motivation - and will try again!

I guess for exercise I can shorten the 12 week scheme (failed once) to ten weeks...

More on Dax's challenge...

I have found some more...again...women...

http://thebigthreezero.blogspot.com/

http://monkeydogadventures.blogspot.com/



I will be looking for 50+ year olds (male or female)
Unemployed fatties ('fatties' meant in the nicest sense)
Ethnic differences
Disabled
Those in non-manual work

My posts are not criticisms of those on the challenge (good luck to them) but of the authenticity of the 'challenge' - so far. I fully accept there could well be more people on this I have yet to identify...

All credit to Dax Moy

Yesterday I wrote a post criticising Dax Moy's 30-days-30lbs program. To his eternal credit he has responded rather than ignore my post.

Certainly the originators of this program have ignored all criticisms.

Also, I should point out again, that, yes, I am sure Dax is going to use all this to sell a cookbook or training or 'something or other' BUT the Elimination Diet is FREE.

So, let's look at what Dax says:

"People who are already training have and dieting have LESS of a result when they move to a new program than those who are sedentary and follow a poor diet. That's why nearly all fat loss programs choose non-exercisers to to participate as you can show HUGE improvements in no time at all."

I agree totally- in fact that was one of my points.

"I chose a mix."

Again, one of my points. I will be looking for the old, the young, the poor, the disabled, the male, the fenale, those doing manual work, office workers, unemployed etc. I hope they will be forthcoming.

"I chose people in their 50's who, despite a life of activity still couldn't shift their weight. I chose people who were ALREADY training with a trainer yet couldn't budge a pound despite expert advice. I chose people who WERE personal trainers themselves but couldn't get their methods to work on themselves. In every case I've chosen people who were stubborn weight losers. Just ask them on their blogs."

I will be looking at the blogs for the variety.

"In total, my group are still doing LESS than 1 hour of exercise a day. Far, less than your average fat loss program asks for."

I was wondering that. So the three sessions must be about 15-20 minutes each. That takes dedication to get changed, hot and sweaty etc for just 20 minutes. Thus I suspect it's a tabata-adapted programme or maybe HIT.

"The truth is George, I chose my members based on both attitude and desire as well as those people who would be a challenge and true test for the program. So far, all who were chosen have proven to be great choices, even those who are still struggling."

Well, like I said, I will be looking at the range actually chosen.

"Thanks for following their progress!"

I will be impressed if the fat, 50+ unemployed, non-manual workers, male and/or disabled etc etc show progress. The sample I looked at - with 2 exceptions - were not atypical.

Dax's blog is: http://dailydoseofdax.blogspot.com/

So far no new people have been identified.


I will return to Dax's blog and see if there are some more people in the categories I mention above...

Happiness

• 18 Practical Tips for Living the Golden Rule
• Feeling Down? 7 Ways to Pick Yourself Back Up
• Savor the Little Things
• Peaceful Simplicity: How to Live a Life of Contentment
• The Art of Doing Nothing
• Calm as a Monk: How Equanimity Can Save Your Sanity
• A Guide to Escaping Materialism and Finding Happiness
• Why Living a Life of Gratitude Can Make You Happy
• A Guide to Cultivating Compassion in Your Life, With 7 Practices
• 75 Simple Pleasures to Brighten Your Day
• How to Accept Criticism with Grace and Appreciation
• A Simple Method to Avoid Being Judgmental (yes, that means you!)
• How to ‘Let It Be’ When You’re Upset
• 10 Great Ways to Show You’re Grateful Today
• 10 Simple, Sure-fire Ways to Make Today Your Best Day Ever
• Faith in Humanity: How to Bring People Closer, and Restore Kindness
• 17 Unbeatable Ways to Create a Peaceful, Relaxed Workday
• 10 Tips for Life’s Greatest Challenge: Love Thy Enemy
• 20 Things I Wish I Had Known When Starting Out in Life
• 12 Practical Steps for Learning to Go With the Flow
• Flip Your Karma: 8 Tricks to Turn the Bad Into the Awesome
• The Incredible Power of Contentment
• 15 Tips for Becoming as Patient as Job
• Life’s Enough: Stop Comparing Yourself to Others
• 32 Ways to Make Someone Happy Today
• Sound of Silence: How to Find Some Quietude in Your Life

The Dax Moy 30 day challenge - an opportunity missed

You may have heard of this.

You have certainly heard of the Elimination Diet (it's free!)

It looks like the people chosen will have outstanding results. I have linked to several of their blogs.

However these are not 'typical' weight losers.

For a start many of themn - disproportionately - are women - and for women startling weight loss is not that unusual. Usually it is just overcoming bloating - which of course is what the Elimination Diet does.

The exercise side is not that different to other 30-day plans.

Here are some of the people:

Liz Roddis http//my30lbin30dayschallenge.blogspot.com/ (ask her about that 4lb!)

A typical fatty?

"I was up at 5am to do the 56 mile London to Brighton bike ride"

Unlikely...

Sarah Brookes http://chocolatebuttonschallenge.blogspot.com

"I am an advanced personal fitness trainer with an interest in fat loss and weight control -"

Not a typical fatty then!

Petra http://britgrls30in30challenge.blogspot.com/

"Currently, I am seven weeks into a 12 week program, but, while I really enjoy the weight lifting side of things, the nutrition planning is way too complicated for me."

Hardly a beginner then!!!!

Certainly very pretty, though

Natasha Broke http://natasha30lbsin30dayschallenge.blogspot.com/

"I had my normal workout this morning with my personal trainer and my friend Janis (who is buddying me on the ED - what a great friend) so skipped the meltdown as she worked us pretty hard."

Ye Gods! A personal trainer!

So, three workouts a day AND a Personal Trainer.

Not exactly typical 'fatties' here!

Angela http://angelas30in30challenge.blogspot.com/

This person certainly seems genuine.

Melanie http://carpediem-melanies30-in-30challenge.blogspot.com/

This person seems genuine

Melissa <http://melissa-honeybeethemainebuzz.blogspot.com/

"I've been doing the Elimination Diet along with Dax's Look Great Naked Challenge for about thirty days so far."

Not starting from scratch then!

Joan http://joans30in30.blogspot.com/

Blog not open to the public

Margot http://margot30in30challenge.blogspot.com/

" Up at 4 am to do first round of excercises. "

Three sets/workouts a day - so much for those who say 'workout every other day'.

On this level it is not surprising people will lose weight!

Martin http://2dogs30in30challenge.blogspot.com

"I was up at about 6 to do my first training session. It was harder than I thought it would be, but I really enjoyed it. I did the second lot of training when i got home from work. I had the wife and kids counting and timing it all..once I have finished typing this up I will do number 3, And if I can still walk go and sort my food out for tomorrow."

6 am! and yet...so far all the posts are between 10 am and 1pm.

Something's not quite right.

BUT at least it is a male posting - but he is fairly young and so the fitness gains will soon become apparent.

The reason this will work is because of:

a. elimination of certain foods
b. tons of exercise
c. peer group support
d. loads of water drunk

Also, as said, hardly 'typical people'!

It would have been so much better if those taking part had been more representative. Thus some VERY HEAVY people, some over 50, maybe a coouple in their seventies. More males. Maybe a disabled person or two.

Some unemployed.
Some in high pressure jobs.
Manual workers
Non-manual.

You get the picture.

BUT so far we have people who have their own personal trainers, those who have been on another diet for some time, those who easily cycle 50+ miles...etc.

To be impressive TYPICAL FATTIES are neede, not a hand-picked few who self-select through their enthusiasm and the fact that - so far - most already have outside help and/or are already on a diet.

An opportunity missed!

Hooray!

A few extra pounds can add years to your life: study

Carrying a little extra weight may actually be good for you, according to a Canadian study that showed a few pounds appear to protect people from an early death. Skip related content

Researchers found that while underweight and extremely obese people die earlier than people of a normal weight, people who are slightly overweight actually live longer than those of a normal weight.

The findings of the new study were published online in the journal Obesity by researchers at Statistics Canada, Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, Portland State University, Oregon Health & Science University, and McGill University.

"It's not surprising that extreme underweight and extreme obesity increase the risk of dying, but it is surprising that carrying a little extra weight may give people a longevity advantage," researcher David Feeny from the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research said in a statement.

But fellow researcher Mark Kaplan, professor of Community Health at Portland State University, said while a few extra pounds may protect older people as their health declines, that did not mean people of normal weight should try to add bulk.

"Our study only looked at mortality, not at quality of life, and there are many negative health consequences associated with obesity, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes," said Kaplan.

The study was based on examining the relationship between body mass index and death among 11,326 adults in Canada over a 12-year period using data from the National Population Health Survey.

During the study period, from 1994/1995 through 2006/2007, underweight people were 70 percent more likely than people of normal weight to die, and extremely obese people were 36 percent more likely to die.

But overweight individuals were 17 percent less likely to die. The relative risk for obese people was nearly the same as for people of normal weight.

The researchers said this was the first large Canadian study to show that people who are overweight may actually live longer than those of normal weight. An earlier study, conducted in the United States and published in 2005 in the Journal of the American Medical Association, showed similar results.

Stop ageing?

Sunlight and cigarettes aren't the only offenders capable of turning your mug into a catcher's mitt. Chronic inflammation is a serious, but easily overlooked, source of fine lines and wrinkles, says Carl Thornfeldt, M.D., a dermatologist and a visiting assistant professor at Oregon Health and Science University.

When the skin puffs up, the lattice of protein, fats, and oils tends to rupture, creating damage that is difficult to reverse. Dr. Thornfeldt outlines four ways to smooth out your skin.

Watch Your Workouts
Sweating exposes your skin to salt water, which can break down the skin's defenses and allow more ultraviolet light and pollutants to reach skin cells. Working out indoors, or before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. outdoors, can eliminate 80 percent of UVB penetration.

Check the Back of the Bottle
Propylene glycol, an ingredient found in prescription cortisones and many moisturizers and cleansers, can irritate the skin and cause inflammation.

Say No to Processed Foods
A diet high in white flour and sugar can create so-called glycation reactions between molecules in the skin. This reaction binds collagen and decreases elasticity, so the skin becomes more susceptible to fracture.

Simmer Down
Emotional stress causes the release of immune compounds called histamines, which can cause inflammation and disrupt the matrix of skin cells.

Never get heart disease!

The smartest plan for attacking a heart attack is, of course, preventing one from ever happening. Choose three of the following preventive strategies that you're currently not doing. Make them a habit. The closer to the top of the list you get, the more you reduce your risk of heart disease.

1. Convince Your Wife to Stop Smoking
Nonsmoking husbands of smoking wives face a 92 percent increase in their risk of heart attack, according to a report in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Breathing secondhand smoke boosts LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels, decreases HDL ("good") cholesterol, and increases your blood's tendency to clot.

2. Walk, Run, or Lift Weights for 30 Minutes Four Times a Week
Middle-aged men who exercised vigorously for 2 or more hours cumulatively per week had 60 percent less risk of heart attack than inactive men did, according to the New England Journal of Medicine.

3. Lose 10 to 20 Pounds
If you're overweight, dropping 10 to 20 pounds could lower your risk of dying from a first heart attack by 16 percent. Being overweight drives up cholesterol and blood pressure, the precursors to coronary disease. A 10-year Mayo Clinic study found that overweight people had heart attacks 3.6 years earlier than normal-weight people did, and that obese heart-attack patients tended to be 8.2 years younger than normal-weight victims.

4. Drink Five Glasses of Water a Day
In a study at Loma Linda University, men who drank that many 8-ounce glasses were 54 percent less likely to have a fatal heart attack than those who drank two or fewer. Researchers say the water dilutes the blood, making it less likely to clot.

5. Switch from Coffee to Tea
A Dutch study found that people who drank 3 cups of tea a day had half the risk of heart attack of those who didn't drink tea at all. Potent antioxidants, called flavonoids, in tea may provide a protective effect.

6. Grill Salmon on Saturday, Have a Tuna Sandwich on Tuesday
Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health say that eating fish at least twice a week can lower your heart-disease risk by more than 30 percent. The magic ingredient is the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish. In another study, men without heart disease were 10 percent less likely to die suddenly when their blood levels of omega-3s were high.

7. Ask Your Doctor About Vitamin E and Aspirin
Men who took the antioxidant and the blood thinner daily cut the plaque in their clogged arteries by more than 80 percent, according to a recent University of Pennsylvania study.

8. Eat a Cup of Total Corn Flakes for Breakfast
This cereal contains one of the highest concentrations of folate (675 micrograms) of any cold cereal. Taking in that much folic acid daily (the recommended amount is 400 mcg) cuts your risk of cardiovascular disease by 13 percent, according to researchers at Tulane University. Folate works by reducing blood levels of artery-damaging homocysteine.

9. Count to 10
Creating a 10-second buffer before reacting to a stressful situation may be enough to cool you down. Men who respond to stress with anger are three times more likely to be diagnosed with heart disease and five times more likely to have a heart attack before turning 55, say researchers at Johns Hopkins University.

10. Eat Watermelon
It contains about 40 percent more lycopene than is found in raw tomatoes, and a new study by the USDA's Agricultural Research Service shows that your body absorbs it at higher levels due to the melon's high water content. Half a wedge may boost heart-disease prevention by 30 percent.