Walk into any running shoe store nowadays, and the products will practically jump off the wall. Subtlety of design has not been emphasized in the marketing of running shoes. The more bumps, ridges, racing stripes, vents, stitches, and colors that gym shoes have, the better. Although not all running shoes have horrible, garish designs, generally the more expensive ones do. If you want to buy the top rated Nike shoes to look like the coolest kid in school, you have to be willing to shell out a good bit of dough. However, the quality of athletic shoes is not determined by their flash or their price. If you are willing to look a little bit deeper, you will find the shoes that are perfect for you.
Running shoes themselves are a pretty recent development. When I was growing up, gym shoes were gym shoes. There was not all that much variety, and the different brands all went through the same trends together. When one shoe company started to add more padding to help people avoid injuries, the other ones all followed suit. The shoes everyone wore back then were probably the ancestors of what people call “cross training shoes” nowadays. They were designed to be used in a lot of different sports and activities.
I can still remember the first time I got to wear a pair of actual running shoes. You see, I was an all around jock, but I only owned a couple different pairs of tennis shoes. I had my soccer cleats for playing soccer and football, and my gym shoes for basketball and track. Those running shoes, however, were something different. They were lighter, springier, and more flexible than anything I had had the chance to wear before. I felt faster on my feet from the very first time that I put them on. They soon became my very favorite pair of shoes in the world!
I know that things have advanced in some ways since then. First of all, there are far better synthetic materials available, giving the companies the ability to make high-tech running shoes which are lighter and more flexible than ever before. Even so, it seems like something has been lost. Everything is so completely geared towards marketing that you can't help but think that the jogging shoes aren't nearly as well made as they would be if they weren't so completely tailored towards looks.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Monday, July 16, 2007
The Real Facts About High Fiber Foods
By: Brandon H. Masters
There are so many benefits of a high fiber diet that one wonders
why it took so long to realize it. It provides total body
support, from cleansing, detoxifying and decreasing the risk of
deadly diseases. As a matter of fact, a high fiber diet promotes
healthy cholesterol levels. When the wrong type of cholesterol
accumulates in your blood and arteries, it can block the flow of
blood to your heart and the result can be life-threatening.
However, the remedy is not to banish all cholesterol, but to
encourage the good cholesterol and limit the bad to maintain
good heart health.
Cholesterol is a waxy substance made predominantly by the liver.
It forms a part of every cell wall. That is why it is impossible
to live without it. Cholesterol also creates bile salts, as well
as sex and adrenal hormones. It helps the body to make vitamin
D, which helps the nervous system to perform its function. But,
when too much low-density lipoprotein or LDL (bad) cholesterol
enters the bloodstream, it is deposited on artery walls and
interferes with the blood flow. This leads to the oxidization of
the arterial plaques of LDL, which can rupture and set off a
clotting reaction that prevents the heart muscle from receiving
the nutrients it needs to survive. In contrast, high-density
lipoprotein or HDL (good) cholesterol helps keep arteries clear.
According to the National Institutes of Health, your LDL
cholesterol level should be below 130 mg/DL, and your HDL level
above 40 mg/DL.
This is where a high fiber diet can do magic. It helps to
maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Unicity International, a
global health and wellness company conducted a study and found
that supplements of soluble and insoluble dietary fiber boosted
HDL and lowered LDL. "The remarkable observation is that this
works on two sides," says Unicity Chief Science Officer Peter J.
Verdegem, PhD. "It decreased LDL and increased HDL by
significant amounts at 90 days. This approach is virtually free
of side effects. When it is in the intestines, fiber decreases
re-absorption of cholesterol from a meal."
Another study focusing on more than 150 Hispanic men and women
revealed that consuming soluble fiber resulted in a significant
decrease in LDL levels by speeding the elimination of waste from
the intestines. It also prevents bile from reentering the body.
How Much Fiber Do You Need
Most experts recommend 20 to 35 grams of fiber per day.
Unfortunately, majority of Americans take hardly 10 to 15 daily
grams. In some countries people take in 100 grams of fiber every
day; they have very low incidence of heart diseases.
Fiber is found in vegetarian foods. In contrast, meat and other
animal products are devoid of fiber. Refined foods like cakes
and cookies made from white flour have had their fiber removed.
Fiber is indigestible with no fattening calories. It was
considered of no consequence because it consists of
carbohydrates impervious to the digestive enzymes in the gut.
That explains why it was ignored for so long. However, now we
know that fiber nourishes the immune-boosting, friendly bacteria
that line the digestive tract.
Fiber is divided into two types: soluble and insoluble. Both of
them produce different health benefits. Soluble fiber exits the
stomach slowly, and takes the toxins with it through the
digestive tract. Insoluble fiber sweeps toxins off the walls of
the intestines. You need to consume a balance of soluble and
insoluble
About the author:
Brandon H. Masters is a Health Enthusiast, Researcher and
Veteran of the Natural Products Industry. He is passionate about
educating others on the benefits of wellness solutions through
better nutrition and detoxification. Fast Weight Loss
There are so many benefits of a high fiber diet that one wonders
why it took so long to realize it. It provides total body
support, from cleansing, detoxifying and decreasing the risk of
deadly diseases. As a matter of fact, a high fiber diet promotes
healthy cholesterol levels. When the wrong type of cholesterol
accumulates in your blood and arteries, it can block the flow of
blood to your heart and the result can be life-threatening.
However, the remedy is not to banish all cholesterol, but to
encourage the good cholesterol and limit the bad to maintain
good heart health.
Cholesterol is a waxy substance made predominantly by the liver.
It forms a part of every cell wall. That is why it is impossible
to live without it. Cholesterol also creates bile salts, as well
as sex and adrenal hormones. It helps the body to make vitamin
D, which helps the nervous system to perform its function. But,
when too much low-density lipoprotein or LDL (bad) cholesterol
enters the bloodstream, it is deposited on artery walls and
interferes with the blood flow. This leads to the oxidization of
the arterial plaques of LDL, which can rupture and set off a
clotting reaction that prevents the heart muscle from receiving
the nutrients it needs to survive. In contrast, high-density
lipoprotein or HDL (good) cholesterol helps keep arteries clear.
According to the National Institutes of Health, your LDL
cholesterol level should be below 130 mg/DL, and your HDL level
above 40 mg/DL.
This is where a high fiber diet can do magic. It helps to
maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Unicity International, a
global health and wellness company conducted a study and found
that supplements of soluble and insoluble dietary fiber boosted
HDL and lowered LDL. "The remarkable observation is that this
works on two sides," says Unicity Chief Science Officer Peter J.
Verdegem, PhD. "It decreased LDL and increased HDL by
significant amounts at 90 days. This approach is virtually free
of side effects. When it is in the intestines, fiber decreases
re-absorption of cholesterol from a meal."
Another study focusing on more than 150 Hispanic men and women
revealed that consuming soluble fiber resulted in a significant
decrease in LDL levels by speeding the elimination of waste from
the intestines. It also prevents bile from reentering the body.
How Much Fiber Do You Need
Most experts recommend 20 to 35 grams of fiber per day.
Unfortunately, majority of Americans take hardly 10 to 15 daily
grams. In some countries people take in 100 grams of fiber every
day; they have very low incidence of heart diseases.
Fiber is found in vegetarian foods. In contrast, meat and other
animal products are devoid of fiber. Refined foods like cakes
and cookies made from white flour have had their fiber removed.
Fiber is indigestible with no fattening calories. It was
considered of no consequence because it consists of
carbohydrates impervious to the digestive enzymes in the gut.
That explains why it was ignored for so long. However, now we
know that fiber nourishes the immune-boosting, friendly bacteria
that line the digestive tract.
Fiber is divided into two types: soluble and insoluble. Both of
them produce different health benefits. Soluble fiber exits the
stomach slowly, and takes the toxins with it through the
digestive tract. Insoluble fiber sweeps toxins off the walls of
the intestines. You need to consume a balance of soluble and
insoluble
About the author:
Brandon H. Masters is a Health Enthusiast, Researcher and
Veteran of the Natural Products Industry. He is passionate about
educating others on the benefits of wellness solutions through
better nutrition and detoxification. Fast Weight Loss
Monday, July 02, 2007
Protecting Yourself From Health Club Scams
By: Brad Howard
With our fast-paced lifestyles and our less-than-ideal dietary
habits, it's no wonder that health clubs and gyms are appearing
everywhere. These centers are very important for many people,
because it forces them to have the discipline to workout on a
regular basis. But do remember that gyms exist to make money.
And where money is involved, trust that there will be some
people who will go to great lengths to take it away from you!
Disgruntled gym and health club clients have plenty of stories
to tell. Learn from them and save yourself from shady gym
operators.
Health Club Scams 101
Ridiculously Low Rates - It's becoming increasingly crowded out
there. With so many gyms fighting each other over customers,
membership fees are plummeting. However, you should remember
that operating a gym is a very expensive endeavor. In order to
provide customers with the best experience, the gym or health
club must have plenty of operating capital. Low-end gyms, while
having much cheaper rates, mean bad exercise equipment, crowded
areas, less sanitary facilities and less customer focus. When
choosing a gym or health club, it may be best to go to the more
expensive places.
Beware of False Advertising - There are many gyms that advertise
low-rates, zero-membership fees, or some other way that you can
save when joining. However, most of these gyms get the money out
of the customer, one way or the other. Be sure to read the
contract for any hidden charges that they may impose. Others
advertise huge discounts, only to cripple or limit much or their
services until the member pays in full. Others, on the other
hand, flat-out lie about their services and member benefits. Be
sure to ask a lot of questions and inspect the service agreement
fully.
Dubious Accreditations - There are so many certificate-giving
bodies out there from state and community organizations that few
are worth more than the paper it's written on. Be sure to
double-check on what accreditations the gym claims to have and
see if they come from a truly prestigious or note-worthy
organization. The same goes for the so-called
certified-instructors many gyms have. Be wary and be sure to
research these claims.
Poor Equipment and Facilities - This is what you pay for the
most, the ability to use large, specialized equipment. Always
inspect the entire gym and its facilities before you commit to
signing up. The place should also be spacious - it should not be
crowded. Many gyms sign up more customers than they can actually
handle. The result is that many customers have to wait in line
to use the gym equipment they want. This also means that their
equipment is constantly being used and prone to more damage.
Sleazy Contracts - Always read what's printed on the service
contract. Three year memberships, high deposit fees, extra
charges - these can be all hidden inside the contract and its
existence conveniently not mentioned by the sales team. Always
turn on the alarm when you encounter provisions requiring you to
shell out more money or penalize you for cutting your membership
short.
About the author:
Brad Howard is the most prolific health and fitness marketer of
this generation. His new book, "Health Club Secrets" is
currently being featured in many news stories for it's
groundbreaking information on health clubs and
health club scams.
With our fast-paced lifestyles and our less-than-ideal dietary
habits, it's no wonder that health clubs and gyms are appearing
everywhere. These centers are very important for many people,
because it forces them to have the discipline to workout on a
regular basis. But do remember that gyms exist to make money.
And where money is involved, trust that there will be some
people who will go to great lengths to take it away from you!
Disgruntled gym and health club clients have plenty of stories
to tell. Learn from them and save yourself from shady gym
operators.
Health Club Scams 101
Ridiculously Low Rates - It's becoming increasingly crowded out
there. With so many gyms fighting each other over customers,
membership fees are plummeting. However, you should remember
that operating a gym is a very expensive endeavor. In order to
provide customers with the best experience, the gym or health
club must have plenty of operating capital. Low-end gyms, while
having much cheaper rates, mean bad exercise equipment, crowded
areas, less sanitary facilities and less customer focus. When
choosing a gym or health club, it may be best to go to the more
expensive places.
Beware of False Advertising - There are many gyms that advertise
low-rates, zero-membership fees, or some other way that you can
save when joining. However, most of these gyms get the money out
of the customer, one way or the other. Be sure to read the
contract for any hidden charges that they may impose. Others
advertise huge discounts, only to cripple or limit much or their
services until the member pays in full. Others, on the other
hand, flat-out lie about their services and member benefits. Be
sure to ask a lot of questions and inspect the service agreement
fully.
Dubious Accreditations - There are so many certificate-giving
bodies out there from state and community organizations that few
are worth more than the paper it's written on. Be sure to
double-check on what accreditations the gym claims to have and
see if they come from a truly prestigious or note-worthy
organization. The same goes for the so-called
certified-instructors many gyms have. Be wary and be sure to
research these claims.
Poor Equipment and Facilities - This is what you pay for the
most, the ability to use large, specialized equipment. Always
inspect the entire gym and its facilities before you commit to
signing up. The place should also be spacious - it should not be
crowded. Many gyms sign up more customers than they can actually
handle. The result is that many customers have to wait in line
to use the gym equipment they want. This also means that their
equipment is constantly being used and prone to more damage.
Sleazy Contracts - Always read what's printed on the service
contract. Three year memberships, high deposit fees, extra
charges - these can be all hidden inside the contract and its
existence conveniently not mentioned by the sales team. Always
turn on the alarm when you encounter provisions requiring you to
shell out more money or penalize you for cutting your membership
short.
About the author:
Brad Howard is the most prolific health and fitness marketer of
this generation. His new book, "Health Club Secrets" is
currently being featured in many news stories for it's
groundbreaking information on health clubs and
health club scams.
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