Interesting Facts
Something I found in one of the many girl magazines I subscribe to.
Scent secrets - Women wear perfume for reasons other than smelling good, according to the latest research from The Fragrance Foundation in New York City. For Americans, scent inspires confidence, whereas the Japanese use fragrance to promote internal harmony. In France, women wear perfume as a meas of seduction - surprise, surprise.
Q - To burn more calories, should I eat a meal before or after I work out? A - It's not just about calories. When you eat affects fat burn: You'll actually get leaner exercising on an empty stomach because when blood sugar is low, you body draws on stored fat for energy. For 30-plus-minute workouts, I'd recommend a high-carb snack of 100 to 200 calories 45 minutes beforehand, so your body has fuel to go long enough to melt fat reserves. Save the meal for after.
How to make your running shoes last longer.
Max the mileage on your sneakers with these tips from Sam Grotewold of Manhattan-based New York Road Runners. 1.) Buy two pairs. Alternating sneakers lets them dry between workouts, reducing the bacteria that causes smell and decay. 2.) Invest in removable liners. They provide cusgioning and keep your shoes from rotting (for the reasong noted above). 3.) Run on soft surfaces like grass and dirt istead of pavement. Your sneakers will look dirtier, but they'll last longer. 4.) Dont throw your sneakers in the washing machine or dryer. They can shrink, lose their shape or come unglued.
Try something new
Use this trick to bring more possibilities into your life: Make a numbered list of six new things you want to do. Roll one die and try the corresponding activity on your list. We bet you'll be happier you did -Holly Corbett of Self magazine
Duct Tape
"This wart won't go away" Cover it with a small piece of duct tape (really!). According to a recent study at Madisgan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, WA, duct tape is more effective than your M.D.'s liquid nitrogen treatment. After six days, remove tape, soak the wart in water and gently file it down with an emery board.
No bones about it
A taut tummy may help prevent osteoporosis. Women with the weakest core muscles had 10 times the risk for rapid bone loss-a primary cause of the diseas-than those with strong trunks. Strengthening abs now can maintain bome density.
Blister beater
Socks with more than 50% cotton created the most skin-shredding friction. For foot-friendly workouts, pik a pair made mainly with nylon and other synthetics that wick moisture.
Jog off Jet Lag
Working out on the road can help you adjust to a new time zone in half the time. Traveling west? Exercise in the evening hours. Eastbound? A morning session is the best way to get your body clock back on track
Good News for Swimmers
Despite swimming's low-impact rep, your water workout can strenghten your bones. Women who frequently swim laps have greater leg bone mass than non swimmers.
Quickie germ fighter
Microwaving your sponge on full power for 2 minutes kills 99 percent of bacteria, including E. coli. Simply soak it in water and nuke.
Goody two-shoes
Donate your kicks. Soles4souls.org and OneWorldRunning.com will deliver your lightly worn sneackers to people in need all across the globe.
Bike for Two
Good news for moms-to-be: pregnant women who cycled did not adversely affect fetal heart rate, blood pressure or oxygen consumption. Suggesting 3 10 minute bouts on a stationary bike (to avoid falls), or combine cycling with walking.
Go Green
Veggies can maintain your smarts. People getting more than 2 servings of vegetables daily had brians that functioned as if they were five years younger. Green, leafy picks such as spinach, kale or romaine were best for honing sharp minds.
Smooth shave
A warm shower softens your leg hairs. But soak too long and skin swells, hiding them. Wait three minutes (no more), then shave.
Strong Beat
One more reason to grab those weights: a year of resitance training tones up blood vessels. Strength training boosts arteries' ability to accommodate increased blood flow, key in preventing heart disease. Aim for at least two sessions a week.
Stop and smell the forget me nots.
Pick up a fragrant bouquet. People who sniff floral scents are 17% quicker on mental tasks than those who don't. Aromas induce a positive mood, which lowers stress and keeps you sharp.
Chew gum
Popping a piece of gum can measurably improve performance on memory tests. Chomping slightly increases blood flow to the brain regions that control memory.
Spice it up
Raid your spice rack and add sage to your favorite dishes. The herb may increase levels of acetylcholine, a chemical that helps the brian transmit messages. Sage is lovely on lean pork and chicken.
Make time for tea
Green and black tea appear to inhibit the activity of enzymes in the brain that are linked with Alzheimer's disease-related memory loss. Get in the habit young; reach for tea bags instead of coffee beans.
Go fish
Omega-3 fatty acids in fish may reduce inflammation that can damage brain cells and lead to memory to falter. Aim for one serving a week. The best catches are salmon, tuna, and herring.