Do You Know How to Lose Stubborn Belly Fat?

Do you know how to lose stubborn belly fat? Take the following multiple choice quiz and see if you know all there is to know about how to shrink you waistline and keep the inches off.

(1) What types of foods contribute to excess fat in the abdominal area?

(a) Foods high in monounsaturated fats, such as nuts, seeds and dark chocolate.
(b) Fried foods
(c) High protein foods
(d) All of the above
Answer: (b) Fried foods often add unwanted inches to the abdominal area as the majority of their calories come from saturated fat. This type of fat is made from animal products and is also known to raise the level of cholesterol in the bloodstream. Therefore, fried foods are not only bad for your waistline but for the health of your heart as well. Foods high in monounsaturated fats are actually good for the abdominals if they are consumed in conservative portions. High protein foods speed up the metabolism and therefore help burn fat.

(2) What types of foods should be eliminated from the diet if you want to lose stubborn belly fat?

(a) Eliminate all sugary foods such as doughnuts and pastries.
(b) Toss out any foods that contain trans fats, such as chips from the vending machine.
(c) Remove low-fat dairy foods.
(d) Both (a) and (b)
Answer: (d) – Both (a) and (b) are the correct answers. Low-fat dairy foods, such as yogurt or skim milk are actually helpful in getting rid of belly fat as they release fat from fat cells in the abdominals and therefore reduce the amount of fat that is absorbed.

(3) Which food actually increases the body’s capacity to burn calories and therefore reduces belly fat?

(a) Chili peppers
(b) Oat or rice bran
(c)  Asparagus
(d) None of the above
Answer: (a) Chili peppers. Hot peppers of any kind contain capsaicin which increases the capacity for the body to burn calories by as much as five to ten percent.

(4) What is the best way to speed up the metabolism and therefore reduce fat from the belly?

(a) Eat foods high in protein, such as egg whites, chicken, fish, nuts, seeds as well as certain berries.
(b) Consume nutrient-rich foods such as fruits and vegetables.
(c) Drink plenty of water.
(d) All of the above.
Answer: (d) All of the above. Combined, all of the above approaches work as they speed up the body’s ability to burn calories and therefore reduce belly fat.

(5) When trying to lose weight, it’s helpful to detox the system to flush out any impurities so you can burn fat more efficiently. Which of the following fruits then is particularly useful in flushing out the kidneys?

(a) Kiwi
(b) Apple
(c) Cranberries
(d) Apricots
Answer: (c) Cranberries are specifically helpful in flushing any impurities from the kidneys. In fact, they are often used in clearing infections from the urinary tract.

(6) By adding fiber to your diet, you can significantly lose belly fat. Therefore, by simply doubling your fiber intake, how much weight, on average, can you lose in a year?

(a) 5 pounds
(b) 15 pounds
(c) 10 pounds
(d) None of the above. You can’t lose weight by merely doubling the amount of fiber you consume.
Answer: (c) 10 pounds. It’s been shown that if you simply alter your eating habits and include foods that contain more fiber, you will also see a lower number on the bathroom scale.

(7) Which of the following exercises is the best exercises to lose belly fat?

(a) Crunches
(b) Lifting Weights
(c) Running
(d) Both (b) and (c)
Answer: (d) Both (b) and (c) are the correct answers. Although crunches are good for toning and strengthening the abdominal area, they will not necessarily reduce the fat. The only way to burn fat is by speeding up the metabolism. A cardio workout like running assists in increasing the heart rate and the body’s ability to burn fat and calories.
Used in conjunction with resistance trainingor an anaerobic exercise such as weightlifting, you will indeed lose weight in the abdominal area. That’s because resistance training causes you to keep burning calories even after you’ve completed your session of exercise.

(8) Which of the following beverages will aid in reducing one’s waistline?

(a) Skim milk
(b) Coffee
(c) Green tea
(d) Both (a) and (c)
Answer: If you said (d) – both (a) and (c), you are correct. Skim milk is a low-fat dairy product. Any low-fat dairy product is helpful in lowering the amount of absorbed fat in the abdominal region and therefore reduces any accumulation of fat. Green tea too is a good beverage to consume if you want to reduce inches from your waist as it’s been proven to boost the metabolism and therefore burn fat. On the other hand, coffee dehydrates the system and is not a good choice if you want to lose weight in the abdominal area. It’s important to keep hydrated when you want to burn calories and lose excess weight. So coffee isn’t the best choice when it comes to something to drink.

(9) Which of the following foods is not rich in fiber and not necessarily helpful in weight reduction?

(a) Chick peas
(b) Strawberries
(c) Potatoes with skins
(d) None of the above.
Answer: (d) None of the above. All of the foods listed are rich in fiber and can help you lose weight if consumed in conservative portions.

(10) If you must cave in to temptation, which of the following treats would be best to eat if you want to keep your belly washboard flat?

(a) One or two bites of dark chocolate with almonds.
(b) An ice cream sandwich.
(c) Pork rinds.
(d) None of the above.
Answer: (a) Believe it or not, it’s been found that you can eat a small amount of dark chocolate without any adverse effects. If you wrap it around a protein like almonds, then you’ll even obtain more benefits. Dark chocolate contains monounsaturated fat, which is produced from plants and is an acceptable food to eat provided you consume only a small portion as it’s also dense calorically.
How do you “weight in” when it comes to belly fat? Did you get most of the above answers right or do you need to do some more homework? Regardless of your score, remember to keep a healthy perspective, which is the best way to lose belly fat. You’re already on your way to losing weight if you can maintain a positive outlook.   http://www.weightlosshelpandtips.net 
by Hara Hagikalfa

10 Essential Makeup Must-Haves

A No-Show Foundation

Are you warm? Cool? Olive? Give up? (We don't have a clue, either.) The best way to find your perfect match is to leave it to the professionals. Stop by any cosmetics counter and ask for help finding your shade. If you're fending for yourself, swipe a few colors vertically across your jawline, and whichever one is barely visible is your best bet.

A Super Concealer

Concealer is the only way to get rid of dark circles. And while it may just be a temporary fix, with the right technique you can hide them completely

A Natural Blush

The right shade will make you look like you're blushing, not like you're wearing blush. For a natural look, start with lighter shades, and skip any with shimmer.

A Great Eyelash Curler

Most eyelashes grow outward, not upward, so applying mascara without curling your lashes won't provide the same impact.

Clump-Free Mascara

Mascara thickens as it's exposed to air over time, which leads to clumps. If yours is goopy, toss it! Or try a different brand

A Glide-On Eyeliner

Eyes are sensitive, and probably don't take kindly to us slathering them with makeup -- especially on the sensitive rims and inner lash lines. Always use a soft pencil that glides on without any pressure or tugging, and be sure the product is labeled as ophthomalogist-tested.

An Allover Highlighter

A slightly shimmery cream highlighter has many uses -- from lifting your brows to slimming your nose to sculpting your cheeks. Choose a soft nude, peach, or pink for the most versatility.

The Perfect Nude Lipstick

Some look too brown, and others too pink. Is it futile to try and find that one nude shade that just makes a bare face pop? Not at the Bobbi Brown counter. The makeup artist known for the natural look also specializes in natural-looking lipstick (go figure). Trust us -- she has the perfect nude for everyone.

A Basic, Flattering Eyeshadow

Some eyeshadows barely show up; others make us look like we're headed to a Motley Crue concert. The perfect everyday shadow is just a few shades darker than your skin tone -- think a soft plum or light brown for darker skin, a taupey-gray or golden beige for medium skin, or light apricot for fair skin.

A Good Brush Set

With the right brush for the job, you can perform makeup miracles. (You don't see professional makeup artists using the tiny sponge applicators that come with the products!) Invest in a good brush set--Sephora makes great options in all price ranges. (By Marissa Gold ) http://www.lhj.com/style/beauty/makeup/10-essential-makeup-must-haves/?page=11

7 tips to keep your skin healthy during winter

The winter months pose unique challenges to maintaining healthy skin. Constantly switching between indoor air and the harsh and cold winds of outdoor air removes moisture from the skin. While lotions and creams replace some of that moisture, it's better to prevent the moisture loss in the first place.

Skin that's dry, cracked, or irritated is vulnerable to infection, and that's why dermatologists say it's important to change your skin care regimen along with the seasons in order to boost your body's natural defenses.

What works in the warm, humid months of summer may leave your skin dry and chapped during the cold, dry months of winter. In humid conditions, the skin soaks up water from the air, but when the humidity falls, the skin loses a natural moisture source.

Here are a few ways to winterize your skin:

• Use a humidifier in the bedroom or living room once the relative humidity inside drops below 60 percent.
• Hot showers are a no-no: The cold temperatures may make a long, hot bath or shower sound like heaven, but hot water can wreak havoc on your skin. Instead take lukewarm showers, patting gently afterward with a towel and applying a moisturizer within three minutes of stepping out of the shower to lock in moisture.
• Look for lotions or creams with any of the following ingredients: petrolatum, mineral oil, linoleic acid, ceramides, dimethicone or glycerin.
• Keep well hydrated. This may be easier to remember during the summer months, but drinking lots of water keeps the skin moisturized and flushes the toxins out of your body.
• Use lip balms and lipsticks with moisturizers.
• Use sun block. Although the skin is less exposed in the winter, ultraviolet rays can be particularly intense on a clear winter day. Even when cloudy, UV rays still penetrate. If you go skiing UV exposure is even greater, so use a sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB radiation.
• Brittle nails can be helped by using Vaseline to moisturize and a nail polish with nail protein. Also, keep nails short so fungus does not get in.

All of the above will help maintain healthy skin for the most part, but there are some conditions like eczema, psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis which flare up particularly during the winter months. For these you should see a dermatologist for diagnosis and treatment.
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Shaping Eyebrows Correctly

One of the biggest players when it comes to enhancing natural beauty is eyebrows. Eyebrows add structure to every face and highlights our eyes better than any eyeliner can. They frame the face and allow certain features to stand out, like the eyes.Over-plucking or over threading eyebrows makes a person older than their actual age and is a common mistake among a lot of women. This tends to happen due to the fact that many do not know how to structure the eyebrows, leading to over-plucking or over threading. But learning the simple basics to eyebrow grooming can help you from making that mistake and provide you with your best nature beauty.
We all have a natural structure to our brows. Use that to your advantage. If you have straight brows, don't try to make an arch. It'll end up making it look like something is totally off. If you do have an arch to your brows, don't shift the position of the arch. If you natural have a half-moon eyebrow shape, don't try to shape it into an upside down v. Work with the structure that you already have. Here is the simple technique to follow when you are shaping your eyebrows.
(1) Start by getting a pencil and line it straight up at the outer corner of your nose. This will highlight where your eyebrow should start. Remove everything that is before that point.
(2) Look start in the mirror to see where the highest point of your eyebrows are. That will be your arch if you have a high point. This is also where you being to "thin out" the eyebrows. From the arch to the end is where the amount of hair is lesser than the start of the eyebrow. The thinning out process should look gradual. Be careful of overdoing it.
(3) Grab the pencil once more and line it from the outer corner of your nose and across your eye. This is where you should end your eyebrows. Remove everything that is past that point.
(4) Grab the pencil once more and line it horizontally across from the beginning of the brow to the end of it. Get it as straight as you possibly can. The beginning of your eyebrow should be in the same "imaginary line" as the end of the brow. The start and end of the brow should be on the same horizontal imaginary line.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7344040

Five Bodyweight Exercises That Let You Stay Fit No Matter Where You Are

You don't need a gym with thousands of dollars of equipment to achieve fitness. Bodyweight exercises allow you to stay fit at home or just about anywhere with little or no equipment. There is no excuse for not maintaining muscle strength and endurance regardless of your surroundings. You may mix and match these exercises to accommodate travel, home workouts or just to add some variety to your regular fitness routine.
Always start any exercise program with some warm-ups such as walking, jumping in place or even stepping side to side rapidly. Get your blood circulating and your body temperature on the rise before beginning your serious workout.
The following five bodyweight exercises require no equipment and may be performed in limited space:
Push Ups
Begin in a standard push up position; either on knees or toes. Do four repetitions of the push up. Make sure you keep your abs in and back straight. On the fifth repetition, only go halfway down and hold for four seconds. Slowly push back up and repeat the series to make a set of five: four regular push-ups and 1 halfway.
One Leg Balance-Squat-Reach
While standing on one leg, balance as long as possible. Add a slight squat position for more difficulty. If this is still too easy, place something on the floor, squat all the way down (still on one leg) and reach with one arm to touch it. Rise back up to the start position and repeat with other leg.
Wall Sit
With your feet about two feet out from a wall, lean back and place your back against the wall. Slowly slide your back down the wall until your legs are bent at the knees at a 90-degree angle and hold it as long as possible. Repeat until fatigued.
Abdominal Crunches
While lying on your back, bend your knees keeping feet flat on the floor. Do not lace fingers behind head, instead place hands along side of head so they do not assist in the exercise. Push lower back into the floor. Raise up slowly, lifting both shoulders off the floor a few inches. Hold for two seconds and return to the start position. Do not tuck your chin to chest.
Jumping Jacks
Jumping jacks, sometimes called the side-straddle hop, are a old-time standard that just about everyone is familiar with. They are a great cardio workout as well as an endurance builder.
Do each exercise for 30 seconds to two minutes depending upon your fitness level and goals. Proceed smoothly but quickly between exercises. Aim for a twenty to thirty minute workout. Always do a set of cool down stretches when done to prevent cramps or other injuries.
There are numerous other bodyweight methods you can add to this mix for variety and additional duration as you move forward. All of this workout was accomplished without the need for special or expensive equipment or membership fees. With a little motivation and creativity, you can do a full body workout anytime, anywhere.

By Abby Jarell

 Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7337635

Try These Bad Breath Solutions Which Are Easy To Do

There are some people who have problems with chronic bad breath regardless of how they brush their teeth. The smell won't disappear even though they're making use of mouth rinse and scrubbing their teeth more often than once a day. This will eventually lead to a loss of self confidence when speaking with individuals. And avoiding individuals after some time might lead to issues.
The good news is you don't have to stay away from people since there are many things that can be done to get rid of your chronic breath issues. All that's require is to find out what's the easiest way to overcome it. It doesn't require a lot of money because all that it may take is utilizing an all natural home solution.
Natural home remedies are better than commercial goods because they're safer plus more reliable. They also cost a lot less over time than purchased items. Which helps you save over time.
Listed below are some bad breath solutions that are worth trying out:
Sweetened Black Tea:
In Asian countries, herbal tea has long been used to combat bad breath because the people there feel that the tea contains antibacterial substances that gets rid of the germs that bring about offensive breath. So when it comes to a useful home remedy, sweetened black tea is one thing you could try.
Green Vegetables:
The immune system is strengthened when you eat green fresh vegetables. If you keep the body healthy by consuming the correct types of foods then invaders like germs can be fought off. So by building up our immune system we greatly reduce the possibilities for a issue with germs and therefore avert breath problems along the way. Green vegetables are more than just a home method, they strengthen the immune system to aid against the recurrence of halitosis also.
Neem Solution:
There are herbs called neem that when dissolved in warm water provides a great mouthwash. If your present mouthwash irritate your gums and teeth try the neem combination because it shouldn't. Indeed, this is a perfect natural remedy for daily oral hygiene. Gargle with it about four times a day to help prevent and get rid of your unpleasant breath.
Pay Attention to the Food you Eat:
Regarding bad breath solutions, one straightforward one is having an awareness of all of the kinds of foods you eat every day. If you are not aware, there are certain foods that easily bring about breath issues.

Mint Leaves:
Mint leaves freshen the breath plus give a cool sensation in the mouth. All it takes is chewing them after every meal to get rid of or prevent the possibility of breath problems.
Drink Pineapple Juice
A glass of pineapple juice with meals is said to be a way to fight breath odor too.
Eating Yogurt/Eating Probiotics
Yogurt is another effective treatment for breath problems because it could get rid of the problem completely. Yogurt has good bacteria that the body needs. Eating it everyday for 6 weeks straight will be good for you.
Lemon Solution:
If you mix lemon juice with warm water then gargle, your bad breath will go away. Even if your unpleasant mouth odor is already gone, you can make it a habit to gargle a lemon solution to ensure that you will never are afflicted by horrible breath as much.
An Apple a Day:
Preventing bad breath while maintaining your health can be done by consuming an apple a day. The chemicals found in apples interact with the bad breath-causing bacteria in the mouth to prevent them from spreading
With these home remedies, you can rest assured to overcome your bad breath issue. You can boost your self-esteem, so it would be easier for you to achieve your desires and goals in life. Having mouth odor is just normal, but make sure to find a solution by using any one or more of these bad breath solutions because it could truly cause you discomforts and humiliation.

There are many more ways to rectify bad breath. Go to The Bad Breath Report Review and discover other approaches to finally ending your plight with bad breath.

Article Source: Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Archille_W_Hebert_IV

Getting a Great Fall Hair Color

Anytime there is a change of season it is always a great time to change your hair color, but autumn is especially a great time to try on a new fall hair color. A new change in your hair color will give you the extra pick up to bring in the new season. Gone are the lazy hazy days of summer that call for sun kissed blonde streaks.
Fall hair colors call for rich hues of rich chocolate, creamy caramel, burnt auburn and fiery burgundy. Along with giving you that extra pick me up, the rich dark colors of autumn will help give your hair a rich shine it so desperately needs after being subjected to the summer elements of the sun, wind, chlorine and other chemicals your hair has been exposed to.
Choose Your Fall Hair Color Wisely
Choosing the right fall hair color is vital to help you look your best. The key to finding the right color is to start with determining what skin tone you have. You don’t want to choose a color that is going to wash out your complexion or make your complexion look ruddy.
Healthy Hair is a Must
Once you have determined the best fall hair color for your complexion, you will want to make sure you get your hair in shape for the coloring process. If your hair has sustained massive amounts of damage over the summer you want to be certain it is in tip top shape to ensure the color spreads evenly as well as to avoid damaging your hair even further.
Testing 1, 2, 3
So you have determined what your skin tone is, you have chosen the hair color you are going to use and you have conditioned your hair back to a healthy status. You may be ready to get down and dirty, but this is not the time; not yet anyway. There are a few minor tests you must complete first. I know testing sounds boring, but it is an important part of the process if you want to receive the best results with your new fall hair color.
Skin Test
First and foremost, you must be certain you are not going to have an allergic reaction to your hair color. Assuming the hair color you have chosen calls for equal parts of color and peroxide, you will want to mix up a small amount (approximately a teaspoon) of each and apply the color to the skin on the inside of your elbow with a cotton ball. This color should stay on your skin for about 24 hours to be sure you will not develop a negative reaction to it.
Hair Strand Test
In the meantime, while you are waiting to make sure you don’t have a reaction to your color, you will want to test a strand of your hair to be sure you end up with the right fall hair color. You can do this with your hair still attached but it will be easier if you snip a small piece weaved from a discreet area from the back of your scalp and tape the end up with scotch tape. You can either use the left over color from your skin test or mix up another teaspoon if needed. Cover your hair strand completely with the color and let it process for the time given in the directions of the color you have chosen. After processing you will want to follow the directions to rinse and condition your strand of hair.
You will then want to dry it completely to get an idea of the true color. You should also view your hair strand by laying it on a hand mirror and taking it out in the sunlight. Fluorescent lights can sometimes distort the color so it is better to look in direct sunlight to get a true reading of the color results. www.dailymakeover.com/beauty_tips. you could also visit the link below for more on hair beauty.