Which Do You Prefer: Free Weights or the Machines?

My relationship with weights and strength training has been all over the map, from the springs on the Pilates machines to jumping with a weight vest at basketball practice in high school. I have been on a free weight kick for a few years now, and I rarely use the machine. What about you? Which Do You Prefer: Free Weights or the Machines? Free weights. Weight machines. I use both fairly regularly. I strength train, but don’t use either. I don’t strength train.

View post:
Which Do You Prefer: Free Weights or the Machines?

Why You’re Forgetting to Take Your Ginkgo Biloba

In college, a few of my friends swore that ginkgo biloba was the reason they were doing so well in our program - they said it helped them remember things better and that it was easier for them to pay attention in class. I sort of wrote it off but a few years later there was a media explosion touting the benefits of the herbal supplement. Not only did it enhance memory, but there was speculation that it might slow down mental decline and prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s. Years ago it was shown that the supplement did nothing to prevent the progress of dementia and Alzheimer’s. Now, a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association says that ginkgo biloba doesn’t do squat in terms of mental cognition either. It doesn’t help boost memory, and there is no evidence that the popular supplement can slow down the mental aging process. To date, the study is the largest of its kind in examining ginkgo biloba’s effect on mental cognition. It took place over an eight-year period with a pool of 3,096 participants ranging in age from 72 to 96. Over the course of the study, the participants were given a placebo or ginkgo biloba pill twice a day and their mental faculties were tested every six months. In the end, researchers saw no difference between the two groups. They all performed worse as the years went by, and in some tests the placebo group fared better. Researchers did say that taking ginkgo biloba doesn’t seem to be harmful, but that it’s simply ineffective. There’s also no indication given on whether or not it might be beneficial if taken regularly at a young age. Given this new study, I’m even more dubious than I was previously - how about you? Do any of you take ginkgo biloba and believe it works?

Go here to see the original:
Why You’re Forgetting to Take Your Ginkgo Biloba

Anna Paquin Shares Her Healthy Habits

With her fresh face and healthy physique, True Blood star Anna Paquin has made a graceful transition from child star to sexy vamp. In this week’s issue of Us , the recently engaged , 27-year-old actress talks about the healthy habits that keep her feeling and looking great. Paquin understands the importance of mixing up her fitness routine. “I’m obsessed with Pilates,” says the star. But she also loves swimming in the ocean and recently took her first surf lesson. A big fan of watching gymnastics on TV, Paquin once dabbled in trapeze arts: “I’ve always wanted to be a circus performer, so I took aerial silks classes at Trapeze School New York a few years ago.” Since staying healthy isn’t just about exercising, Paquin gets plenty of rest and avoids unhealthy habits. She says she takes a lot of naps and that “Kombucha and coffee are my two biggest vices.” If those are here only vices, I can understand how she looks so good! Do you think she’s a good role model?

Excerpt from:
Anna Paquin Shares Her Healthy Habits

Weight Loss in a Shot?

There are weight loss shakes, pills , surgeries, and diets galore, and now scientists are attempting to create a weight loss injection . The injectable drug has helped rodents decrease their weight by 25 percent in just one week. You can almost hear the voiceover for the infomercial. Scientists have combined two natural hormones into a single drug that both suppressed the appetite and increased the metabolism in rats. This new drug is said to mimic the effects of gastric bypass surgery. Tests on humans won’t happen for a few years though, so don’t give up your gym membership just yet. If this shot sounds too good to be true, it probably is. We’re always looking for a quick fix when it comes to slimming down, but if permanent weight loss is your goal, eating right and exercising is the way to go. It may take a lot more time to see the results you’re after, but at least you’ll know you did it in a healthy way that’s sure to last.

Read more here: 
Weight Loss in a Shot?

Learn to Love: Watermelon

I was accused of being unpatriotic when I expressed a distaste for watermelon at an Independence Day barbecue a few years ago. My hostess forced a piece upon me, and I have been eating the melon ever since. Which is a boon to my diet, since there are so many healthful reasons to love this melon. For starters, this red and juicy melon is one of the few foods high in the cancer-fighting antioxidant lycopene , along with tomatoes and pink grapefruit - remember, antioxidants also provide color to fruits and veggies along with phytonutrients. Watermelon is also a low-calorie food and one cup of melon balls contains just under 50 calories. Being 92 percent water , the melon makes for a great post-workout treat on a hot day since it will help replace fluids lost through sweating. Considered a cooling food , the yellow variety of watermelon might help you heat things up in the bedroom. Research out of Texas (the largest producer of the seedless variety of the melon) indicates that watermelon has an effect on the human body similar to Viagra. Learn more.

See the rest here:
Learn to Love: Watermelon