Monday, September 28, 2009

Why Is Your Diet Failing You?




Monday 28th September 2009



The diet industry is thought to be worth anything from 40 to 100 billion US dollars, and as we get bigger, so do the profits of diet organisations that offer us a quick fix and a short term solution to weight loss.



Are you aware that these diet companies rely both on your short term success and your long term failure?



Diet programmes such as Weight watchers, Atkins and Slimming World only offer a weight loss solution for now and are designed as a temporary method to loosing weight. While they are a great way to loose weight, they only provide you with a temporary diet plan, rather than a diet plan that you can use for the rest of your life.



Let me give you an example of how these diet companies operate: You need to loose weight so you go along to your local weigh loss meeting. You pay your registration fee, pay for the diet books etc, then you pay weekly to attend the meetings. You are encouraged to set yourself a target weight and a timeline in which to achieve your goal. Armed will all the glossy books, you go home plan your diet and start to see results, then you tell your friends about it and a couple of them may come along too. Eventually you reach your target weight, the excruciating regime is over and you revert back to your old eating habits, and what happens? You start to pile on the pounds again, and off you go back to your old diet club, where you will probably see many of the same faces who have done exactly the same thing as you.



Many diet plans ask you to abstain from certain foods, even whole food groups, and the focus is on loosing weight instead of getting better eating habits and a healthier approach to food.



Everybody knows that the key to successful weight loss is through a balanced diet, so why are so few of us doing it?



Now, I'm not saying that these diets are a bad thing, I did the Slimming World diet plan a few years back and lost two clothes sizes, but what people do not seem to understand is that these plans can only ever be a temporary approach to weight loss. Not taking this on board will mean you are forever on the cycle of 'yo-yo' dieting. Flipping from one diet plan to the next, seeing results for a short period of time when you are actually looking for a complete diet overhaul and lifestyle change.



There is just one thing you need to do to loose weight for the long term. You need to educate yourself; Learn more about the food that you are feeding yourself an your family, change the way you think about food and how you cook it.

Continue reading...

Friday, September 25, 2009

Something For The Weekend 2



Friday 25th September 2009

Yes, it's Friday again, the weekend has arrived, and as usual I am bringing you the Beauty Factor product of the week.

Today we are bringing you an excellent product The Trilogy Eye Contour Cream.

Especially formulated for the delicate eye area, this light, fragrance free cream is a must have. Gently reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as well as helping to diminish those dark circles, the Trilogy Eye Contour Cream is formulated with a rich rose hip and evening primrose oil base. Enriched with cooling aloe extract, carrot and jojoba for an extra smooth finish.

Website Of The Week.
This is one for the United Kingdom only I'm afraid people...sorry, but it is a fantastic find!

Get Me A Ticket are a company that give away some amazing prizes for free...yes, you heard me free.


At the moment they are giving away some amazing prizes which include holidays to Dubai, high street shopping vouchers, cars and great gadgets.

They give away prizes every single day and it costs nothing to enter these competitions. All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is visit the website, choose the prizes you would like to win and follow the on screen instructions.


I have tried the site for myself, and even though I have never won anything, I know a man who has! Best of all this is a no spam site. You can give them your email address and be sure that they will not flood your inbox with 'offers'.

That's it from the Beauty Factor for this week.
Enjoy your weekend (I have a fiesta to attend), and I will see you here on Monday.

Ciao!
Continue reading...

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Get A Simple Energy Boost With Deep Breathing.



Thursday 24th September 2009
If you are feeling tired, anxious or a little stressed, (and lets be honest, who isn't these days), then here is a simple trick to give you a quick energy boost just when you need it.
Shallow breathing prevents the body from receiving the right amount of oxygen, and stress or anxiety can make your breathing much quicker, less deeper and far more damaging. All of this resulting in spurts of tiredness throughout the day.
Practising a simple deep breathing technique for just a few minutes a day will force more oxygen into your system which will not only slow your heart rate, but will lower your blood pressure, improve circulation and ultimately give you more energy.
The general principal of this exercise is to make your breathing slower, quieter and much more regulated. So whenever you feel yourself flagging, take a little time out and do the following:
Place your tongue at the top of your mouth, with the tip resting on the back of your top teeth. Exhale through your mouth until there is nothing left. Inhale deeply through your nose, counting to four, hold that breath for a count of seven and exhale through the mouth once more. Repeat this sequence five times and you will instantly feel calmer, more relaxed and a little more energetic.
I hope it helps!
Continue reading...

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Fat Redistribution ; Coming To A Clinic Near You


Wednesday 23rd September 2009

As of next year, women in the UK and US will be offered a new type of cosmetic procedure which will both enhance the breasts and remove any unsightly fat.

Dubbed a two in one, the surgery consists of two phases. Firstly you choose an area of your body which has an excess of fat; somewhere like the stomach or thighs. This fat is removed from the body and placed into the breast to create a kind of self made implant.

Chairman of the Harley Medical Group, Mel Braham has described the procedure as 'the most exciting breakthrough in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery'. In his interview with the Daily Mail last week, Braham goes on to say that this 'fat grafting' method can increase the size of your breasts but with a much more natural look and feel.

This type of surgery has already proved a hit with the surgeons, who claim that using the fat allows them to shape the breast properly and achieve, smooth, natural looking contours.

Currently only silicone and saline implants are available for those seeking breast augmentation, and they do come with a health warning. Both implants can, and do rupture, this can lead to infections, pain and nerve damage. These kinds of implants are also not a life time answer and do need replacing.

Braham is convinced that the new fat redistribution option will be more popular than the standard implants within the next ten years. With no health risks and no need to go under the knife for replacement operations, I honestly think Braham may be a little conservative in his estimations.

The procedure itself will cost around 8,000 GBP and more than 2,500 women have already registering an interest in having the surgery in the UK alone.

Definitely a much better option for anyone considering surgery.

If I had a spare 8,000 Pounds I would probably put my name on the waiting list too.

What is your opinion on this? Would you opt for this procedure over the existing implants?
Continue reading...

Monday, September 21, 2009

9 Healthy Hair Tips




Monday 21st September 2009

Thick and curly. fine or straight, the human hair is as individual as you are, and the way you look after your locks is very important.

Your hair, and the way you choose to wear it, says a lot about who you are and what you feel, and many women agree that when your hair looks good, you feel good too.

Maintaining a healthy head of hair does not mean that you need to spend countless hours in a salon, nor does it mean that you have to spend an awful lot of money. There are a few simple things that you can do at home to ensure your hair is as healthy as can be.

- Eat foods that are high in essential fatty acids. Olive oil is a great addition to any diet as well as oily fish such as salmon and mackerel. A whopping 97% of your hair is made up of keratin, so increase your intake of protein too.

- Did you know that wet hair is three times weaker than wet hair? Many of us make the mistake of combing our hair after we have washed it. The trick is to comb your hair while you are still in the shower, immediately after you have conditioned. This also makes combing longer hair much easier.

- When conditioning, apply the product to the ends of your hair first, and then work your way up to the roots. Conditioner can actually make you hair look heavy, so the less you apply to the roots and scalp, the better.

- Pre-soak your hair before you shampoo. Sounds simple, but with the busy lives we all lead today, many of us do not take the the time to wet our hair properly before we apply the shampoo. Make sure your hair is soaked before applying shampoo. This makes for a better lather, more even distribution of the product, and you may also find that you need to use less product too.

- If you have oily / greasy hair avoid eating fatty foods.

- Treat yourself to a weekly oil massage. Warm a little olive oil in the microwave and carefully massage it into the scalp. If you cannot use Olive oil, try some baby oil instead. This once a week massage will help stimulate hair growth and condition the hair. Don't forget to rinse thoroughly.

- Brush your hair before you wash it. Yes, a simple thing like this can really make a difference, removing dead skin cells and excess products before you even get into the water.

- Keep hydrated. Drink lots of water throughout the day. Need I say more?

- Take a hair supplement. An effective supplement will encourage healthy hair growth and encourage the formation of thick, shiny, strong locks. Try this County Life Maxi Hair Supplement.

Applying these simple techniques will truly turn your dull lifeless hair into your crowning glory.

Thanks for reading. See you on Wednesday!
Continue reading...

Friday, September 18, 2009

Something For The Weekend!


Friday 18th September 2009

Product Of The Week



I have spent a number of hours scouring the Internet this week in search of a beauty product worthy of the title 'Product Of The Week', and I think this face and body balm is a must.




This delicious Temple Spa Calming Face And Body Balm is the perfect pamper treatment, leaving your skin feeling silky smooth and deeply moisturised.

With natural plant extracts and anti oxidants, this sophisticated aromatherapy cream will leave you feeling relaxed and calm at the end of your busy day.

A non sexist cream (suitable for men and women), and all skin types. This is one essential treat that you should not be without, and priced at just 14.68 (best price), it is a true bargain.

You can read more about this lotion by clicking any of the links, or the product photograph.

Website Of The Week.

http://www.floraheartage.com/

Not only have I managed to find you a bargain must have product this week, but also a must visit website.

If you have time over the weekend pay a visit to http://www.floraheartage.com/ . Yes 'heart age'!

Unilever, the people who brought us Flora butter, have devised a great little system to determine the age of your heart. All you have to do is click the link above, float over the 'Know your heart' button and select 'Heart age calculator'.

By asking you a few simple questions, such as age, height, weight etc, this nifty little calculator gives you your heart age dependant on the answers you have given.

Give it a try and let me know how you get on in the comment boxes below.

My reading was 32, which is fine because I am 31 and a half years of age at the moment...

My poor dear husband got a reading of 51, and he's only 35!

Anyway, that's me signing off for the week. Enjoy your weekend, see you back here on Monday.
Continue reading...

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Why You Should Be Drinking Chamomile Tea.


Thursday 17th September 2009


I discovered the benefits of chamomile tea for myself almost eight months ago. I had reached a pretty low point in my life where I was living under a cloud of anxiety, constantly worrying about what might happen if.

Not liking the idea of prescribed anti depressants, I searched the Internet for a herbal remedy that would help me feel calm, that had very little or no side effects, and something that would help me to sleep.

With it's reputation for aiding sleep, chamomile tea was my first choice and I haven't looked back since.

A flowering plant that descends from the daisy family, chamomile actually does much more than aid sleep. It seems to be one of those cure all remedies, but this is one that actually works.

Chamomile acts as a mild sedative, helping to relax the muscles in the brain, but it is also used to treat depression, anxiety and stress. This muscle relaxing attribute also helps combat menstrual cramps, headaches, nausea and can relieve mild to moderate pain as well as excess gas!

As a cumulative treatment, chamomile tea works from the moment you start drinking it, and if you drink it over a long period of time, the cumulative effect can give your immune system a real boost.

Remember what I just said about anti oxidants and essential oils? Well, when you have brewed your lovely cup of chamomile tea, don't throw the tea bag in the bin.

Why?

Well these essential oils and anti oxidants also help with skin irritations. So, if you have managed to burn yourself today, or you have been bitten by an insect, take the burning sensation away by compressing your cooled tea bag on the affected area. You can also do the same thing for treating your acne or eczema. Another (and my favorite) way to use the cooled tea bags is as an eye bag treatment. I know it sounds crazy, but if you go to bed with a wet and cold chamomile tea bag on each eye, it really does help reduce the appearance of those horrible dark under eye circles.

While I was doing my initial research into chamomile tea, I couldn't find anyone who was willing to tell me how it tasted. So, let me tell you when I say the two words 'acquired taste' that is exactly what I mean. The first few cups tasted dreadful and were washed down with some dry bread in an attempt to make the taste go away. However after a week or two I grew to like it, and now I think it tastes like good healthy stuff.

Now, please be aware that you should not drink chamomile tea if you are pregnant (as it can stimulate abortion) or if you are taking any blood thinning medications (as chamomile naturally contains the blood thinning substance, coumarin.

If you are sitting at home or work at the moment and you are feeling stressed, you now have a great reason to take a break, grab yourself a cup of chamomile tea and let it weave it's magic.

Any questions? Ask them now.
Continue reading...

Sunday, September 13, 2009

The First Bit


Monday 14th September 2009

Hello
and welcome to the Beauty Factor blog, your number one health, beauty and wellness resource on the web.

It's no secret that we all want to look and feel great, but with so much information out there it can be difficult to distinguish between fact and 'sales pitch' fiction. Here at The Beauty Factor we hope to dispel some of those beauty myths and set you on the right track to becoming a better, healthier and more confident you.

Packed with beauty hints and tips, recipes for home made products, diet and nutritional advice, how to articles, product reviews, alternative therapies and discussions about general and specific health care issues, The Beauty Factor is your complete on line guide to sensible health and well being.

Consider this small portion of cyberspace as your space too. Please feel free to leave your comments and suggestions. Feedback is always a great way to find out if we are doing our job well, so if you like what you see let us know about it.

The Beauty Factor staff just love a curious mind, so if you have any questions relating to one of our posts, don't hesitate to ask it. Alternatively if you have any health or beauty dilemmas of your own and would like our help, please get in touch and we will endeavour to assist wherever we can.

So, that just about concludes our short introduction. Enjoy the blog, participate where you can, but most of all enjoy the journey to finding a healthier, well informed and more beautiful you.
Continue reading...
 

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