How to Lose Winter Weight Gain: Simple Tips For Shedding Weight During The Winter Months

Winter brings with it the holiday season being Christmas and new year and it's all to easy to over-indulge on those unhealthy processed treats and foodstuffs. At the same time the cold spell means you're reluctant to engage in physical activity as it's tough to find the motivation.

Of course this can lead to you packing on a few extra pounds which you're going to want to lose before spring arrives and the flowers start blossoming again.

So how can you shed those extra pounds before the warm weather returns?

Whilst it may be tempting to go with the latest fad diet if you plan ahead and make a few simple changes to your diet and lifestyle then there's really no need. If you allow enough time after the new year is over then you have ample time to implement a few simple strategies for losing weight naturally and safely.

The following are a few simple tips you can use to help you lose that winter weight gain and get back in shape for spring.

Managing Your Calorie Intake

Calories are the holy grail of weight loss. Burn more calories than you consume and you'll lose some of that excess weight. Strive to consume no more than 1,500 calories a day and burn excess calories through physical activity.

* Do a little extra research as your recommended calories intake will vary dependent on sex, age and even factors such as height.

Manage a Well-Balanced Diet

Incorporate a variety of fruits and vegetables into your diet and switch white foods to whole grains. Refrain from eating processed, ready-made foods and strive to make your own meals and snacks from freshly sourced ingredients. Remember, always be mindful of calorie intake.

Consume Good Carbs NOT Bad Carbs

Carbohydrates are crucial for energy but there are simple carbs and complex carbs! Avoid simple carbs where possible (found in most processed and white foods) and strive to stock up on complex carbs (found in many fruits, veggies, legumes and grain foods).

Manage Portion Sizes

Managing portion sizes really is a simple and effective weight loss strategy. Don't pile food on the plate just because it's there, reduce your portion sizes and allow time for your food to digest. If you still do feel you need more food intake after then have another small serving.

Water is Your Best Friend

Cut out those sugary processed drinks altogether and drink LOTS of water. Water contains zero calories and is key to efficient cell functioning. Not only will it keep you properly hydrated but it will help you feel fuller without piling on the calories

* Before sitting to consume a meal try drinking a pint of refreshing ice-cold water as this will help you feel fuller and stop you from over-eating.

Get Regular Exercise

The winter months tend to mean we avoid going out. It's cold, miserable and less than inviting outside but that doesn't mean that you cannot engage in physical activity and get some daily exercise. Consider the following tips for staying active during the winter months.

Get Exercise Indoors

You don't need expensive equipment or a spare room to get some exercise at home. You could do a few simple cardio exercises for 15 minutes a day which will go a long way in helping you staying in shape but more importantly you'll be burning excess calories naturally.

* Struggling to find motivation? Consider investing in a few fitness DVD's so you can have your own personal mentor in the comfort of your own home.

Slow and Steady Wins The Race

If you've not been active for a while then warm yourself in slowly, there's really no need to go from one extreme to another in a frantic attempt to lose weight fast.Just 15 minutes a day of exercise is ample, walking alone or even just getting active and doing some chores at home constitutes exercise.

* Work to your own fitness levels and gradually build yourself up to more demanding physical activities and workouts.

Accountability Partners

Having an accountability partner is a great way to stop you from becoming unmotivated and falling off the bandwagon. This is especially true if you can enlist someone you know who is also driven to lose a few pounds and get in shape for the warm summer months. On those days where you feel like giving it a miss they will hold you accountable and the same is true in reverse.

Set Goals and Track Your Progress

Setting goals in stone is a great way to keep you on track and motivated to follow though on your targets. Don't set unrealistic targets but strive to set targets which mean stepping outside your comfort zone.

For example; losing 1 pound a week is very manageable with a little effort and commitment. Now that might not seem much but it'll be 3 months before the warmer seasons really come to blossom. So that means..

1 pound x 12 weeks = 12 pounds. That's nearly a stone in weight and easily accomplished.

It's likewise important to track your goals. How much weight are you losing day by day. Get a journal or even just a notepad and strive to monitor your progress. As you weigh yourself and note down little changes you'll be more driven and motivated to stay on track.

Wrapping It Up

Remember, everything in moderation - going from one extreme to another is a sure-fire way to fail and lose little weight if any at all. Incorporate a few simple dietary and lifestyle changes and you'll get the beach body you deserve in time for the warmer spring and summer months.

Struggling to lose weight and keep it off?

Learn how you can break through those stubborn diet plateaus and lose weight naturally and safely by applying these 14 simple yet powerful strategies.

http://weightopia.co.uk/weight-loss/lose-weight-and-keep-it-off/

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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Adults and Their Symptoms

Various longitudinal follow-up studies have shown that up to 40-60% of children suffering from ADHD have persistent symptoms and impairment in adulthood too. Brain imaging, neurocognitive, pharmacologic and genetic studies in adults with ADHD have virtually replicated the findings demonstrated in children with ADHD. Increased public awareness and treatment studies within the last decade have led to widespread acceptance of the need for diagnosis and treatment of adults with ADHD.

The etiology of adult ADHD is same as that of childhood ADHD and is believed to be largely transmitted genetically and thus to run in families. Research studies are ongoing to identify the risk genes which may lead to ADHD and also to study the link of ADHD with brain chemistry especially the catecholamine neurotransmitters - norepinephrine and dopamine which regulate the individual's activity, impulsivity and attention. Also the differences in brain structure and function of brain parts that affect impulse and attention are seen in those suffering from ADHD. ADHD may also result from early brain injury, head trauma and or other developmental delay due to prenatal exposure to alcohol, cigarette smoke, other harmful drugs, premature/preterm birth, high serum lead levels or certain birth complications. Also those with epilepsy are at a higher risk for ADHD.

The common symptoms of ADHD in adults include motor hyperactivity leading to restlessness, difficulty in relaxing, excessive nervousness, difficulty in settling down, inability to continue in any of the activities like watching TV or reading the newspaper. When inactive, they tend to be dysphoric.

They may also have attention deficits leading to easy distractibility, inability to concentrate on any ongoing conversations, inability to filter out outside/extraneous stimuli, difficulty in maintaining attention on reading or tasks causing repeated forgetfulness, often misplacing or losing things, forgetting plans, appointments, purse, car keys etc.

Their impulsivity may lead to minor manifestations like interrupting others conversations or impatience like while driving. The major manifestations may include poor occupational performance, abrupt initiation as well as rapid termination of relationships and so multiple marriages and separations, an excessive involvement in the pleasurable activities without identifying risks of harmful after-effects like foolish business investments, making quick and easy decisions without reflection, often based on insufficient information and to their disadvantage, reckless driving or impulsive buying. They may have a lack of organizational ability and this affects their performance on the job or in running a household.

Due to their emotional over-reactivity, they cannot handle ordinary stress easily and thus react to it excessively or inappropriately with depression, uncertainty, confusion, anger or anxiety. All these symptoms lead to secondary depressive disorder associated with low self-esteem related to their impaired performance and which affects both, their occupational and social functioning.

The treatment for adult ADHD requires a multi-pronged approach. Mainly a combination of medications and behavioral treatments is often required. Various stimulant medications which have proved useful in ADHD include methylphenidate, amphetamine and amphetamine salts. Non-stimulant medication like atomoxetine have also shown good results in managing ADHD. Various psychological interventions and cognitive behavior therapy has also seemed useful for such patients. Various behavioral treatments like stress management skills and different relaxation techniques may help to reduce stress, anxiety and secondary depression. Behavioral coaching for teaching the individual with strategies to organize home and work activities as well as mentoring or job coaching for improving job performance and supporting better working relationships. Organizing one's self and activities by maintaining a diary, controlling the impulsive behavior by counting till 10 along with slow breathing and try to minimize one's distractions can help further in life to avoid any chaos.

Learn more about natural and proven homeopathic method for ADHD Treatment

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Steps for Assessing the Cause of Severe or Persistent Dizziness or Vertigo in Children

Since some causes of severe or persistent dizziness or vertigo in children can be life threatening (for example, a stroke), a physician should first review the patient's history and perform a complete medical exam. Look for impacted ear wax, ear infections, blocked Eustachian tubes, sinus infections, inner ear deformities, hearing loss, traumatic injury, or abnormalities in the responses of cranial nerves III to XII.

If these tests are negative, then the child should be observed for spontaneous nystagmus, gaze nystagmus, gait abnormalities, or ocular smooth pursuit abnormalities. Next a test of limb coordination should be performed, followed by a Romberg Test (the Sharpened Romberg can be used in older children and adults, having the patient stand heel-to-toe on an inch of foam, and the regular Romberg, standing with both feet together, can be used with younger children). If the Romberg is positive, the Epley Maneuver and Headshake test can be performed. A dynamic visual acuity test and specialized tests like a tympanogram, audiological exam, electronystagmography, electrocochleography, rotary chair response test, brainstem auditory evoked response, vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) testing and CT or MRI can also be administered to identify the cause of dizziness or vertigo. Known causes of dizziness and vertigo include:

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo or BPPV (vertigo caused by crystals in the vestibular canals)

vestibular neuronitis or labyrinthitis (vertigo caused by a viral infection)

Meniere's disease (episodes of vertigo, tinnitis and hearing loss caused by leakage of fluid in the inner ear)

labyrinthine fistula

vascular disorders such as migraine, allergies, diabetes or arteriosclerosis (caused by lowered blood flow to the brain)

cerebrovascular disorders (especially of the vertebrabasilar arteries)

cardiocirculatory diseases

compression of the 8th cranial nerve

vasculitis (showing as rash or hives)

tumors (acoustic neuroma, causing vertigo with unilateral tinnitus and hearing loss)

stroke (vertigo with headache, difficulty walking, diverted gaze)<br> multpile sclerosis (vertigo, eyes have difficulty moving past midline toward the nose)

Ramsay Hunt Syndrome (infection causing vertigo with partial facial paralysis)

neck injury (vertigo after whiplash, arthritis or degenerative spine disease)

head trauma (vertigo after a diffuse axonal injury, bleeding or temporal bone fracture)

posttraumatic encephalopathy (vertigo caused by trauma and endocranial bleeding)

Cogan's Syndrome (vertigo and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss together with ocular inflammation)

hypothyroidism (vertigo with hair loss, fatigue, weight gain and brittle nails)

Vestibular Aqueduct Syndrome (vertigo due to malformation of the vestibular canals, often appears with a conductive hearing loss)

Psychogenic Posttraumatic Vestibular Syndrome (headache, vertigo, irritability, insomnia, attention deficits, weakness)

Lyme Disease or infectious causes (can present as vertigo, difficulty staying warm, inattention, chewing, weight loss, stomach pain, sound sensitivity, tinnitus, headaches, chronic fatigue, mood disturbances, photophobia, numbness or tingling in hands or feet, due to neuroborreliosis or erythema chronicum migran infection)

ototoxic or vestibulotoxic medications (e.g. the aminoglycosides, quinolones, antineoplastics, salicylates, Tea Tree Oil, anticonvulsants, loop diuretics, tranquillizers, anti-hypertensives, diuretics, amiodarone, alcohol, methotrexate, analgesics)

Familiarity with these causes and assessment tools will make the identification of the cause of dizziness or vertigo in children easier.

Dr. Michelle MacAlpine is a cognitive developmental neuroscientist in private practice in Plano, Texas. She has authored three books and has travelled worldwide lecturing on issues related to sensory processing, cognitive development and rehabilitation of developmental disorders. http://www.braintraining.com

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Causes of Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome

Although sleep disorders are common, the exact cause of delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS) is not known. However, most of the symptoms of sleeping disorders occur at adolescence. It has been established that up to 16% of adolescents have sleeping disorders. This makes it to be among the common disorders.

Delayed sleep phase syndrome is when a persons sleep schedule somewhat flipped. People with DSPS tend to fall asleep right around when the sun is rising and have a hard time waking up in the morning. A lot of the time, this sleeping problem is thought of as insomnia or just bad sleeping habits.

Researchers assume that delayed sleep phase syndrome could be a reaction to a shift in the internal biological clock that occurs to adolescents after you reach puberty. However, the reaction that leads to such severe sleeping syndrome is considered to be exaggerated.

It is important for those who deal with teenagers who have DSPS is to understand that this behavior is not deliberate. This is only because of the reaction which often occurs at adolescence. Kids who have a hard time sleeping at night and waking up in the morning are often misdiagnosed. These, however can be sings of sleep phase syndrome.

DSPS is usually caused by psychological problems that can cause physical symptoms which interfere with sleeping patterns. The problems make the nervous system unable to control the sleeping mechanism of the body. The waking mechanism is also affected.

Feeding habits can cause DSPS if an individual is consuming food that is causing an allergic reaction. An allergy can also be caused from poisoning that is brought about by toxins like organic compounds or heavy metals. Other environmental factors might also make the surroundings unfavorable for some individuals in terms of sleeping. This includes smell, smoke or noise.

There are other people who cannot sleep before taking certain substances such as sleep medication. The habit may go on for a long time and the body turns the substance to a stimulant that induces sleep. If the individual stops taking the substance it will become impossible to sleep. This is why a person should be caring when taking certain medication. They may become dependent on it.

Alcohol could also be a cause of delayed sleep phase syndrome although many people assume that this is a substance that induces sleep. This is because those who consume liquor in excess fall asleep fast. Some even pass out. However, excess consumption of alcohol on a regular basis will lead to development of sleeping disorders.

To prevent alcohol from making you to develop sleeping disorders you should stop making it part of every meal that you consume. You should also keep off drinking 3 hours before sleeping.

Ill health is also a contributor of DSPS. People who have heart, kidney and gastric problems are more prone to sleeping disorders. The same problem manifests itself on those people who experience severe indigestion or have high blood pressure.

There are many causes of delayed sleep phase syndrome [http://www.delayedsleepphasesyndrome.net]. Knowing about sleep disorders can be beneficial to your help. To learn more about common sleep disorder symptoms visit [http://www.delayedsleepphasesyndrome.net]

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