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Weight loss should be simple. In fact, many people think they have cracked weight loss entirely. “It’s very easy,” they enthuse, often in the comment sections of unpleasant newspaper websites, “you just eat less and move more! What’s so hard?”

Well, this viewpoint is more than a little ignorant. It ignores the fact that weight fluctuates, and when you have gained weight, it’s very difficult to lose it. Your body effectively wants to hang on to that excess fat, seeing it as essential for survival. So “eating less and moving more” might sound like a simple idea, but it’s up against thousands of years of human evolution. It’s very difficult to lose weight, and that’s a scientific fact.

Given this reality, a lot of scientific investigation, food experimentation, nutritional study, and so much more has been conducted in an effort to help people lose weight. Below are some of the conclusions of all that work. There are choices other than just heading to the gym relentlessly and monitoring every calorie that passes your lips. if you want to lose weight, the science suggests that you need to incorporate these three surprising changes into your lifestyle.

Reduce Your Stress To Reduce Your Waistline

The more stressed you are, the more likely you are to be overweight. When we’re stressed, our bodies produce a hormone called cortisol, which encourages our body to hang on to its fat stores. Reduce your stress, and you will find losing weight becomes far, far easier.

Calcium Could Hold The Key To A Slimmer You

A 2009 study concluded that calcium could be an effective tool for weight loss. This is a big discovery, and one which suggests that you may want to supplement calcium into your diet.

Rather than buying the cheapest bottle of calcium pills you can, take the time to consider all your options. Ideally, you want plant-based calcium, which is better absorbed. As you can see from these AlgaeCal reviews, those who have elected to opt for plant-based calcium seem to be happy with their choice.

Of course, you should always talk to your doctor prior to taking any supplements, especially if you have underlying health conditions.

Zero Noodles, Zero Calories — But Lots Of Weight Loss

If you’ve tried restricting your calories and have found that you’re starving hungry all the time, then “zero” noodles might be just what you need. Shiritaki noodles are a Japanese invention that have no calories, but will ensure you always feel like you’ve had enough to eat.

Alongside being calorie-free, there’s another reason to introduce these unique noodles into your life. A compound found in the noodles, glucomannan, has been shown to aid weight loss in and of itself. If you always find yourself hungry when trying to reduce your calories, shiritaki noodles could be the solution that you’ve been waiting for.

So while watching what you eat and exercising wherever possible is never going to be bad advice, the above ideas may provide the boost you need to get to your weight loss goal as soon as possible.

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Getting enough sleep is known to be one of the foundations of good health. Mentally and physically, if you aren’t getting enough rest, then you’re susceptible to a host of conditions which can threaten your wellbeing. However, it’s also well known that the modern Western world is messing up the sleep patterns humans naturally have, and our 24/7, always-on culture shows no signs of slowing down. Fortunately, though technology is contributing to the problem, it’s also coming up with new ways to help aid our rest and help us get that vital shut-eye. Here are five of the best new technologies to improve your sleep:

Gradual Alarm Clocks

Mainly during the winter months, our routines and wake up times can be far from the natural, seasonal rhythms of sunrise and sunset that would naturally govern our sleep patterns. So if you find yourself having to wake up in the dark, a gradual light alarm clock like the Lumie Bodyclock can help. Set a preferred wake-up time, and the light will gradually come on, helping you to wake up naturally and feel more alert during the day. The light produced triggers your body’s production of cortisol, which supports a healthier sleep/wake cycle and makes beating the winter blues far easier.

Cpap machines

Sleep apnea is a growing issue preventing many people from having a restorative night time. The condition causes interruptions to the breathing pattern at night, affecting oxygen reaching the vital organs of the body and causing hundreds of ‘micro wake-ups’ during the night that can leave sufferers waking up feeling tired and unrefreshed. The key to easing the problem lies in buying the best cpap machine – a machine that supplies a steady air pressure through a mask or a nasal piece to remedy breathing difficulties. There are lots of different models, some with add-ons such as humidifiers, so thorough research is key to finding the right individual fit. Some machines can be expensive, but can you put a price on health?

Meditation apps

If you’re one of the thousands who report trouble drifting off to sleep at night, meditation apps can be a lot of help. Smartphone apps such as Calm and Headspace take the user through guided relaxation techniques designed to help you unwind and drift off to sleep naturally. If you sometimes feel like you can’t switch off the noise in your head, they can be an especially useful tool for teaching how to switch off. Specially designed headphones embedded in a soft headband or even pillows with embedded speakers can help you to make the most of this technology.

Aromatherapy diffusers

The benefits of aromatherapy in aiding sleep are well documented, and even though it’s an ancient remedy, new tech brings it into the twenty-first century. New model ultrasonic aromatherapy diffusers dispense scent through the room for a therapeutic effect, and a lot of them also feature soothing light displays featuring color-change LEDs. Designs range for ultra-modern to more traditional diffusers in natural textures like wood and stone, so whatever your home décor, you can match the style of the diffuser to that.

Sleep tracking tech

There’s been a massive expansion in mapping personal sleep patterns using sleep tracking tech, and the number of devices on the market is ever-expanding. From smart mattresses that monitor the amount and quality of your sleep to wearable tracking devices like the Fitbit and even wireless bedside monitors if you don’t fancy something physically being in your bed, you can now get a massive amount of data that will help to identify periods of disruption to your sleep.Working out how to eliminate them is the bit that comes after! There are lots of options out there to suit every budget, including a nightshirt loaded with sensors that will monitor you through the night.

When you’ve been trying to get pregnant for a while, it’s only natural to have a look at your diet. There could, in all honesty, by many reasons to why conception takes a bit longer than you originally had in mind – but keeping a healthy and active life will certainly not harm anyone.

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There are a lot of different foods pregnant women try to steer clear off or fill their plates with, so it makes sense to treat your body to some preparation before the pregnancy. Here is a handy list of the best foods to snack on while you’re trying to conceive, making the meantime a bit more enjoyable.

Go for protein from beans

A study performed by Harvard School of Public Health shows that infertility in women who were actively trying to get pregnant were 39 % higher if they consumed mostly animal proteins. It doesn’t mean that you should abandon all proteins right away, though, as the same study found that those who had a high intake of plant proteins were substantially less likely to experience infertility.

Meatless Mondays are here to stay, in other words, and you can safely dish up casseroles of chili and other bean-based meals to boost your fertility.

Whole milk instead of skim milk

Milk is great news for your body when you’re trying to start a family. The Nurses’ Health Study found that one or two daily servings of whole milk products, such as full cream yogurt or even ice cream, is able to protect you against infertility.

Following in the footsteps of plant protein above, the study also found that women who enjoyed a lot of skim and low-fat milk experienced the opposite effect. We want protein and dairy, in other words, we just want them to be from plants and full-fat.

Fill up on folate

Luckily, it’s not just us women who should try to stay as healthy as possible when trying to conceive. Folate, for example, is proven to improve the quality of your man’s sperm, making a potential miscarriage a lot less likely. You’ll find folate in spinach, other dark leafy greens in general, as well as asparagus and avocado, so it shouldn’t be too hard to get the right amount.

Save a few handfuls of spinach for yourself as well, by the way, as the Vitamin B dense food may be able to boost ovulation. It’s the kind of food that gets you started a bit faster, but if you have been trying to get pregnant for a while now, it’s always a good idea to have a word with your doctor. He or she can help you manage your IVF costs and figure out the best IVF plan for your needs so that you don’t have to waste precious time.

Whole wheat bread to stabilize blood sugar

Forget about the pregnancy diet, says Harvard School of Public Health; it’s not really as much about snacking on oysters the whole day, as a proper pregnancy diet should be rich in wholesome foods such as grains and full-fat dairy. The kind of food your grandmother would serve you, in other words.

The reasons are as crystal clear as for anyone else trying to stay healthy, with complex carbs taking longer to digest than refined ones, giving you that stable and healthy blood sugar we’re always talking about.

Increased insulin levels in the body have a tendency to disrupt reproductive hormones and, according to a Dutch study, women with high blood sugar levels were only half as likely to conceive as those who prefer brown bread and rice to the white versions.

Anti-inflammatory foods

Foods that are high in monounsaturated fats, such as fatty fish and olive oil, has been hailed for their ability to decrease inflammation in the body. Although we can discuss the effects of the anti-inflammatory diet all we like, it’s quite evident that the foods it includes are healthy and perfectly good for your body when you’re trying to start a family.

Salmon is lower in mercury than other types of fish, by the way, so if you’re worried about the few downsides to eating fish, go for salmon. It’s delicious in any way.

Olive oil is a safe bet when you like to increase the amount of fat you’re consuming, so replace it with butter when cooking, sprinkle it over your salads and have a handful of olives too once in a while.

A balanced and varied diet, an active lifestyle, and getting the right amount of sleep is really all you can do to prepare your body. Anything else is out of your control, so have a word with your doctor to find the best solution if you’re worried about your health or other problems.

“But I need a fancy gym membership to maintain my health,” comes the reply. There is a myth that to be healthy you must workout seven times a week and eat nothing but vegetables. Of course, this isn’t the case, yet it’s a myth the industry doesn’t want to bust because it makes them money. It isn’t a conspiracy, per se, just a lack of open dialogue.

The truth is that staying fit and healthy is a basic process. It takes hard work and dedication, but a person can achieve their goals at home. Yep, there is no need pound the pavement or hit the gym four or five times a week. For the people that still need convincing, here’s how to be healthy without leaving your home.

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Transform Your Diet

An unhealthy diet is full of carbs and saturated fats. Therefore, you’re more likely to put on weight and increase your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. High blood pressure and cholesterol can lead to the onset of ailments such as heart disease and diabetes. The best thing to do to prevent these conditions is to eat a healthy and balanced diet. From fruit and vegetables to meats, try and keep everything in moderation. The key is to take on a mixture of protein, carbohydrates and fats to help the body run smoothly. Eating so-called superfoods is another neat trick because they contain nutrients which other foods don’t. Fish is particularly helpful thanks to its high omega-3 fatty acid content. The great thing about changing your attitude to food is you can do it at home. Just go online and order your groceries to the house.

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At Home Exercises

Eating a balanced diet is essential, but so is exercising. The idea of working out is where people force themselves into an unnecessary gym membership. Sure, you can workout at home, yet it doesn’t feel as if you are getting the blood pumping. Being in an environment with muscle-bound guys in tight tops, however, feels legitimate. The thing is your body care where you workout as long as you burn calories, which is something to exploit. A well-rounded mixture of home exercises, then, can be just as effective as pumping iron at a gym. From squats to crunches to push-ups and leg crunches, they all take the body out of its comfort zone. If there isn’t enough cardio, then jog up and down the stairs for fifteen minutes. It’s as easy to exercise at home as it is to leave the house.

See The E-Doctor

Yep, seeing a doctor was impossible before the advancement of technology. Nowadays, you can visit a doctor’s surgery for a consultation from the comfort of your living room. All you need is a mobile device with an internet connection according to multiple providers. The way a home health care agency works is with an initial consultation. Once they decide you are eligible for care, they will walk you through their services. Should they need to see you, then the majority of providers will schedule a home visit. Part of staying healthy is taking part in a regular checkup with a medical professional. In 2017, you can do this with a laptop and a Wifi router. The e-doctor will see you now.

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Lie Down

You can eat well and work out three times a week yet your health might not be perfect. Why? It’s because of a little thing called stress. Healthy men and women don’t suffer from high cortisol levels because stress tears the body apart. For starters, the mental impacts turn into physical ones. As such, worrying about a problem can lead to hair loss and high blood pressure. Secondly, it tends to lead to depression and a negative outlook on life. People who are stressed are fatigued and can’t be bothered maintaining their health. So, they eat poorly and don’t leave the sofa for days on end. Thankfully, you can deal with stress at home by lying down on the bed and closing your eyes. Having a couple of hours where you don’t think about anything is a great way to toss your worries aside. The lucky ones have a partner who will massage their troubles away. The thing to remember is that stress is unhealthy and needs dealing with as soon as possible.

It’s nice to get out of the house, especially if you feel cooped up. But, if you don’t get much free time, you can always exercise at home and transform your diet.

Everyone knows that it’s important to save money. We all try to contribute at least some of our funds into a savings account and, over time, it will accumulate and we’ll have plenty to spend on emergencies. However, it can sometimes be difficult determining when we should break the piggy bank and start using it.

One of the biggest issues with using your savings is that it can lead to bad habits. When you start using your savings account for small things like furniture or personal entertainment, you’ll quickly deplete those funds. It’s a good idea to train yourself to never touch your savings, but you can reach a point where you’re saving too much. If you find that you never touch your savings, then this article will give you a few examples of when you should actually break into them and start using it responsibly.

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Paying off your debts

It might sound weird to have savings while you’re still in debt, but it’s actually not too uncommon. Many of us automatically pay money into our savings accounts so it’s not something we actively do, but we sometimes mix it up with essential expenses and thus, we end up with a large amount of savings while still being in debt. Depending on how much debt you’re in and with how many companies, services like debtconsolidation.co can sometimes give you a breather by consolidating all of your debts into a single contract. You can then start using your savings to pay off your debts, and this will help your credit score as well as your personal health. No one likes being in debt because it can be a heavy weight on our shoulders, which is why using your savings account is a perfectly acceptable reason to break into your emergency fund.

When you want to invest

Perhaps your friend has proposed a great business idea to you, or maybe you’ve realised that keeping money in a savings account is rather pointless. Many people chose to invest their money instead of keeping it in a savings account. This is a question that many people have asked themselves, and you can look at this article from moneyadviceservice.org for some advice on how to make that decision yourself. In short, keeping your money in a savings account isn’t going to make your wealth grow, but investing in a business or stocks can be more profitable and will continue giving you money.

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Is there an emergency?

A stash of savings can also be seen as an emergency fund, so if you’re currently experiencing a crisis it may be worth your time to break out the savings and use it for something important. A good example of this is if your laptop breaks and you can no longer operate your company. Replace it immediately so that it doesn’t stop your business in its tracks. Another good example is for your healthcare. If you’re suffering from an illness, then it makes sense to use your savings to pay for healthcare such as medication or a hospital visit.

Living a frugal life is one of the most popular topics online today. With the rising costs of – well, everything – it can be really easy to allow certain elements of life to slide. For some, healthcare is one of those elements that gets left behind. It’s not due to thinking that healthcare isn’t important, we all know how important it really is. However, finances often dictate to us what we can and cannot manage and sometimes health insurance isn’t on the top of the list.

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One thing that any person who lives a frugal life should ask themselves is this: can you put a price on your health? Living without health insurance is not a position most people want to be in. Murphy’s Law states that when you least expect it, the things that can go wrong often will, whether you like it or not. You can bet that you will stop paying for health insurance to save some cash, and it’ll be the day after that you get into an accident or break a tooth and need dental care. Thankfully, there are multiple financing options available for your emergency dental needs and when you get in an accident, you can get some financial grace to help catch up with hospital care payments. For most, though, the choice to ditch health insurance in favour of affording other bills isn’t a personal choice made ‘just because’; it’s a choice made because the alternative is not affording the rent or groceries for the month.

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Learning how you can manage your finances a little better so that you can manage to afford health insurance is going to be key and even living a frugal life, this can be done! Sure, many places offer free medical care for those on a tight budget, but the income thresholds are very strict and therefore if you simply have a higher cost of living for your basics and yet aren’t on a low enough income to qualify for free health, you need to know how to manage. Check out our tips below to help you overcome the financial hurdles of ditching healthcare.

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1. Options! Health insurance has so many more options than you may be aware of so look into plans that are high deductible. You can be covered for the larger, scarier events in life should they happen to you. It’s also important to remember that with a high deductible plan, while it may seem steep on paper, is easier to pay off $1,000 than it is to pay off $40,000! Your workplace should also offer you a health option and if you haven’t been told about it, enquire with your HR department. The rules for having healthcare do vary and if you get it as a perk through your job, it can make it far easier to afford!

2. Out Of Pocket Costs. This is the place most people have an issue; even with health insurance, the out of pocket medical expenses can be difficult to cover. It’s easy to say to have an emergency pot to cover these sorts of costs but when you’ve nothing spare at the end of each month, it gets a little tricky. Reducing the amount that you pay for out of pocket expenses before insurance kicks in includes shopping around for clinics and doctors that cost you less money. You can be smart when it comes to paying for your medical costs, you just have to be aware that you don’t have to stay with your primary caregiver.

3. Payment Plans. It sounds like an easy one, but it’s surprising the number of people who don’t know you can set up payment plans to catch up with your bills. Many clinics and hospitals will allow you to set up a plan to pay off your bill, and while costs can add up quickly, it can be a better option than waiting around to be in pain before you call the doctor and worry about the next bill.

4. Free Clinics. For those who really can’t make any room in their budget, there are free clinics available to give you the best care. There are sliding scale fees on offer that match your income and can make health care far more affordable. This is welcome news for those who fight to pay the basics each month and you can sometimes qualify automatically for your bills paid if you have chronic illness.

Don’t put a price on your health; you matter and being alive and healthy matters, too.