Let not Retirement be a Concern – Plan from beforehand

March 27, 2012 by Scott "Q" Marcus

You’ll need financial security throughout your life.

However, the need increases more when you retire, since you lose the steady source of income you had till then. You might have intended to take a long vacation or set up a new business after retiring from your job. You might have planned to enjoy your life, relax and indulge in your hobbies.

Having debts might spoil your plans for retirement. Setting aside a particular portion of money, for debt repayments as per your debt management plan, will reduce the cash flow that you’ll need to turn your plans into action. It is advisable to plan early for your retirement, so that you don’t have to leave any of your wishes unfulfilled. The following tips might just be helpful as you start planning for retirement.

Tips for retirement planning

Your requirements don’t reduce after retirement. Only you’ll have more free time for your family as well as for those desires, which you might have neglected this long. So, why not make efforts yourself to lead a comfortable life after retirement? Make use of the following tips, and start building up funds from now onwards for your life, post-retirement. [Read more…]

Motivational Exercises for Weight Loss

March 22, 2012 by Scott "Q" Marcus Leave a Comment

How long can you sustain a workout regime without the presence of motivation?

Motivation in any form can keep you energized and move your goals in the direction of weight loss. The key point here is to be really consistent in your work out regime. When we start going to the gym, we are usually very excited and motivated, but slowly the motivation part fades away and it becomes like a heavy routine task. We lose our energy, our stamina and start cheating on ourselves by not going to the gym or, going and not working out enough.

It is a challenge to keep yourself motivated and you should keep few key points in mind.

Always keep the workout stuff like your bag, clothes, and shoes handy. They should always be packed and in front of you. This will eliminate the chances of preparation time which is a major factor behind people’s laziness.
Motivation itself is not enough to sustain you through your plan. You need to comprehend it along with commitment. Where commitment and motivation join hands, it becomes a tough and super master plan.
There can be challenges which pose as a hurdle in front of you. Let your commitment take the lead and overcome all the obstacles. By slightly altering your routines, you can adjust the work out regime in between.
Along with the workouts keep a check on your intake also. Substitute high calorie foods with low calorie fibre rich food. When the body is stressed, you tend to gobble up anything. Keep proper control on your diet and de-stress and detoxify.

HOW TO KEEP YOURSELF MOTIVATED

Make time for yourself: Keep some time aside for yourself in your busy routine. The brain and the body need some time for themselves in order to maintain a good balance and a great output.
Count the calories: Whenever you follow a weight loss schedule always count the amount of calories or fat burned. This gives you a high and you are motivated to workout more.
Variations: Don’t just follow the same exercise regime over a period of time. Keep on trying new things and mix and match exercises. Our bodies tend to develop a resistance against a certain type of regime and stops losing weight. Try gyming, pilates, aerobics, kickboxing etc.
Blogs and Forums: Read about people who have successfully lost weight or have tried new methods of losing weight. A certain set of combinations may be more successful than the others. People on these types of forums share their experiences and share a common objective.
Pay yourself: Give yourself a reward after losing every 2 kgs. This will keep you going and will remove the element of boredom in following the same diet or exercising routine.
Exercise together: Get enrolled in a class or join the exercise regime with a family member or a friend. This really keeps you motivated as all the people in your group share the same goal and are working out together. This also satisfies your craving for being social.
Hire a good trainer: A good personal trainer is one who can not only put an impact on your body, but your brains too. He is not only there to guide you but to boost you when you lose will or energy.
Put notes and pictures: Put motivational quotes everywhere in the house. Stick pictures of slimmer you on the refrigerator or in your room. This will help in keeping you on the track to lose weight.
Stress out: Exercising boost adrenaline which helps in relieving the stress and forgetting the worries. If you feel tired after coming from the office, hit a gym. [Read more…]

Maintaining a Healthier YOU through Stress Management

March 18, 2012 by Scott "Q" Marcus

by Elaine Dumler

Part 2 of 3 (part 1 can be found here; part 3 can be found here)

You don’t have to look very far to find research that supports that stress leads to serious health problems on down the line – blocked arteries, heart attacks, strokes and even mental health issues. Reality says that there is no way you can avoid stress, so let’s manage it.

Stress and Exercise – Get Moving!

Exercise increases stamina, helps you keep your weight under control, lowers blood pressure and the physical signs of stress like skin problems and wrinkles.

You might be thinking that there is no way you have time during the day to exercise. I bet you could find time if you try something listed below.

When at work, get up and walk around and/or stretch for two-three minutes every hour.
Designate time to work out for a few minutes at least 4 times per week.
Try to get outside for exercise as often as you can. Healthy minimal sun exposure – with appropriate sunscreen naturally increases your body’s levels of Vitamin D.

Stress and Sleep

Good sleep habits are a key to stress management. Sleep deprivation shortens your reaction times in critical situations and increases the effects that stressors have on your normal behavior. Your goal should be to get 6 – 8 hours of sleep every night.

Refrain from alcohol and caffeine before going to bed.
Keep your bedroom cooler.
Don’t underestimate the value that a power nap can have. They’re not just for the kids! Even 15 minutes during the day can increase your productivity.
A relaxing bath with lavender or vanilla scent prepares you for sleep.
Writing in a journal before bedtime can get nagging thoughts out of your head before trying to sleep. [Read more…]

Being Honest with Yourself

March 8, 2012 by Featured Author Leave a Comment

A few months ago, our garage door opener stopped working out of the blue with my car stuck inside the garage. I mentioned to my husband I was just going to buy a new clicker but he stopped me, insisting that he could fix ours. I love him dearly, but he doesn’t have a handy bone in his body. Although he thought this was his chance to shine – he went so far as to call me a damsel in distress – I knew from past experience we were going to end up with a pile of tools on the dining room table, a still-broken item (see also: the blender, our stereo), and his bad mood after well-intentioned repair efforts failed.

After a heated argument, my dear husband gave in and we replaced the garage door opener instead of trying to fix it. We had a long talk once he’d calmed down and I stressed the importance of honesty with oneself. I used myself as an example: I love to run but I’m not ready to attempt a marathon. I made sure he knew that a lack of skill with electronics repair didn’t mean he wasn’t a good provider, a loving spouse, and the funniest person I’ve ever known. Should you know someone similarly determined to fix everything in his/her path, here are some criteria for evaluating what they can handle and what should be handed over to a professional.

Consider the difficulty level

Many home improvement projects don’t require the help of a professional. You can find lots of do-it-yourself guides and videos that explain exactly how an inexperienced person can do the project. Keep in mind that your aspirations might be bigger than the project at hand. If you’re installing a tile backsplash in your kitchen, you can probably finish the work on your own. Ripping out the plumbing in a spare bathroom is another pursuit entirely. Know your skill level and your limits. It’s wonderful to want to be the handiest repair person to ever live on your cul-de-sac, but you also don’t want to place an emergency call to a plumber if you get in over your head. [Read more…]

Guided Meditation: A Powerful Tool for Transformation

February 28, 2012 by Scott "Q" Marcus Leave a Comment

by guest author Johnathan Parker
Making guided meditation part of your daily routine can help you find inner peace and tranquility, reduce stress and transform your life.

Physically, guided meditation can help you relax, increase the oxygen circulating to muscles and even increase your energy. Emotionally, you may find yourself better able to handle crises and stress after meditating. Mentally, the practice can unlock creativity and increase concentration. Through guided meditation, you can learn to let go so you can discover your true self.

1. For your first meditation session, clear your schedule for at least twenty minutes.

Schedule your meditation for a time that you will not be interrupted by other commitments. Go to a quiet place where you will not be disturbed or distracted. Being able to focus on your practice is essential to exploring your greater consciousness.

2. Find a comfortable position.

There is no need to twist yourself into an advanced yoga position when meditating. Most people prefer to sit in a chair or on a cushion. Although laying down may be most comfortable, you risk falling asleep while meditating. Wear loose clothing and dim the lights, light candles or pull the curtains down. The goal is to create a very comfortable space that is not distracting, so do whatever feels best to you.

3. There are two ways to begin your guided meditation.

First, you can begin by drawing deep breaths into your lungs. Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth. It may feel awkward at first, but your body will soon adjust to the breathing rhythm and you can focus as the air enters and leaves the body. The goal of this practice is to relax your body and mind before meditating.

The second option is to use visualization techniques to calm and relax both body and spirit. Picture yourself in the outdoors. You may be relaxing under a tree or dipping your feet into a rippling stream. Whatever landscape you choose, imagine the sights, sounds, smells and sensations you would experience there. Think of the fresh, cool air, the song of birds twittering above or the sweet aroma of blooming roses. As you add details to your mind’s picture, you will start to feel more and more relaxed. [Read more…]

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