People tend to be sports minded by nature to get fit and lose weight. We play all kinds of sports though we lack some facilities and equipment, yet we still manage to play sports in our own way. Filipinos are really ecstatic when it comes to playing. These people can just be found anywhere and everywhere just to play. Haven’t we notice that playing different kinds of sports can be just seen around the corner? May it be in our school, gym, sports arena, in our own house or our backyard and even in the streets. Filipinos are identified to love any kinds of ball games the most. There are lots of sports that we inherited from other countries such as football, baseball, volleyball and basketball. But among these sports, basketball is the most loved by all Filipinos.  Basketball helps Filipinos get physically fit as well.

The Influential Game

Who doesn’t know Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and Lebron James of the NBA and James Yap, Jeric Teng and the ever-idolized Robet Jaworski of Philippine Basketball Association or PBA? Every young boys admire these stars of basketball. At a very young age, most Filipino boys started playing basketball. It can be seen that young and old people until now still plays this sport whether in the gym or in the streets. This is the most favorite pastime of the boys. Basketball is not only for boys. Women too involved themselves in this game. Mostly, they can be seen in schools playing as a varsity player representing their respective school or just having fun with other girls playing in their own backyards.

Just think how influential this sport has been to everyone. It all started with the legendary National Basketball Association or NBA in the United States. It was then that we Filipinos have our own PBA that molded great players all throughout the time. Lots of young men aspire to be part of the Philippine basketball scene. Of course they want to be the next idol of the Philippine basketball. Or better yet, the next international Filipino basketball star. That’s why at a very early age, children nowadays are very much inclined and exposed in playing basketball.

The Game for Every Kid

In our country, just strolling around the streets, you can find happy kids playing basketball. Good enough for those who have enough space to play with. But it doesn’t matter, because as long as these kids love to play, they will really look for a certain place where they can dribble freely.  At a very young age, these kids can start to get fit and healthy. Basketball can be played by anybody in all walks of life, there is no standard to it as long as you have a ball, a ring and group of friends. However, if you wish to play professionally, then there are certain requirements and criteria to follow. PBA players indulge themselves in trainings, practice, work-outs and exercise. They invest their time to fully achieve such good performance in the court. Just the same with the varsity players in certain schools in which they need to keep their body healthy and fit. They should observe proper diets, enough sleep and time management.

I've been lifting weight for some time, and I made myself sure that I don't get hemorrhoids.

Have you ever feel a burning and itching sensation that comes from your anus after you’ve done an extraneous activity like heavy lifting weights after you went to the gym the other day? Or what about experiencing pain during bowel movement and surprised to feel that there’s something on your anal area like a lump that shouldn’t have to be there?— Sounds familiar? Well, you might probably have hemorrhoids from your workout routines.

Hemorrhoids is a type of anorectal disease that usually affects middle age men and women between 45-65 years of age.  It is cause by swollen blood vessel and it can be aggravated at some time.  There are several factors that may contribute to this kind of condition like pregnancy, obesity, anal intercourse, pharmacological drugs, lifestyle and diet.  It can also be hereditary, and the most common cause is engaging to extraneous activity like straining during bowel movement or even heavy lifting.  When these predisposing factors occur, it cause an increase pressure in the blood vessel of the anus that compress the blood flow in the sphincter muscle that can protrude either internally or externally.  The most common signs and symptoms of hemorrhoids includes pruritus or itching, pain and burning sensation, protrusion around the anus area, painful defecation and sometimes blood as it may get worse.  And yes, it can be downright embarrassing to suffer to this kind of condition but the truth is that everyone has it but it only varies on the extent and development of the disease.

Now, you got to wonder why all of a sudden you’re experiencing the signs and symptoms of hemorrhoids just after you do your regular weight lifting or work out on the gym. The thing is that, heavy lifting is not the real cause of hemorrhoids it only triggers the condition.  For example, when we lift something we just bend over in order for us to pick up a certain thing even if it has a lot of weights include without being aware that our back will surely sore from it.  And if you already suffering from hemorrhoids, it is not really advisable to do heavy lifting as it may only aggravates your condition and comes to worst there is a possibility for your hemorrhoids to burst. So, if you are going to pick up something with weights, your doctor will advise that you should ask one of your family members to do it or assist you on doing it.  But of course not all the time someone will assist you to lift something.  Instead of doing the usual lifting, you must take precautions and do some techniques in proper lifting.  In doing this, you have to bend to the level of your knees and keeping your back straight to let the pressure set on your legs not on your back wherein it affects the area of your anus and this will prevent increasing pressure on the hemorrhoids. Thus, when you do lifting you must keep in mind that you should decrease the pressure to the area of your anus and rectum to avoid exacerbation of the disease.

Having hemorrhoids does not limit you to do things normally.  You can still do the usual things that you’re doing of course, but only with precautions. Embarrassing as it may seem to suffer from hemorrhoids but it is still better to seek proper medication once you feel the symptoms of this.  And there’s no need to worry as there are lot of treatments available in curing hemorrhoids to lessen your aggravation like sitz bath, eating high fiber diet, suppositories, stool softeners, ointment, and surgery to correct it.  You can do your regular exercise but instead of lifting you can take some 30-minutes’ walk, yoga, and pilates will do as well but it is better for you to ask your doctor’s advice first before engaging to any activity.

I have been trying to get a six-pack abs and so far I'm almost there.  Since I started working out in the gym, I make sure to add an ab workout in my routine.  Most often after the workout, I notice some changes on my abs structure.

Never it comes to my mind that there is a proven effective 15-second ab workout.  I tried it and here is the video of how it works for me.

When I'm so slim, my abs really shows after a total body workout.  But every time I gain weight mostly on my tummy, I have a hard time getting a six-pack abs.

You read it right.  It is not true that your life only begins when you reach 40 years old.  I'm near 40 and this is my realization.  Don't get me wrong - I have a beautiful life though.  Once, I wrote about me being in my 30s here.

Stop being pessimistic about it. This is the stage of your life that is almost done. Considering that life expectancy these days is slim, say most people die at the age of 60; you're lucky enough if you reach 70. So you only have a few years left living. Another 10 or 20 years seems long, but life is getting fast paced.

There's nothing much now you can do with your life when you reach 40 years old. At this time of you're life once and for all be realistic. Don't live your life like there's still tomorrow full of hope.
You must have a good sense of wisdom by the time you reach 40. your life isn't like the way it was before when you're younger. Make yourself aware of this.

It's not being harsh to oneself thinking life really is not a new beginning when you reach 40. All you have to do is wake up from a dream that never will be happening to your life.

When you're 40 years old, your body is not that energetic as it used to be. Every part of your body deteriorates and it will continue the moment you turn 41 or so. Your mind is not that sharp anymore as you age. This is the time of your life that you lose most of your productive time. All you want to do is rest and rest after a week of work.

You are mostly not interested doing new things in life. This is the truth about being 40 years old. You don't care to start anything else. You only continue to do whatever is necessary and needed. It is a customary day to day life only.

So you must not think that life begins at 40. It is full of imaginative thinking only.

After our graduation in college, we experienced mixed emotions of fear, worry and excitement.  The fear of what’s next after college life, the worry if we can get a good job right away and the excitement to land in our first job.  Yes, this is it.  Welcome to the world of job hunting.

Imagine yourself making and printing lots of application letters.  Then you submit them to different companies with the hope get an interview and take the exam.  There are some who are fortunate enough to get a good job right away after applying.  But for some, they are just required to accept any kinds of job even though it’s not their top choice.

Become a Young Professional

For a young Filipino, the feeling of having a job gives the person the sense of independence.  Certainly, the primary reason of looking for a job is to earn.  It is the best way to make money than waiting for your parents to give you some.  It includes the need and the want of money.  You need to earn in order to help support your family and you want to earn just so to buy the stuff the you like.

But whatever your reasons may be, having a job means also being responsible in handling your finances.  For us Filipinos, we really compelled ourselves to find a job.  We are known for being hard working, so it simply speaks our attitude of looking for jobs even how hard it is, yet very rewarding.  That’s what our families are looking forward also from us.

Time to Share Your Blessing

What usually happens to us Filipinos is this.  When one member of a family landed to the first job, the parents are so proud.  It is also a long time practice that having a job means facing the responsibility.  Definitely, our goal is to support them.  Also, it is customary to celebrate this wonderful blessing.  We usually offer a thanksgiving mass, or having even just a little celebration for being so thankful to God for the job opportunity.  This happiness is usually shared to our families but even to our relatives and friends.  For us Filipinos, having a first job really means something to us.  As a person who achieves such goal is a fortune.  It is always a blessing.

Thinking about that everybody is happy is so heartwarming.  Sharing the gratitude to our family even for just a simple celebration can make you happy.  Regardless how big or small your salary is, what's important is you share your blessings.  It is best recognized if you buy something for the family.  It is very typical for a Filipino to bring home a cake, ice cream, pancit, or any native kakanin on the first salary.  Cakes and ice cream typically symbolize celebration to us.  It really makes the event special.  Pancit or noodles symbolizes the longevity of one’s life or success.  Kakanin or native foods will always mean the kinship of every member.

These are just our simple joys on how we celebrate our blessings by having some family activities.  It is worthwhile to do this once in a while.  Spending something for our family from our own pocket is not hurtful at all.  It gives our first salary more value.

It has been said that Filipino people will be obese by the year 2030.  The reason behind this speculation relies on the fact that the emerging convenient food and fast food chains influence each Filipinos to make it a part of their daily diet.  That is why many healthcare providers and nutrition advocates continue to make efforts to stop people from gaining weight.  Truly the increasing obesity in the Philippines is said to be more of a health threat than a lifestyle indicator.

Filipinos love extra rice.  The main cause of obesity is over consumption of food.  The usual path of calories should be from digestion to absorption, metabolism to energy production.  When too much calories are consumed, the substances that are not burned by energy will eventually turn into fat.  These then will cause alarming health concerns as fat blocks healthy circulation in the body.  Here are other causes of obesity which is also linked to overeating.

• Psychological problems. There is such a thing called emotional eating.  This happens when a person eats in order to relieve himself from remembering past experiences or current personal problems.  This is the most dangerous cause of obesity since it entails both psychological and physical warfare.
• Metabolic diseases. Some metabolic diseases like thyroid problems have complications of d gaining weight at uncontrollable amount.  The thyroid is related to metabolism and one disease called hypothyroidism slows down metabolism that causes weight gain even if lesser food intake is done.
• Voluntary Mistakes. This is also called lack of energy balance.  There are many people who do not take exercise seriously or are not doing physical activity on a daily basis.  It is important to know that an energy coming from food must be burnt equally by doing physical activity.

These are the major causes of obesity that raises the concern of increasing weight gain in the Philippines.  There should be an effort to promote a good weight management by the patient and allied health professional.  If you are one of the people who a has a BMI of more than 30, then you need lifestyle intervention that requires you to eat certain amount of food.  Here are quick tips:

• Eat more food that is high-in fiber, consider them as snacks instead of grabbing chips and sodas. Popcorn and orange juice can be a good combination to start.
• Avoid high-fat meals one day at a time.
• Find time to do exercise, start at 15 minutes.

Obesity can be avoided.  This statement relies on you.

An eager and optimistic fresh graduate would expect nothing but the grandeur things in life upon working. Earning money while being in the career path that one dreams of is a luxury often taken for granted. Lucky as it may seem, there are still dark spots to work in your dream job most especially for a fresh graduate. Getting a job is one thing but surviving, staying and succeeding is a whole new other story. 

Most fresh graduates enter the working force expecting not but positive things; after all, there is no way but up right? Then what hits us is the reality of life. We start by trying really hard to impress our boss and workmates. We then start to work overtime just to keep up with the fast-paced ever changing business world. After which, we finally start to crack because of the constant pressure to, not only do well, but do better and better each day or task. Then what is left is a struggling demotivated fresh graduate just trying to survive day by day.

Confidence is definitely the key to success.  

To work in a world where dressing to impress is a part of your daily work life is a struggle most especially to those individuals who aren’t really aesthetically gifted, if one may say. Confidence is a trait most often degraded by many as we often associate it with arrogance. The beauty of confidence is that one tends to overlook physicality when personality shines through. One must also remember that our personality lasts whilst our physicality degenerates. Confidence is a trait that most fresh graduates tend to lose when they enter the working class because of the constant pressure being put on us by our bosses or older workmates. Remember that our bosses and workmates pressure us because they know one could do better.

So to all the fresh graduates out there trying to make it big in their chosen career paths, you got this! Never lose yourself in the fast-paced ever changing world that we live in.

I'm looking to create a team of writers who will be my associates to help me with my blogging.

Part-time writers who want to make their spare time more productive instead of just a chatting with friends for long hours.

TOPICS: blogging, working home based, food reviews, restaurant reviews, travels, technology, computer, gadgets, audio transcription, health, fitness, and many others.

Wanted Associate Writers
- Willing to work part time who can work in a team.
- Have existing internet connection and have a spare time writing articles.
- Have good attitude towards work.
- Have good command of English language especially in writing.

Writing Guidelines – Associate Writers
1. Write unique and according to own thoughts. NEVER COPY from any website or any books including phrases, fragments or whole sentence.
2. Write in the context according to topic/title given alone and use the KEYWORDS appropriately (3-5% only in the entire article, about 10-15 times).
3. TITLE must not be too long or too short.
4. Article must contain 400-600 WORDS excluding the summary.
5. Do not use I or Me and He or She. Instead use We, They or Their, or Your. (except for writing personal stories)
6. Use SHORT PARAGRAPHS.
7. SUMMARY must be 2-3 sentences summarizing your article - This is not a copy paste from the actual article.

Requirements
- Bank account that can receive money transfer.
- Willing to write on per task basis. Regular tasks will be discussed based on performance.
- Good command of English grammar in writing.
- Can follow instructions easily.

Compensation
To be discussed upon test file approval.

Contact information:
e-mail your detailed resume at: archiemendozadelara@gmail.com

“The eyes are the windows of the soul”.  That is how the saying goes, when looking eye to eye, but, how about in the case of cross-eyed babies?  Study shows that autism is detected as early as the first month through eye contact.

Certain races produce autistic babies and there is no need of eye detection.  It is common among them because autism runs in their blood – a family of autistics.  Researchers of the Marcus Autism Center in Atlanta studied 2 groups of autism babies and the result came out that 51 babies aging 0-3 months were considered “high risks” for developing an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) because they have siblings with autism, while the other 51 were “low risks” for the absence of first, second and third degree relatives with ASD.

Of course, eye contact is a most method of detecting autism, however, young infants as they are, are susceptible to distractions thereby making them much more aware of other more striking things around them. Mothers or caregiver usually utter words aloud, hold something to show their babies to make them familiar with objects.  In cases where these people approach or call the attention of their babies, infants will be attracted to them.  But once words are uttered, the attraction or attention is diverted from the eyes to the lips.

Sounds are more effective to these infants than the eyes of mothers or caregivers, so the voice they hear enable them to recognize the speakers easily.  As a proof, they immediately follow how to smile and utter syllables not from the eyes but from the lips.

Considering eye contact as a method of detecting autism, researchers reveal that a decline in eye fixation rather than outright absence is a sign that there is a promising sign that medical intervention would be applied the earliest possible time.

Autism has been the object of studies at Marcus Autism Center in Atlanta.  Eye contact is their primary detection method.  However, in finding out the cases of 51 “high risk” infants, they found out that they belong to families with autistic blood, while the other 51 don’t have any first, second or third degree relatives with ASD.

Reference: The Chart CNN.com

Image courtesy of David Castillo Dominici / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Tuberculosis, more commonly known to Filipinos as TB, is a lethal, infectious disease. Tuberculosis is caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis; an airborne type of bacteria which characteristically attacks the lungs, but may also affect and spread to other parts of the body. When someone with an active TB infection coughs, sneezes, shout, laugh or otherwise put out respiratory fluids through the air, which causes the bacteria to be suspended in the air. Most infections may not manifest any symptom at early stages and may be latent, but about one out of ten latent infection cases does eventually progresses to an active disease case.

Tuberculosis is ranked at number six leading cause of death in the Philippines, having 73 Filipinos dead each day.  It is essential to increase public’s awareness and proper knowledge to fight this deadly disease.

Here are most common misconceptions that Filipinos should be educated of:

1. TB is a disease only the poor and dirty can catch.

Anyone can acquire TB. People usually tend to unfairly and incorrectly associate this disease to people with low socioeconomic status and poor hygiene. Although there are certain risk factors for exposure, about anyone, whatever or whoever, can acquire TB. It is highly incorrect to judge a person to be a possible TB case, by basing on appearance and socioeconomic status.

 

2. My PPD test turned positive because of my BCG vaccination.

Having a history of BCG vaccination will cause a always cause a positive PPD test, is a one of the topmost misconception about TB, even to those who are in the medical field. This is untruthful.  BCG vaccines are used to protect people to certain types of TB forms and respectively it can cause false-positive result, but 10 years after the BCG vaccine has been administer, it has been scientifically proven this effect vanishes after 10 years.  Therefore it’s safe to say, that a positive result in an adult is not due to the BCG vaccine they got as a child.

3. Acquiring TB is easy.

Though it is true that TB is highly communicable, because of its easy transmission, it is essential to know that risk for transmission requires prolonged, continuous and close contact exposure to a TB case.  Understandably, those at utmost risk are household contacts or individuals who share the same crowded, small, poorly ventilated spaces with a TB case.  So therefore it can be concluded, that brief encounters, even if face to face, are unlikely to cause infection.

4. An individual with TB should separate their eating utensils from others.

This is highly incorrect. Tuberculosis bacteria typically attack the lungs, and spread its colonies there henceforth. It is not present in the mouth of a TB case as well as in the saliva this individual. Therefore, it is unnecessary to separate the eating utensils and other personal stuff of a known TB case.

These four misconceptions by Filipinos about TB are just a few among others. But with proper education and information by health professionals, for sure these TB misconceptions will be avoided.

Fitness First Platinum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia had previously started over the past week last September 2013 its regular sessions of Aqua Zumba. Expatriates and locals alike enjoys the routine as seen in this video. I took the liberty of taking a video although hesitant as taking photos and videos in public places in Saudi Arabia is somehow controlled. I just made the video far enough but then I saw other members and staff taking photos and videos as well, so I think there should be no worries as the video shows fitness routines.  I hope they still continue this at present time.

If you want another twist in your workout experience, or if you are fond of dancing exercises but want to take it to the next level, then Aqua Zumba is definitely recommended. Aqua Zumba is a dancing exercise which needs you to immerse in the water, preferably below your chest level. This is challenging because the water’s density could restrict some range of movement so you have to exert more effort.

An amazing fact about Aqua Zumba aside from the thrill of dancing in the water is that it is considered as a low impact exercise. When you exercise out of the water, the impact of movement on your weight bearing joints are huge enough to make you susceptible for joint inflammation which could lead to osteoarthritis. Therefore, Aqua Zumba is ideal for everyone, most especially for older adults because water can lessen the impact on those joints.

Aqua Zumba is also good for the heart and lungs. According to research, water exercise lowers your heart rate by 3-15%. Not bad for people who are suffering from a fast heartbeat that could lead to some sort of cardiac problem. Aqua Zumba also increases your lung capacity because it is forced to ventilate against the hydrostatic pressure of the water. Therefore expect that you are going to breathe better after performing the workout.

Expect for changes in body composition and muscle strength when doing Aqua Zumba. Experts say that around 500 to 700 calories are being burned when doing water based work outs but according to research, you can expect changes in body composition after 8 weeks of working out. Same with muscle strength, you can expect your muscles to be more lean and stronger after 8 weeks.

Although the effects of Aqua Zumba are great, that doesn’t mean you have to overdo it. Remember the principle of wear and tear: when you overdo something, more risks are bound to happen than benefits. So keep a regular schedule of Aqua Zumba workout. You can start gradually from 30 minutes to 1 hour. Aqua Zumba is a good alternative although experts say that a balance of land base and water-based workout is more essential than working out on the water alone.  Therefore, don’t miss out the land base work out that is suitable for you and balance that with your Aqua Zumba.

These are the benefits that you can get when doing Aqua Zumba. So plan for this type of routine, bring your friends with you and enjoy dancing at the pool.

Aqua Zumba has been available some time at Fitness First Platinum, Localizer Mall, Thalia Street, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.