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.