Natural Health - 12 Top Reasons to Eat Watermelon

Sweet treats in the summertime... yummm... especially when these treats are cold and refreshing!
The classic image of going out for ice cream on a hot summer eve can be so appealing, but remains that, an image - at least for those of us who make food choices that don't include refined sugar.

The very best way to satisfy that hankering for a cold and refreshing sweet treat in the summer is with a juicy watermelon. (A one-cup serving of this healthy, delicious snack is only about forty eight calories!)

And satisfying our "summertime sweet tooth" is not the only reason to eat watermelon - here are twelve other very important health reasons to eat this delicious fruit...

1. Provides additional water to the body (watermelon is about 92% water!)




2. Good for bad breath

3. Serves as a hangover remedy

4. Can improve sore throat and mouth sores

5. Cleanses the kidneys (juice the entire watermelon - rind, seeds, and all and drink for a good kidney cleanse)

6. Naturally gets rid of excess fluid in the body - it has diuretic properties

7. Liver supportive - contains glutathione

8. Cleanses blood and strengthens glands - contains chlorophyll

9. It is a good source of potassium

10. Fat free - low in calories, high in energy

11. Nutrients in watermelon include vitamin A, vitamin B6, and vitamin C (it also contains fiber and has no fat or cholesterol!)

12. Helps lower the risk of heart disease: watermelon has the highest amount of lycopenes in fruits and veggies according to the USDA Caratenoid.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Marilee_Tolen/114827

How to Reduce Tummy Fat - Get a Flat Belly Fast

If you have ever gone through a weight loss program to reduce tummy fat, you will know how difficult it is to get rid of belly fat. Despite diet and stomach exercises, your belly is the last part of your body to respond to burn off excess fat. Most times, you get frustrated in your attempts to reduce your big belly. Some people even believe that starving themselves will help them to lose belly fat. This is far from the truth. This is how to reduce tummy fat in a healthy way.

To reduce tummy fat, you have to change some habits and reconsider the type of food you eat, as well as incorporate cardio exercises and a body toning program into your lifestyle. Drinking excess alcohol can make you to gain belly fat. These factors weigh heavily on how much belly fat you carry around.

There are many people who believe that you can lose belly fat through belly exercises alone. This belief has been further encouraged by scam adverts on television. However, exercise to reduce tummy fat alone will not do the trick, even if you perform your abs exercises once day, seven days a week.




The most important key to reduce tummy fat is to rethink the way you eat. Proper nutrition will mean cutting down on your carbohydrates and saturated fat intake, and reducing the number of calories from the food you eat. Fat thrives on the late night food snacks, as well as in the sugar-laden carbonated drinks you gulp down. Practice the golden rule of not eating 3 hours before bedtime. Drink more water, at least 8 glasses daily and best of all never skip your breakfast.

In additional, focus on providing your body only with the calories it needs based on your body weight, then burn off whatever excess calories you carry around as belly bulge through belly exercises. If you are wondering what type of exercise to help you lose stubborn belly fat, apart from the usual cardio and muscle toning exercises that you can do, there is one exercise to reduce fat that has been found effective.

It incorporates some visualization and it is called the Vacuum Pose. It involves sucking in your lower belly while visualizing your navel being pulled closer to your lower back. Maintain this pose for 15 to 60 seconds and repeat for 5 minutes each day. There are people who have reported that they lost an average of 1 % inches off their waistlines within a month.

Reducing stubborn tummy fat will take willpower and determination, so you will need to be consistent even if it seems your efforts are not working. Consistency, proper nutrition, and regular exercise will help you to lose stubborn belly fat in the long haul.

Tip of the Today!
 
To quickly reduce stubborn tummy fat, ensure you start a detox program for about 7 days. This will help clear off every toxin in your stomach fat cells.

Do not be deceived. The only proven way to reduce tummy fat effectively is: to reduce your calorie intake by eating smaller amounts of food, or stick to foods that have fewer calories and burn fat by engaging in more physical activity every day. This way you will get a flat belly fast and safely.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Barbara_Kingsley-Johnson/264910

Ab Exercises For Men That Work

Great abs are the dream of every man, as they are the ultimate symbol of strength, fitness and manliness. Many people spend hours at working out, in order to get the perfect body. However, without going in for the right ab exercises for men, it is impossible to get the much coveted six pack. The following ab exercises for men will help you lose the extra flab around your belly and unveil those glorious abs.

Crunches

To do crunches, you will need to lie flat on the floor and fold your legs at the knees. Place your hands below your neck so that is acts as a support, and lift your shoulders up. Curling your shoulders, lift your upper back. Continue to hold this position for a couple of seconds and then return to your original position. These ab exercises for men can be repeated 20 times.

Arm Extension Crunches

Arm extension crunches are a variation of crunches where you would lie flat on the floor with your knees folded. Extend your arm and stretch it above your head while doing the traditional crunches. Hold this position for a couple of seconds and then return back to the starting position. This exercise can be repeated 20 times.




Butterfly Crunches

Butterfly crunches are also just a variation of the original crunches. Lie flat on the floor and place your hands below your neck so that it acts as a support. Bend your knees on either side of your body, with your feet together. Raise yourself up and hold the position for a couple of seconds and then return back to the starting position. This exercise can be repeated 20 times.

Supported Crunches

Supported crunches are some of the most effective and result-oriented ab exercises for men. Lie flat on the floor and place your hands below your neck so that it acts as a support. Keep a support near your feet and place your legs on this support, bending your legs so that they are at a 90 degree angle. Lift yourself up so that you curl upward with your elbows pointing inward. Hold this position for a couple of seconds and then return back to the starting position. This exercise can be repeated 20 times.

Knee Up Crunches

Knee up crunches involve lying flat on the floor and lifting your feet up so that your thighs are perpendicular in relation to the floor. Curl your hips while rotating your pelvis. This abdominal exercise is an excellent one for obliques and can be repeated 20 times.

Pelvic Tilt

The pelvic tilt is done by lying flat on the floor and folding your knees, with your feet flat on the floor, shoulder width apart from each other. Lift the lower part of your torso and hold this position for a couple of seconds before returning to the original position. This exercise can be repeated 20 times.
Other Ab Exercises For Men

Apart from the above-mentioned exercises, the following are excellent ab exercises for men.

• Lie down on the floor, not flat on your back, but on one side. With your hips straight, raise your body while using your elbow and feet to support your body.
• Hold this position for a couple of seconds and go back to the starting position. This exercise can be repeated 20 times.
• Hold a wooden rod behind your head and sit on the floor with your legs spread out. Twist from right to left slowly. This reduces the flab from your hips, and is an excellent exercise that could go hand in hand with crunches to give you great results.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/F._P._Fernandes/2115071