Funny - Two Guys Picking out Greeting Cards

Children, particularly those who are overweight can benefit from after school activities

Most research has shown that children are growing fatter because of inactively and not necessary because of the amount of junk food they consume, although the junk food does play a part. Most parents find it difficult to refuse their child treats but treats become excessive when given too readily.

Children tend to spend hours watching TV or playing computer games. However, studies have shown that if a child is given an alternative and TV and games are restricted, children tend to become more active and regain their vitality. When a child is active and happy they tend to spend less time thinking about and eating large amounts of food.

When your child starts to make progress - feels fitter and loses some weight - it is important to praise them with positive comments. Positive comments will enhance confidence and greatly increase self-esteem.

After school recreational activities are a great way for children to become active and lose excess fat. If your child is gaining weight, it is important to quickly get them active as the more weight they put on the more difficult it is for them to lose weight. Schools tend to have a range of fun activities such as football, basketball, gymnastics and Karate. These activities are also available privately; the local sports centre is a good place to find out what is available in your local area. Participation in such activities is a great way for your child to socialise and become fitter and, if part of a controlled healthy diet, will lead to weight loss and an enjoyable active social experience.

It sad when children are not given the opportunity to have a healthy life. Those who are overweight after the age of eight tend to find it increasingly difficult to shed the excess weight. This is why it is so important for parents/ carers to help children with their diet and weight control.

 

Good things to do in London include Exercise~!

It’s important to get out and about and do things, see attractions and visit new places. But if you are not physically fit, how will you ever be able to do this?  At some time during the year, most of us follow some form of exercise routine. This is especially true after a season of celebrations, such as Christmas. However, have you ever really thought about why it is so important to exercise, irrespective of how slim you are?  A routine of exercise will contribute to your overall well-being as well as a trimmer body, give you more energy in order to go out and do all those wonderful things to do in London have listed on this site!  Here is a list of some of the benefits of exercise:

1. When you exercise you burn calories! If you burn more calories than you consume you will start to lose weight. So, as part of losing weight it is important to factor into your routine some form of exercise, otherwise you’ll find that it is more difficult to lose weight and keep it off.  

2: If you already suffer from a minor disease such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure, exercise can actually bring these diseases under control. It can also lower the risk of acquiring certain other diseases.  Give exercise a try to day. Find activity that you enjoy doing and do one today.

3:  It has been shown that many diseases such as stroke and diabetes may be linked to a lack of exercise and a poor diet.  Some diseases increase the risk of other ailments, for example diabetes increases the risk of heart attack and strokes. Reduce your health risk by exercising. Find activities that you enjoy and start to do them on a regular basis. Take a walk around this site and find lots of free things to do that will keep you fit and active.

4. Exercise gives you a sense of well-being and will help you to be a more positive person. If you feel happy you will enjoy going out with your family, visiting attractions and doing things in London or wherever you are in the world. You will find that once you start doing things that you will not look back and start to wonder why you did not start sooner. You will also find that exercise starts to become part of your life as many things to do in many countries require you to walk or sometimes even run!

5:  How’s your mind? You need to release those endorphins.  An increase in exercise means an increase in endorphins, which means an increase in your mood. Endorphins make you feel happy as they have a chemical within them that fights stress and depression. Release those serotonin; serotonin make you feel well and they also help out to feel more relaxed which means a better sleep – more sleep means more exercise as you will not be so tired.  Are you ready? It’s time to get up and do something you like doing – exercise.

Finally, I hope this has inspired you to start exercising today. Don’t hesitate - act today. Even if it’s only 10 minutes today, you'll soon build up to half an hour.  There are manythings to do in London that will keep you fit and active. You could try the exercise programme or something different, like visiting the sites of your local area and taking pictures. It does not matter what you do, just do it!

How to stop arguing with kids, teenagers and your partner on your fun days out. You can stop now!

I love family days out. Where do you go on family days out? I like to go ice-skating, different attractions, cinema  and the theatre. Some people like going to see relatives, hiking or camping. Whichever activity you select, make it as stress free  and fun as possible.

Family days out are a wonderful chance to spend quality family time together. It’s a great time to talk to children and teenagers and exchange ideas, thoughts and plans. Communication is always good when all the family are relaxed and enjoying being away from stressful work, school or college. Even for stay-at-home mums and dads it can be a wonderful break away from the norm. It's important to keep the communication lines open, and a family holiday is a good time to do that. Often when a young person has a good relationship with their parents it ensures that they are well grounded and keeps safe and wise in the big wide world! After all, we cannot be with our children every minute of the day and so we need them have skills which makes them independent and resilient to the challenges of everyday life.  Eating together and family holidays together means more quality time. It has been shown that those who eat together, stay together.

 
Although family holidays are a great time to have fun and get to know your children and family better, the issue of poor communication may still lurk in the background. It is important, especially with teenagers, to listen and be flexible. Find out what the children and teenagers would like to do and eat and plan accordingly.

Plan together so everyone is part of what things to do. While even teenagers need boundaries, it is important for parents to try to avoid needless confrontation. Explain why you make the decisions you do and show them positive attention. Kids and teenagers will appreciate being included in travel plans. Their choice of destination may not be what you want to do, but there is no harm in being adventurous and flexible – you all will have a chance to select what you want to at some stage!

Teenagers may opt to go to a theme park or ice-skating, there is no reason why the entire family cannot give it a try! This sort of negotiation and consideration will go a long way to strengthening your bond with your children, it might even earn you some kudos! Try and help teenagers that are being uncooperative or behaving in a manner that is causing a problem, by dealing with them sensitively. Do not make a scene; calmly talk  to them away from others. Young adults are very aware of being embarrassed, so it is important to be sensitive towards them and avoid unnecessary confrontation. It is a good idea to explain to them how their behaviour embarrasses you, and they might endeavour to be more cooperative.

Kids will be happier on family vacations if they have snacks, drinks, and entertainment as not many children enjoy lengthy journeys. Take along as many items that will provide entertainment such as, board games, cards and videos to play - if you have a portable CD player. Some children enjoy mapping out the journey and following the route can keep them occupied and stem boredom. This not only keeps them occupied,  but also is a wonderful learning experience – as they are learning navigation skills.

By following these suggestions, you can make happy memories on your family days out. Have fun!

I hate chores. Who's going to do all the work to keep the house clean? If I don't invite anyone around who will know!

Living a life means doing all the mundane activities as well as all the fun to do activities. 

I hate chores particularly the endless task of washing, ironing, running errands and cooking. However, this aspect of our life is inevitable.  But, if tasks are allocated correctly and fairly you will find that the entire  household will enjoy the freedom that comes without having to see tasks build up into a monumental event which no one wants to do. 

Fairly distributing chores and getting all of the household to stick to their chores can be a challenging task in itself.  It is particularly difficult to control adult behaviour as you can hardly sanction your partner! Well, I am sure you could find ways!  This is why it is important that everyone understands the benefits of all chores and errands being distributed so that everyone has a vested interest in making sure their tasks are completed.

If chores are not delegated equally families often see one person endlessly trying to keep on top of most the household chores and errands. This can only produce resentment as they find themselves doing copious amounts of chores which means no spare time for them and exhaustion by the time they have finished.

How To Allocate Household Chores and Errands Fairly: 

1: Plan chores as a family. If you have children,  get them involved. It does not matter how old the children are - even a 6 year old can have a small part to play in family chores, errands or duties. They can, for example, pack away their toys at the end of the day.   

2: Once chores have been listed, each member of the household should have the opportunity to select chores that they find most appealing. Obviously, there may be some chores that no one wants to do, but this just means negotiating and allocating in a fair and considerate way. It's amazing how many chores will become apparent when compiling a list of chores as a family or partnership.

3: Write down the list of the chores and who is responsible for doing each one. This will make sure that there are no misunderstandings and everyone is happy with what they are doing.

4: Consider changing the chores every two to three months. This is particularly helpful for someone who is given a chore that they do not really like. It also gives others a chance to become more experienced at doing a particular task - a chore expert!

5: Make sure chores are given a timeframe in which to be completed by. Do not procrastinate about them. Set a deadline as to when all chores should be completed, this ensures  everyone knows what and when to expect certain activities to be completed by.

6: Finally, pin that chore list to a notice board so that there is no excuse for anyone conveniently forgetting  what their chores are, and when they are suppose to be doing them!


If none of the above works. Just close off rooms and don't invite anyone around!

Do you need more money to go out and have a good time. How to find more money and save what you have. Read this now!



Don't let your savings float away!

 Do you need more money to go out and have a good time. How to find more money and save what you have. Read this now! 

We all love to go out and have a good time.  There are many free activities and attractions in London, however many do require you to spend some money. Money is obviously important for us to manage our lives, but there are only a few people who really know how to manage their finances. For many of us it is difficult to manage our finances even though we would love the extra cash to enjoy going out and doing things. 

For the majority of the time saving money does seem, for many, like a good idea. However, temptation lurks just around the corner and many of us succumb to temptations and thus spend the money we should have otherwise saved. I have listed some helpful tips on how to save money and avoid the temptation:



Cushion Cover- Hand Embroidery- Inspirational Quote Cushion

 

1. It is vital that you know what your temptation is.  Are you tempted to buy fast food constantly, handbags, shoes or even video games? If you are tempted to buy handbags, video games or shoes for example, you have to first recognise this. Stay away from stores that sell these items and think carefully if you need to replace one of these items. Try and cook from fresh as the food will go a long way,whilst junk food last for the moment - you don't normally have much leftovers when you purchase fast food.

2.  Always prepare a grocery list in advance. Write down everything you need and stick to it. Take cash and only what you need to purchase the groceries. Think about what you will be cooking throughout the week or month and concentrate on purchasing the ingredients for that.

3. Only go to the shopping centre when you need to. Do not go window shopping as that will only encourage you to visit on another day and purchase items you really don’t need.  When you are trying to save money, window shopping it not the best activity to participate in; purchasing more stuff means you have less money to go out and do things.

4.  Leave your credit cards and store cards at home. Do not bring them with you, as they  give you the means to finance more stuff that you probably don’t need. By keeping the card at home, you will not only save money but lower the credit and store card debt.

5.  Open a savings bank account that is for a specific period of time. You are less likely to take out the money if you know you will lose a significant amount of interest or if the money is difficult to get at. This will be less tempting for you and will help with building up your savings.

6: Sell crap you don't need on Ebay or at a car boot sale. Often we have lots of rubbish sitting around the home. If you have not used it in a year, you probably will never use it. If you have nothing to sell.. get another job - bar work, shop work or just make something and sell it!
 

7. Finally, why not consult with a financial advisor? Often times they offer free advice and help - like The Free Money Advice Service. They can give you help and advice on how to save money and get on top of your bills.

Going out and doing things is fun, but it is not much fun when you think that all your savings are being depleted. By ensuring that you save you will feel much happier going out and enjoying yourself. Have fun doing fun things in London with more money!

Show me the magic. Where can I learn more magic so I can magic my weight away? Right here!

 Magic Courses - For children and adults see Davenport link below for places to  visit in London  for Magic!

 

Can you believe there is an actually place you can learn magic?  Very cool indeed! And it takes a lot for me to say 'cool'!

As a child I loved to learn magic. I had no idea that it was something people selected as a career. Magic tricks are popular with both adults and

children and can be a fun activity for the entire family to try. I cannot think of a society that does not practice magic tricks. Magic is all around us and has been practised for centuries. There are many easy magic tricks to learn.

There are various objects and materials which are used to perform magic, such as flowers, boxes and cards. I think I am always fascinated by any handkerchief trick or box trick. Most beginners like to learn handkerchief tricks as they are  easiest tricks to learn and you don’t need to purchase any expensive products. 

The Handkerchief Trick

My favourite is ‘Handkerchief  - Change of colour': This is a simple trick but needs to be prepared well.

The audience is shown a handkerchief which is thrown into the air, in all different directions - just for fun - that's easy! The magician places the handkerchief into a closed fist and pulls it through. The handkerchief appears to change colour as it passes through the magician's hand!  The trick is that the magician actually has two hankies in their hand, but they conceal the other one.

As the magician pushes the hankie through his hand he/she reverses the position of the topmost hankie so that the one in the bottom with a different colour is showed up and the hankie apparently changes colour. That's not so easy, maybe I'll practise that part!

Watch how it's done by the professionals: A free easy magic trick for you.

Colour Changing Handkerchief Magic Trick with Christopher James

This trick requires you to be quick  as the alert audience will be endeavouring to catch you out. It entails the magician working quickly and using any distraction techniques  so that audience do not concentrate too much on his hand. You need to keep the hankies moving as one and maintain a constant flow.

Tips on Performing Handkerchief Tricks

1: Be quick

2: Distract the audience - with jokes!

3: Practice lots before you show the trick to an audience

4: Practise will make this magic trick look coo and easy!

TRY A MAGIC COURSE IN LONDON  - PLACES TO VISIT AND THINGS TO DO...

Want to buy some magic items or try a course?

The Davenport Magic 

        Founded in 1898 by Lewis Davenport this family business specialises in magic! 

Based in the Charing Cross Underground Arcade in Central London, they cater for all levels of magic from children, novice adults to adult professionals. 

        They sell magic items and  run courses during the year. 

Click here to have a look at  magic courses for adults and children.

Have fun with easy magic!

Steal more time, get more time. You can steal from other places if need be. Take control of your life

If, like me,  you want to go out and do things, you need to make sure you are not worrying about incomplete jobs at home or work. Time is a precious commodity which needs to be utilised so you get the best out of life and make us all live a healthy life. Here are a few tips to help you manage your time.

 1: Some jobs only require a small percentage of your time. Write a list of small tasks that take up to 10 to 15 minutes and do them.

Get 3 small baskets and do a little
at time

Larger tasks always seem to take precedent and if we don’t do the large jobs we feel like as if we have failed. This results in feeling hopelessness and negative about the job. Complete small jobs first and this will spur you on to do the larger more complex jobs. Alternatively, break jobs down into small manageable jobs. If you manage to complete a set of small jobs, you will feel more in control, than if you completed nothing.

  

2:  It does not matter how much time you have - you can accomplish a great deal in 20 minutes. 

20 minutes a day would give you almost 123 hours a year. Now this is time that could be spent doing something productive and worthwhile. It is not to be sniffed at! Time is a valuable asset and each minute you waste , is time flushed away.

  

3:  Give yourself some time to play with. Set yourself deadlines and targets.

What can you do in half an hour? How much can you achieve in 20 minutes? Try to concentrate on the tasks at hand and put off anything or body that is vying for your attention. Concentrate 100% percent on the task at hand and do not stop until your allocated time is up. How much did you get done?

 4. Work on a certain project over a certain period of time.

Often times we decide that we must finish a given task by attempting to do it once. As above, concentrate on breaking the tasks down into small chunks and give yourself an allocated time to do a set chunk. By doing it piece meal you will find it more manageable and less labour intensive. You will also find that solutions to issues and new ideas develop gradually. Once this is done you can go out and do something you enjoy and stop worrying about unfinished jobs.

 5.  How often are you going to do the same thing?

How often are you going to give an update of your work to your boss. Give them the information every 12 days instead of every week. Go shopping every two weeks instead of every week. Check your email 3 times a day instead of 9 times a day! Use the rest of the time to do something productive and useful! How many times are you going to gossip about the same thing? Gossip once and then save your energy for your work!

  

6: Rise and Shine!

Early morning is always peaceful and quiet. Once in a blue moon, try and get up early and do some work. You will enjoy the quiet and get a lot more done without the constant interruptions of work colleagues or children. Allocate yourself a set day each month or week to get up early and do a given number of hours work. You will love how much you can get done!

Now you have freed up time to get out and about and do things you like! Have fun.

Eat interactively at INAMO restaurant where computer technology provides a unique dining experience

Activities and days out in London     INAMO

Inamo  is Pan-Asian restaurant and bar where you will encounter a dining experience like no other. Inamo uses E-table, an interactive ordering system which gives you complete control over your dining experience. The interactive tables double up as computer tables , with illustrated food and drinks menu projected from above onto the surface of the table. You have complete control of everything:

1: You can play games
2: Order your food and drink
3: Select your own virtual table cloth
4: You can also watch the chefs behind the scenes
5: Check out activities in the local area
6: You can even order a taxi home

                                                   Address: 134 Wardour St, Soho, London, W1F 8ZP

Best libraries in London to study has to include Canada Water Library London

This inverted pyramid is the magnificent library in the London Borough of Southwark - Canada Water. 

You enter from below and towering above you is a large wooden staircase which gallantly rises through the centre of the building, expanding into the top floor which has a reading gallery ringed around it.

Best libraries in London to study has to include Canada Water Library London because...

This library is a place to relax , use your PC - they have WiFi -study, read or just sit quietly and let the world go by! There's lots of seating around the library - for you and your family or just for one! You get a feeling  of intimacy, although it's obviously a  public space, because there are so many corners and well-thought out seating areas. This building is an architectural triumph considering the small space that the architect had to work with; building up and out makes the user experience, even more thrilling than it would normally be.

Inside - Library Seating with Water View

For a bite to eat or drink, the cafe is on the ground floor serving a variety of hot and cold meals as well as beverages. You can read a book or use a computer in this space as well as the rest of the library. On the first floor there are also seats which overlook the water and offer a calm and tranquil read.

If you do not live in the borough and want to loan books/ audio, you will have to complete a FREE library card application. You will need - current proof of address, such as a utility bill and a passport or driving licence. They do not charge for you to join and you can register the children without taking proof of ID for them but you will need proof of ID.

There are plenty of activities for children to do over the summer and half-term breaks,  so get down to Canada Water library  as soon as you can. What's more, the exit from the tube station, Canada Water,  leads directly into the library!

For more information on the library click here.




Best libraries in London to study has to include Canada Water Library London

Healthy plan for that new body and fit and healthy you - lose 10 pounds. Get the look you want stress free and healthily

Be fit and healthy when you go out. Ditch that extra fat by losing 10 pounds fast! 

The solution - cut out all unnecessary sugar and fat from your diet and stock up on tasty healthy meals and snacks that will keep you full and not craving. Use the tips below to kick start your healthy dieting plan. This is a balanced diet so you can keep it going for as long as you like! You will have more energy to go out and do all the wonderful activities that are on this site - from free trips to golfing.

  

Top Tips For A Healthy You!

• What are you eating? If you don’t know, start to keep a track of all you eat and drink.
• Reduce your fat intake by half, that means half the amount of butter on scones or bread, half the amount of salad cream or mayonnaise – or just say no to mayonnaise - and reduce the amount of oil, by half,  when cooking and marinating food.
• Reduce any sugar treats to twice a week.
• Stock up on your protein rich food such as fish, meat, chicken, legumes, peanut, eggs or yoghurt.
• Try to go have a vegetarian meal at least once a day – either lunch or dinner this will help reduce the amount of fat you intake and increase fibre. Try to have meals based around vegetables, beans and whole grains.
• Use skinned milk instead of full-fat milk or try semi-skinned milk.
• Fresh fruit is great for a sweet tooth -  eat at least two servings of fresh fruit every day.
• Drink water instead of fruit juice. Don’t like the taste of water? Add lemon or lime juice.
• Your lunch and dinner should include at least two servings of vegetables – this will give you four serving per day!
•  Have at least one or two servings of whole grains with every meal.
• Don’t snack in front of the television – studies have shown you will eat more. Turn off the TV and enjoy a smaller amount of food and thus less calories!
• Choose foods that you can eat ! Carbonated sugar drinks are loaded with empty calories and fruit juices do not provide the same amount of fibre and vitamins as the real fruit – so be careful.
• Don’t leave your meals to chance; - plan what you are going to eat for your meals and snacks, this way you don’t make hasty choices. We tend to select higher calorie snacks and meals when we do not plan ahead. 

Now you are energized – go forward and start your healthy eating today. Good luck and eat right! Have fun with that new found energy  and find out what’s on in London today

Change The Way You Approach How To Control High Blood Pressure Immediately

We all want to go out and have a great time. It goes without saying that in order to be fit and active we all need to be in good shape. However, high blood pressure will not allow you to do all the fun things you want to do , so it is important to keep your blood pressure in check.

 

Who is at risk of getting high blood pressure. You are at risk if you fit into any of these categories:

• are overweight 
• are a smokers
• are Afro-Caribbean or African
• Don't exercise enough
• Don't eat enough fruit and vegetables
• Drink too much alcohol 
• Drink too much caffeine laden drinks such as coffee
• are over 65

Although you may not be able to control all factors pertaining to developing high blood pressure, commonly high Blood pressure is a result of being overweight and diet. The more overweight you are increases your chances of having high blood pressure. This increased risk means that it is important to maintain a normal weight for your height and build. Being a normal weight for your height and build is important even if you don’t have high blood pressure. Overweight people risk getting not only high blood pressure, but other ailments and life threatening diseases.

The good news is, that even if you are suffering with high blood pressure you can control it by losing weight and maintaining and overall good diet.

How can we control our high blood pressure?

Losing weight is not simple but it is achievable as is staying fit and healthy.  Reduce the amount of food you eat, eat fresh and natural food and start to become more active and fit. You may not think you eat a lot and indeed you may not. However, if your diet consists of food high in calories, added salt and sugar and low in nutrients then you are basically starving yourself and denying your body vital nutrients. Fresh foods – vegetables, fruit and fresh meat and fish are the best way to get your daily calorie requirements. Stick to this and you will see the weight fall off. Stay away from convenience food whenever you can and you will find that your overall health improves. Also stay away from those beastly calorie laden soft drinks which have too many hidden and unnecessary calories.

Get active and be fit and healthy  This will not only aid in you losing weight but also it will lower your blood pressure and also your cholesterol level and thus you will feel better and the risk of you contracting a disease will greatly be diminished. The more active you are, the less likely you are of getting high blood pressure. Take time to visit places you enjoy, go on family days out and experience all there is to do and see in London or wherever you live

How to Control High Blood pressure Immediately ....Finally, try to get your heart pumping at least 4 times a week as this will help your heart and lungs be strong and you will feel fitter and stronger. 




 

Five facts you thought you knew about ice skating but were totally wrong. Let's get the ice skating facts right!

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Greeting cards to eat/ drink,  do, use and love! 

Ice Skating For All

The True Facts About Ice-Skating and how you can have fun.  Skating is a cool thing to do in London. It's not free but it is not as expensive as many other things to do in London. Here are the true facts about ice-skating.  ice skating  is a        wonderful thing to do in London

• You can lose weight ice skating

By just putting on ice-skates you have made the decision to give your entire body a  total workout; it takes lots of hard work to balance on skating blades! However, ice-skating is just like any other form of exercise: it requires commitment, endurance and time. The same dietary control and exercise regime, that would accompany any other form of commitment for weight control, is still necessary for ice-skating.  Ice skating is a wonderful thing to do in London.

• Ice skating is a winter activity

Around London you will find numerous temporary outdoor ice-skating rinks set up during the winter months (particularly between October through to January). This may suggest that it is a winter activity - but this would be a wrong assumption. Indoor ice-skating rinks offer activities and classes throughout the year.  Opt for a family discount ticket to make savings on entry into an ice-rink. This is a great family day out.

• You can become proficient after one session

It takes a number of sessions before a novice becomes comfortable on the ice-skates. Do not be deterred by soreness and your lack of balance as overtime you and your family will develop endurance and  quickly adjust to the unfamiliar movements. Indeed, after a few weeks, you and your family will begin to develop some basic skills. If you require quicker results,  why not opt for one of the many ice-skating lessons offered by most ice-rinks throughout London.

• Safety is not important

Why spoil  your family day out with a preventable accident? Unlike many other ice sports, it is not compulsory for children to wear a helmet whilst ice-skating. However,  I think in order to keep children safe it should be compulsory, for under 11 year olds,  for  children to  wear protective knee/ elbow pads and  a helmet. Make sure you feel safe when you and your family are skating. . 

• On a hot day the ice rink will be warm.

As the rink needs a constant cool temperature, rinks  are cool even if the temperature outside is 20°C. Always wear / take  a jacket or extra layers that you can put on or take off. Consider wearing gloves and remember to take socks - as skates can be hard on the feet. You may even want to take plasters, just in case your feet get sore.

• Top Tips

A bottle of water  and some snacks is always a good idea. Ice skating  is a wonderful thing to do in London - have fun and enjoy!

Let your muscles get to work and you will feel fitter and healthier. Let a bit of resistance into your life.

Designed4Doing
Greeting cards to eat/ drink,  do, use and love!


Let’s talk about resistance training. Women, you will not get bigger. Trust me. 

Some people refer to it as weigh training or strength training.

When most people think of resistance training they think of body builders or athletes. It is believed by many that when resistance training is done, the body will grow bigger.  This is not true. It is will strengthen your body not increase the size. Resistance training will build and tone your body, giving you a better  more defined shape and more strength.  Your body will be remodelled! It also means you will be more active and have more fun!

You don’t need machinery

You can use a machine or your own body weight to do resistance training.  Resistance training can also be done without weight training equipment. Doing pull-ups is one good example. You can do it just about anywhere where there is enough space for you to move.  So those who are a bit constrained with space and a tight budget can still do resistance trainings.

What Are the Benefits of Resistance Training?

1: Increases bone mineral density

Bones are constantly restructuring;  the tissues break down at and then rebuild. This is primarily done during puberty.  As a person gets older this the process becomes slower. This is especially a problem for post-menopausal women.  Which is why some doctors recommend women take vitamin C.

Bone mineral density is usually supported by the hormones. To address the problem of not having the hormones to maintain the bone mineral density, physical activity is the next best option. Resistance training is one physical activity that can address this.

2. Reduces body Fat

Being active will in turn burn more calories which will result in a leaner and better looking body. You will also feel much stronger.

3. Increases the range of activities

If you want to stay active and take part in a range of fun activities then it is important to do resistance training to keep yourself fit and healthy. .

4. Increases Strength

Strong bones and strong muscles will be developed as you undergo the resistance training program. This in turn will lead to a better life for you as you will be able to experience more of the fun activities life has to offer.

5.  Gets the heart pumping

 When the heart is pumping, it is exercising. This can help with lowering blood pressure and a lowered heart rate. It also means that you are less likely to have problems with your heart, such as heart disease.  A regularly training schedule will bring benefits very quickly.

6. As you get older

Elders will feel stronger and be more independent and have a better quality of life. They will be able to do simple tasks without having to ask others for help.  

Finally,

 

It is important that this type of activity be done correctly. Make sure that you  consult with your doctor and that you are following a  programme that has been agreed by either a qualified fitness instructor or doctor.  You will be amazed at the benefits a correctly instructed programme can bring. Take it one small step at a time and only increase the intensity once you have become fitter and stronger.

Life makes you dance. You are a dancer. Dance is music in your soul. Let's dance!

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Why Dance? Dancing is a wonderful thing to do in London.

There are many reasons why people all over the world love to dance. Dancing is a global cultural phenomenon. The reasons that people dance varies, but the  joy and fun surrounding dance as an activity makes dancing a worldwide activity. Dance classes help you to socialize, learn a new skill and become more involved in your local community.  I hope to inspire you to dance, and if you dance already to keep doing it as part of your active life. Who dances?

Do religion and dance go hand in hand?

Within the Hindu religion worshipping and dance go hand in hand. Dance is seen as a vital part of worshipping of the Divine - Hindu dance is thus a form of worship. Each deity has a different dance associated with them.

Religion has been used around the world as a celebration to new seasons, to praise deities and as a form of expressing joy and happiness. However, some Christian frown upon dance as it is seem as stirring up emotions and actions that should not be made public. Whilst some Christians believe that it is important to dance at important ceremonies such as weddings.

Can we dance with a weapon?

Most of us do not dance with a weapon but, thank God! However, using a weapon as part of dance has been used around the world and throughout history by many nations and cultures to prepare for battle and to celebrate winning a battle. Dance using a weapon is still practised in many cultural ceremonies as a memory and tradition to the past. 

Brazilian Capoeira 

During the 16th Century  slaves created the dance system known as Capoeria . During this period slaves were prohibited from celebrating any of their customs or any form of martial arts. As a response to this Capoeria emerged as  a way of circumventing this restriction. The use of dance movements were incorporated into Capoeira to hide any martial art that were being performed. Thus violent kicks were disguised as dance movements. Thus, Capoeira emerged as a way of self defence and as a means of cultural perseverance. 

What is tribal dance?

Many  Native American dances play a vital role in religious and other ceremonies. These dances are commonly referred to as war dances. These dances date back to when individual tribes had specific dances that they used when preparing to battle, organizing the gathering of food and also to defend themselves from invasion and others endeavouring to seize their  land. Dance was also used for worshipping of different gods, for prayers as and as an expression of emotions. It can be seen then that dance, like for so many other cultures, is an important part of Native American life and culture.

Try competitive dance

Dance is all around us and some people like to participate in competitive dance.  Competitive dance requires   dedication and perseverance.   Those who dance competitively must be committed to their craft in order to remain competitive. 

You don’t have to dance competitively, you can join a dancing class and just dance for the sheer joy of it - Dance and have fun - it's a wonderful thing to do in London .

Give the gift of joy, laughter and friendship. The gift of happiness is so precious for all , young and old

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Be a beautiful flower, no matter if you are male or female - we can all blossom and grow! London have so many wonderful things to do.

As you pursue happiness there always seems to be something or someone that upsets the balance,  but the key is to stay focused and get that happy spirit back. Find things to do in London that make you happy and have fun!

Small things can make someone happy. I fill my living room with freshly cut scented flowers and this makes me happy. The smell and colour bring life to the room. Flowers are sunshine on a dull miserable day! Going out and having fun with family and friends makes me happy. Sometimes this requires a good deal of  money to be spent, while other times it just the price of an ice-cream!

To be happy is just a state of mind; it is what you feel inside. You could have 'status', a high paying job, money in the bank and an entourage of willing people around you, but will this bring true happiness? It depends on you, as happiness is your state of mind and how you feel about the situation you are in. Exercise produces a good state of mind. Try and exercise more when you are feeling down- go for a long walk - leave your money and credit cards at home!

Happiness depends on your view and perspective of life and how you cope with events and situations. Are you welcoming of constructive criticism or do you get defensive? Do you turn every other event into a tragedy or do you learn from it and move on? Moving on can be very difficult, but worth the effort as you will feel better about yourself and have internal piece.

Most of us live busy lives, this is a phenomenon of this modern age. However, constantly striving to slot an  increasing amount of activity into a day will only leave you exhausted, stressed and definitely not happy. There are many activities you can do to make you happy.

Happiness does not have to be about money; of course financial pressures do bring their woes. It is important to find joy and happiness in situations and people around you and activities you can do with your friends and family. Think about them and enjoy and savour what people and nature have to offer you; a smile to a stranger, a warm greeting to a neighbour - provide not only you with happiness, but other people.

Fun activities and just making time for the people you care for, will bring more happiness than money could ever buy. So if you do anything today -  take control of how you feel. Get out and about, rest at home when need be, but don't let life pass you and your family by.  Be a flower and bring sunshine to life - find exciting things to do in London and have fun!

Things to do in London


Nina

Activities that don't require much movement. Now that's what stress free activities are all about.

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Our lives are filled with responsibility.  This demand means that we all need relaxation time. What better way to relax than doing some form of recreational activity. With an abundance of fast food coupled with a sedentary lifestyle it's important to get as much exercise as possible. Any form of activity that gets the body moving is good for you. There are numerous activities and recreational sports. You can turn any hobby into a recreational sport. Why not try a new sport or activity?.

If you can't find a friend to go with  enrol on a course to learn a new recreation sport skills.  Courses can be found on-line, your local college or adult institute. The library is also a good place to pick up leaflets and local directions which may have these listed.  Team recreation sports activities you might like to participate in include - football, basketball, rugby, hockey netball or cricket.   Another team sport you might enjoy is bowling.  Bowling teams are always on the look out for players, no matter what level you are.

You might also want to participate in  dance, gymnastics or horseback riding.  If your daring, why not try weight training or abseiling. Cycling is also fun. Sometimes it's nice to have a friend come along; cycling and running alone can sometimes be a drag but if you bring a friend along, it becomes more enjoyable and you have someone to share a conversation with. 

Youtube is a great place to start if you want to learn  a new sports activity. You can also find courses on-line that will teach you almost any sport, from rock climbing to ice-skating. These courses are great as you can get a feel for the course and decide if the activity is something you really want to do. Once you have learned the basic theory, it will give you more confidence to go out and actually try the activity. Check out bowling lessons on Youtube!

Which ever sporting activity you decide to do, they are all a great way to relieve stress and have some fun.  Find a friend or just do it on your own!

Don't eat rubbish when out and about in London. The best food to eat in London to stay fit and well

It is difficult to control your meal choices when you are out and about .   After all, you want to have a good time without thinking too much.  The good news is, you don’t have to restrict your diet; it’s important to consume a variety of foods and enjoy what you like within moderation. Here are a few suggestions to help you make some healthy choices and enjoy your day out:

          Substitute fizzy sugary drinks for water or reduced calorie soft drinks. Can’t stand plain drinking water?  Dilute the soft drink with three parts of water to one part soft drink, add ice and it will taste fine alongside your food.

          Love those side orders? Order your sides and salads separately so you can proportion how much you have and add a small amount of sauce rather than the total amount you are given.

         If you like pasta, take care not to order dishes which are heavily laden with cheese and cream sauces. Try to select a tomato based sauce instead. This is less fattening but still bursting with taste. Tomato sauce is a good form of vegetables and can make up one of your five a day! 

         Love a dessert?  Well order and share with a friend. What could be more sociable? You’ll also reduce the quantity to half. Try and stick to desserts that include fresh fruit    or vegetables and less cream.

         Love fish, lamb and vegetables? Ask for this to be grilled with a reduction of oil, this will be much better than if they are saturated with oil and butter.

         Fill up on soup before your main meal. However, stay away from cream soups which pack a mighty calorie punch, much more than soups without cream or cheese. 

        Baked potatoes are great but the cream sauces and extra butter add saturated fat and calories to your meal. Why not opt for tomato based sauces instead?

        Don’t continue to nibble, when you have had enough – stop eating! You can always take the rest home. What more could you ask for? A ready cooked meal for the evening or next day!

        I find that starters are great if you don’t want eat too much. Order two small starters, along with you beverage and you have a great meal that’s low in calories.

        Try to steer clear of chips as a side. Order vegetables such  as broccoli, spinach or boiled or baked potatoes.

      Same goes with the bread sticks or rolls. Try and restrict the butter you put on them as this significantly increases the amount of calories you consume.

         Wholegrain food is very filling. Try and select brown rice, pasta and bread. Thus, select dishes or a restaurant that offers a selection of fresh and wholesome food.

Enjoy your meal and have a good time out and about, there so many places to visit in London - Have fun.



Nina