5 Great Weight Loss Apps

Obesity is a growing problem in the United States. Fortunately, experts are finding more creative ways to deal with it. A number of weight loss professionals have collaborated with mobile app developers to create high tech solutions to curb obesity. Here are some great weight loss apps that you may want to look into.

Well Beginnings

Well Beginnings is a weight loss surgery program at Houston Northwest Medical Center. While the experts at the clinic offer a number of surgical solutions to obese patients, they also prefer to offer surgery only when there is no viable alternative. The experts at Well Beginnings have created an app to help patients keep their weight in check.

Patients can use the app to monitor their daily food intake and exercise progress. The app is intended for patients with body mass indexes close to 40, because they are most likely to need surgery. The experts at Well Beginnings hope that the app can help people avoid gaining weight, thereby minimizing the likelihood that they will need surgery.   

BMI Calculator

Recognizing whether or not you are overweight is of upmost importance. Too many people are in denial of their weight problems, so the BMI Calculator app can help them come to terms with their problem.

The BMI Calculator uses your weight and height to gauge your BMI. It also measures other important variables, such as your body fat percentage and calorie consumption, which play an important role in following a good diet to maintain a healthy weight.

MyFitnessPal

MyFitnessPal is another weight loss app worth looking into. The app is free and allows you to collect a multitude of data on the types of foods that you eat. You can also monitor your weight loss goals and forecast how long it will take to reach them. The app is made for iPhone and Android devices, but there are versions for BlackBerry and Windows Phone as well. However, the apps for other devices don’t have the same level of functionality.

Diet Assistant

Diet Assistant is a more specialized app. It focuses primarily on monitoring your consumption. You can use Diet Assistant to track your foods and notice if you are falling off your diet. This app can be particularly useful if used in conjunction with others apps that monitor exercise and BMI changes, because it helps you minimize temptations that can derail your weight loss efforts. The app can be used for people following vegan, paleo and other special diets as well.

Ideal Weight

Ideal Weight is a more intuitive app for people that have trouble measuring their height and weight or are tempted to enter the wrong data. You simply need to run your finger along a measuring tape and the app will calculate your height, weight and BMI. The app will also tell you your ideal weight, so you know what to set as your ultimate weight goal.

Reduce Cooling Costs by Sealing Your Home

After an unusually brutal winter, temperatures are starting to warm up. Many people complained about the cold for months, but they are finally starting to bring out the air conditioners as it heats up. While air conditioning can be a great way to make the summer more bearable, it’s also important to consider other options to reduce cooling costs. The first thing to try may be sealing your house.

Why Does Sealing Your House Reduce Cooling Costs?

Most people believe that sealing their homes is only important for saving on heating. However, the Department of Energy reports that it can be great for reducing cooling costs as well.

Why is this true? It all boils down to the way that heat transfer works. Heat always travels from a higher temperature source to a lower temperature source. If the temperature outside is higher, then it will try to make its way into your house. Adding layers to your walls and filling gaps will reduce the rate of heat transfer, which will benefit you in both the summer and winter months.

Getting Started

If you feel overly war during the summer, then you may need to start by doing an audit of the house. You may find that there are a number of cracks or gaps, which can be a cause for concern. Here are some steps to take.

The best place to start is caulking your windows. Windows are one of the biggest sources of heat transfer, but fortunately only cost a couple of dollars per foot if you hire a contractor. Caulking is also very easy, so it can be done on your own for almost nothing.

Inspect every possible port of entry for air into your home. These include the doors, window frames, baseboards, electrical service entrances and switchboards. You need to seal every hole or crack that you identify to make sure that warm air can’t make its way into your house.  

Identifying smaller leaks can be tricky. You may want to do a pressured testing to find them. Here are the steps that you need to take:

• Shut off all heat generating devices
• Close all ports of entry (doors and windows) to your home
• Turn on a high powered fan or other tool to blast air into your home
• Light some incense along the edges of your home to see where it blows

This will help you find out if there are any holes or other inlets that need to be patched. You may need to use sheetrock and insulation to fill them in.

Find Cost-effective Ways to Keep Yourself Cool

The summer is expected to get a lot warmer, so you’ll need to take all possible measures to keep your family cool. Sealing up your house can be one of the best cost-saving measures that you take. You should look into updating your cooling system with Kay Heating and Cooling if it isn’t running efficiently.

Fun Online Casino Games

Summer is a great time to play some online games. I know that it is fun to do all kinds of outdoor activities this time of year. I love swimming, camping and hiking in the Summer. It is my favorite season!

Even though it is so nice out, sometimes you might like to play some type of online casino games. There is a great variety of games to play and you can choose from over 320 different games! It has been so hot this week at my house and we even hit 100 degrees out the other day. So it is on days like that when I like to stay inside the air conditioning and play some fun casino games.

Some of the games you can play are blackjack, slot machines and roulette. Doesn't that sound fun? Sometimes I know this time of year is so busy, with doing things like bike riding, outdoor picnics and maybe even taking the kids to the park. That's why sometimes you may need some alone time and have some down time to play casino games.

A few other games you could try are card games, video poker and bingo keno. This a great way to relax after a busy day, and enjoy yourself. It is a great form of entertainment and you can unwind and have some fun playing all the exciting casino games. I know I can't wait to check out all of them. I saw some cool ones I really want to play like Mad Mad Monkey or Lucky Leprechaun online slots! 

If you like playing games, then you will have a good time with all the online casino games they have to offer. Which games do you want to try? Check them out and let me know because the Summer heat is here and now is a great time to stay in on those hot days and play all the games they have to offer! 

WW Sisters

circa 1971

Health Benefits of Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is a growing profession. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for physical therapists will increase by 36% over the next seven years.  There are several factors driving the trend:

• More people are investing in healthcare as the industry is reformed.
• Physical ailments are becoming more prevalent as the population ages.
• New lifestyle trends are leading to different types of injuries that people don’t know how to address on their own.

Despite the growing demand for physical therapists, many people remain skeptical of the benefits. Here are some reasons to consider hiring a physical therapist to assist you.

Solve Functional Movement Disorders

Functional movement disorders are becoming more common these days. Research from Mayo Clinic found that visiting a physical therapist can be one of the best ways to solve these problems. They tracked over 60 patients over the course of four years and found that over 60% of them exhibited noticeable improvement.

What types of functional movement disorders can be treated via physical therapy? Practically all of them can be addressed through various physical therapy programs. These include limited mobility from back pain, poor range of motion in the hip flexors and iliotibial band syndrome. Patients noticing an atrophy in their ability to move freely may want to consider visiting a physical therapist to develop a treatment regimen that can guide them.

Avoid Invasive Surgeries

Doctors are often eager to push surgery and medication on patients. Unfortunately, these procedures can be very painful, have long recovery times and lead to future complications. You should always try to pursue alternative forms of treatment whenever possible. The good news is that physical therapy can often provide the treatment you need to overcome major health problems that would otherwise require surgery.

Web MD recommends looking into physical therapy before resorting to surgery. It can be much cheaper, less painful and allow you to lead a more fulfilling life. Of course, there may be some problems that require surgery, so it’s important not to talk to your physical therapist about all of your options and know when to consider more intensive treatments.

Prevent Secondary Health Complications

Many people don’t realize that the problems solved with physical therapy can often help them avoid other health problems down the road. For example, many people with limited mobility problems end up suffering from heart disease and diabetes, because they have difficulty exercising and keeping their weight in check.

See a Physical Therapist Today

If you are suffering from a problem that keeps you from moving freely, then you should consider seeing a physical therapist today. You will probably find that they can help you overcome many of the other health problems that would inevitably plague you in the future. A.G. Rhodes is a great option to look into if you live in the Atlanta area. You can also look into a variety of other options in your own area.

Apex M Medical Device #review

hey all - review Sunday here. I have a product to share with you. I received this recently and I want to tell you about it. I know this is a touchy subject, but one that shouldn't be ignored or embarrassed about. 

This is the Apex & ApexM (which I received) it is a medical device that will strengthen the pelvic floor muscles to stop urge & mixed urinary incontinence without pills, without surgery and without pain.

Teaching Your Children About Funeral Etiquette

Mourning the loss of a loved one can be difficult. However, young children often have difficulty processing the loss, especially during a funeral. You will need to take the time them how to behave during the ceremony to give everyone else a chance to pay their respects.

Preparing Your Children for the Procession

Most children already have a difficult time staying still for extended periods of time. They may have even more trouble if they are highly anxious or depressed about the tragedy of losing someone important in their lives. They may cope by being feisty, which can be a problem during the ceremony. Here are some tips to help prepare them to Stuhr Funeral Home.

Decide if They Are Old Enough

You will need to use your own judgment to see if a child is old enough to attend a funeral. Suzanne Robin, a nurse writing for Mom.Me, says that infants shouldn’t be brought to funerals, because they can’t understand the significance and can be a distraction. However, some experts may disagree and say that you will need to use your own judgment if you can’t make other accommodations for them. Children between three and six also won’t really grasp the importance, but it can still be worth bring them. You will just need to decide based on your own child’s ability to sit still and their relationship with the deceased.

Give Them a Choice

Funerals are very emotional times for everyone. Children in particular may have a hard time coping. You should talk to them ahead of time to see if they are emotionally equipped to handle it. If they are really not up for going, then you should try to make other arrangements for them.

However, you should try to communicate the importance of the event to them if at all possible. They may change their mind if they see how they can pay their respects to a departed loved one. They may also tell you why they are intimidated by the situation, which will help you provide the guidance they need to get through it.

Communicate the Importance of Dressing Appropriately

Young children don’t usually like dressing up. However, it is important to wear conservative clothing to pay respects to the deceased. You will need to tell your kids why you are asking them to dress up.

They don’t necessarily need to follow the same dress code as the adults. If they are really putting up a big fight about wearing black, then you can make some concessions and let them wear a different colored outfit. However, you should still make sure that they wear appropriate attire for the venue.

Get Them Out if They Start Acting Up

Much younger children may act up regardless of how much you try to prepare them ahead of time. You will need to take them if they start to become a problem. It may be a good idea to stay near the doors so that you can leave easily if they start creating any problems.

4 Ways to Keep Scorpions from Infesting Your Home

Scorpions are major public health issue in many arid parts of the country. They aren’t generally lethal, but still pose health problems for people that get stung. According to Mayo Clinic, 30 of the 1,500 known species can be lethal. While the other types of scorpions won’t kill you, their stings can be very painful, so you should do everything possible to keep them from infesting your home.

Keeping Scorpions Away from Your Home

Scorpions are very small creatures that can easily infiltrate your home if you don’t take the right precautions. Here are some things that you should do to keep these unwanted guests at bay.

Deprive Them of Food Sources

Scorpions eat small insects such as ants, moths and crickets. The best way to discourage them from entering your home is to make sure that your house is free of insects for them to feast on. Use ant cups and other solutions to deal with insect infestations as soon as possible. You should also keep small bits of food off the grounds, because if they attract small insects, then scorpions may soon follow.

Seal Off Your House

Since scorpions are so small and dexterous, they can easily fit into small holes in your house. You need to find every possible port of entry and make sure that it is sealed properly to keep them out.

Trim Your Vegetation

Scorpions tend to thrive in large vegetation. Large bushes and thick grass provide them cover from the heat and rain. They also provide a large number of insects for them to eat. You will need to trim your vegetation as much as possible to make the area around your home as unappealing as possible. If you do this, then they will be less likely to make their way into your home.

Keep Wood Chips Away from Your House

Wood chips also tend to attract scorpions. They often use them to create places to live. They may eventually make their way into your house if it gets too warm or starts raining, so you should keep them off your ground.

If you use wood chips as compost in your garden, then you should either find other ways to stimulate growth or move your garden further away from the house. You should also seal any firewood that you are storing in a shed where it will be less likely to attract scorpions and other pests. This facility should ideally be as far away from your house as possible, so any scorpions that do make their way to it will be less likely to get to your house.

Make Scorpion Prevention a Priority

Scorpions are very serious pests in many parts of Arizona. You will need to do everything that you possibly can to keep them at bay. You will need to be especially vigilant if you have bark scorpions in your area, because they can be especially dangerous. Don’t hesitate to contact a professional if you need help dealing with dangerous scorpions if you are unable to prevent an infestation.

WW Recent Happenings

1. daughter dyed hair purple

2. a cool moth I spotted (googled at a Rosy Maple moth)

3. Bought a S'mores cake for anniversary

4, 5 & 6 hubby and I caught some catfish

8 & 9 planted tomato plants and my mint plant came out really good again

Do Kids Really Need an Allowance?

Whether or not you should give your child an allowance is a very personal decision to make. Many parents feel having their own money teaches children to be more responsible, while others say they just waste it. Some parents give their child a set amount each week, regardless of whether it was “earned” or not. Here is what parenting experts offer as advice.

Different Approaches

When considering allowances, most families fall into one of the three groups. The first group gives a set amount each week, but the child has no responsibility to complete any chores. The money is theirs to spend as they wish. The second group does not give any allowance at all and believes everyone should complete chores because it is good for the family if they all work together. The last group gives a certain amount a week, but the child has a list of chores that must be done to receive the money. They can also earn extra for doing other chores.

How Each Works

Children of the first group, who receive money for doing nothing, often grow up to be adults who assume they are entitled to whatever they want with little regards to the effort they make. They have grown up knowing that money always shows up at the end of the week and they still expect to be given something for nothing.

This is not the type of employee most places want to hire. Employers are looking for people who understand if they work hard and put in that extra effort, they can earn bonuses or other perks.

In the second group, children grow up believing that because they are part of the group, whether it is an employer or their own family, they deserve a part of everything that group owns. No employer wants to hire a person who thinks they deserve a raise just because they bothered to come to work and they put no effort into their job.

Children in the last group become the most responsible adults. They understand that money is limited and that if they work hard, they can earn more. They put forth more effort in their jobs because they understand that people who work hard can get ahead. They grew up saving their money for what they wanted and doing extra chores to earn money faster for items they wanted. Children who work hard to earn allowances understand if they want to get a better grade, they need to talk to their teacher about how to study or what extra work they can do.

Children in this last group grow into adults that employers want to hire. These children have been taught that effort is rewarded and nothing is free. They show up for work on time and make a valuable effort every day. Their paycheck and other perks are their reward.

What to do about a child’s allowance can be hard to decide. Some parents simply don’t want to spend the necessary time teaching their child the chores they need to do to earn their allowances, while others want their kids to be carefree as long as possible. Still other parents want to be their child’s “friend” and let them do whatever they want. You will have to decide how to teach your children to be the type of adult you want them to be.

Tips to Prevent Sports Knee Injuries

Knee injuries are very common among athletes. According to the Academy of Emergency Medicine, about 2.5 million adolescents suffer from them every year. The problems can be even worse among older athletes, because the recovery time is much longer and the injuries are less likely to fully heal without surgery. Fortunately, there are a number of ways that you can effectively reduce the risk of suffering a knee injury while participating in sports.

Stopping Sports Knee Injuries

Knee injuries are preventable if you take the right precautions. Here are some tips that you will want to follow before doing any type of high impact activity.

Check the Size of the Equipment that You Are Using

One of the most common mistakes athletes make is wearing the wrong sized equipment. According to Sports Knee Therapy, this is one of the biggest reasons that women over the age of 25 are 150% more likely to suffer from a ski injury.

You need to check all equipment and make sure it fits snugly before wearing it. You will be much less likely to lose your balance and it is less likely to slip if you fall, which means that it will stay in place to protect you properly.

Stretch Your IT Bands

Your iliotibial band (IT band) is the ligament that runs across the outer thigh and connects the hip and the knee. This band often becomes inflamed, resulting in a condition known as iliotibial band syndrome. After it becomes inflamed, it contracts, which can cause it to pull away at the knee.

This can create friction between the knee cap and the femur, which can be painful. However, the real concern is that the disorder leaves you more vulnerable to injury. The sliding kneecap can throw you off balance and make you more susceptible to falls. You can significantly reduce the risk by stretching the IT band at least sixty seconds two to five times a day.

Get Your Technique Down

You need to make sure that you have your technique down carefully before doing any sports. While most formal sports require you to have sufficient training before competing, pickup games and other informal events usually do not. You need to be aware of your own skill level and limitations to make sure that you are capable of competing without risking an injury.

Stay Limber

Keeping yourself limber is probably the most important thing that you need to do to avoid knee injuries. Your knees will be less likely to sustain an injury if your muscles are loose, because they won’t contract as much and place as much stress on the joints. You will also be able to fall more gracefully, thereby minimizing the risk of injury.

Protect Your Knees!

Knee injuries are probably the most common problem that athletes face every year. You need to be disciplined about protecting yourself to avoid them. Make sure that you keep yourself in good shape and are adequately prepared. If you ever do sustain an injury, then it is important to get treatment from an expert before the problem progresses.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY 21ST ANNIVERSARY TO ME & HUBBY~

XOXOXO

Improve Circulation to Feel More Rejuvenated

Varicose diseases are more common in the United States than virtually every other country in the world. Unfortunately, most people suffering from this condition aren’t aware of it, although the symptoms are very noticeable. One of the biggest indicators that someone is suffering from a vascular problem is that they are feeling tired and sluggish, because blood is pooling certain parts of their body and not making it to other areas.

Improving Circulation in Your Legs

Fortunately, there are a number of ways that you can fight varicose diseases and improve circulation, which inevitably leaving you feeling more energetic. Here are some of the steps that you should consider taking.

Use Nutritional Supplements

There are a number of causes of poor circulation. One of the biggest factors is deficiency of key nutrients such as vitamin B and iron. You may be able to solve the problem by making some minor dietary changes, but taking supplements may be necessary.

There are a number of herbal supplements that have been shown to be effective for treating circulatory problems that arise from varicose disorders. Astragalus root and white atractylodes rhizome are two that are worth trying out.

Become More Active

Living a sedentary lifestyle is one of the biggest causes of deep vein thrombosis and other varicose problems. This is particularly common among people that have careers that require them to sit for extended periods of time, because their blood will pool and flow to key organs becomes restricted.

You will need to try to be as active as possible to avoid developing these problems. Try to go for a walk during your lunch break and visit the gym at least three days a week to make for all the time that you spend sitting. You may also want to consider investing in a standing workstation. Even an ergonomic design may be good, because it will at least make you feel more comfortable shifting positions throughout the day.

Avoid Inflammatory Foods

You want to limit consumption of foods that cause inflammation. Anything that is high in saturated fats, sugar and caffeine is likely to cause circulatory problems. Alcohol is also a major contributor.

Visit a Phlebologist

Phlebologists are physicians that specialize in treating vein disorders. You may want to consult with one if you feel that you have a chronic varicose disorder. They can perform a number of procedures or prescribe medication that will alleviate your symptoms and help you feel more energized. Mount Castle Vein Centers is a great one to check out.

Don’t Let Vein Problems Ruin Your Life

If you are suffering from varicose problems, then you will probably feel tired throughout the day. You don’t want to let them keep you from functioning. Make the necessary lifestyle changes and consider speaking with a professional that can help you overcome the disorder and live a more rejuvenated life.

The Importance of Orthopedic Care for Patient Health

The field of medicine has become much more complex, which has forced doctors to be extremely specialized. One of the least known professions is orthopedics. Patients should understand the importance of good orthopedic care to ensure they stay healthy.

What is Orthopedics?

Orthopedics is the specialty of medicine that is concerned with the musculoskeletal system. This system is responsible for many important functions including running, jumping and swimming. Despite the importance of maintaining a strong musculoskeletal system, most people don’t give it much consideration, which inevitably leads to health complications as people age.

As a result, the need for orthopedists has risen significantly in recent years. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, there are 28,047 orthopedists on record in the United States. The number has increased significantly in the last few decades. It will probably continue to increase in the future as the population ages and society becomes more aware of the causes of bone and muscular problems.

What Types of Problems Can Orthopedists Help With?

There are a variety of reasons that orthopedists play a crucial role in improving patient health. Here are some of the most common health problems that they help address:

• Diagnosis and treatment from traumatic events such as falls and car accidents
• Repetitive sports injuries
• Degeneration of the bones
• Bone cancer

These problems are becoming more frequent over time, which is forcing Americans to seek state-of-the-art treatment options. The role of orthopedics will play an ever more important role in the medical profession.

A growing number of surveys show that patients need a more thorough education on the importance of orthopedics professionals. The study Patient Understanding of the Role of the Orthopedic Resident found that patients were particularly confused about the role that orthopedic residents played in their healthcare. General practitioners will need to make a more concerted attempt to communicate their importance to patients as orthopedics becomes more important.

Know When to Work With an Orthopedic Surgeon

Working with a skilled orthopedist is crucial to ensure the highest level of care. They will need to know when surgery may be necessary and what options are available to you. Here are some questions that you need to ask an orthopedic surgeon if you are suffering from any musculoskeletal problems:

• What does the pain indicate? Pain that interferes with your ability to live your daily life may suggest surgery is needed.
• What are the potential complications of orthopedic surgery?
• What surgery options are available to me?
• What physical therapy will I need to undergo after the surgery?
• What types of medication are generally used after a surgery is completed?

You should always receive as much information as possible before seeking any medical attention. Since orthopedics is a very complicated subspecialty of medicine, you will need to make sure that your orthopedic surgeon can clearly articulate the risks and options available to you.