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Feb 12

Losing Weight PictureFailed diets and out of control obesity may lead you to believe that losing weight is difficult but it is quite easy, at least on paper. The only thing you need to do is keep the calories that you burn greater than the calories that you eat. So why is this article so long?

Your first step is to figure out how many calories you are burning each day. There are a few formulas that have come out over the years that estimate how many calories you burn per day based on your sex, age, weight, height and physical activity. When using these formulas, keep in mind that the number you get gives you an estimate not a number that never changes day to day. It will fluctuate.

Safe weight loss is considered 1-2 pounds per week. While it is possible to lose more, it is extremely unhealthy to do so. So how many calories do you actually have to cut out of your diet? One pound of body fat equals about 3500 calories. If you want to lose one pound in a week, you need to cut 3500 calories out of your diet per week. While this might sound like a lot, per day it comes out to a 500 calorie deficit.

Your next step is to ask yourself how you want to get rid of any unwanted weight. You can cut 500 calories out of your diet per day, or increase the amount of calories you burn by 500 calories per day. A combination of these two methods is the best way to go.

Feb 10

Menopause Symptoms PictureMenopause is not a disease or an illness. It is permanent ending of menstruation in women. Menopause marks the end of a woman’s natural ability to bear children.

Menopause symptoms are as different as women themselves. Some women do not have any symptoms during menopause or only have a few symptoms. Other women develop disturbing and even severe symptoms.

In the western world about 12 percent of woman do not experience symptoms of menopause and about 14 percent experience intense physical or emotional problems. The average age of US women in whom menopause occurs is 51 years.

For most women, menopause is a normal occurrence. If menopause happens in a woman younger than 40 years, it is considered premature. Menopause is considered late if it occurs in a woman older than 55 years.

Here is an almost complete list of menopause symptoms.

  • Hot flashes
  • Night sweats
  • Sleep disorders
  • Changes in menstruation
  • Mood swings
  • Depression and anxiety
  • Irritability
  • Difficulties in concentrating
  • Mental confusion
  • Memory problems
  • Decline in libido
  • Vaginal dryness
  • Urinary problems
  • Thinning of the skin around the cervix.
  • Breast tenderness
  • Tiredness
  • Hair loss and hair thinning
  • Headaches
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Osteoporosis
  • Weight gain

Keep in mind that most women will only have a few symptoms from this list of menopause symptoms. Symptoms can be noticed for several months to years before the last menstrual period and can continue for several years after.

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