When you see Natalie Carda in her home town of Beresford, dribbling down the basketball court at the University of South Dakota, or coming straight towards you in life, you\’ll see one common characteristic - determination.

Carda grew up in South Dakota with her Mom, older brother, and her basketball coach Father. “I\’ve been playing basketball since I can remember”, says Carda. She has always felt comfortable as she stepped onto the court and excelled in basketball. With a head of steam she stepped into college life with excitement and ease. She was not prepared, though, to step in to a new role; the one that life handed her.

In her Freshman year in college Carda started feeling numbness in the top part of her body. “I have a bad back so I just thought it had something to do with that. You know, anything to explain why it was happening, then it went away so it wasn\’t really a big deal.” She continued explaining that it only happened twice that year and it went away so everything must be fine.

The next year, as she was getting up out of her bed she fell, landing hard enough to jar her back. That incident, again, was explained away by back problems. At the beginning of this, her Junior year, her back tightened up and her entire right side went numb. Carda\’s Trainer was concerned that more was wrong than her back and had her see a Doctor, who was concerned that these were signs of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). He promptly did an MRI which showed lesions on her brain and sent her to a Neurologist who confirmed the diagnosis. Carda remembers, “I didn\’t really know what MS was. I had heard of MS and knew that it wasn\’t very good.” She talked herself into thinking it was just another little problem and denied the diagnosis. When her Neurologist explained he was 100% sure it was MS then she wanted to know more about what MS was.

“It was scary at first but when I learned more about
how it wasn\’t as scary as everyone thought it was,
it was a lot easier to take.”

Her team mates did not say much to her about the diagnosis. They did not know what to ask her because they did not know what it was or how she would react. “They did not want to reveal that they were \’freaking out\’ so I wouldn\’t \’freak out\’.” she explained. “You get nervous about things you don\’t know about and we didn\’t know anything about MS.”

There were more questions than answers. Carda\’s Mom has done a lot of research since Natalie was diagnosed and participated in different educational options provided by the MS Society. Information is power and the more they know about and understand what MS the easier it is to deal with. Her Mom has done a lot to learn as much as they can about it. Carda and the entire basketball team were invited to attend a presentation by the MS Society that will help answer some of the questions they have, and some they may be afraid to think about or ask

As far as her basketball career Carda explained, “At first, with the new medication, I would get very tired - I wanted to sleep all day. I essentially had MS in my Freshman and Sophomore year and played right through it so it really doesn\’t seem much different now. I haven\’t really seen a dramatic affect on basketball at all.”

Carda was not sure what she wanted to major in but since being diagnosed with MS she has focused in on Nursing, specializing in Neurology. “I think getting MS was a sign that I should go into Nursing and help other people.” Her future has come into focus also. “I see this as a life perspective change.” She wants to live life to the fullest and help people understand more about the disease. “It doesn\’t have to change everything that you do. I thought basketball was going to be over and it\’s not and I plan on achieving the other things in life like getting married and having kids.”

The positive attitude this 21 year old has seems to be contagious. She is surrounded by people who also have a positive attitude and they help her get through tough times. Her Dad, with the Coach inside him, continues to tell her to \’get back out there and keep playing hard\’. “I do not want anyone to feel sorry for me, at all”, said Carda

With her positive attitude, being surrounded by family and friends, and strong determination this young athlete will learn how to play the new \’game\’ and win.

Toni Grundstrom is a freelance writer. For further information about achieving in spite of having MS click here. Your will find up-to-date information about MS and others who inspire to achieve.

CHI truly is an innovative brand well known in the beauty industry for producing some of the most sought after flat irons on the planet, and it seems as if absolutely everyone has been told to buy one. But, there are so many CHI\’s out there; CHI Original, CHI Turbo, CHI Pink, CHI Nano… which CHI is right for you?

The Similarities:
In addition to all being fabulous flat irons, they do share a few common features such as:

1-inch curved plates for straight and curly styles
Ceramic, Ionic and Far Infrared Technology to smooth down the hair\’s cuticle and create sleek, shiny hair without damage
Flash heating for quick heat-up times
Quick recovery time - this eliminates damaging hot spots that can damage your hair

So at least you know whichever CHI you choose, you\’re getting an absolute powerhouse dedicated to smoothing your hair with every snag-free glide, but read on to find out what each CHI is famous for…

CHI Original 1-inch Flat Iron
Product Snapshot: This professional salon model is a best-seller for good reason…it\’s awesome. Part of CHI\’s original collection of flat irons, this versatile styling tool has an ergonomic design and curved edge plates to create any style from straight to curly and everything in between. With a flash heating element and fixed temperature setting, the power to create the style of your dreams is your hands, and with ceramic, ionic, infrared technology, frizz is nowhere to be found.

The main difference: Fixed temperature - it provides the exact amount of heat every time, and everyone loves this iron.

CHI Pink 1-inch Dazzle Ceramic Flat Iron
You get the professional CHI Original Ceramic 1-inch Flat Iron in, you guessed it - PINK! With its ergonomic design and curved edge plates you\’ll be straightening and curling constantly. Plus, Farouk Systems will donate a portion of all sales (from October -December) of this limited edition pink flat iron to support national breast cancer awareness. It\’s a great cause and a great tool.

Why I love it: It\’s a limited edition iron - the same as the CHI Original - but a portion of all sales during certain times of the year go to support National Breast Cancer Awareness. What\’s not to love?

CHI Turbo 1-inch Ceramic Flat Iron
Turn on the turbo and get a great style fast with the CHI Turbo 1-inch Flat Iron. Ceramic, ionic technology seals in the hair\’s natural moisture and shine by smoothing the hair cuticle, creating a healthy static-free shine. Variable temperature settings from 175 to 356 degrees F allow you to control the amount of gentle, far infrared heat as you style. Negative ion activity straightens your hair making it sleek and smooth, and the curved edge plates allow you to make curls and waves as well.

What\’s so special? Variable Temperature Settings - you control the amount of heat your hair needs - perfect for if you cannot use your iron on the hottest setting. Plus, I think the Turbo grips you hair much better than the Original model. This matters if your hair is somewhat difficult to straighten.

Bonus points: Felt heat protection on the outside of the iron.

CHI Nano Ceramic 1-inch Flat Iron
Product Snapshot: If you\’re looking for the latest in technology, you\’re looking for the CHI Nano 1-inch Ceramic Flat Iron. This ceramic ionic professional appliance features include flash heating in under 10 seconds, curved edge plates for curling and straightening, and a temperature setting from 302-356 degrees F. Innovative Nano Silver Technology in the iron eliminates bacteria, creating a germ-free environment every time you use it. Talk about innovation! CHI rocks.

Why it\’s a best-seller: Nano Silver Technology eliminates bacteria on the iron. That\’s cool. Very cool.

CHI Nano Digital 1-inch Ceramic Flat Iron
Product Snapshot: With the latest in Nano Silver Technology and Digital Control Options, this CHI Nano Digital 1-inch Flat Iron is sure to become your new best friend. Packed with innovative technology including Nano Silver Technology that eliminates bacteria on the appliance, creating a germ-free environment every time you use it, this ceramic ionic professional appliance features flash heating, far infrared heat and curved plates for creating straight styles, flips and curls.

The perks: Nano Silver Technology eliminates bacteria on the iron, which as you know is very cool; it also has digital control options. If you want a hi-tech tool, this is it!

The breakthrough technology used in the development of CHI appliances has given them a competitive edge by allowing them to create truly unique products and styling tools that are so well known in the industry they are asked for time and time again. From the latest in far infrared, ceramic and ionic technology to pioneering the newest Nano Silver technology, CHI tools not only out perform other appliances, but some of their tools actually sterilize themselves.

If you\’re ready to style your hair like a professional, you\’re ready for CHI - go directly to the StyleBell CHI Flat Irons section, it\’s chock full of CHI - in our favorite 1-inch size.

Shelley Nicoletti, Beauty Editor for StyleBell
http://www.stylebell.com

There\’s no doubt that you want to keep your eyes in tip top condition. You need your vision to drive a car, to read books, to study, to work, etc. And now with the advent of computers and internet, your eyes are more important than ever.

So here\’s why you need to perform periodic eye tests to check your vision and see if you need to wear glasses or contact lenses, or maybe you could just improve your vision with simple eye exercises.

We have two different focuses on our eyes. One is to see long distance objects, like a far boat on a lake, a far car coming on the road, or a far distance mountain. Then the other one is to see short distance objects, like the words of a book, the display of your computer, your food when eating, and other important things that allow you to perform different tasks.

First of all be honest with you and see if your vision is good trying to read long distance advertising on the road, long distance direction signs while driving, and answer this simple question: do you get tired when reading? Because that could be a good sign that your eyes need some help.

The second step is to try an online Free Eye Test like many out there, to see how bad is your vision. Maybe is not that bad at all! Then you need to visit your local ophthalmologist to get help. He will advice you on what type of vision correction you need for your eyes. Remember, procrastination with your eyes, only deteriorate more your vision, so don\’t delay your eye test.

Keno Toriello is a successful Expert Publisher in the Eye Care and Vision industries, and Webmaster of “Better Eyes Better Vision Program” at http://www.Eyes-Doctor-Secret.com, specialized in Natural Vision Correction, Lasik Eye Surgery, Contact Lenses and Prescription Sunglasses. Try a Free Eye Test and see your results! Keno Toriello has spent countless hours studying and conducting research, and now he shares his insightful and powerful secrets to you.

Copyright 2008.
Visit http://www.Eyes-Doctor-Secret.com

Many of us reaches a point when we have to lose weight. Sometimes, weight loss is an absolute must to maintain one\’s health while other times it is a must to get into that nice party dress that have been hanging in the back of your closet for so long. No reason is less important then another although it may seem so.

Do you believe that on reason is more important than an other?

A girl or a boy that is being bullied because of his/hers weight is just as important as a mid-aged obese man that just got his diabetes diagnose, just as the woman in her early twenties that lacks confidence when it comes to relationships and unanswered attraction.

So, most of us needs to lose weight sometime in our lives. Every reason is important and should be treated equally.

Now, you have taken the first step already otherwise you wouldn\’t be reading this article. You have started to think that things actually could change and sometime in the near future you are about to go from thought to action.

When we are about to embark on a journey that we \’know\’ will be hard and troublesome we try to find easy ways out. Sometimes there actually are easy ways and sometimes there are not.

Probably you need to lose 15 pounds and you want it gone yesterday. Ask yourself: -How long did it take to put it on?

Search yourself and be honest to yourself. It is likely that it took at least a year to gain this weight and no you want it to be gone in a week or two. I used to feel that way and it took me some time to build the courage to start on a diet.

If you are a new dieter, it is important to select a diet that is easy to follow and don\’t require a major change in your life (except for weight loss). The diet should also be composed with foods from every group. Don\’t try to start those low carb diets as they require a lot of discipline and also a lot of planning. Low calorie diets are also extremely tough. When you start to lower your calorie intake you will be tired, easily irritated and have headaches. Basically you\’ll become the person that everybody tries to avoid.

So the diet you should be looking for should:

- Be easy to adhere to.

This means that you should eat enough of the foods you like to withstand cravings for certain foods

- Be easy to follow.

The diet should be easy to plan. You shouldn\’t have to count every single calorie you eat.

- Hold all the nutrients you need.

This is basic in any diet.

- Make you feel content. Never leave the table feeling hungry.

You should eat at least four times per day and not feel hungry between meals.

- Treat Days.

This is what saved me. Treat Days are just what it sounds like. Get diet-free days when you can eat the things you love.

The diet I found is called the calorie shifting diet and it features all the demands above. The fact that you get three diet-free every other week makes it very easy to follow, and you eat until full, not stuffed, just full. This diet will help you lose the weight you want because it affects your metabolism and if you combine it with some exercising the pounds will start to melt of very fast and the fat loss will also last.

Jenni Olsen is health and fitness expert who specializes in calorie shifting diets such as fatloss 4 idiots and has been consulting on the subject of weight loss for the last five years.

When you reach a certain age you not only begin to become aware of your aging process but you begin to notice maybe a few small lines on your face that were once never there and it becomes apparent that the time has come to start researching and testing different anti-aging creams to help you age as gracefully as possible. When you visit the cream aisle of any department store you can be incredibly overwhelmed as there are literally endless amounts of different brands of creams as well as different types and sizes. It can be so hard to know which are the good brands and which brands will do nothing but cost you money. Check out these reviews below and use this information to help you find the perfect anti-aging cream for you.

The Athena 7 Minute Lift is one of the most popular anti-aging creams available today. This product has shown an average reduction of lines and wrinkles by 83% which is are outstanding results. You can find this great wrinkle cream online or at your local department store; basically anywhere anti-aging creams are sold. It can be found at a retail price of $89, which may be a bit pricey for some consumers but the results are more than worth this one time investment. This cream, although comes in a small package can last for several months even when using it every night as directed.

Freeze 24/7 is another anti-aging cream which has been attracting a lot of attention lately. With results a bit less than the Athena 7 Minute Lift, this cream still provides outstanding success for women over 50years old. With a 50-90% reduction in lines and wrinkles, this cream has outstanding customer reviews which can be found online today and purchased online as well, shipped right to your door. This cream is a bit more expensive than the one above at $115, but you cannot find a bad review about it, anywhere!

Leaning more towards the more commercialized end of the spectrum is of course the very popular Olay. They have been consistently producing better and better anti-aging cream systems which come with several different steps to make sure you are covering all the grounds when it comes to your unique aging process. Through the Olay website you can go through the steps to get customized recommendations regarding your personal skin care, problems and wrinkle spots to help you resolve your aging skin so you can continue to age beautifully. Even on the retail market, these Olay systems of anti-aging and wrinkle creams and serums can be quite expensive but the market is only growing which means their skin care technology is not only effective but loved by the women of the public today.

If you are still uncertain about the anti-aging skin cream that is right for you, you can visit the websites such as Olay and request free samples. This is a great way to learn by trial and error which ones work and which ones don\’t without spending hundreds of dollars in the process. It will probably take a few months to start learning what works best on your skin but this time is well spent because when you find the right anti-aging cream your face and skin will thank you!

Even for those of you who took such great care of their skin when you were younger, there is always a need for anti-aging creams because wrinkles can be caused by many different factors including the sun, your nutrition habits and even exercise. There are so many factors that contribute to your skin\’s health that a good anti-aging cream can really help you heal and age with beauty.

About The Author
Paul Jones researches and provides article content for womens\’ health, beauty and fashion.
Choose Your New Hairstyle at HairDoHairstyles.com where you will find 100\’s of Pictures of Hairstyles along with hairstyle advice. Try out the Virtual Hairstyle Demo before you cut. Learn how you can “Plan The Perfect Wedding on A Shoestring Budget.” Its all in a neat little e-book. Yours Free just for visiting HairDohairstyles.com.

Maybe you have decided that now is the time to lose some of that extra weight you have gained. You are likely wondering what is the best way to accomplish that. There are so many types of diet and diet plans being offered. No more how you cut it, weight loss always revolves around the very basics. You must burn more calories than you take in. You should have more fibre in your diet. Exercise burns calories.

At this very moment, you are most likely to find at least 450 diet books in print. Without fail, every year weight loss centers enrol 8 million Americans in a variety of weight-loss programs. Your options can be grouped into four main categories.

You may initiate a do-it-yourself program using diet books and communicate with various support groups. You may enrol in nonclinical programs that provide counsellors to teach weight loss and nutrition. Alternatively you may enrol in a clinical program, where medical professionals may suggest drugs or surgery. Or you may decide to seek consultation with a registered dietician.

The choice may be a bit difficult to make when realizing that the weight-loss industry is largely unregulated. You will find some good advice by referring to guidelines on safe and effective dieting issued by The Institute of Medicine. This recognized report is published by the National Academy of Sciences.

“The current system is chaos,” says Dr. Frank, co-author of the guidelines. “None of these programs gives any information.” To give dieters a basis for choosing the right program, the guidelines call on weight-loss programs to issue comprehensive data about patients\’ long-term weight loss, improvements in obesity-related diseases, and improved health practices.

The guideline recommendations are as follows. Select a program that satisfies your individual needs. Ask a trusted health care professional if the program appears to offer sound advice. Always monitor your health before and during weight loss efforts. Remember that programs promising results without dieting and exercise just can not work. Remember that breastfeeding women should undertake weight loss only under medical supervision. Children and patients with any chronic disease should only enter a weight loss program under medical supervision.

Now to Choosing the Right Diet

According to the National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), diet refers to what a person eats or drinks in the course of a normal day. There are several name brand diets, such as the Atkins diet, the Zone diet, the South Beach diet and others. It is important to remember that a diet that limits portions to a very small size or that excludes certain foods entirely to promote weight loss may not be effective over the long term. It is much easier to maintain a diet that takes into account the foods that you like and dislike and also include combinations of foods with enough calories and nutrients for good health.

When planning your diet it is important that you consider what calorie level is appropriate for you. Is the diet that you and considering to take nutritionally balanced? Will this diet be practical and easy to follow? Will the diet be maintainable for the rest of your life? The below information will show you what to look out for in a diet.

Make sure that your diet contains all the essential nutrients for good health. Using the Food Guide Pyramid and the Nutrition Facts Label that is found on most processed food products can help you choose a healthful diet. The Pyramid shows you the kinds and amounts of food that you need each day for good health. The Nutrition Facts Label will help you select foods that meet your daily nutritional needs.

A healthful diet should include, the number of calories that is right for you, adequate vitamins and minerals, adequate protein, adequate fibre to promote routine bowel function, should limit the amount of cholesterol in your diet, and it should include at least 8 to 10 glasses of water or water-based beverages per day.

The different types of diets go by names such as the fixed-menu diet, exchange-type diet, pre-packaged-meal diet, formula diet, and those that could be labelled questionable diets. You should avoid any diet that suggests you eat a certain nutrient, food, or combination of foods to promote easy weight loss. Some of these diets may work in the short term because they are low in calories. However, they are often not well balanced and may cause nutrient deficiencies. So called flexible diets suggest monitoring fat only, calories only, or a combination of the two, with the individual making the choice of both the type and amount of food eaten. These flexible diets work well for many people, and teaches them how to control what they eat.

Many other issues relate to the dieting process as well such as hormone balance, grouping of food types, your glycemic index and frequency of meals and meal portions.

Tom Henricks maintains a weight loss blog that allows input and information related to these issues.
For more info about weight loss please visit http://www.eathappy-tgh.info

There are so many weight loss programs to choose from nowadays that it has become a “mine field” when trying to find the right one for You.

Do you choose an online weight loss program, an organized group weight loss program, a DIY “on your own” weight loss program, a magazine based weight loss program, - the list is endless.

At the end of the day only you can decide which weight loss program is the right one for you.

You could start by talking to friends and relatives to find out about any weight loss programs they have used and what the results were like; did they find it easy, did they have support, DID IT WORK? etc.

When choosing the best weight loss program for you, you must consider whether it is one that you are going to be able to stick with. ie will it help keep you motivated and goal orientated, after all if you lose interest after a few days or weeks then you will not be achieving what you set out to do, and will be demoralized for the future.

Also you must consider how safe is the weight loss program in the long run. Does it have a well balanced diet plan that includes a variety of foods from each food group. You should be looking at a minimum calorie count of 1200 for women and 1600 for men. Do not think that a starvation weight loss plan is going to work. Yes it might help you loss a few pounds for the beach, but they will return twice as quickly!

Also you must include exercise in your weight loss program. This is vital. You might lose weight without exercise but you will lose more and lose it quicker with some form of exercise. Idealy it will be a daily exercise program that you can fit in without it becoming a chore. Walk the dog, walk to work, walk the kids to school, join a gym, swim - you decide, but find something you enjoy and it will help almost as much as calorie counting, and you will feel better and have more energy as well.

Before you start any weight loss program and exercise program you must consider your health! If you are in any way unsure then you MUST consult your doctor for advise and guidance.

To find out more about weight loss programs and related issues you can visit my
blog at http://helen-weightlosssecrets.blogspot.com

By learning how to use eyeliner properly, you could enhance smaller eyes, decrease larger eyes and create endless amounts of different looks for every occasion you have coming up in your future. It can be hard to imagine for many women that there is actually a technique to using eyeliner but when used correctly you can be sure to create the look of celebrities.

You want to find a happy medium between a casual eyeliner addition to your face and looking like a very high maintenance woman who cannot leave the house without a face full of makeup. Eyeliner is meant to enhance your eyes in a subtle way, when overused you are creating a look that may be more severe than you intend. To achieve the everyday look that women want for going to work or running errands, it is important to not only apply the eyeliner with a light hand but to choose a lighter shade of eyeliner rather than black or kohl. For many people these shades are far too dark and no matter how light you try to apply them, they always look too severe on many complexions.

The smoky eye is a very popular this year and although it does portray a darker image, it can still be accomplished even if you have a lighter complexion. First the key is to buy the eyeliner that offers the blending brush on the opposite end. This is the key component to achieving this look with very little effort. First you need to start from the inside corner of your eye and work your way outward, trying to make the center of the eyelid the thickest. Then take the other end of your eyeliner (the blender) or use a cotton swab to smudge the eyeliner you just created. Layering the liner with a light layer of eye shadow is the key to the smoky eye.

If you are looking for a bolder look, no matter what your complexion you buy a darker eyeliner color and instead of stopping the line ¾ of the way across the lid, going all the way across from the inside corner to the outside corner can create the dramatic look you are looking for that special night on the town. By combining this dramatic eyeliner technique with the smoky grey or black eye shadow across the liner you added as the crease of your eye lid you have created a simple and dramatic look for any event.

One of the most important factors of using your eyeliner correctly is to make sure that you are using a high quality product. You will not achieve any of these eyeliner techniques by using cheap eyeliner. By choosing brands like Maybelline, CoverGirl, Loreal Paris and Lancome, you can count on the high quality you need to make your new eye look last all day and all night. Although you will find that these products cost a bit more than others, it is more than worth it in the long run.

Take note of these great eyeliner techniques as you can create the look of celebrities in just a few short minutes right from your home. You will be amazed just how much better your makeup will look when you apply these simple techniques. Right now you may think there is nothing wrong with your eye makeup but by taking the chance on these new techniques you may be surprised just how much better you look. Invest in some great eye shadow and brushes to make sure you have the tools to create the looks listed above and the many popular trends of 2008.

About The Author
Paul Jones researches and provides article content for womens\’ health, beauty and fashion.
Choose Your New Hairstyle at HairDoHairstyles.com where you will find 100\’s of Pictures of Hairstyles along with hairstyle advice. Try out the Virtual Hairstyle Demo before you cut. Learn how you can “Plan The Perfect Wedding on A Shoestring Budget.” Its all in a neat little e-book. Yours Free just for visiting HairDohairstyles.com

There has been a lot of seemingly contradictory advice about how much water you need to drink while exercising.

Water, per se, is only part of the equation. Of more concern is the loss of electrolytes, primarily sodium and potassium which are critical to the proper functioning of muscle cells in particular.

There is also a difference when you consider gender…women on average need 2.7 liters of water per day, while men need 3.7 liters.
These amounts are for a person who is very physically active or who live in hot climates.
On average 80% of our water consumption comes from drinking water and beverages, and the other 20% comes from our food.

As far as salt requirements, a healthy 19 to 50 year old requires 1.5 grams of sodium and 2.3 grams of chloride each day…or 3.8 grams of sodium chloride…better known as \’table salt\’.
This amount will replace the amount lost due to perspiration and to achieve a diet that provides sufficient amounts of other essential nutrients.
High blood pressure, which can lead to a stroke, and coronary heart disease as well as kidney disease, is associated with sodium intake.
The maximum intake of sodium that people should consume per day, also known as the \’upper intake level\’ or UL, is 5.8 grams of salt or 2.3 grams of sodium and 3.5 grams of potassium.

Older people, those with chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and kidney disease, are particularly susceptible to the blood pressure raising effects of salt and should reduce their intake.

Dehydration resulting from strenuous exercise can seriously impair the body\’s ability to dissipate excess heat. The heat generated by strenuous exercise is the result from both chemical processes - generating the energy needed to perform the exercise - and the friction of all those muscle fibers rubbing against each other.

To make this issue even more complicated are the reports of people who have consumed too much water - hyponatremia - even some who have died as the result of drinking too much water after exercising.

Fortunately, this problem is actually quite easy to solve. You need to drink as much water as you use. Simply weigh yourself before and after your exercise session and the difference is how much water you used.
Another way to gauge this is to listen to your body…it will tell you when you need a drink. If it doesn\’t tell you it is thirsty, then you are probably OK.

As you age, the \’feeling\’ of thirst alone may not be accurate.
This is why you need to weigh yourself to get a much more objective view of how much water you are using.
And don\’t forget about the electrolytes…you need to keep a balanced intake of sodium and potassium.

The easiest way to do this is with a \’sports\’ beverage, which are fortified with both sodium and potassium.
You need to read the label and factor in the amount of those nutrients into your diet to maintain the correct amount of total salt you consume per day.

To sum it all up…listen to your body and consume the amount of water you need.
Everybody is unique and will need a slightly different amount of water from others, as well as a different amount determined on how strenuous the exercise is and what the ambient conditions are - humidity and temperature.

Maintaining proper hydration is a very important part of your exercise program. A little forethought and understanding will go a long way to your finding the most effective way to achieving your personal goals…no matter what they are.

The author has been an aerobics instructor for over 28 years. He has taught classes for private health clubs and has been a Certified Group Instructor for the Y.M.C.A. since 1980. He is currently developing web sites focused on Health and Fitness.

To read more on health and fitness programs that work Contact the author by email

Because I\’m on the Medifast diet plan and often seen carrying these shakes with me, I\’m often asked what they taste like. Most people even scrunch their nose when they ask me this question, as if they are sure that I\’m going to confess something unsavory about them.

The truth is, they are not like the chalky diet shakes that you probably remember or fear. The shakes are also really very filling. At first drink the shakes are pretty good, but there are ways to make them taste even better. I\’ve gotten so good at this art that I actually crave the shakes now in the way I used to crave my morning Star bucks. Here\’s how I make the shakes taste really good:

First, no matter which flavor you\’re using (my favorite is the Dutch Chocolate), make sure you consume it as cold as possible. I wholeheartedly recommend using a blender and ice (Medifasts\’ blender works very well). Doing so will make the vanilla flavored shake taste like a frappacino and the chocolate and banana flavors taste somewhat like milkshakes in their respective flavors. When I have time, I will even refrigerate my shakes over night because this will thicken them up even more and give them a shake like consistency.

Another alternative is to add cold coffee and ice for an iced coffee effect. This is actually very good.

Some people swear by adding no sugar syrups to individualize taste. I especially like raspberry and caramel sugar free syrups added to mine. This gives the shake a really sweet, dessert like flavor. A friend of mine adds crystal light powders to hers to play around with the taste.

With a little practice and individualization, most folks have no problems with making the medifast shakes taste very good and to their liking. Experiment and see what works for you.

Lindsey Price\’s Medifast Review Website features videos, tips, coupons, information and products related to Medifast. You can visit Lindsey\’s Medifast Website by clicking here.