We all love to measure our improvement, but when it comes to fitness, the bathroom scale is not always the best gauge.

When it comes to measuring our improvement, the bathroom scale seems to be the tool of choice…but is it a fair gauge? Most diets don’t provide long-term results because they are focused on short-term measurements. Take for example a dieter that has lost 5 pounds in their first week of dieting. They are overjoyed with the result…but what did they really accomplish? Their 5-pound weight loss is a combination of: 1-part stored energy (fat converted into glycogen); and 3-parts of water which is needed to burn it. So that 5 pounds on the scale may be more reflective of only 1 pound of actual fat loss.

Weighing yourself at different times of the day can also give you varied results, as your levels of hydration will vary significantly as the day goes on. That recommended 8 glasses of water per day that we should all be drinking equates to over 4 pounds of weight…and these are good pounds, my friends. Drinking water has many, many health benefits, so its temporary weight is well worth it. In fact, water helps the kidneys filter waste products from the body. Not enough water and your kidneys will turn to the liver for help. If the liver is ‘tasked’ with filtering waste, it will decrease or suspend its primary function of mobilizing stored fat for energy. Therefore water indirectly burns fat…so go ahead and have another glass.

If the scales are short-term gauges, how should we measure our long-term improvement? The best way is to measure our body fat percentage. This is a superior long-term gauge of success and will not significantly fluctuate with a bowl of ice cream or a glass of water. I personally like the circumference method, which by taking a few simple measurements you can record and calculate your body fat percentage. This measurement is best done every few weeks or even just once a month. It’s more reassuring than a weight number and it’s much more rewarding as you’ll actually see a decrease in size. By measuring your waist, hips (women only), and neck circumference with a cloth tape measure you can easily figure out your body fat percentage.

In summary, measure what matters. The bathroom scale is a good gauge of weight, but will only displays part of the story. By measuring your body fat percentage, you’ll be able to really see the long-term improvements of your fitness plan both on the measuring tape and in the mirror!

Food Log
One of the most important parts of your fitness plan is the food log. By knowing what you eat, you’ll be able to make healthier decisions to meet your fitness goals.

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How many of you actually know how to make the right choice when it comes to walking shoes Vs running shoes? Well, if you don’t know the difference between walking shoes and running shoes, you better read ahead and find out!

You can take a chill pill with these splendid ways to winter fashion clothing. This is a look at various ways you can revamp your wardrobe by sticking to the basics.

This is the season to be merry and also a time for all the chills and thrills. It’s wintertime and you take a look around you and see the vivid reds go hand in hand with bright greens. ’Tis the color of the season and it’s the time for some mistletoe. Winter season brings with it the winter holidays and loads of shopping. It’s time to upgrade your wardrobe and splurge on the woollies and warm mittens. Winter holidays mean get-togethers with family and friends and loads of social dos. Uh oh! Have you really taken a peek into your wardrobe? If you still have the bright floral dresses and sunny color schemes, you really need to upgrade! Winter fashion has various ways for you to look haute and watch others melt away with the uber cool winter clothing.

Winter fashion is more than just buying winter hats, jackets and gloves. Preparing for the winter vacation requires a lot of planning and smart shopping. The winter season is definitely a difficult time for the fashion conscious people to look super hot. But hardcore fashionistas can even freeze in the winter cold for fashion! Well, fret not; buying winter fashion clothes does not mean you will have to sacrifice on the oomph factor. And yes, it does not always mean wool and oversized sweaters.

Winter Fashion: What’s haute and what’s not!

Preparing for a winter vacation would mean getting clothes that mainly protect you from the cold. This is the basic when it comes to buying winter fashion clothes. You need to build up your winter wardrobe slowly and carefully. After all, you do not want to be stuck with items you don’t need and you may not be able to combine with any other outfit. Winter clothing involves the basic; winter hats, winter jackets, winter gloves and winter boots. Let us take a sneak peak how you can modify these basics into a stunning range of winter clothing.

Winter Hats:

This is one such item that is often overlooked and one can make a real fashion error by buying winter hats that are not entirely suitable. Firstly, these are very important to protect one from the cold, as body heat usually attempts to escape from the head. The basics would be to get a woolen winter hat in this case.

Woolen hats or cotton hats also help in protection depending on the intensity of the chill factor. These are found in a variety of colors apart from the traditional browns and can also be combined with a stylish scarf to break the monotony. Some of them are stretch and are also reversible so that you can match it various outfits. Keep in mind the cut and the fabric of your outfit before you choose the winter hats. These need to match the flow of the fabric and need to blend in with the colors.

If wool is not too cool for you, then you can opt for felt, cotton, cashmere or velvet. These are often combined with fake fur trimmings and are also easy on the comfort factor. If you really want to make a strong fashion statement, then you can check out the various options available in leather. Do remember before you make that important purchase, you need to secure yourself from the cold so know the degree of chills you would be facing before buying the winter hats.

Winter Jackets:

Leather winter jackets have always been high on the popularity list when it comes to men as well as women. Winter jackets have broken away from the traditional blacks and oversized silhouettes, there are now a gorgeous way of staying warm and ultra stylish at the same time. Winter jackets are available in various lengths and fittings, which are designed to suit your needs.

Leather jackets are known to retain the heat of the body and leather being flexible can fit you snugly for a super hot look. Combine it with skinny jeans and voila, you are ready to rock! Trench coats are also a fashionable option when it comes to winter fashion. These coats are long and end just above the knee and are accessorized with a fashionable belt.

If this is not enough, you can look for fleece-lined coats. These are lightweight and are come with soft and plush inner linings to keep your warm on chilly day. For those who do not have time to wear a winter hat, opt for a hooded jacket to save you from the freezing weather.

Winter Gloves:

Winter gloves are designed as per the needs of the consumer. They could be used by a biker or simply for fashion. From the basics to the freaky reds in wool or snazzy animal prints, these can be made into an ultimate fashion accessory.

Formal Winter Dresses:

Ladies, you can definitely experiment with winter dresses. Winter dresses can be fitting and showy or can have clean cuts or svelte lines. Try to experiment with the colors and the fabrics and if you still want to wear the off-shoulder dress during the winter holidays, you can use stoles made of fake fur or decorative shawls that can be draped delicately over the shoulders.

Men can go in for stylish turtleneck designer sweaters that will merge with any formal event. Go in for blazers or cashmere formal suits with natural or synthetic blends. Look for simple cuts and patterns. The trick is to stay warm without adding too much winter clothing on the body.

So it’s time to pull your socks together and gear up for the super cool winter season with some of the hottest looks in winter jackets, winter hats and formal winter clothing.

If one needs to whiten teeth naturally, then there are many simple methods one can employ. Read on to know all about whitening teeth naturally.

Everyone wants a dream set of pearly whites. However, not everyone no one is very keen on going to the dentist for timely visits, so people prefer to try out other methods like whitening teeth naturally. However, there are many systemic factors that come into play. So given below are the do’s and don’ts when it comes to whitening teeth naturally. Read more on teeth whitening methods.

How to Whiten Teeth Fast

Brush Regularly
As clichéd as it may sound, you need to brush your teeth regularly if you want to whiten your teeth. Many people avoid brushing at night, or brush in a hasty manner, due to which the bristles do not reach all the required crevices present in between teeth. It is these crevices which are starting points for tooth decay. Thus, one needs to brush regularly and more importantly, properly to ensure that all the surfaces of all the teeth are cleaned properly.

Visit the Dentist
As much as you hate your dentist, you do need to visit him regularly. This is because the best evaluator of your dental health is none other than your dentist. Your dentist will also be able to spot incipient caries also at a very early stage, which will prevent any further tooth decay, before it is too late.

Diet
Diet plays a very important role when it comes to whitening teeth naturally. When you want to whiten teeth at home, watching your diet may be a very good option. There are certain food items that have a lot of fiber content. Thus, apples and other fibrous fruits and vegetables act as natural teeth whiteners, as the gums also get massaged in the process, thus, leading to increased and better circulation of blood.

What Not to Use to Whiten Teeth Naturally

There are so many misconceptions surrounding quick-fix methods to whiten teeth. Instead of harming your teeth with unhealthy ways of whitening them, it is best to be aware of what not to use to whiten teeth naturally, than what to use.

Firstly, the biggest and most famous culprit in this matter is methods that are used to whiten teeth with baking soda. In fact, let alone baking soda, even using powdered form of brushing material is bad for teeth, as any kind of powder, when rubbed vigorously against teeth causes friction, which leads to abrasion of teeth. And this loss of tooth structure is irreversible. So for those of you that have been brushing teeth with baking soda, stop doing that right now!

Worst still than using methods like baking soda teeth whitening is the use of lemon. I don’t know how the rule of using lemon for fairer skin carries forward to using lemon for white teeth. Seriously, this is the most cruel joke anyone can play on you – to tell you that sucking on lemon gives you whiter teeth. Lemon contains citric acid, which has a relatively high pH and which can lead to erosion of teeth. The calcium ions are held in place by non-mineral molecules. These non-mineral molecules breakdown due to the acid, which leads to erosion of the enamel and tooth structure. The enamel gets completely worn out, and there is exposure of dentin. This leads to not only yellowing of teeth but also leads to the development of sensitive teeth symptoms. Similarly, use of mashed strawberries on the teeth is not such a good idea, as these are also acidic.

When it comes to those wanting to whiten teeth naturally, it is best to maintain a good and healthy diet, and to exercise regularly, because as they say, the oral cavity is a reflection of your overall health!

There are many ways that can help you to whiten teeth fast. Read on to know how to whiten teeth fast naturally…

Everyone wants to have that amazing set of pearly whites. However, merely dreaming of attaining that enviable set of teeth is not enough. You will need to try out some methods that will help to whiten teeth fast. There are many simple ways by which you can ensure that your dental health is top notch. Given below are a few tips that will help you to whiten teeth fast.

Ways to Whiten Teeth Faster

• As clichéd as it may sound, it is very important to brush teeth regularly. This is because, it takes no time for cavities and tooth decay to start in the oral cavity. Hence, it is very important to brush teeth at least twice a day.
• Our teeth consist of grooves and fissures that are difficult to access easily with the toothbrush. Hence, despite brushing regularly, one needs to visit the dentist at least every six months, so that if a person has any cavities that are in their initial stages, then they can be treated before they progress any further. Also, a dentist can clean your teeth to remove any tartar and calculus, which tend to give a yellowish hue to teeth. This is one of the best ways to whiten teeth fast.
• Make sure to use dental floss so that any food that may get stuck between your teeth does not lead to the formation of new inter-dental cavities.
• If you are a smoker, then needless to say, you need to stop smoking as soon as possible. Smoking tends to stain teeth very easily. At times, it can also lead to black staining of lips and gums. Hence, it is best to stop smoking as soon as possible to prevent any further damage to the teeth.
• Try and use a fluoridated toothpaste as much as possible. Fluoride helps to strengthen the enamel present in teeth. This helps to prevent the formation of cavities in teeth.
• Avoid drinking tea and coffee as much as possible. Coffee and tea tend to stain teeth, especially the facial surfaces of front teeth. In such cases, prevention is better than cure.
• Diet plays a very important part when it comes to whitening teeth fast. There are certain food items that have a lot of fiber content and so, chewing such food helps to naturally massage the gums, which increases the circulation in the gums. Also, some fruits like strawberries help to whiten teeth naturally.
• Use mouthwashes but in moderation. This is because mouthwashes help to prevent the formation of plaque on the surfaces of teeth. Thus, they help to prevent the initiation of caries in the oral cavity. However, excessive use of mouthwashes can lead to staining of teeth, as sometimes mouthwashes contain potassium nitrate which has a tendency of staining teeth. In such cases, it is best to visit the dentist and seek advice on how often to use mouthwash.
• Some people may claim that there are some simple ways to whiten teeth fast at home, like by using baking soda or sodium chloride (table salt). It is claimed that rubbing this on the surface of teeth helps to keep them white and shiny. This is one of the most harmful ways that you can possibly resort to if you want to whiten teeth fast. Rubbing any kind of powder on the surface of teeth tends to abrade them very easily, as it creates friction. This wears off the enamel and leads to other problems like sensitive teeth symptoms. Thus, try to avoid using such teeth whitening methods which will cause more harm than good.

These were some simple pointers on how to whiten teeth fast. The bottom line is that with a little bit of dental care, you can easily get that enviable set of pearly whites you’ve always dreamed of!

Trends in teen apparel change every season. Because of that, style and fit are more important than durability in girls clothes.

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Lynn VanDyke provides several motivation secrets to get back into your fall fitness routine. In addition, she divulges the 5 fat loss tips to fat loss.