There are many ways to increase the intensity of your workouts.  In order to do so, you could increase the weight you lift, increase the amount of reps you perform, or increase the number of sets you do.  Incorporating any or all of these three factors can give you an unlimited number of combinations for changing your workout.  But there is another, often overlooked, factor: time.  Shortening your rest periods or performing an exercise for a certain amount of time can give you a big boost in intensity.

The Tabata method incorporates this time factor.  This method got its name from a Japanese researcher who found a way to increase aerobic and anaerobic pathways at the same time. 

Echinacea, which is highly regarded as the most important immune stimulant, has been used for over a century as a treatment for a wide variety of problems.  In the early 1900’s, Echinacea attracted even more attention and has become a popular treatment for colds and flu. 

The interesting thing about this herb is that it does not simply attack the infection that has invaded your body.  Echinacea contains a substance that prevents the infection from invading the cells.  In other words, Echinacea helps your body fight the infection on its own – it stimulates your immune system.

One of the first things you can do to help improve your eating habits is to stop drinking soft drinks.  Soft drinks include sodas, punches, and juice cocktails, and they add unnecessary calories and sugar to your daily intake.  Liquid calories that go down easy will quickly sneak up on you. 

In addition to the calories, the sweetness in soft drinks encourages the desire for more sweet stuff.  Most sweet snacks, for many, are a hindrance to weight loss, as they are calorie dense and nutritionally deficient.  It’s easy to see how regular soft drinks can derail your wellness and weight loss efforts.  

When we have a problem with our bodies, our first thought is to see a doctor. But not everyone has easy access to doctors or their advice. And sometimes the medicines we take have side effects or leave our bodies weak. 

Knowledge is power, so the more we know, the better equipped we are to deal with the curveballs life throws at us. It’s imperative that we do the best we can for the bodies we have, so I began this series entitled “Natural Remedies”. I’ll take ailments and diseases that directly or indirectly affect us all, and give natural remedies that can help.

Part of the way you look can be controlled by exercise and eating habits. The other part is genetics. People are classified using 3 different body types, called somatotypes. This method of classification was developed by scientist W.H. Sheldon. As you read ahead, know that most likely you will be a combination of somatotypes. Most people have one type that is dominant, while still displaying some characteristics of the other two. The average person may display characteristics of all 3 somewhat evenly.