Sunday, February 22, 2009

Exercise does a Colon Good | Cut Risk of Colon Cancer

Exercise cuts risk of colon cancer
  • Thursday 12 February 2009

Getting plenty of physical exercise cuts your chance of getting colon cancer by almost a quarter, the latest research has confirmed. But we still don't know how intense the exercise has to be to reduce the risk by this much - a brisk walk or a vigorous jog?

What do we know already?

Your colon is your large intestine, sometimes also called your bowel. It's about two metres long, and carries food waste to your rectum, which then pushes the waste out of your body when you go to the toilet.

Colon cancer is one of the more common cancers. About 36,500 people are diagnosed with this cancer each year in the UK. More than 8 in 10 people diagnosed with cancer of the colon or rectum are aged 60 or over.

Previous studies have indicated that exercise cuts your chances of getting cancer of the colon. Doctors think this could be for a number of reasons.

  • Exercise improves the way your body processes sugar in your blood, and means you don't need to produce so much insulin. This may help your digestive system work better.
  • Exercise may reduce the amount of inflammation in your body.
  • You're less likely to get constipation if you do plenty of exercise. So food waste moves faster through your colon.
  • People who get out and about doing physical exercise may have more vitamin D, from being in sunlight. Vitamin D may protect against cancer.

The latest study looked at all the research that's been published on exercise and colon cancer, and summed up the results to give an estimate of how much protection exercise can give you.

What does the new study say?

Overall, the most active people in the published studies had a 24 percent smaller chance of getting colon cancer, compared to the least active people. The results were about the same for men and women.

Tell me more about the study's findings

Unfortunately, the new study can't tell us exactly how much exercise you need to do in order to cut your risk of colon cancer by 24 percent. That's because the individual studies used lots of different methods to measure exercise. Some studies say you need to do intense exercise such as jogging or swimming, while others say that walking is sufficient.

What we can say is that it doesn't seem to matter whether you're taking 'leisure' exercise, such as doing an aerobics class, or 'occupational' exercise such as working on a building site. The effects are similar.

How reliable are the findings?

It's probably true that taking exercise reduces the chances of getting colon cancer. The study looked at 52 previously published studies to summarise their results. But the new study doesn't make clear whether the researchers took into account other things that can affect your risk of colon cancer.

For example, being overweight and eating a lot of processed meat (such as bacon or sausage) both increase your risk of colon cancer. People who take lots of exercise are also likely to be a healthy weight, and eat a healthy diet. It's hard to tell whether exercise alone makes the difference. The individual studies may have adjusted their figures to account for this, but we can't tell without checking all 52 studies.

Where does the study come from?

The study was carried out by researchers from Washington University and Harvard University in the US. It was published in the British Journal of Cancer, which is owned by Cancer Research UK. The study was funded by the universities.

What does this mean for me?

There are lots of good reasons to do plenty of exercise. We know it's good for your heart, good for your mental health, and helps you avoid diabetes and dementia. If you need another reason, this study shows that keeping active probably also cuts your risk of a very common cancer.

What should I do now?

If you want to reduce your chances of getting colon cancer, you can:

  • Eat a healthy, balanced, diet, restricting the amount of red and processed meat you eat
  • Exercise regularly. Cancer Research UK recommends 30 minutes of exercise that makes you slightly sweaty, five days a week.
  • Keep to a healthy weight.
  • Drink alcohol in moderation and don't smoke
  • Take part in bowel cancer screening when invited to do so.

Some people are at higher risk of colon cancer because of their genes, or because they have a disease like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. People with certain inherited colon conditions need regular testing for colon cancer from an earlier age.

From:

Wolin KY, Yan Y, Colditz GA. Physical activity and colon cancer prevention: a meta-analysis. British Journal of Cancer. Published online 12 February 2009.

HGH the Fountain of Youth?

HGH the Fountain of Youth?

HGH Human Growth Hormone...is it the New Fountain of Youth?

Hormone injections are one of the latest cosmetic surgery crazes in America. Most people know that hormones can affect our moods and skin, however it turns out that they may also have a part to play in wrinkles, beautiful hair, cellulite and fat deposits therefore it is no wonder that the beauty industry has an interest in them.

Hormones are chemical messengers that are secreted by various glands in the body. They use the blood to travel around and target specific cells to trigger particular behaviours – some are short term effects such as sweating, others are longer term such as hair growth. The body has over 100 different hormones in it – and a slight imbalance of any of these hormones can cause problems such as spots, excess hair growth or even wrinkles.

As we age, hormone levels tend to drop naturally and this is a factor in all the signs of aging including thinner skin, hair loss, loss of muscle tone and wrinkles. The lifestyle of many of us today can deplete these hormones early leading to earlier signs of aging and this is the reason why some beauty doctors are now doling out hormone supplements to their patients to banish wrinkles and help their patients lose stubborn excess weight.

Demi Moore, Madonna, Jennifer Aniston and Pamela Anderson are all rumoured to be fans of Human Growth Hormone (HGH). HGH is a controversial hormone although it is something that does occur naturally in the human body. Devotees inject themselves with HGH as they believe that by boosting the levels of HGH in the body, they can slow their biological clock down and therefore stay looking younger for longer.

However, recent research shows that it isn’t necessary to inject yourself with hormones in order to be a part of this new trend – instead, using a cream may also prove to be as effective. The skin contains a large number of hormone receptors therefore it is believed that using a cream may have the same effects as injecting the hormones.

But are there any downsides to what seems like an almost miraculous way to stay looking young? There are definitely concerns over HGH – although short-term results look promising, longer term there are concerns over the patients health. In particular, taking HGH may cause hypertension, fluid retention and diabetes. There are also preliminary results showing it may increase your risk of cancer.

There are also some concerns that people look to hormone treatments as a cure-all and some untrained or unscrupulous practitioners are trying to cash in on this lucrative market, particularly in the ‘natural’ hormone market – some hormone treatments have little or no scientific grounding and the only effect they have is that of a placebo.

Article Source: By CSB on Monday, November 12, 2007

Friday, February 20, 2009

Bollywood-style dancing is a new fitness trend - Better Life - USATODAY.com

Bollywood-style dancing is a new fitness trend - Better Life - USATODAY.com
Bollywood-style dance classes are becoming popular across the country with people who are looking for more variety in their exercise routine, according to an Associated Press story. (Bollywood is the named coined for the Hindi-language film industry.)

Bollywood World describes the dance form as a combination of traditional Indian dance, folk dancing and sometimes a Latino and Arabic influence. Denver’s Bollywood West packs in crowds four nights a week. In Houston, Hybrid Rhythms, a Bollywood-style studio, has a waiting list.

The American Council on Exercise says ethnic dancing, such as salsa dancing, belly dancing and now Bollywood dancing, is a major growth area for gyms and dance studios. The classes attract people who don’t usually exercise, along with gym members bored by running on treadmills, according to the AP report.

AARP agrees, saying that dancing "can breathe new life into a tired soul; make a spirit soar; unleash locked-away creativity; unite generations and cultures; inspire new romances or rekindle old ones; trigger long-forgotten memories; and turn sadness into joy, if only during the dance."

AP photo by David Zalubowski shows instructor Renu Kansal leading students in practicing Bollywood dance steps at a dance school in south Denver.









Monday, February 16, 2009

Is pizza the answer to a healthy diet? - News

Is pizza the answer to a healthy diet? - News

Gina Akers, Daily Vidette Senior Staff
Issue date: 2/16/09 Section: News

Michael Arendell, of Normal, takes a breather in between bites of his Papa John's pizza late Saturday night.
Media Credit: CJ Zimmerman / Daily Vidette Senior Staff Photographer
Michael Arendell, of Normal, takes a breather in between bites of his Papa John's pizza late Saturday night.

With the majority of the country overweight or obese, a lot of people are looking for ways to lose weight. While many turn to exercise and eating healthy foods, it is hard to know what is considered healthy.

John Schattner, founder of Papa John's, one of America's largest pizza chains, claims pizza can be healthy.

"Pizza's actually healthy for you if you don't eat too much of it," Schattner said in an interview with BBC's Radio Four Program. "You can't eat five or six slices but if you eat one or two slices it's very nutritious."

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, 66.3 percent of non-institutionalized adults over the age of 20 are overweight or obese. Seventeen percent of adolescents ages 12-19 and 19 percent of children ages 6-11 are overweight.

Because of many people's avid health concerns, pizza chains are beginning to appeal to "health freaks," as Domino's refers to them on its Web site.

Papa John's, Domino's and Pizza Hut all have nutritional information available on their Web sites. Some even make pizzas specifically designed for those counting calories.

Pizza Hut recently introduced "the natural pizza," which is made with "a multigrain crust, all-natural pepperoni or Rustica sausage, all-natural mozzarella cheese and all-natural sauce from vine-ripened tomatoes," according to its Web site.

Matt Simms, a shift leader at Papa John's, recommends the whole wheat crust or the veggie pizza for those watching their diets.

"We have a veggie pizza that's … probably our healthiest pizza with the wheat," Simms said. "If you want to be super healthy, you can get no cheese. Cheese is probably the unhealthiest thing for you."

Diane Feasley, registered dietician for Campus Dining Services, said pizza consumption in moderation is alright.

"Nutritionists fall back on words like variety and moderation and balance. Pizza is often the example I give for moderation," Feasley said. "There are nutrients associated with any foods, including pizza. You don't need to eliminate it from your diet, but practice moderation."

Feasley suggested eating a salad with pizza to practice balance and prevent oneself from eating just pizza. She also warned students against thinking that being thin equals being healthy.

"Being thin is not health insurance for yourself," she said. "We know that your health is really a reflection of your lifestyle."

"Are you fit, do you eat a good diet, do you eat all the nutrients you need? Those things reflect health more. Thin people hide behind that."

While eating pizza itself is not always bad, it is best in smaller portions. If cutting back is necessary, doing it slowly could be the most beneficial.

"People respond to more subtle changes in their behaviors so you don't have to take lots of things away, just aim for improvement. Then you see the benefits," Feasley said.



Thursday, February 12, 2009

It's Spring, Take a Hike!

It's Spring, Take a Hike!

From HealthNewsDigest.com

Fitness
It's Spring, Take a Hike!
By
Mar 30, 2008 - 9:06:01 AM

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - I'll say it again, "Take a Hike" literally, of course! Spring is here, and many of us are ready to take our exercise outdoors even though some of us have annoying allergies as we last discussed. Walking is one of the most beneficial forms of "daily activity" and type of exercise that we can do for our health which carries the least risk of injury allergies or not! Just about all of us can do it; we all know how to do it; we can do it almost everywhere, anytime, and as a form of exercise it offers us lots of variety. What more can we ask for? Well we can add one more element to this equation right now, we can view nature and the budding trees in their splendor! This week let's take a look at a few more reasons to take a hike to get us in shape this season.

Do we:
Want to lose weight? Then let's add more walking to our daily life activity. We can break it up (no torture here) by adding an extra block, an extra flight of stairs, a longer walk to the car. Do we live in an urban area? Let's go to the store instead of ordering in! Play golf? Let's walk instead of riding the golf cart. Do we have a problem with evening snacking? We don't have to make it a trail hike, we can take a walk anywhere! Walking at a moderate pace burns calories and if we walk for longer periods of time even slowly, we will burn more body fat. Our body uses fat for its slow- burning energy requirements. Think a few calories here and there won't add up? Think again! An extra 100 calories a day burned by walking can amount to a 10 pound weight loss in one year without really trying or doing anything else differently (as long as we don't eat more, of course).

Want to increase cardiovascular health & capacity? Walking & hiking can be an intense form of aerobic exercise even for those of us who are very fit. In one study, Olympic race walkers were able to keep up with runners aerobically when they were tested during running, but the runners did not fare as well aerobically when asked to race walk. This means that there is a cross-over training effect for cardiovascular fitness for race walking but not necessarily for running. While I'm not suggesting we all take up race walking (I did try a slow version once myself, and it's hard!), we can walk fast; we can walk uphill, and most of us can last longer walking versus running! Lastly, at moderate to fast speeds, exercise walking has a higher metabolic demand than jogging especially if we use our upper body to help propel us along.

Want to save our joints? Exercise walking is also safer and gentler on our joints than other forms of aerobic exercises. It is associated with fewer injuries than running because our feet hit the ground with much less impact. So, for those of us who cannot tolerate high impact exercise, walking is a safe bet. But, for those of us who can tolerate high impact, let's try a fast paced walk as an alternative to running just one running day a week, to help save our joints. In fact, walking is so safe for the majority of us, that even those of us with a history of arthritis, flat feet, bunions, etc., can begin a walking program with a few special instructions & training from a sports therapist.

Want to Manage Stress? We can take a walk during our lunch break, after our evening meal, during a heated debate with a loved one (yes, we can!). We can take a quick walk in the morning to get our blood circulating (good for our brain), and we can even take a walk around the block as a "time out" which can help us manage stress. We don't need special clothing, and we can even walk around a block during cold weather if we bundle up. Fresh air, a few deep breaths, and a break from our indoor environment can bring more oxygen to our brain, give a glow to our skin and give us a few minutes to de-stress! I even suggest to my clients to take a 10 minute walk before compulsively choosing a snack or food they might regret eating.

So, while the technique for fitness walking may be enhanced by a lesson, we can all walk more whether we use it as our formal exercise or not. Walking is listed as a daily activity on our Daily Activity Pyramid, so, let me say it again, let's take a hike or in other words, let's just go for a walk!

Here's to Our Health!

Fitness Expert Creates MyActivity Pyramid to Help Adults Exercise

Fitness Expert Creates MyActivity Pyramid to Help Adults Exercise

From HealthNewsDigest.com

Fitness
Fitness Expert Creates MyActivity Pyramid to Help Adults Exercise
By
Feb 11, 2009 - 5:59:15 PM

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - COLUMBIA, Mo. – The MyActivity Pyramid, a new fitness guide developed by a University of Missouri Extension fitness specialist, provides physical activity recommendations for adults in a fun and easy-to-understand format.

“The MyActivity Pyramid offers a visual representation of the new physical activity guidelines from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on the recommended amounts and type of activities for improved health and fitness,” said Steve Ball, associate professor of exercise physiology in the College of Human Environmental Sciences. “The pyramid offers a variety of ways that adults can achieve these recommendations to improve their health and quality of life.”

The pyramid is modeled after the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s food guide pyramid and is designed for adults ages 18-64. At the base of the pyramid are activities that can be incorporated into everyday routines, including biking, yard work, household chores and walking. The next level includes aerobic activities such as jogging, swimming or tennis.

Adults should aim for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week or 75 minutes of vigorous activity. For more extensive health benefits and weight-loss, HHS recommends that adults engage in five hours of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week, or two hours and 30 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity per week.

“Adults should remember that daily exercise does not have to be done in one setting,” Ball said. “Adults can divide the 30-minutes-per-day recommendation into three 10-minute sessions.”

Strength and flexibility activities are included in the third level of the pyramid. At least twice a week, adults should engage in activities such as yoga, stretching or strength training, Ball said. The top of the pyramid is the smallest part and represents inactivity. Adults should limit the amount of time they spend watching TV or playing video and computer games each day.

“So many people are inactive right now. This is a way to help them get started and let them know how much physical activity they should be doing throughout the week,” said Robin Gammon, MU Extension dietitian. “Sixty-six percent of Americans are either overweight or obese, and many people just don’t know where to start. Printing the MyActivity Pyramid and posting it at the office or on the refrigerator can help remind people to get up and be active.”

To download a copy of the MyActivity Pyramid: Physical Activity Guidelines for Adults (18-64), go to www.extension.missouri.edu/explore/hesguide/foodnut/n00388.htm.

The 2008 federal guidelines on physical activity for adults are available online at www.health.gov/PAGuidelines.

www.HealthNewsDigest.com

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Kegel Exercises for Incontinence

PELVIC FLOOR EXERCISES- OR KEGELS for INCONTINENCE

Pelvic floor exercises also known as Kegel exercises if done regularly are the best treatment for stress incontinence that does not involve surgery. In order to keep your pelvic floor muscles strong you must continue to do these exercises.

Since your pelvic floor muscles support your bladder and your womb, they also help close your bladder and the urethra that carries urine from your bladder to the outside. If you exercise these muscles they get stronger. So you're less likely to leak urine from your bladder. So, kegel exercises make your pelvic floor muscles stronger.

Some people use biofeedback to help learn where their pelvic muscles are and to make sure they're doing these exercises correctly. A nurse can put a monitor in your vagina or rectum and when you do the exercises a sound goes off or an image appears on a screen.

If you have stress incontinence, the muscles that support the opening of your bladder and keep it closed are weak. When there's extra pressure on your bladder and these muscles (for example, when you cough or sneeze), your bladder can't stay closed. So drops of urine leak out of the tube that carries urine from your bladder.

If you do them the right way, Kegel exercises can help you prevent or control urinary incontinence and prepare for childbirth.



MayoClinic.com states that many conditions put stress on your pelvic floor muscles:
  • Pregnancy
  • Childbirth
  • Being overweight
  • Aging
  • A chronic cough
  • A genetic predisposition to weak connective tissue

Kegel exercises are recommended especially during pregnancy. Well-toned pelvic floor muscles may make you more comfortable as your due date approaches. You may be less likely to develop urine leakage — common near the end of pregnancy and prone to persist after you've given birth.

Finally, Kegel exercises — along with counseling and sex therapy — may be helpful to women who have persistent problems reaching orgasm.

HOW TO DO KEGEL EXERCISES?

  1. It takes diligence to identify your pelvic floor muscles and learn how to contract and relax them. Here are some pointers: Find the right muscles. To make sure you know how to contract your pelvic floor muscles, try to stop the flow of urine while you're going to the bathroom. If you succeed, you've got the basic move.
  2. Insert a finger inside your vagina and try to squeeze the surrounding muscles. You should be able to feel your vagina tighten and your pelvic floor move upward. Then relax your muscles and feel your pelvic floor move down to the starting position. As your muscles become stronger — and you become more experienced with the exercises — this movement will be more pronounced.

But don't make a habit of starting and stopping your urine stream. Doing Kegel exercises with a full bladder or while emptying your bladder can actually weaken the muscles. It can also lead to incomplete emptying of the bladder, which increases your risk of a urinary tract infection.

If you're having trouble finding the right muscles, don't be embarrassed to ask for help. Your doctor or other health care provider can give you important feedback so that you learn to isolate and exercise the correct muscles.

Perfect your technique
Once you've identified your pelvic floor muscles, empty your bladder and sit or lie down. Then:

  • Contract your pelvic floor muscles.
  • Hold the contraction for three seconds then relax for three seconds.
  • Repeat 10 times.
  • Once you've perfected three-second muscle contractions, try it for four seconds at a time, alternating muscle contractions with a four-second rest period.
  • Work up to keeping the muscles contracted for 10 seconds at a time, relaxing for 10 seconds between contractions.

To get the maximum benefit, focus on tightening only your pelvic floor muscles or isolating your pelvic floor muscles. Be careful not to flex the muscles in your abdomen, thighs or buttocks. Also, try not to hold your breath. Just relax, breathe freely and focus on tightening the muscles around your vagina and rectum.

Repeat three times a day
Perform a set of 10 Kegel exercises three times a day. The exercises will get easier the more often you do them. You might make a practice of fitting in a set every time you do a routine task, such as checking e-mail or commuting to work.

Vary your technique with one of these methods:

  • Try sets of mini-Kegels. Count quickly to 10 or 20, contracting and relaxing your pelvic floor muscles each time you say a number.
  • Visualize an elevator. Slow down the exercises, gradually contracting and releasing your pelvic floor muscles one at a time. As you contract, visualize an elevator traveling up four floors. At each floor, contract your muscles a little more until you reach maximum contraction at the fourth floor. Hold the contraction and then slowly release the tension as you visualize the elevator returning to the ground floor. Repeat 10 times.

If you do your Kegel exercises faithfully, you can expect to see some results, such as less frequent urine leakage, within about eight to 12 weeks. Your improvement may be dramatic — or, at the very least, you may keep your problems from worsening. As with other forms of physical activity, you need to make Kegel exercises a lifelong practice to reap lifelong rewards.

Article Source

Sex for Blondes

Sunday, February 1, 2009

9 Bad Habits

9 Bad Habits Breaking bad habits makes a mind and body feel good.

Bad habit #1: Always on your Cell Phone

Why it’s a bad habit: You’re not the only one, you see people either talking or texting out to dinner, driving or even at the movies. You feel the need to be connected, but the truth is you do not need to be plugged in all the time. It takes you away from your life and at times it is disrespectful, it could also be dangerous.

How? Are you bored or do you have to keep in touch because of work? Try to limit your calls especially when you are in a social setting. Put your phone on vibrate and call or text them later. Give yourself some quiet time enjoy the moment. You might like it and so will your partner or children.

Bad habit #2: Unorganized

Why it’s a bad habit: It you get yourself organized you will have more time and feel like you have accomplished something. Personally if you have a lot going on you might want to write it down. Just getting it out of your head helps. Then prioritize your “things to do list”. If it is work related a good website for “getting things done or GTD” is http://gettingthingsdonegtdtips.blogspot.com/

How? Take baby steps…at home; make your bed, do the dishes, or figure out what for dinner before dinner time. Open your mail daily and toss everything you do not need away. Have a action folder or drawer where you keep your bills or other mail that needs attention. File them by due date. I keep a check list of all my bills once they are paid I put them in a monthly file for tax purposes. These positive changes will create “good” habits that will boost your self esteem with a feeling of accomplishment.


Bad habit #3: Always Late

Why it’s a bad habit: Always on the go the last minute leaves you frustrated and creates a bad impression. I always say to myself “Did I turn off the coffee maker? Lock the front door? So not only do you feel bad for arriving late, you second guess yourself and worry.

How? Make sure you have either written down appointments or put them in your phone. Don’t try to do to much in one given time. Give yourself an extra 10-15 minutes of drive time, you never know what’s going on out there and if you are early they will be pleasantly surprised which makes you feel good.


Bad habit #4: Ignoring Friends and Relations

Why it’s a bad habit: Remember a friends or brothers birthday (its my brothers birthday today) or other special day makes both of you realize why you became friends in the first place. Showing you care in good times or bad makes life worth living and important for your health. Feelings of self-worth.

How? Anyone with a computer can either email, send a ecard or instant message these days. You can even set up a calendar program to remember important dates Set aside a day a month for your relatives or long distant friends. Sometimes just being a good listener makes all the difference in the world to someone you care about.

Bad habit #5: No Money Set-Aside?

Why it’s a bad habit: Due to the economy you never know when you might have to use the money in your piggy bank.

How? Feed the pig! Even if it is just a little each pay check. Don’t expect that raise or bonus this year. Most of the time additional expenses or the increased cost of living takes most of our raises anyway. When shopping compare prices either with the store brand or another store entirely. Keep track of the differences in prices, you may be surprised how much you can save. Call your credit accounts and see if they will reduce your interest rate. I know this is easier said than done, but what’s the harm in asking.

Bad habit #6: Shopaholic?

Why it’s a bad habit: Feeling down, depressed would a new pair of shoes make you feel better. Yes, even the thought of shopping creates anticipation and excitement. As soon as we have made the purchase our feeling return and sometimes we regret spending the money, buyers remorse. So we crave the anticipation again and it becomes a never ending cycle of emotions.

How? Prioritize your life, feel grateful for what you have and what’s important for your partner or children. Happiness comes from within and what we can do for others, not for compliments. Isn't that one of the main reasons you wanted those shoes so everyone would say “Those shoes are so cute. Where did you get them? I have got to get a pair of those.???? Believe me I know this makes your day.
Before whipping out your credit card, think about three things that you really could spend the money on and if you actually need to buy those Jimmy Choos. Also if you are trying to quit another habit it will be harder to resist shopping. It would be better to stay away from stores until you have kicked the other habit.

Bad habit #7: Homework

Why it’s a bad idea: This is a two way street you don’t bring your personal life into the office and you don’t bring your work home. But sometimes because of today's economy, employees feel they need to do extra work just to keep their job. It’s a delicate situation when it’s family time.

How? One question you should ask yourself are you a morning person or a night person. If you are a morning person you may want to get your homework done right away before family time because you’d rather get it off your mind and relax with your family. Or get up an hour earlier to work at home or go to the office earlier. If you are a night person you might want to work after the children retire. In either case you should communicate your schedule with your partner so everyone is on the same page. Also, get your work done within a certain time period, because you do need to relax and get a good night sleep. It's good for your mind and body.


Bad habit #8: Put Things Off

Why it’s a d habit: Looking at that stack of papers as if it were something bad to eat? You get tied in knots just thinking about it? What are you afraid of…failure? Failure to make a mistake? The funny thing is once you start your project it's not as bad as you thought it was going to be. Imagine that.

How? Take the project and divide it into manageable tasks Start with the easy stuff and move on from there. Can you finish the project or are you waiting for more information? If so, start a “waiting on“ file to pend items for a future date. Is there a time limit to get the project done? Set aside a designated time to work and complete it, without interruption. Once you get it in your head that you are going to work on it time just might fly by and you will get it done before you know it.

Bad habit #9: Pack Rat

Why it’s a bad habit: Did you know some say a ‘pack rat’ is actually a medical condition? Do you feel unorganized because you can not get rid of anything? How do you find what you need and where do you put it all? Getting rid of the clutter just might make you feel more in control of your life.

How? Go through your house and ask yourself when was the last time I used/wore that. Divide your stuff into 3 piles; the good the bad and the ugly. If the ugly is old sheets, towels take them to your local human society or pitch them. The bad but still wearable/usable to the American Red Cross or Good Will store. I would also put your clothes in this category. The bad and the ugly are tax deductible, so keep a list with what you think the items are worth today. Turbo Tax has a list available with their software program.

Now the good stuff I would say household items even that old chair can be taken to your local auction dealer. If you have enough items they might even come and pick the stuff up. Also you could try to sell really good clothes or small household goods on eBay. Like a bunch of baby clothes or that antique toaster. You never know how much it's worth to someone else.

For your mementos, that you just can’t part with, put them in plastic bins or easily stackable containers. Some of my mementos are in decorative boxes I keep stacked in my bedroom. Remember everything has it place and it makes us feel better knowing we can rely on it being there when we need it.

Just remember you can break these 9 Bad Habits with baby steps and a positive attitude.