How to increase kids Height?

You imagine your child, standing in the corner alone when other kids are playing. You see him constantly mocked and laughed at. You hear silly names other call him and cringe away in disgust. This is when you decide that your kid will not face the fate that many short kids face, he will be tall or as tall as others.

Height has always been unfairly associated with qualities- taller people are seen as stronger, intelligent; with leadership qualities and those with short height are seen as unsuitable to sports, suffer from low self esteem and are told that they will be unsuccessful in life.

 It cannot be more far from the truth, after all height has nothing to do with intelligence, skill and confidence. With efforts, shorter kids can also excel in sports that are not dependent on height like cricket, tennis, swimming.

So ignoring the reality, all parents, tall and short, worry about whether their kids will grow to be taller and thus ‘successful’ in life.

About Height growth

When children are young their skeleton is made more out of cartilage than of bones. As they grow up the cartilages or growth plates at the ends of the bones enlarge and push the older cartilage cells inside the bones where they ossify and form bones. When all growth plates close, the bones stop growing and they stop growing taller.

Some say women grow till the age of 21 and men grow till the age of 25, so even if puberty has left your child still wanting some more inches, there is still some hope.

Factors on which determine Height:

Genes: Height is determined 40-60% by genetics. In a research conducted in Queensland institute of medical research on twins and siblings showed that hereditability of height is 80% while another research done in Miao-Xin Li of Hunan Normal University in China and his colleagues estimated a height heritability of 65 percent. It proves that hereditability of height also depends on the other factors like dietary habit and lifestyle.

Thus kids will only reach the height that they are genetically meant to be when the external factors are favoring their growth. There are indicators available which can predict the height of the child depending on the heights of both the parents.

Sex: Women tend to be shorter than men across all cultures and races. Girls tend to grow faster when they are young but after puberty they end up being shorter than boys of their age.

Diet: An important factor other than genes which decided how tall your kid will be. Dr. Shweta Iyengar says, “Diet plays an important role in kid’s development. Whatever nutrition they get first is utilized to fulfill the vital functions and the rest is used up for growth. If the nutrition falls short of what is required for the vital function then it is definitely doing to lead to poor growth and height.”

A diet that has all the essential carbohydrates, proteins, fatty acids in the required amounts and which is low in sodium, low in excess sugar and saturated fats will ensure that children reach the height that their genes will allow them to reach.

Exercise: Children need their share of exercise and activity to build and strengthen their muscles and bones. Regular exercise helps children burn off the calories, improves appetite and leads to weight gain which results in proper growth of height.

Lifestyle: Kids who are well fed, who have access to proper play grounds and parks and have medical facilities at their disposal will surely fare better than those who are deprived of all these. If the child grows in hygienic surroundings he will be less likely to suffer from many diseases that will ensure that he reaches the optimum height.

There are other factors that determine the heights are sleep patterns, exposure to pollution, psychological factors and Climate.

How to make sure your child reaches the optimum height?

-Diet: You have to make sure that your child gets the optimum nutrition that is by making sure that he eats fresh fruits, vegetables, sprouts, legumes, fiber rich foods like oats, cereals, iron rich foods like spinach and ragi and calcium from milk, paneer etc.

You need to monitor your child’s diet to reduce the intake of junk food and increase natural and nutritionally rich foods. Pay special attention to proteins as these are responsible for growth and development of the body.

Take good care of your EYE

Eyes are wonderful organs which perform the vital function of sight. They are a window to see the world. It is very important to take good care of your eyes from an early age to enjoy this benefit for a longer period.

Vision problems can be classified age wise as problems are different for various age groups.

• School going children
• College students and adults

School going children:

Many vision problems start at an early age in childhood, so it is very important for children to receive proper eye care. School aged children should be regularly screened to check for any vision problems. Dr P. Suresh, well knownOphthalmologist from Fortis hospital, suggests“ideal time for vision screening in children is preschool age i.e. two and half to three years of age” If a child faces regular headaches or is unable to see clearly, it is time to take immediate action and visit the eye specialist.

With the advent of modern eye technology it is possible to check vision in children who cannot read alphabets. Early detection and early treatment are essential to prevent long term problems or vision loss.

 As the child grows the visual system is also growing hence annual checks are very important. 

There are four types of vision problems:

• Myopia (near sightedness): In myopia closer objects look clear but distant objects appear blurred.
• Hypermetropia (long sightedness): In hypermetropia a person may have blurred vision when looking at objects close to them, and may have clearer vision when looking at objects from a distance.
• Astigmatism: Vision is blurred for both near and far objects.
• Presbyopia: The eyes gradually lose the ability to change focus from distance to near.

Many individuals have one or more of these vision problems.

College students and adults:

 Even as adults if you are seeing clearly, it is easy to overlook routine eye care, but it is still important. Regular eye examination helps you to detect eye problems at the earliest and also gives you a chance to correct or adapt to vision changes.

There are various problems that college students and adult face:

 Dry Eye:

Dry Eye is a condition in which you feel a pricking or burning sensation, irritation or feeling of a foreign body in the eye. This system is generally caused due to imbalance in the quantity and quality of tears.

When you are facing conditions such as Dry Eyes:

• You need to use a lubricating eye drop
• Avoid contact lens wear
• Reduce the time of work on computer

Take good care of your EYE

Eyes are wonderful organs which perform the vital function of sight. They are a window to see the world. It is very important to take good care of your eyes from an early age to enjoy this benefit for a longer period.

Vision problems can be classified age wise as problems are different for various age groups.

• School going children
• College students and adults

School going children:

Many vision problems start at an early age in childhood, so it is very important for children to receive proper eye care. School aged children should be regularly screened to check for any vision problems. Dr P. Suresh, well knownOphthalmologist from Fortis hospital, suggests“ideal time for vision screening in children is preschool age i.e. two and half to three years of age” If a child faces regular headaches or is unable to see clearly, it is time to take immediate action and visit the eye specialist.

With the advent of modern eye technology it is possible to check vision in children who cannot read alphabets. Early detection and early treatment are essential to prevent long term problems or vision loss.

 As the child grows the visual system is also growing hence annual checks are very important. 

There are four types of vision problems:

• Myopia (near sightedness): In myopia closer objects look clear but distant objects appear blurred.
• Hypermetropia (long sightedness): In hypermetropia a person may have blurred vision when looking at objects close to them, and may have clearer vision when looking at objects from a distance.
• Astigmatism: Vision is blurred for both near and far objects.
• Presbyopia: The eyes gradually lose the ability to change focus from distance to near.

Many individuals have one or more of these vision problems.

College students and adults:

 Even as adults if you are seeing clearly, it is easy to overlook routine eye care, but it is still important. Regular eye examination helps you to detect eye problems at the earliest and also gives you a chance to correct or adapt to vision changes.

There are various problems that college students and adult face:

 Dry Eye:

Dry Eye is a condition in which you feel a pricking or burning sensation, irritation or feeling of a foreign body in the eye. This system is generally caused due to imbalance in the quantity and quality of tears.

When you are facing conditions such as Dry Eyes:

• You need to use a lubricating eye drop
• Avoid contact lens wear
• Reduce the time of work on computer

Antibiotics-Are they really good?

We are all familiar with the term ‘antibiotics’. Antibiotics are medicines that are frequently prescribed by physicians to cure minor ailments as well as life threatening diseases. However, these pills are taken for granted and they are consumed like sweets for every minor ailment. But the question arises, are antibiotics really good?

Let’s first understand: what is the role of antibiotics?

The human body has white blood cells that naturally attack harmful bacteria present in our body. When the body’s immunity is low and the white blood cells are unable to fight off the infection, they need help from antibiotics. Antibiotics are drugs used to treat infections caused by bacteria. They either kill the bacteria or stop them from multiplying thus protecting us from the infection.

It is necessary to understand that antibiotics are used to treat ailments caused by bacteria but they do not work against illness like running nose, flu, sore throat, etc, that are caused by virus.

Team Medimanage spoke to renowned Physician Dr. Umesh Thakker and Pediatrician Dr. Dinesh Khare to clear a few doubts about antibiotics.

• Though antibiotics safeguard our health, why is it advised not to have antibiotics regularly?

A good immune system helps to fight against bacteria that enter our body. It is generally advised not to consume antibiotics regularly as it is important to let the body work in its natural way and not get used to external helping agents.

Dr. Umesh Thakker advises, “Antibiotics are not suitable for diseases like common cold andflu and other viral infections. Having regular antibiotics can lead to side effects; secondly, the germs get used to the antibiotics and develop antibiotic resistance.”

• It is also seen that most individuals stop taking medicines when they start feeling better and do not complete the antibiotic course recommended by the physician. Is it safe to discontinue antibiotics if you are already feeling well?

Dr. Umesh Thakker explains, “When people consume medicines they generally start feeling better when the antibiotics attack the germs. It is important to remember that these antibiotics do not kill 100% of the germs at a time. If the medications are stopped before the dose is completed, a certain amount of germs are still left in the body and they start growing. These germs develop resistance to this antibiotic and do not respond to the regular treatment and may cause severe conditions. Hence it is very essential to complete the antibiotic dosage to ensure that the body is free from almost all of the infectious bacteria.”

• It has been seen that parents self medicate antibiotics to their children. Is it safe to start the antibiotic course without the consent of the doctor?

Well Known Pediatrician, Dr. Dinesh Khare says, “Children generally have viral infections that are transmitted from one person to another. Viral infections do not need antibiotics except if there is a secondary problem. Parents should not self medicate medicines for ailments like cold, sore throat etc ” He adds “Children who are immunized well need antibiotics on fewer occasions. Parents generally use antibiotics that are previously recommended by doctors. Previously used antibiotics may not solve the problem but aggravate the same because:

1. Parents tend to wait for a few days after the giving the medicine. This increases the severity of the illness and leads to a longer time to recover.
2. Children develop resistance to the antibiotics which are used frequently and develop resistance to these drugs which in turn develops the need of higher doses.
3. The most important point to remember before giving medicines is that the child suffers the most as there are side effects to the antibiotics like loss of appetite, loose motions, etc, that cause discomfort to the child.”

 What are the important points to remember before taking antibiotic?

• Always have antibiotics exactly as prescribed by the doctor. Ensure that you have the correct dosage. Some antibiotics are consumed an hour before the meal while some antibiotics need to be taken after meals, it is necessary that you follow the instructions correctly for medications to be effective.
• Take the medicine for as long as prescribed by the physician. Even though you may start feeling better it is necessary that you complete the prescribed dosage. It is necessary to remember that the bacteria that the antibiotic cannot kill can redevelop if you take only part of the antibiotic prescription.
• If the antibiotics cause severe side effects that affect your daily routine call your doctor for guidance.

Antibiotics are like double edged knives; they fight against severe infection but could be dangerous to your health. It is the responsibility of every individual to become educated, change behavior, and reap the benefits of effective antibiotics to treat bacterial illnesses.

Maggie noodles-Healthy or not?

You may have your own versions of “Maggi memories” like on those cycling trips with friends, or as your savior when friends drop in without warning or during those late night talks …

Maggi has been a true childhood buddy. It took care of our hunger pangs when we were away from our parents in a hostel or on a camp. Continuing the practice, now it is ‘the food’ kids eat without a fuss. It’s that food which our moms let us have as a substitute to other ‘outside’ food we would have otherwise eaten!

Maggi seems to be just that perfect quick-snack between meals and is so easy to make that kids sometime make it alone. What’s more it seems they now come enriched with calcium and proteins! Taste bhi! Health bhi! scream the smalls kids in the ad!

Wow, Maggi we love so much is also healthy! Or is it?? Health being a subject close to our heart we thought of doing a double check… and here’s what we found…

Maggi, for that matter Top Ramen, Chings, Cup-o-noodles are essentially made from refined flour or Maida. Yes, the same Maida you try to avoid in the restaurant rotis and those biscuits…

Maida is made by processing of the whole grain flour in which the husk, the bran and the germ which are also the most nutritious parts of the seed, are removed.

Convenience and taste is one thing but nutrition is different. According to Nutritionist Dr. Shweta Iyengar, “Children are addicted to Maggi due to the high salt content in the tastemaker. Excessive salt intake can lead to water retention in the body.” The other problem in Maggi is of course “the maida”.

Not giving them their favorite Maggi will only make them demand it more so she suggests, “parents can control the amount given to the child instead of the whole packet at once, you could give them half and only if they finish their fruit servings or a glass of milk.”

Another idea she suggests is that you could reduce the harms done by Maggi by adding lots of vegetables that the children would normally make a ruckus to eat.

In India, there are other variations like Atta noodles and Rice Maggi which are nutritionally richer than the regular noodles. So if they really insist on Maggi, then varieties seem to be the solution.

Also you have to take all the claims by the Companies of “fortified with calcium" or “with added vitamin C” with a pinch of salt because according to reports, these companies add just a handful of minerals like 4 nutrients compared to the 15 nutrients they rob the food of.

So, let your kid have Maggi but make sure he also appreciates the taste of traditional snacks like upma, poha, idlis which are nutritionally richer than Maggi and are easier to make too. Let Maggi treat be an occasional ritual than an everyday one! Don’t forget the other nutritional culprits like white bread, instant pasta which are eating away your child’s nutritional intake and make sure that you keep a tab on these too.

Helping your kids with homework

Most parents with school going children would agree that homework can be a battle. Things are relatively easy when kids are in the pre school age as children have little homework, but as kids start growing, the number of assignments starts increasing, their preference for sports and other activities also increases leaving little time for homework.

There is a growing debate on whether homework is important for the growth of children or it should be expelled. Some parents believe that kids need to have time for extracurricular activities for their complete growth while some believe that by doing their homework kids develop various skills.

Let’s understand what do kids learn by doing home work?

• They develop the attitude to read and follow directions independently.
• They learn time management skills by completing their home work in the give time frame.
• Completing the given task helps them develop a sense of responsibility. 
• They learn work ethics.  

How can parent help the kids in their home work?

Parents play a very important role in helping their kids finish their homework. Parents should always be there to support, guide, instruct, answer questions and review the completed work.

Studies suggest that children are more successful in schools when their parents take active interest in their home work; this is because it shows that what they are doing is important.

Most parents do not have the patience to sit with their kids and help them complete their homework. They prefer to take the easy route by completing their work sheets or assignments or provide the right answer. It is important to focus on helping kids develop the problem solving ability rather than spoon feeding them with the answers.

Here are several ways in which every parent can make homework easier.

• Establish a routine

Set a fixed time schedule during the day in which your child must complete his school related activities. Make sure that the school activities are performed in a distraction free area.

Growing children tend to come up with excuses that they have completed their assignment before the schedule timing, even when this is true, parents should not cancel or make changes in the routine set. They can help kids to utilize this time for school focused reading and enhancing their knowledge and vocabulary.

• Organize homework schedule

Teach children strategies on how to handle home work overloads. Some kids like to complete the harder assignments first when they are fresh and have started with the projects while others prefer to complete the easier tasks first.

By helping the children approach their home work assignments with a strategy will teach them skills to do things independently later. 

• Inculcate organization skills

Children are in the process of learning new things and behavior. They learn organizational skills by practicing over time.  Kids come across assignments on different subjects and different deadlines for each project. Teach your child how to use the planner or a calendar to get organized and complete the assignment before the give time frame.

• Encourage them to speak.

Kids often find themselves lost while completing their school assignments so encourage children to ask for help if needed. 

Being able to raise doubts and getting them cleared helps in developing their confidence.

• Co relate school learning’s with the real world

Talk to your kids about skills that they learn also applies in the real world. For instance, completing home work in the given time is similar to how adults have to meet deadlines offered in the office. Co relating behaviors motivates them to adapt to these skills faster and in better manner.

How to set up the study place?

Parents should ensure that the child has a well lit and comfortable study area. The study table should be quiet and away from distraction like television, video games etc. It should have all the necessary stationeries like pencil, pen, eraser, calculator, dictionary etc. to avoid distractions of searching for objects while studying.

If your kids need to take the help of a computer for completing their assignment, try to set up the computer in a common place so that his attention is not diverted to chat with friends, surf the internet or play games.

Home work problems:

As children grow school assignments start to add up and become difficult to manage. In most cases, children need to put in more sincerity and practice better study habits.

If any particular assignment is creating more difficulties, parents should speak to the teacher pointing out the difficulties faced by the child. However consistent struggle with completing assignments could indicate a hidden problem. If the child finds it hard to grasp on a particular subject, there may be signs of broader issues like ADHD, learning disabilities etc.

By reviewing the child assignment and interacting with the school teachers can help in identifying any learning problems at an early stage.

To sum up, the key to helping kids with their homework is to keep up the participation at all levels. Let the kids know that you are always available if there is a snag.

Parents can encourage the kids by being good role models and showing their love for learning. This would help in conveying the message that learning is a joyful journey at all stages.

What's killing your sex drive?

Rebecca is career oriented woman. She leads a very hectic lifestyle managing her house, kids and the office. After spending long hours at the office, she returns home works out something for dinner and spends time with her kids. At the end of the tiring day, hopping into the bed means one thing ……Sleep.

Is your hectic lifestyle taking a toll on the level of intimacy that you share with your partner? Do you spend less time with your partner cuddling each other? Is sex the last thing in your mind these days? Or if you don’t remember the last time you felt like having sex with a partner, you are probably suffering from low sex drive. Low sexual desire among couples is one of the biggest issues in achieving intimacy and can be one of the reasons that can kill a relationship.

There are many factors that contribute to a low sex drive. Here, we have compiled a list of most common reasons for a low libido.

• Stress

Stress is one of the biggest sex drive killer. Stress at work place, household problems, financial troubles can take a toll on your sex life. It has been seen that couples who worry about sexual performance or fear of pregnancy can also dampen their sex drives.

What you can do:

The irony is that having sex is known as a stress buster. But if you are stressed and have a low libido, you can practice relaxation techniques such as pranayam and yoga. Eat a healthy diet, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly and sleep at least 8 hours a night. With a healthy body and mind, you can keep your problems from intruding your bedroom.

• Obesity

Obesity is directly related to low sexual desires. Studies suggest that in over weight men, fat cells produce estrogen- female hormone that reduces the sex drive.

What you can do:

You should work at exercising everyday not only for your general health, but for your sex life. Losing weight can lead to better sex.

• Lack of sleep

Studies suggest that lack of sleep creates fatigue and fatigue saps sex drive. Lack of sleep can be caused due to irregular work routines, fatigue, etc.

What you can do:

It is suggested that you should try re scheduling your daily schedule in manner that does not interfere with your sleeping patterns. If its insomnia or sleep apnea that is causing sleeplessness, you can take suitable treatment to overcome the problem. 

• Relationship  problems

Emotional attachment plays a very important role in sexual passion, particularly for women. Resentment, unresolved conflicts, constant arguments can create a negative feeling and dampen your desire for sex.

What you can do:

Communication is the key to a good relationship. It is important that you talk to your partner about your problems before it grows and explodes into a real conflict. Select a time and quiet place where you can both air your complaints and listen to each other without any distractions. If talking to one another does not work, consider seeking professional counseling to overcome your issues.

Why an ORGASM keeps you healthy?

We are aware of what an orgasm is. An orgasm is the point of the most intense sexual pleasure that can be reached either through a sexual intercourse or by masturbation. But an orgasm is not just the peak of sexual pleasure or the point when maximum blood flow reaches your genitals.

 There are many physio-chemical reactions that occur within the body when we experience an orgasm. And these chemical reactions are actually very beneficial for our body! Hence there are a number of health benefits that you get from having regular orgasms.

Here is how they are beneficial to you, and why there is no need to feel guilty when you masturbate or have sex. The orgasm keeps you healthy...

• Stress-Buster

Orgasms are natural stress-relievers.

How: During sexual activity, the parts of the female brain responsible for fear, anxiety and strong emotion begin to relax. The seratonin levels in the brain become elevated when we have an orgasm which promotes a sense of well-being that has a calming effect.

• Increases Pain tolerance

Orgasms increase our body's pain endurance.

How: While getting an orgasm either during sexual activity or masturbation, our body releases endorphins. Endorphins are powerful compounds that are known to be the body's natural pain-killers. Hence sexual activity is often encouraged to cure headaches and menstrual cramps. The release of these endorphins can increase pain tolerance by as much as 70%!

• Supplements a good Diet

Orgasms will help you stick to a diet better and reduce your food cravings that will in turn help you maintain or lose weight.

How: Having an orgasm stimulates the production of the chemical phenetylamine which is known to curb the appetite. The calming effect due to increased seratonin levels also reduces cravings, like those for junk food or cigarettes. Engaging in an hour of foreplay and intercourse also burns approximately 140 calories, which is probably the most desirable way to burn them!

• For the Lady's Heart

 Women who engage in regular weekly sexual activity have a healthier cardiovascular system. 

How: When the female body reaches an orgasm the body releases estrogen. Having higher levels of estrogen in the body can lower bad cholesterol, increase the level of good cholesterol, add to bone density and give you clearer skin. According to studies regular sexual activity also regulates a women's menstrual cycle.

• Increases immunity

Having an orgasm helps you fight bugs and increases body immunity.

How: Studies have shown that those who engage in regular sexual activity have one-third higher levels of immunoglobin A, an antibody that boosts the immune system. Another study conducted by a gynaecologist proved that achieving orgasm on a regular basis can boost infection-fighting cells up to 20%.

• Glowing Skin

Having regular orgasm helps keep the skin bright and glowing.

How: During sex or masturbation, the body perspires, which helps flush out toxins and releases skin-nourishing oils. The deep breathing and elevated heart rate during arousal and orgasm causes more oxygen to circulate throughout the body, a process that keeps organs and tissues healthy. 

• A Better Socialite!

Having regular orgasms can make you a better social person...

How: The benefits of orgasm include the release of oxytocin, a hormone that acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain. This is believed to be involved in bonding or social recognition, and also the formation of trust between people. When men or women release oxytocin, there is a healthy psychological boundary that is sustained which promotes healthy emotions, passion, and social skills. So if you have trouble bonding with people you know what you need to do!

• DHEA levels 

Right before sexual climax, the level of DHEA in the body spikes to several times its normal level.

How it helps: DHEA is a natural steroid hormone, also known as mother hormone, which is known to improve brain function, the cardiovascular system, fat metabolism, boost the immune system, and promote healthy-looking skin. It is even said to possess anti-ageing properties and may possibly keep you safe from cancer too!

There are no limitations or harmful side effects of having orgasms. Having an orgasm with your partner increases the intimacy levels and passion. So now enjoy having an orgasm either alone or with your partner and remember it is not just for your pleasure but also for your good health!

Gaining weight after 30's-Why?

“I use to be thin when I was in  school and college, I do not know how I put on so much of weight suddenly” or “I eat my normal diet but suddenly I have developed a paunch” Do you remember hearing this from your friends or family. There are chances that you may have experienced these changes in your body once you reached your 30’s. Research indicates that men and women gain weight after they are married, have kids and are settled in their jobs. 

Let’s understand the common reason for weight gain after reaching 30.

Reason 1: Erratic eating habit

Most individuals get ambitious of moving up the corporate ladder as they reach their mid life and hence fail to pay attention to their eating habits. They skip meals to complete the projects; binge on junk foods regularly. Eating out at official meetings and seminars seem unavoidable. The erratic eating patterns do not suit the sedentary lifestyle which results in the increase in waist line.

Reason 2: Ignorance about basic nutrition

Though the modern day individuals are getting savvy about what to eat and what to avoid, there is a huge ignorance in their understanding between the lines. Having misinformation about various foods and their nutritional values, leads to spending money on various health products that do no good for the body. Following fad diets that promise to help you to lose weight easily, eventually leads to weight gain.

Reason 3: Decrease in physical activity

Most men and women find themselves caught up in the hectic schedule of work and family. They are always juggling to find time for themselves hence scheduling a specific time to exercise is generally not in their daily schedule. Though individuals in their mid life are busy but their physical activity in comparison to their early life drastically decreases which is a major cause for weight gain. Studies suggest that a decrease in the physical activity is the primary reason for the increase in fat mass with age.

Reason 4: Poor sleeping habits

A person in their mid life gets independent. His schedules generally include late working hours, late parties, all  this leads to delay in the usual sleeping time. Being awake till late at night leads to late night bingeing which in turn leads to weight gain. Sleep deprivation leads to poor energy management which in turn adds kilos. For instance if you are feeling sleepy at work, you are tempted to have a cup of tea or coffee for that instant energy later you may skip your exercise schedule because you of your hectic work schedule which leads to weight gain.

Reason 5: Stress

For many people in their 30’s it is a time to focus on career goals, financial goals, getting married, starting a family. Major life changes can be stressful. Studies suggest that there is a connection between stress and gaining weight. When an individual is stressed, the body releases a hormone called cortisol which contributes to weight gain. Additionally, people tend to eat more under stress. All this could combine to a drastic weight gain.

Reason 6: Metabolism

Metabolism is the rate at which the body burns calories. As an individual enters the 30’s the metabolism rate slows down. In simple words, an indiviudal burns fewer calories than they did in their younger age hence even if they continue with the same diet and exercise regime like they followed in their earlier years, they still tend to gain weight. In women changes in the hormones caused due to pregnancy and menopause also adds to kilos.

Reason 7: Addictions

Research indicates that most individuals start a new relationship with smoking, and drinking alcohol to manage stress or social pressure as they reach their 30’s. These addictions have their own set of combinations for instance tea and smoking, eating peanuts or other fried variety of food with alcohol. Once these habits set in, they add to the increasing waist line and destroy childhood ideologies and well crafted good habits.

The main problem with weight gain in middle age is more than a cosmetic issue, it is closely related with various health problems such as heart disease, diabetes and various cancers.

While it is hard to lose the weight that is gained in the middle years but it is definitely possible, however prevention is always better than cure.

Here’s what you can do to avoid weight gain in your mid life:

The simplest ways to avoid weight gain in the mid life is to avoid all of the above. The judicious mix of following a healthy eating pattern and adding physical activity to your daily regime can help you ward off the extra kilos gained in your mid life years.

So do not lose heart even if you gain weight ….. Be positive as losing weight is as easy as gaining weight.

Union Govt. wants retairement age 62

The Union Government is seriously considering raising the retirement age to 62 for Central Government employees. Obviously, if the Congress announces this before the Lok Sabha polls, it could expect a sizeable vote share. North Block, which houses the Union Ministry of Finance would be more than happy to have 62 years as the retirement age because for next two years the pension funds can accumulate. 

The UPA2 also wants to put the next government in fiscal tight spot, or what is called the War Room effect of the AICC. 

Govt. Employees retairement age may increase to 62-Reg.

Increase retirement age of government employees to 62

On 21st March 2013, there was an unstarred question in Rajya Sabha, about whether there was a proposal to increase the retirement age of Central government employees. The relevant MOS answered there was no such proposal. That’s not quite true, because there is such a proposal floating around and it went to Cabinet sub-committee and an in principle decision to implement was taken by Department of Personnel and Training (DOPT). One should not mix up existence of a proposal with a decision about implementing it. Evidently, a decision has now been taken to increase the age from 60 to 62 years, the last time such an increase took place was in 1998, when there was an increase from 58 to 60 years. Whenever such a decision is taken, debates centre on the big picture. What are arguments for? First, life expectancies are increasing. There is a shortage of good people within government. Let’s tap this expertise. Second, in any case there are extensions in “exceptional circumstances”. But that’s arbitrary and can be shot down by the Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC). Why not formalize the system by allowing extensions to everyone? The trouble with this argument is that there will be no finality about 62 either and there will be “exceptional circumstances” beyond 62.

Third, there should be parity. Professors now retire at 65. High Court judges retire at 62, Supreme Court judges retire at 65. The counter-arguments of the big picture are also obvious. India is a young country, young need employment opportunities. Promotional avenues of existing civil servants get blocked. Often, in the private sector, people retire at 60 and there are extensions, with the qualification that extensions are at consolidated monthly emoluments, with no perks. An increase in retirement age occurs with all perks. Therefore, there are significant fiscal costs. While these big picture arguments and counter-arguments are important, my problem is that such decisions aren’t taken because of logical coherence. They are ad hoc decisions, driven by myopic motives. First, increase in retirement age postpones the one-time superannuation burden of severance payments by around Rs 5000 crores. For a government that has drawn up red lines on deficit numbers, that’s a desirable objective, even though it is myopic because it increases fiscal costs on future governments. Second, there’s a clear political cum electoral motive. Outright, if we include Defence, we are talking about 1.5 million Central government employees.

In a broader sense, we are talking about something like 6 million, excluding State governments and quasi-government, all urban. This is therefore a significant component in that 65 million urban household figure. These two points will also be made when the 62 decision is announced. But the one that bothers me most is a third element, one that is invariably never talked about. Such ad hoc decisions are taken because of specific individuals. There is one particular individual whom government wishes to place in one particular position. Once he is placed there, government wishes him to benefit from increase in retirement age. But to ensure he is placed there, one needs to ensure those who are senior to him get out of the way first. After all, supersession is not desirable. Hence, announce the decision after some people have retired at 60 and exited. This is the way decisions are taken. At one level, there is no point complaining, because we have accepted corruption of institutions and systems as fact of life. But when this 62 decision is announced, as it soon will, let us not pretend there are any big picture considerations involved.

Sucess begins on your mind-7 Steps

Are you living the life you would like to be living? Are you enjoying the good things of life that you define as success? You hold the power to change the course of your life. You are in control of what happens to you and it begins in your mind with the attitude you have toward life. If your attitude is negative you will not live a life you love and success will elude you. When you begin living life with a positive attitude your life will become the life you love living.

1. Think positive. Your thoughts are your most important factor in creating the life you live. Discipline yourself to only allow positive thoughts to reside in your mind. Find ways to control your thinking.

2. Speak positive. Your words reflect your thoughts. Control your words - speak only positive words. Let your words reflect your new discipline - positive thinking.

3. Look for the good in others. As you focus on the positive qualities of others you begin to enjoy those people more and your life becomes more positive. Learn to always look for the things in other people that you admire. State those discoveries in your mind and to 
those people you were thinking about.

4. Find something good to speak about. These words have been my guide in life: "Small minds talk about people. Average minds speak about things. Great minds speak about ideas." Learn to have a great mind by speaking of ideas, dreams, goals, plans, and the good things about life.

5. Do not worry. Worry steals the joy out of living. Worry is only borrowing trouble for yourself. Become a problem solver instead of worrying about those problems.

6. Focus on the future. Don't stay stuck in the past. Focus on a bright future and think on how much you will enjoy working towards and accomplishing your goals.

7. Gratitude. Learn to count the blessings in your life. Every day, find a minimum of 5 things you are thankful for. As you focus on the good things in life and train your mind and your mouth to be positive your life will take on new meaning and you will lead a life that is also positive.

WALKING-The king of EXERCISE

Take a two-mile walk every morning before breakfast. 

Improved standard of living has come with a big “side effect”. The accessibility and availability of vehicles, television, and deskwork have taken their toll! By their 5O’s more than 4O per cent of males and  per cent of females are sedentary – they spend too much time sitting. A sedentary lifestyle is now considered so bad for you that The American Heart Association lists it as a major ‘risk factor’ on a par with high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure and cigarette smoking for your heart. In addition to improving cardiovascular health, walking helps with back pain, arthritis, osteoporosis, varicose veins, reducing cholesterol, and other medical problems where inactivity is a factor. Walking also improves the mood and helps bowel movement and sleep. 

Walking is one of the easiest and most profitable forms of exercise. All you need is a good pair of shoes, comfortable clothing, and desire. 

HOW TO START 

It is easy! Just walk out the door. For most people this means head out the door, walk for 10 minutes, and walk back. Do this every day for a week. If this was easy for you, add five minutes to your walks next week (total walking time 25 minutes). Keep adding 5 minutes until you are walking as long as desired. 

WATCH your posture. Walk tall. Hold your head up and eyes forward. Your shoulders should be down, back and relaxed. Walk with a natural stride. 

Be sure to drink plenty of water before, during, and after walking. Start your walk at a slow warm up pace, stop and do a few warm up stretches. Then walk for the desired length of time. End your walk with the slower cool down pace and stretch well. Stretching will make you feel great and assist in injury prevention. 

HOW MUCH TO WALK? 

If you are walking for the general health benefits try to walk 30 minutes a day, most days of the week, at a "talking" pace. (Talking pace means you have elevated breathing, but you can still carry a conversation.) 

To improve cardiovascular fitness you should walk 3 to 4 days a week, 20 to 30 minutes at a very fast pace. At this pace you are breathing hard but not gasping for air. If you are walking for weight loss you should walk a minimum of five days a week, 45 to 60 minutes at a brisk pace. 

Zero to Sixty in Twelve Weeks – An easy to follow schedule to get you walking 60 minutes in 12 weeks. 

WHAT WALKING GEARS DO YOU NEED? 
One of the easiest fitness activities is walking and a big reason it is so easy … you don’t really need any gear. Below are a few items to consider. Shoes – The most important item you need is a good pair of walking shoes. Shoes should fit comfortably, have a flexible sole and plenty of toe room. 
Socks – As important as what shoes to wear is your choice of socks. Be sure to wear the socks you will walk in when trying on shoes. Cotton socks are preferable to synthetic ones. 

Clothing – Wear what is comfortable for you. On cold weather days, layer your clothing so items can be removed as you warm up. 

Water – Please be sure to drink plenty of water. If walking around the block drink some water before you head out and more when you return. If walking for longer than 30 minutes take your water along. Be sure to drink every 20 minutes. There are many convenient water carriers – from waist packs to shoulder carriers. Choose what works best for you. 

Pedometer – A pedometer is a device that counts your steps and/or mileage. They must be accurately adjusted to your stride length to get a good reading. They come with a variety of features. Some will even calculate calorie expenditure. The most sophisticated versions are the new GPS systems. These actually calculate speed and distance based on satellite readings! 

Personal Stereo – A personal stereo / CD player can be a great walking companion. Music can motivate you and energize your workout while helping to pass the time by creating a distraction. Be sure to keep the volume at a low enough level so you can hear what is going on around you. 

A Training Diary – A diary or fitness log is a great tool. Use it to write down your goals, and keep track of your fitness program. 

TREADMILL WALKING 

Treadmill is an optional device for walking. Owning a treadmill makes sticking with your walking routine easier. If time, personal safety, allergies, or weather conditions, limit your outdoor walking a treadmill can be a great asset. 

Now-a-days more and more people are investing in a treadmill. They come in different varieties. Before buying one, take your time and compare different models. But most important aspect is using it! An unused treadmill is a waste of money. 

Come let us make a resolution on this day about our health – “START WALKING”