They Say that Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Not only does it get the metabolism going but also gives you the body and brain food you need to keep you going until lunchtime and your next nutritional intake.

A healthy breakfast doesn’t have to be big, but you should eat it. You can have whatever you want as long as it’s not too fatty or too sugar laden. Cereals are good, along with whole milk, and fruit is always a good idea to have with any healthy breakfast.

If you are planning to exercise before your next meal then this makes having a good breakfast even more essential.

Also if you are on a diet then a healthy breakfast is one of the most important things they can do. If you don’t eat breakfast, you are going to be more hungry than usual throughout the day and into the night. And that is when most of us start having a craving for a few munchies, which is probably the worst thing you can do.

If you smoke, you know how difficult it is to Quit Smoking. How many times have you said to yourself or to your friends or family that you are going to quit smoking today or tomorrow or even next week with no such luck, or I’m going to join a stop smoking program and never do. People do not understand that nicotine is a drug and it is addictive and its not easy to quit. After all the times of saying you will quit and you can’t its because the addictions remains.

Lets take a closer look at the effects of. Smoking has an injurious effect on most all of ones body parts. Its not so hard to believe but the biggest risk is to your lungs as they are affected most adversely and whats funny is, the most addicted smokers know the risk of lung cancer and continue to smoke.

But there is much more than one might know, smoking can adversely affect your hair, brain, eyes, nose, skin, teeth, mouth and throat, hands, esophagus, respiratory system and lungs, cardiovascular system, liver, abdomen, kidneys and bladder, male reproductive system, bones, blood, immune system, and your legs and feet.

So, how important is your health to you? Do you really want to Stop Smoking? There are so many different programs on the market today, what works for one may not work for another, and based on reasons for wanting to quit. Is it out of demand, illness or do you just have the pure desire to quit?

When searching for a quit smoking program, you will want to look at the pros and cons and warnings associated with each program, do they use medication, meditation or what is the primary methodology to guide you to break your addiction.

You will be amazed at how many diverse stop smoking programs are out on the market today. The big question is, do you really honestly want to quit? If you answered yes, then you and only you need to get a handle on your addiction. Find the program that feels best for you and go for it. It only takes a short period of time to break the chemical dependency to nicotine, it’s the habits that is hard, or when you are stressed or happy or other triggers that make you want to smoke. Have a great attitude, and confidence in yourself that you can quit this horrible addiction and you will do it.

Have much success with your quit smoking program, it may become stressful at times, but stay strong and know that your health is worth it. Do it Now, because your LIFE depends on it.

Nanette Hughston is a freelance writer from southern US region with a Bachelors Degree in Finance.
Additional resources:
http://smokingnomore.blogspot.com

http://stopsmokingprogram.blogspot.com

http://smokingdanger.blogspot.com

Buying an exercise bike? An exercise bike is an excellent way to build fitness, lose weight and get fit.

But how do you choose the best one? This buying guide will show you exactly what to look for when shopping so you can find the very best exercise bike for your needs!

First, ask yourself which class of exercise bike you would like. There are 2 general classes of exercise bikes:

1) Recumbent Bikes

Recumbent bikes are the newer exercise bikes on the market with the chair-like or bucket seats. Your body is placed in a semi reclining position and your legs angle out in front of you to reach the pedals instead of hanging down as on an upright bike.

2) Upright Bikes

These are also called “Stationary bikes” although this term is now becoming a catch all term for both upright and recumbent bikes. These are the traditional exercise bikes that have been around for years and are similar in form to traditional outdoor bikes.

An offshoot of the standard upright bike is the ‘Dual Action’ Stationary bike. These bikes have movable bars or levers on arm handles to incorporate your upper body into the workout.

Know what you want before you start comparing different exercise bikes. Personally I’ve owned both and after a while upright exercise bike seats just don’t feel too comfortable if you know what I mean. But the choice is yours.

The next thing you need to decide on is your budget. How much are you willing to pay for your exercise bike?

There are really 3 price categories:

1) Under $500

2) Between $500 - 1000

3) $1000 +

Under 500: While there are some above average exercise bikes under $500, don’t expect to get a top quality machine for this price. If you don’t plan on using your exercise cycle much or if you’re on a budget, this may be a good price point for you.

Between $500 - $1000: Unlike treadmills or elliptical trainers, you can usually get a very solid, higher quality exercise bike for your home in this category. Most exercise bikes in this category offer magnetic resistance and high grade consoles that give you feedback on your workout. You should also expect several built-in workout programs, foot straps and heart rate monitors.

$1000 +: These exercise bikes are either the cream of the crop for the advanced home exerciser or they are commercial grade for the health club. Examples of bikes in this category include spinners and commercial bikes like Life Cycle and Star Trac.

Always remember that with exercise bikes - in general - you get what you pay for so try to spend the most that you can and get a quality machine that will last you.

These are really the 2 most important features to decide on: the type of bike and the price you can afford. Here are a few more features you should know about when choosing an exercise bike.

Resistance

There are several different types of resistance you’ll find in your exercise bike

1) Direct Tension - offers you a manual adjustment of resistance

2) Air - resistance is provided by pedaling against the airflow of a fan blade

3) Magnetic Resistance - this is the most sophisticated type of resistance allowing magnetic currents to create and track the resistance. It generally allows for a greater variety of workout levels.

Magnetic resistance is generally viewed as the best option since it tends to be quieter and provides a more even feel when pedalling.

Workout Options

Most exercise bikes give you information on speed, distance traveled, and time of the workout. The more sophisticated you go, you’ll also find things like total calories and fat burned, resistance level, heart rate and program mode.

You can also get exercise bikes with numerous preprogrammed workouts and information storage as well as iFit compatibilit and Interactive Disc players.

It really depends on your personal preferences whether you choose a bike with 10 preset programs and an ultra high tech computer display or one with just a simple display.

However, keep in mind that in general, the higher priced bikes have more sophisticated options and are built with higher quality materials.

Warranty

Exercise Bikes come with a variety of warranties from 90 days to lifetime warranties on different parts of the bike. For example, parts and labor may be covered for 6 months, electronics for 1 year and the frame for a lifetime. In general keep in mind that a longer warranty is indicative of a higher quality machine.

Final Note: It is also important that you decide how much you are planning to use your exercise bike. For example, if you are new to exercising and not sure you’ll use your exercise bike much, you might want to save some money and go with a cheaper model.

If however you plan on using the bike a lot and/or are a regular exerciser, invest a bit more and get a machine that will last.

That’s it - good luck and have fun!

Charles O’Neill is a certified personal trainer and contributing writer for Exercise Bike Review a consumer oriented website focusing on the home exercise bike market.

For more buying tips, brand reviews, and best buys visit http://www.Exercise-Bike-Review.com

Exercising at home can be just as successful as training at a gym if you know what you’re doing. There are all types of home exercise equipment out on the market and every one of them claim to be answer to your prayers.

The truth is, all exercise equipment are not created equal. Some can provide great variation in your training program whilst others are quite limiting. Knowing the difference before you purchase anything can save you plenty of time and money.

The equipment you buy will depend greatly on what your goals are. If you need to lose weight then you need a cardiovascular fitness program, to build muscle you need a resistance training program, and to tone your muscles you may need a combination of these.

Cardiovascular Equipment

This type of equipment includes bikes, treadmills, cross-trainers, and step machines. This is the best piece of equipment to buy if your goal is to lose weight or increase fitness. Many people are hesitant to buy cardio equipment because of the price. If this is a concern consider leasing. You should also look at garage sales, auction sites (eg, ebay), and your local newspaper as there are always bargains to be found.

One thing to remember when you buy cardio equipment is that you get what you pay for. If something is really cheap, then chances are it won’t last long.

Weights

Weight training equipment is probably the most diverse of all home exercise equipment. It can be used for building muscle, weight loss, muscle toning, and injury rehabilitation. The best thing about weights is they last forever. Buy them today and your kids could still be using them in 20 years time.

The best weight training equipment to buy is a bench, adjustable barbell, and adjustable dumbbells. Most benches have many attachments that will not only ad support but also much more variety. The adjustable barbells and dumbbells mean that you don’t have to buy hand weights or bars at every weight interval (eg, 5kg, 10kg, 12.5kg, etc). You just buy the plates and change the weight as you change the exercise.

Swiss Ball / Fitball

These have been used throughout Europe by physiotherapists since 1960 but have currently become the latest fitness fad. They provide great variety in your program but they should never be the only piece of equipment you buy. If you want to strengthen your abdominals they are great, but if you want to lose your tummy then you’re better off sticking to cardiovascular training.

Imagination

This is probably the greatest tool you have and the better it is the less money you’ll need to spend. Use the things you have at your disposal. If you have stairs or a yard that is on a slope use those for extra cardio training. Household items such as chairs, tables, and hand railings can also be used for extra variety. If you’re not sure, buy a book or get a personal trainer to come over to your house and design a circuit using only what you have available.

Ray Kelly is an Exercise Scientist with 15 years experience in the health and fitness industry. Sign up for his free 7 Day Weight Loss Course at Exercise Programs for Home

To quit smoking cold turkey is really a fantasy in the mind of most smokers. I should know, I used to smoke two packs a day. The idea of stopping smoking cold turkey “just like that” was a dream I entertained, usually when I was smoking. But is it a realistic prospect for most smokers? In this article I shall attempt to answer that question.

As a former smoker, I would have to say that to quit smoking cold turkey is completely unadvisable. Something that non-smokers fail to understand is the extent to which smokers develop an emotional attachment with their habit. When I smoked, cigarettes seemed to fill the hole of just about every emotion for me. If I was anxious, I would smoke. If I was ecstatic, I would smoke. If I was bored, I would smoke. If I drank, I would smoke. Cigarettes weren’t just a habit - they were an extension of me.

I believe that is something many smokers can empathise with. Non-smokers see it as just a habit, whereas smokers are well-aware that cigarettes have become part of their identity. It’s not just a simple case of stopping a habit…it’s a case of slicing off a limb. It’s like one is saying goodbye to an old friend, feeling they will never be quite the same again.

So with this in mind, it seems like a monumental task to quit smoking cold turkey. It’s like breaking up with a boyfriend or girlfriend you have a deep love/hate relationship with, but then having that same partner move in next door to you. You have to live with the knowledge that this partner, with whom you shared such a deep relationship, is just around the corner. To quit smoking cold turkey is like being told “Okay, now avoid thinking about your ex and under no circumstances knock on her door.”

If we could all quit smoking cold turkey without any kickbacks, then we would do so. According to non-smokers, it’s simply a question of willpower. But it is far, far more than that. Willpower is just about having the mental fortitude to get through the day and to “suck it up”. Quitting smoking has more emotional gravitas than that. Rather than simply getting through the day, it’s about being able to let go. It’s about being able to make your peace with the habit and wave it farewell.

Millions of people manage to quit smoking cold turkey, but I have no doubt the vast majority of them are haunted by smoking for the rest of their lives, just as we would be by our ex-partner living next door to us. If you wish to quit smoking cold turkey, simply ensure that you are changing your mindset while you’re at it. You have to fall out of love with smoking, you have to know why it’s a bad habit, you have to know why you don’t need it, you have to know why it’s not a part of you. You need to answer all these questions to quit the habit for good, and ensure that being an ex-smoker isn’t a day-to-day battle for the years to come.

Jonty Smith is a former smoker based in the U.K.

After 10 years of smoking two packs a day, Jonty finally managed to quit in 2006. His story of how he managed to beat the habit is available for free reading at http://www.how-i-stopped-smoking.com