3 exercises for fab abs

3 exercises for fab abs

    Who doesn’t want to have sexy-looking abs? But wanting is not enough, you need to work towards it too. There are plenty of exercises one can do for obtaining a firm toned abdomen. You need to move beyond the traditional crunches and basic crunches Here are three simple ones that you can do: 
REVERSE CRUNCHES 
>> Lie on your back on a flat surface with both the knees bent at a 90-degree angle. Keep your hands either on the sides or behind your head. Squeeze your abs as you lift your hips towards your rib cage. Breathe in while squeezing your abs and exhale while returning to original position. Besides the abdomen, reverse crunches work on the thighs too. Begin with 15 repetitions and gradually increase the number of sets. BICYCLE CRUNCHES 
>> This exercise works on the sides of your stomach known as obliques. Lie on your back on a flat surface with knees bent such that they're at a 90-degree angle to the floor. Keep the palms of your hands behind the head, with elbows extended toward the sides. Lift your shoulders off the floor as you bring one knee towards your chest and twist it towards the opposite shoulder. Extend your other leg straight in the air, as if you are riding a bicycle. Repeat the step alternating each shoulder. Begin with 15 repetitions and gradually increase the number of sets.PLANK EXERCISE 
>> This exercise is great for strengthening the abs. Lie down on a flat surface resting on your forearms with palms flat on the floor. Push yourself off the floor by raising on your toes and resting on the elbows. Remember to keep your back and body in a straight line staring from your head to your toes. 
    

HOT SCISSORS USED TO SEAL SPLIT ENDS

HOT SCISSORS USED TO SEAL SPLIT ENDS

Though not a permanent solution, women are increasingly going in for this option to trim their tresses

    Do you face the problem of split ends just a week post the haircut? Next time you go for a cut, ask your stylist to use hot scissors instead of traditional shears to trim the ends of your tresses. Already popular in the international markets, hot scissors, officially known as thermal scissors, are finding takers back home in India too. After all, these scissors are said to seal split ends with their heated blades. 
    HEAT EFFECT 
    “I first heard of these scissors five years ago but they are regaining popularity, especially in the Indian market,” says hairstylist Harish R Singh. Unlike traditional 
    shears that open 
    cuticles and leave 
    your hair frizzy, the 
    heat from these scissors traps the moisture in the hair and retains their natural qualities. Result: Your hair looks fresh for weeks. Moreover, these scissors can be used on all hair types and there is no risk of hair burning. Singh confirms, “The excessive heat from ironing and blow drying does a lot of damage to your hair, but heat from these scissors would not be more than 30 degrees. So the scissors are not damaging.” 
TEMPORARY RELIEF Though popular, these scissors are not a permanent solution to repair split ends, say experts. Hairstylist Shailesh Moolya asserts, “They are definitely innovative, but hot scissors are only a fad. After some time, your hair will have split ends again. Moreover, only a hair expert can use them.” 
    When contacted, a few hairstylists in the city claim that they have shied away from using this tool. One of the reasons could be due to its high pricing. Singh opines, “Thermal scissors are said to be very expensive, ranging around 80,000.” 
WHAT ARE HOT SCISSORS? Hot scissors, officially known as thermal scissors, are used to seal split ends with their heated blades. Though not a permanent solution to repair split ends, the heat in the blades traps the moisture in the hair and retains their natural qualities.

Summer of ’13 There are a host of activities that you help you meet the heat headlong and live life to the fullest

Summer of ’13

There are a host of activities that you help you meet the heat headlong and live life to the fullest

    It's official - summer has set in. Now is the time to take advantage of the activities that symbolize summer - lounge by the pool, take out time to smell the roses, have fun with friends and family, take a break from your gruelling routine and revel in it. 
    This is the time of year when everything takes on a relaxed pace. With the schools about to close for vacations, it's a good idea to involve kids in some meaningful activities. With the sun rising early and setting late, now is the perfect time to get outside and pick up a new hobby, craft, or sport. Take a class in something that interests you or something that you've wanted to try for a long time. Use the long days and warm temperatures to change your habits and reach new levels of activity. 
    Many times it becomes too easy for kids to turn on the television or video game rather than go outside and sweat a little. Urge them to move, walk, sweat, bike, garden or hike. Make happy family memories by exploring your part of the world together, playing together, and laughing together. 
    However, with the increase in temperature, you would need to be aware of fluid loss. Staying hydrated is the key to keeping your summers enjoyable. 
    If you find yourself becoming frazzled as the summer months wear on, consider hiring a life coach. A skilled life coach will help you gain clarity into what you really want for yourself and your family.

CHILLING ZONE Refrigerators are no longer just about keeping the food fresh or getting chilled water but also about making a lifestyle statement

CHILLING ZONE

Refrigerators are no longer just about keeping the food fresh or getting chilled water but also about making a lifestyle statement

    From archaic to the most modern ones, refrigerators have sure come of age with bulky machines transforming into sleeker versions. And over the years, it has changed from being an essential appliance to an interior commodity. So it's but natural that its style, size and colour are of great importance to the customers. With a wide variety of products available in the market, a customer gets inundated with choices. This often becomes a difficult task as they are not sure what to look for in refrigerators before they make the right pick. 
    Refrigerators are considered to be a long-term appliance investment and most buyers want to consider carefully the main features before buying one to ensure that it meets the family's needs. If you, too, are thinking of buying a new refrigerator this summer or taking an additional one or just planning to replace an old model with the latest version, you should keep the three Ss in mind, apart form the pricing and brand preference issues, before taking the final decision. 
SIZE DOES MATTER 
The size of the refrigerator that you pick is of significant importance. It should not be too small or too big. Once you have decided on the style and the type, you should consider the right size in terms of the capacity of the refrigerator that you would require. The appropriate size will depend on the family needs and its members. For small needs and little storage, the compact-size units are ideal which range between 50 litres-00 litres, while the units between the range 170 litres-200 
litres are good enough for a small family; units between the ranges of 200 litres-450 litres suit the mid-size families while units above 450 litres-800 litres are for bigger needs. 
‘SPACE’AGE One of the most important criteria before buying a new refrigerator is the space that it would require; whether it will fit in the existing space or some alterations will be required. The positioning, too, has to be considered so that there's enough space for full door opening and swing without any physical hindrance. Measuring the area gains significant importance if an old unit is being replaced to ensure the new one fits between counters or cabinets like the earlier one. Also explore other options which do not require creation of new electrical points or plumbing job before the new unit is brought. 
STYLE QUOTIENT Basically refrigerators are available in two types, ie, direct cool and frost free. Direct cool is the single-door refrigerators while the frost-free ones come in multiple doors. Your usage pattern should govern the type of refrigerator you choose. Single-door refrigerator is the basic one with a single door and in-built freezer compartment on the top. While double-door refrigerators have separate doors for the freezer and the refrigerator compartments, they have the freezer compartment on top and have gained immense popularity over the last few years. Both the types are available in different styles that attract diverse customers and include colours, finishing, digital displays, etc. 
    Pick up the style that you like the most and the one that suites your house's style quotient!

Simple breathing exercises to reduce your anxiety

Simple breathing exercises to reduce your anxiety

    When one goes through anxiety, the body undergoes a sea of change. And experts say that one of the best ways to overcome high levels of anxiety is to do breathing exercises, which help produce endorphins to help you calm down. However, it is also important to know the correct techniques when it comes to breathing exercises. Breathing just through your chest won’t do you any favours — this sort of shallow breathing simply disturbs the stability of carbon dioxide and oxygen, which is required to be in a relaxed state. Here are three simple breathing exercises to calm anxiety... 
    For this technique, one can sit or stand — whatever is more comfortable. Ensure that your body isn’t rigid. Relax your hands, shoulders and face. Begin by breathing in slowly through the nose and count till five. Your tummy needs to expand when you breathe in. Hold for two seconds and breathe out slowly as you count till five. Repeat this for about 15 to 20 minutes and see how you calm down. Aimed at lowering anxiety and stress levels, this technique is another quick way to calm yourself. Begin by relaxing your shoulders. Constrict your throat ever so slightly so you can hear your breathing make a sound. Use your fingers to cover your eyes and ears. Keep your lips and teeth slightly open and when you exhale, make a small sound. Repeat this exercise about 10 to 12 times. 
Find yourself constantly getting anxiety attacks? This breathing technique helps your mind and body get back into a state of equilibrium. Start by slowly breathing through your nose. Your body has to be loose and relaxed. Place one hand on your stomach and one on your chest. Make sure your stomach expands more than your chest. Slowly exhale through your mouth but keep your lips shut slightly. A sound may emerge from your mouth when you exhale. Pay attention to every breath and blank out your surroundings. 
Keep doing this exercise for about 15 minutes.

Breathing exercises helps your mind and body get back into a state of equilibrium