Lower Abs Workouts
For people who are trying to get themselves in shape, one of the biggest questions is, what are the best lower abs workouts you can do? The abs are a common problem area for many people who work out. Sometimes it seems like no matter how many exhausting exercises you do, your stomach just won't flatten out. Many people do all sorts of abdominal workouts that do nothing to make the lower portion of their belly less flabby and soft. Naturally, this can lead to a lot of frustration. Plenty of people go in wanting to get an attractive washboard stomach and become disappointed when their routine doesn't seem to be yielding any positive results.
The abdominal area contains a group of muscles that comprises the upper and lower abs, as well as the obliques. This is often the first area that both men and women try to work out, but it tends to be one of the more difficult. This has led many people to make the false assumption that getting a fit set of abs is a lost cause—something only the most dedicated people can ever hope to do. But the truth is that it's just hard to work out the lower abs because most abdominal exercises aren't designed to target them. Sure, you can do lots of sit-ups and crunches and get great results for the upper portion of the stomach. But the lower area will remain pudgy unless special attention is paid there as well.
Don't despair, though. This hasn't gone unnoticed by fitness professionals. The demand for flat abs has led many to do some research into the kind of exercises required to get such results. Now there are a number of lower abs workouts that are known to do the trick. They're separate from some of the more common workouts, but they're necessary if you want to achieve your goal. Don't let the little bit of extra work deter you; lower abs workouts aren't much more difficult than your standard sit-ups. One great thing about them is that you can use them to build strength without weights, using only your own body. Of course, some extra resistance can be applied if you like.
One good way to work out the lower abs is to perform alternating leg walks. You start this exercise on your back with your hands under your buttocks. Make sure both palms are facing the floor. After a few deep breaths, contract your lower ab muscles and lift one leg up at a 90-degree angle. Lower this leg until it is just a few inches off the ground, while simultaneously lifting the other into the air. You have to do this exercise slowly in order for it to be affective; go too fast, and the momentum renders the entire process useless. Alternate lifting both legs about eight to 10 times each. As your abs get stronger, you'll find yourself able to do more and more reps.
Other effective lower abs workouts can be found all over the internet. Most of them are just as simple as the alternating leg walks technique. When it comes to achieving that flat belly, there's really nothing more efficient.
Functional Strength Training
Functional strength training is a somewhat subjective topic. The specifics of what it entails vary depending on the person doing the exercising. This is because, by definition, functional strength training is exercise done to enhance performance for a person's specific needs. Everyone has different goals when it comes to working out; some people just want to look better, while others just want to get in shape so they can feel more confident and comfortable with themselves. Others need to build strength for more practical uses, such as for a job that requires rigorous physical activity and excellent fitness. It can comprise any sort of strength-building workout routine, including training with resistance or even building strength without weights, using body weight alone.
Functional strength training thus differs from bodybuilding in that it's often done for more utilitarian purposes. A bodybuilder is usually interested in building muscle for cosmetic reasons. Just to look better. But contrary to popular belief, bodybuilders aren't always very strong. In fact, a lot of their muscle mass is pretty much useless when it comes to performing harder, more stressing tasks. While functional strength training has the added effect of making you look a lot better, it's more about actually being able to use your newly developed muscles. The results of this kind of training aren't judged based on how visually impressive they make you look. It has to have a practical benefit. There is an increase in power, flexibility and endurance that cosmetic training puts no emphasis on unless it benefits the aesthetic outcome in some way.
Working to increase your stamina so you'll have an easier time hiking, doing yard work and lifting heavy objects is functional strength training. If you're an athlete, then functional strength training will enhance your performance. You'll be able to run faster, throw further and perform more taxing activities without getting as tired as you would without the proper level of fitness. Your chances of getting injured are also sharply decreased because the nature of this kind of training brings your whole body together as a unified, cohesive machine.
“Functional strength training” and “core strength training” are often taken to mean the same thing. However, core training is merely one category under the umbrella of functional training. Core strength training works a specific part of the body—namely, everything other than the arms or the legs. Your core is what makes up most of your torso. Your abs, your chest, everything around that area. While most forms of strength training aim to enhance fitness in these areas, it hardly accounts for the whole of this kind of exercise. Someone undergoing functional strength training might have to work some parts of the body more than others. The core might not even need any special attention compared to the rest, depending on what the person is training for.
If you want to build muscle solely for the purpose of looking better, this form of training isn't necessarily for you. However, if you're also exercising for the purpose of making your life easier, then you should find out exactly what workout routines fit your specific needs. There are all sorts of exercises for everyone depending on their goals.
Cataract Laser Surgery
Cataract laser surgery is a type of medical procedure used to treat patients who have suffered clouding of the eye's crystalline lens. However, laser treatment is currently not used to remove the original clouded lens—this is a process that can only be done via medical incision, and cataract laser surgery devices made to remove the original cataract have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Instead, laser surgery is only used for the restoration of clear vision after the original cataract has already been removed. This procedure is known as posterior capsulotomy.
The reason why this treatment is often needed is because sometimes, following the removal of a patient's crystalline lens, vision can still remain obstructed almost as if the cataract were still there. The lens of the human eye is surrounded by a transparent layer called the capsule. After cataract surgery has been carried out, the back of this lining usually stays intact. This is advantageous because the remains of the capsule can help by acting as a foundation to support the replacement lens that is added during the initial cataract surgery. However, the film of the capsule can sometimes become clouded itself, and this is where posterior capsulotomy steps into play.
For some, this clouding and wrinkling of the posterior capsule is merely a natural part of the healing process following cataract surgery. However, it remains problematic because of the way it obscures vision. In the event that this does happen, laser treatment is often necessary to clear up the patient's vision. It is a relatively simple process, actually; since it's usually not necessary to completely remove the capsule lining itself, it's just a simple matter of creating a small hole in its center, making it so that the patient's vision is no longer blurred. What happens is the ophthalmologist directs a focused laser beam onto the center of the capsules clouded membrane, carving a tiny opening so as to allow light to freely pass through to the patient's retina. The process is normally quick and painless (lasting only a few minutes, with eye drops used to numb the eye) and the patient should notice improvement in their vision within hours of the procedure.
Posterior capsulotomy is usually only required months or even years following the removal of the original cataract. Those in need of the procedure will begin to notice various difficulties with their eyesight, ranging from near-sightedness to troublesome glare in their vision when in contact with bright lights. This straightforward process of using lasers for the corrective surgery of the capsule has led many people to believe that the majority of the cataract treatment is carried out by lasers alone. However, many believe that it won't be too long from now before the full process of removing the clouded ocular lens can be done primarily by means of laser surgery, and devices for such eye treatments are still in development. In fact, as recently as 2009, the Food and Drug Administration approved research of femtosecond laser technology to create incisions in the eye with short, precise bursts of light. With true cataract laser surgery on the horizon, surgery for those suffering from cataracts should become even quicker and safer than before.
The Bates Method
Many strides have been made in the medical field to improve people's health, especially with ophthalmology—the medical study of the human eye. However, for every great development, there are just as many questionable practices that some believe don't help protect your eyesight at all. One of the most notable examples of this is probably what is known as the Bates method, which was proposed in 1891 as an alternative form of eye therapy. Many people consider the Bates method a failure, and it has been contradicted by numerous medical studies since its conception.
The Bates method was formulated by William Horatio Bates, an eye-care physician who took a more psychological approach to correcting problems with vision. The reason the Bates method is considered so unreliable is that Bates blamed the majority of eye problems on mere habitual eye strain. He believed that the best solution to these conditions was to simply perform various exercises to relax the tense muscles in the eye; by his assertion, the reason people were having these vision problems was due to the tension preventing the eyeball from changing shape when focusing on objects of various distances. This was completely at odds with what ophthalmology had determined about the eye's properties even at that time, and the Bates method remains obscure to this day.
Though Bates insisted that most eye problems were the result of strain, he also claimed that since we strain our eyes in so many different ways, there should be just as many types of exercises to ease the tension. He said that no single technique would work for everyone and encouraged people to try different exercises to see which yielded the best results. One of the methods he recommended was called “palming”; with this, the person was told to close their eyes for several minutes and hold their palms to their face in order to obstruct the light. He claimed that since the eyes would pick up no light, there would be no strain, allowing the muscles to relax until vision improves. Many patients reported seeing patters of color even in complete darkness, which he also attributed to strain—in fact, it was merely the process known as Eigengrau, where the eye produces activity which the brain then interprets as a show of light.
He also asserted that eyesight can be helped by staring directly into the sun. He claimed that those with healthy eyesight can look at the sun without feeling any sort of discomfort. While he did acknowledge the sun's potential to hurt the eyes, he claimed that these effects were always temporary and even that they were merely a byproduct of the stress that was already present in the eye. It wasn't until later that he changed his stance, saying that one should only face the sun with closed eyelids.
It's not hard to see why his method faded into obscurity. Still, some people use it and a small number report having experienced improvement in their eyesight. Despite this, the Bates method is still considered a form of alternative treatment and few ophthalmologists take it seriously.
Frederick Hollows
Ophthalmology is a medical branch that deals with the eye; its physiology, anatomy and the numerous issues it tends to be vulnerable to. Ophthalmologists are tasked with the important job of helping to protect your eyesight, and the technology and practices they employ have only improved as time has gone by. Ophthalmologists were already making great strides hundreds of years ago, even though it might be surprising to imagine that surgical procedures requiring such precision existed that long ago. Notable scientists continue to leave their mark on the field with exciting new developments that will make eye care even more efficient in the future. Many famous ophthalmologists have already performed what might be called medical miracles now that we have the technology to pull off even more amazing things than what would have been possible in the past, and these surgeons have lain the foundation for ophthalmology to flourish in the future.
There are a large number of famous ophthalmologists that deserve mention, but one of the most notable is Frederick “Fred” Cossom Hollows. He is credited with having restored the vision of thousands of individuals in Australia and other countries, and some say that over a million people today owe their eyesight to the work he did in his lifetime. Fred was born in New Zealand to Joseph and Clarice Hollows on April 9, 1929. He was one of four children, and the family lived together in Dunedin until Fred was seven years old. He went to North East Valley Primary school for one year of informal education before attending Palmerston North Boys' High school when he was 13 years old. He got his Bachelor's Degree from Victoria University of Wellington, after which he temporarily studied at a seminary before enrolling in Otago Medical School when he decided that he could adapt to a life as a clergyman.
Fred went to Moorfields Eye Hospital in 1961, where he began to study ophthalmology. After that, he went to Wales to do post-graduate work, and then traveled to Sydney, Australia and became a professor of ophthalmology at the University of New South Wales. During his medical career, he worked with various Aboriginal communities, having grown concerned with the number of eye diseases he saw among them. He set up the Aboriginal Medical Service and organized the Royal Australian College of Ophthalmologists, and visited thousands of Aboriginal groups to provide treatment for diseases such as trachoma.
In 1992, roughly a year before his death, the Fred Hollows Foundation was created as a charitable organization for providing eye care to the poor and underprivileged.
Claude Monet
Cataracts are a common form of eye disease. They form when the lens of the eye becomes clouded over and the person's vision becomes blurry and unreliable. These days, medical knowledge makes it easier to protect your eyesight, and so things like cataracts are mostly benign in that they can be easily removed in a process that only takes up to a few minutes at most. This mostly just involves scraping away the damaged lens and replacing it with an artificial one, usually clearing its vision with no ill effects. Of course, this is only do to the advances made in the medical field. Years ago it wasn't so simple to just get rid of a condition like that, so numerous people dealt with eye problems and weren't able to undergo a quick fix.
One example of a famous person with eye problems like this would be Claude Monet, a major founder of the impressionist style of painting who lived from 1840 to 1926. Monet wasn't as notable for eye problems as people like Helen Keller or Braille, but his condition still had an interesting effect on his work. It wasn't until late in his life that he began to show signs of cataracts, while he was under the care of his stepdaughter Blanche following the death of his second wife and his oldest son. His vision gained a reddish tint, something common with cataract victims. This is interesting because during this period in his life, many of his paintings made heavy use of reddish tones.
Prior to the onset of his cataracts, Monet's paintings tended to lean toward shades of green, blue and white. While he wasn't officially diagnosed with the condition until he was 72, signs of the problem started much earlier. At around 65 years old, his paintings gradually began to take on a much muddier look as his perception of color started to shift. The greens, blues and whites morphed into reds and yellows. During this time he often talked about perceiving most as pink and yellow, which is because nuclear cataracts absorb light, giving a dull, desaturated look to everything one can see.
As time went on, his condition started to grow worse and he began to go blind. First he was given eye drops to help clear up his vision. This proved effective at first, but eventually his declining vision became too much and he had no choice left but to undergo surgery. In 1923, Monet had the cataracts removed from one eye—he'd initially resisted because another painter he knew had a bad experience with the same surgery, and he wasn't pleased with the results of the operation. The eye that hadn't been operated on was still cloudy and yellow even though the other could now see more clearly, and he refused to undergo the surgery a second time. Because of this, he was never able to use the eyes together in an effective manner for the rest of his life. Instead, he adopted the use of corrective lenses so that he would at least be able to read, but still said that the distorted colors he could see were rather discomforting.
Business PBX
A business PBX (private branch exchange) is a telephone exchange system that serves one particular business or office, rather than operating for multiple businesses or for the general public as other types of telephone services do. Private branch exchange systems form a network which connects the internal phones belonging to a private organization, offering a number of benefits that would not be available with an ordinary telephone exchange. HostedPBXip focuses on providing small businesses with these very same advantages, granting our clientele convenient and reliable business PBX service. We aim for customer satisfaction above all else and pride ourselves on our quality and dependability.
The biggest advantage that comes with business PBX service is perhaps its affordability. The amount of money that can be saved by using a good private branch exchange telephone network is part of what made PBXs as popular as they are today. Because these networks handle connections between an organization's own private telephones, there is no need to invest money in remote circuit switching; all of that is done locally, which drastically reduces the costs. This, combined with the other benefits that come with using such a system, make PBX services the absolute best choice for businesses of any size.
As PBXs grew in popularity, they began to feature a variety of other services that were unavailable in the operator network. Line hunting, for example, is a feature that allows calls from a single telephone number to be sent out to a group of multiple phone lines. With this, each phone line in the hunt group acts as one, so that when someone makes a call, they are directed to one of the lines in the network. If one phone line is busy, the caller is then directed to the next available one. This makes it so that each caller almost always has someone to assist them with whatever they need, and is a great option for businesses that must take a large number of phone calls. The only time a caller will receive a busy signal is when every line is busy, making line hunting one of the most beneficial features available to many business PBX systems. In a sense, it can be seen as a somewhat more complex form of call forwarding, which is also available with some of our PBX services.
Call forwarding is a feature of some telephone networks that allows calls made to a specific person to be redirected should that person be unavailable for any reason. Usually, the call will be forwarded to the called party's mobile phone or to another telephone line where the called party is situated. As with line hunting, this increases productivity for businesses that tend to take a lot of calls. Call forwarding makes it a bit easier for callers to get in touch with business associates, and so the private branch exchange systems offered by HostedPBXip can only add to an organization's efficiency.
Other benefits of business PBX systems may include the ability to automatically record call data. This allows clients to optimize their phone systems and do things such as delete unused extensions. It is also possible to use PBX systems for developing multilevel automated menus, which are beneficial in helping perform other tasks.
HostedPBXip offers a variety of private branch exchange options. We have a number of products made to cater to your organization's specific needs, and we guarantee satisfaction.
Preparing Your Home for the Holiday Season
If you're like a lot of us, then you're going to be having people over to celebrate the holiday with you. And as we all know, there's nothing more embarrassing than having your guests stay in an untidy house. This being a very busy time of year, some of us might not have time to fully spruce up our homes and still get everything else done—all the cooking, shopping and such. But don't despair, because it's certainly not impossible. It's hard work, but there are still a number of things that can be done to make sure your house looks nice and welcoming for your Christmas celebration.
The most obvious thing to do is probably to eliminate the clutter around the home. Even the best of us don't have completely organised houses most of the time, so you shouldn't feel bad if you happen to have some papers and clothes lying around. But when we're dealing with social gatherings, of course, taking the time to make everything look nice and neat is usually a sign of a good host. Before anyone comes over, you'll want to make sure everything is in its place. Fold and put away all the laundry, sort the papers into their rightful location and throw away trash that might just be lying around. You'll want to do some of this in advance, because houses have a way of getting messed up again right after you've finished all your cleaning. If you have kids, reward them for helping keep things in order—they'll probably see to it that things stay neat.
Another thing you'll want to steer clear of is buildup of dirt, mildew and stains. Such things are unsightly and chances are you'll want to get rid of them even if you aren't having people over. Fortunately, this is usually simple and easy to do. Bleach sprays are very useful in getting rid of stains and dirty spots on counters and tables. It might even help to wash them down with soapy water—a washcloth or sponge will do nicely. There are also disposable bleach wipes available for doing this kind of thing if you don't have paper towels and old rags to use. Your guests will probably need to use the restroom, so make sure those areas are clean as well. Products made specifically for cleaning toilets and unclogging drainage pipes are easy to find in stores. Also, if your windows and mirrors are spotted, wiping them down with an alcohol-soaked cloth will clear them up.
You don't need to go all-out with decorations if you don't want to, but it can help show your guests that you put a lot of time and effort into planning your party. Even a few simple Christmas lights and candles will do. Just don't worry about impressing everyone with the most extravagant décor possible—your guests would probably do something simple too if they were the ones hosting.
Voido Rocking Chair
The Voido Rocking Chair is one of furniture designer Ron Arad's greatest creations. When one thinks of a rocker, they usually picture the kind of rickety old wooden chairs that the elderly are stereotyped as loving to relax in. The Voido Rocking Chair, however, is a stunning work of modern art that looks just as stylish as any of Arad's other pieces. Like many of his other designs, this lovely rocking chair is made out of blow-moulded polyethylene, allowing for organic slopes and curves, and an overall abstract shape. At first sight, the Voido Rocking Chair does not even look much like a chair at all; in profile, the chair boasts sort of a slanted lemniscate shape. It bends upward to form the back of the chair, and the round underside allows for a smooth rocking motion. The chair is shaped so that it cradles the contours of the sitter's body, making it very comfortable to rest in, even for long periods of time.
The Voido Rocking Chair's makeup gives it a glossy, almost liquid-like appearance. Many would say it looks more like a sculpture than a piece of furniture. Its uniqueness makes in an excellent addition to anyone's home. The chair comes in an assortment of colours and is very durable, guaranteed to last a long time.
Hara Chair
The Hara Chair is a simply gorgeous work of art, created by designer Giorgio Gurioli for Kundalini of Italy. This chair is incredibly unique in form; you will not find another piece like it, and it is a great addition to just about any casual interior. Like many of the most famous and iconic furniture designs, the Hara Chair's main selling point is its use of gentle curves, as well as its surreal, organic shape. It has a very abstract design, with a frame formed out of mysterious loops and curls that might vaguely call to mind the image of a pretzel. The chair's surface is smooth and glossy, made of lacquered fibreglass, and adds to its already fluid-like appearance. On first sight, it looks more like a sculpture than a chair, but its practical use shines when you take a seat.
The Hara Chair is incredibly comfortable to sit in, so it is no wonder that the design has become so popular. Each side has a pair of armrests, which gently curve downward and merge seamlessly into the chair's base. The back is a little high so as to support the sitter's position. The Hara Chair is considered ideal for outdoor use because its fibreglass form is very resistant to ultraviolet rays and temperature changes, but it also looks great indoors as well. The chair comes in a variety of bright colors, and it is perfect both as a piece of furniture and a decoration.
EA117-Inspired Eames Office Chair
This chair's appearance was inspired by that of the Eames EA117 office chair, which was designed in the 1940s by Charles Eames and his wife Ray. With its distinctive shape, it has become one of the most popular and iconic office chair designs available.
Owing much to its inspiration, this chair sports a slender, angular design that looks very much at home in a formal office setting. The EA117-inspired Eames office chair's most striking feature is perhaps its profile; the large, vaguely rectangular metal armrests accentuate the gentle concave slope of the seat, which forms a very slightly S-shaped curve. The leather cushion of the chair has an attractive ribbed design, and, like most good office chairs, the height of the seat can be freely adjusted.
The EA117-inspired Eames office chair has a tilt/swivel, five-star base of polished aluminum and its back mechanism can be locked into an upright position. The attention to detail put into the product's design, as well as its simplistic beauty that allows it to stand in the office while still maintaining a nice level of subtlety, make it one of the best choices for those looking for a comfortable and lovely chair to add to the workplace.
Christmas Costume - Halter Top / Miniskirt / Belt Buckle
The description goes here... That is, it would if there was an awful lot to describe. Kidding. In all seriousness, though, this outfit is as revealing as they come and we're definitely not saying that like it's a bad thing. This two-piece costume comes with a red halter top that's lined with faux white fur and ties together in the front with a bow. This portion comprises the whole of the costume's top, leaving the rest of the wearer's skin exposed. The other half of the outfit is a gorgeous miniskirt to complete the delightfully risqué look—the skirt's red color matches that of the top, and its bottom has the same fur lining.
Chances are, if you're thinking about buying this costume, then you're not looking to spend your holiday in a more typical, conservative manner. And to that, we say more power to you! You deserve a costume that will leave you feeling sexy and irresistible at a reasonably affordable price, and this hot ensemble is precisely what the doctor ordered. Wear it on Christmas Eve to surprise your partner and savor that feeling you get when you see their jaw completely drop. You certainly will not regret your purchase.
Christmas Costume - Red Gown / Apron / Mop Cap
Get into the Christmas spirit this year with this incredible, one-of-a-kind Mrs. Claus costume! This costume is simply perfect for ladies who want to celebrate the season by dressing up, and it includes a floor-length, long-sleeved red gown that features a pretty white lace trim around the wrists and the bottom of the dress. For that grandmotherly look that Santa's beloved wife is so often known for, the costume features a white apron lined with trim to match the gown itself. The apron has a little side-pocket with a decorative poinsettia design, and the neckline of the dress is lined with a showy white frill.
Included with the dress is a little red mop cap to wear with the costume—it has a poinsettia decoration on the side to match the one on the pocket of the apron, and its white lace matches the intricate decorations on the rest of the costume. Perfect to wear at holiday gatherings, you'll look great and liven up the atmosphere. If you've got someone special, have him wear a Santa Claus costume himself so the two of you can match. Just don't be surprised if the children all end up lining up for gifts!
Bride Costume - Black Dress / Vinyl Corset / Sheer Headpiece
If you're looking for an elegant, showy costume that's also affordable and easy to wear, then look no further than this beauty. The costume is black from head to toe, perfect for anyone looking for something with a Gothic flair, and embroidered with an intricate, lacy trim. The gown reaches down to the floor and has an added layer of thin, semitransparent black fabric lining its bottom half. The top portion of the dress is composed of a fabric with a somewhat more velvety texture to give the costume an air of wealth and aristocracy. As a whole, the style of the outfit is highly reminiscent of Victorian fashion, and it succeeds at achieving an extravagant, classy look that makes it a perfect choice of costume.
Of course, no bridal costume would be complete without some additional items to accentuate our lady's beauty. The headpiece included with this outfit is a black veil, giving the wearer that distinct look of a woman in mourning. It also comes with a stylish vinyl corset to wear over the gown and add a subtle, sexy flair to the costume. Lastly, it comes with a pair of long, fingerless gloves that extend past the elbow to nearly meet the sleeves of the gown's top. These gloves feature a web-like lacing to match the trim on the gown itself. All in all, a must-buy if you're having trouble finding a costume that is both beautiful and reasonably priced.
Bride Costume - White Lace / Cap / Black-and-White Wig
In keeping with the Halloween spirit, sometimes you just don't want to go for the subtle, subdued approach. Sometimes you want a costume that is flamboyant and sure to catch everyone's eye. That's where this outfit comes in. This product forgoes the darker aesthetic more typical of such costumes in favor of a somewhat more traditional-looking white bridal gown. The lacy trim that adorns this gorgeous dress captures the look and feel of organza fabric, so you'll look 100% authentic while wearing it. One of the most beautiful features of this costume is the mermaid silhouette style of the gown, which grabs attention without being overly flashy.
Of course, we did say the costume had the flamboyance many look for in a costume. The sleeves of the dress feature a series of cutouts, showing a bit of skin without being revealing. The costume also comes with a white cape which drapes from the shoulders adding a regal flair to your look—it’s important to feel privileged on your special day, after all. In addition to these things, the outfit includes a large black beehive wig with white highlights, and a white choker with a pair of vinyl bolts for that “Bride of Frankenstein” aesthetic. Personalize it with makeup and added accessories to make your look unique.
