By Laura Milligan

There’s been a lot of buzz lately over Wii’s claims to help you lose weight through it’s calorie-bursting workouts on Wii Fit, not to mention by playing golf, boxing or tennis on the traditional Wii Sports games. But can Wii really fight fat? We’ve put together this ultimate list to dissect the number of calories burned, Wii accessories to keep you safe and motivated, video tutorials to make sure you’re working out correctly, expert opinions of Wii Fit, and real-life testimonials from people who’ve tried out their own weight loss plans with the Wii.

Profile Tools: Check Your Mii

Before you can start a weight-loss plan, you have to know your body and set realistic goals. These programs and profile tools come with Wii Fit, so make sure you take advantage of them.

1. BMI Check: Check your Body Mass Index to gain insight into your overall health. Even if you know you’re overweight, you may not know your risk for health problems like type 2 diabetes, gallbladder disease, stroke, high blood pressure or cancer.
2. Wii Fit Age: One of the coolest things about the Wii Fit is the Wii Fit Age tool. After you enter your BMI, the Wii prompts you to perform a simple balance test. By combining that information, the Wii gives you an age that it deems is appropriate for your fitness level.
3. Enter your real information: Enter your real age and height so that your results are as accurate as possible. Though there’s no doctor standing over your scale, it will only hurt you if you lie about your age or cheat your weight measurement.

Programs

Try out these games and exercises on Wii to burn calories and shape up.

4. Aerobics: The aerobics "game" on Wii Fit includes fun activities like hula hooping, basic step, advanced step, free run and others.
5. Rayman Raving Rabbids: This game features a character named Rayman who has to hold his own "against a bunch of crazy bunny rabbits in a variety of fun games," like dance parties and other calorie-bursting workouts. Stand up and engage your entire body for maximum benefits.
6. Super Paper Mario: Make a pact with your video game-loving child that he or she can play Super Mario only if this disc is on. Wii Wii Workout describes the game as needing players to perform "quite a few precise arm movements."
7. Elebits: This full-body workout is disguised as a game that prompts players to search for and collect little creatures called Elebits. In order to catch them, players have to grab, pull, push and twist their bodies around.
8. Yoga: Introduce yourself to yoga with the Wii Fit version. Players practice deep breathing and positions like the Spinal Twist, Cobra, Half-Moon and Downward-Facing Dog. Seasoned yoga practicers may not benefit as much from this game, but it’s a good introduction.
9. Strength Training: Strength training exercises help build up muscles which can then burn fat. On the Wii Fit, you’ll do torso twists, the Rowing Squat, Single Leg Twist, lunges, push ups and more to satisfy your strength training element in your workout routine.
10. Balance: The balance games on Wii Fit feature virtual versions of ski jumps, tightrope walks, penguin slides, soccer heading and more, making simple balance tests and exercises much more exciting.
11. Boxing: Even health and fitness professionals agree that boxing is one of the most effective Wii workouts because it burns 8 calories a minute, just 2 - 2 1/2 calories short of the calories you’d burn if you were actually in a boxing ring.
12. Tennis: Wii Tennis burns less calories than the actual game, but you can still get a decent workout, especially if you’re trying to work your way into shape gradually. Visit this site for "five magic shots" that beginners can try out.

Helpful Wii Workout Websites

For support and answers to all your Wii workout questions, turn to these sites which offer diet plans, game reviews and more.

13. Wii Weight Loss Plan: Keep track of your weight loss on this site, which hosts a forum, a Wii Food Journal for the blogger and a podcast full of inspiring messages.
14. Wii Fit Guide: Get all "the latest news and tips for Wii Fit" on this site, which posts Wii Fit videos, tips for the balance board and Wii Fit experiments.
15. Wii News and Reviews: This site often posts about Wii Fit and Wii games that help you sneak in a little extra exercise.
16. Wii Healthy Store: Browse the products on this online shop for Wii Fit games and accessories.
17. Cheat Codes for Wii Sports: Bring up new games and unlock secrets to Wii Sports games here.
18. Wii Help: Turn to the forums on this site to get great support, tips and advice for making the most of your Wii Fit or other Wii workouts.
19. WiiTrio.com: Before starting a new Wii workout game, visit this site to get a review of how much you can expect to lose.
20. Balance Board Blog: Read Wii Fit reviews, view videos and learn new tips for using Wii Fit here.
21. Wii Fit Message Board: Join the Wii Fit community on Game FAQs to review games, learn about unlockable levels, create a unique workout and diet plan, and more.

Accessories to Keep You Going

Make sure you’ve got all the right Wii accessories to monitor your profile, prevent injury, and make the most of your weight loss plan.

23. Balance Board Pink Silicone Sleeve: A silicone sleeve like this one will keep you from skidding off your balance board.
24. Wii Fit Travel Bag: Business travelers can take their Wii Fits with them to stay in shape even when they’re on the road.
25. Wii Fit Jogging Using an Exercise Bike: Try supplementing this Wii Fit exercise with an exercise bike.
26. Wii Fit Rechargeable Battery Pack: Don’t let your game run out in the middle of the workout. Use this rechargeable battery system to make your Wii Fit last as long as you do.
27. Yoga Mat: Read reviews of two different yoga mats designed for Wii Fit here.
28. Cord Free Wii Nunchuck Adapter: If you’re doing yoga or are in the middle of an aerobic exercise routine, you don’t want to risk getting tangled up or tripping because of all the cords. This accessory is your solution.
29. Balance Board Cushion Mat: Give your feet a cushier experience while you work out.
30. Wii Wireless Sensor Bar: This was the first wireless sensor bar for the Wii. Use it to rid your living room and your workout routine of needless wires and cords.

Risks

Before starting any workout plan, you need to assess the risks associated with your exercise. Read these articles and make sure to practice these warm-ups before risking injury with the Wii.

31. Wii Fit Accidents and the Media Backlash: What We’ve Got to Look Forward To: This article predicts how Wii Fit could be come a liability because of different accidents or injuries, including stubbed toes, locked limbs and more.
32. Wii Warm-ups: Use this guide to prevent injury during your Wii workout. It includes warm-ups for your back, fingers, and shoulders.
33. Wii Fit Fun, but Pace Yourself, Doctors Warn: This article from The Arizona Republic discusses how players can get carried away with their Wii Fit workouts and strain their muscles without realizing it.

Expert Opinions

For doctors’ opinions and Wii Fit evaluations from professional fitness trainers, read this list.

34. 10 "Wii Fit" Exercises Tested and Judged by Fitness Trainer: This writer enlists the help of a personal fitness instructor to evaluate Wii exercises. He checks yoga, strength training, aerobics, and balance games.
35. Wii Fit Gives Kinder, Gentler Workout: This CNN article reports that doing the moderate exercises on Wii Fit is a good way to introduce you to a workout program, especially if you aren’t naturally athletic or used to exercising.
36. Experts Outraged that Wii Fit Calls Children Overweight: The controversy over Wii Fit’s tendency to label players overweight focuses on behavioral health, especially when it concerns children. Read this article to learn more about the debate.
37. Wii Fit, Retro Game Thrifting: Wired writer Chris Kohler works with a fitness trainer in this video to learn professional tips and get advice for how to use Wii Fit.
38. Yoga Instructor Talks about Wii Fit…and How it Doesn’t Work: Read this interview with yoga instructor Sally Coucouvanis to consider some of the drawbacks of Wii Fit’s Yoga workout.

Program Tutorials and Videos

These tutorials will give you more tips and instruction for maximizing the exercise potential of your games than the booklet inside your Wii box.

39. Wii Fit’s Yoga Demonstrated by Comfy Person: This blogger demonstrates the Wii Fit Yoga exercise in his pajamas.
40. Wii Fit Cheats, FAQs, and Walkthrough: Learn tips for completing the balance test, doing the jogging workout and getting stamps here.
41. Nintendo Wii Fit: This collection of reviews and videos will help you get an idea of the different exercises that are best for you and your weight loss plan.
42. 21 Wii Tips and Tricks for the Console and Games: This list of "very handy tips and tricks" will help you make the most of your Wii gaming experience, from using the console to working the menu to learning about different games.
43. Top 5 Wii Fit Tips: Tips on this list include "be accurate" and "get real," encouraging players to begin their Wii Fit workout routines with a realistic view of the results they can expect to achieve.

Everyday Tips to Help you Lose Weight with Wii

If you’re serious about losing weight with the Wii, implement these tips into your everyday routine, including creating a plan and sticking with it, and eating right.

44. Create a plan and stick with it: Whether it’s by starting your own blog to track your progress or just vowing to use Wii Fit for 30 minutes a day, design a plan and stick with it.
45. Eat a low-fat, high-fiber diet: A diet that is low in fat and high in fiber is a necessary supplement to a workout program if you’re serious about losing weight.
46. Mix up your routine: Besides committing to boxing or tennis games everyday, add in some aerobic exercise three to five times a week, which will help you lose more weight.
47. Exercise Motivation: 10 Benefits of Strength Training: This post from the Diet Channel goes over 10 great benefits of strength training, which can be done with the Wii. Use this guide as motivation whenever you’re feeling lazy.

Advice from Real Wii Users

When it comes down to it, you’re going to want the real-life reviews of people who’ve actually used the Wii to lose weight. Read these blogs and reviews to get motivated.

48. Wii Sports Experiment Sheds Nine Pounds: This young Philadelphia man lost nine pounds in six weeks while on a Wii exercise program. He worked out with Wii for 30 minutes each day but didn’t change his eating habits.
49. 4 Color Rebellion: Check out this Wii Fit player’s experiment, which lasted for almost two months and helped him get in shape for his wedding. Follow his progress on this blog.
50. Wii Fit Project: This blogger wants to lose 22 pounds in 3 months, just by using Wii Fit. Read his blog to see if he can make it.
51. I’m Wii Fit: Here, you can read about Wii Fit news and releases, get updates on the blogger’s own personal Wii Fit progress, or share your own stories.
52. It’s Shocking, We’re Pissed, Wii Fit Sorta Works: This doubtful writer admits that his experience with the Wii Fit worked, sort of. Read his reviews of different workouts here.
53. Wii Fit Review: TotalVideoGames.com writer Chris Leyton put Wii Fit to the test and tracks his BMI, weight, Wii Fit Age and overall impression of the Wii Fit exercises.
54. We Test the Nintendo Wii Fit: Times Online publishes a lengthy review of Wii Fit, including the balance tests, heart rate, calories burned for children playing the Wii, and more.
55. Wii Fit Review by a Formerly Fit Geek: Read this review on Gizmodo. The author, a former boxer, compares his eating habits, exercise routines and fitness levels before and after using Wii Fit.

By Alisa Miller

Busy medical professionals don’t usually have time to devote to disorganized searches on the Internet or searches that don’t return the information they need. To make it easier, these 25 search engines can do the work for you. From searching the PDR to finding journal articles, you are sure to find helpful sites to bookmark on your computer from the list below.

1. OmniMedicalSearch.com. Gathering information from many of the top medical professional sites such as PubMed, NIH, and Merck, this search engine provides information from peer level sources. Partnered with Healthline.com and Google Custom Search, the results offered are from a full search engine. They also offer a "reference desk of hard-to-find medical resources."
2. MedNets. Ranked number 4 of 95 in Google’s medical directory, this metasearch engine provides information from journals, associations, news sources, and more. MedNets offers a search specifically for medical professionals in addition to one for the general public. The professional version can be customized by specialty.
3. Hardin MD. Sponsored by the University of Iowa, this site allows you to search for a disease or general health topic alphabetically to get links to a variety of online articles and photos about each disease. You can also view photos from classic medical books via this site.
4. Welch Medical Library. While this site is specifically for those associated with Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, it offers a search feature for articles published in medical journals and online. Many of the full articles are available for a fee, while others are free of charge. In addition to the powerful search engine, they also have Subject Guides under the "eResources" section that offers links to topics ranging from Alternative Medicine to Grants and Funding to Writing and Publishing.
5. PDR.net. Access one of the most well-known and frequently used resources for FDA-approved prescription drugs. You must register to use this service, but it is free of charge to all U.S.-based medical professionals. The site also offers free download to your PDA.
6. ClinicalTrials.gov. Search this world wide registry of "federally and privately supported clinical trials." Search almost 57,000 trials by condition, drug intervention, sponsor, or location. There is also a link for professionals who want to register their trials with this site.
7. Intute. Out of the U.K., this site offers searches on a wide variety of topics under medicine, nursing/midwifery, medical history, and other fields in the health sciences. They also provide links to a handful of resource brochures and training site tutorials.
8. Healthline. Search for diagnoses and treatments while staying on top of health and wellness with this medical site.  Healthline searches the best of the health sites available on the Internet, reducing your search time. Browse by topic or use their keyword search. Also visit the top 10 diagnostic tests or browse their dictionaries. 
9. HighWire Press. This database provides access to most of the major news and research publications in the life sciences. Almost half of the full-text articles available are free of charge.
10. MedBioWorld. Available at this site are Reuter’s health and medical news from the past three years, access to online journals, full access to scholarly publications, and access to a highly-rated genomics blog.  You must register to have access to all the features at this site.
11. PubMed. Sponsored by the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, this database provides access to citations going back for the past 40 years. You must register (free) with NCBI before having access to this powerful search engine.
12. MedConnect. Specifically for healthcare professionals, this website will keep you on top of the latest in your field. They feature four interactive journals for primary care, managed care, emergency medicine, and pediatrics.
13. Entrez. Hosted by NCBI, this life sciences search engine allows for searches in PubMed, Human Genome, GenBank, Mapviewer, and BLAST. Additionally, you can search across all the available databases which gather information from journal articles, books, online books, and more.
14. eMedicine. A part of WebMD, this site is geared to the medical professional. Describing itself as an "open access comprehensive medical textbook," eMedicine offers over 6,500 clinical articles written by contributing physicians. eMedicine also offers free accredited CME courses for physicians.
15. MedBioWorld. Geared toward medical professionals and those in the biotechnology field, this search engine finds information from journals, organizations, and databases. Use their tools, directories, dictionaries, and read the blog for even more information. They also offer a search within Reuter’s Health and Medical News.
16. MedicalNDX. Search for a variety of information with this medical search engine. Available are specific searches for medications, information in specific journals, medical definitions, medical books, articles, and web searches and much more. There is also an updated medical feed right on the home page to keep you abreast of medical news while you perform your searches.
17. HONMedhunt. Not only can you search for specific topics on any imaginable health topic, but once your results pop up in the window, you can click on different tabs to find conference information, news, and images that relate to your query without re-typing the keyword. Since this site is sponsored by the UN, you may receive results in French, Spanish, or Chinese as well as English.
18. Antibiotic Guide.  Browse this guide by specific antibiotics, diagnosis, pathogens, management, and vaccines. Look for free, updated CME programs that are also available.
19. Electronic Orange Book. Updated daily, this online resource monitors generic prescription drugs and posts updates with new generic drug approvals, application approvals, discontinuations, patents, and exclusivity information. Use one of five different search types to find the medicine you want to learn about.
20. American Hospital Directory. Working in any field in the health profession, having access to information for hospitals is always handy. Keep this search nearby for the next time you need to contact a hospital anywhere in America. Search for hospitals by area code, zip code, or by city and state.
21. PubGene. Specifically geared to searches for genes and proteins, this search engine relies on text mining PubMed articles to find any source with a specific gene or protein mentioned in it. For any researcher or physician working in genetics, this search engine will keep up with all that is happening in the field for you. Search by organism, gene/protein, or biological term.
22. MedicalStudent.com. Ignore the name, this site isn’t just for medical students. This free and incredibly comprehensive site provides links to online medical textbooks, medical journals, continuing education/board exam information, and more. Check out their page of awards, reviews, and comments.
23. Journal Watch. Monitoring 350 medical journals, this site offers both journal searches as well as short, daily email updates. Choose between Primary Care Physician, Cardiology, Gastroenterology, and other specialties to specialize the content according to the type of medicine you practice. For other healthcare professionals, they also offer subscriptions for non-physicians as well.
24. MDLinx.com.This site reviews over 1200 journals and provides a search by specialties and subspecialties. In addition, they offer conference and job listings. You must register, but it is free of charge. Medical professionals and laypersons alike may sign up for newsletters within their specialty.
25. Medscape. For both professionals and non-professionals, Medscape offers searches in a number of databases. They also offer specialized sections for non-physician professionals such as pharmacists, med students, and nurses, as well as a specialty section with information that is specialty-specific. Registration is required, but is free of charge.

 By Alisa Miller

Over the past several years, yoga has experienced an upsurge in popularity in the western world. While many associate yoga with new age mysticism or the latest fad at the gym, yoga is actually an ancient practice that connects the mind, body, and spirit through body poses, controlled breathing, and meditation. The practice of yoga has many health benefits associated with it, so read below to discover 77 benefits to be gained.

Health Benefits Within

From lowering blood pressure to increasing pain tolerance, the following health benefits can all be discovered within the body.

1. Blood pressure. A consistent yoga practice decreases blood pressure through better circulation and oxygenation of the body. These two exercises can help lower blood pressure.
2. Pulse rate. A slower pulse rate indicates that your heart is strong enough to pump more blood with fewer beats. Regularly practicing yoga provides a lower pulse rate.
3. Circulation. Yoga improves blood circulation. By transporting nutrients and oxygen throughout your body, yoga practice provides healthier organs, skin, and brain.
4. Respiratory. Like the circulatory system, a lower respiratory rate indicates that the lungs are working more efficiently. Yoga decreases the respiratory rate through a combination of controlled breathing exercises and better fitness.
5. Cardiovascular endurance. A combination of lower heart rate and improved oxygenation to the body (both benefits of yoga) results in higher cardiovascular endurance.
6. Organs. Yoga practice massages internal organs, thus improving the ability of the body to prevent disease. Additionally, an experienced yoga practitioner becomes better attuned to her body to know at first sign if something isn’t functioning properly, thereby allowing for quicker response to head off disease.
7. Gastrointestinal. Gastrointestinal functions have been shown to improve in both men and women who practice yoga.
8. Immunity. Yoga practice has frequently been correlated with a stronger immune system. Read this article for more on the immune system and yoga, including some poses that specifically work on areas of immunity.
9. Pain. Pain tolerance is much higher among those who practice yoga regularly. In addition to pain tolerance, some instances of chronic pain, such as back pain, are lessened or eliminated through yoga (see below for more on back pain).
10. Metabolism. Having a balanced metabolism results in maintaining a healthy weight and controlling hunger. Consistent yoga practice helps find the balance and creates a more efficient metabolism.

Health Benefits Without

Just as many health benefits occur within the body, there are many benefits that can actually be experienced from without the body. From better sleep to more energy and strength, this list provides several benefits found on the outside of the body.

11. Aging. Yoga stimulates the detoxification process within the body. Detoxification has been shown to delay aging, among many other health benefits.
12. Posture. The very nature of yoga teaches the practitioner how to hold and control one’s body in a more healthful position. Through consistent practice, your posture will improve so that you look more confident and healthy.
13. Strength. One of the premises of yoga is that you are using the weight of your own body for overall strength. Find out more about how yoga works as an excellent method of strength training in this article.
14. Energy. Regular yoga practice provides consistent energy. In fact, most yogis state that when you perform your yoga correctly, you will feel energized after your yoga session rather than tired.
15. Weight. The benefits of a better metabolism along with the exercise of yoga work to keep your weight in check. Additionally, the stretching of muscles longwise helps to reduce the amount of cellulite that can build around muscles.
16. Sleep. Because of the many benefits to both body and mind that a yoga routine can provide, many find that their sleep is much better. Read here for more on sleep and yoga, as well as some positions for helping induce sleep.
17. Balance. An integral part of the yoga practice is balance and control over your body. With a consistent practice, you will find that your overall balance will improve outside the yoga class.
18. Integrated function of the body. Yoga is derived from Sanskrit and means "to join together and direct one’s attention." This is exactly what happens to your body after you start practicing yoga. Yogis find that their body works together much better, resulting in more graceful and efficient body movements.
19. Body Awareness: Doing yoga will give you an increased awareness of your own body. You are often called upon to make small, subtle movements to improve your alignment. Over time, this will increase your level of comfort in your own body. This can lead to improved posture and greater self-confidence.
20. Core strength. With a strong body core, you receive better posture and overall body strength. A strong core helps heal and reduce injuries. Read how this swimmer uses yoga to strengthen her core and improve her swimming.
21. Sexuality. Yoga can improve your sexuality through better control, more relaxation, and more self-confidence. Read more about the yoga and sexuality connection here.

Emotional Health Benefits

Due to the strong mind-body connection of yoga, there are many emotional benefits to be gained from a consistent yoga practice. Find out how yoga can help improve emotional health with this list.

22. Mood. Overall well-being improves with yoga practice. The combination of creating a strong mind-body connection, creating a healthy body, and focusing inward can all lead to improvement in your mood.
23. Stress Reduction. The concentration required during yoga practice tends to focus your attention on the matter at hand, thereby reducing the emphasis you may have been putting on the stress in your life. Read more about yoga and stress management here.
24. Anxiety. One benefit to the controlled breathing used in yoga is a reduction in anxiety. Learn more about how you can use yoga breathing to reduce your anxiety.
25. Depression. Some believe the negative feelings that you may be repressing are brought to the surface during some types of yoga exercise. When this happens, the negative energy is no longer stuck within you, but released through exercise. Regularly releasing this negativity leads to a reduction of depression in many people.
26. Self-acceptance. Focusing inward and realizing through your yoga practice that perfection is not the goal, self-acceptance begins to take over. This post describes how success is not measured by perfectionism in yoga.
27. Self-control. The controlled movements of yoga teach you how to translate that self-control to all aspects of your life.
28. Mind-body connection. Few other exercises offer the same mind-body connection that yoga does. As you match your controlled breathing with the movements of your body, you retrain your mind to find that place of calm and peace that long-time yogis know.
29. Positive outlook on life. Continued practice of yoga results in a balance of many hormones and nervous system, which brings about a more stable, positive approach to life.
30. Hostility. Most yogis report a huge reduction in the amount of hostility they feel as well as a sense of control when anger flares. This calm effect is likely from the relaxation and meditation that is incorporated in their yoga practice that leads to an overall calming of the nervous system. Less hostility means lower blood pressure and stress and a healthier approach to life.
31. Concentration. Researchers have shown that as little as eight weeks of yoga practice can result in better concentration and more motivation.
32. Memory. Improved blood circulation to the brain as well as the reduction in stress and improved focus results in a better memory.
33. Attention. The attention required in yoga to maintain the structured breathing in conjunction with yoga poses sharpens the ability to keep a sharp focus on tasks.
34. Social skills. In yoga, you learn the interconnectedness of all of life. Your yoga practice soon evolves from a personal journey to one connecting to to the community at large where your social skills improve along with your yoga practice.
35. Calmness. Concentrating so intently on what your body is doing has the effect of bringing calmness. Yoga also introduces you to meditation techniques, such as watching how you breathe and disengagement from your thoughts, which help calm the mind.

Body Chemistry

Several aspects of body chemistry such as glucose levels and red blood cells are affected by yoga. Learn how you can improve your body chemistry through yoga.

36. Cholesterol. Yoga practice lowers cholesterol through increased blood circulation and burning fat. Yoga practice is a great tool to fight against harmful cholesterol levels.
37. Lymphatic system. Your lymphatic system boosts your immunity and reduces toxins in your body. The only way to get your lymphatic system flowing well is by movement. The specific movements involved in yoga are particularly well-suited for promoting a strong lymphatic system.
38. Glucose. There is evidence to suggest that yoga may lower blood glucose levels.
39. Sodium. As does any good exercise program, yoga reduces the sodium levels in your body. In today’s world of processed and fast foods that are full of sodium, lessening these levels is a great idea.
40. Endocrine functions. Practicing yoga helps to regulate and control hormone secretion. An improved endocrine system keeps hormones in balance and promotes better overall physical and emotional health.
41. Triglycerides. Triglycerides are the chemical form of fat in the blood, and elevated levels can indicate a risk for heart disease and high blood pressure. A recent study shows that yoga can lead to "significantly lower" levels of triglycerides. Read more about the results of that study here.
42. Red blood cells. Yoga has been shown to increase the level of red blood cells in the body. Red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen through the blood, and too few can result in anemia and low energy.
43. Vitamin C. Vitamin C helps boost immunity, helps produce collagen, and is a powerful antioxidant; and a yoga regimen can increase the vitamin C in your body.

Exercise Health Benefits

As a form of exercise, yoga offers benefits that are sometimes not easily found among other exercise regimens. All of the following gains are benefits to practicing yoga.

44. Low risk of injury. Due to the low impact of yoga and the controlled aspect of the motions, there is a very low risk of injury during yoga practice compared to other forms of exercise.
45. Parasympathetic Nervous System. In many forms of exercise, the sympathetic nervous system kicks in, providing you with that fight-or-flight sensation. Yoga does the opposite and stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system. The parasympathetic system lowers blood pressure and slows the pace of your breathing, which allows relaxation and healing.
46. Muscle tone. Consistently practicing yoga leads to better muscle tone.
47. Subcortex. Subcortical regions of brain are associated with well-being, and yoga is thought to dominate the subcortex rather than the cortex (where most exercise dominates).
48. Reduced oxygen consumption. Yoga consumes less oxygen than traditional exercise routines, thereby allowing the body to work more efficiently.
49. Breathing. With yoga, breathing is more natural and controlled during exercise. This type of breathing provides more oxygen-rich air for your body and also provides more energy with less fatigue.
50. Balanced workout of opposing muscle groups. As with all of yoga, balance is key. If a muscle group is worked in one direction, it will also be worked in the opposite direction to maintain balance. This balance results in a better overall workout for the body.
51. Non-competitive. The introspective and self-building nature of yoga removes any need of competition in the exercise regimen. With the lack of competition, the yogi is free to work slowly to avoid any undue injury as well as promote a more balanced and stress-free workout.
52. Joint range of motion. A study at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine indicated that joint range of motion was improved by participants who practiced yoga.
53. Eye-hand coordination. Without practice, eye-hand coordination diminishes. Yoga maintains and improves eye-hand coordination.
54. Dexterity. The strong mind-body connection and flexibility gained from yoga leads to grace and skill.
55. Reaction time. Research done in India shows that reaction time can be improved with specific yoga breathing exercises in conjunction with an already established yoga practice. The improvement was attributed to the faster rate of processing and improved concentration gained from yoga.
56. Endurance. Working the entire body, yoga improves endurance and is frequently used by endurance athletes as a supplement to their sport-specific training.
57. Depth perception. Becoming aware of your body and how it moves, as one does in yoga practice, leads to increased depth perception.

Disease Prevention

Studies indicate that following a consistent yoga practice can help prevent the following diseases.

58. Heart disease. Yoga reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, keeps off weight, and improves cardiovascular health, all of which lead to reducing your risk of heart disease.
59. Osteoporosis. It is well documented that weight-bearing exercise strengthens bones and helps prevent osteoporosis. Additionally, yoga’s ability to lower levels of cortisol may help keep calcium in the bones.
60. Alzheimer’s. A new study indicates that yoga can help elevate brain gamma-aminobutyric (GABA) levels. Low GABA levels are associated with the onset of Alzheimer’s. Meditation like that practiced in yoga has also been shown to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s.
61. Type II diabetes. In addition to the glucose reducing capabilities of yoga, it is also an excellent source of physical exercise and stress reduction that, along with the potential for yoga to encourage insulin production in the pancreas, can serve as an excellent preventative for type II diabetes.

Symptom Reduction or Alleviation

While this list is not comprehensive, the following diseases or disorders can all be helped by maintaining a yoga practice.

62. Carpal tunnel syndrome. Individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome who practiced yoga showed greater improvement than those who wore a splint or received no treatment at all. Researchers saw improved grip strength and reduction of pain in the study participants.
63. Asthma. There is some evidence to show that reducing symptoms of asthma and even reduction in asthma medication are the result of regular yoga.
64. Arthritis. The slow, deliberate movement of yoga poses coupled with the gentle pressure exerted on the joints provides an excellent exercise to relieve arthritis symptoms. Also, the stress relief associated with yoga loosens muscles that tighten joints.
65. Multiple sclerosis. According to this article, "yoga is now recognized as an excellent means of MS management." Additionally, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine is funding a clinical trial of yoga for treating multiple sclerosis.
66. Cancer. Those fighting or recovering from cancer frequently take advantage of the benefits that yoga provides. Cancer patients who practice yoga gain strength, raise red blood cells, experience less nausea during chemotherapy, and have a better overall well-being.
67. Muscular dystrophy. Using yoga in the early stages of muscular dystrophy can help return some physical functions. The practice of Pranayam yoga helped one teen regain many of his abilities lost to muscular dystrophy. Learn more in this article.
68. Migraines. Regular yoga practice has been shown to reduce the number of migraines in chronic migraine sufferers. This post describes how yoga can reduce migraines.
69. Scoliosis. Yoga can straighten the curvature of the spine associated with scoliosis. Find out how this yogi cured her scoliosis and continues to help others as well.
70. Chronic bronchitis. Exercise that does not elevate respiration, yet increase oxygen levels in the body is ideal for treating chronic bronchitis. Luckily, yoga can do this, as well as aerate the lungs and provide energy.
71. Epilepsy. Focusing on stress reduction, breathing, and restoring overall balance in the body are the focus of how yoga can help prevent epileptic seizures.
72. Sciatica. The intense pain associated with sciatica can be alleviated with specific yoga poses. Here are 10 great ones to help relieve pain.
73. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Studies of people with OCD have shown that practicing yoga has lead to a reduction in symptoms–resulting in less medication or medication no longer needed.
74. Constipation. Due to the practice of yoga and overall better posture, the digestive and elimination systems work more efficiently. If the practitioner also has a healthy diet, any constipation will be eliminated through yoga.
75. Allergies. Using a neti pot to clear the sinuses is an ancient form of yoga to help reduce or eliminate allergy symptoms. Certain types of breathing can also help clear the nasal passages.
76. Menopause. Yoga practice can help control some of the side effects of menopause. Learn how the bridge pose can help reduce hot flashes here.
77. Back pain. Yoga reduces spinal compression and helps overall body alignment to reduce back pain. Find a yoga pose to help lessen back pain here.

By Christina Laun

Yoga has become an increasingly popular way to keep in shape while promoting a balance between mind and body. Whether you’re a beginner at yoga practice or a more advanced student looking to expand your horizons, the Internet is full of great yoga resources and information. Here are a few sites to help you get started on your path to better health, inside and out, through yoga.

General

These sites provide a large amount of information on yoga and are a great way to learn more for beginners or experts.

1. Yoga Journal: Visitors will find this site contains a wealth of information on yoga from the basics to how it can fit into your lifestyle.
2. Yoga.com: This site contains articles on yoga, forums for practitioners and a store so you can buy any equipment you’d like.
3. ABCs-Of-Yoga: Learn how to get started in yoga with basics, styles and postures laid out for you here. Additionally, you can look at photos or participate in forums on yoga.
4. The Secrets of Yoga: Read articles, look at pictures, watch videos, buy equipment or find a teacher on this comprehensive yoga site.
5. Holistic Online: This site provides a large collection of information about yoga, including guides, poses and styles.
6. iYogaLife: Get advice on yoga for beginners, stress management, weight loss and much more from this site.
7. Yoga Age: Read classic texts on yoga, newer articles, chat in a forum and more on this site dedicated to the promotion of yoga.
8. Yoga Movement: This site is a great resource for finding other yoga related sites, places where you can take classes and buy yoga related products and DVDs.
9. Meditation Station: Meditation is a big part of yoga practice and you’ll find all the information and resources you need to practice meditation effectively on this site.
10. A 2 Z Yoga: Learn all about yoga as well as other ways to promote harmony and balance in your life with resources on this site.
11. Online Yoga Guide: Find all kinds of resources on this site that include things like exercises, mind and body, yoga during pregnancy and more.

Blogs

Written by yoga practitioners and teachers, these blogs give you daily routines, inspiration, and shared stories of practice.

12. Yoga Basics: This blog can be a great place for yoga beginners to visit. You can learn all about the practice of yoga, terminology, and get postures to try and put together.
13. The Everything Yoga Blog: Here you can read posts about finding happiness, meditation, yoga and more.
14. My Yoga Blog: Follow the yoga practices of Ursula as she focuses her energies on meditation and yoga.
15. True Yoga: Get updates and commentary on yoga related issues through this blog, home of the True Yoga series of videos.
16. My Yoga Online: Posts on this blog give advice on doing different poses, healthy eating, green lifestyles and more.
17. Bow Down Yoga: Written by yoga teacher Sofi Dillof, this blog explores ideas around relaxation, living consciously and of course practicing yoga.
18. The Accidental Yogist: Those in the Los Angeles area will benefit the most from this blog, which chronicles the teachers, classes and goings on of the yoga community in the area.
19. Yoga Insight: This blog covers a wide variety of topics, from giving detailed instructions on yoga poses to providing tips for healthy nutrition.
20. Yoga Logic: Visitors to this blog will get frequent posts of yoga videos, poses and helpful tips to improve their experience.
21. Yoga On and Off the Mat: Read articles like "Setting the Stage for Home Practice" and "Inspiring Reasons to Practice Yoga at Home" on this blog.
22. Grounding Through the Sit Bones: Yoga teacher Brenda Plakans describes her teaching, gives advice and inspiration on this blog.
23. Om Shanti: A Yoga Blog: This blogger posts about current news in yoga and his own experiences practicing it.
24. Everyday Yoga: Blogger Tyran gives advice on dealing with everyday situations, making the most of certain postures and more through his posts.
25. The Yoga Instructor Diaries: This Malaysian yoga instructor shares her trials and adventures in her everyday life and in teaching yoga.
26. Dave Veda’s Yoga Blog: Dave Veda, the author of this blog, is a singer and songwriter, yoga teacher and social worker. Read about his quest for zen in this blog.
27. Yoga Mat Blog: Get some ideas on gifts to buy for your favorite yoga practitioners or for yourself on this blog.

Podcasts

Take your yoga practice with you anywhere with these yoga-based podcasts.

28. Hillary’s Yoga Practice: Listen to these weekly podcasts to open yourself up to new poses, postures and ideas for your yoga routine.
29. Yoga Peeps: Yoga teachers from all over participate in this weekly yoga podcast. Subscribe on iTunes to make listening even easier.
30. Elsie’s Yoga Kula: Elsie provides instruction and advice on yoga and finding happiness through this podcast series.
31. JivaDiva Yoga Podcast: Learn about topics like the yoga sutras, asanas and get guided relaxation in this podcast.
32. Inner Path Yoga: These podcasts can allow you to create a custom yoga class built around your favorite poses.
33. A Moment of Yoga: Take time out to do these simple yoga routines through this podcast.
34. Yoga Talk: These podcasts allow you to listen to mantras while you go through a series of poses.
35. Candice’s Yoga Podcast: Yoga instructor Candice Garrett guides you through various yoga routines in this podcast. Check out the photo series that goes along with each podcast to ensure you’re doing the moves correctly.
36. Grace Yoga: Experienced yoga instructor Arlene Bjork creates these podcasts which are great for beginners wanting to get into Vinyasa yoga.
37. YOGAmazing: This weekly podcast gives listeners a 25 minute long yoga routine as well as stories from other practitioners who have had their lives changed by yoga.
38. The Kelly Morris Yoga Podcast: Named as one of the most popular yoga instructors in the New York area, Kelly Morris provides listeners with a way to get free access to her classes through her podcast.
39. Hillary’s Yoga Practice Podcast: These podcasts range from 30 minutes routines to those up to an hour as well as shared stories from other yoga students.
40. Sage Yoga Training: This podcast offers 30-minute yoga routines designed to be listened to after a traditional workout as a way to cool down, stretch out, and relax.

Tutorials and Classes

Learn new poses and routines with these online yoga tutorials.

41. Hatha Yoga Lesson: This site provides not only instructions but animations to show you just how to do a variety of yoga poses.
42. YogaToday: Watch daily broadcasts of yoga videos on this site. Visitors can also ask questions in a forum and sign up for a mailing list.
43. My Daily Yoga: The poses on this website are designed to be done anywhere, even at your desk for a mid-day pick-me-up. It can help prevent repetitive stress injuries and back pain from poor posture.
44. YogaClass.com: Take a break from your day and watch one of these instructional yoga videos that are designed to help you relax, stretch and workout.
45. Dean Ornish’s Yoga Tutorials: Learn everything from how to breathe to how to warmth up and work up every part of your body in these tutorials.
46. Yoga Cards: Learn the basics of Vinyasa yoga through these simple introductory routines.
47. YogaUniverse: Here you’ll find yoga posture tutorials that range from poses for beginners to those for advanced students.
48. Yoga Postures.com: Get information on dozens of yoga postures that can help ensure you’re doing them correctly and getting the most out of them.
49. Fresh Air Yoga: Take your yoga outside with some help from the routines in these instructional videos.
50. Yoga Class: While the organization of this site could use some help, the videos can be quite beneficial, allowing you to watch multiple instructional videos in one place.
51. YogaYak: Get access to a wide variety of free classes on yoga, meditation, cleansing, breathing and more.
52. YogaDownload: While not all material on this site is free, it provides a large range of downloadable yoga videos intended to be played on an iPod or other portable video or music device .

Teachers and Organizations

Learn from well-known teachers and worldwide organizations with a little help from these sites.

53. Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center: This non-profit organization was founded to spread the teaching of Vedanta around the world. Check out the site and see if you can find a center near you if you’re interested.
54. Ashtanga Yoga: This method of yoga involves "synchronizing the breath with progressive series of postures, a process producing intense internal heat and a profuse, purifying sweat that detoxifies muscles and organs". If it sounds like something that would interest you, read more about it on this site.
55. Bikram Yoga College of India: Yogi Bikram Choudhury founded this yoga college in India, but today there are branches and classes all over the world. Learn from his teachings in a class near you with information from this site.
56. B.K.S. Iyengar Yoga: This yoga teacher has created a style that is meant to work for all people and uses a variety of props like blocks, ropes and and belts. Visit this site to find out where this type of yoga is practiced in your area.
57. American Yoga Association: Get a free yoga lesson, find qualified teachers and learn the basics about yoga through this organization’s site.
58. Yoga Research and Education Foundation: This foundation is dedicated to conducting research on yoga to see what the health benefits are and to educate the public. Find out about the latest projects through their website.
59. Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health: This center wants to spread the practice of yoga to create healthy minds and bodies. Located in Massachusetts, it offers numerous classes and retreats for those who are interested.
60. Yoga for the Special Child: Children with special needs can use yoga to relax and work out as well through this special method. Check out the site and see if there are any practitioners in your area.
61. Yoga Jillian: This yoga teacher shares her techniques and methods through this site. Visitors can learn about classes she offers, get relaxation CDs and more.
62. Do Yoga: Get inspiration and instruction from yoga teacher Doug Keller on this site. If you can’t attend his Washington DC courses he provides a way to find teachers in your area.
63. Ananda: This organization was founded in 1968 and continues to spread yoga education, focusing on Yogananda’s Kriya yoga.
64. International Yoga Federation: Learn about yoga organizations around the world with this international group.
65. Himalayan Institute: Founded by Swami Rami, this institute focuses not only on yoga but on relaxation, meditation, biofeedback and more. Branches are located in Pennsylvania, Illinois and New York.
66. Yoga Inside Foundation: This non-profit organization brings yoga education to those in juvenile halls and probation camps, mental institutions, women’s and children’s shelters, homes for runaway youth, senior citizen homes, drug rehabilitation centers and underprivileged communities. If you think it could make a difference in your community try contacting someone from the foundation.
67. The White Lotus Foundation: With a scenic location overlooking the ocean, this center provides classes, retreats and teacher training programs.

Articles

Read up on issues related to yoga in these informative articles.

68. Laugh Your Way to Wellness With Yoga Trend: This article from Science Daily explores the growing popularity of laugher yoga, a practice that proponents say relaxes them and improves their mood.
69. The Power of Yoga: Supermodel Christy Turlington covers the benefits of yoga in this article for Time magazine.
70. Is Yoga Better Than Other Exercise for Boosting Self-Esteem?: Some studies suggest yoga may give your self esteem a little boost. Read about it here.
71. The Philosophy of Yoga - An Aesthetic Appraisal: Learn about the history of yoga from an athletic and visual point of view in this article.
72. Prenatal Yoga: Learning the Lessons of Yoga in the Womb: Yoga can be a great way for women to stay in shape while pregnant. Get more information on the practice and its benefits here.
73. Yoga- What Exactly Is It?: Learn the basic history and background behind yoga in this article.
74. Balance the Immune System With Yoga: Have immunity issues? Yoga may be able to help you, as this article discusses.
75. 7 Reasons to Say Yes to Yoga: This article gives women, and anyone else, some reasons they may want to add yoga to their fitness program.
76. Yoga Party- The Benefits of Yoga for Men: Men have as much to gain from yoga as women, and this article helps explain some of the reasons men should consider taking up yoga.
77. The Benefits of Yoga for Stress Management: Learn ways that yoga can help relax you and reduce your stress in this article from About.com.

Products

Get all the stuff you need to comfortably practice yoga from these sites.

78. The Yoga Site: Buy mats, blocks, DVDs and more on this great yoga products site. It also contains some helpful information about the types of yoga and yoga terms.
79. Santosha.com: Find all the supplies you’ll need to engage in yoga or meditation practice or just read through the informative articles on this site.
80. Gaiam: A popular manufacturer of yoga products, Gaiam’s website is a great place to pick up a new yoga mat or clothes or look through a wide variety of recycled and fair trade products.
81. Wai Lana Yoga: What better place to relax, meditate and practice yoga than a tropical paradise like Hawaii? Teacher Wai Lana sells an instructional set of videos and DVDs on this site as well as other merchandise.
82. Buy Yoga Mat.com: This online store brings together loads of yoga products including mats, bags, kits, blankets and much more.
83. Hugger Mugger: This store sells a huge assortment of quality yoga products and environmentally friendly gifts.
84. Barefoot Yoga: Here you’ll find all kinds of yoga mats, props, clothing and other household merchandise and apparel.
85. MatsMatsMats: As the name suggests, this site specializes in selling yoga mats of all kinds.
86. More Yoga: Pick up some yoga products like mats, eye pillows, props and t-shirts through this online company.
87. Yoga Accessories: Find any kind of yoga accessories you could need on this site from mats to balls and everything in between.
88. Yogitoes: This online and in-store retailer sells environmentally conscious yoga products like a distinctive skidless yoga mat.
89. Apsari: Here you can buy numerous products to help you practice yoga or to go into deep meditation.
90. AgoyUSA: This company makes all kinds of fashion conscious yoga bags, mats and other products.

Yoga Locators/strong>

Find classes, teachers, retreats and all kinds of yoga resources in your area with these directories.

91. YogaAlliance: This site provides a place where qualified yoga teachers can register and can be a great place to find out what kind of programs and teachers are available in your area.
92. YogaFinder: This directory pulls together classes, conferences, events and teachers from all over the Web to make it easy to find something that suits your needs.
93. Yoga Directory: Find classes, books, products and retreats with this wide-reaching directory.
94. International Yoga Centers Directory: Here you’ll find listings of yoga instructors and studios all over the world.
95. Yoga Everywhere: No matter where you live you’ll be able find a yoga studio with this directory.
96. MindBodySpirit Directory: Find resources in every state for yoga, meditation and other holistic practices.
97. Health Searching: This health focused site provides links to yoga centers, programs and more all over the United States.
98. All Things Spiritual Directory: This site brings together links for yoga organizations and teachers.
99. Find Yoga: Get access to yoga resources to take classes, find teachers, attend events and more on this site.
100. Find Yoga Pilates: Find yoga or pilates classes in your area through this site.

 By Alisa Miller

Vegans are frequently misunderstood as fringe eaters with an unnatural passion for animal rights. While many vegans do feel passionately about animals, its time for others to see that a vegan diet and lifestyle go way beyond animal rights. Following a healthy, balanced vegan diet ensures a host of health benefits as well as prevention of some of the major diseases striking people in North America. Find out from the list below how eating vegan can help you in your search for better health.

Nutrition

All of the following nutritional benefits come from a vegan diet full of foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, beans, and soy products.

1. Reduced saturated fats. Dairy products and meats contain a large amount of saturated fats. By reducing the amount of saturated fats from your diet, you’ll improve your health tremendously, especially when it comes to cardiovascular health.
2. Carbohydrates. Carbohydrates provide energy for your body. When you don’t have enough carbohydrates, your body will burn muscle tissue.
3. Fiber. A diet high in fiber (as vegan eating usually is) leads to healthier bowel movements. High fiber diets help fight against colon cancer.
4. Magnesium. Aiding in the absorption of calcium, magnesium is an often overlooked vitamin in importance to a healthy diet. Nuts, seeds, and dark leafy greens are an excellent source of magnesium.
5. Potassium. Potassium balances water and acidity in your body and stimulates the kidneys to eliminate toxins. Diets high in potassium have shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancer.
6. Folate. This B vitamin is an important part of a healthy diet. Folate helps with cell repair, generating red and white blood cells, and metabolizing amino acids.
7. Antioxidants. For protection against cell damage, antioxidants are one of the best ways to help your body. Many researchers also believe that antioxidants help protect your body against forming some types of cancer.
8. Vitamin C. Besides boosting your immune system, Vitamin C also helps keep your gums healthy and helps your bruises heal faster. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant.
9. Vitamin E. This powerful vitamin has benefits for your heart, skin, eyes, brain, and may even help prevent Alzheimer’s Disease. A diet high in grains, nuts, and dark leafy greens is full of Vitamin E.
10. Phytochemicals. Plant-based foods provide phytochemicals, which help to prevent and heal the body from cancer, boost protective enzymes, and work with antioxidants in the body.
11. Protein. That protein is good for your body is no surprise. It may be a surprise to learn that most Americans eat too much protein and in forms such as red meat that are not healthy ways of getting protein. Beans, nuts, peas, lentils, and soy products are all great ways to get the right amount of protein in a vegan diet.

Disease Prevention

Eating a healthy vegan diet has shown to prevent a number of diseases. Find out from the list below what you could potentially avoid just by switching to a healthy, balanced vegan way of eating.

12. Cardiovascular disease. Eating nuts and whole grains, while eliminating dairy products and meat, will improve your cardiovascular health. A British study indicates that a vegan diet reduces the risk for heart disease and Type 2 diabetes. Vegan diets go far in preventing heart attack and stroke.
13. Cholesterol. Eliminating any food that comes from an animal and you will eliminate all dietary cholesterol from your diet. Your heart will thank you for that.
14. Blood pressure. A diet rich in whole grains is beneficial to your health in many ways, including lowering high blood pressure.
15. Type 2 diabetes. Not only is a vegan diet a weapon against Type 2 diabetes, it is also "easier to follow than the standard diet recommended by the American Diabetic Association." Read more about it here.
16. Prostate cancer. A major study showed that men in the early stages of prostate cancer who switched to a vegan diet either stopped the progress of the cancer or may have even reversed the illness.
17. Colon cancer. Eating a diet consisting of whole grains, along with fresh fruits and vegetables, can greatly reduce your chances of colon cancer.
18. Breast cancer. Countries where women eat very little meat and animal products have a much lower rate of breast cancer than do the women in countries that consume more animal products.
19. Macular degeneration. Diets with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, especially leafy greens, carrots, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes, can help prevent the onset of age-related macular degeneration.
20. Cataracts. Much the same way macular degeneration is headed off by a vegan diet, cataracts are also thought to be prevented through the intake of the same fruits and vegetables. Produce high in antioxidants are also believed to help prevent cataracts.
21. Arthritis. Eliminating dairy consumption has long been connected with alleviating arthritis symptoms, but a new study indicates that a combination of gluten-free and vegan diet is very promising for improving the health of those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.
22. Osteoporosis. Bone health depends on a balance of neither too much or too little protein, adequate calcium intake, high potassium, and low sodium. With a healthy vegan diet, all four of these points set a perfect scenario for preventing osteoporosis.

Physical Benefits

In addition to good nutrition and disease prevention, eating vegan also provides many physical benefits. Find out how a vegan diet makes your body stronger, more energetic, and more attractive.

23. Body Mass Index. Several population studies show that a diet without meat leads to lower BMIs–usually an indicator of a healthy weight and lack of fat on the body.
24. Weight loss. A healthy weight loss is a typical result of a smart vegan diet. Eating vegan eliminates most of the unhealthy foods that tend to cause weight issues. Read more about weight loss and a vegan diet here.
25. Energy. When following a healthy vegan diet, you will find your energy is much higher. This blog post in Happy Healthy Long Life describes how NFL tight-end Tony Gonzalez started eating vegan and gained energy–while playing football.
26. Healthy skin. The nuts and vitamins A and E from vegetables play a big role in healthy skin, so vegans will usually have good skin health. Many people who switch to a vegan diet will notice a remarkable reduction in blemishes as well.
27. Longer life. Several studies indicate that those following a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle live an average of three to six years longer than those who do not.
28. Body odor. Eliminating dairy and red meat from the diet significantly reduces body odor. Going vegan means smelling better.
29. Bad breath. Vegans frequently experience a reduction in bad breath. Imagine waking up in the morning and not having morning breath.
30. Hair. Many who follow vegan diets report that their hair becomes stronger, has more body, and looks healthier.
31. Nails. Healthy vegan diets are also responsible for much stronger, healthier nails. Nail health is said to be an indicator of overall health.
32. PMS. When switching to a vegan diet, many women tell how PMS symptoms become much less intense or disappear altogether. The elimination of dairy is thought to help with those suffering with PMS.
33. Migraines. Migraine suffers who go on vegan diets frequently discover relief from their migraines. Read more about the food-migraine connection in this article.
34. Allergies. Reduction in dairy, meat, and eggs is often tied to alleviation of allergy symptoms. Many vegans report much fewer runny noses and congestion problems.

Too Much in the American Diet

The typical American diet not only consists of too much food, it also relies on too much of unnecessary food products or toxins. The following list explains how a vegan diet can eliminate these problems.

35. Animal proteins. The average American eats twice as much protein as necessary for a healthy diet and much of that is from red meat. Getting protein from beans and grains is much healthier and reduces the risk for osteoporosis (see above).
36. Cow’s milk dairy. The human body is not designed to digest cow milk and cow milk dairy products, yet the idea of milk being healthy is pushed through advertising. As many as 75% of people in the world may be lactose intolerant and many people suffer from undiagnosed milk allergies or sensitivities. By eliminating cow’s milk from your diet, you are improving your overall health.
37. Eggs. Many nutritionists believe that the number of eggs in the American diet is too high. While sometimes disputed, it has been shown that eggs can raise cholesterol levels.
38. Mercury. Most of the fish and shellfish consumed has mercury in it. While some fish have less than others, it is almost impossible not to be putting mercury in your body when you eat fish.
39. Sugar. Most people have heard that Americans consume way too much sugar. Relying on other sweeteners that are not synthetic, processed, or derived from animal products is a healthier way to eat. Many vegans do not eat processed sugar due to the fact that most of the cane sugar is refined through activated charcoal, most of which comes from animal bones.

Other Benefits

In addition to the health benefits above, following a vegan lifestyle and diet also provides these benefits as well. From helping the environment to avoiding serious bacterial infections, learn other benefits to eating the vegan way below.

40. Animals. Many people begin a vegan diet out of concern for animals. Whether opposed to the conditions of animals intended for food or eating animals in general, going vegan will help your conscience rest easily.
41. Environment. Growing plants takes much fewer resources than growing animals. By eating vegan, you can help reduce the toll on the environment.
42. E. coli. E. coli comes from eating contaminated red meat and is the leading cause of bloody diarrhea. Young children, those with compromised immune systems, and elderly people can become extremely ill or die from E. coli. Eating vegan means completely avoiding the risk of E. coli infection.
43. Salmonella. Another gastrointestinal illness from animal products, salmonella food poisoning is closely related to E. coli. The most frequent way people contract salmonella food poisoning is through contact with raw eggs or raw chicken meat from chickens infected with salmonella. Again, going vegan means eliminating this risk altogether.
44. Mad cow disease. It’s safe to say that most people would want to avoid contracting a fatal, non-treatable disease. One way to ensure you don’t get Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is by not eating animals infected with mad cow disease. While the incidence of mad cow disease is not reportedly so high in North America, it does exist.
45. Global food supply. Feeding grain to animals meant as food sources reduces the amount of food that is available to underdeveloped nations. Many people will go hungry while that same food they could be eating is given to animals raised for slaughter. Eating vegan ensures that you have removed yourself from the participation of this imbalance.
46. Hormone consumption. Eating animals that have been given hormones to speed growth (a common practice in the meat industry) means those hormones go into your body. Not only can this disrupt the natural balance of your hormones, but some of the hormones given to animals have shown to cause tumor growth in humans.
47. Antibiotics. Antibiotics are frequently given to feed animals, which can lead to bacterial resistance. Many of the antibiotics used to treat human infections are also used in feed animals.

Healthy Eating

A vegan diet can be a much healthier way to eat. Find out how to combine the vegan diet with other ways of eating for an even more healthy way to go or discover ways to keep your vegan diet healthy but more convenient with the resources below.

48. Raw. A raw diet lends itself to veganism by the very nature of its design. Find out how to combine live and vegan diets with Raw Inspirations.
49. Organic. Eating organic and vegan is super easy to do. Use some of the recipes from this blog for help with meal ideas. The posts have slowed, but you can always search the archives for some great ideas on how to live and eat organic and vegan.
50. Fat-free. Vegan eating is typically pretty low in fats anyway, but the FatFree Vegan Kitchen shows you how to make some delicious vegan food that is always fat free.
51. Gluten-free. Due to allergies, Celiac’s Disease, or whatever your reason you avoid gluten, find out how to combine the best of gluten-free with vegan cooking in the Gluten-Free Vegan blog.
52. Eating out. Eating out isn’t usually associated with eating healthy, but a vegan diet ensures there will be a lot less of the bad things in the food you choose. Find eating out options around the world for vegans here.
53. Lunch. Maintaining a vegan diet means you are likely to take your lunch more often than most people. Vegan Lunch Box offers recipes, tools, and ideas for carrying great vegan lunches every day.
54. Dinner. Coming up with new dinner ideas is challenging for everyone–regardless of what type of diet you follow. Check out this amazing selection of vegan dinner recipes accompanied with mouth-watering photos of each preparation on Dinner with Dilip.
55. Dessert. While not all the recipes on My Sweet Vegan are for dessert, you will find a large selection of sweet vegan recipes with the most delicious-looking photos.
56. Wine. Pairing vegan food with wine may be challenging for those who rely on the old standard of "white with fish and red with meat." Read this article for ways to compliment your healthy vegan diet with a tasty glass of wine or this blog entry for specific pairings of wine and vegan food.
57. Fun. These ladies know how to kick it with vegan cooking. Post Punk Kitchen offers some great recipes with a ton of fun infused in them. Be sure to go through the archives for more yummy food ideas.

 By Alisa Miller

To say that Wii has been a popular pastime is an understatement, but the release of Wii Fit this year has sent Wii’s popularity skyrocketing. Maybe it’s because Wii Fit has gamers and non-gamers alike intrigued and challenged with the fun fitness activities. Regardless of why so many are picking up their Wiimote, this game offers a unique opportunity to have fun with your console and get a start on better fitness. If you’ve decided to use Wii Fit to help you get in shape, take advantage of these suggestions to enhance your workout.

Tips

Since technically, Wii Fit is a video game, you will find lots of tips on how to unlock challenges or ways to find special extras on these site. Frequently they are classified as "cheats," which seems to go against your goal of fitness, but they are actually just helpful hints.

1. Wii Fit Guide. Get the latest tips or news at this blog. Also, join the forum to get additional tips and to share your Wii Fit experience.
2. My Cheats. Don’t let the name fool you, it’s not really about cheating. Get tips on how to start the ultimate balance test and find out how to unlock stamps, activities, and challenges.
3. GameSpot Wii . Get tips on unlockables and find out secrets on this site. There is also a walk-through that gives you the basics of Wii Fit.
4. Amazon.com Customer Discussions. Follow this discussion group for questions and answers on how to use Wii Fit. Various topics are listed for you to browse.
5. ign.com. Find suggestions for unlocking some of the challenges on this site. There’s also a Wii Fit guide that offers more in depth suggestions and tips, but you must subscribe to have access to the guide.
6. Cheat Code Central. Find more tips for Wii Fit on this site.
7. CheatsCodesGuides.com. Find unlockables and hints to help you get more from your workout (or just get further along without working as hard).
8. gamespy Cheats. Unlock challenges and balance tests at this site. You can also get hints to help you out.

Video Tutorials

These video tutorials help you by showing real people doing the Wii Fit exercises.

9. Game/Life Video. Watch the first two and a half minutes of this video for a mini-tutorial from a Wii trainer who offers suggestions on breathing and hula hooping.
10. Wii Fit Experience Videos. Straight from Wii themselves, scroll down to these videos that offer real people demonstrations of several of the Wii Fit exercises. It appears Wii is continuing to add new videos to this site, so you might want to check back again for more.
11. GameDaily. This site offers several videos that show real people working along with the Wii Fit trainer. Seeing real people doing the exercises can help you if you’re having a bit of a problem getting the concept of some exercises. They also offer screen shots and news bits.
12. Orlando Sentinel. Also tracking his progress with a blog (see below), this video game blogger and a technology columnist offer a video describing how to use Wii Fit as well as some of the benefits of the game. They even let you get a little chuckle out of some soccer heading.

Real People’s Blogs

These people have not only decided to work out with Wii Fit, but they are also courageous enough to blog their progress to the whole world. Follow their progress as they get fit.

13. Wii Weight Loss Plan. Follow this man’s progress as he uses a combination of Wii Fit and Wii Weight Loss Plan. He keeps a running list of his daily food intake through Twitter.
14. geeksugar. Not only can you track the progress of this woman as she journals her Wii Fit progress, but she also posts some helpful tips for enhancing your practice. Scroll to the bottom for more links on her blog.
15. 4 Color Rebellion. Follow the progress of this man’s Wii Fit program that went for seven weeks. He’s from Wisconsin, but living in Japan, so he got a jumpstart those of us in America who had to wait.
16. Wii News and Reviews. This blogger reviews several of the Wii Fit exercises such as yoga, running, and skiing. In addition to providing basic information about each, she also offers some helpful suggestions and tips.
17. The Official Wii Fit Experiment. Last year, this guy lost 9 lbs. using Wii Sport. This year, he’s going to give it a try with Wii Fit. Follow his progress over a five week period to see how he does.
18. JZ Blogger. This blogger will use Wii Fit for 30 minutes a days to see if it makes a difference with fitness levels. Find out what happens on this Wii Fit journey.
19. Understanding the Struggle. Two pounds in one month is the goal for this blogger who admits he doesn’t need to lose the weight, but claims "a little more trim would be great." It looks like he met his goal early on, but will continue to post updates of his Wii Fit experience.
20. Wii Fit Project. 40 lbs. in two months…see if it can be done. For details of his daily fitness progress, follow him on Twitter as well.

Professionals’ Blogs

From gamers to journalists, the following professionals are giving Wii Fit a try. See how they do as they chart their progress on these blogs.

21. Gamespot Wii Fit Editors’ Diary. Follow along as several staff members use Wii Fit for six weeks to see how it helps their overall fitness. Some staff want to lose weight, some want to bulk up, and none of them are adjusting their diet.
22. Wii Get Fit. For one month (and maybe more), this editor will use the Wii Fit workout and cut out junk food from his diet. Follow both written text and video blogs.
23. GameCritics.com. Read the personal blog on this site of a couple who are trying Wii Fit to get back into shape. The husband writes the blog and offers the challenges and his positive reactions to Wii Fit.
24. Wired Game/Life. One week isn’t long for a fitness program, but this blog describes the first week on Wii Fit. As this blogger says, it’s fun, so he’ll probably keep going for longer than one week.
25. Kotaku. Not technically a blog, this lengthy article describes how this writer used Wii Fit for one month. He provides his experience with the game interspersed with his opinions about both the positive and negative aspects of Wii Fit.
26. Engadget. For 30 days, seven days a week, this man will work out with Wii Fit and chart his progress. See if he can lose 5 lbs. in 30 days using Wii Fit and his already healthy diet.
27. EL33TONLINE. Watch as these two media staffers use Wii Fit five days a week for 25 days. They chart their progress and keep a running total of all changes to their Wii Fit age and BMI.
28. Orlando Sentinel blog. This video game blogger is attempting to lose 20 lbs. in two months with Wii Fit and once-weekly trips to the gym. He tracks his statistics and writes about his experience with entertaining humor.

Reviews from Those with Experience

While there are plenty of reviews out there on Wii Fit, these reviews are special in that the reviewers actually spent some time trying Wii Fit before writing about it. Find out first hand what they liked and didn’t like about their experiences with Wii Fit.

29. Dubious Quality. This review is based on about five hours of usage and gives a balanced view of the strengths and weaknesses of the game. The suggestions for future Wii Fit usages are interesting too.
30. MTV Multiplayer blog. Using an actual fitness trainer to test Wii Fit, this review discusses the benefits and compares the workout to a traditional exercise regimen. Not surprisingly, the trainer is not completely pro-Wii Fit, but he also concedes that it is a nice complement to another form of exercise.
31. The Game Guy. Find out how much fun this reviewer had with his Wii Fit and what he likes best about it. He must have had fun–he lost nine pounds and two and a half BMI points in three days.
32. The Knight Shift. Read this review describing the first time out with Wii Fit. This blogger’s goal is to use Wii Fit in addition to other exercise in order to work up to running a marathon. Hopefully he posts updates on his progress.
33. Crave. Incorporating an interview with Wii Fit designer Shigeru Miyamoto, this review offers a first-hand description of the game. You can also learn what Miyamoto says about the possible future direction of Wii Fit.
34. Timesonline. Find out what happens when this slightly out-of-shape reviewer gives Wii Fit a go. Also of interest are the statistics following the review on fitness and Wii usage.
35. Cow’s Blog. This blogger stands by the idea of calling Wii Fit a game "because it’s fun!" Be sure to click on the other Wii Fit posts in this blog, too.
36. Entertainment Musings. While this reviewer hasn’t actually used Wii Fit yet, he offers some great ideas about why he’s looking forward to using it. These are also good reasons why Wii Fit is so popular.
37. Gizmodo. Five years ago, this self-described geek was a tight, fit machine. A lot less fitness later, he gives Wii Fit a try for one week. This detailed experience and product review gives a good feel for what Wii Fit can do for you and what you need to do for yourself.
38. Blogs: Yoga Buzz. Find out how Wii Fit Yoga stacks up against an experienced yogi. See if you can benefit from yoga using your Wii.
39. Huliq.com. Not only does this review detail the many various options available in Wii Fit, it also offers tips on how to unlock challenges.
40. TVG. After one week, this reviewer saw his weight and BMI improve–and his Wii age go down over 20 years. In addition to the review, this site may also offer tips for Wii Fit in the future.

Participate

Do you feel you could use the support of others using Wii Fit? You can join one or more of these online groups offering support, help, and conversation about their journey with Wii Fit.

41. The Wii Fit Union. Join the Gamespot staffers (see their blog in the section above) as you write about your progress using Wii Fit. Whether you are using your game for fitness, weight loss, or just plain fun, join in the fun on this blog.
42. Fanpop. Use this handy tracker to keep your Wii Fit statistics and goals in one place. Sharing with others is a great support for those who need motivation to keep going.
43. Wii Fit Mommies. Sign up with this group of moms who are using Wii Fit to get back into shape. Compare how much time you’ve used Wii Fit each day or just tell about which exercises you enjoyed the most. You might even get a few tips here.
44. 3 fat chicks on a diet! Get tips on how to use Wii Fit or just shout out your praise of your new fitness tool. Just click on "post reply" at the bottom to participate.
45. Wii Fit Addicts. If you don’t already have a Yahoo! account, get a free one now and join this listserv. They offer hints, help, and more at this online group.

By Heather Johnson

Crash diets and certain fads that promise to give your body the detox treatment are not only harmful to your health, but they can leave you feeling cranky, irritable, exhausted and starving. There are some beneficial long term effects of detoxification, however, including a more focused mind, more energy, clearer skin and decreased chances of developing cancer and other chronic diseases. If you’re interested in detoxifying your entire mind, body and living spaces, but aren’t ready to starve yourself or cause yourself more stress on a crazy diet, use this list to incorporate 101 painless ways to get the results you want.

Bad Habits to Break

Hardcore smokers may not consider giving up their vice "painless," but there are alternative treatments that help you break these and other bad habits, freeing your body of harmful chemicals, slower metabolisms and inefficient digestive systems.

1. Smoking: Every time you smoke a cigarette, your body has to fight off harmful amounts of tar, smoke, nicotine, ammonia and carbon monoxide, as well as other toxins.
2. Alcohol: While some doctors and scientists argue that a low to moderate consumption of alcohol is beneficial to your health, alcoholic beverages put a lot of stress on your body, and are full of sugar and calories. If you drink even a little too much, you may notice differences in your digestion, headaches, nausea, sluggishness, and other toxic side effects.
3. Not getting enough sleep: Even though you’re not putting anything harmful in your body, not getting enough sleep can be harmful to you. Follow these tips to fall asleep faster and understand why sleep is so important.
4. Eating fast food and frozen food: Even if you think you’re getting a good meal from a frozen dinner, the important minerals and vitamins have probably been cooked out of the foods already. Fast food tends to have a lot of extra salt, fat and artificial flavoring, all of which add unnecessary toxins to your body and make you feel weighted down.
5. Short temper: If you’re constantly getting angry at people or suspecting them of cheating you out of something, your mind is never at peace. Learn to relax by learning to fix a short temper.
6. Over dieting: Though a good diet that’s free of fast food, junk food and too much alcohol is an important step in detoxifying your body and mind, over dieting can be harmful as well. If you’re depriving your body of nutrients or causing your body stress by binging and purging, you need to change your dieting habits.
7. Clutter: A cluttered home causes emotional stress. Increase productivity and give yourself a sense of calm by taking out the trash, cleaning the dishes and reducing clutter.
8. Being negative: Get rid of negative thoughts and feelings, and you’ll find that a life filled with feelings of gratitude, optimism and perspective will make you more successful and happy.
9. Caffeine addiction: Being addicted to caffeine can be a serious problem for some people: too much coffee affects sleep patterns, energy levels, social skills, concentration and focus, and job performance. Get tips for breaking the caffeine habit here.
10. Isolation: Taking time out for yourself is a good way to get centered, but spending too much time alone isn’t good for your spirit. Visit a neighbor or family member for a little social interaction, which will keep you from feeling depressed and lonely.

Detox Diets

Though detox diets can be controversial, less extreme diets full of fresh fruits and vegetables will give you more energy, a brighter complexion and a stronger immune system.

11. The Detox Diet: Find a list of good foods and harmful foods, as well as a sample menu here.
12. Free Detox Diet Plan: Some readers may find this diet to be too limiting, but it offers a good example of the types of foods you should be eating if you want to detox your system.
13. The Master Cleanse: The Diet Channel explains the benefits and plan for the Master Cleanse detox diet here.
14. Macrobiotic Diet: Today’s version of the popular macrobiotic diet features low-fat, high fiber foods which decrease your chances of getting cancer. Dieters on this plan will eat lots of whole grains, vegetables, soy products, local fruit, beans, and sometimes fish or seafood.
15. Organic Raw Food Diet: Raw foods often contain a lot of pesticides, but the organic raw food diet gives your body healthy, low-fat food, plenty of vitamins and nutrients, and a minimum amount of toxins.
16. Cabbage Soup Diet: Some say this diet is unbalanced, but it does allow other foods like skim milk, certain meats and tomatoes to be consumed, making it a less painful detox diet.
17. 3-Day Detox Diet Recipes: Get creative with your recipes when you’re on the 3-day detox diet by making breakfast patties, spinach pie, raw chocolate pudding and more.
18. Martha’s Vineyard Diet Detox: This extremely popular diet challenges dieters to not chew for 21 days. Instead, you’ll detoxify by drinking vegetable and fruit drinks.
19. 1 Week Detox Diet Plan: This diet allows you to eat potatoes, rice, fruits and even macaroni while detoxifying your body.
20. Top 7 Detox Herbs That Cleanse Your Body of Excessive Toxins: Introduce juniper berries, Psyllium seeds and basil into your diet to help your bladder, kidneys, skin and overall health.

Feng Shui Tips

You don’t have to redesign your entire home to implement some of the most effective elements of feng shui, which reduces stress, promotes harmony and eliminates toxic energy.

21. Remove furniture from a room’s entry: Keep furniture and clutter away from the doorway of any room to promote calm and the free flow of energy. You’ll be able to appreciate the room better if you aren’t running into any obstacles as soon as you step in the room.
22. Introduce natural light: Introduce natural light into your home or office to improve your energy level.
23. Move your bed so that your head is away from the door: Sleep better at night by positioning your bed so that your head isn’t resting towards the door.
24. Eat organic: Organic foods actually promote good feng shui and good energy, so make sure your kitchen is stocked with organic vegetables and grains.
25. Get rid of clutter: This guide has tips for clearing out the clutter according to feng shui.
26. Take into account the five feng shui elements: By understanding that water, fire, wood, metal and earth elements have a significant effect on your energy and sereni