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High protein diet plans are great for people who are trying to lose weight, build muscles faster and lower blood sugar. In a high protein diet, you must eat larger amounts of foods high in protein while severely limiting or eliminating your carbohydrate intake. Atkins Diet, The Zone Diet and Sugar Busters are some of the popular diets that incorporate high protein diets. Each one may have a different approach or formula, but they all promote a diet plan filled with high proteins and low on fats and carbohydrates.

Stress is the body’s response to increased physical and mental demands. The neck, which is comprised of cervical vertebrae, shock-absorbing disks, muscles and vertebral ligaments, is particularly vulnerable since physical stress brought on by poor habits, such as bad posture, teeth grinding and sleeping position, can cause muscles to tighten or tense. Even activities like reading in bed can throw the neck out of alignment, causing pain, headaches (when muscles in the neck begin to affect nerves) and possibly more serious problems. Try the following stress-relieving neck stretches to ease tension. Be sure to breathe while stretching, and stop if you feel pain, tingling, numbness or dizzy.

Staying fit during pregnancy is important for both the birth process and your overall health during and after the pregnancy. Staying fit while pregnant, however, does not mean taking on strenuous activities or high-impact sports. It means choosing exercises that help you keep your muscles toned and your body strong without endangering you or the baby. There are several wonderful options for pregnancy exercises that will work your entire body.

Pilates is a burgeoning workout trend that delivers results through brief, intense exercises. The movements and holds associated with Pilates can strengthen, tone and sculpt the body without creating bulk. Susan Sarandon and Madonna are among the celebrities who swear by the physical and mental benefits of Pilates. Beginners should consult videos or photographs of the proper positioning for doing Pilates. As a precaution for any kind of exercise, always check with your physician before beginning a new program. And, remember to protect the neck and lower back while doing abdominal work.

The Pilates Method Alliance (PMA), a not-for-profit professional organization for Pilates, points out that more Americans are practicing Pilates as a way to condition their bodies and improve their physiques. Pilates, a low-impact exercise program appropriate for women of all ages and fitness levels, involves a succession of smooth movements, which integrate both stretching and breathing exercises. Developing a pattern of slow, deliberate movements along with controlled breathing increases blood flow to the muscles providing a number of fitness benefits.