Fat Burning Secrets - Your Weight is Not that Important

That's correct folks. Your weight is not that important. Your body fat percentage is. What is body fat percentage? This is part of the composition of your body. Your body is composed of muscle and bones etc which makes up your lean body mass. Your body then has fat. The percentage of your total mass which is pure fat is called your body fat percentage.
Most people when they start a fat burning weight loss regime tend to concentrate on a goal weight. They focus on getting to this weight and don't realise that body composition is much more important.
Your body fat percentage is a much better indicator of your health. There are different recommendations for body fat percentage levels, but the following come from the American Council on Exercise.

An example of how body fat percentage is a much better indicator of health rather than something like BMI would be "fat skinny" people.
Say I am a woman who weighs 70kg and I am 168cm tall. My BMI of 24.4 tells me that I am in a normal weight range. I then go and measure my body fat percentage and the percentage of my body which is pure fat is 33%. This shows I am actually at risk. I have too much fat compared with lean mass on my body and so I am actually at risk even though BMI tells me I am normal weight range.
The same can go the other way say I am a male body builder who is 193cm tall and weighs 115kg. Of course this weight is muscle! My BMI would tell me that I am obese and yet when I do my body fat percentage testing I have a percentage of 8%. This actually means I am in the athlete class and not at all obese.
Focusing on body fat percentage rather than total mass is a much better option when setting goals. It is a much better indication on where you are health wise. The other reason is that muscle weighs more than fat and so sometimes when you build more lean mass you will see a gain on the scales which is actually good because it means your body fat percentage has dropped and you are healthier and leaner. Your muscles just weigh more!
An example of how body fat percentage is a much better indicator of health rather than something like BMI would be "fat skinny" people.
Say I am a woman who weighs 70kg and I am 168cm tall. My BMI of 24.4 tells me that I am in a normal weight range. I then go and measure my body fat percentage and the percentage of my body which is pure fat is 33%. This shows I am actually at risk. I have too much fat compared with lean mass on my body and so I am actually at risk even though BMI tells me I am normal weight range.
The same can go the other way say I am a male body builder who is 193cm tall and weighs 115kg. Of course this weight is muscle! My BMI would tell me that I am obese and yet when I do my body fat percentage testing I have a percentage of 8%. This actually means I am in the athlete class and not at all obese.
Focusing on body fat percentage rather than total mass is a much better option when setting goals. It is a much better indication on where you are health wise. The other reason is that muscle weighs more than fat and so sometimes when you build more lean mass you will see a gain on the scales which is actually good because it means your body fat percentage has dropped and you are healthier and leaner. Your muscles just weigh more!

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Learning Strategies to get better grades at school

Everybody tries their level best to perform good at their academic studies, yet only a few find it easy to learn more and study less to make good grades. These few students are not the smarter ones; rather they are the students who exactly know how to learn things and how to get better grades. Learning is a serious job and if you are in a class with many students, learning also becomes a competitive job. Our desire to be at top doesn't let us feel happy with mere success in school examinations, rather we try to reach at top and gain best possible grades as describes at http://tiny.cc/pzeju
You can easily get better grades in your school examination by following the better learning strategies that will make it possible for you to optimize your learning capacities and make the best use of your hard work. In order to succeed at school, it is not necessary that you should try to be a bookworm. Many of the students who always remain in touch of their books to memorize the formulae, theories and problem solving techniques often fails to get better grades. This is so because they keep trying to memorize things without interlinking the ideas behind the various topics and subjects and that doesn't allow them to learn things practically.
You may get average grades if you try hard to memorize things. Yet, if you really want to excel in your studies and to earn the topmost grades, you will need to play smart and intelligent. Memorizing things is not the correct process; rather you should try to make your mind active enough to make learning process easier than it is for the most of the students. With better learning approach, you will gain more time and confidence. This will let you take part in your social life and to enjoy other streams of learning like sports and recreational activities.
Proper learning strategy
Instead of locking yourself with books like a bookworm and trying to memorize every word of the book without actually understanding it, you need to follow the holistic manner of learning. Instead of wasting your energies in trying to rote memorize everything mentioned in your curriculum; you should start making connection between the ideas. There are many specific tactics to learn things in an easy manner. If you are willing to know more about the smarter and better learning strategies to learn more and study less please visit the website http://tiny.cc/pzeju

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Carnival-Snake Oil or Solution?

In an article by Tech Crunch recently, it announced the quiet debut of Carnival, a brand accelerating mobile app employing a subscription business model. Brand yearly subscription rates range between low 5 figures to low 6 figures. A hefty chunk to be sure. Yet the overall marketing environment has compelled about 60 large brands to participate in the experiment.
Over the past few years, businesses have been busy creating their own apps. There are so many apps out there now that building a large following is nearly impossible. This is especially true in geo space. What does it matter if you have a bunch of geo fences out there if nobody has your app? Without it, passing users will not see your messages, no matter how compelling they may be. It seems nobody seriously asked themselves why a user would want to open the app in the first place.
Carnival, at least, is asking many of the right questions. But does their solution go far enough to provide an environment users want to engage often? Why would a user want to open the app? For a deal? Groupon proved that model isn't sustainable. To play a cheesy game? FourSquare proved that model can't last. Will extreme push messages compel users to engage? Push messages of any kind will be seen more and more as glorified spam. It will be a turn off. So why will users want to participate in Carnival? This question hasn't been addressed sufficiently to justify 5 and 6 digit subscriptions. But the fact that so many brands are willing to pony up that much clearly proves brands are desperate. We need a solution that creates a communications bridge between mobile users and local businesses. A solution that users are excited to use on a regular basis. I'm not certain Carnival has met the challenge?
People don't want a digital show. They have become numb to spam and push messages. What people want is an environment where they can engage real people in real ways who are physicallly near them. People are interesting. And when people come together they start playing with each other. Think of the last time you went to a football game. What did you notice about the crowd? The mindset of the fans was playful, fun and exciting. In fact, people love to play with others so much that they even initiate crowd waves, jumping up and laughing as each wave ripples around the stadium. This is what people want. People want to engage in crowd play with those around them. People are getting bored of playing with non humans. At minimum, they are starting to hunger for something more.
When you can provide true crowd play in your app, then you have a chance to build a crowd following. Where there are crowds there is opportunity for businesses to engage and influence. In escence, the true answer lies in all local businesses building the same crowd together rather than each building their own indepent following. Only in this way can businesses leverage their visibility and drive down subscription costs to the three digit range.
Will Carnival succeed where others have failed? If they remain on this course I am skeptical. So what can a brand or local business do now? Not to worry, there are those who have been working and have created a solution?

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How to get motivated: 4 NLP strategies that work

1. The reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way
2. The general desire or willingness of someone to do something
3. *My own definition: the art of getting off your butt and getting stuff done

Because here is the thing: you may have a burning desire to do something, you may have the best will in the world, you may even know all the reasons why you should do it… but if you haven't done it yet, don't be surprised.
Getting motivated doesn't happen by coincidence or by miracle. Motivation is not something that some people have and others don't either. It is something we all do, consciously or unconsciously, everyday!
Motivation is not something you have or don't have; it is something you do
Take training, for example, notice I say training, and not exercising! We want to do it, we know it is good for us, we know it is going to make us look better and feel better… but after a hard day's work, when tiredness sets in, who would blame us for wanting to slouch on the couch and watch some TV while eating our favourite treat?
Well, think of taking a shower for a moment. Most of us do it every day. We don't wait until we are all stinky to clean ourselves. We do it because it is the right thing to do; it is time to take a shower.
We are able to do this because we have built up this good habit over the years through repetition. We do it at the same time, in the same place, following the same routine, which is so ingrained in our unconscious that we are barely aware of the process.
If you want to get to the point where your training routine goes as smoothly as your shower routine, start following the following NLP rules:
1# IDENTIFY EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT TO DO
Answer these questions:
What do you want specifically? When do you want it by? Where? With whom? What for? What will happen if you achieve that? What if you don't achieve that? Is it under your control? Is it worth it?
You see, when setting up goals, a lot of people do it wrong. They state what they want to have, not what they want to do; things like "I want to be slim", "I want a six pack" or "I want to have toned arms"… But, what do you want to do? Because it is as a result of you doing what you need to do that you will get to have what you want.
Your objective needs to be stated in a way that your brain understands it. And just like your computer, your brain needs 3 things: affirmative statements that are direct and very specific.
If you are just thinking it then it is not an objective, it is just a thought. So, put pen to paper and write your answers to the questions above.
If you don't know what you want, how will you know when you've got there?


2# MAKE A PLAN
Again, if you don't have a plan, all you have is a lovely thought. I suggest you get yourself a diary, an excel sheet, a calendar, whatever works for you, and devise your personal strategy. A strategy to suit your lifestyle, your working schedule, etc…
Keeping the end result in mind, what is the first step you need to take in order for you to do what you need to do? And after that? What's next? Do you have all the resources you need (resources are materials, books, money, people…), or do you need help?
If it's going to take you 12 weeks to get a six pack, set a date and work backwards from there. If you want to lose a stone in 3 weeks, do the same. Break your objective into smaller, more achievable chunks, so that this week you know exactly what you are doing with regards to training and nutrition, and you can focus on just that. As I tell my clients, it's one week at a time, one day at a time.
You see, now you have more than just a nice thought; now you have a plan of action. And believe it or not, this is what most people lack. It's hard to get motivated if you don't know what you want to get motivated for!
And what are you going to do when you are tired, sad, in a mad mood, frustrated…? You must put strategies in place, so when that happens, and it will, you know exactly what to do. You have to become a bit of a ninja!
3# FIND OUT WHAT FIRES YOU UP
There are a lot of things that we need to or should do, but that doesn't mean we do them. So I want you to try on the following sentences, simply add what you want to be able to do at the end.
For example, if you want to go to the gym every day at 6pm for an hour, try these on. Say them out loud:
I should go to the gym – I need to go to the gym – I have to go to the gym – I'd better go to the gym -
I could go to the gym – I can go to the gym – I will go to the gym – I'm going to the gym
Do this a few times and notice which one creates the strongest feeling within you, like you want to go do it. You've just unlocked your personal motivational language. Make sure you use it from now on!
4# IMAGINE YOURSELF SUCCEEDING
One of the main functions of the brain is to prove itself right. So, whatever you focus on is magnified, as the brain thinks it is an objective of yours. Also, the brain doesn't know the difference between a vividly imagined memory and reality. This is why if you want to do something, it's vital you imagine yourself doing it like this (read this NLP resource fully before you do it):

Think of yourself doing the thing you want to do, training in the gym, or whatever. When you think about it you may notice the thought to be at a certain distance from you, a certain size, and in a certain place. Just make sure you see yourself in it, looking happy, positive and really enjoying what you are doing.

Now, imagine the thought getting bigger and bigger until it's almost panoramic. Make sure it's big, bold and colourful, maybe add some sound to it, and notice how good you feel.

Now, imagine you can float outside of your body and into yourself in the image, so you can see through your eyes, hear through your ears and feel how good it feels to be doing what you are doing and loving it too! Intensify everything even more, so the colours are brighter, the sounds louder and the feelings stronger.

Now, tell yourself in your most motivating voice "Go For It!"

Now, take a deep breath through the nose and magnify the feelings so you feel even more motivated!

Repeat 3 times, first sitting down, and then standing up, and notice how you feel even more motivated!

It's vital that you build a propulsion system that makes you feel good and look forward to doing the things you want to do, so that you want to do them more and more. This is how you get to build up new more useful habits to last you a lifetime.
I've just shared 4 motivational strategies with you, that when you use them, they will help you get more stuff done and achieve more, faster. They can be applied in any area of your life. These strategies have helped transform some of my clients from couch potatoes into fitness freaks, so good luck to you!

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Why Is The Euro So Strong?

The euro remains very attractive against the pound and the dollar despite the ongoing problems presented by European Debt and the probable bailouts or defaults. I have read today of a report by the BBC which stated two thirds of European economists surveyed expect Greece to default on their debt.
Last year such an announcement would have had the markets in absolute turmoil, indeed much of last years weakness on the euro was due to the debt crisis.
This year despite the well publicised problems in Portugal, Ireland, Greece and Spain the Euro remains a very unattractive prospect for those looking at buying overseas property. This is due to a number of factors:
– EFSF – The European Financial Stability Facility is designed to act a safety net for indebted European nations. The fund has recently been made permanent and has given the markets the confidence that the ECB and stronger Eurozone members are serious about coming to the financial aid of the weaker members – a criticism levied at many members. As discussed European Debt concerns had been a major weight on the euro last year but now the issue is well known and appears to be being dealt with confidence has been restored. It is worth noting that longer term this is likely to be the issue that could present Euro weakness as concerns arise over the inability of the indebted nations to repay their debts.
– Interest Rate Decisions – The UK looked almost certain to have a rate hike in the first quarter of this year and the pound made strong gains on the euro as investors positioned themselves for the event. We then had a barrage of data releases showing that in all probability the UK wasn't ready for a hike and as such these positions were unwound and led to sterling weakness. Conversely the Eurozone has been floating the prospects of an interest rate hike as soon as next month. With unemployment falling it appears the Eurozone may have turned a corner and will be the first to stomach a rise in the base rate. This has compounded the problems for the GBPEUR rate as investors have taken up stronger positions on the Euro. The US economy whilst growing is still incredibly weak and due to the amount of cheap loans issued to stimulate recovery cannot afford to go raising rates. They are still administering the latest round of Quantitative Easing and will need to fully assess the effects before committing to a rate hike.
- Economic Outlooks - The economic outlook for the Euro has improved this year with enouraging signs in manufacturing and factory orders. Unemployment is falling and the overall picture remains bouyant despite the problems of the PIGS. The UK is suffering from very low growth and the immediate future does not look rosy either. It could be months or a year before the economy is deemed strong enough to be able to handle a rate hike and even then if the Euro has already had one, it is unlikely to be a major mover.
Despite the grim news for those buying Euros, such a trend is excellent news for those selling euros. Movements this month of over 5% in your favour are presenting a great opportunity to maximise those property sales.
As specialist currency brokers we not only offer corporate and commercial rates to private individuals and all types of business, we offer expertise and guidance on activity in the markets that seeks to maximise your currency exchanges.
For an unbiased, informative and possibly lucrative discussion of current trends why not fill in the contact us form and you can speak to an experienced currency trader who will be able to explain all the ins and outs of safely, securely and profitably transferring funds overseas.

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What is a Mortgage Calculator? Why Use One?

What Is a Mortgage Calculator? Why Use One?
If you have been doing research on mortgages, either for a purchase mortgage or simply a mortgage refinance, chances are that you have heard of a mortgage calculator. However, it may not be so clear as to what a mortgage calculator does and more importantly, why you should use one.
Well, mortgages can be real tricky to understand and calculate if you have minimal to no experience with them before; even if you have prior experiences with mortgages, a mortgage calculator is still good to use because it greatly helps you figure things and does so accurately (assuming you give correct information). A mortgage calculator can help you find out what your monthly mortgage payment will be as well as your amortization schedule simply by you entering some information. Isn't it better to let a computer figure it out for you and save yourself the error and stress?
So what information will you need to use for a mortgage calculator when looking to obtain a mortgage?
The first thing you will need is to know how much you plan to borrow; what will your mortgage amount be? As someone who is going to refinance a mortgage then this number will be the remaining balance on your mortgage.
The second thing you will need to know is the mortgage rate you have for your mortgage.
The third thing to know is the mortgage term. How long do you plan to take to payback the loan? Depending on the style of mortgage you get, there are different terms available; for a fixed-rate, perhaps the most common one is 30 years or a shorter option for 15 years. This is an important piece to know because it plays a major role in determining any changes in your monthly mortgage payments.
The fourth thing to know for a mortgage calculator is the start date of the mortgage. If your plan is to refinance your mortgage soon, then you should have an idea of when your closing date should be and that would be the date you enter for this question. If you already have a mortgage and you are just seeking extra information, you can simply enter the date of that mortgage.
Once you have all the information entered, go ahead and submit it and see what you get as a result. Many mortgage calculators have quite a few additional features you can use them for. They work very well so try one today.

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Audi Q3 coming in 2015

In some news today coming directly out of the Germancar manufacturing camp known as Audi, it has been revealed via various sources throughout the world that, the brand are officialy all set to release the brand new Q3 model, here in the UK and across other various parts of the world throughout the duration of 2015. The news that has recently broke out online, comes after three years in waiting, as the Q3 model was, first officialy announced back in 2011, but was delayed in production time. Now we can confirm that the model is set in stone to make it's grand debut in 2015.

So what do we know so far about the specs of the Q3 ?

In terms of power and comfort, Audi vehicles are renown for these perfect combinations, which has without a shadow of a doubt been proven over recent years, with such perfect all round models such as, the Audi TT, Audi A4 amongst others in the Q series. So what do we know about the specialities of this new Q3 model, and what makes it stand out above the rest ? . Well firstly we see the inclusion of a, 2.0 litre engine, that carries a total of 200 units of brake horse power, the vehicle will come in the shape and form of a choice for the customer upon the time of purchase, which are either a front wheel drive model, or an all wheel drive version is also on offer aswell.
The vehicle also comes complete with a six speed automatic transmission system put in place. Another cool unique feature of this model in our opinion is, the welcome addition of the Audi all drive select option which,allows the driver to adjust handling and throttle attributes with the touch of a button. Power steeering,xenon headlights and and 18 inch wheels come as part of the package aswell,
But the option of 19 inch wheels, are also on offer to the consumer at the time of purchase. In terms of choices available for the customer ahead of launch, there are quite a few of them open at this present time, these additional extras include the likes of, Audi's touch screen, 7 inch colour console, neatly placed into the dashboard of the vehicle. Internet WIFI,a back up reversing camera and, a Bose sound system that comes compelte with 14 speakers in the vehicle.

Information regarding pricing and release of the new Q3 ?

In terms of a release time for the latest German owned product, you can expect to purchase this particular model, in your nearest dealership, sometime throughout the duration of 2015, although we do have more exciting news, that the car in all it's glory, will be revealed to the public and media alike, next week at the Detroit Motor show. In terms of a pricing structure on the model we sadly do not currently know the price tag that will come along with the Q3 model, but we do expect this to be announced next week live from the motor show.

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