Health and Fitness Information

Once in a rare while, we have a company that's all in the right direction. It has a great product with great appeal in a rapidly growing industry. It also has a strong business model that anyone can be connected and earn money, while service and support remains first class. MonaVie is such a business and brand.

MonaVie product is a delicious and healthy fruit blend of Brazilian acai berry – reportedly one of the "natural super fruits" – thoseand 18 other beneficial fruits known to the body. The big advantage of that MonaVie is a better time for health and fitness industries enter now.

As we move further into the 21st century, the world is more educated as a whole, the attention of people turned sharply against the health and nutrition. A product like MonaVie, with strong demand to support healthy and active lifestyle and the people are fantastichealth benefits for a variety of human ailments, is necessary for a high demand, even with a slightly premium price tag.

Apart from a healthy product on the market, MonaVie offers a proven money making opportunities for people who want to work from home. Use a binary multi-level marketing compensation means that people can start making money when they have two 'legs' – or two branches of down lines – among them. This means you can start earning when you sponsoronly two people!

The money you make, half of the total volume of the leg with lower turnover. For example, if one leg is $ 12,000 and the other makes $ 14,000, make $ 6000 (half of $ 14,000 – legs and lower sales) in the Mon The key is to ensure that both legs doing a similar sale, otherwise you'll eventually earn only $ 100, if one leg is $ 200 in sales, while the other leg you make $ 25,000 on sale!

But with such a globaldemand for the product, it will not be very difficult to kick-start your finances with MonaVie only by sponsoring a few people below you. And what juices going, MonaVie is, apart from wonderful, is certainly a very strong presence and reputation in the market, making it one of the more lucrative business for the moment.

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You have the late-night infomercials that claim all you have to do is given a pill to swallow and you look like a Hollywood star or cure a disease or lose hundreds of pounds a week just sitting in your lazy-boy . It is absurd, but boy oh boy they make money.

When it comes to infomercials for weight control products and supplements, the pattern is fairly predictable. Have symbolic medical professional to create a credibility problemcreate fear and then graciously offer the solution. Infomercials are typically 28 minutes long and is actually four, seven minutes shows repeated.

One of the more popular infomercials that flooded radio and television broadcasting a few years ago sold the nutrient Coral Calcium. Coral calcium is a form of calcium that is likely to be taken from Ocean coral reefs. The first goal of the infomercial is for you to believe that they are a revelation of life exposed. Next they declare that they have founda way to extract the calcium from the sea.

Then tell them that this miracle nutrient can be alkaline. Then they talk about how the disease can not live in an alkaline environment. Yes, even cancer. They tell you how this particular form of calcium is so unique it increases bone density and no other calcium. "Look at the sea creatures," they say, "do they die of our diseases? (Of course, implies that the fish eat the reefs for calcium). So, after buildingtheir case for why an alkaline environment to prevent the disease live, they will tell you how their calcium will help you achieve this. Conclusion: Coral calcium to prevent and cure cancer, and all other diseases.

How widespread is this nonsense. But the fact is, millions of people buy this "miracle nutrient" mentality. For example, I sat with a senior official at a major bank, a very bright and well educated man. When we by casting financial information, he stopped and gave me a "can-we-change-the-matter-of-a-minute look. I gave him a" sure-we-can "see, and he was following me." The coral calcium you see on TV, is it really cure cancer? I asked him bluntly: "What do you think? Do you Coral Calcium can cure cancer?" He said: stupid, "I think it's foolish to believe that a mineral is the answer to all U.S. health ailments." I told the banker that he was actually right.

> Health is never a nutrient or nutrients for that matter even thirty. True health is to follow some basic principles and support the body at a cellular level, close-nutrient foods. It's all about exercise. It is the elimination of toxins. It's about emotional health. It's all about drinking and breathing well.

Infomercials are and will continue to exist because people want to believe that they can achieve better health or weightloss or a body like Chuck Norris without dramatically changing their lifestyle. Earlier this morning, I saw an infomercial claiming that you can lose weight without all want something in your life. Just swallow the pill, eat what you want to sit on the couch all day and you look like a supermodel or a professional athlete. Pure Malarkey.

Improve or restore your health is a process. It is not immediately what you hear.The process does not a denial of or catastrophic changes. Just the right to acquire information about their bodies and respond to a number of changes on a daily base. But a trip, you must begin a journey.

Next time you land on a health channel and infomercial, use your God-given common sense. If it sounds too good to be true … well, you know the rest.

Leukemia is a dangerous form of the disease called cancer. It affects the white blood cells from the body. These cells fight the dangerous viruses and bacteria in the body, so if they become abnormal the body will be very weakened and exposed to infections.

There are several types of leukemia and the treatment may vary depending on the type. The two main forms of the disease is acute leukemia and chronic leukemia. Chronic leukemia is milder, not all white blood cellscells are defective and the disease progress more slowly than acute leukemia.

Acute leukemia occurs when the disease progressed, and none of the white blood cells are usually longer. The advance very quickly, but in some cases it is easier to treat than chronic leukemia.

Thousands of cases of acute leukemia are detected each year in the U.S. alone. A very large number of cases in young children, usually around 4 years old. The good news is that more and more of thesecases cured as time passes, and the doctors are constantly researching new drugs and therapies.

The causes of acute leukemia is unknown, the only thing researchers do know is that some people have a higher risk of developing the disease than others. People are exposed to radiation or chemicals at highest risk of acute leukemia have. Moreover, the risk increased by hereditary factors. The child may have defective genes from his mother, which can lead to acuteleukemia.

The disease is not one specific symptoms that occur in all patients because it weakens the immune system and then the viruses that enter the body to do damage. Symptoms depend primarily on these viruses.

But it is known that most people with leukemia and she easily bruised easily bleeding from nose and gums.
A weak immune system is also accompanied by a general feeling of tiredness, but leukemia is not the only diseasewhich weakens the defense.
Finally, many leukemia patients experienced weight loss.

If a patient one of the symptoms, so he / she must visit the doctor for a complete physical examination and special tests. If the results indicate leukemia after chemotherapy begins soon. Survivability rates continue, so you can set your expectations.

Doctors always looking for a cure for cancer, and we can only hope that one of these days abreakthrough will bring us the good news. The main feature of acute leukemia is to as quickly as possible and immediate treatment before it begins to spread throughout the body to detect.

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National Marine Fisheries Service lists China as supplying 70 percent of U.S. tilapia. China and Thailand are the main suppliers of imported shrimp. After traveling more than two thousand miles in China and spent five days on the Yangtze River, I became worried about the state of our fish imported from Asia.

Waterways in China and Hong Kong are so polluted with industrial chemicals, yard waste and human waste that seafood exporters mustrely on antibiotic treatment just to keep the fish alive. I witnessed several bloated and rotting bodies, both human and animal, floating down the Yangtze. Yangtze River flows into the river, where a large proportion of the exported seafood is fished. Fish and shellfish from the Asian Farms is no healthier than seafood caught in the wild. Thai and Chinese fishponds are notoriously filthy and pumped with antibiotics. The FDA discovered the presence of strong antibiotics, chloramphenicol, inimported Asian shrimp. Studies link the antibiotic chloramphenicol, a carcinogen, to anemia and leukemia, especially in children. In a recently published article, CBS News correspondent Wyatt Andrews quotes, food safety expert Caroline Smith DEWAAL, "Chloramphenciol is a serious problem in the human food supply," she said. "It's like taking a substance that non-prescription medicines."

Catfish imports from China are another serious concern for the presence of antibiotics. Flouoroquinolone antibioticswhich FDA has prohibited in food, appears in tests conducted on catfish imported from China. "Apart from the threats to health, the imports also a threat to the economy of the Mississippi delta, which provides more than three quarters of the catfish eaten in the U.S.," stressed a report aired on National Public Radio. An influx of cheap imports from Asia puts the American catfish farmers out of business.

Since only about one percent of ourimported seafood is monitored by the FDA, most of the contaminated fish and shellfish ultimately, our dining tables.

Our imported fruits and vegetables are not fairing better. According to an Associated Press analysis of FDA records, border inspectors consistently rejects Mexican and chili peppers. Ten percent of the rejected and chili peppers were contaminated with salmonella. Since the FDA less than one percent of all foreign food entering the country, ten percent of one percent inspectsalarming. Mexican imports worrying concern, not only from salmonella and E. coli, but also from the heavy pesticide use in the Mexican agricultural industry to increase production. It is called the "circle of poison." Chemical companies sell Mexican Farm Farms pesticides banned in this province. There are no rules in the U.S. for the export of banned or unregistered pesticides. Little or no monitoring exists for the use of these pesticides onfruit and vegetables grown by Mexican farmers. With fifty percent of the imported fruit and vegetables in the U.S. come from Mexico, we have an unacceptable problem of contaminated food.

Because the FDA has little money and undermanned, it relies on consumers to drive change.

First, do not buy any fresh or frozen fish from Asia. Support your local fisheries and fishermen. Fish farming in the U.S. generally use clean water, no antibiotics and nochemicals. If your local grocery concerns only imports from Asia, demand for fish and shellfish from the United States, or safer imports from Canada, Australia and New Zealand, for example. The world has not disappeared. Make sure to buy the imports safer.

Second, limit any fruits and vegetables from Mexico to reduce pesticide ingestion. Buy locally if possible. Shop your local farmers markets and farm workers. Buy organic fruits and vegetables. Plant your own garden.

You are the authoryour own health. Protect your well-being of healthy and safe food. Not allow the source of food as a threat to your health.

Sandy Powers
http://www.organicforhealthsite.com

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"I will respect the privacy of my patients, their problems are not disclosed to me that the world must know." (1) This passage from the modern Hippocratic Oath, which every doctor swears it is set to ensure that the information from each patient and the status is private.

The common areas of a hospital or clinic pharmacy are often not consistent with the view of the medical privacy. For example, the line waiting for a pharmacist to ask a personal question, aembarrassing and even traumatizing testing as complete strangers stand within earshot. For many patients simply to disclose personal health information (PHI) is one unpleasant event in itself. Couple this fear with security and privacy risks something of a personal nature, especially the private medical information. Sick for days, or even go into an annual wellness exam or visit connotes a reluctance on the patients, who allWatch out for things like identity theft.

Having access to a healthcare provider online is less stressful and more suitable for many patients. "People are often more comfortable talking with them to a computer than a doctor," said Dr. Delbanco, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and lead author of an article on doctors and e-mail in the current New England Journal of Medicine ( 2). However, the convenience of e-mailing your doctor or a clinic to ask your providerrisks.As brings the digital world and the health of their symbiotic relationship progress in the 21st century. Century new threats to personal medical records are also created in recent years.

Have your e-mail your questions to the appropriate person at your clinic? Will immediately reply to e-mail or contact information to use in their electronic medical records database? In a 2005 survey 70% of Americans are concerned that personal health information can as a result of weak data security (3). With each technological advances, both medical and patients should be aware of the extent of abuse of public health information (PHI). The Heath Privacy Project, the rights of a patient information website, one in five patients who are victims of unauthorized disclosure (4).

Despite these risks, patients continue to use e-mail and the Internet to find answers to various> Health Questions. Some people visit sites such as WebMD's Symptom Checker to find out why she left leg is swollen, while others spend time on sites like American Diabetes Association, which is strictly dedicated to specific health problems. Patients often research and ask questions about their conditions after the clinics are closed.

"It is a matter of convenience and comfort level," Dr. Delbanco, a supporter of the ongoing relationship between e-mailInternet and medicine says. "The office is a doctor in a white coat radiates authority, which can be frightening. There is evidence that people tend to be more open to a computer, especially with tricky stuff like alcohol or sexual conduct." (5)

Online behavior shows that not only patients, but many in the medical sector will take to access to medical information to get one step further. Both medical professionals and patients to use the Internet as a tool in theirpersonalized healthcare communications. "The Internet will increasingly change patients' expectations for clinicians, so physicians need to routinely offer services like e-messaging, instant messaging, video conferencing and other online services," said Dr. Daniel Z. Sands, a primary care internist and assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School (6).

Trends in patient Internet usage shows that it is now opportune time for both patient and physician to obtaincooperative symbiosis in the digital ether. The digital medical office is a real possibility, but are taken to the health of private patient information to protect electronic medical records a clinic.

The Internet has changed how and where patients seek help from doctors and medical providers. The e-medical caregivers to talk with his or her patients in a wide range of online tools, continuing the symbiotic relationshipbetween doctor and patient. The Hippocratic Oath's principles of care, respect and protection of privacy can be maintained as long as electronic security is also a priority for clinicians.

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End Notes:
1.) Louis Lasagna, "Oath of Hippocrates, modern version," The Academic Dean of the School of Medicine at Tufts University, 1964. reprinted in "Nova Online, Survivor MD" http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/doctors/oath_modern.html

2.) Anahad O'Connor, "Take Two Aspirin, E-mail meTomorrow, "The New York Times, Section F, Column 5, Health & Fitness, pg. 7th Lexis Nexis September 30, 2005.

3). "Majority of Americans Privacy Concerns Electronic Medical Record System," Health Privacy Project (www.heathprivacy.org): [http://www.healthprivacy.org/info-url_nocat2303/info-url_nocat_show.htm?doc_id = 263,085]

4.) Health Privacy Project "Website Animation" http://www.healthprivacy.org. 29. September 2005.

5.) AnahadO'Connor, "Take Two Aspirin, E-mail me tomorrow," The New York Times, Section F, Column 5, Health & Fitness, pg. 7. Lexis Nexis September 30, 2005.

6.) Dr Daniel Z. Sands quoted in Susannah Fox, Janna Quinney, Lee Rainier, "The Future of the Internet," Pew Internet and American Life Project, published January 4, 2005. 4.

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Attitudes move about the country, health care, often the disease care to wellness care. The move continues the treatment of illness and disease. A healthy diet, moderate exercise, and now more importantly, food supplement, which gives three keys to improving our health. When these three are gathered many of us experience a feeling of wellbeing, vitality and can even be accused of "not act our age "byparticipate in sports and outdoor activities.

We began to realize that a healthy diet is important. A healthy diet includes the elimination or substantial reduction of saturated fat. A saturated fat is a type of fat that is solid at room temperature (imagine that in your body!). It is the largest intake of a high degree of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or the "bad" cholesterol, and is often a major factor in the development of cardiovascular disease and otherdisease.

Even the Mayo Clinic has recognized that in addition to a healthy diet, may play an important role in addition to our health by our body extra nutrients needed to regenerate. Our bodies do not produce nutrients or we them the food we eat, but much of our food today comes from the soil, which is over-planted and over-fertilized. The United States has the top of the charts with more than 85% degradation of soil and was recorded in 1992!

Whileorganically grown food is a step in the right direction, not all organic foods are the same. Organically grown food means food grown without the use of fertilizers and pesticides. Many farmers who grow organic food have on the ground and in harmony with nature. Many want to maintain a balance between people, plants and animals.

Organically grown foods, but are then treated for freezing, canning or packaging may beprocessed. Treatment usually use chemical additives or preservatives. Furthermore, organic does not mean that it is free from pesticides. Some organic foods may have pesticide residues from chemicals sprayed on crops on nearby farms, runoff from contaminated water, or changing and blowing soil.

So where we find a nutrient supplement that is rich? The answer may be in the ocean. Although not as popular in the West, in Eastern cultures like Japan and China have foundhigh nutritional value of sea vegetables. In some areas of Japan, the diet consists of 25% or more sea vegetables. What is the result of a diet so high in sea vegetables? Within these regions there are more than 23,000 people now live beyond the age of 100 is more than anywhere else on earth. Would they have found the Fountain of Youth?

Good nutrition is the need for nutritional supplements and moderate exercise begins to migrate from simple knowledge of theaction. Attitudes shift. The shift from treating illness and disease.

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A few recent studies will
chocolate lovers a chance to spoil
with a little less guilt. Results
may also help explain a strange comment
Edgar Cayce made several treatments
call chocolate.

A study reported in the Journal of
American Medical Association (JAMA, Vol.
290, No. focused on thirteen patients with
mild hypertension who were eating
chocolate (either dark or white) per day for two
weeks. Thehypertension remained unchanged in
the white chocolate group, whereas the decrease mainly
the dark chocolate group.

In half study published in the journal Nature (Vol 424),
Researchers measured antioxidant levels in the subjects who ate either
milk chocolate (used in most candy bars) or dark
chocolate. You guessed it – only those subjects who ate dark
Chocolate eventually exhibited higher antioxidant levels. Drink
milk with dark chocolatecanceled the positive effect. A
possible explanation for the positive effects of dark chocolate
presence of plant compounds called polyphenols, which increase
antioxidant and a lower blood pressure.

Now an associate Edgar Cayce quote: "Not too much candy, especially
chocolate in this variety. "(5162-1) Cayce made this provision
various treatments, apparently related to the commercial
the practice of adding sugar and other ingredients(like milk)
Much of the chocolate from his time. Many of the treatments discussed
chocolate given to people with digestive problems.
Chocolate was usually called by a group of hard to digest
foods. In the few measurements which allows for chocolate consumption
Cayce's advice was in line with the modern scientists
who care about eating too much of this delicacy. If you
Spoil yourself, keep it to a minimum and make sure it is dark
chocolate.

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What is Arthroscopy?

Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure where a doctor uses an arthroscope to assess whether treating meniscus injury, the reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the treatment of cartilage microfracturing.

The arthroscope (one of the surgical instruments used in surgery) into the knee joint through a small incision, your doctor will make. This section is about 4 mm (1 / 8 inch) long.Another small incision is made so that the surgical instrument used to work in the affected area. As a result of the use of surgical instruments that are smaller than traditional instruments, the procedure followed. For example, in a small fiber optic camera (endoscope) in 4mm incision for monitoring the joint, and the transaction takes place.

Less invasive

As a result of less invasive, the procedure can reduce recovery time and can increase successspeed of the procedure. The success rate may increase because less trauma done to the joint and connective tissue. As a less invasive procedure is also less scarring. To "surgical space" will be swollen knee by using a scavenger. This fluid can sometimes seep into the surrounding soft tissues and cause edema (swelling).

Benefits of Arthroscopy

One advantage of arthroscopy is that most patients can return homecut with a pair of crutches the same day or within 24 hours. Many times people will ask how long it will take to heal, and it depends on the grounds that the interference was necessary in the first place. Was it an ACL reconstruction, or a meniscus tear? These two different procedures will vary in recovery. – Physical condition of a person will also a factor to consider in connection with the recovery time. It is important to listen to your doctor, but is not uncommon for athletes in goodphysical condition to return to normal sporting activities within a few weeks of the procedure. (See your doctor for details).

What’s the big deal about electronic health care records? And why should medical practices and hospitals consider electronic medical records (EMR) software? We heard about a paperless society for years now and that’s the point of electronic health care records and EMR software. Electronic health care records offer many benefits in terms of cost reductions, more comprehensive and centralized medical records, the ability to back up electronic health care records to reduce loss of records, and faster access to vital medical information in cases of medical emergency which could save patients lives.

EMR software has the ability to automate processes that were previously manual and took a lot of time so they will increase the productivity of any hospital or medical practice. For example, EMR software eliminates the need to keep paper medical records in filing cabinets where they can be misfiled or even lost in some cases. With EMR software, each patient’s electronic health care record is available at that click of a mouse.

EMR software solutions allow for patient data to be entered directly into the system and can work in conjunction with diagnostic systems to boost office productivity even further. The lack of paper and ability to input information directly into the EMR software makes the data more accurate. There is a much reduced issue with deciphering illegible handwriting since the information is typed in and easily readable. Hospitals and medical practices with EMR software solutions also pay reduced malpractice premiums. Patients can even access their electronic health care records and make appoints through a website.

Electronic health care records are not without their detractors specifically privacy advocates. EMR software makes it very simple to remotely access electronic health care records and even to disseminate a person’s entire medical history at the click of a button similar to how simple it is to send and receive email. Privacy advocates raise concerns about this ease of access to electronic health care records.

They argue that employers and insurance companies can too easily gain access to private information and use to discriminate in make decisions. Insurance companies may deny coverage to individuals they deem to be high risk based on information obtained in electronic health care records. Similarly, employers may make hiring and/or promotion decisions based on medical information. Perhaps individuals with past substance abuse problems would be denied employment or a promotion for example.

So just like with many technological advancements, there are two sides of the story with electronic health care records. One the hand, EMR software can increase productivity, reduce costs, and save lives but detractors argue that electronic health care records are too accessible and rife for abuse by employers and insurance companies. Which side will win remains to be seen.

This is an article designed to help you work toward competing in a Ms. Fitness or Ms. Figure contest. If you are debating the idea of competing then don’t debate, just go for it! Almost anyone can prepare toward a Fitness/Figure contest and this information should give you a great boost toward that goal! It is nice to have the 2 classes to choose from.

When I discuss competition, there are several obstacles which seem to deter women from competing. The 4 biggest concerns I hear are:

I can’t do gymnastics

I am not flexible

I can’t jump

I could never get that lean

I could never get that lean

These are all very simple problems to deal with and age has no bearing on anything! I have competed along side many women in their 40’s who have won or placed very high.

The Ms. Fitness routine is not judged on what “tricks” you are able to perform, but rather on how clean and polished the content is. Ms. Figure has the same focus with a bit more on physique, of course, since this is a contest where the judges want to see a body in between fitness and bodybuilding. Ms. Figure is perfect for those who are not interested in the strength, flexibility and endurance components of competition. Ms. Figure contestants should recognize that Ms. Figure does require that you to be somewhat leaner than for a Ms. Fitness competition.

Bare Basics

Planning Training & Diet

Let’s start of with planning. You want to look ahead a year to 4 months away from a contest date depending on your current level. Training and diet needs to be periodized toward your contest so that you are prepared and peaked at the right time. I always suggest doing a few contests the same year especially if there are some contests that fall a week apart so that you can get some experience and get to utilize everything you worked so hard for. Periodizing simply means you plan progressively over time so that you can:

I can’t do gymnastics

I am not flexible

I can’t jump

I could never get that lean

Insure success

Ms. Fitness wants to concentrate on the outcome of a nice toned and moderately lean physique with out too much hardness or striations. Ms. Figure wants to get a bit leaner than Ms. Fitness with a bit more muscle density and hardness yet not as lean, striated or muscular as the bodybuilders. Achieving this balance is the trick. Even once your at your best the rest is up to who is standing beside you and how you all look in comparison.

The type of weight training/cardio and diet depends on each individual, some need more others need less but everyone needs a different combo and levels can vary so programs have to be individualized, you can’t train/eat like “everyone else” because it may not work for YOU. Mass produced competitive training/diet manuals made bulk in advance to help you prepare for a contest can work but were not made just for you, which means you are getting second best. I am very insistent on making sure all the programming is catered to each of my clients individual needs but unfortunately not all trainers do that which can result in injury or lack of preparation. You don’t want to be ‘group’ trained for contests because the chances of all participants being at the same level has a very low probability resulting in some participants not getting all the attention needed to be properly prepared.

Talent

Don’t have one? Who cares! You can put a routine together with any theme. I have put all types of routines together for Ms. Fitness, Ms. Figure and Bodybuilding that utilize all types of talents from Salsa to Martial Arts. Take what you like and enhance it. Even some ethnic backgrounds can translate into a cool routine, so be creative because that always gives you points! Here are some theme ideas used in past fitness, figure and bodybuilding routines:

avoid injury

work on different aspects of training/diet progressively

avoid overtraining or too many plateaus

insure success

Suits, Posing and Tanning

Costumes and posing suits are also going to be judged. Even if they’re not part of the formal scoring, your outfits can make you look better or worse so keep that in mind. The color of your suit is a big factor. With Ms. Figure you have to stick with a solid color for pre-judging so you want to pick a complimentary color that will enhance your physique but not take away or distract from it. Black seems to be very popular. Now it has been okay to use a dazzled up suit for night shows in Ms. Figure and Bodybuilding. Like the Ms. Fitness women, the Ms. Figure ladies want to have 2 suits to highlight the morning and night show. Most of the judging is normally done in the morning show but there are times when ties occur and those are the occasions when you will be judged at night.

Skin tone is also normally judged and affects your look. The appearance of looking ‘tight’ is enhanced by tanning and coloring. I normally suggest tanning well in advance so that by the last few weeks prior to competing you don’t have to tan which can make some people feel drained and considering you’re already dieting and depleted you don’t need added stresses. Then you can start coloring up a few days prior to contest. For those of you not familiar, there are products sold for that extreme tanned look which is needed on stage to keep from being washed out by the stage lights. The products vary but are made especially for competition and can be found online at some bodybuilding sites. I find being tanned then using the coloring product is your best bet.

Skills

Now you have to assess your skills. For Ms. Figure most women are required to do the routine in a regulation suit and heels although some organizations have a figure that is close to Ms. Fitness in the way that they can wear a costume and do a high energy routine but without inverted movements and adding poses into the routine. Ms. Fitness uses heels for the physique and gown round so here is a skill that is needed — practice walking in 4-5 inch heals (I always suggest platform, you may think they are ugly but they look the best on stage)! Of course, open hand posing (similar to the mandatory bodybuilding poses) must be practiced for the comparison rounds in Ms. Figure. Both classes need to practice posing for the quarter turns. There is a variation of ways to pose but you don’t want to be to stiff. You want to get a balance with your arms to avoid over exaggeration but the line is fine because you do need to strain a little. You want to angle slightly but keep heels together, head high, shoulders level and back, chest out, exhale to show abs. On the side pose some judges like you to look at them and others like you to look straight ahead so keep your ears open for the cues. The side pose is when you want to hike up the hip that faces the judges and even lift your heel a tad to give a nice defined leg and glute.

Lastly on your back pose you need to bring the lats out more for Ms. Figure than Ms. Fitness but in both cases the shape has to show, and tuck up the tush for a nice tight back end.

Skills for the fitness routine are a variety of holds, push ups, splits and dance. With a minimum of these you can put together a winning routine. When girls perform ‘lacking’ routines but still win fitness contest the audience can still see for themselves who the REAL fitness girls are regardless of the placings – likewise if you see a great routine but the girl has cellulite on her rear the audience can see it! Unfortunately I have seen Champions who have won contests without so much as a push up and no flexibility whatsoever but they had unbelievable stage presence, a clean and polished routine, or a higher point grade in other rounds. I still to this day believe you should go into a contest with strength and flexibility components in your routine but you don’t have to be a gymnast to win a Ms. Fitness contest.