Do My Ugg Australia Boots Put Me Ahead of Fashion or Behind?

Ugg Australia boots are not just for winter anymore. These boots are showing up everywhere. Women are wearing these big boots with short skirts. Children and grown-ups alike are wearing their brightly colored boots regardless of the season. Celebrities are wearing these boots during filming breaks. Surfers are wearing these boots at the beach! Young or old, male or female, the demand for these boots has never before been greater.

Before you head for the nearest mall to purchase your very own pair of ugg Australia boots , stop for a moment and ask yourself, “Haven’t I seen these boots before?” If you are college-aged or younger, you have seen these boots everywhere including on the Internet, in store catalogues, and in stores themselves. You may even have a pair or two right now in your very own closet. But if you are close to or even a part of the baby boomer generation, then you likely remember these boots from the seventies. Surfers wore them back then and made the ugg Australia boots popular on the surfing circuit.

That’s right. The look of ugg Australia boots has been on the fashion scene before. In fact, these sheep skinned boots were around even before the seventies. World War II fighter pilots wore a similar style of boot while in combat. And before that, Australians tied sheep skin scraps around their feet while working outdoors because the sheep skin kept their feet warm. It’s even said that the name, ugg, is short for the word, ugly. Believe it or not, people who wore these boots in previous times thought that the style of the boot, while practical, was plain old ugly.

And for all its popularity, there are lots and lots of people who would rather freeze in the cold than wear ugg Australia boots. Some people state that those people who are crazy enough to wear this style of boot end up looking like elves. Others look at the ugg Australia boots and can only recall the bad memories of the boots that their mothers forced them to wear back in elementary school. And there are still other people who think that there is an appropriate time and an appropriate age for wearing this style of boots and warm weather and twenty-something is neither the time nor the age.

As with many things in life, those things that are controversial tend to become popular. And it seems that the controversy over whether to wear or not to wear the ugg Australia boots is only adding to the popularity of these boots. And as long as celebrities are shown wearing these fancy-colored, genuine sheep skin boots while walking around the trendy streets of Los Angeles, sales of this popular boot style will only continue to soar.

So getting back to the original question of whether wearing ugg Australia boots will put you ahead of fashion or behind, it seems that the answer may very well be, “Does it really matter?” The boots are incredibly comfortable to wear and the marketing materials claim that the composition of the natural sheep skin actually keeps your feet warm but will also keep your feet cool. So, regardless of the type of climate zone in which you live, if you like the look of ugg Australia boots, go ahead and purchase a pair. And don’t worry about what other people might say. The only thing you’ll have to worry about is making the right boot selection because they come in so many different styles and colors.

Brian Fong http://www.Sheep-Skin-Boots-Guide.com

The only thing you’ll have to worry about is making the right boot selection because ugg australia boots come in so many different styles and colors...

Colored Contact Lenses, the Hottest Trend in Cosmetics is Spreading Like Wildfire Across the Fashion

A cross between cosmetics and vision correction, everyone from movie stars, politicians, athletes and business leaders to soccer moms and teenage children can instantly become the center of attention at work, a party or on the court.

It wasn’t long ago that contact lenses cost $100 to $200 a pair, and were worn mostly by the affluent or those needing a vision correction that contacts could do better than eye glasses. Today, just about anyone can wear contacts and there is a color or style for almost everyone.

One of the things that give contacts such a strong appeal is their ability to change the mood and look of the wearer. By changing your eye color from blue to brown you can not only change the mood from intense to romantic, but also enhance different features of your face, hair and make-up.

Colored contact lenses allow the user to change eye color with a trip to the bathroom.

There also are special effect lenses that are contacts with designs printed or painted on them.

The advances in technology, materials, demand and competition have drastically reduced the prices of contacts. Once costing over a hundred dollars a pair now they can be purchased for as little as $15-$25.

The low price and the convenience of being able to purchase contacts locally or online make them a popular alternative to eye glasses. Contacts often do a better job of correcting vision than eye glasses because they are fitted to the eye and aren’t sliding up and down the nose where they need to be re-adjusted.

The improved vision, the convenience of not putting eye glasses on and taking them off, plus the often improved self-image make contacts an easy choice.

Keep contact lens use safe

Contact lenses, colored contacts and special effect contacts can be purchased with a vision correction or without, but all lens purchases within the United States require a prescription from a doctor. Because the lens fits on the eye it is considered a medical device and is governed by those laws.

Your lens will need to be fitted to the size and shape of your eye. At the time of the examination your doctor should also go over proper care, cleaning and disinfecting of your contacts. Simply tell your doctor you would like a copy of your prescription so you can shop for your contacts.

Your colored lenses probably will make you the talk of the office or school. And with your new popularity there will probably be friends and relatives who want to try your contacts to see how they will look.

Contact lenses go directly on your eye and sharing contacts is an excellent way of spreading eye disease, which is spread by bacteria from one wearer to another. So don’t share your contacts with others. Remember you only have one set of eyes and you don’t want to do anything to jeopardize them.

Alan Winters is an author of articles in the health industry and webmaster at http://crazy-n-colored-contact-lenses.com where you can learn more about colored contacts lenses as will as cosmetic and costume lenses.

A Cigar Box Purse or Handbag is a Unique Fashion Accessory With a Touch of Old World Charm

There’s an unmistakable charm about a cigar box purse or handbag. Neat, petite and elegant, and decorated with romantic, quaint and quirky images from a bygone era, these design gems are becoming increasingly sought after fashion accessories. You can buy cigar box purses and handbags made from real cigar boxes, or they can be decorated with just about any image you can imagine, including classic movie stars, fashion photographs, dancers, animals, flowers or abstract designs. If you shop around online, you’ll find a huge range of cigar box purses and handbags, many of them uniquely designed and sold by the artist who created them. You can even have a cigar box purse or handbag custom made using a favorite image of a pet, a special place, person or thing, or perhaps a cherished old photograph of a great aunt or grandmother taken in a bygone era. Any image is suitable, so long as it’s your own, and there is no copyright existing in the photograph or artwork. Or if you’re particularly creative, you could even make the purse or handbag yourself.

Making your own cigar box purse or handbag.

It’s very simple to make a cigar box purse or handbag yourself, and you’ll have the satisfaction of having something which is absolutely unique. A handbag or purse you’ve made yourself also makes a lovely gift for someone special. You can buy a simple wooden box, or a real cigar box if you can find one, some paint and lacquer, and the hinges, corners, handle and clasp from purse hardware suppliers which you’ll find online. Of course, you’ll also need a photograph or piece of artwork to use on the box. Choosing an image, a color scheme and purse hardware pieces which work together artistically is great fun, and very satisfying when it all comes together. It’s a very simple job to paint the box, glue on the image, cover the whole thing with a few coats of lacquer, then attach all of the purse hardware components.

Lynn Donn is the webmaster for http://www.unique-handbags-and-purses.com Her website offers tips and information on all the latest trends in purses and handbags for the fashion enthusiast.

Men's Fashion Tips: Details that Define Quality in Men's Dress Shoes

Every man should know the mens dress shoes details before even considering buying their dress shoes. It is important to understand that these details define the quality in the shoes.

Instead of repeated spending on replacing damaged dress shoes, it pays to have a few quality ones that can last for years. The high quality mens dress shoes are eventually going to be more cost efficient than the cheap poor quality ones that are not made to last.

Mens dress shoes details are the foundation in building and shaping the dress shoes. It provides the comfort and firmness within that men are always sensitive about. Let us begin going through the mens dress shoes details:

Leather

Most mens dress shoes are made of leather. It is important to know what constitutes good leather since this material covers about 80 – 90% of the dress shoe.

Leather quality is graded from 1 to 5 with 1 being the highest quality. However, we can never find these grading on the dress shoes and neither would the sales personnel at the shoe department know.

Generally, base on laymen’s sight and touch, we focus on a smooth with consistent fine grain on the leather for mens dress shoes details. The leather should feel rich and supple.

A good example of good quality leather would be napa, a type of calfskin. Calfskin are fine leather from skin of young calf or even lambs. These hides have fine grains and shines with high polish.

All leather hides naturally have blemishes or scars on them. The high quality leather will have little scars on it and hence the higher price. The difference in durability for high and low quality leather is small in variation so it is not a determinant in the pricing for leather mens dress shoes.

Blemishes on leather dress shoes can be hidden by using sealant products. It smoothens the leather and cover-up the blemishes. Therefore, if the leather itself has less polished finishing (i.e. glassy finish) or as naked as it is, it represents lesser possible concealment of blemishes.

One of the most important mens dress shoes details lies on having high quality leather that has minimum blemishes and also barely touched-up with any artificial sealants.

Still it is difficult for any layman to assess the quality of leather unless you really know leather very well. Instead of trying to assess the leather itself, the focus should be more on the construction of the mens dress shoes.

Mens dress shoes details start from the inside since dress shoes are made from inside out. Blemishes and faulty workmanship are usually concealed on the outside. So focusing on the inside will allow us to find difficult areas of cover-ups.

An important point of focus is the insole. High quality mens dress shoes have insoles made from leather rather than layers of cardboards. These leather insoles are durable and prevents unnecessary foot odor because it allows the foot to breathe and absorb perspiration.

It can also be easily replaced when worn out as well as helps in shaping the bottom of the dress shoes which are not possible with cardboard insoles.

Lining

Leather is still the focus here. High quality leather should still be used to work on the lining. A good example of such leather would be calfskin.

Make sure that the lining is smooth at the folds around the seams and edges. Fine stitch is important along the lining because a fine binding and clean finishing defines the workmanship of the mens dress shoes details.

Stitching

Stitching is something that is not usually noticed among mens dress shoes details. We would recommend careful inspection of it.

Good quality stitching on mens dress shoes should be as inconspicuous as possible. It should be concealed from the top to the bottom of the dress shoes.

Remember to ensure that the inside of mens dress shoes do not have any exposed knots because these can cause a lot of discomfort for the wearer.

On the sole, a welt finishing involves stitching the leather in between the edge of the sole and the turned-in edge of the upper. These stitching should be hidden within the leather and should not have any loose ends revealed.

Soles

Soles are the foundation of mens dress shoes details. It is the easiest to wear out from walking.

A good investment for mens dress shoes would be having leather soles. One good point about leather soles is that it is definitely more formal and refined looking than rubber soles.

Leather soles are usually tanned to make it more lasting. The light tanned hue on the sole avoids possible cover-up of blemishes and scars.

It also avoids exposed stitching. The stitching along the soles should be well-hidden under the channels cut within the soles. These represents the quality required for mens dress shoes details.

The soles can be made into various layers, from single to three, and it all depends one’s personal choice, or to fit the formal dressing.

Make sure these soles are shaped as closely as possible to the foot to assure comfort for the wearer. Dress shoes soles should never be glued to the shoe. We should expect stitching around this area. It allows possible changing of the soles when worn out but not for those with glued soles.

Heels

Another important aspect about mens dress shoes details is the heel. Leather comes into play again. The heels are actually layered with leather and nailed together with brass pins.

This creates a tight reinforcement for the leather layers to create a cushion effect as well as sustainable support around the heels.

Make sure the heels are not oversized as this disrupts the balance for the mens dress shoes and can make walking with such heels very uncomfortable. For added durability, some heels are further attached with brass tacks to the sole.

Copyright 2005, Leroy Fong and Mens-Fashion-Tips.com

Reprinting this article is allowed provided all references and acknowledgement to the author, the website, and the URL remain intact.

Leroy Fong
Mens Fashion Tips | Mens Fashion Advice | Guide on Mens Clothing

Guide to the Latest Fashion Labels

From the runway to the impulse-buy section at the grocery store, people today are always looking for the newest, latest fashions. Sporting fancy labels attests to one’s worldview, cultural roots and place in society.

A' Gaci - Agaci.Too, the parent company for Twigland Fashions, was founded in 1971 in a downtown shop in San Antonio, Texas. Twigland Fashion is now one of the world’s fastest growing fashion chains for juniors. The label keeps up with the constantly changing world of fashion while adhering to one 32-year standing goal- to make women look and feel sexy and glamorous. Consultants help women to achieve just that with Twigland Fashions. The market is trendy clothes for plus-size young women.

A Gift from the Gods originated in the hip East End of London. They design trendy, unique, graffiti-style t-shirts and accessories in the Goth fashion. This label could outfit the entire cast of Buffy the Vampire Slayer in hip, Goth-style accessories. Favorite color schemes are black and silver with red This label enjoys pairing unlikely clothing combos for the most unique styles, for example a rain parka and combat boots.

Absolu created “Stephy”, doeskin stretch trousers, in 1991. This label stands apart from the rest with its telling trait of combining leather with other materials, such as warp and weft or stitch. The label continues to experience massive sales growth and has a diverse customer-base. Absolu stylists begin with the finest leathers as a foundation, then build on that with fashionable shapes and colors to create hit trends. Absolu is currently expanding geographically due to a large international market. The designs are becoming a must-have in women’s fashion collections. Absolu has stores in Switzerland and Paris to date.

Art Point provides what fashion experts are calling a fresh look at ornaments of various cultures through the prism of today's reality. By using cultural aspects as inspiration for accessories and ornaments, their fashion becomes more than just a trend, but rather a cultural icon. Their line of accessories includes jewelry and handbags. In addition to accessories and ornaments, Art Point also designs clothing including t-shirts and silk scarves.

Their market is growing into new avenues such as interior projects as well as promotional projects, exhibitions and performances. Art Point began business in 1993.

Aquscutum is a classic British brand name. The business was born in London in 1851. The name Aquascutum comes from the Latin words for watershield. The name is fitting to this company whose main lines include showerproof woollen rainwear made from the highes quality cloth for raincoats. This label provided trenchcoats for British soldiers in both world wars. The royal family even commissioned the company to tailor royal garments. Today the products have been adapted to civilian-wear, and the company is highly reputable in the world of fashion.

Keith Kingston is a professional web publisher who offers advice on brand label jeans, with brands such as seven jeans, guess jeans, hudson jeans and dnco jeans

Sterling Silver Jewelry Fashion Trends for the New Year and Beyond

Each year, on fashion runways from New York to Paris, Milan, and Toyko, sterling silver is "new again" as designers interpret it in new and exciting ways. What makes sterling silver a fashion perennial? The answer is clear: when it comes to beauty, versatility, durability, and affordability, sterling silver jewelry is unsurpassed.

In the hands of talented artists and designers, sterling silver is constantly "reinvented" to suit the evolving tastes of the women who wear it. But whether as a ring, a necklace, or bracelet, standing alone or presented in combination with gemstones and other precious metals…sterling silver is always in fashion.

Here's a look at what's "hot" this year:

Peace of Silver

In 2004, many Oscar presenters and recipients wore gracefully and simply designed "Dove of Peace." pin. Embraced by such Hollywood luminaries as Meryl Streep, Susan Sarandon, Drew Barrymore, and Leonardo DiCaprio, it has also been seen on the Dali Lama and Nobel Peace Laureates Oscar Aria Sanchez, Betty Williams, Mairead Corrigan Maguire, and former UN Assistant Secretary-General Gillian Sorrensom.

Now non-celebrities may purchase the pin in sterling silver pin to demonstrate both their commitment to peace and their fashion sense. The 2005 sterling silver interpretation was designed by award-winning American jewelry artist Henry Dunay to resonate the energy of Picasso's "Dove Of Peace."

Silver Screen

With the enormous popularity of the "Lord of the Rings" series, it comes as no surprise that designers have created jewelry based on the elaborately crafted pieces in the films. Based on the actual pendant worn in the Lord of the Rings film, the Arwen Evenstar Pendant is crafted in sterling silver and comes in a wooden gift box. Measuring 2-1/2 inches in length with a 18" sterling silver chain and a Swarovski crystal stone, each piece is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity, adding long-term value to its other charms.

Works Like A Charm

Charm bracelets are both wonderfully retro and extremely cutting edge. Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, Avril Levigne, Hilary Duff, and other high-visibility high-fashion celebrities are wrapping their wrists in silver bracelets with the hip L.A. brand "Eldorado Club."

The "Girlie Charm Bracelet" is adorned with charming femme-friendly charms including a cat, a cocktail glass, and a kitty.

Sterling Silver - Always In Style for Your 25th Anniversary No matter what list you consult -- traditional, modern or the now popular "ultra-modern" (which includes items like clocks and appliances) -- silver is the 21st Century gift of choice for a 25th wedding anniversary. Whether it's silver's durability, its strength, its flexibility or its unparalleled beauty, sterling silver is an exquisite memento of 25 years of loving commitment between a couple.

Topping the list of this year's "What's Hot" in silver wedding anniversary gifts, women say they want charm bracelets, hoop earrings, and hair ornaments. For wives who would like to present their husbands with sterling silver tokens, the "top of the charts" picks are cufflinks, tie clips, money clips, neck chains, and I.D. bracelets.

But #1 for him AND her -- a classic sterling silver Tiffany keyring.

For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to visit http://www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick-up your FREE copy of “How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped-Off.” This concise, informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask.

Celtic Jewelry - A Beautiful Mystery Unraveled

Celtic jewelry like the Celts themselves has a rich history and a proud tradition. Immensely beautiful with intricate Celtic symbols and delicate designs, Celtic cross jewelry, Celtic knot jewelry, and beautiful Claddaugh rings have been admired and desired for thousands of years.

Celtic Cross Jewelry

One of the most enduring, and coveted "gifts" of Celtic culture is jewelry featuring the Celtic Cross. According to Irish legend, St. Patrick created the first Celtic cross by drawing a circle over a Latin cross.

For an Irish Catholic, the circle in the Celtic cross may be a symbol of eternity and the endlessness of God's love. It can even represent a halo emanating from Christ.

Some say the four "arms" of the Celtic Cross represent the elements (fire, earth, air, and water). Others believe the cross denotes the four directions of the compass, and still others feel it is a representation of human existence - mind, body, soul and heart.

Celtic Knots

The most distinguishing characteristic of Celtic knots is their intricate patterns and design…and the debate as to the meaning of those designs. While it is unquestionable that many of the ancient designs had some significance, those meanings changed from tribe to tribe and location to location.

Many believe that the intricate looping in knots was a way to keep out evil spirits. It is also generally accepted that the looping Celtic knot design denotes eternity and interconnectedness. Still, there is no definitive guide as to the meaning of Celtic knots which, adds, perhaps to their mystery and appeal.

Claddagh Rings

Named for the town of Claddagh near Galway in which they are said to have originated, Claddagh rings are beloved Celtic symbols of Irish culture and sentiment. Unlike other Celtic symbols, the meaning behind the Claddagh ring is well-documented. The Claddagh design has a heart (symbolizing love) topped by a crown (symbolizing loyalty) held in two hands (signifying friendship). The phrase that is usually associated with the giving of a Claddagh ring is "Let love and friendship reign."

It's not surprise that the Claddagh is a popular marriage band. In Celtic times, it was worn on the right hand with the heart turned outward to show that the wearer is unattached or with the heart turned inward to show he/she was "spoken for." If the Claddagh ring is worn on the left hand with the heart turned inward, it shows that two loves have been joined in marriage.

Celtic Then and Now

At one time, Celtic people could be found throughout Eastern and Central Europe, as well as in the British Isles, where the earliest examples of Celtic jewelry originate. The emergence of the powerful Roman Empire encroached on the lifestyle, traditions, and homeland of the Celts who were forced to move to abandon their homes and relocate in remote areas in Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and Cornwall in southern England.

Despite their hardships at the hands of the Romans, Celts endured, thrived…and continued to produce Celtic jewelry. The tradition has remained strong for centuries. Irish Celtic jewelry and Scottish Celtic jewelry have enjoyed a huge resurgence in their homelands and with "ex-pats" around the world, as people seek to rediscover and celebrate their cultural traditions.

Learn How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off. This informative Special Report reveals little-known facts and insider trade secrets that many jewelers would prefer you didn’t know. To get your FREE copy please go to http://www.morninglightjewelry.com.

Does Your Watch Keep Time with Fashion or Function?

If you haven't lived under a rock for the past few decades, then you surely know that Rolex stands for luxurious precision timekeeping, and you know that Timex is the premier name in inexpensive, reliable timekeeping. The vast area between the two, however, offers the widest selection of watches-in terms of function, fashion and price.

We're all creatures of habit, and if one watch has served us well for years, it's natural that we gravitate toward the same brand and design each time we purchase a new watch. If you'd like to adorn your wrist with a different type of watch, perhaps a Swiss-quartz or high-fashion watch, we offer you a cheat sheet below, to help you get up to speed quickly with the many offerings available today.

If you've always thought of a watch as a functional necessity, you might add a few fashionable watches to your collection of watches and bracelets. If you've always worn high-fashion watches, consider adding an elegant watch to your collection, perhaps one with a golden mesh band. Whatever your requirements for timekeeping and your sense of fashion, you'll find a watch to suit your needs.

Impress Your Colleagues Watches

In the exclusive $5000-$2,000,000 range, you'll find a variety of luxury watches with names that escape the average man or woman on the street, and you won't find any of these online. Does Vacheron Constantin or Blancpain ring a bell?

Perception is everything, and a genuine Rolex brands you a person of discerning taste. If you live in New York City, you might be surprised to learn that you can buy a Rolex from a bona fide jeweler, most likely in the 10021 zip code. Forget all the hype about Rolex watches: people buy them for one reason. They are the most recognized status symbols in watches—everyone has heard of a Rolex, and a diamond and gold Rolex remains out of most everyone's price range.

Rolex watches are the most popular, and ownership is not a requirement for popularity. It might surprise you to learn that Rolex watches are not THE most accurate. It is unlikely that they take a year to make, and their resale value is of little importance to their buyers. Ah, Madison Avenue strikes again. Still, a Rolex watch is a fine watch and an investment in time. Give me status; give me a Rolex.

Other fine high-end watches include Cartier and Omega.

Affordable Treats

If you're a mere mortal with a penchant for arriving at your destination in style at the prescribed time (perhaps your job depends upon it), your idea of a good watch probably resides in the $100-500 range, and maybe even toward the lower end of that scale. You know the names Seiko, Swiss Army, Pulsar, and Citizen—just to name a few. The brands available in this price range offer a wide selection of choices ranging from simple and elegant leather bands, to mesh and link bands. You'll find analog and digital displays, timers, calendar displays, water-resistance, etc. in this price range. In fact, this price range offers the widest variety in terms of elegance, precision time keeping, and fashion choices. You can select from a number of watches using Swiss-quartz movements in this price range.

For the Fun of it

You'll find everything from designer-of-the-moment watches to household names such as Swatch and Fossil in the below-$100 range. The Fossil collections feature casual and dress watches in a dizzying array of choices, and provide dependable service as well. Fossil offers a lot of bang for the buck—fashion, dependability, variety.

Starting at $40, Swatch offers the most in up-to-the-minute throwaway watch fashion. The company began late in the 20th century as a consortium of Swiss watchmakers and worldwide graphical designers with one goal: to resurrect the analog watch. Swatch has come a long way since those days, and one of their newer creations, the Skin Diamond watch, can set you back a cool $2000. Of course, you won't run into yourself coming and going if you sport this new status symbol. The rest of us can settle with wearing our moods on our wrists.

And, last but certainly not least—depending on your current age—this category satisfies the Abercrombie-and-Fitch, Top 40 crowd with an assortment of watches from the king of the teen designers, Tommy Hilfiger himself.

Whatever your pleasure in marking time, find it, get it, own it, wear it. Mere mortals like us can browse and purchase the watches of our choice right here—onlin

M J Plaster is a successful author who provides information on shopping online for brand name watches and watches in general. M J Plaster has been a commercial freelance writer for almost two decades, most recently specializing in home and garden, the low-carb lifestyle, investing, and anything that defines la dolce vita.

Why Weight Train During Pregnancy?

There was once a time that a pregnant woman was thought of as “fragile”. Any form of exercise was strictly prohibited by doctors and feared by concerned fathers. We’ve now come to realize that a pregnant woman is capable of doing nearly everything that every other woman is capable of doing (and even most men).

It is now recommended that women participate in prenatal exercise programs because of the benefits during labor and delivery as well as the postnatal benefits to moms and babies.

Why Weight Train?

Women who weight train throughout their pregnancy benefit from less weight gain during pregnancy and return to their pre-pregnancy weight, strength, and flexibility levels faster than women who remain inactive or who only participate in cardio programs.

Weight training increases a woman’s energy levels throughout her pregnancy and helps prevent loss of bone density postpartum.

The babies born to women who weight trained during their pregnancy are born with ideal birth weights. Prenatal weight training is the first step in ensuring that your child has a healthy start in life!

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Decreased Risks Associated with Prenatal Weight Training:

• Decreases in the severity and frequency of low back pain during pregnancy

• Decreased risk of gestational diabetes

• Decreased risk of delivering post term or through caesarean delivery

• Fewer complications during delivery; including fetal distress

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Pregnancy Precautions

Although not feeble, fragile, and frail, pregnant women should be aware of certain precautions that are unique to them and their bodies.

Be sure to consult your doctor before beginning an exercise program or continuing an exercise program after the first trimester. Your goal should be to simply maintain highest level of fitness while ensuring your safety and the safety of your baby.

Every muscle group should be targeted and the following should be emphasized: inner thigh, hamstrings, glutes, upper back, and shoulders.

Pregnant women should avoid lifting the amount of weight that they were capable of lifting pre-pregnancy. Be sure to use low resistance. StrollerFit classes utilize therabands and exertubes to provide the perfect balance of resistance and safety.

Use caution when stretching either before or after an exercise session. Joint laxity is increased during pregnancy due to the increased amounts of the hormones elastin and relaxin that are being produced. Joint laxity is the amount of movement the ligaments allow through the joint and during pregnancy the joints can be easily stressed or strained.

Movements to Avoid

• Avoid exercises that require bending from the hips

• Avoid exercises in the supine position after the first trimester due to increased pressure on the arteries surrounding the heart

• Avoid overhead lifting

• Avoid straining or holding the breath

Getting Started

Before beginning an exercise program or continuing an exercise program past the first trimester, be sure to consult your doctor. You may may want to join a group exercise program specializing in pre- and postnatal fitness such as StrollerFit or you may choose to exercise on your own. Many books are available to help guide you through exercise and pregnancy safely and effectively. A good place to start is 'Exercising Through Your Pregnancy" by James Clapp. Resistance bands and tubing can be purchased at your local sporting goods store or online at www.strollerfit.com.

Every woman hopes to have a healthy and safe pregnancy. Through prenatal weight training you can increase the chances that both you and your child remain healthy and safe though pregnancy, labor, and delivery!

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It is recommended that women with the following conditions DO NOT EXERCISE: Consult your doctor!

• Pregnancy induced high blood pressure

• Pre-term rupture of the membrane

• Pre-term labor during the prior or current pregnancy

• Incompetent cervix

• Persistent second to third trimester bleeding

• Intrauterine growth retardation

• Joint laxity due to increased amounts of elastin and relaxin

• Increased basal metabolic temperature

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References:

1. Brown LE. Strength and Conditioning Journal. 2003;24:53-54.

2. Clapp JF. Journal of Pediatrics. 1996;129(6):856-863.

3. Dumas GA, et al. Clinical Biomechanics. 1995;10(2):98-103.

4. Ezmerli NM. Prim Care Update Ob/Gyn. 2000;7: 260-265.

5. Howley ET, Franks BD. Health Fitness Instructors Handbook (3rd edition). Human Kinetics. Champaign, IL. 1997;358-360.

6. Kenney WL, et al. ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription (5th edition). Williams and Wilkins. Media, PA. 1995; 235-239.

7. Mottola M, Wolfe L. Forty Ninth Annual Meeting of the ACSM, St. Louis, Missouri, May 2002.

8. Schoenfeld B. American Fitness. 2000;3:26-29.

9. Safran L. Pure Power. 2003;1:44-49,53-54.

Curt Conrad, CSCS, is Founder and President of StrollerFit Inc. an international product and franchise company that helps parents exercise with their babies. He is author of The StrollerFit ExerBook. His companies have helped thousands of clients enjoy better life through better fitness. http://www.strollerfit.com

Fashion Tip: Don't Make These Fashion Mistakes

1. Wearing the Wrong Colors

To look your best wear clothing colors that will complement your skin. Wearing the wrong colors will make your skin appear sallow and lines and wrinkles will be more evident. The right colors will make you look more vibrant and healthy.

2. Wearing too much makeup

Too much makeup will make lines appear deeper and will create a harsh look. Keep makeup light for day and a little darker for evening. See a professional if you are unsure of makeup application techniques.

3. Wearing Clothes that are too small

Wearing clothes that fit too tightly will make you appear larger. Wearing clothes that do not suit your body type will make you appear larger. Buy clothes that suit your body type - not someone else's.

4. Chipped nail polish

The idea of nail polish is to make your nails appear nicer. Chipped polish just brings attention to poor grooming.

5. An old-fashioned hairstyle or messy hair

Your hairstyle creates a first impression. From your hairstyle people will assume your education level, status, age etc. This doesn’t mean the judgments are correct – they happen instinctively. Make sure it doesn’t happen to you. Visit your hairstylist regularly.

6. Messy Shoes or wrong shoes for your outfit

Take care of your shoes they complete your look. Also pay attention that your complement your outfit.

7. Roots that show

If you colour your hair make sure you keep it maintained regularly.

8. Bras and bra straps that show

When wearing sleeveless tops make sure you wear a racer back bra. Don’t wear bras that fit too tightly or don’t have good support.

9. Mismatched hose

Match your hose with your shoes or with your pants or skirt.

10. Wearing inappropriate clothes

When in a working environment make sure that your clothes are not flashy (unless you are in a creative field) do not wear short skirts, (more than 3 inches above the knee) sleeveless tops, plunging necklines, stilettos, too much jewelry, leather pants or skirts, or anything that shimmers.

Copyright 2004 Sheila Dicks

Sheila Dicks is a wardrobe and image consultant who teaches women how to look slimmer by dressing to suit their body type. Visit her at http://www.sheilasfashionsense.com to download a copy of her e-book Image Makeovers and get How to Build a Wardrobe ebook free.