Watch This Video To Discover One Of The Most Effective Solution To Lose Weight!

How Do Bananas Speed Up Weight Loss?

Are you tired of delaying effect of getting slim? Have some allergic reaction on taking some nutritional supplement? Sluggish going to the gym everyday? Are you afraid to experience a non surgical medical procedure?

As we all know, eating fruits is very good for our health. There are some people who do not know that fruits are also an alternative to weight loss. Some people prefer taking weight loss tea, appetite suppressant, or fat binder products. Other people try to undergo hazard free liposuction and other body enhancements method done by cosmetic surgeons.

There are a lot of fruits that helps you diet. You can choose from a variety of fruits that suit your taste buds and also be your snack everyday. Here's your favorite fruit that you surely love to crave for, aside from French breads that they've always seen serving you in the restaurant before having the main course of the meal.

Bananas are good source of
Vitamin A, B, C and high levels of potassium. It provides you 100-200 calories a day. And it is also one of the best sources of carbohydrates. It's starch tumult in our digestive area and produce by-products that will boost burning some fat by 20% up to 25% of it. Eating banana increases burning some fat that suits your need to be slim.

Other benefits of eating banana is that it helps you to have regular bowel movements, allows a healthy circulation of your cardiovascular system, protects you from having a mild stroke, gets rid of having an ulcer attack, helps you to recover from having a high blood pressure, and enhances your mood and energy levels.

There are some people that have misconceptions on having banana on their dietary plan. There are some myths that bananas are high in calories. The fact is just the opposite. Plus, banana gives you more vigor to do the activities that you love to do.

Do you want to know on how to be physically fit by eating bananas? There are several ways on how you can lose weight by simply eating banana. You can eat bananas before eating your breakfast. For example, eating three pieces of bananas every breakfast can decrease nine grams of fiber and completely no fat at all. For just six weeks, you will see the result of what you wanted for so long.

You can simply eat bananas before every other meal so that energy will provide you stamina on what are you doing everyday and eating this will always remind you that your stomach is full and happy.

Also, you can have a banana meal before and during some cardiovascular exercise. Having a lot of power in the body is essential to maintain the exhausting workout. This makes you attentive whenever you're working out or playing a sport (basketball, soccer, football, etc.).

Here's how it works: Eat two bananas for your heavy breakfast with coffee, two more bananas earlier than lunch time and a single banana right before dinner. By the time you eat five bananas every single day, your body will shrink at least fifty percent of your food ingestion. The calories you got from banana can effortlessly be rewarded by the calorie insufficiency.

One thing also is that you should be eating your dinner before 8 o'clock in the evening. Sweet content beverages, alcohol content drinks and chemically-based snacks are prohibited during the whole day. It might affect your diet. Drink a lot of fluids when you're in the process of trimming down your bulge.

You have to regularly monitor your weight by using weighing scales, so that if you see that you gain weight, you can immediately do something to get rid of being overweight quickly. Enjoy the moment eating the yellowish fruit that will do good to your healthy lifestyle.



Make sure to visit our blog for more resources on healthy weight loss and tips on how to lose weight fast.

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How To Speed Up Your Weight Loss Without Diet Pills?

How To Speed Up Your Weight Loss Without Diet Pills, Starving Yourself or A Ton Of Cardio Workouts:

Weight Loss isn't just about cutting carbs or popping diet pills in your mouth like the media wants you to believe. Weight loss is really very simple if you follow the correct steps. I'm not going to hype this article up , I'm just going to get to the point fast. Here It goes:
MAKE AN EFFORT TO DROP SODA FROM YOUR DIET that should drop 10-15 lbs immediately!

DON'T EAT AFTER 7:30PM another thing that will help you immediately

EAT BREAKFAST!!! too many people mess up their metabolism by not eating breakfast in the a.m. You mess up your metabolism by skipping breakfast

EAT MORE FOOD!!!when you cut down on your calories too much, you just put your body into a starvation mode and your fat burning engine crawls down to a hault. no fuel to burn.

STOP THE LONG BORING TREADMILL ROUTINES cardio training such as the treadmill routines the average person performs in the gym is not the weight loss answer.Although it's great for the heart,it does little to reshape your body and burn calories long term.

USE WEIGHT TRAINING AS A PART OF YOUR WEIGHT LOSS ROUTINE.. the correct weight training exercises performed with medium resistance over a 45 minute period will add to your fat loss because if you add just a few pounds of lean muscle, you'll double your fat loss much quicker than a silly treadmill workout.

SAY GOODBYE TO THOSE SPECIALTY COFEE DRINKS.. enough with those 800-1000 calorie drinks at Starbucks!You're ruining your body no matter the results your aiming for.

EAT 5-6 SMALLER MEALS PER DAY INSTEAD OF 2 HUGE ONES.. by spreading out your calories you'll drop cravings and keep your metabolism burning more efficiently during the day and evenings

STOP LISTENING TO FRIENDS REGARDING YOURS AND THEIR WEIGHT LOSS METHODS..  friends try to help but most of them are also eating and training the wrong way for weight loss,although they mean well, they really have no clue because the average person gets their diet and fitness advice from another person that knows nothing about weight loss in the first place.

MIX UP YOUR WEIGHT LOSS TRAINING ROUTINE.. too many people just walk on a treadmill all week and complain the weight isn't coming off. Muscle has memory and if it gets bored, it'll just shut down and you'll just go through the motions.

FLUSH YOUR DIET PILLS DOWN THE TOILET.. no scientific evidence supports these claims of fat loss you see on t.v. NO PILL BURNS FAT. These are just some tips to follow.














By following those tips alone, you should be able to drop at least 15-20 lbs pretty fast! I found a great resource for your weight loss needs that WILL blast you into fat loss fast. If you need more advice and free workout and training tips that actually work, visit: www.purefatburning.com. A man by the name of Craig Ballantyne has all the answers. Get ready to slim down. Happy Weight Loss!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shannon_Macri

Calories Burned While Walking

If you're wondering about the number of calories burned while walking as part of your weight loss strategy, we have provided some information in this article to assist you. As you probably know, your body weight is generally determined by your calorie balance; that is, the number of calories you consume vs. the number you burn through activity and exercise. In order to lose weight, you need to be burn more than you are consuming and walking each day will provide a great way of increasing the number of calories you burn.

The Benefits of Walking

The popularity of walking for exercise has a lot to do with it being both free and convenient. With most healthcare experts agreeing that people should strive to get a minimum of 30 minutes of at least moderate physical activity on most days, walking provides a good way to achieve that. Some of the specific benefits of walking can include:

  •     Decreased risk of heart disease
  •     Can help to lower blood pressure
  •     Can help to minimize arthritis pain by controlling inflammation
  •     May help to prevent certain types of cancer
  •     Can improve sleep
  •     Helps to control body weight by increasing the number of calories burned

How Many Calories Does Walking Burn?

The number of calories burned depends more on the distance you walk than on the amount of time you walk. Another important factor is the body weight of the person as a heavier person exerts more effort (and thus burns more calories) than a light person who walks the same distance. A rule-of-thumb that is often used says that a 180 pound person will burn 100 calories per mile through walking. In contrast, a 130 pound person will only burn about 84 calories by walking one mile.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Hanagan

25 Healthy Foods!

Pile your plate with these nutrition superstars:

The Healthy Superfoods You Need

The following healthy power foods can claim big bragging rights: They can fend off serious diseases like diabetes, cancer, and heart disease; fortify your immune system; protect and smooth your skin; and help you lose weight or stay slim. If you're eating most of these healthy foods already, good for you! If not, now's the time to load up your shopping cart and supercharge your health!

1. Eggs

Egg yolks are home to tons of essential but hard-to-get nutrients, including choline, which is linked to lower rates of breast cancer (one yolk supplies 25% of your daily need) and antioxidants that may help prevent macular degeneration and cataracts. Though many of us have shunned whole eggs because of their link to heart disease risk, there’s actually substantial evidence that for most of us, eggs are not harmful but healthy. People with heart disease should limit egg yolks to two a week, but the rest of us can have one whole egg daily; research shows it won’t raise your risk of heart attack or stroke. Make omelets with one whole egg and two whites, and watch cholesterol at other meals.

2. Greek Yogurt

Yogurt is a great way to get calcium, and it’s also rich in immune-boosting bacteria. But next time you hit the yogurt aisle, pick up the Greek kind—compared with regular yogurt, it has twice the protein (and 25% of women over 40 don’t get enough). Look for fat-free varieties like Oikos Organic Greek Yogurt (90 calories and 15 g of protein per 5.3-ounce serving).

3. Fat-Free Milk

Yes, it does a body good: Studies show that calcium isn’t just a bone booster but a fat fighter too. Recent research from the University of Tennessee found that obese people who went on a low-calorie, calcium-rich diet lost 70% more weight than those who ate the least. Vitamin D not only allows your body to absorb calcium, it’s also a super nutrient in its own right. Research shows that adequate D levels can reduce heart disease risk, ward off certain types of cancer, relieve back pain, and even help prevent depression, but most of us don’t get nearly enough of the 1,000+ IU daily that most experts recommend. A splash of milk in your morning coffee isn’t enough to provide the calcium and vitamin D you need. Use milk instead of water to make your oatmeal, have a glass with breakfast, or stir some chocolate syrup into it for an after-dinner treat.

4. Salmon

SalmonSalmon is a rich source of vitamin D and one of the best sources of omega-3s you can find. These essential fatty acids have a wide range of impressive health benefits—from preventing heart disease to smoothing your skin and aiding weight loss to boosting your mood and minimizing the effects of arthritis. Unfortunately, many Americans aren’t reaping these perks because we’re deficient, which some experts believe may be at the root of many of the big health problems today, like obesity, heart disease, and cancer. Omega-3s also slow the rate of digestion, which makes you feel fuller longer, so you eat fewer calories throughout the day.

5. Lean Beef

Lean BeefLean beef is one of the best-absorbed sources of iron there is. (Too-little iron can cause anemia.) Adding as little as 1 ounce of beef per day can make a big difference in the body’s ability to absorb iron from other sources, says Mary J. Kretsch, PhD, a researcher at the USDA-ARS Western Human Nutrition Research Center in Davis, CA. Beef also packs plenty of zinc (even minor deficiencies may impair memory) and B vitamins, which help your body turn food into energy. If you can, splurge on grass-fed. Compared with grain-fed beef, it has twice the concentration of vitamin E, a powerful brain-boosting antioxidant. It’s also high in omega-3 fatty acids. Because this type of beef tends to be lower in overall fat, it can be tough—so marinate it, and use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking.

6. Beans

BeansIt’s hard to imagine a more perfect food than beans. One cooked cupful can provide as much as 17 g fiber. They're also loaded with protein and dozens of key nutrients, including a few most women fall short on—calcium, potassium, and magnesium. Studies tie beans to a reduced risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and breast and colon cancers. The latest dietary guidelines recommend consuming at least 3 cups of beans a week—3 times the measly 1 cup we usually get. Keep your cupboards stocked with all kinds: black, white, kidney, fat-free refried, etc. Use them in salads, stuffed baked potatoes, and veggie chili or pureed for sandwich spreads.

7. Nuts

NutsIn a nutshell: USDA researchers say that eating 1½ ounces of tree nuts daily can reduce your risk of heart disease and diabetes. Walnuts are rich in omega-3s. Hazelnuts contain arginine, an amino acid that may lower blood pressure. An ounce of almonds has as many heart-healthy polyphenols as a cup of green tea and 1/2 cup of steamed broccoli combined; they may help lower LDL cholesterol as well. The key is moderation, since nuts are high in calories. Keep a jar of chopped nuts in your fridge, and sprinkle a tablespoon on cereal, salads, stir-fries, or yogurt. Or have an ounce as a snack most days of the week.

8. Edamame and Tofu

Edamame and TofuSoy’s days as a cure-all may be over—some claims, such as help for hot flashes, don’t seem to be panning out—but edamame still has an important place on your plate. Foods such as tofu, soy milk, and edamame help fight heart disease when they replace fatty meats and cheeses, slashing saturated fat intake. Soy also contains heart-healthy polyunsaturated fats, a good amount of fiber, and some important vitamins. Soy’s isoflavones, or plant estrogens, may also help prevent breast cancer. Some researchers believe these bind with estrogen receptors, reducing your exposure to the more powerful effects of your own estrogen, says Prevention advisor Andrew Weil, MD. But stick with whole soy foods rather than processed foods, like patties or chips, made with soy powder. Don’t take soy supplements, which contain high and possibly dangerous amounts of isoflavones.

9. Oatmeal

OatmealFiber-rich oats are even healthier than the FDA thought when it first stamped them with a heart disease-reducing seal 10 years ago. According to new research, they can also cut your risk of type 2 diabetes. When Finnish researchers tracked 4,316 men and women over the course of 10 years, they found that people who ate the highest percentage of cereal fiber were 61% less likely to develop type 2 diabetes. To reap the benefits, eat 1/2 cup daily—preferably unsweetened. For a versatile breakfast, top with different combinations of fruit, yogurt, and nuts. You can also use oats to coat fish or chicken or add texture to meatballs.

10. Flaxseed

FlaxseedFlaxseed is the most potent plant source of omega-3 fats. Studies indicate that adding flaxseed to your diet can reduce the development of heart disease by 46%—it helps keep red blood cells from clumping together and forming clots that can block arteries. It may also reduce breast cancer odds. In one study, women who ate 10 g of flaxseed (about 1 rounded tablespoon) every day for 2 months had a 25% improvement in the ratio of breast cancer-protective to breast cancer-promoting chemicals in their blood. Sprinkle 1 to 2 tablespoons of flaxseed a day on your cereal, salad, or yogurt. Buy it preground, and keep it refrigerated.

11. Olive Oil

Olive oil is full of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats (MUFAs), which lower "bad" LDL cholesterol and raise "good" HDL cholesterol. It’s rich in antioxidants, which may help reduce the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases, like Alzheimer’s. Look for extra virgin oils for the most antioxidants and flavor. Drizzle small amounts on veggies before roasting; use it to sauté or stir-fry, in dressings and marinades, and to flavor bread at dinner in lieu of a layer of butter or margarine.

12. Avocado

These smooth, buttery fruits are a great source of not only MUFAs but other key nutrients as well. One Ohio State University study found that when avocado was added to salads and salsa, it helped increase the absorption of specific carotenoids, plant compounds linked to lower risk of heart disease and macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness. "Avocados are packed with heart-protective compounds, such as soluble fiber, vitamin E, folate, and potassium," says Elizabeth Somer, RD, author of 10 Habits That Mess Up a Woman's Diet. But they are a bit high in calories. To avoid weight gain, use avocado in place of another high-fat food or condiment, such as cheese or mayo.

13. Broccoli

BroccoliPick any life-threatening disease—cancer, heart disease, you name it—and eating more broccoli and its cruciferous cousins may help you beat it, Johns Hopkins research suggests. Averaging just four weekly servings of veggies like broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower slashed the risk of dying from any disease by 26% among 6,100 people studied for 28 years. For maximum disease-fighting benefits, whip out your old veggie steamer. It turns out that steaming broccoli lightly releases the maximum amount of sulforaphane.

14. Spinach

SpinachWe’ll spare you the Popeye jokes, but spinach has serious health muscles. For one thing, it contains lots of lutein, the sunshine-yellow pigment found in egg yolks. Aside from guarding against age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness, lutein may prevent heart attacks by keeping artery walls clear of cholesterol. Spinach is also rich in iron, which helps deliver oxygen to your cells for energy, and folate, a B vitamin that prevents birth defects. Cook frozen spinach leaves (they provide more iron when cooked than raw) and serve as a side dish with dinner a few times a week.

15. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are our most common source of lycopene, an antioxidant that may protect against heart disease and breast cancer. The only problem with tomatoes is that we generally eat them in the form of sugar-loaded jarred spaghetti sauce or as a thin slice in a sandwich. For a healthier side dish idea, quarter plum tomatoes and coat with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Roast in a 400°F oven for 20 minutes, and serve with chicken.

16. Sweet Potatoes

One of the best ways to get vitamin A—an essential nutrient that protects and maintains eyes, skin, and the linings of our respiratory, urinary, and intestinal tracts—is from foods containing beta-carotene, which your body converts into the vitamin. Beta carotene-rich foods include carrots, squash, kale, and cantaloupe, but sweet potatoes have among the most. A half-cup serving of these sweet spuds delivers only 130 calories but 80% of the DV of vitamin A. Replace tonight’s fries with one medium baked sweet potato (1,096 mcg) and you’re good to go—and then some.

17. Garlic

Garlic is a flavor essential and a health superstar in its own right. The onion relative contains more than 70 active phytochemicals, including allicin, which studies show may decrease high blood pressure by as much as 30 points. High consumption of garlic lowered rates of ovarian, colorectal, and other cancers, according to a research review in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Allicin also fights infection and bacteria. British researchers gave 146 people either a placebo or a garlic extract for 12 weeks; garlic takers were two-thirds less likely to catch a cold. The key to healthier garlic: Crush the cloves, and let them stand for up to 30 minutes before heating them, which activates and preserves the heart-protecting compounds, according to a 2007 study from Argentina.

18. Red Peppers

Citrus fruits get all the credit for vitamin C, but red peppers are actually the best source. Vitamin C may be best known for skin and immunity benefits. Researchers in the United Kingdom looked at vitamin C intake in 4,025 women and found that those who ate more had less wrinkling and dryness. And although getting enough vitamin C won’t prevent you from catching a cold or flu, studies show that it could help you recover faster. Vitamin C has other important credentials too. Finnish researchers found that men with low levels were 2.4 times likelier to have a stroke, and Australian scientists recently discovered that the antioxidant reduces knee pain by protecting your knees against arthritis.

19. Figs

When you think of potassium-rich produce, figs probably don’t come to mind, but you may be surprised to learn that six fresh figs have 891 mg of the blood pressure-lowering mineral, nearly 20% of your daily need—and about double what you’d find in one large banana. In a recent 5-year study from the Netherlands, high-potassium diets were linked with lower rates of death from all causes in healthy adults age 55 and older. Figs are one of the best fruit sources of calcium, with nearly as much per serving (six figs) as 1/2 cup of fat-free milk. Serve by chopping and adding to yogurt, cottage cheese, oatmeal, or green salads. Or enjoy them as a savory snack: Cut a slit in the side and stuff with 1/2 teaspoon of a low-fat version of a soft cheese such as chevre or Brie.

20. Blueberries

BlueberriesBlueberries may very well be the most potent age-defying food—they’re jam-packed with antioxidants. When researchers at Cornell University tested 25 fruits for these potent compounds, they found that tangy-sweet wild blueberries (which are smaller than their cultivated cousins) packed the most absorbable antioxidants. Research shows a diet rich in blueberries can help with memory loss, prevent urinary tract infections, and relieve eyestrain. Add up to 1/2 cup of blueberries to your diet a day for maximum health benefits, recommends Ronald Prior, PhD, adjunct professor of food science at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. This alone provides just about double the amount of antioxidants most Americans get in 1 day.

21. Asian Pears

Asian PearsOne large Asian pear has a whopping 10 g of cholesterol-lowering fiber, about 40% of your daily need. People who ate the most fiber had the lowest total and LDL cholesterol levels, according to a recent study of Baltimore adults. The same researchers found that people who ate the most fiber also weighed the least and had the lowest body mass index and waist circumference. Serve by dicing it into a salad of Boston lettuce, crumbled goat cheese, walnuts, and mandarin oranges. Or make it a dessert: Add peeled and cored pears to a saucepan with 1 cup white wine, 1 teaspoon honey, 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger, and enough water to cover the pears. Cover and simmer 40 minutes or until pears are soft.

22. Lychee

A French study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that lychee has the second-highest level of heart-healthy polyphenols of all fruits tested—nearly 15% more than the amount found in grapes (cited by many as polyphenol powerhouses). The compounds may also play an important role in the prevention of degenerative diseases such as cancer. Serve by peeling or breaking the outer covering just below the stem; use a knife to remove the black pit. Add to stir-fries or skewer onto chicken kebabs to add a sweet, grapelike flavor.

23. Apples

One of the healthiest fruits you should be eating is one you probably already are: the apple. The Iowa Women’s Health Study, which has been investigating the health habits of 34,000 women for nearly 20 years, named apples as one of only three foods (along with pears and red wine) that are most effective at reducing the risk of death from heart disease among postmenopausal women. Other massive studies have found the fruit to lower risk of lung cancer and type 2 diabetes—and even help women lose weight. In fact, one of the only things that could make an apple unhealthy is mixing it with sugar, flour, and butter and stuffing it into a mile-high pie. Instead, have one as an afternoon snack with a tablespoon of peanut butter, or add slices to sandwiches or salads.

24. Guava

Native to South America, this tropical fruit is an excellent source of skin-healing vitamin C, with 250% of your RDA per serving. One cup of guava has nearly 5 times as much C as a medium orange (377 mg versus 83 mg)—that’s more than 5 times your daily need. It’s also loaded with lycopene (26% more than a tomato), which may help lower your risk of heart disease. And according to research by microbiologists in Bangladesh, guava can even protect against foodborne pathogens such as Listeria and staph. You can buy guava juice, or simmer chunks in water as you would to make applesauce. Guava also makes a super smoothie: Blend 1/2 banana, 1/2 ripe guava, a handful of strawberries, 1/2 cup soy milk, and a few ice cubes.

25. Dark Chocolate

Thank you, dark chocolate, for making us feel good—not guilty—about dessert. Dark chocolate is filled with flavonoid antioxidants (more than 3 times the amount in milk chocolate) that keep blood platelets from sticking together and may even unclog your arteries.It may also help with weight loss by keeping you feeling full, according to a study from Denmark. Researchers gave 16 participants 100 g of either dark or milk chocolate and 2 hours later offered them pizza. Those who consumed the dark chocolate ate 15% fewer calories than those who had milk chocolate, and they were less interested in fatty, salty, and sugary foods. Try a chocolate with 70% or more cocoa. Two tablespoons of dark chocolate chips with fresh berries as a midafternoon snack or after-dinner dessert should give you some of the heart-healthy benefits without busting your calorie budget.

How Many Calories Should I Eat to Lose Weight?

1- Track Your Eating:

Make a note on your iPad or notebook and write down everything you eat for two days during the week and one weekend day - including that handful of M&M’s, the dressing you put on your salad, and the pat of butter you put on your potato. Don’t leave to include beverages, too. People tend to eat differently on weekends than on weekdays, so including a Saturday or Sunday in your making is important.

Pleas check, too, to accurately estimate the amount of each food that you eat. Studies show that better people grossly underestimate their portion sizes - and can’t estimate out why they don’t lose weight on their diets.


2- Measure and weigh your portions:

The most way to determine how much you’re eating is to weigh and measure your food. Turn on your plate with the typical amount of food that you eat and then use a measuring cup, spoon, or scale to determine your serving size. most people find it easiest to write down what they ate immediately following each meal; otherwise, they tend to forget about the incidentals, such as the glass of wine or soda, or the butter on the bread, and the numbers.


3- Record Your Calories:

At the end of each day, go back and record the calories for each food you ate by using food labels or a book of count your daily caloric. (You can usually find pocket-size calorie count books in the grocery store checkout line — and more expanded versions in bookstores — that item hundreds of foods).


4- Calculate the total calories:

Then simply tally the number of calories for each food based on the amount you ate, and total up for the day.


5- Get an accurate estimate of what your daily calorie:

After your three-day recording period, add the total calorie counts together and divide by three. This gives you the approximate number of calories (give or take a few) that you eat on average each day.

By Papha MARY 

Genuine Happiness Comes from Within

Life isn’t the sweetest candy. Sometimes, when I feel like the world is just too heavy, I look around and find people who continued to live fascinating and wonderful lives. And then thoughts come popping into my mind like bubbles from nowhere – “How did their life become so adorably sweet? How come they still can manage to laugh and play around despite a busy stressful life?”  Then I pause and observed for awhile… I figured out that maybe, they start to work on a place called ‘self’.

So, how does one become genuinely happy? Step 1 is to love yourself.

My professor once said that “loving means accepting.”  To love oneself means to accept that you are not a perfect being, but behind the imperfections must lie a great ounce of courage to be able to discover ways on how to improve your repertoire to recover from our mistakes.

Genuine happiness also pertains to contentment. When you are contented with the job you have, the way you look, with your family, your friends, the place you live in, your car, and all the things you now have – truly, you know the answer to the question “how to be genuinely happy.

When we discover a small start somewhere from within, that small start will eventually lead to something else, and to something else. But if you keep questioning life lit it has never done you any good, you will never be able to find genuine happiness.

I believe that life is about finding out about right and wrong, trying and failing, wining and losing. These are things that happen as often as you inhale and exhale. Failure, in a person’s life has become as abundant and necessary as air. But this should not hinder us from becoming happy.

How to be genuinely happy in spite all these? I tell you… every time you exert effort to improve the quality of life and your being, whether it is cleaning up your room, helping a friend, fail on board exams and trying again, life gives you equivalent points for that.

Imagine life as a big score board like those which are used in the NFLs. Every time you take a step forward, you make scoring points. Wouldn’t it be nice to look at that board at the end of each game and think to yourself “Whew! I got a point today. I’m glad I gave it a shot.”, instead of looking at it all blank and murmur “Geez, I didn’t even hit a score today. I wish I had the guts to try out. We could have won!” and then walk away.

Genuine happiness isn’t about driving the hottest Formula 1 car, nor getting the employee of the year award, earning the highest 13th month pay, or beating the sales quota. Sometimes, the most sought after prizes in life doesn’t always go to the fastest, the strongest, the bravest or not even the best. So, how do you become genuinely happy?  Every one has his own definition of ‘happiness’. Happiness for a writer may mean launching as much best selling books as possible. Happiness for a basketball rookie may mean getting the rookie of the year award. Happiness for a beggar may mean a lot of money. Happiness for a business man may mean success. So, really now, how do we become genuinely happy? Simple. You don’t have to have the best things in this world. Its about doing and making the best out of every single thing. When you find yourself smiling at your own mistake and telling your self “Oh, I’ll do better next time”, you carry with you a flame of strong will power to persevere that may spread out like a brush fire. You possess a willingness to stand up again and try – that will make you a genuinely happy person.

When you learn to accept yourself and your own faults. You pass step 1 in the project “how to become genuinely happy”.For as long as you know how to accept others, you will also be accepted. For as long as you love and know how to love, you will receive love ten folds back.

Again, throw me that same question “how to become genuinely happy?”. I’ll refer you to a friend of mine who strongly quoted- “Most of us know that laughter is the best medicine to life’s aches and pain. But most of us don’t know that the best kind of laughter is laughter over self. Coz then you don’t just become happy… you become free.”

By Papha MARY