Sunday 19 December 2010

Liposuction is top of the male ops

It’s not just the ladies who are having a nip and tuck to get the perfect body - now men are getting in on the act too. With images of Ronaldo’s washboard stomach to compete with, more men than ever are going under the knife according to The Hospital Group.

The leading cosmetic surgery provider has seen a massive surge in the number of men striving to achieve their desired body shape. According to the group, the number of liposuction operations rocketed up in popularity last year – increasing by a record 117% since August 2009. Liposuction removes fat, leaving a svelte and contoured body that any man would dream of.

Surgical procedures are no longer deemed a taboo for men, being glamorized by celebrities so much that it is no longer seen as vain for a man to go under the knife. As medical director of Aesthetic Surgery at The Hospital Group, Mario Russo observes: “Lots of celebrities are turning to cosmetic surgery to fix imperfections, with amazing results and men are no longer scared to strive for the same body shape.”

Even football star Cristiano Ronaldo was reported to have undergone liposuction to maintain his infamous washboard stomach.

Deemed the “Ronaldo effect”, The Hospital Group has seen a decisive increase in men wanting fast and dramatic results to achieve a trim and toned torso.

Men today increasingly want to fix that flabby stomach, whereas before the slim line chest look was popular, to avoid the Simon Cowell saggy man boob scenario.

A reason why more men than ever are going to drastic measures to improve their looks could be down to the increasing pressures in the job market. Men need to make sure they are performing and looking their best to compete in today’s tough workplace.

As Mario Russo states, “Liposuction and Liposculture provides the perfect way for men to feel better about their bodies again”.

So it’s not just the ladies who are body conscious in this metrosexual, recessionista world. Check out our cosmetic offers and fitness deals for quick fixes and lifestyle changes that could make all the difference…



















Monday 6 December 2010

Men "sweat"- while women simply "glow"....

Research has proven that while men sweat buckets, women simply glow. It may sound good to the ladies out there, but it’s not necessarily an advantage, as findings reveal that the fairer sex have to work harder and get hotter to reach the benefits of sweating. 

Researchers discovered that men on average perspire much more quickly, and twice as much as women when exercising. 

However, while ladies may be pleased they are not the ones sweating it out, it actually means that they must work much harder to build up a sweat and that their bodies are working less efficiently than men’s. 

Though sweating can be embarrassing - not to mention a little smelly - it is essential for bodies to wipe harmful toxins from the body, cleansing pores in the skin and even helping reduce blackheads and acne – who knew?

Scientists at the Osaka International University and Kobe University in Japan found that whilst men sweated easily when exercising, losing twice as much moisture per inch of forehead, chest, back, forearm, and thigh at any one time, women needed a much higher body temperature to perspire. 

The study’s coordinator Dr Yoshimitsu Inoue reckons this puts women at a disadvantage as they must work harder, and get hotter before they manage to get sweaty – not great considering sweating regulates your body’s temperature in hot weather or when exercising, helping to cool your body down and preventing you from getting heat stroke.

These findings not only hold implications for exercise, but shed light on why the sexes cope differently with extremes of temperatures like heatwaves. 

Dr. Inoue believes the reason why men and women sweat differently is due to their genetic makeup. Originating from the age-old days of evolution, he believes that men had to increase their stamina for action or labour and therefore increased their sweat rate. Women on the other hand have less body fluid than men and become dehydrated more easily, therefore the body has to adapt to survive in the hot environment and sweats less. 

So ladies, your body may be clever enough to adapt for survival but if you want to work up a sweat, you have to work extra hard. Check out our top fitness offers for inspiration…

Another Wahanda article I wrote a wee while back, check it out on wwww.wahanda.com and remember girls while we may not like to be  sweaty bettys, it's essentially good for our bodies deep down. So get sweating!  X

Sunday 5 December 2010

Winter TV round up

Ohh dear, again I have seemed to neglect my poor blog, slap wrist.

Whilst I have been heinously busy, both at work and play. Having just left my wonderful internship at Wahanda (more on that and the messy xmas party later!) Writing lots of health & lifestyle articles., I have now written overall nearly twenty articles for the site (*gasp*...some zany, some wise...take a peek at http://www.wahanda.com/! ) Also I hope to upload some of my faves up on here, but maybe not the full twenty as I don't want to overload you!

I have also been a busy bee socially, dressing up in nothing less than bright red wigs, and gallivanting round the country to see my fave uni pals. Not forgetting seeing the small band We are Scientists, you may of heard of them?, in Bristolian city. Much to say, it was great to explore the country, (coming from a girl who spends her life downn south in the London area).

Anyway, I have noticed a trend to my sometimes hectic schedule, I love my Sunday slouch days, cuddled in my PJs and duvet wrapped around me, my sister and I are sucked to the sofa like nobody's businness. Really I think humans should hiberate at winter, save the blustery and cold days inside snuggled up inside.

More to the point winter evenings are saved by, you guessed it TV's jam packed schedule. I'll be giving a round- up of the hits on the box that have filled up my winter evenings....

Downton Abbey
   
Finished a few weeks ago, I will truly miss this piece of period in my Sunday evenings. Written by Julian Fellows, it has been a suprising hit for ITV. With shocking storylines, like the gay butler (ooh- er) it differed from the usual period drama. 

Centred on who will go on to own Downton Abbey, the series tribulates the highs and impending contraints for the artiscoracy. Having to marry for money, to secure their future, rather than love being a prominent problem for Lady Mary.  

Even including the feminist movement "votes for women"  it follows a servants desire to make a career for herself, rather than living a life serving others. What I liked was the kindness between the upstairs, artisocracy and the downstairs servants lives, they truly seemed like a family in it together. Whether this is realistic, perhaps not, but it makes pleasant viewing. My favourite character being the kindly Mr Bates, a suprising love interest his caring and modest manner makes him a man women sympathise with and adore.

All I can say is, thank god they are making a second series so we can have more Downton Abbey joy to complete our Sunday evenings, and more importantly to find out if  Mary will ever marry Mathew!



The Only Way is Essex

Love it, or hate it The only way is Essex is a strangely compelling programme. If you were a fan of The Hills, the glam psuedo reality programme that followed the lives of Lauren, Audrina et al in the Hollywood Hills you may love the Essex version. Granted a little less glamourous, the characters and dramas are pretty similar, the main character is even named Lauren! Full of laughs, vajazzles and pink velour, not to mention nana's pat's sausage plait and hilarous sayings such as Shuuut uppp, this is one not to miss.

"I'm soo Jel- are you Jel?!"


The Apprentice

I look forward to this time of year with anticpation. Wednesday evenings revolve around who Lord Sugar may point his finger at, stating"you're fired". This year, I must say the contestants seem younger and let's just say, alot more bloshier than previous years. Cue Paloma- a sure fire winner who left due to her unbelieveable arrogance and plain rudeness in the boardroom. Not to mention badger- aka Alex (resembles the furry creature) who seemed quite personable, till he got in the firing line and started screeching!

One of my favourite episodes, is the task of advertising and marketing a product, (pretty much because I'm always shouting out ideas at the tv thinking I can do better), was amusing to say the least. Both went for the cheesy voiceovers and advert, the type you have not seen since the 1950s, and hopefully will not grace our screens again. Octiclean displayed prominent sexism, which just had advertising execs tittering in the audience. Not a way to impress top advertisers with your skills.

On the other hand, the other team with their product "Germinator" did no better, producing a product that looked more like something you would use to clean your car, than to rid germs in the kitchen!

Really, without blowing my own trumpet, I think a bunch of us creative graduates could come up with something better than that in an afternoon, without even having years of marketing expertise.

So far, it has been pretty disastrous but there is glimmers of potential in Stella, Liz and Chris...even if he was responsible for the "Germinator" castrophe at least he bought something to the table!

Oh, yes and without doubt do not miss out on the debate after the show (BBC2) with Comedian Dara O Brien  and numerous guests it provides countless laughs on the failings of the weeks task, and draws attention to funny moments of the show. 


  "You're fiired"

The X Factor

The show on everyone's lips, The X Factor season is in full swing. From the kooky, (and that's being generous) Wagner to the gorgeous Matt Cardle it is the show not to miss. Both on Saturday as well as Sunday evenings it is taking over our weekend winter evenings. With the judges constant bickering, and controversial results (Fix Factor!) probably created by Cowell himself to keep the media and everyone talking about his show.

Anywho, big name guest performers, including Kylie, Take That and WestLife keep the show high profile. I also think it is one of the years when the talent has been spot on, Cher Illoyd, with her rapping and orginial performances and Rebecca with her spine tingling vocals- you can hardly pick out the show's winner.

Only, I do know Katie and at least Wagner should go; and they do just before the semi- finals.

Good riddance to Wagner and his bloody earrings! (apparently from Acessorize if anyone fancies the look...hmm think I'll sit this one out!)