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By Sant Qiu Would you pay a Hugo Boss suits price to get a G2000 suit? I think it is a pretty common sense answer. Unfortunately, nowadays common sense is pretty uncommon; especially in business. In their bid to frantically create a meaningful difference for their businesses in a razor-sharp competitive market; many companies forget the most basic common sense such as: Congruency. Congruency is not only critical to create and build a powerful positioning and brand, but without it your company is built on a wobbly foundation that can give way any second. Without it you are sabotaging your own business! Heres a powerful and clear example: Recently I read in my national newspapers, the closure of a restaurant that had opened barely 10 months ago amidst much fanfare and a blitz of publicity. berburgerwhose claim to fame was its reputed USP of being Singapores first gourmet burger restaurant, was also featured in the media for its signature $101 prime wagyu beef burger. In fact, the $101 wagyu burger was part of their branding. Almost every time they were featured in the media, the $101 wagyu burger would be mentioned. So in simple terms, their positioning is: Singapores first gourmet burger restaurant. And they have 2 distinct factors going for them namely: 1. The word ber of berburger comes from the German language that means super. So their name essentially means superburger, which is supportive of their claim of a gourmet burger restaurant. 2. Their signature dish is a premium $101 wagyu burger. The extravagant price of the burger also supported the gourmet restaurants image. BUT When you arrive at the place, you would be surrounded in what would seem to be a typical American diner filled with a big screen TV tuned to the ESPN channel, plastic chairs and bright lights. An absolutely jarring contradiction of the positioning they were trying to create! Shocking incongruity! Do you expect to go to a gourmet burger restaurant, paying premium prices, expecting superburgers only to sit on plastic chairs? You see, positioning and any other marketing activities are about the perception created in the minds of the prospects. Unfortunately, the dcor as described above connotes cheap. Frankly, they also look uncomfortable to sit in. A while ago, my wife asked me to try the place out after we finished a meeting nearby the restaurant. We walked passed the place and saw the interior from the outside, and I decided to go elsewhere. I remembered thinking that some of favorite casual dining restaurants seemed like a much better place to dine. In fact, one diner who ate at berburger once even commented that the place was like an American diner instead of a gourmet burger place. Perception is an extremely powerful force. Generally, if it is expensive, we will expect it to be exclusive, luxurious, comfortable, great-looking and all the other characteristics attached to luxury. Consumers nowadays think nothing of digging into their deep pockets to patronize high-end places like these and enjoy the experience of tasting gourmet food. The question is Do they want to? If they do, they will be expecting to be pampered. And that is just plain common sense, isnt it? Let me ask you again: Would you be willing to pay a Lamborghinis price for a Nissan? The answer is pretty obvious. Sant Qiu The Profit Strategist is a marketing, branding and copy writing expert who has helped many companies boost their profits by 30% and more in as little as 90 days. He delivers practical step-by-step What to do and How to do techniques to boost profits immediately. Visit his site for free powerful marketing tips. http://www.santqiu.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sant_Qiu http://EzineArticles.com/?Critical-Positioning-Secret—Congruency&id=463858 virginia payday loan law hard money lender directory personal loan for foreclousure victims the canadian payday association

By Tywford Lamai So now you’re all ready and set to make boat-loads of affiliate marketing cash but wait a minute… HOW DA HECK WILL YOU KNOW WHAT MERCHANT TO AFFILIATE WITH? Yep! His product is great – maybe you’ve even used it and you know for sure! But HOW sure are you that his sales page will CONVERT the traffic you send to him!!!??? Before we go on, let me define affiliate marketing: “Definition: Affiliate Marketing is a system of revenue sharing between one site (the affiliate merchant) which features an ad or content designed to drive traffic to another site (the advertiser). The affiliate will receive a fee based on the amount of traffic generated.” Okay, we are all enlightenged now about what affiliate marketing is all about so let’s go on… Emmm…we were we? Oh yes! Sales page “convertibility”! What is a merchant sales page? This is a the webpage that your visitors/traffic will be landing on when you send them to your affiliate program through your affiliate link! Therefore, we have established its importance! Needless to say, a GREAT product with a “seedy” sales page would bring in NO SALES!!! And that’s EXACTLY what we want! (No – I meant the sales…we WANT the SALES…Right?) The WHOLE object of your merchant’s sales page is to get the visitor scurrying for his wallet, not just salivating, but almost acquiring a nervous breakdown from his/her haste to purchase the product on offer! – Your current merchant’s sales page don’t do that?…Ditch it and check out the author’s link below for an affiliate program that CONVERTS like crazy! What was your question again?…Oh yes: HOW DA HECK WILL YOU KNOW WHAT MERCHANT TO AFFILIATE WITH? Well my advice goes thus: Firstly, you must know where to look for merchants. I recommend clickbank.com. Why?…Well, they have over 10,000 electronic products (i.e. products that you can easily download after payment without waiting for shipping) to choose from. Also, all you need is one single affiliate ID – called a hoplink in clickbank – and you can simply plug it into any affiliate program in their network and you’re good to go! So go to clickbank! Secondly, look for a product that you think would solve a problem e.g. Pregnancy without pounds, stop your dog shitting around, kill any hacker that comes near your PC etc., etc. I’m sure you get the gist! Thirdly, and most importantly, VISIT the SALES PAGE of the merchant to determine if it possesses these EXTREMELY IMPORTANT AND INDISPENSABLE features!: (The following are the SECRETS that distinguish TOP affiliate marketers from the 95% “pretenders” so PAY ATTENTION!) Your perception of the page as a visitor won’t be too far from that of those you send to that page: 1. The page MUST grab your interest and attention as soon as you land! * The headline must appeal to your emotional cravings, appeal your inner desires and offer solutions to the things that have so far been an embarrassment to you! 2. The page MUST hold that interest and attention THROUGHOUT the page! * Meaning that the headline ain’t enough…there must be meat on the body. 3. The page MUST be exciting to you! * It should get you excited enough to desire purchasing the product instantly if you could! Remember the illustration above about “nervously clutching for your wallet”? – yeah, something like that. 4. The page MUST be “easy” on your eyes! * It must have sex appeal – you almost want to eat it up or crawl into your monitor screen. Here you won’t find all those funny colors that are not related 5. The page MUST have the ability to convince you! * Proof can’t be undermined! Who has used it? what do they have to say about the product? Were can you go to verify their “testimonies”? Can you try the product before purchasing it? Etc., etc. 6. The page MUST offer you a money back guarantee! – Very important. * “Okay, I’m convinced this product isn’t for me – where’s my money?” 7. The page MUST offer you some kind of bonus! * “So you want my money ha? – Okay, what’s in it for me?” This can be in form of a newsletter, an eCourse, a free eBook or “extras” if you purchase the product. Finally, let me add that a great sales page doesn’t have to possess ALL of the above to be great…BUT the more of them it has, the more effective your marketing efforts will be…and of course the more $$$ you’ll make! Cachang! Voila! Now you know all it takes to choose a great Merchant’s Sales Page! FINAL NOTE: How about I make a deal with you? Interested? Alright. I know a guy who is in the business of helping affiliate marketers earn their very first commission and continues thus until they become tired or bored! I am willing to introduce you to him IF you are really interested (***Please only for interested affiliates or to-be affiliates!) For more details on this offer please see the link below… Alright. Off you go to earning those affiliate commissions! Good luck and Godspeed! Am out. Tywford Lamai is an expert on issues pertaining to Affiliate Marketing, Affiliate Programs, Work-At-Home Opportunities etc., etc. To take advantage of his offer and effortlessly discover a lifetime of amazing Affiliate marketing secrets, tips and resources please visit: http://www.brainboxcorp.com/index.html Interested in HOW HE MAKES MONEY ONLINE? See these cool resources here: http://brainboxcorp.bravehost.com/cbgoline.html Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tywford_Lamai http://EzineArticles.com/?Affiliate-Marketing-Secrets—Choosing-A-Great-Merchants-Sales-Page!&id=554667 apply for a personal loan online guarenteed personal loans hard money smell the roses no credit check saugus ma sl 0 keywords cash advance payday loans online

By Jorge Olson Where do you start your marketing plan? Where do I find a template for the marketing plan? How much do I spend? What’s the strategy? These are all questions most business people and executives go through as soon as they think about their marketing plan. If you are one of these people the answer is very simple. You need a bit more information, or maybe a whole lot of more information. The marketing plan should be up there at #1 or #2 in your business plan because it helps you with everything, attracting the right executives, landing investors, getting loans, not to mention selling your product or service, getting it to your customers and providing spectacular service. If you don’t know where to start it’s a good thing you are here, reading along. Your marketing plan and strategy should be at the center of your company’s culture. You should have best practices, training, “image police”, and all of the bells and whistles. Please don’t concentrate first and foremost on your product and then try to market it and sell it. This is in my experience the No. 1 problem in business; at least for my customers. They try to find a great product or import it or develop it and manufacture it. They spend a lot of time and money on it, on designs, development, on refining the product. Once they spent the money, many times even produced the product, they say, “ok, it’s time for the marketing plan”. NOOOOO!!! It’s backwards! First you do some marketing in the form of market research to see if your product is ready for the market or, in better words, if the market is ready for your product. Is there is any competition, what the best price is for your products, who is your potential customer, where are they? Any distribution strategies, and more. One of the best ways of doing this quick research is with competitors. OK now, please don’t tell me “But Jorge, I don’t have any competitorsReally”. I’ve heard that many times and every single time without fail I find at least 5 competitors in less than 5 minutes of research. IMPORTANT: –It does not matter if you think or don’t think you have competitors, it matters if your potential customers perceive another company as being your competitor or a competitor to your product– You can quote me on this one! Back to the issue at hand, your Marketing Plan. My first recommendation is to do a bit more research, study more, read some articles, case studies and books (read some of mine!). After you have a better idea of what marketing is about you will be 100% ready to start your marketing plan. Don’t forget to involve others in the process, your sales team, production team, shipping, accounting, everyone. It’s important to make marketing a team effort. After all, you are in business to market, in other words, to produce money from the marketplace. Jorge Olson is a Marketing Consultant and business owner. Hes been a successful VP of Marketing and CEO for several companies and now helps others with their Marketing Strategy. You can find his strategies, articles, and even plans at http://www.ShotgunMarketing.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jorge_Olson http://EzineArticles.com/?Are-You-REALLY-Ready-for-Your-Marketing-Plan?&id=378498 san antonio online car loan application unsecure installment loans cash advance amex no credit check apartment rentals in chicago

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Louise_Roach] Louise Roach What is R.I.C.E. and why do you need it? One of the most recommended icing techniques for reducing inflammation and treating minor injuries is R.I.C.E., an acronym for rest, ice, compression and elevation. It is best used for pulled muscles, sprained ligaments, soft tissue injury, and joint aches. Applying R.I.C.E. treatments will decrease pain, inflammation, muscle spasms, swelling and tissue damage. It achieves this by reducing blood flow from local vessels near the injury and decreasing fluid hemorrhaging as a result of cell damage. To administer R.I.C.E. use the following guidelines suggested by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Rest: Stop using the injured body part immediately. If you feel pain when you move, this is your body sending a signal to decrease mobility of the injured area. Ice: Apply an ice pack to the injured area, using a towel or cover to protect your skin from frostbite. The more conforming the ice pack the better, in order for the injury to receive maximum exposure to the treatment. Compression: Use a pressure bandage or wrap over the ice pack to help reduce swelling. Never tighten the bandage or wrap to the point of cutting off blood flow. You should not feel pain or a tingly sensation while using compression. Elevation: Raise or prop up the injured area so that it rests above the level of your heart. How long should ice be applied while practicing R.I.C.E. for it to be effective? There are four levels of cold felt by the skin: coldness; a prickly or burning sensation; a feeling of aching pain; and finally a lack of sensation or numbness. When the area feels numb, icing should be discontinued. The skin should return to normal body temperature before icing again. Usually numbness can be achieved in 10 to 20 minutes. Never apply ice for more than 30 minutes at a time or tissue damage may occur. It is generally recommended to practice R.I.C.E. at intervals of 4 to 6 hours for up to 48 hours after an injury. Heat treatments are appropriate for some injuries, but should only be considered after inflammation has receded, approximately 72 hours after an injury. If the body part does not respond to R.I.C.E. therapy within 48 hours, it would be wise to consult your health care provider in the event a serious injury has occurred such as internal bleeding or a broken bone. For minor injuries, use R.I.C.E. instead of plain ice! This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical treatment or consultation. Always consult with your physician in the event of a serious injury. About The Author Louise Roach is the editor of an on-line health and fitness newsletter. She has been instrumental in the research, testing and development of SnowPack, a patented cold therapy that exhibits the same qualities as ice. Her injury prevention and treatment articles have been published on running, walking and fitness websites. For more information visit: [http://www.snowpackusa.com ] http://www.snowpackusa.com or NewsFlash*SnowPack at: [http://home.netcom.com/~newsflash ] http://home.netcom.com/~newsflash. Louise Roach can be reached at: [mailto:info@snowpackusa.com] info@snowpackusa.com Article Source: [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Louise_Roach ] http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Louise_Roach [http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-R.I.C.E.?&id=19190 ] http://EzineArticles.com/?Why-R.I.C.E.?&id=19190 bad credit loan approval unsecured loans hard money no credit check saugus ma instant online payday loans

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Carly_Charu]Carly Charu The ever expanding mobile world has been experiencing substantial changes in a real quick time. Although, the leading mobile handsets manufacturers are piling up the already congested mobile market, but that’s really a great sign for a common mobile phone user. The new handsets are not only cool in designing, but they are more compact and offers a lot with innumerable features the race goes on and on for the betterment. Every time a new handset is released, you would find numerous reviews and all these exaggerated things contribute well to create a huge hype and then you got all the analytical details about a mobile phone before taking the final decision. Of late, Sony Ericsson released its much awaited camera phone, the Sony Ericsson K750i, which also received a grand reception with mixed reviews. The most fascinating aspect of the Sony Ericsson K750i is its 2-megapixel camera, which is very well supported by its auto focus system, which is further complemented by its macro mode shooting. As such, its camera is quite easy to use, as all you got to do is to slide the lens cover to one side and your camera is on to capture all those defined moments, you always want to grab. The overall designing has been performed in such as way that you can easily hold the handset sideways, just like a digital camera and a dedicated camera button paves the way for easy clicking. Moreover, there is a double LED flash unit to add much needed clarity in your photographs. After clicking, you can store all these photographs in is 34MB of internal memory and if it that is not good enough then, it also comes with a 64MB Memory Stick Duo to provide that additional space. However, the camera features are the main attractions of the Sony Ericsson K750i, but you have got various other functionalities to elevate your mobile experience. For music, you can make the most with its MP3 player and radio. Its radio is further supported by 20 presets and it also comes with RDS support to provide you much needed information about the radio station. As far as music output is concerned, it is good, but you just cannot compare it with Sony Ericsson’s music dedicated Walkman series. In additional features, you get Web and WAP browsing with e-mail management, USB cable and Java support. Clearly, the [http://www.mobilerainbow.org/sonyericsson/Sony-Ericsson-K750i.html]Sony Ericsson K750i scores quite well in the range of middle size phones without boasting about anything. Carly charu is an expert author and the webmaster of [http://www.mobilerainbow.org]Mobile Phones Uk. The website having details of latest phones like Sony Ericsson Mobile Phones and [http://www.mobilerainbow.org/sim-free-mobile-phones.html]sim free mobile phones available in UK. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carly_Charu http://EzineArticles.com/?Sony-Ericsson-K750i:-A-Shutterbugs-True-Fantasy&id=455173 cash loans for car titles cash advance without a checking account cash advance san jose ca get a personal loan

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By Eric Schubert Since the first day I started writing on this subject, I’ve been contacted by countless parents, travelers, backpackers, and Sunday snoozers alike. They all seem to share the same sense of fascination and inquisitive line of questioning that usually comes with a virtually unknown product. What’s a sleep sack? Do I need one? If you’ve got a newborn member of the family, are planning an extended journey, or plan on sleeping in youth hostels the answer is yes, indeed, you’ll probably want to start investigating the different types of sleep sacks that can be found on today’s market. Sleep sacks come in a variety of shapes, sizes, styles, and materials, but all serve the general purpose of providing you or your baby with a safe, comfortable, warm yet breathable sleeping experience. For a baby the sleep sack even has a benefit that many consider priceless. SIDS, or sudden infant death syndrome, is quickly becoming a major cause of infant death while sleeping. The baby moves his/her arms while sleeping, thus wrapping the blanket or sheep around his/her own head. This, as we all know, can lead to suffocation and can cause the baby loss of life due to lack of oxygen. The baby sleep sack is designed to keep the baby from being wrapped in blankets or sheets, in turn reducing the risk of SIDS. For travelers, sleep sacks can provide an extra layer of warm and bedding. For backpackers, it’s a must have. Most youth hostels now require sleep sacks in an effort to fight the growing problem of bed bugs and other bed related hygiene issues. Sleep sacks are fairly affordable all things considered. For adults, you’ll find the nicer silk or wool sleep sacks in the $29-$79 rangeCotton or similar materials will sell for quite a bit less. Baby sleep sacks come in a wide variety of materials, sizes, and design styles so there really is no general pricing. That being said, when it comes to the safety of your child the price should not be an issue. Sleep sacks are a little talked about product that should really be talked about more. It’s a simple concept that can make life enjoyable in more ways than one. Eric Schubert operates Sleep-Sacks.com, a website that provides reviews and information on Sleep Sacks and the purpose of their existence. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eric_Schubert http://EzineArticles.com/?Sleep-Sacks—What-Are-They?&id=306725 dc bad credit lender quick loan reputable low rate personal loans payday loan no telecheck or employment

By Morgan Hamilton I usually don’t pay much attention to the results of medical studies that proclaim something or other is bad for my health. It seems that they contradict themselves on a regular basis. Yes, I already know I should lay off the double cheeseburgers and extra large french fries for lunch. I may not need it but I’m going to have it anyway. I really don’t need anyone preaching to me. I don’t think anyone likes that. But I have to admit that there are some warnings that I do heed, and that includes anything that has to do with drinking water. As soon as I discovered how many toxins and added chemicals are contained in the water that comes out of our spigots, I promised myself I would check out a bottled water service. I used to think that only businesses could pay for monthly bottled water service. While that may have been true a decade ago, that’s definitely not the case today. It seems is that of every other house on the block now has a bottled water service there every day he needs. More and more people are realizing just how important it is to have a convenient source of pure, refreshing water at home as well as at the office. At the same time, bottled water service providers are a substantial economic market that they definitely want to tap into, so they’ve tailored their packages to fit both individual and family needs. As a result, I was able to sign up for home bottled water service that relief served my needs and was affordable at the same time. If you’re thinking about getting bottled water service for your home or office, here are a few helpful hints to think about. First of all, make sure you know what you are getting for your money. Most of the time, you can actually tell the company how much water you believe she will go through so they can give you a solid estimate as to what you’ll need. However, you have to bear in mind that there’s a lot more to bottled water service than just the H2O. You’ll also need the water cooler unit, which can contain a heating element as well, cups and you will want ongoing maintenance in case of mechanical failure. Before signing a contract, make sure you know what you’re paying for. Also, you should ask if there is any flexibility to the plans. There are some services that you may not want so there’s no sense in paying for them. And as always, check the fine print so you don’t get burned. Some bottled water services assess fees and penalties if your actual usage varies from the amount stated in your plan. There is usually a penalty if you terminate the contract before it expires. If you simply want to try out the bottled water service for a while, I would suggest not signing any long term contracts until you feel comfortable with what you’ll consume. The more you know about the plan right from the start, the less chance there will be of encountering problems later on. After I signed up for my bottled water service I noticed an immediate improvement and the tastes of our food and drinks that use that same water. It is also relief to know that our water is safe and pure, well at least as far as we know. Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning food and drink. Get the information you are seeking now by visiting Bottled Water Service Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Morgan_Hamilton http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Convenience-of-Bottled-Water-Service&id=271697 quick installment loan online no fax payday loan low interest pay day loans personal loans online apply household

By Jennifer Bailey Free bench plans are easily available online and in stores. Most of these plans deal with garden, potting, patio, storage or utility benches. The main aim of such plans is to acquaint the user with the different types of benches that are available and also give information on where they are available as well as how they can be used in different ways for different people. These plans include different wood-working plans as well. Free garden bench plans are designed to guide the potential buyer to choose the right material for their garden benches. These plans usually have a layout in them that guide the user in framing a mental picture of where they want to place their benches in the gardens, so that they get the look they want for their gardens. These plans seek to create comfort and space, while keeping in mind the size of the garden and the benches. Free garden bench plans also deal with helping the buyer choose the right variety of cedar or other wood materials as well as stone or granite. This is done while keeping in mind the budget of the buyer. Incase the budget is high then certain other accessories that can be used in the gardens like fountains and other show pieces are also suggested. They also help the buyer in arranging or assembling the pieces of the benches together. These plans are of great use for those people, who have a limited budget for their garden furniture. These plans include step by step guidelines that help the buyer or user, in arranging the pieces of the benches properly in order. Plans also include ways, in which the benches can be given a certain type of finished look. They deal with questions regarding the natural or colored look of the benches. The most important feature of such plans is that they keep in mind the monetary aspect. Garden Bench provides detailed information on garden benches, discount garden benches, how to build a garden bench, metal garden benches and more. Garden Bench is affiliated with Outdoor Garden Furniture. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Bailey http://EzineArticles.com/?Free-Garden-Bench-Plans&id=409808 anz money saver home loan georgia cash advance cap one personal loans arizona hard money lenders

By Alan Wayler In April of 2002 the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) officially recognized obesity as a disease, making it far easier for American taxpayers to trim their tax bills and waistlines at the same time. The step is an important one, not so much because of savings to taxpayers (the deduction really has only limited value), but more because it marks a shift in government point of view. Whether it’s due to unhealthy lifestyles that lead to obesity, or to the obesity itself, overfat people suffer greater risk for disorders such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. Excess body fat is also strongly linked to depression and poor self-esteem. One recent study suggested that obesity exacts an even higher toll on health than smoking or drinking and raises an individual’s lifetime health care costs by a whopping 36%. Clearly, reversing the rising tide of obesity is important. A potential tax break offers a kind of official recognition that’s encouraging. After all, it’s estimated that the total cost of overweight/obesity in the U.S. approaches $100 billion annually, with about half of that spent in preventive, diagnostic and treatment services. What’s Covered and What’s Not Deducting weight loss expenses from taxes isn’t new for Americans. But in the past, we could do it only if weight loss was undertaken at a physician’s direction to treat other diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease. The difference now: The IRS recognizes obesity itself as a disease worth treating. Thus, American taxpayers may deduct the cost of weight loss programs without having to show that the weight loss was undertaken to treat another disease. An individual who has been diagnosed as obese by a physician may deduct the cost of “diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention,” according to the IRS. Weight loss programs, behavioral counseling, pharmaceuticals and surgery all qualify with one caveat. As always, medical expenses of any kind are deductible only after they exceed 7.5% of the taxpayer’s adjusted gross income and if they are not reimbursed by insurance. If you meet that criteria for 1999 or 2000 (and 1998 if you have an extension to file), you can amend those returns. On the other hand, weight loss expenses for cosmetic reasons or general good health are not deductible nor are personal trainers, health club memberships or diet- related foods. Bottom line: The new IRS rules are most likely to benefit only those who have a sizeable amount of other unreimbursed medical expenses that can piggyback onto weight loss expenses to bring total deductions above 7.5% of adjusted gross income. Not Just Weight Loss While we at Green Mountain are happy to see the government taking steps to support individuals’ efforts to take charge of their health, we know it’s just a beginning. The next steps need to go further to identify standards for treatment. A weight loss program should have documented that it works before it could qualify as a deductible expense. (See sidebar “Choosing a Weight Loss Program.) In case that ever happens, we want to state it loud and clear now: When it comes to measuring success, a smaller body size may not always be part of the picture. And if it is, it still may not be the most important part. What counts most is not whether a body qualifies as obese on a weight chart, or whether a person reaches “ideal” weight (whatever that is). Instead, what counts is whether that body, whatever its size, is generally considered healthy in terms of physical and emotional well-being, and supports its inhabitant in her life aims. Still, the new IRS regulations are a start. And if they can help women along the path to health, fitness and increased self-esteem, we say good. It’s about time. And certainly, most of us will take all the help with our taxes we can get! Choosing a Weight Loss Program Obviously, we at Green Mountain encourage you to choose non-diet approaches that don’t focus on weight loss per se, but instead help you build your physical and mental strength to make choices that are in your best interests. Ask these questions about any weight loss program you consider. Does the program focus on weight loss as an end in itself, or is weight loss recognized as only a part of achieving health and wellness for some people? If weight loss is the ultimate goal, we can get easily sidetracked with quick schemes that may lead to quick weight loss. Unfortunately, the weight regain is often even faster. Is the food and eating advice restrictive? When choice is absent, deprivation often takes us in the opposite direction than desired. It’s a set-up for overeating at some point. Look for programs that help you build your internal ability to choose foods that support well-being, and your internal ability to decide how much you need. Think twice about any advice that recommends you avoid specific types of foods, especially major food groups. If you follow it, you might set up cravings that lead to overeating. Is enjoyable physical activity an integral part of the program? Research shows that physical activity is one of the key factors in helping people keep lost weight off. And after all, why go to all the trouble to lose it if you’re just going to gain it back again? Been there, done thattime for a different approach. Is there any peer-reviewed, published research that measures the program’s effectiveness? In the weight loss field especially, lots of claims abound. But research that shows effectiveness is fairly sparse. Require it. Whose program is it anyway? Check the credentials and experience of the people who have developed and are offering the program. But remember – academic or professional degrees don’t always guarantee competence. Thoroughly check out what’s being offered, and weigh it against your own experience. If you’ve been at this long enough, you can probably easily recognize hucksters. If you’ve got questions you can’t answer, get the opinion of a health professional you trust. Alan H. Wayler, PhD is executive director of Green Mountain at Fox Run, an all-women’s healthy weight loss program. For 34 years, Green Mountain at Fox Run has developed and refined a life-changing program exclusively for women seeking permanent strategies for healthy weight loss and health, differing from traditional health spas or fat farms. Based on a combination of proven science and what works in the real world, our innovative non-diet lifestyle program offers an integrated curriculum of practical, liveable techniques that helps women take charge of their eating, their bodies and their health. Our approach is not focused on just losing weight but on how to keep it off for a lifetime. Our participants’ long-term weight loss results are among the highest of any program, as documented in peer-reviewed scientific literature. Learn more about our fitness and healthy weight loss spa and retreat. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alan_Wayler http://EzineArticles.com/?Selecting-A-Weight-Loss-Program—The-IRS,-Your-Weight,-and-You&id=133777 30 day payday loans baton rouge bad credit new car loan olg payday wachovia bank online loan payments