Archive

Posts Tagged ‘fitness’

Tips For Gay Travel To Ireland

March 8th, 2010

Gay vacations to Ireland have been a popular choice dating back to at least the time of Oscar Wilde. While Ireland may not have been nearly as LGBT-friendly in his time, it has come a long way since the days of folks - like Wilde - being sent to hard labor camps or jail for what was then known as “indecency.” In fact, up until 1861 the act of sodomy was punishable by death, but today Ireland has recently moved ahead of the U.S. when it comes to LGBT rights by legalizing civil unions for same-sex couples in 2009, after decriminalizing homosexuality in 1993.

While these significant legal strides might not mean that every village - or even every larger city - is ready to fully embrace same-sex relationships, Ireland has become a rather welcoming country for the most part and is a wonderful choice for gay travel. Many larger cities, such as Galway, Dublin, Cork and Waterford, have active, visible communities, LGBT-owned and LGBT-friendly establishments, and enough attractions and activities to fill an entire trip; however, whether you travel to Ireland solo or with organized gay tours, you will not want to miss the beautiful Irish countryside or the quaint, small villages that are scattered about the landscape or overlooking awe-inspiring coastal cliffs.

There are now many Irish cities that have LGBT organizations, popular hangouts, annual celebrations and a thriving community, but Dublin remains the unquestionable center of Irish LGBT life, making it an absolute must-see during gay travel to Ireland. The nightlife in Dublin is an interesting blend of upscale clubs with dress codes and a casual LGBT pub scene, which allows those on gay vacations to Ireland to experience different aspects of LGBT life in Dublin. Depending on when you arrive, you may also have the opportunity to take part in one of Dublin’s annual community events, including the Dublin Lesbian and Gay Film Festival in July, Dublin International LGBTQ Pride in June, and the popular Dublin Gay Theatre Festival, which takes place each May.

There is always something going on in Dublin, on either a small or large scale, so it is a good idea to pick up a copy of GNC, Ireland’s main community magazine, when you arrive in town. There are many must-see attractions when partaking in gay travel in Dublin, including the Guinness Storehouse, the Old Jameson Distillery, the Hugh Lane Gallery, the Book of Kells, the Oscar Wilde House Museum and Dublin’s quintessential LGBT bar, The George.

Folks planning gay tours should consider partaking in group gay tours to ensure that they do not miss out on the plethora of historical, cultural and natural attractions that this intriguing, romantic nation has to offer.

Score by Howie Holben about Ireland gay couples travel. Spirit Journeys also offers gay rafting adventures.

Uncategorized , , , , , , , , , ,

Hawaii As A Gay Tours Destination

March 3rd, 2010

The Pacific paradise of Hawaii has long held an exotic allure that draws travelers from all corners of the globe to its picturesque shores. With a population that is warm and welcoming and comprised of a remarkable blend of white European, Polynesian and Asian cultures, Hawaii is popular for both straight and gay vacations. Hawaii’s LGBT community is low-key and not necessarily highly visible, but those who take part in a Hawaii gay travel experience will find a higher level of acceptance than many places in the U.S., due in large part to an overall welcoming and accepting atmosphere created from generations of several cultures living together without one dominant culture or religion imposing its will.

Oahu is the third largest island in size, but is home to 70% of the states population, as well as the state capitol, Honolulu, and the popular tourist area, Waikiki. When visiting Oahu on gay holidays, travelers will not want to miss the LGBT-friendly La Cucaracha where authentic Mexican food, great music and delicious margaritas are always on the menu. Those who want to check out Oahus scene should check out 80% Straight Inc., a community clothing, book and novelty store located in the Waikiki Grand, and the handful of bars and clubs on the island, including Angles Waikiki, Fusion Waikiki, In-Between and Hulas Bar & Lei Stand. Beach goers will find a warm welcome at Queens Surf beach and near the lighthouse at Diamond Head.

A gay vacation to Maui might not include an exciting scene, other than one smaller area of Little Beach in Makena, but Maui has much to offer to any traveler, including old-world villages, sunrises atop Mount Haleakala and wiling away an afternoon wandering amid waterfalls, making this island a wonderful location for gay tours. If you prefer exploring the most tropical, scenic island in Hawaii, Kauai is a must-see stop and is home to two LGBT-friendly lodgings that offer clothing optional areas, as well as amazing canyons, cliffs and waterfalls.

The Big Island is also a welcoming vacation option and offers several LGBT-friendly accommodations, restaurants and business, as well as one bar. Gay vacations to the Big Island provide opportunities to visit an active volcano, black sand beaches, a rain forest or the snow-capped Mauna Kea.

As the most remote island chain anywhere in the world, Hawaii is a tropical destination that everyone should have the chance to see at least once. In a single vacation to this island paradise you can ride horses down black sand beaches, attend a real luau, learn the hula, tour a pineapple plantation, explore a volcano and snorkel or scuba dive in crystal clear waters. To enjoy your Hawaii vacation to the fullest, consider partaking in a gay travel tour or enlisting the help of a travel agency that regularly plans Hawaii gay travel.

Essay about Hawaii penned by Howie Holben. Spirit Journeys provides gay travel packages and gay romantic packages.

Motivation , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Gay Tour Sites In China

February 27th, 2010

China is a communist-led nation with an everyday life that is largely influenced by traditions that go back many generations. This may make China appear to be a less than friendly option for gay vacations; however tourists might be surprised to find a thriving scene throughout China’s urban areas including neighborhoods, bars, clubs and pride celebrations, as well as a growing level of acceptance largely due to the visibility of an organized LGBT community. China offers an array of vacation options including unique cultural experiences, breathtaking landscapes, delectable food and fabulous fashion, making China a perfect choice for gay vacations.

Hong Kong and Shanghai are perhaps the most popular destinations in China for gay tours. With visible, well-organized LGBT communities, numerous clubs, saunas, bars, restaurants and other establishments, annual pride celebrations and LGBT community events throughout the year, both of these large metropolitan areas have much to offer for LGBT travelers. Visitors will find a number of beaches on Hong Kong Island that are popular with men, as well as several neighborhoods including Hong Kongs Soho, Lan Kwai Fong and Tsim Sha Tsui in nearby Kowloon. Shanghais club scene is largely located in the French Concession district and offers a variety of options from dimly lit lounges to dance clubs.

Beijing is another large city that is both a hub for business and a center for world-class shopping, dining and fashion. Although Beijing does not have the vibrant nightlife found in Shanghai or Hong Kong, a number of bars, clubs and restaurants are beginning to appear throughout the city, the most popular of which is a dance club called Destination. Destination has a mostly male clientele, but many women also frequent this LGBT hotspot. Within walking distance are also several friendly eateries including the trendy fusion bistro, Alameda, as well as Mare, a Spanish restaurant with a romantic atmosphere.

Gay travel in China is a life-changing experience unlike any other experience in the world. To make the most of your time in China, and to make sure you have a memorable and safe gay vacation travel experience, consider traveling through China as part of a planned trip.

This will allow you to explore all that China has to offer with a like-minded group of travelers in a comfortable way and will give you the opportunity to make new friends along the way. Alternatively, for a private China vacation, consider enlisting the assistance of a travel agency well-versed in planning gay vacations to China to help ensure that your gay tours are expereinced to the fullest.

Proposals for gay travel to China penned by Howie Holben. Spirit Journeys provides a gay weekends to remember and a gay adventure travel experience of a lifetime.

Motivation , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Brazil As A Gay Travel Destination

February 14th, 2010

Gay and straight travelers alike flock to Brazil in droves to enjoy the pristine beaches, beautiful people, exciting nightlife, diverse culture and lavish annual celebrations, such as Carnival. As one of the most welcoming and accepting gay vacations spots in South America, Brazil is a popular choice for both gay men and lesbians looking for fun in the sun or a relaxing respite in a tropical paradise. From luxury gay vacations in exclusive beachfront resorts, to exotic excursions into remote Brazilian jungles, Brazil has much to offer to every type of traveler and is an ideal setting for international gay travel.

Among the most well-known Brazilian gay vacation destinations is Rio de Janeiro, which offers circuit parties, gay beaches, bathhouses, lesbian and gay clubs, drag shows and a wide variety of shopping, cultural activities, recreation and dining options that lure travelers from around the globe. While Rio de Janeiros gay establishments and culture are weighted more toward gay men, most gay events and establishments welcome lesbians and ladies can enjoy their own lesbian club, as well as womens nights at local gay establishments. Of course, Rio de Janeiro is perhaps most famous for its annual New Years celebrations and the world-renowned Carnival, each of which includes an abundance of parades, parties and activities for gay men and lesbians.

Although Rio de Janeiro may be the most popular gay tours destination in Brazil, there are many other options throughout the country. Many cities in Brazil, such as Sao Paolo and Belo Horizonte, host annual gay pride festivals and parades and the majority of urban areas have a thriving gay community. For those who may be looking for gay vacations outside of the pride and party scene, gay travel opportunities in Brazil also include organized tours of cultural and historical landmarks and luxury all-inclusive Amazon cruises provided by tour companies dedicated to providing exceptional gay vacations to gay and lesbian travelers.

A Brazilian gay trip provides ample opportunities to partake in once in a lifetime adventures and experience this cosmopolitan culture to the fullest. To ensure a safe, enjoyable vacation, keep in mind that gay travel in Brazil is not unlike gay travel within the United States when it comes to being aware and using your best judgment. Just as gay travelers in the U.S. know that some areas are more accepting and welcoming than others, gay travelers in Brazil should also keep this in mind as they explore Brazil. And, for travelers who may wish to enjoy some of Brazil’s well-known bathhouses, taking the necessary precautions to play safely is just as necessary as it is back home.

To ensure a fun-filled, relaxing Brazilian gay vacation, your best bet is to work with a travel agency that is familiar with vacation packages, optimal travel dates for your vacation goals, local attractions and the particular information that is of interest to gay and lesbian travelers. Whether your ideal vacation is an adventure into the jungle, a relaxing week at the beach or a wild time in Rio, working with a travel agency dedicated to gay tours will allow you to sit back and relax and have the Brazilian vacation you have always dreamed of.

Thoughts about Brazil written by Howie Holben. Spirit Journeys list of gay guides is amazing. Their gay travel in 2010 is well rounded.

Motivation , , , , , , , , , , , ,

How To Reduce Flabby Arms Without Exercise

January 25th, 2010

Is it possible to tone flabby arms so easily you ask? You probably think I’m full of it, but I’m not.

I’m not saying that exercise is bad for you, or that it has no value. I mean, exercise is great for getting sexy arms. However, there are other ways for getting rid of arm flab.

You do it with spontaneous fat loss. This type of fat loss refers to reductions in caloric intake that are unconscious. In other words, there are certain environmental factors you can manipulate that will automatically reduce the amount of calories you eat.

So without further ado, here are 4 ways to tone flabby arms by entering spontaneous fat loss:

1. Keep bad food in areas that are not easily accessible. One study showed that people eat 300% more candy when it’s within arms’ reach. So make sure to keep all calorie-heavy food far far away no matter what. Conversely, keep the good food very very close. What type of results would you get if you ate 300% more good food?

2. Use smaller eating devices. A really cool study showed that people unconsciously eat 50% more ice cream when using jumbo spoons and bowls. This happened because the scoops of ice cream looked much much smaller next to the large eating devices.

3. Use tall and thin glassware when drinking calorie-laden liquids. People will poor up to 30% more liquid when using short glasses versus tall glasses. You see, a volume of liquid looks much smaller in a short/wide glass versus a tall/thin glass.

4. Don’t let your plates be cleared at a buffet. If you do, you’ll end up eating 25% more. You see, when your plates are constantly cleared, you forget how much you have eaten. Thus, you keep on eating well beyond your needs.

Spontaneous fat loss is the key to sexy arm stardom with minimal effort. Learning how to tone flabby arms doesn’t have to be a long and drawn out battle. At times, the easiest approach is the best approach.

And remember to take action on this information today, not tomorrow. The women who take action the fastest are the ones who succeed.

Obtain free and valuable advice on the top movement flabby arm exercises immediately by going to Katherine Crawford’s M.S. website Sleeveless in 7. And uncover how to get toned and lean arms ASAP by visiting her blog about arm toning right now!

categories: arm toning,flabby arms,weight loss program,weight loss programs,fitness,weight loss,health,women,beauty,wellness,exercise,supplements,nutrition,psychology

Motivation , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Dieting For Children

January 24th, 2010

It is difficult to see so many children literally overburdening their bodies at such young ages by being overweight. These kids cannot run, jump or play with other children because their bodies simply will not allow them to do so. Dieting is a necessity for these kids despite our best efforts to insulate them from the self-esteem issues that often accompany obesity.

If you have a child that is well outside the normal weight range for his or her age, you are the one who must take the necessary steps to make certain that they shed those excess pounds in order to live a life that is as close to normal as possible. The first thing you have to do however is consult your child’s physician about the best possible course of action to look after the health of your child.

Put quite bluntly however, if you do not make the effort to help your child to lose those pounds you are putting the health of your child at risk. We do not let our children play in the street, we do not let them run about with knives, why on Earth would we permit them to commit suicide by chocolate? If you have a child that is overweight, the following advice should help you and them with their dieting.

First of all, do not make food a penalty or a reward. Food is part of the problem with your children and you should not use it against them. Instead, introduce them to healthy alternatives. Do not keep junk food in the house and do not let them buy lunch at school. Pack their lunches for school so that you know what they are getting. If you do not give them junk food to take away and they cannot have it when at home, they will be better off.

Incorporate healthy snacks into your family’s eating routine rather than junk food. Fresh fruit, cut up vegetables, nuts, and frozen yogurt are good healthy snacks for your children. When in doubt, check with the food pyramid but watch calories in the process. You want your kids to eat a well balanced diet and eliminate junk food and sweets.

Cut out the juices and pop. This may be a huge ordeal in your family but the greatest gift you can give your child is a deep and abiding liking of water. Water works to make their stomachs feel full and keeps them hydrated for the additional activities you should be introducing into their routines.

Have them take dance lessons, take up a sport, or simply get out and run around the yard. The worst thing you can do is to allow your children to become comatose television, computer, or video game zombies. Get them out of the house and get them active. This helps in two ways. First of all, they are not eating if they are outside playing and having a good time. Second, they are burning calories as they play which is a big bonus in the dieting process of your children.

As your child begins to lose weight, you should start to notice a very big change in not only the way he or she bears his or herself but also in his or her relations with others. Your child will notice a restored self-confidence as the pounds come off and the teasing at school stops.

If you are at a total loss as to how to help your child take the weight off there are camps that are designed expressly to deal with weight problems and building self-esteem in children aged 7-19. A camp may be just the answer you are looking for. Another thing to think about is to lead by example. If you do not eat junk food, if you are active, and if you do not engage in emotional over-eating your child will not be learning those behaviours from you or having them strengthened by you.

Owen Jones, the author of this piece, writes on many topics, but is currently involved with our blog why can’t I lose weight. If you have an interest in losing weight, please go over to our website now at Why Can’t I Lose Weight?

Happiness , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Anytime Fitness Member Success Story | Scott Herrem

January 20th, 2010

One of many great success stories of Anytime Fitness members.

Success , , , ,

Quick Fit Micah: Warm Up - Part 2

January 18th, 2010

If you need to get in shape quickly and have fun while doing it, then fitness guru Micah Hudson is here to help with this new motivating and flexible workout programme. … fitness exercise aerobics instruction athletic stretch cardio vascular work out routine regime weight loss health energy fat burn high-energy intensity motivation muscles well-being self confidence slimming

Motivation , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Quick Fit Micah: Warm Up - Part 2

January 18th, 2010

If you need to get in shape quickly and have fun while doing it, then fitness guru Micah Hudson is here to help with this new motivating and flexible workout programme. … fitness exercise aerobics instruction athletic stretch cardio vascular work out routine regime weight loss health energy fat burn high-energy intensity motivation muscles well-being self confidence slimming

Motivation , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Gay Tours Destinations In South Africa

January 15th, 2010

South Africa has long been a gay tours destination, even before it became a human rights frontrunner with the abolition of apartheid, having the first constitution in the world that outlaws discrimination based on sexual orientation and becoming the fifth country worldwide to legalize same-sex marriage. Of course, after these landmark events, the interest in traveling to South Africa significantly increased in both the gay and straight communities. Today South Africa is the most accepting and gay-friendly country on the African continent with a growing gay culture that stretches from the pristine beaches of the Western Cape Province to the exciting, fast-paced lifestyle of Gauteng and is an increasingly popular gay vacation destination.

Pretoria, Johannesburg and Cape Town are must-see stops on gay vacations to South Africa and offer a variety of establishments, events and activities that are gay-centered or gay-friendly. Gay men will find a plethora of establishments that cater exclusively to them from lodging options that include gay-owned exclusively male guest houses, Pretoria’s Camp David, which is a private nude bar exclusively for gay men, and Cape Towns bathhouses, which are generally referred to as steam saunas or steam baths. While South Africa’s gay scene is mostly geared towards men, lesbians and families will also find plenty of activities to enjoy on gay vacations in this historically- and culturally-rich country, including many tour options offered by gay-friendly tour companies committed to providing a great gay vacation for gay travelers.

Gay men and lesbians who prefer a gay tour centered around gay events may want to consider visiting South Africa in September, which is gay pride month and includes several pride celebrations and events, including the Out in Africa South African Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, which brings more than 16,000 visitors to Cape Town and Johannesburg each year. Or, in December, gay travelers to Cape Town can join more than 10,000 international visitors attending the Mother City Queer Project annual costume party. Cape Town is also home to two beaches that are widely popular among gay men, Clifton’s Third Beach and Sandy Bay nudist beach, as well as a gay village with numerous gay-friendly and gay-owned businesses and eateries in Green Point. Local publications serving the gay community, like Outright and Exit, can be picked up at various locations and provide up-to-the-minute information on gay goings on and the best bars and restaurants.

Any gay tour to South Africa must include indulging in the plentiful options for dining in gay-friendly establishments like Johannesburg’s Bellgables Country Restaurant, where travelers dine in a refurbished farmhouse on a 21-acre farm; Cape Towns award winning Emily’s, which offers South African cuisine in a fine dining environment, as well as both beer and wine bars; or gay-owned Lola’s, a vegetarian caf in Cape Town with a bohemian feel.

Get the most out of South African gay holidays by working with a professional travel agency well-versed in gay travel to South Africa. Only a travel agency dedicated to gay travelers will be able to provide the up-to-date information and travel safety tips for specific areas in South Africa that are important to the gay and lesbian community.

Advice offered about South Africa by Howie Holben. Spirit Journeys hosts gay destinations and a gay tantra retreat.

categories: metaphysical,spirituality,self improvement,motivation,inspirational,gay,travel,vacations,tours,tourism,health,fitness,recreation

Motivation , , , , , , , , , , , ,