Your Ski and Snowboard Check List for the Slopes

Hard Goods Hard goods is the term for all of the equipment you need for the slopes. Make sure everything is dry and stored properly when not in use.

• Skis, Snowboard (or arrangements for a high end demo)

Most enthusiasts own their own skis or snowboard. It makes parking lot to slope time shorter and your skills will develop faster with the consistency the same equipment provides. If you do not own your own skis or board be sure to make arrangements for rentals or a high end demo in advance to avoid long delays. Ski blades are a fun alternative to skiing or snowboarding.

• Bindings

A safety check on all bindings is recommended before heading out to the slopes. If it has been a while since you were last out have them checked by a certified technician.

• Boots

Boots are the most important piece of equipment. The proper boot with a good fit is the best way to enjoy your day on the hill.

• Poles

Poles come in a wide variety of prices and styles. Does it make a difference? Yes, and no. Any pole will do but once you try a good, graphite pole your average aluminum pole simply won't cut it any more.

• Helmet

Protecting your noggin is the smartest thing you can do for yourself. It is also very warm. Make sure it fits properly for maximum protection.

• Goggles or Sunglasses

Goggles and sunglasses not only look cool they will protect your eyes from the elements. Oddly enough being able to see is pretty important on the slopes, quality sunglasses or goggles with anti-fog protection can help.

Soft Goods Soft goods is the term used for what you wear when you head out to the slopes. Dressing properly can make for a much more enjoyable day.

• Socks

Socks are the key to dressing properly. If your feet are cold nothing else matters. Use silk, wool or a hollow core synthetic weave for the best results. Keeping your feet dry is of top importance so stay away from cotton and only wear one pair of socks. More is not better in this case. Make sure the sock is fitted, with a formed heel and toe, this will reduce bulk and binding which may reduce circulation resulting in cold toes.

• Thermal Underwear

Your next to skin layer should be silk, wool or a hollow core synthetic fabric for best results. Fabrics that wick moisture away from your skin will keep you dry and warm throughout the day.

• Layering Pieces

What you layer with will be determined by the weather and what you are wearing for your outer layer. Add items to your holiday wish list that will increase your choices and flexibility.

• Vest

A vest is one of the best ways to keep your core body warm. They keep bulk down while maintaining warmth around the torso keeping the vital organs toasty. Keep in mind if your core body is warm more warm blood is available for your extremities. So, if your hands or feet get cold, wear a vest!

• Sweater or Fleece

Wearing a sweater or a fleece over your thermal underwear is the most effective way to maintain an even body temperature. Most ski sweaters and fleece are low in bulk so still allow the addition of a vest if necessary.

• Fleece Pants

Fleece pants are not only a cozy apres ski piece but essential for those cold days on the slopes. They also make shell pants more versatile by providing added insulation when needed.

• Jacket and Pants or Suit

Your outer layer should consist of a jacket and a pant or a suit. These pieces may be insulated or not (if they are uninsulated they are referred to as a shell). If they are shell pieces be sure to layer effectively under them according to the weather.

• Hat

Even if you have a helmet, a hat is an essential piece of clothing for the winter. You won't be wearing your helmet off the slopes and things get pretty chilly when the top is left uncovered.

• Gloves or Mittens

The choice between gloves or mittens is a personal one. Mittens are warmer but most people feel more comfortable in gloves. The point is to keep the fingers covered and if they still get cold use a pair of chemical heat packs. Some gloves and mittens have specially designed pockets to hold heat packs or invest in a pair of glove liners with a built in pocket.

• Neck Gaiter

The neck gaiter is the simplest layering piece you can own. It keeps your chin and neck warm, which decreases your sensation of cold. You can change the entire look of your outfit by simply changing the color of your neck gaiter.

Reprinted with permission from http://www.skiwarehouse.com

Kjerstin Klein: Passionate skier and technical writer for skiwarehouse.com

Yoga Level 1 Certification

How To Lose Weight While You Sleep

Most of us simply take sleep for granted. We assume we need our "rest" without ever thinking much about it. But the most important function of sleep is to allow our bodies to regenerate themselves. If we engage in physical exercise or muscle-taxing work during the day, our muscles, ligaments, skin, cartilege and other working parts of our body are worn down in the process. The body needs a time of rest to rebuild these damaged parts. That is what happens during sleep.

In other words, the body engages in a restorative process during sleep. And this restorative process uses energy to rebuild both lean muscle mass and other kinds of body tissue. That is worth repeating -- the rebuilding processes that take place during sleep use energy. And if the restorative processes are running smoothly and efficiently, the required energy comes from the places in our body where energy is stored -- from our fat cells.

So while we sleep the body repairs and rebuilds organ tissue, ligaments, tendons and lean muscle by burning the calories we take in as food during the day. And if that is not enough, it will burn excess fat.

Several things about this process are worth noting. They have an important bearing on how efficiently it works.

Collagen is very important to the body repair process

Collagen is the most common protein found in our bodies. It is the main component of our skin, nails, bones, cartilage, and connective tissue and is found in all of the body organs. Cartilage is the cushion and shock absorber between joints, and the reason we stay flexible and mobile. But cartilage and other soft body tissues are the very things that break down during our normal daily activities. So healthy cartilage and other soft tissue is constantly being regenerated by the body naturally and this process which depends on a steady source of collagen contributes to keeping us youthful and flexible.

Unfortunately, as we age our bodies lose the ability to produce collagen at sufficient levels needed to support the restorative processes that our bodies are designed to perform. This can be a major contributor leading to a premature aged appearance and can seriously affect our flexibility and mobility.

Therefore it stands to reason that a collagen supplement combined with other natural ingredients can have a dramatic impact on the deep restorative processes that take place during sleep. This in turn can allow the body to experience more energy, build more lean muscle, and burn more fat.

Amino acids enhance the regeneration process

The rebuilding process is also dependent on the production of a unique amino acid combination found in collagen. As part of the restoration process, these collagen based special amino acids help maintain lean muscle mass and allow the body to more readily consume fat for energy during the deep restorative sleep cycles. This natural metabolic function directly contributes to weight loss and our ability to maintain our "proper weight".

But again, as we age, our body's production of collagen and its unique amino acids is reduced. The natural ingredient L-Carnitine, when properly combined with collagen in a natural supplement, can significantly enhance the body's natural function of converting excess fat into readily available energy. During deep sleep, this special amino acid conbination works like a natural "turbo charger" to help your body repair, preserve and build lean muscle while burning stored excess fat to supply the needed energy.

Not eating before sleeping is important

Since the body uses deep sleep for the restoration process, it is important when using a collagen supplement not to eat approximately three hours before going asleep. This is because we don't want nutrient competitiion between undigested food and the collagen supplement's special nutrient formula. If the body has to concern itself with digestion it will not absorb the collagen formula properly. Therefore your body will not be performing its natural restorative process while you sleep, but rather will be concerned with undigested foods and will actually be storing fat from the continuing digestive process rather than burning fat as the energy for the deep sleep restorative process.

This tends to put us into a "diet circle of frustration". The less time your body spends in deep restful sleep (without competing digestion), the less time it has to restore its natural health, and the less fat that is burned in support of this natural rebuilding process.

Now we understand how deep restful sleep and weight loss often go hand in hand with our overall health.

Reducing or eliminating the intake of food three hours before bedtime allows the body to use its natural fat reserves for metabolic fuel during the deep restorative sleep cycle.

Collagen weight loss products build on this process

Natural collagen supplements enable the natural process to help people lose weight and be more naturally healthy. For instance, the product called Lose and Snooze consists of a blend of Collagen, L-Carnitine and Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera). The Collagen contributes to a more youthful appearance, greater flexibility, and all round mobility and strength.

The collagen supplement also enhances the deep sleep necessary to enable your body's natural metabolic functions to occur, like when we were children. The second ingredient, L-Carnitine promotes the burning of fat in support of the natural rebuilding, restorative process that occurs during deep sleep. And Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) contains numerous nutrients and amino acids that help create a healthy environment in support of your body's ability to create its own collagen.

Many users of collagen supplements like Lose and Snooze have reported good results. But researchers stress that going to bed on an empty stomach is an integral part of the therapy. Many users report that using a collagen formula in combination with an empty stomach before bedtime, has been beneficial to their general health and has helped them naturally lose weight.

And because collagen supplements only help lose excess fat (while rebuilding muscle), they can be used by anybody -- not just people wanting to lose weight. They have also been beneficial to folks who want to enjoy better sleep, build lean muscle, improve their appearance and reshape their body while maintaining their proper healthy weight.

Rick Hendershot publishes Linknet News | FDA Approved Prescription Drugs - Get weight loss prescriptions | Collagen Weight Loss - Lose weight while you sleep.

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