But one thing you should never forget is to stay in shape and stay healthy while you are there. Here is a list of some of the best fitness centers on the strip. After making some winnings at the casino, remember to squeeze some time in to work out.

Four Seasons – Complimentary. Includes relaxation lounges and steam rooms. Men and women lockers are available. The fitness center holds a view of the pool where you can use one of the cardio machines and watch TV from your own personal screen.

Bellagio – Not complimentary. Fitness room comes with access to the spa vanity wet areas. There are one-on-one sessions with personal trainers as well as group exercises. Some of the classes include yoga, meditation, pilates and spinning.

Wynn – Includes steam room, sauna, whirlpool, deluge showers and lounge. Work out equipment includes treadmills, elliptical trainers, bikes, free-weight and strength. Personal trainers are available for private sessions. Yoga classes are also available.

Palazzo – Fitness classes are available and the hotel offers personal trainers and nutritionists. Stand out hotel specialties are 40-foot rock-climbing wall, pilates and Kinesis. The fitness center is 21,000 square feet.

If you are ready to jump into a healthier body, check out these five tips to get you on the road to a lean, mean nutrition machine in no time.

Eat for Your Heart

When your heart is pumping at top efficiency, the rest of your body will receive the nutrients and oxygen it needs for optimal health. Healthy hearts require a fare rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, first and foremost. These selections are packed nutrients that are good for the cardiovascular system.

Your heart also needs plenty of whole grains and a reduction of foods high in fat, sugar and sodium. A diet that follows these basic principles will get you on the road to a healthier heart and a healthier body overall.

Exercise for Your Heart

In addition to the right foods, your heart needs physical activity to keep it motoring along in top condition. The best workout for your heart involves cardiovascular exercise that gets the body moving and the blood pumping.

You can walk, jog, swim or bike your way to better health. You can visit your local gym to try out the treadmill, elliptical machine, Nordic track or recumbent bike. The American Heart Association recommends 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week to keep your heart in top condition.

Eat for Your Bones

Your skeletal system supports your entire body, so keep it strong for life with foods rich in calcium, vitamin D and protein. While most people think dairy when they think calcium, other good sources include broccoli, tofu and collard greens. If it is dairy you crave, think fat-free milk, yogurt and cheese for healthy snacks and meal additions that pack on nutritional value without packing on pounds.

Exercise for Your Bones

The best workouts for your bones involve resistance or strength training, which specifically targets the various muscles of the body to build strength and endurance. You can complete a strength training program using machines at your local gym or at home with a few free weights and a bench. Your body also makes a good strength training tool, with pushups, pull-ups and squats providing plenty of resistance for effective muscle building.

Putting it all Together

As you can see, the most effective path to a healthy body means a combination of good food choices and a healthy workout program. There are other alternatives if you wish. Products such as Xenical can aid in losing weight while enjoying a routine fitness program and a healthy diet.

Whether you want to drop a few pounds or simply achieve a higher state of health overall, the path begins with healthy eating and a daily workout regimen. Pay attention to what you purchase at the grocery store and enlist the assistance of a personal trainer to get you started on a workout customized to your specific needs. It’s never too late – or too soon – to pursue a greater state of health and fitness.

The prizes are really worth looking at. In fact you have great chances winning one of the $1,4K bikes (which sounds great!):

1st prize: $1,399-worth
	E30R Tunturi Recumbent Bike
2nd prize: $1,299-worth
	E30 Upright Bike
3rd prize: $379-worth
	Power Blocks Classic 5-45lbs Adjustable Dumbbell Set

All you need is to participate is to take the quiz located here:eFITology Exercise Mythbuster Quiz Contest which debunks some of the most popular exercise myths.

Note:

• Contest expires March 10th, 2010;
• Contest is open only to individuals who are legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia and are eighteen (18) years of age or older at the time of entry.

Unfortunately, the states who pass these new laws are forgetting the many social and health benefits of traditional and online bingo.

According to a study reported by the Telegraph, frequently participating in social events helps older people keep an active and youthful mind. By playing games like online bingo, sudoku and even golf, an aging mind remains engaged.

For the study, researchers watched the decline of motor function of more than 96 elderly patients over a period of almost five years.

Studies have shown that people who remain mentally active, reduce their chances of getting sick and add years onto their lives. The findings, which were published in the Archives of Internal Medicine journal, show that staying active reduces the risk of developing a disability by 65 percent and of death by 40 percent.

1. Aqua bells

These are dumbbells that you can carry in your suitcase. Don’t get shocked…these are actually inflatable water dumbbells that can be folded and packed into your suitcase. There are four compartments in each dumbbell that can be filled with water to give the dumbbells a weight of 32 pounds! That’s more than enough weight for a travel fitness regimen. Once you take the water out of the dumbbells, they weigh only 24 ounces. Buy two of them, put them in your suitcase with your clothes and other stuff, and you are ready to start your workout in your destination. The Aqua bells can be inflated with air to perform resistance training in water, too!

2. Top Fitness Magazines

Most people, who are serious about fitness, have subscriptions to top fitness magazines in the country. In fact, fitness magazines are handy tools to carry when you travel because they can help you with travel specific workout regimens and diet plans. Besides, reading your fitness magazines while traveling can help you stay focused on your fitness as the temptation to not workout and eat fattening and unhealthy foods can be high when you’re on the road. Most gym rats have cheap subscriptions to all the top fitness magazines in the country, anyways, and carrying a bunch of them in their suitcases won’t be too much of a trouble. I suggest using Subscription.com to find the best subscription rates.

3. Cool iPod Fitness Tools You Can Find

Just as how magazines can help the gym rats with their travel fitness plans, some audio-visual stimulation can go a long way in maintaining the workout rhythm. Since the iPod has become a part of most people’s travel accessories, nowadays, take some cool iPod fitness tools you can find and load them on to your iPod before you leave your home. Find a good one that has an extensive exercise list that includes all major exercise routines like cardio, strength, flexibility, yoga, Pilates etc. So when you get bored with one routine, you can always switch to some other. These interactive fitness applications on your iPod can act as your personal trainer that can ensure that you don’t slack on your workouts when traveling. You can workout all the time listening to some motivating music, too!

4. Pedometers

Another thing you’ll find in a gym rat’s suitcase is a pedometer. Pedometers can help track every step you take and the calories you burn. You don’t want to ease off on your workouts, when you are traveling, by losing track of the calories you are burning. There are so many good pedometers available in the market today; some you can strap on to your track pants and some you can wear it on your wrist like a wrist band. Whichever model you choose, make sure that you put it to optimum use when you travel. Strap one on the moment you leave your home, and start counting your steps straightaway.

Now you know why even the travel gym rats look fit and ready to go all the time; it’s because of the four things they have in their suitcases.

Get Real

No one will truly have a “Martha Stewart” holiday; in fact, Stewart herself has a staff of experts that help her make the holidays merry and bright. Instead of aiming for perfection, try aiming for a dose of reality that allows the holidays to be just what they are. When your expectations become realistic, you won’t be as likely to run yourself into the ground trying to create the picture perfect season for everyone around you. They will never notice the difference. and you will end up enjoying your season much more.

Take Time

When life gets too busy, the simple pleasures of life get lost in the shuffle. After an afternoon of baking or wrapping, enjoy a glass of wine or a mug of cocoa in front of the Christmas tree. Watch one of your favorite holiday flicks or relax to the sounds of Christmas carols. Delight in the anticipation of your children or spend a quiet moment with your spouse, savoring the peace of the holiday. Those small, simple moments help you refocus on what is really important during the holiday season.

Help Someone Else

It doesn’t have to be big and it doesn’t have to take much time. Spend an afternoon visiting with residents of a nursing center or baking some cookies for your neighbors. Adopt a family for the holidays or make a donation to your local homeless shelter. The act of doing for others gives you the chance to be thankful for what you have. Involve the whole family to make the entire holiday more meaningful to your clan.

Talk to a Friend

When the stress of the season starts to get the best of you, grab a friend for coffee or lunch. Most women find that an hour or two with a friend is much more effective – and cheaper – than a regular therapy session. Just be prepared to return the favor when your friend calls up completely frazzled. Those dates are guaranteed to be beneficial for both of you.

Get your Rest

No matter how busy the holidays get, never sacrifice your sleep if you can help it. Sufficient rest helps to recharge the body, strengthen the immune system and even prevent us from the typical holiday overindulgence. When the temptation arises to stay up late to wrap gifts or bake cookies, remind yourself that nothing is more important to your health. Then check back to the first tip in this article and readjust your expectations accordingly.

Exercise for Energy

Amidst all of the gift wrapping and meal prepping, you may find yourself with little energy to exercise. However, it’s important to still exercise during the holiday season. Even working out for 15 minutes can give your body the energy boost it needs. Even better, keeping your exercise routine helps boost your immune system to fight away cold-weather viruses and bugs, not to mention burning all of those extra eggnog calories!

The holidays are a time for friends and family, but they can also pack more stress than you want in your life. By following these tips, you can celebrate the season in style and enjoy it to the fullest.

To avoid this holiday cycle, check out these five tips for staying healthy during the winter holidays.

Eating Healthy

When Christmas cookies and eggnog become the standard food fare, it is time to counter those unhealthy selections with a few nutrition-packed ones. Stock your pantry with fresh fruits and veggies for snacking. Fresh produce offers a powerful punch of nutrition with very few calories. Grab an apple while you are Christmas shopping or crunch some carrot sticks during your afternoon wrapping session. Keep a bowl of washed fruit on your counter or in your refrigerator for easy access during frantically busy days.

Avoid Overeating

When the season’s festivities arrive, it can be easy to overindulge at social events. Eat a light snack before heading out to a dinner or cocktail party so you will consume less while out with friends.

You can also drink plenty of water before you go out, since water fills the stomach and hydrates the body for a night of partying. Remember that alcoholic beverages are packed with calories without providing much satiety, so limit yourself to one or two drinks during those nights on the town.

Get your ZZZ’s

Sleep becomes quite elusive with so much socializing and so little spare time during the season. However, sleep is important for a number of reasons. A healthy amount of sleep keeps the immune system working at peak capacity so your body is prepared to fight off the many bugs lurking this time of year. Sleep is also the time when your body produces certain hormones that keep it from overeating. Even during the busiest weeks, you should strive for seven to eight hours of shut-eye a night.

Make Time for Exercise

It is easy to forgo your workout program when time is at a premium, but your body needs physical activity more than ever during the holidays. Exercise boosts your energy levels so you can actually accomplish more during the day. It also keeps your immune function high and helps you maintain a healthy weight, even when you do decide to indulge in those cookies and eggnog.

Manage Stress

The holidays are packed with fun, but they also come with more than their share of stress. Too much stress makes the body more prone to sickness and more likely to indulge in unhealthy habits like overeating or drinking. To alleviate this problem, make some time to relax and indulge in activities you enjoy. Spend an evening with a good book or a jigsaw puzzle, or relax in a decadent bubble bath. When you make time for yourself, stress will be less likely to take its toll.

You can get through the holidays without sacrificing your health with these easy tips. By taking control of the season, rather than letting it control you, you will be more likely to make it to New Year’s with your health intact.

Get your Sleep

You may not think of sleep as a means to a more beautiful body, but sleep is essential to good health and weight loss. While you sleep, your body produces a hormone known as leptin, which is responsible for providing the body with feelings of satiety after meals. When you don’t get enough sleep, sufficient levels of leptin are not produced to control the appetite effectively.

Lack of sleep also increases production of a hormone known as ghrelin, which stimulates the appetite and contributes to overeating. This double whammy can sabotage that sexy body you are working toward.

Train in Intervals

The most effective type of workout for fat burning is interval training, which involves bursts of high intensity exercise throughout a moderate intensity workout. For example, you might try walking on the treadmill for 10 minutes, followed by a two-minute burst of jogging with an incline. Go back to moderate walking for five minutes, followed by another two-minute blast. When you engage in 30 minutes of interval training most days of the week, you will see faster results than simply walking at a single pace for a similar amount of time.

Add Weights

Strength training provides a double benefit. First, the exercises increase lean muscle mass, which helps the body burn fat more effectively. Second, strength training is one of the quickest routes to toned, sexy muscles all over the body. Two to three sessions a week are all you need to reap the full benefits of strength training. Make sure you allow a day between sessions so the muscles have time to rest and recover sufficiently before the next workout.

Up your Water Intake

Most of us do not drink enough water to sufficiently hydrate the body. Water also provides multiple benefits; in addition to providing hydration, it fills up the stomach so we end up eating less. Water also assists in the natural detoxification process of the body so you don’t have to worry about additional water weight or toxins in the body interfering with your workout cycles.

Increase your Protein

Protein feeds lean muscle mass and is essential for a leaner, meaner physique. The right types of protein can also assist in the weight loss process for faster, more effective results. Stick with lean proteins like poultry, fish and low-fat dairy products. Snack on a fat-free cheese stick or drink a glass of skim milk before a meal. Adding protein to your diet makes your strength training and your weight loss efforts more efficient.

When Santa comes tumbling down your chimney this Christmas Eve, what will he find? With these tips in hand, you will have a leaner, sexier body to show off when Santa makes his annual visit.

Things can get quite complicated with so many choices available in weight reduction now, choosing the right one that can deliver the desired results and at the same time do not cause any unwanted side effects is a very hard task. In addition, companies that manufacture fat reduction pills, companies that promote fat losing procedures, and clinics that offer fat reducing surgeries, pile on to the miseries of the common man by proclaiming each one’s product or procedure to be more effective than the rest.

The best way to choose the most effective method is to look with an objective way at all fat reducing solutions available. (We will leave out surgical options here, as they are risky, expensive and only needed for extreme cases.) Before we do that, let’s also understand a bit about the properties of fat, calories and the needs of the human body first. The human body needs energy to function. It needs energy to walk, talk or even sleep. Energy is got through the foods we eat. The energy levels are measured in units called calories. Foods are also classified as low calorie and high calorie foods depending on the amount of energy they give. Simply put, the higher the calories you eat the higher your energy levels, and the lower the calories you eat the lower your energy levels. However, there is a downside to it. If you eat high calorie foods that give you more energy levels than you do require; all the unused calories are going to slowly turn into fat.

What this means is that as long as you eat low calorie foods, you’ll never gain weight or fat. On a surface level, this statement is right. However, the problem is that by eating low calorie foods, there are chances that you might miss out on nutrients that are essential to your body. Besides, even fat, which is abhorred by all those who want to lose weight, is also essential for the human body to function. Only thing is that one should eat only good fat, in amounts that are required by your body. There are possibilities of one losing muscle, tissue, and bone density by eating low calorie foods.

Everybody knows that eating low calorie foods can reduce weight, but how do you ensure that your low calorie diet does not make you lose other vital things along with your fat? A combination of exercise and a low calorie diet is a great way to lose weight, but in the process you might also be losing your muscle and bone density. Eating low calorie foods is enough to lose weight, definitely, but you will be losing essential nutrients that are responsible for muscle, tissue, and bone growth. Eating low calorie foods reduces your metabolic rate, which in the long run will reduce your body’s ability to metabolize or burn fat. This is a paradox that most people face.

There are better options like the HCG diet, which promote rapid fat loss and at the same time ensure that you don’t lose muscle mass or bone density. HCG diet programs are a combination of low calorie foods and small doses of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG), a hormone that burns extra fat to produce energy. A HCG diet will only burn the extra fat to mobilize energy and eliminate the rest. All other nutrients like proteins and essential carbohydrates are retained in your body. The result is that you get to retain your muscle mass and bone density and at the same time lose the unwanted fat at a rapid rate. This is the most advanced and successful program around that not only eliminates fat and reduces weight, but also ensures that your all- round health is maintained.

Thoughts?

1. “Good” Fats

The good kind of fat is the unsaturated kind, which you can eat in moderation without causing health problems. Unsaturated fats can be broken down into two categories; monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats.

2. Monounsaturated Fats

Monounsaturated fats have been proven to lower both total cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol. They also raise the HDL (good) cholesterol. As you can see, a diet that includes these fats can be good for you. So, where do you find monounsaturated fats? In nuts mostly, for example, walnuts, peanuts and almonds. Avocados also boast a healthy dose, as does olive oil and canola oil.

3. Polyunsaturated Fats

The best kind of polyunsaturated fat is omega-3 fatty acids, which is found in fish like salmon and mackerel, flaxseeds and walnuts. Doctors recommend getting at least two helpings of omega-3 fat weekly. The best source is fish products, which is much more effective than taking an omega-3 supplement. Keep in mind that fat is still fat, and even these “good” fats should only be consumed in moderation.

4. “Bad” Fats

Bad fats contribute to an increased risk of heart disease and weight problems. These fats are the ones to avoid as much as possible, although small amounts of certain kinds of “bad” fat are acceptable. The “bad” fats can be broken down into two categories as well; saturated fat and trans fat.

5. Saturated Fat

Saturated fats raise both the total cholesterol and the LDL levels. These fats can be found in animal products like meat, seafood, eggs and dairy products. Some seafood and butter also fall into this category. Certain oils are also high in saturated fat, like coconut oil and palm kernel oil. Saturated fat should only be enjoyed in small portions to avoid the health risks that can come from overindulging.

6. Trans Fat

Trans fat is probably the worst kind of fat, which is found in commercially baked products, fried foods and a number of oils. These fats do not appear naturally in foods; instead, they have been invented in the lab for the purpose of increasing food production and shelf life. Foods containing trans fat should be avoided as much as possible.

Fats are a natural part of many of our foods and not all are considered bad. By getting savvy to the different types of fat, so you know what to eat more of and what to avoid, you can be on the road to a healthier body and a healthier heart.