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Recently, two co-workers of mine were discussing their weight loss efforts and part of that conversation stuck with me. One of them said, "It sure is a lot harder to lose weight than it is to gain it." The other one answered, "Yeah, thats because gaining weight is fun." I laughed with them, because there is some truth to that statement.

Yes, it can be fun to eat with abandonment and not think about whether what you are eating is healthy or not; it is only the consequences that are painful. Examples of shorter term consequences are pain in your stomach, indigestion, and sluggishness. The longer term consequences are high blood pressure, heart disease, and shortness of breath. Seeing your appearance change for the worse is painful too. Focusing on these consequences is key to developing self-discipline.

Discipline is necessary to achieve your weight loss goals and any goal that you want to achieve in life. after all, you dont have to employ discipline to do those things that you enjoy. For example, I wouldnt have to discipline myself to eat chocolate bars because I enjoy them, however I do have to discipline myself to limit them in my life. How do I do it? Discipline requires two skills: Desire and diversion.

Desire means that you have to want the goal that your discipline will help you achieve more than anything. For example, I wanted to lose weight and get healthy more than I wanted the chocolate bars. Each time I desired the chocolate bar, I had to remind myself of the alternate goal and make it real and vivid. I had to see myself with that goal already achieved and experience the pleasure of it. I had to make that pleasure more intense than the pleasure I imagined I would receive from eating the chocolate bar.

The second skill is diversion, which is simply engaging in an activity that diverted my attention away from the undesirable activity. In the chocolate bar example, I had to either give myself something that I would enjoy eating that was healthier for me or perform an alternate activity that would help me better meet my needs. For example, if I was angry, eating a chocolate bar would not help me, but taking a long walk to cool off likely would.

My co-worker was right: For many of us, losing weight is harder than gaining it. But we need to remind ourselves that, although it is harder to lose weight, it is not impossible. It is also worth the effort. Then we use our key of discipline to help us achieve what we want. It is the only way to get the body that we deserve.

A Registered Nurse for many years, Kimberly Floyd battled obesity for much of her adult life. She achieved her ideal weight and has written a new book entitled 'Moneywise Weight Loss' which teaches others how to lose weight and save money--at the same time.

Kim has written articles for the georgia Nurses Association publication and nursing Spectrum online. now a technical writer, she has written training programs for corporate clients, including IBM, U.S. Bank, and Cingular.

Kim also teaches an online course called 'Goodbye to Shy'. This course is distributed to over 1100 colleges and universities in the United States, Canada, and Australia through Thomson Learning. An accomplished speaker and trainer, she delivers presentations on health-related topics to enthusiastic audiences.

A pool not only adds value to a home but also makes the backyard a place for relaxing and fun. Combining a pool and landscaping can increase the property value dollar for dollar spent.

So many possibilities exist to integrate landscape elements with pool design. Planning any landscaping of a pool area can be done with new pool construction or remodeling as well as inground or above ground pools. Landscaping features can take advantage of a pools shape or created entirely to add contrast. Creative landscaping of a pool area converts a simple but functional pool setting into a haven for relaxing and a personal mini paradise.

One important factor in any pool landscape project involves selecting appropriate plants and flowers for not only for the area but also remember the splashing water from a pool contains chemicals. There are other a challenges and aspects to consider. You need to consider debris and insects from plants, landscape rocks or other elements used to enhance a pool area.

Landscaping - Poolscaping

Landscaping is a key element in poolscape development. Choosing the right plants for use around the pool will minimize maintenance. Looking to the outside from indoors will make a patio area warm, welcoming and soothing. The whole landscape process can involve the whole family, beautify the surroundings and make the pool area and backyard a place of fun and the go to place where everyone can relax.

Landscape and pool Design

If you may wonder where to start with the whole pool and landscape design. Begin by creating for yourself a gallery and folder of ideas including photos and design information for reference. Get granular and look to small details you want to incorporate. For example, a fence, the right fence design offers privacy. Depending on how fancy you want to get a landscape design professional may need to be brought in. These design experts can help make your landscape pool vision become an effective design and reality. In the end the design will make your pool area look better.

Depending on where you are in life your pool landscape may include elements to watch the kids play without the adults getting wet, or incorporate outdoor speakers, lighting and waterfall for relaxing evening entertainment.

Pools did lose some popularity in the 90s but new designs; functionality and appearance have brought pools back to the centerpiece of many homes. New materials and design ideas can revitalize even old pools making them modern fitting right into the landscape design. Old pools come alive as dated tiles and cement are replaced and updated.

Pools Landscaping and Fresh ideas

Several landscaping ideas can help enhance both the pool and patio area making the setting an extension of the home. With a little research many creative pool landscape ideas will flood the senses to enhance your pool area. Do not think of landscaping as only plants and rocks. Design also includes fencing, barbeque, audio, landscape lighting and even patio flooring like brick pavers or a deck. Be prepared, with so many ideas and options to choose from it can at times become overwhelming on which elements to include to make your pool landscape your own.

Screen out prying eyes, create a sanctuary, and make the outdoors entertainment central. All the elements can be combined to bring the pool and landscape together plus increase your home live and property value.

Thomas Fryd shares more on landscape design at www.Plant-Care.com and looked illuminating areas for safety, security and aesthetics with malibu landscaping lighting.