Risks of Abortion Pills

When women find themselves pregnant, what is the first thing that they usually think about when they are not yet ready? Most women would probably feel scared at first but after some time, they would start thinking about possible solutions on how they can possibly get rid of the fetus on their uterus. Abortion is the most probable solution that people will think about. Surgical abortion can be a bit traumatic for a lot of people. This is the reason why they would rather take chemical abortion pills.

What Is An Abortion Pill?

An abortion pill is something that pregnant women should take so that the fetus will be taken out from the uterus. There are two types of drugs that women would need to take at different times. The first drug is called methotrexate and the other drug is called misoprostol. Methotrexate is the drug that would have to be taken by the mother with the presence of the doctor. Lately, it has been proven that it will be more effective if it is injected. A few days afterwards, the second drug, the misoprostol would also need to be placed on the vagina. What the misoprostol does is it makes sure that the muscles contract and the fetus will be forced out of the uterus.

What Are the Risks of Abortion Pills?

There are some people who do not know that this can only be taken during the first trimester of pregnancy. Those who would take it later than that will probably be disappointed because it will not work anymore. Other risks that people undergo are the following:

• Heavy bleeding
• Infection
• Partial parts of the fetus are left behind
• The abortion is unsuccessful

Heavy bleeding is already expected because the contents of the uterus would need to be taken out. There are just times when the bleeding is already too much that it can be dangerous for the pregnant woman. Some women have undergone hemorrhaging that was so extreme that blood transfusion should be done to ensure that the pregnant woman will be saved. Infection on the other hand sometimes happens because of the unhygienic process by which the abortion pills have been placed inside the body. There are instances when people develop certain allergies as well although studies show that the allergies are not from the pills themselves. When partial parts of the fetus are left behind and when the abortion is not successful, there is a need for the woman to still undergo surgical abortion that can be dangerous.

There are also instances when the fetus will still survive all types of abortion procedures and they will end up with still a living baby. When this happens, there is a possibility that after undergoing the process of taking abortion pills as well as other surgical procedures, the baby might have numerous effects that will definitely affect the child later on.

Always remember that prevention is always better than cure. It will still be best to know more on how you can practice safe sex so that you would not have to worry about abortion. When you are blessed with a child although it is unplanned, you should still realize that a child is a blessing and not a burden.

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7 Effective Natural Ways to Treat Severe Acne

A severe acne problem does not respond well to many pharmaceutical products.

Most synthetic products have proven to be ineffective. Fortunately, there are proven natural ways to get rid of acne that come at a fraction of the price.

There are several natural ways to treat severe acne; here are the best seven treatments.

Brown Sugar Scrub

Brown sugar scrub is probably the best way to treat severe acne naturally. All you need to do is get in the shower and give your face, back and any other acne-affected areas time for the pores to open up. Then scrub your face gently with brown sugar.

Scrubbing too hard will rupture the pimples so be gentle. If the acne infection has spread to your arms and back, apply the brown sugar to these areas as well. Brown sugar scrub works well when done 2-3 times per month.

Go the Egg Way

Either using the egg white as a facial mask or the egg yolk as a pore opener can make use of the egg as an effective remedy.

The egg white acts to reduce excess skin oil while the yolk helped to avoid pore clogging. This is one way to treat severe acne.

It may take some time, say two months to get visible results, but it works eventually.

Separate the egg white from the yolks into two different bowls. Beat the egg whites and apply on your face. Keep the egg mask on for 15-20 minutes then rinse with plain water. Do not use soap to rinse off the mask. Dab your face with a clean soft cloth or let it dry by itself.

If you wish to use the yolk method to unclog pores, follow the same procedure as with the egg white. Apply to the face and leave it on for 20 minutes then rinse with plain water. You will feel refreshed immediately. Repeat these procedures twice a week.

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is a great toner. Nothing makes your skin clean and supple as lemon juice. Due to its acidity properties, do not leave it on the face for too long. Apply for five minutes and rinse off with warm water.

The warm water will speed up the workings of the lemon juice while ensuring that it washes off completely from your face. This treatment should be done once every two months.

Overuse will result in the face becoming oily which will only aggravate the severe acne condition.

Honey Fix

Honey is a great remedy used to treat severe acne. Its soothing properties and extreme sugar qualities help reduce pimple size and give a clearer complexion.

It also has antibacterial properties that ensure re-infections do not occur. Simply apply to the face leave for an hour and rinse with warm water.

Tea -Tree Oil

Tea-tree oil discourages infection and encourages healing. Tea-tree oil is known for its antifungal properties. A drop of oil does the trick. Rub the oil on the affected areas and you are good to go.

Contrary to popular belief, tea tree works well in all degrees of acne. Whether mild, moderate or severe, tea -tree oil works fine given adequate time.

Garlic

Garlic is a natural antibacterial with over 400 chemicals. It helps in controlling severe acne breakouts and keeps the skin free of further infection.

Garlic should be used in food and on the skin. When these two methods of utilizing garlic are used as a combination, the results are swift and satisfactory.

Apply crushed garlic onto the affected areas and watch the severe acne treatment work like magic. If you do not like the after-smell or taste, chew some parsley to suppress the odor.

Mint

Mint is rich in menthol, a natural soothing agent and an anti-inflammatory. It leaves a cool feeling on the skin and allows the pores to open up.

Mint oil or the extract of the blended leaves will do just fine. This severe acne treatment can be used as often as possible without serious after-effects.

Whichever natural method you settle on to help clear severe acne, ensure that you do not overuse the product.

Stick to a regular routine and maintain it for at least two months in order to see considerable change.

It is also important to note that the natural methods will work better without intervention of other pharmaceutical products on the skin.

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How Often Do We Need Sex, and Will It Have a Negative Affect on Us Before a Workout?

Sex and testosterone levels

It is no secret that increased libido and a constant desire of sex is associated with increased levels of the hormone testosterone. Testosterone is the main hormone for muscle growth, and when you have low levels of it, building muscle is almost impossible.

Playing a sport increase testosterone levels, which leads to an increase in sexual activity and spontaneous erections and desire for sex is a direct indicator of high levels of this hormone.

How many times a week do we need sex?

Studies by Zhejiang University, carried out on 28 students showed that the absence of ejaculation for 6 days produced stable testosterone levels, and then sharply decreased on day 7 and decreases significantly with each subsequent day.

This suggests that a healthy male body requires weekly ejaculation - in other words, sex or masturbation.

Effect of masturbation on the muscle

High levels of testosterone and a related desire for sex without realization of that desire leads to an increase in the stress hormone cortisol, which destroys muscle. It is produced during sex, but hormone prolactin stops this process.

Given that prolactin is produced after sex or orgasm, it does not matter if you have sex or masturbate, as long as you orgasm. Actually, this is yet another confirmation of the fact that masturbation is not harmful, but even useful!

Influence of sex on muscle

Male semen contains a lot of zinc, which the body loses during each ejaculation. Given that zinc is involved in the production of testosterone, without sufficient intake of this mineral, testosterone levels will decline.

The recommended daily intake of zinc - from 10 to 30 mg per day, depends on age and activity. Large amount of zinc are found in bran and germinated wheat grains.

Is sex useful before a workout?

As we mentioned, after sex, men produce hormones prolactin and oksitatsin - they have relaxing effects on the body, improve mood, relieve depression, but, unfortunately, lower libido and testosterone levels.

It is not recommended to have sex or masturbate in the period of 4-5 hours before playing sports and especially not before strength training. Lethargy, weakness and low testosterone levels are not the best assistants!

Sex after training

There are scientific studies, which show that the body needs a male ejaculation about an hour after the end of training. The theory is that it helps improve the immune system and speeds up recovery.

In addition, testosterone levels at this time are at their maximum, which has a positive effect on sexual desire.

Having sex to lose weight?

One of the most common issues associated with sex - is how many calories are burned when doing it. In fact, during sex, not many calories are being spent- only about 300 calories per hour.

But, as already mentioned, sex has a positive effect on male hormone levels, which are responsible for muscle growth and fat-reduction. Thus, sex can be very helpful.

***
Scientific studies show that even a week-long abstinence from sex or masturbation has a negative impact on testosterone levels. Therefore, it is important to ejaculate and reach orgasm at least every seven days.

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How Reflexology Can Help With Trying to Get Pregnant

If you are trying to get pregnant but are experiencing difficulty, reflexology is a holistic and natural therapy that can be of great benefit to help and comfort.

Reflexology can help to improve a person's fertility by directing the flow of energy where it is needed in specific reflex points. Reflexology involves manipulating pressure points in the feet in order to affect a corresponding area of the body. Energy pathways are unblocked, allowing the energy to flow freely as it should.

There are reflex points on the feet that correspond with the reproductive system in the body, and by manipulating these points imbalances that can lead to problems conceiving can be corrected.

How Reflexology Can Help Fertility

Reflexology can be helpful for reproductive system issues that can have an impact on a person's fertility such as:

Polycystic ovaries
Cervical problems
Scar tissue
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Pre-menstrual syndrome
Hormonal imbalances
Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes
Stress related problems
Menstrual problems

Reflexology is great for helping relieve stress. It is very important to reduce stress if you are trying to increase your fertility and become pregnant. Stress can affect your ability to conceive. Whether it's issues worrying about becoming pregnant, stress from family/friends, job related stress, etc. Reflexology is known for being calming and relaxing.

Reflexology is great for balancing hormones, which can help with regular menstruation, relieving the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome/endometriosis and promoting ovulation.

Reflexology and Conventional Medicine

If you are undergoing medical tests to find out the cause of infertility, trying a course of fertility drugs, or seeking out other treatments such as IVF, ICSI, GIFT, or ZIFT, reflexology can be of great benefit to you. This is because it is a holistic and natural therapy, and will not have an effect on the treatments you are undergoing or take in place of them. Reflexology can support your body physically and mentally. It will give you the strength that you need in order to ease anxiety/stress as well as give you the needed support. It will help give the treatment the best possible chance of succeeding.

A Personal Success Story

About 4 years ago I had a client couple a husband and wife coming to me weekly for reflexology treatments. The female client was a 30 year old (at the time) but wasn't experiencing any difficulties with getting pregnant. Her husband was in his 30's and he was told by a doctor that he would never be able to have kids due to his condition of varicocele which is a swelling of a vein in the scrotum. I had made a special aromatherapy blend for his specific condition to use and continued with the reflexology treatments. I got the call from his wife about 4 weeks into the reflexology treatments. She said she found out why she had been getting sick and it was because she was pregnant. I never felt such joy and happiness in my life before knowing that I had helped someone struggling and succeeding by giving them such a beautiful gift. It was very exciting and overwhelming.

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Day Spa Massage Services

A day spa usually offers several types of services to its customers according to their needs and preferences. Many of the services that are offered by these establishments are focused on improving the beauty and relaxed state of the customer. There are many different ways to achieve beauty and relaxation, but the most effective is being in a relaxed and comfortable state of mind. To achieve this, the customer can initially have a massage done before anything else. There are different types of massages around the world that can work wonders and the more popular and effective ones are usually available in the facility.

One of the more popular kinds of massage therapy that can be offered in a day spa is the Swedish massage. This kind involves longer and smoother strokes of the hands with the use of either a kind of oil or lotion. The lubricant is necessary to prevent friction, making the strokes smoother and less uncomfortable. The therapist will also use a kneading and circular motion to promote the wellbeing and relaxation of the individual. Basically, it is a gentle and soothing therapy that can invoke a sense of calm and relaxation in the individual. Many people prefer this relaxing massage over others because they can sleep and have the rest that they crave. In many cases, the oil or lotion that is used by the therapist may be aromatherapy to help the person be more relaxed and stress free for the duration of the service.

Another popular form of this service is the hot stone massage. This type involves the use of several smooth and flat stones that are heated to the correct temperature and then placed in strategic places over the person's body. These warm, flat stones are expected to help loosen tight and stressed muscles as well as help to even out the centers of energy of the body. The day spa therapists will combine another form of massage with the application of the hot stones in order to achieve the best possible results for the customer. The stones can also be moved around as well as held in the hand of the therapist and used during the actual massage for better results. Many customers find the heat from the stones comforting and very relaxing.
Shiatsu is the type of therapy that utilizes the fingers of the masseuse to improve the blood flow of the customer. Firm but relaxing pressure is used on pressure points all over the body. There is no need to use any form of lubricant for this kind of therapy.

Deep tissue massage is focused on penetrating through the body to reach the affected muscles and tissues of the customer. To do this, the therapist utilizes shorter movements and even against-the-grain strokes for friction therapy. This particular massage is effective for individuals who suffer from chronic pain, constantly tight muscles, or may be recovering from injuries as well as problems with one's posture.

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7 Sustainable Diet Secrets

1. Use the KISS principle, Keep It Simple Silly. The idea of simplicity when it comes to losing weight may come as a surprise because we get lost in the drama of our diet story. The do and don't rules, restrictions and limitations of a quick fix diet abound when we're confronting those extra 20 pounds and are desperate to lose it. And I understand reacting in crisis mode having been there myself one too many times.

But there's a mindset worth nurturing that will help you every day, crisis or not, to make simple changes that take almost no effort yet benefit the bottom line, your weight. After all, weight gain comes down to a simple idea. More calories in than needed, the excess is stored as fat. It doesn't get more complicated than that and yet many women forget or overlook applying the Kiss idea in their daily lives especially regarding eating.
What are some ways you can use kiss as your guide. cut down on consumption, lose weight and rethink how you eat and manage your diet?

2. Try applying flexibility, be open to creativity and be willing to switch high impact foods and drinks to lighter substitutions you can self-create. When you decide to eat something that's high impact, resist for a moment and ask yourself how you can tone it down, maybe substitute or leave something out so you can control your own story. Keep in mind, whatever you choose to action for yourself that improves an outcome is proactive and sharpens your awareness. There are many opportunities every day to apply Kiss. For example:

3. In coffee, Frappuccino's, Caffe Mocha, Latte's, Smoothies, Alfredo's, switch to no-fat milk without whipped cream. Get only one pump of the flavored syrup, or ideally, switch to the sugar free syrup. Instead of all these high impact drinks that distract from the pure pleasure of a great tasting coffee, why not return to the basics and add your own signature flair? Try a double espresso with nonfat foam layered right to the top. Sprinkle cinnamon and nutmeg atop the foam, some low or no fat milk, mix and presto, a delicious low calorie foamy drink without a big impact. Experiment and enjoy how great the pure taste of coffee is when its not buried under other stuff.

By the way, cinnamon helps the body regulate your intake of sugar. It helps to prevent sugar spikes by moderating sugar's release into the blood. That's not a license to overload on sweets, it's just a tip t0 know and use to help moderate sugar absorption.

4. In drinks: replace high sugar sodas, shakes and juices with sparking water or plain water with lemon. Lemon naturally balances the body's Ph levels. Try club soda, preferably salt or sodium free, seltzer, plain iced or hot tea with a sprig of mint or cinnamon stick, fresh squeezed carrot or fresh squeezed orange juice. Sugar free Kool-Aid or sugar free Lemon-Aid works.

Important point about sugar --it's in almost everything. Read the food labels and be aware of where and how the foods you buy and eat are impacting your health and your weight. Soda and big gulp sodas overload your body with empty calories, carbs and sugar and because sodas have high phosphorus content, they tend to lower calcium levels which weakens bones, a huge red flag for women especially over 40.

5. In fast foods: You can still order a fun meal only with a slightly lighter impact. Here's some suggestions for saving calories at some of the more well known chains.

KFC - replace fried chicken, crispy and extra crispy for grilled. Grilled is delicious and saves on calories, fat and sodium. The chicken meal with corn, mashed potatoes and gravy with biscuit is just as delicious getting grilled and deleting the gravy from the potatoes. You won't even notice and every little bit of calories saved helps. This includes not using butter on the corn or biscuit. You don't need it since KFC has the best, sweetest corn by itself and their biscuit plain is outstanding. These are simple adjustments that you can make that do not affect how you experience your meal..it still tastes great and is fun to eat with a little less impact on your bottom line, calories in.

McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's. The Big Mac's or double cheeseburgers, bacon and cheese meat or chicken combos can be enjoyed without the bread. Yikes, am I kidding? No. Remember you're being flexible so ask for a knife and fork, toss the bread and be surprised how easy it is to do. Or if that isn't imaginable right now for you, how about a compromise? Eat it open faced. Toss half the bread, the top half. Really satisfying with fewer carbohydrates, calories and sodium. Substitute fries for a salad or donate half your order of fries to the trash bin if you can't resist them without feeling deprived.

Wendy's - instead of french fries, get a baked potato and top it with a little ketchup and eat it with a spoon. You'll hardly notice the "fried" is missing from the all potato taste.

Remember the drill at any restaurant, fast food or home --grilled, baked or broiled to replace fried.
5. Sweets. Switch sugar intensive desserts for fresh fruit salad or angel food cake topped with fruit. You save on calories and sugar and give your body the natural fiber in fruits. Plain yogurt, cinnamon, raisens and sliced banana works in any combo, or vanilla yogurt over angel food cake with fruit.

The amounts of sugar in foods today is amazing and startling as you will appreciate the more you pay attention to food labels. The equation to remember is 4 sugar grams equals one teaspoon of sugar. For example, a 12 oz. can of soda has 39 grams of sugar or almost 10 teaspoons of sugar in one can. Wild Cherry soda is 42 grams or 10.5 teaspoons of sugar per can. Smoothies start at 30 grams and up and you'd better sit down for this one, all the specialty coffees and drinks in Venti size without whip range from 71 to 82 grams of sugar and Green Tea Frappuccino Venti no whip weighs in at 86 gr. Is that insane? Think about and visualize 23 teaspoons of sugar before you indulge.

6. Flavor enhancements: Request sandwich dressings, special sauces, mayonnaise, barbeque, salad dressings, honey, butter, syrups, gravies, cheese and cream sauces by any name, including the Alfredo on fettucini, benedict sauce on eggs, as a side dish. Do you think restaurants or fast food chains have a clue or even care if they've added hundreds of high fat, high cholesterol, high sugar, high calorie, high sodium amounts to your meal? No.

These sauces, etc. are big on flavor and a little goes a long way. Put it on the food yourself, lightly, and be in control. Try it. The point is to help yourself shave off calories doing little things that really do matter and are easy to implement. It's no big sacrifice doing anything on this list, is it? Small improvements every day accumulate big rewards. Little things matter, because they do affect and change outcomes over time.

These are small steps you can take every day. Add some of your own as you remember you don't have to do without, you just have to do it smarter. Try it. If you want to learn more about smarter not harder diet tips and tricks, go to my website Diet-Bailout and sign up for a free 17 page chapter of my eBook that will change your life and your weight.

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How to Make the Most Difficult Life Decisions

There comes a time in all of our lives when we are called on to make a difficult decision. Of course we are faced with decisions every waking moment, but it is only occasionally that these take on such importance and significance. For you it might be deciding whether or not to propose, or whether or not to divorce. Perhaps you're considering leaving your job, or maybe you have to decide about getting a particular medical treatment or even going through with an abortion.

Any one of these decisions is an incredibly personal one, but one that will also have huge implications and repercussions - changing the course of your life and affecting those around you to. In such situations, how do you go about making sure you're confident and that you've come to the right decision? Here we will look for some answers and provide some suggestions as to how you can start making better decisions when it really counts.

Talk it Through

This is one of the most important things you should do when making any big decision. Many people seem to think that the big life calls are things they have to go through alone and so they won't talk to anyone or let them know even what they're going through. This is a big mistake though as talking to friends and family is perhaps the most important way to know your own thoughts, as well as to get advice from the ones who know you best. And if you feel it's too private to tell your friends and family? Then consider speaking to a counsellor or calling a charity to discuss the issue.

Get Opinions and Information

Talking to others is a key way to get more opinions and information but it's not the only way by a long shot. If you want to get more information and more accounts without talking to friends then you can always try reading around the web to see what others have gone through and to make sure you have all the information to make an informed decision.

Make a Pros and Cons List

This is my Granddad's solution to everything, and while many big decisions in life aren't so clear cut as to fit nicely into a pros and cons list, you can nevertheless stand to benefit a great deal from at least outlining all the issues and having them on one sheet of paper to look at.

Go With Your Gut

Some big decisions, like whether or not to have an abortion, don't come down to facts or numbers. Instead this is a decision that will come down to your personal beliefs and that will come down to emotions. You shouldn't ignore these feelings then but instead let them guide you - which decision do you think will make you happiest in the long run?

If you have a strong urge to go one way and you're not sure about it though, then a good strategy is to ask yourself why you feel that way. Once you understand what's going on in your head, you'll be in a much better position to do what's right for you.

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Options Available for Terminating Unplanned Pregnancy

Unplanned pregnancy can play havoc with your life. Under the circumstance, you will be left with no option but to terminate the pregnancy. The decision to have an abortion is an extremely personal one and should be taken after due consideration. It is imperative to have pertinent and vital information on pregnancy termination, so you can make a well-informed decision. Abortion is a procedure undertaken to expel foetus either for medical or personal reasons. The risk factor, procedure, and cost involved with pregnancy termination will vary significantly depending on how far along a person is with their pregnancy. Choosing to terminate pregnancy is harder than a person can imagine. Listed below is basic information that will help you through the ordeal.

Categories

Recent studies suggest that one in every three women choose to terminate their pregnancy at one point of time or other. There are two feasible options available for a person under the circumstance either to opt for medical or surgical procedures. As the pregnancy progresses, risk involved with the abortion also increases. Minimal of risk and expenses is involved when a woman chooses to terminate her pregnancy within the first few weeks of pregnancy.

Surgical termination

Surgical termination, also commonly termed as vacuum aspiration, is one of the most common methods for pregnancy termination. First, the medical expert will conduct in-depth medical examination and ultrasound tests to determine the overall physical condition of the patient. It is one of the safest, risk-free and painless ways to terminate pregnancy. It can be performed up to 12 weeks along the pregnancy and in some cases even at the later stage. Under the procedure, laminaria is inserted in the cervix to ease open the uterus and remove the foetus. The operation can last for a few minutes to a few hours, depending on individual cases. There is no need for sedation as it is relatively painless procedure. However, mild twilight sedation can be administered as per the patients' preference. There is no possibility of side effects involved, other than bleeding for few days and menstrual cramps.

Chemical abortion

A woman can also terminate pregnancy with the help of abortion pills that can be used up to 7 to 9 weeks along the pregnancy. It is a non-invasive way of terminating pregnancy and most people opt for this as it can be done at home without having to visit the hospital. After a full physical examination, a woman is prescribed the medications that will prevent embryonic cells from multiplying. After few days of taking the pills, the woman will have to visit the healthcare professional to verify if the termination is completed successfully. A doctor might also suggest antibiotics to prevent infection from occurring within the uterus. On rare case scenario, patient might experience side effects from pills that includes vomiting, nausea, heavy bleeding, and intense cramping.

Dilation and evacuation

In the late trimester, pregnancy can be terminated through dilation or evacuation method. It is a far more risky and complicated means available to abort pregnancy. Under the procedure, sedation is applied, and using medical instrument the cervix is dilated and using a vacuum pump the content of the uterus is removed.

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Cellulite Workouts For Women

If you're looking for cellulite workouts for women, you've come to the right place. Women typically get cellulite in one of the following places: hips, thighs, abdomen, buttocks, neck or underside of arms. You might have a hard time finding neck exercise suggestions, but there are plenty of cellulite workouts that work super well for women.

Components of Successful Cellulite Workouts for Women 
If you want to reduce cellulite, your workout will need to include an emphasis on toning and building muscle. A lot of women are afraid to lift weights or take classes that focus on building muscle because they are afraid they'll bulk up and look masculine. Put away those fears; women who build muscle usually look toned and smooth, not bulky and masculine.

You need to build muscle because skin and fat lay more smoothly on top of muscle tissue than on pockets of fatty tissue. The muscle will help smooth the cellulite from the inside out, improving the appearance of that subcutaneous layer of fat we all have. This means you will want to eat plenty of protein (for repairing and building muscle) and hit the weight room (or at least a toning class like Pilates) three times a week.

Because you are a woman, you will need to make sure your weight lifting or toning routine involves the following: 
• Exercises that challenge your inner and outer thighs 
• Core muscle building 
• Squats and leg lifts 
• Upper body exercises such as lat pull downs, rowing, bicep curls and tricep curls

Ask a personal trainer at the gym for instruction on how to use the equipment and set up a record card so you can keep track of your weights and reps. Most gyms offer orientation sessions at no cost.

If you hate the weight room, join a toning class or pick up a toning DVD. Swimming can be great exercise for your upper body in particular, and running will help tone your legs and buttocks. However, nothing really takes the place of solid weight lifting for building muscle and reducing cellulite.

You will also need to keep cardio in the mix, especially if you need to lose pockets of fat in addition to smoothing out your cellulite. For example, you aren't going to notice too much of a difference in your abdomen if you are carrying a lot of visceral fat there but have been doing a hundred crunches a day. Why? Those beautiful, strong abdominal muscles are hidden under all that soft, mushy fat. You need to perform cardio to lose the fat so those muscles will show.

Finding the Best Cellulite Workouts for Women 
Many women find an all-women class or gym to provide great support and inspiration for targeted exercises that will help you reduce cellulite. Look for a gym or class near you to get inspired and challenged by an excellent cellulite workout!

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Asian Tradition Postnatal Confinement: What Is It?

While Chinese, Malay or Indian traditions might have different practices when it comes to postnatal confinement, they have one aim in common which is to help the mother regain vitality after the vigours of child bearing.

The guiding principle is based on the theory that the body's Yin and Yang forces would be "out of balance" after giving birth to a child. The mother's body would be in a stage where the yin is over dominant due to loss of blood and energy during the process. Therefore the postnatal confinement period is meant to replenish the energy the body lost and to restore the Yin and Yang balance. Postnatal confinement in Chinese literally means "sitting the month" and basically mothers are relieved of most of their mundane duties to sit down and recover.

Traditionally, the mother-in-law would be the one taking care of the new mother. However most Chinese ladies prefer to engage a confinement nanny for companion during the confinement month) who will be tasked with taking care of the new mother and the baby. She will also be responsible for the cooking of suitable tonics and confinement dishes for the mother, bathe the baby and doing the laundry of the baby. The confinement nanny is also supposed to take over the feeding of the baby during the night time so that the mother can have adequate rest.

The traditional confinement lasts for about a month and as the terms suggest, there are many restrictions on the new mother during the period. For the Chinese, it started from the day the baby is born until its first month. sometimes families might also extend the confinement if the mother needs more time to recover from a Cesarean section birth.

There are several rules to follow during the confinement period: 
- Staying indoors and avoid going out as much as possible 
- sex after childbirth is prohibited as the mother is not considered fully healed. 
- prohibited from taking cold drinks or eating too cooling or Yin food. 
- avoid exposure to "yin" or cold element such as no washing of hair for the entire period. Air-conditioning set at very low temperatures or fans at high speeds must be avoided too. 
- Bathing with specially prepared warm herbal bath.

According to Chinese tradition, not following the rules will cause the body to be exposed to more "yin" energy or cold energy and will likely result in rheumatism and other related health ailments at a later stage in life.

Some Malay confinement practices also involved massaging the abdomen and binding it with a long cloth. Hot stones was also used to expel wind and impurities from the womb.

Indian mothers would do daily massages with specially blended oil extracted from mustard seed. There is also a secondary function which is to help the mother regain her pre-pregnancy figure faster.

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5 Best Herbal Teas For Weight Loss

The weight loss industry has become big business... even herbal tea manufacturers are jumping on the band wagon at this epidemic phenomenon. 5 best herbal teas for weight loss explores the nature and 'actions' of popular herbal tea blends that help with weight loss and weight control.

Having to consider losing weight and hearing that four lettered word... D-I-E-T... is something that makes the majority of us cringe with despair. Whether it's starving yourself on the latest fad diet, or spending ridiculous amounts of money on the newest weight loss program - that make big (yet mostly false) claims to radically reduce your weight in the quickest amount of time - most of us will succumb to this false ideology that looking slim is 'in'.

Herbal teas are a cheaper and healthier alternative in helping with weight loss. But don't be fooled for one second that just solely drinking herbal teas will achieve this. The truth is, there is no magic drink, or pill, or lotion or potion for that matter that can help you lose weight without much effort on your part. The keyword is 'helping' and herbal teas are considered an excellent tonic in aiding weight control and in maintaining a healthy body.

The mantra of regular exercise and a balanced diet maybe hard work to fight the bulge but at least it wouldn't compromise your health in the long run.

Dandelion

Known as the "little plant that roars", it has natural diuretic and laxative properties to remove water and food weight before digestion begins and help your body reduce the feeling of 'feeling bloated'. Many avid dieters believe that diarrhea keeps their bodies from absorbing calories or fat but this is not the case and could lead to dehydration and dependency on laxatives. Dandelion is also a beneficial aid for digestion and because of its mild laxative properties, it can help in bowel movements to become more regular.

Green Tea

Despite not being classed as a herbal tea (as its leaves come from the actual tea plant 'camellia sinensis'), Green Tea has had the most extensive research carried out that has been proven to be very effective in weight loss. This is due to the 'polyphenol' component which is responsible for its slimming effects. It also contains caffeine which gives the drink its stimulant effects and can increase metabolism which helps to burn fat and calories. It is these reasons why the ingredients in Green Tea are widely used in popular diet pills.

Those suffering from anemia should take caution when drinking Green Tea, as it could lead to a reduction in iron absorption in your body which could cause iron deficiency.

Guarana

Guarana's main ingredient is 'guaranine' which is identical to caffeine. It can act as a stimulant to accelerate body functions such as increasing the heart rate, digestion and respiration due to its caffeine content. It is also a diuretic and can stimulate the nervous system and help you fight depression and cope with stress, thus it may help you to avoid 'emotional eating' which is one of the main causes of weight gain. Due to its high caffeine content, those suffering from sleep disorders and anxiety problems should be wary when taking this in large doses.

Hoodia Gordonii

Hoodia Gordonii is known as a 'natural appetite suppressor' and has been used for centuries by South African Khoisan herders to endure lengthy periods without food or water, whilst they were hunting and gathering. It contains the active ingredient, known as P57 which is responsible for appetite suppression that can "fool" the mind in thinking the stomach is full so you're not tempting to snack as much. Caution should be taken as long term use could lead to addiction and malnutrition.

Siberian Ginseng

Known as the "king of tonics", Siberian Ginseng is a popular herb to use for its ability to stabilize blood sugar levels thus reducing the desire to eat sugar and sweets. However, people who suffer from high blood pressure, narcolepsy (frequent and uncontrollable deep sleep) or taking blood thinning drugs should avoid it.

It can stimulate the nervous system and act on the pituitary and adrenal glands to give you stamina and help combat fatigue. An increase in stamina means you can work out for longer without feeling tired! Also used to treat nervous disorders, exhaustion, strengthen organs, increases mental ability and a powerful anti-dote to stress and problems with aging.

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What Do You Know About The Best Exercises For Pregnant Women?

When it comes to the best exercises for pregnant women, there are a number of healthy options that women can make use of. While recommending a fitness program for pregnant women, the doctors lay strong stress upon the importance of maintaining healthy muscle tone, enhanced circulation, and building stamina. Not only will these exercises help you to stay fit during pregnancy, but also deal with the stress of delivery and bounce back to your pre-pregnancy body condition earlier and quicker.
A lot of people tend to have the misconception that doing exercises during pregnancy is not safe for the safety and health of both the woman and child.

However, it is quite the opposite. Still, it is important to exercise as per specific physical demands of the body. It is recommended to avoid heavy exercises and exercising for a prolonged period of time can be dangerous. Generally, you just need half hour every day to be able to improve your health, raise energy level, and reduce catastrophic side effects of pregnancy.

It is important to remain aware of your specific body requirements while following any particular fitness program. Do not overdo it. One of the best exercises for pregnant women is swimming. Owing to the cushioning effect provided by the water, the women find it easier to exercise in water. The amount of swimming has a lot to do with your physical condition, stage of your pregnancy, and recommendations by your doctor. Make sure to stay completely aware of all these things to avoid future problems.

Another efficient type of exercise is walking. This is considered to be a safe and healthy exercise program for all types of pregnant women. This is one of the easiest of exercises, regardless of the fact that you are pregnant or not. You do not need to do strenuous exercising. All you have to do is to go out and walk to keep your body moving for about 30 minutes.

One of the most popular types of exercises for any type of woman is yoga. Stretching exercises like yoga help your muscle to be limber, relieve stress, and toughen your back muscles. Moreover, it allows you to keep yourself away from the stress of everyday life and try to become engaged with what is happening inside your body. It will not only get your mental repayment, but it will keep your fit and healthy.

Do not forget the importance of having proper consultation with your doctor before embarking on any typical exercise program. Not every other pregnant woman is the same, and so not all women can handle the same amount of work out. You need to seek proper advice from your doctor as to what kinds of exercises are best suited for the health of you and your baby. By any stretch of imagination, being pregnant does not mean that you cannot be healthy. Keeping yourself fit and healthy is one of the best things that you can do during this challenging time. Thus, it is imperative that you consider all above mentioned aspects for getting best results.

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How to Get a Flat Belly After Pregnancy

At the end of nine months of pregnancy, new mothers are always happy to deliver their babies. Immediately after delivery, they face the agony of dealing with a sagging stomach. For a woman, a good appearance is always desirable especially in social meetings. After you deliver your baby, you want to get back to work and be able to attend to your commitments without worrying about how you look. For those who have questions on how to get a flat stomach after pregnancy, here are practical tips for you.

Increase your intake of natural foods and water

When you are pregnant and immediately after giving birth, fat deposits go to your tummy area and increase its size. Most of the fat comes from the food you eat during the pregnancy. To get rid of it in a natural way you have to change what you eat. This does not infer that you go into a diet of special foods. What you really need to do is limit the amount of processed food that you take in. Replace the volume of processed food with natural foods like nuts, vegetables and fruits. In addition, you need plenty of water and very little in terms of sweetened beverages. For a start, you can say goodbye to soft drinks and sweetened tea. Use other forms of flavoring, such as lemon, for your drinks.
Embark on an exercise regime

You cannot change your eating habits and fail to exercise then still expect to get a flat stomach. The two things must go together. Since you are a new mother, you will need to stay with your baby at most of the time and it is very likely that you will not get time to exercise in the traditional way. Just fit your exercise regime into your existing schedule with new forms. For example, you can take up swimming, join an aerobics group and even dance to your favorite music with your baby daily. The important thing is to keep moving and stretch out your stomach muscles. When you get time, do some cardio exercises and take up yoga. Just know that it will take some time for your stomach to be flat again.

Continue to breast feed

Your body has a natural response to the post pregnancy situation of your stomach. It relies on hormonal triggers that will help you have a flat stomach. One of the hormones that help to shrink the stomach after pregnancy is oxytocin. When you breastfeed, the secretion of the hormone occurs and it causes your uterus to shrink. Breastfeeding signals the end of pregnancy; so, keep doing it after you give birth.

Follow the advice discussed above and you will soon be able to fit into your favorite pre-pregnancy clothes. You can then go on with your life with a perfect body shape just as you used to when you were not carrying a baby. You can make yourself a star when you tell other new mothers about your success at keeping fit after pregnancy. Do not be surprised if you suddenly become a sensation among your friends and enjoy some celebrity status because of your flat stomach.

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Pregnancy Week 15 Development: What To Expect And One Beneficial Food

Your Baby's Development on its 15th Week

Week 15 is another milestone for your baby. Since conception, your baby has improved a lot and in the next couple of weeks, expect for more changes to take place.
This week, your baby is about the size of an orange or apple. His size from rump to crown is about 4 1/2 inches now. The baby's bones continue to lengthen and grow. The hairs begin to sprout on her scalp. The baby is now capable of wiggling her fingers and her toes. His eyebrows and eyelashes are now beginning to grow and the head is now resting on the neck. And lastly, your baby is now capable of making different facial expressions.

What Can You Expect

By this time, your pregnancy can cause you little breathlessness. This continues as the baby grows bigger because your uterus tends to push up to your diaphragm. This leaves a little room for your diaphragm to expand when you breathe. The surge of pregnancy hormones in your body can cause inflammation in your gums and teeth. This makes the teeth and gums susceptible to bacteria and plaque. The surge of progesterone can cause nosebleeds and chronic stuffy nose.

Since your baby is getting bigger now, you can expect weight gain to manifest. It is pretty normal to gain half pound this week, then a pound and a half next week. Make sure not to gain more than 4 pounds every week as this can create negative effects to you and to your baby later on.

Pregnancy symptoms such as occasional headaches, dizziness and faintness as well as bloating, constipation, indigestion, heartburn and flatulence continue to manifest this week. Varicose veins are likely to appear this week due to the increasing pressure on the veins of your legs. Lower abdominal pains are very likely to be experienced this week due to the expanding and stretching uterus.

Healthy Lifestyle for a Healthier Pregnancy

Pregnant women are facing a lot of uncertainties during their pregnancy. To reduce the risk associated with the mother as well as the baby's health, pregnant women are usually prescribed with supplements. Apart from this, doctors usually recommend maintaining a healthy lifestyle. A fit lifestyle is comprised of a healthy diet, avoidance from alcohol and quitting smoking. These activities are said to be effective at reducing the baby's risk for certain conditions.

Fruits such as apples are one of the healthiest and safest foods to eat during this very crucial period. The fruit is exceptionally rich in fibre which makes it an effective aid in eliminating body wastes. Also, it is effective in preventing the onset of certain types of cancer including colon, liver and breast cancer. Through its pectin content, apple is effective in preventing the onset of diabetes.

Apples are also great sources of Vitamin C which is beneficial in developing the body'sresistance against diseases and in eliminating free radicals. Its antioxidantcontent makes an effective armour against cancer. Also, apples provides a high levels of B-vitamins including thiamine, pyridoxine and riboflavin which are scientifically proven to be effective in optimizing the functions of the organs and systems of the body. The fruit is also fortified with nutrients such as potassium, phosphorus and calcium.

Keeping a Healthy Pregnancy with an Apple a Day

A healthy diet for pregnant women is normally composed of fresh fruits and vegetables as they contain high levels of vitamins, minerals and nutrients that help in enhancing the baby's brain and development. According to research, apples are excellent foods to eat during pregnancy.

As the saying goes, "an apple a day, keeps sickness away". Not surprisingly, eating apples during pregnancy is an excellent way to reduce children's risks for asthma later on. In a study conducted at the University of Aberdeen, it was found out that mothers who eat at least four apples every week were almost 50% less likely to have asthmatic children later on.

Apples are said to contain high levels of phytochemicals known as flavonoids whose deficiency is associated with certain conditions such as bronchial hypersensitivity, lung malfunction and asthma. Apples are in fact excellent sources of Vitamins E and C which play vital roles in protecting the lungs. Also, this fruit is fortified with quercetin which acts as a natural anti-histamine that relieves allergies and asthma.

Apples are not just beneficial to your baby. In fact, it can also help in easing your morning sickness. Apples are also said to be effective at regulating the level of cholesterol in the body. It lowers cholesterol level and prevents the onset of high cholesterol.

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Hair Care Tips - How to Keep Your Hair Soft

Dry, brittle and lifeless-looking hair is something that every woman wants to avoid. Since hair is considered the crown of one's beauty, it is important to learn how to keep it looking great without spending a fortune. In fact, many expensive products actually are designed to take your money and leave you with mediocre results that you are led to believe are superior by the convincing advertising. So what simple things can be done to keep your hair soft and shiny? Here are some tips that you can employ to achieve results that may be far better than commercial products.

1. Don't use excessive hair styling products. They can dull your hair by a build-up of chemicals.

2. After you wash your hair, take some rice vinegar and mix an egg yolk into it, then apply this evenly to your hair. Leave it on for up to an hour, wrapping your hair with a towel to keep it from drying out. Then rinse your hair in plain water.

3. Mix together a cup of water and a cup of vinegar, and apply this as the last rinse after shampooing to give your hair a nice shine and silkiness. The vinegar smell will dissipate in about a half hour.

4. Make a strawberry hair mask by mashing 6-8 strawberries in a tablespoon of mayonnaise. This should be massaged into already washed but still damp hair. Cover your hair with a shower cap and leave on for 30 to 60 minutes. Wash the mask off with shampoo and a conditioner as usual. It will leave your hair with a rich, glossy look.

5. A warm oil massage will soften your hair and make it silky. Place ¼ cup of extra virgin olive oil into a plastic bottle, and then place the bottle into hot water for about ten minutes to warm it up. Then massage the oil into your hair and leave it on for ten to twenty minutes. Follow this by a gentle rinse with warm (not hot) water.

6. Avoid drying your hair with a high heat setting on your hair dryer. Towel-dry your hair when you have time to let it dry on its own. If your schedule demands rapid high-heat drying every day, use a silicone-based hair protection spray.

7. Eating foods containing black sesame seeds, apricots and almonds can help improve texture and shine of your hair.
Following these tips and searching the Internet for many more similar tips will save you money and give your hair the look that you desire. There are many natural ways to treat your hair that will help you save money as well.

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