Plump, Round and Healthy Too
from Health and Fitness Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2gysu6x
Staying Healthy Prevents Sickness: Are You Really Staying Healthy?
from Health and Fitness Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2irGYW3
How I Became a Healthy Mom and a Healthy Wife
from Health and Fitness Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2xTtWaZ
Tips To Help You Choose A Good Primary Care Physician
from Health and Fitness Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2ywLngZ
Weight Loss - Tricks To Help You Beat Emotional Eating
from Health and Fitness:Weight Loss Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2iotD0U
This HIIT-Style Core Workout Is the Best Kind of Challenge
No time, no equipment, no problem! Try at-home core and bodyweight workout videos on Cody. Explore a range of heart-healthy bodyweight workouts, HIIT programs and more. Greatist readers get 30 percent off their first purchase on Cody with promo code 30GREATIST.
Don’t get us wrong, HIIT workouts are awesome. But for those of us who get knee or wrist pain pretty easily, the high-impact jumps and/or mountain climbers often included in HIIT core workouts can leave us scrambling for a comfortable modification. With 100 percent supine (on your back) exercises, this Corefit workout is low in impact while still high in intensity.
You might also like READThe instructors alternate between 15-second static exercises and 30-second active exercises to build midsection strength and get your heart rate up. Remember: Breaks are your friend. Listen to your body, take a little rest, and jump back in anytime. Trust us, you’re going to want to make it to the end of the video for a rejuvenating full-body stretch. Grab a mat, lie on your back, and press play to get started.
from Greatist RSS http://ift.tt/2yBAh9z
A Guide to Female Orgasms That Every Woman Should Read
On seeing this article’s headline, you may have had one of the following thoughts:
1) Why does anyone need a guide to masturbation when it comes so naturally?
2) Oh, good, some new techniques!
3) Phew! Maybe someone is finally going to answer the questions I've been too embarrassed to ask.
4) Gross, they’re trying to lure in readers by talking about lady-wanking.
No matter which of those above groups you're in—even you, No. 4—you may be pleasantly surprised that there's more to learn about female pleasure, which we've gathered with the help of Denver-based sex and intimacy coach Irene Fehr.
So what don’t we know about masturbating?
"There are a lot of women who, as little 3, 4, and 5-year-old girls, discovered masturbation by accident— 'Oh, rubbing against that feels really good,'" Fehr says. "They know it feels good, and they continue to do that. Then there are others, myself included. I didn't masturbate until I was 33."
According to the National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior in 2010, 72 percent of women ages 25-29 reported having masturbated in the past 90 days, but in other age groups, that number dropped to the mid- to lower 60s.
Why isn’t everyone doing it? We live in an era when Dolly Parton talks about vibrators onstage at the Emmys, so it's not just about cultural prudishness. Dozens of advice columns out there will tell women who don't masturbate, or who have trouble achieving orgasm when they do, that they just need to relax and find the right setting, touch the right places. The result is yet another source of shame women feel for "not doing it right."
You might also like READBut Fehr says that the problem might stem from the fact that all women are built pretty differently. When it comes to getting off, women can be sexually aroused in different ways; some women's clitoral nerve endings are close to the surface, so light touch can get them off, while others' nerve endings are deeper. For these women, "it might feel OK to touch yourself, but it's kind of like touching your arms or your legs. It isn't really doing anything."
And for some of those women, a perky pink vibrator isn't the answer, because what they really need is external, energetic stimulation from a partner (or from porn) to build up their desire. It's like the difference between being an introvert and an extrovert, only in terms of sex instead of talking at parties.
"The key is to start developing your own sexual fire from within, so that you’re not wholly dependent on a partner, so you can access that energy sustainably of your own accord," Fehr says.
Give yourself a refresher course in Down-There 101.
Whether you're a sexual introvert or extrovert, you may enjoy a little anatomy refresher course—less of a textbook diagram and more of a good exploration of your own lady parts.
For the regular masturbators, this means setting aside your favorite sex toy and using the tools you were born with… and maybe also a mirror. Give yourself extra time for this, and make your surroundings comfortable (it might seem silly, but really, you can get out those candles and soothing music if you want).
"A lot of women will learn how to masturbate with the vibrator to get to orgasm, but they often don't know still what feels good to them all over," Fehr explained. "If you're exploring yourself with a finger, your finger has thousands of nerve endings. You're registering so much more. That's a harder one for women because it takes more time, a lot more patience, and a lot more capacity for seeing all that's down there."
This is about more than just rubbing one out. Rather than going straight for that big O, try looking at your labia and clitoris in the mirror as you touch them, experimenting with different sensations and noticing how they change. Even if that doesn't make you reach orgasm, it's still an enjoyable experience, and Fehr says removing that goal is helpful for some women. It will also help you know what to request of a partner.
But orgasms are also nice, and you can learn how to have different kinds.
Women don't just have the capacity to reach orgasms through clitoral stimulation or even vaginal stimulation, however. Through deep, massage-like penetration, some women can also experience cervical orgasms. At the other end of the spectrum, some women can have nipple orgasms or full-body orgasms with no genital touch at all. Some lucky people can even get there by having their knees touched, or even through breathing techniques. And of course, there’s also that porn staple: female ejaculation.
If you want to try to develop your ability to enjoy any of these orgasms, here are some excellent resources at your disposal.
A good sex toy shop
The employees of many of these stores have an encyclopedic knowledge of pleasure to share with customers as they guide you through what to buy. (Seriously, you never knew so many lube options existed.) Woman-owned, female-friendly spots like Babeland, Come As You Are, and Good Vibes are all excellent bets, but also check out local shops near you. Some places also offer classes.
Orgasmic Meditation (OM)
You may have heard about these OneTaste group classes, which have been getting more and more popular. The practice involves one person stroking a partner's clitoris for 15 minutes, without the goal of getting them to climax, but simply to feel the sensations and release oxytocin. Does the idea of doing this with complete strangers, albeit in a very controlled environment, make you feel icky? (We get it.) No worries: There are online classes as well. You can also try tantric workshops, which treat sexual pleasure as part of a spiritual practice.
HappyPlayTime
This app features an adorably anthropomorphized vulva that you're encouraged to stroke in different ways after reading different lessons about female anatomy. "The fact that we're talking about female anatomy and pleasure in a fun way serves the cause very much," Fehr says of this playful app.
OMGYes
For a one-time fee, you can access 62 videos about the different ways women experience pleasure, plus 11 "touchable" videos of actual vulvas that you can use on any kind of touch screen or computer.
Sex Coaching
If you're experiencing a low libido, pain during sex, or inability to orgasm, individual coaches are out there. Good ones will help talk you through the underlying issues that affect your sexual pleasure. These sessions can occur in person or via Skype.
Sexological Bodywork
This is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. "It's a one-way arrangement where you're experiencing being touched, but there is no reciprocation," Fehr explains. "It's like a massage, but with a sexual aspect to it." Only the state of California recognizes this profession, but practitioners in other states have found loopholes to avoid being classified as prostitution.
Of course, there's also pornography, erotica, and, say, a good episode of Outlander to help you along. Fehr cautions against using porn as a regular substitute for human connection, however, because unlike those actors on the screen, humans are messy and complicated. But if what you want is a good source of arousal for the moment, go for it.
To make any of this work—heck, to read through this whole article—what we all truly need is to get over the notion that female masturbation is anything but awesome.
"Women enjoying themselves sexually is a taboo," Fehr says, noting that much of society still believes that "women becoming lascivious and desirous can lead to only disaster." Well if that's true, then let's bring on the apocalypse, ladies.
Sabrina Rojas Weiss lives in Brooklyn, surrounded by her fellow freelance writers and competitive stroller-pushers. Her work has appeared on Refinery29, Yahoo, MTV News, and Glamour.com. The views expressed herein are her own and are meant to be taken with a grain of salt. Follow her on Twitter @shalapitcher.
from Greatist RSS http://ift.tt/2xcpXBJ
Why You Need The Services Of Internists In Health Care
from Health and Fitness:Healthcare Systems Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2yAtdKF
Adrenal Fatigue & Menopause
from Health and Fitness Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2inTTbP
How To Prevent and Stop Matted Hair In the Nape of the Neck
from Health and Fitness:Beauty Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2xQUeG1
Sleeve Gastrectomy in India in 2017
from Health and Fitness:Weight Loss Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2l0kD33
Medical Tourism: The Best Way to Deal With Health Issues
from Health and Fitness Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2xRMg4j
4 Tips to Choose an ENT for Your Child
from Health and Fitness Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2xOQy7G
Who Should Pay For Our Health Care?
from Health and Fitness:Healthcare Systems Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2zjbDIy
What Americans Should Know About the Canadian Medical System
from Health and Fitness:Healthcare Systems Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2xOTKjL
Why Are People Freaking Out About Collagen Peptides—and What Do They Even Do?
Another day, another supplement’s taking over the internet. If you’ve been cruising around Paleo websites or following the latest beauty advice, you’ve probably seen the word "collagen" thrown around more than once. Until recently, collagen was a treasured ingredient in antiaging creams, but didn’t play a big factor in the Western supplement industry. But with collagen peptides gaining popularity, it seems time to answer the question: What exactly are collagen peptides, and even more importantly,Why should anybody care?
You might also like READCollagen is basically body glue.
Before we get into the ins out outs of collagen peptides, it’s good to know what collagen actually, uh, is. Collagen is a structural protein that’s found in abundance in human and animal bodies. In fact, it’s pretty much the glue that holds all our parts together. As we age, we produce less collagen, which causes loss of elasticity in your skin and all the other fun stuff that goes along with getting older.
So, the basic idea of adding more collagen to your diet sounds like a great idea. Who doesn’t want to have fewer wrinkles and less joint pain? But do these supplements really make a difference?
What are collagen peptides?
It’s not a shock that collagen peptides are a form of collagen. But it’s slightly more surprising to learn that collagen and gelatin are almost exactly the same. Yes, the new supplement craze is basically just the stuff you use to make Jell-O shots; collagen naturally occurs in all animals, and gelatin is just the processed version of this common protein, or "hydrolyzed collagen." Sadly, the high sugar content of stuff like Jell-O pretty much outweighs the benefits of the gelatin, so don’t start mainlining Jigglers in the name of good health.
The biggest difference between peptides and gelatin is how they dissolve. Collagen peptide supplements are hydrolyzed to a low molecular weight so they can be dissolved in hot or cold water and are supposedly easier to digest. Gelatin can only be dissolved in hot water (something all you Jell-O shot pros already know). Eating undissolved gelatin can be a little harsh on the stomach. Also, it’s kind of gross.
Since a hot and cold water soluble supplement is much easier to use, collagen peptides have taken off in popularity. Plus, a collagen peptide-infused smoothie sounds a lot fancier than a gelatin juice.
Why take collagen peptides?
People all over the internet have been singing the praises of bone broth for years. Why? The collagen content. But since we all can’t keep a jug of bone broth around to swig from, collagen peptide supplements have become more and more popular.
Most blogs and wellness enthusiasts claim that collagen is a good source of protein that helps increase skin elasticity and strengthens hair and nails. You’ll also find claims that it’ll help you lose weight, sleep better, fix your joints, improve digestion, heal leaky gut, and make Jesus love you. Okay, I added in the last one, but if you look at enough websites, you’d think collagen was some kind of miracle powder that cures everything except cancer and herpes.
What does it really do?
Most supplements have evangelical enthusiasts, but most of the time it’s too good to be true. So what can collagen peptides really do for us? Well, it is a good source of protein. In one scoop of peptide powder, you typically get 10 grams of protein. At 40 calories a scoop, that’s not too bad. Now, if you’re a vegetarian, watch out. Most collagen products are derived from animal bones or fish scales, so it’s not vegan safe.
You might also like READWhen it comes to skin, there is some evidence to suggest that collagen supplements really do help. One study found that skin hydration and collagen density increased after eight weeks of oral collagen supplementation. The effect of oral collagen peptide supplementation on skin moisture and the dermal collagen network: evidence from an ex vivo model and randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials. Asserin J, Lati E, Shioya T. Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 2015, Sep.;14(4):1473-2165. Basically, collagen was considered a helpful tool in decreasing the skin’s signs of aging. Now, that’s only one study, but it’s hopeful information all the same.
What might collagen do?
The other collagen claims are a little harder to nail down. Sure, studies have been performed, but they offer contradictory results. Here are a few places where collagen might really work.
If you suffer from brittle or ever-breaking nails, there’s some evidence to suggest collagen peptides could get you the manicure of your dreams. Read anyone’s blog who’s ever taken collagen for more than a day, and they’ll insist their nails are better than ever. Some scientific studies support that claim. A German/Brazilian study found that participants taking supplements for 24 weeks had a 12 percent increase in nail growth and a 42 percent decrease in the number of broken nails. Oral supplementation with specific bioactive collagen peptides improves nail growth and reduces symptoms of brittle nails. Hexsel D, Zague V, Schunck M. Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 2017, Aug.;():1473-2165.
Before you start chugging collagen, know that this was a non-blind study with 25 participants and no placebo group. Basically, the study doesn’t mean much. Sorry to rain on your supplement parade, but the connection between collagen and nails still isn’t scientifically solid.
When it comes to joint pain, there is some evidence to suggest that collagen supplements might help your creaky bones feel a little better. A study from Penn State University found that athletes had significantly less joint pain at rest and in movement after taking collagen peptides. 24-Week study on the use of collagen hydrolysate as a dietary supplement in athletes with activity-related joint pain. Clark KL, Sebastianelli W, Flechsenhar KR. Current medical research and opinion, 2008, Apr.;24(5):1473-4877. So collagen could have the capability to ease pain, inflammation, and reduce joint damage on the whole. Sadly, we can’t officially extrapolate all of that from one 97-person study, but it shows collagen's potential in the healthy joint world.
What can’t collagen do?
There are claims that collagen can help with digestion and fix "leaky gut." The science behind the whole leaky gut phenomenon is hotly debated, with many gastrointestinal experts denying leaky gut’s existence entirely. Now, I’m not an expert, and if your health professional diagnosed you with leaky gut, feel free to take their advice. Either way, there isn’t much evidence to suggest that collagen would help with any gastro problems.
You might also like READLastly, collagen won’t give you a ticket to dream town. Many holistic sites claim that collagen peptide supplements help you faller asleep faster and sleep deeper through the night. Unfortunately, there’s really nothing to suggest that it will help you snooze. Sure, if your joints are less achy because of supplements or you’re so filled with glee over your collagen-induced wrinkle-free skin, you might sleep pretty well. But don’t turn to peptides to knock you out at night.
What did collagen do for me?
I added collagen peptides to my morning smoothie for a month, so I could have some firsthand experience with the collagen craze. Was my skin transformed? Were my nails healthy and long? Did my joints feel 10 years younger? No. No to all of it. Now, I didn’t notice anything bad, but in all honesty, I noticed absolutely zero difference in my skin, hair, nails, joints, sleep, or cellulite. (A lot of folks are hawking it as an anti-cellulite cure, but... there's no real evidence.) Of course, I only tried it for a month, and I’m only one person, so just because it didn’t work with me, doesn’t mean it won’t help you out.
Will I still take collagen supplements? Weirdly, yes! I don’t get a lot of protein, and I don’t like the taste of most protein powders. But the collagen blended easily into smoothies without adding any texture or flavor whatsoever. Even in thin juices, I could never tell it was there. So, for that alone, I’m willing to keep up my collagen intake.
As far as supplements go, collagen peptides seem pretty promising. Though the science to prove its efficacy is in the early stages, there are good signs pointing toward increases in skin and joint health when you add collagen to the mix. Will it change everything overnight? Of course not. But if you’re looking for an unintrusive protein powder that might do a couple other good things for your body along the way, collagen peptides are worth a try.
Amber Petty is a freelance writer in Los Angeles who writes for Bustle, Elite Daily, Thrillist, and a lot of other random sites. If you like easy crafts and Simpsons gifs, check out her blog Half-Assed Crafts.
from Greatist RSS http://ift.tt/2gPRpiA
Eat Healthy While Studying
from Health and Fitness Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2kVG6tE
Type 2 Diabetes and Weight Loss - Three Tips To Help You Choose A Diet Plan Right For You
from Health and Fitness:Weight Loss Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2xNe5pk
Hair Style to Flaunt This Festival Season
from Health and Fitness:Beauty Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2yq88TL
How to Have the Best Day Without Spending a Dollar
I was introduced to the concept of a zero dollar day a few years ago by a fun and frugal friend.
Over the years, I’ve adopted this desire to enjoy more of the free stuff life has to offer—because it’s actually everywhere when you seek it out. In New York, it’s a simple walk in your hood or a stroll and seat on a bench in Central Park. When I lived in Sydney, it was listening to the waves at the beach and smelling the ocean. In the UK, it was a drive in the countryside.
But as winter rapidly approaches and outdoor options dwindle, there are still loads of ways to have a blast without blowing the Benjamins. Give 'em a try!
Set the mood with music.
When you cook (or order in!), play a Spotify soundtrack to match the cuisine’s country of origin. Mexican, Indian, Japanese—the playlists are endless! It's adds novelty and a restaurant vibe. Why not? Light a candle while you’re at it and really enjoy your food.
Dust off any designer goods.
Remember those expensive bed sheets Aunt Jane gave you as a wedding gift? Throw 'em on! I bet you have at least one expensive item of clothing, beauty product, or piece of furniture wasting away in a hidden corner of your home. Douse it in daylight, because today is special! Why not wear your most expensive shirt or shoes on a regular Tuesday? Or drink out of those wine glasses you inherited (heck—drink tap water from them!). They’re yours; use them!
Maximize your memberships.
You know what else you probably don’t always use? Your gym membership. Your ClassPass spots. Your library card. Your access to any local club or community you signed up for but forgot about.
Go! You might even make a new friend or two. Or try restorative yoga for the first time (my lazy day fave). Or be pleasantly surprised that the gym equipment’s come a long way since January.
Bliss out with a boost.
I love to re-read a praise file I keep on my computer for a confidence boost whenever I want to feel good. Compliments, great feedback from students and clients, kind online comments—it’s all in there. Create your own! The same feel-good fun can come from looking at old photo albums. Dust them off! And let memory lane make you smile. You’ve come a long way, kid.
Use what you have.
The other day I was perusing my desk drawer for stamps and found a $25 Amazon voucher I won a year ago. It had not yet expired; there were two days left! So I jumped online and bought two new fiction books to enjoy during the cooler evenings coming up. It felt like a mini jackpot!
What unused gift cards, Groupon ticket, or store credit can you throw down now? It feels not only free but also wise (because it’s the opposite of wasteful). Same goes for using old ingredients in your pantry—desiccated coconut ~ what?!—to make a cake or cookies. You have more ingredients than you realize once you get back there.
It’s possible to have a $0 day and feel rich. Sipping tap water out of crystal. Rocking that pricey outfit. Tuning into Thai beats. Lathering on that luxurious lotion you stole from a hotel room last summer. Booking yourself a massage with a spa voucher unused from your birthday. All the while saving for that plane ticket, new MacBook, or pair of kicks. You clever thing, you.
Susie Moore is Greatist's life coach columnist and a confidence coach in New York City. Sign up for free weekly wellness tips on her website and check back every Tuesday for her latest No Regrets column!
from Greatist RSS http://ift.tt/2ghbeyI
Weight Loss - Sneaky Ways To Burn More Calories
from Health and Fitness:Weight Loss Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2zeWdoD
Affordable, Quality Health for All
from Health and Fitness:Healthcare Systems Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2ysaelv
6 Secret Tips for Acne Scar Prevention
from Health and Fitness:Beauty Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2xJgoyK