Top 7 Flat-Belly Tricks

Top 7 Flat-Belly Tricks

Most women have experienced the feeling of being bloated at some point in their lives. However, for some it can be a recurring problem, leading to frequent discomfort and embarrassment. To help beat bloating and get the flat stomach you’ve dreamed of, check out these 10 de-bloating tips.

Consult your GP

Bloating can be caused by numerous factors including water retention and poor digestion. However, if you frequently suffer from chronic bloating you should visit your GP to discuss your symptoms and try to pinpoint a cause. As bloating can be a symptom of manageable conditions such as IBS or coeliac disease, as well as a reaction to certain medications, it is important to get an expert opinion.

Keep a food diary

If you tend to get bloated following meals, it could be that you are suffering from a food intolerance. It may be worth getting tested for food intolerances; however, experts are unsure of the effectiveness of these tests. The best thing is to keep a food diary, noting everything you eat as well as any signs of bloating, to help identify a link.

Take a probiotic

A healthy gut is packed with good bacteria which help to break down food and prevent yeast overgrowth. However, due to factors such as stress and medication (particularly antibiotics) levels of good bacteria can get low. When this happens, digestion and levels of yeast in the gut are affected, both of which can lead to bloating. To rectify this, try taking a probiotic supplement. Probiotics can also be found in some yoghurts, although dairy can be a cause of bloating for some.

Stay hydrated

Ironic as it may sound, staying well hydrated is one of the best ways to reduce the water retention which can lead to bloating. Furthermore, getting enough fluids can help you to improve your digestion and avoid constipation. Try to drink regularly throughout the day, opting for uncarbonated drinks such as water, peppermint or fennel tea.

Avoid gas-inducing foods

The leading cause of bloating is excess gas, so try to limit your intake of gas-inducing foods such as cabbage, sprouts, beans and grains. Also, avoid the sweeteners sorbitol and maltitol, try not to overdo your intake of fibre, and avoid chewing gum, which can exacerbate bloating. Try to also cut down on refined sugars, fermented products such as alcohol and cheese, and foods containing yeast, as these can cause yeast in the gut to thrive, which can lead to excess gas and bloating.

Concentrate on your meals

Many of us eat our meals on the go or while chatting with family and friends; however, taking more time over your meals and not talking while you eat could help reduce post-meal bloating. Eating too quickly and talking while eating can cause you to swallow air, leading to excess gas. Also, as digestion begins in the mouth, not chewing your food enough times can affect how well it is digested. It is also beneficial to eat little and often, as large meals can overload the digestive system.

What Women Secretly Think During Sex

What Women Secretly Think During Sex

Most Men tend to forget about everything when they indulge in sex, women on the other hand are thinking about a lot of things. According to a survey done by Women’s Health  magazine on their readers; women are thinking about somethings that men would be surprised by. These insights into their state of mind during sex gives you the opportunity to prepare and put them at ease, so that both of you can really enjoy your intimate session.

Some of the things that stood out from this survey included the following:

Women are very conscious of their body hair: More than 50% of the women surveyed said that they were conscious about their body hair when they had sex. So this gives you the clue to not make any remarks about their body hair and go about your lovemaking as if you don’t care about things like unshaved legs etc.

Women want to experiment: A lot of women fantasize about experimenting with things like sex toys etc during sex, but are too embarrassed to speak about them with their partners. So the next time she hints at trying something different, be enthusiastic about it and act on it as soon as possible.

Women think about household chores: More than 25% of the women surveyed said that they thought about routine household chores like washing laundry, cooking etc. during sex, So what you can do to stop her thinking about these mundane matters during lovemaking is to make sure your sex life is not routine and monotonous. This way she will be looking forward to and thinking about what new things or surroundings you will indulge in during sex.

A Hollywood hunk, ex-lovers, a blue film scene and even what to buy in a grocery store-these are things that women think of while having sex. Some women have now revealed what really scores with them between the sheets. 

Single comedian Shazia Mirza, 34, said that some of her friends revealed that during sex they are mentally writing a to-do list, remembering clothes they have to wash, what they've got to buy at Tesco's or those shoes they love in Selfridges. 

And some women even think of men they secretly fantasise of. 

"A friend of mine, who really loves her husband, told me that during sex she can't help thinking about all the men she secretly really desires, like Jeremy Beadle and Jeremy Paxman," the Sun quoted her as saying. 

"I've been married twice and had many lovers and to be honest, with past lovers I've been so bored in bed, I've taken to compiling mental grocery lists and calculating exactly how many shoes are in the wardrobe (82 pairs)," said author Kathy Lette, 51. "Most wives are taken for granted. But how we'd like to be taken is by a muscular-thighed Adonis with pecs appeal. 

"Luckily sex with Johnny Depp is only the flick of a light switch away. Ah, Johnny - a man whose sex appeal is so deadly it should be registered at police headquarters as a lethal weapon. "Doing the horizontal tango with George Clooney is also amazing - if only he'd been with me at the time!" she added. 

Sarah Millican, 33, is in a relationship, and she said: "I never walk out of a film at the cinema. I'm the same with sex. I always think it might get better. To be honest, as long as I've got a bag of Maltesers, I'm not going anywhere." 

These are just a few teasers for you to start looking and treating  your woman in a different light, every one is different and some things may work and some may not. But what is important that you understand that a lot more is happening in your woman’s brain than what you thought and it is important for you to talk and act in a way that will make her feel comfortable and relaxed. You do this and she will most certainly repay you with the type of sex you dreamed impossible.

Top 10 Best New Sex Tips for 2012

Top 10 Best New Sex Tips for 2012

Some sex research has a tendency to state the obvious. None of these studies did. We rounded up the surprising (#10), the fascinating (#3), and the plain weird (#9) to bring you the best sex and relationship stories of 2012. (What better things do you have to do on New Year’s Day? Once your hangover is gone, that is.)

You’re welcome.

1. A couple that cuddles together stays together.

Tough guys, listen up: A new study from the Kinsey Institute found that men value cuddling more than women do. In fact, the researchers say that the notion that women like to cuddle more than guys is just a stereotype—and that men may have a greater need for nonsexual contact in the long tern. Still, feel free to sidle up to her. Snuggling was related to sexual satisfaction.

2. Don’t cheat, ever.

Cheating on a woman not only fractures your relationship with her—it can also fracture your penis. A new study in the journal Sexual Medicine found that men who have extramarital affairs are more likely to suffer penis fractures than guys who don’t stray. (Normally, broken penises wouldn’t rank this high on our list of the best research of last year, but this study is definitely an exception.) The reason? A lot of these same men end up having affairs in weird locations, like cars, elevators, and bathroom stalls. And if you’re having sex in a physically awkward location, you’re more likely to crush yourself.

3. Deep voices turn women on.

There could be another reason why Barry White was such a ladies man: He had a legendary baritone. And according to a new study in the journal Memory & Cognition, women prefer listening to men with deep voices, compared to their more highly-pitched counterparts. The reason could be evolutionary, say the scientists, who note that deep voices indicate genetic superiority in males. The good news? You can fake it. The bad news? You might also sound like a creep.

4. Choose a wider variety of porn.

No one wants to watch the same movie over and over again—even if that “movie” happens to be porn. That’s because watching the same erotic film repeatedly can blunt women’s arousal. In a new Dutch study, women who viewed 18 similar clips experienced a dip in vaginal responses; men’s arousal, on the other hand, remained constant. Later, while watching new content, both sexes’ arousal spiked. The takeaway: Novelty helps excite her—choose your films accordingly.

5. Or, on second though, maybe you should just cut back on the porn…

If you prefer the ladies online to the ones in real-life, you could be setting yourself up for future libido problems. A new report on an Italian Society of Andrology and Sexual Medicine survey found that men who started watching porn in their mid-teens—and still continue to watch it daily—tend to have more trouble getting an erection. The Internet allows for immediate access to porn, which wires the brain for constant visual stimuli, say the scientists. New or novel porn jacks up the release of dopamine but can eventually leads to an inability to masturbate without it, he says.

6. It’s not always your fault that she’s faking her orgasms.

If you suspect that your girlfriend is faking it, she might have suspicious of her own: Women who think their partner is going to cheat on them are more likely to fake an orgasm than ladies who feel secure in their relationship, reports a recent study in Archives and Sexual Behavior. But she doesn’t just put on a show to keep you from bolting. Research points to a few more reasons why she imitates the “big O.”

Read the full story: The Strange Reason Why She’s Faking It

7. Don’t reach for the condom right away.

Using protection doesn’t have to kill the mood—just wait until the end of a foreplay session before you put it on. Men who initiate condom use too early—especially without asking her first—seem to presume sex and may come off like they’re overly afraid of contracting an STD, say the researchers. Your best move is to wait for her to initiate it, but if she’s not budging just say, “I want you so bad. Do you mind if we grab a condom?”

8. Everyone needs a good rebound.

Yep, you read that right. And here’s why: Being in a long-term relationship changes your concept of your identity, according to a study in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. Over time, your friends, possessions, and even goals become less about “you” and more about “us.” And so much of that post-breakup anguish is actually about the fracture of a person’s identity. Hence, the rebound. Developing a new relationship could help fill that hole—but the best way to go about doing it is to find someone who shares an interest that you’re also passionate about. You can start rebuilding your identity from there.

9. Your hand size is linked to your penis size.

We dare you to not look at your hand after reading this: Guys with shorter index fingers than ring fingers tend to have bigger penises than guys with the opposite digit scenario, finds a new study in the Asian Journal of Andrology. The connection: The testosterone men get exposed to while they’re still fetuses controls both penis and finger length, the researchers explain.

10. Pillow talk should come before sex—not after.

Before you get to the foreplay, leave a little room for the sweet nothings. When researchers surveyed women about their post-coital activities, women rated intimate talk as “significantly more important” before sex than after. She may want to talk to you before sex to access your level of commitment, say the researchers. Note: That doesn’t give you an excuse to just roll over afterwards. And no scientist should have to tell you that.

What Your Facebook Friends Say About You

What Do Your Facebook Friends Say About You

Facebook gets more crap than every cheating politician, relapsed rock star, and Nickelback song combined. It leads to cheating. It distracts you at work. It killed your dog. The list goes on. But now, researchers at University College London have found something good about Zuckerberg’s social phenomenon: Your Facebook can tell you a lot about yourself—specifically, how well you’ll do at work and with women. When college students were given brain scans, researchers found that the amount of gray matter in regions responsible for processing social signs—such as body language and reading other people’s intentions—gradually increased as the number of Facebook friends increased, but there was no such association with real-life friends.

Researchers believe people with more gray matter are friendlier and more socially in-tune, which means they have the ability to make friends and influence people more easily. “On Facebook, we maintain social connections with people we aren’t very close with—like those we’ve met once at a party,” says Ryota Kanai, Ph.D. and researcher at University College London. “Simple things such as meeting new people or feeling comfortable with strangers may be more relevant for online social network size.”

Translation: The Facebook elite are already socially savvy. If you’re not swimming in Facebook friends, take it as a hint that your people skills could use an upgrade. Here are the seven habits that socially savvy men use to woo women, impress at work, and make more friends (both in person and online).

Dress to Impress

On a job interview or first date, you’re being evaluated before you even open your mouth. Look confident—even if you’re more nervous than a virgin in a brothel—with standout accessories. Try an unconventional tie from David Hart or cufflinks with personality.

Network

Even if you’re not the most social guy at the party, you can land a new job with a little thing called the Internet. Upgrade your LinkedIn profile and have recruiters find you.

Just make sure to use search-friendly terms, as Nicole Williams, connection director at LinkedIn and the author of Earn What You’re Worth told us in Find a New Job—Without Applying. (Think: “Director of Digital Media” instead of “Web Guru.”)

Wear Red

Women are more attracted to men who wear red—most likely because of its association with power, according to a University of Rochester study. Still, subtlety is best. Opt for a simple red button-up on your next date.

Mimic People

“We inherently trust people who are like us,” says Marc Salem, Men’s Health contributor, who has a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology. If you want to be on your boss’s—or wife’s—good side, emphasize the things you have in common. A study in the Journal of Evolutionary Psychology found that women were attracted to guys with a self-deprecating sense of humor. Don’t overdo it, though—no one wants a guy with low-self esteem. Making a joke when you drop something will do the trick.

Call Her

If she gave you her number, call her. And no, dialing her digits a week later doesn’t make you look cool, it makes you look scared.

Be Persuasive

Questions can be persuasive, according to Canadian research. Ask questions that begin with the word “if.” People process the information as if the “if” isn’t there, meaning they accept that information as fact. Example: “If I were to land this promotion…”

The Consequences of Infidelity Relationships

The Consequences of Infidelity Relationships

Infidelity exacts a distressing toll on any relationship. It is known to be the single most destructive cause of divorce all around the world. On one hand a lot of couples fear the consequences of a divorce and thereby seek emotional reconciliation, there are others who separate without a second thought. Either ways, there is a loss of a part of an emotion that dwells in their heart for the rest of their life. Here are a few devastating consequences of infidelity that hang in the air despite of a settlement in life.

Injury to self image

When one realizes that he or she has been cheated on by his or her partner, the feelings of disgust over one’s own self climbs several folds higher. One tends to fall prey to the feasting idea that he or she is not good enough for his or her partner. This is especially true and evident in the case of women who are conscious about their appearance and get set on a make-over soon after they discover their husband or boyfriend being unfaithful.

Injury to self confidence

If you have been cheated on, you would experience a collapse in self confidence and will therefore, chicken away from small challenges. This may affect your personal as well as professional life. You may begin to doubt your capabilities that you once were confident about.

Injury to sexual confidence

Not everyone can be good in bed especially someone who has never had the experience of sleeping with someone before. Once you have been cheated on, it is likely that you would start thinking about your capability to get things hot in bed. You may shy away from any probability of sleeping with someone or your next boyfriend or husband in the future. Not being confident about your body or the ability to get things right in bed can spoil all your future relationships.

Feelings of shame and guilt

Once all the feelings of anger and rejection surpass, you will dwell into the next set of emotions of shame and guilt. You will start blaming yourself for your partner’s distraction from you to another woman or man.

Feeling of undesirability

Being the victim of an unfaithful relationship is the last thing an individual wants. Infidelity makes one feel that he or she is not desirable and therefore, think that he or she may never be desired by anyone else.

The Health Benefits of Being in Love

The Health Benefits of Being in Love

Why being in love is good for you - Boxes of chocolates, lavish meals out and those late night fights; there certainly is an unhealthy side to love, but finding that special someone can bring all kinds of benefits too. So, if you’ve been considering ditching your partner, or are just feeling a little harassed by love, check out some of these relationship perks:

Love lowers risk of alcohol abuse

You may be footing a bigger weekly wine bill for all of those cosy nights in, but research has shown that you are less likely to abuse or depend upon alcohol if you are in a relationship. In the study, only four per cent of people who had been in a relationship for between two and four years misused alcohol; whilst only three per cent of those who had been in a relationship for more than five years reported abusing alcohol. However, 12 per cent of the participants who were not in a relationship in their 30’s were described as misusing alcohol and 13.5 per cent of people who had not been in a relationship for more than two years treated alcohol in an unhealthy way.

Love keeps us young

We all know that being in love and making love are two very different scenarios and apparently so does Mother Nature. Being in love is often very trying and can age us; however, research suggests that making love keeps us young. A study conducted by researchers at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital in Scotland found that those women who have sex four or more times a week look 10 years younger than their actual age. Consultant neuropsychologist Dr David Weeks said that loving couples not only look after their bodies more, but that they also benefit from the physical and emotional effects of sex. So, next time you reach for your anti-ageing cream, maybe opt for the baby oil instead? 

Love: good for women, bad for men?

When you think of a married man, do you think of the grumpy, beaten-down stereotype? If you do, then don’t worry, apparently there’s some truth behind this well-worn notion. The English Longitudinal Study of Ageing found that women report a higher quality of life when they are in a relationship, but their husbands or partners report having a significantly lower quality of life. However, although it is possible that relationships fulfill the needs of women more than men, compared to single people, those in a relationship are still happier overall. In a separate study 40 per cent of married couples said they were happy, compared to only 25 per cent of single people. 

Love improves our mental health

Love has many physical benefits, but it would seem that men and women who are in a relationship get lots of mental health benefits too. In New Zealand a team at the University of Otago examined 1,000 people. They found that people who had been in a relationship for longer than five years were less likely to be depressed and attempt suicide. Other studies have found similar findings, stating that married people report lower levels of depression and distress. Apparently married men are also half as likely to commit suicide as single men, and one third as likely as divorced men. Perhaps the phrase “you’re driving me crazy” should no longer be used in reference to your partner?

Love gives us more birthdays

Sadly, being in love does not mean you get to have more than one birthday a year. However, it does mean that you get to see more of them. The mortality rates for single males aged between 30 and 59 are two and half times higher than their non-single counterparts! Don’t gloat too much though girls. Single women also face a 23 percent higher mortality rate than those who are married. Researchers suggest that this difference in longevity is due to the fact that most single people have poorer health benefits, a lower income and are socially isolated. Being supported and connected to others is an essential part of keeping healthy.