Martes, Setyembre 22, 2015

Does Your Face Need a Workout?

There's a new way to shape up your complexion and it starts with targeting your facial muscles.

The post Does Your Face Need a Workout? appeared first on SELF.

Miyerkules, Setyembre 16, 2015

The Ultimate Secret to Radiant Skin

New season, new glow! These are the tips that will bring out your natural beauty.

The post The Ultimate Secret to Radiant Skin appeared first on SELF.

Lunes, Setyembre 14, 2015

Indianapolis Massage Therapy Studio Enhances Website

Indianapolis Massage Studio Launches New Website
Workplace Enhancement, a massage studio, in Indianapolis IN, has launched a new website to highlight their extensive services and information for massage and massage therapy in Indianapolis. Workplace Enhancement Massage Therapy has seen a dramatic transformation since its inception, and is all the more ready to keep their clients up-to-date with their latest activities. Their new website is an attempt to do just that.
As an Indianapolis Massage Therapy studio, Workplace Enhancement specializes in several massage services. They focus on providing their clients with the best in Swedish massage, deep tissue massage. Sport massage, hot stone massage and others. Their website features a whole section devoted to listing and detailing the services they provide clients.
Corporate Events are an additional concern for Workplace Enhancement. Workplace Enhancement provides onsite massage for several of the best corporations in Indianapolis and Central Indiana. Working at annual conferences for Exact Target/SalesForce, Beck’s Hybrids and others. They are also involved with several entertainment acts who perform at Live Nation and other arenas. Workplace Enhancement is truly is dedicated to helping Indianapolis be a world class city. A healthy workplace is one component of an enjoyable and productive work environment.
In addition to their work with Indianapolis Corporations, Workplace Enhancement, works with many of the Indianapolis downtown hotels to provide a professional service to visitors during their stay in Indianapolis.
Workplace Enhancement is happy to announce that their new website is up and available for clients and interested parties to explore. Learn what type of massage or massage therapy may fit your personal needs, consider a gift basket from Crabtree and Evelyn or other items available in their studio in the heart of Indianapolis. If you are downtown Indianapolis, just click and call to order your massage or special gift for a loved-one, boss, or coworker.
With the release of the new site, Workplace Enhancement hopes to help people learn more about massage, massage therapy and how a professional massage therapist can enhance their lives.  For more information, see their site at http://www.workplaceenhancement.com

Huwebes, Setyembre 10, 2015

How Pollution Really Affects Your Skin—And What to Do About It

We all know the importance of protecting our skin from the sun every day, but now that we’ve gotten a handle on UV defense there’s a new environmental danger to worry about: pollution. A fresh slew of serums, masks and creams all promise to counter environmental damage. If you’re wondering “Wait, we need special products to fight pollution?” you’re not alone. So, we consulted the pros.

“The problem with pollution is that a lot of the effects are invisible, and there’s no immediate ‘sign’ that your skin is getting damaged,” says Dr. Dhaval Bhanusali, a New York-based dermatologist. Instead, the effects of environmetal damage present themselves as we age. Chief among these effects is the breakdown of collagen, which causes wrinkles, and according to a recent study of patients in urban versus rural settings conducted by the Journal for Investigative Dermatology, hyperpigmentation.

But don’t freak out, city dwellers—just as you can protect your skin against UV rays, you can also protect it against pollution. Your defense? For starters, it’s important to be diligent about cleansing. Los Angeles-based dermatologist Dr. Tsippora Shainhouse recommends using a makeup remover and a cleanser for a comprehensive clean-up of grime, soot, exhaust and particulate matter (PM), which causes free radical damage. This also helps avoid short-term effects of pollution, such as acne flare-ups and redness. To go a step further, use a face scrub or a cleansing brush like the Clarisonic every other day. “This will prevent inflammation, exfoliate any damaged cells and help remove the smaller pollution particles that can get deep into skin and attack collagen,” she says.

Antioxidants are another integral way to prevent pollution damage. “Eat your greens, drink green tea and use products that contain vitamins A, C and E,” says Dr. Bhanusali. And don’t forget to apply sunscreen daily. “It acts as a barrier to prevent pollutants from irritating the surface and getting inside your pores,” he says.

As for those “anti-pollution” products, be sure the ingredients on the back of the package can support the claims on the front. According to Dr. Shainhouse, they should be formulated to accomplish three goals: “remove the physical particles, calm the free radicals and create a physical shield against aggressors. Then, you know [the product will] do its job.”

Lucky for you, we’ve already done the legwork. Click here to shop six pollution-fighting products worth adding to your routine.

MORE FROM LUCKYSHOPS.COM:

The post How Pollution Really Affects Your Skin—And What to Do About It appeared first on SELF.

Biyernes, Setyembre 4, 2015

Indianapolis Massage for Labor Day

Start your labor day weekend right by treating yourself to a great Massage In Indianapolis or surrounding areas Fishers, Castleton, Greenwood, Carmet, Avon. We have several massage therapists available who specialize in couples massage, swedish massage, sports massage and more. Contact us right away, so we can get you scheduled and you can have a great weekend!  http://www.workplaceenhancement.com/ or call us at 317-955-0591 317-955-0591 317-95 317-955-05915-0591
 

Miyerkules, Setyembre 2, 2015

5 Ways Sexual Dry Spells Are Actually Kind of Awesome

The upsides to not getting any.

I haven’t had sex in more than six months.

That’s a pretty f*cking hellacious dry spell—one that is testing me to my very sexual core. It’s getting to the point where I could call my pornography knowledge “encyclopedic.”

RELATED: 13 Thoughts That Go Through Every Woman's Head During a One-Night Stand

Why haven’t I had sex in such a long time?

I wish it was for some noble reason or due to some moral belief I have (“I gave up sex for Lent, but I’m still, you know, finding myself.) But the truth is, it’s mostly because I’ve been in a slump where I haven’t been seeking out female companionship with the same urgency and #thirstiness as usual.

This isn’t my first dry spell, either. I don’t look like Channing Tatum, and I’ve been mostly single since mid-2008. So you could say I’ve learned how to deal with periods of sexual dormancy and drought.

And you know what?

It’s not the worst thing in the world! Like most challenges in life, there are silver linings if you look hard enough.

1. You Get to Sleep Alone
In most cases, it’s considered a real d*ck move to have sex with someone and then not spend the night. Sometimes, there’s a no-sleepover agreement, which is pretty rad, but that’s the exception to the rule. I can’t be alone in preferring to sleep alone most of the time, especially if it’s a work night. Nothing is worse than going to your job exhausted because you didn’t get any sleep (since you couldn’t flip to the cool side of the pillow without waking the person you’re sharing a bed with...and their body heat made you sweat persistently and uncomfortably way past the witching hour).

2. No STDs
It might seem vaguely depressing to go to your annual checkup and say that it won’t be necessary to include an STD test with your blood work—but it’s also kind of refreshing. You don’t have that tiny sense of panic you sometimes get after having sex, even if you’re doing it safely, where you’re like, “But what if the condom broke or it wasn’t adequately covering my parts? Or what if there’s this new crazy STD I don’t even know about that penetrates latex and OH MY GOD AM I PATIENT ZERO AM I GOING TO DIE?”

3. No Chance of Children
I lied earlier when I said there was nothing worse than being kept up all night by the person you’re sleeping next to. Actually, there’s nothing worse than staying up all night while you think about what could happen to your life in the event of an unwanted and unexpected pregnancy. Don’t get me wrong—babies are great, and I love my niece more than I ever thought I could love a tiny human who behaves like a maniac most of the time. But that doesn’t mean I want my own because I did something stupid during a sexual encounter. I once (drunkenly) had sex with a woman who, the next morning, asked me if the condom had broken. She said she thought we’d had a conversation about it but that she may have dreamt it. I didn’t recall any such conversation, and I hadn’t been that drunk—but the seed of paranoia had been planted. When her period didn’t come the first day she expected it, I almost had a nervous breakdown.

RELATED: How to Have the Best Sex Possible with Yourself This Weekend

What I’m saying is that 100 percent knowledge that you’re not on the verge of becoming a parent is literally nothing to f*ck with.

4. You Learn New Techniques and Moves—Indirectly
When you’re in the midst of a dry run, you’re much more likely to resort to pornography (or, I don’t know, Fifty Shades of Grey). And this isn’t entirely negative. I like to think that you can learn a lot of techniques from porn that can help make you a better sexual partner. It’s akin to how football players watch hours of game footage to learn about the game, which ultimately makes them better more adept sexual partners. I’ve personally learned a lot about oral sex from porn, and I’m not afraid to admit it.

5. When it Finally Happens—Whoa
Sex, like pretty much anything, can be taken for granted when you’re getting it regularly. And you only realize this whenever you, you know, stop getting it. Time without sex serves to get you really excited for the time when, goodness willing, you’ll get to have sex again. Wild, crazy, passionate, fulfilling sex. Or making love. Maybe both, if you’re really lucky.

RELATED: Use This Fun Selfie Game to Spice Up Your Sex Life

If you find yourself in the middle of a sex draught, hang in there. It will end someday, and even if it doesn’t—at least it won't kill you. Take Charles Bukowski’s quote to heart:

“Sex is interesting, but it’s not totally important. I mean, it’s not even as important (physically) as excretion. A man can go 70 years without a piece of *ss, but he can die in a week without a bowel movement.”

So, yeah. I guess it’s all in how you look at it, you know?

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Exactly What to Eat the Week Leading Up to a 10-K

Because your training plan is only part of how you perform on race day.

You've put in weeks' (or maybe even months') worth of training—but if you aren't eating right leading up to a 10-K, then you might be preventing yourself from getting the time you're aiming for. Prep for your best performance possible by following this eating plan I developed for the days prior to a race:

Choose enough carbohydrates to fuel your runs and make sure that your post-workout meal contains adequate amounts of protein and complex carbohydrates to replenish glycogen stores and repair muscles.

RELATED: 7 Things No One Ever Tells You About Running a Half-Marathon

Since this plan isn’t about weight gain or weight loss, feel free to add or decrease amounts based on what you need and how your body feels. This plan also coincides with active and rest days for the gradual carbohydrate loading build up. Here are more details on each meal and snack:

MONDAY

Breakfast
1 cup oatmeal cooked with 1 cup low-fat milk and topped with fresh berries, slivered almonds, and a drizzle of honey.

Snack
Blend together 1 cup pepita seeds, 1 cup sunflower seeds, 1 cup almonds, and 1/2 cup of the dried fruit of your choice to nosh on throughout the week.

Lunch
Veggie or turkey burger on a whole-grain bun with tomato, lettuce, and avocado slices. Serve with salad with spinach, 1/4 cup garbanzo beans, 1 oz crumbled feta, and 1-2 Tbsp balsamic vinaigrette.

Snack
Greek yogurt with the fruit of your choice.

Dinner
Beef and broccoli stir-fry. Packed with iron, vitamin C, and protein, this is a great muscle-recovery meal.

Shutterstock

TUESDAY

Breakfast
Egg white frittata with spinach, feta, and mushrooms.

Snack
1 cup sliced vegetables with 2 Tbsp hummus dip.

Lunch
Turkey roll-ups: Spread 1/4 avocado on 1 whole-wheat tortilla, and top with sprouts, lettuce, shredded carrots, tomato slices, and 3 oz roasted turkey meat; then roll up. Serve with a 6-oz container of low-fat yogurt.

Snack
Banana-peanut butter smoothie: Blend 10 oz skim milk, 1 Tbsp peanut butter, and 1 medium banana.

Dinner
Millet pork fried rice.

Shutterstock

RELATED: Why Does Running Sometimes Give You the Runs?

WEDNESDAY

Today’s meal plan is lower in carbohydrates and higher in protein to get ready for the gradual carbo-loading that starts tomorrow.

Breakfast
Melon parfait: Layer 1 cup cubed melon with 1 cup nonfat Greek yogurt and 1/2 cup of the seed-based trail mix from Monday. Drizzle with 1 Tbsp honey to sweeten.

Snack
Blueberry-peach smoothie: Blend 1 cup sliced peaches, 1/2 cup frozen raspberries, 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, and 1 tsp honey (optional).

Lunch
Turkey and quinoa salad jar.

Snack
Handful of the nut and seed mix from Monday.

Dinner
Bean and lentil chili with spinach side salad: Toss 2 handfuls of spinach with 1 Tbsp poppy seed dressing, 2 Tbsp thinly sliced red onions, and 1/4 cup drained mandarin orange segments.

Shutterstock

THURSDAY

Breakfast
Muesli.

Snack
1 cup mixed berries.

Lunch
Toast topped with avocado, tomato, and white beans: Smash together 1/2 cup canned white beans with 1 finely minced garlic clove, 2 Tbsp minced fresh basil, and 1 1/2 tsp olive oil until creamy. Smear onto toast, and top with sliced tomatoes and fresh avocado. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

This meatless sandwich is a balanced choice of healthy fats, protein, and carbohydrates.

Snack
1 red pepper, sliced into strips with 2 Tbsp hummus.

Dinner
Black bean and cheese burrito with whole-grain tortilla: Stuff a whole-grain tortilla with black beans sautéed with onions, garlic, and a dash of chili powder. Stir in 2 handfuls spinach until wilted. Top with a handful of shredded cheese, and roll up into a burrito.

Shutterstock

RELATED: How Your Period Affects Your Runs

FRIDAY

Breakfast
1 cup cooked oatmeal with 2 Tbsp slivered almonds and 2 Tbsp dried cherries.

Snack
Peach smoothie: Blend 1 peach, 1/2 cup frozen raspberries, and 1-2 cups skim milk.

Lunch
Grilled chicken and pineapple sandwich.

Snack
1 banana with 1 Tbsp almond butter.

Dinner
1 serving tofu pad thai.

Shutterstock

SATURDAY
This day is filled with easy-to-digest carbohydrates to prevent bloating or other G.I. concerns for tomorrow.

Breakfast
Red and green smoothie: Blend together 1 cup spinach leaves, 1 cup frozen strawberries, 1 Tbsp almond butter, 1/2 frozen banana, and unsweetened almond milk or low-fat milk.

Snack
Blueberry smoothie: Blend 1/2 cup unsweetened frozen berries, 1/2 banana, 1 cup skim milk, 1/2 cup nonfat yogurt, and 1/2 cup ice cubes until creamy and smooth.

Lunch
Italian BLT sandwich with turkey bacon.

Snack
Handful of the nut and seed mix from Monday.

Dinner
Chicken, veggie, and rice stir-fry: Stir-fry veggies of choice and chicken in store-bought teriyaki sauce. Serve with brown rice.

Shutterstock

SUNDAY
Race day!

Breakfast
Pre-workout meal of choice. Remember to choose items that you’ve trained with and know work for you to avoid issues while you're running.

Post-Run Snack
Fruit smoothie made with yogurt: Blend 1 cup frozen strawberries, 1 cup frozen blueberries, 1 frozen banana, 1/2 cup Greek yogurt, and milk of choice for a frosty protein- and carbohydrate-packed smoothie that's perfect for post-race recovery.

Lunch
Meal of choice.

Dinner
Meal of choice.

My Top Pre-Race Food Tips

Train with Your Food
The night and morning before a race are not the time to add new foods to your diet. Since G.I. issues are the top complaint of endurance athletes, its good to know how certain foods will affect you before you head out. During training, experiment with a variety of meal options before your runs to gauge which foods your stomach handles best. Popular pre-race morning items include peanut butter on toast, oatmeal, cereal, smoothie, or a bagel.

RELATED: 10 Healthy Breakfast Recipes

Fiber Is Not Your Friend
There are a few instances where it’s better to go for the white bread option over the wheat, race day being one of them. Having too much fiber before a long run can lead to cramping and frequent porta potty pit stops, two things that you don’t want to happen during a race. I suggest enjoying lower-fiber, easier-to-digest carbohydrates starting the day before the race just in case.

Don't Go Overboard on the Pasta
While you may know that carbohydrates are your best choice to fuel with, it’s easy to get carried away with the bread and pasta. Overeating, especially on carbs, can make you feel sluggish and bloated. Go with a standard one- to two-cup portion size, and then reassess if you’re still hungry. It’s better to have more frequent feedings leading up to the race then one giant carb-heavy meal.

RELATED: The 9 Must-Know Rules of Carbo-Loading

Goldilocks Your Water Intake
Finding the just right amount of water intake can be a daunting process. While being properly hydrated is critical to race success, too much can lead to bloating, electrolyte imbalance, and cramping. The easiest and best way to assess your water intake is taking a peek at the color of your urine and noting how frequently you go. If you find yourself running to the bathroom often and your urine is very light or clear in color, you may be overhydrating. The opposite is also true: Infrequent bathroom trips and darker-colored urine is a good sign you need to up your water intake.

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Here’s Why Many Single Women Have a Thing for Married Men

A look at the flip side of the Ashley Madison debacle.

August 2015 was a rough month for love. Hackers released data from AshleyMadison.com, a dating site created specifically for married people looking to cheat on their spouses. With more than 32 million users' identities revealed, it’s reasonable to get the icky sense that all men want to cheat. But of course, that would ignore the fact that anyone can stray—regardless of gender or sexual orientation—and that it takes two for a married person to cheat. So is there something about a wedding ring that makes a man seem nicer, smarter, funnier, and just overall more desirable?

RELATED: What Every Woman Whose Husband Was on Ashley Madison Needs to Know

A few experts on love and marriage explain why a taken dude can seem so much hotter.

1. They've Shown They're Willing and Able to Commit
If women’s most clichĂ© complaint about dating men is that they resist settling down, it figures that we’d be attracted to someone who has signed up for a legally binding romance. "He has a demonstrated capacity for commitment," says Terri Orbuch, Ph.D., relationship expert and author of Finding Love Again: 6 Simple Steps to a New and Happy Relationship.

Of course, there's a big problem here: If he’s willing to cheat with you, there's no guarantee that he won't cheat on you, too.

2. They Are (Ostensibly) Grown-Ups
Statistically speaking, “married men are more likely to be educated, more likely to be working, to have an income, to be responsible,” says Scott Stanley, Ph.D., codirector of the Center for Marital and Family Studies at the University of Denver and coauthor of Fighting for Your Marriage. Anyone can get married, but it still feels like a very adult thing to do; the guy presumably has his sh*t together. “When a single woman is used to seeing guys who play video games and live in their mother’s basement, then the married men look attractive because they’re actually accomplishing things.”

RELATED: These Are the Typical Guys Who Had Ashley Madison Accounts

3. They Enable Any Intimacy Issues You Might Have
A married guy can’t get too close to you, which may be a good thing if you’re the one who has trouble opening up. “A single woman may be attracted to a married man because she isn’t ready—or wanting—a committed, long-term relationship at the time,” says Orbuch. “She selects a man who isn’t really available to her.” Put another way, “It’s a relationship that’s guaranteed not to work or at least is less likely to work,” says Stanley.

4. They Make You Feel Good About Yourself
If a married guy flirts with you, texts you, or sleeps with you, he’s taking a major life risk to be able to enjoy your company. “Part of the intoxication is: 'This person’s married, so I must be really special,'” says Rachel A. Sussman, a licensed clinical social worker, a New York-based therapist, and a relationship expert. It's easy to tell yourself, “He’s got a lot to lose, but he’s choosing to be with me.” It’s a huge rush for your self-esteem, which suggests that the single participant may be feeling a bit insecure to begin with.

RELATED: 6 Women Reveal the Reasons Why They Cheated

5. They Give You a Sense of Adventure
The stakes of an affair are incredibly high. You could destroy a marriage, maybe even a family, with one phone call to his wife. “It could be someone who’s attracted to drama,” says Stanley. “They like toying with the situation.” Sussman mentions the endless HBO-level drama of will-they-or-won’t-they leave their wife. “People who are prone to drama, they don’t like the mundane relationships,” she says. “They enjoy the clandestine feel of an affair.”

6. They've Been Vetted as One of the Good Guys (in Theory at Least)
There's nothing like dating a string of losers to make you feel like there are no more decent fish in the sea. “It’s that saying, ‘All the good ones are taken,’” says Stanley. “As a single woman gets older, she may struggle with that.” It can feel unfair that some other woman snapped up your soul mate back in college, never giving him the chance to meet you.

RELATED: Men Gushing About Their Better Halves Will Renew Your Faith in Love

7. They Are Occasionally Just a Good Match for You
It does sometimes happen that a married person stays with their partner in infidelity. Consider Prince Charles and Camilla, LeAnn Rimes and Eddie Cibrian, and of course, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. They’re simply compatible. Even if the new couple doesn’t last forever, their pairing may have helped the married person escape a situation that wasn't working. “If you’re in a loveless marriage and there’s no sex, no passion, then you may already be considering leaving,” says Sussman. A mistress cushions the blow of divorce. It’s just one of the many motivations for having an affair—or participating in one.

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How Getting Breast-Reduction Surgery Changed My Life for the Better

“I was tired of people seeing my I cups before they saw me.”

People used to make fun of me for not having any boobs. In middle school, while all of my friends were graduating to underwires, I was stuck in a training bra.

It sucked. But then, the seventh grade hit, and I started growing a cup size every year—until I had ballooned to a 34I by the time I graduated college. Yes, an I. Unfortunately, boobs do come that big. And mine had.

With about eight to 10 extra pounds hanging from my chest—seriously, try strapping a kettlebell to yours and see how you do—my shoulders were perpetually hunched, my back hurt, and I felt more awkward than I had as a flat-chested middle schooler.

Bra stores constantly told me that they didn’t make bras big enough for me. Eventually, I was able to find one boutique bra store that did sell bras in my size. But they set me back 90 bucks a pop. Meanwhile, I had to buy extra-large shirts so that they would stretch over my breasts—but the rest of my body swam in the extra fabric. I hated wearing swimsuits. Really, there wasn’t anything I didn’t hate wearing. One look at me, and your eyes went straight to my breasts.

Amy Niederberger Weiss

Deciding to Downsize
For two years, I debated having breast-reduction surgery. Just in case, though, I made sure to mention to my ob-gyn during every visit that I experienced back pain because of the extra weight. She documented it each time, explaining that, if I ended up deciding to get the procedure, being able to show that back pain was an ongoing problem would be vital to getting it covered by insurance.

Then, in 2009, at 22 years old, I decided it was time. I knew that breasts could grow up until around that age, so I wanted to make sure I didn’t get a reduction and then end up needing another one in five years. But at the same time, I didn’t want to wait so long that my back problems became debilitating.

RELATED: 11 Weird Facts About Your Breasts

My ob-gyn referred me to a plastic surgeon who then took a barrage of topless photos of me to send to my insurance company, along with paperwork so that, in the end, a good 98 percent of the procedure would end up being covered by insurance. My plastic surgeon explained that since the surgery would be so dramatic, I would likely need to have liposuction under my armpits—and insurance wouldn’t cover that. I ended up getting the under-arm lipo anyway.

Before surgery; Amy Niederberger Weiss

Designing the Dream Girls
Since I—somehow ironically—worked at Victoria’s Secret for several years during high school and college, I knew that I wanted to come out of surgery with C-cupped breasts. Still, my plastic surgeon recommended that I do some recon by checking out porn sites. Seriously!

So my boyfriend, best friend, and I sat down one night and spent hours combing through porn sites. “Do you like her boobs?” “These ones are nice, but they are a little wide-set.” “I want your nipples to be bigger than hers.” The conversation was ridiculous and hilarious. We still laugh about it.

I printed off pictures of my ta-tas of choice and brought them with me to the hospital on the morning of my surgery. Sitting in the operating room waiting for things to get started, the anesthesiologist saw I was holding some paper and was like, “What’s this?” When he grabbed the paper and looked at it, his face was priceless. The page was filled with pictures of naked breasts.

Surgery, Recovery, and Sponge Baths
I was out during the entire surgery, so I can’t really say much about the procedure itself. But when I woke up, I was shocked at the time. The surgery was supposed to have taken four to five hours, but it ended up taking seven because of all of the tissue that had to be removed.

In the recovery room, I was swollen and wrapped up in gauze. Under my breasts, two drainage tubes ran beneath my skin like built-in underwires. At the ends were little plastic bags that would collect blood and puss for the next week.

I don’t usually get sick from anesthesia, but since I was under for so long, I spent the rest of the day throwing up and having the nurses give me anti-nausea meds. There was an option to have the surgery done as an outpatient procedure, but I don’t know how anyone could possibly leave the hospital a couple of hours after getting out of surgery. I stayed there for one night.

I’ve also had people tell me you can go back to a work within a week of having breast-reduction surgery. They lie.

After breast-reduction surgery, you need someone around to help you with routine tasks for at least the first week. You literally cannot lift your arms more than about six inches from your sides because those muscles are so weak. So if someone left a plate on the counter, I couldn’t reach it. Friends, family, and my boyfriend had to wash me. It took two people to get me through the shower, as I sat on a plastic shower bench. I couldn’t get the incisions or drainage tubes wet, and I couldn’t raise my arms. At night, I slept propped up and wedged between pillows so I wouldn’t roll over on my tender breasts.

After about a week, the doctor pulled out the drainage tubes, and then, a week later, he helped me get into a sports bra. I got one that had a front-zip closure, which was really helpful since I couldn’t raise my arms. I wore sports bras for the next couple of weeks until my doctor said I could start wearing underwire-free bras.

The stiches were all internal and dissolvable, so luckily I didn’t have to worry about getting them taken out at any point. Although a few did end up poking out through my skin, so I had to visit the doctor to get those removed.

RELATED: Learning Curves: All About Breast Health

My doctor also gave me jelly strips that I placed over the incisions to help prevent scarring. I wore them every day for about a year. It probably took a good year and a half to two years for the scars to fade to the point they're at now. The only scars you can still see are under my armpits from the liposuction, and they are really minimal. You can really only see them when I’m in a swimsuit.

Amy Niederberger Weiss

My Life as a C Cup
Apart from deciding to marry the man that helped me pick out my new boobs, having the breast-reduction surgery was the best decision I ever made.

For one, my back pain is completely gone. Sleeping, walking around, and just living is so much more comfortable. I don’t hurt every day. And now, I can work out without enduring horrific pain. I’ve gotten really into yoga, and I can’t imagine doing half of the poses with my former I cup breasts.

But most importantly, I feel more like “me.” My breasts are part of me, rather than being what I lead with. People aren’t constantly gawking at my chest. People now see me before they see my boobs, and I feel so much more confident as a result. Plus, it’s awesome being able to wear clothes that actually fit and buy pretty, lacy, pink bras for once.

Amy Niederberger Weiss

I am a little nervous about whether or not I will be able to breastfeed whenever I do decide to have children. During breast-reduction surgery, so much tissue is removed that some of the mammary glands can actually be taken out, reducing the amount of milk you can produce. Plus, the surgery can reduce nipple sensation, making getting the milk out more difficult. Luckily, the sensitivity of one of my nipples hasn’t changed since the surgery, which bodes well for my chances at breastfeeding (as well as my enjoyment of other pursuits). But in the other, the sensation is a bit wonky. If you touch my nipple, I feel it in another part of my breast. Apparently, some wires got crossed during the surgery.

RELATED: The Crazy Stuff That Happens to Your Boobs When You Have a Baby

I’m definitely glad I got the surgery, though. If you're considering a breast-reduction procedure, talk to your doctor about your concerns. Talk to others who have had the procedure about their experiences. You’d really be surprised how common it is. And more and more women are going under the knife for a reason: because it can change your life.

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Martes, Setyembre 1, 2015

13 Thoughts That Go Through Every Woman's Head During a One-Night Stand

He didn't make his bed. Now you get to lie in it.

Nothing encapsulates both the freedom and horror of being single quite like a one-night stand. When you don’t know where the night will take you, sometimes the answer is a studio apartment with a futon owned by that one hottie with a beard who happened to be in line behind you at the bar. As you get your thang on with a random person, your brain is along for the ride, providing valid (but often ignored) commentary.

RELATED: 7 Guys 'Fess Up to the Douche-y-est Booty Calls They've Ever Made

1. Is his name Darren or Derek? Or David? Sh*t.

2. I wonder if he’ll notice if I sneak off to the bathroom to trim my bikini line real quick.

3. I am. So glad. I’m not showering here.

4. I really hope I have a condom at the bottom of this giant purse...okay, phew.

5. I gotta start meeting guys at book clubs or something.

RELATED: Guys Confess the Really Effed-Up Things They've Said on First Dates

6. Whoa. Those are some bucket list abs.

7. Can we just have sex before I have to ask about that action figure collection? Thanks.

8. Please tell me he doesn’t sleep on that pile of laundry.

9. I cannot wait to tell my friends about this.

10. Really, dude? Five cats?

11. Somehow, cosmically, my ex-boyfriend is going to find out about this and be jealous.

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12. Please let his penis be normal. Please let his penis be normal.

13. YAS! SEX!

All gifs via via GIPHY

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Healthy Eating 101: Snackable Tips for Busy Moms

Teaching children healthier eating habits is not only essential to their growth, but lays the foundation for a lifetime of smart choices. Back to school is a great time to start fresh and instill good habits in your kids for today, tomorrow, and beyond. Hormel® Natural Choice® makes it easy with these creative, bite-size tips for success.

1. Encourage a Young Chef
Sit down each week and create a menu with your kids, allowing them to be a part of the decision-making process. They’re more likely to eat a lunch they helped plan.

2. Spend Quality Time in the Supermarket
Good eating habits begin at the grocery store. Tap into their adventurous side by allowing kids to scour the aisles to find items off a pre-made checklist, such as bread, their favorite Hormel® Natural Choice® deli meat, fruits, and vegetables.

3. Make It a Teachable Moment
Explain why you’re choosing whole-grain bread, buying fresh fruit instead of canned, or how protein helps support muscles to help kids understand the basics of nutrition.

4. Make Good Food Accessible
Keep healthy snacks like dried fruits and nuts in easy-to-reach places for a quick snack. For a more substantial choice, kids can also pile up folded slices of Hormel® Natural Choice® deli meats and cheese on crackers.

5. Think Kid-Size Portions
Don’t overwhelm kids by sending too much food. Small portions of cut-up apples, carrot sticks, and other fruits and vegetables will add just the right amount of variety.

6. Dial Up the Protein
Protein keeps you—and your kids—feeling full longer. Skip the jerky and choose healthier options like preservative-free Hormel® Natural Choice®.

7. Do the Math
Follow the 80/20 rule, which means 80 percent of the time, eat healthy, balanced meals and snacks, but allow 20 percent for those must-have indulgences like family pizza night and after-school ice cream.

8. Skip the Sugary Drinks
Pack water, natural juices, and low-fat milk instead of sugary sodas and fruit punches. For an extra special treat, send chocolate milk.

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What It's Really Like to Be in a Sexless Marriage

It’s been over a year and counting.

This article was by Nora (not her real name), a 45-year-old in San Diego, as told to by Aviva Patz for Prevention.

My husband and I are about to celebrate our 17th wedding anniversary, and we haven't had sex in a year. You read that right: a year.

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Even when I first met Dave, we didn't have the fiery kind of passion I'd had with previous partners. But frankly, that's what attracted me to him. The other guys I'd dated were rock star/poet/alcoholic nightmares, and things had always ended badly. It was nice to be with one of those guys who goes to work, goes to the gym, and comes home—someone I could trust and depend on. We did have sex, but it wasn't the tear-your-clothes-off-on-the-bathroom-floor sex. I was okay with it being different physically because I valued the emotional connection.

When we got married, we were doing it at least once a month, sometimes more. Then, after our first child was born, the dry spells got longer and longer. I had gained 54 pounds and had a C-section, and Dave was traveling three weeks out of the month. I was focused on our baby, so I didn't miss our closeness, and eventually this lack of physical intimacy just got institutionalized. It became the new norm.

Now, Dave doesn't ever complain about the fact that we never have sex, which has made me worry over the years that maybe he's cheating. I've checked for hidden e-mail addresses and Snapchat accounts, and there aren't any. I think he's just not a sexually driven person. Even when we have sex, it's not long or strong. It's not passionate. It's over in three minutes.

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The worst part of a sexless marriage is that it makes me feel unattractive and unloved. And as I close in on 45, that kind of reassurance is more important than it was when I was in my twenties—when I was 20 pounds lighter and didn't have wrinkles starting to form around my mouth like a puppet's.

Does our relationship suffer for the lack of sex? It depends how you define relationship. Our partnership is strong. Our love for our children is strong. We have a good division of labor that ebbs and flows, but we always work together to get stuff done. Dave left his job some months ago, and we've been going to the movies on Friday afternoons; that makes me feel closer to him. But then, I've never felt un-close to him—even though the closeness doesn't lead to us hopping in the sack. In fact, I'm not even interested in having sex with Dave. I'm not attracted to him. He's not a wild-and-crazy guy who sparks my pheromones. He's the father of my kids and their soccer coach.

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The way I see it, you meet someone when you're young, and slowly you both change, and that changes the relationship—but not necessarily in a bad way. Things are good. Dave and I have a rhythm, even if our rhythm doesn't involve sex.

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