Just Melancholy

Vitamin C used to be the only cold-fighting pill anyone would take. How about now? It is almost like it has been forgotten. But scientists have discovered other beneficial uses for that lonely vitamin C.

• Prevents wrinkles
• Protects your heart
• Can keep cancer at bay
• Boosts brain power
• Saves your eyesight
• Increases your life span

With so many benefits, why has vitamin C been forgotten? Vitamin C is helpful and beneficial, remember that and use it! 

Last week I was trying to call my car insurance, and, of course, was put on hold…again. If they had a creative hold message, it might not be so bad. So while I was waiting, I decided to get caught up on my Oprah addiction. It was too early to watch her show on TV, so I decided to make the world wide web my new best friend, at least for the time being. I found her stress-relief tips for women and I thought I’d share with all of you, just in case you might be a little bit stressed :).

1. Relax all your muscles. She says to target one muscle group by flexing the muscles, then to release the tension. Oprah recommends doing this to all your muscle groups, one by one. This one really does the trick for me. AMAZING!

2.Stretching and self-massage. Oprah recommends just keeping this simple. For example: a neck and shoulder roll.

3. Deep Breathing. While exhaling, imagine all the bad stresses in your life exiting the body.

4. Talk it out with someone you care for and who you trust with your feelings. Just talking it out can relieve a huge stress and also help you get a new perspective on it.

5. Laughing and Crying. Both of these are excellent stress relievers. I find that crying really helps me feel better, especially when all that stress and emotion is building up with no way to release it. Watch, read, or listen to something sad or funny, and you’re set.

6.Sleep! This is one of my personal favorites. I do adore sleeping. Even as a little girl, I would relieve my stress by taking very long naps. Try it; it works.

7. Eat a healthy diet. This is kind of a no-brainer. When your body is healthy, your mind is healthy; your emotions are healthy (for the most part).

8. Exercise. Again, a no-brainer. Take a jog, do some yoga, or go dancing. This is another one that I love to do to relieve stress. Some of my best workouts have been when I was utterly stressed.

9. Focus on your task. Don’t overwhelm yourself with a million projects at once. Take it slowly, one at a time.

Try these out and let me know if they work for you! Which ones are your favorites? Share, share, share!

Ever since I moved to a new state last May, I’ve lost 20 pounds! I am really excited. I bought a gym membership and started to go at least five times a week, sometimes six. That means I am twenty pounds away from my high school weight. Seems crazy, but awesome. I absolutely love working out, and I love the poundage that is leaving…who wouldn’t? But I realize that it can be extremely difficult for others to lose weight, especially if there are health issues or they just don’t have a very fast metabolism.

Last night, my mom came to talk to me about working out and getting in shape. Her work out routine is pretty much off and on. Very sporadic. She has the problem with the slow metabolism. She told me that she is thinking about taking a energy supplement to help boost her metabolism, so that the exercising that she is doing will show. She is in her late 40s and she has a four year old. Her energy level is pretty much shot. So, maybe an energy supplement really will help her lose the weight she needs. It might just be perfect for her.

No matter who you are, you probably want more energy to complete your task list. I know that after working about 10 hours during the day, I barely have the energy to cook dinner and exercise. Most of the time, I’d rather eat a frozen dinner and watch the tube with my husband to unwind.

As I was discussing this dilemma with my girlfriend, she suggested that I take an energy supplement. It’s provides energy for the day, especially when I need it in the mornings, the mid-afternoon slump, and right before my workout.

I love that I can actually check off my task list every day, rather than saving everything for the weekend.

Since I don’t like the taste or effects of coffee or sugary sodas (hello weight gain!), this supplement is a healthy way to get me through the whole day without drinking something that tastes awful. Thank goodness for girlfriends, and for this supplement!

The fall happens to be my absolute favorite season; the changing leaves, the cooler weather, the smell of pumpkin and spice, my birthday and wedding anniversary (both of which happen to be during this great season) – I love it all.

Well, perhaps “all” is not quite accurate.  The fall marks the beginning of the holiday season, with Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas all following one right after the other.  I absolutely adore the holidays; however, I loathe the inevitable weight gain I experience each year.  I just can’t seem to resist all the delicious treats that find their way into my home.  While I don’t experience massive weight gain, I think I speak for most women when I say that even those five extra pounds can be a downer.

However, this year I have pledged that things will be different; I am going to break out my dusty gym pass, exercise regularly, take a weight loss supplement, and implement healthier eating habits.  This in no way means I am going to restrict my favorite holiday desserts but I am going to be conscious about how and what I partake of. 

If anyone has effective, interesting, or fun ways to tackle holiday weight gain, we would love to hear from you!  Whether it is a favorite exercise, outdoor activity, or specific eating habit, now is the time to start your healthy regiment to ensure you do not gain additional weight during the upcoming holidays.

While doing some research online, I found an Akavar review site for the highly popular Akavar weight loss pill.  Hopefully you find it as helpful as I did!

My sister recently called me and urged me to get the vaccine shot for cervical cancer. I had seen the commercials and advertisements on TV, but I hadn’t considered getting the shot.

I was surprised to learn that Human Papillomavirus is the most common STD, affecting over 20 million Americans. It can cause cervical cancer, genital warts, and other types of cancer. Although there is no “cure” for HPV, there are some things you can do to protect yourself from getting the virus. First, you can abstain from all sexual activity . Second, you can get regular Pap smears. Third, get the HPV vaccine. Fourth, limit the amount of sexual partners you have in your lifetime. Fifth, wear a condom because it can reduce your infection risk by about 70 percent.

I also found some common questions answered and an article about the new vaccination that is sweeping the world. Tell me what you think about this controversial subject.

…or better yet, abstinence.  It is truly the only way to ensure protection against a sexually transmitted disease, infection, or an unplanned pregnancy. 

You should always discuss safe sex with your partner, a health professional, or peer educator before you make the decision to have sex.  Not doing so can result in difficult, often devastating consequences. 

Never feel pressured into having sex, probably one of the worst reasons to justify such a big decision.  You should never have to compromise or your values or conform to social standards just to fit in or be part of the crowd.  If you do not want to have intercourse, be honest with your partner and stick to your decision.

Stay away from alcohol or drugs if you think things may get physical and go in a direction you do not want to.  Since substance abuse leads to impaired judgment, it will interfere with sound decision-making, which can lead to any number of consequences such as contracting an STD, date rape, or not using protection. 

Remember the buddy system from elementary school?  The same applies when you go out to a party or bar.  Go with friends and make sure you keep an eye out for each other.  Agree beforehand that you will let the other one know if you decide to leave and with whom.  Also, getting a second trusted opinion from a close friend could stop you from making a decision you most likely will regret later.

Respect everyone and the decisions they make.  Whether it is you or your partner that wants to abstain from sex, respect and support the decision.  There is no ideal age, unspoken rule, or point in a relationship where sex must take place.  Discuss and identify the reasons behind the decision and stick with it!