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Five Ways to Drink Responsibly

Responsible drinking is safe drinking.

Sure, we know you’ve been there before – what started out as a casual night of drinking has turned into a sloppy mess. At this point in the night, you’re slurring words and are stumbling as you walk. Worst case scenario: you have your head buried in a toilet as you vomit your way through the night.

The night doesn’t have to end this way.

The consequences of irresponsible drinking can not only ruin your evening, but they can also significantly alter your life. It’s critical to understand the importance of responsible drinking – an understanding that entails the safety of both yourself and others around you.

Enjoying alcohol and having a fun night out on the town doesn’t have to mean you get belligerently intoxicated every night. DUI Attorneys in Phoenix recommend the following five tips for safe and responsible drinking.

Eat Before You Drink

Putting some food in your body slows the absorption of alcohol. Things like proteins, fats, and carbohydrates are all fantastic choices to alter the effects of alcohol consumption. Furthermore, you might want to consider bananas as they help absorb alcohol in your stomach and also prevent nausea.

Understand the Strength of Your Drinks

As an avid alcohol consumer, you should understand the potency of each beverage. Consider the following: there is roughly the same amount of alcohol in one beer (12 ounces), one glass of wine (5 ounces), and one shot of liquor (1.5 ounces of 80-proof). Thus, you should really pay close attention as your bartender pours your drinks. For example, if two shots of alcohol go into your mixed drink, that counts as two drinks.

Count Your Drinks

Generally speaking, your body metabolizes alcohol at the rate of about one drink per hour. Thus, it takes about 60 minutes for the effects of just one drink to exit your body. As you consume drinks at a higher rate, your body falls behind and your level of intoxication increases.

Avoid Drinking Games and Shots

Think about it this way: if you are taking shots, you’re likely to consume more than one shot per hour. This type of consumption is very similar in popular drinking games such as flip cup or beer pong.

It’s very difficult for your body to keep up with that pace of alcohol intake. Just because a shot is ingested within one second, doesn’t mean that your body metabolizes it quicker (it still takes the full hour). Thus, if you ingest several shots in a short period of time, your body falls behind in the metabolization process.

Know Your Limits

Not only is binge drinking dangerous, it can also be deadly. Take some time before you go out to examine a BAC (blood alcohol content) calculator. This will let you know how much you can drink based on your physical dimensions (height, weight, and gender). You should make responsible drinking plans based on these results.

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Exercise Vs. Diet: Is One Really More Important than the Other?

It’s an old debate really, and while there are those that would pick sides, most would agree that weight loss cannot be brought on in a healthy manner unless you are maintaining both fronts with precision. Nevertheless, we are going a step further today and taking the question head on to find out once and for all if one of these two truly is more essential than the other for achieving your weight loss goals.

The Diet is More Important than Exercise

To answer the question in one line, one would have to say that strictly speaking, diet is indeed more important for weight loss than exercise. It’s quite simple really; what you consume is always going to be more important than how much you move your body around in a quest to burn calories. There is no doubt that exercise hastens the weight loss process and it is absolutely essential to build muscle mass, but when it comes to the raw weight loss potentials, diet just wins hands down.

If you have any doubts regarding this conclusion, you need to understand the fact that while you can definitely burn a lot of calories through planned exercise and determination, you will probably end up eating more calories than you just burned at the gym in just a single post-workout meal! So, if you skipped the workout and the meal, you would end up creating a greater calorie deficit than if you worked out and ate the meal. Add all that to the fact that exercise makes us hungrier than usual and it becomes even harder to control your diet when you are exercising than when you are not.

You Can’t Lose Any Significant Weight Through Exercise Only

In case you thought that you could get away with eating junk just because you exercise regularly, you thought wrong. On the contrary, it is possible to lose weight only through dieting, but any significant weight loss is not possible under normal circumstances if you exercise without controlling what you eat. Unhealthy foods are generally rich in calories and saturated fat, while being low on essential nutrients such as protein and unsaturated fat. Therefore, you just cannot burn off the excess calories by working out hard, if you are eating poorly at the same time.

The Body Adjusts and Makes the Job Harder

This is true for diets as well, but it is particularly true for exercise routines. The amount of muscle you will build during your first two years, or the amount of weight you will lose during your first few months at the gym, are not going to be matched by similar rates of improvement later on. Our bodies adjust and we reach a plateau where gaining even a quarter of an inch on your bicep feels like a herculean task, while losing just a couple of pounds takes a lot more labor than before. The body can and will also adjust to your diets in the same way, but by the time you reach your weight loss plateau with a diet, you will have come very close to your goals already.

Now that we have established that dieting is indeed more important than exercising, head over to Cuisine Study and find out everything you will ever need to about eating healthily and keeping it tasty at the same time. Do keep in mind that if you are serious about losing weight fast, becoming healthy and looking good in the process, you will always need to combine both diet and exercise for best results.

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Looking at The Benefits of Amino Acid Supplements

The world of supplements has long been one of uncertainty and information which is not always correct, which in truth is a shame because there are some supplements out there which can do wonders for you and your body. One such supplement which I would really recommend is that of amino acids, the building blocks of life which feature inside protein. amino acids help protein absorption so that when protein enters the body, it  proceeds to break it down into the various amino acids, and then sends them where they need to go. Supplements can offer you a great deal and here we are going to talk about just some of the benefits which you can enjoy when using these amino acid supplements.

Muscle Growth

Branched-chain amino acids such as isoleucine, valine and leucine, have a great many properties and one of the most impactful is that of muscle growth. Leucine in particular has been proven to be a great tool in the protein synthesis of muscles after working out. These amino acids can help with recovery, growth and recuperation ahead of you next workout.

Fat Burning

These supplements can not only help you to generate bigger muscles, but also to help you burn fat far quicker. In simple terms, these amino acids make your body switch to fat when it comes to burning fuel, as opposed to glycogen.

Greater Mental Focus

When your amino acids run low, the body produces more of a chemical called tryptophan which tuns into serotonin in the brain, inducing fatigue and reduced mental sharpness. If we manage however to keep up the levels of BCAA in the body, we can keep the monster of tryptophan at bay, and count on a higher level of mental function. In the same way that they help to improve mental focus, the BCAAs can also increase energy levels and reduce physical fatigue.

Increased Endurance

When taking these supplements your body will change the way that it goes about using carbs and fats. The result of this is that taking the supplements means that you don’t use as much glycogen when working out for long periods of time, which leaves the body stronger and in better shape for longer periods of time. To avoid exhaustion, higher levels of glycogen is the key, and through the use of amino acid supplements, you can ensure that your body retains stronger levels.

Balanced Dosage

There are of course many other ways of getting protein and those amino acids into the body, but it can be difficult to ensure that you are getting the right balance for your body. Taking supplements however will ensure that the dosage which you are ingesting is a careful balance of everything that you need. Amino acids compete with one another for absorption, which can mean that taking them in the wrong way could see you lose some of the dosage, with supplements this is not the case and your body will be well balanced.

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What to Expect Before, During, and After Weight Loss Surgery

Thanks to medical advances, today patients can choose between a variety of bariatric surgery procedures as a tool to help meet their health goals. No matter if you’re considering Contrave discounts, sleep gastronomy, or another weight loss surgery, there are things you’ll want to know before, during, and after the surgery. By being prepared ahead of time and knowing what to expect, you can start your weight loss journey off on the right foot.

Here’s what you need to know about the entire weight loss surgery process.

Before Surgery

Before looking into weight loss surgery, it’s worth noting that there are certain requirements that you must meet in order to be approved. For example, you must typically have a BMI in the obese or morbidly obese categories before you can undergo surgery. Other common requirements include:

  • History of failed past efforts to lose weight
  • Serious weight-related health problems
  • Non-smoker
  • Willing to stick to post-surgery guidelines

If you believe you’re a candidate for weight loss surgery, it’s best to find a bariatric surgeon in the area who can help to determine the best way forward for you to meet your weight loss and overall health goals.

One of the biggest misconceptions that people have about weight loss surgery is that it’s a miracle worker. Others think it’s the easy way out and “cheating” in a sense. But, undergoing bariatric surgery doesn’t guarantee that you’re going to lose weight. In order to be successful in meeting your weight loss goals, you must stick with your diet and exercise program, along with taking the proper supplements needed to ensure your internal health. It takes a lot of discipline and perseverance to lose weight, even after surgery.

While going on a strict diet can be frustrating, many doctors require that their patients follow a strict pre-surgery diet to not only prove they can stick to a diet program, but also to properly prepare the body to undergo a serious surgery. By sticking to the diet, you can expect to lose a few pounds, which is a great way to start your weight loss journey.

During Surgery

Before undergoing surgery, your bariatric surgeon will likely discuss how the procedure works. Most weight loss surgeries can be done using a laparoscopic technique, which involves four or five small incisions versus one large one. Patients typically heal much faster with this form of surgery as the incisions heal quicker.

During surgery, you will undergo general anesthesia and be put to sleep. While you’re likely to wake up feeling quite groggy, some patients say that sleeping while under general anesthesia is some of the best sleep they’ve ever had!

Surgery can last anywhere from an hour to a few hours, depending on the procedure you’re undergoing as well as your overall health condition. After waking up, you will likely be tired and in some pain.

After Surgery

Once surgery is completed, you’re well on your way to your personal journey to losing weight. After waking up from anesthesia, you’re likely to be very tired and feeling some discomfort, especially around the incision area. Your doctor will prescribe you pain medication to make you more comfortable. Depending on your surgery and how well your body reacts after surgery, you may be able to go home a few hours after. Some patients need to spend a night or a few days in the hospital after surgery to receive close monitoring.

After you’re discharged from the hospital, the true work starts. First, you must focus on healing and getting back on your feet after surgery. This means sticking to your diet, eating plenty of protein, and taking any recommended supplements. Eating a lot of protein, resting, and staying hydrated can help speed up the healing process.

Most doctors recommend that you take a few weeks to heal. Once the incisions have closed and are much less painful, you can likely begin light exercise, such as walking. After a few weeks and you’re fully healed, you’ll want to put all of your focus and energy into following your meal and exercise plans.

When jumping into exercise, listen to your body. While you want to push yourself, some patients start exercising before their body is fully healed. If you experience any pain or discomfort, discuss this with your doctor.

Post-surgery it’s also important to stay in touch with your doctor. Many weight loss offices provide weekly support groups where you can discuss how things are going and create friendships with those who are undergoing a similar lifestyle change. Having access to a support group is important, especially when you’re not losing as quickly as you wanted or feeling tempted by bad  food choices.

After weeks of sticking to the plan, you’re likely to see amazing results on the scale and in the mirror. The key is to keep going and to push through all the bumps in the road until you’ve met your ideal weight.

Was this article helpful and informative? Leave us a comment with your thoughts in the section below.

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Top Ten Tips To Improve Your Health

Most of us intend to live a healthy – or healthier – lifestyle. Doing so, can sometimes feel a chore, and as though we are consistently following guidelines. But, it doesn’t really have to be that way. By just making slight alterations to the way we live, we can improve our health without making the whole process daunting and challenging. Here are a few simple methods to help guide you in the right direction.

1 – Alcohol

Most of us enjoy a drink. But, when that drink becomes a commonplace fixture, and leads to drink after drink, we know that we are doing our body and general health no favours. This doesn’t mean alcoholism, it simply means that we are drinking too much at a certain time of day, without actually enjoying it.

By limiting what we have to drink, we immediately begin to improve our health. This article won’t go into explaining how the body improves, from liver to mind, but is written to simply stress that cutting back on alcohol is an immediate bonus for you, all round. Enjoy a glass of red, and enjoy a pint of lager – just remember to keep the excess reserved for celebrations.

2 – Cigarettes

First of all, we all know that smoking is extremely bad for our health. And, yes, we’ve all heard about that old lady that smoked until she was 101 – these are exceptionally rare cases.

Quitting smoking is one of the most challenging things anybody can do. Nicotine is one of the most addictive chemicals known to man and – to many – it stays permanently lodged in our brain cells (or at least we think it does).

There are numerous aids that can help us quit, or at least limit our usage. Patches and gums have been around for a while, with varying degrees of success stories. Recently, the e-cigarette has entered the market. This device, along with its nicotine content juices, of flavours that will appeal to all, has been proven by medical professionals to be the best form of smoking cessation available. It is highly recommended as a first step to quitting those dreaded smokes.

3 – Food

While the majority of us enjoy ordering a Chinese, or chucking a frozen pizza in the oven at night, we have to tell ourselves that meals that contain high amounts of calories should only be consumed once in a while, especially if exercises are limited.

It isn’t difficult, these days, to find nutrition rich foods that appeal, unlike the boring old dishes we often associate with healthy eating. And, not only do we improve our health by eating better dishes – and keeping the takeaways at bay, until a Friday night – we also see a benefit in our wallets and purses.

4 – Hobbies

Watching movies, or playing computer games all night long may sound fun to some of us, but they can hardly be classed as hobbies. By finding something else, and something more worthwhile, to fill our spare diary slots in, we instantly improve our physical or mental health, or both. It doesn’t have to be a demanding past-time, or anything that involves too much expense – just finding that other form of entertainment is what helps aid our health in the right direction.

5 – Exercise

A dreaded word to some of us, exercise is by far the most important means in order to improve our health and lifestyle. You don’t have to go all out – there’s no need for a new pair of trainers or a fancy bike – simply walking so many steps a day, in pleasant surroundings, is enough to give our body tick marks in the right places. Any form of daily, physical activity is a bonus – and could, perhaps, be tied into a hobby, as listed above.

6 – The Gym

If finding a form of exercise, or sticking to a home routine is too difficult, with too many distractions, then investigating a gym may well be the best thing you ever did – for yourself and for your body.

The process to many of us, sounds a little daunting, but it really needn’t be. Gym’s, these days, are everywhere and cater for every individual need. You can choose your own workout, and your own times, using all of the latest and greatest equipment. By joining a gym, you also feel more compelled to get your membership’s worth, and, therefore, find yourself improving your body simply by having a stronger mindset to do something.

7 – The Sunshine

Good weather means barbecues and beer. In the UK, it’s often something that we really need to make the most of. The sunshine comes with obvious downsides, however. Too much sun can lead to all manner of complications, including cancer, but this article is not here to explain further on such issues.

The sunshine, on the other hand, should be taken advantage of. Enjoy your walks more, or your cycling, or just your new hobby in the good weather. The heat, alone, helps improve the body. Sweat is not an enemy – some people say that it is simply fat crying! Get out while it lasts, just remember the sun cream.

8 – The Cold

On the opposite end of the spectrum, we have the cold weather. And, in the UK, we sure as hell get plenty of it!

While wrapping up warm is essential to the elderly, it also applies – to an extent – to all of us. The cold weather, is also something that shouldn’t be avoided. Believe it or not, we can actually exert more energy, depending on the activity, in the cold than the warm. And, considering the fact that we live in a country that gets cold pretty much all the time, it only seems sensible to find something to do on the outdoors that can work as a hobby and exercise, whatever the weather.

9 – Keeping The Mind Active

Physical activity is rated as the best form of exercise the body can get, but in order to follow a routine correctly, we need to have the correct mindset. And, the mind needs to be healthy and in perfect working order before any great improvements can be made, from quitting smoking to joining a gym.

How you go about this is personal to each individual. Some people enjoy reading books, others prefer crosswords, and some people enjoy a Rubix cube or online puzzle site. The choices in keeping the mind active are endless. Plus, you can tie one activity in with the other – going for a walk in the middle of nowhere and having to read a map is two activities together.

10 – Socialising

No health benefit, no matter what the above activity, has to be done alone. In fact, everything is achieved more successfully with a friend, or a group. And, where that isn’t possible, just having friends and family aware of what you are doing – be it quitting the cigs or going for a hike, can help aid you mentally, from stories to tell, to pictures to upload.

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Top 10 Tips for Balancing Hormones Naturally

Keeping your hormones balanced is key to leading a healthy life, both mentally and physically. Read on to learn how to balance hormones naturally.

Having imbalanced hormones is a common issue for people and can cause a ton of mental and physical health problems. Many people opt to get medication to help balance hormones, such as different types of birth control.

However, if you want to balance your hormones naturally without any side effects, there are tons of tips you can start to utilize in your life.

In this blog, we’ll discuss some helpful ways you can balance hormones naturally, so you can get back to feeling great without the fear of causing harm to your body.

What Causes Hormone Imbalance?

Hormone imbalance is common and will occur to everyone at some point in their lives. But what actually causes your hormones to be out of whack?

Here are some of the most common reasons your hormones may be imbalanced.

Age and Menopause

Every woman knows that in your forties (usually) you will begin to go through menopause. This means that your body will be going through changes and will no longer be able to reproduce, causing your hormone levels to plummet.

Some people go through menopause earlier, which is caused by premature aging due to an unhealthy lifestyle. The more unhealthy you are, the more severe your hormone imbalance will be when going through menopause.

Poor Diet

The food you eat on a regular basis will have a profound effect on your hormone levels. Eating unhealthy foods that are difficult to digest will force your body to work harder to break down those foods.

This stress on your body can cause your hormones to start to decrease or fluctuate, causing an imbalance.

Excessive Stress

Stress causes an increase in the production of cortisol which depletes the hormone progesterone, causing an imbalance.

How to Balance Hormones Naturally

Hormone imbalance will happen at some point in your life, no matter how healthy of a lifestyle you live.

Luckily, there are several ways you can help get your hormones balanced again naturally. Here are ten tips on how you can improve your hormone balance.

1. Exercise Regularly

Exercising has a ton of known health benefits, and can even help keep your hormones balanced by regulating the production of insulin.

The hormone insulin can be dangerous in larger amounts, leading to diabetes are heart disease. Exercising on a regular basis will reduce the amount of insulin your body produces, leading to more balanced hormones.

Exercise is also important for maintaining the human growth hormone (HGH). Make sure you know all the HGH facts so you can keep these hormones properly balanced.

2. Eat Plenty of Protein

Protein affects the release of the hormones in your body that control appetite. Eating enough protein will decrease the release of the hormone ghrelin, which is responsible for communicating hunger and appetite.

Reducing ghrelin production will decrease your appetite and cause you to eat less at each meal.

3. Avoid Sugar and Refined Carbs

Sugar and refined carbs can lead to a big increase in the hormone insulin, which can lead to some dangerous health issues.

Try to avoid or eliminate sugar and refined carbs to keep your insulin levels regulated and your hormones in balance.

4. Effectively Manage Stress

As we mentioned above, stress is a huge factor in hormone production and is a big reason why so many people suffer from hormone imbalance.

Stress increases the production of the hormones cortisol and adrenaline. Cortisol helps your body deal with stress. If you are constantly stressed, your body will be producing cortisol in extremely high amounts.

When your body is producing excess cortisol, your hormones will be imbalanced and you may gain weight and increase calorie intake.

Manage stress by exercising, meditation, taking long walks, and getting enough sleep each night.

5. Drink Green Tea

If you are looking for a natural supplement to help you balance your hormones, look no further than green tea.

Studies show that drinking green tea can regulate insulin and keep your hormones balanced, preventing future health problems such as heart disease.

6. Get More Sleep

If you aren’t getting at least 7 hours of sleep each night, your lack of rest may be contributing to your hormone imbalance.

Hormones work on a schedule, and if your body is not used to a normal sleep schedule, it can really mess up how your hormones are produced and regulated.

Sleep will help keep your stress hormones, such as cortisol, balanced which is important to your overall health.

7. Take Omega-3s Every Day

Omega-3s are important to balancing your hormones because they reduce the production of the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline. Omega-3s also regulate insulin intake, preventing diabetes and other diseases.

You can either get Omega-3 supplements from the store or eat fatty fish, which are full of Omega-3, on a regular basis.

8. Limit Caffeine Intake

Caffeine can cause an increase in stress levels, leading to higher production of cortisol and adrenaline.

If you are having hormone imbalance problems and are drinking coffee all throughout the day, try to reduce the amount you’re drinking.

If you need to drink caffeine, consider replacing coffee with healthier herbal teas that can give you benefits to help combat the effect caffeine is having on your hormones.

9. Take the Right Supplements

There are tons of supplements available to you, but only some of them are going to really help balance your hormones.

Some of the best supplements to use for hormone imbalance include Maca, Magnesium, and Vitamin D.

10. Eat Healthy Fats

We’ve discussed foods that need to be avoided such as sugar and refined carbs, but there are foods you can add to your diet that will be a big help in balancing out your hormones.

Find foods that are high in healthy, saturated fats. One of the best ways to get these healthy fats is from coconut oil, which is loaded with medium-chain fatty acids that are easily digestible.

These fatty acids digest quickly, speeding up your metabolism and giving you healthy, clean energy. Healthy fats will help regulate insulin and provide the building blocks for healthy hormone production.

For More Information

Having a hormone imbalance is no fun, and can cause you some serious health issues if not taken care of. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to balance hormones naturally, including improving your diet, exercising, and managing stress.

So start making some changes to your lifestyle and get your hormones balanced so you can feel healthy again.

If you want to know more about how you can improve your health, check out our health and fitness blog page for more information.

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5 Dental Tips For An Amazing Smile

Are you looking for some easy ways to maintain your beautiful smile? Here are 5 dental tips for an amazing smile that will keep your mouth healthy and fresh.

The only thing worse than losing your hair is losing your teeth. While nothing can guarantee your teeth stay healthy, brushing every morning and night is a great place to start.

But even if you maintain a great oral hygiene routine, your teeth could be suffering if you engage in bad habits like eating a lot of sugar, drinking excessive amounts of coffee, or smoking.

Fortunately, there are dental tips that can help keep your teeth in tip-top shape.

Read on for the top five things you can do halt tooth decay in its tracks and maintain a beautiful smile.

1. Use the Right Brushing Technique

Without the proper technique, using your toothbrush can’t possible banish all the leftover food particle in your mouth.

Start by holding your brush at a 45-degree angle to your gums. Then, use short strokes to clean the sides and tops of your teeth.

Make sure you focus on the back of your teeth, where plaque is likely to build up.

2. Use Mouthwash

Mouthwash is able to clean parts of your mouth where your toothbrush can’t reach. It’s a great way to prevent gingivitis and eliminate germs that may cause bad breath.

Professionals in dentistry, like the ones at 123 Dental, agree that by adding mouthwash into your routine, you will have much cleaner teeth.

3. Clean and Change Your Brush

Some people think that the best way to keep their toothbrush free of bacteria is to cover the bristles with some sort of specialized camp.

While this makes sense for travel purposes, the American Dental Association has warned that covering your bristles can introduce new bacteria and create a more fertile breeding ground for germs.

The best way to ensure your toothbrush stays clean is to rinse it thoroughly every time you use it and then let it air dry.

Even if you do the best you can to take care of your toothbrush, you should replace it at least once every three to four months. Any less often and bacteria can grow making your toothbrush a cesspool of germs.

4. Use a Tongue Scraper

Many toothbrushes that are on the market today come with a ridged side opposite the bristles. If you didn’t know, that’s meant to be used as a tongue scraper.

Using this scraper should be a part of your daily brushing routine. It helps to eliminate bacteria from the mouth and can make a major difference in how good your breath smells.

5. Stop Snacking

While a midnight snack might sound good, do you usually brush your teeth again after having one?

By leaving those food particles in your mouth, you are giving bacteria fuel to multiply.

Beyond Dental Tips

Taking advantage of dental tips is one step on the journey of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

For more articles and lifestyle hacks, check out the rest of our blog today.

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WAYS TO GET RID OF BODY ODOR AND SMELL BETTER

Plainly put, body odor can be off-putting for everyone else and embarrassing for the sufferer. While everyone has their own unique body smells, body odors are unpleasant and unnatural and often point to poor hygiene, excessive sweating or an underlying medical condition.

If you suffer from embarrassing body odors then it is time you get it solved once and for good before it messes up your social life. The first step is to identify the root cause of the problem because sometimes you can mask the symptoms with antiperspirants and deodorants yet it is a serious medical condition like an infection.

Here are tips to reducing body odor.

Shower regularly

Sweating is important in temperature regulation and waste removal so the body must sweat. That doesn’t mean that you should remain sweaty for the whole day. Sweat dries up on the skin and because it contains other body waste it can start emitting an uninviting smell.

Shower daily using an antibacterial soap to prevent bacterial growth. Gently but thoroughly wash your underarms and pubic area host the majority of apocrine glands, the body’s mass production facility of the smelliest sweat.

The frequency of your showers depends on how sweaty you are. If you sweat a lot during your sleep then it is prudent of you to shower in the morning wake up and in the evening when you are from work.

Use deodorants and antiperspirants

When shopping for antiperspirants and deodorants, choose one with aluminum and zinc in their ingredients. These kill odor-causing bacteria before they embarrass you.

Antiperspirants work by clogging the sweat pores on your armpits thereby minimizing the amount of sweat produced. This is because they contain aluminum salts. Deodorants, on the other hand, doesn’t close the sweat pores on the skin but contain ingredients which kill bacteria on the skin and have fragrance to mask any odors.

Choose appropriately depending on how much you sweat.

Watch your diet

Your diet might be the cause of your body odors. Eating too much of strong-smelling foods like garlic and caffeine and even smoking may cause their smells to seep through your pores. The solution then is to drink a lot of water to dilute their smells or cut them down.

A diet rich in leafy green vegetables contain natural anti-oxidants which help you smell good. Furthermore you can learn how to make shakes made of sweet-smelling fruits and vegetables at Topratedweightlossshakes.Com and which can also attain your weight loss goals.

Shave your body hair

Shaving clean could be the key to preventing body odor. Excess body hair increases perspiration. Shave your armpits and pubic hair which can be a breeding ground for bacteria.

Hair traps in sweat and stops it from drying keeping your skin warm and moist throughout the day, just like the odor-causing bacteria wants it to be.

Change your wardrobe

Wearing clingy synthetic fabrics can give you a body odor. Materials which cling to the body don’t allow for proper ventilation thus slowing down the time it takes for the sweat on your skin to dry out. This gives bacteria sufficient time to breed.

Instead, go for soft natural fabrics that allow the skin to breathe thereby inhibiting bacterial growth.

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How to Beat Alcoholism Without a 12-Step Program

Traditional 12-step programs are helpful for many, but they aren’t right for everyone. Read on to learn how to beat alcoholism with alternative treatment.

Addiction is when you no longer desire a drink but need one. Alcoholism, as known as, AUD (Alcohol Use Disorder) affects more than 15 million people in the United States alone.

Unfortunately, few receive treatment.

12-step programs are a great start to treating and recovering from AUD, but not everyone benefits from it. There are alternative methods available on how to beat alcoholism.

Let’s walk through some safe and healthy substitutes about how to beat alcoholism without a 12-Step Program.

Being True to Yourself Is How to Beat Alcoholism Without a 12-Step Program

Honesty is the first step to admitting you have an addiction. You can’t admit your addiction to someone else until you can first admit it to yourself.

Low-points–rock bottom moments–are when people realize they have an addiction. These moments are different for everyone.

Low Points

Near-death experiences – Near-death experiences are awakenings. They’re incidents when people realize, in their self-centered moments, they still have something to live for–something to be grateful for.

Isolation – When people find themselves hiding from their friends and loved ones to feed addictions is when they awaken to the fact that they have a dependency–a destructive habit that’s causing them shame.

Family Loss – Divorce can be a wake-up call. When a spouse throws in the towel or when an AUD sufferer realizes they’ve broken their family, reality sets in, which leads to admission.

Low points come to make addicts face themselves. Allow these moments to bring out the honesty in you. Admit you have a problem.

Know Your Triggers

Triggers can be situations or things that force an emotional reaction, which then alters a person’s behavior–causes them to drink.

Know your trigger(s) and then avoid them all together.

AUD triggers can stem from negative childhood experiences to indulgent adult behaviors.

Abuse, low self-esteem, peer pressure (yes, this happens to adults too), and constant social drinking are triggers.

Distance yourself from associates who drink heavily or encourage you to drink. Remove all alcohol substances from your home and do away with secret stashes.

Keep away from social gatherings that have alcohol present. There no such things as social drinks when you’re learning how to beat alcoholism.

Abuse is a sensitive subject. Seek professional help for abuse to uncover the specific trigger causing the desire to drink.

Cut Back

Not everyone is successful at stopping cold turkey. Moderation is key.

Cutting back on the amount of alcohol you consume may help you realize you’re drinking too much.

Avoid happy hour. Most happy hours come with a two-for-one. Three drinks can easily become six. Instead, stop at a grocery store, buy something to eat, and one drink–a beer, or a split (single-serve bottle of wine).

Don’t attend social gatherings where there will be booze during the week. Stick to one social event per weekend, then taper off. Stay for a short amount of time–enough for one drink, then leave.

Avoid a second drink. Second, third, and fourth drinks become social drinks. Social drinks become triggers that lead to alcoholism.

Get SMART

SMART Recovery (Self-Management and Recovery Training) is a not-for-profit organization that helps people with drinking through a self-help program.

This is much different than traditional 12-step programs.

SMART recovery works on a system that focuses on behavioral therapy–different ways to cope with life’s problem other than drinking, and keys to personal change like increasing motivation, neglecting urges, and designing a healthy lifestyle.

Find your reasons for drinking and weigh them against your reasons for quitting. The value of life alone is usually a good reason to quit.

Change the way you believe about your reasons for drinking. Alcoholism is not an incurable disease; you can get help.

SMART further teaches individuals to balance their emotions and behavior. By figuring out emotional triggers, people can alter their behavior. Instead of drinking to cope, engage in healthier behavior.

Holistic Rehab

Take the holistic approach. Try holistic rehab.

Holistic rehab has to do with balancing the mind, body, and spirit. By balance these three, the whole person is treated rather than the traits of addiction.

Holistic rehabilitation uses the following alternative methods:

Acupuncture – A technique that involves piercing the skin with needles to stimulate different areas of the body.

Yoga – Yoga is used to balance the body and mind through posture and breathing.

Meditation – An an experience that teaches a person to channel their emotions and feelings in a positive direction.

Holistic rehab is a self-approach on how to beat alcoholism.

Find a Mentor

Addiction mentors are referred to as Recovery Coaches. Recovery coaches, usually former addicts, assist those suffering from alcoholism through a process of recovery coaching–teaching addicts to focus on their strengths to overcome addiction.

They’re available to those not looking to participate in a traditional 12-step program.

A recovery coach’s goal is to help their mentee set realistic goals and encourage them to push beyond them by backing them with the right emotional tools and support.

Try LifeRing

LifeRing is a recovery support organization that focuses on sharing experiences to help those battling with how to beat alcoholism.

The program steers clear of the usual 12-step and allows its participants to find peer help through different channels–Online, face-to-face, or through materials purchased from their bookstore.

Face-to-Face

Recovering addicts can use LifeRing’s location database to find a peer located near their zip code and request a face-to-face meeting. Peer meetings serve as moments for individuals to share personal action plans on ways to remain sober.

Online

Alcohol sufferers are allowed to join private email groups where they can share their personal struggles and receive help, resources, and encouragement.

LifeRing also has its social network where recovering addicts are allowed to share and read testimonies and communicate in a large network.

There’s also a 12-step-free forum and an E-Pal service that allows one on one communication by email or personal mail.

Bookstore

Resources are made readily available in the online bookstore to assist those who prefer hands-on instructions.

Medical Treatment

Never be afraid to admit you need more help. Medication may help.

Medication is not a cure-all, and no one pill will ever fix alcoholism. However, there are a few that will help with managing alcohol cravings and withdrawals.

Drugs like Antabuse, which hinders the body’s ability to soak up alcohol, and Naltrexone which blocks pleasure receptors to the brain, forcing addicts to dislike alcohol, are approved by the Food and Drug Administration are available as a form of medical treatment for alcoholics looking for ways on how to beat alcoholism.

S.O.S

Secular Organization for Sobriety (SOS) is a nonprofit network that helps people attain and maintain sobriety through help from local professional groups.

James Christopher (Founder and sober alcoholic), started this program to empower recovering addicts by equipping them with the proper tools to quit and rewards them by giving them the credit for their success.

Rational Recovery

Rational Recovery is an information and counseling program aimed at helping addicts recover through abstinence.

Through the use of AVRT (Addictive Voice Recognition Technique), addicts are encouraged to reject their addictive voice–that inner-voice that calls them to drink–and maintain permanent abstinence.

Online Support Groups

Confessing sins of addiction to total strangers is not only intimidating but can be embarrassing to some. The absence of Anonymity is a factor as well.

But people are telling their stories and they’re telling their stories on the internet.

Online support groups offer a small plethora of benefits to recovering addicts searching for how to beat alcoholism.

Likeness

People like to know they aren’t alone in their struggle. Hearing and reading stories similar to theirs, encourages addicts to fight harder against addiction. They also feel less judged, which is why most people steer clear of 12-step programs.

Empowerment

They control the process. Recovering addicts control how much and when they want to share. They have the power to hold themselves accountable, becoming stronger through the process.

Less Stress

12-step programs require constant verbal activity. In online support groups, alcohol sufferers control their options. They can read testimonies or fellowship with other addicts, reducing the anxiety of being forced to participate.

You Can Do It

12-step programs are not everyone’s cup of tea. Take alternative steps, and learn how to beat alcoholism.

AUD and alcohol abusers who wish to quit much be proactive. Admit you have a problem. Don’t allow a near-death experience be the game-changer.

Low-points are eye-openers, but they are also end-all points–job loss, family loss, and sometimes loss of self-worth.

Find your triggers. Identify what encourages you to drink and walk away from those things permanently. Then practice moderation. Cutting back on a little alcohol is a step towards cutting back on much.

Hold yourself accountable. Get support. Recovery coaches, online support groups, and non-profit organizations that support alcohol abstinence all help you single out your addictive voice so you can squash it and get on the road to recovery.

Check out more of our articles on health and fitness to find how to continue maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Staying healthy and fit are also great tips for how to beat alcoholism.

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