Beauty Throughout the Ages

If you think today's obsession with beauty is something new, think again!   Men AND women have been in touch with their bodies and beauty dating back as far as the ancient Egyptians.  The Egyptian's concern was based as much on pleasing the “gods” of their time as it was for personal adornment.

In fact, it could be said that they prepared their bodies more for the “afterlife” than the current time.   All one need do is read about the tombs and mummies that have been excavated and study what was found.  Lavish pictorial examples reveal how extravagantly the aristocracy lived their lives. 

 Just take a look at the detail the next time you have an opportunity to view Egyptian archaeology reports.   Gold and silver bracelets, lapis and jade pendants, rings of gold studded with semi-precious stones.  All are evidence of just how deeply involved the human race is with beauty and adornments.

Many wore wigs and false braids with jewels threaded through them.  Women wore elaborate combs and pins made of copper, bronze and silver.  Oddly enough, silver was considered a more precious metal than gold and was widely used to decorate boxes and pots where they stored their implements of beauty.

For all of their elaborate trappings, much of it was not just an attempt at satisfying their vanity.  They held the belief that certain metals and elements were specifically tied to powers that were bestowed upon them by the “gods,” so a great deal of the adornment was steeped in spiritual belief.

Women and men both used a paste made from copper material to paint their eyes a vivid green.  Ochre, a red clay, was used to tint their lips.

Ancient Grecians displayed their vanity through elaborate hairdos.  Each hairdo was a visual message letting you know their age, if they were married and how far up the socio-economic scale their class.  The same practices were followed up by the Romans.

The ancient Chinese women enjoyed wearing jewelry as well, choosing gold and jade.  Here is another example of a gemstone that was revered more highly than gold.  Jade was available only to the very rich.

The next time you hold a thought in your mind that we are peopled with a society more focused on beauty than any other in history, just remember, we come by it naturally. . .from our ancestors!

Keeping Cool While Looking Professional: Dresses

Getting dress for work on a steamy morning can be a tedious task. We call it the summer fashion dilemma. On one hand, you want to remain cool and sizzle free, yet on the other you want to maintain your career credibility by looking professional. Oh, and you want to be stylish as well. Sounds impossible, doesn't it? Actually, it's quite easy. Follow these simple steps, and you'll look polished in summer fashions — without perspiring.

Dresses

There's a tendency to fall back on barely-there sundresses when the temperature rises. But what keeps you cool over the weekend may cause some raised eyebrows in the office. The key is to strike a balance between parochial-school teacher and Erin Brockovich without straying too far in either direction.

Do: Wear cool and crisp shirtdresses. Accessorize with metallic or brightly colored accents.

Do: Wear a shirtdress with glossy patent heels or open-toe pumps for the ultimate day-to-evening outfit.

Do: Wear a belted short-sleeve jacket over a strappy sundress. Discard the jacket for après-work cocktails with the ladies.

Don't: Wear a style that reveals your bra straps. The fact that you're wearing a purple bra should remain between you and your current flame. Even if that current flame happens to work in your office.

Don't: Wear any styles that are too low cut. Your goal is not to dress to distract. And that will distract.

Don't: Overcompensate and wear anything that will cause you to sweat profusely, like long sleeves or high necks. Sweating uncontrollably is just as unattractive as revealing your bra straps.

Fashion Horoscope: Sagittarius

Your Sun Sign Predicts What You Should Wear:

Sagittarius
11/22-12/21


The Archer is usually more at home under the stars than indoors, but even the illustrious explorer needs to wear clothing. Not big on fashion, and not really caring about making a statement, you dress in comfortable clothes that allow freedom of movement and can handle the rugged nature of your existence. Clothing made out of hemp or other natural fibers suit you best. If you finally manage to render a garment unwearable for the holes, you can give it a proper burial to return it to the earth. Hippie days are not past yet, for long skirts, ponchos and loose-fit jeans suit you perfectly. Sportswear of any kind suits your lifestyle. You may look out of place during dressy occasions, but you're not so concerned about what others think of your looks, concentrating instead on letting them in on the inner levels of your knowledge.

Hiking boots or sandals adorn your feet on most days. Going barefoot is not too rare, either. Makeup is a pain and jewelry just gets in the way, broken or lost, so you simply don't wear any. Strong colors, particularly navy blue, lifts your spirits, but you rarely bother to match your clothing. Sagittarius men have no problem with scraggly beards, and a woman's hair is something to turn into natural dreadlocks, shave off or throw back in a ponytail. Your colorful clothing causes smiles as you go, unassuming, on your way.

Fave Label: Sportmax
Would Look Good On: Katie Holmes

Fashion Horoscope: Scorpio

Your Sun Sign Predicts What You Should Wear:

Scorpio
10/23-11/21



The always sexy Scorpion is hard to categorize. One day you could be sleek in the latest look, but the next you're kicking back in something romantic and flowy. Whatever you're wearing, and for whatever reason, you've probably got some ulterior motive. When you go out on the town in something short and skimpy, you're probably on the prowl for a partner who'll offer some fun in the P.M. You'll put on a pricey power suit if that's what it takes to score a high-level corporate job. You follow trends as long as they suit you, but you're no slave to fashion. If everyone went around with partially-shaven eyebrows, you would probably refrain. Hey, you've got class! On the other hand, you may have been first in line to partake in your pick of the best retro styles.

You'll either wear a lot of jewelry or no jewelry at all. Your hair might be long and luscious or short at spiky. You could wear wigs and costume paint, as long as how you're shaping yourself to look matches your changeable inner nature on that particular day. Scorpio is a master of disguise. You could wear makeup like a mask, or take it all off so those around you think you're revealing the bare truth. Your hidden, or not so hidden passion, is silky, sensual undergarments in black or red.

Fave Label: Ann Demeulemeester
Would Look Good On: Winona Ryder

Fashion Horoscope: Libra

Your Sun Sign Predicts What You Should Wear:

Libra
09/23-10/22


The Scales make the best shopping buddy. Because of your excellent taste, off-the-rack is usually not quite good enough. Friends and family know to come to you during a fashion crisis, if they have the time to wait for you to make up your mind. Standing in front of your closet in the morning is a case of so many choices, so little time. You know everything in there works, the trick is to decide which one works best today. When your paycheck comes, you go shopping, and darn any price tag that gets in your way. You're a trendsetter when it comes to spicing up a classical look. Always tailored and impeccable, you still manage to keep up with the hottest trends in your own way. There's no throwing on an outfit in the morning, you put yourself together so you're head-to-toe in synch.

There are no extraneous piercings on your body, if you have an earring in your right ear, there's one in your left as well. Everything you wear is balanced, from your choice of color to the distance between the pinstripes on your suit. Your makeup is so impeccable that it almost looks like you're not wearing any. Jewelry, too, only serves to highlight your best features. The rich shade of the sapphire works best with your desire for comfortable blue tones. Libra loves to shop, and it shows.

Fave Label: Giorgio Armani
Would Look Good On: Gwyneth Paltrow

Fashion Horoscope: Virgo

Your Sun Sign Predicts What You Should Wear:

Virgo
08/23-09/22



Every night before bed, Virgo, armed with a can of starch, can be found dutifully slaving over the ironing board. You take good care of your clothes, and they return the favor. A minimalist by nature, you sniff at trends that require pants so big you need to hold them up. As well, you disdain any clothing you can't move in. The thought of girdles makes you laugh outright. Price is important when you're picking out this season's wardrobe. You would never go to the sales rack to buy something under par, preferring instead to spend more for better quality. When you leave the house, you're wearing traditional styles with pleats ironed to a perfect angle, and there is not a speck of lint to be seen. The outfits you buy are simple, tailored to fit and will last a lifetime.

For fun the normally conservative Virgo might give in and wear a crop top to display a belly of which they can be truly proud. With hair in a bun, or pulled back in some other neat, out-of-the-way style, you fit in naturally with every season's trend. Nothing but earth tones for your closet. Natural colors and fabrics in browns and beiges fit you just fine. Not given to wearing much jewelry, you might try out a sardonyx, the earthier member of the onyx family, to add that bit of glamour without insulting your skin tone.

Fave Label: Calvin Klein
Would Look Good On: Cameron Diaz

Fashion Horoscope: Leo

Your Sun Sign Predicts What You Should Wear:

Leo
07/23-08/22


The Lion rules the roost and wants the best of everything. If a garment is out of your budget, it must be yours. Price tags and labels rule what you buy. If the fashion mags haven't heard of a designer, you drop them like a hot coal. You could never be seen in public wearing anything but top quality. Comfort comes last in your book. If the latest trend requires pants that cut off your circulation and wobbly platform shoes, that's exactly what you'll be squeezing into and stumbling about on. Anything daring with a bold display of colors is your cup of tea, as long as it makes you look good. Business suits are for the workplace, and you wear them well, but in your own time you prefer flowing, elegant garments, custom tailored to your shape. It's imperative that you look the part of royalty.

You excel at wearing flashy, pricey jewelry. Your Sign rules the back, so going backless or strapless to the right soiree is never out of place. Favorite colors are gold, bronze and orange, whether you choose to wear these as an electric splash or a bold statement is your decision. You'll purr over anything that calls attention to the Lion's mane, whether is be handcrafted barrettes, colorful rubber bands or jeweled tiaras. One thing is for certain: Leo knows how to dress for success.

Fave Label:Versace
Would Look Good On: Madonna

Fashion Horoscope: Cancer

Your Sun Sign Predicts What You Should Wear:

Cancer
06/22-07/22



Happiness is a sweater that has been your friend for years. Almost as attached to clothing as you are to your loved ones, you've spent years trying to bring back parachute pants, nehru jackets and jumpsuits. Some of these things may still be in your wardrobe, as will the most comfortable styles from every trend that catches your eye from now on. Even clad in the most traditional or comfortable of garb, you always keep an air of femininity about your wardrobe. Lace takes precedence over denim, and cargo pants are definitely out. One of the only things you spend haphazardly on is lingerie, from sports bras to sultry nighties. A favorite outfit might be a long, flowing skirt with a v-neck sweater and a raincoat. On warm days, beachwear and wraps with sandals are a must.

Long necklaces and pretty jewelry makes any outfit complete. Pearls are a favorite, and any shade of green is a pleasure to don. You probably don't go much for makeup, unless it is soft and easy to manage. You might not even own a blow dryer, preferring to let your hair dry naturally and hang down over your shoulders. On busy or windy days, you may only pause to pull it back in a loose knot. Cancer prefers to dress for the comforts of home and isn't given to new trends, but you know how to look for the world outside.

Fave Label: Ralph Lauren
Would Look Good On: Meryl Streep

Fashion Horoscope: Gemini

Your Sun Sign Predicts What You Should Wear:

Gemini
05/21-06/21


Every day is an adventure for the Twins. You probably open your closet in the morning to have a mountain of crumpled garments cascade onto your head. Once you dig through the mess, it is only a question of figuring out what you feel like that day and throwing on the clothing to match. You follow trends halfheartedly because you become bored with them quickly. If a new trend hits you every day, you're ready to embrace that new trend -- if only for the next 24 hours. You're a bit conscious of your wallet when going clothing shopping, but if you find the fuzziest pair of slippers you've ever set your feet in, not much is going to stop you from making them yours. You probably don't care about, or even look at, what the label on your new garment says, as long as you like the way it looks and feels.

You may do well in tank tops to show off your arms, and you can never go wrong with blue denim. If you think about putting on makeup in the morning, it's probably very light, perhaps only lip gloss to give you even more than your natural shine. Arm bands and dangly bracelets are a must unless, like tight clothing, they're too constricting. Experimental Gemini is willing to try anything once, but your hair is usually pretty simple, with only twin braids to bring out your inner nature.

Fave Label: Tommy Hilfiger
Would Look Good On: Jewel

Fashion Horoscope: Aries

Your Sun Sign Predicts What You Should Wear:

Aries
03/21-04/19


The Ram wants to be first in everything. This means you probably know, up to the minute, all about the current trends in fashion. One step ahead of the game, you're a trendsetter. Not afraid to try new things, as long as they appeal to your sense of fun and adventure, you'll wear the most daring of styles. As soon as you see a new item on the rack, you know it'll be the latest trend, and you're not afraid to spend your hard-earned cash to be the first to have 'the look.' In the eighties, you might have been the first to wear shoulder pads (and the first to rip them out toward the end of the decade), and in the nineties you were first in line for that eyebrow piercing. More conservative Aries turned on the television in the mid-nineties and went right out to get their 'Friends' haircut.

True to its fiery nature, the Ram prefers black and red clothing. Not one to go for the tailored look, your closet resembles Noah's Ark, full of all shapes, sizes, colors and fabrics. Rest assured, though, it all looks really good once it goes on your body. You know that flowers are out and solids are in. As far as makeup goes, dramatic eyes do you best, with bright red lipstick to match your fiery hair. Your Sign rules the head, so your best accessory is a hat and sparkling diamonds to adorn your neck and fingers.

Fave Label: Gucci
Would Look Good On: Victoria Beckham

Fashion Horoscope: Capricorn

Your Sun Sign Predicts What You Should Wear:

Capricorn
12/22-01/19


The Goat is more comfortable in business suits than sweats, and no-nonsense heels than sandals. You are reasonable enough to want the best, but not to expect to get it on your frugal budget. There's no snob in your nature to stop you from going straight for the bargain rack and looking for the best the sales stickers have to offer. All your clothing is practical. It may not be the latest cut, but it still looks good enough to let your business associates know that you're serious about your career. If the price is right, you'll go so far as to get your clothing tailored, as long as it retains its classic, timeless style. For relaxation, you might wear pedal pushers, and leg warmers are a must at the gym. You may hunt for bargains, but you dress for success.

What you save on clothes, you splurge on accessories. Your jewelry is simple, but expensive. You can be classy without being gaudy, and an amethyst here or there never harmed anyone. Other than that, earthy you prefers browns, beiges and khaki. Your hair is not a big issue, as long as it's short, attractive and can be styled in less than five minutes. Combining adornment with use, Capricorn was one of the first to wear calculator watches, though pagers and cell phones are now the chief adornment to your pockets or purses.

Fave Label: Donna Karan
Would Look Good On: Christy Turlington

Fashion Horoscope: Pisces

Your Sun Sign Predicts What You Should Wear:

Pisces
02/19-03/20

The Fish likes to be able to flow in and out of clothing with ease. Most at home barefoot, in long, flowing skirts, you are most in tune with the world around you when your clothing is comfortable to the point of nonexistence. Clothes are, in fact, a social construct. You know you can't wander about naked, though, so you go to bargain stores and thrift shops to get yours. If you had it your way, you would probably go about in a bathing suit all day, throwing on a plastic bag or two when it got cold. You're flexible, though. If you buy a power suit and wear it like you mean it, you will eventually grow into it. Once you get past the hang-up of having something on your feet, you're prone to buying tons of shoes, so at least your toes can have some variety in their prison.

Moonstones are a good bet to adorn your body in strange places. Belly chains, anklets and, especially, toe rings cast a fantastical glimmer over whatever it is you're wearing. Hair that is long and tangled quickly becomes hair that is long and braided when the Fish needs a quick fix. When left in your natural state, you don't give a lot of thought to clothing. Pisces is a chameleon, however, so wherever you go and whatever you do, you never need to worry about fitting in.

Fave Label: Vera Wang
Would Look Good On: Sharon Stone

Fashion Horoscope: Aquarius

Your Sun Sign Predicts What You Should Wear:

Aquarius
01/20-02/18




You'll never see a Water Bearer shopping in one of those big, corporate fashion dens that make their profit from monopolies and sweatshops. Thrift stores suit you much better, where you can get the most interesting clothes at the least damage to your pocketbook. You keep up with trends in your own way. You don't buy the new retro fashions, rather you find clothing from the time that this retro was new. Colorful clothing made from hemp, or anything that has shock value, is scattered about your wardrobe. You always have one jump on the next trend, whether or not it finds its way into popular culture. Among the mismatched, eclectic, daring garments in your possession, there is probably at least one gown or suit that is perfectly tailored, perfectly elegant and definitely expensive.

Ankles, though often sprained, are your Sign's favorite body part. Indulge in this by wearing anklets, strappy sandals and t-length skirts. Your hair is constantly changing -- you first dyed it green to shock your parents, but later just kept changing the color to catch the attention of the rest of the world. Henna is useful for this scheme. The makeup you wear is bright, fun and completely cruelty free. If you don't feel like it, though, you won't wear any at all. Adorning your body and clothing with turquoise is a good bet for adding beauty into your life.

Fave Label: Yohji Yamamoto
Would Look Good On: Jennifer Aniston

Fashion Horoscope: Taurus

Your Sun Sign Predicts What You Should Wear:

Taurus
04/20-05/20




The pristine Bull would never be caught wearing anything off the rack. Face it, you're a label snob the likes of which any designer would be proud. You would know exactly what to wear to dinner with royalty, and even your workout clothes are created by big-name designers. Only the finest of imported fabrics will do. Anything that is rough to the touch just wouldn't be civilized. Never willing to sacrifice quality, you are quite capable of spending your last dime to get that gorgeous, classical suit tailor-made. Price is no object because you know that when you find that perfect garment, it will be yours forever. Well-made clothes never go out of style. Trends and fashion are not the most important part of your wardrobe. Stiletto heels are silly things when flats are much more comfortable.

For Taurus, their best feature is often the neck. Classy chokers and necklaces look marvelous on you, and tying on a scarf appeals to the most classic part of your nature. You should wear your hair up and decorate it with emeralds. Bright colors and flashy glamour can be left for the plebeians; you'll stick to your browns, beiges and khakis. With your sense of fashion, you will never be underdressed for any occasion, and you will always look good.

Fave Label: Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton
Would Look Good On: Linda Evangelista

Understanding LYME Disease

Guide to Understanding

Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is a bacterial disease transmitted mainly through tick bite. The illness is also called borreliosis and spirochete

bacteria from the genus Borrelia are the main cause. Lyme disease comes from a range of deer ticks or blacklegged ticks like Borrelia burgdorferi, Ixodes dammini, Amblyomma americanum, Ixodes scapularis and many more. Both man and animal can acquire the disease. There are at le

ast 37 Borrelia species while 12 are related to the condition.

In the United States, Lyme disease is the top infectious disease in terms of spread rate. Out of every 100,000 individuals, 7.9 have Lyme disease. 49 states also report having cases of the disease. Other countries like Canada, the United Kingdom and other European nations also have L

yme disease as the most common tick-borne illness. The type of tick also varies depending on the geographical region. Other animal species like flies, mosquitoes, fleas and lizards are also suggested to successfully transmit Lyme disease to human beings.

The Tick Types

Borrelia burgdorferi is the most prevalent type of tick found in deer and the white-tailed mouse. Borrelia afzelii is found in rodents like rats and is more common in Europe. Borrelia garinii and Borrelia valaisiana are found in birds. Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto are found both i

n rodents and birds and are common in Colombia and Bolivia. Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato are found in lizards and are common in Germany, Poland, England and Japan. The genus Ixodes is also highly associated with Lyme disease. Ixodes dammini is the most common in the United States found in grassy and woody places.

The most common tick types go through three life stages namely: larva, nymph and adult. It takes around two years and three different hosts during the entire process. The tick feeds once during each life stage on rats, dogs, deer, cows and even human beings. The nymph stage is regar

ded as the part wherein Lyme disease is transmitted. Ticks are usually found on the head, neck, toes and armpits where there is enough moisture and warmth.

The Early Symptoms

About 80% of Lyme disease incidences are characterized by a rash or lesion that looks like a bull’s-eye. The pattern is called erythema migrans which develops anywhere from a few days to a few weeks after bei

ng bitten by an infected tick. Tick bite is almost unnoticeable since it is painless. The rash can appear like a growing red ring, a bull’s-eye with a light ring surrounded by a dark one or fully red and round. The insect bite is the cardinal sign of Lyme disease but is sometimes hard to diagnose since the bacteria needs to be magnified 400 times to be detected.

Together with the rash, other symptoms indicative

of flu like sore throat, muscle pain, fatigue and headache may also appear. It is possible to get flu-like symptoms without the presenc

e of a rash and vice-versa. Incubation period lasts around 1 or 2 weeks while it is also possible for it to delay up to several years before symptoms appear. Uncommon symptoms include palpitations, heart b

lock and altered mental state (neuroborreliosis).

The Late Symptoms

Untreated early symptoms can last for a few months up to several years then may disappear. Complications and late symptoms will then follow which are more severe and long lasting. Common chronic symptoms

are muscle and joint pain and neurological symptoms like burning and tingling sensation in the extremities, meningitis, depression and fatigue.

Meningoencephalitis, myocarditis and frank arth

ritis are common manifestations in chronic Lyme disease. Other organs like the lungs, heart and stomach may also be affected. Chronic Lyme disease can be misdiagnosed at times because the symptoms are similar to several other known illnesses.

Other neurological and neuropsychiatric symptoms due to swelling and increased pressure in the brain can also manifest like muscle twitching, paresthesia, memory less, difficulty sleeping and changes in

affect or mood. Other neurological problems can develop like encephalitis, encephalomyelitis and Bell’s palsy.

The affected person may also present problems in sexuality like breast or testicular pain, sexual dysfunction and loss of libido। Other related symptoms may also arise like sudden weight gain or loss, swollen lymph nodes, high fever or chills, hypersensitivity to alcohol, eye and kidney i

nfection and photosensitivity.

An interest in looking and feeling great!

What is beauty? Beauty is defined by many things -- a toss of the head, a twinkle in the eye, a state of mind -- but one thing is certain: every woman wants it.

But How to:
Gain confidence about your looks.
Identify your best feature, and learn how to play it up.
Look your best at any age.
Master your own hair and makeup.
Have the healthy-looking skin you've always dreamed of.
Navigate your way through the maze of beauty products with confidence.
Master timesaving trade secrets, tricks, and techniques.
Get the most bang for your buck.
Make your own natural beauty products.
Tap into beauty secrets of women from around the world.

Let's share!

"177 Ways to Lose Weight"

 INTRODUCTION

If you struggle with weight gain it’s a good bet that you have tried at least one of the “fad” diets that crop up on a regular basis.

The truth is that some of these diets may grant you temporary weight loss. In the usual case, however, the weight returns as soon as you stray from the diet.

The bottom line is that you gain weight because you consume more calories than your body is able to use and no diet is a substitute for good eating habits.

Your body requires a certain number of calories in order to function properly. If you truly wish to lose weight, you must burn off more calories than your body requires.

In this guide you will learn ways to reduce the number of calories you ingest as well as tips and techniques to help you burn off unnecessary calories.

Before we begin, however, it’s important that you fill your arsenal with every possible tool available to insure your success. The most important tool in your weight loss program does not include diet or exercise.

There is no special equipment you need to purchase. You don’t need to join a gym or health club. And, you already have every component you need to put this tool to work for you and begin a successful weight loss program. What is it? It’s your mind. Having said that, let’s get started, shall we?
















ATTITUDEIf you have tried every diet on the planet, every exercise program from the latest fitness guru and repeatedly failed to achieve your weight loss goals you probably need a “check up from the neck up.”

Successful weight loss doesn’t just happen. It took more than a few days to reach the point where you are at right now. Give yourself a break and expect it to take awhile before you see measurable results. Take a leap of faith and follow some basic principles.

Begin with your “self talk.” This is the conversation that runs through your brain continuously. What kind of conversation do you have with your self talk? What type of negative self talk has kept you from reaching your goals in the past?

If you had a chance to do it over again, would you change the dialogue? That’s a no-brainer isn’t it? Well, the good news is that you can turn the tide of negative self talk beginning right now. It’s never too late to begin and you start by reprogramming your self talk.

A good starting point is to begin with positive affirmations. Positive affirmations spoken aloud with authority and belief, positively affect your attitude, focus your thinking and lead to a course of action that will help you become the person you want to be and have the things that you want to have.

Begin by writing your affirmations on paper. You need to take some time for this exercise. You can begin with something like, “I want to lose 25 pounds before Christmas.” That’s a worthy goal and attainable, but we need to put some work into structuring the affirmation.

First of all, “I want” gives the impression that what you desire is always in the future. In order to re-program your self talk, you need to trick your mind into believing that you have already achieved success. This is how your subconscious mind functions.

Your subconscious mind has no capacity for understanding the concept of time. Everything is in the moment . . . here and now. When you tell your subconscious mind you “want” that is exactly what you will get … want. You will get "want", without ever achieving fulfillment. Unless you change your mental tape recorder, you will achieve exactly what you are telling your subconscious, that you “want to lose 25 pounds.” You will “want to lose 25 pounds” for the rest of your days unless you change your self talk.

If your weight is 150 pounds and you desire is to weight 125 pounds, then you need to “be” 125 pounds from the moment you make the decision to change your self talk.
What if you write your affirmation to read something like this: “I am healthy and fit, weighing 125 pounds.”

What are you telling your subconscious now? It’s extremely important that you phrase your affirmation as if you have already accomplished what you desire. Work on writing it out until you have it precisely as you wish to become.

It is particularly important that your affirmation is crystal clear because what you affirm is exactly what your subconscious mind will bring you.

You needn’t limit yourself to one affirmation either. Write another one that reflects your new exercise program. “I enjoy my healthy new exercise program,” or, “I love the healthy foods I eat.”



Write and rewrite until you are absolutely certain that you have written your goals “in the here and now” AND to represent precisely what you desire. Then, and only then, begin to speak it aloud and do so several times a day.

Remember to use the present tense. “I acknowledge achievement in all my weight loss goals.” “I have the skill and talent to exercise every day.” “I am a winner.” “I am grateful for all of my accomplishments no matter how small.”

At first you will feel awkward and uncomfortable and you may not feel or believe what you are saying. You may feel silly saying them out loud. It doesn’t matter.

Continue to speak the affirmations aloud with as much conviction as you can muster.

Try using driving time in your car for firm, strong voiced self talk. It’s taken a long time to train your subconscious to use negative self talk. If you will persevere with speaking your affirmations aloud, firmly and confidently, you will be amazed at how quickly you can turn your thoughts around.

You didn’t hop on a bicycle the first time and just take off down the street. It took practice to train your body to balance on those two wheels. This will take some practice as well. Continue to repeat your affirmations aloud, several times a day for the next 30 days and you will be amazed at how much you change your thinking and attitude.

Let’s investigate how words affect you in your everyday life. Take a trip down memory lane and recall some real life experiences that made you happy, proud, and successful or any combination of the three.

Spend some time recalling how you felt. Maybe you won a spelling bee as a child, or hit a home run. Who was there? This will help you remember. You had those feelings once and you can achieve them again. What words did others use while you were experiencing those feelings of joy and happiness?

Recall those words, and write them down. Then, put them to work in your daily conversations. They are words that are already proven to have a positive affect on your well being. Recalling and including them in your day will trigger those feelings again because your subconscious already has an association with those words and their results.

Above all, take action. If you have become a slave of procrastination, decide to rid your life of it once and for all. Yes, you can create affirmations to help you there as well. “I have the attitude and skills to take action today.” “I am winning in my life by turning my attitude into action.”

Do nothing and nothing gets done. Do something and many things are placed in motion. Regardless of what you are doing in life, you need to take action. Do something every day to put your plan in motion.

How is your attitude? What are your first thoughts when you awake in the morning? You’ve got quite a lot to choose from. Do you begin the day by dragging out of bed bemoaning the fact that you have to get to work? Or, do you embrace the morning as another great opportunity to do great things?

Put the universal law of reciprocity to work in your life every single day. Did you know as much as ninety nine percent of our conversation is negative? There are some folks who can hardly wait to get their mouths open so they can “one up” another person's current negative situation.

Hmmm, think back to that self talk. If what you hear every day is negative, it’s no wonder your self talk brings you down and prevents you from being, doing and having everything you desire. Try this exercise. Make a decision today, right now, from this moment to spend the rest of the day contributing to conversation in a positive way.

Impossible, you say? Not so. Say that somebody complains about another rainy day. Your response might be, “yes, isn’t it great? See that beautiful rainbow!” Try and create the habit of saying something positive to everyone.
If you are learning to say something positive to everybody about everything every time, you are disciplining your subconscious for positive results in everything that happens to you.

Crazy in Love

20 Surefire Relationship Wreckers

If you've seen the movie How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, then you've seen Kate Hudson do pretty much everything she can to squelch Matthew McConaughey's interest in her in record time. (Crazy, we know, but that's Hollywood for you.) While this chick flick parodies some pretty scary female behavior, we've got to admit that many of us are probably guilty of freaking a guy out in much the same way ‑- without even meaning to. All of this begs the question: Why is it that we find it tough to lose a guy who we're dying to get rid of, but it's so easy to lose a guy who we'll do anything to hang on to?

According to E. Jean Carroll, author of Mr. Right, Right Now, do these 20 things and you are sure to lose a man. Just think of this as a little behavioral wake-up call (it's okay, you can thank us later):

1. Always end arguments by turning some deeply private secret he's confided to you... against him. Then add, "Screw you, you slobbering half-wit!"

2. Beg him to read your journal.

3. You know you shouldn't call him too much, so say to yourself, "I'm an adult. He's an adult. I refuse to play stupid games."

4. Call him repeatedly.

5. If he doesn't call back, email him. If he doesn't return your email, fax him a funny little joke. If he still doesn't call, drop by his office and surprise him with a "cute" card. If he's not at his office, drive to his house, wait for him at his front door and, when he arrives, tell him he can do anything he wants with you.

6. Ask him once a week, "So, where do we stand?"

7. Or, if you prefer a more dramatic scrotum-tightener, ask, "So where do we stand as a couple?"

8. Rarely wear high heels to bed.

9. Be the first woman in recorded history to actually tell a man exactly how many chaps she's slept with.

10. Fixate on the future. Focus on his taking you to the Bahamas for Valentine's Day.

11. Always cry after sex.

12. Criticize his mother.

13. Do you own a pair of baggy maroon sweatpants? Wear them.

14. Is he feeling a tad overwhelmed by the serious turn your affair is taking? Surprise him with loads of expensive gifts for no reason.

15. Nag. Nag. Nag. Nag. Nag.

16. Giggle at his receding hairline.

17. Tell him oral sex makes you gag. Except when he does it.

18. Don't let him miss you (i.e., spend every blessed moment with/near/on/under/over him ‑- particularly those blessed moments when you feel bloated and paranoid).

19. Never have your wallet with you.

20. Let him know that every day is Judgment Day as far as you and he are concerned and that you'd rather be right than happy.