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10 Weight Loss Tricks Most People Overlook

September 10, 2020 by Power of Positivity

What if you learned some easy weight loss tricks that can help you fight the battle of the bulge? Losing weight is hard work. Why is it that those pounds seem to creep on your body overnight, but getting off all those extra pounds is a long and drawn-out process?

Do you know your goal weight, and do you have a plan to help you to reach that mark? You are not the only one who struggles with being overweight. More than half of all Americans say that they are trying to lose weight or are actively dieting.

Dieting isn’t hard when you break it down to the basics. You know that you need to eat fewer calories than what your body burns, and you know that you should avoid foods with sugar and carbohydrates. However, are there other tips and tricks that can help you to lose weight faster?

Tips for Weight Loss Success

You’ve probably heard that you shouldn’t skip breakfast as it’s the most important meal of the day. Consequently, there is sound reasoning behind this request. The Virginia Commonwealth University did a study regarding obese women who eats breakfast versus those who skipped this meal.

Those who ate a healthy meal of around 600 calories at the beginning of the day found that they lost four times more weight than the other ladies in eight months. By eating breakfast that consisted of eggs and toast, experts found that they ate less during their lunch and dinner meals.

They found that there is an appetite-stimulating hormone known as ghrelin that is activated when you eat in the morning, and the power of this hormone can sustain you for much of the day. Now that you have proof that breakfast is essential, here are some other tips for you to consider.

1. Stop Eating Diet Foods

One of the biggest problems with people who want to lose weight is they look to diet foods to help with their cravings. Sadly, these foods are filled with more salt and additives to make it taste better. They also use artificial sweeteners that are dangerous to the body and can make you overeat.

There’s no reason why you can’t eat what you want in small portions. You should have one regular cookie than to eat one filled with sugar alcohols. Check your labels and look for things like Xylitol, Isomaltose, Mannitol, and Erythritol. While they seem like a tasty alternative, they can permanently damage the gut bacteria, causing more harm than good.

2. Chew Gum

Who would think that something as small as chewing gum could significantly impact how much you eat? When you’re munching away, it can satisfy your body’s cravings for sweets. If you feel hunger pangs and the cravings are kicking into high gear, you should use chewing gum to help.

When your jaw is moving while chewing gum, your brain is tricked into thinking you’re eating. Additionally, the sweet taste will help to satisfy your sweet cravings. It’s a little thing that can help you save on calories.

3. Light a Candle

A British study found that those who light a highly scented candle can trick the brain into stopping their cravings for sweets. It sounds easy enough, but does it work?

According to the research, all you need to do is grab a candle that smells like a sugary treat such as a vanilla cupcake or a cup of hot cocoa. It works like that of aromatherapy. Your body inhales the sweet aroma, and it fills the longing for sweets.

4. Drink Cinnamon Coffee for Breakfast

Coffee helps to curb your appetite. When you drink a warming liquid like coffee or tea, it tricks the brain into thinking that the stomach is full. Try a cup of delicious coffee with a pat of butter and some cinnamon.

It’s also called bulletproof Java and beloved by Keto dieters. Piping hot coffee triggers thermogenesis, which will speed up your metabolism to help you lose weight faster.

5. Eat Soup Before Dinner

How many times have you went to a restaurant and got a bowl of soup before your meal? Then, how many times were you too full from eating the soup to finish your entrée? Soup is one of the most filling foods around because it brings feelings of satisfaction.

One of the best weight loss tricks you can learn is to eat about a cup of broth-based soup before a meal. The chances are that it will fill you to the point where you will eat way less.

6. Salt Your Veggies

How many times do you prepare vegetables with all the intentions of eating them, but they never quite make it to your stomach? Most people are turned off by the smell and appearance of greens and other garden delights. If you and your children need more veggies in your diet, then try adding a dash of salt to them.

Did you know that salt will help make your vegetables taste more appetizing? While too much salt is not suitable for you, if it means that you will eat those Brussel sprouts, green beans, and broccoli fleurets, then add a pinch of salt. Another consideration is to use pink Himalayan sea salt, which has other fantastic health benefits.

7. Take the Stairs

When it comes to weight loss tricks, there are some easier than others. How many times do you bypass the stairs so that you can take the elevator instead? You could be sabotaging yourself and not even realizing it.

How many times have you said that there’s never enough time to exercise when all along you have stairs all around you? If you have stairs in your office or at home, climb them as many times as possible. The resistance you feel when you’re climbing those stairs can help you to burn more calories.

Stop taking the elevator and start using the stairs. You will be surprised by how much better you will feel.

8. Get an Accountability Partner

Life is always better when you have a partner. When it comes to weight loss tricks, you need someone to help you with accountability to make your journey a success. If you are doing a program with a friend, they can help keep you on track.

When you have a down day and want to cheat, your friend can give you all the reasons you need to keep going. Having someone in your corner for workouts and support is essential.

9. Hang a Mirror by Your Table

Why is it that you continuously need tips and weight loss tricks to fool the brain? Your mind is a complicated organ that can quickly sabotage you if you don’t learn to get your thoughts and cravings under control. One way you can stop impulse eating is to hang a mirror by your table.

If you think this sounds crazy, then you should know that there is research behind these claims. A study was conducted by Cornell University’s Food and Brand Lab to see how differently people ate when they had a mirror by them. They used 185 students to perform this test.

The team found that when you watch yourself eat, it significantly impacts how much you will eat. They served half of the students some chocolate cake, while the other half ate fruit salad. The students who were in front of the mirror didn’t enjoy the cake nearly as much as the ones who were eating freely without seeing a visual image of their bodies.

Does the visual image of yourself overeating make you less likely to indulge? It’s certainly worth a try if all you need to do is to hang a mirror.

10. Make a Grocery List and Stick to It

If you have junk food in your home that can sabotage your eating plan, you need to get rid of it. When it comes to weight loss tricks that work, why not try making a healthy menu with your foods for the week. You should make a list to take to the store or do a click-list to pick up your groceries.

Then, the key is only to buy the things that are on the list. You are less likely to buy on impulse when you are focused on getting just the stuff you need. You will save money and buy healthy items for your family.

Final Thoughts on Using These Weight Loss Tricks to Reach Your Goals

By incorporating a few weight loss tricks into your day, you will be able to hit your calorie goals and watch the fat melt away. Little things like trying to take the stairs, chewing gum, and putting a mirror by the table are just a few of the tips that you can utilize to make sure your weight loss journey is a success.

Are you ready to tackle your weight using these new tips? Remember, what works for your friend may not work for you. The goal is to alter your brain and body into becoming a fat-burning machine.

10 Ways to Stop Dwelling on the Past (And Create a Happier Future)

September 10, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Life tends to be all about sinking or swimming. Once you’ve experienced the pain of taking on too much and feeling like you’re drowning, it teaches you life lessons. It takes a great deal of effort to stay afloat. However, there is something about rock bottom that teaches you things that you can never learn when you are swimming along peacefully.

When you are at the bottom, you learn how to fight and claw your way back to the surface. You learn the power that you have within you that will sustain you in life. Now, the biggest challenge is to learn how to break away from your past and stop dwelling on those mistakes; it’s easier said than done.

Do you tend to ruminate on your past, and your mind plays a loop of your failures? Why do you keep playing the same movie time and again in your head, and you’re expecting the ending to be different? When you are constantly dwelling on the past, you will reopen wounds that have closed, and it will self-sabotage your determination.

How can you move forward when you are so preoccupied with what’s behind you? Letting go is never easy, but if you don’t get control of your thought processes, then days, weeks, and years will pass without change. To put the past in the past, you must first be willing to take a step forward.

10 Tips to Help You Stop Dwelling on the Past

It’s time for you to move on, and you need to let the universe know that you’re ready for a fresh start and change. There’s no need to be scared because you will stagnate if you never alter or change in life.

Everyone will agree the aroma that comes from stagnant water is pungent. If you’re ready to move on from your past and begin again, here are ten tips to help you.

1. Remember You Write the Story

The great thing about your life is you get to write your story. You will have many chapters, but each of these chapters will tell a story of a time or period you endured. Some chapters will be exciting and full of love and hope, which others will reflect on the darkest times in your life.

You will have support characters, people who are there for only a season, and those who shake things up. Take a good look at your novel and identify the chapter you’re currently in. Now, the great news is that you get to write the ending too.

Remember, no one else can write your story like you, so make sure that you give the novel plenty of interest and love.

2. Learn from Your Mistakes

The book of your life would be a pretty boning read if there were some intrigue, mystery, and drama. Consider a baby learning to maneuver in their new world. It takes them several times to fall before they learn to walk.

However, the young child soon learns what they need to do so that they don’t fall. The same analogy applies to you. You eventually know what you need to do to keep from making the same mistakes in life. Rumination and dwelling on the past only hurt you. Use your failures as motivation for the future.

3. Trust the Process

Do you ever wonder how your life would have been if you had made different choices? Did you know that you’re one decision away from a whole new life? Each choice you make is important because it defines that chapter in your life’s story.

Sometimes, things won’t work in your favor, and other times, you will master it all. The connection to why these things happened will become apparent in the future. If you’re constantly dwelling on the past, you might resist the good things in store for you.

You must trust the process and give yourself a pat on the back that you’ve made it thus far.

4. Look to the Future

Your strength may be limited, but the things you can achieve in your life are limitless. Keep in mind; you are utilizing strength and energy when you’re dwelling on the past, worrying, or angry. It’s exhausting trying to focus on things that are out of your control.

Letting go is so tricky, but in time you will learn to build and trust. The wonderful thing about letting go of excess baggage is that you’re clearing the way for new adventures. There are reasons for change, and when you resist these changes, you could be preventing some of the most extraordinary experiences of your life from occurring.

5. Find Inspiration in Others

Do you think that you’re the only one with problems? Life is all about the ups and downs and the valley. It seems so lonely when you’re at rock bottom, but you may use this time to draw inspiration from others.

One of the most powerful platforms ever created was Ted Talks. People share their stories of facing insurmountable odds and coming through victorious. You can find just about any topic and subject to draw strength.

If you aren’t much for podcasts, then you might try an online support group. It’s incredible what it does to your spirit when you read of others and their tales of the human spirit’s ability to overcome.

6. Meditation and Developing a Proper Mindset

Dwelling on the past puts you in a negative mindset. There have been numerous studies done on the effects of negative thinking. If you speak positive things, then you will be optimistic.

However, if you are continually living in a negative realm, your life will have a pessimistic outlook. You can change your thoughts by using meditation. If you’re new to this art form, you might want to try a guided meditation to erase negativity.

Your mindset means everything, so it’s time to change it for good. Stop looking at your past as a life sentence. It’s in the past for a reason, and you need to leave it there. Through mindful breathing and meditation, you can conquer some of your biggest inner struggles.

7. Stop Playing the “What If” Game

Does any of these questions sound like you: “What if I didn’t marry that person?” “What if I didn’t buy this car?” “What if I didn’t move across the country and try this adventure?” There are lots of questions that you ask yourself daily that you cannot answer.

While it’s hard to look at things positive when they turned out to be a disaster, try focusing on the right parts. For instance, your marriage might have been a wreck, but you have a beautiful child that you adore. If it weren’t for that marriage, then you wouldn’t have your baby. Even the darkest of clouds can have a silver lining.

8. Develop a Positive Mantra

You’re human, and it’s nearly impossible to stop all the evil thoughts. Every time thoughts of your past come up and bother you; you need to have a mantra that you quote to clear your mind.

For instance, if you found yourself once addicted to drugs and alcohol, but you’ve been clean for ten years, it’s a significant achievement. When your mind wanders back to those horrible events, tell yourself that you’re more powerful than the pain, and you will use your life for good.

You can use your past to help others who are not as far along on the journey. Then, you’re taking the bad that happened to you and turning it into a positive. Rumination and dwelling on the past are only useful if it’s helping someone else.

9. Stop Playing the Victim

Some people love playing the victim card because it feels good to get attention.

At some point in your life, you must move from victim to victor. Dwelling on the past should never be something you use for people’s pity or to get attention. Plus, this negativity will hold you back and won’t allow you to move on.

10. Get Help

If no matter how hard you try, you can’t seem to get past the past, then you need to seek professional help. Therapy is an excellent outlet for you to vent your frustrations, process them, and then move beyond that stagnating position.

It’s never easy to change, and there are times when you want to run away and hide. However, there’s something very freeing when you talk about the issues with a third party who is objective. They can help you make sense of the madness and put things into perspective.

It would help if you found the strength within you to move past these events. You know how annoying the old record players were that would get stuck on a scratch and play the same sentences over and over?

Well, you’re doing the same thing inside your head. Ruminating on your mistakes can cause excessive anxiety, depression, and other mental health disturbances. You owe it to yourself and your family to move on.

Final Thoughts on How to Stop Dwelling on the Past

Dwelling on the past holds you back from entering the next significant phase of your life. Consciously work at removing these barriers from your mind. Only then will you be free to attain all your goals and dreams.

5 Organic Food Pressure Cooker Recipes for Weight Loss

September 9, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Do you want a healthy eating plan that your whole family will enjoy? Cooking organic, nutritious meals couldn’t be easier than using an Instant Pot or another electric pressure cooker brand. Try these five tasty dishes for weight loss, and you can even adapt many of these meals to a vegan diet plan too.

Five Electric Pressure Cooker Recipes to Help Support Weight Loss

Before using your electric pressure cooker for the first time, be sure to read all the instructions, with particular attention to the safety features.

1. Classic Meatloaf & Organic Roasted Veggies

What would your week be without a generous helping of meatloaf and roasted veggies? Instead of cooking it in the oven and waiting for hours, your electric pressure cooker or instant pot does the job entirely in a fraction of the time. Plus, this recipe is slimmed down for a healthy eating plan.

• Ingredients:

3 Tbsp. milk
1 Egg
1/3 C. Panko crumbs
One Small onion, finely chopped
2 Cloves garlic, finely chopped
One medium carrot, peeled & grated
1 Medium stalk of celery, finely chopped
One Small bunch fresh parsley, finely chopped
1/2 Lb. lean ground chuck
1/2 Lb. ground pork
1 Tsp. sea salt & freshly ground black pepper
2 Lbs. new red potatoes
2 Lbs. baby carrots
1 C. of cold water
1/2 C. ketchup
1/2 C. salsa

• Directions:

In a large mixing bowl, add the egg and milk and whisk well. Add crumbs and stir until combined. Set the mixture aside to allow the crumbs to absorb the milk, which will take about 10 minutes.
Add ground beef and pork, onion, garlic, carrot, celery, and parsley. Now, use your hands to knead all the ingredients together and form the mixture into a small loaf.
On a sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil, place the meatloaf, and wrap the foil around it to form a pocket. Set aside.
Use a fork to pierce the potatoes to allow steam to release.
Pour the water into your pressure cooker and add the potatoes and carrots. Now, place the steaming rack over the vegetables.
Arrange the meatloaf on top of the steaming rack, close the lid to lock the pressure cooker. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the sealing release valve. Set the pressure cooker on manual and high pressure and allow it to pressurize for at least 15-20 minutes.
Allow the contents to cook for 20 minutes, then turn off the pressure cooker. Carefully use the quick release to depressurize the contents. When the pressure is ultimately released, open the lid carefully.
Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the meatloaf has reached an internal temperature of at least 145 degrees F. Open foil carefully and place meatloaf on a serving platter with the vegetables carefully arranged around the meat.
In a small bowl, mix the ketchup and barbecue sauce and pour over the meatloaf, then slice and serve with veggies.

2. Grandma’s Roasted Chicken

Remember going to Grandma’s house for Sunday dinner? She had the table loaded with all your favorites, including her beloved roasted chicken. Here is a pressure cooker version that is quick, easy, and full of flavor and one that would make Grandma proud. Plus, it’s great for keto dieters who are striving to lose weight too.

• Ingredients:

1 Whole free-range chicken, about 5 pounds
2 Tsp. salt
1.5 Tsp. freshly ground black pepper
2 Cloves garlic, minced
1 Tsp. smoked paprika
2 Tbsp. canola oil
1 Small yellow onion, peeled & quartered
1 Large lemon, quartered
One C. organic chicken stock

• Directions:

After removing the gizzard pack from the inside of the chicken, rinse it well with cold water and use paper towels to pat dry. Push lemon, garlic, and onion into the chicken cavity and set aside.
In a small bowl, add salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme. Use a fork to blend the spices until thoroughly combined. Stir in oil.
Set an electric pressure cooker or Instant pot on sauté and allow it to preheat.
Rub the chicken with the oil & spice mixture on all sides and place carefully into the cooker, breast side down. Allow the chicken skin to be brown and crisp, about four minutes.
Use a sturdy pair of tongs to carefully flip the chicken to the other side to brown and crisp, about two minutes more. Carefully remove the chicken, and insert the roasting trivet into the cooker. Pour in the chicken stock.
Arrange the chicken on the trivet with the breast side up, and seal it according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Set the cooker to manual on high pressure, and allow it to pressurize. Set the timer to cook for 25 minutes.
When the timer sounds, turn off the cooker and depressurize naturally about 15-20 minutes. Carefully remove the lid and transfer the chicken to a serving platter. Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the chicken has an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees F.
Allow the meat to rest before carving, about 5 minutes. If you want, use a meat brush to brush cooking juices over the chicken right before serving.

3. Southern-Style Beans & Rice

If you are a fan of authentic soul food, you can’t go wrong with beans and rice. This quintessential dish is packed with fiber and protein and works splendidly with a plant-based diet. Trading out the usual white rice for brown is another healthy option.

• Ingredients:

2 C. dry Red Kidney Beans
1 C. dry Brown Rice
2 C. salsa, hot or mild
1 Small bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
1 Small yellow onion, chopped
4 C. Vegetable Stock
2 C. Cold Water

• Directions:

Add beans and rice varieties to your electric pressure cooker. Pour the vegetable stock and water over them and stir well.
Add salsa and half the chopped cilantro to the cooker and do not mix. Put the lid on the cooker and seal it, following the manufacturer’s directions.
Set on manual mode for high pressure and allow the cooker to pressurize about 10-15 minutes. Set the timer to cook for 25 minutes. After the timer rings, allow the cooker to depressurize naturally, about 10-15 minutes.
Use the instant release to relieve any remaining pressure. Open the lid carefully and spoon mixture into a serving bowl. Garnish with remaining cilantro and chopped onion.

4. Vegetarian Burrito Bowls

Just because you are trying to lose weight doesn’t mean you must give up tasty food. When you are in the mood for a zesty Mexican-style dish, why not try this vegetarian-friendly burrito bowl? It’s bursting with flavor, and you can enjoy it without the guilt.

• Ingredients:

1 Tsp. olive oil
1 Small organic red onion, diced
One Medium organic golden bell pepper, seeded & diced
½ Tsp. salt & freshly ground black pepper
1 Tsp. freshly ground cumin
1 C. organic quinoa rinsed well
One C. salsa, hot or mild
1 C. of cold water
1-15 oz. can black beans, drained & rinsed

•Healthy Topping Options:

1 Bag organic mixed greens
1 Small bunch green onions, chopped
One C. homemade or prepared guacamole
2 Small limes, cut into wedges
1 Small bunch fresh cilantro

•Directions:

Set your electric pressure cooker on Sauté and heat the oil. Add onions and pepper and stir until onions are soft and translucent about 5-8 minutes. Add cumin, salt, and pepper and sauté for another minute. Turn the cooker off.
Now, add quinoa, salsa, water, and beans and seal the cooker lid per manufacturer’s instructions. Set on Manual and Low Pressure, with the timer set for 12 minutes. Allow the cooker to pressurize, about 10-15 minutes.
When the timer rings, allow the cooker to depressurize naturally, about 10-15 minutes. Carefully remove the lid and make sure the quinoa has totally absorbed the liquid. Use a fork to fluff the quinoa and turn over into a serving bowl. Serve warm with optional organic toppings.

5. Hearty Minestrone Soup

After a busy day, what could be more comforting than a steaming bowl of soup? This iconic Italian minestrone combines a plethora of tasty organic veggies that provide vitamins and minerals. Save any leftovers in the refrigerator to pack for lunch the next day.

•Ingredients:

2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 Large onion, finely chopped
3 Large carrots, finely chopped
3 Celery ribs, finely chopped
One medium zucchini, cubed
2 Cloves garlic, minced
1-14 oz. can petite Italian-style diced tomatoes, with juice
1-14 oz. can kidney beans, drained & rinsed
One-14 oz. can tomato sauce
8 C. low-sodium vegetable stock
1 Tbsp. Italian seasoning
2 Tsp. sea salt, or to taste
½ Tsp. fresh black pepper, or to taste
2 C. fresh baby spinach leaves
1 C. shell pasta

•Directions:

Set your electric pressure cooker on sauté, add the oil and heat until shiny, about three minutes.
Add the onions and garlic and sauté until lightly browned, another three minutes. Be careful not to burn them. Add the zucchini, carrots, and celery, and sauté for an additional one minute. Stir in the diced tomatoes and tomato sauce. Set cooker on warm mode.
Stir in beans, vegetable stock, seasoning, salt, pepper, spinach, and pasta. Lock the lid and set on manual and high-pressure settings. Set the timer for six minutes. It will take the cooker an additional 10-15 minutes to pressurize.
When the timer goes off, carefully use the quick-release valve to depressurize the cooker. When no pressure is left, carefully open the lid, and stir the soup well. Serve hot with a fresh green salad if you like.

Final Thoughts on Using an Electric Pressure Cooker for Eating Great and Losing Weight

An electric pressure cooker is a great way to prepare quick meals for your family that are tasty and healthy. Whether you eat meat or are searching for vegetarian or vegan-friendly dishes, your cooker will be your new best friend.

You can still eat great while losing weight. However, you should also try some intermittent fasting and a great workout plan to get the best results.

10 Fat Burning Teas to Support Your Weight Loss Goals

September 9, 2020 by Sarah Barkley

Have you heard about fat burning teas, and now you’re looking for the low-down. Well, you are in the right place!

Visit any place in the world, and you’ll find people brewing delicious teas. Historians believe that tea bushes are native to China. Ancient herbal doctors used the leaves for myriad medical remedies. As China traded goods throughout the world on the renowned Silk Road, they introduced tea to foreign traders, and the rest is history.

Not only can you use tea leaves for steeping in hot water, but you can also use a variety of herbs and other medicinal plants. If you want a satisfying beverage without caffeine, herbal tea hits the spot. It’s a great way to kick the sugary soda habit, and studies show that drinking tea may help you lose weight.

How to Make the Perfect Cup of Tea

Start by filling a tea kettle with cold, purified water, and bring it to a rolling boil. Add loose-leaf tea to a tea strainer and put it into your teacup. Pour the cup almost to the brim with boiling water and allow the tea too steep for 2-3 minutes.

Remove the tea strainer and stir the tea well. Add lemon or a natural sweetener like stevia or honey and stir again. Turn any fat burning teas into a refreshing iced tea by allowing the steeped tea to cool to room temperature then pour it over ice.

Tea is a delicious way to hydrate your body without added calories. Plus, many drinks are a treasure trove of vitamins and other nutrients that can benefit your health and weight loss regimen. Here are ten fat burning teas to tempt your taste buds.

1.Pu-erh Tea

Over the centuries, the Chinese have perfected the art of drying and fermenting tea leaves. In the Chinese province of Yunnan, professional tea blenders gather leaves from native tea bushes, then dry and roll them. After the dried leaves have fermented, they make a delightful tea called Pu-erh.

If you want a tasty tea to burn fat, this drink may be your answer. Researchers have found that people who drink pu-erh can lose weight and reduce their BMI. The studies suggest that tea can help you lose fat in problematic areas like your arms, hips, and abdominals. Pu-erh has also been found to be a natural appetite suppressant.

2.Rooibos Tea

Here’s a fat-burning tea that’s just as lovely as it is tasty. Rooibos tea comes from South Africa, where farmers harvest it from a red bush. It’s popularity as a fat-burning tea has positive results from multiple scientific studies.

Rooibos has natural chemicals and flavonoids that can help you burn fat and reduce your appetite. Whenever you feel stressed, your body goes into instant survival mode and dumps stress hormones into your system. These are meant to temporarily boost your energy to flee, fight, or faint.

Chronic stress keeps your body overloaded with cortisol, which can make you hungry and trigger cravings. Rooibos tea studies have also found that it can help reduce stress as well as cortisol production. So, when you enjoy a steaming cup of rooibos, you may be calmer and more relaxed. It might also curb your appetite so you can lose more weight.

3. Kombucha

Although our ancestors consumed Kombucha for centuries, only recently did it gain the spotlight of healthy fermented foods. The popularity of this tea has spread throughout the world. Kombucha has been made the same way for generations.

After black tea is brewed, they add sugar and a live symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast called a SCOBY. The SCOBY feeds on the sugar and ferments the tea with beneficial probiotics and other nutrients.

The probiotics found in Kombucha have been linked to weight loss, fat burning, and reduced appetite. Kombucha can also help balance the good flora in your gut for better digestion. You can buy it premade in grocery stores or learn how to make it at home with online tutorials easily.

4. Green Tea

Of all the fat-burning teas known for health benefits, green tea remains on top. This delicate tea is brewed from fresh green tea leaves, resulting in a light, minty flavor that is loaded with natural chemicals that boost your weight loss efforts.

Do you often feel drained during the day or battle the mid-day slump? Green tea has been shown to increase your metabolism and give you the energy to exercise and burn more fat. It’s often a key ingredient in over-the-counter weight loss supplements.

5. White Tea

Are you searching for a delicious tea that will tantalize your taste buds and help you lose weight? White tea would be an excellent choice. As its name implies, white tea leaves are often snowy or creamy white instead of the usual black or green.

To make white tea, growers harvest them at their peak growth and dry them in the sun until they are a collage of silvery white. Since these leaves are dried, their beneficial compounds like polyphenols are concentrated.

When you drink white tea, these compounds can reduce fat cells, but they may prevent new ones from forming in your body. The light, sweet taste of white tea makes it an ideal beverage during the day, as it has been shown to boost your energy levels.

Here is what happens to your body if you drink chrysanthemum tea daily.

6. Peppermint Tea

If you are familiar with herbal remedies, you know that many herbs can be steeped into tasty and healthy teas. Some of the most favored herbal teas come from members of the mint family, like peppermint.

This perennial mint has been prized for centuries as a natural remedy for digestion, breathing, and weight loss. Another good thing about peppermint and other herbal teas is that they don’t have caffeine, which is known to trigger hunger.

In several medical studies, the compounds in peppermint tea have been shown to curb your appetite and minimize cravings. In addition to being a potential aid for weight loss, you can drink peppermint tea to boost your immune system and fight infections like colds and flu.

7. Golden Tea

Mints aren’t the only one among herbs and spices that can create healthy, fat-burning teas. You’ve probably read many articles about turmeric’s health benefits, a powdered form of the pungent turmeric root. It has a venerable place in ancient Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine.

Most people are familiar with turmeric as the fundamental ingredient for most curry recipes, giving the dish its iconic golden hue. It’s also a featured ingredient in a classic recipe for golden tea that’s been touted for years as a health tonic and weight loss tea.

It’s usually made with a touch of ground black pepper that binds with the turmeric compounds to increase its antioxidant and thermogenic power. For a flavorful golden tea, mix the turmeric and hint of black pepper into a cup of warm coconut milk. Drinking golden tea is a yummy addition to your weight loss regimen.

8. Bilberry Tea

Do you have diabetes and are trying to lose weight to control your symptoms? Adding bilberry tea to your diet may benefit you. In several independent studies, the compounds in bilberries have been shown to lower blood sugar levels for people with diabetes.

Bilberries are in the same family as cranberries and blueberries. Thus, herbalist rely on them for many healthful reasons. Some of the compounds in bilberries promote eye health and better vision. Drinking bilberry tea can also benefit your cardiovascular system, blast fat, and help you lose weight.

9. Hibiscus Tea

This is one of the fat burning teas that hails from the stunning tropical hibiscus flower. It has a deep scarlet color and is loaded with antioxidants that combat free radicals in your body. Studies show that hibiscus is one of the ideal fat burning teas, but it can also help lower your blood pressure and blood glucose levels.

People often drink it to promote liver health and use it as a natural antimicrobial and antibiotic. Did you know that hibiscus tea may help prevent certain cancers? You can also brew it into a delicious and refreshing iced tea.

10. Rose Tea

Even before recorded history, roses have reigned as empress of the world’s flowers. This beloved bloom has been a mainstay for perfumery, culinary, and medicinal purposes. When you consume it in a tea, roses provide a plethora of antioxidants and Vitamin C. Since it has diuretic properties, rose tea can help flush toxins through your system and help you blast fat and lose weight.

Do you often have hunger pangs and food cravings? A hot cup of rose tea may be the thing you need to fight them. It may encourage the growth of beneficial gut flora and help with proper digestion. Since rose tea is also a natural inflammatory, it’s one of the ideal fat burning teas for your weight loss regimen.

Final Thoughts on Adding Fat Burning Teas to Your Diet

Who knew that one of your favorite brews could promote health and help you lose weight and reshape your body? Added to a weight loss and exercise plan, fat burning teas may be just what you need to take your weight loss to the next level.

What Does September’s Super Moon Mean For Your Zodiac Sign?

September 9, 2020 by Linda Joyce

The New Moon peaks on September 17th, at 25 degrees of Virgo, and will be the first of three upcoming Super New Moons.

The New Moon symbolizes new beginnings and this Super New Moon brings extremely potent energy that blesses us with an opportunity to set new intentions and helps us make changes we have been contemplating for a while.

The energy of this New Moon will impact all of us, however, each zodiac sign will experience this New Moon slightly differently. Below you will find your sign and you will learn what this upcoming Super New Moon means for you.

If you want to learn more about the overall energy this Super New Moon and other planetary alignments bring head over to our friends Moon Omens. You will love their article!

Aries

The New Moon in Virgo begins a new cycle of growth in which you have the opportunity to reinvent your daily routines completely. Introduce healthier, better habits. Try new ways to organize your work that allow you to be more precise and productive. Efficiency and effectiveness will be keywords for you, dear Aries.

Strive to be more grounded, create something concrete and useful during this cycle. Look for practical ways to apply what you already know. It is time to make your knowledge and expertise relevant for yourself and other people. Ask others to tell you how you can serve them, what you can do for them, what they need to feel good, and don’t forget to ask the same questions to yourself, truly listening from an open heart and an open mind.

The New Moon in Virgo can allow you to discover a deeper sense of devotion to your health and wellbeing and to cultivate a more profound sense of self-respect and self-love.

Taurus

Dear Taurus, the New Moon happening in fellow earth sign Virgo represents a wonderful influence on your creativity and your romantic life. During the upcoming lunar cycle, you will feel inspired and creative in everything you do. You’ll draw inspiration from your job, in the way you dress and do your hair, in the way you decorate and organize your home, in any sport or artistic activity you love. This is a great moment to channel your creative energy and manifest what you have always dreamed about.

Begin a course, learn something you are passionate about and you always wanted to explore more in-depth, get out of your comfort zone. Try new routines.

Romance and love life are going to be big themes for you throughout the next few weeks. You are likely to feel the need to be out and about, to meet new people, have exciting exchanges and conversations, and ultimately have fun. Enjoy these things without placing any expectations on yourself or others.

Gemini

The New Moon in Virgo is going to affect your home and family life, dear Gemini, as well as your inner self and emotional body.

You may discover a new self-image, a completely different way to see yourself, as you become aware of old childhood patterns and of the deep conditioning you received from your family. You are now ready to liberate from it. Old emotions may resurface in order to be fully healed and understood.

Come into contact with your inner child and their needs Do not forget to be gentle with yourself, and respect your timing.

Trust this process fully. Be aware that whatever comes up during these days is something you are ready to deal with and confront. The New Moon in Virgo may bring interesting changes in your home environment, in your family, or in the lives of the people you love. Try to embrace the new with a sense of positivity and excitement, cultivating hope for a better and bright future.

Cancer

Dear Cancer, the New Moon in Virgo is highlighting the area of your life related to communication, your thinking patterns, and your general mental activity. This cosmic event represents a new beginning in the way you perceive and interface with the world around you. It will affect the way you think, how you speak with others, and you can discover new ways to communicate your needs and desires to others.

You will have the opportunity to review how you express yourself and share your inner world with those around you. You can discover techniques and methods that allow other people to understand you more easily. During these days, there may be changes in your close environment, in your siblings’ lives, or your neighborhood. These transitions can offer you interesting chances and unexpected possibilities. Beware of being too self-critical. So don’t incessantly analyze your shortcomings and your flaws–try to relax. Finally, do your best to improve but without being too hard on yourself.

Leo

The New Moon in Virgo represents an invitation to develop a deeper relationship with your physical body, with pleasure, and with self-care. Take time to indulge in the five senses, try to make it a part of your daily routine, and see what happens. Dear Leo, this cosmic event invites you to value yourself and your capacities.

Discover talents and resources you weren’t aware of that allow you to improve the organization of your work and your life, to better navigate the material world of form, duty, obligations, and responsibilities. The New Moon is inviting you to reflect around your values and redefine your concept of abundance.

It supports those of you who are trying to manifest a new form of income or an additional one, that is more aligned with your inner world, your true goals, and aspirations. The current energies allow you to manifest what you dream of: know and believe that you are worthy of receiving all of it.

Virgo

Dear Virgo, the New Moon in your sign represents a powerful new beginning, the start of a brand new cycle of evolution for your Soul. You now need to follow your conscious desires in order to understand and align with your Soul purpose and life path.

This time is for spontaneous action and experimentation. So follow your instincts and your natural wants and needs, go after what you are passionate about, what makes you feel happy and fulfilled, even if you think that it doesn’t make sense, that is not useful or practical. Trust your feelings and passions.

You don’t need to know the reason or the purpose behind them now. Just take action and believe in yourself. Eventually, you will understand everything–when the time is right. This New Moon invites you to discover new ways to assert yourself and to present yourself to the world: don’t be afraid to affirm your needs or to say no to what drains your energy.

Libra

The New Moon in Virgo represents the beginning of a cycle in which a lot of your focus will be on your relationship with Source and your spiritual journey. You will feel inspired to embrace and cultivate a spiritual view of life and to explore new ways to get into your subtle energetic body.

Dear Libra, you may naturally seek solitude, quiet, long moments of introspection. You are likely to feel the need to focus on your inner world. Karmic patterns related to past lives and experiences may emerge in order to be healed and released. You may become aware of the traits of your personality and parts of your psyche that have been suppressed and hidden. So reclaim and integrate them.

Your empathy and sensitivity will naturally increase during this time: the feeling that you have no control over what’s happening in the world may bother you more than usual. Establishing healthy boundaries is crucial for you right now, say no when needed, don’t be a perfectionist, embrace chaos, and surrender to life.

Learn from your most epic failures.

Scorpio

Dear Scorpio, the New Moon in Virgo opens up new connections and friendships and the possibility of becoming part of groups and communities of like-minded individuals. You may feel the need for the support of your peers during this time. Indeed, you may realize that you need to be surrounded by those who uplift and support you and your vision. Gather information about different kinds of community, alternative lifestyles, sustainable living, and expand your network of contacts.

This New Moon inaugurates a period in which you are likely to make long term plans, focus on your goals and dreams, and maybe discover new ones. How can you make a positive impact on the world? You may think about your place on the planet with objectivity and detached awareness. Or you might discover how to be of service to the collective without sacrificing your individuality. Cultivate a sense of faith around where we are going as a species, and reflect around what you can do to support the evolution of humanity.

Sagittarius

The New Moon in Virgo represents a new professional beginning: exciting opportunities may unfold during this cycle, dear Sagittarius. You have a role to play in the world. And you know that what you do has the potential to influence other people’s lives deeply. How to affect them in the most positive way possible? What social function and role reflects your authentic self? What does success represent to you?

These are some of the questions that may pop up in your mind during these days. The New Moon in Virgo is an invitation to mature. So take responsibility for yourself, for what you do and don’t do. Let go of what gives you security but doesn’t make you grow. Finally, allow yourself to have a powerful impact on others.

This is a great time to begin new projects, start a side hustle, make business plans, define a vision that inspires and motivates you, and commit to it. Beware of overworking and excessive ambition that may lead you to neglect other areas of your life.

Capricorn

Dear Capricorn, the New Moon in Virgo urges you to get out of your comfort zone and explore something new. So try something different from your usual activities that makes you feel alive and renews your sense of purpose. Don’t be afraid to take risks and make mistakes. This is the moment to discover your true mission in life. Open up to new belief systems and philosophies that have practical applications and the potential to improve the way you live your daily life.

Get out of the city for a few days if you can. Spend time in nature to get the inspiration you need and get out of your rut. Experiment with different routines, diets, alternative medicine from other cultures that open you up to new perspectives of life that help you improve your health and expand your consciousness. Follow your intuition, embark on a long inner journey, expand your worldview, commit to finding and living your personal truth.

Aquarius

The New Moon in Virgo is a turning point for you, dear Aquarius. You may notice a sense of longing and a strong desire to have deeper conversations, deeper experiences, and to relate to people on a more profound level. This lunar cycle for you represents a moment to dive into the mysteries of life, death, and rebirth, rediscover your sexuality, and a real sense of intimacy. The New Moon in Virgo is an invitation to become more embodied. So learn to be vulnerable and feel safe in your physical body.

Confront the fears that don’t allow you to open up to the people closest to you. Power, self-mastery, and trust will be keywords for you. What does power represent to you? How can you get closer to self-mastery? What is blocking you from trusting yourself and others fully? You may need to make choices in the areas of intimacy, finances, and shared resources. This will lead you to reflect on your values and attachments and to confront your fixations and compulsions.

Pisces

Dear Pisces, the New Moon in your opposite sign, Virgo, represents an invitation to reflect around partnerships, equality, projection, and polarization. You have a fantastic opportunity to discover your needs, your boundaries, and to find balance in your relationships. Plus, you will learn to work with others in conditions of fairness and harmony.

During the upcoming lunar cycle, different people are likely to enter your life. From these new relationships, you will gain a new understanding of relationships. Indeed, you’ll begin seeing them more than ever as a mirror for self-development.

Who do you want to connect with? Who do you feel good with, and what is the purpose of your connection? Don’t be afraid to explore your values, your needs, and your standards. Those you relate with can help you see and understand your blind spots. Plus, they can open you up to new perspectives of the world, new experiences, and learning processes.

See this as an experimental period and be mindful of honoring your needs and desires, beware of self-sacrificing, and people-pleasing tendencies.

The Power of Positivity team & Moon Omens wishes you the most beautiful Super New Moon experience. We hope this guide will help you harness this powerful energy. Blessings!

20 Easy Ways to Impress Your New Crush

September 9, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Do you think you are falling for someone? Does he feel the same way? There’s no way to know for sure when it comes to matters of the heart. When you are interested in a new crush, you might feel afraid to make the first move. And you definitely want to impress that potentially special someone.

So what’s a person to do to attract the right kind of attention? Here are 20 ways to impress your new crush and ensure they take notice.

Twenty Ways to Make a Lasting Impression on Your New Crush

1. Be Open and Genuine

There’s nobody in the world quite like you, and there never will be. Why would you want to be anybody else? Your new crush wants a person who is genuine and confident.

Although you want to make a great first impression, try to relax and just be yourself. Let your new crush see you for who you are. When you keep your body language neutral and receptive, you will show an interest in her that she will notice. Let her fall in love with the real you, not a façade.

2. Smile and Have a Sense of Humor

Physical attraction is a much-misunderstood aspect of human relationships. Real, inward beauty is most important, and it’s what will make your relationship last. However, outer beauty is what will attract him in the first place. It’s the only way he can get to truly know you.

Long after your new crush forgets what you were wearing when he first met you, he will remember your smile. A lovely, genuine smile costs you nothing, but it’s more valuable than any gold or diamonds you could wear. Not only does your grin show an interest in him, but it also conveys your sense of joy and humor.

3. Be a Good Listener

Everyone wants someone to show an interest in their life. Nothing is more unappealing than a bore who can’t talk about anything else but himself. If you want your new crush to blossom into a fulfilling relationship, you need to be a good listener.

Practice active listening skills like open body language, mirroring, no interruption, and clarification. Ask her about her day and other questions about things that are important to her.

4. Be Positive

Who likes hanging around a “Negative Nelly?” Guys enjoy talking with women who are upbeat and make them laugh. Being positive doesn’t mean you have an unrealistic view of the world. There are injustices and negative influences in everyone’s lives that must be addressed.

However, there are too many happy things to discuss rather than dwelling on the negative aspects. Be a great conversationalist and talk about things that make her satisfied and dwell on the beautiful things in life. When you radiate joy and positive energy, it makes you even more attractive to a prospective suitor.

5. Take Pride in Your Appearance

You already realize that your new crush was first attracted to you by your appearance. Now that you have his attention, how you look will be even more critical. How else is he going to discover how beautiful you are on the inside as well as the outside?

Getting used to each other is not an excuse to let yourself go. When you are meticulous with your grooming and individual style, it shows your new person that you have self-confidence. He should never be embarrassed to be seen with you in public.

What guy would be impressed to see his lady with no makeup, hair scrunched up like a rat’s nest, browsing through the department store in her slippers and pajamas? Guys, no woman is attracted to a scrubby dude. Look your best and carry yourself with self-respect and dignity.

6. Know How to Have Fun

One of the many blessings of having a steady love interest is that you don’t always have to do things alone. To keep your new crush interested, you must show them that you know how to have a good time. Boredom is the kryptonite of a lasting relationship.

You needn’t spend a fortune to have fun together. Think of exciting places to go or things to do. Don’t start your relationship by getting into a date night rut. Be creative, and keep your sweetheart’s interests in mind.

7. Don’t Be Clingy

Do you want to destroy a budding relationship quickly? Just start texting and phoning him non-stop and whine when he can’t be with you every second. Such behavior spells clingy and desperate, which is most unattractive. You needn’t be aloof, but don’t appear to be needy and controlling.

8. Be Spontaneous

Have you ever heard that variety is the spice of life? Nothing could be more accurate when it comes to relationships. Stay one step ahead of her and keep her guessing what you’ll do next. Meet after work all dressed up and have tickets to a musical she’s dying to see.

Go beyond the norm and do something thrilling together, like hand gliding or exploring a local cave. Instead of your usual Saturday date night, why not plan a surprise getaway to a quiet cabin in the woods? Do the unexpected, and your relationship will always be fresh and fulfilling.

9. Be Open About Your Feelings

Of course, you don’t want dates with your new crush to seem like a therapy session. While it’s good to have each other lean on, you don’t want to go overboard. Neither do you want to keep your emotions penned up in a stoic hush?

Be honest with your feelings and allow your beau to be frank with his. Remember that women tend to be more in touch with their emotions than men are. Be empathetic with one another, and don’t be afraid to say how you feel. It will draw you closer together.

10. Keep the Past in the Past

Many people make the mistake of unloading their romantic history on their new love interest in the beginning. Does he need a running list of your broken relationships and why you despise your former lovers? Remember that being honest doesn’t mean to tell everything you know.

Again, stay positive and don’t spend precious time bad-mouthing people. It will only make you look petty and perhaps a liability in the relationship. Keep any lessons you’ve learned from past experiences in your heart and get rid of the rest.

11. Be on the Same Page

Perhaps nothing could be more painful and embarrassing than assuming a love interest where there isn’t one. If you are crushing on her, are you sure that she feels the same way? Is it something that may lead to a closer relationship, or is it a passing infatuation?

12. Be Polite

Since when was being a rude attractive? Please note how your new crush treats you because it can reflect how he will treat you in the future. Guys, women still love to be treated like a lady, so be polite with your manners. Does your love interest show courtesy to others?

13. Be Curious, But Not Invasive

When you start dating a new love interest, of course, you have many questions to ask. The whole concept of dating is to get more acquainted with each other. You’ll have a plethora of things to discuss and discover about your love interest.

However, this is a budding relationship that must grow in rapport and trust. Please don’t rush in like a roving reporter and make her feel like she is being interviewed. Talk about your interests and your family life, but make sure you keep your questions general and non-threatening.

14. Random Acts of Love

Isn’t it funny how small, random acts of love mean so much in a relationship? It’s a chance to use your passion and creativity together. Write a little love note and leave it in a place where she’s sure to see it.

Can you imagine his surprise when he sees a single red rose on his desk with a card from you? It’s these little gestures that let him or her know that you are thinking about them.

15. Start a New Tradition

While spontaneity is vital for a healthy relationship, so are traditions. They keep you grounded as a couple and make you remember who you are. Think about starting a tradition that will mean something to you both.

It could be visiting a favorite restaurant once a week or playing your favorite love song to each other and dancing the night away. Do something special that is just meant for you two.

16. Join the Gang

If you’ve decided to take a step from friendship to a love relationship, you’ll want a chance to blend into each other’s group of friends. It’s a great way to officially announce your love so that people will know you as a couple. If you have other platonic relationships, they should be friends with you both.

17. Set Boundaries

Is he interested in dating you seriously? Or is he expecting to date other women? It may take a few dates to see where your relationship is heading. Set boundaries early in the relationship, so each of you knows what to expect from the other.

18. Be Attentive

Do you know when your sweetheart has done her hair differently or is wearing a new fragrance? Has your beau trimmed his beard, especially for you? Pay attention to these things and be complimentary, and your lover will be glad you noticed.

19. Take Time

If you have a plant and don’t water or give it care, it will die. The same thing can happen in a relationship. While you both need personal space, you must take time for one another and blossom in love.

Outside of your work commitments and other obligations, your love interest should take a top spot in your life.

20. Be Faithful

Has your crush turned into a committed relationship? Be a faithful lover and avoid the temptation of straying. Even if you are texting or emailing intimately with somebody else, it’s still cheating.

Final Thoughts on Impressing Your New Crush

Having a new crush can be an exciting point in your life. Maybe this will be your forever person. Being honest and having open communication can make the difference in a lasting relationship. Most of all, take care of yourself regardless of the outcome of this budding romance. Good luck with your new relationship.

6 Fat-Busting Moves to Work Out Your Quads

September 8, 2020 by Power of Positivity

The “show muscles” are known as the biceps, triceps, and pectorals. Even a novice individual to weightlifting knows that it’s not hard to get a six-pack worthy of praise. But many overlook the importance of firming up the quads, the large muscles at the front of the thighs.

Building muscles is straightforward, once you understand two things. First, you must commit time and energy. And secondly, you need to keep your body-fat percentage low to show off the hard work.

When it comes to the quad muscles, most people think that squats are the only way to enhance this area. There’s not much common knowledge on how to utilize fat-busting repetitions for this lower muscle group.

Anatomy 101

The quads are the muscles on the front of your thigh. They are not only long, but they are also immensely powerful. They are used to help you perform maneuvers like a squat or a lunge.

As you age, these muscles will weaken from not being used as much or from an injury. Thankfully, you can get these areas back in shape with some intense knee-dominant exercises that will target this region.

However, it would help if you chose the right exercises for the job. Before you begin to work on this area, you need to know that you have four quadriceps, which all attach to your knee.

Without these muscles, you wouldn’t be able to make your leg stretch outward or bend your knee. Knee-dominant maneuvers require you to significantly curve your knee, and most of the strength comes from your quads.

If the muscles in this area are weak or become constricted, then you can target them to increase strength by using specific maneuvers. If you don’t use directed exercises, then they won’t grow in strength.

When these areas are tight, you need a plan to give the region more range of motion. You will be strengthening your quadriceps as well as lengthening them. The squat is a hallmark for targeting this region, and it’s considered a double-leg exercise.

Your muscles will grow bigger and stronger when you lift more weight. Try to combine both single and double-leg quad workouts so that you can effectively enhance this big group of muscles.

Getting Started with Six Fat Busting Moves

Are you ready to get rid of unsightly fat and increase the range of motion in your quads? You will need to learn some specific maneuvers other than the squat to work in this area effectively. Thankfully, it’s not a difficult task to do. Here are the six best exercises for building your quads.

1. Easy Quad Stretch

If you want to start with something easy and basic, then the easy quad stretch is the place to begin. You should commence by standing on one leg, but you must make sure that you keep your knees touching. Don’t worry; you will need to hold onto a chair or wall to support your body weight initially.

Now, take your right hand and reach for your left foot. Pull your foot upwards towards your rear end. The tricky part will be to keep your chest in an upright position, but it’s essential to keep your center square.

If you can’t get your foot all the way to your butt, it’s okay, just do the best you can. You will feel the burn in your quadrilateral muscles if you’re doing this correctly. Now, hold this position for about 30 seconds before you switch to the other leg. Try to do ten reps or five on each side.

2. Kneeling Quad Stretch

You must pay special attention to the muscles right above your knees, so the kneeling quad is what’s best for them. You should start by getting into a high lunge position.

Next, place your right foot in the forward stance as you slowly bring your left knee toward the floor. Try your best to hold this position for 20-30 seconds.

Now, gently release the hold you have on your left foot. Bring your body back into the high lunge position as you switch sides and place your left foot in the forward stance to do this maneuver on your right quad. Strive to do five reps on each side.

3. Pigeon Twist

The pigeon twist is a yoga pose, but this maneuver is great for stretching the quadricep muscles. Not only will this move open your hips, but it will also give your spine a good twist.

Start by the downward-facing dog pose that’s so popular in yoga. Now, carefully bring your right knee until it rests between your hands and form the pigeon.

Your right hand should be resting on your right shin as you bend your left knee slightly. Now, reach for your right foot using your left hand. Slowly press the sole of your foot towards your left hip. It’s okay if you feel some uncomfortable sensations here as your moving things in directions that they usually don’t move.

Next, put your right hand onto your left foot as you slowly twist your upper body towards the left-hand side. You should wrap your left hand towards your lower back. If possible, grasp the upper areas of the right thigh directly in front of the hip.

Okay, this may seem confusing, but you need to stay with it. Using your hands, you want to press into your body to become more entangled into the twist. Try your best to hold this position while you breathe for 5-7 breaths, then release your hands as you straighten out the left leg.

Now, twist your body back and to the right while planting the palms of your hands on the sides of your right knee. Take a step backward with your right leg until you can come into the downward-facing dog position.

Hold this pose for one breath and then bring your left knee to the front and place it between your hands to do this pose to the other side. You may need to brush up on some yoga since the fat-busting properties of this exercise form can be utilized to strengthen the quads.

4. Frog Pose

Working the quads with the frog pose is easy as it will help you stretch the front of your thighs. Additionally, it will give you a good stretch in the shoulder and chest area too.

To begin this stretch, you want to lie on your stomach and prop your upper body up on your elbows like you are about to do a push-up. Now, bend your knees as you reach your hands backward. You want to grasp your feet.

Now, the goal is to make sure that your fingers are pointing in the same direction as the toes. Gently lift the elbows in an upward motion until they are pointing towards the ceiling area. Take a deep breath and lift your chest just as high as possible.

If you start feeling pain in the knees at any time, then release some of the pressure on your feet. You should do one side at a time while holding the pose for five breaths. See, isn’t yoga great for working the quads?

5. Lying Side Quad Stretch

If you want to work your quads, but you have knee issues, then this position allows you to recline instead of standing up. Start by lying down on the floor on your side.

You need to prop your head up using your hand. You should be in a position like you would if you were to do a leg lift. Now, take the right foot and pull it upwards towards your butt.

Now, if you find that you’re not steady and having issues, you can bed the bottom of the knee slightly. Hold this maneuver on the right f0r 30 seconds before switching to the left.

6. Bulgarian Split Squat

The Bulgarian split squat sounds complicated, but it’s a rather straightforward maneuver that will work your quads. Unlike the traditional squat, this one allows you to go deeper and work on your front leg for an even more intense quad stretch.

Start by placing your back foot up on a bench or a workout box. Now, lower your hips towards the ground by squatting backward and downwards. Ensure your back knee doesn’t touch the floor, but you want to let your weight be on the front leg.

You want to do about two sets of ten reps per side, but make sure that you allow at least 30 seconds to rest in between each set.

Final Thoughts on Trying These Fat-busting Maneuvers to Shape Your Quads

There are many exercises that you can utilize to target this area. While there are six listed here, you can find dozens more online. If you need to lose weight and strengthen the knees, you might want to work with a personal trainer.

If you’ve had surgery or an injury to the knee area, you might need to use specific maneuvers to strengthen the region without challenging it too much. You should start to see results within 2-4 weeks.

10 Behaviors That Reveal Someone Is Emotionally Unstable

September 8, 2020 by Chris Butler

Being emotionally unstable makes life feel like a constant rollercoaster ride. These types of people probably don’t want to feel so many fluctuating emotions and would love to get off the ride, but just don’t know how. Emotional instability may happen due to certain life events, or childhood trauma or abuse may trigger it.

Sometimes, a person may develop Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), or Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD). According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, around 1.4% of the U.S. population has BPD, and 75% of people diagnosed with it are women. People with BPD have difficulty regulating emotions and may fluctuate between intense moods for hours or days at a time.

“Your emotions are very unstable and should never be the foundation for direction in your life.” – Joyce Me

The following symptoms characterize BPD according to the DSM-5:

Do you see any of these behaviors?

Frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment by friends and family.
Unstable personal relationships that alternate between idealization (“I’m so in love!”) and devaluation (“I hate her”). This is also sometimes known as “splitting.”
Distorted and unstable self-image affects moods, values, opinions, goals, and relationships.
Impulsive behaviors that can have dangerous outcomes, such as excessive spending, unsafe sex, reckless driving, or misuse, or overuse of substances.
Self-harming behavior including suicidal threats or attempts.
Periods of intense depressed mood, irritability, or anxiety lasting a few hours to a few days.
Chronic feelings of boredom or emptiness.
Inappropriate, intense, or uncontrollable anger—often followed by shame and guilt.
Dissociative feelings—disconnecting from your thoughts or sense of identity or “out of body” type of feelings—and stress-related paranoid thoughts. Severe cases of stress can also lead to brief psychotic episodes.

Even if someone doesn’t have a disorder, they may still appear emotionally unstable and exhibit certain traits. If someone shows the following behaviors, they may struggle with their mental health and have difficulty controlling their emotions.

Here are ten behaviors that reveal someone is emotionally unstable:

1 – An emotionally unstable person may have random outbursts of anger

Emotionally unstable people may get angry over insignificant or trivial things. You may feel you have to walk on eggshells around them because you never know what may set them off. A person with anger may fluctuate between being perfectly pleasant and snapping for no apparent reason. This makes relationships with others very difficult, as the person never knows what to expect.

They may shout and scream or even become violent depending on the intensity of the anger. However, if you feel in danger around this person, please seek help from trusted family members or the national domestic violence hotline.

2 – Impulsive behaviors are frequent in emotionally unstable people

People with emotionally unstable personalities may have inclinations toward impulsive, reckless behaviors. Common impulsive behaviors may include:

reckless driving
compulsive shopping sprees
unsafe sex
substance abuse
gambling
self-harm

These types of behaviors can indicate various mental health disorders, such as BPD, bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety. Most of the time, the person feels they can’t control their behavior and feel compelled to engage in reckless activities as either an escape or to get a “high” feeling. Afterward, they may not even remember these activities if they experienced a psychotic episode which can cause dissociative feelings.

Some people use impulsive behaviors to regulate their emotions, which seems counterintuitive. However, the intense stimulation they receive from these activities serves as a temporary escape from troubling emotions.

3 – Unstable relationships with family and friends

As you can imagine, an emotionally unstable person will have extreme difficulty maintaining relationships. They may fluctuate between loving and hating friends and family, and even the smallest disagreements may change their opinion of them. They may feel codependent on people closest to them, so they can become very upset when someone doesn’t uphold the image they created for them. Just as they put people on a pedestal, they may give the silent treatment or express extreme anger when someone hurts them.

4 – Difficulty holding jobs

Another indicator of a mental health problem, switching between jobs often can wreak havoc on a person’s life. Of course, everyone gets tired of certain jobs or careers and may realize they want something else after a certain time. However, being unable to hold jobs for six months may indicate a deeper issue. Job hopping may mean that the person struggles with their self-image and changes jobs according to their temporary perception of themselves.

5 – Overreactions to everything

A person with emotional instability will have extreme reactions to even small things, such as their partner forgetting to pay a bill or staying out too late the night before for a company dinner. They may make assumptions about how situations played out and react before allowing the other party to explain things. Everything feels like the end of the world to them, and they don’t know how to turn the dial back just a little bit.

They display extreme emotions as a coping mechanism because they have difficulty dealing with stress or difficult situations. They may have had turbulent childhoods or traumatic events happen at a young age, contributing to their mental health issues.

Scientists share how anger and irritability link to depression.

6 – Identity issues

As we stated above, people with difficulties regulating emotions will struggle with their self-image. They may take on the personality of those around them, also called mimicking, to fit in or give themselves an idea of how to act. Because they shift rapidly between opinions, values, ideals, and personality traits, they can act like chameleons and blend in any crowd. If you notice someone drastically changing their personality or looks around different people, they may be emotionally unstable.

7 – Emotionally unstable people may have low self-esteem

Another trait of someone with a mental health condition is poor self-worth. They may not show it, but deep down they don’t feel good enough. Sometimes this presents as being an underachiever, as the person feels like they don’t have what it takes to get a stable job. They may work menial jobs in fast food or other low paying industries because they have low self-esteem. Or, they may choose partners they don’t love because they don’t feel they can do any better.

Another sign of low self-esteem is acting out or becoming overly defensive when someone criticizes them. They may secretly agree with the person, but don’t want to admit it.

8 – Inability to cope with stress

Emotionally unstable people have a tough time dealing with all life’s stressors. As we said before, this may cause them to underperform and choose a life where they barely scrape by. They may avoid the stress by either not working, working odd jobs, or getting involved in dangerous habits such as drugs or alcohol to cope. An emotionally unstable person believes they can’t have a normal life, so they don’t want to try.

9 – An emotionally unstable persom might avoid responsibilities

Someone with a severe mental health condition may not take on responsibilities as an adult. They may never move out, miss payments on bills or disregard opportunities to advance in life. They often latch onto others because they don’t feel they can care for themselves. If people enable them and don’t force them to become independent, they may never learn to take care of themselves despite their illness. Therapy can greatly help a person who’s emotionally unstable to regulate their emotions and have a normal life.

10 – Very sensitive to criticism

Another trait of someone with difficulty regulating emotions is being overly sensitive to criticism. They may cry, become angry, or resort to passive-aggressive behaviors if someone offers constructive criticism either at work or in personal relationships. They have a fragile sense of self, so any critiques made to their ego really damage their self-esteem. People may feel like they must tiptoe around them to avoid outbursts or overreactions.

Final thoughts on behaviors that reveal someone is emotionally unstable

A person who tends to be emotionally unstable will often have a turbulent sense of self, trouble with relationships, and difficulties holding down jobs. They show extreme sensitivity to criticism, an inability to deal with life’s stress, and often avoid adult responsibilities. They also struggle with low self-esteem, impulsive behaviors, and random outbursts of anger.

If you have someone with a mental health condition like this or suffer from one yourself, you know how overwhelming it can seem. Mental illness can easily overtake someone’s life if they don’t get the right treatment and support. However, therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes can make a huge difference. Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of because most people struggle with it at some point during their lifetime. Make sure to ask for help if you feel overwhelmed by your symptoms because there are people out there who want to help you. It’s never too late to get treatment for a mental health condition.

Psychologists Reveal 4 Ways To Be Happy During Tough Times

September 8, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Tough times are a standard part of life. No one will go through all their time on earth without experiencing at least some degree of hardship or trouble, whether physical, emotional, or a combination of both. But, we all want to be happy.

During these times, it can be challenging to maintain positive thinking. How can you remain steadfast when you feel like everything is crumbling? Beyond that, how can you feel better than just “fine”? It seems impossible, but it doesn’t have to be. Here’s how psychologists reveal four ways to be happy during tough times.

1. Learn To Promote Positive Thinking

Unfortunately, the human brain naturally fixates on negative things. This condition means that, even though it’s unproductive, you’re likely to spend much more time focusing on things that further hurt your mental health. Here are some ways you can work around that:

· Reframe Negativity

Pay attention to your thought patterns. Which ones don’t you like? Focus on reframing them. For example, if you often have a thought such as “I’m so bad at this, I should give up,” stop and reflect on it. You might say, instead, “No one starts out an expert at something, and there’s no rush for me to achieve an arbitrary standard of ‘goodness’ for this skill.” Then, swap the thought out: “This is a good challenge for me, and I’ll come out of it stronger and smarter!”. According to author Jay Shetty, who wrote “Think Like a Monk: Train Your Mind for Peace and Purpose Every Day,” this is a great way to declutter your brain.

· Use Positive Affirmations

Positive affirmations are simple, active mantras that you repeat to yourself daily, and they activate parts of your brain that make you feel good. These affirmations involve picturing yourself as the best version of you. For example, you might say, “My resilience helps me overcome difficult times” or, as mindfulness guru and yoga teacher Mandy Ingber uses, “Easy goes it.”

· Trust yourself

Tough times make the future more frightening, but that excessive worry over the future is only going to hurt you in the long run. According to emotional fitness consultant and psychologist Emily Anhalt, PsyD, it’s important to learn to trust yourself – and, therefore, Future You – to be strong, smart, and good enough to handle whatever will come next.

· List Things To Be Thankful For Daily

Gratitude is an incredibly powerful tool that reduces depression-like symptoms and helps with overall positive thinking. 10 Percent Happier cofounder Dan Harris and happiness expert Shawn Achor both agree that just two minutes of spending time before bed listing a few things you’re grateful for – even if you can only think of one – can work wonders for bringing positivity into your life.

2. Build Your Inner Strength So You Can Be Happy

To get through tough times, you need to be strong – but not in a physical way. Mental fortitude is much more crucial, so it’s the inner strength that will carry you through the worst of tumultuous situations. Here are some tips for building inner strength during hard times:

· Stay Grounded

Remind yourself that you’re here. Think about your goals, your loved ones, your current situation, and what you can do. Don’t let yourself get caught up in the spinning turmoil of the world!

· Stop Catastrophizing

It’s easy to magnify problems in your head – and this is especially true when you’re already going through tough times. Suddenly every additional inconvenience is the end of the world. Psychotherapist, teacher, and author Jeffrey Sumber, M.A., has seen this happen many times! Don’t let that happen to your thought process!

· Get Good At Visualization

Tough times can result in fears of triggers or things that remind you of those tough times. For example, fear after a bad stage performance may cause you to want to give up performing altogether. So, what’s the solution? Powerful visualization. Close your eyes and imagine the ideal scenario for you, being as evocative and goal-oriented as possible. This practice changes the narrative and, according to Icahn School of Medicine clinical instructor Terri Bacow, Ph.D., it activates the same part of your brain that would be activated by actually doing what you envision. You’re giving your brain a false memory of a positive outcome, so you’ll feel more inclined to go for it!

· Learn To Accept Bad Things

This advice sounds negative, but it isn’t. It’s about accepting that you can’t control everything. So make a list of the things you know you have no control over and make a conscious effort to let them go, recommends Urban Balance owner and therapist Joyce Marter, LCPC. You can’t change what the world is doing, but you can change how you react, how you stay strong, and how you move forward with this knowledge.

3. Take A Break

The human brain can become tired, just like its body’s muscles. This can lead to burnout and a worsening of your ability to cope with the tough times you face. It’s hard to do when you feel like you shouldn’t stop going at full speed to fight your challenges, but you need to rest to function well. Here are some ways to do so:

· Go To A Safe Place

Where’s a place that you feel safe and protected? The next time you feel yourself getting overwhelmed, go there and spend some time just resting in it. Your safe place will help you feel secure, says Laurie Nadel, Ph.D., a trauma specialist.

· Play

You know the saying “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”? Well, it applies in this context, too! If you overwork yourself or spend all your time doing less than enjoyable things during difficult times, you’re going to lose some degree of your emotional fitness, says Anhalt. Do a little something small and recreational during your day to break up the monotony of work. It’ll make you much more productive and help you stay positive!

· Be On The Outside Looking In

Once in awhile, take a break from being you. Relax, let emotions about tough times slip away, and try observing your situation as an outsider would. Imagine hearing about this situation from a co-worker, friend, or loved one experiencing it, suggests clinical psychologist and author John Duffy, Ph.D. You’re likely to be kinder to yourself if you consider your situation as you would consider a friend’s. It might even give you added positive insight.

· Schedule Time To Worry

Believe it or not, your brain also needs a break from being positive. Set aside a short amount of time every week where you allow yourself to worry as much as you want about your problems and the tough times you face suggests Anhalt. It lets your brain purge the negativity without the threat of an explosion.

4. Be In Touch With Yourself

If you don’t know yourself and what you need, it’s incredibly difficult to stay happy in everyday life – let alone when times are tough. Here are some ways to stay in touch with yourself:

· Engage As You Are Capable Of

You are the only person who truly knows what your emotional and mental capacity is. The problem is that, if you’re very focused on surviving, helping, or fighting during tough times, you might not be aware that you’ve crossed your threshold. Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective executive director and founder, Yolo Akili Robinson, recommends taking time to think about how you’re feeling, or write about it if you need help processing it. If you’re pouring too much of yourself into your daily efforts, dial it back. You will not be of use to yourself or anyone else if you’re burned out.

· Acknowledge Your Emotions

It can be easy to bottle up your emotions during hard times, but more than ever, you need to not only let yourself feel them but recognize and respect them. When you bottle it up or avoid thinking about it, it can boil over or explode later in a more uncontrollable way, says Duffy. Instead of ignoring how you feel, let yourself wallow in your emotions for a set amount of time. Feel the full extent of the pain they bring – and then, when it’s time to get back to work, put them aside again. Outside of that, you can also express your feelings through art, talking to others, exercising, and more. Do both of these things regularly to strike a balance between remaining rational in everyday life and letting your emotions be expressed healthily. Only once you master these skills can you truly become happy.

· Know How You Heal

All people have unique processes and paths to healing. If you’ve been through a tough time and feel guilty because you’re suffering, but everyone else seems fine, then this is for you. Your journey is unique, says Living with Depression author and clinical psychologist Deborah Serani, Psy.D. You need to let yourself heal in your way and time. Don’t compare yourself to others – you don’t know their journey, either. Social comparison can be a big factor in decreased positive thinking and can contribute to depression.

· Know When To Ask For Help (It’s important to do this to be happy)

Lots of people think that they can handle just about anything themselves. The fact, however, is that many don’t realize just how much good some help can do for them. Think about it: would you expect a loved one in your situation to handle it by themself? If the answer is no, then know that you deserve help, too. You don’t have to be alone. Just talking about your problems to a trusted and available person can help, says In Therapy author and clinical psychologist Ryan Howes, Ph.D. If you need help beyond that, communicate your needs directly to people who can help you. Don’t be afraid to talk to a mental health specialist, too.

Final Thoughts On Some Ways To Be Happy During Tough Times

Even in difficult times, you are capable of caring for yourself in such a way that you’ll be able to stay positive and get through your challenges as a stronger and better person in the end. Go through these steps, and you might even find that happiness can still be found if you learn to balance your emotions, manage your daily life, and remember that you are never truly alone. Be happy!

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