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10 Signs Your Relationship Is Being Forced to Last

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Relationships are always hard work. Sometimes, no matter how incredibly hard you try to keep your relationship going, it fails. One of you may decide to resurrect the relationship, but if your partner isn’t willing to do the same, it’s a waste of time. You’re just forcing it. So, precisely how do you know when (or if) your relationship is failing? What are the signs your relationship is being forced to last?

Here are ten red flags that your relationship is being forced to last

  1. Not “we” anymore

When one or both partners begin saying, “I” rather than “we” it’s a sign the relationship is in trouble. A relationship involves two people living life together. Their lives are intertwined, making them a couple. They hang out together, shop together, and do things with friends as a couple. This closeness doesn’t mean they never do things independently, but generally, couples like to do something together.

Dropping “we” from your vocabulary is the first sign of a troubled relationship. It’s easy to miss this sign as nothing more than wanting more independence. Why should you make a big deal out of it? But take note, it’s a sure sign of something broken. Be honest with yourself, don’t naively force your relationship if you notice this subtle sign.

relationship is being forced

  1. Avoidance

Couples that never have time for one another aren’t living as a couple. Staying busy seems like an innocent thing, but it’s a way to avoid talking or interacting with your partner. It’s easy to fall into the trap of wanting to prevent severe talks about your relationship. Couples fall into this trap all the time, especially if they don’t want to face the truth that their relationship is failing.

You may tell yourself that things will work out. You just need some space. That may be true, but if there’s constant avoidance, this is a bad sign. Here are some subtle avoidance techniques that happen in failing relationships.

  • You choose to stay home instead of heading out with your partner (every time they ask)
  • You make plans without mentioning it to your partner.
  • You’ll get up early and leave for work before your partner is up.
  • You get home late at night after your partner has gone to bed.
  • You keep a busy schedule, so there’s no time to interact with your partner.

If avoidance is a regular part of your relationship, It’s time to stop pretending and sit down for a talk with your partner. Your relationship isn’t healthy, it’s being forced by either one of you or both of you.

  1. Argue about everything

When everything you and your partner talk about turns into an argument, that’s a sign your relationship is floundering. Perhaps you never used to argue about things like money, sex, or family, but suddenly those topics are hot issues between you. When couples can’t talk about their problems, it erodes their relationship. In healthy relationships, partners respect one another enough to allow for a difference of opinion.

Healthy couples can find common ground on issues. But when a relationship fails, neither side wants to compromise. There is a desire to stand your ground because you feel the need to protect yourself. Don’t try to force any relationship that has gotten to this point. Sit down with your partner or spouse–have an honest discussion, hopefully without an argument, about the state of your relationship instead of staying around in what seems doomed to failure.

  1. Lack of intimacy

The loss of affection and intimacy in your relationship is never a good sign. Romantic relationships build from affection and intimacy. When the sparkle is gone, and there’s little to no affections between you two, it should be a concern. All couples can get into a rut. Kids, work and the busyness of life can cut into times of intimacy, but long periods without sex isn’t healthy.

Other examples of affection, such as hugging and snuggling, are also important in a relationship. If your relationship lacks these signs of romantic love, it could mean that one or both of you are forcing your relationship. Perhaps it’s time to have a long talk with your partner about what’s going on. Encourage your partner to be honest. Tell them you promise not to react to what they say, no matter how difficult it is to hear. Ask them good questions such as

  • How do you think our relationship is going?
  • How do you feel about our relationship?
  • Are you still sexually attracted to me?
  • Do you feel uninterested in intimacy in our relationship?

  1. Irritations grow

Little things about your partner that never used to bother you suddenly feel very irritating. In the past, you overlooked their habits or quirks, thinking they were rather cute, but not anymore. Back then, you didn’t mind it when your partner didn’t like the dog on the furniture, but now you feel like they’re being picky.

You feel tired of adjusting your lifestyle to fit their preferences. When irritations grow with no resolution or discussion to work them out, a relationship is sure to fail. Forcing a relationship to work out won’t help change these feelings.

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  1. Silent treatment

The silent treatment isn’t quiet. It speaks volumes. Refusing to talk is a form of rejection. You’re pretending the other person doesn’t exist. It’s a loud and clear sign of a dying relationship. Forcing a relationship that is this far gone is hopeless.

If you can’t talk to your partner, there’s no way to resolve issues. It’s easy to pretend like things aren’t that bad, to live in the comfort zone day today. But you must take the scary first step and encourage your partner to talk to you. Tell them you want to talk about the condition of your relationship. If they aren’t willing, it’s time for you to pack up and go. By their refusal to talk to you, they have essence given you their answer about where they stand in the relationship.

  1. Lack of communication

When a couple acts like two people existing under the same roof with little communication, the relationship is doomed. You are acting like roommates, but not very good roommates. At least roommates communicate. Communication is one of the most necessary ingredients in a romantic relationship.

Without it, couples can’t work on improving and growing as a couple. A lack of communication means there isn’t a desire for one or both partners to invest in the relationship. You can try to communicate more with your partner, but you’ll figure out soon enough if they truly want to continue the relationship or if it’s time to end it.

  1. You forget about your partner.

Making decisions without your partner could mean you’ve lost interest in being with your partner. Couples do things together because they enjoy one another’s company. If you decide to head off to your parent’s house for a long weekend and you don’t bother to include your partner, you should take notice. Something isn’t right. Step back and assess how you feel about your relationship.

Don’t pretend the relationship is okay if you’re leaving your partner out of your weekend plans. It’s easy to live in the comfort zone of a familiar relationship, but you need to step back and stop forcing things. Have an honest and heartfelt chat with your partner about how you feel.

9.. Lack of dedication and commitment

Studies found that commitment in a romantic relationship means you both have a desire to have a future together. There is a sense of dedication, and both partners exert the energy needed to stay together. If one or both the partners begin to feel they don’t care about doing the hard work, it’s a sign the relationship is breaking down. It’s easy to feel guilty about a failing relationship. It’s hard to be the person who says it’s over. You may like the person, but just don’t see any future with them. It’s best, to be honest, and reveal the truth. It’s the kindest thing to do.

  1. Lost loyalty

Way back when your partner was the only one you wanted to spend Friday night with. But lately, you feel like you’d rather hang with your friends. They’re more fun, anyway.  If you feel more loyal to your friends than your partner, something is broken in your relationship. When you’re committed to one another, even though you don’t need to spend every minute together, your first choice is to be together.

You are good friends and enjoy one another’s company. But if you start to feel yourself feeling less than interested in spending time with your partner,  it could mean you’re not being honest about how you feel. Maybe you do not want to hurt the other person, but your actions speak louder than words. It’s time to quit forcing a relationship where you don’t feel loyal to your partner.

relationship is being forcedFinal thoughts on knowing when your relationship is being forced to last

When a romantic relationship runs into trouble, there are obvious signs. It’s easy for the couple not to notice these signs or refuse to believe the truth of the failing relationship. It’s easy to pretend that everything will get better over time. Relationships don’t get better without both partners working to make this happen. When you see the signs, it’s best to get out of your comfort zone and talk honestly with your partner about your relationship.

Counselor Reveals 10 Tips to Help You Raise Well-adjusted Kids

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Well-adjusted kids are able to control their emotions and deal with their problems without getting overly anxious. As a parent, you hope to raise kids who become well-adjusted adults. But why does this matter so much?

Children today live in a world that can be fast-paced and overwhelming. The rapid-fire pace of life can overwhelm. As a parent, you must equip your little one to not only survive–but to thrive.

10 Tips for Raising Well-adjusted Kids

Here are 10 counselors’ helpful tips to raise happy, well-adjusted children.

1 – Be a predictable parent

Predictable parenting gives a child a sense of stability. Studies found that unpredictable actions and attitudes from parents are unsettling for kids. Kids who are raised with parents who relate to their children in a peaceful, calm way promote a child’s ability to control their own emotions and actions. Create a low-stress routine for your children with predictable mealtimes, playtimes, and sleeping times. This allows your kids to understand what their day will be like and make them feel a sense of being in control. Of course, life has its unpredictable moments. That’s okay, as long as the majority of your days, weeks, and months follow a predictable routine.

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2 – Be a good example to your kids

The old saying, “do as I say and not as I do” isn’t a good parenting philosophy. Your kids watch you all the time. They watch how you treat other people, handle your stress, and how you deal with your feelings. And your kids imitate your words and actions. Have you ever heard your child talk to a sibling or a friend in a bossy parental way? You cringed when you realized they sound just like you do when you correct them. Living as a good example for your kids is essential for raising well-adjusted kids. You can’t tell them one thing but do another thing. They’ll see your hypocrisy right away.

Examples of hypocrisy in parenting:

  • If you tell your kids to be kind, but you gossip about people to your kids.
  • You yell at your kids, but you tell them not to yell at their siblings.
  • You tell your kids to be patient, but then you get angry at the restaurant when your food doesn’t arrive quickly enough.
  • You tell your kids to serve others, but you always tell your neighbors you’re too busy to help them even when you’re not.

Your kids will catch on to your lack of integrity.  They will feel it’s unfair when you correct them, but then you don’t live by the same rules.

3 – Teach your kids to respect your household rules

Every household has rules. Your kids need to understand the rules of your home and to respect them by obeying them. Kids need to know their boundaries. If you’re aren’t firm on the rules, they’ll feel like they can do whatever they want. Or if you’re too strict, they’ll feel like all you care about are the rules.

Explain your rules

Explain to your child why the rule exists. “In our house, everyone does chores because we all contribute.”

Praise when they obey

When your child attempts to do a chore, be sure to give them praise even if it’s not perfectly done. “I love the way you worked so hard to put away the dishes. Great job.”

You obey the rules

If the house rules are to clean up after yourself, be sure you do it. Don’t expect your kids to do things you don’t do.

Good conscience

If your child feels bad about not doing something that’s a sign they have a working conscience. That’s a good thing.  Emphasize that although they did make a mistake, everybody makes mistakes.

4 – Discipline your children appropriately

Discipline helps your child learn to better fit into the world. Positive and effective discipline teaches kids to obey without force. When you discipline your child, you’re telling them what unacceptable behavior looks like in a loving, firm way.

Studies on raising happy children found that discipline is one of the most important roles for parents. It requires lots of time and energy. There are no shortcuts when it comes to being a parent. What parent hasn’t had to stop what they were doing to discipline your child? It’s frustrating, exhausting, and overwhelming. But parenting reaps wonderful rewards.

When you discipline your child, be firm, but kind. If you tell your child they need a time out, stand by your decision, don’t waffle when they cry or plead. Effective discipline helps your kids learn self-control and self-discipline as they grow. Be sure you maintain a good bond with your kids, they should feel your respect. Never call them names or belittle them. No shouting, yelling or lashing out at them. This will erode their trust in you.

5 – Teach your kids to be selfless when dealing with other people

Kids aren’t born thinking about others. Everyone has heard a little kid yell, “Mine!” instead of sharing their toys. Unselfishness and being others’ oriented needs to be taught. Encourage your kids to help others, to share, and to have empathy for others. Plan opportunities for your family to help in your community homeless shelter or soup kitchen or participate in a community clean up.

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6 – Teach your kids problem-solving skills

Your kids need to learn how to solve their problems. Your three-year-old son may need to learn to have self-control by not screaming when his big brother wants to play with his toy, but your thirteen-year-old daughter may need to learn how to compromise during an argument with her best friend. Here are three strategies to help your kids learn how to solve their own problems.

Give your child choices

Let your younger kids choose clothing, food, or what activities they want to do. Give them a choice of ‘this or that’ rather than open-ended choices.

As they learn how to make small decisions, then you can begin to give them choices in problem-solving situations. When your younger daughter is screaming at her little brother, ask her, “What would be a better way to solve this instead of screaming at your brother grabbed your toy?”

 Teach them to not give up

Encourage them to work hard to solve their problems whether it’s how to clean up their toys or put away their clean clothes.

 Let them think

When your child asks you a question about how to do something, don’t just tell them, ask them what they would do. This forces them to think about how to solve problems.

 7 – Teach your children to be kindhearted

Praise your kids when they show kindness to people or animals. Encourage their efforts even if they aren’t received well or aren’t well thought out.  Give them pointers on what kindness looks like. Be a good model for your kids of being kind to those around you.

8 – Teach your kids gratitude

Teach your child to say thank you and show gratitude to adults or other kids. Encourage them to look for the good even in difficult situations in their life. Congratulate your child when they express gratitude. Make it a regular conversation to point out what you’re grateful. Ask them what they’re thankful for.

9 – Teach your kids good health habits

Teach your kids the value of being healthy. Eating good foods, exercise, and taking care of your body are important things for a parent to teach their kids. Set an example at home by serving healthy meals and doing family outside activities like hiking, going to the beach or to the park. Stay active with your kids in the backyard playing soccer or basketball.

10 – Teach your kids how to express their emotions

As a parent, you understand we need to feed, clothe, and educate your children. That’s the easy stuff. The more difficult thing you’ll face is training your kids to express themselves. Kids are a bundle of emotions. They express themselves through crying, angry outbursts, or fear.

It’s difficult to untangle what’s really going on when your three- year son suddenly refuses to go to bed at night because of the dark. But as hard as it is, it’s critically important that you stay engaged with your kids in spite of their messy emotions.

Being a lax parent can cause emotional and mental harm to your child. Don’t try to address every emotional outburst, pick one, and work with your child on it. Teach them better ways to communicate. Give them some simple instructions on how to express their emotions such as,  “I’m sad about….” or “I don’t like it when..” or “I get afraid when…”

well-adjustedFinal Thoughts on Raising Well-adjusted Kids in a Fast-Paced World

Parenting well-adjusted kids take thoughtful engagement on your part. Staying consistent in your words and actions is extremely important for raising happy kids. When you live out what you ask their kids to do, they’ll follow your example. So hang in their parents. Stay strong and keep working to help your kids become happy, well-adjusted adults.

How to Tell If Your Marriage Is Worth Saving (Or If It’s Time to Let Go)

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There’s nothing better than spending eternal bliss with someone you love. Sadly, many marriages end in divorce. Some people hold on much longer than they should and only make themselves and others miserable.

Is Your Marriage Worth Saving?

How do you know if your marriage is worth keeping, and has the newlywed bliss worn off and has turned into a bitter battle for survival? Here are some tips to help you decide if your marriage is worth saving.

1. You Still Feel Butterflies When You See Them

Life and marriage are hard. When you bring two people together, the wedded bliss will quickly fade as the cares of life take over. However, you know there is still a fire burning if you feel those butterflies.

When they call you or walk into the room, do you still feel like a teenager melting in their arms? While it takes more than feelings to sustain a relationship, you must have a connection that can withstand life’s trials. If there are still any feelings at all left, then you can rekindle the fire that once burned strong.

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2. They’re the One That You Want To Be With

When the world comes crashing down around you, your spouse is still the one you want to be with for the remainder of your natural life. When danger is all around you, you look to them for comfort. If you always find yourself picking up the phone to tell them about your day before you get home, call them on lunch, and text throughout the day, there is still an incredible connection that many people don’t have.

3. You Never Miss an Anniversary or Birthday Celebration

It’s always the little things that make a relationship unique. If you still celebrate all your anniversaries, birthdays, and plan unique gifts and getaways for each other, then it shows there are love and care still there.

Many guys and girls could care less about celebrating those little things like the anniversary of your first kiss. If you find someone who can remember all the small details that are so important, they are worth holding on to.

4. You Miss Each Other

If you were to go away for a weekend with your friends, would you always be thinking about what the other person was doing? Do you find yourself lonely and missing them even though others surround you?

If absence makes the heart grow fonder, and you can’t stand to be apart, then it might be worth saving this marriage.

5. You Don’t Argue or Fight

It’s healthy to disagree and get your opinion across, but if you go to great lengths to protect the other person, then it’s a sign that there’s something beautiful there. It takes a lot of patience and excellent communication to sustain a relationship. Being protective of their feelings, even in the heated moments, shows your love and devotion for them.

6. You’re Great Role Models

The best couples are the ones that can have disagreements about money or other issues, but they never take them out into the open. You make sure that you are always upfront and honest with each other, but you do it behind closed doors. When it comes to your family and children, you never air dirty laundry in front of others.

There’s nothing worse than a couple that fights and argues in front of others, especially your kids. It makes them feel uncomfortable, and they might feel as if they need to choose sides. If you are still great role models though there are issues, you may have something worth working on.

7. You Can’t Stand the Thought of Being Apart

Does it scare you at the thought of your relationship ending? Do you feel like you cannot live one day without them? Wanting to be close to the one you love is essential to make things work.

How does the other person feel about you? Is there devotion to you on the same level as your devotion to them? If the thought of them not being there when you wake up in the morning scares you, then your marriage may be worth saving.

8. The Good Outweighs the Bad

Into everyone’s life, a little rain must fall, but does the sunshine outweigh the storms? Can you look at your marriage and say that the good times have always been way better than the bad?

Sometimes relationships go through so many struggles that it becomes tough to stay together. However, if you can look at all the trials with a smile remembering something good that came out of it, then it’s a sign that you have something worthwhile.

9. You Both 100 Percent Committed

Are you both committed to each other no matter what the troubles you’re facing? Do you know that they’ve got your back, and are your biggest cheerleader? If one of you is in the relationship 100 percent and the other only 50 percent, then it’s hard to make things work.

While things may seem a bit turbulent right now, when you’re both committed to making it better, it makes a big difference.

10. You’re Still Number One

If you called your spouse right now and needed them to drop everything to get to you, would they come? It would help if you were committed for things to work, but you also need to know that they will put their life on hold to help you.

When the chips are down, they are right there when you need them. A love like that surely doesn’t come around very often, and you should invest time and effort into saving your union.

marriage counselor help

Know the ten signs that it is time to seek the aid of a marriage counselor.

Is it Time to Let Go of the Marriage?

You’ve read all the beautiful reasons why you should keep your marriage healthy, but how do you know when it’s time to move on? Don’t waste the best years of your life loving someone who could never love you the same way.

You deserve to have someone who will love you and be there for your 100 percent. Here are some signs it’s time to let them go.

1. You Argue 24/7

No one likes to live in a war zone. If you’re fighting and yelling every day, then you might want to rethink your union. It’s not healthy to live in a constant state of unrest, and you deserve to have a home filled with peace and love.

2. They’ve Cheated on You

Some people can forgive cheating and move on to have a great life. However, others cannot move past such a massive event. If they’ve cheated once or ten times, can you live with the betrayal?

3. Your Spouse is Not There for You

Do you need to schedule an appointment just to talk to them about the children or the finances? Is there work taking over their life and they have little time for the family? While this person may be trying to make a living and provide for you, it’s hard to have a relationship when the other party is married to their job or socially isolates you from their life.

4. You Can’t Trust Your Spouse Anymore

Do you have a hard time trusting him or her and doubt every word out of their mouth? When you’ve lied to time, and again, it makes it hard to believe. Lying is a horrible habit that can wreck relationships. Your wedded bliss can end abruptly if they lie and are dishonest about things.

5. You Dread Being Around Them

The spark that you once had it gone. There’s no longing for them to come home from work, and there are no more sweet nothings being whispered in your ear when you wake up. The fire that once burned so strong is now nothing more than smoldering coals.

Part of having a relationship is being together. If you find yourself dreading those times of intimacy or even being in the same room, then maybe it’s time to let them go.

marriageFinal Thoughts: Should You Stay in the Marriage or End Things?

It’s hard to make decisions about love and relationships. Sometimes people become quite comfortable with a routine and don’t want to change things. Though making changes are never easy, it’s not good to live in a toxic relationship either.

Newlywed bliss only lasts for a short time, and then you must face the real world and everyday life. There are odd work schedules, financial burdens, and cares that come about every day. Life certainly brings with it troubles that can have a dramatic impact on any relationship, but you must cleave to each other no matter what is going on around you.

Maybe you feel like the marriage has sustained so many blows that you can’t possibly go on another day? It would help if you tried counseling and time apart to work on your issues and then issues as a couple. This person shouldn’t make you miserable. Life and circumstances can get you down, but your spouse should be the one thing that you can always count on.

6 Behaviors A Man Displays That Prove He Will Make A Good Husband

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Things are going well in your relationship; every time you’re with your partner, you get that spark of adoration for him. Perhaps you’ve even sensed that he’s close to popping that big question that every woman longs to hear. You’re probably wondering if it’s all hormones or if this man will make a good husband.

There are certain behaviors that a man will display if he is husband material. He has most likely been displaying these traits during your entire relationship. You just need to reflect and recognize them.

NOTE: If you want to learn the key behaviors that reveal a good wife, please check out our separate article on the subject.

Here are six behaviors that a man will display if he will make a good husband.

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1. He is a good leader.

Any man that is husband material will have the natural ability to be a good leader. He will be someone that you can trust to help you (as a team) make the right decisions for your family. If you need to, you could sit back and let him steer the ship and be confident that he will miss all the icebergs.

Don’t take this as saying that he should automatically be in charge. Any marriage is a partnership. However, a man, a real man, will just naturally ooze leadership material.

More importantly, a man wants to be a leader. It’s an instinctual trait that men have had from the beginning of time.

How can you tell that a man is a good leader, therefore making him a good husband? Here are a few leadership traits you can be on the lookout for.

  • He remains confident and composed in a crisis.

    A true leader doesn’t break down in the face of adversity. He can see the solution clearly and navigate to it without losing focus. He is a strong anchor in a storm.

  • He is level-headed and compassionate.

    A man who is a good leader rarely loses his cool. He can diffuse situations, calm down all parties involved, and, more importantly, understand everyone’s point of view. This trait is an invaluable skill when dealing with kids.

  • He can let go of the past and look forward to the future.

    No one is perfect, and a good leader knows that. You may have had some bumps in your path in the past, but a good leader can let that go and look forward to building a beautiful life with you in the future. A man who is a good leader and is husband material won’t dwell on the past.

These are only a few leadership traits that can indicate that a man will make a good husband. However, if your partner displays these traits, chances are he’ll have other characteristics as well. You can count on him to lead your marriage to succeed.

2. He works hard but still finds time for you.

You may love each other, but love doesn’t pay the bills!

A man who is husband material will have no qualms about working hard to provide for his family. There won’t be any type of debate or discussion needed. He’ll do what it takes to deliver. He works hard even without you prodding and nudging him to do it.

Even if he doesn’t have the highest paying job, he’ll still make it work. As his wife, he will try to spoil you and provide for your needs. Don’t worry, ladies. He won’t try to take away your “independent woman” vibe if that’s what you have going on.

A good man knows that when both of you work hard, that means you build even faster together. He’ll never make you question his work ethic, and you’ll know that you can depend on him when you need him the most.

At the same time, he will know how to balance work with the rest of his life. He will never make you feel second to his career. It’s a tough balancing act, but a man who is good husband material will handle it like a champ.

3. He is at peace with his spirituality.

When speaking of spirituality, keep in mind that this is different from religion. Spirituality is defined by psychologists and spiritual leaders as seeking a meaningful connection with something bigger than yourself and discovering feelings such as peace, balance, gratitude, acceptance, and more as a result. To be a good man, fit for a husband, he must have inner peace.

No one can lead a household when they are experiencing inner turmoil. No matter what a man’s beliefs are or what religion he associates with, his inner spirit must be calm, strong, and resilient. This strength is because his inner spirit will reflect outward on his marriage.

Spirituality can give a husband purpose and direction for his family. It can almost be like a road map on which path to take. A man’s wife and kids will be an extension of his journey, so he must be sure of where he is going.

A man who would make a good husband is already aware of this need to be in tune with his spirituality. He knows the path ahead of him, and he is ready to lead his family in the right direction.

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4. A good husband is great with finances.

As stated before, a household isn’t going to run off of love. It takes money and a lot of it. Even more importantly, it takes good credit.

A man who is ready to be a husband knows that financial planning is everything. He must be the provider. He must procure and maintain a household, take care of his wife and kids, and make sure they are prepared for the future.

A good man not only has a plan in place, but he’s probably been working on that plan well before marriage even came into discussion. You’ll know that a man is going to make a good husband if his bank account looks nice, his credit is in order, and he isn’t swamped with debt.

This detail doesn’t mean that only good men have their finances in order. There are good men out there that are currently working on getting their finances in order. That counts also.

You can see that they understand how essential finances will be in a marriage, so they’re taking steps they need to take to improve the situation. That’s a sign of a man who is ready to be an excellent husband.

5. He has excellent character.

A good man will have good character and good morals. It’s imperative to have these two things when you’re planning to lead a family. A good man knows that everything he does and believes in is a reflection of his wife and children, so he will always put his best foot forward.

He will be kind, compassionate, and have a desire to do the right thing in most cases. He will lead by example and be someone that others look up to. This trait is especially important since his children will absorb everything that he does.

Having good character shouldn’t come after marriage. You should be able to see this in him all through the dating and relationship process. A person’s good personality will shine through like the brightest star in the sky.

This concept doesn’t mean he has to kiss babies and pet puppies. It just means that he should be honest and able to get along with others. This will make you comfortable as his wife, knowing that your well-being and livelihood are secure.

6. A good husband is very respectful of women.

This is one of the most important behaviors you should pay attention to. How does your man treat women? Not just you, but all women.

Start with his mother. Does he cherish her and respect her? Does he listen to her? Do they have a close relationship?

Of course, you don’t want a “mama’s boy.” There is a fine line between that and respect. However, if a man doesn’t treat his mother with respect, you can be sure he won’t treat you with respect.

Pay attention to how he treats women in public. Waitresses, cashiers, or even random women around you. Does he hold doors open? Does he speak to them intelligently?

A man who will make a good husband can make women feel special, even if they aren’t his “special” ones. Simple acts like helping a woman with heavy bags indicate that he is great husband material.

You’ll also want to make sure he doesn’t objectify women. He is being respectful but not staring at their assets or flirting. If he can do this, you’ve got a good one.

good husbandFinal Thoughts on Behaviors of a Man Who Will Make a Good Husband

There is no one size fits all formula to determine if a man is great husband material. However, some traits just make sense. The six behaviors above are a place to start when determining a man’s husband-worthiness. He’ll display these traits and plenty more if he is a good man. Go with your female intuition. It’s usually pretty accurate.

15 Quotes That Will Put Your Work Stress in Perspective

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Despite your chosen career, work stress affects everyone. Even when you love your job, you’ll often find yourself stressed and overwhelmed. Ultimately, it’s how you manage your stress that makes all the difference.

Managing your work stress is essential since the stress is inevitable. You cannot allow it to overtake your life, affect your performance, or negatively impact your wellbeing.

When you are in a stressful moment at work, it may be hard to put it in perspective. Luckily, since everyone goes through this, many quotes from those who have been through it will help. These quotes will put the work stress in perspective for you and will help you get through the hard times.

Fifteen Wise Quotes That Will Help to Put Your Work Stress in Perspective

1. “Trying to be a perfectionist brings increased stress and hinders performance.”  – T. Whitmore

Perfectionism is unattainable, so striving to reach perfection will only harm yourself. You’ll be more stressed out, and your performance will suffer because of it. Instead of trying to be perfect, just do your best and be proud of what you have achieved.

work stress

2. “Gratitude can reduce your stress and anxiety.” – Bree Miller

When you feel the work stress becoming too overwhelming, change your thought process. Instead of thinking about what’s stressing you out, think about what you are grateful for. Thinking this way can help put your stress in perspective and help you get through it.

3. “Believing that you must do something to perfection is a recipe for stress, and you’ll associate that stress with the task and thus condition yourself to avoid it.” – Steve Pavlina

As explained in a previous quote, striving for perfection is harmful to your progress. When you do this, you’re applying negative thoughts to the task you’re working on. This mindset only makes work-related stress worse because you’ll begin to get stressed merely thinking about the job.

It will also cause you to avoid doing the task, causing more stress when the work piles up. Think positive thoughts while you are doing something that stresses you out. It can help relieve some of the immediate stress, and it’ll help reduce future stress related to that task.

4. “One of the best ways to reduce stress is to accept the things that you cannot control.” – M. P. Neary

You can’t control everything, so you may be stuck in some situations that you don’t enjoy. Learn to accept these situations, because if you can’t change it, you might as well not stress about it. When you learn to accept things you can’t control, you’ll notice your stress levels decrease, too.

5. “If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.” – Marcus Aurelius

External forces cannot cause you pain. Your reaction to stressors is what creates the pain. It is essential to stop over-estimating the severity of a situation so that you can react appropriately.

So, the next time something at work is stressing you out, stop giving it that ability. Take a deep breath and always keep in mind that this external force should not be causing you pain.

6. “Stress, anxiety, and depression are caused when we are living to please others.” – Paulo Coelho

If you are living to please your boss or your superior, you will often be stressed out at work. Instead, live to please yourself while still meeting your work requirements. When you do your best, you’ll be more satisfied and less stressed out.

7. “Mindfulness creates centered awareness. When you do one thing at a time, you’re guaranteed excellent results. If you do too many things simultaneously, it messes up your neural circuits. Focus on one thing at a time.” – Deepak Chopra

Frequently, stress at works comes from having too much to do at once. Instead, try batching your workload and completing one thing at a time. This way, as Chopra explains, you are sure to do your best work.

When you try doing too much at once, you won’t be giving your all to any of the tasks. It’ll hinder your performance, stress you out, and cause you to feel overwhelmed.

stop stress

8. “Much of the stress that people feel doesn’t come from having too much to do. It comes from not finishing what they’ve started.” – David Allen

Similar to the last quote, this one explains how doing too many things at once can cause problems. When you start tasks and move on to another one before you finish with the first, you’ll get stressed out.

It’ll cause you to feel like you have so much more work to do than you truly have. Try to finish one task before moving ahead to the next, and your work life will become much less stressful.

9. “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.” – Helen Keller

When life is a breeze, and there are no unexpected events, you don’t develop your character. On the other hand, when you are faced with issues, your style can be developed for the better.

When you are stressed at work, remember these words from Keller. Each obstacle is a learning opportunity and allows you to grow and learn.

10. “When money becomes your purpose, stress, and depression become your path.” – Prabakaran Thirumalai

If your work stress seems to be overtaking your life, you need to find a new purpose. This statement doesn’t mean you should quit your job. Instead, it means that you need to make your purpose in life something that you enjoy.

Then, work won’t be so overwhelming and stressful for you. Making money your purpose in life only makes work more intolerable.

11. “Don’t react when you are upset because at that time, your reaction will be based on your negative emotions, but intuitive and positive thoughts flow when you are calm.” – Unknown

You can think more clearly and effectively when you are calm. So, when your stress is overtaking your thoughts, take a break, and refocus. Calm yourself down before returning to work so that you can think more productively and positively.

When you do this, you’ll be able to figure out the solution to your problem. Trying to figure it out when you are stressed may only make it worse. Your wellbeing will benefit from this break, and your work will be better, too.

12. “Stress can actually help you focus better and can be positive. Having small amounts of stress can stimulate you to think. Being able to manage your stress is key.”  – Frank Long

A small amount of stress can keep you motivated and moving, which can be a good thing. It’s when the stress begins to overtake your thoughts and negatively impact your work that it becomes a problem.

So, the key to beneficial stress is to find a way to manage your stress, as Long has explained. When you can do this, this stress you experience at work can be used as a productivity tool.

13. “The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.” – Stephen Covey

You should only put on your schedule the things that are priorities. Then, you aren’t re-working your plan all the time to get the priorities done. When everything on your desk is a priority, it’s easy to know where to get started.

14. “Remember that stress doesn’t come from what’s going on in your life. It comes from your thoughts about what’s going on in your life.” – Andrew Bernstein

The situations in your life aren’t the problem. Your thoughts and your reaction to those situations are the problems. When you begin to think about your hurdles positively, you won’t have so much work-related stress.

15. “Some stress is necessary in our lives when we want to stimulate creativity, or to promote learning.” – Christian J. Borg

Without stress, you wouldn’t be driven to try something new. This means you wouldn’t ever have to be creative, and you wouldn’t ever learn anything. To grow, learn, and develop in life, you have to face stressful times so that you can explore new things.

work stressFinal Thoughts on Quotes That Will Put Your Work Stress in Perspective

Work stress is to be expected, no matter which career path you have chosen. Even those who love their jobs will find themselves stressed out at work at times.

When work stress sets in, it is crucial to put the stress in perspective and change your way of thinking. Remind yourself that each stressful moment is a way for you to learn, grow, and develop.

Stay strong and remember these quotes that will put your work stress in perspective. Stay strong, focus on the task at hand, and do your best no matter how you are feeling.

5 Exercises That Burn Fat Faster Than Running

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Are you ready to get your heart pumping to burn fat–and fast?

High-intensity workouts can help you to burn fat and calories with ease. Additionally, if you’re tired of the daily runs and working out in the elements or running nowhere on a treadmill, it’s time to bring that workout indoors.

Toss your humble around-the-block run and use exercises targeted toward weight loss. Plus, changing your routine and trying something new is always helpful. It doesn’t mean that you’ll never run again; it just means that you are changing things to get the best workout for your body.

You must be careful when doing any cardio workout because it’s easy to overdo it and strain your muscles. You need to correct the intensity so that you don’t stress your body to the where it’s run down, and you can get sick.

Are You on the Cardio Bandwagon?

So many people jump on the cardio bandwagon but soon find out they are doing it all wrong. Many believe that doing it chronically is the best way to lose weight, tone your body, and stay healthy. While it can do all those things and more.

How do you know when you’re doing too much for yourself? Well, your body will tell you when you’re overdoing it. How often have you seen the same person on the treadmill at the gym?

Day in and day out, they are like a wall fixture because they spend so much time at the facility. The problem is that most of these people look the same regardless of their efforts. Their methods have few benefits as they seem like a hamster on a wheel going in circles.

It’s easy to become stuck in a rut with your workout. They run on this treadmill daily because they feel productive, yet they don’t seem different. Rather than changing and doing something else, they continue their monotonous routine.

The sad fact is that many people don’t even like to run. They do this exercise because it’s what they’ve been told or feels right. The good news is that other ways to lose weight besides running exist.

These Five Workouts Can Be Fun, Even When They Burn Fat

You can add some variety to your workout and make it fun—no need to pound the pavement of boredom looking for stellar results. Before you choose your new exercise routines, you want to see how much time you must devote. What are your goals for this workout, and what do you like to do?

Check out these five maneuvers if you’re looking for cardiovascular exercises that burn fat faster than running.

1. Cycling

burn fat

Cycling is one of the most efficient, low-impact workouts around. You can make it as challenging or easy as possible since you set the intensity. Cycling will burn fat and keep you in good shape.

Do you ever wonder what all the benefits are of this highly touted workout? It can help you with weight management. It can increase your lower body strength. It’s excellent at improving your mental health as it keeps you focused on positive things rather than all the external distractions.

It’s one of the best workouts for beginners because it’s easy. Lastly, many find it improves their coordination, body balance, and posture. Who doesn’t need a little help with posture as you age?

Cycling is one of the best workouts, and you won’t feel like you’ve been beaten up after you’re done.

2. Strength Training

Resistance training is necessary for good bones and muscles, so it should be a part of your weekly routine. Many people don’t realize its benefits on your mind, specifically your mood.

Most people get lean and trim through these fat-burning exercises, but some will bulk up if they eat high protein and other muscle-enhancing foods. One thing to consider is that building more muscle will boost your metabolism. Did you know that muscle is a metabolic tissue?

It sounds strange. But the more muscle you have, your BMR or metabolic rate strengthens. While it shouldn’t be your first concern, you must focus on strengthening and building your muscles without going overboard. How do you build muscles? You can do a few of these maneuvers each day:

  • Planks
  • Crunches
  • Pull-ups
  • Push-ups
  • Lunges
  • Squats
  • Dips

Now, if you can go to the gym and use their machinery, you will have a broader selection of options for your workout. You should focus on machines and equipment such as these:

  • Exercise Bikes
  • Bench and Shoulder Press
  • Rowing Machines
  • Kettle Bells

Doing various cardiovascular exercises can help you burn fat, sculpt your body, improve your metabolism, and you will feel great.

love handles

3. Full Body Circuit Training

You might want to use a combination if you’re looking for a high-intensity workout. For starters, using your body’s weight is advisable, but you can add cardio and weightlifting into the mix too. When you combine the three things, then it works a vast majority of your muscle tissue.

All the variations will be an excellent stimulator for burning fat and bulking your muscles. You want to use compound movements that will work multiple joints at once. Some examples of these types of exercises include:

  • Pull-ups
  • Push-ups
  • Deadlifts
  • Box Jumps
  • Thrusters
  • Kettlebell Swings
  • Squats

You will find that doing these maneuvers benefits your body more than doing something like a calf raise. Another thing to consider is the order in which the exercises are performed. Try to group maneuvers that work the upper body together and those that work the lower body together.

You should consider alternating between your upper body and lower body so that you get full benefits from the time you spend. You should attempt three-minute rounds, about 10-12 of them. If done correctly, then you will be sweaty and exhausted when completed.

4. Stair Climbing

Try some stair climbs if you like running but must turn things up a bit. You can do these with a fast-paced intensity that will power up your workout. If you feel like plain running has caused you to hit a plateau, then stairs can be just what you need to break through to the next level.

You can run on hills or sand if you can’t access any stairs at your home. Both items will provide resistance to give you a different type of workout. Think of it this way, not only are you challenging your muscles in a new and exciting way, but you are also getting a great cardiovascular workout. Your heart rate will soar after a few minutes of these maneuvers.

5. Jump Rope

Putting jump rope on the list seems funny amidst all the other fantastic exercises. You can pick up one of these at a dollar store to work out for the day. What is it about a jump rope that is so effective?

First, you work on almost every major muscle group in your body. Think of the strength and endurance it takes to twirl that rope and jump up and down. It falls into the classification as a cardiorespiratory exercise, and it takes extraordinarily little space to do.

Since a jump rope is so compact, you can take it with you when you travel for a comfortable workout wherever you are at. A jump rope works those lower-leg muscles. Since it’s remarkably like a cyclic activity, it helps to improve your coordination.

One of the best things about this fat-burning exercise is that it improves cognitive function. It kicks those neurotransmitters in your brain into high gear and increases your serotonin and dopamine levels. Think of it as a natural antidepressant.

It’s easy to see why kids love jumping rope so much. It probably makes them feel better, both mentally and physically. Plus, you can do exciting things with that rope, and your imagination only limits you.

burn fatFinal Thoughts: Are You Ready to Burn Fat?

Are you ready to burn fat and kick your saddlebags, spare tire, and love handles to the curb? You can do a whole-body makeover by just incorporating a few things into your routines.

Running is an excellent exercise for those who like to view all the scenery around them or use a treadmill indoors. However, too much of a good thing can become counterproductive. If you’re not getting the desired results from this type of workout, then it’s time to change things.

While there are five types of exercises listed here, there are many more that you can add to your routine to get some severe sculpting and burn fat too. Are you ready to take your workout up another notch?

13 Ways To Stop Feeling Guilty And Retain Your Mental Health

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Do you usually find it hard to stop feeling guilty after making a mistake?

It’s common knowledge that one must care for their mental health. Feelings such as regret, stress, and guilt can all add unnecessary strain to your brain. Unfortunately, a lot of mental health issues come from conditions, disorders, imbalances, or even just thoughts that can come with guilt and shame.

This propensity means that on top of everyday guilt you may feel, you might also feel guilty for thinking about or trying to resolve that guilt. It’s a never-ending paradox! Luckily, there are ways to break out of this challenging thought cycle before you spiral too far. Here are 13 ways to stop feeling guilty and retain your mental health:

1.    Locate The Root

It’s essential first to identify what exactly is causing the feelings of guilt, and how it manifests. Until you understand where it’s coming from and the way it affects you, you can’t possibly start engaging in positive thinking strategies and heal from such guilt and hurt. Here are a few ways to try identifying the root cause of your guilt:

  • Get some help from professionals that specialize in emotion-based therapies, like Dialectical Behavior Therapy – which is scientifically proven to help
  • Set aside some time to dissect and analyze why you’re feeling guilty, and what’s causing it
  • Pay attention to how you process guilt physically, and what triggers it to happen

2.    Decide Your Limits Now to Stop Feeling Guilty Later

stop feeling guilty

Placing limits and setting boundaries are both highly essential things, but you might not realize just how crucial they are to one’s mental and emotional health. As it turns out, studies determined that establishing and enforcing limits and boundaries are vital if you want to maintain a positive mindset of any kind.

You can try doing this yourself by:

  • Decide what you’re willing to do, and how far you will go to help.
  • Be authentic to both those around you and yourself about your willingness and capabilities.
  • Do your best, but do be realistic about what you can and will want to handle.
  • Maintain open communication with those you love, so they have a clear understanding of what your limits are

3.    Communicate With Those Involved, If Any

The importance of open and active communication lines cannot be understated. To maintain positive relationships with both yourself and those around you, you must talk about what’s happening and how you feel about things. Only then can you possibly resolve whatever it is that is making you feel guilty and hurt.

Need some concrete tips to work off from? Here are a few to start with:

  • Be direct in obtaining as much information as you want or need
  • Ask people about how they are doing, instead of trying to guess
  • Openly discuss your wants, needs, desires, and expectations.
  • Bring up problems if you have any, along with any solutions you might have

4.    Put Yourself In Someone Else’s Position

When you struggle with self-directed positive thinking and kindness, it can be hard to forgive yourself when you make a mistake. This weight you carry is not just hurtful for you, but also those around you, as they will be affected negatively – whether you intend it or not. Here are a few ways to avoid that, and to instead learn to be kinder to yourself first:

  • Extend yourself the same grace, and benefit of the doubt, you would people you love
  • Consider how you would react if your loved one were in a similar situation, and whether you’d want them to internalize their emotions in the same way
  • Apply the same kind of compassion and understanding you would give other to yourself

5.    Focus On What Is To Come

It’s easy to end up being stuck in the past of how it all went wrong. Instead of letting your guilt eat away at you, however, it’s healthier to try the following practices:

  • Focus on the present, and what is available and open in front of you in the here and now
  • Look to the future, and try to consider the possibilities there
  • Learn what lessons you can garner from your mistakes, then move on
  • Focus on using your experience to push you towards positive changes

6.    Practice Self-Gratitude

Guilt often creates a negative bias in us and filters our actions and achievements through a harmful, perfectionistic mindset. On the other hand, gratitude has been proven by research to actively combat such hurtful behavior – which is what you’ll need to take care of your own mental and emotional health.

  • Write down your successes and accomplishments.
  • Note down all goals you’ve successfully achieved or furthered that week.
  • Pay attention and jot down when you’ve helped someone.

When you get things down in writing, you force yourself to focus on the positives and the concrete, undeniable proof of your accomplishments! This will help you release your anxiety on the paper and stop feeling guilty inside.

7.    Learn guilt Doesn’t Mean You’re Wrong – And If It Does, You Can Forgive

It’s easy to feel guilty in reaction to people’s behavior – even when you haven’t done anything wrong. Unfortunately, many of us are already conditioned to think that guilty feelings come only from guilty behavior. Instead of wallowing in such beliefs, try:

  • Learning how to say “no”
  • Set boundaries and prioritize your mental health
  • Forgive yourself
  • Make amends, if you think they’re necessary
  • Commit to making positive changes in your attitude and behavior

apology

8.    Learn From Mistakes

After making a mistake, it can be tempting to simply spend our time wallowing in it and beating ourselves up. Many of us somehow see this as proof that we indeed were right all along, and that all the negative thoughts we had about ourselves were real.

The reality is that this is all simply twisted thinking that’s aimed at hurting yourself and does no one any favors. Instead of wallowing in guilt, try to:

  • Accept and acknowledge your mistakes.
  • Focus on what measures you can take to amend it
  • Forgive and move on, if there is nothing else you can do

9.    Stop Throwing Blame Around

Things will inevitably go wrong, as they are wont to do. It just can’t be helped. It is effortless, however, to want to blame someone when things start going south – and if there isn’t a clear, external target, then the easiest one is often ourselves.

This, of course, is taking responsibility where you shouldn’t. In reality:

  • There are often a lot of opposing factors at play, and many of them will naturally be outside your reach.
  • You shouldn’t try to bear or push all of the blame onto yourself or others, especially if it’s not your fault.
  • Feeling guilty isn’t productive behavior, and resolves nothing.

Instead, it’s best to accept that adverse outcomes sometimes will happen, regardless of your best efforts, and try to push forward and fix things as you go.

10. Dedicate Time To Guilt

Trying to ignore things doesn’t help, either. Studies prove that trying to suppress one’s emotions can worsen anxiety and depression, especially after a distressing event. So instead of trying to downplay it or push it to one side, consider:

  • Practice meditation, and allow your negative thoughts and emotions to come and go without clinging on to them
  • Set aside some time to feel guilty, and then try to remedy the problems that caused those guilty feelings
  • Learn how to acknowledge your emotions, before forgiving and moving on

11. Take A Break

Sometimes, you just have to cut yourself some slack and truly take a proper break. It can be more natural to fixate on the tasks we should be doing, and hold ourselves up to a level of perfectionism that isn’t healthy or possible. Studies have shown, however, that taking a break – both short ones and longer vacation breaks – can help us rest and recover. From there, we are recharged and ready to do better!

Here are a few things to keep in mind on a break:

  • Avoid the idea of being productive during your break
  • Remind yourself that science is on your side – it’s vital for your health
  • Remind yourself as to why you needed a break in the first place, and why you took it

12. Understand The Social Effects Of Guilt

None of us exist in a vacuum – so it should come as no surprise that we are all influenced by societal and cultural expectations placed upon us. As a result, the guilt you feel may stem from socialization.

Studies reveal that socialization is responsible for higher amounts of guilt in women. You might find yourself burdened with:

  • The need to not hurt anyone’s feelings
  • The emotional responsibility of keeping contact between friends and family
  • The responsibility of staying atop everyone’s schedules
  • The responsibility of effectively maintaining household functions

If you find yourself feeling guilty over such things, remind yourself that these are all unfair expectations that have been passed down and ingrained into you. In reality, there’s no need to take responsibility for all of that – it should be labor shared between you and your loved ones, not you alone.

13. Know That It’s Okay To Take Care Of Yourself Too

It’s hard to shake off the need to take on responsibilities and care of others while neglecting your own needs in the process. This is especially so if you’ve had a difficult time growing up, and found yourself having to take on such a substantial role at a young age.

In reality, being human means taking care of your wants and needs – and having others fulfill them for you too. Here’s how you can do it:

  • Remember that your thoughts and emotions are just as valid as that of those around you.
  • Don’t silence your own needs; should they arise.
  • Communicate your wants and desires to your loved ones
  • Ask for help or fulfillment of your desires.
  • Learn how to relax, destress, and let others take care of you
  • Draw up healthy emotional boundaries and create them
  • Prioritize your strength and resources first

stop feeling guiltyFinal Thoughts On Some Ways To Stop Feeling Guilty And Retain Your Mental Health

There is nothing wrong with needing to take care of yourself. There is nothing wrong about making mistakes in life, as long as you atone for them. And there is nothing wrong with learning to better yourself in order to overcome intense feelings of guilt! Don’t let your brain and heart lie to you and stop you from working on easing guilty feelings. You’ll be much happier without their burden.

5 Moves That Melt Saddlebags

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Do you have saddlebags? Perhaps, you don’t even know what they are, and yet you see them every time you look in the mirror. Some call the fat deposits that collect around the upper thigh and hip area their saddlebags.

If you have them, you’re not alone. Women across the world have found that it’s one of the most stubborn areas of fat to get rid of. Technically, these areas are underdeveloped parts of your skin that have become soft and allow fat to accumulate.

The goal to get rid of these “bags” is to strengthen the core muscles that hold the skin underneath. Did you know when you increase the muscles in an area of the body, it makes them metabolically active?

It sounds strange, but it activates your body’s abilities to restore and rejuvenate, and it pulls the area inward. Your muscles know how to get rid of extra fat, and you can help this by kicking things into high gear in your workout.

Another major problem with this area is the build-up of cellulite. Some have described it as “cottage cheese” like dimples under the skin. Whatever you call it, it tends to form in fat-laden areas. Thankfully, you have the power to change this unsightly flabby region to a sculpted area in which you are proud.

5 Moves That Melt Your Saddlebags

If you’re serious and want to do something about all those unsightly flabby areas, then you will need to do some target specific workouts. While push-ups are good for some muscle groups, they won’t do much for your saddlebags. Here are five exercises that will target this area of your body with ease.

saddlebags

1. Grasshopper Thrashes

Lie prostrate on the ground with your neck in perfect alignment with the rest of your body. Your forehead should be resting on your arms, which should be crossed. Now, pretend that someone is about to punch you in the gut.

If someone were coming at you, the first thing you would do is clinch those muscles tightly. Now, you want to do the same thing with your rear-end muscles too. The tricky part is you need to lift your legs about 6-8 inches into the air.

Make sure they are separated and not lifted locked together. Now, while your feet are in the air, bring the heels of your feet close together and use your energy to squeeze your buttocks and thighs as you press your feet together.

If you are doing this right, you will feel the burn in these major muscle groups. As you press your feet tight, you will feel those muscles contract. Now, open your feet and return them to the floor.

To be effective, you need to do 15-20 reps like this one. However, you must rest in between each rep for about 20-30 seconds as these muscles need a break. You will feel the pain for a couple of days, but it’s worth the effort for the workout that you give these muscle groups.

2. Lying Glute Release

Start this maneuver by laying on your back on the floor. You want to bend your knees slightly, but you need to keep your feet flat on the ground. Now, take your left knee and loop it around so that your left foot is now resting on your right thigh.

Make sure that your right knee stays bent. Take your hands and place them around the inner section of your right thigh. Now, pull both your legs towards you and your chest area.

If you’re doing this maneuver correctly, you will feel the strain outside the hip area. When you start to feel that muscle strain, then hold the move for about 15-20 seconds.

Now, go back to the starting position and make a move with the other leg. It would help if you did this about 2-3 times on each side for no more than a total of six reps.

3. Solo-leg Hip Raise

Get positioned on the floor lying flat on your back. Now, bend your knees while keeping your feet firmly planted on the ground. Now, extend the right leg so that it’s completely straight while keep the other leg bent.

It would help if you positioned your arms to the side. Tighten your core muscles and press your left heel downward. As you make this motion, slowly lift your hips into the air.

If you’re making this move correctly, your hips should be directly in line with your shoulders. Hold your hips in the air for 1-2 seconds, then slowly lower your middle section back to the floor. Now, switch and do the other side.

Doing this maneuver once on each side counts as a rep, and you need to do 15 on each side. Don’t stop or take any breaks in between switching legs and your reps as you want to stretch these muscles to their limit. It’s all part of strength training that pays off royally.

4. Hip Extension

For this workout, you will need an exercise mat or you can adapt the moves for a bench. Lie face forward down on the bench, and you must allow your arms and legs to hang off the sides. Make sure that your hips are free.

Your neck should be in proper alignment with your back. Now, clench your core muscles by holding onto the bench with your hands. At the same time, squeeze tight your gluteus maximus muscles and then slowly lift your legs.

Your legs will naturally want to separate under the weight from your mid-section. It’s okay for them to be wider than your hips at this point. You want to stretch yourself till you feel your butt and lower back contract, and you can accomplish this by lifting as high as you can.

Once your legs are as high as you can get them, hold the position for 2-3 seconds. Now, release your muscles as you bring your legs back down to hanging at the sides of the exercise bench. Congratulations, you’ve done one rep.

You should do about 15-20 reps in total. Now, you want to rest for 30-60 seconds, and then do these sets three more times. You will certainly feel the burn in your saddlebags if you do this workout correctly.

5. Reverse Hip Raise

You will need a device to do this maneuver. Grab an exercise step, ball, bench, or roman style chair. The goal is to have your core on the item, but your legs and arms can move without issue.

Anchor yourself onto the device using your arms and legs, but then slowly let the exercise bench hold your weight. Release your arms and legs and allow them to dangle from the sides.

You must keep your head and neck aligned so that you don’t develop neck strain while doing this maneuver. Clinch your core muscles and the ones in your gluteus maximus.

Now, slowly lift both of your legs straight up into the air, and make sure they are parallel. If you need to rest your neck on the bench for a minute, it’s acceptable, but you must strive for perfect alignment to keep from developing any strain.

Hold your legs in the air, now bend your knees and then raise your legs again. Each time you bend and straighten your legs is one rep. Do a total of 30 reps then rest for 30 seconds. You should do three sets of these for this part of your workout.

Final Thoughts on Shedding the Weight of Your Saddlebags

Are your saddlebags burning yet? If you did these exercises correctly, you should feel a burning and some heat in the troubled areas. Will these workouts erase cellulite?

No, but there are some cosmetic things you can do for those unsightly skin dimples. The goal is to keep any new cellulite from forming by getting rid of the fat formation. While you won’t see results overnight, with time and dedication, you should see amazing things happen to your saddlebags.

Now, one thing you must keep in mind while doing your workout is that it’s about more than just physical burn. You need to get your body in fat burning gear by eating the right foods that are beneficial for weight training.

Eating foods that are full of carbohydrates and sugars is going to be counterproductive to what you are doing by exercising. You must avoid them at all costs.

It takes a combination of both diet and exercise to mold and sculpt your body into the masterpiece you want. Invest in a good protein powder that can help you build muscle and trim the fat from your body. Also, a diet high in protein and good fats is beneficial for those who have a lot of fat to lose and want it to go quickly.

How long will it take to see results? Within six weeks of performing these dedicated workouts, you should start to see those saddlebags slowly shrinking. Give it time as they didn’t form overnight, so they won’t go away overnight either.

22 Best Protein Powders for Weight Loss According to Nutritionists

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If you want to lose weight, you have likely considered many options, including protein powders. With so many products on the market, choosing one for your dietary needs is tough. There are many best protein powders for weight loss, and the correct information can help you narrow it down.

Not all protein powders are the same, and many contain artificial sweeteners or flavors and carbohydrates. Some options have high sugar and sodium levels, too, hindering weight loss. The best protein powders for weight loss don’t contain artificial ingredients, added sugar, or sodium.

Studies show that clean protein powder is one of the best ways to lose or maintain weight. Your body needs protein to start the day, so using protein powder at breakfast is ideal. It can help stabilize your blood sugar, preventing cravings and hunger pains before lunch.

It’s important to note that you can develop a protein overload if you consume too much protein powder. Aim for no more than 46-56 grams of protein each day.

22 Best Protein Powders for Weight Loss

If you find the best protein powders for weight loss and use them properly, you will notice a difference in your health.

best protein powders for weight loss1. Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Isolate

This protein powder combines hydrolyzed isolate and whey protein, making it quick digesting. It also contains high amounts of protein compared to other options, so it’s beneficial for building lean muscle. Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Isolate is low fat and only contains one gram of carbohydrates.

Additionally, this protein powder contains 110 calories per serving and 0.5 grams of fat. It also has 190 mg of sodium, one gram of carbs, and 25 grams of protein in each scoop.

2. Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides

Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides contain 18 grams of protein in each serving. This protein level stimulates lean muscle growth while also eliminating cravings. Additionally, this protein powder contains 20 grams of collagen peptides, promoting joint health.

Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides also contains 70 calories in each serving of two scoops. It also has 110 mg of sodium and 18 grams of protein.

3. Garden Of Life Meal Vanilla Powder

This protein powder for weight loss is made from brown rice proteins, whole grains, and pea protein. The whole grains that go into it include millet, quinoa, and amaranth. It also contains chia, flax, and lentil seeds.

In each one-scoop serving of Garden of Life Meal Vanilla Powder, you will consume 130 calories and two grams of fat. Plus, a serving contains 190 mg of sodium, 12 grams of carbs, two grams of sugar, and 20 grams of protein.

4. RSP Nutrition AvoCollagen Protein Powder

As a fat-based product, AvoCollagen is filling, preventing overeating throughout the day. RSP Nutrition AvoCollagen contains five grams of avocado oil powder, and the oleic acids from the oil can help fight inflammation. It also has 10 grams of hydrolyzed collagen peptides that are easy on your gut and repair damaged tissue.

Since this protein powder promotes gut health, it can help lose weight. Plus, you won’t overeat or indulge in unhealthy cravings as often because you’ll feel full and satisfied.

In one scoop of this protein powder, you’ll take in 80 calories, four grams of fat, three grams of carbohydrates, and 10 grams of protein. It also has four grams of dietary fiber, 76 grams of calcium, and no added sugar.

5. Quest Multi-Purpose Protein Powder

One of the benefits of this protein powder is that you can use it in baked goods, added to tomato sauce, or mixed into other dishes. One scoop of Quest Multi-Purpose Protein Powder contains 100 calories, no added sugar, and 0.5 grams of fat. Additionally, it has less than one gram of carbs, 115 grams of sodium, and 23 grams of protein.

6. Ancient Nutrition Bone Broth Protein Powder

Bone broth protein powder contains 20 grams of protein in each serving, leaving you feeling full and ready to face the day. It also contains hydrolyzed collagen, supporting gut health. This protein powder contains all-natural ingredients, is gluten-free, and has no added sugars.

You can choose from different flavors of Ancient Nutrition Bone Brother Protein Powder, ensuring you never get tired of it. Each one-scoop serving contains 90 calories, less than one gram of fat, and two grams of carbs. Plus, it only has one gram of sugar and 150 grams of sodium.

7. Isopure Whey Protein Isolate Powder

This protein powder is sweetened with monk fruit, putting the sugar content at three grams per serving. The sugars aren’t artificial, so it’s a natural sweetener. It also contains 25 grams of protein, ensuring you stay full until your next meal.

Isopure Whey Protein Isolate Powder also contains four grams of carbs and 240 mg of sodium. You can use it in place of honey or cocoa powder and sprinkle it over a dish to add a little sweetness.

8. Orgain Grass-Fed Whey

Orgain Grass-Fed Whey contains all-natural ingredients and sweeteners, allowing for a healthy protein boost. You can mix it with water, or milk, or blend it into a shake for a meal replacement or snack. Additionally, you can mix it into homemade baked goods.

In one serving of this protein powder, you will consume 150 calories, 3.5 grams fat, and 14 grams carbs. It contains 21 grams of protein in each serving and is gluten-free, kosher, and soy-free. Plus, it has two grams of sugar, three grams of fiber, and 140 mg of sodium.

9. Ascent Native Fuel Micellar Casein

With 25 grams of protein, Ascent Native Fuel Micellar Casein is one of the best protein powders for weight loss. One serving only contains 110 to 130 calories, depending on your chosen flavor.

It also contains essential amino acids, further promoting weight loss. In one serving of this protein powder, you will get one gram of fat, two grams of carbs, 30 mg of sodium, and one gram of fiber.

10. Naked Nutrition Egg White Protein

Naked Nutrition Egg White Protein contains clean ingredients, including non-GMO eggs and sunflower lecithin. It has zero added sugars, flavors, or colors. Plus, each serving contains 25 grams of protein and only 110 calories.

This protein powder contains no fat, two grams of carbs, less than one gram of fiber, and 380 mg of sodium. The egg protein comes from dried egg whites and gives it more of a savory flavor.

11. Navitas Organics Cacao & Greens Essential Blend

The Navitas Organics Cacao & Greens Essential Blend has pea, pumpkin seed, sunflower seeds, flax, and hemp. It is a vegan protein powder blend that has added greens for more fiber. This protein powder also contains probiotics for gut health.

In one serving of this protein powder, you consume 12 grams of protein, 100 calories, and two grams of fat. Plus, it contains 200 mg of sodium, 10 grams of carbs, five grams of fiber, and two grams of sugar.

best protein powders for weight loss12. Vega Protein & Greens

Vega Protein & Greens contain many essential nutrients from pea protein, brown rice protein, and organic kale powder. It is a safe vegan option with only 120 calories and 2.5 grams of fat. It also has 270 mg of sodium, six grams of carbs, two grams of fiber, one gram of sugar, and 20 grams of protein.

13. NOW Sports Nutrition Soy Protein Isolate Unflavored Powder

This protein powder contains 20 grams, making you feel full between meals. Since it is unflavored, you can add it to smoothies with fruits and vegetables, increasing your nutrient intake. This unflavored powder contains 90 calories, 0.5 grams of fat, 170 mg of sodium, 0 grams of carbs, and no sugar.

14. Momentous Essential Plant-Based Protein Powder

This protein powder is plant-based and contains 20 grams of protein in each one-scoop serving. It is a brown rice and pea protein blend, increasing the vitamins and minerals that it contains. Plus, it has five grams of fiber, which is more than most other protein powders for weight loss.

Momentous Essential Plant-Based Protein Powder is vegan and gluten-free, containing only 140 calories. Each serving has three grams of fat, 250 mg of sodium, 10 grams of carbs, and two grams of sugar.

15. NOW Sports Nutrition Pea Protein Unflavored Powder

Pea protein powders are gentle on the gastrointestinal tract and easy to blend into other dishes without changing the taste. Each serving contains 120 calories, two grams of fat, 320 mg of sodium, one gram of carbs, no sugar, and 24 grams of protein. Plus, NOW Sports Nutrition Pea Protein Unflavored Powder contains amino acids and arginine.

16. OWYN Vegan Plant-Based Protein Powder

The OWYN Vegan Plant-Based Protein Powder is made up of pea, pumpkin, and chia. It is safe and gentle for those with irritable bowel syndrome because it is easy to digest. You can choose from multiple flavors, including chocolate and vanilla.

One scoop of this protein powder contains 20 grams of protein and three grams of fat. It also has 140 calories, 240 mg of sodium, seven grams of carbs, and four grams of sugar.

17. Klean Athlete Whey Protein Isolate

This protein powder contains 20 grams of protein per scoop, and it also contains electrolytes. The electrolytes make it beneficial for athletes to replenish their bodies after a workout. Additionally, the electrolytes help reduce sugar cravings and energy crashes that cause excessive snacking or overeating.

Klean Athlete Whey Protein Isolate contains milk and sunflower lecithin. Plus, in each scoop, you consume 85 calories, one gram of carbs, one gram of sugar, and 20 mg of calcium. It also contains 30 mg of sodium and 125 mg of potassium.

18. 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Powder

This grass-fed whey protein powder is the result of a cold processing method that eliminates chemicals, synthetic additives, or heavy metals. It contains 25 grams of protein, three grams of carbs, and two grams of sugar. Grass-fed whey protein also contains leucine, an amino acid that promotes strengthening the muscle.

This powder contains 120 calories per two-scoop serving, two grams of fat, and 45 mg of sodium. Plus, it is antibiotic-free, hormone-free, and has no artificial flavors or colors.

19. 100% Casein Protein Powder

Casein is like whey protein, but it digests slowly and isn’t as effective as building muscles. Casein protein powder promotes a steady flow of amino acids and helps you stay full for longer periods.

This protein powder contains 25 grams of casein protein and no added sugar. It has only 105 calories, 45 mg of sodium, and no carbs. Plus, it is hormone and antibiotic-free.

20. Organic Hemp Protein Powder

Hemp protein is full of fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. It has a mild taste that mixes well with smoothies, soup, or sauce.

In each scoop, the Organic Hemp Protein Powder has 20 grams of protein, three grams of fiber, and six grams of fat. Plus, it has 140 calories, 15 mg of sodium, and two grams of carbs.

21. So Lean & So Clean Vegan Protein Powder

This vegan protein powder contains blueberries, kale, acai, rice, pea protein, hemp, flax, quinoa, and spirulina. It gives you a nutritional boost, making it a well-balanced snack or meal replacement. Each two-scoop serving contains 130 calories, three grams of fat, 390 mg of sodium, five grams of carbs, and 22 grams of protein.

22. Complete Plant-Based Protein Powder

The Complete Plant-Based Protein Powder is made with peas, artichokes, algae, sprouted quinoa, and amaranth. Plant-based powerhouses boost your nutritional intake and can fit into a low-carb diet plan.

This protein powder is GMO- and gluten-free and only contains 120 calories and three grams of fat. Plus, it has 390 mg of sodium, two grams of carbs, and 21 grams of protein.

best protein powders for weight lossFinal Thoughts on Best Protein Powders for Weight Loss According to a Nutritionist

The best protein powders for weight loss contain all-natural ingredients and no added sugars. You can use protein powder as meal and snack replacements, but you still must consume whole foods throughout the day. Remember that while you want your protein intake to be high, you don’t want to over-indulge.

Using protein powder can help you lose or maintain weight. Some of the powders will help with muscle building, too. As you learn more about protein powder, you will easily choose the best one for your weight loss.

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