How can you feel sexier as you get older?

Ageing is something you can't avoid, so it's better you embrace and use it to your advantage to feel sexy and young, says an expert.

"The 20s are a time that's idealized. I think it is such a time women are struggling to find their identity and figure out who they are and establish themselves in their careers but the 30s tend to be a real time of security for that very reason because we have a much better sense who have we are and that is sexy," CBS News quoted psychotherapist Jenn Berman, as saying.

"You know, one thing that's important to keep in mind if you don't start out feeling confident and sexy, you fake it until you make it. The behaviours - behaving as if you feel sexy and behaving as if you feel confident - leads women to feel confident," she said.

Jarvis agreed, saying more women in Hollywood - from Diane Keaton to Demi Moore - have been embracing their sexy side. She added, "Do you think our sense of age is changing in this country? Do you think we're taking a new approach to aging?"

Berman also said more women in Hollywood embracing ageing have revolutionized the way we think about aging.

"And it's given the rest of us some hope, even though they have the advantages of plastic surgery and make-up artists and all of that, when we see someone our age or older looking great, it can be really inspiring," she said.

She also said that it is important to keep the spark alive with your partner.

Berman advised, "Make a point to make time for one another, turn off the TV, the BlackBerry ... turn off your computer, have face-to-face time with each other. And take care of yourself, make sure you are eating healthy, listening to your body, exercising and dressing in a way that makes you feel good and also have some sex, even if you don't feel like it. Sometimes, having sex can make you feel sexy and, also, sex begets sex, the more you have, the more you want."

She added communication with your partner is one of the keys to feeling sexy.

"The more communication you have, the more connected and the more intimate you feel, the more confident you're likely to feel, which makes you file more sexy," she said.

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Eating disorder : A brief understanding

Eating disorder treatment depends on your particular disorder and your symptoms. It may include psychological counseling (psychotherapy), nutrition education or medications such as antidepressants.

Eating disorder treatment also involves addressing other health problems caused by an eating disorder, which can be serious or even life-threatening if they go untreated for long enough.

If an eating disorder doesn't improve with standard treatment or causes health problems, hospitalization or an inpatient program may be necessary.

Having an organized approach to eating disorder treatment can help you manage symptoms, regain a healthy weight, and maintain your physical and mental health.

Where to start

You may start by seeing your family doctor or mental health counselor such as a psychologist. You may also need to see other health professionals who specialize in eating disorder treatment, such as:

·         Your primary care doctor or other medical doctors involved with your care.

·         A psychiatrist, a medical doctor specializing in medication management, when medications are necessary. Some psychiatrists also provide psychological counseling.

·         A dietitian to provide nutritional counseling when a meal plan is necessary.

It's best if everyone involved in your treatment communicates about your progress so adjustments can be made to your treatment as needed. Involving your partner, parents or other family members is also important.

For young people still living at home, parents will be actively involved in treatment and may supervise meals.

Managing an eating disorder can be a long-term challenge. You may need to continue to see your doctor, psychologist, or other members of your treatment team on a regular basis even if your eating disorder and related health problems are under control.

Setting up a treatment plan

At the beginning of your treatment, you and treatment professionals will come up with goals and guidelines. This will make it clear what to do if you're not able to stick with your plan or if you're having health problems related to your eating disorder.

Your treatment team will consider what your needs are and what resources are available in your area. The cost of treatment programs may be a factor. Hospitalization and outpatient programs for treating eating disorders can be expensive, and insurance may not cover all of the costs of your care. However, don't avoid treatment because of the potential cost. Work with your doctor to identify affordable treatment options.

Psychological counseling for an eating disorder

Psychological counseling (psychotherapy) is generally the most important eating disorder treatment. It involves seeing a psychologist, psychiatrist or other mental health counselor on a regular basis.

Counseling may last from a few months to years. A number of different methods of counseling are used to treat eating disorders. They include:

·         Cognitive behavioral therapy. This type of counseling is a short-term, structured treatment that helps you address the thoughts, feelings and behaviors related to your eating disorder. It can help you learn to recognize and change distorted thoughts that lead to eating disorder behaviors.

·         Interpersonal psychotherapy. Another short-term treatment, interpersonal psychotherapy focuses on resolving relationship issues that contribute to your eating disorder. This type of treatment may be especially helpful if you have depression along with an eating disorder.

·         Family-based therapy. With family-based therapy, family members attend counseling sessions. This type of therapy can be especially useful for parents learning how to help a teen with an eating disorder.

·         Group cognitive behavioral therapy. This type of treatment involves meeting with a psychologist or other mental health provider along with others who are diagnosed with an eating disorder. It can help you address thoughts, feelings and behaviors related to your eating disorder, learn skills to manage eating disorder symptoms, and regain healthy eating patterns.

Treatment may involve a combination of types of counseling. Your psychologist or counselor may ask you to do homework, such as keep a food journal to review in counseling sessions, and identify triggers that cause you to binge, purge or do other unhealthy eating behavior.

Nutrition education

Dietitians and other professionals involved in your treatment can help you better understand your eating disorder and help you develop a plan to maintain healthy eating habits. Goals of nutrition education generally include:

·         Education about how nutrition affects your body

·         Meal planning

·         Establishing regular eating patterns — generally, three meals a day with regular snacks

·         Taking steps to avoid dieting

Nutrition education may involve cognitive behavioral therapy techniques to help you recognize faulty beliefs and thought patterns and understand how your eating disorder causes nutrition issues and physical problems.

Medications for eating disorders

Medications may help you follow your treatment plan. They're most effective when combined with psychological counseling. Antidepressants are the most common medications used to treat eating disorders, but depending on the situation, other medications are sometimes prescribed.

Taking an antidepressant may be especially helpful if you have bulimia nervosa or binge- eating disorder in that it can help reduce symptoms of binge eating and vomiting. Antidepressants can be helpful to reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety or obsessive- compulsive disorder, which frequently occur along with eating disorders.

You may also need to take medications for physical health problems caused by your eating disorder.

Hospitalization for eating disorders

Hospitalization may be necessary if you have serious physical or mental health problems or if you have anorexia and are unable to eat or gain weight. Severe or life-threatening physical health problems that occur with anorexia can be a medical emergency. In many cases, the most important goal of hospitalization is to get back to a healthy weight. Achieving your ideal weight can take months, so you'll probably need to continue outpatient treatment to accomplish your goals once you get out of the hospital.

Hospital day treatment programs

Day treatment programs are structured programs that generally require attendance for three to eight hours a day. Day treatment can include medical care, group, individual and family counseling, structured eating sessions, and nutrition counseling. You may still be able to work or attend school if you're in a day treatment program.

Residential treatment for eating disorders

With residential treatment, you live at an eating disorder treatment facility. A residential treatment program may be necessary if you need long-term care for your eating disorder or you've been in the hospital a number of times but your mental or physical health hasn't improved.

Ongoing treatment for health problems

Eating disorders can cause serious health problems related to inadequate nutrition, overeating, bingeing and other factors. The type of health problems caused by eating disorders depends on the particular type of eating disorder and its severity. In many cases, problems caused by an eating disorder require ongoing treatment and monitoring. Health problems linked to eating disorders can include:

·         Electrolyte imbalances, which can interfere with the functioning of your muscles, heart and nerves

·         Heart problems

·         Digestive problems

·         Nutrient deficiencies

·         Dental cavities and erosion of the surface of your teeth from frequent vomiting (bulimia)

·         Low bone density (osteoporosis) as a result of long-term malnutrition (anorexia)

·         Stunted growth caused by poor nutrition (anorexia)

·         Mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder

Taking an active role

You are the most important member of your treatment team. In order for your treatment to be a success, you need to be actively involved in your treatment and informed about your eating disorder, and so do your family members. Your psychiatrist or other members of your treatment team can provide education and tell you where to find information and support. It's a good idea to search for resources on your own as well.

Resources that can help you understand and cope with your eating disorder include:

·         Books and self-help workbooks

Tattoos: Understand risks and precautions

Tattoos may be more common than ever, but don't take tattooing lightly. Know the risks and understand basic safety precautions and aftercare steps.

You could be the proud owner of a new tattoo in a matter of hours — but don't let the ease of getting tattoos stop you from making a thoughtful decision about permanent body art. If you first take steps to protect yourself from possible risks, what seems like a cool idea now is less likely to turn into a source of regret later.

How tattoos are done

A tattoo is a permanent mark or design made on your skin with pigments inserted through pricks into the skin's top layer. Typically, the tattoo artist uses a hand-held machine that acts much like a sewing machine, with one or more needles piercing the skin repeatedly. With every puncture, the needles insert tiny ink droplets. The process — which is done without anesthetics and may last up to several hours for a large tattoo — causes a small amount of bleeding and slight to potentially significant pain.

Know the risks

Tattoos breach the skin, which means that skin infections and other complications are possible. Specific risks include:

·         Allergic reactions. Tattoo dyes — especially red dye — can cause allergic skin reactions, resulting in an itchy rash at the tattoo site. This may occur even years after you get the tattoo.

·         Skin infections. Tattoos can lead to local bacterial infections, characterized by redness, swelling, pain and a pus-like drainage.

·         Other skin problems. Sometimes bumps called granulomas form around tattoo ink — especially red ink. Tattooing can also lead to raised areas caused by an overgrowth of scar tissue (keloids).

·         Bloodborne diseases. If the equipment used to create your tattoo is contaminated with infected blood, you can contract various bloodborne diseases, including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, tetanus and HIV — the virus that causes AIDS.

·         MRI complications. Rarely, tattoos or permanent makeup may cause swelling or burning in the affected areas during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exams. In some cases — such as when a person with permanent eyeliner has an MRI of the eye — tattoo pigments may interfere with the quality of the image.

Medication or other treatment may be needed if you develop an allergic reaction, infection or other skin problem. In some cases, the tattoo may need to be removed. Keep in mind that tattoo inks are classified as cosmetics, so they aren't regulated or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Insist on safety precautions

To make sure your tattoo will be applied safely, answer these questions:

·         Who does the tattooing? Go to a reputable tattooing studio that employs only properly trained employees. Keep in mind that regulation requirements and licensing standards vary from state to state. Check with your city, county or state health department for information on local licensing and regulations.

·         Does the tattoo artist wear gloves? Make sure the tattoo artist washes his or her hands and wears a fresh pair of protective gloves for each procedure.

·         Does the tattoo artist use proper equipment? Make sure the tattoo artist removes a needle and tubes from sealed packages before your procedure begins. Any pigments, trays and containers should be unused as well.

·         Does the tattoo artist sterilize nondisposable equipment? Make sure the tattoo artist uses a heat sterilization machine (autoclave) to sterilize all nondisposable equipment after each customer. Instruments and supplies that can't be sterilized with an autoclave — including drawer handles, tables and sinks — should be disinfected with a commercial disinfectant or bleach solution after each use.

Also ask yourself whether you truly want to invest in permanent body art. Choose the location of the tattoo carefully. Don't get a tattoo if you're under the influence of alcohol or drugs or worry that you might regret the tattoo later.

Take good care of your tattoo

How you care for your new tattoo depends on the type and extent of work done. Typically, however, you'll need to:

·         Remove the bandage after 24 hours. Apply an antibiotic ointment to the tattooed skin while it's healing.

·         Keep the tattooed skin clean. Use plain soap and water and a gentle touch. Pat — don't rub — the area dry.

·         Use moisturizer. Apply a mild moisturizer to the tattooed skin several times a day.

·         Avoid sun exposure. Keep the tattooed area out of the sun for at least a few weeks.

·         Choose clothing carefully. Don't wear anything that would stick to the tattoo.

·         Allow up to 2 weeks for healing. Don't pick at any scabs, which increases the risk of infection and can damage the design and cause scarring.

If you think your tattoo may be infected or you're concerned that your tattoo isn't healing properly, contact your doctor. If you're interested in tattoo removal, ask your dermatologist about laser surgery or other options for tattoo removal.

5 Ways to make your runs exciting

A lot of people adopt running so that they could meet their weight loss and fitness goals. They start with a bang and run with a vigor and enthusiasm. But slowly and steadily, the novelty wears out and then comes a point when even a thought of waking up early in the morning and putting on those jogging shoes can seem like a daunting task.

Runners who lose weight or maintain their weight make sure they run regularly or at least 3 or 4 times a week. But running is a repetitive activity which for too many people will seem like a very mundane and boring way to exercise. Well, help is at hand. Here are a few ways by which you can make your running exciting everyday.

1.     New route every time: One of the basic reasons why running is boring is because people take the same route day in and day out. As a result your mind forms a basic map of the route and then it does not need to focus on the route anymore. Now it can focus on irrelevant things like how bored you are or how tired you are. All these factors go against your running performance and will hamper your weight loss plans. The best way to avoid it is to take a new route every single time you head for a run. Avoid running in boring, mind numbing areas. Make sure you get a fantastic view when you are running. These could be at the beach, by a river or even in the forest.

2.     Run on Sand: Running on the beach is an extremely invigorating experience. But at the same time, it is also a very challenging experience because the surface is soft and the body requires more energy with every running step. Not only does it help strengthen your lower leg muscles (ankles, arches and calves), but it's also easier on the joints and burn more calories than running on hard surface. However, running on sand also makes you more prone to certain injuries. You can easily strain your Achilles tendons and calves if you are not careful. Before you start running on sand, make sure you have good running shoes, and keep to the wet, compact sand near the shoreline.

3.     Run backwards: This does sound like a bit ridiculous thing to do but running backwards actually works for your stabilizer muscles and calves. Also known as retro running, backward running is a less natural motion, but can be accomplished with some speed with practice. It is better to start out with backward walking (also called retropedaling) which is relatively easy, and speeding up gradually. Like normal running, running up and down hills backwards adds an additional degree of difficulty. Running backwards offers an incredible workout, improves your balance and coordination, and burns more calories than normal running. It also places less stress on the knees. Just make sure you are doing it in a controlled environment and look around to make sure you are not running into things.

4.     Stair sprint: You don't have to run on flat even surfaces. You can even add a challenge to your workout routine by sprinting up your building's stairs. Stair running is a great, high-intensity workout that helps build speed, power and cardiovascular fitness. Not only will it burn more calories (as it is an against-the-gravity activity), but it will also strengthen the muscles around the knees, and build stamina and overall lower body strength. So every now and then, skip the elevator and sprint up the stairs.

5.     Interval sprints: Sprinting or Short bouts of very intense running helps the body to utilize the oxygen effectively and to build up your stamina. When on the treadmill or on the street, do not run at a constant pace because your body eventually gets used to the activity and doesn't benefit much. Several published studies have suggested that sprint interval training burns body fat and builds endurance faster than slower paced endurance exercises. A sprint workout is also great for days when you don't have too much time to run but want to fit in a short effective workout.

If you can find ways to make running a positive and exciting experience, you' will not only be able to have fun while doing it, but you'll get in shape much quicker as well. So incorporate these new ways of running and see the difference today!

Which spread is better for my heart — butter or margarine?

Margarine is made from vegetable oils, so it contains no cholesterol. Margarine is also higher in "good" fats — polyunsaturated and monounsaturated — than butter is. These types of fat help reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or "bad," cholesterol, when substituted for saturated fat. Butter, on the other hand, is made from animal fat, so it contains cholesterol and high levels of saturated fat.

But not all margarines are created equal — and some may even be worse than butter. In general, the more solid the margarine, the more trans fat it contains — so stick margarines usually have more trans fat than do tub margarines. Like saturated fat, trans fat increases blood cholesterol and the risk of heart disease. In addition, trans fat can lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or "good," cholesterol levels. Spreads such as Benecol and Promise Activ are fortified with plant stanols and sterols, which can help reduce LDL cholesterol levels.

When selecting a spread, be sure to check the Nutrition Facts panel and pay particular attention to the grams of saturated fat and trans fat. Look for products that have the lowest combined amount. Also, look for products with a low percent Daily Value for cholesterol.

If you don't like the taste of margarine or don't want to give up butter completely, consider using whipped or light butter. Or look for products that are a blend of butter and olive or canola oil. Per serving, these products have less fat and calories than regular butter does. The important thing is to use them sparingly.

Too much television can give you diabetes

A new study from Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) researchers has indicated that prolonged TV viewing is associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and premature death.

"The message is simple. Cutting back on TV watching can significantly reduce risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and premature mortality," said senior author Frank Hu, professor of nutrition and epidemiology at HSPH.

"We should not only promote increasing physical activity levels but also reduce sedentary behaviour, especially prolonged TV watching," he added.

Hu and first author Anders Grontved, a doctoral student and visiting researcher in the HSPH Department of Nutrition, conducted a meta-analysis, a systematic assessment of all published studies from 1970 to 2011 that linked TV viewing with increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and premature death.

Eight large prospective cohort studies from the United States, Europe, and Australia met the researchers'' criteria and were included in the meta-analysis.

The results showed that more than two hours of TV viewing per day increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and more than three hours of daily viewing increased risk of premature death.

"Sedentary lifestyle, especially prolonged TV watching, is clearly an important and modifiable risk factor for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease," Grontved added.

The study has been published in the Journal of the American Medical Association .

Things teen won't tell their parents

A study into today's tweens and teens has revealed that they will not talk to their parents about their innermost fears and turmoil. Social researcher Neer Korn said tweens, aged from about 9 to 12, and teens avoid telling their parents the truth about what's happening at school or online because they often fear their reaction.

Korn, whose company The Korn Group released the study ''The Truth About Teens And Tweens'', said parents need to reassess how they talk to their children if they want them to be more open. Michelle Mitchell, author of ''What Teenage Girls Don't Tell Their Parents'', agrees.

"They think their parents will panic and embarrass them by becoming too involved. Instead of deciding what they think should be done, parents need to ask their children 'what do you want me to do?'" the Daily Telegraph quoted her as saying. But if your daughter rolls her eyes whenever you ask her a question or your son simply grunts, here is what might really be going on in your tween or teen's life.

Mitchell and Korn agree that bullying is a bigger part of everyday life for tweens and teens than parents realise. "It happens in the playground and it happens online, it happens every day. It might be low-level like ignoring certain friends or making nasty comments but it can still be hurtful and damaging," Mitchell said.

Korn says tweens have changeable crushes while teens have relationships, which may or may not become sexual. Teenagers don't want to talk to their parents about the details of what goes on in their relationships.

A recent report found 44.2 per cent of 13-year-olds and 84.7 per cent of 17-year-olds had consumed alcohol in the past year. And 8.4 per cent of 13-year-olds and 31.4 per cent of 17-year-olds had smoked.
The Korn Group said drinking alcohol is almost expected at many teenage parties and marijuana is 'easy' to get.

Mitchell says parents need to arm themselves with knowledge about what their teenagers are doing online, to protect them from bullying and also predators. They might say they hate you but that doesn't change the fact tweens and teens enjoy time with their families. Keeping up with who are your teenage daughter's 'best friends' can be almost a full-time job.

"Having friends means being accepted, so teenagers will put up with a lot before leaving a group of friends. That can be difficult for parents," Mitchell said.

Veg diet can help keep toxins away

Sticking to vegetables for five days a week can significantly reduce the body's amount of antibiotics and phthalates - a common chemical added to plastics - says a new research.

To come up with the conclusion, researchers in Korea quizzed participants to stay at a Buddhist temple for five days, during which time they ate a vegetarian diet.

The researchers analyzed urine samples before and after the stay, and found that levels of the chemicals dropped dramatically by the end of the experiment, reports Discovery News.

The boffins also measured the participants' diets before the study and found that what they ate 48 hours prior to the study was related to the amount of the chemicals found in their urine.

"A significant correlation was found between food consumption and the urinary levels of several antibiotics and phthalates," they said. "Although the exposure to target compounds might be influenced by other behavioral patterns, these results suggest that even short-term changes in dietary behavior may significantly decrease inadvertent exposure to antibiotics and phthalates and hence may reduce oxidative stress levels."