Manticore

If the initial scare of your body's reactions made you realize that smoking's detrimental effects can pose a serious threat on your health, you've got a very good motive for quitting. You feel helpless, though, because you don't know how to go about it. Some people find that by substituting a piece of hard candy for their cigarette, they're able to divert their attention from the craving. Bear in mind that smoking is habit forming, and in order to break this habit, you'll have to observe your own pattern of behavior that triggers the desire to smoke. Do you smoke when you're anxious, bored, or trying to concentrate on some mental activity? Do you smoke when you have coffee, before and after meals, or when you go out with friends? Find a suitable substitute for your craving and use it when you feel the need to smoke. It also helps if you enlist the support of your friends and family. They could keep you from going off-track when you're giving in to temptation. Another way is to become more active in a sport. You'll feel good about your improved health and looks, gain new friends, while simultaneously reinforcing your desire to kick the habit.

To quit smoking is no simple task, especially for heavy smokers. If you're one of them, then you'll have to take it slowly. Don't try to quit cold turkey; that's only setting yourself up for disappointment. Instead, gradually reduce your consumption over a long period of time. You'll begin to notice your craving for a whole pack dwindling to a couple of sticks; and before you know it, you're down to one. Reward yourself for your progress to help you stay motivated. When you look at your goal as a series of small steps, the seemingly insurmountable task of quitting smoking becomes doable.

I've tried quite a few diets myself, and I've found that you could lose so much weight in a relatively short period by limiting foods that are high in sugar and starches---carbohydrates, specifically those with a high glycemic index (fast rate of absorption into the bloodstream). Initially, you could expect as much as 5 to 7 lbs. in 4 days. This, however, is largely water weight. If you continue the diet, you could lose approximately a pound per week. In two months, you lose up to 15 or even 20 lbs., and that's not with any exercise, whatsoever. If you get active, you can expect twice as much weight loss. While this is a good way to get quick results, it can be highly restrictive on those who aren't used to avoiding breads, pasta and rice. If you're one of them, then you can probably switch to the wholewheat or wholegrain variety of your favorite foods. Sweets, softdrinks and liquor are definitely out if you wish to go on this type of diet.

Another way to go about it is to eat only when you're hungry. By paying close attention to your body's cues for hunger and satiety, your tendency to overeat could be curbed. This way, you're providing your body with nourishment once you've already used up your own stores of sugar. How much you eat will depend on whether you're still hungry, so you're encouraged to eat slowly. Don't eat until you're full, however; that would mean you've already had too much. Observe whether eating half as much food as before would stop your hunger pangs, then adjust your intake accordingly. This method yields good results over the long term.

There are a number of reasons why people become overweight. Genetics, lifestyle, and even emotions can play a significant role. Of these, only genetics require extensive medical intervention. If you have an eating disorder, you will need to seek professional help, as well. You have to ask yourself whether you eat based on your cravings, mood, or habit in order to rule these out. When you see food as nothing more than a source of nourishment for your body, you take away its power to seduce you.

I had a girlfriend of four years; of which, only one year was spent together. On her first year after leaving for the States to practice nursing, she mentioned a colleague who was being nice to her. They have already become friends, by virtue of the barkada of Filipinos at the nursing home where they worked. I can completely understand her need to form new friendships, especially because she had no friends or family to turn to in the States at the time. I explained that it's natural for guys over there to try their luck in courting her, knowing that I, the boyfriend, didn't have the power to prevent it. This was kind of an acid test for our relationship, because I had no means of visiting her yet. I told her that if the loneliness was too great for her to bear, that she should at least end our relationship before entertaining another guy. The result? She chose to discourage him, though it was difficult because of the peer pressure and incessant teasing she had to deal with. Give your girl the chance to earn your trust. If she fails, then at least it didn't happen when you're already married to her.