Fitness at the Office: Standing Push Up

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Relationship Therapy You Can Do on Your Own

While most relationships have their share of ups and downs, very few couples are willing or able to invest the time and/or money that traditional relationship therapy would cost.

This doesn't mean that they're more or less committed to the success of their relationship than other couples - only that they have different limits as to what they find an acceptable intrusion into their private lives (particularly when it comes to a third party such as a therapist).

The good news for those that find themselves in this particular situation - or even when one partner simply isn't willing to go into therapy - is that there are things you can do that can lead to self healing and repairing a relationship that may be damaged.

You can do this as one partner or as a couple, although it's much more effective when both people participate.   We've become a society of do-it-yourselfers, so it only makes sense that we're bringing this idea into the more personal aspects of our lives rather than the simple home improvement projects.

Positive thinking is a great place to start. Whenever the roads of romance become a little too rocky for comfortable travel, it's time to take a step back and remind each other why you fell in love in the first place.

Make a list, write a letter, write a poem, or take a few minutes to hold each other and dance. Remind each other of the wonderful person you are when unencumbered with the worries of the world, children, finances, and the world outside the circle of your arms.

There are many different styles of self-therapy that you can use. You may want to check out some books on the various styles and read them together for advice, guidance, and perhaps a little insight as to where your specific problems may lie and the best path to take in the future.

One highly recommended style of relationship therapy is known as the Imago, which is Latin for 'match' style. You can find many books on this topic either online or at your local library. The important thing is that you take as many steps as possible together.

Role-playing is another great way to obtain valuable insight as to how you perceive your partner as well as how he or she sees you. You may learn a lot about how the English language is woefully inadequate at conveying precise messages.   You may intend to say one thing and your partner may hear something else entirely. It's important to learn how to communicate with one another positively and accurately. Working together through self-therapy and role-playing can help you achieve that.

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Single, Sexy and Over 50: Meet the New Face of Online Dating

If you’re over 50 and find yourself single and frustrated with a lack of available mates, you’re not alone.  According to U.S. Census data, almost 30 percent of the 78 million baby boomers are single.

And, if you’re like most of them, you probably struggle with the process of meeting other singles who share your interests. This can be a huge loss for everyone involved, says life coach Barbara Singer, because women in particular are just gearing up for life in their 50s.

“They put their lives on hold to raise children, run households, develop careers, and contribute to community. Now, it’s our time to rediscover our dreams and talents that have been long forgotten.”

Among those dreams and talents are taking on new artistic or physical challenges they'd always wanted to try out, traveling to places they've long wanted to visit, and having wonderful, active sex lives. Indeed, a New England Journal of Medicine study found that 73 percent of people age 57 to 64 were sexually active. 

"As boomers are getting older, they are less likely to accept that they are supposed to be sexless," said Dr. Janice Epp of the Institute of Advanced Study of Human Sexuality. "A lot of research is finding people are saying, ‘Nuh uh!'"

They're also enjoying it. Some experts state that adults 50 and older are having such a great time because they now know what they want sexually and aren’t afraid to go after it. Done with the games of their younger years, they are interested in finding someone compatible with all their current interests —which can include having an active sex life.

Perhaps not surprisingly, online dating services are one of the fastest growing ways mature individuals meet like-minded people, and the most successful of these sites is OurTime.

OurTime is thriving because it gives singles the opportunity to express themselves and find potential online matches for free. New members can create a fast, fun online profile and immediately start looking around at other singles. They can also increase their chances for a better coupling by completing their profile, adding photos and selecting preferences for the type of person they’re searching for.

And, because research has shown that people are generally honest about themselves online, these profiles are great ways to find amazing matches. The company also looks out for your best interests, placing emphasis on member privacy and integrity.

OurTime subscribers can view all the photos of singles you are interested in, send unlimited emails, and even see who's been viewing your profile and shown an interest in you. You have more choices, more ways to connect, and more chances to find someone special.

As the cliché goes, you may not be getting any younger, but you're not dead yet. If you’re ready to really take control of your social life and start enjoying your free time, OurTime could be your ticket to ride.

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How to Meet the Right Person Online

Today, meeting a romantic partner through an online service is commonplace.  In fact, a recent survey showed that 1 in 5 couples that have married in the last three years met each other through an online dating site.  What is even more amazing is that twice as many married couples met online than in bars, at clubs, or at other social events – combined.

The reason is simple – it works. 

Today, online dating has become a huge, highly developed industry.  If you haven't tried it recently, you might be in for quite a surprise at how sophisticated and effective certain online dating services have now become.

And one company in particular, Match.com has grown to become the pre-eminant online dating service.

So, why are so many intelligent, successful singles meeting other great singles online today?

Firstly, online dating lets you get to know the basics about someone before deciding if you want to invest any time in them.  And, studies have proven that communicating online before meeting someone face-to-face significantly reduces the stress involved in your first meeting, leading to more great first dates.

The online dating process also lets people spot potential red flags before they set up a date.  It sure beats getting involved with someone and then discovering something that’s a real deal-breaker for you.

And, contrary to what some may think, research has also shown that people are generally honest about themselves online.  Most people know they will have to expose themselves at some point, so they choose to be honest, rather than disingenuous, when creating their online profiles.

Industry leader Match.com, which was launched in 1995, specializes in creating romantic opportunities so that singles are more likely to find someone special. Over the years, they’ve continued to refine their tools in order to take the lottery out of love.

One of the reasons the service is so successful is because they give singles the opportunity to express themselves and find potential online matches for free.  They allow new members to set up a profile that can include up to 26 photos, as well as selected preferences regarding the person they’re searching for.  

Then, tell Match.com a little about yourself and what you're looking for in a partner and relationship.  With the click of a mouse, you instantly get to see photos and read about potential matches in your area; all free and incredibly easy.

When you subscribe, you become entitled to view all the photos of singles you are interested in, send unlimited emails, and even see who's been viewing your profile and shown an interest in you. You have more choices, more ways to connect, and more chances to find your love match.

Match.com puts a lot of emphasis on member privacy and integrity. All communication between members on Match.com happens through an “anonymous” email network. The names and contact information of all members are kept confidential until the member personally decides to share the information with a potential match. And, every profile and photo is screened by the site before it’s posted online.

Who can you meet on Match.com? People just like you, in your local area.  But, also much more!  Match.com members form a diverse, global community of singles who share common goals—to meet other singles, find dates, form romantic relationships, and meet life partners.

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How "Real Housewives" Star Jill Zarin Looks So Young

When we’re young, the main concern regarding our skin tends to be hiding pimples and experimenting with makeup. Teenagers roll their eyes at anti-aging concerns such as wrinkles and crow’s feet. After all, that’s years away... or is it?

According to dermatologists, the fight against the signs of aging should actually start as early as our 20s. This is when we need to get serious about skin care, becoming vigilant about sunscreen, proper hydration, and looking to slow down the skin’s aging process.

In fact, our skin and the way it ages differ markedly as we grow older.

When it comes to treating skin for multiple issues—acne, fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin tone, etc.— there are multiple factors to consider, including different levels of hydration, exfoliation, and supporting collagen and elastin production. And the severity of these issues depends on your age.

That was the conclusion reached by an MIT scientist in Cambridge, MA who wanted to prove cosmetic creams could compete with plastic surgery in the war on aging. She developed unique topical solutions for each decade when a woman's skin goes through the most important changes—her 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s.

Over an eight week consumer study consisting of 80 women between those ages, researchers reviewed the effect these different creams had on their skin. At every two week interval, each woman’s face was photographed for evidence of changes in her skin from when she first started using her age-based cream. 

Seventy percent of women noticed an increase in their skin’s hydration in those first two weeks alone. At the end of the study, nearly 100 percent of the women were reporting significantly positive results from their age-based cream.

The scientist then used the results of the study to create a skin care line called Stages of Beauty. It consists of four creams formulated to treat the unique issues of your skin’s age, based on the most skin prominent decade.

For women in their 20s there’s the Radiance cream;  lightweight and infused with an anti-aging complex that works to prevent the fine lines and wrinkles we develop in our 30s. It also contains other soothing ingredients to calm skin from breakouts and damage from the sun.

For women in their 30s there’s the Harmony cream; delivering a deeper level of hydration for the years when the moisture barrier begins to deplete. The Harmony cream stimulates the production of collagen and elastin to create a tightening effect of the skin. This pushes younger skin cells forward for glowing skin and helps prevent the skin drooping that starts to occur in our 40s.

For women in their 40s there’s the Elegance cream; an intensely hydrating cream, it stimulates the production of collagen and elastin to prevent fine lines and wrinkles. It also begins the process of cell repair and goes into DNA protection mode.

For women in their 50s there’s the Grace cream; an ultra-hydrating cream for the age when hormones shift into overdrive and a rapid deterioration of the moisture barrier occurs. The Grace cream works to balance the effects of hormones on the skin, stimulates the production of collagen and elastin to create a tightening effect, and helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Every cream is formulated with a mix of proven anti-aging ingredients: Resveratrol, Apple stem cell botanical extract, Sea botanicals and Amino acids, Peptide triple blend, Prickly pear extract, Tetra peptide 17, Sodium hyaluronate, Amino acid complex, Hyaluronic acid, Acetyl tetrapeptide-2, and Seaweed extract.

But, do the creams really work? According to numerous women, including Jill Zarin from the hit series The Real Housewives of New York, the answer is "Yes!"

"I’m always on the lookout for products that make me look and feel my best, but it isn’t always easy," Zarin states. "Stages of Beauty is the one anti-aging cream that has really made a difference for me. I look in the mirror every day and I’m amazed. It’s like nothing I’ve used before."

If you’re tired of constantly changing product as your skin ages, or wondering whether you're using the very best skincare available, there’s never been a better time to try your personal Stages of Beauty skin cream. That’s because they’re currently offering a free 14-day trial of each cream so you can see the changes for yourself.

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How to Prevent Unhealthy Snacking from Destroying Your Diet

One of the hardest things in life is sticking to a healthy diet.  Experts recommend you plan your meals in advance, so you aren’t tempted when faced with less-than-healthy alternatives. But, let’s face it—planning every meal can be really hard. And, for a lot of us, snacking is our downfall.

The average American eats almost 25 percent of their daily calories from snacking alone, and snacking is the leading cause of childhood obesity.

So, there are two options available: Stop snacking (hard) or snack healthier (simple).

But, for a many of us, differentiating what’s “healthy” and how much to consume are two different things. After all, many nuts are considered heart healthy. But, if you don’t keep the portions in check it can seriously derail your diet.  It’s easy to consume double or triple the serving size amount without knowing any better.

If you’re struggling to keep you and your family’s snaking under control and healthy, you may be interested in the new online subscription store called NatureBox.com.  They have an innovative new service that focuses exclusively on healthy snacks, delivered right to your front door on a monthly basis. 

Here’s how it works:

After you sign up on their website and provide some information about your taste preferences and any special health needs, the company ships you a box every month containing a delicious selection of healthy snack foods. A box includes 12-15 servings across 4 to 5 different NatureBox snacks—enough to last you and your family for a month.

Each box costs just under $20 and shipping is always free.  NatureBox is meant to fit your lifestyle by providing you with snacks you’ll enjoy and look forward to eating. You can easily customize what you want to receive based on the snacks you love most, and a typical box might contain:

• Wild Blueberry Flax granola, Heart Healthy Trail Mix, Dried Apricots, and Tamari Almonds.
• Banana Chips, Raw Fruits and Nuts, Dried Cranberries, and Cherry, Cranberry, Almond & Pecan Granola.
• Tart Cherry Vanilla Granola, Organic Berries, Honey Cinnamon Almonds, and All-Natural Yogurt Pretzels.

Every item from NatureBox is nutritionist-approved and derived from the most wholesome ingredients and seasonal options. They’re also pre-portioned for you, so you can enjoy your snacks guilt-free and without confusion. For those watching their calories and sodium content, nutrition labels are included on the boxes for your convenience.

If you go on vacation or need to skip a month, just let NatureBox know. They can pause your shipment or you can have it sent to a friend or family member instead. Satisfaction is 100 percent guaranteed. If you’re not happy with what you’ve been sent, let them know and you’ll be issued a full refund. You can also cancel the subscription at any time.

NatureBox takes the guesswork out of snacks—what’s healthy, what’s the correct serving size—making it a lot easier to stay healthy and slim!

They also make great gifts for college students going off to school, new parents, or anyone trying to live a health-conscious life. And now, NatureBox is offering HowLifeWorks readers an immediate 25% off their first order.  Just enter the code “livehealthy” when you join.

Click here to sign up for your risk-free subscription.

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