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10 Natural Ways to Lose Weight Without Diets or Exercise
Want to lose weight but can’t be bothered to lift a dumbbell? Clean eating makes you cringe? Here are 10 ways you can naturally lose weight without diet or exercise! You can thank us when you are a few kilos lighter!
Sticking to diets and have exercise routines can be hard to maintain. But staying slim is still always on a woman’s mind, whether for appearance or for health. Natural ways to lose weight exist, and they are not very difficult to implement and adopt for a life time.
Lets look at 10 ways to lose weight without diet or exercise so that you can get to you best possible body naturally. All of them have a scientific base!
1. Use Smaller Plates, Especially While Eating Unhealthy Food
The average plate size has actually increased over the years, unfortunately. Using a smaller plate gives the illusion that the portion size is bigger, tricking your brain into thinking you are eating more than enough.
2. Chew Slow And Well
Giving your brain the time to process the food you’re eating helps in feeling full with a lesser quantity of food.
Faster eaters tend to put on more weight merely by that same principle. To train yourself to eat slower, count the times you chew before you swallow your food.
3. Keep Junk Food Where You Can’t See It
Out of sight is out of mind with unhealthy food. Seeing unhealthy foods may spark a craving and lead to binge-eating. Instead keep healthier foods like fruit on counter tops so that you reach for those when you are hungry instead.
4. Eat More Protein
Protein can make you feel full, curb hunger and in turn help you consume lesser calories. This is because protein affects the hormones that have a role to play in hunger and feeling full. A study done on the subject found that increasing your protein intake from 15% to 30% a day helps you eat around 400 fewer calories per day. It can also help you lose weight if continued for at least 12 weeks without you having to be on a “diet”. Some great protein-rich foods include eggs, lentils, chicken, fish, Greek Yogurt, and almonds.
5. Load Up On Fibre
Fibre-rich foods make you feel full, and help you stay satiated longer. Fiber forms a gel when in contact with water, which helps stools forms better and promote a healthy bowel movement. Fiber helps in weight loss. Oats, cereals, beans, sprouts, oranges and flax seeds are great foods to consume to up your fibre intake.
6. You Already Know This One...Drink Water
If you drink about half a liter of water before a meal, it reduces hunger and helps you consume lesser calories.
7. Turn Off Those Gadgets At Mealtimes
Watching T.V or playing video games while eating might cause you to over eat. It is better to pay attention to what you are eating and how much to avoid gaining extra weight. One small habit can save you many unwanted kilos that may pile on.
8. Sleep Well
Sleep is often that one thing we negotiate with. We’re not sure when it became okay to trade in a few hours of sleep for some more gadget time. Lack of sleep disrupts your entire body functions by disrupting the hormones that regulate appetite like leptin and ghrelin. This can increase cravings and erratic hunger patterns, which lead to weight gain and water retention too.
9. Stress Less
Stress increases the chances of Type 2 Diabetes and obesity. Spend everyday deep breathing and try not to stress out over things you have no control over.
10. Serve Junk Food On Red Plates
Why? Because as humans the colour red is associated with stopping or alarm or danger. Your brain is so accustomed to red being a big, fat “No”, it can also restrict you from grabbing those extra fries if served on a red plate!
What’s The Final Call?
The habits mentioned above are all lifestyle habits and will show results only if they are kept diligently. If you want to know what works for you best, try out one or a few doable ones and watch the kilos shed. In fact, once you begin to feel healthier and lighter, you’ll have more motivation to try out the rest! To help accelerate the healthy lifestyle, it is important that you stock up on healthy food.
List of Foods You Should Keep At Home
Apart from having fresh fruit and veggies at home here are some healthy snacks you can keep around your house to snack on.
Sprouts make for a great snack. You can add some lime juice for some tanginess.
Nut Butters are delicious and goes well with fruit, toast, in smoothies and oatmeal. They are loaded with good fat as well.
Greek yogurt is full of protein and thick and creamy enough to make a great snack post dinner or in-between meals.
Eggs are always good to keep at home since they are so quick and easy to make, versatile and full of protein.
Popcorn is a quick snack which is low in calories. Makahana (lotus seeds puffed) are a good alternative to popcorn as well.
Nuts and seeds are also great in-between meal snacks to keep at hand. They can be sprinkled over your morning oats or just had whenever you are hungry.
Keep in mind that while good diet and exercise are definitely recommended, these habits will ensure you are doing everything you can to live longer, healthier and to your body’s full potential even when you aren’t able to work out or eat clean. Read more
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23 Side-Effects of Birth Control Pills
Oral contraceptive pills or birth control pills are tablets taken by women orally to prevent unplanned pregnancy. Birth control pills work by preventing ovulation. All forms of oral contraceptives contain synthetic variations of the hormones oestrogen, progesterone, or both. When used correctly, pills are 99% effective in preventing pregnancy. However, they do have several long and short-term side effects that women may experience.
Why do Birth Control/Contraceptive Pills Cause Side Effects?
Birth control pills contain the hormones oestrogen or progesterone. The pills have to be taken at the same time every day for an entire month to be effective. This causes an increase in the body’s oestrogen and progesterone levels. When hormone levels in the body are raised unnaturally for a prolonged duration of time, it causes unpleasant side effects.
Short-Term Side-Effects you may Experience when on Birth Control Pills
Here are the various short-term side effects women may experience while on birth control pills.
Nausea: This is the most common side effect of birth control pills. Women usually feel nauseous for up to 3 months after they start taking the pill. Nausea can worsen if the pills are taken on an empty stomach. Hence, it is better to take the pill along with food. Nausea usually subsides on its own after 3 months.
Tenderness in Breasts: This is a side effect that may persist for a while. The breasts swell and become tender and very sore. You can reduce the soreness in the breasts by wearing soft bras and by reducing the amount of salt and caffeine that you consume.
Mood Swings: Studies have found that hormonal birth control can affect the thickness of certain areas of the brain, especially the parts responsible for emotions and reward response. This could result in mood swings and even depression.
Migraines: Many women reported experiencing mild to severe migraines as soon as they started taking the pill. The intensity of the headaches differed based on the ratio of hormones the pills contained. These headaches usually subside once the body starts getting used to the pills.
Weight Gain: Weight gain is another common side effect of birth control pills. This is caused by fluid retention in areas of the body like the hips and breasts. Increased oestrogen levels in the body can also modify the size and dispersal of fat cells in the body.
Decreased Libido: Lowered sex drive is another side effect of the pill. It may be due to the effect of other symptoms like breast soreness or headaches. It may also be caused by decreased lubrication and dryness in the vagina that can make intercourse uncomfortable or even painful. If you experience pelvic pain after intercourse while on the pill, talk to your doctor for advice on how to treat it.
Fluid Retention: Birth control pills cause the body to retain excess fluid in areas like the hips, ankles, and breasts. The pills also affect the intestinal bacteria that are naturally present in our gut. If there is an increase in the bacteria, there is an overproduction of gas which leads to bloating.
Skin Problems: The hormonal changes in the body caused by the oral contraceptive pills can result in skin problems such as acne, pigmentation and dryness.
Vaginal Irritation: Changes in hormonal levels due to the pill can cause decreased lubrication in the vagina. This causes dryness, itching and discomfort in the vaginal area.
Blood Clots: This is an uncommon, yet serious side effect of birth control pills. Women who are over 35, smoke or are overweight are at higher risk of developing blood clots while on the pill. Symptoms of blood clots in the heart or lungs include chest pain and breathing problems. Pain or swelling in the legs could indicate blood clots in the legs.
Skin Irritation and Redness: The pills can also cause skin irritation, redness and swelling in some women.
Changes in Vaginal Discharge: Some women may experience increased vaginal discharge while on the pill, while others may experience dryness. If you notice that the discharge has an offensive smell, contact your doctor to rule out infections.
Spotting: Most women experience vaginal bleeding or spotting between menstrual periods in the first 3 months after they start taking the pill. This should subside within a few months on its own. If spotting persists, contact your doctor.
Missed Periods: Yet another side effect of the pill is missed periods. Chances of skipping a menstrual period are higher if you are stressed, sick or have thyroid problems while on the pill.
Vision Problems: Hormonal changes from taking the pill can cause dry-eye, which affects vision. Fluid retention and swelling can also cause changes in the shape of your cornea, affecting vision. This especially affects women who wear contact lenses, as the lenses may feel uncomfortable due to the swelling.
Most Common Long-Term Side Effects of Birth Control Pills
These are the different long-term side effects of birth control pills:
Cardiovascular Issues: The combination pills containing both oestrogen and progestin can cause cardiovascular problems, such as increased risk of blood clots, heart attack and stroke. Women with a family history of heart disease or high blood pressure should talk to their doctor about alternatives to the pill.
Diabetes: A few studies have shown that some non-diabetic women developed diabetes after prolonged use of oral contraception. This is because high levels of hormones from the pills can have a pronounced effect on blood sugar in the body. This it becomes difficult for the body to control high blood sugar levels, leading to diabetes.
Cancer Risk: Prolonged use of birth control pills has been linked to an increased risk of breast and cervical cancers. They have also been linked to a higher risk of developing benign tumours in the liver and liver cancer.
Deep Vein Thrombosis: Long-term use of the pill has an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT takes place in the deep veins of the lower leg and is a type of blood clot. This is dangerous as a piece of the clot can break off and travel to the heart or pulmonary arteries, causing a heart attack or pulmonary embolism.
Depletion of Nutrients: The pill cause nutrient depletion in women. As there are large amounts of hormones in the pills, the nutrients that you take in are not absorbed properly by the body. The pills also cause oxidative stress, which is the inability of the body to efficiently expel waste. This can lead to cell damage and faster ageing. Taking vitamin E and C supplements can help reduce this side effect.
Pituitary Gland Problems: Prolonged use of oral contraception has been linked to pituitary gland problems. The pituitary gland is an important hormone-producing gland in the brain. The size of the pituitary gland decreases with long-term use of the pill.
Gallstones: Women who have gallstones find that oral contraception rapidly increases the size of their gallstones.
Yeast Infections: The oestrogen in the pills can cause a reduction of bacteria that are naturally present in our body. This can cause overgrowth of yeast, resulting in a yeast infection in the vaginal area. Symptoms include itchiness, smelly cottage cheese-like discharge, and pain. Contact your doctor for treatment of the yeast infection.
How can you Reduce the Side Effects of Birth Control Pills?
Now that you know the relationship between birth control pills and their side effects, you can talk to your doctor and decide on the method of contraception that suits you best, based on your medical history. The types of birth control pills that are available are plenty, each containing different types and levels of hormones.
The oestrogen birth control pills side effects can be reduced by changing the dosage of oestrogen in the pill or by changing to combination pills. Whatever symptom you have, consult your doctor to find out how to treat or reduce them. Your doctor may also suggest alternative forms of birth control if you find that pills just do not work for you.
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms like abdominal pain, swelling or pain in the legs, chest pain, breathing problems, excruciating headaches or blurry vision when taking oral contraceptive pills.
Based on the information about long and short-term side effects of oral contraceptive pills, you can decide whether to use them as a means of birth control. Your doctor can help you determine whether the pill is suitable for you based on your medical history.
Also Read:
Can You get Pregnant on Birth Control?
Is It Normal to Have Brown Discharge while on Birth Control Pills? Read more
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This or That, Who Decides What is Right for Your Baby?
Breastfeed or formula, new clothes or used, home school or preschool, cerelax or organic food, diapers or potty train!!
I am pretty much sure every single mother goes through these questions and even many more such, and at some point has lowered her self esteem thinking she is a bad mom. Well, I have!!
But, there is no such thing as right or wrong. Who decides what is right or wrong? The articles we read, or a word we heard from another person? Did your doctor ever say if your breast milk is not enough do not give formula and starve the baby? Does a surrogate baby not have formula or lets say a new baby who lost his mom; should he starve? Or will you never give any processed food to your baby? Will he never eat a biscuit? If a working mom makes her life easy and gives her baby cerelac she is not a bad mom!! I recently read a lot of debate about not giving colic drops or medicines or gripe water, and honestly no one gives it for fun, and not that you are putting your baby on a lifetime medication, its a phase where your baby is growing and a lot of development is happening, it take a while to adjust and may be in pain while another might not!
There has been no mother, who would do wrong to her baby, not a first timer not a mother of four not even a mother of a 30year old. So, do what is right, follow your baby; every baby is different and ao is every mother. I especially choose to write on this topic because as I read many blogs I feel insecure and guilty at times ( just for a minute) that oh I gave formula, oh I gave cerelac, oh no my baby is still not potty trained, but when I look back I do realise that if I hadn’t given formula my baby would have been hungry! I often worry that my baby is still on diapers, but I don't want to pressurise him, I lose my temper often, I make mistakes but my baby doesn’t judge me, so why should I?
I am happiest when my baby is happy, he plays in the mud and gets dirty, splashes all the puddles on the pathway, draws on the wall, spills food on the floor, he even refuses to learn a lot of things, but again didn’t I do the same when I was a kid? Just because we live in a social media world where we see the brighter side of a mom life does mean I have to do the same.
So moms, you are the best mother to your child and only you know what is good. Please do not follow another mother because she has so and so followers or because she writes well!!
Disclaimer: The views, opinions and positions (including content in any form) expressed within this post are those of the author alone. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The responsibility for intellectual property rights of this content rests with the author and any liability with regards to infringement of intellectual property rights remains with him/her. Read more
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Contribution – Babyhug: A gentle hug for babies and my go to brand for all kids’ needs
Even before Kiara was born, I was worried about her necessities, clothing and accessories. I wanted to buy products for her which were stylish as well as comfortable. ⁹As a newbie parent, while I was scrolling through Firstcry, I stumbled across the brand Babyhug. Since then, Kiara and Babyhug are inseparable. She owns multiple babyhug products from clothing to shoes, from plush toys to educational toys, from sipper to slippers, from milkpowder container to playgym. But my all time favorite are her board puzzles. She has the English and hindi alphabet as well as numbers boards. They are colorful and the photos stimulate her imagination and learning. Like all other babyhug products, these are reasonably priced and durable quality. These are extremely safe with blunt edges and light weight making it comfortable to play with. These are properly sized making it easy for her to fit in the puzzles on her own. She has quickly learnt alphabets and numbers with the help of these toys. Since going to playschools is not safe due to current pandemic, these take care of her learning and also keep her engaged while we work. These are strong and I can vouch for that as they have been thrown multiple times and this a major requirement for all toys for toddlers. I know she loves these as she keeps saying, “Papa A B C D toy se khelna hai”. I trust all babyhug products blindly and would strongly recommend them to all parents. Once you buy any of their products, you will not stop at one. I have never had to return any of their products because of quality issues. Their wide range of available products will make your parenting journey much easier and help your kid through meeting all their needs with supreme style.
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What to Do When You Need a Breastfeeding Break
For many mothers, breastfeeding is far from easy. It can be painful, exhausting, uncomfortable, and emotional. If you feel like you need a break from it, that’s completely okay and normal.
There’s nothing wrong with wanting some time for yourself. You’re not alone in feeling ‘touched out.’ It’s alright if your partner or another caregiver intends to play a role in feeding your baby. It’s natural to feel frustrated that everything falls on you 24/7. You’re justified for wanting someone else to take over some night provides so you can catch up on sleep.
It’s all incredibly overwhelming, particularly in the early months, but it doesn’t mean that you have to stop breastfeeding altogether if that’s not what you want. It also doesn’t mean that you have to start offering formula unless you want to. You can have a break from breastfeeding without having to worry about your supply (or feeling any guilt) if you follow these steps:
Step 1: Wait until your milk is established:
Lactation specialists advise new moms to wait until about the 4-6 week mark before offering a bottle (or a bottle alternative, such as a cup). This way, you and the baby are settling into a good rhythm, and the best way to establish your milk supply is through frequent breastfeeds.
Step 2: Don’t leave it too long to get started
Your baby’s sucking reflex will be triggered when offered a bottle up until about 8-12 weeks, but once that reflex disappears, it gets a bit trickier for them to accept a bottle. So, ideally, you’ll introduce one between 6-8 weeks for a smoother transition.
Step 3: Choose a breast pump if you don’t have one:
Choose an electric breast pump that’s soft, comfortable, and portable if you want to pump while you’re out and about. Ask your maternal and child health nurse or lactation consultant to recommend one that best suits your needs.
Step 4: Select bottles specifically designed for breastfed babies:
To make it easier to change from breast to bottle, use a bottle that has a teat that’s as close to a nipple as possible. Usually, these teats would have several tiny openings modeled on the milk ducts, allowing for a more natural flow and familiar feeling.
Step 5: Start pumping if you haven’t yet:
People may have already advised you to express breast milk to boost your supply in the early weeks, but if you haven’t used a breast pump yet, you will need to start expressing, usually at the same time as you would normally breastfeed.
Step 6: Choose the right baby formula if that’s your preference:
If you’re unable to pump or choose not to, rest assured that you can still safely meet your baby’s nutritional needs.
Step 7: Ask someone else to offer the bottle:
Your baby is more likely to accept a bottle from someone else, and it’s even better if you’re not present. So, go for a walk around the block, or your partner could take your baby for a walk so you can rest. They might enjoy sitting in a park or cafe where they could offer a bottle.
Step 8: Ask your partner/caregiver to follow these bottle-feeding tips:
Not all babies take to a bottle straight away, so it’s essential to go slow without pressuring them. Send your partner or caregiver this list of helpful tips to encourage your breastfed baby to take a bottle, including following the baby's hunger cues, offering the bottle for fun (rather than a feed), paced feeding, and finding the right place, time, and position. Plus some helpful ideas if your baby still refuses a bottle.
Step 9: Weigh up your options and do what works for you:
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, and it doesn’t have to be all or nothing when it comes to feeding your baby. It might even vary from day to day or month to month. You might choose to breastfeed but have your partner do a bedtime or midnight bottle feed. You might decide to express if that’s a better fit for you exclusively. You might do mixed feeding every day or only part-time (when you return to work, for example). You might do it all: breastfeed, express, and offer formula. The choice is yours.
Step 10: Enjoy your breastfeeding break:
As long as you feel supported and informed about your choices to feed your baby, know that you’re doing an incredible job. Permit yourself to enjoy this time – guilt-free. Breastfeeding and pumping are hard work. Parenting is hard work! Do what works for you, your baby, and the rest of your family, but don’t feel you have to justify your parenting choices to anyone.
Disclaimer: The views, opinions and positions (including content in any form) expressed within this post are those of the author alone. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The responsibility for intellectual property rights of this content rests with the author and any liability with regards to infringement of intellectual property rights remains with him/her.
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Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
9 hours ago
Q. hi have one question
LT 10x18mm and RT 18x20mm and ET 6.5
what it mean??? and should I start intercourse
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
8 hours ago
A. since you are right follicle is 18 mm yes of course you can start with your intercourse for conception as in 1 to 2 days
their maybe rupture of the follicle by which your sperm should be present there for conception
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
8 hours ago
Q. #asktheexpert
why baby vomit
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
8 hours ago
A. for babies less than 6 months may not be a problem. small babies will be having lot of gas because of various reasons it is advisable to do burping of the baby immediately after feeding please give colimex DF drops to the baby they are safe
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 1 month
8 hours ago
Q. i am 35 weeks 3 days pregnant... my ultrasound report shows that "fl and hl are shorter compared to bpd"... is this anything to worry
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
3 hours ago
A. You should have proper consultation with your treating doctor , as some examination or investigations may be needful, so that proper medications can be given And the treatment can be done very properly.
needs proper follow-up for this
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
8 hours ago
Q. I am 9 week pregnant and I have runny nose very badly can I use cetirizine tablet?
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
3 hours ago
A. use nasal drops , that acts faster .
You should have proper consultation with your treating doctor , as some examination or investigations may be needful, so that proper medications can be given And the treatment can be done very properly.
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
7 hours ago
Q. hi,
my LT 10x18mm and RT 18x20mm and ET 6.5 , what if I intercourse after 2 days, can I do intercourse in ovulation day can become a pregent .
on ovulation day if we intercourse can become a pregent..pls advice..
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
3 hours ago
A. since the follicle size is 18 to 20 mm your ovulation may occur within 24 hours also so if you have intercourse with in that time it will be more effective to get conceived
your endometrial growth is not good enough for conception but still you can just try
Sai Prasanthi R L has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
7 hours ago
Q. Hlw dr its my 6th month pregnency can i intimate with my partner
Sai Prasanthi R L
Mom of a 10 yr 2 m old boy
6 hours ago
A. Hello dear! If your pregnancy is going on fine without any high risk factors then it’s okay. Still, would advise you to check with your doctor once before going further. Maintain a good personal hygiene routine and a healthy lifestyle
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