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photo credit: moonsheep

Pregnancy and childbirth are wonderful events that leave a lasting impression in the life the mother and father. And the mother often has an extra gift after the birth of her child. The changes in her body that were so welcome as the baby was growing and developing have now left changes to hips, feet, breasts and belly that can take up to one year return to pre-pregnancy status.

And even at one year there is the chance that the pelvis will continue to be just a bit wider, feet just a bit wider and breasts just a bit larger. But the physical change that most women struggle with is their belly after child birth.

It took nine months to stretch the skin, muscle and connective tissue so that baby could grow to 5-7 pounds in weight, plus a 2 pound placenta and the extra fat and blood needed to supply nutrients to the infant.

Now mom is faced with a belly that jiggles and moves all on its own! But relax – the stomach you see immediately after childbirth isn’t the belly that you’ll be enjoying in just a few short months.

In fact it will only be a week or two and you’ll notice a large change. Although not the belly you had pre-pregnancy it will start to regain some tone and the jiggle and wiggle will be decreasing gradually.

Many women never regain the tight abs they had before getting pregnant, especially if a first pregnancy happens in the 30’s or if you are contemplating your navel after your third or fourth birth. But with time, patience and a bit of work you can achieve and enjoy a belly after child birth that anyone would be proud to show off.

And the work is simple, doesn’t require lots of heart pounding sweating miles running on the roads or even lifting Olympian type weights at the gym. Rather you can achieve a pre-pregnancy belly using simple equipment at home in just minutes each day. And those minutes will also help you to achieve a healthier lifestyle and have more energy to deal with your new infant each day.

After your six week appointment with your obstetrician they will probably release you to do light exercise and workouts. Ask when you’ll be able to exercise your abdominal muscles.

Your best option, at least when your baby is young, is to use an exercise ball or Swiss ball, at home. These are the large blow up balls that are available in department stores. An exercise ball that fits you appropriately should let you place your feet on the ground with your knees at 90 degrees or less. You can use the ball to help improve your core abdominal strength just by bouncing and moving around on the ball.

Another option to use, (that can be done throughout the day), are both abdominal muscle tightening and/or kegel exercises. While sitting in the car, rocking the baby or watching television you can employ both of these options to improve the muscle tone in the stomach.

While these exercises will help to tone the belly and improve the strength of the muscles they won’t help to decrease the fat over the belly. Spot toning will happen but spot weight loss will not. To get those great new abs visible you’ll also have to lose some of the extra weight from the pregnancy.

Tags: belly, pregnancy and childbirth, pregnancy belly



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photo credit: bardamu_13 [a châtié les dieux grecs]

Laser tattoo removal is becoming more prevalent as many young adults turn to tattoos as a way to express themselves. They find they want to tattoo memorable events, characters or forms that are eye catching and designed to appease them. Often the decision is influenced by a pop idol or celebrity who has a tattoo which appears ‘cool’.

The most common question this person will hear is “Why did you do that to yourself?” The reason most people ask that question is because many older adults go through the painful process of laser tattoo removal to rid themselves of a tattoo that at one time seemed important.

The process of tattooing the skin is not necessarily done by a licensed tattoo studio or parlor. Many tattoo’s that later undergo laser tattoo removal are homemade tattoos done in someone’s home. These primitive and low quality tattoos are often the most difficult to remove due to the application under which they are applied.

A homemade tattoo machine is similar to the professional one used in the studio. It is the tattoo artist that is different. One person has training and chances are the other does not. The untrained operator often goes too deep into the dermis (skin) of the person. The laser tattoo removal then becomes very expensive.

Laser tattoo removal is the application process of a specialized laser to the skin surface. The laser burns the layers of skin and after a few applications, depending on the depth of the ink, the tattoo is removed. The actual procedure is a beam of light directed at the pigments of the tattoo. After breaking apart the body’s immune system does the actual removing.

Black dyes are the easiest to remove because they absorb all wavelengths. Colors such as green, red and yellow must have selective wavelength used that are specific to their spectrum.

The actual laser tattoo removal treatment only lasts a few minutes but the effects can be felt long after. Some people compare the procedure to being splattered with hot grease. The area is reddened afterwards and is somewhat akin to being sunburned. Some individuals also develop scabs.

The best way to avoid having to undergo laser tattoo removal is to be certain about getting the tattoo in the first place. There are some circumstances where the person feels forced into being tattooed such as with gangs. There are many organizations and doctors volunteering time and money to help youths remove these signs of gang membership and help them gain a new lease on life away from crime.

Tags: laser tattoo removal, tattoo artist



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photo credit: © Natalia Balcerska Photograph

Domestic violence is an age old problem that is only now beginning to be addressed in western cultures. Unfortunately women in other countries are not so fortunate. In some countries women still live in fear that a step out of line could result in serious injury or even death.

This article can really only help women in western cultures where legislation has been put in place to try and minimise risk in a domestic situation. If a woman can learn the warning signs of future domestic violence then perhaps she can avoid a relationship or even get out of a relationship she may already be involved in before it becomes violent.

Unfortunately abusive behaviour no matter how many promises are made, is not usually corrected without professional help, and that person concerned must be willing to take on board the counselling. So just be aware that the usual promise of ‘I’m sorry, I won’t do it again’ doesn’t hold water, and it won’t be long until a similar incident takes place again. Knowing what to look out for will help you avoid possible injury and could even be lifesaving.

One of the first warning signs of a person tending towards being a domestic violence offender, is that they have a quick temper and when upset punch walls or throw things about the room usually with no regard to their value or the destruction of sentimental property. An emotional upset is demonstrated physically.

Anyone who is habitually cruel to animals especially cats and dogs, is in a high risk class for domestic violence, as is a person who is a substance abuser, i.e. habitually abuses alcohol or drugs.

Another warning sign is someone who likes always to be in control and bosses their spouse. It has to be their way, or the highway. If your partner is continually checking up on you and displays a lack of trust for no good reason, then watch out. If you are not allowed to have friends, or your friends are chosen for you, you are at high risk.

For example, if you’re attracted to a man who always gets his own way by being the dominant person in his group of male friends and intimidates others to do things his way, (the alpha male scenario, the likeable rogue), then sooner or later when he doesn’t get his way with you, you will get the same treatment. Most women think they will be able to change their man, but most find this to be a delusion.

It may work for a while at the beginning of the relationship, but it won’t last long. Old habits soon reassert themselves and you’ve got a problem.

Another warning sign is a personality that in one instance may react with extreme kindness and generosity, but can swing just as quickly at a moments notice to cruelty and anger. To use a layman’s terms, (the all sugar or all shit personality).

Another warning sign in a man is someone who has a strong idea about family rules that must be adhered to. This is the person who will drive off on you if you are not in the car when he says to be, or is always talking about getting even with someone for the slightest perceived offence.

Before getting involved in a relationship it is worth looking at your proposed partner’s domestic background. If your partner, especially a man, comes from a family where there are obvious signs of continual domestic violence, research has shown that people who observe this kind of behaviour usually turn to the same type of behaviour when they are angry.

As I mentioned before, these types of behaviour can be treated, or unlearned. However please don’t think you can do this alone. This type of change can only be tackled professionally and usually involves psychological counseling with the consent of the offender. Unless you’re absolutely prepared to go down this road, the advice is to walk away before you become too involved.

If it’s too late and you’re already involved and find yourself with this problem, please nip it early in the bud, and seek help. Speak to your doctor or use a confidential helpline. Don’t suffer in silence.

Tags: quick temper, abusive behaviour, domestic violence, warning signs , relationships



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