#and your goals may be specific for only parts of your body and that's GREAT!

[uncanny-tranny]

Hey, you're being lied to about what fitness constitutes. If you can't work in an hour-long crossfit slog, but you can work in a five-minute walk, then that is still fitness. If you can't use your legs but you can do arm circles every now and again, that is still fitness. If you're moving around at work, that's still fitness. It can be intentional or incidental, but here's the best part: your body doesn't care if you're dedicating specific work-out times. It doesn't care if the "only" fitness it gets is your nine to five on your feet. It doesn't care, fitness is fitness is fitness. Some of us do it differently, but the end result is more or less similar.

If you can do any type of fitness safely, your body isn't going to care if you're doing it like an Olympic athlete or if you're just a casual.

#fitness #gentle reminders #i hate hate hate the idea that fitness must be done Intentionally and in a Hegemonic Way #like... fitness is whatever you make of it and whatever you do #your body isn't going to be like 'well you walked for fove minutes but you didn't do shoulder presses at the gym so it doesn't count 😊' #if you want more specific forms of fitness then SURE you might want to do more specific exercises and activities #but if your goal is overall movement for however much if your body then... you don't Need to be THAT specific #and your goals may be specific for only parts of your body and that's GREAT! #a wheelchair user may for example do more arm exercises so they can use a manual chair for instance... #...and to many people i've noticed they don't think it 'counts' because the chair user isn't using 'all' of their body... #...but it's like... using your arms in non-powered chairs can be really important so like. it's still fitness. #you don't actually have to equally focus on everything if you don't want to or can't #all this to say that fitness is Not hegemonic and you don't need to feel shame about what you do or don't do #even a tiny tiny TINY amount is significant and matters <3 #this is definitely something i've gotten more passionate about since becoming a ~gym bro~ #because you see just how different people are and what they want out of fitness #and it's taught me a lot more about my own disabilities and how i work with (and even against) them to find balance #this is what i love about those fitness video games too! because they're often made to be engaging and fun! #i LOVED just dance as a kid and that was fitness merging with video games (and i loved video games (still do!)) #and i HIGHLY recommend people get video games like just dance or that one nintendo ring game because of these elements! #it combines the comfort of home with movement with engaging music/story/video game elements #and things like that make me believe in peace and love and care on planet earth <<3

[chains-of-destiny]

Few families can say that they've been blessed by the gods, and even fewer can count ancestors as illustrious and celebrated as Niemon, your great-grandfather. He was the very man who led the rebellion against a tyrannical magocracy and laid the founding stones for a free and fair republic. Your family was destined for greatness and respect, but your grandfather ruined it all… You are the heir to House Serin, and the burden of your family's legacy weighs heavily on you. However, your destiny is much greater than that of your forefathers, maybe even the great Niemon's. So, let the chronicles begin! But remember, the chains of destiny are strong and will not be easily broken. Do you have the power to defy fate?

This is the first book of Chains of Destiny, a planned trilogy where you step into the shoes of the heir to House Serin. Set in the fictional continent of Runsas, your choices will not only shape your life but also impact the lives of those around you and the future of the republic. Uncover the secrets behind your grandfather's betrayal, break free from the chains that bind you, and finally take control of your destiny.

The game is more character/story-focused and places less emphasis on stats.

[Link to the demo]

Total word count: ~162k words (as of 2024/03/22)

ROs | Forum Page  | Update Log

The intention is not to make the story as dark as possible but to establish a living, breathing world that exists within the setting it found itself in. So, you will not be swimming in a sea of blood and body parts, it is not the point of the story. Still, I feel obliged to warn any potential players before playing this game, as certain scenes contain things that may not be for everyone.

Reader Discretion Advised: This content may be disturbing or triggering for some players. Proceed with caution and consider your own emotional well-being before continuing.

[Content warning] - this game currently contains (or will contain in the future):

Strong language

Graphic scenes of violence

Graphic depictions of injuries, wounds, and corpses

Scenes of physical and emotional abuse

Blood and gore

Dark and disturbing themes

Body horror - Transformation (skippable)

Alcohol and drug use

Mentions and references to animal death

Mutilation

Physical and psychological Trauma

War crimes

Manipulation and gaslighting

Themes of authoritarianism and oppression/discrimination of certain groups of people

Themes of war and conflict

- The list may or may not expand as the development progresses.

Also, this story was created purely out of my passion for writing. It does not intend to preach or lecture anyone about any particular topic or belief.

If you feel that any part of this game is preaching or trying to convey a specific message, it is unintentional, and I sincerely apologize. The primary goal is to provide an enjoyable and fun experience for everyone.

PS: I should've already made a post like this in the beginning, but somehow I just forgot to.😄

#chains of destiny #wip #cog #choice of games #interactive fiction #choice script #interactive novel #if #if wip #dashingdon #wips

[blueskittlesart]

Question abt drawing: been trying to attempt learning how to draw forever but I always have trouble getting over the obstacle of having to learn/study things like anatomy and shading, which then causes me to stop drawing and have a harder time picking it back up. I know it's important for improving your art and yourself as an artist but I can't help but see it as tedious and overwhelming, especially the anatomy since it's more on the science side of things and science is not my thing lol. Do you have any advice on how to get over it or work thru it?

i think there's a couple facets to this question. firstly i'd recommend you consider what exactly your end goal is in learning how to draw: do you specifically want to be able to produce anatomically accurate figures and true-to-life shading, or do you just want to be able to make something for fun that looks good to you? one of the most helpful things I ever learned at art school was that accuracy doesn't matter if it looks good. 99% of my art isn't strictly anatomically accurate, and part of that is stylization, but even when i'm doing realistic figure drawings i like to lengthen limbs and exaggerate curves in order to make my drawings look better. So if your only real goal with art is to make something that looks good and enjoy the process, my first piece of advice would be to stop worrying so much about stuff like perfect accuracy! if you use references and keep pushing yourself, the skill and understanding you're looking for will come naturally with time. before I was ever classically trained, I got pretty far just by drawing my favorite characters in different poses and situations over and over again, and that experience laid the groundwork for when classical training did become available to me. Just because you're not necessarily doing serious figure studies doesn't mean you're not getting valuable practice--what it means is that you're having FUN while you're practicing, and having fun with your art is the most important thing!!!

Secondly, you mentioned anatomy being on the science side of things, which suggests to me that you may be looking in the wrong places when trying to do more serious anatomical study. if you look up 'anatomy' or anything similar on a web search engine, you're likely going to get a lot of very complex scientific illustrations. and while those aren't necessarily devoid of artistic value (I took a class all about scientific anatomy for artists last semester and it was GREAT) for a beginner who's just trying to learn how to make a body look like a body, they're not what you're looking for. what is going to be much more helpful for you are sites like line of action or quickposes. these sites are basically repositories of figure drawing images, and you can set them to automatically switch to a new image after a certain interval of time. if you really, desperately want to improve your anatomy specifically, what I recommend is going to one of these sites, setting it to the shortest interval possible, and trying to copy the pose as closely as you can before time is up. this might sound crazy, since the shortest interval is usually somewhere between 30-60 seconds, which obviously isn't enough to get much down. but what this will do is force you to look at how these models' bodies are constructed and translate it onto the page quickly and without overthinking it. be warned, your first maybe hundred of these are going to look like shit. but if you do this enough, you're eventually going to gain an intrinsic sense for 1. how a body works and 2. the easiest way for you personally to construct a body when drawing it. even without knowing the scientific names and anatomical rules, you're going to get a FEEL for how things work, which is much more important and useful to you as a character artist.

Finally, i think the most important thing to remember is that no art is bad art, even if you're not satisfied with the end product. when you're first starting out as an artist, you're going to make things that don't look right and you're going to be frustrated with yourself because of it. i vividly remember crying over a sketchbook at maybe age 11 or 12 because I was so upset i couldn't put exactly what was in my head on the page. Skill comes with time and practice and that is a frustrating fact of life, but no time spent doing something you enjoy and are passionate about is wasted. It might look bad now but you are laying the groundwork for your future success, and someday you're probably going to look back on your past work and say "I can't believe I thought this looked bad back then. for my age and my skill level i was doing AMAZING." And as previously mentioned, it's a lot less discouraging when something looks bad if you had fun making it, so try to have FUN with your art. draw things you enjoy and are passionate about and don't worry if it looks bad. focus on the experience, the skill will come in time. you've got this!!

#i've had this account since i was 15 years old. you can literally go back and see my ass did NOT know what i was doing #but i was having fun and the weird stuff that i was trying that maybe didn't always look right was what laid the groundwork #for my current skills! #i know this advice is basically just 'practice' which is what everyone says but it's important to me that you know #that practice should be FUN too. practice isn't drawing boring shit over and over again before you get to draw the fun stuff #practice is drawing the fun stuff that is maybe a little out of your comfort zone and maybe it looks a little wonky but you did it #and you had fun doing it! and now you'll be a little more prepared to do it again in the future! #asks

[luffyvace]

hairo x insecure/shy male reader?

What a duo! Little spoiler but reader is sure to be happy by the end of the hcs with this guy!! :3

there needs to be better gifs for this silly little dude 🍜

💖💞💓

Hairo heals the soul say it with me!!

You’ve lucked up to have the best boyfriend as an insecure/timid individual because surely whatever goal you have will be fulfilled!

what do I mean by that? You ask?

I’m talkin!

about!

the one!

the onlyyyyy…….

HAIROOOOO THE SUPERR BOYFRIEND 🤩🤩🦸🏋️‍♂️

the boyfriend who’ll proudly leap rivers! Fly underwater! Swim in the mountains! And twirl upside down to make you happy!! 👐

Therefore! If your goal is to stay cooped up in your room all day! Super Hairo 🦸 is going to find a way that you can still get enough sunlight and exercise each day!!

(As long as your okay with sitting on the balcony for 30 minutes and a treadmill he bought in your room! :3)

your goal is to interact with others more?!

he’s got ya!

today y’all are gonna for a run in a public place where it’s common to see other runners! Your mission? Tap someone on the back as your passing by and say “keep up the good work!”

Best part is you have an excuse to run away this time! 😆

LOL

your insecure and your goal is to become more comfortable and confident with yourself?!

Gee well he sure knows someone who knows the PERFECT way to help with that seeing as though its his favorite thing!!

(it’s him! Could ya guess?)

exercise is a great way to build confidence‼️

and in the process (if your insecure about your body) you could work on getting your dream body!!

he doesn’t let you call it a ‘dream’ body tho 😯

he says “your thinking too small!! It’s not a dream! It just has yet to become reality!” 🔥🔥🏋️‍♂️💪

if your the type of peep who needs aggressive motivation…he’s your guy!

Literally!

and he’s here to help!

everyday he’ll stand in the mirror with you and yell encouraging words until you believe it!

or he’ll shout inspiring words at you during your workouts

if your insecure about something physically he’ll constantly compliment you on it randomly to beat those bad thoughts to you!

believe him! Trust him!

he loves you and wants you to be happy!

Those bad thoughts dont!

you are brave m/n!! You can do it! Fight back!! You are great!

He’s your knight in shining armor when it comes to any bad thoughts you may have

because your both males he likely understand you a bit more because he knows male struggles

also if your insecurities are specific but not physical he’d do all he can to help, from distraction to professional help……to not so professional help (your friends 😭) to wise advice! (your parents), anything!

if it’s something mental or just personal you have, he may feel a little more powerless about the situation but will continue to try regardless

and the only reason I say he feels that way is because he likely hasn’t experienced it before so he doesn’t know much advice on how to help

even so, if he had experienced it as well it wouldn’t help unless he healed from it and/or figured out a solution :P

these hcs were rather short because there wasn’t much detail in your request so I wasn’t sure if your were looking for something specific. Also why did these get more serious as it went on?? it started out so silly 😭

The face safe rule keeps you alive.

- Hairo Kineshi

#anime #anime and manga #luffyvace #anime headcanons #fluff headcanons #fluff #hairo kineshi #saiki k #saiki k x reader #tdlosk #the disastrous life of saiki k #saiki headcanons #the disastrous life of saiki k. #saiki x reader #saiki k headcanons #saiki k fandom #x reader #x you #relationship headcanons #x male reader #male reader #Saik k x male reader #shy reader #insecure reader

[aphantasicheadspace]

do you have advice for making an innerworld when absolutely zero visualisation is possible?

i can't use any senses because the best i can do is weird pseudo-proprioception? y'know that trait some animals like dogs or insects have where movement is easier to see than still objects, yeah like that but i don't actually see anything

even then i can only imagine one thing moving at a time, imagining taking a single step would mean constantly flicking between my thighs, lower legs and feet as if watching an unfinished animation where some frames are missing limbs, which is a headache and a half and would mean having more than one system member present is either impossible or too difficult for me to want to bother

Hi!

So it's seems like you've explored a lot of other senses and found the imaginative side of those lacking as well. That you have some level of proprioception is something you might build on. Normally we would suggest trying to build on that, but if they're causing headaches, well then that's not great and it might not be worth exploring.

However, you may try to explore it without movement. We teleoprt a lot around headspace. Instead of imagining what every limb feels like as we walk around, we jump to imagining what our body feels like in different sitting, lying, or standing positions. And we don't try to focus on all parts at the same time. Usually spending more time focusing on our head/faces or torsos.

But again, that might be something that causes more pain and doesn't work for you.

So instead, you might try bootstrapping!

First, a note about aphantasia to keep in mind. There's a difference between visualizing and knowing. A person can know what something would look like if it were in front of them. If I ask you to describe an apple, you could probably list off facts about what apples look like, even though you're not visualizing one. This comes from your real world experience of having encountered apples throughout your life, and recalling the knowledge gained in those experiences. We're going to lean heavily on this knowing to replace visualizing.

Think about your home (or somewhere else familiar). Remember where things are in relation to other things? Remember how if you were looking for the TV remote what places you'd try to search? When you brush your teeth remember where your toothbrush is relative to the sink? (These of course might not be universal, so do try to add your own personal routine experiences here).

If you're having trouble with that, try to take note of these things in your daily life. I think it's called being mindful, but tbh mindfulness is a concept that boggles our minds.

Once you've got that, when you can hold a spacial memory like that in your focus, try to take note of how that feels.

If you're remembering the specific times you've done those routines or been in those places: Try to mash them together to find commonalities. When you are in your memory of your bedroom, try to recall this memory from different times you were there (and especially from different angles).

The goal is to get to a point where you can remember these places as purely spacial. Not any specific memory of a time you were in a place, but rather the place itself.

This might sound like trying to visualize, but it's not that. It might be if you're like us, but there's a non sensory component to just knowing where some things are in relation to other things, and that's what we're trying to focus on. (Again, the visualizing vs knowing concept)

So, you have those memories? Now pick a room you like the best, that you feel strongest with. If you were in that room right now, where would you be? Or rather, where would you want to be? Just for the moment. Let's say you picked a bedroom. Would you be sitting on the bed? Lying down? Maybe standing in the doorway? Perhaps you have a chair and a desk that you could sit at?

Now, where would some other things be in relation to where you would put yourself? Think about those other places in this room. If you're on your bed, where would the doorway be in relation to you? If you're lying on the floor, where would the desk be?

Once you've gotten comfortable with that, ask your headmates where they would like to be in this recalled room. They might pick the same spot, and that's okay. If they pick different spots, share with each other the spots you picked. Tell your headmate where they are in relation to you, where you are in relation to them, and ask them to do the same.

Then practice doing this. Get a really strong idea of where these things are. As you get more comfortable ask yourselves about what kind of things you might be able to feel from these places. Think through what you might be able to see if you were sitting in the chair vs in the bed. This won't be imaginative as much as it will be deductive. If you don't know the answer, try to go to that place physically and observe what it is you can see/hear/feel from there. As you practice these questions will likely get easier for both you and your headmates.

Now to get a bit more predictive. If you and your headmates have pictures of yourselves, ask each other and think about what it would look like for you all to be in those places. Again, this won't be imaginative. You won't be conjuring an image of all of this in your head. Instead try to think of and answer questions about what would be true if you all were there. Let's say Headmate A is at the desk and Headmate B is on the bed. Could they see each other from there? How much of the bed does B take up? What part of A's body is parallel to the top of the desk? Are either within reach of the other?

This step might be full of stumbling blocks. Just remember, it's okay to get it wrong. You're trying to make deductions and guesses about things that aren't readily available to test. There will be times when you didn't take into account someone's height, or their wing size, or how far apart the walls are, or any other myriad of information that you're just pulling from faulty, limited memory (as we all are). Taking notes or drawing might help.

The other major stumbling block is to get too caught up in the idea that this is imagination or that you should be getting some sort of visual output. You likely won't. We can manage to pull visual information from memories, but as soon as we try to edit them they fall apart and turn into black void. But what this technique is trying to do is just work past that void. These are simply theoretical facts about the spacial relationships of things, headmates included. They're "what ifs".

Keep practicing. The more you repeat these facts, think through these questions, and recall these spaces, the less thought you will need to pull them up.

To make this a part of your inner world, well, if you've gotten this far you more or less already have. When you want to "go" to your inner world, focus on that place. Ask your headmates to be there. Ask about those details. Think about what it would be like to be in that room with them. Directing more of your attention there and less on the world around you will catalogue your memories as being there rather than wherever it is your physical body actually is.

But, say you don't want this room, and instead want a place you've built yourself with a fully customized shape and feel. Look for creative games. Stuff like minecraft or the Sims. Turn on creative mode. Build a house there. Explore it a lot. Get very familiar with it. Then try these exercises with that location. Whatever creation suite you choose will have its tradeoffs, so pick whatever feels most comfy (hell I'm sure that CAD software would work for someone somewhere).

When you wish, you can add to these places. Repeat this process with another place. You can "get back and forth" with a sort of teleporting. Which is just doing this deductive work between headmates in relation to a different room. Instead of asking about what it would be like to both be in the bedroom, ask what it would be like to both be in the kitchen.

Or you can attach these places with further questions. Add a door to each room that connects them? Well how does that work? Which way does the door swing? How close to the ceiling would it go? What color would it be painted? (These questions are yours to answer, i.e. make up)

Or instead you can redirect doors and windows. When one headmate is in one room and another is in the other room, what would the sounds be like? How much do the walls muffle the sounds? Which walls are shared? Do they intersect with each other in non Euclidean ways? (Again, you can just make up answers)

The extra step to these last two additions will require some degree of reinforcement. You will need to repeat the answers to those questions. These new rules and made up interactions will only have your collective memory to verify or answer. (Although writing these things down or plotting them out in a creative game will help).

Getting into headspace, or creative with it is very difficult when there's nothing there to see. I hope this helps!

#headspace #aphantasic headspace #aphantasic plurality #system stuff #wonderland #aphantasia #headspace creation guide #endo safe #faye post #ask box

[lurking96]

what are your top 3 favorite and least favorite mha characters ?

I am sorry. I kinda forgot that I had this in my ask box. As for favorite characters in no specific order. Monoma: I think he was supposed to be more but got shelved as the audience did not seem to enjoy his first apeparance. He is basically a discount AFO and could have been a rival to Midoriya. Why make a whole rival class if you are not even using them. He can be theatrical but he is not a bad person or evil. There is more to his character. He got a "Weak" quirk but made the best out of it. He really wants his friends to thrive. Izuku: He is a good protagonist that sadly at times also gets sidelined. He is not a crybaby do nothing like some people make him out to be. His growth at times can be more subtle especially in the current chapters. Generally I hope we are getting a little bit more out of him going forward. He is realistic in the regard that he has emotions and one can feel with him. Uraraka: She has a realistic goal of helping her family. She is not all about the money. We get where she is coming from. She does not follow the usual tropes like "Confessing in the middle of the war" which makes her refreshing to watch. She can push her feelings to the side to do what is right though she still has those feelings. Generally she is an enjoyable character that sadly gets slandered at times. Now as for the characters I do not like. Again no specific order and before I start I want to say that just because I dislike a character does not mean you are not allowed to like them. Same for if you like a character i am also allowed to dislike them. Shinsou: I think his character is mostly held up by fanon ideas of him. Canon wise there was no muzzle, no horrible parents, no being shifted from one family or another. Generally I think there is a lack of potential with that one. We get that he wants to be a hero because he wants to be one. His motivation could have been more. Especially with the "Evil" quirk thing. He seems to blame others for his shortcomings. Hagakure made it into the hero course (Off switches are fanon) so he could have too. Aizawa: Again like his mini me he seems to be held up by fanon. Yes he wants to protect his students. He is however not that great of a teacher. Rather harsh which not every student may thrive in. Bound by logic and avoiding his own emotions. Which may in turn make him think that his emotional reactions are logical. Also at times he seems to get used as a mouthpiece by the Author like in the Sport festival. Bakugou: What a shocker after looking at my blog /j. Parts of his stans can be quite annoying. People seemingly have created this fanon persona. This woobified person that they simply end up putting in his body. I do not think the "Atonement" & "Redemption" is that good. It seems to flip flop at times. Yes I don't want a full character change. But at times he says something just to reverse later on it. It seems surface level and the "Apology" by itself and his actions do not necessairly paint a "Good" picture. As this seems surface level and if one digs deeper one may draw a different conclusion. I could expand on this but at this point I want to keep this short. Sorry again for only answering it this late. If there are follow up questions i will answer them sooner.

#anti bakugou #aizawa critical #shinsou critical #anti bakugou katsuki

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

“You have to understand,” he said, apologetically. “I’ve written over 24,000 songs. I wrote 50 songs yesterday.”

And thus was I ushered into the strange universe of Matt Farley.

Freed from the blinding incandescence of my own name, I could suddenly see the extent of what I had stumbled into. It was like the scene in a thriller when the detective first gazes on the wall of a serial killer’s lair. Papa Razzi and the Photogs is only one of about 80 pseudonyms Farley uses to release his music. As the Hungry Food Band, he sings songs about foods. As the Guy Who Sings Songs About Cities & Towns, he sings the atlas. He has 600 songs inviting different-named girls to the prom and 500 that are marriage proposals. He has an album of very specific apologies; albums devoted to sports teams in every city that has a sports team; hundreds of songs about animals, and jobs, and weather, and furniture, and one band that is simply called the Guy Who Sings Your Name Over and Over.

He also has many, many songs about going to the bathroom. If you have a child under 10 with access to the internet, it is very likely you know some part of this body of work. What he refers to collectively as his “poop songs” are mostly released under two names: the Toilet Bowl Cleaners and the Odd Man Who Sings About Poop, Puke and Pee.

“The Odd Man is more shameless,” he explained. “The Toilet Bowl Cleaners are making statements with their albums,” though the distinction between the former’s “Butt Cheeks Butt Cheeks Butt Cheeks!” and the latter’s “I Need a Lot of Toilet Paper to Clean the Poop in My Butt” may be subtler than he imagines.

Largely, though not entirely, on the strength of such songs, Farley has managed to achieve that most elusive of goals: a decent living creating music. In 2008, his search-engine optimization project took in $3,000; four years later, it had grown to $24,000. The introduction of Alexa and her voice-activated sistren opened up the theretofore underserved nontyping market, in particular the kind fond of shouting things like “Poop in my fingernails!” at the computer. “Poop in My Fingernails,” by the Toilet Bowl Cleaners, currently has over 4.4 million streams on Spotify alone. To date, that “band,” and the Odd Man Who Sings About Poop, Puke and Pee, have collectively brought in approximately $469,000 from various platforms. They are by far Farley’s biggest earners, but not the only ones: Papa Razzi and the Photogs has earned $41,000; the Best Birthday Song Band Ever, $38,000; the Guy Who Sings Your Name Over and Over, $80,000. Dozens of others have taken in two, three or four digits: the New Orleans Sports Band, the Chicago Sports Band, the Singing Film Critic, the Great Weather Song Person, the Paranormal Song Warrior, the Motern Media Holiday Singers, who perform 70 versions of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” substituting contemporary foods for figgy pudding. It adds up. Farley quit his day job in 2017.

“People like to criticize the whole streaming thing, but there’s really a lot of pros to it,” he said. Indeed, in 2023, his music earned him just shy of $200,000, about one halfpenny at a time.

Farley’s earnings help fund his multiple other creative endeavors. He records what he calls his “no jokes” music. This includes a two-man band he’s been in since college called Moes Haven, which once recorded an album a day for a year. He hosts two podcasts, one about his work and the other recapping Celtics games. And he makes movies: microbudgeted, determinedly amateur but nevertheless recognizably cinematic features starring himself and his family and friends. (They feature a spectacular array of New England accents.) In most, Farley plays some version of himself, a mild-mannered, eccentric hero projecting varying degrees of menace. Farley and his college friend Charlie Roxburgh are in the midst of a project in which they have resolved to release two full movies per year. The model, Farley said, was inspired by Hallmark Movies: “If this movie stinks, good news, we’re making another in six months!” Their most popular work remains “Don’t Let the Riverbeast Get You!” (2012), a charmingly shaggy tale of a cryptid threatening a small New England town. It features Farley’s father as a big-game hunter named Ito Hootkins.

#humor #streaming #guy on the internet #internet composer #Matt Farley #NYTimes

[swolesecrets]

Food is Fuel.

We all know that food is an essential part of life, but just how important is it really? In this blog we will be discussing macros, and calories, all because nutrition is the first leading factor to your results and physical well-being...

What are macro nutrients and why are they important? They are nutrients used in large amounts used by the body in order to perform it's daily tasks. In these sub groups, we can find protein, carbohydrates and fats. With various misconceptions concerning these essential nutrients, I would like to clear up misinformation.

I think that the most common one talked about amongst the three, especially in the fitness world would be protein. Okay, but why do we talk about protein, what does it really do... Also explained in Biology, proteins are used in order to create new cells during the process of mitosis, and to repair damaged cells, which is exactly what happens when exercising. The muscle fibers are torn and then fixed with the protein we ingest. All of this to say that if you want to get "bigger muscles" eat your protein.

I typically aim for my bodyweight in protein grams as a daily goal so for me around 130 grams. However, it is very important to know that grams of protein, and calories don't only come from food. All food is calories, yet not all calories come from food... You see, almost all things we consume contain calories, that amount just varies based on the item in question, besides water, or specialized drinks (coke zero, diet pepsi, etc..). Therefore, when we drink juice, add dressing to our salad or add olive oil into a skillet, those are also calories, simply in liquid form, which are the sneakiest kinds of calories. For as good as "budget friendly" could get with protein... Here are some of my favourite "somewhat" budget friendly high protein foods and meals;

Cottage cheese; Personally, after basically force feeding myself to eat cottage cheese over the last year, I think that I have just learnt to enjoy it and I find it easier on the stomach compared to other protein sources. Yet many people seem to not like cottage cheese, perhaps trying to add some honey on it, I have heard was good from others, and some say they enjoy mustard.

Low fat greek yogourt; Another food that some people have troubles with would be low fat greek yogourt. I know for myself this is the case, to me it is the sour after taste, and the texture I think. I enjoy making frozen yogourt however to solve the texture problem. Although higher on the price range, in my experience, there are always atleast one pack on sale.

Chicken breast; The canned ones from costco are affordable and to me not that bad for canned chicken. I have made so may things with this product, such as chicken salad for sandwiches and wraps, butter chicken, chicken pasta and buffalo chicken wraps...

Rotisserie chicken; If canned chicken is not for you, we also buy the Whole Rotisserie Costco Chicken's. For only 8$, the whole chicken will last me, my mom and brother a whole week being used in various meals...

Turkey; Simply turkey no name lunch meat, and even lunch meat variety packs in bulk at costco, yet still available at every grocery store, are great sources of lean protein.

Robert Irvine's protein bars; Best protein bars in terms of taste for sure, having tried so many.

Premier Protein shake, or protein milk and Fairlife (when on sale); My go-to protein packed drinks, that are portable perfect for student life-syle.

EGGS! Specifically egg whites, but I am not that picky; I don't LOVE eggs however awesome and easy source of protein, the calories to protein ratio is great. I like mine "sunny side up" or "scrambled" with ketchup. Deviled eggs are also nice when I have some time to make them. On the other hand fats and carbs are commonly words that scare a lot of people, especially those wanting to lose weight, and to be honest I was one of those people once. However, carbs and fats are your primary source of energy. Carbs being used for quick and rapid acting energy, such as cardio. Yet fats are used for long term energy stock as well as absorption necessary for a healthy body. In order to do the things you love, to talk to your friends and family, perform any physical activity, and to use your brain to its full potential, fats and carbs are NEEDED. I used to track my carbs and fats, but I don't find that necessary anymore... Simply being conscious of their importance and incorporating them in my diet, is now enough for me; intuitive eating. Here are my favourite carb and fat sources;

Whole wheat pasta

English muffins

Fresh fruits

Vegetables

Oats

Cheerios honestly

Oatmeal

Salmon again

Nuts such as cashews, walnuts, peanuts, peanut butter

Avocado

So let this be your daily reminder to go eat your food, some REAL food, and stay conscious about your macro nutrients based on your goal's needs. Eating intuitively is the best way to maintain a good relationship with food while dieting, in my experience!

#nutrition #macros #dieting #eatyourprotein #protein #healthy

[thedeafprophet]

Prophet's Opinion On F.F. Gebrandt's Prelapsarian Exhibition

Prefacing this of course that this is all ~just my opnion~, some may hate what i liked and loved what i didnt. But i thought it’d be fun to type up a review. 

What I liked

As always I love the world quality events, there’s always something so fun about every body working together towards one goal! This shown strongly in the clues section, seeing everyone work together to solve them all in the first 4 hours and having a doc put together for people who arent keen on puzzles was fantastic :]

I really like the items from the event, i think the affiliations are great especially for my midgame characters. Always good to have more endgame stat items. And im super curious about the neathbow option hehe gotta get my boxes together. 

I also loved the art for the event. The overall promotional art was so well done and I loved the area art of the museum so much. And i was so very very happy to see the full art of the neathbow. Illegal pride flag my beloved.

It was cool to see F F Gerdbrandt featre more heavily in a story. I always really thought she was a neat character so its really cool to see her feature more.

I also loved the.. i think it was 4th?... stage where we were getting the items to solve the problem, i liked how it was split between big endgame things, but also still provided an oppurtunity for newer players to contribute. 

Mechanics wise in general I thought it was pretty good. Pacing is always hard with these kinda of things, but it worked out pretty well to me. 

(also the 1:1 pennys reward was pretty sweet ngl. love that sweet sweet cash money)

What I didn't like

I'll be honest, I found the overall plot lackluster. I get more annoyed when I think a plot had potential and blew it, and that was the case here. The build up with the museum and the machine and time was interesting - and then meh

(this got long, putting the rest under a cut)

I didnt feel the stakes at all. I get not every event should be city ending based, but you’re going to break a law as big as time and just. That. idk. I didnt really feel like the statues were a threat. I’m also just not that big on second city lore which probably doesnt help matters.

Character choices were not present or just weak in general. There was pretty much no callback to player choice beyond maybe BaL for a couple clues, and one specific ending of one specific ES, which is rated overaull as a not highly ranked one so its weird it keeps being featured. And i wont lie, I was pretty annoyed that doing the second city war could only get a clue if you did that specific ES. like come, seriously? If that war was supposed to be foreshadowing then this just kinda feels almost rude. 

There was just... no further wrap up on the plot with time either. Like didnt more stuff happen then just the statues? Maybe more will happen later idk. Its just after the disapointment that was new years I wanted more. 

All of this put together made me care very little about the plot. If this Event was an ES i’d put it on a lower ranking, as ES are often a mixed bag, but idk i kinda expected more from the new big event. I know it was always supposed to be smaller the GCO, but eh. I think a better story could have been worked out. 

I think the Empress' part was weak at best. I don't care at all about her unless it's bringing her to justice for the terrible and selfish things she's done. I dont care about Victoria and Albert at, like sorry your cousin died or whatever,

And also like,,,, okay I have no qualms with historical fiction lmao but the RPF of such a prominent real person is always weird to me so I'm always put off when text heavily features of the Empress. That was a real person, who did real, horrible things. Makes it less fun when she does more bad stuff in game, compared to other villains in the game who are purley fictional.

And the whole thing gets kinda weird all together when you think of the long history from the victorian era to now of british museums and the items they take and...yea. oof. leaves a weird feeling with me I wont lie. 

Anyway this is long enough already lol, ill stop here. 

As far as Im aware the past two events have been experiments so I hope this one ran sucessfully for collecting data on stuff for the game. Excited to see what comes in the future, and despite my qualms I am still beyond thrilled over the new content we got. 

#tldr: 'that happened I guess' #sorry for rambling so much guys I just have a lot of opinions #fallen london #fl event #fl spoilers #sorry if there's typos im not proof reading this lmaooo #long post #fl crit

[fitzrove]

Anastasia rewrite

Today at work I listened to In the Dark of the Night, a song I first became obsessed with at like age 12, roughly 85 times on repeat. I have become enlightened. Spoilers for the Anastasia stage show!

this is very stupid on purpose

Ok so you know how the plot of the Anastasia musical doesn't actually make a lot of sense (I'm specifically thinking of the final confrontation between Gleb and Anya - his change of heart happens so suddenly and isn't explored properly), and despite the creatives' stated goal of making the story more realistic, it... really isn't? If the original had Rasputin being literally cartoon evil (he is a cartoon villain), communism is the cartoon evil in the show. I say we put back in more of the other kind of cartoon evil... I say we bring back Rasputin.

So, okay. Let's leave Act 1 for the most part literally as is. Journey to the Past is ending, thundering applause. BUT! Instead of the curtain... cut back to Gleb, who just made a vow to find Anastasia. But Paris is a big city... it'll be tough to find her there, what if he doesn't even get admitted to the upper-class clubs because of his awkward fashion sense? So, he's been consulting some occult books... even though the new regime has no time for fairytales, he has one in his hands right now, and the best way to fight a fairytale is with a dark counterpart.

[THE ENTRANCE TO A CAVE, night. GLEB is doing some kind of occult ritual idk maybe the lighting and projections people can make this look good and not silly. He seems deep in concentration until A RUSTLING SOUND makes him flinch. He draws out his gun and points it, but there's no-one there, only his own shadow. He warily begins to lower the gun, but then THE RUSTLE happens again. Out of the corner of his eye, movement. He FIRES! The bullet hits the stone wall and bounces off with a pathetic crackly click; the gunshot echoes within the empty space. His heart drums in his ears. And then, slowly but surely, something creeps into the circle of candlelight...

RASPUTIN [raspily]

Ha ha ha! It's been a while since I've had visitors.

RASPUTIN is not a cartoon character so we can't literally have his body parts falling off... but since this is (presumably) a Broadway musical, he can be a hottie. Maybe the cloak he's wearing is so ragged that we see a bit of chest idk.

GLEB

You're supposed to be dead.

RASPUTIN [hissing]

Many people who should be dead are still alive... and many people who would be better off alive have died.

GLEB flinches away from RASPUTIN's putrid breath as he leans closer to whisper his lines.

GLEB

That's why I've come. I know you have a grudge with the Romanovs.

RASPUTIN

What use is a grudge like that for me now... I rot, they rot. I can be content with that.

GLEB

There are rumors afoot. Rumors that my comrades and I find very concerning. They say that one of them may be still alive - the princess Anastasia.

RASPUTIN

The girl?!

THUNDER STRIKES, and a millisecond after that, lightning erupts, flashing over the entire stage and audience. RASPUTIN seethes; we can see that this has made him reconsider his entire worldview.

GLEB

Will you help me finish what was started, comrade?

RASPUTIN

I am comrade to no-one! I am... THE GREAT RASPUTIN!

[A dark and booming, lushly orchestral version of IN THE DARK OF THE NIGHT begins to play. The lyrics remain unaltered save for one line - "tie my dash and a dash of cologne for that smell" becomes "I shall help you but first I must settle a score". During the song, RASPUTIN makes stuff blow up etc (we need the lighting ppl to do this). For the most of the song he is backed up by an invisible ghostly choir: the lines that the super deep-voiced bug has in the original ("find her / doom her") are given to GLEB, who's actively trying to hide that he's vaguely uncomfortable with the supernatural happenings around him. However, this changes with...]

RASPUTIN

COME, MY MINIONS! RISE FOR YOUR MASTER!

[Slowly, as theatre smoke pours in, ZOMBIE ROMANOVS and OTHER PEOPLE EXECUTED BY THE BOLSHEVIKS enter. RASPUTIN has reanimated them and is puppeteering them like some sort of freaky camp necromancer. GLEB, for a moment, is surrounded by the faces of people he thought he'd never see again - not outside of his frequent yet vivid nightmares - and has to brace himself.]

RASPUTIN

LET YOUR EVIL SHINE!

ENSEMBLE

IN THE DARK OF THE NIGHT, IN THE DARK OF THE NIGHT!

RASPUTIN

FIND HER NOW, YES, GO EVER FASTER

ENSEMBLE

IN THE DARK OF THE NIGHT, IN THE DARK OF THE NIGHT, IN THE DARK OF THE NIGHT!

RASPUTIN

SHE'LL BE MINE!!!!!

[During the last line, GLEB casts a quick, wary look at RASPUTIN - RASPUTIN is too lost in his evil glee to notice. After the line - BLACKOUT. End Act 1.]

The thing about Anastasia is that it's a pretty short musical, running just a bit over two hours without the intermission. So we could totally keep every number in act 2 but just add a bunch of Gleb and Rasputin scenes. Obviously they're going to have an awkward time travelling to Paris together... they DEFINITELY won't be admitted into the Neva Club because Rasputin's fashion sense is even worse than Gleb's, but they do some occult magic and finally manage to come face to face with Anya. And in the confrontation, it's actually Anya and Gleb teaming off to fight off Rasputin and his army of evil zombies... Maybe the other characters get a swing at it too, I think maybe the zombies should try to take over all of Paris to add some drama? Rasputin definitely gets a hammy author vehicle line like YOU WANTED THE PAST TO RETURN... HERE IT IS!!!!

In the end Rasputin is defeated and Gleb, having learned not to make deals with the devil, agrees to leave Anya alone and never speak of this ordeal to anyone. I think this makes his character motivations make a bit more sense, as bonding with Anya by fighting Rasputin and the evil zombies would provide a more thorough reason for him to go back on his convictions and have such a sudden change of heart

And then every scene after the confrontation (is that called the "Still" reprise?) can play out exactly as they do in the original XD

#i think this idea is really good #musicals #theatre #anastasia the musical #history #rasputin #<333 #anastasia

[alyjojo]

Advice to Work on Yourself 📢 in May 2022: Capricorn

King of Pentacles - Death - 8 Cups

Regarding: 2 Swords rev

You’re needing to make a decision about a job or some very important, but difficult situation in your life. You’ve been very nostalgic about the good old days, possibly regarding whatever this is. Could be a relationship, could be a job, could be a way of thinking, eating, feeling, however it applies to you. You’ve been stuck doing something because you walk a fine line between how great it was, and how great it could be, while ignoring how not great it is in the present moment...which is all that really matters. Death shows up, telling you what needs to happen. The situation needs to end, specifically you trying to manifest new ways to wait for stability, being patient, waiting and waiting and waiting, you’re going to wait forever at this rate. If you’ve seen no inclination towards change up until now, what makes you think there will be? 8 Cups is telling you that you need to leave this behind, and find what truly makes you happy. There’s a 9th and 10th Cup out there, and The Star shows you needing to have faith, hope, optimism. Dream of those cups, manifest those cups, and then go find them. Whatever isn’t fulfilling you has to go, you’ve put in the work long enough. Justice clarifies the 2 Swords rev, both as a message to take off the blindfold and see your situation clearly, because you need to, and that by making this decision, you’re doing the right thing. There’s more out there for you, whatever this is currently is in the way of you growing. Your goal is stability and a peaceful life, that’s not asking too much.

Animal Oracle: Kiwi 🥝🐦

“Do a walking meditation each day for the next week.”

Most of the time, walking is a way to get from Point A to Point B, often in a rush and without regard for what’s going on around them. Meditation is typically viewed as something people do while sitting cross-legged for several minutes; however that’s only one form of meditation. Walking with awareness and intention is another. Find a place where you can simply walk for for 10+ minutes each day for the next week. Walk more slowly than you usually do. Be aware of the sights, smells, and sounds around you as you walk, as well as the breathing in your body. Whatever pace you set, be sure to breathe consciously and consistently with full awareness. Doing this makes walking a meditation.

Artist Oracle: PIET MONDRIAN

- Logic should come from the heart.

- True simplicity takes a lot of concentration.

- Find utopia in a straight line.

Advice:

- Improve Your Conversational Skills

- Try Healthy Alternatives

Charms:

Black Clover 🍀🖤 on Death is a clear indication that part of this ending is a part of your own shadow, a situation or behavior, mindset, what have you, that you have created. Not someone else. You could be imagining positive things where red flags 🚩 reside. You may be afraid to pull back the curtain to truly face yourself, and whatever you’re avoiding. If something triggers you, if some change or topic really bothers you, then you need to ask yourself why, face it, and heal. Some of you might not be able to do this until you let go of a difficult situation. The Clover is still luck, so by doing this inner work, you’re giving yourself the best chance to succeed moving forward. What roles do you play in what has gotten you here, and how can these things change moving forward? At least, what you can control of it, your own self.

Lips 👄 on Conversational Skills is simple enough. Your communication is not very good for both to show up. Even the most intuitive people I’ve met aren’t mind readers, and no one can tell you how you feel either. Speak up if you want to be heard 💗

#capricorn tarot reading #advice to work on yourself #advice #capricorn #tarot #May 2022

[jameelamassagecenter]

Unveiling the Power of Touch: A Guide to Different Types of Massage and their Benefits

Massage therapy has existed for centuries, practiced across various cultures to promote both physical and mental well-being. Today, it remains a popular choice for individuals seeking not only relaxation, but also a range of potential health benefits. However, with the diverse array of massage techniques available, understanding the different types and their unique benefits can be crucial for making an informed decision.

Popular Massage Options:

Swedish Massage: Often considered the “gold standard” of massage, this technique utilizes gentle to firm kneading, strokes, and rhythmic tapping to promote relaxation, improve circulation, and reduce muscle tension. It’s a great choice for beginners or those seeking a general sense of well-being.

Deep Tissue Massage: This technique focuses on applying deeper pressure to target specific muscle layers and release chronic tension, particularly in areas like the shoulders, lower back, and legs. It’s ideal for athletes, individuals with chronic pain, or those seeking a more focused approach.

Sports Massage: Tailored for athletes and individuals with active lifestyles, this massage focuses on preventing and treating injuries, improving flexibility, and enhancing performance. Techniques may involve compression, stretching, and trigger point therapy.

Trigger Point Therapy: This specific technique targets specific “knots” or tight areas in muscles (called trigger points) that can cause pain in other parts of the body. By applying pressure and manipulation to these points, this approach aims to alleviate pain and improve the range of motion.

Beyond the Basics:

Shiatsu Massage: This traditional Japanese technique focuses on applying pressure to specific points on the body along meridians believed to be energy channels. It aims to promote relaxation, balance energy flow, and alleviate various ailments.

Hot Stone Massage: This technique incorporates heated stones alongside massage strokes to provide a deeply relaxing and therapeutic experience. The heat helps loosen tight muscles, improve circulation, and alleviate pain.

Aromatherapy Massage: This massage incorporates essential oils, either diffused in the air or blended into massage oil, to enhance the therapeutic benefits. Different oils can target various needs, such as promoting relaxation, reducing anxiety, or improving mood.

Benefits of Massage Therapy:

Reduced Muscle Tension and Pain: Massage can significantly reduce muscle tension and pain, offering relief from headaches, backaches, and other discomfort.

Improved Flexibility and Range of Motion: By loosening tight muscles and joints, massage can improve your flexibility and range of motion, allowing you to move with greater ease.

Enhanced Circulation: Massage therapy can help improve blood circulation throughout the body, delivering essential nutrients to your muscles and tissues and promoting the removal of waste products.

Stress and Anxiety Reduction: The relaxing nature of massage can help lower cortisol levels, the stress hormone, and promote feelings of calm and relaxation.

Improved Sleep Quality: Massage can improve sleep quality by promoting relaxation, reducing stress, and alleviating muscle tension, all of which can contribute to a better night’s sleep.

Choosing the Right Massage:

When selecting a massage type, consider your individual needs and preferences. Discuss your goals and any concerns with a qualified massage therapist who can help you choose the most suitable technique. Remember, communication is key to ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience.

By exploring the diverse world of massage therapy and understanding the unique benefits of different types, you can embark on a journey towards improved physical and mental well-being.

#ajman spa #massage center ajman #sharjah massage center #sharjah spa #massage ajman #massage spa ajman #spa ajman #sharjah

[womenfit2]

You Don't Need the Gym to Lose Body Fat. 7 Ways to Do It at Home

For many people, reducing body fat is one of the top reasons they exercise. A balance of exercise and diet can lead to a whole-body trimmed physique. As little as 15 minutes of exercise daily can benefit you greatly.

Despite what you may have heard, you can't target a specific area for fat loss. Many studies have disproven spot-reduction techniques, such as abdominal exercises or upper-body resistance training. Fat cells from all over the body can be broken down when we exercise; they don't break down in one specific area.

Below are some of the best ways to lose fat right in the comfort of your own home.

1. Get your steps in

Walking is an ideal workout to do outside the gym. It can be done around the neighborhood or at a park. On good weather days, you can also get some much-needed fresh air. Plus, it's free and you can take your dog with you, if you have one -- pets need exercise too!Walking is also a body fat buster. One study found that healthy postmenopausal women lost 3.9% of body fat after 30 weeks of walking and 1.8% after 15 weeks of walking. While we can't target specific areas, walking can help lose belly fat.According to Nature, 30 minutes of walking most days of the week showed a significant reduction in body weight and body fat percentage. The study even found that 30 minutes of walking may be as beneficial as 60 minutes (with a healthy diet).

2. Try intermittent fasting

One diet trend that has risen in popularity over the years is intermittent fasting. As the name suggests, this is where people fast for a certain time, and then eat at other scheduled times. One study review found that subjects who fasted intermittently had weight loss ranging from 0.8% to 13%. The idea is to force the body to use up its immediately accessible sugar stores and start burning fat.A perk of intermittent fasting is that you can customize it to your preference and ability to abstain from food. According to John Hopkins Medicine, fasting can last for a certain number of hours every day or even just eating one meal per day for two days out of the week. For instance, you might only eat during an eight-hour period each day and fast the rest of the day. It's important to note that intermittent fasting is not for everyone, especially those at risk for disordered eating or during pregnancy. Before trying intermittent fasting, consult with your doctor to ensure you follow the best plan for you and your goals.

3. Lift heavier weights

This point might seem counterintuitive since we just covered how you can't burn fat in one specific region, no matter how many stomach crunches you do. But you can balance weight training to target multiple muscle groups or work on certain body parts as part of a whole-body workout. That may give you more balance and a lean appearance and help with body composition. If you don't have dumbbells at home, check out these household items that double as weights.Weight training can also help lose fat while building muscle. Studies show that 3 pounds of lean muscle weight gain corresponded to 4 pounds of fat weight loss. Resistance training has also been shown to reduce body fat percentage, body fat mass and visceral fat (the fat that surrounds your organs).Resistance training, be it with weights or bodyweight exercises like pushups, is recommended by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for at least two days a week, so it can be a fairly easy exercise to fit into your schedule.

4. Start running or jogging

Another great exercise idea to lose body fat is to start running or jogging. Like walking, you can do it around the neighborhood or in a park, so it's free. If you are concerned about the weather, you can also find an indoor track at a gym or community center. You can also consider getting a treadmill to run or jog at home. Sprint training is especially good at busting the fat, where you switch how fast you run every several seconds. The CDC also recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity or a mix of the two every week. The CDC lists walking at a rate of a 15-minute mile as moderate activity and jogging or running as vigorous.

5. Focus on high-intensity interval training

This type of exercise, often shortened to HIIT, is where you exercise as hard as you can for short bursts and then spend some time doing lower-intensity training. A perk with this exercise is that it can be any activity that gets your heart pounding, from jumping jacks to stair climbing, so it's customizable based on how much room you have and what equipment you have around.It's a fat buster too. It may result in a modest reduction of overall and abdominal fat.You can do 30 seconds to several minutes of hard-as-you-can working out and then one to 5 minutes of recovering with a lower-intensity exercise level. These workouts typically go for about 30 minutes, including 5-minute warm-ups and cool-downs, but can be tailored to suit comfort and fitness levels. Typically, the aim is to do these sessions five times a week.

6. Eat the right foods

You can also focus on your diet. While there are no foods that'll magically burn your fat, there are foods that can increase your metabolism. Most of these foods are high in protein and good-for-you fats, making you feel fuller longer.

Some foods to incorporate into your diet if you're trying to reduce fat, as listed by the CDC, Healthline and the World Health Organization, include:

➡️Fat-free sugar-free yogurt, such as Greek yogurt.

➡️Fatty fish like tuna, herring or salmon.

➡️Eggs.Veggies.

➡️Fruit.Green tea.

➡️Whey protein.

➡️Olive oil.

➡️Beans.

➡️Grilled chicken.

7. Get enough quality sleep

We tend to associate burning fat with endless exercise and painfully restrictive diets. However, getting a good amount of rest can also help get rid of the fat. Staying awake for too long can make us eat sugary foods to stay awake, give us tired and ineffective workouts, and it may even contribute to stress and inflammation, leading to poor workout recoveries.One study found that not getting enough sleep decreased the proportion of fat weight loss by 55%. Another found that better sleep quality was linked to more weight and fat loss. Another study found a positive relationship between sleep duration and body fat loss.The Mayo Clinic recommends adults get seven or more hours of sleep at night. Sleep needs can vary by individual, so adjust higher if seven doesn't quite feel like enough.

#i wanna lose weight #loseweighfast #weight loss tips #healthy lifestyle #health & fitness #health and wellness #health tips #healthy living #today on tumblr #viral trends #weight loss #fat loss #loss #healthy #health care #health is wealth

[universalinfo]

Yoga at Home to Master Inner Peace and Wellness

Embarking on the path of yoga at home is an empowering step towards self-care and serenity. In today’s bustling world, carving out a space for personal peace and wellness is more important than ever. This guide aims to be your ally, assisting you in transforming a part of your home into a sanctuary of yoga. Here, you’ll find practical tips and insights to make your home yoga experience enriching and fulfilling.

UNDERSTANDING THE BENEFITS OF HOME YOGA PRACTICE

Home yoga offers the unique advantage of tailoring your practice to suit your specific needs and goals. Whether it’s a gentle session to unwind after a long day or a more vigorous routine to build strength and flexibility, the choice is yours. This personalization extends to the duration of your practice; you can opt for a quick fifteen-minute session or indulge in a longer, more immersive experience, depending on your schedule.

Practicing yoga at home also allows you to deepen your understanding of yoga’s principles and philosophy at your own pace. Without the pressure of a class environment, you can take time to explore different poses, delve into the subtleties of each movement, and listen to your body’s cues. This self-guided exploration can lead to a more profound and meaningful connection with your yoga practice.

CREATING THE PERFECT YOGA SPACE AT HOME

Lighting plays a crucial role in creating a soothing yoga environment. Natural light is ideal but soft, artificial lighting can also create a calming ambiance. Consider adding plants to your yoga space; they not only purify the air but also add a touch of nature’s tranquility. It’s also beneficial to keep this area clutter-free to maintain a sense of order and peace.

Sound is another element to consider. Some people prefer the quiet, while others may find that gentle, calming music or nature sounds help in deepening their practice. Experiment with different auditory settings to discover what works best for you.

ESSENTIAL YOGA EQUIPMENT FOR HOME PRACTICE

Clothing is an often overlooked but important aspect of yoga practice. Wear comfortable, breathable clothes that allow you to move freely. Avoid clothing that’s too loose as it can get in the way of certain poses. In addition to the basics, consider incorporating a few extras. A small towel can be handy for sweat, and a blanket is great for warmth during the final relaxation pose, Savasana. If you’re interested in meditation, a cushion or meditation chair can provide comfort during seated practices.

Remember, the key to successful home yoga practice is comfort and functionality. Choose items that enhance your experience and support your journey towards inner peace and physical wellness.

BEGINNING WITH YOGA FUNDAMENTALS

For those new to yoga, it’s crucial to start with basic yet effective poses like the Warrior Pose, Cat-Cow Stretch, or Seated Forward Bend. These foundational poses lay the groundwork for a safe and sustainable practice, gradually building your strength and flexibility. Remember, yoga isn’t about perfection but progress. As you become more comfortable with these basic poses, you’ll notice improvements in your balance, strength, and flexibility. For more details visit us at https://yorebels.com/.

THE POWER OF BREATH IN YOGA

Breathing is the essence of yoga. It bridges the gap between the body and mind, aiding in centering your thoughts and deepening your poses. Practices like Pranayama (breath control) are particularly beneficial for beginners, helping to establish a mindful breathing rhythm. Learning to control your breath can also be a powerful tool for managing stress and anxiety in everyday life.

TAILORING YOUR YOGA ROUTINE AND INTEGRATING MINDFULNESS

The beauty of practicing yoga at home lies in its flexibility to cater to your personal needs and the seamless integration of mindfulness and meditation. Whether it’s starting your day with an energizing sequence or unwinding in the evening with a therapeutic session, the key is tuning into your body’s needs and customizing your practice. 

This approach not only bolsters the physical benefits but also deepens your emotional and mental well-being. Incorporating elements of meditation and mindfulness can further enhance the experience, leading to a deeper sense of peace and self-awareness.

CONSISTENCY AND UTILIZING DIGITAL TOOLS

Maintaining motivation and regularity is fundamental to developing a rewarding home yoga practice. Setting achievable goals, sticking to a routine, and tracking your progress are essential for continuity. To keep your practice engaging and challenging, consider exploring different yoga styles, participating in online challenges, or connecting with friends or family for virtual sessions. 

Moreover, the abundance of digital yoga resources, including virtual classes and guided sessions available online, offers invaluable support. These tools not only diversify your practice but also provide the flexibility to practice at your convenience, ensuring your yoga journey remains dynamic and accessible.

PRIORITIZING SAFETY IN YOUR PRACTICE

Safety should always be at the forefront of your yoga practice, especially when practicing at home. Pay close attention to your body’s signals and avoid pushing beyond your limits. If you have any injuries or health concerns, it’s wise to consult with a healthcare professional before beginning or modifying your yoga routine. Remember, yoga is a personal practice; it’s not about competing or comparing but about nurturing your own body and mind in a safe, healthy manner.

CONCLUSION

Embracing yoga at home is a beautiful investment in your overall well-being. It offers a unique blend of flexibility, convenience, and personalization. By setting up a conducive space, choosing suitable equipment, and crafting a routine that resonates with your lifestyle, you can unlock the myriad benefits of this timeless practice. Remember, the journey of yoga is about progression, not perfection. So, unfold your mat and begin this fulfilling journey towards a healthier, more peaceful you. Read More: Embrace Yoga at Home

#Yoga at home #Yoga #Inner peace #Wellness #Fitness

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How I Lost Weight After Pregnancy and Kept It Off By Counting Macros

Benefits of Counting Macros Counting macros can be incredibly beneficial when it comes to managing weight and overall health. It is an effective way to ensure that you are getting the proper balance of macronutrients each day without overeating or undereating. Macros, or macronutrients, are essential for your body to function properly. They include carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. When these nutrients are consumed in the correct ratios, your body can process them efficiently while also promoting health and wellness. By tracking macros, you can better control how many calories you're consuming each day and also maintain a balanced diet. This helps to prevent weight gain or loss while ensuring that your body has the nutrients it needs to stay healthy. You can use macro counting to maintain weight, lose weight, build muscle, or even modify your overall lifestyle. It's a flexible and reliable way to ensure that your diet is on track and that you're consuming the right macronutrients. How to Calculate Your Macros Calculating your macros is relatively simple. All you need is your current body weight, activity level, dietary preferences, and weight goals. The first step is to determine your target calorie requirements. This can be done by multiplying your current body weight by a specific activity factor depending on your lifestyle. Once you have determined your calorie requirements, you can calculate your macronutrient intake by dividing your calorie total by the amount of macronutrients you want to consume (protein, fats, and carbohydrates). For example, if your caloric goal is 2000 calories, and you would like to consume 30% protein, 40% fats, and 30% carbohydrates, then you would divide 2000 by 4 (one gram of protein equals four calories) and then divide the result by 0.30 to get 333.3 grams of protein per day. You would repeat the same process for fats and carbohydrates. This calculation method provides a basic guideline for anyone looking to calculate their macronutrient intake. The next step is to consider your specific dietary preferences and goals. Based on these, you may need to adjust your macronutrient intake accordingly. For example, if you are looking to build muscle, you may need to bump up your protein intake to support muscle growth. Conversely, if you are looking to lose weight, you may want to lower your carb intake to encourage fat loss. It is important to understand the balance of your macronutrients and how they can support your goals. What to Consider When Planning Your Meals Meal planning is a great way to help keep yourself on track with your nutrition goals. When planning your meals, it’s important to think about nutrient timing as well as the nutrient content of your meals. Timing is important in order to ensure the delivery of exact amounts of nutrients at the right time. Additionally, the nutrient content of your meals is just as important. You should aim for meals that are balanced in macronutrients while also avoiding food items that contain added sugar, sodium, and unhealthy fats. It's also essential to consider the amount of calories you will consume in your meals. Consuming enough calories to meet your needs is important to help maintain a healthy weight and optimal health. To ensure that you get enough calories, make sure to include a variety of nutrient-dense whole foods in your meals. Whole foods such as lean proteins, whole grains, healthy fats, and fruits and vegetables, should make up the majority of your meals. Understanding the Impact of Exercise Exercise is an important part of living a healthy lifestyle. Not only does regular exercise improve physical fitness, but it can also have positive effects on mental health and quality of life. Regular physical activity can help to relieve stress and anxiety, increase self-esteem, and boost mood. Exercise may also help to improve cognitive function and memory, helping to reduce mental fatigue. Additionally, exercise increases the body's metabolic rate, making it easier to maintain a healthy weight. This often makes it easier to stick to a healthy diet and lifestyle in the long run. It is important to note, however, that exercise can have an even greater impact when it is done in moderation. Too much exercise can lead to overtraining and injury, which can have negative effects on health. Over-exercising can also cause increased levels of stress and lead to difficulty sleeping. To ensure that exercise is having a positive impact on health, it is important to get regular check-ups with a doctor and ensure that a balanced diet is being maintained. Tips for Sticking to Your Diet Making the commitment to count your macros is a big step, but it won't do you any good if you don't stick to it. Sticking to a diet can be hard, but here are some tips to help you stay motivated and on track. First and foremost, organization is key. Map out a meal plan at the beginning of the week that meets all your nutritional requirements and designates when and what you will eat for each meal. Prepping several meals for the week is highly beneficial in meal planning since it can save time and give you more flexibility during the week. Having this plan in place allows you to easily make smart decisions when it comes to eating and you don't have to worry about making decisions on the spot. Additionally, hold yourself accountable throughout the week. Make yourself take the time to log your meals and record what your macros are each day. This will help keep you mindful of the types of food you're eating and your overall intake. It can also be helpful to have a support system that holds you accountable to your goals. Find family members or friends to check in on you and keep you motivated. What to do When You Reach a Plateau Reaching a plateau in your diet can be a frustrating experience. But it's important to take a step back and focus on the things you have been doing right, rather than rushing in and making many changes all at once. The key is to be patient and give yourself time to adjust. Take stock of what you have been doing, consider the aspects of your routine that could be altered, and experiment with gradually making those changes. The most important tip is to stay consistent. Make sure you don't give up after hitting a wall. It may just take some patience and staying the course to start seeing results again. Also, remember that the progress you make in your health and lifestyle journey may not always be linear, so don't be discouraged if you have to take two steps back before you can take one step forward. Success is achievable if you persevere and take the necessary steps to get back on track. Understanding the Role of Hunger It is important to understand how hunger plays a part in understanding your macros. While counting macros is a great way to ensure you are getting all of the nutrients you need, it is also important to be aware of how hunger is affecting your decisions when it comes to what you eat. Even when eating a calculated plan of macros, it can be challenging to eat a certain amount of food if you are feeling too full or not hungry enough. When determining and tracking your macros, you should also consider how hunger is impacting your food choices. One way to manage cravings and hunger is to plan ahead for meals. When you have a plan for eating that includes a variety of healthy foods and macronutrients, you can eat in the right amounts at the right time to support your health goals. Additionally, it is important to stay mindful of how much food you are taking in and be aware of the hunger signals that your body is sending. If you are able to recognize when you are truly hungry rather than just having cravings, you can better control your macros and reach your ultimate goals. Creating a Sustainable Eating Plan Developing a sustainable eating plan requires dedication and knowledge of both nutrition and the foods that are best suited to your body’s individual requirements. Setting realistic goals and taking proactive steps to achieve success are essential. It is important to understand that the plan should evolve over time, taking into account an individual's changing needs and preferences. In order to create a sustainable eating plan, it is crucial to focus on meal variety and balance. Consuming a variety of foods from different food groups, with an adequate amount of protein, carbohydrates, and fat, can ensure that the body is receiving the necessary nutrients. Complex carbohydrates such as starchy vegetables, wholegrains, and legumes promote healthy blood sugar levels, while healthy fats, like olive oils, avocados, and nuts, can provide long-term, sustained energy. Eating a nutritious diet, alongside regular physical activity, is key to maintaining a healthy body weight and achieving a balanced lifestyle that can be sustained for the long-term. What are the benefits of counting macros? Counting macros, or macronutrients, is a way of tracking how much of each nutrient you consume. This helps to ensure that you are getting the right amounts of protein, carbohydrates, and fat to promote a healthy, balanced diet. In addition, tracking your macros can help you better regulate your calorie intake, allowing you to reach your health and fitness goals. How do I calculate my macros? Calculating your macros is easy. Start by determining your daily calorie needs, then use those calories as a basis for calculating the number of grams of protein, carbohydrates, and fats you should be consuming each day. Your individual needs may vary, so be sure to talk to your doctor or a nutritionist before starting a macro counting plan. What should I consider when planning my meals? When planning your meals, it's important to consider the macro content of your food choices. Aim for nutrient-rich foods that will provide a balance of the essential macronutrients. Also, be sure to incorporate variety into your meal plan to ensure you get a wide range of vitamins and minerals. What impact does exercise have on my macro goals? Exercise can play a role in reaching your macro goals. When you exercise, you are burning calories and therefore requiring more fuel. Make sure to take into account the extra calories you are burning when calculating your macro goals. How can I stick to my diet? Sticking to your diet can be challenging, but there are several strategies that can help. Preparing meals ahead of time, having healthy snacks on hand, and planning meals can all make it easier to stay on track. It’s also important to have realistic expectations and to give yourself permission to enjoy treats in moderation. What should I do when I reach a plateau? Reaching a plateau can be discouraging, but it can also be a sign that it’s time to switch up your routine. Try adding more variety to your diet, increasing the intensity of your workouts, or tracking your calories more closely. Additionally, remember to be patient with yourself and stay focused on your long-term goals. How does hunger play a role in my diet? Hunger is a normal part of a healthy diet. It is important to be mindful of your hunger signals and respond to them in a healthy way. Eat when you are hungry, stop when you are full, and try to practice mindful eating. How can I create a sustainable eating plan? Creating a sustainable eating plan starts with understanding your individual needs and goals. Aim for a balanced diet that incorporates variety, and remember to be flexible and adapt as needed. Make sure to include healthy snacks, and plan meals and snacks ahead of time to make it easier to stick to your plan. Read the full article

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Thrift Shopping

Thrift stores are having a moment. For good reason, an increasing number of individuals are giving pre-loved items a second shot at life. Not only may exceptional quality clothing be purchased at unbelievable discounts, but shopping secondhand keeps still-wearable garments out of landfills. Plus, who doesn't appreciate a nice thrift store find? If you're new to thrifting, be warned: looking for pre-loved gems may be exhausting and daunting. However, the advantages far surpass the difficulties! Here are seven suggestions on how to thrift shop like a master to help you get the most of your next thrift shopping trip. You could just walk away with some unique clothes if you follow some of our thrifting recommendations.

Tips:

1. Make a Plan Using Your Smartphone

“Thrift shopping without a clear goal is like grocery shopping on an empty stomach: It’s doable but not ideal.”

Thrift shopping without a clear goal is like grocery shopping on an empty stomach: It’s doable but not ideal. Make a mental list of what you’re looking for based on what you already own. This will help keep you focused and on budget. In addition, save pictures of coveted gems and fashion inspiration on your phone for quick reference. This will make it easier for store clerks to help you locate specific garments or let you know if they have something similar on the racks.

2. Sell Your Pre-Loved Garments First

Another way to stick to your budget is to opt for consignment stores that not only sell pre-loved clothes but also buy them. Whether you’re looking to make some extra cash or simply clear your closet before adding new treasures, these stores are great for trading-in the garments you no longer wear. The best part? You can shop while the store clerks inspect and price-out your inventory. If you’d rather, you can also sell clothing and accessories online!

3. Dress for the Occasion

Depending on where you shop, some thrift stores have limited to no fitting rooms—and we don’t recommend buying something without making sure it’s a good fit, as many thrift stores don’t issue refunds or exchanges. To remedy this, wear a form-fitting tank top and biker shorts or leggings to make trying things on as easy as possible, even if it means changing in the middle of the store. For the thrift stores that do have fitting rooms, this also makes changing quick and efficient.

Thrifting is like a sport. It requires stamina, patience, and, sometimes, upper body strength to carry your finds when shops don’t provide carts or baskets. You can easily spend hours in a thrift store worthy of its name. This is another reason to wear comfortable clothing and shoes. A crossbody bag is also great, so your hands can be free to browse all those racks!

4. Shop With Cash Only to Avoid Impulse Buys

“Purchase only the clothes you need and that fit well with your current wardrobe.”

To stay on budget, bring cash when you go thrift shopping. While it’s easy to fall into the ‘but it’s so inexpensive’ trap, remember to stick to your values. Purchase only the clothes you need and that fit well with your current wardrobe. You will stumble upon unique and beautiful pieces, but if they are not your style, you won’t get any wear out of them. So admire them from afar, take a picture if you must, but don’t take them home with you.

5. Save Time by Scanning the Aisles

“Make your way through the store and scan each rack for pieces that stand out.”

Rummaging through multiple piles and racks of clothes is not for the faint at heart. Depending on the size of the thrift store you go to, taking the time to look at every single piece will take forever. To avoid wasting time without missing out on potential gems, you must master the art of the scan. Based on what you are looking for and your preferred color palette and aesthetics, make your way through the store and scan each rack for pieces that stand out and catch your eye. This takes focus and is a skill you will develop over time. Practice makes perfect!

As mentioned before, most, if not all, thrift store purchases are final sale. To avoid discovering defects too late, ensure you’re inspecting each piece as you browse as well. It’s easy to miss a small hole here or a stain there amid the shopping excitement, so take your time going over your finds before committing to a purchase. Not skipping this step can save you unnecessary heartbreak.

6. Tailor Your Thrift Store Finds

Whether it’s new, thrift, or vintage, every piece in your closet should fit you like a glove. Since pre-loved items are often one-of-a-kind, you may need to make alterations. For simple modifications like hemming, try doing it yourself with our instructional guide. You can also take your thrifted items to the dry cleaners. For more intricate customization, you’ll want to consult a tailor, so make sure the piece is worth the investment before you purchase it.

7. Make Friends With Your Thrift Store Staff

Once you find a thrift store that fits your style and budget, make friends with the staff. They can help you while shopping and also give you valuable information, such as when new merchandise comes in and the clothing they are looking to buy for the store.

Reference:

KATHLEEN ELIE. (2022). How To Shop At Thrift Stores For Secondhand Clothing. [Online]. thegoodtrade. Last Updated: 7 Novemeber 2022. Available at: https://www.thegoodtrade.com/features/thrift-shopping-tips/ [Accessed 6 November 2023].