5 Ways You Can Lose Weight

 

This is a question that often plagues people who want to lose weight. Keeping yourself fit and healthy is an important factor for big city folks to keep up with the many stresses and hassles that busy cities put upon us. Well, weight loss isn’t as easy as it seems. Yet, it isn’t as difficult either as long as you follow some simple rules:

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  1. More Out, Less In. This is the simplest thing to follow in weight loss. You have to burn more calories than what you eat. You can eat a truckload of food and it would still be all right as long as you are able to burn all of those in a whole day’s worth of exercise.

 

  1. Exercise. For some people, just eating fewer calories won’t do the job. It could be because of a lot of factors such as their body type or lifestyle. That’s why exercising, along with a controlled diet, is important for weight loss so that you burn more calories.

 

  1. Eat More Protein. Protein isn’t just for people who want to gain muscle. Protein actually helps curb hunger. And don’t worry about your protein intake. It won’t make you huge (that is, if you don’t want to get huge) because protein, when unused by the muscles, will just be flushed right out of the body.

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  1. Get Enough Sleep. Metabolism lessens for people who don’t get enough sleep. Moreover, brain activity and focus is much better for those who have the right amount of sleep. So, overall, sleep just makes a person’s body and health better.

 

  1. Gain Muscle. Study shows that muscles burn more calories because they need more of them to function. Thus, the more muscles you have, the faster your calories burn out. chronic

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Singapore’s Beautiful Actresses

 

Singapore is not only known for its delicious food and beautiful cityscape. We are also known for having some of the most beautiful women in Asia. With that, here are some of the most beautiful actresses in the country.

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Fiona Xie

Started acting in 2001; she is not only known as a popular actress but also as an emcee that is well versed in several languages.

 

Joanne Peh

She earned her fame initially as a model and a former competitor in Miss Singapore Universe back in 2002, winning Miss Personality and Miss Elegant.

 

Felicia Chin

Felicia is Singapore-born and of Chinese descent. She rose to fame after winning the MediaCorp Talent Search back in 2003.

 

Margaret Lee

She was a runner up back in 1990 in one of Singapore’s Star searches. She rose to fame after appearing in Modern Romance, one of the country’s top comedy series.

 

Jeanette Aw

She won the Route to Glamour contest by SPH Mediaworks in 2001. After joining MediaCorp, she earned top roles in various TV shows.

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Lu Rui En

Lu is a multi-talented star with successful careers in modeling, acting and singing. She first got attention after appearing in one of SingTel’s commercials.

 

Yvonne Lim

She is another Singaporean actress of Chinese descent. Her acting career began early in the 90’s and has been seen in several Chinese language TV shows by MediaCorp.

 

Fann Wong

This one is another lady who is also talented in modeling, singing, and acting. She is the first celebrity to win Singapore’s Star Awards for both Best Newcomer and Best Actress.

 

Cheryl Chin

She first got attention as a fashion model and she also won the Singapore Star Search in 2003. Her major film and TV appearances include Mongolian Death Worm and Machete.

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Mentalities That We Should Avoid  

 

We are unique because we have different sets of personalities, temperament and behaviours. No one is alike. However, our personality, temperament and behaviour can affect our physical health. We might not notice it but our thoughts are tied to our physical health.

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This article seeks to reveal thoughts that we should embrace and what we should dodge since it can affect our physical health. We have to remember that positive disposition in life reflects our vibrant, vigour and health.

Here are some thoughts that we should dodge right away:

  • Stress: Prolonged stress can kill us and if it doesn’t, heart diseases can. There was a study in Israel where researchers found out that those who suffer job burnout (a condition when stress becomes uncontrollable) tend to develop type 2 diabetes.

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  • Cynicism: Cynics are not fun to be with. These people tend to mistrust others and give off hostile energy. According to a study made by Boyle among Vietnam veterans, they found out that 25% of hostile veterans are likely to develop heart diseases. This is because they tend to experience more stress which in turn spikes their immune system protein (called C3) WHICH IS connected with different diseases like diabetes.
  • Lack of meaning: When we lack meaning, we just live the day as it is and wait for our time. We do not need researches to deduce that people with higher purpose derive meaning in everything they do and engage in activities that they think are important.

These thoughts sound simple and we can triumph anytime but this is easier said and done. Here in Singapore, there are many people with such thoughts but we have to make sure that it won’t infect us.

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How Our Devices Can Harm Us  

 

It is undeniable that smartphones and computers have made our lives easier but there are few people who think otherwise. Singaporeans are fond of smartphones and computers but only few people know that these devices can harm us.

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We have to know that there are many technology-related injuries and the number is growing every year not only here in Singapore but the whole world. Here’s how our devices harm us:

  • Cardiac arrest: Some people think do not believe that there is a higher chance of lightning striking those who hold their mobile phones. Many cases have been documented like the incident involving the 15 year old girl. Whilst making a call, the girl was struck by lightning thereby putting her into cardiac arrest. She had to be resuscitated.

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  • Computer vision syndrome: There is a condition called Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). CVS refers to eye problems that resulted from prolonged use of computer. The most common symptom is experiencing eyestrain, blurred vision, headaches and dry eyes. Although this is temporary, this is disturbing to endure.
  • Tinnitus: People who use their smartphones have higher chances of developing tinnitus. Tinnitus is a condition when we experience a persistent ringing in our ear. Though there are studies that reject the link between smartphones and tinnitus, plenty researchers believe that people who intensely use their phones for calling will likely to develop tinnitus.
  • “Wiiis” or “Nintendinitis”: In medical literature, doctors call injuries caused by Nintendo Wii. Some injuries include shoulder dislocation, head injuries and even bone fractures. How’s that for intense playing?

We think that computers and smartphones are harmless because they seem appealing and friendly but we have to remember the things mentioned above because it can save us at the end of the day.

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5 Must-Try Products to Maintain a Healthy Scalp

We are all obsessed with gorgeous hairstyles, from messy buns and braids to beachy waves. Still, you should not forget that a hair that looks good always starts with a healthy scalp. Sure, hydrating serums and conditioning treatments can give you an appearance of health, but nurturing your scalp is the key in making your hair look its best. To help you achieve this, we’ve listed down five scalp products that are sure to give you the softest and shiniest hair ever.

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  1. LUSH Hair Doctor and Scalp Mask. Got a fine or oily hair? Then this deep-cleansing treatment would be the best scalp product for you. The product contains rosemary and peppermint oil that gives the treatment a rather invigorating tingly sensation, as its chamomile, coconut and almond oil content works on hydrating and soothing your scalp for a softer, shinier hair.

 

  1. Kiehl’s Magic Elixir Hair Restructuring Concentrate with Rosemary Leaf. Any product calling itself ‘magic’ should come through that claim – and this product surely did. Loaded with rosemary lead extract, the product works by stimulating your scalp to encourage healthy hair growth. Plus, it’s also filled with avocado and safflower oils that moisturizes and makes your hair more manageable. Just the right fix for treating hair and scalp problems, especially dryness.


  1. Alterna Caviar Exfoliating Scalp Facial. If your scalp is dandruff-ridden, itchy, or in need of some serious TLC, then this exfoliating treatment can get the job for you. Not only will it scrub away oil and product build-ups, it also ensures that your scalp is gently and thoroughly cleansed. What’s more amazing is, even those with coloured hair can enjoy the scalp-nourishing benefits of this treatment.

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  1. Kérastase Initialiste Advanced Scalp and Hair Concentrate. Skincare for your hair? Why not! This Kérastase serum works by enhancing the molecules found in healthy hair to give you softer, stronger and healthier strands even with just a week of using it. If your primary concern is hair breakage, then this formula can surely make a significant difference in that.

 

  1. Philip Kingsley Scalp Toner for Flaky and Itchy Scalp. From the authority in hair and scalp care comes a gentle scalp toner that stimulates the blood supply for better scalp health and hair growth. The mild astringent works by absorbing excess oil in the scalp and protecting it against dandruff-causing bacteria. Also, unlike other scalp treatment formula that should only be applied on freshly washed hair, this toner can be reapplied any time of the day.

Caring for your scalp is as important as caring for your hair. So ensure that you get to nurture your scalp properly to achieve that shiny and healthy-looking strands.

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Best Ways to Distract Yourself from a Bad Haircut

Ever had a bad haircut that it feels like the end of the world? If yes, we feel you. It’s true that it’s just hair and that it’ll eventually grow back, but having a terrible cut can be extremely traumatizing on a personal level. While we can’t tell you how to fix your bad haircut, we can surely give you some good tips on how you can distract yourself from the bad hair situation in the meantime.

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  1. Draw Attention Elsewhere. A good way to distract others and yourself from your haircut is to take the attention off your hair, like wearing a bright pink lippie. Your ultimate end goal should accessorizing in a way that keeps other people’s eyes from your new cut, and drawing it into a feature that you’re more confident about.

 

  1. Colour It. Adding in a multidimensional hair colour can make any choppy cut look even choppier, as it draws attention to the hair’s texture and the strand’s movements. So consider replacing your high- and lowlights with one colour to help in distracting from your poorly done cut.

 

  1. Add Some Volume. Curls and texture are two of the best ways to add some shape in your uneven cut. If you feel miserable for losing a bit more length than you planned to, then try waving things up and make your mane look bolder and bigger – you’ll barely miss the few inches you lost.

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  1. Style it Up. Now that you’ve got an uneven cut, it might be time that you experiment on how you can wear your strands up your face, like styling it up in messy bun or a top knot. Be creative and have fun with your new cut until you finally feel confident on wearing it down again.

 

  1. Aim for Growth. One of the best ways to remedy your godawful cut is to grow it out, and hair grows best when you take optimal care of it. As much as possible, avoid excessive use of styling and heat tools, stay hydrated, eat well and take some vitamin supplement. Making right health choices is the key in getting stronger, longer and healthier hair later on.

Having a bad cut is really stressful and frustrating. But by doing any of these tricks, you’ll surely be able to wear your cut beautifully until it grows out to its original form.

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Easy Ways to Recover from Overtraining

Exercising can really be a great help in achieving a healthy lifestyle, but working out too often can result to overtraining. Oftentimes, it can be easily prevented by giving yourself enough resting time. But if you’ve already pushed your body too hard, then resting it out may no longer be enough to get your body back on the roll again. To help you get over it, we’ve listed down some simple steps on how can ensure that your overtraining won’t turn into a rather threatening health hazard.

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  1. Get Enough Rest. When it comes to treating overtraining, your best option would be to have a good rest. During this time, ensure that you get at least seven hours of sleep each night. Also, always review the amount of time that you spend exercising and keep in mind that only few people are capable of doing high intensity workouts every day. So only perform routines that your body is capable of doing, instead of over-exercising it.
  1. Taper Your Workouts. Completely laying off your routine might be necessary if you’ve drastically over-trained, but for a modest overtraining, simply cutting back your workout for several weeks is already be enough. If possible, reduce your exercise frequency to twice a week. This will help in maintaining your fitness level, while giving your body a good chance to recover.

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  1. Eat Right. Other than getting enough rest, the composition and timing of your meals also play an important role in recovering from overtraining. As much as possible, aim to include carbohydrates and protein-rich foods in your meals. Also, eat two hours before working out and immediately after exercising, since your body is most responsive to energy storage in the first 30 minutes after working out.
  1. Stay Hydrated. Staying hydrated is also crucial when recovering from overtraining, as it’ll help your body to function optimally and heal itself. Fitness experts actually recommend consuming 64 ounces of water daily, and more during hot weather conditions.
  1. Start Exercising Slowly. After a period of overtraining, the last thing you’d probably want to do is working your body too hard again. A good way to avoid this is to engage in light exercise routines first. Try switching up some of your routines when you start feeling like you’re overtraining your body again. Replace your weight training with cardio exercises, and running with swimming. Also, ensure that your body gets enough rest during your off days so that you can get back to your usual routine in no time.

Treating overtraining is actually quite an easy thing to do. Just let your body get the rest it deserves, eat right and healthy, and exercise with caution. Keep these things in mind and you’ll be able to get back to your normal routine like nothing happened.

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6 Beauty Habits to Practise Every Morning

We understand that you’re not a morning person, but just because you don’t wake up bright doesn’t mean that you can’t start your day on the right foot. So kick-off your mornings by adding these morning beauty habits into you’re A.M. schedule and reap all of its benefits throughout the day.

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  1. Apply Some Sunscreen. Regardless if the weather is cloudy, it’s essential that you get some form of sun protection every day. Instead of relying solely on the SPF content of your makeup products, double your protection by applying a nickel-sized amount of sunscreen on your face. Don’t forget to apply some on your eye area, lips, neck and back of your hands too, as these spots tend to be more exposed to the aging UV rays.
  1. Eat Protein. Instead of indulging on your sugary cereal, or carb-heavy bagel every morning, treat yourself to some Greek yogurt or eggs. Eating a high-protein breakfast will make you stay fuller longer and avoid overeating later in the day.
  1. Drink Ice Cold Water. Being dehydrated won’t just make you feel terrible, it’ll mess up the quality of your skin too. After getting a night’s rest, your body will be desperate for fluids, so start your day by drinking a tall glass of ice cold water to kick-off your metabolism and signal your brain that it’s time to start your day.

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  1. Mist Your Face. Spraying some on at night can help, but giving yourself some frigid spritz on the face first thing in the morning will surely be a lot of help in your beauty routine, as it’ll reduce morning puffiness and leave feeling awake and bright.
  1. Spray Some Citrusy Fragrance. Even doing something as simple as spraying a citrus-based perfume is already enough to help you jumpstart your day. Several studies showed that citrus fragrances aids in reducing stress, while boosting your immune function.
  1. Choose Green Tea. Need an A.M. caffeine boost, but not a fan of coffee? Then drink some green tea. This drink is loaded with flavonoids, a type of antioxidant that has been proven to slowdown cell damage and reduce certain cancer risk. Can’t give up your cup of Joe? Then stick with your coffee habit, since coffee is believed to also contain antioxidants and even speed up metabolism.

If there’s one good way to start your day right, then that would be practising habits that are good for your health and can cater to your beauty needs too. So keep the aforementioned beauty habits in mind and you’ll surely wake up to better and more beautiful mornings.

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A Brief Guide of Chlamydia  

 

Sex education in America has become a part of their curriculum. This benefits a lot of people especially students but there is a school in Texas (Crane Independent School District) that does not offer sex education. The school simply believes that abstinence is the key.

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No matter how pure their intentions are, the school suffered a chlamydia outbreak – a sexually transmitted disease where twenty of their students are affected. The outbreak of sexually transmitted disease is not only the problem of Texas or America but also the whole world.

Here in Singapore, we do not often hear or talk about sexually transmitted disease maybe because of it being a taboo. This time, we have to talk about a specific sexually transmitted disease – chlamydia.

Here is a glance at chlamydia:

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  • What is Chlamydia? Chlamydia is primarily an infection caused by bacteria transmitted during sexual contacts. This is the most common sexually transmitted disease around the world (more common than gonorrhoea and syphilis).
  • Symptoms: Chlamydia is very silent that it comes without a warning. Most people do not know they have chlamydia. Chlamydia starts five to ten days after contracting the infection. Women usually experience symptoms like abdominal pain, fever and vaginal discharge or bleeding. Men may experience burning feeling when urinating, discharges from the penis and swollen testicles.
  • Diagnosis: If we think that we have the symptoms, there is no reason why we delay some tests. We should see our doctors right away. We do not need to worry about the confidentiality of our results.
  • Treatment: The good news is that chlamydia can be easily treatable with the use of antibiotics. This is why we have to see our doctors right away.

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