Unwanted Stretch Marks and How to Go About It

Who would want stretch marks?

I'd rather stretch 36" drawer slides at ovisonline than stretch my tummy skin and worry about it at the later time.

Stretch marks or striae, as they are called in dermatology, are a form of scarring on the skin with a silvery white hue. They are caused by tearing of the dermis, and over time can diminish but not disappear completely. Stretch marks are the result of the rapid stretching of the skin associated with rapid growth or weight gain. Although the skin is fairly elastic, rapid stretching of the skin will leave permanent stretch marks and most of them are generally associated with pregnancy, obesity, and can develop during rapid muscle growth.

Numerous skin care products such as stretch mark creams and moisturizers are widely circulating over the counter nowadays claiming they are competent, effective and beneficial. But let's give it a minute to ponder. Are these products really worth your money? Some helpful sites may have the solution - sites that handle reviews on stretch marks treatment and will help us understand on how to prevent stretch marks from forming mostly in the soft skin part of our body. Formulated stretch mark cream is a preventive treatment for stretch marks during or after pregnancy. It protects and regenerates skin, helps increase production of collagen and elastin in the epidermis, increases the elasticity and strength of the skin, decreases the appearance and effectively prevents the development of stretch marks and definitely keeps skin healthy and firm.

Continue Reading

Taking Pregnancy Step by Step

Congratulations on your pregnancy. You may have heard of the “joys of pregnancy.” Generally, people are being sarcastic when they throw out this phrase. While there are many things to enjoy about being pregnant, there are a few things that are not as pleasant. In order to cope with them, you should take some steps from when you first find out you are pregnant.

The first thing you must do is make an appointment with your doctor. Confirm that your pregnancy test was a true positive, and set up a schedule for prenatal care. During this visit, your doctor will prescribe prenatal vitamins. Your second step is to fill this prescription and take them every morning religiously throughout your pregnancy. Taking these vitamins insures that your baby has everything it needs, and that you will remain healthy throughout the pregnancy and beyond.

Your health is of the utmost importance. Your baby will take what it needs from your body, without regard as to whether or not there are enough nutrients left to sustain you. Therefore, your next step is to ensure you are eating right so that you can stay healthy and have a healthy baby. You need to get more than the typical daily value of vitamins and minerals. You should also be getting closer to 2500 to 3000 calories per day. Get in those extra calories with fruits and vegetables high in nutrients, and you won’t go wrong. Remember to eat plenty of protein as well, as amino acids are the building blocks of cells. You can get specific information about your diet from your doctor.

Your next step is to determine how you are going to cope with those “joys” mentioned earlier. During the first trimester you will notice many things start to happen. First, you will notice that you have to urinate more frequently. Plan for this and start making extra trips to the restroom so that you don’t get caught off guard by the sudden need to go.

Another thing you may notice is nausea. Morning sickness, as it is called, can actually occur during any part of the day or night. Some women experience it during one specific part of the day, while others experience it throughout the day. Typically it only lasts for the first trimester, although some women complain of nausea into the second trimester. If you start experiencing morning sickness, there are several things you can do to help. You can take in clear fluids like water or juice and eat some saltine crackers. If this does not seem to help, you can try Biobands. These bands can provide pregnancy nausea relief without taking any medication that could adversely affect your baby.

Following these steps will get you through the first trimester of your pregnancy. Following this, the pregnancy is generally smooth sailing for most women. You will not experience any other “joys” until much later in the third trimester, when you will experience more frequent urination, Braxton Hicks contractions, and other side effects of pregnancy. Prepare yourself for these later stages by following the last step of the first trimester. Get yourself a book about pregnancy that takes you through the entire process, step by step and stage by stage. This will steer you in the right direction.

Continue Reading

Looking to Run Soon

Since the dawn of my fat loss quest, I have been looking to run… if only I have someone to do it with. Abdominal fat as many of us are aware of is one of the hardest to lose. Running is an excellent fat burning exercise according to health experts which also targets abdominal fat to a great extent, thereby reducing fat around the waist, hip and abdomen. It can be considered to be one of the most effective abdominal fat removal exercises.

Recently a friend of mine who is also struggling to lose fat brought up the idea of running. She asked if could run with her and the word “SURE” came out in a flash from my mouth. Finally, I will be able to run soon. We are yet to figure out when to start but it’s probably going to be any day from this week… or maybe tomorrow… who knows?

I had my pair of running shoes ready and definitely my camera too. I know, inconvenience, right? But sue me, I am still a blogger and none of those important chapters of my fat loss journey I want to miss so I will work around it. I will be fine.

Am I excited? Definitely! This is something I so long to do and now here’s my chance. Good luck to me!

Continue Reading

14 Pregnancy Sanity-Savers

It’s the tough truth: the world doesn’t stop for you when you’re expecting, but you can make it an easier place to live in.  Here are some tips to help reduce your stress during this time:

1. Do your research. Read a reputable pregnancy book or check out recommended pregnancy websites that will answer all your questions.

2. Treat yourself to some ginger tea.  Dr. Ben Kim, a practitioner of chiropractic medicine based in Ontario, Canada, promotes the benefits of ginger on his natural health website. According to Dr. Kim, Ginger can effectively decrease nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.

3. Grab some me-time. Once your baby is born, you will be wishing you had taken this piece of advice! Catch up on movies or your favorite TV series, read books that have nothing to do with babies and lunch with your girlfriends.

4. Meditate. This is the best time to learn soothing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and mental imagery exercises. This skill will help see you through labor, delivery and post-partum.

5. Don’t splurge. If your friends and relatives offer to lend you pregnancy and baby clothes, don’t refuse. You’ll need all the money you can save for the diapers alone!

6. Work smart. Try to maximize your free time during the day. Use lunch breaks to run errands. Enroll for an online bank account to make quicker and hassle-free payment and transactions.

7. Exercise! Not only does light to moderate exercise help increase your energy, it prepares you for easier labor. Pregnancy yoga is very healing. Just make sure you consult your doctor beforehand.

8. Catch some Z’s. Take catnaps during lunch break at the office to help decrease pregnancy-related fatigue.

9. Talk to your boss. Make sure that your boss is aware of any difficulty you may be having due to your pregnancy. Know your rights as a pregnant woman, and plan ahead for a worry-free maternity leave.

10 Pamper yourself. A pre-natal massage or a mani-pedi session at your favorite salon is a great pick-me-up when you’re feeling blah.

11. Take a “babymoon”. Spend some quality time with your spouse during the second trimester when it’s safe to travel. It may be a while before you can both get away again.

12. Prepare for breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is one of the best things you could do to your baby. Get ready by reading up on it, attending breastfeeding classes and joining breastfeeding support groups.

13. Talk about it. If you can’t shake the stress on your own, there are other ways: share your feelings with your spouse, family members of close friends; seek out a group of moms who can give you support; or join online pregnancy support groups or communities.

14. Say a little prayer. Few things are more comforting than thanking God for the blessing of motherhood and asking him for a baby who’s healthy in mind, body and spirit.


Source: Working Mom, Dec. 2011 issue

Continue Reading

14 Pregnancy Sanity-Savers

It’s the tough truth: the world doesn’t stop for you when you’re expecting, but you can make it an easier place to live in.  Here are some tips to help reduce your stress during this time:

1. Do your research. Read a reputable pregnancy book or check out recommended pregnancy websites that will answer all your questions.

2. Treat yourself to some ginger tea.  Dr. Ben Kim, a practitioner of chiropractic medicine based in Ontario, Canada, promotes the benefits of ginger on his natural health website. According to Dr. Kim, Ginger can effectively decrease nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.

3. Grab some me-time. Once your baby is born, you will be wishing you had taken this piece of advice! Catch up on movies or your favorite TV series, read books that have nothing to do with babies and lunch with your girlfriends.

4. Meditate. This is the best time to learn soothing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and mental imagery exercises. This skill will help see you through labor, delivery and post-partum.

5. Don’t splurge. If your friends and relatives offer to lend you pregnancy and baby clothes, don’t refuse. You’ll need all the money you can save for the diapers alone!

6. Work smart. Try to maximize your free time during the day. Use lunch breaks to run errands. Enroll for an online bank account to make quicker and hassle-free payment and transactions.

7. Exercise! Not only does light to moderate exercise help increase your energy, it prepares you for easier labor. Pregnancy yoga is very healing. Just make sure you consult your doctor beforehand.

8. Catch some Z’s. Take catnaps during lunch break at the office to help decrease pregnancy-related fatigue.

9. Talk to your boss. Make sure that your boss is aware of any difficulty you may be having due to your pregnancy. Know your rights as a pregnant woman, and plan ahead for a worry-free maternity leave.

10 Pamper yourself. A pre-natal massage or a mani-pedi session at your favorite salon is a great pick-me-up when you’re feeling blah.

11. Take a “babymoon”. Spend some quality time with your spouse during the second trimester when it’s safe to travel. It may be a while before you can both get away again.

12. Prepare for breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is one of the best things you could do to your baby. Get ready by reading up on it, attending breastfeeding classes and joining breastfeeding support groups.

13. Talk about it. If you can’t shake the stress on your own, there are other ways: share your feelings with your spouse, family members of close friends; seek out a group of moms who can give you support; or join online pregnancy support groups or communities.

14. Say a little prayer. Few things are more comforting than thanking God for the blessing of motherhood and asking him for a baby who’s healthy in mind, body and spirit.


Source: Working Mom, Dec. 2011 issue

Continue Reading

Girl Power: You've Got What It Takes

Sure it feels great when everything's going right... then there are some days we've got to face situations that don't seem as bright. If that ever happens to you, don't worry about it. Try not to get down or feel blue. You see you've got what it takes in your brave and true mind to overcome any mountain - no matter how steep, no matter how high.

 Just focus on "right now" - not the future or the past.... just this one moment, right there where you stand. Then do your very best to understand what you've got: the wonderful power of your own heart, soul and hands... which is much, much more than a lot.

Continue Reading

Girl Power: You've Got What It Takes

Sure it feels great when everything's going right... then there are some days we've got to face situations that don't seem as bright. If that ever happens to you, don't worry about it. Try not to get down or feel blue. You see you've got what it takes in your brave and true mind to overcome any mountain - no matter how steep, no matter how high.

 Just focus on "right now" - not the future or the past.... just this one moment, right there where you stand. Then do your very best to understand what you've got: the wonderful power of your own heart, soul and hands... which is much, much more than a lot.

Continue Reading

Useful Reading Material for Women

Hi there again! First off, I’d like to thank all those who have made it here despite my days-worth of absence. Whatever you did while here – followed my new page through GFC, liked Daily Grind’s fan page on Facebook, read my welcome post or simply took a peek – thank you so much.

For today I’d like to share this awesome book from Robin Marvel. I got it from the mail yesterday. He’s a direct advertiser who does Blogger to Blogger campaign and send out essential reading materials for review to interested bloggers. I of course was one of them and its arrival was obviously very timely for this page. For a teaser, it is an inspiring book each woman must have. I love how the front cover was created too. It is kind of summing up what the book’s entire content is all about before you can even start browsing the pages.

Anyway, feel free to leave me a message if you would want me to help you where and how to get this book. I haven't done organizing my blog pages yet so I won't mind you placing your inquiry through the comment box.

That’s all for now... See you!

Continue Reading

Useful Reading Material for Women

Hi there again! First off, I’d like to thank all those who have made it here despite my days-worth of absence. Whatever you did while here – followed my new page through GFC, liked Daily Grind’s fan page on Facebook, read my welcome post or simply took a peek – thank you so much.

For today I’d like to share this awesome book from Robin Marvel. I got it from the mail yesterday. He’s a direct advertiser who does Blogger to Blogger campaign and send out essential reading materials for review to interested bloggers. I of course was one of them and its arrival was obviously very timely for this page. For a teaser, it is an inspiring book each woman must have. I love how the front cover was created too. It is kind of summing up what the book’s entire content is all about before you can even start browsing the pages.

Anyway, feel free to leave me a message if you would want me to help you where and how to get this book. I haven't done organizing my blog pages yet so I won't mind you placing your inquiry through the comment box.

That’s all for now... See you!

Continue Reading