Cheap Younger Next Year For Women
Monday, November 5, 2012
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Younger Next Year For Women Bargain {YOUNGER NEXT YEAR FOR WOMEN BY Crowley, Chris(Author)}Younger Next Year For Women: Live Strong, Fit, And Sexy - Until You're 80 And Beyond[paperback]Workman Publishing(Publisher)
Body Image and the Media
Popular film and television actresses seem to be skinner, taller, and younger than ever. Women's magazines and television shows are filled with weight-loss ads. The average American is subject to about 3,000 of these ads on a daily basis according to the Women's Center of Media and Body Image. The ongoing exposure to these images has proven to distort and alter our perceptions of reality. Our constant encounter with these images of perfection is not what the average woman looks like. Yet, it is difficult for young girls to understand this concept. So they continue to strive for these unrealistic images of what the media believes a woman should look like.Many of the images found on television and in magazine ads have been proved to be unattainable. The majority of the models and actresses that we see on a daily basis are reported to be at least twenty pounds underweight. The Dove Corporation has launched Campaign for Real Beauty, which promotes healthy body image among women. Their mission is "to help free ourselves and the next generation from beauty stereotypes" (Dove). This corporation has created though-provoking ads featuring realistic body types of women from differing backgrounds. One of their most effective commercials entitled "Dove's Evolution" shows a model at a photo shoot. The young woman goes through sits while a team of hair stylist and make-up artists work on her, prepping and primping her. They then show her image on a computer screen. Editors have the ability to elongate her neck, darken her eyebrows, and narrow her face and more. The finished, yet altered product is then plastered on a billboard for all to see. This commercial just emphasizes the fact that the images we see on the media are literally impossible to attain.Poor body image is not just an issue among adults and teen; researchers have found that preteens are also trouble with their body image. The Canadian Women's Health Network warned "weight control measures are now being taken by girls as young as 5 and 6". Several studies show that almost have of all preadolescent girls in the U.S wish they were thinner, and have been on a diet or are aware of the concept of dieting (Media Awareness Network). In the year 2003 Teen Magazine reported that 35% of girl's age's six to twelve have been on at least one diet and 50-70% of these girls felt that they were overweight. Approximately ninety percent of women are dissatisfied with their appearance in some shape or form.Imagine what life would be like if we did not have the influence of the media shaping ones perception of the ideal body. Before this type of pervasive media existed negative body images were absent. Reports show that twenty years ago the average model weighed only eight per cent less than the average woman. Today models weigh at least twenty-three percent less than the average woman (Women's Center of Media and Body Image). Advertisers believe that thin models sell product. Yet the average woman seems to think differently. If pictures of "normal" sized models were featured in magazines the majority of women reported they would continue to support that particular magazine. It seems the only way there will be a change in the media is if we, the consumers refuse to support these unrealistic and detrimental images.The influence the media has on teenage girl's minds is becoming greater and more dangerous every day.Advertisements and the media set out with only one intention. to make a profit.Along the way however, they are altering the reality of body image and leading girls to believe beauty is only skin deep.Flip through the channels on your television and what will you find? Gorgeous and skinny star icons that make healthy, young girls feel like they need to be prettier in order to be noticed.The media affects girl's minds in such a negative manner that it often causes these girls to look at themselves in dissatisfaction and disgust.When girls see the models in a Victoria's Secret commercial they think only one thing, "why can't I look like that?" After they examine the models and then examine themselves, they will often start to compare their bodies.If the girl's ribs do not show or her legs are not as long as the models, she may ultimately begin to think she is unattractive and abnormal.When girls think this about themselves, their self esteem is lowered and their confidence is lost.Self esteem is the opinion and value you have for yourself.It is also something that girls do not have a lot of these days.Low self esteem is often caused by the lack of positive body image, which almost every girl in America can relate to.It has been reported that at age thirteen, 53% of American girls are "unhappy with their bodies." This grows to be 78% by the time girls reach seventeen (Brumberg, 1997).Having a low self esteem may seem like an insignificant affect to some, however, it leads to much more serious problems that can even result in dire consequences.According to I Am Beautiful, a program created to help girls with low self esteem issues to build their confidence, "girls with low self esteem are more likely to suffer from depression or an eating disorder, consider or attempt suicide, or be more willing to engage in sexual activity." Although it is not impossible to restore one's self esteem, it is difficult and it may require professional attention such as a therapist to accept yourself for who you are.It's pretty widely understood in America today that the media, our friends, and all the forces of society our country puts value in, contribute to how we feel about our bodies.These attitudes and judgments mess with every aspect of how our bodies functions, including mentally and physically.With the information that is currently available and through further awareness, society can slow start to fix this increasing epidemic of the perfect body.
Dating After Divorce With Children - When To Start Dating Again?
The divorce is final.The ex-husband, Bill says it is a sad time for him.His former wife Sandi said she's been through a living hell for the past year because of a damaged marriage due to Bill's infidelity.But in a conversation that I had with her, she said, "I feel better and stronger than ever.I had to dig deep to get through this divorce with my young kids but now have self-reliance because of my values." So what is next for Sandi? Well, like any other women in her situation she will be faced with dating after divorce with children.Sandi is a beautiful young woman who had her heart set on family life with her and Bill raising their family together as Mr.And Mrs.Bill Jones (not their real last name).Now that dream is shattered.No doubt she will be motivated to re-create that dream with someone else.But before she can do that she will have to start dating available men and see if she can find 'Mr.Right' who is willing to take on her and the children.If you were thinking Sandi has it made because she is rich (Bill is very successful and a multi-millionaire) and beautiful and she will have guys falling at her feet wanting to marry her, think again.If you are a divorced woman, who has little ones, finding guys to date who want a ready-made family is no easier for her, than it is for you.In reality she has a much harder road to climb.A lot of men will probably be interested in her for her money not the total package.Will she be able to sort out the real love of her life from the impostors?No doubt having kids and dating brings challenges.Your kids wish that you and their dad were still together.Their life has radically changed and depending on the ages of your offspring they may be very angry about the divorce.On the other hand, you, just like Sandi Jones, would like to have an honest, loving and caring man in your life to complete a family unit.Let's face it; no doubt, it is tougher for women dating after divorce with even one child than a dad who is divorced with one kid.If the man gets married again his new spouse will only have to deal with his boy or girl every other weekend or so.The rest of time his ex is the mommy and caretaker for the child.It may not sound fair, but that is the way it usually is.So, as a single mom you really need to be careful when entering the dating game.The key is to really get good at sizing a guy up and figure out if he is just looking for a friend with benefits and you fit the bill because he offers a better alternative to being alone.Or are you dating a man who is open to dealing with the complications of a ready-made family.That is what you need to figure out before bringing your brood into the picture.It can work when divorced men become step dads and fall in love with the total package, mom and kids.A blended family can create a successful new family unit when both partners were previously married and have been divorced.But here is what is most important to remember as a single mother dating.Do not introduce any man to your children until you know without a doubt that he will be there for the long-term.Granted, it may turn out that after bringing him into the fold, for whatever reasons the relationship just can't go to the next level.But if he is a good guy he will have had a positive impact on your children and they should be able to deal with the ending of your relationship.On the other hand if he is the one for you, and can embrace your children and the responsibilities of a family, then your dream has come true.Here is the bottom line, whether it's Sandi (the former Mrs.Jones), or it's you, as a woman dating after divorce with children you must put the kids first.The worst thing you could do is introduce your children to every Tom, Dick and Harry that you may date once or twice and then they disappear.Secretly, your kids would like to have a great guy become part of the family.So don't get their hopes up by introducing them to a man who will only be there for the short-term.Date intelligently like I believe Sandi will and put your kids first.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Old Dog, New Tricks
I've been 'feelin like an old dog lately. No new tricks; no new kicks (but a lot of new kinks as I curl up on the couch - getting ready for retirement).Unfortunately, my business partner changed that perfectly acceptable old-person's matrix on my 54th birthday.He said, "you're not getting any younger, 'me boy" and handed me. "Younger Next Year.A Guide to Living like 50 Until you're 80 and Beyond.".JUST what this old dog needs. a Self Help book.The Good News is. The first goal is already met. I'm 50! How hard can this be?To humor my thoughtful (and slightly sarcastic) business partner, I started reading his stupid book.Then I found I couldn't put it down.My matrix did a '180 in the first few pages! The book's message is good, and it's a Mans Book to boot. no tears; no fluff; no Bull! Alpha Male material with a Tough Love tenor. "Be a man; go to work; get 'er done." I was hooked from Page One.(I even read The Acknowledgments, The Appendix and The Table of Contents!) The old dog found a good bone!Preparing for the "Last Third of Life" is not a 'Boomer- babying story.It's a gritty field manual on how to win a battle you're ultimately going to lose; it shows you how to go down hard; go down swinging.Henry Lodge and Chris Crowley take turns writing chapters - making strong arguments to convince old dogs that, by following seven simple rules there truly is, "A Guide to Living like 50 until you're 80 and beyond.".Wise-cracking, New 'Yawk lawyer Cowley keeps the banter lively - and manly - in each of his chapters.A 70-year-old convert to the lifestyle and philosophy espoused by his co-author, Crowley is living testament to living long - and strong - into retirement and beyond! Crowley is a great story teller.He uses lawyerly skills to draw readers in to get a conviction.Sometimes, it doesn't seem like he's counseling you on anything as he's nudging you off the couch.Other times, he cuts the flowery courtroom crap and comes right at you with the language of the street - and the law of the jungle.Internist Lodge also gets in your face, but approaches his chapters a little more measured; a little more professorially as he paints a gloriously illustrated textbook on history, physiology, psychology, aging and the human spirit.Never a "Science Guy" in school, I thrilled at Doc's depiction of human development since 'BigBang! I learned more about my species and its development over billions of years than all the shows I've watched on Discovery Channel curled up on the couch.Lodge's arguments about life, and living, and health, and aging made perfect sense to a geriatric neophyte like me, and gave me great pause as to where life is supposed to go; where it's programmed to go; where we all want it to go. Younger Next Year.The 'boys just published a Women's Version/Same Title.It's probably not very different because of the science behind the original, but I'm sure they cleaned up some of the "Locker Room" language.Curl up with either version, you old Dog!
The Great Mammogram Debate
With the impending onset of the Menopause, I decided to get my physical health checked up, as well as continuing to work on my mental attitude with a Counsellor.I booked an appointment to have my breasts examined at our local specialist Unit, which runs on a charitable basis outside the NHS.I've been having this done on and off since I was 20.The nurse manually palpates your tissue to check for lumps and shows you how to do so correctly for yourself each month.If she finds anything untoward, you will be referred for a mammogram.This time, I was told that Unit policy now says that women under 50 should have a mammogram every year and those over 50 every other year.I last had one of these torturous tests over five years ago when I had a lump under my armpit.This turned out to be a hormonal reaction by my breast tissue and the pain and size of the lump in the second half of every month was regulated by using Starflower or Evening Primrose Oil which contains gamma-linolenic acid (GLA).You can imagine that I was not terribly enthusiastic about being told that I had to repeat the process when I didn't actually have a problem, especially as I was concerned about the risks of radiation exposure.Since that last unpleasant experience, when my breast was squashed until it resembled a pitta bread and then squeezed between two plates like a piece of laundry being mangled, the quality of the specialist performing the mammograms and the improvement in machinery had increased dramatically.As a result, it was a relatively pain free experience.Two films were taken of each breast, one from the front and one from the side.The view from two angles increases the chance of detection by 25% and I'm relieved to say that all came back clear.However, I'm still not sure whether I like the idea of one of these tests every year until I'm 50 and then every other year thereafter, so I will continue to examine myself regularly and give it some more thought so that I am more prepared when they call me back again next year.The national policy for the UK is a mammogram every three years for women over 50.The problem is that having a mammogram every three years means that there is more of a risk that cancer could develop in between tests.However, being screened annually equates to exposing the woman to three times the amount of radiation as well as trebling the costs to the NHS.Some studies have found a slight increase in the number of breast cancers detected in women who have annual screening but, because more women are now attending, this skews the figures so more research is needed in this area.Addressing the issue of radiation, a mammogram is a type of X-ray and so you will be exposed to a small amount of this toxic substance.However, scientists have worked out that there is less than a 1 in 25,000 risk of a mammogram causing breast cancer.According to Cancer Research UK, for every 1000 women screened, about 7 breast cancers will be found and these cancers are normally at an earlier stage when it is more likely to be curable.The consensus of doctors and researchers generally is that the benefits of finding breast cancer early far outweigh the small risk of radiation from the mammograms used to detect them.There is currently little evidence that regular mammograms for women under the age of 47 can prevent death from breast cancer because their breast tissue is denser and so more difficult to read.My screening was part of a UK trial offering yearly mammograms to women from the age of 40 or 41.Early analysis of this data shows that they do pick up some cancers in these younger women but it is not possible to say for sure whether this will save more lives because the results of this research will not be available for many years.Records show that, of the 1.7 million women who took part in the UK screening programme in 2004/2005, only (5%) were recalled for more tests.If there is the slightest doubt about your mammogram, but no real sign of cancer, you will be asked to come back for another screening after six months or a year and three out of every 100 women who have a second mammogram need to have further tests.It is important to make sure that you know how your breasts normally look and feel, even if you are having mammograms regularly.Most breast cancers are still found by women themselves because cancers can show up between mammograms.This is known as an 'interval cancer'.If you notice any lumps or symptoms that could be due to breast cancer, don't wait until your next mammogram.See your GP straight away.This article may be reproduced providing a hard link to the sites in the resource box is maintained.
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