5 Detoxing Tips That Work

Image - St John's wort - Dances of Dreams

Ready for a quick, detox lesson? Here are five accessible ways of helping your body cope with all the poisons and toxins it's exposed to every day. These are simple, easy-to-follow, and they work!

Fasting

Pick one day, every two/three months for a fasting session. I don't believe in doing this for prolonged periods because obviously, it will do more harm than good as the body needs nutrients to function. 

For the entire day (24 hours), do not eat anything but little pieces of fruit or salads when you feel hungry. It's important to make sure you drinking plenty of water. This is a great way of giving your entire system a rest from digesting fatty foods and it will assist the liver in releasing toxin build-up in the body.

(Some people believe in getting rid of toxin build-up by having a colonic irrigation. This can be as harmful as too much antibiotics because it may get rid of the friendly bacteria that live in your gut.)

Body brushing

Not only does this help in getting rid of dry skin cells and bacteria living on the surface of the skin, it's a drug-free way of increasing blood circulation. This keeps oxygen and nutrients travelling to all parts of the body. This is an invigorating exercise and benefits can be felt for a long time after it's finished. A few minutes a day works wonders for the body's overall health.

Cut out processed food 

It's difficult to do this as a lifestyle, as it may not be sustainable or may prove too expensive. However, you can choose regular periods in the year to have a clean-eating detox. Cut out all processed foods and eat naturally for a week at a time.

Fresh vegetables and fruit, free-range meat and eggs, beans and lentils, and nuts and seeds are on the menu. Cut out all wheat, processed white sugar and salt. Cut caffeine and alcohol and drink natural teas and plenty of water and unsweetened fruit juices. You will see a marked difference in the way you feel and in your general health. 

Sauna

This one may not be to everyone's taste, but spending about 10 minutes in the sauna is great for sweating out toxins the body has built up over time. Don't forget to drink a glass of water when you leave the sauna to make sure you're putting some of the liquid back in.

Cook with fresh herbs

Get rid of your dried herbs and replace them with fresh ones. Many of them can be chopped and kept in the freezer to use as you wish. Others can be bought in little pots from the supermarket and kept on your kitchen window ledge. I find this very useful indeed. Remember never to overcook them. Put them into your food just before the very end so that they retain not only their taste, but their nutrients as well. 

Once you're happy with this, speak to your chemist about milk thistle, St John's wort and dandelion to see which one is best for your specific needs. These are all great herbs for detoxing.  

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Enjoyable Things To Do For Your Sister

March 8th, 2010 is International Women's Day. It's a day we get to 'officially' celebrate the strengths and achievements of women everywhere. There's usually a recognition of mothers, wives, and female workmates, but not enough acknowledgement of sisters.


Here's an article I wrote some time ago, which suggests ways we can encourage and build up our sisters. I wanted to revive it for Women's Day this year. So, whether she's your parents' daughter or a friend you've adopted as your sister, here are some ways to cheer her up.

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Sometimes growing up with siblings can be difficult, especially if our personalities seem to be the total opposite of each other’s.  In most cases we grow out of these disagreements, and as adults become best of friends. After all, this is only natural, as we’ll know our siblings for longer than we will know anyone else in our entire lives.

I wanted to write this article about sisters, because we generally allow ourselves to grow apart after we move away from home.  The strains that life puts on us, the responsibilities or career, marriage and kids, soon add up to conspire against us when it comes to spending time with our sisters.

How can we change this never-ending circle and let our sisters know that she still means the world to us? Here are some fabulous (inexpensive and expensive) ways to show her you still care, and that the years that have gone by have only made your love for her stronger.

Get her to finally start something she’s been threatening to do for a long time

If it’s losing weight, help her by doing it with her, or by booking her into a weight-loss group. If she’s always been thinking of joining a gym but so far hasn’t gotten around to it, pay for her first two or three sessions.  If going running is what she intends to do, get her on her feet by buying her some great running shoes, or maybe even by starting to run yourself.  You could pick her up if you don’t live too far away. This will surely give her the kick start she’s wanted for so long.

Give her a most original and special gift

It could be something worn or used by someone famous whom she admires.  Or take an old picture of her and her favourite grandmother (or of a place she once visited and longs to see again). Have it enlarged and professionally framed. You could also send away for a token of a place she dreams of visiting as a way to keep her dream alive. Getting concert tickets for her to see her favourite artiste is also something she would never forget.

Kidnap her and take her to her most favourite spot

Plan also to have a picnic ready with some of her favourite music (check that you have enough batteries in the CD player/MP3 before you leave home).You could take a day off work and maybe convince her to do the same for this event.  A bit of mischief  wouldn’t do too much harm. In fact, it could play a role in reminiscence of the naughtiness you got up to together when you were children.  This can only be a good thing to bring you closer together.

Take each other’s kids for a week-end and do something memorable with them

For older kids (with your sister’s express permission of course) you could have their ears pierced, go to a big game, or set up a family album on-line.  For younger kids going to a show or a theme park is something they would think of with pleasure for years to come. If you can’t do this, making a rug together, or learning to cook a simple meal is great fun and a confidence booster.

Go for a luxurious meal

Along with little gossip time together (over dessert) with your sister away from everyone else.

Surprise meeting

If she’s been talking about someone in her past who you know she hopes she’ll see again, arrange a surprise meeting with him/her.  This is a tricky one though, you’d have to make sure (I’m certain that you’re able to ask sneaky questions without her guessing) that she actually does want to see this individual in person again.  You’ll also have to let the person know in advance that this is your idea as a surprise to her, so that they would know exactly what the situation is before they agree to the meeting.

Open up a profile page on Facebook together

Adding pictures of your chilhood and teenage years to your profile would be a fun thing to do together, especially if you live far away from each other.

Restoration

Restore something that your sister gave you a long time ago, something she would’ve forgotten about, but that you had kept and cherished.  Return it to her with a small present and a personal message.  This will show her how much she means, and have always meant to you. You could also use this item as your avatar on your social networking site. This would always put a smile on your sister’s face whenever she clicks on your page.

Start a book club together

Undertake to teach her child something important 

Maybe help them to set up a bank account and give them a little money to start it. Show them how to save a little of their pocket money each week/month and explain why it’s important to do so.  You would’ve taught your sister’s child something with lifelong benefits, something she’d appreciate. You could also help an older child to write up his/her CV or be a study partner (these days, you don’t necessarily have to live nearby to do any of these things). For younger children, offer to help with times tables, riding a bike, or becoming an internet ‘friend’ and communicating regularly.

Active involvement

If you live nearby, and your kids are older, you could offer to take your sister’s younger child to their games’ practise once or twice a month so she could have a break.  Or maybe even go to a game or two.

Sisters have the most fun as siblings, but many times we tend to grow apart as we get older.  Sometimes it’s just the pressures of life that cause this, or maybe the fact that we tend to live so far away from each other.  If we allow the relationship with our sisters to fizzle out, we would’ve given up the longest relationship that we’ve had on earth.  Our parents or spouses cannot know us for as long as our sisters do!  Fight to keep the relationship alive and we would’ve preserved some of our beautiful childhood memories together with the person with whom we share the most in the whole world!

Happy Women's Day.

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Why Women Cheat

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The Internet is drowning in news about the infidelity of football players, Ashley Cole and John Terry, and golf star, Tiger Woods. Almost everyone you talk to has got an opinion of why these man put their happy families in jeopardy and went out carelessly looking for quick flings. Of course, what they've done is painful and disrespectful to everyone involved, but they couldn't have done it without more than a little help from the fairer sex. These women they've been with must have partners too, partners they're also cheating on. It's time for the Relationship Supermarket to take some of the focus off unfaithful men and look at a few reasons (in no particular order) why women cheat.


They think they can get away with it


After years of answering questions on my '10 Sure Ways To Get Over Him' column, I've realised that some women are tempted to have affairs just because they think/know they can get away with it. Sometimes men become so grated down by constant professional, personal or medical knock-backs in their lives, they lose all their self-confidence and drive to succeed. This inevitably affects the way they view themselves and they lose the healthy amount of ego a person needs to feel attractive and wanted. 


A woman who's spent years with a man knows when this has happened. If she lacks the morality to respect her vows and responsibility as a spouse she will  take advantage of the fact that a man in that state of mind will overlook an affair. Even if he did find out about it, he will lack the motivation to leave the relationship and will prefer to 'forgive' her rather than lose her. He believes he cannot and will not be able to do any better than her.


Boredom


After years of marriage when people get so settled into their lives, it's easy to start passing each other off as flesh furniture. Both parties may have their own careers, and the home and family have both fallen into secure, safe routines. 


The woman feels that her husband isn't making efforts to woo her any more. However, she doesn't take the initiative to suggest they dig up their old spark again. Life has become comfortable, the kids are growing up and don't need her any more. The family has a good, secure life and lifestyle and both parties still love each other but have forgotten how to show it. This woman is in her late 30s - early 40s and feels that her youth is escaping from her with every breath she takes. Boredom with her situation sets in and she starts to think of ways to make her life more interesting and challenging in a crazed, Desperate Housewives dive for freedom. One of the ways she may choose to regain what she may think of as 'excitement' is to have an affair. She may think that a little fling won't hurt anyone, but of course we know this is far from the truth.


Not being physically satisfied in marriage


Many women stand by their husbands when medical problems prevent him from satisfying her physically. A large amount of women decide to live in marriages without any physical contact whatsoever, and even after they realise their husbands are cheating on them. Other women think differently and decide that if they're not getting what they want inside the marriage, they'll look for it outside. Of course, there is no reason for a woman (or man) to be unfaithful to their spouse. However, a sexless marriage is regularly cited by women to justify why they cheat. As it's difficult for most women to separate romance and physical attachments, this situation soon becomes impossible to keep under control.


Not loving their husband any more


People do fall out of love with each other. Some, after a few years, others, after many years and baggage in a relationship. Women who cheat because they've fallen out of love with their husbands usually stay in the marriage for various other reasons. Their romantic and physical interests are diverted elsewhere and while they can carry on playing the devoted mother and partner, their heart is being pulled in a different direction. 


Sometimes it's only after they've lost the security of their home and marriage that they realise love is not only about squishy feelings. It's also about being loyal, committed, and sacrificing sometimes things we want with all our hearts for the well-being of the other person. Many times love is misunderstood for the flutter in our stomach when we think about the object of our affections. That aspect of love only lasts for a short while. In order to maintain love in a true partnership, we have to focus on the other factors that brought us together in the first place because these are the very factors which will hold us together in the long run.


Ego


Sometimes it's years of being torn down by their husbands that makes a woman lose her charm and self-confidence. Sometimes it's just life, having kids, gaining weight, or growing older. Whatever the cause, some women get their 'Sex And The City' wiggle on, in a bid to prove they've still 'got it.'  


When the opportunity presents itself to a woman who thinks that she'll be elevated by having a younger, more successful man, she will take it. Vanity and unhealthy egos cause this woman to think that just because a fit, attractive man flirts with her, he wants her. She will grab every opportunity to 'prove' to herself that she's needed, wanted, young and attractive (regardless of if this is true or not) even if it means cheating on her husband to prove this to herself. A disturbed mind like this will never be content with her husband's efforts to make her happy. Her head will be turned by any one she thinks shows a bit of interest. 


Lack of self-respect


In complete opposition to the woman above, a woman who's badly treated in her marriage may look for validation in the arms of another man. She may be the victim of the male version of the above woman, and may be so down-trodden, she falls into the trap of another man who shows her a measure of care and respect. She may not love him or even care for him, but the fact that he treats her well quenches her desire to feel special after years of emotional abuse.


Whatever the excuse for cheating, women know that being unfaithful can never be justified. When we talk of men cheating on their wives and bringing disgrace to their sport/life/family etc, we always have to remember that behind closed doors, there was a woman enabling him to cheat, and doing it of her own free will. 


Cheating - man or woman - is wrong and it hurts.  Do you think woman have been on easy street where cheating is concerned?

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Help Your Dyslexic Child At Home

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This is not meant to be a lesson on dyslexia. I'm not clinically trained to write such an article. This piece is to show you the tricks and tips we've learned to help our dyslexic son read and learn his numbers. We had to take matters into our own hands because we felt he wasn't getting enough help from the professionals he saw.


The first thing to remember is that dyslexic children can learn everything you know. Secondly, it's vital to keep in mind that dyslexic kids learn differently from you do. This means that while they can learn their times tables, they probably won't learn it by reciting it two times a day like you did. In order to help your dyslexic child learn, you've got to first of all find out how they learn. For the sake of ease, we'll use tables and spellings as examples, and alternate gender references in each paragraph.


How does your dyslexic child learn


Kids with regular learning capabilities learn differently from each other. More so, dyslexic children. Some of us are visual learners, others, auditory learners, others yet still, kinesthetic learners. All this means is that we may learn better either by seeing things, hearing things or doing things. Many of us have to use a combination of two or all three. I think in terms of seeing things. For instance when I think of making contact with someone again, I'll say, 'see you later,' even though I know our 'meeting' will be a phone conversation. I can recall things in my mind as pictures which is one of the reasons why I write. How does this relate to your dyslexic child? 
Knowing how they learn is the key to helping them use that pathway to gaining the knowledge they need to function as the normal kids they are.


Things to help you find this out


Pick 3 simple poems or times tables to use as a springboard to finding out how your child learns. Teach the first by having him recite it several times after writing it out. I'd use a computer and word document rather than a pencil and paper. Writing stresses dyslexic children and this is not a lesson in penmanship (even though good handwriting is important). 
Teach him the second by writing it out yourself on pieces of cards. Cut the answers out and have him match the right answers and problems together. 
Teach him the third by having him read it out loud into a recorder or MP3 player. Let him listen to his own voice reciting the times table over and over. At the end of a period you've specified, based on your child's abilities, see which one he remembers best. This is certainly not the end-all to every problems kids with dyslexia face, and I don't claim to know that this will work for your child. Again, I'm just sharing some knowledge as a mother of a dyslexic child.


Useful things you can use in the home to determine how your child learns include: a small laptop or computer. Cards. Magnetic sheets and strips you can use for your child to match answers to clues. A small recorder or MP3 player that has a recording option. Collectibles to use in memory games (explained below). 

Image source for faces of famous people with dyslexia

Other things that help


Television 
Leave your television's subtitles on. If you have the option of sign language, leave that on too. Hearing the words and seeing them written down in a non-classroom context where the child is relaxed, forms 'pictures' in the minds of the visual learners. When they sit down to write, they're able to 'draw out' these 'pictures' to the forefront and reproduce the words. For kinesthetic learners, an action associated with the word will help them to visualise what the word looks and sounds like.
Don't worry about the other kids in the house. They won't be distracted by the subtitles. They'll soon get used to them enough to ignore them. Your dyslexic child, however, won't. Remember that they learn, but differently. They'll soak up the sounds, the sights and the actions -whichever suits them best.


Collectibles
Most kids collect things. My son collects football (soccer) cards. He knows the players' names, clubs and managers. For a child who fights learning anything, this is a remarkable feat. If you're trying to teach your child spelling or tables, tack tiny little florescent sticky notes on each player with the letters/numbers and learn in sequence. 


For example you have 11 players in one team and your child has to learn his 6 times tables. Each player plays in a certain position. Player one will have the number 6 tacked onto his card. Player two; 12, Player three; 18 and so on. Your child already knows Smith is number one player, Carday is number two. She will remember Smith; 6 Carday; 12 and so on. The names are already in her mind in a specific order. All she has to do now is associate a 'word' with each number. At first she may have to say the player's name in her mind to bring up the 'picture,' 'sound,' or 'look' (depending on how she learns) of the number, so give her time to do this. Eventually this will get better.


Action with hearing
Allow your child to clap, tap his foot, or move when learning. This helps tremendously with kids who are kinesthetic learners. An action can definitely underline the thing he's trying to learn. Clap (your hands), tap (your foot), click (your finger). Clap, tap, click can be useful. Spelling 'query' for example. Clap - Q, tap - U, click - E, clap - R, tap - Y. Start with the clap, tap, click. Clap, tap, click and get your child into the rhythm. After this is achieved, add the letters. It may be confusing to you to start with. A child who learns with actions will not be confused at all.
Remember to also use lots of magnetic numbers and letters. Cut up words. Make use of learning puzzles and laptops/computers.


Use the home - Visual learners


Funny as it may seem, the activity I've outlined below is a great tool to use when your child needs to learn the names of kings/planets/countries' capitals, etc. It doesn't matter what it is. The principle can be attached to anything. Use the home to do this successfully. Memes are useful, but only for people who can remember them. As parents of dyslexic children, we already know that memory games that involve just words don't work well for them. I've found some other things that can work very well. 
We'll use planets here for our example. Draw rough pictures of the main planets and place them as follows: Mercury and Venus live in his bedroom. They're husband and wife. Tennis star Venus Williams could be the 'face' for the woman. 
Earth and Mars could live in his sister's bedroom. 'Earth' worms like to eat Mars (a Mars chocolate bar) for breakfast every day. 
Jupiter and Saturn live in his parents bedroom. Peter ('Ju-Peter') likes to spin tops in his spare time. Saturn has rings going around it like a top goes around and around. 
Uranus and Neptune live in the bathroom. ('Your-anus' and 'Pee- Tunes' can't get out of the bathroom. They love the toilet bowl). 


I can go on with this, but you see where this is going. Feel free to make up your own funny ways of remembering things with your child and place them around the house. This will work very well, but only if your child takes the time to place the pictures herself, then learn and recite their 'story' to you several times. Important: dyslexic kids and adults have problems with short term memory. This means that even if they know something, they may have forgotten that they do. Having a comfortable and familiar place like their own home to compartmentalise them, gives the brain something to grasp in a more physical way.


Use your dining table - Kinesthetic Learners


Have your child place notes at each place at the table. He has to learn where they 'sit.' When he has to reproduce them in school, all he has to do is to remember 'who' or 'what' sits where. We'll spell query again: 'Q' sits at the head where dad sits. 'U' in your child's own chair. 'E' in his baby sister's place beside him. 'R' in his mum's chair at the other end of the table. 'Y' in his big sister's chair opposite the baby. When you need other letter(s) they can in the empty chair where Grandad sits when he comes to visit. Some can even sit on top of people's heads.


Use a well-known song - Auditory learners


Everyone knows 'Old MacDonald Had a Farm.' Refashion whatever your child needs to learn with this (or any other) tune. I used to tutor some American kids years ago and taught them the names of all the American Presidents in the space of three days, using the tune of another well-known song. Even now, many years later, I can't remember the original song, but know the names of the Presidents (and I'm not even American) when the tune pops in my head.  Always reinforce to the child that he can be as good as anyone else, he just has to try a bit harder because his brain works differently - not worse, just differently. 


Little others


If you use the same hand as your child, stand behind her to teach her to tie shoelaces (this should be put off until later as it frustrates them when they're little), and do up buttons. If you use the opposite hand (your child is left handed and you're right handed) face her to show her these skills. You'll find that Velcro shoes on PE days are very helpful to both your child and her teachers. My son couldn't face learning to tie his laces until he was 10. I chose the holiday period when I could be nice and patient and a pair of very long laces. He squealed in ecstasy the day he got it right. 


Handwriting
Handwriting may not be great. It gets worse the longer your child writes/copies from the blackboard (chalkboard). Ask his school if it's okay for him to use a small laptop to type out (especially when writing stories for English assignments). Good handwriting is important, but learning the basics of Language and Maths shouldn't suffer because your dyslexic child cannot write as fast or as well as his classmates. 


Finally, remember that intelligence does not only present as an ability to read or count. It also manifests as skilful sportsmanship, an ability to mimic, dance, sing, act, or an extremely strong capability to be empathic and supportive. These intelligences all lead to successful and fulfilled career paths. Find and nurture your child's natural abilities. These are what he/she will be using to build a life and living later on. 

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Body Talk: Increase Your Body's Health Potential At Home

image source - dances of dreams

Here are some quick ways to ensure that your body is working at its best for you. Check off each section to make sure you're doing all you can to enjoy optimum health. I've included the body parts we usually tend to overlook.


Legs
While sitting at your computer desk, feeding your infant, or watching TV, do this simple exercise to strengthen your knees. Remember they are the hinges to strong, healthy legs.

• Starting with both feet on the floor, slowly raise one foot until your leg is stretched out straight in front of you. Hold for 20 seconds. For half of this time extend your toes, for the other half, extend your heel. Do ten of these on each leg every day. This will also get your blood nicely pumping to your toes.
• The university in my city, Bristol, carried out a research which found that women with shorter legs are at a higher risk of developing liver disease than their long-legged counterparts. Whether you believe this or not is not the issue. The point I'm making is to remind you to always watch how much you drink. Long legs or short,  we're all at risk of liver disease if we drink too much alcohol.
• When bending over, use your legs, not your back. The older you get, the more susceptible you are to back problems. Let your legs work out for you.

Back
It's helpful to strengthen your back to protect yourself against potential back injuries. A strong back means that the surrounding muscles will not cease up if you stretch them the wrong way once in a while.

• Get on all fours - knees on floor slightly apart, hands flat on floor shoulder distance apart. Elongate your back by extending your bottom as far out as it would go. Hold for 5 seconds, keeping your head in line with your spine. Next, curve your back like a cat as far up as it would go. Hold for 5 seconds. Repeat 10 times about 3 times a week.
• If possible, buy a Pilates DVD, and learn to  strengthen your core muscles.
• Remember to hold a good posture, but make sure you're not sitting bolt upright for long periods of time. This puts an unnatural strain on your back. You will find that every Pilates or Yoga position requires you to have a natural, easy S shape in your spine rather than a stiff, upright one.

Skin
You need to take care of your skin because it's your largest organ. 

• Be careful to keep yours nourished and moisturised. This is achieved not only with skin creams, but mainly by what you put into your body. Here is a perfect healthy skin article I wrote to address this. 
• Eat right and drink a lot of water.
• Avoid exfoliating too often. This strips your skin of the protective, healthy layer you worked so hard to achieve.

Eyes, Ears, Brain

• Have regular eye check-ups. Make sure that you're wearing up to date glasses that are right for your needs.
• Invest in some good sunglasses and wear them not only in the summer, but also on bright days all year round. Protecting your eyes from harmful UV rays can put off losing your sight as you get older.
• Ipods aren't safe to listen to for lengthy periods. Limit yourself to how much you're using it and give your ear drums a break. Hammering base into your delicate, tiny ear drums will, without a doubt, destroy them. Watch the volume on your kids' MP3s as well, unless you don't mind them losing their hearing when they get older.
• Rest your brain. Put away the music, the games, the TV the computer and wind down before going to bed. Sleeping is how we recharge our batteries. Think of what happens when you forget to recharge your phone's batteries. You don't want to exhaust yourself into oblivion.

How To Avoid Snacking - The Work-From-Home Mum's Guide

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In my book, A Model's Guide To Losing Weight Without Dieting, I devote an entire chapter of how you can train your body healthy while snacking on healthy, rather than fatty, calorie-rich foods. I just wanted to pinpoint a few extra tips here on how you can avoid popping food into your mouth at every opportunity.


Whether you're at home for an extended period, work from home, or there on a temporary basis, it's a difficult time for eating right and up-keeping all the healthy eating practices to which you were once accustomed.


I discussed 'shopping right' in detail in my book, because in my opinion this is the main event in your decision to graze less. If you don't have it in the fridge or the cupboard, you cannot consume it. Added to my list of tricks like the apple pieces and cereal bits, here are a few more quick tips to help you on your way.


1. Avoid wearing jogging bottoms and other 'lounging' trousers when you're at home for extended periods (like the holidays or when you're off work). Wear jeans so you can keep a sharp eye on the waistband when it starts to bite into the extra flesh around your tummy area. The earlier you realise you're gaining weight, the faster you can do something about it. Two pounds is far easier to shed than 20.


2. Brush your teeth after each meal. You won't feel like snacking with that minty-fresh taste in your mouth.


3. Chew gum while you're feeding the kids and cooking dinner. Gum and food don't go well together.


4. Place any snack you eat on a plate. Do not munch senselessly out of a jar or a packet, especially a giant sized pack. Know how much you're consuming so you can keep a lid on it.


5. If you buy crisps and other unhealthy snacks for the kids, keep them in the car boot (trunk) or store them in your shed. You're less likely to go out there to get them when you're bored.


6. Drink water when you feel 'peckish.' Thirst presents as hunger even when you're slightly dehydrated. I discuss this in more detail in A Model's Guide To Losing Weight Without Dieting.


7. Get dressed properly in the morning. There's nothing like a dressing-gown day to make you feel like pigging out. Getting dressed helps you retain your glamourous you. Nice clothes validate your style and self-esteem. You'll want to keep both of those intact.


8. Don't skip meals. Many overweight people tell me they don't eat breakfast or lunch. They think they're avoiding calories by missing meals, but what they're doing is consuming more fat by snacking between those meals when they get hungry. The quick snacks they have at hand are generally chocolate bars and crisps. 


Feel free to add your own list of things that stop you from snacking. I'm sure your ideas will help someone else stay trim.