What you're experiencing is very normal. Human sexuality falls along a continuum between strictly straight and strictly gay. While some people do identify as bisexual (I have two friends, male and female, who are bisexual and have had relationships with men and women), some consider themselves straight in terms of sexual orientation but bi-curious, in the sense that they may fantasize about having sex or sexual activity with someone of the same sex, but may or may not have acted upon it..or are sometimes attracted to people of the same sex, but would not actually be turned on to the point where they would be interested in pursuing anything.

I myself identify as a straight woman. I've only had relationships with other men, and have slept with men. I sometimes do get intrigued by women I find to be beautiful, and I have also watched lesbian porn before (and enjoyed it), but I wouldn't be interested in having sex with another woman. I think seeing another women have oral sex performed on her can turn us on because we imagine how that must feel-- if it were a man doing the same thing to the woman, I'd also be turned on, but typically it's in lesbian (and not straight) porn that the women's needs are front and center.

No body can tell you for sure what or who you are. You could be straight, bisexual, or bicurious...you're definitely not asexual. My guess is you're probably straight, since you don't seem to want to establish a relationship with another woman and aren't turned on by the idea of actually having sex with another woman-- but are having very normal attraction to women you find to be beautiful. I've felt the butterflies around other beautiful women before, but I am not turned on by the idea of taking anything further with them sexually. So, there's nothing wrong with what you're feeling. The 20's are years where you're figuring yourself out and exploring your sexuality...heck, anytime in life is the right time, so it's good that you're being honest with your feelings at a young age. My advice is to talk to your boyfriend about how you're feeling and to determine a way to approach this that will be good for both of you. You need to honor your own feelings around it, because bottling things up is never a good idea. A good way to approach it is to let your boyfriend know you still love him, but have been finding yourself attracted to other women not to the point where you'd have a relationship with them, but you find yourself not wanting sex as much. You will need to have a heart to heart with him so that you can communicate your needs and progress in the relationship from a healthier place. No matter what happens, I hope that you and your boyfriend find some acceptance and a way to move forward in a positive direction.

It can't be easy having to see him at school everyday, but know you did the right thing. You weren't comfortable taking things further with him and you rightfully said no. In all likelihood, he didn't get his way with you, so he sees no point in talking to you. Unfortunately, some immature guys act like that, but look at it this way: now you know what he's all about and that he only cared about one thing. How he reacts is on him- the only thing you should focus on right now is you. As difficult and awkward as it may be, ignore him back. Don't try to maintain contact or smooth things over with him. He's the one being immature and inconsiderate. Even if it was partly over the Instagram comment, it's still the wrong reaction for him to have. Let it go. Focus on yourself and your friends. You'll eventually meet someone who is worth your time, and who shows you exactly how you deserve to be treated.

You need to communicate this to him. It is also a red flag that he wants to jump into things so quickly and take the relationship to the next level after only a couple months of dating. It seems he has let the excitement of the relationship take over his better judgement. It's totally fine to want to live with a boy/girlfriend, but definitely not after such a short time.

Both of you either need to come to an agreement- meaning you live your life the way you need to and live away from each other, or you decide to part ways. If living with him means sacrificing your own goals, then you're right not to want to. You've just started college, and I also agree that the focus should be on you. Wanting to get involved in campus life and take a full-time (or more) course load is a big commitment in itself, as you know. You mentioned that you don't want to hurt him-- when really, you need to focus on not hurting yourself in the process. You already know you're not ready to live with him, and that is totally reasonable. You just need to tell him that you'll need to take things at a slower pace and have room to manage your own college life. If he is understanding, great. If not, you'll know that he isn't worth your time or energy, and you can move on.

It does seem like your budgie might be sick-- birds puff up their feathers when they are sick, cold, or sometimes when they are sleeping. Another sign is that he closes his eyes lot and rocks back and forth/loses balance. This sounds like something is wrong with him and he should be seen by a vet promptly. I would suggest taking him to an avian veterinarian who is qualified to treat pet birds. I would call around and see who has the best rates. You could also take him into a bird shop if there is one in your area, but honestly, it sounds like your bird is sick and needs immediate attention by an avian vet. You could see if your parents can help chip in with the cost. Hope he gets better soon!

This isn't an easy situation to be in, but to be honest, the reason why is because of how heavily the regret weighs on your shoulders. I hope you understand that "getting it over with" is never the right reason to do anything, let alone have sex for the first time. I am not saying this to hurt you or make you have more regret, only to bring that to your attention. Sex is definitely not something that needs to be rushed- people are ready at different times. For a lot of young people though, the pressure is real. But I'll tell you one thing: sex is more important than people make it out to be. It's part of who you are, and a negative experience can have far-reaching effects. That's why it's important to wait until you are fully ready. It's okay to make mistakes. Not everyone's first time is magical- it can be downright awkward. You have this as a learning experience for next time.

Now, in my opinion, you should tell your boyfriend as soon as possible, and preferably in person. It will weigh heavily on your heart, if you don't. You also need to be prepared for the outcome: at the very least, he will be incredibly hurt, or he could choose to break up with you. Either way, I think he would find out eventually, in case you break down. It's better for him to be told and hurt, than to be led on by a lie/find out later (that would hurt the worst). Not telling him is convenient for you-- it prevents you from feeling the pain of a possible break up, or having your boyfriend get angry at you, etc. But think of him, first. He deserves to know, no matter how badly telling him feels to you. I would suggest letting him know that you acted without thinking, that the other guy meant nothing to you, and that this whole experience made you realize how much you care for your boyfriend and would hate to lose him. Most importantly, make sure you make it clear that you are responsible for your actions and deeply regret betraying his trust/would do what it takes to maintain the relationship. You can do whatever you choose, but I will tell you, the truth hurts but it can also set you free. It might not feel like it, but you'll at least know that you did the right thing and learn to make better decisions for yourself next time. Best of luck.

It sounds like you know who you are and what you like/don't like. There is nothing wrong with being socially selective. I can relate to a lot you're saying. I have a few good friends, don't really enjoy going out/drinking for the sake of it if I am not into the crowd, etc. Too many people around your age (and even older) try to conform to other people, just so that they can fit in. On the other hand, there is a certain amount of compromising you'll have to do in order to make new friends/keep the ones you've got.

What I'm saying is, step out of your comfort zone but not so much so that you feel totally uncomfortable. For instance, if someone nice invites you for coffee/tea, and you don't like hot drinks, that is fair enough--but you do like hanging with quality people. My suggestion is to go anyway, and not order a hot drink. You can have a soda or any other drink (cafes have other drinks on the menu). That way you interact with a new person while not doing something you aren't interested in (e.g., having a hot drink). Another example would be if you're invited to a dinner/fancy restaurant and can't afford most of the items on the menu. You can eat ahead of time and just order something small like an appetizer or soup/salad. I think that if you enjoy the company of the people who invite you out (they wouldn't do it if they didn't like you), it is usually worth going out anyway so that you can create friendships. You can even start plan your own social activities, involving places/activities that you enjoy. Being socially selective is not a bad thing, so long as you know when to compromise.

I can understand how you feel-- both events are very important and you wouldn't want to miss either. I would talk to your husband about it, making him understand how you value both days (she's a close friend) and absolutely want to make him a priority. See if you can compromise with both of them. If the wedding is at night, maybe just go to the reception, and do something special with your husband during the day. Or you could stay for part of the wedding and leave early so you can spend time with your husband. In addition to that, you could even start an "early" anniversary, meaning you stay up at night and have a little countdown to midnight, with something romantic planned for then (maybe a champagne toast or some wine). Have some suggestions for activities planned so that your husband sees you care and want to make an effort. Good luck!

I can understand why this situation makes you feel uncertain. Since you've known each other for a long time and are friends, it's even more difficult to know. The good thing is that you have chemistry-- the issue is that it's hard to figure out if he also likes you the way you like him. Honestly, there's no real way of knowing unless you talk to him about it. He might like you and feel awkward making his feelings known since you're friends, or he might see you as just a friend. The tricky thing is that if he doesn't feel the same way but knows that you do, it might make him feel awkward around you. I think the best thing is to casually bring it up to him when you have a chance to talk to him privately. Maybe say that you know you're really good friends and you wouldn't want anything to change that... and that you've developed feelings for him this year and basically just want to get that off your chest. Try to be prepared for him to tell you that he only sees you as a friend, and to not be hurt or too disappointed if he says that. Really just be friendly and yourself-- the way you handle things will likely determine how to carries on. If you treat him the same as usual, then things will probably carry on being the same between you- but how he deals with it has more to do with him than you. I'd do what makes you feel comfortable, maybe even ask a friend what they think. Good luck!

Sorry for the late reply- I just saw this. What you're doing, while not a healthy way of coping with emotional pain, is a way of temporarily escaping your experiences instead of confronting them and dealing with them. More often though, people create daydreaming scenarios that are positive. For instance, if someone is going through a hard time emotionally, a positive daydream (such as a different life or reality) helps make them feel a little better, temporarily. You mention that you daydream about painful experiences-- it seems that imagining a scenario that is more painful helps to lessen the pain of your current experience. Think of it this way, if someone gets a small, but painful bruise, they can imagine a much larger and more painful bruise, and suddenly what they are going through doesn't seem as bad. Someone else might get a bad grade on their exam, and then imagine failing to make it seem like they are better off. In your case, you may have some emotional pain, but by imagining even worse pain, you temporarily reduce how badly you feel. It's all a maladaptive coping mechanism. The problem with doing this, is that it prevents you from really dealing with whatever is causing you pain.

You mention that you did a bit of research on maladaptive daydreaming-- which I believe is what you describe. You may have seen this website already, it is full of information on maladaptive daydreaming. This is thought to be caused by some sort of earlier trauma in life. It's really just a way of temporarily (if even just mentally) escaping the pain of one's current circumstances. Here's the website:

http://www.medicaldaily.com/maladaptive-daydreaming-what-it-247629

While it is normal for people to daydream when they are going through difficult times, it becomes a problem when it is done repetitively. I would suggest talking things through with a friend, or if possible, a counselor or psychologist (if you are a student, school counselors or university counselors should be available). It's good that you recognize what you're doing and are concerned. You can do lots of things to help ease the pain-- like taking part in a hobby, talking to friends, exercising or doing yoga, meditating, etc. It's important that you learn to take care of yourself emotionally. When you notice that you are about to daydream, practice gently acknowledging that you are daydreaming and try to figure out what it is that may have triggered you to do so. Be gentle on yourself. Everyone struggles in life- the key is to find healthier ways to cope.

It is very important to keep your anxiety in check. Feeling overwhelmed can get in the way of almost anything, not to mention a job interview. The best way to feel confident is to prepare yourself, and relax.

Before your interview, keep in mind a few points that you absolutely want to make. Most of the time, this has to do with past job experiences--what your responsibilities were, how you contributed, etc. Also, make note of your strengths in the workplace-- how you work with a team and under pressure, your work ethic, enthusiasm, willingness to contribute ideas and learn, etc. If you don't have past job experiences yet, play up your overall strengths, and convey your willingness to work hard and learn. Also, if you have volunteer experience, that still counts as an experience! You also want to think about areas of improvement---BUT- put those areas in a positive light during the interview. If you're asked what you can improve on--be honest, but also end on a positive note by saying how you can work on improving that area. Also, to show your interest, ask questions too. Read up about the company, and maybe make comments on things you have read about that you like. If you have any questions about the position or company, the job interview is your chance to ask.

As for how to be confident, part of the interview has more to do with how you say things and how you carry yourself, and matters just as much (if not more) than the information you convey. This is why it is important to find ways to relax and be prepared. Confidence is key. How can you project confidence? First off, speak clearly and loud enough. Sit up straight but in a comfortable posture, and maintain eye contact. Speak honestly and warmly, but directly and firmly. Believe in yourself and be proud of your accomplishments. It can help to have a mock interview with an adult--if there is a career counselor at your school, I suggest asking them for advice and an opportunity to have a "pretend interview." If not, maybe a parent. Remember to get a good night's sleep, have a healthy breakfast (and snacks through the day/lunch if your interview is later in the day), and beforehand, take some deep breaths...these things matter. Best of luck!

As others have mentioned, what you describe does not indicate you have an addiction. An addiction would lead to compulsive behavior such as excessively watching porn, shopping, drinking (really, anything) that significantly affects one's quality of life and functioning. You would have to watch a lot more porn and much more often for it to even be considered an issue. It's complex and very personal- what to you is seen as a problem, could be perfectly fine for someone else. There is nothing wrong with occasionally watching porn. BUT, if you see it as an issue and it makes you uncomfortable, then it's fine to try minimizing how much you watch it. However, I see no reason for you to feel guilty about sometimes watching porn.

I'd advise following some suggestions from previous columnists. You could also keep note of the times you watch porn/why you watch it, try writing down reasons why you want to stop, keep yourself busy with other things (e.g., exercise, take part in a hobby, etc), maintain healthy friendships and relationships, etc. I think the most important thing is to take care of yourself first. Also, don't feel bad about sometimes watching porn, and maybe deal with the feelings of guilt that are attached to it. You could speak to a private therapist (psychologist), if that's possible. At the end of the day, I believe it's more critical to take care of yourself first, and to not beat yourself up about this. It's really not an addiction and you have no reason to feel this bad.

You need to keep your distance from them. Unfortunately, Facebook makes it really easy for people to create drama- even though the contact isn't in-person, it still hurts you. I think that your ex's girlfriend is jealous and manipulative, and is acting out to try to spite you. But the bigger issue is that your boyfriend is not letting go and respecting your boundaries, even when you explicitly unfriended him on FB. In my view, FB is a microcosm of reality; when you unfriend someone, it means you want to end contact. Period. I believe he cares more about the rejection (i.e., You broke up with him and decided to unfriend him) than anything else, and is simply trying to control the situation in his favor.

You know what? He and his new girlfriend are probably better suited to each other: they are both jealous and controlling. You can do much better and you don't need to put up with their immature antics. I suggest you not only unfriend them both, but block them on FB. This will prevent them from finding your profile at all. They will be out of your life, and you can move on.

I have the same exact tendency but I find that pinpointing the things that keep me from staying focused helps me to do away with them. It's worth asking yourself:

A) Why do you avoid studying? It could be that the work load is overwhelming, leading you to procrastinate. You might also be bored by the material.

B) Where do you study, and how does that affect your focus? If you study at home, chances are you'll get up to grab snacks, take more breaks than you need, take a nap, etc., anything to keep you from studying.

C) When do you start studying? Whenever you feel like it... as in, sleeping in till whenever, and then starting to study late in the day? Do you waste a lot of time after school?

D) What kind of plan do you have in place, if at all? Do you keep a schedule of blocks of time devoted to each subject/exam? Or do you not have a schedule or to-do list?

E) What distractions are there that prevent you from focusing? Your phone or computer? TV?

Trust me, I struggle with all of the above ALL the time! But to keep myself in check, I try to work on those areas to create alternatives that will kick me into shape so that I can get some work done. I suggest asking yourself why you are putting off the studying first. If you are really stressed by the load and don't want to deal with it, it's a sign you need to dive in head first and just get going. It helps to also change up your study location-- find a coffee shop you could work at, go to a library, etc., but don't do most of your studying at home. Also, even though it's hard at first, set a time for starting to study--- like, get home, eat a meal/have a snack, then get going on the studying. Or make sure to get up earlier and give yourself enough time to actually work. Set a schedule.. write a to-do list or keep a calendar. Organize according to class: a) the reading/assignment for the day, b) about how much time you need for each assignment, etc., and even go through and cross off each thing you complete that day (it's really rewarding, too!). Also, make sure to minimize distractions-- whether it be not taking your phone with you, turning off the tv/radio, not getting up all the time...

Remember, it takes PRACTICE! You need to consistently have better study habits so that it becomes routine for you. And if you slip up, it's ok, just pick yourself back up and get back into it. Good luck!

My gut feeling is that you should end the relationship with your boyfriend since you mention he's a compulsive liar, and that he seen other women behind your back before. Whether or not he is seeing his coworker is not the only issue-- it is the fact that he has had this pattern of behavior before. He may or may not be involved with her, but he doesn't seem like a trustworthy person when it comes to your relationship.

Now, about him shooting pool with the guys-- he may not want you to get upset over his coworker, and he might well be trying to hide that he sees her. Add to that the fact that he deleted photos of you two together on his Instagram account, while you are STILL in a relationship. Why? Why would anyone want to do that unless they are hiding that they are in a relationship? I know you've been together for two years, but that's no reason to have to put up with more than you need to. I can't tell you what to do, but I would advise following your intuition about him. I really don't think he's worth putting up with.

Hmmm...there's no easy answer to your question. I would say that honesty is the best policy, because otherwise the idea that you have a crush on your friend will loom over you like the 800 pound gorilla in the room. It would be better to be clear how you feel, although it might not come without consequences. A) You don't know how he feels about you, B) You don't know how he will react to the news. The only thing you can do is be honest--leave the rest up to him.

Since you two are good friends, it should make it easier for you to disclose this information. How you tell him makes a big difference. So I'd say, bring it up in a non-confrontational way when you feel it's the right time/place. You could start off letting him know that there's something on your mind and it's not easy for you to tell him, but that you have a crush on him. Maybe also say that you like him as a friend and want to continue being his friend.. and that having this on your mind is hard so you're sharing that info with him. If he seems like he doesn't know how to respond or seems uncomfortable, you could tell him that you value his input and don't want to make him feel shy in any way. Maybe then suggest hanging out and go about your business as usual (aka, BE YOURSELF). Try not to be awkward or uncomfortable about it, and if you do feel that way, you could let him know how you feel. Sometimes just owning up to our own uncomfortable feelings makes it easier for others to do the same (we set an example). Ultimately, it's up to you what you do. I hope things go well, and that this doesn't affect your friendship in any way.

I know how you feel. Looking around at people in younger generations in particular, it is very easy to think that love no longer exists or is extremely rare. Add to that our social norms- people feel validated by and get rewarded for being attractive, rich, etc. So it's no wonder why a lot of people seek out those qualities at the expense of more important things like shared values, humility, kindness, intelligence, etc; it has a lot to do with our superficial society. You seem mature for your age. Most people in their early 20's haven't reached a level of awareness and maturity necessary to truly love. Some people grow out of their immaturity, some people don't.

Try to look underneath the surface of things: there are a lot of people out there who feel the same way you do. The trick is to look past those who see "love" as some sort of Hollywood fantasy/prettiest girl and richest guy win, and have hope in your heart that there are people out there who value what truly matters: connection and compatibility. Yes, believe it or not, there are men out there who are tired of what you describe, and are looking for like-minded women to spend time with. Same goes for women. I don't believe that there are no men or women out there who can love, only that our culture promotes selfish, superficial bullshit as far as "love" is concerned. But there are exceptions, lots of them! I know some really great guys and girls who are looking for real friendship and love.

I suggest focusing on your own life and goals, taking care of yourself, and surrounding yourself with people you love who truly get you. You will begin to attract the right kinds of people into your life by simply being yourself. Instead of wasting energy lamenting how shitty and superficial people have become in their views of dating/marriage, think about how you can attract the direct opposite: people who think more like you do. Dating can be tough--there are plenty of really great guys who might not be right for you, not necessarily because they are superficial or self-absorbed, but because they are not compatible with you. Just focus on getting yourself out there when you're ready, not putting up with insincere/superficial/arrogant men, and focusing on spending time with men who value who you are as a person and make you feel at ease and good about yourself. They are out there, I promise! The key is to not lose hope.

It would help to know what kinds of things you ask them. Do you ask them to do things for you? Do you ask how they are doing, what they think about something, etc.? Sometimes younger siblings don't feel like answering back if they feel like you are asking them to do something for you, or if they feel like they are underestimated because of their age. Also, if there is a large age gap or they don't feel that close to you, then they might be more reluctant to answer back.

I think a good idea would be to bring it up with them in a nice, casual way. You could start by saying that you value what they say and want to be closer to them because you love them--they will feel valued. That way, there's a higher chance they will warm up to you. Then maybe in a less direct way, you could ask them whatever it is you plan on asking. You could change your wording to something like "I wonder...." Or even start off by telling them what you think about the topic, and then asking what their opinion is. This takes the pressure off, because you've already gotten your thoughts across. These approaches (changing your wording and talking about your opinion first) might help your sisters feel more comfortable opening up to you. Good luck!

I can understand why you feel left out, but I suggest seeing them as flatmates and nothing else. You don't owe them your friendship, and it doesn't seem like they are willing to offer you theirs. Aside from standard responsibilities like paying for rent/utilities, keeping noise levels to a respectable level, having a reasonable agreement on guests, cleaning, etc., being a friend and feeling included isn't necessary (though it is nice).

Now see what you can do, without being too eager to be included. Try to be friendly, strike up conversation, ask how they are doing, etc., and maybe if they see how you are, they would want to include you more...or at the very least have a friendly rapport with you in the kitchen/lounge areas. You could also ask if they would like to hang out sometime- maybe go out for dinner, movie, drinks, etc. They might feel like you are distanced from them, and uncomfortable to invite you out because they are unsure you'd even want to join them. From the way things sound, however, maybe they really are cliquey and you'll have to focus on finding your own friends and having your own social life, separate from them. It wouldn't hurt to try reaching out, but it's best not to keep your hopes up, in case they end up not reciprocating.

Whatever his reason for not texting you back, there is no point in continuing to think about why. This doesn't necessarily mean that he sent you mixed signals-- that would be if he constantly ran hot and cold, giving you indications that he is interested and then backing off once you showed interest/crawling back only to disappear again, etc. Like Razhie already mentioned, sometimes people change their minds and decide not to pursue for whatever reason. He could have lost interest, got really busy/sidetracked, doesn't want to give you the impression that he wants to start a relationship, got intimidated by his own feelings for you/your history together, or any number of reasons.

Your job isn't to figure out why he hasn't contacted you. You could spend hours ruminating all the possible reasons and still not come to any solid conclusion, simply because there's no real way of knowing. You already know what you need to know: that he hasn't contacted you in a month. End of story. If he really wanted to, he would have. It wasn't a priority for him. One thing I will say is that you two have a history together, and sometimes men back off when they *think* that women will try to get back together, get emotional/attached, etc. Even though this doesn't apply to you in particular, he doesn't know that. I would advise on either letting this one go, or sending a casual text checking to see how he's doing and leave the rest to him. If you do decide to contact him, try not to get your hopes of seeing him up. Let things happen as they may and focus on your own life.

To be honest, your diet isn't entirely healthy. Though you're not loading up on fried, sugary foods, it doesn't seem you're getting enough of what you need. Here's why:

a) Bagels are empty calories with little nutritional content, even if whole grain...though it's okay to have bagels sometimes, carbohydrates should be eaten in moderation. Also, if you're going to have dairy, have full fat and organic in moderate amounts-- seriously! Everything we've been told about fat is wrong...if it's a healthy fat, it's totally fine and healthy.

b) Anything microwavable and/or processed should be avoided, even if it's vegetarian. Ketchup has high fructose corn syrup, so if you're going to have any, I'd advise sticking to the organic kind (tastes better too). Fake meat products including soy are typically GMO, processed, and not very good for you even if marketed as a health food (e.g., vegetarian chicken nuggets). You should avoid having processed foods, and stick to wholesome, nutritious food with minimal ingredients.

c) Vary your vegetables and have some protein/nutrient dense food. As for dinner, having potato is sometimes okay, but it's not the most nutrient dense vegetable. Sweet potato or red potatoes are healthier than your standard white Idaho potato. Have it with a protein-- I don't know if you are vegetarian, but a moderate amount of meat, or some sort of legume/protein rich source like lentils, beans, quinoa, etc. is an ok substitute. Again, I'd avoid meat substitutes like seitan, "meatless sausage/baken/chicken", etc. Even tofu.

d) Calorie counting is not only pointless, it takes the joy out of eating. Instead of counting calories, eat a variety of wholesome foods and get a moderate amount of exercise (work out a few days a week, anything you like...cardio exercise is good too).

So what should you do instead?

a) Don't be afraid of fat...not all fat is bad, and your body and brain need some to function optimally. Fat gets a bad rep, that's all. Avoid low fat or non-fat products, and go for regular, organic products like milk, cheese, regular butter (no margarine or substitutes), yoghurt, etc. Make sure that at minimum, what you get is organic. If you can, find products sourced from GRASS-FED cows. This makes a big difference in how healthy these foods are for you..what goes in the cow, the health of the cow, its environment, etc., affects you. The easiest to find is butter from grass-fed cows, which you can find at Trader Joe's and other health food stores (It's called Kerrygold butter, from Ireland). Also, eggs are okay, as long as they are organic. even better, if they are PASTURE RAISED (find them at Whole Foods or a Farmers market). Pasture raised means the hens are truly free to roam outdoors and snack on grass and bugs, just as nature intended. Cage free doesn't mean the hens get a decent amount of room or are outdoors, all it means is they aren't caged (they are still cooped up). So, go for pasture raised eggs, if possible.

b) Healthy fats are good fats. Wild-caught salmon in moderate amounts, fish oil capsules or vegetarian sourced oil such as hemp seed oil or flaxseed oil, AVOCADO (superfood!), organic butter from grass-fed cows, coconut oil, nuts (cashews, walnuts, almonds)-- raw, unsalted/unroasted, just raw in original form, are all excellent for your health and will increase your energy levels.

c) Greens, greens, and more greens. The darker the green, the better. This means eat things like spinach, broccoli, brussels sprouts, mixed greens, asparagus, kale, etc. They are packed with vitamins, some with fiber (especially broccoli), etc. They are good for your body and digestive tract.

d) Some fruit. You don't need to eat a lot of fruit, as veggies are the priority. But different kinds of fruits including berries, melons, bananas, citrus, etc. are healthy but should be eaten in moderate amounts.

e) Take a multivitamin. A good place to find them is at a health food store, to make sure you'r getting a good product since not all vitamins are created equally.

f) Don't deny yourself sweets sometimes. It's ok to have some snacks like chips, cookies, etc., on occasion. You don't need to cut every "junk food" out of your life. If you're generally eating healthy, some snacks are okay. Have your cake and enjoy it too!

g) Again, exercise is key but not if it's overdone. You are already getting some cardio work, which is good. Keep it up, and on days when you'd rather tone it down, yoga or pilates are also great (yoga is my favorite, a true exercise for the body and mind). Just don't overdo anything.

If you follow my suggestions and focus more on eating healthy and enjoying the food you eat rather than counting calories, you will notice a difference.

I am here to give honest advice, when I feel I have something to contribute. I try to be as empathetic and understanding as I can, as I know that the way something is said is as important as the message itself.

I usually advise on love/relationships, friendship and family issues, nutrition, and health (mental and physical). If I feel I can help out, there's not a whole lot I am unwilling to answer. Ask away!

Gender:
Location:
Age:
Member Since:
Answers:
Last Update:
Visitors:
Main Categories:




Favorite Columnists