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9 Ways to Win An Argument Every Time, According To Science

If you find yourself losing every argument, you’re probably getting frustrated with it. Whether you’re having a spirited debate over politics, or current events, feeling like you’re not gaining the upper hand with your points is something that no one likes to experience.

In an argument, your appraisal that you’re losing, your belief that you need to be “right,” and the extent to which you like the other person can all have an impact on the emotions you experience,” says author and professor of psychology Susan Krauss Whitbourne.

Fortunately, science has come through with a way for those of us who can’t seem to stand our ground to win in an argument. If you’re not naturally good at debating, these tricks can help you become better at arguing and even help you win the argument and help people see your side of things.

Here Are 9 Ways To Win The Argument (and End It)

“Raise your words, not voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder.” – Jalaluddin Rumi

1. Have your opponent explain their thoughts first

You should ask open-ended questions that encourage them to explain their thought process and their argument. You can’t accurately debate someone without first understanding why they think the way they do, or even what their entire argument is. The other person is more likely to listen to your rebuttals when you first let them get their entire thought out before interrupting them or engaging them in an argument.

argument

2. Mirror your opponent’s body language

You don’t want to be obvious about it, but subtly mirroring your opponent is a good way to get them to trust you, and thus make them more likely to listen to what you have to say. If the person that you’re debating is sitting cross-legged, try copying them as subtly as you can. Try not to mirror every single movement that they make, or you’ll just look like you’re mocking them! The key is to look natural!

Mirroring builds agreement; you can often head off potential trouble by establishing a strong basis of nonverbal agreement before the real negotiating begins,” adds life coach, author and communication theorist Nick Morgan.

3. Make eye contact when a conversation starts

When your opponent begins speaking, make sure to maintain eye contact while they’re talking. This is scientifically proven to make your opponent less persuasive, which means that you’ll have the upper hand when it comes to providing counter-arguments. As soon as they start talking, make sure to maintain eye contact throughout their argument.

4. Repeat what you understand their argument to be

Before launching into your own counter-argument, make sure to paraphrase their own back to them from what you understand them to have said. This is an easy way to develop trust with your opponent because it proves that you were listening to them in the first place instead of just waiting to get your argument in. When your opponent feels they can trust you, it’ll be easier to make your own argument more persuasive.

In the heat of battle, we often counterattack reflexively without making sure we’ve heard the other party. It wastes time and makes you look bad,” explains speech and presentation coach Sims Wyeth.

5. Acknowledge their points

If you agree with parts of their argument, make sure to tell them what parts and why, before you start presenting your own argument. This will help your opponent feel encouraged to consider your points of view once you present them because you’re affirming the things that they’ve said.

6. Know your facts like the back of your hand

How many times have you made a claim about some piece of trivia only to realize, as soon as you’ve made that claim, that you’re completely wrong? Inevitably, someone challenges you, but because you don’t want to “lose,” you continue to stick to your guns,” adds Whitbourne.

Therefore, when presenting your counter-arguments, make sure you know what you’re talking about. If you can’t explain your argument when asked to expand on certain points, it’s time to go back to the drawing board. Make sure you know your argument inside and out before presenting it. Nothing will make you lose an argument faster than not being able to expand on your points.

7. Prompt your opponent to agree with you

Ending your statements with verbal affirmations will prompt your opponent to see things from your point of view, and end up agreeing with your points. Ending your statement with things like “…wouldn’t you?” or “…isn’t it?” will make your opponent more likely to concede to your arguments.

8. Lower your voice

During the argument, try not to raise your voice. This is more likely to put someone into fight or flight mode and shut them off from considering your points of view.

Be mindful of your emotions. When anger and fear overtake you, your cause will be weakened. Be passionate. Be expressive. But stay calm and carry on. Anger makes you less appealing,” adds Wyeth.

When you lower your voice, it will make people more at ease and trusting. This is key to getting people to be persuaded by your point of view.

9. Identify shared ground

Most importantly, make sure you maintain a positive atmosphere throughout the argument. Pointing out the things that you and your opponent agree on will make them more likely to listen to the things that you don’t, and may even persuade them to accept your point of view. This can help your power of persuasion.

If you’re not a natural born debater, getting into an argument can be pretty intimidating. Luckily, there are ways to make your debating skills stronger and make your points more persuasive, all backed by science! You may not persuade everyone with these tricks, but you’re definitely going to be getting more people to listen to your point of view than before. At the very least, you’ll start to feel more confident when it comes to arguments and debating the things you believe in!

 

Researchers Reveal 5 Behaviors Highly Confident People Avoid

An interesting study explains why highly confident people make life look effortless.

Dr. Travis Bradberry, a co-author of the outrageously successful book Emotional Intelligence 2.0, discusses a research trend that has taken hold in psychology – studying gender-based differences:

“Studies exploring the performance gap between men and women in math and spatial skills have found that confidence plays a huge role.

Dr. Bradberry makes a rather bold statement – as do many others.

In a 1,300-person study conducted by researchers at the University of Maryland, authors discovered that the perceived gender gap in spatial abilities disappears when gender differences in skill are not assumed.

Other studies, measuring not only spatial but other cognitive faculties, have produced similar outcomes.

“True” Confidence

Dr. Bradberry distinguishes between “true” confidence and egotism or swagger.

“True confidence is very different … When people believe in themselves and their abilities without bravado, there are certain things they simply don’t do.”

In other words, confident people have a set of behaviors – a code of conduct, if you will – that deters them from sabotaging their progress. We’ll discuss these actions in some more detail in the following section.

5 Things that Confident People Avoid

“A bulk of research shows that when people are put in situations where they are expected to fail, their performance does plummet. They turn into different people. Their head literally shuts down, and they end up confirming the expectations. When they’re expected to win, their performance shoots back up. Same person, different expectations.” ~ Scott Barry Kaufman, Ph.D.

1. They don’t care about attention

Perhaps more than any other personality trait, people gravitate towards those who possess a good attitude and positive outlook. Confident people innately know this, which helps explain why they don’t care about any attention they do or do not receive.

When a confident person does receive attention, it is well-deserved. But what’s interesting is they’ll redirect the spotlight off of themselves and shine it towards those who helped them along the way (colleagues, bosses, family).

In short, a confident person draws satisfaction not from attention, but from self-esteem.

confidence

2. They refuse to make excuses

There’s really no other way to put it: too many of us (including yours truly) make excuses. Does making excuses mean we’re bad people? No. Does it mean we’re failures? Absolutely not.

What it does mean is that we need to take a bit more accountability for ourselves. This isn’t easy in a 24/7 society that tries to pump every last ounce of productivity from us; but – if we’re confident in ourselves – and in our poise and inner-strength, we can still push through.

Very confident people do exactly that.

3.They don’t avoid conflict

Listen up, some of us (again, including the author) despise conflict. (Most introverts do; damn – I made an excuse!)

Much as we may hate conflict, it is part of life. Confident people don’t define conflict as something to avoid, but something to be properly managed.

This doesn’t mean confident people go around strutting and beating their chest – that’s bravado. However, confident folks will “eat the frog” and face conflict gracefully and with an open mind.

4. They don’t seek admiration or praise

How many of you have worked with a person who always needed constant affirmation or praise? This situation can be annoying.

Confident people do not engage in this type of self-serving behavior. If anything, they actively avoid doing things that make them “stand out.”

Confident people have what’s called an internal locus of control. An internal locus of control – a concept birthed in the 50’s by psychologist Julian Rotter – emphasizes self-efficacy. The term is defined as:

“The belief that events in one’s life, whether good or bad, are caused by controllable factors such as one’s attitude, preparation, and effort.”

On the other side of the coin, individuals with an external locus of control blame everything that happens on outside forces. A belief that, ultimately, doesn’t get them anywhere.

5. They don’t procrastinate

Procrastination is a behavior we all engage in – some to a greater degree than others. Again, this doesn’t mean we’re bad people – it means we’re human.

Confident people fall on the right side of the “procrastinate/take action scale.” Part of the reason for this is that certain people have fewer fears – of change, failure, or even success – than others.

Here’s something we all need to remind ourselves from time to time: there is often no “right time,” “right way,” or “right circumstance.” The present is the only time that matters.

Let us make good use of the present.
(Readers: do you have anything to share about confidence? Have you successfully overcome any of these self-limiting obstacles? Please share your story!)

Sources:
http://www.pnas.org/content/108/36/14786.full

http://www.medicaldaily.com/vitamin-overdose-taking-too-many-vitamins-can-be-bad-your-health-how-many-would-it-315426
https://heleo.com/10-behaviors-confident-people-avoid/14800/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/beautiful-minds/201112/confidence-matters-just-much-ability
https://psychcentral.com/encyclopedia/internal-locus-of-control/
https://psychcentral.com/encyclopedia/locus-of-control/
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2004-08/uot-ses080404.php
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/critical-things-confident-people-wont-do-dr-travis-bradberry

8 Signs A Child Is Being Bullied (And Not Telling Anyone)

buIs your child bullied by others?

In 2005, the U.S. federal government began collecting statistics when the rate of bullying was around 28 percent.

Three of every ten kids went to school knowing they’d be harassed, even physically harmed. In a civilized society, this rate should be considered completely unacceptable.

Ready for another troubling statistic?

64% of bullied children do not report it.

In this article, we’re going to discuss eight signs of bullying and what can be done to encourage a child to speak up. In addition, we’ll provide some resources to assist with the problem.

First, here are the eight signs of bullying a child may be hiding:

bullied

1. Changes in behavior or personality

Bullying can be devastating to a child’s self-esteem or self-worth. Sudden or behavioral and personality changes may be difficult to observe at first, however, these changes will gradually become more apparent as the bullying continues.

As soon as these changes become apparent, it is necessary to try and get to the root of the issue.

2. Unexplainable injuries

In cases of extreme bullying, the child may show injuries they can not explain. Bruises and swollen areas are among the most common types of injuries. Bullies generally avoid the face area due to the fear of being found out; instead focusing on the torso and legs.

A child who cannot explain an injury may be experiencing physical harm from their peer(s).

3. Not wanting to go to school

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported the following in the 2013 national Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS):

– 21% of high school kids report missing school because of bullying.

– 11% report missing school because of electronic bullying (cyberbullying).

Not only are kids subject to in-person bullying when they attend school, but it also doesn’t end once they’re out of class. Due to the rapid growth of social media, they receive negative feedback on Facebook, Instagram, and other social platforms.

4. Difficulty studying

Unsurprisingly, bullying negatively affects a child’s engagement with their schoolwork. Lack of study time correlates to declining academic achievement (see below).

Sadly, this trend is worsening because of the amount of technology kids have available. They’re more likely to use a computer or mobile device as a means of an ‘escape’ than leveraging them for learning purposes.

5. Change in eating habits

Dana Thompson, a registered dietitian in Glendale, Arizona, gives an example of how bullying can alter a child’s eating habits:

“One of the things that is being reported is the significant amount of peer pressure exerted by certain girls to ‘not eat lunch,” she continues, “Girls are avoiding eating or throwing out their lunch for fear of rejection by cliques.” Boys also face pressure in this regard but to a lesser degree.

Further, bullying increases the child’s risk of anxiety and depression; two conditions linked to “disordered eating patterns.”

6. Decline in academic performance

One of the more tragic outcomes of bullying is a child not fulfilling their potential. School is supposed to be a place for learning and development. Children who are bullied do not see school in this light. Instead, they see it as a place to avoid.

Poor academic performance further hampers a child’s self-esteem and may alter their life choices; potentially even their future.

If a child is performing below their capabilities, a serious discussion is in order.

7. Self-destructive habits

As stated above, bullying can hurt a child’s mental health. In cases of abuse., the longer it continues, the worse the mental health outcome.

Long-term bullying of a child alters their brain’s chemistry during a time when the brain is developing rapidly. The negative effects of this cognitive change manifest in alcohol and drug abuse statistics, and rates of self-harm or suicide.

8. You have an instinct

If you’re a parent, you understand what it means to have a parental instinct. Something isn’t right with your child, and you just can’t put the finger on it. Intuitive and observant adults, even those who aren’t the child’s parent, may sense something is amiss.

“What can I do?”

Do NOT ignore your instincts. Be the responsible adult and take the initiative.

If you’re a parent or teacher, you are in the best possible position to uncover what – if anything – is going on. Remember, over 60% of bullied kids don’t tell anyone.

If you suspect bullying, it is important to ask direct questions. For example, “You’re so hungry. Have you been eating lunch?”

After asking the question, watch the child’s reaction. What they do not say is often more important than what they do. Watch their body language for fidgeting, and see where they direct their eyes.

If a child is silent or has no reasonable explanation to your question, it’s important to persist and attempt to uncover the truth. If your child is bullied, take the appropriate actions.

For more information on bullying, including professional advice, please see www.stopbullying.gov.

A group of ambitious students has developed a smartphone application called ‘Be Strong’ available on iOS and Android. On the site, bullied students can access a wealth of coping resources for free.

As adults, it is up to every one of us to do what we can to help a child facing bullying.

5 Signs Someone Is Secretly Suffering From Bulimia

What is bulimia nervosa?

Bulimia nervosa, most often referred to as ‘bulimia,’ is a severe eating disorder that involves frequent episodes of binge eating followed by radical efforts to avoid weight gain.

The condition is most commonly seen in young women, though male cases have been reported. Statistics show that the condition can also develop during any period of life, though bulimic patients of middle-age and older are exceedingly rare.

People who suffer from bulimia are pulled in two extreme directions – an overwhelming compulsion to eat, and a strong desire to not gain weight.

Many (though not all) bulimics engage in “binge-and-purge” cycles. When the urge to eat becomes strong enough, the person will binge eat. Binge eating is defined as “a disorder in which you frequently consume unusually large amounts of food and feel unable to stop eating.”

After bingeing, the bulimic usually feels a profound sense of guilt and shame, which leads to the need to purge. How the bulimic engages in purging is individualistic, but may involve the taking of laxatives, vomiting, or working out to the point of exhaustion.

What causes bulimia?

1.5 percent of American women suffer from bulimia nervosa in their lifetime. ~ National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders

Per medical experts, there is no single cause of bulimia. The individual’s genetics, self-awareness, and self-image are all thought to play a role.

Historically, low self-esteem and concerns about weight and body image are, by far, the biggest risk factors. Other risk factors include stressful life changes, history of abuse or trauma, or mental health complications.

What are the effects of bulimia?

Bulimics suffer psychological and physical effects both because of – and resulting from – their condition.

Having bulimia puts a person’s life at risk. Physicians concede that the most dangerous side effect of bulimia is dehydration from purging.

Vomiting, diuretics, and laxatives may cause an unhealthy change in the body’s electrolyte counts, usually as the result of low potassium levels. Consequently, the body may produce dangerous and potentially life-threatening symptoms, including irregular heartbeat and kidney failure.

5 Signs of Bulimia

Bulimia is a heartbreaking condition, both for the person suffering and their loved ones. Fortunately, there is help available, and we can take heart in knowing this.

If we know what to look for, we’re in a better position to help. With that said, here are five common signs of bulimia:

1. Swollen cheeks and eyes

Bulimics who purge themselves by vomiting will often have swelling around the cheeks and eyes. Also, many bulimics who induce vomiting will strain to the point of bursting blood vessels in the eyes. Bursting blood vessels will always swell, causing the vessels to appear more prominently.

2. Weight fluctuations

As purging is not an effective way of eliminating calories from the body, most bulimics will not appear underweight. It’s more common for them to be of average weight or slightly overweight. However, most people battling bulimia will display severe weight fluctuations. They may lose 10 to 15 pounds, even more, in a short period.

3. Withdrawal

Bulimia’s effect on an individual is not limited to physical appearance. Sadly, bulimia may lead to the development of anxiety and depression. Anxiety and depression, along with feelings of shame and guilt, will cause the person to stop engaging socially.

4. Listen for obsessions

Some bulimics may have trouble concealing their strong mental and emotional states. If you notice them discussing extreme ways of losing weight, insecurity about their body and self-image, or obsession over health and appearance in another way, it’s wise to take note of this.

5. Put everything together

Remember that not everyone suffering from bulimia engages in purging. Also, keep in mind that there is no way to disguise bulimia’s effects on the mind and body. Psychologically, the condition almost always leads to depression, anxiety, or withdrawal. Physically, you’ll almost certainly notice drastic weight changes if paying attention.

Getting help

If you or someone you love may be suffering from bulimia or another eating disorder, there is help available. Trained eating disorder professionals and other qualified medical personnel can help them regain health, eat normally again, and work through any underlying or resulting psychological issues.

In the U.S., the National Eating Disorders Association’s toll-free hotline can be reached at 1-800-931-2237. They can provide free advice, information, and referrals to anyone who calls. The consultation is completely confidential.

EDReferral.com provides a comprehensive list of eating disorder and bulimia treatment providers.

Sources:
http://www.anad.org/get-information/about-eating-disorders/eating-disorders-statistics/
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/binge-eating-disorder/home/ovc-20182926

http://www.wikihow.com/Tell-if-Someone-Is-Bulimic
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/eating-disorders/bulimia-nervosa.htm

10 Secrets to Weight Loss, According to The Experts

Achieving weight loss can be a pain and a half, especially when you consider all of the diet trends available. There’s so much information flying around that it can be hard to figure out what’s legitimate and what suggestion encourages you to buy a fancy product.

The truth is, experts have already figured out some tips and tricks that can help you lose weight, and it’s all about making easy changes to your diet. If you’re struggling to lose weight and keep that weight off, these tips will surely help you in your weight loss journey.

Here Are 10 Effective Changes To Help With Weight Loss

“Your diet is a bank account. Good food choices are good investments.” – Bethenny Frankel

1. Drink 3 liters of water with lemon every day without fail

We all know that drinking water is the way to go when getting healthy. It’s suitable for, keeps you hydrated, and your body needs it! Drinking water by itself is already good for your health, but when you add a slice of lemon, it can help detox your body.

Fitness expert Jackie Warner says, “Adding the lemon helps to detoxify the liver and metabolizes fat, so this can speed up metabolism by about 33 percent. That burns about 100 extra calories per day!” Drinking 3 liters of water throughout the day with added lemon can speed up your metabolism and help you lose weight.

 

weight loss

2. Eat slowly, and stop when you’re full

The best way to lose weight is to eat less and make sure you’re doing this the right way. Instead of gulping your food, make sure to savor every bite to be fully aware of when you start to get hungry. When you eat too quickly, you may be consuming more than your body needs. When your body starts to feel full, it’s time to stop eating and let your body enjoy what you’ve given it.

3. Say no to diet food because it isn’t good for your health

All loopholes will allow companies to sell food as “diet food,” which isn’t always good for your weight loss. Instead, focus on choosing foods based on their nutritional value. When you buy and eat foods that are good for you and high in nutrients, you’ll lose weight more manageable than if you buy “diet foods.” There’s no fast trick to dieting and eating healthy!

4. Eat at regular mealtimes to promote weight loss

According to fitness expert Nicole Nichols, “So plan for one to two snacks a day as needed, and you’ll likely eat less and avoid binges later.” When you go too long without eating or think that skipping meals is the way to help lose weight, two things can happen. You may be encouraged to overeat later because you’re so hungry, and two, your body may go into starvation mode and preserve more fat just in case you won’t be eating again for a long time. Eating at regular mealtimes can help put your body in the correct rhythm to lose weight.

5. Drink fresh vegetable juice to regain your health

Vegetables are good for you, but sometimes we don’t have time to make a meal with all the right veggies. Another alternative is to drink fresh vegetable juice. It is suitable for you, but it’ll give you the energy you need to get through the day – and it tastes great! The founder and owner of Strala yoga studio, Tara Stiles, says, “Cucumber, kale, carrot, ginger…it is so good for you, gives you so much energy, and tastes good! The coolest side effect is that I stopped craving sugar and salts! Just like that, without trying. Amazing!”

6. Keep nuts on hand for a healthy snack that supports weight loss

Raw almonds, cashews, or walnuts can help you when you’re in a pinch and are starting to crave a snack during the middle of the day. When you’re on the go and your blood sugar drops, it can be tempting to get an unhealthy snack that can make it hard to keep your weight down. Luckily, raw almonds are the perfect snack: they’re healthy and keep your blood sugar up.

7. Improve weight loss by eating protein with every meal to help you feel full

Whether you’re a vegetarian, vegan, or neither, protein is essential for every meal. It’ll help keep you feeling full, so you’re not tempted to go snacking in between meals or during the middle of the night. Tofu and beans are an excellent alternative to meat-based proteins for vegan or vegetarian diets.

8. Keep an eye on your carbs, especially when you’re eating out

Carbs are good for getting energy, but you want to ensure that you’re not getting too much. It’s easy to have a serving size of carbs that’s more than your body needs. Especially when you’re eating out at a restaurant, you want to see how many carbs you’re taking in, such as pasta or bread. The recommended serving size for carbs is ½ cup. According to fitness expert Linda LaRue, “Remember that a recommended carbohydrate serving—such as pasta, pizza, bread, or rice—is 1/3 to 1/2 cup. That’s the size of a golf ball or mouse. Most restaurants give you three cups of pasta. That’s the equivalent of six carb servings!”

9. Eat more Greek yogurt to boost the weight loss process

While yogurt is a relatively healthy snack, not all yogurts will give you the weight loss you’re looking for. The best choice is Greek yogurt. It’s a good choice for protein, and it doesn’t have as much sugar as other yogurts. Other yogurts, even those supposed to be low-fat, can be loaded with sugar that you don’t need. So, for a healthy snack, make sure your yogurt is Greek-style. For some flavor, you can also try adding pieces of fruit.

10. Say no to sodas because they pack tons of chemicals and calories

Eliminating sugary drinks and soda from your diet may be challenging, but it’s the best way to go when you’re looking to lose weight. They contain chemicals and calories, and because it’s a drink, you may not notice how much you’re taking in. Instead, go for water or vegetable juice. Your body will thank you!

Losing weight and keeping it off comes with its unique challenges for everyone, from dietary restrictions to health concerns. However, these tricks should be helpful for just about anyone who is looking to lose some weight and keep it off. If you don’t know where to start for weight loss, adding any or all of these tweaks to your diet will get you headed down the right track!

fruits

11. Skip the screen eating

Mindless eating causes you to overeat. It’s easy to nibble away without realizing how much you’re eating when you’re sitting in front of your computer or television watching a show. Focusing on your food means you’re aware of what you’re eating and how much you’re eating. Weight loss could be as simple as breaking the habit of sitting in front of your computer or television while you eat.

12. Skip those processed foods (they hinder weight loss)

Eating extra whole foods, such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean meats, is one of the best secrets to weight loss. Processed foods, as you know, are high in sodium, fat, and sugar. Whenever possible, swap out natural foods for processed foods, including

  • Oven roast potatoes rather than buying frozen french fries
  • Grill your meats instead of frying them
  • Swap out a bowl of mixed berries for a cookie
  • Make your salad dressing with oil, vinegar, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. It’s tasty and healthier than store-bought salad dressings.
  • Use natural, healthy maple syrup instead of maple-flavored syrups that are corn syrup with flavoring.
  • Skip the fake coffee creamer and use real cream instead–tastes better without the chemicals of the coffee creamer.

13. Keep moving for faster weight loss

You know that exercise is an excellent thing to do for weight loss. Incorporating some exercise into your life will make you lose weight and feel better, too. Whether you try to walk more or go to the gym, the goal is to keep moving. There are simple ways to add a little exercise to your day, such as:

  • Parking your car farther out in the parking lot: This habit makes you walk farther to get into the store.
  • Running upstairs to get that thing you forgot: Make each trip up your stairs a little more strenuous by running up and down. The more forgetful you are, the more exercise you’ll get.
  • Clean your house: It’s hard to find the time, but cleaning your home is a great exercise.
  • Mow your yard: Mowing the grass in the sunshine improves your mood and gives you exercise.

14. Eat at home instead of at a restaurant

Eating out is a great convenience, but it’s hard on your diet. All the yummy foods and huge portions can ruin your good intentions to eat healthily. A simple weight loss secret is to avoid restaurants. Instead, eat at home where you can control what you’re eating and how much you’re eating. Create a menu for the week, and buy the foods on the menu, so when it’s time to prepare dinner, you won’t give up and order pizza.

15. Spice up your foods

Adding yummy spices like paprika and cayenne peppers to your dishes can increase weight loss. These spices contain capsaicin, which naturally speeds up your metabolism to lose weight. You can add these tasty spices to your morning scrambled eggs or lunchtime chicken salad. They pack a punch of flavor and excellent benefits. The best herbs to rev up your metabolism include:

  • Turmeric
  • Cayenne
  • Cinnamon
  • Ginger
  • Chili pepper

16. Choose soup instead of appetizers

Eating soup before your main course is a delicious weight loss habit to incorporate into your evening meals.  Soup is a natural way to eat more veggies. You can make your soup by adding fresh cut-up vegetables, lemon juice, and spices to chicken broth to fill you up but without adding extra calories.

17. Brush your teeth after you eat

One of the best weight loss secrets is to brush and floss your teeth as soon as you finish eating dinner. This habit stops you from mindless snacking in the evening. Studies show that eating at night can lead to overeating and weight gain. It may surprise you to see the pounds drop off when you practice this little weight loss habit.

18. Eat your meals on smaller plates

Large plates give you room for extra food. Serving your meals on smaller plates and bowls limits how much you can eat. It’s a bit of a mind trick, but it’s a great weight loss secret to incorporate into your daily meals.

19. Eat your fiber to assist in weight loss

Dietary fiber doesn’t get digested in your small intestine. When you eat lots of fiber, you feel full, which helps you eat less. There are two categories of fiber.

Insoluble fiber

This is the fiber that won’t dissolve in water. Insoluble fiber bulks up your stools and helps you avoid constipation. It passes quickly through your digestive system. Examples of insoluble fiber include:

  • Whole wheat grains
  • Nuts
  • Cauliflower
  • Green beans
  • Potatoes

Soluble fiber

This is the fiber that dissolves in water and gets metabolized in your gut. These fibrous foods attract moisture, which turns into a gel during your digestion. It digests slowly. Soluble fiber can lower your risk of heart disease.  Examples of soluble fiber include:

  • Peas
  • Oats
  • Apples
  • Citrus fruits
  • Carrots
  • Beans and lentils
  • Barley
  • Seeds

20. Don’t drink calories

If you’re trying to cut down to lose weight, the last thing you want to do is use up your calories on drinks. Sweet, milky coffees, fruit juices, cocktails, and beer are loaded with unnecessary calories. These drinks are high in sugar and low in nutrition. They lack protein or fiber, so you’ll feel hungry sooner. You may eat more because of the sugar. Choose to drink hot water or iced tea, plain coffee, or seltzer. These are lower in calories, which will help your weight loss regime.

supercharge weight loss

Final Thoughts on Habits to Support Healthy Weight Loss

Weight loss is hard, but these secret tips make losing weight a little easier. These suggestions aren’t just gimmicks or trendy ideas that never work long term. They are life habits you can incorporate to be healthier and lose weight. By now, you know these ideas aren’t secrets at all. They’re actual life changes for a better, healthier you.

Researchers Explain What The Color of Your Tongue Says About Your Health

Ever wonder why doctors examine your mouth during a regular checkup? When the doc asks you to say “Ah,” they’re glancing at your tonsils and tongue.

You may have noticed that this routine doesn’t take too long – a few seconds. That’s because doctors can gain valuable insight into the appearance of this muscle. Indeed, it reveals a lot about your wellness.

If you think about it, the tongue is often overlooked. It’s not visible to others (mostly); we don’t pay it much attention unless we’re brushing it, and, the tongue just kind of sits.

The tongue, however, is crucial to our health and function. Without it, we couldn’t eat, drink, taste, chew or talk.

In this article, we’re going to discuss what it can reveal about your health. As it turns out, it’s quite a lot.

“Any discoloration, lumps, sores or pain (of the tongue) should be monitored and evaluated by a medical professional if they don’t go away within two weeks.” – Dr. Daniel Allan, Family Physician at the Cleveland Clinic

Quick anatomy lesson

Our tongue doesn’t have “skin.”

Instead, it’s covered with a pink, moist tissue (mucosa) and maintained by a large flow of blood. The mucosa and high blood content give the tongue its red-pink coloration.

The tongue’s color provides the most valuable information. As such, its coloration is what we’re going to focus on here.

What Does Your Tongue Say About Your Health?

The tongue consists of three sections – the apex, body, and root. The apex is the tip; the body is the rest of it  extends back into the throat, and the root fixes it to the mouth’s base.

Abnormal Colors

As mentioned, a healthy tongue always has a red-pink hue. Certain colors that may be considered unusual include:

  • Black
  • Blue
  • Bright red
  • Purple
  • White
  • Yellow

White

A whitish color is by far the most common type of discoloration. It is often related to continued, poor oral hygiene. Other conditions that may cause whitening of the tongue include:

  • Canker sores: visible white sores on the tongue. Canker sores often contain white to yellowish lesions at the center. Though painful, canker sores are usually rather harmless. Repeated cases, however, should be examined to test for possible underlying conditions.
  • Leukoplakia: a condition associated with irritation caused by chewing tobacco. The condition causes cells called mucous membranes to inflame. The discoloration is evident when the apex of the tongue or inner cheek of the mouth shows whitish-grey patches.
  • Oral thrush (candidiasis): manifests from a yeast called Candida albicans. This yeast creates white, creamy, textured patches on the surface. Thrush can happen to anyone, though people with a suppressed immune system, the very young, and the elderly are especially at risk.

Black

Strange looking as it may be, medical conditions don’t typically cause a black tongue. Sometimes, the tongue may appear black by elongation of the papillae, and small bumps on it’s surface. Black tongue can stem from certain OTC medications (e.g., antibiotics and bismuth), mouthwash products, lack of oral hygiene, or tobacco use.

Blue

A tongue that looks blue should always be considered a medical emergency. As is the case with other parts of the body, the color blue often indicates a cutoff of blood somewhere.

A blue tongue may be a sign of cyanosis, a serious condition that disrupts oxygen supply to our tissue. Blood disorders, blood vessel diseases, or cardiac conditions may cause cyanosis.

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Bright red

Bright red coloring may be due to a couple of things. Glossitis, or inflammation of this muscle, is the most common. Bright red may also be a sign of nutrient deficiency. Family physician, Dr. Danial Allan, states, “Folic acid and vitamin B-12 deficiencies may cause your tongue to take on a reddish appearance.”

More severe conditions include Scarlet fever, which causes the surface to have a red and bumpy texture. Dr. Allan says, “If you have a high fever and a red tongue, you need to see your family doctor.” Scarlet fever can be easily treatable with the appropriate antibiotics.

Purple

A purplish color is uncommon when you compare it to other color variations. There are two “usual suspects” for a purple hue:

  • Nutrient deficiency, particularly when we lack vitamin B2 (riboflavin).
  • As a precursor to the blue, which is a potentially severe medical condition. Thus, a person whose tongue exhibits purplish colors requires monitoring by medical staff until the color recedes.
  • A purple hue may also arise from certain diseases, and you should speak with a licensed physician.

Yellow

As with a purple tongue, yellow is a rare tint for the tongue. It usually precedes the growth of the black tongue. Sporadically, yellow may be a symptom of jaundice – a medical condition causing yellowing or greenish skin pigmentation due to high bilirubin levels.

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Final Thoughts on Tongue Color

When brushing your pearly whites, make sure you quickly check your tongue. Cleaning your tongue using a scraper can eliminate some white stuff hanging around.

Also, look for lumps, lesions, or other strange growths. Sores that do not recede within 14 days should be examined by a doctor.

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