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10 Ways to Tell Men They’re Attractive (Without Talking About Sex)

10 Ways to Tell Men They’re Attractive (Without Talking About Sex)

Telling a man he’s attractive isn’t always easy. It can be scary to admit your feelings, or you might be unsure how to do it. These tips can help you reveal your attraction to someone without discussing sex.

Telling a man that he’s attractive can boost his confidence and promote your relationship. It will make him feel desirable and boost his self-confidence. Whether you want to tell your boyfriend he’s attractive or talk to someone new; these tips can help.

You might be afraid to let someone know you think they’re attractive because you’re unsure how they’ll react. However, it’s always worth it because you’ll know if it’s a relationship that can move forward.

When he knows you appreciate his appearance, it’ll make him feel good and want you more. These tips will send your message without going too far.

NOTE: If you’re looking for suggestions on telling a woman she’s attractive, there’s another article you can read.

How to Tell Men They’re Attractive

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1 – Show Him That You Think He’s Both Attractive and Special

Treating an attractive man like you treat others won’t let him know that you think of him differently. When you want someone to recognize how you feel, you must make it clear they’re not just another person. Do things that set him apart from others, and he’s sure to understand.

2 – Avoid Distractions When Talking to Him

When you’re near an attractive person, avoid distractions and remain present. Being present creates intimacy between the two of you without anyone having to mention it. It might help if you silence your phone, avoid multitasking, and look at them as you speak.

This tip is beneficial for established relationships and meeting someone new, so it’s helpful to anyone. It helps build a connection and lets them know you hear them. Avoiding distractions also shows them that you’re interested in them and what they have to say.

3 – Show You Find Him Attractive by Laughing When He’s Being Funny

Men love to know when someone thinks they’re funny. Laughing at his jokes shows you enjoy his sense of humor and that you’re into him. It’s a way you can treat him differently, so he knows the attraction you feel.

Sometimes laughing at his jokes will even encourage further conversation. It gives you something to discuss and breaks the ice for new relationships.

4 – Compliment Something You Like About Him

Complimenting a man is one of the best ways to tell him he’s attractive. You can tell him he’s handsome or mention something specific about his physical appearance. Men like verbal validation and are often motivated by praise, so they’ll pick up on it and recognize how you feel.

Complimenting his appearance ensures he knows that you notice him. It also shows that you appreciate what you see, letting him know you’re open to getting to know one another more. The best part is that complimenting someone can release feel-good hormones in their body.

5 – Flirt with Him and Drop Hints About the Attraction

One of the best ways to tell a man you think he’s attractive is by flirting and dropping subtle hints. Flirt without being too obvious, so you don’t make it uncomfortable. It will help you catch their attention while letting them know you like them.

Flirting with your boyfriend is helpful because it shows them that you’re still into them. When you meet someone new, flirting can help you signal that you want to know them better. It should be fun, so don’t worry too much about how they respond.

6 – Give Physical Contact to Show He’s Attractive

Touching a man will let him know that you think he’s attractive. It shows that you notice and appreciate his body.

When spending time with your partner, you can spend time cuddling with him. You can also hold his hand whenever you get the chance. However, consider being a little less obvious if you aren’t in a relationship with the man.

Engaging in physical contact with someone you’re not in a relationship with should be more subtle. You can touch the man’s arm or shoulder as you talk to them or sit a little closer than you would with others. When they notice the touch, they’ll know you think they’re attractive.

7 – Build a Personal Bond

One of the best ways to tell someone they’re attractive is by making it clear you want to communicate more often. Don’t wait for chance encounters with someone if you want them to know how you feel. Be open about wanting to stay in touch, suggesting text messages, messenger communication, or a phone call.

You can suggest hanging out if it won’t make things uncomfortable, making it clear you’re interested and find the person attractive. Spending time together is a sure way to get your message across and gives you a chance to know the man better.

8 – Let Your Eyes Reveal the Attraction

Looking into a man’s eyes shows him that he’s special to you. Hold his gaze for a few seconds before looking away. It can release oxytocin, a bonding hormone, making the two of you feel closer.

Don’t be afraid to let him see you staring at him. If he catches you, it means he’s looking back, and the encounter can spark a conversation. It’s helpful to see if there’s chemistry between you, helping you identify what you should do next.

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9 – Show Excitement When You See Them

When you want someone to know they’re attractive, you should show them you’re happy to see them. It makes it clear that you think of them differently than others.

Playing it cool when they walk in the room won’t let him know that you think he looks good. Show your excitement by giving your best smile and saying hello immediately.

10 – Use Your Body Language to Show You Find Him Attractive

Your body language helps communicate your thoughts and feelings. You can signal you want to talk by standing straight and keeping your shoulders back. Meet the man’s gaze and show that you’re open to getting to know one another.

You can also show him he’s attractive by facing him with open arms. Avoid crossing your arms or clenching your fists because it can signal that you don’t want to talk to him.

How to Handle It If They Do Not Reciprocate the Attraction

One of the scary parts of telling a man they’re attractive is the risk of rejection. It happens to everyone, but that doesn’t make it any less uncomfortable and painful. Here are some things you can do if you experience rejection:

Distract Yourself

Don’t focus on rejection if the man didn’t respond the way you wanted him to. Distract yourself when you can’t stop thinking about it so you can do something more productive.

You can go out with your friends, meet new people, or take up a new hobby. Creating new memories can help you move forward and replace negative feelings with good ones.

You can also use this time to do things you’ve been procrastinating on or plan a trip you’ve always wanted to go on. Anything that makes you feel good and helps you push away thoughts of rejection can be beneficial.

Focus on Self-Improvement and Doing What You Want

Consider improving your life by reflecting on your career, goals, and progress. You can recall your dreams and assess whether you’ve stuck to your plans. Put your energy and time into self-improvement rather than dwelling on a bad experience.

Consider courses or skill-building experiences you can join to help you achieve your goals. You can also consider positive changes that help you get closer to living the life of your dreams.

Embrace Your Other Relationships

The attractive man isn’t the only person in your life. Embrace your friends and loved ones if the man you like doesn’t feel the same way. Many people think you are great, and spending time with them can help you remember your worth.

Trust That the Rejection Happened So You Can Find Your Match

When someone rejects you, tell yourself that it happened so you can find the best partner. Not everyone you feel attracted to is the one for you. Since you didn’t get what you wanted, you will remain available when the right person comes along.

Stay Hopeful – You’ll Find Someone Else Attractive Soon

It’s easy to let rejection create bitter feelings but staying hopeful can improve the situation. Try to express gratitude for what you experienced with the person because it’s part of your life journey. However, don’t let it create negativity that prevents you from finding a loving relationship.

Reminding yourself that someone out there wants to be with you can help you embrace the situation. You won’t have to force anything on the right person, and staying hopeful can help you attract them.

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Final Thoughts on Telling Men They’re Attractive

Using these tips can help you tell a man they’re attractive. You don’t have to discuss sex to make your feelings clear. Subtle methods will send your message and give the man a chance to reciprocate.

You may never know how someone feels about you unless you open up a little. Don’t be afraid to tell someone they’re attractive because even if the person doesn’t reciprocate, you’ll have answers for moving forward.

10 Things That Don’t Impress Self-Confident Men

Having sufficient confidence is often an internal struggle. Men are raised to believe they must be strong and assured, as it defines their masculinity. A guy who lacks self-confidence is seen as weak, inferior, or less than others.

While society puts these demands on men and women, the man with high esteem doesn’t put on a big show. He knows his actions will speak much louder than his words, so he lives by a certain standard. When a person lacks confidence, they’re insecure within themselves.

A guy who isn’t assured will constantly seek the approval of others to build any sense of self-worth. On the inside is where it counts the most, and the confident man understands his underlying value. He doesn’t have to prove his worth to everyone else, as he knows for himself.

NOTE: Women display a healthy self-confidence level in very different ways than men, so we address them in a companion article.

Ten Things That Self-Confident Men Aren’t Impressed By

Whether you’re looking for a friend or a lover, you should know that some behaviors are a big turn-off to the man who has confidence. If you want to get his attention, you should avoid trying to avoid the following things.

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1. Self-Confident Men Avoid Creating a False Impression

Some people go into massive debt to impress others. For instance, they buy expensive cars and houses that are costly and try to obtain a certain status. However, a confident man can feel like a million bucks and live in a mobile home. He knows that making foolish choices in the hopes of impressing someone will only come back to bite in the end.

Creating a false impression isn’t showing people the real you. If you want to gain the attention of the confident man, you will learn to strip away the facades and stop trying to keep up with others.

2. Self-Confident Men Avoid Telling Little Lies

People like to make excuses because they don’t know how to be truthful. How many times have you been guilty of these telling small lies? For instance, your friend wants you to come to a party at their home.

You like your friend and want to go, but you have so many other obligations you’re exhausted. Rather than just telling the truth, you tell a little lie to say that you must work. People are always looking to push the blame onto someone or something else.

A confident man likes it when people shoot from the hip. They want folks in their life who are upfront and honest. They won’t spend time with you if you’re not honest with them.

A study by the University of Wisconsin examined how frequently people lie. The study evaluated the lives of 632 people over three months. During this period, they found that 75% of the participants lied 0-2 times each day. However, 6% of the study’s participants lied more frequently than average.

Sadly, there was 1% who got the researcher’s attention. These folks lied an average of 17 times each day. Another shocking realization from this study found that people are more apt to lie on the phone or through text than in person.

3. Being Afraid of Confrontation

Confidence means that you will stand up and fight for what’s right. Some people will avoid confrontation at all costs. Even if someone is taking advantage of them, they refuse to say anything.

They dread facing off with someone and having that confrontation. A self-confident man doesn’t like to fight and argue with folks, but they have no problem standing up for what’s right. If you do them wrong, they will tell you about it. They see people willing to stand up as having a strong backbone.

4. Self-Confident Men Do Not Hide Behind Screens

If you’ve been on social media sites, you know all about trolls. Many people find strength in hiding behind the scenes and bullying people. According to an article published by the University of Pittsburgh, they call them a cowardly group of angry individuals.

These people are known for their ability to ridicule children, teenagers, bereaved families, and minorities with ease. They further say it’s effortless for people to say hateful things because they have no relationship with the person. It will not make them lose sleep because they insulted someone else.

Men with confidence think you should say what you need to someone’s face. Only a coward would get on social media, email, or use other electronic methods to bash others verbally.

5. Trying to Do Everything Alone

There are times when everyone needs a little help. You’ve seen movies where men won’t ask for directions because it makes them feel weak or inferior. However, true confidence assures you that you don’t always have the answers. It’s okay to ask for help occasionally, especially if you’re overloaded.

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6. Self-Confident Men Avoid Treating Others Poorly

A little bit of kindness can go a long way. Confidence means you don’t have to make yourself feel better by putting others down. Have you ever been to a restaurant with someone who treated the waitstaff poorly?

There’s nothing that shows poor character more than this behavior. It’s a hard job waiting tables, and dealing with the public is no picnic. Someone mean to these folks working and trying to make a living is appalling.

Men with confidence feel empathy for people who have such a hard job. They won’t hang around with those who like to put others down. It’s rude and shows a lack of manners.

7. Giving Into Peer Pressure

Peer pressure is all around you every day. There are times when you are encouraged by friends or relatives to do unscrupulous things. Having integrity and convictions means you won’t fold or bend just because everyone else is doing it.

The confidant man stands by his convictions, and you won’t persuade him otherwise. He respects and admires the same qualities in the women he dates and his friends.

8. Being Fearful of Change

Do you know that some people are paralyzed by the fear of what might happen to them? It’s normal to be anxious when you have a job interview, are going on a first date, or are short on money this month. However, someone who lives in fear lets it dominate their life.

For instance, assume you were offered a job in California that would double your income. Rather than being excited about such a prestigious offer, you think of all the things that could go wrong. Visions of earthquakes, forest fires, and landslides give you pause. When you play into these anxieties, they will only grow.

Soon, you will be thinking of traffic accidents and trying to drive on new roadways. Confident men don’t like to be around people with toxic negativity and continually fear doom and gloom. These poisonous thought patterns can rub off onto others, and confident men prefer to hang with optimistic people.

9. Self-Confident Men Do Not Jump to Conclusions

In life, you must give people the benefit of the doubt. You can’t always jump to conclusions or assume anything. How often have you thought something was one way, only to discover it was completely different?

For instance, assume your sister called you to discuss care for your mom. She was short with you and snappy with her tone. She hung up abruptly and seemed like she was mad at you, and of course, you were discussing money.

You didn’t call or see her for three weeks, as you thought you did something to upset her. Her kids made a huge mess on the floor, she had to rush and clean, and she was short because she was aggravated at them. It’s effortless to take something small and make it into a big deal.

Confident men don’t like people who jump to these rash conclusions. They would prefer you confront the situation and not harbor ill feelings over something that may not be how it appears.

10. Flashing Designer Name Brands

If you think that confident men will be impressed by your flashy brands, guess again. They don’t care if you’re wearing designer labels or something from your local big box retail store; they look at you as a person.

An old saying says you can’t make a silk purse from a sow’s ear, which means you can’t make yourself any better by fancy attire. Actual value comes from the inside. This man isn’t shallow and doesn’t just look at the exterior, so wearing expensive clothes isn’t going to impress him.

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Final Thoughts on Impressing Self-Confident Men

Do you possess the strengths of confident men? You may be looking for a man who displays these qualities. These inner strengths give you confidence and allow you to project power without saying a word.

Having confidence means you don’t need to dress, talk, or act a certain way. You’re not interested in keeping up with others or putting on a show to be liked. Finding a man like this is a treasure, and if you’re lucky enough to have him as a partner or friend, you’re blessed.

10 Things Men Wish They Didn’t Have to Worry About

Men have the strength and the need to be the protector ingrained into them from birth. Sadly, many outside influences can affect a man’s self-esteem as well as the respect he has for himself. It’s often thought that women are the worriers, but guys worry just as much about stuff.

The difference is they’re usually not as vocal and eager to share their feelings. Guys believe they need to push through fears and put them in the back of their minds, as they must be strong. However, no man should be alone when they have doubts and questions that plague their mind, as they need comfort too.

NOTE: Women, too, have specific concerns that cause them to feel uneasy. However, their needs differ, so we cover those in a different article.

Things Men Commonly Worry About

Men are expected to pull back and retreat to themselves when they have these moments of overwhelming anxiety. Their partner might believe they’re cheating because they’re distant. No, worry is eating away his self-confidence and ability to be present. So, what do guys worry about? Here are some of the top things that cause them to fear.

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1. They Worry About Earning Enough Money

Today’s society finds both men and women have an inner drive to make good money. Still, an element inside him compels him to be the provider. He feels it’s his responsibility to provide for his partner and kids, so it’s only natural for him to worry about making enough money. How can anyone respect or look up to him if he’s not giving the best life possible to his family?

2. Being a Good Father

Men worry about their children having daddy issues, especially if this is something they had to overcome in the past. According to an article published by Drexel University Libraries, when there’s a fatherly absence or paternal apathy, it can cause the child to grow up lacking.

Today the man holds just as much of an essential role in the family as the woman, but people still grow up with these issues when a relationship with their father is lackluster. Having “daddy issues” can affect self-esteem and cause deep-seated psychological problems. It’s only natural that he’s concerned about having a good relationship and spending sufficient time with his children.

3. They Worry They Will Gain Weight

Most women love a man with a teddy bear exterior, but guys worry about their weight too. They might not fret about it as much as a lady but gaining weight can mess with their self-confidence. A man doesn’t like to feel inferior to others in his office or social circle, so gaining weight can cause him to worry about how others perceive him.

4. Losing Their Hair

According to an article by the Ohio State University, the average person loses around a hundred hairs daily. You won’t notice if you lose the typical amount, but bald spots and a receding hairline appear if a man loses more than this amount. One of the biggest kicks to a man’s self-esteem is going bald too young.

Men are more apt to lose their hair before a woman, but it doesn’t mean women are immune. Some guys can rock the bald look or get hair transplant surgery, but it’s not an option for everyone.

5. Being a Good Lover

It takes skills to be a good lover, and every guy wants to satisfy their woman in the bedroom. Being skillful in the romance department helps with their self-confidence, so it’s only natural that they worry about pleasing their partner.

6. They Worry About Their Masculinity

Have you ever heard the term “macho man?” Guys need to be seen as macho and able to save their families by being the protector. It’s not uncommon for a man to worry about their masculinity. The rough, rugged cowboy with well-seasoned hands is considered sexy by most women.

They wonder if they’re strong enough, measure up, and if their lady sees them as the strong man she desires. Their self-esteem depends on them having the right amount of masculinity.

7. Being Cheated On

Why does society always picture women as the ones who are the victims of a man cheating? Guys don’t want to be cheated on, either. Sure, a study by the University of Colorado shows that men are more likely to cheat than women, but only 21 percent of guys admitted to cheating.

Many guys out there fear that their partner will be unfaithful, and it scares them to think that they’re not enough for them. How can they respect themselves if someone they love doesn’t love them enough to be faithful?

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8. Making an Impact in Life

Many guys worry about leaving a legacy behind. Are they doing enough? Is there something more they could do to have an impact on their family and the world around them? A man who doesn’t feel he’s doing or being enough to those who need him the most might struggle with his self-confidence, as he always feels inadequate.

9. They Worry About Getting Old

If you thought crow’s feet, fine lines, and wrinkles only bothered women, guess again. Men are just as concerned about their appearance. Guys try to turn back the hands of time by dying their hair, dressing younger, and doing facial treatments. They worry people won’t have the same respect for them as they age, so they try to stay young in their minds and appearance.

10. Losing Their Job

There’s always someone more intelligent, more educated, and with greater skills that can come in and take a job from a hardworking man. His self-confidence might not be able to suffer a blow from a job loss where he felt deficient. He knows he needs to take care of his family and himself, so he worries about his ability to keep his job in this challenging market.

11. What To Talk About on Date Night

Going on a date brings out all kinds of nerves and butterflies. Ladies wonder what they should talk about and if there will be long periods of silence, but guys also wonder about that stuff. He wants a woman to respect him and think he’s worthy of a second date, and he’s terrified he will say the wrong thing.

12. Not Attractive Enough

He might be a man who looks in the mirror and sees all the flaws and imperfections rather than the true masterpiece. He worries about his looks and if he will ever find someone to love him for who he is and what he looks like. It affects his self-esteem, especially if he’s still a bachelor after 30.

13. Finding a Life Partner

He worries about finding someone to grow old with in this life. Getting to a certain age and not finding a soul mate is hard on both a man and a woman.

The need to have a lover and someone to share all your secrets with is just a part of life. He might struggle with self-confidence if his friends and family members have all found their special someone and he’s still a party of one.

14. Health Problems

Men worry about getting cancer, an autoimmune condition, or being unable to work because of health issues. They may work out and eat right, but there’s no guarantee that a significant sickness won’t cause problems.

A man can take a major hit to their self-confidence if their health leaves them unable to provide or live the life they desire. So, they worry about their health and overall well-being.

15. The Past

Men get stuck in the past too. Emotional baggage from poor relationships and a traumatic childhood affect both genders equally. A man who can’t get over the things that happen in the rear-view mirror will struggle with their self-esteem and confidence levels.

They may feel that people can’t respect them because they didn’t grow up or have the experiences of others. The past hinders the present, and if a guy doesn’t learn to process the things that happened to him, it will affect his future.

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Final Thoughts on Common Worries of Men

Men have worries that they wish they didn’t have to dominate their minds. While they might not be as eager to discuss it with you, these fears affect their self-esteem. They want you to respect them and look at them as the macho guy who can save the day, but inside there are moments when their anxieties are great.

When a man can’t stop worrying, it affects his daily life; he may have an anxiety disorder. Anxiety is no respecter of persons, and when a guy has trouble with chronic worrying, it can indicate a mental health concern. Encourage the guys in your life to open up about their fears, as they’re not alone.

10 Leg Exercises That Melt Fat in Under 10 Minutes

You want to lose weight and tone your body, but you likely need more time. Everyone is extremely busy these days, but you must make time for the things that keep you healthy. Leg exercises should be essential to your routine because your legs are important and take you to many places.

You can boost your metabolism, enhance your immunity, and elevate your mood when you work out frequently. Since the legs are the largest muscle group in your body, it’s only fitting that you give them proper attention. Another benefit of working your legs is that it will help burn fat quicker because working such a large group benefits your entire system.

Harvard University Health warns that your muscle mass begins to decline by age 25, so you need to help your system by working out more. Are you giving your legs the attention they deserve?

Simple Leg Exercises for Strengthening

Oh, the places your legs will carry you in life. It’s only natural that you want them to be stronger than ever. Here are ten simple exercises to help melt fat and strengthen your leg muscles.

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1. Glute Bridge Exercise

This exercise will hit many areas, including the lower back, glutes, and hamstrings. It would help if you had a yoga mat. Here’s how:

  • Start by lying down on your back.
  • Place your feet shoulder-width apart. Bring your knees up and place your feet flat on the floor.
  • Next, you want to tilt your pelvis. To do this, rotate your hips backward and ensure your hips are touching the ground. If you’re doing this right, you can place your fingers onto your sides and feel the core muscles engaging.
  • Once your pelvis is tilted, squeeze your glutenous maximus muscle hard. Push until your core lifts off the mat and is pointed toward the ceiling.
  • Hold this stance for five seconds and return to the starting position on the mat.
  • Release the pelvic tilt and then reset it. For each rep, you need to release and reset that pelvic tilt.

2. Bulgarian Split Squat

When it comes to strengthening those legs, the squats reign supreme. These leg exercises engage many muscles, and you’ll immediately feel the burn of a good workout. It helps to add dumbbells for resistance. Here’s how:

  • Start by putting one knee on the ground and elevating the foot onto a stable surface.
  • Move your hips until the front of your body makes a 180-degree angle with your core stabilized.
  • Bring the other foot back so that it forms a 90-degree angle.
  • Put your arms down straight at your side and lean your body forward.
  • Your body should be in the proper position when your hands are at the side of your foot. You should feel a burn in your leg muscles as they get stronger.
  • If appropriately done, ninty percent of your weight will rest on the foot placed on the ground.

3. Landmine Goblet Squat

These leg exercises can strengthen the quadriceps, femoris, and gluteus maximus muscles. There’s a big difference in the landmine squat from a traditional one as the center of gravity is moving towards the weights, so there’s stability and support. It would help if you had a barbell with an appropriate weight you can handle. Here’s how:

  • Set your barbell so that the weights are on one side only. It shouldn’t be more than you can comfortably lift.
  • Stand straight, holding the dumbbell in your hand.
  • Go into a squat, bringing the dumbbell down with you into this stance.
  • Now, bring yourself back to the standing position, use the dumbbell and push against it for stability.

The leg exercises here will give you an incredible workout, but this is also very taxing on the arms and shoulders. The key is not to put more weight on the bar than you can safely handle.

4. Curtsey Lunge

This exercise goes by two names: the curtsey and drop lunge. It’s widespread in Tai Chi and among athletes. It’s helpful to make two 18-inch boxes on the floor with tape to help with your positioning. Here’s how:

  • Start standing with your hands in front of you like you’re praying.
  • Make sure you stand at the top of the boxes with your feet close to the inner edges.
  • Your legs should be a shoulder’s width apart.
  • Cross one leg behind you and do a curtsey.
  • Now, return to the center position and curtsey with the other leg.

You can add some resistance to this move by holding dumbbells as you move. Strive to do five reps on each side. While it doesn’t seem like you’re doing much, you will feel the muscles burning, so you know they’re getting stronger.

5. Leg Lifts

There are a couple of variations of leg lifts, but for this exercise, the position will be on your back. Here’s how:

  • Start by lying flat on your back on a yoga mat.
  • Place your legs together and ensure your feet are touching.
  • Lift your legs until they’re in the upward position and your body makes a 90-degree angle. Make sure your hips don’t leave the mat.
  • Hold the stance for 3-5 seconds and bring your legs back to the ground.

You can do other variations by turning on your sides, lifting one leg into a scissoring position, and lowering it back to the floor.

6. Nordic Hamstring Curl

These leg exercises will train your hamstrings, and they’ll be stronger in no time. It’s best done with a partner. Here’s how:

  • Place your knees on a pillow for support and get into a tall kneeling stance.
  • Have your partner hold onto the backs of your legs near your feet. You need a stronger person to do this, as they will fight against your resistance.
  • Now, push your body forward while your partner holds firmly to your legs. Ultimately, your goal is to reach the ground in a push-up position.

If done correctly, it helps strengthen your calf muscles and the glutes, but the hamstring is the most beneficial muscle in this maneuver.

7. Side Lunge

If you want to feel the burn and strengthening power in your legs, this Pilates move is often used with great success. Here’s how:

  • Stand in the middle of your mat with your hands together and roll your shoulders backward.
  • Sweep your leg to one side. Make sure your toes are pointing forward.
  • Now, lunge your body by shifting your weight towards the side where you swept your leg.
  • If done correctly, you will feel the burn on the opposite side as it stretches during these leg exercises.
  • Using the straight leg, lift up and return to the starting position.
  • Now, do the other side. Strive to do 3-5 repetitions on each side.

8. Fire Hydrants or Crossover Extensions

Leg exercises that work the glutes and the legs are always beneficial. Stronger, firmer legs and buttocks can be achieved with maneuvers such as this. Here’s how:

  • Start at a tabletop position on all fours. The hands should be aligned with the hips underneath the shoulders and the knees.
  • Engage your core and keep your chin tucked. Now, place your feet till they’re resting on the tiptoes.
  • You want to raise one leg, like a dog peeing on a fire hydrant. Hold this stance for 30 seconds.
  • Now, lower that leg and engage the other one.
  • Strive to do 5-10 repetitions on each side.

According to Dr. Nicholas A. Cooper from The University of Iowa, working the series of glute medius muscles can help with hip issues, which is directly related to how well your leg functions. Additionally, it can improve back function too. So, using these leg exercises, you’ll target some essential areas.

9. Hip Circles

This is a simple exercise that will help strengthen your legs and make your core stronger. You don’t need any equipment. Here’s how:

  • Start in the standing position with your hands on your hips.
  • Next, move your hips around in a circular motion going clockwise.
  • Now, switch and rotate your hips, going counterclockwise.

If you need some more resistance, add some barbells to your hands.

10. Pendulum Lunge

In this exercise, you need a strong core, glutes, and quads to do this properly. Your posture is also essential. If you have balance issues, try doing this next to a wall you can grab for support. Here’s how:

  • Start by standing beside the wall with your hands at your side.
  • Lift your right leg and lunge forward.
  • Now, bring your knee to the floor while keeping your core straight as you inhale.
  • Exhale as you come up and back to the standing position.
  • Now, inhale, and take the same leg back into a lunge.
  • Again, touch the knee to the floor.
  • Bring yourself back to the starting position.
  • Strive to do five reps on each side.

Make sure your knee is at a 90-degree angle, and for more resistance, add some dumbbells.

Final Thoughts on Leg Exercises for a Stronger, More Flexible Body

Are you ready to have more muscular legs and glutes? If you’re weary of your legs getting tired when you walk or having excess fat on them, these leg exercises can help. Find simple maneuvers you can do to bring and work your way up to ones that require more skill and equipment.

5 Things Reveal That the Universe Is Testing You

Do you feel like the universe wants to send you a message lately? The universal consciousness speaks to us in various ways to guide us on our paths through life. It may direct us down roads full of twists and turns, but the universe never gives us anything we can’t handle. Sometimes, the divine consciousness puts us in demanding situations to help us grow and change, learning on our unique paths.

When you feel like throwing in the towel, remember that you’re a vital part of this cosmic drama. Without you, this temporary movie on the screen of consciousness wouldn’t be complete. Plus, a human birth offers a rare opportunity to realize your true self beyond the confines of the mind and body. Try to express gratitude to the universe during challenging times for giving you this chance to change and grow spiritually.

With that said, you might notice the universe testing you in various ways throughout your journey. Look out for the following situations as a sign that the universal consciousness wants to help you blossom.

5 Things That Prove the Universe Wants to Test You

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1. The universe will test you by shaking up your life.

As they say, nothing lasts forever, but we often forget this important fact of life. It helps to remember that neither the blissful nor depressing moments endure forever. That’s because duality must exist in this universe to make divine play possible. It requires light and dark to bring consciousness to the human plane and carry out this world drama.

So, the universe may test you by putting you in a challenging situation just when your life seems relatively calm. By doing this, the all-knowing Source energy wants to help awaken you from this illusion covering the actual reality.

After all, if nothing negative ever happened on earth, no one would want to leave. Just remember to remain inwardly calm and detached when the universe disrupts your life with chaos. If you can maintain mental equilibrium in the good and bad times, you’re well on your way to conquering your ego.

2. The universe will challenge you by throwing a wrench in your plans.

We make elaborate, well-intentioned plans for our lives, and the universe laughs. That doesn’t mean our dreams will never work out as we intended or we should never have goals. However, the universal will operates differently than our will and desires.

What we want for our lives doesn’t always mesh with what divine consciousness wants. Therefore, the universe will sometimes redirect us to bring positive change and balance to earth. Remember, we’re all connected here, so the universe wants us to strive for equality and harmony.

That means personal desires may only sometimes manifest the way we envisioned. However, keeping an open mind and aligning your vision with the universal will is important.

3. You’re experiencing discord in your relationships.

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Often, the universe challenges us by making us rethink personal relationships. If someone no longer serves your best interests, the divine consciousness will try to separate you from that person. You might suddenly find yourself getting into fights or wanting space from people. That’s the universe attempting to restore peace in your life and helping you see the bigger picture.

It’s also a powerful lesson from the universe about learning to let go and become unattached from the temporary pleasures in life. Relationships are some of the most challenging attachments to overcome, but the universe wants us to remember our greater purpose. Behind human love is the all-pervading, endless love of the entire cosmos. So, by creating strife and disharmony in relationships, the universe helps us transcend our earthly nature.

4. You feel disillusioned and discontent with life.

If you suddenly lose your passion and zest for life, please try not to assume the worst. Feeling unhappy with your situation can often send you down the path of questioning your existence. Why are you here, and what’s the ultimate goal of life? After the thrill of living wears off, you might start wondering how to find lasting, perfect happiness.

When your longing for knowledge becomes intense, the universe may send you a spiritual teacher to help awaken you from your slumber. So, don’t run from or feel ashamed about any negative feelings you might have. It’s simply a message from the divine consciousness that this isn’t your home, and you don’t belong here. By sitting still and quieting your mind in meditation, you can begin your journey back to the soul.

5. The universe may test you by taking away money or material possessions.

Most people feel slightly upset when they lose money, jobs, homes, or possessions. However, when something unfortunate like that happens, it’s the universe trying to open your eyes to the fleeting nature of life. Also, the divine consciousness might want you to remember the importance of giving without expecting anything in return. In reality, we don’t own anything here – we’re simply borrowing it for a short time.

Therefore, if you experience financial troubles or lose your job, always trust that the universe knows what’s best for you. During these times, you should reflect inwardly and tune into the divine will to understand what it wants for you. Also, remember to give to your neighbors and share what you have – it will come back to you tenfold.

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Final Thoughts on Recognizing How the Universe Is Trying to Change and Challenge You

Life on earth often seems tumultuous, uncertain, and frustrating. We’re thrown into this world without much instruction and expected to serve society somehow. Life doesn’t always work out as planned or envisioned despite our best intentions. The universe likes to throw us curveballs to test our inner strength and help remind us of our true nature and the need to change.

Therefore, if you have experienced difficult circumstances recently, take it as a positive sign from the universe. Pain often is an influential teacher, reminding us that we’re much stronger than we think. It also gives us a reason to look beyond this earthly realm for permanent happiness, beyond temporary sense pleasures.

4 Signs It’s Time to Burn Your Bridges

It may sound counterintuitive to positive thinking, but sometimes you must let go of the past and burn your bridges. Only then can you make a fresh start and restore your inner peace.

Not all relationships, whether platonic or romantic, are destined to last; sometimes, it’s best to burn your bridges. Not even your family relationships are something that you can always count on. No matter how hard you try to hold on to some people, that’s not always in your best interest. That said, you’ve probably been taught not to let go, regardless of the situation.

But this mentality that you might never know when you need a certain connection isn’t something you should adopt in your life. This might be a good mentality if you’re looking for career advantages, for example. But it comes with sacrifices. You’ll have to play nice with people who you can’t stand. Not to mention that you could keep a toxic or abusive person in your life. And it’s quite intuitive why that isn’t a good thing.

It Is Not an Easy Choice to Burn Your Bridges and Start Anew

But burning your bridges isn’t always easy. If it were, no one would have any toxic people in their lives. Social relations are all about diplomacy and playing nice with others. Burning bridges doesn’t always mean just cutting people off, though that’s almost always the result. More accurately, burning bridges means leaving a situation without caring how it ends and if your departure affected that situation.

Say you promised that you would help someone with a project. If that project goes south, you have two options: stay and help or leave that person to deal with the project alone. If you want to burn your bridges, you’ll stop helping and move on with your life. Some people would argue that this choice is immoral. But sometimes it’s essential to make the best choice for yourself.

So, if that project was only creating issues, it might be time to drop it, even if that means angering the person who asked for your help. But not all situations and relationships are created equally. It’s not always a good idea to burn your bridges. So, how can you know when to stay or let go?

4 Signs It’s Time to Burn Your Bridges

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1.    You Feel Emotionally Drained, a Sign You Must Let Go

Whether a job, a person, a hobby, or any other type of experience, what you live through always impacts your emotional well-being. Say you’re working a job that promises excellent growth opportunities. Unfortunately, that usually means you might get a promotion if you work yourself to the bone for the next five years.

And that promotion usually means getting a couple hundred more bucks, plus the opportunity to work even more. Sure, not all jobs are like this, but this is just an example that shows why it’s not worth it to overwork yourself in the hopes that you might get some recognition.

Some things you’ll do throughout your life will emotionally drain you. Sure, quitting that job will burn some bridges. One obvious one is that you probably won’t be able to work there again. You’ll anger some people on your way out. Plus, hunting for a new job is never fun. But it might be what you need to have a more balanced life.

Feeling emotionally drained is always a sign that you need to tweak some things in your life. If you can solve the issues through diplomatic means, that’s great. But that’s not always a possibility. If you have a terrible job, there’s nothing else you can do but leave. If you have a toxic friend, you can’t change them, so it’s better to drop them. Sure, you will burn your bridges. But it’s best to let go so that you can focus on creating the best life for yourself.

2.    You Stand to Gain Nothing If You Hold On

You can’t judge everything in your life this pragmatically. For example, a family member might not bring you any material benefits, but you should still have a relationship with them. But even then, you don’t keep family in your life because of how much they can help you in a material sense. You keep them in your life because you love them, and that emotional connection is enough.

That said, not all relationships should be conserved just because of love. Some people don’t add anything to your life. Keeping someone close to you out of a sense of responsibility is bound to backfire. It’ll just make you feel trapped. For example, you might be close with someone just because they seem like they need a friend.

But being friends with the lone wolf will not always benefit you. Sure, you might not be hurt by that person. But you might also carry that relationship on your back. Maybe the two of you don’t click. And it’s totally fine to cut ties with them if they don’t enrich your life in any way, even if that means burning bridges.

But then again, burning bridges isn’t just about cutting toxic people off. It’s also about extracting yourself from situations that don’t help you. For example, volunteering is a very noble thing to do. But if you’re spending all day working and you need to sacrifice sleep or relaxation time to do it, that’s a sign you should take a break. Of course, if you keep volunteering, you’ll help others and improve the world. But if you’re destroying yourself, maybe you should consider burning that bridge and moving on.

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3.    It Might Harm You if You Don’t Burn Your Bridges

Sometimes, things can get so bad that you can only pray you’ll break even and come out relatively unharmed. However, gaining nothing is still preferable to getting hurt or having someone walk all over you. Often, you’ll struggle with this the most when it comes to family relationships. While you might not be the person to take abuse from bosses or friends, that doesn’t mean you won’t take it from your family.

People look at family differently, usually with a sense of responsibility. Plus, if someone has raised you, you might find it impossible to ever cut them out of your life. Still, family relationships are one of the things that can hurt you the most. No matter what people might say, you are not obligated to your family, especially if they are toxic and abusive.

Even if you are banned from the family if you cut ties with certain toxic people, you should still do it. And this is valid no matter what type of situation you’re trying to let go of. When you hold on to certain situations out of fear or a sense of responsibility, you forget that you also need to take care of yourself. This might seem dramatic, but being stuck in toxic environments can kill you.

Sure, in most cases, the negative effects aren’t this drastic. But you have to struggle with numerous mental health issues caused by bottling up all that pain. You might think that it’s better to stay in toxic environments because, that way, you’ll at least shield yourself from the backlash. But it’s way better to release the pain and protect your emotional and mental well-being than to keep accepting all that negativity and abuse. Burning your bridges is the only thing you can do when holding on still hurts you.

4.    You Can Take on New Opportunities if You Let Go of the Old

People often don’t leave certain environments because they are afraid of change. People like to feel secure and comfortable and to have the promise of longevity. This is true for everything from relationships to jobs and even hobbies. For example, if you have a comfortable office job that pays well, you probably won’t want to leave for the sake of opening your own business.

The business is an opportunity to make more money while doing something you love. But most people are scared that they will fail and will never be able to return to their cushy job. Or maybe you have a comfortable relationship, but you’re not exactly feeling the thrill and joy you should feel. Still, many people would stay in such a relationship just because it’s the safest option they have.

You must remember that life isn’t long enough to play everything safe. This is why you can’t always turn down new opportunities just because you are too afraid of failing and not being able to go back. Even if you fail, you should strive forward, not backward. Search for a new job or look for a more exciting relationship. Plus, when you at least try to follow your dreams, you won’t have to live with regret.

Sure, you might fail once. But you can try again and again until things work out in your favor, which you can only do if you burn your bridges. If you’re stuck in the past, you won’t have the time and possibility to try something new. So, it’s better to cut those ties constraining you and see what you can do when you allow yourself the freedom to follow your dreams.

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Final Thoughts on Key Signs It’s Time to Burn Your Bridges

Even though this advice is controversial, burning your bridges can be one of the best things you can do for yourself. Of course, that doesn’t mean you must cut all ties left, right, and center. But it’s good to take some time to evaluate your life and see what things are weighing you down. Only then will you be able to consider whether it’s better to keep a connection or cut it.

If you aren’t sure whether you should burn your bridges, there are some things you can look out for. For example, if a situation or relationship leaves you feeling emotionally drained, that’s a sign you aren’t gaining anything out of the effort you’re making. Plus, if holding on hurts you or, at best, doesn’t benefit you, that situation is something you must let go of from your life.

Lastly, you should burn your bridges when those connections keep you from exploring new opportunities. Even though you will have to face backlash, you won’t have that weight in your life anymore. And you’ll be able to do things that genuinely make you happy rather than living your life in a way that pleases others.

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