The "Just For Her" Newsletter: Vol 1 - Issue 3

The Resurgence of a Better You Message from Veronica Jones, Editor

We all struggle with our individual deficiencies throughout our lives.

But often, unbeknownst to us, women all over the world have been battling the same problems -- and some have found the answers.

For example, how many of us are chronically battling our waning libidos, doing everything we can to make our husbands and boyfriends understand that it's really NOT them!

How many of us are battling skin issues? Fitness issues?

These are problems that affect millions of women worldwide. The key is to find the right information and use it in the right way to improve your life.

So read on! Because the "Just For Her" Newsletter has the answers you're looking for!

Your Absent Libido: How to Rekindle the Fire By Teesha Morgan

You've had a long day at work filled with the usual stresses, and all you want to do is slip into some comfortable clothes, have a nice glass of wine, and watch your favorite show on TV.

... But your partner enters the scene with hungry eyes and exploring fingertips, and before long you're thrust into making a quick decision: Do you set the wine down and appease your partner, or complain of a headache?

Regardless of which path you choose, you're now ruminating over the fact that your desire has hit a wall.

You used to break the speed limit racing home from work because you just couldn't wait to get your hands on your man. You could spend the whole evening in the bedroom and still wake up wanting more.

So, what's happened to you? Why has your desire faded while your partner's seems to still be going strong?

First of all, it's important to know that you're not alone.

Most women experience at least some degree of diminished desire in the course of their relationship. This drop in sexual desire can be caused by many things.

Here are few to take note of...

Hormonal Contraceptives

Popping pills or injecting hormones into your system can have confusing effects on your body and its natural desire regulator.

Some contraceptives can diminish desire until it is barely recognizable; others can off-put your cycle so that your yearning for sexual touch changes each month and is narrowed down to an odd week here or there.

If you feel as though your sexual desire has changed since you started taking a contraceptive, talk to your doctor about switching brands or types, as finding the right kind for your body is extremely important to having an active, sexually satisfying love life.

The Perils of Age

As women get older and our bodies change, so does our sexual desire.

Menopause can drastically affect a woman's desire for sex, as your body is going through many hormonal changes and transformations.

As women age, the amount of vaginal lubrication we produce can also decrease tremendously. This can lead to uncomfortable and often painful intercourse, which of course contributes to a lack of sexual desire.

A woman's ability to produce powerful body-shaking orgasms can also change over time, adding to a decrease in sexual desire and motivation. Many women do notice a decline in orgasmic sensation as they get older. In fact, many women of all ages can notice these changes.

It's important to keep up with your Kegel exercises in order to help combat this effect of aging.

The Stress Factor

Stress caused from work, school, family, money, and more can have drastic effects on your sexual desire.

There is a direct negative correlation between stress and sexual functioning. The more stressed we feel, the less likely we are to yearn for sexual healing.

If you feel as though stressful activities or situations are occupying a large portion of your daily thoughts, then chances are they are also impeding your ability to feel sexual.

Try stress-reducing activities in order to bring the spark back.

Your Weight and the Food You Eat

Generally, the more pounds you pack on, the more desire you lose. Individuals who are overweight, even slightly overweight, tend to experience less sexual desire then those individuals who are of a healthy body weight for their height.

Going to the gym can not only sustain a healthy body weight; it can also increase your sexual desire! The more active you become, the more energy you will have and the more desire you will feel.

Many women complain that they are just too tired to have sex at the end of the day. My response is: get to the gym and watch your energy level and desire skyrocket!

The food you eat can also play a role. The heavier the food, the more you'll want to roll over and have a sleep instead of a roll in the hay.

Junk food, meat, and carbs can be killers to your sex life. Substitute a steak with a salad whenever you can, and watch your desire increase over the months to come.

A Long-Term Relationship

Many relationship start off in the throws of passion, often referred to as "limerence" -- a term coined to describe the intensity of romantic desire.

However, over time the chemical signals our brain produced early on that resulted in this love and passion slowly start to diminish. It's a natural, biological occurrence that will cause you to eventually lose some of this raw animal desire over time.

It is then that a relationship will either disintegrate, if it had nothing but sex as its base, or continue as a long-term, loving relationship.

So if you feel as though your sexual desire is not what it once was when you and your lover first started dating, don't assume that it's the end of the road; it's simply biology.

If you have something deeper to base your relationship on, eventually sex can be brought to a higher level, as intimacy can take the place of lust. Only then can true sexual pleasure be felt on many levels.

Also try spicing up your sex life by adding something new. Boredom in the bedroom is a complementary to increasing sexual desire! Try some new toys, fantasies, or positions. Thinking outside the box will almost always lend itself to an increase in desire.

Feelings of resentment and anger

If your current relationship is fraught with feelings of resentment or anger, or leaves you feeling under-appreciated, then chances are you're not going to be in the mood for sex.

Every relationship has problems, but if you constantly feel as though you're not appreciated or valued, then no amount of romance will bring about a consistent amount of sexual desire towards your current partner.

If you feel as though your negative feelings are getting in the way of your desire, then the best thing to do is address these openly.

Communication is the most important component of a satisfying relationship.

If you are able to express yourself openly without outside help (counseling) then give it a try. If not, don't feel ashamed to seek help. Counseling can be extremely helpful, both for the short and long-term benefit of your relationship.

Other Medical Conditions

Many medical conditions can lead to a decrease in sexual desire.

Depression, fibromyalgia, overactive bladder or bladder infections, yeast infections, insomnia and other sleep deficiencies, dyspereunia, vaginismus, past sexual abuse, hormonal deficiencies, diabetes, certain physical disabilities, as well as a number of psychological disorders are just a few.

If you feel as though the other factors listed above don't apply to you, then its a good idea to talk to your doctor to find out if there are any biological problems that could be affecting your sexual desire.

Fitness Q&A with Brenda King By Brenda King

Thanks to all you readers who have written in recently with fitness-related questions. Getting and staying in shape takes a lot of work -- and a lot of support from friends, family, and professionals.

With that in mind, I've answered two of your recent questions about muscle recovery, which will hopefully make it easier for you to keep working out and feeling great. Please, keep the questions coming!

L.K. asks...

"When should I time snacking around my workout to ensure I burn the most fat?"

Dear Brenda,

I'm really confused about what to eat, if anything, after I exercise. Should I have a full meal or just a snack? Or will I burn more fat if I avoid food altogether?

- L.K.

Hi L.K.

Don't hesitate to enjoy a snack right after your workout -- you've earned it!

In the first 15 minutes after your workout, enjoy a fist-sized snack of 150 to 200 calories, which could include any one of a number of foods that offer a mix of protein and carbohydrates, such as:

• Half a peanut butter and jelly sandwich
• A handful of granola
• A small glass of low-fat chocolate milk
• An apple
• Just make sure you're not eating all of the above!

The post-workout snack will tide you over until your next meal. Also, eating right after your workout -- in the so-called "glycogen window" -- replenishes key nutrients, and does so when our bodies can process food most efficiently.

Above all, please don't avoid eating after (or before) you exercise! If you do, you'll be more fatigued and less likely to continue exercising on a regular basis. Plus, if you wait too long to eat, you might be tempted to overindulge because you're so hungry.

And remember to drink plenty of water! We're often actually thirsty when we think we're hungry, so make sure you drink water before, during, and after your exercise session.

Above all, listen to your body and don't deprive yourself of the fuel you need to live life to the fullest.

J.B. asks...

"How can I make my muscles recover faster for increased endurance?"

Hi Brenda,

I'm 47 years young and I've been training for a triathlon now for about three months.

My problem is that I'm not recovering quickly enough for the next session. I get regular massages and I stretch, but I'm really struggling with the run leg.

My triathlon is in a week's time -- is there any way I can feel fresh for this?

- J.B.

Hi J.B.

Congratulations on your commitment to a triathlon!

You didn't mention if you're competing in a full triathlon or a shorter version, but regardless of the distance, it's an impressive feat.

It's also such a big challenge that you may want to train for longer than three months for your next triathlon, which will give you more opportunity for rest and recovery between workouts.

With your event coming up so soon, there really isn't a lot you should risk changing, other than making sure you're hydrated, getting enough sleep, and tapering sufficiently.

You want to be sure that your final workouts are light ones -- and don't be shy about taking a day or two off.

You mention that you're using massage and stretching. Both are a great idea, but be sure the massages are lighter as you get close to race day -- you don't want your massage therapist to overwork or aggravate your muscles and tissues.

Stretching is also a great activity in the days leading up to your race, but note that recent research suggests static stretching before competition (or even before regular workouts) is not helpful.

Instead, use active stretching, which could range from walking to trunk twists and lunges. Save the static stretches for after your workouts.

I hope that helps. Good luck with your race, and be sure to write back with your results!

Have more questions? Feel free to ask me your fitness-related questions here!

How to Have Perfect Skin -- From the Inside Out By Dr. Z, ND

Who would not like to have a vibrant, clear complexion and beautiful, smooth skin all over?

One of the most common and least favorite skin problems is acne vulgaris, or common acne. The oil pores of the skin can become plugged up and infected or inflamed, causing those unsightly zits.

The process seems to be stimulated by increased hormone levels. Maybe you had great skin until you hit puberty and then -- wham! Your face or even chest and back are suddenly erupting in pimples, bumps, and lumps, just as you were starting to become self-conscious.

Or maybe you're battling with adult-onset acne, which can be even more embarrassing since there are fewer cases for you to blend in with.

An Internal Debate

Now, let me tell you right now -- acne may look like an external problem, but it's not.

It has next to nothing to do with your moisturizer or whether you pick those pesky pimples, and everything with your nutrition, your liver, and your bowel function.

Just try it if you don't believe me.

Forget about long-term antibiotic therapy. Some of the sickest patients I have seen in my clinical history were on those drugs for years, which created all kinds of other health problems.

Forget about topical treatments as well -- they're just another billion dollar industry waiting to take your money.

Increasing hormone levels at puberty, especially testosterone, can increase oil production or changes in the quality of the oil, also called sebum, in your oil glands.

Now, a commonly overlooked problem is that the increased hormones should normally be broken down by your liver and excreted into the bowels for elimination -- that is, if your liver and bowels are functioning properly.

Good luck with that if you are a North American who eats the typical Standard American Diet -- or SAD -- with 40% of dietary calories coming from saturated fat and a weekly intake of two to three pounds of refined sugars.

And let's not forget about alcohol, coffee, drugs, as well as chemical additives in our food and environment.

If you were a liver, you would not be happy at all!

Love Your Liver

Just getting through the day helping your body to eliminate all that fat, sugar, and caffeine is all your liver can take -- never mind breaking down those extra hormones.

So what does your body do? Sends your excesses to the skin to help get rid of all that fat through your pores!

Now, if you are still with me and have not donated your body to science fiction yet, we are just getting into the thick of things -- the intestines.

Did you know that if you flattened out your entire intestinal system you would have a surface area of about 1600 square feet? And that this entire surface area is colonized with microorganisms? Organisms that live on the food you eat?

If you eat a junk food diet, low in fibre, high in fat and sugar, you'll have quite the zoo in there with bacteria that can turn saturated fat into more hormones as well as yeast organisms that can produce more toxins for your liver to get rid of.

But, of course, the liver is incredibly good at regenerating itself, especially with a little help...

The Dietary Detox

To improve your skin from the inside out, the first thing to do is to sharply reduce your fat and sugar intake.

Most people with acne do not do well on dairy products at all. Quite often just eliminating cheese, ice cream, and other high-fat dairy foods can make a significant difference to your skin health.

Now, you may say: "But my friends can eat lots of pizza and ice cream and don't have any zits at all!"

That can be true, as your liver function is also partially dependent on genetics. If you do have acne, chances are your liver needs a little more TLC, that's all.

Next, tackle other high-fat foods, like burgers, hot dogs, fatty red meats, bacon, potato chips, foods containing hydrogenated fats, chocolate, etc.

You may want to consult with a naturopath or nutritionist for help in reducing your saturated fat intake.

Make sure you eat five to ten servings of fruits and vegetables a day and take two tablespoons of ground flax seed a day in addition for extra fibre.

Then go out and buy the best aloe vera juice you can find. It should cost at least $20 a bottle (30 oz).

Start taking two ounces a day for the first month and then reassess your skin. If there is only slight improvement you may need to take more; try four ounces a day.

Aloe vera juice taken internally has numerous health benefits, including improving liver and digestive system function.

It also helps the skin to produce more collagen, which is the substance that helps your skin to regenerate and to stay elastic. In addition, it improves the skin's ability to retain moisture.

Have some patience, it may a few weeks before you will see the full benefits of these changes, but it will be worth it. Your complexion may well develop that healthy, dewy appearance so prized in models and actors.

Talk To You Soon!

With an increased sex drive... improved skin health... and Brenda's fitness tips at your service, you can conquer the world -- or at least your date tonight ;)

Let's keep talking about these issues, ladies! Which topics would you like our experts to talk about next? Click here to let us know!

And if you have any other questions or concerns, you can contact us any time at editor@JustForHer.com. Here's to a fabulous you! Veronica Jones Editor, JustForHer.com