It’s not just “the lady in red” who attracts romantic attention; apparently lads in red are also more likely to dazzle the opposite sex.
According to a study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology, photographs of men wearing red shirts were rated by women as significantly more attractive, sexier, higher in status and more likely to be financially well-off than photos of men wearing any other colour.
The researchers speculate that there are several reasons for this effect: biology (the colour is associated with dominance among primates), power (it’s also associated with royalty) and social standing (think: the red carpet).
Interestingly, the effect did not extend to other traits — for example, it did not make the men seem any more likeable or kind.
Sex can lose its lustre for many reasons, ranging from hormonal hassles to stress, poor diet, boredom, medication and everything in between. Get your motor running with these tips.
Eat smarter
What you eat plays a big role in your sexual health. Zinc, in particular, is necessary for the release of hormones. Good sources include nuts, seeds, eggs, wholegrains, beans and lean meat.
Coenzyme Q10 can significantly raise energy levels, especially in older men and women. Rich dietary sources include liver, kidney and wholegrains.
A lack of B vitamins causes lethargy and irritability — not good news for your sex drive. Niacin (vitamin B3) is especially important, as it helps women feel ready for sex by dilating blood vessels. The richest food sources are meat, fish, eggs and cereals.
Other foods that improve circulation and therefore help move blood towards the genitals include chillies, ginger and curry.
Manage stress
Being overscheduled can significantly dampen your sex drive, due to the damaging effects of the stress hormone cortisol, which blocks sex-hormone receptors and makes you tired.
Stress also throws oxytocin — the “love hormone” that promotes bonding and nurturing feelings — way out of whack. It’s crucial for your libido and your general health that you take time to relax, meditate and exercise.
Get herbal help
For some women with low libidos, depression may be the culprit; for others, herbs that balance hormones may help.
Ayurvedic practitioners prescribe the herb tribulus to increase energy and heighten sexual awareness. Research suggests that it also relieves menopausal symptoms.
Hormonal imbalances may be treated with chasteberry or damiana, which support testosterone levels, often too low in women with reduced sex drive, and ginkgo may improve peripheral circulation to the sex organs.
The Peruvian native maca root is said to nourish the endocrine glands, which are responsible for making sex hormones, while the Ayurvedic herb ashwagandha and the Chinese herbs ginseng and cordyceps act as adaptogens, helping to build up stamina.
Check your meds
Some drugs, including the contraceptive pill and some antidepressants, can cause a downturn in sex drive.
Women taking the pill may also have low levels of vitamin B6, and this further reduces sex drive because it is needed in the formation of dopamine and serotonin, brain chemicals involved in pleasure, sensation and mood.
Ask your doctor about possible side effects of drugs, and consider taking vitamin B6.
Try a (sex) toy story
Couples who laugh together are more satisfied with their relationship, sexual and otherwise. Experimenting with a sex toy can also lend a sense of humour and adventure.
The Rabbit — popularised by Sex and the City — is non-threatening and stimulates the clitoris and the G-spot.
Embrace your inner goddess
Convince your beloved to attend a weekend Tantra workshop, the ancient Indian practice of sacred sexuality and spirituality (think of those sensuous statues of intertwined Hindu gods and goddess), and learn how time-tested breathing practices, sexual positions and emotional healing techniques can help you reclaim your sex life.
Lifestyle changes can make a positive difference to our lives, but we’ve all been guilty of making a conscious effort to eat healthier or exercise more before returning to old habits a few weeks later.
It is admirable to have the motivation to start to make these changes but the real success lies in making these changes for life.
How can we make the plan for this year a success, resulting in long-term lifestyle changes?
The key is to make each goal or “resolution”, a habit — part of your everyday existence. Eventually your plans will not be given a second thought and you will be less likely to “fail” in your campaign.
Are you ready? Ask yourself “am I ready to make these changes now?” If you are not ready then forming a life habit will be difficult. Instead, look at why you are not ready and make overcoming this as your first goal. Think what an achievement that will be!
Consider your goals in a positive light: So often we think of things that we need to stop doing, such as eating chocolate or overspending on the credit card. It is much nicer to think of our new habits as something we can actually start doing to help us achieve our goals. Instead of saying “I will stop eating so much chocolate”, you could say “I will start to enjoy a chocolate treat only once per week”. You are sure to feel less deprived if you take this approach. Allowing a little leniency will make any life transitions easier.
Put pen to paper: Write down your goals in a step-by-step plan of action and ask a close friend to help monitor your progress. Changes are more likely to happen if you have a network of support.
Learn from your mistakes: But don’t dwell on them — keep moving forward. Keep the feeling of success of reaching your ultimate goal in the back of your mind as you get closer and closer.
Be patient: Lifestyle changes do not happen in an instant. Make sure you reward yourself as you reach each small milestone.
Above all, don’t give up! You don’t want to be making the same resolutions this time next year.
Glenn McGrath and Sara Leonardi married for a second time in a secret ceremony in Sicily on Monday.
The former cricketer and Sara exchanged vows in a religious service in Acireale at the base of Mt Etna. Only 70 close friends and family attended the ceremony.
Sara revealed the nuptial news on her Twitter page at 3.10am Australian time this morning.
“Glenn and I remarried in a religious ceremony for close family and friends,” she wrote. “We are very happy. Thank you to the media for leaving us alone!”
Sara’s followers were quick to ask for pictures from the event, but she refused, tweeting: “No exclusives and no pictures from us, sorry!”
Glenn also commented on the wedding, expressing his joy on his Twitter page.
“Sara and I just got married again on July 4,” he wrote. “It was a beautiful ceremony in Sicily. Thank you to the media for respecting our privacy.”
While Glenn and Sara were keen to keep details of the ceremony secret, New Idea revealed all in their latest issue.
The couple wed in the historic Basilica Collegiate of San Sebastiano. Sara wore an asymmetrical off-white satin gown by Sydney bridal designer Johanna Johnson, accessorised with a 1920s-style headdress. Glenn wore a simple black suit.
After the wedding, Glenn and Sara got into a blue Porsche to drive to their reception at the Faro Sant Anna sports club in nearby Capomulini.
Glenn and Sara married for the first time last November in an intimate ceremony at his Cronulla home.
Kate Middleton is famous for her can-do attitude, but even she must have felt a little ridiculous digging a hole in a short designer dress and high heels yesterday.
The Duchess of Cambridge was photographed shovelling dirt onto shrubs in Yellowknife, Canada, wearing one of the most unsuitable gardening outfits of all time – a short cream linen Malene Birger dress, which sells for $410, and sky-high nude heels.
Despite the difficulties her attire presented, Kate grinned throughout the planting, but drew the line at playing hockey with her husband Prince William afterwards. The 29-year-old told the crowd she couldn’t possibly run in high heels.
Kate struggles to shovel soil in her mini-dress, but keeps smiling nonetheless.
William played hockey, but Kate declined due to her $260 high heels.
Despite refusing to participate, Kate cheered William on from the crowd.
The couple were presented with hockey jerseys with ‘Cambridge’ on the back.
William and Kate share an intimate moment after the planting.
Kate and William arrive in Yellowknife on day six of their Canadian visit.
William and Kate give a rare public display of affection on day five of their tour.
William and Kate taking part in a dragon boat race on Prince Edward Island
Kate waves to William as he prepares to land a helicopter on water
William in his flying gear
William and Kate greet crowds on Prince Edward Island
William and Kate arrive in Montreal.
Kate wore a navy lace Erdem dress with nude heels.
William and Kate looked thrilled by their reception in Montreal.
Finger food,Entree,Lunch
Kate and William at a cooking workshop in Montreal.
Kate recycled her Reiss engagement dress with a red maple leaf hat to celebrate Canada Day.
William and Kate at Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa.
William and Kate attending a citizenship ceremony in Ottawa.
William and Kate celebrate Canada Day at a concert in Ottawa.
Kate donned a purple Issa dress and a maple leaf brooch borrowed from the queen.
William and Kate head to a tree-planting ceremony in Ottawa.
Kate shovels soil onto a sapling in Ottawa while William looks on.
William and Kate in Ottawa.
William and Kate arrive in Quebec City.
Kate told the crowd she hoped to start a family soon.
We all have our own favourite leading ladies, but which Hollywood actresses are paid the most to appear in the movies we love?
Forbes released its list of the highest-paid female actresses in Hollywood. So who is the ultimate leading lady? Angelina Jolie came in equal first with Sarah Jessica Parker with both of them earning an estimated US$30 million ($28.1 million) between May 2010 and May 2011.
The pair were closely followed by Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon who both bagged US$28 million ($26.2 million).
And coming in fifth is Julia Roberts who banked US$20 million ($18.7 million). Flick through these pics of the full top 10 highest-paid actresses.
Have you noticed time alone with your husband now consists of discussing nappy changing rosters, or your boyfriend has bought you household appliances for the fifth birthday running?
There’s an old adage that if a relationship isn’t growing, at best it’s stagnant and at worse it’s dying. Once you’re comfortable in a relationship it’s easy to fall into the trap of bad habits which can lead to ruts and a downward spiral.
It’s funny, we insure against damage to houses and prevent cars from becoming rusty and dull but we seem to overlook the importance of protecting our precious relationships with the same TLC. Before we know it, the little rut we’re in has turned into a grave. So grab your shovels and dig your way back to a stronger, more exciting relationship with the following advice.
SOS tip:
Okay, so you don’t have to go all rock star and chuck the telly out the window just to save your relationship but do limit yourself. Watch it consciously: plan what you watch and when it’s finished don’t flick; turn it off.
On the flip side, TV can often benefit your relationship by stimulating discussions. By finding genres you both like to watch together, it’s surprising what you can learn about each others values and opinions.
Technologies like Ipads, Blackberry’s and laptops haven’t helped either, making work accessible anytime, anywhere. Even at home when intentions are good, work mode is rarely switched off.
SOS tip:
Try to limit your interaction with technology at home. Resist the urge to check unnecessary emails or open up the laptop needlessly.
If you need to work after hours from home then make time for brief interactions with your partner. A kiss in the hallway or a quick tea break can really help bridge the distance.
Five years on and you’re riveting “dates” are probably now takeaway Thai in trackies every Friday night. This effortless night with your man is great once in awhile but the long term monotony is guaranteed to get you questioning whether you’re being taken for granted.
SOS tip:
If you’re already doing the date thing, great but chances are they’re still the humdrum cheap Tuesday dates at the movies. So, get inspired! Get dressed up, do something crazy, push the boundaries.
Banish the boredom of dating routines by drawing up a list of things you’ve always wanted to do. Whether it’s sampling Polish cuisine or learning how to maintain a bonsai garden, make sure you take turns trying things together.
Over the years the same fights will be activated again and again by unresolved issues if not addressed.
SOS tip:
Breaking learnt patterns of arguing will make fights cleaner, more proactive and with more resolutions. Don’t go into discussions with a preconceived idea of how it will go or what will be said; approach subjects openly and learn each other’s triggers.
If things become heated, a great tip is agreeing on a time out. Make sure you state you want the space, don’t storm off and always come back to it, whether its five minutes or five hours later.
Initially, its all systems go as our body produces sex chemicals that help us hook up and want more. But after time, the chemicals die off and headaches rather than sex toys take centre stage in the bedroom.
So, if neither of you bats an eyelid when he’s on the toilet and you’re brushing your teeth, it’s probably time to revaluate that passion meter.
SOS tip:
Just like re-dating, sexing things up should focus on novelty and trying new things. If sex just doesn’t thrill you anymore, find a way to speak up. Chances are if you’re not feeling it, neither is he.
Don’t feel that swinging from chandeliers in a latex body suit is necessary to kick-start the process. It’s important to feel comfortable with your boundary pushing so start with little changes. Having sex in different rooms or talking about sexy dreams will do wonders to keep those fires burning.
Your say: Is your relationship in a rut or do you have advice for others in this situation? Please share your comments below.
Donna Simpson holds the Guinness World Records title as the fattest woman to give birth, but surprisingly, she is now working towards a new goal to put on even more weight.
The 44-year-old from New Jersey broke her first Guinness World Record after she gave birth to a daughter, following a high-risk caesarean birth that required 30 medics, while weighing 241kg, the UK’s Daily Mail reported.
Now, as her daughter turns four, Donna has gained a further 76.2kg and has set her goal weight to 457kg to obtain the title of the world’s most obese woman.
But she isn’t doing it alone. She is using the help of her four-year-old daughter Jacqueline as her feeder, after separating from long-time partner and feeder Philippe Gouamba.
The mother-of-two, who currently weighs 317kg, eats more than 63,000 kilojoules a day to sustain her weight gain and uses the help of her daughter who both buys and prepares food for her.
“She helps me cook and comes shopping. I use a scooter to get around the store and she runs ahead to get my favourite foods,” she said.
“Anyone who says I’m setting a bad example should shut their mouth — they don’t know how much I love her.”
While Donna has a high-kilojoule diet that has resulted in high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes, she says Jacqueline has a healthy diet.
“She loves salad and plays sports,” she said.
“I’ve taught her to accept all sizes. If she wasn’t around to feed me, I’d have given up on my supersize dream.”
Despite this, Donna said she is looking for a full-time feeder to give her four-year-old a break but she does have some requirements.
“He must be handsome, slim, and at least 10 years younger than me,” she said.
And how does Donna afford her 63,000 kilojoules-a-day diet and her weekly $751 shopping bill?
The profits from her website, which was set up for “fat admirers” who pay to look at photographs of her eating, make her $90,143 a year.
Donna, who has always been plus size, did decide to lose some weight after her first pregnancy and the fail of her marriage. At the time she weighed 273kg and lost 31kg in six months. She then decided to have gastric band surgery, but just before she was scheduled for an operation, a friend of hers died during a similar procedure.
“That was a sign for me,” she said. “I decided it just wasn’t worth it. I like being the way I am.”
She then found a website that celebrated obese people and once signing up she was flooded with emails from men who showered her with gifts and praised her weight.
“I love eating and people love watching me eat,” she said. “It makes people happy, and I’m not harming anyone.”
Your say: How do you feel about Donna using her daughter as her feeder? Share your thoughts below.
Glenn McGrath and Sara Leonardi have married for a second time in a secret ceremony in her native Italy on July 4, 2011.
The pair, who first wed in a private ceremony at the former Test cricketer’s home in November last year, have tied the knot again, this time in a religious ceremony in Sicily.
Sara shared the news via Twitter in the early hours of this morning.
“Glenn and I remarried in a religious ceremony for close family and friends,” she posted.
“We are very happy. Thank you to the media for leaving us alone!”
Glenn McGrath also took to his Twitter page to share the news.
“Sara and I just got married again on July 4,” he wrote. “It was a beautiful ceremony in Sicily. Thank you to the media for respecting our privacy.”
When her followers asked Sara for a picture of the ceremony she refused.
“No exclusives and no pictures from us, sorry!” she posted.
Following the couple’s tweets, the re-marriage news was confirmed by McGrath’s management company, Titan.
Ever wonder how celebrities like Natalie Portman, Madonna and Elle stay rocking fit? We reveal how the hottest celebs get their lean sculpted bodies. From five-hour workouts to Kung Fu, here are some of the ways A-listers prepare for their next big roles.
How to get a celebrity body
Ever wonder how celebrities like Natalie Portman, Madonna and Elle stay rocking fit? We reveal how the hottest celebs get their lean sculpted bodies. From five-hour workouts to Kung Fu, here are some of the ways A-listers prepare for their next big roles.
Natalie Portman’s ballerina workout
For her Oscar-winning role in Black Swan, actress Natalie Portman had to get into ballerina shape. Natalie trained for a gruelling five hours a day, six days a week with Mary Helen Bowers. The routine combined mat work, cardio, ballet and swimming. Her efforts paid off, 90 percent of the dancing you see in Black Swan is Natalie.
Julia Roberts’ steps off kilos
Julia Roberts gained 4.5kg while filming Eat Pray Love, gorging on pasta and pizza in Italy. To shed the weight, Roberts turned to her long-time trainer Kathy Kaehler. Her tailored work-out focused on legs, with 40 minutes of step aerobics followed by 40 minutes of strength body work, including lunges, crunches, planks and push-ups. Julia reportedly loves step as it’s the best way to tone and define her Pretty Woman legs.
Nicole Richie bridal bootcamp
Nicole Richie signed up for bridal boot camp with celebrity trainer Tracy Anderson to tone up for her big day. Richie undergoes high-impact cardio routines that include dancing, kicking, boxing and stretching.
Miranda Kerr’s post-baby body
Miranda Kerr relies on LA-based trainer Justin Gelband for her lean, fit body. Kerr works out three to four times a week for 75 minutes each time. Her work-out will vary with boxing, medicine balls and resistance bands. She also runs twice a week.
Madonna loves Barre3
Madonna’s latest fitness method is Barre3, a vigorous work-out that combines elements of yoga, Pilates and ballet barre. Madge loves it so much, she has been flying her new trainer Sadie Lincoln to New York. With tonnes of variety built into the work-out, the ‘Material Girl’ singer doesn’t get bored as the class focuses on achieving balance, strength and flexibility.
Jennifer Hudson’s transformation
Actress-singer Jennifer Hudson amazed the world when she dropped from a size 16 to a size six. Jennifer teamed up with trainer to the stars Harley Pasternak, whose 5-factor work-out plan combined with a low-calorie, healthy diet gave her great results. Watch out for Jennifer’s rocking new bod in her role as Winnie Mandela in an upcoming biopic.
Gwyneth Paltrow works hard
To stay long and lean, Gwyn says she works hard with her trainer Tracy Anderson. The pair do 45 minutes of dance aerobics and 45 minutes of Tracy’s “muscular design program”, which Gwyn said fixed her “batwing problem”. The star described her program with readers in her newsletter, GOOP: “I am not going to lie, the process was an arduous one.”
Jennifer Aniston gets bendy
America’s sweetheart looks better every year, thanks to regular yoga sessions with her long-time trainer, Mandy Ingber.
Gisele Bundchen’s kung fu fighting
Model-turned-mom Gisele Bündchen dropped the pregnancy weight in minutes. Her secret? Kung-fu and yoga. Gisele told Vogue she did kung-fu up until two weeks before her son, Benjamin, was born. She also did yoga three days a week.
Cameron Diaz hits the waves
How does the actress keep her killer bod? The California babe loves surfing. But also helping her along is a lot of work-outs with her personal trainer Teddy Bass.
Elle MacPherson keeps clean and lean
To maintain The Body, Elle credits trainer and nutritionist James Duigan who created the Clean & Lean Diet. Elle also leads an active lifestyle, cycling in London, or surfing in her native Australia.
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