Hiccups, why?

I think I get hiccups more often than most people. And almost always for some seemingly unapparent reason. Well, not always, usually after I eat or drink. The point is, I am an adult and I feel like hiccups are more of a kid’s thing. When was the last time you were in a business meeting and someone had the hiccups? The answer is NEVER.

But kid’s can have hiccups at anytime and it’s not weird. And so I launched myself into the world of hiccups and I am sharing my discoveries with you here.

The key questions are: Where to hiccups come from? Why? And most importantly, how to get rid of them!

Where:

Hiccups come from an involuntary contraction in the diaphragm. This cases brief closures in the vocal chords creating the “hiccup” sound.

Why:

So far there is no clear understanding but hiccups have been attributed to eating or drinking too fast. I am willing to place some clear bets that that IS the answer. I have a fear of starvation and so often look like a raccoon at a garbage can when I ate. Just can’t shovel it in my face fast enough!! And kids are just the same. Most adults are refined enough to chew their food and then swallow. Not hoover their food and then hiccup.

How to get rid of them:

No sound advice. They should go away in a couple minutes. If not, the interwebs tell me, you’ve got a serious condition. You need to see a doctor.

Also, I wanted to insert an image of someone hicupping but it was weird and gross so I omitted it. You’re welcome.

10 Secrets to looking Slim without the Workout!

If you’re like me, then your New Year’s resolution is likely to hit the gym. Except, I wouldn’t call this a resolution per se – more of an ongoing struggle. Struggle slash Battle slash declared World War 3 – me against the gymnasium.

Soooooometimes (more often than others (always)) it’s HARD to get to the gym. Therefore I need some good backup plans for when I’m not slim, to just appearing slim.

Secret #1

This is a muffin top. Undesirable.

Wear clothes that fit! Clothes that are too tight emphasize the WRONG thing, i.e a Mmmmmmuffin top. Bottoms that fit perfectly around your waist won’t draw any negative attention.

Conversely, clothes that are too big are also not figure flattering and make you appear bigger than you are.

Secret #2

Stick to solids versus patterns. Though patterns can divert attention they mostly just make you look bigger because there’s more stuff going on which confuses the eye! Patterns usually pop – and popping makes you look fat. Solids however create the illusion of being slim because the eye glazes over one color.

Secret #3

Why do fashionistas usually look like ninjas in high heels? It’s because BLACK is the most slimming color of all.  It works well because it hides the shadows of lumps and bumps. Whereas with a color like white, EVERYTHING shows – the light bounces all around making you look bigger than you are.

If you don’t want to wear all black, any monochromatic color will help (except white), I’d stay away from crazy colors like fuchsia, lime green, orange … you want to look slimmer, not insane!

Secret #4

Focus on your best feature – EVERYONE has at least ONE! If it’s your legs – make sure you wear great fitting pants, or show them off with a dress or skirt! If it’s your arms, bust out the tank tops! Even in winter!!!

By focusing on your best feature, you deter interest from some of your lesser favorite features.

Plus people can say things like “WOW, she has amazing arms, it almost makes me forget about her cankles”

Secret #5

UNDERWEAR!! No cotton granny panties! There is a reason why the shapewear industry is massive. Heard of Spanx? Say thanks!!

Secret #6

ACCESSORIZE! Statement necklaces/earrings/shoes/belt will take any outfit from drab to FAB! AND ALSO from FAT to OH SNAP! (Hahhahaha – I just made that up – I’m a little bit proud of that one) (Still laughing…)

Accessories are a great attention grabber – just make sure you’re accessorizing a great feature!

Secret #7

As the saying goes, beauty is pain.

Heels – they kill the feet but the weird arch it puts you on makes your butt stick out and elooooongate. That’s 5 o’s. Your body.

Secret #8

Stand up straight!

Like your Mama says, “Stand up straight!” By hunching over you create weird lines in your silhouette making you looking bigger or just weirder or worst of all, both!

Secret #9

Avoid Salt. Makes you bloat. Period.

Secret #10

Good grooming. Nice teeth, nails, hair, and face will make a BIG difference. No matter what – don’t look sloppy! With no actual proof behind me I would say that sloppiness is associated with ghettoness and neatness is associated with trimness!

Above all, be confident! It’s when you lose touch with yourself that others start picking on you too. And we all know, girls can be MEAN!

Winter Skin Savers!

My skin in the winter is like a karma karma karma karma karma chameleon! This is not sexy.

To combat Jack Frost, I like to use the following products:

For Face:

Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado by Kiehl’s

Only $27CAD, this cream relieves your eye of any dryness by using avocado oil to instantly hydrate!

Ultra Facial Moisturizer by Kiehl’s

So your skin is scaling? Mine too - I was seriously seriously concerned about shedding a new skin until I found this DREAM CREAM! A little bit will do you and will solve all your winter skin blues. BONUS! Available in SPF 15!

Vaseline Petroleum Jelly

In case of extra dryness, anywhere - just dab this on! I also use this morning and night all year round on my lips. Multiple times a day in the winter! Nothing beats the ultimate moisturizer!

For Body:

Aveda Hand Relief

Because hands are one of the very first areas to show the signs of ageing - and unlike your face, there is no such thing as hand botox so fight chapped, rough hands with Aveda - plus! It smells nice!

 Tip! Want to target your cuticles? Just use olive oil!!

Vaseline Intensive Rescue Extra Strength Lotion

For the rest of the body, try Vaseline! I love it because it's thick, non-greasy and hydrating! I use this all year round in fact - why is that my legs are dry no matter the season? To keep moisturized I use Vaseline!

I also like to sleep with a humidifier! Can’t get enough moisture! Happy skin awaits you!

HOW DO I GET MY HAIR TO LOOK LIKE THIS?

How? Tell me! I’m OBSESSED!!

Source: Forever 21

What to look for in a Personal Trainer

The last installment of Fitness Month here at A for Angela (sadface) and we say goodbye to J for Jose but not before he shares what we should be looking for in a personal trainer!

First and foremost – CREDENTIALS – how many letters do you have behind your name (my Asian parents ask this sort of thing all the time!)??? You also want to be looking for a personal trainer that continues his/her education. As health is a very dynamic field you need someone who is keeping up to date! A weekend crash course will leave your wallet empty and your body sub Optimus Prime. Boo.

Keep on reading, click here!

Elite Personal Trainer J for Jose’s workout for Angela

Fitness Month continues at A for Angela!! So far elite personal trainer J for Jose has discussed the importance of diet and stretching. So when do we get to workout? We get to workout NOW!! And you’ll be sorry you asked.

First, Jose put me through a postural assessment to identify any limitations or weaknesses in my upper spine, and the surrounding musculature (I L-O-V-E love when Jose says “musculature”-there’s just something so hi-larious about that word!) Then I did a  mobility assessment which identifies whether or not I am able to perform certain exercises such as squats, or lunges (UGH – death!)

Jose says these are two of the most important tests since most movements require you to have mobility through your upper spine/shoulders or through your pelvis/hips/legs. Smart thinking Jose!!

THEN, just to be on the safe side – I do a mobility WORKOUT based on my score results of the above assessments. This is good BECAUSE:

• it helps loosen and prime the body to perform exercises effectively
• it prevents injury which usually is an outcome of trying to perform movements you are not ready to perform

And now, FINALLY, the WORKOUT!

Keep on reading, click here!

J for Jose talks about the importance of STRETCHING!

It’s the second week into the A for Angela Fitness Month and time to talk about something other than diet (which if you were wondering – is just not happening for me) but this is something I can do! STRETCH!

J for Jose proclaims, “Stretching is just as important as any of the other components of your workout. And depending on your current flexibility it might just be the most important. How is one supposed to perform exercises correctly if they are limited in their range of motion?” So true Jose! SO TRUE!

Keep on reading, click here!