When it comes to birth control, it's good to be well-informed. So we've come up with a couple of questions to help you identify the type or method that fits you perfectly. Each has its advantages and disadvantages; we suggest that you go to your doctor before making a decision. He can answer all of your questions, give you more information, and take into account your current state of health.

Answer yes or no to the following:

1. Do you think you'll change your mind in the future about wanting children? 2. Do you have a regular and predictable menstrual cycle? 3. Do you have regular sleeping schedules and working hours? 4. Do needles and insertions make you uncomfortable? 5. Do you feel the need to plan ahead for sex? 6. Do you think a surgical operation is costly and unnecessary? 7. Do you dislike taking medicine as a form of birth control?

If you answered mostly YES: You might want to consider natural birth control. The calendar method requires you to refrain from sexual intercourse seven days after the first day of your period and up to seven days prior to your next cycle. The cervical discharge method requires you to check your vaginal discharge to see if it's "safe" to have sexual intercourse. The basal body temperature method requires you to check your temperature first thing in the morning to see if you're about to ovulate in the next couple of hours.

If you answered mostly NO: Couples who are not keen on having children anymore may want to consider bilateral tubal ligation (the two fallopian tubes are cut) and vasectomy (a surgical operation for males). Others who require non-permanent methods might want to consider modern contraceptives such as condoms, IUD (a copper or plastic T-shaped wire inserted in the uterus), oral contraceptives (check with your doctor to find out what will work best for you), injectables (visit your doctor every 12 weeks to get it) and the patch (applied once a week).

By Vince DelMonte

Everywhere you turn, someone's promising the next secret to getting 6 pack abs. Some of these so called 'secrets' have some degree of accuracy, while others, not so much. Deciphering which are the best methods to getting 6 pack abs is going to be critical to your having success with this goal.

The biggest area you need to focus on when trying to obtain 6 pack abs is going to be on your diet. Like it or not, the old saying that 'abs are made in the kitchen', is probably one of the most truthful statements in the fitness industry. If your diet isn't in line, your stomach is going to show it.

So, what should you be doing with your diet?

First, ensure you are getting enough protein. Not only is protein going to form the key building blocks you need to build muscle tissue, but it's also going to provide you with a better feeling of fullness than eating just carbohydrates alone would for example. Protein is more "expensive" than any other macronutrient meaning that your body will burn more calories breaking down protein compared to carbs and fats.

Next, don't be afraid of dietary fat that comes from primarily monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats such as olive oils, fish oils, a mix of nuts, natural peanut butter and avocado. While it's true that eating fat will increase your calories fast, as long as you keep it between 20-30% it can be one of the best things to get 6 pack abs fast. The important point here is that dietary fat helps keep your insulin level stable, which, when high enough can actually cause fat gain itself.

Furthermore, dietary fat will keep you feeling the fullest for the longest duration in time; longer than both protein or carbohydrates would. Interestingly, some diets high in fat can get you 6 pack abs fast because your body learn to metabolize fat for energy.

So, while you do need to watch it, be sure you are getting some in your diet.

Finally, when it comes to carbohydrate intake and getting 6 pack abs, you want to focus most of your carbohydrate intake around the post workout period.

Why?

The biggest reason for this is because this is when your body is going to need those carbohydrates the most and will really suck them up into the muscle tissue. When you eat them at this time, it is least likely that they will turn into body fat.

Additionally, consuming carbohydrates during this period will also help to aid with muscle recovery and repair, so that means less down time from the gym for you.

If getting 6 pack abs fast is your goal than each meal you should consist of 1-2 cups of raw vegetables to control insulin levels, improve absorption of your protein and flood your body with vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants.

So, if you are aiming to get 6 pack abs in the coming months, have a good hard look at your diet. That is the big secret that must not be overlooked if you are to succeed.

Do you save unused medicines for future use? Don't! A doctor's prescription given to you at certain time is only good for the period indicated. Not following it can lead to antibiotic resistance. In a global survey of 4,500 people in 11 countries, including the Philippines, it was found that many were concerned about the effects of antibiotic resistance, but did not understand how improper use of antibiotic medications contribute to the problem.

Bacteria become drug-resistant through changes in their genetic material. Giuseppe Cornaglia, president of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, says, "Many patients forget to take medication or interrupt their treatment when they begin to feel better, creating an ideal environment for bacteria to adapt rather than be killed." Repeated and improper use of antibiotics, two of the main cause of increase in resistant bacteria, make bacteria adapt to these weapons, despite the development of more potent medicines.

According to the World Health Organization, drug-resistant infections can result in increased illness, death, and health care costs.

Most people believe that calories are the "enemy", since eating excess calories leads to excess fat, right? That’s why most people believe that the fastest way to lose weight is to cut way back on calories each day.

After all, if a dieter is eating 2,500 calories per day and they decide to cut back to 1,500 calories per day – then obviously those extra 1,000 calories have to result in weight loss, right?

Well, actually this is not exactly true.

In fact, if you try to cut your calories too much (via starving yourself and skipping meals) then you'll quickly reach a dieting "plateau" (a point where the scale refuses to drop any lower no matter how little your are eating).

Firstly, let’s talk about how the average person begins a new diet...

The scenario usually sounds something like this...

One day you look in the mirror and see that your clothes are fitting tighter than normal, and you look more overweight than normal. ...And on this day you get “angry” with yourself, you’re angry with what you see in the mirror – and you decide that you’re going to lose weight no matter what it takes.

You are filled with lots of motivation and anger on this day, and you feel determined to do whatever it takes to get slimmer.

So what's the first thing you do?

...You begin skipping meals and cutting way back on calories in an attempt to starve yourself thinner, since you're convinced that calories are the enemy.

Anyway, the above scenario is how you begin your “starvation diet.”

On the first day of dieting you feel so “motivated” to lose weight that you decide to skip breakfast.

Unfortunately, this motivation doesn't last for long, because after a few hours your hunger begins making you feel weak -- because your body is not accustomed to "skipping meals" like this, and your body is not accustomed to being without calories for so long.

Anyway, by the time lunchtime arrives you’re so hungry (and weak) that you feel absolutely miserable --- but yet you bravely tell yourself that you can handle this diet (because after all, you certainly don’t want to feel like a quitter).

So you perhaps have a piece of fruit for lunch (or perhaps another small food item instead), since you're still convinced that you can starve yourself thinner.

Finally, hours later when dinnertime arrives you’re so miserable and hungry that you have a major headache – and this is the moment when you finally begin to realize that starving yourself might not be such a good idea after all.

After this first day of starving yourself you feel horrible, but you’re determined to stick to your diet since you don't want to be a quitter so soon -- so you’ll likely hold out for another few days on this diet.

Or, if you are particularly brave then you may even hold out for a week or two.

However, regardless of how long you actually hold out -- you won't get any slimmer and the final result will still be the same.

You see, even after two weeks of starving yourself you won’t have achieved any serious weight loss at all. In fact, your body will still look the same when you look in the mirror.

Why is this true?

This is true because most of the weight lost during a “starvation diet” is just water weight, and not real fat loss.

You must remember that any “water weight” lost during a starvation diet will be gained back immediately when you stop dieting and start eating normally again.

Also, whenever you starve yourself you cause a “hidden” factor to come into play...

You see, whenever you starve yourself your body will begin burning fewer calories each day.

For instance, let’s say that you normally eat about 3,,000 calories per day.

....But then you suddenly cut way back on calories -- so that you're now eating only 1,000 calories per day.

Guess what happens?

Even though you’re eating 2,000 fewer calories per day your body will begin burning 2,000 fewer calories per day – so in reality your weight will remain the same even though you’re eating 2,000 fewer calories per day.

When this happens the scale will stop going down regardless of how little you are eating each day, and this is known as a weight loss “plateau.”

This is why most starvation dieters cannot make the scale go down anymore after just two weeks of dieting. They all hit a “plateau” where the scale just refuses to go down any further, no matter how little they are eating each day.

Now you know why you’ve always failed when trying to starve yourself in the past, since it’s just not possible to lose weight by starving yourself.

The truth is that “serious” weight loss can never be achieved by starvation dieting.

Serious weight loss can only be achieved by giving your body the right types of calories at the correct times each day, which is something that we talk about below...

Your body is actually like a big “engine” -- and the truth is that your body needs all 3 types of calories (protein, carbs, and fat) to some degree.

To begin losing weight fast we recommend using the new Idiot Proof Diet from Fat Loss 4 Idiots -- because it does not require any calorie counting (it's one of the only diets in the world which forces fast weight loss without the need to count calories).

You can begin this new diet right here.

It takes a while for whiteners to take effect. Here are some tips to help them along the way:

1. Cleanse. It's important that the topmost layer of your skin is free from grime and dirt, so cleanse well with the proper cleansing and exfoliating products. "Exfoliating products may help increase the penetration of topical lightening agents," explains Dr. Cecile J. Clemente-Ocampo, a board-certified dermatologist from the Philippines who is a consultant at the Capitol Medical Center (CMC) Skin and Laser Center. "Exfoliation also creates the appearance of lighter skin, as light is better reflected on a smooth epidermal surface."

2. Moisturize. "Some whitening products can cause dryness, and moisturizing can counteract their effects," says Dr. Clemente-Ocampo. If your whitening product isn't made to moisturize your skin, supplement your regimen with a cream that can help smoothen it out. If you have dry, flaky skin, she says moisturizing is a vital step to "allow a more even application of your whitening product."

3. Increase Immunity. Because treated skin often exposes it to unnatural elements, it's important to use products that enhance the skin's immunity. Dr. Clemente-Ocampo suggests using "antioxidants like topical vitamin C to boost skin's immunity." They protect the skin from the harshness of whitening and they also :counteract the damage which daily exposure to the sun, stress, pollution, and smoking can cause the skin."

4. Block the sun. An important tool to kepp glowing and block off the harmful and darkening sun is to use UV-blocking products. "Studies on the SPF of products are based on a very thick application to maximize the results," says Dr. Clemente-Ocampo. It's wise to reapply sunblock to the skin regularrly, approximately every two hours, because factors like perspiration may remove the product from the skin.