Abs Says...

 

Dear Curvy Girl,

Sure, stop worrying! You should be more afraid of people looking at you if you DON’T exercise. Why not think of yourself as a beacon of stick-to-itiveness, inspiring those of us who don’t regularly exercise. Whenever I drive on a city street or country road and see a person jogging, I’ll notice their body—big, small, wobbly, toned or buff. But I always think—hey, good for him, good for her. She’s doing what we all should be doing. When I see larger people jog, I’m especially inspired because I know they are at the beginning of their journey. I think others think this way, too.

Abs Says...

Dear DV,

There is no one on planet earth who hasn’t been humiliated by his own underarm wetness or pit stains. At least that’s true in America where we seem to sell more antiperspirants than in any other country. And all of us have watched others suffer this humiliation, like in a classroom. Who among us hasn’t watched someone raise his hand, exposing his drippy pit while he endures the shame of it? But your problem may be different. People who perspire excessively might have a medical condition known as hyperhidrosis. Fortunately, it’s usually controllable. The first treatment is simple, and you can do it at home. After you bathe, dry yourself very well. Then, when you apply your antiperspirant under your arms, also apply it on your forehead, legs, arms or any other place you perspire. Antiperspirants work there, too and aren’t harmful.

If that doesn’t work, there are fairly simple treatments that a doctor can prescribe.

Abs Says...

Dear Fed Up,

I donut know (ugh!), Fed Up. We've all been there, finishing a whole bag of chips out of boredom or downing cookie after cookie while cramming for a big test. But when done a lot — especially without realizing it — emotional eating can affect weight, health, and overall well-being.

We all have cravings, but if you find yourself consistently using food as a way to deal with feelings instead of a means to satisfy hunger, you likely are an emotional eater.

Not many of us make the connection between eating and our feelings. But understanding what drives emotional eating can help people take steps to change it. Visit our Control Food resource area to learn more.