Fitness = Great Sex

Fitness = Great Sex

There are all these boring, though important, reasons why you should work out—for a better cardiovascular system, more stamina, a toned body... All that is great to know and to achieve. But, do you know, dear readers, that workouts also mean better sex? And hey! Before you think that I'm talking about the benefits of sex, no, I certainly am not! I had already talked of that in a previous column, remember? What I'm saying is simply that less fat means urge for more sex!

So, if you aren't motivated enough by reducing the risk of heart disease and prostate cancer, longer life spans and great physique, maybe the notion that less fat means more sex should propel you towards a body that's aiming to be a lean, mean fighting machine!

Look, sex is something that's almost automatic in our youth. Nature demands that people procreate and the younger generation definitely spends a lot of time, thought and energy on the activity, if not exactly in the process of procreation per se. However, by the time you are in your mid 20's and 30's, let yourself 'go'. Your body is no longer in shape and guess what one of the fallouts of this state is? Lacklustre, routine sex lives.

Of course, factors like the pressure to earn, family responsibilities and stress at work also interfere with great sex but when you lose that trim, fit physique of youth, sex is not as automatic, as it was, when you were younger and had that body.

So, let’s just look at the important factors that contribute to wonderful sex. Of course, the will to do is the primary motivator, but the endurance and strength of the body are very important elements as well. Everyone knows that sportsmen have great sex! And this, incidentally, is not only because their bodies are muscled and toned but also because they have the strength and energy to go for it big time!

Every Day, Sometimes More
The other factor here is that the more attractive your body is, the more interest it generates in the opposite gender. This leads to greater self-esteem, making you feel sexy.

Says Rita Aggarwal, who works in a bank: “I've been on both sides of the fitness fence. In my 30's my long working hours at a sedentary job, coupled with lack of exercise, got my body all flabby. By the time I realised that my metabolism was no longer what it used to be, when I was young, I'd become a lump of lard! Of course, my sex life took a real beating because I couldn't believe that anyone could find me desirable. I myself started feeling extremely un-sexy.”

In the Duke University survey, at the outset, 68 per cent of women said they felt sexually unattractive, and 63 per cent did not want to be seen undressed. They went on a diet and exercise programme and within a year, things improved dramatically, just as they did for Rita, who joined a gym and took to organic, health food in a big way. Today she's in her forties and she is glowing with health and vigour. “Sex?” she laughs, “Every day of the week and sometimes more!”

States Dr. Sandra Leiblum of the Centre for Sexual and Marital Therapy at UMDNJ - Robertwood Johnson Medical School, New Jersey: “No one disputes the evidence that women of any age can be unhappy with their sex life, but the reasons for their discontent change with age. While younger women are more likely to report difficulty in reaching orgasm, women over 40, cite other difficulties such as a partner, who doesn't make love in a satisfying way, or who can't perform, painful intercourse, or their feeling that they are no longer physically desirable.”

Shed Pounds: Have More Sex!
In the Duke University survey, weight loss helped both men and women significantly and even with the 10-13 per cent weight loss the improvement was marked. In the beginning, 21 per cent said that their sex life wasn't enjoyable. This figure fell by 10 per cent. From 39 per cent, who lacked sexual desire in the beginning, only 15 per cent said so a year later.

O.K.! Now we're all in agreement that great sex is achievable provided we work on our bodies. Now, how do we go about shedding those extra pounds and improving our physical and mental health?

There are a few basic rules that you need to follow-
Rule 1: To begin with, ingest fewer calories than you expend. Eat a lot of high-quality protein, moderate levels of complex carbohydrates and low levels of fat. No junk food, please! When you reach for that slice of chocolate cake, think, would you rather eat that or have sex tonight? Also, 5 to 7 small meals in a day are better than three big ones!

Rule 2: Train, train, train. Progressive resistance training adds lean muscle mass, which boosts your metabolism to burn fat faster, and, hey, you look hot as well.

Rule 3: Intensive cardiovascular exercises. You should add variety to our exercise regime by incorporating biking, aerobics, walking, all of which keeps your metabolism in great shape.

Rule 4: Take a breather. You need adequate amounts of rest and sleep to aid the muscle-building process and improving mental functioning.

Rule 5: Take diet supplements. High quality proteins like multi-vitamins, C, E and B-complex could be used. But do consult your doctor.

So, what are you waiting for? Go for it! There are great things in the offing. Go on, hit the gym, train hard, have great sex and enjoy!

Plan an Aphrodisiac Date

Plan an Aphrodisiac Date

By Aradhika

Ah, the art of romance! Sweet, subtle tokens of affection- a glance, a touch a kiss. If you have tried all the ‘usual’ ideas for romance, spend a little time here getting some extra ideas for your next romantic rendezvous.

Enjoying and getting to know one another go hand-in-hand. Romance can be cultivated through thoughts, words, and deeds. Preparing a night of romance can also include a bit of fun and a bit of role-playing. But to get the engine of romance revving, why not prepare one of these drinks and get going?

Drink for Getting into the Mood
Vanilla Aphrodisiac Smoothie
1 cup Milk
15 Whole Cloves
15 Cardamom pods
2 Cinnamon sticks
1 Vanilla pod, split
1 cup Vanilla frozen Yogurt
Honey to taste

Place milk, cloves, cardamom, and cinnamon in a saucepan. Scrape in vanilla seeds from pod. Heat milk but do not boil. Remove from heat and allow it to cool, then refrigerate until chilled. Strain milk into a blender goblet and discard spices. Add frozen yogurt and honey to taste. Blend until smooth and frothy. Delicious!

Kama Sutra Shake
1 tbsp clarified Butter (heat the butter till it froths and skim with a muslin filter)
1 tsp Honey
1 tsp Liquorice powder
150 ml Milk
150 ml centrifuged Fennel juice

Wash and dry the fennel. Centrifuge to obtain 150 ml of liquid. Pour into the blender with the other ingredients and process.

20 Questions to take you Places…
While dinner is cooking, pour two glasses of aphrodisiac beverage, put on some relaxing music and play ‘20 questions.’ Dare to ask! You may just find out something you didn't know about your mate.

Here are some questions to get you started. Don't be afraid to think of some, more intimate ones of your own as well.

If you could be any age for just one day what age would you be?

Would you ever go skinny-dipping?

Do you believe in love at first sight?

What kind of clothing do you feel most sexy in?

What is your favourite song?

If you could have lunch with anyone past or present who would it be?

Who is your hero?

Do you like scary films?

What holiday do you really look forward to each year?

What are two most erogenous parts of your body?

Have you ever watched an X movie?

Have you ever had a full body massage?

If someone dared you would you be a stripper for one night?

What is the most outrageous place you have ever made love?

What are your three most important goals to achieve this year?

Besides your parents who knows you best?

What one person has helped you change for the better?

Have you ever played Strip Poker?

Have you ever read the Kama Sutra?

Would you ever run for a public office

Food for Love
No ‘promising’ relationship was ever enhanced by a plain bowl of soup or a sandwich. Prepare a special dinner with dishes that will create an atmosphere that promotes romance, passion, and communion. Forget the traditional aphrodisiacs such as frog saliva, mandrakes, powdered rhinoceros’ horns, or the liquorice teas used in the days of old. Turn, instead, to delicious recipes from around the world, laden with flavours, enticing aromas and miraculous ingredients with which to tempt your love. In no time at all you’ll be on your way to something provocatively appetizing. On your menu of seduction, add the following dishes.

Soupe à l’oignon gratineé — Onion soup
4 sliced Onions
3 tbsps Butter
2 tbsps Flour
500 ml Stock
6 slices country bread toasted in the oven
100 gms grated Gruyère

Brown the onion rings in the butter in a non-stick pan. Keep the heat low and stir often so they do not stick. When they start colouring add the flour and stir for a minute, then add the stock. Cook for 25 minutes. Butter a small oven dish and line the bottom with 2 slices of toast. Pour some stock on top and a grating of Gruyère cheese and repeat three times adding butter to the last layer. Grill until a fine golden crust forms on the top.

Lovers Salad — Insalata Degli Innamorati
1 Avocado
300 gms shelled, boiled Shrimp, fresh or frozen
2 Celery hearts diced
4 Walnuts, shelled
Mayonnaise
Tomato ketchup
Cream

Halve the skin, remove the pit stone and dice the pulp of the avocado into small pieces. Drop the shrimp into boiling water for 30 seconds and cool. Put the avocado in a bowl with the shrimp, the celery, and the chopped walnuts. Dress with a pink sauce obtained by mixing 4 tbsp. of lemon mayonnaise with one tbsp each of ketchup and cream. Fill the avocado halves with the mixture and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Clean Up
Who said getting clean isn't fun? Start by acquiring some lightly scented candles. Also pick up your favourite brand of bubble bath! Then splurge on a rich creamy shampoo and conditioner! After the food, drinks and game, your lover will probably be full of passion. Add on to the flames by sprinkling rose petals from the bedroom door to the bathtub. After dinner, suggest that you go for a "romantic bath".

After you lead your lover to the bath tub, gently light the candles that you have strategically arranged around the bathroom area. (NEVER LEAVE CANDLES UNATTENDED!) We leave the rest to your imagination.

Now plan your date and enjoy!

Aphrodisiac Facts
Almonds
Almonds were regarded as fertility symbols throughout antiquity. Nuts in general are held to have fertility powers. The aroma of almond supposedly arouses passion in females. Alexander Dumas dined on almond soup every night before meeting his mistress, and Samson wooed Delilah with them.
Avocado
Aside from their voluptuous, feminine shape, avocados have also been associated with male sexuality. The Aztecs called the avocado tree "Ahuacuatl," or "testicle tree." The ancients thought the fruit hanging in pairs on the tree resembled the male's testicles. The Spanish, in fact, found avocados so obscenely sexy, that Catholic priests forbade them to their parishioners.
Oysters
These succulent mollusks are the classic aphrodisiac. And, there's research to support it: raw oysters are very high in zinc, which raises sperm and testosterone production, thus increasing libido. Oysters are also a source of dopamine. Casanova is said to have eaten 50 raw oysters every day

The Hot and Steamy Marriage Bed!!s

The Hot and Steamy Marriage Bed!!

While many couples seem to have to struggle to keep the fires of passion going in their marriage, there are some who can’t wait to get together in bed. Ms. Feelwel checks out the factors that are the passion-killers and suggests how to have a steamy sex life even after several years of marriage.

“I don’t enjoy sex at all. I’ve been married seven years and our sex life is so boring, that really, I’d just rather not have it. Yes, we did enjoy sex once but now it’s a chore. Help!!”- Archana

This cry for help is not Archana’s alone. And, really, there’s no shortage of factors that can ruin a couple’s sex lives- busy schedules, kids, aging bodies. But physical intimacy is glue that holds a marriage or a relationship together. You may argue that there are plenty of factors like shared history, family, friendship etc that will keep your relationship going but if the sexual dry spell in your marriage doesn’t come to a timely halt, there is reason even for the marriage to break up.

Remember, sex is hugely important, especially when neither partner is allowed to go anywhere to get it. Also, it’s not just about physical release, right? It’s about feeling wanted and connected. When this intimacy fades, so does intimacy on all other levels. Couples will stop sharing laughs together, engaging in conversation or snuggling on the couch. They will be in conflict over matters which actually stem from sexual dissatisfaction but will manifest themselves in trivialities. The more discord there is in a relationship, the less thee couple is going to want to have sex. But don’t fear, dear readers, Ms. Feelwel is going to tell you how to break out of this vicious circle and let you into the:

Secrets of Couples Who Have Lots and Lots of Sex.
Set a Weekly Sex Goal:
Give sex a top billing, no matter that you have to juggle a million things to do so. Pick a number at random from one to ten on Sunday evening. Suppose the number you pick is eight, you have to have sex eight times before the week ends. If three days go by and you’ve had sex only twice, you have to find the time and the place- whether it’s in the garage while the kids are playing in the backyard or while you are getting a bath - together.

Make the Mood Happen:
Don’t wait for your libido to start up. If it’s not springing into action, give it a crank-start. A true carnal connoisseur will never sit around, waiting for desire to set her/him awash. Well, that way you may have to wait for a long, long time. Kick-start your libido with some X-rated thoughts. You could also read some erotica, see a sexy movie and get yourself into a fired-up state that will lead you straight to bed- and not to sleep, I may add!!

Trade the Turns –Change Roles:
Many couples have different schedules so it may happen that when you are raring to go, your partner is dead beat. But there is a way around this. The partner who is high on energy at the given moment can become the sexual ringmaster while the other just lies back, relaxes and enjoys the ride. There is no need for any guilt to be attached to this because the favour will be returned very soon, yes?

There is another advantage to alternating the take-charge roles- there is always a fresh energy flowing and you can double the number of sex-capades. And both of you work at keeping the thrills ‘coming’

Every Time is a Good Time:
You can’t really be a devil in bed if you’ve scheduled sex in the time slot between 10 O’ clock and the time you fall asleep. Exciting sex can’t happen if you make it a bedtime ritual. The truly satisfied couples find their own little niches where sex will be the best. While some may find it great when they both return from work and strip off each-other’s office clothes while other carnally successful couples will schedule it after they wake in the morning, the time they have completely to themselves. And how about weekend afternoons, holiday mornings after coffee- don’t be discriminating- just go for complete satisfaction, anytime, every time!

Play the Song:
Music can get you in the mood instantaneously! There is some music that you associate with awesome sex, and some that will steer you straight into the bedroom. If it’s the mood you want, get the music going and your partner will catch the signals and you can make some beautiful music together.

Make Sex a Panacea:
If you are a sexy siren, you know all too well that sex can actually alleviate stress, exhaustion and marital tension. So the very reasons that you use to NOT go to bed with your partner are reasons to have sex. Having sex will actually energise you rather than drain you out so you should look for opportunities to use some loving to boost up your energy levels. When you are tired, instead of shrugging off your partner’s attempts at seduction, welcome them, and your lovemaking frequency will certainly increase. Stop thinking of sex as yet another chore on your to-do list but start looking at it as a way to connect with your partner and feeling more relaxed and calmer. So do slip into the sack when you’re tired but take your partner with you!

Heighten Your Sense of Desire:
Think sexy the whole day long. Don’t reserve sex for the bedroom alone but do things that will add the libidinous spice to everyday activities. Consciously add some sexual flavours into different areas of your life. E.g. wear silky underwear, buy yourself an ice-cream cone and eat it in a suggestive way or take a sensuous shower with all kinds of scrubs and creams. All of this will keep you on a high erotic energy level.

To get your partner at the same level, give him a dose as well. When you are dressing for work, stretch out and give him a little view of your beautiful body, ask him for a towel when you are bathing, give him a call from work and tell him to get ready for something special in the evening. Sex just has to happen that night!!

Wherever, However:
Make frequent sex your philosophy. A lot of sex, no matter of what kind, is essential to a healthy relationship. If sex has to be a quickie sometimes, so be it. Just because it’s quick, doesn’t mean it’s not good. So go for the fast- and -furious romp if that’s all you have the time for. If your kids are coming back in 20 minutes, you certainly don’t have the time for the serenade and the candles, do you?

All of these simple tips can be easily incorporated into your schedule and before you know it, you’re going to be burning up the bed sheets. Join the legions of the extra-passionate and discover that your packed day is full of opportunities to tear your clothes off!! So why wait? Just go for the high energy passion!