#thanks for a great month luiza | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

misssophiachase · 4 years ago

Text

Accidentally in Love

For @klaroline-events KC Bingo - Hurt/Comfort - I wasn’t going to do this but just a short one and why not for two more bingos? Thanks Luiza @itsnotacrimetoloveyou for organising such a fun event. I know how much work goes into these, so thank you : )

Caroline’s boyfriend dumps her unceremoniously and her two best friends Enzo and Klaus make it their mission to help her out.

“Care Bear! Oi, where are you?”

“Lorenzo! Must you be so…”

“Handsome, charming…”

“I was going to say so indiscreet and garish, but now that you’ve interrupted me that’s a hell no to both of those adjectives.”

“You wish you could be as wonderful as yours truly, Niklaus. I know it’s been difficult living in my shadow the past few years, but I’d be more than happy to help facilitate your improvement and make you a better person.”

“Are you listening to this, love? Although, she probably can’t breathe given your oversized ego crammed into such a small space.”

This was Caroline’s morning.

Waking up to her two best friends bickering by her bedside.

They did it all the time but, given her week, Caroline wasn’t inclined to engage. Hence why she’d pulled the covers over her head. Yet here they were like clockwork.

It wasn’t that she didn’t love her two besties, but in a crisis their need to protect and comfort her went into overdrive.

“Is this some weird game of peek-a-boo, darling?’ Enzo asked, sitting on the bed and crushing her hand in the process. “You know how much I love games so I can do this all day.”

“Get off her,” Klaus growled. “I could think of far more deserving things you could crush, like Salvatore’s head.”

“Amongst other things.”

“Get off me!” Caroline huffed, although it was decidedly muffled by the blanket.

It was only once her covers were off that she realised just how much of a mess she must have looked. She’d been crying during the night and Caroline couldn’t be too sure how red her eyes were, not to mention how much of the death by chocolate had found its way onto her white top.

Although, she was certain her friends had seen her looking worse.

Some people thought that their friendship was unorthodox. Caroline had met them two years earlier when Enzo approached her at the local mall. She’d been shopping with Kat and Bonnie when he’d interrupted and asked her to help his friend out. The friend turned out to be Klaus and he wanted to make someone he liked jealous.

Fast forward a few weeks and the girl he supposedly liked was nowhere to be found and Caroline had taken her place as best friend extraordinaire.

“Who needs an alarm clock when I have you two?”

“I told him to be quiet,” Klaus argued. “But we both know that Lorenzo loves hearing the sound of his own voice.”

“Charming,” Enzo drawled. “Caroline, I mean this with love, but there’s this handy invention called a hairbrush, you might want to use it.”

Caroline didn’t bother to reply just hurled a cushion at him. He was her best friend, but he was also the bitchiest person she knew.

“Why does my mother keep letting you in the house? It’s already bad enough that everyone at school calls you my British harem.”

“Think my brother might have something to say about that,” Klaus noted, looking to Enzo in particular. Kol and he had only been going out for the better part of a year. “And your mother loves me,” Klaus boasted. “I think she’s still not completely sold on Lorenzo but that’s understandable.”

“Liz made me pancakes the other day, Niklaus,” Enzo shot back. “She even cut them into little hearts.”

Before Klaus could object, Caroline intervened. “Now, even I know that’s not true. The Sheriff doesn’t do love hearts.”

“And she also only makes pancakes when Caroline is sick,” Klaus offered.

“So, that’s why you’re always sniffing around when I’m sick,” she muttered. “And here I thought you were just being sympathetic friends.”

“We’re here now, aren’t we?” Enzo asked, bouncing up and down on the bed. “So, what are we going to do to Salvatore?”

“You’re not going to do anything to him…”

“You do realise that’s like telling us not to like the Jonas Brothers?” Enzo asked, completely aghast.

“Speak for yourself,” Klaus muttered.

“I mean it,” she warned. “That idiot is not even worth the time spent on revenge.”

Caroline wasn’t exactly telling the truth, of course she wanted the loser to pay but encouraging her over protective best friends wasn’t a smart idea.

Given she was barely 18, Caroline knew she’d look back on Stefan Salvatore as a self absorbed, broody asshat that cared more about his hair than anyone or anything else. Then she’d ask herself why she went there in the first place and wasted so much time on such an idiot.

It just hurt a little right now and she wanted to give herself time to wallow.

“How about I go pick up Kol and some high calorie foods and we can watch a movie?”

“Not Legally Blonde again,” Klaus shot back, before noting Caroline’s pout. “Okay, fine.”

After Enzo had left, Klaus made himself comfortable on her bed. It wasn’t long before she was leaning against him, her head resting in the crook of his neck. He felt warm and familiar and Caroline knew she could lay like that all day.

He ran his fingers through her waves softly, the gentle rhythm of his breathing lulling her into a calm and soothing place.

Caroline loved Enzo but sometimes he talked too much and it was nice to just sit in silence with Klaus.

“He’s an absolute imbecile, you know that, right?” He asked after they’d been laying there for about 15 minutes.

“Mmmm,” she mumbled, unable to find the right reply.

“You are completely out of his league, love. He never deserved you,” he murmured into her hair. She knew he meant well but it was difficult to answer because, even if it was true, she didn’t feel it. Not yet anyway.

“I’m not sure given Enzo’s opinion on my hair,” she teased, attempting to lighten the situation.

“He meant it with love,” he offered. Caroline could tell by his tone that he was smiling and no doubt flashing one of those dimples.

“I notice you didn’t disagree,” she pressed.

“Legally Blonde, hey? I’m psyched.”

“You are such an ass,” she laughed, thinking she hadn’t done that much lately. Klaus had this amazing knack of knowing when she wanted quiet reflection and when she wanted fun and laughter. “And what’s wrong with the Jonas Brothers anyway?”

“Well, Nick and Joe maybe but I don’t know about Kevin,” he replied matter-of-factly.

“I love you,” she said simply. She felt his body tense slightly and realised what she’d said and how it could be interpreted. “Both of you, I mean, you and Enzo.” She closed her eyes, mentally kicking herself and thinking just how awkward that sounded.

Enzo and Kol returned not long after but all Caroline could think about was what she’d said and question why she felt so uncomfortable.

I mean, it wasn’t like she had feelings for her best friend, right?

It was on that day that two best friends accidentally fell in love. It was no doubt always there beneath the surface but both were completely and utterly oblivious to it.

Of course they didn’t act on it straight away because, if you’ve seen the best romantic comedies, that just doesn’t happen.

When they finally said those three words and eight letters years later in college and subsequently married it was clear they always loved each other but just needed a push in the right direction. Enzo officiated at the ceremony and took delight in telling their guests his master plan all those years ago had worked.

Caroline and Klaus weren’t quite sure whether it was true but either way they didn’t really care.

And they all lived happily ever after.

P.S. Wondering what happened to Stefan “Hero Hair” Salvatore? Although she warned them against it, Klaus and Enzo spiked his latte with laxatives, poured itching powder in his clothes and replaced his shampoo with hair dye. They figured it was the least he deserved.

#kcbingo2020 #klaroline drabbles #klaroline fanfic #klaroline #last one #accidentally in love #My writing #misssophiachase #thanks for a great month luiza

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morningdailynews · 4 years ago

Text

Brit Shocked Everyone By Revealing The App Which Makes Him £23K Every Month

"It all came as a surprise to me! I just wanted to make some extra cash aside. I discovered this new money making app by accident while surfing the Internet. Life's crazy! I was going to school and now I'm making money from home, can you believe that?"

Jamie Glaze

UPDATED: THURSDAY, OCTOBER, 8, 2020

Appearing on the 'This Morning' show, Akshay Phillips expressed his gratitude and thanked Trading Platform creators for dramatically changing his life and financial situation. Akshay said he never understood exactly how their algorithm works but that it has been making him profits consistently, from the very first day.

The official website of Trading Platform claims it can generate high profits for any user by executing a unique trading algorithm. This algorithm enables the user to automatically trade currencies.

In order to start the fully automated process, user needs to deposit an initial amount of £250. The algorithm would then automatically choose the perfect time to buy coins low and sell it high - and vice versa. This way the user profits would always be maximized without any risk.

Akshay said that any credit card can be used for the initial deposit.

Live on the air, Akshay asked Holly Willoughby to register and deposit £250 on Trading Platform.

Holly was hesitating at first but then decided to try it. (Image: Mirror News)

"Yes! I've heard about many coins success stories over the past few years but it was always too complicated for me to understand. Your story moved me Akshay and because of that, I will give it a try!" Holly said.

After she deposited the inital £250, the algorithm started to buy coins and other currencies for cheap and selling them for higher price very quickly. Within only 7 minutes, Holly made £60.24 in profit and had a total balance of £260.24 in her account.

Akshay explaining to Holly how she can track her profits. (Image: Mirror News)

Everyone in the audience, including the production staff, were shocked. Akshay tried to calm down everyone and explicitly said that Trading Platform is not a magic platform.

"When you take a closer look, you can see around 70-80% of won trades. However, the amount of won trades is higher than the lost ones. So the bottom line: You win more trades with higher profits than you lose." Akshay added.

Before Akshay even had a chance to answer Phillip Schofields question, Holly jumped and said with a smile on her face: "Now I have £177.51 in profit, how is this possible? Can I withdraw it right away?"

At this point, "This Morning" producers decided to step in and stop the program, before we could find out what happened next.

WE DECIDED TO INVESTIGATE TRADING PLATFORM

If Trading Platform is constantly making money for its users, how does the company earn any money?

We found out that the answer is simple but genius: Trading Platform keeps exactly 8% of the users' profits. In other words, only when the user makes money, they makes money. This explains why they are so 'motivated' to generate as much profits for their users as possible.

It says on their website that in order to activate the account and start making money, the user would have to deposit a minimum of £250 GBP ($250 dollars).

Currently there are no exchange fees or reductions from the deposit. As soon as the deposit is made, the account and trading algorithm are activated.

We've seen a lot of websites promising similar results over the past year. In order for us to be sure and to give our readers actual results, whether they were going to be good or bad, we had to test Trading Platform ourselves.

OUR RESULTS WITH TRADING PLATFORM:

To verify Akshay's story, we decided to try Trading Platform ourselves to see if it was really possible for an average person to make any money with it.

Our reporter Anthony Hawkins went through full process:

Step 1: Registration on Trading Platform (Image: Mirror News - Anthony Hawkins)

Registration on Trading Platform was quick indeed, it took me only 2 minutes to complete the signup process.

I couldn't do anything because the account was not activated. In order to activate it I had to make a deposit. I decided to grab quick coffee with my colleagues and then to continue.

Step 2: Deposit and Activation (Image: Mirror News - Anthony Hawkins)

To activate the account, I've made the initial deposit of £250 pounds using my credit card. My account was activated immediately after the deposit so I decided to turn on the auto trading option and browse around to see if they have any other options available.

By accident, I refreshed the profits page and I couldn't believe what I was seeing!

It really worked! Trading Platform made me £39.84 in profit, after only 3 minutes of making the deposit!

Step 3: My first profit on Trading Platform (Image: Mirror News - Anthony Hawkins)

It's not a lot, but it took almost no effort! Not to mention that I have no experience in trading or currencies. I've never made a trade in my life before, yet here I was actually making money.

To make £39.84 within 3 minutes is a tremendous performance for any trading algorithm out there.

I kept my initial deposit on Trading Platform account and continued to use the trading software in order to see what was going to happen next. It could have just been a very lucky start.

To my surprise, profitable trades were coming in, slowly but consistently, every day of every week. Akshay was correct, not all trades were successful, 7-8 trades out of 10 were profitable.

I decided to monitor it closely and see what is going to happen in the next 28 days.

Either it will continue to make profits consistently or I'm going to lose my £250 investment. One of these two will most likely end up happening.

I WAS IN FOR A BIG SURPRISE!

After only 4 weeks, Trading Platform displayed a total of £11,394.28 in profit, and I started only with the initial deposit of £250 pounds, this is unbelievable!

At this point, any colleague I would show my account to, would rush to register immediately on Trading Platform.

£11,394.28 profit in only 4 weeks! (Image: Mirror News - Anthony Hawkins)

I decided to withdraw most of my profits, so I had Trading Platform pay out £11,000 to my PayPal account. The remaining amount I decided to keep on Trading Platform to generate more money.

7 hours later, I've received an email from Paypal saying that I've received £11,000 from Trading Platform, I checked my Paypal right away to confirm it and the money was there!

£11,000.00 arrived from Trading Platform to my Paypal account. (Image: Mirror News - Anthony Hawkins)

TRADING PLATFORM REALLY WORKS!

Akshay from London was not lying, Trading Platform indeed works and it will definitely change a lot of lives!

Unfortunately, today they've sent an email to everyone explaining that soon they will have to close down the registrations for new members as they can't keep up with the demand.

If you haven't by now, I urge you and everyone reading this to register right away, in order to secure your spot because they might close registrations at any given point.

Account registration is free and it only takes 2 minutes, you can click here to register.

However, it's necessary to deposit a minimum of £250 GBP (or $300 USD) in order to fully activate the account and the trading algorithm.

IMPORTANT: You will most likely receive a call after signing up, just like I have. Don't ignore it because their managers were very helpful when I was starting out and I highly recommend building a good relationship with them.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ON TRADING PLATFORM »

For those interested, here's my full 4 week journey with Trading Platform:

4 WEEKS BREAKDOWN:

First Week: £2,838.38 I spent around 5 minutes a day checking results. After three days I already had a profit of £835 in my account. This is a 334% return on my initial investment of £200. On my seventh day I had total profit of £2,838.38 in the account.

Second Week: £5,659.48 In the second week everything happened very quickly. My balance grew faster and faster. After 14 days I had £5,659.48 in my trading account.

Third Week: £8,948.35 The third week went very smoothly too. I even started checking my account only every other day or so because it was working like a clockwork. Trading Platform has increased my profits consistantly to an amount of £8,948.35 in total.

Fourth Week: £11,394.28 At the end of the test I had a breathtaking profit of £11,394.28. My colleagues and I could still not believe how this app made this much money in just 4 weeks with a £200 investment.

Official website: Trading Platform

Also post on Facebook

Kjetil Vandenbulcke

So guys it's my first week on Trading Platform. I got an invite to the system launch! So far it works great for me. In the first 5 days I've earned £3,200 and slowly growing :)

Like · Reply · 98k · 23 hrs

Vivianne Chan ·

Tauranga

Thanks for sharing your results, looks like it's worth giving it a go! :D

Like · Reply · 252 · 1 min

Chris Tang

wow sound good bro

Like · Reply · 226 · 3 min

Axel Guilloux ·

None

easy money on the internet could be finally possible with this, right? :D

Like · Reply · 189 · 4 min

Show 10 more replies in this thread

Piter Jefferson ·

Oh boy, it's my 9th day and I have £4340 in my account. I love Trading Platform!!!!

Like · Reply · 387 · 3 hrs

Marcus Pullido ·

How does it work? How can you make trades?

Like · Reply · 258 · 7 min

Piter Jefferson ·

Richard, it's autopilot. All you need to do is start autotrader. After that you can chill and watch money rolling in. Can't believe it, but it's that simple!

Like · Reply · 227 · 9 min

Marcus Pullido ·

wow, sounds good! Count me in!

Like · Reply · 102 · 11 min

Show 10 more replies in this thread

Maria Moreno

haha, finally startups make something usefull not phone cases or other crap... See More

Like · Reply · 2497 · 2 hrs

Luiza Azevedo Freitas ·

how can we fund it? :D

Like · Reply · 571 · 15 min

Nicolai Mikkelsen ·

I believe these guys can fund themselves lol

Like · Reply · 1389 · 18 min

Amanda Karpinski ·

oh boy I'd love to try it!

Like · Reply · 1239 · 21 min ·

Show 10 more replies in this thread

Cameron Morgan ·

Auckland

Thats an epic idea! How could no one have ever thought of this before?

Like · Reply · 430 · 4 hrs ·

Márcio Longo

Yes it's funny. Facebook, Twitter could do it themselves but they are just too stupid. They only care about boring ads... ...See More

Like · Reply · 99 · 27 min

Beth Zaremba

Trading Platform, here I come! Best article on the Mirror News!

Like · Reply · 64 · 30 min

Norikazu Kakishita ·

Is this available in Japan?

Like · Reply · 98 · 33 min

Show 10 more replies in this thread

Florian Di Martino ·

heh got an invite from my friend. I've been using it for 2 hours and I have made $120 so far, not bad!

Like · Reply · 1584 · 5 hrs

Ben Plunkett

Good luck m8! I'm here for four days and works perfect!

Like · Reply · 696 · 35 min

Verônica Aguilera ·

Should I quit my college? And become full time autotrader? :D

Like · Reply · 412 · 36 min

Arun Narayan

Thank you guys for this article and thank you Anthony for testing this for us before just publishing the article!

Like · Reply · 795 · 36 min

Show 10 more replies in this thread

Load 10 more comments

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fuzzydazebouquet · 4 years ago

Text

Brit Shocked Everyone By Revealing The App Which Makes Him £23K Every Month

Jamie Glaze

UPDATED: THURSDAY, OCTOBER, 8, 2020

The official website of claims it can generate high profits for any user by executing a unique trading algorithm. This algorithm enables the user to automatically trade currencies.

Akshay said that any credit card can be used for the initial deposit.

Live on the air, Akshay asked Holly Willoughby to register and deposit £250 on Trading Platform.

Holly was hesitating at first but then decided to try it. (Image: Mirror News)

Akshay explaining to Holly how she can track her profits. (Image: Mirror News)

Everyone in the audience, including the production staff, were shocked. Akshay tried to calm down everyone and explicitly said that is not a magic platform.

At this point, "This Morning" producers decided to step in and stop the program, before we could find out what happened next.

WE DECIDED TO INVESTIGATE TRADING PLATFORM

If Trading Platform is constantly making money for its users, how does the company earn any money?

We found out that the answer is simple but genius: keeps exactly 8% of the users' profits. In other words, only when the user makes money, they makes money. This explains why they are so 'motivated' to generate as much profits for their users as possible.

It says on their website that in order to activate the account and start making money, the user would have to deposit a minimum of £250 GBP ($250 dollars).

Currently there are no exchange fees or reductions from the deposit. As soon as the deposit is made, the account and trading algorithm are activated.

OUR RESULTS WITH TRADING PLATFORM:

To verify Akshay's story, we decided to try Trading Platform ourselves to see if it was really possible for an average person to make any money with it.

Our reporter Anthony Hawkins went through full process:

Step 1: Registration on Trading Platform (Image: Mirror News - Anthony Hawkins)

Registration on was quick indeed, it took me only 2 minutes to complete the signup process.

I couldn't do anything because the account was not activated. In order to activate it I had to make a deposit. I decided to grab quick coffee with my colleagues and then to continue.

Step 2: Deposit and Activation (Image: Mirror News - Anthony Hawkins)

By accident, I refreshed the profits page and I couldn't believe what I was seeing!

It really worked! Trading Platform made me £39.84 in profit, after only 3 minutes of making the deposit!

Step 3: My first profit on Trading Platform (Image: Mirror News - Anthony Hawkins)

It's not a lot, but it took almost no effort! Not to mention that I have no experience in trading orcurrencies. I've never made a trade in my life before, yet here I was actually making money.

To make £39.84 within 3 minutes is a tremendous performance for any trading algorithm out there.

I kept my initial deposit on Trading Platform account and continued to use the trading software in order to see what was going to happen next. It could have just been a very lucky start.

To my surprise, profitable trades were coming in, slowly but consistently, every day of every week. Akshay was correct, not all trades were successful, 7-8 trades out of 10 were profitable.

I decided to monitor it closely and see what is going to happen in the next 28 days.

Either it will continue to make profits consistently or I'm going to lose my £250 investment. One of these two will most likely end up happening.

I WAS IN FOR A BIG SURPRISE!

After only 4 weeks, Trading Platform displayed a total of £11,394.28 in profit, and I started only with the initial deposit of £250 pounds, this is unbelievable!

At this point, any colleague I would show my account to, would rush to register immediately on .

£11,394.28 profit in only 4 weeks! (Image: Mirror News - Anthony Hawkins)

I decided to withdraw most of my profits, so I had Trading Platform pay out £11,000 to my PayPal account. The remaining amount I decided to keep on Trading Platform to generate more money.

7 hours later, I've received an email from Paypal saying that I've received £11,000 from Trading Platform, I checked my Paypal right away to confirm it and the money was there!

£11,000.00 arrived from Trading Platform to my Paypal account. (Image: Mirror News - Anthony Hawkins)

Akshay from London was not lying, indeed works and it will definitely change a lot of lives!

Unfortunately, today they've sent an email to everyone explaining that soon they will have to close down the registrations for new members as they can't keep up with the demand.

If you haven't by now, I urge you and everyone reading this to register right away, in order to secure your spot because they might close registrations at any given point.

Account registration is free and it only takes 2 minutes, you can click here to register.

However, it's necessary to deposit a minimum of £250 GBP (or $300 USD) in order to fully activate the account and the trading algorithm.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ON TRADING PLATFORM »

For those interested, here's my full 4 week journey with Trading Platform:

4 WEEKS BREAKDOWN:

Second Week: £5,659.48 In the second week everything happened very quickly. My balance grew faster and faster. After 14 days I had £5,659.48 in my trading account.

Third Week: £8,948.35 The third week went very smoothly too. I even started checking my account only every other day or so because it was working like a clockwork. has increased my profits consistantly to an amount of £8,948.35 in total.

Official website:

Also post on Facebook

Kjetil Vandenbulcke

So guys it's my first week on Trading Platform. I got an invite to the system launch! So far it works great for me. In the first 5 days I've earned £3,200 and slowly growing :)

Like · Reply · 98k · 23 hrs

Vivianne Chan ·

Tauranga

Thanks for sharing your results, looks like it's worth giving it a go! :D

Like · Reply · 252 · 1 min

Chris Tang

wow sound good bro

Like · Reply · 226 · 3 min

Axel Guilloux ·

None

easy money on the internet could be finally possible with this, right? :D

Like · Reply · 189 · 4 min

Show 10 more replies in this thread

Piter Jefferson ·

Oh boy, it's my 9th day and I have £4340 in my account. I love Trading Platform!!!!

Like · Reply · 387 · 3 hrs

Marcus Pullido ·

How does it work? How can you make trades?

Like · Reply · 258 · 7 min

Piter Jefferson ·

Richard, it's autopilot. All you need to do is start autotrader. After that you can chill and watch money rolling in. Can't believe it, but it's that simple!

Like · Reply · 227 · 9 min

Marcus Pullido ·

wow, sounds good! Count me in!

Like · Reply · 102 · 11 min

Show 10 more replies in this thread

Maria Moreno

haha, finally startups make something usefull not phone cases or other crap... See More

Like · Reply · 2497 · 2 hrs

Luiza Azevedo Freitas ·

how can we fund it? :D

Like · Reply · 571 · 15 min

Nicolai Mikkelsen ·

I believe these guys can fund themselves lol

Like · Reply · 1389 · 18 min

Amanda Karpinski ·

oh boy I'd love to try it!

Like · Reply · 1239 · 21 min ·

Show 10 more replies in this thread

Cameron Morgan ·

Auckland

Thats an epic idea! How could no one have ever thought of this before?

Like · Reply · 430 · 4 hrs ·

Márcio Longo

Yes it's funny. Facebook, Twitter could do it themselves but they are just too stupid. They only care about boring ads... ...See More

Like · Reply · 99 · 27 min

Beth Zaremba

Like · Reply · 64 · 30 min

Norikazu Kakishita ·

Is this available in Japan?

Like · Reply · 98 · 33 min

Show 10 more replies in this thread

Florian Di Martino ·

heh got an invite from my friend. I've been using it for 2 hours and I have made $120 so far, not bad!

Like · Reply · 1584 · 5 hrs

Ben Plunkett

Good luck m8! I'm here for four days and works perfect!

Like · Reply · 696 · 35 min

Verônica Aguilera ·

Should I quit my college? And become full time autotrader? :D

Like · Reply · 412 · 36 min

Arun Narayan

Thank you guys for this article and thank you Anthony for testing this for us before just publishing the article!

Like · Reply · 795 · 36 min

Show 10 more replies in this thread

Load 10 more comments

Facebook Comments Plugin

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beatricethecat2 · 5 years ago

Text

if/then (2.0) - 20

A few chapters back, I mentioned wrapping this up soon. Flash-forward to now…well, I see where that impulse came from, but also where it falls flat. There needs to be a balance (or as much as I'm capable of) within the narrative arc, so it needs to get pushed farther. That means diving into people and places I'm not as familar with and trying to bring them to life (plus calling back to details and weaving in new ones…you know, writing). So bear with me, it's plotted, but the gaps need filled in. If you’re still on board with this, I thank you heartily. I’m posting two chapters now because I didn't want to leave you hanging at the end of this one. All typos are mine, I’ll do what I can to catch them later (edited 11/30). Look for chapter 21 to be posted soon after this one. Links to other chapters in a reply.

////////////////////////

Despite Morgana’s warnings, the hunt for Helena continues. Myka proceeds with caution, even with Claudia's better-than-government-grade VPN installed on her laptop. Books have become her go-to, with no bots to track or caches to mine. They're slower in the long run but prompt new ideas, which she, in turn, passes off to Claudia.

One thing was certain: even if Helena hadn't planned this ahead of time, Christina’s comfort would be paramount. Cooking classes for kids? After school music activities involving drums? Kempo classes throughout the UK? All searched for and through with little gain. But the question was: how far undercover would Helena and Christina have to go? Was an Interpol intervention different than a regular police one? Claudia watched countless hours of British police shows in hopes of learning more, but was left feeling more paranoid than informed in the end.

Meanwhile, Myka tacked on oddball acquisitions in remote locales to keep from drowning in "what-ifs." There, in relative obscurity, having thrown off her tails, she could scour libraries and bookstores freely. She was at a loss for exactly what to look into, so she grasped onto the list of "Happy Christmases” Helena had taught Christina. She cross-referenced books with internet materials, but kept detailed notes in her sketchbook.

She drew the tiny shape Guernsey and noted the island's pros and cons. At six miles long and three miles wide, it looked like a quaint place to hide. But to travel, they’d need a boat or a plane, and it was closer to France than the UK. And without easy access to a city, Christina wouldn’t be content. She crossed it off the list.

Scottish, she learned, was still spoken in The Outer Hebrides, which, according to one of her guidebooks, boasted an island shaped like an upside-down ice cream cone. Christina would be into that, living on a food-shaped island, so she sketched it out and turned it upside-down. She didn’t exactly see the resemblance, but that wasn’t important. What was: the chain was far from the mainland with only one road plus ferries connecting the islands. Its population was mostly fisherman and crofters; it's landscape, idyllic, but rural. Again, with no city nearby, Helena wouldn’t sequester them there for any length of time. She put it in the “no” column for now.

Northern Ireland was a definite maybe, though they'd included Belfast in their earlier search. She drew the outline of where Belfast and West Belfast met, as apparently, West Belfast held a population of Irish speakers. But Ireland, the island, was massive, the largest part was an entirely different country. That could cause problems if Helena and Christina had to run. She made a note to check into Irish border crossings and moved on.

Cornwall, a fingerlike peninsula jutting out into the Celtic Sea, had multiple transportation options and several cities. They could hide in its rugged countryside while retaining access to several populated towns, and even jet up to London if they were feeling bold. Cornish as a language was only recently being revived, so there was no specific area in which it was spoken. She put a star next to it anyway, as it seemed the most likely. She sent her findings off to Claudia and kept researching.

But then, at an auction a few weeks later, her theory was put to the test. A fifteenth-century atlas lay open to a map of England, Ireland, and Wales, where she traced a path between her researched locations. As a line formed along the furthest edges of Great Britain, it hit her--if one wanted to send their enemies on a wild goose chase, that was it. The “Merry Christmases” were a red herring, something for Christina to broadcast readily, as she'd read children in witness protection programs often gave away their whereabouts accidentally. And she fell for it hook, line, and sinker. Claudia was not going to be pleased.

--------------

She's had months to prepare, but here she is, at the last minute, taking time off work to finish several new paintings. Luiza had hooked her up with this group show at a gallery Amanda raved was “blowing up,” but about a month ago she nearly baled. But Luiza insisted she show, saying their work together would lead to stellar reviews. Plus, Luiza needed the press to bolster her artist visa application, so how could Myka refuse?

Well known in her native Sao Paulo, but working hard to make a name for herself in the States, Maria Luiza Izquierdo's work captivated Myka from day one. Her abstract patterns drew her in, with their brightly colored stripes and weaved textiles, bubbling animatedly off the canvas and onto the floor. Her freedom of concept and command of materials was beyond anything she'd ever seen. She definitely was an artist on the rise, and Myka was glad to have made her aquaintance.

And from the looks of Luiza's impressive resume, Myka was an amateur in comparison. Out of the eight other artists at her residency, she’d bonded with Luiza the most. Her ambition was contagious, mind moving a mile a minute, always seeing the good in things. Plus, her smile lit up the room, making it impossible to sulk in her presence. She wouldn't have made it through the first months of Helena’s disappearance without the distraction.

They met up as often as possible when Luiza was in town, her visits kicking Myka out of her increasingly mechanical routine. It was good for her cover, hanging out with Luiza and her friends, plus it lifted her out of the heavy funk she was buried in. Luiza prodded her to show her new work, much like Helena used to do, inviting herself over when Myka failed to do so promptly. There were many things about Luiza that reminded her of Helena, beyond any physical resemblance, but when those thoughts arose, she promptly tamped them down. Loneliness conjured desperate parallels. If Helena were standing next to her, there’d be no comparison.

Having couch surfed though most of her friends, Luiza asked to crash with Myka for this trip. Since Abigail's visit went smoothly, Myka thought, why not? Having company for a few days, especially someone who could help her with her art, seemed like a good idea. But before she had time to prepare, she was called away unexpectedly on a work trip. She left spare keys with the guard at her office and told Luiza to sleep in her room for now. They'd inflate the air bed when she got back.

Upon her return, as she rolls her suitcase down the hall, a mouth-watering scent fills her lungs. It’s not unusual as her neighbor often cooks for relatives, but she’s surprised when the scent intensifies inside her door. The figure in her kitchen, her long, dark hair glowing in the backlight, stops her in her tracks. She’s transported to a different time, a happier one, one she has hopes to reclaim in the future.

“Olá, Myka!" Luiza greets, turning to face her. "How was your flight?”

“H-Hi!” Luiza’s enunciation, choppy and light, is the exact opposite of Helena’s velvety smoothness. Her messy bangs and bright red lipstick further shatter the illusion. “Not terrible. What’s all this?”

“Mrs. Rodrigues, she made us feijoada!”

Myka ditches her bag and steps into the kitchen, where all resemblance to Helena withers as she stands next to the slightly-taller-than-her Luiza. A pot bubbles on the stove as greens stew in a pan. A steaming pot of rice sits on the counter, accompanied by bowls of colorful garnish, more bowls than she remembers owning.

“Mrs. Rodrigues? I've barely spoken to her.”

“She was very much interested in this stranger entering your home.” Luiza points to herself with her thumb. “She is from Brazil, you know. Santos, where my avó lives."

“Avó?”

“Ah...grandmother,” Luiza says, taking a moment to translate the word in her head. She slips two bowls from a cabinet and sets them on the counter. "She feels bad for you.”

“Me? Why?”

“‘Too skinny. Works too much. No namorado.'” Luiza draws out the “o” and circles a wooden serving spoon in the air.

“Namorado. I think I know what that means. So definitely not.” Myka snags an orange slice from a bowl and pops it in her mouth.

Luiza smacks her hand with the spoon.

“Ow!"

“Save for dinner."

“Sorry.” Myka rubs her hand, flashing a mock pout. "It’s nice she’s feeding us. I was dreading takeout.”

“This is much, much better. And I bought cachaça to make batidas.” Luiza holds up a bottle of spirits, grinning ear to ear.

“Nice!” Myka says, smiling back.

“Only the best for my generous host,” Luiza says, adding a small bow. “Now, we eat.” She hands Myka a bowl and sets to making drinks.

At the gallery the next day, they help install each other's work, though Luiza’s pieces are larger and more complex then Myka's. Myka stands back, contemplating placement and aesthetics, while Luiza enlists several other pairs of hands to assist. Myka's in awe of Luiza’s persuasive charm, yet another trait she shares with Helena. But with Luiza, there's no alternate agenda, whereas Helena’s was often circumspect.

“Perfeito!” Luiza exclaims as she steps away from the completed install. “You are in my head, my friend. I should take you everywhere!” She sweeps Myka into a hug that lingers longer than expected, though a hug like this is not unusual. Luiza’s concept of personal space is more forward than her own.

Dinner takes place at a friend of Luiza’s, at a garden party in Silverlake. Myka mills about, catching up with acquaintances, mingling awkwardly with other guests. When everyone takes a seat, Luiza pats the chair next to her, insisting Myka situate herself there. As the meal progresses, Luiza drapes an arm over the back of Myka's chair, an act which Myka finds slightly unsettling. Again, it's not unusual, as Luiza's done it to others, but Helena used to do something similar as a sign of ownership. But as wine is swapped out for brandy, she shifts her focus toward the lively art and commerce banter. Fielding criticism of the trade is liberating, as at work she so often has to hold her tongue.

The next night is the show opening, and the dress Myka picks out isn’t “LA” enough for Luiza. Luiza takes her to a consignment shop where her friend works, where she’s handed a flowery faux-forties dress to try on. Myka twirls to the left and the right, staring at herself in the dressing room mirror, the knee-length skirt bouncing back and forth gaily. It’s a cheerful, tasteful garment, hitting her curves in all the right places. Not that her current wardrobe doesn’t, but it typically flaunts her assets less. It’s a choice she would have made pre-apartment tragedy, but since then, she’s toned down her style. Which suits her job fine, plus with Helena gone, who would she be trying to impress? But it feels freeing somehow, like she’s entered a portal to a simpler time. When she leaves the dressing room, Luiza gasps, and her friend claps with glee. She decides yes, it is perfect, perfect for the show, perfect for the Myka she needs to project.

The scene is giddy as they dress in Myka's apartment. Luiza styles Myka's hair into a voluminous mass of curls cascading over her shoulders. The shade of lipstick she convinces her to wear is so bright her eyes glow green. But it’s Luiza's blouse that steals the show, handmade by her, matching the warp and weft of her work, upstaging her skin-tight leather pants. Myka hasn't had this much fun preparing for an event since grad school with Abigail. The levity is certainly welcome.

There's an afterparty after the after-party, with drinks flowing freely along the way. Myka has no idea how much she drank nor what time they left, but their cab zooms home in no time. Luiza hangs off Myka's arm as they shuffle down her hall. Both giggle as Myka fumbles with her keys. They throw their bags onto the same chair as they stumble in.

“You need a couuuch, minha amiga," Luiza slurs, marching into Myka’s bedroom and plopping down on the edge of the bed. “We drink more! You bring the cachaça. But first I—” She bends towards her shoes, but topples forward, catching herself just barely, palms down, arms extended as if performing involuntary yoga.

Myka hurries in and levers her up. “My shoes, I am sorry,” Luiza says, bending forward again to finish the task. Myka pushes her back, then tries to kneel but wobbles, grabbing Luiza’s knee as she lowers herself down. She slips off Luiza's heel, and as she attends to the second one, Luisa buries her hands in Myka's curls. Luiza angles her face up and leans forward, pressing their lips together.

She’s kissing me. Why is she kissing me? The act is not entirely unpleasant, but not quite right. Is this my fault? Did I lead her on? I didn't, but...did I? She replays the evening in her head, but it’s hazy.

Luiza's hands slip down, cupping the base of Myka's head, deepening the kiss, urging her to rise. Myka breaks it off just then.

“Finalmente,” Luiza says, her voice soft and low, leaning in for another kiss. Myka jerks away, but Luiza's thrown off balance, hands still buried in Myka's curls. Luiza slips off the bed entirely, and they tumble to the ground.

“I can’t do this,” Myka says, pushing Luiza up at the shoulders.

“You have another lover.”

“It's not that."

“Then why?” Luiza lifts herself up so that her arms and legs are now straddling Myka. "Your eyes were on me tonight." She leans in for another kiss, but Myka turns her head.

“This is your ex,” Luiza snaps and sits back on her heels. “You have found her. You’re going to…” She frowns. “Ask for her back."

“I don’t know where she is.” Where did that come from? Myka scoots back, carefully extracting herself from under Luiza's hold. She lifts on her elbows, but makes no sudden move to rise.

“I see it in your eyes. Something has changed.” Luiza falls back, sliding down the edge of the bed, dramatically thrusting her legs out until she’s in sitting position. “You will visit her in London, this woman who destroyed your heart. Tell me where she is, this-this, desgraça, ela que vá a merda!”

Luiza’s Portuguese slurred, but her tone pushed the point across. Myka bends at her knees and inches further back, sitting up while hugging her legs to her chest. Luiza knows everything about her, the entire fake story about Helena as she’s cried in her beer many times over it. But Luiza’s never become this agitated, and she’s not entirely sure why. “H-How did you know I was going to London?” She only found out a few days ago and knows she hadn’t mentioned it.

Luiza drags a hand, raggedly, through her thick, dark locks and looks off to the side. "It was there, on your phone, the text. You left it on the table. It lit up.”

The text, "Sotheby’s London confirmed,” could have honestly meant anything. And she’s been super careful since Morgana’s warning; she hasn't talked about searching for Helena at all, so why would that text set off this tirade?

“It is good that you find her. You must put her away. She is stopping you from better things.” Luiza pushes off the bed and crawls closer to Myka, reaching out and laying a hand on Myka’s knee.

Myka flinches, her head says, "run away," but gut tells her to stay. Something’s not right here. Something big. If Morgana were here, what would she say?

“Put her to rest so we can begin.” Luiza moves ever closer, threading a curl behind Myka’s ear and pressing kiss to her temple.

Myka’s chest tightens as panic sets in. And here, she thought she was being disingenuous, but all along it was Luiza. Luiza’s been grooming her this whole time, tricking her into trusting her, into giving away details about Helena’s situation.

“I’m sorry, but no,” Myka says, releasing her legs and pushing away. Careful now, rejecting her outright will look suspicious after how close you’ve gotten. “I-I’m really flattered, a-and you’re a beautiful, talented woman, but…” Luiza was alone in her apartment. Did she dig through her files? Plant bugs in the walls? Has she been monitoring her calls and texts this whole time? “I, um…there is someone else, if I’m being completely honest.” If only she’d taken up Morgana’s offer, she’d have someone vetted, but now...

“Que?” Luiza says, raising a brow.

“M-My friend Abigail and I, we’ve been talking.” Wait...if Luiza is a spy then she’ll know that isn't technically true, she’ll already know everything about her. “I-I haven’t said anything yet, but I’m planning to when she's in town for Thanksgiving.”

“Abigail. The doctor who lives far away?”

“Only until her post-doc is over. Then she’ll transfer wherever she wants."

“She is your long-time friend. What has changed?”

“I, um…” A catalyst, Myka, come on…think! “When she came to visit for my birthday, she said…she made a comment about maybe dating women. And that stuck with me.”

“She will return your love?”

“I think so.” Or kill me for being an idiot.

Luiza backs towards the bed, looking genuinely shaken. In the moment, she’s simply a bruised suitor, not a potential spy at all.

"I didn’t want to jinx it by saying it out loud.”

“What is jinx?”

“Mess it up before it starts.”

“Que dá azar. Bad luck. Ok.” Luiza holds Myka’s gaze, seemingly gauging the truth in the situation, nodding her head up and down in tiny strokes.

If she doesn’t believe me, what do I do?

Luiza's eyes close as her head falls back against the bed. She’s silent for a few minutes, then takes a deep breath in. “It is time for sleep. And muitos litros de água. Much water.” She hauls herself up, limbs shaking, and walks as steadily as she can towards the door. "Boms sonhos, Myka,” she says, turning back just before exiting.

“Goodnight,” Myka replies, her voice cracking from the lump stuck in her throat. Once Luiza’s gone, she tries to rise, but gravity pulls her down. What have I done? She rolls onto her back and closes her eyes. I'm stupid. So stupid. She’s not my friend. Why can’t I have a friend? A twinge of pain throbs through her brow, and she pinches the bridge of her nose. I have to fix this, fix this now. I need to call Claudia. Or that number Morgana gave me. She rolls over and sits up. But my phone’s in my bag and my bag's on the chair. I can’t go out there, not tonight. She crawls over to her bed and climbs on top, curling up into a ball. Everything’s fucked. Helena, I can’t take much more of this. Where are you? I need you to come back, now.

-TBC-

#BERING AND WELLS #W13 #fanfiction #if/then #Myka Bering #Helena HG Wells #links to other parts in a reply

9 notes · View notes

illbetheresomehow · 5 years ago

Note

Hi Luiza!! I hope you’re having an amazing day today:) I’m looking forward to talking with you and getting to know you over the course of this month! ~ahgase secret santa:)

Hello! Thank you. I just woke up, but i hope to be a great day too.

This is so gentle, thank you, whoever it is 💚

1 note · View note

captainlenfan · 5 years ago

Photo

New Post has been published on http://websiteshop.network/episode-433-qa-with-robb-and-nicki-26/

Episode 433 – Q&A with Robb and Nicki #26

http://robbwolf.com/2019/06/21/episode-433-qa-with-robb-and-nicki-26/

We’re back on a roll with Episode 433, Q&A #26!

Submit your own questions for the podcast at: https://robbwolf.com/contact/submit-a-question-for-the-podcast/

If you want to see the video for this podcast, be sure to check out our YouTube channel.

Show Notes:

1. Enzymes and IBS? [3:32]

Ken says:

Talk to us about enzymes Robb. I’ve played with alot of different things over the years to help with IBS issues. For a long time I was devoted to probiotics but I never found any real consistent results with them. I took a stool test a year or so ago and discovered that literally none of the strains of probiotics I had so diligently taken (and paid for) were significantly present. Along the way anti fungals and anti parasitic medication (Dr Rx’d) helped calm the fire down below but it was enzymes that seem to seem to have made the final difference for me. Not only is the fire largely out I’ve really not had to keep up with taking enzymes like I did with probiotics. To be fair to probiotics they seem to help in the moment but I get the sense you have to take them daily which does not seem to be the case with enzymes. I should mention I know several people that have had the same experience with probiotics and enzymes. My question then is what is the mechanism at work? I get that enzymes help break down foods but why would that help with IBS symptoms and furthermore why would those symptoms be largely gone after only 6 months or so of using them but not taking them daily even?

2. Squat Pooping and Toilet Training [10:42]

Terrence says:

Hey Robb and Nicki!

Loving the new Q&A format! You have done such a great job educating the public on what to put in one end of their bodies that I want to take a moment to talk about how to get the most out of what comes out the other end!

I am a first-time dad of a now 16-month-old, so that means we’re starting to approach potty training. As we all know, the “natural, paleo way” of pooping is getting into that deep squat and letting fly. It’s so obvious to me that this is the way we’re meant to poop. I see it every morning: my little girl suddenly stops playing with her toys and drops into that ass-to-grass squat that my jiujitsu hips will never do again. By the time that thousand-yard stare creeps into her eyes, I’ve already got one hand on my SLS-free baby wipes.

Every parent has seen that, and yet every parent in this hemisphere insists on trying to get their kid going from this squat position to sitting on a porcelain platform with his/her feet dangling. The toddler naturally resists with a, “what the hell do you expect me to do from here?” look. Frustration ensues, but poop doesn’t. It seems like transitioning our toddlers from diapers to seated toilets is yet another mismatch of nature in our modern civilization.

For adults, it’s easy to make a homemade platform or buy a Squatty Potty / similar product. But what’s the plan for tots? I’ve considered setting up a kitty litter box in the bathroom. The mother-in-law is almost certainly going to lose her shit (heh heh) but maybe that’s the price of being the world’s #2 Dad!

Would love to hear your Paleo Poop Solution for how we are Wired to Shit.

-Terrence

3. Travel Eating Tips? [14:30]

Luiza says:

Got your masterclass and it was paramount for the achievement of the keto sunset. 8 weeks in, 15 lbs down and I feel amazing!

However I am quite a foodie and will be heading to Paris for 10 days in June to vacation with my brother and dad. I will be staying at a hotel and definitely don’t wanna miss out on real French croissants or pastries… I also am from Brazil and while I can tell the benefits of keto long term, I would not be able to go visit and skip out of eating fruits, which is most of my diet while I’m down there.

so question: Should I still try my best to keep up with calories/macro count while traveling and/or supplement with exogenous ketones (do they even work?) or should I not worry about it until I get back home? Am I gonna feel absolutely awful while getting back on carbs? On that note, maybe I should re-introduce carbs before I even go?

Appreciate your guidance on the issue.

4. BJJ + Recurring Staph Infections [18:39]

Sam says:

Dear Robb + Nicki,

Over the last 12 year period, I’ve made numerous attempts to train BJJ–each attempt ending in a staph infection. My first time was about 12 years ago, where I got a good year of training in. This was punctuated by a pretty bad staph infection that flared back up a few more times shortly after. 8 years later, I went for it again…this time getting a staph infection after one week of training. Most recently, I got 6 months in before getting another. As you can imagine, every doctor I’ve ever talked to thinks I just need more antibiotics, or that I have some secret colony of staph living in my nose. This approach has obviously not been successful for me. It also fails to address why I only get them while training, and never in the periods in between. While hygiene may have been to blame the first time, I was pretty careful the last two times, even if it wasn’t 100% perfect. I had a funky sleep schedule before my most recent occurrence, which I think may have contributed. Some more details for you…I’m 33, in good shape, otherwise healthy, eat well, and sleep well. I’ve always lifted weights outside of BJJ but nothing crazy in terms of volume. My question for you is: If this was happening to you, where would you start? What would you be looking at? I have considered seeing a functional medicine practitioner as I’ve wondered if there are some bigger picture immune issues at play. I appreciate any thoughts you have on this– I don’t want my BJJ career to be over so soon. Thanks!

Notes: https://www.defensesoap.com/

5. Adult Autism – Should I Go Keto? [23:51]

Alex says:

Hi Nicki and Robb,

I’m 29 and was diagnosed as on the autism spectrum just two years ago. This would have been considered as asperger’s in the past. I’ve been primarily paleo (ice cream is really good) for the better part of six years, but after running my DNA through Found My Fitness, I’m wanting to address my dietary choices from a more personalized approach, including finding the most optimal choices to address some of the occasional stressors I feel associated with being on the spectrum – anxiety, depression, and general cognitive/mood disregulation.

The most researched dietary intervention seems to be a gluten free, dairy free diet, with a few studies looking into keto. However, each study I’ve seen is only looking at kids as the subjects and typically with more severe symptoms than what I experience. Keto seems to be a promising approach, but is there any reason why this would be different for an adult? I tried keto for about a month a year ago but immediately found my cognitive performance drop. While I know my macro amounts were appropriate (used ketogains calculator), I know now that I didn’t incorporate the electrolyte component. Could this account for my initial struggles with it? Is there anything else someone on the spectrum should consider when attempting keto? Supplements, macro ratios, etc.? I’ll include more details about me below, but thank you for your time in reading question and all of your work.

Alex

29 years old

6′ 4”, 240 lbs

CrossFit 3-4x per week

Sleep 6-7 hours a night (we have a 1 year old that thinks the day begins at 3:30am)

Polymorphisms of concern from FoundMyFitness: MTHFR (which seems to be common in those on the spectrum), FTO (multiple SNPs), APEO3/4 (multiple SNPs)

Live in Minnesota where sun exposure is only frequent enough where your skin doesn’t freeze

Where you can find us:

Submit questions for the podcast: https://robbwolf.com/contact/submit-a-question-for-the-podcast/

Transcript:

Download a copy of the transcript here (PDF)

Nicki: Hey, Hubs

Robb: Welcome back, wife. What’s new? What’s exciting? We’re living in the Arctic of Reno

Nicki: I know. It’s been a really, really long, drawn-out spring going into summer. It’s cold.

Robb: The White King is dead. Winter should be ending, but it’s not.

Nicki: Winter is still here.

Robb: Yup. Did you want to fill people in on anything, or do you just want to jump in?

Nicki: If you want, sure, what we’re thinking of doing.

Robb: Sure. Well, no, you do it.

Nicki: Well, we have decided that we are going to be moving to Texas.

Robb: You gonna be oblique about where so nobody can find us? We had a crazy story. Zoe was only a couple of days old…

Nicki: I don’t know what crazy story you’re telling.

Robb: …that, when the people showed up at our front door?

Nicki: Oh. Yeah.

Robb: Yeah. So, a little bit of background, and I’m sorry, if you don’t give two shits about this, just fast forward a little. A really close friend of ours had just had this super gnarly identity theft thing go on where somebody found out that they were out of town, they forwarded their mail… It was super, super messed up-

Nicki: Yeah.

Robb: …and so we were kind of a little on edge from that.

Nicki: So, that was one week before, and then we had Zoe. She was super young. I was, like, nursing in the back room.

Robb: This was day four or five and we were completely sleep deprived, like, out of your head and you’re legitimately insane at this point.

Nicki: Uh-huh (affirmative).

Robb: And, somebody had pinged Squatchy, and they’re like, “Hey, I want to send Robb one of these exercise mobility ball things or something like that, and so Squatchy had given them our home address, and, lo and behold, somebody knocks on the door-

Nicki: (laughs)

Robb: and I show up at the door just disheveled and exhausted, and there are these people I’ve never met before with this little rubber ball. They’re like-

Nicki: They’re like, “Oh, we had a wedding to go to and so we were driving through, so we thought we would just personally deliver it.” (laughs)

Robb: And so, after that, we got a P.O. box. And, it’s not that we hide our location, but I’ve had a few, kind of wacky threats from the crazy vegans and stuff like that. We have kids and so, yeah. So, we’ll be… it’s central Texas. Yeah, we’re looking at central Texas.

Nicki: Hill country Texas.

Robb: Hill country Texas.

Nicki: But, not Austin.

Robb: But, not Austin. Yeah. All the cool kids can go there. We’re going somewhere else. So, anyway, yeah, we’re looking at moving so the podcast may be a little hit and miss. We’re trying to bank some of these-

Nicki: Yeah, but-

Robb: …so that we stay on top of that but, yeah.

Nicki: Yeah. So.

Robb: That’s our preamble on that, or our pre-ramble.

Nicki: Pre-ramble. All right. We’ll jump in then.

Robb: Okay. Cool.

Nicki: So our first question is on enzymes and IBS from Ken, and he says, “Robb, talk to us about enzymes. I’ve played with a lot of different things over the years to help with IBS issues and, for a long time, I was devoted to probiotics, but I never found any real, consistent results with them. I took a stool test a year or so ago and discovered that literally none of the strains of probiotics I had so diligently taken and paid for were significantly present. Along the way, anti-fungals and anti-parasitic medication, doctor-prescribed, helped calm the fire down below, but it was enzymes that seemed to have made the final difference for me.

Nicki: Not only is the fire largely out, I’ve really not had to keep up with taking enzymes like I did with probiotics. To be fair to probiotics, they seem to help in the moment, but I get the sense you have to take them daily, which does not seem to be the case with enzymes. I should mention I know several people that have had the same experience with probiotics and enzymes, and my question is, what is the mechanism at work? I get that enzymes help break down foods, but why would that help with IBS symptoms and, furthermore, why would those symptoms be largely gone after only six months or so of using them, but not taking them even daily?”

Robb: Yeah, it’s really interesting stuff. When I was at the UCSF conference that Akil Palanisamy puts on each year, really amazing event. Doctor Datis Kharrazian was there, and this guy is so smart. Chiro and also a Ph.D in Immunology, I think, from Harvard, so kind of… D.C., Ph.D guy, and he’s a real, legit gut health expert, and really on the… how do you fix things clinically. And, he did an amazing breakdown of this whole story, and he relies heavily on things like betaine hydrochloride, apple cider vinegar, which I have shifted to using capsules because, when I would do the apple cider vinegar shots, it was dissolving my teeth, which it has a tendency to do, and butyrate.

Robb: So, what’s going on on that in kind of a multi-factorial story is that the enzymes in improving the acid content of the stomach while you’re eating food… if you break everything down into its constituent parts, and we’re really concerned about the proteins in this story, and proteins, whether it’s from animal sources or plant sources, if they hit the gut lining as single amino acids or dipeptides, which is about the ideal scenario, there’s really not immunogenic substance, then. There’s not the problematic proteins that can irritate the gut and cause the motility issues that kind of typify IBS. And then, he recommended the butyrate because the butyrate tends to help fix the gap junction issues within the gut in kind of a primary indirect fashion.

Robb: So, when a healthy gut, assuming that an individual is eating some fermented, fermentable fiber and all that type of stuff, would get butyrate and propionate and malonate and these different short-chain fats, that improve gap junction function, and then, in theory, a healthy gut, people are robustly digesting all of their food, including the proteins, and also the carbohydrates that should be digested early in the process versus, you know, if we have poor digestion, those carbohydrates can make their way intact into later portions of the digestion, which is kind of where SIBO and all that stuff pops up.

Robb: So, that’s kind of the mechanism there, and it makes a lot of sense, and what’s interesting about that, it’s a little bit reminiscent… the gut health topic and the microbiome topic is really interesting, and I think when we’ve talked about this a couple of times before, but clearly the gut microbiome and gut health is critical. But, we don’t really know yet, I think in general, what to do about it.

Robb: About fifty percent… Most of the studies you look at, Doctor Ruscio has talked about this… a hundred people take a probiotic formula, about half of the people show improvements, half the people don’t. Some of the don’ts actually get worse. So, it’s very hit and miss in that regard, and also the probiotics generally are not intended to be repopulating the gut. They’re actually intended to kind of tune the immune system, although some work from the Sonnenberg Lab suggests that the process of putting these gut microbes from probiotics through this system actually creates a more amenable environment for you to get other organisms from the environment that should be taking up residence there, and… really interesting stuff.

Robb: But, the point being that… if we look at people who have had different forms of ileostomies, like, basically having their intestines, to varying degrees removed, these people don’t live shorter, worser lives than people with all of that real estate. And this is despite whatever injury or illness caused that scenario.

Robb: So, on the one had, clearly the gut microbiome and gut health is really important, but it seems, in my mind… my kind of take on this, is it’s really, really important to either function well or, if pathology has occurred, then we need to somehow address the pathology, because, clearly, just removing that real estate, it makes all the notion of, well, fiber is critical to health and all this stuff. It really kind of casts an interesting light on it, so, in the scenario of really augmenting frontal digestion with enzymes and potentially, again, apple cider vinegar or some other acid sources, that would appear to really fix a lot of problems because we’re breaking the food down and there isn’t the large proteins that are potentially immunogenically stimulating.

Robb: So, that’s what’s going on both on the probiotics side and, most likely, on the enzyme side. It is intriguing to me that you can get by with this with intermittent use instead of needing to be really consistent. But also, even though the IBS had gone on apparently for some significant period of time, he maybe only needs to kind of pulse that whole process. Because it is interesting, too, once the gut heals, then cholecystokinin release is more normalized, and acid secretions are more normalized. We know that H. pylori suppresses acid production, ironically, even though it’s associated with peptic ulcers, but it tends to suppress acid production in the stomach to foster a more amenable environment for the H. pylori. So, sometimes if we move out the… if we change the gut microbiome in a favorable way, then it just actually gets a little bit of a feed forward mechanism going and it just generally functions better. So, yeah.

Nicki: All right. Our next question is from Terrence on squat pooping and toilet training. Terrence says, “Hey Robb and Nicki, loving the new Q and A format. You’ve done such a great job educating the public on what to put in one end of their bodies that I want to take a moment to talk about how to get the most out of what comes out the other end.

Nicki: I’m a first-time dad of a now-sixteen-month-old, so that means we’re starting to approach potty training. As we all know, the natural Paleo way of pooping is getting into that deep squat and letting fly. So obvious to me that this is the way we’re meant to poop. I see it every morning: my little girl suddenly stops playing with her toys and drops into that ass-to-grass squat that my jiu jitsu hips will never do again. By the time that thousand-yard stare creeps into her eyes, I’ve already got one hand on my SLS-free baby wipes. (laughs)

Nicki: Every parent has seen that and yet every parent in this hemisphere insists on trying to get their kid going from this squat position to sitting on a porcelain platform with his or her feet dangling. The toddler naturally resists with a, ‘What the hell do you expect me to do from here?’ look, and frustration ensues, but poop doesn’t.

Nicki: Seems like transitioning your toddlers from diapers to seated toilets is yet another mismatch of nature in our modern civilization. For adults, it’s easy to make a homemade platform, or buy a Squatty Potty, or similar product, but what’s the plan for tots? I’ve considered setting up a kitty litter box in the bathroom. (laughs) Mother-in-law is almost certainly going to lose her shit, (laughs) but maybe that’s the price of being the World’s Number Two Dad.” (laughs)

Robb: (laughs)

Nicki: Terrence, that’s hilarious. “Would love to hear your Paleo poop solution for how we are wired to shit.”

Robb: Terrence definitely gets Best Question of the Podcast History Award.

Nicki: He gets… yeah.

Robb: I don’t know, I mean… the first thought that pops in my mind is, “This is a great product opportunity for Terrence to get in and try to address.

Nicki: You know what’s interesting is other countries have… you do squat.

Robb: Right.

Nicki: I remember traveling to Turkey when I was nineteen, and even Italy, I think, they have some toilets like this, where it’s a hole in the ground, it’s porcelain, then there’s a little spot for your feet, but you actually squat. And, it flushes, but you’re not sitting on anything.

Robb: So, yeah.

Nicki: I’m sure you can order these toilets and have them installed in your home. [laughs]

Robb: Right. Can we do that with our new house?

Nicki: We can look into it.

Robb: Look into that. Yeah, I mean, we saw this same phenomena go down, and there is pretty clear literature suggesting that pooping not in a squat… you get a little bit of, like, fecal backflow because we’re supposed to have a valsalva maneuver, and… so, yeah, this is another one of the things that… you know, it’s so interesting, some of the articles on this, is, suggests that a lot of what we characterize as kind of normal GI dysfunction is a consequence of the way that we’re pooping, but that’s just so endemic that it’s kind of a problem hidden in plain sight. The researchers generally never even ask the question, “Well, if I change my position and was in a more, you know, I guess it’s not orthopedically, like, poop-opedically aligned position that, you know, this stuff would be addressed.

Robb: But, yeah, I’ve wanted the pit toilet for a while.

Nicki: Yeah, it’s just a square, porcelain thing-

Robb: And it still flushes and does all that stuff, yeah.

Nicki: …that sits in the ground with a hole, just like a normal toilet bowl hole, with little grooves for your shoes, and you just squat, and it has a flush.

Robb: Well, let’s look into that.

Nicki: (laughs) Okay.

Robb: (laughs) Terrence, we’ll keep you posted if we find one of those in the new digs, we’ll send you info on it. But, really good question, and it’s interesting, and this is another one of these things that we get our kids started off not on the right foot with a lot of stuff. Yeah.

Nicki: All right. Let’s see. Our next question is from Luiza on falling off the wagon. She says, “I got your masterclass and it was paramount for the achievement of the keto sunset. Eight weeks in, fifteen pounds down, and I feel amazing. However, I’m quite a foodie, and will be heading to Paris for ten days in June to vacation with my brother and dad. I will be staying at a hotel and definitely don’t want to miss out on real French croissants or pastries. I also am from Brazil, and while I can tell the benefits of keto long-term, I would not be able to go visit and skip out on eating fruit, which is most of my diet while I’m down there.

Nicki: So, my question: should I still try my best to keep up with the calories and macro count while traveling, and/or supplement with exogenous ketones? Do they even work? Or, should I not worry about it until I get back home? And, am I going to feel absolutely awful while getting back on carbs? On that note, maybe I should reintroduce carbs before I go. I appreciate your guidance on the issue.”

Robb: So, maybe we’ll start from the back and then work forward. Are you going to feel awful going back on carbs? I have no idea.

Nicki: Depends on-

Robb: …it just depends, person-to-person. I don’t know, I go back and forth on this. On the one hand, I guess a really minimal tweak to what you’re doing and still being able to enjoy all that you have to experience there, try to make sure you hit your protein minimum. That just seems to be so important for not overeating, whether we’re on a low-carb or a low-fat diet. So, by hook or by crook, just make sure that you get your protein in. If you’re in Brazil, then eat all the fruit, but make sure that you’re getting plenty of protein with the fruit. When you’re eating your croissant, make sure that you don’t forgo the eggs and-

Nicki: Sausage and whatever.

Robb: …sausage and all that type of stuff. And, a little bit of portion control… I mean, the challenge, or the benefit, of keto is that we’re removing the carb-fat combo, and that’s where it becomes challenging for people to maintain normal appetite control. Again, adequate protein is really going to help with that, but… So-

Nicki: So, in Brazil, should she do protein and fruit, and skip any additional fat?

Robb: Yes.

Nicki: And in Paris, she could do protein and don’t put butter on her French croissants and pastries.

Robb: Maybe a little bit, but yeah.

Nicki: Yeah, try to-

Robb: Just don’t go crazy on it. Yeah.

Nicki: …I think there’s a lot of butter in them already-

Robb: Right.

Nicki: …when they make them, but trying to minimize the fat if she’s going to increase her carbs.

Robb: Yeah, yeah, to some degree. And, as to the exogenous ketones, exogenous ketones are great, but the point isn’t necessarily to take a ketone supplement to paper over other dietary concerns, unless we’re really tackling that from a neurodegenerative perspective, or something like that. So, I mean, I don’t really see the exogenous ketones being a huge boon in this scenario.

Robb: If you like them, some people do notice that they do get some appetite regulation by dropping in a scoop of the exogenous ketones or the MCTs. There’s one study that suggests a carb-rich breakfast plus MCTs caused people to then… and also, I’ve got to say they ate adequate protein in this, too, so it wasn’t just carbs and MCT. It was a good whack of protein, some standard carb intake, but then adding MCT in, what they noticed over time, was that these folks tended to eat fewer calories overall throughout the day.

Nicki: Hm.

Robb: And Chris Masterjohn did a nice unpacking of this, and so… That might work that similarly with the exogenous ketones. We don’t have a study on that yet. There is one reasonably well-performed study that suggests that MCT powder or MCT oil does that.

Nicki: Okay. Well, have fun, Luiza. That sounds like a really fun summer.

Robb: I wouldn’t mind that. Yeah.

Nicki: Okay. Let’s see. Our next question is from Sam on BJJ and recurring staph infections.

Nicki: “Dear Robb and Nicki, over the last twelve-year period, I’ve made numerous attempts to train BJJ, each attempt ending in a staph infection. My first time was about twelve years ago, where I got a good year of training in, which was punctuated by a pretty bad staph infection that flared back up a few more times shortly after. Eight years later, I went for it again, this time getting a staph infection after one week of training. Most recently, I got six months in before getting another. As you can imagine, every doctor I have talked to thinks I just need more antibiotics, or that I have some secret colony of staph living in my nose.

Nicki: This approach has obviously not been successful for me. It also fails to address why I only get them while training and never in the periods in between. While hygiene may have been to blame the first time, I was pretty careful the last two times, even if I wasn’t 100% perfect. I had a funky sleep schedule before my most recent occurrence, which I think may have contributed.

Nicki: Some more details for you: I’m 33, in good shape, otherwise healthy, eat well, sleep well. I’ve always lifted weights outside of BJJ, but nothing crazy in terms of volume. My question for you is, if this was happening to you, where would you start? What would you be looking at? I’ve considered seeing a functional medicine practitioner, as I’ve wondered if there are some bigger picture immune issues at play, and I appreciate any thoughts you have on this. I don’t want my BJJ career to be over so soon.”

Robb: Yeah. Gosh, where would we jump into this? Getting a functional medicine assessment wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world, to see if there is something kind of off with HPTA axis, cortisol, which could be suppressing immune function… Definitely the hygiene of the gym that you’re in is a big factor. The places that we’ve gone to, they’re pretty on it. They spray the mats down in between classes, and they’re definitely on top of that. So, that maintenance is important. What is the name of the soap that Darien sells?

Nicki: Oh…

Robb: There’s, like, a-

Nicki: It’s Defense? Defense? Maybe?

Robb: Yeah, Defense Soap. Yeah.

Nicki: I’ll find it for sure and we can put a link in the show notes.

Robb: Yeah, but I think it has tea tree oil and some other antimicrobials, and a lot of people swear by that. This is also why, even though my jiu jitsu game, I’m not fabric-dependent, I’m not hanging onto the gi. I tend to wear a rash guard, and then a gi. I don’t usually wear sprats also, but you could do that. But, taking all that stuff, then you just have minimal surface area exposed.

Robb: So, yeah, I mean, the boxes to tick, see if there’s anything that could be obvious with regards to immune function and something being amiss there. Definitely lean on the facility owners to clean the mats thoroughly. I would recommend wearing a rash guard, possibly sprats and a gi-

Nicki: Wash the gi every single-

Robb: …and launder those aggressively each time.

Nicki: …yeah, every single time. If you get off the mat to go to the bathroom, put shoes on and walk.

Robb: Yeah.

Nicki: Everybody in the gym should be wearing shoes into the bathroom, on and off the mat.

Robb: Yeah, they should be bringing sandals to go in. It’s so gross when you see people sprint to the bathroom. The guy’s always in…

Nicki: Barefoot.

Robb: …barefoot, and then they come back on, and you’re like, “Listen, knucklehead…” But, those are the things. Anything else? Yeah, laundering the, your… whatever you wear thoroughly, and then the Defense Soap, maybe, post-training would be the things that I would look at.

Nicki: Can the sleep thing… I mean, if you’re super sleep-deprived and stuff-

Robb: Definitely, I mean, sleep-deprived. And, one other thought with this is, if you’re going really hard rolling, it’s like a CrossFit workout or something. People can turn these sessions into a near-death experience, which can kind of crush your immune response. And so, you may need to look at the intensity that you’re training, and it’s hard for people to do.

Robb: In the beginning, they just are battling for survival, and the only thing that you can rely on is strength and cardio and power output and everything, but that will knacker you, and it definitely impacts immune response. Yeah, it can kind of dig a hole. So, I would definitely consider, you know, how hard are you going and figure out ways of dialing that back. I would check out Henry Aiken’s Hidden Jiu Jitsu course. He has a specific module in his course when he had a gig in Bali, and he actually has a block of, like, fifteen videos that shows him rolling with the people that attended the event, and Henry just, he looks like he’s almost unconscious.

Robb: Now, granted, he’s got twenty-plus years of jiu jitsu experience, but even though I’m nowhere near where Henry is, my rolling looks way more like that than what you see in the competition videos, where people are super rigid and they’re just go-go-go… and, so, and that’s part of the reason why I’ve been able to train pretty consistently, and I try to figure out how my forty to sixty percent effort can continue to beat or make improvements on everybody else’s ninety-five percent effort. So, that would be another piece to look at.

Nicki: Okay. Let’s see, our last question today is from Alex, an adult on the autism spectrum: should I go keto?

Nicki: “Hi, Nicki and Robb. I’m twenty-nine and I was diagnosed as on the autism spectrum just two years ago. This would have been considered as Asperger’s in the past. I’ve been primarily Paleo, ice cream is really good-

Robb: (laughs)

Nicki: …for the better part of six years, but after running my DNA through FoundMyFitness, I’m wanting to address my dietary choices from a more personalized approach, including finding the most optimal choices to address some of the occasional stressors I feel associated with being on the Spectrum: anxiety, depression, and general cognitive and mood dysregulation.

Nicki: The most researched dietary intervention seems to be a gluten-free, dairy-free diet with a few studies looking into keto. However, each study I’ve seen is only looking at kids as the subjects, and typically with more severe symptoms than what I experience. Keto seems to be a promising approach, but is there any reason why this would be different for an adult?

Nicki: I tried keto for about a month a year ago, but immediately found my cognitive performance drop. While I know my macro amounts were appropriate, I used the Ketogains Calculator, I now know that I didn’t incorporate the electrolyte component. Could this account for my initial struggles with it, and is there anything else someone on the Spectrum should consider while attempting keto? Supplements, macro ratios, et cetera. I’ll include more details about me below, but thank you for your time in reading the question, and all of your work.”

Robb: And, details: age, height, weight, CrossFit-

Nicki: Mm-hmm (affirmative), sleep.

Robb: …decent sleep, and then he mentions some of his polymorphisms from the FoundMyFitness stuff. It’s interesting, there shouldn’t… if one is going to benefit from keto for a neurological situation. I don’t see that there would be any difference between kids and adults. It is, that said, it is interesting many children who go on a ketogenic diet for, say, epilepsy, they don’t need to stay on it for life. They’re able to get off of it at some point.

Nicki: Mm-hmm (affirmative).

Robb: So, there is something that changes there. So, I don’t know if the flip side could apply, that maybe there was a window in childhood where this could have worked and now it’s not going to. That doesn’t really make sense to me, but it… yeah, I don’t know. But, definitely not everybody experiences cognitive improvement on a ketogenic diet. But, the lack of adequate electrolytes, in particular, sodium, is just jaw-dropping, make-or-break deal. So, if you were going to get back in and try this again, I would definitely check out LMNT, get, go… even if you just go to the drinkLMNT.com page, and then check out the How to Make Your Own Keto At Home Electrolyte Drink. One or the other, do that.

Nicki: Mm-hmm (affirmative).

Robb: Start supplementing, if you do Kettle & Fire Bone Broth, put some salt in that, significant amount.

Nicki: Mm-hmm (affirmative).

Robb: You really have to be on point with all that. You could also try using a little bit of MCTs or exogenous ketones in this scenario, because if we really are talking about a brain metabolism story, potentially some gut dysbiosis, those things may help in this whole process.

Robb: Additionally, on the supplements, a really rich form of DHA, EPA, DHA, but leaning heaving on the DHA, if you just eat a lot of fish. I’m wearing Wild Planet, these guys are amazing, getting fish from these guys or something similar. Sardines, mackerel, salmon-

Nicki: Mm-hmm (affirmative).

Robb: …would be really beneficial, or you could supplement with a DHA-rich fish oil or krill oil formula.

Nicki: Okay.

Robb: Yeah.

Nicki: Thanks, Alex. Hubs, that was our five questions for this week.

Robb: Cool, cool. Somebody commented that they felt like we were rushed going through these, which I don’t know-

Nicki: Oh, I didn’t see that comment.

Robb: …that we’re rushed, but, yeah, it was a private message, compared to the Greg Everett days-

Nicki: Oh.

Robb: …where we would just wax on and on and on.

Nicki: You had no kids and no… (laughs)

Robb: We had no kids and, also… I try to be as thorough as I can, but also concise because people have a shortened attention span these days-

Nicki: Mm-hmm (affirmative).

Robb: …and so, try not to wax on too long, but trying to strike a balance between being both thorough and concise.

Nicki: Mm-hmm (affirmative).

Robb: So, there you have it.

Nicki: Yep.

Robb: Okay.

Nicki: Okay.

Robb: We’ll talk to y’all soon. Oh, thanks for the-

Nicki: No, no, no, no, no.

Robb: Oh, yeah.

Nicki: No, no, no, no, no, no. If you have questions, you can submit them, robbwolf.com contact page. What else?

Robb: Drink LMNT sponsored this podcast.

Nicki: Yep. Sponsored this LMNT

Robb: Drink Element, and even though we’re not-

Nicki: Coming into a summer, too, so, if you’re in a hot climate in particular, you’re going to want to be supplementing with electrolytes. If you’re active, and you were saying something-

Robb: And, love the Wild Planet guys. So, they’re a podcast sponsor this week, too. (laughs)

Nicki: (laughs)

Robb: They’re really amazing people. They… So, the back of this shirt says something like, “When you… would your tuna… How was your tuna caught? One line, one fish, one process.” They really are committed to sustainable fishing practices-

Nicki: Mm-hmm.

Robb: …and they’ve been beating this drum for a long time, so big shout out to the Wild Plant people. They’re wonderful folks doing some very cool work. In addition to the fish, they’re also doing some meat and chicken options-

Nicki: Oh, I didn’t know that.

Robb: …in like the vacu-seal packs and stuff like that, but they’re, like, organic and blessed by the Dalai Lama and all that stuff. But, really cool people, so, check out both of our sponsors, DrinkLMNT and also Wild Planet.

Nicki: Thanks, guys.

Robb: Take care. Buh-bye

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Is it possible to lose weight after 50?

While 50 may be the new 30, there are some physiological truths that can still make you look and feel like 50—especially when it comes to losing weight.

It’s impossible to deny that your body chemistry has changed over the last couple of decades. “No matter what your metabolism is like in your 20s, you have probably been told that it’s all just downhill once you hit 30,” says Luiza Petre, MD, a New York City-based weight loss and management specialist and assistant clinical professor of cardiology at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

We also lose muscle mass as we age at an average of 3 to 5% every 10 years past 35, according to Dr. Petre, which also impacts the way our bodies burn fat. “Your body goes into its aging stage as it leaves the growing one,” Dr. Petre explains. “When this happens, your body doesn’t need as much energy as it used to.”

What's more, those years of playing sports, sitting, walking up and down stairs, and moving in general take their toll on joints and muscles; you may notice they're a little stiffer and sorer than they were a few decades ago. Then there's the issue of our ever-slowing metabolisms. According to the American Council on Exercise, your resting metabolic rate (the ability to burn calories while doing nothing) decreases by about 1 to 2% percent per decade, thanks to a decrease in the amount of muscle you carry around (muscle burns calories) and increased fat mass (which is metabolically inactive). To add insult to pudge-boosting injury, our diets often don't change enough to account for this metabolic slow-down, meaning weight can creep up slowly but surely with every birthday.

"There are a number of roadblocks people in their 50s will face when trying to lose weight," says Brian Durbin, a NSCA-certified strength and conditioning specialist and personal trainer. "But once you know what they are—and how to work around them—it's easy to be successful at dropping pounds."

While it’s not impossible to lose weight after 50, the methods you used in your 30s or 40s are not going to work the same way. These eight tips, courtesy of some of the world’s best weight loss experts, nutritionists, and physical trainers, can help you drop those extra pounds—and keep them off for good.

how to increase energy after 50 http://www.weightlossforover50.com/how-to-increase-energy-after-50/

First, talk to your doctor

It’s never a good idea to create a weight loss plan for yourself without speaking to your physician first — especially if you have any preexisting health conditions. “Before you get started, it helps to fully understand your current state of health before beginning any diet or exercise plan,” advises Dr. Petre.

Be clear with your doctor what you hope to achieve, and ask for suggestions regarding diet and exercise. Your doc may even be able to recommend a physical therapist or personal trainer for you. Get your hormones checked

As we age, progesterone, testosterone, and other hormones decline, which sets the body up for storing instead of losing weight, says Jennifer Burns, NMD, a naturopathic physician in Phoenix. "Simply getting your thyroid, adrenal glands, and other hormone levels checked—and then taking the appropriate steps to bring them back into balance—can go a long way toward helping people in their 50s lose weight," says Burns. Tami Meraglia, MD, author of The Hormone Secret: Discover Effortless Weight Loss and Renewed Energy in Just 30 Days, agrees, adding that she believes the hormone to focus on is testosterone—especially for women over 50 who are trying to get fit. "There is ample discussion in the medical community about the effects of estrogen loss, but few people are aware of the importance of sufficient testosterone levels, which can help a woman slim down," says Dr. Meraglia. In fact, research shows that balanced testosterone levels reduce blood glucose levels, which may help promote weight loss and shrink stubborn belly fat.

Set realistic goals

Declaring that you’re going to lose 20 pounds in 1 month is unrealistic (not to mention unhealthy). “Be honest with yourself. How do you feel? How healthy are you? Making life changes takes courage and mental fortitude,” says Dr. Petre. Be realistic—and break up big goals into smaller, more achievable ones. If your ultimate goal is to shed 20 pounds, strive to drop around 1 pound a week. “Triumphs make your courage grow,” she adds. “Small achievements amount to large goals achieved.”

Follow a structured plan

If you want to succeed in losing weight, following a structured plan can help, says Dr. Petre. “Instead of trying and failing at yet another yo-yo diet this year, its time to get serious about your health by following a trusted program,” she suggests. She explains that medically supervised programs have over 75 percent success rate in helping you keep your weight off. “It has been proven that individual support programs can encourage a significant change in behavior and reinforce long-term success,” she adds. Diet programs that include weekly visits can also provide accountability and continued support to keep the momentum going.

Exercise for Flabby Arms for Seniors http://www.weightlossforover50.com/exercise-for-flabby-arms-for-seniors-getting-fit-at-50-and-beyond/

Embrace weight training

If you find it tough to make it to the gym at all, let alone brave a weight room filled with buff 20-somethings, here's a little motivation: Once you hit 50, you've got about 20% less muscle mass than you did when you were 20. And because muscle is so metabolically active, muscle loss equals a slower metabolism. That makes you much more likely to put on (and hold on to) extra pounds, says Durbin. "The good news is you can turn all of this around with a well-structured weight-training routine," he says. "That can increase your muscle mass and help you regain the ability to lose weight like you were able to 20 years ago," he says. Choose activities that are easy on the joints

Janna Lowell, a Los Angeles–based personal trainer, says she gets the best results among her 50-somethings when she has them do some cross-training in the pool. Tired joints can keep this population from getting a great workout, she says, and aches and pains can turn some people off exercise completely. "Water exercise is easy on the joints and can boost range of motion as well," says Lowell. "Even better, caloric expenditure is about 30% greater in the water than on land due to the resistance water creates." No pool? No problem. Walking is another great, low-impact cardiovascular exercise, as are cycling, kayaking, yoga, and dancing.

But don't slack at the gym

Just because your joints are a little achier than they used to be doesn't give you an excuse to phone in your workouts. Alex Allred, a former national and professional athlete turned personal trainer says this is one of her biggest pet peeves among 50-year-olds. "Far too many people think that just because they showed up, they're working out," says Allred. "But really, you need to be focused on what you're doing and pushing yourself hard enough to break a sweat or at least complete the full range of motion of a certain exercise." Not sure if you're doing a move properly? Ask! "I wish more people would flag down a trainer and ask, 'Am I doing this correctly?' " says Allred. It can make the difference between making the most of your exercise time to lose weight and wasting your time.

See a physical therapist

The advice to consult your doctor before starting any new exercise regimen is great, and Samira Shuruk, an ACE-certified personal trainer, suggests taking this advice a step further: Make an appointment with a physical therapist—particularly if an aching back, knee, or other body part has kept you from working out on a regular basis. "After 50, many people have sustained injuries and don't know what their activity options are," says Shuruk. "This makes it tough to exercise in ways we used to, and getting advice from a professional can truly help." Physical therapy can help you rehabilitate an old injury or ease joint and muscle pain, setting you up for pain-free workouts.

Overhaul your diet

Remember that metabolic slow-down? It can mean that you're burning about 250 fewer calories each day. If you continue to eat like you're in your 30s—and don't increase your exercise—you'll gain weight, plain and simple, says Katie Ferraro, RD, a dietitian and assistant clinical professor of nutrition at the University of California–San Francisco School of Nursing. "To lose weight when you get older, you have to eat fewer calories," says Ferraro. Crowding out the junk food in your diet with loads of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins can make cutting calories painless.

Change how and when you eat

It’s not just what you eat, but how you eat that matters in your 50s, claims Anthony Dissen, MA, RDN, Vice President of Nutrition at WellStart Health. He suggests focusing on fullness, not portion control, when you are planning your meals. “If our stomachs aren’t full, we don’t feel full, and we’ll stay hungry,” he points out. “When it comes to healthy weight loss and management, we want to strike that important balance between eating until we feel full and satisfied while still decreasing our overall calorie intake.”

Also, stay away from fad diets. “No crazy fasts, cleanses, cutting out fats, or complex carbohydrates or proteins,” adds Jillian Michaels, health and wellness expert and author of The 6 Keys: Unlock Your Genetic Potential for Ageless Strength, Health and Beauty.

How To Release Toxins From Fat Cells http://www.weightlossforover50.com/how-to-release-toxins-from-fat-cells-for-weight-loss-at-50-and-beyond/

Get your stress in check

This decade can be prime time for stress, says Durbin. "The average 50-year-old has many more responsibilities than their younger peers. They're often in their prime income-generating years, which means extra responsibilities at work. They may also have kids who are going to college—a financial burden—or have aging parents who they're helping to care for." The result? Emotional eating and a schedule that seems too jam-packed for regular exercise sessions. The solution: schedule your workouts like they're doctor's appointments, says Durbin. Sticking to a consistent routine can not only help ease stress but also help people stay on track with their diets. After all, who wants to ruin the benefits of a tough sweat session by eating a donut?

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