MTips

How to Downshift to Pass or Slow Down
By Jackie Johnson
How to Downshift to Pass or Slow Downthumbnail Cars with manual transmissions get better mileage.

Once you learn to drive a vehicle with a manual transmission, it becomes second nature to shift. The learning process, however, can be difficult, so it’s a good idea to practice downshifting in an empty parking lot or a quiet street. Once you learn how to downshift from third gear to second gear or fourth to third, it’s easy to downshift from fifth gear to fourth in order to gain extra speed to pass, slow the car going down a steep hill, or to use the engine and the brakes together to slow down more quickly.

To Downshift to Pass or Slow Down Instructions:

• Push the clutch in with your left foot and then move the shifter out of fifth gear and into fourth. If you want to shift into third gear, repeat the process, only downshift from fourth to third.
• Lift your foot away from the clutch gradually once you’re in the lower gear.
• Step on the gas pedal if you want to pass someone just after downshifting. Downshifting to pass gives your engine more power, and once your speed is sufficient, you can shift the car back into fifth gear to complete the pass. If you want to slow down, do not step on the gas after shifting. After the car has slowed sufficiently, shift back into fifth gear to go faster and get better gas mileage.

• If your car has an automatic transmission, you can also downshift it by moving the shifter from drive to the next lower gear to pass or slow it down.

• Do not skip a gear when downshifting, as this can damage your engine.
• It’s best to downshift to first gear at a full stop rather than downshifting from second gear.

Why People Return to School After 50
By Jenny Adkins
Why People Return to School After 50thumbnail Older students are more likely financially settled than younger students.

While most Americans typically go to college starting in the late teenage years, others opt to return to school after age 50. There are many motivations underlying an older person’s return to school. Older students hitting the books later in life can find many scholarship opportunities, reduced pressures from family and new growth opportunities in the workplace.

People Return to School After 50 Instructions:

• Career Changes – Older students may return to college after a layoff or a long period of unemployment. Others may consider college as the path to a new career after decades in a dissatisfying job. Older students are more likely to have a greater savings than younger people, making college a possibility for adults who face early retirements or job loss. College education can also give older students relevant skills in the job market, making them a more valuable alternative to younger students graduating from college.
• Scholarships – When stepping through the doors of college for a first or second time around, older students can still earn scholarships or financial aid to pay for classes. Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. Students with a low household income can earn greater financial aid. Some organizations, such as the Jeanette Rankin Foundation, award grants to women older than age 35. Some states, such as Kentucky, also award additional aid to students older than 25 who return to school. Check with the offerings of your state government or your chosen school to find out about scholarship opportunities for adults older than 50.
• Personal or Career Growth – Older students may be out of debt with grown children and an abundant savings, but with little else to occupy time. College can become a way for an older student to spend his time, achieving personal growth while building skills for a potential future career. Attending and completing college coursework can lead to a feeling of accomplishment and usefulness. An older student may also find that his skills in the job market are outdated. Returning to school can help a student learn new skills that are more viable in the job market. These skills can make advancement in the workplace less trying for older students.
• Fewer Life Pressures – Students who start attending college in the teenage years or twenties may find themselves mired in family pressures, stress with bills and little money, getting married or starting a family. Students older than 50 typically do not have the same concerns as younger students. Less pressure at home, in the workplace or on money can lead people older than 50 to consider attending college. Women may choose to wait until their children are grown, or men may wait until they have saved up enough money to return to college. Returning to college later in life offers fewer distractions and concerns than attending college earlier in life.

How to Bring on a Sneeze
By Sarah Morgan
How to Bring on a Sneezethumbnail Sneezing is one of the body’s self-protection mechanisms.

We usually sneeze when exposed to excess amounts of dust in the air, or when we come into contact with something to which we are allergic. The Scientific American website reports that, “Sneezing is a physiologic response to the irritation of the respiratory epithelium lining of the nose.” Sneezing is a reflexive action that we often cannot control. There maybe times when you feel a need to sneeze, but aren’t able to. However, there are a few simple ways to make yourself sneeze

To Bring on a Sneeze You’ll Need:

• Tissue
• Pepper (or ginger powder)
• Perfume

To Bring on a Sneeze Instructions:

• Twist one end of your tissue into a tight point. Insert the tip of the point into your nostril, pushing it far back. Rotate the tissue in a circular motion that tickles. This method produces a sneeze almost every time, and sometimes it generates more than one. Make sure not to push the tissue forcefully into your nostrils, though, as this can damage the sensitive tissue of your nasal cavity. Be gentle and move slowly for optimal safety.
• Get some pepper and some ginger powder. Sniff the pepper first, making sure not to actually inhale the pepper itself. This generates a sneeze in many, but if it doesn’t work on you, move on to the ginger powder. Sniff the powder, again making sure not to inhale the powder itself. A sneeze should be well on its way.
• Spray a single spritz of your perfume, aiming away from your body. Quickly bring the spray applicator to your nose and inhale deeply. Keep your nostrils off the actual applicator, so that none of the liquid enters your nostrils. The intensity of the fragrance should quickly produce a big sneeze.

• Have a fresh tissue handy.

How to Deal With Someone Who Cuts Themselves
By Brittany Laneaux
How to Deal With Someone Who Cuts Themselvesthumbnail Somone in pain can resort to hurting themselves, but there are ways to deal with it.

When someone we know engages in self-injurious behavior, it is very difficult to understand and deal with and can often lead to feelings of helplessness for friends and family. In addition to self-cutting, other forms of self-injurious behavior may include punching themselves or other things, burning themselves with cigarettes or lighters, pulling out hair, poking themselves or breaking bones. Instead of wondering what to do, take practical steps to help someone who cuts themselves.

To Deal With Someone Who Cuts Themselves Instructions:

• Educate yourself. The more you understand and are able to empathize with the person hurting themselves, the more you can effectively be there for them. When researching, try to stick with resources written by someone with medical credentials or firsthand experience, and be realistic as to the impact you will have. Ultimately, it is up to the person to seek and receive help, and there is nothing that you can do or say to make that happen.

Acknowledge the person’s pain. According to the S.A.F.E. Organization (Self-Abuse Finally Ends), self-injurers report that reasons for cutting and other harmful behaviors include not feeling understood, feeling empty, feeling lonely or as a way to release the pain they are in. No matter whether it is a situation you can relate to or not, acknowledging their pain shows them that it is real to someone else, and that they don’t have to deal with it alone.

Ask the person to talk to someone they trust. Treatments for this type of behavior can range from outpatient therapy to inpatient hospitalization, but in order to get to that point, the person hurting themselves must be willing to talk to someone and face their situation.

Offer ways to boost self-esteem. GirlsHealth reports that self-esteem can be a major contributor to self-destructive behavior, so helping someone boost their esteem could at least point them to recovery. Activities such as volunteering in the community, learning new crafts or skills, practicing saying positive things about yourself out loud or any other activity that ultimately leads to positive self-thinking or puts the focus on something more global can boost self-esteem.
Identify particular stressors and help explore different coping methods. Even when someone is doing better, stress can be a setback mentally and physically. Pinpointing the specific things that set someone off may give the opportunity to choose an alternative method to cutting in order to cope. A few coping methods include exercising, working on something enjoyable or talking with someone.

How to Use the Contour Kegel
By Aubrey Bailey
How to Use the Contour Kegelthumbnail Pregnancy can weaken pelvic floor muscles.

Pelvic floor muscles attach to multiple parts of the pelvic bone. These muscles support organs such as the bladder, rectum, intestines and the uterus. Weakness of the pelvic floor muscles can cause urinary and fecal incontinence, prolapse of pelvic organs through the vagina and decreased sexual pleasure. These muscles become weak with pregnancy, childbirth, obesity and as part of the natural aging process. The Natural Contour Energie Kegel exerciser is a device that is used to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles.

To Use NOW Bentonite Powder You’ll Need:

• Pillows
• Natural Contour Energie Kegel exerciser
• Personal lubricant

To Use NOW Bentonite Powder Instructions:

• Lay on your back on a comfortable surface. Use pillows to support your upper body, bend your knees and rest your feet on the surface.
• Insert one end of the Natural Contours Energie into your vagina. Choose the end that is most comfortable. Use lubricant to make this process easier.

Tighten your pelvic muscles, squeeze against the Energie and draw your muscles inward. Apply increasing tension until you feel your lower abdominal muscles draw your belly button in. Hold this position for 30 seconds. Relax, and repeat 10 times.

• Repeat these steps with the Energie at different depths of penetration to work various muscles of the pelvic floor. As you gain strength, perform these exercises for 5 to 10 minutes each day.

How Do I Slow My Speech Down?
By Hannington Dia
How Do I Slow My Speech Down?thumbnail Talking fast will work against you during public speaking.

People talk quickly for many reasons. Regional differences, nervousness or even natural habit can speed up your speech. Whatever the reason, fast speech can be detrimental. Others have a hard time understanding you, which will work against you in situations like a job interview. You might come off as nervous and lacking in confidence as well. You can take steps to slow down your speech and become more clear, such as performing deep breathing exercises, reading with rhythm and self-monitoring your speech.

To Slow My Speech Down You’ll Need:

• Poetry
• Sticky notes

To Slow My Speech Down Instructions:

• Practice deep-breathing exercises every morning. Lie down with a small book on your stomach, allowing the book to move up and down as you breathe. You can also try standing up straight, placing your fingers along your lower ribs facing down and taking slow, deep breaths through your nose. Breathing exercises will help calm you down, slowing your speech as a result. They also ensure you take in enough oxygen. This helps prevent slow digestion, depression and fogginess, symptoms of decreased oxygen flow to the lower lungs.
• Read poetry daily. Poetry has a set rhythm with built-in pauses. Following this rhythm will help you develop your own natural speaking rhythm. Pause at every comma and at the end of each verse. Choose poems such as “Phenomenal Woman” by Maya Angelou and William Shakespeare’s “Shall I Compare Thee To a Summer’s Day?,” which contain many pauses.
• Self-monitor your speech patterns. Write down the word “pause” on a sticky note and place it on your refrigerator door. Attach the note to your computer at work as a reminder to slow down and regain yourself when you begin talking fast.
• Tell your friends and family about your mission to slow down your speech. Ask them to tell you when you talk very fast.

How to Curb the Appetite With Purified Water & Lemons
By Victoria Ramirez
How to Curb the Appetite With Purified Water & Lemonsthumbnail Drink purified lemon water throughout the day to keep hunger pangs in check.

What makes purified water different from other types of bottled water is that it goes through a stringent filtration process. According to The United States Environmental Protection Agency, purified water is virtually free from all chemicals. It is filtered through a variety of filtration methods to remove chemicals, deposits and microbes, which can have a negative impact on the quality and taste of the water. Combine clean, crisp, purified water with the fat-burning potential of lemons and ice cubes, and you have a refreshing drink that curbs your appetite.

To Curb the Appetite With Purified Water & Lemons You’ll Need:

• 3 trays of ice made from purified water
• Stainless steel or glass pitcher
• Purified water
• 4 lemon wedges
• Knife
• Cutting board

To Curb the Appetite With Purified Water & Lemons Instructions:

• Remove ice cubes from two trays of ice and place them inside a pitcher designed to keep water cold. You can also crush the ice manually with a blender, or use pre-crushed ice, to make your drink colder.
• Wash and clean the lemons with cold water. Cut each lemon in half and then cut it again to make four equal sections.
• Pour water into the pitcher. Leave about 2 to 3 inches from the top to allow room for the lemon wedges.
• Squeeze the juice of the lemons into your water pitcher. Use the juice of only one wedge if you only like a little bit of lemon flavor and use more than one to give the water a lot of lemon flavor.
• Place the lemon wedges inside the pitcher after you juice the lemons. Insert a straw and enjoy your drink.
• Allow the ice to chill the water inside the pitcher. Wait at least 20 to 30 minutes before serving.
• Drink purified water with lemons throughout the day whenever you feel hunger pangs. Soon after you drink the lemon water, you will notice that your hunger pangs subside.

• Adding water to lemon juice helps raise the low acidic pH level of lemon juice to a more neutral level. They also suggest rinsing your mouth out with water after sucking, eating or drinking any beverages containing lemon juice.
• Do not use sugar to flavor the water. Sugar has empty calories and interferes with the lemon water’s ability to burn fat and reduce hunger.
• Increase your fat burning potential by sucking on a few lemons and adding a spicy accent, such as cayenne pepper to the top of the lemon. The heat from the cayenne pepper helps to boost your metabolism up to an hour after you eat it and gives you even more of a fat burning incentive.
• Freeze the water and then defrost it to make a fat free slushy.

• Do not use ice cubes made from tap water, as this can effect the overall quality and taste of the water.

How to Gain Weight as a Bodybuilder
By Jay Jay Waltz
How to Gain Weight as a Bodybuilderthumbnail A good weight gain diet will increase your calories while keeping your body fat percentage down.

Gaining weight can be tough for bodybuilders of any level. Gaining lean, muscular body weight can be just as tough for bodybuilders as it is for overweight or obese people to lose weight. Therefore, it is vital to pay attention to your nutrition and your calorie intake. You can gain dense, muscular body weight while keeping yourself trim by improving your diet and increasing your daily caloric consumption.

To Gain Weight as a Bodybuilder You’ll Need:

• Food journal

To Gain Weight as a Bodybuilder Instructions:

• Determine your daily caloric intake each day for a week to determine your average calorie consumption. Write down every food and drink you ingest along with their calories in your food journal. Add the calories together at the end of the day; at the end of the week, add all seven figures together and divide their sum by seven. The answer is your average daily caloric intake.
• Gain weight by increasing your caloric intake past your daily average. Add 500 to 1,000 calories to your daily average per day for a week. Note any weight gain at the end of the week in your food journal. Increase your calories slowly every week as you monitor your gains.
• Focus your diet around consuming calorie-dense, healthy foods for weight gain. Eat plenty of unrefined, complex carbohydrates such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds. Include lean proteins from fish, poultry and lean cuts of meat. Add healthy fats sources to your nutrition through consuming walnuts, cold-water fish and flax seed.
• Drink beverages such as fruit juices and milk. Drinks like apple juice or orange juice can add plenty of calories to your diet while providing vitamin C.

• Continue exercising regularly while you increase your calories. Exercise will keep your body lean while you gain weight.
• Spread your calories throughout the day by eating five to six meals.
• Stay away from drinking soda or alcohol as a source of calories.

• Consult a nutritionist before adding hefty amounts of calories to your diet.
• Be careful of overeating as a bodybuilder. You may potentially become overweight, especially if you stop exercising.

How to Gain Net Weight
By Vivek Saxena
How to Gain Net Weightthumbnail Never skip a meal because it will adversely affect your metabolism rate.

Most people are concerned with trying to lose weight, but there are a select few who are plagued by the opposite. These people are unable to increase their net weight. Perhaps you have an extremely high metabolism, or maybe you are constantly on the go, or you just have a small appetite. Not only is being too thin unhealthy, it prevents you from participating in certain sports like football and boxing. The best way to gain net weight is to do it healthfully by eating nutritious food, supplementing your diet and never going hungry.

To Gain Net Weight Instructions:

• Supplement your diet with protein shakes. Several 25g to 35g protein shakes per day can help you put on healthy weight and promote muscle growth. Choose protein mixes that are low in sugar and sodium.
• Choose food items that have a lot of calories, vitamins, and fiber, but very little fat. This will allow you to gain healthy weight. According to Dr. Roger Unger from the University of
• Texas, eating too much fat can promote heart disease and cancer.
• Avoid skipping meals. Ideally, you want to eat four to six small meals interspersed throughout the day. This will keep your metabolism at the same rate, but it will also prevent you from overeating, which would lead to you gaining fat.
• Begin working out with weights. This will ensure that all the calories and protein you consume manifest in the form of muscles instead of pouches of fat. Weightlifting will also increase your metabolism, but you can curb that by reducing the amount of aerobic exercise you do.
• Drink a small portion of alcohol prior to a meal to stimulate your appetite. In case you don’t feel hungry, which is a problem faced by many thin people, a little bit of alcohol will stimulate your stomach, which will in turn stimulate your brain and help make you more hungry.
• Find ways to release your tension. Being stressed out and always on the go uses up valuable calories. Slow down your life by taking more moments to relax. Consider signing up for a weekly massage or speaking to a psychotherapist.
• Eat healthy snacks between meals. Foods like hummus, tuna, baked chips and lunch meat will keep your metabolism steady. If you don’t satiate your body, your metabolism speed will drop. A drop in metabolism leads to a lower appetite.

• If you start to feel hungry, eat either a snack or meal.

• Avoid stuffing yourself with unhealthy foods like burgers and fries.
• Eat a lot, but don’t overeat.
• Don’t stop exercising.

How to Be Sure You’re Not Gaining Weight
By Sarah Trahnesie
How to Be Sure You’re Not Gaining Weightthumbnail Be Sure You’re Not Gaining Weight

Whether you have just lost weight as a result of successful dieting or whether you simply want to maintain your current weight, it may be important to you to make sure you are not gaining any weight. By developing a basic understanding of caloric intake, adopting consistent eating and exercise habits and monitoring your weight, you can maintain your current weight.

To Be Sure You’re Not Gaining Weight You’ll Need:

• scale

To Be Sure You’re Not Gaining Weight Instructions:

• Understand what causes weight gain. People gain weight when they consume more calories than they burn. Different people burn calories at different rates. The bottom line is that if you want to maintain your weight, you must consume the same amount of calories that you burn each day. You can use a calorie calculator to find out approximately how many calories you burn during the course of a day.
• Make sure that your caloric intake does not exceed the amount of calories you burn each day. This can be accomplished in a number of ways. You can count the calories contained in the foods you eat in order to ensure that you do not exceed the amount that you expend in a regular day. However, counting calories can be time consuming and difficult for some people to do, especially when dining in restaurants. Once you have gained a general idea about how many calories are in certain foods, you can work to develop consistent eating habits, eating relatively the same amount of food each day. By consuming a consistent number of calories daily, you can ensure the calories you expend are equal to the number you consume.
• Exercise is also important in maintaining your weight. If you are consuming more calories than you would normally expend over the course of a day, doing some extra exercise can help you burn those extra calories. Different activities burn different numbers of calories, depending on how intense the activities are. Exercise is great for the body, so you should try to do some physical activity each day, regardless of how many calories you are eating.
• Monitor your weight. You don’t have to get on the scale every day, but periodic checks to make sure you are not gaining weight are important in maintaining your weight. Remember, a person’s weight fluctuates by a few pounds over the course of a day. You should not conclude that you are gaining weight if the scale indicated you gained a pound or two from one day to the next. If your weight remains within a few pounds every time you check it, you are successfully maintaining your weight. However, if you notice your weight steadily rising, that is an indicator that you need to adjust your caloric intake or increase your physical activity.