Taking B-Complex tablets really helps, and during an outbreak, Virolex cream is absolutely top-tier.
You can actually "predict" a herpes breakout by getting ahead of it. If you notice that tingling or itching sensation on your lip, just apply Virolex (or something similar) immediately. All the symptoms usually vanish within 24 hours before any blisters even show up.
The only real issue is that we don't always have the cream on hand, and those blisters can pop up just minutes after the itching starts.
I phrased my post that way because I’ve seen several claims over on Reddit suggesting that "the body stores specific foods." That is simply incorrect. The body doesn't recognize food items individually; it only recognizes their components: carbohydrates, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, proteins (amino acids), vitamins, and minerals.
While vitamins and minerals—especially trace elements—don't provide calories, they play a vital role in human metabolism. This is why those who attempt to lose weight through starvation or unbalanced meals are putting their health at serious risk.
It is quite concerning that most people believe increased physical activity and occasional dieting are the only ways to shed fat. They fail to realize that nutrition, rather than exercise, plays the decisive role in weight gain and loss.
No one is suggesting that proteins and fats don't contain calories. In fact, fat holds the highest caloric density per gram. However, aren't carbohydrates actually the preferred energy source since the body can extract fuel from them much more efficiently than from fat?
Since our bodies cannot store proteins, minerals, or specific vitamins—unless you count muscle and bone as storage, which we certainly wouldn't want to lose volume in—must we not consume them on a daily basis?
My apologies if I came off a bit harsh earlier. It’s just that people often pick up the wrong information and then stress themselves out over nothing, without seeing any actual results.
The issue lies with carbohydrates, not specific foods. The trouble is that while most people love sweets, they actually consume the bulk of their carbs through savory staples like grains.
If you take a closer look at your recent comments, you might see the pattern yourself. You mentioned you've put on quite a bit of weight, and that with every new diet—of which I'm sure you've tried many—you find yourself losing less and less. So, the issue isn't the diet itself, nor is it your metabolism (though you might be one of those people who gains weight more easily); rather, it is your overall eating habits.
You are consistently eating the wrong way—meaning you aren't getting enough substantial, carb-rich meals—and then you try to go on a diet as an emergency measure. Under those circumstances, one cannot expect significant results.
Instead of going on a diet or, heaven forbid, starving yourself, you really need to change your dietary patterns by adjusting both the frequency and the composition of your meals.
On a final note, I must commend you; you are absolutely right that rigorous diets often do more harm than good. No one gains weight overnight, so one shouldn't expect to lose it just as quickly. Diets that promise dramatic shifts mostly just strip water from fat cells, and that weight comes back even faster than it left.
P.S. I am not a nutritionist, but I do have some knowledge regarding the topic we are discussing.
The body doesn't actually "store" food. It only stores excess carbohydrates in the form of fat.
Your body has no way of knowing how much you plan to eat later on. Only surpluses go into storage, and specifically those from carbs. Therefore, if you aren't overeating during a single meal and you aren't overdoing the carbohydrates, there is simply no way for it to turn into body fat.
If you're suggesting that working out builds muscle while simultaneously burning fat, then you've got it wrong. Those two things don't work in inverse proportion to one another.
It is entirely possible to gain muscle mass while gaining fat at the same time; conversely, it can happen without it (for instance, a slightly overweight person will likely pack on muscle faster than someone who is extremely thin).
Even a bodybuilder can put on fat if they consume an excess of calories.
Muscle mass is built through anaerobic exercise, whereas fat is lost through aerobic activity.
Ultimately, diet is the most critical factor in weight gain or loss, rather than exercise.
If you’re doing crunches "properly," hitting 500 reps is nearly impossible, let alone trying to do them every single day.
Partial muscle engagement doesn't offer much benefit; every exercise should move the muscle from a state of total relaxation to one of complete contraction. It would be best to perform crunches at the gym on an incline bench, keeping your hands crossed (or held together) at chest level.
I didn't say you shouldn't do crunches daily; it's simply that when you perform them correctly, you won't be able to do them every day (there is no point in training while the muscles are still inflamed).
Joshua Jones,
You see, this is what most people—especially girls—fail to grasp: it is much harder for someone who is chronically thin to gain weight than it is for someone else.
If your father feels good, then there is no need to force extra pounds on him, because at his age, he might only gain fat, which provides no benefit. There is also no reason to go to the gym and subject him to unnecessary strain or risk.
- An increase in abdominal fat deposits - Weak abdominal muscles (especially when combined with bloating)
For the first issue, there isn't a quick fix other than reducing fat through a combination of diet (not starving yourself, just eating right) and regular exercise.
The second scenario is quite common among people who don't work out; they have loose abdominal muscles, so they "get a belly" whenever they eat a heavy meal or deal with bloating (usually caused by gas from mixing different food types). You can easily tell if this is what you're dealing with by comparing how your stomach looks first thing in the morning versus after lunch. If that's the case, the only solution is to tone those core muscles.
It’s perfectly normal for your midsection to expand if you've had too much water, since water is practically incompressible; the only way for the stomach to shrink back down is for the body to absorb it, which simply takes time.
BTW, don't worry about getting massive, bulky muscles just from doing sit-ups; you would need to train with heavy weights very frequently to achieve that kind of bulk. Given the nature of abdominal muscles, training once a week is plenty—try 3 to 5 sets of ten reps (since larger muscles need more recovery time). The most important thing is to avoid overdoing it and focus on proper form, using a slow rhythm while keeping the muscles constantly engaged.
Mastering CATIA implies you’ve properly invested in the legitimate software along with its official documentation. Furthermore, one would likely own a specialized textbook—most probably in English—to cover those intricate details and advanced features.
To possess all of the above yet still struggle with CATIA would suggest a lack of basic competence. (No offense intended).
To have none of these resources—aside from a pirated version of CATIA—and then turn to a forum for assistance would be quite disrespectful to the community.
I was referring to those "interesting" fruit yogurt varieties that are basically the polar opposite of classic yogurt when it comes to gaining weight. 😉
See, that’s the hardest part to explain to people—that losing weight requires eating (in a specific way), not starving yourself. Once you get that through to them, the real challenge is getting them to actually stick to the plan, like having more frequent small meals and cutting back on carbs during the initial phase.
BTW, water doesn't make you gain or lose weight (even though it's a component of both fat and muscle), but without water, there is no metabolism. It's clear that increasing your water intake helps kickstart your metabolic rate, which in turn aids in weight loss.
Proprietary protein Blend: 85g 170% (from Whey protein Concentrate, Calcium/Sodium Caseinate, Soy Protein Isolate, Whey Powder, and Egg Albumen)
Maria Kelly6,
Having a morning snack with some apples and water isn't skipping a meal.
Soup doesn't make you gain weight if it's healthy (don't worry about the fat on top, as long as the soup itself isn't overly greasy).
Mixing different food groups is essential for one major reason: metabolism requires all those nutrients mentioned earlier to function correctly. If you only eat one thing, like carbs, you create an imbalance, and your body starts pulling protein right out of your own muscle tissue.
Regarding that idea about improper ab workouts—I have to admit, that's news to me. Given how limited most ab exercises are (standard sit-ups on a flat or incline bench, leg raises at 90°, and those trendy machines), it’s hard to imagine someone doing them so wrong that they actually deform their muscles to the point of looking like weight gain.
The most likely issue, which happens quite often, is simply poor form. People drop their torso too fast without resistance or use momentum to jerk themselves upward. That won't deform your muscles, though it certainly could lead to a spine injury if you're slamming your back against a machine.😉
Unfortunately, I can't suggest any specific fitness books since I haven't even looked at the covers of most of them. My understanding of nutrition and training comes strictly from talking to experts and my own personal experience.
Regarding skipping meals, "moon diets," and that sort of nonsense... here is the situation.
1. Skipping meals—essentially starving yourself—is NOT a healthy way to lose weight. It can be quite deceptive because you might see results in the short term (the first 15-30 days) and drop 4-5 pounds, but it isn't sustainable.
2. Any diet that demands you only eat specific food groups (like refusing to mix proteins and carbs or eating nothing but fruit) REPRESENTS A SHOCK TO THE SYSTEM. Regardless of any temporary progress they might show, they pose a potential risk to your health.
3. For the human body to function properly, it requires certain "ingredients": carbohydrates, proteins, minerals, and vitamins. By starving yourself, you deprive the body of carbohydrates (which causes fat stores to melt away, which is fine), but you also deprive it of protein. When that happens, the body begins pulling protein from muscle tissue to support metabolism—THAT IS VERY BAD because you end up losing both fat and muscle mass. Furthermore, you lose minerals, which is DANGEROUS since you cannot synthesize them and must get them through food, and you lose vitamins, which is EVEN MORE DANGEROUS because most must be ingested rather than produced by the body.
So, DO NOT SKIP MEALS. Instead, STRIVE TO REDUCE YOUR CARBOHYDRATE INTAKE, especially those with a high glycemic index (the ones that hit your bloodstream quickly). This includes white bread (unlike real whole grain or rye bread, which are perfectly fine), fruit juices, and fruits without fiber (like bananas or cherries). To save time, just find a good book on the subject; it will help you.
Additionally, don't forget to drink water. Without water, there is no metabolism, and the only way to flush excess fat from your system is through sweat and urine.
If what you say is true, there really is no saving you. 😉 Eating an entire bar of chocolate isn't a smart move even for someone who doesn't care for sweets, let alone for you with your massive sweet tooth. I suppose you'll have quite a bit of work left to do on yourself. 😉
Brian Hayes26,
The product mentioned ('Mega Mass') consists of carbohydrates and whey proteins; so, we aren't talking about isolated amino acids here, though one must admit the individual does know that proteins are actually made of amino acids.
Jerry Morales4,
That is simply a recipe for gaining excess body fat (and potentially some illnesses along the way), whereas one would assume a guy would want to gain mass by building muscle.
gentleviper12 said:Here is a foolproof strategy: 1. Wake up in the morning, eat a few cookies, and take a supplement (look, things like Mega Mass or weight gainers are fine, but don't go touching any anabolic steroids—not even mentioning them). Always take it with milk.
You're being a bit contradictory here. You recommend "Mega Mass" as a supplement—which is basically just high-calorie protein—yet you advise against "drinking proteins." Plus, you're grouping them together with steroids (in the US, "anabolics" and "steroids" refer to the same thing).
BTW, regarding gym workouts, you shouldn't eat anything heavy about an hour before training. However, having one or two bananas, an energy drink, or something carb-heavy is highly recommended. Then, about an hour after your workout, have a protein-rich meal and make sure to nap for at least thirty minutes to an hour (growth hormones activate while you sleep).
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Maria Kelly6 & placidjackal97
The only way to handle a carbohydrate addiction is to bring your intake down to reasonable levels, but to do that, you first need to know exactly what foods contain carbs and how much they have.
As for breaking a sugar habit, the "total restriction for a set period" approach is a mistake. If you do that, the only reason you'll resist sweets is because you know you can binge on them again once the deadline passes. Instead, try gradually reducing your sugar intake and cutting out the most problematic items (like chocolate 🙂) first. When a craving hits, eat something else instead—provided it’s carb-free, even if it isn't technically a sweet.
Contact lenses can actually tear because they are made from such lightweight, delicate material. One likely scenario? Handling them with sharp fingernails, even if they aren't long.
They can also crack, though they would need to be dry first. 😉
For about three or four years, I was a serious addict when it came to nasal sprays like Afrin. Every year, I could manage to sleep without them for a month or two, but the rest of the time, I had to use them before bed because my nose would clog up as soon as I laid down. If I caught a cold, I’d be using them five or six times a day and even waking up in the night to use them for a week straight.
Things hit a breaking point after one particular cold when my nose stayed permanently blocked, making it nearly impossible to function without the spray. Basically, my tear ducts were almost completely ruined.
Initially, I saw some so-called doctor who tried treating me with "essential oil drops from India" to clear my sinuses. That lasted maybe eight or nine months before the congestion returned, so I decided to take matters into my own hands. 🙂
After doing seven days of Menthol inhalations and using marshmallow root tea drops (which you can find at any local pharmacy), my breathing finally returned to normal. Even when I have a cold now, at least one nostril stays clear. During heavy colds, I just use ExxonMobil sprays for two or three days. No side effects at all, of course.
P.S. Just a quick tangent 😉 You are correct that age makes a significant difference in how someone responds to general anesthesia—whether it's inhaled or IV—and how successful the surgery will be. However, wouldn't you agree that any procedure requiring general anesthesia is a major shock to the system, both physically and mentally? A patient's blood sugar and blood pressure often spike due to anxiety, and the required dosage depends on all those factors, plus age and body type. It is quite easy to make a mistake if the situation isn't handled with absolute responsibility.
In my experience, I have heard of cases where irresponsible doctors caused a patient's death due to overdosing. I also know of instances where surgeries were canceled or postponed entirely by the anesthesiologist, who, as mentioned, holds the final authority over the surgical consent forms.
Have you ever tried inhaling Mentoklar drops? Consistency is key; one shouldn't give up after just a few days.
You should also look for wild burdock in nature—it looks somewhat like a small olive covered in fine hairs. You won't find it in any local grocery stores. Pick a few burdocks and slice them carefully; they tend to "pop" due to internal pressure, scattering seeds everywhere. Dilute the extracted liquid with water at a 1:40 ratio. Use about 2-3 drops per nostril. I suggest having some saline solution nearby just in case, because if the dilution isn't perfect, it stings quite intensely. This method has been proven more effective than standard nasal sprays. It clears the nasal passages just as well without the risk of dependency.
P.S. Regarding anesthesia: when things go wrong during surgery, side effects are often a secondary concern since the outcome can be fatal. Furthermore, anyone undergoing surgery is inherently unwell, so complications can arise regardless of age. Fortunately, your friends haven't experienced this, but when it happens...😲
I fear I may have understood you perfectly, yet you seem to be stating something that simply isn't true.
Based on what you just said, it implies the body "knows" you'll deny it chocolate later, so it stores everything up when you indulge once a month.
That is incorrect for several reasons.
First, the body doesn't recognize foods by their name, but by their composition; all foods consist of specific ratios of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats (along with vitamins and minerals).
Secondly, the body only creates fat stores—carbohydrates are stored as glycogen in the muscles and liver, and while proteins can't be stored, muscle tissue itself acts as a sort of protein reservoir—and this only happens when blood sugar rises above a certain threshold because of high carb intake that isn't being burned off.
Therefore, whether you eat chocolate every day or once a month, you will only gain weight if you consume more carbohydrates than you are currently burning, which applies to any other food with a similar carb count.
Not everything can be converted into fat, as you suggested; it is exclusively carbohydrates. However, it is true that many foods we eat daily are very high in carbs, so excessive consumption of various foods can indeed lead to fat storage.😉
I absolutely agree with the second part of your post, though the extra protein is unnecessary without exercise, as muscle growth requires both training and that additional protein.