10 Guilty Pleasures for Hopelessly Boring Couples

When you’re young, you’re desperate to try new things – especially when it comes to your sexual wellness. But once you grow up, get married, have kids etc. you can start pining for those teenage favourites, like soppy, cheesy and uber-romantic dates. Family wellness expert Chaunie Brusie, author of Tiny Blue Lines: Reclaiming Your Life and Preparing For Your Baby, details, ‘When my husband and I were dating, one of our favourite things to do was take a late-night walk around our college campus and hit up the local convenience store for our respective favourite pints of ice cream…Now, officially “grown up,” with a house, a mortgage, careers, kids, and even a fourth baby on the way, it seems like those carefree, ice cream-eating days of dating of old are gone forever. But I was inspired…to create my own list of guilty pleasures for couples, even this hopelessly boring one.’ Why not try one of Brusie’s guilty pleasures on your next date night?

 

1. Late Night Ice Cream Sessions: ‘Because obviously,’ states Brusie. ‘Did you really think this wouldn’t make the list? Bonus points for enjoying your ice cream accompanied by a cheesy movie and/or anywhere outside.’

 

2. Watching The Sunrise Under a Cosy Blanket: According to Brusie, there’s no limit to ‘how beautiful this guilty pleasure can be. If you have to play hooky from work together to make this one happen, all the more romantic.’

 

3. Staying Up All Night Together: ‘I’m not talking about staying up all night together because you have no choice with small, screaming children,’ says Brusie. ‘I’m talking about staying up all night just for fun, and indulge in some crazy, cheesy, calorie-ridden meal because nothing tastes better in the middle of the night.’

 

4. Couples’ Massages: Brusie asks, ‘Need I say more? There’s always the DIY option if your budget does not approve.’

 

5. Sleeping Alone…To Start With: According to Brusie, ‘Maybe this is just a phenomenon of the long-married, but there’s something that makes sleeping alone in your marital bed that feels gloriously guilty. Maybe your husband is out on the town for a boys’ night, or maybe you’re sipping cocktails for a bachelorette party, but starting out alone then slipping underneath the covers can certainly spice things up a bit.’

 

6. Cookie Dough: Brusie asserts, ‘Salmonella warnings, be damned. Heat up the kitchen by mixing up a batch of homemade cookies — and feeding each other the dough. Somehow, I love cookie dough more than the cookies.’

 

7. A Late Night On the Town: ‘I’m going to let my parenting side show here,’ Brusie admits. ‘But is there anything more reckless than a night of drinking with your man when you know you don’t have to get up with kids the next day? Call me crazy, but I can’t properly enjoy a night out if I know I have a morning in the next day. Babysitter + booze = night made.’

 

8. Shameless Netflix Marathons: Brusie points out, ‘We’ve all been there. But if you and your man can get on board with the same show? It’s a match made in sitcom heaven. My husband and I so rarely agree on TV shows, me being more Call The Midwife and he being all Star Trek every season that I don’t even count this one as guilty.’

 

9. Browsing Dream House Plans Together: ‘So you’ll never really be able to build that 4,000-square-foot home with the pool and swim-up bar,’ Brusie allows. ‘But it never hurts to look and dream together, right?’

 

10. Making Out in the Car: Brusie comments, ‘Don’t believe me? Give it a whirl, even if you’re just stopped in the grocery store parking lot. I’m not sure why this can be so exciting, but I guess we can all just be thankful that we are cheap dates these days.’

Categories: brusie, cookie dough, date night, guilty, guilty pleasures, ice cream, late night, long-term relationship, making plans, nbsp, night, night nbsp

Experts Share their Best “How-To” Weight Loss Tips

They say it’s the little things that matter, and this is certainly the case when it comes to your weight loss programme. Sure, you need to look after your wellbeing with a healthy diet and exercise regimen, but on top of that you need a few little extras to get your body where you want it to be. So how do you do it? We’ve gathered a few wellness experts together to discuss their top “How-To” weight loss tips.

 

1. How to Satisfy Late-Night Sugar Cravings: Jackie Newgent, RD, author of The Big Green Cookbook, recommends, ‘To satisfy your sweet tooth without pushing yourself over the calorie edge, even in the late night hours, think “fruit first.” Wellness writer Leslie Barrie adds, ‘Enjoy a sliced apple with a tablespoon of nut butter (like peanut or almond) or fresh fig halves spread with ricotta. Then sleep sweet, knowing you’re still on the right, healthy track.’

 

2. How to Find the Perfect Workout Buddy: According to Barrie, ‘A workout buddy is hugely helpful for keeping motivated, but it’s important to find someone who will inspire—not discourage. So make a list of all your exercise-loving friends, then see who fits this criteria…Can your pal meet to exercise on a regular basis? Is she supportive (not disparaging) of your goals? And last, will your bud be able to keep up with you or even push your limits in key workouts? If you’ve got someone that fits all three, make that phone call.’

 

3. How to Stock Up Your Cupboard: ‘While there are heaps of good-for-you foods out there, some key ingredients make it a lot easier to meet your weight-loss goals,’ says Barrie. ‘Next grocery store run, be sure to place [these] top three diet-friendly items in your cart: balsamic vinegar (it adds a pop of low-cal flavor to veggies and salads), in-shell nuts (their protein and fiber keep you satiated), and fat-free plain yogurt (a creamy, comforting source of protein).’

 

4. How to Relieve Your Aching Muscles: After a gruelling workout, submerge your lower body in a cold bath for 10 to 15 minutes (you may have to throw some ice cubes in to get it to the 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit you’re after). ‘Many top athletes use this trick to help reduce soreness after training sessions,’ says ASICS running coach Andrew Kastor. ‘An athlete training for an important race should consider getting one to two massages per month to help aid in training recovery.’

 

5. How to Tell You’re Wearing the Right Trainers: ‘Your shoes should feel comfortable from the first step,’ Kastor asserts. To achieve this feeling, Barrie advises, ‘Shop in the evening—your feet swell during the day and stop in the late afternoon, so you want to shop when they’re at their biggest. Also make sure the sneaks are a little roomy—enough so that you can wiggle your toes, but no more than that.’

 

6. How to Pick the Right Workout Playlist:Barrie points out, ‘Running with music is a great way to get in a groove (just make sure it’s not blasting too loudly, or you won’t hear those cars!). To pick the ultimate iPod playlist, think about what gets you going.’ Kastor details, ‘I know several elite athletes that listen to what we’d consider “relaxing” music, such as symphony music, while they do a hard workout.’

 

7. How to Weigh Yourself: Newgent explains, ‘It’s best to step on the scale in the morning before eating or drinking—and prior to plunging into your daily activities.’ Barrie adds, ‘For the most reliable number, be sure to check your poundage at a consistent time, whether daily or weekly.’

Categories: barrie, barrie adds, late night, loss, loss tips, nbsp, playlist, trainers, Weight Loss, Workout, workout buddy, Workout Partner