Problem: Article: Every tissue in your body is comprised of cellular proteins, and these are broken down and depleted when your body undergoes the strain of exercise. Replenish lost proteins and provide your body with enough to generate new muscular growth by consuming lean meats, eggs, nuts or dairy with every meal. Protein is the cornerstone of every bodybuilder’s diet.  Grilled, skinless chicken breasts, eggs cooked in olive oil instead of butter, almonds and skim milk are all excellent low-cost, high-protein choices. Athletes and those seeking to build muscle mass require much more daily protein than the average person. A good general rule is to ingest at least half a gram of protein for every pound of your body weight per day (if you weigh 200 lbs, that’s 100 g of protein). Try adding basic supplements to your diet to ensure that you’re meeting your nutrition requirements. It can be difficult to get as much protein and other nutrients as you need every day from regular food. This is where supplements come in. A protein shake or bar can quickly net you 30 or 40 g of pure protein without the need to painstakingly prepare a meal.  These supplements are available at any time and are a good way to stave off hunger cravings. They can even be used to replace meals if you’re in a hurry.  For most people, a high-quality whey protein supplement (and possibly some creatine, if you’re serious about packing on size) will be enough to supplement a standard diet. Protein supplements are especially important for vegans and vegetarians seeking to build muscle mass, as the foods richest in protein are usually forbidden from these diets. Vegetarian and vegan proteins are derived from natural plant sources and function identically in the body.  While they are convenient, protein shakes, energy bars and other supplements should never take the place of fresh, whole food on a day-to-day basis. They are just that: supplements. You always heard this as a child, and it’s still good advice now. Brightly-colored vegetables are full of antioxidants and other nutrients like iron, potassium, dietary fiber and vitamins. These should find a steady place in your diet. Generally speaking, vegetables that are green, leafy, or come in especially bright or dark colors contain the highest concentrations of beneficial nutrients. This makes produce like broccoli, kale, spinach and sweet potatoes perfect for building a healthy body. Fats and carbohydrates are calorie-dense food types, meaning they provide immediate and lasting energy to the body. While most people arguably rely too much on the availability and culinary appeal of these foods, they are indispensable for active individuals. The majority of your carbohydrates should come from “clean” sources, such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables (as opposed to enriched grains, starchy pastas, processed sugar, etc.), while for fats you should mostly stick to the mono- and polyunsaturated variety, which includes offerings like avocados, almonds, and olive oil.  Carbohydrates are essential for fueling strenuous activity, but can also easily cause unwanted fat production if you go overboard with them. Your recommended carb intake depends on a variety of factors (including age, weight, height, and activity level). Try an online calculator to determine how many grams of carbohydrates you should eat daily.  Mono- and polyunsaturated fats contain compounds that target free-radicals in the body’s cells, reversing oxidation damage and keeping you looking and feeling healthy. This is a no-brainer, but everyone sometimes needs a gentle reminder, especially with the renewed popularity of junk food items like pizza, cupcakes and mac and cheese. Save these treats for a hard-earned cheat day, or for the first meal following a grueling workout, where most of the excess calories will be used to restore the muscles’ lost energy. Building a strong body requires restraint as well as effort — it would be a shame to blow a week’s worth of sweat on a couple ill-advised food choices. Resist the urge to binge eat. If you’re hungry, make or order a balanced meal that contains at least 1/3 lean protein with a carbohydrate source and a fresh fruit or veggie. Don’t wait until you’re starving and can’t help but pull into the fast food drive-thru on your way home.
Summary: Get plenty of protein. Use supplements to complete your diet. Eat green vegetables. Choose the right fats and carbohydrates. Limit your intake of unhealthy foods.

Problem: Article: Relax, take a deep breath and press your foot so the machine runs fast and move the frame slowly in your hands.  Start by working loops of the letter e over and over again, trying not to speed up as you go round the bends. To practice work in an open space but you may find it helpful to work inside a 2in grid, which could be machined on fed sewing before you start or you can draw it on with pencil. Repetition and practice definitely helps.  Ideas for patterns are:  Cross hatch. Scribble. Circles. Meandering. Feathers. Shells. Leaves. Try lettering, your signature, or perhaps there are shapes from your mark making exercises or design work that could be translated to stitch. Make a note of the threads and machine settings used, especially how the threads behaved.
Summary: Use the needle as a pencil. Have some scrap paper and a pencil beside you and work the ideas on paper first – you’re trying to get the brain to use the needle as a pencil! Look for PATTERNS that occur in nature – animal markings, wood grain, marble, water reflections etc! As you become more confident, work without a grid and try to work continuous patterns.

Problem: Article: Babies with low muscle tone are usually described as floppy or feeling like a "rag doll" when held. This condition is known as hypotonia. Infants usually have flexed elbows and knees, whereas those with low muscle tone have loosely extended joints.  While infants with normal tone can be lifted and held from under the armpits, babies with hypotonia typically slip from their parents' hands because their arms rise without resistance.  Hypotonia results in weaker stomach muscles. Therefore, the stomach may extend outward more than usual.  Poor muscle control of the head (head rolling to the side or forward and backward) is also a symptom. Children affected by Down Syndrome often grow slower than other children, and are therefore shorter in stature. Newborns with Down Syndrome are usually small, and a person with Down Syndrome will most likely remain short through adulthood.  A study conducted in Sweden shows that the mean birth length is 48 centimeter (18.9 in) for both males and females with Down Syndrome. In comparison, the average length for those without the disability is 51.5 cm. Also look for excess fat or skin surrounding the neck. In addition, neck instability tends to be a common issue. While neck dislocation is uncommon, it is more likely to occur in people with Down Syndrome than those without the disability. Caretakers should be aware of a lump or pain behind the ear, a stiff neck that doesn't heal quickly, or changes in the way a person walks (appearing unsteady on their feet). This includes legs, arms, fingers, and toes. Those with Down Syndrome often have shorter arms and legs, a shorter torso, and higher knees than those without it.  People with Down Syndrome often have webbed toes, which is distinguished by the fusing together of the second and third toe.  There may also be a wide space between the big toe and second toe, and a deep crease on the sole of the foot where this space is. The fifth finger (pinky) can sometimes only have 1 flexion furrow, or place where the finger bends.  Hyperflexibility is also a symptom. This is identifiable by joints that seem to easily extend beyond the normal range of motion. A child with Down Syndrome may easily "do the splits," and may be at risk of falling over as a result. Having one singular crease across the palm of the hand, and a pinky finger that curves towards the thumb are additional characteristics.
Summary:
Look for low muscle tone. Look for shortened height. Look for a short and wide neck. Look for short and stocky appendages.