Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Try counting calories. Use healthy last-minute diet tricks. Exercise. Get plenty of sleep.

Answer: If you need the structure of a diet to reach your goals, keep track of everything you eat and calculate the number of calories you are consuming by using an online calorie counter. Then compare that number to the number of calories you actually need. You can find this out by using an online Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) calculator.  Use this information to cut your calories by a safe amount. A modest reduction in calories, combined with a modest increase in activity, can go a long way in helping you reach your weight loss goals. Never consume less than 1,200 calories per day unless you are instructed to do so by a doctor and you are under medical supervision. To help you keep track of your calories on the go, try downloading a mobile app such as MyFitnessPal. If you need to slim down for a big event, make sure to diet in a healthy way.  Ramp up your healthy eating habits by making sure everything you eat is high in nutrients and vitamins. Try to cut out foods that cause inflammation. Common culprits are alcohol, grains, and sugar. Instead, eat lots of green vegetables. This should leave you looking and feeling less bloated in a pinch. Aim for 30 to 60 minutes of exercise each day. You can incorporate a combination of structured workouts, like jogging or taking a yoga class, and everyday activities, like walking up the stairs, into your lifestyle.  Assess your activity level by wearing a pedometer. This will give you a good idea of how much you are already moving during an ordinary day and how much activity you need to add into your daily routine. A combination of different types of exercise is ideal because it will allow you to focus on different muscle groups. In order for your body to function at its best, it needs ample time to recharge and regenerate. Aim for 8 hours of sleep every night. If this is impossible, see if you can get an extra 15 to 30 minutes each night. Anything helps!


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Drink a cup of tea. Massage your stomach. Apply heat. Try the NOT method.

Answer: Peppermint, ginger, lemon, or chamomile teas are wonderful stomach soothers.  These plants have bacteria-fighting properties, anti-bloating properties, and oils that aid relaxation.  Steep a hot cup of tea and sip it slowly to enjoy instant relief. Keep in mind that peppermint tea can be helpful in some cases, but it also has the potential to make matters worse, such as if you are experiencing heartburn or acid reflux. Pay attention to how your body responds to see if it is helpful or not. It’s natural to rub the part of our body that doesn’t feel right, and your stomach is no exception.  Fortunately, massage stimulates blood flow, and some say that it promotes quicker healing.  Your stomach will benefit from massage, whether you’re sitting up or laying down, both because it is comforting and because you may help manipulate any blockages.  You can stroke your stomach gently. Or you can apply firm pressure with your fingertips and massage your stomach with small circular movements. Use the heel of your hand to apply short or long strokes to your abdomen. Use a heating pad or a hot water bottle filled with hot water to relax your stomach.  The heat will relax your muscles and help loosen any cramps.  Only apply heat for 15 minutes at a time, giving yourself a 45-minute break in between applications, and remember, heat applied to your stomach is most effective when laying down. Anxiety can be especially tricky because it often masks itself with other symptoms.  This can lead you to think that you just have a headache or are short of breath, or that you have a stomachache or are sweating, and you might not associate these symptoms together, or individually with anxiety.  The NOT method is especially helpful with this.  Notice that you are having a sensation, such as an upset stomach.  Value the sensations for what they are – no more or less.  Allow yourself to feel them. Observe the sensation and really consider how it’s making you feel.  Give yourself permission to have those feelings. Take whatever action you think will help relieve the anxiety, which should make your stomach feel better.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Mix liquid dishwasher detergent with water to treat the bleach stains. Dip a clean, white cloth into the solution, and blot at the bleach stain. Let the solution soak for 5 minutes. Use a clean cloth to blot the treated area with cold water. Vacuum the treated carpet once it is dry to restore the natural texture.

Answer:
Diluted dishwasher detergent can help neutralize bleach stains on fabric, upholstery, and carpet. Different materials will require different water temperatures in order to be effective.  For fabric and upholstery, mix 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of liquid dishwasher detergent with 2 cups (470 mL) of cool water.  For carpet, mix 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of liquid dishwasher detergent with 2 cups (470 mL) of warm water. Warm water is typically preferred over cold water to treat or clean carpets as it is more effective in lifting dirt and liquid residues from the carpet fibers. Most professional carpet cleaners only use warm water to clean carpets. Work from the outside of the stain towards the center. You will have a better chance of reversing the less saturated areas away from the central point, so focus on the edges first. If you do not have a white cloth, use a colored cloth or cotton balls instead. Since you are lifting the bleach stain, it may stain whatever cloth you choose to use. You want to give the dishwasher detergent solution a chance to lift up the bleach stain. Just make sure the area is saturated with the solution before letting it soak. This will help remove any of the bleach residue that was lifted by the diluted dishwasher detergent. Continue to blot the area until it is dry, or until no more of the bleach is lifting from the treated area. Blot at the stain with more solution and rinse it with more clean water until the stain is less noticeable, or until you are satisfied with the results. The treated area of the carpet might be stiff or a bit matted once you are done cleaning it. Leave the carpet to dry overnight, and then run a vacuum over the carpet in the morning. To speed up the drying process, press paper towels into the carpet to absorb any excess liquid.