Problem: Article: A 50/50 mix of rubbing alcohol and water will work if you don't want to buy a specialized stretching fluid. This will greatly increase the speed of breaking it in by walking or combine with boot stretchers to make more extreme changes.  Leather stretching liquids will not work for synthetic boots. Some are specialized for patent leather or other subtypes, so read the label carefully. Check the label for special instructions. If a specific product requires a different method, follow its instructions. To avoid abrading the boot's material, dilute the rubbing alcohol with equal parts water. Lay down some black and white newspapers to catch spills and drips, or work over concrete where they won't matter. Don't use colored newspapers, as the ink can transfer onto the boots. Pick an unobtrusive spot on one of the boots, such as the back heel or the inside lip. Apply a small amount of the stretching liquid there and wait for it to dry. If it leaves a stain, try a different liquid or stretching method.  Only test the inside lip if it is the same material as the outside of the boot. Check for stains under both natural and artificial light, if possible. Apply stretching liquid to the area you want to be stretched and surrounding areas until the leather is damp or the synthetic material is visibly wet.  Apply a spray about 5 inches (12 cm) away from the boots. You can apply the liquid to the outside or inside of the shoe. It should stretch either way. If the liquid begins to run off the shoe, stop and wipe off the excess. Make your feet bulkier to stretch out the shoe more. If the shoes are only slightly abrasive, wearing only one pair of socks is fine. Use two pairs of socks for more significant stretching. Wear them the rest of the day and walk around as much as possible to maximize the stretching. Don't walk around in boots that are causing you pain. Skip to the next step instead. There's only so much you can achieve by wearing thick socks. If the boots are still too tight, buy a boot stretcher and use it to stretch the boot overnight:  Find a boot stretcher that stretches the correct area. Some are specialized for toe, instep, or calf stretching, while "two-way" varieties increase the general size of the foot area. Place the boot stretcher into the shoe. Push the foot-shaped object to the end of the boot. If you are using a calf stretcher, place it in the ankle shaft of the boot. Turn the handle of the stretcher a couple of times until you see the tight area visibly stretch outward. Don't make it too tight. Leave the stretcher in for 8-48 hours. A small adjustment can be made overnight. A full-size difference requires a day or two.
Summary: Select a shoe stretching liquid. Prepare a work surface. Test a small area. Rub or spray the tight area. Put on one or two pairs of thick socks. Walk around in the boots while they're still wet and flexible. If they require a lot of stretching, use a boot stretcher.

Problem: Article: Pilates is a type of exercise routine that includes increasing your flexibility, strength, and endurance.  Pilates focuses almost completely on your core muscles and is an excellent aerobic workout, which will strengthen your muscles and burn belly fat.  While there is pilates-related equipment available, it is not required for most of the poses. All you really need is a floor and a mat.  Pilates classes are offered in a variety of settings, including through many local gyms, YMCAs, and city-run exercise programs. YouTube is also a good source for Pilates if you want to work out at home. While many yoga poses help with flexibility and balance, many will also challenge and strengthen your legs and core muscles. The meditative aspect of yoga also help with your stress levels and blood pressure.  Yoga classes can be found at dedicated yoga studios and local gyms. Search online for virtual yoga classes that you can take in your own home. It is very much like mediation, except that you’re moving. Tai Chi requires you to tense your muscles, focus your breathing, and synchronize the motions to perform the various poses, which will help to build and tone your muscles.  Tai Chi can lower your stress and anxiety, build up your aerobic abilities, improve your energy, stamina, balance, flexibility, and agility. Tai Chi is often offered at a number of places in your community, including local gyms, city recreation programs, and even senior centers. If you’re really serious about having a flat stomach, and you have sufficient funds, hire a personal trainer. They’ll be able to put together a diet and exercise program that will flatten your stomach. Most personal trainers work through health centers and local gyms, which means you will also require a membership to whatever place your personal trainer works from.
Summary: Take a Pilates class to burn calories and tone your muscles. Sign up for a yoga class to improve your flexibility and muscle tone. Practice Tai Chi to strengthen your core muscles.Tai Chi is a set of exercises based on self-defense that blend together into 1 fluid motion that was developed in ancient China. Hire a personal trainer if you can afford it.

Problem: Article: Unfortunately, there are a lot of myths surrounding food and increased levels of serotonin. These myths include:   Foods rich in tryptophan automatically boost serotonin. This is false. Most foods that contain tryptophan, an amino acid, compete with other amino acids to be absorbed by the body's transport system. Eating a lot of turkey, which is rich in tryptophan, will not automatically give you more serotonin.  Eating a lot of banana will automatically boost serotonin. Bananas do contain serotonin. That serotonin, however, is unable to cross the blood-brain barrier and be absorbed by humans. Complex carbohydrates are absorbed by the body differently than simple carbohydrates. Simple carbs raise your blood levels quickly, causing a spike in insulin, which drops after a while. Complex carbs are absorbed more slowly by the body and therefore avoid the massive peaks and troughs brought upon by simple carbs.   Complex carbs include:  Legumes like peas and lentils Whole grain breads Whole grain pastas Brown rice Starchy vegetables like sweet potatoes and parsnips    Simple carbs include:  Yogurt Fruit juice "Normal" pasta Cakes, candies, and other refined sugar products White bread and white rice, while not technically simple carbs, are absorbed by your body in a similar way. Caffeine suppresses serotonin, which could also help explain why it's a hunger suppressant as well. Energy drinks contain large amounts of sugar, which the body processes quickly, but which produce an energy-zapping low after the insulin has finished surging. If you have to drink caffeinated products, wait until after you've eaten, doctors recommend. Omega-3 fatty acids are hypothesized to affect the functionality of serotonin in the brain. People with low serotonin levels commonly have low DHA levels, which is an essential building block in the brain, and which needs to be replenished with foods such as fish oils, which are high in omega-3 fatty acids. Look for omega-3 fats in:  Fish, such as salmon, and fish oils Nuts, seeds and seed oils, such as flax seed oil Eating dark chocolate improves serotonin levels partly because of resveratrol.Resveratrol boosts both endorphins and serotonin levels. Remember to reach for dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate, as milk chocolate contains far less cocoa (the stuff that produces serotonin) than dark chocolate.
Summary:
Understand the serotonin/food myths. Shun the simple carbs and embrace the complex carbs. Avoid caffeinated foods, especially energy drinks. Eat healthy fats, such as omega-3 fatty acids. Eat dark chocolate.