Article: Talking about relationship problems is never easy. If your boyfriend is becoming obsessive, however, it's important the issue be addressed. Let your boyfriend know you want to talk. Make sure to pick a time and place that will help a conversation run smoothly.  If possible, choose a neutral setting. You don't want anyone to feel they have the home team advantage. A quiet coffee shop may be a good place to talk. Choose a time free of outside constraints. If your boyfriend attends a ceramics class Wednesday nights, do not ask him to talk an hour before the class starts. Choose a day of the week when neither of you have plans or commitments. A Saturday afternoon may work. Going into the conversation, you should get a sense of what you want to communicate. It may help to jot down your thoughts or talk them over with a friend or family member. Have a few sentences ready to go that best express your frustrations and concerns.  Do not over plan, however. Leave some room for flexibility. If you write down everything you want to say word-per-word, you risk sounding scripted. This may also disrupt the natural flow of the conversation, as you may have strict expectations and become frustrated when they are not met. Plan a few sentences that express what you need to express. However, go into the conversation without strict expectations. You do not need to plan a monologue. You can also try practicing what you want to say while looking into a mirror. It's vital to set boundaries when dealing with an obsessive boyfriend. Lay out, with no uncertainty, what behaviors you feel are inappropriate. You boyfriend needs to know where the lines are in the relationship. Behaviors that make you feel unsafe are especially important to address. Make it clear to your boyfriend you will not stay in a relationship where you are habitually made to feel unsafe.  Behaviors that make you feel frightened or uncomfortable are not okay in a romantic relationship. Let your partner know that, while you understand he has issues with trust or jealousy, he needs to find appropriate means to express these issues. Figure out what behaviors bother you, and tell him they are no longer acceptable. For example, your boyfriend may raise his voice and accuse you of infidelity when you get home late. Say something to him like, "I understand it makes you nervous when I'm out late with my friends. It's okay to feel what you're feeling, but you cannot raise your voice to me and throw around accusations. That is not appropriate and I'm not going to tolerate it." Keep in mind that obsessive behavior is often present along with other abusive behavior patterns. "I"-statements are statements phrased in a way that minimizes blame. When you use an "I"-statement, you focus primarily on your own feelings, and how a person's behavior affects your feelings. Rather than saying a behavior is objectively right or wrong, you're telling someone how that behavior affects you on a personal and subjective level.  An "I"-statement has three parts. It begins with "I feel," after which you immediately state your emotion. Then, you explain the behavior that led to that emotion. Lastly, you say why you feel the way you do. Without "I"-statements, certain sentiments can sound accusatory. For example, you may be inclined to say something like, "You make me feel like I'm doing something wrong when I go out with my friends. I don't like the guilt trips and I'm entitled to my own social life." You can rephrase the above sentiment using an "I"-statement. Try something like, "I feel guilty when you get mad at me for going out with my friends and I don't like the idea that I can't have a social life independent of you." After the discussion, make plans to move forward. Talk to your boyfriend about how to proceed with the relationship in the future. Work on setting new boundaries that respect both you and your boyfriend's emotional needs.   Be willing to compromise in areas that don't violate your needs. For example, you could agree to allow your boyfriend to accompany you to certain social events if it doesn't bother you. Encourage your boyfriend to take steps to be a better partner himself. You could ask him to seek the help of a therapist to work on his obsessive thought patterns. You could also ask him to stop pressing you for information about where you're going and who you're with. Empathy, or at least some understanding, can help a conversation run smoothly. Think about what your boyfriend may want from you, and what you're willing to give. What expectations does he have that feel like reasonable requests? Where do you need him to meet you halfway?  Recognize what you're not willing to give. You should never give in to a request that violates your sense of integrity and security. If something makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, your boyfriend needs to cease that behavior. For example, while you can agree to be more vigilant about answering texts, your boyfriend needs to understand it is not appropriate for him to call you repetitively when you are at work or social events. However, there may be some things you can do to help assuage your boyfriend's worries. Maybe your boyfriend feels insecure. He may have been cheated on before, or have a history of bad relationships. If this is the case, he may want you to check in more frequently, to return his texts quicker, and to allow him to occasionally accompany you to events and parties.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Choose the right time and place to talk. Plan what you need to say. Make it clear to your boyfriend what behaviors are inappropriate. Use "I"-statements. Form a plan to move forward. Consider your boyfriend's concerns.
Article: Feeling tired during your period can make you dread going to the gym, but this is the best time to exercise. A good workout can actually boost your energy during your period. If you have cramps, bloating, or other uncomfortable symptoms, it’s OK to skip the gym. Get some rest, drink plenty of water, and try again the next day. Even if you’re not feeling crampy yet, you can prevent any discomfort by taking a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen, up to an hour before you exercise. This will prevent pain before it happens. Heat can reduce any pain you might feel. Disposable heat wraps adhere to your skin, providing soothing warmth during your workout. You can purchase them at drug stores or grocery stores. These foods can make you bloat, and they may worsen cramping or back pain. Avoiding these foods may also help you reach your workout goals faster. On your period, stay away from:  Baked goods like donuts and muffins. Processed snacks like chips and crackers. Fried foods like french fries. Soda. During your period, your body needs more water than usual. Staying hydrated may reduce headaches or bloating that might occur. Drink 8 ounces (230 g) fifteen minutes before you start exercising, and continue to drink water throughout your workout.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Exercise when you feel tired. Take a break if you feel pain. Take a pain reliever before you exercise. Apply a heat therapy wrap to your stomach or back before you exercise. Avoid fatty, sugary, or salty foods. Drink water before, during, and after your workout.