Swobidu Health

Archive for the ‘epilators Electrolysis’ Category

Various Locations Yoga and Pilates classes. Contact Colin on # , www.hardmanpersonaltraining.co.uk West Derby The MS Society Classes (Korean Martial Arts This articlearticle or section has multiple issues:

* It needs additional references or sources for verification.

* It includes a list of works cited or a list of external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks  (Holly Lodge Girls School, West Derby) each Monday, children’s class 6-7pm, adults 7-8pm.

Zumba (Lowlands, Haymans Green) Discount for block bookings, www.dance-passion.co.uk Tuebrook Phil Jones This article is about the climatologist. For Phil Jones, the journalist, see here.

Philip D. Jones (1952-) is a climatologist at the University of East Anglia, notable for maintaining of the time series of the instrumental temperature record  (The Fusiliers, Prescot) Thursday, 9pm.

Stockbridge Village Community Drama Group seeks new adult members! (St Brigids Space for Knotty knot·ty  

adj. knot·ti·er, knot·ti·est

1. Tied or snarled in knots.

2. Covered with knots or knobs; gnarled.

3. Difficult to understand or solve. See Synonyms at complex.  Ash) every Wednesday evening. For Aspergillus Aspergillus

Any fungus of the genus Aspergillus of the Fungi Imperfecti (form-class Deuteromycetes). Species for which the sexual phase is known are placed in the order Eurotiales. A. niger causes black mold on some foods; A. niger, A. flavus, and A.  Support Group Meeting (Wetherspoons, Childwall Fiveways Hotel) July 5, 2pm.

Have Your Cake and Eat It – A Free Yoga Party (St David’s Church) July 7. Childwall Women’s Institute – The Real Scousewives (Childwall Sports & Science College, Fiveways) First Thursday of every month. Contact Helen Wilkinson-Barton # Mossley Hill Rainbows, Brownies and Guides (St Barnabas Church, Mossley Hill) Mondays, ages 5-15. Contact Helen or Hayley on #

Karate Club (I.M. Marsh College, Mossley Hill) Mondays, 7-9pm. Training for beginners at 6.45pm. Free Karaoke lessons for over 16′s and the unemployed. No catch.

Gateacre Ballroom & Latin Dancing (Conservative Club, Gateacre Village), 8-11pm. Mondays # Sequence Dancing (Conservative Club, Gateacre Village) every Friday, # pm #

Woolton The MS Society afternoon of yoga (Linkside,Vale Rd, Woolton), Tuesday from 2-4pm. All are very welcome.

Aigburth Hatha Yoga (St Austin’s Church Hall, Challoner Hall, Aigburth Rd) Mondays 6.30-8pm.

Yoga for Back Care (Sara Hall, Rundle Road, Aigburth), # pm. Contact pipbellis or call #

Gentle Yoga (Sara Hall, Rundle Road, Aigburth), 9.30-11am and Intermediate Yoga, 6.30-8pm. Contact pipbellis or call #

Allerton Drama and Dance Club (All Souls Church) Saturdays 10-1pm. Ages 3 to 12 years. pounds 5 per session.

Children’s Yoga Class (Penny Lane Development Trust) Weekly, 4.30pm. Aged 8-11. Contact Sue on #

Modern Jive Classes (The Heath Sports and Social Club, Allerton), 7.45pm, every Sunday. Two classes #

Halewood Pregnancy Yoga Classes (Halewood Centre for Learning) Thursdays, 6.30pm-7.45pm. Visit www.pooloflifeyoga.co.uk or ring Marion on #

Garston and District Historical Society Meeting (Garston Park Church, corner of Island Rd and Garston Old Rd) July 6, 7.30pm. Don Allerston, local historian, on “The History of Hale Village”. pounds 2 members, pounds 3 non-members, www.garstonhistoricalsociety.org.uk Osteoporosis Gentle Exercise Class (Banks Road Methodist Church, Garston) Tuesdays, 10.15am. Osteoporosis Gentle Exercise Class (Topaz Dance Centre, Tai Chi Tai Chi Definition

T’ai chi is a Chinese exercise system that uses slow, smooth body movements to achieve a state of relaxation of both body and mind.  sessions, Wednesdays. pounds 2 per person # Basketball Coaching (Picton Sports Centre) Saturdays # pm. Any age or ability. Also at Austin Rawlinson Sports Centre, on Wednesday 8-9. Any age or ability. Female only.

Toxteth Tony Wailey Book Launch (Peter Kavanagh’s, Egerton Street, Toxteth) July 4, 8pm. Regular favourite and long time Wow supporter will be launching his new book here in July.

There is a lot of talk that is going on about brainwave entrainment. With these audio programs, you can easily improve your personality. It addresses physical, social, psychological and emotional problems. It has been proven to be quite effective in dealing with mood changes, relieving stress, increasing memory and concentration and changing of bad behaviors such as addiction among many other benefits.

To get the concept of brainwave entrainment clearly it is very important to learn of the types of brain waves.

Types of brain waves

In the normal functioning of the brain, it creates some certain waves, which have been categorized into five categories.

Gamma waves:

These brain waves have frequency of more than 40 Hz. These are associated with higher mental activity, including consciousness, breakthroughs, solving of problems and perception among others.

Beta waves:

They have frequencies of between 13 and 40 Hz. They are associated with cognition, alertness, arousal and concentration. High levels are associated with flight or fight, separation feelings, unease and anxiety.

Alpha waves:

These brain waves have frequency of between 7 and 13 Hz. They are associated with increased production of serotonin, light trance, relaxed focus, super learning and relaxation. They are also associated with meditation, access of the subconscious mind, pre-walking drowsiness and pre-sleep.

The brainwave entrainment mostly focuses on moderating the alpha waves to 10 Hz in the brain of the patient. This level is associated with the optimal functioning of the body and mind. Stress leads to the decrease in the levels of the alpha brain waves.

Children have high levels of these brain waves than the adults. These brain waves are at their optimum level when you are relaxed, happy and not stressed by anything.

Theta waves:

These have frequency of between 4 and 7. They are associated with creaming sleep, the increase in the production of catecholamine, which is important for memory and learning, emotional experiences, behavioral changes, unconscious mind access, deep meditation, trance and increased creativity integrative.

Delta waves:

These have frequency less than 4. They are associated with sleep without dreams, release of human growth hormone (HGH), loss of the body awareness, and access to the subconscious mind.

Why do you need brainwave entrainment in your life?

The brainwave entrainment is very important in life because it maintains the brain waves in the optimal levels. It can thus help you in the solving of the problems that come about in your life.

The brainwave entrainment involves listening to music of certain frequencies. Once the brain listens to this music, it tends to adopt those frequencies. For instance if the levels are high, it will lower them to the optimum levels. If the brain waves are below the optimum levels, it will raise them to the required level.

The brainwave entrainment also helps create a new pathway in between the cells of your brain. The creation of this path makes you capable of solving most of those problems that you meet in life without succumbing to stress, mood changes, frustration, anger or depression.

POLITICIANS, THE SYSTEM AND ELDERS have failed its young and succeeding GENERATION.

The agitated and impatient YOUTHS and young generation are the most immediate concern and priority that needs a collective inputs and effective management. This is a crisis moment as the country experiences growing violence, increased crime rate, acts of hooliganism in schools, public places, social events, at home, work place.The moral collapse of attitudes and behaviors is affecting both local and international image of Sierra Leoneans posing high risk for investments and economic activities badly needed to support many infrastructural projects for development agendas. In struggling to highlights growing concerns, Sierra Leoneans from every shade have exploited politics, played partisanship and use tribalism for selfish ends, promoting hegemony, fragmenting national unity, polarizing the society, the a growing phenomenon as the catalyst for present state of the nation’s disunity, threat to stability responsible for the generational failures evolving into gross intolerance and violence holding the future to ransom. 

Present political rapporteur is at its worst and lowest ebb  Nothing seems to be CHANGING between the main rivalries APC and SLPP in the national history with hindsight since 1961 when “SIERRA LEONE” gained independence. Political leaderships have failed to control followers, supporters and stake holders creating agitation and decent within hierarchies affecting the political landscape.

Within the last 52 years the country has experienced many crisis and turbulence’s which is influencing the present, holding the future to ransom. Economic meltdown fuel by global recessions, governance failure, corruption and a mere collapse of law and order continues to threaten stability. If saner politics and strong leadership is not demonstrated within the bureaucracy of governance and the state machinery in the dynamics of unfolding events, situations may get out of hand,opponents will capitalize on such scenario’s leading to total chaos and destruction of lives and property as it seems unfolding in pockets resistance and violence from different fronts ingrowing decent through intolerance and lawlessness within the system. 

Our Religious clerics, tribal leaders, politicians from all divide, elite’s groupings and academics try to misaligned and distract the nation by rhetoric’s playing the blame game, past leaderships failures within the gamut’s of the country  The people in disunity themselves descending into playing tribalism,forming pressure groups, elite and business social groups and cabals are all in the process of carving out political power and control of the state and its resources are all burden to national sovereignty for a sustain unity and pride. What is common in these presumptions is that every Sierra Leonean seem to have chosen the right of choice to make or break each other, sacrificing the state in the process.

It is not my intent in this INTROSPECTION to belabored on patrimonial system theories on the state of Sierra Leone but by responsibility with hindsight to briefly highlight the role politicians and their politics, businessmen and their inimical activities, as well as external players nefarious activities are all contributing factors in bringing the country down to its knees and decay through manipulations,resource pillaging and economic terrorism. The failures and gains of Sierra Leone at 52 years, and the threats to its democracy, territorial nationalism and integrity should not come as great surprise anymore to anyone. 

SIERRA LEONEANS MUST REFLECT WITH CIRCUMSPECTION TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE DYNAMICS OF WHY WE CONTINUE TO HATE EACH OTHER AND WHY WE ARE FAILING IN OUR PURSUITS. The root is embedded in past bad governance, corruption, dirty politics, a cultural and tribal bias,lack of cohesion and unity which is persistently influencing behaviorism. Citizens therefore had great difficulty maintaining the discursive energies mobilized during the struggle for independence because nationalism was inauthentic; it was not underpinned by a culturally-united country or communities, but by partisan and tribal differences. What is prevalent through time is that efforts at nation building has always been very vulnerable to corruption and violence design and manufactured by ethnic groups as they compete to access and exploit state funds, assets, political and state patronage, aid and loans for selfish personal gains. Leadership and the bureaucracy struggled to define homogeneous legible identities through patrimonial and nepotistic policies, positions and mode of employments skewed to favor political activists, supporters and praise singers without merits which is significantly affecting development and production.  

Lack of proper oversight in well-defined policies meeting realistic modern challenges has continued to affect development and progress as everyone today is a witness to history, but stubborn people never live to learn by its experiences. Sierra Leone will continue to face great difficulties if not underpinned by a national agenda in a road-map syncing synergies and bridging the gap between the people,resources, opportunities and dignity for all. From a quote by the late President of Mozambique, Samora Michael, summed up a popular conclusion when he declared that “for the nation [and, one might presume by extension, the state]to live the tribe must die” (in Mamdani, 1996). Tribalism must die in our minds  in our hearts, in our actions, in our ways, in our visions, in our dreams and in our country, so that every other tribe can live without consequences to their lineage and posterity.

You will agree with me that post-colonial politicians and leaders have failed to make Sierra Leone a proud and developed nation but continue to polarize its unity. This clearly represents the lack of capacity, vision, blueprints with forward dynamic agendas and a task-forces with great appetite for developments leading to progressive heights. It continues in pockets of disturbances and distress as individual identities especially the youths and the younger generations have always been mobilized in their competitive form for political violence and tribalism. The state can make a nation  and nation can make its people, but successive leaderships in many positions of trust have choose to manipulate the people, politics and its democracy thereby subverting the state efforts at nation-building. The fact that our previous generation did not plan well and slept through the world of change does not mean that the present ones too must fail posterity and repeat same. 

There is a wonderful opportunity to make history positively coming together, putting in place foundations for the future, correct the mistakes and anomalies of the past and present  We can take a cue today from a country like Ghana as a model for our development projects. Sierra Leone played host to many Ghanaian`s, who today are very successful from lessons learned and copied by examples from history  It is of interest to note that we inherited the same economic and political conditions after independence though theirs was only three years(1957) earlier than ours. Whilst we in Sierra Leone chose to engaged in partisan politics and war adventurism in our national politics, our contemporaries were busily embarking on strict governance and nation building exercise  If Sierra Leone is to take its rightful place in God’s universe then there are certain things which must be done to propel it into the city of self-actualization. 

A great philosopher called John Stuart Mills said “when society requires to be rebuilt; there is no use in attempting to rebuild it on the old plan”. The rebuilding and re-branding of Sierra Leone cannot be carried on the wheels of partisan political adventurism, poor attitude towards work, grand scale corruption  ethnic and tribal tensions and unhealthy social and business rivalry. Complacency and mediocrity are the disease the country is suffering from. Take the case scenarios of the Lebanese, Syrians, Fullahs, Indians, and Maracas each and every one of them came to Sierra Leone with only a suitcase or travelling bag of clothing nothing else. They have created so much wealth and continue to still do so under our very eyes and noses taken the best chunk of the resources and economy, entrepreneurship and major contracts. They have contributed tremendously in rebuilding their motherland with the very same resources from the same soil we all live and from the economic basket we share and survive from. Again we have thrown away all the potentials because of mediocrity and complacency. How are we going to build a new third generation Sierra Leone? Dependency mentality is still driving a whole nation at 52 years of age, still milking from its colonial breast is a complete tragedy to our dignity. 

The solution to our national problem is within our reach. Now that we are another year older still a free nation, we must endure the pains and ordeals of emancipation and still move on with renewed firm sense of dedication and responsibility as the President is persuading and appealing all to do likewise. This period marking our 52 years of nationhood is no time to engage in the luxury of romantic illusions and excessive merry making. This is time for us to look back, take stock of the past so that together we can make projections to fast track our development and country from its doldrums and state of decay.This is the time for reflection and meditation on the responsibility of been an independent country. This piece will not be complete if I do not highlight specific observations, propositions and contributions to move forward@52. 

First and foremost, a reminder from the national memo, we must take the queue from the national anthem as it reminds us to learn how to love our Sierra Leone. Some people wanted to behave otherwise putting self before country, using violence’s to intimidate and attempt to subdue and usurp authority  Take for instance attitudes to the country, its assets, communal and national services. University graduates finishing on scholarships do not even give anything back to their country, travelling to other countries seeking greener pastures from ordinary tax payer expenses. This is even worse with professional elites; medical doctors, technical and engineering professionals which is the backbone of building human resource capacity for positive developments. 

Politicians and civil servants are another protagonist and catalyst for the present state of affairs.Their behavior is nothing to write home about, acting like they own the country and the citizens are their servants. Corruption is the bedrock,main disease and a national canker on business, public, private sector and the body politics. Individuals, companies and businesses do not pay taxes or meet their obligations to the state. The burden is negatively skewed against few people in the formal sector, the minerals and produce import and export sector. Prices of goods and services by the Sherlock businessmen are increased with impunity without due regard for the suffering masses and control mechanism. Individuals still continues to go into politics or for political appointments with negative intentions of creating wealth at the expenses of the survival of the people, their integrity and dignity at any cost. This is treasonable. Out of what legacy, patriotism and nationalism did we attain independence?

We must look towards lifting ourselves and country from our own bootstraps. For more than five decades  we have relied and depended on foreign aid to survive. Now that the country has reached its menopause stage at 52, it should be capable of feeding and financing itself with all its potentials and human resource manpower capacity  With the right priorities in place the bureaucracy can raise the needed capital taking into consideration the vast minerals and other resources blessed with. Sierra Leone must be rethinking along the lines of reducing its number of bilateral donors and engage in barter system of trading to avoid the foreign aid dependency syndrome. Barter trading is going on globally but we prefer to go begging instead of transacting and bargaining what we are endowed with for what we wanted. The country must give priority to deal with who wants its products, negotiating for what are the priorities. There is diamonds, gold, iron ore, rutile, titanium, fish, palm oil, timber in abundance in Sierra Leone which are all products that are competitive in the world export market. Barter Trade System will be more beneficial to Sierra Leone like gas and energy to Russia as she barters with its neighbours, allied and the European Union. Sierra Leone’s heavy reliance on foreign aid makes implementing development plans more vulnerable to factors outside its control. Maybe instead of parliament debating budget issues about spending money, it must rather use its precious time to debate the aid received, summoning ministers to explain certain actions in their ministries, practically empower the people to believe in their country, how to raise income or resources from within and use what is secured judiciously through the guidance and implementation of well-defined policy translated into economic realities.

We must strengthen our educational system and move it from the present state of theory oriented to practical  The educational system reform program set to do this has not achieved much. There is still high blood pressure of creeds and anemia of deeds. We have more in our head we do not translate with the hand. Africans are physically endowed with strength. Out of thy hands shall thou eat bread not out of thy head? What has the country benefited from all the big academics, PhD’s  professors, doctors, engineers and the likes. People are finishing junior secondary school and they cannot even write their names, let alone construct a simple sentence. The country’s educational foundation coupling with government policy on education has not been solid,constructive or laudable. That’s why it has not yield the desired results.Project works, thesis and research findings that people have spent time and money on to prepare, gather dust at the universities. And yet we go outside for business and economic plans and formulas not commensurate or compatible without system and environment. If we want to succeed in our national agendas, then never should we allow local ideas, talents and intellectual properties to go untapped. In words there must be a proper symbiotic relationship between the town and the gown. The universities and institutes must feed the industries with intellectuals and human resource properties. Government must set up a special commission to oversee this project similar to R&D and blue sky strategies for advancing technology. There must be a national consensus encompassing all citizens, stakeholders and friends of Sierra Leone working on a true and honest path to reconciliation and development, tapping the resources in and out of Sierra Leone, on how to take the country forward evolving with ideas and strategies in tackling welfare and developmental needs of the people and country. Dialogue with local individuals including, business entrepreneurs, economists,technologist and other experts, together with their expertise and on-going and past ventures and projects both locally and internationally can facilitate a positive growth and development. 

IN CONCLUSION

Sierra Leoneans knows that with the economy needing financial lifeline to conclude the many unfinished projects and others outstanding, few nations and agencies are now willing to lend to a country because of global economic recession affecting donors, it will continue to get much worse before it gets better. 

In the past, the future always implied hope for Sierra Leoneans but now it implies fear as events unfolding in crimes  lawlessness and violence threatening the gamut of the safety and security of the people and country must be checked robustly. After the war,many thought with all the experiences and measures the crisis brought to bear on the people, all would have been a thing of the past, but events evolving with the prospect of yet more political and social violence and retaliations,can’t see an end to violence in sight. With the rising unemployment there are fears that the country, and its donors and partners of Europe’s facing worst financial debacle in decades, is slipping inexorably into political and social crisis, too which our leaders and economist are not properly sensitizing and using such information to their advantage but creating a false sense of hope while other greater nations are facing the same realities. 

A mass exodus during and immediately after the war, the nation’s brightest and best has added to fears that in addition to failing one or perhaps two generations, near-bankrupt “MAMA SALONE”stands as never before to lose its intellectual and professional class because the few that would have offered hope to the remaining has been the worst corrupt and selfish elements compounding the situation. Nobody is speaking openly about this but the prospects for the country`s economy and growth are going to get much worse as the brain drain accelerates and the country loses its best minds through partisan-ism, tribalism and patrimonial hegemony which has been the enemy of nationalism, patriotism, progress and development. 

President “Ernest Bai Koroma” is the first 21st century leader in our history who must be acknowledged for aggressively challenging the country’s weak infrastructural deficit against all odds from all layers, fast tracking the rebuilding and rehabilitation of roads, telecommunications and rundown institutions which are a prerequisite necessity for positive development to prevail. We be generous in our appreciation, giving praises when it is due and constructively criticized when necessary without insults, vilification’s or any partisan derogatory is normality. 

No matter how disgruntled some elements may want to turn or view the present progress cannot change the cause of HISTORY AND THE FUTURE IN ITS DYNAMICS AS THE WIND OF CHANGE IS FAST SWEEPING THE GLOBE AND AFRICA IN GENERAL, SIERRA LEONE IN PARTICULAR IS NO EXCEPTION  WE ALL WANT THE ECONOMY AND OUR INTEGRITY BACK WITH OUR PEOPLE TO BEAT THE HELM OF AFFAIRS IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP NOT PLAYING SECOND FIDDLE BUT THE REAL ORIGINATORS AND CONTROLLERS OF THE NATIONS PROSPERITY AND DESTINY.

WE MUST WALK THE TALK WITH OUR CURRENT PRESIDENT “ERNEST BAI KOROMA” IN ACHIEVING HIS VISION IN COLLABORATION WITH ONE VOICE, A CHOICE, AND IN UNITY FOR A BETTER SIERRA LEONE.WE SHALL EVENTUALLY OVERCOME. “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness’s the attribute of the strong, Mahatma Gandhi”

Let us all for once embrace a true spirit of NATIONALISM as an obligation from all patriotic citizens @52 as the only WAY FORWARD to building new synergies for commonality, collectively as a people and as a nation towards UNITY, FREEDOM AND JUSTICE enshrines in our motto; LONG LIVE OUR PRESIDENT, LONG LIVES THE PEOPLE, AND LONG LIVE SIERRA LEONE. 

A HAPPY AND BLESSED 52ND ANNIVERSARY. GOD IS OUR STRENGTH…..! 

“THE BEST IS YET TO COME”

Symptoms of thumb gout include redness and swelling, pain in and around the thumb joint and an increase in temperature over the affected area. Though these symptoms can mimic other medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis, these conditions typically will not cause uric acid levels in the blood to rise, as is common in gout. Other thumb gout symptoms include joint stiffness and decreased joint mobility.

Gout occurs when uric acid crystals are deposited around a joint. Thumb gout is common; however, its not as common as gout that affects the big toe. Other joints that can be affected by gout include those in the elbows, wrists, ankles and knees. Gout can also affect the insteps of the feet and the heels. Small lumps under the skin are also symptoms of thumb gout, and are referred to as tophi, or uric acid deposits.

In addition to contributing to thumb gout, elevated levels of uric acid can also contribute to kidney stones and renal insufficiency. Causes of gout include consuming a diet high in substances known as purines, being overweight, being male and excessive alcohol consumption. A family history of gout and kidney problems can also contribute to gout.

Certain medical conditions can also cause levels of serum uric acid to rise. These conditions include hypothyroidism, or an under active thyroid, hypertension and certain auto-immune diseases such as psoriasis. Medications can also cause elevations in uric acids levels which can contribute to gout as well. These medications include aspirin, medications used to treat Parkinson’s disease, diuretics, or “water pills” and niacin, a vitamin.

Treating gout is done by employing a number of different therapies. The most common of these therapies is the use of anti-inflammatory medications. These medications include ibuprofen and aspirin and are very effective in reducing inflammation and pain. They are ineffective in reducing levels of uric acid, however. Corticosteroids are also used to treat inflammation and pain, but like anti-inflammatory medications, they do not lower serum uric acid levels.

Oral medications that reduce uric acid levels are often prescribed in combination with avoiding foods that are high in purines. Thumb gout also responds well to cortisone injections delivered directly into the joint. The effects of cortisone injections are not immediately noticed, and can sometimes take weeks to get results. It is important to keep all scheduled medical visits so that the health care provider can monitor and evaluate treatment progress.

Sources: National Institutes of Health

Mayo Clinic

My head and my body sort of ached. I opened my eyes slowly, trying to remember what happened and where I was. I recollected my thoughts slowly, like building a brick wall, brick after brick my thoughts came back to me. My eyes widened then. The last thing I remembered was Chris and I flying away from the ball, I was injured I think and he brought me… somewhere. That’s when I decided to look around, the room was lit in a light blue color and smelled like a hospital room. I hated it. Was I in the hospital again? I turned my head slowly and realized the room was what looked like a basement. There was an open tool box but no tools were inside, instead there were needles, blood bags and other liquids in transparent bags, all of which were neatly placed in an organized holder. One of the bags were missing. I looked at my arm and a needle was placed inside a vein near my wrist, the tube connected to the needle contained an unearthly glowing orange liquid and the color reminded me of something, but I wasn’t sure what exactly. Just then the wooden floor squeaked under the weight of someone’s body. I looked toward the door not sure of how I should feel. But when his blue eyes glistened at the sight of me, I knew I should be happy, I knew I was safe.

“Chris!” I sighed in relief.

He smiled, “Princess, you’re alright,” he said troubled, “You don’t know how worried I’ve been. You scared all the peaches and sunshine out of me!”

I giggled lightly and motioned for him to come closer, he did. “I thought I lost you,” He whispered. I held his hands slowly and smiled with him.

“Gotta try harder than that.”

He smiled, “Chris where am I? What happened? How did you save me?”

“We’re at Robert’s house, his basement actually. After you started bleeding I knew I couldn’t bring you to the hospital Xavier would attack even quicker than planned and it was way too risky so I brought you here and healed you myself.”

“B-but, wasn’t it too much blood?”

“Waaaay too much but it was almost as if I didn’t care, you were hurt and that’s all that mattered. That was the scariest thing I’ve ever experienced!”I sighed and looked down at my wrist, “What’s that?” I asked curiously now.

“It’s my energy, it heals you quicker.”

“How did you-”

He shushed me, “No more questions,” He leaned in until our foreheads touched, “Xavier’s probably out there looking for us right now, and I want you know something, no matter what happens or what they do, I’m going to protect you.”

“Don’t say stuff like that.” I said getting wet-eyed.

“I need you to know that I love you and when all this is over, when everything’s safe and sound, we’re going away, I don’t know to where yet but we’re going to leave and it’s only going to me you and me. Safe and so-”

But we were interrupted by a loud crash directly next to me. The wall that was there banished and a steaming mad Xavier surfaced. HE breathed heavily and Chris walked around to block his body from mine. I intertwined our fingers hoping to give him some power, he’d need it more than I would.Xavier looked at me, “If you don’t mind I’d like to have a little chat with my brother,” the words slipped off his tongue like a well-rehearsed play. Chris’ face hardened, I saw the energy flow from me to him, but it was only a little and that got me worried.

“And don’t worry about your fiancé here, my friend will keep her company while we’re gone.”

Xavier nodded toward the door at the sound of ‘his friend’ and Parker rose from the shadows. My eyes widened in fear and Chris growled, “Over my dead body”.

Xavier shrugged, “So be it”. He grabbed Chris by the collars and pulled him outside in one swift motion. I was left with Parker, the perverted asshole who was once one of Chris’ closest friends but betrayed him in the need for money and power.

“Hello my dear,” His voice cooed, “It’s been awhile, hasn’t it?”

Parker looked much more muscled than the last time I saw him and that played nothing in my favor.

“Last time I remembered you were in prison,” I spat bravely.He smiled a pirate grin while running his hands up and down my exposed leg.

“And the last time I checked, you weren’t this beautiful.” He ran a finger down my jawline and an uncomfortable shiver ran through me. It felt like ice running down my spine, slowly accumulating goose bumps as it traveled. I pulled away from him and he smiled amused by my discomfort, he walked closer to me and climbed the bed I was lying in. My eyes widened and I squirmed, and tried to push him off but he locked my hands above my head. His feet pressed roughly on mine resulting in immobility and I panicked. I started screaming, I twisted and turned underneath the weight of his body but every move only made my pain increase, I whimpered now as a twist caused my recent injury to cry out in excruciating pain.

He was pleased by this and smiled a bit, “It’s so cute when you think you can get away.” He hummed before covering his lips with mine. I turned my head and pulled my lips in my mouth hiding them from his. He smiled at my attempt and Replaced both hands with one and used the other to pinch my cheeks resulting in my lips puckering out. He took his opportunity and sloppily kissed me over and over, I grew tired of struggling and squeezed my eyes shut as he took control. I felt the tears stream down my face and he smiled and continued prying his tongue down my throat. I looked around and searched for a possible weapon, I saw a crowbar but it was so far away, I’d have no chance of getting it now.

He pulled away from me after what felt like days later, a smile plastered on his lips, “Well, that was fun wasn’t it?”

“That was repulsive!” I replied, “I see your kissing hasn’t improved!” I said remembering the last time Parker forced me into a kiss.

He smiled and shrugged, “Now that everyone’s gone I have to fulfill my task,” He climbed from on top of me and plucked the needle from my wrist forcefully causing me to whimper.

“You’re coming with me.” He commanded.

“I’m not going anywhere,” I said as I kicked him in his chin then his delicates once on my feet. He groaned and fell to his knees I took that as my chance. I reached for the crowbar and grabbed it but was then pulled off my feet. He’d grabbed my leg and I fell hard on the wooden floor. I laid on my back and continuously hit him all over with the crowbar. He struggled to keep his focus and I’d built a bit of confidence after that first hit. I could probably get out of here alive. I was just striking another blow when he grabbed the crowbar and grabbed it from my hand, he threw it across the room and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. He had a bruise on his arm and a cut on his cheek.

“You just made a huge mistake,” He growled, “Now, I’m going to make you suffer.” He whispered the last word in a cynical sort of way.

He grabbed my hands and wrapped them behind my back, then led me out to a black van. Once inside I was handcuffed and blindfolded and piece of duct tape was attached to my lips.I made sounds of protest but they all came out muffled, “What happened to you bro?” an unusual voice asked.

“Nothing,” Parker growled, “drive”.

I tried to ask where they were taking me but nothing that left my voice box came out the way I wanted it to.

“Is she usually this chatty?” One person asked.That question reminded me of Chris, of when we first met. Oh Chris! Where are you? I really need your help. We were supposed to get away from here, go somewhere unknown just the two of us. I felt my eyes welling up and allowed the tears to fall and they did fall, time after time.No one paid much attention and that was the only thing I was grateful for, at that moment.

A couple of minutes driving passed by before I heard someone speak, “We’re here.”

The back of the van opened again and the wind splashed my face. The corruption outside was impossible to miss and the Cheerful celebration and laughing was so loud it vibrated in my ears and radiated to my teeth. I squeezed my eyes shut, “Look they have the princess!” Someone yelled. That outburst gave me the idea that we were in the village, probably the heart of the village. What was I doing here?

An audience of gasps filled the area and one by one, they fell quiet.”And if anyone makes a move,” Someone grabbed me closer to his own body a cool sharp metal found its way to my neck, “I’ll behead her at this very spot.”

The place was now so silent it was deafening, Parker pushed my body forward and I climbed a flight of stairs but I knew we were outside by the wind that slapped my face. My hands were undone but just as quickly they were handcuffed above my head, after both hands were done my blindfold was removed and I groan in pain as the duct tape was forcefully stripped from my lips leaving a heavy thumping there.

“What do you want with me?” I asked Parker.

He smirked and shrugged, “When the boss finishes off your little boyfriend, we’ll find out.”

I looked up at the sky and noticed how quickly the gray clouds rolled in, Chris and Xavier must be really giving each other hell. I closed my eyes and prayed that Chris would be fine, that the little energy I managed to give him could help in one way or the other. Please be alright Chris. Please. I felt a raindrop land on my face and bit nervously on my lip and the thunder clapped, and the lightening lit the room. The people around looked up at me helplessly, some were dying to help, the courage building up in their eyes, others were too scared to think. I looked around and saw a mother holding her baby, crying a little as she looked around, she must’ve been terrified. The baby reminded me of Maria. O’ gosh my Maria! The thought of not knowing where she was alone made my eyes fill up to the brim, this is how I would die? Handcuffed to a wooden middle-aged torturing device with hundreds of people witnessing my tragic end? Waiting for my killer to strike a move? Without friends or family around to help? The tears fell without end now and Parker noticed after the first couple.

“Get rid of those tears!” He growled.The sound of his voice silenced the little mumbling that filled the audience dragging their attention to me.

“How do you suggest I do that dumbass?” I snapped.

Then, without a hint of warning, the back of Parker’s hand collided with my cheek. The sound of his slap overpowered that of the lightening for a split second and gasps filled the audience. My teeth shivered at the pain that overcame me after that.

“Watch your mouth,” He snapped and that’s when I lost it. That’s when I freaking lost my mind! How dare this Xavier-wanna-be lay a finger on me! Who the hell does he think he is? Not even, who the hell does he think I am?! His freaking punching bag?! Well I’m not, and I’m not going to stand here and let him have his own way with me. I extended my leg forcefully, kicking him in his male parts. He groaned and fell to his knees and that’s when it happened. A loud crash sounded not too far away, the ground below rattle like a mini-earthquake and from that effect along I knew it was Chris and Xavier! The Blue and Orange that glowed from both their bodies made it quite obvious but at that moment is when I realized that I had to save myself. Chris can’t save me this time, I had to do it myself.

I closed my eyes tightly as an foreign warmth seemed to have developed at the pit of my stomach. The heat amplified and I looked down at my stomach and gasped as an orange glow developed there. The heat felt like a pair of hands that flowed into my hands and fit like an extra pair, then a pair of feet formed into my feet, then a head and every other organ, the power was building inside me, forming another being deep inside, a stronger being.

Parker recovered quickly from my previous attack and looked at me with rage flickering in his deep green eyes.”Oops, did I give you a boo-boo?” I heard my voice say tauntingly.

Some chuckles emerged from the crowd and I heard Parker growl before striking my stomach with vicious blows. I heard the wood above me cry in pain yet surprisingly, despite the pain I knew I should be feeling, I didn’t feel anything. Parker punched me across my face now causing a couple of bones to crunch on my face and my neck made an unnatural twist, yet not once did I cry out in pain. Well, I thought I did but it was almost as if I were under the control of this new inner being. My reluctance to react to his attack infuriate Parker even more and he was about to throw another blow when I heard Jeremy’s voice.

It felt like music to my ears, “Lay another hand on her and it’s your head,” His threat rang.

Parker chuckled, a humorless sound sliding off his tongue before snapping. Suddenly a group of men dressed in black with nothing but a red X across the front of the shirt emerged from the crowd. Boy that was a tacky logo! Jeremy looked around easily and nodded before Cassandra, Jason, Robert, April and Ethan rose from the crowd, they all held their swords high, the battle began but Parker didn’t join instead he watched, worry sweeping across his eyes and that’s when I heard my cuffs snap. But no one had unlocked them, I looked around and realized I’d snapped them free on my own, the being inside me smiled and I felt myself do that too. Parker’s eyes widened and I felt myself rubbing my wrists staring straight at him. Revenge raging my blood, eating my insides, burning within.

“H-how did you do that?” Parker mumbled, worried now, “Those cuffs were 2 inches thick! That’s Impossible!”

I shrugged and walked over to him, without another breath I started striking him with vicious blows. He became defenseless at this point and tried to hide in the crowd but I easily picked him out. The people fled at the sight of me and some even smiled encouragingly. I turned a corner to hit Parker when I was hit in the back of my head by something hard and its shattered remains made me guess it was a vase, but like every other blow I felt nothing. I turned to my attacker to find the famous Parker.

“Nice try,” I smirked and held his neck and backed him into the wall of a nearby house. I punched him endlessly, ruthlessly as though I would use all my energy to end his life. Suddenly I was restrained and the feel of his hands alone caused me to tingle on the inside, the being that once filled me, lazily left my body just at his very touch.

He sighed on my shoulder from behind me and breathed heavily, “It’s over,” he sighed, “The war is over.”

I turned to look at him and he was beaten up! He was limping and was only using one arm. O’ God, he was beaten up! I sighed and reached for his face, he was sad, the worry line next to his eyes were highlighted. That’s when I processed what he had said. What did he mean by over?

“I mean, Xavier’s gone,” He gulped, “Forever.”

My soul filled with sorrow, it was empty and despite the agonizing pain that it took me to raise my hand to his cheek I stroke it, then I planted a kiss on it.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered.

“Chris look out!” Jeremy’s voice rang but it was too late.Xavier was already two strides away, Chris hardened in my arms as he covered me protectively. Xavier smiled a crocked evil smile, “Thought you got away from me?”

Chris remained silent. Xavier whistled and was thrown a dagger by Parker who could barely move in the corner. Chris gulped at the sight of it. Xavier raised the dagger and I was pushed away before Chris ducked from the blow and rolled on the ground. Xavier stomped on his chest and a couple of bones crackled. I bit my lip but the sob escaped me, he was dying before my eyes, my very eyes! I was frozen though and there was nothing I could do, but that was what I thought. I then remembered my training, the weapon we never practiced with because it was too powerful, it would put me in danger especially in the situation I was in, but I didn’t care not now, not ever. The love of my life was dying, suddenly an orange glow blasted Xavier off on Chris, he landed feet away and under the car of Jeremy who smiled happily before driving a sword through his chest. The crunch echoed in my mind much longer than needed and I looked away and lounged for Chris.

He coughed dryly and tried his hardest to grasp another breath. I reached for Xavier’s dagger then. Chris saw it and knew my intentions immediately, he tried to grab it from me, tried to get me not to. My body ached under the extreme torture it was put through but my heart beat victoriously.

It’s my turn to save you.

This is the thought that crossed my mind as I dragged the blade across my hand, in a sea filled with vampires. The blood that left my hand was rich and red, and looked strange on my now pale skin, Chris’ eyes glowed red at the sight of the blood and I heard groans from all the other vamps around but this blood belongs to Chris and Chris only. After much struggle I managed to force him to drink it, and he drank and drank.

And drank…

And drank…

The last thing I heard was, “Don’t kill her!” my vision went black then.

This might seem like an unlikely discussion coming from a bloke who has spent the best part of his (working) life owning and running gyms and helping people create their best body, but working along side thousands of people for a quarter of a century (good grief) has taught me many (many, many) lessons and reinforced many pre-existing beliefs. Lessons that some people desperately need to learn.

This message might also seem ironic coming from a bloke who was, for a while there, obsessed with building his own freaky body. I was young and dumb. Forgive me.

It’s a good thing that we have the capacity to learn, adapt and change.

Some of what I’ve learned…

Myth: When I get in shape, everything will be okay, or at the very least, much better.

Truth: An amazing body doesn’t equal an amazing life.

As a rule, what we look like has little or no correlation to happiness, fulfilment or the absence of problems. The media won’t tell you that, but I will. Being in shape physically doesn’t mean that you are emotionally or psychologically healthy. In fact, the majority of people who invest a disproportionate amount of time into their body and their appearance often have significant emotional and psychological issues (in my experience).

Myth: When I lose this weight, my self esteem will improve and I won’t have the same confidence issues.

Truth: Not Necessarily. Some ‘beautiful’ people are the most insecure because their sense of self-worth and identity comes entirely from their looks… and we all know looks are temporary.

Myth: Losing weight will ‘fix’ my unhealthy relationship with my partner.

Truth: Nup. It may help a little, but your problems with your partner extend way beyond your butt, your gut and your bodyfat.

Myth: I will be satisfied when I reach (insert desired weight).

Reality: Ain’t gonna happen. Often. Most people are forever moving the goal posts.

“Only ten more pounds… then I’ll be happy.”

“Okay… just five more.”

Myth: Getting in shape is essentially a physical process.

Reality: Getting in shape (that is creating forever physical change) is more of an emotional and psychological journey than anything else. The physical change is a consequence of that journey. If we don’t change emotionally and psychologically, we will never create lasting physical change. If the fitness industry understood this and operated from this paradigm, we would consistently see much better outcomes.

Myth:>

Reality: As I’ve shared before “my body is not who I am, it’s just where I live.” It’s how I get around! I am an emotional, cerebral, spiritual and physical being.

Myth: My mindset and attitude will change when I lose the weight.

Reality: I will lose the weight when my mindset and attitude change.

Myth:>

Reality: Some people who may not fit the stereotypical ‘pretty’ mould (guys and girls) are incredibly attractive. And some of the ‘prettiest’ people are actually quite ugly. You know what I mean.

And so…

Working hard to be in good physical shape is a good thing; a healthy goal. But not when it’s to the exclusion of developing ‘all’ of us. Not when it distracts us from who we really are, who we might become and what we might achieve beyond a six-pack and some perfect teeth. And not when it turns us into unbalanced, self-absorbed, insecure obsessives.

We are multi-dimensional, wonderful, amazing, complex creatures; not one-dimensional bodies. We are much more than a bunch of muscles, bones, fat, organs and facial features. Much more than an image. More than something to look at. If success, significance, influence or happiness was dependant on being physically attractive, I’d be one very unsuccessful, insignificant, miserable puppy!

Over the years I have watched many people turn a healthy endeavour (getting in shape) into an unhealthy, even destructive obsession and I have never met one single person who is obsessed with their appearance… and happy. Not one in all the thousands.

There’s a lesson.