All posts by R.C. Liley

I'm an ex-mutual fund accountant who left the cubicle world to be a stay-at-home dad to my beautiful little girl, Avery, who entered our life on 11/15/13 and handsome little boy, Wes, who joined our family on 11/19/17. Also happily married to my wife, Kelley, as of 8/17/07. Sorry ladies... :) Fitness and nutrition is of the utmost importance in our family and we strive to reflect this in our daily life. I always prepare our meals at home and only go out if it's a special occasion, and even then I tend to not get much. Food should be fun and a joy to eat, not something quickly consumed from a fast food chain or scarf down before the next meeting. I have come from strictly logging high miles to train for the next marathon to keeping exercise varied and focusing more on strength. I still enjoy going for a run when I can, but nothing crazy, and I prefer hill sprints while pushing my daughter, Avery in the stroller. She loves it and I get a great workout! I want to show the world how to appreciate their body and feed it real, wholesome food while moving more throughout the day. In doing so, everyone would be healthier, happier, and we'd all live in a better place as a result. I blog mainly about my life as a stay-at-home dad and frequently include reviews, participate in campaigns, and share my thoughts on fitness and nutrition. If you ever have any questions or thoughts to share, please reach out as I'm always open to listening or helping others however possible. That is, when I have free time since Avery is and my wife are the number one priorities!

Even Parents Need Confidence; Amazing Tricks To Try Out

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Everyone needs confidence from time to time. Unfortunately, it’s a fact that parents are especially susceptible to because of the responsibility they have for their children and the pressure they feel about being good role models. Luckily, there are several ways parents can build up their confidence levels and regain control over their lives again.

Upgrade Your Wardrobe

Everyone needs to shop but buying clothes that flatter you can be challenging. You might feel like everything looks bad on you or that nothing fits well, which is why it’s essential to try out some new tricks now and then. When shopping for yourself, not just any clothing will do; instead, find something to make you look great. If it helps, get your significant other or a friend to help.

It might seem easier said than done, but shopping will be a breeze with these simple tricks.

If you are shopping online, take your measurements beforehand to give you an idea of what size to look for. Don’t go by numbers, though. Instead, get the actual clothing item and try it out yourself. For example, for leather jackets for men, make sure it is the right size. If it’s too tight or uncomfortable, there is no reason why you should buy something just because it is the same number as your usual size.

For example, if you are a size 16, make sure to try out the clothing before buying it. If something is too tight (and gives you fat rolls), don’t buy it just because of the number on its label. You want something that flatters your body and makes you feel comfortable; not stressed about wearing an outfit that doesn’t fit well.

If you are shopping in person, make sure to try on everything. You might not think that something looks good, but sometimes it does. For example, if your style is more straightforward or classic, don’t be afraid to wear different types of clothing even though they may not look like what you would typically choose to put on. Be daring and bold. You might discover something you like.

Change Your Hairstyle

Even if you’re not a teen anymore, it’s still exciting to try out new things. For example, change your hairstyle. You don’t need to go through the entire dyeing and cutting of your hair; opt for simple ways like changing your part, cutting your hair in layers, or getting a new haircut.

Just take out the bobby pins and change where you place them. You can also try using different types like butterfly clips for short hair to make things more interesting. If long locks are not your thing anymore, cut off some layers. It will give your hair volume and make you look like you’ve got a boost of energy. If your hair is too thin or even if it’s slightly wavy, go for straightening treatments to make them look thicker.

Buy an Expensive Equipment

If you are a parent and your child is bored with the usual toys, then it’s time to change things up. Children are always looking for new ways to have fun and experience new sensations. It means that they will be more than happy when you give them an expensive toy or game to keep their attention on you.

If you are not aware of some parents’ needs, you may think they will be satisfied with cheaper toys. But, in this case, buying them a cheap toy or game is not going to cut it for your little ones looking forward to having the best experience ever when playing with their new expensive gift from mom and dad.

Go Out More Without Your Kids

One of the biggest problems with parenting is feeling like you need to be constantly at home. First, you spend a lot of time and money making your kids comfortable; then, it’s easy for them to get used to staying in all day long.

Take them along. Start with one day at a time. Don’t worry about what others might think of you because they are probably in the same situation. One way to help your kids get used to going out is by taking them on trips or errands with you. However, if that’s not possible, let them know when and where you will be going — try having a phone conversation while still sitting at home.

Get Trimmed

It is easy to get self-conscious about your looks. From the time you were a little girl, your mother probably told you that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Because there are so many things out there about beauty that are subjective, it is easy to get caught up in the feeling that you are not attractive enough.

You can work on making yourself feel more comfortable with your looks by trying out tricks to boost your confidence. The first thing is to try different haircuts, colors, and styles until you find one or a few choices that make you happy when looking in the mirror every morning. You don’t have to go to a hair salon and spend money on getting your hair done. 

You can try out different looks at home by looking through magazines for inspiration or simply experimenting with what you already have in the house, like toothbrushes, combs, scissors, and spray bottles. The next confidence booster is shopping for clothes that make you feel good about yourself instead of fitting into a specific clothing size. 

You can do this yourself or ask for help from someone who knows how you like to dress and what works best for your body types, such as friends and family members. Another way is by wearing clothes that make you feel like a rock star, such as high heels. Just make sure not to wear them daily and become reliant on wearing these shoes to be confident with how you look because the goal is to take time out of your day and feel good about yourself.

Spend More Time Doing What You Love

It’s a well-known fact that you should spend more time doing what you love. But it is not always easy to do so. You have your friends and families asking you for help, schoolwork piling up in front of you, and deadlines left, right and center. Still, this doesn’t mean you should give up on what you love. 

Conclusion

Many things can make parents feel insecure, but there are also many options to boost their self-confidence. Parents can feel better about themselves by taking a few simple steps before getting started with their children’s lives, and even after they have been living for some time as parents.

How To Become A Better Driver

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How somebody becomes a great driver is a bit of a mystery. Yes – you can take lessons. But, as we all know, that’s not really when you learn. Instead, you accumulate experience over the course of your driving life. Most people actually continue to improve their driving skills for decades, before they finally level off and start declining in old age. 

Researchers think that this continual improvement occurs unconsciously. At first, we have to concentrate really hard on driving to get it right. Then after we practice a few times, it slowly transfers to the automatic part of the brain. Eventually, we get to the point where we’re able to drive without the need to even think about it. Our conscious mind can be day dreaming and yet the car somehow stays on the road. 

Unfortunately, we can also get into bad habits, and those can be unconscious as well. That’s why driving instructors are so particular about the way people drive. They want to make sure that they have the right unconscious habits before they go out onto the road. 

Even so, some drivers slip through the net and get their license anyway, without really being ready. (We’ve all experienced this type of person on the road). Perhaps that sounds like you. 

In this post, we take a look at some of the ways you can become a better driver. Don’t worry: it’s actually easier than you think, so even if you have bad habits right now, you can still improve them. 

Drive On A Race Track

Most people never push their driving skills to the limit. Consequently, they don’t know what their vehicle is capable of. 

This is actually quite dangerous. It means that you don’t know how to respond when dangerous situations arise. You have never pushed your braking, cornering or acceleration to the limit before, so when hazards do present themselves, you’re essentially flying blind. 

Driving on a race track shows you what your vehicle is capable of. It allows you to test the limits so that you’re ready to respond appropriately to dangerous situations on the road. 

Remain Calm At All Times

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Getting into a rage because somebody cuts you up is not a good idea. Not only does it hurt you personally, but it can also affect your driving. 

If you watch bus drivers, you’ll notice that they rarely if ever lose their temper. Instead, they just accept that inconsiderate drivers are a fact of reality and run with it. They don’t mind if a cyclist comes up their inside or somebody pulls out in front of them. It’s all in a day’s work. If they did care, then it would make their job infinitely less enjoyable. 

Read The Signs

Becoming a better driver is also about reminding yourself what various signs mean. Most of us go through our driving lives, not really paying much attention to rarer signs. However, that doesn’t mean they’re unimportant. They are still trying to tell you something. 

Learn Your Car’s Warning Lights

You’ll also want to spend some time familiarising yourself with your vehicle’s warning lights. Knowing what they mean is actually critical to keeping yourself and your family safe. Unfortunately, modern car manufacturers don’t make it easy. Most warning lights are obscure and don’t convey helpful information to the average person. So you really need to learn them by heart from your vehicle’s manual if you are to respond to them appropriately. 

Take Responsibility For Others

Taking responsibility for other drivers mainly involves anticipating what they are going to do next and then adopting your driving style. This is usually something that comes with experience. After a certain amount of time on the road, you learn what certain motions mean. Eventually, you can spot pedestrians who aren’t looking, or drivers who didn’t check their blind spot. Of course, some road users can be unpredictable, like horses, cyclists and bikers. Bikers have an unhealthy habit of overtaking on corners, which is often the cause of many crashes. If you’re involved in a crash with a biker, it’s important to seek legal advice for motorcycle crash accidents, as it’ll be important to establish the facts and gather evidence.

Taking responsibility for other drivers mainly involves anticipating what they are going to do next and then adopting your driving style. This is usually something that comes with experience. After a certain amount of time on the road, you learn what certain motions mean. Eventually, you can spot pedestrians who aren’t looking, or drivers who didn’t check their blind spot. 

Always Drive Sober

Many people drive drunk and get a DUI when they are young. It’s so easy to do, particularly when you are intoxicated and not thinking straight. However, evidence suggests that even a small amount of alcohol in the system can impair driving. That’s why many countries have an ultra-low limit (or forbid any alcohol at all). 

Driving sober actually puts you at ease too. When you drive drunk – even if you have a small amount of alcohol in your system – you feel less able to control your vehicle. 

Remember To Use Your Turn Signals

Even if you think you’re totally alone, it is still a good idea to use your turn signs. That’s because you might not have seen an approaching vehicle without its lights on, or a pedestrian about to cross the street. 

Using your turn signals is a chore, but soon becomes far easier once you turn it into a habit. After you do it repeatedly, you’ll notice that it is effortless. It’s just like turning the steering wheel on your car.

Keep Your Eyes On The Road Ahead

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You’ll notice that all the best drivers keep their eyes firmly fixed on the road ahead. Often, they focus on things up to a kilometer in front of them, particularly if they are travelling at speed. While a kilometer might seem like a long way away, it is only around 45 seconds in front of you if you are travelling fast. 

Looking ahead can help you avoid all kinds of hazards, from pedestrians to traffic jams. If you want to be able to look further ahead, sit up straight or drive a vehicle with a high driving position, such as an SUV or pickup. 

Configure Your Mirrors

Lastly, you’ll want to configure your mirrors if you haven’t done so already. Great drivers always adjust their mirrors whenever they change their driving position. They also know what good adjusted mirrors look like. 

7 Signs A Wisdom Tooth Is Giving You Grief: What To Do In Case Of Emergency?

The wisdom teeth are the last to cut through the gum tissue and normally do not make an appearance until a person’s late teens or early twenties. Sometimes, wisdom teeth do not have enough room to cut through the gum tissue, and they become impacted. With this guide, individuals will learn some signs they should never ignore when it comes to their wisdom teeth.

7 Signs Wisdom Teeth Need Attention

Many people have their wisdom teeth removed proactively, so they do not have to face problems. Many places, like Herndon dentists, make it easy to setup an appointment online to get any issues resolved quickly. When issues arise and are causing discomfort and other problems, individuals often need emergency dental wisdom teeth removal. If the following signs are occurring, a person needs to schedule a dental appointment right away to see if their wisdom teeth need to be removed.

1. If the wisdom teeth become impacted, a person may notice they have a hard lump in the gum tissue and it becomes swollen and irritated.

2. A toothache in the wisdom teeth should never be ignored. Wisdom teeth can become very painful when they are decayed or become infected.

3. Sometimes, there is simply not enough room in the mouth for the wisdom teeth, which causes tooth shifting.

4. Jaw pain is another sign of wisdom tooth problems that should never be ignored. The pain may radiate through the jaw and into the ear.

5. Because of their positions, infections are common in wisdom teeth and the surrounding gum tissue. Pus drainage, redness, and fever are all common signs.

6. An individual may also experience headaches because of their wisdom teeth. Headaches are caused by the immense pressure placed on the jaw.

7. Wisdom teeth can also cause a person’s teeth to become overly sensitive. The wisdom teeth place excess pressure on the teeth and cause discomfort.

What to Do in the Event of an Emergency?

Sometimes, the pain of wisdom teeth can be unrelenting. When a wisdom tooth is impacted, it sometimes requires an emergency extraction. Those who have noticed signs of impaction need to call a dentist right away. Often, dentists will offer emergency appointments when patients require immediate care.

The dentist will remove wisdom teeth with a local anesthetic or general anesthesia. It is important to note that a person will not feel any discomfort when their wisdom teeth are removed. After removal, it is common to feel some soreness, so individuals will need to consume a soft foods diet for a couple of days.

If the teeth are impacted, incisions are necessary for removing the wisdom teeth. If the tooth has cut through the gum tissue, the dentist will use dental tools called elevators to widen the socket and allow for the removal of the tooth.

Does Everyone Need Their Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Some people will not need a wisdom tooth extraction. If there is ample room in the jaw and the teeth are coming in straight and not causing problems, it is best to leave them alone. Often, there is not enough room for the teeth, and they begin to cause problems with other teeth in the mouth. When issues are arising with wisdom teeth, it is best to remove them.

Schedule a Consultation

Those who are dealing with wisdom teeth problems should see their dentist as soon as possible. With a full examination and X-rays, dentists will know which plan of treatment needs to be sought for the patient. Often, an extraction becomes necessary.