the good life HEALTH Ask the Doctors ‘The experts ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS. By Dorkys Ramos peas I've reached a plateau in my weight-loss program. How can I get over the hump and lose these last few pounds? Keep an exercise log to determine if you're working out too little or even too ‘much, says fitness trainer Phoenix Carnevale. “[Working out too hard] leads tw increased musele soreness, headaches and insomnia, which makes it harder to lose \weigh” So be sure to include recovery time in your fitness regimen. Also, mix things "upat the gym. IFyouive only been going hard on the treadmill, why not give body seulpt classes a try? As far as diet goes, try starting a food diary. Like an exercise log, a ‘food diary might give you more insight into your eating habits. “For example, you ‘might not realize how much you pick at food during the day.” Carnevale says. And ‘with lactose intolerance posing a problem for many Latinas, dairy products (even the low-fat kind) can cause bloating, So, flush out your system by drinking more water. My sex drive has decreased since Istarted taking birth control pills. What can I do to improve it? =F According to Kent Holtorf, M.D., founder of the Holtorf Medical Group, almost 50 pereent of women admit that they've dealt with low Iibido at some point, and out 15 percent suffer from ongoing low sexual drive “Birch control pills cause a dramatic decrease in testosterone, an important hormone for sexual desire in both sexes,” Dr. Holtorf says. You may want to ry switching to nonhormonal ‘means of contraception, such aseondoms, diaphragms and non-hormone-secreting UDs, which won't affect ‘your libido. Also, many ‘women find that triphasie birth contrat pil, whieh deliver differing amounts of hormones every week, interfere much les with their sex drive than monophasic pill tha deliver the same amount ofhormones with each dose," he adds. Other remedies include testosterone supplements, amino acids to stimulate blood flow, some medications usually prescribed for erectile dysfunction and nasal sprays with ptocin (oxytocin), a hormone that stimulates bdo and etimax. Just tallt your physician for more information on any of these optionsPIERDE PESO SIN PERDER SABOR 2 etna Ceres Special susce Barta Cereal Special X* outa Lieudo de Protein Special KY sxsce Gallen Special” cousnas:Camarones al plancha on tomatey quer feta Eth usta pana cL RETO? the good life HEALTH Mp job is so stressful that it literally makes me pull my hair out. Iknow Ineed help, but I don’t know where to go. =? iis that bad, you may want to consider ooking for a new job. In the meantime, be aware that prolonged stress could have its consequences. “You should consider geting help when you've ‘unsuccessfully tried to confront your stress and its affecting your daily activities, personal ‘relationships, health or your ability to enjay life,” says psychologist ‘Ana Nogales, Ph.D. Talking to a psychologist could get you back on track, and in some cases medication could prove helpful, especially ‘when sleep is compromised and hinders your ability to make wise decisions. “There are different types of therapy, and notall therapists are alike,” Nogales says. "Find one -you feel comfortable with because he or she will alk with you and ‘maintain an objective perspective in trying to help you find possible solutions.” you're feling uneasy about the situation, know that there's absolutely nothing wrong with going to therapy. In fact, Nogales notes that despite ‘our community's tendency to View asking for help as a sign of weakness, Latinas are more Inclined to do so than Latinos. “Wise and strong people seek services when they need them,” she adds, Should I be taking a multivitamin, or am Thetter off taking specific vitamins instead? > Few of us eat well-balanced meals every single day, so your best bet could actually he a combo of both, says dietician sylvia Meléndea-Klinger. “It's best to tako a multivitamin every day, but supplements like omega-s, calcium and vitamin D may be prescribed to help with a specific rutriont deficiency,” she says For Latinas, those deficiencies typically lie in iron and folie acid, ‘vitamin known to prevent birth defects, Ifyou have a high risk for ‘certain condition, your doe might suggest certain supplements to up your body's fighting power. Some vitamins are best absorbed when taken in conjunction with others, such as calcium with vitamin D and iron with vitamin C, so be sure to consult with your physician or dietician before starting any supplements to learn how to increase their effectiveness. Do hand sanitizers really work? =F while they'll never replace Jathering with soap and water, thand sanitizers come in handy ‘when you're nowhere near ‘bathroom sink. “They're somewhat effective and beter than nothing,” says Jeffrey Dimond, ‘a spokesman for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention “The key ingredient in sanitize is alcohol, which isa germicid Be sure to choose one with least 60 porcant alcohol content, and keep your toler away from them—a young child ean get aleohol poisoning by ingesting even ‘small amount of hand sanitizer Ask away! Go to Latina.com/life/health.