Blog Posts by iVillage

Getty ImagesBy Ronnie Koenig

You might think you have sexy down to a science. But do you know what real men actually want in a lover? Read on to find out.

Enthusiasm
When it comes to sex, you can get an "A" for effort. Guys want to be with someone who's actually into sex and not doing it as a favor or just going through the motions.

"There is nothing more seductive than an enthusiastic lover," says Lou Paget, certified sex educator and author of The Big O: Orgasms: How to Have Them, Give Them, and Keep Them Coming. "That beats out the perfect body or the perfect face anytime. A man wants feedback that a woman is into doing things with him!"

New Tricks
Men want a lover who is willing to try new things from time to time. That doesn't mean you have to go all 50 Shades of Grey. Just be open to ideas.

"Sexual desire is like an appetite," says Paget. "We all want to try different flavors -- otherwise we'd get bored eating at the same place all the time. Men want someone who is willing to explore

Getty ImagesBy Natasha Burton

These 14 warning signs to look for on his profile will help you weed out the wrong guys.

Red Flag #1: He Focuses on Looks
Sure, we all want to find someone we're attracted to, but some guys take this too far. Watch out for men looking for a woman who is "stunning," "hot," "fit" and "sexy" (or any similar adjective). If these guys don't seem to care about a woman's personality and character, they're probably on the hunt for arm candy, not a woman with substance.

Natasha Burton is a love and relationship writer whose work has appeared in The Huffington Post, Glo.com, WomansDay.com, Maxim, iVillage.com and Mom.me. She is the coauthor of dating guide The Little Black Book of Big Red Flags.

Red Flag #2: He Doesn't Say What He Has to Offer
A guy's profile shouldn't be solely about what he wants in a woman -- he should reveal what he brings to a relationship. Without sounding arrogant or shallow, he should be able to explain why he's a good catch. For example, he's a

Getty ImagesBy Brenda Kearns

These study-proven strategies can make losing weight a little less painful.

Have an Afternoon Snack
Women who have a snack in the afternoon lose 57 percent more weight compared to women who snack in the morning, according to a study at Washington's Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. "There's often a big gap -- five hours or more -- between lunch and supper, so afternoon snacks are a great way to steady blood sugar and prevent overeating in the evening," explains lead researcher Anne McTiernan, M.D. "The gap between breakfast and lunch tends to be smaller -- so morning snacks often just add calories, without dampening your appetite later in the day."

Be Realistic About Your Slip-Ups
In a University of Pennsylvania study, women who admitted to weak willpower and a fear of slipups (overeating at parties, skipping workouts due to laziness) lost 26 more pounds compared to women who felt confident that they could shun temptations.

But admitting to those fear

Getty ImagesBy Kimberly Dawn Neumann

Try these easy and sneaky ways to speed up your metabolism and burn more calories, faster.

Eat Pineapple
"Pineapple contains bromelain which is used by gastroenterologists to treat gastrointestinal disorders…it's that good!" says Dan Hamner, M.D., a sports medicine and rehabilitation doctor in New York City. Bromelain helps the pancreatic cells break down food substances so that they can enter the energy pathways. In case you were wondering, pina coladas don't count.

Eat Organic
If you're not completely sold on the farmers markets yet, here's another argument for you: "Research shows that dieters with higher levels of pesticide chemicals stored in their fat cells had reduced metabolism," says Elizabeth Lombardo, Ph.D., author of A Happy You: Your Ultimate Prescription for Happiness. "It appears the toxins in non-organic food can cause your body to store fat rather than metabolize it." So if you don't want to carry last night's dinner around your thighs,

iFitnessBy Karen Asp

Got a fitness enthusiast on your holiday gift list, but you're unsure what to buy? No sweat. Here are 13 gifts that will please any fitness-minded friend:

iFitness Quench Retractable Hydration Running Belt
The Quench Retractable Hydration Running Belt makes it easy to stay hydrated during any workout and carry a few extras. The belt features two retractable bottle holsters for bottles 16 to 24 ounces, a water-resistant Neoprene pouch for an iPod or cell phone, an inner pocket to stash ID and cash, and two exterior pockets for energy gels. Buy now at ifitnessinc.com, $36.95-$39.95

Fitbit One and Fitbit Zip
When it comes to motivating people to move, nobody knows how to do it better than Fitbit, which recently introduced two new devices perfect for runners and walkers. The One is the ultimate wireless activity and sleep tracker, measuring steps, distance, calories burned and sleep quality; and then the results are uploaded wirelessly to a free web site where you can track

Getty ImagesBy Jessica Smith

Boost your immune system and stay healthy this winter with these simple, all-natural expert tips:

Wash Your Hands -- Up To Your Elbows
Yes, we said elbows. While regular hand washing is one of the top tips to avoid getting sick in cold and flu season, scrubbing all the way up to your elbows could be even more effective, says Stacy Mobley N.M.D. The gross truth: "Studies suggest that the forearm holds more bacteria than your armpit," explains Mobley. In fact, the top places on the body for bacteria to thrive are the forearms, palms, index fingers, back of knee and the soles of feet, according to researchers at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Mobley recommends washing your hands and forearms regularly with soap, especially before eating or touching your face, and lathering up for the full length of the "Happy Birthday" song to wash off all cold and flu causing germs.

Dry Your Hands on Paper (Not Cloth) Towels
What you dry your hands with is just as important as

Woman hiding behind filing cabinet eating a chocolate barBy Arricca Elin SanSone

If you've ever cried through a pint of ice cream or eaten because you were bored, the answer might be yes! Here's how to tell and what you can do to fix it.

You Eat When You're Stressed
You're stressing about something and find yourself noshing on carbs and sugar even when you're not hungry. Every time you are stressed, you "need" a bag of chips! What gives?
"The area of the brain that delivers calming hormones is in the same part of the brain that gets pleasure from food," says Marjorie Nolan Cohn, RD, spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. "When you need soothing, the chemical reaction you get from food can make you feel good in the moment. But the effects only last temporarily."

How to Fix It
Substitute other self-soothing behaviors for food when you're feeling worried, says Cohn. "Distract yourself with another activity. You don't have to spend an hour at the gym; even a ten minute walk can work," says Cohn. Wait out the urge to eat by

Little girl holding up a white flagBy Arricca Elin SanSone

Bringing your lunch to work is a great way to save money and get balanced nutrition. But are you making these common mistakes with your brown bag lunch? Here's how to pack a delicious, healthy lunch.

Mistake: Calorie-Packed Beverages
Down a can of soda at lunchtime and you've consumed 150 calories and zero nutrients. "There's also emerging research about liquid calories and the fact that our brains don't register them like they do when we eat food," says Melissa Dobbins, registered dietician and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Talk about empty calories! "Those extra calories add up."
What to Do: Skip the soda, bottled lemonade, iced tea, energy drinks… Water is best. You can add a drizzle of juice or a dash of drink mix (you don't have to use the whole packet) if plain ol' water it's too boring. Other options: flavored sparkling water, plain coffee or tea.

Mistake: Stuffing Yourself
Packing last night's leftovers might seem like a