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Tricks for building muscle and losing fat

By
Elizabeth Williams

By, Angela Williams

When it comes to knowing what foods you should and shouldn’t eat, it can be a bit confusing. Knowing whether something is considered healthy or good for a muscle-building diet can be difficult with all of the different diets and articles out there. Now although this article is about the best foods to eat to lose weight and gain muscle, it’s important to understand that working out goes hand in hand. Without the help of a daily workout, the process will become a lot longer.

Majority of the issue when trying to lose weight is based on the foods that you eat, but physical activity is essential for the process. One thing that we want to mention when you are beginning your weight loss journey is to immediately forget the scale. At least for a bit of time, don’t even think about getting on the scale to watch your weight. Since muscle weighs more than fat, you might become shocked when you see that your numbers have increased. But yet, your favorite pair of jeans suddenly fit better and that’s because the fat is shedding off.

Now, let’s get to everyone’s favorite topic, food. Creating good nutrition habits early on is the best way to maintain a healthy lifestyle, but we understand that not everyone starts off like this. Training yourself to eat healthy unprocessed foods is something that can definitely be done and taught over time. Fueling your body with nutritious foods is the key to any well-balanced diet.

What are the best foods to eat to lose weight and gain muscle?

Eating the proper amount of fats and proteins is the most important part of being sure that you are gaining muscle rather than fat. Any time that you overindulge in one item, you may be causing your body to create fat and not muscle. When it comes to dieting, balance is everything. Rather than restricting yourself and going into deprivation mode, just balancing your foods will do the trick. Being sure to get proper amounts of protein, healthy fats, and fiber carbohydrates is vital. Depending on your goals and your current weight, your caloric needs will vary. There are plenty of amazing apps that you can use to track your food and workouts to be sure you are meeting your daily needs. You should be aiming to have protein and veggies with every meal and minimal carbs. Some healthy examples are:

Tip 1: Eat protein with every meal

  • Eggs
  • Chicken and turkey
  • Beef, Pork and Lamb
  • Tuna, Salmon and Sardines
  • Whole Milk, Cheese, Greek Yogurt and Whey Protein

Tip 2: Eat veggies with every meal

  • Spinach
  • Broccoli
  • Kale
  • Bell Pepper
  • Cabbage

Tip 2: Eat carbs one time per day, preferably early in your day

  • Quinoa
  • Oatmeal
  • Bread
  • Brown Rice
  • Potatoes/Sweet Potatoes

What diets can I do to lose fat and gain muscle quickly? 

A lot of times when people are looking to lose fat they immediately turn to extreme diets and try to lose an excessive amount of weight quickly. The key is to not lose weight fast, but rather slow and steady. When you drop weight too fast, chances are you will put it back on just as quickly. Not only will the weight go back on faster, but while you are losing weight, you are not just losing fat, but rather you are losing muscle. This would solely defeat your ultimate purpose. Also, women and men are very different when it comes to dropping weight fast.

Women have other parts of their bodies to be cautious of when dropping excessive weight. Losing large increments of weight leads to saggy skin, decreased breast tissue and loss of muscle definition. In fact, the foods that we have listed will not only help increase muscle and decrease fat, but also keep your body including your breasts toned and firm. Ladies, you will want to keep that in mind when thinking about the next fad diet you are following.

Should I do excessive amounts of cardio? 

If you are looking to simply lose weight and you are not too concerned about gaining muscle, then sure, cardio is probably for you. If you are trying to gain muscle definition, then excessive cardio is going to be a no. When your main goal is to gain muscle, you will be better off focussing on high-intensity interval exercises. This is the best way to get rid of belly fat and lean out. When you do HIIT workouts you are actually burning calories for hours after your workout is completed. Which if you’re following along you will know that the more calories you burn, the more fat you lose.

What foods should I eat before and after my workout?

Not feeding your body before and after a workout will hinder the weight loss, muscle gain process. Your body needs energy to fuel off of before a workout and your body will get that from food. Eating a small portion of carbohydrates before a workout is a great way to get the most from your gym session. Timing is everything when it comes to eating, eating your meal about 2-3 hours before you exercise is best. If you don’t have much time, you can eat a piece of toast with honey to give your body the proper amount of fuel beforehand. Now when you finish your workout, it is essential to feed your muscles. The best foods to eat after a workout would be something with dairy protein, eggs, carbohydrates or omega 3 fatty acids. These foods will have you on the way to recovery in no time.

The conclusion 

Losing weight and gaining muscle is not as complicated as most would make it seem. As long as you are staying consistent with your workouts, eating proper foods and watching your caloric intake then the process will be smooth. The important thing to remember is to never deprive yourself of anything and do everything in moderation. Focus on more strength training and a little less cardio if your ultimate goal is to gain muscle and burn fat. Lastly, remember that patience is key and getting to your goals will take some time but if done the right way, you won’t have to worry about it coming back quickly.

These Are 10 Inspiring And Amazing Traits All People With True Integrity Have

By
Stephanie Reeds

Integrity is one of the most important qualities a person can have. Some people believe that integrity is always doing the right thing. And some think that it is doing the right thing even when there is no one there.

Personally, I agree with the latter. People who have integrity don’t do the right thing just to show people how noble and kind they are. They do it because to them there is no other alternative than what’s good for everybody. They do not expect your gratitude or praise for their actions. Their integrity is a way of life.

In a world full of wrongdoers, double-crossers, and liars, they are the change that we all wish to be. Here are 1o inspiring and amazing traits that only people with real integrity possess:

 1. They are authentic. They are breath of fresh air. They are creative, unique and genuine. But the most important thing that makes them stand out from the crowd is the fact that they aren’t trying to be above other people. They shine with their own light.

2. They respect other people’s time. People with true integrity won’t keep anyone waiting for them because they know just how limited and precious time is. That is why they highly appreciate other people’s time.

3. They give credit where it’s due. These human beings could never steal someone’s shine. They don’t see life as a competition. They know that each and everyone has their own journey while they are here. People with high integrity give credit where it’s due. They are not intimidated by someone’s success.

4. They are very humble human beings. They don’t mind doing the dirty work and walking a few miles more if that is what it takes to get where they want to. People who possess true integrity know that everything in life must be deserved.

5. They know when to say I am sorry. These people know that making mistakes is rooted deep in our nature. They know that they can also mess up, just like everyone else, but the difference between them and everyone else is their reaction to their mistakes. While some prefer to blame others, people with integrity choose to apologize and move on.

6. They don’t need to argue when they are not right. People with integrity know that their opinion is just as important as anybody else’s. That is why they respect people’ s differences and they always choose to agree to disagree.

7. They are honest. They don’t appreciate when someone is trying to cover something up just so they can save themselves. People with integrity don’t like getting into a mess of lies, even if it’s a white life. They prefer the truth.

8. They never take advantage of people. A person with true integrity will never ever get close to someone just to take advantage of them. These people are honest, kind and empathic.

9. They give the benefit of the doubt. On top of it all, they are always willing to give the benefit of the doubt. That’s because they’ve chosen to stick to their belief that there is good in every human being. They will choose to believe you until you prove them wrong. That’s how pure and kind their heart is.

10. They say it like it is. People with integrity don’t really care what others have to say about them. They know exactly how much they are worth. And they don’t hesitate to tell the truth. They say it like it is, regardless of how other people feel about it. That is what makes them the most trustworthy individuals alive.

Source: Athena LeTrelle

Be With A Woman That Wants You, But Doesn’t Need You

By
Riley Cooper

Be with a woman that wants you, but doesn’t need you. Because she is already content with her life. Because she is already happy with herself. Because she knows what she wants in life and how to get it. Because she is not afraid to go the extra mile and risk everything to get where she wants to be in life.

Be with a woman that doesn’t need you, but listens to you attentively when you speak. Because she’s the one who will enjoy listening to you when you tell her how you spent your day or complain to her about your jealous coworkers. She’s the one who will want to know everything about you. She’s the one that will show your words have meaning for her.

Be with a woman who knows what her priorities are. A woman who won’t let her love for you make her forget about her needs and wishes. A woman who won’t let her feelings for you make her stop taking care of herself and forget to live her life.

Be with a woman who doesn’t need your validation and compliments because she already feels comfortable in her own skin. She knows who she is. She’s aware of all of her qualities and strength. She’s aware of her insecurities and fears as well. But, unlike most people out there, she accepts and loves herself just the way she is.

Be with a woman who appreciates your opinion but doesn’t always need it. She wants and values your advice, but she doesn’t always act on it.

Be with a woman who doesn’t need you but embraces and cherishes you for who you are. A woman who doesn’t want or expect you to change or pretend to be someone you are not. A woman who likes the things that even you don’t like about yourself.

Be with a woman who doesn’t need you but who knows that she can always rely on you for your support. She knows that you’ll always be there for her when life gets difficult for her. She knows that you’re the one she can fully trust and lean on.

Be with a woman that doesn’t need you since she is the one that will inspire you to set high goals. She’s the one who will remind you of your strength and qualities when you feel weak. She’s the one who will believe that you can achieve anything you set your mind to, even when no one else will.

Be with the woman that doesn’t need you since she is the one who will never compare her own successes with yours. She’s the one who will never undermine your achievements or make you feel like you’re not good enough, smart enough, or strong enough. She’s the one that will be the first to congratulate you and celebrate with you when you achieve a goal.

Be with the woman that doesn’t need you because she is going to love you in ways you never knew possible. She’s going to love you deeply. Intensely. Selflessly. Unconditionally. Wholly.

Date a woman who doesn’t need you because she is the one who will make you feel in ways you never felt before. She’s the one who will make you feel whole and complete. She’s the one who will show you what true, raw, deep, once-in-a-lifetime kind of love feels like.

Polar Bear Living Behind Glass In A Chinese Shopping Mall Was Dubbed “The Saddest In The World” After A Heartrending Video Of Her Went Viral

By
Riley Cooper

A polar bear that was kept in a glass-walled enclosure at an aquarium in the Grandview Mall in Guangzhou, southern China, was dubbed “The Saddest Polar Bear In The World” after a heartrending video of him went viral in no time. 

The three-year-old polar bear, called Pizza, attracted the attention of many people around the globe after a video surfaced of him, lying alone in his bare, glass-walled enclosure at the mall. In the video, Pizza was slumped on his side and his mouth was quivering – a sight that broke the hearts of thousands of people around the world.

Another video footage showed the bear going back and forth, swinging his head, and biting and pawing at an air hole – behaviors which indicate distress and mental decline. To top it all off, the bear had to endure the constant camera flashes as visitors were trying to take pictures of him.

Animal lovers all over the world could not remain indifferent to the bear’s misery. The Animals Asia Foundation launched a petition to shut the aquarium permanently which has attracted more than 500,000 signatures. In addition, 50 nonprofit organizations sent a letter to the governor of Guangzhou Province, Zhu Xiaodan, urging him to remove the bear from the aquarium.

Soon after the petition was signed, Grandview Mall announced that Pizza would temporarily be relocated to the place where he was born, which was later revealed to be Tianjin Haichang Polar Ocean World, an aquarium in northern China. And after Grandview Mall would finish upgrading Pizza’s exhibit, the bear would return there.

Are you wondering where Pizza is now?

Well, here’s some good news: This cute polar bear has not returned to his ‘showcase.’ In fact, his old exhibit has been shut down indefinitely. And Pizza … He’s remained at the aquarium in Tianjin with his mom. Finally, this lovely polar bear has managed to see some sunlight and find happiness.

An Open Letter To The Man That Will Love Me Next

By
Riley Cooper

Dear man that will love me next,

Wherever you are and whoever you are, I don’t know when or how faith will cause our paths to cross, but I feel like I have to bare my soul to you and tell you something.

I am not the kind of person that is after mediocre love. I am not the kind of person that desires mediocre, one-sided relationships.

No. Unlike most people, I am the type of person who loves fully. I love deeply. Intensely. Selflessly. Unconditionally. Wholly.

So, know that loving me won’t be easy, but trust me, it’ll be worth it.

I have often been told that I am a difficult woman to love, but that’s only because my way of loving was too much for some people.  Some guys didn’t know how to deal with the intensity of my love. Some guys were too afraid to accept my heart and everything I was willing to offer to them. And some guys were intimidated by my courage to go the extra mile and risk everything so as to be with them.

Now, I know – those were my mistakes.  I shouldn’t have given my heart to others so freely. I shouldn’t have placed my faith in guys who didn’t deserve me.

Yes, I allowed selfish, manipulative guys to hurt me and break my heart.

And that’s the reason why I am guarded now. I don’t easily trust people. It takes me time to open up and be the person that I really am in front of other people. But, you see, the one thing which has never changed, and I can guarantee that it never will, is the fact that I love genuinely.

I love from the bottom of my heart. I love with every part of me.

My love has no boundaries.

That’s why I need you to be patient with me.

Because it’ll take some time for me to open up to you, to begin trusting you, to share my insecurities and fears with you, and to let you see my imperfections. But, we’ll gradually get there. I’ll gradually give myself to you at all levels. And if this is the same thing that you want, then I promise you that we will make that happen.

Why?

Because I want you. I want us to be together. I want faith to lead us and help us build our future together. I want us to experience the love poets write poems about. I want us to experience the pure happiness, excitement, and serenity only true love can offer.

I want us to feel loved and appreciated.  Because you and I deserve this. We deserve to love each other in ways we never knew possible. We deserve to love each other fully. Wholeheartedly. Unconditionally. Endlessly.

The Happiest People Alive Know That Life Is Wondrous Journey, Never A Competition

By
Stephanie Reeds

I see you. I see that sorrow in your soul. I see that disappointment in your eyes. You are someone who has failed in life. Someone who got their heart broken. Someone who spent many years trapped in a bad relationship. Someone who made mistakes. But somehow, you are also someone who managed to get up, clean the dirt from your feet and carry on.

Still, I cannot help but notice the fact that there is a part of you that keeps convincing you that you are not worthy. You’ve managed to get yourself out of the gutter, but there is a voice inside of you that keeps making you feel insecure. A voice that is forcing you to compete with everyone. Something is telling you that your happiness can only be found if you really prove yourself to be better than everyone.

You are wrong, my dear…

Can’t you see that you are only making it hard for yourself? Can’t you see that you are hurting yourself?

Stop doing that to yourself! Stop comparing yourself to everyone. Stop being upset because that person’s life looks much better than yours. Stop hating people because of their successes. Stop being jealous of people’s lives. That is their own, personal journey and believe it or not, it has nothing to do with yours. Their success doesn’t dampen yours. And their happiness doesn’t destroy yours!

The worst thing is, you don’t even know what they’ve been through to get where they are now, to look the way they do and to have the life that they have. For what is worth, they might have it even worse than you. Remember, just because someone looks happy on the outside, doesn’t mean that they are happy on the inside.

I know how you feel, and I know that it is difficult for you. But you’ve not been given this life in order to keep up with everyone else. You’ve not been given this opportunity here on earth just to compete with people and prove that you are the best! No! I believe your existence has a greater purpose. And that is finding true happiness.

The happiest people alive are not happy because they have everything they want in life. No, no. They are aware that life is nothing but a chain of fortunate and unfortunate events. And they are fine with that.

They don’t treat life like a competition. They don’t compare with other people. They don’t worry if they fall behind because they know that they are on the right path. What’s even more important, they don’t look for their happiness someplace else.

They simply know that life is nothing but a wondrous journey. They’ve accepted the fact that this journey will always have ups and downs, obstacles and advantages. And they’ve said yes to challenges. Because ultimately, those help them grow.

9 Incredible Things You Will Experience Once You Start Cherishing Being Alone

By
Stephanie Reeds

Being alone is frowned upon. It is considered as this miserable, lonely phase in life from which one must always stay away. It has always been like that.

You find a partner, you spend a few, amazing years, but after a while, you change, and you no longer find pleasure in walking the same road. You split and suddenly you are alone. It feels sad and lonely, but deep down you know that you’ve made the right decision. Deep down you know that it will take you some time to overcome the pain, but eventually, you will be fine.

Still, whatever you do, you cannot avoid noticing the way everyone looks at you. They look at you with pity in their eyes. They feel sorry for you. What’s even worse, they try to find ways to help you out and hook you up with someone better for you.

The truth is, no matter how much you try to tell people how you feel, they will always label you. Society is built on stereotypes like these. However, there is always something you can do about all of this.

The key is in not giving a damn what others think of you. Yes, it is as simple as that.

Here are 9 incredible things that you will experience once you start cherishing being alone:

1. You will recharge your batteries. Let’s face it, being around people all the time can be mentally draining at times. No matter how much we love someone, there is no better therapy than sitting quietly by yourself and having a chat with your thoughts.

2. You will find your true self. Embracing singlehood will help you focus on yourself and think about who you are and what you want from life. This period will be the stepping stone to your dream life.

3. You will reflect more often. Being single gives you the opportunity and time for self-refection. Just think about it. This phase of your life will help you shut your loud insecurities and listen to what your heart has to say. This will be your best “me-time” since you are not spending a lot of time worrying about someone else’s feelings.

4. You will focus on doing what makes you happy. Ending a relationship that you no longer find uplifting will be your stepping stone to a better life. Being single will give you an opportunity to start doing the things that make your heart sing. For the first time in your life, you will see what it is like to make a decision on your own.

5. You will become more productive and more creative. Being free to finally decide without having to think whether your decision will affect someone else will finally give you the freedom to follow the path to your wildest dreams. Singlehood will give you the courage to be the person you’ve always wanted to be. Freedom will stimulate your productivity and imagination.

6. You will finally get a taste of independence. For the first time in your life, you will finally get to see what it feels like to completely rely on yourself. It sounds scary, but there is nothing more beautiful than that, I assure you. Learning how to live independently will give you the strength to accomplish your wildest dreams.

7. You will stop worrying about making everyone happy. Because your primary focus will be yourself. You will finally realize that you cannot spend your life on making everyone happy. Singlehood will open your eyes and make you realize that you should always be first on your priority list. Because if you don’t take care of yourself, no one will.  

8. You will stop apologizing for everything. When you finally accept being alone as this precious phase in your life, you will quickly understand that you don’t owe anyone explanation for the things that you’ve. Being alone will give you the courage to stand up for yourself and defend your opinions, no matter how different they may be.

9. You will stop asking for validation. You will no longer be interested in getting an OK from people. Being alone will help you understand that only you know what’s best for you.

If He Shows These 7 Communication Behaviors, Know You’re Dating The Wrong Guy

By
Riley Cooper

If your man’s communication didn’t stink and if his communication skills weren’t that poor, you wouldn’t be reading this article now.

Communication is an important factor in every relationship. It has the power to make the connection between you and your partner stronger and make you feel acknowledged by them. Unfortunately, it can also make your relationship fall apart.

In fact, the way your boyfriend communicates with you can reveal a lot about the way he feels about you and the relationship as well.

Well, if your bae displays most or all of the following 7 communication behaviors, I’m sorry to break it to you, but you’re dating the wrong guy.

Here they are:

1. He’s not vocal about his feelings.

If you often feel like you have to read your boyfriend’s mind in order to better gauge his feelings, thoughts, and intentions, then there’s undoubtedly a lack of communication in your relationship.

Trying to figure out your boyfriend’s feelings for you and whether the relationship means to him as much as it means to you is tiring and frustrating.

The thing is that when you’re in a relationship with someone who is genuinely in love with you, you know how they feel about you because they’re not afraid to wear their heart on their sleeve. So, if your boyfriend doesn’t bother to express his feelings for you, this can be a red flag he’s lost interest in you or that he’s never even been into you.

2. He doesn’t listen to you.

If you often notice that your man’s mind wanders off when you talk to him, this may indicate that your words have no meaning for him.

So, what you should ask yourself is: If what you have to say means nothing to your bae, then what makes you think that you and your relationship do?

3. He doesn’t show affection.

Emotional and physical intimacy is also a sign of communication. If you two are having issues when it comes to your sex life, for instance, you’re dissatisfied with it or you can’t tell when you two were last physically intimate, this is a red flag that your relationship lacks a healthy, open communication.

4. He is passive-aggressive.

A person displays a passive-aggressive behavior when they want to dodge questions or avoid conflict and taking personal responsibility for their mistakes and wrongdoings.

So, if your man often makes cynical or derogatory remarks,  ignores you when you complain to him about something bad he said or did to you, or avoids solving your relationship problems, chances are he neither cares about you nor about your relationship.

5. You feel alone in his presence.

If you’re in a relationship in which you feel alone, then what’s the point of staying in it?

If your man doesn’t make you feel free and comfortable expressing your feelings and opinions, if he doesn’t make you feel emotionally fulfilled, and if you can’t feel that love is floating in the air when he’s around you, well, I’m sorry to break it to you, but you two are not on the same page.

6. He has frequent outbursts of anger.

When two people are genuinely in love with each other, they tend to discuss and resolve their relationship problems in a mature, civilized, polite manner. Because their primary goal is saving their relationship.

But, if your man flies off the handle, shouts at you, or insults you every time you try to talk out your relationship problems or every time you make a mistake, maybe it’s time for you to reevaluate your relationship and think about if he really is the person you want to be with.

7. He rarely asks you what you need.

When you honestly and deeply love someone, you want them to be happy. You want them to feel content and fulfilled around you. And in order to make that happen, you try to find out what makes them happy. You show interest in their needs, desires, and wishes.

So, if your boyfriend hardly ever cares about what you need in the relationship and how you want him to treat you, then chances are he doesn’t care about you, nor about your relationship.

How to Choose an Addiction Treatment Center for Women

By
Elizabeth Williams

As a woman, there are several things you may want to consider before choosing a rehab facility. Remember drug addiction affects males and females in different ways, that’s you’ll find numerous women-only addiction treatment centers.

If you want the support of other women, consider a treatment program that’s exclusively designed for women rather than a rehab program which is open to both genders. These programs are usually on both inpatients as well as on an outpatient basis. Typically, inpatient treatment services are available 24/7 in residential rehab facilities. And they’re best suited for those who’ve severe addictions and require intensive treatment in a serene, safe, and supportive environment.

On the other hand, outpatient treatment is offered on a part-time basis and might work better for women who need to execute their daily activities while undergoing treatment. Each drug rehab treatment program is unique and provides different treatment approaches, services, as well as amenities. 

Here are important things to look for in rehabilitation centers for women.

A Treatment Plan That Addresses the “Whole” Individual

A comprehensive treatment plan that addresses the whole person works effectively for any woman who is battling addiction. This type of treatment program tackles the physical, psychological, spiritual, as well as social components of addiction.

Women-focused treatment facilities usually offer therapies focused on addressing emotional and sexual traumas which may have contributed to the addiction. Besides, they deal with any eating disorders, self-esteem issues, family problems, and body image issues.

Supportive Therapy

Since most women tend to define themselves in terms of their relationships plus connections with others, having a supportive, nurturing, as well as an empathetic therapist is a must.

Sharing ideas with other women who’re struggling with similar addictions is also another important aspect of the recovery process. According to clinical research, women battling with addictions benefit heavily from supportive therapies.

Drug Treatment during Pregnancy

Pregnant women who’re struggling with a drug addiction should choose a treatment program that addresses the unique challenges they’re facing. Pregnancy can make the treatment quite complex and can lead to premature pregnancy termination.

Drug rehab treatment centers must support expectant women by taking their nutritional concerns into consideration and addressing their fetal health whilst openly discussing their condition. They should also offer medically-assisted detox as well as stabilization when needed.

On-Site Childcare Services

On-site childcare services are extremely important for those who’ve children. Research has shown that women whose children accompanied them to the rehab were more likely to complete their drug rehab treatment program. For those receiving minimal family support, on-site childcare might be a great option during their rehabilitation.

Certain women-focused drug rehab treatment centers provide specialized counseling services for mothers to address common parenting problems involved with addiction. These services can really prove invaluable to you and your child.

The Bottom Line

As a woman who’s struggling with drug addiction, it’s advisable to find an effective way to treat your condition. There are numerous rehab centers out there that can help treat your addiction. However, it’s always important to pick a drug rehab treatment program that offers supportive therapy, addresses all your needs, and provides on-site childcare services. 

Keep an Eye on your Health in Your “Golden Age” – Everything You Should Know About Medicare

By
Elizabeth Williams

Is your golden age just around the corner? If you’re approaching your retirement years, it’s time to get serious about your medical care. With people living longer and longer, you need to preserve your youth and health as you reach this milestone.

Medicare is a federally-ran program that provides medical insurance to those 65 and older. Medicare steps in at this age to take care of almost all of your healthcare needs, and this can be a real lifesaver. From knowing what Medicare covers to understanding how to maximize it, this guide will help you keep an eye on your health in your golden age with Medicare. Let’s get started.

Start Thinking Early About Medicare

There’s a lot going on that can get in the way, especially when it comes to healthcare. However, you don’t want to wait until the last minute to think about Medicare. The best time to start thinking about this program and your coverage is in your early 60s. There are a lot of choices and decisions you’ll need to make, so getting a head start will make sure you don’t miss anything along the way. 

You’ll need to start thinking about the following:

  • What doctors will you need to see, and are they covered under your Medicare plan?
  • What prescription drugs do you need coverage for?
  • Do you have a health savings fund for your retirement?
  • Do you need travel insurance as you enter your golden years?
  • What type of coverage do you expect to need?

Familiarize Yourself with the Parts of Medicare

One of the biggest aspects that confuses people about Medicare are the different parts. Right now, let’s take a minute to explain the different parts and how they all work together to create Medicare as we know it. 

Part A and B are also known as original Medicare. Part A covers your hospital insurance, including things like inpatient care and nursing homes. Part B covers outpatient care, including doctors’ services and home healthcare. 

Part C is a bit different. This is also known as Medicare Advantage, and it’s an alternative option to Original Medicare. These plans are offered by private insurance companies, and they offers Parts A, B, and D through a single plan. Medicare beneficiaries should compare Medicare Advantage plans to find the one that is best for them.

Finally, Part D is your prescription drug coverage. There are different plans offered, and each one offers different coverage for different medications which is why it’s important to know what type of medications you’ll need when signing up.

Know Your Enrollment Window

Another important thing to know about Medicare as you enter your golden age is that Medicare coverage isn’t automatic. Unless you’re already on Social Security, you won’t be automatically enrolled in the program. 

You’ll need to be aware of your specific Medicare enrollment window. This window begins 3 months before your 65th birthday and ends 3 months after. You’ll need to make sure you don’t miss this window or you could face a penalty fee. 

Medicare Is Growing Rapidly

Finally, keep in mind that Medicare is rapidly growing. There are currently over 44 million beneficiaries, and this number will only continue to rise as the aging population increases. Why does this matter? This new number is a good indication that Medicare will continue to develop and change. 

There’s a lot of discussion and debate about the future of Medicare. Many people believe it won’t be along for much longer, while others thing the benefits will change. While much of this will have to do with our legislation, it’s important to educate yourself about the trends related to Medicare so you can stay protected. 

Are You Ready For Medicare?

As you can see from this list above, there’s a lot to know about Medicare. Luckily, you’re now in a position to make smarter choices about your own healthcare as you age, whether you’re retiring now or in a few years. 

Making the most of Medicare isn’t always simple, but it is possible with the right preparation. Your heatlh is the most important thing you have. Don’t lose it in your golden years. 

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