5 Ways to Curb Your Cravings

A sumptuous meal made up of all your favorite dishes sounds good after an intense workout. Your body is tired from exercise and craves for sustenance. Your kitchen is just a few steps away. Unfortunately, you're on a diet and you need to meet your fitness goals. Here are six tips that will help curb your cravings and help control your appetite.

image courtesy of www.dailyhiit.com

1. It's All in the Mind

Before you give in to your cravings, take a minute to think about how binge eating would impact your body. Ask yourself: “Will this cake satisfy me? Or should I take something nutritious and light instead?” Being impulsive will only ruin your fitness goals.

Distraction is a powerful tool to keep your mind off of food. As soon as you feel the urge to eat, do something else! Listen to music, read a book, watch your favorite TV series, write an article or take your dog for a walk. Trick your mind into being busy so you can avoid thoughts of food and sustenance.

2. Think About Disgusting Things

Another way to overcome your craving for food is to think of something that will make you lose your appetite. Watch a gory zombie movie or the latest Chainsaw Massacre flick. Go to your pantry and take a whiff out of the spice that makes you want to throw up. Look for unhealthy facts about the food that you are craving for (such as the fact that it takes up to four days for instant noodles to be digested) and watch your cravings disappear. Or you can simply imagine all the calories entering your body, bulking you up in all the wrong places.

image courtesy of www.eatingwell.com

3. Inspire Yourself

Who are your “fitspirations?” Is it Christiano Ronaldo or Allyson Felix? Inspiring and motivating yourself to stay fit can shake off your cravings away. Diverting your attention to your “fitspirations” can help you fight the urge to overeating. Leave constant reminders around you: a photo posted on your fridge, a motivational message on your work desk, or an awesome wallpaper on your smartphone. Let that great looking body inspire you to eat healthy and work out more!

4. Manage Stress

Stress causes you to crave food. When you are stressed, hormones that cause you to look for “rewards” are released by the body. These will trick you into thinking that succumbing to your cravings will give you comfort. Don't let stress dominate you. Get enough rest, take stress relievers, cuddle with your partner or go to the nearest spa. There are many ways to relieve stress without giving in to your sinful cravings.

image courtesy of chughtailab.com

5. Hydrate

Drinking enough water can help get rid of your food craving. Dehydration can be mistaken by your body as hunger and it results to a desire to eat more. Drinking water makes you think that you are full and provides temporary satisfaction to your hunger pangs. Hydrating will keep you from eating more than you should and will keep you satisfied until the next meal.

Never let your cravings control you; instead, you should control your cravings.

Which Countries Use Google For Gay Porn The Most?

Would you be interested to know which countries rank way up there in terms of using Google to search for gay porn sites?

image courtesy of instinct magazine

Instinct Magazine has this report:


"Google analyzed its data to report on gay porn search habits. Because SCIENCE. Can you guess which countries found themselves in the top five searchers of gay porn on Google, according to the report? If you answered 'countries that criminalize homosexuality,' you'd be mostly right! Except for South Africa, all of the top five countries that search for gay porn throw their gay people in prison -- or worse. 

Kenya, which took the tiara in the report, criminalizes homosexuality with prison sentences between five and 14 years.  

As it turns out, countries that have more tolerance for LGBT citizens (such as Australia and the US) don't appear until the latter half of the Top 10. This is interesting because it means that the witch hunt for gay guys in this country doesn't really stop people from being who they are. The huge number of searches probably just means that people are generally repressed, and have to resort to other means of "gratification." Or it could mean that repressing homosexuality has an inversely proportional effect on the population, and actually results in more homosexuals.


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Predict A Guy's Package Size By Looking At His Fingers

Here's an interesting experiment that you can try on your next date: you can apparently estimate a guy's penis size by simply studying his hands! And no this is not the "big hands, big dick" kind of generalization. You just have to know a little about ratios and proportions, and have a good eye in spotting size variations.

image courtesy of queerty.com

Queerty reports:

Research shows that clues to what a guy is packing may lie in the index finger. Gachon University Gil Hospital in South Korea found that the bigger the length discrepancy between the index and ring fingers, the bigger the penis is likely to be. The reason? Maybe something to do with prenatal hormone exposure, but they aren’t certain.

And it turns out that that index/ring ratio predicts more than the size of your manhood. The University of Geneva in Switzerland looked at the same measurement and found a correlation to masculine facial features, which are generally perceived as more attractive. The bigger the ratio, the more masculine the face, the higher “attractiveness” perception, the fuller the crotch. 


Interesting. You may want to conduct your own research and see if these findings will match yours. A sample size of about 30 men should probably do it.


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Gay Guys Explain Tampons, Sanitary Napkins and Diva Cups

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In this video, a bunch of gay guys were asked to explain what tampons, sanitary napkins, and diva cups are. For obvious reasons, it is to be expected that these guys will have limited knowledge and information about things that are exclusively feminine, but seeing their reactions is priceless.

I don't have any reason to know how these things work myself, but curiosity is one of my best (and worst) assets. As a kid, I "stole" a couple of pads from my mom's dresser and decided to experiment on them to understand how they work. The first one got obliterated after I put it directly under running water. The second one got soaked after I peed on it. The third one was dissected because I wanted to check what's inside of it. At the end of the day, I got even more confused as to how the product would prevent "blood from leaking."

The tampon was an enigma until just a couple of years ago. I asked one of my girl friends to demonstrate how it was used, and it looked weird to say the least. No, it was not an "actual" demonstration. My main learning that day? Tampons are used when girls want to wear skimpy bikinis on the beach.

 

The diva cup, I must confess, is new to me. I have literally never heard about it. I don't think they advertise those on TV here in the Philippines. It looks like a funnel, and I'm almost afraid to ask how it is used.

So yeah, I would probably have a similar reaction if ever I was asked to be on this video. For the diva cup, at least.


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The 30 Bananas A Day Diet

by Discreet Serpent

I'm going back to beach in a couple of months, and I could certainly lose a couple of pounds so I can confidently walk around wearing only my swimming shorts. So I checked several websites to look for diets that could help me out. One program, in particular, caught my attention. Netizens call it "the trip to banana island" or the 30BaD (30 Bananas a Day) diet.

How does it work? You basically have to eat 30 bananas a day, and nothing else much. Some iterations of the diet also require you to drink 4 quarts of water, 30 minutes of sunshine, regular exercise, and 8-10 hours of sleep. Basically, 97% of your calories would come from the fruit, and the remaining 3% would come from nuts, greens and seeds.

They say that the inspiration for this diet comes from the 80/10/10 diet plan of Dr. Douglas Graham. That diet consists of consuming 80% fruits and vegetables, 10% protein, and 10% fat. The 30 BaD diet reportedly resulted from the personal experiences of a "30 Bananas a Day" team who had years of experience in dieting. Graham, however, had this to say: “I am not affiliated with the site, nor have I trained the people who run the site to give lifestyle advice. I praise them for creating programs based upon the 80/10/10 Diet, but cannot support the aspects of the program that are different from the basic plan I originally created.”

This fad has apparently caught on and has a growing number of supporters. People even use the hashtags #bananaisland, #30bananasaday, and #bananagirl when they post their activities on Instagram and Twitter. These users post what they eat, how long they have been on the diet, and how much weight they have lost since. This "trip to banana island" has turned into a fun way of losing weight, so it seems.

Not everyone is a fan of this diet, however. As it turns out, the 30BaD diet wasn't created (and backed) by licensed nutritionists and dietitians. Some experts also believe that eating only bananas would deprive the dieters of vital nutrients over time. They say that any diet that requires the consumption of only one thing is unhealthy.

Me? I'm no expert but I think I'll stick to a diet that allows me to eat my favorite dishes. I don't mind spending a few extra minutes at the gym just to get my "beach body" back. Perhaps there are other diet plans out there that would require me to eat dessert all day. While I love bananas, I don't think I can stand not eating anything else.

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6 Things That Will Make You Smarter

by Discreet Serpent


No matter how intelligent you think you are, there are new things waiting to be discovered. Intelligence is not a constant state, and there are mental exercises that can keep improve your brain functions significantly. You can read books, go back to school, or watch informative TV shows to increase your knowledge base. There are also options that will not take as much effort or commitment.

image courtesy of justajeepguydc.blogspot.com

1. Take a break from social media

If you find yourself spending too much time checking your Grindr, Facebook timeline and Twitter feed, you need to take a break and browse through other interesting websites. The internet is full of learning resources that can substantially improve your mental faculties. Look for sites that offer online courses on topics that interest you. Read online reviews of movies, books, and plays so you can have additional conversation pieces reserved. Check out news and public affairs sites to keep yourself updated on current events.You can also learn new skills by reading posts from “do-it-yourself” websites.

2.Take notes and document

Start a private journal or an online blog to document the things that you have learned. Take a few minutes to reflect about your new experience, paying special attention to small details. Write about how you came across the information, what measures you took to learn it, a brief summary of your takeaways, and what you plan to do next. This is a way of re-living your learning experience.

It is also important to keep tabs of the things you have accomplished on a daily basis. While listing down the things that you need to do helps with organization, writing down the things you have achieved will help boost your confidence. The list will give you an idea about your capacity for learning things. It will also serve as an inspiration for you to want to learn even more new things.

3. Explain to other people

Have you ever wondered why teachers seem extremely knowledgeable about the things that they discuss in class? Aside from the fact that it is their job to know their lesson plan, the confidence and knowledge comes from repetition.

The only way to make sure that you fully understand something is if you are able to explain it to other people in your own words. Similar to writing things down, saying things out loud helps in committing things to memory. Learning something is one thing, but the ability to retain information is what really counts.

4. Surround yourself with smart people

One of the best ways to be smarter is to surround yourself with people who are more intelligent than you. Your intelligence level is limited by the kind of people you hang out with. Having conversations with people smarter than you will serve as a challenge for you to improve. You will also learn new things by simply listening to other people talk. This process may take a toll on your self-esteem but you should focus on the long term benefits.

image courtesy of justajeepguydc.blogspot.com

5. Play a game

A bunch of rowdy adults playing board games may seem juvenile to you but their average IQ will likely be much higher than yours. Games, after all, do not only serve to entertain. Certain games involve a lot of brain function and can boost your memory and intelligence. Word games will not only improve your vocabulary but also make your mind think deeply. Role playing games encourage strategic planning as well as critical thinking. Trivia games test your knowledge base and makes you learn new things while having a few laughs.

6. Take time to let things sink in

Too much information can make your head spin. A tired mind will not do you any good if your goal is to improve your knowledge. It is best to give your brain time to process what it has learned. Take quick breaks in between reading. Even scholars and academics take the time to let new information register in their brains.


Personal improvement is something that you should always strive for. Being smarter, in particular, will help you achieve your goals and gain the respect of others.


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How Big Are You? Check These Charts of Average Penis Size By Country!

Ever wondered how your country fares in terms of penis size? These charts show a visual comparison of average dick sizes by country. "Average" being the operative word. 

Chart 1 shows a huge advantage by Congo over runner up Germany. That's over 1 inch. What have they been feeding those guys over there? On the other hand, Indonesia looks like it's dominating the Asian front, with Malaysia in a close second.

Here's a less user friendly chart that features more countries. 

So who wants to go hunting in Congo? :)

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Gay Creativity: Are Gay People More Creative Than Straight People?

by Discreet Serpent

I had a nice conversation about creativity and homosexuality recently. The subject: whether gay people are inherently more creative than straight people. Sure, we are all created equal. But somehow, industries that rely on creativity have been dominated by homosexuals and bisexuals. Fashion, music, publishing, and movies: these businesses may be geared towards pleasing everyone but look closely and you will notice that gay people are running the show. This begs the question: is creativity somehow synonymous with homosexuality?

image courtesy of dramaqueennyc.com

Creativity in Open Cities
Numbers don't lie, and it is a proven fact that cities with high density gay populations (such as San Francisco and Los Angeles) also have a good showing in terms of creative output. Fields like interior decoration, music, public relations, entertainment, and fashion have a high percentage of workers that are gay. It seems like gay people are naturally inclined to entering ventures that hone our creativity. It helps that these open-minded cities appreciate such talents, and are welcoming of gay people.

Creativity and Empathy
From a psychological perspective, creativity is borne of empathy. It takes understanding of another individual's feelings and thoughts to break the barrier of monotony and look for something better. Knowing what other people's feelings are would give you an edge in terms of harnessing your creative juices. Knowing your audience/reader/listener/customer's thoughts can lead your insights towards the right direction.

Empathy is usually honed from childhood experiences. You understand others better if you have personally experienced their loss or suffering. The most empathic persons have seen death, trauma, illness, or bullying at one point in their lives. These experiences make a person think differently about the world, forcing them to observe what other people only ignore. Could this be why gay people are more creative? Most of us had to endure discrimination and bullying growing up, and these life lessons could have impacted our ability to become more creative.

image courtesy of frontiersla.com

The Male and Female Perspective
Biologically speaking, men and women are different. This is why it can be difficult for one to understand the other's point of view. Gay people, however, have the unique capability of seeing things from the perspective of both man and woman. I'm not sure how this works, exactly, but gay guys have a good balance between masculinity and femininity. And this delicate complication could possibly be why we are (generally) more creative. We see things differently, and in this state we are able to create ideas that are out of the box.

Closeted Gay People are Less Creative
On this note, it was pointed out to me that there is a tendency for closeted individuals to be less creative than their "out and proud" counterparts. As a discreet gay guy, my tendency was to be defensive. That, to me, did not make a whole lot of sense. But as I listened to the argument (from someone who has years of experience in the entertainment industry, no less), I realized that he may have a point. It appears that closeted guys create a protective wall around them to shield them from being outed. This proverbial wall, in turn, limits the flow of creativity. There are things that a closeted guy won't admit, and topics that he is hesitant to discuss.

The Future
While some of these arguments aren't scientifically proven, the fact that the gay community has taken over a good chunk of creativity-related industries is indisputable. "Gay" has been made synonymous with "creative." Yes, we are different. And in this difference lies the kind of thinking that will propel our society to another level.


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If There's One Ice Bucket Challenge Video You Should Watch, It's THIS

"NOT ANOTHER ICE BUCKET CHALLENGE VIDEO!!"

Well, if you have seen your fair share of videos from this trend, you should probably make a quick exception and watch this powerful video sent out by Anthony Carbajal.

"WHO? WHY SHOULD I CARE? IS HE A CELEBRITY OR SOMETHING?"

That's just it. Anthony is a nobody. He's not a big shot movie star or a world renowned pop star. He's just a normal person with a regular job trying to live a normal life.

And he has ALS.

So this video starts as a fun shoot, with some guy in a bikini washing a windshield with his butt. It will make you laugh, and it will be a little irritating at times. You would probably think this guy is another fame whore who wants to cash in on this little trend.

Then the video turns serious. Anthony shares how it feels like to have this dreaded disease, and how not a lot of people cared about it before all this publicity started. Intense. Powerful. Raw.

Let's all do our part.


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A 12-Year Old Kid's Experience With Aversion Therapy

by Discreet Serpent

As I was reading the comments I got from some of my previous posts, I was drawn towards an interesting response from Mikl White (Dan White).

The following words of wisdom really got to me:

"At 12, I wanted to be able to be loved again,,,"

"Guess what? I am still gay! I won..."

"You can not cure what is not a sickness!"

"They have no idea that it was real!"

As I mentioned before, we are lucky to live in a society that's more accepting of homosexuality and diversity. This is a blessing that we should not take for granted, not even for a moment. We must do our part to ensure that our progress as a community moves forward in the right direction. We can not afford to have our future generation subjected to the same kind of torture that our predecessors had. We just can't.


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Masters of Sex: Homosexuality as a Mental Illness


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Masters of Sex: Homosexuality as a Mental Illness

by Discreet Serpent

I was watching an episode of "Masters of Sex" the other day, and I was really appalled at how homosexuality was dealt with back in the 60's. It wasn't the first time I heard about such "breakthrough" procedures, but seeing it on screen made me want to go back in time and punch somebody in the face.

image courtesy of Masters of Sex

In that episode, the hospital provost Barton Scully was depicted as a family man with a secret. Barton was an esteemed head of a hospital and a beloved member of the community. Behind closed doors, he slept in a different room from his wife and secretly meets up with a male gigolo. When his secret was threatened, he decided to seek medical help to eliminate his homosexuality.

He was desperate to live a "normal" life with his wife and daughter, and he was willing to try even the most dangerous (and untested) "cures" available in the medical field. It was painful watching Barton go through the process. I couldn't imagine anyone having to go through that kind of torture and pain. In the end, the homosexuality remained but his mental faculties were not quite the same. He attempted to end his life.

image courtesy of Masters of Sex

Back in the day, homosexuality was seen as a mental illness; an abnormality that needed to be hidden or totally eradicated. Many individuals sought to find ways to "cure" themselves from this "evil." Voluntarily or otherwise, they went through experimental therapies just so they can rid themselves of their sexual attraction to the members of the same sex. This included aversion therapy, which involved associating gay images with electric shocks or vomiting. The goal was to make the patients correlate homosexuality with pain and suffering. Based on historical data, this particular process never did cure homosexuality. Instead, the patients ended up psychologically damaged.

We are lucky that our society has evolved into what it is: more accepting and open to diversity. While we are years away from attaining full equality (sadly, some cultures are still stuck in the middle ages when it comes to sexuality), we at least enjoy a certain level of freedom. Freedom to be who we are, and freedom to choose who we want to be with.



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"But if there were a button I could push that would just blink me out of existence, no hesitation, I would push it."

The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge! #JamesFranco

by Discreet Serpent



People (celebrities included) have been joining yet another online craze, but this one is for a good cause! Say hello to the “Ice Bucket Challenge.”

The challenge involves people getting doused with buckets of ice water on video. The participants then nominate other people to do just the same, in the effort to increase ALS awareness. These videos are posted on social media sites like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Those who are unable to take the challenge are asked to make a donation to the ALS charity of their choice.

This video of actor James Franco sure is hot! I wouldn't mind seeing more videos (with less clothing) from other celebrities! You can also search for Ice Bucket Challenge videos of Justin Bieber, Oprah, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lady Gaga, Chris Pratt, and countless others.

It sure looks like awareness about the disease has improved. I, for one, was not aware that such  a disease existed. It is great to know that social media can still be used to spread good and not just negativity.

What is ALS?
ALS was first found in 1869 by French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot, but it wasn’t until 1939 that Lou Gehrig brought national and international attention to the disease. Ending the career of one of the most beloved baseball players of all time, the disease is still most closely associated with his name. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually leads to their death. When the motor neurons  die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. With voluntary muscle action progressively affected, patients in the later stages of the disease may become totally paralyzed. Click here for more information


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How Would YOU Compare to a Calvin Klein Underwear Model?

Underwear ads always feature ridiculously ripped men with nice bulges and all that. Consumers are disillusioned into thinking that they could like these models if they simply purchase the products and use them at home. Normally, the impact is not as good.

But with proper lighting, good photography and proper direction, would the regular guys come up with photos decent enough to compete with the hunks they see on magazines?

I don't know about you, but these guys seem pretty hot to me.

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The Battle Against Depression: Why We Are Losing

by Discreet Serpent

Time to get serious. We have all heard about a famous Hollywood actor's battle with depression, and how he ended up taking his life in the end. On a personal level, I heard about a friend's colleague who just suffered a terrible loss after her husband passed on (allegedly via suicide as well). Both are terrible tragedies, and both possibly resulted from lack of treatment. But I'm just guessing here.

image courtesy of npr.com

I don't know a lot about what causes depression and how it is diagnosed/treated, but I know enough to know that it is a serious condition that needs attention. I checked out my friendly source and found out these interesting tidbits:

• A constant sense of hopelessness and despair is a sign you may have major depression, also known as clinical depression.

• It is marked by a depressed mood most of the day, particularly in the morning, and a loss of interest in normal activities and relationships. Symptoms might include: Fatigue or loss of energy almost every day, feelings of worthlessness or guilt almost every day, insomnia or hypersomnia (excessive sleeping) almost every day, restlessness or feeling slowed down, and recurring thoughts of death or suicide.

• Depression in men is significantly underreported. Men who suffer from clinical depression are less likely to seek help or even talk about their experience.

• Signs of depression in men may include irritability, anger, or drug and alcohol abuse. Repressing their feelings can result in violent behavior directed both inwardly and outwardly. It can also result in an increase in illness, suicide, and homicide.

• Major or clinical depression is a serious but treatable illness. Depending on the severity of symptoms, your doctor may recommend treatment with an antidepressant medication. He or she may also suggest psychotherapy, or talk therapy, in which you address your emotional state.

Some common triggers or causes of major depression include:

• Grief from losing a loved one through death, divorce, or separation
• Social isolation or feelings of being deprived
• Major life changes -- moving, graduation, job change, retirement
• Personal conflicts in relationships, either with a significant other or a superior
• Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse

In my case, depression is closer to home than I would want it. A few months ago, a good friend confided in me that he has been diagnosed with depression and anxiety disorder. It was triggered by his breakup with his boyfriend, but he suspects that the disease has been there far longer. He told me how he kept to himself and practically stayed inside his room for months. He shared how he was feeling depressed enough to want to kill himself, but anxiously afraid of the dying process. What he felt was not the "regular" sadness that we're all familiar with, but something debilitating that prevented him from functioning. It was a terrible struggle, and it took several months of therapy and medication to get over it. Now, he is much better although he needed to have a lifestyle change and shift in perspective.

I have also (distastefully, I must add) joked a lot in the past about me being BI. BIsexual and BIpolar. That's because I'm terribly moody and have found myself in unexplainable mood swings. There are moments when I thrive in solitude and misery. It's a wonder people still like me. I'm probably not clinical, but it looks like these series of events have reminded me of my humanity and how I need to take care of my mental and emotional well being.

I hope that this entry has somehow helped enlighten more people about this serious threat. In our country, depression is not taken seriously and I am fearful that this would prove detrimental for us. There is a stigma against people who see shrinks and professionals. We think they are weak and crazy. We think that they just need to take some time off and get over themselves. We think that support from family and friends would be enough. 

How wrong we are.

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Who's Afraid of the Big Bad HIV Testing Center?

by Discreet Serpent

I had an interesting chat conversation with someone today.  It started with his curiosity about my blog and progressed into a topic that I haven’t considered writing about. The short conversation went like this:

Him: What about HIV?

Me: Not an expert in that subject but I could probably research. Thanks :)

Him: I don’t think you need to be an expert. You can talk about how discreet people are averse on getting tested.  The stigma of getting seen at an HIV testing clinic. It compounds the problem of growing HIV incidences since people don’t know their status and they are not well aware of activities that put them at risk.

Me: That’s a good point, and so very true.

Him: But have you gone testing before? Or ever?

Me: I’m safe :) Never tested.

…

Me: Maybe you should be the one to write the article.

Him: Haha but I am not a writer. I do my part in another way

Me: You should try it. You have good grammar. And I can sense you are passionate about the topic. Your passion is kinda contagious, actually. Makes me wish I’m in front of my laptop right now.

Him: Haha. Thanks, but I’ll leave it to you since you are the creative one. I’m a very technical person. I don’t want to preach in writing.

image courtesy of pendyman.com 

It took me a couple of hours, but now I’m finally in front of my laptop. Writing. This conversation had my head spinning, to say the least. I am confident that I am HIV negative. I know my limits and I shy away from risky behavior. But then again, the only way to be 100% sure is to get tested. That is also the responsible thing to do, especially for people who engage in sexual activities with multiple partners.

What got to me, however, was his statement about people who are not comfortable about going into testing clinics. This really hit home because I admit that I couldn’t imagine voluntarily having myself tested in such a public place. What if I see people who know me? What if the clinic staff gives me judgmental looks? What if there’s a long queue and I have to sit there for hours? What if somebody posts a photo of me on Facebook? What if I test positive and people end up finding out? What if they give my name to the Health Department and I get dragged to an undisclosed location and leave me there to die? Some of these fears may be unreasonable, but I can imagine sharing these concerns with a lot of other sexually active people.

Obviously, my fears are borne of ignorance for the most part. I must admit, as educated as I am, that I have not instructed myself enough to know what I need to know about this virus. It took a simple comment from someone I have never met to shake me to my core and realize that I, as a gay guy and a member of this society, have responsibilities. To myself and to other people.

I do hope that common sense will eventually kill this stigma about having ourselves tested. Words may never be enough to help this situation, but they can (hopefully) inspire people to face their fears and be reasonable. Ignorance may be bliss, but knowledge is power. It may be difficult to face the possibility of having positive results, but I suppose the other option would be to stop having sex altogether (not a very promising alternative).

To find a testing site, just use Google and look for one located in your vicinity. If you are concerned about privacy, then you may opt to go to the clinic furthest from your location (to minimize sightings and uncomfortable moments). The tests are supposedly private and anonymous, but don’t take my word for it. Inquire. Who knows, there may be an option to use a fake name or something.

Allow me to summarize some of the basics, that I may sleep better tonight knowing I contributed to the war against this killer virus.

•                HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a retrovirus that causes HIV infection. Its entrance into the body lowers the immunity or the ability to fight off disease.
AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is a condition characterized by a combination of signs and symptoms, caused by HIV, which attacks and weakens the body’s immune system, making the afflicted individual susceptible to other life threatening infection.

•                HIV is transmitted by (1) having unprotected sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal or oral) with someone who is HIV positive, (2) having a transfusion with infected blood, (3) sharing syringes and needles with someone who is HIV positive for drugs and tattoos, and (4) mothers to their unborn babies and through breastfeeding

•                HIV can be detected through (1) Antibody test - an indirect test that measures the response of one’s body to the presence of HIV, and (2) Antigen test - a test that directly measures the virus

•                HIV Testing is voluntary, confidential and anonymous, with pre and post-test counseling. The window period for testing is 6 months from the last exposure with HIV.

•                Generally, it is recommended that you wait three months after possible exposure before being tested for HIV. Although HIV antibody tests are very sensitive, there is a 'window period' of 3 to 12 weeks, which is the period between infection with HIV and the appearance of detectable antibodies to the virus.

•                Knowing your HIV status has three vital benefits. Firstly, if you are HIV positive, you can take necessary steps before symptoms appear to access treatment, care and support services, thereby potentially prolonging your life for many years. Secondly, if you know you are infected, you can take all the necessary precautions to prevent the spread of HIV to others. Thirdly, your health care provider may recommend it, for example if you are pregnant and want to protect your unborn child. It may also be recommended by your health care provider if you are unwell, in order to obtain a more accurate medical assessment.

•                There are many places where you can be tested for HIV: in the offices of a private doctor, a local health department, hospitals, family planning clinics and sites specifically set up for HIV testing. Always try to find testing at a place where counselling is provided. In some communities home-based counseling and testing are available and can include couples counseling and support for safe post test disclosure of results.

Dear God, help me find the strength to do this simple act. And help other people make the same realization, too.

What Gay Body Type Do You Fall Under?

by Discreet Serpent

You may have heard of the gay terms "jock," "twink," or "cub" and you may have been one of the people confused as to what they meant exactly. These are labels that gay guys usually use to identify sub groups within the community. If you have ever wondered what group you belong in, then this is the article for you...

To make it easier for us to relate, I will use local celebrities as a point of reference. Let me make it clear: these guys are NOT gay (not all of them, at least wink wink). Also, the groups may not be all encompassing, so you may find yourself in the middle of two or more types. Are you ready to find out what gay body type you fall under? Let's begin...

Pups

Simply put, a pup is a young gay guy, usually below the age of 20. They are characterized by their innocence, inexperience, cuteness and naivete. A pup is a baby gay guy, unfamiliar with a the gay community and often times susceptible to corruption. They are full of energy and willingness to learn the ropes. One can probably say that Enrique Gil has the makings of a pup, physically at least. 

image courtesy of pinoyexchange.com

Twinks and Twunks

Twinks are young, slender gay men with little or no body hair and zero facial hair. They usually range from 18 to 24, with a certain look of innocence about them. They are differentiated from pups in that they have been exposed to the gay scene longer. Twunks, on the other hand, are a bit more muscular compared to twinks. One look at the Teen King Daniel Padilla and you would immediately qualify him as being part of this sub group. He is young and fresh, but has a certain playfulness that makes him a little less than innocent.

image courtesy of getitfromboy.net

Otters
Otters are usually thin and hairy. Some may sport beards, while some may not. They have a smaller frame compared to cubs or bears, and can be of varying ages. They may be athletic but are not super built. Martin del Rosario would probably fall under this category. Don't you just love that hairy chest and unkempt facial hair?

image courtesy of pinoyexchange.com

Wolves
A wolf is a gay male who is muscular, lean, sexually aggressive, semi-hairy and muscular. Some may classify them as slimmer bears. Most have facial hair, and can be of any age group. Older wolves are called silver or gray wolves, characterized by their gray or white hair. Younger wolves often look like they lead a pack of hot, young, muscular men. A perfect example would be model John Spainhour. If you haven't seen this Bench video of him, then you don't deserve to be part of the gay community. With his looks and physique, he could very well play the role of a werewolf.

video courtesy of youtube

Bears
A bear is a somewhat large gay man, usually on the heave side, but can be muscular. They often project an image of masculinity, but are usually harmless and playful. Older bears are called polar bears (because of their white or gray hair), while the effeminate ones are called sugar bears. Typically, bears are characterized by their body type and protruding belly. The more muscular ones, such as Showtime's very own Eric Tai (or Eruption), are called the muscle bears.

image courtesy of missosology.info

Cubs
The cub is usually a younger bear, with a heavier body type and hairy physique. Most of them have beards, with body hair being one of their dominant features. Typically, cubs evolve into bears once they "grow up." We also have the muscle cubs and sugar cubs. Cutie pie Geoff Eigenmann is a typical example of a celebrity who would fit this description.

image courtesy of pinoyexchange.com

Chubs
Chubs are often used to describe guys who are a bit overweight. They have more body fat than bears. The ones who are extremely large are called "superchubs." You may have heard of the term "chub chasers." These are a group of gay guys who are physically attracted to chubs, and often seek romantic relationships with them. Francis, a contestant from the last season of The Biggest Loser, is a classic example of the cutie pie chub. While he may have been big at the start of the season, his charm and good looks were still evident.

image courtesy of entertainment.abs-cbn.com

Bulls
Bulls are usually the body builders that go over the 200 lb range. They are usually massive, and come in heights over 6 feet. They are distinct from bears in that they usually have reasonably flat bellies. They are likely to compete in weight lifting competitions or contests like Mr. Universe. In the local scene, a great example of a bull would be our very own Zuma Derrick Hubalde. Just look at those guns. I could die in those arms (literally and figuratively).

image courtesy of missology.info

Gym Bunnies and Gym Rats
Gym bunnies are obsessed with working out but are not necessarily found in the athletic world. They have sculpted bodies that are truly desirable, and six pack abs that are worth killing for. They are fixated on wanting to look good for the adoring public. Gym rats, on the other hand, are addicted to the gym for a different reason. They live in the gym for strength training and not vanity. JC De Vera, the hottie actor, looks like a perfect example of a gym bunny.

image courtesy of fashionmediaph.com

Jocks
The jock is a gay man with low body fat and attractive physical features. They are usually characterized by their excellent athletic abilities, and can be seen in the football field or basketball court. In today's culture, the jock would probably have the most followers and fans. They are the object of every gay guy's fantasy. Just take Phil Younghusband, for example. He rose to fame not just because of his athletic prowess and superstar ex girlfriend, but also because of his hot physique and killer looks. Can you imagine being sandwiched between him and his equally hot brother James?

image courtesy of philyounghusband.blogspot.com

Conclusion
Again, this is just a list of possible body types and does not in any way limit anyone. You can have fun with it by trying to group your friends together under different clusters. You can try to be creative and classify other celebrities, especially if you disagree with the examples given above. If you do not see yourself under any of these categories, then you can probably categorize yourself as "average."