Photo: Shutterstock (Shutterstock)

That brings us to the last and most important point: having everything and everything in its place. Items that you use most often should be the easiest to reach, while items that you rarely use should be placed in less convenient places. group certain ingredients next to the tools you will use them with. Julia Child’s kitchen Had a place for everything, with pots and pans that were hung on pegboards and the outlines of which were drawn around them so that she could put everything back in its place.

This article was originally published on November 28, 2015. It was updated on June 2, 2021 to reflect Lifehacker’s current style guidelines.

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Everyone loves a dog in a pool. Watching a puppy paddle its snout just above the surface of the water is such a popular pastime that we even named a swim stroke in its honor. That doesn’t mean, however, that you should assume you can toss any dog ​​into a pool without a life jacket because you think natural instincts will get the upper hand – it turns out that not all dogs swim easily, and so does it There are a number of things to keep in mind before lounging by the pool with your pooch, choreographing a summer photo on the beach, or romping around in the river.

Which breeds of dogs are good swimmers – and which are not?

Some dogs are naturally athletes and will walk to a body of water as if it were covered in bits of floating bacon. Others … not so much what to consider before trying to take them with you for a swim. Many of the best swimmers are thoroughbred and specially bred to hunt in the water (you can’t tell me that the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, Otterhound, or Portuguese Water Dog exist for any reason other than the express purpose set out in their names) .

Once you deviate from the list of dogs that naturally pleasant in the water, Keep in mind that your puppy may need help with bathing. As Michele Godlevski, certified professional dog trainer, said the American Kennel Club, your dog’s swimming ability depends on his physique. “There are … some breeds that have a weight distribution that makes it impossible for them to swim very well without a life jacket,” said Godlevski.

Bulldogs, for example are excellent skateboardersbut their low center of gravity makes swimming difficult as well as their flat faces, stocky stature and short legs. Mean the same biological factors many pit bulls (i.e. American Pit Bull Terriers) will have difficulty swimmingeven if they enjoy it because their bottom is higher in the water than their head, which is an obvious problem, especially when they start to get tired, Notes PitBullTribe.com. According to the dog food manufacturer Hill’s Pugs don’t swim well either because their face shape makes it difficult to keep water out of their noses, while short-legged breeds like Corgis and Daschunds have difficulty staying above the surface. (Hill’s has gathered a long list of dogs that are better off on dry land.)

Yes, dogs can wear life jackets

Just as you would have a child wear a life jacket when learning to swim, you should do the same with a dog. A life jacket will help a nervous dog use less energy and be less frustrated or scared of waves or the current in a body of water. (This video helps you figure out how to accurately measure your dog for a life jacket.)

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Here’s how to get your dog used to water

If your dog does not naturally jump into the pool with enthusiasm, you will need to gradually get him used to the water. Since some dogs seem to find water a bizarre environment, you have to, uh, take it easy.

Puppyleaks recommends Start in shallow water and gently lure your dog further outside with his favorite toy – but only if he is comfortable enough to move around on his own:

Encourage your dog to follow you into shallow water. Praise him when he follows you and keep encouraging him to follow you. Once your dog is comfortable in the shallow water, you can try to lure him out a little further with one of his favorite toys.

Another way to get your dog used to the water is to introduce them to other swimming dogs. Basically, find a dog who is leading by example and have your dog chase him around a body of water (while wearing a life jacket) in the hopes that they’ll be splashing around together soon.

Know the water before you go swimming with your dog

Be careful with the temperature of the water as excessive cold can cause a muscle strain injury known as cold tail or supple tail. A good rule of thumb, according to Godlevski, is to make sure the water and air temperature combined are at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

It may seem harmless to let your dog drink while they swim, but they really shouldn’t drink from most bodies of water – especially lakes, ponds, or the ocean. If the water is particularly teeming with blue or green algae, this is another sign that you may want to leave your dog on land. If you find yourself by a freshwater stream (or something similar) that is clean enough for people to drink, just make sure your dog isn’t consuming too much water or he may start throwing up. And always monitor the area for other animals and wildlife that could be a hazard.

After a successful swim, it’s a good idea to give your dog a bath that shouldn’t seem out of the way, as you’ll likely want one yourself after you’ve spent the day with a wet dog.

This post was originally published with no information about pit bulls as stated in the headline.

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When we do exercises of any kind, there is often an instructor or coach in the background telling us to “use our core”. But what does that really mean? It turns out that there are two different ways to do this and they lead to opposing results. Hence, it is important to know which one to work on in order to meet your fitness goals.

There are two ways to activate your core

Pull your belly button towards your spine

This is probably familiar to you if you’ve ever done Pilates or physical therapy. You should pull your belly button towards your spine or think about “hollowing out” or “pulling in” your abdominal muscles. In this movement you are still allowing yourself to breathe; You don’t suck in your stomach, but tense it with your muscles. (If you look in the mirror, you will find that your waist appears narrower. Sometimes people do this to pose for a picture or to create a slimmer look while performing as a dancer.)

The reason this is a common practice in many physical therapy, yoga, and Pilates classes is that this is yours. activated Transversus abdominis, one of the lesser known abdominal muscles. A study in 1999 found that people with low back pain were less likely to contract that muscle while moving their bodies.

Unfortunately, this step turns out to be can’t really do much to protect your back after all, but it’s still popular advice. When you practice yoga or Pilates this way, you are in good company. However, that doesn’t mean you have to.

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Support yourself before lifting anything heavy

Now let’s talk about what to do when lifting a heavy weight or preparing for some kind of show of strength. First you need to stiffen up. (Stiffeners can also be a great alternative to hollowing out your abdomen in physical therapy, but I’m not your PT so discuss it with them.)

As you prepare for a lift, you’ll act like you’re expecting to get punched in the stomach. Try now: you will likely hold your breath, flex your abs, and feel the muscles around your waist tighten. It can appear like you are pulling your rib cage towards your pelvis. This, along with everything else, activates your transverse abs. (If it feels like you’re having a bowel movement, do it right.)

That’s what powerlifters and others do Weightlifter mean when they talk about supporting an elevator. If you are wear a belt, Tension presses the muscles in your midsection against the belt (not just in front, but all around).

This process turns your torso into a solid, stable, pressurized column that can support a lot of weight (as in a Squat) or hold his position still while applying force in another direction (as in a Deadliftwhere your torso is the link between your back, your leg muscles that apply strength, and your arms that support the dumbbell in your hands).

Hold your breath and lock it with a Valsalva maneuver is usually part of this process. In some cases – for example if you are pregnant or have certain medical conditions – your doctor may advise you not to hold your breath under pressure. You can still do your best to support yourself; Instead of holding your breath, simply exhale slowly as you lift. (If you have health concerns, speak to your doctor about whether this is right for you.)

When trying to do heavy lifting in the gym, keep in mind the difference between these two ways to train your core, and don’t try to hollow your stomach or pull your navel towards the spine as it will have the opposite effect that you want. Save this application for the Pilates class; If you are under a barbell, make sure that you are tensing up.