You always need to drink water, but it can be especially important if you're trying to flatten your stomach. When you drink water, you help your body maintain proper fluid balance, stop water retention (a major cause of bloated bellies) and feel full so you're inclined to eat less overall. Water also breaks down fat for energy and moves nutrients to your muscles to maintain your metabolism. Add lemon, orange or cucumber slices to your water to give it a little flavor boost; you can also try herbs and flowers such as mint or lemon verbena. Among its many benefits, green tea can also lay claim to helping reduce belly fat thanks to antioxidants called catechins that it contains. For extra fat-burning power, sip green tea before a workout. Smoothies are a great way to stay hydrated and can contribute to a flatter stomach. When you make a smoothie with watermelon, you have the advantage of an amino acid known as arginine that's found in watermelon. A study in the Journal of Nutrition found that arginine can decrease body fat and increase lean muscle mass. A smoothie made with pineapple gives you the benefit of bromelain, an enzyme in pineapple that helps break down protein, ease digestion and banish bloat. Watermelon smoothie. Chop up two cups of watermelon and put it into a blender. Add 1/4 cup of fat-free milk and blend for about 15 seconds or until smooth. Add 2 cups of ice and blend for 20 seconds or until you get the consistency you like. This recipe serves two. Pineapple smoothie. Measure 1 cup of skim milk and put it in a blender along with 4 ounces of fresh or canned pineapple chunks. Set the blender to "whip" and blend for 1 minute. Pour into a glass and add 1 tablespoon of cold-pressed organic flaxseed oil. Makes one serving. Ginger helps calm your GI tract and can help reduce bloating. Add some fresh, grated ginger to your green tea or boil some chopped pieces of the root to make ginger tea. It's no accident that many restaurants offer diners peppermint candies after their meals--peppermint is a digestive aid. Brew a peppermint tea or add peppermint leaves to water or green tea. When it comes to flattening your stomach, alcohol is not your friend. It makes your body store more of the fat you eat and burn up to 36% less fat than you normally would. It can also inhibit your body's production of fat-burning hormones. These drinks have gas in them, and when you consume them, you end up with gas in your intestinal system, which leads to a swollen and bloated belly. Sorbitol is an artificial sweetener found in some diet sodas. While it adds sweetness without adding calories, the problem is that our bodies have trouble digesting the substance. And it's not just some sodas that contain sorbitol, look for it in yogurts, reduced-calorie foods, chewing gums and hard candies.
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One-sentence summary -- Make water number one. Turn to green tea. Blend up a smoothie. Add ginger. Drink peppermint tea. Stay away from alcohol. Avoid carbonated and fermented beverages. Say "no" to sorbitol.

Q: For most healthy adults with no risk factors for heart disease, it's recommended that you get your cholesterol levels tested once every 5 years. If you are at risk, or if a test has revealed that you have unhealthy cholesterol levels, your doctor will probably recommend more frequent tests. These tests can help you and your doctor determine if the treatments you are trying are effective. Your doctor might recommend lifestyle changes or medications based on the test results. Before making any major changes to your diet or lifestyle, discuss it with your doctor. They can help you determine whether the changes you'd like to make are safe, effective, or appropriate for you. For example, if you have heart disease or a condition that affects your joints, you should ask your doctor what kinds of exercise you can do safely. Tell your doctor about any vitamins or dietary supplements you are taking or planning to take since these can interact with other medications or supplements. If your doctor prescribes medications to help manage your cholesterol levels or any related conditions, take them as prescribed. Don't stop taking your medications or change your dose without getting your doctor's approval first. Let your doctor know if you experience any side effects from your medications, such as muscle pain, confusion, or memory loss. While unhealthy cholesterol levels don't cause any symptoms in and of themselves, they put you at risk of more serious health problems. People with high "bad cholesterol" and low "good cholesterol" have a higher chance of developing heart disease or having a heart attack or stroke. Go to the emergency room or call emergency services if you experience symptoms such as: Chest pain, tightness, or pressure Pain that radiates into your shoulder, arm, back, or jaw Dizziness or lightheadedness Difficulty breathing Nausea Sudden numbness or weakness on one side of your face or body Confusion Sudden loss or change of vision in one or both eyes A severe headache that starts abruptly
A: See your doctor as often as recommended for cholesterol tests. Talk to your doctor about making dietary or lifestyle changes. Discuss any medication changes with your doctor. Seek emergency care if you have symptoms of a heart attack or stroke.

Article: Place a framing square near the end of a 2 x 12 (38 x 286 mm) board, leaving a few inches at the end before the end of the square. Use the individual rise and run figures marked on the outside scales of the square that matches your desired measurements. These figures should touch the upper edge of your board. The short end of the square (tongue) should be on the rise measurement. The long end of the square (body) should be on the run measurement. The board should be at least 12 inches (30.48cm) longer than the planned length of the stringer, just to give yourself some play. Move the square down to extend the run line to the lower board edge, if necessary. This is the outline of your top stair. Slide the framing square along the board so your scale run figure touches the end of your first marked run line. Double check that your rise and run figures are lines up with the top edge of the board and then mark your second stair. Continue down the board, making sure to line up the scale's rise and run figure at the top edge. Mark the new outline and repeat until you have marked 1 extra pair of runs and rises. In order to make the first step the same height as the others, you need to subtract the depth of the thread from the rise, so the finished stair is still 7 inches (18cm). Simply make another mark to the right of the run line that is parallel and equal to the thickness of the thread. This marks the stringer bottom.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Start laying out the first stair. Mark the outline along the square's outer edges. Lay out the rest of the stairs. Mark the bottom of the stringer.