7 Easy Ways to Fix Your Mediocre Sex Life

Some sex is so-so. Some is spectacular. But it actually doesn’t take much effort to turn a routine romp into a mind-blowing experience.

Many people assume it’s a lost cause when sex starts to get boring and just go through the motions, says Sadie Allison, author of Ride ‘Em Cowgirl! Sex Position Secrets for Better Bucking. 

“But it’s definitely possible to initiate change in the middle of sex,” she says.

Here are seven ways you can transform OK sex into a night you’ll both never forget.

Sex Tip: Touch Her Here

There are ways to be touched that are brilliant and other ways that are kind of blah. If there's one thing we know about the way people touch each other during sex it's that they often touch their partner the way that they, themselves, like to be touched rather than finding out how their partner likes to be touched.

Although there's a lot of variability in how people like touch, it tends to be the case that men - whose genitals are covered in skin and less sensitive than women's - tend to prefer rougher forms of touch. More thrusting, more vigor. Whereas women - whose genitals are more vulnerable and some ways and more sensitive  in some spots (hello, clitoris!) - tend to prefer less aggressive touch. Women often prefer gentle tongue flicks on the clitoris or gentle but first stimulation of their genitals. Again, this isn't always the case - there are no clear gender rules in sex - but generally speaking this is often how things fall out.

How to Fix a Boring Marriage

After the wedding, lots of couples can feel a letdown, and they begin to get bored, says Rachel A. Sussman, L.C.S.W., author of The Breakup Bible.

“The excitement of dating has passed, the excitement of falling in love has passed, the excitement of the engagement and the wedding has passed, then it gets stale,” she says.

Here’s what it means if your relationship is going dull—and how to get out of a rut without breaking up.

8 Incredibly Easy Ways to Be a Better Husband Today

It’s easy to roll your eyes at suggestions about how to be a better partner.

You’ve been married to this person for ... how many years now?

You know the things you should be doing, like scheduling a monthly date night.

But who has time for it all?

You do, actually.

5 Dangerous Mistakes You Make With Over-the-Counter Painkillers

More than 9 out of every 10 Americans use over-the-counter meds to manage pain, a new survey from the U.S. Pain Foundation found.

If you take them correctly, OTC painkillers are generally safe and effective, says Charles Vega, M.D., a clinical professor of health sciences at the University of California at Irvine.

But too many people don’t take the pills seriously—and skip the fine print on the bottle as a result, says Charles Vega, M.D., a clinical professor of health sciences at the University of California at Irvine.

3 New Workouts That Burn Fat Fast

You’ve long heard that abs are made in the kitchen. And while that adage is true, what you do in the gym counts, too.

“Exercise is way underrated when it comes to fat loss,” says BJ Gaddour, Men’s Health Fitness Director, C.S.C.S.

The key is to incorporate a variety of types of training, from cardio to strength training to metabolic conditioning, Gaddour says.

On the all-new episode of the Men’s Health Podcast, Gaddour reveals the latest, most effective fat-loss routines. And for a full 21-day fitness program created by Gaddour, try METASHRED from Men’s Health. One guy lost 25 pounds in just 6 weeks!

The 6 Biggest Mistakes Couples Make In Bed

You probably didn’t need a study to tell you this, but research confirms that sex is one of the most crucial ingredients to making long-term relationships thrive.

Early on, feeling sexy and passionate isn’t hard—but things can get trickier as the years go on.

Hoping to bust out of a dry spell or prevent the fire from fading? Don’t make these common mistakes.

5 Fights Every Happy Couple Should Have

Whether you’re in the throes of newlywed bliss or you’re creeping toward your 20th wedding anniversary, one thing is for sure: You and your wife are bound to have a few heated fights along the way.

But flare-ups aren’t necessarily a bad thing. “Some arguing is necessary in a relationship,” says NYC-based marriage and family therapist Jane Greer, Ph.D.

“If you never make it clear that you disagree with one another, then the anger and resentment go underground and come out in retaliatory behaviors, which can weaken your relationship,” she says.

Power Up Your Routine

Whether you’re a weekend warrior, professional athlete, or somewhere in between, it’s key to remember that a healthy lifestyle is more than simply crushing your workout routine — fueling your body properly throughout the day is just as important. In a perfect world, we’d have all the time in the world to prepare healthy meals and snacks from scratch, but with schedules jam-packed like never before, that’s often a pipe dream. And while most health-conscious folks know their way around menus to select the most nutritious options, it’s all-too-easy to succumb to sugary or carb-rich snacks. So the next time you’re heading to the gym or about to embark on a busy day, grab a snack that’s high in protein while low in carbs and sugar, eliminating the dreaded sugar spike and crash. Our Men’s Health and Women’s Health Action Heroes know this is easier said than done. They’re here to help with some advice on how they fuel and re-fuel throughout their busy, active days with the new Atkins Lift line of protein bars and drinks.