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No matter how pretty, funny, or intelligent you may be, during the dating phase, you’re bound to have to face some sort of rejection. Sadly, not every guy you go on a date with is going to be a hit and in the end you’ll have to deal with the inevitably dreaded romantic rejection. Rejection isn’t an easy pill to swallow but it’s even tougher when it’s rejection from a guy. Here are 14 ways to handle and recover from rejection even when you’re feeling foolish and shattered.

You know the scenario: You have your mind set on the dress you’re going to wear for a certain event but when you go to pull the dress out of the closet and try it on it doesn’t quite fit like it used to. We’ve all been there, and a new study says it’s pretty common for women not to realize they’ve gained some weight.

In the study in the Journal of Women’s Health, one-third of women didn’t recognize gaining 4.5 pounds over a six-month period, while another fourth failed to realize they’d gained 8.8 pounds in that time. The good news is black women, who made up 29% of the 466 women in the study were a little more likely to notice they’d packed on a few pounds; so were women on the birth control shot DPMA (depot medroxyprogesterone acetate).

“In prior studies, we’ve reported that one-quarter of reproductive-age women who are overweight or obese consider themselves to be normal weight,” says  lead author Dr. Mahbubur Rahman, of the University of Texas Medical Branch. “Misperception of actual weight coupled with inaccuracies in self-perception of weight gain is a threat to the success of obesity prevention programs. Changing a health behavior depends on patients understanding susceptibility to a health problem.”

To make sure you stay on top of things, Dr. Rahman recommends women weigh themselves regularly so they recognize significant changes. Most health experts suggest weighing in once a week.

Are you usually the last person to realize you’ve gained a little weight like the women in the study or are you on it the minute you gain a pound?

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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The “we’re married to our work” excuse Ashanti and Nelly have been using to keep their relationship on the low is getting ti-red. Actually it’s been tired because they’ve both been MIA from the music scene for more than a little minute so they’ve had plenty-o-time to make their six-year on-again-off-again relationship officially on.

Now Ashanti is back out with a new single and a new deal, but is she single? Shani’s right up there with Mary J. Blige and Keyshia Cole in terms of the women empowerment break up songs (not vocals before someone attacks me), and if we take this one literally, it might mean it’s truly game over for the couple. Here are a few of the lyrics:

“What about my pride?
You’re never satisfied.
You made me feel like I wasn’t worth being by your side.
I done sacrificed all of my damn time giving you all mine
You see me dying inside.

Tryin’ to see.
Tryin’ to find.
Tryin’ to be (the woman you love)
Tried everything, but it just don’t seem like it’s enough. (Hey baby!)
Tried to believe.
But I’m tired of being tired.
Tryin’ to love
Tryin’ to fight.
And I’m running out of tries.
You’re just no good.

I’d say that sounds about accurate. I know some celebs take extra precautions to keep their relationship out of the tabloids, but Nelly’s repeated referencing of Ashanti as a friend, despite the numerous photo opps of them hugged up and rubbed up on each other told a whole different story. Would it be that hard to just say, yeah that’s my girl, end of story? I mean they’re no Bey and Jay. And Ashanti was no better last year when she completely denied that the were ever more than friends. I suppose it’s possible, but I’ve never had a “friend” like that for that long.

Since these two continue to play mum, we’ll just have to check for him in the background somewhere during her new album promos, or maybe they’ll just keep having obvious displays of public affection like these and keep running that friend story.

What do you think about Ashanti and Nelly? Are they a real couple, were they ever? Do you like them together?

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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