We've addressed how to deal with a jealous boyfriend, We've all been jealous at some time or another, and that's surprisingly normal. But if you find yourself being green with envy too often, the tips below may be just the advice you've been looking for.

Tip #1: Avoid comparisons.
You may be comparing your relationship to that of your best friend. Or maybe you're comparing your personality to that of another outgoing woman. Stop. Here's the problem: when you compare yourself to others, you tend to compare their strengths with what you consider to be your weaknesses. That means you'll usually end up putting yourself down, which may result in jealousy.

You'll think your guy wants to be with another girl because she's "better" than you. And you'll think your relationship isn't working because he's not doing all the cute things your friend's boyfriend is doing. All the comparisons may make him start comparing, too - is my life better without a jealous girlfriend?

Tip #2: Find the root of your jealousy.
Is your jealousy rooted in these comparisons? Is it insecurity? A lack of trust? Is it a scapegoat for some other deep-seated problem? Ask yourself some of these questions to understand where your jealousy stems from, and answer them honestly. Until you understand why you're jealous, you won't be able to address the issue.

Tip #3: Face reality.
You need to be confident that the man you're dating is with you because he cares about you and knows you're the best woman out there for him. While training to overcome your jealous tendencies, you need to remind yourself of this every day, if not multiple times a day. Believing this is your key to success. Spend less time imagining the worst, and more time foreseeing the best future. Don't ruin your relationship in your own mind.

And trust us, if your own insecurity is the source of relationship doubt and jealousy, the next guy won't be any better. If you're constantly paranoid, untrustworthy or in need of reassurance, you'll run through the next guys you date like a charm. You must reconcile your negative feelings.

Tip #4: Stop yourself.
When you catch your mind wondering, stop it from doing so! Remind yourself that you have a tendency to think worst case scenario and therefore implicate yourself and your boyfriend more than you both deserve.

A relationship is nothing without trust. And you shouldn't steal it from him unfairly. Unless your boyfriend has given you a reason to not trust him, you need to do so wholeheartedly. Otherwise you're depriving him and yourself from a healthy and beautiful relationship.

Tip #5: Ask yourself, "Is it working?"
By "it," we mean your relationship. Is your jealousy so overwhelming that it takes up hours of your day and rears its ugly head every time you're with your man? If he's not provoking your feelings and you know that, do a little introspection. If he is provoking your jealousy - by constantly talking to other women, comparing you to others, etc - and isn't willing to change, it may be time to reevaluate your relationship. If you're the problem, then you have to follow these steps and come to terms with yourself or you'll end up alone or miserable.

Tip # 6: Read How to Stop Being Insecure in Your Relationship

A little jealousy is OK. In fact, it's perfectly normal. But when it gets in the way of your relationship and happiness, put these tips to work.

Are guys really afraid of commitment? HerMANual gets down to the bottom of it!

Many of our articles focus on getting him to notice you, getting him to pop the question or attempt to find reasons why your MOI, or man of interest, is so hesitant to settle down. Automatically, we think that all men have this innate fear of commitment. However, after interviewing men from across the country, it has been concluded that fear plays merely a minor role in the reasons why a guy is unable to commit to a serious relationship!

Here's what some of them had to say:

CASEY:

Are guys really afraid of commitment?
Yes. It depends on where you're at in life. A lot has to do with age. For many guys, commitment to a girl is a realization that you're actually getting older, which means your moving on to next stage of life. It's not just a fear of commitment, but it's a fear of growing up - they go hand in hand. In high school, you're more likely to commit because you're naive and young and don't know better. In college you're afraid because you know what's at stake. After college you're more willing to commit again because you want to move forward with life.

Do guys date with a purpose?
It's definitely not the same way for guys. Guys will start dating without a purpose. If it's the right girl, they'll find the purpose along the way. Most guys will start off with something because it feels right and it's fun. If the girl isn't worth dating, guys might date a girl just sleep with her. They know they have to put in the time. I'm not condoning it, I'm just saying that's what guys do sometimes.

ADAM:

Are guys really afraid of commitment?
I'll tell you this, if I don't see something more than just a couple of weeks or months, I'd rather not date. I'd rather it be meaningful and long lasting than waste my time with someone for just a month or two. In college, I'd rather just keep meeting new people than do something for maybe a month. If I meet a girl and I know want to date her, it's going to be for a while. Also, you have to be friends and have fun with them and have to get along with my friends.

Do guys date with a purpose?
It depends on the person and where the person is in their life. Some people have different experiences than others. If your busy, busy, busy, you can't really commit unless you know that the person you want to be with will understand. When you're young, you want to meet people and do all the things you need to do and have your freedoms. It's not a science.

CODY:

Are guys really afraid of commitment? No. If someone's not really experienced in dating, they're all in it. But, people who have had relationships before are more hesitant about going into something. I was with my ex-girlfriend for three years, and it took me two years before I dated again. I'd talk to people, but not anything serious.

Do guys date with a purpose?
It all depends. If the guy is not serious and he's trying to get over a relationship or living the single life, guys just go out and try to bring someone home that night. If they are serious and not trying to live the single life, they'll definitely try to date. Being single gets old. If guys are mature they'll realize they want to go home after work and be with someone.

ANDREW:

Are guys really afraid of commitment?
I'd say that has to deal with past history and what's going on with their life. Right now I can say there's a girl I've been talking to, but I don't want to settle down because she's in Chicago. It's not worth getting into something that's not leading to anywhere.

Do guys date with a purpose?
Absolutely. I think there's definitely two ways. You can either date with a purpose because you're really into a girl and enjoy their company. It's a way to stay close with them, and you're not just friend zone. Or guys will date because it's a consistent hook-up.

MIKE:

Are guys afraid of commitment?
I'm not afraid of commitment; I just feel she's got to be special to actually settle down. If she's a keeper, I'll see where it goes, but if she's not, I might as well try to get the hook up.

So what’s the conclusion? Every guy will choose to commit at his own time. However, there seem to be six major factors that influence a guy's likelihood to commit:

1) Where they're at and where they're headed in life
2) Fear of growing up and taking on more responsibility
3) If they think the girl is worth it
4) If they're willing to be in a serious relationship, or if they're looking to hook up
5) Their dating/relationship history
6) If there's a light at the end of the tunnel or a realistic end result in sticking with the girl

You've never known exactly how to strike up a non-awkward conversation with the cute guy in class that you've had your eye on or the gorgeous one that's also in line at the food court, but guess what: that's about to change! Forget the fear of being rejected and throw the awkwardness out the window. With these ten sneaky tricks, you'll seem so casual that even the biggest player in the game won't sense the real reason for your innocent approach.

1. In class: "Hey, when did the professor say the next test is?"
This is probably one of the coyest, sneakiest lines in the book (or should we say: the manual ). Asking about anything class-related is an easy set-up for an entire conversation! It allows you to follow up and relate to each other about how you feel the class is going. For example, then say "oh gosh, are you ready for the next test? Cause I'm sure not!" (*HUGE hint: This is the opportune line to land a study date!*) You can then go into more detail about what chapter is confusing or even have some fun imitating the professor's funny mannerisms.

2. In class: "Hey, can I have a sheet of paper please?"
This line is a simple icebreaker for you shier ladies, but good enough for your prospective male to chime in. *Hint: Hide your notebook paper in your backpack!

3. At a restaurant: "Have you ever tried the Thai Chicken Wrap? I'm not sure if I should get it."
Whether you're standing in line at Pollo Tropical or an authentic local restaurant, this is the perfect undercover pick up line for a dining setting. You're giving him a discreet green light to sit close to you and continue chatting.

4. At the bar or club: "Can you order my drink for me?"
He's ahead of you in the long line, and you just simply want to save precious time, right? Don't forget to slip him your credit card so he doesn't think you're just trying to mooch a drink off him. Also appropriate for the bar (and equally as effective) is the "I can't decide what to get. What are you drinking?" line (Similar to the restaurant tactic).

5. In the library or bookstore: "Have you read ___ (insert book title nearest to you) ___? I'm thinking about getting it..."
Surely he hasn't and will hopefully suggest a book he has read.

Anytime, Anywhere!

6. "What a cute (or nice, big, etc.) dog!"
Drop this line anywhere you see a cutie with a doggy! It could be at the park, the beach or just walking around town. Take advantage of the animal's presence by fully stopping to pet it and asking about it. So coy, yet so effective.

7. "Hey, where is ______ hall/building/room?"
Asking for directions is the perfect icebreaker! All you've got to do is look a little lost and helpless. After he gives you directions, keep the confused act up, and he may even walk you to your destination! Just be sure to ask for directions to a building in the direction that he's walking and BAM! Instant conversation.

8. "Do I know you from somewhere?"
Glance over at him a few times, looking slightly confused. After making eye contact at least three times, approach him, "swearing" you've seen him before. Proceed to ask where he works - if he goes to your university or if he's been to a specific place before. Follow-up by saying "oh, well my name is ______. Nice to actually meet you," with a laugh.

9. "Excuse me, I just wanted to say that I like your _______ (shirt, hat, shoes, etc.)"
After he says "thank you," walk away and carry on with your night. He will approach you later on. Why? Because he will remember the girl who approached him, but didn't go in for the kill.

10. "Hey, you're tall. Can you help me look for my friend? She's wearing ______."
(Men like feeling needed.)

Though you're probably well aware of the "freshman fifteen,” the few pounds that most undergrads find around their waistline during the first year of school, little attention is ever paid to the "relationship fifteen." This term refers to the pounds you may pack on during the course of your relationship. The comforts and habits that are often associated with a having a boyfriend are usually the prime suspects for this weight gain. You may find yourself eating out more, working out less, and eating foods you probably wouldn't eat if you were single. This all adds up over time to the phrase Lauren Conrad has coined "the boyfriend layer."

Because attracting and meeting members of the opposite sex are huge motivators behind why women stay in shape, having a steady boyfriend hurts your drive and enthusiasm for hitting the gym. The comfort factor of being in a committed relationship puts working out near the bottom of your to-do list. Obviously you'd rather spend time with your boyfriend or thinking about spending time with him over slaving away on the treadmill. Having someone to pay for dinner dates probably doesn't help either…Follow these steps for staying healthy and bonding with your man at the same time.

1. Ditch Dinner and a Movie. Just because this has become the stereotypical date night is no reason to succumb to it. If you can think of something that doesn't involve eating huge portions of food then sitting for two hours (which you can), do that instead. There are plenty of activities that are better for your body and your bond. Browse websites such as Groupon.com or LivingSocial.com for deals on dance lessons, nature trails, museum tours and even bungee jumping. These out-of-the-box dates will give you more to talk about and will strengthen your relationship as well as your body.

2. Connect in the Kitchen. Preparing meals yourself is infinitely healthier than eating huge restaurant portions, plus you know exactly what you're putting in your mouth. Choose a meal and turn it into a date night: comb through recipe websites, go grocery shopping, and cook the meal together. You will feel as though you've accomplished something significant together, even if it's just chicken parmesan.

3. Avoid Sunday Brunch. Though grabbing brunch may seem harmless, adorable and trendy, stay away. Brunch menus in restaurants are often packed with hidden fat and empty calories (think croissants). Instead, develop a new Sunday tradition. Hit the beach or drive to the lake for a picnic. Play some basketball or something your guy is into. This will save you tons of calories, not to mention cash.

4. Workout Together. This doesn't have to mean spotting each other on the bench press seven days a week. Walking to the store, rollerblading, taking the dog to the park - anything goes when it comes to exercise. The release of endorphins will put you both in a good mood and in good shape.

You assume you are in a relationship, when you're not. Women have a tendency to subconsciously answer the singularly indefinable "what are we" question, and incorrectly assume they are in an exclusive relationship when that has yet to be established. As a result, they create unjust expectations from their imaginary boyfriends, and eliminate all other relationship possibilities. The person you're dating could very well want you to be his girlfriend someday, but until that happens, he's not in the wrong if he doesn't "check in" with you like a boyfriend might, or see another woman. While a few relationships may magically convert to relationship status overnight, without any sort of discussion, most require this to be established by BOTH parties. Don't stop going on dates with other guys and don't expect the guy you're dating to stop either until you are officially "in a relationship."

You stalk him in his virtual life. Don't let the computer choose your destiny. Keep control of your relationships and its growth by evaluating it from the connection you build when you're actually with the person you're dating. Learn about each other the old fashioned way, through verbal communication, rather than outside sources. Social networking sites and online profiles simply serve to cloud your judgment, most likely incorrectly. Words can be misconstrued and you might get the wrong impression from another person's (say, female's) post on his wall. It will just mess with your head, and that's not fair to either of you!

You lose your leverage. We like to look at intimacy as a bargaining chip, and it means enough to guys to dictate their actions. You will lose leverage by releasing your most important bargaining chip too early. By hooking up too soon, a man has little incentive to continue courting you and really getting to know you because he already got what he wanted. Oftentimes, men will "test the waters" to see whether a girl is easy or not (a.k.a. hook-up material or dating material). Many women falsely assume that a man will lose interest if they don't put out, when it's actually quite the opposite. Even so, if a certain guy doesn't call you again because you didn't hook up with him, then consider it a blessing- you just weeded out a douchebag. Don't increase your chances of being added to the post-bar booty call list. Once you're on it, it's pretty hard to get off! To find out when it's okay to get intimate with a guy, read "Hooking Up: Is It Too Soon To Hook Up?"

You want the relationship more than you actually want HIM! Women tend to get confused about what exactly it is that they are looking for when it comes to dating. One reason is because we get insecure and need reassurance. Even if we don't know him well, we tend to automatically want the guy we are dating to want us to be his girlfriend, and we go crazy over not knowing if that's what he wants. In reality, we should be the pickers. We should prolong the dating process as long as possible to be confident the man we are dating is the best possible match for us. By having this mindset, you will stop coming off as clingy, needy, and desperate! Next time you find yourself waiting around for a text or wanting to question what a man's intentions are, ask yourself, "Is it because I'm 100 percent sure he's the guy for me or is it because I need reassurance and approval?"

You aren't yourself. While it's important to put your best foot forward on any date, it's not wise to pretend you're someone you're not. Don't cater to his every need and don't try to mold yourself into his perfect match because doing so can lead to lying to yourself that he's the right guy for you. You can only fool yourself for so long; the real you will be desperate to escape.

You and Steve have been texting back and forth after meeting at the big UF vs. UGA tailgate last week. You're totally interested. Every time your phone rings, you hope it's him. Finally, he asks, "What is your plan for dinner Saturday night?" Here are a few tips to ace the first date, and secure the second!

You're going to want to look your best, and, most importantly, feel your best. Sleep well the night before the date, and eat especially healthy foods on the day before, and day of, your big date. This is essential to feeling great and energized! Don't eat anything that will make you bloated (dairy) or do anything that stresses you out.

Select the appropriate outfit for your date well in advance to avoid last minute indecisiveness. Definitely keep it classy on the first date. Don't go overboard with the makeup or perfume! Guys like the more natural look as opposed to having makeup caked on your face (Read: Make-Up That Guys Like). By now you will be faced with one of two scenarios:

Scenario one. He picks you up. If he says he is picking you up at 8pm. Be ready at 8:05pm, no later. No need to start the date off on the wrong foot by making him wait forever. Whatever you do, don't text him at 7:45 saying that you got ready early; you'll look desperate. He should know it takes women a while to prepare.

Scenario two. He asks to meet you there. Don't take this personal; there could be a number of reasons why he didn't offer to pick you up on the first date, all of which are normal. It's a red flag if he continues to do this on the second or third date. Once again, do not get there 30 minutes late, and do not get there 15 minutes early. Walk in fashionably late at 8:05.

You sit down and the conversation begins. In the case it slows down, ask him how his day went, what he is into, siblings, college experiences, etc. Do not run the conversation; let him ask you questions too. Do not brag, gossip/talk bad about anyone, bring up religion, politics or talk about your ex's (BAD). These NO NOs can lead to the date's death. When answering questions, don't divulge too much. Maintain a degree of mystery by saving some personal information for later. You'll need to save some info for future dates!

Do your research, but don't BS. If he loves to fish and hunt, do not lie about how you love fishing and hunting, and beg him to take you because it's your favorite thing to do. He will read right through it. Just let him know you are interested in his hobbies, and would like to try them some day. Don't feel the need to agree with everything he says (or disagree with everything, for that matter). There is nothing more attractive than a sweet lady, who is confident enough to share her opinion.

Now, it's drink time! You're a grown woman, and should know by now what you'd like to drink. If you haven't already established your favorite cocktails or types of wine, do so before the date! Once again, keep it classy. Don't order a Bud Light just because you think he would think it's cool if you did. Order a glass of wine, or a simple cocktail of your choice. Maintain a 2 drink MAXIMUM, even if he insists on more. Drag the drink out. One of the worst things you can do is lose control and become sloppy.

Mealtime! Order something easy to eat. Now is not the time to prove to him you can eat a hamburger! What if some grease or ketchup falls onto your dress, and the juice from the tomatoes trickles down your chin? Avoid these unnecessary situations by ordering something simple and clean to eat. Pick items that are easy to cut and can be chewed quietly, like chicken marsala.

Maintain the conversation through dinner, smiling and keeping constant eye. Every now and then, lean in briefly to let him know he has your full attention. Don't slouch down in your seat; keep good posture, like Jacky O!

When the bill comes, continue the conversation you were having as if nothing happened. Do not stop, pause, look at your phone, or make it an awkward moment. If he asked you out, he should pick it up with no hesitation. You may offer to pay your portion, but ultimately a chivalrous man will pick up the tab on a first a date.

Post Dinner: Tricky Tricky. If you've had a great time, and he offers to go out for another drink or two, do it! Go have another drink with him, but only ONE more! No shots! Keep control; keep it classy! Make that drink last! The point is you are still out with him, laughing, dancing, having a good time. However, make sure you've made it clear as you're leaving dinner that you can only have one drink because you have to be up very early the next morning. NOTE: If after dinner he asks to go back to his place to grab a drink or watch a movie, the answer is NO, absolutely not. He is trying to wine and dine you, and then take you back for the hookup. Once you give in, you've lost all leverage, and he has lost interest. You'll win respect by kindly declining.

To secure date two, you have to leave him wanting more. The second you make it too easy for him, you've lost. You have to drag this process out for a few weeks to make sure you're the front liner; you're the first and only girl he texts, and all his efforts are directed at you. Once you feel confident about the relationship and each other's genuine interest level, you can take things to the next level. Any sooner, and you are just another number, and he will go after the next challenge.

End the date with a big thank you and a kiss on the cheek. Tell him you had an absolutely wonderful time with him. After you part ways, DO NOT send a follow up thank you text, call, email, facebook poke... nothing! Let him make the next move. If he is interested, he will!