Healthy lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is one which helps to keep and improve people's health and well-being.Many governments and non-governmental organizations have made big efforts in healthy lifestyle and health promotion.
Mental Health
Mental health can be considered a very important factor of physical health for the effects it produces on bodily functions. This type of health concerns emotional and cognitive well-being or an absence of mental disorder.
Public health
Public health can be defined in a variety of ways. It can be presented as "the study of the physical, psychosocial and socio-cultural determinants of population health and actions to improve the health of the population.
Reproductive Health
For the UN, reproductive health is a right, like other human rights. This recent concept evokes the good transmission of the genetic heritage from one generation to the next.
Health
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
samedi 23 juillet 2016
50+ Pokémon Tattoos That Will Inspire You to Catch 'Em All
The Pokémon craze is certainly not a new thing, but a horde of newbies are entering the fandom since the release of Pokémon Go. Now alums and rookies alike are bonding over the obsession with the new game and nostalgia over the original one - and it's a beautiful thing. So whether you're a new Pokémon fanatic or have been a fan for years and years, you'll love these tattoo ideas that express the love of all things Pokémon.
The Reactions to the Wonder Woman Trailer Prove We Needed This Movie
Ever since Wonder Woman appeared in Batman vs Superman, fans couldn't wait to see the first glimpse of her origin movie. Well, now the trailer for Wonder Woman is here and people seriously cannot contain themselves online.
It's clear from people's thoughts on Twitter that it's about damn time Wonder Woman got her own movie. The best part? The trailer paints the new film as an epic one you cannot miss and will rewatch over and over again. Check out some of the best reactions below and don't be surprised if you feel the same.
OK, the #WonderWoman trailer gave me chills (and a huge smile), @GalGadot is truly a goddess. Can't wait to see the movie! It looks awesome!
- Vajda Máté (@AlpesiRambo) July 23, 2016
#WonderWoman trailer and #JusticeLeague trailer back-to-back hit me like http://pic.twitter.com/Fn72U0S9Ah
- Indra Amirrul (@indraamirrul) July 23, 2016
MARVEL WHO?? #WonderWoman #JusticeLeague #SDCC2016 http://pic.twitter.com/KxC5zcoW84
- sean? (@justseanmc) July 23, 2016
I had to remind myself to breathe #WonderWoman #FirstTrailer
- Julienne (@_jouleyen) July 23, 2016
@GalGadot The most WONDERful thing I'll watch for a while, this is perfect. You are #WonderWoman .
- Lady Pendragon (@RoxyPendragon) July 23, 2016
It's our Time
It's DC Time #WonderWoman trailer is breathtaking- J.Rafell (@Jemo009) July 23, 2016
It's our Time
It's DC Time #WonderWoman trailer is breathtaking- J.Rafell (@Jemo009) July 23, 2016
Wonder Woman looks pretty good. DC beats Marvel to the punch with a female led comic book movie. Looking forward to this one #WonderWoman
- Robert McGregor (@stupidhaggis) July 23, 2016
Since I was a little boy I've waited for and wanted a Wonder Woman movie so bad...she's always meant so much more to me than most heroes
- Cartoons and Cereal (@BlckBolex) July 23, 2016
RIP me. Cause of death: Gal Gadot in the #WonderWoman trailer. 😍
- Emily B (@EmilyisGiraffe) July 23, 2016
Star Wars Fans - You NEED These Hand-Painted Shoes in Your Lives
People are always producing the coolest things inspired by their favorite fandoms - and Star Wars fans are the cream of the crop. Mackenna Dupont turns your favorite Star Wars characters into hand-painted illustrations on TOMS, and they're for sale. If you visit her Etsy store, appropriately called R2D2Shoes, you can pick up a pair for $68 (she notes if you want BOBS instead of TOMS, the price is $20 more). Right now the options are R2-D2 and Chewbacca, but fingers crossed there will be even more options soon!
This Brick Wall Optical Illusion Is Making the Internet Go INSANE
This may look like an ordinary brick wall, but it's not . . . When Manchester, UK, Facebook user Arron Bevin posted this photo, the internet flipped out. There's an optical illusion in this picture that some people see right away, while others find it totally impossible to figure out. Are you able to see what everybody is going crazy about?
Many people took to Twitter to express their befuddlement at this viral photo. Check out what they had to say:
That 'optical illusion' with the brick wall that's being thrown about Facebook today is bugging me. What the hell am I looking at?
- Steven Anderson (@Steveeeennn) May 16, 2016
what's the illusion in that brick wall photo my mind hurts already 😅
- gwen (@hemmojee) May 18, 2016
This brick wall illusion made me go loco after staring at it for about half an hour 😓😤
- Andy (@andreyyuuh) May 18, 2016
That brick wall illusion thing actually ruined my life
- jasi (@unrulyharry) May 17, 2016
Once you figure this out, you won't be able to unsee it - we promise. Let's see how long it takes!
If you want to know the answer, keep scrolling . . .
Image Source: NBC
Are you sure you want to know?
Image Source: TBS
There's a cigar wedged into the crack of two bricks toward the right side of the photo. That gray hole you see is the end of the cigar. Can you see it now?!
Related:
Pokémons of New York Is About to Become Your New Favorite Facebook Page
Fans of Pokémon and Pokémon Go are about to be obsessed with Facebook page Pokémons of New York, a parody of the touching Humans of New York page.
Delhi students Abhishek Singh Kadian and Avish Revis hopped on the viral craze and created the epic Facebook page, which now has over 12,500 likes - 3,000 of which were received on just the first day, according to BuzzFeed.
Similar to the HONY page, Pokémons of New York (yes, the plural was intentional) features a different person, or in this case, Pokémon, and its backstory. Anyone who at least knows the basics of Pokémon will crack up at these.
Check out some of the best posts ahead and get ready to start following this page obsessively.
7 Habits Your Tots Need to Break and How to Help Them Do It
As adorable as kids are, they have some less-than-attractive habits. They say whatever pops into their head, no matter how inappropriate. They bite their nails until they bleed. They dig through their nose and eat whatever that comes out. Sometimes these habits are just a disgusting phase, but if we ignore them for too long, they can lead to larger problems like infections, illnesses, and even depression. But before you send your child to nose pickers anonymous, try treating the problem at home with a few simple solutions. Here are seven ways to help your little one break their bad habit for good.
Source: Flickr user qousqous
Every Parent Will Die Watching These Babies' Poofaces in Slow Motion
Every single parent has had that one moment, while looking at their baby's adorable face - those rosy cheeks, those pink pursed lips, those big wide eyes - when they stop and say to themselves, "Holy sh*t, my baby's pooping!"
Babies make hilarious faces on a pretty regular basis, but none of them quite compares to that squirmy, grunty "pooface."
Pampers didn't just capture such faces for its new "Don't Fear the Mess!" ad campaign, but the brand captured them in glorious slow motion.
Set to the classic Strauss score, the commercial chronicles the hard work of 10 young babies. Watching these tots struggle and then reach the sweet release of a successful dirty diaper will, oddly enough, be the delight of your day. It might make you want to document your own baby's pooface. And we don't blame you.
Every Girl Should Give Gigi Hadid's Favorite Bikini a Try
One of Gigi Hadid's earliest Instagrams was a mirror shot of herself modeling a high-waisted swimsuit. Every Summer, Gigi seems to return to this one silhouette: a retro-inspired two-piece with a balconette bra top and some sort of playful print.
Though she keeps coveted labels like Solid & Striped and Zimmermann in rotation, the allure of Gigi's suits is that they're so flattering. A high cut draws attention to the smallest part of your waist, and Gigi's well-aware. Read on to see her flaunting the look on the beach, in the pages of Vogue, and behind the scenes, then shop for inspired styles.
27 Engaged Celebrity Couples We Can't Wait to See Tie the Knot
We love seeing celebrities attend lavish parties and award shows, but the one thing that always tops it all is when they throw the biggest party themselves: their wedding! From firework displays to candy bars, stars usually cover all the elaborate bases when it comes to their nuptials. And with splits happening left and right these days, it's good to know that true love still exists. Since so many hot couples are currently on their way to the altar, we've rounded up all the ones we can't wait to see (hopefully) get married in the coming months. Cheers to a blissful year!
One French Omelet, S'il Vous Plait
Prepping a French omelet isn't beyond the average scrambler, but it may take a few tries before you're able to plate a colorless creation. That's right; unlike an American omelet, the French omelet is most distinguished by its smooth, yellow exterior, devoid of any scorch marks from the pan.
In order to achieve this, you have to get both hands moving. One will constantly shake the pan while the other hand whisks the eggs in the pan. This method helps the eggs cook and coagulate uniformly. Just as the eggs start to set on the bottom of the pan, the omelet is folded and flipped onto a plate, despite the underdone center.
The exterior of the French omelet is as fluffy and soft as scrambled eggs, but cutting open the center will reveal an oozy custard, which is highly coveted. If you're afraid of a runny texture, have no fear! By constantly whisking the eggs as you cook them, there's no chance of them tasting slimy. To me, the texture resembles crème brûlée, which is pure heaven. After learning this method, I never want to eat my omelets any other way. Try the recipe for yourself.
16 GIFs of Selena Gomez Being Outrageously Sexy
Selena Gomez is sexy - she knows it, we know it, and you certainly do, too. And if at any point she thinks you're about to forget that she can be flirty and sensual, she immediately reminds you with a racy Instagram photo or a dress that leaves little to the imagination. Her Disney days are far behind her, and with her most recent album, Revival, and the steamy music videos for her singles, she's solidified that.
So, because we know you can't get enough of Selena's hotness, we've compiled her sexiest moments in GIFs. Keep reading to see them, then check out her relationship history, real and rumored.
I'm Falling For Roadies, 1 Episode at a Time
It's Summer, which is great for your tan and all, but it's bad for filling your pop culture tank. Network comedies wrapped up months ago for the season, Game of Thrones tucked itself in for another year last month, and Orange Is the New Black's latest season flashed in and out of our lives like a Summer storm. Those are all factors that should make you go outside and play Pokémon Go or whatever, but if you're like me, it just propels you toward trying to find new TV shows to be obsessed with. There are scores of vintage shows you could binge, of course, but there are a handful of intriguing new series for the Summer. There's one in particular that's growing on me, slowly and sweetly: Roadies.
It's not like the instant chemistry I felt from The Night Of, which inspires conspiracy theories and paranoia from the first viewing; instead, iconic director Cameron Crowe's Sunday night Showtime series builds like the kind of song its characters would love. It's a comedy-drama, straddling the line of both - it's not outright hilarious, but it doesn't take itself too seriously either. Instead, it's a loving depiction of the people who make the business of a concert happen, the titular roadies, whose behind-the-scenes presence and lack of need for credit is beautiful in itself. Here are a few of the reasons it's been slowly winning me over.
Luke Wilson
It's been a while since we've seen Luke Wilson in an endearing role like this, but spend an hour with tour manager Bill and you'll remember why you've had that decades-long crush on him. He's the classic man-boy that you kind of want to grow up, but he's so charming that you forgive it. There's a feeling that we're supposed to be rooting for him and his work wife, Shelli (Carla Gugino), but it's not really happening; instead, it's just nice to see their supportive interactions.
The Music
You knew a show about roadies on tour and created by Cameron Crowe had to have awesome music, right? Roadies doesn't disappoint, and it finds creative ways of showcasing varieties of music per episode, not just the obligatory great soundtrack. We never get to hear the songs of the band the crew's supporting (the fictional Staton-House Band), but you won't mind. There's a "song of the day" in each episode, and as a running joke, the tour keeps losing their opening band, necessitating a new act each episode. Unlike the show's band, the opener is always a real life band, whose music we do get to hear. Musicians so far have included The Head and the Heart and Lindsey Buckingham (who performs twice in the third episode and is absolutely mind-blowing each time).
The Band Antics
Through the ensemble of the crew, we not only get to see the on-the-road touring lifestyle, but their dynamic as well. So far, the band's individual problems are minor; the adorable Kelly Ann (Imogen Poots) wishes she was funnier, Shelli tries to sneak in phone sex with her husband, and the new British suit gets made fun of while trying to make budget cuts. Even the band's resident stalker is played for laughs (even when she is pulling off some disturbing acts). It's all very light, fun, and harmless.
It's Romantic
Bill has a total Lloyd Dobler moment in the third episode, when he texts a swoon-worthy goodbye to his on-off lover (you know, if Lloyd Dobler ever texted). It's classic Cameron Crowe, but that's not necessarily why I call this show romantic. It's, in the broader sense, in the way the characters rhapsodically talk about their passion for the music. Anyone who has ever worshipped a band or played a certain album over and over can relate. It even makes the profession of being a roadie seem - gasp - pretty wonderful.
This Mom Just Got the Most Guilt-Inducing Note of All Time From Her Kid
If you were to get a crumpled-up note from your kid, which stated - in adorably garbled cursive handwriting - how you "really shattered" their heart and how they "know how ashamed you are" of them, how would you react?
If you'd no sooner melt into a puddle of guilt-ridden tears, take a breath.
Turns out, the mother of the kid who wrote this note wants to share her side of the story.
In an equal parts depressing and relatable Facebook post, The Unmumsy Mom shared a submission from the mom in question, which stated that her 9-year-old daughter Ellie refused to clean her room. And that's when things went south.
"Her mom got mad, Ellie declared she wanted to be sold on eBay - because she didn't want to be part of the family anymore - and in the heat of the tidying argument, her mom said that nobody would buy her," The Unmumsy Mom wrote.
Although it's been confirmed that the "shattered heart is now mended," the post has gotten more than 6,000 "likes" from parents commending the little girl's "art of persuasive writing." Plus, more than a handful of moms have been inspired to share their children's equally melodramatic notes:
Stay strong, moms. You really probably aren't the worst!
The 3-Piece Summer Outfit Chrissy Teigen's Been Wearing Everywhere
Well before Summer started, we were already searching for the "look" of the season: an outfit combination that It girls everywhere would be rocking, whether it be a sundress and a scarf, a crop top and a skirt, or a chic new way to give shorts a boost. Thankfully, it turned out to be something we could copy in a flash, with ladies like Chrissy Teigen, Gigi Hadid, and Kendall Jenner pairing their classic cutoffs with a tee and a long duster.
Sometimes these It girls will add a hat. Sometimes they add a choker. And they've also rocked the look with a variety of different shoes. But no matter what, the core combination stays the same, and we're ready to give it a try on our own - especially when it's a tad chilly out or we're stuck in the AC. Scroll through to see who's already worn the easy ensemble, then shop the piece you need to create it.
Gigi Hadid's Favorite NYC Accessory Is Yours Too
Gigi Hadid's busy schedule means she's constantly traveling for photo shoots. But in between stylings, the supermodel shows off her signature look - and we're starting to think it varies from city to city. While Gigi might call herself an LA girl at heart, she shows her New York City pride when in the Big Apple. All it takes is a classic Yankees hat.
Gigi recently played up the sporty vibes in cozy separates, Adidas sneakers, and her baseball cap, and just a few days before she rocked the same winning combination. But it's not the first time Ms. Hadid's paid homage to her favorite team. Read on to see the stylish outfits Gigi's worn with this go-to accessory, then shop for your own Yankees gear if you're not already equipped.
The Most Popular Outfit of the Summer Is Something You Already Have in Your Closet
Whenever we spot an It girl-approved trend taking off, we're almost always down to give it a try ourselves - until, of course, we take a glimpse at the price tag. All too often, celeb-loved styles are well beyond our budget, but recently, Gigi, Bella, Chrissy Teigen, and more have been digging an outfit combo we already own: white tops with denim bottoms.
Whether it's pairing a white tank with skinny jeans or styling a white tee with denim shorts, the classic look has been everywhere as of late, inspiring us to try it ourselves - and stock up on our staples. Scroll through to see what we mean and gather some ideas, then snag a top or two to follow this affordable trend ASAP.
8 Iconic Recipes From Magnolia Bakery, From Easiest to Toughest
Magnolia Bakery, the iconic shop in New York City, is famous for its banana pudding, icebox cakes, cupcakes, and more. Though the store has countless cookbooks and seasonal offerings, we pulled eight of our favorite recipes and ordered them from easiest to hardest so you can bake (or not bake) depending on your mood.
18 Stunning Nontraditional Celebrity Engagement Rings
Diamonds may be a girl's best friend, but for some celebrities a regular solitaire sparkler just doesn't cut it. Instead, stars like Elizabeth Hurley and Rebecca Romijn have opted for colorful stones in hues like canary yellow and sapphire blue. Even in the past, Princess Diana forwent a traditional diamond for an oval sapphire, which Kate Middleton now wears. And in recent months, a new trend has popped up - art-deco-style engagement rings - worn by actresses like Scarlett Johansson. Keep reading for some major ring envy, and if you can't get enough, see these very best celebrity engagement rings, then check out which of your favorite stars have been in their famous friends' weddings.
11 Cherry Recipes That Basically Scream Summer
If you've been to the supermarket lately, chances are you've noticed a lot more of one gorgeous Summer favorite: cherries! That's because the deliciously stemmed and bite-size fruit is in season, which means it's time to start eating more of them.
Whether you plan to devour a handful in one serving (avoiding the seeds, of course) or work them into a full-on meal, there are so many ways to get more of this vitamin-C-rich food in your diet. Read on for 11 tasty examples. Then, keep the produce theme going and take a look through some peach-inspired ideas your taste buds will surely appreciate.
After 10 Years of Covering Her Skin, 1 Model Reveals She Has Vitiligo
At age 19, Seattle-based model Breanne Rice was diagnosed with vitiligo on her face. It didn't stop her from having a career in front of the camera or eventually becoming her current profession as a holistic nutritional therapy practitioner. But after 10 years of covering her face with makeup - even at the gym - she's baring her skin to give hope to others who have the rare skin condition. "I wouldn't go outside without makeup on, and I would look in the mirror and start crying," she said on Instagram. "I was devastated."
Allergies to foods such as gluten and dairy as well as sun exposure worsen her lack of pigmentation. "I went through a series of events and suffered a lot of trauma all at once, which pushed my immune system over the edge(stress also depletes us of B-vitamins)," she wrote. "I had to address my body as a whole, and take 10 steps back to take one step forward. I worked on building my immune system, taking down the inflammation in my GI Tract and focused on digestion. Guess what? My skin began to receive pigmentation back(especially on my chin), and I began to digest and absorb nutrients."
While she still has vitiligo, she has definitely become more comfortable exposing it. "This is the real me underneath all this," she captioned. "You know what though, I own it. There's not much I can do about it. I can only love myself, and not let my circumstances define my value or self-worth."
Read more of her empowering words ahead! And remember this important advice for anyone who has ever felt less than pretty: "I hope that my situation inspires you. Don't let your circumstances define you or make you feel any less beautiful - your flaws are what make you unique and beautiful. Just be you."
Pippa Middleton Just Got Engaged, but We're Already Predicting Her Wedding Dress Will Have This 1 Detail
Kate Middleton's signature look may consist of colorful coats and a pair of drop earrings, but her sister, Pippa, has a favorite style all her own: short- and cap-sleeved dresses. The duchess's sister recently wore her go-to while attending the Frost Family Summer Party, opting to pair a semisheer, floral L.K. Bennett number with beige heels - and, of course, her new diamond engagement ring. With Pippa set to wed her boyfriend, hedge fund manager James Matthews, our minds are already running wild, imagining what this style star will wear for her big day. One thing we're almost certain of? That she'll say "I do" to sleeves once more. Scroll through for all the times Pippa's dress included that extra bit of material, then look back at the royal wedding where she stole the fashion spotlight.
These 27 Modern Maternity Photo Ideas Will Make You Want to Get Pregnant in 2016
One of the best parts of being pregnant is documenting your growing bump and capturing that stunning glow. And while there's nothing new about the idea of taking professional maternity photos, many pregnant moms are moving away from the standard side-belly-pose pic and getting creative with the types of shots they want. Many moms-to-be are going all out (and in unexpected ways!) for their pregnancy photo shoots, from modern underwater snapshots to ethereal poses in the woods complete with flower crowns and airy gowns. Check out these 27 modern maternity photos for nontraditional portrait ideas!
An Expert Shares Her Foolproof Way For Always Staying Energized
Working in an office all day can be painfully exhausting, and sometimes three cups of coffee just does. Not. Cut. It. There's nothing worse than a midmorning or midafternoon slump, and a few hours can feel as grueling as bumper-to-bumper traffic. Lucky for you, there's a way out! After working in an office for many years, I have discovered these three simple tips are key to staying alert and energized all day long. By the way, no, there's no caffeine involved.
1. Don't Pair Protein With Carbs
Celebrity nutritionist Kimberly Snyder has a really important rule for her beauty detox plan: don't pair protein with carbs. Instead, eat protein with veggies or carbs with veggies and/or fruit, but if you pair protein with carbs, expect to feel drowsy. She explains on a blog post about food combining:
"If I had to isolate the worst [food combining] to violate, it would be 'meat and starch' - as those two foods require very different sets of enzymes and can lead to a lot of digestive difficulty and wasted energy. Animal protein takes a great deal of energy to break down, and should be consumed with veggies and not other dense foods. Examples of combinations that take a lot more work to digest are steak and potatoes and chicken and rice. It would be better to simplify those meals and have rice and veggies or chicken and veggies (if you eat some animal protein)."
When I first read this advice years ago, I really resisted it, because it seemed so extreme. But then, I decided to try it. Instead of a turkey sandwich for lunch, which always left me crawling toward the coffeemaker by 2 p.m., I opted for a salad packed with chicken and avocado. I waited and waited. Nothing but pure, satisfying energy all afternoon long. Yes, you can still have carbs, just not with protein. Try apple with almond butter or avocado toast as a snack, but forgo the carbs for lunch. This all said, I don't always stick to this rule, but I do notice a huge difference when a do, at least during office hours.
2. Work Out During Lunchtime
This is my absolute favorite time to work out. An hour away from your computer screen and desk is pure bliss. Usually there are 30- or 45-minute classes offered at the gym that make it easy to break away. When I get my blood pumping and take a quick post-workout shower, I return to the office feeling more fresh and alert. I always end up being more productive with a break than had I simply stayed at my desk all day.
3. Alternate Between Standing and Sitting
Studies have shown sitting with bad posture makes you feel sleepy, while sitting up straight makes you happier and more productive. Having a standing-sitting desk is a life changer. Changing between standing and sitting every 30 minutes forces me to double-check my posture and realign myself. If you can't get access to a standing desk, try taking a water break every 30 minutes so you can return to your desk and reset your posture each time.
An Expert Shares Her Foolproof Way For Always Staying Energized
Working in an office all day can be painfully exhausting, and sometimes three cups of coffee just does. Not. Cut. It. There's nothing worse than a midmorning or midafternoon slump, and a few hours can feel as grueling as bumper-to-bumper traffic. Lucky for you, there's a way out! After working in an office for many years, I have discovered these three simple tips are key to staying alert and energized all day long. By the way, no, there's no caffeine involved.
1. Don't Pair Protein With Carbs
Celebrity nutritionist Kimberly Snyder has a really important rule for her beauty detox plan: don't pair protein with carbs. Instead, eat protein with veggies or carbs with veggies and/or fruit, but if you pair protein with carbs, expect to feel drowsy. She explains on a blog post about food combining:
"If I had to isolate the worst [food combining] to violate, it would be 'meat and starch' - as those two foods require very different sets of enzymes and can lead to a lot of digestive difficulty and wasted energy. Animal protein takes a great deal of energy to break down, and should be consumed with veggies and not other dense foods. Examples of combinations that take a lot more work to digest are steak and potatoes and chicken and rice. It would be better to simplify those meals and have rice and veggies or chicken and veggies (if you eat some animal protein)."
When I first read this advice years ago, I really resisted it, because it seemed so extreme. But then, I decided to try it. Instead of a turkey sandwich for lunch, which always left me crawling toward the coffeemaker by 2 p.m., I opted for a salad packed with chicken and avocado. I waited and waited. Nothing but pure, satisfying energy all afternoon long. Yes, you can still have carbs, just not with protein. Try apple with almond butter or avocado toast as a snack, but forgo the carbs for lunch. This all said, I don't always stick to this rule, but I do notice a huge difference when a do, at least during office hours.
2. Work Out During Lunchtime
This is my absolute favorite time to work out. An hour away from your computer screen and desk is pure bliss. Usually there are 30- or 45-minute classes offered at the gym that make it easy to break away. When I get my blood pumping and take a quick post-workout shower, I return to the office feeling more fresh and alert. I always end up being more productive with a break than had I simply stayed at my desk all day.
3. Alternate Between Standing and Sitting
Studies have shown sitting with bad posture makes you feel sleepy, while sitting up straight makes you happier and more productive. Having a standing-sitting desk is a life changer. Changing between standing and sitting every 30 minutes forces me to double-check my posture and realign myself. If you can't get access to a standing desk, try taking a water break every 30 minutes so you can return to your desk and reset your posture each time.
Photographic Evidence That Jennifer Lopez Has Not Aged a Day
If our lives depended on arranging photos of Jennifer Lopez in chronological order, we would fail. Though her style and hair color have certainly evolved through the years, her face and overall beauty have not changed - and we're starting to need more than her usual "sleep is very important" answer here. Perhaps we should also consult Thalia, while we're at it.
The sexy multihyphenate has long attracted theories that she's aging in reverse - or, you know, some sort of immortal vampire - so to further explore that argument, we've rounded up photos of her over the last few decades. The results are pretty telling, if we do say so ourselves.
38 of the Hottest Nude Magazine Covers, Hands Down
There are many stars who have gone totally naked - save for a few well-placed props - for racy spreads over the years. Because this kind of confidence really should be celebrated, we're highlighting 38 of the hottest magazine covers featuring sexy celebrities in their birthday suits; scroll through for our slightly NSFW roundup right now.
10 Drinks and Desserts That Taste Exactly Like Cotton Candy
By far one of the best parts of visiting a fair, circus, or theme park is indulging in a puffy cloud of cotton candy, but sometimes a craving strikes at home, and that's where these recipes come in. Margaritas, cupcakes, soda, and even fudge can taste like cotton candy, and for the most part, you won't even need the fancy cotton-candy-making machine!
The Scary Things That Happen When You Ignore Pain and Keep Training
There are times when you're sore from a new workout, and then there are times when you experience something a little scarier: DOMS. Delayed-onset muscle soreness, or DOMS, is more intense muscular pain caused by microtears in the muscles and usually sets in between 24 and 48 hours after a new workout or intense physical activity.
If you're sore, is it still OK to work out? While general, mild soreness is OK, it's not the best idea to keep breaking down your muscles when you've got something more serious like DOMS. We consulted Jan Milano, CSCS and sports performance coach at DIAKADI in San Francisco, to learn more about overtraining syndrome, and sure enough, he had plenty to say about pushing through a workout when you're suffering from DOMS.
His advice? If you're dealing with this delayed muscular soreness, you need to take a break from intense workouts. If you've been training hard, he said, "doing another session of hard, intense physical activity while experiencing DOMS should be avoided." This is "due to several mechanical and biomechanical reasons," which he detailed for us.
- You're prolonging the DOMS. If you're already sore, your muscles are recovering from microtears, which are "sensitive and fragile." If you keep going, you won't heal. "Overstretching of the muscle when sore can easily lead to the microtears getting worse, prolonging the recovery and repair time of the muscle," Milano said. More training, more paining.
- You're inhibiting good hormone production. Milano told us that continuing with intense exercise while experiencing DOMS "can attenuate secretion of crucial hormones like growth hormone, which is a key factor for improvement on recovery, performance, and even body composition." If you're trying to get stronger or gain muscle, this is stuff you're trying to keep in your body - so don't mess with it!
- It could cause long-term damage. If you overdo it while you have DOMS, Milano warned that it could lead to the dangerous effects of overtraining syndrome.
If you're in pain, take a rest day. However, you don't need to skip all workouts. In fact, according to Milano, research has shown that some lighter activities could actually help your recovery. "Activities like walking or light swimming, which are nonimpact activities, could positively affect the recovery time of the athlete or individual," he said. So if you can't rest and you're on some kind of training program, consider an active rest day with some LISS cardio or another exercise without impact.
The Scary Things That Happen When You Ignore Pain and Keep Training
There are times when you're sore from a new workout, and then there are times when you experience something a little scarier: DOMS. Delayed-onset muscle soreness, or DOMS, is more intense muscular pain caused by microtears in the muscles and usually sets in between 24 and 48 hours after a new workout or intense physical activity.
If you're sore, is it still OK to work out? While general, mild soreness is OK, it's not the best idea to keep breaking down your muscles when you've got something more serious like DOMS. We consulted Jan Milano, CSCS and sports performance coach at DIAKADI in San Francisco, to learn more about overtraining syndrome, and sure enough, he had plenty to say about pushing through a workout when you're suffering from DOMS.
His advice? If you're dealing with this delayed muscular soreness, you need to take a break from intense workouts. If you've been training hard, he said, "doing another session of hard, intense physical activity while experiencing DOMS should be avoided." This is "due to several mechanical and biomechanical reasons," which he detailed for us.
- You're prolonging the DOMS. If you're already sore, your muscles are recovering from microtears, which are "sensitive and fragile." If you keep going, you won't heal. "Overstretching of the muscle when sore can easily lead to the microtears getting worse, prolonging the recovery and repair time of the muscle," Milano said. More training, more paining.
- You're inhibiting good hormone production. Milano told us that continuing with intense exercise while experiencing DOMS "can attenuate secretion of crucial hormones like growth hormone, which is a key factor for improvement on recovery, performance, and even body composition." If you're trying to get stronger or gain muscle, this is stuff you're trying to keep in your body - so don't mess with it!
- It could cause long-term damage. If you overdo it while you have DOMS, Milano warned that it could lead to the dangerous effects of overtraining syndrome.
If you're in pain, take a rest day. However, you don't need to skip all workouts. In fact, according to Milano, research has shown that some lighter activities could actually help your recovery. "Activities like walking or light swimming, which are nonimpact activities, could positively affect the recovery time of the athlete or individual," he said. So if you can't rest and you're on some kind of training program, consider an active rest day with some LISS cardio or another exercise without impact.
In Today's Jaw-Dropping News, This 64-Year-Old Can Lift Over 400 Pounds
Personal trainer and founder of Own Your Age Fitness, Lorraine Gantt, lives her life by the idea that "age is just a number."
When going through a stressful divorce, Lorraine's son brought her to the gym with him - her first time working out! - and she turned to fitness as a means of coping. Fast-forward eight years later, and Lorraine is in the best shape of her life at 64. She's a trainer (some of her clients are 80 years old!), she owns her own fitness business, and she's loving every second of life.
We got the chance to chat with Lorraine and ask her about her journey and tips she has for you - no matter what your age - for getting healthy and strong, loving your body, and changing your life. The sweet, spunky Texan told us that aging happens, but it's just a number. "You have to live the life best you can and live the last half of your life better than the first."
In Today's Jaw-Dropping News, This 64-Year-Old Can Lift Over 400 Pounds
Personal trainer and founder of Own Your Age Fitness, Lorraine Gantt, lives her life by the idea that "age is just a number."
When going through a stressful divorce, Lorraine's son brought her to the gym with him - her first time working out! - and she turned to fitness as a means of coping. Fast-forward eight years later, and Lorraine is in the best shape of her life at 64. She's a trainer (some of her clients are 80 years old!), she owns her own fitness business, and she's loving every second of life.
We got the chance to chat with Lorraine and ask her about her journey and tips she has for you - no matter what your age - for getting healthy and strong, loving your body, and changing your life. The sweet, spunky Texan told us that aging happens, but it's just a number. "You have to live the life best you can and live the last half of your life better than the first."
Always Tired? The 1 Thing That Could Be to Blame
You get plenty of sleep and you're not catching a cold, yet lately you feel run-down, have crazy headaches, and can't focus at work. It may have something to do with how much iron you're getting in your diet.
An adult woman should aim for 18 milligrams of iron a day, and if you're not reaching this goal, you may have anemia, an iron deficiency. Our bodies need iron to make hemoglobin, a substance in red blood cells that enables them to carry oxygen. If your cells aren't getting oxygen, that explains the tired, foggy head. You may also notice pale skin, brittle nails, and cold hands.
You may be at risk for low levels of iron if you tend to have heavy periods, are pregnant, or just had a baby. Other at-risk individuals include endurance athletes, vegans, and individuals who donate blood frequently or have a condition that makes it hard to absorb nutrients from food. You can take iron supplements, but they may cause an upset stomach, heartburn, or constipation, so it's best to get your iron from food. Check out the list below to see which foods contain the most iron so you can be sure to get your fill.
| Food | Amount | Iron (mg) |
|---|---|---|
| Apricot, dried | 1/2 cup halves | 1.2 |
| Artichoke | 1 medium | 0.7 |
| Asparagus, cooked | 1/2 cup | 0.8 |
| Barley, cooked | 1 cup | 2.1 |
| Beans (garbanzo) | 1/2 cup | 1.6 |
| Beans (kidney) | 1/2 cup | 2 |
| Beans (lima) | 1/2 cup | 2.3 |
| Beans (pinto) | 1/2 cup | 1.8 |
| Broccoli, cooked | 1/2 cup | 0.5 |
| Brown rice, cooked | 1 cup | 0.8 |
| Cashews | 1/4 cup | 2 |
| Cashew butter | 2 tbsp. | 1.6 |
| Egg | 1 large | 0.7 |
| Flaxseed, ground | 1 tbsp. | 0.4 |
| Fortified cereal such as Wheat Chex | 3/4 cup | 13.5 |
| Ground beef | 1 patty | 1.9 |
| Kale, raw | 1cup | 1.1 |
| Lentils | 1/2 cup | 3.3 |
| Molasses | 1 tbsp | 0.9 |
| Oats | 1 cup | 3.4 |
| Oysters, cooked | 3 oz | 10.2 |
| Peanuts | 1/4 cup | 0.6 |
| Peanut butter | 2 tbsp. | 0.6 |
| Pine nuts | 1/4 cup | 1.9 |
| Potatoes, with the skin | 1 small | 1.5 |
| Pumpkin seeds | 1/4 cup | 5.2 |
| Quinoa, cooked | 1 cup | 2.8 |
| Raisins | 1/4 cup | 0.8 |
| Salmon | 3 oz. | 0.9 |
| Shrimp, cooked | 3 oz. | 2.6 |
| Soybeans (edamame) | 1/2 cup | 1.8 |
| Spinach, raw | 1 cup | 0.8 |
| Steak | 3 oz. | 3.2 |
| Sun-dried tomatoes | 1/4 cup | 1.2 |
| Sunflower seeds | 1/4 cup | 1.8 |
| Sunflower seed butter | 2 tbsp. | 1.6 |
| Tofu, extra firm | 1/2 block | 4.3 |
| Turkey (dark meat) | 3 oz. | 2.1 |
Always Tired? The 1 Thing That Could Be to Blame
You get plenty of sleep and you're not catching a cold, yet lately you feel run-down, have crazy headaches, and can't focus at work. It may have something to do with how much iron you're getting in your diet.
An adult woman should aim for 18 milligrams of iron a day, and if you're not reaching this goal, you may have anemia, an iron deficiency. Our bodies need iron to make hemoglobin, a substance in red blood cells that enables them to carry oxygen. If your cells aren't getting oxygen, that explains the tired, foggy head. You may also notice pale skin, brittle nails, and cold hands.
You may be at risk for low levels of iron if you tend to have heavy periods, are pregnant, or just had a baby. Other at-risk individuals include endurance athletes, vegans, and individuals who donate blood frequently or have a condition that makes it hard to absorb nutrients from food. You can take iron supplements, but they may cause an upset stomach, heartburn, or constipation, so it's best to get your iron from food. Check out the list below to see which foods contain the most iron so you can be sure to get your fill.
| Food | Amount | Iron (mg) |
|---|---|---|
| Apricot, dried | 1/2 cup halves | 1.2 |
| Artichoke | 1 medium | 0.7 |
| Asparagus, cooked | 1/2 cup | 0.8 |
| Barley, cooked | 1 cup | 2.1 |
| Beans (garbanzo) | 1/2 cup | 1.6 |
| Beans (kidney) | 1/2 cup | 2 |
| Beans (lima) | 1/2 cup | 2.3 |
| Beans (pinto) | 1/2 cup | 1.8 |
| Broccoli, cooked | 1/2 cup | 0.5 |
| Brown rice, cooked | 1 cup | 0.8 |
| Cashews | 1/4 cup | 2 |
| Cashew butter | 2 tbsp. | 1.6 |
| Egg | 1 large | 0.7 |
| Flaxseed, ground | 1 tbsp. | 0.4 |
| Fortified cereal such as Wheat Chex | 3/4 cup | 13.5 |
| Ground beef | 1 patty | 1.9 |
| Kale, raw | 1cup | 1.1 |
| Lentils | 1/2 cup | 3.3 |
| Molasses | 1 tbsp | 0.9 |
| Oats | 1 cup | 3.4 |
| Oysters, cooked | 3 oz | 10.2 |
| Peanuts | 1/4 cup | 0.6 |
| Peanut butter | 2 tbsp. | 0.6 |
| Pine nuts | 1/4 cup | 1.9 |
| Potatoes, with the skin | 1 small | 1.5 |
| Pumpkin seeds | 1/4 cup | 5.2 |
| Quinoa, cooked | 1 cup | 2.8 |
| Raisins | 1/4 cup | 0.8 |
| Salmon | 3 oz. | 0.9 |
| Shrimp, cooked | 3 oz. | 2.6 |
| Soybeans (edamame) | 1/2 cup | 1.8 |
| Spinach, raw | 1 cup | 0.8 |
| Steak | 3 oz. | 3.2 |
| Sun-dried tomatoes | 1/4 cup | 1.2 |
| Sunflower seeds | 1/4 cup | 1.8 |
| Sunflower seed butter | 2 tbsp. | 1.6 |
| Tofu, extra firm | 1/2 block | 4.3 |
| Turkey (dark meat) | 3 oz. | 2.1 |
Soccer Star Christen Press Has Some Powerful Words For You About Loving Your Body
At any given point in our lives, most of us struggle with body-image issues and can have trouble coming to a point of love and acceptance with our bodies. If you're nodding your head, saying, "yep, same," then Christen Press has some pretty inspiring words for you.
The US Women's National Team soccer star knows all about the pressure of having "the right kind" of body - much of her career is very dependent on her body's abilities! But the one thing that truly helped her loved her body - flaws and all - was yoga. Here's what she had to say about struggling with body image, loving herself, and loving her "shortcomings."
"I struggled with [body image] in and out of teenage and college years. . . . There's something inside a lot of us, especially women, that sees this ideal; you look in the mirror and just see flaws. When I became more interested in the mindfulness movement, I started to understand how important it is to love your body and to see the beauty in it, instead of always looking at your flaws. And that's not just physical; it's about who you are as a person. Have grace with yourself and understand that you can make mistakes, your flaws are beautiful, and your shortcomings are what make you strong. So I think that with [mindfulness and yoga] and with fine-tuning my training, I have become a lot more comfortable with myself, how I look, how I feel, and how I act. I think it's sort of a total-package thing."
Soccer Star Christen Press Has Some Powerful Words For You About Loving Your Body
At any given point in our lives, most of us struggle with body-image issues and can have trouble coming to a point of love and acceptance with our bodies. If you're nodding your head, saying, "yep, same," then Christen Press has some pretty inspiring words for you.
The US Women's National Team soccer star knows all about the pressure of having "the right kind" of body - much of her career is very dependent on her body's abilities! But the one thing that truly helped her loved her body - flaws and all - was yoga. Here's what she had to say about struggling with body image, loving herself, and loving her "shortcomings."
"I struggled with [body image] in and out of teenage and college years. . . . There's something inside a lot of us, especially women, that sees this ideal; you look in the mirror and just see flaws. When I became more interested in the mindfulness movement, I started to understand how important it is to love your body and to see the beauty in it, instead of always looking at your flaws. And that's not just physical; it's about who you are as a person. Have grace with yourself and understand that you can make mistakes, your flaws are beautiful, and your shortcomings are what make you strong. So I think that with [mindfulness and yoga] and with fine-tuning my training, I have become a lot more comfortable with myself, how I look, how I feel, and how I act. I think it's sort of a total-package thing."
Grab Your Dumbbells and Running Shoes For This Intense Cardio and Strength-Training Workout
The following post was originally featured on Carrots 'n' Cake and written by Tina Haupert, who is part of POPSUGAR Select Fitness.
Let's kick off the day with a killer workout! Are you guys ready for this one? It incorporates two of my favorite, full-body movements (Man Makers + running) for a seriously high-intensity and challenging workout. It's a "good" one for sure!
How to do this workout: Perform 10 Man Makers and then run 400 meters. After that, you'll do 9 Man Makers followed by a 400 meter run. Then, 8 Man Makers, 400 meter run, 7 Man Makers, 400 meter run… all the way down to 1 Man Maker with a final 400 meter run. You'll run a total of 2.5 miles during this workout, but you can always reduce the running to 200 meters. It'll still be an awesome workout!
Ok, so you've never done a Man Maker before? You're in for a treat!! Start with two dumbbells, one in each hand, in the top of a push-up position. Do a push-up and then perform a row, right arm and then left arm, with the dumbbells.
Then, jump your feet in and perform a Squat Clean to Thruster with the dumbbells.
Once you stand up and finish the Thruster, you've completed one rep.
After that, bring the dumbbells back to the ground and repeat. Here's a great video that shows the full Man Maker movement from start to finish.
Happy sweating!!
Grab Your Dumbbells and Running Shoes For This Intense Cardio and Strength-Training Workout
The following post was originally featured on Carrots 'n' Cake and written by Tina Haupert, who is part of POPSUGAR Select Fitness.
Let's kick off the day with a killer workout! Are you guys ready for this one? It incorporates two of my favorite, full-body movements (Man Makers + running) for a seriously high-intensity and challenging workout. It's a "good" one for sure!
How to do this workout: Perform 10 Man Makers and then run 400 meters. After that, you'll do 9 Man Makers followed by a 400 meter run. Then, 8 Man Makers, 400 meter run, 7 Man Makers, 400 meter run… all the way down to 1 Man Maker with a final 400 meter run. You'll run a total of 2.5 miles during this workout, but you can always reduce the running to 200 meters. It'll still be an awesome workout!
Ok, so you've never done a Man Maker before? You're in for a treat!! Start with two dumbbells, one in each hand, in the top of a push-up position. Do a push-up and then perform a row, right arm and then left arm, with the dumbbells.
Then, jump your feet in and perform a Squat Clean to Thruster with the dumbbells.
Once you stand up and finish the Thruster, you've completed one rep.
After that, bring the dumbbells back to the ground and repeat. Here's a great video that shows the full Man Maker movement from start to finish.
Happy sweating!!
vendredi 22 juillet 2016
One Woman's Empowering Response to Gym Body-Shaming Went Viral For the Best Reason
After Playboy model Dani Mathers made headlines for body shaming a fellow gym-goer in the locker room, the fitness community had plenty to say about the ethics of snapping photos at the gym. While Mathers has since apologized, lost her gym membership, and become implicated in a subsequent lawsuit, the damage of her mean-spirited Snapchat was done the moment it hit the internet - women no longer felt entirely comfortable changing in their own gym locker rooms, unsure whether somebody would lampoon their bodies in what is supposed to be a safe, supportive space.
But instead of letting fear of violation and criticism cripple her, one woman turned Mathers's body shaming on its head, using it as a tool for spreading self-love and positivity. Christine Blackmon, 42, who runs a Facebook page called Delicate Flower, called out the controversial model directly in a post:
"Not all of us work out to be 'hot,' some of us work out simply to honor the bodies we were given," Blackmon wrote, sharing a censored image of her own body, celebrating its "bumps" and "lumps" for their own unique beauty. The mother of two then called on her followers to embrace their own imperfections, banishing the negativity of body shaming through images and personal stories about their own wonderful bodies. The post went viral, inspiring more than 1,900 people to comment with their own response with the hashtag #UnseeTHIS as a cheeky response to Mathers's initial Snapchat message.
Blackmon's empowering response to such negativity is an important reminder that, no matter what sort of adversity women might face, we have the power to change the conversation about beauty. Nobody has a "perfect" body, but we should celebrate why our bodies are perfect for us - we only get one of them!
One Woman's Empowering Response to Gym Body-Shaming Went Viral For the Best Reason
After Playboy model Dani Mathers made headlines for body shaming a fellow gym-goer in the locker room, the fitness community had plenty to say about the ethics of snapping photos at the gym. While Mathers has since apologized, lost her gym membership, and become implicated in a subsequent lawsuit, the damage of her mean-spirited Snapchat was done the moment it hit the internet - women no longer felt entirely comfortable changing in their own gym locker rooms, unsure whether somebody would lampoon their bodies in what is supposed to be a safe, supportive space.
But instead of letting fear of violation and criticism cripple her, one woman turned Mathers's body shaming on its head, using it as a tool for spreading self-love and positivity. Christine Blackmon, 42, who runs a Facebook page called Delicate Flower, called out the controversial model directly in a post:
"Not all of us work out to be 'hot,' some of us work out simply to honor the bodies we were given," Blackmon wrote, sharing a censored image of her own body, celebrating its "bumps" and "lumps" for their own unique beauty. The mother of two then called on her followers to embrace their own imperfections, banishing the negativity of body shaming through images and personal stories about their own wonderful bodies. The post went viral, inspiring more than 1,900 people to comment with their own response with the hashtag #UnseeTHIS as a cheeky response to Mathers's initial Snapchat message.
Blackmon's empowering response to such negativity is an important reminder that, no matter what sort of adversity women might face, we have the power to change the conversation about beauty. Nobody has a "perfect" body, but we should celebrate why our bodies are perfect for us - we only get one of them!
9 Ways to Take Fancy Fitness Classes For Virtually Nothing
It wasn't until I ditched my gym and quit running that I fully embraced my love of fitness. Before discovering intimate studio classes, exercise was forced agony, but these days you'll happily find me at SoulCycle, BurnSF, and my favorite local yoga studios. And despite how expensive boutique fitness can be, I've managed not to run up a huge credit card bill, in large part because I am thrifty - some friends may even call me cheap. Because of this, I've found some ways to save big time on what could be a pretty hefty financial commitment.
Related: 5 Ways to Save Money on Fitness
- Get connected on social: Grab your phone and start following the social media accounts of every studio you love. Besides getting a behind-the-scenes look at life there, you're privy to special deals and events. Fitness studios know that their followers on Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, and Instagram are loyalists, so it's a place where they'll share the love. I recently got a free SoulCycle class for wearing blue and yellow workout gear (Go Warriors!), based on a tip that my local studio shared on its Facebook account.
- Look for community classes: Whether it's a way to say thank you to the local 'hood or a way to introduce a new teacher, many studios (most often yoga) offer free community classes. Check a studio's weekly schedule to see when these pop up.
- Join a fitness class subscription service: If you're open to variety, think about joining a studio membership service like ClassPass or FitReserve, where you pay a flat monthly fee and get access to hundreds of local studios. Depending on the type of membership, you could be taking studio classes for as little as $10. Given that many of the classes offered on these services have drop-in rates of $30, you'll be getting a tremendous savings.
- Sign up for email: Yes, email can be annoying, but anyone who shops sales can tell you that newsletters are essential. Just as retail brands do, studios send out emails that often contain discounts, upcoming sales, or daily deals. I recently was able to buy a five-pack of yoga classes at my favorite studio for $50 thanks to a flash sale I learned about via email - that came out to be a 50 percent savings!
- Become a member: If you find that you're falling for a specific studio, stop the pay-as-you-go madness and pony up for a membership. The cost may seem steep at first, but you will save money in the long run. As an example, The Bar Method San Francisco charges $185 for a monthly membership, and its drop-in rate is $28. If you take more than six classes a month, you're much better off becoming a member. You'll also find that studios tend to offer a discounted rate for new clients. The same Bar Method offers a "New Client Intro Rate" of $99 for the first month of membership.
- Buy in bulk: Along the same lines of getting a membership, consider buying bundled class packs from your favorite studios. They usually end up giving you a 5- to 20-percent savings and often don't expire.
- Scan daily deals sites: Sites like Groupon, Living Social, and Gilt City are great resources for finding discounts at boutique fitness studios. You'll most often find discounted monthly memberships or bundled class packs here. Savings can run upwards of 30 percent.
- Check a studio's website: Fitness studios that are less connected on social media still tend to offer deals but will do so on their website. Peruse your favorite studios' sites often and always check out a studio's page before you go for the first time. Many offer students their first class as a freebie if you register online with them.
- Make friends with everyone who works there: Don't force it or fake a relationship, but you'll be surprised how far friendliness can get you. Studios love their regulars and smiling faces! Very often they'll gift you with a free class as a way to let you know how much you're appreciated.
9 Ways to Take Fancy Fitness Classes For Virtually Nothing
It wasn't until I ditched my gym and quit running that I fully embraced my love of fitness. Before discovering intimate studio classes, exercise was forced agony, but these days you'll happily find me at SoulCycle, BurnSF, and my favorite local yoga studios. And despite how expensive boutique fitness can be, I've managed not to run up a huge credit card bill, in large part because I am thrifty - some friends may even call me cheap. Because of this, I've found some ways to save big time on what could be a pretty hefty financial commitment.
Related: 5 Ways to Save Money on Fitness
- Get connected on social: Grab your phone and start following the social media accounts of every studio you love. Besides getting a behind-the-scenes look at life there, you're privy to special deals and events. Fitness studios know that their followers on Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, and Instagram are loyalists, so it's a place where they'll share the love. I recently got a free SoulCycle class for wearing blue and yellow workout gear (Go Warriors!), based on a tip that my local studio shared on its Facebook account.
- Look for community classes: Whether it's a way to say thank you to the local 'hood or a way to introduce a new teacher, many studios (most often yoga) offer free community classes. Check a studio's weekly schedule to see when these pop up.
- Join a fitness class subscription service: If you're open to variety, think about joining a studio membership service like ClassPass or FitReserve, where you pay a flat monthly fee and get access to hundreds of local studios. Depending on the type of membership, you could be taking studio classes for as little as $10. Given that many of the classes offered on these services have drop-in rates of $30, you'll be getting a tremendous savings.
- Sign up for email: Yes, email can be annoying, but anyone who shops sales can tell you that newsletters are essential. Just as retail brands do, studios send out emails that often contain discounts, upcoming sales, or daily deals. I recently was able to buy a five-pack of yoga classes at my favorite studio for $50 thanks to a flash sale I learned about via email - that came out to be a 50 percent savings!
- Become a member: If you find that you're falling for a specific studio, stop the pay-as-you-go madness and pony up for a membership. The cost may seem steep at first, but you will save money in the long run. As an example, The Bar Method San Francisco charges $185 for a monthly membership, and its drop-in rate is $28. If you take more than six classes a month, you're much better off becoming a member. You'll also find that studios tend to offer a discounted rate for new clients. The same Bar Method offers a "New Client Intro Rate" of $99 for the first month of membership.
- Buy in bulk: Along the same lines of getting a membership, consider buying bundled class packs from your favorite studios. They usually end up giving you a 5- to 20-percent savings and often don't expire.
- Scan daily deals sites: Sites like Groupon, Living Social, and Gilt City are great resources for finding discounts at boutique fitness studios. You'll most often find discounted monthly memberships or bundled class packs here. Savings can run upwards of 30 percent.
- Check a studio's website: Fitness studios that are less connected on social media still tend to offer deals but will do so on their website. Peruse your favorite studios' sites often and always check out a studio's page before you go for the first time. Many offer students their first class as a freebie if you register online with them.
- Make friends with everyone who works there: Don't force it or fake a relationship, but you'll be surprised how far friendliness can get you. Studios love their regulars and smiling faces! Very often they'll gift you with a free class as a way to let you know how much you're appreciated.
If You Want to Run Longer, This Is a Must
Ever wonder why some days you feel like you can keep running and running while on others you have zero stamina? Certainly the amount of sleep you got the night before, stress levels, and diet play a role in how you perform during your runs, but how you regulate your breath during your jogging session also affects your energy levels. Here's how to power your muscles with fresh oxygen on each stride.
Learn to breathe deeply: Your lungs are just a bit smaller than your rib cage, but most people tend to use just the top third of this powerful organ. When you take a deep breath, you are expanding the lungs, pressing down the diaphragm, and causing your abdomen to expand as your lungs fill with air. Learning to breathe this way while running helps you take in a lot of oxygen, preventing dizziness and nausea. With a little training and some stretching, you can breathe to your full potential and increase your endurance. Cross-training with yoga and Pilates can also help you learn to breathe from your diaphragm. Here are some tips for how to conquer diaphragmatic breathing.
Match your breathing to your steps: For an easy-paced run, inhale for three or four steps, then exhale for the same amount. Count the steps in your head while you adjust to breathing on tempo. If you are running more intensely, your breathing tempo will increase to support your increased energy output and become faster - a breath in for one to two steps and out for one to two steps. If you can't match your steps to your breathing tempo, then you are trying to run too fast; slow down, and get back into your rhythm.
Breathe differently in cooler temps: It's important to breathe through your nose while running in chillier weather, because cold air is dry and breathing through your mouth increases the dryness while decreasing the temperature of the air. Since your lungs do not like dry air, you can experience asthma-like symptoms, like wheezing and coughing, when breathing cold air in through your mouth. Breathing through your nose not only filters out air impurities but also warms cool air to body temperature, creating less shock for the lungs to decrease those asthma-like symptoms.
Learn to breathe through your nose: If nose breathing is difficult for you, start experimenting with the technique now before the temperature drops drastically. Breathing through the nose helps you breathe more deeply and efficiently, which will ultimately help your running no matter what the temperature is. If you plan to run in cold temps and have yet to master nose breathing, you can try wearing a bandana (or a shirt that can be pulled up far) over your nose and mouth to help trap the moisture of your breath and humidity in the air before it reaches your lungs.
29 Fitness-Inspired Tattoos That Show Off Your Love For Working Out
Obsessed with your fitness program? Enough to wear it on your body permanently? We rounded up 29 creative tattoos showcasing marathon mileage, Pilates poses, yoga Sanskrit, and dumbbell designs.
If you're ready for your first #FitTattoo, then look through to get inspired!
If You Have Trouble Sleeping at Night, Try This Yoga Pose
Every single person deals with stress in some form - and we're always trying to learn the best ways to deal with stress so it doesn't take over our lives and we can be happier, healthier people. One of our favorite ways to mitigate stress is to do yoga, but which poses are the best for relieving emotional and physical tension? When we got the chance to talk with expert yogi and Under Armour ambassador Kathryn Budig, we jumped at the chance to ask what her favorite calming, centering poses were to relieve stress or unwind after a hard day at work.
"One of my favorite go-to poses if I need to unwind at the end of the day is legs up the wall [Viparita Karani Mudra]," said Kathryn. "It's the simplicity of just scooting up against the wall, so you're laying flat on your back with your bottom and your legs flush against the wall straight up." She recommended using a strap if you need it for added stability, too!
So what makes it so great? "It's really great to combat difficulty sleeping; it's also a great way to drain legs out at the end of the day if you've been standing for too long, or if you had a really big workout, it's great to relieve fatigue."
If you need a few more calming poses, Kathryn says, "Hip openers and gentle supine twists are also fantastic."
If You're Trying to Lose Weight, Here's a Look at the Best and Worst Cocktails For Your Waistline
Headed to a tropical escape or perhaps just your local watering hole? Those festive warm-weather libations are a staple of Summer vacations, and while they're truly delicious (I personally could never turn down a fresh piña colada, especially on a beach), the calories can add up quickly, essentially undoing any hard work you put into vacation prep. After a few nights of knocking back some frosty cocktails, you might find yourself wondering, "OK, how much do I need to work out to make my body forget this vacation even happened?" We feel you.
Here's a breakdown of cocktails and their calories and how much you'd have to run (at a 10-minute-per-mile pace) to burn them off. To keep things even, we used the same source for nearly all the cocktails, which averaged results from all brands. Then we adjusted the serving size of each of these drinks to six ounces so you can compare the breakdown of calories ounce for ounce. That said, some of these drinks come in much smaller (and in some cases, larger) serving sizes, so use this as a benchmark, not a hard-and-fast guide.
All calculations are based on a 130-pound woman running at six miles per hour (10-minute-mile pace).
| The Drink | The Calories | How Many Minutes of Running |
|---|---|---|
| Vodka Gimlet | 113 | 12 minutes |
| Greyhound |
141 |
15 minutes |
| Moscow Mule |
192 |
20 minutes |
| Long Island Iced Tea |
201 | 21 minutes |
| Tequila Sunrise | 209 | 21 minutes |
| Irish Coffee | 210 |
22 minutes |
| Mojito (without garnish) |
257 |
26 minutes |
| Mai Tai | 260 | 27 minutes |
| Margarita |
278 |
28 minutes |
| Cosmopolitan |
320 | 33 minutes |
| Piña Colada (no garnish) |
327 |
33 minutes |
| Daiquiri |
337 | 35 minutes |
The Top 4 Workouts to Avoid If You're Trying to Lose Weight
We encourage all types of fitness, for more reasons than just weight loss. While weight loss is an awesome side effect of working out and living a healthier lifestyle, exercise can benefit your brain, your mood, your sleep, and your overall health, too!
However, if you're focusing on dropping pounds, are there types of exercises you should flat-out avoid? We asked certified personal trainer John Rowley - International Sports Science Association (ISSA) director of wellness and founder of UX3 Nutrition - for his opinion on the matter. While we still encourage anyone to give these workouts a shot (in fact, we love all of them!), these four may not give you the results you're looking for if weight loss is your top priority.
- CrossFit: "CrossFit is number one on the hit list," Rowley said in an email. "The risk-to-results ratio just isn't there." If you're just beginning your weight-loss journey, you likely won't have the strength to get an effective workout without injuring yourself. "It's very popular, and I can see how fun and challenging it is," he noted. "But the way the exercises are done is very dangerous, especially for someone not in tiptop shape."
- Yoga: Rowley explained that yoga "has a lot of benefits, but losing weight is not one of them." Although you'll gain strength and tone up, if you're aiming to shed pounds, "you want to work as much of your body as possible to lose weight and to stimulate your metabolism," and Rowley said yoga is not the most effective way to do so.
- Indoor Cycling: While indoor cycling classes are great for exercise veterans, Rowley said, "they can get out of control as well," and the format of the classes can put you at risk for injury. "The rooms can get too hot, the movements can be too aggressive for some, and any vigorous exercise will make you hungry." More on that hunger in the next point . . .
- Cardio-Only Routines: Rowley said these should be avoided if your only goal is weight loss. Why? The munchies. "Cardio will help burn calories but can often make you hungry, leading to excessive calorie-consuming after workouts," putting you at a higher risk for undoing your progress. Additionally, if you're only doing cardio and not balancing with strength training, it can lead to muscle loss. "The loss of muscle destroys your metabolism; if you are going to do cardio, do it in conjunction with a well thought-out weight training workout."
Again, we love (and do) each of these workouts - and you absolutely can lose weight doing any of them. But if your number one goal is weight loss, Rowley warned, you might want to reprioritize your workout schedule.
So what should you do? "The only way for lasting, healthy weight loss that will change your body composition is through resistance training," Rowley said. "Lifting weights stimulates your muscles; your muscles burn calories even when you are eating and resting." We encourage you to be open to all types of workouts - get comfortable with movement of all types! But start with a good, healthy balance of strength training (as recommended by this trainer) and a bit of cardio to help build up your endurance so you can keep shedding pounds and crush your goals.
Meet Team USA's Rockstar Women's Gymnastics Squad
Last week the top five women from Team USA women's gymnastics made the cut for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio, and they've been touted as "the most decorated and competitive women's gymnastics teams ever." What does that mean? Expect to see some on-fire performances in a couple weeks.
Let's get to know this go(ld)-getting roster with returning vets and brand-new all-stars. Without further ado, the high-flying ladies of Team USA!
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