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.
lundi 26 décembre 2016
Why It's Time to Celebrate Average-Size Women
This post was written by our POPSUGAR UK editor and originally appeared on POPSUGAR Fashion UK. Unless otherwise stated, all dress sizes referenced are UK sizes. US sizes are approximately UK minus 4 (e.g., UK 14 = US 10).
Source: Getty / Karwai Tang
Some have suggested that 2014 was "the year of plus-size." To others, it was nothing more than a token nod in the right direction: a couple of models over a size 10 featured in big campaigns, a couple of celebrity collections that didn't stop at a size 14 (see Kelly Brook for Simply Be, pictured above), some nice things said about Melissa McCarthy during award season. It's true that we are a long way from this industry ever truly embracing the breadth of shapes and sizes of modern women, but every step in the right direction is a good one. And 2015 got off to a good start with the news that models Ashley Graham and Robyn Lawley will appear in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue - even if one of those is an ad, not an editorial.
The real strides toward body acceptance in the world of fashion have come through the blogosphere. Plus-size blogs are thriving, particularly in the US and the UK, where bloggers are collaborating on fashion lines, appearing on TV, and modeling for global brands. The Instagram hashtag #effyourbeautystandards has taken off to the point where the woman behind it, Tess Holliday, has signed to a major modeling agency despite being neither the height nor weight of your "average" plus-size model.
Because as many of us have now realized, most plus-size models are not really plus-size. At least not in the way you'd imagine. Fashion has always thrived on aspiration, and just as runway models tend to be right on the lowest end of the "straight" size spectrum, plus-size models actually straddle the middle ground - the sizes that lurk at the back of the rail in high-street retailers but also mark the start of many plus-size ranges - 14, 16, possibly 18. This has started an unending argument about what "plus-size" truly is and whether the models used really represent the women buying plus-size clothing. (The short answer is no. Just like how runway models don't represent people who buy a size 10.)
Among those to come under fire was ASOS, whose Curve range starts at a UK size 18. Recently the brand has made an effort to use larger models following the negative feedback from consumers, but it was only a year or so ago that Bree Warren was a frequent Curve model. Her model card lists her as a UK size 14 with a 29-inch waist. She is stunning and excellent at her job but hardly representative of the 18-plus woman shopping for ASOS Curve.
Source: ASOS
Though I'm a few inches shorter, I have almost identical measurements to Bree Warren. I wear a UK size 14. My BMI is healthy, but to many slim people, I am still considered "too fat." To the plus-size community, I am not big enough. I have had my body shape described as everything from "normal" to "Adele-sized" (for the record, all comparisons to Adele are gratefully accepted). Straddling two sides of the industry, I am what is now being coined an "in-betweener."
The term started being used more frequently in fashion circles last year, when model Myla Dalbesio was signed for a big Calvin Klein campaign. Despite the fact Calvin Klein did not identify her as plus-size, the shock headlines quickly started anyway. A huge fashion brand was using a plus-size model for the first time! The truth? Dalbesio is a US 10/UK 14, with similar measurements to Bree Warren - and me. At 5'11", her body is completely in proportion, and in the campaign, she looks amazing. This should have been seen as a good thing, a woman with a body closer to that of many consumers was finally being represented in fashion. But because of the label, things went the other way entirely as people complained she wasn't plus-size enough.
Source: Calvin Klein
What Dalbesio told Yahoo Style about the whole furor around her size sums up exactly how I feel every time I post a photo of myself online or try on a dress in H&M. When you straddle two very different sides of an industry, making either of them accept you is tricky. For a second, it felt like being "average" actually made things harder. Here's some of what Dalbesio said:
"I can never figure out where I fit in, and I'm always making someone mad. I'm not skinny-skinny, but I'm not fat and fabulous either. I'm a size 10. There's been a whole public outcry about me not being as big as people think I should be. They say, 'What do you have to complain about? You have a great body.' But if you're a size 6 or 10 (US), that doesn't mean you don't need to see yourself represented too."
This year, I believe things are moving in the direction of the in-betweener. There has long been controversy over the so-called "glorification" of plus-size, with arguments that we have gone from one extreme to another. But is this really true, given that the majority of plus-size models are barely a size 16? The plus-size industry is a huge one that will continue to grow, and perhaps by removing the labels on models who do not fairly represent their consumers, the plus-size industry will have the opportunity to diversify even more.
Elsewhere, the in-between models should no longer be seen as token "real girls" alongside their size-6 (6 UK = 2 US) colleagues. Putting more emphasis on the middle ground, the alleged "normal" woman seems like the logical step to close the divide. The average female dress size varies depending on the study, but most agree it's somewhere around 14 to 16 in the UK. Naysayers have often complained that rather than using models who are either size 0 or size 18 with nothing in between, we should be showing a breadth of sizes, including those in the middle. Where better to start than the average?
We are, after all, the lucky ones, even if we don't feel like it sometimes. Women who're size 14 or 16 can technically shop at more retailers than anyone of any other size. We can buy standard and plus-size clothes. However, that doesn't mean either is designed with us in mind. I get just as many funny looks from shop assistants when I walk into plus-size retailer Evans as I did when I went into Miss Selfridge when I was 30 pounds heavier. But I have the option, something many other women are not lucky enough to have.
That doesn't mean dressing well is easy. We have to be just as creative as anyone else, despite this added choice. In-betweeners become experts at picking and choosing items from various retailers, learning what works and what doesn't from each range. As we often have larger busts and curvier hips and bums to consider, we rarely find one size fits all, and we have to shop around. We don't have many people in the public eye to look to for inspiration, because so often with fame comes pressure to lose weight and put out an exercise DVD. But we do have places to go for inspiration online, as our blogosphere is growing too. More brands are adjusting their in-store displays to reference our body types. Victoria Beckham now makes dresses in our size!
Plus, we know the real truth. Years of not knowing quite where we fit has taught us that nobody is truly average. "Normal" doesn't exist, and while every body is different, all of them are brilliant. Isn't it time more of them were represented in fashion?
Atlantic blood inventory takes hit from storms before Christmas
Canadian Blood Services is issuing a plea for blood donations after bad weather caused the closure of several clinics heading into the holidays.
Atlantic blood inventory takes hit from storms before Christmas
Canadian Blood Services is issuing a plea for blood donations after bad weather caused the closure of several clinics heading into the holidays.
17 Underrated TV Shows We Begged Our Friends to Start Watching This Year
Have you ever met one of those extremely passionate (OK, OK - annoying) people who are constantly like, "Karen, you need to watch *insert TV show name here* or I'm gonna pass out and die right here on the spot"? Yeah. That's us. For every Orange Is the New Black or The Walking Dead, there's another gem of a TV show just waiting to be discovered by the masses. Annoying or not, we've made it our duty to inform everyone about brand-new shows (like Fleabag) and ones that have been around a little longer (any The Last Man on Earth fans in the house?) that we personally feel need a little bit more love.
Print Out Your Own Golden Globes Ballot!
The Golden Globe awards are coming on Jan. 8 with a formidable list of nominees for TV and movies. If you're planning on watching the starriest night in January, then print out our ballot. Print out a few, in fact, so everyone watching can compare how good they are at predicting the winners of award season! Just click here to download your printable ballots, and don't forget to vote on our electronic ballot for a chance to win $1,000!
The 50 Pieces You Should Treat Yourself to Based on Your Go-To Retailers
As we're making our holiday shopping list and checking it twice, we can't help but sneak in some items we secretly want for ourselves. And truth be told, many of the pieces we want are from our typical go-to retailers like Zara or Topshop. We can always find that special something for an affordable price, which is great when we also have presents to buy for friends and family. Ahead, we've rounded up the five items you should treat yourself to at each of these shopping destinations. You can likely count on these stores to participate in Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals too. So no excuses, get shopping.
9 Iconic First Lady Gowns Worth Talking About
Traveling to Washington DC two days after what will surely be the most important election of my lifetime was scary. I'm not going to lie. I heard rallies outside my hotel room all night and passed angry mobs holding signs outside the Trump hotel. But during the day, while Barack Obama met with President-elect Donald Trump inside the White House, the streets were quiet.
I traveled with a small group of editors to the first ladies inaugural dress exhibit at the Smithsonian Museum, and it was only there, in that small, dimly lit room, that I could feel myself starting to relax. The first sign was a poster on the wall that featured a Q&A series: "How will the first ladies collection change when a woman is elected president?" Using the term "when," not "if," instilled hope. Then I veered off, where a short film of Michelle Obama donating her Jason Wu gown to the museum was playing.
So Much More Than a Dress
"This gown is one of the most tangible things I have left to remember that day. At the end of the day today is about much more than this gown. It's also about how with enough focus and determination someone in this room can be the next Jason Wu. Someone can be the next Barack Obama . . . Something you create today can help teach the next generation in a way that nothing else can," Michelle said at the podium.
Her dress was absolutely one of the most intricate on display, what with its Swarovski crystal embellishments and impeccably organized beading. But these dresses I was admiring, some of which dated back to the 1800s, were not made to make the first ladies feel pretty. Each one signified a new beginning.
"Inaugurations are times of optimism . . . In addition to attending ceremonies and balls, incoming first ladies announce the agendas and special projects they intend to pursue. Some projects are ambitious. Some are traditional. Some may be controversial," read a sign on the wall.
Just like the fashion choices they make. And it's true: every first lady was scrutinized for her style, even if she wasn't viewed as an icon. But it was the choices she made in that suit, the momentous speech she gave in that ballgown, that we'll remember. If a floor-sweeping dress is one way to preserve these memories, why not learn everything we can about it? Why not try to understand why Michelle wore white or Lady Bird Johnson chose a simple yellow sheath?
The Legacy, The Future
As I traveled around the exhibit, reading about each gown and the woman who wore it, I passed a very young girl staring up at a picture of Michelle and Barack Obama on Inauguration Day. "Who's that?" her mother asked her, pointing up at a glowing Michelle. "It's the president! They're both presidents!" she screamed.
The first female president will not be sworn in on Jan. 20. In fact, the Smithsonian Museum will make space for one more dress when Melania Trump accepts her role as FLOTUS. But until then, let's consider the takeaways I learned about the first ladies who stood before her.
Each of the facts ahead is proof that these strong women, from Lady Bird Johnson and Jackie Kennedy to Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama, were compassionate. They thought of function first, then fashion. They embraced the spotlight, not because of what they were wearing, but because of the confidence they felt when wearing it. All of the women I learned about were leaders. They had what it takes to lead a nation, and one day, a lady as determined as them will. When you're finished reading, I think you'll agree.
Wait Until You See These Pictures of Alessandra Ambrosio and Her Adorable Kids
Alessandra Ambrosio is known for more than a few things: her amazing bikini body, her Victoria's Secret Angel wings, her always-amazing street and festival style, and her ability to steal any runway no matter what. But if you follow her on social media, you know her proudest achievements are her two lovely kids.
Anja Louise and Noah Phoenix - whose dad is Alessandra's longtime businessman fiancé, Jamie Mazur - are along for the ride every time their supermodel mom hits the beach, look adorable even when pouting, sport the cutest outfits, and have the sweetest smiles. Keep reading for a glimpse at Alessandra's best family moments straight from her Instagram account.
George Michael Will Forever Be Part of Fashion History Thanks to This Video
From "Careless Whisper" to "Last Christmas," George Michael was the voice behind a ton classics, all of which filled our head the moment we found out he'd passed away. But the tune that ended up solidifying his spot in fashion history? None other than "Freedom! '90," due to the supermodel-packed video released along with it. Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, and Tatjana Patitz all made appearances, sexily lip-syncing lyrics for a full six and a half minutes. Relive the iconic moment above as we continue to wish his family peace at this time.
12 Things No One Tells You About Having a Second Baby
People throw so much advice at you when you're a first-time parent. Just the sight of your pregnant belly and a confirmation that it's your first brings an onslaught of unsolicited tips and sometimes helpful musings. Cut to the second time you expand and your family and everyone just assumes you've got it down. The only advice I got this time was: "If they both need you, help the older child first." (Good advice, by the way.) My general lack of mental preparation before doubling the number of children I had made for some surprising findings in my first few months as a second-time mom.
1. You Will Feel More Guilty Than You Ever Have
You'll feel guilty for spending too much time with your newborn and not paying enough attention to your older child. And then you'll spend more time with your older child and feel terrible for neglecting your newborn. You'll wish you could spend every second with each of your children while also wishing you could take 20 minutes to shower by yourself. It's a guilt-ridden cycle that I wish I could say goes away, but it really just gets a little less intense. Because what's motherhood without a little guilt, really?
2. You Won't Remember as Much as You Think You Will
Prepare to go through the process of figuring it all out all over again. It does come back to you, but it's not as immediate as you might think. After the birth of my second son, I had to ask the nurse in the hospital how often I should feed him and when we got home I was shocked at how many diapers we went through. Don't be surprised if you and your partner look at each other with bewilderment when trying to remember what time you used to put your first to bed at night or how many ounces he would take from a bottle.
3. The Whole Experience Will Be Less Intense
This isn't to say it's not as special and important, but it's just not as life changing as that first time you brought a baby out into the world from inside of your body. You've already witnessed the insane and unimaginable miracle that is a tiny human created by you and your partner. It's not so much been there, done that, but it just doesn't quite shake you to your core the way having a baby the first time can. This is not to say your hormones won't still be all over the place. It just means that instead of being on a loopy, upside-down roller coaster at Six Flags, they'll probably be riding something more like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland.
4. Breastfeeding Will Still Be Hard
I was told so many times that breastfeeding is so much easier the second time. And I will say it's easier . . . but it's still hard. You might feel less overwhelmed by the idea if you've already been successful at nursing once before, but if you're like me, you'll still have to work on the latch at the beginning and you'll still be ordering nipple cream on Amazon from your hospital bed. The good news is that (for me at least) the nipple pain didn't last as long and it felt like we were in a better place feeding-wise much more quickly than the first time.
5. You'll Have Even Less Modesty Than Before
Seems impossible, I know, but everyone's already seen it all and now they've seen it all again. Especially your boobs. You don't have the luxury of timing your day around nursing schedules since your older one probably needs to leave the house at some point. So you get extremely comfortable, dare I say nonchalant, about nursing your baby in public. Anywhere, anytime. It's actually quite freeing if, like me, you spent the first go-around desperately seeking a hidden spot to feed on the go.
6. Your Maternity Leave Days Will Look Much Different
Remember lingering in bed for morning feedings and rocking your baby while he slept during the day? Maybe you even enjoyed some leisurely lunches with friends and a little daytime TV after having your first. You guessed it: unless you have live-in help or an older one in full-time preschool, those days are long gone. Get some help that allows you to have even just a few hours a week of sweet, uninterrupted newborn time. It goes a long way.
7. You Will Need More Help Than You Think
You now not only need someone to help you with your own recovery and with the tiny human, but you also need someone to entertain your older child and keep your house in order. Ask neighbors and friends to set up a dinner drop-off, schedule play dates for your toddler, and say yes to anyone who offers to help you around the house. You might even want someone to join you to tackle your first out-of-the-house adventure with both kids. Even if you think you've got it down, you'll be glad to have the extra hands.
8. There Will Be More Laundry Than You Thought Possible
It doesn't seem like a little person with teeny-tiny things would add that much more to the laundry pile already created by three people, but somehow, the baby seems to actually double it. If you don't do at least one load of laundry every day, you are already behind. See previous point.
9. You Will Appreciate Babywearing Like Never Before
Keeping your baby close is not only a sweet way to bond, but with the second, it's a necessity. It helps leave your hands free to deal with all things toddler and beyond throughout the day and also gives you a little peace of mind without having to follow your older one's every move. Because this time when you set your infant down, you not only risk crying that needs to be tended to, but also you have the added element of a toddler who may want to "play" with the baby by putting blankets on his face or driving cars over his soft spot while you take a quick bathroom break. It's just easier if the baby is with you.
10. You Will Become the Master of Logistics
One of the biggest question marks for me before I became a second-time mom had to do with how I would get both of them in and out of the house or car to go anywhere, ever. Does the toddler get out of his seat first and hold your hand so he can't run into the parking lot while you get the baby into the stroller? How do you take them both to Target and still have room in your cart to actually shop (see number eight)? It requires some trial and error, but you'll become the master of the juggling act and feel pretty accomplished after that first successful trip to the grocery store with two.
11. You Can Get By With Less Stuff
I tried to be pretty minimal with the "stuff" with my firstborn since we lived in a one-bedroom apartment. When the second arrived, it became apparent that I still had way too much gear, clothing, and blankets, despite having twice as much space. You just don't need as much with the second one since that nagging first-time-mom feeling that you MUST BRING EVERYTHING on your 15-minute walk around the block is replaced by less anxiety-fueled thoughts. Plus, there's just not enough room for all those toddler snacks and three outfit changes for the baby in your bag.
12. You Won't Care So Much About Screen Time
If your older one is at an age where TV is capable of capturing their full attention, you'll be more than happy to have the option of plopping them in front of a show while you nurse for the hundredth time. Trust me. I'm back to regulating screen time with my older one now that the little guy is 5 months old, but I wouldn't have gotten through the early days without a DVR full of Thomas and Friends.
10 Ways to Have More Gorgeous Skin in 2017
I always had an inkling that my skin is sensitive, but I didn't know until I knew. It started two years ago with a rash on my neck, caused by an allergy to nickel. Trust me: when you're wearing scarves in the middle of August to conceal a breakout, you can't be in denial.
As time progressed, my skin continue to flare up. Until one day, when I was red, dry, and itchy from my forehead to my shoulders, I decided it was time to take control of the situation. First: admit to myself I have very sensitive epidermis; then, revamp my skin care routine.
So, I embarked on a journey, meeting with dermatologists to detect my metal allergy and also discover my rosacea. This is a skin condition that appears in the form of redness and bumps, often caused by products, alcohol, heat, stress, and other triggers. Saying goodbye to some of my favorite cleansers, moisturizers, and makeup wasn't easy. Letting go of the jewelry was heartbreaking. But it made room for me to bring in new products that agreed with my skin and nickel-free baubles that would keep me rash-free.
There are a slew of gentle products from drugstore by brands like Cetaphil and Simple. And I love my organic labels, such as Tata Harper and Eminence. But there seemed to be a lack in the luxury market when it came to more minimal skin care. That's why it was pretty groundbreaking in October when Chanel announced the launch of its new moisturizer, La Solution 10 de Chanel Sensitive Skin Cream.
Chanel teamed up with top NYC dermatologist Dr. Amy Wechsler to create an alcohol-free, fragrance-free, and oil-free face lotion that contains only 10 ingredients. They are all listed on the bottle: water, vegetable squalane, soft powder, glycerin, silver needle tea extract (an antioxidant star of the lineup), shea butter extract, emollient, emulsifier, humectant, and preservative. The white cream comes out of the chic bottle as a butter but blends to feel as light as a serum. It's soothing and lovely - and I can't get enough of it!
After using it for months (we editors get a sneak peek of these top launches before they hits consumers), I had to meet the woman behind this genius product. So I booked a session with Dr. Wechsler at her NYC office. After, we sat and drank tea (fittingly), discussing the biggest mistakes people with sensitive skin often make. Whether you already have easily irritated epidermis or just want to take better care of yourself, keep reading to learn how to revamp your daily routine.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Reaching Your Goal Weight
The jeans don't lie. You knew you let yourself go a little bit, and after throwing the stupid bathroom scale away because it said you were (insert red-flag number here), you went for the true test - slipping on your favorite jeans. Ugh. Not being able to pull your pants past your thighs sure does tell you something. If you're at a loss as to how to begin, here's a no-fuss, straightforward, 11-step guide to losing weight.
- Calories per day: Losing weight is all about creating a calorie deficit. One pound equals 3,500 calories, which breaks down to 500 calories a day. Do a combo of exercise and cutting calories to reach 500, and you'll lose a pound a week. You can meet with a nutritionist or your doctor to find a more specific daily calorie count, but don't dip below 1,200 as it will slow down your metabolism.
- Keep track: Monitor your calories as accurately as you can. Look up calorie amounts, and write them down in a food journal, or use a weight-loss app. Everything you put in your mouth gets written down - yes, even that handful of M&M's you grabbed off your co-worker's desk! It may not seem like much, but at 70 calories, those little nibbles will add up. Then weigh yourself once or twice a week to keep track of your progress.
- Measure and repeat: Have measuring cups, spoons, and food scales on hand to measure correct portions. Eyeballing a cup of cereal is not exactly accurate, and you'd be surprised how easy it is to overestimate when you're hungry. In the first few months, you'll need to measure everything, from the milk you pour into that bowl of cereal to the dressing you drizzle on your salad. After a while, you'll become familiar with what correct portions look like.
- Eat five times a day: In order to prevent that famished feeling that drives us to overeat, plan on eating three meals and two snacks a day, timing them so you eat every two to three hours. Here's a sample schedule:
7 a.m. - Breakfast
9:30 a.m. - Snack
12:30 p.m. - Lunch
3:30 p.m. - Snack
6:30 p.m. - Dinner
Don't skip meals or snacks to save calories since it'll slow down your metabolism and cause weight gain. If you're up late, enjoy a snack after dinner, but be sure to finish it at least an hour or two before bed, so digestive issues don't keep you up - getting enough sleep will help you lose weight.
- What to eat: Every time you nosh, be sure to include protein to satisfy your hunger, fiber to fill you up, and healthy carbs to sustain your energy. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner can be between 300 and 500 calories each, and the two snacks 150 each. Break them down to fit your needs, but you might want your midday meal to be the highest to ensure you have enough time to burn off those calories.
- Save calories: Find simple ways to cut calories, whether it's swapping your daily Coke for water, using one slice of cheese on your sandwich instead of two, substituting spaghetti squash for pasta, or choosing a turkey patty instead of beef.
- Plan ahead: Dealing with hunger is the worst part about trying to lose weight, so in order to prevent those pangs from pushing you to grab the nearest cookie, plan out your meals and snacks ahead of time. Write out what you'll be eating for the entire week, and you'll be even more successful if you pack and label foods for each day.
- Get moving: Diet is one part of the weight-loss puzzle, and the other part is exercise. In order to burn calories to reduce your overall body fat, include 60 minutes of heart-pumping exercise five times a week. A leisurely walk around the block unfortunately isn't enough. We're talking running, biking, swimming, and high-intensity classes for cardio, strength training to build fat-burning muscles, and stretching to keep those muscles supple and to prevent injury. Here's a 60-minute workout to get you started that incorporates all three.
- Set small goals and celebrate them: Losing weight is a long journey, so it's helpful to set smaller goals along the way to your big goal. Find healthy ways to celebrate those milestones such as a pedicure after 10 workouts or a cute workout top after losing five pounds.
- Come to some tough realizations: The first one is that diets aren't the answer. There is no quick-fix diet and no one food you can or cannot eat that has magical slimming powers. Anything that sounds too restrictive or not nutritionally sound is not the way to go. Find a way of eating that can be sustained for the rest of your life, where you eat healthy most of the time and allow for occasional splurges. The second realization is that you can't go back to your old habits once the weight melts away. If you gained weight chomping on half a dozen doughnuts each morning, you can bet your sweet new buns that you'll gain the weight back if you head to that bakery once the scale says what you want it to.
- Be patient and remember why you're doing it: Just as those pounds slowly crept on, losing weight the right way takes time, which means dropping about a pound or two a week. Practice patience, reveling in each pound lost, and when you feel like giving in to that second cupcake at your friend's birthday party, have one enormously personal reason you want to lose weight that resonates strong and keeps you motivated no matter what. Thinking "I want to be there for my family" is sure to be more effective than "I want to look good in my jeans."
This 12-Month "I Am Strong" Challenge Is Better Than Any New Year's Resolution
While New Year's resolutions are often well-intentioned, the sad truth is that they usually fall out of focus sometime around February. Have you been there before? We certainly have. So what's a more actionable way to meet your goals every month? Mix it up and have a clear objective month by month, rather than for the year overall.
This year's mantra for us is "I am strong." Do you need some strength in your life? Are you hoping to feel more empowered, more in control, and more self-loving? Take a look at the 12 ways we're instilling this positive affirmation and living our strongest lives yet in 2017. You can mix up the months and customize your schedule and even fill in things that make YOU feel strong in particular.
Each day of 2017, make it your goal to say, "I am strong" and live your life accordingly. These 12 unique monthly challenges will help you remember the end goal: self love and a happier, better life.
January Challenge: Try a New Workout
Pick a new style of workout, and commit to it all month long. It has to be something you've never done before! If you've never run before, give yourself a goal of running a mile without stopping by the end of the month. New to yoga? You'll be amazed at how strong you get by committing to a few classes a week.
February Challenge: Compliment Yourself More
Make it a goal to give yourself five compliments a day for a month. These are words of affirmation that will build on your inner strength and self love, and they can be big things like, "I'm so intelligent," or smaller ones like, "My hair looks fabulous!" (We picked up this tip from the inspiring health coach and fitness fashionista, Joanne Encarnacion.)
March Challenge: Set a Strength Goal
You don't have to complete your goal in March, but you definitely have to set it and start working toward it. What strong thing do you want to accomplish this year? Complete a pull-up? 50 push-ups? Your first half-marathon? Maybe even a triathlon? Summit a mountain? Decide now what your goal will be, when you'll complete it, and create a plan to work toward that goal.
April Challenge: Pack Your Fitness Schedule
This month, plan five workouts each week for the whole month. They can be at-home videos, group fitness at a studio, a run, a dance class, or personal training. Pick a way to move each day at the beginning of the month, and stick to your schedule.
May Challenge: Gratitude Journal
Find a journal or notebook, and each day in May write down five to 10 things you're grateful for. You'll be mentally and emotionally equipped to handle anything!
June Challenge: Strong-Body Diet
This is your month to learn about macronutrients and focus on getting more protein to nourish your strong muscles. Make it a goal to learn four to six new protein-rich recipes and eat them throughout the month. When you feed your body the right foods, you'll feel strong.
July Challenge: Kickass Combat
Try boxing, Muay Thai, kickboxing, or a similar style of workout. You could even sign up for a self-defense class! Plan out your month and go at least four times.
August Challenge: The Buddy System
In August, find an accountability partner. Whether it's your best friend, sister, or co-worker, find someone in your life who wants to feel strong, too. Go to healthy lunches together, plan workouts, and shower each other with empowering and meaningful words of affirmation. "You're so strong!" is always a good one. You'll be stronger together, and sharing your strength with another person will make you feel incredible.
September Challenge: Meditation and Affirmation
While we're hoping you'll tell yourself "I am strong" every day this year, September is your month to really drive that home. This month, try a 10-minute meditation practice each morning right when you wake up, before the day gets away from you. Body-positive superstar and Movemeant Foundation founder Jenny Gaither says she creates a new mantra for herself each week, like, "love continues to flow in and out of me," for instance. Repeat your daily, weekly, or September mantra to yourself as you clear your mind through mental-strengthening meditation.
October Challenge: Learn a New Skill
While fitness is a surefire way to create a sense of strength, you can find it in other ways, too! By learning something new and challenging yourself, you'll feel so empowered. This can be as simple as, "I'm going to learn how to poach an egg," or "I'm going to learn five phrases in Italian this month." If fitness is the only way for you, then loop back to the challenge from January, and pick up a new kind of workout, or an exercise move you're trying to master - maybe a Turkish Get-Up?
November Challenge: Heat Things Up
As the weather gets chilly, choose workouts that make you really, really sweaty. Whether it's hot yoga or an intense indoor cycling class, bring on the sweat! Also, if you haven't yet, make sure you're completing your strength goal from March.
December Challenge: Give Back
Choose a charity, cause, or nonprofit to focus your efforts on. You can even commit to a random-act-of-kindness challenge. Adopting more charitable habits, giving more of yourself, and doing something to help others will help you feel strong - especially when you know someone else needs a little extra strength. The power you've created all year long is ready to explode and impact the world in a great way. You did it!
6 NYE Outfits Hot Enough to Stop the Clock
Your chances to celebrate 2016 are coming to an end, and finally there's just one big event left on the horizon: New Year's Eve. It's the night you'll be saying goodbye to the year that was, and welcoming a new one in style. So it's only fitting that you want to dress your best for the big occasion.
These six outfits cover all the bases – some sparkle, others show major skin – so no matter what you're looking to wear, these outfits let you shine. Just scroll for a little inspiration and to shop our favorite looks. Now all you need is the champagne.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Reaching Your Goal Weight
The jeans don't lie. You knew you let yourself go a little bit, and after throwing the stupid bathroom scale away because it said you were (insert red-flag number here), you went for the true test - slipping on your favorite jeans. Ugh. Not being able to pull your pants past your thighs sure does tell you something. If you're at a loss as to how to begin, here's a no-fuss, straightforward, 11-step guide to losing weight.
- Calories per day: Losing weight is all about creating a calorie deficit. One pound equals 3,500 calories, which breaks down to 500 calories a day. Do a combo of exercise and cutting calories to reach 500, and you'll lose a pound a week. You can meet with a nutritionist or your doctor to find a more specific daily calorie count, but don't dip below 1,200 as it will slow down your metabolism.
- Keep track: Monitor your calories as accurately as you can. Look up calorie amounts, and write them down in a food journal, or use a weight-loss app. Everything you put in your mouth gets written down - yes, even that handful of M&M's you grabbed off your co-worker's desk! It may not seem like much, but at 70 calories, those little nibbles will add up. Then weigh yourself once or twice a week to keep track of your progress.
- Measure and repeat: Have measuring cups, spoons, and food scales on hand to measure correct portions. Eyeballing a cup of cereal is not exactly accurate, and you'd be surprised how easy it is to overestimate when you're hungry. In the first few months, you'll need to measure everything, from the milk you pour into that bowl of cereal to the dressing you drizzle on your salad. After a while, you'll become familiar with what correct portions look like.
- Eat five times a day: In order to prevent that famished feeling that drives us to overeat, plan on eating three meals and two snacks a day, timing them so you eat every two to three hours. Here's a sample schedule:
7 a.m. - Breakfast
9:30 a.m. - Snack
12:30 p.m. - Lunch
3:30 p.m. - Snack
6:30 p.m. - Dinner
Don't skip meals or snacks to save calories since it'll slow down your metabolism and cause weight gain. If you're up late, enjoy a snack after dinner, but be sure to finish it at least an hour or two before bed, so digestive issues don't keep you up - getting enough sleep will help you lose weight.
- What to eat: Every time you nosh, be sure to include protein to satisfy your hunger, fiber to fill you up, and healthy carbs to sustain your energy. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner can be between 300 and 500 calories each, and the two snacks 150 each. Break them down to fit your needs, but you might want your midday meal to be the highest to ensure you have enough time to burn off those calories.
- Save calories: Find simple ways to cut calories, whether it's swapping your daily Coke for water, using one slice of cheese on your sandwich instead of two, substituting spaghetti squash for pasta, or choosing a turkey patty instead of beef.
- Plan ahead: Dealing with hunger is the worst part about trying to lose weight, so in order to prevent those pangs from pushing you to grab the nearest cookie, plan out your meals and snacks ahead of time. Write out what you'll be eating for the entire week, and you'll be even more successful if you pack and label foods for each day.
- Get moving: Diet is one part of the weight-loss puzzle, and the other part is exercise. In order to burn calories to reduce your overall body fat, include 60 minutes of heart-pumping exercise five times a week. A leisurely walk around the block unfortunately isn't enough. We're talking running, biking, swimming, and high-intensity classes for cardio, strength training to build fat-burning muscles, and stretching to keep those muscles supple and to prevent injury. Here's a 60-minute workout to get you started that incorporates all three.
- Set small goals and celebrate them: Losing weight is a long journey, so it's helpful to set smaller goals along the way to your big goal. Find healthy ways to celebrate those milestones such as a pedicure after 10 workouts or a cute workout top after losing five pounds.
- Come to some tough realizations: The first one is that diets aren't the answer. There is no quick-fix diet and no one food you can or cannot eat that has magical slimming powers. Anything that sounds too restrictive or not nutritionally sound is not the way to go. Find a way of eating that can be sustained for the rest of your life, where you eat healthy most of the time and allow for occasional splurges. The second realization is that you can't go back to your old habits once the weight melts away. If you gained weight chomping on half a dozen doughnuts each morning, you can bet your sweet new buns that you'll gain the weight back if you head to that bakery once the scale says what you want it to.
- Be patient and remember why you're doing it: Just as those pounds slowly crept on, losing weight the right way takes time, which means dropping about a pound or two a week. Practice patience, reveling in each pound lost, and when you feel like giving in to that second cupcake at your friend's birthday party, have one enormously personal reason you want to lose weight that resonates strong and keeps you motivated no matter what. Thinking "I want to be there for my family" is sure to be more effective than "I want to look good in my jeans."
This 12-Month "I Am Strong" Challenge Is Better Than Any New Year's Resolution
While New Year's resolutions are often well-intentioned, the sad truth is that they usually fall out of focus sometime around February. Have you been there before? We certainly have. So what's a more actionable way to meet your goals every month? Mix it up and have a clear objective month by month, rather than for the year overall.
This year's mantra for us is "I am strong." Do you need some strength in your life? Are you hoping to feel more empowered, more in control, and more self-loving? Take a look at the 12 ways we're instilling this positive affirmation and living our strongest lives yet in 2017. You can mix up the months and customize your schedule and even fill in things that make YOU feel strong in particular.
Each day of 2017, make it your goal to say, "I am strong" and live your life accordingly. These 12 unique monthly challenges will help you remember the end goal: self love and a happier, better life.
January Challenge: Try a New Workout
Pick a new style of workout, and commit to it all month long. It has to be something you've never done before! If you've never run before, give yourself a goal of running a mile without stopping by the end of the month. New to yoga? You'll be amazed at how strong you get by committing to a few classes a week.
February Challenge: Compliment Yourself More
Make it a goal to give yourself five compliments a day for a month. These are words of affirmation that will build on your inner strength and self love, and they can be big things like, "I'm so intelligent," or smaller ones like, "My hair looks fabulous!" (We picked up this tip from the inspiring health coach and fitness fashionista, Joanne Encarnacion.)
March Challenge: Set a Strength Goal
You don't have to complete your goal in March, but you definitely have to set it and start working toward it. What strong thing do you want to accomplish this year? Complete a pull-up? 50 push-ups? Your first half-marathon? Maybe even a triathlon? Summit a mountain? Decide now what your goal will be, when you'll complete it, and create a plan to work toward that goal.
April Challenge: Pack Your Fitness Schedule
This month, plan five workouts each week for the whole month. They can be at-home videos, group fitness at a studio, a run, a dance class, or personal training. Pick a way to move each day at the beginning of the month, and stick to your schedule.
May Challenge: Gratitude Journal
Find a journal or notebook, and each day in May write down five to 10 things you're grateful for. You'll be mentally and emotionally equipped to handle anything!
June Challenge: Strong-Body Diet
This is your month to learn about macronutrients and focus on getting more protein to nourish your strong muscles. Make it a goal to learn four to six new protein-rich recipes and eat them throughout the month. When you feed your body the right foods, you'll feel strong.
July Challenge: Kickass Combat
Try boxing, Muay Thai, kickboxing, or a similar style of workout. You could even sign up for a self-defense class! Plan out your month and go at least four times.
August Challenge: The Buddy System
In August, find an accountability partner. Whether it's your best friend, sister, or co-worker, find someone in your life who wants to feel strong, too. Go to healthy lunches together, plan workouts, and shower each other with empowering and meaningful words of affirmation. "You're so strong!" is always a good one. You'll be stronger together, and sharing your strength with another person will make you feel incredible.
September Challenge: Meditation and Affirmation
While we're hoping you'll tell yourself "I am strong" every day this year, September is your month to really drive that home. This month, try a 10-minute meditation practice each morning right when you wake up, before the day gets away from you. Body-positive superstar and Movemeant Foundation founder Jenny Gaither says she creates a new mantra for herself each week, like, "love continues to flow in and out of me," for instance. Repeat your daily, weekly, or September mantra to yourself as you clear your mind through mental-strengthening meditation.
October Challenge: Learn a New Skill
While fitness is a surefire way to create a sense of strength, you can find it in other ways, too! By learning something new and challenging yourself, you'll feel so empowered. This can be as simple as, "I'm going to learn how to poach an egg," or "I'm going to learn five phrases in Italian this month." If fitness is the only way for you, then loop back to the challenge from January, and pick up a new kind of workout, or an exercise move you're trying to master - maybe a Turkish Get-Up?
November Challenge: Heat Things Up
As the weather gets chilly, choose workouts that make you really, really sweaty. Whether it's hot yoga or an intense indoor cycling class, bring on the sweat! Also, if you haven't yet, make sure you're completing your strength goal from March.
December Challenge: Give Back
Choose a charity, cause, or nonprofit to focus your efforts on. You can even commit to a random-act-of-kindness challenge. Adopting more charitable habits, giving more of yourself, and doing something to help others will help you feel strong - especially when you know someone else needs a little extra strength. The power you've created all year long is ready to explode and impact the world in a great way. You did it!
20 Songs From the 2000s That You'll Never Get Over
Music and food are two things that don't fail at bringing together all Latinos. If there's a plate of ceviche or tostones around, we all gather around the table. If there's music pumping through speakers, we all flock to dance, bop our heads, or even fist pump. There's no way a song like Enrique Iglesias's "Heroe" or any Aventura tune will come on the radio without everyone loudly singing every lyric. And though plenty of current songs have this effect on us all, there's no time like the 2000s. See our list of songs from that decade that you can't help but sing along to, then check out these TV shows that bring on all the nostalgia.
Dax Shepard Was Freaked Out by Kristen Bell's "Unbridled Happiness" When They First Met
Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard have been an adorable duo for years, but believe it or not, things weren't always so sweet between the two. The couple, who tied the knot in 2013 and are parents to daughters Lincoln and Delta, first met in 2007 at a birthday dinner for mutual friends. While you would probably assume it was love at first site based on their chemistry, it was actually the opposite. Kristen revealed that their meeting was "not electric," while Dax admitted he was freaked out by Kristen's bubbly personality. "When I met her and her friends, I was suspicious of their unbridled happiness," he told Good Housekeeping magazine. "I thought, 'Something stinks here; they're in a cult.'" But just two weeks later, they ran into each other again while out with friends, and Kristen said "it was on" from that point. Thank God for fate!
Giada De Laurentiis's 20 Most Popular Pasta Recipes You Need in Your Life
Fact: Giada De Laurentiis is queen of pasta. If you need proof, look no further than her 20 most popular pasta recipes on Food Network, from classic lasagna to lemon spaghetti. If your idea of a good meal involves plenty of carbs and cheese, these are the trusted recipes you'll want to bookmark. As impossible as it seems to narrow down Giada's best recipes, these are hands down the 20 most popular, according to Food Network viewers.
Grab a Copy of These 10 New Books in December
It's already December, which means it's your last month of 2016 to stock up on some fun reads. If you've finished your reading list from last month there are a handful of titles in store. Obsessed with Misty Copeland? Grab a copy of her memoir. Counting down the days until the premiere of Rogue One? Well, there are quite a few Star Wars titles to keep you satisfied. See all the upcoming books here!
25 GIFs That Accurately Express Our Feelings About 2016
Because this year was a steaming pile of sh*t and sometimes there are literally no words. We're here to help you get it all out with these GIFs that are way too accurate. Cheers to 2017!
- Additional GIF reporting by Brittney Stephens
Every Single Naked Dress Jennifer Lopez Has Worn Since 1997
You might think that Jennifer Lopez's streak of dresses with necklines down to her belly button and slits up to her thighs started with that famous Versace green dress she wore to the Grammys in the '90s, but let us tell you that after intense research, we've come to the conclusion the naked dress trend was started by J Lo much, much earlier.
The singer and actress was truly the pioneer of the barely there dress that has now invaded the red carpet, starting with no backs in 1997 and ending most recently with sheer gowns and jumpsuits that leave little to the imagination. Here, for your viewing pleasure, is every single naked dress (yes, every single one!) that J Lo has graced us with.
30 Wedding Gowns More Magical Than Kate Middleton's
We know - weddings are all about marrying the one you love, committing to a life together, and celebrating with friends and family. But if you can't shake the dream of saying "I do" in a princess-like gown, we're right there with you. We can't help but obsess over the tiers, trains, and tulle that billionaires and famous brides get to wear on their big days.
With 2016 quickly wrapping up, we compiled a handful of glam creations that made headlines, leading us to believe that this is the year of lavish wedding dresses. See the ones you won't want to miss, then check out the gown hacks that can save you some money.
- Additional reporting by Marina Liao
Relive the Brilliance That Is James Corden and George Michael's Carpool Karaoke Video
At this point, James Corden's viral "Carpool Karaoke" video series is all but iconic thanks to superstar guests like Mariah Carey, Adele, and Justin Bieber (among many, many others), but it all started with one very special musician: George Michael, who unexpectedly passed away on Christmas. The Late Late Show host's first stab at the now-popular segment was with his pal George, which they did as a sketch for Britain's Comic Relief charity in 2011. "My original idea was to pick George Michael up from prison in a car," James explained to Stephen Colbert during an appearance on The Late Show in June. "And then we realized, 'Maybe we'll lose the prison, but what if there's still some fun for me and George to be in the car and we'll sing some Wham! songs?'" Although few things are likely to make you feel better about the singer's shocking death, watching him enthusiastically belt out his most popular tunes with James just might lift your spirits.
I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant
I had to have a friend tell me I was pregnant over dinner.
There I was, chomping down on a taco at a Mexican restaurant, annoyed that they didn't serve margaritas, while lamenting my inability to get pregnant when she gave me a curious look.
"Kate, you are pregnant," she said, matter-of-factly.
I laughed it off. I had just finished telling her all the issues I'd been having with my body since going off my birth control pill:
I wasn't getting my period.
Yes, it's a telltale sign of pregnancy when you're "late," but mine didn't even show up. When I stopped taking birth control at the end of January after more than a decade of daily dosages, my body went through a roller-coaster recovery, one I assumed was still in progress. It was late March, and I still hadn't gotten a real, natural period. I had a few friends who waited months, one more than a year, to get their periods postpill, so I'd just assumed my menstrual cycle hadn't kick-started yet, either.
I'd put on weight.
I was definitely feeling a bit squidgy lately, but I'd attributed it to what most breathing adults blame - Winter. I let myself really enjoy the holidays, and when I noticed that those extra pounds hadn't shed off like they usually did by this point, I figured it was just my youthful metabolism closing up shop for good now that I'd turned 30.
I was exhausted.
All I wanted to do was nothing. The previous weekend was spent primarily on the couch, binge-watching Netflix in between spontaneous naps. One of the days, I never even got out of my pajamas. I certainly noticed that I was more lethargic than usual, but I blamed my slow-but-steady weight gain and, again, Winter. (It really is the ultimate scapegoat for being healthy, isn't it?)
My boobs were sore.
OK, I was probably in some form of denial about this one. Still, I'm not completely oblivious. I just attributed the symptom to something else. Tender breasts - along with irregular periods, weight gain, and lethargy - are typical side effects of getting off the pill.
No one was getting any.
Occasionally, some of these symptoms - including one day when I seemed to have superhuman abilities to smell the garbage in the trash chute down the hall of our apartment building (another shared symptom of going off the pill and pregnancy!) - would spur me to ask my husband if I might be pregnant. And then we'd have a good laugh. We'd hardly had any sex to speak of during this time due to crazy work schedules, my aforementioned laziness, and my crummy body image thanks to my aforementioned weight gain. Plus, although we had decided months ago to start trying to have a baby, we were waiting for me to get that elusive period before we really got down to business.
I wasn't nauseated.
I was certain I couldn't possibly have conceived because I hadn't had a single bout of morning sickness. Of course, it turns out it's actually more likely that pregnant women never experience any nausea - only 25 percent of women do.
So, there I was brushing off my friend's outlandish statement that I was, without a doubt, pregnant. I couldn't possibly be and not know it.
Turns out, I was. And I didn't.
The minute I got home from dinner, I took a pregnancy test, and it was positive. After my husband, this friend was the first person who heard the good news, though it wasn't exactly news to her.
Since then, when joking about the circumstances that led me to discovering I was having a baby, many people ask how I could have possibly not known. Sore boobs and weight gain?! Come on! It's obvious!
I can chalk some of it up to the fact that I was still nervous about getting pregnant, and maybe subconsciously, I blamed some of the more telling signs on the pill. But, the bigger issue was that I was more certain that something was wrong with my body than I was with the idea that it could be very much right, going through the normal, natural first stage of pregnancy.
Because I'd known people, this friend included, who'd had issues getting pregnant, I had spent the last few years with a sneaking suspicion that I could very well be infertile. I had absolutely no basis for it - other than the innumerable articles I'd read about age-related risk factors and the countless stories I'd hear of women struggling through IVF treatments - but it was nonetheless a genuine concern. Even now, I have friends who reveal to me that they're nervous they'll have trouble, including one who asked, "I spent my whole life trying not to get pregnant, but what if I never can?!" It was a thought I'd had so many times in recent years.
The truth is, women of a certain age and with a certain ticking clock are too inundated with all the noise of infertility when, according to the CDC, 96 percent of married women are blissfully fertile. Yes, conception issues are a possibility for women, and those issues become more likely with each passing year, but when that's all someone hears, they might begin to think that there's no chance they'll have an easy time of it.
Well, I clearly did. And very likely so will you.
'Silent strokes' leave traces on brain and raise dementia concerns
Peter Chaban was up early doing dishes one morning when he noticed there was water flowing over his hand — but he couldn't feel it. Next thing he knew, he lost all sensation on his left side and dropped to floor. Within seconds he was completely immobilized.
'Silent strokes' leave traces on brain and raise dementia concerns
Peter Chaban was up early doing dishes one morning when he noticed there was water flowing over his hand — but he couldn't feel it. Next thing he knew, he lost all sensation on his left side and dropped to floor. Within seconds he was completely immobilized.
5 Taco Bar Recipes That'll Make Hosting a Last-Minute Party a Piece of Cake
Having people over for dinner is the best! Except when you're left to clean up piles of pots and pans and actually not enjoying the meal at all because someone has to keep going back and forth into the kitchen to get more dishes. We're here to tell you that the perfect solution is a taco bar and also that yes, everyone will love it.
Put aside those thoughts that say the idea is too laid-back. We promise everyone will be happy to scoop up their own food if all the toppings for a great taco are provided. That's where we come in. Keep reading for five taco bar recipes that'll plan the whole thing for you from beginning to end.
10 Times Joe Biden Publicly Demonstrated His Unquenchable Thirst For Ice Cream
Joe Biden is in the middle of a very heated love affair . . . with ice cream. Since he officially took office alongside Barack Obama back in 2009, the soon-to-be-former vice president has proven his undying passion for the frozen treat. Every day is National Ice Cream Day in his book, and we're totally on board with his obsession. Keep reading to see definitive proof that Biden has fallen head over heels for the dessert, and try to resist chuckling at these hilarious moments. We bet Parks and Recreation's Leslie Knope wishes she were in on this cone-licking action!
Meghan Markle's Style Isn't Quite Like Kate Middleton's, but It's Still Approved by the Royal Court
The name Meghan Markle is about to become synonymous with Prince Harry. Kensington Palace has confirmed the pair's relationship, though we've known about this stylish lady for a long time. She first impressed us as Rachel Zane on Suits with her fresh, sophisticated selection of power-woman separates like soft blouses and pencil skirts. It appears since then, her onscreen character's wardrobe has rubbed off on Meghan's style IRL. Meghan can be spotted rocking preppy office attire on the red carpet, whether it's a pencil skirt or button-down, but don't get us wrong - the looks are anything but boring.
No, she has mastered that classic, feminine look, putting her in the same league as stylish royals like Kate Middleton. Perhaps, the two will soon meet? No matter where Meghan goes, be it Fashion Week or Wimbledon, she's dressed for the occasion. Read on to see her cool, ladylike style from all angles because you'll want to keep an eye on fashion's next It girl.
Experts Reveal Their Favorite Products For Maintaining Rich (and Healthy!) Brunette Color
Choosing at-home products to dye and maintain your color can be an intimidating and even frightening process. While we'd recommend bleaching your hair to the pros, there's no reason to let the fear of harsh chemicals get in the way of you and the chocolaty locks of your dreams. Whether you're a natural brunette looking to amplify your shade or are planning on darkening your caramel strands for Winter, read on, because we've got you covered. We enlisted hair colorists and stylists to share some of their personal product picks for your most vibrant, healthy strands ever (some as low as $3!).
Barack Obama Has an Adorable Father-Daughter Date With Malia While on Vacation in Hawaii
The Obama family jetted off to Hawaii to celebrate the holidays this year, and although we're sure they enjoyed soaking up the sun, they also made time to stop by Breakout Waikiki to play one of their "escape room" games. President Obama reportedly took his daughters and a few friends there on Christmas Eve, where they were locked in the "Mission Manoa" room and given one hour to figure out how to escape using a complex series of clues and puzzles. Breakout Waikiki's general manager, MacGregor Greenlee, spilled all the details of their outing to BuzzFeed News, revealing that the Obamas successfully broke out of the room with just seconds to spare. "They were yelling, screaming, having a blast," he said. "They broke out with 12 seconds left."
Breakout Waikiki shift leader Mitch Massey added that 18-year-old Malia was the brains behind the operation. "They were in a room where you're a secret agent and terrorists come and grab you. It was Malia who did a lot of the work," he said, noting that the room is one of their most challenging. Luckily Malia's dad rewarded her efforts with some shaved ice afterwards. They giggled and smiled while enjoying the frozen treat, and then POTUS made sure to mingle with onlookers. It might be the Obama family's last Christmas in office, but it's also one of their cutest.
Effective Ways to Lose Thigh Fat
Even though full hips and thighs are a beautiful thing, many a woman has looked begrudgingly at her legs in the mirror. Unfortunately there's no one exercise or food that does the trick - spot reducing fat doesn't work - but keep reading to find out what can help.
Effective Ways to Lose Thigh Fat
Even though full hips and thighs are a beautiful thing, many a woman has looked begrudgingly at her legs in the mirror. Unfortunately there's no one exercise or food that does the trick - spot reducing fat doesn't work - but keep reading to find out what can help.
20 Sad Songs That Had Us Crying Through 2016
What better way to drown in the sorrows of 2016 than with a selection of truly sad songs? It's been a good year for music. Sia haunted us with her sorrowful, powerful tribute to Orlando, while Lady Gaga surely opened the flood gates with more than one track off her fifth studio album, Joanne. Oh, and don't worry, that's really just the tip of the sad iceberg. Keep reading for all the artists who made us misty this year, from Rihanna to Frank Ocean to Kanye West.
How to Properly Clean Your Keyboard - Because Just Wiping It Doesn't Really Do Much
The dirt lingering in your keyboard models itself after that old saying: out of sight, out of mind. While giving your keyboard the deep cleaning it really needs may seem like a daunting task, the process was recently broken down by one helpful Imgur user, who goes by codenamesharp on the site.
The user's step-by-step guide is great in that it uses household items you likely already have. One look at the dirt, crumbs, and grime under the user's keyboard should be enough to leave you running to go clean your own. It's important to note, however, that this technique primarily works for wireless keyboards and the process may vary from keyboard to keyboard.
Look ahead for the handy how-to.
Every Single Sexy Style Jennifer Lopez Has Worn This Year
Jennifer Lopez has already set the style bar really high this year - and it's only November. The Shades of Blue actress and singer, who has been making jaws drop in Las Vegas with her killer residency show, is known for rocking revealing, barely there dresses on the red carpet, but this year she's incorporating a little more fabric and some serious color into her looks.
From the high neck of her marigold gown at the Golden Globe Awards to the bright blue midi dress she wore at the Winter TCA tour, we're totally hoping J Lo continues this colorful trend and keeps on surprising us with her daring fashion choices - and creative ways to show skin. Keep scrolling to see all of her best looks this year.
4 New Year's Food Resolutions You'll Actually Keep
It's that time of year again: new year, new you. Sounds simple, right? But research from the University of Scranton suggests that by the first week of January, a whopping one-quarter of us who make resolutions have already ditched them, and by year's end only eight percent have made our resolutions a reality. Fret not: if the saying you are what you eat is true, than there's no better way to build a better you in 2016 than by making a few easy-to-stick-to food resolutions that have the power to transform you from the inside out. We promise these four must-make food resolutions will feel so good, there's no chance you'll give them up.
4 New Year's Food Resolutions You'll Actually Keep
It's that time of year again: new year, new you. Sounds simple, right? But research from the University of Scranton suggests that by the first week of January, a whopping one-quarter of us who make resolutions have already ditched them, and by year's end only eight percent have made our resolutions a reality. Fret not: if the saying you are what you eat is true, than there's no better way to build a better you in 2016 than by making a few easy-to-stick-to food resolutions that have the power to transform you from the inside out. We promise these four must-make food resolutions will feel so good, there's no chance you'll give them up.
The Color You Should Wear More of in 2017 Isn't Black, but It's Pretty Damn Close
For most fashion girls, a head-to-toe black outfit is a sacred look because you always look good and it's easy to put together. With the new year quickly approaching, however, we're challenging ourselves (and you) to make some tiny style changes, starting with: wear a little less black and a little more navy. You're probably thinking, "Navy? That's random," but if you've been paying attention to street style photos, you know it's a shade It girls have always worn. Navy works as a base with everything from bold prints to bright colors and even pairs well with edgier pieces like leather.
In fact, the street style shots ahead prove the neutral tone is as versatile and easy to coordinate outfits with as black. We even had to squint a few times at our screen to tell the dark hues apart. Although black will always be a safe and classic color, do give it a rest and give navy a chance in 2017. You may even realize there are navy items hanging in your closet already. But if there aren't, we have it taken care of with some shopping ahead plus some tips on how to style the color.
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