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.
jeudi 30 mars 2017
Here's What Will Happen Now That Winter Has Come to Westeros
"Winter is coming" - it's a phrase any Game of Thrones fan knows well enough since it is the ominous motto of House Stark and has been teased throughout the series since the very first episode. But now, more than ever, the words carry greater meaning (and potential doom) for everyone in Westeros. As we saw in season six's finale, "The Winds of Winter," the cold season has finally arrived. What does that mean for the potential throne-takers out there?
1. It literally means the Winter season.
The changing of the seasons in Game of Thrones doesn't follow logical rules. In A Clash of Kings, George R.R. Martin's second novel in the series, it's established that a white raven's sole purpose is to announce the end of Summer and the start of Fall. As you might recall in season one, Ned Stark mentions that the peaceful, plentiful Summer everyone has been enjoying has lasted nine years - the longest in Westerosi history - but that "Winter is coming." Jon Snow and Sansa Stark later receive a white raven from the Citadel, which officially sets the changing of the seasons into motion. Now that Winter is here, it could possibly last for close to a decade, and you can bet that it's going to be miserable for all involved.
Since only the southernmost tip of Dorne is safe from the snow, most of Westeros is going to be in trouble. With the government at King's Landing in constant flux and resources dangerously depleted from the War of the Five Kings, do they even have the tools to endure years of frigid temperatures? The most likely answer is a resounding "hell no," especially if Cersei remains on the throne. She doesn't exactly seem inclined to dole out Ugg boots to keep her subjects warm.
2. It's a metaphor for hard times.
Martin has said that "Winter is coming" has a metaphorical layer to it, since life can't be peachy 100 percent of the time. Even if life seems like it's going well for the most part (Summer), highs come with lows. A dark period (Winter) needs to take its turn. Overall it's an apt metaphor for the entire series, which has proven time and time again that not a single character remains safe for long.
3. It could hint at a repeat of the Long Night.
Around 8,000 years before Aegon I Targaryen conquered most of Westeros, a winter season known as the Long Night lasted for an entire generation and almost wiped out the human race. According to ancient legends, this dark period gave rise to the Others (aka the White Walkers and the wights). People living in Westeros at that time were weak from cold and famine, which made the Others' descent from the Lands of Always Winter (as far north as Westeros goes) hard to defend against.
In the first season, Old Nan tells Bran a terrifying story about what it was like to live through it. "Oh my sweet Summer child, what do you know about fear? Fear is for the Winter, when the snows fall a hundred feet deep. Fear is for the long night, when the sun hides for years and children are born and live and die, all in darkness. That is the time for fear, my little lord, when the White Walkers move through the woods," she tells him. "Thousands of years ago there came a night that lasted a generation. Kings froze to death in their castles, same as the shepherds in their huts. And women smothered their babies rather than see them starve, and wept and felt the tears freeze on their cheeks." Ever heard of Goodnight Moon, Old Nan?
As legend has it, people soon discovered that dragonglass can destroy White Walkers, and humanity was able to fight back with the help of the Last Hero - Azor Ahai, the Prince Who Was Promised - in the Battle For the Dawn, which included the first members of the Night's Watch. Once defeated, a character named Bran the Builder (the founder of House Stark) supposedly teamed up with the Children of the Forest to build the Wall, putting a near-impenetrable barrier between Westeros and the Lands of Always Winter.
4. The White Walkers are headed for the Wall.
The White Walkers and their army of frozen demons are like a personification of Winter, and since Bran is headed South, they're on their way to the Wall in search of him ("SMDH" - Bran the Builder, while rolling in his grave right now). An assault from them is inevitable, but there is a sliver of hope that even if they are able to overpower the Night's Watch and destroy the Wall, the combined forces of Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen (oh, and her dragons) are standing in their way.
Would you hurry up, season seven?
20 Inspiring Fitness 'Grams From #BlackGirlsWorkOutToo
Within many of the popular fitness hashtags and social media communities, women of color are drastically underrepresented. But thousands of women are aiming to change that with the hashtag #BlackGirlsWorkOutToo. It's a community of black women in fitness, motivating and inspiring followers, friends, and newbies in the world of exercise and wellness on Instagram.
Today we're highlighting some of the incredible fitness check-ins we found through #BlackGirlsWorkOutToo - these women are working so hard, and they deserve recognition! There are other tags, too - like #blackgirlfitspo and #ebonyfitness - where you can find even more inspiration.
20 Inspiring Fitness 'Grams From #BlackGirlsWorkOutToo
Within many of the popular fitness hashtags and social media communities, women of color are drastically underrepresented. But thousands of women are aiming to change that with the hashtag #BlackGirlsWorkOutToo. It's a community of black women in fitness, motivating and inspiring followers, friends, and newbies in the world of exercise and wellness on Instagram.
Today we're highlighting some of the incredible fitness check-ins we found through #BlackGirlsWorkOutToo - these women are working so hard, and they deserve recognition! There are other tags, too - like #blackgirlfitspo and #ebonyfitness - where you can find even more inspiration.
I Tried Naked Yoga and Here's What I Learned
Our friends at Shape explored the physical and mental benefits of yoga in the nude.
I like to make decisions based on what my 80-year-old self would want me to do. Stay out dancing in Florence until the sun comes up? Absolutely! Volunteer to model white jeans on the Today show? Of course! But recently I forced myself to see just how deep that conviction went.
It all started with an assignment from my editor at FITNESS: Get out and try the naked yoga trend, in which regular people strip down to nothing and do yoga as a way of becoming more accepting of their bodies. Or...something like that.
"Why me?" I asked.
"Because you're the last person who would normally do it," my editor replied. (She's right. I don't even like to change in front of other women in the gym locker room.) Surprisingly, I didn't instantly shoot down the idea, and that had nothing to do with the possible paycheck. At 32, getting naked in a room full of strangers wasn't high on my bucket list, but this was a chance to see how far I would go to put my belief to the test. I ran the idea by a few friends and concluded that 90 minutes of red-faced stretching was worth a lifetime of bragging rights. I said yes, found a class, and signed up.
I'm no adrenaline junkie (my idea of living large is a vacation with a fancy hotel room and a beach chair to lounge in), but I think it's good to do things every so often that push your limits and scare you.
So in the same way someone who is afraid of flying manages to get herself on an airplane, I was going to spend some time with other average Joes and Janes who would see my every jiggly bit. If I lived to tell about it, I hoped the experience might also give me some bare-is-beautiful self-assurance that I had never really felt.
Being Bold in the Buff
The day of the class, I began to get serious jitters. Would there be bright lights or dim candles? Would everyone else have annoyingly perfect yoga bodies? Will the men in the coed class stare at me? I pushed those fears out of my head (I was, after all, freshly groomed and exfoliated), put on yoga clothes (not that they would be on for very long) and applied a few swipes of mascara (hey, anything to feel my prettiest).
On my way to the studio, located on the top floor of a posh Manhattan apartment building, I received a few "You're going to be amazing" texts from friends who knew what I was about to do. I took a deep breath and headed inside. I quickly introduced myself to our instructor, a beautiful petite blonde named Cindee, and the two women and five men with whom I was about to share the most embarrassing hour and a half of my life. Turns out, I was the only newbie; a few people had even been coming for years. I was relieved that at least the class had a mix of body types, from string beany to curvy.
My plan was to take cover in the back corner of the room - until I learned that everyone would form a circle and face each other. Now there was nowhere to hide! I put my mat down between a cute young guy, who was there with his girlfriend, and an Australian man in his forties and started stretching. And then things got real.
"Take off your clothes in whatever way feels most comfortable," Cindee announced, as she proceeded to lose her Lycra. Unable to think of a single way to undress that felt "comfortable," I stripped as fast as possible. The most nerve-wracking part: removing my underwear. Until then I could pretend I was in a bikini. I saw boxers and briefs hit the guys' mats beside me as I dropped my panties. And just like that, I was standing in a class with a bunch of naked strangers. I could feel my future 80-year-old self turning bright red. I was waiting for the ogling to begin, but the conversations around me turned to . . . the weather. Yes, as in, "Boy, feels like it's 100 degrees out there."
I was already counting the minutes until this would be over when Cindee started us off with a seated position. A cross-legged seated position! She asked us to go around the room introducing ourselves and say why we had come here. I think I said something about wanting to embrace my flaws, but the whole time I was praying I would sink through my yoga mat and disappear.
Thank goodness Cindee took over from there. She was so professional that it eased a lot of my embarrassment, the way a good doctor does in an exam room. Meanwhile I tried not to look below anybody's neck, which helped keep their bodies out of focus. And when I happened to glance somewhere rated NC-17, I'd just remind myself, This is going to make a great story!
But within minutes, things went from weird to . . . not. As we moved through the typical yoga poses - Warrior II, Downward Dog, Spinal Twists - the initial shock of all that nudity faded. In fact, being naked was a great equalizer. I could see how everyone there had belly rolls when they bent forward, even the skinny guys. I had spent so many yoga classes thinking I was the only one concealing mine.
By the time the class wound down, I no longer flinched during seated twists, even though I knew that the guy on my left was getting a not-so-flattering view of my backside, and that the one on the right, a straight shot of my boobs. After we said Namaste, I didn't rush to put my clothes back on but made small talk with my classmates before slowly getting dressed.
As I walked out onto the street, I noticed how I was standing tall in a way that seemed different from the good posture you get post-yoga. Those body flaws I had always fixated on? At the start of class, I had been paying lip service to overcoming them, and yet I had actually shrugged them off. And I had a feeling that the next time I was in my birthday suit, they would bother me a lot less than usual. I felt beautiful and brave, and that confidence has stuck with me since. Now when a situation intimidates me, I think, You survived naked yoga; this is no big deal.
More From Our Friends at Shape:
I Tried Naked Yoga and Here's What I Learned
Our friends at Shape explored the physical and mental benefits of yoga in the nude.
I like to make decisions based on what my 80-year-old self would want me to do. Stay out dancing in Florence until the sun comes up? Absolutely! Volunteer to model white jeans on the Today show? Of course! But recently I forced myself to see just how deep that conviction went.
It all started with an assignment from my editor at FITNESS: Get out and try the naked yoga trend, in which regular people strip down to nothing and do yoga as a way of becoming more accepting of their bodies. Or...something like that.
"Why me?" I asked.
"Because you're the last person who would normally do it," my editor replied. (She's right. I don't even like to change in front of other women in the gym locker room.) Surprisingly, I didn't instantly shoot down the idea, and that had nothing to do with the possible paycheck. At 32, getting naked in a room full of strangers wasn't high on my bucket list, but this was a chance to see how far I would go to put my belief to the test. I ran the idea by a few friends and concluded that 90 minutes of red-faced stretching was worth a lifetime of bragging rights. I said yes, found a class, and signed up.
I'm no adrenaline junkie (my idea of living large is a vacation with a fancy hotel room and a beach chair to lounge in), but I think it's good to do things every so often that push your limits and scare you.
So in the same way someone who is afraid of flying manages to get herself on an airplane, I was going to spend some time with other average Joes and Janes who would see my every jiggly bit. If I lived to tell about it, I hoped the experience might also give me some bare-is-beautiful self-assurance that I had never really felt.
Being Bold in the Buff
The day of the class, I began to get serious jitters. Would there be bright lights or dim candles? Would everyone else have annoyingly perfect yoga bodies? Will the men in the coed class stare at me? I pushed those fears out of my head (I was, after all, freshly groomed and exfoliated), put on yoga clothes (not that they would be on for very long) and applied a few swipes of mascara (hey, anything to feel my prettiest).
On my way to the studio, located on the top floor of a posh Manhattan apartment building, I received a few "You're going to be amazing" texts from friends who knew what I was about to do. I took a deep breath and headed inside. I quickly introduced myself to our instructor, a beautiful petite blonde named Cindee, and the two women and five men with whom I was about to share the most embarrassing hour and a half of my life. Turns out, I was the only newbie; a few people had even been coming for years. I was relieved that at least the class had a mix of body types, from string beany to curvy.
My plan was to take cover in the back corner of the room - until I learned that everyone would form a circle and face each other. Now there was nowhere to hide! I put my mat down between a cute young guy, who was there with his girlfriend, and an Australian man in his forties and started stretching. And then things got real.
"Take off your clothes in whatever way feels most comfortable," Cindee announced, as she proceeded to lose her Lycra. Unable to think of a single way to undress that felt "comfortable," I stripped as fast as possible. The most nerve-wracking part: removing my underwear. Until then I could pretend I was in a bikini. I saw boxers and briefs hit the guys' mats beside me as I dropped my panties. And just like that, I was standing in a class with a bunch of naked strangers. I could feel my future 80-year-old self turning bright red. I was waiting for the ogling to begin, but the conversations around me turned to . . . the weather. Yes, as in, "Boy, feels like it's 100 degrees out there."
I was already counting the minutes until this would be over when Cindee started us off with a seated position. A cross-legged seated position! She asked us to go around the room introducing ourselves and say why we had come here. I think I said something about wanting to embrace my flaws, but the whole time I was praying I would sink through my yoga mat and disappear.
Thank goodness Cindee took over from there. She was so professional that it eased a lot of my embarrassment, the way a good doctor does in an exam room. Meanwhile I tried not to look below anybody's neck, which helped keep their bodies out of focus. And when I happened to glance somewhere rated NC-17, I'd just remind myself, This is going to make a great story!
But within minutes, things went from weird to . . . not. As we moved through the typical yoga poses - Warrior II, Downward Dog, Spinal Twists - the initial shock of all that nudity faded. In fact, being naked was a great equalizer. I could see how everyone there had belly rolls when they bent forward, even the skinny guys. I had spent so many yoga classes thinking I was the only one concealing mine.
By the time the class wound down, I no longer flinched during seated twists, even though I knew that the guy on my left was getting a not-so-flattering view of my backside, and that the one on the right, a straight shot of my boobs. After we said Namaste, I didn't rush to put my clothes back on but made small talk with my classmates before slowly getting dressed.
As I walked out onto the street, I noticed how I was standing tall in a way that seemed different from the good posture you get post-yoga. Those body flaws I had always fixated on? At the start of class, I had been paying lip service to overcoming them, and yet I had actually shrugged them off. And I had a feeling that the next time I was in my birthday suit, they would bother me a lot less than usual. I felt beautiful and brave, and that confidence has stuck with me since. Now when a situation intimidates me, I think, You survived naked yoga; this is no big deal.
More From Our Friends at Shape:
Lose Yourself in 13 Reasons Why's Brilliant, Haunting Soundtrack
For much of 13 Reasons Why, Clay Jensen (Dylan Minnette) spends his time walking around the halls of his high school with a pair of headphones and a cassette player, listening to the 13 tapes left behind by Hannah Baker (Katherine Langford), a former classmate who had committed suicide a few weeks earlier. After finishing the series, the first thing we wanted to do was reach for our own headphones, because the show's soundtrack could not be more perfect. With a great mix of indie hits (like Lord Huron's "The Night We Met," which plays at the school dance), pop covers (Selena Gomez's "Only You"), and vintage classics (get ready for The Cure and Joy Division), the dark drama becomes that much more hauntingly memorable. Minnette actually picked out many of the tracks himself, so you have him to thank while you enjoy the next 36 songs.
Sarah Michelle Gellar Hasn't Changed Much Since Her Buffy Days
Sarah Michelle Gellar ruled the '90s playing a badass, vampire-slaying feminist on the beloved TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Since then, the 39-year-old actress has gone on to marry fellow actor Freddie Prinze Jr., and the two are now parents to their adorable children, Charlotte and Rocky. A lot has changed since Sarah made her 1997 TV debut as Buffy Summers (she was just 19 years old back then!), but one thing that has remained the same is her timeless look. Keep reading to see SMG's flawless Hollywood evolution over the years.
Maxine Waters Shuts Down Bill O'Reilly's Comments About Her Hair in Epic Clapback
Internet citizens were up in arms this past Tuesday when Fox News pundit Bill O'Reilly mocked esteemed Congresswoman Maxine Waters's hair. During Fox & Friends, O'Reilly was shown a clip of Waters speaking on the House floor, only to remark, "I didn't hear a word she said. I was looking at the James Brown wig." While two of the cohosts of the show joined in on the tasteless joke, the third, Ainsley Earnhardt, found the comment disrespectful.
"You can't go after a woman's looks," she said to O'Reilly. He has since apologized for the racially charged quip, calling his comment "dumb" and noting that he respects Waters for being "sincere in her beliefs."
However, the representative for California's 43rd district proved in an appearance on MSNBC's All in With Chris Hayes that not only is she unfazed by the hateful comment, but she had a epic retort of her own.
"I am a strong black woman, and I cannot be intimidated," she said confidently. "I'd like to say to women out there everywhere: don't allow these right-wing talking heads, these dishonorable people, to intimidate you or scare you." She added, "Be who you are, do what you do, and let us get on with discussing the real issues of this country."
She went on to say that Bill O'Reilly (as well as former Fox News CEO Roger Ailes) has "no credibility," bringing up his "checkered past" and sexual harassment settlements.
Waters finished her empowering statement with a promise that she's not done standing up for what's right. "We know that when a woman stands up and speaks truth to power, there will be attempts to be put down," she said. "I'm not going to be put down, I'm not going to go anywhere, I'm going to stay on the issues."
Hillary Clinton acknowledged the controversy in her most recent speech, explaining how frequently women of color have a "lifetime of practice" dealing with indignities such as these. While Waters obviously shouldn't have to be putting up with racist remarks about her looks at all, she proves time and time again that she can shut them down and redirect the conversation back to politics.
In recent months, Waters has become not just a heroine but practically a beloved meme for her brusque honesty and unguarded facial expressions. We look forward to seeing how she continues to smash the patriarchy. Watch her phenomenal response in full below.
.@MaxineWaters on Bill O'Reilly comments: "I am a strong black woman and I cannot be intimidated" #inners https://t.co/B1vRE4nelt
- All In w/Chris Hayes (@allinwithchris) March 29, 2017
Find Out How Much You Should Really Be Tipping at the Salon
Tipping is a custom that allows you to express appreciation for a job well done. But when it comes to salon, spa, and nail services, it can be hard to decide who and how much to tip - especially on a color job gone wrong. And while tipping is at your discretion, here are a few suggestions on amounts to give in a variety of circumstances. See the guidelines below.
10 Times Judith Is the Purest Thing About The Walking Dead
In the midst of nonstop chaos and war, it's nice to know that there's someone in The Walking Dead's universe who is still innocent and pure. That person would be baby Judith, of course. We recently learned that Rick is definitely not the biological father of Judith, but that hasn't changed the fact that he still treats her as his own. Who could resist that adorable face anyway? Keep reading to relive all of the times Judith is the purest thing about the show.
Keep Your Pout on Point With These Plumping Lip Masks
Since the Korean masking trend crossed over to the US beauty scene, I've been hooked. I own a wealth of sheet masks, multimask like a mofo, and use under-eye treatments almost daily (you can read about my favorite ones here). So when lip masks emerged, I was intrigued - and I wasn't alone.
We live in the age of the plumped lip, and more women are seeking ways to enhance their pout without makeup (or needles). According to Pinterest, the latest innovation in masking also happens to be one of 2017's most popular bridal beauty trends.
The lip-shaped gels come in various sizes, but most commonly the oversize pink ones you've probably seen on Instagram. They're infused with ingredients that target a range of concerns from moisture and dryness to plumping. Covering your pout with one for a few minutes will leave you with fuller, softer, sexier lips. And you can't deny that it also makes for the perfect selfie op.
Some of my favorite brands have gotten in on the trend and created lip masks that are as effective as they are Instagramable. If you've been thinking of taking the mask route to a plumped pout, keep reading to discover some of my favorites.
What I Did to Get (Permanent) Eyebrows on Fleek
It's a beauty woe that's all too familiar. It started in middle school, when I couldn't stand to look at the tiny feather boas sprouting above my eyes. Gwen Stefani was rocking pink parentheses, and I looked like Harrison Ford. I had to tweeze them. Because, you know, when you're in middle school you make responsible and wise decisions. Little did I know that tweezing was a gateway to overtweezing. I ended up looking like Clara Bow when all I wanted was a clean Audrey Hepburn.
Eventually I stared at my superskinny arches and realized that (believe me, I tried) there was little waxing or threading could do to help my already barely there brows. I watched YouTube videos of women filling in theirs like they'd been doing it since the dawn of man. But I wasn't exactly a makeup connoisseur. Probably more like a festival face-painter . . .
But I turned to makeup nonetheless - pencils for sketching my misaligned arches, powders for filling in those sexy bald spots, gels to keep unruly hairs in line, and waxes for building up color. Do you know how much time that takes? If I'm being honest, it takes up most of my morning routine. I could shave my entire body faster than it takes to create one perfectly arched brow.
After all that time each morning, I still found myself catching reflections of them in the rearview mirror. I looked like I'd passed out at a party too early and got attacked by a Sharpie. I had to switch up my morning eyebrow-creating routine. "Eyebrows" and "trial and error" are now so synonymous to me that I fear the bad brow days and cherish the good like loved ones.
While, naturally, perusing #eyebrowsonfleek on Instagram, I discovered microblading. The clouds opened above me, and light poured down on my thirsty arches. My brow-brush-wielding hands prayed for a paid vacation. So I decided to look into the technique.
This alternative tattooing method produces semipermanent results. However, unlike the block-like and harsh traditional eyebrow tats, microblading creates subtle, natural-looking brows by mimicking the strokes of eyebrow hairs.
Microblading requires a manual tool featuring several tiny needles in a row to deposit dye into the dermal second layer of the skin. The pen-like device yields amazingly natural-looking arches because the needles etch hyperprecise strokes that actually look like your brow hairs. Or, in my case, my would-be hairs.
Needless to say, I was intrigued, so when I got the opportunity to visit brow specialist Piret Aava for microblading, I decided to take the plunge and get my eyebrows tattooed. What? Tiny tattoos are in style. It's 2016. And I needed some fly eyebrows, stat.
How to Get Nail Polish Off Just About Anything
Into every life, a little nail polish must fall. But just because you accidentally lacquered your skirt, desk, or couch, that doesn't mean the stuff has to stay there. The faster you act, the better off you'll be, and most materials respond well to solvents you already have lying around the house. See our easy polish stain fixes now.
Removing Polish From Wood
First rule: don't use nail polish remover on wood. It actually ruins finishes and leaves new, maybe even worse looking, stains. Don't panic, though, because there's actually a really easy way to fix the polish-on-wood problem. Just spritz your polish puddle down with plenty of hair spray (we use Aqua Net), let it sit for about 20 seconds, and then wipe it off. You might need to repeat the process a few times, but it's far, far preferable to having splotchy furniture.
Removing Polish From Cloth
Probably one of the most common polish problems, this is also a tricky one. Nail polish remover can interact with some dyes and fabrics (it'll actually melt acetate), so perform a spot test before you use it. If you use remover on your fabric, make sure to launder it directly afterward. And if remover isn't an option, you can always try hair spray. Dry cleaning solvent can also usually remove polish, so if you can't get it out at home, don't be afraid to run it down to your cleaners.
Removing Polish From Hair
If you were in a rush and ended up both ruining your nails and painting up your hair, the fix is pretty simple. If the polish is still wet, just grab some non-acetone polish remover and run it down the polished strands. If it's dry already, work some conditioner or oil gently through your hair until you can slide the polish bits out.
Removing Polish From Carpet
First of all, what color is your carpet? If it's light or white, using a non-acetone polish remover is probably your best bet. If it's dark and you're not sure about whether the dye might interact with it, try pouring on hair spray or rubbing alcohol and then blotting the polish up with a sponge or paper towels. Don't give up if the polish just seems to keep coming - you want to get every last bit out.
Sarah Michelle Gellar Hasn't Changed Much Since Her Buffy Days
Sarah Michelle Gellar ruled the '90s playing a badass, vampire-slaying feminist on the beloved TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Since then, the 39-year-old actress has gone on to marry fellow actor Freddie Prinze Jr., and the two are now parents to their adorable children, Charlotte and Rocky. A lot has changed since Sarah made her 1997 TV debut as Buffy Summers (she was just 19 years old back then!), but one thing that has remained the same is her timeless look. Keep reading to see SMG's flawless Hollywood evolution over the years.
Get the Nike Look at Forever 21 - For $10
Check out this tank top. Super cute, right? Does it look familiar to you? If you're thinking "yes," it's because you may have had your eye on last year's style from Nike - the Training Tank with the "Just Do It"-printed elastic down the back ($30, originally $40). Well, in true Forever 21 fashion, they've copied the look for much less - less than one third of the Nike.com sale price, in fact. (Nike has updated the Training Tank for 2017, which currently sells for $40.) The F21 Active No Days Off Tank is $10 at full price.
Here's a look at the tanks side by side:
Feels like you're seeing double, yeah? If you're looking to save some extra dough but you're in need of a cute new active top to motivate you for your next workout, hop on it fast - you all know how quickly these Forever 21 pieces go!
24 Times George and Amal Clooney Looked Madly in Love
George Clooney said goodbye to the single life when he went public with his romance with Amal Alamuddin during an African safari in March 2014. The two had a whirlwind courtship before they made things official when they tied the knot in Venice, Italy that September after a weekend full of festivities. In their years together, they've shared plenty of sweet moments at events, on red carpets, and while fighting for causes they believe in. Long story short: they're kinda perfect.
Get the Nike Look at Forever 21 - For $10
Check out this tank top. Super cute, right? Does it look familiar to you? If you're thinking "yes," it's because you may have had your eye on last year's style from Nike - the Training Tank with the "Just Do It"-printed elastic down the back ($30, originally $40). Well, in true Forever 21 fashion, they've copied the look for much less - less than one third of the Nike.com sale price, in fact. (Nike has updated the Training Tank for 2017, which currently sells for $40.) The F21 Active No Days Off Tank is $10 at full price.
Here's a look at the tanks side by side:
Feels like you're seeing double, yeah? If you're looking to save some extra dough but you're in need of a cute new active top to motivate you for your next workout, hop on it fast - you all know how quickly these Forever 21 pieces go!
24 Times George and Amal Clooney Looked Madly in Love
George Clooney said goodbye to the single life when he went public with his romance with Amal Alamuddin during an African safari in March 2014. The two had a whirlwind courtship before they made things official when they tied the knot in Venice, Italy that September after a weekend full of festivities. In their years together, they've shared plenty of sweet moments at events, on red carpets, and while fighting for causes they believe in. Long story short: they're kinda perfect.
Guy Fieri's "Big Project" Will Make Any Triple D Fan Majorly Excited
Guy Fieri fans, listen up! The Food Network host is debuting a brand-new show, which means there will be something other than Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives and Guy's Grocery Games taking over your TV. With a working title of Guy's Big Project, the show will not only be hosted buy Guy, but will also feature another chef, who has yet to be chosen. Guy's Big Project "will have Fieri develop a new Food Network show with a chef chosen among the many he has met in 10 years of hosting his wide-ranging restaurant-travel show Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives," the official announcement from Scripps Network Interactive, the company that owns Food Network, reads.
This exciting news is part of a larger announcement from the network about a whole list of new shows on HGTV, Food Network, and Travel Channel, including a Fixer Upper spinoff series with Chip and Joanna Gaines. We've reached out to Food Network for comment about Guy's Big Project and will update this post as more information becomes available.
The New Talenti Flavor Is So Decadent, You Won't Believe It's Dairy-Free
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Madison Meltzer
Remove your spoon from the peanut butter jar: Talenti just released Peanut Butter Fudge Sorbetto, and it's a dairy-free dream. This brand-new flavor is on its way to a store near you, but this is not your typical Talenti treat. The sorbetto is 30 percent real peanut butter, complemented by a generous fudge swirl, and contains no milk. A spoonful of this thick, rich sorbetto tastes like a slice of fudge melting on your tongue.
While Peanut Butter Fudge Sorbetto has stolen our hearts, there are also three new Talenti gelato flavors worth a try as well: Vanilla Chai, Cinnamon Peach Biscuit, and Vanilla Blueberry Crumble. Find them in the freezer aisle of major retailers nationwide. You're going to want to pick up a few of these $5 pints because trust us, you're not going to want to share.
Image Source: Talenti
Caesar Faces Execution in the War For the Planet of the Apes Trailer
It looks like Woody Harrelson just can't catch a break when it comes to rebellions. The trailer for Matt Reeves's War For the Planet of the Apes is here, and things are about to get intense between the apes and humans. As Harrelson's character, Colonel, takes one last stand for humanity, the apes' leader Caesar, (Andy Serkis), does everything he can to stop him. Following 2011's Rise of the Planet of the Apes and 2014's Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, the upcoming film stars also Judy Greer, Steve Zahn, and Karin Konoval as the apes and Gabriel Chavarria and Chad Rook as the rest of the humans. Catch the first trailer above (and the teaser below) before the movie hits theaters on July 14.
25 Brides Who Went Modest on Their Wedding Day - and Completely Took Our Breath Away
When we first spotted Nicky Hilton on her wedding day, our jaws nearly fell to the ground. Gone was the revealing white number she wore mere days before, when she accidentally flashed a crowd at Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week. And in its place? A long, lacy Valentino gown, which one could perfectly describe as "classic" and, above all, "modest."
All of a sudden, our minds went wild. We knew Nicky wasn't the only bride who could pull off this style, so we did a little Insta digging - and found a trove of #ModestBride inspiration.
Read on to see why you might want to consider ditching those strapless options and covering up for your nuptials. These ladies did - and they all looked stunning.
There's So Much You May Have Missed in the New Game of Thrones Teaser
Every day, we inch closer to penultimate season of Game of Thrones. This means it's only a matter of time before more and more details trickle out, and in that regard, March has been no exception. The month has already yielded an official premiere date and a captivating new trailer . . . which, of course, had us scrambling to figure out what was going on. Now, just on the cusp of April, we have another mysterious teaser, and we're highlighting all the most important moments that you may have missed the first time around.
The Most Significant Moments
If you think the trailer is just a whole bunch of sultry marching and sitting and not much else . . . well, you'd be partially right. But there are a few crucial things to call out that aren't necessarily obvious.
- The focus on Jon Snow, Daenerys Targaryen, and Cersei Lannister. It's no secret that these three gargantuan forces will clash as the series comes to a close. Even so, it's pretty interesting that no other characters appear anywhere in the teaser. This is probably an indication that none of the other houses really matter. The Iron Islands, Dorne, the Knights of Vale, the Dothraki, and any other pieces of this puzzle will either fall away or find themselves destroyed in a the crossfire.
- The importance of Dany's Throne. Daenerys sits on a pretty remarkable throne in this teaser, but it isn't just any throne. It's almost surely the seat on the Island of Dragonstone in the castle of the same name. Dragonstone is the original location of the House Targaryen in Westeros. Aegon Targaryen, if you didn't know, was the first Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and first King of the Iron Throne, and this is where he ruled. It means Daenerys has made it to Westeros, and she's not far from King's Landing. It also means she's home, and more ready than ever to take her rightful place as ruler of the Seven Kingdoms.
- More nods to A Song of Ice and Fire. When it comes to season seven, the show has been riding the "Ice and Fire" train hard. The Song of Ice and Fire theory is one of the longest standing GoT myths, and it's already been hinted at by the season's official poster. Again, we have the same matching images. There's fire all around as the characters march to their respective thrones, and Cersei's chilled breath hints at the oncoming Winter as well.
- The ominous eye of the Night King. This might be the most interesting part of the teaser. The first trailer ends in the exact same way, and the implication is that the Night King oversees all. This might mean that he's powerful enough to lay waste to all of the Seven Kingdoms. Or it might mean that Cersei, Jon, and Dany can only hope to defeat him if they all work together. One way or another, they will have to answer to him.
- Cersei's ice breath. Here's one of the more peculiar aspects of the teaser that's vastly up to interpretation. The most obvious conclusion is that Winter has descended on King's Landing. It makes perfect sense, seeing as Winter has come at the end of season six. The strange thing is, Cersei is the only of the three characters to have that "ice breath" moment. Could this have sinister implications? We know Cersei is one of the most evil and craftiest individuals in all of Westeros. Is is possible she figures out how to use the Night King's invasion to her advantage? Is it possible she somehow harnesses the power of the White Walkers to do her evil bidding? It seems unlikely, but when is comes to Cersei, anything is possible.
21 Books to Read Before They're 2017 Movies
As the new year has begun, we've been looking forward to a fresh new year of films. And, like any other year, many of the big releases will be based on books. To start thinking about what should be on your reading list - or to see books you've already read up on the big screen - take a look at all the adaptations coming in 2017!
10 Influencers Just Designed New MAC Lipsticks - and They're Not What You'd Expect
If you take a look back at MAC's collaboration histories, you'll see that among big names like Lady Gaga and Zac Posen are up-and-coming artists, be they in the fields of fashion, music, or makeup artistry. That's why I wasn't surprised that when the brand announced its upcoming 10-piece lipstick collection designed by influencers (which POPSUGAR exclusively revealed earlier this year), MAC's team had selected a healthy mix of 10 world-famous and under-the-radar beauty pros.
According to Catherine Bomboy Dougherty, the senior vice president of public relations at MAC, that progressive attitude is in the very foundation of the brand. "It's what MAC was built on," she said in an interview with POPSUGAR.
The ideology of "all ages, all races, all sexes" is built into MAC's credo, but I'd believe that "all things chic" is written between the lines of that mission statement. I went on a press trip to MAC's official labs in Toronto to meet them and witness the creation of their bespoke lipsticks, so I can vouch that the 10 influencers selected exude an effortless sense of cool. But more importantly, they really know what they're talking about when it comes to makeup.
I viewed all the different levels of the formulation process, which included mood boards, essays about the ideal color, and hand-mixing pigment in a cosmetic chemist's lab. Each person creating their own lipstick was absolutely fastidious, often adjusting tones by practically invisible fractions to craft their perfect shade.
The perfect shades themselves surprised me. All but one of the influencers created their own variation of nude lipstick. The outlier chose red, which she would have liked to name Vic Woo (a combination of her own name and the iconic MAC Ruby Woo lipstick). I had expected the punchy, rainbow hues that many of them wear on their social channels, but when it came down to it, they simply wanted their neutral lipstick dreams realized. I totally respect this. The tones shifted from deep to light, cool to warm, and matte to sheer. While some may look similar to the naked eye, I saw firsthand that many of the amateur chemists had women of a wide range of skin tones test out their shade as they mixed them. It was clear that they wanted their formula to work well on a variety of skin tones.
"That's one of the reasons why we have such amazing respect for them," said Bomboy Dougherty. "They are really well-versed on the products, the textures, the finishes, the ingredients, the undertones." She laughed as she added, "I felt like when we were working with these people that some of them know our product better than we do sometimes."
That understanding of MAC formulas comes from the influencers' long relationships with the products, be they personal or professional. A lot of them started out as makeup artists before shifting their attention to social media. In fact, Samantha Ravndahl - known as @ssssamanthaa to her 2.4 million followers on Instagram - worked at a MAC counter in her early days of makeup artistry. "Our artists at the brand were so excited that we chose her," revealed Bomboy Dougherty. "She's part of that community and our artists internally really support that."
Sadly, you'll only be able to buy the colors made by your country's corresponding influencer(s). For example, if you're based in the United States, you will have shopping access exclusively to Gabriel Zamora and Laura Lee's lipsticks, while Brazilian MAC fans can just get Victoria Ceridono's shade. But believe me when I say that all 10 of these individuals are worth getting to know. Read on for more insight into their creative processes, including their fantasy names for their shades (which include inspiration from Disney princesses, furry friends, and their fans) and a glimpse at the shades before they launch later this year.
I Did 100 Burpees a Day For 2 Weeks and This Is What Happened
I was used to suffering through burpees during CrossFit classes, but one day I showed up and the WOD (workout of the day) was 100 burpees for time. I thought my coach was joking. I mean, I've definitely done over 100 burpees in a workout before, but that was broken up by other exercises. Thirty was probably the most I had done at one time, so 100?! WTH. And I pay for this?!
But I did it. And I didn't die! It took me over 10 minutes and by the end I collapsed to the floor, heart racing, panting, and muscles burning, but so proud. I thought that if I did this 10-minute workout every day, it'd be a quick way to get in a little extra much-needed cardio, build my endurance, get stronger, and burn some bonus calories.
So I committed to 100 burpees a day for two weeks. My rule was that they had to be 100 consecutive burpees, so even if I did burpees in my CrossFit class that morning, they didn't count toward the 100. I wrote down the numbers one through 10 in my fitness journal, started the timer, and every time I did 10 burpees, I'd cross off a number. It made counting them easier and also gave me a little break in-between. I even got my kids help me count!
My goal was to get them done in under 10 minutes and to see how fast I could do them. After two weeks, this is what happened:
- Burpees got easier: Those first few days were a struggle. I was taking a lot of breaks and getting so exhausted that I had to step my feet forward instead of jumping. But by the second week, my arms and core got stronger and my movements became more fluid. And when we did variations of burpees in class, like box jump burpees or bar-facing burpees (where you jump over a barbell), those felt easier, too.
- I got faster: I realized that if I did 10 burpees per minute, I'd finish in about 10 minutes, so that pushed me to do 11 or 12 per minute (at least for the first 50). My initial time of just over 10 minutes turned into 9:30, and one time I was able to do it in 9:13! So practicing burpees actually works.
- It was mostly mental: By the 40th burpee, I was feeling so winded and fatigued (and questioning why the hell I decided to subject myself to this torture!), and my brain kept saying, "Just stop!" I learned to shut out those thoughts, to ignore how uncomfortable my body was feeling, and to focus on counting and get through it.
- I felt awesome the rest of the day: After getting home from my 5:45 a.m. CrossFit class, before hopping in the shower, I did those 100 burpees. Every single day I reached 100 felt like such a huge accomplishment; I felt so proud and happy, and it really set the tone for my day.
- I started to hate burpees: By the end of that second week, I was so glad this little experiment of mine was almost over. I was one of those weird people who didn't mind doing burpees, but after 14 days of forcing myself to do so many, I would cringe when I saw them in a WOD. This is when I knew it was time to stop.
Overall, this little challenge was definitely worth it for all the benefits, but I think maybe next time I'd just choose 50 burpees instead. That seems way more doable and like something I could keep up with for more than two weeks. But if I ever can't get in some exercise while on vacation or just because of life, I know I could always take 10 minutes to do 100 burpees and get in an awesome, quick workout! If doing this many burpees at one time seems completely insane, here's a four-week workout plan to build up to 100 burpees.
I Did 100 Burpees a Day For 2 Weeks and This Is What Happened
I was used to suffering through burpees during CrossFit classes, but one day I showed up and the WOD (workout of the day) was 100 burpees for time. I thought my coach was joking. I mean, I've definitely done over 100 burpees in a workout before, but that was broken up by other exercises. Thirty was probably the most I had done at one time, so 100?! WTH. And I pay for this?!
But I did it. And I didn't die! It took me over 10 minutes and by the end I collapsed to the floor, heart racing, panting, and muscles burning, but so proud. I thought that if I did this 10-minute workout every day, it'd be a quick way to get in a little extra much-needed cardio, build my endurance, get stronger, and burn some bonus calories.
So I committed to 100 burpees a day for two weeks. My rule was that they had to be 100 consecutive burpees, so even if I did burpees in my CrossFit class that morning, they didn't count toward the 100. I wrote down the numbers one through 10 in my fitness journal, started the timer, and every time I did 10 burpees, I'd cross off a number. It made counting them easier and also gave me a little break in-between. I even got my kids help me count!
My goal was to get them done in under 10 minutes and to see how fast I could do them. After two weeks, this is what happened:
- Burpees got easier: Those first few days were a struggle. I was taking a lot of breaks and getting so exhausted that I had to step my feet forward instead of jumping. But by the second week, my arms and core got stronger and my movements became more fluid. And when we did variations of burpees in class, like box jump burpees or bar-facing burpees (where you jump over a barbell), those felt easier, too.
- I got faster: I realized that if I did 10 burpees per minute, I'd finish in about 10 minutes, so that pushed me to do 11 or 12 per minute (at least for the first 50). My initial time of just over 10 minutes turned into 9:30, and one time I was able to do it in 9:13! So practicing burpees actually works.
- It was mostly mental: By the 40th burpee, I was feeling so winded and fatigued (and questioning why the hell I decided to subject myself to this torture!), and my brain kept saying, "Just stop!" I learned to shut out those thoughts, to ignore how uncomfortable my body was feeling, and to focus on counting and get through it.
- I felt awesome the rest of the day: After getting home from my 5:45 a.m. CrossFit class, before hopping in the shower, I did those 100 burpees. Every single day I reached 100 felt like such a huge accomplishment; I felt so proud and happy, and it really set the tone for my day.
- I started to hate burpees: By the end of that second week, I was so glad this little experiment of mine was almost over. I was one of those weird people who didn't mind doing burpees, but after 14 days of forcing myself to do so many, I would cringe when I saw them in a WOD. This is when I knew it was time to stop.
Overall, this little challenge was definitely worth it for all the benefits, but I think maybe next time I'd just choose 50 burpees instead. That seems way more doable and like something I could keep up with for more than two weeks. But if I ever can't get in some exercise while on vacation or just because of life, I know I could always take 10 minutes to do 100 burpees and get in an awesome, quick workout! If doing this many burpees at one time seems completely insane, here's a four-week workout plan to build up to 100 burpees.
37 Movies and Shows Coming to Netflix in April
It's time to plan your April! Netflix has released its list of titles coming to the streaming site in the coming weeks, and it's long. Not only are there a tons of movies and TV seasons, but the quality is high. Several Netflix Originals are arriving (including Spike Lee's Rodney King documentary, which isn't featured on here yet because there isn't a picture or trailer), along with movies like Tropic Thunder and Queen of Katwe. Take a look, and make sure you've caught all the titles leaving Netflix in April.
This Sneaker Looks Good on Everyone
We've all had mornings where we've stared at our messy pile of shoes, wondering which pair will go best with our outfit. A heel? Nope, can't deal with the pain. A flat? Meh, not really feeling it. It's days like these where our go-to sneaker - trusty ol' Converse - steps in to save the day, solving our footwear dilemma in a flash. Converse sneakers work with just about anything in your wardrobe, and they also know no age limit. Everyone from itty-bitty babies to too-cool teens to polished adults can pull 'em off. Don't believe us? Read on to see some proof.
These Bloggers Will Help You Pull Off Kate Middleton's Look in Seconds
You're not just charmed by preppy style, you want to straight up dress like Kate Middleton. Her look is the perfect blend of feminine and sophisticated, and it's in a zone all its own. While you might not be able to get your hands on bespoke pieces from British fashion houses, we found a much easier way for you to channel the duchess.
Here, we've gathered our favorite bloggers who put a modern spin on Kate's polished outfits. While these ladies don't re-create her ensembles piece for piece, they definitely wear plenty of items the queen would approve of. Read on to start following the fashion girls who are as close to Kate as it gets.
McDonald's opts for fresh beef, not frozen, for some burgers soon
The fast food giant said Thursday that it will swap frozen beef patties for fresh ones in its Quarter Pounder burgers by sometime next year at most of its U.S. locations.
MAC's New Skin-Perfecting Foundation Feels Like You're Wearing "Next to Nothing"
While full-coverage foundation is de rigueur on YouTube, many women prefer something lighter and more natural-looking for real life. However, not all sheer face makeup is created equal. Many formulas provide patchy coverage while others offer basically none at all, which can leave you appearing sallow or tired. Furthermore, they can feel chalky or greasy like a full-coverage product, which is what we're all trying to avoid.
MAC Cosmetics's genius new foundation range beautifully balances sheer coverage, a dewy glow, and a texture that makes skin feel as if it's naked. Hence the name of the product: Next to Nothing. There are two formulas to choose from. The liquid, Next to Nothing Face Colour ($31), is almost like a BB cream or tinted moisturizer, offering loads of hydration and a wash of color that helps delicately mask imperfections. After applying this product, we noticed our skin was seriously radiant - but not shimmery, which many glow-boosting formulas are - due to the product's opalescent microspheres.
The powder formula, Next to Nothing Pressed Powder ($27), is satiny and silky, with a similar pearlescent quality to its liquid counterpart. Instead of appearing like a dusty film on our skin's surface (or making dry spots appear patchy), it vanished, leaving our complexion flawless. Apply it with one of the range's two brush options, the 140 Synthetic Full Fan Brush ($42) or 141 Synthetic Full Fan Brush ($35).
Both foundation formulas will be launching on April 6 and will be available in nine shades. Keep reading to see them all.
McDonald's opts for fresh beef, not frozen, for some burgers soon
The fast food giant said Thursday that it will swap frozen beef patties for fresh ones in its Quarter Pounder burgers by sometime next year at most of its U.S. locations.
Frozen May Not Have Been Such a Hit With Its Original Ending
Frozen became the highest grossing animated movie of all time thanks to its dazzling animation, adorable sidekicks, and catchy songs (I personally would love to let go of "Let It Go" forever), but it's the family-oriented, feminist plot line that made many parents proud to share it with their kids. Producer Peter Del Vecho recently spoke to Entertainment Weekly and revealed that the story that inspired a million Anna and Elsa dolls was almost completely different.
"When we started off, Anna and Elsa were not sisters," Del Vecho said. "They weren't even royal. So Anna was not a princess. Elsa was a self-proclaimed Snow Queen, but she was a villain and pure evil - much more like the Hans Christian Andersen tale. We started out with an evil female villain and an innocent female heroine and the ending involved a big epic battle with snow monsters that Elsa had created as her army."
Elsa was supposed to be an evil ruler who had chosen to freeze her own heart after being left at the altar. Kristoff has to save Anna from an army of snowy monsters, and when Anna finally convinces Elsa to save the kingdom, it's revealed that - twist! - evil Prince Hans is really the one with an icy heart.
"The problem was that we felt like we had seen it before," said Del Vecho. "It wasn't satisfying. We had no emotional connection to Elsa - we didn't care about her because she had spent the whole movie being the villain . . . Making them related led us to the idea of her living in fear of her powers. What if she's afraid of who she is? And afraid of hurting the ones she loves? Now we had a character in Anna who was all about love and Elsa who was all about fear. That led to making Elsa a much more dimensional sympathetic character, and instead of the traditional good vs. evil theme, we had one that we felt was more relatable: love vs. fear, and the premise of the movie became that love is stronger than fear."
But that still didn't solve the problem of that overdone "true love's kiss" trope.
"One of the things [director] Chris Buck had in most versions of the film was a moment where Anna's heart was frozen and needed to be thawed. Chris said, 'Does it always need to be true love's kiss that solves that problem? Does it always have to be the man who comes in and rescues the female? Could it be something different?' and that led to a different ending. Now that they're related, Elsa had her own fear and it was Anna who would save the day instead of Elsa by rescuing her sister - and it would be that selfless act that thawed Elsa's heart."
Boom. A feminist megahit was born!
Once Upon a Time: Colin O'Donoghue Teases Hook and Emma's Happy Ending
There are plenty of heartfelt love stories on Once Upon a Time, but none of them quite compare to that of Captain Hook and Emma Swan. They may be in a predicament at the moment, but not even Gideon can come between true love. While the future of the show is still uncertain, we have hope that these two will find their way back to each other in the end. POPSUGAR had the opportunity to talk with Colin O'Donoghue, who was promoting his new film Carrie Pilby, and he reflected on how far his fan-favorite character has come over the years, what it's like working with Jennifer Morrison, and what he thinks Hook's happy ending might look like.
POPSUGAR: Hook has changed a lot over the past few seasons. What do you think is his most admirable quality?
Colin O'Donoghue: I mean, he's a different character now. It's probably that he's redeemed himself and is trying to be the best person that he can be, which is a difficult thing to do, to overcome those demons for the better of not just himself, but for the better of the woman he loves and her family. However, I did love playing the villainous Hook. It's always fun to get to play the bad guy.
PS: Hook and Emma are definitely one of the most beloved romances on the show. What is the best part about working with Jennifer Morrison?
CO: I'm lucky that Jen and I have got a fantastic relationship. We get on so well and it makes it easy to translate that into the characters. Jen is friendly with my family and my wife and all of that is very important. Sometimes when you come onto a show, you don't know if that's going to work or if the chemistry is going to be there, and we just have a laugh. That's the most important thing is to enjoy what you do. We're at ease working with each other, because if you have tension with someone, that translates on screen. Luckily, on Once Upon a Time, we get along so well, so it works.
PS: I know the show hasn't been renewed for another season yet, but what do you think Hook's happily ever after would look like?
CO: Hook's happily ever after would just be getting an evening or night where both he and Emma can sit down and maybe have dinner or watch TV or have a glass of wine, because in Storybrooke, they literally never get a chance to do anything. As soon as anything slows down, you guarantee Grumpy is going to come running around the corner saying that some sort of curse is coming or there's a giant snowman attacking the town. I think his happily ever after would just be a week's worth of peace and quiet where they can be normal people. Maybe we'll get to see that in the second half! That would be good.
A Trainer Gets Brutally Honest About Why You Aren't Seeing Results
I have some tough love for you today, fitness friends. It's about your workouts. Can we speak frankly? You go to the gym several times a week, sometimes twice in one day. You attend classes, you get your sweat on, and yet something is missing. You aren't as fit as you should be. What is happening?
As a certified group exercise trainer and indoor cycling instructor, I've taught hundreds of classes. And based on what I see, I think a lot of you are unintentionally shortchanging yourself. Your fitness journey should be constantly evolving and changing, adapting, and growing. Taking a step back and looking at your overall approach will help you work out smarter, and maybe harder. You'll be glad you did.
1. You Aren't Paying Attention
Let's face it, some instructors are better than others. But let's assume you aren't wasting your time with the minority of bad trainers. When you go to a class, are you truly listening to what you are being told to do? Do you pay attention to alignment cues in yoga? Do you check your form in weight training? When your cycling instructor tells you to add resistance, do you?
Listen to what these people in spandex wearing microphones are telling you. They are certified experts who take continuing education classes and spend countless hours outside of class creating a quality workout. They have taken on the burdens of exercise selection, interval timing, choreography, and sequencing from you. You just have to show up and do what they say. You know you won't do it at home - that's why you go to a class. You wouldn't ask an accountant to do your taxes and then scribble all over the return as she was filling it out would you?
Sometimes the key to success is recognizing that you can't get there on your own, and allowing someone to help you on your fitness journey means that you'll get to your destination faster. Trust us. We want to get you there as badly as you do. So do what we say, please.
2. You Aren't Working Hard Enough
Here's a dose of tough love: instructors know how hard you are working, and that you probably aren't working hard enough.
Example: you are in an indoor cycling class and your instructor asks you to add resistance to simulate a hill climb. Everyone adds gear, except for you because you are hedging and don't want it to be "too hard." When the music picks up tempo and the entire class is straining to keep up, there you are, pedaling like a demon with no effort - barely breaking a sweat - do you think the instructor can't see that?
Another example: you are in a weight-training situation and even though you've been doing the same moves for months now, you are using the same weights. You wonder why you aren't getting stronger. Guess what? You aren't challenging your muscles when you pick the same weights every time. Pick up something heavier. Try it. What is the worst thing that can happen? It's too heavy and you have to switch back down to finish? Congratulations, you have achieved a higher level of muscular fitness. Do that every time.
Final example: you are in a HIIT class that is working in 45-second intervals. There are people that are going to go half-speed the entire time. And there are people that are going to stop working halfway through the interval. You know how I know? Because I CAN SEE THEM! Don't be self-conscious; no one is staring at you while you work out. But your instructor is scanning the room for safety reasons and can see how hard you are working. Chances are, you are saving a little back, just in case. Stop doing that and you'll see better results, I promise.
3. You Aren't Competing With Yourself
The best way to gauge your fitness is not by watching what the person next to you is doing. Who knows what they had for breakfast that morning? How many workouts a week they do when you don't see them in class? How much of their ability is biologically set before they even walk in the room? It's not about them. It's about you and what you can achieve. Whenever I do drills or set up exercises for my participants, I want them thinking, "Today I am going to do more than I did last time. I am going to add more gear. I am going to hold my sprint longer. I am going to pick up the eight-pound dumbbell instead of the five. I am going to try push-ups on my toes before I go to my knees."
Don't be afraid to be the hardest worker in the room and stand out because of that. You go to your classes to improve yourself, not to fade into the crowd and be a cookie-cutter human being. You have special strengths and abilities. You may struggle at push-ups but you can plank for two minutes without faltering. You may have spaghetti arms but can crush weighted squats all day long. Be you. Don't worry about anyone else. Stay on your own mat, mentally and physically. Your fitness will blossom. S'truth.
4. You Don't Accept What You Can't Change
In conjunction with the adage above, you have to be honest with yourself and set reasonable expectations. You can't do 1,000 burpees in 10 minutes and you will never change the basic biology of your body. If you are bottom heavy, you will likely always trend that way when gaining weight. If all the women in your family get saggy underarms by the time they are 40, guess what? You probably will too. And no amount of treadmill work will change your DNA. However, you can tone and shape that bottom, heavy or not. You can strengthen and tighten your triceps to help that underarm sag. There are many ways you can improve the body you have. But no amount of exercise will completely transform you into someone else. And you shouldn't want it to. You were made to be you, unique and special. You can be the best you possible. And that should be your goal. How many Jillian Michaels does the world need? Just one. And she is unique and special in her way. The world needs your best you - so go after it. Once you accept that, you can stop fighting your body and start working with it to achieve your goals.
5. You Reward Workouts With Food
We all do it. Now that I've worked out, I can go have that bin of pasta I've been craving. I can hit the drive-through for that burger and fries "because I've earned it." You haven't though. You've earned the right to refuel your body. You've worked so hard to achieve a higher level of fitness, to lose weight, to feel good about yourself. And yet you sabotage it, sometimes daily, by rewarding your fitness work with food.
At some point, we were taught that we have to earn the right to eat through exercise. And that if we've earned it, we can have whatever we want. And we do. And then some more. And we wonder why we aren't achieving our goals. It's time we stepped back from food. Instead of it becoming a reward system, it should be a means to an end. It should enable our recovery and power our efforts. The reward for the work is not a consumable. It's an intangible. It's something you can't measure. It comes from within us. It's called pride. Satisfaction. Self-confidence. Empowerment. You can't get those things from a drive-through, fitness friends. If you want the burger, eat it. But don't confuse yourself about why you are having it. You haven't "earned" it. You've allowed it. And that's OK, once in a while. The next time you see that neon sign calling to you, though, think about where you are really headed, physically, and whether that detour is worth it on your path to well-being. If not, keep driving.
Best of luck on your path to greater health and wellness. Remember, you can start each day fresh. Leave the previous workouts behind. Take each class like it's your last. And be kind to yourself: you've only got the one body, so help it go the distance.
A Trainer Gets Brutally Honest About Why You Aren't Seeing Results
I have some tough love for you today, fitness friends. It's about your workouts. Can we speak frankly? You go to the gym several times a week, sometimes twice in one day. You attend classes, you get your sweat on, and yet something is missing. You aren't as fit as you should be. What is happening?
As a certified group exercise trainer and indoor cycling instructor, I've taught hundreds of classes. And based on what I see, I think a lot of you are unintentionally shortchanging yourself. Your fitness journey should be constantly evolving and changing, adapting, and growing. Taking a step back and looking at your overall approach will help you work out smarter, and maybe harder. You'll be glad you did.
1. You Aren't Paying Attention
Let's face it, some instructors are better than others. But let's assume you aren't wasting your time with the minority of bad trainers. When you go to a class, are you truly listening to what you are being told to do? Do you pay attention to alignment cues in yoga? Do you check your form in weight training? When your cycling instructor tells you to add resistance, do you?
Listen to what these people in spandex wearing microphones are telling you. They are certified experts who take continuing education classes and spend countless hours outside of class creating a quality workout. They have taken on the burdens of exercise selection, interval timing, choreography, and sequencing from you. You just have to show up and do what they say. You know you won't do it at home - that's why you go to a class. You wouldn't ask an accountant to do your taxes and then scribble all over the return as she was filling it out would you?
Sometimes the key to success is recognizing that you can't get there on your own, and allowing someone to help you on your fitness journey means that you'll get to your destination faster. Trust us. We want to get you there as badly as you do. So do what we say, please.
2. You Aren't Working Hard Enough
Here's a dose of tough love: instructors know how hard you are working, and that you probably aren't working hard enough.
Example: you are in an indoor cycling class and your instructor asks you to add resistance to simulate a hill climb. Everyone adds gear, except for you because you are hedging and don't want it to be "too hard." When the music picks up tempo and the entire class is straining to keep up, there you are, pedaling like a demon with no effort - barely breaking a sweat - do you think the instructor can't see that?
Another example: you are in a weight-training situation and even though you've been doing the same moves for months now, you are using the same weights. You wonder why you aren't getting stronger. Guess what? You aren't challenging your muscles when you pick the same weights every time. Pick up something heavier. Try it. What is the worst thing that can happen? It's too heavy and you have to switch back down to finish? Congratulations, you have achieved a higher level of muscular fitness. Do that every time.
Final example: you are in a HIIT class that is working in 45-second intervals. There are people that are going to go half-speed the entire time. And there are people that are going to stop working halfway through the interval. You know how I know? Because I CAN SEE THEM! Don't be self-conscious; no one is staring at you while you work out. But your instructor is scanning the room for safety reasons and can see how hard you are working. Chances are, you are saving a little back, just in case. Stop doing that and you'll see better results, I promise.
3. You Aren't Competing With Yourself
The best way to gauge your fitness is not by watching what the person next to you is doing. Who knows what they had for breakfast that morning? How many workouts a week they do when you don't see them in class? How much of their ability is biologically set before they even walk in the room? It's not about them. It's about you and what you can achieve. Whenever I do drills or set up exercises for my participants, I want them thinking, "Today I am going to do more than I did last time. I am going to add more gear. I am going to hold my sprint longer. I am going to pick up the eight-pound dumbbell instead of the five. I am going to try push-ups on my toes before I go to my knees."
Don't be afraid to be the hardest worker in the room and stand out because of that. You go to your classes to improve yourself, not to fade into the crowd and be a cookie-cutter human being. You have special strengths and abilities. You may struggle at push-ups but you can plank for two minutes without faltering. You may have spaghetti arms but can crush weighted squats all day long. Be you. Don't worry about anyone else. Stay on your own mat, mentally and physically. Your fitness will blossom. S'truth.
4. You Don't Accept What You Can't Change
In conjunction with the adage above, you have to be honest with yourself and set reasonable expectations. You can't do 1,000 burpees in 10 minutes and you will never change the basic biology of your body. If you are bottom heavy, you will likely always trend that way when gaining weight. If all the women in your family get saggy underarms by the time they are 40, guess what? You probably will too. And no amount of treadmill work will change your DNA. However, you can tone and shape that bottom, heavy or not. You can strengthen and tighten your triceps to help that underarm sag. There are many ways you can improve the body you have. But no amount of exercise will completely transform you into someone else. And you shouldn't want it to. You were made to be you, unique and special. You can be the best you possible. And that should be your goal. How many Jillian Michaels does the world need? Just one. And she is unique and special in her way. The world needs your best you - so go after it. Once you accept that, you can stop fighting your body and start working with it to achieve your goals.
5. You Reward Workouts With Food
We all do it. Now that I've worked out, I can go have that bin of pasta I've been craving. I can hit the drive-through for that burger and fries "because I've earned it." You haven't though. You've earned the right to refuel your body. You've worked so hard to achieve a higher level of fitness, to lose weight, to feel good about yourself. And yet you sabotage it, sometimes daily, by rewarding your fitness work with food.
At some point, we were taught that we have to earn the right to eat through exercise. And that if we've earned it, we can have whatever we want. And we do. And then some more. And we wonder why we aren't achieving our goals. It's time we stepped back from food. Instead of it becoming a reward system, it should be a means to an end. It should enable our recovery and power our efforts. The reward for the work is not a consumable. It's an intangible. It's something you can't measure. It comes from within us. It's called pride. Satisfaction. Self-confidence. Empowerment. You can't get those things from a drive-through, fitness friends. If you want the burger, eat it. But don't confuse yourself about why you are having it. You haven't "earned" it. You've allowed it. And that's OK, once in a while. The next time you see that neon sign calling to you, though, think about where you are really headed, physically, and whether that detour is worth it on your path to well-being. If not, keep driving.
Best of luck on your path to greater health and wellness. Remember, you can start each day fresh. Leave the previous workouts behind. Take each class like it's your last. And be kind to yourself: you've only got the one body, so help it go the distance.
This Little Mix Dance Routine Is Stunning - and Straight Out of Cirque du Soleil
Little Mix recently released the music video for their latest single "No More Sad Songs," but it's one of their other upbeat tracks, "Touch," that gets a whole new life with this incredible dance routine.
Choreographer Brian Friedman shared the video to YouTube on Wednesday, showing a group of talented dancers - including two of our favorites, Jade Chynoweth and Maddie Ziegler - busting out their best moves (including gymnastics!) to lyrics like, "Just a touch of your love is enough / To knock me off of my feet all week." The song also got the Ed Sheeran treatment in early March; the singer covered "Touch" for BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge, and his version had us unbuttoning our shirt.
Watch the video above now, then be sure to see more of Jade in this supersexy routine to Tinashe's "Party Favors."
Joss Whedon Is Making a Batgirl Movie and OMG
Praise Buffy! Joss Whedon is writing, directing, and producing a Batgirl movie. The film would be part of the DC Extended Universe, which includes the Superman and Batman films, Suicide Squad, and the upcoming Wonder Woman, Justice League, and Aquaman. No word yet on who will play Batgirl, but the world is Whedon's oyster! Batgirl has never gotten her own movie, so he's working with a pretty blank slate. According to Variety, the project just originated in February, so we have a long ways to go until we get casting news or plot details. Stay tuned!
The Walking Dead: Maggie Is About to Go Into an Entirely New Direction
Image Source: AMC
With so much sh*t going down on The Walking Dead, it's tempting to look at the comic books as an indicator of what lies ahead. We've already taken peeks at the stories of this season's newest characters, like the new villain Negan and the charismatic King Ezekiel, but there's one mainstay character who really seems to be at a crossroads right now: Maggie Greene. After the devastating loss of her husband, Glenn, poor Maggie seems to have been set adrift. She's currently gearing up for war against the Saviors on the show, but where does her story go in the books?
In the comic books, Maggie heads to the Hilltop Colony and never leaves. She arrives at the community with Sophia, her adopted daughter. (Remember Sophia? She's Carol's daughter, and on the TV show, she dies while the group takes shelter at Hershel Greene's farm. In the books, Carol is dead and Sophia is still alive.) Once she settles in, Maggie gives birth to and raises her son, who she names Hershel after her late father. In the wake of Glenn's death, Maggie becomes more hardened than ever by the apocalyptic world. She carries a newfound anger and harbors a bit of a grudge toward Rick. She becomes instrumental in uniting Hilltop and Alexandria against the Saviors and sets herself apart as a new leader.
Image Source: Image Comics
The new Maggie is much more violent in the comic books, which means she could go that way on the show as well. After Glenn's death, she beats Rick. Once she gets to Hilltop, she punches Gregory, the community's leader, in the face and later beats Rick up again during an argument. In the wake of the war against the Saviors and Negan's sort-of defeat, the members of the Hilltop community decide that Maggie is more fit to keep things running smoothly. As a leader who is losing his grip, Gregory shows an utter lack of faith and obedience when it comes to Maggie's seizure of power. She eventually calls for his execution, and the group kills him by hanging.
In the most recent issues, Maggie again joins with Alexandria to fight the new and terrifying threat called The Whisperers. Ruled by a ruthless leader called Alpha, The Whisperers are a murderous group disguised as walkers that roams the land nearly undetected. Alpha kills humans and mounts their severed heads on stakes and is actually responsible for the death of King Ezekiel. The last published issue plunges the main characters into the war against this group. When we last see Maggie, Hilltop has caught fire, and she's evacuating with Sophia and Hershel. The fate of the trio is currently unknown.
This Is Not a Drill: You Can Buy Girl Scout Cookies on Amazon!
Girl Scout cookie season only comes once a year, so what's a girl to do when the craving hits at any given moment? Stock up on cookies from Amazon, of course. Yep, that's right - did you know you can order Girl Scout cookies on Amazon, and with Prime shipping? We know; our minds were blown upon this life-changing discovery, too.
Samoas, Thin Mints, Tagalongs, Trefoils, you name it. All your favorite cookies are available for online purchase, meaning you don't have to seek out a Girl Scout cookie-selling location to get your hands on a box (or 10). You can simply add as many to your cart from the comfort of your couch whenever you want . . . this could get very dangerous.
Of course, the convenience comes with a higher price than you'd typically pay for the popular cookies. A box of Thin Mints will cost you $9, while a box of Samoas costs $10. You can also opt for a four-pack of Thin Mints for $27 or a four-pack of Do-Si-Dos for $26. Clearly buying in bulk is the better option.
While this isn't the most budget-friendly way to buy Girl Scout cookies, you gotta do what you gotta do when you're desperate.
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