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 5 octobre 2017
Not to Sound Witchy, but a Modern Hocus Pocus Is a Recipe For Disaster
I want to start things off by saying: I'm not the sort of person who typically complains about "the good ol' days" of movies. I didn't understand the controversy about a new iteration of Ghostbusters, and I was excited about the sequel to Blade Runner before the overwhelmingly positive reviews began rolling in. I have no problem reprising, reimagining, and recasting classics - sometimes, it's necessary to help beloved franchises appeal to new generations! But when I heard that Disney Channel plans to remake the 1993 Halloween masterpiece Hocus Pocus with a modern spin, I was one of many who reacted with some variation of "hard pass."
Why, you ask? Well, aside from the obvious - there's no way this version will be able to capture the '90s-hot vibe of ghostly heartthrob Thackery Binx - there are several logistical points that make a "modern reimagining" of the original plot nearly impossible. These points might convince you that the remake is a big mistake . . . and Disney should just tap the original cast for a sequel instead.
5 Moves That Will Help You Get a Stronger Butt
Squats are a great exercise, but researchers using an EMG machine - a device that measures muscular contraction - found they work your thighs almost three times harder than your butt!
So here are five exercises that will build that booty up and strengthen and tone your legs without putting on much bulk.
Pick any of these exercises and use them instead of squats in your workout routine.
15+ Outlander-Inspired Candles to Make Your Castle Smell Like Jamie Fraser
Whether you watch Outlander on TV, read the book series, or both, there's something about the visuals that makes you feel entirely transported to Scotland. Perhaps you like to dim the lights and prepare yourself a cup of tea - or a glass of whiskey - while watching the TV series or listen to Scottish Highlands music in the background while you read. And now there's one more way you can add to the addictive effect of Jamie and Claire's epic romance: by burning candles that smell like the places and characters from Outlander.
Your hardest decision will be deciding whether you want to smell the fresh fields of Lallybroch, the manly musk of Jamie Fraser, or the sweetness of Claire's pressed flowers. But that's the best part - with each candle priced under $20, you could always treat yourself to more than one! We know what we'll be burning during the next episode.
Why Blue Majik Is the New Green Juice
If you follow health food trends, you might have noticed that Blue Majik is popping up in just about everything. This delightful-sounding ingredient is making its way into cold-pressed juices, protein powders, and even lattes. When the brightly hued powder is mixed into drinks, the effect is a little like a blue raspberry slushie, but the nutritional makeup of Blue Majik couldn't be more different from the frozen treat.
Derived from spirulina, Blue Majik is a proprietary extract of the blue-green algae Arthrospira platensis. Much like green spirulina, Blue Majik is prized for being nutrient dense; full of vitamins (especially B12), enzymes, and minerals, it gets its bright blue hue from C-phycocyanin, a type of storage protein rich in amino acids. C-phycocyanin is also what puts the blue in Blue Majik and so much of the value in the trendy ingredient. Studies show C-phycocyanin to be rich in antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties, and it may promote brain health.
Given that it's essentially an algae, you can imagine that on its own, it's not that tasty (a little fishy, TBH). But when mixed in a smoothie, it's easy to mask the unpalatable flavor. In the POPSUGAR office, we recently had a taste test of Juice Generation's Blue Majik powered Holy Water, where the average taster's score was a 3.5 out of 5. People found it refreshing and nutty with the perfect amount of sweetness. Our Food editor also cites Moon Juice's Blue Adaptogen as her favorite protein powder; creamy and not chalky, it's the perfect base for smoothies at home. And if drinks aren't your thing, you can even use it to whip up a batch of cake pops!
This Exclusive 14-Minute Kayla Itsines Workout Will Change Your Body
If there's one workout you need to bookmark immediately, it's this 14-minute wonder, created especially for you by our favorite trainer Kayla Itsines. Did we mention it's only 14 minutes(!!)?
We love a lot of things about the fitness phenom that is Kayla, but if we had to pick one, it would be her ability to create full-body workouts that leave your whole body hurting in the best way possible that take almost literally no time at all.
Kayla has gifted POPSUGAR with a workout that is a must for your fitness goals - consider her an angel handing out hot bods to the world.
According to Kayla, the following four exercises are perfect together. Simply complete the four exercises as many times as you can in seven minutes. Take a 30-second break and repeat for a 14-minute workout!
For Kayla's how-to, keep reading.
Too Faced's Gingerbread-Scented Melted Matte Lipstick Is Christmas In a Bottle
There are many "holiday red" lipstick you need to make your season merry. But Too Faced just won the game with its Melted Matte Liquified Matte Long Wear Lipstick in Gingerbread Man ($21). The limited-edition longwear formula features a decadent gingerbread scent. It's not too spicy or sweet - but rather, the perfect combination of vanilla frosting, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cake. YUM!
Too Faced's unique Melted Matte texture is incredible. It glides on like a soft lip gloss, minus the stickiness. It dries down but not in that dehydrating, cracked-lip way. It's extremely comfortable and doesn't feel like you have anything on; but it does transfer a bit, so be careful when eating and drinking. It also has Volulip, a patent lip plumping agent. You don't even need a lip liner since the skinny doe-foot applicator tip can be used to outline your pout.
The color itself is brick red with just a hint of burnt orange. Here you can see what it looks like on a medium complexion:
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Lauren Levinson
And don't forget about the packaging, which features adorable little gingerbread cookies on the cap. Thanks for getting us into the holiday spirit early, Too Faced!
14 Frozen Pumpkin Ideas Worth Melting For
Frozen-themed birthday party? Check. Olaf and Sven backpacks and lunch boxes? Bought. Anna and Elsa Halloween costumes? In the works. Frozen pumpkin? We've got you covered. Add to the long list of Frozen must haves with these creative ideas inspired by the movie we all just can't seem to let go of. There's glitter, paint, and an array of ways to display your kids' favorite Disney friends on theirHalloween pumpkins. Scroll through to get inspired.
I Finally Found the 1 Acne Spot Treatment That Works on My Problematic Skin
I've suffered from hormonal cystic acne since I hit puberty, and those huge, painful, and embarrassing blemishes have never stopped stressing me out. Finally, after 15 years and the help of a dermatologist, I have clear skin. But that doesn't mean I don't suffer from a breakout every now and then. I often feel those pesky, painful pimples under my skin before they're even noticeable, and I want to fight them before they get bigger. From the classic myth of using toothpaste as a spot treatment to rubbing a piece of aspirin on my skin (I know, but I was desperate at the time), these kooky hacks never did it for me. Then, a little over a year ago, I found a spot treatment product that finally does what it promises to: Mario Badescu Drying Lotion ($17).
I'm a little embarrassed to admit it, but I discovered this amazing product by watching Kylie Jenner's Snapchat. (This was before the launch of her own cosmetic line, when she used to show more of her own skincare routine.) Little did I know that the small pink bottle was a total cult classic. I went and bought it immediately. That night before bed, I followed the instructions and used a cotton swab to dab the pink lotion on every little bump I could find. I woke up the next day and there was no trace of the lotion or of a blemish. At last, a product that I saw results with. I've been addicted ever since.
If you're wondering what makes this treatment so special, it's the pink substance itself: the calamine lotion. (Yes, that's the same lotion that you may have used if you've ever suffered from poison ivy or insect bites as a kid.) This soothing lotion is mixed with acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid and sulfur, which work together to dry out clogged pores, kill bacteria, and diminish your spots. If you've been searching for the right spot treatment for you, this one is definitely worth a try.
30 Tiny, Chic Wrist Tattoos That Are Better Than a Bracelet
If you truly want to wear your heart on your sleeve, then the wrist should be the canvas for your next tattoo. A flat plane fairly easy to tattoo, the wrist is popular for first-timers and small designs or sayings. While the wrist is generally a more visible tattoo spot than, say, the ribs or back, this placement allows for easy coverage with foundations or bracelets - making it an ideal choice for those who might be slightly tentative to get inked in a more prominent location. Conversely, we're also partial to the wrist because of its visibility: the conspicuousness of this spot is perfect for tattoos meant to serve as a source of inspiration, support, or reminder.
But don't just take our word for it - check out these gorgeous pieces of wrist ink to get some serious tattoo inspiration.
55+ Memes You'll Only Relate to If You're Latinx
While people love to generalize and assume all Latinx dress, act, eat, and talk the same, we all know that's not true. But we also can't deny that there are customs that tie us together, and those are the ones that when spotted in meme form, you immediately share.
Those humorous moments (i.e., the fact that Vicks VapoRub reigns supreme in most households) are the ones you want to spread like wildfire while you giggle, even tapping the people next to you IRL and showing them your phone for a good laugh. We've rounded more than 50 of those memes here - get ready to flood your friends' feeds.
- Additional reporting by Alessandra Foresto
This Yoga Sequence Is Even Better Than a Before-Bed Massage
Yoga before bed can be some of your best defense against insomnia. By calming down your body and your mind, you're putting yourself in a better position for sweet and restful slumber. Ready to get to bed? This yoga sequence will save the day.
- Additional reporting by Jenny Sugar
Does Tattoo Removal Hurt? Here's the Straight Answer
Grandma was wrong: you don't actually have to live with your bad tattoo choices for the rest of your life. Thanks to some pretty nifty advancements in laser technology, tattoos aren't the lifetime commitment they used to be. If you're already dealing with ink remorse, this news should come as a relief. Take that, Grams! Now that we've done our victory lap, let's get real about tattoo removal.
The Details
Laser tattoo removal works by targeting ink pigments below your skin and breaking them down into even smaller particles, which are then absorbed by your blood stream. Most people need anywhere between four and 10 treatments to see results; it depends on the size and density of your ink. The cost of your treatments will also vary based on the size of your tattoo, ranging from about $150 to $1,500 per session.
Is It Painful?
"You can definitely feel it, but it's not unbearable," said Dr. Anna Avaliani, a dermatologist in the Upper East Side in Manhattan who specializes in laser treatments. OK, phew! She describes the feeling as snapping rubber bands really fast against your skin. Uh, that doesn't sound so great after all. However, Avaliani says it hurts less than getting the actual tattoo - or so her patients tell her. You can read someone's first-hand experience here.
While Dr. Avaliani assured us that it's a quick treatment (each session is about 10 minutes), your pain level all depends on the type of laser treatment you receive. "The older generation of lasers are called Q switch. They typically hurt a lot more and take longer to perform and many more sessions are needed to remove a tattoo," she explained. Thankfully, there's a new sheriff in town, and it goes by the name PicoSure. "PicoSure causes the ink to break down into smaller particles, which are then absorbed by the body. It is one of the only lasers on the market that can treat all ink colors and is safe on most skin colors."
The Aftermath
You can expect to experience some redness and soreness in the days following the treatment, and maybe even some blisters. But not to worry, Dr. Avaliani says it's not a sign you were burned by the laser. "Blisters are a sign the laser broke down a lot of pigment," she said. Your body responds with inflammation, and that's how the blisters come to be.
All in all? Tattoo removal could be worse, but it's probably still best not to scramble off to the tattoo parlor knowing you can get your leaf tattoo removed if it goes out of style.
What Every Parent Needs to Know About Those Teal Pumpkins
You might begin to see teal pumpkins popping up among the sea of orange this Halloween, and there's good reason for the new tradition.
Each blue pumpkin makes up a part of theTeal Pumpkin Project, which is a campaign that originally started by a local mom in Tennessee before Food Allergy Research and Education expanded the idea into a national effort in 2014. Each nontraditional pumpkin serves as a sign to trick-or-treaters that there is a non-food treat option at that home.
"This is an awareness movement to create a safer and happier Halloween for all kids because Halloween can be a very scary and stressful time - not only for those kids with food allergies but their parents who are worried about some of those candies they might get as they are trick-or-treating," Nancy Gregory, FARE's Senior Director of Communications told POPSUGAR. "Of course kids with allergies want to participate in the trick-or-treating tradition like their friends do and this helps that experience."
With the prevalence of food allergies among children in the United States now at one in 13 kids, there is a very good chance that there is a child who lives near you with a potentially life-threatening allergy. While some parents dismiss the idea of handing out non-food items because candy is part of Halloween fun, it's important to remember that the purpose of this initiative isn't to rid children of their sweet treats. "The goal here is not to exclude candy from the Halloween tradition," Nancy said. "It's simply to try to ensure that kids with food allergies or dietary restrictions for whom candy might not be an option are able to enjoy a safer, happier Halloween."
For Houses Wanting to Participate
- Mark your home as an allergy-friendly spot by either displaying a teal pumpkin or downloading a free sign - the look on each child's face when you hand them a treat they can enjoy will be worth it!
- Share your teal pumpkin on social media to raise awareness for this important movement. The more inclusive pumpkins out there the happier kids will be come Halloween night.
- Decide on whether you want to have all non-candy handouts or just a separate stash for children with allergies.
- If you are handing out candy as well, be sure to keep the treats in two separate bowls to prevent any contamination.
- Don't just go for the "allergy–friendly" candy or snack. More than 170 different types of foods have been identified as causing food allergy reactions. Just because something is marketed as "free from" a few major allergens doesn't mean that it's suitable for everyone. The point is to have an inclusive option so ensure that your treat is safe for everyone.
- Also be sure to ask the kids before giving out any candy first instead of waiting to hand out the non-candy option only to children who mention an allergy. Little ones and their parents might not bring it up and assume that what you are giving is safe because of the teal pumpkin.
For Parents of a Child With Food Allergies
- Consider a Switch Witch to help your little one deal with having to give up any potentially dangerous loot. Similar to the beloved Elf on a Shelf, this tricky witch stays at home and will make candy disappear from those who don't behave but her spell can also help to remove any harmful candy overnight.
- Remember that part of the fun is in partaking in the trick-or-treating tradition so consider allowing your child to go to homes even without the pumpkin. Come up with an idea of what to do with the collected candy - like donating it to charity or family members.
- Share your own proud teal pumpkins to raise awareness among friends and neighbors to get more homes participating on behalf of your child and others like him or her.
- Even if your child brings home a non-food item, inspect it for allergens. Some non-food products, like molding clay, contain wheat or other potentially harmful allergens.
This Congressman Thinks You Can Buy Birth Control at Grocery Stores
Another day, another GOP congressman is in trouble with his constituents after insinuating that women can get birth control at grocery stores. The comment, made at a town hall, comes from Representative Glenn Grothman who has previously made inflammatory statements.
Grothman, who represents Wisconsin's sixth congressional district, held a town hall in Neenah, WI, on April 30. During the meeting, a constituent calmly explained to him that her daughter receives care at Planned Parenthood because her employer doesn't offer medical benefits. So she asks him, "Help me understand why you want to defund planned parenthood and please do not use abortion as an excuse."
Of course, Grothman begins his answer by stating that Planned Parenthood is the "biggest abortion provider in the country." He then goes on to suggest that women can receive birth control at pharmacies and grocery stores. The crowd lets him have it, yelling at him and shouting "Be honest." You can watch a clip of the exchange ahead.
This isn't the first and most likely won't be the last incendiary comment Grothman makes. He's previously said that he believes the government "bribes" people to stay single and have children to receive welfare benefits; that Pell grants shouldn't go towards low-income or first-year students; and that black people don't care about Kwanzaa. He is up for reelection in two years.
Sorry, Peanut Butter Fans, but Your Favorite Nut Isn't as Healthy as You Think
We've been told since we were little kids that peanuts are a good source of protein and healthy fat and that they make a very smart afternoon snack. Whether it's a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or sliced apple dipped in peanut butter, we're convinced that we're doing our bodies good by consuming the trusty peanut.
You might want to leave behind everything you know about peanuts, though. Dr. Frank Lipman, physician and renowned expert in the field of integrative medicine, told POPSUGAR, "Peanuts, despite the name, are actually not a nut but a legume!" That distinction matters when it comes to our health, and here's how.
"Legumes naturally contain phytic acid and lectins, both of which can weak havoc on gut health," Dr. Lipman said. "Digestive upset could show up symptomatically as issues with bowel movements, gas, and bloating, or in more severe cases, things like brain fog, anxiety, or depression, given the gut's impact on neurotransmitters in the brain."
It's simply harder for the gut to break down phytic acid and lectins, so your body has to work much harder to process peanuts. Dr. Lipman explained that this kind of stress on your digestion could negatively impact your body's immune system. He also pointed out that "90 percent of serotonin is produced in the gut," and serotonin is the feel-good chemical in your brain that promotes good moods, sleep, and a healthy appetite. So if your gut is out of whack, your serotonin production will become imbalanced.
Dr. Lipman actually leaves peanuts out of the diets he creates with his clients. At the very least this will allow them to figure out whether there is a beneficial shift in their overall health. Additionally, anyone who suffers from "major gut-related issues, such as autoimmune conditions" is highly encouraged to steer clear of peanuts entirely.
If you have any digestive issues whatsoever and you're a big peanut eater, it might be a good idea to eliminate peanuts from your diet for a while. If you suffer from strange mood swings or cravings or you have trouble sleeping, you could benefit from cleaning up your diet by nixing peanuts.
If your heart sinks when you simply think about life without peanut butter, know that there are great alternatives. "There are so many other actual nuts and seeds that are good sources of healthy fat and fiber in the diet," Dr. Lipman said. "There are many different versions of nut butters now, so you can easily make a healthy and delicious swap instead of peanut butter."
Whatever nuts and seeds you do choose to eat, Dr. Lipman recommends you consume them in raw or dry-roasted form, free of salt, sugar, and processed oils. If you still have trouble digesting them, "they can be soaked to help the body digest them more efficiently."
BBG: The Supereffective Fitness Program You Need to Know
We're totally crazy about Australian trainer and Instagram star Kayla Itsines and her program, BBG. But what exactly is BBG? Let's take a step back and look at the program that made Kayla such a star and her clients so obsessed.
What Is It?
BBG stands for "Bikini Body Guide," and it's been transforming women's bodies with dramatic weight-loss results since 2012. The guides include a fitness and nutrition plan spanning 12 weeks and can be done at home or at a gym.
The program is built around intense 28-minute workouts three days a week. That's it. They're broken down into arms and abs, legs, and full body, so each day of the week, you'll focus on a different muscle group. Expect to see moves like push-ups and planks, burpees, jumping jacks, mountain climbers, and weighted squats. The combination of weight training and cardio makes the program incredibly effective, while the meal plan helps women make more educated dietary choices to better fuel their bodies.
How Does It Work?
During a workout, you'll have two circuits, each with four moves, for which you'll do a certain number of reps. For example, circuit one might look like: 15 burpees, 15 push-ups, 20 jumping jacks, and 20 lunges on each leg. You repeat circuit one as many times as you can within seven minutes at your own pace. You'll take a one-minute break and do the same thing with circuit two, which will be a new set of four exercise moves. After completing circuit two, you start over and do both again. The result? An insanely challenging workout completed in less than 30 minutes.
As far as nutrition goes, Kayla doesn't really eliminate foods. Instead, she focuses on healthier choices and provides BBG members with healthy, delicious recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, desserts, and snacks. On her app, Kayla serves up weekly grocery shopping lists that provide the ingredients for that particular week's recipes, leaving zero guesswork.
What Makes It Different?
The simplicity and brevity of the workouts combined with their ability to be modified have made this program exceptionally attractive to many a newcomer. In fact, Kayla loves the idea that she is often a woman's introduction to fitness. She told POPSUGAR, "I want to be someone's first entry [to exercise], and I think it's a good way to enter, because you're entering into a community that focuses on how you feel rather than focusing on how you look."
Everyone's story is completely different when they come to BBG, but devotees find a way to make the program work for them, whether they're fighting ovarian cancer or thyroid cancer, beating obesity and losing 100-plus pounds, overcoming an eating disorder and building strength, or just trying to get a bigger booty.
We asked Kayla what she thinks makes BBG so special. "Firstly it's for women, which women love," she said. "And then there's the fact it's 28 minutes. . . . It's so quick and easy but also very challenging and pushes you." She also noted how it's a superempowering program that allows a woman to do everything on her own and feel accomplished as an individual.
While the program itself is appealing, what probably trumps it all is the BBG community. There's an element in this program that isn't really found in many other fitness programs, and it has created somewhat of a sisterhood. "It's really easy to lose motivation and lose inspiration," Kayla told POPSUGAR. "But when you have a community like the BBG community, it's actually very hard to lose motivation, because they're constantly encouraging you and posting photos. It's like a family."
Interesting in being part of it? You can download the BBG PDFs for yourself. Or consider Kayla's app, Sweat With Kayla, which offers the same workout program but more streamlined and customized with a LISS tracker and guided recovery. You'll also get on-the-go grocery lists, recipes, and more.
5 Tips to Help You Transition From Road to Trail Running
If you've fallen into a running rut, you might be ready for a change of scenery. Trail running can help you become a stronger runner overall and it can aid in injury prevention, as softer surfaces help diminish the risk of wear and tear on the body. It's also the perfect opportunity to leave your watch at home, forget about your pace, and help your body recover from other hard workouts. Here are five tips to get started!
Work on your core and upper-body strength
"Because the terrain is often hilly, it's not only important to incorporate hill work into your regular training, but also functional gym work, so that your body can adapt to the varied terrain and constant changes in direction that come with trail running," said Lesley Paterson, owner and co-director of Braveheart Fitness Coaching in San Diego, and author of The Brave Athlete: Calm the F*ck Down and Rise to the Occasion.
Think about what you enjoy most about running
If you love to run with others for the social aspect of the sport and are more flexible than structured when it comes to setting a run pace, you are likely to enjoy and benefit most from trail running. "Because the terrain is often challenging and varied, it is more likely to dictate your intensity than the other way around," Paterson told POPSUGAR.
Invest in trail-specific shoes
It's important to wear shoes specifically made for trail terrain, as they create stability for the ankle and provide a good grip on slippery surfaces, Paterson said. Furthermore, they are sturdier and protect your feet from rocks and other hazards. Paterson herself wears trail shoes by On Cloudventure.
Keep safety in mind
"Always run with someone who knows the route, or make sure to have a map and a clear idea of where you're going," Paterson says. "Play it safe, and always let someone else know where you are running, on which trails, and how long you think you will be gone." Additionally, be sure to carry food and water in case you have a problem and get stuck. Lastly, if you are running in an area rife with wildlife, try to always run with someone else rather than alone.
Start slowly
You're likely not even going to come close to your normal easy pace that you cover on the roads once you switch to the trails. You may even slow to a walk at times. This is because the terrain is so varied and different, and you need to be aware of your footing, or you are likely to trip and fall. Always give yourself more time to complete a trail run than you would estimate for the same difference on the roads. Now just relax, slow down, and take in the scenery.
The Secret to Losing Fat and Toning Your Backside
If you're trying to tighten up your butt and upper quads, you're not alone. This area is a problematic spot for women, and there's no single cure to change things overnight. According to celebrity trainer Anna Kaiser, increasing the intensity of your cardio and strength-training program is a great start. Anna's other piece of advice? "Put down the fork. No one needs to be eating five bowls of pasta a week and think that they're going to get rid of [fat] if they're doing 500 leg raises. It's just not going to happen."
So stick to a healthy eating plan, add plenty of cardio to your workout routine, and try out these helpful exercises to help you feel more confident the next time you slip into something slinky.
8 Totally Underrated Netflix Original Movies
In just a few short years, Netflix has created a strong foundation of original programming. The site produces comedy specials, animated series, documentaries, and more. While the television shows are definitely the more popular content, the original movies shouldn't be overlooked. Spanning multiple genres and featuring star-studded casts, there's a film for everyone. Take a look ahead and check out some of our favorite underrated Netflix original movies!
Rebecca Dropped 50 Pounds and 5 Clothing Sizes in 7 Months With MyFitnessPal
Leading up to her 40th birthday, Rebecca saw some photos of herself that were a wake-up call - she had put on more weight than she realized and immediately knew a change had to be made.
Rebecca: Before
It's not easy to lose 50 pounds in your late 30s, but Rebecca wasn't afraid of hard work and commitment to her health. One of her major tools for success? The ultrapopular MyFitnessPal app. She credits it in part for her incredibly quick weight-loss success . . . in addition to her hard work, strength training, and clean eating, of course. Here's a little more about Rebecca's journey.
POPSUGAR: What made you decide to start your weight-loss journey?
Rebecca Walden: On Jan. 7, 2017, I saw a picture from my son's birthday party (held earlier that day) that took my breath away. I was the largest I'd ever been, literally bulging at the seams of even the most generously cut articles of clothing. I was also pushing 40 and scared that if I didn't take action, I'd soon find myself in chronic-condition territory.
I love to eat! And desserts are my kryptonite. It all came down to a lack of discipline and an expectation that I should see results right away. That's just not how our bodies work.
PS: How did you get started?
RW: Instead of a specific program, I got back to basics (calories eaten vs. calories exerted). I knew that portion control was my biggest issue, so that's where I started. Ultimately, I knew this was up to me - there is no product substitute for proper nutrition and exercise.
"There is no product substitute for proper nutrition and exercise."
When I first started, I didn't see meaningful weight loss until I'd gone three straight weeks of eating right-size portions of healthier food and exercising three times a week.
PS: What's your favorite way to work out?
RW: Strength training! The very idea was once intimidating, but when you see how it transforms your body, you just want to keep after it.
PS: What's your weekly exercise schedule?
RW: I've worked my way up from three times a week to five or six times a week, schedule permitting. When I know a busy week is ahead, I put in extra effort on the weekends, favoring two-a-days (usually kickboxing followed by barre). On a typical week, I rotate these two with a mix of strength training, Spin, Zumba, and a step/strength hybrid class. If I can't make it to the gym, I swim laps or jog through the neighborhood.
Rebecca: After
PS: How do you keep workouts exciting?
RW: Group fitness just has this contagious energy that solo cardio can't touch. After a particularly challenging set, there's always someone to give you a high five, make you laugh, and keep you focused. And once you start seeing your body change, all that camaraderie is just bonus. You want to be there, and it's already exciting because you are slaying your goals.
PS: How much weight have you lost?
RW: Fifty-three pounds in seven months.
PS: What was the first big difference, other than the number on the scale, that really made you feel proud and excited?
RW: I was able to zip into a dress that hadn't fit me in three years. And this time it looked better on me than when I first bought it!
PS: How do you track your weight loss?
RW: I use MyFitnessPal, without fail, every single day.
PS: What's a typical day of meals and snacks?
RW: Breakfast is high protein, usually a 1/8 slice of homemade crustless spinach quiche, sliced berries, coffee, and two tablespoons of half-and-half.
Lunch is also homemade/brown bag, often egg salad, jalapeño-pimento cheese, or chicken salad with red grapes. In Summer months, I love to make gazpacho, which travels well, too.
PS: Do you count calories? What's the range of calories you eat per day?
RW: Yes! It keeps me mindful. Once I understood the basic math of a pound (3,500 calories = 1 pound) and I had a firm grasp of how many calories I needed each day at my current weight to lose one pound per week, it became a matter of budgeting my calories each day.
"I'm four months away from my 40th birthday, and I've never felt better."
After a while, I decided that some foods (or drinks) weren't calorically worth it to me, and the progress really started to show.
Example: If I know I'm meeting girlfriends for drinks one night, I factor in those projected calories well before (how many glasses of wine do I want to enjoy, etc.). It might be a half-serving of Greek yogurt and chia seed for breakfast that day, and salmon salad for lunch, etc., to give me caloric room to enjoy my time with the girls.
When I started, I was eating just under 1,500 calories a day. As I've lost weight and kept my goals up to date in MyFitnessPal, that number has shifted down incrementally. I now aim for 1,210 calories daily, before exercise. And while I haven't always eaten back my exercise calories, if I'm hungry, I do it and don't fret over it.
Rebecca: Before and After
PS: What are the healthy staples that are always in your fridge?
RW: Fage two-percent Greek yogurt is the bomb. I dare you to sub it for sour cream in any recipe and tell me it isn't every bit as delicious. Breakstone's single-serve two-percent milk fat cottage cheese for refueling after strength training. All that protein for only 90 calories! Celery and organic apples are a staple too. Both are awesome with one tablespoon of peanut butter (provided it's a peanut butter not loaded with cane sugar and other garbage). Other staples include chicken, eggs, strawberries, blueberries, and frozen cauliflower (anything you can do with potatoes, you can do with cauliflower).
PS: How do you strategize for meals out?
RW: I study up on the menu prior. Even places where lean dishes are scarce (Olive Garden is our daughter's favorite), you can always make it work. Last time there I ate the salad without croutons, cheese, or dressing, plus a half portion of the Tilapia Piccata.
PS: What advice do you have for anyone starting out on a weight-loss journey?
RW: MyFitnessPal plays a vital role every day. It keeps me mindful of my food and activity choices and helps me remember my self-control should I feel it diminishing. Not once on this journey have I felt deprived. If anything, I feel knowledgeable, strong, and motivated to keep going!
The most helpful part of this journey has been to experiment with recipes so that I still feel satiated and like I've gotten my "comfort food" fix without overdoing it.
Read as much as you can and come up with a regimen you know you can honor. My mindset was to take everything I read as a guideline instead of hard-line truth. We all have different bodies and circumstances going on, and I'm on the path that makes the most sense for me. I'm four months away from my 40th birthday, and I've never felt better.
Here Are All the Places You Can Watch Hocus Pocus Just in Time For Halloween
When we think of classic Halloween movies, Hocus Pocus immediately comes to mind. Even though the movie is 24 years old, many of us still love quoting it today. Most recently, Deadline announced that Disney Channel is rebooting Hocus Pocus as a TV movie, but luckily, you can watch the original as many times as you want starting now. Here are all the places you can catch the beloved Halloween film.
- Freeform: Starting Oct. 19, you can watch Hocus Pocus almost every day on Freeform as part of the network's annual 13 Nights of Halloween lineup. There's even a 24-hour Hocus Pocus marathon on Halloween!
- YouTube: For $2.99, you can watch the film on YouTube.
- Amazon Channels: Amazon gives you the options of either renting the film for $3.99 or purchasing it for $8.99.
- iTunes: You can purchase Hocus Pocus on iTunes for $9.99.
What Does "Sanctuary City" Really Mean?
Major metropolises like New York City and San Francisco have vowed to remain "sanctuary cities" in the wake of Donald Trump's election. (The latter did so in a sharply worded public rebuke of the then president-elect that quickly went viral.) But what exactly does being a "sanctuary city" mean? The basic definition is simple: it's a city that chooses not to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement and deportation efforts and protects undocumented immigrants who live within its borders.
What Does a Sanctuary City Look Like?
There are an estimated 300 sanctuary cities, counties, and states in the United States. Still, what that means can vary widely from place to place depending on its specific laws and regulations - which is what makes it hard to pin down a precise count. Being a sanctuary city may mean that a city has laws and policies that refuse to designate tax dollars for the enforcement of immigration laws, that a state makes it unlawful for local officials to ask people about their immigration status, or that local police are forbidden from detaining people for the purpose of checking on their immigration status.
When Were They Established?
Los Angeles is widely considered the first sanctuary city. In 1979, it became the first major metropolis to bar law enforcement from detaining people with the purpose of determining whether or not they were in the country illegally. The broader sanctuary city movement really gained steam throughout the '80s, however, as churches pushed for similar policies. The institutions were primarily seeking to protect a wave of people who were fleeing violence in Central America, but who had been unable to earn refugee status in the United States upon arriving here. In the years since, cities like Seattle, Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, and New Orleans have joined the many hundreds of jurisdictions that have added laws to their books that have led them to be considered sanctuary cities.
Why Are They Controversial?
Even the term "sanctuary city" itself raises ire among its opponents for its positive connotations. Proponents of tighter immigration enforcement also claim such policies provide safe havens for criminals and endanger residents. A high-profile case in 2015, in which an undocumented immigrant murdered a San Francisco woman, ignited a fierce debate over how and whether the city's policies contributed to the crime. The killer had been deported to Mexico five times before he was arrested on drug charges in San Francisco several months before the killing. The charges were dropped, and the city refused to hand him over to federal officials for deportation given its policies.
On the flipside, those who support sanctuary cities say they help encourage local residents to work with local law enforcement and build trust within communities. This is why many major law enforcement groups, like the International Association of Chiefs of Police, are in support of sanctuary-city policies.
How Are They Taking On Trump?
Trump has vowed to "end" sanctuary cities, hasten deportations, and to cut off federal funding to any cities that attempt to stand in his way. However, most major cities are refusing to back down. Bill de Blasio, the mayor of New York City, has been one of the most vocal city leaders to clap back at Trump. "We are not going to sacrifice a half million people who live among us, who are part of our community," de Blasio said in a November press conference. "We are not going to tear families apart."
The groundswell of strong opposition has led many to doubt that Trump can really deny the nation's largest metro areas any federal funding and get away with it. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said it would be a massive and likely self-defeating undertaking; that's why it's a promise he doesn't believe the Trump administration will follow through on. "They will make a choice that this is not the battle they want to take on because they have bigger fish to fry," he told the Chicago Tribune in November. "Mark my words."
This Fact About Enrique Iglesias and Anna Kournikova's Romance Will Blow Your Mind
Enrique Iglesias and Anna Kournikova have been together since 2001 (they were rumored to have briefly split in October 2013). The two met after the former tennis pro appeared in his steamy "Escape" music video, and they've made a handful of sweet appearances together ever since. But despite being together for so long, one thing you might be surprised to know is that as of 2014 (13 years into their romance), Enrique's father, Julio Iglesias, had never met her.
"You know I have to tell the truth, I have never met Anna," Julio told The Mirror in 2014. "Yes, my wife and my kids and his brothers have, but I have never met her, no, no, never." The 74-year-old went on to explain why the two have never been in the same spot. "I don't know how come. My kids are very independent and it is difficult to see Enrique because he is all over the world. But Anna is very beautiful - they have good taste, my kids."
It's very possible that Anna has met him since 2014, but it's unlikely due to the strained relationship Julio and Enrique have had through the years. The 42-year-old has admitted that the two rarely see each other. In Billboard's April 2014 issue, Enrique responded to his father's revelation that he had never met Anna, saying, "The last 14 years, 15 years of my life have flown by. And that's the only way I can truly explain it. There's no reason why - it's not his fault, and it's not my fault."
Here's How Long You Should Really Be Holding On to That Pumpkin
Pumpkins are the ultimate Fall decorating accessory. Whether you're adding them to your fireplace mantle, your front porch, or even your Fall tablescape, pumpkins are a sure sign that the season has officially arrived. If you're a purist, only real pumpkins will do when it comes to this Fall motif, and this means your perfect Fall arrangement or jack-o'-lantern can't last forever. But just how long it will last depends on picking the right pumpkin and giving it a little bit of TLC.
Pumpkins on a Vine
If you're growing your own pumpkins, you may be concerned that your pumpkins will grow and ripen weeks before Halloween. First, you should make sure your pumpkins are still growing by measuring them every few days. Once they've stopped growing, they're safe to pick. You can tell if a pumpkin is ripe when it has reached that gorgeous, bright orange color (or other color, depending on the variety) and the skin has hardened.
Pick a Great Pumpkin
If you're heading to the store to pick out your pumpkin early, you need to watch out for a couple of things. Make sure you're choosing a pumpkin that doesn't have any holes or blemishes. These features can help to make your pumpkin even spookier, but they can lead to quicker rotting and even attract pests. You should also avoid pumpkins with soft flesh, as this could mean it has already started to rot.
Wash Your Pumpkin
Once you've picked your pumpkin, they usually last between 30 and 90 days. For the best results, be sure to wash your pumpkin in a mild chlorine solution. This gets rid of any bacteria on the pumpkin's surface. Bacteria can rot your pumpkin prematurely, so this is the most important step before storing your pumpkin.
Keep Your Pumpkin Cool & Dry
Let your pumpkin dry completely after washing it, and be sure to store it in a cool, dry, and dark place if you don't need to use it right away. Heat and humidity will speed up the rotting process, so avoid hot and humid places like your garage. Garage floors should also be avoided because they, too, can speed up the rotting process.
Cure Your Pumpkin
If you're worried about your pumpkin lasting, there is a way to harden the skin even more. The skin acts as a protective layer to your pumpkin, and if it's given a chance to harden further, then it creates an even better seal. While it seems counterintuitive, putting your pumpkin in a sunny window or in a greenhouse (albeit, not a humid one) can help it cure and develop a thicker skin. This can take up to a month, so it's more of a long-term solution if you really want to stretch out your pumpkin's life.
Carving vs. Painting
As we mentioned above, the skin of the pumpkin acts as a barrier to bacteria, and as soon as that barrier is broken, you risk quicker rotting. Unfortunately, carved pumpkins will only last about two weeks if they have adequate air circulation. The bigger the holes in the carving, the longer it will last. Otherwise, your pumpkin could rot within one week. If you want your pumpkins to last longer, consider decorating them with paint or other no-carve techniques. In combination with the above tips, your pumpkin could last all Fall!
Meal Prep Like a Badass (Read: Without Feeling Overwhelmed) With This 1 Tip
It seems that there are two camps of attitudes when it comes to meal prep: super excited and completely overwhelmed. I fall squarely between the two (as in, I actually love planning and cooking, but I get overwhelmed by infinitely long to-do lists). If you're anything like me and you get so excited about something that you make an eons-long task list, only to be paralyzed by the mere idea of such a long list, then try this: break it up into two days.
This might mean doing your shopping on one day and prep on the other, or starting your prep on a Saturday afternoon when you have an hour and finishing it up on a Sunday. I used to try to pack everything into Sunday - grocery shopping (at one or two markets) in the late morning, then hours upon hours of chopping, washing, cooking, baking, and storing . . . followed by at least an hour of dishes. Not going to sugarcoat it: packing all that into one day really sucks and takes the joy out of cooking and prepping for me.
If I have the time, I break it up by shopping early on a Saturday (after a workout class, if I'm being extra ambitious) and just chopping veggies and cooking quinoa (sometimes chicken, too). I keep it super simple and wash the dishes immediately after. On Sunday, my ingredients are ready to go, so I can bake protein muffins and assemble quinoa bowls while the muffins are in the oven, or put salad packs together. It seems so ridiculously simple, but this one small change has made a huge difference in my attitude and energy level for meal prep - and it definitely doesn't feel as overwhelming.
Try chopping some veggies while you're watching a movie or making your quinoa for the week while you're cooking your Saturday-night dinner. Break it up and get it done piece by piece, and you'll be a pro in no time.
What to Do When Your Baby Refuses a Bottle
My first baby was an equal opportunity eater. Breast, bottle, breast milk, formula . . . as long as she was getting fed, it was all fine with her. It was something I took for granted, not realizing that her easygoing feeding philosophy was a boon to my life in terms of being able to work and socialize kid-free. During the 14 months I breastfed her, I never had to worry about whether my being away from her for a few hours (or even a few days) would prevent her from getting the nutrition she needed.
Then I had my second baby, and to my utter dismay, the kid absolutely refused to take a bottle. No matter what I did, who I passed him off to, or how long I left him, he just couldn't bring himself to let a plastic nipple pass his lips, instead going on hunger strikes whenever I was out of nursing range. I tried every kind of bottle, filled with breast milk and various types of formula, but my son was adamant about boob-only eating for the entire year I breastfed him, not taking a bottle even once.
Thank goodness he got teeth and started eating solids early because leaving him, knowing that he would starve himself until my return, was the epitome of mom guilt. Even when he started drinking from sippy cups, he would only accept one that was filled with juice or water until he was weaned. Only then did he take his first sip of milk not straight from my boobs.
If you have a baby who's a breast-is-best kind of eater, check out these nine tips to try to get him to bottle feed and, if he's as stubborn as my kid was, how to survive without feeling like your boobs (and the rest of you) are being held hostage.
- Think nipples. Walk into any baby store's bottle department, and the number of nipple options will probably make your head spin. Unfortunately, there's no magic formula for figuring out which one your baby will prefer, so invest in multiple options and try them all. If you're trying to feed a newborn, remember that a slow-flow nipple will ensure that your baby doesn't get an overwhelming amount of milk, while a faster-flow nipple will probably appeal more to an older baby.
- Pump your breast milk. Trying to transition from breast to bottle and breast milk to formula simultaneously might be the culprit for your baby's bottle rejection. Take one step at a time and offer your pumped breast milk in a bottle first, allowing your baby to get used to the new delivery method before they have to also adjust to a new flavor.
- Pass off feeding to someone else. Breastfed babies often have trouble taking a bottle from their moms, whom they know have another, more appealing eating option at the ready. Instead, enlist the help of Dad, Grandma, or a trusted childcare provider.
- Flip your feeding script. If you have to be the one to feed your baby a bottle, don't do it in the same place or position as you usually breastfeed. Try a new room or chair, or walk around the house instead of staying stationary. A new environment might help your child also accept a new way to eat.
- Express some milk onto the bottle's nipple. Some babies just don't immediately get that a bottle contains food. By expressing some breast milk onto the nipple, your child will be signaled immediately that milk lies within and will be more likely to try to work for more.
- Breastfeed first. If your baby is overly hungry, putting in the work to feed from an unfamiliar bottle might just be frustrating for both of you. Instead, feed your child from your breast first, stopping when they're happy but before they're full. Then hand them over to a partner, who can give them a bottle to finish up the feeding.
- Schedule a night away. Physically separating yourself from your baby for a longer period might be your best bet. Let your partner or another capable relative take over for a night.
- Use alternative feeding methods. If your child really refuses to take a bottle and you have to be away from them for a length of time, consider alternative methods of feeding them. Will she take milk from a spoon or even a medicine dropper? Is he old enough to eat prepackaged or homemade baby foods? Can she drink from a sippy cup, and if so, will she take milk from that?
- Realize that this is a passing stage. You most likely aren't planning to breastfeed your baby for life, and even if you are, she'd eventually discover the joys of chicken nuggets, applesauce, and mac and cheese. Although this stage might seem never ending, there will be a day when it's a distant memory. Trust me, I survived a baby who never took a bottle, and so can you.
You Can Stay in This Game of Thrones Star's Childhood Castle - Yes, Castle
Though staying at Lickleyhead Castle in Aberdeenshire in Scotland may not get you any closer to Kit Harington, it will get you at least a little closer to his new fiancée, Rose Leslie, as it's her childhood home, and her parents are now listing it on Airbnb for rentals. The stunning seven-bedroom, seven-bathroom castle can be rented for about $800 per night.
The Scottish castle is where Rose lived until age 10, and her parents, Sebastian and Candida, still own it. They've run it as a bed and breakfast, but Candida told The Daily Mail that at the encouragement of her children, they decided to start listing it on Airbnb. "It's just keeping up with the times. It's the way things are going. It's quick and clean. Rose uses it in other places. She said, 'Why don't you try it?' and helped me set it up."
The listing for the castle says it is set in a secluded park area surrounded by sprawling lawns and trees. The Leslies recommend it for family gatherings, reunions, and birthday celebrations, as the home, built in 1499, comfortably sleeps 14 people. To get a glimpse at the beautiful interior, keep reading for more.
Don't Look at These Horror Movie GIFs With the Lights Off
While some people might frantically scroll through hundreds of Halloween costume ideas this season, dressing up is not for everyone. What about the horror fans?! We've already gone over intense movies you can see in theaters and horror movies you can stream on Netflix. If you're looking for more fun, though, we've assembled a massive amount of horror GIFs, just for you. Beware - the further you scroll, the creepier it gets.
10 Easy DIY Halloween Costumes You Can Create With Stuff You Have in Your Closet
My favorite holiday is Halloween! I love that on Oct. 31, you can let loose your imagination and creativity! But I also know that life can get busy and planning what you'll be on Halloween sometimes ends up being a last-minute task that involves just seeing what you can do with what's in your closet. Here are 10 of my favorite easy-to-DIY Latin-inspired Halloween costumes for when that happens. I promise you already have most if not all of these things at hand.
Stylist Irma Martinez, who has worked with celebrities like Thalia, Sofia Vergara, Daisy Fuentes, and Eva Longoria, shares her most useful fashion secrets with POPSUGAR Latina. Find her book El Manual del Estilista on Amazon.
You'll Scare the F*ck Out of Everyone With These La Llorona Halloween Costumes
This is the Halloween costume that will scare the heck out of everyone who sees you on Oct. 31. Re-creating the haunting legendary ghost from Latin American folklore known as La Llorona or the weeping woman will surely lead to a few screams when you open the door for trick-or-treaters or show up at your friend's Halloween party.
Copying La Llorona's spooky look will require a lot of makeup and face paint, but you fortunately don't need to have a ton of artistic skill to nail a version of the ghostly costume.
How Bad Are Tattoos for Your Skin? Here's The Worst-Case Scenario
Tattoos aren't nearly as likely to earn you side-eye these days, so props to society for becoming a little more accepting. However, that doesn't mean dermatologists are cheering them on from the sidelines. It goes without saying to make sure your tattoo artist uses clean needles and safe practices, but beyond the potential for infection, what else could possibly be so bad? We talked it over with Dr. Jeremy Fenton of Schweiger Dermatology Group in NYC.
The Big Picture
It all comes down to the fact that tattoos can potentially cause permanent damage to your skin's functions. Apparently, a tattoo covering a large surface of your body (i.e. your whole back or a full sleeve) could affect your body's ability to regulate temperature during strenuous activity. "A recent study showed that tattooed skin produces less sweat, and the sweat had a different composition compared to normal skin," explains Fenton.
That said, more research needs to be done to truly understand those consequences. "For the average person getting a reasonably sized tattoo, I don't think it is of any concern," he says. That's good news! But not so fast.
The Itch For Ink
You also have allergic reactions to consider. He explained that ink can cross paths with chemicals in other beauty products and cause a reaction to formulas you were never allergic to before. In addition, you can actually develop an ink allergy years later. Who knew? If you do have an allergic reaction, in most cases, the only option is to remove it by laser or remove it surgically. Both options can cause scarring, which isn't exactly anyone's idea of permanent body art.
Laser tattoo removal itself also poses a certain risk. You are, after all, breaking up ink under your skin. "The ink can trigger a life-threatening type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, so it must be done under careful medical supervision," Fenton says. (If you experience nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, or shock at any point in the days after getting a tattoo removed, you should seek emergency medical attention).
Covering Cancer?
Another potential risk to consider is skin cancer. No, tattoo ink can't cause cancer (that we know of), but tattoos do cover moles and blemishes. "It makes it more difficult to perform skin exams," Fenton says. "Tattoos can [also] impact the safety and quality of some medical imaging studies such as an MRI. Tattoo ink can sometimes burn or react in an MRI and affect the ability to get a quality image." OK, you got us. Tattoos = not so great for other general health care checkups.
Chemical Reactions
It's also important to remember that tattoo ink isn't FDA approved. "It's not highly regulated, so there's a lot still unknown about the health risks of possible chemicals being present in the skin," says Fenton. He says that once you get a tattoo, the ink usually stays put. However, if for some reason the ink is disturbed and contained unsafe chemicals you didn't know about (because it's not regulated), you run the risk of releasing those chemicals into your bloodstream. Not fun.
Bottom line: there's just a lot we don't know for sure. While it's probably OK to go ahead with that tiny tattoo you've been plotting for a while now, it's important to remember there's always risks so you can take the right precautions and truly weight the pros and cons.
Urban Decay's New Vault of Vices Is Exactly as Decadent as It Sounds
It's a tough job to keep up with Urban Decay's Vice Collection, but somebody's got to do it. The expansive line, which boasts 120 bullet lipsticks, also includes liquid and liner offerings. So if you're a UD fanatic, then we have some fabulous news for you: the brand will launch the Vault of Vices, a limited-edition sampler filled with the collection's best-loved goodies.
Fifteen products make up this launch, which delivers a little bit of everything, as it includes metallic, sheer, and matte shades. You're probably already familiar with the lipstick's creamy formula, which glides over the lips effortlessly, covering your pucker with pigmented goodness.
Looking for a power matte? There's the classic Vice Lipstick in 714. The beloved neutral 1993 is included, as is the goth purple Blackmail. Need a metallic? That's what Big Bang is for. As brand founder Wende Zomnir told POPSUGAR, "It's an OG UD shade, and I love a bold, bright lip."
All of these bullets come with a respective lip liner and liquid counterparts, so you can build multiple looks. While of course this vault would be an excellent gift for any UD junkie you love, we can also see how newbies to the brand would enjoy getting to know its most popular shades via this collection.
Read on to see every single item included in the Urban Decay Vault of Vices ($150).
This 1 New Feature on iOS 11 Could Save Your Life
With the new iOS 11, you can edit screenshots, easily share WiFi passwords, and potentially save your life in the future - all with just a few quick taps. Previously, you could give yourself an extra layer of safety by setting up your medical ID or sharing your location on Find My Friends. Now, on iOS 11, you can push the sleep/wake button five times to immediately call emergency services. It also disables Touch ID and tells any emergency contacts your location and that something might be wrong.
The feature, called "Emergency SOS," will automatically call your local emergency service number. And though it disables Touch ID, any person who tries to use your Touch ID won't get a notification that it's because of "Emergency SOS." If you're worried about your purse accidentally calling emergency services, you can also choose to turn on a "Countdown Sound." It will make it so that if you accidentally set off this feature, your phone will play a loud sound and give you three seconds to stop it from calling emergency services.
While we usually understand putting off playing with new features, this is one that every single person should set up right now. In particular, women across the internet are trying to spread the word about the Emergency SOS, as it could help someone fend off an attacker. Others believe it could save your life if you're in a car accident or in another type of disaster. Ahead, learn how to quickly set it up and then encourage your friends to do the same.
22 Adorable Wooden Toys to Gift Kids in 2017
Wooden toys have a certain unspoken charm to them. Maybe it has to do with the visible wood grains present throughout them or the satisfying sound they make when clapped together; there's just something about a wooden toy that makes a kid put their iPad down (even if it's only for a minute) to engage in hands-on play. For this holiday season, we're going wooden with these 22 adorable toys that are suitable for kids of all ages.
Scan through and add your favorites to cart now to get ahead of the holiday curve!
13 Tried-and-True Ways to Get a Baby to Stop Crying
Nobody likes a crying baby. While some parents are able to figure out how to soothe their little ones over and over again, some parents are "lucky" enough to have an adventurous baby who doesn't like to try the same thing twice. If you fall into the latter category and are constantly looking for ways to get your baby to stop crying - but can't think of anything to try with all that racket in your ear - we're here to help.
Scroll through for 13 tried-and-true methods for getting your baby to stop crying.
This 1 New Feature on iOS 11 Could Save Your Life
With the new iOS 11, you can edit screenshots, easily share WiFi passwords, and potentially save your life in the future - all with just a few quick taps. Previously, you could give yourself an extra layer of safety by setting up your medical ID or sharing your location on Find My Friends. Now, on iOS 11, you can push the sleep/wake button five times to immediately call emergency services. It also disables Touch ID and tells any emergency contacts your location and that something might be wrong.
The feature, called "Emergency SOS," will automatically call your local emergency service number. And though it disables Touch ID, any person who tries to use your Touch ID won't get a notification that it's because of "Emergency SOS." If you're worried about your purse accidentally calling emergency services, you can also choose to turn on a "Countdown Sound." It will make it so that if you accidentally set off this feature, your phone will play a loud sound and give you three seconds to stop it from calling emergency services.
While we usually understand putting off playing with new features, this is one that every single person should set up right now. In particular, women across the internet are trying to spread the word about the Emergency SOS, as it could help someone fend off an attacker. Others believe it could save your life if you're in a car accident or in another type of disaster. Ahead, learn how to quickly set it up and then encourage your friends to do the same.
Why You Should Wash Your Leggings After Every Single Workout
Doing laundry sucks, especially if you work out. If you're like us, your leggings, sports bras, and sweat-wicking tops far outnumber anything else in your life that needs cleaning (or anything in your life, tbh). The idea of washing a mountain of activewear may inspire you to wear the same leggings once, twice, maybe even three (!!!) times in a row. Don't, just don't. For the love of your fellow classmates and the health of your vagina, just back away from the idea of wearing yesterday's Spin leggings in today's yoga class.
We get it, leggings can seem deceptively clean the next day. They dry quickly, often without odor, and if the leggings are black, it can seem like they were never worn at all. Don't let this magic fool you. They may look clean, they may even feel clean, but they are definitely not clean - in fact, they are teeming with bacteria leftover from your previous sweat session. When you decide to recycle, reuse, and abuse those same pair of pants in a second workout, the heat and sweat from your body is going to give second life to that bacteria in a very disgusting way. If you've ever been in a class and smelled a disgusting, foul stench, you know what I'm talking about here: that is the smell of someone who thought it was OK to wear those workout clothes one more time.
Beyond a nasty stench, wearing unwashed leggings isn't great for the health of your vulva. If you wear your leggings without underwear, like a lot of us do, you're now exposing your nether regions to day-old sweat and bacteria, which can lead to uncomfortable conditions like vaginitis and yeast infections. No one wants to be itchy vagina in class, especially when clipped into a Spin bike.
If we still haven't convinced you of this one-time-wear rule, consider how much you spend on your gear. Leggings are definitely not cheap, and the best way to make them last - and keep all of their technical properties - is to care for them in the right way. Don't let sweat and bacteria build up from not washing them - this can break down the material and in some cases bring on mold. While it's insane to think you can wash you gear immediately after a workout, we recommend rinsing your clothing out with water, allowing it to air dry before you throw it in your hamper, or putting it in a bag and tossing it in the freezer. All of these methods will help kill the bacteria and calm down foul odors until your next wash.
9 Dose of Colors Products That Will Be Your New Faves
In a market that's completely saturated with endless product launches, it's easy to become makeup fatigued. It takes a lot to make hearts skip a beat these days - unless of course it's Fenty anything. But when Insta-famous is as earned a term for makeup brands as it is for the faces behind them, you have to make good products in order to get noticed - and Dose of Colors is good.
The four-year-old brand is not only cruelty-free but has celeb cred and a color range that just makes sense and works on a range of skin tones. And on the never-ending quest for the perfect nude lip, Dose of Colors has managed to perfect a palette of browns and flesh-toned shades that really do live up to the often overused word "nude." Everything from the brand is pretty heart-stopping, but here are nine items that could easily make their way into your top five.
Literally Everything You Could Ever Want to Know About Double Process Hair Dye
Save for one balayage two years ago, I am a hair dye virgin. For the past few years, I've lusted after denim hair. I'm talking full on Britney & Justin 2001 VMAs hair that matches the denim-on-denim I'm prone to wearing. But there was one glaring issue that kept me from swan-diving into a vat of blue dye.
I'm a brunette, and to lighten my hair would mean that I'd have to undergo the dreaded "double process," and bleach my entire head. Quite a few times, I'd pick up my phone to book a dye job, only to back out when the salon's receptionist asked me what process I wanted. Single? Double? I only know how to answer that question in regard to ordering an espresso.
So that's how I ended up actually sitting down to Google "What Is Double Process?" Alone at my kitchen table, illuminated only by the light of my MacBook Air (and the Fenty Beauty highlighter I tried at work), I shame-searched my questions away. I read everything I could about the process - and I was still confused.
My main qualm was that, while there are plenty of informative pieces on hair dye techniques, many of the stories only show the "after photos." I am the type of person who won't go to dinner without obsessively Yelping the restaurant. I need the down-and-dirty, no-holds-barred explanation of a process - not just cute, curated Instagram pictures of a blowout.
I'd pick up my phone to book a dye job, only to back out when the salon's receptionist asked me what process I wanted. Single? Double? I only know how to answer that question in regard to ordering an espresso.
So with POPSUGAR's blessing, I booked a photographer, and a session at Seagull Salon with Jeanise Aviles in hopes of basically writing the post that I wanted to read before undergoing the process myself. With her electric green hair (and matching eyebrows!), Jeanse is known and loved throughout New York due to her ability to turn her clients into living, breathing rays of rainbow-haired sunshine. Indeed, her vibrant Instagram feed is honestly better at cheering me up than a thousand cute dog pictures.
I came in to what was supposed to be a five hour appointment with chestnut brown hair, and left eight hours later with '80s-acid wash coloring all over my head. Ahead, here's everything I learned about the process, because knowledge is power, y'all!
I Made These 3 Changes at Breakfast, Which Helped Me Lose Weight
Despite eating (what I thought was) a wholesome breakfast every morning, the pounds weren't dropping. So why was I not losing weight? All the experts say breakfast is key to boosting metabolism, after all. I didn't realize I was making three huge mistakes, but once I changed them, I could see the difference in how my body looked.
Bye-Bye Granola
Cereal was my go-to breakfast all the way from elementary school through college. Although sweet, delicious, and easy, it was the worst breakfast for me. It's full of sugary carbs and not much fiber or protein. I even went for the healthy stuff like Kashi's GoLean Crunch, granola, and Raisin Bran, but cereal is cereal, and it's not the most nutritious choice on the menu. I started focusing on getting 13 to 20 grams of protein, at least six grams of fiber, and 10 to 15 grams of healthy fats. So I ditched the boxes for a blender and started sipping on smoothies. I also do overnight oats because it reminds me of cereal - I'm huge fan of the brownie batter and banana cashew.
What Time Is It?
Not sure where I heard that you're supposed to eat first thing in the morning and to never skip breakfast, but I followed that advice diligently. I ate within a half hour after waking up, around 7:30, even if I wasn't hungry (99 percent of the time I wasn't). I'm convinced it turned on my hunger because by 9 a.m., I was starving, which translated to eating two breakfasts, and that meant twice the calories. No wonder I wasn't slimming down! Now I wake up, get in a workout, and usually don't feel hungry until 9 or 10. Listening to my body's cues when it comes to breakfast has carried through to other parts of my day. I eat when I'm hungry, not when the clock tells me to.
Tablespoons Aren't Just For Baking
Another huge mistake? I never measured anything. When I was eating cereal, I grabbed a huge bowl - way bigger than your typical soup or salad bowl - and poured with abandon. I usually mixed three different cereals; added raisins, nuts, and blueberries or banana; and used Very Vanilla soy milk. Holy calories! No joke - my bowl was easily pushing 600. Same went for oatmeal, yogurt with fruit and granola, toast, or smoothies. I got out my cups and spoons and measured everything, making sure it was around 400 calories. To this day, I still measure everything to avoid accidentally eyeballing higher amounts.
An Alarming Number of Women Claim Sexual Assault By Police in Spanish Unrest
Five women hunch over their laptops, elbows practically touching around the small table they share inside an unassuming work collective in downtown Barcelona. Attorney Anaïs Franquesa, reluctant to leave her post among them, glances at her screen one last time before briskly standing and shepherding me to another room. She's got five minutes to spare, she tells me, before she has to plunge back into a race against time.
"Fear of being doubted is a real thing, and that's why we don't have numbers at this point."
Franquesa, a lawyer at the Irídia Center for the Defense of Human Rights, is compiling an official report on "gender violence committed during acts of state repression" on the heels of Catalonia's independence referendum on Sunday, Oct. 1, which she'll be dispatching to the United Nations, European Union, and other international groups on Oct. 7. And she's taking on the cause of multiple women who say police sexually assaulted them amid the protests that broke out around the historic vote.
The Vote for Independence - and the Brutal Aftermath
2.6 million Catalans, or 43 percent of the region's voters, participated in the referendum, in which an overwhelming 90 percent voted to separate from Spain. While independence-minded Catalans have long clamored for a vote on self-determination, which they consider a right, Spain has adamantly opposed the referendum. The Spanish government argues that it breaches the Spanish constitution, which states the country is indivisible. When, on Sunday, Catalans went ahead with the vote anyway, Madrid responded swiftly and brutally, deploying thousands of security forces to the northern region to seize ballot boxes and stop locals from voting. Nearly 900 people were injured by blows and rubber bullets dealt by Spanish police in a crackdown that's been widely condemned by the international community.
Right now, Franquesa's chief concern is the number of sexual assault reports emerging across social media channels and coming straight to her organization.
A young woman waves a flag during student protests on Sept. 28. Photo courtesy Dan Kitwood, Getty Images.
"In terms of police violence out in the streets, in the last few years, we hadn't heard of this kind of aggression. We're concerned," she says. Several women have reached out to her with their stories, she says, but she expects many more were impacted but are hesitant to file official reports.
"Fear of being doubted is a real thing, and that's why we don't have numbers at this point," she explains. "It's still early."
Why Women Became a Target
Catalonia's independence movement is spearheaded by a number of high-profile female politicians and is supported by a number of feminist collectives. According to Franquesa, a crackdown on women may be evidence of security forces' unease at what can be called a feminist movement.
"It's worth highlighting that there were a lot of women in the polling stations, and there's a general understanding that there's a definite feminist nature to everything that's happening, and that women are playing an important role," she says.
"So maybe this is a reaction to women taking on leading roles."
The story that's made the biggest splash is that of Marta Torrecilla, who was filmed being grabbed by police and thrown down a flight of stairs in the school where she was voting. In a video later that day that quickly went viral, Torrecilla says police broke her fingers and touched her breasts while evicting her from the building.
In a context in which civilians are being overpowered by police operative, "sexual assault causes an even stronger sense of shame in victims, and women especially," Franquesa says.
How Social Media is Bringing Attention to the Sexual Violence
Besides Torrecilla's account, there are multiple videos and images of women being grabbed by police or pulled by their hair. Barcelona's mayor, Ada Colau, told press she received a number of reports of sexual assault and will file complaints against the accused officers.
Barcelona mayor Ada Colau waits outside a polling station to cast her vote in the referendum on Oct. 1. Photo courtesy Jose Jordan, Getty Images
Raquel Santiago, who tells POPSUGAR she works as a firefighter, recounts how she witnessed "thousands and thousands of police charging against people" on Sunday. "We [firefighters] were the ones who were off duty, we were protecting the citizens because we knew it was going to get - well, we didn't expect it to be so terrifying, but we were expecting some tension," she says.
"Look for the videos. The Internet's full of them and they're real."
We spoke with her just a few days after the crackdown on Oct. 3 while she and the rest of her brigade, in full uniform, filed down one of Barcelona's main avenues to the cheers of thousands of protesters condemning Sunday's police violence.
Santiago says she saw many women get roughed by police. "Look for the videos. The Internet's full of them and they're real. One of my colleagues was assisting one of the women who was injured by a [police officer's] club. The emergency system was totally collapsed, so we had to tend to the injured."
Spanish police deny any incidents of sexual assault. "We can't say anything because we're not aware of any sexual assault reports," the Guardia Civil press office told POPSUGAR when reached by phone on Oct. 3. Spain's Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, has not acknowledged any of the violence on Sunday and has congratulated security forces for "doing their duty." The Guardia Civil is a respected corp in many parts of Spain. As Catalans take to the streets this week demanding police leave the region, many Spaniards throughout the country have voiced their support of the corp.
The Catalan parliament has said it will declare independence within the next few days. If they do, Spain will likely seek to impose its rule of law, and in so doing, may deploy additional security forces to the region.
Back at the collective, Franquesa flashes a smile. "You may have heard one thing that's been shouted in the streets, which is, 'Without our grandmothers, there's no revolution,'" she says. "It shows us how women are playing an active role - grandmothers, mothers, women in general." Franquesa's hope? To give them an even louder voice with her report.
-Additional reporting by Lucia Benavides
How to Diminish Cellulite While Giving Your Self-Confidence a Boost
Just about all women have it, and whether genetics has blessed you with a little more than you'd like, cellulite is just one of those things we have to embrace. What causes that dimply, orange-peel-looking flesh? It happens when fat cells push up against our skin and the fibrous tissue that connects our skin to our muscle pulls down, and we're left with that signature bumpy skin. Although you can't get rid of cellulite completely, here are some simple things you can do to reduce its appearance.
See Why These 5 Eyebrow Serums Have Over 1,000 Reviews on Amazon
If you have thin eyebrows that you've always been insecure about, you're not alone. There are so many people out there who have overplucked or just have naturally sparse brows. Because of this, we've been seeing a rising trend in growth serums and conditioners that help to create fuller hair. The formulas in these products use a combination of amino acids and B vitamins, which help hydrate and improve the thickness and overall health of your brows.
We decided to check out what products people were loving most, so we looked to Amazon. This huge online retailer has a large community of customers who leave unbiased reviews on products they've tried. We searched and found some serums that have over 1,000 reviews and above four-star ratings. Some of these products also work double-duty and can lengthen lashes, too. Take a look at these top products.
Do You Think This Shirt Is Inappropriate For a Senior Photo?
here's my senior picture. because you can see my part of my brallette, it was "too inappropriate". yet, here's the boys swim team picture. http://pic.twitter.com/hGg2G3ubO6
- eleanor (@elfitzwilliams) September 26, 2017
Eleanor Fitzwilliams was more than a little surprised when her submitted photo that was deemed "inappropriate" by the school yearbook coordinator. After being told she needed to submit another picture, the 17-year-old took to Twitter to show just how much of a double standard exists when it comes to dress codes. Oh, and the kicker? Her dad took the picture.
The high school senior posted the image next to a photo of the boys swimming team with the caption: "Here's my senior picture. Because you can see part of my bralette, it was 'too inappropriate.' Yet, here's the boys swim team picture."
"She just sat me down and told me that my picture was too inappropriate to be used in the yearbook and (graduation) slideshow because you could see the side of my bralette," she explained in an interview with TODAY. "I was like, wait, what just happened? Was that really too inappropriate? I started talking to my friends and soon I realized that was not OK."
And while Fitzwilliams has made it clear she doesn't have any problems with the boys swim team, she shared the picture to make a point. "I think it can be argued that the swim team's Speedos are also like an undergarment, yet they serve a different purpose," she said. "Well, my bralette serves a different purpose than to hold my boobs up. It covers up the side where my top doesn't, just like the boys' Speedos. This is very much about a double standard."
Her father, Craig Fitzwilliams, agrees that her picture isn't too revealing.
"The last thing I want to do is take an inappropriate photo of my daughter. If I thought there was something wrong with it, I would have said something right away," he explained. "I had no desire of her showing a lot of skin."
Articles
