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.
vendredi 6 avril 2018
Help, I Can't Unsee These Photos of Trump's Combover Blowing in the Wind
During these trying times that make me question my American citizenship and overall faith in humanity, I'm always looking for sources of good ol' comedic relief. Yesterday, that came in the form of memes related to the viral "Walmart yodel kid," and today, my daily dose of chuckles was brought forth by none other than our president - specifically, his mesmerizing hair.
Before jetting off to West Virginia on April 5, Donald Trump boarded Air Force One (or shall I say Hair Force One?), and was accompanied by some very, very strong gusts of wind, courtesy of the aircraft. These gusts were so mighty, in fact, that they nearly dismantled Trump's presidential toupee for good. But alas, his blond strands clung for dear life and defied gravity above his scalp. The whole thing made for quite the hysterical photo opp, and the video footage is just as captivating.
Trump couldn't board Air Force One fast enough as the wind blew his hair around pic.twitter.com/GznZNwz50c
- Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 5, 2018
I'm sorry, but I can't help but chuckle at this, and I know I'm not the only one who finds humor in Trump's unruly 'do. Read on to admire POTUS's windblown combover, and keep reading to see some of the best Twitter reactions to its near-death experience. Cue the angry Trump tweets about these photos being "fake news" in 3, 2, 1 . . .
4 Dreamers Remember the Moment They Learned They Were Undocumented
While many recipients of DACA - who are known as Dreamers - grow up in the US fully aware they are undocumented, that's not the case for everyone. In fact, some Dreamers had little to no knowledge that they came into the country illegally until one jarring moment revealed the truth. Some lived their young lives thinking their future held the same opportunities as their classmates' and friends' - only to find out later that their paths would be uncertain.
The Development, Relief, and Education For Alien Minors Act, or Deferred Action For Childhood Arrivals, has been in limbo since the Trump administration announced its plans to rescind the program in September 2017. DACA was first established as an executive order by then-President Barack Obama in 2012; it allows protections for recipients under the age of 31 who were brought into the country illegally before their 16th birthday.
While the Supreme Court did buy DACA recipients some more time with its decision to not hear arguments from Congress on the program's future - therefore allowing DACA to continue - the ongoing debate over immigration still leaves many Dreamers uncertain and fearing the worst.
POPSUGAR spoke to Dreamers who still remember clearly the surprise and dread they felt when they discovered they were undocumented. Here are their stories.
How to Get Rid of Weeds Once and For All - Without Ruining Your Lawn
The battle for weed-free grass is something almost every homeowner will deal with at some point. Weeds like crab grass, dandelions, ivy, clover, bluegrass, and chickweed are some of the most common culprits when it comes to sullying the appearance of a perfectly manicured lawn. While some accept weeds as a fact of life or opt for grass alternatives, others will try whatever they can to get rid of those unwanted plants. Luckily, it's not quite as hard as you think. Try some of these preemptive tips and suggestions for regular maintenance, and look forward to a lawn that all of your neighbors will envy!
1. Apply Corn Gluten Meal
There are nontoxic products that you can use on your grass that work just as well as herbicides, and the best is corn gluten meal. Corn gluten meal is great for your grass because it contains nitrogen, and it also prevents the seeds from weeds from germinating. You shouldn't use it if you've planted seeds you want to keep, though, as it can have an adverse effect on these as well. It's best to use corn gluten meal early in the Spring before you see weeds. Applying it to already-established weeds will just be feeding them and can make your problem worse.
2. Lay Down Mulch
One of the best ways to get rid of weeds is to prevent them from taking root in the first place. Weeds can get out of hand pretty quickly, so it's important to do everything you can to keep them from invading your yard. For flower beds, patios, and walkways, you can apply mulch to the top of your soil. Mulch prevents weeds from getting the sunlight they need to grow, so they can't start to grow.
3. Pull Weeds by Hand
Sometimes, the best way to get rid of weeds is to pull them out by hand. While this is not a great solution for a weed problem that's gotten a little out of hand, it is a good - and effective - solution if you've just started to notice weeds popping up in your grass. Always make sure you grab the weeds at the base of the plant so you can make sure you pull up the roots as well. You can also purchase a stand-up weeder to make the job easier on your back and legs.
4. Use the Right Amount of Fertilizer
If you don't fertilize your grass, it's time to start. Fertilizer is essentially food for your grass, and it provides it with all of the nutrients it needs to stay healthy. While it may seem counterintuitive, fertilizer can be a great way to curb a weed problem; the trick is to make sure you're using the right amount. Too much fertilizer can encourage weed growth and send them into overdrive, whereas not enough fertilizer will make your grass too weak to stand up to weeds. The best defense against most types of weeds is a thick lawn to ensure there's no room for them to take root.
5. Water Your Lawn Deeply
One of the biggest mistakes gardeners and homeowners make is how much they water their lawns and flowers beds, and this can have a big effect on your weed situation. Instead of watering lightly and frequently, it's best to water your grass deeply and not too often. This kind of watering schedule will allow your grass's roots to take hold, letting them grow strong and healthy. Strong and healthy grass means it can compete better with weeds.
6. Mow Your Lawn High
Regularly mowing your lawn is essential to keeping your lawn healthy, and it can also prevent weeds from growing and getting stronger. Even if your lawn has been cut recently, you can adjust your lawnmower to a higher setting if you're noticing weeds appearing. Run your lawnmower over these weedy spots on a setting that's high enough to leave your grass relatively untouched but low enough that it decapitates the unwanted weeds. If you do this regularly, eventually the weeds will stop coming back and they'll die off. Keeping your lawn high can also prevent weeds like crabgrass from taking hold.
7. Use Weed-Specific Herbicides
If you want to go the herbicide route for your weed problem, it's important that you do your research before you buy any herbicides. Herbicides are designed to target specific plants, and if you don't buy the right one, you could damage your grass without having any effect on the weeds. There are a wide range of weeds, so make sure you identify which weeds you have and choose an appropriate herbicide to combat your problem.
What It's Really Like to Work as Emirates Cabin Crew, From a Former Employee
When I was growing up, I never dreamed of becoming a member of a cabin crew. However, I always dreamed of traveling to faraway places all over the world - and that is what led me to join Emirates Airline in 2012. When I got my confirmation call, I was ecstatic; I was going to live in Dubai and get to travel the world for free! I also had major travel anxiety about moving 7,000 miles away from everything I knew. But after a couple reassuring talks with my friends and family, I realized nothing was going to stop me from seeing the world. So, in October 2012, I headed to JFK Airport in New York City with a one-way ticket to Dubai.
As I said goodbye to my family, I could feel tears welling up in my eyes. I took a deep breath, quickly said goodbye, and headed toward security. The next hours were a complete whirlwind. I boarded the A380 double-decker plane, which was by far the largest aircraft I had ever been on in my life. After I told one of the crew I was a new joiner, he showed me all around the plane and introduced me to the other crew. All my fears disappeared; I immediately felt like being part of a family. After landing, I was brought to my furnished, paid apartment right in the heart of downtown Dubai.
Just three days later, my six-week training course with new joiners from all around the world started. My training covered everything from safety and emergency procedures to image standards. After those intense six weeks, I finally received what I was waiting for: my very first roster. It consisted of different layover destinations (where we stayed in a hotel), as well as turnaround destinations (a one-day round trip from Dubai). My first roster was full of places I could not wait to explore.
My First Ultralong-Haul Flight: Dubai - Melbourne - Auckland
I was so happy to see a six-day Melbourne-Auckland trip show up on my first roster. This trip was broken down into smaller segments: Dubai to Melbourne (24-hour layover in Melbourne), Melbourne to Auckland (24-hour layover in Auckland), Auckland to Melbourne (24-hour layover in Melbourne), and Melbourne to Dubai.
On the day of my flight, I woke up at 6 a.m. (for a 10 a.m. departure) and started my routine. Since the flight to Melbourne was so long, I made sure to apply everything as perfectly as I could. I put on my full face of makeup and tied my hair into a neat doughnut bun. I then grabbed my suitcase and headed to the shuttle that brought me to Emirates headquarters.
On the way to the airport, I felt a mixture of emotions; on one hand, I was so nervous because I was still completely new, but on the other hand, I was so excited about traveling to countries I always dreamed of going to. "Fake it till you make it," I told myself and went to my preflight briefing room.
The preflight briefing room was buzzing with energy. We were flying on the A380 plane, so there were over 20 crew members in the room. I got my documents checked by one of the senior crew members. After this came the moment I was dreading: a "Safe Talk" question. This is a question asked by the purser (the manager) of the plane and it's required to be answered by each cabin crew member. Not answering the question correctly could lead to getting offloaded (which meant getting taken off the flight and reported to your manager), a fate no new cabin crew member wanted. These questions were directly related to what we learned in our training, but there was still so much to remember. On that day, I answered the question correctly and felt a weight off my shoulders disappear.
Finally, I went to get my image and uniform checked by another one of the senior cabin crew member. This part of the process always made me feel a bit uncomfortable.
I felt like a doll on display for someone as they went through their checklist looking for the following: that my nails were of the right length and color (either clear or red), that my hair and makeup were up to standards, that my uniform was in perfect condition, and my tights were of the right opacity and color.
I felt like a doll on display for someone as they went through their checklist looking for the following: that my nails were of the right length and color (either clear or red), that my hair and makeup were up to standards, that my uniform was in perfect condition, and my tights were of the right opacity and color. The standards were meticulous; even the slightest difference meant getting a note about it on your flight review. That's why on my first few flights I always made sure to take extra time getting ready.
After all my fellow crew went through this process, we sat down and were briefed on our upcoming flight. Once finished, we got into a shuttle that brought us to the aircraft.
Seeing the A380 without passengers made me realize how huge the plane was. There were over 400 seats in economy and two galleys (kitchen and storage area) for us to use. I went to my station, dropped off my carry-on bag, and got straight to work. First came doing safety and security checks in my designated area. Then I had to prepare the cabin and hot towels for when our passengers got on board.
At 9 a.m., it was showtime. All the passengers started rushing onto the plane. I was happy to be in the back of the plane, where it was calmer than in the front. Once everyone was on board, we handed out towels to our passengers. Then we prepared the cabin by conducting our final safety and security check. I sat down on my jump seat and prepared for takeoff.
The flight to Melbourne was hectic; it was over 13 hours with nonstop work. There were three different services, and since I was still so new I was confused half the time. I barely had time to breathe. Even after we finished our service, the call bells were ringing every other second. I must have walked several miles on that flight going back and forth from the front of the aircraft to the back. We had a short break of about three hours, but I had so many thoughts rushing through my mind I couldn't sleep.
Before I knew it, I could see Australia from outside the window. I couldn't believe that those 13 hours had passed so quickly. After landing and getting to the hotel, my adrenaline kicked in. I had been up for almost 20 hours but it didn't feel like it. I rushed out of the hotel with some of the other new crew and explored Melbourne. The next day my wake-up call came and I repeated my same routine. Then it was off to Auckland.
My first months of flying were amazing - nothing I had done previously in my life could compare. All the new experiences outweighed any negative side of the job. But, eventually for me, that scale tipped the other way.
Saying Goodbye to Emirates
Whenever I posted photos to Facebook of all my amazing trips, my friends would comment telling me how envious they were of me or how glamorous my life looked. While it was true that I lived an exciting life, it was far from being nearly as glamorous as people thought.
There were so many advantages of working for Emirates: living in Dubai for free, staying in amazing hotels across the world, traveling on your days off while only having to pay 10 percent of the airfare, having friends from all over the world, and having a tax-free salary.
While it was true that I lived an exciting life, it was far from being nearly as glamorous as people thought.
But there were also so many disadvantages: being away from family and friends, missing holidays, feeling lonely, dealing with jet lag and health issues, having passengers yell at you for things out of your control, being looked at all the time for your appearance, dealing with delays on flights, waking up at any hour during the day or night for flights, and so much more.
There came a day when the disadvantages outweighed the advantages for me, and that's when I decided to leave Emirates. When I first left, I felt so happy to be on ground all the time and sleep normal hours again. Eventually, I did start to miss many things about being crew. It wasn't really the travel I missed; it was the sense of camaraderie I felt with the crew. I missed being so tired on long-haul flights that we'd all sit around in the galley deliriously giggling and telling jokes to stay awake. I missed hearing stories about the life and culture in different places around the world. Most of all I missed the sense of family I felt with crew.
I'm so glad that I took the chance to work as cabin crew. It changed my life in so many ways and gave me a new sense of confidence in myself. I'm happier being on ground now, but whenever I see a plane flying above me, I always wonder what kind of interesting things are happening at 38,000 feet.
jeudi 5 avril 2018
Looking For a Little Lift? These 9 Padded Sports Bras Offer So Much Support
Whether you have a large or small bust, investing in a solid padded sports bra can do wonders for your workouts. Some women find they offer extra support on top while others are just looking for added coverage when wearing thin tops. Either way, these form-fitting bras have so many benefits. In case you need more convincing, we did the shopping for you and rounded up a list of hot picks. From brands like Nike, Adidas, and Sweaty Betty, find your perfect match ahead.
Yo, Amazon Prime Has Insanely Cheap Workout Clothes (and They're Actually Really Cute)
Got an Amazon Prime membership? You're likely using it for your favorite household goods, books, and video streaming - but did you know you can get amazing workout clothes for anything from Pilates to yoga to running? They even have iconic brands you already love, like Nike, Under Armour, and Adidas. And getting the right color and size combo can mean saving hundreds of dollars - we're talking $9 tops, $12 leggings, and $11 sports bras. Check it out!
Trying to Lose Belly Fat? Drop Everything and Listen to This Tip From Jillian Michaels
Slimming down your midsection can feel impossible sometimes, which is why tips to reduce excess fat around our belly remain such a popular search. Jillian Michaels, celebrity trainer and creator of the app My Fitness by Jillian Michaels, has probably been asked countless times how to get rid of belly fat. Which is why she wants you to really listen to her answer.
"You can't spot-reduce fat," Jillian told POPSUGAR. "You have to engage in habits that are metabolic overall to reduce body fat anywhere on the body." That means doing endless crunches or two-minute planks won't get you the results you're looking for.
Jillian said "you must count calories" in order to see a difference around your midsection. "Fat is stored energy, and calories are units of energy. Eat too many calories, and you store them as fat," she explained. "To lose fat, you must burn stored calories. Therefore, eating [healthy] and training for calorie burn are the keys to losing belly fat."
What does it mean to train "for calorie burn"? Jillian said HIIT intervals, weightlifting, and circuit training are your best bets. This allows you to get the most bang for your buck, so you'll burn more calories in the long run. This kind of training is much more effective than doing isolated ab exercises or simply doing endless cardio.
"This is why my workouts are designed the way they are, and why my app also incorporates completely custom meal plans," Jillian said. No matter what you decide to do, just remember that getting rid of belly fat is about everything - what you eat and how you exercise - so give up those crunches and let's get to work!
The Lazy Girl's Guide to Getting Strong
Here's something you're going to love: a total-body workout you can do without even having to stand up. That's right, for those days you're feeling a little lazy (it happens to the best of us), we've created an efficient series of exercises you can do in the comfort of your pj's. But before you write this off as easy, try it for yourself. There's a whole lot of burn and bum work, but hey, at least you can skip the gym - just this once!
Sweat Without Staying Wet in These Fab Moisture-Wicking Workout Clothes
There is nothing worse than working up an absolute sweat at the gym or in your favorite workout class only to have to deal with wet, sticky clothes afterward. Moisture-wicking and sweat-proof gear has become more common for gym rats and casual gym-hitters alike as it proves to be all sorts of comfortable. But no matter if your clothes are sweat-wicking, sweat-proof, or any variation of the fabric, don't forget to change your clothes ASAP after working out. Sweaty clothes can put you at risk for irritant rashes, acne/folliculitis, and a bacterial or yeast infection, according to medical professionals.
Check out some of the sweat-absorbing workout clothes that can make you sweat (without it showing!) from head to toe and look stylish while you do it.
20 Hilarious Memes That Will Have Every Zumba Fan Nodding in Agreement
If you're someone who loves working out to the Latin-inspired dance fitness craze known as Zumba, you're not alone. Since it was created in the 1990s, Zumba has grown with a huge following in the fitness world, and there are currently 15 million people in over 180 countries who practice the aerobic dancing class every day! So whether you're somebody who's already "joined the party" or someone looking for a new fitness class to fall in love with, check out these Zumba memes to get some laughs, perspective, and inspiration about this popular workout program.
Why Soaking in a Hot Tub After an Intense Workout Isn't the Best Idea
At the end of a grueling workout, the thought of soaking in a Jacuzzi or a hot bath may seem ideal. You deserve it, after all. But you may not be doing your body any favors by doing so, according to Liz Letchford, MS, ATC, PhD candidate, athletic trainer, and injury-prevention expert. "Being in a warm environment or otherwise applying heat to your body after exercise can decrease your body's ability to attain parasympathetic activation in order to recover effectively," Letchford told POPSUGAR.
"Your body gets stronger during recovery, not during the workout, so it is very important to optimize your recovery time." A hot soak can, however, be beneficial after your workout if you're training for a race in the middle of Summer and need to acclimate your body to heat.
Just because a hot soak isn't best for your tired muscles doesn't necessarily imply that a cold one is any better. There has been conflicting research on the benefits of cold water immersion postexercise. According to Letchford, "Studies that have found that cold water immersion increases the expression of genes involved in increasing blood flow and mitochondria in exercised muscles," while it's also been "reported to reduce the overall training effects of a three-month strength-training program."
Additionally, cold water immersion after a workout is often used to reduce inflammation for postexercise recovery. But Letchford explained how the inflammation that occurs in response to training is actually essential for tissue adaptation and that it doesn't need to be suppressed as it's widely assumed. She also continued to say that a cold soak may seem like it's improving pain and fatigue post-workout, "but this is likely a psychological response and not a result of anything significant happening at the muscular level."
It's difficult to pinpoint the best recovery routine because there are still so many unknown causes of muscle soreness. Several theories include lactic acid, muscle spasms, connective tissue damage, muscle damage, inflammation, and enzyme efflux, but Letchford shared how it's likely a combination of the aforementioned that's responsible for your pain.
"Currently, stretching, homeopathy, ultrasound, and electric current modalities have had no effect on alleviation of soreness," she said. "Exercise is the most effective means of reducing muscle soreness, although the relief is temporary."
Immediately after an intense workout, Letchford recommends engaging in some form of active recovery exercise. Interestingly, a higher-intensity active recovery that gets your heart rate up may be more effective post-cardiovascular-exercise than a more gentle recovery. She also recommends taking it easy in terms of intensity and duration for a day or two afterward.
Lose Weight With These 50+ Protein-Packed Vegan Breakfasts
Get energized with the power of plants! These vegan breakfasts offer protein, fiber, and healthy fats to keep you satisfied all morning, which can prevent the mindless snacking that leads to weight gain. The chocolate coconut almond overnight oats and the sweet potato and kale tofu scramble are must-try recipes!
Celebrate Your Booty Gains With Leggings That Highlight Your Assets . . . Er, Hard Work
One of my favorite fitness trends right now - if not of all time - is the shift away from black leggings. And for more reasons than you'd think! While a solid pair of black tights can feel sexy and look good with anything, I personally felt like they symbolize the idea of hiding. Hiding "lumps and bumps," hiding curves, and (on a larger scale) hiding women in the gym.
Light, bright, and patterned colorful leggings do just the opposite; they're loud, they're confident, and they show off all your curves in the best way. Today more than ever, women are owning their space in the gym and celebrating all the curves on their bodies (and not just with leggings). Booty gains are the name of the game as of late, and I couldn't be prouder of the shift in mindset.
The best way to celebrate all those gains and curves? In some ultraflattering leggings, naturally. Ahead are some of my absolute favorites that are little spandex miracles for highlighting the posterior region - you'll feel crazy confident and super sexy.
This Fat-Burning Workout Will Tone Your Entire Body - and All You Need Is 1 Kettlebell
If you don't have much experience with kettlebells, you're in the right place. Eric Leija, also known as primal.swoledier on Instagram, is a senior kettlebell specialist who created an exclusive workout for POPSUGAR - with all you beginners in mind.
"In this beginner kettlebell workout, all you need is one kettlebell to get a full-body pump," Eric told POPSUGAR. "This full-body single-kettlebell workout covers all the essential moves to help you build a strong, well-rounded body. This workout includes hinge, squat, push, and pull movements that will help you build well-balanced strength."
Either borrow a kettlebell from a friend or grab one at the gym - we suggest starting with an 8 kg kettlebell - because you don't want to miss out on this fat-burning workout. The first circuit is a warmup using just bodyweight moves. It's important to open up all your joints and prepare your muscles for what's ahead. You'll do three rounds of this circuit with minimal rest in between.
The main circuit is just three different movements, and you'll do five rounds in total. "Rest after you have completed the set reps for all three exercises," Eric advised. "Rest 45 to 90 seconds or until you feel ready enough to complete quality reps in the next round." Let's get to work!
If you love this workout, check out Eric's Primal Kettlebell Course for plenty of other killer sessions to tone you from head to toe.
If You Suffer From Poor Circulation, These 9 Compression Leggings Are What You Need
If, like me, you suffer from poor circulation in your legs, it's said that wearing compression leggings during a workout can help. These formfitting pants fit so tight that they're like a hug around your muscles, which helps warm them up, increasing blood flow and ultimately your circulation. If you want to pick up a pair for yourself, you're in luck, because just about every popular brand and retailer carries at least one version of these supportive tights. We rounded up a list of our favorites from names like Adidas, Nike, and Old Navy. Find your perfect match ahead.
How Many Calories Do You Really Burn in a Cycling Class? We Know You're Wondering
Some cycling studios make pretty wild claims about how many calories you'll burn from an hour-long class. For example, I was once promised that I would fly through 1,000 calories in one sitting, which sounded a bit hokey to me, but I appreciated the enthusiasm behind it. The more I asked around, the more I realized that I'm not the only one wondering what the truth is, so I decided to investigate.
I spoke with Michael Olzinski, MSc, Purplepatch endurance coach and Equinox coach, who said, "Even though the benefits of a cycling class are really not about how many calories you are burning (much like how nutrition is not really related to how 'many' calories you intake), it does make sense to have a realistic idea."
First of all, it's important to know that the amount of calories you burn doesn't only have to do with how long you cycle and what kind of class you do. "It is about your own personal effort," Mike said.
If you're working hard - as in, 85 to 95 percent of your physical capacity - you could potentially burn upwards of 550 calories in an hour-long class. However, this is only if you're going hard. "Ultimately, the harder you work, the better intervals or power you hit, the higher the work for your body, and that is basically the measure of calories," Mike explained to POPSUGAR.
I always wear my Fitbit to my cycling classes, and when I'm done, it generally says I've burned anywhere between 350 and 400 calories. If I'm being honest, I'm not always giving it 95 percent of my physical capacity, so I can see why I'm not reaching the 550 mark.
However, Mike wants to stress that the number of calories you burn shouldn't be your main concern. "If you truly are working hard and at the requested intensities of the coaches, then you will experience this excellent effect called 'Excessive Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption' or EPOC," he explained. "This means that your body will require more oxygen for the remainder of your day, and thus your metabolism will require more calories to sustain, and this is really where the true benefit comes in."
In other words: sure, it's good to burn calories during class and see a high number on your fitness watch when you're walking out the door, but you'll get so much more out of your cycling class if you experience EPOC, which will help you burn more calories throughout the rest of the day. That's what's going to cause positive change in the long run.
Just to be sure, I asked Mike if indoor cycling is a form of cardio he would recommend. This was his response: "I definitely love indoor cycling as a great and very useful form of cardio training. It's very repeatable, and cycling is one of those things that, when you are set up properly and riding in a safe, effective position and posture, you can progress very quickly by putting in some hard work." Key words here being "hard work."
Follow the instructor's commands and go all out, and you'll reap all the benefits of your cycling class - whether or not you hit the 550-calorie mark.
Thinking of Trying Weight Watchers? Here's Exactly How (and Why) It Works
It's the Oprah diet (she lost 42 pounds and counting!) and the diet your aunt goes to her weekly meetings for. You've definitely heard of Weight Watchers, but do you know how it works? It's actually one of the most effective diets out there.
In the world of weight loss, Weight Watchers has been ranked 2017's No. 4 best diet overall, the No. 1 best weight-loss diet, and the No. 1 best fast weight-loss diet by U.S. News, and these aren't new accolades; the diet is consistently top ranked and backed up by research. A 2013 study found that dieters are more likely to stick with Weight Watchers (and lose weight) than they were with a treatment from a specialized weight-loss clinic.
So it's been proven effective, people are losing weight and changing their lives, and experts agree that it's one of the best diets you can be on - but how does it work? Here's a breakdown of all the facets that make Weight Watchers so successful.
The Points
The points are the hallmark of this diet. With Weight Watchers, there's less of a focus on calorie counting, but a focus on points instead - this makes sense, because not all calories are created equal. You could eat 200 calories of lean chicken or 200 calories of gummy bears, but that doesn't mean they're the same nutritionally.
So instead of counting calories - which is ultimately too top-line if that's your only means of quantification - every food gets assigned a point value called SmartPoints, and they're based on calories, saturated fat, sugar, and protein.
It works like a "budget." And that makes sense - a lot of people are great at (or at least understand the concept of) budgeting their money but can't apply that principle to their food. You'll put an item down at the store that's too much money, but you probably wouldn't think twice about a food that was super high in sugar and saturated fat.
This is how SmartPoints work, in budgeting terms (and according to the site): in terms of value, calories "set the baseline" for how much the food is "worth," while protein makes the food cheaper (fewer points, meaning it's healthier and you can have more), and saturated fat and sugar make that food more expensive.
Weight Watchers Chief Scientific Officer Gary Foster, PhD, added, "The plan nudges members toward a healthier pattern of eating that includes more lean protein, fruits, and vegetables, and less sugar and saturated fat. All fresh fruits and most vegetables are zero SmartPoints."
Subscribers of the diet get personalized points. "The daily SmartPoints target is based on age, gender, height, and weight to help them determine how much they need to eat each day to lose weight at a safe rate - about one to two pounds per week," said Foster. There are also allowances for bigger portions, going out to eat, and weekend "splurges," which make for a much more realistic and sustainable meal plan.
No Food Group Elimination
Another reason it works is because you're not cutting out food groups - Foster noted this as one of the key reasons Weight Watchers is so effective. Who could forget Oprah's love for bread and her overzealous, unbridled joy when she told commercial audiences nationwide that she can eat bread on Weight Watchers? "Members can personalize the program to meet their needs, and everything is on the menu - no food is off limits," said Foster.
We interviewed a woman named Becca who had major success on Weight Watchers and lost over 100 pounds, and the no-elimination style of diet is what drew her in. "I joined Weight Watchers because the program seemed so easy and it still lets you eat the food you love in moderation."
U.S. News noted that one of the key factors in what makes a diet successful and effective is its sustainability, which is why Weight Watchers saw such high success and Whole30 did not. No eliminated food groups, no problem.
The Education
Diets can't be cookie cutter - every person's goals, lifestyle, body chemistry, and makeup are unique and different.
Weight Watchers adapts to this with an education focus - you learn about the best (and worst) choices for your diet and your body, which helps you understand food, nutrition, and weight loss better and on your own, independently from a diet or what someone is telling you to eat.
You'll also learn healthier recipes, portion sizes, and how to eat when you're at a restaurant. This helps you switch from an automated diet (where you end up feeling like a robot following commands) to a healthy lifestyle.
As U.S. News put it, "The company offers thousands of recipes, each with a SmartPoints value, to show how it fits into your eating plan. If you're preparing a dish that's not listed in the database, you can calculate the points value ingredient by ingredient, using your mobile app or through the company's website. Vegetarians, gluten-free eaters and people with other dietary preferences can also easily find items and recipes tagged for them."
The Meetings
Community is one of the biggest components of Weight Watchers and also one of the best ways to lose weight. You'll notice that any successful fitness or nutrition plan has a hefty community following it as well, encouraging each other, posting motivating photos on Instagram, or arranging for in-person meetups.
That's how Weight Watchers meetings started. Founder Jean Nidetch started inviting her friends over to her home in New York to catch up and discuss weight-loss strategy; that tradition lives on today. This style of support system can help with weight loss in a number of ways, including cortisol management (the stress hormone that can contribute to belly fat). A study in the journal Psychiatry showed evidence of social support counterbalancing stress.
"It is easier to live a healthier life and start this journey when you have a shared experience," said Foster. "Others to help provide different perspectives, motivate you, hold you accountable, etc."
Weight Watchers members also have access to personal coaching, which can provide even more personalized and specific guidance. This coaching and leadership is an integral part of the program. "I don't know if I would've made it this far without her support and the support of our Weight Watchers leader," said Jamie, a woman who lost over 90 pounds with the program.
Keep in mind that all of these services do cost money, with the starter fee at $20 and the most expensive plan (unlimited meetings and personal coaching) at $70 per month.
The Fitness
Aside from diet, you earn "FitPoints" and can work with a Fitbit or tracking device to track your exercise and movement. This concept was introduced in 2015 and now ties into the overall points system.
Detox and Debloat With This Simple 2-Ingredient Tea
Meet your new favorite tea pairing, peppermint and ginger, which kills two birds with one drink. Each natural ingredient is great for its own reasons, but put them together and you've got yourself a debloating and detoxifying combination. Peppermint is known to support digestion by relaxing the gastrointestinal tract and relieving constipation. It also has a soothing effect and can even curb cravings and appetite.
On the other hand, ginger can help eliminate free radicals from the body while also acting as a digestive aid in addition to other health benefits.
To make ginger-peppermint tea at home, try this simple recipe below!
Ingredients (For 1 Cup)
1 teaspoon loose-leaf peppermint tea (or one sachet of peppermint herbal tea)
1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger root
Optional: 1 teaspoon honey
Instructions
Pack a tea ball or any kind of infuser with peppermint leaves and ginger, and steep in hot water for three to five minutes, depending on desired strength. If you're using a peppermint tea bag instead of an infuser, follow the same instructions and add fresh ginger to your cup. Feel free to remove the ginger pieces after brewing.
The Internet Is Obsessed With This New Meme About How Smart People Are
If you've been looking for a sign of your own intellectual superiority, a new meme just arrived for you. The expanding brain meme is a series of images showing differently stimulated brainwaves relative to specific beliefs or habits. It's also exactly what the internet needed to stroke its own collective ego. Quickly rising in popularity on Tumblr, Twitter, and Reddit, the expanding brain images are a mix of facetiousness and absurdity.
Some of the memes involve implying that people who use variations of "whom" are more enlightened than those who use "who," or that people who call their garages "car holes" are much smarter. We've rounded up some of the best memes (for educational purposes, of course), so take a minute to become enlightened by looking them over. Soon enough, your brain will be glowing and you'll be in stitches from the pure silliness.
The 15 Best Independent Bookstores in the US
When it's time to hit the road for a vacation, there are two things that bookworms know to be true. First of all, you can never pack too many books in your suitcase and carry-on (although those overweight luggage fees are definitely not on our side). The other is that, no matter where we go, it would be straight-up sacrilege to not visit any and all renowned independent bookstores in the vicinity.
With no disrespect to chain bookstores, there's nothing quite as magical as an independent bookstore. Each has its own unique atmosphere, decor, selection, and claim to fame, but they all have one thing in common - when a bookworm steps inside, we immediately know that we could spend an entire day there.
Despite the rise of e-readers, there's no shortage of incredible independent bookstores in America. In fact, some of us (*raises hand*) have even planned trips just so we can visit certain indies. Luckily, many of them are located in popular tourist destinations like New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago. So before you head out on your next trip, check out this list of the 15 best independent bookstores in the country.
We Don't Know If We're More Floored by This Hawaiian Wedding Venue or the Bride's Gown
This is what destination wedding dreams are made of. Australian couple Alana and Nick officially became husband and wife at Maui's Haiku Mill, a stunning, lush venue that turned out to be a memorable holiday location for them and their guests. "We figured we met overseas, were engaged overseas, let's get married overseas, too!" Alana told their photographer.
The couple met on a tour while sailing through the Croatian Islands and decided to wed in Maui, where they got engaged. Nick proposed at sunrise and arranged a Champagne breakfast and engagement photo shoot to follow. He really planned a romantic day out with a picnic lunch by the water and an evening spa trip.
On their big day, the bride completely stole the show. Even though the wedding venue itself will floor you, you won't be able to keep your eyes off of Alana's gorgeous gown. See the photos now!
Here's How to Delete Your Google History
Oh, Google. Everyone has a love/hate relationship with the company that really knows almost everything about you. If you are a little nervous about just how much information Google's services have on you, follow our quick guide to deleting data and history.
Trump's Biggest Problem Isn't the Media - It's Homophones
President Donald Trump often takes to Twitter to broadcast the inner workings of his mind to the women, men, and children of Planet Earth. And sometimes what he types isn't quite what he intends . . . so despite being the leader of the free world, he deletes the tweet and tries again.
But the longer Trump is in the White House and the more pressure that is placed on the former real estate developer and reality TV host, the more these flubs seem to be happening. So much so that it's starting to feel an awful lot like the real thorn in Trump's side isn't the media or the much-decried leaks in his revolving-door White House - it's the grammar school-level concept of the homophone. Defined by Merriam-Webster as "one of two or more words pronounced alike but different in meaning or derivation or spelling (such as the words to, too, and two)," homophones also happen to be the one thing that will never, ever be caught by a standard spellcheck program. As multiple spellings are correct, it wholly falls on the author of a sentence to ensure that the correct spelling is employed . . . and for Trump, that seems to be a bit too much of an ask.
While a mistake of this kind can absolutely be chalked up to human nature when it happens a couple of times, it's an alarming indication of an individual's mental state when it happens on a near-weekly basis. And it's not just homophones, either, or words like "covfefe" or "tapp." It runs over to a "this is how it sounds, so that must be how it's spelled" mindset, one that's solely based on acting on impulse, which is frankly inexplicable for someone who has ready access to the nuclear codes. The most Pavlovian part of the whole thing, though, is the fact that we're talking about someone who came from a public-facing life and has been under scrutiny for years. And yet, in all that time, he has never learned to revise his own thoughts before word-vomiting into the internet.
It's also very telling of a deeper, darker insecurity that drives the president to act in such impetuous ways. And while the Goldwater Rule bars us from having someone with professional psychoanalytical abilities weigh in, these erratic outbursts that aren't kept in check by a self-editing id are enough to make the average individual wonder if an impulsive ego can override the boundaries of the rules our Founding Fathers put forth.
As it stands, though, there isn't much recourse for sending a typo-ridden tweet. The president's behavior warrants close attention, but for now the only thing we can do is point at the tweets and laugh at the most powerful man in the world being baffled by homophones. And while Trump may have removed a lot of the evidence of his aversion to self-editing, the internet is rich with screenshots and analysis that will ensure that gone will never be forgotten. Behold some of our president's greatest (spelling) hits.
HEEL VS. HEAL
He really has a hard time with this word pic.twitter.com/u03chTuyGm
- Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) September 1, 2017
You can teach a man to hate, or you can teach him to spell, but apparently not both. pic.twitter.com/RqXOKPQpCG
- George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) August 19, 2017
BARRACK VS. BARACK
The dying @NRO National Review has totally given up the fight against Barrack Obama. They have been losing for years. I will beat Hillary!
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 22, 2016
Just another desperate move by the man who should have easily beaten Barrack Obama. (2/2)
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 2, 2016
HEAR BY VS. HEARBY VS. HEREBY
"I hear by"
"I hearby"
"I hereby"
Pres. Trump deletes, reissues tweet... https://t.co/kPyi1Stg30 by #louisevanrhyn via @c0nvey pic.twitter.com/AM5Fi80ck2- Edward Kieswetter (@EdKieswetter) March 4, 2017
DUMMER VS. DUMBER
"one of the dummer people on television" pic.twitter.com/JP6zZpxelb
- James Cook (@JamesLiamCook) June 25, 2015
PAYED VS. PAID
All of the phony T.V. commercials against me are bought and payed for by SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS, the bandits that tell your pols what to do
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 7, 2016
THEIR VS. THERE, TO VS. TOO
your fired pic.twitter.com/bsf3hCeYdQ
- chelsea hassler (@chelseaadelaine) August 24, 2017
UNPRESIDENTED VS. UNPRECEDENTED
TrumpSpellCheck™️
Unpresidentedly effective. pic.twitter.com/9leL9aIei1- J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) December 17, 2016
COUNCIL VS. COUNSEL
So many people are asking why isn't the A.G. or Special Council looking at the many Hillary Clinton or Comey crimes. 33,000 e-mails deleted?
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 22, 2017
LOOSE VS. LOSE
Ted Cruz is totally unelectable, if he even gets to run (born in Canada). Will loose big to Hillary. Polls show I beat Hillary easily! WIN!
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 31, 2016
HONERED VS. HONORED
Saving this for postority. pic.twitter.com/wmnanHjPWF
- Dave Itzkoff (@ditzkoff) January 21, 2017
THERE VS. THEIR, WAIST VS. WASTE
Looks like @realDonaldTrump learned grammar at #Trump University…#Fail
("their", not "there", "waste", not "waist"!) pic.twitter.com/pLKt7nig4y- Andrea Leon Grossman (@AndreaLeon) July 24, 2016
JUDGEMENT VS. JUDGMENT
Hillary Clinton is not qualified to be president because her judgement has been proven to be so bad! Would be four more years of stupidity!
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 22, 2016
LEIGHTWEIGHT CHOCKER VS. LIGHTWEIGHT CHOKER
Guiding Leightweight Chocker #TrumpTVshows pic.twitter.com/w9jq3MyQBL
- Donald J. Trump (@BiglyPrez) April 1, 2017
The Internet Made the Best Picture Envelope Into a Meme Because It Has Zero Chill
While the Oscars are known for giving awards to unlikely winners, no one saw the biggest snafu to happen in its history coming: Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty announcing the wrong winner, La La Land, for best picture. As cast and crew members were giving their acceptance speeches, La La Land producer Jordan Horowitz realized the mistake and held up the correct envelope showing that Moonlight actually won. The internet couldn't believe the error and knew the only way to take it in stride: to meme the moment. Ahead, check out the funniest memes of Horowitz holding up the best picture envelope, and then catch up on what Barry Jenkins and Mahershala Ali had to say about the win.
This Student Wrote 127 Pages in Response to an Infuriating Catholic School Assignment
I go to a Catholic high school, and they wanted me to write a paper on why gay marriage is "wrong and dangerous", so instead I wrote this 127 page paper. from lgbt
One Catholic high school student in Missouri is going viral for sharing the details of their shocking religion class assignment - along with the epic way they responded to it.
Reddit user averagesmurf recently shared the above photo, showing the cover of their latest morality class assignment. The student's teacher allegedly assigned the high school students to write a paper about why gay marriage is "wrong and dangerous," but this teen had a little something different up their sleeve. Instead, they cranked out a whopping 127 pages about why gay marriage is actually "fabulous," backed up with Bible references and historical quotes.
The post garnered more than 900 comments from people who offered up both positive and negative reactions. Some praised the student's work, with one user saying, "Good job :) hope you got an A." Yet others were suspicious that the photo was a fluke, with another user writing, "This smells like bullsh*t to me, 127 pages is stupidly long and I doubt any school would assign an essay about the dangers of gay marriage."
So, the student shared a few now-deleted snapshots of supposed pages from the assignment to prove its validity. The typed pages incorporate multiple Bible quotes and citations to support the student's argument that gay marriage should not be frowned upon by the Church. On top of that, the student offered up an in-depth explanation of what the assignment entailed.
Though we may not know for sure whether this student's assignment was real, we sure hope it is, because it looks like some people in this world still need to broaden their viewpoint on this hot topic.
How Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Lives on Through the Fight For Civil Rights
On April 4, 1968, America lost civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Fifty years after his death, at a time when Dr. King would have been 89, his message is still being held close to heart - and is still being fought for.
At the time of Dr. King's death in Memphis, TN, unrest broke out in response to the assassination. Dr. King was in Memphis in anticipation of a march he was to lead, one that his attorneys were fighting for in federal court, one that was unequivocally supposed to be orderly and peaceful. He was killed at the Lorraine Hotel in the company of musician Ben Branch and Rev. Jesse Jackson, preparing to depart for dinner.
In the time that has elapsed since that fateful April day, there are things that have and have not changed in America. "Dr. King bequeathed African-Americans the will to resist and the right to vote," Rev. Jesse Jackson recently wrote in The New York Times, reflecting on Dr. King's death and highlighting current activism against hate. "Five decades ago, a segregationist governor, George Wallace, peddled hate and division in reaction to the civil rights movement. Today, it is the president himself who is inciting anguish, bigotry and fear."
Similarly, former president Barack Obama sat down with civil rights activist Rep. John Lewis to reflect on Dr. King's life and legacy. The conversation was a part of a roundtable at the My Brother's Keeper Alliance with students in Washington, DC, in the hopes of inspiring future leaders. "Being on the right side of history isn't always possible," Obama said. "And it isn't always easy . . . You don't know whether your labors will deliver." Lewis continued his thought, noting that, "when you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have a moral obligation to do something, to say something."
"Dr. King inspired us to do just that," Lewis said.
A tension in Dr. King's narrative, because he is remembered both as a freedom fighter as well as an outlaw, and it's a fact that resonates sharply in a deeply divided contemporary America, with parallel activism taking place today. While rumors that Dr. King's death was orchestrated by the FBI or Ku Klux Klan continue to roil (unproven), the root of these stories underscore the sanitation of the activist's legacy: Dr. King was seen as unAmerican and a "danger" to the nation set against the unpopularity of civil rights movement at the time. This sentiment has been noted as extremely similar to comments made by critics of Black Lives Matter, today.
Today, on the anniversary of his death, Dr. King is being celebrated far and wide by sometimes antithetical public figures. Memorials and inspirational quotes are swirling on and offline, coming from a mix of public figures from Fr. James Martin to Qasim Rashid, former vice president Joe Biden to Vice President Mike Pence, Rep. Kamala Harris to Gov. Mike Huckabee, RuPaul to Piers Morgan.
Today we honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the 50th anniversary of his assassination. Earlier this year I spoke about Dr. King's legacy of justice and peace, and his impact on uniting Americans. #MLK50 Proclamation: https://t.co/XXtPO0VX5A pic.twitter.com/SH0esMSyMT
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 4, 2018
President Donald Trump added his voice to the mix by sharing a video on Twitter regarding Dr. King's work uniting Americans. "On this cherished day, we honor the memory of Rev. King," Trump said. "We rededicate ourselves to a glorious future where every American from every walk of life can live free from fear, liberated from hatred, and uplifted by boundless love for their fellow citizens."
It's a far cry from the last time Trump honored Dr. King. During the annual MLK Day Proclamation on Jan. 12 - he refused to answer questions regarding comments made the day before in which he referred to some African and Caribbean nations as "sh*thole countries." It also should be noted that Trump once violated the Fair Housing Act by refusing to provide housing to black tenants in the 1970s.
Regardless of the current administration, Dr. King's legacy continues to be heard and held dear in America - and his words will never be forgotten, the words that will continue to inspire generations of Americans for decades (if not centuries) to come.
Flamethrowers, Cassette Players, and Fake Teeth: Trump's Utterly Bizarre Choices For Chinese Import Tariff Hike
President Donald Trump made it to the highest office in the land by promising a slew of haughty (and in some cases, damn near impossible) policy changes, but while the vast majority have yet to materialize, the looming midterm elections appear to have kicked the administration into overdrive on getting at least something to show for the year-and-change since he became POTUS. As a result, on April 3 we saw two incredibly inadvisable moves from the White House: first, Trump announced a plan to send the National Guard to the Mexican border as a stopgap for his yet-to-be-realized wall, and second, he announced a tariff would be imposed on a staggering $50 billion worth of Chinese imports, presumably to save face with regards to the trade practices the president has frequently deemed "unfair."
Here's the thing about those Chinese imports, though: there are a lot of utterly bizarre products in the 45-page document that will soon face a 25-percent hike in taxes. And while the vast majority of the list does indeed make sense, we couldn't help but point out some of the most inexplicable line entries that have left us scratching our heads.
Behold:
- Medicaments containing vitamin B12 synthesized from aromatic or mod. Aromatic compounds, in dosage form or packed for retail
- Artificial parts of the body (other than artificial joints) and parts and accessories thereof, nesoi
- Nuclear reactors
- Bakery ovens, including biscuit ovens
- Dishwashing machines of the household type
- Fire extinguishers, whether or not charged
- Snowplows and snowblowers
- Brewery machinery, nesi
- Cash registers
- Cassette players (non-recording), nesoi
- Black and white or other monochrome video projectors
- Balloons, dirigibles and non-powered aircraft, gliders and hang gliders
- Lasers, other than laser diodes
- Catheters, cannulae and the like nesi, used in medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences, and parts and accessories thereof
- Dental cements and other dental fillings; bone reconstruction cements
- Rocket launchers; flame-throwers; grenade launchers; torpedo tubes and similar projectors
- Hearing aids, excluding parts and accessories thereof
At this stage it's unclear how increasing the cost of nuclear reactors, flame-throwers, and hang gliders is going to aid the White House with any type of messaging – but what is clear is that China is willing to go tit-for-tat when it comes to laying down the law. The country was quick toissue a counter-proposal which includes several items that hit a little closer to home for US citizens than, say, cassette players: soybeans, cars, and chemicals.
While this may bring us one step closer to a full-on trade war with China, all is not lost – these are not official declarations just yet. There are still 60 days in which comments can be made before the public hearing takes place, so if you are feeling really outraged by the idea that biscuit ovens will soon skyrocket in price, the Office of the US Trade Representative encourages individuals to head on over to the public docket and speak their minds.
Naturally, as of the time of publication – at 12:00 p.m. ET, on April 4 – you'll get a page error.
Here's What Those Russian Facebook Ads We've Heard So Much About Actually Look Like
Thanks to ongoing public hearings in Washington DC centered on Russia's social media meddling during the 2016 election, we finally have our first real look at what it is that Vladimir Putin's fabled troll farms were actually doing. The bad news? Much of what was provided as evidence by the House Intelligence Committee on Nov. 1 is not that far off from what we've come to expect from overzealous Americans on all sides of the political spectrum.
To be clear, only a sampling of the more than 3,000 ads that were purchased in the lead-up to the election have been shared with the public so far. But what is immediately evident to any regular Facebook user is that outside of some very, very misused colloquialisms and a few bizarre cultural interpretations, the extent to which the Russian infiltrators were able to successfully manipulate social tensions is staggering. Tackling everything from Black Lives Matter to gun policy to Islam, the level of sophistication and mimicry present is incredibly hard to wrap your head around, especially when put against a background of fringe voices that are louder now than ever.
Ahead, we've pulled together many of the images released by Congress as evidence for easy viewing. But as California Senator Dianne Feinstein said during the hearings, "What we're talking about is a cataclysmic change. What we're talking about is the beginning of cyberwarfare. What we're talking about is a major foreign power with sophistication and ability to involve themselves in a presidential election and sow conflict and discontent all over this country. We are not going to go away, gentlemen. And this is a very big deal."
From where we stand, with nearly 126 million Americans having seen these downright inflammatory posts and not having thought anything of it - well, we really couldn't agree more. And perhaps being able to put some tangible imagery behind the amorphous idea of Russian meddling will make us all think twice before we scroll past an image such as the ones ahead on any of our social feeds ever again.
A Senator Suggested the Death Penalty For Women Who Get Abortions, and There Are Just No Words
Posted by Nonini for Idaho Lt. Governor on Sunday, October 15, 2017
A congressman is facing some well-earned backlash after a recent statement about abortion shocked even his most pro-life supporters. Idaho Senator Bob Nonini is currently running in the state's lieutenant governor race, and during a panel hosted by CrossPolitic on April 2, Nonini suggested the death penalty should be considered as punishment for women who have an abortion.
"There should be no abortion, and anyone who has an abortion should pay," the senator said according to the Associated Press. When moderators pressed him on the matter and asked if he considered the death penalty a possible punishment, Nonini reportedly nodded in agreement.
After news of his controversial statement broke, Nonini and his campaign seemed to be scrambling. Now, Nonini is claiming he never nodded in agreement to the suggestion of the death penalty – but is maintaining his staunchly pro-life stance. "Since abortion is murder, I believe we should consider penalties for individuals involved in these procedures," Nonini said in a statement following the panel.
Ultimately, the senator suggested there was a flaw in the fact that women have never been prosecuted for having abortions. "Prosecutions have always been focused on the abortionist," he said. Adding, "There is no way a woman would go to jail let alone face the death penalty. The statute alone, the threat of prosecution, would dramatically reduce abortion. That is my goal."
This 1 Old Trump Tweet Contradicts Everything He's Now Saying About the NFL
Donald Trump is a man of many words tweets, and more often than not, the thoughts he shares with his Twitter audience tend to directly contradict the tweets he's sent in the past. From tweets about the Oscars, to criticism of Barack Obama's handling of Hurricane Sandy, and just about everything in between, President Trump's past has come back to bite him. The latest incident? The National Football League.
Back in 2013, when then-President Obama urged the Washington Redskins to change the team name to something that didn't offend Native Americans, Trump had some thoughts. He tweeted that "our country has far bigger problems" and that the president should "FOCUS on them, not nonsense."
President should not be telling the Washington Redskins to change their name-our country has far bigger problems! FOCUS on them,not nonsense
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 8, 2013
Now, just four years later, we find ourselves saying the exact same thing to Trump - and if we're being honest, the "far bigger problems" in hand seem a lot worse now than in 2013. The week of, Trump condemned Colin Kaepernick and the NFL players who have taken a knee during the national anthem to protest racism and police brutality across the country. He spent three full days tweeting about athletes "disrespecting our country or our flag," while our country faces the threat of a nuclear war with North Korea - what we'd qualify as a "far bigger problem."
If NFL fans refuse to go to games until players stop disrespecting our Flag & Country, you will see change take place fast. Fire or suspend!
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2017
...NFL attendance and ratings are WAY DOWN. Boring games yes, but many stay away because they love our country. League should back U.S.
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2017
Great solidarity for our National Anthem and for our Country. Standing with locked arms is good, kneeling is not acceptable. Bad ratings!
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2017
The issue of kneeling has nothing to do with race. It is about respect for our Country, Flag and National Anthem. NFL must respect this!
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 25, 2017
Looks like we have yet another set of tweets to add to the Presidential Flip Flops line of contradictory Trump tweets.
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