Healthy lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is one which helps to keep and improve people's health and well-being.Many governments and non-governmental organizations have made big efforts in healthy lifestyle and health promotion.
Mental Health
Mental health can be considered a very important factor of physical health for the effects it produces on bodily functions. This type of health concerns emotional and cognitive well-being or an absence of mental disorder.
Public health
Public health can be defined in a variety of ways. It can be presented as "the study of the physical, psychosocial and socio-cultural determinants of population health and actions to improve the health of the population.
Reproductive Health
For the UN, reproductive health is a right, like other human rights. This recent concept evokes the good transmission of the genetic heritage from one generation to the next.
Health
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
lundi 18 juin 2018
These Are the 5 Best Plank Variations If You're Trying to Lose Weight
If you want to tone your arms and abs, plank is one of the most effective moves. But aside from building muscle, if you want to lose weight, like that extra fluff around your belly, doing cardio will help burn calories. So try these cardio plank moves to maximize the calorie-burning effects of this basic must-do move.
These Are the 5 Foods Jillian Michaels Eats Every Day to Stay Slim and Strong
Celebrity trainer Jillian Michaels is the ultimate motivator. She helped numerous people get healthy on The Biggest Loser, and now she offers customized workouts and meal plans on her new app My Fitness by Jillian Michaels. Knowing that she's a source of inspiration for so many people out there, we spoke with Jillian about some of her daily habits.
Working out is a crucial part of Jillian's day-to-day, but she puts just as much emphasis on eating clean, whole foods that help her feel her best and stay slim. These are the five foods she eats on a daily basis:
- Organic Greek yogurt
- Fruits
- Lucky Jack organic cold brew coffee
- Wild salmon
- Salads with dark leafy greens
"Fat is stored energy and calories are units of energy," Jillian told POPSUGAR. "Eat too many calories and you store them as fat. To lose fat, you must burn stored calories. Therefore, eating [healthy] and training for calorie burn - HIIT intervals, weight lifting, circuit training - are the keys to losing fat."
No matter what your diet is, you can mimic Jillian's philosophy - eat as many whole foods as possible, and steer clear of packaged goods, sugar, and anything fried. Keep that up with your training, and you'll see weight-loss results!
What Being Latino Means to Me: It's Like We're the Same, But Different, But Still the Same
Latino |ləˈtēnō| chiefly North American noun (plural Latinos) (in North America)
A person of Latin American origin or descent, especially a man or boy.
Hispanic |hiˈspanik| adjective
Relating to Spanish-speaking countries, especially those of Latin America. Relating to Spanish-speaking people or their culture, especially in the US.
noun
A Spanish-speaking person living in the US, especially one of Latin American descent.
- New Oxford American Dictionary
It's an interesting thing to be asked what is one's proudest moment as a Latino. The caveat is deciphering what exactly it means to be a Latino. Does the term refer to everyone who has a background coming from Spain? Or does the word refer to those of us who stem from the Southern countries of America? A Colombian, as I am, is both Hispanic and Latino, but my Brazilian neighbor would only be Latino. My friend from Spain would be Hispanic, but not Latino. Perhaps all Hispanics are Latinos, but not vice versa?
As if that wasn't enough, once we have reached the decision of whether we are Hispanic, Latino, or both, we have to decide which flavor of Latino we are. Being a Latino/Hispanic from, say, Cuba is not the same as being a Latino from Argentina . . . not even close. It's two completely different worlds. The only thing these two Latinos really have in common are a shared language and the fact that they can trace their country's history to an overzealous Habsburg with an underbite. The African percussion in Caribbean music has very little to do with the strings of an Argentine tango, and yet here we are.
Latinos are one, but we are not homogeneous. If you're a Latino in California, people might assume you jumped over a river to get into the United States. If you're a Latino in Florida, they might assume you washed up on the beach like DiCaprio in the beginning of Inception. It's like we're the same, but different, but still the same.
Now, this leads me to another question: is POPSUGAR asking me what my proudest moment was as a Latino in general, or more specifically as a Colombian? This is also a sticky subject, since one Venezuelan may revere Simón Bolívar, while a Spaniard may hold him in less esteem, and yet they would both be Hispanics.
So for all intents and purposes, let's just say that you're asking me what my proudest moment was as someone born in the general area between the northern border of Mexico and Tierra del Fuego. I was born in Barranquilla, Colombia - mentioned in Johnny Cash's "I've Been Everywhere" . . . why? . . . no one knows - so my version of what being a Latino is and what being Hispanic is centers around salsa music, rum, deep-fried food, human rights violations, and beautiful women.
We tend to stick together, and we like to stick together.
Being from Colombia is different than being from Mexico. Mexico has a very strong identity and global presence; everyone has an image pop up into their minds once the word "Mexico" is uttered, whether it be delicious tacos or sombreros or whatever. Everyone loves going to a festive Mexican restaurant, Taco Tuesday, and margaritas. Alas, I am not from Mexico.
Not many Americans are feverish to go to a festive Colombian restaurant or drink aguardiente. Unfortunately, when one mentions Colombia, the two images most people think of are (1) coffee and (2) Pablo Escobar. (Oh, and not to mention that atrocious misspelling of the country with a "u" where an "o" should be.) I have yet to see an arepa food truck parked outside the LACMA. Perhaps one day.
A lot of times, it is much easier to make a list of things we are not proud of as Latinos: the banana republics of the early 20th century, the atrocities that so many of the dictators who have ruled South America at one point or another have committed, the civil wars, the feudalism that still prevails, the machismo, the homophobia, the lack of education, the class divide, the lack of reliable WiFi . . . the list can go on and on and on, the same way that it can go on and on and on for every other culture around the world. But we have Desi Arnaz, so he kind of cancels everything else out.
We have some shining moments, as well. Guillermo González Camarena (Mexican) invented color television. Luis Miramontes, also Mexican, invented the contraceptive pill (blessed be the day). Domingo Liotta, from Argentina, invented the artificial heart (and gave it to my ex, apparently). Gabriel García Márquez won the Nobel Prize for Literature. Desi Arnaz revolutionized television. Alejandro González Iñárritu won back-to-back Best Director Oscars. Bolívar fought off the Spanish yoke and fought for freedom and democracy. We have Charo, Salma Hayek, Pitbull, Ricky Martin, Carolina Herrera, Carlos Slim, Jessica Alba, Robert Rodriguez, Jennifer Lopez, Rita Moreno, Sofía Vergara (hi, Mom!), Shakira, Daddy Yankee, Raquel Welch, Ricardo Montalban with his rich Corinthian leather, John Leguizamo, Andy Garcia . . . the list goes on and on of Latinos who have made an impact, both within the Latino community and abroad. And we should be proud of that.
We Latinos tend to find solidarity pretty much only when we're far from home. A Latino doesn't care if another person is Latino unless we're the only two Latinos in that place; then suddenly we're best friends. That's actually how I made most of my friends in a predominately white school.
"Hey, did I just hear you speaking Spanish? I'm from Venezuela."
"I'm from Colombia."
"'Kay, we're friends now. Lunch?"
We tend to stick together, and we like to stick together. We go to the Latin parties. We go a lo de uno, lo propio. We go with what we know. Since we surround ourselves with ourselves, we are inundated with the Latin-ness all day long. No matter where we are, one friend has a bottle of Ron Medellin at their house, another may have the flour to make arepas, another may have the queso criollo - we all have little bits and pieces from the motherland that we share with one another now and then. It keeps it present.
This is why it is kind of jarring, and exciting, when we see something of ours in a place where we wouldn't think it would belong. You have no idea how excited I get when I see a can of Manzana Postobón at a random 7-Eleven in Miami. It's silly, but for me, in my mind, there is no reason a Colombian soda should be found at a convenience store in the United States. It blows my mind; it's a very pleasant surprise. It's the little things like that that sometimes make me stop and think and go, "Oh, sh*t - I guess we're not just amongst ourselves . . . other people know about us, too!"
About four years ago, when I was still young and fresh and my skin had the youthful bounce of collagen, I went to Japan with my mother and some friends. A very good childhood friend of mine - who I guess would be considered an expat by this point 'cause he's still there - was also in Japan. So I gave him a call (see, back then people had to call people), and he joined us in Kyoto.
Well, what does one do when one is young, full of hope, and exploring an unfamiliar country such as Japan with an old friend? Drink. We drink. Now, Kyoto is a wonderful, beautiful place. It has labyrinthine alleys and streets, and each little opening contains a restaurant or a bar or something wonderful that I couldn't tell you what it was because I couldn't read the signage. So, as my friend and I were walking up and down this little downtown area, we get tired of trying to decide which bar to go into and literally just stopped and walked into the first door we had on our right, without pause. We walked up these narrow stone steps, and what I saw once I walked in I will never, ever forget.
It was a salsa bar. In Kyoto. Like, a real salsa bar. "Chan Chan" was playing on the speakers; they were drinking Havana Club rum; instead of peanuts, they had plantain chips; there were pictures of Celia and Tito on the wall; and there were people dancing. Never in my life would I have thought that I would get to see a Japanese couple dance salsa better than I do.
The barkeep turned out to be the owner, and he was very proud of his bar. He was even more proud to show me a picture of him and Celia Cruz, signed by her. He asked where I was from; I said Barranquilla. He stopped for a moment, then his eyes went wide. "Joe Arroyo! You have Joe Arroyo on your iPod? Plug it in!" And I did. I played Joe Arroyo, in Kyoto, because the bartender was a fan.
It may seem trifling and mundane, but that moment blew my mind. It's one thing to hear salsa or get any inkling of Latino culture when you're in the United States or France or Italy, or somewhere else in Western Europe - there's a lot of shared history, shared tongues. For me, it's like assumed that an Italian would know about salsa because we both speak a Romance language, you know? Like, we're cousins; you're stuck with us. But to be in Japan - a place where in my mind there was absolutely no connection between our culture and theirs, a place where the language has absolutely nothing to do with Spanish - and hear Celia Cruz playing at a bar was reaffirming.
It showed me that we really are a global influence. The Japanese aren't stuck with us the way the French would be stuck with us. Like it or not, if one speaks Spanish, one can kind of make their way sloppily around French. One cannot make their way around Japanese in such a way, and vice versa. These salsa bargoers in Kyoto were there, listening to our music, drinking our liquor, enjoying our culture because they chose to. Because they wanted to. Because they like it. I really felt proud to be Latino in that moment - the world outside our own cares for us. And that was really something to realize that after so many years. That was my proudest moment. We should all be proud.
Also, "Despacito".
How Can We Say This Simply? Jessica Alba Wearing a Swimsuit Is H-O-T HOT
When it comes to her swimsuit collection, Jessica Alba seems to favor bikinis - that is, unless she's on set, flaunting some Chanel maillot like it's NBD. But admire her full rotation, and you'll discover that Jessica knows best how to flatter her figure (rightfully so!). The actress and entrepreneur owns plenty of string two-pieces with a triangle-cut top. She'll try busy prints or simple shades, and she usually accessorizes with a sun hat, save for her damn hot snorkeling moments when she's just entering the water. It's safe to say that every swimsuit shot of the gorgeous Jessica - even the Instagram selfies - looks like a photo shoot. Just read on to check out her many designs.
Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez Are Creating a Pretty Awesome Blended Family
Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez have been dating for over a year now, and in that time they've brought their kids together, melting our hearts in the process.
When J Lo posted a photo of her twins with ex-husband Marc Anthony, Max and Emme, having a blast alongside Alex during a weekend in the Hamptons, we loved every minute of it. Then, Alex made us giddy with excitement when he said his girlfriend is the "role model" he wants for his daughters. It has only been downhill from there, because Jennifer and Alex continue to spend time with each other's kids as well as together, like one big, happy brood.
Be prepared to be overcome with emotion while looking at these pictures of the sweet family J Lo and ARod have created.
Watch Salma Hayek's Adorable Daughter, Valentina, Grow Up Before Your Eyes
Mexican actress Salma Hayek and her French businessman husband, Francois-Henri Pinault, are the definition of power couple, and their daughter, Valentina Paloma, is a gorgeous blend of them both. And because her parents are famous, Valentina, who is now 10 years old, has subsequently grown up in the limelight.
A star since birth, she has been on the guest list for big red carpet movie premieres and high-profile art exhibitions and has even made the occasional appearance on Salma's Instagram in front of her over 6 million followers. Here, see her go from too-cute baby to fashionable kid - all with her beautiful mom by her side.
- Additional reporting by Celia Fernandez
How I Learned to Connect to My Latina Culture
At first glance, you might assume that my life as a half-Peruvian Latina living with a Mexican fiancé is likely full of Latinx culture. And you'd be right - we speak to and text each other in Spanish the majority of the time, are always dreaming of new places to visit in Latin America, and never get tired of eating Latinx cuisine. Not only that, but our wedding is set to take place in my fiance's hometown of Monterrey this Fall.
But this hasn't always been the case. My family's Latinx culture was alive and present for the most part when I was a child growing up in Houston, TX. My parents spoke only Spanish to my sister and I until we started preschool and we had many Spanish-speaking nannies throughout elementary school. But once my mom passed away when I was 11 and we moved to small-town Oregon a couple of years later, that part of my identity became tucked away, leaving me with the impression that it wasn't something to draw attention to.
Whether it was a teacher expressing shock at the fact that one of her minority students could get As on their English papers or the occasional racist comments from restaurant customers at my weekend job as a waitress, my high school experience made me want to hide the fact that I was "different" as much as I possibly could. At the same time, my town's lack of diversity was one of the biggest factors that led to my desire to go to college in a multicultural mecca like New York.
Once I got to college and saw that I was hardly "different" in my university's student population, I was not only eager to learn about my peers' cultural backgrounds but also finally ready to embrace my own. I loved taking advanced Spanish classes, branching out from the Peruvian and Tex-Mex food I was so familiar with, and being introduced to Venezuelan and Colombian cuisines.
But it wasn't until I moved back to Houston at 24 that I truly started to connect to my Latina identity. Here, being fluent in Spanish is seen as a big advantage to just about any employer, and I can often help Spanish speakers with directions in my neighborhood. When I think back on my high school years, I wish my friends and teachers had encouraged me to embrace my differences rather than suggesting that they made me "less than" and not as worthy as my peers. Latinxs and our culture contribute so much to this country, and I'm now proud of whatever small way I can be a part of it.
10 of the Most Life-Changing Products We've Used in the Kitchen
It takes a lot of trial and error to find the perfect kitchen tools that can be used over and over again. Thankfully, we food editors have tested our way through plenty of pots, pans, and gadgets, and we finally have a handful that we swear by and that we'll never live without. If you're in the market for a new (and affordable) set of knives, a nonstick skillet that lives up to its name, or a time-saving tool you maybe never knew you needed for chopping garlic, take a look at 10 of our absolute favorite picks that won't ever gather dust in our own kitchens.
Check Your Beauty Products - Here Are 5 Toxic Ingredients to Avoid
As part of our self-care routines, we know what we put in our body is important. We shop organic, eat clean, and blend up healthy green smoothies for breakfast. But what about what we put on our bodies? Skin is the body's largest organ. It protects us from the elements, regulates our temperature, and houses our strong souls. Our skin is also mighty absorbent - and what goes on our body eventually goes in and through it.
From shampoo and conditioner to lotions, serums, makeup, and perfumes, we are constantly massaging, dabbing, brushing, and spritzing ourselves with beauty products chock-full of unpronounceable words. With virtually no real regulations regarding health and safety of these products, some professionals are wary of what's inside. Many of us are aware of potentially harmful ingredients in deodorant, but our healthy body quests certainly don't stop there. Studies are inconclusive when it comes to the long-term effects of certain chemicals, but many health professionals advise using caution when it comes to your beauty routine. Certain ingredients commonly found in your bathroom cabinet have been touted as skin irritants, endocrine disruptors, and may even be carcinogenic.
Before you go cleaning out your entire stash of beauty products, keep an eye out for these five potentially harmful ingredients hiding out in your favorite bottles and tubes.
Parabens
Parabens act as a preservative commonly found in moisturizers, hair products, and cosmetics to prevent the growth of bacteria, yeast, and mold. That's not all. "Of greatest concern is that parabens are known to disrupt hormone function, an effect that is linked to increased risk of breast cancer and reproductive toxicity," a study by the nonprofit Cosmetics Safety Group cites. It has even been identified in breast cancer tumor biopsies, as well. The European Union banned parabens in 2012, but the FDA has yet to regulate this ingredient in America.
Phthalates
Phthalates are key components of plastics and are widely found in lotions, nail polish, perfumes, and hair spray. A study by Harvard School of Public Health showed increased levels of phthalates resulted in DNA damage in human sperm. They may be linked to other cellular damage, as well.
Scanning your labels? Phthalates are often not even mentioned, instead remaining hidden in the term "fragrance" or not listed at all - a loophole in the FDA law protecting cosmetic companies from revealing their "industry trade secrets."
Formaldehyde
Yup, we're talking the preservative you smelled when disecting frogs in your eigth grade science class can be found in your mascara, nail polish, cleansers, and more. While it acts as a preservative to prevent bacteria growth, formaldehyde is deemed a human carcinogen by The International Agency For Research on Carcinogens (IARC). It is also an irritant, causing many skin allergic reactions and may even be harmful to the immune system. Give natural makeup products a try instead.
Synthetic Colors
Love the hue of your shampoo? Thank synthetic colors, the only ingredient of body care products subject for FDA approval before it hits the shelves. Additives are often derived from petroleum and tar sources, or chemical compounds blended to react and create a color. Many of these have been labeled as carcinogens or linked to ADHD in children.
The European Union has banned artificial colors in their food and body care products. Look for combos of letters and numbers such as such as FD&C Blue No. 1 or Blue 1. to delineate this additive. Then swap out that blue body wash for natural body care products, which don't contain artificial colors or dyes, instead.
Chemical Sunscreens
The UV-ray absorbing chemical oxybenzone is a highly absorbent ingredient that has been shown to mimic estrogen in the body and has a high rate for skin allergy as well, according to studies compiled by the Environmental Working Group. Other synthetic chemical sunscreen agents including benzophenone, PABA, avobenzone, homosalate, and ethoxycinnmate may cause cellular damage and cancer in the body. These chemicals are none too friendly to the environment either and are toxic to many organisms, including coral.
Of course, we fully recommend wearing your SPF daily. Look for brands containing zinc and titanium dioxide, which act as a physical UV-block and are not readily absorbed by the skin. Prevent destruction of our oceans and always look for the "reef-safe" stamp of approval when hitting the beach.
How My Dad Taught Me to Be Fearless With My Hair
My dad doesn't look like the typical dad you hear about on TV shows or in Hallmark cards. I've never seen him wear a Polo shirt, Dockers, or one of those cell phone belt clip things. Instead, he dresses much like he did when he went to Woodstock in 1969: with lots of denim (sometimes double-dipping jeans with chambray tops à la a Canadian tuxedo), Western prints, and a paisley tie if he has to get formal. For most of my life, I've associated my dad with one specific feature: his chest-length hair, which he often secured in a ponytail.
I was born in 1995 - the era of bushy, Tom Selleck mustaches and John Stamos mullets. Until I was 8 years old, my dad wore both styles (excellently, I might add). Then came the 2003 invasion of Iraq, but back then, I had no political consciousness. (I was a third grader from the boonies of New Hampshire who only watched the evening news because I had a fairly inappropriate crush on Peter Jennings.) The reason I really remember Operation Iraqi Freedom is because it inspired my dad to grow out his hair. He said he wouldn't cut his ponytail until the war was over.
This was the second time my dad had made such a declaration. The first was in the late '60s, when he grew it out as a form of silent protest against the Vietnam War in college. His jet-black ends jutted out like a lion's mane; if he came of age in the Instagram generation, he definitely could have been a supplement influencer. (Biotin, sponsor him). The Vietnam War ended in 1975, and it outlasted my dad's long hair. Eventually he cut it on a whim to please his father before a family member's funeral.
Thirty years later and the length was back, and it became his most recognizable feature. At some points, my dad's hair was longer than mine, and he was the one who taught me how to style my own. He'd patiently brush out the wet knots on my head come bedtime (a routine I deeply despised) while we spoke about important topics, like which Ghostbuster was the cutest (vintage Dan Aykroyd, obviously) and how fractions objectively suck but I still needed to do my math homework. We'd steal each other's hair ties.
My dad's jet-black hair jutted out like a lion's mane; if he came of age in the Instagram generation he definitely could have been a supplement influencer
On a beautiful Spring day in 2011, when I was a junior in high school, my father opened his work computer (he was in human resources) to find an email with an Excel spreadsheet attached. It listed 300 names of employees he had to lay off. What's worse, the doc sent to him was unedited - and his name was on the list, too. With grace beyond my teenage comprehension, he continued to work that week, giving 100% and not cutting any corners, knowing he'd be unemployed by Friday. Not even a Ghostbuster could be so heroic. Undeterred - or perhaps inspired - by the trauma of losing your livelihood when you have a family to support, my dad bounced back into the job search with the enthusiasm of a Summer camp counselor. His first order of business? Cutting off his ponytail, which he said may not be "corporate enough" to wear on interviews.
I dreaded the day of his hair appointment, but my dad treated the excursion as casually as us going to pick up a pizza. As I sat in the passenger's seat of our Toyota Camry complaining about how the chop would render him unrecognizable, he shrugged. "It's just hair," he said, flicking on his car blinker as we turned into the salon parking lot. "It always grows back."
At the salon, I watched as my dad chatted up his hairstylist Alex, laughing through conversation as strands of hair fell onto the salon floor, and I felt surprisingly at ease. The deed had been done, but the world was still spinning - no seismic earthquake had thrown me off my chair, or changed the fact that we'd still go home and have dinner like any other night. After the cut, he joked about his new look; how he could finally feel the breeze on the back of his head. The ponytail was gone, but my dad remained unchanged.
Days later, he aced an interview and landed a brand-new job - and he's been happily working there for seven years. While these days he opts for short hair out of preference, I've since followed his impulsive approach to styling: My hair has been dyed six times, layered, cut, highlighted, balayaged, Overtoned, and thrown in pigtails or a messy bun. Back in high school, before my dad decided to grow his out, I would stringently heat style my hair. I wouldn't even run to the grocery store without doing some sort of curl. Now, I go to weddings in a three-day-old blowout without so much as a thought.
A few weeks ago, when I impulsively asked my hairstylist for bangs and a shag because I wanted to look like Zendaya, I quickly learned that I am not, in fact, Zendaya - and the cut on me presented more like a mullet, staring back at me in the salon mirror. I immediately missed my lob, which felt more romantic and ethereal in that moment than the harsh, layered, neck-length look I had now. But that day, as I stepped out onto the SoHo street, I resolved to learn how to blow out my new style, stood a little taller, and smiled. Like my dad said, it always grows back.
10 of the Most Life-Changing Products We've Used in the Kitchen
It takes a lot of trial and error to find the perfect kitchen tools that can be used over and over again. Thankfully, we food editors have tested our way through plenty of pots, pans, and gadgets, and we finally have a handful that we swear by and that we'll never live without. If you're in the market for a new (and affordable) set of knives, a nonstick skillet that lives up to its name, or a time-saving tool you maybe never knew you needed for chopping garlic, take a look at 10 of our absolute favorite picks that won't ever gather dust in our own kitchens.
dimanche 17 juin 2018
These Gymnasts' Ab Routine to Uptown Funk Looks Insanely Difficult
What can make four and a half minutes of nonstop ab exercises more bearable? Bruno Mars. The Gymnastics Gym Club in Calgary, Canada impressed us with a challenging ab routine set to the Grammy winner's hit "Uptown Funk." The young girls power through all types of plank and crunch variations without stopping once, making the workout look way easier than it is. Although this video was originally uploaded by their coach program coordinator back in 2015, it's still worthy of praise three years later.
Check out the video above and try following along yourself!
These 14 Fitness Studios Will Make You Wish You Lived in New York
The gym can get a little, well, boring after a while. And why limit yourself to just the basics when there's a city of endless workout studios out there? It can be tough to narrow down all of the options, which is where we come in. New York is the epicenter of fitness, and knowing the hot trends happening in the Big Apple is often indicative on what's to come in your own city. From the Upper West Side to even Brooklyn (and everything in between), we've found the hot spots that are a must try for fitness buffs and beginners alike.
10 Unwritten Rules to Always Follow at the Gym
If there's one place where people's true colors show, it's the gym. It really tests your cleanliness, hygiene, common courtesy, and respect all under one roof - and it's scary to see where gym-goers fail. If you're not sure if you want to date someone or be their friend, take their ass to the gym. Like any other public space, the gym also requires you to follow certain rules of etiquette, even if they're not plastered on the walls. Mind your manners and adhere to the 10 unsaid laws to avoid pissing everyone off.
- Put your equipment away: This should be a given, but clearly not everyone understands this concept. Be an adult and return any weights or foam rollers where you found them.
- Wipe down machines: There's nothing more disgusting than having to clean off someone else's sweat. Not to mention you're promoting the spreading of germs.
- Utilize headphones: This isn't an opportunity to blast your playlist out loud. No one else forces you to listen to their music, so don't do it to them.
- Don't reserve equipment: It's fine if you need to step away from your machine to grab some water or use the restroom, but don't keep others from using it if you know you're going to be gone for more than five minutes.
- Keep it down: Lifting heavy inevitably results in some grunting, but unnecessary yelling can be incredibly distracting to those around you.
- Save your phone calls for later: The gym is not your private office, so refrain from taking long calls in front of everyone. If the conversation is really that important, take it outside!
- Be mindful of those around you: It's not very difficult to be aware of your surroundings. If you're blocking someone in the mirror, step aside. If you're standing too close to someone lifting next to you, give them space.
- Be respectful: Instead of making fun of the newbie who's not using the equipment correctly, offer to spot them instead. The weight room is an intimidating place to begin with; don't add to the pressure.
- Don't sit and text the whole time: If the gym is completely empty, go for it. But if it's prime time, someone may be waiting for you to finish as you sit on the elliptical or bench texting.
- Save your snacks for after: Not only are you probably making a mess, but your wrappers and/or crunching are most likely annoying everyone around you.
I Did This 10-Minute Habit Every Day For 1 Week to Burn an Extra 400 Calories
I work out in the early morning four to five times a week, but other than that, because I work at a desk for eight hours straight, I feel like I don't move a whole lot the rest of the day.
So I committed to starting a new habit, one I felt would be easy to maintain because it only took 10 minutes out of my day. For one week, while keeping up with my normal four to five CrossFit classes and one yoga class, I also did one 10-minute workout video every day. That's it. I wanted to see how moving an extra 10 minutes each day would affect how I felt physically and mentally.
The Benefits
I did these 10-minute workouts after dinner. Whether it was stretching, strength training, or HIIT, during and after every single workout, I felt better than when I started. I think it was because they were so short and not too intense - sometimes long, grueling workouts can make me feel so wiped out. These gave my happiness a boost, but having just a little bit of me time also helped me feel more relaxed and focused to handle the rest of the day and set a positive tone for the next day.
Exercising after dinner helped curb my desire to want to snack before bed. I felt proud that I was exercising instead of plopping down on the couch, and I didn't want to undo it by downing three handfuls of cashews. Good habits encourage more good habits, so on those nights, I actually got to bed earlier, too.
A few times during the week, my kids wanted to do the workouts with me, so I set up yoga mats next to mine and this new habit became their new habit, too. I loved showing them that exercise could be a fun thing we could do together. It also got out some extra energy, so it helped us calm down a bit faster when it was bedtime, so I feel like I slept better.
I didn't lose weight or notice any changes in my physical appearance or fitness ability, but that wasn't my intention anyway. I wanted to see if exercising for 10 extra minutes a day and burning some extra calories would make me feel better, and it did!
What Shocked Me the Most
The thing I was most surprised at is how easy this new habit was to keep up with. I mostly did my 10 minutes after dinner, and I started to look forward to that little bit of time out of my day that was just for me. No answering emails, no doing dishes, no having to go find the missing sock my kids were looking for. It felt so good that those 10 minutes started to seem too short!
Will I Keep Going?
If you know me, you know I love doing personal experiments like these. Drinking a gallon of water a day, eating only fruits and veggies, and not eating dinner were challenges I couldn't wait to see end, but this 10-minute workout video a day is definitely something I enjoyed so much because it was quick and easy and made me feel so good. I'll try to stick with it.
The Workouts
The video workouts I chose are below. I aimed to do a mix of yoga, weights, and cardio so I wouldn't get bored and I could use them as a complement to my morning workouts. I liked that I could choose a workout based on my mood. Knowing that 10 minutes of exercise burned an extra 40 to 60 calories a day was also pretty awesome - that's about an extra 400 calories a week!
25 Protein-Packed Desserts That Will Leave You Feeling Satisfied
Protein is an important macronutrient that will help you build lean muscle and keep you feeling fuller. Sure, you can get your protein fix with a chicken breast or protein shake, but what about something sweet? Turns out it's totally possible to enjoy dessert and also load up on protein at the same time.
With these 25 protein-packed desserts, you don't have to choose between eating something with protein and eating something to satisfy your sweet tooth. These healthy dessert recipes won't blow your macros and will leave you feeling satisfied. Plus, they're damn delicious.
Burn Major Calories With These Heart-Pumping Plyo Exercises
Never heard of plyometrics? The official definition might as well be "workout that makes you drip with sweat while your muscles burn," because that's just what these jumping moves do. And these heart-pumping moves burn serious calories.
A Dietitian Says to Prep This 1 Food Every Week to Lose Weight
Diet plays a huge role in weight loss, so one of the biggest questions registered dietitian Sheri Kasper gets asked by clients is what's one thing they can do right now to start losing weight. Sheri shared with POPSUGAR that she tells clients to "eat more veggies." Why? For these three reasons:
- Veggies let you volume eat: When you're trying to lose weight, reducing portion sizes is effective, but unfortunately you're left feeling restricted and hungry. Since veggies are low in calories and many are low in carbs, you can eat huge portions, feel more satisfied, and still lose weight.
- Veggies take a long time to eat: Salads and vegetables require lots of time to chew, which prevents you from scarfing down your meal too fast. This gives your brain a chance to get the memo that you're full and helps you honor your satiety cues.
- Veggies are full of fiber and water: This adds to the "I'm full" feeling, so you eat less!
To encourage you to eat more veggies throughout the week, Sheri is a huge fan of meal prepping. Here are some things you can do at the beginning of the week:
- Keep cut-up veggies in mason jars to use as a DIY home salad bar, to grab for a quick snack, or to add to dinner recipes.
- Prep freezer vegetarian soup packs so at least one meal out of the week is plant-based.
- Cook a big batch of sweet potatoes in your slow cooker or the oven to use for this almond butter, banana, and sweet potato breakfast.
- Roast a big tray of veggies at the beginning of the week to incorporate into grain bowls, omelets, and as side dishes.
- Prep a big salad that you can dig into all week long. Use lots of fun veggies (not just the standard lettuce, tomatoes, cukes!) and healthy add-ons with a variety of textures and flavors - like canned beans, chopped nuts, cooked whole grains, roasted veggies, and dried fruit - to make it exciting.
- Cook dry beans in your slow cooker to use for soups, salads, and (of course) Taco Tuesday. If you make a huge batch, freeze whole or puréed beans.
- Make mason jar salads for lunch. Prep five on Sunday and they'll stay fresh all week.
- Prep smoothie packs and include veggies like spinach, kale, carrot, and canned pumpkin.
- Cook a whole spaghetti squash in your slow cooker or oven to be used instead of pasta.
24 Easy and Healthy Prep-Ahead Breakfasts to Fuel Your Day
Even if you love breakfast foods, it can be hard to properly eat a hearty meal as you get ready for a busy morning. You're probably used to throwing away your hard-earned cash on protein bars or skipping breakfast altogether, since prepping morning meals can seem like an intimidating task. Luckily, meal-prepping your breakfasts can be fun, easy, and really affordable. Start your day energized with these 24 morning meals that are incredibly easy to make in batches to last you all week long. No more stomach rumbles heard across the office.
From savory meals packed with protein to colorful yogurts topped with your favorite fruits, these meals have something that every vegan, vegetarian, or meat-loving person will love.
This Printable Circuit Workout Will Tone Every Inch of You
This circuit workout, full of multitasking moves, is incredibly effective for toning your entire body in little time. Learn the details of the exercises here, print the workout, then get pumped!
Directions: Warm up with five minutes of light cardio (like jumping jacks, high knees runs, and butt kickers). Grab a set of dumbbells, between five and 10 pounds, and perform each 3-exercise circuit three times before moving to the next. Cool down with five minutes of stretching.
Late-Night Munchies? Try These 10 Healthy Snacks From Target
As you're putting on your PJs and washing your face before bed, it's completely OK to give in to the urge to grab one last snack before hitting the pillow and catching some zzz's. For the moments when you want to snack on something fast so you can crawl into bed and snooze the night away, cooking up a homemade meal from scratch isn't going to be an option. That's why it's important to stock your pantry with the best late-night snacks from a place that has too many to pick from: Target. Here are 10 of my favorite healthy late-night treats.
22 Decadent Treats That Are Actually Healthy
Even though we all have the best intentions of eating healthy, we all know that baking creative and yummy desserts is such a fun thing to do, whether it's a fun batch of cookies or various rich and creamy treats. Luckily, you don't always have to sacrifice health for flavor and decadence. We've rounded up 22 delicious treats, many of them vegan, for you to have your pick from. Enjoy!
We're About to Cry Just Looking at This Groom's Emotional Reaction to Seeing His Bride
Although Liz and Beau met at youth group in junior high, they didn't begin dating until later in life when they reconnected. On Feb. 13, after officially one year of dating, Beau took Liz to Yosemite to celebrate their anniversary. When they stopped to look at the water directly beneath them, he asked, "Are you ready?" Confused by the question, Liz asked, "For what?," and that's when Beau pulled out the ring to pop the question.
Six months later, the couple got married at a private residence in Modesto, CA, where they had an intimate outdoor reception. The groom was overcome with emotion when seeing his beautiful bride walk down the aisle. It was the sweetest reaction!
See their photos ahead.
These 14 Fitness Studios Will Make You Wish You Lived in New York
The gym can get a little, well, boring after a while. And why limit yourself to just the basics when there's a city of endless workout studios out there? It can be tough to narrow down all of the options, which is where we come in. New York is the epicenter of fitness, and knowing the hot trends happening in the Big Apple is often indicative on what's to come in your own city. From the Upper West Side to even Brooklyn (and everything in between), we've found the hot spots that are a must try for fitness buffs and beginners alike.
The 17 Sexiest, Steamiest Scenes From Fifty Shades of Grey
No matter what you think of the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy, you can't deny that Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey have some serious chemistry. We can't help but get hot and bothered thinking of all the sexy scenes, especially from the first movie when everything was fresh and new and the sexual tension had us like whoa. Don't remember all tantalizing moments? Let us jog your memory. We have rounded up the best, naughtiest NSFW GIFs from the film so you can relive it it all its raunchy glory. Every kiss, spank, and steamy sex scene is right here in one place. Happy viewing.
20+ Cute Butt Tattoos That Are Very Cheeky
On an ass cheek isn't necessarily the first place you'd think to get a tattoo, but you'd be surprised just how subtle and sexy ink in that spot can be. From under the cheek to smack dab on the bum, these butt tattoos are cute, creative, and easy to cover up if you want to keep them your little secret!
11 Sex-Fueled TV Shows You Can Stream on Netflix Right Now
Looking for a little steamy evening entertainment? Netflix has tons of sex-filled TV shows you can stream whenever you want. We've rounded up the hottest shows that are fun to watch whether you're on your own or with a date. Check out these sexy picks!
Get Ready For Your Big Day With This Prewedding Playlist
Feel the love on your big day while you get ready with this wedding day playlist! With something for everyone, it will keep prewedding jitters at bay and start the party off right as you and your bridesmaids are getting dressed. It will have everyone singing along!
- "Happy," Pharrell Williams
- "I Gotta Feeling," The Black Eyed Peas
- "I Do," Colbie Caillat
- "Dancing in the Moonlight," Toploader
- "Rude," Magic!
- "Boom Clap," Charli XCX
- "All My Life," K-Ci & JoJo
- "Drunk in Love," Beyoncé and Jay Z
- "Dreams," The Cranberries
- "(God Must Have Spent) A Little More Time on You," *NSYNC
- "I Love It," Icona Pop featuring Charli XCX
- "What a Feeling," Peter Lus featuring Dominico
- "Just You and I," Ricky Blaze
- "We Found Love," Rihanna featuring Calvin Harris
- "Everybody in Love," JSL
- "Stuck Like Glue," Sugarland
- "Teenage Dream," Katy Perry
- "Mine," Taylor Swift
- "Walking on Sunshine," Katrina & The Waves
- "Feel So Close," Calvin Harris
- "Best Day of My Life," American Authors
- "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)," Whitney Houston
- "River Deep Mountain High," Ike & Tina Turner
- "All of Me," John Legend
- "Love and Marriage," Frank Sinatra
- "Everything," Michael Bublé
- "(You Drive Me) Crazy," Britney Spears
- "The Time (Dirty Bit)," The Black Eyed Peas
- "I'm Only Me When I'm With You," Taylor Swift
- "Kiss Me," Sixpence None the Richer
- "Lucky," Jason Mraz featuring Colbie Caillat
- "Wishin' & Hopin'," Dusty Springfield
- "Can You Feel the Love Tonight," Elton John
- "Home," Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
- "Kiss You," One Direction
- "I Could Not Ask For More," Edwin McCain
- "More Than Anyone," Gavin DeGraw
- "Friday I'm in Love," The Cure
- "Ten Feet Tall," Afrojack
- "Chapel of Love," The Dixie Cups
- "Marry You," Bruno Mars
To listen to the playlist below, download the free Spotify software or app.
10 Female Travel Bloggers of Color You Should Be Following
Everybody deserves to have a chance to see a person who looks like them out there in the world killing it in their field of passion. And sometimes it's easy to feel that with the lack of diversity and representation among influencers in the travel industry, a dreamer can ultimately be disheartened when someone doesn't have a positive role model to show them that it's OK to be who they are and to look the way they do in a foreign place.
Thankfully, there's a movement within the travel influencer community where women of color are making their way to the top and creating names for themselves within this space. These 10 blogs are run by incredible ladies who are doing their thing in the travel world and inspiring other women of color to follow in their footsteps.
18 Books to Fuel Your Wanderlust
If you suffer from acute wanderlust, and you're constantly trying to find ways to fit another trip into your schedule, then you might be addicted to traveling. No matter where the wind blows you, it's good to bring a good book along for the ride - one that will inspire you, challenge you, and make you even more excited about every new adventure. Here are 18 books, both fiction and nonfiction, that will get you in the mood to jet off to another new place, as if you needed any more convincing!
36 Signs Your Partner Is "the One"
Getting to spend your life with one person is one of the luckiest things imaginable. When my husband and I were planning our wedding many years ago, I got asked a lot of questions. While everyone wanted to know about the color scheme and wedding venue, the one thing I got asked a surprising amount was: "How did you know he was 'the one'?" The answer, of course, can be pretty long-winded and personal. Even though we might love many people in our lifetime, there might also be one person who excites you and who you want to be with for the rest of your life. Finding "the one" is special. Consider these traits of a relationship that can let you know you have found that one person who will make you smile until you're old and gray.
- They make you laugh every day.
- You want to spend time with them even when you're not feeling your best.
- Doing mundane activities like going to the store is made better by having them with you.
- You think about them throughout the day.
- You both take care of each other's needs.
- You are sexually happy with them and find them attractive.
- Even if you aren't in your dream job now, they support what it takes to get there.
- Children have been discussed, and you share a similar vision of how many, if any, you want.
- All of the parents (or important friends and family members) have met.
- There aren't any secrets being kept.
- Money and spending habits are discussed and respected.
- The thought of growing old with them doesn't scare you.
- Their friends and your friends have merged into one group.
- They know how you take your drink.
- Even when you're snot-nosed and sick, they still want to take care of you.
- Fights are minimal, and when they occur, they're productive.
- There are numerous inside jokes that only you two would understand the humor to.
- The idea of planning a wedding with them sounds like fun.
- You can be your real self around them, farts and all.
- Together you can sit back and enjoy silence, knowing that you don't need words to have a good time.
- You've told them things that no one else in the world knows.
- They don't judge you when you have unconventional thoughts.
- Some nights you stay up late just to talk in bed.
- You can't imagine a future without them.
- In fact, you can't believe you've lived this long without them.
- Neither of you is particularly jealous about previous relationships because nothing could compare to yours.
- You are not annoyed by their quirks; instead, you find them endearing.
- Your relationship is built on trust and a mutual appreciation for each other.
- Difficult moments, like job loss and deaths in the family, are made more tolerable because they know just what you need to feel better.
- You like the same movies and music, at least enough to be entertained together.
- They don't let you get away with things.
- They challenge you to be the best version of yourself.
- You've talked about the future and are on the same page.
- You love your person unconditionally, even when they're being a bit of a stinker.
- Drama does not exist between you two.
- All the love songs in the world make sense now because you two have found each other.
16 Essentials For a Long Car Ride
Going on road trips is one of the best parts of Summer. An abundance of travelers on the road could mean a longer car ride, so if you're going to embark on a lengthy road trip, then remember to bring these essential items with you.
14 Ways to Get Your LGBTQ+ Pride on AND Support a Good Cause
It's no secret that all sorts of brands like to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month. Hell, even at POPSUGAR, we're blasting out inspirational spotlights of queer trailblazers all month long. Then you have the rainbow-washed beauty brands, gorgeous multicolor accessories, and all sorts of fun clothing options. Yep, there are even rainbow Mickey Mouse ears for all the LGBTQ+ Disney superfans. It's incredible to see so much visibility and celebration focused on the LGBTQ+ community, so we've decided to highlight a whole bunch of fun collections that are going the extra mile and donating their proceeds to charitable causes and important organizations.
375 Reasons Why Being a '90s Girl Rocked Our Jellies Off
We can't help but get nostalgic thinking about growing up in the 1990s. Thinking of those days reminds us of the music, fashion, heartthrobs, toys, and TV shows that made the '90s totally rad. So let's take a trip down memory lane to our '90s girlhood, from Ring Pops, 90210, and Tamagotchis to stick-on earrings, Devon Sawa, and Titanic. Check it out!
How Young, LGBTQ+ People Can Make Aging Less Lonely For Their Elders
The author and DJ during a recent visit together. Photos courtesy the author.
Every Saturday for the past year, DJ and I have spent our mornings together. "I look forward to it," he says. "It's the highlight of my week."
DJ, as he prefers to be called, is larger than life. He's a white-haired and white-bearded septuagenarian living in Echo Park who was, once upon a time, a theater actor and director, a poet and writer, and a music critic and music buyer. Where DJ is an artsy elderly eccentric, I am a young weirdo: a 30-something with neon hair in short shorts who likes painting his nails and experimenting with shapely earrings. We may appear like the oddest of couples when I take him grocery shopping, but a close eye would discern kindred spirits, simply separated by a few decades.
DJ and I have a unique relationship. We spend our handful of hours together chatting about life, as he recounts stories of his youth in Northern California and explains whatever malady of the week has him down. Then there's the subject of young men and young women, specifically those he ran into during the week - the types of people he imagines he could have spent a life with if he were born in a different era.
"I'm still 23 in my head," DJ says. "I always look for mental stimulation in the sense that I can learn something or share something with someone or we have a mutual enthusiasm." That's what he likes about me, he says: that I am open and receptive, and ready to listen and talk back – and I help him combat creeping loneliness. That makes DJ most comfortable, as if he has switched into another language to tell me something no one else in the world could understand.
For me, I love that being in DJ's presence comes with constant learning, experiencing, as if I'm a sort of intellectual apprentice. I also love learning about sexual otherness in mid-century America which, truly, is our deepest bond: DJ is a lifelong, avowed bisexual and I am a very outwardly gay, man-ish individual who has lived a queer life for literally a seventh of DJ's. When he speaks about a tiny crush or a former flame, it's less of a recounting with me and more of a a sneezing out of information that seems to have been stored away - something that would be misunderstood by any case worker or doctor he encountered outside of our visits.
"While I wanted to 'give back' to the aging queer community by volunteering, the cliché of my getting back more in return is true: DJ has taught me that there are no limits to speaking up for yourself, of asking for help, of expressing your needs as bluntly as possible."
DJ often looks at his own past relationships in comparison to my same-sex partnered gay world as a window into an imagined other life. "You've got things," he says, things like a relationship that make him think it "would have been nice" if he had that for himself. "Then I have to swat myself in the rear and say, well, honey, if you had perhaps behaved better..." he trails off with a laugh.
Our relationship is volunteer happenstance, a byproduct of two people looking for each other, only to find each other in the most unlikely of ways. As strange as it seems, I spent years searching and searching for ways to connect with queer elders as a young queer person. I found dead ends with local LA organizations that, it turns out, don't have any easy paths to connect the two groups. For a long time, and to this day, I thought about starting my own organization to fill this gap - something I'd love to call "Daddy's Boys" - a volunteer organization to activate both young and old queers in a tongue-in-cheek way. Sadly, time is too luxurious and too many hashtag millennial financial stresses prevent me from pursuing such a dream. Perhaps in my other life.
DJ, at home. Photo courtesy the author.
In the meantime, I found a dedicated senior care organization that, through queer magic, connected me with DJ. DJ was looking for someone to think with; an intellectual and energetic equal. He was looking for companionship to help quell loneliness, but, he's since told me, he didn't want someone who was "bedraggled of the mind" or "whose energy level is blotto." My volunteer coordinator didn't know DJ was queer, but it was quickly revealed to me and, truly, was one of the best surprises of my adult life. His knowledge, his history, his life fills so many voids and wants as far as connecting with a different era of queerness. I see myself in LGBTQ+ elders like DJ and have found it absolutely invaluable to learn the importance of safe sex and the need to embrace your single queer friends as middle age approaches from someone who has already lived that life. But the biggest difference between DJ and I is that he does have a son while I do not plan on having any children.
We millennials are in high time for parenting. We live in an advanced world where queer adults like myself can become parents myriad ways. Sometimes I think about fatherhood, but always end up more curious about those who have come before me - my queer elders - who didn't have the parenting options that me and my peers have. What is their life like? What are their needs? How can I adopt them? That's what I'm interested and excited by. I could be a parent, but my boyfriend and I have have chosen not to since, really, it's hard enough for us hashtag millennials to make life work the way we want. (And, coupled with some major world problems, we feel the pressure to just survive. We're seemingly not alone given the low birth rates.)
It's scary though, considering my golden, idle years without children of my own, without a person to lean on when I cannot figure out technology or literally cannot stand. I would be lying if I said I didn't think about that constantly, in fear not only of the loneliness of aging, but of facing end-of-life markers without anyone who loves you; who spent a bulk of their life with you. The biggest lesson I've learned during my time with DJ is that he reached out when he recognized that the quality of his life wasn't to his preference, and he made a change. While I wanted to "give back" to the aging queer community by volunteering, the cliché of my getting back more in return is true: DJ has taught me that there are no limits to speaking up for yourself, of asking for help, of expressing your needs as bluntly as possible. I can do that, too, when I am his age.
DJ also gives me hope in my peers and in the world. My age group (and younger and, occasionally, older folks) impress DJ constantly given their extreme openness. "There's gotta be a senior center for older gay folks to hang out or watch movies or just get to know somebody," he projects before lamenting the reality of queer aging. "When you get older, especially if you're LGBTQ+, you have to think about some kind of support system, some kind of way of managing the money you will have and the space you want to occupy." This he attributes to a unique type of queer loneliness that, while in many ways universal, is something to consider at all ages by turning to our friends and queer family of choice. "Try and find a friend or a confidant or social buddy who you can say whatever on your mind and expect to get a reasoned reply," he says. "You have to somehow find a mutual vibe there."
DJ sometimes talks candidly about how hard getting older can be. "The thing about aging is..." he trails, softening his speech. "...you get a little bit of deference but not much. Mostly society seems to want to put people away in nursing homes, which is counter productive in my mind." This is exactly why he reached out for help and turned to a social worker who, in turn, connected me with him. It's a sad American truth – and definitely something that we who are young, parentless, and queer can take the charge in righting.
We can hope for a better future, we can hope that the DJs in our lives and in the world have a me, but we also have to make that world. That is my charge and it's your charge, not only for queer elders but for all of our elders. In working with DJ, in seeing his life, aging is made real. I live thousands of miles from any of my grandparents and a similar distance from my parents: seeing people "get old" firsthand is out of my reach. The concept becomes a phantom limb, something you intellectually know but do not have experience of firsthand. My Saturdays with DJ make me want more: to share more, to give more, in the hopes that we can all experience and honor late life as we do young life.
Perhaps I need to start "Daddy's Boys." Perhaps I need to be more wide-eyed and receptive to any elderly person I come across in the world. It's a simple, obvious lesson. It just took a person like DJ to teach me.
If you're interested in helping or advocating for LGBTQ+ seniors, consider the work of Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE) along with regional organizations like Lavender Seniors and OutReach.
An Expert Reveals Whether or Not Shower Sex Is Actually Safe
When it comes to sex, pretty much any place seems fun, and it's totally encouraged to get it on in adventurous spots to shake things up. However, before jumping right in, you'll need to know if your desired location is actually safe. That's when sex can really go wrong, resulting in a sex injury even. Plus, the shower is pretty slippery, so when it comes to shower sex, those chances might be even greater. Here's what you should know before having shower sex, as well as whether or not it's a good idea in general.
Is It Safe?
Yup, it sure is - and fun. Yet you still need to be careful not to slip and fall because you are in the shower, it's a wet environment, and you can get carried away during sex and lose balance, especially if you're trying some more advanced positions. First tip? Avoid supercomplex positions that can cause you to feel unstable. Stick with good positions that are grounding, explains Lanae St.John, DHS, ACS, a certified sexologist and professor of human sexuality, to POPSUGAR.
How to Improve Stability
"One of the risks of having sex in the shower is the possibility of slipping," she says. "To reduce the risk, you can pick up inexpensive antislip stickers for the floor of your tub at your local hardware store. There are a couple of companies that sell suction-cup devices that make playing in the shower safer," she explains. She also offered some other helpful suggestions.
"One of the products is the Sex in the Shower Single Locking Foot Rest," she says. It looks like a ledge and is dual-purpose, so you can put your foot on it to shave your legs before getting frisky. "The other is the Sportsheets Dual Locking Suction Handle that attaches to the wall in your shower and gives a firm place to hold onto," she says. These items, when applied to a dry wall ahead of time, provide a fantastic secure base and can prevent accidents, she advises.
Use Lube
The shower is fantastic, but it can reduce natural lubrication. Though, FYI, if you have your period, you'll be a bit more wet down there, and the shower might just be the perfect position for your monthly flow.
A lube that is silicone-based is a much better choice for the shower than a water-based lube because it allows you to stay wet and not dry out, she notes. "Hold off on the soap, though, because that's what you use to wash off the silicone lube afterwards," she says. Remember to be extra careful, as lube can make the floor slippery - don't apply too much or make a mess without being aware of what's around you.
Types of Positions
Any positions that offer stability on both ends are advisable. "An easy position is one where [they] put [their] leg up on the tub edge. If you are in a larger shower or tub/shower combo, another choice position is a rear-entry position, where [one person] is bent over forward, perhaps with [their] hands on the end of the tub. Then [the person behind] can hold [their partner's] hips and get some power for thrusting," she says.
Either way, go into it being mindful of balance, and if a position seems hard or uncomfortable, ditch it. Better to be safe than sorry, and you can still have a ton of fun in the shower together.
The 12 Best Rides at Disney World Are More Than Worth the Wait Times
Getting to go to Disney World is a magical experience filled with special treats, unique accessories, and enchanting fireworks. Beyond all of these things, what makes the park so special is the rides. While you might want to see them all, it's best to know which ones should be your go-to experiences. In this list are 12 the best attractions at Disney World; some are classics and some are new, but all of the ones featured on this list simply can't be missed.
The Royal Family's Nurseries Have Been Over-the-Top Dreamy For Years
With the news of baby number three on its way for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, what better time to look back at that very unique childhood environment: the royal nursery! It is where the next generation of the family forge their earliest memories and is often the liveliest, most informal, and creative heart of any royal household. It is usually comprised of a whole suite of rooms that take up a whole floor and include a kitchen, playroom, and bedrooms for the little princes and princesses, their nannies, and protection officers. Over the years, it's been offset by some very special al fresco additions, including the queen's most glamorous Wendy House ever, William and Harry's tree house, and George and Charlotte's shepherd's hut. It's time to take a tour . . .
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