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.
mercredi 7 novembre 2018
22 Cute and Cozy Pieces Every Fashion Girl Will Be Hoping For This Year
Whether you're hunting for the perfect gifts for your loved ones or you're window shopping for your own wish list, try looking at Free People. The cool retailer carries everything from cozy coats to stunning jewelry and lush beauty products. We did the hard work for you and uncovered its 22 hottest picks of the year. Keep scrolling to shop our top picks.
If Hailey Baldwin's Holiday Outfit Is This Downright Sexy, Justin Bieber's in For a Treat
We've been keeping a close eye on Hailey Baldwin and Justin Bieber's coordinated couple style, especially after their surprise wedding. While we may not know what exactly she's wearing for their first holiday season as a married couple, we have a pretty good idea what Hailey will wear, thanks to Pretty Little Thing's new collection.
The 21-year-old starred in the affordable retailer's holiday collection, posing in an array of sparkly looks. Hailey dripped in sparkles while walking the red carpet for the launch in a silver suit. She styled a daring, low-cut blazer ($45) with a pair of matching wide-leg trousers ($38) perfect for the holiday season. She completed her outfit with bedazzled stilettos and hoop earrings. Read on to get a look at all angles of her outfit and buy her exact same suit or a similar option.
If You've Got a Party to Go to, You Need a Pair of Pretty Shoes
If you've been invited to a cocktail party, or somewhere you have to dress up, it can feel tempting to put all you effort into finding the right outfit and neglecting your footwear. We know we've been guilty of it. But, having an arsenal of evening shoes is a must for any well-rounded closet. Neutrals and metallics look appropriate with basically anything, and you can feel good about knowing that you'll get real use out of these picks.
13 Things We Could Fit Inside Lourdes Leon's Adorably Tiny Purse Earrings
When you're Madonna's daughter, there's presumably a lot of pressure to be on the cutting edge of the fashion scene, but after seeing Lourdes Leon on Monday night, it's safe to say she's got it in the bag. The 22-year-old stepped out for the 15th annual CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund event in a sheer white deconstructed dress, matching white heels, and a snakeskin purse, but it was her intricate and very interesting earrings that had us pinching and zooming harder than ever before.
At the end of her diamond-covered long earrings were two tiny, fur-covered purses, and all we have to say is: Polly Pocket, who? We're not quite sure if the ornate jewels actually open and double as functional storage, but if they do, we have some ideas of what Lourdes could keep in each of them.
- 3-4 pieces of gum
- A mini pack of Nerds
- A collection of Crocs Jibbitz
- Mini Vaseline
- A pack of Wisp Disposable Mini Toothbrushes
- $2 in quarters
- A handful of Tic Tacs
- Travel-size highlighter for that glow!
- 2 Goldfish crackers
- 1 Starburst
- ChapStick
- Stud earrings to swap into when these get too heavy
- A set of earplugs to block out the haters
You get the picture! Read on to see more photos of Lourdes and her fabulously unique earrings at the annual event.
Mandy Moore Accessorized Her Dress With an "I Am a Voter" Pin, and We Love Her For It
Mandy Moore found a subtle yet bold way to encourage people to hit the polls during her most recent red carpet appearance, and we love her for it. While attending the Ralph Breaks the Internet premiere in Los Angeles, Mandy, who voices Rapunzel in the animated Disney movie, proudly wore a black enamel pin that read "I Am a Voter" in white text. The square accessory perfectly matched her floral Rochas maxi dress, which featured long cuffed sleeves and a cutout in the bodice.
Mandy is just one of the many A-listers who have publicly made their voices heard ahead of this year's midterm elections. Supermodel Gigi Hadid was recently spotted wearing a bright tee that read "Vote" in large lettering, and plenty others have openly shown off their "I Voted" stickers on social media while urging their followers to get off social media and get to the polls. Ahead, see Mandy's statement-making red carpet outfit, complete with Neil Lane diamond drop earrings, and keep reading to shop her exact enamel pin for yourself, along with other similar Fall-approved floral dresses.
The Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals to Bookmark - and Even Shop - Right Now
If you're anything like us, the only Black Friday deals you want to shop after a day of feasting and family are the ones you can hit up right from your couch. We got you. In fact, your favorite retailers are already busy planning (and currently rolling out) their Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales way ahead of the holiday. This way, you can get your game plan together, stake out the best places, and start clicking "add to cart" all from the comfort of your home.
Bookmark and shop our favorite deals so far as we continue to update the best fashion deals ahead of the craziest sale days of the year - you know, to make things a little less crazy.
16 of the Most Perfect Fall Layering Pieces You Can Imagine, All Under $80!
As a fashion girl who's survived my fair share of chilly afternoons, I can't get through the season without some basic pieces I can layer. Comfortable sweaters, chic jackets, and cool tops mean that you don't have to sacrifice style for warmth, and isn't that a beautiful thing? We're obsessed with our POPSUGAR at Kohl's collection because it makes seasonal dressing so easy, and none of these pieces will break the bank. Take a look at some of our faves.
Prepare Your Bank Accounts: Levi's Finally Released Its Disney Collection!
Hey there, reader. I've got a quick math question for you, but don't worry - it doesn't involve tricky polynomials or quadratic equations. It's quite simple, actually.
If you're stumped, I'm more than happy to guide you to the solution. When you combine an all-American denim brand like Levi's with a lovable institution like Disney, the result is a clothing and accessories collection torn straight out of your wildest dreams.
Lucky for us, this heaven-sent mash-up is now a reality. To celebrate Mickey Mouse's 90th anniversary, Levi's teamed up with Disney to release a special-edition line of outerwear, jeans, and accessories inspired by the iconic cartoon character. There's a sherpa-lined trucker jacket, cozy hoodies, oversize tees, and even light-wash jeans with Mickey's adorable smiling face plastered on the side.
The Mickey x Levi's collection officially dropped online on Nov. 1, and it's safe to say we've already added plenty of the items to our shopping carts. Take a look at the cool pieces below, and you'll certainly feel inclined to do the same.
27 Awesome Pieces That'll Inspire You to Get the F*ck Out and Vote
We've said it before and we'll say it again: voting is important - like, really f*cking important, guys. Whether you're the first person in line at the polls or you already sent in your absentee ballot, all that matters is that you leave the excuses behind and make your voice heard.
Tons of fashion labels and retailers are selling merchandise covered with poignant messages about getting to the polls and submitting those ballots. Lingua Franca is offering a line of cozy sweaters emblazoned with powerful feminist sayings, while Kenneth Cole recently introduced "The Voice Shop," a collection of unisex tees with proceeds benefiting public health and civil liberties initiatives.
We did the digging for you and uncovered 27 of the coolest voting-inspired items out there - shop them ahead until your civic-duty-loving heart's content.
PS - Go vote!
PPS - Seriously, do it.
20 Thanksgiving Dresses That Let You Reach For Seconds
Why do we love dresses? Let us count the ways. First of all, and perhaps most importantly, they're so comfortable. Especially a loose-fitting dress; it's comfortable, you can move around in it, and you don't have to wear pants, which is a top selling point for us. Whether you're gearing up for Thanksgiving dinner or just looking to bulk up your Fall wardrobe, might we suggest one of these stylish picks?
Nordstrom Released a Dazzling Blogger-Approved Line, but It's the Skirts We're Loving
If you need inspiration for how to rock bold colors, just look at Blair Eadie's Instagram feed. The founder of Atlantic-Pacific is known for her East Coast meets West Coast style, which is a cool look for anyone to try for themselves. That's why we were thrilled when the influencer announced she'd be releasing a line with Nordstrom.
The pieces in the collection are under $250 and come in an inclusive size range. We love all the playful designs, but we're especially impressed by the many midi skirts being offered. Shop through them all and treat yourself to something new. They work great from now through the holidays, so they're a smart buy. See for yourself.
If You Don't Have This Classic Fall Shoe in Your Closet, Get Shopping!
Versatile, comfortable, and sophisticated, it's no wonder loafers have become a fashion-girl staple. Whether you're styling your pair with a sleek skirt to take on an important meeting or crisp jeans for running weekend errands, loafers make just the right statement. These are our 13 favorite pairs this season, so make a little room in your closet!
These 11 Gifts Will Make Anyone Feel Like Meghan Markle Becoming a Princess
Meghan Markle is our style icon, our beauty icon, our everything icon, honestly. We love everything about her, and we're not the only ones. The Meghan Markle superfan, or even just the woman with impeccable, refined taste, will love any of these special Meghan Markle-themed gifts. Think chic blazers, dainty jewelry, and off-the-shoulder dresses. These picks are fit for a princess . . . or at least a duchess.
Our Editors Are Obsessed With These Pants Because They're THAT Comfortable
Finding pants that are comfortable yet polished is tricky - in fact, it seems almost impossible. That's why we were thrilled when our POPSUGAR at Kohl's collection came out with these Crop Flare-Leg Pants ($37, originally $50). Honestly, our editors are raving over how wearable they are.
The forest green hue is incredibly versatile; you can treat it as a neutral and wear it with any color you desire. These pants also have pockets, which is always a plus. The stretchy cotton-blend fabric allows you to move or sit without feeling restricted. Basically, these pants are pure magic.
You can get this pair in sizes 0 to 18, so they're ideal for a variety of body types. The cropped length goes with boots, flats, heels, or sneakers, so style them however you wish. We're wearing them around the office on the regular, trust us. Read on to learn more details on our new seasonal staple.
We Need Bella Hadid's $85 Unisex Track Pants Like She Needs That Mug of Coffee - Badly
Bella Hadid and her boyfriend, The Weeknd, have been parading their athleisure style around NYC as Bella gears up to walk in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. What's in Bella's city wardrobe? Some affordable unisex separates - like her Alo biker shorts - that work for running everyday errands and are damn comfortable, too.
While Bella showed off a sexy slip of skin in a ribbed turtleneck crop top, her Wu Wear nylon cargos ($85) make this look feel fresh and sporty and completely appropriate for a gloomy day when a mug of coffee is as essential as any other accessory.
Read on to see how Bella and The Weeknd coordinated in black puffers - Bella's in a shiny style from LAMARQUE ($695) - and get a closer look at Bella's Andy Wolf shades and gold hoops, then shop her exact track pants, along with plenty of similar styles.
Everyone Is at Their Wits' End in This Hilarious "2016 vs. 2018" Election Day Meme
It's pretty clear that we're all fired up for the midterm elections (even Oprah Winfrey was on the ground in Atlanta, GA). In such a tense moment in time for America, we could all use a little levity. Luckily, Twitter has come through in clutch with the perfect meme to make you laugh while you scream internally. A whole flood of users are doing a "before and after" of sorts, capturing their overall attitude during the 2016 election and their overall attitude during the 2018 midterms. Needless to say, all of the "after" pictures are bloodied, dirty, beat-up, and 100 percent more done than before. So, if you need a little bit of a breather, or would rather just check out for the next few minutes before you check back in, we got your back.
These Are the Little Things Women Notice About Their S.O. When in Love
You might love that your partner is intelligent, ambitious, compassionate, or all of the above (you lucky girl!), but when you're truly in love, the little quirky habits and gestures really stand out most. You may not have noticed the way your partner curls up when watching a scary movie or how they perk up, showing dimples and all, when they dig into a pizza pie, after a couple of dates. However, as time passes and the connection grows deeper, you fall hard for each other, and those cute, silly, embarrassing, sexy, and totally unique traits become apparent, and yes, lovable. Here, real women share the little things their partners do that make their hearts flutter.
27 Gifts Your Boyfriend Actually Wants
There are things women think men want, and then are things that men actually want. If you'd like to give your boyfriend something he will actually use (and not something he only wears to make you happy), you've come to the right place. These tech-y, boozy, nerdy, sporty, bacon-y gifts are guy-approved, and are guaranteed to elicit genuine joy this holiday season.
- Additional reporting by Tara Block
14 Dreamy Honeymoon Destinations That Will Excite You More Than the Wedding
Planning a wedding, albeit exciting, can be a daunting process. From the big decisions down to the tiniest details, you could have a two-year engagement and still feel short on time. But planning your honeymoon? Now you're onto the fun part. If time and resources allow, getting away right after you say "I do" is a magical experience - one that you and your partner will never forget (and frankly, could use after all the wedding-day commotion). Whether you're craving adventure, classic romance, or merely some rest and relaxation, read on for 14 enchanting honeymoon destinations that just might excite you more than the ceremony.
People Are Leaving "I Voted" Stickers on Susan B. Anthony's Grave to Honor Her Legacy
It's been almost 100 years since women were granted the right to vote, and voters are honoring Susan B. Anthony on Election Day. People headed to Mount Hope Cemetery in Rochester, NY, on Tuesday to place their "I Voted" stickers on Anthony's gravestone after making their voice heard in the midterm elections. Visiting Anthony's grave has become a tradition for some, and people did so during the 2016 election, too.
Two years after the presidential election, people across the nation are excited to take action in the midterms, and I think we can all agree that we owe it to the women who fought for our right to vote to show up at the polls.
50+ Target Finds Under 50 Bucks For Your Boyfriend - He's Gonna Love 'Em
So, what exactly do you get your boyfriend for the holidays without looking like you tried too hard, overthought it for months, or called his mother on the phone last week and asked what he wanted? Yeah, it's a question we have all asked ourselves at one point or another.
To keep your relationship casual, cool, and right where you want it this holiday season, get your guy some of these fun and thoughtful gifts from Target. Shop our picks for the best boyfriend gifts ahead!
Related: 150+ Presents You Can Get For Everyone on Your List - All From Target!
What It's Like to Live in a Hurricane's Destruction After the World Stops Caring
Hurricanes are nothing new to the Florida Panhandle. A lot of people around Panama City, where I live, consider hurricane season a fifth season that falls somewhere in between Summer and Fall. When the news stations go haywire, we throw hurricane parties and stock up on booze and snacks. We roll our eyes and snicker because we know that we'll get a few days off from work and have some extra bonding time with our friends. Worst-case scenario, we lose power for a day or two and see a few street signs blown down.
With the exception of Hurricane Opal in 1995, Bay County's track record has been good for so long that I often wondered when our lucky streak would finally end. I never could have imagined that when it did, it would be this detrimental.
If I were to make a guess, I'd say that 90 percent of all Bay County residents did not evacuate for Hurricane Michael. That's close to 170,000 people who endured winds peaking at 155 MPH.
In less than 20 hours, the storm went from cautionary to life altering.
Judging from afar, people will probably question our decision to stay. They might even go as far as to say it's our own fault. But what most people don't realize is that our City Center was not ordered to evacuate. Only the areas in threat of storm surge were - primarily our beach and anyone living in mobile homes. The irony is that most of our beach residents evacuated inland to Panama City, and Panama City was demolished.
Also, keep in mind that Hurricane Michael underwent major changes between 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 9, and 1 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct 10, and was upgraded from a category 2 to a category 4 storm. By the time it made landfall about 12:30 p.m., it was one notch away from being a category 5. In less than 20 hours, the storm went from cautionary to life altering. It changed so quickly that it was too late for people to get out. The hurricane's force was compared to a massive EF3 tornado (the third most devastating tornado). In terms of pressure, Hurricane Michael is the third most intense hurricane to hit the mainland United States, after Hurricane Camille in 1969 and an unnamed Labor Day hurricane in 1935.
In Panama City, we were fighting to survive while the rest of the world was back to business as usual.
My neighborhood was hit hard, just as hard as my mother-in-law's, my parents', my best friend's, my third grade teacher's. There wasn't an area of our city that wasn't heavily impacted. My family (four adults, one 4-year-old child, and two dogs) rode out the storm in my 1,400-square-foot home. It was terrifying, to say the least. Trees crashed around us, the walls shook with fury, and the wind whistled in our ears like a freight train. If we lost our roof, we devised a plan to sit in my car, which was parked under my carport. It wasn't much of a plan, but it was all we had. We got lucky and didn't lose our roof.
I later discovered that my friend, who lives one street over, did. She, her husband, their 5-year-old, and their 18-month-old huddled in their car during the worst part of the storm after their roof had collapsed. Another friend of mine lost her roof along with the safety of her car. She had no choice but to run outside, into flying debris, falling trees, and monstrous winds, to take cover at their neighbors' across the street. My friend Christy and her husband were trapped inside their home for three days after the storm with their 2-month-old and their toddler. By the time they were rescued, they were down to one bottle of water and no ice. The horror stories are endless.
Overnight, our town was transformed into a weather-beaten war zone. The first week of living in post-Michael conditions felt like living in apocalyptic times. I expected zombies to appear at any moment.
Overnight, our town was transformed into a weather-beaten war zone.
We had no running water, meaning we couldn't flush the toilets. We couldn't wash our hands, either; we had to ration the bottled water we had left for other things - like drinking. After the storm, we moved to my parents' house, where there is a pool. We often rinsed our hands in the black, murky, possibly snake-infested pool water, and then we used hand sanitizer to kill the germs. We obviously had no power, and no power means no air conditioning in 100-degree Florida weather. It also meant no street lights, no home lights, no refrigerators, and no way to charge our cell phones. Not that cell phones were of much use: more than 60 percent of all Bay County residents were left with zero wireless service. We had no way of contacting one another to see who was OK and instead drove around looking for loved ones. But driving around was dangerous, and there was no gas to refill the tank, so we couldn't drive far. If you were lucky enough to have a generator, you didn't have enough gas to run the thing. There was zero access to health care: our hospitals and clinics were demolished, and nurses and doctors were trapped inside their own homes.
But perhaps the scariest part of living in a city that is smashed to hell is the looters. A high percentage of homes were highly exposed to looters because they had no roofs and broken windows. There weren't enough authorities to guard every single street, so individuals had to take matters into their own hands, posting signs like "You loot, I shoot" or "weapon strong." One woman had her purse stolen right from her hands when looters trespassed into her home. So many cars were smashed by trees that people were forced to walk around instead of drive, adding to their vulnerability.
For every five people I know, four have lost their homes.
My husband, my son, and I stuck it out for a week, but we finally decided that we'd had enough. We also needed to get my son to a doctor. The day of the storm, he'd developed a nasty cough that was quickly getting worse. We drove five hours to Jacksonville to get him some medicine and to stay with some friends, hoping to return when things calmed down. Driving out of the wreckage and back into society felt perplexing. One-hundred miles up the road, they had cell service, flushing toilets, functioning restaurants, and gas. In Panama City, we were fighting to survive, while the rest of the world was back to business as usual. We tried to enjoy our time away, but we started to feel like we'd deserted our home. So on day six, we made our way back.
Upon our return, I'm not sure what I expected to see, but somehow leaving the mess and then returning made the reality of the situation truly sink in. Tears trickled down my face as we drove back onto the once-familiar streets that were now unrecognizable. Massive 100-year-old oak trees that once provided so many homes and parks with natural shade were blown to smithereens, their extensive six-foot-wide roots lifted from the earth, disintegrating entire yards. The 50- to 80-foot pine trees that populated every street and every yard were snapped in half, piled into colossal mounds that were so high, they blocked entire homes. Almost every roof carried a new shade of blue: tarps were their only barrier to block any potential rain.
It's been 29 days since Hurricane Michael, and our city is still in shambles. We are eternally grateful to all the linemen who came from all over the country. They restored our power in record time, and because of them, we are able to begin to put the pieces back together. As of now, 98 percent of our county has power and water, but the restoration of power doesn't mean our thriving community has been restored. We have some businesses reopening, but the ratio of open to closed is 1:10. A few grocery stores made it through, but the restaurants are few and far between. Our hospitals are only partially opened, and a massive amount of our clinics were wiped out. Countless doctors, lawyers, and teachers are twiddling their thumbs because they have no place to work. For every five people I know, four have lost their homes. They're either staying with family or have relocated to neighboring counties. Many of our schools are still being used as shelters, because there is no place for the homeless to go. When I use the word "homeless," I'm referring to the people who recently became homeless because of the hurricane.
But I am happy to say that aside from all the destruction, there is a light that shines bright. The old saying applies that when the going gets tough, the tough get going. I've never felt so proud to be a Bay County resident. We have pulled ourselves out of the rubble and, somehow, through all of the mess, managed to hold our heads high. Our community has become a team, and everyone is adopting terms like #850strong and #wewillrebuild. Because we know that Hurricane Michael is not the end of Bay County, it's a new beginning.
Why Isn't Election Day a Holiday in America?
As Election Day looms, you're probably hearing a lot about why you need to get your butt to the polls. But, consistently, a huge chunk of the American population fails to do just that - especially in midterm elections. The main reason people historically cite for dodging their civic duty is that it's simply too hard to get away from work and school to cast a ballot. So why, then, do we continue to hold Election Day on a seemingly random Tuesday in November?
Vote.org founder Debra Cleaver said there's a surprising answer - one that made sense when Congress instituted the rule in 1845, but makes very little sense now, 172 years later. In the mid-1800s, the United States was still largely a society fueled by agriculture. That meant November was a good month to hold the vote, because it was after the harvest, but before Winter weather set in. OK, but why Tuesday?
"They picked Tuesday because it was the day before farmers had to set up at market, so people would be coming in from the rural areas into town," Cleaver said. "It was the single-most convenient day for the majority of Americans to vote, because people were all in the city centers." Flash forward to 2018, Cleaver said, and that's clearly no longer the case.
Several efforts to change this archaic tradition and establish Election Day as a national holiday have been made over the years, but to no avail. Why is that? Cleaver has a theory: "I don't think elected officials are motivated to increase turnout, because increased turnout increases accountability."
Cleaver isn't even convinced that simply declaring Election Day a national holiday would make great strides to remedy America's low voter turnout. (Only 58 percent of eligible voters cast a ballot in the 2016 presidential election.) "If we simply make Election Day a federal holiday, it will only affect federal employees," she noted. Instead, there are a number of other things we could do to help make voting easier on the electorate, and we need only look at other developed countries - most of which have higher voter turnout rates than we do - for clues. Here are a few examples:
- In countries like Denmark, Sweden, and Iceland, voter registration is linked to national population records. In other words: you're automatically registered to vote. (Speaking of, if you're not 100 percent positive you're registered to vote, take a few seconds and confirm your voter registration status here.)
- In countries like Belgium and Australia, voting is compulsory - meaning that if you don't participate, you could face a fine.
- In many developed countries - including Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, Germany, and France, just to name a few - voting takes place on weekends or holidays.
Only about half of US states have laws protecting the rights of workers to take unpaid time off - key word: unpaid --to vote on Election Day. For many people, especially employees who are paid hourly, the choice to go to work instead of to their polling place doesn't feel like much of a choice at all.
Cleaver said that, for most Americans, it's their boss who ultimately controls whether they can realistically take time away to vote. So even though we may have the legal right to exercise our voting privileges, it's reasonable that many people are too intimidated to ask to use it. This fact unfortunately serves to make populations marginalized by factors like socioeconomic status even less likely to make their voices heard via their votes.
That's why Cleaver and Vote.org launched ElectionDay.org, a special project to enlist companies to hold themselves accountable when it comes to making voting a priority. To date, more than 150 companies - including Patagonia, Lyft, Kaiser Permanente, and Pinterest - have signed ElectionDay.org's pledge to give workers paid time off to vote on Election Day this November.
Cleaver said she's been heartened by the response, and isn't above appealing to corporate self-interest in making her case to business leaders. "Low voter turnout increases the likelihood that radical candidates win and radical candidates bring with them radical policies that hurt business," she noted, pointing to the current trade war with China, which is causing headaches for businesses across several industries. "Democracy is good for business."
I Was in an Emotionally Abusive Relationship, and I Didn't Even Realize It
At 23 years old, I fell fast and hard for an outgoing, charismatic man. When we began dating, he made me feel special, beautiful, and loved. I decided that any negative aspect of our relationship didn't matter because he loved me so much - there was a reasonable explanation for all of it. So when he proposed to me after almost a year of dating, I was overjoyed. I found a guy who wanted to commit his life to me. We were going to build a future together.
Six months into our engagement, that image of our life crumbled to pieces. My fiancé decided that he didn't want to marry me anymore, and it felt like a tragedy. I dreaded telling my friends and family; I was devastated. But their reactions to my news were not what I expected at all. One friend broke into tears. Another told me she was proud of me. My family felt guilty that they had let the relationship progress as much as it did.
They were relieved that my engagement to this man was over. Everyone had been scared for me, and I didn't get why. I was confused.
Everyone had been scared for me, and I didn't get why. I was confused.
This was the worst thing that had ever happened to me, wasn't it? But then, loved ones started telling me of times when they wish they had said something to me. Times when my fiancé would put me down or yell at me in public. And as more people stepped forward and told me that ending this relationship was a good thing (including this guy's own close friends), I came to a horrifying realization.
I was emotionally abused, and I could not admit to myself that it was happening at the time.
There were glimmers of problems from the beginning of our relationship, but I made the choice to ignore them. He would say little things to me or shout for a moment, but I brushed it off. It didn't become bad until we moved in together a month after our engagement.
My friends only saw what was happening in front of them, but behind closed doors it was even worse.
The first memory I have of definitive emotional abuse was an evening just a week or two after we moved into our apartment. We were sitting at the bar below our place having a drink when I noticed that he was getting Snapchats from a girl he nicknamed Kate Upton in his phone. I had mentioned to him once before that this made me uncomfortable, so when I saw that she had popped up once again, I questioned him about it. And he became furious with me.
He immediately stomped up the stairs to our apartment, and I quickly followed behind. He was livid. He told me I was ridiculous and jealous for questioning if he would be inappropriately interacting with another girl. And I felt terrible that I would ever question him - we were getting married, after all.
But the more I cried and apologized, the more he screamed at me.
But the more I cried and apologized, the more he screamed at me. I began to have a panic attack and I melted down to the ground, curled up in a ball in the hallway. But instead of stopping the yelling, he stood over me and continued to scream. I started hyperventilating. He told me I was faking it and I was pathetic. After he finished the shouting, he walked away from me. We were silent for about 20 minutes, then we got into bed and went to sleep. The next morning, he said he was sorry, but I needed to calm down with my emotions. So in the end, I was the one apologizing for what transpired the night before.
This was not a one-time thing. There were many more fights like this. And in the end I was always the one made to feel guilty. How dare I ever question him - he proposed to me. How could I do that to him? I was disgusted with myself for doubting him on a regular basis. I told myself that it was my anxiety making me paranoid.
But the screaming wasn't the only problem. This man would criticize me, put me down, and make me feel small constantly. If he didn't like something I was wearing, he would make sure I knew it. He told me I wasn't very funny and he didn't get why my friends laughed at me. He would constantly belittle me for being clumsy. I was afraid to spill something in front of him.
Another problem entirely was his lack of respect for people close to him. I watched him yell at his family on a regular basis over the tiniest things. He started off being incredibly close with my parents (they even helped him pick out my engagement ring), but as soon as we started planning the wedding, everything changed.
I started gaining weight. I became very quiet at work. I saw less of my friends. I felt bad about myself, but I didn't understand why. Wedding planning was not fun; I found it stressful. Like always, I told myself it was all in my head.
He had a lot of opinions about how he envisioned our wedding should be, and if my parents or I had a differing opinion, he was angry about it. We weren't putting a dime of our own money into the big day, so I felt weird about his resentment toward any ideas other than his own. When I tried to tell him that, he would tell me I was wrong. "Don't you love me because I have a lot of opinions?" he would say.
He stopped visiting my family with me. When I mentioned my parents, he would make snide remarks about them. I stopped talking about them altogether because it made me uncomfortable. My family loved me, and all they were trying to do was give us a dream wedding.
I loved this guy so much that I didn't care how I was feeling on the inside.
I loved this guy so much that I didn't care how I was feeling on the inside. I would do anything for him, and he knew that. So when he told me he was unhappy in our relationship, I asked him what I could do to fix that. All he could say was that he didn't know.
Eventually he told me that proposing to me was a mistake, but he wanted me to stay with him to see if we could work things out. More specifically, if I could fix all the things that were "wrong with me." And I did stay for a while. I so desperately wanted him to wake up and realize that no woman would love him the way I did. But he went about every day like things were normal, and I woke up every morning filled with dread, unsure of my future.
I asked him what was going on with our relationship a couple times, and each time it would result in an intense fight where we would part ways and stay with our families for a night or two. He told me I was impossible to talk to because I was too emotional.
After a weekend without hearing from him, I texted him asking if we could meet at the apartment and talk. His response - "Why?" I told him we needed to figure out what was going on, and he told me it wasn't a good thing for him personally to talk to me. We ended things.
I said I was moving out, so he went through everything I owned and put it in the middle of the family room. "I hope I made it a little easier for you," he said. While I sat at my parents' house (my new temporary home) and cried for a week straight, I received texts and calls from all over town - people told me he was out drinking most nights with his friends. They were confused by his actions. It hurt.
He blocked me and my friends from every social media platform. But that didn't stop the awful screenshots of his tweets bragging about going out and joking about needing a wingman. Even his friends were not loyal to him because they knew he turned me into a shell of the person I used to be.
A week later, on top of everything I had just gone through, I learned that he was not faithful to me. He was sending all sorts of photos of his penis to another girl before we were even engaged. Several people who knew about the exchanges informed me, even providing physical proof that the "other girl" admitted to all of it.
When I confronted him and his parents about his infidelity (bravest thing I've ever done, by the way), he pulled me to the side and asked me why I was trying to ruin his life. "We're done, Macy," he shouted at me. "You're trying to cause drama."
But I wasn't trying to cause drama. For the first time in my life, I was standing up to him. He had made me feel so guilty for questioning him all this time. And that feeling in the pit of my stomach was right all along. After trying to protect him and our relationship for a year and a half of my life, I was done. I missed who I used to be. I missed being happy. I realized that I had dedicated a huge period of my life trying to make sure I didn't make someone mad, and I was exhausted.
Why am I telling you this story? Because I know there are other people out there like me. People who lose themselves in the name of love, even if that love isn't healthy. Nobody deserves to be screamed at. Nobody deserves to be berated. I didn't understand that before, but I certainly know it now.
I was so scared to write about my experience, but now I feel empowered by it.
I was so scared to write about my experience, but now I feel empowered by it. I wanted to protect my former fiancé because a part of me still loves him, but I'm finished doing that now. I am trying to remind myself that yes, I am smart, funny, and strong. I didn't feel like I was any of those things for a long time. I'm having a hard time telling myself that now, but I will believe it again soon.
If you feel like you're being emotionally abused, trust your gut. Don't make excuses for it like I did. Learn from me. Talk to someone you trust. You may feel like you can't live without your partner, but you can. It will hurt. I'm still hurting every single day. But little by little, you will find yourself again. You won't believe you lived the way you did because of how happy you are now. And you will be stronger for it.
If you or a loved one are in need of any help, the Office on Women's Health has several resources here, including links to national hotlines.
I Know the Dangers of Domestic Violence Firsthand - That's Why I'm Voting For Gun Safety
Neuteyshe Felizor is a sophomore at George Mason University and a leader in her school's chapter of Students Demand Action.
With just weeks until the critical midterm elections, it's all hands on deck for college students like me. Our future, as well as the future of this nation, is on the line. I wish that my worries ended with wondering what's for dinner (answer: ramen) and how to help my ever-shrinking bank account. Instead, I'm worried about our right to live a life free of gun violence, and determined to demand more of our leaders in Washington DC and in our statehouses.
I know the toll gun violence takes - especially on women and communities of color. Women in the US are 16 times more likely to be killed with a gun than women in other high-income countries. And the crisis is especially deadly for black women. We are twice as likely to be fatally shot by an intimate partner compared to white women. This October is both Domestic Violence Awareness Month and marks the last weeks until midterm elections. It's with both of these things in mind that I demand change.
"It's too late to protect my aunt from what happened . . . it is not too late for other women or men in abusive relationships."
Like too many Americans, I know what it feels like to find out that your loved one was killed by domestic violence. My aunt and I had a complicated relationship. I had always told myself that I would eventually reach out and try to make amends. Unfortunately, "eventually" never came because my aunt was brutally murdered by her husband in September 2017. I now live with regret knowing that I never got to say "I am sorry," "I love you," or even "I forgive you." Sometimes, I catch myself wondering how I could've helped prevent her murder. In coming to terms with the reality that it's too late to protect my aunt from what happened, I realized that it is not too late for other women or men in abusive relationships. While a gun was not involved in my aunt's murder, more than half of women who die by gun violence in America are killed by intimate partners or family members. I used to blame myself for not doing enough, but now, I am determined to tell my aunt's story because sharing it could help inspire the change we need to save lives.
There's no one law that can stop every act of violence. But there are common-sense steps we can take, like keeping guns out of the hands of domestic abusers, that can make a difference. It's with that in mind that I helped to found a chapter of Students Demand Action For Gun Sense in America on my college campus. The fact is that gun violence is preventable. Strong gun laws and a culture of responsible gun ownership can save lives, but we need lawmakers who will work with us to enact change.
So, I began to speak up. Along with my fellow Students Demand Action volunteers, I have been phone banking, canvassing, and registering voters, all in an effort to do everything we can to elect gun sense candidates. We all have a role to play in changing our world for the better - and every little piece counts.
This election is critical, and lives depend on our voting for candidates who will stand up for gun safety. It's easy to know who to support; you can go to gunsensevoter.org to find candidates who have pledged to vote for gun safety if elected. And if you're interested in getting involved in the gun violence prevention movement - and turning out voters on Nov. 6 - text "READY" to 644-33.
For the sake of our safety, be sure to vote for gun sense candidates on Nov. 6.
A Breaking Bad Movie Is in the Works, So Get Your Fan Theories Ready
Buckle up, Breaking Bad fans! According to The Hollywood Reporter, a movie set in the Breaking Bad universe is in the works, and series creator Vince Gilligan is once again at the helm. It's been 10 years since the hit AMC show premiered, and five since it ended, yet viewers still miss the dark and dramatic story of Walter White and Jesse Pinkman. While details about the film remain unclear, the two-hour movie will reportedly follow a kidnapped man as he escapes and seeks freedom, and it will begin filming in New Mexico next month. No word yet if fans can expect the movie in theaters or on the small screen, or if stars Aaron Paul or Bryan Cranston are slated to return.
Ariana Grande Got Her First Wives Club Together to Perform "Thank U, Next" on Ellen
Ariana Grande may be singing "Thank U, Next" to her exes, but her First Wives Club posse is staying strong. On Tuesday, the 25-year-old singer teased a clip of her Nov. 7 performance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and it looks like she got more than a little inspiration from the 1996 film.
The singer and her friends, Victoria Monét and Tayla Parx, used all-white suits and coordinated dance moves to pay homage to the movie's iconic "You Don't Own Me" scene. It's also hard to ignore the stage's decorations, which mimic a wedding reception. In a photo Grande shared, she tagged herself and each woman as a First Wives Club actress. Who's Grande, you may wonder? The incomparable Goldie Hawn, of course. Seems more than appropriate that Grande's self-love anthem finds the perfect partner in a badass flick about girl power. Watch a clip of her Ellen performance above.
Nicole Richie and Kelly Rowland Gave Voters a Ride to the Polls, 'Cause That's What Friends Do
Nicole Richie and Kelly Rowland are so committed to getting out to vote, they even gave people rides to their polling places. On Nov. 6, Nicole and Kelly teamed up to make voting even easier for a few fans by transporting them around in their party bus. They danced around, ate McDonald's, and belted out a few classics, all while emphasizing the importance of civic engagement. Nicole even shared a tender moment with a voter named Bob, who requested they sing "Proud Mary" together. Aw! Watch a few clips of the sweet moment above, then keep reading to see even more moments from Kelly and Nicole's inspirational day.
Attention, Riverdale Fans: Kelly Ripa's Joining the Cast to Play Mark Consuelos's Mistress
Riverdale has turned into a family affair for Mark Consuelos and Kelly Ripa! In August, fans went wild after their son Michael joined the CW show's cast to play the younger version of Mark's character, Hiram Lodge. Now, Kelly's officially getting in on the fun as Hiram's mistress.
The 48-year-old actress shared the news through an Instagram photo. She wrote in the snap's caption: "23 years of auditioning for a role I was born to play." There are no exact details of when Kelly will step into Riverdale, but rest assured her appearance on the show is "coming soon." We can't wait to see what this means for the Lodges and what hilarious pranks Mark and Kelly will pull on Michael while they're all on set.
Khloé Kardashian Steams Up the Beach in a Thong Bikini Nearly 7 Months After Giving Birth
Khloé Kardashian is one hot mama! The 34-year-old Keeping Up With the Kardashians star recently returned from a family vacation in Bali, but she's clearly not ready to get back to work. On Monday, Khloé - who gave birth to daughter True in April - shared two steamy photos from her beach photo shoot, and she looks incredible. Clad in a black crop top and matching thong bikini, Khloé struck some sultry poses in the sand for her friend and makeup artist Hrush Achemyan. Between this and her Victoria's Secret Angel Halloween costume, Khloé is certainly giving her sisters a run for their money!
If You Love Hallmark Holiday Movies, You'll Be Obsessed With This Hilarious Podcast
"Three guys reviewing all 37 Hallmark Christmas movies in 2018 . . . what could go wrong?"
Absolutely nothing, if you ask me. We all know by now that one of the best parts of getting prepped for the holidays is diving deep into every holiday movie that Hallmark has to offer. But if you're a diehard fan of the network, now you have even more to look forward to this year thanks to three men who are determined to make your movie-watching marathons that much more entertaining.
Deck the Hallmark is a brand new podcast hosted by Brandon Gray, Daniel Pandolph, and Daniel Thompson. In it, the men gather weekly to collectively discuss every holiday film that Hallmark is set to air this season. That means they'll be hashing out all of the good, bad, and incredibly cheesy storylines that you won't be able to get enough of.
"This podcast is purely selfish on my part," Gray told Country Living when discussing how the idea came together. When it comes to their level of tolerance for Hallmark movies, the three hosts are all on different sides: Gray is an avid supporter, Thompson can't stand them, and Pandolph falls somewhere in between. It's really a perfect combination of opinions. Deck the Hallmark is currently available on iTunes, Spotify, and Google Podcast.
Friends Fans Are Going to Have a Chandler-Level Freak Out Over This Turkey Mug
There's one thing I know for sure around the holiday season: Thanksgiving is a time for family, good food, and binge watching Friends episodes. While the iconic NBC series has been off the air for almost 15 years, nostalgic fans can still get their fill by binging each season on Netflix, trying their hand at show trivia, and buying fandom merch in bulk. Case in point? This hilarious Turkey Mug ($22) from Firebox. Yes, the love for the Central Perk crew has gotten so specific, you can sip on your morning coffee from a Monica-inspired mug.
Matthew McConaughey Got THIS CLOSE to Playing Jack in Titanic, and He's Still Not Over It
You probably know Matthew McConaughey for his role in everything from How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days to his Oscar-winning turn in 2013's Dallas Buyers Club, but what you might not know is that he came this close to playing Jack in Titanic instead of Leonardo DiCaprio. While appearing on The Hollywood Reporter's Awards Chatter podcast, McConaughey once again brought up the fact that he auditioned for the 1997 film. In fact, he was so close to getting the part that he even ended up in a screen test with eventual Rose Dawson herself, Kate Winslet.
"I went and auditioned for that," he said of James Cameron's box office smash. "I wanted that. I auditioned with Kate Winslet. Had a good audition. Walked away from there pretty confident that I had it. I didn't get it. I never got offered that."
Funnily enough, Cameron reportedly had McConaughey and Gwyneth Paltrow in mind for the roles of Jack and Rose originally, rather than DiCaprio and Winslet. It's pretty insane to imagine that if the White Boy Rick had nabbed the part, Jack's reply when he realized he couldn't fit on the door might've been "It's alright, alright, alright . . ."
In case that joke wasn't bad enough to make you immediately click out of this article, keep reading to see some of Winslet and DiCaprio's best moments from the film.
We're Going Back to Arendelle Sooner Than Expected! Frozen 2 Has a New Release Date
Details about Disney's Frozen 2 have been pretty scarce since the film was first announced in 2015, but years later, we finally know more about the highly anticipated sequel. In July 2018, Variety reported that Sterling K. Brown and Evan Rachel Wood were in talks to lend their voices to the highly anticipated Frozen sequel - and that's not all! We also know the returning cast, the production team, and the official release date. Are you ready to return to Arendelle? See what's in store ahead.
Netflix Officially Kicked Off the Holiday Season With a New Movie, and Fans Are Loving It
Spooky season has officially ended, and that means it's the perfect time to start watching holiday movies! Honestly, it's never too soon, so if you've already been binge-watching them, we won't judge.
On Nov. 2, Netflix released the first of its four new original Christmas movies, The Holiday Calendar. Unlike the streaming channel's smash hit from last year, A Christmas Prince, this festive rom-com is pretty grounded in reality - although there is a magical Advent calendar involved. The story follows Abby (played by The Vampire Diaries' Kat Graham), an aspiring photographer who receives said magical Advent calendar from her grandfather (the great Ron Cephas Jones). Throughout the film, Abby juggles a dead-end job as a studio photographer, her supposed dream man, Ty (Ethan Peck), and her childhood best friend Josh (Quincy Brown), who she has undeniable chemistry with. Long story short - there's just the right mix of holiday shenanigans and romance to satisfy your cheesy love story fix.
Viewers definitely appreciated the festive cheer from The Holiday Calendar, which they happily expressed online. Read some of the sweetest reviews ahead, then check out some other romantic Christmas movies you can find on Netflix to get you in the holiday mood.
56 of the Sexiest, Steamiest Celebrity Shirtless Moments From 2018 - So Far
We've been treated to some sexy sights of shirtless celebrities this year. We've already surpassed 2017 levels , and Chris Hemsworth, Jesse Williams, and Charlie Hunnam have all done their part by giving us peeks at their drool-worthy physiques on vacation. Oh, and let's not forget that Justin Bieber also blessed us with a few shirtless snaps. Keep reading to see some of the sexiest shirtless moments of 2018 - so far!
This High School Dance Team Is SO Talented, We Cannot Stop Watching All the Videos
There are high school dance teams, and then there's The PAC dance team at Walden Grove High School in Arizona. These kids are so ridiculously talented, each of their dance routines is more impressive than the last and makes you think, "Damn, I wish my school assemblies were that much fun." The PAC brought us the viral Harry Potter dance routine we never knew we needed - it racked up more than two million views in just over a week.
They've come up with plenty of other mind-boggling choreography themes over the years, too (and um, oh yeah, they performed on America's Got Talent). From a Wizard of Oz-themed homecoming performance to a six-minute dance dedicated to all things Pixar, these routines are so damn good. Watch some of the dance team's best videos ahead, and prepare to become obsessed.
mardi 6 novembre 2018
19 Wellness Gifts We'd Love to Receive This Holiday Season
We all have at least one friend who's obsessed with all things wellness. Whether they're crystal curious, always researching the latest supplements, or all about self-care, this holiday season, they want a wellness gift, and there are so many great items that will make them smile. These options are so covetable, we might just add two to our carts.
These 2 Exercises Will Target the Muscles in Your Legs and Abs You Didn't Even Know You Had
As much as I try to stay active, I tend to stick to the same types of workouts: Spinning, weight training, Rumble, and running on the treadmill. And even though I like HIIT-style training, the difficulty and style of workouts depends on which boutique studio I go to.
In an effort to get outside of my comfort zone and try something new, I took a HIIT class at Exhale Meatpacking, which offers barre and HIIT classes. Since I had two free classes at Exhale from the Get Fit package at the Gansevoort Meatpacking hotel (and I'm not a huge fan of barre), I figured I would try something new.
The class was an hour and consisted of a variety of stations, including a TRX, free weights, resistance bands, and disc sliders. Each station had two exercises, and each exercise was done for a full minute followed by 10 seconds of rest. We did the whole circuit two times through. Although each station provided a unique challenge, I was particularly sweaty and sore after the disc slider station.
We started with side lunges on the sliders, focusing on one leg per round (do the first minute on the left leg, then the second minute on the right leg). After that, we did a plank to bear, which also worked my abs. Since my core is the weakest part of my body, I especially felt that move.
Read through to see how to do each move. If you don't have a set of disc sliders ($10 on Amazon), feel free to use two towels on a hard surface or paper plates on carpet. Start with the side lunges for a full minute, then rest for 10 seconds before moving on to the plank to bear for a full minute, followed by 10 seconds of rest. Do this four times through for a total of a little over nine minutes. This is great to add to your leg day workout or to incorporate into your own HIIT circuit.
Get ready to be sore and sweaty!
12 Simple Steps to Lose Weight in 2019
You don't need a calendar to know it's time for New Year's resolutions. Just swing by a gym the first week of January and you'll know from the resolution-ready crowd getting their sweat on and taking up the treadmills that you're not the only one who is determined to lose some weight and get stronger than ever this new year. But setting a general goal to lose the weight can feel daunting, and sometimes even impossible, so here is a list of 12 simple steps. Start with one, and build on them each month to help you reach weight-loss success. Each one is practical, manageable, and - most importantly - easy enough to do all year long without having to think twice about it.
Eating This High-Protein Snack Before Bed Can Improve Your Metabolism, Study Finds
If you've ever looked up how to boost your metabolism, you've probably come across tips that seem too good to be true. A few common ones are drinking water in the morning and eating more spicy foods for a metabolism boost, but it turns out, they don't affect much.
Although chugging water first thing in the morning won't improve your metabolism, a recent study published in the British Journal of Nutrition found that a natural way to boost your metabolism is to consume cottage cheese before going to bed.
To determine if cottage cheese had an immediate impact on metabolic rate and muscle recovery, Michael Ormsbee, PhD, associate professor of nutrition, food, and exercise sciences at Florida State University, and Samantha Leyh, RD, research dietitian with the Air Force, gave female participants in their 20s cottage cheese, casein protein supplement, or a placebo about 30-60 minutes before bed.
The participants had their resting energy expenditure (REE) measured before going to sleep, and upon waking, the participants' REE was measured again. They concluded that consuming "30 grams of protein about 30 minutes before bed appears to have a positive effect on muscle quality, metabolism, and overall health." The also concluded that whole foods (such as cottage cheese) work just as well as a protein supplement, like a protein powder smoothie.
Other experts have also agreed that one of the best ways to naturally improve your metabolism is by eating more protein and healthy fats and doing more strength training.
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