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.
mardi 5 février 2019
If Russian Doll's Ending Left You Scratching Your Head, Here's What It All Means
Warning: massive spoilers for Russian Doll ahead. Proceed with caution.
If you dedicated part of your weekend to Netflix's new series Russian Doll - it's not very long, FYI - a few things might be true. For starters, there's a strong chance you fell in love with the show's kooky world, swooned over the lioness that is Natasha Lyonne, and rocked out to that sizzling soundtrack, which, yes, included that one song that is permanently seared into your memory. But another, maybe more secondary, thing that might also be true is this: you might be confused by the ending.
That's the real conundrum of the series: the deeper you go, the stranger and more enigmatic it gets. The series makes rules and bends them, and the entire universe slowly begins to unravel as our fair heroes try to figure out what, exactly, is going on. Never fear, dear reader! I'm here to give you a pretty standard, bare-bones rundown of what happens and what, at its simplest level, it means.
The Basic Premise
Before we really get our hands dirty, let's talk about this world. Russian Doll gives us an NYC that's laden with magical realism. For some reason, Nadia is unable to escape her 36th birthday party. Not too far into the first episode, she gets hit by a taxi while trying to chase down her missing bodega cat, Oatmeal. That's when she regains consciousness right back where she started: in the bathroom at her 36th birthday party. No matter how far Nadia gets (sometimes she survives the night and even the following day) and no matter how many times she dies, she always lands back in that spot.
It's worth noting, perhaps at this point, that this isn't quite the same magic that seems to run similar stories, like Groundhog Day and Happy Death Day. Time is a strange thing in this world; Russian Doll presents a space in which everything hurtles onward, even as it loops back to the same moment. Fruit seems to rot, and even the people around them don't have the same robotic response every single loop. Everything is constantly changing. Nadia also posits, at one point, that perhaps there are infinite timelines and infinite iterations of Nadia. In one dimension, Ruth accidentally kills Nadia, and as far as we know, that Ruth is still mourning that Nadia.
The First Twist
The first major shift comes at the end of episode three. At this point, Nadia has launched a full-scale investigation to get to the bottom of the mystery: why can't she die? And why is she stuck reliving her 36th birthday party? She ends up in an elevator that, you guessed it, plummets to the ground and winds up a ravaged pile of twisted metal. But beside her is another person who seems eerily calm at the prospect of death: Alan.
It turns out Alan is also stuck in a time loop that forces him to relive the same day. Instead of a 36th birthday party, though, Alan must repeatedly endure a devastating breakup with his girlfriend, Beatrice, whom he is planning to propose to, ring and all.
The Tenuous Connection
Alan and Nadia quickly realize that their fates are linked: they always die at the exact same time. As we hurtle through the middle, we realize they share another connection. Both of them have deep-seated, debilitating trauma that they can't seem to process. Alan's is a little more front and center, with a slight catch. Yes, his breakup is the searing event at the heart of his meltdown, but it all snowballs into his OCD and his unwillingness to seek professional help. Beatrice can't take care of Alan anymore, and she's worried he'll hurt himself if she leaves. The former makes their relationship feel like work; the latter makes the breakup that much harder.
In Nadia's case, we learn that her trauma is much more buried. She still hasn't forgiven herself for an impossible decision she made in her childhood: leaving her unfit mother to live with a guardian. Her mother's untimely death, at age 36, suddenly casts a whole new sense of realization on the earlier parts of the story.
In order to break the loop, both Nadia and Alan must reckon with their respective pasts. And it's not just a move to help them heal; the universe itself has begun to crumble under the weight of this strange time conundrum. Much like the rotting fruit, other things seem amiss: people and objects are vanishing. It's all becoming unstable. And so the two heroes must reckon with their traumas so they can heal and restore order. Alan must forgive Beatrice for cheating on him and leaving him and must seek help for the unstable parts of his life. Nadia must let her mother go and forgive her younger self for making a decision no child should have to make. And they both do! This, of course, sets up the finale episode . . . and one final twist.
The Last Twist
Having confronted their respective traumas, Nadia and Alan decide to die one more time and meet at the bodega that started it all. This causes a schism in this strange world: their timelines split, leaving each to deal with an older, more oblivious version of the other. Nadia must stop a devastated, wasted Alan from throwing himself off the roof of a building, while Alan must stop a repressed, self-destructive Nadia from relying on her usual unhealthy tendencies. It's almost like a final test: after all, they can't both know all the answers and stride confidently into this new world! They have to prove they've changed, and learned.
And they do. Nadia convinces Alan not to take his life; she doesn't offer happiness or answers, but she does offer company. Alan, on the other hand, makes Nadia realize she's making unhealthy decisions and effectively snaps her out of her trance. He also literally saves her life by pulling her out of the way of the taxi. Once each "enlightened" version of the character leads their needful counterpart out of the darkness, the paths merge into a brilliant, celebratory march toward a single future . . . with a cheering group of costumed homeless people, of course.
At the end of the day, a show like this that's so riddled with mythology and possibility can be read a multitude of ways, which is a nice touch given the multiverse it seems to depict in the first place. I think what resounded with me the most were the function and effects of trauma. I do often find myself reliving the worst moments in my life, despite the fact that the people involved have long moved on. The fact that Nadia and Alan relive their horrific nights over and over seems to speak to that experience of dwelling in the past and in those moments of pain and loss. And it's only by processing, acknowledging, and releasing yourself from that pain that you can truly move forward.
Now That Ben Affleck Isn't Batman Anymore, We Have a Few Suggestions
This week, Warner Bros. announced all kinds of upcoming release dates, and among the crop was a pretty interesting reveal: The Batman is coming in 2021, and Ben Affleck is no longer attached. It almost makes sense in a way, since this newest iteration of the hero is veering in a new direction. The director, Matt Reeves, has said the new film will feel a bit more like a noir in genre, and it will also star a younger Bruce Wayne! That means we've got to dial down the age range (no offense, Affleck) when searching for our next Dark Knight. With no official announcement for the role, we've taken it upon ourselves to offer a few casting ideas. And since the franchise is going in a new direction, it's no holds barred: we've got some ideas that will really shake things up.
Shameless Is Coming Back For Its 10th Season, Featuring the Return of One Special Character
We have great news, Shameless fans: the beloved Showtime series was just renewed for its 10th season! Despite Emmy Rossum and Cameron Monaghan's departures from the series in the current season, fans will be getting a whole lot more South Side debauchery at the end of 2019. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Fiona's character will be written out during the final two episodes of season nine.
"It was sad," executive producer John Wells told the site. "But I hope for the audience that it will be as rewarding and appealing as what happened with the end of Ian's story in episode six. That's what we're striving for: a show that's entertaining and emotional."
But that's not all! With the news of the series being renewed for its 10th season, the site reports that Monaghan's character, Ian, "will indeed return for season 10," which is great news, because we'll never get sick of the Gallaghers!
Your favorite dysfunctional fam is coming back for more. #Shameless will return for SEASON 10! #OnlyOnShowtime pic.twitter.com/9nRDtJcqvB
- Shameless on Showtime (@SHO_Shameless) January 31, 2019
26 Royally Precious Pictures of Prince William With Kids
Just like Kate Middleton and Prince Harry, Prince William certainly has a soft spot for kids. Throughout the years, we've watched the father of three bring cheer to children all over the world during his royal engagements, and each appearance only gets cuter than the last. In fact, just last month, the Duke of Cambridge visited the Royal London Hospital, where he met with a group kids and was presented with a special birthday card for Kate. And now that Harry and Meghan Markle are getting ready to welcome a child of their own, we have no doubt that William will be a great uncle! Ahead, see William's most adorable moments with kids.
Dying to Watch Old Seasons of The Bachelor? Well . . .
The very first episode of The Bachelor premiered on March 25, 2002. Back then, it seemed crazy that two people could fall in love with each other, much less get engaged, in a matter of weeks. And yet, Bachelor Nation continued coming for more, proving that we just can't get enough of the ABC show. If you feel like taking a trip down memory lane, and seeing Chris Harrison in all his glory, it might be time to binge-watch some old seasons.
From seasons one to 22, there have been a whole lot of memorable moments. Thanks to ABC's tribute video to the host with the most, we know that there have been 6,578 kisses, 2,924 roses, and 37 proposals. Unfortunately, Netflix and Hulu won't help you see every single one of them. Neither streaming service offers old seasons. Even ABC's website only gives you access to episodes from the current season. At this rate, it seems easier to get the first-impression rose than to find previous seasons online.
Don't lose hope just yet! Seasons 13 to 22 are available on Amazon Prime Video. You can buy them for $2 per episode, or $14 to $15 for each season. Meanwhile, seasons 13 and 15 to 22 are available for $2 per episode via On Demand services. That means you can watch Jason Mesnick, Jake Pavelka, Ben Flajnik, Sean Lowe, Juan Pablo Galavis, Chris Soules, Ben Higgins, Nick Viall, and Arie Luyendyk Jr. make their ways to handing out the final rose to the women they may or may not still be with.
There does not appear to be access to seasons one through 12 anywhere. Recaps of the early seasons are available on ABC, but if you want to see Alex Michel, Aaron Buerge, Andrew Firestone, Bob Guiney, and the other OGs on their hunts for love in full episodes, this is not the news you want to hear. Now could you potentially find every season your heart desires? Maybe. It is the internet, after all. But we don't see them readily (read: legally) accessible.
Just so we're not totally leaving you hanging, we have updates on every single bachelor who has ever handed out roses. Remember Charlie O'Connell, Jerry O'Connell's younger brother? He's married to a Playboy Playmate. And you might have seen Travis Lane Stork, MD, on TV as the host of The Doctors. And Italian Prince Lorenzo Borghese is all about beers and dogs these days (and appears to be single).
If there's one thing we've learned from watching all of these seasons of The Bachelor, it's that you can never really predict how the finale or couples will go. Some men may fall in love with two women, some may give the final rose to the wrong women, and some may give it to no one at all. It's an emotional roller coaster for the contestants and the audience. But as long as the drama continues and there isn't a shortage of single men and women, we'll be watching with plenty of snacks and wine on hand.
6 Things You Never Realized Meghan Markle Has in Common With Princess Diana
At first glance, the lives of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and her late mother-in-law, Diana, Princess of Wales couldn't seem more different. Diana was from a large aristocratic British family and married very young, while Meghan is an American actress who's been divorced once and married her prince well into her thirties. When you look closer, though, it turns out that these two popular, unconventional princesses have more in common than it seems! From their dedication to charitable causes to their complicated personal backstories and love lives, Diana and Meghan share several life details - see just how much they have in common.
The Final Season of Fuller House Will Be on Netflix Sooner Than You Think
Fuller House is officially coming to an end, and it's incredibly bittersweet. In January, Netflix announced that the Full House spinoff was renewed for a fifth and final season. So, when will we be reunited with the Tanner family in all their glory? While we don't have an exact release date for Fuller House season five, we do have an idea of when it will drop on Netflix.
In the video announcement about the show's final season, a montage of some of the biggest moments on the show play on the screen. Just after the cast teases that they "saved the best for last," the video reveals that season five will be "coming this Fall." If the release date follows past seasons, we can probably expect new episodes in early December. Until then, you can rewatch the last four seasons on Netflix right now!
10 of the Most Romantic Books of All Time, According to Goodreads Users
Whether you're of the opinion that Valentine's Day is the most romantic day of the year or a faux-liday dreamed up by greeting card companies, hopefully we can compromise where it counts: reading a ton of steamy romance novels throughout February. Oh, and also some classics (Gone With the Wind, Pride and Prejudice). AND a few modern hits that have already made their way to the big screen (Me Before You).
No matter what your taste in written romance is, there's a good chance the Goodreads community has you covered. According to the site, the following 10 picks are - in no particular order - the most romantic books of all time. While a few titles will no doubt be familiar to you, the mix of beloved new and old authors should ensure there's an option for everyone out there, so you might want to snap them up before Feb. 14!
Who Set Up Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger? The Answer Is Adorable
It was only a couple of weeks into 2019 when the first big celebrity engagement news of the new year broke: actor Chris Pratt revealed he had proposed to girlfriend Katherine Schwarzenegger, the 28-year-old author also known as the daughter of Arnold Schwarzenegger. The couple had been dating for less than a year when they made their big announcement, and aside from a few photos snapped of them together, they've pretty much kept their relationship details private. While obsessing over potential wedding details, there's one detail that has had everyone wondering from day one: how exactly did this couple meet in the first place?
As it turns out, Pratt and Schwarzenegger apparently owe their relationship to none other than her mom! Schwarzenegger's mother, journalist and author Maria Shriver, reportedly was behind the couple's meeting.
"Maria helped set them up," an anonymous source close to the couple told People in June 2018. The revelation came on the heels of the duo's relationship becoming more public, when Schwarzenegger was spotted spending Father's Day with Pratt. Shriver and Pratt, both being media figures, had some mutual friends, which apparently led Shriver to reach out and try to set him up with her daughter. Specific details as to the timeline or the exact nature of the setup haven't been revealed publicly.
Although the June 2018 date was the first time the general public realized that Pratt and Schwarzenegger were an item, the couple had apparently been dating for a little while before they were first seen together. E! News reported (again from an anonymous source) that they had been on "multiple dates" prior to then and had been "talking consistently . . . for about two months or so." The source also added that they "both really like each other." Plus, Pratt already had the mom stamp of approval!
"Maria is very excited for Katherine. Everyone has their fingers crossed that this is going to work out long-term. They think Chris is an amazing guy and a great catch," the E! source continued. "They are really perfect together and have similar goals and values. They have gotten serious quickly."
Schwarzenegger was Pratt's first public relationship following his split from ex-wife Anna Faris. Back in 2017, Pratt and Faris announced their separation after nine years of marriage, and their divorce was finalized in early 2018. The former couple do share custody of their son, Jack, and it seems like Schwarzenegger has already integrated into their family unit: she and Pratt, along with Faris and her boyfriend Michael Barrett, all took Jack trick-or-treating together on Halloween.
Pratt and Schwarzenegger's relationship has moved pretty quickly. In January, People reported that the couple had moved in together, and a post on Pratt's Instagram (captioned "I love moving!") seemingly confirmed that piece of news. Only a couple of weeks later, he announced their engagement, with another Instagram post that read, "Sweet Katherine, so happy you said yes! I'm thrilled to be marrying you. Proud to live boldly in faith with you. Here we go!" If Pratt and Schwarzenegger's love story can teach us just one thing, it's to never discount the person your mother wants to set you up with!
Jane the Virgin's Series Finale Will Be Here Before You Know It - Here's the Scoop
We're most definitely not ready for the final season of Jane the Virgin, which is set to premiere on The CW on Wednesday, March 27. After the fourth season left viewers with the biggest cliffhanger yet - and that's saying something for this show! - the comedy is set to finally wrap up the story of the Villanuevas with plenty of humor and heartbreak. With a fifth and final season that's set to have 19 episodes, we're already thinking about how the story will finally wrap up. Few details have been released, but we know a couple of hints so far.
What Will Jane Achieve?
Even though chatter around the show often focuses around its melodramatic telenovela twists and its quirky take on the rom-com genre, it is, at its heart, the story of its heroine achieving her lifelong dreams. Over the years, we've watched her finally embrace her love for writing, publish one novel based on her love story with her late (though maybe not!) husband Michael, and, in the season 4 finale, start writing down the story of her life - just as we've seen it playing out on the show.
While we don't know exactly what form her dreams will take as the fifth and final season goes on, we do know that her personal journey will take center stage in the series finale. Creator and showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman, talking to the New York Times after the confirmation in May 2018 that the fifth season would, in fact, be the show's last, hinted that Jane's ultimate fulfillment is the most important piece of the puzzle.
"For me, the biggest thing is to see how this new book comes together, and how things come full circle - how we feel like Jane as a character has changed from who we met to who she is now... I ultimately want to see her dreams within reach, and I want her to have some of the success that she has fought so hard for.
How Will It All End?
Snyder Urman isn't saying much about what to expect in the finale, but she did drop one huge piece of info in an interview with Deadline: Jane's going to go through another major life event.
"Telenovelas structurally end with weddings so ours will as well. Whether it's in the last episode or close thereabouts, that I can't quite reveal, but Jane will get married again," she revealed. "You already know [the groom]," she added, ruling out the possibility of introducing a new love interest, as season 4 did with Tyler Posey's Adam.
So who will the mystery groom be? At this point, it's pretty obvious that the only candidates remaining are Rafael, with whom Jane recently rekindled things, and Michael, back from the dead (or, to be more accurate, the man who appears to be Michael but has not yet been confirmed). There's a strong case to be made for either guy: when given the choice, seasons back, Jane did choose Michael, but her relationship with Rafael grew and deepened over the years following Michael's apparent death.
The cast isn't talking about it, and Snyder Urman isn't giving away any more details anytime soon.
"It'll end in a wedding is really what I can say," she told Deadline. And while Jane's story might be ending, the show's universe will live on with a recently-announced spin-off series, an anthology series based on the in-universe novels that Jane writes. While we'll be sad to see Jane the Virgin end, it's great news that the show's signature romance and laughter will live on.
11 Luxurious Hotels the Royals Have Stayed in During Their Visits to America
Living arrangements are pretty sweet when you're a member of a royal family. The British royal family, for instance, has several royals living together among several palaces and estates, as well as properties far from London for when they just need to get away. Being royal also means a lot of travel abroad, though, and there are some pretty strict requirements for anywhere that royalty might stay.
Thanks to the close relationship that the United States has with Britain, many of our favorite royals have spent some time in America. While a few have stayed on private property with personal friends, more often than not, the royals are put up at some of America's most glamorous and luxurious hotels. Take a look at some of the legendary properties that have played host to royalty over the years in the gallery below!
Obsessed With Russian Doll? We've Got the Skinny on the Potential Second Season
To kick off February, Netflix unleashed a brand-new original series starring the one and only Natasha Lyonne. (She also executive produced it along with Amy Poehler and Leslye Headland, by the way!) Russian Doll, offers a modern take on 1993's Groundhog Day; our heroine, Nadia, finds herself reliving her 36th birthday over and over again; every time she dies, she regains consciousness at her birthday party in her friend's posh NYC apartment. Russian Doll may not have a unique concept, but the magic in the show lies in the nuanced exploration of its themes, and the way it uses this "nightmarish time loop" device to make a more profound statement about the human experience. Oh, and it's got a killer soundtrack, to boot.
If you burned through all eight episodes in one dizzying go like me, chances are you're dying to know what will happen next. And as luck would have it, a new interview with the creators not only hints at a second season concept, but also a potential third season. "We definitely pitched it as this three-season idea, and yet, it's so interesting to think about how that shapes and morphs in the time since making it," Lyonne told The Hollywood Reporter. "Who knows if we'll be lucky enough to go back down the rabbit hole. That's tomorrow's question. But I think we have some ideas."
That's already pretty promising, right? Of course, Netflix has yet to make any sort of comment about whether or not the show gets a second season, but then again, it's only been out a couple days. We imagine the powers that be will wait a bit longer to see how the viewership adds up. But it's a comfort to know that those who came up with the show are ready to spring into action and tell the next chapter of the story. Which, of course, begs the question: what exactly would we get out of season two? Will we continue to follow the trials and tribulations of Nadia and Alan? Is there a chance they'll accidentally fall into another time loop? Or, will we focus on another pair of kismet strangers?
The creators were a bit more vague when it came to what we could expect from the story. That said, Headland did say their original pitch had Nadia involved in all three seasons as a sort of "beating heart" to the story. "When initially pitched, Nadia was a presence throughout all three of them. But it was not in a very conventional way, if that makes sense," she said. "She was always a presence, as we knew Lyonne would always be the beating heart and soul of this show. Whether she was being haunted or she was haunting the narrative, she would be there." Lyonne echoed the sentiment but offered an alternate path: "I definitely have ideas that range from the really out-there anthology to staying on board with our friend Nadia," she said. "And maybe it's all one idea."
Whether or not the story gets to continue (and with or without Nadia, for that matter), the first season is a triumph in and of itself. So, you know, give it a watch and full into the dark, heartening, and repetitive fairy tale.
Vegans, Rejoice: Disneyland's Head Chef Says Even MORE Plant-Based Dishes Are on the Way
At Disneyland, a dream is a wish your (vegan) heart makes. Or at least that's the impression we got when we visited the park in late January for the kickoff of Disney's Lunar New Year celebration, where we got a sneak peek at the food.
"We're finding that a lot of our guests prefer to eat something that is plant-based," said Disneyland Culinary Director and Executive Chef John State. Responding to the rising demand, he told POPSUGAR that we can expect to see many more vegan dishes at coming festivals and throughout the resort.
In true Disney fashion, it's not just going to veganify current dishes haphazardly - first and foremost are taste and quality. As Disney California Adventure Park West General Manager Gary Maggetti put it, "We're making delicious food that just happens to be vegan." Think orange "chicken" with Mickey Mouse-shaped tempeh.
"We have more resources than ever to make [tasty plant-based dishes] happen," John said. The culinary team is getting to know more ingredients, making creative dishes that are quintessentially Disney while being 100 percent plant-based. Take the tempeh, for instance: "It's something the chefs had to really lean into and figure out, 'How does this stuff work?'"
The results have been incredible. The orange "chicken" dish was delightful, and the almond milk tea was absolutely out of this world. The chefs even made a soy-protein-based stir-fry veggie dish that isn't quite tofu and isn't quite tempeh. They're calling it "oomph" and noted that it "looks and acts like [meat-based] protein." It's like they Imagineered it! In terms of the flavor, the chef said, "I'm someone who likes to eat everything, and I still like to eat this." So it's not just for vegans!
30+ Recipes to Jump-Start Your Mediterranean Diet Journey
The Mediterranean diet has already been dubbed the best diet of 2019, so it's time to get familiar with it and get going on it. Not only is it good for your gut, but it's also incredibly easy to follow and will help you meet your weight-loss and health goals.
This diet doesn't force you to cut a bunch of stuff out of your day but instead focuses on eating clean and fresh. Your meal plates should typically have half a plate of veggies or fruit, a quarter of protein, and a quarter of whole grains. And don't forget your healthy fats! You need those too. And while this diet has a lot of lean, healthy proteins and not much dairy, you can still have minimal servings of cheese, red meat, and wine, though probably no more than once a week.
For some recipe ideas to get you going on this diet, we pulled together more than 30 options that are great pieces to each meal. Most of them require other portions, whether it's the meat or the grains, to make a complete meal, but once you get the hang of what all you need for a meal to come together, you'll have no trouble following along!
Learn How to Finally Do a Push-Up Correctly With This Clever Trainer Tip
Out of all the bodyweight exercises one can do, I've realized that push-ups tend to be one of the hardest movements to learn. As a trainer, I work with a lot of clients who have specific goals, and learning how to do a proper push-up is always on the top of their lists. For most, perfecting a push-up is a matter of building strength and learning how to move the weight of their body correctly. Instead of having my clients attempt push-ups until failure with incorrect form (and foster an "I can't" mentality), I start by breaking down each aspect of the push-up.
First, we focus on push and pull exercises like rows, chest presses, bicep curls, and chest flys. Next, I'll have them practice holding a plank for 10-30 seconds, since push-ups require core strength and stability. Once they have a strong foundation, they advance to practicing push-ups with yoga blocks. This is effective because they're able to master the movement pattern without compromising their form.
Here's how to do it:
- Start in a plank position with your arms and legs straight, shoulders above your wrists, and two yoga blocks stacked vertically underneath your chest.
- Take a breath in, and as you exhale, bend your elbows out to the sides and lower your chest toward the ground. Stop as soon as your chest touches the yoga blocks. Inhale to straighten the arms. This counts as one rep.
- If this is too difficult, do this exercise with your knees on the floor.
- Complete two sets of 10 reps.
- As you continue to get stronger, remove a yoga block to increase the depth of the push-up. Eventually you'll be able to work your way up to doing a push-up without a yoga block.
If You Want to Lose Weight and Keep It Off, a Doctor Says to Skip Keto and Intermittent Fasting
It's no surprise that the low-carb, high-fat keto diet and intermittent fasting are the most popular diets of 2018. Both approaches have helped people lose weight and improve their health, but according to obesity medicine physician and scientist Fatima Cody Stanford, MD, MPH, they aren't sustainable for long-term weight loss.
"When I prescribe things to patients, I like for them to be scientifically sound, meaning there's been a study done that's been done well," Dr. Stanford told POPSUGAR. Specifically, Dr. Stanford looks for studies that show long-term benefits when it comes the keto diet and intermittent fasting.
"When we look at the ketogenic diet, the research or the literature that's been done long-term really points to the ketogenic diet being excellent for patients that have seizure disorders or refractory seizure disorders," Dr. Stanford explained. Experts have also found that people with type 2 diabetes benefit from following the keto diet, because it lowers blood sugar and insulin levels and enables their bodies to use fat as the main source of energy.
While the keto diet has been proven effective for people with specific medical issues, "With regards to long-term benefits for weight and weight regulation, the studies have not been supportive," Dr. Stanford said. Although the keto diet may work for some in the long-term, Dr. Stanford said to consider whether or not you'll be able to (or want to) sustain it for five, 10, 15, or even 20 years.
"When we flip over to intermittent fasting, there are better studies that have been done long-term," she explained. There are a variety of ways to follow intermittent fasting, with 12:12 (you eat in a 12-hour window, and fast for 12 hours) considered to be the easiest. While intermittent fasting beats keto on long-term sustainability, Dr. Stanford said, "Overall, there's a limited population that's able to really conform to intermittent fasting, or IF, over the long-term."
This doesn't mean that IF and keto won't work to help you initially begin to lose weight. But if your goal is long-term (we're talking longer than a few months) weight loss, Dr. Stanford advised finding a way of eating that you can commit to for years to come. This will look different for everyone, but Dr. Stanford recommends beginning to eat lean proteins, whole grains, vegetables, and fruits to help you achieve your goals.
A Dietitian Explains Why Going Gluten-Free Won't Help You Lose Weight
Going gluten-free is trendy, feels healthy, and is definitely something to consider for those of us with intolerances and sensitivities. It involves cutting products with wheat, rye, barley, and other gluten-filled ingredients out of your diet, and people who've done it tout benefits such as weight loss, higher energy, and just feeling better. It's persuasive, but maybe worth a second look.
"Gluten has been completely vilified in the past decade," registered dietitian Kristin Kirkpatrick of the Cleveland Clinic's Wellness Institute told POPSUGAR. Shows, books, blogs, and celebrities including Gwenyth Paltrow and Miley Cyrus have hopped on the trend, for intolerance reasons and more, and spread it far and wide. But Kristin told us that "for someone not sensitive to gluten" - that is, if you don't have celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity - it's probably just fine.
This is especially true when it comes to weight loss. People transitioning to a gluten-free diet may well lose some weight, Kristin noted, but research has shown "that this usually has nothing to do with the gluten content." Most gluten-free weight loss actually comes from separate dietary improvements, like higher intake of fruits, veggies, and fiber that come along as positive side-effects.
Related: What Happened After I Gave Up Gluten For 10 Years? It's Not What You Think
That means that, for the most part, you can make other healthy choices and still glean the weight loss benefits you might get from going gluten-free. Upping your intake of fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats, Kristin says, plus eating more fiber and keeping your carb load within healthy limits (45-65 percent of your daily diet, or about 130 grams) are all weight-loss strategies you can grab without giving up your regular bread and pasta. Here's a two-week clean eating plan you can use to get started.
That being said, there are clear benefits to going gluten-free if you have a gluten intolerance or sensitivity. Those can come with symptoms as common as bloating and abdominal pain, according to Healthline, and if you think you have a sensitivity, Kristin recommended seeing a doctor to confirm it with a blood test or DNA nutrigenomics test, like 23andMe. Celiac disease is another possibility that you'll need to consult with a doctor to diagnose.
For the rest of us, if you feel fine eating gluten, there's no weight-loss-related reason why you need to stop. Try a few other strategies instead, like going for whole foods and getting more exercise (check out this weekly workout plan to get started). Then, pass the pasta.
Related: The 10 Most Essential Grains (and What to Cook With Them)
Try Not to Get Jealous as You Watch Misty Copeland Teach This 3-Year-Old How to Dance
When I think about inspiring women, one of the first who comes to mind is Misty Copeland. As the first black female principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre, Misty is paving the way for women of color in ballet and beyond. When she isn't busy performing, you can find her enjoying one of the biggest events on TV like the Super Bowl.
If you found the lowest-scoring game in history to be boring, it's because you didn't have Misty performing live in your TV room. In the video, Misty is seen teaching 3-year-old Belle how to do chainé turns. Then, Belle takes charge of the session by showing off her leg extensions, to which an impressed Misty replies, "That's so good!"
"Belle took her first ballet lesson last week and became instantly obsessed," Priya Shukla, Belle's mom, told POPSUGAR. Not going to lie, we're slightly jealous of Belle and very impressed with her skills. Be sure to check out the adorable video above.
This Winter, Hit the Slopes in a Seriously Chic Ski Outfit
We're excited to take on the mountains and go skiing. If you're getting ready for a snowy getaway, there are so many cute ski outfits to choose from. Whether you're a black diamond expert or learning to tackle the bunny slopes, you want to stand out on the mountain with a cute look. Everyone will be able to spot you in these 16 pieces.
If You Want to Lose Belly Fat, a Trainer Says Do HIIT Training This Many Days a Week
You know, you know: abs are made in the kitchen, with a focus on portion size, eating whole foods, and limiting the refined carbs, sugar, and alcohol. But while diet plays a huge role, exercise has its place too. Personal trainer and dietitian Jim White, RD, ACSM, told POPSUGAR that with a combination of diet, exercise, and other lifestyle habits, you can see results in as little as two weeks!
If you want your six-pack to pop, you can't spot-train to reduce belly fat. NASM-certified trainer Tamara Pridgett says, "Instead of obsessing over a 'problem area,' focus on training your entire body." When you lower your total body fat percentage, you'll lose weight in your stomach.
David Chesworth, an ACSM-certified personal trainer and wellness coach at Hilton Head Health, told POPSUGAR that a combination of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and diet can help with weight loss, especially with reducing belly fat.
What Is HIIT?
HIIT involves short intervals done at almost your max effort, followed by shorter recovery periods or rest. The secret to HIIT is in how hard you work during your intense intervals, explained Jade Jenny, CrossFit coach and owner of Champlain Valley CrossFit. Your goal is to work out at 90 percent of your max, which trains your body to work in anaerobic mode, helping you become more efficient at producing and using energy. This increases your body's fat-burning potential, helping you get lean faster than steady-state cardio.
How Often Should You Do HIIT?
So HIIT is where it's at when it comes to reducing belly fat, but how often do you need to do it to see results? ACE-certified trainer John Kersbergen said, "The most efficient way to get results is to do some form of HIIT for a total-body workout." And no need to suffer for hours at the gym. John said, "The whole workout, including warmup, doesn't need to be more than 45 minutes to be effective." Nike Master Trainer Betina Gozo said that three to four times a week of HIIT workouts is enough. That's totally doable, right?
HIIT Workouts
Here are some long HIIT workouts you can try:
- 45-minute total-body HIIT workout
- 45-minute Tabata workout video
- 40-minute bodyweight and dumbbell HIIT workout
- 40-minute total-body CrossFit HIIT workout
- 40-minute basic HIIT workout with dumbbells
If you can't do a whole 40- to 45-minute session, do shorter workouts more often in the week. Here are some shorter HIIT workouts:
- 30-minute lower-body HIIT workout
- 30-minute Tabata workout video
- 20-minute no-equipment full-body HIIT workout
- 30-minute bodyweight HIIT workout
- 30-minute running HIIT workout
If even these are too long, break it up throughout the day with these quick yet intense HIIT workouts:
From Hot Yoga to Winter Running, Must-Have Gear to Motivate You This February
Keep up with those healthy New Year's resolutions with this amazing health and fitness gear that we're loving this month. We've got you covered, from leggings for your favorite group fitness class to CBD muscle recovery cream to adorable yet supportive sneakers. Through chilly February temps and Valentine's Day, stay motivated with these products we're loving right now.
I Meditated For 10 Minutes Every Night For a Week, and It Helped Me Fall Asleep Faster
Those close to me know I'm not the most relaxed person. I love being active and doing higher-energy things, so meditation and yoga have never really worked for me. I don't find sitting in silence or being still with my thoughts appealing, and I prefer HIIT and cardio with loud, pounding music over a yoga flow. Yet, I've heard so much about the benefits of mindfulness and other forms of meditation, including that they can reduce stress levels and quiet the mind and body. I figured it couldn't hurt to try to implement such a technique when I have energy to burn and need to power down fast.
I'm truly a night owl, and I usually eat dinner super late, like around 9 or 10 p.m. (I know, not great), so by the time I go to bed closer to midnight, I'm way too alert and energized to doze off. So, I embarked on this little experiment, in hopes that meditating for 10 minutes before bed would help me fall asleep and finally convince me of meditation's magical powers.
The first night did not go well. I tried focusing on my breath, bringing my attention back to it when my mind started to wander, but I couldn't get into it, and I actually felt a bit anxious. Instead of finding inner peace, I started thinking about what I had to do the next morning or if I had done enough work that day, and I hated the silence. I was bored and weirdly alert, so once I realized that I had stayed up longer than I planned, I took some melatonin (I know, I know) to help me fall asleep.
How I Turned a Corner
I was ready to quit after night one, but instead I decided to try something a little different. Meditating in silence clearly doesn't work for me, so I put on some light music. While I considered an app for guided meditation, I was afraid that would bore me; instead, I found relaxing spa music (So soothing, right?), and put it on a very low volume so it would fill that awkward stillness without distracting me from the meditation.
It was just enough to help me through it. I was able to concentrate on my breath, and while my mind still drifted at times - to an article that was due the next day or an idea I wanted to pitch - I simply reminded myself that this is normal for beginners. I embraced those thoughts, let them go, and went back to focusing on my breath, in and out to the rhythm of the music, for the duration of the 10 minutes. By the end, I was drowsy.
I did that for the rest of the week, and each time I got better at not letting my thoughts take over or getting bored. Of course, I'm still not perfect at meditating or even falling asleep, but I'm definitely more tired after practicing mindfulness than I am after watching an episode of Riverdale before bed. I plan to keep this habit up, as it really did help me fall asleep faster, and 10 minutes is nothing when measured against the benefits. I guess I'm sort of into meditation now.
This 1 Thing Eased My Anxiety Almost Immediately, and I Never Would Have Guessed
I've been suffering from a mysterious illness that causes fatigue, dizziness, inflammation, and severe anxiety for several years. When I began taking a more holistic approach to treating my symptoms, I never thought acupuncture would be on my list of things to try. For one thing, I think my illness partially stems from my anxiety, and needles terrify me. I faint when I get my flu shot, so I couldn't imagine that being treated like a human pincushion would help me relax.
I changed my mind when a friend told me how acupuncture had changed her life. The frequency and severity of her migraines decreased significantly just from her first few treatments. I told her I was afraid that it wouldn't be worth the money (acupuncture can be expensive), but she assured me that if I was going to invest in anything, it should be self-care. I took the chance and made an appointment, and I'm so glad I did.
The acupuncturist actually listened. She let me cry. She sympathized. She offered advice. And she didn't make me feel crazy or overdramatic or try to blame my physical symptoms on anxiety and depression alone. Rather than getting impatient or frustrated by the things I described, she assured me that she could help. She acknowledged that I'm a very sick person, just not in a way Western medicine traditionally recognizes. That alone healed a part of me that I didn't know was so damaged.
An acupuncturist treats mind, body, and soul as one entity. Essentially, the fine needles help redirect energy (or qi) in the body, stimulating the nervous system. Depending on the pressure points triggered, acupuncture can help ease a number of conditions. Research has shown it to be effective for treating anxiety, though more studies are needed.
Still, I was skeptical and nervous. Fortunately, the acupuncturist reassured me throughout the appointment, always telling me what she was doing so I wouldn't be surprised and providing a distraction when I needed one. She talked to me the whole time because I was anxious, but she explained that some people like to meditate or sleep during that time.
The acupuncturist hugged me when I left, and I fought the urge to cry tears of relief.
For the most part, I didn't feel the needles at all, not even a prick. And when they were in, I swear I could actually feel the energy moving. It was so strange, like a buzzing, tingling sensation. My arms and body just melted; I felt like I was sinking into the table. The acupuncturist hugged me when I left, and I fought the urge to cry tears of relief.
I could have fallen asleep at my desk prior to that appointment, but afterward, I felt like I'd had about five shots of espresso, minus the shakes, jitters, or anxiety. My mind seemed clear. I felt awake and alert and yet somehow less reactive. I was calm and thoughtful in my responses, instead of feeling panicked, acting on impulse, or snapping unnecessarily.
Before I left my appointment that day, we laid out a treatment plan that includes six weeks of acupuncture treatments, followed by appointments on a case-by-case basis. I'm also making changes to my diet, practicing meditation for five to 10 minutes each morning, and focusing more on the things that bring me joy. While I'm not sure this will solve my problem, it feels good to treat the physical and emotional symptoms together, rather than dismissing them as separate issues. She seems so certain that there's a light at the end of this painful, exhausting tunnel, and now I am, too.
The 1 Thing You Should Discuss With Your Doctor If Your Sex Drive Has Suddenly Stalled
Talking to anyone, let alone your doctor, about your sex life can feel awkward, but if your libido seems nonexistent, that's exactly the conversation you should be having. What you shouldn't do? Chalk it up to your birth control. "The majority of women who take hormonal contraception have no libido issues, and for some women, it can actually increase their libido because they're not worried about getting pregnant," said ob-gyn Lauren Streicher, MD, founder and medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Center For Sexual Health and Menopause. However, "there is a small percentage of women that do have a low libido because of the pill, and it's not in their heads."
Related: The Dos and Don'ts For Increasing Your Sex Drive
How Does the Pill Affect Your Sex Drive?
While losing your desire for sex is the exception and not the rule on the pill, it can happen for a number of reasons. "For some people, it can be a cumulative effect," Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz, MD, a board-certified ob-gyn in Los Angeles, told POPSUGAR. "It may not affect you at first, but over a longer period of time, it ends up decreasing your libido." That's because the pill increases levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), a protein that attaches itself to the hormone testosterone, quite literally tying up a key player in libido.
"There also seems to be a genetic component that makes testosterone receptors work improperly for some women on the pill," Dr. Streicher explained. "You can get two outcomes from this: a low libido and vaginal dryness." If that's the case, Dr. Streicher suggests going off the pill completely and applying a local testosterone and estrogen cream (prescribed by your doctor) to the opening of the vagina to help reverse the dryness and pain.
Related: Here's Why I (Mostly) Love My Copper IUD
Should You Consider Switching Pills?
"It would be nice if the solution was just to change the pill, but we find that's not the case because there are so many things that can cause libido to fluctuate," Dr. Streicher said. If a woman notices that her sex drive has significantly decreased since going on the pill but really wants to stay on it - as opposed to trying another method like the IUD - Dr. Streicher said she may suggest changing formulas. "It seems to be that the third-generation lower-dose [estrogen] pills are more a problem than earlier developed pills," she said.
Switching to a pill with a different level of progestin - the hormone that's responsible for halting ovulation - may also help, but only in a small percentage of women. "Progestin is driving the train regarding side effects, which is why we keep having new generations of pills," Dr. Streicher said, noting that some help with PMS symptoms or skin, for example. Some women are fine on any pill, while others need options, she added.
Dr. Gilberg-Lenz agreed and emphasized just how complex uncovering the cause of low libido can be. In fact, a study in Obstetrics & Gynecology found that 40 percent of female participants reported low libido prior to any birth control use, and researchers found no association between any method of birth control and a lack of interest in sex, reaffirming that most women on the pill won't encounter this issue.
Still, if you notice significant changes and side effects from the pill, it's worth mentioning to your doctor. Your ob-gyn can determine if it's your birth control or some other underlying issue. "What we try to stay away from is trying different types of pills to see if the libido comes back, and the whole time the root cause was another factor, like a patient's antidepressant prescription," Dr. Streicher said. "It's important to look at all the factors."
Related: Ever Felt Itchy or Uncomfortable After Sex? You Might Have an Allergy and Not Know It
Learn Your Target Heart Rate to Work Smarter, Not Harder
Whether you run, bike, swim, or lift, knowing how to find your target heart rate can help you achieve maximum results. You might be asking: What is a resting heart rate? What's a maximum heart rate? Can this math help make the most of every workout? Knowing your heart rate cues can help you work smarter, instead of harder, and see results faster. But let's start with the basics: what does "heart rate" mean?
Resting Heart Rate
Simply put, your heart rate is the number of times your heart beats in a minute. We spoke with chiropractor and certified strength and condition specialist Alex Tauber, who recommends this simple technique to find your resting heart rate. Before exercise, Alex says, to measure your resting heart rate, "put your index and middle finger on the notch right below the hinge of your jaw." When you feel the pulse, start counting for 30 seconds, and multiply the number you get by two to get the number of beats per minute, and that's your resting heart rate.
Maximum Heart Rate Formula
The Mayo Clinic suggests using a simple mathematical formula to calculate it. Simply subtract your age from the number 220 to find your maximum heart rate. For example, if you're 30 years old, you subtract 30 from 220 to determine that 190 beats per minute is your maximum heart rate. You can only sustain your maximum heart rate for a few seconds before you collapse from exhaustion. If you have a medical condition and need a more specific number, a doctor or sports laboratory can perform a stress test to determine your maximum and target heart rates.
Finding Your Target Heart Rate
When you're at rest during a workout session, your heart rate should be low, you feel comfortable, breathing comes easily, and you can handle a conversation with your workout buddy. As your intensity increases, your heart rate rises, breathing becomes more difficult, and you may only be able to utter a word or two at a time. Somewhere between your resting heart rate and maximum heart rate is the gold standard for exercise.
NASM Certified Personal Trainer and ACE Certified Group Fitness Instructor Cassy Velez told us that once you know your maximum heart rate, "you'll be able to determine your target heart rate zone depending on the level of intensity of your workout." Your target heart rate range is simple calculation, i.e. 65 percent to 75 percent of your max heart rate. Your target heart rate should be sustainable for the duration of your workout, but the intensity zone, at 85 percent of your max, is the zone that gets you to your maximum results most quickly - but you likely can't hang out there for the entire workout. Push yourself and then back off to bring your heart rate back to a hard but sustainable rate. Your realistic goal should be to stay in the range of 50 to 85 percent of your maximum heart rate during each workout.
Working With Your Target Heart Rate
Knowing your resting, maximum, and target heart rate can get you to your goals faster and eliminate any wasted time on the road or in the gym. After calculating your maximum heart rate using the formula above, you can easily keep track of your heart rate with a heart rate monitor before, during, and after your workout. Or count your pulse under your jawbone just like how you found your resting heart rate.
If you are consistently exercising at a lower heart rate than your target zone, you know it's time to increase the intensity. If your heart rate exceeds 85 percent of your maximum, you can lower the intensity, by slowing down your speed if you're running or cycling, and make exercise more comfortable and sustainable. Do the math and listen to your body to zero in on that target heart rate for maximum success.
The fitter you become, the longer you will be able to push yourself in the upper range of your target heart rate. As you get stronger, track your heart rate in an app or a workout journal, and notice when it changes and look for patterns. Has your heart rate changed since you started working out? Has your resting heart rate lowered? These are good things and mean you're getting fitter. It also means you will need to increase your intensity during workouts to continue to see progress. There are exercises or workouts that increase your heart rate more quickly, like HIIT or Tabata, which give you continued after-burn effect that lets you burn calories even when your workout is over.
Trouble Staying in the Zone
Don't give up. There may be legitimate reasons that you struggle to stay in the target heart rate zone. If you find it difficult to raise or lower your heart rate during exercise, talk to your doctor, a cardiologist, or an exercise physiologist to determine whether exercise is safe for you and to reset your goals. A medical professional can order a stress test to accurately determine your maximum heart rate and help you structure goals that fit your needs.
A Cardiologist Tells Us the Worst Thing For Heart Health
When it comes to protecting your heart, you probably have heard countless times to stay at a healthy weight, watch your saturated fat intake, don't smoke, and get enough exercise. And while all these tips are great to maintain a healthy ticker, there's another type of food that trumps them all as being the absolute worst for your heart.
"Sugar has been finally recognized as the ultimate villain wreaking havoc on our health," cardiologist Luiza Petre, MD, told POPSUGAR. "We owe the obesity and heart disease epidemic to the sugar and high fructose corn syrup propaganda of the 1980s."
"Fructose converts straight into fat, as the body cannot process it as a source of energy the same way as glucose," she added. "So suddenly we ingest food that goes straight to our fat deposits. Visceral fat is one of the biggest inflammatory triggers for heart disease and becomes an endocrine organ that sabotages individuals and makes them even fatter."
She said that while the connection between fat and heart health is still up in the air, "sugar is way more harmful than fat or proteins could be."
That being said, you should still watch your intake of some fats: trans fats should be avoided at all costs, and saturated fat should only constitute 10 percent of your daily caloric intake. However, it's extra important that you also watch your sugar intake - switch from drinking soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages to sparkling and detox waters.
In fact, the American Heart Association only recommends no more than six teaspoons (or 25 grams) of added sugars for women a day. Be sure you're reading your nutrition facts and ingredients label closely: added sugar has dozens of names, including corn syrup, dextrose, glucose, and sucrose.
By limiting your added sugar intake you'll not only be protecting your waistline; you'll be protecting your heart, too.
Red Meat Is Still Bad For Heart Health, Study Finds - but Not Just Because of Saturated Fat
Doctors and experts have long warned against eating too much red meat for heart health. In fact, the American Heart Association (AHA) recommends only eating lean meat such as chicken or fish without the skin because they are lower in saturated fat and saturated fat raises cholesterol and could lead to heart disease. (Although these are the AHA's guidelines, more recent studies haven't found a direct link between saturated fat and coronary heart disease).
But now, a new study has found it's not just saturated fat from red meat that can impact your heart - a chemical called trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) has been linked to heart disease when consumed in high levels. Researchers found that people who eat a lot of red meat have three times the amount of TMAO compared to those who eat white meat or a plant-based diet. In the study, the red meat participants ate the equivalent of eight ounces of steak or two quarter-pound beef patties a day, compared to participants who were just given white meat or just given plant-based protein sources. However, those who stopped eating red meat lowered their levels of TMAO.
TMAO is formed by gut bacteria when red meat is digested. TMAO can be measured using a simple blood test, which may be another strategy in helping prevent heart disease.
"These findings reinforce current dietary recommendations that encourage all ages to follow a heart-healthy eating plan that limits red meat," said Charlotte Pratt, PhD, the NHLBI project officer for the study, according to Science Daily. "This means eating a variety of foods, including more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy foods, and plant-based protein sources such as beans and peas."
If you're looking to cut back on your meat consumption and eat a more plant-based diet, check out these 10 tips.
Can the Keto Diet Mess With Your Cholesterol? Here's What Heart Doctors Had to Say
One of the most controversial topics in dieting and healthy living continues to be the ketogenic diet. The high-fat, low-carb diet has been a major success tool for weight loss, metabolic changes, and healing patients with diseases like epilepsy. But with all that fat intake, what happens to your cholesterol, and could it be damaging to your heart?
Because there's not a ton of clinical evidence just yet (though there is some!), it's difficult to know what ramifications a high-fat diet could have on your cardiovascular system. POPSUGAR spoke with cardiologists, heart surgeons, and a clinical nutritionist to find out what experts know at this point and how to navigate a low-carb, high-fat diet without the deadly risk of heart disease.
7 Foods That Will Help You Feel More Calm and Less Stressed
If you're dealing with stress or anxiety, sometimes it seems like nothing can take the edge off, and sometimes it's easy to comfort yourself with food. When you're reaching for chips or ice cream as an outlet for your tense feelings, try this trick: eating foods that can actually help de-stress your brain. There are minerals and vitamins that trigger the release of happy-feeling neurotransmitters in your brain, and they're in some of the most common foods you can find at your local grocery store.
We have some antianxiety recipes for you. Eat your way to better moods and less stress with the help of serotonin-releasing magnesium and tryptophan and mood-boosting omega-3s and B vitamins.
This Is the Gym Bag You've Been Seeing All Over - It's Definitely Worth the Hype
My workout essentials include a quality pair of sneakers that I can do everything in, quality workout gear (trust me, it's worth the investment), a good playlist, and a great bag to store all of my gear. The Nike Pegasus is my favorite training shoe (it's technically a running shoe but you can do so much in it), I have at least 20 playlists on Spotify, and I'm obsessed with Nike leggings. When it comes to gym bags, I still haven't found the one. I've received and purchased a handful of bags over the years, and I always find flaws with them. Too big, too small, no place for dirty clothes, not enough pockets; the list goes on.
As a part-time gym bag critic, I accepted the fact that I wouldn't find a bag that was up to my standards. One day, I was catching up with a friend when she whipped out her new gym bag raving about all the features - it was compact but could hold her clothes, shoes, laptop, a water bottle, and more. Shortly after she introduced me the Dagne Dover line, specifically the gym bag, I began seeing it everywhere.
I saw it so much, I asked a stranger at the gym her thoughts on the bag - she loved it. Plus, after hearing my coworkers talk about how much they loved their bags, I knew I had to try it for myself. I swapped out the backpack I've been using for a year with the Dagne Dover Landon Carryall (the brand sent me the bag to try out) and gave it a test drive. It's been a month since I got the bag, and let me tell you, I love it.
I have the bag in dune (it's a blush color), which is more exciting than black, and in my fitness-slash-fashion critic opinion, it's a great color for all seasons. It's expandable, which is what I need on most days, especially when I have my lunch with me and workout equipment. The neoprene fabric is smooth and easy to clean; I know this to be true because I spilled something on it after the first day of using it. It also has a shoe duster, a protective water bottle pocket, and lots of pockets for organization.
I never knew I could become obsessed with a gym bag, but here I am. If you're in the market for a bag that's functional and cute, check out the Dagne Dover collection ahead.
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