Healthy lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is one which helps to keep and improve people's health and well-being.Many governments and non-governmental organizations have made big efforts in healthy lifestyle and health promotion.
Mental Health
Mental health can be considered a very important factor of physical health for the effects it produces on bodily functions. This type of health concerns emotional and cognitive well-being or an absence of mental disorder.
Public health
Public health can be defined in a variety of ways. It can be presented as "the study of the physical, psychosocial and socio-cultural determinants of population health and actions to improve the health of the population.
Reproductive Health
For the UN, reproductive health is a right, like other human rights. This recent concept evokes the good transmission of the genetic heritage from one generation to the next.
Health
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
vendredi 22 février 2019
How Indoor Plants Can Help You Avoid Getting Sick This Flu Season
Think that the role of household plants is to just brighten up living spaces and look nice on shelves? Think again. Many common household plants, such as ferns, palms, and ZZ plants, can actually lower the infectivity of airborne viruses by raising humidity levels indoors. Yes, you heard that right. One of the secret weapons to fending off or dealing with the common cold or flu may not just be in your medicine cabinet - but also on your windowsill.
According to research, when humidity hits above 40 percent, it is able to greatly reduce the virulence and infectivity of the flu virus. Higher humidity also means lower infectivity of airborne viruses. This is where plants come in: all plants, with the exception of succulents and cacti, have the ability to increase humidity levels through a process known as transpiration.
"Transpiration occurs when direct sunlight strikes the leaves and pulls water from them into the air," explains Christopher Satch, head of plant science and education at The Sill. "The plant, in turn, pulls water from the soil to replace the water that has evaporated into the air. The bigger the plant, the more transpiration that occurs, and the more water that gets moved into the air. Humidity increases with increased transpiration and having more plants and bigger plants raises humidity the most."
So don't be afraid to splurge on plants this year - not only do they purify the air we breathe, but they can also keep us healthy. Read ahead for 15 humidity-generating plants, and where to buy them, that can help us to feel our best.
22 Spots at Disneyland That Are Some of the Most Instagrammable Places on Earth
It's the happiest and most magical place on Earth - and also one of the most photogenic! We're talking, of course, about Disneyland, the original Disney theme park in Anaheim, CA. Although the streets of the park are always full of people, there are some amazing spots, both out in the open and a little tucked away, where you can take that perfect shot to share your Disney dreams with your Instagram followers. From Disney landmarks to new additions, here are some of the best and most Instagram-friendly spots at Disneyland - plus a few tips and tricks for getting the perfect shot once you're there!
Easter Egg Oreos Have Arrived, and the New Oval Shape Is Honestly Quite the Trip
As one season ends and a new one begins, it seems no one is working harder than the folks at Oreo. Fresh off the release of its berry-flavored Love Oreos for Valentine's Day, the cookie company immediately began selling limited-edition Easter Egg Oreos with a purple filling and new oval shape.
Unfortunately, the Oreos don't actually taste any different than the classic cookie, but the confounding shape and the four unique designs make them a sweet novelty purchase. The Easter Egg Oreos come at the same time as the return of Spring Oreos, which simply feature a yellow filling. See photos of the Easter Egg Oreos ahead, already available at big box stores like Target and Walmart!
Walmart Dropped a New Modern Home Line, and It Makes Us Want to Redecorate ASAP
Are you in the mood to change up your space? Us too. So when we learned that Walmart is launching a home line that is both luxurious and affordable, we were all ears. Walmart's MoDRN launches today, Feb. 8, and is filled with velvet furniture, marble accents, and chic accessories at a fraction of traditional costs. We were lucky enough to preview the collection, and trust us when we say it's as good as it looks. Keep reading to shop our favorite pieces from the collection, and get ready for decor envy.
Related: These Modern Living Room Designs Will Spark Inspiration For Your Home in 2019
36 Disney World Photo Spots That Were Basically Invented For Instagram
If you're looking for the perfect place to debut your new Cinderella's Castle Mouse Ears or pose with your Sleeping Beauty cupcake, Disney World has endless options for a stellar Instagram. From pastels to mosaics to iconic landmarks, Disney is a treasure trove of Instagram backdrops, so it's no wonder that Walls of Walt Disney World, or #Disneywalls, has become such a popular Instagram trend. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a Disney veteran, you don't have to be an influencer to nail one of the many classic Disney pics. Read on to see all the spots in Disney World that are guaranteed to get you all the likes on Instagram.
Pixar Released a Short Film About a Stray Cat Befriending an Abused Pit Bull, So Get Ready to Cry at Your Desk
Pixar has a pretty impressive track record for making audiences cry, but it has truly outdone itself by achieving full-scale weeps in a matter of mere minutes with the animation studio's new short film, Kittbull. The film - a production of Pixar's new SparkShorts program - tells a tearjerking story of an "unlikely connection that sparks between two creatures" under dire circumstances. A fiercely independent stray kitten happens upon an abused Pit Bull, and as director Rosana Sullivan said, "together, they experience friendship for the first time."
It's simple and sweet, but - through a few startling scenes - it also makes a powerful statement about the treatment of animals, and it might even open up more meaningful conversations about the reputation of Pit Bulls being an aggressive and dangerous breed.
At the end of this nine-minute video, you'll certainly find yourself wiping away tears, and regardless of whether you consider yourself a dog person or a cat person, it will reaffirm your love of all animals and make you hug your own pets a bit tighter tonight.
Women Have Always Had to Step Aside - Why Can’t We Ask Male Politicians to Do the Same?
There's a lot at stake in the 2020 presidential election - and who knows this better than American women, who are so often targeted by the Trump administration?
In no small part, that's why women like Senators Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Warren, Kirsten Gillibrand, and Amy Klobuchar are dominating the Democratic field, bringing a litany of new, progressive ideas to the race, and energizing women who are excited to finally see ourselves represented.
"All women, at some point in our lives, are forced to step aside - in ways big and small, in public and private life - so that men around us can consolidate power."
Many American women, who comprise a key Democratic voting bloc, are determined to vote for the Democratic presidential nominee, whoever it may be. But in light of this early, unprecedentedly female-dominated field, our determination to support the nominee and remove Trump from office hasn't stopped many women from being hopeful that white, male Democratic politicians might step aside from the 2020 race, and instead support one of the progressive-leaning women and minority presidential candidates.
Then, on Feb. 19, 2016 presidential hopeful and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders joined the Democratic field and announced his presidential campaign, subsequently raising $6 million in just 24 hours. But not everyone was necessarily excited by his campaign, which was notably announced just one day after Massachusetts Sen. Warren announced her plan for universal child care. Warren introduced her plan by first sharing a personal story of how she'd nearly been forced to drop out of law school because she couldn't afford child care, but was ultimately able to stay in school with the help of her extended family.
Her personal anecdote elucidates a critical, everyday reality: "Stepping aside," as Warren was almost forced to in law school, isn't always about electoral politics. Instead, being actively or passively told to "step aside" is a message that women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and other marginalized groups hear in myriad ways throughout their lives. It's a message Bernie Sanders certainly sent to Warren and the rest of the women seizing their moment in the 2020 primary when he chose to run yet again.
Many women have recently called on men like Sanders - and other potential white, male Democratic candidates like Beto O'Rourke or Joe Biden - to move over and allow women and minority candidates to shine at this salient moment for marginalized people in American politics; to give us space to, for once, represent our own experiences. The fact that white men do not fully understand misogyny and identity-based oppression (which they don't) isn't necessarily the problem; the problem is men and male politicians erasing women's voices by speaking for us, and pushing us aside to do so. In their refusal to step aside, they deny us crucial opportunities for leadership and self-determination, just so they can seek more dominance and influence in a culture that already grants them more than their fair share.
All women at some point in our lives are forced to step aside - in ways big and small, in public and private life - so that men around us can consolidate power. The power dynamics of being asked to do this, or to "wait our turn," take form in countless everyday experiences. We see this reflected in the unsaid numbers of women who have to drop out of school, quit jobs, give up doing what they love, or put aside work that could potentially change the world because they can't afford child care. Or because the career of their male partner takes precedence. Or because they are pushed out of jobs - even entire fields and industries - by some men's misogyny, harassment, and abuse, and the toxic silence and complicity of others.
"Sanders himself responded to the 2017 release of [Hillary Clinton's] book by insisting that we move on."
Since Hillary Clinton's 2016 loss to Donald Trump, her public statements and speeches have been met with varying levels of chiding and outrage from leading Democrats and Republicans alike, all essentially insisting her time has passed, and she must now step aside. Sanders himself responded to the 2017 release of her book by insisting that we move on.
"Secretary Clinton ran against the most unpopular candidate in the history of this country, and she lost. She was upset about that, I understand," he said. "But our job now is really not to go backwards. It is to go forward."
Clinton was the first woman in US history to win the popular vote. She won the Democratic primary over Sanders. And prior the 2016 election, Clinton had dedicated more than four decades of her life to public service and civil rights advocacy. Still, she faced ceaseless, aggressive demands that she "step aside" for the next Democratic star. And in light of ongoing criticisms that the Democratic Party exploited "identity politics" in supporting her, a woman, "next Democratic star" is likely coded language for "charismatic white man."
It's notable that, despite Sanders's loss in 2016, he has faced far less pushback for running for president again, than Clinton did simply for publishing a book about her campaign. Often, Sanders has not just benefited from but explicitly perpetuated sexism in a variety of ways, including one episode in which he dismissively spoke about female staffers' allegations of being sexually harassed on his previous presidential campaign. From out-of-touch comments insinuating gender or marginalized status somehow advantages candidates, to criticisms of "identity politics" and defenses of anti-choice Democrats, to doing little to address the misogyny so rampant in his base, his dismissive treatment of Clinton and other female candidates through his choice to run is not an anomaly.
The bipartisan devotion to silencing Clinton and Sanders's persistent blind spots around issues of sexism and identity are just part of a greater trend both within and outside of American politics. As women, we give up so much just by nature of living in a patriarchal society that prioritizes male ambition, and so often relegates the careers, goals, and leadership of women to collateral damage.
Yet, when some of us merely ask powerful white men to step back rather than seek even more power at this particularly fraught political moment for women and marginalized Americans, this is perceived as an attack. Rather than engage in self-reflection and consider using their power to support just as qualified, just as competent women candidates, male politicians like Sanders remain insistent that they know best, that they are the best to speak for us, that this is their power to take. And in doing so, they ask us once again to step aside.
These 18 Unreal National Parks Need to Go on Your Bucket List ASAP
They don't call it "America the beautiful" for nothing. The US has some seriously incredible national parks, so if you're thinking of planning a vacation, consider doing it in a nature-filled setting. We rounded up the best national parks our country has to offer - see if you agree with the locations that made the list.
22 Spots at Disneyland That Are Some of the Most Instagrammable Places on Earth
It's the happiest and most magical place on Earth - and also one of the most photogenic! We're talking, of course, about Disneyland, the original Disney theme park in Anaheim, CA. Although the streets of the park are always full of people, there are some amazing spots, both out in the open and a little tucked away, where you can take that perfect shot to share your Disney dreams with your Instagram followers. From Disney landmarks to new additions, here are some of the best and most Instagram-friendly spots at Disneyland - plus a few tips and tricks for getting the perfect shot once you're there!
Urban Outfitters Is Selling Mystery VHS Tape Sets, and Our '90s-Loving Hearts Can't Take It
It's time to dust off those VCR players - or buy one (you can still buy one, right?) - because Urban Outfitters just teamed up with Studiohouse Designs for their mystery VHS collections, and we're officially freaking out! Buyers will have the option to pick from the following five genres: horror, '80s romance, '90s comedy, '00s romcom, and sci-fi, and receive a mystery box of five assorted classic films pertaining to that genre. Each box is unique and won't include exactly what's pictured on their website, so you'll be pleasantly surprised. The sets do cost a pretty penny at $40 each, but this dose of nostalgia is so worth it. Keep reading to see all the sets now, and don't forget to bust out your butterfly hair clips and Lip Smackers lip gloss while shopping!
14 of the Most Scandalous Women in History
It's important to pay tribute to the commendable women who've made a difference for the better - but what about the "bad" girls in history, who are notorious for their sexy, shocking, and sinister deeds? Here are 14 scandalous women who have become legendary for everything from stripping to having affairs to naked horseback rides. Get a tawdry history lesson on these controversial female figures now!
Grab a Suitcase and Your Sneakers - These Fit Vacations Will Give You Serious Wanderlust
Vacation and indulgence don't necessarily have to go hand in hand (as much as you might want them to). It's completely possible to eat healthfully while traveling or even squeeze in a workout or some meditation, if that's your thing. In fact, wellness travel - in which you prioritize your physical, mental, and spiritual health - is among today's biggest trends.
There are places around the world that are ideal for wellness seekers, specifically, but this list includes options that are both relaxing and active, so you can find a healthy balance between the two. Keep reading to see your best options for the year ahead.
On Being Called "Brown Sugar" and "Oprah" in Morocco
It's a truth universally acknowledged that when you complain to an ignorant man about being catcalled, they'll say you should take it as a compliment. And when you further explain that being catcalled abroad is even worse, they'll mansplain to you that it's just the way the culture is and you should just suck it up and expect it if you're going to travel.
I don't recall being whistled at or spoken to like a sexual object much in my youth. I wasn't exactly the ideal standard of beauty in my small town, so it wasn't until I moved away to bigger cities that I realized that this unfortunate act of catcalling was something that could happen to me. And sadly, as I've gotten older and lived in cities such as Los Angeles, London, and New York, it's only gotten worse. I'll never enjoy being on the receiving end of it and certainly do not consider it flattering.
My adventurous nature took me on a trip to Morocco after finding extremely inexpensive flights. It was a country I had heard so much about and just had to figure out if all the hype was justified. Thankfully, I was overjoyed to find out that it exceeded my expectations. Morocco is an intense blend of old and new. The vibrant colors, smells of spices, and old ruins were fulfilling my Indiana Jones fantasies.
In my research, before I arrived, it was made clear that the men of Morocco tended more toward the aggressive side when it came to interactions with women. I had faced many sexual remarks toward me in my travels to other locations but didn't want to go in with a bad attitude about this and have it ruin the trip. From the moment I landed in the North African country, a barrage of physical remarks rained down upon me. My inner angry feminist was enraged.
It's a complicated feeling to want to change the world and how women are treated, but then to try and respect the culture of a country and not go in with a stubborn mind on how things are done. I wanted so badly to stand up for myself, but I also didn't want to cause a scene. I just let it be because I wanted to enjoy my time there, even if it meant feeling tremendously uncomfortable.
I do have to give it to Moroccan catcallers, though, for their creativity. When I'm walking around New York City, I just get a honk and suggestive look from a car as it passes by, or told that I should be smiling by a stranger who thinks he should get to dictate what my face looks like for him. Or I might be trying to innocently enjoy a museum when a security guard comes up to me and whispers right up in my ear in a creepy voice that he thinks I'm pretty. At least in Morocco, I received the borderline sexual harassment compliments with a bit of flair.
Morocco is insanely gorgeous and I don't want to miss out on seeing more of it just because some random guy called me Brown Sugar.
As a curvy black woman, some of my favorite names I've been called in Morocco are Beyoncé, Brown Sugar, Oprah, Bob Marley, and Whoopi Goldberg. I guess in a way I certainly do feel flattered. Beyoncé, Oprah, and Whoopi's careers are literally my life goals, so being compared to them could be considered a bit nice. Brown Sugar feels a little obvious, but at least it's sweet. And traveling with long, thick braids, I guess I was just asking for the Bob Marley comparisons.
I realize that a lot of it has to do with being a marketing tactic to make people pay attention to them and possibly come over to buy their products. The culture is that of hustling as hard as possible to make enough money to support themselves or their families, so I understand that it's all about how to gain new customers. And I'm sure I didn't notice if they were also saying things to men as well since I was in my own head a lot with each new name they called me.
Despite being treated this way, I went back to Morocco a year later and still have plans to go again in the near future. The thing is, it definitely may suck for a woman to have to endure these sexist moments while seeing the world, but the fact of the matter is that Morocco is insanely gorgeous and I don't want to miss out on seeing more of it just because some random guy called me Brown Sugar.
Morocco is still one of my favorite countries I've been to, and the first location I mention when people ask me for suggestions of places to go. The culture may not be the most attractive thing for a Westernized feminist to have to digest, but it's good to get outside of your comfort zone and face those that haven't been brought fully up to speed on how many women don't like to be spoken to. My inner Oprah gives me the serenity to face anything, including being called Oprah by someone who needs to back away five steps and not touch me, please.
Grab Your Headphones - This Playlist Is the Ultimate Soundtrack For Your Next Run
A long run is always better with music, right? That's why we've created this 90-minute playlist to help power you through those tougher sessions, whether you're running for the workout or training for a race. It starts with a couple of warmup songs before moving on to high-energy jams of varying speeds to keep you entertained and focused while you get in your miles. Run through the entire playlist and you'll find 10 minutes of cooldown music that's perfectly suited to a light jog or power walk. Scroll through to see our picks, and find the Spotify playlist at the end.
Remember: you'll need to download the free Spotify software or app to listen.
Starting at Over 200 Pounds, Kate Lost 82 Pounds With These 30-Minute Workouts
Before Kate McGinty (@kjmcginty on Instagram), 34, began her weight-loss journey at the end of Summer in 2015, she was well over 200 pounds. She spent her nights crashed on the couch with a bottle of wine. Each morning, she'd hit snooze multiple times, roll out of bed, and go straight to work. After a 10-hour day, she'd head home with some takeout and sit on the couch, exhausted, binge-watching Netflix. "I had no motivation to get up and do anything - let alone work out," Kate told POPSUGAR. Find out what Kate saw that made her instantly change her ways and ultimately helped her lose over 80 pounds.
If You're Suddenly Not Losing Weight With Intermittent Fasting, You Should Read This
If you've tried intermittent fasting (IF), you've probably noticed some changes, both in your energy and focus and on the scale. But like any other diet or lifestyle change, IF often comes with a period of plateau following those initial results, and figuring out how to break through it can be challenging. Karen Cooney, a registered dietitian for The Vitamin Shoppe, told POPSUGAR exactly what to do when IF stops working so you can keep making progress toward your goals.
First, you need to evaluate what you're eating. "The main reason IF may stop working for someone is because they feel it gives them a license to eat anything - mostly junk foods," Karen explained. Because IF is an eating pattern rather than a diet, you aren't given a list of specific foods to eat or avoid. "You obviously can eat more when doing IF then other types of diets, but if you overindulge on unhealthy foods while doing it, you will stop the weight loss and possibly put on fat," she said.
But while you don't want to load up on junk, you still need to get enough calories to make IF successful. "If you're in a caloric deficit for too long, your body will hold on to what you eat," Karen said. "You need to make sure you're giving your body the energy and nutrients it needs." To do this, she recommends reevaluating how much you're eating during your IF window, with a focus on quality nutrients over processed foods. Karen also stressed the importance of getting enough protein, since it helps maintain muscle mass, which will prevent your metabolism from slowing down.
Finally, consider changing things up. "Switch up your feeding window, or you can switch to alternate days fasting," Karen told POPSUGAR. "At the very least, incorporate one non-fasting day to help reset your metabolism." Just be sure to avoid something called refeeding syndrome, in which you eat too much too quickly after fasting. "While fasting, your electrolyte levels (like sodium, magnesium, and potassium) change as well as other hormones like insulin," she said. "If you refeed too quickly, it can abruptly alter these levels causing symptoms like fatigue, weakness, confusion, high blood pressure, and more."
When practicing IF, Karen suggests supplementing with electrolytes to help keep your body's levels stabilized and prevent you from falling into a refeeding cycle, which can leave you feeling crummy and less likely to stick to your plan.
Anaerobic and Aerobic Exercise Are Much Different, but Each Play a Key Role in Your Fitness Plan
The first time I heard the words "aerobic" and "anaerobic" exercise was in my elementary school health class around the time we had "the talk" (we girls later received packets of pads and powder fresh deodorant; I'm not sure what the boys got, but I'll leave that to your imagination). Though I knew oxygen had to do with what set the two types of activity apart, the difference never really stuck. If you're curious, too, let's take a deeper dive with the help of Miho J. Tanaka, MD, associate professor of orthopedic surgery and director of the women's sports medicine program at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
Dr. Tanaka explained to POPSUGAR that our bodies have several ways to convert food into cellular energy that, in turn, allows for muscle activity. One, she said, is the aerobic pathway that "requires the presence of oxygen. This type of pathway is commonly found in type I, or slow-twitch, muscle fibers, which are used for sustained, lower-intensity activities such as walking and cycling." (Think: cardio.) Anaerobic activity, in contrast "does not require the presence of oxygen. This pathway is found in type II, or fast-twitch, muscles fibers, which typically provide explosive, high-intensity activities for a short duration of time . . . approximately 30 seconds." This includes HIIT, sprinting, and weightlifting.
Dr. Tanaka further explained that each muscle has both types of fibers (slow-twitch and fast-twitch), activated depending on the exercise you're doing. "For example, long distance running would recruit the slow-twitch muscle fibers that are used for endurance-type activities, while sprinting would recruit the fast-twitch muscle fibers that constitute anaerobic activities."
What are anaerobic and aerobic exercise good for?
Aerobic activities that require endurance are good for cardiovascular fitness and weight loss, which according to Dr. Tanaka "has been shown to decrease risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack, hypertension, and stroke." She emphasized running as an example. Anaerobic exercises like weightlifting "are often thought of as being helpful in improving explosive muscle power and strength. It's become popularized in terms of interval training and high-intensity workouts due to its ability to increase strength and muscle mass." We also know that HIIT, specifically, is proven to help reduce fat.
"Although, any activity level can increase your metabolism and contribute to weight loss to some degree," Dr. Tanaka said. "A combination of both aerobic and anaerobic are needed, particularly in athletes." Her last tip? No matter what kind of exercise you're doing, try to prevent injury by properly warming up, stretching, and "avoiding sudden increases in activity levels." And, remember, diet is an important factor whether you're trying to lose weight or gain muscle. Now go get your workout on!
Treat Yourself With These 19 Yummy Low-Carb Desserts, All on Amazon
One of the most popular ways of eating in 2019 seems to be a low-carb diet, and as much as we all want to stick to our goals, we also love cookies. Well, now you don't have to compromise, because we found 19 yummy treats that all have less than 10 grams of net carbs per serving. How sweet is that? And, as an added bonus, all these desserts are available on Amazon. If that doesn't make you smile, we don't know what will.
If You Want to Lose Belly Fat Forever, a Dietitian Says to Ditch These 3 Foods
Getting rid of the fat around your tummy isn't just about looks. "Belly fat is also referred to as visceral fat, and is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other conditions," NYC-based registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator Rachel Stahl, MS, CDN, told POPSUGAR. That's why it's important to lose it.
While there is no one magic bullet when it comes to reducing belly fat, and you unfortunately can't spot-reduce fat specifically from your midsection, you can lower your overall body-fat percentage, which will help slim your waistline. You can also avoid certain foods that have been shown to promote fat storage in your belly. Ultimately, it all boils down to nutrition, which is why people say abs are made in the kitchen. Here are three things you can keep in mind every time you eat to reach your lean-belly goals.
Your All-Black Wardrobe Is Begging For This New Collection of Sneakers From APL
Y'all know we've been obsessed with APL for a long time. (In fairness, Instagram started it.) And just when we thought we had enough pairs, the sneaker brand dropped a slew of black, white, gray, and silver beauties that pair perfectly with sleek, all-black active looks.
Not only is this collection of shoes decidedly en vogue, but they're functional, too. APL's TechLoom sneakers are soft, springy, and excellent for your training classes, bootcamp-style mixed workouts, short-distance runs, and of course (our favorite) long, low-impact walks.
Whether your noir wardrobe needs more matching sneaks or you're simply in the market for some gorgeous neutrals, these will certainly tickle your fancy. Credit cards at the ready!
Get Fit Anywhere at Any Time With Kit Rich on Glow by POPSUGAR
Kit Rich is all about fitness on the go. After living on the road for more than a decade, Kit decided that she'd had enough - no more lengthy workout sessions with complicated moves and an array of equipment. So she simplified it and created KICHGO, now available on Glow by POPSUGAR.
Kit designed efficient and effective routines that are only 30 minutes long and use minimal equipment. They are so simple that you can train anywhere at any time, from your living room to a hotel, no excuses.
Check out some of Kit's workout routines on Glow by POPSUGAR:
Then see how Kit incorporates her workouts while traveling by following her on Instagram.
A Beachbody Dietitian Says Do These 7 Things to Reduce Belly Fat
If your belly is where you tend to hold onto extra pounds, and you're frustrated because what you've been doing hasn't helped, POPSUGAR asked registered dietitian Ilana Muhlstein, MS, creator of Beachbody's 2B Mindset nutrition program, to offer her expert advice. Although you unfortunately can't spot-reduce belly fat, you can lower your overall body fat percentage and diminish belly bloating, both of which will help slim your waistline. These are the six things she suggests to reduce belly fat (and keep it off for good!).
Related: Want an Easy Tip For Losing Weight? A Beachbody Dietitian Says Do This Before Every Meal
Has Your Weight Loss Stalled? A Dietitian Shares 11 Eating Tips to Break Through the Plateau
You were going strong, eating healthy and exercising, and you watched your weight steadily go down. But now your fat-loss has stalled. Before you get down on yourself about your weight-loss plateau, make sure you've actually hit one. There are many ways to measure progress besides the scale. So even though the numbers may not be moving (or maybe they're even increasing), check out your body composition, body measurements, how strong you feel, and how your clothes fit. You may have decreased your body fat percentage and increased muscle, and a regular scale won't measure that.
If you've determined that you've truly hit a fat-loss plateau, POPSUGAR asked NYC-based registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator Rachel Stahl, MS, CDE, to share some tips to break through. "It's important to take an integrative approach towards breaking through a weight-loss plateau," she said. "It is so much more than numbers on the scale or counting calories. Factors like emotion, food sensitivity, physical activity, environment, and medications all can play a role, so it's important to address these in addition to diet." But if your sleep, stress, and emotional well-being are doing well, here are some healthy eating tips that can help break through that fat-loss plateau.
Train Like an Athlete and Strengthen Your Core With This Powerful, Full-Body Exercise
In my opinion, two things all great athletic training programs focus on are core strength and power. Don't get me wrong: there's much more that goes into training and being a great athlete, but focusing on these two aspects is absolutely necessary. If you want to be a better sprinter, gymnast, golfer, tennis player, softball player - you get my point - power and core strength are essential.
There are lots of moves that should and can be done to improve core strength and overall power, with one of my favorites being the rotational medicine ball slam and toss. A few benefits of this move are conditioning (improving both the strength and power of the muscles) and improvement of hip rotational power (great for athletes like baseball players), and it will help improve your overall power. Even if you aren't an athlete, you'll still reap the benefits of this move.
How to Do a Rotational Medicine Ball Slam
- Start standing in front of a wall holding a six- to 10-pound soft-shell medicine ball in front of your body with your arms fully extended.
- Engage your core, and raise the ball overhead. On an exhale, slam the ball down in front of you as hard as you can. Catch the ball after it bounces back up.
- Once you've caught the ball, pivot on your left foot and step your right leg back simultaneously as you toss the ball as hard as you can at the wall. Catch the ball, and pivot back to the starting position.
- This counts as one rep. Perform 10 reps tossing the ball to the right, take 30 seconds of rest, then repeat on the left side. That's one set. Take no more than 60 seconds of rest in between each set, completing a total of three sets.
- If this move is too advanced, perform a set of standard medicine ball slams followed by a set of medicine ball rotational throws.
This Workout Playlist Is Jam-Packed With Female Artists, and We're Already Making Plans
Not that you need an excuse to grab your girlfriends for a workout, but this playlist will give you just that. We've pulled together 30 songs from some of our favorite female singers and bands to drive your next heart-pumping workout. Whether you're pounding the pavement on a run or having an epic dance party at home, these songs will fuel you along to an intense sweat session. Scroll through to see the music videos for each selection and find the Spotify playlist at the end.
Remember, you'll need to download the free Spotify software or app to listen.
Here's How Much Weight You Could Lose If You Actually Logged 10,000 Steps a Day
In an ideal world, we'd all spend an hour at the gym every day, cranking out a healthy mix of cardio and strength training to achieve our weight-loss goals. In the real world, we're scrambling from the moment we wake up to the time we go to bed, which is why so many people find success simply by walking - it's easy to do, and at the end of the day, it's still exercise.
Five miles a day, or 10,000 steps, is the target often recommended by experts, but just how much weight can you lose by meeting that goal? Courtney Meadows, an NASM-certified personal trainer and fitness coach, helped break it down.
The average person burns about 100 calories for every mile walked. That means you'd burn roughly 500 calories each day and 3,500 calories in a week - the equivalent of one pound of fat. That's ideal, since it's generally considered safe to lose one to two pounds per week. "While there are a lot of factors that go into this, it's best to aim for this goal to ensure a slow and sustainable weight-loss journey," Courtney told POPSUGAR.
Of course, nutrition plays a key role. Preparing healthy meals will help you burn fat and feel better overall. "It's true when you hear that you cannot outwork a bad diet," Courtney said. "It's all about calories in vs. calories out. In order to lose weight, you need to be eating in a caloric deficit, and you'll want the majority of your meals to be whole foods."
That means all the usual suspects are out, including refined carbs, sugar, and packaged foods. Make protein, vegetables, and healthy fats staples on every plate and you should see results.
I'm a Trainer, and This Is the Arm Workout I Do For Lean, Strong Arms
You don't need to spend hours in the gym in order to have a great workout. If you're short on time but still want to get your butt kicked, you need to do this 15-minute workout. It targets your biceps, triceps, shoulders, and trapezius muscle (a muscle in your upper back), and we promise it'll make you stronger mentally and physically.
The Workout
- Complete four rounds of the following circuit.
- Take as little rest as possible in between each exercise; if you need a break, take it, but keep it to two minutes max.
Warning: everyday tasks like picking up items may be hard to do for up to three days post-workout (seriously, but you'll be stronger). Be sure to warm up before your workout, and you'll probably want to foam roll your arms afterward.
Stuck on Losing That Last Belly Fat? This Is the Cardio to Get You There
Wouldn't it be wonderful if there was a magic exercise we could do to melt away our lingering belly fat? The reality is that in order to make those stubborn fat cells shrink, we need to do the work in and out of the kitchen. The nutrition part is fundamental as we need to fuel our bodies for work while encouraging them to seek energy sources from what we already have in stock, i.e. our fat cells. We do that by eating clean, whole foods in the right amount. Then we turn on the fat burners through exercise. What kind works? You've heard it before, and it won't go away: HIIT training is your belly's best friend.
The winning aspect that high-intensity interval training has that other cardio doesn't is the increased strength element. You could run every single day and burn calories, but you aren't developing the overall lean muscle mass that is responsible for higher calorie consumption. And you are leaving out the upper half of your body. Doing combination, full-body, high-intensity moves builds the kind of muscle that continues to burn calories even after you stop working out. It's the EPOC principle at work (excess postexercise oxygen consumption - also known as afterburn) and is responsible for the success stories we love to read about from places like Orangetheory Fitness.
How do you make HIIT work for you? If you aren't familiar with this kind of training, start simple and limit the time. In order to get the full value from the workout, you have to be working at a higher-than-normal level. You should be out of breath. You should have a higher-than-regular cardio heart rate. You should feel fatigue hit quickly. If all those things are happening, you've hit the right exertion level. Start with a 10-minute workout with intervals of no more than 60 seconds in duration (you may feel more successful starting out with 20 seconds of work, like in a Tabata workout). Work as hard as you can - I like to say just shy of puking - and then take the full rest period. This type of training revs up your metabolism while you are in it and, depending on duration and effort, for between 12-48 hours later. And that is the key to getting rid of belly fat.
So remember, losing the weight you want is a combination of these two factors: First you have to push your body beyond its comfort zone for it to utilize that store of fat that it keeps for emergencies. You are literally overcoming a biological safety net. Then you have to provide your body with the right nutrition to allow it to loosen its grip on fat. If you deprive yourself of vital energy through food, survival instincts are triggered and your body will not allow for the burning of that backup. You have to eat to lose weight. True story.
And give it time. Belly fat didn't come overnight, and it won't leave that fast either. You can accelerate the process, but pushing too much too fast will backfire: your body won't like it and will refuse to cooperate, and you'll be too tired to want to keep up a punishing pace. You CAN succeed. But look in terms of weeks and months instead of days. Focus on the immediate gains of fitness and strength; the rest will come.
14 Leggings That Will Actually Stay Put, No Matter How You Like to Move
If leggings aren't high-waisted, we probably aren't buying them. The style is so perfect because it holds you in, doesn't ride down and expose anything, and also looks great with just a sports bra or crop top. Plus, we find high-waisted leggings to be the most comfortable styles. Since there's always room in your closet for a new favorite pair of leggings, might we suggest one of these 14 high-waisted pairs?
Take It From the Tone It Up Girls: This Is the Best Way to Keep Up With Your Fitness Goals
As much as we might hope celebrity trainers have some mythical secret that will make it easy to get in shape and stay that way, according to Tone It Up founders Katrina Scott and Karena Dawn, it's really nothing more than common sense.
"We always say to get an accountability partner," Karena told POPSUGAR at a Kohl's event. "Tell someone what your goal is and help each other stay accountable. Scheduling workouts and signing up so you can't miss them."
And if you need proof of how well it works, look at Karena and Katrina. The two best friends started their insanely popular fitness and nutrition plan together and have been cheering each other on ever since.
Another big part of staying committed to your goals? Having the right attitude. Everyone messes up from time to time, Katrina said. You just have to realize that it's OK and get right back to your usual workout schedule and eating habits.
"If you skip a workout or if you go out and eat a few too many pieces of pizza or have too many glasses of wine, it's not all lost. It's not like the week is over - you're not going to start over on Monday," Katrina said. "The next day, eat healthy, get after your workout. You didn't ruin your entire year. You didn't ruin your goals."
After all, committing to a healthy lifestyle doesn't mean you have to give up all of your favorite foods. It's all about finding a balance that works for you and forgiving yourself if you let your goals slide a bit.
"You're just living life. You're supposed to go out with your girlfriends and oopsie, have too many glasses of champagne and you're supposed to go on ice cream dates," Katrina said. "It's all part of life and it's awesome, so it's just about giving yourself time."
Does Breakfast Help You Lose Weight and Boost Your Metabolism? Here's What an Expert Says
Metabolism is one of those things that is really important to know - like algebra, how to do your taxes, and politics - but it's super confusing. Because it's a complicated topic, there's a lot of incorrect information floating around. First, let's clear up a few popular myths. No, drinking water first thing in the morning won't boost your metabolism. Eating more spicy foods, doing ginger and cayenne pepper shots, and drinking coffee also won't work.
When it comes to breakfast, we know people think it's either the most important meal of the day or that it isn't that important. Some people also believe breakfast is the key to boosting your metabolism. In order to find out if there's any validity to this claim, POPSUGAR spoke to Avigdor Arad, PhD, RDN, CDE, director of the Mount Sinai PhysioLab.
Related: We Asked an Expert If Cardio Boosts Your Metabolism, and We Didn't Expect This Answer
If You're Obsessed With Avocado Toast, You Need to Know This Weight-Loss Hack
Is there ever a wrong time to eat avocado toast? The answer: absolutely not. We love the crunchiness from the toast and the creaminess of the avocado, plus the salty sprinkle on top. It's so good!
The only thing keeping us from eating avocado toast every day of the week isn't that we don't have a perfectly ripe avocado to smash on our toast; we have this hack to have a ripe avocado at all times, after all. The issue is that avocado toast isn't exactly low in calories. Avocados are filled with healthy fats, but they're still calorie-dense - and it's easy to go overboard because avo toast is so damn tasty. But this avocado toast hack is about to blow your mind.
Registered dietitian Savina Rego, RD (@thesavvydietitian on Instagram) posted this "volume eating hack" to upgrade your avocado toast experience and help you lose weight. She said that even though avocados are loaded with healthy fats, fiber, vitamin C, and folate, a serving size is still only about 30 to 50 grams.
"My trick is to mix avocado with either green peas, edamame or ricotta/cottage cheese (regular or reduced-fat), it helps reduce the calorie load without reducing the volume!" Savina said in her Instagram post. Brilliant, right? Note that the stats above are for the toppings only and don't include the bread.
This trick helps make this deliciousness a little more balanced. You've got carbs from the toast, healthy fats from the avocado, and protein from the peas or cottage cheese. This trifecta is not only lower in calories and higher in fiber, but it'll also keep you feeling full and satisfied, which will prevent you from reaching for more food and help you lose weight.
Stand Out While Working Out: Neon Fitness Clothes That Make You Feel Like a Badass
Both of my parents exercise outdoors. Dad's a biker; Mom's a runner. It's because of them that I know the drill: thou must wear bright clothes on the road so people in their cars take notice. But neon workout attire can go beyond street-safety protocol and into the one-more-rep, don't-forget-to-stretch atmosphere of today's gyms. Neon is coming back as a trend this year, resurrected from the '80s, so why not look as exhilarating as your last treadmill mile feels? Besides, now is as good a time as any to stand out. You might as well do it while you're working out with one of these statement pieces.
Getting Rid of Belly Fat Is Harder Than You Think - Here's How to Do It
I have this fantasy where I eat pizza and Salt & Straw Chocolate Gooey Brownie for every meal but also have abs. I'm not talking, like, a six-pack, but just some nice abdominal definition. (You'd think I'd go all out since this is a fantasy version of myself, but IDK. I'm sure there's something to unpack there.)
While there are probably some people who actually can munch on pizza all the time and somehow manage to look like one of the Amazon warriors from Wonder Woman, that's just not the case for most of us. That's because belly fat is notoriously difficult to get rid of, and lower belly fat can be particularly frustrating. Sometimes I feel like no matter how clean I eat or how many crunches I do, that fat at the lower end of my abdomen just isn't going to go away. Unfortunately, there's no way to spot-reduce fat from certain areas - but there are some diet and exercise changes you can make to help reduce fat overall.
I consulted Josh Gallegos, trainer to WWE superstars, and Whitney English, MS, RDN, CPT of Whitney E. RD. Here are their best tips for reducing lower belly fat. And no, crunches are not on the agenda.
These Are the Songs That Will Power You Through Your Toughest Workouts in 2019
It's one of the things we look forward to every year: all the new music that will fill our homes and help us crush our goals at the gym. This year is already bringing some killer songs that will get your blood pumping and keep you motivated to push through your workout. Tunes from our always-favorite artists like Ariana Grande and Calvin Harris make the list, as do some emerging artists we're really excited about - like British singer Mabel. Scroll through to see the start of your perfect 2019 workout playlist and check back as the year goes on to see what other hits make the cut!
Remember, you'll need to download the free Spotify software or app to listen.
80 Small and Big Ways to Save Money This Year
If one of your goals is to save money this year, then make a few changes here and there to save a little or a lot. Remember the little things do add up! Read this list below on suggestions for saving money and pick a few for 2019.
- Additional reporting by Emily Co
Finally! A Flower Crown Your Dog Will Actually Wear . . . and Maybe Chew on a Little, Too
Calling all pet owners! Flower crowns for dogs are real, and now you can get one that they won't destroy. Made by the inventors of BarkBox, Bark and Co. - a leading source in everything dog-related - this plush Flower Crown ($12) is a playtime dream and the perfect photo op accessory. It's no secret that our fluffy friends want to do everything with us. And, while it's nice to have a companion on walks through the park (or just someone to howl at the door while you're in the shower), it's also nice to occasionally be able to match with our pets, too.
It stretches (up to 16 inches), it squeaks, and it makes any pup look ready for a warm-weather family gathering. So, whether your four-legged friend is big or small, just imagine how adorable they would look wearing flowers on top of their head while playing in the yard or even posing for a (hopefully, matching) family photo.
Target Just Released an Entire Line of High-Quality Cheap Wine, Including Canned Rosé!
The next time you go to pick up "one thing" from Target - LOL - you'll have yet another affordable find to add to your cart. A whole new line of wine called The Collection just landed at the retailer, and every bottle is just $10. Each wine also happens to have an extremely aesthetically pleasing design, so you can look forward to making your bar cart look cute after stocking up. The wine hails from "part of a family farmed winery that has been growing grapes since 1924," according to the press release, so yeah, it's a step up from your average cheap bottle. The line has a Cabernet Sauvignon, a Red Wine Blend, a Rosé, a Pinot Grigio, and a Chardonnay.
In addition to The Collection, Target will also exclusively carry new Wine Cube Sparkling Cans, which come in four-packs of bubbly rosé (pink) or sparkling white wine (blue) for $11. Once Summer months make their long-awaited return (they will, right?), I'm definitely bringing those to the park. Stay with me, because that's not all the alcohol-related Target news I have. There is also a new lineup of spiked sparkling waters hitting shelves ($9 for a four-pack and $17 for an eight-pack), and the flavors range from black cherry to tangerine - all free of sugar and artificial flavors.
Looks like we've got some shopping drinking to do. Get a closer look at all the new drinks heading to Target (and your glass) soon.
How Would Disney Princesses Decorate Their Homes in 2019? Probably Just Like This!
If you have ever thought about what it's like to live like a princess, now is your chance to experience some of the magic. Interior design startup Modsy designed these elevated Disney-inspired rooms, selecting modern home decor based on how some of the most iconic princesses would have decorated their homes in 2019. Focusing on six beloved princesses - Belle, Cinderella, Elsa, Moana, Mulan, and Snow White - these rooms channel each of the princesses' key characteristics. The decor matches their personalities with elegant pieces you'll want to add to your home (whether or not you're a Disney fan!). No need to wish upon a star to experience a happily ever after, because now you can bring these storybook favorites to life.
Step inside these fairy-tale rooms and take a peek at what it looks like to live in a Disney dream.
Is It Even Easter Dinner If Ham Isn't on the Table? We Think Not
Easter dinner means one thing: ham. With so many different ways to prepare it, cook it, glaze it, and serve it, ham is one of the most versatile meats on the holiday menu. We pulled some of the best (and easiest) ham recipes, just for you. If you want chipotle pineapple ham, we have that recipe. If you want a traditional glazed ham recipe, we have that, too. And we have every recipe in between.
Serve an Easter dinner that you and your guests will be thinking about all year long, because ham is just that good.
10 Cozy Irish Soups to Make This St. Patrick's Day and Beyond
Cozy soups should most definitely be a part of your St. Patrick's Day menu, and these recipes are perfect for the holiday and beyond. From an Irish take on French onion soup to plenty of cheesy soups that combine beer and cheddar, these comforting soups and stews are worth adding to your list of St. Patrick's Day traditions.
41 Furniture Pieces Flying Off the Shelves, They're That Perfect For Small Apartments
Got a tiny apartment? It goes without saying that decorating small spaces can be rough. You want to have functional pieces that are still stylish. Thankfully, we curated a selection of the best furniture pieces that will make your home look amazing without taking up tons of space. Read on to get inspired and go shopping.
17 St. Patrick's Day Recipes Ranging From Traditional to Whimsical
With St. Patrick's Day parties right around the corner, there's no better time than now to break out all your favorite Irish (and Irish-in-spirit) recipes. Sure, you could take it easy and just dye some beer green, but why not go the extra mile with recipes like green velvet cake, Irish onion soup, or a Guinness float? Keep reading for those ideas and more.
- Additional reporting by Michele Bird
I'm an Expert Amazon Shopper, and These Are the 10 Best Things I've Bought Recently
As a shopping editor, I spend my days browsing the internet for the hottest new products and best deals. One of my favorite places to search is no surprise: Amazon. The online retailer has always been my go-to for stuff like home cleaning products or my favorite vitamins, but most recently I've found myself buying everything from tech gadgets to home furniture. Ahead, I curated a list of the 10 best things I've bought so far this year to give you a little inspiration for your own shopping cart. Take a look at my top picks ahead, from the stylish puffer coat that's taking over New York to silicone dish-washing gloves.
Related: I Tried the Amazon Orolay Coat That's Taking Over the Internet
These 18 Unreal National Parks Need to Go on Your Bucket List ASAP
They don't call it "America the beautiful" for nothing. The US has some seriously incredible national parks, so if you're thinking of planning a vacation, consider doing it in a nature-filled setting. We rounded up the best national parks our country has to offer - see if you agree with the locations that made the list.
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