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.
jeudi 16 mars 2017
Look Back at Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato's Most Loving Moments
Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato might not be as close as they used to be back in their Barney & Friends days - hey, people grow apart! - but that doesn't mean the childhood friends don't go back to that sweet spot in their relationship when they see each other. No matter how many breakups and growing pains are between now and their first TV show together, Selena and Demi will be friends forever - we hope!
From their YouTube vlogs to red carpets to Demi's goofy Instagram photo of one of their most recent reunions, keep scrolling to see the sweetest moments in their friendship, then check out Selena's sexiest Instagrams.
Ben Affleck Is "Feeling Good" After Rehab Announcement
A day after announcing he recently completed a stint in rehab, Ben Affleck was photographed taking his daughter, Seraphina, to karate class in LA on Wednesday. The actor was all smiles as he made his way out of his car and snacked on a green apple. Ben previously revealed in a Facebook statement that he sought treatment for "alcohol addiction" and he wants to "be the best father I can be." He also praised estranged wife Jennifer Garner, saying, "I'm lucky to have the love of my family and friends, including my co-parent, Jen, who has supported me and cared for our kids as I've done the work I set out to do." According to ET, Ben is "feeling good" and he "wants his kids to know that he did everything he could to be a better father." Jennifer was also spotted leaving a nail salon on Tuesday amid reports that she is still considering a divorce and plans to move forward when the time is right.
See the Orange Is the New Black Cast Out of Their Jumpsuits
Despite Sophia Burset's best efforts, the ladies of the Litchfield Correctional Facility lack style. In real life, however, the cast of Orange Is the New Black is anything but dowdy. We gathered pictures of Taylor Schilling, Laura Prepon, Taryn Manning, Ruby Rose, and the rest of the cast in and out of their jumpsuits. You might be shocked at the difference with some of the women - especially Blanca! Take a look at all the pictures ahead, and brush up on all the season five details!
Here's Where All the Vampire Diaries Characters End Up
Warning: major spoilers about The Vampire Diaries series finale ahead.
After eight seasons, The Vampire Diaries wrapped up with one epic death and a whole lot of peace for most of its characters. After one final showdown with the series's biggest villain, we get a little peek at how all the main characters end up - and who gets their happy ending. Don't read on unless you want to know how the series ends!
Sculpt and Strengthen Your Arms With This 3-Week Challenge
Everyone has their own reasons for wanting strong, defined arms; we're here to help. After following this 21-day arm plan, not only will your arms look toned - you'll also be stronger. First thing's first: don't worry if you've never lifted a dumbbell in your life. This arm challenge was designed with everyone in mind - whether it's your first time working out or you're at the gym on a daily basis.
Getting started: The challenge consists of five basic exercises that help to target all the areas of your arms. Over the course of the challenge, you will increase the number of reps you're doing of each exercise, eventually working up to three sets of 15 reps for each exercise.
Below is an explanation of how to do each of the five exercises, followed by the plan itself. Choosing the appropriate size weight is key here - you want one that fatigues your muscles by the end of the three sets. If the challenge ever feels too easy, that's your cue to increase the weight of the dumbbells (and if you find you are fatiguing too early, decrease the weight amount). Beginners should start the plan with five-pound weights, and for you more-experienced lifters, make this challenge work for you by grabbing a heavier set.
We Need to Talk About How Hot and Funny Sofia Vergara's Son, Manolo, Is
It should come as no surprise that Sofia Vergara would spawn a gorgeous and hilarious offspring. Yet, every time Manolo Gonzalez Vergara's face appears on your Instagram feed, you'll be blown away by that cut jaw line and nearly in tears by his hysterical captions.
If his good looks and sense of humor weren't enough, the 25-year-old also loves spending time with his younger half-brothers and cousins and is constantly posting photos with the toddlers - trust us, it's enough to make your ovaries burst from the cuteness. The rest of his Instagram feed provides a behind-the-scene look at him rooting for his mom during award shows, while his Twitter is so funny you need to read it like a novel from beginning to end.
Keep reading to see your new almost-a-celebrity crush's funniest (and hottest) social media moments.
Sculpt and Strengthen Your Arms With This 3-Week Challenge
Everyone has their own reasons for wanting strong, defined arms; we're here to help. After following this 21-day arm plan, not only will your arms look toned - you'll also be stronger. First thing's first: don't worry if you've never lifted a dumbbell in your life. This arm challenge was designed with everyone in mind - whether it's your first time working out or you're at the gym on a daily basis.
Getting started: The challenge consists of five basic exercises that help to target all the areas of your arms. Over the course of the challenge, you will increase the number of reps you're doing of each exercise, eventually working up to three sets of 15 reps for each exercise.
Below is an explanation of how to do each of the five exercises, followed by the plan itself. Choosing the appropriate size weight is key here - you want one that fatigues your muscles by the end of the three sets. If the challenge ever feels too easy, that's your cue to increase the weight of the dumbbells (and if you find you are fatiguing too early, decrease the weight amount). Beginners should start the plan with five-pound weights, and for you more-experienced lifters, make this challenge work for you by grabbing a heavier set.
25 Nail Art Statements That Celebrate Women
Grab your bubblegum-hued hat, "Future is Female" t-shirt, and some hot pink nail polish to get outfitted for International Women's Day or A Day Without a Woman (depending on what you're celebrating) on March 8. To help you create a fierce feminism-inspired manicure (you'll need it when you fist pump in honor of the ladies!), we rounded up some designs spotted on Instagram. Go minimal with a delicately painted women's symbol on an accent nail or wild with a full-on p*ssy riot decorating your digits. Keep reading to get inspired!
How Your Dog's Diet Can Boost Their Immunity
Sick as a dog? It's that time of year when we're coughing and sneezing up a storm. Our pups, on the other hand, don't seem to be susceptible to bad cases of the sniffles. But they do have an immune system that's pretty similar to humans: dogs have white blood cells that fight infections, and they make antibodies to prevent disease, says Judy Morgan, a veterinarian and author of From Needles to Natural. And while they might not benefit from Emergen-C, there are other ways you can help keep them healthy.
Get the lowdown on dog illness
There's a pretty logical explanation for why dogs don't get sick as frequently as humans: "They aren't confined in high-density populations," Morgan explained. "Kids go to school and sit in a classroom full of germs, adults go to an office filled with germs." Most pups are lounging on the couch or running around outside. But those who do go to doggy daycare and boarding facilities are more susceptible to upper respiratory diseases like kennel cough (the canine common cold), in addition to the canine flu, digestive problems, and other issues. Younger or elderly dogs, pregnant dogs, and those with preexisting conditions have lowered immunity and are more susceptible to these illnesses - but even those with a strong immune system can suffer.
Make diet changes to boost immunity
Probiotics are one of the best immune boosters for dogs because they provide good bacteria for the digestive system. Give your dog plain, unsweetened yogurt or live active cultures if he's lactose intolerant. Probiotics can help, too. Foods high in vitamin C such as red bell peppers and broccoli and the antioxidants in blueberries, mangoes, spinach, and kale (some of which can be found in fresh food like Ollie) can boost immunity. The dark leafy greens should be finely ground or gently cooked for optimum nutrient absorption. Fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K are important for immune system health and fighting off illness, as well. "One of the best sources is egg yolks, which can be fed raw or gently cooked," Morgan said.
Feed your pup to fight sickness
For respiratory problems, honey will soothe and moisten your dog's throat and lungs. Small dogs should get a teaspoon daily, while large dogs should get a tablespoon - but be cautious if he is diabetic, as this will raise his blood sugar level. Alternatively, mix a little green tea or green tea extract powder into food, Morgan says. Coconut oil has antiviral and antibacterial properties that strengthen immunity, but make sure it's hand-pressed, unrefined, virgin coconut oil. If your dog has kennel cough or canine flu, foods high in zinc, including grass-fed beef, ground pumpkin seeds, and spinach can help them fight it off.
Dinner Will Never Be Boring Again Thanks to Katie Lee's Go-To Recipes
Image Source: Jesus Aranguren / AP Images For Just Born Quality Confections
We recently spoke to Food Network star Katie Lee about the upcoming, highly anticipated season: Spring! The Kitchen host has partnered with Peeps this year for a very simple reason. "Growing up, I remember receiving the iconic yellow chicks every year in my Easter basket, and now that I'm an adult, I still get excited every season to eat them. I think certain foods create nostalgia and bring us back to different times in our lives," Katie told POPSUGAR. She said the new Peeps Delights are a "'grown-up' version of the classic," and she's incorporated them in a few recipes, like a cheesecake milkshake and the seven-layer bars you see pictured.
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Anna Monette Roberts
Though springtime is often associated with the fresh and new, Katie likes to stick to tradition when it comes to her Easter menu. She explained, "I always cook an Easter brunch for my family and friends. My menu is the same from year to year, with my apricot-glazed ham, deviled eggs, and my grandma's recipe for pea salad. I usually make a batch of fresh rolls as well." As for Spring produce, Katie added she's partial to rhubarb and asparagus (in frittatas and guacamole!). She continued, "Spring is also a time that I like to make lamb, maybe a Dijon-breadcrumb-crusted rack of lamb or simple grilled chops with tzatziki."
If all of that seems to adventurous for this week's cooking adventures, Katie recommended these basics, "Learn to cook a steak, lasagna, a salmon dish, and one fail-proof dessert, like a cobbler or a simple chocolate cake." Katie includes roasting a chicken on her list and described her favorite preparation: "I'm crazy about roast chicken. I cut a baguette into thick slices, place them on the bottom of a preheated iron skillet (put it in the oven while it heats), and set the chicken on top. The bread absorbs all of those yummy chicken juices and gets perfectly toasted."
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Anna Monette Roberts
When it comes to those nights where you really need to come home to something cooking, Katie understands. A slow-cooker-lover, Katie uses the appliance often. She explained, "Braised meats, like pot roast or beef bourguignon, always make me happy at the end of the day, but I also really like to make vegetarian dishes, like a bean and barley soup." And for those nights where you need to serve something ASAP, Katie said, "I make creamy broccoli soup quite often. I just sauté an onion and a few cloves of garlic, add a head of chopped broccoli, then four cups of chicken or vegetable broth. Simmer about 10 minutes, then puree in batches in the blender. I stir in 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt at the end to make it creamy and rich."
9 Things We Learned About Eva Longoria's Fitness Routine From Her Instagram
If you follow Eva Longoria on Instagram, you're probably very familiar with her indulgent posts - girl loves her wine and is not one to pass up a good Latin dish. But peppered among those treats and joyful snaps with her BFFs and new husband Pepe Bastón, there are plenty of fitness moments hidden as fun activities. See, Eva is clearly not one for hitting a dark, closed-up gym to spend hours on a machine lifting weights. Instead, she finds cool ways to get her workouts on, mostly outdoors, like riding a bike around Mexico City or going for a run in Monaco. Straight ahead you'll find everything we know about Eva's superfun routine - get ready to feel inspired.
8 Disturbing Bombshells From Leah Remini's Scientology Documentary Series
Image Source: Getty / Noam Galai
When you think of Scientology, a few people probably come to mind: Tom Cruise, John Travolta, and Leah Remini. While Cruise and Travolta are partly known for their unwavering devotion to the "church," Remini publicly split from Scientology in 2013. After having doubts about things the church was doing and questioning the church's leader, David Miscavige (which is apparently a big no-no), about the unknown whereabouts of his wife, the actress had had enough.
In addition to speaking out about her experiences with interviews and a book, Remini decided to dive even further into uncovering the church's corrupt reality with her A&E documentary series, Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath. On the show, she travels around the country with Mike Rinder, Scientology's former senior executive and one of Miscavige's right-hand men, to talk to former church members about the horrors they allegedly endured over the years (the church denies all claims made in the show). See the biggest bombshells below, which include forced abortion and physical abuse. And you can look forward to more, since the show was just renewed for a second season.
- The church's leader, David Miscavige, reportedly beats his staff. Several former church members have spoken out on the show about the physical abuse they endured at the hands of Miscavige (he's 5'1", by the way). All of the situations they described include the church leader's attitude changing at the drop of a hat and him punching, shoving, and choking them in front of other Scientology staff members. Whenever someone even looked like they were about to fight back, a group of Miscavige's men would swoop in and immediately remove that person from the building. One former church member, Jeff Hawkins, recalled that Miscavige looked at him after physically assaulting him and said, "Do you know why I did that? To remind you who's boss."
- Women in the Sea Org are reportedly forced to have abortions if they get pregnant. In the show's fifth episode, Remini sits down with Marc Headley, a former event coordinator and video producer for Scientology, and his wife, Claire, a former Sea Org member. While working in the Sea Org, a now-land-based organization of the church's most dedicated members that control management operations, and living at the church's international headquarters in Hemet, CA, Claire became pregnant with their first child. But since Claire alleges that Scientology thinks women in the Sea Org who get pregnant actively want to leave, she was forced to get an abortion. "If a woman got pregnant, she would instantly be scheduled to go and get an abortion," she said. "If she refused in any manner, she would be segregated, not allowed to speak with her husband, put under security watch, put on heavy manual labor, and interrogated for her crimes." Marc and Claire managed to narrowly escape the church (he says he was run off the road by church members in an SUV; she says she snuck out of Walmart and hopped on a bus), but that will never take away their pain. "I can go, 'Well, now I have three beautiful children who are my life,'" she continued. "But it doesn't make me feel better about not being strong enough to tell them to go f*ck themselves."
Image Source: Getty / Pierre-Philippe Marcou
- Despite escaping the church, some people are reportedly still tracked down and brought back. Claire and Marc also went into detail about the heavy security that Sea Org members are reportedly under when they live at the base in Hemet. In addition to security cameras being everywhere, their outgoing mail is always read before being sent, they are on strict meal schedules, and the fence that surrounds the property has large spikes on both sides, which prevents anyone from entering or leaving. Claire revealed that when her friend tried to escape, she fell in a ditch outside the property and was brought right back in by church members and put on heavy labor duty. She also said she knew one member who fled all the way to South Africa, where he was tracked down and brought back.
- Private investigators reportedly hired by Scientology followed Remini during the filming of the show. In the fifth episode of the show, Remini and Rinder are driving when they notice a suspicious-looking car close by. After signaling to the car several times that he can pass, he refuses. When they pull up next to him and ask him who he is, he says he works for TMZ, but suspiciously doesn't have a camera and quickly drives away. When they then pull into their hotel, two men are sitting in the lobby with their phones pointed at Remini's car. The hotel manager asks if they are guests, and they both quickly get up to leave. Rinder confronts them, they act like they don't know anything, and Remini later reveals that one of the men is a private investigator (oh, and the TMZ guy was driving the PI's wife's car).
- Church members will spend thousands of dollars trying to reach the highest level of spirituality in Scientology. Scientology was founded by a man named L. Ron Hubbard, who believed that you need to clear yourself of your "reactive mind" in order to advance up "the Bridge of Total Freedom." People do this through auditing sessions, where a Scientology auditor asks the person a series of questions while they hold two metal cans attached to a machine. The machine tells the auditor if the person is telling the truth, and in order to continue to grow spiritually, church members have to pay for expensive courses in order to improve. It also should be noted that Hubbard holds the Guinness World Record for most published works by one author (and they're mostly science fiction) . . .
- If you leave the church, you will most likely lose your entire family. If a member of the church speaks out against Scientology or decides to leave, they will be labeled a "suppressive person" (watch Tom Cruise talk about it at the 4:29 mark). If the rest of that person's family is still in the church, they will be pressured to disconnect from that person, which means cutting off all communication and essentially never seeing them again.
- David Miscavige reportedly told private investigators to let his father die. David's father, Ron, was the one who got his son involved in Scientology when he was a young boy. But after years in the church and being heavily monitored while living at the base in Hemet, Ron and his wife, Becky, decided to plan their escape. In episode four of the show, Ron told Remini that he knew he needed to get out after he walked by his son one day and decided to say hello. "Dave looked at me and I knew that I had done the wrong thing," he said. "By calling him Dave," Remini clarified, to which he replied, "Yes." After Ron and Becky finally escaped, his son hired private investigators to follow him, one of whom was brought in for questioning by police and revealed everything. According to Ron, the investigator told police that when they saw Ron have what appeared to be a heart attack (he was simply holding his cell phone in place in his chest pocket), they called David to see if they should intervene, but David replied, "If it's my father's time to die, let him die."
- Scientologists believe they have the cure for mental illness. In the show's season finale, Leah sat down with Brandon Reisdorf, a former church member who suffers from bipolar disorder. At the time of their interview, Brandon was in psychiatric care but his family agreed to let him tell his story. While Brandon said he's doing much better now that he's in the care of actual doctors, he detailed his horrific time in the church. After one of his mental breakdowns, the church decided to give him an "introspection rundown," or what they think is the cure for mental illness. It involves locking the person in a room until their "episode" passes, which they think means their body is rid of the illness for good. Scientologists are also well-known for hating psychology and thinking you can treat mental illness with vitamins and intense auditing sessions (as seen in this infamous Tom Cruise interview with Matt Lauer).
Jen Widerstrom Explains Why Weight-Loss Tips Aren't Working For You
If you've been trying to lose weight, you've probably pieced through your fair share of weight-loss tips - perhaps some were successful and others were an outright disaster. But if anyone knows about weight-loss tips that work, it's Jen Widerstrom, trainer on The Biggest Loser and author of Diet Right For Your Personality Type: The Revolutionary 4-Week Weight-Loss Plan That Works for You.
Despite the fact that there's so much factual nutritional info out there, "People [are] still struggling with weight loss and failing their New Year's resolutions," she told POPSUGAR. "We know these things - we know protein is important, fat is better than sugar, we need to be drinking water, [etc]."
But Jen says "the application to the individual is missing." She made the point that no single plan is going to work for every person. In her book, she identifies five personality types: "The Organized-Doer, the Rebel, the Swinger, the Everyday Hero, and the Never Ever." These individual personalities boast different "tendencies, triggers, [and] behavior defaults," Jen explained. "This is an opportunity for someone who has a level of self-recognition and an understanding of their personality" to identify who they are and tailor their weight-loss plan accordingly. Let's take a look at how Jen defines these personality types so you can see where you fit.
The Organized Doer
- Organized and results-oriented
- Methodical and decisive
- Forward thinking (usually 10 steps ahead of everyone else)
- Crave routine, rules, and planning
- Limited nutritional variety - content with same old, same old meals; love consistency
- Great at reading food labels, counting calories, and measuring portions
- All in or all out when it comes to diet and exercise
- Self-critical and extremely hard on yourself
- Neglect to celebrate your success or progress
The Swinger
- Open to new experiences and adventures; very passionate about projects at first but lose interest
- Social and extroverted - a fun friend; communicate expressively
- Require accountability
- Swing between "treating" and "punishing" with food, depending on what is going on in your life
- Always trying the latest diet - which can result in ups and downs in weight
- Skip around from one workout regimen to the next - never giving the exercise/workout a full shot
- Have a "seeing is believing" mindset
- Very communicative with friends (via social media posts and emails) when you do well
The Rebel
- Spontaneous and impulsive; high energy
- Live for the moment; not detail-oriented
- Dislike routine and complexity
- Somewhat disorganized and chaotic in planning but effective nonetheless
- Inconsistent in dieting, exercise, and other aspects of fitness and health
- Unaware of how day-to-day decisions can affect health
- Noncommittal and often tardy
The Everyday Hero
- Collaborative and adaptive; friendly and relate well to others
- Want to be respected, liked, and approved of
- Selfless and a committed friend; overloaded at times by taking on too much
- Motivating and supportive of others
- Tend to put yourself lower on the priority list because you're so busy taking care of others
- Subsist on a lot of grab-and-go foods or drive-throughs and eating on the run
- Prefer to eat with others rather than alone
- Inconsistent with exercise because of time-constraint-based excuses
The Never-Ever
- Cerebral; intelligent
- Very clear on your likes and dislikes
- Give up easily
- Efficient/effective when you choose to be
- Your own worst enemy
- Constant justification for eating bad foods
- Fear-based failure thinking keeps you from ever starting a fitness program
- Resistant to facing the reality of poor fitness/health issues
For each personality type, Jen crafted a unique meal plan. But here's the thing: no matter which type you see yourself as, you're going to get the same macronutrient distribution, the same nutrition - the difference is "the instruction around the food," Jen explained. "It's not like oatmeal's good for me and yogurt's good for you - that's not how it works." Here's how it does work:
"For example," she said, "an Everyday Hero is someone with a maxed out lifestyle; they're not really good at planning out meals. They're really undernourishing. So they do 'Slow-Cooker Mondays' every Monday night." She explained that it's only three ingredients ("chicken breast, taco seasoning, and a can of your favorite salsa") to keep things simple and efficient - ideal for the Everyday Hero type. "Quick, efficient, on-the-go" meals are a staple of the diet plan for that specific person (like a morning smoothie you can take with you to work).
But someone like the Swinger "loves the joy of cooking and experiencing food," Jen said. "The process is different . . . it's nutritionally identical, but the process is different." This personality type also has more options so they can go based on feeling (for some of you this sounds like a dream, and for others in other personality brackets this might be a nightmare - exactly the point of this plan!). "They have a breakfast that's more built out, and it's very menu-style because for my Swingers, food is an adventure. They open the pantry and think, 'What do I feel like eating?', so I give them a menu for each day. But the nutritional macros and nutrients are all in the boundaries of where I want them."
Why It's Important to Stop Drinking Shots of ACV
There's a lot to love about apple cider vinegar. Several studies support the claims that ACV helps the body lose weight and debloat. It also doesn't hurt that it's been shown to up energy levels either. And did we mention you can use it to wash your hair?! Before you start guzzling the bottle of ACV in your pantry, keep in mind that there's a right and a wrong way to drink the elixir.
First thing's first: while straight shots are a popular way to drink ACV - don't. Because its highly acidic, over time ACV has the potential to do real damage to both the esophagus and tooth enamel. Instead, dilute ACV into water. In general, one to two tablespoons mixed into eight ounces of water is the sweet spot (like you'll find in this delicious ACV honey drink).
Now that you have the formula down, you need to know exactly when to drink it if you're looking to reap any weight-loss benefits. Carol S. Johnston, PhD, directs Arizona State University's nutrition program and has been studying ACV for more than 10 years. Johnston recommends drinking an ACV drink once or twice a day and always right before you eat; you want the ACV to be in your stomach before any food makes it way there.
Johnston told the Washington Post that ACV helps to block some starch digestion whenever you eat. Since less starch (and less calories, essentially) are being digested by the body, the spike in blood sugar is lessened. Adding to this benefit is that the good-for-you bacteria in your gut happily feeds on this undigested starch, which can lead to less bloating and a healthier digestive system. If you drink ACV without food, there won't be anything for it to work off of, which probably defeats the whole purpose of drinking vinegar in the first place.
These Naked Yoga Photos Are Gorgeous and Totally #SFW
Doing yoga can help make you feel clear, calm, and stripped of any negativity, anxiety, or insecurities. And to get you deeper into feeling pure and blissful, you might find practicing without clothes on can help you reach new levels of clarity, openness, and joy. Or you might think it's totally crazy and would rather find inspiration seeing other people do it. Here's a gallery of gorgeous yogis doing yoga in nothing but their skin. Don't worry! They've strategically placed their limbs and the camera so you won't see anything that might make you blush.
Jen Widerstrom Explains Why Weight-Loss Tips Aren't Working For You
If you've been trying to lose weight, you've probably pieced through your fair share of weight-loss tips - perhaps some were successful and others were an outright disaster. But if anyone knows about weight-loss tips that work, it's Jen Widerstrom, trainer on The Biggest Loser and author of Diet Right For Your Personality Type: The Revolutionary 4-Week Weight-Loss Plan That Works for You.
Despite the fact that there's so much factual nutritional info out there, "People [are] still struggling with weight loss and failing their New Year's resolutions," she told POPSUGAR. "We know these things - we know protein is important, fat is better than sugar, we need to be drinking water, [etc]."
But Jen says "the application to the individual is missing." She made the point that no single plan is going to work for every person. In her book, she identifies five personality types: "The Organized-Doer, the Rebel, the Swinger, the Everyday Hero, and the Never Ever." These individual personalities boast different "tendencies, triggers, [and] behavior defaults," Jen explained. "This is an opportunity for someone who has a level of self-recognition and an understanding of their personality" to identify who they are and tailor their weight-loss plan accordingly. Let's take a look at how Jen defines these personality types so you can see where you fit.
The Organized Doer
- Organized and results-oriented
- Methodical and decisive
- Forward thinking (usually 10 steps ahead of everyone else)
- Crave routine, rules, and planning
- Limited nutritional variety - content with same old, same old meals; love consistency
- Great at reading food labels, counting calories, and measuring portions
- All in or all out when it comes to diet and exercise
- Self-critical and extremely hard on yourself
- Neglect to celebrate your success or progress
The Swinger
- Open to new experiences and adventures; very passionate about projects at first but lose interest
- Social and extroverted - a fun friend; communicate expressively
- Require accountability
- Swing between "treating" and "punishing" with food, depending on what is going on in your life
- Always trying the latest diet - which can result in ups and downs in weight
- Skip around from one workout regimen to the next - never giving the exercise/workout a full shot
- Have a "seeing is believing" mindset
- Very communicative with friends (via social media posts and emails) when you do well
The Rebel
- Spontaneous and impulsive; high energy
- Live for the moment; not detail-oriented
- Dislike routine and complexity
- Somewhat disorganized and chaotic in planning but effective nonetheless
- Inconsistent in dieting, exercise, and other aspects of fitness and health
- Unaware of how day-to-day decisions can affect health
- Noncommittal and often tardy
The Everyday Hero
- Collaborative and adaptive; friendly and relate well to others
- Want to be respected, liked, and approved of
- Selfless and a committed friend; overloaded at times by taking on too much
- Motivating and supportive of others
- Tend to put yourself lower on the priority list because you're so busy taking care of others
- Subsist on a lot of grab-and-go foods or drive-throughs and eating on the run
- Prefer to eat with others rather than alone
- Inconsistent with exercise because of time-constraint-based excuses
The Never-Ever
- Cerebral; intelligent
- Very clear on your likes and dislikes
- Give up easily
- Efficient/effective when you choose to be
- Your own worst enemy
- Constant justification for eating bad foods
- Fear-based failure thinking keeps you from ever starting a fitness program
- Resistant to facing the reality of poor fitness/health issues
For each personality type, Jen crafted a unique meal plan. But here's the thing: no matter which type you see yourself as, you're going to get the same macronutrient distribution, the same nutrition - the difference is "the instruction around the food," Jen explained. "It's not like oatmeal's good for me and yogurt's good for you - that's not how it works." Here's how it does work:
"For example," she said, "an Everyday Hero is someone with a maxed out lifestyle; they're not really good at planning out meals. They're really undernourishing. So they do 'Slow-Cooker Mondays' every Monday night." She explained that it's only three ingredients ("chicken breast, taco seasoning, and a can of your favorite salsa") to keep things simple and efficient - ideal for the Everyday Hero type. "Quick, efficient, on-the-go" meals are a staple of the diet plan for that specific person (like a morning smoothie you can take with you to work).
But someone like the Swinger "loves the joy of cooking and experiencing food," Jen said. "The process is different . . . it's nutritionally identical, but the process is different." This personality type also has more options so they can go based on feeling (for some of you this sounds like a dream, and for others in other personality brackets this might be a nightmare - exactly the point of this plan!). "They have a breakfast that's more built out, and it's very menu-style because for my Swingers, food is an adventure. They open the pantry and think, 'What do I feel like eating?', so I give them a menu for each day. But the nutritional macros and nutrients are all in the boundaries of where I want them."
Why It's Important to Stop Drinking Shots of ACV
There's a lot to love about apple cider vinegar. Several studies support the claims that ACV helps the body lose weight and debloat. It also doesn't hurt that it's been shown to up energy levels either. And did we mention you can use it to wash your hair?! Before you start guzzling the bottle of ACV in your pantry, keep in mind that there's a right and a wrong way to drink the elixir.
First thing's first: while straight shots are a popular way to drink ACV - don't. Because its highly acidic, over time ACV has the potential to do real damage to both the esophagus and tooth enamel. Instead, dilute ACV into water. In general, one to two tablespoons mixed into eight ounces of water is the sweet spot (like you'll find in this delicious ACV honey drink).
Now that you have the formula down, you need to know exactly when to drink it if you're looking to reap any weight-loss benefits. Carol S. Johnston, PhD, directs Arizona State University's nutrition program and has been studying ACV for more than 10 years. Johnston recommends drinking an ACV drink once or twice a day and always right before you eat; you want the ACV to be in your stomach before any food makes it way there.
Johnston told the Washington Post that ACV helps to block some starch digestion whenever you eat. Since less starch (and less calories, essentially) are being digested by the body, the spike in blood sugar is lessened. Adding to this benefit is that the good-for-you bacteria in your gut happily feeds on this undigested starch, which can lead to less bloating and a healthier digestive system. If you drink ACV without food, there won't be anything for it to work off of, which probably defeats the whole purpose of drinking vinegar in the first place.
These Naked Yoga Photos Are Gorgeous and Totally #SFW
Doing yoga can help make you feel clear, calm, and stripped of any negativity, anxiety, or insecurities. And to get you deeper into feeling pure and blissful, you might find practicing without clothes on can help you reach new levels of clarity, openness, and joy. Or you might think it's totally crazy and would rather find inspiration seeing other people do it. Here's a gallery of gorgeous yogis doing yoga in nothing but their skin. Don't worry! They've strategically placed their limbs and the camera so you won't see anything that might make you blush.
The Incredible Thing 1 Grandma Did to Make Her 5-Year-Old Grandson Happy
One Grandma got super creative in order to put a smile on her 5-year-old grandson's face. Instead of treating him to a movie or buying him a toy, she cooked 15 pounds of spaghetti noodles in different colors. Then, the fun grandma filled her bathtub with the epic rainbow pasta and let her grandson "squish around" in it for an hour.
What kind of person cooks 15 lbs of spaghetti in various colors, then uses it to fill a bathtub so a 5-year old can squish around? A grandma. from pics
According to Reddit user confibulator, the name of the happy boy pictured in the photo is Dresden. Dresden reportedly could not stop giggling while he was swimming in the colorful spaghetti and even after he got out. Who could forget the blissful look on Dresden's adorable face? Pure joy. Mark this one as just another reason grandmas are awesome.
This Heartbreaking Video Shows the Dangerous Risks of Giving Birth
Maternal mortality rates have more than doubled in the US since 1985, according to a 2013 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Another report by the World Health Organization shows approximately 830 women die each day from childbirth- and pregnancy-related causes. Merck, an American pharmaceutical company, has pledged to combat the alarming rates with its $500 million initiative to eliminate pregnancy-related deaths around the world.
To bring awareness to the deadly issue, the company released an intimate and emotional new video that highlights the global maternal mortality crisis from the perspectives of expectant mothers in Cape Town, South Africa; India; and more. "Merck for Mothers is committed to combatting this epidemic," said Mary-Ann Etiebet, executive director of Merck for Mothers. "We hope the PUSH video sheds light on this growing problem and the extent of maternal mortality across the globe."
Watch the powerful video above.
Kate Middleton Has Something That No Other British Royal Bride Does
Image Source: Getty / Handout
We've learned quite a bit about Kate Middleton since she officially joined the royal family in 2011, and getting to see her many milestones as the Duchess of Cambridge has been a real delight. Even though her new life as a duchess has afforded her the same opulent jewels, lavish living quarters, and frequent public appearances as everyone else, there's one thing Kate has that none of the other women in the family do: a college education.
When Kate and William met in 2001, they were both students at University of St. Andrews in Fife, Scotland. They graduated in 2005, William with a master's in geography and Kate with a master's degree (with honors) in art history - making her the UK's first royal bride with a university degree. If Kate becomes queen, she will also be the first ever to have attended college.
Image Source: Getty / Anwar Hussein / ROTA
Though she didn't attend college, current monarch Queen Elizabeth II's education is nothing to sneeze at. She was essentially homeschooled but had the cream of the crop when it came to teachers. After she became heir to the throne in 1936, she studied constitutional history and law with Eton College Vice Provost Henry Marten. She also learned French, music, and literature from a personal governess and took lessons in religion from the Archbishop of Canterbury. When she was 18, she joined the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service during World War II, training as a mechanic and driver.
We Know You've Been Wondering What Michelle Obama Has Been Up to Since Leaving the White House
When Barack Obama officially left the White House on Jan. 20, not only did we lose our beloved president but we also had to say goodbye to our fearless first lady, Michelle. On Inauguration Day, Michelle and Barack released a video detailing their plans for the coming months, which included getting some sleep, spending quality time with their family, and taking a break from social media - you know, normal stuff. While many of us are still reeling from their departure, it's safe to say that Michelle is doing just fine without us.
Kate Middleton Has Something That No Other British Royal Bride Does
Image Source: Getty / Handout
We've learned quite a bit about Kate Middleton since she officially joined the royal family in 2011, and getting to see her many milestones as the Duchess of Cambridge has been a real delight. Even though her new life as a duchess has afforded her the same opulent jewels, lavish living quarters, and frequent public appearances as everyone else, there's one thing Kate has that none of the other women in the family do: a college education.
When Kate and William met in 2001, they were both students at University of St. Andrews in Fife, Scotland. They graduated in 2005, William with a master's in geography and Kate with a master's degree (with honors) in art history - making her the UK's first royal bride with a university degree. If Kate becomes queen, she will also be the first ever to have attended college.
Image Source: Getty / Anwar Hussein / ROTA
Though she didn't attend college, current monarch Queen Elizabeth II's education is nothing to sneeze at. She was essentially homeschooled but had the cream of the crop when it came to teachers. After she became heir to the throne in 1936, she studied constitutional history and law with Eton College Vice Provost Henry Marten. She also learned French, music, and literature from a personal governess and took lessons in religion from the Archbishop of Canterbury. When she was 18, she joined the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service during World War II, training as a mechanic and driver.
We Know You've Been Wondering What Michelle Obama Has Been Up to Since Leaving the White House
When Barack Obama officially left the White House on Jan. 20, not only did we lose our beloved president but we also had to say goodbye to our fearless first lady, Michelle. On Inauguration Day, Michelle and Barack released a video detailing their plans for the coming months, which included getting some sleep, spending quality time with their family, and taking a break from social media - you know, normal stuff. While many of us are still reeling from their departure, it's safe to say that Michelle is doing just fine without us.
Why We Think Yoda Might Return in the Next Star Wars Film
We may be deep into the next Star Wars trilogy, but it doesn't mean we aren't going to dwell a little bit on the past. The Force Awakens already brought back Princess Leia, Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, and even R2-D2 and C-3PO. As we press on toward The Last Jedi, we're expecting even more cameos. While the characters we reunited with in The Force Awakens will definitely be back, recent crazy theories have predicted the returns of Mace Windu, the evil Darth Maul, and oddly enough, even Jar Jar Binks. Now, we've got our sights set on another iconic character who may be back: Yoda.
Before we get to the good stuff, we must address his death. Technically Yoda does die in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. I mean, at 900 years old, it's really no surprise. Here's the thing, though: he's such a powerful Jedi that his spirit remains alive through the power of the Force. Much like Obi-Wan Kenobi is able to speak with Luke after his death, Yoda too is able to live on without his corporeal form. Now that we've established that Yoda could return in some form, it's time for speculation.
Why do we think Yoda may be making a triumphant return? Well, it all boils down to Variety's new interview with Frank Oz, the man who puppeteers Yoda in the first trilogy. When confronted with reports that he might return to the franchise, Oz offered a cryptic response:
"I feel like I'm a prisoner at war here, and I can only give you my name, rank and serial number. To be true to the people who asked me, and they are kind of my family, I have to say I've been asked not to talk about it. I love Yoda. I would be happy to talk to you about it at the time they let me."
Here's the thing: Oz does not deny his involvement in upcoming Star Wars films. In fact, someone has specifically asked him not to speak about it. He's also implied that he will be able to talk about it at some point. This could, of course, be nothing. But there's just something about the way he words this phrase that makes it seem possible. When you compound that with the fact that Yoda isn't exactly dead, we're starting to get the feeling he could pop up in the new trilogy.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi hits theaters on Dec. 15.
9 Things to Cut Out of Your Life to Be Healthy
Many of you are here to improve your diet and overall well-being and to start cutting certain things out of your life. But that doesn't always mean junk food or sweets - we've got some habits that might be holding you back from your healthy goals that you should definitely consider eliminating for good.
Here's what we're cutting out in our lives to have our healthiest year yet.
- Negative self-talk: Stop being mean to yourself. Just stop. You are enough! You ARE strong! You're capable. Start giving yourself more compliments, and make this year about no negative self-talk - ever. The more you berate and degrade yourself, the harder your year will be; you'll also have a much harder time reaching your healthy goals.
- Your scale: Look, quantifiable goals are great, but the scale can be an evil enemy, and doctors agree! If you've been obsessed with the scale and every decimal point on your weight, it's time for that thing to go. In the trash. Forever. Remember that a number on a scale doesn't reflect the hard work you're putting in, and the numbers absolutely do not define you.
- Workouts you hate: Not everyone likes running, and that's OK. Forcing yourself into a workout that you hate definitely won't encourage you to keep working out. There are alternatives to running - and so many other kinds of cardio exercises. If you hate bootcamp classes, try barre. Hate barre? Stop doing it! Try yoga. If something's not working, try a new studio or new instructor. Keep going until you find something that clicks, but absolutely do not keep going to a class or attempting a workout you don't like.
- Exercising to "fix" or change a part of your body: Working out because you "hate" your body is the worst thing you can do. Exercise makes you feel good - it celebrates your body, makes you feel empowered, and sends a rush of feel-good endorphins through your body. Working out will boost your energy, improve your health, and can change your mood for the better, alongside so many other benefits. Celebrate your body, don't try to "fix" it.
- Kale (or that one food you just can't stand): A lot of you hate kale. So stop forcing it! You don't need kale to be healthy! Maybe it's not kale, but it's another healthy food you've been forcing yourself to eat under the pretense that it's healthy and you "need it" to be healthy yourself. This just isn't true, and if your diet consists of things you don't love, you're not going to stay on that diet for very long. For a more sustainable diet, experiment more with other healthy foods to find out what you do love. You'll be eating healthier all the time!
- Perfectionism: Striving for a goal is great; striving for perfection is unhealthy. Giving yourself unrealistic or unattainable goals is detrimental to your mental and your physical health. That desire for perfectionism can often be a defense mechanism, when you're either consciously or subconsciously protecting yourself from the judgment of others. Focus that energy on progress, not perfection, and you'll have a much better year.
- Calorie counting: This year, stop obsessing over calories - especially if it has created a negative relationship with food. Food is fuel, and we need calories to have strong muscles, bones, and a functioning body! There are so many ways to track your food and eat healthy without calorie counting. If you need the data and numbers to stay in control of your healthy eating, try looking into counting macros - you'll have a healthy balance of protein, fats, and carbohydrates each day.
- Stress: Whether you have clinical anxiety or you've been stressing way too much, your compromised mental health can have a seriously negative impact on your health. Stress can cause weight gain, bloating, physical pain, skin problems, and more. Quite a setback for your healthiest year yet, right? To relax and cut out stress, get yourself a great therapist, or try a self-care practice like diffusing essential oils.
- Everything that is holding you back: What is keeping you from being your best self and living your best life? Is it an unhealthy relationship, a terrible job that drains you of your energy, or a deep-seated fear? Let. It. Go. Cut the people out who don't support you. Say goodbye to work that doesn't make you feel good - or worse, makes you feel bad. Remove unnecessary obligations that keep you from reaching your physical, mental, and personal goals. This is YOUR time! Replace these things with activities that help you reach your goals, a job that fosters your creativity and empowers you, and relationships with people who build you up.
9 Things to Cut Out of Your Life to Be Healthy
Many of you are here to improve your diet and overall well-being and to start cutting certain things out of your life. But that doesn't always mean junk food or sweets - we've got some habits that might be holding you back from your healthy goals that you should definitely consider eliminating for good.
Here's what we're cutting out in our lives to have our healthiest year yet.
- Negative self-talk: Stop being mean to yourself. Just stop. You are enough! You ARE strong! You're capable. Start giving yourself more compliments, and make this year about no negative self-talk - ever. The more you berate and degrade yourself, the harder your year will be; you'll also have a much harder time reaching your healthy goals.
- Your scale: Look, quantifiable goals are great, but the scale can be an evil enemy, and doctors agree! If you've been obsessed with the scale and every decimal point on your weight, it's time for that thing to go. In the trash. Forever. Remember that a number on a scale doesn't reflect the hard work you're putting in, and the numbers absolutely do not define you.
- Workouts you hate: Not everyone likes running, and that's OK. Forcing yourself into a workout that you hate definitely won't encourage you to keep working out. There are alternatives to running - and so many other kinds of cardio exercises. If you hate bootcamp classes, try barre. Hate barre? Stop doing it! Try yoga. If something's not working, try a new studio or new instructor. Keep going until you find something that clicks, but absolutely do not keep going to a class or attempting a workout you don't like.
- Exercising to "fix" or change a part of your body: Working out because you "hate" your body is the worst thing you can do. Exercise makes you feel good - it celebrates your body, makes you feel empowered, and sends a rush of feel-good endorphins through your body. Working out will boost your energy, improve your health, and can change your mood for the better, alongside so many other benefits. Celebrate your body, don't try to "fix" it.
- Kale (or that one food you just can't stand): A lot of you hate kale. So stop forcing it! You don't need kale to be healthy! Maybe it's not kale, but it's another healthy food you've been forcing yourself to eat under the pretense that it's healthy and you "need it" to be healthy yourself. This just isn't true, and if your diet consists of things you don't love, you're not going to stay on that diet for very long. For a more sustainable diet, experiment more with other healthy foods to find out what you do love. You'll be eating healthier all the time!
- Perfectionism: Striving for a goal is great; striving for perfection is unhealthy. Giving yourself unrealistic or unattainable goals is detrimental to your mental and your physical health. That desire for perfectionism can often be a defense mechanism, when you're either consciously or subconsciously protecting yourself from the judgment of others. Focus that energy on progress, not perfection, and you'll have a much better year.
- Calorie counting: This year, stop obsessing over calories - especially if it has created a negative relationship with food. Food is fuel, and we need calories to have strong muscles, bones, and a functioning body! There are so many ways to track your food and eat healthy without calorie counting. If you need the data and numbers to stay in control of your healthy eating, try looking into counting macros - you'll have a healthy balance of protein, fats, and carbohydrates each day.
- Stress: Whether you have clinical anxiety or you've been stressing way too much, your compromised mental health can have a seriously negative impact on your health. Stress can cause weight gain, bloating, physical pain, skin problems, and more. Quite a setback for your healthiest year yet, right? To relax and cut out stress, get yourself a great therapist, or try a self-care practice like diffusing essential oils.
- Everything that is holding you back: What is keeping you from being your best self and living your best life? Is it an unhealthy relationship, a terrible job that drains you of your energy, or a deep-seated fear? Let. It. Go. Cut the people out who don't support you. Say goodbye to work that doesn't make you feel good - or worse, makes you feel bad. Remove unnecessary obligations that keep you from reaching your physical, mental, and personal goals. This is YOUR time! Replace these things with activities that help you reach your goals, a job that fosters your creativity and empowers you, and relationships with people who build you up.
A Day-by-Day Timeline of Selena Gomez and The Weeknd's Whirlwind Romance
Selena Gomez and The Weeknd threw everyone for a loop when they were photographed kissing outside of Giorgio Baldi restaurant in LA on Jan. 10, just two months after the "Starboy" singer split from model Bella Hadid. Their relationship is fairly new, but the stars haven't tried to keep it under wraps. Not only are they now officially following each other on Instagram, but they recently enjoyed a romantic vacation in Italy, where they were not shy about showing PDA. It's only been a month since Selena and The Weeknd first got together, but so much has happened since then.
You'll Love the Shape of Ed Sheeran's Tattoos Once You Read the Stories Behind Them
Ed Sheeran has a lot of tattoos - 60, to be exact. While the "Shape of You" singer has vowed to never ink his face or neck, he reportedly has a special spot saved for a tattoo when he gets married. Most of Ed's tattoos are on his arms with his left representing his professional accomplishments and his right his personal life. And his collection even includes a design drawn by John Mayer! If you thought Lea Michele was giving David Beckham a run for his money, think again.
See Photos From Ali Fedotowsky and Kevin Manno's Romantic Beachside Wedding
Ali Fedotowsky and radio host Kevin Manno exchanged "I dos" in a beautiful beach wedding at LA's Terranea Resort in March. The former Bachelorette star looked like an absolute dream in a strapless lace Alvina Valenta gown, while Kevin donned a black tux. The couple wed in front of 100 of their closest friends and family, including Kaley Cuoco, Haylie Duff, Lacey Chabert, Amy Davidson, and fellow Bachelorette Andi Dorfman. Their nearly-8-month-old daughter, Molly, served as the flower girl during the ceremony and was pulled down the aisle in a vintage wagon. "The vibe was classic and romantic," event producer Leila Lewis told Us Weekly. "Ali wanted something that she can look back on 10 years down the road and it's still elegant."
After the ceremony, Ali gushed over her nuptials to the publication, saying, "Throughout my life, I've always imagined what my wedding day would be like. Today has been far better than anything I could have dreamt up. Kevin is the one true love of my life, and I feel insanely lucky to call him my husband. I am honored to be Mrs. Manno." Ali and Kevin got engaged in September 2015 and welcomed their first child in July 2016.
A Day-by-Day Timeline of Selena Gomez and The Weeknd's Whirlwind Romance
Selena Gomez and The Weeknd threw everyone for a loop when they were photographed kissing outside of Giorgio Baldi restaurant in LA on Jan. 10, just two months after the "Starboy" singer split from model Bella Hadid. Their relationship is fairly new, but the stars haven't tried to keep it under wraps. Not only are they now officially following each other on Instagram, but they recently enjoyed a romantic vacation in Italy, where they were not shy about showing PDA. It's only been a month since Selena and The Weeknd first got together, but so much has happened since then.
You'll Love the Shape of Ed Sheeran's Tattoos Once You Read the Stories Behind Them
Ed Sheeran has a lot of tattoos - 60, to be exact. While the "Shape of You" singer has vowed to never ink his face or neck, he reportedly has a special spot saved for a tattoo when he gets married. Most of Ed's tattoos are on his arms with his left representing his professional accomplishments and his right his personal life. And his collection even includes a design drawn by John Mayer! If you thought Lea Michele was giving David Beckham a run for his money, think again.
See Photos From Ali Fedotowsky and Kevin Manno's Romantic Beachside Wedding
Ali Fedotowsky and radio host Kevin Manno exchanged "I dos" in a beautiful beach wedding at LA's Terranea Resort in March. The former Bachelorette star looked like an absolute dream in a strapless lace Alvina Valenta gown, while Kevin donned a black tux. The couple wed in front of 100 of their closest friends and family, including Kaley Cuoco, Haylie Duff, Lacey Chabert, Amy Davidson, and fellow Bachelorette Andi Dorfman. Their nearly-8-month-old daughter, Molly, served as the flower girl during the ceremony and was pulled down the aisle in a vintage wagon. "The vibe was classic and romantic," event producer Leila Lewis told Us Weekly. "Ali wanted something that she can look back on 10 years down the road and it's still elegant."
After the ceremony, Ali gushed over her nuptials to the publication, saying, "Throughout my life, I've always imagined what my wedding day would be like. Today has been far better than anything I could have dreamt up. Kevin is the one true love of my life, and I feel insanely lucky to call him my husband. I am honored to be Mrs. Manno." Ali and Kevin got engaged in September 2015 and welcomed their first child in July 2016.
How Zumba Helped 1 Woman Dance Off 230 Pounds
Weight-loss success happens when you truly love to live a healthy lifestyle, as Cynthia Ortega found out. Here, she tells Zumba's lifestyle blog, Zlife, about her struggles with weight and how she finally found what works - and lost 230 pounds!
Cynthia: Before
Born and raised in Houston, Cynthia Ortega used to look in the mirror and hate what she saw. "I felt horrible and sad," she says. "I used to dread going to restaurants with my husband because I knew I wouldn't fit in the seat." Often smiling on the outside, deep down inside, she wasn't happy. She was trapped in her own body, desperately wanting to be someone else. Even her husband, who was very supportive, felt helpless.
Heavy mostly her whole life, she had never exercised and had many failed attempts with crash diets. One day, while standing in line to order pizza with her husband, a little girl pointed at Cynthia and said to her mom, "Look mom, that's a big lady!" Everyone heard it and Cynthia was mortified. In 2009, she was hospitalized with the swine flu and couldn't even fit through the MRI machine. She went into an induced coma and had to learn to walk and eat again. Due to her weight, she also discovered she had sleep apnea and diabetes.
Cynthia: Before
At a crossroads in her life, it finally clicked for Cynthia that she had to get healthy for herself and her young son who looked up to his mom and needed a positive influence. In 2013, she stumbled across a gym near her home and peeked in to see people taking a Zumba class. "It just looked like a lot of fun and something I could do." She and her friend signed up and, within one month of taking two classes per week, she lost 30 pounds! And that was just the beginning of her transformation.
Cynthia: After
Now 230 pounds lighter, she takes Zumba classes 12 times per week and puts more thought into her diet. She even started a YouTube page to chronicle her weight loss, called "BestFriendFitness" in the hopes of inspiring others out there to get healthy.
At 29 years old and married for eight years, Cynthia is inspiring her husband and family members to be healthy and eat foods in moderation. "Now, when my husband takes me out to a restaurant, I don't have to care about the chairs and if I'll fit in them. I love taking selfies and when I look in the mirror I feel great." She recently went back to the doctor for some tests and stayed four extra days to find out that all her health issues had disappeared and her heart rate was that of a fit person's!
Cynthia: After
So what is Cynthia's advice to others who are suffering from weight issues? "Find what works for you and something you're passionate about. You have to be persistent. You can't expect results from one day to the next. Zumba Fitness is challenging for me. My friends think I make it look easy, but I get out of breath . . . sore . . . tired. It's something that I truly love."
Cynthia: After
More from ZLife:
How Zumba Helped 1 Woman Dance Off 230 Pounds
Weight-loss success happens when you truly love to live a healthy lifestyle, as Cynthia Ortega found out. Here, she tells Zumba's lifestyle blog, Zlife, about her struggles with weight and how she finally found what works - and lost 230 pounds!
Cynthia: Before
Born and raised in Houston, Cynthia Ortega used to look in the mirror and hate what she saw. "I felt horrible and sad," she says. "I used to dread going to restaurants with my husband because I knew I wouldn't fit in the seat." Often smiling on the outside, deep down inside, she wasn't happy. She was trapped in her own body, desperately wanting to be someone else. Even her husband, who was very supportive, felt helpless.
Heavy mostly her whole life, she had never exercised and had many failed attempts with crash diets. One day, while standing in line to order pizza with her husband, a little girl pointed at Cynthia and said to her mom, "Look mom, that's a big lady!" Everyone heard it and Cynthia was mortified. In 2009, she was hospitalized with the swine flu and couldn't even fit through the MRI machine. She went into an induced coma and had to learn to walk and eat again. Due to her weight, she also discovered she had sleep apnea and diabetes.
Cynthia: Before
At a crossroads in her life, it finally clicked for Cynthia that she had to get healthy for herself and her young son who looked up to his mom and needed a positive influence. In 2013, she stumbled across a gym near her home and peeked in to see people taking a Zumba class. "It just looked like a lot of fun and something I could do." She and her friend signed up and, within one month of taking two classes per week, she lost 30 pounds! And that was just the beginning of her transformation.
Cynthia: After
Now 230 pounds lighter, she takes Zumba classes 12 times per week and puts more thought into her diet. She even started a YouTube page to chronicle her weight loss, called "BestFriendFitness" in the hopes of inspiring others out there to get healthy.
At 29 years old and married for eight years, Cynthia is inspiring her husband and family members to be healthy and eat foods in moderation. "Now, when my husband takes me out to a restaurant, I don't have to care about the chairs and if I'll fit in them. I love taking selfies and when I look in the mirror I feel great." She recently went back to the doctor for some tests and stayed four extra days to find out that all her health issues had disappeared and her heart rate was that of a fit person's!
Cynthia: After
So what is Cynthia's advice to others who are suffering from weight issues? "Find what works for you and something you're passionate about. You have to be persistent. You can't expect results from one day to the next. Zumba Fitness is challenging for me. My friends think I make it look easy, but I get out of breath . . . sore . . . tired. It's something that I truly love."
Cynthia: After
More from ZLife:
Trying to Lose Weight? Use This Grocery Shopping Guide
Rome wasn't built in a day, and those abs that are "made in the kitchen" don't appear after one meal. If your goal is weight loss, you'll need to give your grocery list an overhaul and start shopping strategically. One day at a time, meal after meal - with the right foods at home, you can make big changes.
Our tips will help you be more thoughtful and efficient at the market - and avoid any "oops, how did that get in there?!" moments with a tub or two of Ben & Jerry's (we've all been there, it's OK). These guiding principles will help you even if you're not trying to lose weight - they're just good rules of thumb to keep in mind!
- Shop the perimeter. The perimeter method means sticking (mostly) to the foods along the walls of the grocery store - fresh produce; meats, poultry, and seafood; dairy and eggs. You'll also find at some markets that there are fresh-pressed juices! You know what you're avoiding by only shopping the outer rim of your local market? Ice cream. Processed foods. Chips. Soda. All that stuff you don't want! Pro tip: duck into the grains aisle for a hot second, grab some quinoa, brown rice, beans, or oats, and RUN FOR YOUR LIFE.
- NEVER shop hungry. You know this. We know this. But somehow, it totally still happens. Your hunger can absolutely take over your brain and dictate your decisions, so don't let the hunger pangs dictate what goes in your cart and eventually into your pantry . . . and then belly.
- Get the right staples. Make a list of the healthy dry goods that you should always have in your pantry and tailor your grocery list accordingly depending on what's low and in need of a refill. Need a little help on where to start? We've got a list of healthy pantry staples ready for you to print.
- Make a list. Going into a grocery store aimlessly is like giving a presentation at work and not even knowing the topic (OK, it was a rough metaphor, but you get it). Your grocery list is your plan of attack - your strategy. You need to have that game plan, especially if you're new at this. Plan what meals you're going to make for the week. Evaluate what ingredients you already have and what you need. Craft your list based on your needs, and then get ready to make that grocery store your b*tch.
- Choose the right packaged foods. Packaged foods are typically a no-go - unless it's something like precut produce. Obviously you want to steer clear of processed foods and junk, but sometimes markets offer prechopped fresh veggies and fruits as well as lighter packaged meals for on-the-go eating. Read the labels, be choosy, and decide what will help save you time while maintaining your nutrition goals (this is a lot easier to decide on if you are NOT hungry, so don't skip tip number two!)
- Choose the right stores. When you can, try to shop at natural and local markets that offer premium produce, organic ingredients, and grass-fed and pasture-raised animal products. This will guarantee that you're giving your body the highest-quality fuel for your weight-loss journey.
You Might Want to Sit Down Before Looking at Sofia Vergara's Sexiest Instagrams
The word sexy is probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Modern Family's Sofia Vergara, and that's because the Colombian actress is the pure definition of the term, so flirty and hot in every photo ever taken of her. Just by taking a peek at her Instagram feed, you can see what we mean.
Whether she's posing in one of her favorite formfitting dresses or in a monikini at the beach, the star looks stunning from head to toe. And if the photo also features her hunky husband, Magic Mike XXL's Joe Manganiello, forget about it! Camera lenses steam everywhere. See for yourself by looking ahead to a list of just a few of her hottest moments.
Pink and Carey Hart's Love Will Make You Believe in Second Chances
Pink and her husband Carey Hart are proof that real love deserves a second chance.
Pink and Carey Hart's Love Will Make You Believe in Second Chances
Pink and her husband Carey Hart are proof that real love deserves a second chance.
Trying to Lose Weight? Use This Grocery Shopping Guide
Rome wasn't built in a day, and those abs that are "made in the kitchen" don't appear after one meal. If your goal is weight loss, you'll need to give your grocery list an overhaul and start shopping strategically. One day at a time, meal after meal - with the right foods at home, you can make big changes.
Our tips will help you be more thoughtful and efficient at the market - and avoid any "oops, how did that get in there?!" moments with a tub or two of Ben & Jerry's (we've all been there, it's OK). These guiding principles will help you even if you're not trying to lose weight - they're just good rules of thumb to keep in mind!
- Shop the perimeter. The perimeter method means sticking (mostly) to the foods along the walls of the grocery store - fresh produce; meats, poultry, and seafood; dairy and eggs. You'll also find at some markets that there are fresh-pressed juices! You know what you're avoiding by only shopping the outer rim of your local market? Ice cream. Processed foods. Chips. Soda. All that stuff you don't want! Pro tip: duck into the grains aisle for a hot second, grab some quinoa, brown rice, beans, or oats, and RUN FOR YOUR LIFE.
- NEVER shop hungry. You know this. We know this. But somehow, it totally still happens. Your hunger can absolutely take over your brain and dictate your decisions, so don't let the hunger pangs dictate what goes in your cart and eventually into your pantry . . . and then belly.
- Get the right staples. Make a list of the healthy dry goods that you should always have in your pantry and tailor your grocery list accordingly depending on what's low and in need of a refill. Need a little help on where to start? We've got a list of healthy pantry staples ready for you to print.
- Make a list. Going into a grocery store aimlessly is like giving a presentation at work and not even knowing the topic (OK, it was a rough metaphor, but you get it). Your grocery list is your plan of attack - your strategy. You need to have that game plan, especially if you're new at this. Plan what meals you're going to make for the week. Evaluate what ingredients you already have and what you need. Craft your list based on your needs, and then get ready to make that grocery store your b*tch.
- Choose the right packaged foods. Packaged foods are typically a no-go - unless it's something like precut produce. Obviously you want to steer clear of processed foods and junk, but sometimes markets offer prechopped fresh veggies and fruits as well as lighter packaged meals for on-the-go eating. Read the labels, be choosy, and decide what will help save you time while maintaining your nutrition goals (this is a lot easier to decide on if you are NOT hungry, so don't skip tip number two!)
- Choose the right stores. When you can, try to shop at natural and local markets that offer premium produce, organic ingredients, and grass-fed and pasture-raised animal products. This will guarantee that you're giving your body the highest-quality fuel for your weight-loss journey.
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