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.
samedi 2 septembre 2017
10 Things You Can Do Today to Be Happy
Let's be honest: when it comes to negative thinking, most of us need to check ourselves before we wreck ourselves. Whether it's traffic on the freeway or the weight we've gained in our arms, we are seasoned vets at focusing our attention on all the things that we wish were somehow better or different.
As a life coach and an inspirational speaker, I am constantly being asked for quick-fix tips for inducing happiness and reducing stress. My answer is always the same: if we want to be happy, we have to learn how to turn the volume down on our negativity and shift our awareness to the parts of our lives that are working, to thoughts and ideas that make us feel inspired and uplifted.
The reason for this is that, unbeknownst to many, negative thinking is the number one cause of unhappiness in humans. That's right. It's not your lack of sleep or your cranky boss that is bringing you down, it's your thoughts about these things that cause you to be less than your naturally exuberant self.
An incredible method for shifting away from the negative and into the positive is an exercise that I call "The Flip Switch." The Flip Switch is a great tool for instant happiness, as well as for kick-starting our brains into the habit of focusing only on the thoughts that make us feel empowered and optimistic. If it is practiced regularly, The Flip Switch will benefit us emotionally, mentally, and also biologically (think endorphins, new neural pathways, and extra serotonin, oh my!) in our quest for happiness.
Application of The Flip Switch: When you find yourself drowning in a downward spiral of negative thoughts - or even just treading water in them! - this list is your life preserver. To stop negativity in its tracks, shift your attention onto one of the activities on the list below for a few minutes (or as long as you feel is necessary) when you first notice negative self-talk start to come up.
- Listen to music that you love. Music is an extremely powerful tool for shifting your mood and mindset. Just make sure to choose music that energizes and elates you.
- Call someone who understands and supports you. Hearing the voice of someone we love or a friend who gives great advice is always an instant pick-me-up.
- Get into nature. My personal favorite. There is nothing that calms and soothes me more than watching a sunset or being on the beach by my house.
- Meditate. This is a great go-to when you find yourself already pretty deep in the downward spiral. When we are stuck in negative thought patterns, the first physical shift that occurs is that we stop breathing. Shifting our focus onto our breath causes our minds to slow down and brings immediate relief.
- Laugh. Laughter is hands down the best remedy for releasing tension. Watch a silly movie or a YouTube video, or remember a joke that never gets old.
- Exercise/get in your body. When we are moving and being active, we shake up energy and shift our focus away from our mind and into our physicality. Even if this means running in place for 30 seconds or doing a silly dance in your office bathroom, I promise you will feel a difference.
- Appreciate what is around you. Look around your environment and make a conscious effort to list and appreciate everything in your field of vision that you like. Maybe it's the way the man on the subway is holding his baby, or maybe it's the photo of your parents that you keep on your desk. Negative thoughts cannot enter our minds when we are in a state of appreciation, so appreciate, appreciate, appreciate!
- Make a gratitude list. When you feel the onset of negativity, quickly turn your thoughts to everything in your life that you are grateful for. This high-vibe tactic diffuses the negativity and is like a reset button for your brain. I have a list I carry in my wallet of all the things I'm happy about - it's my secret weapon that I pull out and look at when I start to feel down.
- Do an act of kindness. Studies have shown that giving to others elevates levels of dopamine in the brain and instantly boots feel-good brainwaves.
- Create your own! You know yourself better than anyone. If the items on this list don't particularly invigorate you, just think of the things that make you smile and do that! Eat your favorite food, look at a photograph that reminds you of an awesome vacation . . . Anything that feels good is fair game.
Some items on the list may work better for you than others, so choose the activities that excite you most. You will know when you have successfully "flipped the switch" because you will a) feel better and b) feel much more neutral about the triggering issue that set off the negative thoughts in the first place.
Cheers to your newfound state of bliss, and happy Flipping!
Find more inspiration from Molly on her Instagram!
Jaclyn Hill Approved of This Teen's Senior Pictures Featuring Her Morphe Palette
of course i had to take my senior headshots with my @Jaclynhill palette http://pic.twitter.com/ZxfNnj27CG
- Mikala (@mikalagraves) August 27, 2017
High school senior Mikala Graves is a big fan of Jaclyn Hill's eye shadow palette for Morphe . . . so much so that the student dramatically and proudly posed with the palette for her official yearbook photos. On Twitter, Mikala shared the incredible end result and said, "Of course I had to take my senior headshots with my Jaclyn Hill palette."
In case you forgot, this extra trend began when James Charles retook his senior pictures to make sure that his highlight was as bright and noticeable as possible. The hilarious tweet quickly garnered attention and Zendaya even retweeted it. The teenager has since made history as the first-ever male CoverGirl ambassador. Though his success story is unique, other teens are keeping the trend going by taking yearbook pictures with beloved beauty products.
"I didn't want my senior pictures to be the basic smiling photos, so I thought I would include something that I was currently obssesed with" Mikala tells POPSUGAR. As for why she picked Jaclyn Hill's palette in particular, she explains, "It's a DREAM palette. It's extremely pigmented, yet no fallout which I really appreciate. Buying the palette has made me 10 times more excited to do my makeup everyday."
Apparently, Mikala is close with the photographer and her family, so she was given free reign to do whatever she wanted for her portraits. "We spent hours taking a bunch of pictures to get the perfect one. I can't wait to show off all the pics on my graduation card!" she said.
Since it was first shared on Aug. 27, Mikala's tweet has racked up a few thousand "likes." Even better, Jaclyn Hill herself retweeted it! When Mikala saw that happen, she claims she "seriously had tears in my eyes from excitement." We consider that a real high school success story.
These New Outlander Season 3 Photos Will Leave You Extremely Hot and Bothered
Is it just me, or is Sam Heughan somehow getting hotter? In a handful of new images from Outlander's highly anticipated third season, Heughan appears as a slightly older and wiser version of Jamie, who's hanging out in the A. Malcolm Printer and Bookseller store we got a quick shot of in the latest trailer (!). There are also glimpses of Claire (Caitriona Balfe) and Frank (Tobias Menzies), whose relationship looks a bit strained, as well as Claire researching with her daughter, Brianna (Sophie Skelton), and Roger Wakefield (Richard Rankin). Three photos are nowhere near enough to quench our Outlander thirst, but they'll just have to do until the drama returns on Sept. 10!
This 40-Minute Treadmill Workout Will Help You Run Faster and Go Longer
Push your endurance, raise your heart rate, and rev your metabolism with this interval treadmill run. Since it's a ladder run, with the speed intervals increasing in duration as the workout progresses, it will help fight belly fat, too. To keep your legs and lungs challenged, we've added some incline work into the mix for the second round of intervals! If you're looking for something a little easier, check out this walk/run treadmill workout.
Ladder Run
| Time | Speed | Incline | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0:00-5:00 | 4.0 | 1.0 | Warmup |
| 5:00-6:00 | 6.0 | 1.0 | Ladder One |
| 6:00-7:00 | 4.0 | 1.0 | Recover |
| 7:00-9:00 | 6.0 | 1.0 | |
| 9:00-10:00 | 4.0 | 1.0 | Recover |
| 10:00-13:00 | 6.0 | 0.0 | |
| 13:00-14:00 | 4.0 | 1.0 | Recover |
| 14:00-16:00 | 6.0 | 1.0 | |
| 16:00-17:00 | 4.0 | 1.0 | Recover |
| 17:00-18:00 | 6.0 | 1.0 | |
| 18:00-19:00 | 4.0 | 1.0 | Recover |
| 19:00-20:00 | 6.0 | 4.0 | Ladder Two |
| 20:00-21:00 | 4.0 | 1.0 | Recover |
| 21:00-23:00 | 6.0 | 3.0 | |
| 23:00-24:00 | 4.0 | 1.0 | Recover |
| 24:00-27:00 | 6.0 | 2.0 | |
| 27:00-28:00 | 4.0 | 1.0 | Recover |
| 28:00-30:00 | 6.0 | 3.0 | |
| 30:00-31:00 | 4.0 | 1.0 | Recover |
| 31:00-32:00 | 6.0 | 4.0 | |
| 32:00-37:00 | 4.0 | 1.0 | Cooldown |
Don't forget to stretch!
This Is Us Costume Ideas For the Die-Hard Fans With a Lot of Feelings
If you're obsessed with the Pearson family from This Is Us, why not dress up as your favorite character for Halloween? With the extended timeline of the show and the back-and-forth between decades, the series offers plenty of fun costume ideas. Whether you channel the This Is Us wedding look or the Pearson siblings, there are plenty of options for individual, couple, and group costumes. As we anxiously await the show's second season, check out some creative This Is Us costume ideas.
Why You Might Want to Reconsider Dressing Up as a Día de los Muertos Skeleton This Halloween
Pan de muertos, la catrina, flor de cempasúchil, traditional colors, dishes, and altares or altars: all of these play an important role in what many know as Day of the Dead, but what my culture and family refer to as Día de los Muertos.
"Hija, preparemos el altar" or "Honey, let's arrange the altar" are words my mother would say days before Nov. 1. Usually the preparation begins on Oct. 31, the same day Halloween is celebrated in the United States, and while the holidays almost overlap in date, it's important to understand they are different.
I was born and raised in California, but my heart and culture come from Mexico. Like many other Latinos or Mexican-Americans, dates such as Day of the Dead are important and celebrated in my family. So what exactly is behind this day? Let me break it down.
Día de los Muertos is celebrated in many Latin American countries but emphasized in the Mexican states of Michoacán, Jalisco, and Oaxaca. Traditionally, this festivity traces back to the Aztecs and was at one point a month-long commemoration. Have you ever heard of Día de los Angelitos or All Saints' Day? This plays part in what Day of the Dead celebrates today.
It all begins with the altares or the altars. Being from Jalisco, it's tradition for my family to begin preparing the altar of the person we are commemorating three days prior to the actual holiday on Oct. 31. Together, we begin gathering ofrendas or offerings that remind us of the person who has passed. This can be anything from food to drinks, clothing, music, photos, colors, and religious images or representations. Altars are decorated and placed in either the person's home or a tomb in the cemetery. Papel picado (literally punched or perforated paper) is seen on the altars usually with cutouts of skulls and skeletons.
Once you've prepared the altar, you can welcome the souls of those who passed. Children are celebrated on Nov. 1. The next day is dedicated to the adults, and the festivities are similar on both dates. Imagine a cemetery filled with people, music, colorful decorations, food, and lit candles.
While in the US, many paint their faces on Halloween as skeletons to mirror death, the same is done in Mexico on Día de los Muertos but with a different essence. La catrina, which translates to "the lady in the hat," is a female skeleton and is probably the most recognized symbol of the holiday. She wears an elegant bright-colored dress, which many women wear as a way to mock death. In comparison to how a skeleton is portrayed on Halloween in the states, there is nothing scary about la catrina. In fact, she represents the upper-class outfit of the Europeans.
The same goes for the cemetery. While in the US, the cemetery is home to scary stories and haunted houses, the cemetery in many Latin American countries is home to everything just the opposite. Even the word skeleton has a different meaning. Calaveras refer to funny rhymes on that day. For example: "Comadre pelona, me alegro de verte. No andemos con chanzas, que yo soy la muerte". Translation: "Bald lady, I'm glad to see you. Let's not joke around, I am death."
The holiday, which at one point only existed in Mexico, has now migrated to other countries including the US. You don't have to be in Mexico to celebrate, but you do need to know the meaning behind the celebration to appreciate its culture and know that it's a traditional event not related at all to Halloween. The beauty behind Día de los Muertos is its symbolism. As a family and with your community, you celebrate death.
We're Getting an All-Female Lord of the Flies Movie Written by Men - What Could Go Wrong?
In "We Never Asked For This, but Hollywood Is Giving It to Us Anyway" news, another Lord of the Flies movie is on the way, but unlike William Golding's classic 1954 novel and the 1963 and 1990 film adaptations, this version is replacing the young male castaways with girls. Oh, and Deadline reports that it will be written and directed by two men, Scott McGehee and David Siegel, for Warner Bros.
*pause for exasperated sigh*
While the move to replace a large cast of male characters with female ones is gender progressive, in a way, the story - a plane carrying a group of British schoolboys is shot down during wartime and they're left stranded on a remote island, where they eventually devolve into a toxic society - basically negates all hope that this movie will be empowering for women in any way. Do we really need to watch a bunch of young girls destroy each other as they regress into female stereotypes within their vicious, self-contained community? Even Golding himself pointed out that his novel's story could only work with men, noting that "women are foolish to pretend they are equal to men, they are far superior and always have been."
While all-female versions of movies like Ghostbusters and the upcoming Ocean's Eight make sense, redoing Lord of the Flies in this way (which will essentially be the opposite of Wonder Woman's Themyscira) seems like a pretty obvious misstep. We've already seen similar situations play out in movies like Mean Girls, Heathers, and Jawbreaker, but the fun, campy elements of those films will presumably be absent from McGehee and Siegel's screenplay. Fortunately for everyone irritated by the news, Twitter did not hold back in sharing all the reasons the concept is a huge bummer.
imagine having such little interest in seeking out original stories about girlhood by women that you remake LORD OF THE FLIES with girls
- JamesHurleyVEVO (@soalexgoes) August 30, 2017
The climax of the all-female Lord of the Flies: One girl is beaten to death by the others for not using exclamation points in her email
- Jessica Valenti (@JessicaValenti) August 31, 2017
I am all for diversity in Hollywood but.....all female Lord of the Flies is a no from me http://pic.twitter.com/PCrZa5pvFb
- Age N. (@_BetterWithAge) August 31, 2017
An all women remake of Lord of the Flies makes no sense because... the plot of that book wouldn't happen with all women.
- roxane gay (@rgay) August 31, 2017
A thousand words on how they already did an all-girl Lord of the Flies and called it Mean Girls.
- Courtney Enlow (@courtenlow) August 30, 2017
[flies into frame on a broom]
the thing about lord of the flies is that it's about systemic male violence + how it replicates
[flies away]- #rachelsyme (@rachsyme) August 30, 2017
"all-female Lord of the Flies remake" SOUNDS LIKE SOMEONE MISSED THE FUUUUUCKIN POINT OF LORD OF THE FLIES
- Gavia Baker-Whitelaw (@Hello_Tailor) August 30, 2017
We're literally living an all-male "Lord of the Flies" right now, but sure, let's see two male writers describe how women would be worse.
- Charles Clymer🏳️🌈 (@cmclymer) August 31, 2017
The Lord of the Flies movie feels like a studio had a big jar of "Make with Chicks?" ideas & just picked the one that made the least sense.
- Sam (@unegrandefemme) August 31, 2017
A female lord of the flies where everything goes fine and they create a society on a secret island wait this is the start of wonder woman
- TechnicallyRon (@TechnicallyRon) August 31, 2017
This Is Us Costume Ideas For the Die-Hard Fans With a Lot of Feelings
If you're obsessed with the Pearson family from This Is Us, why not dress up as your favorite character for Halloween? With the extended timeline of the show and the back-and-forth between decades, the series offers plenty of fun costume ideas. Whether you channel the This Is Us wedding look or the Pearson siblings, there are plenty of options for individual, couple, and group costumes. As we anxiously await the show's second season, check out some creative This Is Us costume ideas.
10 Times Jason Momoa's Back Was So F*cking Sexy
Jason Momoa's muscles are a national treasure, which is why we love zeroing in on and celebrating them (by ogling them). This time, we're paying homage to Jason's back. The man has a nice-ass back, you guys. It's so chiseled and bulgy and always oily for some reason, but it works. It especially stands out when Jason is enjoying one of his favorite pastimes - wall climbing - which is not only impressive but very, very hot. Grab a towel and scroll through these scintillating snaps (and videos!) of Jason Momoa's back muscles.
Peter and Mariska's Family Halloween Costumes Are as Sweet as a Candy Apple
Peter Hermann and Mariska Hargitay's family knows how to do Halloween right. The ridiculously sweet couple always make us smile with their appearances, so it's only fitting that their costumes with their three children, Amaya, August, and Andrew, do the same. We've only gotten a few glimpses of their family gatherings over the years, but they've all been picture-perfect. Whether Mariska is dressing up as a Pink Lady with her little girl or the entire clan is channeling the characters from Inside Out while walking around New York City, their costumes will no doubt fill you with joy.
Step Aside, Babadook - There's a New LGBTQ Icon, and It's a Big Gay Boat
The world learned a lesson about messing with with the LGBTQ+ community on Twitter the week of July 17th. It all started when Ken Ham, the founder of The Ark Encounter, tried and failed to reclaim the rainbow from the LGBTQ+ community. The Ark Encounter is a museum in Kentucky that boasts a gargantuan, life-size replica of Noah's Ark, the biblical boat that saved Noah and the entire animal and human population from extinction when God flooded the earth and wiped out pretty much everything. In order to take back the symbol - which, in Mr. Ham's eyes, belongs to God and no one else - Ham lit up the Ark Encounter museum with rainbow lights. On Twitter, he explained his motivation:
The @ArkEncounter is lit permanently at night with a rainbow to remind the world that God owns the rainbow & is a sign of His covenant http://pic.twitter.com/U0dmKnXV2v
- Ken Ham (@aigkenham) July 18, 2017
The rainbow is a reminder God will never again judge the wickedness of man with a global Flood--next time the world will be judged by fire http://pic.twitter.com/K568yMnNsP
- Ken Ham (@aigkenham) July 18, 2017
Christians need to take back the rainbow as we do @ArkEncounter -God owns it-He decreed it's a sign of His covenant with man after the Flood http://pic.twitter.com/cNR51zTbPX
- Ken Ham (@aigkenham) July 18, 2017
We now have the new permanent rainbow lights @ArkEncounter so all can see it's God's rainbow & He determines its meaning in Genesis 6 http://pic.twitter.com/zdT0g8Jevp
- Ken Ham (@aigkenham) July 18, 2017
I know. It's a lot. Luckily for us, nothing happens on Twitter without people immediately co-opting it and turning it into a laughing stock. A similar thing happened in June, when the perplexing hashtag #HeterosexualPrideDay began trending and turned into a flood of hilarious tweets. Almost immediately, the LGBTQ+ community embraced the rainbow-bathed replica of Noah's Ark. And so, #GayBoat was born. In the same way the Babadook became an unexpected LGBTQ+ legend during Pride Month, #GayBoat also quickly achieved icon status. Twitter ignited with hilarious tweets about the newly out-and-proud ark.
gay boat lmao
- JuanPa (@jpbrammer) July 20, 2017
#gayboat finally came out today but he's been dropping hints for years. congratulations on living your best life. http://pic.twitter.com/o7pKKNJw1i
- Vinegar Mike (@VinegarMike) July 20, 2017
the babadook and the #GayBoat are the lgbt icons we need and deserve
- gorgeous hag (@ashaggreyjoy) July 20, 2017
C'mon all of god's creatures, let's get SICK'NING http://pic.twitter.com/xCQxHnbKa0
- Adam (@adamjmoussa) July 20, 2017
LOVE this gay boat! You're doing great, Gay Boat. Stay fabulous! #gayboat 🌈🌈🌈 https://t.co/0TQdxyH3Wr
- Hoxton Hill (@HoxtonHill) July 20, 2017
I checked the gay agenda and boats are definitely gay http://pic.twitter.com/aIDjP6BqUt
- Ashley (@ashcech) July 20, 2017
#gayboat is the LGBTQ icon we need!
- drunk at vogue (@jersing) July 20, 2017
Gay boat, gay boat, we see you gay boat.#gayboat#LoveIsLove http://pic.twitter.com/UWnj5nakOg
- Deb (@MsDaliborah) July 21, 2017
And #God said "Behold! The first #GayCruise! Now cometh one cometh all and singeth We Are Family!" #GayBoat 🏳️🌈 https://t.co/Ng8Zy0UUl9
- Brittney Castillo (@casbrittney) July 21, 2017
I wanted to go to the #GayBoat because I assumed the party would be EPIC but GET THE FUCK OUTTA HERE with that $10 parking https://t.co/V1Ek8H8Joe
- Crooked JRod ❄️ (@jrod_1011) July 20, 2017
We love you, #GayBoat. And we're so proud of your journey.
Ditch the Hiking Boots and Climb Up This "Sticky" Waterfall - It Won't Let You Down
For those headed to Northern Thailand, the Sticky Waterfalls need to make it to the top of your bucket list - and not just because the falls are stunning.
Unlike many other waterfalls, water rushing down Bua Tong, or the Sticky Waterfalls, about 60 kilometers north of Chiang Mai in the Sri Lanna National Park, won't knock you down as you try to climb up. In fact, you can easily scale the rocks for a surreal outdoor adventure because mineral deposits on the stones create a surprisingly "grippy" surface to walk on.
Despite what life experience has taught you about slippery rocks and slimy algae making waterfall climbing nearly impossibly, according to the travel blog Tieland to Thailand, the rocks at the Sticky Waterfall feel like a hardened sponge. "They are callous and even slightly prickly to the touch but surprisingly give a bit under pressure," wrote Chris and Angela, the American ex-pat couple behind the blog. "Since no algae or slime adheres to the rocks, they are the perfect canvas to climb up the waterfall. It is impressively steep in some places, but with the aid of the limestone deposits on the stones, we felt like Spider-Man!"
The couple explained that they almost missed this experience because the Sticky Waterfalls weren't listed in their Thailand guidebook. "These multi-tiered waterfalls are easy on the eyes and a great way to cool off in Thailand's heat. They are a challenge to your muscles, though!" they wrote. "If you do plan to climb these waterfalls, be prepared to work muscles in your legs and feet you never knew existed."
If you decide to skip climbing the waterfall but still want an incredible view of the Sri Lanna National Forest, you can opt for steps to the top and take in the incredible jungle and exotic flowers below.
PSA: Stop Force-Quitting Your Apps on Your iPhone
One of my favorite sites on the internet is Daring Fireball by John Gruber. John is a famous technology writer and UI designer and all-around well-respected internet citizen. He even worked at Bare Bones software, creator of BBEdit, which POPSUGAR was original coded with in 2006. I still code with it today.
He writes:
Apps in the background are effectively "frozen", severely limiting what they can do in the background and freeing up the RAM they were using. iOS is really, really good at this. It is so good at this that unfreezing a frozen app takes up way less CPU (and energy) than relaunching an app that had been force quit. Not only does force quitting your apps not help, it actually hurts. Your battery life will be worse and it will take much longer to switch apps if you force quit apps in the background.
Whole Foods Officially Lowered Prices, and People Are Freaking the F*ck Out
Last week, Amazon announced it would be finalizing its acquisition of Whole Foods. In a press release, Amazon introduced several changes coming to the grocery chain, including online ordering through Amazon and lower prices on select items - the latter being particularly exciting given Whole Foods's steep prices.
News about the impending price drop quickly spread online. By the time prices were officially lowered on Monday, Aug. 28, consumers couldn't wait to shop. People on Twitter seem to be particularly excited about the more affordable cost of organic avocados and salmon, both of which are more costly grocery items. Though people are still on the fence about Whole Foods - especially regarding its use of prison labor - this is one change that people seem to be embracing following the major Amazon acquisition.
What to Do If You Feel a Cold Coming On
If you're bracing yourself for the inevitable cold that you know will pass through your family and your co-workers and closest group of friends, know that there are steps you can take to actively defend yourself and your immune system. Try these eight simple tips to protect your body and stay healthy this Winter!
20 Minutes and Done! Full-Body HIIT Workout
This high-intensity workout is anything but boring - time flies by as you jump, twist, and lift. Celebrity trainer and Barry's Bootcamp instructor Astrid Swan McGuire created a 20-minute scorch session that works every muscle in your body. You will have tons of fun while blasting calories with this workout. All you need is a light set of weights. Press play and get ready to work!
Got Ink? 31 Real Moms Play Show-and-Tell With Their Tattoos
We recently posed a question about tattoos on our Facebook page to see where our readers weighed in on their ink pre and postkids. What we got in response was a stunning 800+ comments, many accompanied by photos, and almost all in agreement that they had no regrets. Whether you're into or against ink, we're sure you'll be as captivated by these women's stories as we were.
21 Chic Hand Tattoos That'll Make Them Give You a High Five
So you've decided on the perfect tattoo - congrats! The hard part is deciding where to get it, and we're making a strong case for hand tattoos. Although it's certainly not the most comfortable place to get inked, your hand guarantees your well-thought-out tattoo will always get the attention it deserves, whether you're shaking someone's hand or Instagramming your new manicure. If you're dreaming up the perfect hand tattoo but need examples for inspiration, look no further than these 21 chic ideas.
America's Shortest Railway Is Set to Reopen This Week in LA - and It Only Costs $1
Iconic funicular - or a railway on a hillside or mountainside - Angels Flight in Los Angeles will finally reopen this week after being closed for over three years. This railway that connects Hill and Olive Streets on Bunker Hill is more than 100 years old and at 298 feet is the shortest working railway in the country, but not quite in the world. According to Travel + Leisure, that honor belongs to Fisherman's Walk Cliff Railway in Bournemouth, UK, which is less than half the length of Angels Flight.
The railway was closed in 2013 after derailing and requiring significant safety upgrades, but those are finally completed, and the funicular is set to start running again. Tickets to ride up or down will cost a mere $1, which might make it one of the cheapest attractions in all of LA. Keep reading to see Angels Flight in all its beautifully renovated - and orange - glory.
The 54 New Movies You Need to Watch on Netflix in September
Netflix blesses us with a bevy of new movies and TV shows to zone out in front of, and September is no different. From old-school classics like Jaws and Pulp Fiction to Disney's magical live-action reboot of Beauty and the Beast - not to mention the return of Narcos - the streaming service is offering up a pretty great selection for those cozy nights in. The following titles will be available throughout September, and in the meantime you can keep enjoying August's awesome picks.
All the Times Christina El Moussa Slipped Into a Bikini - and You Flipped Your Lid
Christina El Moussa is one of the stars of HGTV's Flip or Flop and the new Chi-Town Flip, along with her estranged husband Tarek. When she's not renovating houses, the 34-year-old mother of two makes time to hit the beach or relax by the pool in a bikini - and looks damn good doing it. Keep reading for Christina's sexiest swimsuit snaps.
Look Back on Sharon Tate's Tragically Short Life, in Pictures
Sharon Tate's short life came to an end when she was brutally murdered by members of Charles Manson's infamous "family" in August 1969. The stunning 26-year-old Texas native was on the verge of making it big in Hollywood; she had starred in movies like Don't Make Waves and The Wrecking Crew and was possibly best known for her role as aspiring actress Jennifer North in Valley of the Dolls. Sharon was married to disgraced film director Roman Polanski, and at the time of her death, she was eight and a half months pregnant with their son.
Along with Sharon, four other people - Wojciech Frykowski, Abigail Folger, Jay Sebring, and Steven Parent - were killed by Manson followers Tex Watson, Susan Atkins, Patricia Krenwinkel, and Linda Kasabian. They broke into Sharon and Roman's Benedict Canyon home and murdered them with both guns and knives. It was revealed earlier this month that Quentin Tarantino is in the early stages of putting together a film being described as "a unique take on the Manson Family murders." So far, actresses Jennifer Lawrence and Margot Robbie are reportedly being considered to play Sharon.
We may never know what Sharon could have become, but she'll live on in the photos she took and the handful of movies she made. Look back on Sharon Tate's life, in pictures.
40 No-Bake Treats You'll Want to Make Even in the Fall
The last thing anyone wants to do on a hot day is bake - cranking on the oven when it's already sweltering outside sounds so unappealing. That's where no-bake desserts come in; they easily satisfy a sweet tooth, no oven required. And because there's no baking involved, they usually take minutes to make and omit the need for overly processed ingredients. Whether you follow a raw, vegan, or gluten-free diet, one of these desserts will surely satisfy. And many of these treats are healthy to boot!
TV Reporters Share 10 Hair and Makeup Hacks For Getting Ready Fast
TV reporters get a bad rap for just being pretty faces. But imagine doing your normal workload on a tight deadline and then, at the end of the day, also having to get dolled up for the camera.
I've worked in television for nearly seven years in Bend, Oregon for two different TV stations. My roles have included reporter, anchor, and weathercaster, and I can't even count the number of times I've had to go from midday makeup to camera-ready in a matter of minutes. Most people don't have to worry about the way they look by the end of a stressful workday, but because TV is a visual medium, it's crucial. Anything out of place is a distraction, and I only have one chance to get the audience to listen and care about my story.
Three of my closest friends also work in TV across the country, and between the four of us, we've learned some seriously slick tricks to help make the magic happen. We've done it all from using activated charcoal as a dry shampoo to stealing toilet seat covers from the office bathroom to blot oil off our face. Here's a behind-the-scenes look at the top hair and makeup hacks we use, so that you can benefit from them, too!
Patti LaBelle Adds an Unexpected Dessert to Her Line at Walmart
Patti LaBelle has given us a new reason to scream, "Oh, Patti!" You can now pick up Patti LaBelle Banana Pudding, sold exclusively at Walmart for $10. According to a press release sent by the company, "The new pudding is prepared with high quality ingredients for an authentic, home-style taste . . . It features rich banana pudding and a creamy banana pudding mousse studded with 12 vanilla wafers and a vanilla wafer crumble." While we adore Magnolia Bakery's banana pudding, we're going to have to put Patti's to the test.
Salmonella concerns prompt recall of fish batter mix
A nationwide recall is in place for Shore Lunch brand fish breading/batter mix due to possible salmonella contamination.
What, Exactly, Is Cellulite, and How the F*ck to Get Rid of It
This is the no-nonsense cellulite article you've been looking for. We're not here to BS you about miracle potions and we're not here to shuttle you off to a room full of magic, cellulite-banishing lasers. We're addressing what cellulite is, how it forms, and why people of all shapes and sizes - including fitness buffs - develop it. We're also here to walk you through cellulite treatments (no sugarcoating involved). And we are OK with breaking the news that, ultimately, there's no way to remove 100 percent of your cellulite.
How and Why Cellulite Develops
Fun fact number one: Roughly 85 percent of women have cellulite.
Fun fact number two: Cellulite isn't about your weight.
"Cellulite is not just about fat, but rather about the structure of the skin," explained board-certified dermatologist Marnie Nussbaum, who specializes in cosmetic dermatology. "It is hypothesized that the circulation under the skin slows, causing fat cells to swell. The elastic bands that hold down the fat gradually weaken, enabling the fat cells in between the bands to pop out and cause the dimpling effect."
Dr. Nussbaum adds that while weight gain and poor diet may increase the development of cellulite, hormones - and the genetic predisposition of slowed circulation, as described above - are the leading causes. In other words, a woman can be at her ideal weight and still have cellulite while a woman who weighs more can be dimple-free.
Over-the-Counter Cellulite Treatments
So just how much hope can you put into all those creams that promise smooth skin? Not a ton. Remember, there's no way to remove 100 percent of cellulite. Still, some can slightly improve skin texture.
"When choosing an at-home lotion or firming cream, look for one that is formulated with antioxidants, as this works to attack free radicals that tend to break down healthy skin cells," Dr. Nussbaum said. "[Additionally], products formulated with caffeine can increase circulation and temporarily shrink fat cells, as well as evenly distribute water between fat cells for a smoother appearance."
Another option is dry brushing, which is exactly what it sounds like. You use a specialized brush to massage the skin, which helps exfoliate, brighten, stimulate circulation, and slightly improve texture.
Products that promise to instantly or completely firm, tone, or remove cellulite aren't giving it to you straight. They may temporarily mask the appearance of cellulite by tightening or smoothing the skin, but these effects last 24 hours, tops, or until you wash off the product.
In-Office Cellulite Treatments
When it comes to the most effective ways to treat cellulite, Dr. Nussbaum advises that those performed at your dermatologist's office are your best bet. However, that comes with the same disclaimer as over-the-counter remedies: you won't see a 100 percent reduction, and there's no treatment that will work on every single patient. Add to that the expense of a doctor service - and often the need to repeat them - and you're talking about a serious investment with a potentially minimal return.
If you want to go the in-office route, though, Dr. Nussbaum has a couple of suggestions.
"Certain infrared and radiofrequency lasers use heat to tighten the collagen bands and break up the fat cells, giving a potentially smoother look. These often only last a few months [and] results vary widely," Dr. Nussbaum said. "Ultrasound can also be used to target pockets of fat in conjunction with lasers to tighten collagen bands. However, again, results are temporary and not permanent."
Another option you might have heard of is subcision. For this service, the surgeon uses a needle to physically break up collagen bands under the skin. Dr. Nussbaum said that "research has shown that it is not all that effective and causes bruising and pain." #nothanks
The Bottom (Get It?) Line
We're not trying to be a Debbie Downer, but cellulite is pretty much impossible to prevent - especially if you're genetically predisposed - and is not likely to go away.
"There are ways to improve the overall look and texture of the skin, but it is important to note that there are no treatments that are permanent, achieve 100 percent resolution, or work for every patient. They can only temporarily achieve a reduction in appearance of cellulite," Dr. Nussbaum stressed. "Expectations must be realistic and tempered with physician guidance."
Cellulite research is still underway, so there may be hope yet for those of you who can't stand your dimples. Meanwhile, you can embrace your body - marks, dimples, warts, lines, and all - and keep treating yourself well by eating right, exercising often, and drinking lots of water.
25 Colin O'Donoghue Smirks That Will Make You Weak in the Knees
You don't have to be a Once Upon a Time fan to appreciate Colin O'Donoghue's insane good looks. His gorgeous baby blues and swoon-worthy Irish accent aside, the actor has a smile that could brighten even the cloudiest of days. Whether he's playing the devilishly handsome Captain Hook on his hit fairy-tale show or he's just goofing around during interviews, we can't help but get weak in the knees anytime he gives us that glorious grin. See some of his sexiest moments ahead.
There Was Really No More Beautiful Thing Than Jared Leto in the '90s
Jared Leto, thee of many hairstyles and questionable red carpet looks, has come a long way from his days as Jared Catalano on My So-Called Life. The 45-year-old may be a global rock star and Oscar winner now, but back in the '90s, Jared was the epitome of the hot, brooding, maybe-not-all-there-intellectually guy you used to skulk around the corners of your high school to stare at. He rocked a flannel shirt like it was nobody's damn business, and those baby blues could stare right into your soul.
Even though we certainly wouldn't kick 2017 Jared Leto out of bed, there's just something so nostalgic and sexy about the middle-parted hair and baggy jeans-wearing Jared Leto of yore. Kick back and scroll through these tasty photos of Jared in the '90s.
The Love in Sterling K. Brown's Family Photos Will Wrap Around You Like a Warm Blanket
Sterling K. Brown is one of our biggest Hollywood crushes, and it's not just because he's very, very good-looking. The actor, who has made a name for himself with showstopping performances in American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson and This Is Us, has been married to his college sweetheart, Ryan Michelle Bathe, for nine years. After meeting and falling in love at Stanford University (and overcoming a few breakups and makeups), they tied the knot in June 2007 and are now parents to two adorable sons. While we're very obsessed with Sterling's current onscreen family in This Is Us, which Ryan also guest stars on, it's his real-life moments that really make us melt.
These Electrolyte Jello Shots Make Your Workout Recovery Feel Like a Party
Get your electrolyte fix with these vegan jello shots! Easy to make and easy to eat.
How 2 Beer Companies Are Using Their Breweries to Help Hurricane Harvey Victims
As Texas continues to deal with the flooding and destruction left in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, people - and companies - are doing anything they can to help. This includes Anheuser-Busch, the maker of popular beers like Budweiser and Shock Top, which has since stopped beer production in one of its breweries to can water for Hurricane Harvey victims instead. So far, the company has sent more than 155,000 cans of water to both Arlington, TX, and Baton Rouge, LA. MillerCoors has also distributed 50,000 cans of water via the Red Cross.
Open since 1993, Anheuser-Busch's brewery in Cartersville, GA, does usually take time twice a year to produce cans of water for emergencies. However, the company will produce even more cans of water if a situation warrants it. The company's practice of canning water dates back to 1988, with one recent example including supplying parts of California with cans of water during the state's drought in 2015.
"Since 1988 we have donated an excess of 76 million cans of clean drinking water," Bill Bradley, Anheuser-Busch's VP of community affairs, told the Today show. "The Cartersville location is our designated brewery for the emergency water program - it's something we're very proud of."
The company stressed that sending cans of water would not be possible without its partnership with the American Red Cross and its local suppliers. "We have an excess of 400 independent distributors throughout the US [that] allow us to do this," Bradley said to the Today show. "It would be so much more difficult to do it without them at the local level."
Anheuser-Busch isn't alone in its effort; MillerCoors and Ball Corp. are sending 50,000 cans of water to a brewery north of Houston, TX. It will then use its delivery trucks to bring the water to the southeastern area of Texas. In addition, MillerCoors is also donating at least $25,000 to the Red Cross. The company started its water canning effort this Summer.
"Providing clean water to communities enduring a crisis will aid in recovery and hopefully give some sense of comfort to those in need," Karina Diehl, MillerCoors's director of community affairs, said in a press release.
The efforts of these companies will definitely help, especially as more rain is expected in the Houston-Galveston region, the upper Texas coast, and southwest Louisiana.
1 of Each Please! NYX Cosmetics Has 6 New Elements-Inspired Palettes
Like Earth, Wind, & Fire, you'll be "dancing in September" because NYX Cosmetics has a new collection inspired by the earth's elements coming out. Debuting Sept. 4, there are not one, not two, but six eye-shadow palettes: Earth, Wind, Fire, Water, Metal, and Air.
NYX teamed up with top beauty influencers, who helped launch the collection by each creating looks using one of the palettes. Makeup artist Chrisspy on Instagram created an oceanic blue eye-shadow look for Water; Samantha Ravndahl (aka ssssamanthaa) showed off brown-teal eye makeup for Earth; Karen Sarahi (better known as iluvsarahii) made a flame-like smoky eye for Fire; Jamie Genevieve glistened in bronzes all over for Metal; Alissa Ashley dreamed up purple Unicorn eyes for Air; and Promise Tamang painted a sapphire ombré eye for Wind.
The collection will be available online and at NYX Professional Makeup stores. Luckily, we don't have to wait until September to see what the incredible palettes look like - NYX revealed them all on Instagram Stories. Get a closer look, ahead.
Buy That Backless Dress, Because These 7 Habits Will Obliterate Body Acne
No matter how intense your beauty regimen is, bacne can flare up at any time. But that shouldn't make you pack away your cute backless shirts and dresses. Once you take a look at what's causing those out-of-sight, out-of mind pimples, you can avoid fighting an uphill breakout battle. Understanding these triggers is one way to end the struggles of body acne and keep your time in sheer apparel totally carefree.
Fortunately, eliminating these factors will be no sweat off your back. These seven habits will promote healthy, flawless skin on every part of your body.
Nicaragua: Tips For the Active and Adventurous
Nicaragua is a popular destination for vacationers and backpackers alike, and with good reason. The small country has a bit of everything - gorgeous beaches, incredible volcanoes, coffee and cocoa farms, colonial cities, and mystical lakes - the opportunity for adventure is seemingly endless. Whether you like surfing, hiking, or kayaking, Nicaragua has something to keep you outside and moving your body.
27 Things You Didn't Know About the Property Brothers
Twins Jonathan and Drew Scott are kind of a big deal on the HGTV network. The brothers host four different shows on the network: Property Brothers, Buying and Selling, Property Brothers at Home, and Brother vs. Brother. Kathleen Finch, president of HGTV, even told The New York Times that Jonathan and Drew are "the cable equivalent of box-office movie stars."
Well, that much is true if you look at their social media followings. Both Jonathan and Drew are beloved on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. If you're a big fan and love to watch the brothers work their real estate and design magic on the small screen, then you'll definitely want to learn these 27 facts we've uncovered about the duo.
I Got to an Airbnb, and It Was a Nightmare - Here's What Happened Next
The Airbnb had cobwebs and dead bugs in the corners. Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Annie Gabillet
Ah, the smell of wet dog. That dank scent greeted me upon entering an Airbnb I had booked in Sydney's Bondi Beach. My husband and I were set to stay there for 12 days with two friends. We arrived late at night and were ready to make the most of the place. So we lit a candle, opened some windows, and hoped the place would air itself out.
There was mold all over the walls, cobwebs and dead bugs in the corners, and scary looking stains on the carpet. When it came time to take a shower, brown water came out of the faucet, and it never got warm.
Climbing into bed that night, things still seemed off. The comforter was extremely threadbare and not nearly enough to keep us warm on the chilly Fall night. The pillows felt decades old. But we told ourselves we weren't high-maintenance and would survive. Unfortunately, when we woke up, the extensive problems with the place became evident in the light of day. There was mold all over the walls (perhaps it wasn't wet dog we were smelling after all), cobwebs and dead bugs in the corners, and scary looking stains on the carpet. When it came time to take a shower, brown water came out of the faucet, and it never got warm. This wasn't going to work for almost two weeks.
There was mold on the walls, which gave of a musty, wet dog smell. Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Annie Gabillet
I decided to contact Airbnb, which encourages you to report problems on the site instead of making it easy to talk to a customer service representative. So I filled out the form reporting that there was a problem with the shower. I didn't realize that this would immediately notify my host, who then reached out to me from her vacation in the US. I explained to her the issues and asked if she would consider refunding us for the nights we hadn't stayed, since we realistically couldn't deal with no hot water water and other issues for the next 11 days. She attempted to charge us for seven nights, but since we had to find somewhere new to stay ASAP, that would eat into our budget. So I told her I would contact Airbnb to figure out my options and she should do the same.
The shower water came out cold and dirty. Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Annie Gabillet
With internet sleuthing, I was able to find a phone number for Airbnb customer service. (The toll-free number was: 1-855-424-7262.) After waiting for some time, I got an agent named Shania, who was extremely helpful. I explained to her the situation, and she told me that a lack of hot water would be enough to get us our money back and out of the apartment. But first we'd have to prove it. Shania asked me to send her video of myself turning the water on and holding a bowl of ice cubes underneath the shower. If they didn't melt immediately, that would demonstrate that the water didn't get hot. It also gave me a chance to show the brown, dirty water. I also sent photos of the stained carpet, mold, and cobwebs. With a few more back and forths, Shania said she would arrange for a refund for the nights not stayed and help us find a new spot if needed. On my own, I was able to locate a new Airbnb in our price range that was beautifully decorated and, most importantly, clean. The next morning we relocated there, and Airbnb refunded me the money for the nightmare spot.
According to Airbnb, these are the issues that will make you eligible for a guest refund:
- The host fails to provide reasonable access to the booked listing.
- The listing booked is misrepresented (ex: number of bedrooms, location, lacks promised amenities).
- The listing isn't generally clean, is unsafe, or there's an animal in the listing that wasn't disclosed prior to booking.
Airbnb asks that you first attempt to remedy the issue with the host and then contact Airbnb within 24-hours of check-in with documentation, which is what I was able to do.
From now on, I only book Airbnbs that already have reviews.
Ultimately, I think the host simply wasn't ready for the responsibility of welcoming strangers into her home. As a host myself, I know it takes a lot to get your home ready. It means more than tidying up and often requires a professional to deep clean at least once. If a place has serious problems, like an unreliable hot water situation or mold, you should address them before listing your home on the platform. But I also learned some lessons as a guest. The spot we booked did not have any reviews, and the photos weren't the best quality. I was drawn to the very central location and relative value, but I should have been more discerning and recognized that it was an amateur listing. From now on, I only book Airbnbs that already have reviews. And I always search "clean" within the reviews to see what past guests have to say. Since doing that, I haven't had any bad surprises.
7 Infamous Cults That Are Creepy as F*ck
I'll just start by saying that I'm obsessed with cults. Why am I obsessed with cults, you ask? Gosh, I wish I had an answer for you - they've just always fascinated me for some reason, maybe because I can't picture myself giving up everything I have to follow someone blindly. (Except for maybe Beyoncé; is the BeyHive a cult?) With the terrifying new season of American Horror Story: Cult upon us, I couldn't help but think about the famous real-life cults that have both intrigued and scared the sh*t out of me over the years. From the ones you probably know, like the Manson Family, to the ones you may not, here are seven sects that are crazy, dangerous, and creepy as f*ck.
The Very Best Arm Workout For Beginners
If your gym routine is new to you, it's natural to feel hesitant about heading to the weight room. From weight loss to toning up, there are many reasons why weight training deserves to be a part of your life, but it can be a little nerve-racking if you're not sure where to start. Luckily, POPSUGAR Fitness host and personal trainer Anna Renderer has taken all that anxiety out of the equation with an easy-to-follow dumbbell circuit workout that's designed with the beginner in mind.
Anna says that doing two moves back to back is a great way to feel the burn, and this workout does just that. Perform the first move in the circuit 10 times to complete a set, then the second move 10 times to complete a set. Switch back and forth until you've completed three sets of each. Then, do the same for the second and third circuits.
Game of Thrones: Rhaegar and Viserys Targaryen Are Practically Twins
Game of Thrones fans were rewarded with a major payoff in the season seven finale when Samwell Tarly and Bran Stark get together, pool their respective knowledge, and discover that Jon Snow is the legitimate son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark. It is revealed via a flashback to their wedding, now that Bran Stark can conveniently have flashbacks about all people and all places now that he's the omniscient Three Eyed-Raven.
In the flashback, you may have felt a sense of deja vu looking at Rhaegar, with his wavy, flowing blond tresses. That's because he's the spitting image of his brother, Viserys, who was a character on Game of Thrones in season one - which was actually by design on the part of the creators.
"It was a little bit of a double take for everybody. (Laughs.) But they're meant to look similar!," director Jeremy Podeswa told The Hollywood Reporter of the resemblance. What's interesting is that Podeswa goes on to say that it was important to the show to set the right tone with the wedding scene.
"[Rhaegar and Lyanna] had a proper marriage that was based on love. For me, it was important to present that scene in a kind of idyllic way, which was really unexpected," says Podeswa.
Unexpected, indeed. It's hard to reconcile the beautiful (albeit brief) scene of love and harmony with someone who looks so much like the awful, spoiled, abusive Viserys from season one. But perhaps Viserys would have been a very different person if he was not raised in exile across the Narrow Sea with the rest of his family dead save for his younger sister, Daenerys.
Either way, the casting and makeup/hair departments really earned their money with Wilf Scolding (Rhaegar), who does bear an uncanny resemblance to Harry Lloyd, who played Viserys. It isn't just the platinum blond wig done in the same hairstyle; it's the nose, mouth, and bone structure too. They could definitely pass for brothers. And actually, Emilia Clarke (Daenerys) looks like she could be a member of the family too, for that matter.
Game of Thrones: Rhaegar and Viserys Targaryen Are Practically Twins
Game of Thrones fans were rewarded with a major payoff in the season seven finale when Samwell Tarly and Bran Stark get together, pool their respective knowledge, and discover that Jon Snow is the legitimate son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark. It is revealed via a flashback to their wedding, now that Bran Stark can conveniently have flashbacks about all people and all places now that he's the omniscient Three Eyed-Raven.
In the flashback, you may have felt a sense of deja vu looking at Rhaegar, with his wavy, flowing blond tresses. That's because he's the spitting image of his brother, Viserys, who was a character on Game of Thrones in season one - which was actually by design on the part of the creators.
"It was a little bit of a double take for everybody. (Laughs.) But they're meant to look similar!," director Jeremy Podeswa told The Hollywood Reporter of the resemblance. What's interesting is that Podeswa goes on to say that it was important to the show to set the right tone with the wedding scene.
"[Rhaegar and Lyanna] had a proper marriage that was based on love. For me, it was important to present that scene in a kind of idyllic way, which was really unexpected," says Podeswa.
Unexpected, indeed. It's hard to reconcile the beautiful (albeit brief) scene of love and harmony with someone who looks so much like the awful, spoiled, abusive Viserys from season one. But perhaps Viserys would have been a very different person if he was not raised in exile across the Narrow Sea with the rest of his family dead save for his younger sister, Daenerys.
Either way, the casting and makeup/hair departments really earned their money with Wilf Scolding (Rhaegar), who does bear an uncanny resemblance to Harry Lloyd, who played Viserys. It isn't just the platinum blond wig done in the same hairstyle; it's the nose, mouth, and bone structure too. They could definitely pass for brothers. And actually, Emilia Clarke (Daenerys) looks like she could be a member of the family too, for that matter.
7 Important Exercises You're Probably Neglecting
Ankles are often neglected when it comes to your strength-training routine, but they shouldn't be. Strong, flexible ankles are an important foundation, helping prevent injury whether you're running back and forth on the tennis court or running to catch the bus. The good news is just a few minutes a day can help keep the sprains away. If it's been a while since you gave those joints any extra attention, read on for an ankle-strengthening exercise for each day of the week.
The Top 4 Workouts to Avoid If You're Trying to Lose Weight
We encourage all types of fitness, for more reasons than just weight loss. While weight loss is an awesome side effect of working out and living a healthier lifestyle, exercise can benefit your brain, your mood, your sleep, and your overall health, too!
However, if you're focusing on dropping pounds, are there types of exercises you should flat-out avoid? We asked certified personal trainer John Rowley - International Sports Science Association (ISSA) director of wellness and founder of UX3 Nutrition - for his opinion on the matter. While we still encourage anyone to give these workouts a shot (in fact, we love all of them!), these four may not give you the results you're looking for if weight loss is your top priority.
- CrossFit: "CrossFit is number one on the hit list," Rowley said in an email. "The risk-to-results ratio just isn't there." If you're just beginning your weight-loss journey, you likely won't have the strength to get an effective workout without injuring yourself. "It's very popular, and I can see how fun and challenging it is," he noted. "But the way the exercises are done is very dangerous, especially for someone not in tiptop shape."
- Yoga: Rowley explained that yoga "has a lot of benefits, but losing weight is not one of them." Although you'll gain strength and tone up, if you're aiming to shed pounds, "you want to work as much of your body as possible to lose weight and to stimulate your metabolism," and Rowley said yoga is not the most effective way to do so.
- Indoor Cycling: While indoor cycling classes are great for exercise veterans, Rowley said, "they can get out of control as well," and the format of the classes can put you at risk for injury. "The rooms can get too hot, the movements can be too aggressive for some, and any vigorous exercise will make you hungry." More on that hunger in the next point . . .
- Cardio-Only Routines: Rowley said these should be avoided if your only goal is weight loss. Why? The munchies. "Cardio will help burn calories but can often make you hungry, leading to excessive calorie-consuming after workouts," putting you at a higher risk for undoing your progress. Additionally, if you're only doing cardio and not balancing with strength training, it can lead to muscle loss. "The loss of muscle destroys your metabolism; if you are going to do cardio, do it in conjunction with a well thought-out weight training workout."
Again, we love (and do) each of these workouts - and you absolutely can lose weight doing any of them. But if your number one goal is weight loss, Rowley warned, you might want to reprioritize your workout schedule.
So what should you do? "The only way for lasting, healthy weight loss that will change your body composition is through resistance training," Rowley said. "Lifting weights stimulates your muscles; your muscles burn calories even when you are eating and resting." We encourage you to be open to all types of workouts - get comfortable with movement of all types! But start with a good, healthy balance of strength training (as recommended by this trainer) and a bit of cardio to help build up your endurance so you can keep shedding pounds and crush your goals.
Bow-tastic! How to Throw a Minnie Mouse-Themed Birthday
If mama's little one is turning a year older and all they want is a Minnie Mouse-themed birthday bash, then that's exactly what they'll get - and we've got some great party-planning ideas to get you started!
From the birthday kiddo's Minnie-inspired outfit to dessert-table sweets, click through to check out some of our favorite Minnie Mouse birthday finds.
Is Walt Disney World's Hollywood Studios Getting a New Name?
Some major changes at Disney World's Hollywood Studios are occurring, and the biggest change of all might be yet to come. Rumor has it that the area of the park is in the market for a new name entirely. In 2015, CEO of Disney Bob Iger confirmed plans to rename Hollywood Studios to go along with other big updates to the park, but since then, not much has been revealed.
New attractions and themed lands are on their way; The Great Movie Ride is closing and will be replaced by Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway, an 11-acre section of the park will soon be home to Toy Story Land, and Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge is slated to open in 2019.
In light of these exciting changes, it makes sense that now (or soon!) would be a good time to implement the name update that Iger mentioned two years ago. A new Disney park survey recently surfaced that seemed to hint at the impending changes. According to Disney Dining blog, guests are being asked to weigh in on some of the reported options and rank their top five favorite suggestions based on the following:
Disney Kaleidoscope Park
Disney Storyverse Park
Disney Hyperia Park
Disney Beyond Park
Disney Cinemagic Park
Disney Legends Park
Disney XL Park
Disney Cinemagine Park
"Disney Hollywood Adventure" is also being tossed around the internet as a potential option. This isn't the first time the area has gotten a name change; Hollywood Studios was originally Disney-MGM Studios. Stay tuned for confirmation of the news - which is still rumors at the moment - as well as the final pick once the decision is made!
This Old Ad Will Make You Realize Just How Far Netflix Has Come
Netflix was born in 1997 thanks to a $40 late fee, and 20 years later it's not just still around - it's a genre-defying giant.
Cofounded by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph, the company was incorporated on Aug. 29, 1997 and was originally called Kibble, before moving onto NetFlix, and then finally settling on Netflix. And it has become the streaming service through which to binge-watch movies and TV shows and a meme, and it has changed the way we watch television.
According to a Fortune Magazine interview on Jan. 28, 2009, Hastings said the idea of Netflix came from a $40 late fee he received for the movie Apollo 13. "I remember the fee because I was embarrassed by it," Hastings said to Fortune. Along with Randolph, the two mailed CDs in an envelope to Hastings' address and waited to see if the items remained intact. They did, and now the company is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Though Randolph allegedly contends that the story is made up, Netflix still enjoys retelling the bit.
Happy Moon Landing Day! Late fees for #Apollo 13 started it all for Netflix founder, Reed Hastings – rent it today! http://twurl.nl/4gm2wm
- Netflix US (@netflix) July 20, 2009
The company first rented DVDs to people in April 1998 and quickly progressed to a subscription service by Sept. 23, 1999. In an ad for the company in 1998, Netflix, then NetFlix, explains why it's a better alternative to Blockbuster or other DVD rental shops. "You won't have to search for a video store that carries more than a few titles. You'll never again have to fight to get a copy of a new release. When you're finished, you just send it back in a pre-addressed, pre-paid mailer. You can rent two DVD's for just four bucks each! Rent additional titles for a measly three dollars each! And the newest releases from Hollywood can be reserved for only five dollars."
Watch the ad for yourself above, and remember a time when the idea of Netflix was completely novel.
Fruity Pebbles Hair Color Will Have You Screaming, "Yabba Dabba Doo!"
We've been loving the array of colorful hair trends that have been dominating the beauty world in the last few years, and one hairstylist might have invented the most creative one yet: Fruity Pebbles hair.
Amanda Glikes, a Vancouver-based stylist, created this colorful hair blend based off the hues in Fruity Pebbles, the iconic Flintstones-inspired cereal. She posted the look to Reddit and Instagram, to the delight of beauty-lovers.
To achieve this look, Amanda used Joico Intensity dyes for the vivid colors. She dyed the roots hot pink and added streaks of yellow, orange, and green. She left the underside of the hair brown, which makes it look like the model's mane has been enveloped in colorful cereal milk. Amanda says that the key to this look is making sure the colors blend together by dyeing very small sections and using your fingers to melt each hue into the next one.
Although this trend is just in its infancy, other beauty junkies have also been inspired by their childhood-favorite cereals and have posted the looks to Instagram. The colorful hair look is so bright and cheery, we're sure it will blow up fast.
Read on to see more of Amanda's look and other Fruity Pebbles-inspired hair-color looks.
A Full Rundown of Taylor Swift's Hollywood Dating History
We imagine that one of the benefits of being a massively successful pop star is that instead of having to agree to go on an awkward date with Ted from Accounting, you have a whole buffet of Hollywood's hottest bachelors at your disposal. If anyone is a good example of this, it's Taylor Swift. The "Look What You Made Me Do" singer has been linked to musicians and movie stars alike and has a penchant for memorializing her fallen relationships in song. From Jake Gyllenhaal to John Mayer, see every heartthrob who has been lucky enough to romance Taylor!
This Is What 25 of Your Favorite Celebrities Looked Like in the Year 2000
The beginning of the millennium was a big year for Latinx - we were in the height of the Latin explosion, after all. One celebrity in particular made everyone's jaws drop when she solidified her stance as a fashion icon. Yes, we are talking about Jennifer Lopez and that now-famous green Versace dress at the Grammy Awards. That is not only a moment that we will never forget, but one that changed history - did you know it's the reason Google Images exists today?
But J Lo wasn't alone in the spotlight. There were so many other stars carving out their place in Hollywood. Do you remember what they all looked like back then, 17 years ago? Well, we are about to show you. Prepare to be shocked (particularly by Enrique Iglesias's baby face)!
This Old Ad Will Make You Realize Just How Far Netflix Has Come
Netflix was born in 1997 thanks to a $40 late fee, and 20 years later it's not just still around - it's a genre-defying giant.
Cofounded by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph, the company was incorporated on Aug. 29, 1997 and was originally called Kibble, before moving onto NetFlix, and then finally settling on Netflix. And it has become the streaming service through which to binge-watch movies and TV shows and a meme, and it has changed the way we watch television.
According to a Fortune Magazine interview on Jan. 28, 2009, Hastings said the idea of Netflix came from a $40 late fee he received for the movie Apollo 13. "I remember the fee because I was embarrassed by it," Hastings said to Fortune. Along with Randolph, the two mailed CDs in an envelope to Hastings' address and waited to see if the items remained intact. They did, and now the company is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Though Randolph allegedly contends that the story is made up, Netflix still enjoys retelling the bit.
Happy Moon Landing Day! Late fees for #Apollo 13 started it all for Netflix founder, Reed Hastings – rent it today! http://twurl.nl/4gm2wm
- Netflix US (@netflix) July 20, 2009
The company first rented DVDs to people in April 1998 and quickly progressed to a subscription service by Sept. 23, 1999. In an ad for the company in 1998, Netflix, then NetFlix, explains why it's a better alternative to Blockbuster or other DVD rental shops. "You won't have to search for a video store that carries more than a few titles. You'll never again have to fight to get a copy of a new release. When you're finished, you just send it back in a pre-addressed, pre-paid mailer. You can rent two DVD's for just four bucks each! Rent additional titles for a measly three dollars each! And the newest releases from Hollywood can be reserved for only five dollars."
Watch the ad for yourself above, and remember a time when the idea of Netflix was completely novel.
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