Healthy lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is one which helps to keep and improve people's health and well-being.Many governments and non-governmental organizations have made big efforts in healthy lifestyle and health promotion.
Mental Health
Mental health can be considered a very important factor of physical health for the effects it produces on bodily functions. This type of health concerns emotional and cognitive well-being or an absence of mental disorder.
Public health
Public health can be defined in a variety of ways. It can be presented as "the study of the physical, psychosocial and socio-cultural determinants of population health and actions to improve the health of the population.
Reproductive Health
For the UN, reproductive health is a right, like other human rights. This recent concept evokes the good transmission of the genetic heritage from one generation to the next.
Health
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
mercredi 4 juillet 2018
Here's What Really Goes Down at a Clothing-Optional "Erotic" Couples Resort
My boyfriend and I excitedly opened the door to our gorgeous beachfront suite, unsure of what to expect when we entered. While away at dinner, our special selection from a "fantasy menu" at Desire Riviera Maya Pearl, a clothing-optional, couples-only resort in Mexico, was being set up for us.
We crossed the threshold in anticipation, thinking we were ready for what was next. I must stress, emphatically, that we were not f*cking ready for what was next.
Let's rewind.
We arrived a few days earlier to Desire Riviera Maya Resort, the sister to the resort where we finished off our trip. Both are "adult" escapes for couples, where clothing is optional and where anything goes. We certainly learned what "anything goes" can mean. The resorts describe themselves as places full of freedom, oases of "beauty and eroticism" (wholeheartedly agree) where "fantasies become reality" (reality, indeed).
I found myself in a pool-size sex spa full of guests - all completely nude - sandwiched in between one of the most attractive women I'd ever seen in real life and her boyfriend.
When I first read about both resorts, my curiosity was understandably piqued. Clothing optional? Great, no more tan lines. Couples only? My boyfriend was very down. Sexy shows every night, great food, and sensual experiences geared toward turning up the heat in your relationship? Sign us up.
Desire Riviera Maya and Pearl are all about creating an environment of openness, where people can explore their sexual desires in a safe, accepting place among like-minded people. Couples (mostly, but not all) in their 30s to 60s are able to escape the limitations of everyday society and embrace the lifestyle they seek, all against the backdrop of the beautiful Yucatán coastline.
I consider myself to be very open-minded, sexually adventurous, totally fine with nudity (love it, actually), and fully supportive of pretty much anything going on between consenting adults. I'm a Love and Sex editor, for f*ck's sake. Even if it happens to be on public display, as is the case at the resorts, I'm down. It can even be a turn on for many people.
On day two, however, as I found myself in a pool-size sex spa full of guests - all completely nude - sandwiched in between one of the most attractive women I'd ever seen in real life (not complaining one bit here) and her down-for-pretty-much-anything boyfriend, it occurred to me that my significant other and I were in way, way over our heads. We rolled with it, to an extent. But it wasn't exactly the experience we expected. For the first time in my adult life, I felt incredibly naive and unprepared - and it was pretty hilarious. For the most part.
Most guests coming to resorts like these are generally knowledgeable about what occurs there. In fact, one of the questions we were most frequently asked in the five days we spent at both places was "are you two lifestylers?" This is the question couples often pose in order to get a feel for whether another couple is open to swinging. We were told that around 60 percent of the people who come to the resorts are swingers - people who swap partners and/or engage in group sex - but I'm convinced based on our personal experience that the number is just a bit higher.
The resorts are beautiful and all-inclusive (drinks, too!), with spacious suites, multiple pools and hot tubs, countless restaurants and bars open all hours of the day and night, and extra amenities like spas, salons, and stores filled with all of the sexy outfits and accessories you could ask for. Forgot your lube? No problem. Everything is where you need it, when you need it. The staff is extremely friendly, helpful, and completely nonjudgmental, and overall were a highlight of the trip for us.
But - and there is a but - first-timers should be aware of what they're diving into. The golden rule that all guests must agree to upon arrival is that "no means no" - which should give you an idea of what kind of things go down daily. This isn't a nudist resort where people mostly keep to themselves. This is a full-on sex resort, with public rooms decorated with round pink and black leather beds dedicated to group sex, massive hot tubs where couples and groups can go at it to their hearts' desires, and where (in my case) attempting to casually rock a bathing suit bottom made me stand out among the sea of bare butts. This is absolutely what many people are looking for in a getaway - and I'm so glad that there's places that exist where couples can really be themselves and where this is celebrated.
Fast-forward back to the night we returned from dinner thinking we were getting a casual private dance in our suite . . .
The first thing I saw was the sex swing that had been drilled into our ceiling while we were gone for barely an hour. Impressive. Our bathtub was filled with bubbles and roses, our bed completely covered with the petals as well. A bottle of Champagne chilled nearby. We suddenly started having second thoughts about inviting our new couple friends along for what we (stupidly, in hindsight) believed to be the kind of silly striptease you see at bachelor parties that last all of 10 minutes. It was not.
We thought we'd chat and laugh with the husband and wife we'd brought along with us while we watched a sexy performance, sip Champagne, and be dancing at the resort's (actually very fun) disco in no time. Nope. It was the erotic preamble to what would've been sex with my boyfriend - guided by a beautiful (and amazingly sweet) woman decked out in black lace and silk. But (due to my own obliviousness) it turned into the preamble for what was essentially a foursome - since I'd invited our newfound friends along for the (literal) ride. I guess the rose petals on the bed should have been my red flag?
Did we know what we were getting ourselves into? Absolutely not. Did we have exciting sex in places and ways we never have before? Yup.
Needless to say, we skipped the group sex (wasn't really our ideal scenario, but totally great for other couples interested in something like this!), dipped out, and headed to the disco where we made it just in time to see a badass dancer perform one of the coolest aerial shows I've ever seen. Our friends, who laughed good-naturedly and incredulously asked how we didn't know what the deal was all along, joined us on the dance floor. Crisis averted. Our ignorance about what an "erotic couples massage" really means is a whole other story . . .
Did the resorts play a part in helping my boyfriend and me spice up the romance after more than five years of dating? Absolutely. We got closer not only because of our admittedly awkward roller-coaster ride, but also because the resorts really do foster a sense of eroticism and sexual openness that was entirely contagious. Did we know what we were getting ourselves into? Absolutely not. Did we have exciting sex in places and ways we never have before? Yup.
Bottom line, going to an erotic couples resort got my partner and me out of our comfort zones, but more importantly, the resorts allow others who visit to truly be in their comfort zones, whatever those may be.
Travel and expenses for the author were provided by Desire Riviera Maya and Pearl for the purpose of writing this story.
The 11 Best Sex Toys Found on Amazon
You can find everything from household appliances and clothing to brownie mix and bicycles on Amazon. But did you know the online retailer also sells sex toys? That's right.
You don't have to pop into a sex shop to buy your pleasure products - you can just scoot over to your Amazon account, choose from a variety of adult toys, and easily add them to your cart.
Not sure what to buy? Feeling overwhelmed by the sheer enormity of shopping on Amazon? We did the heavy lifting for you. Here are some of the best, most reasonably priced and highly rated sex toys you can buy on Amazon. Get your batteries fired up, because it's go time.
'90s Songs to Bump 'n' Grind To
How do we love the '90s? Let us count the ways. It's a time that brought us Sex and the City, JTT, and along with them, sexy tunes that were off the racy charts. Below, we've rounded up 50 of the hottest, heaviest songs - and as it turns out, some are a lot dirtier than we remembered. Have a listen, and don't be surprised if you start blushing once you hit play.
- "I Wanna Sex You Up," Color Me Badd
- "Erotica," Madonna
- "Let's Talk About Sex," Salt-N-Pepa
- "Pony," Ginuwine
- "2 Become 1," Spice Girls
- "Me So Horny," 2 Live Crew
- "I'm Too Sexy," Right Said Fred
- "Knockin' da Boots," H-Town
- "Laid," James
- "Nobody," Keith Sweat ft. Athena Cage
- "Bump n' Grind," R. Kelly
- "Sex and Candy," Marcy Playground
- "Red Light Special," TLC
- "Babydoll," Mariah Carey
- "Car Song," Elastica
- "Smooth," Rob Thomas and Carlos Santana
- "Human Nature," Madonna
- "O.P.P.," Naughty by Nature
- "I Don't Know Why I Love You," The House of Love
- "Don't Let Go," En Vogue
- "Bittersweet," Big Head Todd and the Monsters
- "Creep," TLC
- "Freak Me," Silk
- "Stutter," Elastica
- "Any Time, Any Place," Janet Jackson
- "Your Body's Callin," R. Kelly
- "Criminal," Fiona Apple
- "Closer," Nine Inch Nails
- "No Diggity," Blackstreet
- "Nice & Slow," Usher
- "U Can't Touch This," MC Hammer
- "Freek'n You," Jodeci
- "Boombastic," Shaggy
- "Genie in a Bottle," Christina Aguilera
- "Too Close," Next
- "Rico Suave," Gerardo
- "Hanky Panky," Madonna
- "California Love," 2Pac
- "I Touch Myself," Divinyls
- "I Want You," Third Eye Blind
- "Uhh Ahh," Boyz II Men
- "Thong Song," Sisqo
- "Giddy Up," *NSYNC
- ". . . Baby One More Time," Britney Spears
- "Gett Off," Prince and The New Power Generation
- "Freak Like Me," Adina Howard
- "All The Places (I Will Kiss You)," Aaron Hall
- "I'll Make Love to You," Boyz II Men
- "Baby Got Back," Sir Mix-A-Lot
- "What's It Gonna Be?!," Busta Rhymes ft. Janet Jackson
To listen to the playlist below, download the free Spotify software or app:
Don't Be Fooled - Trump's Female SCOTUS Nominees Are Just Another Attempt to Gaslight Us
Last week, Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy announced his intent to retire. Kennedy's decision sent shock waves across the country, as the loss of his swing vote spells an uneasy future for a number of key human rights issues - including the right to a safe, legal abortion in the US. And in the days following Kennedy's announcement, all eyes have been on potential nominees to replace Kennedy; particularly, the prospective women.
"Women aren't shields to deflect justified accusations of sexism and, in this case, the endangerment and punishment of women everywhere."
President Trump is considering nominees from a short list of candidates approved by the Federalist Society, a conservative legal group that maintains litmus tests for abortion, among other key issues. Notably, six of the 25 names under consideration are women.
Trump's callousness about the outcome of a ruling that - make no mistake - would be life or death for some women, is unsurprising. Since 2016, prior to being elected, Trump and Vice President Mike Pence have repeatedly expressed their intent to nominate a justice opposed to Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision that made abortion legal on the federal level. Just this weekend, the president said we "could very well" see abortion rights "end up with the states" - or, in other words, Roe v. Wade reversed.
And yet, a female Supreme Court justice will not magically change the impact of reversing Roe. Any appointed woman who would support a government's right to subject other women to oppressive restrictions and unsafe living conditions is using her power to drag women's rights backward.
One potential nominee, Amy Coney Barrett, has perhaps drawn more attention than any other candidate so far. Like any judicial nominee approved by the Federalist Society, Barrett has been clear about her opposition to abortion rights.
Recent reports have indicated a quiet push among conservatives to see Trump's nomination be a conservative woman, in what would undeniably be an effort to "soften" the possible loss of Roe v. Wade, cynically reframing it as somehow "woman approved" or not as impactful as it really would be.
EMILY's List president Stephanie Schriock offered a strong rebuke to that line of thinking this week on MSNBC when former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele referenced "playing the abortion card" in the SCOTUS nominee discussion. Schriock fired back on live TV and in a later tweet, saying, "I never want to hear someone call it the "abortion card" ever again. This isn't a game. This a real fear that women across the country share - and their lives could be at risk if Roe is overturned."
WATCH: Emily's List @Schriock1 takes issue with the term "abortion card" pic.twitter.com/phUPWGgT78
- Kasie DC (@KasieDC) July 2, 2018
In a July 2 appearance on The Daily podcast, Republican Sen. Susan Collins, who identifies as pro-choice and is expected to be a key swing vote in the process of confirming Trump's nominee, seemed to distance views on abortion from gender, and stressed how many women oppose abortion. This is a fair and accurate appraisal and the debate around whether "pro-life" ideology and feminism can coexist isn't a new one.
But with everything at stake in this political moment - including the living standards of generations of women to come - it seems worth clarifying that feminism and the condition of women has never been tied to the advancement of one individual woman or class of women. Women aren't shields to deflect from justified accusations of sexism and, in this case, the endangerment and punishment of women everywhere. Their actual words, stances, and actions matter, just as those of men do, and we can't allow gender to be a distraction in what promises to be a contentious, high-stakes battle for the rights and dignity of women and all marginalized people in this country.
And yet, this administration and its supporters have a long history of attempting to deflect from any and all accusations of sexism by pointing to Trump's female cabinet members. This cabinet is the least diverse in recent history, with fewer women than the Obama and Clinton administrations. And despite the White House's celebration of female cabinet members and, notably, the cabinet members' wives - who outnumbered them - on International Women's Day in March, women of this administration have been active players in attacking women's rights.
Ivanka Trump has long marketed herself as an advocate for women and families. But she's supported slashing an Obama-era policy to address the gender wage gap by demanding transparency from companies, allegedly attempted to bribe former Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards to reduce abortions offered by the organization, and has faced legal backlash for the treatment of women and children workers in factories that produce her clothing line. That's not feminism.
"Women who are complicit in advancing policies that put the lives of other women at risk and uphold this misogynist worldview deserve our criticism. Full stop."
Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders has used her podium to aggressively defend anti-women policies and rhetoric from the president. Last year, she suggested sexual assault cases should not be investigated or treated seriously unless the male perpetrator had confessed, when asked about the myriad allegations against President Trump. That's not feminism either.
Yet the Trump campaign is quick to claim that feminists who critique the actions - or inactions - of the Ivankas and Sarahs of the world are hypocrites, which they are not. The reality is that feminism must be intersectional. It is about the broader fight for what will benefit and empower women as a whole. This week, activists and journalists alike have shared objective research and reports about what this country would look like without Roe v. Wade. Think: a spike in already shockingly high maternal death rates and unsafe abortions, steep increases in costs to travel to a state where abortion is legal, and women and doctors in jail for seeking and administering health care, to name a few consequences.
Trump's anti-family-planning and anti-abortion stances expose the right's broader agenda of forcing women to give birth. It's an agenda that inherently reduces women to second-class citizens and says women's lives and bodily autonomy are collateral damage that can be sacrificed for the mere hypothetical life of a fetus. Women who are complicit in advancing policies that put the lives of other women at risk and uphold this misogynist worldview deserve our criticism. Full stop.
In recent years, we have seen the full protections of Roe v. Wade - the right to an abortion with undue burden, until fetal viability - gutted in many states. Almost 90 percent of counties across the country lack an abortion provider, and more than a quarter of the roughly 1,200 restrictions enacted since 1973 were passed just between 2011 and 2016. But that doesn't make this new threat to the Supreme Court any less dire or existential - and neither will a female justice.
EMILY's List has a litmus test, itself: that candidates must support abortion rights. The fight for women's representation requires an added dimension, in order for that representation to mean anything positive for women. And that's because the election or appointment of anyone who threatens women's fundamental human rights, no matter their gender, is a loss for women everywhere.
14 Things You Forget to Do Before Leaving For Vacation
You have a million things to do before you leave for a trip, so it's very easy to let some important to-dos slip through the cracks. Read through our list of things people often forget to do before bidding adieu to their homes to make sure you're ready for your next travel adventure!
Is CBD Oil Allowed on Planes? Here's What You Need to Know About Traveling With It
If you have anxiety and/or you're a nervous traveler, consider using CBD oil to help ease your symptoms. Described by one of our POPSUGAR fitness editors as "liquid Xanax from Mother Nature," CBD oil is derived from the nonpsychoactive component of cannabis. It won't get you high like THC will, but it will chill you out. But since it is still technically an active cannabinoid, can you legally travel with it? The answer is yes, but know how much and what you're carrying on.
CBD oil is natural and completely legal to purchase and consume (as long as it is specifically hemp-derived), meaning no card required. But to ensure passing security is a breeze, stay within TSA requirements (3.4 oz. or smaller) and read the labels before packing it. Most CBD oils are pretty straightforward because they should be only composed of CBD. Some edibles like gummies or chocolates, for example, might be CBD-dominant but contain enough THC to be flagged. Remember, THC classifies as an illegal compound under federal law regardless of whether you have a valid medical card or if it's legal in the state that you're traveling to. So be sure to check the CBD-to-THC ratios on the product label.
As long as you follow TSA's guidelines, you should be fine.
The Best Type of Weed to Smoke For Your Zodiac Sign
Cannabis-lovers know that smoking certain strains can enhance different sensations and highlight different qualities of the smoker - our zodiac traits are no different. Each zodiac sign has unique characteristics that make them special, as do the hundreds of different strains of marijuana. There is a weed strain that will complement your sign perfectly, enhancing your positive traits and minimizing your less favorable ones. Here are my picks for the perfect cannabis match for your sign, so you can get high in perfect harmony with the stars.
Aquarius
Aquarius is the most original and authentic of all the signs - you're the humanitarian and social reformer of the zodiac. You care deeply about people and their rights. Smoke a strain that enhances your creativity, like Blue Dream, to brainstorm and develop your next world-changing idea. This sativa-heavy hybrid helps you focus; you can sort your thoughts and put your energy into what really matters to you. Another benefit that's great for this air sign? The heavy-body high. You'll be relaxed and present, not lost in another dimension, like Aquarians tend to be. Blue Dream is the perfect match for this progressive, idealistic sign.
Pisces
Pisces are ultrasensitive beings and can easily get lost in the depths of their emotions. A blissful sativa hybrid like Sour Dream is the perfect strain to uplift your mood, clear your mind, and spark your imagination. The euphoric effects will bring you back to earth - a common challenge for this dreamy, fluid water sign. Sour Dream is a cross between Blue Dream and Sour Diesel: it mixes the body relaxation from the former with the dreamy and imaginative cerebral effects from the latter. It'll keep you grounded while inspiring you to get creative and tap into your more passionate, spiritual side.
Aries
Aries are the thrill seekers of the zodiac, full of energy, confidence, and courage. Adventure is great, but you can also be impulsive and impatient at times - you should smoke an indica that will chill you out, like Granddaddy Purple. This strain is a cult favorite for a reason: it'll bring you down to earth and make you feel more levelheaded. Your friends will thank you for your mellower, less intense energy, even if it's just momentarily.
Taurus
The symbol for Taurus is a bull for good reason: you can't tell a Taurus anything. Anyone with this stubborn sign would benefit from smoking something that's leveling, opening up their mind to other people's opinions. Cherry Lime is a balancing blend: it'll enhance your warmhearted and loving attributes and keep you uplifted and engaged for a spirited debate. You'll still be ready to go toe to toe, but you'll be in a much chiller mindset and won't piss off your opponents as easily.
Cancer
Cancers are one of the most sentimental, intuitive, and sympathetic signs of the zodiac. You have a tendency to be overly emotional, though, and have a hard time letting sh*t go - you'd rather retreat back into your shell than address things head on. Purple Haze is your perfect cannabis match. This sativa-heavy strain provides a euphoric feeling, encouraging you to socialize and come out of your shell. Its calming effects encourage you to let go of your defensive tendencies and let your loving nature shine through.
Gemini
Gemini are incredibly social beings - you're best known for being witty, intellectual, and lively. You'd do best smoking a strain that spotlights your outgoing personality while minimizing your more tense, anxious attributes. Silver Haze is a sativa-heavy strain that will give you a smooth-head high, keeping you engaged in your social circles and clearheaded enough to pop off your clever one-liners. It's a strain that's famous for its antianxiety effects, which is perfect for when you're feeling nervous or unfocused.
Leo
A Leo's perfect cannabis match is a strain that makes you feel like your most sexy and confident self - not that you need any help with that. Cali Queen is a sativa-dominant hybrid of Blue Dream and King Louis that will have you smoking like the queen (or king) you are. You're the boldest, most luxurious sign of the zodiac, so you can handle (and might even love) the potency of this hybrid - it is very potent, FYI. Since Leos are known for being the life of the party, your friends won't be too surprised.
Virgo
Virgo is the sign of perfection: you analyze (or overanalyze) everyone and everything around you. An indica blend, like Girl Scout Cookies, is the perfect strain to chill you out and help you let go of your incessant need for perfection. It'll help keep you grounded, which is the ideal mindset for Earth signs. A Girl Scout Cookie high is peaceful and calm, a perfect balance for your more neurotic side.
Libra
Libras are known for their fun-loving and social nature; you love to surround yourself with glamorous things. Cherry Pie is your ideal strain, as it's known for its beautiful flowers and an addictive aroma. Libra is a charismatic and spontaneous sign, so you should smoke a strain that helps keep you balanced - your symbol is a scale, after all! Cherry Pie allows your mind to stay engaged and productive for socializing, but it will have your body feeling extra relaxed. This is the perfect strain to satisfy your self-indulgent side.
Scorpio
Scorpios are often a mystery to the people they meet. You're intense, intellectual, seductive, and often misunderstood. Your sign rules the sexual organs of the body, so your sensuality and allure are truly unmatched. You should smoke a strain that complements your deep, overwhelming nature. Sour Diesel is such a versatile strain - it's the perfect match for such a mysterious sign. It's great for anxiety, so it'll help curb your edgy, often jealous side and help lift your mood. This is an amazing strain to have sex on, another reason it's the perfect match for the hypersexual Scorpio.
Sagittarius
You're the explorer of the zodiac, always down for adventure and always craving expansion. Your optimistic outlook helps you to inspire others to dream bigger, but you can sometimes be a little too intense for those who don't also see the world as their playground. Black Jack is the perfect weed match for a Sagittarius. It's a sativa that'll give you a euphoric vibe, which will enhance your positive and encouraging attributes but won't hype you up enough to bring out your preachy side. Your less ambitious friends will thank you.
Capricorn
Capricorns are the most disciplined, ambitious, and composed of all the signs. You're practical and grounded, but you can be so uptight sometimes! Smoke a fun strain that will help you forget about your responsibilities for a minute and let loose. Jack Herer is an energizing, sativa-dominant strain that helps relieve stress and uplifts moods. Capricorns could use a break from all of the pressure they put on themselves. Smoking this strain will have your stress melting away so you can just chill - something that can be foreign to this extraresponsible sign.
Let This Margarita-Drinking, Jacuzzi-Chilling Bear Inspire You to Live Your Best Summer Life
World, prepare to meet my personal hero: a Southern California bear who was caught wandering into a suburban backyard to relax in the hot tub, drink a margarita, and take a post-cocktail nap. Caught in the act of reaching peak chill by homeowner Mark Hough on a hot Friday afternoon, the bear can be seen in the video above floating around in an unheated jacuzzi and, quite frankly, living his best life.
"He was playing having a grand old time," Hough, an Altadena, CA resident, told The Associated Press of the bear's relaxing day at the backyard spa. After taking a dip in the jacuzzi, the bear beelined over to an abandoned margarita that Hough had left behind in his yard, knocked it over, then leisurely lapped up the cocktail before wandering away to take a nap in a shady tree nearby. Talk about a summertime inspiration!
Now, you might be thinking, "Hey! Sure, it's relatable, but that's still breaking and entering!" Well, don't worry: according to AP, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept. failed to find the bear after it woke up from its nap, so we can presume that it wandered back into the wilderness with no harm done. Plus, Hough made up for the stolen margarita by mixing two more for himself! I call that a win-win scenario.
Unsurprisingly, the internet has dubbed the margarita-sipping, jacuzzi-chilling bear an icon - and the reactions to the video are downright hilarious. Ahead, see what people have to say about their newly discovered hero, then channel the bear by trying a new margarita recipe for yourself.
Which Tattoo Should You Get Based on Your Zodiac Sign?
Thinking about getting inked? Look to the stars! Your sign says something about your personality, so depending on whether you're a Pisces, Sagittarius, or Virgo, there's an ideal tattoo for you. Here are some ideas to get you started.
This Wedding Proves You Can Go Festive Without Making It All About the Fourth of July
When the bride's a wedding planner, you know she won't skimp out on any of the details. Cassandra and Ryan celebrated their big day on the Fourth of July at the Large Theatre in Ohio's historic Columbus Athenaueum. Even though the two tied the knot on Independence Day, the holiday theme didn't overwhelm their wedding. Aside from American flag socks for the groomsmen and a giant flag photo backdrop, the reception featured pink flamingos and other colorful elements. The bride and groom even got their own wedding cakes to reflect their styles.
Check out their photos ahead!
Paola Ramos's New Vice Series Asks: What Does It Mean to Be Latinx?
In the first episode of her new Vice series Latin-X, Paola Ramos heads to Brownsville, Texas, a town where 90 percent of the population is Latino, and where a serious HIV epidemic has taken hold. It's a testament to the activist and former Hillary Clinton campaign staffer's empathy that she elicits so much openness when it comes to talking about a crisis that is both deeply personal and widely felt in the community - and that's true whether she's speaking to a grandmother at home in her kitchen or a drag queen who's about to put on a show dedicated to sex education.
"These are people that are out there, and they're brave, and are putting their face on these issues," Ramos tells POPSUGAR. "And even now, with everything that's happening with family separation, they're also the ones that are helping these families. They work for other groups. So it's not only the HIV crisis - obviously, that's the story - but it's people who are literally stepping up for their communities in many different ways."
Ramos, the daughter of famed journalist Jorge Ramos, says upcoming episodes of her series will likely focus on immigration, from the mistreatment of transgender detainees under ICE to the aforementioned family separation crisis. But the questions these episodes seek to answer go beyond of-the-moment realities. "Right now, we're just really focused on not only what's happening at the border, but how does one rebuild their life beyond the border, or beyond these detention centers, and make it in the country?"
Read on for our conversation with Ramos on how she stays hopeful in trying times, why the breadth of the Latinx identity is also part of its power, and the role of protest in this political moment.
These Photos From the Loveland Theme Park in South Korea Will Make You Blush
Jeju Loveland: A place in Korea where sex-themed art and eroticism meet. The Loveland Theme Park opened up in 2004 and boasts 140 works of art that may make you blush - but are undeniably interesting to look at. The park also runs sex-education films and has some interactive pieces as well. And of course, there are ample photo opportunities featuring various phallic sculptures and depictions of people in moments of extreme pleasure.
All penis jokes aside, Loveland is pretty remarkable in that, being the only sex-themed park in Korea, it aims to break down traditional taboos about sex. While sometimes graphic, the overall experience is one of a kind. Visitors must be 18 to enter, and admission is just a little under $10 USD. Take a look at the kinky photos of the park ahead.
This Illegal Hike in Hawaii Is Nicknamed the "Stairway to Heaven" For Good Reason
One of Hawaii's most epic hikes, known as the Haiku Stairs, is famous for its stunning views and illegal climb. Despite being a steep 3,922-step hike - and not to mention dangerous since becoming damaged by a storm in 2015 - the ladder remains a popular destination among hikers and visitors.
The "Stairway to Heaven" is an appropriate nickname as some of the peaks even tower above the clouds and offer incredible sights of the island of Oahu below. The almost-vertical ladder, which reaches the top of Pu'u Keahi a Kahoe, has a height of over 2,500 feet. Although it was built in 1943 during World War II, it wasn't until 1987 when the Haiku Stairs was deemed off limits to the public. But according to Instagram photos, it still looks like people trespass every day to experience the notorious hike for themselves.
Though we don't encourage anybody to endanger their lives or even risk receiving a fine, we do have to admit that the Stairway to Heaven looks pretty damn cool.
Check out the photos ahead!
13 Hot Guys Who've Completely Longbottomed Over the Years
We've had the pleasure of witnessing Harry Potter's Neville Longbottom transform into the sexiest wizard (no Polyjuice Potion required), so it was only right that we found others who've Longbottomed over the years like Matthew Lewis. Turns out, many of our favorite male stars started from the (Long)bottom before becoming Hollywood eye candy. Some changed so drastically that you'll hardly even recognize them in their younger years. See 13 guys who went from duds to studs ahead!
I Was in an Emotionally Abusive Relationship, and I Didn't Even Realize It
At 23 years old, I fell fast and hard for an outgoing, charismatic man. When we began dating, he made me feel special, beautiful, and loved. I decided that any negative aspect of our relationship didn't matter because he loved me so much - there was a reasonable explanation for all of it. So when he proposed to me after almost a year of dating, I was overjoyed. I found a guy who wanted to commit his life to me. We were going to build a future together.
Six months into our engagement, that image of our life crumbled to pieces. My fiancé decided that he didn't want to marry me anymore, and it felt like a tragedy. I dreaded telling my friends and family; I was devastated. But their reactions to my news were not what I expected at all. One friend broke into tears. Another told me she was proud of me. My family felt guilty that they had let the relationship progress as much as it did.
They were relieved that my engagement to this man was over. Everyone had been scared for me, and I didn't get why. I was confused.
Everyone had been scared for me, and I didn't get why. I was confused.
This was the worst thing that had ever happened to me, wasn't it? But then, loved ones started telling me of times when they wish they had said something to me. Times when my fiancé would put me down or yell at me in public. And as more people stepped forward and told me that ending this relationship was a good thing (including this guy's own close friends), I came to a horrifying realization.
I was emotionally abused, and I could not admit to myself that it was happening at the time.
There were glimmers of problems from the beginning of our relationship, but I made the choice to ignore them. He would say little things to me or shout for a moment, but I brushed it off. It didn't become bad until we moved in together a month after our engagement.
My friends only saw what was happening in front of them, but behind closed doors it was even worse.
The first memory I have of definitive emotional abuse was an evening just a week or two after we moved into our apartment. We were sitting at the bar below our place having a drink when I noticed that he was getting Snapchats from a girl he nicknamed Kate Upton in his phone. I had mentioned to him once before that this made me uncomfortable, so when I saw that she had popped up once again, I questioned him about it. And he became furious with me.
He immediately stomped up the stairs to our apartment, and I quickly followed behind. He was livid. He told me I was ridiculous and jealous for questioning if he would be inappropriately interacting with another girl. And I felt terrible that I would ever question him - we were getting married, after all.
But the more I cried and apologized, the more he screamed at me.
But the more I cried and apologized, the more he screamed at me. I began to have a panic attack and I melted down to the ground, curled up in a ball in the hallway. But instead of stopping the yelling, he stood over me and continued to scream. I started hyperventilating. He told me I was faking it and I was pathetic. After he finished the shouting, he walked away from me. We were silent for about 20 minutes, then we got into bed and went to sleep. The next morning, he said he was sorry, but I needed to calm down with my emotions. So in the end, I was the one apologizing for what transpired the night before.
This was not a one-time thing. There were many more fights like this. And in the end I was always the one made to feel guilty. How dare I ever question him - he proposed to me. How could I do that to him? I was disgusted with myself for doubting him on a regular basis. I told myself that it was my anxiety making me paranoid.
But the screaming wasn't the only problem. This man would criticize me, put me down, and make me feel small constantly. If he didn't like something I was wearing, he would make sure I knew it. He told me I wasn't very funny and he didn't get why my friends laughed at me. He would constantly belittle me for being clumsy. I was afraid to spill something in front of him.
Another problem entirely was his lack of respect for people close to him. I watched him yell at his family on a regular basis over the tiniest things. He started off being incredibly close with my parents (they even helped him pick out my engagement ring), but as soon as we started planning the wedding, everything changed.
I started gaining weight. I became very quiet at work. I saw less of my friends. I felt bad about myself, but I didn't understand why. Wedding planning was not fun; I found it stressful. Like always, I told myself it was all in my head.
He had a lot of opinions about how he envisioned our wedding should be, and if my parents or I had a differing opinion, he was angry about it. We weren't putting a dime of our own money into the big day, so I felt weird about his resentment toward any ideas other than his own. When I tried to tell him that, he would tell me I was wrong. "Don't you love me because I have a lot of opinions?" he would say.
He stopped visiting my family with me. When I mentioned my parents, he would make snide remarks about them. I stopped talking about them altogether because it made me uncomfortable. My family loved me, and all they were trying to do was give us a dream wedding.
I loved this guy so much that I didn't care how I was feeling on the inside.
I loved this guy so much that I didn't care how I was feeling on the inside. I would do anything for him, and he knew that. So when he told me he was unhappy in our relationship, I asked him what I could do to fix that. All he could say was that he didn't know.
Eventually he told me that proposing to me was a mistake, but he wanted me to stay with him to see if we could work things out. More specifically, if I could fix all the things that were "wrong with me." And I did stay for a while. I so desperately wanted him to wake up and realize that no woman would love him the way I did. But he went about every day like things were normal, and I woke up every morning filled with dread, unsure of my future.
I asked him what was going on with our relationship a couple times, and each time it would result in an intense fight where we would part ways and stay with our families for a night or two. He told me I was impossible to talk to because I was too emotional.
After a weekend without hearing from him, I texted him asking if we could meet at the apartment and talk. His response - "Why?" I told him we needed to figure out what was going on, and he told me it wasn't a good thing for him personally to talk to me. We ended things.
I said I was moving out, so he went through everything I owned and put it in the middle of the family room. "I hope I made it a little easier for you," he said. While I sat at my parents' house (my new temporary home) and cried for a week straight, I received texts and calls from all over town - people told me he was out drinking most nights with his friends. They were confused by his actions. It hurt.
He blocked me and my friends from every social media platform. But that didn't stop the awful screenshots of his tweets bragging about going out and joking about needing a wingman. Even his friends were not loyal to him because they knew he turned me into a shell of the person I used to be.
A week later, on top of everything I had just gone through, I learned that he was not faithful to me. He was sending all sorts of photos of his penis to another girl before we were even engaged. Several people who knew about the exchanges informed me, even providing physical proof that the "other girl" admitted to all of it.
When I confronted him and his parents about his infidelity (bravest thing I've ever done, by the way), he pulled me to the side and asked me why I was trying to ruin his life. "We're done, Macy," he shouted at me. "You're trying to cause drama."
But I wasn't trying to cause drama. For the first time in my life, I was standing up to him. He had made me feel so guilty for questioning him all this time. And that feeling in the pit of my stomach was right all along. After trying to protect him and our relationship for a year and a half of my life, I was done. I missed who I used to be. I missed being happy. I realized that I had dedicated a huge period of my life trying to make sure I didn't make someone mad, and I was exhausted.
Why am I telling you this story? Because I know there are other people out there like me. People who lose themselves in the name of love, even if that love isn't healthy. Nobody deserves to be screamed at. Nobody deserves to be berated. I didn't understand that before, but I certainly know it now.
I was so scared to write about my experience, but now I feel empowered by it.
I was so scared to write about my experience, but now I feel empowered by it. I wanted to protect my former fiancé because a part of me still loves him, but I'm finished doing that now. I am trying to remind myself that yes, I am smart, funny, and strong. I didn't feel like I was any of those things for a long time. I'm having a hard time telling myself that now, but I will believe it again soon.
If you feel like you're being emotionally abused, trust your gut. Don't make excuses for it like I did. Learn from me. Talk to someone you trust. You may feel like you can't live without your partner, but you can. It will hurt. I'm still hurting every single day. But little by little, you will find yourself again. You won't believe you lived the way you did because of how happy you are now. And you will be stronger for it.
If you or a loved one are in need of any help, the Office on Women's Health has several resources here, including links to national hotlines.
5 Reasons The Parent Trap Is Disney's Most Twisted Film
As a Hollywood powerhouse, Disney is very good at heralding its successes and hiding its oddities. Sure, we've all seen Beauty and the Beast, Mary Poppins, and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. But tucked deep inside the Disney Vault are more obscure titles, like The Black Cauldron, In Search of the Castaways, and The Three Lives of Thomasina. Some are merely bad. Others are weird. In some cases, like the gloriously campy The Watcher in the Woods, it's both.
Yet Disney's strangest movie was also one of its biggest hits. I'm talking about The Parent Trap, the 1961 comedy starring Hayley Mills. During its initial theatrical run, the film earned $25 million, which amounts to roughly $200 million today. That's a lot of money for a movie that, while on its surface is a fun family romp, is actually bonkers.
It's so bonkers that when it came time to write The Last Time I Lied, the follow-up to my bestselling thriller, Final Girls, I chose to set it at an all-girls Summer camp not unlike the one in The Parent Trap. It seemed fitting for a book about secrets and lies, considering how the movie is the most twisted thing Disney's ever made.
Just how twisted is it? Let me count the ways.
(Author's note: In all cases, I'm referring solely to the 1961 film and not the 1998 version starring Lindsay Lohan.)
- Based on a 1949 German novel, Das Doppelte Lottchen, The Parent Trap is about two girls named Susan and Sharon who meet for the first time at Summer camp. They look exactly alike. They sound exactly the same. Yet no one in camp seems to find this strange, least of all the girls themselves. Rather than just approach each other and say, "Hey, we look like twins - what's up with that?" the girls embark on a series of escalating pranks that lead to chaos during a fancy formal dance with a nearby boys' camp. As punishment, Sharon and Susan are forced to bunk together in an isolated cabin. It's only then, during a rare moment of bonding, that they realize, "Hey, we look like twins because we are!"
- It turns out that Susan and Sharon's parents divorced when they were infants. Because the divorce was so acrimonious, those same parents decided that rather than share custody, it was best to split the twins up and never tell them that they have a sister. I can't stress how mind-bogglingly messed-up that is. We're talking Lois Duncan levels of twistedness. In fact, it's just one incestuous brother away from entering V.C. Andrews territory.
- Instead of confronting their parents about lying to them all their lives, Susan and Sharon decide the best course of action is to impersonate each other at Summer's end. So posh bookworm Sharon pretends to be Susan and goes to live with hunky dad Brian Keith in California. Cool kid Susan, meanwhile, is whisked to Boston to live in haughty splendor with elegant mom Maureen O'Hara. And while that scenario has all the trappings of a wonderfully juicy YA thriller, the movie goes a different route. Hijinks ensue, suspicions are raised, and all parties involved reunite.
- Again, rather than confront their parents, Sharon and Susan hatch a new plan: to get the family back together by ending their father's engagement to a younger woman. At no point do the girls stop and say, "Hey, seeing how they hated each other so much that they decided to separate us at birth, maybe getting our parents back together isn't a good idea." Nor do they stop to consider that, seeing how she's the only adult in their lives who hasn't lied to them, maybe the fiancée isn't so bad after all. Instead, they drive her away with the same pranks they used at camp.
- Both parents, meanwhile, display an odd lack of remorse for, you now, spinning a lifelong web of lies. You'd think one of them might feel guilty about agreeing to never see one of their daughters again. But other than a few throwaway lines, it's never addressed in depth. What the whole family needs is decades of therapy. What the movie gives them is a catchy duet between Hayley Mills and Hayley Mills and another camping trip before coming in for a hasty, happy ending. If you want realism, this isn't the place to find it.
Bonus Cultural Oddity
"Let's Get Together," the song Sharon and Susan sing for their parents, truly is a winner. Radio listeners at the time agreed, turning it into a Top 10 hit for Hayley Mills in the Fall of 1961.
Bonus Conspiracy Theory
No one - and I mean no one - notices that even though Susan and Sharon grew up in California and Boston, respectively, both speak with a British accent. The movie fails to bring it up as well, leading me to think Sharon and Susan's parents split them up and never told them about each other because THEY AREN'T THEIR REAL PARENTS.
Think about it. There's zero reason not to tell Sharon and Susan that they have a twin sister unless there's more to cover up. Perhaps the girls were abducted at birth, probably from a London hospital, and smuggled overseas. Back in the US, their kidnappers decided the best chance of not getting caught was to split up the twins and live on opposite coasts. Their only mistake was accidentally sending them to the same Summer camp at the exact same time.
I, for one, love this theory. It yanks the movie from the realm of family-friendly fun into the YA thriller genre where it rightfully belongs, making it not just twisted but truly devious.
Riley Sager is the author of the international bestseller Final Girls. His latest novel, The Last Time I Lied, is out July 3.
101 Ideas For a Summer Camp Wedding
Right now the kids are romping in the great outdoors to get some fresh air (and possibly a crush) at Summer camp. Who doesn't have fond memories of the warm days and nights spent among pine trees, at the mess hall, and around the campfire? Campgrounds harken to a simpler time, making us sentimental in the process, so it's no wonder that they've become a big trend for weddings.
If you're planning an outdoor wedding, then having it at a campground or a Summer camp - like this California big day or this Moonrise Kingdom-themed wedding (officiated by a camp scout!) - could be an affordable and fun option. The natural setting, be it redwood trees or a glistening lake, requires little more than some handpicked wildflowers to make it wedding-ready. But really, the sky's the limit. So check out these rustic camp ideas for your big day and don't forget your canoe and binoculars!
Paola Ramos's New Vice Series Asks: What Does It Mean to Be Latinx?
In the first episode of her new Vice series Latin-X, Paola Ramos heads to Brownsville, Texas, a town where 90 percent of the population is Latino, and where a serious HIV epidemic has taken hold. It's a testament to the activist and former Hillary Clinton campaign staffer's empathy that she elicits so much openness when it comes to talking about a crisis that is both deeply personal and widely felt in the community - and that's true whether she's speaking to a grandmother at home in her kitchen or a drag queen who's about to put on a show dedicated to sex education.
"These are people that are out there, and they're brave, and are putting their face on these issues," Ramos tells POPSUGAR. "And even now, with everything that's happening with family separation, they're also the ones that are helping these families. They work for other groups. So it's not only the HIV crisis - obviously, that's the story - but it's people who are literally stepping up for their communities in many different ways."
Ramos, the daughter of famed journalist Jorge Ramos, says upcoming episodes of her series will likely focus on immigration, from the mistreatment of transgender detainees under ICE to the aforementioned family separation crisis. But the questions these episodes seek to answer go beyond of-the-moment realities. "Right now, we're just really focused on not only what's happening at the border, but how does one rebuild their life beyond the border, or beyond these detention centers, and make it in the country?"
Read on for our conversation with Ramos on how she stays hopeful in trying times, why the breadth of the Latinx identity is also part of its power, and the role of protest in this political moment.
I Had a Smoothie For Dinner Every Day For 1 Week, and Here's What Happened
I've always been a huge fan of smoothies as part of my regular routine each week, and since I work out of the house, it's very easy for me to make them during the middle of the day. Oftentimes I teach a Pilates or toning class midmorning and will follow my workout with a healthy protein shake or smoothie that I prepared in my NutriBullet. After consumption, I felt refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to take on the remainder of the day without hunger pains nagging at me post-workout.
I decided I wanted to see how it would feel to have a smoothie for dinner instead of lunch for a full week, and the results were pretty incredible!
How I Prepared Ahead of Time
I knew I needed a variety of smoothies to get me through for dinner, so I mapped out three unique recipes for rotation I wanted to try. I made sure each recipe had a balance of fat, protein, and carbohydrates so I would stay full. This was easy to do with almond milk, low-fat yogurt, almond butter, protein powder, and fruit. I bought my fruits ahead of time and washed, sliced, and placed them into individual freezer bags so they would be easily accessible and help me make a very quick dinner when I was ready. By preparing the fruit ahead of time, each smoothie took less than five minutes to mix and blend in the evening for a simple and refreshing dinner!
Examples of some recipes I used were a banana almond smoothie, strawberry smoothie, and mango coconut smoothie.
I Slept Better and Was Surprisingly Satisfied
One of my concerns with drinking the smoothies at night was late-night food cravings. I was worried a smoothie wouldn't be a sufficient dinner and I would miss the chewing and satiety involved with a solid food meal, leading to after-hours snacking. I was pleasantly surprised when I found I didn't think about food the remainder of the evening after consuming my smoothies, and in fact, I felt lighter and better than I do when I have a solid meal. I also slept incredibly well, felt great when I woke up, and experienced a slight drop in my weight over the course of the week. All in all, it was an easy, quick meal to make and I benefited from choosing smoothies for dinner. I do think variety is key, and if I were to do it again, I would need to introduce more flavors and options to keep from getting bored.
Would I Recommend to Clients in the Future?
Absolutely. One of the meals my personal training clients struggle with the most is dinner, and I think recommending a smoothie a couple nights a week takes the pressure off of cooking and introduces a healthy and simple way to get lots of vitamins, minerals, and fluid. I wouldn't recommend having a smoothie every night, but now that Summer is here and the temperatures are heating up, smoothies are the perfect meal when you just don't feel like cooking. My best advice is to keep some protein powder and frozen fruit ready to go so you don't have to think too hard when you want to enjoy a cold blended beverage!
Here's How Long It Takes For You to Actually Lose Belly Fat - It's Faster Than You Think
If you're looking to torch belly fat and lose some inches around your waist, it may seem like a near-impossible feat. The belly is an area where many people want to lose weight, but it's a tough area to lose from; after all, you can't spot-target fat loss with endless crunches or five-minute planks.
The good news is, you can lose belly fat, and if you work hard and work smart, you could see results in a matter of weeks.
"Reduction in waist circumference can be seen in as little as two weeks," personal trainer and registered dietitian Jim White, owner of Jim White Fitness and Nutrition Studios, told POPSUGAR. "Although the rate at which inches are lost depends on the person, with increased activity and calorie reduction, it is possible to see noticeable differences in your waistline."
As far as the numbers go, Jim said you have to eat at a 500-calorie deficit each day to lose a pound a week (one pound of fat equals 3,500 calories). Just be sure you're eating at least 1,200 calories a day to keep your body and brain functioning properly. If you are losing weight with a calorie deficit and exercise, you may also be increasing muscle mass while you lose fat, so the scale would not be the best way to measure your progress. Instead, Jim recommends measuring your waist circumference to track fat-loss progress.
"A larger waist circumference is an indicator for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure," Jim said. "It is possible to lose inches from your waistline within two weeks of beginning a diet and exercise program, with the caveat that those with more abdominal fat will see larger decreases more quickly."
In terms of exercise, he recommends a combination of aerobic exercise, particularly high-intensity aerobic exercise, and strength training. One of the best forms of exercise to target belly fat is Tabata, a style of HIIT exercise that involves 20 seconds of intense work followed by 10 seconds of rest.
With the combination of exercise and nutrition, you will start to see results. Just be sure you are measuring your waist and not just paying attention to the scale.
"Those on a weight-loss plan who focus on both nutrition and fitness have been shown to reduce belly fat quicker than those who only focus on fitness or only focus on nutrition," David Chesworth, certified personal trainer and wellness coach, told POPSUGAR. Bring on the crop tops!
We're Serious - Walmart's Activewear Collection Is So Cute and All Under $20
When shopping for cute and functional workout clothes, there's one retailer that may not come to mind right away but is totally worth a try: Walmart. We were surprised to see the megastore has an impressive amount of activewear, and it's so stylish. Whether you're on the hunt for a supportive sports bra, pastel pink leggings, or formfitting biker shorts, we found it all. Not convinced? We rounded up our favorite finds, and everything is less than $20 - so it won't be hard to treat yourself to more than one (or three!) hot picks. Take a look.
Shaun T Says This Is How Often You Should Lift Weights in a Week to Get Stronger
Shaun T is the creative force behind one of Beachbody's most successful fitness programs, Insanity. Insanity has shown that you don't need to spend countless hours in the gym picking up weights without a purpose. Instead, it's taught people how to use their bodyweight to get in shape and have fun while doing it.
Bodyweight exercises can help you lean out and build strength, but if you want to continue building muscle you're going to need to start weightlifting. When you lift weights, you place your body under a load creating microscopic tears in the muscle fibers. As your muscle fibers begin to repair themselves, they become stronger.
According to Shaun T, "You really only need two days a week [of weightlifting] because you can do your large muscle groups and small muscle groups on different days." The large muscle groups in your body are your chest, back, and legs. Smaller muscle groups target specific muscles like your triceps, biceps, and calves. In order for your muscles to recover, Shaun T said to give your body 48 hours before training the same muscle group. You may find that two times a week isn't enough for your specific goals, and in that event you should consider increasing your weekly strength training sessions. Whether you do HIIT workouts or lift four times a week, Shaun T said that you'll reap the biggest results by being consistent.
15 Booty-Enhancing Exercises You Can Do Right at Home (No Equipment Required!)
Your living room or bedroom can sometimes be the best gym. Although weights are key to booty gains, you can still tone your butt without using any equipment in between gym sessions. Whether you're short on time, dumbbells, or even a membership, we've got you covered with the best at-home exercises you can do virtually anywhere. Grab a mat or a towel for the 15 moves ahead - and expect nothing less than a sore butt tomorrow morning.
Is the Keto Diet Good For Diabetics? A Keto Expert Gives Us the Answer
The keto diet has been a proven tool to help people lose weight and even fight off inflammation. But there's another chronic condition that the keto diet can successfully treat: diabetes. Specifically, type 2 diabetes.
We spoke to Steve Phinney, MD, PhD, chief medical officer at Virta Health, who explained which patients can benefit the most from the keto diet, and how to successfully use the diet to treat type 2 diabetes. He stressed that the treatment of type 2 diabetes with the keto diet should be done under close medical supervision, especially if the patient takes medication that lowers blood sugar or blood pressure as it can lead to dangerous side effects. But once you get the go-ahead from your doctor, here's how it works:
How the Keto Diet Impacts Blood Sugar
To understand how the keto diet plays a role in blood sugar, it's important to understand how your body uses carbohydrates. When you eat carbs, they are broken down into simple sugars that enter the blood stream, which causes blood sugar to rise. In someone who isn't diabetic, the pancreas releases more insulin to help the glucose in your blood center cells where it's then used for fuel.
People with type 2 diabetes, however, have impaired insulin release and a resistance to the insulin once it gets into the blood, Dr. Phinney explained, which can lead to higher blood sugar levels.
With the keto diet, which is marked by a high-fat, moderate-protein, and super low-carb diet, your body goes into a state of ketosis where it starts using fat for energy and releasing ketones. Dr. Phinney said the ketones in the blood will help reduce insulin resistance, which is beneficial for diabetics.
"By making fat their main fuel source, people living with type 2 diabetes are able to harness the powerful biochemistry of nutritional ketosis to lower their blood sugar and insulin levels, and in the majority of cases reverse the disease's underlying pathology," he told POPSUGAR.
By cutting out most carbs and replacing them with a well-formulated ketogenic diet, he said, people with type 2 diabetes are able to reduce their blood sugar closer to the normal range.
What Diabetes Patients Should Know Before Going Keto
First and foremost, diabetes patients shouldn't make any major changes to their diet without speaking with their doctor, including going on the keto diet. It should be an informed decision made by the person and his or her medical provider, especially if the person is already on glucose-lowering medication. Going into ketosis has a major impact on blood sugar and blood pressure levels, so medication should be adjusted accordingly.
Dr. Phinney also emphasized that keto only works if you're consistent; ultimately, it should be thought of as more of a lifestyle change than a temporary diet.
"If an individual living with type 2 diabetes reverts back to eating a higher carb diet after seeing success with a ketogenic diet, it is likely that their blood sugar levels will promptly return to abnormally high levels, requiring immediate medical attention," he said. "I highly recommended working with an expert nutritionist to determine how to make a ketogenic diet fit into your lifestyle, so it is a long-term solution instead of a quick fix."
That being said, the keto diet can be a useful tool for people who have diabetes, when done under close medical supervision. In addition to helping regulate blood sugar levels and fighting insulin resistance, Dr. Phinney notes that the keto diet has powerful anti-inflammatory effects. Since inflammation may be a cause of diabetes, this is especially beneficial for type 2 diabetes patients.
When done properly and under medical supervision, a ketogetnic diet can help reverse type 2 diabetes. If you're thinking of giving it a shot, be sure to talk to your doctor or healthcare provider to create an effective, sustainable plan.
Why Pole Fitness Is the Next Workout Class You Need to Take
When you think of pole dancing, sexy, scantily clad women probably come to mind first. But what should replace that image is athletes. The fact that they look insanely hot while performing those impressive tricks is only just a bonus. I recently took a beginner pole class at San Francisco's VRV3 Studios, and my arms are still aching. I woke up with a sore back, shoulders, and arms, and bruises all over my ankles - battle wounds from one hour of pole work. If you've never taken a pole fitness class before, here's why you should take one ASAP.
For one, pole fitness is a fantastic workout. I was sweating just five minutes in, and though it mostly targets the upper body in beginner-level classes, it becomes a full-body workout once you begin inversions. Not only is it physically demanding, but it's also so much fun! "Many of our students tell us they get bored at the gym, but pole keeps them engaged, mind and body, and it will continually challenge them," Melanie Hsia, VRV3 Studios co-owner and marketing director, told POPSUGAR. The best part is that no prior experience is required for your first class. "Sometimes, people think they need to get strong before they take pole," Melanie said. "Our response: pole is how you get strong!"
Our instructor, Anna Tong, ex-gymnast and co-owner of VRV3 Studios, first led us through a series of strengthening exercises to warm up our arms and shoulders. We easily could've stopped the class right there because the warmup alone was difficult enough. Then, we really got into the fun stuff. We eased into spins with a simple outside step, adding in a back-hook spin at the end. Then we learned a classic fireman spin and eventually worked up to a pole climb, chair spin, mermaid sit, and other beginner tricks. Though my coworker and I suffered from major pole burns, it became apparent why minimal clothing was suggested for class. More skin equals more grip.
Polers (or pole dancers or aerialists) make tricks look beautifully effortless, but pulling off those moves requires an incredible amount of strength, coordination, and body awareness. I initially struggled with even the very basics, like the fireman spin and back-hook spin. Knowing where to place your ankles, legs, and hands and piecing it all together into one fluid movement was definitely not as easy as it looked. But we felt so badass once we got the hang of things.
When I asked Melanie what she has to say to people who think pole fitness is only about being sexy, she responded: "It can be if you want. This is our favorite aspect of pole: you can make it any style you want. The sexy aspect can be empowering, but so can the strength you gain from the fitness aspect. Strong is the new sexy!"
Amen to that!
8 Healthy Starbucks Drinks to Keep You Caffeinated and on Track With Your Fitness Goals
To say that our generation is dependent on coffee is a bit of an understatement (guilty!). And places like Starbucks, who are always coming up with intriguing new ideas like cold brew whipped cream and cold foam that we obviously want to try, keep our coffee addictions strong. And don't even get us started on their delicious wellness tea options.
Most of us throw back a couple cups of coffee or tea each day, so we've done a lot of research on the pros and cons of coffee consumption and what the healthiest teas are. The good news is that for most people, coffee and tea are actually healthy additions to our diet, especially when drinking them without dairy or various forms of sugar.
But a lot of popular drinks might be hindering your health goals due to their high calorie and sugar content. Luckily, we did a little digging to find the 8 healthiest drink options to choose from at Starbucks when you need that extra caffeine or energy boost. While the following drinks are low in calories and carbs, you can ask for modifications and add things like cinnamon for sweetness or swap out dairy milk for almond milk to make your drinks healthier.
- Blonde Roast: The Blonde Roast has a soft and mellow flavor to keep us satisfied without the addition of sugar, milk, or syrups. Without those additives, whether you order a Short, Tall, Grande, or Venti, you're only clocking in five calories with zero fat or sugar.
- Jade Citrus Mint Green Tea: All the benefits from green tea combined with a refreshing burst of citrus and spearmint make this drink perfect for when you need something energizing to fuel your day. While it doesn't have as high of a caffeine value than coffee drinks (about 25 mg in a Tall, and more than 40mg in a Grande), it's definitely a healthy option with zero fat, calories, and sugar. You can also try the Organic Jade Citrus Mint Brewed Tea for a more lemony version.
- Nitro Cold Brew: This slow-steeped drink is super smooth and velvety while being naturally sweet thanks to its infusion of nitrogen. A Grande has about 280mg of caffeine, but only 5 calories and zero fat or sugar.
- Comfort Wellness Brewed Tea: If you're looking to stay away from caffeine but are in need of something comforting, the Comfort Wellness Brewed Tea is a great choice. It's an herbal infusion with a strong flavor profile that doesn't have any caffeine, sugar, fat, or calories, but is loaded with ingredients like lemon, ginger, fennel, mint, and licorice root that provide some well-deserved balance to help you unwind.
- Unsweetened Iced Coffee: A grande unsweetened iced coffee contains about 190mg of caffeine for those days your body needs an extra boost, but only has 5 calories and 0 sugar so it won't affect any diet goals you might have. This drink traditionally comes sweetened, so be sure to ask for the unsweetened modification. You can also get the iced coffee with milk, but remember those will add calories and sugar to you drink. It does, however, create a more luscious texture to your coffee, so we suggest the unsweetened version with almond milk which only adds about 15 more calories, 1 gram of fat, and 1 gram of sugar.
- Teavana Teas: Teavana teas come in a variety of flavors and you can drink them warm or iced. Each Grande size has under 200 calories even with the addition of sugar and dairy. Our favorites are the caffeine-free Shaken Iced Passion Tango Tea with hibiscus, lemongrass, and apple that only has about 45 calories and 11 grams of sugar for a Grande, and the zero calorie, fat, or sugar caffeine-packed Organic Chai Tea, which is a black tea infused with warming spices like clove, cardamom, and cinnamon.
- Caffè Americano: If you're craving something creamy without dairy or sugar, the Caffè Americano hits the spot. This drink is essentially shots of espresso topped with hot water that resemble and taste like a layer of crema. With just around 15 calories and 225mg of caffeine, this drink is perfect for those days you need a jolt of energy.
- Cappuccino: Cappuccinos are rich, smooth, and delicious. The traditional way of making this drink at Starbucks with 2 percent milk comes in at about 120 calories for a Grande, with 4 grams of fat and 12 grams of carbs. If you want to make this drink healthier, you can ask your barista for almond milk instead for about 100 calories and 6 grams of fat.
This Is What Happened When I Ate Pizza and Pasta Every Day For a Week
Keto, intermittent fasting, Whole30 . . . people are in constant search for the next weight-loss solution. We're willing to go to such great lengths to achieve our desired physique, whether it means eliminating this or reducing that - but at what point are we sacrificing personal happiness? While I'm all for promoting a healthy diet, I do not believe in deprivation of any kind, especially if it calls for cutting out carbs. And I don't know about you, but I consider pizza and pasta to be synonymous with happiness, which is why I pitched an editor experiment that encourages a better relationship with food. I offered to eat pizza or pasta every single day for one week (I know, I'm so selfless) - here's how it went down.
Each day of my "diet" required eating pasta or pizza either for lunch or dinner. And guess what? By the very end of the week, I looked and felt exactly the same as I did before I started. Cue the gasps. But here are three things I did notice:
- It made me want to work out more. Admittedly, eating pizza and pasta every day did make me feel a little guilty. But as a result, it motivated me to the hit the gym more times that week than usual.
- My workouts were better. On top of having more motivation, I also felt like I had more energy, which really helped me maximize my workouts. I even beat my personal best on the treadmill.
- My cravings decreased. I didn't find myself looking for snacks throughout the day because I got my fix at lunch or dinner.
Now, I didn't pitch this idea in search of any sort of body transformation. What had inspired it, aside from the obvious, was because I know how easy it is to get caught up in calorie counting, macro tracking, or whatever else method is out there. As a fitness editor, I see which topics resonate most with our readers, which are often weight loss and diets. We're always looking for the next best thing that can guarantee results, and I get it. But what many don't realize is that eating a salad-only diet doesn't automatically make you healthy; nor does allowing yourself to indulge make you any less. Like with anything, moderation is key. As long as you exercise regularly and eat clean the rest of the time, you'll be fine.
We need to stop demonizing certain foods and instead, learn to adopt a lifestyle that balances what we love and what we need. Like I've said before, treat yourself because you want it, not because you "deserve" it. Punishing yourself for falling weak to another cheat meal is not a healthy practice. Rather than cutting out foods you're not supposed to eat, enjoy them and then pile on the veggies if you really want to make up for it. Am I going to continue eating carbs unapologetically? Absolutely. Life's too short, so have your pizza and pasta and eat it, too.
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