Healthy lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is one which helps to keep and improve people's health and well-being.Many governments and non-governmental organizations have made big efforts in healthy lifestyle and health promotion.
Mental Health
Mental health can be considered a very important factor of physical health for the effects it produces on bodily functions. This type of health concerns emotional and cognitive well-being or an absence of mental disorder.
Public health
Public health can be defined in a variety of ways. It can be presented as "the study of the physical, psychosocial and socio-cultural determinants of population health and actions to improve the health of the population.
Reproductive Health
For the UN, reproductive health is a right, like other human rights. This recent concept evokes the good transmission of the genetic heritage from one generation to the next.
Health
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
vendredi 7 septembre 2018
In Case You're Confused, Here's EXACTLY How The Nun Connects to The Conjuring
Image Source: Warner Bros.
Warning: spoilers for The Nun are in this post!
Going in to see The Nun, there's no real mystery as to how it connects to the rest of the films in The Conjuring's expanding universe. After all, the demon Valak appears as the habit-donning monster in The Conjuring 2 and even shows up during a postcredits scene at the and of Annabelle: Creation. The real mystery, of course, is how. How does a terrifying nun monster from the 1900s come to haunt Lorraine Warren? Luckily, we do get an answer by the end of The Nun; not only does it connect back to the universe, but it also gives us a supercool full-circle moment that lands right back in The Conjuring's first film. Last chance to turn back before I spoil some things!
OK, so, I'm not going to spend a lot of time talking about the end of The Nun. The basic, basic gist is this: Father Burke (Demián Bichir) and Sister Irene (Taissa Farmiga) think they've vanquished the evil Valak with the help of a local farmboy who calls himself Frenchie, née Maurice. But in the last moments before we leave Romania for good, we realize it's not Irene we have to worry about, because Valak has actually possessed Maurice!
Image Source: Everett Collection
Cut to a scene that actually appears in The Conjuring: about 40 minutes in, we're at some kind of college lecture that Ed and Lorraine Warren are giving on possession. Carolyn Perron, whose house is plagued by some kind of presence, is in attendance. Ed and Lorraine play footage from an old case in which a man named Maurice was possessed by a demon. In the footage within the scene, we see the actor who plays Maurice (Jonas Bloquet), and he's clearly succumbed to the evil inside him. At the very last moment, he lets out an inhuman howl and looks directly at Lorraine. Lorraine screams.
And there you have it! Though Valak doesn't really appear until the second film in the Conjuring series, we get to throw it all the way back to the beginning to connect another thread. What's interesting is that "Maurice," who originally appeared in The Conjuring, is different, meaning they must have reshot that scene to tie it back into The Nun. Even so, it's cool to see how the creators found a way to throw it back. That's pretty awesome, right?
Here's How the Dark and Twisted Ending of The Nun Goes Down
Warning: the following post contains complete spoilers for The Nun!
Going into a prequel movie like The Nun can be tricky. After all, we already know how it should end: the demon Valak, better and more ominously known as The Nun, will have to emerge victorious if it's going to eventually move on to haunt Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga) in The Conjuring 2. The characters of Father Burke (Demián Bichir) and Sister Irene (Taissa Farmiga) are doomed from the start. Without giving too much away (before I dive into a post ripe with spoilers, teehee), I was pleasantly surprised by the way the creative powers that be handled the story. If you're curious about how they managed to pull off their twist, I'm outlining the entire ending below. This is your last chance to turn back!
OK, so you basically know the gist of the story: Father Burke and Sister Irene go to some remote part of Romania to investigate the suicide of a nun. Once they arrive, they meet the man who discovered the body: a laborer who calls himself "Frenchie." From there, it's a pretty quick turnaround to get them up to the haunted convent, and all hell breaks loose shortly thereafter. Their first night kicks off with scares: Father Burke gets buried alive, while Sister Irene gets terrorized by the demon.
The next day, Burke reads a bunch of books, trying to identify the nature of the demon they're dealing with, while Irene interviews the surviving nuns of the convent. She learns that some crazy duke once opened a gate to Hell on these grounds, and they must pray constantly to keep the evil at bay. Burke learns that the demon is called Valak, and it means business. Cue nightfall.
After a particularly scary sequence, Burke rescues Irene in the chapel, and she realizes all the nuns she's been talking to are long dead, mere specters or visions that are trying to help her solve the mystery. Also, Frenchie inexplicably shows up again at the convent to help them defeat evil. Irene realizes the gate to Hell, which they must close, is in the catacombs. The basement also contains a very important artifact, which they need to seal the gate: the blood of Christ, contained in a glass vial.
The three find the vial and of course get separated in the bowels of the convent. Valak sets sights on a human host to inhabit: Irene. Frenchie and Burke attempt to throw themselves at Valak to save the day, but they are quickly cast aside. All seems lost. Valak holds Irene down in a shallow pool of water until she drowns. This is the ending we expected, right? You'd think it's the moment when Valak wins and possesses Irene's body as the life drains out of her, then goes off into the world. But that's not what happens!
It turns out Irene has put the blood of Christ in her mouth (ew?), and once Valak pulls her out of the water, she spits the blood right in Valak's face. Valak recoils, horrified and burning from the blood, and the water all drains out of the room and into the gaping hole on the floor; it's the original gate to Hell that they've been trying to close all along. Once Valak goes back to the depths of the darkness, the gate closes shut. It's a surprising end that leaves the viewer a bit perplexed, because Valak was supposed to win.
In the aftermath of the terrible ordeal, the trio prepare to leave the convent for good. Irene asks Frenchie - he reveals his name is actually Maurice - if he'll stick around, but he says he's had enough of Romania. Suddenly, in a closeup on his neck, we see a small protrusion: it's an upside-down cross, meaning Valak has actually possessed Maurice and not Irene. In a flashback, we're led to assume that Valak jumped into Maurice right after strangling him and just before the whole water encounter.
The stinger at the end shows how Valak finally makes contact with Lorraine Warren: the demon eventually consumes Maurice completely, and Ed and Lorraine are on hand to assist in the exorcism. The rest is history.
I Waited For a Postcredits Scene After The Nun So You Don't Have To
Warning: I'm putting a spoiler note just in case, but frankly, didn't you know what you were clicking into?
The Nun has finally arrived, meaning we've successfully expanded The Conjuring's universe just a little bit more. While this addition to the horror canon isn't quite as based in fact as its predecessors allegedly are, it's still filled with delicious scares, gut-wrenching twists, and more. And given the fact that its predecessor Annabelle: Creation had two postcredit snippets, I settled in after the final scene to see what sort of teaser-y fun The Nun may hold. Reader, I'm sorry to inform you that there was not a single postcredits frame to be found.
That's right: this time around, director Corin Hardy has opted not to include a stinger at the end. That's OK, I guess, although I really would have appreciated a hint about what's next to come. Are we going to get The Conjuring 3? Are we getting another movie about The Nun, picking up where the end leaves off? Oh well, I guess we'll just have to wait for news announcements the old-fashioned way. Like peasants! Get on the Marvel Cinematic Universe's level, The Conjuring universe.
A Brand-New Surgeon Is Coming to Grey's Anatomy, and He's Going to Make History
Everyone give a warm Seattle welcome to Dr. Nico Kim! TVLine reports that the new doctor, played by relative newcomer Alex Landi, is set to join Grey's Anatomy's upcoming 15th season when it debuts at the end of September, and he's going to make history for one very important reason: Nico will be the series's first gay male surgeon.
Over the course of the last 14 years, there has obviously been plenty of LGBTQ+ representation on the medical drama. Callie Torres (Sara Ramirez), a bisexual surgeon, was in a passionate (and rocky) relationship with lesbian Arizona Robbins (Jessica Capshaw) for years. In the more recent seasons, intern Casey (played by Alex Blue Davis) comes out as "a proud trans man" to Dr. Bailey in the season 14 episode "Out of Nowhere." That being said, none of the prominent LGBTQ+ characters have been male surgeons.
As for Landi, the NYC-born actor is half-Korean and half-Italian and prior to now has appeared in bit roles in TV shows like Bull and Childlike. His recurring stint on the long-running drama will begin this Fall, but other than that, details about Nico are scant. ABC has only confirmed the casting so far, declining to provide additional details about Landi's character or how long he'll be operating at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.
Wave Your Hands Up in the Air, Wildcats: A High School Musical TV Show Is Coming
Although the long-rumored High School Musical 4 has yet to come to fruition, we have news of the next best thing: a High School Musical TV show. Disney is rebooting the beloved series - well, technically - for its brand-new streaming service, and this time around, things are getting meta.
For starters, the show's name is High School Musical: The Musical, and it will be shot docu-style as the story plays out over the course of 10 episodes. And, if you haven't guessed it already, the students at East High who decide to put on a musical for their Winter theater production don't pick Grease or Guys and Dolls; they're putting on the High School Musical. Confused yet? According to The Hollywood Reporter, the series will follow the students as they "realize that as much drama happens off-stage as on stage." What's more, every episode will feature a brand-new rendition of a song from the first film, along with an original song.
High School Musical: The Musical is being executive produced by Tim Federle and Oliver Goldstick, the latter of whom worked on Freeform's Pretty Little Liars and therefore knows his way around teenage drama. The cast has yet to be decided, but casting director Julie Ashton is on the hunt for eight series regular roles. Think you have what it takes to star in the new show? Check out the descriptions for the three lead characters, below.
- Ricky: Described as "a snarky sweetheart" and "a B-minus student," Ricky will be the star of (presumably) both shows and is also dating fellow student Nini. Their unexpected breakup is what gives him the idea to star opposite her in the school play in an effort to win her back.
- Nini: It's finally Nini's time to go from chorus girl to star, and she also has a brand-new boyfriend from Summer camp on her arm. She is described as "an iron butterfly" and was voted "most likely to have a Hamilton lyric as her senior quote."
- E.J.: Completing the love triangle between Nini and Ricky is E.J., who is "the type of ambitious entrepre-nerd who brings homemade props to auditions." He is competitive to a fault and isn't going to let anything (or anyone) get in his way of costarring with Nini in the musical.
There's still no official release date for the show, but since Disney's streaming service is set to launch sometime in early 2019, you can bet a premiere date will be around the same time.
Party of Five Is Officially Getting Rebooted on Freeform, but With a Fresh Twist
Apparently, 2018 is the year we'll all become re-obsessed with our favorite '90s franchises. Between the Charmed reboot and another shot at Sister, Sister, we thought all of our nostalgic series dreams had already come true . . . but then came the news that Party of Five will return to screens sometime soon.
If you're envisioning picking up where the original story left off - which was like Seventh Heaven meets The Boxcar Children - think again. The Hollywood Reporter reported back in January that Freeform had picked up the series, and now it's officially moving forward with a pilot order for the reboot, so we'll get at least one episode of the new series. Although original creators Christopher Keyser and Amy Lippman penned the script for the drama, they're adding in a pretty fresh twist - this take on the story will follow a new group of siblings in the wake of their parents' unexpected deportation to Mexico. So don't expect to see Lacey Chabert, Matthew Fox, and the rest of the cast reprise their roles (unless they make cameos) in the reboot!
"Twenty-five years ago, we imagined a story about five kids navigating the world after the untimely death of their parents," Lippman and Keyser said in a statement on Sept. 6. "Today, stories of families being separated, children having to raise themselves in the wake of their parents' deportations, don't require any imagination; they are everywhere. This new iteration of Party of Five isn't a retread of the original; it's a whole new look at kids trying to parent each other in the wake of circumstances beyond their control, yet learning a similar lesson: that families persist no matter how great the obstacles."
For original '90s fans and a new generation of teen viewers who are less familiar with Party of Five, Freeform will reportedly begin airing reruns of the series several nights a week leading up to the reboot. Keep your eyes peeled for details, because we're sure to get the scoop on casting news and release dates sometime soon.
100 Sexy Mila Kunis Pics That Prove Ashton Kutcher Is the Luckiest Man Alive
Mila Kunis has been in the spotlight for over 20 years, but her career has never been better (and neither has her body). When she's not looking insanely cute with Ashton Kutcher or proudly defending her title as "realest mom out there," she's killing it both on and off screen - most recently alongside Kate McKinnon in The Spy Who Dumped Me (which has gifted us with a comedic duo we never even knew we were missing from our lives). From spoiled teen Jackie Burkhart on That '70s Show to a stunning mama of two, here are just 100 of Mila's sexiest looks along the way.
Ashley Graham and Justin Ervin's US Open PDA Is So Cute, We Forgot About the Game
The US Open continued in NYC on Wednesday night, but we got so distracted by Ashley Graham and husband Justin Ervin that we totally forgot about the game. The couple were as cute as ever as they cuddled and shared a few kisses in the stands. Ashley looked so happy while she and Justin snapped some fun selfies and gave each other heart-eyes. Seriously, how adorable are they?
Ashley and Justin have been married since 2010, and from the looks of it, they're still crazy about each other. Over the Summer, the pair could hardly keep their hands off each other while vacationing in Italy and they had an incredibly sexy workout session in NYC. Check out even more photos from their cute date night ahead.
The Romantic Moment We Totally Missed During Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Recent Outing
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's recent appearance at the 2018 WellChild Awards was full of incredibly sweet moments, but there was a special one we totally missed. In a newly surfaced video, Harry is shown lovingly rubbing Meghan's back while meeting with a 10-year-old girl named Scarlett who was honored at the ceremony for looking after her sick sister. Of course, Harry and Meghan are no strangers to showing PDA, and wrapping their arms around each other's backs just so happens to be one of their signature moves. Aw!
Ciao, Bella! See the Most Glamorous Photos From the Venice Film Festival
The Venice Film Festival is going down in Italy this week, and some of the biggest stars from stage and screen have showed up to debut their projects. Lady Gaga was the picture of Old Hollywood glamour as she sat perched on the edge of a water taxi for her festival entrance, as was Natalie Portman, who shimmered in a glittery gold gown. while Ryan Gosling reappeared looking as hot as ever on the red carpet. Also on hand for the fun is Ryan's La La Land costar Emma Stone, who stars in The Favourite with Jennifer Lawrence's ex-boyfriend Nicholas Hoult and Taylor Swift's current boyfriend, Joe Alwyn. Keep reading to see all the glamorous shots from Venice!
Are You a Lipstick Hoarder? Don't Worry, Sarah Hyland Is Too
When you want to know Sarah Hyland's every thought on The Bachelor contestants, award show parties, and face mask binges with boyfriend Wells Adams, you follow her on Instagram. If you want the dirt on precisely how she looks so damn good during every single second of it, you ask her makeup artist, Allan Avendaño.
The two have worked together for nine years - right around the time Modern Family first started - and they've been inseparable ever since. Within that time, like any good friendship, there have been countless selfies, heart-to-hearts, glam sessions, and yes . . . stolen makeup.
"Every lipstick I've ever used on her, she keeps - no matter what brand it is," Avendaño says with a laugh. "I give her a lot of makeup. The funny thing is that she'll show up and I'll be like, 'I'm so sorry, I don't have that color in my kit today.' And then I'll say to her, 'Wait, you have one, because I gave you three last time!' I went into her glam room and found out she's a straight-up makeup hoarder. It's mostly lipstick, because she doesn't wear foundation or anything like that, but if I were to go searching through her house, I guarantee you I'd find a bucket of lipsticks somewhere. I don't know if she'll kill me for saying that, but guess what, girl? It's true."
Ahead, he spills the products you'll find in her beauty stash - and exactly how she paid him back for all that lipstick.
30 of the Best Emmys Beauty Looks of All Time
With the Emmy Awards a few short weeks away, the excitement of seeing our favorite celebrities' beauty looks is making us nostalgic for the hair and makeup looks of years past. Some of our favorite stars have walked the red carpet dressed to the nines in honor of our favorite TV shows.
In the last 20 years alone, we've found endless inspiration for our next haircut or new tube of lipstick from everyone from Jennifer Aniston to Kerry Washington. So, after careful consideration, we've looked back at the most impressive beauty styles to ever grace the Emmys. And the award goes to . . .
I'm a Mascara Snob, and This One Passes All My Tests With Flying Colors
Mascara, for me, is a desert-island beauty product - the only time you will ever catch me without it is if I'm working out in the morning. Seriously, I've even gone snorkeling with the stuff on; the goggles mean my eyes won't get wet. Because I love mascara so much, I'm always trying out new formulas, and I have a very strict set of standards by which I judge a product. It has to provide equal parts length and volume, it can't be clumpy, and it can't produce the dreaded under-eye flaking at the end of the day. I do not compromise when it comes to my mascara, and I've finally found the one product that lives up to my expectations.
Buxom's Lash Mascara ($22) was brought to my attention by its stellar ratings online. The plethora of positive testimonials drew me in, and when I saw the comment "I've worn it for over 12 hours per day with NO raccoon eyes," I was sold. And let me tell you, it works. The brush is oversize, and honestly takes a little getting used to, but the results are mind-blowing. The first time I wore it, my best friend asked if I had eyelash extensions. It lengthens, volumizes, and holds a curl; this is the mascara I turn to when I have to put my best face forward.
Emily Ratajkowski's Date-Night Makeup Takes 5 Minutes, but Costs $292
Despite only taking five minutes to do, Emily Ratajkowski's date-night beauty look is packed with products. The 27-year-old model and actress recently did a makeup tutorial for Vogue, re-creating the simple and sultry makeup she often wears on nights out with her husband, Sebastian Bear-McClard.
The tutorial consists of more affordable items, like Maybelline's Great Lash Mascara, as well as plenty of luxury products from Charlotte Tilbury and Pat McGrath. All in all, the 12 products she uses in the tutorial come in at $292. Ratajkowski shares some solid tips, too, like how to re-create '90s-inspired blush. Watch the tutorial ahead and then shop every product mentioned.
Related: Someone Get Us a Cold Compress - Emily Ratajkowski's Beauty Selfies Are Too Damn Hot
Every Beauty Moment From the 1998 Emmy Awards That Has Stood the Test of Time
The Emmys are just a few weeks away, and we can't wait to see what stunning beauty looks our favorite celebrities will rock on the red carpet. With so many '90s trends making a comeback, we wouldn't be surprised if this year's stars take a little inspiration from the looks we saw at 50th Annual Emmy Awards back in 1998.
Stars like Katie Holmes, Angelina Jolie, and Halle Berry all sported hair and makeup looks that were not only innovative and trendsetting at the time, but are still super relevant and stylish by today's standards. While we'll have to wait a little longer to see what beauty trends will reign supreme at this year's ceremony, take a trip down memory lane to see the best beauty moments from 20 years ago.
10 Hair Products From Urban Outfitters That Will Give You Cool-Girl Hair
As you're shopping at Urban Outfitters for your flare jeans and band tees, don't forget to swing by the beauty section for a selection of incredible accessories and hairstyling products to complete your cool-girl look.
The retailer carries a ton of blogger-favorite brands like Ouai and R+Co, as well as harder to find brands like Good Dye Young, which will make your hair Instagram-ready.
Whether you're trying to master the elusive, effortless beach waves or wanting to step up your ponytail game, Urban Outfitters has an impressive selection of products that will elevate your hair to meet your street style needs. Ahead, you'll find the best of the store's hair products to add to your cart as you shop.
50 States of Quirky Town Names
The United States is an interesting place, to say the least. With such a huge variety of people and culture and history, it's no wonder there's also a huge variety of interesting city names as well. Sure, you have the run-of-the-mill names like New York, but did you know there's a town in Utah called Virgin? Or a place in Georgia called Butts County? Those do indeed exist. For even more quirky city names, keep reading.
7 Nontouristy Travel Destinations For Those Who Hate People
Some of us just don't like people, and that's OK. But the struggle of not wanting to be surrounded by crowds becomes even more real when it comes to travel - unless you know where to escape to. We've searched for stunning destinations that aren't overridden by tourists so that you don't have to sacrifice your sanity on your next vacation. The next time you really need to get away from everyone, look to these seven spots around the world.
Long, Brisk Nights Call For This Roster of Fun Fall Cocktails
The nights are longer and a chill hangs in the air, but on the upside there's more time for nighttime festivities to play out. Whether you're looking for something to sip while sitting by the fireplace or planning to host a dinner party, there are plenty of fun Fall cocktails to choose from. These 33 recipes make the most of seasonal fruits and flavors and are sure to help you embrace Autumn.
Should You Buy a Disney World Annual Pass?
Walt Disney World is a magical place filled with memories and countless adventures for everyone. Let's be honest, Walt Disney World is also very expensive, and many people plan for years to go there. Everything from tickets, to food, and extra entertainment costs at the parks, but what if there was a way to save money, and get to go to all four Walt Disney World theme parks with limited blackout times?
A Walt Disney World annual pass might be the thing for you if you visit regularly and are willing to commit to going to the parks for a whole year. There are varying levels of annual pass options at Walt Disney World, but let's assume that you live outside of the state of Florida, meaning your pass would be the Platinum Pass for non-Florida residents. The Platinum Pass costs $849 (plus tax) for ages three and up. There is a monthly payment plan option, but it's only available for Florida residents.
Is a Disney World annual pass worth it? Keep reading to learn more about the perks and decide for yourself if it's the right fit for you!
Related: Is a Disneyland Pass Worth It? We Asked Pass-Holders to Find Out
The Ultimate Fall Bucket List For 2018
Don't let Fall pass you by without getting in the spirit. It's not meant to be a time to just lay on the couch! That's why we created a fun and enjoyable checklist for you to print out and put on your fridge. We challenge you to complete all of these activities before Fall is over. Take a look - we promise you'll be more excited for Autumn than ever.
The best part? You can complete many of these activities even easier when you subscribe to the POPSUGAR Must Have box. You get over $300 worth of products for only $75, so you would be snagging everything for a major discount. It's the seasonal treat that will take your day-to-day to the next level.
Can You Have Sugar Alcohols on the Keto Diet? A Dietitian and Keto Expert Explains
As the keto diet has grown in popularity, more and more people are eschewing sugar and simple carbohydrates to get their body into the fat-burning state of ketosis. And since the diet follows a pretty strict macro breakdown of 70 to 80 percent fat, 15 to 20 percent protein, and five to 10 percent carbs (this usually amounts to fewer than 50 grams of carbs a day), many people turn to artificial sweeteners and sugar substitutes to keep their sugar and carb count down.
One of the most popular sweeteners found in sugar-free processed food is sugar alcohol, including xylitol, erythritol, sorbitol, mannitol, maltitol, and lactitol. Sure, sugar alcohols add zero to minimal calories and carbs, but are they allowed on the keto diet?
"Sugar alcohols may be incorporated into a ketogenic diet for most people," says Brittanie Volk, PhD, RD, senior clinical and patient engagement specialist at Virta Health. However, she added that people on a ketogenic diet should stick to whole, unprocessed food, which are void of sugar alcohols. "But they can be used as an alternative sweetener in replacement of table sugar if needed," she said, and sugar alcohols have little to no impact on blood sugar levels.
However, since sugar alcohols aren't easily absorbed in the digestive tract, they can come with some nasty GI side effects if you eat too much of them, including gas, bloating, and diarrhea. And eating them could increase your cravings for sugary food. If this happens, Dr. Volk recommends pulling back on your consumption of sugar alcohols. Also, be sure to keep them away from your dog, as they are toxic for dogs.
"Bottom line: sugar alcohols can be incorporated in to a ketogenic diet in limited amounts, but they certainly are not a must," Dr. Volk says. "If you decide to use them, experimenting and testing your blood glucose and ketone values will help to determine if they are right for you!"
What's on My Plate Is Actually None of Your Business
Have you ever heard of a pescetarian? If your answer is yes, I congratulate you for being smarter than Microsoft Word. As I write this story, the term is being underlined in red by the word processing program because it doesn't recognize it. While I'm still reflecting on whether I should feel offended by this fact, I'll let the Merriam-Webster dictionary clarify that a pescetarian is one whose diet includes fish but no other meat. Pretty simple, isn't it? But try explaining to Word (and many people) that I am also gluten free and try to avoid dairy products. What does that make me? Only God knows! But what I do know is that these food choices very often result in questions from family, friends, and colleagues ranging from funny to pretty annoying.
Does it really matter whether I dropped meat from my diet because of ethical reasons or a taste preference? Why do you want to know if I am lactose intolerant? Think about it: the motivations for eating and not eating certain foods might be quite personal and involve religion or medical conditions. Why should anyone share this private information with you?
As for myself, I am more than happy to tell you (and my mum, for yet another time) that I made these changes to my diet because I want to be the best and healthiest version of myself. And I realized that the food I put into my body has a huge impact on it. I could instead go on for hours about how I feel more energized, lighter, and less bloated. But the gist is as simple as it is powerful: not eating certain foods makes me feel better and happy!
No, this is not about wanting to be skinny. And for the record, I can still join you at a fast food restaurant. You might be surprised, but I am usually able to find some kind of food that fits my dietary requirements anywhere. Just don't hate on me - or your family member, friend, or colleague - if you see us with a plate of greens without dressing in front of us. That's probably because that's all they've got on the menu for us. Trust me, we'd much rather have something like a gluten-free veggie burger if we could.
And that's actually the point: we could! We had the option and we chose to sit down with you and keep you company at that fast food restaurant. So don't make fun of us or food-shame us. Don't question what's on our plate. In turn, we won't lecture you about how unhealthy that dish you just shoveled into your mouth just was. Because we respect you and your food choices, and so should you respect us. Because no matter what we eat (or do not eat) because of religious belief, for ethical reasons, because of a taste preference, or for the sake of trying to be healthy: it is supposed to make us happy and feel better. And that's all that should matter to you.
A Trainer Shares a 5-Minute, Kickass Ab-Toning Workout You Can Do Anywhere
Let's be completely honest: sometimes your ab routines can become extremely stale and boring. In my opinion, if your workout is boring - and you're dreading it before you begin - the more likely you are to half-ass it or just skip it entirely. I don't like either option.
To prevent just going through the motions or skipping workouts altogether, I created the following five-minute ab workout. In five minutes, you'll strengthen and tone your transverse abdominis (your deep core muscles), your obliques, and your rectus abdominis; working all the layers of your abs is essential to sculpting a six-pack (and don't forget having a clean diet).
The Workout
- This workout should be performed as a circuit; complete 30 seconds of each exercise, then quickly transition to the following exercise. You should aim to take as little rest as possible in between exercises.
- Once you've completed the fifth and last exercise, rest for 60 seconds, then repeat the circuit for one more round.
- Do this workout two to three times a week.
Model credit: Morgan Simone
Build a Big Booty With This 3-Move Bodyweight Workout
If you want a firm, round, large butt, you've got to put in the work. You know how the saying goes: if you don't use it, you lose it. Vanity aside, having strong glutes will reduce your risk of developing dormant butt syndrome and associated lower-back pain; will improve your athletic performance in activities like sprinting, long-distance running, and plyometric exercises; and can even prevent and alleviate knee pain. Convinced? Good.
To help you strengthen your glutes and sculpt a sexy booty while you're at it, I created a three-move bodyweight workout you can do anywhere. Before you get started, be sure to warm up with exercises like butt kicks, high knees, glute bridges, and plank walkouts.
The Workout:
After warming up, perform each exercise with little or no rest between moves, resting 90 seconds between rounds. Complete a total of five rounds, then cool down with three minutes of stretching.
- Walking lunges: 24 reps
- Step-ups: 20 reps
- Single-leg glute bridges: 12 reps each leg
Keep reading for a detailed explanation of the exercises.
Sculpt a Lean 6-Pack With the Help of These 30 Ab Workout Videos
Make working your abs easy by just following along to these videos! From five minutes to 30, all these workouts focus on your entire core including your upper and lower abs, obliques, and back muscles. As a bonus, many of these videos include total-body moves to sculpt your arms, legs, and butt, and they'll also get your heart rate up to burn fat.
Some of these videos require zero equipment, and some need weights, a booty band, or towels, so you can choose the workout that suits your needs. You'll definitely want to bookmark this to have for the gym, at home, or when traveling.
If You're Trying to Lose Weight, You Should Avoid These 6 Proteins
If you live an active lifestyle, you know just how important having an adequate amount of protein in your diet is. Certified dietitian Leslie Langevin, MS, RD, CD, of Whole Health Nutrition, says to aim for "no more than 20 to 30 grams of protein at each meal." Langevin's recommendation falls within the CDC's for women ages 19 to 70 of an average of 46 grams of protein per day. Some women might even need double that amount if they're trying to build muscle.
But how are you getting that protein? We all want to take care of our health and reach our goals, but there are some sources of protein you're going to want to avoid along the way. Not all proteins are created equally, so we've rounded up the worst six that you should stay far away from or practice moderation with to stay on track with your weight loss goals.
10 Workout Moves That Will Make You Want to Wear a Backless Dress Every Damn Day
You can do ab exercises all day, but if you want a strong core, you need to work your back, too. People confuse the core with abs, but in truth your abdominal muscles are just a part of the bigger picture: your core starts at your shoulders and ends at your hips, front and back, and all the way around.
If you overwork your abs without building up your back, you have created a muscle imbalance and become more prone to pain and injury. To help you work all of your upper body, try these 10 back exercises. The best part is you can do them at home with nothing more than a pair of hand weights.
According to Experts, This Is the Most Effective Way For Women to Lose Belly Fat
When it comes to burning body fat, a lot of women have the same target area: the belly. Much to the chagrin of many of us, belly fat is notoriously stubborn, and it's important to note that you can't spot reduce fat. In other words, simply being diligent about crunches isn't going to help you achieve your goal.
"Just as you can not influence where your body stores dreaded excess fat when it packs it on, you can't control where your metabolism opts to pull from when it taps into fat stores, which incidentally tends not to be from the region we gain it in the first place," Corey Phelps, founder and CEO of Cultivate by Corey and creator of the Cultivate365 program, told POPSUGAR.
That's not to say that we're powerless to reduce belly fat. A combination of diet and exercise can help us achieve this goal in a healthy manner. What types of diet and exercise, you ask? Here's what experts have to say about the nutrition and workout aspects of losing belly fat - and keeping it off.
I Went From Drinking a Gallon of Water a Day to Almost Nothing by Accident - Here's What Happened
Water is pretty much a magical elixir. It can clear up your skin, boost your metabolism, keep your energy levels high, and stave off bloating. Knowing that, a few months ago, after reading a million articles on why water is the answer to everything, I decided to dive into the "more is better" mindset and set my daily water goal to a gallon.
Every hour, I drank about 16 ounces of water. I struggled at the beginning and even got nauseous a bit, but I labored on, convinced that the life-changing results I'd heard of were just around the corner and feeling proud of myself that I'd lived through yet another day of this new way of life. But going from not drinking much water to drinking a gallon wasn't sustainable for me.
Apparently "more is better" goes hand in hand with "all or nothing" for me, and fast-forward to a week later when life got busy and my gallon-a-day challenge vanished into the air. I found myself at level zero again, drinking absolutely no water and too busy to notice. As you can guess, this really isn't an ideal scenario and it taught me a lot about the importance of keeping a balanced intake of water in mind at all times. Here are the symptoms that made me realized I had slacked on hydration.
- I felt like sh*t. Excuse the language, because there's literally no other way to put this. At the time, I didn't know that this was because I was dehydrated, but I generally felt terrible and I couldn't pinpoint why. I was confused and thought it was just stress, but only after a week did I realize that I was drinking almost no water.
- Things in the bathroom got tough. Let's just say that everything didn't move quite as smoothly as it did before, and my bathroom trips were a lot more infrequent and longer. Enough said, moving on.
- I couldn't sleep. This was by far the worst consequence I faced during this week. Gone were my peaceful nights of sleep. I would lay awake in bed for hours, wondering why I couldn't sleep and when I finally did, it was a restless slumber. I was woken up by a parched throat and couldn't go back to sleep. Torture, I tell you, absolute torture.
- I was exhausted. You know how you feel at about 3:00 pm when there's no caffeine to keep you going? Yeah, that was me pretty much all the time. I felt completely drained through the day and was running on caffeine and no sleep.
- I was moody. Suffice to say that I wasn't the best person to be around during this time. I was constantly snapping at everyone around me, irritable, and susceptible to several mood swings throughout the day.
- I started breaking out. My precious clear skin was gone no matter how many over-the-counter treatments I tried. I started to break out somewhere along the third day of low water. I've almost never struggled with dry skin, but if the acne wasn't enough, my skin was also irritatingly dry. I also had severely chapped lips.
- I was hangry. Without that gallon of water to fill me up, I was hungry all the time. I couldn't get to an hour after breakfast without reaching for something else, and those sugar cravings started to hit hard some time on the third day.
They say you don't know what you have until it's gone and I learned that first-hand. Needless to say, I am never, ever not paying attention to my water consumption. My water bottle is now a permanent fixture in my life, and here to stay.
An Exclusive Workout to Accentuate Curves and Sculpt Muscle, Straight From Rihanna's Trainer
Rihanna has been my crush since she released her debut album, Music of the Sun, in 2005. So, naturally, when I got the opportunity to do a one-on-one session with her trainer Dede Lagree at Form50 in New York, I felt that much closer to being best friends with the Bad Gal herself.
The Lagree Fitness Method is loved by celebrities like Meghan Markle, Ashley Graham, and Viola Davis. As someone who always works out - my favorite training modalities are weightlifting and sprinting - I can vouch that the Lagree Method is no joke. The infamous slow tempo of a megaformer class certainly challenges your balance and stability, causing your muscles to quiver hours after your workout is over.
In a recent interview for the British Vogue September issue, Rihanna said that she's ready to start working out again, with one caveat: she doesn't want to lose her butt, hips, and thighs. This at-home Lagree workout, using sliders to mimic the motion of the megaformer, will do the exact opposite, as it's all about strengthening the legs, booty, and abs to accentuate your curves.
Related: Rihanna Discusses Her Conundrum of Being "Thicc" and Why "It Comes With a Price"
The Workout
Do one set of each exercise listed below, taking little rest as you transition between exercises. Take 90 seconds to two minutes of rest in between each round, completing a total of four rounds.
- Plank to pike: 12 reps
- Bear: 12 reps
- Elevator lunges: 12 reps each leg
- Side lunge: 12 reps
If you want a taste of what it's like to train like Rihanna, grab a towel or a pair of sliders, and get ready to build that cake, cake, cake, cake!
Related: Here's the Diet and Fitness Routine Rihanna Follows to Stay Strong and Healthy
These Keto Fat Bombs Will Make You Totally Forget You're on a Diet
When it comes to trying a new diet, you may go into it already dreading the things you assume you'll have to to give up. Luckily with the ketogenic diet, dessert is not one of them. Even though the keto diet is known for being low-carb, there are still plenty of options to help you get your sweet fix. One such option is "fat bombs," or low-carb treats that are high in fat. Although fat bombs are usually on the sweet side, they often also work as quick breakfasts, afternoon snacks, or pre- or post-workout fuel. Here are 12 options to keep in rotation that taste so indulgent, you'll feel like you're cheating.
This High-Impact Sports Bra Is the Only 1 You Need, and It's $27 on Amazon
Finding a sports bra that fits like a glove and that is actually supportive may seem impossible at times, but we think we found a solution. We just discovered this FITTIN Racerback Sports Bra ($27) trending on Amazon, and it comes in a pack of four!
The incredible bra is a bestseller and boasts over 3,000 positive reviews from happy customers. A ton of its five-star ratings come from women with larger busts who say it is beyond supportive and reliable for them. Others who have smaller busts are also happy with the high-impact workouts they are able to achieve in comfort. Made from a climate cooling material, it helps keep you cool on even the sweatiest workouts.
We're so impressed by the price, and the fact it comes as a four-pack is even better. Don't sleep on this deal: hurry, and buy your size before it's gone.
I'm a Trainer, and These Are My 15 Favorite Dumbbell Exercises For Building Muscle
What I'm about to tell you is no secret: lifting weights will help you decrease your fat mass and increase your lean muscle mass. There are many ways to build muscle, and the consensus is that lifting weights and incorporating compound exercises - moves that work multiple muscle groups at once - into your routine is the way to go.
As a trainer, I completely agree with this method, and I wanted to share some of my favorite dumbbell exercises with you. Some are specific to muscle groups, like the triceps extension, and others are compound exercises, like the 3-in-1 squat, curl, and press.
This is is not a workout - you can find a a bunch of them here. Instead, let these exercises inspire your next workout. Select three to five moves and add them into an existing program, or create a new workout with these moves.
50 States of Quirky Town Names
The United States is an interesting place, to say the least. With such a huge variety of people and culture and history, it's no wonder there's also a huge variety of interesting city names as well. Sure, you have the run-of-the-mill names like New York, but did you know there's a town in Utah called Virgin? Or a place in Georgia called Butts County? Those do indeed exist. For even more quirky city names, keep reading.
7 Nontouristy Travel Destinations For Those Who Hate People
Some of us just don't like people, and that's OK. But the struggle of not wanting to be surrounded by crowds becomes even more real when it comes to travel - unless you know where to escape to. We've searched for stunning destinations that aren't overridden by tourists so that you don't have to sacrifice your sanity on your next vacation. The next time you really need to get away from everyone, look to these seven spots around the world.
Long, Brisk Nights Call For This Roster of Fun Fall Cocktails
The nights are longer and a chill hangs in the air, but on the upside there's more time for nighttime festivities to play out. Whether you're looking for something to sip while sitting by the fireplace or planning to host a dinner party, there are plenty of fun Fall cocktails to choose from. These 33 recipes make the most of seasonal fruits and flavors and are sure to help you embrace Autumn.
Should You Buy a Disney World Annual Pass?
Walt Disney World is a magical place filled with memories and countless adventures for everyone. Let's be honest, Walt Disney World is also very expensive, and many people plan for years to go there. Everything from tickets, to food, and extra entertainment costs at the parks, but what if there was a way to save money, and get to go to all four Walt Disney World theme parks with limited blackout times?
A Walt Disney World annual pass might be the thing for you if you visit regularly and are willing to commit to going to the parks for a whole year. There are varying levels of annual pass options at Walt Disney World, but let's assume that you live outside of the state of Florida, meaning your pass would be the Platinum Pass for non-Florida residents. The Platinum Pass costs $849 (plus tax) for ages three and up. There is a monthly payment plan option, but it's only available for Florida residents.
Is a Disney World annual pass worth it? Keep reading to learn more about the perks and decide for yourself if it's the right fit for you!
Related: Is a Disneyland Pass Worth It? We Asked Pass-Holders to Find Out
The Ultimate Fall Bucket List For 2018
Don't let Fall pass you by without getting in the spirit. It's not meant to be a time to just lay on the couch! That's why we created a fun and enjoyable checklist for you to print out and put on your fridge. We challenge you to complete all of these activities before Fall is over. Take a look - we promise you'll be more excited for Autumn than ever.
The best part? You can complete many of these activities even easier when you subscribe to the POPSUGAR Must Have box. You get over $300 worth of products for only $75, so you would be snagging everything for a major discount. It's the seasonal treat that will take your day-to-day to the next level.
100+ Ways to Win at Weeknight Dinners
Weeknights are rarely the time to bust out a complicated, time-consuming recipe, but that doesn't mean you need to skimp on flavor or rely on takeout either. Instead, choose from this extensive collection of dinner ideas - 107 recipes, to be precise - that can be ready in about an hour. (Many take even less time than that.)
- Additional reporting by Aemilia Madden and Hilary White
Related: 35 1-Pot and -Pan Meals (the Smart Cook's Solution to Weeknight Dinners)
This Genius Allergy Tester Can Tell If Nuts Are Hiding in Your Kid's Food
If you've ever had an allergic reaction to food, you know how frustrating - and depending on the severity of the reaction, how frightening - it can be. For parents of children with allergies, this fear only doubles.
It's estimated that one in 13 children in the United States have food allergies, so for caretakers, that translates to tons of work when it comes to food preparation, especially if someone is allergic to peanuts. Wiping down surfaces that might have come into contact with peanuts is just one of the many safety precautions that parents take. But now there's an easy-to-use device that can help you even more.
Announced today, Nima, a science-driven company trying to reduce the anxiety associated with food safety and allergies, has released a Peanut Sensor. It's exactly what it sounds like: a quick and reliable device that tests for the presence of the peanut proteins in food. It's especially handy for dining out or when your child is eating something that you haven't prepared yourself.
61 Costumes That Your "Too-Cool-For-Halloween" Teen Will Actually Want to Wear This Year
Just because your kid is already a teenager doesn't mean they're automatically going to be too old to indulge in some good ol' trick-or-treating, or, at the very least, attend a ghoulish party decorated in cobwebs and jack-o'-lanterns. So whether your high schooler will want to dress as something nostalgic and throwback (that potentially throws back to your childhood!), or they're more inspired by current pop culture happenings, we went through the spirited shelves and found 61 costumes that are perfect for All Hallows' Eve. We even have a few t-shirt and sweatshirt options if they're only willing to half commit.
You Heard It Here: These Are the Top Kids Halloween Costumes This Year
As a parent, the last thing you want to do is wait until the third week in October to bring your excited child to the costume store to peruse the shelves - chances are, there won't be much left. Avoid this Halloween hang-up entirely by getting ahead of the game now. Whether your kid is obsessed with all things Star Wars or likes to stick to the classics, we found 39 options that you're going to see all over this year.
Baby's First Halloween: 82 Cute Costume Ideas For 2018
Oh, baby, you look boo-tiful! Your infant may have no clue what Halloween is all about, but his or her first costume is cause for much excitement. From baby animals to beloved characters, we've rounded up the best - and cutest! - costumes for baby's first Halloween. It's seriously scary how adorable these different ideas are. Check them out!
Target's Car Seat Trade-In Is Back by Popular Demand, This Time With a Twist!
Target's car seat trade-in program is back this September in honor of Baby Safety Month, but this time, with a twist! During past events - like the one this past April in honor of Earth Day - customers were able to recycle any used car seat for a 20 percent discount on a new car seat, booster seat, car seat base, or travel system. This time, however, customers will be able to redeem their coupons for so much more: all of the above, strollers, and select baby home gear such as playards, high chairs, swings, rockers, and bouncers.
Yes, you read that right. A 20 percent off coupon on some of the most high-ticket baby items, simply for recycling a seat your child no longer uses.
If you're interested in participating, all you have to do is bring your used or damaged seat to the drop-off box at Guest Services in your local Target store between Sept. 9 and 22, and a team member will give you a 20 percent off coupon for each seat recycled. Your coupon can then be used in-store or online through Oct. 6.
"Since the program first started in April 2016, more than 306,000 car seats - equaling more than 4.6 million pounds of materials - have been recycled!" reads Target's announcement for the event. Help add to that number with your own unwanted car seats in the coming weeks, and check out some of the amazing items you can grab for 20 percent off with your resulting coupon.
7 Tips For Talking to Your Kids About Money
Last week, I was grocery shopping with my 4-year-old son, already a cringe-worthy task that became more so when I saw that they'd moved the LaCroix I wanted across the aisle from a display of Imaginext toys I knew he was going to want (curse you, big-box store!).
"Buddy, Mommy has to go grab some water over there, and I see a lot of toys you like nearby, but we aren't buying any today," I warned him. Surprisingly to nobody, he wasn't satisfied with my answer. "Just one toy?" he countered. "I'm sorry; I don't have money for toys today," I responded. Why, he asked, did I have money for flavored sparkling water, yogurt tubes, and the dozens of other items in our cart, but not $7 for the Imaginext Mummy Maker he had just that second decided he couldn't possibly live without?! And, if that was truly the case, couldn't I just use that magic card that always seems to give me more money?
What proceeded was one of many conversations about the complexities of money in general and our family's finances specifically that I've had with my children, ages 4 and 7. Sure, they might be too young to understand stocks and mutual funds, but teaching them about the realities of money is part of my job as a parent, and nope, it's not too early to begin. If you're struggling with how to talk to your kids about money, here are seven tips to get the conversation started.
Are You Ready? 24 Toddler Halloween Costumes That Are Just Too Cute
If you knocked it out of the park with Halloween costumes when your little one was still spending Halloween in a stroller, you have your work cut out for you - you don't want to disappoint when they get older. Get ahead of the game this year, and sort out your family's costume plans early. We have 24 on-trend ideas that should help.
33 Adorable Halloween Costumes That Won't Break the Budget - All Under $25
It's frightening how quickly all of the Halloween "essentials" can add up every year. From the perfect costume for your kiddos to decorating the house in all of the ghost and ghoulish figures you can find, it often feels like you're spending way more than you planned to. Rather than paying a big price for a costume that you know your kid likely isn't going to want to repeat (or even wear for that long!), consider a budget-friendly alternative that doesn't compromise on cuteness.
Check out these 33 must-see costumes that are all $25 or less!
Hate Halloween? 10 Just-as-Fun Things to Do Instead of Trick-or-Treating
I can't pinpoint exactly when I started to dislike Halloween, but the older I've gotten, the more deeply I loathe the so-called holiday. Between macabre-themed parties, skimpy costumes, and strangers constantly knocking on my door, I'm pretty much over it. I did think that once I had children of my own, I'd start to appreciate it again - the way I did when I was young and trick-or-treating in my mom's handmade costumes - but instead, I find myself trying to convince my husband that our kids won't miss it (he strongly disagrees).
If you are like me and say "boohoo" to Halloween every year instead of just "boo," there's definitely no reason you and your family have to hide out in a dark house as hordes of children in search of processed sugar invade your neighborhood. You can still get out and have a lot of fun - it just won't revolve around death, monsters, or candy. Here are 10 things you can do instead of trick-or-treating this year to enjoy the day in your own way.
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