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.
mardi 8 janvier 2019
Deleting People Off of Social Media Made Me a Happier Person, and I'm Not Sorry About It
It started with an Instagram of a blogger. She wasn't doing anything particularly irritating or awful, but I just felt unhappy when I looked at the photo. I couldn't even tell you what exactly the picture was or what the caption said, but I just remember the feeling that came over me: annoyance, unhappiness, and discontent.
It happened again just a few weeks later with a photo of a girl from college that I remember as not being very nice. I decided then and there that I'd had enough. "I don't need to follow these people on social media. Why am I flooding my life with people that make me unhappy?" I unfollowed her. The world didn't end. She probably wouldn't even care. No one called me out for cutting off a needless form of communication with someone I didn't actually even like. I went back to the blogger's page and unfollowed her, too.
So began my mission to rid my social media platforms of people who didn't make me happy. That boy I'd dated for a few months? Gone. Girls who were just outright nasty to my friends and I in college? See ya! Fitness models who made me feel less than adequate in my own skin? Over it.
Social media doesn't have to be the toxic place everyone says it is, but you have to be willing to make the first move to make it that way.
Working as a social media strategist, it's hard to do a digital detox or just give up all social media platforms, but it also didn't need to make me unhappy whenever I was on it throughout the day. Plus, I actually really like social media when it's a healthy space for me. So instead of the extreme choice of giving it all up, I decided I'd fill my feed with the people and things that made me the happiest and didn't send my mood into a tailspin. I followed the people I'm actually still friends with, my family, my fitness instructors who inspire me, bloggers who post stunning photos, and meme accounts that make me laugh out loud.
Being selective about the people you surround yourself with is important for your health and self-care, and that extends far beyond who is in your friend group. For so long I let a fear of being accepted and liked control who I should follow and interact with. That pit in my stomach when I thought of unfollowing someone I didn't care for as a person was what kept me from purging my feed - all because I thought it would be awkward if they knew I unfollowed them or if they (gasp!) unfollowed me back. When I realized how much better I felt when I didn't see that blogger post a video that made me roll my eyes or a picture of my ex that brought me to tears, I knew I had made the right decision.
Now, my feed fills me with joy when I see my friends post about their vacations, my family with their partners, bloggers whose outfits I draw inspiration from, and fitness accounts that motivate me instead of beat me down. Social media doesn't have to be the toxic place everyone says it is, but you have to be willing to make the first move to make it that way.
These 10 Travel Bags Will Have You Booking Your Next Vacation ASAP
When you have the right bag, traveling doesn't have to be stressful. It doesn't matter if you're checking a suitcase or just carrying on, great luggage is a cornerstone of an easy trip; it makes all the difference. Whether you prefer sleek, minimal options, or want a bright, vibrant bag, we've found 10 options you'll absolutely love.
Related: These 17 Stylish Travel Bags Prove You Don't Have to Sacrifice Fashion For Function
Coolest Newlyweds EVER Skied Down the Slopes Right After Saying "I Do"
Most newlyweds share a first dance after exchanging vows, but Bec and Dan replaced the tradition with their first ski as husband and wife. The bride knew she wanted to ski in her wedding gown, so when Dan popped the question, they immediately began looking for the perfect ski resort to host their alpine wedding. They decided on Mayrhofen in Austria, which allowed them to have a mountaintop ceremony and ski down the slope straight from their venue. These two definitely take the coolest couple award.
See their awesome photos!
Did You Know? You Can Score 2019's Hottest Gadgets For Less Than $50!
We love technology because it makes our lives so much easier, and one of the most exciting parts of a new year is seeing all the fun, innovative gadgets to hit the market. The only thing better than new tech toys are ones that won't break the bank, and in 2019, there are plenty of cool finds for less than $50. You read that right. Just keep reading to shop our picks!
Attention All Parents! You Need to Know About the Awesome "Every Kid in a Park" Program
Traveling with kids is not easy. It always feels like more of a trip than a vacation, and one challenge my family usually runs into is finding a place that will make everyone happy while not breaking the bank. That's why it was a pleasant surprise when my son came home from school one day and told me about the "Every Kid in a Park" program.
"Every Kid in a Park" is a nationwide program that gives any fourth grader and their entire family free entry into any of the 59 beautiful national parks in the US for an entire year! In addition to being an excellent way to get kids outside and exploring nature, the program also makes a national parks vacation more affordable. According to the program's website, "'Every Kid in a Park' was created so fourth graders and their families could discover our wildlife, resources, and history for free."
My son received his park pass at school, but any fourth grader could also follow the instructions to receive their own pass online. When we traveled to Yellowstone National Park last Summer, my son was thrilled to be able to use his own special pass to get us into the park (your fourth grader has to be with you when you enter the park, because the rangers will check). And if you don't have a fourth grader but would still like to visit a national park for free, you could plan a trip on one of the free entrance days they offer every year. In 2019, free days are:
- Jan. 21
- April 20
- Aug. 25
- Sept. 28
- Nov. 11
Franklin D. Roosevelt famously said, "There is nothing so American as our national parks. The fundamental idea behind the parks is that the country belongs to the people, that it is in process of making for the enrichment of the lives of all of us." Programs like "Every Kid in a Park" help make that possible for families, so spread the word!
I KonMari-ed the Sh*t Out of My Kitchen and Here's What Happened
I don't know when or where I first discovered Marie Kondo's first book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, but the second I saw the inviting title, I ordered it pronto. I've always struggled to keep my spaces straight - it just seemed to take too much time and require too much energy. However, after attempting the KonMari method in my own apartment and tackling the messiest thing of all, my kitchen equipment, I'm a big-time believer in the methodology.
When I moved into my San Francisco studio apartment five years ago, the kitchen bummed me out, but it wasn't a deal breaker. The cabinets and arched doorframe were original from 1928, and I tried to let that cool bit of knowledge overshadow the fact that there was no window, no oven vent, no garbage disposal, and definitely no dishwasher. I didn't ever feel inspired to cook, except for work or the occasional guest. As a result, the kitchen slumped into a random assortment of junk. I accumulated way beyond my means (I somehow ended up with five zesters and 50 kitchen towels . . . not to mention a drawer full of spare knives), and I avoided getting rid of anything! It became impossible to close cabinets unless they were fastened with rubber bands around the handles, and I always had to forcefully shove my drawers closed with my hip. And for years, I lived like this, with complete avoidance and neglect about everything.
I tackled all my clothes, books, etc. in the order presented in the book, and even though I successfully tidied up each group of items, I still felt a lot of hesitation about my kitchen. I was so embarrassingly messy - me, the food editor! And yet, the time had come, and the overflowing cabinets begged to be sorted. I started with removing the stuff on the countertop and discovered a rotten avocado just casually decomposing in my napkin holder. (Ugh, I know. Wasting avocado is a sin, and sorry for the TMI.) Instead of supporting my usual habits of tiptoeing away from the mess, I bid a sweet "thank you" to the napkin holder (and, don't laugh, the avocado too) and swiftly tossed them in the trash.
It became easier to purge as I moved along, to give away the kitchen tools that no longer served me, and to create a pile of the items I adore immensely. I let go of some of the things that had been gifted to me that I couldn't see myself ever using and focused on the items I had invested in. My Vitamix! My knife set from culinary school! My few but beloved All-Clad pans! And when it came to the food in my cupboard, I tossed the snacks and seasonings I would probably never in a million years crave while cooking. Instead, I kept the things I can never get enough of: red lentil pasta, dried mango, lemon-flavored sardines, and capers. Yeah, I know my cupboard is weird, but it most definitely "sparks joy!" (This is the main point of the book: every item you own and that takes up space in your house should simply make you feel happiness - aka "spark joy" - when you touch it).
For a good six hours on a Friday night, I scrubbed and tossed and reorganized. Then, I stepped back to take a look. I was overcome with an emotion I had never felt in my tiny apartment kitchen - excitement to cook and pride for the space I made my own. I'll have you know, I now make breakfast and dinner every night, and I never see myself wanting to return to my old habits again. My kitchen used to be a throwaway space for me in my house, but now, I find myself giddy at opening a drawer to admire and use all the tools I love.
Pillsbury's Strawberry Cheesecake Sugar Cookies Are Here, and Thank God They're Extra Large
At the start of 2019, I made a resolution: do more things that will challenge me. Do you think eating a whole 12-pack of Pillsbury's new ready-to-bake Strawberry Cheesecake sugar cookies falls under this goal? The Doughboy blessed shoppers everywhere with this limited-edition flavor, which has been spotted by Instagram user @candyhunting at Hy-Vee. Each package includes cheesecake sugar cookies with strawberry-flavored bits inside. Oh, and did we mention they're the *big* ones?
According to Best Products, this Strawberry Cheesecake flavor was chosen by fans through a Facebook poll and is marked on shelves at $5 for two packs. Eager dessert-lovers can find where to purchase their very own cookie dough through Pillsbury's website. Happy snacking!
2019 Is the Year You're Going to Get Organized, Thanks to These 17 Genius Products
If you made it a goal to be more organized in the new year, we're here to help. We shopped the internet and uncovered the most genius products that will make sure your home is in order and cleaner than ever in 2019. From over-the-toilet storage to corner shelves and shoe racks with a place for your yoga mat (yes, really), we found it all. So what are you waiting for? Keep reading to shop and start cleaning up today.
Our Hearts Just Skipped a Beat - These 70+ Valentine's Day Decor Ideas Are Swoon-Worthy
Looking to fall in love with Valentine's Day? These home decor ideas will make you swoon. From personalized flower bouquets to DIY decor and even to kitchenware goodies, these decor ideas are more than just beautiful, they are totally heart-stopping.
So step up your Valentine's Day decor with these lovely ideas and make your holiday even better.
Look Good, Feel Good, and Get Inspired With These 100+ Before-and-After Transformations
Look no further if you're on the hunt for inspiration to better yourself and your body in 2019. From minor changes in diet to big changes in overall lifestyle habits, these women have taken their weight loss journeys above and beyond. See how they did it, and don't be surprised if you have to do a double take - their transformations are incredible!
These Are Our 9 Favorite Fitness Trackers of 2019
We're ready to crush our New Year's resolutions, but we can admit that sometimes, a little help is appreciated. That's why we love fitness trackers. They give us guidance on everything from how many steps we're taking to how well we're sleeping through the night. With these on our arms, all those goals seem that much more attainable.
Stay Hydrated and Healthy in 2019 With These 9 Top-Rated Water Bottles
We all know staying hydrated is the key to being healthy, but sometimes it's easy to just forget. So in an effort to drink as much water as possible throughout the day, treat yourself to a cool new water bottle. To make sure you get the perfect one, we searched the internet for the newest and most popular picks out there. From glass bottles to smart bluetooth enabled choices, we found it all. Keep reading to shop our favorites.
17 Ways to Feel Happier and Brighten Your Day
Feeling happy impacts your mental health, which is a huge part of your overall health. So if your mood could use a little pick-me-up, here are some simple things you can do every day to get those feel-good vibes going strong.
I Fasted 12 Hours For 21 Days - Here Are the 3 Major Changes That Happened to My Body
As a fitness editor, I often write about diets like the low-carb, high-fat keto diet and body-type eating to educate people on the various ways they can reach their health goals. I don't follow a specific diet, but I recently decided to try the Clean Program, a 21-day detox created by Dr. Alejandro Junger, after a client of mine raved about it. I took a lot away from my experience on the program, and one component of the cleanse that I found to be extremely effective is the 12-hour fasting window.
12:12 is a type of intermittent fasting (IF) - a way of eating where the body uses fat as an energy source instead of glucose. Instead of eating whenever you want throughout the day, you're limited to consuming your daily caloric intake within a 12-hour window, and then required to fast for the other 12 hours. This means that if you eat dinner at 8 p.m., you won't have breakfast until 8 a.m. the following morning. 12:12 is considered to be the easiest type of IF, and as a rookie, I have to admit is wasn't hard to follow at all. Continue reading to find out the changes that happened to my body over the span of 21 days.
I Felt Extremely Hungry in the Beginning
As suggested by Dr. Junger in his book Clean, I decided to write down my daily meals and how I felt each day on the program. My first three days of notes talk about how terrible I am at making tasty shakes and how hungry I felt when I woke up. Most days, I wake up between 4:45 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. to train clients, work out, and then get to work. Before starting Clean, I would have a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast, and not being able to do this during the cleanse was hard initially.
Around day 10, I began to notice that the extreme feelings of hunger I had experienced were beginning to subside. I won't say that I didn't feel an ounce of hunger as I continued the program, but I no longer felt like I was starving. It also helped that I began hacking my shake the night before, adding more fat and protein to hold me over until I broke the fast.
I Discovered I Had Bloating Issues
I never considered myself to be a person who experienced bloating, except for on my period, but after doing the 12-hour fast for 21 days, I realized that I do get bloated, especially when I consume too much dairy and grains. The pressure, gas, and cramping I had previously experienced at times in my lower abdomen had finally gone away. As I began to reintroduce these food groups back into my diet to identity triggers, I confirmed that consuming too much dairy and grains irritated both my stomach and skin.
I Stopped Mindlessly Snacking
I'm the person who will eat whatever is in my home, whenever. Cocoa Puffs in the kitchen? Definitely eating those. A bag of sweet and salty organic popcorn? Gone in two hours. I also have a habit of eating a meal and then snacking afterward. Not because I'm hungry, but because I'm bored or not in the best of moods. The 12-hour fast helped me notice and reduce this habit, and I'm happy to report that on most days, I've eliminated my snacking-just-to-snack habit.
Overall, I found 12:12 to be extremely easy to follow. I completed the Clean Program a month ago, and although I refuse to completely cut out cookie dough ice cream, this is definitely a habit I plan on keeping.
In Fitness and in Health - Gear to Power Your Goals For 2019
January is the month of resets, do-overs, and fresh starts. And all those are better with new gear! Here are our picks to keep the start of your new year fresh and fun.
Want to Know If You Have a Slow Metabolism? The Signs to Look For, According to an Expert
As fitness continues to become more individualized, scientific topics such as metabolism will continue to become more mainstream. Having a better understanding as to how your body functions is essential to optimizing your health, but it's important to get this information from credible sources. To learn more about metabolism and indicators of a slow metabolism, POPSUGAR spoke with Avigdor Arad, PhD, RDN, CDE, director of the Mount Sinai Physiolab.
What Is Metabolism?
There's a lot of correct and incorrect information floating around as it pertains to metabolism. According to Dr. Arad, metabolism is a complex process that relates to your body's ability to produce energy from fat, sugar, protein, and how it stores energy. Usually, when people talk about their metabolism, they mean their metabolic rate which is the number of calories their body burns in a period of time, Dr. Arad said.
Signs of a Slow Metabolism
The amount of calories your body burns in a period of time, aka your metabolic rate, is often categorized as fast or slow. Fast meaning your body efficiently processes energy, and slow meaning there's something preventing your metabolism from working as efficiently as possible.
If someone has a slow metabolism, they may experience symptoms such as "weight gain, they would be very fatigued, [have] low energy, and they're going to have difficulties to complete simple tasks," Dr. Arad explained. "You may see some physical signs like dry skin, brittle nails, or their hair is falling out a little bit. They may suffer from migraines and there may be cravings for sugar because they think that's going to help them stay awake," he said. Symptoms such as low energy and brittle nails occur because your body isn't processing energy correctly. "It could be just not able to digest, break down, and absorb certain nutrients that are vital," Dr. Arad said.
People tend to jump to the conclusion that they have a slow metabolism, but Dr. Arad said, "a slow metabolism is actually rare," and "in most cases it's related more to a lack of sleep, poor diet, or a lack of physical activity." Other factors that contribute to a slow metabolism are medical reasons such as imbalanced hormones and thyroid disease, he explained. If you suspect you have a slow metabolism, you should consult an endocrinologist and should consider getting a resting metabolic rate test (RMR) done.
What Is a Resting Metabolic Rate Test?
Everyone has a different metabolic rate based on variables such as genetics, physical activity, and age. To determine your metabolic rate, you'll need to get a resting metabolic rate test (RMR) that costs approximately $250. Unfortunately, you can't get these tests on Amazon or at your gym. Instead, you'll need to go to a specialized clinic such as Fitnescity.
From this test, you'll learn whether your metabolic rate is on the faster or slower end of the spectrum. If your results indicate that you have a slow metabolism, there are ways to biohack and boost your metabolism.
How to Boost Your Metabolism
To boost your metabolism, Dr. Arad recommends eating less sugar, consuming more protein and healthy fats, and strength training. Here are more expert-approved tips you can begin implementing today to boost your metabolism. If you're looking for strength workouts to follow, here's a four-week program for beginners.
This Is the Checklist You Should Be Following For Better Sleep In 2019
Someone should definitely start a petition to make naps mandatory during the work week. While we wait for that to happen, we spoke with Alon Avidan, MD, MPH, director of the UCLA Sleep Disorders Center about the dos and don'ts to getting better sleep. If you're ready to wake up feeling rejuvenated, begin to implement Dr. Avidan's simple advice tonight.
I Went to Bed 20 Minutes Earlier For a Week, and It Totally Transformed My Life
Because I'm a freelance writer, I make my own schedule. I usually prefer to go to bed late, around midnight or 12:30 a.m., and wake up seven to seven-and-a-half hours later. But recently I found myself working later or getting distracted, and the time I spent asleep became shorter and shorter. An hour would pass and then another one, and I'd end up making dinner around 10 or 10:30 p.m. in the evenings, and going to bed well past that. Then the next morning I'd wake up feeling even more sluggish.
I realized my nighttime routine needed improvement. Not only was this late-night dinner habit bad for my digestion, but it also made me stay up later than I'd like, too stimulated to power down and get into bed.
So, I chose to do a little experiment. For a week, I'd try to eat dinner earlier, but most importantly, I'd force myself to skip the distractions - usually in the form of one last episode of a Netflix show or one last song (I love an impromptu dance party) - and go to bed at least 20 minutes earlier than even my usual bedtime. With any luck, I'd also fall asleep faster - no longer stressed about how late it was getting - and inch closer to eight heavenly hours of sleep. While seven hours is the minimum recommended by experts, I was curious if I'd feel more rested with a full hour.
Spoiler: I did. Getting closer to eight hours of sleep made a huge difference in my energy levels. After one week, I'm definitely sticking to this new routine, no matter what - here's why.
Regina King Deserves Another Award For How Strong She Looked at the Golden Globes
On Sunday, Regina King won a Golden Globe for best supporting actress for her role in If Beale Street Could Talk. Her acceptance speech reconfirmed why we love her. She also empowered women as she vowed to hire 50 percent women for every project she produces moving forward.
Her speech inspired us to continue to fight for equality and women's right, but we also got inspiration from one other thing: her arms. If you were also mesmerized by how strong she looked on stage, continue reading for her workout routine and exercises you can do for strong arms.
In an interview with Everyday Health, Regina shared that being healthy and exercising are priorities of hers since she has a family history of heart disease. "Once I was diagnosed with hypertension, I stepped up my workouts," she told Everyday Health. She shared that she goes to the gym as often as her schedule allows, typically three to four times a week, and her preferred workouts are lifting weights or kickboxing.
If Regina's arms have you feeling motivated to hit the gym, we've got 12 exercises to strengthen and sculpt sexy arms like hers ahead.
We Found the Hottest Sneakers of 2019, So You'll Stay Motivated All Year Long
If you've made it a goal to get fit in 2019, start by investing in a new pair of workout sneakers. Not only will they help you stay motivated, but they'll keep your feet supported, comfy, and looking cute. To make shopping easier, we did the hard work for you and uncovered the 15 hottest pairs of the year. From Nike to Adidas and APL, you're going to want them all. So, what are you waiting for? Take a look at our favorites ahead.
This Bachelor Workout Game Will Get You Toned Before Colton Hands Out His Finale Rose
Image Source: ABC
Let's be real: watching The Bachelor and drinking wine practically go hand in hand. Downing a glass (or, like, three) of Sauvignon Blanc while watching a handful of women duke it out over one guy has become a concrete part of my Monday routine, but lately, that's resulted in a few too many Tuesday-morning headaches for my liking.
In an effort to cut back on my wine habit and get fit, I created a Bachelor workout game to play during Colton Underwood's season of the hit ABC series - because it's better to be sore than hungover, am I right? Here's how it works: for some of the common (or not-so-common) actions and phrases that pop up during the show, there's a corresponding exercise move to perform. If you want to torch calories and get toned while the drama unfolds before your eyes, print out this challenge and have it on hand every Monday night.
Ready to get strong AF while Colton (hopefully) finds his wife on national TV? Look ahead to see our official Bachelor Fitness Challenge.
- Someone says the word "journey": 5 push-ups
- A date card shows up: 10 jumping jacks
- Colton's virginity is mentioned: 20 calf raises
- A woman cries: hold a 20-second plank
- Someone mentions "falling" for Colton: 10 lunges
- Colton gives out a group-date rose: 15 squats
- A contestant interrupts someone else's one-on-one time with Colton: 10 Russian twists
- A woman doesn't get a rose during a one-on-one date: hold a 45-second plank
- Someone runs and jumps into Colton's arms: run in place for 30 seconds
- Chris Harrison announces the final rose in a rose ceremony: 20 crunches
- A certain contestant uses her fake Australian accent: 10 burpees
- Colton kisses one of the women: 10 mountain climbers
- You catch a glimpse of Colton's abs: 15 sit-ups
- Someone says she could "see herself marrying" Colton: 10 push-ups
- Colton cries: 30 bicycles
- The camera dramatically zooms in on a date rose: 5 tuck jumps
- Someone brings up one of Colton's former lovers (i.e. Tia Booth or Becca Kufrin): 5 jumping jacks
- A woman says she "could be going home" that night: 10 reverse lunges
- Chris Harrison and Colton have a one-on-one conversation: hold a side plank the entire time
- During commercial breaks: wall sit for one minute
Brace yourself, Bachelor Nation - your Monday nights are about to get a whole lot sweatier!
11 Adidas Sneakers to Help You Conquer Your New Year's Resolutions in Style
New year, new me, right? We see the new year as an opportunity to prioritize and think about what we want to achieve in these next 12 months. For us, 2019 is all about feeling stronger, and that comes from moving our bodies. And if you're going to work out, a great pair of sneakers is essential. These 11 Adidas sneakers are what we're choosing as the ultimate sidekick - now all you have to do is conquer your resolutions!
Hi Shoes, Bye Money! The 20 Hottest Sneakers of 2019
To say we're obsessed with sneakers would be an understatement. They occupy a large portion of our fitness-loving brains pretty much all the time. Whether you're hitting the gym, going for a run, taking a class, or just doing errands, having a decent pair of kicks is important. We created a guide to the very best sneakers to get in 2019, so get your hands on them fast. Hot commodities like these don't stick around for very long.
Experts Agree Walking Can Help You Lose Weight - Here's How Many Calories You'll Burn
While doing some HIIT workouts or strength training are proven to help you lean out, walking can absolutely help you drop pounds. What's great about walking is it's easy on the joints so it's something most people can do, it's free, and you don't have to get all sweaty doing it. Walking not only burns calories but can also give you a mood boost from the fresh air and sunshine if you're walking outside.
Many experts, including celeb trainer Harley Pasternak, agree that getting in more steps each day is one of the best ways to lose weight. According to Pasternak, "People who are more active throughout the day are actually leaner, healthier, fitter, and live longer than those who are sedentary throughout the day and then just do an hour Spin class three or four days a week."
So don't discount walking! Laura Arndt, a certified personal trainer and the CEO of Matriarc, a health and wellness app for moms, recommends that her clients aim for 10,000 total steps a day for weight loss. You can track your steps with your iPhone or a fitness tracker like a FitBit. Arndt said a 30-minute brisk walk can get most of her clients "between 3,000 and 5,000 steps, depending on their speed and their gait. However, we shouldn't be sitting the remainder of the day, so the goal is to achieve another 5,000 steps through everyday activity."
The chart below shows how many calories you'll burn in 30 minutes depending on your weight, according to SparkPeople. If you're on a treadmill, pump up the incline to burn more calories and target your booty. So call a friend to walk and chat with, or listen to a podcast or audiobook, and the half hour will fly by!
| Weight | 3 mph (20 minutes/mile) | 4 mph (15 minutes/mile) | 4 mph with 5 percent incline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 120 | 91 | 108 | 210 |
| 130 | 99 | 122 | 225 |
| 140 | 107 | 135 | 240 |
| 150 | 115 | 148 | 255 |
| 160 | 124 | 162 | 270 |
| 170 | 132 | 176 | 285 |
| 180 | 140 | 189 | 300 |
| 190 | 148 | 202 | 315 |
| 200 | 156 | 216 | 330 |
Cleaning Up Your Diet Is Easy - Here's How to Do It
There are many diets out there that will tell you what to eat - how much of this and how little of that - or when you can eat. But when it comes to nourishing and fueling your body, you simply need to focus on eating clean. By this we mean eating minimally processed whole foods; think fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats. Eating clean means focusing on the quality and variety of of the foods you eat to ensure you get all the macro- and micro-nutrients you need. Macros include carbs, protein, and fat; and micronutrients is an umbrella term for vitamins and minerals.
I know that sounds a little abstract, so let's break it down by food groups. And since one of the great parts of eating clean is carbs. Let's start there.
Be sure to check out this two-week plan that teaches you how to eat clean with recipes, printable shopping lists, and meal-prep ideas.
Ashley Ate 6 Times a Day, Did CrossFit 6 Times a Week, and Completely Transformed Her Body
The amazing physical transformation of losing 62 pounds may be all you see in Ashley Mccormick's before-and-after photos, but the emotional changes that happened in just over a year are what really matter most. Keep reading to learn how Ashley beat her alcohol addiction and used CrossFit and a clean diet to undergo a complete transformation.
5 Apps That Will Pay You to Exercise More and Crush Your Weight-Loss Goals
I'll be the first to admit that the best way to motivate me to lose weight is to offer me some kind of incentive beyond the scale. I know, I know - feeling healthier and more confident should be enough, but you know what? Sometimes, it's just not. That's why it's amazing that there are apps for literally everything, including ones that will pay you to get off your butt and chase those goals.
The five apps here will keep track of how much weight you've lost and how much you exercise and give you cash when you succeed. Some of them require you to bet on yourself by putting some money down, but if you smash through your goals, you'll earn your money right back, plus some extra dough to treat yourself to something nice (I have my eye on some leopard print sneakers). If you're ready to get moving, keep reading.
Related: 15 Free Fitness Apps to Kick-Start Your Health Journey
These 6 Women Prove You Can Lose a Lot of Weight Without Setting Foot in a Gym
Starting on a weight-loss journey usually entails the same-old checklist: stock up on healthy groceries, start meal prepping, sign up for a gym membership, and invest in some fun workout gear. But what if we told you that you could lose weight without the dreaded (and crowded) gym?
These six women all lost 50 or more pounds without setting foot in a gym. Through a combination of tracking their food, at-home workouts, and more creative ways to get active, they all met their goals. If you want to avoid those dreaded January gym crowds or if working out in a formal setting just isn't your thing, keep reading to get inspired by these women who all lost weight and kept it off.
Target Is Selling Tons of Storage Bins, So You Can Tidy Up Like Marie Kondo
Whether you read The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up years ago or only discovered the magic of Marie Kondo during the the eight-episode series Tidying Up, families are becoming increasingly interested in decluttering, organizing, and creating order in their households. The premise of the show - and the book - hinges on a few key principles, and once Marie explains them to people, they begin by purging their closets and only hanging onto pieces that spark joy. If you're somewhere in this phase and ready to organize your family's drawers or perhaps even the nursery, here are some of the best storage bins, boxes, and separators available at Target.
2018's Most Popular Names Are Ready to Rock Your Baby’s Birth Certificate in 2019
You can always count on the beginning of a new year for fresh starts, but for baby name fanatics (It's a thing, I swear!), it means the compilation of the previous year's baby name data - and in 2018, there was a lot of exciting movement in the top 100 name lists for both girls and boys.
Although the official most popular names list will be released by the Social Security Administration later in 2019, this list compiled by BabyCenter likely won't end up being *too* far off. To compile its list, "BabyCenter takes its huge database of names given to babies [during the] year and combines names that have different spellings but sound the same – like Sophia and Sofia or Jackson and Jaxon – to provide a measure of true popularity." So unlike the government's list, which will include various spellings of the same names, this list is able to share even more popular names.
Check out 2018's most popular names below, which will serve your baby's future birth certificate well if you're looking for a trendy name.
People Are Starting to Tidy Up Their Lives After Watching Marie Kondo's Netflix Show
Marie Kondo, bestselling author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, has brought her decluttering talents to Netflix, and viewers are already feeling inspired. During the eight-episode series Tidying Up, she steps into the homes of families dealing with unique messes and helps them find joy using her famous KonMari Method. At the dawn of a new year, it's no surprise that fans at home quickly applied some of these skills into their living spaces.
Fans flocked to Twitter to share updates of their own, as they parted with old items and made use of Marie's folding techniques. In 2019, we're leaving overflowing hampers and disorganized closets behind! Ahead, see a few of our favorite tweets about the show. They might inspire you to discover the "life-changing magic" for yourself!
Attention All Parents! You Need to Know About the Awesome "Every Kid in a Park" Program
Traveling with kids is not easy. It always feels like more of a trip than a vacation, and one challenge my family usually runs into is finding a place that will make everyone happy while not breaking the bank. That's why it was a pleasant surprise when my son came home from school one day and told me about the "Every Kid in a Park" program.
"Every Kid in a Park" is a nationwide program that gives any fourth grader and their entire family free entry into any of the 59 beautiful national parks in the US for an entire year! In addition to being an excellent way to get kids outside and exploring nature, the program also makes a national parks vacation more affordable. According to the program's website, "'Every Kid in a Park' was created so fourth graders and their families could discover our wildlife, resources, and history for free."
My son received his park pass at school, but any fourth grader could also follow the instructions to receive their own pass online. When we traveled to Yellowstone National Park last Summer, my son was thrilled to be able to use his own special pass to get us into the park (your fourth grader has to be with you when you enter the park, because the rangers will check). And if you don't have a fourth grader but would still like to visit a national park for free, you could plan a trip on one of the free entrance days they offer every year. In 2019, free days are:
- Jan. 21
- April 20
- Aug. 25
- Sept. 28
- Nov. 11
Franklin D. Roosevelt famously said, "There is nothing so American as our national parks. The fundamental idea behind the parks is that the country belongs to the people, that it is in process of making for the enrichment of the lives of all of us." Programs like "Every Kid in a Park" help make that possible for families, so spread the word!
Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard's Daughters Had an Adorable Surprise For Them After the Globes
During Sunday night's Golden Globes, Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard were basically all of our parents. They captured their relatable getting ready struggles and stunning selfies during the show, but when it was time to go home, they resumed their roles as Delta and Lincoln's mom and dad in the sweetest way possible. When Dax and Kristen arrived home, they were greeted by adorable drawings from their daughters, which Kristen captured on her Instagram Stories.
Some of the notes were filled with love: "I love you momma and I love that you have a nomination. I love you. Bye. Delta. I love the 'domination' so much," the first drawing read. And others were "dramatic," as Kristen joked. "Dear mommy I am really happy you got chosen and it breaks my heart. I am really happy for you. I even said I am really happy and it makes me happy inside, and I won't be mean to Delta at all," Lincoln's drawing said.
First, let's give a round of applause to the babysitter because this is the cutest gesture, and we wouldn't expect anything less from the 4- and 5-year-old Shepard gals. Second, Kristen epitomized a mother's love when gushing over the drawings, exclaiming: "And then some completely grotesque pictures of us! Oh my goodness." Ha!
Despite not taking home the award for best actress in a TV musical or comedy for her role on The Good Place, Kristen is absolutely winning in the parenting department. Check out photos from Kristen and Dax's night ahead, and gush over the endearing drawings from Delta and Lincoln.
I Had My First Baby 11 Months Ago, and - Sigh - I Still Pee on Myself While Running
The first time I peed on myself while running, I was somewhere around eight weeks postpartum. Jogging in my neighborhood - slowly and unsure of each step - I wasn't the least bit surprised when just a few minutes into my workout, my thighs felt warm and wet. I didn't need to look down to investigate the root cause - there wasn't a chance in the world that sweat was the cause. I just shook my head and kept plodding along, assuming, of course, that it was a temporary thing, that I'd simply need to spend time rehabilitating my pelvic floor.
I'd delivered a big baby - 8 pounds, 9 ounces, and nearly 23 inches long - so I couldn't imagine a situation in which someone wouldn't be destroyed after that. Pee was no reason to stop working out. I'd just focus on rehabbing.
I bridged, I squatted, I kegeled. There wasn't a rug or wall in the house that wasn't being used for strengthening exercises. But the months continued, and the trickling kept, well, trickling. When Summer heat arrived and I had to wear shorts on my runs, things went from funny to uncomfortable. Running in wet shorts created chafing and rashes.
I save a ton of money on toilet paper.
Some people told me to try running with a pad on. "That just makes the problem worse," I'd say. Running with a soggy pad in between my legs sounded like something I would have done as a preteen out of sheer embarrassment. Pass.
It's been 11 months, and I think I've made some big strides. There are some runs on which, for whatever reason, I have complete control of my bladder, and nothing happens. Other times, though, I'm not that lucky, and I still pee all over myself.
There has been a long laundry list of athletic injuries that have slowed me down in my life, so I add this one to the pile. I feel lucky that I am healthy and can work out, and I'd choose fitness over bladder control any day. Plus, I save a ton of money on toilet paper.
9 of the Best Car Seats, From Infant to Convertible
When it comes to infant and toddler safety, parents invest a ton of time researching the best gear. Becoming familiar with top brands, safety standards, and recall history are just some of the steps people take prior to making big purchase decisions. So before you start shopping for an infant or a convertible car seat, check out the leading options ahead.
Here’s How Stress Affects Fertility - and Here’s What to Do About It
If you're thinking about getting pregnant and are already worried about everything you need to know and prepare for, just remember to relax and breathe. Why? Well, it turns out that stress can negatively impact your ability to become pregnant, so all that worrying about if and when it will happen can actually be contributing to negative pregnancy tests.
How does it work exactly? Stress can cause a woman not to ovulate and skip her period, making it difficult to get pregnant, explained Dr. Zaher Merhi, director of research and development in IVF technologies at New Hope Fertility Center in New York. It works at the level of the hypothalamus, an area of the brain that controls the whole menstrual cycle.
"Many women may find they have an irregular cycle in a month where they are under a lot of stress, traveling, or not sleeping," said Dr. Lisa C. Grossman Becht, MD, director of egg freezing and oncofertility at Columbia University Fertility Center. "Stress also can likely impact the uterus in terms of implantation of an embryo," she said, adding that men aren't off the hook either, since stress can impact sexual function as well as the actual sperm.
Suffice it to say, decreasing stress is an important aspect to promoting fertility. So what can women do? Identifying stressors is the first key step. Once you identify them, you can work on modifying or eliminating the stressors, which, Dr. Grossman Becht said, "can lead to a more relaxed, positive, and happier state that's been shown to lead to increased fertility in many people."
Related: Trying to Get Pregnant? Avoid These 6 Foods That Could Be Affecting Your Fertility
Taking aim at those stressors can be done in a number of ways, from massage and meditation to yoga and reflexology, Dr. Grossman Becht said. Acupuncture, in particular, is one of the best ways to decrease stress and increase fertility. "Beyond decreasing the negative impacts of stress, it likely increases blood flow to reproductive organs, thus improving fertility," she continued.
Having the right support system in place - with family and friends you feel comfortable talking to about your struggles - and getting the right information is also key, said Dr. Merhi. "It's helpful to have a therapist if you're having severe stress," he said. "Trusting the doctor and avoiding reading Google information is crucial, as reading stuff online - which is wrong a lot of the time - can cause unnecessary stress."
11 Kids-Only Areas on Disney Cruises That Will Make Every Parent Seriously Jealous
Disney Cruise Line vacations are magical experiences filled with your favorite Disney pals, amazing food, and exotic locations. And while spending a whole week together as a family is great, it's also fun to let your kids go and have their own adventures. Plus, it gives you and your partner the perfect opportunity to reconnect at the spa or the adults-only restaurant, Palo. Don't worry about your kiddos, though, because Disney Cruise Line has dedicated spaces just for them. They're divided up into age ranges so everyone will have a great time, meet a few new friends, and have dedicated counselors keeping an eye on them. Want to know what these awesome spaces look like and what your kids could be doing all week? Keep reading to find out.
Parents Are Giving Their Kids Fortnite-Inspired Names, and Hop Hop, Bunny Is Moving to the Top
Unless you've been living in a bunker for the last year or so, then you're probably familiar with the ultrapopular video game, Fortnite, which has taken the world by storm. And while pulling our tweens and teens away from the screen has become a serious chore, by the looks of recent baby name trends, adults have gotten hooked on the game, too.
According to BabyCenter's hottest name trends of 2018, Fortnite-inspired baby names are on the up and up. For example, the name Ramirez - a female character in the game - actually jumped a whopping 57 percent for boys during 2018. Fortnite skins, or costumes the characters wear, also served as a source for inspiration. The name Leviathan increased by 46 percent for boys, Bunny surged 30 percent for girls, and the name Rogue became 47 percent more popular for girls and rose 21 percent for boys over the course of 2018.
Interestingly, real-life gamers are being considered as inspiration as well. Dakotaz, a professional Fornite player, is likely responsible for a 13 percent increase in the name Dakota for girls and a six percent uptick for boys. All we can say is, game on!
I Struggled With Postpartum Anxiety - I Can't Believe This Light Therapy Lamp Helped
When my therapist suggested I try a light lamp to handle my raging postpartum anxiety, I paused. It sounded a little bogus. A lamp? I'm around lamps all day long, from standing to overhead and everything in between. How was that going to calm my mind so that I could breathe?
It was eight days after I'd delivered my first baby. Exactly five days since we'd come home from the hospital. My daughter was healthy and hungry, and I was an absolute mess. My anxiety had soared to new, unfamiliar levels. Prior to delivering, I'd been working closely with my therapist on maintaining a good headspace, and to my surprise, I got through my entire pregnancy with manageable levels of anxiety and panic. It was there, ebbing and flowing right along aside me, but it was reasonable.
Nothing could have prepared me for the round-the-clock fear that I experienced once entering my home following delivery, though. There was a mixed bag of things at play. A series of new and very serious responsibilities, from trying - and failing - to breastfeed, to having to make constant decisions about the health and wellness of my baby, all cascading into one another.
It was the middle of Winter, and these paralyzing sensations, for whatever reason, were peaking around 4:30 p.m. every day just when the sun was setting-when the house was quiet, and I felt most trapped inside of it.
My therapist noticed the way light exposure was impacting my mood - I was having trouble eating anything at night because the anxiety was so debilitating it was giving me intense gastrointestinal issues - and among the many things we worked on together, she suggested I try a Verilux HappyLight ($99). She explained that light therapy at the right time of day could possibly improve my mood and energy, and reset my circadian rhythm to improve sleep. It could, at the very least, help.
Desperate, I ordered it immediately. Every day at 3:30 p.m. - about an hour before I'd typically trigger - I sat in front of the lamp. We started off slowly with just 20-minute sessions. I placed it on my bedside table (though you can put it anywhere) and sat next to it so that the light hit my eyes from the side. As much as I wanted to do other things while using it, it works best when you look forward. It wasn't exactly relaxing, but it was therapeutic. Like an extension of my healing.
The first day I completed a session I was noticeably energized immediately. More awake. I turned off the lamp and went on a walk, which was great to get outside and get some fresh air. I even walked to the market and ate dinner. Something about eating outside helped. And when I returned home from the walk I felt a little different, too. Rather than the suffocating feeling I was experiencing at home, I was a little less anxious. I looked forward to the next day, when I could use the light again. Whether it was the lamp or my belief in the lamp, I didn't care. That's the way anxiety works sometimes.
While the HappyLight doesn't make any medical claims, and I wouldn't have tried it without the guidance from my therapist, it was a useful tool in addressing and treating my postpartum anxiety. It gave me a regular thing to look forward to every day, and it reset how I felt about the evening. It didn't completely cure my postpartum anxiety, but it was a critical piece. It calmed me just enough, and I believed in it.
Yes, sometimes a lamp is just a lamp. But other times, though, it's kind of like Xanax.
This Support Band Was the Only Way I Could Work Out While Pregnant
After spending what felt like an eternity in my own version of the fetal position, riddled with an almost suffocating sense of fatigue and round-the-clock nausea, I could not wait to return to fitness in my second trimester. My prepregnancy workout routine had always been intense - five to six days a week of everything from competitive volleyball to boxing - and while I had zero expectations of returning to that level of commitment, I just longed to sweat again, to feel a few beads collect on my forehead . . . maybe even with a slight endorphine rush to boot.
But things didn't go as planned. I wasn't able to even think about working out until the nausea phased out, and that didn't happen until month five or so. But returning to running was miserable. Even the slowest jog - I'm talking trot - was painful. The joy of running was quickly eclipsed by a hybrid of thoughts centered around wondering if I needed to pee and realizing I definitely needed to pee, plus pelvic pressure that would not taper.
I'd seen pictures of the Bao Bei Maternity Support Band ($64) on Instagram and decided that, after speaking with my OB, this would be the thing I'd try next. It's advertised as a sports bra for your belly, and the concept made perfect sense. As soon as it came in the mail, I slipped it on and headed to the gym for a test run. The band made an enormous difference. I didn't feel any discomfort from it; rather, I felt that with every heel strike, my belly pounded less and the pressure on my pelvis greatly diminished. I still had to pee, but there was no solving that. The pain relief it provided me with in my third trimester, as well as the emotional benefit of being able to sweat again, was well worth another purchase. If you're in a similar boat and frustrated with not being able to work out, I highly recommend giving it a try.
Christian Bale Has the Most Adorable Nicknames For His Kids (Spoiler: They’ll Make You Hungry)
Celebrities have been known to give their kids unique names (ahem, Blanket, cough, Apple), but when Christian Bale, who won best performance by an actor in a musical or comedy film for the movie Vice, thanked his two children, "Banana" and "Burrito," during his Golden Globes acceptance speech on Jan. 6, I just about spit out my banana burrito my eyes nearly popped out from opening so wide. Of course, the first thing I did was google the actor's children, and I was relieved to find that they actually have very different names (that don't even start with B!).
Christian shares a 13-year-old daughter named Emmeline and a 4-year-old son named Joseph with his wife, Sibi Blazic. It's unclear as to which child is Banana and which is Burrito, but imagining Christian calling Burrito in from outside for dinner or asking Banana what they want for breakfast (banana slices, probs) is equal parts hilarious and insanely adorable.
Ahead, hear Christian thank Banana and Burrito in his acceptance speech (during which a surprising number of viewers realized the actor is, in fact, British) and see people's hilarious reactions to the nicknames.
OMG, You Are Going to Wish You Saw This Mom's Hack Before Taking Down Your Christmas Tree
I love putting up my Christmas tree at the start of the holiday season, but the idea of taking it down? Ugh. I put it off and put it off, and by the time I finally start the process, it seems never-ending. Prying each ornament off the branches requires a delicate touch, wrapping them all up takes forever, and I inevitably tangle all the garland into a giant knot as I try to unravel it from around the tree.
It makes me question why I go through the effort to put it up every year.
Well, another parent felt the same way and figured out a solution to the annual tree-detrimming torture.
Renae Krivitz, a mom of two from Minnesota, shared her "new time-saving Christmas tree invention" on Facebook, and warning: if you already took your tree down this year, you're about to become very, very jealous.
The method? Simply wrap it up with some professional-grade plastic wrap and store it!
A few caveats to note: this only works with artificial trees, and it's only possible if you've got a home with a storage room big enough to plop a full-size tree into for 11 months out of the year. You also might feel a little guilty when it comes time to put up the tree next year, and you discover that instead of thoughtfully hanging up meaningful ornaments with your family, you are simply hoisting it up some stairs and cutting away the clear wrapping.
But to that, I say: remember when your kids got bored after getting a sum total of three ornaments out of the box? Yeah, wrap that sucker up.
Incoming! Disney Junior Is Airing a New Show This Month, and It’s Going to Be DINO-Mite!
Disney Junior is already stacking its 2019 lineup with a new show airing on Jan. 18, and it's going to be DINO-mite! Gigantosaurus, a CGI animated dinosaur adventure series for preschoolers, is about four young dinosaurs - Rocky, Bill, Tiny, and Mazu - who "explore a prehistoric world of adventure where the most exciting mystery of all is Gigantosaurus, the biggest and fiercest dinosaur anyone has ever seen!"
The hilarious show, which will definitely channel your child's inner dino (and give '90s kids some serious The Land Before Time vibes), features an adorable and catchy theme song, co-created by the LA-based children's band, The BeatBuds.
"As kids, the Cretaceous world always captivated our imaginations. As adults, and as songwriters in the children's genre, we had coincidentally previously explored various musical ideas to express our lifelong interest in this colorful and awe-inspiring time period," Matty of The BeatBuds told POPSUGAR. "When we were presented with the opportunity to write a theme song for a new Disney dinosaur series, we looked at each other, smiled, and started stomping our feet to our own dino beat! After that, the song flowed out like volcanic lava!" Jonny, the other half of the musical duo, added that he was inspired to "create a song that really thumps for the kids!"
Check out a clip from the new show above, get a sneak peek at the theme song written by The BeatBuds ahead, and tune into the first episode of Gigantosaurus on Jan. 18 at 9 a.m. local time!
These Congresswomen Brought Their Kids to Work on Their First Days, and Hell Yes, Working Mamas
The 116th Congress, which was sworn in on Jan. 3, includes 125 women - 18 more than the 115th Congress! Within that group, there are a hell of a lot of working moms holding seats, which meant that there were a number of young kids present in Washington DC on the day of the swearing-in ceremony.
From Rashida Tlaib, one of the first Muslim women to be elected to Congress (along with Ilhan Omar), to Ayanna Pressley, the first black woman to be elected to Congress in Massachusetts, these are some of the women of the 116th Congress who were joined by their biggest fans - their kids - to make history on Capitol Hill.
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