3 CommentsPosted in: FashionPost navigation← Let’s Talk About The “Crackly” Elbow EpidemicSay Buh-Bye To Nasty-Ass Soda…Homemade 10 Second Sprite!!! →3 thoughts on “How to Hide a Bad Hair Day & Still Look Chic: HATS!”
Thursday, 30 January 2014
Wanna know a secret?
I drink “Sprite” at least five nights a week.
But it’s not real Sprite.
EWWW! Sick! Gag/barf/throw!!!
I mean…let’s get real, I’d rather die than drink Sprite.
J/K…kinda.
Anyway, I’m super excited to share a top-secret recipe ( invented by my friend, Mike ) that I’m literally OBSESSED with:
Wanna know a secret?
I drink “Sprite” at least five nights a week.
But it’s not real Sprite.
EWWW! Sick! Gag/barf/throw!!!
I mean…let’s get real, I’d rather die than drink Sprite.
J/K…kinda.
Anyway, I’m super excited to share a top-secret recipe ( invented by my friend, Mike ) that I’m literally OBSESSED with:
Read this before you go Atkins crazy
Kim Kardashian says the Atkins diet was the secret to her post-baby weight loss, and plenty of studies have suggested that eating a high-protein diet can help you drop pounds. But there’s a potential drawback to be aware of: A new study suggests that consuming a diet packed with protein can boost your chances of developing kidney disease and/or painful kidney stones.
Here’s the gist: Scientists at the University of Grenada in Spain fed rats a diet composed of 45 percent protein for 12 weeks. The rats did lose weight—10 percent of their total body weight, in fact. However, they had significantly lower levels of a chemical found in urine that prevents the crystallization of calcium—and having this sort of deficiency can lead to kidney stones.
This isn’t the first time researchers have found fault with high-protein plans, especially when it comes to kidney problems. There’s been a rise in the incidence of kidney stones—and the American Academy of Family Medicine released a statement linking this to the popularity of diets high in animal protein, says Janet Brill, Ph.D., R.D., a Philadelphia-based nutritionist. Animal protein produces an acidic environment in the body, increasing the formation of kidney stones and leeching calcium from bones, says Brill. “Plant proteins don’t have the same effect."
Unsurprisingly, the study authors came down hard on high-protein diets in general—but they singled out the Dukan Diet by name. (While the study authors didn’t go into why they called out this diet in particular, it may be because the weight-loss plan is trendy in Europe—and the researchers are from Spain). It’s also worth noting that animals’ bodies aren’t identical to humans’—so this animal study alone doesn’t prove that high-protein diets will have a similar effect on people.
While it’s best to avoid diets that cut out entire food groups and instead opt for more sustainable healthy-eating plans, the study authors did say that there may be a way to offset the possibility of kidney problems if you’re consuming tons of protein: Make sure to eat lots of fruits and vegetables since they’re high in potassium (and the nutrient can help protect against kidney stones).
MORE: “How Can I Eat Better and Still Maintain a Social Life?”
Read this before you go Atkins crazy
Kim Kardashian says the Atkins diet was the secret to her post-baby weight loss, and plenty of studies have suggested that eating a high-protein diet can help you drop pounds. But there’s a potential drawback to be aware of: A new study suggests that consuming a diet packed with protein can boost your chances of developing kidney disease and/or painful kidney stones.
Here’s the gist: Scientists at the University of Grenada in Spain fed rats a diet composed of 45 percent protein for 12 weeks. The rats did lose weight—10 percent of their total body weight, in fact. However, they had significantly lower levels of a chemical found in urine that prevents the crystallization of calcium—and having this sort of deficiency can lead to kidney stones.
This isn’t the first time researchers have found fault with high-protein plans, especially when it comes to kidney problems. There’s been a rise in the incidence of kidney stones—and the American Academy of Family Medicine released a statement linking this to the popularity of diets high in animal protein, says Janet Brill, Ph.D., R.D., a Philadelphia-based nutritionist. Animal protein produces an acidic environment in the body, increasing the formation of kidney stones and leeching calcium from bones, says Brill. “Plant proteins don’t have the same effect."
Unsurprisingly, the study authors came down hard on high-protein diets in general—but they singled out the Dukan Diet by name. (While the study authors didn’t go into why they called out this diet in particular, it may be because the weight-loss plan is trendy in Europe—and the researchers are from Spain). It’s also worth noting that animals’ bodies aren’t identical to humans’—so this animal study alone doesn’t prove that high-protein diets will have a similar effect on people.
While it’s best to avoid diets that cut out entire food groups and instead opt for more sustainable healthy-eating plans, the study authors did say that there may be a way to offset the possibility of kidney problems if you’re consuming tons of protein: Make sure to eat lots of fruits and vegetables since they’re high in potassium (and the nutrient can help protect against kidney stones).
MORE: “How Can I Eat Better and Still Maintain a Social Life?”
Would you be willing to try out the vegan life for a month?
Remember when Beyoncé and Jay-Z became vegans for 22 days in December? The couple's pre-Christmas "spiritual cleanse," as Jay-Z called it, scored tons of media attention—and it might have contributed to a recent surge in people trying out the vegan lifestyle for themselves.
This year, the U.K.-based Vegan Society launched a new campaign called Veganuary, which was designed to encourage people to try veganism for the month of January. The organization recently told BBC that 3,200 people signed the Veganuary pledge on their site—and leaders say Beyoncé and Jay-Z's temporary veganism may have helped encourage people to take part in the campaign.
Bey and Jay aren't eating vegan anymore (they ended their challenge with some seafood, but they aren't the only stars who've promoted veganism. Carrie Underwood, Natalie Portman, and Alicia Silverstone also eat an animal product-free diet. Interested in trying out the vegan lifestyle but aren't sure you can fully commit to it? You might want to start off with food writer Mark Bittman's vegan before six plan.
MORE: 3 Crazy-Tempting Vegan Recipes
Would you be willing to try out the vegan life for a month?
Remember when Beyoncé and Jay-Z became vegans for 22 days in December? The couple's pre-Christmas "spiritual cleanse," as Jay-Z called it, scored tons of media attention—and it might have contributed to a recent surge in people trying out the vegan lifestyle for themselves.
This year, the U.K.-based Vegan Society launched a new campaign called Veganuary, which was designed to encourage people to try veganism for the month of January. The organization recently told BBC that 3,200 people signed the Veganuary pledge on their site—and leaders say Beyoncé and Jay-Z's temporary veganism may have helped encourage people to take part in the campaign.
Bey and Jay aren't eating vegan anymore (they ended their challenge with some seafood, but they aren't the only stars who've promoted veganism. Carrie Underwood, Natalie Portman, and Alicia Silverstone also eat an animal product-free diet. Interested in trying out the vegan lifestyle but aren't sure you can fully commit to it? You might want to start off with food writer Mark Bittman's vegan before six plan.
MORE: 3 Crazy-Tempting Vegan Recipes
You can learn a lot about keeping your bond (and bedroom life) strong from lovers who live apart
One year into my marriage, I moved to another state—without my husband. I was following my dream of working in Manhattan, but Jason's job almost 100 miles away in Pennsylvania was too good to give up. It may have looked as if we were heading for divorce, but a year and a half later, our marriage is stronger than ever.
We're one of the estimated 3.5 million married U.S. couples who live apart—a stat that reflects the rise of online dating (where it's easy to meet someone in a different area), an unreliable job market, and military deployments. And recently, Cornell University researchers confirmed my suspicion: Long-distance duos often communicate better and feel more connected than close-quarter couples. "They know they're at a disadvantage, so they put more time and effort into their relationship," says Tina Tessina, Ph.D. Here, tips that can help your partnership go the distance—even if you're never more than a few miles apart.
Get to the Heart of It
It makes sense that geographically divided partners in the Cornell study reported a higher level of intimacy and a closer bond than pairs who saw each other more often, say some experts. "When couples have only a limited time to communicate, they make sure to get to the emotionally important stuff first," says Logan Levkoff, Ph.D., author of How to Get Your Wife to Have Sex with You. Of course, you can't—and shouldn't—avoid talking about who's going to pick up the dry cleaning, but you can prevent mundane topics from sucking the life out of your relationship.
One way to strike a better balance: Tackle chores and routines over e-mail, says Tessina. With the humdrum out of the way, you can spend face-to-face time sharing the deeper stuff—something that geographically challenged couples in the study did more of. "Long-distance couples were more open about their thoughts and feelings and especially valued when their partner responded to them with empathy and understanding," says study author Crystal Jiang, Ph.D. That means really paying attention—even when you wish he'd quit talking so you can turn on Scandal.
Connect Your Worlds
What you had for lunch, his boss's tacky tie, the guy who nabbed your seat on the bus—who cares? Well, you should.
While deep discussions enhance intimacy, chatting about the little stuff creates "interrelatedness," or the feeling of being involved in each other's day-to-day ups and downs, says Greg Guldner, Ph.D., a long-distance relationship researcher and assistant professor at Loma Linda University. "Couples with higher degrees of interrelatedness are less likely to break up," he says. He recommends sending your mate two positive or neutral texts per day—but resist the urge to make them open-ended. "You don't want to fall into a pattern where someone feels as if they have to respond immediately," he says. In other words, text your guy a compliment or send him an e-mail saying that you're still laughing about that story he told you last night. Save your coworker's rude comments for later—you can tell him all about it over a glass of wine.
Be Ignorantly Blissful
If distance makes the heart grow fonder, it also makes couples more likely to focus on all the happy memories that they've made together—which is one reason why long-distance pairs are more likely to idealize their partners, says Jiang.
We're not saying you should let his tendency to bad-mouth your mom go unnoticed, but keeping a mental list of your partner's good points—and even building them up a little bit—is way better for your relationship than stewing over things that bug you.
Need inspiration? One study from the University of Texas at Austin found that couples who wrote about their relationships—and focused on the positives—were more likely to stay together. If you're not the journaling type, try tossing out more compliments: People who make a conscious effort to appreciate their partner are more successful than those who don't give each other mental props, says research from the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. It's not just thanking him for what he does, says study author Amie Gordon, Ph.D., but being thankful for who he is. It's the difference between "You're so sweet to make me coffee!" and "Thanks for the joe."
Put It in Writing
Guldner's research has found that long-distance couples who stayed together wrote to each other twice as often during their relationship as those who split up, with the average LDR couple sending three letters—you know, the kind you put stamps on and drop in the mailbox—per month. Taking the time to put pen to paper shows effort and thought.
"A letter is also a transition object," explains Guldner. "You'll feel stronger about receiving one because your partner has recently held it in his hand. Plus, letters can leave traces of scent—and odor can stimulate the brain's limbic system, which is associated with arousal."
Slip a hot note into his gym bag or stick a Post-it on his nightstand before you leave for the weekend. And no shortcuts—punching out a sweet text or shooting off a quick e-mail has its place, but "there's a direct connection between writing and your emotions, so a handwritten missive is more likely to be open and honest than a typed one or a text," says Tessina.
Spice Things Up
Because couples who live across state lines have to get creative to maintain their physical bond (hello, steamy Skype sesh), they can end up with a sex life that's fresher and more exciting. "All couples need to go outside of their comfort zone and explore their boundaries," says Yvonne K. Fulbright, Ph.D., author of Sultry Sex Talk to Seduce Any Lover.
Shoot a video, or try fantasizing about a different place—or even a different person—next time you're in the sack. "Thinking about having sex with a person who isn't your partner isn't an indication that you're bored in your relationship or unhappy with your mate," says Ian Kerner, Ph.D., author of She Comes First. "It can be an important way to increase your satisfaction."
You can learn a lot about keeping your bond (and bedroom life) strong from lovers who live apart
One year into my marriage, I moved to another state—without my husband. I was following my dream of working in Manhattan, but Jason's job almost 100 miles away in Pennsylvania was too good to give up. It may have looked as if we were heading for divorce, but a year and a half later, our marriage is stronger than ever.
We're one of the estimated 3.5 million married U.S. couples who live apart—a stat that reflects the rise of online dating (where it's easy to meet someone in a different area), an unreliable job market, and military deployments. And recently, Cornell University researchers confirmed my suspicion: Long-distance duos often communicate better and feel more connected than close-quarter couples. "They know they're at a disadvantage, so they put more time and effort into their relationship," says Tina Tessina, Ph.D. Here, tips that can help your partnership go the distance—even if you're never more than a few miles apart.
Get to the Heart of It
It makes sense that geographically divided partners in the Cornell study reported a higher level of intimacy and a closer bond than pairs who saw each other more often, say some experts. "When couples have only a limited time to communicate, they make sure to get to the emotionally important stuff first," says Logan Levkoff, Ph.D., author of How to Get Your Wife to Have Sex with You. Of course, you can't—and shouldn't—avoid talking about who's going to pick up the dry cleaning, but you can prevent mundane topics from sucking the life out of your relationship.
One way to strike a better balance: Tackle chores and routines over e-mail, says Tessina. With the humdrum out of the way, you can spend face-to-face time sharing the deeper stuff—something that geographically challenged couples in the study did more of. "Long-distance couples were more open about their thoughts and feelings and especially valued when their partner responded to them with empathy and understanding," says study author Crystal Jiang, Ph.D. That means really paying attention—even when you wish he'd quit talking so you can turn on Scandal.
Connect Your Worlds
What you had for lunch, his boss's tacky tie, the guy who nabbed your seat on the bus—who cares? Well, you should.
While deep discussions enhance intimacy, chatting about the little stuff creates "interrelatedness," or the feeling of being involved in each other's day-to-day ups and downs, says Greg Guldner, Ph.D., a long-distance relationship researcher and assistant professor at Loma Linda University. "Couples with higher degrees of interrelatedness are less likely to break up," he says. He recommends sending your mate two positive or neutral texts per day—but resist the urge to make them open-ended. "You don't want to fall into a pattern where someone feels as if they have to respond immediately," he says. In other words, text your guy a compliment or send him an e-mail saying that you're still laughing about that story he told you last night. Save your coworker's rude comments for later—you can tell him all about it over a glass of wine.
Be Ignorantly Blissful
If distance makes the heart grow fonder, it also makes couples more likely to focus on all the happy memories that they've made together—which is one reason why long-distance pairs are more likely to idealize their partners, says Jiang.
We're not saying you should let his tendency to bad-mouth your mom go unnoticed, but keeping a mental list of your partner's good points—and even building them up a little bit—is way better for your relationship than stewing over things that bug you.
Need inspiration? One study from the University of Texas at Austin found that couples who wrote about their relationships—and focused on the positives—were more likely to stay together. If you're not the journaling type, try tossing out more compliments: People who make a conscious effort to appreciate their partner are more successful than those who don't give each other mental props, says research from the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. It's not just thanking him for what he does, says study author Amie Gordon, Ph.D., but being thankful for who he is. It's the difference between "You're so sweet to make me coffee!" and "Thanks for the joe."
Put It in Writing
Guldner's research has found that long-distance couples who stayed together wrote to each other twice as often during their relationship as those who split up, with the average LDR couple sending three letters—you know, the kind you put stamps on and drop in the mailbox—per month. Taking the time to put pen to paper shows effort and thought.
"A letter is also a transition object," explains Guldner. "You'll feel stronger about receiving one because your partner has recently held it in his hand. Plus, letters can leave traces of scent—and odor can stimulate the brain's limbic system, which is associated with arousal."
Slip a hot note into his gym bag or stick a Post-it on his nightstand before you leave for the weekend. And no shortcuts—punching out a sweet text or shooting off a quick e-mail has its place, but "there's a direct connection between writing and your emotions, so a handwritten missive is more likely to be open and honest than a typed one or a text," says Tessina.
Spice Things Up
Because couples who live across state lines have to get creative to maintain their physical bond (hello, steamy Skype sesh), they can end up with a sex life that's fresher and more exciting. "All couples need to go outside of their comfort zone and explore their boundaries," says Yvonne K. Fulbright, Ph.D., author of Sultry Sex Talk to Seduce Any Lover.
Shoot a video, or try fantasizing about a different place—or even a different person—next time you're in the sack. "Thinking about having sex with a person who isn't your partner isn't an indication that you're bored in your relationship or unhappy with your mate," says Ian Kerner, Ph.D., author of She Comes First. "It can be an important way to increase your satisfaction."
Any of these sound familiar?
In (uncomfortably relatable) sex news, researchers identified a whopping six different reasons that women fake orgasms, according to a pair of surveys of over 350 women, published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior. Even weirder (slash, more interesting): their reasons differ based on whether they're faking it during oral sex or penetration. Oh!
During penetrative intercourse, women tend to fake it for four main reasons: to avoid hurting their partner's feelings; because they feel insecure about having an orgasm; to speed things up and end the sex ASAP; and as an attempt to increase their own arousal (sort of a fake-it-'til-you-make-it approach—hey, whatever works!).
MORE: 19 Things You Didn't Know About Orgasms
But their reasons for faking it during oral sex were surprisingly different. They still reported faking it to boost their own arousal and to protect their partner's ego, but they also gave these two interesting reasons: to avoid anxiety associated with oral sex (specifically the up-close-and-personalness of the position); and to seem "normal" in terms of sexual function, rather than betray the fact that they take a while to climax, or maybe aren't even able to. (Which, for the record: Is completely normal.)
MORE: Have Great Sex—Even When You Don't Have an Orgasm
First of all, let's throw out the idea that you ever need to feel insecure about your orgasm—no matter how long it takes, or whether it even happens at all. And second, please let this story serve as a reminder: There's no such thing as a "normal" vagina, and insecurity about what a "normal" vagina should look, feel, or taste like is an unnecessary damper on a potentially great time. So why are we still faking it? These findings demonstrate that sometimes women think it's reasonable—or even valuable—to fake an orgasm, says coauthor Allan Fenigstein, Ph.D., professor of psychology at Kenyon College. Based on the non-insecurity related reasons listed above, it seems like playing up the theatrics may seem like the path of least resistance/least awkwardness, compared to just saying, "Hey babe, you know what? That feels awesome, but it's just not going to happen. You go ahead and finish."
Bottom line: whether you're faking it to make your partner feel better or to overcome your own neuroses about face-to-vulva-proximity, it's time to put an end to the charade. Instead, brush up on our tips for scoring the big O, because you deserve the real deal every time.
MORE: 10 Reasons You Should Have More Orgasms
Any of these sound familiar?
In (uncomfortably relatable) sex news, researchers identified a whopping six different reasons that women fake orgasms, according to a pair of surveys of over 350 women, published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior. Even weirder (slash, more interesting): their reasons differ based on whether they're faking it during oral sex or penetration. Oh!
During penetrative intercourse, women tend to fake it for four main reasons: to avoid hurting their partner's feelings; because they feel insecure about having an orgasm; to speed things up and end the sex ASAP; and as an attempt to increase their own arousal (sort of a fake-it-'til-you-make-it approach—hey, whatever works!).
MORE: 19 Things You Didn't Know About Orgasms
But their reasons for faking it during oral sex were surprisingly different. They still reported faking it to boost their own arousal and to protect their partner's ego, but they also gave these two interesting reasons: to avoid anxiety associated with oral sex (specifically the up-close-and-personalness of the position); and to seem "normal" in terms of sexual function, rather than betray the fact that they take a while to climax, or maybe aren't even able to. (Which, for the record: Is completely normal.)
MORE: Have Great Sex—Even When You Don't Have an Orgasm
First of all, let's throw out the idea that you ever need to feel insecure about your orgasm—no matter how long it takes, or whether it even happens at all. And second, please let this story serve as a reminder: There's no such thing as a "normal" vagina, and insecurity about what a "normal" vagina should look, feel, or taste like is an unnecessary damper on a potentially great time. So why are we still faking it? These findings demonstrate that sometimes women think it's reasonable—or even valuable—to fake an orgasm, says coauthor Allan Fenigstein, Ph.D., professor of psychology at Kenyon College. Based on the non-insecurity related reasons listed above, it seems like playing up the theatrics may seem like the path of least resistance/least awkwardness, compared to just saying, "Hey babe, you know what? That feels awesome, but it's just not going to happen. You go ahead and finish."
Bottom line: whether you're faking it to make your partner feel better or to overcome your own neuroses about face-to-vulva-proximity, it's time to put an end to the charade. Instead, brush up on our tips for scoring the big O, because you deserve the real deal every time.
MORE: 10 Reasons You Should Have More Orgasms
Each month your favorite dishes get a healthy and delectable do-over with tips from Keri Glassman, R.D.
1 head cauliflower (2 lbs), cut into florets and steamed
2 cloves garlic
1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans
1/2 cup vegetable stock
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 lb whole-wheat fettuccine
1 tsp grapeseed oil
8 oz boneless, skinless chicken breast
4 medium zucchini
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp nutritional yeast Parsley
Puree cauliflower, garlic, cannellini beans, vegetable stock, Parmesan cheese, and black pepper in a blender until smooth. In a large pot, cook fettuccine as directed. Drain and set aside. Heat grapeseed oil; saute chicken and slice. Shave zucchini into ribbons. Heat olive oil over medium heat and add zucchini ribbons. Toss and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Lower heat and add cooked fettuccine, chicken, and cauliflower sauce. Toss to coat. Remove from heat and serve. Sprinkle with nutritional yeast and parsley.
Makes 4 servings
Per serving: 410 cal, 10 g fat (3 g sat), 49 g carbs, 610 mg sodium, 13 g fiber, 33 g protein
Use a Pasta Impostor
Vitamin- and antioxidant-packed zucchini ribbons sub for half of the fettuccine, giving you all of the volume (and even more flavor) without the carb bomb.
Elevate Your Oil
Sizzle chicken in grapeseed oil, which is brimming with heart-healthy fats. It also has a high smoke point, so it's less likely to break down and form harmful chemical compounds. Olive is another A-plus oil: It contains a compound that may ward off UVB damage and breast and skin cancer.
Try This Sauce Substitution
The bulk of the calories and fat in classic fettuccine Alfredo comes from the cream sauce, but there's no need for it with this savory bean and veggie blend. Steaming the cauliflower retains more of its nutrients than other cooking methods, such as boiling, since hot water can zap vitamins.
Top It Off
Nutritional yeast (we know, awful name) is a flaky, dairy-free topping that tastes cheesy and adds vitamins, protein, and folic acid.
Each month your favorite dishes get a healthy and delectable do-over with tips from Keri Glassman, R.D.
1 head cauliflower (2 lbs), cut into florets and steamed
2 cloves garlic
1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans
1/2 cup vegetable stock
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 lb whole-wheat fettuccine
1 tsp grapeseed oil
8 oz boneless, skinless chicken breast
4 medium zucchini
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp nutritional yeast Parsley
Puree cauliflower, garlic, cannellini beans, vegetable stock, Parmesan cheese, and black pepper in a blender until smooth. In a large pot, cook fettuccine as directed. Drain and set aside. Heat grapeseed oil; saute chicken and slice. Shave zucchini into ribbons. Heat olive oil over medium heat and add zucchini ribbons. Toss and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Lower heat and add cooked fettuccine, chicken, and cauliflower sauce. Toss to coat. Remove from heat and serve. Sprinkle with nutritional yeast and parsley.
Makes 4 servings
Per serving: 410 cal, 10 g fat (3 g sat), 49 g carbs, 610 mg sodium, 13 g fiber, 33 g protein
Use a Pasta Impostor
Vitamin- and antioxidant-packed zucchini ribbons sub for half of the fettuccine, giving you all of the volume (and even more flavor) without the carb bomb.
Elevate Your Oil
Sizzle chicken in grapeseed oil, which is brimming with heart-healthy fats. It also has a high smoke point, so it's less likely to break down and form harmful chemical compounds. Olive is another A-plus oil: It contains a compound that may ward off UVB damage and breast and skin cancer.
Try This Sauce Substitution
The bulk of the calories and fat in classic fettuccine Alfredo comes from the cream sauce, but there's no need for it with this savory bean and veggie blend. Steaming the cauliflower retains more of its nutrients than other cooking methods, such as boiling, since hot water can zap vitamins.
Top It Off
Nutritional yeast (we know, awful name) is a flaky, dairy-free topping that tastes cheesy and adds vitamins, protein, and folic acid.
Slouchy looks good on bags and boots... on you, not so much. Here's why bad posture can derail your fitness goals—plus, head-to-toe fixesu're after.
Slumping your shoulders doesn't just make you resemble one of our long-extinct ancestors—if you don't stand up straight, no amount of exercise will give you the hot bod you're after. Here's why: Over time, poor posture takes a serious toll on your spine, shoulders, hips, and knees. In fact, it can cause a cascade of structural flaws that lead to back and joint pain, reduced flexibility, and compromised muscles, all of which limit your ability to burn fat and build strength. But you can head off all these problems by taking the simple self-test to the right, then using the exercises below to fix your form, soothe your pain, and get your curves moving in the right direction.
1 FORWARD HEAD
The problem Stiff muscles in the back of your neck
The fix Moving only your head, drop your chin down and in toward your sternum while stretching the back of your neck. Hold for a count of five; do this 10 times a day.
2 ROUNDED SHOULDERS
The problem Weakness in the middle and lower parts of your trapezius (the large muscle that spans your shoulders and back)
The fix Lie facedown on the floor, with each arm at a 90-degree angle in the high-five position. Without changing your elbow angle, raise both arms by pulling your shoulders back and squeezing your shoulder blades together. Hold for five seconds. That's one rep; do two or three sets of 12 reps daily.
3 ANTERIOR PELVIC TILT
The problem Tight hip flexors
The fix Kneel on your left knee, with your right foot on the floor in front of you, knee bent. Press forward until you feel the stretch in your left hip. Tighten your butt muscles on your left side until you feel the front of your hip stretching comfortably. Reach upward with your left arm and stretch to the right side. Hold for a count of 30 seconds. That's one repetition; do three on each side.
4 ELEVATED SHOULDER
The problem The muscle under your chest (running from your ribs to your shoulder blades) is weak.
The fix Sit upright in a chair with your hands next to your hips, palms down on the seat, arms straight. Without moving your arms, push down on the chair until your hips lift up off the seat and your torso rises. Hold for five seconds. That's one repetition; do two or three sets of 12 reps daily.
5 PIGEON TOES
The problem Weak glutes (butt muscles)
The fix Lie on one side with your knees bent 90 degrees and your heels together. Keeping your hips still, raise your top knee upward, separating your knees like a clamshell. Pause for five seconds, then lower your knee to the starting position. That's one rep. Perform two or three sets of 12 reps on each side daily.
6 DUCK FEET
The problem Your oblique muscles and hip flexors are weak.
The fix Get into a pushup position with your feet resting on a stability ball. Without rounding your lower back, tuck your knees under your torso, using your feet to roll the ball toward your body, then back to the starting position. That's one rep. Do two or three sets of six to 12 reps daily.
Assess your posture
Wear something form-fitting and take two full-body photos—one from the front, one from the side. Relax your muscles and stand as tall as you can, feet hip-width apart. Then refer to the fix-it plan (below left) to diagnose your posture problems.
1 / Look at your ear. If it's in front of the midpoint of your shoulder, your head is too far forward.
2 / Can you see your shoulder blade? That means your back is too rounded.
3 / If your hips tilt forward and you have a belly pooch (even if you don't have an ounce of fat on your body) and your lower spine is arched significantly, this means you have an anterior pelvic tilt.
4 / Look at your shoulders. One shouldn't appear higher than the other.
5 / Check out your kneecaps. Do they point inward, causing your knees to touch when your legs are straightened?
6 / See if you're duck-footed. Your toes will point outward more than 10 degrees.
Slouchy looks good on bags and boots... on you, not so much. Here's why bad posture can derail your fitness goals—plus, head-to-toe fixesu're after.
Slumping your shoulders doesn't just make you resemble one of our long-extinct ancestors—if you don't stand up straight, no amount of exercise will give you the hot bod you're after. Here's why: Over time, poor posture takes a serious toll on your spine, shoulders, hips, and knees. In fact, it can cause a cascade of structural flaws that lead to back and joint pain, reduced flexibility, and compromised muscles, all of which limit your ability to burn fat and build strength. But you can head off all these problems by taking the simple self-test to the right, then using the exercises below to fix your form, soothe your pain, and get your curves moving in the right direction.
1 FORWARD HEAD
The problem Stiff muscles in the back of your neck
The fix Moving only your head, drop your chin down and in toward your sternum while stretching the back of your neck. Hold for a count of five; do this 10 times a day.
2 ROUNDED SHOULDERS
The problem Weakness in the middle and lower parts of your trapezius (the large muscle that spans your shoulders and back)
The fix Lie facedown on the floor, with each arm at a 90-degree angle in the high-five position. Without changing your elbow angle, raise both arms by pulling your shoulders back and squeezing your shoulder blades together. Hold for five seconds. That's one rep; do two or three sets of 12 reps daily.
3 ANTERIOR PELVIC TILT
The problem Tight hip flexors
The fix Kneel on your left knee, with your right foot on the floor in front of you, knee bent. Press forward until you feel the stretch in your left hip. Tighten your butt muscles on your left side until you feel the front of your hip stretching comfortably. Reach upward with your left arm and stretch to the right side. Hold for a count of 30 seconds. That's one repetition; do three on each side.
4 ELEVATED SHOULDER
The problem The muscle under your chest (running from your ribs to your shoulder blades) is weak.
The fix Sit upright in a chair with your hands next to your hips, palms down on the seat, arms straight. Without moving your arms, push down on the chair until your hips lift up off the seat and your torso rises. Hold for five seconds. That's one repetition; do two or three sets of 12 reps daily.
5 PIGEON TOES
The problem Weak glutes (butt muscles)
The fix Lie on one side with your knees bent 90 degrees and your heels together. Keeping your hips still, raise your top knee upward, separating your knees like a clamshell. Pause for five seconds, then lower your knee to the starting position. That's one rep. Perform two or three sets of 12 reps on each side daily.
6 DUCK FEET
The problem Your oblique muscles and hip flexors are weak.
The fix Get into a pushup position with your feet resting on a stability ball. Without rounding your lower back, tuck your knees under your torso, using your feet to roll the ball toward your body, then back to the starting position. That's one rep. Do two or three sets of six to 12 reps daily.
Assess your posture
Wear something form-fitting and take two full-body photos—one from the front, one from the side. Relax your muscles and stand as tall as you can, feet hip-width apart. Then refer to the fix-it plan (below left) to diagnose your posture problems.
1 / Look at your ear. If it's in front of the midpoint of your shoulder, your head is too far forward.
2 / Can you see your shoulder blade? That means your back is too rounded.
3 / If your hips tilt forward and you have a belly pooch (even if you don't have an ounce of fat on your body) and your lower spine is arched significantly, this means you have an anterior pelvic tilt.
4 / Look at your shoulders. One shouldn't appear higher than the other.
5 / Check out your kneecaps. Do they point inward, causing your knees to touch when your legs are straightened?
6 / See if you're duck-footed. Your toes will point outward more than 10 degrees.
The President overstated the Act's impact—here's how
Last night, in President Obama's State of the Union address, one of his main talking points was the Affordable Care Act and how much of an impact it's had on Americans' lives: "More than 9 million Americans have signed up for private health insurance or Medicaid coverage," he said. Technically, that's true. But it implies that more than 9 million people who previously didn't have coverage now do. And in reality, we can't know if that's the case. Here's why:
As of Dec. 28, 2013, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that nearly 2.2 million people had signed up for private health insurance through the Marketplace. (HHS said last week in a press release that this estimate has since increased to about 3 million people.) The Act has also resulted in about 3.1 million people younger than 26 gaining coverage through their parents' plans. Combining those two figures brings us to 6.1 million, but Obama included another stat in his number: The number of Americans who've signed up for Medicare coverage this year. HHS currently estimates that 3.9 million people have enrolled (which would bring the total to the 9 million-plus Obama quoted)—but HHS officials confirmed in a Jan. 13 press conference that the 3.9 million number includes both people who were already on Medicaid who renewed, as well as people who qualified for the program for the first time and signed up as a result.
In other words, because HHS is unable to give us the breakdown of how many of those people were on Medicaid prior to the Affordable Care Act, we can't say with certainty that Obamacare has provided coverage for more than 9 million people (similarly, we don't know at this time how many of the 3 million people who've signed up for private plans were previously uninsured).
That said, Obama did make some statements last night about the Affordable Care Act that we can get behind:
And here's another number: zero. Because of this law, no American can ever again be dropped or denied coverage for a preexisting condition like asthma, back pain, or cancer. No woman can ever be charged more just because she's a woman. And we did all this while adding years to Medicare's finances, keeping Medicare premiums flat, and lowering prescription costs for millions of seniors.
Clearly, there are still plenty of kinks to work out—but at least we're taking steps toward helping more people get the health coverage they need.
MORE: Not Having Health Insurance Kills Thousands Each Year
The President overstated the Act's impact—here's how
Last night, in President Obama's State of the Union address, one of his main talking points was the Affordable Care Act and how much of an impact it's had on Americans' lives: "More than 9 million Americans have signed up for private health insurance or Medicaid coverage," he said. Technically, that's true. But it implies that more than 9 million people who previously didn't have coverage now do. And in reality, we can't know if that's the case. Here's why:
As of Dec. 28, 2013, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that nearly 2.2 million people had signed up for private health insurance through the Marketplace. (HHS said last week in a press release that this estimate has since increased to about 3 million people.) The Act has also resulted in about 3.1 million people younger than 26 gaining coverage through their parents' plans. Combining those two figures brings us to 6.1 million, but Obama included another stat in his number: The number of Americans who've signed up for Medicare coverage this year. HHS currently estimates that 3.9 million people have enrolled (which would bring the total to the 9 million-plus Obama quoted)—but HHS officials confirmed in a Jan. 13 press conference that the 3.9 million number includes both people who were already on Medicaid who renewed, as well as people who qualified for the program for the first time and signed up as a result.
In other words, because HHS is unable to give us the breakdown of how many of those people were on Medicaid prior to the Affordable Care Act, we can't say with certainty that Obamacare has provided coverage for more than 9 million people (similarly, we don't know at this time how many of the 3 million people who've signed up for private plans were previously uninsured).
That said, Obama did make some statements last night about the Affordable Care Act that we can get behind:
And here's another number: zero. Because of this law, no American can ever again be dropped or denied coverage for a preexisting condition like asthma, back pain, or cancer. No woman can ever be charged more just because she's a woman. And we did all this while adding years to Medicare's finances, keeping Medicare premiums flat, and lowering prescription costs for millions of seniors.
Clearly, there are still plenty of kinks to work out—but at least we're taking steps toward helping more people get the health coverage they need.
MORE: Not Having Health Insurance Kills Thousands Each Year
They correct your form, snark on your snacks, and judge your gym—meet the fitter-than-thou crowd. WH investigates this new type of one-upsmanship
Whether you work out a lot or not, you definitely know one: The weight-room warrior who accosts you mid-squat to correct your posture; the roommate who Instagrams her thigh gap; the coworker who says (with irritating condescension) that she'd love to try your yoga class but it "just doesn't feel like she's exercising if she's not sweating." And don't forget the humblebraggers littering your social media feeds: "Really shouldn't have run that 18 miler in the rain. #sickasadog."
The fitness craze of the past few years has reached a crescendo, ushering in a new type of know-it-all: the exercise snob. This patronizing person works out harder than you do, knows more about fitness than you do, and looks better doing it than you do—or at least that's how she makes you feel. "Fitness is a part of our culture's definition of success now, so women want to show each other that they've got it figured out," says Los Angeles sports psychologist Sari Shepphird, Ph.D.
In fact, according to a recent Women's Health survey, one in three readers has gotten into an argument about the most effective kind of workout, and 69 percent cop to doling out unsolicited fitness advice to a friend or significant other.
Some fitter-than-thou attitudes can be traced to the recent proliferation of boutique fitness classes and their somewhat cultlike cliques, says Shepphird. The fitness gurus behind these workout trends not only feed into the snobbery but also depend on it to make money. They indoctrinate us with their philosophies, and we quote and retweet them to our friends, taking their words of wisdom as the divine truth. And when you're drinking the Kool-Aid (or, rather, the coconut water), it can become easy to view your pal who works out on the elliptical at the Y with derision. "I run six miles six days a week. But because I don't belong to a running group or do any trendy classes, people almost act like I don't work out!" says Lesley, 37.
Of course it's hard not to feel marginalized by the friend who works CrossFit into every chat, but keep in mind that it's often women who feel insecure about their bodies who tend to pass the most judgment. "It's a self-esteem boost to say, 'I train harder,'" says Shepphird. Your best strategy for dealing with a braggart is to nod, smile, and move on. "They'll eventually get the point," says NYC sports psychologist Leah Lagos, Psy.D. In other words, don't engage or indulge her in conversation. Giving her air time positively conditions her to do it again.
But in the sea of snobs there are plenty of women who are truly proud of their achievements and can't help but share, and others who sincerely just want to help a sistah out. (Hint: A genuine advice giver loves getting tips as much as she gives them.) And while you should feel good about losing 20 pounds or finishing a triathlon, keep in mind that most people don't want to hear about it incessantly—and more than that, will not appreciate the implication that whatever they are doing is inferior. Just be careful about how much you boast or offer unsolicited advice—people are more receptive to help when they ask for it.
They correct your form, snark on your snacks, and judge your gym—meet the fitter-than-thou crowd. WH investigates this new type of one-upsmanship
Whether you work out a lot or not, you definitely know one: The weight-room warrior who accosts you mid-squat to correct your posture; the roommate who Instagrams her thigh gap; the coworker who says (with irritating condescension) that she'd love to try your yoga class but it "just doesn't feel like she's exercising if she's not sweating." And don't forget the humblebraggers littering your social media feeds: "Really shouldn't have run that 18 miler in the rain. #sickasadog."
The fitness craze of the past few years has reached a crescendo, ushering in a new type of know-it-all: the exercise snob. This patronizing person works out harder than you do, knows more about fitness than you do, and looks better doing it than you do—or at least that's how she makes you feel. "Fitness is a part of our culture's definition of success now, so women want to show each other that they've got it figured out," says Los Angeles sports psychologist Sari Shepphird, Ph.D.
In fact, according to a recent Women's Health survey, one in three readers has gotten into an argument about the most effective kind of workout, and 69 percent cop to doling out unsolicited fitness advice to a friend or significant other.
Some fitter-than-thou attitudes can be traced to the recent proliferation of boutique fitness classes and their somewhat cultlike cliques, says Shepphird. The fitness gurus behind these workout trends not only feed into the snobbery but also depend on it to make money. They indoctrinate us with their philosophies, and we quote and retweet them to our friends, taking their words of wisdom as the divine truth. And when you're drinking the Kool-Aid (or, rather, the coconut water), it can become easy to view your pal who works out on the elliptical at the Y with derision. "I run six miles six days a week. But because I don't belong to a running group or do any trendy classes, people almost act like I don't work out!" says Lesley, 37.
Of course it's hard not to feel marginalized by the friend who works CrossFit into every chat, but keep in mind that it's often women who feel insecure about their bodies who tend to pass the most judgment. "It's a self-esteem boost to say, 'I train harder,'" says Shepphird. Your best strategy for dealing with a braggart is to nod, smile, and move on. "They'll eventually get the point," says NYC sports psychologist Leah Lagos, Psy.D. In other words, don't engage or indulge her in conversation. Giving her air time positively conditions her to do it again.
But in the sea of snobs there are plenty of women who are truly proud of their achievements and can't help but share, and others who sincerely just want to help a sistah out. (Hint: A genuine advice giver loves getting tips as much as she gives them.) And while you should feel good about losing 20 pounds or finishing a triathlon, keep in mind that most people don't want to hear about it incessantly—and more than that, will not appreciate the implication that whatever they are doing is inferior. Just be careful about how much you boast or offer unsolicited advice—people are more receptive to help when they ask for it.
Sunday, 26 January 2014
Cat eyed glasses are my latest sunglass obsession. Remember these white ones I just bought? Welp, these babies look seriously JUST like them…& they’re on sale.VI.
Cat eyed glasses are my latest sunglass obsession. Remember these white ones I just bought? Welp, these babies look seriously JUST like them…& they’re on sale.VI.
DBJ.
I have a new BF.
& it’s so right it’s wrong.
It all started with zucchini pasta.
Yup.
Vegetable pasta.
Really though: zucchini pasta > regular pasta.
Sahhhhhh sorry but it’s true.
If you’re looking for a pasta craving but don’t want the added cals/carbs, ‘The Sprializer‘ will make your day/year/life.
DBJ.
I have a new BF.
& it’s so right it’s wrong.
It all started with zucchini pasta.
Yup.
Vegetable pasta.
Really though: zucchini pasta > regular pasta.
Sahhhhhh sorry but it’s true.
If you’re looking for a pasta craving but don’t want the added cals/carbs, ‘The Sprializer‘ will make your day/year/life.
I love pretties.
Pretties are like, cute confetti, dainty rings, baby’s-breath flowers, &…glitter!
Ok so, this particular DIY is totally in the ‘pretties’ category.
Think: do-it-yourself-for-five-dollars-and-use-as-home-decor-so-it-screams-I’m-so-profesh-kinda pretty.
Fun, right?
Check it:
I love pretties.
Pretties are like, cute confetti, dainty rings, baby’s-breath flowers, &…glitter!
Ok so, this particular DIY is totally in the ‘pretties’ category.
Think: do-it-yourself-for-five-dollars-and-use-as-home-decor-so-it-screams-I’m-so-profesh-kinda pretty.
Fun, right?
Check it:
4 CommentsPosted in: Blog PostsPost navigation← Pretties Time! A Sparkly, Lil DIY: Glitter PencilsStyle: What I’m Loving…Lately →4 thoughts on “Blogger & Suja Co-Founder, Annie Lawless on Candida ( WTF Is That? Click to Find Out! )”
4 CommentsPosted in: Blog PostsPost navigation← Pretties Time! A Sparkly, Lil DIY: Glitter PencilsStyle: What I’m Loving…Lately →4 thoughts on “Blogger & Suja Co-Founder, Annie Lawless on Candida ( WTF Is That? Click to Find Out! )”
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