Each week, we collect the best #FitnessFriday photos and videos. These will definitely inspire you to get your butt in gear today:
More from Women's Health:
5 Questions Personal Trainers Get Asked the Most—Answered!
The 20 Sexiest Male Olympians of the 2014 Winter Games
"How Can I Tell If My Weights Are Heavy Enough?"
Each week, we collect the best #FitnessFriday photos and videos. These will definitely inspire you to get your butt in gear today:
More from Women's Health:
5 Questions Personal Trainers Get Asked the Most—Answered!
The 20 Sexiest Male Olympians of the 2014 Winter Games
"How Can I Tell If My Weights Are Heavy Enough?"
For some people, looking at all of the equipment at the gym—and trying to figure out what you're supposed to do with it—is enough to make their palms sweat. For others, spatulas and chef's knives are more anxiety-inducing. If you fall into the latter category, you don't have to resign yourself to a life of takeout and frozen dinners. Just follow these tips from Kelsey Nixon, author of the upcoming cookbook Kitchen Confidence and star of the Cooking Channel show Kelsey's Essentials, and your cooking insecurities will disappear in no time.
Invest in the Right Tools
Sometimes, when you mess up a dish, it's not you—it's your cookware: "There's nothing worse than trying to make a basic rice dish in a really sad aluminum pot you got in college from a big box store and then burning it," says Nixon. "If you had the proper pan, that rice would have turned out perfectly." You don't have to spend a ton of money, but it's worth it to invest in a few high-quality basics, like a chef's knife and a cast-iron skillet (for a full list of Nixon's must-haves, check out Kitchen Confidence).
Start with a Dish You Love
Rather than making a kale salad or some other healthy dish because you feel like you should, start with a recipe for one of your absolute favorite foods, whether it's lasagna or cheesecake. "It might sound like a silly trick," says Nixon, "but it gets you in the kitchen and motivated to make something. And then when you make it and enjoy it because you already love this food, that satisfaction you get is the best thing you can do to start developing your confidence."
Read the Entire Recipe Before You Start Cooking Anything
If you get halfway through a recipe and realize you don't have the amount of flour or vinegar that it calls for, then of course it's not going to turn out like it's supposed to. Read the whole recipe before you start, and make sure you have all of the ingredients (and sufficient amounts of each) on-hand. And try to follow the recipe to the letter the first couple of times you make it (this is particularly important if it's a baking recipe, where precision is key). Then, after you've mastered the basic version of the recipe, you can move on to trying out some variations if you'd like, says Nixon.
Taste and Season Your Food Before You Serve It
Don't even think about setting everything out on the table until you've sampled the dish, says Nixon. If it tastes a little bland, add some salt and/or pepper. It may sound like a simple trick, but it works: "Having the confidence to say, 'It needs a little bit more of this or that'—that's where you go from being a good cook to being a great cook," says Nixon.
Always Have the Ingredients for at Least One Meal On-Hand
You know the panicked feeling of wondering what you're going to do about dinner? Making sure you always have something in your pantry that you can whip up—even if it's just dried pasta and jarred marinara sauce—will help eliminate a lot of that anxiety. "I've got a coupe of pantry recipes I always have the ingredients for, and when I make that emergency recipe, I buy those ingredients the very next time I go to the store," says Nixon. "It really helps for those Wednesday nights when I get home and have no idea what I want to make."
When Grocery Shopping, Start in the Protein Section
If you start by picking up chicken thighs or ground turkey, then you'll have a much better sense of what you'll be making for dinner and which other ingredients you should buy, says Nixon. "It's so much better than going up and down the aisles and spending $100, only to realize you don't even have the ingredients to make one dinner," she says.
When Cooking for Others, Stick with What You Know
"It can be so exciting to want to try a new recipe for an event, but I can't stress enough: Do what you do best," says Nixon, who encourages her fans to come up with a signature recipe. "Finding that good thing you're really good at making definitely builds confidence," she says. Because who wouldn't feel awesome about her cooking skills after receiving requests for "those amazing brownies you make" or "your delicious stuffed mushrooms"?
Ready to start cooking? Check out our sneak peek of Kitchen Confidence for some fun (and do-able) recipes.
MORE: 50 Food Tips That Will Change Your Life!
For some people, looking at all of the equipment at the gym—and trying to figure out what you're supposed to do with it—is enough to make their palms sweat. For others, spatulas and chef's knives are more anxiety-inducing. If you fall into the latter category, you don't have to resign yourself to a life of takeout and frozen dinners. Just follow these tips from Kelsey Nixon, author of the upcoming cookbook Kitchen Confidence and star of the Cooking Channel show Kelsey's Essentials, and your cooking insecurities will disappear in no time.
Invest in the Right Tools
Sometimes, when you mess up a dish, it's not you—it's your cookware: "There's nothing worse than trying to make a basic rice dish in a really sad aluminum pot you got in college from a big box store and then burning it," says Nixon. "If you had the proper pan, that rice would have turned out perfectly." You don't have to spend a ton of money, but it's worth it to invest in a few high-quality basics, like a chef's knife and a cast-iron skillet (for a full list of Nixon's must-haves, check out Kitchen Confidence).
Start with a Dish You Love
Rather than making a kale salad or some other healthy dish because you feel like you should, start with a recipe for one of your absolute favorite foods, whether it's lasagna or cheesecake. "It might sound like a silly trick," says Nixon, "but it gets you in the kitchen and motivated to make something. And then when you make it and enjoy it because you already love this food, that satisfaction you get is the best thing you can do to start developing your confidence."
Read the Entire Recipe Before You Start Cooking Anything
If you get halfway through a recipe and realize you don't have the amount of flour or vinegar that it calls for, then of course it's not going to turn out like it's supposed to. Read the whole recipe before you start, and make sure you have all of the ingredients (and sufficient amounts of each) on-hand. And try to follow the recipe to the letter the first couple of times you make it (this is particularly important if it's a baking recipe, where precision is key). Then, after you've mastered the basic version of the recipe, you can move on to trying out some variations if you'd like, says Nixon.
Taste and Season Your Food Before You Serve It
Don't even think about setting everything out on the table until you've sampled the dish, says Nixon. If it tastes a little bland, add some salt and/or pepper. It may sound like a simple trick, but it works: "Having the confidence to say, 'It needs a little bit more of this or that'—that's where you go from being a good cook to being a great cook," says Nixon.
Always Have the Ingredients for at Least One Meal On-Hand
You know the panicked feeling of wondering what you're going to do about dinner? Making sure you always have something in your pantry that you can whip up—even if it's just dried pasta and jarred marinara sauce—will help eliminate a lot of that anxiety. "I've got a coupe of pantry recipes I always have the ingredients for, and when I make that emergency recipe, I buy those ingredients the very next time I go to the store," says Nixon. "It really helps for those Wednesday nights when I get home and have no idea what I want to make."
When Grocery Shopping, Start in the Protein Section
If you start by picking up chicken thighs or ground turkey, then you'll have a much better sense of what you'll be making for dinner and which other ingredients you should buy, says Nixon. "It's so much better than going up and down the aisles and spending $100, only to realize you don't even have the ingredients to make one dinner," she says.
When Cooking for Others, Stick with What You Know
"It can be so exciting to want to try a new recipe for an event, but I can't stress enough: Do what you do best," says Nixon, who encourages her fans to come up with a signature recipe. "Finding that good thing you're really good at making definitely builds confidence," she says. Because who wouldn't feel awesome about her cooking skills after receiving requests for "those amazing brownies you make" or "your delicious stuffed mushrooms"?
Ready to start cooking? Check out our sneak peek of Kitchen Confidence for some fun (and do-able) recipes.
MORE: 50 Food Tips That Will Change Your Life!
If your idea of cooking is whipping up a box of Annie’s Organic & Natural Mac and Cheese, we have some seriously good news for you: It doesn’t take a ton of time or effort to make something wholesome and delicious that will totally knock your socks off. In fact, that’s what Kelsey Nixon, star of the Cooking Channel show Kelsey’s Essentials, is all about: helping home cooks master basic recipes and techniques so they can up their kitchen savvy. (She shared some great tips with us about how to increase your kitchen confidence.)
Kelsey’s first cookbook, Kitchen Confidence, comes out February 11—and it’s packed with fun recipes that are simple enough for beginners (but still super tasty!). We were lucky enough to get a sneak peek. Here are three favorites—one for each meal of the day—you’ll want to try ASAP.
Baked Eggs with Smoked Bacon, Spinach, and Goat Cheese
Serves 4 • Prep 10 minutes • Cook 30 minutes
The best kind of recipe is one that is so simple, yet fools everyone into thinking that you’ve been working in the kitchen all morning. These baked eggs are just that sort of dish, and since you can easily adapt it for any number of servings (provided you have enough ramekins), it’s a great option for both a cozy breakfast for two, or a brunch for many guests. The smoky and salty flavor of the bacon infuses the eggs and the spinach, which gets sautéed in the drippings. With a hint of tanginess from the mustard, vinegar, and creamy goat cheese—and toasted baguette slices to take full advantage of the delicious runny yolk—this recipe will satisfy any breakfast craving.
6 slices applewood-smoked bacon
6 oz baby spinach (4 cups loosely packed)
2 tsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp whole-grain mustard
Kosher salt and cracked black pepper
4 large eggs
2 oz goat cheese
1. Preheat the oven to 400° F.
2. In a large skillet set over medium heat, cook the bacon until crisp, 8 to 9 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel–lined plate. Once cooled, crumble.
3. Pour off and reserve all but 1 Tbsp of the drippings from the skillet. Add the spinach to the skillet, and sauté over medium heat until wilted, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the vinegar and mustard, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Continue sautéing until no liquid remains in the skillet, about 2 minutes.
4. Using the reserved drippings, lightly grease 4 (1-cup) ramekins. Carefully crack an egg into each ramekin, being careful to not break the yolks. Season each egg with pepper. Divide the spinach among the ramekins, and top with the crumbled bacon.
5. Set the ramekins on a baking sheet. Bake the eggs until the whites are set and the yolks are still runny, 10 to 15 minutes.
6. Top each egg with goat cheese, and serve warm.
MORE: The Best Breakfast to Eat for Weigth Loss
Chopped Cobb Salad
Serves 4 to 6 • Prep 20 minutes • Cook 15 minutes
When I was going to culinary school in Los Angeles, I fell in love with a place called Toast that served the most delicious salads I’d ever had. They had a variety to choose from, and many of them were served chopped. Being in cooking school, I was in a frame of mind to really appreciate knife work, and I swear that having everything in those big salad bowls be uniform in size made the end result taste even better. Cobb salad is a classic, and serving it chopped and tossed in homemade buttermilk blue cheese dressing ensures that every bite is balanced taste-wise, while still retaining its beautiful texture and crunch. And with the added protein from the roast turkey, crispy bacon, and hardboiled eggs, it’s also hearty enough to make a meal.
1/2 head romaine lettuce, cut crosswise into ½-inch pieces
1/2 head Boston lettuce, cut into ½-inch pieces
1/2 pound roast turkey breast, cut into ½-inch cubes (about 2 cups)
6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 avocados, cut into ½-inch cubes
4 vine-ripened tomatoes, seeded and cut into ½-inch cubes
3/4 cup (3 oz) crumbled blue cheese
2 hard-boiled large eggs, cut into ½-inch cubes
Buttermilk Blue Cheese Dressing (recipe below)
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh chives
In a large bowl, combine the lettuces, and toss with the turkey, bacon, avocados, tomatoes, blue cheese, and eggs. Just before serving, pour the dressing over the salad and toss. Garnish with fresh chives.
Buttermilk Blue Cheese Dressing
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 Tbsp buttermilk
2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
2 Tbsp minced fresh chives
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp cracked black pepper
Kosher salt
In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, buttermilk, lemon juice, blue cheese, chives, garlic salt, onion powder, and pepper. Season to taste with salt. The dressing can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
MORE: The Dressing That Makes Your Salad Healthier
Lemon-Scented Chicken Thighs with Crispy Croutons and Carrots
Serves 4 • Prep 15 minutes • Cook 50 minutes
Appearing on the Today show for the first time was like checking something off my bucket list. To embrace the opportunity to its fullest, I wanted to make something that really felt like a signature recipe, something that represented what my show, Kelsey’s Essentials, is all about: easy, delicious, comforting food. This was the recipe I made, and it was a huge hit. The best and most unusual part of this recipe is the croutons that soak up all of the flavor from the pan-roasted and baked chicken, lemon, and vegetables. You have never had croutons like these before! You can easily swap out the vegetables for whatever is in season. Parsnips, sweet potatoes, or Brussels sprouts would all be fantastic substitutions or additions to this rustic weeknight meal.
1/2 baguette, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
3/4 pound small red potatoes, halved
Canola oil
8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 3 pounds total)
Kosher salt and cracked black pepper
1 large yellow onion, sliced
6 garlic cloves, smashed
3/4 pound baby carrots
2 lemons, cut into wedges
Small bunch fresh thyme sprigs
1. Preheat the oven to 325° F.
2. Put the baguette cubes on a baking sheet. Bake until dried out, about 10 minutes. Remove the bread cubes, and let cool. Leave the oven on, and increase the temperature to 425° F.
3. Meanwhile, put the potatoes in a pot, cover with salted water, and bring to a boil. Cook until barely fork tender, 10 minutes. Drain, and let cool.
4. Set a 14-inch heavy ovenproof skillet over high heat, and coat it with canola oil. Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper. Working in batches, if necessary, sear the chicken, skin side down, until golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes. Flip and cook the second side for 2 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
5. Add the onion to the skillet, season with salt, and cook until translucent and softened, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the garlic,and cook for 1 minute. Add the baguette cubes, potatoes, carrots, lemon wedges, and thyme; season with salt and pepper. Toss everything in the fat (add an additional glug of oil if the pan looks dry). Arrange the chicken thighs on top of the vegetable and crouton mixture.
6. Bake until the thighs are cooked through and reach 160° F on a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a thigh, about 20 minutes.
7. To serve, divide the chicken and vegetables evenly among four plates, or serve the dish family-style at the table.
More From Women’s Health:
7 Beyond-Easy Chicken Recipes
9 Genius Tips to Make At-Home Salads Taste So Much More Amazing
50 Food Tips That Will Change Your Life!
If your idea of cooking is whipping up a box of Annie’s Organic & Natural Mac and Cheese, we have some seriously good news for you: It doesn’t take a ton of time or effort to make something wholesome and delicious that will totally knock your socks off. In fact, that’s what Kelsey Nixon, star of the Cooking Channel show Kelsey’s Essentials, is all about: helping home cooks master basic recipes and techniques so they can up their kitchen savvy. (She shared some great tips with us about how to increase your kitchen confidence.)
Kelsey’s first cookbook, Kitchen Confidence, comes out February 11—and it’s packed with fun recipes that are simple enough for beginners (but still super tasty!). We were lucky enough to get a sneak peek. Here are three favorites—one for each meal of the day—you’ll want to try ASAP.
Baked Eggs with Smoked Bacon, Spinach, and Goat Cheese
Serves 4 • Prep 10 minutes • Cook 30 minutes
The best kind of recipe is one that is so simple, yet fools everyone into thinking that you’ve been working in the kitchen all morning. These baked eggs are just that sort of dish, and since you can easily adapt it for any number of servings (provided you have enough ramekins), it’s a great option for both a cozy breakfast for two, or a brunch for many guests. The smoky and salty flavor of the bacon infuses the eggs and the spinach, which gets sautéed in the drippings. With a hint of tanginess from the mustard, vinegar, and creamy goat cheese—and toasted baguette slices to take full advantage of the delicious runny yolk—this recipe will satisfy any breakfast craving.
6 slices applewood-smoked bacon
6 oz baby spinach (4 cups loosely packed)
2 tsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp whole-grain mustard
Kosher salt and cracked black pepper
4 large eggs
2 oz goat cheese
1. Preheat the oven to 400° F.
2. In a large skillet set over medium heat, cook the bacon until crisp, 8 to 9 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel–lined plate. Once cooled, crumble.
3. Pour off and reserve all but 1 Tbsp of the drippings from the skillet. Add the spinach to the skillet, and sauté over medium heat until wilted, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the vinegar and mustard, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Continue sautéing until no liquid remains in the skillet, about 2 minutes.
4. Using the reserved drippings, lightly grease 4 (1-cup) ramekins. Carefully crack an egg into each ramekin, being careful to not break the yolks. Season each egg with pepper. Divide the spinach among the ramekins, and top with the crumbled bacon.
5. Set the ramekins on a baking sheet. Bake the eggs until the whites are set and the yolks are still runny, 10 to 15 minutes.
6. Top each egg with goat cheese, and serve warm.
MORE: The Best Breakfast to Eat for Weigth Loss
Chopped Cobb Salad
Serves 4 to 6 • Prep 20 minutes • Cook 15 minutes
When I was going to culinary school in Los Angeles, I fell in love with a place called Toast that served the most delicious salads I’d ever had. They had a variety to choose from, and many of them were served chopped. Being in cooking school, I was in a frame of mind to really appreciate knife work, and I swear that having everything in those big salad bowls be uniform in size made the end result taste even better. Cobb salad is a classic, and serving it chopped and tossed in homemade buttermilk blue cheese dressing ensures that every bite is balanced taste-wise, while still retaining its beautiful texture and crunch. And with the added protein from the roast turkey, crispy bacon, and hardboiled eggs, it’s also hearty enough to make a meal.
1/2 head romaine lettuce, cut crosswise into ½-inch pieces
1/2 head Boston lettuce, cut into ½-inch pieces
1/2 pound roast turkey breast, cut into ½-inch cubes (about 2 cups)
6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 avocados, cut into ½-inch cubes
4 vine-ripened tomatoes, seeded and cut into ½-inch cubes
3/4 cup (3 oz) crumbled blue cheese
2 hard-boiled large eggs, cut into ½-inch cubes
Buttermilk Blue Cheese Dressing (recipe below)
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh chives
In a large bowl, combine the lettuces, and toss with the turkey, bacon, avocados, tomatoes, blue cheese, and eggs. Just before serving, pour the dressing over the salad and toss. Garnish with fresh chives.
Buttermilk Blue Cheese Dressing
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 Tbsp buttermilk
2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
2 Tbsp minced fresh chives
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp cracked black pepper
Kosher salt
In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, buttermilk, lemon juice, blue cheese, chives, garlic salt, onion powder, and pepper. Season to taste with salt. The dressing can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
MORE: The Dressing That Makes Your Salad Healthier
Lemon-Scented Chicken Thighs with Crispy Croutons and Carrots
Serves 4 • Prep 15 minutes • Cook 50 minutes
Appearing on the Today show for the first time was like checking something off my bucket list. To embrace the opportunity to its fullest, I wanted to make something that really felt like a signature recipe, something that represented what my show, Kelsey’s Essentials, is all about: easy, delicious, comforting food. This was the recipe I made, and it was a huge hit. The best and most unusual part of this recipe is the croutons that soak up all of the flavor from the pan-roasted and baked chicken, lemon, and vegetables. You have never had croutons like these before! You can easily swap out the vegetables for whatever is in season. Parsnips, sweet potatoes, or Brussels sprouts would all be fantastic substitutions or additions to this rustic weeknight meal.
1/2 baguette, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
3/4 pound small red potatoes, halved
Canola oil
8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 3 pounds total)
Kosher salt and cracked black pepper
1 large yellow onion, sliced
6 garlic cloves, smashed
3/4 pound baby carrots
2 lemons, cut into wedges
Small bunch fresh thyme sprigs
1. Preheat the oven to 325° F.
2. Put the baguette cubes on a baking sheet. Bake until dried out, about 10 minutes. Remove the bread cubes, and let cool. Leave the oven on, and increase the temperature to 425° F.
3. Meanwhile, put the potatoes in a pot, cover with salted water, and bring to a boil. Cook until barely fork tender, 10 minutes. Drain, and let cool.
4. Set a 14-inch heavy ovenproof skillet over high heat, and coat it with canola oil. Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper. Working in batches, if necessary, sear the chicken, skin side down, until golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes. Flip and cook the second side for 2 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
5. Add the onion to the skillet, season with salt, and cook until translucent and softened, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the garlic,and cook for 1 minute. Add the baguette cubes, potatoes, carrots, lemon wedges, and thyme; season with salt and pepper. Toss everything in the fat (add an additional glug of oil if the pan looks dry). Arrange the chicken thighs on top of the vegetable and crouton mixture.
6. Bake until the thighs are cooked through and reach 160° F on a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a thigh, about 20 minutes.
7. To serve, divide the chicken and vegetables evenly among four plates, or serve the dish family-style at the table.
More From Women’s Health:
7 Beyond-Easy Chicken Recipes
9 Genius Tips to Make At-Home Salads Taste So Much More Amazing
50 Food Tips That Will Change Your Life!
Well, this is unfortunate: Most pleasure-boosting lubricants make conception more difficult for couples, according to a new study published in the journal Fertility and Sterility.
For the study, researchers tested the effect of nine different lubricants on semen samples to see how they affected sperm movement (faster sperm can increase the likelihood of egg fertilization). Shockingly, many of the brand-name products—like Astroglide and KY Warming—reduced sperm mobility. KY Tingling actually cut sperm speed by more than half (luckily, it’s no longer on the market). Oils, however—like canola and baby oil—had much less of an effect on sperm.
MORE: The Best New Condoms For Your Pleasure
Why the difference? Many popular brands of lube are created for the sole purpose of pleasure and may contain spermicidal ingredients, says lead study author Kazim Chohan, Ph.D., professor of pathology and OB/GYN at SUNY Upstate Medical University. Oils don’t have these sperm-killing components, though. While using oil as lube may drown out some weak sperm, the stronger ones appear to be able to adjust to the oil and continue moving, says Chohan. Interestingly, mustard oil seemed to make sperm more active—although further research is needed to know if it can actually boost conception rates.
We know what you’re thinking: Do people really use cooking oil as lube? Chohan says that many people do use it to avoid vaginal dryness—but here’s the thing: Oil-based lubricants can change the pH balance in the vagina, increasing your risk of infection, says Ava Cadell, Ph.D., author of the upcoming book NeuroLoveology. What’s more, previous research has found that mineral oils can reduce a latex condom’s strength by approximately 90 percent.
The takeaway: If you’re hitting the sheets just for a big finish, feel free to experiment with the lubes you’ll find on store shelves (and remember to use contraception—lube isn’t a foolproof measure against pregnancy, after all). But if you’re trying to get pregnant, it’s probably better to try to go without if you can.
MORE: The Easiest Way to Have an Orgasm
Well, this is unfortunate: Most pleasure-boosting lubricants make conception more difficult for couples, according to a new study published in the journal Fertility and Sterility.
For the study, researchers tested the effect of nine different lubricants on semen samples to see how they affected sperm movement (faster sperm can increase the likelihood of egg fertilization). Shockingly, many of the brand-name products—like Astroglide and KY Warming—reduced sperm mobility. KY Tingling actually cut sperm speed by more than half (luckily, it’s no longer on the market). Oils, however—like canola and baby oil—had much less of an effect on sperm.
MORE: The Best New Condoms For Your Pleasure
Why the difference? Many popular brands of lube are created for the sole purpose of pleasure and may contain spermicidal ingredients, says lead study author Kazim Chohan, Ph.D., professor of pathology and OB/GYN at SUNY Upstate Medical University. Oils don’t have these sperm-killing components, though. While using oil as lube may drown out some weak sperm, the stronger ones appear to be able to adjust to the oil and continue moving, says Chohan. Interestingly, mustard oil seemed to make sperm more active—although further research is needed to know if it can actually boost conception rates.
We know what you’re thinking: Do people really use cooking oil as lube? Chohan says that many people do use it to avoid vaginal dryness—but here’s the thing: Oil-based lubricants can change the pH balance in the vagina, increasing your risk of infection, says Ava Cadell, Ph.D., author of the upcoming book NeuroLoveology. What’s more, previous research has found that mineral oils can reduce a latex condom’s strength by approximately 90 percent.
The takeaway: If you’re hitting the sheets just for a big finish, feel free to experiment with the lubes you’ll find on store shelves (and remember to use contraception—lube isn’t a foolproof measure against pregnancy, after all). But if you’re trying to get pregnant, it’s probably better to try to go without if you can.
MORE: The Easiest Way to Have an Orgasm
You already know that the U.S. Olympic Team is filled with the very best of the best American athletes. Show your Team USA pride during Sochi 2014 by studying up on these fun facts, too:
More from Women’s Health:
We Bet You’ve Never Seen Pullups Like THIS Before
The 20 Sexiest Male Olympians of the 2014 Winter Games
10 Next-Level Training Tips from Team USA Athletes
You already know that the U.S. Olympic Team is filled with the very best of the best American athletes. Show your Team USA pride during Sochi 2014 by studying up on these fun facts, too:
More from Women’s Health:
We Bet You’ve Never Seen Pullups Like THIS Before
The 20 Sexiest Male Olympians of the 2014 Winter Games
10 Next-Level Training Tips from Team USA Athletes
It takes a lot to shock Iris Krasnow. But when she set out to write her new book, Sex After…: Women Share How Intimacy Changes as Life Changes, one thing caught her a little off-guard: “The sparkle, the youthfulness, the sexiness, and the hopefulness in the voices of senior women in their 70s and 80s,” says Krasnow. “It was just so surprising and hopeful.”
So what can you look forward to when it comes to sex later in life? Krasnow heard it all: a 77-year-old widow who was inspired to give her new man friend oral sex after watching a YouTube instructional video; a 73-year-old woman who liked passion fruit-flavored lube; a 72-year-old woman who swears she’s having the best sex of her life.
“It just shatters the myth of this little old fragile lady,” says Krasnow. “And to top it off, frankly, I thought many of the older women were more comfortable, satisfied, and sexy than the younger people I talked to.” Plus, many of them reported a certain freedom and wild abandon that they had never experienced before. “After writing this book, I’m kind of looking forward to old age,” says Krasnow. Read on for three of the most powerful lessons she took away from her research:
Be Adventurous
When speaking with renowned sex expert Ruth Westheimer, Ed.D., Krasnow learned that most of the inquiries on Westheimer’s YouTube channel actually come from older women. They’re curious about vibrators, masturbation, oral sex—everything. One woman in her seventies told Krasnow that she and her second husband experiment with “inventive sex toys” and tantric sex. The takeaway: Have fun with your sexuality, be curious, and never be afraid to try new things.
MORE: 8 Ways to Make Sex More Fun
Turn on Your Mind
One of the most common themes Krasnow heard again and again was that there had to be a mental and emotional connection in order for it to be a truly satisfying experience. “Sex is never just sex,” says Krasnow. “Remember that it’s more about attitude than anything else. The real depth of sexual, intimate connectedness is about what’s going on in your mind.” Krasnow suggests finding a partner that stimulates you mentally as much as they do physically—and don’t forget to add some pillow talk into foreplay every once in a while.
MORE: What Sex REALLY Feels Like After You Have a Baby
Forget About Perfect Sex
Your romps may not be straight out of a rom-com, but that doesn’t mean your sex life isn’t up to par. “There is no perfect sex,” says Krasnow. And here’s the thing: The older women in Krasnow’s book reported experiencing electrifying sex and intimacy—even in the midst of health problems, reduced flexibility, a few extra pounds, or a partner’s erectile dysfunction. It didn’t matter. They were getting off, and they were enjoying it. So ditch the notion that everything has to go flawlessly in bed every time. Your sex life will thank you for it.
MORE: What Sex After 40 is Really Like
It takes a lot to shock Iris Krasnow. But when she set out to write her new book, Sex After…: Women Share How Intimacy Changes as Life Changes, one thing caught her a little off-guard: “The sparkle, the youthfulness, the sexiness, and the hopefulness in the voices of senior women in their 70s and 80s,” says Krasnow. “It was just so surprising and hopeful.”
So what can you look forward to when it comes to sex later in life? Krasnow heard it all: a 77-year-old widow who was inspired to give her new man friend oral sex after watching a YouTube instructional video; a 73-year-old woman who liked passion fruit-flavored lube; a 72-year-old woman who swears she’s having the best sex of her life.
“It just shatters the myth of this little old fragile lady,” says Krasnow. “And to top it off, frankly, I thought many of the older women were more comfortable, satisfied, and sexy than the younger people I talked to.” Plus, many of them reported a certain freedom and wild abandon that they had never experienced before. “After writing this book, I’m kind of looking forward to old age,” says Krasnow. Read on for three of the most powerful lessons she took away from her research:
Be Adventurous
When speaking with renowned sex expert Ruth Westheimer, Ed.D., Krasnow learned that most of the inquiries on Westheimer’s YouTube channel actually come from older women. They’re curious about vibrators, masturbation, oral sex—everything. One woman in her seventies told Krasnow that she and her second husband experiment with “inventive sex toys” and tantric sex. The takeaway: Have fun with your sexuality, be curious, and never be afraid to try new things.
MORE: 8 Ways to Make Sex More Fun
Turn on Your Mind
One of the most common themes Krasnow heard again and again was that there had to be a mental and emotional connection in order for it to be a truly satisfying experience. “Sex is never just sex,” says Krasnow. “Remember that it’s more about attitude than anything else. The real depth of sexual, intimate connectedness is about what’s going on in your mind.” Krasnow suggests finding a partner that stimulates you mentally as much as they do physically—and don’t forget to add some pillow talk into foreplay every once in a while.
MORE: What Sex REALLY Feels Like After You Have a Baby
Forget About Perfect Sex
Your romps may not be straight out of a rom-com, but that doesn’t mean your sex life isn’t up to par. “There is no perfect sex,” says Krasnow. And here’s the thing: The older women in Krasnow’s book reported experiencing electrifying sex and intimacy—even in the midst of health problems, reduced flexibility, a few extra pounds, or a partner’s erectile dysfunction. It didn’t matter. They were getting off, and they were enjoying it. So ditch the notion that everything has to go flawlessly in bed every time. Your sex life will thank you for it.
MORE: What Sex After 40 is Really Like
Earn $600-$1000 per diet party as an InsideOut Wellness affiliate HCG Diet retailer
Read More – InsideOut Wellness and Weight Loss, founded by Dr. Zach LaBoube, author of HCG 2.0 – Don’t Starve, Eat Smart, and Lose, is of the belief that true health radiates, fundamentally, from the InsideOut. We treat the aesthetic desires of the body through intrinsic means to provide a one-stop-shop for feeling and looking your best. This is your turn-key business opportunity to capitalize on the booming weight loss and wellness industry. Get healthy and wealthy with InsideOut Wellness. hcg business
Basic Affiliate Program- For $179, you’ll receive the following: weight loss franchise
Advanced Affiliate Program- For $379, you’ll receive everything above with the addition of…
If you’d like more information, email Jill at Jill.C@InsideOutWellness.net. You can view Jill’s web page here.
Earn $600-$1000 per diet party as an InsideOut Wellness affiliate HCG Diet retailer
Read More – InsideOut Wellness and Weight Loss, founded by Dr. Zach LaBoube, author of HCG 2.0 – Don’t Starve, Eat Smart, and Lose, is of the belief that true health radiates, fundamentally, from the InsideOut. We treat the aesthetic desires of the body through intrinsic means to provide a one-stop-shop for feeling and looking your best. This is your turn-key business opportunity to capitalize on the booming weight loss and wellness industry. Get healthy and wealthy with InsideOut Wellness. hcg business
Basic Affiliate Program- For $179, you’ll receive the following: weight loss franchise
Advanced Affiliate Program- For $379, you’ll receive everything above with the addition of…
If you’d like more information, email Jill at Jill.C@InsideOutWellness.net. You can view Jill’s web page here.
| Recipes | |
| Down. Set. Chili! Ingredients… ground steak (or chicken or… tuna, give it a try) 1 tomato or canned tomatoes (puree w/skin) 1/2 c water or broth 3-4 cloves minced garlicSeasonings (to taste): 1/2 t onion powder 1/2 t oregano 1/4 t cumin (or go crazy) 1/4 t black pepper 1/4 t cayenne 1/4 t basil 1/4 t thyme1. Preheat pan over MED heat. 2. Add minced garlic and 1 T of the water/broth to pan. 3. Saute 2-3 mins. Be sure not to burn the garlic. Add more water/broth as necessary. 4. Increase heat to MED-HI. 5. Add ground steak and saute until brown – about 5 mins. 6. Add all seasonings and cook an additional 3 mins. Continue to add more water/broth as necessary. 7. While that is cooking dice 1/2 of tomato and place other 1/2 in food processor or blender to puree. 8. Mix in tomatoes, puree, and rest of broth. 9. Turn heat down to MED-LO and simmer until it reaches desired consistency.TIP: Mix all my spices together in a small bowl so I can add them all at once. This can be prepared in advance and frozen. I’ll make up batches of this and freeze into individual portions. Then I take it out the night before I’m ready to serve. The kids love taking this for school lunches as well. |
Enjoy!! Keep up with the blog every day until the Super Bowl for a recipe per day. You can still maintain the HCG diet low cal phase and enjoy yourself. It’s not impossible.
| Recipes | |
| Down. Set. Chili! Ingredients… ground steak (or chicken or… tuna, give it a try) 1 tomato or canned tomatoes (puree w/skin) 1/2 c water or broth 3-4 cloves minced garlicSeasonings (to taste): 1/2 t onion powder 1/2 t oregano 1/4 t cumin (or go crazy) 1/4 t black pepper 1/4 t cayenne 1/4 t basil 1/4 t thyme1. Preheat pan over MED heat. 2. Add minced garlic and 1 T of the water/broth to pan. 3. Saute 2-3 mins. Be sure not to burn the garlic. Add more water/broth as necessary. 4. Increase heat to MED-HI. 5. Add ground steak and saute until brown – about 5 mins. 6. Add all seasonings and cook an additional 3 mins. Continue to add more water/broth as necessary. 7. While that is cooking dice 1/2 of tomato and place other 1/2 in food processor or blender to puree. 8. Mix in tomatoes, puree, and rest of broth. 9. Turn heat down to MED-LO and simmer until it reaches desired consistency.TIP: Mix all my spices together in a small bowl so I can add them all at once. This can be prepared in advance and frozen. I’ll make up batches of this and freeze into individual portions. Then I take it out the night before I’m ready to serve. The kids love taking this for school lunches as well. |
Enjoy!! Keep up with the blog every day until the Super Bowl for a recipe per day. You can still maintain the HCG diet low cal phase and enjoy yourself. It’s not impossible.
Dear Winter Self,
My Summer Self :)
It’s exactly this time of year that I get envious of my affiliate retailers in Florida and Southern California. The motivation to stay healthy when you’re bundled up in jackets, scarfs, sweaters and wool socks is nearly non-existent here in the Midwest. How envious am I that you can simply slip out of bed and into some shorts and tennies, hop onto your bike and peddle your way to a high intensity workout under the warm, Vitamin-D-rich sunshine.
Winters are long here in St. Louis, particularly this year. And before I get emails from dieters in Milwaukee and Detroit, suggesting that the climate in St. Louis is a beach vacation in comparison, cold is cold. In late March, when you’re still ankle deep in snow, then I’ll sympathize, but at the moment, we’re in this together.
So, how do we motivate ourselves when it’s still dark and Alaska cold when our alarm goes off in the morning? Below is a list of recommendations from myself and my patients. It’s all about accountability. And if you’re like me, help is a must…
As you’re gearing up for the Super Bowl or any manufactured excuse to indulge in all of your favorites - wings, nachos, booze aplenty – these are some tips you should keep in mind come Monday. It’s fine to indulge, but eat smart. That’s what HCG 2.0 is all about: Eating smart and budgeting your calories. If you’re yet to read the book, the theme I’d like to best leave you with is that eating healthy can be very tasty and satisfying…. you just have to make the time to prepare your meals. The lousy foods you eat are likely NOT your foods of choice, but your foods of convenience. Think about it…
If all else fails, think of your summer self who is ready to get in those shorts and swimsuits. The choices you make in the winter months will shape your summer self.
Thanks for your hard work all winter… We look awesome!
Lots of Love and Dedication,
Your Summer Self
P.S. The beach won’t know what hit it.
Dear Winter Self,
My Summer Self :)
It’s exactly this time of year that I get envious of my affiliate retailers in Florida and Southern California. The motivation to stay healthy when you’re bundled up in jackets, scarfs, sweaters and wool socks is nearly non-existent here in the Midwest. How envious am I that you can simply slip out of bed and into some shorts and tennies, hop onto your bike and peddle your way to a high intensity workout under the warm, Vitamin-D-rich sunshine.
Winters are long here in St. Louis, particularly this year. And before I get emails from dieters in Milwaukee and Detroit, suggesting that the climate in St. Louis is a beach vacation in comparison, cold is cold. In late March, when you’re still ankle deep in snow, then I’ll sympathize, but at the moment, we’re in this together.
So, how do we motivate ourselves when it’s still dark and Alaska cold when our alarm goes off in the morning? Below is a list of recommendations from myself and my patients. It’s all about accountability. And if you’re like me, help is a must…
As you’re gearing up for the Super Bowl or any manufactured excuse to indulge in all of your favorites - wings, nachos, booze aplenty – these are some tips you should keep in mind come Monday. It’s fine to indulge, but eat smart. That’s what HCG 2.0 is all about: Eating smart and budgeting your calories. If you’re yet to read the book, the theme I’d like to best leave you with is that eating healthy can be very tasty and satisfying…. you just have to make the time to prepare your meals. The lousy foods you eat are likely NOT your foods of choice, but your foods of convenience. Think about it…
If all else fails, think of your summer self who is ready to get in those shorts and swimsuits. The choices you make in the winter months will shape your summer self.
Thanks for your hard work all winter… We look awesome!
Lots of Love and Dedication,
Your Summer Self
P.S. The beach won’t know what hit it.
If you’re anything like me, you’re bored to death from the Super Bowl, so for quick entertainment: follow me on Instagram!
You find tons of Skinny Confidential live posts ; ).
I hope you’re all keeping yourself entertained in someway…( I baked a cake ) while the boys, ehhh, I mean men, scream at the TV like crazy-ass psychos.
Happy Sunday!
X L
If you’re anything like me, you’re bored to death from the Super Bowl, so for quick entertainment: follow me on Instagram!
You find tons of Skinny Confidential live posts ; ).
I hope you’re all keeping yourself entertained in someway…( I baked a cake ) while the boys, ehhh, I mean men, scream at the TV like crazy-ass psychos.
Happy Sunday!
X L
And lately, you guys have been asking me about working out, so I figured I’d share some of my favorite at-home workouts. & lately it’s been allllll about abs.
Like, abs, abs, & more abs.
So my total Thursday at-home ab workouts ( << which I can’t stop doing!! It’s so easy/fun ) can all be found here:
Workout 1: ‘Abdominal Hold’Workout 2: ‘The Side Crunch’Workout 3: ‘The Hundred’ ( << my favorite)Workout 4: ‘Opposite Arm/Leg Raises’Workout 5: ‘The Prone Plank’
And lately, you guys have been asking me about working out, so I figured I’d share some of my favorite at-home workouts. & lately it’s been allllll about abs.
Like, abs, abs, & more abs.
So my total Thursday at-home ab workouts ( << which I can’t stop doing!! It’s so easy/fun ) can all be found here:
Workout 1: ‘Abdominal Hold’Workout 2: ‘The Side Crunch’Workout 3: ‘The Hundred’ ( << my favorite)Workout 4: ‘Opposite Arm/Leg Raises’Workout 5: ‘The Prone Plank’
Warning: This article contains spoilers about the episode of Girls that aired February 1.
So, Marnie and Ray. That happened. (In case you haven't seen the latest episode of Girls—and don't care about spoilers—Marnie goes to Ray's apartment to ask him what he thinks is "wrong" with her, only to end up twisting the sheets with him.)
Clearly, the sex wasn't something either party meant to happen (or even really wanted until their primal urges got the better of them). And while Shosh may have been the one who dumped Ray, he's still the guy she lost her virginity to—so according to universal girl code, that would definitely make him off-limits for Marnie.
But girl code or no girl code, Marnie slept with him. And sometimes, even people who aren't TV characters (incredibly selfish ones at that) can make the mistake of hooking up with a friend's ex. So we asked Irene Levine, Ph.D., a professor of psychology at New York University's School of Medicine, what the best course of action would be for any woman who finds herself in a similar situation—and wants to avoid a friend breakup.
"The most important thing is to tell your friend sooner than later," she says. "It could be an automatic friendship-killer if she finds out from someone other than you." Of course, that doesn't mean that you're off the hook if you do tell her soon after the incident.
"You can try to explain your lapse in judgment, but since this is such an egregious breech of trust, your friend may be unable to forgive you or need some time to get over the disappointment," says Levine. After you apologize, give her a week or two to cool off (and hopefully remember what a great friend you were before you saw her ex's penis) before you try making contact again.
When you do reach out to her, go easy on the apologies this time around. Explaining to her how you feel—even if it's how sorry you are—isn't nearly as important at this point as listening to how she feels about everything that's gone down, says Levine. Your friend still might not be able to get past your mistake, but at least you'll know you did what you could to try to salvage the relationship.
MORE: How to Forgive a Friend
Warning: This article contains spoilers about the episode of Girls that aired February 1.
So, Marnie and Ray. That happened. (In case you haven't seen the latest episode of Girls—and don't care about spoilers—Marnie goes to Ray's apartment to ask him what he thinks is "wrong" with her, only to end up twisting the sheets with him.)
Clearly, the sex wasn't something either party meant to happen (or even really wanted until their primal urges got the better of them). And while Shosh may have been the one who dumped Ray, he's still the guy she lost her virginity to—so according to universal girl code, that would definitely make him off-limits for Marnie.
But girl code or no girl code, Marnie slept with him. And sometimes, even people who aren't TV characters (incredibly selfish ones at that) can make the mistake of hooking up with a friend's ex. So we asked Irene Levine, Ph.D., a professor of psychology at New York University's School of Medicine, what the best course of action would be for any woman who finds herself in a similar situation—and wants to avoid a friend breakup.
"The most important thing is to tell your friend sooner than later," she says. "It could be an automatic friendship-killer if she finds out from someone other than you." Of course, that doesn't mean that you're off the hook if you do tell her soon after the incident.
"You can try to explain your lapse in judgment, but since this is such an egregious breech of trust, your friend may be unable to forgive you or need some time to get over the disappointment," says Levine. After you apologize, give her a week or two to cool off (and hopefully remember what a great friend you were before you saw her ex's penis) before you try making contact again.
When you do reach out to her, go easy on the apologies this time around. Explaining to her how you feel—even if it's how sorry you are—isn't nearly as important at this point as listening to how she feels about everything that's gone down, says Levine. Your friend still might not be able to get past your mistake, but at least you'll know you did what you could to try to salvage the relationship.
MORE: How to Forgive a Friend
You're familiar with the fortune cookie game, right? The one where you say "in bed" after you read your fortune? Well I once cracked open a cookie to find this: "You need to dedicate more time to others." … in bed.
Needless to say, I was offended. Who did this cookie think it was? And what did it know about my bedroom performance? I'm not a selfish lover! At least, I try not to be. And I'm not alone: Most men care about more than just our own big finish. We want you to get yours, too, and a new study even proved it. Men really get off on women crossing the finish line.
Still don't believe that me? Here are eight reasons we love it when you orgasm:
We like to feel accomplished
You ever see a guy right after he receives a promotion at work? Or after his fantasy football team wins the league? He stands a little taller, puffs his chest out a little more. We crave that sense of achievement in the bedroom, too. So even if your guy's drooling into his pillow, if you just had an orgasm, you can bet he's dreaming the dreams of a champion.
Big Os bring us closer
Orgasms flood both our brains with the bonding hormone oxytocin. It makes you feel more connected, love-y, and just all around awesome. And hey, why should we experience this feel-good cocktail on our own?
We get a private show
Watching you lose control turns us on. When you curl your toes, bite your lip, arch your back … that's some real stuff. And we're the only ones who get to see it.
MORE: 19 Things You Didn't Know About Orgasms
Your voice sounds amazing at that volume
We generally only hear you raise your voice under two circumstances: You're really mad at us, or you're really happy with us. When you're on the precipice of an orgasm, we assume you're in that second category.
We like to know you're having just as good a time as we are
There's no Yelp for men (well, this app comes close) so the only reviews we have to go on are your own enthusiasm. This means we strive to deliver upstanding service every single time. We know you can still be enjoying yourself without an orgasm, but that doesn't make us any less committed to the task.
MORE: Why Some Men Fake Orgasms
Your happiness is important to us
That's part of the reason we love to give you things. Orgasms, as it turns out, just happen to be way cheaper (and more mind-blowing) than flowers or jewelry.
You're like a sexy chameleon
As you heat up and your blood starts flowing faster, your chest can turn a little pink. It's called "sex flush," and it looks great on you.
Honestly, we're just impressed
Reports from the field indicate that women can experience multiple orgasms. This is foreign to men, which makes it all the more epic to watch.
MORE: 10 Reasons You Should Have More Orgasms
You're familiar with the fortune cookie game, right? The one where you say "in bed" after you read your fortune? Well I once cracked open a cookie to find this: "You need to dedicate more time to others." … in bed.
Needless to say, I was offended. Who did this cookie think it was? And what did it know about my bedroom performance? I'm not a selfish lover! At least, I try not to be. And I'm not alone: Most men care about more than just our own big finish. We want you to get yours, too, and a new study even proved it. Men really get off on women crossing the finish line.
Still don't believe that me? Here are eight reasons we love it when you orgasm:
We like to feel accomplished
You ever see a guy right after he receives a promotion at work? Or after his fantasy football team wins the league? He stands a little taller, puffs his chest out a little more. We crave that sense of achievement in the bedroom, too. So even if your guy's drooling into his pillow, if you just had an orgasm, you can bet he's dreaming the dreams of a champion.
Big Os bring us closer
Orgasms flood both our brains with the bonding hormone oxytocin. It makes you feel more connected, love-y, and just all around awesome. And hey, why should we experience this feel-good cocktail on our own?
We get a private show
Watching you lose control turns us on. When you curl your toes, bite your lip, arch your back … that's some real stuff. And we're the only ones who get to see it.
MORE: 19 Things You Didn't Know About Orgasms
Your voice sounds amazing at that volume
We generally only hear you raise your voice under two circumstances: You're really mad at us, or you're really happy with us. When you're on the precipice of an orgasm, we assume you're in that second category.
We like to know you're having just as good a time as we are
There's no Yelp for men (well, this app comes close) so the only reviews we have to go on are your own enthusiasm. This means we strive to deliver upstanding service every single time. We know you can still be enjoying yourself without an orgasm, but that doesn't make us any less committed to the task.
MORE: Why Some Men Fake Orgasms
Your happiness is important to us
That's part of the reason we love to give you things. Orgasms, as it turns out, just happen to be way cheaper (and more mind-blowing) than flowers or jewelry.
You're like a sexy chameleon
As you heat up and your blood starts flowing faster, your chest can turn a little pink. It's called "sex flush," and it looks great on you.
Honestly, we're just impressed
Reports from the field indicate that women can experience multiple orgasms. This is foreign to men, which makes it all the more epic to watch.
MORE: 10 Reasons You Should Have More Orgasms
What's a big, big turnoff?
It's not a turnoff, but it's upsetting to me when a woman has lost her confidence. I genuinely think that all women are beautiful in a different way. We live in such a critical world, and for women the bar has been set [high], but they should really just grab that bar and snap it. It doesn't mean anything.
Tell us about your earliest love experiences.
That first love is so strong. You don't have the worries of "this happened in my last relationship, so this is what's going to happen in this one." It's just pure love. It's a terrifying but amazing feeling.
What are you like to date?
I'm the worst. I don't know what to wear, I don't know where to go. I always take dates bowling or to mini golf, and I get so competitive that I'm like, "I've got to win!"
Which profession do you find attractive?
Doctor. There's something about a woman who has authority but looks after you. I always like someone who's caring.
How do you handle heartbreak?
In my sheets crying my eyes out! [Laughs] It's the worst feeling. It's like someone punched you in the gut.
Fast Talk
Best female body part? Eyes.
Twitter or Instagram? Neither.
Favorite music right now? I listen to a lot of Miles Davis.
How can you make a girl smile? Flowers.
Favorite dish to cook? Banana bread.
Guilty pleasure? Motorcycles.
Man crush? Steve McQueen.
What's a big, big turnoff?
It's not a turnoff, but it's upsetting to me when a woman has lost her confidence. I genuinely think that all women are beautiful in a different way. We live in such a critical world, and for women the bar has been set [high], but they should really just grab that bar and snap it. It doesn't mean anything.
Tell us about your earliest love experiences.
That first love is so strong. You don't have the worries of "this happened in my last relationship, so this is what's going to happen in this one." It's just pure love. It's a terrifying but amazing feeling.
What are you like to date?
I'm the worst. I don't know what to wear, I don't know where to go. I always take dates bowling or to mini golf, and I get so competitive that I'm like, "I've got to win!"
Which profession do you find attractive?
Doctor. There's something about a woman who has authority but looks after you. I always like someone who's caring.
How do you handle heartbreak?
In my sheets crying my eyes out! [Laughs] It's the worst feeling. It's like someone punched you in the gut.
Fast Talk
Best female body part? Eyes.
Twitter or Instagram? Neither.
Favorite music right now? I listen to a lot of Miles Davis.
How can you make a girl smile? Flowers.
Favorite dish to cook? Banana bread.
Guilty pleasure? Motorcycles.
Man crush? Steve McQueen.
Welcome to February—the month where weight loss and fitness resolutions go to die. (No, seriously—February 7 is actually known as the "fitness cliff," because that's the day that most people just completely give up on their fitness resolutions.) Here's the good news: We've come up with a 21-day shape up workout plan that you'll love so much, you won't wanna ditch it.
Here's how it works. Each week, you'll do six workouts (none of them last more than about half an hour!):
-Two total-body toning routines
-Two fat-blasting interval workouts
-Two easy recovery sessions
Watch this video to get the total plan, as well as to see demos of how to do each body-shaping move. For a complete list of all the moves, reps, and sets, see below.
Total-Body Toning Routines – 2x a week
Reps: 12 – 15 per move
Sets: 1 set during week 1, 2 sets during weeks 2 and 3
Moves:
Plank with Alternating Leg Lift
Wood Chop with Resistance Band
Dumbbell Squat and Overhead Press
Romanian Deadlift
Bent-Over Row
Dynamic Lunge
Fat-Blasting Intervals – 2x a week
Do the following three moves back to back with no rest in between. That's 1 interval.
Rest for one to two minutes between intervals
Complete as many reps of each move as you can in the prescribed amount of time.
Week 1: 20 seconds per move, 5 intervals
Week 2: 30 seconds per move, 6 intervals
Week 3: 40 seconds per move, 7 intervals
Moves:
Mountain Climber
Lateral Shuffle
Jump Squat
Results-Enhancing Recovery – 2x a week
Do the following three moves in the order shown. Repeat two or three times.
Moves:
Hip Flexor Stretch
Double Hip Extension
Standing Chest Stretch
Floor I-Position Raise
More from Women's Health
Training Plans for Every Fitness Goal
10 Abs Exercises Better Than Crunches
Lose 10 Pounds in 6 Weeks
Welcome to February—the month where weight loss and fitness resolutions go to die. (No, seriously—February 7 is actually known as the "fitness cliff," because that's the day that most people just completely give up on their fitness resolutions.) Here's the good news: We've come up with a 21-day shape up workout plan that you'll love so much, you won't wanna ditch it.
Here's how it works. Each week, you'll do six workouts (none of them last more than about half an hour!):
-Two total-body toning routines
-Two fat-blasting interval workouts
-Two easy recovery sessions
Watch this video to get the total plan, as well as to see demos of how to do each body-shaping move. For a complete list of all the moves, reps, and sets, see below.
Total-Body Toning Routines – 2x a week
Reps: 12 – 15 per move
Sets: 1 set during week 1, 2 sets during weeks 2 and 3
Moves:
Plank with Alternating Leg Lift
Wood Chop with Resistance Band
Dumbbell Squat and Overhead Press
Romanian Deadlift
Bent-Over Row
Dynamic Lunge
Fat-Blasting Intervals – 2x a week
Do the following three moves back to back with no rest in between. That's 1 interval.
Rest for one to two minutes between intervals
Complete as many reps of each move as you can in the prescribed amount of time.
Week 1: 20 seconds per move, 5 intervals
Week 2: 30 seconds per move, 6 intervals
Week 3: 40 seconds per move, 7 intervals
Moves:
Mountain Climber
Lateral Shuffle
Jump Squat
Results-Enhancing Recovery – 2x a week
Do the following three moves in the order shown. Repeat two or three times.
Moves:
Hip Flexor Stretch
Double Hip Extension
Standing Chest Stretch
Floor I-Position Raise
More from Women's Health
Training Plans for Every Fitness Goal
10 Abs Exercises Better Than Crunches
Lose 10 Pounds in 6 Weeks
