Saturday, 30 May 2015
Your Complete Shoulder-Training Crash Course!
Friday, 29 May 2015
These Time-Saving Tricks Helped Me Lose 75 Pounds While Working 3 Jobs
Before: 235
After: 161
The Lifestyle
In high school, I weighed 175 pounds. I was super active and played a ton of sports, but when I went to college, I gained about 20 pounds. That was probably because I totally stopped working out and my eating habits changed dramatically. Um, hello cafeteria food and take out.
After graduation, I moved to California and started working three jobs. At the same time, I began dating this guy who loved to go out to eat. Most of the time we spent together was focused around going to restaurants, and we'd always end up at places like Denny's or a Mexican spot. Over the course of our five-month relationship, my weight went up 40 pounds, bringing me to 235 pounds. I could tell I was gaining and didn't like the way I looked.
The Change
After we broke up (for reasons that had nothing to do with my weight), I went on a four-day hike through the Grand Canyon with some of my family. By the end of the trip, my cousins said it looked like I had lost some weight—and I had! When I got home, I weighed myself and saw that I'd lost 10 pounds. It felt really good, so I tried to incorporate the habits from that trip into my daily life. I stopped drinking soda and started sipping water, cutting back on fast food, preparing my own meals, and exercising at least five days a week.
RELATED: The Diets That Are Proven to Make You GAIN Weight
It was tough trying to find the time to make healthy meals at home, but I decided to simplify the process by making my meals ahead of time. I bought a food processer and juicer and started making veggie-packed juices every morning. For dinner or lunch, I made soups in my food processor and ate one batch throughout the week. To prevent food fatigue, I added in grains and other ingredients to the soup base at every meal. That way it didn't feel like I was eating the same thing every day. After four months, I was down to 182 pounds. The last time I'd weighed that much was in high school!
Soon after that, I started my own photography business, and the stress of it had a huge impact on my body. Over the course of two years, my good routine started to fade, and my weight constantly fluctuated about 15 pounds. Instead of trying to stick with my healthy habits after gaining weight, I started trying new "diets" that consisted of cutting out carbs or only drinking juice for a month. I always ended up making unhealthy choices again. It was a bad cycle for me.
I knew I wanted to keep the weight off for good, but I didn't know how to do it. One of my friends told me that she'd started this program called the Jenny Schatzle program. It's six weeks of high-intensity interval training classes, a consultation with a nutritionist, and a meal plan to follow. I was hesitant at first because the program was kind of pricey, but after I tried the first class, I decided to do it.
The workouts were really addictive. They changed all the time and kept my body guessing, which was so much better than my go-through-the-motions gym routine. It was easy for me to stay with a consistent routine since I was looking forward to each class.
RELATED: How I Finally Stopped Yo-Yo Dieting and Lost Almost 90 Pounds
The dietician told me that I actually wasn't eating frequently enough, so I started incorporating more healthy snacks into my diet in addition to following their meal plan—which focused on eating more fruits and veggies instead of cutting out entire food groups, like I was doing before. After six weeks, I'd lost 10 pounds and decided to do a second session. I lost another 20 pounds! By getting into a consistent routine with the program, I've learned that my weight and diet and exercise routine should make me happy—not be something I dread thinking about. That idea has helped me stay motivated to stick with my new habits.
Though I'm still doing the program, I work out on my own when I can't make it to class and focus on the moves I learned there. I've also kept up my healthy eating habits and even allow myself some indulgences from time to time. Today, I weigh 160 pounds.
The Reward
By losing weight, I've come out of my shell and gained a ton of confidence. It's actually helped me a lot in my career as a wedding photographer. I'm better equipped to connect with clients at the beginning of our sessions as opposed to easing into it—it helps the pictures come out better.
RELATED: How Often You Should Switch Up Your Workout to Keep Losing Weight
Felicia's Tips
Work out whenever you can. Even if I just have 10 minutes to work out, I do it. Most of the time, I end up exercising longer than I'd originally planned to. It's helped me stick with my good habits even when I'm feeling lazy.
Don't say "diet starts Monday." I used to do this all the time. I would make healthy choices at the beginning of the week and then slowly slide back into my old habits. I learned to stop thinking that eating something unhealthy gave me permission to keep making bad choices. Now, I go back to my healthy ways after every satisfying meal or snack.
Don't underestimate yourself. I never thought I would weigh less than I did in high school, but after I hit my goal of 175, I realized that losing weight was easier than I thought. You just have to stick with a healthy routine, and you'll get there.
Forget Fitness Challenges—Sex Challenges Are Now a Thing
Pinterest is loaded with different health and fitness challenges. Whether your goal is to be more hydrated or have a tighter butt, there are schedules out there urging you to drink more water or do more squats. So why not add a sex challenge to your Google calendar? It is health-related, after all.
Say you’ve been feeling a little tired, stressed, disconnected, or otherwise unsexy. Or maybe you just miss the constant, passionate sex of those first few months of your romantic relationship. Setting a sex challenge—in which you and your partner commit to sex every day for a week, a month, or a year—may help you get back on track, at least according to some experts.
RELATED: Can You Create Sexual Chemistry If It’s Not There?
“It might be a way to spring life back into your relationship, into your connection,” says Neil Rosenthal, a marriage and family therapist and author of the book Love, Sex, and Staying Warm: Keeping the Flame Alive. “You can be relatively moderate and try it for a week or 10 days, then see how you both feel.”
If the idea of penciling in sex seems anything but sexy, Rosenthal says to remember that it’s about the big picture: "What’s important is that you're both agreeing to do something that makes you feel close and connected,” he says. “You're agreeing to make sex more of a priority, as opposed to all the other priorities in life.”
RELATED: Does Having More Sex Actually Make You Happier?
Granted, some experts believe that the forced nature of the concept does a disservice to couples. “Calling it a challenge is bothersome in and of itself,” says Nancy Irwin, Psy.D. “It becomes something you have to do, like there is a goalpost involved. Sex should be a fun, cooperative thing. You shouldn't be pushing it.” It's also worth noting that a recent study found that couples who were forced to double the amount of sex they were having actually experienced a slight decrease in happiness.
So what if you want to reap the positive benefits of something like a challenge (more orgasms!) and avoid the potential negatives (another item on the to-do list)? Like any other issue in a romantic relationship, the best policy is to address it openly and honestly.
RELATED: Doing This One Thing Right After Sex Can Improve Your Relationship
“Straightforward is better than subtle,” says Rosenthal. “Ask, ‘Would you be willing to try an experiment where we agree to have sex every day? Why don’t we try it for a week? Would it bother you?’” Irwin agrees: “You can’t make the other person feel guilty because that isn’t the best way to inspire someone. It’s more like, ‘I find you hot, I find you sexy, I just want to have more sex with you.’” Tough to argue with that.
And remember that a sex challenge is not going to fix deeper issues. “This is not for every couple and every circumstance,” says Rosenthal. “If you’re feeling disconnected because of infidelity or disrespect or lack of attention and energy, then more sex won’t make you feel suddenly warm and fuzzy.” So don’t take a sex challenge as a relationship cure-all, but as a fun way to reconnect. It’s just sex, after all.
How to Wear Flats and Still Look Like Hot S**t
I have a confession to make: I am flats’ number-one fan. So when I heard that Cannes allegedly banned them from the red carpet this year (a.k.a., #Flatgate, to you social media mavens out there), I too was totally bummed. Don’t get me wrong: Heels can be fabulous. But the right pair of flats can also be worthy of a strut down the red carpet.
Need further proof? Here are a few summer-ready fancy looks with which rocking your favorite pair of heels is totally acceptable.
Add Bedazzled Flats to a Shorter Cocktail Dress
For dresses that fall just above your knee, flats are the perfect alternative to heels—your legs can still look long and not get into stumpy, frumpy territory. So if you're feeling glam, bling out an A-line cocktail dress by adding a little sparkle on your toes. I adore styling funky, bedazzled flats with this pretty Kate Spade dress to give my outfit a little pizazz that's anything but casual—while making sure I’m comfortable well into cocktail hour.
Wear Closed-Toe Flats with Maxi Dresses
When it comes to maxi dresses, I’m a firm believer that flats, rather than heels, are the way to go to give your look a polished but laidback summer feel. And I love a good pair of Parisian-inspired flats, especially of the D’Orsay variety. They’re effortlessly chic, ultra comfortable and go with just about everything—all winning points in my book! During the summer months, I often wear my favorite pair with this flowy, printed maxi dress for rooftop parties or summer soirées. Style tip: Make sure to pair closed-toe flats with your maxis to ensure your look isn’t too casual for a more dressed-up event.
Remember That "Flats" Has a Broad Definition
I invested in a sparkly pair of pants during the holidays last year, and I can’t get enough of how fantastic (and comfy!) they are for any season. Add a fun pair of tennis shoes (like these Kate Spade for Keds) instead of heels to an awesome pants look to showcase your laidback, unique style. The unexpectedly chic shoes will win you major fashion points for creativity and comfort. Plus, you can wear them anywhere, from the red carpet to a wedding (really, they even make sparkly wedding Keds!).
Work Ballet Flats When You Need Transition Footwear
There’s a reason ballet flats are a classic—they’re polished, refined, and oh-so-comfy to boot. For days that take me from the office to downtown, I reach for my favorite Tory Burch ballet flats. They’re always in style and add a level of refinement to an already-classic busy gal look without being as impractical as heels. Plus, I don’t know about you, but I’ve yet to master wearing heels from morning 'til night. While I wouldn’t wear this outfit to a red carpet event, it’s perfect for transitioning a look from the office to cocktails.
See? Your trusted flats are perfect with just about any fancy outfit in your closet! And when it comes to spending a night out on the town, trust me: You’d much rather be the girl dancing the night away than the one limping home. Rock your flats with pride!
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Maya McDonald is a stylish social media pro living out her dreams in Chicago. When she’s not creating content for brands, she can be found penning Charmingly Styled and writing for a variety of magazines. She adores all-natural beauty, farmers' markets, and traveling the world for the best latte (she’ll let you know when she finds it!).
The Abs-Sculpting Move You'll Love (And Love to Hate)
Join the Women's Health Weekend Challenge to help you meet your fitness goals fast and make your weekend workouts count. Thousands of women already have. Join them, and achieve your fitness goals faster!
Single-Leg Side Plank: You can keep doing crunches until you're blue in the face, or your can spice things up and get the crazy benefits of this fun plank variation. This exercise works your core, obliques, shoulders, and glutes. But don't be intimidated—you're going to crush this.
RELATED: Workouts You Can Do in 5 Minutes or Less That Are Actually Effective
SO…ARE YOU IN?!
Thursday, 28 May 2015
Demi Lovato Speaks Up About Living with Bipolar Disorder
Demi Lovato has never been shy about sharing her personal story. Back in 2011, the now-22-year-old entered rehab, where she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder after years of struggling with bulimia, cutting, and drug addiction. Now, the singer of hit songs such as “Heart Attack” and “Skyscraper” is the spokesperson for a new campaign called Be Vocal: Speak Up for Mental Health. The initiative focuses on encouraging people with mental illness to speak up, as well as for others to raise their voices in support of changing the way mental illness is talked about and breaking down the stigma surrounding it.
“It’s a passion of mine—mental health advocacy—and I’ve decided to partner up with Be Vocal because it’s something that’s really powerful when it comes to not only informing people about what mental illness is, but also what you can do to get help,” Demi tells WomensHealthMag.com. She adds that she wants women to know that “it’s possible to live well, feel well, and also find happiness with bipolar disorder or any other mental illness they’re struggling with.”
RELATED: What You Need to Know About Suicide and Depression
While many celebs try to keep their personal health issues out of the press, Demi is using her platform to raise awareness and help others in need. “I remember sitting with my manager and my family and talking to them about whether or not to speak out about the issues that I was dealing with,” she says. “I knew that there were two options: I could either not talk about my stint in rehab and hope that it went away, or I could talk about it and inspire people to get help for their issues, as well, so that’s exactly what I did.”
According to DBSA, about 5.7 million American adults have bipolar disorder. What’s more, it can often take years for someone to get the correct diagnosis. This is what happened to Demi. “For years, people said I was depressed, and I actually didn’t know myself why I was so upset and why I would have these episodes of mania—what I now know is mania,” she says.
During these manic periods, Demi says she’d stay up until 5 a.m. and write seven songs in one night. “Sometimes I felt invincible, and it was these moments when my mind would go all over the place,” she says. Not knowing what was behind her behavior led to addiction. "When you don’t know what’s happening, why you’re feeling certain ways, and you don’t have the answers yet, people tend to self-medicate, which is exactly what I did," she says. "Now I know that when I focus on my treatment plan with my team and my support system, I’m able to not only maintain a healthy mind, but I’m able to maintain my sobriety."
RELATED: Demi Lovato Is Speaking Out About Bipolar Disorder
Demi was relieved when she finally got the diagnosis. “I went into treatment and I was able to work with incredible doctors who helped me figure out that I was, in fact, bipolar, she says. “It was a great feeling to find out that there wasn’t anything wrong with me,” she says. “I just had a mental illness.”
I've never felt more comfortable and confident in my skin than I did today... Recovery and body acceptance IS possible!!!!
— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) May 27, 2015
While she’s doing well now, Demi says recovery is something she has to work on every single day. “You’re not a car that goes into the shop and gets fixed and you don’t have to deal with the problem again,” she says. When asked if she ever struggles with being tempted to slip back into old habits, she had this to say: “It gets easier, but of course there are times that it’s difficult. But I know everything that I would lose—not only my friends and family, but my fans. They look up to me, and I don’t want anyone to think that it’s okay to go back on what you stand for.”
RELATED: These Powerful Photos Perfectly Capture What It’s Like to Have Anxiety
One of the major ways Demi maintains her mental health and sobriety is through working out for an hour to an hour and a half every day. “I actually exercise as much as possible because there’s something that it does—it just helps,” she says, explaining that she enjoys a mix of circuit training, cycling, and hiking. “I used to meditate every day, as well. I don’t do that as often [anymore] because I feel like exercise is kind of a form of meditation for me—what it does to me spiritually and physically.”
Turns Out, We've All Been Pooping the Wrong Way Our Entire Lives
How many of you actually think about how you’re sitting on the toilet when you take a crap? (Anyone?) Turns out, it's something you should consider. In a recent interview with The Guardian, Giulia Enders, the author of Gut: The Inside Story of Our Body's Most Underrated Organ (it's a bestseller in her native Germany and was just released in paperback in English), explains that there is a right way to position yourself on the potty, and it's all about squatting.
"1.2 billion people around the world who squat have almost no incidence of diverticulosis [a condition that occurs when pouches in the bowel become inflamed, leading to abdonimal pain, constipation, and rectal bleeding] and fewer problems with piles [hemorrhoids]," says Enders in the interview. "We in the west, on the other hand, squeeze our gut tissue until it comes out of our bottoms." (Sorry for the nasty mental image.) Enders, who is studying for a microbiology degree in Frankfurt, Germany, also tells The Guardian that there are various studies showing that people can poop more efficiently if they squat. One 2012 study published in the Digestive Diseases and Sciences journal, for instance, found that people who squatted on a 12-inch toilet while pooping took 51 seconds, while those who sat without squatting on a 16-inch toilet took 130 seconds.
RELATED: Massaging This Body Part Is Guaranteed To Help You Poop
Can't picture what squatting on the toilet looks like? Enders tells The Guardian that you can use a little stool to place your feet on while you're sitting. Voila—it's as simple as that. You can also buy what's called—we sh*t you not—a "Squatty Potty," to make things even easier.
Try this technique yourself the next time you've gotta go. Your bowels will thank you—and maybe you'll even tone your legs at the same time.
How to Check Yourself for Skin Cancer
If you haven’t made an appointment with your derm yet for your yearly skin check, it’s time to get on it. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S. (nearly five million Americans are treated for it every year)—and one in five of people will get it during our lifetimes, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. So it’s kind of a big deal.
Already been inspected by your doc? Good for you—but that doesn’t give you the liberty to skip paying attention to your skin for the next 365 days. (Sorry!) It’s important to keep track of the moles on your body year-round since any changes to them could signify skin cancer. Yikes.
RELATED: 5 New Ways to Spot Skin Cancer
If you’re healthy with no history of the disease, ask your dermatologist how often you should be checking yourself, says Debra Wattenberg, M.D., a dermatologist with the Academy of Dermatology. Meanwhile, if you’ve got a lot of moles, you should check yourself two to three times a year, in addition to your annual exam, she says.
RELATED: This Woman’s Gruesome Selfie Will Have You Reaching Frantically for Sunscreen
Here’s how to do it: Strip down to your birthday suit, and position yourself somewhere with good lighting. “Start at your scalp, and separate strands of hair to look closely at it,” says Wattenberg. “Then, move down to your face. Look under your nose and behind your ears. Continue down your neck, and look at your arms, underarms, and the back of your arms. Move on to your chest, abdomen, and pelvis and groin area. Then you should sit down and check your feet. Look at the area between your toes, as well as under your nails.” Finally, have a partner look at the backs of your legs, your butt, your back, and everywhere else you can’t see yourself (you can also use a mirror to do this). “The back is the number one place people get melanoma,” says Wattenberg.
RELATED: 11 Sun Mistakes You’re Probably Making
The bottom line: Nothing beats being examined by a trained professional’s eye, but you should still be aware of what’s happening to your skin. Your vigilance could save your life.
Wednesday, 27 May 2015
11 Men Reveal The Sex Moves They Hate (But Won't Admit to Your Face)
Lessons From A 95-Year-Old Bodybuilder
7 Signs You Need to Try Another Bra Size
Like when you found out what sex was or that Lance Bass is gay, discovering that you've been wearing the wrong bra size is a life-altering moment.
Unfortunately, a lot of women are still living in the dark, says Lori Kaplan, director of Bra*Tenders lingerie store in New York City. And ignorance is definitely not bliss. "When you're wearing the right-sized bra, you can look 10 pounds thinner and 10 years younger in a minute," says Kaplan. That's because, when your girls are lifted, your waist is more distinguishable and your torso looks longer, she says.
RELATED: 31 Ways to Have More Fun With Your Boobs Every Day
Though Kaplan recommends getting professionally fitted for a bra once a year, you can assess how your goods look in your current bra with the pointers below from Kaplan. Are your boobs hanging tight—or are they ready for an upgraded boulder holder?
RELATED: 7 Guys Reveal the Sexiest Lingerie Ever
RELATED: Smoking-Hot Lingerie That Won’t Make You Feel Skanky
Why Gwyneth Paltrow Won't Let Her Son Eat Pasta
For the most recent issue of Women's Health, cover star Gwyeth Paltrow got candid about how she stays in such amazing shape and about her relationships.
She also set the record straight about how she's raising her two children: Apple, 11, and Moses, 9 (their father is ex-husband, Chris Martin). Because maybe you heard? Gwyneth doesn't allow her children to eat spaghetti. Or utter the words high-fructose corn syrup. And they're allotted only 2.5 hours of joy every week. We're being hyperbolic.
"Honestly, the things that people have gotten wrong about me in 20-whatever years!" she says. "I've been misquoted a lot around food. The reason I wrote my last cookbook [It's All Good] with no overt allergens in it was because of my son's eczema. He should eat gluten-free, based on his allergy tests. I don't know how that got construed to I don't feed my kids carbs."
RELATED: Gwyneth Paltrow on Love Post-Conscious Uncoupling
Yes, it's—gasp!—true that she wants her kids to eat well...which makes her different from exactly no other mother in the world. She stocks a pretty standard kitchen. "I try to have whole foods, organic when possible. And a lot of vegetables—my daughter is vegetarian, so a lot of our meals are plant-based."
For more on Gwyneth's diet, beauty routine, and what keeps her grounded, pick up the June 2015 issue of Women's Health, on newsstands now.
Tuesday, 26 May 2015
How to Know If He's Lying to You About Cheating
You’ve got a feeling your significant other is up to no good. But even if your intuition is right, changes are he’s not going to answer your prompts with, “Yes, dear, I am cheating on you.” So short of hooking him up to a lie-detector test or sticking him with truth serum, how can you know if he’s lying to you? Polygraph examiner and former FBI agent Jack Trimarco and body-language pro Lillian Glass, Ph.D., author of The Body Language of Liars, share the six “tells” he’s lying through his teeth.
Lie-detector tests are all about measuring changes from the norm, be that in terms of heart rate, breathing, or blood pressure. Likewise, when you’re investigating your guy’s possible misdeeds, any changes from his normal behavior point to dishonesty, says Trimarco. For example, if you ask where he was Friday night and he suddenly starts scratching his nose, clearing his throat, and breathing heavily, something’s amiss, says Glass.
RELATED: 10 Weird Facts About Cheating
Guys know that looking down is a telltale sign of lying. So when they lie, they typically make a point to look you in the eye, says Trimarco. Problem/good thing is, they typically overcompensate and go too far the other way. If he creepily stares you down (no blinking!) when he tells you, “No, I haven’t slept with anyone else,” he might as well be staring at his shoes, says Glass.
You: “Are you cheating on me?” Him: “Am I cheating on you?... of course not!” Answering your question with a question buys him time to think of something believable to respond with, says Trimarco. He might be doing it consciously or unconsciously, but either way, what he says next is probably going to be a lie.
RELATED: 11 Lies EVERYONE Has Told In Bed
“When people are guilty, they tend to turn the accusations around to whoever made it,” says Trimarco. He might say you’re putting past relationship baggage on him, that you’re paranoid, or that you're probably cheating on him. “When he feels caught, he will want to take the heat off of himself and put you on the defense,” says Glass.
“The truth is constant, clear, and easy to remember. Lies, however, tend to change,” says Trimarco. If you start to notice changes in his story, or if, when you ask him what he did at his friend’s bachelor party, his answer is different than it was before, something’s up.
RELATED: If They Cheated Once, Will They Cheat Again?
“Innocent people don’t swear on the grave of their mother,” says Trimarco. “If he does, that’s a huge red flag.” The truth is strong enough to stand on its own, so if he’s trying to prove his case with things that have nothing to do with the subject at hand (momma’s grave, unborn children, and God), he likely knows his defense is paper-thin.
Monday, 25 May 2015
The Craziest Sh*t People Have Gotten Stuck in Their Eyes
You know how annoying it is to get a piece of dirt stuck in your eye. You blink and you blink, but it just doesn't go away. But if you think that's bad, you haven't seen anything. Seriously. A select unlucky group of people have gotten everything from pencils to fish hooks to feathers stuck in their peepers. We're shuddering just thinking about it. And as it turns out, these situations are more common than you'd think.
"Anything you can think of can get into the eye and cause irritation and discomfort," says Philip R. Rizzuto, M.D., an ophthalmologist who specializes in oculofacial plastic surgery and a clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
For example, in 2013, Olivia Smith, a then-20-month-old toddler in New Boston, New Hampshire, impaled her eye on a colored pencil. It entered through her right eye (and luckily avoided almost every important artery and nerve), then lodged itself in her brain. She had a small stroke as a result. Doctors were able to remove the pencil, but they expected she'd have a bit of weakness on the right side of her body.
Then there was the guy who wound up with a nail embedded in his eye after a DIY project went wrong. Jeff Aubol of Crookston, Minnesota, was using a screwdriver in November 2014 to work on a window. At one point a nail went airborne, then wedged itself into his eye. He had surgery the next day and was back on the job a few days after that.
In terms of more easily avoidable injuries, Nicola Cavanagh, a then-42-year-old from Dundee, Scotland, recently found herself with Halloween contact lenses fused onto her eyes. She and her partner managed to extract them after an hour and a half of pain she describes as "excruciating" and "absolutely horrific," but in the process she damaged her cornea.
RELATED: The Right Way to Apply—and Remove—Eye Makeup if You Wear Contacts
Unfortunately, that's not all. Here's a list of things Rizzuto has seen stuck in people's eyes throughout his career, ranging from "okay, that makes sense" to "OMG, I'm going to have nightmares tonight."
Tree bark
Nails via a nail gun
A bit of metal, catapulted through the air on a construction site
Bullets
Bullet fragments
Pencils
A piece of paper
Acid
Tire debris from a passing car
Wood that a chainsaw loosened
Tree branches
Colored contact lenses
Leaves
Feathers
Fishhooks
RELATED: 8 Major Mistakes That Can Mess with Your Eyes
All together now: ouch. So what's the first thing you should do when something gets in your eye? Actually, says Rizzuto, you should try to start by not getting anything in there to begin with. "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” he says. “I got a call [recently] from a gentleman who got hit with a hockey puck in his eye. He was using a glass shield, so his eye was fine even though he broke one of the bones surrounding it." If you're playing tennis, hammering some nails, mowing the lawn, or doing anything where something can fly around and hit your eye, your best bet is to wear some kind of eye protection. Rizzuto recommends goggles or a shield made of polycarbonate—a strong, clear polymer that's effective in protecting the eyes from projectile-induced injuries.
Don't have a pair of goggles on hand? Any prescription glasses made with plastic lenses are going to be shatter-proof. So while they're not as good as goggles, they're definitely better than not wearing anything to protect your eyes.
Okay, so let's say you've already got something in your eye. If it’s a small object and irritating but isn't full-on painful, you can let your body do its job. "Most times, your tears will wash things away," says Rizzuto. Try not to rub your eyes or wet them, even though that feels like the natural thing to do. "You don't want to move something around that could potentially be damaging," says Rizzuto. If you want to be extra safe and you can tell it's still in there, contact your optometrist or ophthalmologist or go to an emergency room. "If you feel like it's bad, it likely is,” he says. “I would err on the side of caution and have it examined, even if you think it really might be okay. I don't know an ophthalmologist who will look at a patient and say, 'I can't believe you're here,' but I can guarantee every one I know has looked at a patient and thought, 'Why didn't you come sooner?'"
RELATED: Would You Have Laser Surgery to Change Your Eye Color?
If you get something big in your eye, like a pencil or a piece of metal, don't yank it out in a panic. Because you're going through a trauma, your first instinct may very well be to get whatever it is out ASAP. But shifting its position could just further damage the eye. So as counter-intuitive as it may seem, leaving it in there is the best course of action. Then hightail it to a doctor so a professional can figure out the best way to remove it with minimal harm.
Gif courtesy of giphy.com
Friday, 22 May 2015
Fitstagram Vol. 23: 10 Fit Physiques
Thursday, 21 May 2015
This Is Just the Playlist You Need While You Work on Your Summer Slimdown
Every week, Your New Favorite Playlist introduces you to workout-worthy tunes from a different fitness brand. This week, Cardio Barre shares one of its recent playlists.
Working to whip your body into shape before summer hits? You might want to take a page from celebs like Neve Campbell and Lucy Lawless, who swear by Cardio Barre. The hour-long ballet-inspired classes take regular barre up a notch by sculpting your body and getting your heartrate up with a fast tempo. "We use the same tehcniques that dancers use," says Richard Giorla, founder of the brand.
But it's not just about the movements you're doing during the class: "We're really big on mind and body together," says Giorla. "Mental strength equals a strong body, but it's really about how strong you can be to push yourself." Music helps people who take cardio barre connect with that strength in themselves. "It gives your body and your brain a motivational boost," says Giorla. While Cardio Barre has DJs create custom mixes that blend one song into the next, the playlist below is similar to one used in a recent class:
RELATED: 15 Workout Songs That Will Leave You Feeling Totally Relaxed and Recharged
You can download the playlist on Spotify. Not ready to sweat this second? Sample some of the songs:
Cardio Barre has locations in California, Florida, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah.
How, When, And Why To Use Athletic Tape
How to Look Smokin' (and Not Just Sweaty) in Your Race Photos
Sure, you run races to beat your personal record or maybe even to win the whole damn thing. But it doesn’t hurt to look amazing in your race photos while you’re at it. After all, discomfort is temporary, but pics are forever.
Of course, anyone who has run their share of races knows that it’s easy to end up with pictures that look...er...let’s just say “interesting.”
While you’re probably not going to look as awesome as you do when you’re freshly showered and not pushing your body to the limit, it is possible to get great race photos, says Mike Skelps, race photographer and owner of Capstone Photography.
He offers up his tips for snagging race photos you’ll actually want to buy (and not burn):
Spot the Photographer
Your odds of looking great go way up if you know when you’re being shot. Photographers usually wear some kind of bright clothing (Skelps says his photogs wear tie-dyed shirts) and are usually stationed in later portions of the race, when runners are more likely to be spread out.
Get Close
Running with a friend? Try to cozy up to each other when you’re in the photographer zone. If you’re too spread out, there’s a chance that the focus can be off on one of you. “We tend to sell a lot of photos of pairs,” says Skelps.
Smile (If That’s Your Thing)
Remember "Ridiculously Photogenic Guy" below? “We love to see people who look happy and feel happy,” says Skelps, adding that smiling pics sell well. Of course, you might prefer to just look strong and serious, which is totally cool, too. Just think about how you want to come across before you get to the photographer so you’re not captured with some kind of weird hybrid serious-happy expression.
RELATED: Which of These Female Celebs Is the Fastest Runner?
Think, 'Shoulders Back, Chin Up'
Sure, posture isn’t exactly your top priority during a race, but you can probably straighten up for a few seconds before going back to your comfortable slouch. “And definitely keep your chin up,” says Skelps.
Run Through the Shot
If you want to pose, that’s fine (hey, it’s your photo!), but Skelps says most of the best shots are ones that people run through, looking natural.
Don’t Blow Your Nose
...at least not in front of the photographer, if you can help it. Skelps says they regularly see people throwing up, looking dead tired, or blowing their schnoz. “It can’t always be helped, and we don’t try to capture things that fall into this category,” he says.
RELATED: How You Can Run the Most Meaningful 10-K Ever
Work Your Race Bib
Is it annoying? Totally, but your race bib means photographers can properly ID you…and you can find your killer pics later. Make sure it’s front and center, instead of covered by your shirt or in your pocket.
And finally, just have fun with it. Says Skelps: “The more natural and candid, the better.”
Run the Women's Health RUN 10 FEED 10 Race in New York City on September 20—or take part in one of our other runs around the country, or even sign up to run your own 10-K! You'll feed 10 hungry people in your neighborhood just by signing up.
Wednesday, 20 May 2015
This Badass Female Kickboxer Made Her Attacker Regret Ever Going After Her
Thinking about taking up kickboxing? We have a very, very good reason for you to just do it already.
A female kickboxer in the U.K. used her self-defense skills to take down a man who tried to attack her as she was walking home at 2 a.m., and she was awarded nearly $800 by a judge for her bravery, according to The Telegraph.
Attacker Mark Willis “bit off more than he could chew,” the judge said after a jury convicted Willis of sexual assault, adding, "not everyone could do what she did, and not everyone could even sensibly try to do what she did.”
Willis repeatedly punched the woman (who, as a victim of sexual assault, isn’t named) before pushing her over a wall and jumping on top of her, reported The Telegraph. The woman, who has been a kickboxer for two years, first tried to break his arm and then put him into a scissor-grip with her legs, causing him to pass out. Um, wow.
RELATED: Self-Defense Tips Every Woman Needs to Know
The woman told the court that after Willis jumped on top of her, he said, "Be quiet and do as I tell you and you won't get hurt." Her response: “Go f— yourself.” And then she proceeded to kick his butt.
While Willis repeatedly hit her and tried to get under her clothes, she said she “lifted my left leg up onto his shoulder and around the back of his neck. I crossed my right leg over and squeezed together as hard as I could.” After he passed out, she crawled through nearby bushes to safety.
"I feel relieved it is all over and that he has been convicted,” the woman said when the hearing was over, per The Telegraph. “I was stunned by the judge giving me a reward…It is very flattering and very humbling."
RELATED: 9 Myths About Self-Protection
According to the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Crime Victimization Survey, nearly 300,000 people are victims of rape and sexual assault each year. The survey also found that sexual assaults fluctuate at different times of the year (summer has the highest rates of rape and sexual assault; winter and fall have the lowest).
Want to learn how to protect yourself, just in case? Self-defense organization Rape Aggression Defense Systems offers classes in all 50 states, and the National Self-Defense Institute provides self-defense instruction in facilities in 33 states.
Ashley Conrad's Clutch Life: Day 24
Sexy Wedding Dresses Are Now a Thing
Women wearing sheer fabrics, body-contouring silhouettes, plunging necklines, and backless dresses… We're not just describing Beyoncé and J.Lo on the red carpet—this is what brides are wearing as they make their way down the aisle.
Pinterest and other social media networks showcase photos of everyone's (and their mom's) wedding, so women are looking for unique pieces to set themselves apart from the brides on their newsfeeds, says Terry Hall, fashion director for Kleinfeld Bridal in New York City, which is featured on TLC's Say Yes to the Dress.
And over the past few years, those styles have become super sexy, he says. Here, four more reasons why brides are looking so naked all of a sudden:
More Designers = More Variety
When bridal designers like Pnina Tornai and Zuhair Murad showed up in bridal salons, many brides fell in love with the sexy silhouettes—which included "illusions," a.k.a the nearly-naked look, and corsets—not just because they're seductive, but also because they stood apart from dresses they had seen before, says Hall.
Since then, more fashion designers who hadn't created bridal wear before started to get in on wedding action and began debuting creative looks featuring cutouts and crop tops galore, he says.
RELATED: How Bathing Suits Have Changed Over the Last 100 Years
Women Want to Show Off Their Bridal Bods
Prepping for the Big Day doesn't just include cake tasting and color scheming. For a lot of women, it means hitting the gym on the regular. Whether it's to keep their bodies in tip-top shape or tone them up, many brides want to put their hard work on display as they walk down the aisle, says Hall. Can you blame them?
…And Put Their Personalities on Display
Another big reason women don't want to look like their moms, grandmas, or sisters on their wedding day is because it's their turn to wear the white—or see-through—dress, says Hall. That means the bride wants a dress that shows off her individual style.
"I recently had a bride who selected a dress with a very low back because it was the perfect style for her," says master wedding planner and owner of Lifetime Events Jacqueline Vazquez. "She said she picked it because it was sexy, chic, and it felt like her."
Vazquez says that the clients she sees purchasing sexy gowns for their wedding days are confident, comfortable with who they are, and totally cool with expressing their sensuality.
Brides Want to Dress for Themselves—and Their Grooms
Brides today also want their ensembles to give a wink to the groom, says Hall. "Now that she has more options," he says, "she's also incorporating what her fiancé likes, as opposed to what her family expects and what is traditionally worn." It's just a guess, but we're pretty sure that grooms aren't against the new sultry looks.
RELATED: 8 Celebs Who Have Slayed the Almost-Naked Look
Hall says he thinks that the sexy wedding gown trend will continue appearing in the future of bridal design. "Five years ago, the idea of a wedding dress with a crop top would have been frowned upon, but now we're seeing quite a bit of it," he says.
But that doesn't mean that the classic, slightly more conservative looks will be obsolete. Instead, they'll just be on one end of a design spectrum that continues to broaden, says Hall. "Ultimately, I think, the bridal and the red-carpet world will collide, and you'll be able to wear whatever you want on your wedding day."
Monday, 18 May 2015
Take a Look Inside Some Real-Life Sex Dungeons
Who can forget Christian Grey’s playroom (a.k.a. the Red Room of Pain) in Fifty Shades of Grey? It’s where the billionaire—and sex fiend—took Anastasia to indulge in all his sexual fantasies.
RELATED: 5 Major Myths About BDSM
If you’re looking to add a little spice to your sex life—or you’re already into using whips and chains—you now have the opportunity to book a stay in a sex dungeon or BDSM playroom the next time you go on vacation. We kid you not.
KinkBNB, which launched May 1, gives users the chance to rent rooms from fellow BDSM practicers decked out with cages, sex swings, and other equipment they might need to get off. The company follows a similar business model to Airbnb: You create an account online, search for listings in whatever city you want to visit, and pay a fee each night you stay. Many of the rooms for rent are even orgy-friendly.
RELATED: How Fifty Shades of Grey Changed Your Sex Life
In an interview with the Associated Press, KinkBNB co-founder Darren McKeeman explained that those who are into BDSM often have trouble getting past airport security with their sex equipment of choice. "This is a tool to make it more acceptable and normal for us,” said McKeeman in the interview. “Right now, travelling is kind of difficult. You can't really bring anything with you."
Here are a few photos of rooms that have been available since KinkBNB’s website launched:
Love in the Lair Rent My Playspace! @kinkbnb.com pic.twitter.com/MKIFJ4EMhb
— Eve Minax (@EveMinax) April 9, 2015
Our Listing of the Day is our first Arizona listing! The Secret Shangrila! https://t.co/C4FtgSuaxP #kinkbnb #travel pic.twitter.com/dxW7g44kp3
— Kinkbnb (@Kinkbnb) May 12, 2015
Our Listing of the Day is a Kinky Getaway on Vancouver Island! https://t.co/XdnltJZgz6 pic.twitter.com/LDg0xGtBLO
— Kinkbnb (@Kinkbnb) May 7, 2015
Our Listing of the Day has no playspace. But it's in Italy! Apartment in Central Milan: https://t.co/cmJTT6EWCl pic.twitter.com/kWLkU4a08R
— Kinkbnb (@Kinkbnb) May 18, 2015
You can now rent us through @Kinkbnb! Check out our listing→https://t.co/elaT6L0VQ7 #kinkygetaway pic.twitter.com/1vY2RKQywW
— The Decameron (@The_Decameron) May 15, 2015
Great idea, or kind of disturbing? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Ashley Hoffmann's Summer Shoulder Workout
Friday, 15 May 2015
Fit Team Member Of The Month: Shy Franklin
Thursday, 14 May 2015
Customize Your Workout With Bodybuilding's "Pro Creator"
Tuesday, 12 May 2015
5 Small Changes That Can Improve Your Health in Your 20s, 30s, and Beyond
Happy National Women’s Health Week! The initiative, now in its 16th year, is led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health in an effort to empower women to make smart choices to improve their health. All week, prominent figures in the media and the government are blogging for WomensHealthMag.com about the importance of making healthy decisions. Today’s guest blogger is Nancy C. Lee, the director of the Office on Women’s Health.
Sometimes it feels like being healthy is just a list of things we shouldn’t do. No eating this, no drinking that, no doing this, no doing that. The no’s can steal the joy right out of everyday life. What if we told ourselves “yes” instead?
National Women’s Health Week is all about shouting a resounding YES! to living a healthier life. Yes! to taking care of ourselves, body and mind. Yes! to preparing for the future. Yes! to making better choices. While you may need to make different kinds of changes depending on your age and stage of life, all women can make small changes for better health.
RELATED: The 14 Stages of Starting a Healthy Lifestyle
Here are some ways to say YES! to a healthier you this National Women’s Health Week:
1. ACTUALLY Eat Healthy
You’ve heard this one time and time again. So what’s stopping you? There are tons of recipes, cooking tips, and meal plans (with shopping lists!) to choose from. You can even get the kids on board. In your 20s? Now’s the time to get in the habit of healthy eating. Learning to eat well now will make it a lot easier to keep eating well throughout your life.
2. Get Active, No Matter Where You Are
You know you need to work out, but it doesn’t have to be in a gym. Spend a little more time doing the things you love. For example, walk the dog a little bit faster, for a little bit longer every day. Little steps can lead to big changes. If you love dancing, take a dance class. Or if you enjoy socializing, join a tennis team, or start a running group. In your 30s? It’s not too late to fit exercise into your life and develop a routine. The exercise will help with stress, too.
RELATED: Find Your Motivation to Get Fit
3. Pay Attention to Your Mental Health
This one can be tough, especially for women who juggle work and family. After all, if it was easy to lessen stress, wouldn’t we all be doing it? When you’re feeling stressed, try stretching, deep breathing, or talking it out with a friend. If one thing doesn’t work, try something else. (Here are some ideas to get you started.) In your 40s? Perimenopause might affect your sleep, moods, and sex life. Talk to your provider about how to deal with your symptoms.
4. Get Regular Checkups and Preventive Screenings
One of the best ways to reduce your risk for illness and disease is to see your health care provider regularly—before you get sick. In your 50s? Ask your provider about which cancer screenings you need and how often.
RELATED: How Often Should You Check Your...?
5. Use Smart Judgement
Every time you text while driving or ride a bike without a helmet, you’re making a dangerous choice that can have a big impact. Choose healthier options instead! Take time to enjoy your drive, and make your phone call or send your text message when you safely reach your destination. Grab your bike helmet when going on a ride and take solace knowing that you will get to your destination safely. Your decisions can help keep you healthy. No matter your age, quitting smoking is the one of the best things you can do for your health. These apps can help!
This National Women’s Health Week, I challenge you to say yes—to a healthier you, at any age!
Nancy C. Lee, M.D., is the deputy assistant secretary for Health–Women's Health and the director of the Office on Women's Health in the Office of the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services. With the support of her staff, she provides national leadership and coordination to improve the health of women and girls through policy, education, and model programs.
Monday, 11 May 2015
The Health Tests You Need to Get in Your 20s, 30s, and 40s
To kick off National Women's Health Week (May 10 to 16), we joined forces with the daytime syndicated talk show The Doctors to uncover the simplest ways you can slay stress, thwart sickness, eat better, and boost your entire well-being all year long.
Why bother seeing a doc when you're in A+ health? Because checkups can spare you a riot of woes down the road. Follow our 411 on squeezing the most from every appointment (of course, if your M.D. recommends more frequent testing based on your personal risk factors, go with that).
For more easy ways to keep an eye on your health, check out our Women's Health Week center, and pick up the May 2015 issue of Women's Health, on newsstands now.
4 Reasons Why You’re Always So Damn Hungry
It has been exactly two hours and 36 minutes since your last meal. You know because you’ve been watching the clock. For you, cravings are a way of life. Your stomach is a bottomless pit. Second dinner is a must. And getting “hangry” is a real and ever-present threat.
What gives? We chatted with Pamela Peeke, M.D., M.P.H., senior science advisor at Elements Behavioral Health and author of The Hunger Fix, about the top reasons some women are just always ravenous. Check them out—and finally feel full.
1. You Have a Fast Metabolism
Some women were born lucky (thanks, genetics). Others have worked hard, put on muscle, and revved their metabolism that way. And, of course, the faster your metabolism, the more fuel you need. According to research from the University of Vermont, about 32 percent of people have metabolisms that are more than eight percent different (higher or lower) than the population average. So having a fast metabolism might amount to burning 100 to 400 extra calories a day, says Peeke. It’s not as much as you might hope, but it would explain that second serving of lasagna you just had to have.
RELATED: 5 Ways to Speed Up Your Metabolism All Day
2. You’re Eating Refined Foods
Processed foods—like white bread, cookies, even salad dressings—spike your blood sugar, let it crash, and then leave you feeling even hungrier than you were before you ate the stuff. Research published in the International Journal of Obesity shows that high-fat, high-sugar foods interfere with mood-regulating chemicals in the brain, leading to symptoms of depression and overeating. “Refined sugar, because it has such a powerful effect on the brain’s reward center, is the most common reason people’s appetites remain so high throughout the day,” says Peeke. Limit the amount of packaged foods you’re eating, and stick with whole-grain carbs whenever possible.
RELATED: 6 Surprising Sources of Refined Carbs
3. Your Hormones Are Out of Whack
PMS is one thing, but some hormonal conundrums can make you hungry all month long. Having hyperthyroidism, an overactive thyroid gland, is the most common hormonal cause of constant hunger, says Peeke. When thyroid hormones are too high, the body’s vital functions speed up, and you burn energy faster than intended. Grave’s disease, an immune disorder affecting the thyroid gland, is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. Meanwhile, hypoglycemia (perpetually low blood-sugar levels), as well as pre-diabetes and diabetes (too high blood-sugar levels), can also cause hunger spikes, she says. If you believe any of the above might apply to you, talk to your doctor about being evaluated for any hormonal imbalances.
RELATED: 4 Ways Hormones Eff with Your Weight
4. You’re Confusing Hunger with Appetite
Sorry to break it to you, but many women who are “always hungry” actually just always want to eat. “Hunger is a primal biological drive associated with physical symptoms, such as headache, shakiness, and intestinal contractions leading to that hungry, gurgling sound from your stomach,” says Peeke. “Appetite is a psychological drive in which you desire a particular food and seek it.” While, ideally, they would occur together, that’s so not the case. Here’s the best way to tell if you’re actually hungry.
This 5-Minute Workout Video Will Make You Burn Calories Like Crazy
Tired of slogging away on the treadmill for 40, 50, 60 minutes at a time? The cardio workout in the video below—led by Women's Health fitness director Jen Ator, C.S.C.S., author of the book Shape Up Shortcuts—requires no equipment and hardly any space. Plus, it only takes five minutes. FIVE.
Here's the deal: The workout consists of five exercises; for each one, you'll go as hard as you can for 50 seconds, doing as many reps as possible. Then you'll rest for 10 seconds before moving on to the next one. Easy, peasy? Yes. Majorly heart-pounding? Oh, heck, yes.
RELATED: Follow Along with This Workout Video to Sculpt Your Core in Just 5 Minutes
Here are the moves in the video:
1. Split Jacks
2. Reverse Lunge with Knee Drive
3. Plank Popup
4. Hand Taps
5. Skater Hops