September 28, 2018 at 08:35AM Even if you walk through the doors of your gym with a pep in your step and a pair of kicks fresh enough to turn (sneaker)heads, one glance around the room might spark a bout of workout-move amnesia. (Like, how do I use resistance bands again?) So rather than sweating the details of how to string together a full-body sweat sesh yourself, let Kirsty Godso—Nike master trainer and HIIT queen—design a game plan for you. In an IG post from yesterday, the New York-based fitness instructor demonstrated five moves designed to torch your bod from head to toe, including variations on pikes, burpees, and mountain climbers. To replicate the sequence, you’ll need to scour your gym’s equipment stash for its bosu, balance, and medicine balls. Then, make sure your ponytail is tight, and get down to business. Keep scrolling for Godso’s full sequence. View this post on Instagram Your body is for using, not just looking at. Put it to the test with some of these moves @pyrogirls 1. Swiss ball single leg tuck to Pike – 8 reps each leg 2. Slam to chest pass – 45 seconds 3. Heel tap burpee – 45 seconds 4. Bosu wall mountain climber – 45seconds 5. Elevated single leg hip bridge – 16 reps each leg Recover and repeat 3x YOUR TURN! #letsgo #pyrogirls #nikewomen #niketraining A post shared by KIRSTY GODSO (@kirstygodso) on Sep 27, 2018 at 1:23pm PDT //www.instagram.com/embed.js Recover, then repeat the whole sequence 3 times. 1.
Month: September 2018
Face slapping is the Kevin McCallister-approved way to get a serious skin glow
September 28, 2018 at 07:48AM It all started when I saw a French facialist who told me that I was too “lazy” with the way I rubbed in my moisturizer. What I should be doing instead? Slapping and tapping my face, she said. WTF, I think to myself. To maintain baby-soft skin, shouldn’t I treat my complexion delicately…like a baby? Then I went down a rabbit hole of the Reddit 30 Plus Skin Care page in which people were debating whether or not slapping your face stimulates collagen (you know the stuff that keeps skin looking plump and lifted?). And then it all come together for me: All of those semi-scary beauty treatments are said to work wonders on your complexion after all. Think microneedling (it stimulates collagen!) or dermaplaning (it exfoliates!), for instance. Before I start to literally slap myself around, I consulted the pros to see if there’s any truth to the practice. The reasoning behind it is to actually allow your skin-care products to work their magic more effectively, as well as increase circulation for a better-looking complexion. I guess I should also start by saying that the slapping I’m referring to is more Kevin McCallister in Home Alone than what you’d expect from the Three Stooges. “We always tap moisturizers and serums when applying to the face,” says Soizic Termet, spa director at La Réserve Ramatuelle in France. “The reason for this is to help the product better penetrate the epidermis and to increase the blood flow in order to activate cells.”
Does dating a slew of duds make it impossible to accept a genuinely nice guy?
September 28, 2018 at 06:43AM I’ve dated a lot of duds in my life. If you want to commiserate about ghosting, orbiting, or the woes of being in a relationship with a narcissist, I’m your girl. After breaking up with my long-term boyfriend, I quickly learned that putting yourself out there is really just a a shortcut to feelings of disappointment and, well, emotional pain. But none of this seems to explain why I’m having such a hard time with the perfectly nice guy I’m currently seeing. Seriously—I’ve finally found a man (or should I say unicorn) who seems to be selfless, texts me on the reg, and treats me like a queen. He’s basically acting how I wanted guys in my dating graveyard to, but better and with no games. So why am I wasting time looking for the catch? I’m not alone in the needless neuroses, either. Whenever I share my happy news of seeing a genuinely nice guy being clouded by my expectation that the other shoe—whatever it may be—is bound to drop, people seem to get me. In fact, many others have issues accepting sincere kindness from a new flame. It’s a problem because all of us could totally be manifesting an obstacle that wouldn’t otherwise exist, simply because something seems too good to be true. What gives? To dig deeper into the problem of, well, looking for a problem where there isn’t one, I turned to the pros for some insight. Here are 4 reasons it’s
Meet amaranth: The brain-boosting, gluten-free antidote to quinoa burnout
September 28, 2018 at 06:16AM By now, quinoa is pretty much a staple in every healthy gal’s pantry. And while the gluten-free grain definitely deserves all the props it receives, throwing it into your buddha bowls and veggie burgers week after week is sure to get a little boring eventually. The quinoa-fatigue fix? Switch up your carb rotation with amaranth, a lesser-known, yet no-less-nourishing ancient grain that’s quickly finding favor in wellness circles. Just like quinoa, it’s packed with protein and is fiber-rich, but it also has some significant health benefits all its own. “Amaranth is an incredibly nutritious grain dating back to the Inca, Maya, and Aztec civilizations—which is why it gets described as ‘ancient’,” says BZ Nutrition owner Brigitte Zeitlin, MPH, RD. “It has an earthy, nutty flavor and is super versatile, making it easy to incorporate into your diet in numerous ways for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.” Keep reading for more on the health benefits of amaranth and how to cook with it. Photo: Getty Images/Aleksandar Nakic Why is amaranth so good for you? When you compare amaranth to other grains, it’s on par with them in a lot of ways, says Zeitlin. “All whole grains are good sources of fiber and B vitamins, and amaranth is as well,” she explains. These nutrients are key for keeping your metabolism strong and your energy high, respectively. But there are also a few areas in which amaranth exceeds the status quo. “What makes amaranth stand out from the other grains is
Wait! Don’t throw away your orange peels—they make an amazing aromatic cleaner
September 28, 2018 at 06:12AM Finding a new batch of in-season produce at the farmer’s market is just one more thing to love about PSL-weather. But next time you’re hygge-ing it up with a knit blanket, Netflix, and a bowl full of clementines, don’t toss those aromatic peels into the compost pile: Turns out, there’s a simple way to upcycle them into a multipurpose cleaner that will help keep your space looking and smelling fresh ’til spring. Apart from your leftover citrus rinds, you’ll need a mason jar (because, duh, this is DIY) and vinegar—a deodorizing agent that’s high acidity dissolves soap scum and brines like a champ, according to the The Kitchn. Next, all you have to do is drop the orange peels into the container along with the vinegar, and go about your business for a week, instructs Insider. After letting the peels marinate, you’ll have a tidying concoction that’s more Eau de Tuscany than Eau de Acidity. So pour the mixture into a spray bottle, and put it to work cleaning your wooden floors, mirrors, windows, and other non-stone surfaces (which the solution can actually scratch). Just note: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) doesn’t classify vinegar as a disinfectant, so you’ll want to pair it with a standard, store-bought cleaner for heavy-duty sprucing endeavors. Once you’ve spritzed your abode with the citrusy scent, all that’s missing is a batch of healthy pumpkin fudge. Welcome back, fall. When you do clean your mirrors and windows, use *this* instead of paper towels
Not a fever dream: There’s a reason why your cold lasts longer than everyone else’s
September 28, 2018 at 05:52AM Once someone in the office starts coughing, you know it’s time to dig into your stash of immunity-boosters. But even after upping your zinc intake and sipping ginger tea non-stop, you still get sick with symptoms that come on way stronger—and last much longer—than everyone else’s around you. So what gives? According to new research, it might have to do with the bacteria in your nose. In a study published in the journal Scientific Reports, researchers tested the nasal microbiomes of 152 participants before and after they were given a cold from the same virus strain. After getting sick, there were six different patterns people fell into, and the types of bacteria in those patterns resulted in different levels of cold severity. The one that stood out the most was staphylococcus: The people with the highest amounts in their noses also had the most severe symptoms. The bacteria that stood out the most was staphylococcus: The people with the highest amounts in their noses also had the most severe symptoms. “What we’re reporting is an association, so it’s entirely possible that the fact that you have staph in your nose and you have more symptoms is not directly related,” said study author Ronald Turner, MD, in a press release. “It may well be that there’s some underlying host characteristic that makes you likely to have staph in your nose and also makes you more likely to become ill.” Whatever the case, it could be an explanation for why you’re
Is walking with weights good for you? Inquiring mall walkers need to know
September 28, 2018 at 05:12AM Sure, incorporating ankle and wrist weights into moves you do in a standing or stationary position, or during mat work can offer benefits far beyond toning your body. Hey, even the chicest of boutique fitness classes are utilizing the old-school accessories, which were formerly reserved for gracing the appendages of power walkers in the mall. But their notable comeback sparks an important question: Is it even safe to safe to use them in their classic function—while walking? Even though people have been walking with weights for years (hello, have you seen those ’80s aerobics videos?), the mode of movement might not be the best option for your health. I know, I know, you’re thinking, How could strapping a few extra pounds to your ankles or wrists present any real drawbacks? Well, experts tend to be way more against the prop than for it—especially since by merely following all the proper guidelines for using the weights presents potential detriments to your bod. Why to think twice before walking with weights According to the Harvard Medical School, it’s tempting to use wrist weights to amp up your cardio workouts, but there are a few different reasons why doing so is really kind of a no-no. First of all, swinging your arms back and forth can lead to muscle imbalance. Muscle balance, in turn, can allow for easier injury to both the joints and tendons in your wrists, elbows, shoulders, and neck. Yikes, right? On top of that, the American Council on Exercise (ACE)
One hour of exercise per week can ward off depression—here’s how
September 28, 2018 at 04:51AM There are wide-ranging treatments for depression—including meditation and medication—but, according to science, your weekly sweat sesh might be able to help you fight the disorder, too. It’s already well known that there’s a major link between exercise and depression: Past research has shown that active people have a significantly lower risk of developing the condition and that working out is an effective treatment for it. Now, for the first time ever, a study has shed light on the amount of physical activity required each week to optimally fight depression—and it’s way lower than you’d probably guess. After monitoring both the exercise levels and depression and anxiety symptoms of 33,908 Norwegian adults during an 11-year period, researchers found 12 percent of depression cases could be prevented completely with only one hour of exercise each week. That’s right: one hour. And, though a 12 percent success rate doesn’t reflect an overwhelming majority, it’s totally enough evidence to support spending an hour a week at the gym (in case you needed another reason to do so). “These findings are exciting because they show that even relatively small amounts of exercise—from one hour per week—can deliver significant protection against depression.” “This is the first time we have been able to quantify the preventative potential of physical activity in terms of reducing future levels of depression,” said lead author Samuel Harvey, PhD, in a press release. “These findings are exciting because they show that even relatively small amounts of exercise—from one hour per week—can deliver significant protection against depression.” Although researchers still aren’t
OMG, why does my belly button smell so bad?
September 28, 2018 at 04:09AM The belly button is the last frontier of wellness. I cannot think of a body part that gets brushed aside more often—even the “gross” ones seem deserving of a little TLC. Feet get soaked then stroked, armpits get swathed in coconut-oil-arrowroot concoctions, and vaginas, well, consider them the Queen of the Nile. But if memory serves, the last time I checked in on my belly button, I found that it stank so badly that the only way to cope was to go back to pretending I didn’t have one in the first place. So, it should come as no surprise to hear that when I turned to my soon-to-be husband and asked him to have a look, things got ugly. And I’m not just talking about the appearance of the body part in question (which is ugly, IMHO). If he couldn’t deign to take a peek—in the name of love!—could I at least pay someone to pamper my navel? But no belly-button equivalent of the 24-karat gold pedicure that I’m sure someone somewhere is offering (found it!) seemed to exist. If I wanted to invest in my innie, I’d have to take things into my own hands. So I did…for a week…on assignment. I started a belly button self-care routine, forcing myself to deal with the fact that in its current state, I’m not pleased with my belly button. My goal? To make it nice. To make it the navel version of Fixer Upper. I would whip this
We Found Your New Favorite Mugs, Just In Time For Fall
September 28, 2018 at 12:30AM Give your tonic a happy home. Continue Reading… Author Emma Loewe | Life by Daily Burn Selected by iversue