June 20, 2019 at 01:12PM by CWC Almost all novice rowers make the same mistake within seconds of strapping into a rowing ergometer, says world-class rower Libby Peters, the former associate head coach of the University of Pennsylvania’s women’s rowing team. As a member of the U.S. National Team, Peters won a bronze medal at the 2008 World Rowing Championships. Needless to say she knows how to use a rowing machine properly. It’s not entirely intuitive, but with practice, rowing becomes as natural as, say, breathing. And now that it’s no longer a sport reserved for Ivy League athletes, rowing machines have finally found their way into fitness studios throughout the country. From New York’s City Row to high-tech at-home equipment, strokes are becoming as ubiquitous as cycling or running. But perhaps rowing’s greatest appeal is the uniquely low-impact efficiency of the movement. While providing a great full-body workout, a rower is designed primarily to target your legs—but the most common mistake is that too many people task their arms with all the work, pulling with all their might, says Peters. She recommends rethinking the way you approach the exercise. ad_intervals[‘402428_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘402428_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); “The thing to remember about rowing is, it’s basically like you’re lifting like a heavy load,” says Peters, the former associate head coach of the University of Pennsylvania’s women’s rowing team. “When you’re in a boat, the load is you and the boat itself; when you’re on
Day: June 20, 2019
I learned the hard way that retinol and lasers don’t mix
June 20, 2019 at 01:00PM by CWC Retinol comes with a lot of rules. Don’t wear it without SPF! Don’t mix it with powerful acids! Don’t use it right before you get your eyebrows waxed! And, one more worth adding to the list: Don’t use it anywhere near lasers. Retinols work to exfoliate the skin from the bottom up by stimulating cell turnover, which is why your face looks like that of a newborn infant angel when you use it regularly. But because it’s so powerful, it can make your skin more sensitive to outside forces—whether they’re chemical, mechanical, or thermal—hence all of the rules about staying away from things like certain skincare ingredients, hot wax, and, yup, lasers. “Retinols can be irritating and drying which can lead to a possible adverse skin reactions post laser treatment which is associated with a higher risk of a burn,” says Lauren Abramowitz, Board Certified PA-C, founder Park Avenue Skin Solutions and dermatologist Estee Williams, MD, agrees, noting, “the risk associated with using a laser device on facial skin that has been treated with retinol in the last one to two weeks is that the recovery period will be longer than usual due to the skin being extra sensitive to the laser.” I learned this lesson the hard way a few weeks ago, when I simply forgot to pause my retinol regimen before going in to get my mustache lasered. As any skin-care pro could have predicted, my upper lip was red (albeit hairless)
According to Ayurveda, your groin stores heat—here’s how to cool off
June 20, 2019 at 12:59PM by CWC I’m sorry but “groin” is one of those words that just makes people uncomfortable, or at least giggle or cringe. But, c’mon people—we need to talk about the groin. First of all, it’s an oft-overlooked yet fundamental part of your leg that gets super tight and impacts literally everything you do, from sitting to squat jumps. And now I hear that your groin stores heat. (Go ahead and laugh thinking about a hot groin, it’s fine.) In Ayurveda, your body gets more heat in the summer (of course), but that heat gets stored in your inner leg area. “We consider summer to be the pitta time of year, and as a product of our environment, Ayurveda teaches us that we accumulate more internal heat in the summer months,” says Erin Casperson, dean of Kripalu School of Ayurveda, yoga teacher, and Ayurvedic health counselor. “Just like we favor seasonal eating and adjust our diet to balance out the hot qualities of summer, we can also adjust our yoga practice seasonally.” ad_intervals[‘402437_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘402437_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); The thing about pitta in Ayurveda is that it’s a blend of fire and water elements, so, according to Casperson, it’s key to bring in elements of earth and space in order to bring balance.”This is based on the Ayurvedic principle that like creates more like and opposites bring balance,” she says. So in your vinyasa, focus on the straight and
A new law aiming to combat maternal mortality is more of a setback than a win, say doulas
June 20, 2019 at 11:57AM by CWC Doulas—trained professionals who provide physical and emotional support throughout a person’s pregnancy and into the postpartum period—have been helping people with their pregnancies for hundreds of years. But recently, they’ve been gaining attention for their potential role in combatting the maternal health crisis in the United States. Approximately 700 women are dying from pregnancy-related complications in the U.S. each year. Black women are three times as likely to die from pregnancy-related health issues as white women; in New York City, they’re 12 times more likely to die from pregnancy complications. But studies have found that mothers who work with doulas are two times less likely to have birth complications and four times less likely to have a baby with low birth weight. Some states (and even presidential candidates like Kamala Harris and Elizabeth Warren) have worked to find legislative solutions to the factors that contribute to poor maternal health, such as institutional bias against black mothers and poor access to health care. Yet in New York state, which has made headlines for its ambitious task force aiming to combat maternal mortality, doulas are concerned a new law will be a major setback for those who are currently making progress on this front. ad_intervals[‘402150_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘402150_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); Bill A364 (and its state senate counterpart S3344), seeks to establish ground rules for certifying doulas, a multi-step process that includes either completing a training course sanctioned by
How Low-Carb Diets Boost Health Even If They Don’t Trigger Weight Loss
June 20, 2019 at 11:30AM They could slash your risk of diabetes, heart attack, and stroke. Continue Reading… Author Stephanie Eckelkamp | Life by Daily Burn Selected by CWC
9 foods rich in iron that will help you stay strong and energized
June 20, 2019 at 11:45AM by CWC Whether you follow a plant-based diet or consider chicken tenders to be their own food group, everyone should make it a point to prioritize iron in their diet—especially women. The mineral is an essential part of our red blood cells’ functioning, says Marisa Moore, MBA, RDN, LD, an Atlanta-based dietitian. “Without enough iron, often we might feel fatigued because the body has a harder time getting oxygen to where it needs,” she says. This is more common in women, because we regularly lose blood during our periods (making us more likely to be deficient). Vandana Sheth, RDN, CDE, says iron also helps convert beta carotene to vitamin A, aids in collagen production, helps support a healthy immune system, and aids in brain development. Get you a mineral that can do the most. ad_intervals[‘402435_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘402435_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); Women aged 19-50 should get 18 milligrams of iron per day, and a bit more when they’re breastfeeding. There are always iron supplements (with the okay of your doc, of course), but it’s actually pretty easy to reach your iron RDA with food. That’s why Moore and Sheth helped us compile a list of foods rich in iron for your easy reference. What are the top animal-based foods rich in iron? Iron that comes from animals is called heme iron, which Sheth says is more easily-absorbed by our body. Most animal products like chicken, fish, and even eggs
An inspiring new event tells people with chronic illness: “You are not alone, you are loved”
June 20, 2019 at 10:37AM by CWC Nitika Chopra knows first hand the feelings of isolation that accompany chronic illness. Having been diagnosed with severe plaque psoriasis and arthritis, the certified life coach knows too well what’s it’s like to miss out on social events due of fatigue. She knows the disappointment that follows the failure of a promising new treatment. She knows the frustration of asking the waiter a dozen questions about how the food is prepared. But she also knows that an estimated 157 million Americans are personally affected by chronic diseases, and that there is no reason to feel alone. With the launch of Chronicon, a summit to be held October 28 in New York City, Chopra seeks to help people with chronic illnesses foster meaningful connection. “There are two major reasons for the conference,” she says. “I want to break the cycle of isolation and bring people together. And I want to celebrate the fact that we are so much more than our conditions. The conversations in the media around chronic illness are all really sad. The women I know with chronic illnesses also have PhDs, or are mothers, or entrepreneurs.” ad_intervals[‘402470_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘402470_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); Additionally, the wellness industry has earned a reputation for being inaccessible to certain groups of people—people who don’t fit into a white, able-bodied, affluent mold. With Chronicon, Chopra seeks to join the ranks of women who are creating more inclusive events, like
Found: The only makeup product that doesn’t make me feel like I’m melting in humidity
June 20, 2019 at 09:14AM by CWC This time of year, it feels like 80 percent of my time is spent trying to hack my beauty regimen to work in summer weather. Humidity in the air (which we are getting a lot of in New York City right now) means that my hair needs approximately 200 pounds of anti-frizz spray, and my skin needs extra hydration and exfoliation in order to avoid breakouts. Thanks to the help of experts, I’ve got those aspects of my routine down pat. But my makeup? Not so much. Historically, finding a foundation that doesn’t feel caked, claustrophobic, and sweaty when it’s 80 degrees and raining (fun!) has seemed impossible—I’ve tried dozens of different options, all of which left my skin looking “gross” and “greasy” instead of “glowy.” Woof. But then, I was feeling truly wild one morning and decided to forego foundation altogether in lieu of my Kosas Tinted Face Oil ($42), and realized that my favorite winter makeup product could be a summer season hero, too. ad_intervals[‘402460_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘402460_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); I know, I know: The thought of putting on even more oil during the greasiest time of the year sounds bananas (I thought so too, which is why it took me so long to try it in warm weather) but hear me out. Instead of being thick and slimy, the Kosas oil goes on super thin and grease-free—giving my skin a dewy, hydrated finish.
We found a 2-for-1 move that stretches and strengthens your shoulders at the same time
June 20, 2019 at 07:50AM by CWC The best workout moves are the kind that kill two birds with one stone (or, in PETA’s words, “feed two birds with one scone”). Think: Burpees, which work your whole body in a single (hard AF) explosion, or downward facing dog, which give your muscles a hearty stretch from head to toe. Another one of our favorites? The “teacup” move, which sadly does not involve a piping hot cup of Earl Grey, both stretches and strengthens your shoulders at the same time. The teacup gets its name from the idea that when you do it you have to imagine that you’re holding a delicate cup and saucer in you palm. The movement provides an internal and external rotation, working the muscles that run through your shoulder elbow and wrist all at the same time. “Think of your muscles as a soaking wet towel, this movement simulates wringing out that towel by adding flexion, extension and rotation to the joints,” says Mitchell Fischer, ACSM-CPT, a fitness manager at Gold’s Gym. The move is intended to mobilize the muscles that support your shoulder, elbow and wrist stability, he adds: “This is much more effective than massage or foam rolling, which is like taking that same wet towel and trying to get the water out by simply squeezing in between your hands.” ad_intervals[‘402422_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘402422_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); Here’s how to do the teacup, one of the best shoulder
Have trouble switching gears at work? Might be your fixed zodiac sign at play
June 20, 2019 at 07:49AM by CWC While on vacation at Disney World around my birthday in April, I couldn’t stop thinking about of one of my mother’s go-to compli-sults: That, as a stubborn Taurus (one of the four fixed signs in astrology), I haven’t really changed my ways since I was 3 years old. I still wear floral-print dresses, I still throw mini-tantrums when I’m hangry, and I am still too shy to say hello to Princess Belle. For fixed signs in astrology (Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius, along with Taurus), all of this adds up. Fixed signs are the the most constant quadruplicity in the zodiac. But in the event you’re lost because WTF even is a quadruplicity, allow me to align your stars on the background and then illuminate what it means if you’re one of those dependable fixed signs. The zodiac includes 3 quadruplicities that each include 4 signs The three quadruplicites—cardinal, mutable, and fixed—are a way of grouping the signs of the zodiac. Just as the elements—fire, water, Earth, and, air—group signs by temperament, quadruplicities, or modes, group signs by how they direct their energy behaviorally. For example, cardinal signs—Aries and Libra, Cancer and Capricorn, which are direct at the beginning of each season of the year—tend to be self-starters looking to get stuff done, which can be great they don’t steamroll the ideas of those around them. This is to say, all modes have positive qualities and shadows. ad_intervals[‘399188_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) {