July 09, 2019 at 10:30AM by CWC Whether it’s from people in your virtual fit squad, your neighbor, or an influencer you follow on Instagram, it’s highly likely that you’ve heard someone going on and on about the benefits of the ketogenic diet. Keto devotees credit the low-carb, high-fat eating plan for everything from weight loss and better cognitive function to decreased anxiety. Here’s the thing though: There’s debate amongst health experts over whether sticking with the ketogenic diet long-term is actually healthy. And admittedly it’s not the easiest eating plan to follow. (Must…Not…Eat…Bread.) It’s no wonder many are starting to look into a tweaked version called “lazy keto.” Basically, lazy keto eaters cut carbs to less than 20 grams a day, but don’t follow any hard and fast rules when it comes to protein or fat intake. This means followers don’t have to keep a strict macros ratio in mind, which theoretically makes the eating plan easier. But what do health experts think of lazy keto? Here, a registered dietitian and a ketogenic expert both give their insight as to whether the tweaked eating plan is worth it—or too lazy to work. ad_intervals[‘406609_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘406609_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); How lazy keto compares to going all-out ketogenic The big question many have when comparing a traditional ketogenic diet to this more simplistic version is which one is healthier. As with any eating plan, Kristin Kirkpatrick, RD, says the answer depends on your eating
Month: July 2019
Wellness is complex, misunderstood, and oh-so important—here’s what it means to Team Well+Good
July 09, 2019 at 09:42AM by CWC It’s been about a decade since Well+Good launched, and when I recently joined as the team’s lifestyle writer, I—a worshipper of mozzarella sticks—feared I was deeply unwell and wouldn’t fit in. What I quickly learned is that the meaning of wellness is murky, and one of its main, widely propagated fallacies is that it’s a singular concept. And because the general understanding of what wellness is skews so complicated, as a team, we decided to discuss via Slack what it means to each of us. We weren’t surprised to find that the meaning of wellness is highly personalized—including exercise and Lizzo or ice cream and acai bowls or therapy and Frasier or so many other things. But we were able to land on some commonalities in our points of view; that self-care is also us-care, and that despite our unique preferences, we’re bonded in a quest to feel happy, healthy, and human. Check out our latest edition of Slack Chats—what being well and good means to Team Well+Good—below. ad_intervals[‘404779_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘404779_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); Mary Grace: Hi, friends! To start, I want to discuss how I initially worried I was really unfit for W+G because I had never eaten an acai bowl or taken a yoga class. I’ve since eaten one acai bowl and never taken a yoga class. I’ve learned that wellness, for me, simply isn’t about those things so much as about recognizing that
Hit a fitness plateau? Here are 6 strategies to push through it
July 09, 2019 at 08:42AM by CWC I think we can all agree that plateaus are the worst. After all, when you’re working on your fitness (hi, Lizzo), the last thing you want is to hit a standstill. While wishing for better results is the idealistic way to overcome the stagnant state, the real answer is to understand why plateaus happen in the first place. “Plateaus occur when your body has gotten used to what you’ve been putting it through,” says David Chun, a Muay Thai and kickboxing coach. Whether it’s running at a certain pace, consistently hitting the same cycling speed, or repetitively doing the same lift with the same weight, he says that once you feel like your gains have slowed, it’s time to re-think your routine. To help you decide how to do so, ahead you’ll find six ways to pull yourself out of a fitness plateau. Keep on scrolling to learn them all. 1. Switch up your routine Nashville-based ACSM CPT Michael Laufman says it point blank: You have to make new adjustments in order to continue seeing new results. The trick is knowing when to do so. ad_intervals[‘406345_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘406345_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); “If you’ve been on the same plan or routine for roughly six months or more, it’s probably time to change things up,” suggests Blink Fitness program manager Phil Timmons. “You’re probably still getting benefits from your workouts internally; however, the visible external results will likely
These are a 114-year-old woman’s secrets to living a long, meaningful life
July 09, 2019 at 08:37AM by CWC Only a handful of people live long enough to earn the title of supercentenarian, thisfolks who live past the age of 110. This week, Alelia Murphy celebrated her 114th trip around the sun; born July 6, 1905, she’s the oldest living person in the United States, according to the New York Post. Murphy’s heart rate, blood pressure, communication, and overall well-being remain relatively healthy—so what’s her secret? Natalie Mhlambiso, a nurse who made twice-weekly visits to the 114-year-old for seven years, says Murphy owes her health to a series of wellness choices—eating and drinking well, staying active, eschewing alcohol, and giving in to her sweet tooth—in addition to faith. “She doesn’t like water. She likes things that are sweet. She tells you she wants something like soda, ice cream, chocolate,” Mhlambiso tells the New York Post. Murphy has lived lived in Harlem since the 1920s, but she was born in North Carolina during an era when processed food didn’t yet exist. ad_intervals[‘406678_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘406678_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); Murphy also lives her life with an inspiring kindness. “There are many good patients but she is different in temperament, in who she is, her distinctive age. At her age, this is rare. This is history,” says Mhlambiso. Murphy still sends out handwritten Christmas cards each year and remains remarkably “feisty,” says the nurse. Murphy is one of just 33 living supercentarians (all of whom are female), reports the
Why almond oil might be the most underrated hair product for frizz
July 09, 2019 at 05:00AM by CWC I know what you’re probably thinking: Coating your hair with oil sounds like the exact opposite of what should happen to strands. After all, isn’t the whole purpose of dry shampoo (and, really, shampoo) to keep oil and grease as far away from your scalp as possible? But there are benefits to slicking your strands with things like argan oil and coconut oil. And one more good-for-you oil worth adding to the list? Almond oil for hair, which is jam-packed with good stuff, including omega-3 fatty acids, phospholipids, vitamin E, and magnesium, that will help strengthen and nourish your strands. We often talk about how fantastic these elements are from nutrition standpoint (in my experience, almonds are most RD’s favorite “healthy snack” recommendation), but the combination is also really, really great for your hair. It will leave strands smooth, shiny, and healthy looking—especially if you’re dealing with dryness at the ends of hair, which happens to be a common problem amongst women with coily and curly textures (#itme). ad_intervals[‘405917_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘405917_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); Though almond oil may not be as well-known as some of the other plant- and nut-based oils that are likely already sitting in your beauty cabinet, when it comes to haircare it’s actually superior to them in many ways. “Using almond oil nourishes and strengthens your hair, and is optimal for damaged hair,” says Carolyn Aronson, CEO and founder of It’s a 10 Haircare.
Aw crap, was drinking coffee before my workout a terrible idea?
July 09, 2019 at 04:00AM by CWC Coffee is probably the closest substance we have on earth to actual magic. Just one daily cup provides all kinds of health benefits: it may protect your peepers from glaucoma, decrease your lifetime risk of cancer, and even potentially reduce your risk of an early death. A 2014 double-blind randomized study out of Helsinki even showed that drinking coffee before a workout makes it more enjoyable (See? Magic!). On the subject of workouts, Claire Shorenstein, RD, a New York-based registered dietitian who specializes in sports nutrition, adds that the caffeine in coffee is “widely researched as an ergogenic aid, or a substance that can enhance sports performance.” That’s why caffeine is a key ingredient in many sports nutrition bars and gels, she says, and why so many runners carry caffeine gels with them during marathons. But even if you’re not a runner, the caffeine in coffee can provide an energy jolt, making it an important part of many people’s pre-workout ritual. ad_intervals[‘406540_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘406540_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); Here are some of the other major health benefits of coffee: [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsQt8aevoZw] There are a few things to keep in mind, however, before downing coffee before a workout. One is timing. “Caffeine is quickly absorbed in the stomach and increases in the blood within 30 to 60 minutes, peaking about one to two hours after digestion,” Shorenstein says. Your mileage may vary, but Shorenstein generally recommends timing your
Why the most magical way to see a Greek Island is to run to the top of it
July 09, 2019 at 03:00AM by CWC “I think that’s a unicorn.” That’s what I said to the others with me, as we approached the mountain peak on Hydra island, off the mainland of Greece. We were panting and sweaty and tired, so stopping to take a picture of what was probably a white donkey and was most definitely not a unicorn was a welcome break from the grueling uphill run we were on. We took in the view: In addition to the majestic white donkey-unicorn, the port of the city of Hydra was visible way, way below, speckled in boats and tourists, and there was the vast blue of the Aegean Sea. And then we continued running. It was 2015, and I was visiting Hydra island with my two closest friends. One of them, Jackie, enjoys running as much as I do, so we spent our first two mornings lacing up and heading from the house where we were staying, around the neighborhood, through the port, then up the island’s main mountain to a certain height. At breakfast after our second run, our waiter said he’d seen us running past the cafe both days. He asked if he could take us to the very top on a run, noting he’s a professional trail runner. In retrospect, the choice skewed risky (he was a stranger!), but trusting him blindly ended up being the best dumb decision I’d never be so naïve enough to make again. ad_intervals[‘403654_div-gpt-ad-6934292-3’] = setInterval(function () {
Sarah Michelle Gellar’s favorite workout will get you as strong as Buffy
July 09, 2019 at 02:01AM by CWC Because I’ve (shamefully) never watched Buffy the Vampire Slayer (and yet I am about to speak enthusiastically about Sarah Michelle Gellar’s workout), I decided to take a crash course by cueing up a montage of the hit show’s opening credits on YouTube. I learned that Buffy Summers (Gellar) is the dictionary definition of a badass. Buffy slays indeed. And if her workout of choice is any indication, she treats her real-life workout sessions a lot like kicking demon booty. Gellar tells Well+Good that her exercise of choice is Platefit, a 27-minute high-intensity interval training workout performed on a device called a Power Plate, which claims to “challenge you, strengthen you, and renew you” by moving in three directions at once (left to right, front to back, up and down). “The vibration activates your muscle reflexes, and during our workout classes, muscles are contracting 30 to 40 times per second,” says the website. Basically, the machine creates an instability that’s not dissimilar from the one you may experience on a Pilates reformer. Feeling slightly off balance means your muscles really have to get to work. ad_intervals[‘406419_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘406419_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); Currently, the studio has three California locations, offering classes at $17 a pop (not obscene in the world of boutique fitness world). Platefit also offers sessions that target specific body parts, deep stretch options, barre and dance versions, and even bootcamps. Gellar’s go-to is considered “vibration training,”
Still Thinking About Your Ex? Here’s Why That’s Not Necessarily A Bad Thing
July 09, 2019 at 02:04AM People are way too hard on themselves about “moving on.” Continue Reading… Author Julia Guerra | Life by Daily Burn Selected by CWC
Let’s Settle This: Is Grapeseed Oil A Healthy Choice?
July 09, 2019 at 01:39AM Turns out, it’s way more complicated than it seems. Continue Reading… Author Liz Moody | Life by Daily Burn Selected by CWC