How to pick the right recovery tool to work out your specific soreness

November 04, 2019 at 03:00PM by CWC In 2019, recovery is king. We called it as one of the top trends of the year, and have been proven right time-and-time again with the rise of recovery technology, recovery studios, and even recovery workout-wear (excuse us while we pat ourselves on the back). And of course, the old-reliables like foam rollers and massage balls have become more pertinent than ever. But with so many different recovery-related options on the market—from fascia blasters that look like multi-tentacled octopi to foam rollers that can blast your favorite Drake song while melting your muscle tension—it can be Crossfit Games-level challenging to figure out what to actually use on your recovery days. The first step in putting together a recovery gear wardrobe is to figure out what you’re looking to achieve. “The most important thing when it comes to recovery is to have a regular routine, so figure out which tool best fits your life, goals, and, to borrow from Marie Kondo, brings you the most joy. If you love the way you feel with one tool over another, you are much more likely to keep using it,” says Keren Day, DC, the founder and chief innovation officer of racked stretch. Start by evaluating what your issues are, whether it’s poor posture, tight muscles, stress, or something else, and find the tool that will give you the best bang for your buck in targeting those issues. Here, the pros lay out exactly what you need

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The 1 wedding trend an event planner would cut to minimize waste (and expenses)

November 04, 2019 at 02:00PM by CWC Whether you’re engaged, a professional wedding crasher, a borderline pro on Pinterest, or somewhere in between, chances are, you’ve been to a wedding (or a few), and you’ve taken notice of some of the stylistic choices made by the hosts. But no matter where you fall on the wedding continuum—spending money on your own nuptials, for the events of all your friends, or just taking note how much the world at large is spending on matrimony—it’s undeniable that the wedding industrial complex is horrifyingly real. According to WeddingWire’s 2019 Newlywed Report, the average wedding ceremony and reception costs about $29,200. It’s so easy to get sucked into the trend vortex (hello, celestial everything), but it’s also worth noting that in the process of shelling out all this cash, wedding hosts are also throwing out an estimated 400 pounds of garbage, according to The Green Bride Guide. This sustainability issue provides some context that makes a lot of details feel like…not a waste, but certainly wasteful: Everyone wants a very special day, no one wants to go broke in the process, and, also, the planet is burning. So if you’re looking to save money and also Mother Earth, look no further for intel about how to be eco-friendly at a wedding (or at least more eco-friendly). The top tip for achieving this, according to event planner Elizabeth Tulipana, founder of Chicago-based Anticipation Events, is to commit to reusing decor in one way or another. “It’s

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Neptune is retrograde for another month, which is why the truth feels especially harsh

November 04, 2019 at 01:00PM by CWC To quote my lord and savior (Lizzo, obviously), “truth hurts.” But if you feel you’ve been enduring an extra-heavy dose of truth lately, feel free to side-eye Neptune for that. The planet rules over the sensitive, intuitive Pisces and is associated with the subconscious mind, spiritual realm, dreams, fantasies, and inspiration. That intel is especially important to note right now since the Neptune retrograde of 2019 has been in effect since June 21 and won’t go direct until November 27—nearly another month. Before you get super worried, know that retrogrades don’t necessarily mean anything bad or menacing, despite the energy that many associate with them. That said, retrogrades do pump out different energy waves, so this long-lead Neptune retrograde that’s been in transit since the early days of summer may explain shifted feelings you’ve been noticing, says astrologer Carolyne Faulkner, author of Your Stars: An Empowering Guide for 2020. “It’s neither good or bad; it’s just different and more of a reflective than active vibe.” So, the first step to understanding the Neptune retrograde and expertly weathering its altered energy is to stay calm. It impacts us all differently, depending on our natal charts, but generally, it “presses a pause button on actualizing big-picture dreams so that they can be fine-tuned and asks that we return to our authentic paths,” Faulkner says. “[Neptune retrograde] presses a pause button on actualizing big-picture dreams so that they can be fine-tuned and asks that we return

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How to create the perfect weekly workout formula, according to Charlee Atkins

November 04, 2019 at 12:00AM by CWC With so many different types of workouts to choose from, it can be tricky to fit them all in. You might be all about spin today, but you’ve gotta get your yoga and strength-training fix, too. Luckily, according to trainer Charlee Atkins, CSCS, doing it all doesn’t have to be complicated. There’s a weekly formula you can use that ensures you’re not only able to schedule in each of your favorite activities but do so in a way that does your body good. Atkins, founder of Le Sweat and a former master SoulCycle, used to do heavy cardio 6 to 7 days a week. Now that she takes a more varied approach to her weekly workouts and it’s totally changed the game. “This is the structure that I not only find works best for my body, but I’ve also seen the most results in my clients training this way,” she tells me. When putting together a balanced weekly workout schedule, Atkins recommends mixing a few different components: strength training, cardio, yoga, and rest. With this specific range of styles, you’re challenging your body, practicing proper recovery, and—most importantly—making sure you’re not overdoing it with certain movements that could hurt your body and your progress. So who’s ready to sweat? Charlee Atkins’ perfect week of workouts Day 1: Strength “Strength and resistance training (these words are interchangeable) require the most amount of energy and focus from the body when done correctly. This is why

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