Spinning is supposed to be easy on your joints—so why does it make my knees hurt?

June 28, 2019 at 05:02AM by CWC I have a complicated relationship with spinning. I love working out in a space that’s dark and loud so no one can see the faces I’m making or hear my screams. The energy levels are always through the roof, and if there’s a good playlist, I can totally zone out and leave it all on the bike. But whenever I go, especially if it’s been a while, I get knee pain. About halfway through my knee starts doing this creaky thing that freaks me out. Isn’t the point of spinning that it’s supposed to be easier on your joints than other forms of cardio like running? “Low-impact indoor cycling doesn’t mean no impact,” says NYC-based Flywheel instructor Bobby McMullen. “Running, by design, repeatedly introduces stress through your feet up into your knee joints with every stride. Riding a stationary bike neutralizes much of that trauma and focuses on muscular activity.” “Any time a client says they’re experiencing pain I make sure they understand that their body is smarter than me,” McMullen says. “Pain is a frustrating indication that something probably isn’t right.” ad_intervals[‘404393_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘404393_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); Reasons why you might experience knee pain during indoor cycling Incorrect seat adjustment “Seat height and seat distance are the main perpetrators of knee pain. If your bike is set up too low, your knees are taking on additional strain by failing to properly extend and overusing your

Read More

Meet the 3-part Moroccan shower equation—aka the secret to your smoothest skin ever

June 28, 2019 at 04:00AM by CWC I’ve always considered washing my body to be a fairly dull act. Lather, rinse, and…that’s it. It doesn’t even require a “repeat” step the way washing your hair does. But on a recent trip to Morocco with Around the World Beauty, I had the chance to visit a traditional Hammam, and my perception of what it means to take care of my body skin was forever changed. A quick history lesson on Hammams: The traditional baths have been an integral part of Moroccan culture for centuries, and date back to the Roman and Ottoman Empires. They began as public bathhouses where women could go to get professionally cleansed and scrubbed (keep in mind this was long before most people had baths or showers in their homes), and morphed into cultural epicenters—particularly for women. Moroccan women would go to the bathhouses to catch up and share ideas, and would leave with their skin feeling silky smooth. ad_intervals[‘394414_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘394414_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); While the cultural significance of the Hammam may have changed (case in point: you can now partake in the traditional treatments in private at luxury spas), the beauty practices have remained steadfastly the same. The treatment utilizes three ingredients indigenous to Morocco—black soap, Rhassoul clay, and argan oil—as well as a special type of exfoliating mitt to slough off every dead skin cell on your body. “The benefits of the hammam include cleansing and detoxification,

Read More

4 signs your co-worker is really gaslighting you at work

June 28, 2019 at 03:08AM by CWC Imagine this: You’re sitting in a meeting with your co-worker, who nonchalantly informs you about a directive from your boss you’ve never heard anything about. Confused, you quickly scan your notes and calendar to see if something has changed since your last meeting. You find nothing (despite priding yourself in being exceptionally detail oriented), but your colleague maintains their stance, making you straight-up question your sanity. Did they actually tell me this? Did I forget to write it down? Maybe they’re confusing me with someone else? Soon you’re questioning what’s expected of you, simply because this isn’t the first time your co-worker has denied and countered your thoughts, and you’re starting to wonder why it’s happening again. Well, friends, this is a prime example of gaslighting at work. For those who might not be familiar with this term, gaslighting is a tactic for gaining control via manipulation, blame, invalidation, and/or withholding information from other people. While this term is often associated with romantic relationships, gaslighters can come in many forms and can be tough to spot in the act, because they tend to be pretty convincing in their narrative. In light of this, you’re inclined to believe them, assume you’re wrong, and—bam—you’ve been gaslighted. ad_intervals[‘401295_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘401295_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); “People who gaslight usually [have] low self-esteem, and their ability to convince you that they’re right [about a situation] gives them a sense of power and

Read More

Here’s how to eat healthy at Denny’s, according to a registered dietitian

June 28, 2019 at 02:00AM by CWC You could be stranded in a town you’ve never been to before, starving at 1 a.m. and you can still count on Denny’s to come through. The open 24/7 diner has a special place in many hearts, from up-all-night college students to grandparents partial to an early-bird special. But where do healthy-minded eaters fit in? “Overall, Denny’s does have good healthy options, although you have to be a bit clever if you’re vegan,” says Jenna Gorham, RD.  (Phew.) “A lot of their meals are high in sodium, so that something to be aware of,” she adds. To make things easier, Gorham shares the best menu picks if you’re vegan or vegetarian, ketogenic, or on a gluten-free eating plan. Even if you don’t follow a specific diet and simply have the goal to eat healthfully overall, you can still apply her tips to your life. Denny’s vegetarian and vegan options: Menu picks: Fit Fare veggie sizzlin’ skillet; Fit Fare loaded veggie omelette ad_intervals[‘400900_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘400900_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); What an RD says: Denny’s doesn’t have any meals on the menu that are entirely vegan, but Gorham figured out a smart workaround. “You can order the sizzlin’ skillet or veggie omelette and just ask for no eggs,” she says. That way, you’re still getting lots of nutrient-dense veggies. For vegetarians who eat eggs, her picks are the same, with the eggs, which gives good protein. Order tweaks: Vegans

Read More