July 04, 2019 at 08:00AM by CWC This past weekend, I shuttered myself into my apartment because it was just too damn hot outside. I didn’t even go out to the gym to get my workout in, because I knew I’d show up sweaty from the schlep before I even stepped onto the treadmill. And so that’s why I found myself streaming living room workouts to get my heart rate up and my muscles quaking—no unnecessary added sweat (or travel!) required. To start off my weekend of streaming fitness, I thought I’d try boutique fitness studio and HIIT powerhouse Fhitting Room’s new on-demand workouts, which launched this week. I’ve been to the class a number of times, and I’m well aware that it’s tough, so I kinda knew what I was in for. But then I found myself on my living room floor doing literally doing the hardest move I’ve ever done in my life. Ever. I started the “Strength with Ben” workout, which is a full body strength sesh that requires zero equipment. Don’t be fooled by the lack of weights or machines, though—he actually starts off with the aforementioned “hardest move of all time.” Here’s the deal: It’s a hybrid strength-cardio compound move that involves backwards lunges onto your knees, standing up into a squat from said position, then doing jump squats before getting back down onto your knees—no standing up allowed. ad_intervals[‘405935_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘405935_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzsuUXUMAgY] “Take
Category: 2019 Health
By scheduling time to do nothing every day for a week, I learned the secret to creativity
July 04, 2019 at 06:00AM by CWC I recently fell down an internet rabbit hole that taught me the scintillating history of—I kid you not—boredom. I closed my laptop with a newfound appreciation for the family road trips of my childhood that, at the time, made me want to cry for the sheer purpose of having something to do. That’s because what I didn’t know then is that research suggests that those rare moments when we’re not preoccupied with our screens, caught in the riptide of our inner-monologues, or out to dinner with friends are undiscovered gold mines for creativity. Tedium has existed throughout the course of human history, but not quite in the same way it does now: John Eastwood, PhD, of Toronto’s York University tells Smithsonian Magazine that the type of boredom the Kardashians must feel as directors shoot reel after reel of them lazing around on the couch, hashing out the minutiae of their lives (Kanye! Sushi! Pickles!) is relatively new. Over the last 100 years, humankind has gotten a taste of a new flavor of unbridled entertainment thanks to the likes of Netflix, Candy Crush Saga, and Pokémon Go. Now, any idle moment stands out in stark contrast. “We are very used to be passingly entertained,” Dr. Eastwood says. “We have changed our understanding of the human condition as one of a vessel that needs to be filled.” Essentially, we don’t know how to do nothing. ad_intervals[‘399462_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘399462_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);});
De-frizz even the frizziest ponytail with this 3-second hack
July 04, 2019 at 05:00AM by CWC The “frizz halo” has got to be one of the most annoying things in the history of hairstyles. No matter how perfectly in place your ponytail might be when you leave the house, as soon as it comes into contact with sweat or humid weather, the baby hairs on the top of your head seem to take on a life of their own and pop up into a ball of fuzz. In middle school, I remember desperately trying to use water to slick them back, which (surprise surprise) only made things worse. And as an adult, I’ve started wearing a headband to the gym and on extra steamy days in order to hide the situation all together. Clearly, neither of these is what you would call a “ideal” solution. But recently, at an event for Morrocanoil, celebrity hairstylist Bryce Scarlett tipped me off to a trick that actually does qualify as an ideal solution because all you need to do it are two things that are definitely already floating around in your purse: Chapstick and a mascara spoolie. ad_intervals[‘405458_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘405458_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); As Scarlett demonstrated on a fellow editor, if you cover a spoolie in Chapstick and then use it to comb the frizz on the top of your head down and back, it will make it disappear. Magic! “In a pinch, Chapstick is basically like a hair pomade,” he explained. And having seen it with my
8 low-carb, high-fiber foods to load up on every day
July 04, 2019 at 04:00AM by CWC ICYMI low-carb diets are kind of a big deal right now. Whether you’ve dabbled in the keto diet or you paired up with friends for a post-holiday Whole30, there’s a good chance you’ve heard a thing or two about high-protein, low-carbohydrate diets. A big downside of the low carb life, however, is the lack of fiber. Fiber is important for managing blood sugar, cholesterol, and digestive health—but when an eating plan calls for cutting back on whole grains, starchy vegetables, and even fruit (all of which are rich in fiber) and you don’t find other sources of fiber…problems may ensue. “Low-carb diets frequently cause constipation due to a lack of fiber and water-rich foods,” say Tammy Lakatos Shames and Lyssie Lakatos, both registered dietitian nutritionists and creators of the Nutrition Twins. They’re also typically high in animal protein and low in plant-based foods, they say, meaning that people may miss out on antioxidants and other important nutrients commonly found in fruits and vegetables. ad_intervals[‘404344_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘404344_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); So you might be wondering: Is it possible to be low-carb and still include fiber in your diet? With these eight high-fiber, low-carb foods on your side, the answer is definitely yes. 1. Chia seeds Fiber: 10 grams per ounce Net carbs: 2 grams per ounce Vandana Sheth, RDN, the author of My Indian Table – Quick & Tasty Vegetarian Recipes, says it’s a no-brainer that this seed makes
Here’s how to make eye contact less awk—because being bad at it doesn’t make you ‘bad at love’
July 04, 2019 at 03:02AM by CWC When I was a pre-teen and the Disney Channel was my Bible, I allowed High School Musical to set the stakes for my future romantic relationships. I had no idea what “chemistry” was (Is that why Troy and Gabriella when they sang at the ski lodge?). I thought that idly chatting about being together for “forever” after one date sounded totally normal. And, oh, my personal favorite? I though eye contact was romantic. Now that I—like Zac Efron—have aged up, I know that making eye contact can be, well, awkward—even if you secretly feel like serenading the person you’re dating. When I ask Alexandra Solomon, PhD, a clinical psychologist and author of Loving Bravely, if there’s a way to banish stress induced by making eye contact, she tells me, in short, no. “Making eye contact is completely contextual, relationship specific, and culturally-bound. It’s super specific, so I think there’s no real capital ‘T’ truths on that topic.” Instead, it’s each of our job’s to test drive physical actions, mannerisms, and flirtation techniques until we land on ones that match our inner personality. The name of the game is trial and error, but hey—the good news is that nothing’s right or wrong. You’re just making up your own (body) language. ad_intervals[‘404335_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘404335_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); A person’s past relationships will likely inform how they feel about eye-locking now, adds Rachel Allyn, PsyD, a holistic psychologist with
Woah, woah, woah! Skin ages *how* much faster when you don’t wash it before bed?
July 04, 2019 at 02:00AM by CWC Usually, when I’m stopped dead in my Insta scroll, it’s by a photo of an ex and his stunning new wife on the altar (knife emoji). This week, however, what made me press pause was a somehow scarier post by dermatologist Kavita Mariwalla, MD, which stated, “Did you know that going to bed with your makeup on can age your skin up to 7x faster?” Um, what? (The. Scream. Emoji.) As someone who thoroughly applies a daily skin-care regimen with the express purpose of clinging desperately to my youth (kidding… kinda), but who also *sometimes* can’t be bothered with basic hygiene such as a before-bed rinse, this tidbit is alarming. By passing out pre-scrub, I knew I wasn’t doing my skin any favors, but I also naively thought the damage was limited to breakouts (to which I’m not really prone). Apparently, I was wrong. View this post on Instagram Girl, Wash your face! Mariwalla Dermatology, is popping in to remind you that taking a few minutes to clean your skin before bed is worth it! . . . #GirlWashYourFace #mdderm #CleanSkin #HealthySkin #DermTips #BoardCertifiedDermatologist #BoardCertified #Dermatology #longislanddermatologist #ExpertSkincare #Dermatologist #SkincareTips #Skin #Skinfluencer #SkinConfidence #Aging #AgingSkin #CosmeticDermatology #Derm #luxuryskincare #instaskin #instaskincare #QOTD #Instaquote #quotes #LoveYourSkin A post shared by Mariwalla Dermatology (@mariwalladermatology) on Jun 28, 2019 at 10:32am PDT //www.instagram.com/embed.js To help me understand why, Dr. Mariwalla explains that night is a time for skin renewal; however, when makeup lays over pores, trapping dead
These happiness-boosting products aim to redefine the meaning of ‘comfort food’
July 03, 2019 at 10:00PM by CWC Typically, the term “feel-good” food conjures up images of mac and cheese, French fries, fried chicken, and other comfort foods. (It’s in the name, after all.) And while it can’t be denied that a piece of pizza or chocolate can be happy-making on a bad day, there’s not really much else they can do for one’s mood besides providing a temporary boost. Which is why I was intrigued to see a crop of healthier products across the food, drink, and supplement space branding themselves as happiness boosters, whether it’s through the power of stress-busting adaptogenic blends or improved gut health. Kara Nielsen, the vice president of trends and marketing at CCD Innovation, isn’t surprised that there has been an uptick in interest around mood-boosting products. “The overarching quest for happiness has grown recently,” she says. “Issues like global warming, poverty, immigration, and politics have always happened to the human race, but the issues are very acute right now. We’re super stressed out.” ad_intervals[‘403162_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘403162_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); At the same time. Nielsen says there is a growing interest in (and acceptance of) holistic nutrition, including Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine. “Science and medicine are making some very powerful connections between stress and health—and also sleep and health,” she says. “We’re moving into this newer definition of what good health is, which includes sleep, stress, mindfulness.” She adds that gut health and the brain-gut connection is
The key to a pro-level manicure at home is all in the nail polish brush you use
July 03, 2019 at 05:00PM by CWC No matter what I do, my at-home manicures never look as good as when I go to the salon. I’ve tried everything: working slowly to ensure I don’t color outside my nail beds; using special polish handles to make painting easier; and starting in the center of my nail to make my self-done mani easier. But the results have been dicey at best. Then, one morning I plopped down into a salon chair at New York’s Paintbox for a professional-grade mani, and my nail technician revealed what is actually the most important factor that influences how good your self-done manicures look. It’s all in the brush. “The size of your nail brush can really affect the outcome of your manicure,” says Nadine Abramcyk, co-founder of clean nail salon tenoverten. In fact, the size you should use at home is different than what nail artists prefer using for themselves. “A professional manicurist likes to use a more narrow brush because they can really manipulate the brush carefully into even strokes and into all the angles of the nail, but when doing your nails yourself, it is a whole different ball game,” she says. ad_intervals[‘404267_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘404267_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); Paintbox’s chief educator Evelyn Lim agrees, noting that “wider brushes are great for doing manicures yourself and smaller brushes are better for professionals.” (Paintbox’s new line called of polish called Power Couples, $40 have a wider brush for
Your 4-step guide for rehabilitating a totally botched first impression
July 03, 2019 at 04:00PM by CWC If you’re ever afraid you made a bad first impression, take comfort in the fact that you’re not Blair Waldorf. During my annual re-watch of Gossip Girl, I noticed the most spectacular first-impression eff-up in the history of pop culture: Chuck says he’d like to introduce Blair to his date for the evening, and Blair swipes back with, “Why? So she can warn me about the effects of too much Botox?” Great line, but his date happens to be Duchess Beaton, who is the stepmother of Blair’s current boyfriend. Whoops. So that’s a pretty specific, melodramatic example that probably won’t directly affect your life, but considering that it takes approximately seven seconds to make a first impression (or even a tenth of a second, depending on whom you ask), you’ve probably witnessed or been guilty of some pretty stellar missteps as well. But if you don’t knock it out of the park the first time you meet someone, how do you nail a second impression and reverse the damage? ad_intervals[‘402556_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘402556_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); That problem was resolved in classically CW way for our Gossip Girl friends: Blair caught the Duchess having sex with Nate, Blair’s ex, on the library floor and was able to use that tidbit against her. Very convenient. In real life though, it might have help to have some more practical tools in your toolbox, should you ever flub a job interview,
Lo Bosworth’s delicious (and easy) tricks for keeping a veggie-forward diet interesting
July 03, 2019 at 03:00PM by CWC It’s the most-repeated advice from doctors and dietitians: Eat. More. Veggies. From making produce a full 50 percent of your plate to seeking out more plant-based alternatives to meat, it’s a quest health eaters across the board—and diet types—are on, including Lo Bosworth. “There was really a paradigm shift for me a couple years ago when I was kind of sick,” she says. “I had all these vitamin deficiencies and it was causing me to experience really bad depression and anxiety. I had pain in my joints and was really inflamed. I just wasn’t very well and it made me realize I needed to change the way I ate fundamentally.” She decided to go to culinary school (the International Culinary Center) to get back to the basics of cooking healthy, nourishing food. Now veggies make up the bulk of her meals, and she’s mastered a ton of delicious ways to enjoy them. Here, the Love Wellness CEO and founder (and Well+Good Cookbook contributor) shares a sneak peek into her grocery cart and reveals what she does with her healthy haul once she gets it home. ad_intervals[‘401739_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘401739_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); Photo: Lo Bosworth; Graphics: Well+Good Design Well+Good: Lo, there is so much good produce in here! I don’t see anything unhealthy at all in your basket. Bosworth: When I went to culinary school, the focus was classic French but also farm-to-table, and it really connected