August 08, 2019 at 05:00AM by CWC If you’re like me, you’re always on the search for new and improved ways to switch up your workout routine. Instead of constantly cycling through one boutique fitness class after the next, it never hurts to teach yourself a few bodyweight movements to turn up the heat wherever you are. That’s where plyometric exercises come into play. “Plyometrics can definitely spice up your workout,” says certified trainer Kate Ligler, who’s also the Mindbody wellness manager. “These power-packed movements stimulate several muscle groups at the same time, plyos are great for increasing strength, coordination, and agility. Sound like your cup of tea (er, pre-workout fuel)? Ahead you’ll learn how to perfect six plyometric exercises from the comfort of your own home. 1. Fast feet plus plyometric jumping: “This is my favorite exercise and is great for performing with a friend,” says Flywheel instructor Marc Daigle. “Move your feet up and down as quickly as possible. On your partner’s cue, move left, right, or back to center. Return to fast feet immediately after each cue. On your partner’s command: tuck jump (jumping off the ground bringing your knees as close to your chest as possible, butt kick (jumping and moving your feet off the ground towards your butt) or burpee.” The trick is to return to fast feet immediately to keep your heart rate up at all times. Perform each round for 30 to 45 seconds. This will light your calves, legs, and core on fire. ad_intervals[‘399510_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]
Category: Fashion
Whoever said ‘quitters never win’ is obviously unfamiliar with the superpower of giving up
August 08, 2019 at 03:00AM by CWC Despite the subliminal messaging delivered to me via hustle culture, toxic positivity, and about 40,000 millennial-pink day planners, I’m a big fan of giving up. Not so much in the sense of abandoning goals at the first sight of an obstacle, but rather when a dream is essentially ruining my life. Because, that’s pretty counterproductive, right? Goals and dreams should propel us forward, not tie us down and make us feel awful. So, knowing when to give up is actually a superpower of sorts. “Sometimes part of life is choosing to let go of some dreams and to create or embrace other ones,” says psychologist Paulette Sherman, PsyD. “As much as we are the creators of our lives, life also teaches us. We change and life brings us new opportunities, and sometimes they are better than the ones we thought we wanted.” Now that you know there’s an upside to letting go of certain dreams that might be getting in the way of even bigger and better ones, you can feel a welcome sense of vindication in your desire to sometimes give up. For instance, quitting a relationship, a city, a job, or anything else, might be in the best interest of your mental health and happiness. And just so you don’t think I’m a hypocrite, please know you wouldn’t be reading this if I didn’t give up on my dream of being a fashion designer. That said, having of sense of when
This dress is basically the leggings equivalent of formalwear, and I never want to take it off
August 07, 2019 at 11:01AM by CWC As soon as the summer hits its dog days, I’ve got exactly two criteria for whatever clothing I put on my body: It’s gotta be comfortable, and it cannot, under any circumstances, show sweat. That’s it. Whether or not something is cute doesn’t matter nearly as much as its ability to mask my pit stains, so I usually wind up staying in my workout clothes as long as humanly possible. Case in point: This morning, I went to three bustiness meetings in leggings and a top. While it probably wasn’t the most professional thing I’ve ever done (and definitely wasn’t the best idea for the sake of my nether regions), frankly it was necessary for running around New York City in 85 percent humidity But thankfully, for the sake of my career and personal style, I discovered an article of clothing that not only checks my “comfortable” and “sweat resistant” boxes, but also happens to be cute and work appropriate. Enter Rec Room, which makes the dress of my dreams out of what can only be described as the most comfortable fabric ever to grace this earth and my skin. ad_intervals[‘413563_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘413563_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); Rec Room was created with the idea that women deserve to feel as comfortable they do in their workout leggings in everything else that they do, and launched a line of dresses to prove it. The founders call their products “everywhere wear,”
3 trainer-approved ways to make your summer workouts adventurous *and* effective
August 06, 2019 at 12:37PM by CWC Summer includes all of the good weather perks, from dining al fresco to hitting up a beach/pool/lake/any body of water as often as possible. So the seemingly endless opportunities to be outside without freezing your bum off make your time through Labor Day ideal for playing around with your fitness regimen—you know, because you’re not solely relegated to the crowded corners of the gym or a boutique fitness studio. Turn the pool into your gym for the day? Sure. Hit up the beach for a workout? Why not. As opposed to the colder times of the year, summertime’s got a laissez faire attitude toward everything, including your sweat seshes. One way to make sure your summer workouts are fun and still effective? Switch things up as much as you can. Whether you want to take things indoors or out, the pros agree that changing things up will pay off big time—not just in terms of making sweating more exciting. Here, fitness trainers reveal their top tips for making sure your summer workouts are challenging and adventurous… up until it’s just too damn cold to run along the beach. ad_intervals[‘394097_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘394097_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); 1. Get creative outside If you live near a park, beach, or even just have a backyard, then you’ve got the perfect excuse to escape the gym and head outside. Will Torres, trainer and founder of Will Space studio in New York
3 major signs you need new workout sneakers, according to a podiatrist and a trainer
August 05, 2019 at 08:00AM by CWC When it comes to knowing when to replace your workout sneakers, they say it all comes down to either how many miles you’ve clocked in them, or how long you’ve had them for. I have a serious issue with this: I do not track how many miles I run in my shoes, nor the date that I bought them. I do enough tracking with my period, my steps, my heart rate, my sleep—the list goes on. So for the sake of having healthy, happy feet so that I can slay my workouts, I’m asking the pros for the actual, physical signs that your workout sneakers need to be replaced. The key is to pay special attention to the support of your shoe. “It doesn’t matter if they still look new, if the support has been worn out you’re at a much higher risk of injury,” says Miguel Cunha, DPM, podiatrist and founder of Gotham Footcare. (He also points out you should replace the shoes every six months, no matter what.) Sara Naijar, footwear product line manager at Brooks Running adds that broken down cushioning is one major sign it’s new shoe time. “Broken down cushioning isn’t always visible,” she says. “When your shoe no longer feels as comfortable as it once did—missing the soft pillow feel, or the springy bouncy feeling—it’s probably time to change your shoes.” Her pro tip? If you’re not sure, go try on a new pair. “If you have
This 7-minute beginner yoga flow is more energizing than a cup of matcha
August 05, 2019 at 05:15AM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oU9Ob_1t7w] Welcome to Trainer of the Month Club, our brand-new fitness series, where we tap the coolest, most in-the-know fitness leaders to create a month-long fitness challenge. On Mondays, we have our “sweat drops” where you’ll get access to the week’s workout that you can follow along at home. This week, Val Verdier is taking you through a beginner yoga flow. Before I started doing yoga, I was so intimidated by it. In a way, it’s like you’re venturing into a fitness studio to not only work out, but to learn a new language (all yoga moves are typically said in their Sanskrit names, after all). I couldn’t tell my tadasanas from my savasanas. That’s why I’m particularly grateful for all of the gentle, noob-level, beginner yoga classes. Since yoga’s so incredibly beneficial to your mind and body, it’s gotta be approachable for everyone. This August, our Trainer of the Month is Val Verdier, a pro yogi from Modo Yoga, who’s here to start this yoga challenge off with a beginner flow. ad_intervals[‘412796_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘412796_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); It’s perfect whether you’re completely new to yoga, or just want to brush up on some basic postures. All you need is about seven minutes and your mat, and you’re good to practice the flow pretty much anywhere. Ease into this 7-minute beginner’s yoga flow with Val Verdier 1. Child’s pose: “It’s a great pose to start with, and
A relationship therapist’s take on 3 possible reasons cheaters cheat
August 03, 2019 at 06:00AM by CWC Unpopular opinion: I feel bad for Betty Draper whenever I re-watch episodes of Mad Men. I understand that she’s hardly up for any mother-of-the-year-esque awards and doesn’t have the best-ever personality, but I don’t understand how she’s supposed to be a villain. I mean, it’s her philandering husband who holds court all over New York (and sometimes California) while she’s unhappily trapped in a veritable suburban cage. No wonder she’s blasé at best, right? But still, the plot lines of that show—a master class in infidelity—have always made me wonder, Why do people cheat? Because if you have a wandering eye, and you’re unhappy in your partnership, it would be better to break up, right? The truth is, there’s no singular one-size-fits-all reason for cheating, largely because cheaters revel in the broad category of deception. And that fact alone makes trying to pinpoint any kind of catalyzing reason nearly impossible, says sex and relationship therapist Tammy Nelson, PhD, author of When You’re the One Who Cheats. “Infidelity, by its nature, is based on dishonesty, so cheaters aren’t honest about why they cheat—they even lie to infidelity researchers.” As someone who wrote literally the book on cheating, she would know. ad_intervals[‘410041_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘410041_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); “Infidelity, by its nature, is based on dishonesty, so cheaters aren’t honest about why they cheat—they even lie to infidelity researchers.” —sex and relationship therapist Tammy Nelson, PhD Still, she has
The surprising reason why you might want to wash your feet before bed
August 03, 2019 at 04:00AM by CWC People all have their own rules when it comes to the world of “washing.” I, for one, will never, ever wash my face in the shower (derms back me up on this). There are also those (including moi), who wash their hands before washing their face. Then, there are those who insist on washing their feet before they get into bed. While I’m diligent about the two former practices, I’ve never quite been a wash-my-feet-before-bed kinda gal. Apparently, it’s not just for hygienic purposes—it can also be the quickest way to cool the F off (which we all probably need in this extra-humid weather). In Ayurveda, washing your feet is one of the staples of keeping your body temperature down, because the feet are associated with the elements of fire, according to Erin Casperson, dean of the Kripalu School of Ayurveda. You know how you take off your sneakers after a long hot day and feel instant relief? “This is because you are releasing excess fire from the body,” she explains. ad_intervals[‘407848_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘407848_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); So when you wash your feet, you’re essentially throwing water onto the fire. “The theory behind washing your feet is that you are then cooling the fire element in the body,” says Casperson. “If you’re basking in sun by a body of water, place a chair close to the water’s edge and soak your feet. You’ll be amazed at
6 essential Instant Pot accessories that let you cook literally everything with it
August 02, 2019 at 10:42AM by CWC If you’re the proud owner of an Instant Pot, chances are, you barely remember how to cook without. Using the kitchen tool to meal prep and make dinner almost nightly has never been easier. Now, I know this is going to be hard to believe, but there’s even more you could be doing with your Instant Pot. The same way a statement necklace or the perfect pair of shoes can flat-out transform an outfit, the addition of a few simple add-ons can elevate the Instant Pot to new heights. Find a quick rundown of our favorite Instant Pot accessories, and where to buy them, below: These are the most essential Instant Pot accessories 1. Steamer basket The steamer basket comes in handy for anything you don’t want up to soak up the liquid in the Instant Pot too much, like veggies and protein; otherwise they could end up a little soggy. ad_intervals[‘412615_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘412615_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); 2. Glass lid This is helpful for the same reason a glass pot lid is; you can check in on your food while it’s cooking or being kept warm. The IP version also has a built in steamer, which helps keep food warm without continuing to cook it. 3. Yogurt cups All it takes is this $10 add-on to turn your Instant Pot into a yogurt maker and giving it the ability to create individual yogurt cups, ready to
Pros say there are major skin-boosting benefits to working out your face
August 01, 2019 at 04:00PM by CWC Take one look at all of the “anti-aging” labels decorating the skin-care aisle, and it’s abundantly clear that the market for line-smoothing, skin-plumping, pore-minimizing magic is in high demand. While lotions and potions can certainly do their part at helping with these things, for many, solutions like Botox can step in and whisk away those worries for up to four months at a time. Yet, as of late, a third option has hit the beauty scene: Flexing the face like a good old-fashioned workout can help to keep the complexion youthful. Thanks to the advances in technology, you can take the same principles that you apply to building muscles in your regular workouts and apply them to your complexion. One of the most effective ways to do this is with a micro-current device, which uses soft-wave technology to target deeper within skin. In fact, research presented in JAMA Dermatology found that working out the face helped to improve facial fullness. ad_intervals[‘360197_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘360197_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); “Microcurrent works at two kind of levels,” explains Elemis esthetician Krystina Dwyer, who offers these types of treatments at Elemis spas. “When it works to a muscular level, it actually works to lengthen and shorten the muscle fibers in your face.” This helps to re-educate your muscle memory, which serves a great anti-aging activation. But not only do the electrical waves stimulate the muscles, they also work to increase the production