August 27, 2019 at 11:21PM by CWC You know that friend who always gives the best fashion advice? Spoiler alert: it’s not me. However, when it comes to workouts—especially group fitness classes in New York City—I’m often fielding questions from my inner circle. “What’s a good exercise to get a bigger butt?” “Did you like that Pilates studio you wrote about?” “How many minutes and miles do you run in so-and-so’s treadmill class?” I gladly respond to these questions, because the truth is: As a fitness writer, I’ve taken a lot of exercise classes. The time I’ve dedicated to sweating, squatting, sprinting, and stretching add up to no small sum. As far as personal preferences go: I typically find a workout I really like, and I stick to it for a given period of time (like 30 days, for instance) to see how it changes my body, mood, and lifestyle. At the end of my month-long journey—and after accomplishing my goals—I find something else that excites me, and I move on. ad_intervals[‘413023_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘413023_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); But instead of dedicating myself in the way that I usually do, I decided to shake things up for a month. Utilizing New York City fitness studios, online instructional videos, exercise apps, and gym and living room space, I challenged myself to try 20 different workouts within a 30-day period to see if switching up my workout would change how I felt about sweating it out. Keep
Category: Yoga
The best morning routine to set up your day for success, according to your zodiac sign
August 27, 2019 at 06:03PM by CWC Unless you’re one of those genetically blessed short sleepers, mornings can be tough be tough to master. There are so many reasons you might not feel ready to take on the day, whether it’s morning anxiety, the still-sleepy effects of insomnia, or something else. If you suspect a health condition may be at play, certainly seek a professional opinion for strategies to improve your situation, but otherwise, some good, old-fashioned trial and error may be your best play for nailing a healthy morning routine that feels perfectly tailored to you. One factor you may also want to consider? How your zodiac sign may influence and inform the best way to set up all your days for success. According to astrologer Kyle Thomas, each zodiac sign has a specific strength and energy, and the right healthy morning routine can help to productively propel a person’s day forward. “By focusing on these specific ways to harness their strengths, each sign will be able to optimize both productivity and morning mindfulness,” he says. Below, check out Thomas’s recommendations for the best way to start your day, astrologically speaking. ad_intervals[‘418202_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘418202_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); Below, find the best healthy morning routine for your zodiac sign, according to an astrologer. Graphics: Well+Good Creative/Abby Maker Aries: morning exercise “Ruled by Mars, Aries is an active and feisty zodiac sign,” says Thomas. “These excited rams need to get their bodies moving to
The 9 best YouTube cooking channels to turn healthy eating inspiration into a reality
August 26, 2019 at 09:40PM by CWC Watching other people cook is one of life’s simple pleasures. I tune into the Food Network each and every time I go to the gym, and the “recommended” section of my YouTube account paints a pretty powerful picture of my digital foodie identity. The video-centric social platform is home to 294 million yoga tutorials and an infinite amount of barre content, but IMO—the best YouTube cooking channels provide something special for those of us who just doesn’t feel like reading recipes culled from Pinterest. The content makers on YouTube roll out everything from meal prep hacks and nutritious one-off weeknight meals to product reviews and tips from nutritionists. Well+Good’s very own YouTube series You Versus Food asks dietitian Tracy Lockwood Beckerman, RD, to break down 2019’s buzziest ingredients. And Alt-Baking Bootcamp gives your most beloved desserts (like banana bread and birthday cake) a nutritionally strategic makeover. To get started, hit “subscribe” on these channels. ad_intervals[‘418258_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘418258_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); The 9 best YouTube cooking channels for healthy recipes, advice, and more [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEN4FGUIJvY] 1. Alt-Baking Bootcamp: For reimagined desserts that are 100 percent delicious You deserve desserts and our resident eating experts, nay magicians, help you prepare healthier options of all your faves. Just hit play for brownies, chocolate chip cookies, blueberry pie, and lemon bars. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rof-B24i37s] 2.You Versus Food: For all your FAQs on the diet darlings of today Well+Good’s You Versus Food is like
You’re neglecting the tightest muscle in your leg—here’s exactly how to stretch it out
August 26, 2019 at 07:59PM by CWC Your calves can be pretty hard to stretch, and that stinks… because just about everything makes them tight. Whether you’re a runner, don’t drink enough water, or wear heels on the regular, it’s not uncommon to feel that tightness creep in and want to do away with it pronto. Lucky for your legs, one of the best ways to get relief is stretching it out like a yogi. “The calf muscles are made up of two muscles: the gastrocnemius, which is the large part, and the soleus, which is smaller and underneath,” says Sarah Frick, yoga instructor and founder of The Works. “Not only does your fitness affect tight calves, but so does sitting for a long period of time, any sort of prolonged travel, a high heel, or dehydration.” One of Frick’s favorite ways to stretch out her calf muscles is through the “short dog”—a subtle variation on the downward-facing dog that involves only stepping back a little in order to get a deeper stretch in your calves. If you’d prefer to stay seated, grab a blanket, roll it up into tight wad, and come to a kneeling position. Slide the blanket in the crook of your knees and sit down. You’ll immediately feel the pressure of the blanket easing into your calf muscles in that “hurt so good” kind of way. Both options are yoga teacher-approved, so enjoy them for as long as you want before moving on with your practice.
The booty-strengthening yoga flow that perks your peach in 6 swift moves
August 26, 2019 at 07:15PM by CWC 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. There are approximately infinity reasons why people do yoga. For some, it’s about increasing flexibility. For others, it’s all about taking some time on the mat to zone out and forget the rest of the world. In this week’s edition of the Well+Good Trainer of the Month Club, Val Verdier of New York City’s Modo Yoga shows us exactly how to use yoga to get stronger. Her six-move series, which is meant to be done slowly and thoughtfully (it’s not one of those fast-paced power flows you might normally expect BTW), works every muscle in your lower body in a matter of minutes. By the time you’re done with the donkey kicks and squats, your glutes and thighs will be on fire. ad_intervals[‘418224_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘418224_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); Follow along with the workout below, and don’t forget to check back next week for September’s Trainer of the Month with an all new trainer. View this post on Instagram Ready for the final week of our August Trainer of the Month Club?! For Week 4, our amazing
Exactly what kind of detail-oriented Virgo you are, according to your moon sign
August 26, 2019 at 04:56PM by CWC The end of August brings about several realities: summer is ending, school’s back in session, and Virgo season (August 23 to September 22) has officially arrived. In this astrological case, the zodiac wheel mirrors real life since Virgos are known for being hyper-organized, conscientious, and polished—just like the kid who showed up on the first day of class with a color-coded binder and a fresh new outfit. According to astrologer Natalia Benson, though, the Virgo moon sign—the sign the moon was in when they were born—is important to know, since it influences emotional life and inner self. This explains why your Virgo friends aren’t all the same; some may have Beyoncé vibes while others are more like Blake Lively. (Both famous Virgos, FWIW.) “Broadly speaking, Virgos are often very detail-oriented, patient people with a grounded nature about them,” says Benson. “But each moon sign is going to give a unique energy to the emotional expression of that particular Virgo.” ad_intervals[‘417719_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘417719_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); To learn about your Virgo moon sign (and that of your Virgo pals), simply input your birth date, time, and location into a free birth chart generator. Then, scroll down for Benson’s insight into how the 12 moon signs provide a different flavor to a Virgo’s inherent traits. Virgo with an Aries moon “A Virgo with an Aries moon is going to have a little more fire to them—a little more
These lymphatic drainage workouts are basically a detox on a mat…or trampoline
August 25, 2019 at 04:00PM by CWC If I sat and wrote out out all of the benefits associated with exercising, we’d both be here all day. But one more thing that I recently learned can be added to the endless laundry list of “why working out is good for you,” after “building strength,” “boosting your mood,” and “helping with sleep”? It aids in lymphatic drainage. Think of the lymphatic system as a series of pipes that removes toxins and waste from your body. It does the job just fine on its own, but we can do certain things—like getting lymphatic drainage massages or taking certain supplements—to help it move more efficiently. While there’s been a whole lot of conversation around whether or not lymphatic drainage—AKA detoxing your lymphatic system—is totally necessary, that hasn’t stopped people from trying all sorts of things in its pursuits. You can get lymphatic drainage massages, pop certain supplements, and even jade rolling is purported to help with the process. If you’re committed to the cause, these workout moves are said to help, too. ad_intervals[‘416877_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘416877_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); On a trampoline Consider this the most fun way ever to help get your lymph system moving. “Bounce is more effective than other workouts for lymphatic drainage because of the effects of gravity and your body’s muscle contractions while on the trampoline,” says Aly Giampolo, co-founder of the ness, a studio in New York City that offers trampoline
Digestion experts name the 4 hallmarks of a perfect poop
August 25, 2019 at 12:00PM by CWC People say that perfection is overrated. They’ve clearly never experienced the joys of a satisfying a.m. bowel movement. And, medical professionals agree, a healthy stool is a great indicator that your pipes are in tip-top shape and your body is getting the proper nutrients. But what, exactly, is the Platonic ideal of a poo? A functional medicine doctor and a gastroenterologist give me a checklist for what your poop should look like. 1. It’s brown “The first [thing] is color,” says gastroenterologist Niket Sonpal, MD. “Stool should be consistent in color.” According to the Mayo Clinic, all shades of brown tick this box. Greens, light-colored whites, yellows, black, and reds, meanwhile, all call for a visit to your doctor. If a peek into the bowl reveals a Pantone-style match for the classic poop emoji, you’re one step closer to the perfect plop. ad_intervals[‘417987_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘417987_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); 2. It has a “Goldilocks” texture The next poo-criteria has to do with consistency, according to Dr. Sonpal and functional medicine doctor Mark Hyman, MD. At Butt-Con—a real event in New York City that bidet brand Tushy threw last week—Dr. Hyman said a good number two shouldn’t be too hard. “The quality should be not too hard and not too soft—it’s a Goldilocks phenomenon,” Dr. Sonpal elaborates. “You also shouldn’t see any undigested food chronically. It’s fine to see some corn on the way out, but if it’s
A facialist, my mom, and I can’t get enough of this hydrating facial spritz
August 24, 2019 at 06:00PM by CWC When it comes to crowning my favorite beauty finds, one of the first factors I consider is smell. That’s because before I even apply a product, its scent informs my first impression. Like moth to aromatic flame, I shop to appease my nose, so when a facialist introduced me to Eminence Stone Crop Hydrating Mist ($38), my heart fluttered—and I may or may not have bought three bottles right on the spot (one of which I overnighted to my mother). The hydrating face mist has since found a permanent home on my desk. I spritz it on liberally any time I feel like the dry office air has drained all moisture from my skin, or whenever I need to hit the metaphorical refresh button to spark new creativity. And though describing the smell accurately in all its worthy glory using words alone seems like a Sisyphean task, here goes nothing: It smells like the first day of spring. It smells the way you feel in the most ooey-gooey yoga pose. It smells like falling face-first into the flower field in Twilight. It’s heady, but not overpowering and, um, I think “I can hear the bells” each time I spray it. ad_intervals[‘417338_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘417338_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); Scent aside, the mist’s formula is also worthy of some serious adulation. A combination of stone crop, aloe (an anti-inflammatory), salicylic acid (which is both anti-inflammatory and antibacterial), and algae extract, the
4 things a sleep expert wants you to know about white noise before you tune in
August 24, 2019 at 02:00PM by CWC White noise is essentially the little black dress of sleep. Just when it seems like we’ve tried every quirky hack available to facilitate the sweet salvation of slumber—from the ancient practice of yoga nidra to the thoroughly modern method of jumping into bed with a sleep robot and co-opting tips from the military—there’s one method that transcends time and style. Using white noise for sleep (or to drown out office noises of typing and chatter, like my editor does) is classic. Timeless, even. (Just to be clear, white noise is such a stalwart thanks in large part to its simplicity. It most closely sounds like a fan, and is not to be confused with other common noises to sleep to, like jungle sounds, rain sounds, bird sounds, or ocean sounds. And that makes sense to me, because I have never understood what’s so soothing about a toucan shrieking “CA-CAW, CA-CAW.” But I digress.) ad_intervals[‘413418_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘413418_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); If you’re thinking of buying a white noise sleep machine or dozing off to some happy static on YouTube, rest assured the practice is sleep-expert vetted. To drive that point home, check out four tips a sleep pro wants you to know about white noise before you actually tune in. 1. The reason white noise works is because it creates a sonic wall “White noise is a consistent noise that is completely even across all frequencies that