December 09, 2019 at 03:36PM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ol3hUJJSPKo] When arms day comes around, it’s only natural to settle into your usual routine with dumbbells and push-ups. But this week’s Trainer of the Month Club workout challenges you to mix things up in an entirely new way: by adding kettlebells into the mix. Kettlebells can be your secret weapon for getting an effective arm workout, because unlike dumbbells, they offer a higher-intensity level of weight training, and are great for moves like swings because they increase the energy you’re using, as you push against the momentum going forward and back. One thing to note when it comes to selecting the right weight to use for your kettlebell arm workout: Since you’ll be working a mix of big and small muscles, it’s worth grabbing a couple of heavy and a lightweight options and switching between them as needed, so that your form doesn’t suffer. Follow along with trainer Roxie Jones in the video above, then check back next week for an entirely new way to integrate kettlebells into your routine. Try this 5-move kettlebell arms workout 1. American kettlebell swing x 12: Holding a lightweight kettlebell, push your hips back and swing the bell between your legs. Lift your arms over your head, stopping right above your temple, not passing your arms behind your shoulders. 2. Single-arm chest press with glute bridge x 12: Start with your back flat on the floor and feet planted. Hold your lighter kettlebell in your
Category: Your Healthiest Relationship
6 makeup buys that make me *actually* want to wear makeup on the reg
December 09, 2019 at 02:00PM by CWC When it comes to makeup, there are those of us who live for new shades of blush, bright, bold lipsticks, and eye-enhancing liners each day of the week; and then, there are those of us who thrive on consistency to keep our mornings moving. I fall squarely in the latter camp, and so each morning, I stick with basic buys—a foundation stick, brow gel, and mascara—before dashing out the door. Because, if I’m going to wear makeup, it needs to make my life better, easier, and it can’t take all day to get it onto my complexion. In an effort to be more adventurous, however (and because makeup these days is getting better and better with skin-care-adjacent qualities), I’ve been experimenting with my look. Today, makeup shelves are jam-packed with creative new product innovations that offer up super-pigmented formulas, sophisticated glitters, and won’t budge liners that make the task of wearing makeup a cinch. In fact, I’ve discovered six easy makeup looks—including a liquid eyeshadow that’s foolproof to apply, a palette that covers the monochromatic look, and lip gloss meant for everyday wear—that have inspired me to switch up my look on the daily. Keep scrolling for the colorful goodies I’ve landed on (and am now swiping on all the time now). Graphic: Well+Good Creative For smoky eyes For some unexplained reason, I’ve always gone for my lips over my eyes when picking one part of my face to accentuate. But I’ve found
Curious about sound baths? Here’s what happened when I took a sonic soak
December 09, 2019 at 01:00PM by CWC Before one recent Saturday, I’d never before participated in a sound bath, but having read about the ancient practice before, I’d been intrigued for quite some time. And, based on a colleague’s rave reviews, of her experiences, I decided I could certainly stand to try out the meditative ritual meant to facilitate a deep state of relaxation for stress relief and healing. Sound baths aim to put you on a different plane, away from the mile-a-minute stressors of everyday life. But as the patron saint of Those Who Suck at Meditation, I was worried about whether I’d be able to do it. And, perhaps more importantly, whether I’d be the same when I emerged. So, I sought to find out by signing up for a group session with Sara Auster, sound therapist, meditation practitioner, and author of Sound Bath: Meditate, Heal and Connect Through Listening. She wanted us to put our phones on airplane mode, be comfortable, and listen. So far, so good—I felt ready for the main event. But first, what exactly is a sound bath—and what happens, therapeutically, during it? No two people will necessarily experience the same thing—just like with any other meditative practice. Generally speaking, though, using a combination of singing bowls, tuning forks, gongs and other overtone-emitting instruments, your alpha and theta brain waves are stimulated. And this is what can lead to those good-for-you benefits. “These waves are associated with deep, meditative, and peaceful states that are highly
I’m going to a million holiday parties—here’s the one thing I’m wearing to all of them
December 09, 2019 at 04:30AM by CWC I love the holidays. Aside from my birthday (week), the period from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve is basically my personal brand. The fact that it’s an entire month dedicated to spreading kindness, spending time with your favorite people, and wearing sparkly everything means it really is the most wonderful time of the year to me (as any of my co-workers can attest). But as much as I enjoy the social elements of the season, one thing I am not a fan of is in-person shopping. Online shopping? Sure. I have a close relationship with my doorman because I get everything—from shampoo to healthy groceries—delivered to my apartment. Shopping in crowded stores? No thank you. That’s why I was so thrilled when I discovered the wardrobe treasure that is this versatile-yet-statement-making skirt from Target. I saw my whole holiday season unfolding before my eyes: Nearly a dozen different parties, multiple outfit changes, and blessedly only one stress-free shopping trip (online, of course). Here’s how I made it work, Project Runway style. Scroll down to see how I turned one skirt into three holiday party outfits (with lots more possibilities). The office party The dress code at the Well+Good office spans from business casual to athleisure (#blessed), so for our holiday shindig I wanted to pull together something that complemented the chill vibe, with a classed-up twist—because it is a party, after all. I went for a winter whites look with my newly beloved accordion-pleated skirt,
How I reclaimed ‘cooking for one’ as an act of empowerment
December 09, 2019 at 12:00AM by CWC It’s been well-established on the internet that I am a single person who is slowly losing faith in love but trying to “stay positive” and “make better choices” and “not date any more bartenders or DJs.” While I’m generally finding empowerment in being self-partnered (yes, even at the holidays) and am the first to admit that I am prone to hyperbole, the fact remains that there are times when being single is hard. For me, there is something that feels automatically depressing about cooking for one. Beyond the essential function of providing our bodies sustenance, cooking is generally considered to be a way to connect with other people. When I cook, however, I know I’m going to spend all this time making a meal and then eat it in about two minutes while sitting on my couch by myself, staring blankly at the television as an episode of Parks and Rec that I’ve seen eight times plays and I decide if I want to respond to an ex’s “WYD” text. Regardless of how delicious the meal was or how much I may have enjoyed eating it, my solo cooking adventures just felt like another reminder that I don’t have someone to share meals and conversation with at home. I was tired of feeling this way about cooking for one, so I called up Amy Cirbus, PhD, a New York-based Talkspace therapist, to figure out some ways to reframe the situation. “Think about what
If you’ve been foam rolling, here’s why you should try “rocking”
December 08, 2019 at 10:00PM by CWC Move over, foam rollers—TRX just launched a “rocker,” and it’s coming for your sore muscles. TRX Training, the fitness brand you know for suspension traps that hang in practically every gym and workout studio, has created a TRX Rocker ($50) to help with recovery. At first glance, it looks like a foam roller, but it’s actually tear shaped, and each of the panels have different-sized ridges. The idea is that each one works at a different intensity level so that you can make your recovery sesh a little more customized and targeted for your needs, whether you need to amp things up a notch or pull back. Since it isn’t perfectly round, the tube actually rocks, which makes it feel weird at first if you’re used to foam rollers. “The Rocker’s design was conceived as a way to simplify myofascial massage for users at all different levels of fitness,” says Randy Hetrick, TRX founder, explaining that the tool uses pressure on soft tissue to “release tension, enhance blood flow, and reduce stiffness from sore muscles.” Unlike the roundness of foam rollers, the geometric design gives you the option to switch up intensity, which Hetrick says adds a technique similar to acupressure for “more focused protocols and improved results.” Compared to a foam roller, using the rocking method feels like a much more hardcore and targeted way to melt muscle soreness. “Traditional foam rollers have a limited ability to modulate pressure and get into smaller
Get ready for this week’s cosmic journey to take you from confusion to clarity within 7 days
December 08, 2019 at 08:00PM by CWC This week begins with a massive call for patience from the universe. But, not to worry—it’ll pay off. Confusion sets in with a set of planetary squares Starting on Sunday—when the sun in Sagittarius squares Neptune, while Jupiter in Capricorn squares Chiron in Aries—you can expect for things to feel extra confusing. As if you were driving in heavy fog, your impulse may be impulse may be to turn on your high light beams. But in this cosmic case of blurriness, taking an aggressive approach to rectify a lack of clarity will only make things less clear. Now’s not the time to press forward for answers, but instead, sit in the lack of knowing, and allow what needs to unfold to take its course. Yes, that can feel scary, but remember that there’s nothing you can to “force” a solution right now. Instead, take a step back and recommit to self care. Need help? Try using this mantra: “Everything is unfolding exactly as it must. I am guided and protected.” Then, Mercury in Sagittarius provides clarity Come Monday, when the quintessential messenger Mercury moves into bold and blunt Sagittarius, you may feel a burst of clarity hit you. Mercury just finished its long transit in Scorpio due to its retrograde, and the hardest degrees of this journey were the ones just cleared, at the tail end of that sign. In light of this, you’d be wise to take a moment to acclimate to
8 skin-care Sephora best sellers you can snag for $15 or less
December 08, 2019 at 04:00PM by CWC Black Friday and Cyber Monday may be over, but my urge to splurge remains. It’s like the flood gates—or, more accurately, vault doors–have been opened and nothing can re-contain them. Lately, I’m clicking on every Instagram ad, opening every retailer email, and just generally ruining my prospects for ending 2019 on a responsible fiscal note. It’s a problem.Fortunately, I somehow landed me on the Sephora best sellers page, where I was surprised to find a number of affordable skincare superheroes for $15 of less. Though I’m likely to snag a few for myself—my skin is not exactly thriving through the holiday stress—more altruistic individuals might want to consider them as stocking stuffers or otherwise assorted holiday gifts. Starring prominently among these selections are cult-beloved clean beauty brands like The Inkey List and The Ordinary, both of whom make serums to die (er, live?) for. Several products from the Sephora Collection also fit the bill as bestsellers that won’t break the bank, including a butt mask that screams White Elephant exchange if ever a product did. Sorry (not sorry) for bringing these gems to your attention, but irresponsible spending loves company—or something like that. Happy between-holiday hunting! Check out these skin-care Sephora best sellers for $15 or less Photo: The Inkey List 1. The Inkey List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum, $10 The fountain of youth isn’t yet available for purchase, so this clean serum will have to serve as a stand-in. Retinol, its star active
How to keep your feet warm, according to a podiatrist
December 08, 2019 at 02:00PM by CWC Technically, winter doesn’t arrive until December 21. But let’s be real—it’s already in full-force. And with the freezing temps and snowy days comes a constant battle to keep your feet warm. If you struggle with keeping your feet warm, you can do a handful of different things to ensure your toes stay cozy until it’s time to bust out your favorite pair of sandals again. I don’t know about you, but going to bed with icy digits every night that scare you awake every five minutes is no way to live. With a few swaps, some upgrades, and a little help from technology, these are the best ways to fight off agonizingly cold feet. How to keep your feet warm like a pro 1. Invest in super-warm boots Don’t skimp out on getting quality winter boots. While the warmest options might not be as cute as your black booties, they’re key in keeping your feet cozy. Miguel Cunha, DPM, New York City-based podiatrist and founder of Gotham Footcare, says to make sure your boots and shoes have a thick sole, like Kamik Women’s Momentum Snow Boot ($90), which has more than 1,900 ratings and 4.4/5 stars. They’re waterproof, are insulated, and can keep your feet warm in freezing temps. For even better results, Dr. Cunha says you can also add an insole to keep your feet further from the ground. “More heat is lost from your feet simply by standing on cold surfaces
I’m a derm, and you should be washing your neck—not just your face
December 08, 2019 at 12:00PM by CWC You’re religious about washing your face: gentle cleanser, lukewarm water, twice a day. But a solid skincare routine should involve washing your neck, too. Washing your neck outside the shower isn’t a thing for many people, and derms want to change that ASAP. I mean, think about all the makeup that gets down there—even if it’s just fallout from all your powders. “Many women use makeup on their necks to blend with the rest of their face. Because the neck has oil glands just like the rest of the face, it’s also subject to breakouts,” says Gretchen Frieling, MD, a Boston-based triple board-certified dermatopathologist. When you don’t wash your neck, breakouts are the least of your problems. “When people don’t cleanse their neck, they tend to get ‘dark neck,’” Dr. Frieling says. Aka dermatitis neglecta, a condition where things like makeup, sweat, dirt, and bacteria build up on your neck, causing the skin to become a shade or two darker than your face. To keep your neck skin just as healthy as your face, make sure you’re sticking to a proper skincare routine that benefits both. How to wash your neck like a pro To make sure you’re properly washing your neck, steal this skincare routine straight from Dr. Frieling. step 1: Cleanse Cleanse your neck with a cleansing milk or gentle cleanser a few times a week to make sure there’s no skin or dirt build-up. You can also use a gentle