November 07, 2019 at 06:30PM by CWC It’s always fun when exercises include added bonuses. You think you’re focusing on one area of your body, but then you wake up the next day sore in areas you never even realized would feel the burn. Well, friends, dumbbell high pulls certainly give you a little something extra. Dumbbell high pulls look like any basic arm workout, but the move essentially works your entire body—even muscles that are hard to hit. The explosivity of the movement means muscles throughout your body are involved in the exercise—I’m talking abs, glutes, quads, shoulders, calves, and more. You just don’t realize that as you’re busting out those reps with nothing but toned biceps on your mind. Aside from building muscle, dumbbell high pulls also prep you for more advanced lifts, says Joseph Arangio, a strength and conditioning coach. Follow the step-by-step instructions to give yourself the tools you need to master harder exercises in the future. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJdROwz4qeQ] How to perform dumbbell high pulls Grab a pair of dumbbells with an overhand grip and get into a quarter squat position. Your feet should be shoulder width apart and knees slightly bent. Hold the dumbbells at arms’ length slightly below knee height, making sure to keep your lower back straight and chest up. In one explosive movement, stand up and bring the dumbbells to your shoulders with bent elbows, keeping the dumbbells close to your body during the entire upward motion. Your knees should be straightened,
Tag: Well+Good
pH-balancing undies are now a thing—but do we need that, y’all?
November 07, 2019 at 06:10PM by CWC You don’t want to have a basic vagina—speaking of its pH, of course. Like the rest of your body, your nether-regions have a (slightly) acidic tendency, which is why you see vaginal care products (from wipes to cleansers) touting “pH-balanced” benefits galore. To help you be the utmost kween of your vaginal pH (because we know this is the stuff keeping you up at night), know that pH-balanced underwear is now a thing. “In recent years, there have been a number of innovations in the underwear category that include materials that are known to be antibacterial and even provide additional support below the belt,” says Sherry A. Ross, MD, OB/GYN, Summer’s Eve ambassador and author of She-ology. It’s true—lately, I’ve come across new brands like Huha (underwear that’s infused with zinc, which helps maintain pH balance), Cottonique (which is 100 percent organic and claims to be hypoallergenic), and Pure (the brand uses a special fabric to protect against moisture). Because I’m a human, I’ve worn regular and not specifically “pH-balanced” underwear my entire life. So I raised an eyebrow at the idea of needing to swap over to optimized underpants. Dr. Ross notes it is important to watch the pH of your vagina, though, so I was at least willing to entertain the idea. “When using cleansing products on the external vaginal area, it’s important that such products are pH-balanced so that they won’t be too acidic or too alkaline and affect the
Halp! My hair is so greasy all the time—I need a new routine
November 07, 2019 at 03:00PM by CWC I’ve always wanted the kind of shiny hair you see in Pantene Pro V commercials, but sadly the only shimmer to my strands seems to comes from grease—which doesn’t have quite the same aesthetic as whatever magic fairy dust is sprinkled onto the heads of supermodels, starlets, and the popular girls in high school. This big, life-long bummer, is one that New York City-based dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, tells me I should at least partially blame on my parents. “The amount of oil that is made in your scalp is determined by your genetics,” he says. Thanks a lot, mom and dad! All is not lost for me, my siblings, or anyone else who similarly suffers, however, as not all grease is inherited. “The hair becomes greasy when oil from the scalp accumulates over time,” Dr. Zeichner explains. He notes that other common sense contributing factors include include heavy exercise (read: lots of sweat) and extended exposure to hot, humid environments. Los Angeles-based stylist Juli Phillips adds that hormones can play a role, too. While it’s not always possible to avoid the above, you can control your product choices, which can have a significant impact on your hair’s grease quotient, too. Celebrity hairstylist Kristen Shaw says the oil-heavy products on the market today are problematic when it comes to buildup on the scalp. “I see client after client having clogged pores from shampoos with too much oil,” she tells me. Instead, it’s important
I went to a Jamaican sex resort after a yearlong dry spell—here’s what happened
November 07, 2019 at 02:00PM by CWC As a sex writer, I’m aware that many harbor preconceived notions about, well, my sex life. Namely, that I’m always having a lot of it. I have had my fair share, sure, and I’ve reported on raunchy material with abandon here, here, here, and beyond. But am I having sex constantly? Absolutely not—especially as of late. In fact, a friend recently threw me a dinner party to celebrate my sexlessiversary—it had been a whole 12 months since I’d last been laid. So, when Hedonism II, an all-inclusive, adults-only, clothing-optional (read: clothing-discouraged) resort invited me to—and I quote—“leave the mundane day-to-day behind and explore yourself as you explore the sensual and liberating environment of Hedonism II Negril, Jamaica,” I didn’t hesitate before replying: “Let me ask my mom what she thinks, and then I’ll get back to you.” Kidding. I signed up immediately for a trip to the sexually liberal locale, excited for what I was sure would be an end to my dry spell. Welcome to Hedonism II, a real-life sex resort In some ways, Hedonism II lived up to my expectations exactly. Picture: everyone’s everything on full display; couples copulating in hammocks (talk about redefining swinging); discreet fellating in the dining hall; a playroom of adult toys, like sex swings and a spanking bench; and an orgy or three. But in other ways, my preconceived notions proved false. I thought constant visual access to sex and genitalia would be hot, super-sexy, and lead
There are 17 different types of sugar—but this one is truly problematic for your health
November 07, 2019 at 01:00PM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Lw-OEaThp0] Curious to understand exactly how sugar affects your health? We’ve got the intel. Doctors and healthy eating experts have been crystal clear for a long time that a diet high in sugar is bad news for your body—both in the short and long-term. But the topic is a bit more nuanced than just the simple equation of sugar = unhealthy. Fortunately, registered dietitian Tracy Lockwood Beckerman, RD, is here to spell out the straight facts in the latest episode of Well+Good’s YouTube series, You Versus Food. Beckerman says there are a whopping 17 different types of sugar that are commonly used in food products, including corn syrup, fructose, glucose, high-fructose corn syrup, and sucrose. (Try saying all of that three times fast.) “Essentially, these sugars are all the same, they’re just derived from different sources,” she says. That said, she adds that there’s an important distinction to keep in mind: sugar versus added sugar. “Natural sugars occur in foods such as fruits and veggies that normally have fewer calories and less sodium with a higher water and nutrient content than foods with added sugars,” Beckerman says. Added sugar, meanwhile, has been added to a food during the manufacturing or cooking process. “Sweeteners, or added sugars on their own, do not contain protein or fiber, which causes your body to digest them even faster and spike your blood glucose.” That spike comes with a big crash later on, and consistently uneven blood
Breast health is the surprising aspect of postpartum care everyone overlooks
November 07, 2019 at 12:00PM by CWC When it comes to feeding their newborn baby, the majority of new moms in the United States—a full 84 percent—will at least try breastfeeding. Whether a person chooses to (or is able to) breastfeed for a few weeks or a few years, it’s a pretty common part of the postpartum experience. Yet the hurdles of breastfeeding—and postpartum breast health in general—are rarely talked about in the open. Sure, there’s a lot of talk about the birth itself, but as soon as the baby is born, the vast majority of attention—and conversation—centers around the newborn. Exhausted new moms struggling to feed their babies while battling nipple or breast pain are often left searching random Internet forums trying to figure out what is happening to their (still) changing bodies. One new company, Bodily, is trying to change that by providing approachable, researched-backed information to educate new parents along with clinically-backed postpartum care products. (It’s joining other players in this burgeoning space, including Frida Mom.) Founder Tovah Haim started the brand after becoming a new mom and feeling shocked and overwhelmed by what was happening to her body. It’s not that the things she went through—including postpartum bleeding and breast milk leakage—were abnormal. It’s that she had no idea at all that they would happen. “I had friends who were already moms, a doula, all these people around me telling me about the birthing process, yet nobody told me what to expect in the recovery process
Training to be a spin instructor is harder than it looks—here’s what happened when a W+G staffer tried it out
November 07, 2019 at 04:30AM by CWC https://content.jwplatform.com/players/CA3NOnD3-AjgxWzQ7.js Have you ever looked up at the instructor during a spin class and thought, “I could do that. All they’re really doing is sharing motivational platitudes and telling you when to pedal faster, right?” Well+Good social media manager (and indoor cycling enthusiast) Amanda Gaines has had that thought a time or two while clipped into the bike, so we had her put the theory to the test—by stepping out of her comfort zone and taking a crash course in what it actually takes to become a cycling instructor. To do it, she traded her laptop for a mic and a headset to spend a day out of office under the tutelage of Jenna Arndt, director of instructor operations at SWERVE Fitness, who condensed an eight-week training program into one day. One piece of insider intel Gaines discovered? You get sweaty while you’re up there dancing on the bike, so making time to refuel—with snacks like Smartfood® Smart50, air-popped, 100 percent whole-grain popcorn at 50 calories per cup or less—is a total must. For the rest of the behind-the-scenes lessons she learned from instructor training, watch the full video above. But spoiler alert: it was a lot more challenging—and a lot more fun—than expected. “Let me tell you: It is not easy,” Gaines says. “There is so much to consider when you’re up here on the podium, whether it’s the music, cueing the sprints, and giving off good energy to your class.” Watch
Instant Pot vs Air Fryer: Which gadget gives you more bang for your buck?
November 07, 2019 at 03:00AM by CWC For the past year, an Instant Pot versus air fryer debate has been raging. While both small appliances offer big possibilities for home cooking, Jessie Van Amburg, Well+Good’s senior food editor, and I simply cannot agree which kitchen gadget reigns supreme. I have even argued my case publicly. To know where I stand, just read Ode to My Air Fryer, a 1,000-word essay of adoration. Meanwhile, Jessie feels strongly that the Instant Pot is a superior tool. In order to settle the score once and for all, we conducted a side-by-side comparison of the kitchen appliances, considering price, pros and cons, functionality, and plenty of unsolicited personal opinions. Hopefully, by the end you’ll be able to decide which device is right for you (or you just might decide to buy both). Instant Pot vs Air Fryer: Once and for all, which one is better? Instant Pot Price: $95 Functionality: It makes stews and soups, slow cooks meat, makes effortless casseroles, and prepares eggs. Pros: It holds large amounts of food for bulk batching and meal-prepping, can easily be cleaned, and can tackle any meal of the day from breakfast until dinner. It also gives at-home chefs the opportunity sharpen their cooking skills with more difficult recipes like desserts. Cons: It comes with a learning curve: you have to learn how to use it before you can really appreciate it. It requires understanding many settings and can be intimidating to use. Jessie says: “I think it
Petroleum jelly is the best (and least expensive) skin moisturizer you can buy, according to derms
November 07, 2019 at 01:45AM by CWC The best skin moisturizing ingredient might be the one your mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother have known about all along. It only costs $4 to add it to your own collection—if it’s not a part of it already. Petroleum jelly, most well-known under the brand Vaseline, has many uses, and one of its best is fighting off dry skin. Petroleum jelly is thick like peanut butter, so it’s not something to slather all over your body like lotion, but it’s a great choice for areas that are dry or prone to dryness, says dermatologist Sandra Lee, MD, aka Dr. Pimple Popper and the founder of SLMD Skincare. “Petroleum jelly is very occlusive, meaning it works to keep moisture from leaving your skin by blocking exposure of the skin to air, because dryness in the air can really pull moisture from your skin,” says Dr. Lee. “In some ways, that’s wonderful, as this type of thick formula can strengthen the skin’s barrier, making it less likely for water to evaporate from your skin and dry it out. However, this isn’t true for all skin types.” If you have oily or acne-prone skin, Dr. Lee doesn’t recommend using petroleum jelly. “It can clog your pores and promote breakouts or the development of milia, which are really superficial tiny cysts,” she says. Other skin types really benefit from using it as a spot treatment for super-dry skin. “In the winter, many of us need to switch to
Meet the energy-boosting herb that legitimately tastes delicious
November 07, 2019 at 01:00AM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2m0TnBMsKY] This herb has been associated with longevity *and* healthy energy levels? Sign us up. There’s a reason why Starbucks is just as busy in the afternoon as it is during the morning rush: having enough energy to get through the whole day is a struggle and a half. Thankfully herbalist, holistic health coach, and Supernatural founder Rachelle Robinett has an energy boosting solution that doesn’t involve a third latte: gynostemma. “Gynostemma is a plant that contains gypenocides,” Robinett says in the latest episode of Well+Good’s YouTube series, Plant-Based. They’re a type of saponin, aka plant compounds often associated with medicinal-type benefits. Why does this matter? Well, the herb’s gypenocides are very similar to those in ginseng, which has long been used for its adaptogenic, energy promoting powers. “That means that gynostemma acts like a fantastic adaptogen as well,” she says. As an adaptogen, gynostemma can either rev you up if you’re feeling sluggish, Robinett says, or calm you down if you’re a little keyed up. Incorporating it into your wellness routine could lead to more even, consistent energy levels—though eating fiber-rich foods low on the glycemic index for even blood sugar levels is still crucial, too. Most herbs, of course, taste…pretty funky. But Robinett says that gynostemma is surprisingly sweet and very easy to eat. To see how to incorporate gynostemma into a delicious, naturally sweet snack, check out the video above. That p.m. Starbucks line just got one person shorter.