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’]
Tag: Well+Good
These 9 ultra-hydrating lipsticks are basically skin care in a tube
August 08, 2019 at 05:00AM by CWC In today’s skin-care obsessed world, I’m no longer surprised that the foundations I wear double as skin-boosting formulas and that I can swipe on mascara that also makes my lashes grow. The latest hybrid craze I’m swooning over? Lipsticks that are basically skin care in a tube. Sure, I’ve applied some seriously hydrating hyaluronic acid lip balms—which are fab. But now we’ve also got the option of getting some more pigment on that pout while beefing things up with moisture that lasts. Meet the lipstick-skin-care-combos of my bold lip dreams. “There are a few ingredients that when included in lipsticks actually make the lip product moisturizing,” says Shirley Chi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in California. “They are petrolatum, shea butter, lanolin, beeswax, and sesame oil.” These essentially lock in the moisture produced on your lips. (That said, she says not to rely on them like you would a lip balm or it’ll mess with your lips’ natural moisturizing oil production.) ad_intervals[‘413566_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘413566_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); Seriously though—lipsticks that go on and cake-up or make your lips shrivel from drying out are so extinct. Just look at these nine magical skin-care-lipsticks below and let that moisturized shine do the talking. Photo: Lancome Lancome L’Absolu Mademoiselle Shine, $30 This is the product that got me on a quest for more skin-care-lipsticks. It was love at first swipe—my entire beauty team is absolutely in love with these Lancome tubes, because they
Make eating for gut health easy with these 15-minute, high-fiber dinners
August 08, 2019 at 04:00AM by CWC Despite all the healthy eatings trends that come and go (oh hi there, keto), prioritizing fiber is something that nearly every health expert can agree on. Not only does it benefit to every type of healthy eater—whether you’re Paleo, vegan, or something else entirely, veggies are always part of a nutrient-dense diet—the benefits have long been proven: A diet high in fiber has been linked to lowering inflammation, improving gut health, and boosting metabolism. The recommended fiber intake is 25 grams a day for women, which can sometimes be tricky to hit. While it’s best to get your fiber throughout the day as to not overwhelm your digestive system, loading up on fiber-rich sources at dinner can help make up for not getting much of the nutrient earlier. Which is where this arsenal of quick, high-fiber recipes comes in. Bookmark these meal ideas for when you know you haven’t been eating as much veggies—and other fiber-rich sources—as you know you should be. Your digestive system will thank you for it. ad_intervals[‘413540_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘413540_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); Keep reading for high-fiber dinners you can make in 15 minutes or less. Photo: Tasty Yummies 1. Paleo taco skillet dinner Any meal where you can throw all your ingredients into a skillet and cook them all together is a major timesaver. This one gets its fiber from the three cups of greens the recipe calls for. To really up
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
Jessica Alba reveals *exactly* the order she applies her skin care
August 08, 2019 at 02:39AM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nQ_7wuyFpQ] It may be hard to believe, but Jessica Alba is even more beautiful in real life than she is on screen. She’s one of those people who radiates from the inside out, and who you want to stand as close to as possible, simply for the sake of soaking up her awesomeness—and stealing some of her skin-care tips. So, you’d better bet that when Alba sits down to share some of her beauty secrets, we listen…and make sure we’ve got a camera rolling. For our latest episode of The Avocado Show, the mogul revealed exactly how she applies her products in order to get her glow so good. Her fool-proof formula? Well, it involves four skin-care must-haves: serum, moisturizer, cleanser, and oil (catch the full video above to see how she layers them). ad_intervals[‘413719_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘413719_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); She’s onto something. The oh-so-glowy actress has become a force in the lifestyle and beauty spaces since launching The Honest Company in 2011, and from the brand’s inception, she’s been committed to giving consumers clean products that they can feel really, really good about slathering on their faces. In terms of clean beauty, this brand isn’t just about what’s on the “no list” (though they’ve nixed parabens, PEGs, phthalates, fragrance, and dyes), it’s also about tapping good-for-skin ingredients such as retinol, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid. “Clean is using safe ingredients, but also effective [ingredients],
Perimenopause marks the official ‘decline’ of fertility—but experts say it can be a new beginning, too
August 07, 2019 at 04:00PM by CWC Laura Mael was 41 when she started experiencing heavier periods than she’d ever had before—like, way heavier. When she brought it up to her gynecologist during her annual checkup (along with some other new symptoms she was experiencing, like her skin feeling super hot), her doctor wasn’t surprised. “You’re going through perimenopause,” she said matter of factly. While menopause is often talked about, perimenopause—the time before menopause when ovarian function starts to decline, causing gradually lower levels of estrogen—is an often-overlooked part of the reproductive health conversation. Yet it can have a huge impact on the lives of those going through it. According to Maribelle Verdiales, MD, an OB/GYN and naturopathic doctor at CNY Fertility in Atlanta, Georgia, perimenopause symptoms can include heavier (or lighter) periods, more intense PMS, weight gain, lack of sex drive, and vaginal dryness. Those symptoms are all the more difficult to address when you have no idea to expect them in the first place. ad_intervals[‘409696_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘409696_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); “Someone at 38 may feel young, wild, and free. Then, two years later, they’re seeing these signs of accelerated aging, which also indicates a decrease in their fertility,” Dr. Verdiales says. “It can be a very difficult transition for a lot of women.” “I just felt like, Wow, I’m officially old“ Registered dietitian Jennifer Scheinman, RD, struggled with low energy levels, stubborn weight gain, and hormonal imbalances shortly after she turned
3 relationship pros dish on whether watching porn can be considered cheating
August 07, 2019 at 03:00PM by CWC Buckle up, because I’m about to admit something I’m kind of ashamed about: I used to check the browsing history on my ex-boyfriend‘s computer. It was out of sheer curiosity, I swear—and the only thing I (continually) saw was porn. Lots of it. I never spoke with him about my snooping habit, but in retrospect, I probably should have owned up to the secret surveillance and also communicated my feelings about what I found. One reason I didn’t? When I brought up his screen habits to friends once, they let me know they’ve experienced the same thing—meaning, my stance on the matter aside, watching some extracurricular porn did seem to be a normal thing to do within the confines of my social circle. (Side note: It seems snooping around a partner’s private property was also normal in my social circle, but that’s a whole other story.) Though we had varying opinions about what it meant in the scope of our respective relationships, we did land on one common question we weren’t sure how to answer: Is watching porn cheating? ad_intervals[‘411406_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘411406_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); It’s tricky to draw conclusions from the event of watching porn—especially since there’s no set-in-stone definition to explain cheating behavior. “Fighting over one person in a relationship watching porn has definitely become more and more common, because it’s a topic that falls into a gray area of relationship rules,” says Maria
Almost 40% of people still have a major misconception about washing their faces
August 07, 2019 at 12:16PM by CWC People rave about that special time of the day when they get to unhook their bras and let their chests breathe. And, I mean, same. But I have to admit: for me, personally, wiping off my makeup and cleansing my face feels even better. I can almost feel the stress of the day spilling down the drain along with my BB cream, mascara, and eyebrow pencil. Then, a nagging voice in the back of my head whispers: Is my skin clean, actually? I’m not the least bit alone, according to a recent survey conducted by skin care brand Cerave. Of the 2,000 adults polled, 37 percent said that they consider their skin “clean” when it felt tight, but derms say that’s far from the truth. “After washing your face, the skin should feel light and soft, but not tight,” says Joshua Zeichner, MD. “There is a perception that tight and dry equals clean, but it really represents post wash dryness, which is harmful to the skin.” The skin barrier is packed with natural oils that serve to protect your complexion from the harsher factors of your environment. Over-washing strips said oils—which is (obviously) not the way to give your skin a glow up. ad_intervals[‘413673_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘413673_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); “After washing your face, the skin should feel light and soft, but not tight.” —Joshua Zeichner, MD Instead, Dr. Zeichner says your goal with each cleanse should be
This is the best way to get into pigeon pose to get that ooey gooey hip stretch
August 07, 2019 at 11:50AM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1gEGLtF1p0] Ready to open up your hips? Watch how to do pigeon pose the right way, here. There are yoga poses I dread in my practice (I’m lookin’ at you, chair pose), and there are others that I can’t wait for the instructor to call out. As a runner with ultra-tight hips that stay sore 24/7, pigeon pose has become one that my body feels like it needs to untangle some of the tension that my long runs bring on. So, you can find me jumping into the hip-opener just about as quickly as the instructor calls it out. But according to yoga pro Tess Koening, how you get into the stretch is half the battle. The most common mistake she sees comes from not starting in the correct previous pose to set yourself up for success (find out which one by clicking the video above). Instead, she notices that a ton of people enter the pose “from the ground up.” This can put undue stress on your knees and it collapses your core without really opening up the hips or stretching anything. Womp womp. ad_intervals[‘413518_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘413518_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); “The thing about pigeon pose is that it’s a hip opener, not a knee stretch,” says Koening. “It might touch other parts of your body, but you really want to make it about your hips.” After all, the hips are pretty much mandatory in so many of
Amazon Storefronts is my new favorite place to find cool healthy snacks
August 07, 2019 at 11:42AM by CWC Leisurely strolling through the supermarket aisles is nothing short of meditative experience for me. Somewhere between the ever-expanding alt-noodle offerings and row after row of bright produce, I miraculously become chill—at least temporarily. And now that the evolution of the World Wide Web has brought food utopias to our fingertips (hello, Thrive Market), I can feel the very same calm while surfing the net. And lately: the grocery section of Amazon Storefront has been my dot com of choice for doing just that. The idea behind Amazon Storefront is to spotlight small brands with products made in America across all retail categories. Influencers and small business owners alike have been asked to curate shopping lists. (Gluten-free food blogger Nicole Cogan, for example, just launched her very own section.) For now, the grocery aisle is small (only about two pages worth), but each item is a good litmus test for the healthy things people are snacking on right now. Plus, it’s a treasure trove for finding your new pantry go-tos. ad_intervals[‘413595_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘413595_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); Ready to shop Amazon Storefronts like a frugal foodie? Here are our top 3 picks to add to your cart Buy Now Barnana Organic Plantain Chips $14 (pack of 4) Buy Now True Made Foods Original Veracha, Vegetable Sriracha $8 Buy Now VAHDAM, Assorted Loose Leaf Tea Sampler $20 While you’re shopping, stock up on these minimally processed snacks and other