October, 2017

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Picking This Seat on a Flight Means You’re Selfish, Psychologists Say + MORE

Beauty and health are wonderful areas to dedicate one’s
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Madewell's Just-Launched Beauty Section Is About to Become as Beloved as Their Jeans: Here's What to Buy!

– health.com

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This article originally appeared on People.com.

Madewell has long been a favorite shopping destination for women looking for great denim, timeless knitwear and cool-girl basics. As if you needed one more excuse to stop in the store, Madewell is expanding into beauty, launching with 40 products available in its Beauty Cabinet at 21 retail stores and online today.

The retailer took the time to curate a selection of tried-and-true beauty products perfect for the low-key woman that still craves a little bit of indulgence in her regimen.

Starting now, you can shop some of your favorite beloved beauty brands like RMS, Herbivore and Karuna at Madewell, but can also become acquainted with some of the smaller indie brands they’re carrying, like French Girl.

“Our ultimate goal is to offer our customers items that inspire and can be a part of their everyday. A beauty assortment was a natural way for us to expand that philosophy into a new category,” Madewell Head Designer Joyce Lee said in a release. “The way the team and I approached the beauty assortment was similar to how we would any other collection — we wanted it to be simple, practical and effortless.”

Celebrate Madewell’s exciting new launch by shopping some of our favorite picks from the brands they’re carrying below!

RMS

To buy: RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek, $36; madewell.com

Bon Parfumeur

To buy: Bon Parfumeur Eau de Parfum, $48; madewell.com

French Girl

To buy: French Girl Facial Moisturizer, $24; madewell.com

Karuna

To buy: Karuna Sheet Mask Karma Kit, $28; madewell.com

Herbivore

To buy: Herbivore Sea Mist Texturizing Salt Spray, $20; madewell.com

Picking This Seat on a Flight Means You’re Selfish, Psychologists Say

– www.health.com

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“Window or aisle?” is the question. The answer could reveal something about your personality.

While some passengers prefer the window — for the views and the relative privacy of a cabin wall to lean against, others prioritize the freedom (again, relative) of the aisle, being able to get up and stretch or head to the lavatory without disturbing any seatmates.

But according to two psychologists interviewed by The Telegraph, there could be more to it: Passengers who prefer the window seat may be more selfish, while those who prefer the aisle may be more reserved.

RELATED: The Best Seat on the Airplane, According to Anthony Bourdain

“Passengers who favor the window seat like to be in control, tend to take an ‘every man for themselves’ attitude towards life, and are often more easily irritable,” Dr. Becky Spelman, chief psychologist at Harley Street’s Private Therapy Clinic, told The Telegraph. “They also like to ‘nest’ and prefer to exist in their own bubble.”

Behavioral psychologist Jo Hemmings agreed.

“Aisle passengers are often more sociable and definitely more amenable as people; they are also more likely to be restless fliers and less adept at sleeping on planes,” Hemmings added.

Of course, seat selection has to do with more than just one factor.

According to a survey by Quartz in 2014, the more people fly, the more they prefer the aisle. Preference for the window also decreased as household income increased.

Overall, however, a majority of fliers prefer the window.

This Cardio Machine Works Your Entire Body (and Will Do Wonders for Your Butt)

– health.com

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Whether you are looking to get a jump on ski season or just want to tone up all over, the SkiErg (think upright rower) is a great addition to any exercise routine. Simple in structure, this machine’s movements are similar to using ski poles along the slopes to gain momentum. The result: improved power, strength, and endurance.

“What makes the SkiErg such a great piece of equipment is that it utilizes the full body, the glutes, hamstrings, lats, triceps, and shoulders,” says Rustin Steward, a Tier 3+ Trainer at Equinox Sports in New York City. (Watch him demo how it works in the video above.) “A lot of the cardio machines, such as the treadmill or elliptical, don’t; they are more lower body specific.” Not to mention the SkiErg—which can be quite aerobically demanding—is powered by you. “The faster you get the flywheel spinning, the more resistance you create, which, in turn, leads to a bigger calorie burn,” he adds.

Another great thing: It can be used in a variety of ways, from warming up (Steward says it’s a great way to fire up the lats prior to back exercises) to all-out cardio. You can even add in jumps at the top or lateral hops with each pull to help build explosiveness. And let’s not forget it is also a functional movement, mimicking the everyday action of bending down and picking things up.

Unfortunately, many folks are missing out on this versatile calorie crusher because they just aren’t familiar with it, despite the fact that the SkiErg has been hanging around gym floors since 2009. But, it doesn’t have to be that way. With these tips from Steward, you can master the SkiErg—and build a banging body in the process.

RELATED: The High-Intensity Cardio Workout You Can Do In Your Living Room

How to use it

Stand tall, facing SkiErg with feet hip-width apart, arms extended up, and hands gripping handles; palms face in (A). Hinging at hips, with a slight bend in knees, brace core, push through glutes, and pull handles down; keep arms straight (B). Continue pulling handles down in a fluid motion until arms swing back past thighs (C). As you rise back to standing, activate glutes, pushing hips forward to full extension, and return arms back up to start.

Avoid these 4 commons mistakes

1. Squatting: “Remember it’s a hip hinge, like a deadlift movement, not a squat,” he says.

2. Dropping the chest: Yes, you want tour torso on a slight angle, but you don’t want to be fully horizontal and parallel to the floor. “Not only can it cause harm to your lower back,” notes Steward, “but it takes the glutes out of the exercise.” And that means you aren’t exactly beefing up that booty.

3. Cutting the stroke short: “The longer the stroke, the faster the meters will climb, so don’t shortchange yourself at the top,” he says…

Fresh Box

This Vlogger Claims Her Extensions Ruined Her Hair—So She Shaved Her Head Bald in Viral Video + MORE

Long waves, a lavender lob, a red top knot, bangs, braids, you name it—a quick scroll through YouTube star Vanessa Martinez’s Instagram page, and it’s clear she’s not afraid to take style risks when it comes to her hair, and the results are always chic and co.... More »

10 Top Trending Workouts of 2019, According to Google + MORE

The best thing about Google—aside from, you know, having the entire world at your fingertips—is that you can find ideas for literally any of kind workout at the stroke of a keyboard. Want to find the perfect at-home ab workout? Google it. Need to know the difference between squats and de.... More »

Does Dry Brushing Really Reduce Cellulite and Help You Look Younger? + MORE

[brightcove:5474328532001 default] There's always a new skin trend popping up rumored to vanish wrinkles, smooth dimples and zap cellulite. But most turn out to be temporary tricks and, more often than not, too good to be true. Cue dry brushing—is it really worth the hype? Dry brush.... More »

The Ladies of SNL Welcome You 'to Hell' with Anti-Sexual Harassment Music Video + MORE

[brightcove:5614910445001 default]     This article originally appeared on People.com.   In the past few months, a slew of powerful men — from Harvey Weinstein to Matt Lauer — have been outed as sexual predators. Though many may be shocked, the ladies of&n.... More »

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Madewell's Just-Launched Beauty Section Is About to Become as Beloved as Their Jeans: Here's What to Buy!health.com
Picking This Seat on a Flight Means You’re Selfish, Psychologists Saywww.health.com
This Cardio Machine Works Your Entire Body (and Will Do Wonders for Your Butt)health.com

5 of the Filthiest Places to Avoid on Airplanes + MORE

Hair extensions and hair treatments are just one way that
Invisiblend Hair Studio helps to increase our client’s quality of life. A hair
technician or hair salon specialist is more than just a stylist, they are a
friend. A person to vent your week to, express your joy and life achievements, there
is more than just beauty when it comes to our hair stylist.

5 of the Filthiest Places to Avoid on Airplanes

– www.health.com

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This article originally appeared on Time.com.

When it comes to flying, nothing about a close proximity to strangers and bathrooms for hours on end feels particularly clean. And while you may not be able to make the flight shorter or the seats bigger, you can make your experience more sanitary by avoiding some of the dirtiest places on airplanes.

It’s worth noting that some people may be more susceptible to getting sick on planes because the cabin air humidity is under 20%, whereas home humidity is generally over 30%, according to the World Health Organization. The dry air exposure affects mucus, the immune system’s front line of defense, leaving people marginally more vulnerable to getting sick. A 2004 study in the Journal of Environmental Health Research found that people are far more likely — 113 times more, by one of the study’s measures — to catch the common cold during a flight than normal ground transmission.

Humidity aside, there are a handful of especially dirty spots, according to research and advisories from travel physicians. Here’s how to avoid them.

Airplane tray tables

The potentially grimiest place on an airplane unfolds right into your lap.

Alarmingly, a 2015 study by TravelMath that tested samples from hard surfaces in planes found that tray table surfaces had more than eight times the amount of bacteria per square inch than the lavatory flush buttons. The trays had 2,155 colony forming units of bacteria per square inch—compared to the 127 cfu/sq. in., which is what the National Science Foundation says is standard for a toilet seat at home.

Dr. Charles Gerba, microbiologist at the University of Arizona, tells TIME that the trays he’s tested through research have had cold viruses, human parainfluenza viruses, norovirus (which can cause diarrhea and vomiting) and the superbug MRSA, which causes skin infections.

The high amount of bacteria is likely linked to plane cleaning crews not having enough time between flights to wipe down the tray tables, the Wall Street Journal reports. And when they do get clean, those airlines may be using general cleaners instead of disinfectants.

In the meantime, to avoid eating dinner off a tray that someone piled used tissues or changed a baby’s diaper on just hours earlier, wipe it down with a sanitizing wipe, Dr. Michael Zimring, director of travel medicine at Baltimore’s Mercy Medical Center, tells TIME. But if you don’t feel like even touching the table (Gerba does, but Zimring says he doesn’t bother), avoid eating food directly off the surface.

“My food will stay on a paper plate or wrapper,” adds Zimring.

Air vents and seatbelt buckles

Two plane features with frequent usage (that may not receive a regular cleaning) also make the list.

The air vents above each seat are great for circulating ventilated air to each passenger, but the TravelMath testing found 285 CFU/sq…

Want to Look Younger? Your Eyebrows May Be the Key, Study Says

– health.com

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This article originally appeared on Time.com.

Maybe there’s some science behind the dramatic eyebrow trend after all.

A new study finds that facial features, like lips and eyebrows, tend to stand out less as people get older. Because of that, the authors say, people perceive faces with more contrast as younger.

In the study, published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology, researchers analyzed photographs of 763 makeup-free women with various skin tones between ages 20 and 80. A computer program analyzed the photos for facial contrast: a measure of how much the eyes, lips and eyebrows stand out due to differences in color, lightness or darkness with the surrounding skin.

Younger women had more facial contrast, and older women had less. Contrast especially decreased in areas around the mouth and eyebrows as women got older.

Next, the researchers Photoshopped some of the pictures, creating two nearly identical versions of each face with varying levels of contrast. They showed these photographs to volunteers and asked them to choose the younger-looking face. Almost 80% of the time, people said the high-contrast face appeared younger than the low-contrast one.

The findings were similar across a variety of ethnicities, suggesting that facial contrast—like wrinkles and changes in skin pigmentation—is truly a “cross-cultural cue” for perceiving how old a person is, the authors wrote in their paper.

MORE: Why You Should Let Someone Else Choose Your Tinder Photo

Anyone who’s ever filtered a selfie on Instagram won’t be surprised by this effect of contrast. But the findings may also help explain why people often use makeup to look younger.

The study didn’t involve makeup, so the authors say for sure that darkening features cosmetically would have the same anti-aging results as demonstrated in the study. “But the way we manipulated features in the photos was very similar to what you’d do with makeup, and I would be surprised if you couldn’t get similar effects,” says co-author Richard Russell, associate professor of psychology at Gettysburg College. “We know that lips get less red with age and eyebrows get lighter, for instance, and those are both things that you could address with makeup, if you wanted.”

The biggest surprise of all was the power of the brow. For women of all ethnicities, brow color faded with age—so darkening them may really make people look younger, the researchers say.

Though the study was only done in women, the findings likely apply to men, too. Other research suggests that the decline of facial contrast with age is not just true of women, but also true of men.

Why You Probably Shouldn't Worry About Exercising Yourself to Death

– health.com

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This article originally appeared on Time.com.

Is there such a thing as too much exercise?

A new study, published in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings, suggests that there is. Fitness diehards may have a higher-than-average risk of coronary artery calcification (CAC): a buildup of calcium in the artery walls of the heart that makes arteries less flexible and is often a harbinger of heart disease. But the vast majority of people, experts say, don’t need to worry about overdoing it.

A team of researchers, led by scientists from the University of Illinois and Kaiser Permanente, tracked the exercise habits of more than 3,000 people over 25 years. People were split into three groups based on whether they met the national physical activity guidelines (which call for 150 minutes of exercise per week), failed to reach them or exceeded them.

Surprisingly, compared to people who exercised moderately, those who hit the gym for longer than 7.5 hours per week—three times more than guidelines call for—had a 27% higher risk of developing CAC by middle age. White men in that category were particularly at risk; they had an 86% higher chance of CAC. About 40% of people who exercised the most developed any amount of calcification after 25 years.

The results may seem like a reason to eschew your evening workout. But exercise is generally good—not bad—for the heart, and people typically need more of it—not less.

“This [study] doesn’t apply to 99% of people,” says Dr. Deepak Bhatt, executive director of interventional cardiovascular services at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. “Most people are not getting into this range of exercise. The problem in the U.S. is the exact opposite, that most people are getting nowhere near the recommended amount of exercise.”

Even if hardcore exercisers do have more calcium buildup, it’s still not clear if that’s damaging the heart, says Dr. Aaron Baggish, director of the cardiovascular performance program at Massachusetts General Hospital. While the results are intriguing, the study doesn’t actually show that people with a heightened risk of CAC went on to have heart attacks or other health problems, Baggish says, and that means it’s too soon to say whether extreme exercise is actually causing heart issues.

While doctors know that calcium buildup in the hearts of sedentary people is a bad sign, Baggish says it’s not clear whether that’s true of very active people, too. The body deploys calcium to repair injuries and inflammation, so marathon runners, endurance athletes and other regular exercisers may accumulate calcium as the body recovers from stress, he says—but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s causing problems.

“Think about arthritis in your knee,” Baggish says. “If you are active, fit and healthy, you are much more likely to have good knee function later in life than if you sit around and you’re overweight and unhealthy…

Fresh Box

The One Shoulder Muscle You’re Neglecting + MORE

[brightcove:5592262608001 default] This article originally appeared on DailyBurn.com. When you do shoulder or back exercises, chances are you’ll engage your rhomboids, traps and delts. But one crucial shoulder muscle you should also be working is your serratus anterior. “It gets i.... More »

Sarah Michelle Gellar on How She Keeps Herself Motivated Every Day   + MORE

This video is part of Health's My Mantra series. Follow along with new videos on our Instagram page and share your own words of wisdom using #MantraMonday. Sarah Michelle Gellar knows what it means to be motivated. The actress become a household name in the 1990s.... More »

What's Amazon Prime Day? Everything You Need to Know About the Biggest Sale of the Year + MORE

The fourth annual Amazon Prime Day is almost here, and to say we're getting excited would be a huge understatement. Here's everything you need to know about the upcoming sale—and make sure to keep an eye on this page, as we'll continue to update it with the best deals as so.... More »

I’m Obsessed With Amazon’s Insanely Comfortable Build-Your-Own Leggings + MORE

One of the best perks of working at Health is that I'm lucky enough to test a lot of activewear. As a result, I've become very, very opinionated about leggings, and prefer different brands for different activities: supersoft Manduka leggings are my go-to for .... More »

7 Self-Care Tips That Will Make You Happier This Summer + MORE

Practicing self care is something you should be doing 365 days a year. But we get it—sometimes work, relationships, and everyday hassles take up all your free time. Now that summer is approaching, however, incorporating self-care into your routine has become a little bit easie.... More »

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5 of the Filthiest Places to Avoid on Airplaneswww.health.com
Want to Look Younger? Your Eyebrows May Be the Key, Study Sayshealth.com
Why You Probably Shouldn't Worry About Exercising Yourself to Deathhealth.com

The Super-Challenging Exercise That Helped Gal Gadot Get in ‘Wonder Woman’ Shape + MORE

When it comes to invsablend reviews there are a lot of
sources. Making sure accurate and relevant information is accessible we have
started a review blog to help inform the public. We hope this beauty review
helps to enlighten your life and encourage good health.

Khloé Kardashian's $8 Gold Mask Will Give Your Skin an Instant Radiant Glow

– health.com

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This article originally appeared on InStyle.com.

The Kardashian sisters legit have an arsenal of beauty secrets. And the latest tip comes from Khloé Kardashian. The youngest Kardashian sister seems to be a huge fan of Amazon. (Hello, two-day shipping!) And believe it or not, she discovered some awesome beauty products on the mega retailer's website.

"I've been obsessed with gold masks lately," Kardashian reveals on her app and website. She's not the only one. We've spotted so many celebrities indulging in 24-Karat masks before red-carpet events and photo shoots. Even all of the models in the Victoria's Secret Fashion show prep for the event with luxurious gold masks that costs hundreds of dollars. But there's no need to empty the ATM to experience a skin-illuminating mask. Kardashian swears by an $8 version that you can cop from Amazon. It's called the EBP Medical 24k Gold Bio-Collagen Facial Mask. "I'll give myself a facial with this collagen-infused version the night before a big shoot so that my skin is plump and moisturized," Kardashian explains.

EBP Medical 24k Gold Bio-Collagen Facial Mask

Obviously, the gold particles will boost your skin's radiance. But if you're not familiar with collagen, it's a naturally-occurring protein found throughout the body, which gives skin its firmness. As you get older, collagen production slows down. That's why you might notice a lost of elasticity and ultimately fine lines and wrinkles. But using beauty products that include the key ingredient can help slow down the process.

Thanks, Khlo-Money for another amazing beauty find. We're going to go ahead and add two to our shopping carts before it's too late.

The Super-Challenging Exercise That Helped Gal Gadot Get in ‘Wonder Woman’ Shape

– health.com

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We’re never getting over our girl crush on Gal Gadot, who reprises her role as Diana Prince/Wonder Woman in this month’s Justice League. One move that got her superstrong: push presses followed by an active rest hold. "It works your triceps, shoulders, quadriceps, glutes, and hamstrings while also helping with overall body coordination to eliminate muscle imbalances," explains Hayley Bradley, an instructor with Gym Jones, which whips Gadot and other actors into superhero shape.

How to do it: Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, holding an 8- to 10-pound dumbbell in each hand just outside shoulders, with arms bent and palms facing in. Bend knees and lower into a half squat (A), then explosively push up with legs while pressing weights up over shoulders (B); lower weights back to start. This is 1rep. Do as many as possible in 30 seconds. Next, for an active rest, rotate palms forward and extend arms up, keeping elbows close to ears (C); hold for 30 seconds. Cycle through this circuit 4 times. Do it 4 or 5 times a week for stronger, more defined arms in as little as 6 weeks.

What Are Parabens—and Do I Need to Worry About Them?

– health.com

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This article originally appeared on RealSimple.com.

Parabens have been widely used in products to prevent bacteria growth since the 1950s. “About 85 percent of cosmetics have them,” says Arthur Rich, Ph.D., a cosmetic chemist in Chestnut Ridge, New York. “They’re inexpensive and effective.” New York City dermatologist Fran E. Cook-Bolden explains, “Parabens have a long history of safe use, and that’s why they’re commonplace. New preservatives have less of a proven track record.” In fact, typically, more than one form of the ingredient is used in a product. The most common are butylparaben, methylparaben, and propylparaben. Over the last few years, however, in response to customer concerns, many brands have started to manufacture (and label) paraben-free products, including lotions, lipsticks, shampoos, scrubs, and more.

So What’s the Problem?

In the 1990s, parabens were deemed xenoestrogens―agents that mimic estrogen in the body. “Estrogen disruption” has been linked to breast cancer and reproductive issues. And in 2004 British cancer researcher Philippa Darbre, Ph.D., found parabens present in malignant breast tumors. As a result, experts in many countries are recommending limits on paraben levels in cosmetic products. What’s more, watchdog organizations worry that if parabens can be stored in the body, over time they could have a cumulative effect and pose a health risk.

But here’s the flip side: Critics of the British study point out that noncancerous tissue from healthy breasts wasn’t examined to see if parabens were also present there, and that the presence of parabens in tumors doesn’t prove that they caused the cancer. Other studies have shown parabens to have a very weak estrogenic effect. All this leads to concern about the unknown. Cook-Bolden tells her patients that “so far there’s no scientific evidence to support any link with any form of cancer.” Currently, the amount of parabens in any product is typically quite small. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the World Health Organization consider the chemicals safe at low levels.

The Bottom Line?

There’s reason to be mindful, but no reason to have an all-consuming concern about these chemicals. If it helps you rest easy, use a paraben-free body lotion (which coats a large area of skin). Today there are a number of formulas available from paraben-free brands (see below). Labels that list the preservatives as one of the last four ingredients also indicate that the chemicals are present in very small amounts, says Andrea Kane, editor of Theorganicbeautyexpert.com.

If you want to play it extremely safe, use a few oil-based organic products that don’t contain water (which calls for a preservative). They often come in dark containers with a pump so that light and air don’t degrade them quickly. “With truly natural products, just stay within their use-by date,” says Kane…

Fresh Box

A Doctor Told This Woman She Was ‘Too Fat To Run’—Here’s How She Proved Him Wrong + MORE

What would you do if you were out for a Saturday morning run, training hard for your next race, and all of a sudden a car drives by and throws a McDonald’s cup at you? What about if a group of young boys comes up behind you and smacks your butt, giggling as they run away? .... More »

Your Water Bottle Could Be Making You Sick—Here Are the Best Ways to Clean It + MORE

That trusty reusable water bottle you carry with you keeps you healthy and hydrated, but only if it’s clean. And let's face it: Most of us don’t think to clean out our water bottles. More often than not, we take that last sip, refill it, and sip some more—on repe.... More »

This Woman Is Embracing Her Beard After 14 Years of Shaving Her Face Every Day + MORE

Nova Galaxia is a vlogger who has polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal imbalance that causes an estimated 10% of women of childbearing age to have a higher proportion of male hormones. One sign of PCOS is excess facial or body hair—something she.... More »

Jennifer Lopez Shows Off Incredible Biceps as She Says She's 'Feeling Like Superwoman' + MORE

  Jennifer Lopez doesn’t need a cape to look and feel like a superhero. On Wednesday, the “El Anillo” singer, 49, showed off her buff biceps in a clingy maroon dress and silver hoop earrings on Instagram. With her hair swept back, Lopez flexed her incredible arms as.... More »

These Women Are Posing in Nothing but Glitter for a Surprisingly Powerful Reason + MORE

Your body is uniquely yours, and that’s what makes it beautiful. One Instagram account, Positively Glittered (@positivelyglittered), has found a creative (and sparkly) way to showcase that. The page features naked women of all shapes and sizes covered in the colors of the rainbow with glit.... More »

Continue Reading

Khloé Kardashian's $8 Gold Mask Will Give Your Skin an Instant Radiant Glowhealth.com
The Super-Challenging Exercise That Helped Gal Gadot Get in ‘Wonder Woman’ Shapehealth.com
What Are Parabens—and Do I Need to Worry About Them?health.com

Ashley Graham Just Explained All the Reasons Why She Exercises (None of Them Have to Do with Weight Loss) + MORE

Hair extensions and hair treatments are just one way that
Invisiblend Hair Studio helps to increase our client’s quality of life. A hair
technician or hair salon specialist is more than just a stylist, they are a
friend. A person to vent your week to, express your joy and life achievements, there
is more than just beauty when it comes to our hair stylist.

Ashley Graham Just Explained All the Reasons Why She Exercises (None of Them Have to Do with Weight Loss)

– health.com

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If you follow Ashley Graham on social media, you're no stranger to the supermodel's fit-stagrams. Graham constantly posts inspiring videos of her workouts at go-to gym The Dogpound, where she does everything from boxing to strength training.

But some of Graham's followers, or should we say trolls, are constantly hating on her exercise game. On Sunday, the body-positive activist took to Instagram to share a little known secret about her workout posts. 

"EVERYTIME [sic] after I post a workout video I get get [sic] comments like..'You'll never be skinny so stop trying,' 'Don't workout too hard, you'll get skinny,' 'You still need your fat to be a model,' 'Why would you want to loose what made you famous,'" Graham wrote in her post.

In typical Graham fashion, she shut down the haters by explaining her reasons for hitting the gym so hard. None of them have to do with losing weight; instead, "feel good," "get rid of jet lag," and "clear my head" made Graham's list. And the model knows what she's talking about, because research backs up these and other health benefits of exercise.

RELATED: Ashley Graham Shares a Bikini Hack That Will Save You From Dreaded ‘Halter Ache’

To her point about feeling good: a sweat session can boost levels of the hormones endorphins, plus reduce stress and anxiety. A 2014 study also found that hitting the gym can improve memory, since aerobic exercise was linked to an increased hippocampus, the area of the brain that controls memory function. Regular exercise keeps your heart healthy, and as Graham noted, makes your body flexible, which can improve blood circulation. 

While it's totally fine to hit the treadmill or weight rack to slim down, if weight loss isn't your objective, you're hardly alone—you have one of the world's most famous models in your corner.

Hugh Hefner Had a Drug-Resistant E. Coli Infection. Here’s What You Should Know

– www.health.com

Hugh Hefner’s cause of death has been listed as cardiac arrest (which also killed Tom Petty just days later) and respiratory failure. But the week before he died on Sept. 27 at age 91, Hefner had an E. coli infection as well as septicemia, or bacteria in the blood, according to his death certificate, PEOPLE reported.

E. coli, or Escherichia coli, bacteria live in our intestines normally, but certain strains can make us sick. Some cause diarrhea, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, and other illnesses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What makes Hefner's E. coli alarming, however, is that his death certificate listed it as resistant to antibiotics. Drug-resistant E. coli is particularly troubling because public health officials are running out of ways to treat such infections. “There are some infections that we see that are so resistant to antibiotics, we wouldn’t predict that any antibiotic would be able to work,” says Pritish K. Tosh, MD, a Mayo Clinic infectious disease physician and researcher.

Most people with an E. coli infection in the gut, which would cause diarrhea, get better after a few days of rest and extra fluids to prevent dehydration. But more serious E. coli infections may require antibiotics and could be life-threatening, says Dr. Tosh, especially if first-line antibiotics are not effective. (Dr. Tosh did not treat Hefner.) When E. Coli doesn’t respond to treatment, doctors might use older antibiotics, but those can be less effective and more toxic, he says.

RELATED: 5 Ways to Tell if You Need an Antibiotic

Think of antibiotic resistance as a survival mechanism for bacteria, Dr. Tosh explains. Bacteria developed resistance over time to drugs designed to kill them off so they could keep multiplying. But humans may be making it easier for these so-called superbugs to thrive—in part by taking more antibiotics than we need and not using them as recommended by doctors. “The more antibiotics we use, the more pressure there is on bacteria to survive,” he says. “If we aren’t taking conscious steps, we will find ourselves back in the pre-antibiotic era."

Thankfully, cases of antibiotic-resistant E. coli infections are rare, says Dr. Tosh. The bacteria, which are usually spread through contaminated food, water, or from person to person, first set up shop in the gut. In most healthy people, good gut bacteria keep the bad ones in check. But if you’re already sick or your immune system is compromised, taking antibiotics will reduce your levels of healthy gut bacteria and give drug-resistant bacteria a greater chance of surviving, thriving, and triggering serious illness, he explains.

The cause of Hefner’s E. coli infection was listed on his death certificate as unknown, according to PEOPLE. He also had septicemia, or bacteria in his blood…

Jennifer Garner Shares Her Workout for 'Turning a Mom Back into Action Lady'—and It's Intense!

– health.com

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Jennifer Garner has the formula, but she forgot one obvious ingredient: hard work!

The 45-year-old actress shared a video to Instagram documenting her extreme workout routine, which she dubbed the “Recipe for Turning A Mom Back into Action Lady.”

The remedy called for an hour workout with Body by Simone, 90 minutes of “stunt team,” 50 cups of coffee and three minutes of cryotherapy every day. For her pump-up playlist, Garner set the footage to “Canned Heat” by Jamiroquai.

“Good luck everybody!” she wished her followers.

Garner did not specify why she was kicking her fitness up a notch, but perhaps it’s for a starring role in the action film Peppermint, which Deadline describes as “John Wick, with a female protagonist.”

And all this focus on fitness comes on top of being a mom. Garner has three kids — Violet, 11, Seraphina, 8 and Samuel, 5 — with Ben Affleck. The duo broke off their 10-year marriage in June of 2015 and officially filed for divorce in April.

The actress recently posted a sleepy, makeup-free selfie from the inside of a tent, announcing that she was in the midst of a “Yes Day” — a family tradition in which the parents indulge all their kids wishes (within reason). This is the fifth year Garner has celebrated the unofficial holiday.

“You’ll never need coffee more than the day after ‘Yes Day!’ ” she captioned on Instagram. Along with a series of hashtags explaining that she and the kids had slept in a tent in the backyard. She added that “coffee” is her “Yes Day.”

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Ashley Graham Just Explained All the Reasons Why She Exercises (None of Them Have to Do with Weight Loss)health.com
Hugh Hefner Had a Drug-Resistant E. Coli Infection. Here’s What You Should Knowwww.health.com
Jennifer Garner Shares Her Workout for 'Turning a Mom Back into Action Lady'—and It's Intense!health.com

5 Band Exercises for Your Best Butt Ever + MORE

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5 Band Exercises for Your Best Butt Ever

– health.com

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This article originally appeared on DailyBurn.com.

Resistance bands are a priceless tool to have in your toning arsenal. For starters, they’re inexpensive and easy to take on the road. Even better: “They’re joint-friendly and provide a more functional movement in comparison to free weights,” says Bec Donlan, a certified personal trainer in NYC who teaches band-based classes at Bandier’s Studio B.

You can get these bands in different forms, too. Loop resistance bands — the kind that forms a circle, rather than one long strip — around your thighs or ankles during exercise. This makes them especially effective for pinpointing the muscles that make up your backside, says Donlan.

“[They] directly target your glutes, in particular your medial glute — which is a muscle that often refuses to fire for the majority of people,” explains the Australian native. “When it doesn’t activate, the muscles around it overcompensate and start doing all the work.” That can lead to imbalances (think oversized quads but a flat booty) and injuries. Whomp, whomp.

The bands also add ascending resistance to your weight room routine, meaning the exercises get tougher as you move through the full range of motion. That doesn’t happen with free weights, which give a constant resistance throughout the move. More intensity, more stability — aka efficiency at its best.

Convinced to join the band yet? Take on these five band exercises to fire up your glutes, and the rest of your lower body! We promise you’ll love the booty-toning benefits, and the strength upsides, too.

RELATED: 50 Butt Exercises to Sculpt Stronger Glutes

5 Band Exercises to Build a Stronger Butt

GIF: Mallory Creveling / Life by Daily Burn; Filmed at Bandier’s Studio B

1. Banded Side Step

This is one of the best band exercises to work your hips, abductors and the connective tissue in your legs, slashing your chance of injury. But it’s also a perfect way to prime your backside to work hard. Donlan recommends adding it to every warm-up to ensure your medial glutes fire up throughout your workout.

How to: Stand with feet hip-width apart, band around ankles and holding a dumbbell at chest height in front of you (a). Lower into a squat (b). Staying low, take one step to the right and back, then one step to the left and back for one rep (c). Do 3 sets of 20 reps.

GIF: Mallory Creveling / Life by Daily Burn; Filmed at Bandier’s Studio B

2. Deep Squat

Adding a band takes your typical squat to the next level. “Your glutes have to work seriously hard to fight against the band to ensure your knees don’t collapse,” says Donlan. Try it as a goblet squat (holding a dumbbell vertically at chest height in front of you) or as a bodyweight banded squat.

How to: Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, band around thighs right above knees (a)…

Woman Attacked By a Venomous Copperhead Snake At LongHorn Steakhouse

– www.health.com

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This article originally appeared on People.com.

A Virginia resident was bitten by a venomous snake inside a LongHorn Steakhouse before she even made it to her table.

Rachel Myrick and her family were heading into the foyer of the restaurant for dinner earlier this month when she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her foot. “My left foot felt a bee sting, a hornet sting — something similar,” Myrick told Washington’s Top News. “So, I reached down to brush my foot off to keep walking.”

Once she did so, she was bitten a second time and immediately began screaming as she dropped her cellphone, wallet, and let go of her 13-year-old son Dylan’s hand. When addressing the pain between the bites Myrick said, “[The second] was significantly more painful than the first time.”

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After she was bitten a total of three times—twice on her toes and once on the side of her foot—the 8-inch-long copperhead stayed clung onto her foot until she was able to shake free.

“I freaked out,” Myrick told Fredericksburg.com. “I got bit! I got bit!” she recalls yelling out loud.

Her boyfriend, Michael Clem, who was with her at the time, knows a fair share about snakes. “I’ve bred and raised reptiles for 15 years… there was no question what it was,” he said.

Myrick was hospitalized and administered antivenin, morphine and benadryl for the severe swelling and pain.

A spokesman for LongHorn Steakhouse, Hunter Robinson, says the restaurant believes the snake may have come from a nearby retention pond and called the incident a “highly unusual incident.”

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“We are working with our facilities team to see how this may have occurred and we are taking steps to prevent it from happening again,” he added.

Myrick estimates it will take her about three months to fully recover.

Brooks Just Released a Shoe to Help You Run Faster—and I’m Obsessed With It

– health.com

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Attention, runners! Brooks Running just dropped a completely new silhouette.

Ideal for neutral pavement pounders, the Levitate ($150; brooksrunning.com or dickssportinggoods.com) is designed to be "responsive and springy to add extra lift to your stride," helping you run faster. And according to the folks over at Brooks, this shoe was built on seven years of research. In other words, they did their due diligence.

I’ve been wear-testing the Levitate for about six weeks now, and I can honestly say that I'm in love with it—but it wasn't love at first run. My initial reaction was that it was cute, and I liked the vibrant aqua hue (they're also available in silver). The shiny detail along the side of the midsole, which I eventually learned serves a purpose (more on that later), is cool-looking too. This shoe also gets major points for its knitted upper, which hugs the foot without being restrictive, and the plush collar that offers extra cushioning around the ankle. Plus, it has lifestyle appeal, so I wouldn't hesitate to rock it around town.

After my first run, a six-miler through the streets of New York City and across the Williamsburg Bridge into Brooklyn, I thought the Levitate was just OK. I wasn't thrilled with the shoe, but I also didn't hate it.

Luckily, I decided to give them another shot. The more miles I logged, the more these shoes won me over—and I noticed it was the shorter, faster runs where they really shone. Each set of push-the-pace miles had me feeling like I was Simone Biles propelling off of the springboard right before the vault. (OK, that might be an exaggeration, but you catch my drift.)

Which brings be back to that silver side strip I mentioned earlier. I learned it acts like a gatekeeper for all that springy energy generated in every step. "It’s a thermoplastic sheet, and as the foam or polyurethane tries to dissipate or disperse, the sheet holds it in so it doesn't lose as much energy," explains Carson Caprara, Global Director of Footwear Product Line Management for Brooks Running. "It’s like a compression sleeve; it prevents some of the vibrations and prevents energy loss and pushes it right back." In other words, if you want a feel-fast runner that thrusts you forward, this is your shoe.

The bottom line? I have grown very fond of my Levitates. In fact, I can’t wait to sign up for a 5K or 4-mile race to see how they—OK, and I—perform. I’m thinking all that Levitate energy return, paired with my own adrenaline from toeing the start line, will definitely result in a PR. One caveat: For now, I’ll reserve them for distances shorter than a 10K; anything longer, and they just don't seem to have the same oomph, at least for me.

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Continue Reading

5 Band Exercises for Your Best Butt Everhealth.com
Woman Attacked By a Venomous Copperhead Snake At LongHorn Steakhousewww.health.com
Brooks Just Released a Shoe to Help You Run Faster—and I’m Obsessed With Ithealth.com