Posted by: | on January 8, 2019

1-Year-Old Boy Has the Sweetest Reaction to Meeting a Woman Missing the Same Limb as Him + MORE

Beauty and health are wonderful areas to dedicate one’s
life. We have seen the simple addition of hair with Invisablend’s hair
extensions and treatments cause an immediate increase in our client’s confidence
and life enjoyment. We encourage you to do the little things that make you feel
good and give you confidence. It will have a dynamic effect on your quality of
life.

Exotic Dancer Left with a Sagging Butt After Removing Life-Threatening Silicone Injections

– www.health.com

Ten years after getting dangerous butt injections, Tomi Conte is still dealing with the consequences.

The exotic dancer decided at 23 to get injections after feeling insecure about the size of her butt.

“I started dancing when I was in high school. I would say I was about 23 when I noticed that all of the other dancers — they all had big butts, and they were making a lot more money than me,” Conte, now 33, says in this exclusive clip from Botched.

RELATED: Why Cardi B’s Scary Butt Injection Procedure Could Actually Be Life-Threatening

After seeing a friend’s results, Conte met with a woman for illegal injections.

“My girlfriend was getting silicone injections in her butt by this lady that would fly in from Florida,” she explains. “She was a retired nurse. We met at a nice hotel. I laid down on the bed. She pulled out a huge needle and she had like, red kegger cups that she was filling up with stuff, and I asked her what it was, and she said, like, silicone, but I didn’t ask enough questions.”

RELATED: Personal Trainer Needs Help for Her Life-Threatening Illegal Butt Implants: 'It's Just Rock-Hard'

At first, the injections worked for Conte.

“At that point in my life, I was living so crazy that I thought I was invincible,” she says. “The shots hurt, but I was really happy with what I saw. The bigger my butt got, the bigger my tips got.”

RELATED: Mom of 2 Dies After Getting Butt Implants

But over time they became life-threatening, and Conte had to get them removed. But that led to more problems.

“I had silicone removed from my butt to save my life, and now you can see my butt from the front,” she says.

Conte is hopeful that Drs. Paul Nassif and Terry Dubrow can fix up the sagging skin on her butt, but for now, she’s stuck layering on clothing for a lift.

“When I work out, I put on a girdle that pulls up all the skin from the front,” she says. “Then I put on padded panties and that fills up all the dents I have on the side. Over all of that, I put on compression shorts so that I tuck in any scars that I have, and then I put my regular shorts on over that. That’s like four or five layers that I’m wearing every day.”

Botched airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. on E!

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1-Year-Old Boy Has the Sweetest Reaction to Meeting a Woman Missing the Same Limb as Him

– www.health.com

A young boy born with a congenital condition had an adorable reaction when he was introduced to a woman who shares the same limb difference as him.

On the same day that Colleen Tidd found out that her son, Joseph, would be born without a fully formed left arm, she stumbled upon the Florida chapter of the Lucky Fin Project, a support network made up of people with a variety of limb differences. Ever since then, the organization’s community has been a source of help for Colleen and her husband as they raise now 15-month-old Joseph, along with their two older daughters.

RELATED: I Lost a Leg After My Helicopter Crashed in Afghanistan. Sports Helped Me Get My Life Back

“I found their website and Facebook page and it just brought this sense of comfort,” Tidd, 28, tells PEOPLE. “I realized, ‘Hey, I have a community here.’ “

As Tidd formed friendships with the local members of the group, she soon discovered that many of them had never met in person, so she organized an October meet-up near her home in Orlando that was attended by nearly a dozen families.

“It was just a great sense of comfort, not only for Joseph but for us as a family, to see everyone else in person,” Tidd says of the gathering. “And we wanted to show Joseph that, hey, he will be able to do anything.”

RELATED: Mom Who Found Cancerous Tumor During Pedicure Runs 5k Just 6 Months After Foot Amputation

Colleen and Joseph Tidd/Colleen Tidd

During the meet-up, Colleen and Joseph met 34-year-old Amy Alamillo Siesel, who was also born with an underdeveloped right arm.

“I was bullied quite a bit and constantly inundated with questions about my arm,” Siesel, from Seminole, Florida, tells PEOPLE. “I struggled with insecurity. As I became an adult, however, I gained a newfound confidence in who I felt God made me to be. I began to embrace my limb difference and love the lessons it taught me, hard as some of them were.”

It was at the gathering that day that Siesel and Joseph’s paths crossed for the first time — and in a touching video of their introduction, Amy is seen reaching out to Joseph to give him a “fist-bump,” before the young boy lunges toward to give her a big hug instead after he noticed their similarities.

“He wasn’t feeling well that day and he didn’t want anyone to touch them the whole time, until he fist-bumped with Amy and realized like, ‘Wow, she looks like me,’ ” Tidd recalls. “This meetup was originally more for me than it was for him since he’s so young, but for him to have realized that he has someone that’s like him — it just hit. It was comforting.”

RELATED: Man Who Lost His Leg to Childhood Cancer Creates Unique Halloween Costumes

The Tidd Family/Colleen Tidd

Siesel — who is also mom to a 3-year-old son — was all smiles as Joseph laid his head on her shoulder and quickly became comfortable with his new friend…

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Prepping for a Destination Race? Here’s What You Need to Know

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Exotic Dancer Left with a Sagging Butt After Removing Life-Threatening Silicone Injections – www.health.com
1-Year-Old Boy Has the Sweetest Reaction to Meeting a Woman Missing the Same Limb as Him – www.health.com

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Posted by: | on January 1, 2019

11 New Year's Resolutions for Body Acceptance + MORE

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How to Make Your Resolutions Last All Year

– www.health.com

[brightcove:4874680281001 default]

Did you resolve to make a change this year? Whether your goal was to eat healthier, run a marathon, or finally start meditating, keep those shiny new resolutions and avoid backsliding with these proven strategies from Gretchen Rubin, author of Better Than Before: What I Learned About Making and Breaking Habits—to Sleep More, Quit Sugar, Procrastinate Less, and Generally Build a Happier Life ($16; amazon.com).

RELATED: If You’re Going to Make One Diet Change in 2018, Make It This One

1. Name it

Aiming to be fitter or healthier is a laudable goal, but what does that mean? "Choose a goal that is concrete and measurable and tied to an actual behavior," says Rubin. Examples: You want to be more active, so you’ll walk your dog every morning in the park. You want to eat better, so you’ll snack on fruit instead of chips.

2. Know yourself

Ask, "What kind of person am I, really?" If you’re not a morning person, don’t resolve to wake up at 5 a.m. to go to the gym before work—that approach is not only unrealistic, it’s going to fail fast. Rubin suggests recalling past successes to clue you in to what will work for you.

RELATED: How to Make Over Your Worst Health Habits

3. Plan for failure

Things are bound to go wrong along the way (you’ll attend a party and be surrounded by to-die-for cupcakes, say). The key is to anticipate those challenges and make an if-then plan, notes Rubin. For instance, tell yourself: "If there are cupcakes at this party, then I’ll take one, relish every bite and walk away."

4. Show yourself some love

"When you feel energized and cared for, it’s easier to resist temptation," says Rubin. So beyond basic self-care, make sure you’re regularly treating yourself in healthy (i.e., not food- or shopping related) ways: Do a crossword puzzle when you drink your coffee, or burn a scented candle.

RELATED: 13 Weight Loss Resolutions You Shouldn't Make

5. Reframe it

People sometimes feel "done" when they achieve their goal, says Rubin. "Don’t think of it as a finish line. Consider it just one milestone out of many," she says. Think about how you can build on your original goal so you have a new target to shoot for—even before you reach the first one. That way, the good-for-you momentum will carry on

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The Secret to This Woman's Fitness Transformation Was Changing Why She Exercises

– health.com

Emily Ricketts had a major weight loss transformation, but she wants her followers to know it didn't come from a place of self-hatred. Just the opposite: Ricketts says that it was learning to love her body that sparked the dramatic change.

In a before-and-after Instagram post, Ricketts explained that there was another difference between the two photos other than weight loss. She wrote that in the earlier photo, she was fueled by hate, while in the recent photo she was motivated by love. "Love gets you up at 6am for that workout not because you’ll feel bad if you don’t but because you’ll feel damn good if you do," she wrote. "Love let’s you enjoy food without guilt. Love doesn’t have a size. It isn’t a number—on the scale, in your jeans. It’s a feeling, a mindset, a motivation. Hate? That gets you nowhere."

RELATED: How to Wake Up Early for a Morning Workout, According to Women Who Do It at 4 A.M.

RELATED: How to Motivate Yourself to Go to the Gym on Cold, Dark Days

In an earlier post, Ricketts revealed that shifting her mindset from aiming to be skinny to aiming to be strong also helped. "The secret? I’ve stopped using food as a reward and exercise as a punishment," she wrote in the caption. "I challenge and cherish my body in equal measures. I work out because it makes me feel GOOD, not because it’ll make me feel BAD if I don’t." (Here are 15 more transformations that will inspire you to start lifting weights.)

As Ricketts' photos suggest, there's often more to a #transformationtuesday post than meets the eye. (Same goes for Anna Victoria's 5-year transformation and Katie Willcox's "freshman 25" photo) Regardless of your weight-loss goals, for anyone looking to get started on a health journey in 2019, Ricketts' advice is solid. Starting from a place of self-love, rather than self-hate, and working out to feel good (rather than torturing yourself with classes you loathe) is always the way to go in our book.

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This article originally appeared on Shape.com

11 New Year's Resolutions for Body Acceptance

– www.health.com

I quit dieting at age 28 after realizing that it made my body image and eating issues worse. But after the birth of my second child—with a decade of solid body acceptance and recovery from binge eating disorder under my belt—I thought I was strong enough to dip my toe into dietland again. 

Wrong. Dieting's focus on weight and food-tracking brought my body troubles and binge eating zooming back, along with even more extra pounds. I’ve put diets in my rearview mirror again, and with New Year's resolution season upon us, I'm glad to say I'm resolving not to go on any weight-loss plan.

If you're tired of starting January 1 by launching a diet and judging yourself by what you do or don't eat and what the bathroom scale says, consider one of these 12 body acceptance resolutions instead. They'll set you up for a healthier, happier 2019.

RELATED: 10 Body Positive Moments of 2018 That Were Major Wins for All Women

Clean up your social media feeds

Before-and-after pictures bragging about drastic weight loss. Celebs flashing their abs while hawking “detox” teas. Fitspo. Some say these types of social-media posts are motivational. But they encourage unhelpful comparisons, body shame, and unhealthy dieting practices in many people. Resolve to unfollow or mute any person or brand that fosters a dieting mentality or makes you feel bad about your body. For healthier attitudes and body diversity, follow yoga star Jessamyn Stanley and supermodel Ashley Graham.

Ignore body-type fashion advice and start wearing what you love

Like most women, you probably have some item of clothing you really want to wear, but you hide it in the back of your closet because fashion advice experts have convinced you it's unflattering for your size or shape. Thing is, if you're in a velvet jumpsuit kind of mood, who cares if your butt looks big—and why is bigger bad, anyway? Who are you dressing for, yourself or some judgmental stylist?

In dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), this is called “acting opposite to shame,” and it can change the way you feel about yourself in an instant. Put on that horizontal-striped turtleneck or clingy sweater dress one morning and give it a try.

Quit forcing yourself to eat what you don’t like

 Yes, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are good for you, and yes, they're part of a balanced plate. But that doesn’t mean you have to stuff your favorite pasta dish full of extra broccoli if it ruins the taste, or you need to pour chia seeds in your smoothie if you don’t actually like them. Eating out of guilt (“I should do this”) increases stress and takes pleasure out of eating, which sets the stage for feelings of rebellion and overeating later on, says Dana Notte, RD, lead dietician at Green Mountain at Fox Run, a wellness and healthy eating retreat in Vermont…

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Surgeon Will Pay $3,000 Fine for Removing Kidney He Mistakenly Thought Was a Tumor + MORE

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How to Make Your Resolutions Last All Year – www.health.com
The Secret to This Woman's Fitness Transformation Was Changing Why She Exercises – health.com
11 New Year's Resolutions for Body Acceptance – www.health.com

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Posted by: | on December 25, 2018

The One Squat Variation You Need to Be Doing for a Perkier Butt + MORE

Beauty and health are wonderful areas to dedicate one’s
life. We have seen the simple addition of hair with Invisablend’s hair
extensions and treatments cause an immediate increase in our client’s confidence
and life enjoyment. We encourage you to do the little things that make you feel
good and give you confidence. It will have a dynamic effect on your quality of
life.

The One Squat Variation You Need to Be Doing for a Perkier Butt

– health.com

Squats are to leg day as sheet masks are to #selfcaresunday: essential. As many face mask options as there are in the world, there might be even more variations of the classic booty-building move. There are goblet squats, sumo squats, barbell back squats, jump squats, and loads more. Trust us, squats aren't going anywhere soon—but there’s one variation your routine may be missing.

Enter: The Bulgarian split squat—also referred to as the rear foot elevated split squat or just simply a split squat. “Bulgarian split squats are one of the best movements for developing glute, quad, hamstring, and core strength because it’s a unilateral exercise—meaning that it works and strengthens one leg at a time,” certified personal trainer Quianna Camper, a trainer with RSP Nutrition, tells Health.

Why is unilateral leg training such a big deal? According to physical therapist and certified strength and conditioning specialist Grayson Wickham, founder of Movement Vault, it comes down to compensation. “Most people are not perfectly symmetrical. So their right leg or glute might be stronger than the left, which means when you do a normal squat, the stronger side will compensate," he says. "Single-leg exercises like the split squat can help fix those muscle imbalances by developing that lower-body and core strength symmetrically.” Some research even suggests that unilateral exercises are more effective for building strength than bilateral movements like the standard squat. (Talk about upgrading your leg day).

RELATED: 6 Ways to Upgrade a Basic Squat

Because you need to activate your core during Bulgarian split squats in order to keep your chest upright, Camper says, “they also help you build core strength, and the benefit of that is that it improves your overall balance and stability.” Translation: Add Bulgarian split squats to your routine and you’ll sculpt a peach, strengthen your quads and core, and decrease risk of falling (and therefore injury) as you age.

Ready to feel the booty burn? Below, Wickham and Camper walk you through how to do a Bulgarian split squat, plus a few variations of the super-effective single-leg move.

How to do a Bulgarian split squat

Start standing with your feet hip-width apart, facing away from a box, bench, or chair that is no higher than your knees. Extend your left leg back and put the top of your foot (aka laces down) on the box. If this is uncomfortable on your left ankle, you may want to pad your left ankle with a yoga mat or towel. Then, readjust your right leg so that you're standing 12–24 inches in front of the box, hips squared forward. This is your starting position.

When you’re ready to begin, tuck your tailbone, engage your core, and draw your shoulders back. Keeping your chest up, lower your hips into a front lunge position by bending your right knee and dropping your left knee straight to the ground…

The 7 Best Home Treadmills You'll Actually Want to Use

– health.com

The new year is the perfect time to finally set up that home gym you've been wanting—and when it comes to at-home workouts, a good treadmill is pretty much essential. Rain or shine, a treadmill will make it easy to get your steps in (no excuses!). Whether you're after the latest high-tech features or would be content with a more basic, budget-friendly model, these are the best treadmills in every price range for 2019.

Treadmills under $3,500

• 3G Cardio Elite Runner Treadmill ($3,399; amazon.com). Pricey? Yes. But serious runners will love this treadmill, which is truly gym-quality. Features like an Ortho Flex Shock suspension system, 4.0 HP motor, large 22"x62" running platform, and amazing 10-year warranty make it one of the best out there. Plus, you can get free assembly when you purchase on Amazon right now.

Treadmills under $2,000

• Nautilus T618 Treadmill ($1,229, marked down from $2,199; amazon.com). As far as treadmill discounts go, this is a big one. Not only is the Nautilus T618 40% off on Amazon right now, but you can also get free expert assembly (an $83 value). This model has tons of bells and whistles, including 15% motorized incline, dual backlit LCD display, 20"x60" belt, and Bluetooth connectivity with the Nautilus Trainer 2 app. If you're the competitive type, you can even sync your workout to the RunSocial App to "run" different routes with other users in real time.

• ProForm Pro 2000 Treadmill ($1,219; walmart.com). The ProForm Pro 2000 has a seriously impressive console system. Think: 32 workout settings, 7" backlit display with all your stats, iFit technology, and a built-in EKG heart rate monitor. More than 200 five-star reviews don't hurt either.

Treadmills under $1,000

• Gold's Gym Trainer 720 Treadmill with Power Incline ($599; walmart.com). A Walmart exclusive, this Gold's Gym treadmill offers impressive functionality for the price. There are 18 different one-button workout apps, LED display, a sound system for your music, and a roomy 20"x55" tread belt. Also good? AirStride Cushioning (your joints will thank you), a built-in fan, and incline up to 10%.

• NordicTrack T 6.5 S Treadmill ($599; amazon.com). NordicTrack treadmills are incredibly popular for good reason: They're a trusted brand and a great value. This model is no exception. It's chock-full of features to let you customize your workout experience, including 20 built-in workouts, a console sound system, and access to iFit (plus you'll get a free one-month trial membership). And like the Gold's Gym treadmill, it has a 20"x55" tread belt, which is pretty spacious for the price.

Treadmills under $500

• Confidence Power Trac Pro 735W ($230; amazon.com). It's hard to beat a treadmill under $300, and this affordable model still makes it easy to fit in a serious cardio session…

10 Body-Positivity Moments of 2018 That Were Major Wins for All Women

– www.health.com

Pop the champagne and throw the confetti, it’s time to celebrate. The body-positive movement had some major wins in 2018, from #AerieREAL giving body hair a public platform to plus-size models taking over Times Square. We've rounded up 10 of the most badass body-positivity moments of 2018—so you can relive the top power moves of the year.

RELATED: These Plus-Size Models Set Up a Body-Positive Runway in Times Square in Response to the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

Tess Holliday enjoyed tub time with her young son

We can always count on Tess Holliday to keep it real on Instagram, but her standout post from the year showed her son, Bowie, in the bathtub interrupting her alone time in the bathtub. It's an unguarded moment not everyone would be comfortable posting on social media, yet Holliday had no problem putting it out there. “This photo isn’t ‘flattering’, but I don’t care,” she wrote. “I’m proud of my body, & what it’s capable of & how funny & ridiculous my life/motherhood is.”

Sarah Hyland showed off her surgery scar

Sarah Hyland has never been shy about sharing details of her health issues on social media—especially her kidney transplant scar. In July, the Modern Family actress posted a photo of herself in a bikini while on vacation in Mexico. Look closely; you can see the scar on her abdomen. Hyland had the surgery in 2012 due to a condition called kidney dysplasia.

An #AerieREAL model flaunted her armpit hair

Everyone can agree #AerieREAL is taking home the body-positivity crown this year. The campaign has featured a model in a wheelchair, another with alopecia, and even a woman flaunting armpit hair. She also has braces, something so many young women can relate to but are rarely seen in ads.

Chrissy Teigen clapped back at a hater who criticized her weight

Chrissy Teigen looked absolutely stunning in a silver ensemble at the 2018 Emmy Awards. But while most of her fans were fawning over her style, one lowly Twitter user chimed in with this gem: "I’m asking this with the utmost respectful [sic], but is @chrissyteigen pregnant again?" Teigen isn’t afraid to put haters in their place, and she didn't waste any time doing so. "I just had a baby but thank you for being soooo respectful,” she wrote from her seat at the Emmys. You tell ‘em, girl.

Kylie Jenner's scar graced the cover of a magazine

Kylie Jenner’s scar was front and center on the August cover of GQ. “What’s the biggest scar on my body?” Jenner asked her partner, Travis Scott, in a video at the cover shoot, quizzing him on how well he knows her. Scott had no trouble getting the answer right. “The biggest scar? On your leg,” he replied. Jenner has never tried to hide her the jagged line on her leg, and really, why should she?

J…

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The biggest legging trend for 2019 will look pretty familiar to anyone who lived in Adidas track pants back in the '90s. Workout tights that take a cue from the brand's iconic tri-color side stripe are everywhere right now. And while the original is still cool, we're also seein.... More »

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Blake Lively Just Revealed the Exact Beauty Products She Uses Every Day + MORE

Blake Lively not only serves total inspiration for our wardrobes (chic pantsuits, anyone?) but also for our daily makeup look (hello, natural glow!). And if you're blonde, you've probably shown a picture of the star to your colorist, trying to mimic her gold, Rapunzel-li.... More »
 

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The One Squat Variation You Need to Be Doing for a Perkier Butt – health.com
The 7 Best Home Treadmills You'll Actually Want to Use – health.com
10 Body-Positivity Moments of 2018 That Were Major Wins for All Women – www.health.com

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Posted by: | on December 18, 2018

I Tried a Lash Lift—and It Gave Me The Lashes of My Dreams + MORE

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I Tried a Lash Lift—and It Gave Me The Lashes of My Dreams

– health.com

Is lash envy a thing? Because I definitely have it. The same way some people might lust over another woman's hair or plump lips, I can't help but stare at a full, fluttery pair of lashes. I wasn't born with Disney princess eyelashes—you know what I'm talking about, from Ariel to Jasmine, they all peek through perfectly framed lids—and I've never been happy with how my lashes looked, especially without mascara. But then I finally came across the perfect solution for long, dark lashes that I feel confident in every day—even without makeup.

I wasn't the type to seek eyelash extensions out. The thought of getting them had never really crossed my mind until it became the beauty industry's worst-kept secret and every editor I knew had them. So, obviously, I hopped on board, too. I went to Envious Lashes in New York City for the first time and tried out a relatively natural set, and immediately it changed the way I looked and felt about my appearance. I was hooked. Over time, I went more dramatic with my fringe and dreaded the day that I would need to take a break from my extensions for the health of my lashes. I'm still a big fan of extensions, but in the long run, they weren't for me because of the maintenance. Going every two to three weeks for a fill-in didn't fit into my schedule, and I had to kiss my precious extensions good-bye.

Though my lashes were healthy post-extensions, they weren't as full or long as I'd grown accustomed to with them on. I'd compare it to walking around in heels for an extended period of time and loving the way your legs look, only to take them off and feel stocky with your new flat feet. So, I turned to a lash growth serum. I've raved about it before—because it really is that good—but after a few weeks of using Rodan and Fields Enhancements Lash Boost ($150; rodanandfields.com), I could already see the difference in my lashes. But then it dawned on me that maybe they should be darker…that's where the tint comes in.

In perusing Blink's menu, I saw that they offered a tint and perm (also referred to as a lift) for $90 at their Saks Fifth Avenue location in New York City. After a little research, I thought, "Hey, this could be it." I made an appointment and went for it. The specialist complimented the length of my own lashes and explained to me that although they were already pretty dark, their blue-black solution would add some extra oomph. I was psyched!

I removed my eye makeup thoroughly and she applied the dye with a protective sticker under my eye so that nothing would get in. This part took about 15 minutes, and then it was time for the lift. I could see a slight difference with the dye, but it wasn't as drastic as I had thought (in my mind, the tips of my lashes were super light and that's why they didn't show up, but that wasn't the case)…

The New Year's Resolutions I'm Making for Healthier Hair and Glowing Skin

– health.com

As a beauty editor, you'd think I would have my beauty game in check. In a lot of areas I do—but I’m also human, so my makeup brushes go far too long between cleanings and I don't always remove my makeup before I work out. This year though, those things will change. Join me with beauty resolutions of your own. Dry-brushing, anyone? (I’m not there yet either; maybe next year.)

Clean my makeup brushes once a week

Every Friday I think of my weekend ahead and get this delightful feeling that I’ll have time to wash my makeup brushes—finally! I am an avid makeup-wearer, so I have a collection of about six brushes that I use daily. I’m aware of the product buildup, not to mention oil and dead skin that ends up trapped in the bristles, and yet I still fall short and end up not bathing my brushes as frequently as I ought to. This year, I commit to using my yet-to-be-opened BrushPearl and to pop the top on my Real Techniques Deep Cleansing Gel, which smells so yummy that it’s almost an incentive to suds up.

RELATED: 4 Major Signs It's Time to Replace Your Makeup Brushes

Mask on Sundays (or at least one night a week)

After a really good spin class, I dream of getting home to shower and throw on a sheet mask to relax (really, what’s a better way to wind down after some killer cardio?). Then I get home and I’m sucked into an endless cycle of watching TV with my roommate—why don’t I just shower and then mask while I binge watch? Good question. That’s why it’s on my list, and I think I’ll have my roommate mask with me, making the ritual all the more fun to do. My fave: Dr. Jart+ Water Replenishment Cotton Sheet Mask.

Use cuticle oil and hand cream every night

I preach about how our hands are one of the first places to show our age, and yet I pick my cuticles and let my digits get dry and cracked. I’ve been told by several manicurists that cuticle oil not only improves the appearance of your nails, but helps them grow, too. I really have no excuse because the TenOverTen Rose Cuticle Oil Pen makes it so easy to apply; I’ll be leaving that baby right next to my bed along with the Filorga Hand Cream. I’m addicted to its spa-like aroma, plus it packs anti-aging superstars like hyaluronic acid and collagen.

Remove my makeup before I work out

As bad as it is not to, there are just some nights after work when the last thing I want to do is wash my face in addition to working out—they’re both things I need to talk myself into doing in the first place. But every time I don’t wash my face and allow the makeup from my day to remain intact as I sweat, I wind up with a face full of blackheads, or worse, the first signs of a cystic pimple brewing deep below my skin’s surface. So to not hate myself each time this happens, I’m going to be relying on my trusty Glov On-The-Go Makeup Remover. To use, slip the microfiber pouch onto your finger, add water, and then wipe your makeup away—no cleanser necessary…

NBA Dancer Claims She Was Given a 'Jiggle Test' as Others Recall Developing Eating Disorders

– www.health.com

Fifteen women, all of whom are former NBA dancers, are speaking out about what they call a “decades-long culture of brainwashing.”

Detailing claims of body shaming and the perpetuation of an unhealthy body image, the women came forward with their past incidents, telling Yahoo! Lifestyle about their experiences as entertainers in franchises including the Milwaukee Bucks, San Antonio Spurs, Phoenix Suns, Charlotte Hornets, Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, Atlanta Hawks and Orlando Magic.

RELATED: Women Strip Down to Their Underwear to Protest Outside Victoria's Secret Store in London

Lauren Herington, formerly a one-year member of the Bucks Dancers, alleged her coach said she thought Herington looked “questionable” weight-wise and had instructed her to put on the team’s spandex uniform in order to perform a “jiggle test” in front of the team. Herington was 18 years old.

“She’d come up and grab underneath my butt or the side of my belly. She’d be like, ‘Lose 5 lbs. by tomorrow and you’ll be fine,’ ” Herington told Yahoo! Lifestyle.

Her comments come three years after she brought a class-action lawsuit against the Bucks in 2015. In her suit, she alleged that the dancers were paid as little as $3-$4 an hour after covering costs of required beauty routines, like spray tans and manicures.

At that time, Herington told The Guardian that weight restrictions set by the dance team left her “dehydrating and starving” herself to fit into her uniform.

RELATED: These Plus-Size Models Set Up a Body-Positive Runway in Times Square in Response to the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

The Bucks eventually settled Herington’s suit, paying a total of $250,000 in lost wages to 40 dancers. In a statement to Yahoo! Lifestyle, the Bucks said they take all of the allegations “very seriously” but “have found no evidence to support these claims.”

In a statement to PEOPLE, Bucks’ Senior Vice President of Communications Barry Baum tells PEOPLE: “We treat our dancers with the utmost respect and professionalism and value their contributions as ambassadors of our team on and off the court. We are committed to ensuring that all of our employees have a safe and welcoming environment. In recent years we have made improvements to our dancers’ compensation plan to ensure that we pay our dancers fairly. We have the highest regard for our dancers and consider them an important part of our organization.”

RELATED: Cassey Ho Created a Timeline of "Ideal Body Types" to Illustrate the Ridiculousness of Beauty Standards

As Herington continues to speak out, others are coming forward publicly for the first time.

Many of those who spoke with Yahoo! Lifestyle also described facing regular weigh-ins and body-fat assessments or “weight probation” or “weight warning” as consequences for appearing to be over a “goal weight…

Fresh Box

The Exact Skincare Products Victoria Beckham Uses Every Day for Glowing Skin + MORE

She's a fashion and beauty icon, retired member of the Spice Girls, wife to soccer hunk David Beckham, and is known for her serious smirk and stylish lob. What we really want to know, though, is how Victoria Beckham always has such a dewy complexion, wheth.... More »

Blake Lively Just Revealed the Exact Beauty Products She Uses Every Day + MORE

Blake Lively not only serves total inspiration for our wardrobes (chic pantsuits, anyone?) but also for our daily makeup look (hello, natural glow!). And if you're blonde, you've probably shown a picture of the star to your colorist, trying to mimic her gold, Rapunzel-li.... More »

Julia Roberts Got a Gorgeous New Haircut That Everyone Is Freaking Out About + MORE

Julia Roberts just got a major hair refresh — and we’re loving it. The Academy Award-winning actress, 51, chopped her signature long waves into a textured shoulder-length lob that the internet can’t get enough of. With the help of longtime hairstylist Serge Normant, Rober.... More »

The On Cloudflow Running Shoes Are so Lightweight, You’ll Think You’re Barefoot + MORE

For the longest time, I assumed that supportive, comfortable running shoes built to withstand long distances and trail runs also had to be a bit clunky, heavy, and more closely resembling dad sneakers than sleek athletic shoes. But the new Cloudflow running shoes from popular Swiss brand On comp.... More »

Everything You Need to Know About HIIPA: The Exercise Trend for People Who Don’t Have Time to Work Out

Let’s face it: On some days, you just don't have the time to spend a full hour clocking miles on the treadmill or pumping weights at the squat rack. You already have one thousand other things on your to-do list, and unfortunately, working out doesn’t always make the cut. We g.... More »
 

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I Tried a Lash Lift—and It Gave Me The Lashes of My Dreams – health.com
The New Year's Resolutions I'm Making for Healthier Hair and Glowing Skin – health.com
NBA Dancer Claims She Was Given a 'Jiggle Test' as Others Recall Developing Eating Disorders – www.health.com

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Posted by: | on December 11, 2018

10 Beauty Trends That Will Be Huge in 2019, According to Pinterest + MORE

Beauty and health are wonderful areas to dedicate one’s life. We have seen the simple addition of hair with Invisablend’s hair extensions and treatments cause an immediate increase in our client’s confidence and life enjoyment. We encourage you to do the little things that make you feel good and give you confidence. It will have a dynamic effect on your quality of life.

The Life Motto Hannah Bronfman Lives By

– health.com

There’s no shortage of talk about mindfulness. In fact, a growing amount of research is exploring the connection between our brains and our bodies. Whether or not Hannah Bronfman knows it, the catchphrase that the HBFIT founder lives by is at the core of this way of thinking.

“My personal mantra would be, ‘Mind right, body tight,’" Bronfman tells Health. "And that is because I think a lot of people lose sight of why they work out, and for me it is more of a mind-body connection. So that kind of reminds me that it’s not just about the physical, it’s about the mental as well.”

Clearly Bronfman’s brain is in alignment with her frame because her workouts—from one-legged deadlifts while balancing on a slam ball to prowler pushes to yoga—have been yielding some pretty awesome results. But she wasn’t always as dialed in as she is now. It was a tragedy in her life that may have launched the change in her perspective.

RELATED: 5 Fitness Influencers Share the Words They Live By

“My grandmother actually became very sick when I was 19 and it was actually because she had battled with anorexia her whole life, and so she basically got to a point in her life where her body could no longer support her,” Bronfman told us at a launch event for her book Do What Feels Good, which hits bookshelves in January. “When she passed away, that was a huge eye-opening experience for me to not only lead my happiest and healthiest version of myself."

She also hopes that other women "realize that these types of issues that I had seen as a little girl—if you don’t get that under control and change that conversation with yourself—these are thoughts and feelings that will stay with you your whole life, and, ultimately, could lead to your demise, like my grandmother.”

Intimate and personal stories like this—along with recipes, DIY beauty, and healthy-living advice—are all things that have helped Bronfman on her overall wellness journey, and she includes them in her book. She also wants to get one more point across. 

“This book is not a how-to, it’s not a diet book, it’s not a manual on how to be like me… This is all the information that has gotten me through. It has changed the way I thought about myself, changed the way I have conversations about myself, and taught me a lot about how I feel, and so this knowledge is to help everyone on their journey of self-discovery.”

Bravo Bronfman. Bravo.

10 Beauty Trends That Will Be Huge in 2019, According to Pinterest

– health.com

So many unexpected beauty trends—from flannel hair to cleansing oils to jade rollers—took 2018 by storm. But believe it or not, 2019 is going to be jam-packed with even more glitz and glamour. Can you handle it? Pinterest, a destination for self-care inspiration, just released their list of the top beauty trends they predict will be huge in the upcoming year. Scroll for a first look into the trends you'll be seeing over the next twelve months. We're already pinning our favorites!

The trend: Bakuchiol

Buzzy skincare superhero bakuchiol (pronounced "back-uh-heel") is a natural, gentler alternative to retinol that can help prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve pigmentation, and boost firmness. For sensitive skin, we love Biossance Squalane + Phyto-Retinol Serum ($78; sephora.com), a lightweight formula that packs the benefits of retinol without irritating skin. We're also fans of Olehenriksen Goodnight Glow Retin-ALT Sleeping Crème ($55; sephora.com), which works to exfoliate and hydrate to fight signs of aging while you snooze.

The trend: Standout pouts

Kiss your clear glosses and nude lip colors buh-bye! Vivacious, statement lips are gaining momentum for 2019, and why not? A colorful pout is a quick, stylish way to amp up a bare-faced look with a pop of color for the office or happy hour. A favorite among Health editors, Milk Makeup Lip Color ($22; sephora.com) promises a bold, punchy demi-matte kisser. If you're color indecisive, the Bareminerals Go Bold or Go Bare Kit ($18; sephora.com) has a trio of liquid matte lipsticks that deliver high pigment color without drying out your lips.

The trend: 50 shades of gray

If you've been on the fence on growing out your gray hair, this just might be the year to commit, since natural, silver locks are trending for 2019. Already rocking your grays? Keep your tresses healthy and shiny by using a sulfate-free shampoo, like wallet-friendly Aveeno Pure Renewal Shampoo with Seaweed Extract ($6; amazon.com). If you're not quite ready to ditch the dye and embrace your grays, that's OK, too! There are a ton of amazing beauty products that will keep your color-treated hair looking its very best. Our pick is Olaplex Hair Perfector ($28; amazon.com), a once-a-week treatment to repair damaged hair and broken bonds. Just comb the product through your hair from roots to ends and let it sit for 10 minutes before rinsing.

The trend: Baby bangs

While saying adios to another year can be bittersweet, charging into the new year with a fresh start is exciting. Debut a new you and a new 'do in 2019 with cropped bangs a la Audrey Hepburn. Super short fringe is seriously trending for the new year, and bangs look great on just about anyone…

Women Strip Down to Their Underwear to Protest Outside Victoria's Secret Store in London

– www.health.com

The backlash in response to the controversial comments made by a Victoria’s Secret marketing exec is not slowing down.

In another blow to the store’s rep, demonstrators gathered on Thursday outside one of the lingerie giant’s London stores. The protest — a collaboration between Love Disfigure, an advocacy group which calls for more diversity across industries, and Nunude, a clothing brand with similar values — were calling for more visibility of different body types in fashion, starting with the Victoria’s Secret runway. Despite the chilly temperatures, the women were wearing only nude sports bras and underwear.

RELATED: These Plus-Size Models Set Up a Body-Positive Runway in Times Square in Response to the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

The participants, who branded themselves “the fallen angels,” also carried signs for the event.

“We want diversity for all brands,” read one.

“Our bodies matter too,” said another.

“Fighting for equality at Victoria’s Secret,” stated a third.

RELATED: Halsey Has 'No Tolerance' for Victoria's Secret's Lack of Diversity After Performing in the Show

Both Love Disfigure and Nunude posted pictures on their Instagram accounts commemorating the big day.

“It’s not just about body diversity or skin,” the caption of one Nunude photo explained. “It’s about every single difference! We are all loved and we are all beautiful.”

“Amazing day shared with my lovely friends #FallenAngels Campaigning for Diversity in the Fashion Industry,” Love Disfigure wrote. “We marched into Victoria’s Secret and stripped down to our … underwear shouting that we want diversity on our runways. Then we found ourselves in the middle of Oxford street calling for change.”

RELATED: ThirdLove Responds to That Inflammatory Victoria's Secret Interview with an Open Letter to the Brand

RELATED: Rihanna Low-Key Threw Shade at the Victoria's Secret Exec Who Said the Brand Won't Cast Trans or Plus-Size Models

In another post, the group professed, “When people look at us and think we are craving for attention because we eat too much, they are clearly blind to what is happening out there. We have become so used to seeing one body image that we find it difficult to open up our minds to want to see others.”

Victoria’s Secret reps did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

In November, after the 2018 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show was filmed, L Brands (the parent company of Victoria’s Secret) chief marketing officer Ed Razek sparked controversy when he addressed some of the criticism the brand has faced over the years for its lack of inclusivity.

“Shouldn’t you have transsexuals in the show? No. No, I don’t think we should…

Fresh Box

Tight on Workout Space? Try This Body-Weight Circuit for Small Spaces

As the weather warms, it’s easy to start slacking on your workouts—but fitting in exercise is worth it. So we’re here to help with this body-weight routine that can be done in a small space (hello, tiny hotel room). “It involves strength and stability, and gets your heart.... More »

5 Easy Barbell Exercises for Beginners + MORE

Cardio is great—in fact, it’s a must. But there’s another beneficial component to physical fitness that many women are ignoring: weight lifting. And we’re not just talking about picking up those little 2-pound weights and doing a few bicep curls (though there’s noth.... More »

Watch Jennifer Lopez Leg Press Nearly 300 Pounds Like It's Nothing + MORE

If you thought Jennifer Lopez accepting Alex Rodriguez's marriage proposal mid-leg extensions would be her best gym moment this week, think again. Lopez is back with another look at her workouts, this time showing everyone how leg presses are done. Lopez posted a video to Insta.... More »

This Woman Shared Her Cystic Acne Transformation and the Quick Fix That Actually Worked + MORE

If you're tuned into skin-care forums, then you know that the brand Drunk Elephant has a wide stan base. People are loving the fact that the products' ingredient lists are stacked with acids, peptides, vitamins, etc., but free of what the company calls the "Suspicious 6." .... More »

1-Year-Old Boy Has the Sweetest Reaction to Meeting a Woman Missing the Same Limb as Him + MORE

A young boy born with a congenital condition had an adorable reaction when he was introduced to a woman who shares the same limb difference as him. On the same day that Colleen Tidd found out that her son, Joseph, would be born without a fully formed left arm, she stumbled upon the Florida ch.... More »
 

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The Life Motto Hannah Bronfman Lives By – health.com
10 Beauty Trends That Will Be Huge in 2019, According to Pinterest – health.com
Women Strip Down to Their Underwear to Protest Outside Victoria's Secret Store in London – www.health.com

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Posted by: | on December 4, 2018

These Women Are Smashing Their Makeup Because They're Sick of Insane Beauty Standards + MORE

image-1543961027-1852911166.jpg

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.

You Don't Have to Do Cardio to Lose Weight (But There's a Catch)

– health.com

When you think of exercise geared specifically toward weight loss, you likely imagine spending long hours on the treadmill or elliptical. And while it's true that doing steady state cardio probably will help with weight loss, experts say it's totally unnecessary if your main goal is fat loss. In fact, you can lose weight just by lifting weights. (Yes, really. Just peep these weight lifting body transformations.)

However, that doesn't mean you should never do cardio. Here's why you might want to prioritize strength training if shedding pounds is on your to-do list—but you can't forgo breathing heavy forever.

RELATED: 5 Ways to Build Lean Muscle Fast

Why You Don't Need Dedicated Cardio Sessions to Lose Weight

"Cardio is one of the least effective fitness modalities for weight loss," explains Jillian Michaels, health and fitness expert and creator of My Fitness by Jillian Michaels app. That's because you lose weight by burning more calories than you eat, and to many people's surprise, strength training is actually better at doing that than steady state cardio.

The reasons for this are pretty simple. First, strength training changes your body composition. "Resistance training will help you build more muscle, which will spike your metabolism and help you burn more calories," explains Betina Gozo, a Nike Master Trainer who focuses on strength training. The more calories your body burns on its own, the easier it is to lose weight. In other words, if you want to lose weight, building muscle is a good thing. (Here's all the science on building muscle and burning fat.)

Second, resistance training done in a circuit often burns more calories than plain old cardio, particularly when done with compound movements like squats, deadlifts, hip thrusts, cleans, push presses, and more, according to Jennifer Novak, C.S.C.S., a strength and conditioning specialist and owner of PEAK Symmetry Performance Strategies. "When more joints are involved in a movement, more muscles have to be recruited to execute them," she explains. That means—yep—more calories burned.

RELATED: The Best Workout for Your Metabolism

Plus, there's the "afterburn" effect that comes along with higher-intensity resistance training. "When you're just doing straight-up cardio, you're working at an aerobic pace and only burning calories for the amount of time that you're working out," says Gozo. With a high-intensity resistance training circuit session, you continue burning calories for the rest of the day, she adds. Of course, you can absolutely get this afterburn benefit from HIIT, but for the muscle-building benefits, you'll want to incorporate resistance in the form of weights, kettlebells, or body weight leverage.

"That said, all of this is irrelevant if you don't also watch what you are eating," adds Michaels…

These Women Are Smashing Their Makeup Because They're Sick of Insane Beauty Standards

– health.com

A new feminist movement is sweeping Instagram, as some South Korean women are rebelling against unattainable beauty standards that have become a cultural norm in their country. The movement, called Escape the Corset, sprang up over the summer on YouTube and Twitter, and is now gaining momentum on Instagram. It's a call to arms for women to ditch their insanely extensive skincare and makeup routines and embrace minimalism.

As the 8th largest cosmetics market in the world, South Korea represents nearly 3% of the global market. In 2017, the Korea Herald reported that most girls between the ages of 10 and 12 owned an average of three beauty products. If you're familiar with K-Beauty, this is probably not too surprising: The whole world has become obsessed with the country's famous multi-step routines (think: 10-12 different skincare products diligently applied twice a day). It's also not uncommon for South Korean high schoolers to get plastic surgery for graduation, according to The Atlantic.

In response, more and more South Koreans are making their voices heard on Instagram to push back against impossible beauty expectations for women. Lipstick and long platinum blonde locks are being swapped for bare-faced complexions and dark, lived-in haircuts. They're sloughing off layers of makeup in order to ground themselves in authenticity.

This woman wrote that she used to wear fleshy tights in winter (a.k.a., froze for the sake of dressing in a more feminine manner) and had more than 50 shades of lipstick and lip stains. She decided to swap her blonde tresses for a dark, more natural pixie cut in order to liberate herself from her culture's beauty standards. She signs her post off with #freethecorset.

Another woman showcased her hair transformation, writing that although at first chopping her hair was scary, she wanted to give other women "courage" to rid themselves of "the corset" for good.

Hand-in-hand with the Escape the Corset movement, the Skin-Care Diet (as described by Allure), is another social revolution currently being embraced by South Koreans. The idea: By removing most skincare products from your routine, you can find out what your skin can live without and what it actually needs. This usually boils down to a cleanser, moisturizer, and SPF, all free of harsh ingredients.

Instead of tossing their compacts and lipstick bullets in the garbage, South Korean women are literally crushing beauty standards by sharing images of their pulverized makeup. They're pressing the creamy, powdery, oily contents onto paper in wild, waxy, crayon-like works of art. They're not playing.

Paired with an image of smeared lipsticks and stains, one woman commented that her makeup collection once seemed like "meaningful consumption," but now it's just "garbage…

This New Trend Has Gone Viral on Instagram—but It's Actually Dangerous to Your Mental Health

– www.health.com

This New Trend Has Gone Viral on Instagram—but It's Actually Dangerous to Your Mental Health
You’ve probably seen it: Your favorite blogger posts side-by-side images where the first is an average-looking shot of them on a cloudy day or in a dimly lit cafe and the second is the same image, but whoa, it somehow looks 1,000 times better. The colors are more vibrant, the light is shining in just the right way, and the person in the photo looks like a supermodel. The caption? “Check out my Lightroom Presets!”

@lyss/Instagram

If you’re scratching your head wondering what the heck a Lightroom Preset is, here's the scoop: It’s a predetermined position for all, or some, of the photo editing sliders in the Adobe Lightroom app. Basically, it’s a high-tech filter you can buy online and download into the app to apply to your own photos. You can buy Presets on Etsy, from various photography websites, and you guessed it, from influencers themselves.

RELATED: Millennials Who Use More Social Media Sites Have Higher Depression, Anxiety

Lightroom itself is an advanced editing app used by professional photographers. It not only makes images look seamlessly more beautiful, but it can also manipulate them without a trace. With the right Preset, Lightroom can turn a green summer day into an orange fall afternoon and a blue daytime sky into a pink horizon at sunrise. Not to mention it can change the color of your skin, eyes, lips, and more.

@haylsa/Instagram

We’re used to seeing heavily edited photos in advertisements. No one's blind to the fact that many models have had their teeth whitened and their skin airbrushed by a photo editor. But what happens when we start seeing that same level of editing on our Instagram feeds day after day? When people you consider your peers stop posting photos of their real lives and start posting photos of their fantasy lives?

“When we look at advertisements, we have our antennas up to the fact that these are probably doctored,” Mark Leary, PhD, professor of psychology and neuroscience at Duke University, tells Health. “It’s less clear if you just see a photo of a random person you don’t know on social media.”

RELATED: This Influencer Just Showed How Different Reality and Social Media Are—by Pulling Down Her Pants

In other words, do people even think of the possibility that a photo has been edited when it’s someone they consider to be just another average person, not a model or actor? Professional editing tools are becoming more and more accessible, to the point where you can use them if you have little to no photography experience. But our antennas aren’t tuned into that nearly as much as they are when it comes to ads, Leary says, which doesn’t bode well for body image.

“If you think about it from the standpoint of how we evaluate ourselves in general, it’s always in comparison with other people because there’s no objective standard…

Fresh Box

9 Times J.Lo Showed Off Her Insanely Defined Core and Proved She's the Queen of Abs + MORE

If there's one thing everyone (and I mean everyone) can agree on, it's that J.Lo's abs are goals. I mean, seriously: At 49, her middle is as chiseled as ever. But make no mistake, girl works damn hard for that definition. She always makes the gym a priority, and .... More »

Prepping for a Destination Race? Here’s What You Need to Know

Many say that the best way to see a new city is to run through it—I’m a big believer in this concept. From 5Ks on the West Coast to half marathons down South to international marathons (I recently ran 26.2 miles in Tokyo!), traveling for races has given me the opportunity to see the .... More »

Model Molly Sims Just Shared a 20-Minute Circuit Workout on Instagram—and Her Abs Look Amazing   + MORE

In a perfect world, you’d have unlimited time every day to work out—with plenty of time left over to shower and sip a smoothie afterward. In reality, you’re lucky if you can even make it to the gym, and even model Molly Sims, 46, knows that struggle.  Her solution? Quick 20.... More »

Blake Lively Just Revealed the Exact Beauty Products She Uses Every Day + MORE

Blake Lively not only serves total inspiration for our wardrobes (chic pantsuits, anyone?) but also for our daily makeup look (hello, natural glow!). And if you're blonde, you've probably shown a picture of the star to your colorist, trying to mimic her gold, Rapunzel-li.... More »

Fitbit Is Having a HUGE Valentine's Day Sale on Some of Their Most Popular Trackers + MORE

In the market for a new Fitbit (or have someone you still need to find a Valentine's Day gift for)? You're in luck: The brand is slashing prices on some of their most popular trackers. From now until February 16, three Fitbit trackers are up to $40 off on Fitbit.com and Amazo.... More »
 

Continue Reading

You Don't Have to Do Cardio to Lose Weight (But There's a Catch) – health.com
These Women Are Smashing Their Makeup Because They're Sick of Insane Beauty Standards – health.com
This New Trend Has Gone Viral on Instagram—but It's Actually Dangerous to Your Mental Health – www.health.com

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Posted by: | on November 27, 2018

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

image-1543355738-1312727498.jpeg

Beauty and health are wonderful areas to dedicate one’s
life. We have seen the simple addition of hair with Invisablend’s hair
extensions and treatments cause an immediate increase in our client’s confidence
and life enjoyment. We encourage you to do the little things that make you feel
good and give you confidence. It will have a dynamic effect on your quality of
life.

Your Ultimate Guide to Healthy Ears

– www.health.com

If a typical day finds you blasting your headphones, shouting over the din at dinner, and blaring the TV, this will come as no surprise: "Hearing loss is now a growing epidemic among women in their 30s and 40s," says Douglas Backous, MD, medical director of the Center for Hearing and Skull Base Surgery at the Swedish Neuroscience Institute in Seattle. Even in the quietest places, we can face unrelated issues, like infection, vertigo, and congestion. All ears now? Follow our guide to caring for and protecting this key organ.

RELATED: Famous Celebrities with Hearing Loss

Problem No. 1: Hearing loss

The lowdown: This isn't a concern just for drummers and construction workers. "Even having earbuds at full blast while you're running every day can cause permanent damage over time," says Eric Smouha, MD, director of otology and neurology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. "Intense exposure to sound causes wear and tear on the hair cells in your cochlea."

What it feels like: Conversations are muffled; you may notice that you're asking people to speak more slowly or repeat themselves. "If you turn the TV volume up so high that others complain about the noise, that's a red flag," says Barry Hirsch, MD, director of the division of neurotology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Rx: See your doctor. The first step is to check your ears–—wax may simply be blocking sound waves from entering your ear canal. Otherwise, you'll be referred to an audiologist for a hearing test. "If you have trouble hearing sounds above 25 decibels [dB], it's considered hearing loss and needs to be thoroughly evaluated," says Sarah Sydlowski, PhD, an audiologist at the Cleveland Clinic. While there's no way to reverse noise-induced hearing loss, mild forms can be treated with an assistive listening device. If your loss is more pronounced, you'll need a hearing aid.

For people who are not a candidate for hearing aids, personal sound amplification products (PSAPs) have improved challenging situations like hearing conversations in noisy places. You might want to consider a product like Bose Hearphones, conversation-enhancing headphones that can help take the edge off background noise.

To keep your hearing healthy, use earplugs whenever you're in a noisy situation—–say, a concert or football game. "And when you're listening to tunes, keep the volume at the halfway point," Sydlowski says.

RELATED: Is Loud Music in Workout Classes Bad for Your Ears?

Problem No. 2: Pressure changes

The lowdown: You know that awful ear pop (the one your kids shriek about) as the plane you're in starts to descend? It has a fancy name—–barotrauma. "The air pressure in your middle ear is usually the same as the air pressure outside your body," Dr. Hirsch explains. But when you're landing, the cabin pressure increases…

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

– www.health.com

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

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 glitter.

If we’re being honest, most of us have dreamed of painting ourselves in shimmer from head to toe, and this account makes that dream a reality. It emphasizes the beauty of women with all body types, skin colors, and backgrounds and promotes the powerful message that all of us are beautiful, no matter what.

Positively Glittered is the brainchild of three Australian women, Penny (@nipnipss), Bonnie (@busty_diaries), and Hannah (@roseanna.mae). Their first photo shoot two years ago took place in Penny’s backyard in Brisbane, and it consisted of nothing more than a few good friends and some homemade glitter, Bonnie tells Health.

RELATED: These Glitter Capsules Promise to Give You a 'Sparkly, Flavored Orgasm.' Here's What a Gynecologist Thinks

Feeling empowered by the experience, they decided to make it an ongoing thing. Now, the trio organizes photo shoots with professional photographers that are open to the public, and everyone is welcome to join. They also do private photo session bookings for individuals, couples, or small groups. The one thing all of their shoots have in common: glitter. Lots of it.

“It has been an incredible process to watch. Unbelievable really,” Bonnie says. “What began as us and our friends creating something beautiful in a backyard has now led to worldwide attention.” Their photos have been featured by countless news outlets, and they receive fan submissions from all over the world.

The project has also enabled them to connect with some pretty incredible people. “We have worked with famous models, bloggers, business professionals, housewives, teachers, students, eating disorder survivors, confident burlesque performers, and self-conscious people who prefer to hide in the shadows,” Bonnie says. “Seeing them all strip bare and come together is really something beautiful. No egos, no competition, just there together to celebrate who they are.”

Positively Glittered has touched the lives of people from all walks of life, but it’s had perhaps the greatest impact on the ones who founded it. “For me, when I find myself being critical of my own body, I say to myself, ‘Would I say that to one of our participants?’ Most of the time the answer is a definite no,” Bonnie says. “We need to talk to ourselves as we would a friend.”

She has a point. Why do we see ourselves through such a critical lens but others through a loving one? Positively Glittered is doing its part to change that for women everywhere, just like it has for Bonnie.

The website states, “Positively Glittered is all about self love, body positivity, and celebrating our differences…

10 Exercises You Should Never Do Again, According to Trainers

– health.com

Take a look around your gym: You'll probably see some fellow gym-goers hammering out these exercises. But that doesn't mean you should too. These crazy common moves are, at best, ineffective—at worst, dangerous. Here, the moves—and exercise machines—you should ditch from your workout routine, according to trainers.

Smith Machine Squats

Squatting on a Smith machine might look like a safe alternative to the squat rack. In reality, it's anything but. When you lower into a squat using a Smith machine, your back stays straight and almost perfectly perpendicular to the ground, which compresses and stresses the vertebrae, says Lou Schuler, C.S.C.S., coauthor of The New Rules of Lifting Supercharged. Also, since using the Smith machine requires leaning back into the bar, you overly stress your knees, never fully contract your glutes or hamstrings, and don't train your core.

RELATED: 4 Lower Body Exercises You Can Do in Front of Your TV

Try Instead: Weighted squats
Save yourself the risk and learn how to do a barbell squat without the machine. Both bodyweight and weighted squats (e.g., goblet, barbell, and dumbbell variations) train your entire lower body functionally, effectively, and without overstressing your joints, Schuler says. Plus, since you're not relying on the stability of a machine, these exercises also work your core. (Related: How to Do Bodyweight Squats Correctly Once and for All)

Machine Leg Extensions

How often do you just sit around and kick out your legs? Probably not often—if ever. So why do so in the gym? "There's no functional benefit to leg extensions," says strength coach and personal trainer Mike Donavanik, C.S.C.S., C.P.T. (Functional exercises use your body's natural movement in ways that apply to real-world motions.) Plus, your knees aren't designed to carry weight from that angle, which could cause injury. While your injury risk is low if you have otherwise healthy knees, why take the risk if the exercise isn't even functional to begin with?

Try Instead: Squats, deadlifts, step-ups, and lunges
All of these moves are great for training your quads. Not to mention, they simultaneously strengthen your glutes, hamstrings, and smaller stabilizing muscles. Since these are all functional exercises, tapping your body's natural movement patterns, your knees are designed to take their weight, he says.

Ab Machines

Sure, ab machines are a lot more comfortable than arms-behind-the-head sit-ups, but they can make it awkward to activate your ab muscles correctly, says Jessica Fox, a certified Starting Strength coach at CrossFit South Brooklyn.

RELATED: How to Get a Flat Stomach at Any Age

Try Instead: Planks
Most people can—and should—just do full sit-ups. Even better? Drop into a plank: It's more effective for toning your abdominals than an assisted crunch (or any machine), and typically safe for people who can't do sit-ups because of neck pain…

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Tight on Workout Space? Try This Body-Weight Circuit for Small Spaces

As the weather warms, it’s easy to start slacking on your workouts—but fitting in exercise is worth it. So we’re here to help with this body-weight routine that can be done in a small space (hello, tiny hotel room). “It involves strength and stability, and gets your heart.... More »

5 Easy Barbell Exercises for Beginners + MORE

Cardio is great—in fact, it’s a must. But there’s another beneficial component to physical fitness that many women are ignoring: weight lifting. And we’re not just talking about picking up those little 2-pound weights and doing a few bicep curls (though there’s noth.... More »

11 New Year's Resolutions for Body Acceptance + MORE

I quit dieting at age 28 after realizing that it made my body image and eating issues worse. But after the birth of my second child—with a decade of solid body acceptance and recovery from binge eating disorder under my belt—I thought I was strong enough to dip my toe into dietl.... 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 »

Gretchen Rubin’s Daily Tricks for Staying Happy + MORE

What inspired you to write about the power of decluttering? Your space reflects you. It projects your identity to the world. If you look around and everything you own is useful or beloved, you may feel more integrated with yourself. Any advice for getting started? Adopt the one-minute r.... More »
 

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Your Ultimate Guide to Healthy Ears – www.health.com
These Women Are Posing in Nothing but Glitter for a Surprisingly Powerful Reason – www.health.com
10 Exercises You Should Never Do Again, According to Trainers – health.com

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Posted by: | on November 20, 2018

ThirdLove Responds to That Inflammatory Victoria's Secret Interview with an Open Letter to the Brand + MORE

Hair extensions and hair treatments are just one way that
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How to Wake Up Early for a Morning Workout, According to Women Who Do It at 4 A.M.

– health.com

There's waking up early to work out… and then there's waking up to work out at 4 a.m. (If you're not a morning person, you just died at the thought alone.) Truth: It takes a special type of person to wake up at the crack of dawn for a sweat session. But with the end of the year sneaking up and the holiday season in full swing, your work calendar and social schedule are about to blow up. If you're a strictly-sweat-at-night kind of girl, now might be the time to embrace the morning workout. It doesn't have to be before the sun rises, but consider signing up for a 7 a.m. class at your go-to studio, and you might come away with a new favorite instructor. (Not to mention, science says waking up earlier can change your life.)

Not sure how to get started? Below, seven women who get up nearly every day at 4-in-the-freaking-morning share how they find the energy to break sweat while we sleep—without hating their lives or falling asleep at the office.

RELATED: How to Motivate Yourself to Go to the Gym on Cold, Dark Days

"I keep my alarm in my bathroom."—Macy Vonderschmidt, 22

After graduating from college, I realized I had absolutely zero motivation or energy to lift or run after a full day of work. So I started experimenting with what it would be like to get it out of the way super early. It took me about a month to adjust, but my biggest tip? Put your phone out of reach. I keep my phone in my bathroom, so when the alarm goes off I'm FORCED to wake up and get out of bed to turn it off. (Also try this snooze-proof Red Bull alarm app.) I would say 95 percent of the time that works for me—and the other 5 percent? I cozy back up in bed. Because sometimes it's just not happening—and that's okay. I feel amazing coming into work knowing that my workout is already done, I'm caffeinated, and have taken my dog for a nice walk. Then, I can use the rest of the day to focus on everything else in my life.

RELATED: This Gym Makes It Hard to Breathe for a Better Workout—So I Tried It

"It's when nothing can get in the way of my workout."—Kayla Coffey, 28

I work out in the morning because nothing gets in your way at 4 or 5 a.m. except yourself. Not family, not partners, not work, not chores. The first couple of weeks I was tired, but I just did it. After a few weeks, I was able to get up earlier and earlier without hesitation. It helped me develop discipline that's carried over into the rest of my life. My advice: Stick with it for at least two weeks by signing up for early morning classes with a cancellation fee, finding a morning accountability buddy, writing down your goals, packing your bag the night before, and drinking water first thing in the morning. Trust me, there's no better feeling than being done your workout at 6 a.m. before the world is even out of bed.

RELATED: 5 Reasons Mornings Are the Best Time to Work Out

"I remind myself that it's the only chance I have for my WOD…

Here’s Where to Get a Crazy-Cheap Fitbit on Black Friday

– health.com

If you've had your eye on a new Fitbit (or you were thinking of giving one as a gift this year), you're in luck. The bestselling fitness tracker is *seriously* marked down for Black Friday—so you'll be able to monitor your heart rate, steps, sleep, and workouts for a lot less. Here are all the Fitbit Black Friday deals we've seen so far, including discounts on new models like the FitBit Versa and FitBit Charge 3. We'll continue to update this list as new sales are announced, so keep checking back.

Black Friday Fitbit deals at Target

• Fitbit Versa ($149, marked down from $199 on target.com). Target has the popular Fitbit Versa for $50 off, available in four different band options (we love the periwinkle and rose gold). This is one of the pricier Fitbit models out right now, but it's well worth the splurge, thanks to a slew of cool features like syncing up to smartphone calls, personalized on-screen coaching, and the ability to make payments. This deal begins at 5 p.m. EST on November 22.

• Fitbit Alta HR ($79, marked down from $129 on target.com). This sleek, slim model is great for minimalists who don't want too bulky of a tracker on their wrist. But not to worry: The small-but-mighty gadget still delivers all the useful health insights you'd expect from a Fitbit.

• Fitbit Charge 3 ($119, marked down from $149 on target.com). The Charge 3 is an impressive tracker: 24/7 heart rate monitoring, more than 15 different exercise modes, smartphone notifications, and a seven-day battery life.

Black Friday Fitbit deals at Walmart

• Fitbit Versa ($149, marked down from $199 on walmart.com). Walmart also has the Fitbit Versa for $50 off. The sale will begin at 10 p.m. on November 21 and includes both the black and rose gold models.

Black Friday Fitbit deals at Kohl's

• Fitbit Versa ($149, marked down from $199 on kohls.com). Yet another Versa sale! This is one of Kohl's Door Busters and will be available starting midnight CT on November 23.

Black Friday Fitbit deals at Jet

• Fitbit Versa ($179, marked down from $228 on jet.com). The special edition Fitbit Versa will be $49 off at Jet.com starting at midnight EST on November 22. We love the water-resistant, lightweight design on this model.

• Fitbit Charge 3 Advanced Heart Rate + Fitness Tracker ($119, marked down from $149 on jet.com). Not only is this gadget waterproof, it's actually swimproof up to 50 meters, so you can use it to monitor your laps in the pool. This sale also begins at midnight EST on November 22.

Black Friday Fitbit deals at Amazon

Although we don't officially know whether or not Amazon will have Fitbit deals, we strongly suspect they will, since the trackers were discounted on Prime Day and last Black Friday. For now, continue to check Amazon's Daily Deals page here—we've spotted limited-time sales on other fitness trackers and on Fitbit accessories there…

ThirdLove Responds to That Inflammatory Victoria's Secret Interview with an Open Letter to the Brand

– www.health.com

ICYMI, Victoria's Secret is in hot water this month following commentary from the brand's chief marketing officer Ed Razek, the creator of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, in his now-infamous interview with Vogue.

Not only did Razek objectify women and offend plus-size and transgender people while speaking with the magazine, he also directly called out startup lingerie brand ThirdLove. ThirdLove offers a huge supply of sizes and colors of bras for women with various skin tones and body types — seems like a no-brainer, right?

RELATED: Rihanna Low-Key Threw Shade at the Victoria's Secret Exec Who Said the Brand Won't Cast Trans or Plus-Size Models

"We're nobody's third love," Razek said to Vogue. "We're their first love."

As a result, ThirdLove's co-founder Heidi Zak is responding to Razek's distasteful words about women in an open-letter to Victoria's Secret, which ran in today's New York Times as a full-page ad.

RELATED: The 10 Best Sports Bras for Large Breasts

"I was appalled when I saw the demeaning comments about women your Chief Marketing Officer, Ed Razek, made to Vogue last week," she begins her message, pulling out specific excepts from Razek's interview that were particularly damning.

"I’ve read and re-read the interview at least 20 times, and each time I read it I’m even angrier," says Zak. "How in 2018 can the CMO of any public company — let alone one that claims to be for women — make such shocking, derogatory statements?"

Zak continued: "You market to men and sell a male fantasy to women. But at ThirdLove, we think beyond, as you said, a '42-minute entertainment special.'"

"Your show may be a 'fantasy' but we live in reality," she adds. "Our reality is that women wear bras in real life as they go to work, breastfeed their children, play sports, care for ailing parents, and serve their country."

RELATED: These New Wireless Bras for Cup Sizes DD+ Are Ridiculously Comfortable

Zak goes on to school Razek about the real definition of inclusivity, as ThirdLove serves all women. "Haven’t we moved beyond outdated ideas of femininity and gender roles? It’s time to stop telling women what makes them sexy — let us decide," she says. "We’re done with pretending certain sizes don’t exist or aren’t important enough to serve. And please stop insisting that inclusivity is a trend."

The co-founder of the upstart brand then explains her reasoning for launching the company in the first place, which was essentially out of necessity. "I founded ThirdLove five years ago because it was time to create a better option," Zak says. "ThirdLove is the antithesis of Victoria’s Secret. We believe the future is building a brand for every woman, regardless of her shape, size, age, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation…

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Jada Pinkett Smith's Trainer Demonstrates Her Gravity-Defying, At-Home Workout: 'You Don't Need a Gym' + MORE

Jada Pinkett Smith is showing fans that you don’t need a fancy gym membership to get in a decent workout. On Tuesday, the 47-year-old Girls Trip star shared a video of the intense full-body exercise routine, created and demonstrated by her trainer Jeanette Jenkins&nb.... More »

This Is the Legging Trend You'll Be Seeing Everywhere in 2019 + MORE

The biggest legging trend for 2019 will look pretty familiar to anyone who lived in Adidas track pants back in the '90s. Workout tights that take a cue from the brand's iconic tri-color side stripe are everywhere right now. And while the original is still cool, we're also seein.... More »

This Woman Shared Her Cystic Acne Transformation and the Quick Fix That Actually Worked + MORE

If you're tuned into skin-care forums, then you know that the brand Drunk Elephant has a wide stan base. People are loving the fact that the products' ingredient lists are stacked with acids, peptides, vitamins, etc., but free of what the company calls the "Suspicious 6." .... More »

Everything You Need to Know About HIIPA: The Exercise Trend for People Who Don’t Have Time to Work Out

Let’s face it: On some days, you just don't have the time to spend a full hour clocking miles on the treadmill or pumping weights at the squat rack. You already have one thousand other things on your to-do list, and unfortunately, working out doesn’t always make the cut. We g.... More »
 

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How to Wake Up Early for a Morning Workout, According to Women Who Do It at 4 A.M. – health.com
Here’s Where to Get a Crazy-Cheap Fitbit on Black Friday – health.com
ThirdLove Responds to That Inflammatory Victoria's Secret Interview with an Open Letter to the Brand – www.health.com

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Posted by: | on November 13, 2018

4 Ways the Keto Diet Can Affect Your Workouts + MORE

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This Gym Makes It Hard to Breathe for a Better Workout—So I Tried It

– health.com

My legs—and lungs—are burning as I pedal. The cycling interval’s only 10 seconds long, but it sure feels like the clock is moving in slow motion. Coach Mauricio Andrade stands in front of me, offering support that’s motivating but firm. There’s not a chance he’ll let me slow down or slack off.

When he finally calls time and I ease up my cadence, I glance around to the view of snow-capped peaks. That, and the thin air, have momentarily transported me to a place like Leadville, Colorado or Cusco, Peru, at an altitude of about 10,000 feet.

But once I’m mercifully finished with my two rounds of 10 high-intensity intervals, I’ll step outside, inhale deeply, and get back in my car to drive to my apartment on the North Side of Chicago. That mountain view? It’s a wall-sized decal.

I’m working out this morning in the altitude chamber at Well-Fit Performance, a training hub for many of the city’s triathletes and other endurance athletes. In addition to endless pools, strength- and functional-training equipment, and a full complement of treadmills and bike trainers, Well-Fit has now installed one of the few altitude chambers in the country, and the first in the region. 

The facility’s expensive compressors essentially suck the oxygen out of the air, simulating some of what I’d experience if I hiked to Machu Picchu or ran the Leadville 100-miler. There are two other women near me, doing their own workouts on top-of-the-line Woodway treadmills; when I catch my breath enough to chat with them afterward, I learn they’re training for a trek in Kathmandu.

If I visit the room regularly—twice a week for four to eight weeks—I just might see my race times come down and my fitness level reach new heights, Well-Fit’s owner and head coach Sharone Aharon tells me. “There’s such enormous benefit to training at altitude, at high intensity,” he says. “If I say one sentence about it, you train less and you gain more.”

RELATED: 10 Simple Ways to Actually Enjoy Running

Why athletes train at altitude

For decades, elite endurance athletes have headed to the mountains for altitude training. Because there’s less oxygen in the air to begin with—and less atmospheric pressure pushing it into athletes’ veins—their bodies respond by boosting the production of red blood cells. The effect is temporary, so they have to time it right. But when they then head back down to sea level for competition, these adaptations deliver hard-working muscles an augmented supply of oxygen to power each contraction.

The problem is that sweating in thinner air isn’t just harder for us mere mortals, it’s also more challenging for the likes of marathon champions like Shalane Flanagan. You just can’t pedal as hard or run as fast at higher elevation. So athletes have to find other ways to push their bodies to the limit, says Andrew Subudhi, PhD, professor and chair of the department of biology at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, who’s studied the effects extensively…

People Are Tattooing Their Under-Eyes As a Way to Cover Up Dark Circles

– health.com

Post Malone isn't the only person who loves face tattoos. Celebrities like Lena Dunham, Minka Kelly, and even Mandy Moore have jumped on the face-tat bandwagon with the recent trend of microblading (to make your eyebrows appear fuller). And now there's a new beauty tat fad called dark circle camouflage—aka tattooing the dark circles under your eyes to make the skin lighter.

Professional tattoo artist Rodolpho Torres has gained over 2 million Instagram followers in part for his "eye camouflage" work of covering up dark circles via tattoo. He also uses this tattooing method to "camouflage" stretch marks on the legs and chest. (Side note: We love our tiger stripes and so does Padma Lakshmi.)

RELATED: A Celebrity Makeup Artist’s Steps for Covering Up Dark Under Eye Circles

While Torres has more than 10 years of tattooing experience, derms say you shouldn't trust anyone with such fragile skin if they aren't a doctor. "No nonmedical personnel should be touching that area of your eyes—especially with a sharp instrument," says Lance Brown, M.D., a leading dermatologist in New York City and the Hamptons. "Under the eye, you need to be very cautious—you can cause an infection around the eyelid, or a sty or cyst could grow around the hair follicles," says Dr. Brown.

RELATED: My Perfectly Microbladed Eyebrows Are Ruining My Life Right Now

It is common for tattoo scarring to occur if the artist is inexperienced or presses too deeply with the needle. Apply these potential mishaps to the skin beneath your eyes and it's a recipe for serious concern. Scarring on the lower eyelids, in particular, can create a contraction in the skin that pulls the lower eyelid down, causing ectropion, a condition where the lid pulls or sags away from the eye. "Ectropion can lead to tear duct issues, cysts, and more," says Dr. Brown.

For the record, traditional tattoos are largely safe (and can even boost your health according to the American Journal of Human Biology) but it's probably not worth taking the risk when it comes to the sensitive skin under the eyes—especially considering the new report from the FDA that they've seen an alarming rise of infections and adverse reactions to tattoos as a result of moldy ink. (One woman recently experienced a life-threatening infection after her microblading appointment went south.)

RELATED: I Tried Kim Kardashian’s Trick for Making Dark Under Eye Circles Disappear

RELATED: Hyperrealistic Nipple Tattoos Are Changing the Game for Breast Cancer Survivors

If vanity wins out over your health concerns, consider this: While tattooing your circles may save you from having to pack on the concealer (I mean, we can't deny that the before-and-afters look pretty impressive) since it doesn't address the underlying cause of dark circles, it's likely just a temporary band-aid solution…

4 Ways the Keto Diet Can Affect Your Workouts

– health.com

The low-carb, high-fat ketogenic diet continues to be the trendiest weight-loss plan around. Maybe that's because following keto is relatively simple: by cutting way back on your carbohydrate intake while eating lots of fat and a moderate amount of protein, your body goes into a state of ketosis, burning fat instead of carbs for energy. 

Stories of keto diet weight-loss success are all over social media. Yet the plan isn't without some side effects, especially when it comes to the way it can affect your workout. Here are four must-knows if you’re an athlete or regular exerciser who’s gone keto—or is thinking of trying it. 

RELATED: Your Ultimate Keto Diet Grocery List

You might feel weak during the first few weeks

Transitioning from burning carbs to burning fat takes about two weeks, so at the diet’s start, your system is not in ketosis yet. “That means that your body is still using stored glucose for fuel rather than ketones," says Jim White RDN, ACSM exercise physiologist, and owner of Jim White Fitness and Nutrition Studios in Virginia. "But because your carbohydrate intake is restricted, the amount of stored glucose (or energy) is limited, which can cause you to feel weak and fatigued.”

Some people experience symptoms such as brain fog, headaches, chills, and a sore throat during this transition. These symptoms are collectively referred to as “the keto flu," explains Dave Asprey, founder and CEO of performance nutrition company Bulletproof. It's not really the flu, of course. But symptoms like these will make you feel like a flu sufferer and “will negatively affect your ability to tackle a workout,” says Asprey.

The "keto poops" could interrupt your workout

Yep, this is a real thing. It's also known as keto diarrhea, and it can strike in the middle of a gym session. Keto poops are a common side effect of the high-fat diet. “This is likely due to the gallbladder—the organ that produces bile to help break down all the fat in the keto diet—feeling overwhelmed or overworked,” says Josh Axe, a natural medicine physician and author of the upcoming book Keto Diet.

Feeling an urgent need to go number two during yoga or CrossFit isn't too much of an issue; you can just hightail it to the gym restroom or locker room and then resume your workout. But when you’re on an outdoor run, well, that could be a problem. If you’re a casual runner, just pick a shorter route or one with known bathroom stops. And consider adjusting your meal schedule, so any poop problems happen before or after you lace up your running shoes.

RELATED: Keto vs. Atkins: Which Is the Better Low-Carb Diet?

You'll need to hydrate a lot more often

Dehydration is another common side side effect of keto. “Ketosis causes you to lose electrolytes because it increases urine output," says Axe…

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Surgeon Will Pay $3,000 Fine for Removing Kidney He Mistakenly Thought Was a Tumor + MORE

A Florida surgeon has agreed to pay a $3,000 fine, as well as perform hours of continued medical training, after removing a woman’s kidney during what was intended to be back surgery. According to court records, Maureen Pacheco, who checked into Florida’s Wellington Regional.... More »

Gretchen Rubin’s Daily Tricks for Staying Happy + MORE

What inspired you to write about the power of decluttering? Your space reflects you. It projects your identity to the world. If you look around and everything you own is useful or beloved, you may feel more integrated with yourself. Any advice for getting started? Adopt the one-minute r.... More »

Julia Roberts Got a Gorgeous New Haircut That Everyone Is Freaking Out About + MORE

Julia Roberts just got a major hair refresh — and we’re loving it. The Academy Award-winning actress, 51, chopped her signature long waves into a textured shoulder-length lob that the internet can’t get enough of. With the help of longtime hairstylist Serge Normant, Rober.... More »

Fitbit Is Having a HUGE Valentine's Day Sale on Some of Their Most Popular Trackers + MORE

In the market for a new Fitbit (or have someone you still need to find a Valentine's Day gift for)? You're in luck: The brand is slashing prices on some of their most popular trackers. From now until February 16, three Fitbit trackers are up to $40 off on Fitbit.com and Amazo.... More »

1-Year-Old Boy Has the Sweetest Reaction to Meeting a Woman Missing the Same Limb as Him + MORE

A young boy born with a congenital condition had an adorable reaction when he was introduced to a woman who shares the same limb difference as him. On the same day that Colleen Tidd found out that her son, Joseph, would be born without a fully formed left arm, she stumbled upon the Florida ch.... More »
 

Continue Reading

This Gym Makes It Hard to Breathe for a Better Workout—So I Tried It – health.com
People Are Tattooing Their Under-Eyes As a Way to Cover Up Dark Circles – health.com
4 Ways the Keto Diet Can Affect Your Workouts – health.com

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Posted by: | on November 6, 2018

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

Beauty and health are wonderful areas to dedicate one’s
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High Vitamin D Levels Are Linked to Better Exercise Capacity

– health.com

You already know that vitamin D is good for your bones, your brain, and your heart. Now, new research suggests that it may also give your workout routine a boost. According to a study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, people with higher levels of vitamin D tend to be more physically fit.

Specifically, the study looked at cardiorespiratory fitness, a measure of how efficiently the heart and lungs supply oxygen to the muscles during exercise. People with higher cardiorespiratory fitness can exercise longer and harder, and they also tend to live longer and healthier lives.

For the study, researchers compared the vitamin D levels and cardiorespiratory fitness levels—measured by a treadmill test—of nearly 2,000 U.S. adults ages 20 to 49 who took part in a nationwide study from 2001 to 2004.

They found that people in the top quartile of vitamin D had cardiorespiratory fitness levels that were 4.3 times higher than those in the bottom quartile. Each 10-point increase in vitamin D was associated with a 0.78-point increase in VO2 max, the measurement for cardiorespiratory fitness.

RELATED: 12 Ways to Get Your Daily Vitamin D

Even after adjusting for participants’ age, sex, race, body mass index, and health history, fitness levels for those with the highest vitamin D levels were still 2.9 times higher than those with the lowest. The link held true for both men and women, and for all of the age groups and ethnicities in the study. It was also true regardless of whether participants were smokers or had hypertension or diabetes.

The study was observational, so it could not show a cause-and-effect relationship. But the association was “strong, incremental, and consistent across groups,” said lead author Amr Marawan, MD, assistant professor of internal medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University, in a news release from the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).

“This suggests that there is a robust connection and provides further impetus for having adequate vitamin D levels,” Dr. Marawan said, “which is particularly challenging in cold, cloudy places where people are less exposed to the sun.”

Vitamin D is known as the sunshine vitamin because the human body makes vitamin D in response to sun exposure. People can also get it from supplements or from fortified foods. (The study did not take into account how much vitamin D participants got from sun, supplements, or food.)

The study notes that vitamin D could potentially affect cardiorespiratory fitness in several ways. For starters, the nutrient has been shown to boost the production of muscle protein and aid in calcium and phosphorus transport on a cellular level. It may also affect the body’s makeup of fast-twitch muscle fibers, “suggesting that vitamin D may improve aerobic fitness,” the authors wrote.

RELATED: 27 Health Problems Linked to Low Vitamin D

This isn’t the first study to suggest a link between vitamin D and athletic performance: Previous research has noted that vitamin D-deficient ballet dancers jump higher and have fewer injuries—and pro athletes have better sprint times—when they take supplements…

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

– health.com

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?

Believe it or not, both of these examples of supreme body shaming have happened to competitive runner Julie Creffield, author of The Fat Girls' Guide to Marathon Running ($9; amazon.com)

Creffield, who’s from the United Kingdom, considers herself a plus-size runner. But anyone who thinks her weight holds her back is seriously mistaken. She’s been running for about 15 years and has completed marathons, ultramarathons, and triathlons around the world. Now, she’s taking on what she calls her “bucket list” race: Sunday’s New York City Marathon.

RELATED: Everything You Need to Know to Train for a Half Marathon

For Creffield, 15 years of running has also meant 15 years of body shaming, exclusion, and misguided stereotypes. “People automatically think you run to lose weight, and then when you don’t lose weight, they’re like ‘Why are you still fat?’” she tells Health. “There’s this assumption that we only exercise for slimness, and for me that’s not the reason.”

Running is like therapy for Creffield. She used to struggle with depression, she says, and she credits exercise with pulling her out of it.

Another misconception Creffield can’t seem to escape: people thinking she’s a beginner. “They give you unsolicited advice about how to improve, and they say things like, ‘Once you’ve been doing it for a while, it’ll be easier.’ And I’m like, ‘Well, I’ve been running for 15 years.’”

RELATED: 6 Food Rules for Marathon Success

After years of putting up with body-shaming comments and actions, Creffield says she realized she couldn't be the only runner who had to deal with this kind of abuse. So in 2010, she started her blog, The Fat Girls' Guide to Running. In 2013, she turned it into a business, Too Fat to Run?

The name was inspired by one of Creffield’s most notable body-shaming experiences, when she went to the doctor with a pulled back muscle. As soon as she started complaining of pain, the doctor suggested she exercise more. “I was like, ‘Well actually, I’m training for a marathon,’ and he said, ‘Oh no, you’re too fat to run a marathon.’” Cue her determination to prove him wrong.

She calls her business a “virtual running club,” or an online resource runners can go to find carefully tailored workouts and training programs. It's also a platform for connecting with other women in the program. 

Creffield says she’s always felt excluded from the running community…

5 Reasons Mornings Are the Best Time to Work Out

– health.com

Hotly debated fitness topics are in no short supply: yoga vs. pilates, cardio vs. strength training, and the treadmill vs. outdoor running. But no dispute is as polarizing as the one surrounding morning vs. evening workouts.

Of course, the absolute best time to work out is whenever gym time meshes with your schedule so actually show up on the regular. If you can only squeeze in a jog or yoga flow late at night, it's smarter to do that then skip it altogether, exercise physiologists and trainers say.

But starting the day with a heart-pumping sweat session does come with indisputable health benefits. And now that daylight saving time has ended, mornings are brighter, so getting out of bed and into your workout leggings isn't as hard as you might think. Let us make the case with these five science-backed reasons to start setting your alarm a little bit earlier.

RELATED: How to Motivate Yourself to Go to the Gym on Cold, Dark Days

You’ll make better wellness choices all day

“When you start the day working on your health, you'll strive to maintain that healthiness," explains Zack Daley, head coach at Tone House in New York City.

Think about it: When you're proud of yourself for killing it at your 8 a.m. class, you won't want to ruin that healthy high by gorging on breakfast donuts, right? Instead, you'll likely try to keep that awesome feeling going by skipping the pastries, taking the stairs to get to your office, and indulging in a grain bowl at lunch rather than the taco Tuesday special. All of these little moves add up to a healthier you.

You’ll sleep like Sleeping Beauty

According to the  National Sleep Foundation (NSF), people who hit the treadmill at 7 a.m. sleep longer, experience deeper sleep cycles, and spend 75% more time in the most reparative stages of slumber than those who exercise at later times in the day. THe NSF also notes that those who sweat at night tend to have more trouble catching shuteye, possibly because working out raises your body temperature, which is a known sleep saboteur.

Anecdotally, Daley believes this to be true: “I find that when I work out early, I am able to get to bed easier at night. But when I work out later at night, my adrenaline is still going from my late night workout.”

RELATED: 20 Habits That Make You Miserable Every Winter

You might lower your blood pressure 

People with high blood pressure, aka hypertension, often need medications to control this dangerous condition. But lifestyle changes—such as morning exercise—may help. In one study published in the Journal of Vascular Health and Risk Management, researchers had participants exercise at three different times of day: 7 a.m., 11 a.m., and 7 p.m.

Those who worked out early in the morning reduced their post-workout blood pressure by 10%…

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High Vitamin D Levels Are Linked to Better Exercise Capacity – health.com
A Doctor Told This Woman She Was ‘Too Fat To Run’—Here’s How She Proved Him Wrong – health.com
5 Reasons Mornings Are the Best Time to Work Out – health.com

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