According to The Metro, the Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa, near the Lake District Wildlife Park in Keswick, England, is now offering “lemoga,” also known as doing yoga outdoors with lemurs.

The lemurs already live in the nearby wildlife park, and they’re apparently very friendly and social, so they’re practically perfect yoga buddies.

RELATED: I Tried Snow-Ga and Don’t Ever Want to Go Back to Regular Yoga

“When you watch lemurs they do some form of the poses naturally — that typical pose warming their bellies in the sunshine,” said Richard Robinson, manager of the Lake District Wildlife Park, to the BBC. “It seemed to be a really good combination to encourage people to have a go and spend time with a lemur.”

RELATED: 15 Stretches You Should Do Every Day

The class is part of Armathwaite Hall’s “meet the wildlife” wellness program, which includes walking alpacas around hotels 400-acre grounds, meet-and-greets with meerkats, and special sessions with zookeepers.

RELATED: 10 Yoga Poses to Do at Your Desk

The hotel says “lemoga” is a good way for guests to “feel at one with nature, at the same time joining in with the lemurs’ play time.” They also claim the class is good for stress and reducing blood pressure, especially when lemurs are involved.

We challenge anyone not to get distracted by these inquisitive animals while they’re trying to perfect their downward dog. Frankly, these creatures are so irresistibly cute, we expect there could be more “lemoga” classes elsewhere around the world in the future.

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Nothing fascinates us quite like cults. Documentaries about them have a, well, cult following, and groups that are rumored to have cult-like characteristics repeatedly make headlines. This week's news, however, is about more than just rumors.

On Monday, Smallville actress Allison Mack pleaded guilty to charges related to a group called Nxivm, after she allegedly manipulated and blackmailed women into being "sex slaves" for its leader.

Nxivm is a group based in Albany, New York, that billed itself as a self-help organization. In late 2017, the New York Times published an article about a disturbing internal society within Nxivm (called D.O.S.) that did horrifying things, such as burn founder Keith Raniere’s initials below members' hips with a cauterizing device. The article also alleged that members were told to starve themselves to achieve Raniere’s standard of beauty so they could have sexual encounters with him.

RELATED: College Admissions Scandal: A Psychologist Explains Why a Parent Would Cheat and Lie to Get Their Kids Into School

Since the investigation into the society began, increasingly alarming details have emerged, especially about Mack's involvement. In April 2018, Mack was arrested by the FBI on charges of sex trafficking, conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, and forced labor. At the time, she pleaded not guilty, but this week, she changed her plea.

As Mack tearfully pleaded guilty to racketeering and racketeering conspiracy, she also admitted to recruiting women into the cult by telling them they were joining a female mentorship program. In addition, she confessed to forcing them to give her damaging personal information, or "collateral," so that she could blackmail them if they didn't follow her or Raniere’s orders. Now, Mack faces up to 40 years in prision. She's set to be sentenced in September. 

Sounds like it could be straight out of one of those bingeworthy cult documentaries on Netflix, right?

Mack's involvement in this skin-crawling scheme got us thinking: How does an intelligent, successful young woman get caught up in such a twisted dystopian cult? Alexandra Stein, PhD, author of Terror, Love and Brainwashing: Attachment in Cults and Totalitarian Systems, has many thoughts on this, especially because she was once a member of a cult herself. 

RELATED: Jussie Smollett Lied About Being the Victim of a Hate Crime, Police Say. Why Would Someone Do That?

First, Stein says people don't knowingly join cults. "Someone might go to a yoga class, or to a personal development seminar, or to a church, all for perfectly normal reasons," she says, explaining that cults often have a convincing facade…

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 nothing wrong with that). Hitting the weight room—and more specifically, using a barbell—challenges your body in a way nothing else can. “A barbell forces your body into a fixed position, which is biomechanically beneficial because it creates stability on the weight load. This, in turn, gives your muscles more stability to push and pull from, and that helps them stay more engaged,” explains Holly Perkins, CSCS, a Los Angeles–based celebrity trainer and author of Lift to Get Lean.

Lifting heavy becomes even more important as you age. “Women lose muscle mass and gain an average of five pounds of fat per decade,” says Michele Olson, PhD, CSCS, a senior clinical professor of sports science at Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama. “In other words, even if your body weight stays the same, if you don’t lift weights to maintain your muscle, you will lose about five pounds of muscle every 10 years and gain about five pounds of fat, which is not good for the heart or our bones.” Still not sure about entering that weight room? Read on for more benefits—plus a few strategies that will turn you into a lifting pro.

RELATED: 5 Amazing Things That Happen to Your Body When You Start Lifting Weights

4 Major benefits of barbell work

It Improves Your Overall Health. You’ve heard the saying that health is wealth, right? Keeping with that, let’s just say weight lifting is equivalent to winning the lottery. Research shows that it slashes your risk of ailments like stroke and heart disease and drastically improves bone and joint health. According to a 2018 University of Michigan study, people with stronger muscles are 50 percent more likely to live longer. And let’s not forget the mental benefits. “Strength training is really powerful for women,” notes Perkins. “It improves self-worth, self-esteem, and confidence, and it builds resilience on a personal and emotional level.”

It Boosts Your Metabolism. When you lift heavy weights, your body releases human growth hormone and testosterone, both of which help you develop lean muscle, says L.A.-based celebrity trainer Ashley Borden, creator of the AB Fit app. And having more lean muscle will naturally keep your metabolic rate fired up. “Muscles are much more metabolically active than fat,” explains Vonda Wright, MD, an orthopedic surgeon and chief of orthopedic sports medicine at Northside Hospital in Atlanta. “This means they take more calories to function, whereas fat doesn’t burn much energy.” In other words, when your muscles are built-up, you are torching more calories whether you are exercising or just chilling…

When you go to your “happy place,” you might picture yourself relaxing on a beach in Bali, fitting back into a pair of favorite old jeans, or landing that promotion you’ve been gunning for. But here’s the thing: Elation, achievement, and success aren’t the same as the warm and fuzzy feelings of happiness—and mixing them up may actually bum you out. That’s why we endeavored to learn what happiness really means, by interviewing a handful of people who have devoted years of their lives to studying it. Read about what their research and real-life experience has taught them; then use their wisdom and advice to boost your own joy. (Spoiler alert: Those old jeans will do more good in the giveaway bin.)

RELATED: 7 Self-Care Tips That Will Make You Happier

“Happiness isn’t something you feel. It’s something you do.”

I used to think I had a clear idea of what happiness looks like. I came to the U.S. at 13. My family emigrated from Russia, and we lived outside of Detroit. It was a really rough time, especially because I didn’t speak English. I was overwhelmed with anxiety and self-doubt. The only time I felt OK was when I achieved anything—the day I was moved from remedial English, the day I moved out of the projects.

I thought, “This is how I’m going to be happy: I’m going to achieve things.” I lived my life with this attitude. I’ll be happy when I get into a good college. When I graduate. When I move to New York. When I get married. When I’m able to take care of my family…

I was always proud of my achievements, yet the happiness bubble would eventually pop. I thought I wasn’t doing enough to gain the privilege of feeling good, but I hit a wall, burned out, and couldn’t push anymore.

When I stumbled onto research about gratitude nine years ago, I thought it was a bunch of BS. Saying three things I was grateful for would make me happy? Ridiculous. If I was grateful for everything, I wouldn’t work for anything. Still, I decided to do a 30-day experiment. I told my husband and daughter that each day, I’d write down something I was grateful for and say “thank you” to someone at least once.

RELATED: Here’s How Feeling Grateful Can Improve Your Life

The punch line is obvious. I noticed a difference right away. It’s not like I became a happy-go-lucky person, but I started to find joy in small, everyday moments. Tiny things, like my daughter running up to give me a hug. Coming into my living room and noticing the light hitting a vase of tulips. Even driving to work in minimal traffic and suddenly enjoying the commute.

Before I began practicing gratitude, I wasn’t present for those moments. I only stepped on them before running away. Happiness, I now realize, is not something you feel, but something you do. We don’t have to earn it, or be “good enough…

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 rule. Anything you can do in less than a minute, do without delay. Throw away a wrapper. File an email. Hang up your coat. That will get rid of that scum of clutter on the surface of life. And over time, you start to see a big difference.

RELATED: I Tried Marie Kondo's Tidying Up Method—and It Had a Serious Impact on My Happiness

Once you’ve cleared the clutter, then what?

It’s not enough to get rid of stuff that’s dragging us down; we also need things that lift us up. We want to be delighted in our spaces. You can add whatever you want to your space to make it beautiful—just choose those things purposefully.

What else do you do to feel happier?

Relationships are most important to me. I’m in four book groups because I love to see friends and I love books. I also have this habit with my sister and parents called “update”: About once a week, we send a super-boring email about whatever’s going on, just to make ourselves feel more connected.

RELATED: 25 Scientifically Proven Ways to Be a Happier Person

What’s your morning routine like?

The first thing I do is kiss my husband. He’s usually still asleep, but I’m like, “I want to kiss my husband before I check my phone.” Then most days I go for a long walk in Central Park. It’s exercise, it’s nature, it’s light on my face resetting my circadian rhythm. It’s the greatest thing.

How about when you’re feeling blue—how do you recover?

Do 10 jumping jacks! I tell my daughters this all the time. Or run down the stairs. It makes you feel goofy and energized.

Rubin's new book, Outer Order, Inner Calm, is out now.

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On average, we sit for about 12 hours every day. “Yikes” is right. “Whether it’s at a desk or in the car, when people sit for most of the day, they may develop tight hip flexors. These muscles attach to the lumbar spine and could create lower-back pain when they are shortened,” explains physical therapist Erica Anne Meloe, owner of Velocity Physiotherapy in New York City and author of Why Do I Hurt?

So what can you do to help those suffering hip muscles? First, make sure you’re getting up and walking around throughout the day—researchers suggest at least once every 30 minutes. But to further help, try this hip-opening sequence created specifically for Health readers by Peloton yoga instructor Kristin McGee. “These poses take a 360-degree approach, helping to stretch and strengthen the hips from all angles—front, side, and back,” says McGee.

Run through them three to four times a week, and you’ll feel so much looser.

RELATED: How Mindfulness Can Make Your Workouts More Effective

Cow Face pose

Get onto all fours. Cross right leg over left, then sit back down between your heels or on a block, with knees stacked. Extend left arm toward ceiling, then bend left elbow, bringing palm to touch the center of upper back; then bend right arm behind back, trying to grasp fingers of left hand. Stay here for 5–8 breaths, breathing evenly; then switch sides and repeat. To make it more comfortable, you can also sit on a blanket instead of a block.

RELATED: 15 Stretches You Should Do Every Day

Pigeon pose

From Cow Face pose, slide right leg forward onto the floor, placing right shin parallel to the front of the mat, and slide left knee on floor behind you. Lower left thigh to mat with top of left foot facing down. Stay upright, with torso over hips and hips square to the front of the mat. Remain here for 5–8 full breaths, then bring left foot toward right and repeat on opposite side.

RELATED: 5 Best Yoga Poses for Runners

Bound Angle pose

Sit on mat with soles of feet together and knees bent out to sides. Interlace fingers around feet. Inhaling, press knees down toward mat while sitting up tall; bow forward slightly to get a deeper stretch. Stay here for 8–10 breaths.

Ankle to Knee pose

From Bound Angle pose, cross right knee over left ankle and bring bottom leg in so right ankle is over left knee, with shins stacked. Bring both palms to floor in front of you, leaning forward slightly. Hold here for 5–8 breaths.

Half Reclining Hero’s pose

Kneel on mat with knees together. Sit back on heels, and then extend right leg straight out in front of you. Slide left foot slightly wider than knee with the top of left foot on the floor and big toe angled in, allowing butt to rest on floor. Then place hands on floor behind you and lean back, bringing elbows and forearms to floor behind you. From here, continue to lower all the way to the floor or as far as you can go without pain or discomfort; cross elbows overhead…

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 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…

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…

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)…

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…

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…