Like many people, I once used phrases like “love your curves” and “love yourself.” I worked as a personal trainer for nearly a decade in New York City, where the majority of my clients came to me because they hated their bodies and wanted to feel confident and “good enough” for perhaps the first time
Weight Loss
Strengthening a weak core is no walk in the park, which is why we rounded up the 12 best core-strengthening exercises, handpicked by certified trainers, to make it that much easier. Because, honestly, working on your core strength shouldn’t feel like a chore. It’s one of the most important things you can do for your
The keto diet is having a moment, and we’re on board for it. The basis of the ketogenic diet is putting your body into ketosis by consuming mainly protein and fat, and lowering your carbohydrate and sugar intake. It’s a slightly more extreme version of a low-carb diet, but many of the same principles apply.
When it comes to meditation, if you’re anything like me, you might be skeptical about it and need a little push. It’s hard to focus on your own (have you tried to sit in silence while your thoughts play patty-cake with your mind?!), but you can get the push you need in the form of
If you prefer to exercise outdoors, but you’re worried that it will only make your seasonal allergies worse, your fears aren’t totally unfounded. After all, the more time you spend outside, the more likely you are to be exposed to allergens, whether you’re most sensitive in the Spring, Summer, or Fall. Even worse, if your
We all know that push-ups are difficult, but they won’t feel any easier if you forget to breathe. There are a few reasons you want to breathe during push-ups — one is so you don’t get lightheaded and pass out. Another reason is because when you breathe, you’re able to activate your abdominal muscles, and
In spectacular news that we saw coming, the GOAT just made history again. Simone Biles won the 2019 US Gymnastics Championships in Kansas City, MO, with a two-night total of 118.500 (she led after the first night on Aug. 9 with a 58.650). This victory marked her sixth US all-around title, which is the first
Subway has officially amped up its vegan and vegetarian options with the addition of a new Beyond Meatball Marinara Sub, and it looks SO real! As someone who’s dabbled in the world of plant-based food, I know how difficult it can be to find a decent meat-free (and gluten-free) protein to substitute in sandwiches and
As soon as you feel stiffness or tension in your neck, your first reaction may be to simply crack your neck and keep going with your day. Cracking your neck isn’t necessarily bad, but there is a right and wrong way to go about making an adjustment. Is It Normal For Your Neck to Make
Full-body strength-training exercises are key for fat loss — which is why we’ve gathered these 12 trainer-recommended moves to choose from — but why are these exercises so critical? “A lot of people think that the best way to shed fat is by doing lots of steady cardio. You can lose fat that way, but
Melatonin can help you fall asleep faster, but while doctors don’t recommend long-term use for anyone, women who are on birth control pills should take extra precautions before getting in the habit of reaching for a supplement whenever insomnia strikes. Savita Ginde, MD, vice president of medical affairs at Stride Community Health Center and former
For us, weekend mornings mean sleeping in, chilling out in pajamas for as long as possible, and having a big brunch. Specifically, when we have bagels, the day just starts off on the right foot. But, if you’re sticking to a keto diet, bagels can be tough because of their high carbohydrate content. Well, not
When I signed up for a weeklong silent meditation retreat, I was looking forward to some peace and quiet, to deepening my meditation practice, and to having no choice but to unplug. When the first day actually arrived, I spent the six-hour train ride to the retreat center manically scrolling through Instagram-famous ferrets and art
Beans are an excellent source of plant-based protein, but if you’ve assumed you can’t have them on a low-carb diet, think again. While it’s true that beans are high in carbohydrates, “along with that comes fiber — mostly soluble fiber, which can help lower cholesterol — and important vitamins and minerals like folate, potassium, iron,
I haven’t eaten meat for almost 30 years, and I’ve never actually even had a real hamburger before (I always chose hot dogs at barbecues when I was a kid). So I don’t even know what a real hamburger is supposed to taste like! Beyond Meat just came out with these new “meatier” Beyond Burgers,
My husband and I met in college, where we were both student athletes. Today, we’ve traded sports practices and class schedules for the stresses of adulthood — namely, juggling careers while parenting our two children. So, once a year, we try to get away, just the two of us. Early on, it only made sense
Running can help you lose weight, reduce stress, and generally keep you in shape — but the benefits of running outside may be even greater. Research shows that exercising outdoors can not only improve your mood, but also improve your workouts, by increasing the amount of time you remain active and lowering levels of perceived
Looking to drop a few pounds? Well, eating more salad in general is a great idea, as salad is packed with greens and fiber to keep you full and regular. And, there are tons of perks to eating more fiber, to note, anyway. However, it’s not a free-for-all when you’re choosing those toppings. There are
After NBA players like Kevin Love and DeMar DeRozan spoke out about their struggles with mental health, the NBA reportedly is ready to implement some serious changes to the league’s guidelines. According to Sam Amick of The Atlantic, all 30 teams will be required to follow the new mental health initiatives, which will be officially
Runner’s knee can be caused by a few different conditions, but technically speaking, it’s “any kind of irritation of the knee, particularly around the kneecap area or the tendons that support the knee,” said Nirav Pandya, MD, associate professor of orthopedic surgery at UC San Francisco. The term itself, a catchall for a few different
There’s no denying that push-ups instantly make your arms feel like they’re going to fall off no matter your fitness level. They’re on my list of “exercises I love to hate” even though push-ups are a great upper-body strengthening exercise. There are so many different variations you can do like clapping push-ups and one-arm medicine
Colleen Doherty, MD, is a board-certified internist and medical writer and editor in Chicago, IL. Colleen also has multiple sclerosis. She understands well the difficulty of balancing the demands and unpredictability of a chronic illness with a career and family. I was a 23-year-old medical student, excited for my future as a doctor, when I
If you didn’t know by now, Jennifer Lopez is the definition of standout strong — here’s a core workout from her trainer for proof. She and husband-to-be Alex Rodriguez were treated to a recent gym session courtesy of the Dallas Cowboys, and the 49-year-old singer reposted footage from ARod’s Instagram, who thanked Cowboys owner Jerry
I gave up coffee almost four years ago, and at first, I didn’t know how I was going to function. I think I drank 10 cups of green tea those first few days. Shortly after, though, I discovered matcha, and my whole world changed. Matcha is a highly concentrated green tea that has around the
When I’m trying to lose weight, I cut down on sugar and carbohydrates and amp up my protein intake, because that’s what my body responds to. Unfortunately for me, I love pasta. I could eat it pretty much every day, and it’s one of my favorite go-to dinners. Pasta and weight loss don’t typically go
Having a strong core is essential if you do CrossFit because it makes you feel like you can lift more, run faster, and jump higher. Although we rarely do straight-up ab exercises since most CrossFit workouts are full body, when we do work our abs, these are the core-strengthening moves our coach has us do.
The more core workouts you do, the more you start to ask: how long is it actually going to take for me to “get” abs? The answer: it depends, but — good news — there are a few concrete things you can do to speed up the process, no matter where you’re starting from. One
The hardest part of losing weight for me was retooling my snacks. Previously, when the midafternoon hunger pangs hit, all bets were off; I would typically hit the vending machine or wander to the convenience store looking for a sweet treat or savory snack to give me that much-needed pick-me-up. But lately, instead of reaching
I don’t know about you, but I could eat ice cream all year round, regardless of weather. However, there’s something about having a cold treat in the Summer that just speaks to me. I eat a low-carb diet, though, so I have to watch my intakes if I want to look and feel my best.
When it comes to planning weeknight dinners, meal-prepping and one-pan meals can be your best friends. For a filling dinner option packed with healthy carbs and protein, you really can’t go wrong with chicken casseroles. From flavorful Mexican-inspired dishes to various combinations of chicken, veggies, and rice, we’ve got you covered with 20 healthy recipes.