Wednesday, 27 November 2019
Tuesday, 26 November 2019
Monday, 25 November 2019
American Couple Says They're Being Held 'Hostage' in Mexican Hospital Over $14K Medical Bill
An Atlanta couple forced to seek medical treatment while on a cruise vacation now say they’re being held “hostage” by a hospital in Mexico over an unpaid $14,000 medical bill.
Stephen Johnson, 31, and fiancée Tori Austin were two days into their trip on a Carnival Dream cruise ship when Johnson fell ill and was diagnosed on board with pancreatitis and diabetes, CBS affiliate WGCL reported.
At the behest of Carnival, Johnson sought treatment and was hospitalized in the Mexican town of Progreso, where he spent three days in intensive care, Good Morning America reported.
RELATED: This Couple Was Paying so Much for Their Son's Disability, a Doctor Suggested Getting a Divorce
Once he was on the mend, however, he was hit with a $14,000 bill that the couple is unable to pay, as they do not have health or travelers’ insurance.
“The plan is to pay the bill, it’s not to skip out on the bill,” Austin told GMA. “They saved his life. His life is more than $14,000.”
Austin said she offered $7,000 upfront and asked if they could work out a payment plan for when they were back in the U.S., but that her request was denied, and she and Johnson were barred from leaving the hospital.
RELATED: Couple Found Dead from Murder-Suicide After Man Said He Couldn't Afford Health Care for His Wife
“We tried to leave Tuesday, but we were physically assaulted by the administrative staff,” she alleged. “They physically were pushing on him.”
Austin also claimed that hospital staffers locked the windows to further prevent them leaving, and threatened to call the police should they make a break for it.
“It’s been a nightmare. We just want to come home,” she told WGCL. “$14,000 in a matter of hours, I don’t know who has that type of money.”
RELATED: This Woman Wants to Make It Less Awkward for Sick People to Ask for What They Need
Added Johnson, “[It’s] hell. I very much so am a hostage. Don’t get sick and have to come to this hospital, that’s one thing I can tell you. They won’t let you leave.”
A U.S. Department of State official confirmed to PEOPLE on Friday that a U.S. citizen was being treated at a Progreso hospital, and that a consular officer visited the citizen in the hospital on Thursday.
The official said the department was monitoring the situation closely.
RELATED: This Dad Says His Baby Was Charged $3,500 For His Own Delivery—How Common is That?
Austin, meanwhile, shared an emotional video to Facebook on Wednesday, telling her followers she and Johnson were “coming home” and that someone had offered to pay their entire bill.
“Thank you whoever gave the money,” Johnson could be heard yelling in the background of the video.
Austin later wrote on Facebook Friday morning that she and Johnson were still “waiting” in Mexico.
Carnival confirmed to PEOPLE in a statement that a guest on the Carnival Dream had suffered a medical emergency and “was required to seek medical treatment in Progreso.”
“We are not in a position to comment on the personal matters related to his health or the financial arrangements regarding his treatment, but our CareTeam is providing support,” the statement read.
Austin, however, praised the company in a Facebook post, and wrote that their support had been “great” throughout the ordeal, though she did not go into specifics.
The hospital did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
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Friday, 22 November 2019
Thursday, 21 November 2019
The 20-Minute HIIT Workout You Can Do Literally Anywhere
In a perfect world, we'd all have a good hour of free time every day, specifically for working out.
Unfortunately, that's not the case—and some days, between making time for work, friends, and family, it's hard enough to just find time to take a breath, let alone crush a workout. That is, until high-intensity interval training (HIIT) gained popularity.
For the uninitiated, HIIT workouts are a quick, efficient way to sneak in exercise, but the benefits go way beyond simply fitting it into your schedule. “HIIT training can improve anaerobic capacity, cardiovascular health, and result in fat loss,” says Lacee Lazoff, NASM-certified personal trainer based in New York City and creator of Bells Up. “It’s effective when work’s performed in short intervals at maximum capacity, followed immediately by modesty intervals of very low capacity or rest.”
RELATED: 7 HIIT Mistakes You’re Probably Making
So what does an effective HIIT workout look like? Lazoff suggests that you follow a 30-second on, 90-second rest formula. During those 30 seconds on, you’re really working as hard as possible. “Think of it as a rate of perceived exertion of least a nine,” she adds. And because they take so little time, HIIT workouts are a super-effective addition to any training plan with time restrictions, says Lazoff.
Once you're ready to kick things up a notch (and I mean that literally), try this 20-minute HIIT workout, courtesy of Lazoff—just make sure you've queued up a killer playlist first; you'll want those beats to keep you motivated, but you won't have time to switch the track.
The Workout
Do each move for 30 seconds, rest for 90 seconds before moving on to the next. Repeat the circuit once.
Mountain Climber
Start in a high plank position. Alternate running your knees into your chest as quickly as you can, keeping the hips lifted and feet flexed. Move as fast as possible. You should be out of breath by the end of the interval.
High Knees with Arms Overhead
Start in a standing position with feet hip-width distance apart, arms up overhead with hands facing in, with a slight bend in the elbows. Begin to run in place, bringing knees up your chest as high as possible while pumping your arms. Keep your chest lifted throughout movement and land on the ball of your foot. Repeat.
RELATED: The Best HIIT Workout—and Why It Burns So Many Calories
Jump Squat
Start standing with your feet slightly wider than hip-width apart with toes turned out. Lower into a squat position (your butt should be below your knees). Jump up and land as softly as possible. Repeat.
Frogger
Start in a high plank position with your shoulders directly over your wrists. Engage your core and jump both feet up and outside your hands so that you’re in a squat position. Jump back into plank. Repeat.
RELATED: This 4-Move Battle Rope Workout is Perfect for Beginners
Skater
Stand on left leg with right leg behind you. Explosively hop to right leg, placing left foot behind it to soften landing. Alternate sides. Repeat.
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This 4-Move Battle Rope Workout is Perfect for Beginners
There’s no two-ways around it: Battle ropes look fierce. Varying in thickness, weight, and length, the fitness training tool is right up there with kettlebells and dumbbells as a must-have for gyms and trainers everywhere.
But it's not just because using them can make anyone feel like a warrior—they’re super effective for total-body conditioning. “The ropes are a great tool for fat loss and overall strength because it allows anyone, at any level, to spike their heart rate in short bursts improving cardiovascular output; giving you a whole lot of bang for your buck,” Rachel Prairie, NASM-certified personal trainer at Anytime Fitness, tells Health. She adds that often times you’ll see battle ropes anchored to a wall, beam, or pole. (Just FYI: For this story, Health used the Hyper Rope, Hyper Wear's unanchored battle rope.)
RELATED: Get Your Heart Pumping With This Jump Rope Workout
Before you start eyeing battle ropes, though, you'll want to get acquainted with proper battle-rope position: “Stand with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart, knees bent in a half-squat, and hold one rope in each hand," says Prairie. "If you’ve played sports in the past, this is often referred to as the ‘ready’ position.”
Typically, battle rope exercises involve dynamic, fast movements. The range of these movements is wide, but you’ll want to get comfortable with the basics before moving on to more advanced work, says Prairie. “For beginners, keep it simple,” she says.
To help, Prairie came up with a great beginners routine for anyone looking to add battle ropes into their workout rotation regularly. Here, four moves you can do in the gym for a quick, heart-pumping battle rope workout.
The Workout
Beginners: Two to three sets of 15 reps, resting 90 seconds between each.
Intermediate: Four to six sets of 15 reps, resting 90 seconds between each.
Advanced: Eight sets of 15 to 20 reps, resting 90 seconds between each.
Alternating Speed Wave
- Stand with your feet at shoulder-width distance in a quarter-squat, holding one end of the rope in each hand.
- Rapidly lower and raise your right arm to about chest height, causing a wave motion throughout the rope; repeat on the other side for one rep. Continue for 15 total reps.
RELATED: This Full-Body Resistance Band Workout Only Takes 15 Minutes
Grappler Toss
- Stand with your feet at shoulder-width distance in a quarter-squat, holding one end of the rope in each hand with a thumbs-up grip.
- Bring both hands up and overhead, then down down to the right side of your body, ending at around mid-thigh height.
- Repeat on opposite side for one rep. Do 15 total reps.
The Wave
- Stand with your feet at shoulder-width distance in a quarter-squat, holding one end of the rope in each hand.
- Rapidly lower and raise both arms simultaneously to about chest height, causing a wave motion throughout the rope. Your goal is to be explosive from the hips and keep the wave in a continuous motion, adds Prairie. Continue for 15 total reps.
RELATED: Get a Full-Body HIIT Workout at Home
Jumping Jack
- Stand with your feet at shoulder-width distance, holding one end of the rope in each hand.
- Rapidly jump your feet out to the sides while simultaneously bringing the rope up and out overhead, as if you were doing a jumping jack.
- Slam the rope down while bringing our feet back together for one rep. Do 15 total reps.
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5 Common Challenges Care-Givers Face, and How to Handle Them
It didn’t come as a total surprise when Elizabeth Miller’s 76-year-old mom landed in the hospital with serious respiratory problems in the spring of 2014. Her mother had struggled with chronic health issues for years. Even so, Miller, now 48, and her siblings had to scramble to figure out how to care for her. “Most of us lived hours from my parents, so we took turns visiting,” says Miller. She missed her son’s birthday, and had to work remotely. “My boss was understanding. But it wasn’t easy.”
What’s more, the siblings had to take on tasks they had never imagined—giving their mom injections, administering her breathing treatments, rubbing lotion on her swollen feet. Then that summer, Miller’s father developed sepsis after dental surgery and passed away shortly after. “We moved Mom to an assisted-living facility near me in Georgia, but she wasn’t happy,” Miller says. “I felt guilty, and wondered if we were making the right decisions.”
As the months passed, the pressure took a toll. Miller would find herself bursting into tears “at the drop of a hat,” and her doctor increased the dose of the anti-anxiety medication she’d been taking. “Caregiving stress is like the old fable of boiling a frog,” says Miller. “If you put a frog in tepid water and raise the temperature slowly, it doesn’t notice the heat till it’s too late. The stress of caregiving sneaks up on you too. You don’t realize the situation is getting dangerous until you’re at the boiling point.”
That’s an apt characterization, according to a slew of recent studies. And that proverbial frog? It’s most likely a woman. Of the country’s 40 million–plus unpaid caregivers of a person 65 or older, roughly 66 percent are women, many with jobs and kids at home. Despite those responsibilities, they spend an average of 21 hours a week on care—running errands, attending doctor’s appointments, and providing hands-on assistance. As Stanford University researchers wrote in a 2017 paper in the journal JAMA Neurology, “The best long-term care insurance in our country is a conscientious daughter.”
Most caregivers find their efforts meaningful, but it often comes at a personal cost. Caregivers are at risk for a host of health problems, including depression, back pain, arthritis, and heart disease, says Ruth Drew, director of information and support services for the Alzheimer’s Association. “It’s not uncommon for caregivers themselves to wind up in the hospital,” she adds.
But that doesn’t have to happen. Thanks to a growing body of research, the challenges of caregiving are becoming more widely understood. Here are five of the most common struggles women face—as well as effective ways to cope.
RELATED: Why Caregiving Is Putting a Strain on Women
Challenge 1: You have no bandwidth for yourself
Let’s do some quick math: 40 (or more) hours of work per week, plus 20-some-odd hours helping a loved one, plus child care equals zero time to take care of you. Sure, you’d love to work out regularly, get plenty of sleep, and cook nutritious meals. It just seems impossible.
But it’s vital to find small, doable ways to keep healthy, says Drew—not just for yourself but also for the person who needs your help: “Many of the women I work with finally start taking care of themselves when they realize their [older relative] would be lost without them.”
RELATED: 8 Self-Care Habits That Will Help You Feel Less Stress and More Joy
When it comes to exercise, remember that short bouts count. “Accumulating physical activity in 5-, 10-, or 20-minute increments adds up,” says Eli Puterman, PhD, assistant professor in the School of Kinesiology at the University of British Columbia. You might stash a pair of sneakers and a yoga mat in the trunk of your car so you can take a quick jaunt around the block or follow a vinyasa flow video on your phone while your loved one watches TV. There are also apps, like Tone It Up and J&J Official 7 Minute Workout, that will guide you through a brief strength routine. Your efforts will prepare your body for the more physical demands of caregiving, adds Puterman: “Helping an adult in and out of bed requires a strong lower back, core, and legs,” he points out.
Eating healthfully doesn’t have to be complicated either. If you buy fresh precut veggies, lettuce, and fruit, along with some canned beans and frozen chicken or fish, you can whip up fiber- and vitamin-packed meals that require little time or effort. And eating well will help you maintain your much-needed energy.
As for sleep, getting a solid eight hours may not be realistic if you’re up in the middle of the night with someone who’s in pain, or who needs to go to the bathroom. But don’t discount the power of naps. Try to snooze when your loved one does, to make up for lost sleep.
RELATED: 13 Things You Should Know Before Becoming a Caregiver
Challenge 2: Your nerves are frayed
“Caregiving is a superhuman task,” says Drew. “There’s a sense of urgency when someone absolutely needs your help and attention—so a lot of times the things that fill you up and nourish you are the things that seem expendable.” As a result, you rarely get opportunities to decompress, which can eventually lead to burnout.
Experts say one strategy that may help is mindfulness. “Caregivers are usually worrying about the future or the past,” says Susan McCurry, PhD, a clinical psychologist and research professor at the University of Washington. “Mindfulness is helpful because it brings you back to the present moment, where things are actually OK.” And when you anchor yourself in the now, your nervous system shifts from the sympathetic, fight-or-flight mode to the parasympathetic, rest mode.
RELATED: 9 Easy Ways to Practice Self Care This Week
There’s even research to back up the benefits of mindfulness: A study done at the University of Minnesota found that this calming approach decreased stress and improved the mental health, mood, anxiety, and sense of burden in women caring for a parent with dementia.
Once you get the hang of mindfulness, you can practice it anytime, anywhere: while you’re sitting in a waiting room or standing in line to pick up a prescription, or when you wake up during the night. Here’s all you need to do, according to McCurry: Bring your attention to your senses—whether it’s the sounds around you or the feeling of your bedsheets against your skin—then turn your attention to your breath. Allow your mind to rest on the sensation of it moving in and out of your body.
RELATED: If You Struggle to Find Time for Self-Care, These Clever Apps Can Help
Challenge 3 : You’ve lost touch with your friends
Caregivers aren’t just exhausted and pressed for time; they are often isolated because they don’t want to burden other people. “But sharing your thoughts and feelings with supportive friends reduces blood pressure, strengthens immunity, and has beneficial psychological effects, including reduced stress,” says Joan Monin, PhD, associate professor of social and behavioral sciences at the Yale School of Public Health. Having even one person to talk to can positively affect caregivers’ well-being, according to a 2016 study by Japanese researchers.
What’s more, researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Duke University found that when caregivers stayed engaged with their social support network, their care recipients’ health was better than those being tended by a lonely caregiver. “Having support may help you perform your caregiving tasks more effectively,” explains lead author Dannielle Kelley, PhD.
RELATED: Here's How to Use Your Happiest Memories to Fight Stress Now
Ask a friend to come over for tea, or schedule regular phone calls or video chats so you can stay in touch. And find someone, whether it’s your spouse or a respite care professional, to cover for you as often as possible so you can get out of the house for dinner or drinks, or even a weekend away—because, as Monin puts it, “leisure activities are vital for your health and your peace of mind.”
Challenge 4: You’re anxious about money—and your job
According to a 2016 report by AARP, 78 percent of caregivers incur out-of-pocket costs—on average, $7,000 per year. To make ends meet, 30 percent have dipped into their personal savings, 16 percent have reduced contributions to their retirement accounts, and 45 percent have cut back on eating out or vacations. If you’re faced with new costs, it may be worth talking to a financial planner, who can help you budget and, ultimately, feel more in control of your overall money picture.
Job security may be at the top of your mind too, especially if you’re out of the office more than usual. It makes sense to explain your caregiver role to your boss or supervisor, says Nick Bott, an instructor at Stanford’s Clinical Excellence Research Center. Not every employer will respond positively, but if you emphasize how committed you are to your career, you may be able to work remotely or tweak your hours to better accommodate your caregiving responsibilities. Also, if you can afford it, see whether you’re eligible under the Family and Medical Leave Act for up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave each year without losing your job.
RELATED: 3 Expert Tips for Dealing With Financial Stress
Challenge 5: You’re wrestling with guilt
Guilt is common in women who are juggling a career and family as well as caregiving. “They feel like they’re not doing enough—emotionally, physically, or financially. And they beat themselves up for not doing it all perfectly,” says Carla Marie Manly, PhD, a clinical psychologist in Sonoma County, California, who treats caregivers.
A little guilt can push you to do all the tough jobs that caregiving requires. But being too self-critical can increase your risk for depression. So make sure you practice self-compassion.
One easy trick: Shift your focus from what you’re not doing to all the many things you are, suggests Manly. Throughout the day, as you check stuff off your to-do list, take a moment to recognize and celebrate your accomplishments.
RELATED: How to Stop Feeling Guilty About Everything
Another key cause of guilt, adds Monin, is feeling like your loved one is suffering, despite your efforts. “It may help to realize that caregivers often overestimate their loved one’s suffering and underestimate their actual quality of life,” she says.
It can also help to spend some time with your loved one that doesn’t involve any physical therapy or medications. Miller tried this after her mom moved into the assisted-living facility near her home. “Because I felt like I could never do enough for her, I was resentful,” Miller recalls. But then at a support group for caregivers, someone suggested Miller plan some fun activities with her mom. “We started watching Grace and Frankie together, and playing cards. Rekindling a more normal mother-daughter relationship restored a healthier balance,” she says. “It helped me enjoy our time together—which was a gift.”
Sharing the load
“Many caregivers aren’t good at asking for—and accepting—help,” says Rani Snyder, a vice president at the John A. Hartford Foundation, which gives grants for caregiving research. But if you want to get through it in one piece, you need partners. Here’s how to take a team approach:
Make a list of tasks, and get others on board. “What are the things that only you can do—and what can someone else take on, like housecleaning, lawn maintenance, car maintenance, shoveling snow, grocery shopping, and laundry?” says Drew. Then, convene a meeting with siblings, either in person or on a conference call, and let everyone choose.
RELATED: 15 Ways to Add Self-Care to Your Workout Routine
Don’t forget to ask for help for yourself. “When my wife’s mom fell ill, we had an uncle who would come by once a week and stay with the kids, which gave my wife time to go to the park or see a movie,” says Steven Huberman, founding dean of Touro College Graduate School of Social Work. Ask for emotional support, too. If you tell a loved one that the thing you really need is someone to listen, most will happily show up—and feel like they’re being useful.
Express your gratitude. Caregiving can be emotionally fraught. Acknowledging everyone’s contributions sets a positive tone, which can go a long way toward relieving stress and avoiding tension and resentment.
Coping tools
These smartphone apps might make your life a little easier.
To help you stay organized… Caring Village lets you coordinate activities like transportation, meal delivery, and errands; store important documents; and manage medications. Another app, called CaringBridge, allows you to update—and receive assistance from—friends and family during a crisis.
RELATED: This Lady Gaga Self-Care Meme Is Just What You Need to See This Week
To help you provide better care… Need to treat a nosebleed, or a twisted ankle? First Aid: American Red Cross has advice for almost any everyday health emergency, and comes complete with step-by-step guides and videos. If your loved one is in pain, the PainScale app allows you to log and track pain symptoms over time. And eCare21 syncs information like glucose level, heart rate, weight, calorie intake, and sleep from wearable devices like a smartwatch or Fitbit.
To help you feel less harried… Sanvello uses techniques based on cognitive behavior therapy and mindfulness to address stress and anxiety. You should also check out Happify, which offers science-based activities and games to reduce stress, quell negative thoughts, and build resilience. It might have you list things you’re grateful for or notice positive words—all of which can help you think more optimistically.
Caring for someone far away
Long-distance caregiving is its own kind of burden. “You don’t have the daily demands, but the uncertainty and guilt can be tough,” says Sara Douglas, PhD, RN, a professor at Case Western Reserve University’s Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing. Fortunately, no matter where you are, you can provide indispensable help.
Find a local point person. “Whether it’s a family member, friend, or neighbor, you need someone who can visit your loved one and provide accurate information about key issues,” says Douglas. “Is there food in the fridge? Are they eating? Are they getting to their appointments?”
RELATED: 11 Tricks That Will Help You Really, Truly Relax
Ask for assignments. Some examples of things you can do from afar: Pay bills online, arrange transportation, communicate with doctors, create and share a Google Calendar so local caregivers can coordinate meal delivery and taking out the trash, or post updates for family and friends.
Sit in on doctor’s visits remotely. You can use FaceTime or video conferencing. “Most doctors are open to it,” Douglas says.
Time your visits thoughtfully. Arrange them so you can give the local caregiver a break. “Ask when would work best—maybe a time when they can take a vacation,” suggests Douglas.
Consider hiring a nurse, or a social worker. If you can afford the extra expense, a professional caregiver may alleviate some of your worry, says Douglas.
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Wednesday, 20 November 2019
How This Woman Is Using Old Bras to Support Homeless Women
I never thought I’d be starting a global nonprofit—and definitely not because I needed a new bra!
As a mom of two, I’d gained weight with both of my pregnancies and never really lost it. So in 2014, a couple of close friends told me over a glass of wine, “You need to take more time to get healthy.”
The message sunk in. I started making better food choices and running. Over the course of 10 months, I lost 35 pounds. I don’t care much about fashion, so I kept wearing my old clothes until the summer of 2015, when my husband told me one day, “You can’t go to a business meeting in that bra.”
Read more stories about innovative and inspirational women, check out our Wellness Warriors series
It didn’t fit me around the torso anymore, and I couldn’t tighten it. While buying new bras at a local store, I asked the clerk what I could do with all of my perfectly good used bras that no longer fit me. She looked at me and said, “Homeless women need bras.”
Those four simple words changed my life. I went home and called a shelter near my home in the Washington, D.C., metro area. Their response: “How soon can you bring them?”
RELATED: This Bra Is So Comfortable, It’s Sold Out 10 Times
I don’t normally post on Facebook, but I felt compelled to mention that I’d just learned of this overwhelming need. Did anyone else have old bras to give away? The shelter had mentioned that women and girls are also frequently in need of pads and tampons, so I asked for donations of those, too.
People shared, and reshared, my request, and it got crazy really fast, in a “lightning in a bottle” way. Within two days, my Facebook group, Support the Girls, was born. A few months later, my husband made a website to keep up with the demand.
RELATED: This Insanely Comfortable Bra Has Over 2,600 Near-Perfect Reviews on Nordstrom
By that time, I’d made it to the shelter, and I had collected more than 1,000 bras and more than 7,100 pads and tampons. It didn’t make sense to stop there. Today, Support the Girls has nearly 60 affiliates across the U.S., as well as around the world. We’ve donated around 5 million products, including mastectomy bras, prosthetics for women going through cancer treatment, binders for trans boys and men, menstrual underwear, and menstrual cups. We’ve donated to Chicago public schools and the Indiana Department of Corrections, and provided supplies during and after natural disasters like Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Dorian.
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Tuesday, 19 November 2019
How the Founder of GirlTrek is Fighting Diabetes in Her Community
In 2011, I heard a statistic that 50 percent of black women are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. It just so happened that I was teaching fifth grade at the time, and those were the women-to-be in my classroom.
I couldn’t sit by as their futures were threatened by this silent health crisis. And so, I started taking girls hiking on Saturdays. Each time, we walked and talked about things that might be a barrier to them living their healthiest lives. At the same time, my best friend, Vanessa Garrison, was grappling with women in her family dying too early. I knew we had to do something bolder and more transformative.
Read more stories about innovative and inspirational women, check out our Wellness Warriors series
Vanessa and I set an audacious goal to get 1 million women to walk—to improve their own health, to create a new culture of health for their families, to inspire their daughters, and to take back their neighborhoods. We invited 532 friends on our combined email lists to walk with us.
Walking is the single most powerful thing you can do for your health. Walking 30 minutes a day, five days a week reduces most chronic disease by half. Each time we walk, we also combat loneliness and isolation, and build community, friendship, and culture.
RELATED: Your Walking Speed Can Tell You How Fast You're Aging
This is how GirlTrek was born. And not only do we organize walks but we also audit the needs of our neighborhoods as we walk. “Oh, we could put a garden there.” “There really needs to be a traffic stop here.” Or: “This mother has lost her son. Let’s walk and talk with her while she grieves.”
The more we walked, the more word spread. Today, with more than 270,000 members, we’re one of the largest public health nonprofits for African American women and girls in the U.S., and we aspire to reach 1 million members in the near future.
RELATED: These Are the Best Walking Workouts, According to Fitness Experts
When we are asked who’s in GirlTrek, we say: It’s rowdy college students, it’s the lunch lady, it’s all the women on the church pew—it’s everybody working together.
Our national team walked 100 miles on parts of the Underground Railroad, inspired by the footsteps of Harriet Tubman. But I find it rewarding when women have their own quiet breakthroughs, like a woman who’s gotten up and walked by herself every single morning for a year, and on the 365th day, she tweets about it.
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Monday, 18 November 2019
Friday, 15 November 2019
Kaley Cuoco Says These Hot Pink Bike Shorts Are 'All She Cares About'
Whether she's crushing a post-surgery workout or pursuing her passion for horseback-riding, Kaley Cuoco takes fitness seriously. But she also doesn't mess around when it comes to her workout clothes. Cuoco knows style and comfort are crucial no matter what kind of gym session is on the agenda. (Remember those festive candy corn leggings she wore to a yoga class ahead of Halloween? Too cute.)
In a recent post on her Instagram Stories, Cuoco shared a selfie after finishing "the loveliest yoga class," during which she wore P.E Nation Swish Shorts (Buy It, $109, neimanmarcus.com). The Big Bang Theory star attended the class in her hot pink, high-waisted bike shorts to wind down after her first day of filming her forthcoming HBO Max series The Flight Attendant.
Cuoco joked in her post that the shorts are "all I care about." She also thanked her pal Emma Madeline Ross for ordering them for her, writing: "I am so happy."
RELATED: Kaley Cuoco Uses Painful Cupping and Scraping Therapies for Workout Recovery—Here’s What That Means
INSTAGRAM/@KALEYCUOCO
RELATED: Kaley Cuoco Slams 'Social Media Trolls' for Saying She Looks Pregnant: 'Seriously, Shut Up'
Cuoco is hardly the first celeb to profess their love for P.E Nation's activewear. After Kylie Jenner wore an outfit designed by P.E Nation co-founders Pip Edwards and Claire Tregoning on her Snapchat in 2016, the female-owned brand saw a spike in sales (as well as an online sell-out of Jenner's outfit) and an increase in famous devotees, including Jenner's sister Kourtney Kardashian, models Gigi Hadid and Joan Smalls, and actress Elle Fanning.
Granted, Cuoco's P.E. Nation bike shorts are a bit of a pricey pick. But the high-rise, polyester/spandex blend offers tons of core support, yet the shorts are still lightweight enough for a more intense workout like a HIIT class. Even better: The brand says the shorts are "squat-test approved with zero transparency," so you won't need to worry about them being suddenly see-through as you work on your most challenging yoga poses or leg workouts.
RELATED: Kaley Cuoco Responds to Comments on Her Post-Surgery Workout Bra: It's Not 'Anyone's Business'
Plus, the high-performance fabric will feel comfortable and cool on your skin, meaning you can wear these bad boys from barre to brunch with ease. And if they've got the Cuoco seal of approval, you know they're good.
Activewear that looks just as good in the yoga studio as it does on the street is nothing new, but these hot pink shorts prove that the bike shorts trend—also beloved by celebrities like Miley Cyrus and Hailey Bieber—is here to stay. So if you find yourself feeling bored with your basic black leggings, serve up some modern-day workout Barbie vibes with Cuoco's hot pink P.E. Nation bike shorts.
RELATED: Kaley Cuoco Reveals She Underwent Shoulder Surgery on Honeymoon — 5 Days After Her Wedding
P.E. NATION
Buy It: P.E. Nation Swish Shorts, $109, neimanmarcus.com
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This article originally appeared on Shape.com
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Thursday, 14 November 2019
Wednesday, 13 November 2019
Tuesday, 12 November 2019
College Gymnast Dies After 'Tragic Freak Accident' on Uneven Bars
Melanie Coleman, a decorated gymnast and junior nursing student attending Southern Connecticut State University, died on Sunday after sustaining a devastating accident during gymnastics practice on Friday.
According to the The Connecticut Post, which first reported on the news, and NBC News, Coleman, 20, suffered a spinal injury while training on the uneven bars at New Era Gymnastics in Hamden, Connecticut, where she had trained for 10 years.
One of Coleman’s longtime coaches, Tom Alberti, described the incident as “totally unexpected in its occurrence and its outcome.” A GoFundMe account set up for Coleman’s family echoed that sentiment, calling the incident a “tragic freak accident” that initially left Coleman in critical care. The GoFundMe page raised over $56,000 in just two days.
RELATED: Metal Drinking Straw Impales Woman’s Brain and Kills Her in Freak Accident
Mary Fredericks, head coach of Southern Connecticut State University gymnastics, revealed in a statement that the team was "heartbroken and stunned. "She was an incredibly hard worker and a sweet-spirited young woman," she said. "Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to her family at this time."
The Connecticut Post also reported that Coleman’s organs are being donated to keep others alive. “We are confident that her spirit, laughter, and humor will live on through the ones who loved her most, as well as through the gift of life to those who needed it most through organ donation,” the Coleman family wrote in a statement published by WTNH-TV
Gymnastics is, unfortunately, not a sport that comes without risks—it was named the most dangerous women’s sport, according to a 2008 study published in the journal Pediatrics.
RELATED: Gymnast Samantha Cerio Walks Down the Aisle After Breaking Both Knees in Horrific Injury
For the study, researchers from The Ohio State University and Nationwide Children’s Hospital examined gymnasts between the ages of 6 to 17, finding that nearly 27,000 gymnasts were hospitalized annually. Overall, the annual injury rate for gymnastics was 4.8 for every 1,000 participants.
"We don't typically think of gymnastics as a dangerous sport. In fact, many parents consider it an activity, but it has the same clinical incidence of catastrophic injuries as ice hockey," Nationwide Children's Hospital Lara McKenzie said in a video release at the time the study was published.
In addition to setting up the GoFundMe account, the page’s organizers also set up a meal train for the family, to provide them with dinners and other meals during this difficult time.
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Broccoli–Caramelized Onion Quiche With Quinoa Crust
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Harissa Shakshuka With Spinach & Chickpeas
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Dragon Fruit, Pineapple & Chia Smoothie Bowl
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Sausage & Kale Strata
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Winter Citrus Salad With Yogurt & Granola
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Cinnamon Roll Muffins
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Monday, 11 November 2019
Friday, 8 November 2019
Dagne Dover’s Landon Carryall Is a Working Mother’s Must-Have
As a woman with a three-hour round-trip commute and two children under the age of five, there’s a lot in my life that fails to meet any kind of glamour quotient. But Dagne Dover, she gets me. Just because I need to schlep 500 things from here to there and everywhere does not mean I don’t care about style or staying on trend. I’m a mom, but I’m still a human, breathing air and buying things, though mostly for my kids. (Hint hint potential gift-givers.)
RELATED: 12 Stylish Gym Bags You Can Carry Everywhere
So needless to say, when I received the news that Dagne just released a special holiday collection, I jumped at the chance to explore. Over the summer (remember when it was warm?) I had the great fortune of testing out Dagne Dover’s Landon Carryall Duffle Bag ($185; dagnedover.com) in the oceanic Sea Mist shade (a seasonal hue that’s only available in the summer). I was nothing short of #blessed to be able to put this bag to use—it’s stylish and holds pretty much my entire life. Things I can store in the large Landon Carryall without losing: laptop, charger, iPhone, charger, diapers, toilet training seat, change of baby clothes, a diaper-changing pad, baby wipes, three water bottles, a large wallet, an inhaler, Altoids, sunglasses, hand lotion, sunblock for every body part, and more—there is literally a compartment for EVERY.THING.
To buy: Dagne Dover Large Landon Carryall, $185; dagnedover.com and nordstrom.com
There are five bags in the newly-released 2019 Holiday Collection: a fanny pack, a small backpack, and my beloved Landon Carryall bag in three sizes. The collection is a departure from the soft shades of summer—the Siren red color is certainly festive and bold—and the bags are made of corduroy rather than the classic neoprene, which is fun to touch and evokes a furrier winter vibe.
I once again tested the Landon Carryall—this time in medium—and I was surprised to find that, compared to the large bag, all the same storage as was still there! Despite going down a size, the things I can fit into the medium Landon Carryall include: a 13-inch laptop, an iPhone, a water bottle, a 305-page hardcover book, a large wallet, a palm-sized wristlet, an extremely large bottle of Advil, hand sanitizer, lip balm, hand-moisturizer, and a large-and-in-charge sweater poncho for my freezing cold office. One thing to note: Dagne bags are only hand-washable so they do need to be treated with care—be mindful of anything liquid in or around this precious gem.
To buy: Dagne Dover Medium Landon Carryall, $155; dagnedover.com
The bag is easy to wear over my shoulder, and I can also hold it on my forearm like a proper handbag for when I have to dress up for work. What I love about the medium-sized Carryall in particular is that it can do double duty as a work bag and a gym bag without feeling bulky or looking dumpy.
The way I feel about the Carryall is how I imagine my husband feels about pick-up trucks and loaded SUVs—the room, the style, the statement! But really, this bag has many pockets as my mind has anxieties (where the hell is my phone!?), which helps me breathe a little easier and probably adds a good 10 minutes back to my life because I don’t have to search for anything. Your phone has its own side pocket—on the outside of the bag where you need it—there’s a hook just for your keys, a bag inside the bag for shoes, a zip pouch for those things you want to access quickly but also keep protected, and a sleeve for pretty much everything else—tablet or laptop, books, folders, drinks. Whatever it is, it has a home.
RELATED: Meghan Markle’s Affordable Tote Is the Perfect Gym-to-Work Bag
To put it simply, every working mother and busy woman who’s constantly on-the-go need to have this bag, yesterday. The Landon Carryall comes in five different sizes, from extra small to extra large, and 11 colors ranging from soft and muted to dark and bold, so there’s a style for everyone. This is the kind of bag almost any woman would be happy to receive this holiday season—I, for one, will be sharing this link with my husband.
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