The 2016 Next Fitness Star Workout Is the Most Intense Yet

Nikki Metzer's 15-minute routine will help you carve out your fiercest body ever.

13 Weight Loss Resolutions You Shouldn't Make

Swap sure-to-fail New Year's resolutions with goals you'll actually stick to.

Weight-Loss Solutions for the New Year

These weight loss tips can help you stick to your new year's resolutions this time around.

10 Reasons Your Belly Fat Isn't Going Away

Yes, stomach pudge may be stubborn, but here are a slew of research-proven ways to dump it for good.

The 4 Moves You Need in Order to Own the Weight Room in 2016

Let's do this.

John Krasinski Talks About Having New Muscles in Private Places

The star of the upcoming film, 13 Hours, and proud owner of fresh abs answers our Qs on fitness, love, and bromance.

32 Ways to Reverse Holiday Weight Gain in 1 Week

If you gained a few pounds during the holiday season, you're not alone. But the good news is that you can lose the weight quickly—in fact, it's possible to do it in just 7 days.

7 Reasons You Have Adult Acne, and 7 Ways To Get Rid Of It

There’s nothing more disappointing than waiting until your 20s to finally have clear skin, and then learning the hard way that bad breakouts don’t necessarily end when your teenage years do. Coming to terms with adult acne is difficult—best rest assured, you’re not the only grown woman dealing with zits.

“Put it this way: it is so common that pimples are meeting wrinkles,” dermatologist Neal Schultz, M.D., creator of Beauty Rx Skincare, tells SELF. “For the last 10-20 years, adult acne has been increasing. It can even go into your 50s, right to menopause.” If you had acne as a teen, chances are you’ve got oily skin that’s prone to breakouts. But even if you didn’t, it’s still possible you’ll end up with adult acne.

Even though the outlook seems dreary (acne and wrinkles sounds like some sort of sick joke, right?), knowing what’s causing your complexion woes can help you clear up your skin and keep breakouts at bay. 

The Causes:

1. Your hormones may be to blame.

“Fluctuation in hormones, such as before one’s menstrual cycle, is the main cause,” explains dermatologist Julia Tzu, M.D., of Wall Street Dermatology. Specifically, androgens (male hormones) like testosterone. This usually rears its ugly head in the form of deep (painful) cystic acne around the chin, neck, and back, says dermatologist Rebecca Kazin, M.D., F.A.A.D., of the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery and the Johns Hopkins Department of Dermatology.

2. Stress can be an extra (and very influential) driving force.

Another source of hormonal changes: stress. Whether you work full-time, are a full-time mom, or juggle both, chances are your stress levels are high. “When you’re stressed, you have an organ called the adrenal gland that makes the stress hormone cortisol, and puts it out into the body to help the body deal with stress,” Dr. Schultz explains. Unfortunately, a tiny bit of testosterone leaks out with it. For a woman, this male hormone can drive the oil glands to produce more oil—the root cause of breakouts. (Thanks a lot hormones!)

3. Pollution isn’t helping your case either.

“Air pollution just puts this layer of crap on your face,” Schultz says. Especially if you live in a city. Go walk around outside for a half hour, he suggests. When you come home, wipe your face with a toner pad or face wipe, and see what color it is. Warning: You’re not going to like what you see.

4. You may be using the wrong products.

If you have oily or combination skin and are prone to breakouts, you should be using skincare products labeled “oil-free,” “non-comedogenic,” or “water-based,” Schultz says. Just one of these will ensure that the lotion you’re slathering on isn’t going to clog your pores and make matters worse. Try a gel-based moisturizer like Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb; for an SPF option, we like PCA Skin Weightless Protection Broad Spectrum SPF.

5. You’re cleansing too frequently and intensely.

“Over-washing your face can make acne worse,” Kazin explains. Cleansing more than twice a day is too much, and can just dry out skin, “which can cause [it] to produce more oil to overcompensate.” Your Clarisonic addiction may not be helping either. “It helps remove all makeup and helps your cleanser work better, but I worry about the coarse ones. It’s almost like giving yourself microdermabrasion twice a day, which can cause a breakout,” says Kazin. Schultz seconds that: “Anything that rubs skin will, to a small extent, promote acne.” That includes a grainy or gritty cleanser, too. Try these two gentle face washes instead: Phace Bioactive Detoxifying Gel Cleanser or Frank Body Creamy Face Cleanser.

6. Specific foods may or may not have an effect—the evidence is all super fuzzy.

We’ve all heard the foods that allegedly cause acne—chocolate, fried foods, pizza, caffeine, nuts. But Schultz reminds us that in large statistically significant studies, these have not been proven to cause zits, but there are always exceptions. “If you break out when you eat chocolate, don’t eat chocolate.” Same with dairy, which again, has been shown in some cases to have an effect but no concrete cause-and-effect relationship exists.

The one food Schultz does recommend to avoid is iodine. “Iodine causes acne in everyone if you eat enough,” he says. You can find it in shellfish, like lobster, shrimp, crab, and some greens like kelp and spinach. The different between iodine and those other “acne-causing foods” is that iodine builds up over weeks and months before it starts to affect skin.

7. Your sweet tooth is causing a skin problem. 

Another potential skin saboteur is sugar because it raises your insulin level. More and more evidence shows that insulin may boost those oil-triggering male hormones, Schultz explains. Stick to low-glycemic foods—ones that have complex carbs like whole grains, which break down slower in the body and cause less of an insulin spike. Your health will be better for it, too.

The post 7 Reasons You Have Adult Acne, and 7 Ways To Get Rid Of It appeared first on SELF.

Hometown Holdouts: Nueske's, The Wisconsin Bacon On Everybody's Lips

Tanya Nueske likes to joke that she was smoked from birth. She's certainly been around bacon all her life.

6 Signs He’s Way More into You Than You're into Him

And how to let him down gently.

8 Famous Women (Other Than Teresa Giudice) Who've Been to Jail

Tre is hardly the first female celebrity to go to jail…and she probably won’t be the last.

30 Easy Tips to Get Slimmer in 30 Days

Follow this monthlong plan and say hello to a thinner, healthier you.

Are You Wearing the Wrong Moisturizer for Your Skin Type?

It's time for a visit to hydration station.

Cassey Ho’s 7-Move Total Body Workout

Want to work out your entire body in just a few moves? Cassey Ho, founder of POP Pilates and Blogilates, demonstrates how to get a toned body in just 7, fat-blasting moves.

5 Ab Exercises That Blast Belly Fat

Having an excess of belly fat can cause serious health problems—from heart disease to type 2 diabetes. In this video, Cassey Ho demonstrates how to do 5 different ab exercises to whittle away belly fat.

5 Booty-Burning Moves for a Better Butt

Your glutes are some of the strongest muscles in your body, so you need to make sure your butt stays in shape. Watch this video for 5 awesome butt workouts from Cassey Ho of Blogilates.

5 Exercises for Tighter, Leaner Thighs

Blast cellulite on your thighs and get lean legs with these 5 exercises from Cassey Ho. Watch this video to see the best way to slim down your thighs for leaner legs.

5 Moves for Stronger Arms

Looking to tone your arms but don't want to add bulk? In this video, Cassey Ho demonstrates how to do 5 exercises to strengthen up your arms, blast fat, and get toned.

Cardio-Day Tips from Cassey Ho

Youve reached cardio day! Its time to get your heart rate up and your blood pumping. In this video, Cassey Ho gives a few tips for getting through cardio day and having a successful workout.

This Is the Day of the Week Most People Hit Up a Workout Class

And more stats you should know before resolutioners invade your HIIT class.

Take the 30-Day Total Body Challenge

Follow along with the 30-Day Total Body Challenge from Cassey Ho of Blogilates. Cassey will set you up with the best exercises to tone and strengthen your arms, thighs, butt and core, plus she'll give great tips for getting through cardio and rest days.

How the Girl Who Hated Gym Class Learned to Love Fitness and Lost 11 Percent Body Fat

Diana Ornelas used exercise and super-easy nutrition advice to shed pounds and keep them off.

Rising Sea Level Will Slow Earth's Rotation - Harvard Study Shows

Research has shown that rising sea level across the globe has triggered a slowdown in Earth's rotation

Get a Strong, Hot Upper-Bod with One Move

Time to get turnt.

The 6 Life Stages of Doing Your Hair and Makeup

A.k.a. The Evolution of Primping.

Drinking a Lot of Green Tea Could Mess with Your Fertility

You might want to sip with caution.

What 10 Celebrities Have Said About Their Struggles with Acne

Nope, they weren't born with perfect skin.

Retirement Planning For Couples

Decenet article on retirement planning for couples. It discusses comprehensive financial planning, retirement planning, 401k's and other financial dececisions.

The Three Environments That Create Every Employee Experience

I define "employee experience" as an organization creating a place where people want to show up instead of assuming that people need to show up. This shift from "need" to "want" is the fundamental change that organizations around the world are starting to experience. This is why we see so much investment in new offices spaces, health and well-being programs, maternity and paternity leave, healthy foods, workplace flexibility, and so much more. There are a lot of things that can go into creating an employee experience but the good news is that every single company regardless of their industry, geography, or size, only need to focus on three things. Every employee experience is comprised of three environments: the physical environment, the cultural environment, and the technological environment as seen below.

Here’s Why Your Acne Is Even Worse in the Winter

And how to get a handle on it.

5 Over-the-Counter Drugs You Definitely Don’t Want to Pop Like Candy

Careful when self-medicating with these heavy hitters.

Ditch the Ham This Christmas for DIY Holiday-Themed Sushi

You’ve never seen such a tasty-looking snowman.

It’s Time to Step Up Your Pushup Game, Ladies

Master this move for strong, sculpted arms.

Do Skin-Care Products Containing Stem Cells Actually Make You Look Younger?

Find out if they're worth your dime.

9 Best Fitness Trackers

Keep tabs on your movement—and push through plateaus—with one of these smart wearables.

A Lot of Food Is Contaminated with Poop—but How Hazardous to Your Health Is It?

Sure, it’s gross, but will it make you sick?

8 Makeup Tips For When Your Skin Is Super Dry

Now that the sun goes down before 5 p.m., it’s a sign of the terror that’s around the corner. Winter is coming, and that means gusts of wind nearly knocking you over and drying your skin out to the max. 

No matter how much you bundle up in fluffy scarves and puffy jackets, it’s hard to protect your face from the harsh winter conditions, making the task of covering up dry, rough skin and Rudolph-colored noses even tougher. 

But don’t worry — it is possible to do your makeup when your skin is super dry, and we have eight tips from makeup artist Suzy Gerstein and our own personal winter-ready arsenal to make it easy. 

1. Prep your skin at night

Starting with moisturized skin is like keeping your car oiled — it’ll be easier to run foundation over it when you get ready. Powerful masks like GlamGlow’s ThirstyMud or celeb fave Wilma Schumann Hydra-Gel Red Wine Treatment Masques provide deep, intense hydration with nourishing ingredients. Use them once a week and see how much your face needs it.

2. Wash your face with gentle ingredients

Another skin care prep comes from washing your face every day. Go for something gentle, likeLa Roche-Posay Micellar Solution — which removes makeup, tones, and cleanses without rinsing or letting water dry out your skin — or First Aid Beauty’s Milk Oil Conditioning Cleanser, which removes makeup and dirt while smoothing skin with avocado and coconut oil.

3. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize

The last step before grabbing your makeup is obviously using a great moisturizer. Makeup artist Suzy Gerstein suggests looking for “products with moisturizing and anti-inflammatory ingredients to combat the flakiness and irritation that characterize winter skin.” If you have oily skin, try a gel product, like First Aid Beauty’s Skin Rescue Mattifying Gel that absorbs immediately and minimizes pores. If you have combination or super-dry skin, try Skyn Iceland’s Arctic Hydrating Balm that uses cryogenic technology from the Arctic to repair and moisturize skin. No matter what you use, just make sure it’s absorbed before you start putting makeup on.

4. It’s prime time

You don’t need a primer if you’ve followed all of the above steps, but it doesn’t hurt. You can combine lotion and primer with Lush’s Magical Moringa lotion that has argan and rose hip oils, or go for the glow with the whipped, pearl-filled lightweight Becca Backlight Priming Filter. The point is to get an even canvas for your makeup, something you can also achieve by adding drops of Cover FX’s Custom Cover Drops to your favorite moisturizer. Two birds, one stone.

The post 8 Makeup Tips For When Your Skin Is Super Dry appeared first on SELF.

7 Gross Things That Can Happen to Your Body at the Gym

Athlete's foot is just the tip of the iceberg.

Lessons Learned: Stages Of Entrepreneurship

Health care will be disrupted, changed, or evolved by the people who can have a direct impact on it. I’m about to add myself onto my wife's insurance and I’ll be honest, I sometimes take my health for granted as I’m sure many of you do. I do the annual check up and that’s about it. You see, my father has lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, meaning sometimes I don’t get to play golf with him because he’s “not feeling it” as he likes to say, so I appreciate the health that I have.

What Exactly Is Gestational Diabetes? 7 Things to Know

Kim K. recently had a scare, and the symptoms aren't always noticeable.

4 Steps to Slim, Sculpted Arms

When it comes to achieving an amazing upper half, its not enough to do just bicep and tricep moves. The exercises in this video from Tracy Anderson combine jumping with punching or lifting to trim and firm your biceps, triceps, shoulders and even back and waist.

8 Easy Ways To Guarantee Your Skin Looks Glowy All Winter

1. Choose a cleanser that leaves skin clean, not stripped. 

“If you want radiant skin, the very first thing you need to do is take care of your moisture barrier with a mild cleanser,” says Jeannette Graf, an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center. When your protective barrier gets stripped, skin gets dry, irritated, and dull—and plain tap water is one of the biggest culprits. Graf recommends using wipe-off cleansers to eliminate the need for rinsing altogether or micellar water, which removes grime while protecting delicate skin. 

Try: Avene Antirougeurs Redness-Relief Dermo-Cleansing Milk, Boots No. 7 Beautiful Skin Cleansing Balm or Simple Cleansing Micellar Water

2. Exfoliate nightly with a mild chemical peel to reveal a healthy glow.

“Regular exfoliation is pivotal to vibrant skin,” says Neal Schultz, a clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital, who champions glycolic acid for its power to dissolve the glue binding together old, drab skin cells, ushering in a smoother, brighter complexion. Alpha hydroxy acids, like glycolic and lactic, also boost cell turnover and collagen production—both of which contribute to a supple, light-reflective surface. Since exfoliation leaves skin vulnerable to UV rays, be extra good about sun protection in the morning.

 Try: Beauty Rx The Progressive Peel or Bliss That’s Incredi-Peel Glycolic Resurfacing Pads

3. Use antioxidants and SPF to shield skin from radiance-robbing rays and pollution.

The sun and environmental pollutants (like smog and ozone) breed free radicals and bad-news enzymes called MMPs, which basically deplete all good things in the skin—lipids, antioxidants, structural proteins like collagen and elastin—and screw with cellular functioning and DNA (hello, skin cancer). According to Dendy Engelman, director of dermatologic surgery at New York Medical College, “the air in highly polluted cities can have the exact same effect on skin as smoking, decreasing its oxygen supply by some 30 percent.” And nothing robs skin’s brilliance quite like asphyxiation. What’s more, she adds, “studies have shown that pollution particles are 20 to 40 times smaller than your pore size, so they’re very easily deposited into the skin.” The best defense: A potent antioxidant serum topped with a broad-spectrum SPF 30+. Makeup primers (and sunscreen-primer hybrids) can also help by physically sealing the skin, walling it off from invisible contaminants.

Try: SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic, Eve Lom Primer Flawless Radiance SPF 30 or Lune+Aster RealGlow Primer

4. Apply two masks in tandem for a fresh-from-the-facialist glow.

Top aestheticians swear by this back-to-back masking trick (done before bed, once a week): First smear on a purifying clay- or mud-based formula. As it dries and tightens, it literally squeezes gunk out of pores, and absorbs it, explains cosmetics chemist Ni’Kita Wilson. After rinsing and patting skin dry, lay a sheet mask over your face for fifteen minutes to rehydrate. Ones made of cellulose or hydrogel stick best for maximum penetration. Remove the mask, and massage in any excess goo in lieu of a night cream. These sheets come supersaturated with humectants, vitamins, and plant oils—so spread the love to your neck, hands, and arms.

Try: GlamGlow PowerMud, Karuna Luxe Skin Regenerating Face Mask, or Dr. Jart Brightening Infusion Hydrogel Mask 

5. Trade highlighter for an illuminating facial oil.

By virtue of their name alone, highlighters seem like an obvious glow go-to, but they leave a lot of room for error—the garish shimmer flecks, the piggy-pink tint. For a truly supernatural sheen, swap an oil into your radiance-boosting routine. After applying an SPF-infused moisturizer, rub a few drops of oil into your fingertips, and press it along your cheekbones, over temples, around your eyes, and atop any dry patches.

Try: Juara Radiance Vitality Oil or Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil

6. Don’t fall for the beauty-enhancing claims made by juice fasts and detox fads.

There’s a cleanse for every Kardashian it seems (tea-tox, anyone?), but think twice before boarding this bandwagon. “The notion that a juice cleanse will make your skin glow is simply not true,” says Patricia Farris, a dermatologist in New Orleans and co-author of The Sugar Detox. “Fruit juices lack fiber and are full of skin-sabotaging sugar,” which has been linked to acne, wrinkles, and a sallow, lackluster tone. (Whole fruits and fresh vegetables, on the other hand, pack skin-friendly antioxidants, plus fiber to minimize sugar absorption.) As for the hot-now tea trend, many of those herbal infusions are laced with natural diuretics and laxatives, which if overused, can actually dehydrate the skin, stealing its glow.

7. Drink plenty of water to keep skin hydrated and luminous.

The source of life and gleaming skin, H2O plumps up skin cells from within while flushing complexion-dulling impurities from your system. “Have a gallon of water in front of you during the day, and do your best with it,” advises Graf. If you have a lemon handy, squeeze some in to alkalize the water and raise your body’s internal pH to beget clearer, brighter skin (and better health, overall).

8. Shoot for eight hours of sleep every night.

As you sleep, cortisol (evil stress hormone) levels drop, glow-inducing oxygen floods your cells, and the body’s detoxification and repair mechanisms kick into overdrive, says Jeffrey Morrison, MD, an integrative health expert and founder of the Morrison Center in New York City. Translation: A solid night’s rest is absolutely crucial to good skin. If you tend to have trouble dozing off, try powering down your devices—iPhone, too—at least one hour before bedtime. Harvard researchers found that the blue light emitted by screens suppresses melatonin—a sleep-inducing hormone–and messes with circadian rhythms, keeping you awake. For those who continue to wrestle with sleeplessness, Morrison recommends taking 1500 to 3000 milligrams of glycine before bed. The natural sleep aid “helps the body make GABA, a calming neurotransmitter,” he says. Always talk to your doctor before taking anything new.

The post 8 Easy Ways To Guarantee Your Skin Looks Glowy All Winter appeared first on SELF.

10 Superfoods for Weight Loss

Make sure that you include plenty of superfoods in your diet such as avocado, beans, and broccoli, if you want to lose weight. Watch this video for the complete list of 10 superfoods to eat for weight loss.

10 Simple Tricks to Lose Weight Fast

Looking to ditch those pounds fast? Watch this video for 10 tricks to lose weight painlessly.

6 No-Effort Ways to Shed Pounds

Watch this video for six easy tips for losing weight—including calorie-cutting swaps and simple ways to trick yourself into eating less (like having soup before a meal).

Get Amazing Abs With These 24 Easy Exercises

Sick of crunches? You've got options—24 to be exact. Check out this video with fitness expert Kristin McGee. From planks to Pilates to yoga poses, all of these moves will get you the stronger, tighter, sleeker abs you crave, with a few bonuses along the way (such as a better back, butt, legs, and more).

Museum Of Neon Art Gets A Los Angeles Preview

Museum of Neon turns the lights on in Los Angeles

11 Dermatologists Share Their Best Advice For Gorgeous Skin

1. Use any downtime to do a skin treatment.

“I keep extra beauty treatments in my car in a little bag. When I’m in bad traffic (at a red light of course), I apply serum, an eye mask, teeth whitening strips, eyebrow gel, and more!” – Francesca Fusco, dermatologist, New York City.

 

Scaring children

A photo posted by chrissy teigen (@chrissyteigen) on Jul 29, 2015 at 1:11am PDT

2. Practice a facial massage to fight wrinkles.

“Many people (myself included) frown and scrunch their faces at night, leading to frown lines and crows feet. To relax my face, I do facial acupressure for a few minutes at bedtime. Press above your inner eyebrows, temples, and next to your nostrils, holding for 10 seconds each.” – Jessica Wu, dermatologist, Los Angeles, and author of Feed Your Face

3. Hydrate your skin from the inside out – and outside in.

“Despite what you hear all the time, the amount of water you drink daily doesn’t translate into proper skin hydration. It’s vital to hydrate your skin from the outside in with serums, creams, and hydrating mists.” – Dendy Engelman, dermatologist at Manhattan Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery 

The post 11 Dermatologists Share Their Best Advice For Gorgeous Skin appeared first on SELF.

9 Serums That Will Solve All Your Winter Skin Problems

Despite the cold weather, there’s no need to smother your skin in heavy layers. These concentrated serums have all the potent actives winter skin needs without the suffocating feel of a rich lotion.

1. An antiager that’s also a makeup primer.

REN Instant Firming Beauty Shot ($54) works like Spanx for your face. This serum shapes, firms, and smooths skin with antiaging microalgae and moisturizing hyaluronate, leaving a flawless base for makeup that lasts.

2. An intense dry-skin fix that works for 48 hours.

Bellatorra Skin Care Cellular Renewal Serum ($350) has tiny, time-release spheres filled with regenerative plant stem cells and botanicals. The particles work in two cycles, so your skin gets around-the-clock care.

The post 9 Serums That Will Solve All Your Winter Skin Problems appeared first on SELF.

21 Worthless Foods a Nutritionist Will Immediately Cut From Your Diet

Want to start eating healthier and lose weight? Four nutrition experts share the red-flag foods you should avoid as part of a healthy diet.

24 Fat-Burning Ab Exercises (No Crunches!)

Abdominal exercises to burn fat, flatten your belly, and strengthen your core.

How to Do Windshield Wipers

Do a round of this yoga-inspired move to strengthen your obliques. In this video, Kristin McGee shows us how to execute Windshield Wipers, which will tone and strengthen your whole core.

How to Do the Jumping Jack Reach Move

Adding a stability ball makes an ab workout even more challenging. In this video, fitness expert Kristin McGee demonstrates how you can do the Jumping Jack Reach move on a stability ball to tighten your core and boost your energy.

Tone Your Abs With the Low-Belly Leg Reach Move

This is a great move for targeting your abs. In this video, fitness expert Kristin McGee shows us how to do the Low-Belly Leg Reach, which strengthens your ab muscles and tightens your core.

How to Do Medicine Ball Russian Twists

Tighten your core and sculpt your obliques with this calorie-torching exercise. In this video, fitness expert Kristin McGee demonstrates how to do Medicine Ball Russian Twists to tone your abs.

How to Do an Oblique Driving-Knee Crunch

Here's a great way to strengthen your obliques for a tighter core. In this video, fitness expert Kristin McGee shows you how to use a stability ball to do the Oblique Driving-Knee Crunch. Your abs will thank you!

How to Tone Your Abs with Donkey Kickbacks

This is the ultimate calorie-torching move. In this video, fitness expert Kristin McGee demonstrates how to do Donkey Kickbacks, which tighten your core and tone your glutes at the same time.

How to Do the Hula Hoop Pump Ab Exercise

Who knew an ab workout could be so much fun? In this video, fitness expert Kristin McGee shows us how to use a Hula Hoop (yes, really!) to tighten your core.

How to Do a Body-Weight Squat

You might not think of squats as being an ab exercise, but surprise—they also work your core. In this video, fitness expert Kristin McGee demonstrates the best way to do Body-Weight Squats to tighten your glutes and flatten your belly at the same time.

How to Do Bridge Opposite Arm-Leg Reach

Not only will this move tighten your core, but it can also help improve your focus. In this video, fitness expert Kristin McGee demonstrates how to do the Bridge Opposite Arm-Leg Reach exercise.

How to Do the Circles in the Sky Exercise

This easy ab exercise can help tighten your core as well as strengthen your inner thighs. In this video, fitness expert Kristin McGee demonstrates the best way to do the Circles in the Sky move.

57 Ways to Lose Weight Forever, According to Science

The ultimate list of research-backed weight loss tips that will keep the pounds off for good.

17 No-Diet Tricks to Keep Off Holiday Weight

Don't be a victim of holiday weight gain. Take charge of your waistline with these easy ideas to keep the pounds off all season long.

How to Do Cross-Leg Diagonal Crunches

This exercise is particularly good for targeting your obliques, the ab muscles at the sides of your body. In this video, fitness expert Kristin McGee shows us how to do the Cross-Leg Diagonal Crunch, which helps tighten your core and cinch in your waist.

17 Great Gifts for the Runners on Your List

Find a practical and fun gift that the runner in your life is sure to appreciate—on and off the trail.

Retirement Planning is made easier with this tool

A lot of financial firms use modern portfolio theory to reduce risk in investment portfolios, but the riskalyze tool has taken it one step further. They allow you to determine your investment risk number and then the financial advisor can change your invstment allocation to fit your personality. This looks like it would be great for retirement planning. In Indianapolis, IN Nash & associates uses the riskalyze tool for qualified investors.

How to Do Advanced Leg Crunches

Here's how you can take your leg crunches up a notch: Add a weight. In this video, fitness expert Kristin McGee demonstrates how to perform Advanced Leg Crunches, which use a 3- to 10-pound weight to better target your lower abs.

How to Do the Belly Blaster

Ready to get flat, sculpted abs in no time? In this video, fitness expert Kristin McGee demonstrates how to do the Belly Blaster move to tone your abs and obliques.

Tone Your Core With Boat Pose

In this video, fitness expert Kristin McGee demonstrates how to do the Boat Pose for stronger abs. While it requires a bit of balance, this yoga-inspired move is terrific for sculpting and strengthening your core.

Bernie Sanders Less Of A Socialist Than Dwight Eisenhower !

As I write this the Democratic debate is still going on, but they seem to have covered the tax part. There was not a lot there. Hillary Clinton said that the middle class needs to be paying less and that she would close loopholes and eliminate some deductions. Go to her website for details. I don't really see a lot there. Get rid of carried interest and her complicated capital gain scheme. Martin O'Malley wants to tax capital gains the same as ordinary income.

These Are The Exact Times To Apply Lotion For Maximum Benefits

Yes, there is an actual strategy to moisturizing. Here’s how to get through the winter without flaking, cracking, or peeling.

The second you step out of the shower.

“As soon as you get out of the shower, moisture starts getting pulled out of the skin from contact with air,” says Annie Chiu, MD, a celebrity dermatologist in Manhattan Beach. She recommends applying your body moisturizer within five minutes of your shower to lock in your skin’s natural moisture. Try massaging Jergens Wet Skin Moisturizer with Refreshing Coconut Oil directly onto damp skin.

Before your run.

If you’re exposing your skin to the elements—wind, pollution, UV rays—you need extra hydration, says Howard Sobel, MD, a dermatologist in New York City and founder of DDF Skincare. Since your face is likely the only area exposed in cold weather, apply a hydrating sunscreen like La Roche Posay Anthelios AOX.

As part of your bedtime ritual.

“During sleep, the skin’s trans­epidermal water loss is increased, meaning moisture is pulled out of the skin while we snooze,” says Dr. Chiu. “By using a slightly heavier night cream, you are protecting your face from dehydration.” Try The Body Shop Oils of Life Intensely Revitalizing Cream.

After shaving.

When you’re removing hair, you’re also removing the surface layer of skin cells. That exfoliation means your skin absorbs more moisturizer—and gets more hydration, Dr. Chiu says. Plus, you need to protect the newly exposed skin from getting dry. A noncomedogenic lotion like Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion will also help avoid ingrowns.

Before and after flying.

Few things suck the life out of your skin like plane cabin air. Dr. Sobel recommends applying a soothing and protecting moisturizer as soon as your seat belt is securely fastened. Before landing, clean your skin with water or a cleansing wipe, and reapply moisturizer. The solid Mustela Hydra-stick with Cold Cream won’t take away from your liquids allotment and won’t spill.

Anytime you wash your hands.

The combination of hot water, harsh soaps, and cool air is a recipe for cracked, painful dry hands. “Most hand washes are antibacterial and disrupt the natural skin barrier, leading to dryness and itching,” says Dr. Chiu. “Moisturizing immediately after washing will protect this skin barrier.” To guard your hands against cracking, try L’Occitane Miel Mandarine Hand Cream, cream created by a French pastry chef. Store your lotion next to your sink so you don’t have to think about it.

After a makeout session.

“Kissing makes the lips dehydrated and flaky because of the evaporative effect of going from wet to dry repeatedly,” explains Dr. Chiu. Keep your lip balm handy. Try LypSyl Intense Protection to keep lips soft before and after some quality kissing time.

The post These Are The Exact Times To Apply Lotion For Maximum Benefits appeared first on SELF.

9 Superfood Upgrades That Will Make Your Meals Even Healthier

Give every meal an upgrade with these hot superfood add-ins—all it takes is a sprinkle or scoop.

4 Ways To Get Baby-Soft Skin

While there’s no question that you want luminous, baby-soft skin, what might be less apparent is how to get it—and keep it. Because here’s the deal: No matter how diligently you cleanse and moisturize, those two steps alone won’t get you there. Taking your complexion from flat to fresh requires regular removal of the dead cells that pile up on your skin’s surface each day. And for that, you need to exfoliate, especially as the seasons change. “In the summer sweat keeps your pores open, which promotes this natural cell turnover,” explains Vanessa Hernandez, a Los Angeles aesthetician for L’Oréal Paris. “But in the fall your skin tends to really hold on to these dead cells.” Regular exfoliation has plenty of other benefits too: It clears impurities from pores better than traditional cleansing does, preventing blemishes and blackheads; boosts cell turnover, which activates collagen production (a bonus, as this natural process tends to slow down over time); and stimulates blood circulation, giving your complexion a healthy glow. Luckily, there are as many exfoliating options as there are benefits. We guarantee one of these will be tu método ideal.

1. Try a Face Wash

Who it’s for: Women who don’t want to add an extra step to their daily skin care regimen.

How it works: Swap out your usual cleanser for one with acid ¡y, ya! “Acids work by dissolving dead skin cells and impurities without manual scrubbing,” says Hernandez. If you have mature or dry skin, look for cleansers formulated with an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) like glycolic, a natural ingredient found in sugarcane that’s gentle enough for delicate skin types in small doses. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, go for a cleanser with beta hydroxy acid (BHA), also known as salicylic acid. BHA is antibacterial, which helps to break down blemish-inducing oils buried deep within pores. Lather up like you would with a traditional cleanser, using circular motions for just 15 seconds. “In this case less is definitely more,” says Hernandez. “Leave AHA on for longer and you might feel a stinging sensation or end up with pink and irritated skin.”

We like:

A BHA Face Wash: CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser

An AHA Cleanser: Rodial Super Acids X-treme Exfoliating Glycolic Cleanser

2. Try a Peel Pad

Who it’s for: Women who wear a lot of makeup.

How it works: Inspired by peel treatments offered at the dermatologist’s office, these round cotton pads are saturated with a mild mix of AHAs and BHAs. After four to six weeks, you’ll likely get smoothing results equivalent to a moderate-strength pro treatment-minus any potential redness, peeling, and recovery time. Make the most of your at-home peel by starting with a clean face. “That way,” says Hernandez, “the product can really do its job.” After you’ve washed your face with your usual, acid-free cleanser, simply wipe your skin with the pads as you would with a makeup-remover towelette (using a little less pressure and avoiding your eye area). Heading outdoors? Don’t forget to pile on the SPF-those acids can increase sensitivity to the sun.

We like: 

A Peel in a Pad: Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Ultra Gentle Daily Peel

3. Try a Scrub:

Who it’s for: Women looking for a deep clean.

How it works: A creamy wash with built-in granules that buffed the skin was probably your first introduction to exfoliation. These days scrubs are still a solid option for getting that glow, with some featuring a boost of extra-credit ingredients. “Most scrubs also contain acids to make them more effective,” says Hernandez, who suggests using one of these hybrids daily (again, for just 15 seconds). When packed with a BHA, they’re especially good for acne-prone skin, since the acid’s anti-inflammatory properties soothe any existing blemishes, she notes. But choosing one that will smooth—not scratch—is key. “If the granules are too large and feel sharp, stay away,” she says. “They can cause tiny cuts on the surface of your skin.” Look for scrubs with a superfine grit, like fine sand. A good rule of thumb is to avoid anything with apricot kernels or nut powders.

We like:

A Polishing Scrub: Dr. Brandt PoreDermabrasion Pore Perfecting Exfoliator 

A Foaming Formula: L’Oréal Paris Ideal Clean Foaming Gel Cleanser

4. Try a Cleansing Device:

Who it’s for: Women with sensitive skin.

How it works: Much like an electric toothbrush, a handheld device gets the job done quickly and with little effort on your part. Better yet, says Hernandez, this is an ideal option for those with sensitive skin. Women of all skin types, however, should pair it with a gentle foaming cleanser. (Anything stronger, like an acid wash or a scrub, is a sure way to end up with redness and peeling.) Feel free to power up once a day; nighttime is a great choice, particularly if you’re wearing a lot of makeup—your skin will be radiant in the mañana.

We like: 

A Gentle Cleaning Facial Brush: Clarisonic Mia 1

More From Glamour:

• 7 Mistakes You’re Making During Your Nighttime Beauty Routine
• These Before-and-After Transformations Show Just How Powerful Makeup Can Be
• Skin Care Products That Make a HUGE Difference in Your Skin, According to a Celebrity Makeup Artist

The post 4 Ways To Get Baby-Soft Skin appeared first on SELF.

Train Like an Olympian With Lindsey Vonn's Lower-Body Workout

Lindsey's lower-body workout torches calories and builds muscle in all the right places.

Turning 40 Inspired Me to Lose 75 Pounds

Jennifer Lasher
41, 5'6"
Hauppauge, N.Y.
Before: 210 lb.
Dress size: 16
After: 135 lb.
Dress size: 6
Total pounds lost: 75 lb.
Sizes lost: 5

Growing up Italian, I had carb-heavy meals as the usual dinner fare. And while I exercised at times in high school and college, my weight would continually flip-flop: down a few pounds one month, then back up two months later. Once I married and had kids, any interest in going to the gym was gone; the baby weight never went away. By March 2013, I was 210 pounds, my highest ever, and it struck me that I would soon be 40, overweight and unhappy. So I decided it was time to drop the weight for good.

RELATED: 16 Ways to Lose Weight Fast

Real food = real energy
Using all the healthy lifestyle tips I'd learned from magazines and my girlfriends, I cleaned up my diet, swapping deli sandwiches with high-sodium meat and mayo for Tupperware containers of big butter-lettuce salads topped with carrots, walnuts, feta and homemade dressing. Tracking everything I ate held me accountable, and I found that ditching processed foods left me with more energy, a clear head and better skin, too.

Couch to 26.2
Next, I tackled a longtime goal: running. I had wanted to start my entire life, but I never had the confidence to lace up my sneakers. With a friend, I slowly moved from power walking to hitting the trails for 10-milers. It was overwhelming at first—I was often out of breath—but I quickly gained strength. Thanks also to my healthy eating, I dropped 35 pounds in four months. I reached my goal weight of 140 in September 2014, and now I'm happily at 135 pounds! I'm even running my first marathon next May. I'm not out there to break any records, just to run and love it.

RELATED: 15 Eating Habits That Make You Live Longer

Jennifer's Weight-Loss Journal
To lose big, Jennifer got advice from friends. Now she's sharing her own hard-won secrets. Find even more tips at health.com/weight-loss-stories.

Set scary goals
My goal is to run 100 miles in a month. I finally hit it (and then some) this past August, with 104.

Spiralize it!
As an Italian-American, I find it tough to cut out pasta, but I use zucchini linguine or spaghetti squash instead. It's just as delicious!

RELATED: 7 Ways to Eat More Veggies

Carry a Mary Poppins purse
My bag is always packed with nuts, apples and hard-boiled eggs. It stops me from getting so hungry that I overeat.

Become an early bird
My old excuse: I have no time to exercise with two kids and a full-time job. Now I fit in a two-mile run and strength training at 5 a.m., long before my children get up and I head to work.

Share your transformation
Did you reshape your body? Tell us about it at health.com/i-did-it and let us know what diet and fitness strategies worked for you.

What Jennifer is wearing
GapFit gFast Print-Panel 21" Capris ($60; gap.com); Space-Dye Running Pullover (gap.com for similar styles); and Interlace-Back Tank ($40; gap.com)

Resorts & Hospitals Partner Up to Make Medical Tourism Luxurious in Asia

Hotel guests now need more than a body scrub and a foot massage to feel pampered when they stay at a five star resort. Travellers are now opting for whole body checkups, complete with an on-site physician and dietician to make sure they are receiving the ultimate treatment during their vacation.

25 Genius Ways Fitness Trainers Stay Motivated to Exercise

The smart tricks personal trainers and fitness instructors use to drag themselves to the gym—because even your perky Pilates instructor needs a pick-me-up once in a while.

Beauty Tested: The DIY Hydrating Pore Strips Paramore’s Hayley Williams Loves

Well+Good readers and Paramore’s Hayley Williams have something in common: super hydrated skin and a love for natural, DIY beauty.

This summer, we tested a beauty recipe that’s also a rock star fave at our Hamptons Surfside Salutations reader event: Deep Sea Hydrating Strips. They’re made with kombu from the grocery store soaked in coffee (this morning’s leftovers are ideal) and a blended cucumber. They infuse your skin with the nutritional equivalent of green juice, says natural skin-care goddess and S.W. Basics of Brooklyn founder Adina Grigore, who created this recipe for her book Skin Cleanse.

Extra hydration is a brilliant idea when your radiator switches on—and remains in the volume 11 position for the next five months. Why is it good for your skin? “Seaweed draws toxins from the skin, is full of B vitamins, clears away dead skin cells, and leaves you hydrated and dewy-fresh,” says Grigore, who also studied nutrition. “Cukes are high in antioxidants and in vitamins C and K, which help combat inflammation and aging; they also contain vitamin A—a natural retinol [that’s] great for skin tone and giving you a glow. Coffee is full of antioxidants and provides a healthy oil for your skin.

How to DIY this beauty mask? Grigore explains:

Ingredients
1/2 cup cooled coffee
1/2 peeled cucumber, roughly chopped or blended
1 sheet kombu seaweed

Add the coffee and cucumber to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour mixture into a shallow bowl and add the sheet of seaweed. Soak until it is completely rehydrated. To apply, first put cotton into the cuke-and-coffee mixture and dab it on your skin. Then tear the kombu into strips and firmly press them all over your face, focusing on the under-eye area, forehead, nose, or any other dry patches. Leave on and hang out, making sure to scare as many people as possible while you look like an underwater monster. When finished, peel off and discard the strips of kombu and rinse your face clean. When you see how amazing your skin looks, feel free to toss the gross drugstore “pore strips” from your cabinet. Makes one use.

Want to see Grigore and Williams getting their sea monster on? Check out this video.

More From Well + Good:

• 5 Best Visualization Tips For Running Faster
• 11 High-Waist Workout Leggings And Yoga Pants
• How To Be Happy, According To A Buddhist Âonk

The post Beauty Tested: The DIY Hydrating Pore Strips Paramore’s Hayley Williams Loves appeared first on SELF.

Is the Riskalyze Investment Management Tool Helpful?

I was reviewing investment management people and saw Robert Nash, a financial advisor in Indianapolis, IN. He uses a tool called riskalyze to help people find their risk tolerance and match their portfolio investments to the risk they can accept. Check out his profile and see if this makes sense as a financial management tool.

7 Gifts for Women Who Love to Work Out

Perfect presents for ladies who love to sweat.

What The Hell Is This $28 Pore Putty And Here’s Why Beauty Editors Are Loving It

_{PureWow investigates this buzzy beauty product.}

You know us: We don’t gush over specific beauty products all that often. (Really only when it’s a magical zit-eraser or a legendary hair spray that cuts drying time in half.) So when we heard the phrase “pore putty” thrown around, we had to investigate.

What it is: A quick-drying serum you apply after your moisturizer and before your makeup.

What it is not: Actual putty. (Confession: We weirdly hoped it’d be straight-up spackle.)

How it works: There are a few on the market, but the kind we tried, from Peter Thomas Roth ($28.89), acts like a makeup primer of sorts. Rather than filling in pores (like the word “putty” suggests), it works by absorbing oil. That way the surface of your nose (for example) is less shiny, more matte and doesn’t have obvious little divots everywhere.

How we feel: About ten years younger.

Read More From PureWow:

• 11 Things That Are Clogging Your Pores
• There’s a Better Way to Wash Your Face
• 7 Beauty Myths to Stop Believing
• Makeup Tricks For People Who Love To Work Out

The post What The Hell Is This $28 Pore Putty And Here’s Why Beauty Editors Are Loving It appeared first on SELF.

9 Things You Need To Know About Peels Before You Do One

Don’t let the term “peel” scare you. These chemical exfoliants gently resurface your skin to treat acne, fine lines, uneven pigmentation and more. Here’s what you need to know.

1. Know the main issue you want to treat.

Peels can treat a wide range of skin issues—brown spots, acne, rough texture, fine lines, clogged pores—but focusing on one specific problem can help narrow down the right peel for you, says Kate Holcomb, MD, a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans.

Renee Rouleau, a celebrity aesthetician based in Dallas, Texas, breaks down peels into two categories: preventative and reparative. “For the most part reparative treats discoloration, acne or clogged pres,” she explains, “while preventative peels focus on jumpstarting cell turnover and rejuvenation.” Either way, your skin looks fresher, smoother and brighter after a treatment.

Plus, peels can actually help treat dry skin. When dry skin builds up on the surface, the dead cells create a barrier that prevents moisturizers from penetrating. A peel helps remove those dead surface cells, Rouleau explains, so hydrating ingredients can do their work.

“Peels can also be customized and layered to deliver the best results for your skin type,” says Dendy Engleman a NYC dermatologist and director of dermatologic surgery at New York Medical College. So peels are not one-size-treats-all.

2. A combination of acids is the most effective.

Several different acids can be used in a peel, but the work in different ways and may be more effective when combined. Peels most often contain one or more of the following: salicylic acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid, Dr.  Engleman explains. She’s a fan of the new SkinCeuticals Advanced Corrective Peel because it contains a potent antioxidant that helps the acids penetrate better and work more effectively.

The post 9 Things You Need To Know About Peels Before You Do One appeared first on SELF.

The 20 Best Foods to Eat for Breakfast

These staples and mix-ins will give you all the energy and nutrients you need in the morning.

Irwin Schiff Famed Tax Protester Dies In Prison

Irwin Schiff, grandfather of the contemporary tax protest movement, died Friday according to the Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator. Schiff promoted a theory that the federal income tax was very limited in its application and that ordinary Americans are tricked into paying it. He is the author of How Anyone Can Stop Paying Income Tax, Federal Mafia: How It Illegally Imposes and Unlawfully Collects Income Taxes, and The Biggest Con: How the Government Is Fleecing You,

4 Exercises for Flat Abs and Trim Hips

It’s hip bolting: moves that stabilize the hips and flatten the belly. Ready to see results?

How to Tell If an Avocado Is Ripe

Looking for tips on picking the freshest and ripest avocados? This Cooking Light video has the top 6 things you need to know about this delicious and nutritious fruit.

20 Tricks to Stay Slim Without Thinking About it

Forget counting calories. Instead, follow these totally doable waist-whittling tips that happen to require zero deprivation.

Jive-x Bolsters Customer Advocacy Support For Marketers

Social business and communities were all the rage five years ago. Enterprise social solutions and communities surfaced to help businesses connect their employees and increase collaboration. These tools also extended to external social communities for partners, suppliers and customers. In 2015, digital marketing has emerged as the front line for driving brand awareness, engagement and loyalty.

How to Tell If an Avocado is Ripe

Looking for tips on picking the freshest and ripest avocados? This Cooking Light video has the top 6 things you need to know about this delicious and nutritious fruit.

The 'Shrinking Effectiveness' Crisis: 4 Reasons Organizations Fail To Fully Utilize Employees

I regularly ask groups of executives and managers the following question: “How much of your capability and talent does your organization use?” Yes, this is a highly subjective question, but I have been struck by the consistency of the replies I receive. The answer is invariably 40%. Ouch! Remember, these are not office clerks or factory employees. These are middle and upper level executives.

4 Top Exercises for Your Hips and Abs

Hips don't lie; if they're weak, you'll have a saggy stomach and be at risk for injuries. In this video, contributing fitness editor Tracy Anderson shows you four moves that will firm them up and give you a stronger, flatter belly. Do these six days a week, paired with 30 to 60 minutes of cardio.

8 Gym Bags for Every Type of Workout

Eight cool carriers for all your workout essentials.

A Ski Adventure Freed the Old Me

For the past couple of years, I hadn't gotten around to working out, despite my best intentions. I was consumed with keeping up with my 4-year-old and tending to a colicky baby as I fueled myself with coffee and soothed my nerves with an evening glass or two of wine. I was still carrying the 20 pounds I'd gained from pregnancy, along with another 10 I put on post baby. (Breast-feeding apparently doesn't burn off daily doughnuts and dishes of ice cream.) I felt trapped and depressed, and I regularly fantasized about who I was before I became a mom: a fairly stylish and ambitious woman who never left the house without lip gloss on. Now I frequently snapped at my husband and felt oppressed by the endless household to-dos.

And then, salvation: an invitation to ski at two Wyndham resorts, in Beaver Creek and Aspen, for five days (on a press trip). I grew up skiing but hadn't done it in forever. As much as I wanted to go, though, my motivation was at rock bottom. My husband—fully aware that I was a mom on the verge nudged me, and we moved heaven and earth (and paid a lot of babysitters) to make it happen.

RELATED: Best. Skiing. Ever!

During the week leading up to the trip, I was filled with trepidation: What if I fall and break my leg? What if Im too out of shape to ski? On my first day at Beaver Creek, as I queued up for the bunny slope with another woman on the trip, Sarah, embarrassment struck. I'd skiied since age 4 and yet here I was, surrounded by kids just starting out because I was so rusty. As we stood at the top of the mountain, I felt shaky: Even that small hill looked enormous.

RELATED: The 10 Most Slimming Vacations

I took a deep breath of mountain air and pushed off. My anxiety was quickly replaced by amazement that I was actually skiing. I felt a bit stiff, but I managed to keep my speed under control and avoid veering into anyone. At the bottom, I high-fived Sarah and we decided to do a green run. As we ascended the mountain, my nerves flared up once more: We're going so high, and there's only one way down.


Sarah led the way, and I followed her tracks, wobbly at first but warming up. We reached the bottom and did it again, then again. That afternoon, I got up my guts to tackle a few small moguls. As I zipped over the little bump-bump-bump, a guy behind me gave me a “Woo-hoo!” I knew I'd gotten my ski legs back.

By day three, I was flying down black diamonds and literally saying to myself, "Winning!" I started to cry as I came over a crest one morning, and it wasn't just the view of the Rockies. I saw a glimmer of the girl I used to be: brave, athletic and full of life. I couldn't wait for my kids to meet her.

RELATED: A Running Vacation Rebooted My Spirit

Back home, I hummed as I washed the dinner dishes and laughed while my kids pummeled me with pillows at bedtime. I returned not only a more relaxed mom, but a healthier me. Soon after, I joined a boot-camp class at the gym and started tracking what I ate with an online log, replacing foods like my usual lunchtime grilled cheese with a salad and grilled chicken.

In 45 days, I lost 9 pounds, and I've kept the weight off. Cutting back on wine to just weekends has helped; because I'm exercising and eating right, I no longer need that crutch. And since I'm not dealing with blood sugar highs and lows from sweets, my mood is more stable and I don't get crabby.

RELATED: Secrets to a Stress-Free, Happy, Healthy Family

My biggest revelation of all: My family can survive just fine without me (at least for a few days). And, wow, is that freeing. Sure, I still have to chauffeur the kids around to activities and vacuum up their crumbs. But I now realize that these tasks don't define who I am, and I'm less resentful. I've since taken several day trips to local ski mountains, and I've been inspired to get my daughter on skis, too.

I love the woman I am when I'm strong and healthy. And I'll be damned if I lose her again.

Is OPEC Losing Its Power? US Oil Frackers Flex Production Muscles

There was a time when OPEC set the rules in the oil market and exercised its power to cut production and reverse a slide in oil prices. Then came fracking -- a technology, which allowed oil to be extracted from places it could never have been imagined before. Some of these places

A Child Who Treats Their Parents With Respect Is An Employee Any Boss Would Be Thrilled To Hire

As a child I was taught the importance of respect ? we were taught showing respect for other people, showing respect for other?s cultures, showing respect for people?s position of authority, showing respect for a venue, showing respect for an event, etc. This principle was emphasized greatly in my home

7 Tips To Keep Your Tech Charged When You Travel

7 Tips To Keep Your Tech Charged When You Travel

New Ways To Avoid The Airport When You Fly

Signature Flight Support, a network of private jet terminals, is expanding the VIP departures and arrivals services it offers to commercial airline travelers.

Startups: Why Giving Stuff Away For Free Is The Best Marketing Tool

Startups ? giving stuff away for free is the best marketing tool. This story demonstrates why. Austin has been named the best American city for startups, according to a report by the Kauffman Foundation and the surprising second is Miami. The data is part of an infographic exploring Factors that

Cognac Travel Guide: Louis XIII's Youngest Cellar Master on What to Do, Eat, and Drink

At just 33 years old, Cognac native Baptise Loiseau is Rémy Martin Louis XIII?s youngest cellar master?and he knows the region like the back of his hand. Here are a number of his recommendations.

Tips & Secrets From Top CEOs

Tips & Secrets From Top CEOs

The Jack Dorsey Productivity Secret That Enables Him To Run Two Companies At Once

Jack Dorsey was named CEO (again) of Twitter last week, and he’ll continue to hold the same title at pre-IPO Square.

It Pays To Disrupt, Especially In A Digital Way: But What Is Digital Disruption?

"Digital disrupters" have two times higher revenue growth and two and a half times higher profit growth than "mainstream" organizations.

Hiring For Startup Success: Team And Talent Are What Really Count

There are two things that startups need to flourish, a pipeline of money and talent.With investor confidence returning and more alternative funding sources coming on stream, the former appears to be getting easier. But finding the right talent to take your start-up to the next level, can be the first big stumbling block for a team of ambitious entrepreneurs.Following on from its $4.5 million Series A and a successful year scaling in the UK, background checking service Onfido has now launched in the US and hired former Google director Edward Ungar to help them scale internationally.Unger is the third experienced entrepreneur to get on board, joining Onfido investors, Lastminute.com co-founder Brent Hoberman and former Google UK MD Dan Cobley.

Face-To-Face Is Still Best For Networking And Dealmaking, So What's Your Conference Strategy For 2016?

Last month I wrote about the DreamForce Conference in San Francisco and suggested it could be one of the conferences of the year. I recommended that attendees should bring their A-game and get ready for some serious networking given that this was a chance to speak face-to-face with more than 400 companies in the cloud computing space, plus a whole host of who-knows-what companies.

It's Creative Problem-Solving, Not Money, That Builds A Successful Business

Popular media would have every new entrepreneur believe that it takes a lot of capital to build a successful business. While it does take capital, it doesn’t take a visit to the Shark Tank, an angel investor with cash, or a venture firm willing to invest millions to build a profitable and successful business.

Interview With Contrarian David Dreman: Why the Low PE Approach Works

Contrarian investor David Dreman (Trades, Portfolio) wears many hats. The founder of Dreman Value Management is also a long-time Forbes columnist and author of five books on contrarian investment strategies and behavioral finance ? fields he pioneered. But Dreman is also well known for sticking to a bottom-up, low PE stock-picking approach. In the

Business Lessons From The Resourceful, Resilient People Of Alaska

I spent last week in Alaska meeting with a wide variety of Alaskan business owners, and I left so appreciative of what I found to be a nearly universal can-do spirit. Many of the challenges business owners in Alaska face are familiar, but the lessons I share today come from the way they adapt and overcome – greeting good and bad news with the same even-keel attitude.

The 12 Best Podcasts For Entrepreneurs

The best entrepreneurs are always looking for a new edge and increasingly, podcasts have become an unparalleled source of applicable advice.

5 Personal Branding Tips for CEOs with Dan Schawbel

5 Personal Branding Tips for CEOs with Dan Schawbel

Leaders Do 3 Things Every Day To Strengthen Their Personal Brand

Personal Branding is a leadership requirement, not a self-promotion campaign. Successful leaders know this and they make it a point to focus on advancing themselves by serving others. According to my organization?s research, less than 15% of leaders have defined their personal brand and only 5% are living it every day. A lot of leaders talk about personal branding, but few hold themselves accountable to take action. This explains why leaders have difficulty reinventing themselves; only 32% of leaders define themselves as being change agents ? at a time when every leader must be a change agent or face extinction.

MiniRig: Portable Speakers That Are Made In England And Always Will Be

Another day, another Bluetooth speaker. Frankly, these days portable speakers are two-a-penny. You turn them on, pair them with your phone, then sit back and listen to the music. Portable speakers are really handy for listening to music if you’re in the park, on the beach or staying in a hotel room; and some of them really are rather good and can fill a room with sound that’s more than acceptable. You may not want to replace your main audio system with them but if you lead a nomadic lifestyle they offer a good alternative. Perhaps the main thing that many portable speakers lack is a solid bass response and decent body of sound.

Don't Waste Your Time Worrying About What's Unlikely To Come True

Think about how much time you spend fretting about what might happen. Those deer-in-the-headlights moments are not only agonizing but they are profoundly unproductive. With each minute you spend in a state of worry, you're robbing yourself of the opportunity to contribute to your own success and the world around you.

12 Things Happening In SEO Right Now That You Absolutely Must Know

Want to master SEO? Good luck with that. SEOs today realize that it’s a vast and varied field, with opportunities galore for pitfalls and perils.

The Numbers Are In: Most People Want To Be Their Own Boss

Having been recruited by my husband into our entrepreneurial lifestyle some twenty years ago, I wondered how many other people were in the same boat as us. At that time, back in 1995 when we were first married, we did not know many other entrepreneurs, let alone other couples who worked together. Quite frankly, at that time, the entrepreneurial life seemed foreign, unusual and quite lonely to me.

Two-Time Bathurst 1000 Champ John Bowe On Racing Career, Bentley's 200-Mph Test

John Bowe is one of Australia’s best-known auto racers. He won the prestigious Bathurst 1000 twice – in 1989 and 1994. Bowe estimates of the 1,000 or so professional races in which he has competed over the last 40 years, he has won 200 - or 20%. That’s pretty impressive.

Is Amazon Liable For IP Violations By Its Marketplace Vendors?

A recent court ruling might cause Amazon to patrol marketplace vendors more aggressively

Here’s A Surprising Trick To Get Smoother Feet

_{Shandi-lee Cox / Creative Commons / https://flic.kr/p/8GpLuM}

The Internet is full of questionable-at-best beauty tips. But a DIY pedicure idea in honest-to-goodness print (Jane Buckingham’s mammoth be-an-all-around-better-human book, The Modern Girl’s Guide to Modern Life, to be precise) seems more likely to be legit. So when I came across Buckingham’s three-ingredient recipe for a make-at-home foot-smoothing treatment, I was intrigued. And when I saw that it involved supersimple ingredients I already had in my medicine cabinet and fridge, I was all the more game to try it out.

Buckingham’s soak stars, of all things, aspirin. “You know it works for headaches, but it also softens calluses on your feet,” she writes. (Editor’s note: Say what?) “This solution will soften the callus and make it easier to remove with a pumice stone.” Now, most beauty DIY-ers knows that crushed aspirin mixed with water forms a paste that can act as an blemish fighter for acne in a pinch. (Aspirin contains the same ingredient that’s in spot treatments.) But even the most experienced beauty hack-er might not think to spread aspirin all over her feet. In the name of journalism—and softer feet, obviously—I decided to give it a try. Here are Buckingham’s steps:

1. Crush five or six aspirin pills (I broke out my supercool mortar and pestle—which, yes, I actually own—but you could also toss them in a plastic ziplock bag and mash with a spoon).
2. Mix the crushed pills in a bowl with a half-teaspoon each of water and lemon juice.
3. Coat your feet—focusing on any particularly callused areas—with the mixture, and then and cover with a warm cloth for ten minutes.

_{www.reddit.com / Giphy}

Let me start by saying that things got awkward right away. The powdered aspirin, water, and lemon juice never really gelled to become an easy-to-apply paste; I was dealing with more of a gritty, runny solution. My vision of smoothing it on my feet in a seamless, spalike application (complete with scented candles and soft music) was abandoned straightaway, because no way was that happening with this liquid-y mess. Instead, I plopped on the kitchen floor with a dish towel under my feet, and dumped the solution over my toes and heels, dabbing the excess run-off over my roughest patches. As for that warm cloth that you’re supposed to use to envelop your marinating feet? If you have a clothes dryer, microwave, or (even better!) one of those nail-salon towel-warming things, cool. I lack those appliances, so I had to warm a washcloth by draping it over a pot of boiling water, which worked great…for two seconds. Then the cloth cooled, and I was too lazy to continuously reheat it while my feet were all wet and gravelly. The point is, I didn’t properly pull off step three. But when I showered, I buffed the callused skin gently with a pumice stone. After rinsing and patting dry, my feet felt noticeably softer and smoother than usual.

There’s some science to back this up: “Aspirin contains aminosalicylic acid, a relative to salicylic acid. Dissolving it in water and applying to the skin can offer some skin exfoliation, removing dry, dead skin cells from the bottom of the feet,” says Joshua Zeichner, the director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. “Lemon juice contains natural acids that can not only separate clumped dead cells but also help enhance penetration of the aminosalicylic acid.” The lemon juice also acts as an irritant, according to Gary Goldenberg, a dermatologist in New York City and medical director of Mount Sinai Dermatology Faculty Practice. “It can irritate the skin in a superficial way so it can slough off.” In fact, Goldenberg suspects the lemon juice is doing most of the heavy lifting here. “Aspirin does have salicylic acid, but a few crushed aspirin probably have a low concentration, and I’d worry about it not penetrating. I’d recommend using something with a known concentration of skin-smoothing lactic acid or salicylic acid.” He suggests body products from Aqua Glycolic or AmLactin, such as the Moisturizing Body Lotion.

Want to leave your foot-softening to the store-bought (or salon-employed) professionals? This DIY remedy is just one of the roughly eight gazillion tips in Buckingham’s updated lifestyle tome. And the tips don’t just cover beauty. You could even learn how to deal with a micromanaging boss or drive a stick shift.

More from Allure

• 10 Hairstyles That Make You Look 10 Years Younger
• How to Get Rid of Dark Undereye Circles for Good
• Find the Best Haircut for Your Face Shape

The post Here’s A Surprising Trick To Get Smoother Feet appeared first on SELF.

Political News Blog Political Swill

Check out up to date Political News on Politicalswill.com

Does Your Face Need a Workout?

There's a new way to shape up your complexion and it starts with targeting your facial muscles.

The post Does Your Face Need a Workout? appeared first on SELF.

The Ultimate Secret to Radiant Skin

New season, new glow! These are the tips that will bring out your natural beauty.

The post The Ultimate Secret to Radiant Skin appeared first on SELF.

Indianapolis Massage Therapy Studio Enhances Website

Indianapolis Massage Studio Launches New Website
Workplace Enhancement, a massage studio, in Indianapolis IN, has launched a new website to highlight their extensive services and information for massage and massage therapy in Indianapolis. Workplace Enhancement Massage Therapy has seen a dramatic transformation since its inception, and is all the more ready to keep their clients up-to-date with their latest activities. Their new website is an attempt to do just that.
As an Indianapolis Massage Therapy studio, Workplace Enhancement specializes in several massage services. They focus on providing their clients with the best in Swedish massage, deep tissue massage. Sport massage, hot stone massage and others. Their website features a whole section devoted to listing and detailing the services they provide clients.
Corporate Events are an additional concern for Workplace Enhancement. Workplace Enhancement provides onsite massage for several of the best corporations in Indianapolis and Central Indiana. Working at annual conferences for Exact Target/SalesForce, Beck’s Hybrids and others. They are also involved with several entertainment acts who perform at Live Nation and other arenas. Workplace Enhancement is truly is dedicated to helping Indianapolis be a world class city. A healthy workplace is one component of an enjoyable and productive work environment.
In addition to their work with Indianapolis Corporations, Workplace Enhancement, works with many of the Indianapolis downtown hotels to provide a professional service to visitors during their stay in Indianapolis.
Workplace Enhancement is happy to announce that their new website is up and available for clients and interested parties to explore. Learn what type of massage or massage therapy may fit your personal needs, consider a gift basket from Crabtree and Evelyn or other items available in their studio in the heart of Indianapolis. If you are downtown Indianapolis, just click and call to order your massage or special gift for a loved-one, boss, or coworker.
With the release of the new site, Workplace Enhancement hopes to help people learn more about massage, massage therapy and how a professional massage therapist can enhance their lives.  For more information, see their site at http://www.workplaceenhancement.com

How Pollution Really Affects Your Skin—And What to Do About It

We all know the importance of protecting our skin from the sun every day, but now that we’ve gotten a handle on UV defense there’s a new environmental danger to worry about: pollution. A fresh slew of serums, masks and creams all promise to counter environmental damage. If you’re wondering “Wait, we need special products to fight pollution?” you’re not alone. So, we consulted the pros.

“The problem with pollution is that a lot of the effects are invisible, and there’s no immediate ‘sign’ that your skin is getting damaged,” says Dr. Dhaval Bhanusali, a New York-based dermatologist. Instead, the effects of environmetal damage present themselves as we age. Chief among these effects is the breakdown of collagen, which causes wrinkles, and according to a recent study of patients in urban versus rural settings conducted by the Journal for Investigative Dermatology, hyperpigmentation.

But don’t freak out, city dwellers—just as you can protect your skin against UV rays, you can also protect it against pollution. Your defense? For starters, it’s important to be diligent about cleansing. Los Angeles-based dermatologist Dr. Tsippora Shainhouse recommends using a makeup remover and a cleanser for a comprehensive clean-up of grime, soot, exhaust and particulate matter (PM), which causes free radical damage. This also helps avoid short-term effects of pollution, such as acne flare-ups and redness. To go a step further, use a face scrub or a cleansing brush like the Clarisonic every other day. “This will prevent inflammation, exfoliate any damaged cells and help remove the smaller pollution particles that can get deep into skin and attack collagen,” she says.

Antioxidants are another integral way to prevent pollution damage. “Eat your greens, drink green tea and use products that contain vitamins A, C and E,” says Dr. Bhanusali. And don’t forget to apply sunscreen daily. “It acts as a barrier to prevent pollutants from irritating the surface and getting inside your pores,” he says.

As for those “anti-pollution” products, be sure the ingredients on the back of the package can support the claims on the front. According to Dr. Shainhouse, they should be formulated to accomplish three goals: “remove the physical particles, calm the free radicals and create a physical shield against aggressors. Then, you know [the product will] do its job.”

Lucky for you, we’ve already done the legwork. Click here to shop six pollution-fighting products worth adding to your routine.

MORE FROM LUCKYSHOPS.COM:

• 9 Gorgeous Perfumes For When You Really Need A Vacation
• The Best Places To Rent A Bridesmaid Dress
• Five Things You Should Steal From Your Mom’s Closet
• How To Wear Bright Pink Lipstick Without Looking Like Malibu Barbie
• How To Pack The Perfect Beach Bag For Under $75

The post How Pollution Really Affects Your Skin—And What to Do About It appeared first on SELF.

4 Easy Morning Tricks for Flawless Skin

You'll look radiant—even before you have your coffee.

The post 4 Easy Morning Tricks for Flawless Skin appeared first on SELF.

Indianapolis Massage for Labor Day

Start your labor day weekend right by treating yourself to a great Massage In Indianapolis or surrounding areas Fishers, Castleton, Greenwood, Carmet, Avon. We have several massage therapists available who specialize in couples massage, swedish massage, sports massage and more. Contact us right away, so we can get you scheduled and you can have a great weekend!  http://www.workplaceenhancement.com/ or call us at 317-955-0591 317-955-0591 317-95 317-955-05915-0591
 

5 Ways Sexual Dry Spells Are Actually Kind of Awesome

The upsides to not getting any.

I haven’t had sex in more than six months.

That’s a pretty f*cking hellacious dry spell—one that is testing me to my very sexual core. It’s getting to the point where I could call my pornography knowledge “encyclopedic.”

RELATED: 13 Thoughts That Go Through Every Woman's Head During a One-Night Stand

Why haven’t I had sex in such a long time?

I wish it was for some noble reason or due to some moral belief I have (“I gave up sex for Lent, but I’m still, you know, finding myself.) But the truth is, it’s mostly because I’ve been in a slump where I haven’t been seeking out female companionship with the same urgency and #thirstiness as usual.

This isn’t my first dry spell, either. I don’t look like Channing Tatum, and I’ve been mostly single since mid-2008. So you could say I’ve learned how to deal with periods of sexual dormancy and drought.

And you know what?

It’s not the worst thing in the world! Like most challenges in life, there are silver linings if you look hard enough.

In most cases, it’s considered a real d*ck move to have sex with someone and then not spend the night. Sometimes, there’s a no-sleepover agreement, which is pretty rad, but that’s the exception to the rule. I can’t be alone in preferring to sleep alone most of the time, especially if it’s a work night. Nothing is worse than going to your job exhausted because you didn’t get any sleep (since you couldn’t flip to the cool side of the pillow without waking the person you’re sharing a bed with...and their body heat made you sweat persistently and uncomfortably way past the witching hour).

It might seem vaguely depressing to go to your annual checkup and say that it won’t be necessary to include an STD test with your blood work—but it’s also kind of refreshing. You don’t have that tiny sense of panic you sometimes get after having sex, even if you’re doing it safely, where you’re like, “But what if the condom broke or it wasn’t adequately covering my parts? Or what if there’s this new crazy STD I don’t even know about that penetrates latex and OH MY GOD AM I PATIENT ZERO AM I GOING TO DIE?”

I lied earlier when I said there was nothing worse than being kept up all night by the person you’re sleeping next to. Actually, there’s nothing worse than staying up all night while you think about what could happen to your life in the event of an unwanted and unexpected pregnancy. Don’t get me wrong—babies are great, and I love my niece more than I ever thought I could love a tiny human who behaves like a maniac most of the time. But that doesn’t mean I want my own because I did something stupid during a sexual encounter. I once (drunkenly) had sex with a woman who, the next morning, asked me if the condom had broken. She said she thought we’d had a conversation about it but that she may have dreamt it. I didn’t recall any such conversation, and I hadn’t been that drunk—but the seed of paranoia had been planted. When her period didn’t come the first day she expected it, I almost had a nervous breakdown.

RELATED: How to Have the Best Sex Possible with Yourself This Weekend

What I’m saying is that 100 percent knowledge that you’re not on the verge of becoming a parent is literally nothing to f*ck with.

When you’re in the midst of a dry run, you’re much more likely to resort to pornography (or, I don’t know, Fifty Shades of Grey). And this isn’t entirely negative. I like to think that you can learn a lot of techniques from porn that can help make you a better sexual partner. It’s akin to how football players watch hours of game footage to learn about the game, which ultimately makes them better more adept sexual partners. I’ve personally learned a lot about oral sex from porn, and I’m not afraid to admit it.

Sex, like pretty much anything, can be taken for granted when you’re getting it regularly. And you only realize this whenever you, you know, stop getting it. Time without sex serves to get you really excited for the time when, goodness willing, you’ll get to have sex again. Wild, crazy, passionate, fulfilling sex. Or making love. Maybe both, if you’re really lucky.

RELATED: Use This Fun Selfie Game to Spice Up Your Sex Life

If you find yourself in the middle of a sex draught, hang in there. It will end someday, and even if it doesn’t—at least it won't kill you. Take Charles Bukowski’s quote to heart:

“Sex is interesting, but it’s not totally important. I mean, it’s not even as important (physically) as excretion. A man can go 70 years without a piece of *ss, but he can die in a week without a bowel movement.”

So, yeah. I guess it’s all in how you look at it, you know?