Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2012 i Women's Health

I’m sitting down to write this letter not long after the second presidential debate—a debate that ended up casting a spotlight on the role single mothers play in today’s society. What many people heard: Republican nominee Mitt Romney (inadvertently, I believe) drawing a dotted line between being raised by a single mom and ending up with an automatic weapon in your hands, destined for a life of violence and poverty. His remarks caught fire, especially in the anger-propagating channels of social media. I posted this statement on my own Facebook page: “I was raised by a single mom. Her sacrifices and incredible work ethic have shaped who I am today…and hopefully, who I am isn’t all that bad.” The post inspired a dozen supportive comments and over 60 “likes”—more than…

KERRY WASHINGTON ON… Her snack obsession, her best beauty tips, and why she tries to follow her gut. Watch her video at WomensHealthMag.com/Kerry. Join Our Holiday Twitter Chats! Get clever manicure and fashion tips—join the convo and enter for a chance to win a trip to Turks and Caicos at Mag.com/HolidayHashtags. CELL SERVICE The magazine, the Web, the tablet...and now WH is also available on the iPhone! Learn more about our interactive app at WomensHealthMag.com.Mobile STEAL THESE SWEETS Tasked with bringing dessert to a dinner party? Whip up a batch of goat-cheese brownies, give gluten-free cupcakes a go, or try your hand at French macaroons. Find unique recipes at WomensHealth Mag.com/CheatDay. You Can Be a Yogi Too! If you’re ready to take your practice to the next level or simply…

Apples may be the key to eating what you want without gaining a bushel. Scientists at the University of Iowa found that a compound known as ursolic acid that is found in apples and other fruits increased metabolism-revving muscle mass and upped levels of brown fat (which burns other fat) in lab mice. The findings could eventually lead to a supplement potent enough to have the same effect in humans. In the meantime, chomp away—apples can also suppress your appetite and help whittle your core.…

seventy PERCENTAGE INCREASE IN DEPARTMENT-STORE NAILCOLOR SALES SINCE 2011. THIS SEASON’S “IT” SHADE: RICH PLUM WINE. TRY LANCOME VERNIS IN LOVE INROUGEREGLISSE ($15, NORDSTROM.COM). Source: The NPD Group THIS JUST IN: Petite Treat Big payoffs can come in a small package—especially when it’s a three-inch-by-two-inch pouch stuffed with 17 teeny-tiny beauty musthaves. Pinch Provisions has launched six festive Minimergency Glitter Kits ($15 each, at Sephora), which contain TSA-friendly sizes of oft-forgotten travel essentials, such as a nail file, lip balm, clear nail polish, dental floss, double-sided tape, safety pins, hair spray, deodorant wipes, clear hair elastics, stain remover, and even earring backs. Pop one into your carry-on, or slip individual items into a slim evening clutch. Brilliant! BERRY BENEFICIAL Researchers at the University of Barcelona found that adding strawberry extract…

CHAIN WRECKS Here’s another reason to eat in tonight: Ninety-six percent of entrées sold in American chain restaurants contain more than a third of the USDA’s daily recommended amounts for calories, sodium, and total fat or saturated fat, says a study in Public Health Nutrition. In a pinch, order from the children’s menu for instant portion control and likely less fat and calories. Just skip Junior’s sips: Kids’ shakes and floats often contain more calories (as many as 100 extra) than specialty drinks on the regular menu. That’s almost as bad as the inflated calorie counts of these adult menu items: Calories in… The average appetizer 813 The average entrée 674 The average salad (no additional dressing) 496 The average dessert or baked item 429 The average side dish 260…

PETITE This high-low hem allows shorter girls to wear a more elegant length. Express dress, $108, express.com; Diane von Furstenberg bag, $395; Jean-Michel Cazabat shoes, $295 ATHLETIC A sexy V and girlie pleats balance a toned torso. Erin by Erin Fetherston dress, $295, bloomingdales.com; Butter shoes, $308; Nila Anthony bag, $65 The light-to-dark ombré effect slims your lower half. Heartloom dress, $198, heartloom.com; Nila Anthony bag, $67; Jennifer Fisher earrings, Bare Collection rings STRAIGHT This Gatsby-era number will hang perfectly on you. Plenty by Tracy Reese dress, $328, at Proper Topper, 202-842-3055; J.Crew shoes, $275; Ranna Gill bag, $118 BOXY A faux-wrap front + ruching = sex-ay. Chaps dress, $100, kohls.com; Calvin Klein shoes, $119; French Connection bag, $98 PEAR It’s win-win: Show off pretty shoulders, lose the torturous shapewear.…

Gleyzer—who’s also worked with Madonna and Sting—designed this workout to make the most of her clients’ core and gluteus muscles. “The first two moves are great for your lower abdominals, which can be difficult to reach,” says Gleyzer. Moves three and four? Butt-tastic. “They’re better than squats!” 1 Roll-Back Sit with your legs in front of you, knees bent. Place a Pilates ball at the base of your spine. Lean back and extend your arms out in front of you, palms facing down, and tighten your core (a). Open your arms out to the side and inhale (b); as you bring them back together, exhale. Do five to 15 reps. 2 Double-Leg Extension Lie on your back and place a yoga block under your tailbone. Bend your knees toward your…

Each day at sunrise, 32-year-old Lisa Van Sciver, a full-time ski patroller at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in Wyoming, is on the slopes—some of the most challenging in North America, by the way, with one of the highest vertical drops—to make sure the conditions are stable enough to open the mountain. Lugging a backpack filled with up to 35 pounds of supplies, she navigates waist-high powder to set explosives designed to clear potential avalanche hazards. “Ski patrol is basically just physical labor, but in potentially life-threatening situations,” says Van Sciver. “You can’t go out there and not be in top shape.” Patrollers are true winter-fitness specialists, and under those bulky jackets, packs, and helmets, you’ll find some of the fittest women on earth. Not only do they have to maneuver…

Sinuses and Stomach The plane’s filtered, ultra-low-humidity air can dry out your airways, stripping your nostrils of their protective mucous layer. Without that barrier, germs may have an easier time infecting your body’s cells. Your best defenses are keeping your fingers out of your eyes and nose, and washing your hands often. Have to use the lavatory? So would someone suffering from norovirus, a powerful and super-contagious cause of diarrhea and vomiting. It can live on bathroom faucets and door handles—and even tray tables. Swabbing yours down with an alcohol-based wipe can help; so can using hand sanitizer after touching anything communal. Blood The cabin’s low air pressure and your own inactivity can be an ugly one-two punch that slows blood circulation, cracking open the door for deep vein thrombosis,…

Three More Delicious Recipes 1. Cocoa-spiced steak: In a small bowl, mix together 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon salt-free steak seasoning, 1 finely chopped garlic clove, ½ teaspoon chili powder, and 3 tablespoons brown sugar. Rub mixture onto both sides of a 1-inch-thick, 1-pound flank steak. Over medium-high heat, grill steak for 5 to 6 minutes per side for medium rare. Remove from grill and let rest on a cutting board for 5 minutes before serving. 2. Vegetarian chili con cocoa: In a large pot, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 chopped onion and 1 chopped bell pepper; cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add 1 can no-salt-added diced tomatoes, 1 can rinsed and drained chili beans, 1 can drained no-salt-added black beans, and…

Scented Items Many cosmetics, shampoos, and household cleaners contain chemicals called phthalates to help scents last. But exposure to high levels of phthalates has been linked to being overweight. Look for phthalate-free on labels. Canned Food Some cans are lined with an estrogen-like chemical called bisphenol A (BPA). High-acid foods, such as tomatoes, can cause BPA to leach into the can’s contents. Look for BPA-free cans or alternative packaging. Nonstick Cookware Girls born to women with the highest levels of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) during pregnancy were three times as likely to be overweight than those whose moms had the lowest levels. PFOA is found in nonstick coatings, so use cast iron or stainless steel.…

You’ve heard it before: If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. But when it comes to your sex life, heading into the kitchen—or the living room, or the stairwell—can stoke the sexual fire. “It’s easy to fall into a rut: ‘Your side of the bed or mine?’” says Emily Morse, author of Hot Sex and star of Bravo’s Miss Advised. Simply getting out of the bedroom can make things more exciting. Use this room-by-room guide to turn your home sweet home into a sexy love shack. Living Room You’ve likely christened your couch already, but have you involved a throw pillow? Smushing one under your lower back angles your pelvis up, making for increased clitoral stimulation when he enters you missionary-style, says Morse. Likewise, ottomans don’t…

Laura,* 34, describes her house as “the size of a pea”—which makes it all the more irritating when she comes home to find the coffee table overflowing with her husband Rob’s mail, coffee cups, crumbs, dirty socks, and magazines. “I can never find what I need under his random piles of junk,” she says. The constant stream of stuff coming into our homes these days makes even happy couples butt heads over clutter. And skirmishes about leaving dishes in the sink can be just as damaging as larger, constant fights about one of you being a Pig-Pencaliber slob. If you’re lucky, you’re dealing with nothing more than a difference of opinion over what clean looks like. But experts say fights about untidiness can be a sign that it’s your relationship—not…

Add spices and flavor with a squeeze. Taste #5 Umami Paste, $13, normthompson.com Passion fruit, rose, and marigold liven up this green tea and jasmine blend. Bellocq, $40, bellocq.com Make low-carb pie more fun. Monkey Pizza Peddler pizza cutter, $20, uniquevintage.com Reason enough to set the table. Jonathan Adler for eBay Mr. and Mrs. Muse salt and pepper shakers, $48, fashionvault.ebay.com inspire a health kick These 72 percent cocoa chocolates are low on sugar, high on taste. Sugarfina bento box,* $50, sugarfina.com Cut out germs with antimicrobial knives. Core Bamboo Slice and Dice, $15 each, amazon.com No room for a garden? Grow an olive tree on the windowsill. Nudo Grow Your Own, $7.49, nudo-italia.com A natural sweetener in the coolest of containers. Ballard Bee Company honey, $12 to $25, ballardbeecompany.com…

Haley Bakker, 25, doesn’t have a drinking problem. Sure, the public relations associate regularly hits the Chicago bar scene with friends and frequently sips cocktails at business events. And sure, the drink she often holds in one hand feels as natural as the smartphone in the other. But like most of her pals, Haley rarely gets drunk, almost never wakes up with a hangover, and always takes a cab home. When asked how many drinks she has in a typical week, Haley’s first guess is five or six. Then she does the math: Monday night might find her catching up with a girlfriend over cocktails. Tuesday, it’s dinner with her boyfriend and a bottle of red. Wednesday, a going-away party for a coworker and vodka tonics all around. Thursday is…

RUN INTO ME MIDDAY AND YOU’D NEVER know I started the morning with gobs of anti-frizz cream and a half-hour flatiron session. By that point, my thick hair has morphed into a poufy mess. A hairstylist finally uncovered why my frizz-fighting product was failing me: water. As the first ingredient listed on the cream’s label, H20 made the product a great option for fine, damaged hair—but not potent enough to manage my rebellious tresses. “Women research the ingredients in their skin-care products, but few do with their hair products,” says cosmetic chemist Perry Romanowski, author of The Beauty Aisle Insider. Complicating matters further, many of us don’t really know what type of hair we have. It’s not just oily or dry. Hair is categorized by three characteristics: porosity (how much…

30 SECONDS Dial down your thermostat to 64°F. Research shows that colder temps can help alter your metabolism and lead to weight loss. “The Secret Battle of the Bulge,” page 96 60 SECONDS Take seven long, slow breaths. Experts say this can amp up your heart rate variability (a health indicator linked to more frequent orgasms!). “The Truth About Your Ticker,” page 76 2 MINUTES Download the WrapitApp for your phone. It lets you know how much paper and ribbon you’ll need to snip to wrap a gift. “Grand Openings,” page 115 5 MINUTES Dig your bronzer out from the bottom of your makeup bag and flip to “Warming Trend,” page 44, for ways to get a summer glow in the dead of winter. 10 MINUTES Discover your true hair…

HOW SAFE IS IT? AIR FRESHENER “Chemicals found in air fresheners have been linked to neurological problems, migraines, respiratory difficulties, and even cancer,” says Anne Steinemann, Ph.D., a professor at the University of Washington. Manufacturers of air fresheners aren’t required to disclose the ingredients used, and products with essential oils and “natural” or “organic” fragrances can emit as many toxic chemicals as regular ones, says Steinemann. In a University of Washington study led by Steinemann, at least one hazardous chemical (like acetone or acetaldehyde) was found in each of the eight air fresheners tested. A less risky—and more effective—solution? Use truly natural sources like coffee beans or lemon and orange peels, or deodorize with plain baking soda. Q Is stretching really necessary? — Kate, Lake Zurich, IL At your desk…

BRAIN CANDY Sugar may be bad for more than your teeth. According to a study in The Journal of Physiology, it may impair your mind too. Maze-trained rats ran a course much more slowly when they’d been fed sugar-spiked water daily for six weeks. Researchers also noted that the effect was more pronounced in critters whose diets were not supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids, leading them to suspect that those healthy fats may blunt sugar’s interference with learning and memory. So minimize the sweet stuff and consume omega-3-rich foods such as salmon, walnuts, and flaxseeds to safeguard your smarts. THIS JUST IN: Be a Dairy Queen The healthy probiotic bacteria in yogurt, cheese, and other fermented dairy products may help slash type 2 diabetes risk. A study in The American…

LOOKING GOOD, DOG! Puppy love works only if you have the right kind of canine. Klooff, an app and social network for pet lovers, ranked the top five breeds that would help a person attract the opposite sex. If you’re looking for a long-term guy, don’t buddy up with a Chihuahua—men perceive their female owners as “dumb” and as someone they’d want to have a one-night stand with, not a relationship. THIS JUST IN: Jealousy Bites Your guy might prefer you starve rather than eat with an ex. Research published in PloS One found that both men and women were more jealous of dining meet-ups with past loves than of reunions that didn’t involve food. Both sexes preferred hanging-with-former-flame scenarios that involved only conversation (even sipping coffee was too intimate).…

Give Your Scalp a “Facial” Your legs aren’t the only body part that turns reptilian this time of year. Winter’s low humidity can make dead skin cells dislodge from the scalp. Aveda Invati Exfoliating Shampoo ($24, aveda.com) is sulfate-free and has wintergreen-derived salicylic acid that sloughs away flakes, says Francesca Fusco, M.D., an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Quell a Cold Kiss My Face Cold & Flu Soothing Bath & Shower Gel ($11, Whole Foods Market) contains menthol and eucalyptus to help de-stuff a stuffy nose. Its calming ingredients, like fennel and aloe vera, help soothe skin. “When you’re congested, your body’s blood flow slows down, so your skin can become irritated and swollen,” says dermatologist Ava Shamban, M.D. Pamper Your Legs Aerosol shaving…

Perk up battery-sapped electronics with this faux cup of joe. Powerline Powercup Inverter, $40, redenvelope.com No more fumbling in your purse. This keeps your phone in easy reach. Griffin Technology RoadTrip mounting system, $100, griffin technology.com This lets you pull over for an impromptu roadside picnic. Lands’ End blanket, $124, landsend.com The chicest fix for musty car smell. Jo Malone London room spray, $55, jomalone.com These Rx lenses turn sunglass-dark in UV light. See sunglasses, $278, seeeyewear.com Warm your neck in the car; shield your hairdo if it pours as you traipse inside. Banana Republic infinity scarf, $198, bananarepublic.com Leather driving gloves protect your hands in the most glam, least bulky way. Portolano Products gloves, $74, portolano.com Stay alert with protein-packed snacks and invigorating sweets. Kopali Chocolate Espresso Beans, Glee…

Kerry likes her food clean and her home green. “I try to be eco because I want to feel healthy and feel good about the things that surround me,” she says. A few ways she’s friendly to the environment: She keeps a “clean” house. “I try to use nontoxic paints and do a lot of up-cycling and reusing stuff,” says Kerry, who has an affinity for organic-cotton sheets and furnishings made from reclaimed wood. She’s also a fan of Jessica Alba’s The Honest Company, which manufactures eco-friendly family and home products. “It’s such high-quality stuff,” says Kerry, who travels with the hand sanitizer and uses it after workouts. “She’s such an awesome woman for having done this entrepreneurial endeavor that comes out of being a mother.” She looks for eco…

When you get into a workout groove, everything runs as it should, including your ability to fend off an invading cold or flu. “Moderate exercise helps boost immunity by increasing the movement of immune cells, which seek and destroy viruses and bacteria,” says David Nieman, D.P.H., a professor of health and exercise science at Appalachian State University. But get this: If your sweat session is long or intense, your risk of catching something—for up to 72 hours afterward—is as much as six times greater. For your next workout, follow these bug-fighting strategies. BEFORE… Pop a Multivitamin A busy schedule can cause unbalanced eating habits—but a daily multivitamin can help fill in missing vitamins and minerals and possibly help support your immune system, says Lewis G. Maharam, M.D., former medical director…

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that food can be sexy or that a nice meal can be every bit as lust-inducing as a little black dress. Food can stimulate your senses and satisfy you in many of the same ways a good romp does. But this may be news: You can eat delicious, sexy food and still have the most delicious, sexy body imaginable. No worries if you don’t know a mandoline from a mandolin. You can whip your fridge, mind, and butt into shape, starting with these decadent—yet guilt-free!—recipes that balance indulgence with moderation. Plus, they feature natural, unprocessed “foods with benefits,” which deliver a powerful one-two punch of nutrition that will keep you naturally gorgeous from the inside out. Spaghetti Nests with Meatballs MARINARA SAUCE: 1 yellow…

Lunch: Wild Rice and Kale Salad ½ cup cooked wild rice* 1 cup kale, chopped ½ cup cauliflower pieces 1 cup cherry tomatoes 2 Tbsp sunflower seeds 1 oz crumbled blue cheese 2 tsp olive oil 1½ tsp lemon juice Toss first six ingredients. Combine oil and lemon juice, and drizzle on top. * Technically a grass, this grain has fewer calories, more protein, and less fat than the almighty brown rice. Total: 431 calories Snack 13 Mary’s Gone Crackers Original Seed crackers 1 Wholly Guacamole* 100-Cal Snack Pack, Classic 12 strips yellow pepper * Avocado contains healthy fats that can curb snack urges. Total: 257 calories Dinner: Cod with Rosemary Polenta and Beans 3 oz cod 1 tsp chopped fresh parsley Dash of salt Dash of pepper ¼ cup…

Andrea Tynkaluk had always counted on working out to offset the calories she downed in takeout and booze, but after college, the occasional pickup game of volleyball, hockey, or soccer wasn’t enough. “I thought I was being healthy,” says the 30-year-old, who owns a pet-grooming business in Ontario. “But we would go out afterward to eat burgers and drink beer.” As she continued to ditch the gym out of boredom and avoid fruits and veggies, the pounds slowly crept onto her 5’9" frame. The Change To get into shape for a trip to the Dominican Republic with her family, Andrea signed up for a kettlebell class in October 2009. Along with the rest of the class, she submitted her stats for a body-age test that measured her fitness level. She…

My fiancé put his ex-girlfriend on our wedding guest list. I don’t like it, but how do I address the issue? —Caitlin, Duluth, MN Present your feelings in a calm, logical way to keep him from dismissing your disapproval as bridezilla behavior. Tell him you’d feel uncomfortable interacting with his ex on your special day. Remind him that a wedding is an intimate ceremony to be shared with your families and closest friends, and anyone who makes either of you uneasy shouldn’t be a part of it. I’m in uncharted territory: My new guy has a penis piercing. Should I be concerned? —Rachel, La Crosse, WI Don’t be taken aback: A penis piercing can increase sexual pleasure for both partners However, if it’s not properly tended to, it can also…

Sometimes your emotions torpedo your intellect. Weren’t you the one singing along to that Ke$ha song before you remembered you really don’t like Ke$ha? Or tearing up during the commercial you know is cheesy, where the father finally hands off the car keys to his teenage daughter? Happens to everyone, no big deal—but when your emotions run roughshod over your financial smarts, your wallet can get battered. How we feel often stops us from being coldhearted about cash. These scientific studies, however, can help you react more with your brain and less by your moods when it comes to money. Sold to the Nicest Person! THE LESSON: You lose money when you insist that valuable objects go to buyers who plan to use them. People want to sell beloved items…

These multisport females have amazing figures. When you consider their disciplines, it’s not that shocking, since swimming, biking, and running engage almost every major muscle group, but in different ways. Swimming hits your arms, back, shoulders, and core. Cycling mainly works your quads, while running targets your hamstrings. The result: You get the arms of a swimmer, the legs of a cyclist, and the leanness of a runner—all in one super-sexy package. The swim-bike-run combo doesn’t appeal to you? Not to worry. Other workout combos can be just as effective (if not more!) as the classic triathlon, says L.A.-based fitness expert Holly Perkins. “The key is exercise variability, which helps you feel and look better and gets you in better overall shape,” she says. Not only will the fitness gains…

Even if you avoid overindulging around the holidays (eggnog bender, anyone?), starting off the New Year with a short break from booze can transform your body and mind. Turns out, much of the damage that alcohol does can be reversed. Try giving up the sauce for four weeks and you might be surprised at how much better you look and feel. Within a Few Days: ✓ Minus any moisture-sapping alcohol, your skin will look and feel more hydrated. Any ruddiness in your cheeks and nose (caused by swollen capillaries) will fade. Nonchronic dandruff, eczema, or rosacea should lessen or disappear. ✓ Alcohol may make you sleepy, but it also disrupts the quality of your sleep. Which means you’re now getting the sounder shut-eye that leads to increased concentration and energy…

What gets her pumped: 77% Dancing 54% Having sex 42% Going shopping 10% Meditating 50 Percentage who feel most energized to work out in the morning THE A.W. HAS THE ENERGY TO EXERCISE… 1 to 3 DAYS A WEEK Maximize your time with this routine from Karen Joseph, owner of Fountain of Fitness in Valrico, Florida. Warm up with jumping jacks, then do a high-intensity strength circuit with 10 to 12 reps per exercise and little rest. DOES THE A.W. GULP ENERGY DRINKS? 1.0/5.0 1 in 5 yay! 4.0/5.0 4 in 5 no way! HOW SHE GETS HER GROOVE BACK WHEN HER ENERGY PLUMMETS AT WORK: 1 Caffeine 2 A walk 3 A snack 2 p.m. Her ideal nap time Foods that give her a boost: Bananas, Nuts & Apples…

Certified strength and conditioning specialist John Cole is the director of human performance at the Ski & Snowboard Club Vail in Colorado. In “Get a Butt That Defies Gravity,” page 66, he explains how applying ski patrollers’ training techniques to your workouts can build endurance and a stronger physique. 1 HOW I EAT RIGHT: SNACK-TIME ALARMS “I set alarms on my phone—for 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.—to remind myself to eat a healthy snack, like almonds or dried fruit. This keeps my metabolic rate even, and I’m less likely to make unhealthy choices at mealtimes.” 2 HOW I INCREASE STRENGTH: PULLUPS “Don’t avoid this shoulder-and arm-sculpting move if you can’t do it on your own. Use a resistance band, box, or machine for help. And vary your grip—I alternate close,…

Q When my boyfriend is upset, he wants to be alone, but then he just stews. What’s my best move? —Stephanie, Appleton, WI Stew is a funny thing—let it simmer for the right amount of time, and the meat breaks down, things mellow out, and it’s easier to sink your teeth into. Leave it too long and it just goes to mush. You need to catch your guy at the right moment. Going solo while he’s in a funk is his way of dealing with the situation, and eventually he’ll loosen up and be ready to talk. Don’t try to pry into his mind while he’s in Crock-Pot mode—rub his head or cuddle up next to him, but hold off on the interrogation. Laughter is the best sign that he’s…

SKIN SAVER Going all out at the gym isn’t usually credited with producing glowing skin, but according to a recent study, challenging workouts could prevent psoriasis. Researchers found that women who regularly pushed themselves had a 25 to 30 percent reduced risk of developing the disease and its classic red, scaly, itchy skin patches. Exercise could be protective thanks to its anti-inflammatory effects or its ability to zap stress and anxiety, both of which are known risk factors for triggering the onset of psoriasis and flareups in those who already have it. WHAT IS IT? deep catch stroke \ deep kach strohk \ n. The arm motion that helps you swim faster. Using your arms like paddles, keep them straight as they enter the water and push hard to move…

PLUMBING PROBLEMS If a sneezing fit starts a flood down below, you’re not alone. In a survey of more than a thousand women ages 16 to 30, nearly 13 percent reported that they leak urine while coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercising. “Urinary incontinence is usually associated with pregnancy, obesity, and older age, so seeing this in young, healthy, childless women is a new issue,” says Susan Davis, Ph.D., of Monash University in Australia. Talk to your doc about medications and other nonsurgical solutions. 20 PERCENTAGE INCREASED RISK FOR HEART DISEASE IN PEOPLE WITH TYPEAB BLOOD COMPARED TO PEOPLE WITH TYPEO Source: Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology PANTS ON FIRE! The average American tells 11 lies a week—but fibbing may hurt your health. University of Notre Dame researchers asked a group…

For all but those who live in perpetually sunny states, bikinis and beach towels have long been packed away. But one summer staple shouldn’t go into storage—namely, your I’m-on-vacation makeup. Think sultry bronzes, twinkling golds, and full-bodied peaches, which imbue all skin tones with a warm, healthy quality. Here, strategies for wearing summery shades without looking like you bathed in a bottle of self-tanner. Eyes The key words are soft and sheer. “Shimmering rose gold or light bronze are perfect for waking up the eyes,” says Robin Black, a makeup artist in L.A. Brush the shadow from lashes to crease, then trace your lower lashes with the same shade (or line there with a taupe pencil for more definition, says Romero Jennings, a senior makeup artist for M.A.C Cosmetics). Finish…

Focused, Zen, silent. Kerry Washington is all of these things as she performs an intense exercise move that would have weaker women grunting like Maria Sharapova returning a serve. After five years of dedication to a hard-core Pilates practice, the actress has abs of iron. “Look at how strong she is!” says Pilates instructor Nonna Gleyzer in her calm, cozy West Hollywood studio, as her client tackles an advanced set of roll-back crunches without so much as a grimace. “And I don’t give out compliments easily,” adds Gleyzer. No doubt. The stern, self-described “body stylist” is a former member of Ukraine’s rhythmic gymnastics team. Spend a few hours with Kerry, 35, and you realize that she approaches Pilates the same way she stares down many of life’s challenges: with a…

If your abs routine consists of crunches, crunches, and more crunches, you may still have some jiggle around the middle. That’s because the crunch works only one part of your core, and in a very nonfunctional way, which won’t cut it if you’re trying to reveal a slim waistline. To do that, you have to recruit your entire core, which includes your hip flexors, lower back, and glutes, plus all layers of your abs: the rectus abdominis, obliques, and transverse abdominis. You also have to work these muscles from every angle—not just front to back (as the crunch does). This routine, created by New York City trainer and strength coach John Romaneillo, targets your entire core with functional, up-off-the-floor moves. It’s more effective than spot-sculpting your six-pack muscles, and because…

Heart rate variability, or HRV, is probably the most important health tracker you’ve never heard of, unless you socialize with a bunch of cardiologists. HRV has been linked to a wide variety of health threats—stress, depression, diabetes, heart disease, sleep disorders, and abdominal fat, among others—and it may act as both a health catalyst (a wonky HRV might cause problems) and a health indicator (preexisting ailments may throw off HRV). Oh, and also: Research shows ideal HRV is tied to more frequent orgasms! In science-speak, HRV is the amount of variation in the time intervals between heartbeats. Say what? Imagine that your heart rate (the number of times the organ thumps per minute) is like the beat of a song—it chugs along, keeping pace. HRV informs the more complex rhythm,…

You can count on three things this time of year: mall traffic, multiple TV airings of It’s a Wonderful Life, and hungry visitors. Hosting is hard enough without frantic recipe searches and last-minute runs to the store, but you can avoid both this year—we’ve rounded up the easiest appetizers ever, made with ingredients you probably have on hand. 1. Cheesy Grape Pops Skewer 24 large red grapes with 4-inch lollipop or cake-pop sticks. Melt 4 ounces goat cheese over medium heat, stirring, until creamy, about 2 minutes. Dip grapes into melted cheese, then roll in ¼ cup finely chopped toasted pistachios and place on a waxed paper–lined plate. Refrigerate until cheese hardens, about 10 to 15 minutes. MAKES 6 SERVINGS. Per serving: 90 cal, 6 g fat (3 g sat),…

Hormones are responsible for more than just the occasional binge. Their ebb and flow in your body control nearly every aspect of your weight, from when you get hungry to where you’re most likely to store flab. Even fat cells themselves secrete multiple hormones. Something else you may not know: You can make these powerful chemicals work for you. “People have a lot more sway over their hormones than they think they do,” says Lena Edwards, M.D., director of the Balance Health and Wellness Center in Lexington, Kentucky. These strategies will help you take charge over five of the most influential. HORMONE: Leptin One of the many hormones produced by your fat cells is leptin, which plays a role in appetite control. Research has found that excess body fat can…

I love to bake. Which holiday cookies are the healthiest? —Kasey, St. Louis, MO The gingerbread man is adorable and delicious, plus he’ll help you keep off the pounds (try saying that about the other guys in your life). A cookie that stands as tall as a tube of lipstick has only around 70 calories. If you’re not a gingerbread fan, whip up a batch of something fluffy and egg-white-based, such as French macaroons or meringue cookies, which will satisfy your sweet tooth for less than 90 calories each. I’ve heard that just standing more often helps you lose weight. True? —Jenna, Bristol, TN When it comes to burning calories, standing delivers. A University of Missouri study found that staying on your feet blasts up to 60 calories more per…

1 You’re in great shape. Have any indulgences? Coffee, chocolate, red wine… in the list of vices they’re probably pretty minor, but I do like to indulge. Right now, since I’m doing another Wolverine movie, they’re food-related, like I want a bowl of cereal. 2 A woman looks hottest wearing what? I’m a big fan of summer clothing…like when you’ve been to the beach all day and you come back and go out at night. To me, that’s sexy. 3 The secret to a successful relationship is... You just have to make it a priority. And you have to make that choice early on. 4 What makes someone marriage material? It’s a completely gut feeling. It was beyond my writing down a list of qualities, but there’s no doubt that…

You may feel proud of yourself in the moment for passing up a trip to St. Lucia, but in the long run, being overly disciplined when it comes to special items isn’t always a good financial strategy. That’s because buyer’s remorse can be even worse when you regret not making a purchase, especially if it’s an opportunity for an experience you won’t easily have again, says research published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. The result? Possibly overspending on your next buy, says Emily Rosenzweig, author of the study and a Ph.D. candidate at Cornell University. If you can’t get what you’re coveting at a later date—say, if it’s a hard-to-schedule group vacation—it might be worth splurging so that you (and your budget) are less likely to be…

Slipping into something cozy at the end of the day doesn’t have to mean pulling on holey sweats that are two sizes too big and topping them off with a baggy tee. Behold, cashmere cutoffs, silk jammies, and snug henleys that are as cute and sexy as they are cuddly. photographs by Francisco Garcia let’s keep things casual (but not too casual) Five good reasons stepping up your loungewear is worth it 1 Your significant other may start referring to your current couch wardrobe—as one WH editor’s husband (jokingly) does—as frumpywear. (P.S. Said editor is fervently shopping this story as we speak.) 2 You’ve earned it: Celebrate that gym-honed bod in fitted duds that flaunt your assets. 3 What if—just what if—the delivery guy (or your next-door neighbor) is Mr.…

WOMEN SHOULDN’T drink more than seven alcoholic beverages a week, and never more than three in a single day, say the current U.S. dietary guidelines. That’s easy enough to understand, until you realize that defining “one drink” can be almost impossible, thanks to ballooning glasses and ever-bolder concoctions. It’s all part of the wider “supersize me” phenomenon. Over the past few decades, drink pours have swollen to match the so-called “fill lines” of bigger cocktail glasses that have hit many places, says Lesley Townsend Duval, founder and executive director of the Manhattan Cocktail Classic. Nowhere is the trend more evident than with martinis, says Dale DeGroff, cofounder and president of The Museum of the American Cocktail. In the 1950s, a typical martini glass held around five ounces; the drinks themselves…