Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2017 i Women's Health

My mom is still pissed that Tommy Lee Jones won a 1993 Oscar for The Fugitive. Every time she sees the guy in a movie, she can’t help but fume about John Malkovich being “robbed” of the award for his In the Line of Fire role as a former CIA agent turned would-be presidential assassin. It’s become a family joke now, but it speaks to a bigger truth about my mom: She’s loyal as hell. She has always been my biggest champion, and my sister’s as well, pushing us to do our best, applauding our successes, and supporting us when things don’t go our way. She does the same for my dad. She’s the kind of mom who attended every single one of my track meets, piano lessons, and choir…

I feel silly in sexy lingerie. Does a guy really care if you get decked out? IT’S HOT. Feel weird about it? Remember that most exciting things usually happen outside of your comfort zone. But also don’t get hung up on garters and lace; something as simple as underwear in a new color will get him excited. IT’S A BONUS. Let’s say you’re a big fan of chocolate cake. Would you complain about the cake if it doesn’t have fondant ribbons? No. But a little extra decoration does make for a more enticing experience. Still, if you’re not in the mood, pass. SKIP IT IF IT’S NOT FOR YOU. It sounds corny, but the best thing you can wear is your confidence. When you’re just as willing to initiate new…

BIGGER GOALS = BIGGER LOSSES It’s crystal (ball) clear: If you can envision it, you can lose it! In a new study, 46 women who predicted they’d shed more weight over a 27-week diet period dropped more lbs (37 on average) than those with less lofty targets (who lost as little as 13); they were also more likely to have maintained their loss at a one-year check-in. This challenges the common belief that setting higher-reaching goals could make dieters abandon ship. Victoria A. Catenacci, M.D., an associate professor of medicine at the University of Colorado Anschutz Health and Wellness Center, says the findings may inspire a new weight-loss strategy: Set an ambitious big-picture goal, then celebrate at smaller incremental points (Catenacci suggests up to 10 percent of your weight in…

NURSE THOSE FEET Want to help prevent knee pain? Muscle fatigue? Back problems? Great, wear nursing shoes! We know what you’re thinking: So bulky. So hideous. But a new line of corrective sneakers called Align ($90, nursemates.com) is, wow, actually chic! No chunkiness, seven styles, tons of colors and patterns, can be worn with jeans! Check out what our testers had to say. INSPIRED THE FUTURE IS FEMALE... As if we need more reason to support girls in the sciences, a new study found that patients treated by female doctors are less likely to die or be readmitted to the hospital. The authors estimate that 32,000 lives could be saved each year if male physicians followed similar patient-care practices! Although the exact reasons for this gender divide are unclear, look…

WHITE WINE Sorry to be a buzzkill, but according to a study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, each glass of white wine per day was associated with a 13 percent increased risk of melanoma. The researchers hypothesize it’s due to the DNA-damaging enzyme acetaldehyde, which is found in all alcoholic beverages but at higher levels in white wine. Easy solution: Opt for red instead, which researchers think has less of an association with melanoma risk, thanks to its higher level of antioxidants. HPV A study published in the British Medical Journal uncovered a connection between strains of HPV and the prevalence of squamous cell carcinomas, a nonmelanoma type of skin cancer. The more strains of HPV a person carried, the more likely they were to develop squamous cell…

Active Active Loungy Loungy…

1 CARDIO Being able to tally double-digit miles in an afternoon is impressive, but how long you can huff and puff isn’t actually the ultimate test of aerobic fitness. What is? Your aerobic capacity, or how efficiently your body uses oxygen. Also known as VO2 max, it’s directly linked to superior heart health, exercise recovery, and overall fitness potential, says Pamela Geisel, a certified strength and conditioning specialist at the Hospital for Special Surgery Tisch Sports Performance Center in New York City. Traditional VO2 max tests are done on a treadmill and are notoriously intense (if you’re not a runner, you’ll likely fail), but a 2016 study found that the average person can use a simple bench test to get a picture of how well their heart recovers following aerobic…

Think of your workout as a meal. Your warm-up is your appetizer, the actual sweat session is your entree, and your cooldown is—wait…cooldown? “Most people skip stretching because they don’t think it’s important,” says John Porcari, Ph.D., an exercise and sports science professor at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. “But gradually returning your body to its natural resting state is the best way to prevent cardiovascular and muscular mishaps.” So may we introduce to you: yoga for dessert. That’s right, yoga—the age-old practice of controlling your breath, opening up your body, and quieting your mind—has become the cherry on top for boxing, indoor cycling, and boot camp. Trace it back to a growing emphasis on the mind-body connection and an increasing interest in restorative and recoveryenhancing techniques. In fact, instructors…

WITH EXCLUSIVE ADVICE FROM… TRAVIS STORK, M.D. Emergency medicine physician THE DOCTORS ANDREW ORDON, M.D. Plastic surgeon and ear, nose, and throat physician THE DOCTORS JENNIFER BERMAN, M.D. Urologist and women’s sexual-health specialist THE DOCTORS NITA LANDRY, M.D. Ob-gyn THE DOCTORS SONIA BATRA, M.D., M.P.H. Dermatologist THE DOCTORS KERI GLASSMAN, R.D. Nutritionist and founder of Nutritious Life HANNAH DAVIS, C.S.C.S. Personal trainer and founder of Body by Hannah fitness studio…

CHICK SCHTICK The bird’s a gal’s best friend. Not only is chicken packed with lean protein, it’s a standout source of bonebuilding phosphorus and two nutrients women can’t seem to get enough of, iron and potassium, says Kim Larson, R.D.N., a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. METHOD FLAME-KISSED GRILLING USE WHEN You like your meat crispy and smoky and are willing to put in a little extra prep work to save on kitchen cleanup. TO DO IT Prepare a grill for indirect cooking with a medium-high hot zone. Cut out the bird’s backbone with poultry shears, then discard it and flatten the carcass. This technique, known as spatchcocking, allows the meat to cook faster and more evenly without drying out. Rub on a seasoning mix (see options,…

With sugar on everyone’s “don’t” list—now accused of causing not only weight gain but possibly diabetes, cancer, and heart disease—artificial sweetener use is soaring. We’re scarfing the stuff like never before: Consumption of sugar substitutes surged by 54 percent between 1999 and 2012 (going up a startling 200 percent in kids), and demand is predicted to rise another 5 percent by 2020. Scientists are tinkering with new plant-based varieties that aim to be healthier and better-tasting than previous lab-created sweeteners, and several are already on the market. All-natural and nearly zero calories: What could possibly go wrong? Experts are increasingly unsure how to answer that question—or exactly what advice to give to their clients. “There’s a lot of confusion about sugar substitutes these days,” says Ashley Koff, R.D., a nutritionist…

1 If you had a day completely to yourself, what would you do? I would go to my coffee shop and work for, like, 25 minutes so I don’t have to feel guilty. Then I’d go to an empty basketball gym and just shoot by myself for an hour. It’s kind of a meditative thing for me—some people go swimming, and this is my version of that. 2 Do you think your partner should also be your best friend? I think extreme initial attraction can be super exciting, but yeah, as I’ve gotten older, that best-friend kind of quality seems to be more important. You might not have this amazing chemistry right away, but it is something that grows and is more solid. 3 What do you think is your…

If you’ve tried to talk to friends and family but your concerns have been minimized, these scripts can help them understand. (If your doctor is the one not taking you seriously, ask friends for the name of a primary-care physician or a psychiatrist they like, and change M.D.s, stat.) THEY SAY How could you be depressed? Look at everything you’ve accomplished! YOU SAY I have a hard time seeing my accomplishments; I see only what I do wrong. Can you help me by reminding me of what I do well when I get down on myself? THEY SAY What do you have to be anxious about? YOU SAY YOU SAY Anxiety doesn’t ‘need’ a reason to exist. It’s just how I feel. THEY SAY THEY SAY Think of how many…

Original Caption “Was there a party if I wasn’t on top of the fridge?” #HowIReallyFelt “I didn’t want to go to this party. I felt so empty, I was shaking because what if everyone actually hates me (even though they’re all my friends and probably don’t hate me).” —Rachel, 21, Ohio Original Caption “Sometimes you just have to smile, especially when you are this cute!” #HowIReallyFelt “Today is a tough one. Feeling sad, overwhelmed, and emotionally drained trying to cope with my father’s death. I should have stayed in bed.” —Marilyn, 48, Mississippi Original Caption “Sometimes it’s the little things that bring the most joy.” #HowIReallyFelt “I wish I had half of this puppy’s joy. Earlier today I was driving, and looking for objects to crash into. My life feels…

ANDREA VERDONE GORSEGNER & NATALIE & HANNAH GORSEGNER Everything changed for Andrea on August 16, 2012—her daughter Natalie (far left), then just 3 years old, was diagnosed with high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia. After undergoing chemotherapy, Natalie, now 7, is in remission, but “we no longer take a day for granted,” says Andrea, 40, previously a photo editor at WH. It inspired her to start Infinite Love for Kids Fighting Cancer (infiniteloveforkids fightingcancer.org), a nonprofit that raises funds for childhood cancers. And it inspired Natalie’s older sis, Hannah, 9, to get a bold new ’do. “Hannah shaves her head once a year—her way of honoring these brave kids,” says Andrea. “She’s always confident, but right after the buzz cut, you’d think she was going to the Oscars, the way she swaggers.”…

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT: This 1975 eye gaze still gets me teary. The rocking chair lives on in my parents’ living room today. THAT ’70s SHOW: Mom looks chic in stripes and jeans. And she looks happy. I get this look when I look at my kids. (I won’t say “look” again.) BANG LADIES: Rocking a blunt fringe since the ’80s! Next to wood-paneled walls! Maybe I’ll try Mom’s feathered style next?…

As a cosmetics brand manager and fashion and fitness blogger, it’s no shock Jenna looks fresh throughout her workout. She’s a multimarathoner and runs four or five times a week when prepping for a race—even finding time for strength training. “I strongly believe that lifting weights is key to any fitness goal.” Post your own sweat-ready style on Instagram and tag it #WHStreetStyle. You could be featured here! WIND BREAKER “With all of the rain we’ve been having in San Francisco, I can’t head out for a run without a cute windbreaker like this one by Adidas by Stellasport.” SHIRT She layers her windbreaker or zip-up with a racerback tank so she can easily cool down if she gets hot mid-run. SHOES “I’m a sucker for versatility, so I love…

CREATE A CUSTOMIZED SWIRL. Pick two or three flavors (like the green tea and mango shown here), then alternately scoop each into an airtight container and refreeze. GO BEYOND FUDGE. One of Cree’s favorite toppings is lemon curd over honey-lavender ice cream. Whip up your own or buy it (Meyer Lemon Curd, $13, williams-sonoma.com). Another idea: Simmer fresh berries, sugar, and herbs and spoon over any store-bought vanilla ice cream (for every pound of fruit, use up to ¼ cup sugar; try less for a tarter taste). Cree likes basil and blueberries, but you could do mint and strawberries, tarragon and raspberries, or rosemary and apples. COOL DOWN BREAKFAST. Waffles with a dollop? Nothin’ new. For a fresher a.m. treat, lay ice cream of any flavor over your oatmeal, drizzle…

The Big Lie About STIs They’re on the uptick, but don’t blame hookup culture. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that rates of sexually transmitted infections have been steadily rising since before dating apps. One likely cause? More than half of state and local STI prevention and treatment programs have had budget cuts since 2012, and those subsidies may be further slashed this year. Write your elected officials (go to usa.gov/elected-officials) and tell them to support STI-prevention funding. You can also buy brands that donate to these programs; Trojan, for example, is giving 1 million condoms annually to public health groups. Source: Stephanie S. Arnold Pang, director of policy and communications, National Coalition of STD Directors Which state has the happiest couples? A MISSISSIPPI B UTAH…

FINALLY! Cooling Gummies for Athletes For years, athletes (and our very own fitness editors!) have popped minty gum to stay focused during workouts. Research has shown that menthol can make you feel cooler while exercising—akin to a gust of wind when you need it most—allowing you to work out harder and longer. So we’re stoked that Clif just launched a spearmint flavor of its energy chews, called Bloks ($2.79 for six, clifbar.com). You get all the carbs and electrolytes you need for fuel, plus a subtle chilling sensation. The fascinating part, though: Menthol doesn’t actually lower your body temp, it just “tricks the brain into thinking you’re cooler,” says Chris Stevens, Ph.D., a sports science lecturer at Southern Cross University, whose new study found that a mint drink was more…

GEL Best for: Outdoor athletes and people with oily and/or dark skin (it goes on clear) Skip If: You have dry or sensitive skin. Why We Love It: Gel disappears into skin and won’t sweat off. Try: Bare Republic Clearscreen Sunscreen Gel SPF 30, $13, target.com MOUSSE Best for: Anyone who finds it tedious to rub on a cream Skip If: You suck at putting on sufficient sunscreen—it’s tough for SPF slackers to gauge if they’ve used enough. Why We Love It: It’s easy to cover large areas fast. Work in walnutsize amounts: one for the face, two for each arm, four each for the front and back of your torso. Try: Coppertone WaterBabies Pure & Simple Whipped SPF 50, $14, at drugstores OIL Best for: Dark complexions (goes on…

In the satirical NBC comedy Powerless, Vanessa Hudgens plays a normal office worker just trying to lead a normal life, despite the fact that “normal” is a gang of DC Comics superheroes battling in midair, leaving death rays and random objects falling from the sky. Vanessa’s life off-set presents a similar challenge, minus the electromagnetic weapons. In her beige-onbeige trailer, a deflated “happy birthday” balloon shriveled up in a corner, Vanessa is just trying to eat a healthy salad in a world that’s raining pizza and doughnuts. “I did indulge [lately],” she says, nodding to the balloon and her 28th birthday. (Double whammy? It falls right around the holidays.) She ate more and exercised less, and the scale crept up. But rather than beat herself up, she returned to her…

IT’S ANCIENT. “BMI was created about 200 years ago as a way to estimate obesity,” says Leslie Cho, M.D., director of the Cleveland Clinic Women’s Cardiovascular Center. But it doesn’t actually measure the fat on your frame. It’s literally a weight-to-height ratio, considering no other factors (sex, bone density, race). IT CONFUSES FIT WITH FAT. Athlete? Have a lot of lean-muscle mass? You could still have a BMI that qualifies as overweight or obese, even though you may be in great shape. According to a 2016 study, 47 percent of people in the overweight BMI category—along with 29 percent classified as obese—are actually healthy. IT CAN’T FULLY MEASURE HEALTH. On the flip side, the same study also found that more than 30 percent of people with so-called healthy BMIs have…

MENTAL NOTE “It’s easy to overlook what you can’t physically see—your mental health. But it should be prioritized too; it’s just as critical to overall wellness.” — Amy Keller Laird, WH EIC and National Women’s Health Week Ambassador One in three Americans don’t get enough sleep. THE WHOLE STORY The quality of your slumber is equally as important as the number of hours you log. And actually, interrupted sleep can rob you of more of the restorative, deep rest you need for good health than clocking too few Zs would. YOUR MOVE If you wake more than once a night, curb your intake of fluids two hours before bed—up to 44 percent of women have to pee at least one time during the night. Coupled up? Tell your partner about…

Q WHAT SIDE EFFECTS HAVE BEEN LINKED TO MY BIRTH CONTROL? A Thirty percent of Pill users quit using it because of side effects like nausea, breast tenderness, and headaches, not to mention mood changes or a drop in libido. Copper (i.e., nonhormonal) IUD users frequently experience increased menstrual pain and bleeding during the first months of use. Finding the right contraceptive pill or device can take a little bit of trial and error, so don’t settle for an option that leaves you feeling meh. Tell your doc about any negative symptoms you notice after going on a new form of birth control so she can help you find a better fit. Q DO I NEED TO TAKE A GENETIC TEST BEFORE I GET PREGNANT? A That’s 100 percent up…

BEFORE 320 lbs AFTER 160 lbs Fried fare and sugary drinks fueled Amanda Moore as a child, but those habits were amplified when something truly toxic entered her life at age 11: A relative began sexually abusing her, a nightmare that lasted eight years and drove her to use food for comfort. By the time Amanda gave birth to a son, at 19, she weighed 220. “I was on my own, and food was my friend,” she says. She hit 270 by age 21, when she met her husband, then topped out at 320 after the birth of a daughter. Her turning point came when she denied her kids a trip to an amusement park at Christmas because she was afraid she wouldn’t fit into the rides. “I made it…

When you think about it, camping is kinda the original social network—a time-honored ritual of gathering friends (or meeting new ones), wandering from one site to another in search of all things cool, and, if you’re lucky, connecting with something that feels far greater than yourself. It’s no coincidence, then, that social media has injected the tradition with new life. True, there will always be purists who simply pitch a tent and huff it. But Instagram and Pinterest have helped showcase camping’s infinite possibilities, whether that’s exploring nature via tricked-out vans or while chilling in stunning treehouses. In fact, when National Geographic—the Grand Poohbah of outdoor exploration—set out to document millennials in America’s national parks last fall, it turned to Instagram first to see who should be followed and what…

YOUR GUIDE: CHRISTINA SALWAY@CHRISTINASALWAY INTERIOR DESIGNER OF TREEHOUSES So captivating are grown-up treehouses that there’s a hit show dedicated to them—Treehouse Masters—and it’s about to air its fifth season on Animal Planet. “Staying up in the trees is the most ethereal way to interact with nature,” says Christina, an interior designer on the show and owner of a glassed-out high-top beauty herself. Whether it’s a barely-there perch with no more than a bed and improvised bathroom, or deluxe digs with a fireplace and a fully stocked bar, a treehouse gives you the peace and solitude of camping, but from a new perspective: “Sometimes you’re so high up—peering through the branches, removed from fellow campers—you think, This is what it feels like to be a bird,” says Christina. On the show,…

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) A therapist helps you ID negative thoughts that can keep you stuck in a funk (such as I’ll never be happy) and reframe them with a positive spin (e.g., Everybody has ups and downs. This is temporary.), often in 20 or fewer sessions. Studies show nearly two-thirds of people who use CBT had fewer depression and anxiety symptoms within 16 weeks. Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) This form of therapy helps you sort out symptom-triggering conflicts. For example, if constant fights with your partner or regular disagreements with a colleague are ratcheting up your symptoms, IPT can help you discover the source of the friction and guide you through problemsolving strategies to aid in resolving the issue. Medication Used alone or in conjunction with therapy, antianxiety or antidepressant…

THE ICE TRICK Hold an ice pack underneath your eyes, above your cheekbones, for 30 seconds. The discomfort can distract you from a racing mind. The chill in this area also triggers a reflex in the parasympathetic nervous system, slowing breathing and heart rate, which can help provide a sense of calm. THE TRASH TRICK Write down on paper negative thoughts like “I can’t do anything right,” then honestly ask if they fit the facts. Research shows that our thoughts are often distorted in ways that make us feel bad. Studies show this activity can help you identify unhelpful notions and think more realistically. THE STAIR TRICK Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and breathe deeply. Visualize every detail of slowly walking down a spiral staircase, from the lighting to the…

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STORY OF THE MONTH “THE ODDS AND ENDS OF ZEN” On page 121, we help clear your junk drawers. Below, psychologist and WH advisor Sharon Chirban shares what declutters her mind. “I cook up a storm. I like to try a couple of new cheeses and make a platter with fun textures and complementary flavors as part of my weekend reset-themind button. Getting totally absorbed by the activity is a break from thinking about and processing my daily life.” WH ADVISORY BOARD ANTHROPOLOGY HELEN FISHER, PH.D. Research professor and member of the Center for Human Evolutionary Studies, Rutgers University; author, Why Him? Why Her? Finding Real Love by Understanding Your Personality Type CARDIOLOGY MAJA ZARIC, M.D. Interventional cardiology, peripheral arterial and venous disease director, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York City…

MIND & BODY Can holding a grudge really hurt your health? Absolutely! Negative emotion can start a destructive cycle—it leads to biochemical changes such as an increase in cortisol (the stress hormone), which interferes with your body’s natural healing mechanism, which leads to less self-care (such as exercise), which creates physical pain, which leads to more dark emotions, which can cause low self-esteem…and so on and so on. The good news is that if you’re able to acknowledge you are holding a grudge, you’re halfway to releasing it. To fully let it go, try a forgiveness meditation. Each night in a quiet room with your eyes closed, repeat this as often as you need, either out loud or to yourself: “I forgive those who have wronged me. I forgive myself.…

REDDIT, TRIED IT, LOVED IT ZOTE SOAP We can’t get enough of the quirky beauty tips that come out of the Makeup Addiction subreddit— especially this $1 route to brighter, clearer skin. Reddit users swear this cheapo laundry detergent (you can find it at your local hardware or dollar store) does a fabulous job moonlighting as a makeup-brush cleaner. So, in a Reddit-inspired convo, we asked makeup artist Jamie Greenberg— who keeps her tools busier than anybody—to explain exactly why it’s so great. whbeauty You have access to so many products! Why Zote Soap? [–]jamiegreenberg They sell it to get rid of clothing stains, but the bar makes it easy to clean brushes. I hold it under the water and then run my brush back and forth until all the…

FINALLY! A Nonstick Stainless Pan Many top chefs prefer cookware with either heatconducting aluminum (perfectly browned meats) or stainless steel (durable and scratch-proof). But both those pans can be a pain in the pork butt to clean! That’s why we’re crushing on a new line of hybrids from Hexclad. They have an aluminum core and a surface that combines stainless and nonstick materials. As a test, we made seared shrimp (no grease needed!), and the pan cleaned up in seconds (no elbow grease needed!). $100 for 10" pan, hexclad.com STACK THAT PATTY! Say cheese. Just not American or cheddar. In a recent survey, roughly two-thirds of respondents called those classics their topping go-tos. But Gregg Frazer, chef and COO of Umami Burger, insists you’re missing out on mucho flavor. His…

They’ve read (or written) all the studies. They’ve researched and tested countless products. And they witness, daily, the effects of too much UV exposure in their patients. But in one very important way, dermatologists are just like us! They still go out into the world and worry about the health of their own skin. So what do they actually do with this knowledge? How do they boil it down into doable steps for everyday mornings and beachday activities? We polled 23 top derms about the educated tweaks they make to a typical SPF routine. This full-access guide to protecting your skin like an M.D. starts with, of all things, toothpaste. THEY KEEP THEIR SUNSCREEN NEXT TO THEIR TOOTHPASTE. Giving ’screen a front-andcenter spot on the bathroom sink serves as the…

Yes, derms wear sunscreen that much, that regularly. Here’s why. DESPITE THE WEATHER Just like the USPS, neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet, nor hail will stop dermatologists from loading up on SPF. DNA-damaging UVA rays penetrate through clouds and remain at near constant levels year-round. And they can cause cancer even if you’re not baking in them. One study showed that cumulative, intermittent exposure increases the risk of developing nonmelanoma skin cancers, and another showed that daily sunscreen use cut the incidence of melanoma by half. “That’s why I never, even on cloudy days, leave my house without sunscreen on exposed skin,” says dermatologist Julie Karen, M.D., a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at New York University Langone Medical Center. Make the chore easier: On your body, use sunscreen…

YOGA In a perfect world, Vanessa goes three times a week. “I don’t consider it fitness,” she says. “It’s more like therapy for me.” She got into it after playing a runaway teen, Agnes “Apple” Bailey, in the 2013 movie Gimme Shelter— a role that required gaining 20 pounds and cutting her hair into a jagged crop. “I looked in the mirror and was like, ‘Who am I?’ It was definitely a journey back to myself, and yoga helped.” CHEAT DAYS Healthy = indulging sometimes. So Vanessa allows herself one fun-food day a week. Up next? “My sister and I are going for ramen.” BROADWAY “Theater is really my home. I grew up on the stage—it’s where I feel the most comfort,” says Vanessa, who starred in Gigi on Broadway…

The Training Weekend or weeklong, every event’s demands vary. But here are three general training must-dos: At least four months of saddle time One weekly ride at the tour’s daily minimum mileage Mostly outdoor rides, including hilly climbs The Ride When you’re pedaling four to five hours or more each day, use restraint: Keep the majority of your effort between 4 and 7 on a scale of 1 (easy peasy) to 10 (all-out intensity). The Etiquette If you’re up front, it’s your job to call out potholes, debris, and obstacles to the group (a finger point will do). Everyone should pass it back so even the last rider gets the message. The Recovery To beat stiffness and sluggishness on the bike tomorrow, timing is crucial: Refuel within 30 minutes post-ride.…

When sports reporter Erin Andrews announced in January that she’d been diagnosed with cervical cancer, many headlines used the same word: secret. After all, the world was unaware she had undergone two procedures for it while working through the 2016–2017 NFL season and co-hosting Dancing with the Stars. But the word choice also underscores how little is known about the condition. The same week of Andrews’s disclosure, a report in the journal Cancer announced that deaths related to the disease are higher than previously thought. More than 4,000 women die each year from cervical cancer, and many doctors fear a further uptick if Planned Parenthood—where millions of women get annual checkups and 270,000 women a year receive Pap smears (the test that checks for precancerous cells)—loses federal funding, as the…

FRUIT SMOOTHIE • Full-fat dairy has been linked to a lower risk for obesity, plus Greek yogurt will give you more protein and a creamier consistency than milk. • A medium banana contains 14 grams of sugar, so sweeten your smoothie with raspberries (which have just five grams of sugar per cup) or strawberries ( just seven grams of sugar per cup). And both have lots of fiber to fill you up. • Some protein powders contain additives. A healthy fat (like a tablespoon of nut butter) provides hunger-fighting protein and a milkshake-like texture. TURKEY-ON-WHEAT SANDWICH • The sprouting process breaks down enzyme inhibitors in grains, so your body can more easily absorb calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, and zinc from these loaves. Sprouted breads also tend to have less sugar…

Imagine walking the supermarket produce aisle and spotting a pile of watermelons with bright labels screaming “MEGAPLUS ULTIMATE ENERGY BOOST!” Or catching an extreme sports competition on TV where the skateboarders’ helmet stickers herald the games’ sponsors: “Strawberries, for x-treme endurance!” Those foods, and a lot of others that fly under the radar, are at least as deserving of flashy labels as packaged snacks that promise a jolt. “Most of the really great ‘energy foods’ aren’t marketed that way,” says Lauren Antonucci, R.D., sports dietitian and owner of Nutrition Energy in New York City. “But in fact, some of the best choices are whole foods that are naturally high in nutrients like iron, protein, and essential fatty acids.” And most of us are longing for that kind of extra bump:…

Drawers attract dark matter—broken pens, old beach passes—with the force of a black hole. So many reasons not to get sucked in with it: A UCLA study found that women who described their homes as cluttered had high levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Chaotic spaces make you feel as if life is chaotic too, says Toby Israel, Ph.D., a design psychologist in Princeton, New Jersey. Orderly spaces have the opposite effect, and the best (and fastest) place to start is a contained area, like those pesky drawers in your kitchen, bathroom, and office. “Keeping them tidy sends a calming signal that ‘life is organized,’” Israel says. Reducing “visual complexity” also puts you in a better mood, aiding problem-solving , says Sally Augustin, Ph.D., an environmental and design psychologist in…

YOUR GUIDE: BRITTANY GRIFFITH @BRITTANY_GRIFFITH CLIMBER, CAMPER, PATAGONIA AMBASSADOR Brittany grew up camping on vacation because “we couldn’t afford Disney,” she says. “Our mom convinced us this kind of getaway was sweeeet—living out of a vehicle and eating crawdads that she’d send us on competitive hunts for.” Not long after college, Brittany began taking longer camping trips “until it wasn’t vacation anymore—it just became my life.” Though she’s perfectly comfortable solo-camping, she loves leading organized women’s adventures for Patagonia. While hers focus on her specialty, rock climbing, a guided trip generally involves learning a hands-on activity (or activities) in a group setting of about 10 to 20 people. You and your group do everything together—share meals (usually included in the price tag), explore local attractions, take classes. “Guided groups are…

Influenced by her own experience with smiling depression, photographer Sarah Wilmer captured for WH how women can project an “everything’s fine” persona to the world while battling darker feelings inside. “I’ve struggled off and on with depression since adolescence, and I’ve found that therapy, being in nature, meditation, yoga, working, and quality time with friends keep me healthy and happy,” says the New York City artist. “With photography, I am able to express my feelings in a productive and powerful way.” In the photo captions on these pages, Sarah describes how her own perspective guided this shoot.…

BREATHE DEEPLY When a wave of sadness or anxiety hits, sit at your desk (or in a bathroom stall if you need privacy) and inhale for four counts and exhale for seven. Repeat until you feel yourself calming. This slows the fight-or-flight response that kicks in when you’re overwhelmed by a looming deadline or pressing task. TAKE NOTES Depression and anxiety can sap your short-term memory. Write assignments, due dates, and meeting times on a calendar or in an app. Schedule enough time to complete each task or project; feeling rushed can amp stress. GET MOVING Stand up, stretch, and take a quick walk outside for 15 to 20 minutes. The combination of fresh air and physical activity can instantly make you feel a bit brighter. MAKE YOUR DESK AN…