Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2015 i Women's Health

The end of the year has always been a time of reflection—and with social media, it’s a literal one: You get to scroll through your memories. Now, we all know that our online feeds typically represent the fun, glamorous moments of our lives—not the nights we sit on the couch in sweats. So let’s get real: I spent my fair share of 2015 watching TV. #Sorrynotsorry but I love TV! Though studies would likely refute this, I find it calms me—even when I’m watching something intense, like Game of Thrones. (Holla, Natalie Dormer! Read about the woman behind Queen Margaery on page 101.) Boob-tubing it has become quite the social experience: Whether GoT or the Oscars is on, I’m tweeting back and forth with dozens of viewers just like me.…

What’s in Ellie Goulding’s Workout Bag? The British songstress is country hopping to promote her new album, Delirium (which dropped in November), so outdoor runs and personal training sessions are very necessary. “Working out always helps with jet lag,” she says. Street Style: Fitness Edition ANGILIQUE CAMPBELL Pilates instructor in New York City “My style is very feminine, and I never wear sweat pants or baggy gym clothes outside,” says Angilique, who mixes up her workouts with everything from yoga to gymnastics. Copy this look by layering a black bodysuit like Angilique’s (Bianca Noir Full Length Bodysuit, $145, splits59.com) under your fave tank, shorts, and leggings, and get deets on the rest of her outfit at WomensHealthMag.com/StreetStyle. Even better: Post YOUR killer sweat-ready style on Instagram using the hashtag #WHStreetStyle and you could be…

Don’t pat yourself on the back too hard for letting your hair air-dry. An Annals of Dermatology study found that sitting water can swell strands and put pressure on their outer cuticles, leaving you with dullerlooking locks. The fix: Sop up dripping hair with a microfiber towel (like DevaCurl DevaTowel, $12, devacurl.com), and spritz (all over) with a water-wicking mist, such as L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle Blow Dry It Quick Dry Primer Spray ($5, lorealparisusa.com). Only then, bust out the blow-dryer, keeping the nozzle six inches away to lessen direct heat, says Toronto dermatologist Jeff Donovan, M.D. WEIRD STUFF THAT WORKS Shadow Primer on Pimples Got a zit that won’t quit…even under makeup? Dab eye-shadow primer onto the little bugger before you apply concealer— it mattifies, tames redness, and makes…

Sweet Apple Cider 290 calories 53 g (zomg!) sugar Shocking, huh? Many coffee houses spike their cider with sugar-jacked flavored syrups. Order your cider plain if it’s available—the apples make it naturally delish. Chai Latte 200 calories 32 g sugar The culprit here? Chai concentrates that are heavy on the sweet stuff. Get all that cardamom-y goodness calorie-free with plain chai tea—ask for half steamed milk for a more latte-like feel. Flat White 170 calories 13 g sugar Even though this is just espresso and whole milk, a heavy dose of the full-fat moo juice ups its cals. Opt for reduced-fat milk, or try a cappuccino (espresso and a splash of steamed milk). Skinny Mocha 110 calories 12 g sugar The lightest option of the bunch, this chocolatetinged drink is…

Earthy Eyes SEEN AT: Versace Atelier Like Woodstock, these green and gold eyes are both ethereal and rock ’n’ roll. Or as makeup artist Pat McGrath described the effect: “forest-nymph goddess.” JOIN THE CAUSE: Apply a thin, sheer layer of (1) gold cream shadow over lids and around eyes’ inner corners. Using a small shadow brush, sweep (2) khaki-green cream shadow just into the creases, then smudge it along lower lashes. Line the eyes’ inner rims with a dark-brown pencil, and finish with volumizing black mascara. Try BareMinerals Lasting Line Long-Wearing Eyeliner in Lasting Brown ($16, qvc.com) and Stila Huge Extreme Lash Mascara in Black ($23, stilacosmetics.com). Sweep barely-there pink blush along cheekbones. Try Gucci Sheer Blushing Powder in Spring Rose ($49, bloomingdales.com). Line and lightly fill in lips with a…

GET ON THE “GOOD” LIST ALL LIT UP Candles in wintry scents and sweater-patterned boxes are doubly cozy. Paddywax, $11 each, paddywax.com IN THE SPIRITS No need for gift wrap— this bottle comes dressed in a sweet-ass turtleneck. SKYY Vodka Limited Edition Holiday Sweater Bottle, $19, skyy.com for stores TOTES CUTE Fair Isle flair, classing up a classic bag. Get it monogrammed for $6 more. Lands’ End, $28.50, landsend.com NO PARTY POOPERS IN THIS OFFICE! Women’s Health editors know the ugly-sweater struggle is real. We stand in solidarity with you. SELFIE LOVE A festively fug pic is the social-media gift that keeps on giving…likes. TACKY TWINS Because friends don’t let friends go to uglysweater parties alone. DIY TIME Seasonal supplies and a stapler are all you need to tap your…

We live in a Golden Age of Oversharing, where people spill every detail of every day on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat. Not to mention, more than 10 million people post on the confession site Whisper each month. But this I’m-an-open-book facade is, itself, a lie. Studies of social media posts find they don’t often reflect someone’s true feelings. And research shows about 95 percent of women both withhold things from loved ones and have lied to someone close to them. The problem? Per the latest data, keeping stuff inside—even lies we think of as harmless—can cause anxiety, depression, and a host of bodily aches, especially if you feel guilty about the deception. While having your confidences exposed—and dealing with the aftermath—is scary, not doing so could be scarier…for your…

THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT Most starters sit in the upper left corner for a reason: People read menus in a Z pattern, and once the appetizers grab your attention, it’s hard to turn down indulgent offerings. But it might help to know that food scientists found the tastier the app, the less likely you are to enjoy your entrée. INSIDE THE BOX Often, “specials” are foods a restaurant is testing out or plates meant to turn big profits. They can be loaded with cheap, fattening ingredients. The fix? Another kind of box—a to-go one. Mentally committing to a doggie bag before ordering makes you about 40 percent less likely to hoover your entire plate. ALLURING ADJECTIVES Items that use descriptive language (“succulent” or “fork-tender”) sell about 28 percent more…

It’s the asscrack of dawn on a Monday. Most people conscious at this time of day are IV’ing coffee and posting memes of grumpy cats on Instagram with captions like, “What’s that stench? Oh, Monday.” Not Natalie Dormer. The star of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2 just flew in to La-La Land from London and—despite jet lag in the first degree—is a bundle of energy and light. In fact, she’s one of the earliest to arrive for her shoot at DogTown CrossFit gym, wearing a long, charcoal-gray cotton dress, a beanie, and Ray-Bans. “Oh my god,” the native Brit jokes in a perfect Valley Girl accent. “I’m suh L.A.!” We beg to differ. She may have the look down, but that’s pretty much the only thing about Natalie that…

1 Do opposites attract? Why do we go for the opposite? Because when two people complement each other, like filling in the blanks like a jigsaw, that can be quite satisfying. But at the same time, I think it can be really comforting to be with someone who’s just like you too. There are things [my wife and I] can connect over and there are things that we absolutely clash over as well. 2 Where do you take your wife when you want to impress her? A really nice long walk in some beautiful, deserted part of the wilderness. Yeah, and maybe with a chance of wildlife around us. 3 Is there anything you’re insecure about? I’d like to be a better football [soccer] player. I love it. I’ve played…

ONE CRUCIAL QUESTION, THREE EXPERT OPINIONS How do you treat yourself after you’ve achieved a goal? 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 THE WORK WHIZ “I buy myself a massage. There’s a place in my neighborhood called Chinese Taichi Center—only $1 per minute, and they are phenomenal. It guarantees I stop moving for an hour!” CAREER AMANDA STEINBERG Founder and CEO, DailyWorth.com DERMATOLOGY FRANCESCA J. FUSCO, M.D. Assistant clinical professor of dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai EXERCISE SCIENCE RACHEL COSGROVE, C.S.C.S. Certified strength and conditioning…

And ponder this: You’ve probably bought organic produce. But do you— and should you—shell out for pesticide-free stuff in the frozen aisle? Three cases where it makes sense: Burnin’ Love Getting sauced at a wedding? Cliché. Giving sauce at your wedding? Fresh move. Hot sauce sales in the U.S. have spiked 150 percent since 2000, and the trend of personalized condiments as wedding favors has also jumped, says Anja Winikka, site director at TheKnot.com. (Who needs another candle, anyway?) Just slap a custom label onto your favorite bottle, secure a tag with your signature salsa or Bloody Mary recipe, and give one to each guest to take home. MEATY FROZEN DINNERS Just as with its refrigerated sibling, organic meat is the safer buy, since it isn’t produced with antibiotics that…

Now that we’ve got your attention, a dose of reality: It’s true, scientists have pinpointed the 1,000-plus molecular changes that take place in muscles during a workout. And yes, they’re trying to create a drug that mimics them. BUT—all caps for a reason—it won’t help you lose weight; it lacks the same brain, bone, and heart bennies of exercise; and it won’t be available for, like, 20 years (if at all) due to clearance regulations, says pharmacology professor Ismail Laher, Ph.D. Tough to swallow, we know. LET’S TALKABOUT… COLD STUDIO WORKOUTS A friend just tried a chilly boxing class, and I’m curious: Why the frigid temp? We’re seeing this cool front move through boutique classes too. Instructors are setting the AC to about 62°F (versus the usual 72°F or so)…

BEST BUY If you can, hold off until the third week of December to pounce on a perfume—beauty retailers offer the highest average percentage off on wares that week, says data from app RetailMeNot. You tear open the expertly wrapped box, caress the weighty bottle, spritz on the perfume, and…ewww! We’ve all been on the giving or receiving end of a scent gift that hit the wrong notes. “Selecting a fragrance for someone else can be challenging,” says perfumer Frédéric Malle. “It’s quite personal.” Still, we keep trying: 20 percent of fragrance sales are made in the 10 days before Christmas, says market research firm Iconoculture; and one in four women plan to gift perfume this holiday, reports The Benchmarking Company. To stack your odds, we rallied a SWAT team…

The metaphors we use to describe secrets are dead-on. Columbia University research reveals that people who keep something under wraps find everyday tasks, like lugging groceries up stairs, physically harder. "The size of the secret doesn't matter," explains study author Michael Slepian, Ph.D. "What matters is how preoccupied you are with it." In other words, sealing your lips about small stuff (say, a concealed crush) can feel as oppressive as lugginga round a doozy if you obsess about it 24-7. And bearing that load can cause some pretty hefty health effects. For starters, it can jack up your level of the stress hormone cortisol, too much of which is linked to memory loss, a messed up metabolism, and high blood pressure. You may also fall into a funk: Even if…

Lewis Howes is an entrepreneur and author and a former pro athlete. His new book, The School of Greatness, is based on his popular podcasts of the same name. Be Held Accountable When a few broken ribs ended my chances of being an All-American college football player, I asked my former track coach to train me to compete in the decathlon instead. She agreed, on the condition that I follow her strict training plan. That regime—and her constant check-ins—held me accountable, kept me from backing out, and helped me achieve my dream. Find someone who can do the same for you. Stuck in a dead-end job? A career coach (TheMuse.com has awesome advice on how to find one) can provide a map to your next gig. Want to run a…

This adorbs humidifier weighs just four pounds. Toss that old hunk of junk that’s been wheezing up the joint. Holmes Ultrasonic Cube Humidifier, $50, holmesproducts.com DIY’ing nut milk?! Who knew? This kit will have your fave foodie brewing almond, soy, hazelnut, cashew, coconut—pretty much any variety of the nutty stuff. CoffeeSock DIY Nut Milk Kit, $25, rodales.com* For your big-thumbed dad who hates touch screens, this gadget (which connects to his smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth) laser-projects a full-size keyboard onto any flat surface. Type away, Pops! Epic Qwerty Projection Keyboard, $150, modaoperandi.com Got a bud who just bought a house? Save her decorating dramz with this nifty online service: a personal room designer based on her style and space. Nice price! Havenly, $199 per room, havenly.com. Use promo code…

How (and Why) It Works This program boils down to two crucial things. One: Dial back the variety—something people, especially women, tend to OD on. “Your overall intensity and efficiency drop when you’re constantly trying to pick up new footwork and movement patterns,” says Idalis Velazquez, one of our fave trainers (and a busy mom of two, so she feels you! ). “In this plan, you’ll build consistency and familiarity by working with the same 12 exercises.” (Read: You’ll get more out of every workout.) Just grab a pair of dumbbells—or, in one case, your own body weight—and you’re good to go. That leads us to point number two: Add some flexibility where you desperately need it. “You don’t have to spend 90 minutes exercising every day to get results,”…

Natural and organic tampon brands are blossoming into stores. Will they make for a happier hoo-ha? Well, there’s no evidence that artificial fibers in conventional period products are harmful to your privates, says Ashlesha Patel, M.D., a gynecology professor at Northwestern University. Still, the eco options should absorb just as well and bring other silver linings to your crimson wave. THE HONEST COMPANY ORGANIC COTTON TAMPONS Jessica Alba’s new line of feminine care products (which also includes pads and liners) has eco-friendly wrapping that produces less pollution. Plus: The cotton is sourced from a textile company that requires fair hours and wages for its workers. From $6 per box, honest.com CONSCIOUS PERIOD ORGANIC TAMPONS Your time of the month may suck a little less knowing that, for every box you…

…is the best way to avoid the flu! How? So glad you asked. We’ve all been told again and again that hand-washing is the top way to prevent the spread of germs. But while most people lather up their palms, turns out fingertips are the real scare zone. “They’re most likely to come in contact with potentially contaminated surfaces and your face,” says Neil Schachter, M.D., medical director of the respiratory care department at Mount Sinai Medical Center in NYC. Rub soap from wrist to tips on the front and back of your hands for at least 20 seconds, being careful to scrub between fingers and beneath nails. TWITTER ME THIS “It’s impossible for me to get into Whole Foods because of COURSE I care about the whales where do…

1. Fine Shine Some might say royal-purple polish paired with a rhinestoneencrusted watch is too showy. We say: brilliant. Coach watch, $595, macys.com; Jinsoon Operetta Collection Nail Lacquer in Soubrette, $18, sephora.com 2. Classic Redux True red, meet rose gold. The most iconic nail color of all time is the perfect foil for the metal of the moment. Guess watch, $125, guess.com; Sonia Kashuk Nail Colour in Scarlet Starlet, $4.79, target.com 3. Blue Crush A cobalt ticker draws everyone in. Even this slate polish. Yes, it’s slate. The timepiece just teases out its blue undertones. So cool. Peugeot watch, $150, pp-watches.com; Nars Steven Klein Nail Polish in Black Fire, $20, narscosmetics.com 4. Pattern Power A kaleidoscopic face demands a nail hue with depth. We went matchy-matchy with gold-flecked burgundy. Fossil…

Research shows that right now—yes, just as you’re holding this magazine in your hot little hands—your brain’s mood-stabilizing serotonin is dipping. In less scientific terms, you’re one spilled latte away from going Grinch mode on everyone from your nana to Salvation Army Santas. That’s why we’re rolling out the yoga mat. If you’re convinced that pretzel twists just aren’t your jam, now’s the time to give it another go: A slew of studies confirms this mindful movement is linked to lower levels of cortisol and higher amounts of serotonin and the relaxant GABA, which may slash stress, anxiety, fatigue, even depression. “Yoga is active relaxation, which allows us to develop presence and take responsibility for the way we feel,” says yoga instructor and Yogalosophy author Mandy Ingber, who designed the…

BULGUR Rich, toasty, and perfect for lazoids, most bulgur is already partially cooked, saving up to 20 minutes of prep time. Not to mention, it’s got ample doses of iron and B vitamins. Bulgur Salad with Cucumber and Tomatoes 1 small shallot, minced (about 3 Tbsp) 2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 2 tsp lemon juice 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved 1 cup diced cucumber ¼ cup parsley leaves, chopped 1 cup cooked bulgur ¼ cup shelled pistachios, chopped 2 oz crumbled reduced-fat feta cheese 1 / In a large bowl, combine shallot, olive oil, and lemon juice. Whisk well and season to taste with salt and pepper. 2/ Add tomatoes, cucumber, parsley, and bulgur and toss to combine. Divide between 2 bowls and top with pistachios and feta. MAKES 2…

SKIRT THE ISSUE A mini? In the snow?! Yep. This one boasts cushy down-fill, so it’s essentially a windbreaker for your ass. Compression leggings and double sweaters add insulation without making you look like the abominable snowgirl. Lacoste vest, $285, lacoste.com; Sass & Bide fringe sweater, $420, sassandbide.com; Nicole Miller Artelier orange sweater, $275, nicolemiller.com; Live Life Dream silver jacket, $45, lld.com; Canada Goose skirt, $275, canada-goose.com; The North Face leggings, $50, and backpack, $99, thenorthface.com; Gordini goggles, $80, gordini.com; Smith helmet, $100, smithoptics.com; World’s Softest socks, $15, worldssoftest.com COLD, SCHMOLD Layering—always clutch. A polyurethane pullover atop a running jacket softens wind gusts but feels remarkably lightweight. Tuck a pair of quilted leggings into colorful socks and funkified boots; the latter have a soft-flex shell so you can turn on…