5 Reasons to quit sugar

Thinking about quitting sugar? Whether your version of giving up sweets mean skipping dessert or cutting out fruit, it seems like everyone these days is talking about quitting sugar. It turns out: it’s for good reason. Here are 5 reasons to quit sugar (your dashing good looks will thank you!) 1. Sugar begets sugar. Sure, you think you can just have one cookie. (But when do you really just have one cookie?!) And even if you refrain from diving into the whole box, sugar is addictive and that one cookies will lead to more tomorrow, and the next day, and the next. 2. Sugar can make you crazy (and sad). You see it in kids: give them birthday cake and they’re literally mad? Turns out, the same thing happens to some adults, leading to a high followed by a toddle-tantrum-like crash. For others, sugar causes mood swings or even depression. Struggling to feel happy and looking for it in the candy aisle? Try this instead. 3. Sugar is causing your skin to breakout. When you eat sugar, you radially increase your blood’s glucose levels, triggering a rise in insulin, which both increases inflammation (making any clogged pores look way worse) and sets off a hormonal response that can cause your body to pump out more sebum (the pore-clogging oil). The result: more and gnarlier breakouts. 4. Sugar is making you look old. According to Goop-guru and wellness expert, Dr. Frank Lipman, “sugar reduces collagen and elastin in the skin and causes free radical damage leading to pre-mature aging, wrinkles and dull skin.” Bottom line: that lollipop may make you feel like a kid, but it’s making you look decades older! 5. Sugar is making you sick. Sugar suppresses the immune system making you more likely to get sick – and stay sick longer. Wouldn’t you rather use those sick days for vacation anyway?!

How to find your perfect eyebrow arch

Sure, your brows might have gotten a little wild during the winter, but this spring, ditch the excuses and whip those brows into perfect shape. Big and defined brows are without a doubt a big beauty trend this spring, so look to these three steps from Boom Boom Brow Bar to find that perfect eyebrow arch. Step One: Before you begin, remember that the space between the brows should be equal to or a little wider than the eyes. Be sure to use a makeup brush or pencil to help you achieve this look. To start, hold your brush parallel to the same side of the nose. Just keep in mind that where the brush meets the brow is where the brow should begin. Step Two: To find that perfect arch, hold the brush parallel to the outside edge of the colored part of the eye (the iris). Where the brush meets the brow is where the highest part of the arch should be. Step Three: To finish this look, extend the brush diagonally from the nostril, following the outside edge of the eye toward the brow. Where the inside edge of the brush hits is where the brow should end.

10 workouts you can do at home

Whoever said that you need equipment or a gym to be able to exercise? You can still work out at the comfort of your own home and achieve just the same results. Just free up some of your time during the day, prepare your exercise mat and try out these exercises that are sure to keep you in shape! 1. Crunches - Lay down facing the ceiling on your exercise mat but with your knees bent up and your arms flat by your sides. Lift your legs by bringing your knees towards your chest then slowly push them outward away from your chest until your knees are straightened and then back to starting position. When pushing your leg outwards, they can be as high as you want (not too high obviously). The lower your legs when they’re pushed out then the harder it is so adjust your legs to whichever height suits you best. Crunches mostly activate your core muscles, especially lower abs. 2. Plank – The classic 30 second work out to tighten your abs. To do the plank, lie down flat on the ground on your stomach and then lift your body upwards using your hands and feet making sure that your arms are shoulder width apart and that your entire body is straight. Hold this position for at least 30 and if you feel like going further, target 60 seconds. 3. Pushups – This exercise will do wonders for the shoulders, arms, chest and abs! You’ll begin this exercise in the plank position as mentioned above but instead of staying still, bend your elbows and use your shoulder muscles to bring your body lower to the floor as much as you can without making contact with it then slowly push yourself back up again until your elbows are straightened It’s crucial that you entire body stays straight so don’t let your hips be too high. 4. Lunges - Start with both your feet together. Take a large step to the front with one foot and shift your weight onto that leg. Your thigh should be parallel to the ground. As you shift your weight to the front leg, remember to keep your back straight and your back leg bent towards to the ground (knees will face the floor), however, they do not necessarily have to make contact. Don’t forget to find your balance! Hold this position for a few seconds and then lift the front foot off the ground and bring it back together with the back foot. Repeat this exercise with both legs and you’ll find yourself with more toned thighs, abs and glutes! 5. Squats - The all-time favorite for glute and leg toning. Make sure you place your feet hip width apart, tighten your core muscles and bend down at the knees while your hips move back. Keep your arms straight out in front of you, or if you prefer using weights then keep them at the sides. Once you’ve achieved your squat position, rise back up and repeat this motion. 6. Hip Lifts – Start by lying down on your back on an exercise mat while your knees are bent up. Adjust your feet such that they are hip width apart from each other and make sure you back is flat on the ground. Slowly lift your hip upwards while tightening your abs, but not too high, such that your back and thighs make a straight line. Repeat this motion in as many reps you want or hold the upward position for at least 30 seconds. This exercise will not only give you that flat stomach you’ve dreamt of, it’s also great for shaping up your glute! 7. Superman – This exercise will simultaneously work on your glutes and shoulders! Starting by lying down face to the floor and with your arms extended outwards over your head, palms facing each other and toes pointing towards the wall. Lift both your arms and both your legs at the same time as much as you can while being careful not to hurt your spine. Keep both arms and legs straight, do not lift your head and do not arch your back. Hold this position for just a few seconds and repeat. 8. Shoulder presses – As you can tell by the name, this work out targets the shoulder muscles. This could be done with or without dumbbells, whatever you prefer most. Stand with your legs shoulder width apart and with your arms raise upwards such that your fingers are pointing towards the ceiling but your upper arm is parallel to the ground. Move your arms upwards until they are straight above your head and then return to starting position. Repeat this exercise in reps and sets most suitable for you. 9. Modified side plank- This is another workout that targets your core and upper body! Start your position by lying down on your right side while supporting yourself with your right forearm on the ground. Your legs will be on top of each other and your knees will be bent backwards, facing the wall behind your back. Keep your body straight and hold this position for at least 30 seconds. 10. Cobra – For this exercise, lay face down on your exercise mat. Using your arms, push your upper body up such that you face the wall in front of you while arching your back and supporting your weight on your arms. Your legs and hips should stay on the floor. Hold this position for a few seconds and repeat a few times.

Men: 15 ways to lose Fat Faster

1. Drink more water - Having more water rids your body of toxins and makes you feel full before meals, therefore cutting down your food intake. Overall, without enough water, all our body functions slow down so whether you’re trying to lose weight or not, make sure you drink enough water everyday. 2. Drink tea - this will fill you up, increase your metabolism and cleans up your body inside out! A great way to lose fat as long as you don’t have too much sugar to go with it. 3. Eat more protein - doing so will increase your metabolism and help with muscle recovery post-workouts. If you can, have a source of protein in every meal. 4. Increase your fibre - the more fibre you have, the more full you will feel. This will help you escape the urge to succumb to or even have bad food cravings. 5. Do full body exercises - to ensure that you're burning fat in your entire body without leaving an area behind. 6. Eat more vegetables and fruits - these are filled with tons of natural sugars, fibers and proteins that will keep you full but are low in calories. They will also undoubtedly give you many more health benefits such as better skin, stronger immune system and more energy. 7. Exercise in the morning - start your day with exercising so that you don’t risk having no time or energy for it later. 8. Lift weights - burn the fat away faster through vigorous weight exercise and gain muscles as a plus! 9. Eat breakfast - a nice big healthy breakfast is very important because it gives your energy to last through your day. Having breakfast also increases your metabolism. 10. Skip high calorie foods and beverages - these things are probably filled with preservatives and artificial ingredients that could damage your body. Not to mention the refined sugar that is stored as fat in your body. 11. Switch to healthy snacks - whenever you’re hungry in between main meals, opt for a healthier snack such as almonds or green vegetables as opposed to unhealthy food. 12. Grill and bake your food as opposed to frying it - that why you can avoid fat from vicious oils that do more harm than good to your body. 13. Go for walks more often - just 30 minutes of walking everyday can do wonders to losing fat in your body. It not only keeps you in better shape but it will also elevate your mood. 14. Eat oats for breakfast - less calories and a healthier alternative to any other sugar filled breakfast! 15. Eat slower - it take at least 15 mins for your stomach to know that it is full so eat slower in order to give it more time to signal how full it is to your brain in order to avoid over-eating.