Thursday, December 20, 2018
Tuesday, November 27, 2018
These Women Are Posing in Nothing but Glitter for a Powerful Reason
Your body is uniquely yours, and that’s what makes it beautiful. One Instagram account, Positively Glittered (@positivelyglittered), has found a creative (and sparkly) way to showcase that. The page features naked women of all shapes and sizes covered in the colors of the rainbow with glitter.
If we’re being honest, most of us have dreamed of painting ourselves in shimmer from head to toe, and this account makes that dream a reality. It emphasizes the beauty of women with all body types, skin colors, and backgrounds and promotes the powerful message that all of us are beautiful, no matter what.
Positively Glittered is the brainchild of three Australian women, Penny (@nipnipss), Bonnie (@busty_diaries), and Hannah (@roseanna.mae). Their first photo shoot two years ago took place in Penny’s backyard in Brisbane, and it consisted of nothing more than a few good friends and some homemade glitter, Bonnie tells Health.
Feeling empowered by the experience, they decided to make it an ongoing thing. Now, the trio organizes photo shoots with professional photographers that are open to the public, and everyone is welcome to join. They also do private photo session bookings for individuals, couples, or small groups. The one thing all of their shoots have in common: glitter. Lots of it.
“It has been an incredible process to watch. Unbelievable really,” Bonnie says. “What began as us and our friends creating something beautiful in a backyard has now led to worldwide attention.” Their photos have been featured by countless news outlets, and they receive fan submissions from all over the world.
The project has also enabled them to connect with some pretty incredible people. “We have worked with famous models, bloggers, business professionals, housewives, teachers, students, eating disorder survivors, confident burlesque performers, and self-conscious people who prefer to hide in the shadows,” Bonnie says. “Seeing them all strip bare and come together is really something beautiful. No egos, no competition, just there together to celebrate who they are.”
Positively Glittered has touched the lives of people from all walks of life, but it’s had perhaps the greatest impact on the ones who founded it. “For me, when I find myself being critical of my own body, I say to myself, ‘Would I say that to one of our participants?’ Most of the time the answer is a definite no,” Bonnie says. “We need to talk to ourselves as we would a friend.”
She has a point. Why do we see ourselves through such a critical lens but others through a loving one? Positively Glittered is doing its part to change that for women everywhere, just like it has for Bonnie.
The website states, “Positively Glittered is all about self love, body positivity, and celebrating our differences. We welcome people of all ethnicities, sexualities, gender identities, and sizes. Our aim is to help people feel good in their bodies and see their own beauty, and to lift up other women, too.”
Now that’s a mission we can get behind. If you like what you see, head over to their page for more. And if you’re feeling really daring, reach out to the Positively Glittered team and let them know you would love for them to come to your city…we know we would.
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Tuesday, July 10, 2018
Katie Austin’s 15-minute Resistance Band Workout
We love fitness influencer Katie Austin for her super-fun, high-energy workouts–and her special attention to toning the all-important booty. Next time you need a quick workout that you can do anytime, anywhere, follow along with the video above. All you need is a resistance band–and you can still do this 15-minute sequence even if you don’t have one.
This short but efficient routine starts with a warmup complete with jumping Jacks and dynamic stretches. Don’t forget to inhale and exhale deeply as you get your body prepped to sweat.
Next, grab your resistance band (we like this set from Theraband) If you don’t have one, though, it’s totally okay to keep following along using just your body weight. Or, Austin says, grab a couple of hand weights or even cans from your pantry to make the moves harder.
RELATED VIDEO: Katie Austin’s 6 Exercises to Get Fit in No Time
With your arms straight in front of you, gently pulse them away from each other, stretching the band, to warm up your upper body.
Extend your arms over your head and pull down on the band one side at a time to start working your back muscles. Once you’re comfortable there, add a side lunge to the move to up the intensity.
After a few lunges on each side, extend your arms behind you, with a slight bend in your knees, and once again pulse the arms in and out.
WATCH THE VIDEO: 12-Minute Dance Cardio Workout With Katie Austin
Next, Austin shows you how to wrap the resistance band around your ankles (and later, your thighs) for a series of leg and booty exercises. Each one comes equipped with an easy addition to get your arms working, too.
Finally, you’ll remove your resistance band and make your way down to the floor or your mat for abs, a few final booty exercises, and a quick cool-down and stretch as your heart rate slows.
Finish by rolling out your shoulders to shake off the workout–and any stress or worries you’ve been carrying that day, Austin says.
Sunday, January 14, 2018
Depression After Abortion: Understanding and Coping
Having an abortion may be followed by feelings of grief, loss, or regret, which could lead to a type of depression. Learn about the symptoms and treatment.
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