community

workouts

5 Tips For Barre Beginners

If you've never tried a barre class before, then read these beginner tips, shared by our friends at Self!

If you've never tried a barre class before, then read these beginner tips, shared by our friends at Self!

With all the trendy barre studios popping up everywhere, it may seem like ballet-inspired workouts are just the latest fitness fad. But in fact, barre classes have been around since the '50s, when former dancer Lotte Burke opened her first studio in London.

Fast forward half a century(!) and Burke-inspired barre classes are more popular than ever. And tomorrow, Exhale Spas nationwide are celebrating the 10th anniversary of their signature class, Core Fusion Barre, with a day of free classes! Never taken a barre class before? Core Fusion cofounder Fred DeVito offers five things you should know.

  1. Think quality over quantity. "This is not Insanity; this is not CrossFit," says DeVito. "We're not about how many reps you can do in a minute or how many pounds you can lift." Rather, most barre classes focus on precision and proper form; you'll do smaller, slower movements, but you'll definitely feel them because you're isolating specific muscle groups you're not used to using.
  2. If you're doing it right, then you're going to shake — and feel that burn. "You're not going to look supergraceful doing these moves, and it's not going to feel easy — even if you think you're in good cardiovascular shape." (Don't be fooled by those tiny little hand weights; they really do get heavy!) Luckily, students are instructed to focus in on themselves, not to watch other people around them. "You can't be intimidated by what you look like — or by hard work," says DeVito.
  3. Dress the part. "We encourage people to wear grippy socks, with little rubber nubs on the bottom; we sell our own and almost every other barre studio sells their own, as well. This keeps you from slipping when you're on the barre, and it's more sanitary than going barefoot." (Real fashionistas may want to check out in-studio footwear, too!) Another apparel tip: don't wear short shorts. You'll be doing a lot of inversions and open-leg poses, so capris or full leggings are a better bet. (More on what to wear to barre class here.)

Keep reading for more beginner barre tips.

digital culture

Cool Capture: Summer Colors

The beachside rides, the colors, everything about this picture by Instagram user jennbailey0706 screams Summer — and we'll take it!

The beachside rides, the colors, everything about this picture by Instagram user jennbailey0706 screams Summer — and we'll take it!

Have you been testing out your photography skills and snapped a shot you want to share? Submit your pics to our Cool Capture group or to Instagram with the #coolcapture hashtag, and your pic might be featured on the POPSUGAR Tech homepage. And don't forget to follow @popsugartech on Instagram!

Street Style

Look of the Day: Surely Chevron

Consider this a fresh take on a classic striped dress.

Consider this a fresh take on a classic striped dress. Community member JackieGiardina kept it simple and summery in her chevron-print A-line frock in complementing shades of blue. She echoed the angular print of her dress in her structured metallic shoulder bag — keeping her look Summery and preppy — and added an element of the unexpected with a pair of leopard-print platforms for added personality.

Congrats, JackieGiardina!

Everyone else, submit your looks, and we just might feature you on POPSUGAR Fashion!

community

"I Like Him, but I Don't Think He's Stable Enough to Date"

This question is from a Group Therapy post in our community.

This question is from a Group Therapy post in our community. Add your advice in the comments!

I have a big dilemma. I used to date this guy and the things weren't going in the direction I was hoping, so I ended it. He seemed sort of emotionally unavailable and always stressed out regarding his work status (are they going to renew his post doc contract?, for how long?, etc.). I am looking for a committed, stable guy. He seems to be a nice man, but the major problem here is his work. He works on a contract, which ends the end of August. He is a post doc fellow who is hoping to land a permanent position in his field once his post doc ends. However, he comes from a different country and even though he has his permanent residency status here solved, unless he lands a permanent position in his field here, he will be looking for one in his country of origin. I don't think he is even remotely interested in taking a job that is out of his field, he would much rather go back to his country.

I am confused and even though I like him, I feel that at this moment it's the best we just stay friends. However, he approached me yesterday saying that he does not want to be just friends, that he really likes me and want us to start a real relationship again, but this time a better one, which means more committed. I am really confused. I would be most comfortable with us just being friends until I see that things changed and he really is more committed as he says he is. What's the best answer to give him? If he really likes me, is he going to accept the "friendship only" pace I am willing to take right now?

Have a dilemma of your own? Post it anonymously in Group Therapy for advice.

savory sights

Savory Sight: Blueberry Cupcakes With Lemon Frosting

Almost too pretty to eat, these blueberry cupcakes with lemon frosting from foxeslovelemons are a more-than-worthy way to make use of the season's bounty of blueberries.

Almost too pretty to eat, these blueberry cupcakes with lemon frosting from foxeslovelemons are a more-than-worthy way to make use of the season's bounty of blueberries.

These cupcakes are topped with a simple cream cheese frosting flavored with vanilla and lemon zest. They scream "Spring" to me, and if I had a bridal or baby shower to go to this Spring, then I'd make them for that in a heartbeat.

For more, visit her blog, and then be sure to share your food photos via Savory Sights on POPSUGAR Social or by starting your own blog. If you're on Instagram, then chime in on the conversation with the hashtag #savorysight.

career

Unemployed? 9 Dos and Don'ts of Getting Laid Off

So, you got laid off.

So, you got laid off. It happens, and it doesn't have to be the end of the world. Sure, it might feel good to lie on the couch for a week and do nothing, but you eventually have to get things into gear! Our friends at LearnVest are here to share all the dos and don'ts of the unemployment world:

Most of us wouldn't think to associate the words "joblessness" and "fun," but unemployment coach Katie DeVito says she wouldn't have it any other way: "The best thing that ever happened to me was getting laid off."

After the loss of her communications position at a nonprofit, DeVito dispatched a tweet to find out how many fellow New Jerseyans were also out of work. With that tweet, she found her calling: the overwhelming response inspired her to found NJ Unemployed, a support group for job-seekers in the Garden State to facilitate the exchange of stories and advice for moving forward professionally after the loss of a job.

Now the site has over 1,000 members, and DeVito says being part of the community helped her not only find a new job, but also put her fate in perspective. That's one way not to let a pink slip get you down.

We also spoke to experts to find out several key unemployment dos and don'ts when you want to get back on the career track. Heed these tips, and you, like DeVito, could wind up even happier than you were before.

Read on for more

Pregnancy

5 New Motherhood Myths Debunked!

We're excited to bring you a new post from mother and actress Tori Spelling and her ediTORIal by Tori Spelling blog.

We're excited to bring you a new post from mother and actress Tori Spelling and her ediTORIal by Tori Spelling blog. This week, Tori debunks five new mommy myths.

As a momista-of-four, there were still things that surprised me about each pregnancy and each new babe. There’s just so much to learn as a new mom. Even if you were one of those moms who read What to Expect When You’re Expecting cover to cover three times, chances are that you still fed into a few misconceptions and old wives' tales. So today I’m debunking a few of the biggest myths that new mamas encounter. Check them out and let me know which ones you used to believe . . .

Related: Tori's mother of the year award

Myth No. 1: You can predict the sex of the baby (without your doctor).
Each time that I was preggers, I had people tell me that if I was carrying low the baby was going to be a boy and that if I was carrying high it was a girl. Well, according to WhatToExpect.com, the height of your bump has nothing to do with the baby’s gender. Dying to find out the baby’s sex? It’s called an ultrasound! Otherwise, just sit tight and enjoy the guessing game. There are so few surprises in life.

Myth No. 2: You can determine the sex of the baby with sexual positions.
Lots of new mamas believe that not only can they predict their baby’s sex, but that they can take certain steps during conception to determine it. Well, I hate to break it to you, ladies, but according to Parents.com, the missionary position is not going to guarantee a girl and doggy style is not going to make your little one a boy. But I can promise you one thing — boy or girl, this little one is still going to be the light of your life.

Keep reading for three more myths and why they're nothing more than myths.

healthy living

5 Biggest Mistakes People Make With Food and Exercise

Curious if your foodie habits are hindering your workout results?

Curious if your foodie habits are hindering your workout results? Our friends at Health share five common missteps and how you can make healthy changes.


By Cynthia Sass, MPH, RD

Whether you earn your living working up a sweat, or squeeze in workouts when you can, it's easy to fall prey to eating errors that unintentionally hold you back from getting the most out of your workouts. Here are five common missteps I see, and how to correct them to reap the rewards of your hard work.

Eating too little fat
Despite my recommendations to include good fats at every meal, like avocado, nuts, seeds, and coconut oil, some of my clients remain fat phobic, and will scale back, fearing that fat is "fattening." But the truth is, getting enough fat is a smart strategy for both sports nutrition and weight control, because fat: delays stomach emptying, so you feel fuller longer; increases satiety, to shut off hunger hormones; boosts antioxidant absorption, which in emerging research is related to leanness; and ups metabolic rate, to help you burn more calories. In fact, fat is one of the most vital nutrients in your diet, because it's a structural part of your cells, which means you can't heal a cell or construct a new one without enough fat to perform these important jobs. Cutting back too much can result in fatigue, chronic hunger, or a lack of satiety, irritability, depression, a weaker immune system, and an increased injury risk. So even if you're trying to reduce your body fat percentage, don't be afraid to add almond butter to a smoothie, top your salad with avocado, and sauté your veggies in extra virgin olive oil. Filling the fat gap can be the key to finally seeing results.

Health.com: Are You Making These Dieting Mistakes?

Using a sports drink when you really don't need one
If you sweat heavily, work out for more than 90 minutes, or exercise in hot, humid conditions, reaching for a sports drink rather than plain water is a smart way to keep hydrated, stay fueled, and replace the electrolytes lost in sweat. But if you're exercising for less than an hour and a half, in a climate-controlled gym, plain water should be fine. The carbs in sports drinks are designed to keep you going when you can't stop to eat, but if your muscles don't need the fuel, just one 20 ounce bottle means consuming a surplus 35 grams of sugar, the amount in about 20 gummy bears. And while unsweetened coconut water is a little lower, an 11-ounce jug still contains 15 grams of potentially unneeded carbs.

Keep reading for more three more mistakes.

digital culture

Cool Capture: A London Eye's View

Everything about this shot by Instagram user undertheyellow is striking.

Everything about this shot by Instagram user undertheyellow is striking. The composition, the geometry of the spokes, the bubbly pods of the London Eye, and the leaves peeking out of the corner are just a few of the visual elements that make this photograph so interesting.

Have you been testing out your photography skills and snapped a shot you want to share? Submit your pics to our Cool Capture group or to Instagram with the #coolcapture hashtag, and your pic might be featured on the POPSUGAR Tech homepage. And don't forget to follow @popsugartech on Instagram!

Street Style

Look of the Day: Stars and Dots Forever

This is how to pull off Summer layering right.

This is how to pull off Summer layering right. Community member Beans66 infused her casual look with retro style, thanks to a polka-dot chambray shirt layered under a faded green-and-white striped cardigan. A pair of white jeans kept the mood of her layered ensemble light and summery, while her mint-green bag and nude shoes tied her outfit together with added style and polish.

Congrats, Beans66!

Everyone else, submit your looks, and we just might feature you on POPSUGAR Fashion!