What first comes to your mind when you hear the word addiction? Drugs and alcohol may top your list. But what if someone told you they had an addiction to exercise? That’s right- exercise. Running, lifting weights, even doing Pilates and Yoga routines, these are all examples of addictions that are more common than you may realize. Years ago, when I was just starting my freshman year of college, I became addicted to working out. I had been interested in workout routines for health reasons, learning I had high cholesterol, but my workouts took a dangerous turn once I started school. There was a gym on campus, just a few feet away from my dorm, and I took advantage of the track, weight room, and treadmills that were offered at no cost. I found myself spending more than the usual hour in the gym a few times a week- it increased to daily workouts with me spending as much to four hours working up a sweat. I have always been thin; my weight was around 100 pounds when I entered college. Within my first month, I was down to 92 pounds- which looked more sickly than sexy on my 5’5 frame. It wasn’t until I saw a picture of myself in a bikini that I realized I was overdoing it. Nobody can pull off the ‘ribs protruding out of your body’ look. I became so caught up in not gaining the Freshman 15 and staying skinny throughout college that I became obsessive with my workouts. Even after I thought something was wrong, it took me longer than I expected to cut back my time at the gym. I didn’t think I had a problem because I was still eating like normal (which for me means a lot of fast food and candy) and wasn’t making myself throw up after eating. I finally did some research and saw that exercise addiction is very real and can be very serious. Just because someone works out a lot, doesn’t mean they are necessarily addicted to it. Take for example a teacher of an aerobics class. Just because she spends so much time coming up with routines and doing them along side her class doesn’t mean she is addicted. Or athletes that work out for hours a day to prepare themselves physically for a game- they probably are not addicted. It’s when someone is working out for the wrong reasons, or makes exercise their number one priority. Working out becomes more important than friends, work, school, etc. People that continually blow off plans to go to they gym, or start lying to people about how much they are working out can be signs of a serious addiction. Another common factor in exercise addiction is working out while injured, such as continuing to run with a sprained ankle, or going to the gym even when you are ill. Exercise addiction can become especially serious when someone works out in lieu of eating- this can combine the dangerous eating disorder anorexia- which can lead to serious health effects and even death. If you think you may know someone suffering from exercise addiction, try talking to thema bout it. Make sure you aren’t placing blame or making them feel even worse about themselves- this will only cause them to pull further away from you. Explain that you are worried, and try focusing on the health concerns instead of just saying they look super skinny. (That’s probably what they are wanting to hear.) If you don’t think that talking is helping them, seek professional help such as a therapist, counselor, or doctor. The addiction to working out could come from deeper problems such as depression or an eating disorder. The important thing is getting help and being able to overcome the addiction.
Becky Brandon, loveable shopaholic, is back for her biggest adventure yet- motherhood! Readers may be wondering if being pregnant calms her urges for all things fashion, but of course it doesn’t! Becky quickly goes overboard with her purchases, buying all the things a new baby doesn’t need- fashionable cribs, non-practicable prams, a closetful of designer clothes, and too much more. And what would a pregnancy be without the most sought after obstetrician that all the celebrities go to- Becky wisely name drops her own husbands PR firm to get a slot with the stunning Venetia Carter. Becky’s pregnancy gets complicated when she figures out Venetia is actually Luke’s ex-girlfriend from college, and starts to suspect an affair brewing between her OB and husband. (The late night dinners and text messages in Latin really makes wonder.)She hires an off-key private detective to snoop around, and the results are not what Becky was hoping to hear. Meanwhile, she is trying to snag the perfect house for her growing family, trading the owner a pair of the “most coveted” boots for the keys and the lease. Shopaholic and Baby, the fifth installment from Sophie Kinsella’s popular series brings the usual laughs and wild antics from the heroine, but I felt this one gave even more. With the pregnancy and the possible affair, I felt that I couldn’t put the book down. I had to keep reading to find out the sex of the baby, if Luke truly was unfaithful, and where the Brandon’s would eventually settle down after losing their perfect house. The ending may come as a surprise to some, but I think it is perfect to pick up for a sixth novel- which Kinsella has recently announced she is working on. All chick lit lovers will love this novel and leave you asking for more.
Lindsay Lohan, who was recently criticized as the artistic advisor to the clothing line Ungaro, isn’t letting the harsh words bring her down. People.com has reported that Lohan will be expanding her fashion line, which now consists of signature 6126 leggings. Lohan posted this to her Twitter page: “i need MORE followers i am so sad about this, how can i tell everyone about my 6126 full collection COMING OUT! all clothing.” The line is set to launch in the fall of 2010 and will feature 100 items- including $18 leggings and a $300 leather jacket. The line is supposed to continue to expand, the following spring it should include handbags, shoes, jewelry, and cosmetics.
It’s going to be a girl from Eric Dane and Rebecca Gayheart! People.com has confirmed that the couple will be expecting a daughter later this winter. Dane, 37, and Gayheart, 38, have been married since 2004.
Rosie O’Donnell is definitely not pining over ex Kelli Carpenter. The comedian revealed in November that her and long-time partner Kelli had broken up and Kelli had moved out 2 years before. Now, O’Donnell is dating Texas-based artist Tracy Kachtick-Anders, People.com has confirmed with O’Donnell’s rep. The pair was spotted walking hand-in-hand in Miami Beach on Tuesday. When PEOPLE spoke with O’Donnell last month, she said that she was indeed “not” single. Kachtick-Anders is active in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender parenting and adoption issues. She also has launched the Open Arms Campaign, a non-profit organization to recruit and foster adoptive families that targets the LGBT community. Kachtick-Anders has six children herself, five that are adopted. Watch Rosie O’Donnell next when A Family Is A Family Is A Family: A Rosie O'Donnell Celebration, airs in late January on HBO. This is a documentary that challenges the traditional ideas of family.
I recently stumbled upon Almay makeup products, and they easily won me over. For those of you who have never heard of Almay, they bring a unique concept and great products to their consumers. Almay was started in 1931, when Fanny May Woititz grew tired of thick cosmetics infused with powerful and strong pigments and chemicals. Her husband, a professional chemist, began experimenting with her makeup ingredients. Between Alfred Woititz and dermatologist Dr. Marion Sulzberger, they developed a makeup that was lightweight and gentle enough for Fanny May to wear on a daily basis. Since being established in 1931, Almay has been the first hypoallergenic cosmetics brand, the first brand to make 100% fragrance-free products and to disclose all ingredients used, the first brand to perform safety testing for allergy and irritation, the first brand to formulate for contact lens wearers and, you guessed it, the first brand to create cosmetic regimens for specific skin types (http://www.almay.com/pg/whyalmay/history.aspx?catid=100004&catnm=WhyAlmay&subid=2&subnm=History&nav=about-almay). Wondering how Almay got its name? by combing the names of the two founder- Fanny May and Alfred! I started wearing Almay foundation about six months ago, after stumbling upon it at my local Walgreens. I was drawn to it because of the Smart Shade/Smart Balance Foundation. It said that the foundation came out white, but once you started to rub it on your skin, the sensing microbeads would instantly adjust and match to your tone. It also came with a free Smart Shade Blush, so I thought I’d give it a try. Now, I won’t wear any other foundation. I never have to worry about lines or my foundation not matching the color of my face, because it blends in perfectly. If you have oily skin, the smart balance works just as well, keeping oily areas shine-free throughout the day. Almay has plenty of great products for your face, eyes, lips, and even face and eye makeup removers. I think the prices are great, and there always seems to be specials or the ability to get coupons online. Just yesterday I bought the foundation for $13.99 and got a free concealer- saving me almost $9! Keep Almay in mind if you are looking for a new makeup line to go with, and be sure to check out some of my favorite products below! http://www.almay.com/pg/help/storelocator.aspx?catid=100008&catnm=Stores&subid=0&subnm=Lips&nav=buy-now
Indy car driver and former Dancing with the Stars champ Helio Castroneves is a new dad! Girlfriend Adriana Henao delivered daughter Mikaella at 4:15 p.m. Monday in Atlanta, People.com has reported. The baby girl weighed in at 7 lbs, 3 oz, and 19 inches long. The due date was January 6th.
Getting a good night’s sleep can seem just impossible sometimes. I know there are numerous nights that I have laid awake, wondering why in the world I cannot find sleep. Usually, the answers can be quite obvious. Shape.com listed four ways to ensure you sleep better at night; try to practice these each night for longer beauty sleep! 1. Time Your Meals. You should try to eat your last meal about 2 hours before hitting the sack. Chemicals in certain foods can keep you awake and active for hours, but if you are craving something closer to your bedtime, try a snack whole grain or light sugar. 2. Develop a Routine. Trying to maintain a sleep schedule is one of the best ways to routinely fall asleep and wake up when you want. Try to stick to the schedule on weekends or other days where you might not have to get up for work, it will help you in the long run. 3. Cherish Your Bed. Your bed should be for sleeping only, try to refrain from doing work while sitting in bed. 4. Skip Naps. If you do need to take an afternoon nap, keep it under 30 minutes. Anything longer can seriously throw off your sleeping patterns and keep you awake at night.
