Fitness Beginners 101: How to Stay Motivated

For all those of us, who love to work out, progress is an essential ingredient of keeping ourselves full of energy and keen on pushing it to the limit. However, there's often a slight misconception in what progress actually is, especially with fitness beginners, who only measure their progress by what they see in the mirror. Quite often though, they tend to start the ''mirror staring'' in the first week or two, before they've actually built up any kind of stamina, strength or metabolism boost. Naturally, it's close to impossible to get visible results so quickly, so what happens next sounds a bit like ''I did everything, I followed my diet and did all the exercise, why don't I see results? This is pointless!'' Sounds familiar? Read on and you'll never have these doubts about your fitness gains again!

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How Do Weight Loss Supplements Work?

Since the advent of dietary supplements, quick fixes and fast weight loss programs, people have been going crazy over any weight loss pill that claims to lose shed pounds in a short time. While there are several best diet pills out there for promoting weight loss, not all of them are good for the health. Before you start the regimen with any of the supplement, it is best to analyze its benefits, side effects, cost, ingredients and manufacturer.

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Want To Build A Confident Personality? Weight Loss Supplements Can Help

We all are very much familiar with the fact that overweight invites many problems for the individuals. A little carelessness on your part can make you suffer from severe health problems. Also, to restrict your weight to a certain limit is a part of your health maintenance. Daily exercises are the best way to keep you healthy and fit, but most people are not able to find time for it, on the other hand, they keep filling their tummies with the junk food outside, which does nothing good, but, causes health issues. The major issue that you come across with is obesity. Following which, you develop a lack of self confidence, and this affects evident parts of your life.

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Aloe Vera: Miraculous Plant Offering Several Health Benefits

Aloe Vera - the plant of immortality has been used since ages for medicinal and healing purposes. It is a short plant, just 2 to 3 feet in height. The leaves of this plant are rich in water and contain several other nutrients like minerals, vitamins, acids, salts and antioxidants.

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How To Select The Right Hospital For Your Treatment

In an emergency, your life depends on getting to the nearest hospital. But when you have an option to plan ahead, selecting the right hospital for your treatment makes all the difference. It not only gives you the confidence that you are in good hands, but also makes your stay at the hospital worth it. The best hospitals have the best of everything.

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5 Proven Best Natural Ways to Lose Weight That Nobody Has Ever Told You

Being obese or over weight is becoming a global pandemic. There are many things you can do to help you ensure you succeed in your weight loss journey. But I want to share with you just 5 proven best natural ways to lose weight that will make you get lean, stay lean, look good, feel good and experience optimum health.

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Lip Balm - A Must-Have in a Make-Up Kit

The skin is the largest organ in the human body and provides a protective layer for the flesh, muscle and tissue that shape the human body. It is vital that the skin is nourished and taken care of, to retain its suppleness and moisture, in dry, wet and cold weather. Without proper care, the skin can become rough and cracked leading to cuts, injuries and painful welts.

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All You Need To Know About Transplant Surgery

Organ transplant surgery includes removal of the diseased organ from the body and replacing it with a healthy one. This is a life saving procedure that gives the recipient a new lease of life. Organ transplant is a major surgery and has its own risks and drawbacks.

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Chiropractic Manipulation: What You Need to Know

Unless you've been happily (or unhappily) living under a rock or in a cave for a while, you've at least heard the phrase "chiropractic manipulation." You probably wondered what it was about and did a search online or asked someone you know for information. There is some confusion out there about what chiropractic manipulation is, so we'll clear that up and then talk about the benefits it can bring.

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Taking Medication for Depression Doesn't Mean I'm Weak

“How long have you been experiencing symptoms of depression?” the doctor asks, and I laugh awkwardly. Not because it’s funny, but because I can’t remember.

“Since high school. Maybe before,” I answer, trying not to think about all the hours I have spent feeling depressed. Fifteen years is a long time. He scribbles in my chart.

About a year ago, I started taking an antidepressant. Until then, I had been terrified of meds, even when my first therapist told me she thought I needed them. At the time, I was 22, unhappily married, and more depressed than I had ever been.

“Depression without medication is like cleaning your house with a ball and chain on your ankle,” she said softly, knowing I was afraid. “When you take medication, you still have to clean the house, but without the ball and chain.”

Even with that analogy, I saw medication as a sign of weakness. Depression wasn’t a chemical imbalance; it was the result of a disorderly life. If I could get my marriage, my career, and my writing in order, I would be happy. It was my fault I felt this way. Medication was a cop-out and proved how weak I was against the symptoms of my depression.

When you take medication, you still have to clean the house, but without the ball and chain.

“I want to feel what I’m going through,” I told her, believing I deserved every terrible feeling. She didn’t bring up medication again. I saw her weekly for almost two years. Talk therapy helped, but the intense symptoms of my depression remained. Sometimes the tools I learned through therapy helped, but on my worst days, I didn’t stand a chance.

Fast-forward to last summer. I could feel myself spiraling, but now I couldn’t point to unhappy life circumstances. Since my two years of therapy, I had gone back to school for mental health counseling and had learned many additional therapy skills. I had also left my marriage; graduated; gotten a decent job; and was in a happy, healthy relationship. We were planning for our future. Even still, I needed additional help.

Almost seven years after my first therapy appointment, I agreed to try medication. I started taking Wellbutrin because a friend of mine had good response with it. “I didn’t have many side effects,” she told me. “I just felt stable.” That sounded great, so I got a prescription and had it filled.

The first week or so on Wellbutrin was a blur. We were in the process of moving from Louisiana to Texas, and I felt a little like I was on speed. Wellbutrin contains a stimulant, so it’s different from other antidepressants in that way. I found I couldn’t drink too much coffee or alcohol, because both brought on horrible side effects when combined with the medication. I was clenching my teeth and shaking my leg a lot more, but I also wasn’t coming straight home from work and crawling into bed or spending three hours in the bathtub crying, so I accepted the side effects. Eventually, I got used to it, and the effects lessened. It helped for a while.

A couple of months ago, I found myself spiraling again. I was now living in a beautiful apartment, in the city I’d always dreamed about, with a man who loved and supported me. I had finally received my professional counselor license, a huge career step, and had a great job at a private practice. So why was I feeling out of control? Why was I sobbing uncontrollably and having daily anxiety attacks and passive suicidal thoughts? Why was I feeling like there was a crushing weight on my chest that wouldn’t go away no matter how much self-care I attempted?

I talked to my psychologist about a med change, and he agreed. In the state of Texas, he is unable to prescribe, but is extremely knowledgeable about medication. We spent the better part of two sessions talking about med options, and I did my own research as well. He wrote a letter to my prescribing doctor, who wrote me a prescription for Lexapro.

I’ve been taking Lexapro for two weeks now, and to be honest, it’s been terrible. Usually, medication takes about a month to fully take effect, so I’m waiting for that. I haven’t been feeling as anxious, and I certainly haven’t been feeling as depressed—I haven’t been feeling much of anything. This is common with SSRIs, or so I’ve been told. I’m sleeping better, almost too well, but not doing much of anything otherwise. I put all of my energy into my work with my clients and have very little to spare at home. I have more mental clarity and am able to think externally, but am having a hard time processing how I feel internally.

In my personal life and in my work, I have seen time and again how necessary these medications are, despite their side effects. The stigma of mental health treatment is slowly shrinking, in large part due to people being more vocal about the treatment they are receiving.

Regular talk therapy and a personalized self-care regime is as important as finding the right medication.

An important thing to remember is that medication is not enough by itself. Regular talk therapy and a personalized self-care regimen is as important as finding the right medication. Having a good support system is also invaluable, and I don’t know where I would be without my friends and my supportive partner. Talking about medication—what’s working, what’s not, what you like, and what you don’t—are all critical parts of finding the right medication. I have clients who will go months and even years on the wrong medication because they’re convinced that they’re the problem—or they don’t want to complain, again, and ask for yet another med change. But that’s the thing about meds. What works now might not work later, and it’s important to do regular check-ins with yourself and your symptoms.

My experience with medication has proved to be challenging, but not as terrifying as I originally thought. With the right professionals and support systems, a hefty dose of self-empowerment, and finally, the assistance of modern medicine, I am confident I am getting the help I need.

This post originally appeared on LaurenHasha.com and was republished with the author's permission. Lauren Hasha is a writer and mental health counselor living in San Antonio, Texas. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter.

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ObamaCare Is Crashing And May Be Completely History By the Inauguration Of Our Next President

Many didn't believe it was possible when the CEO of Blue Cross told his investors that ObamaCare wouldn't even be around in 5-years. Apparently, he knows his stuff, he was right, and the Democrats and the Obama Administration were either all wrong or they lied to the American People to get the Congress to vote for it before they read it. Looks like the MIT advisor who mocked the stupidity of the American Voter was right, and that the corruption at the top isn't even trying to hide their endeavors.

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If You Don't Try You Will Never Know

Since the dramatic government interventions of the 1970's which labelled fat as the enemy we have seen dramatic and alarming blow out in many health problems. Obesity, autoimmune conditions, diabetes to name a few plus the massively increased diagnosis of childhood allergies and AHDD and the huge increase in autism and Asperger's syndrome. All of these serious problems aside the general populations of developed countries tend to be overweight, in pain and exhausted, and the wrong diet information is largely still being used to solve these, and in most cases making it worse.

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The Eat What You Want As Much As You Want Whenever You Want Weight Loss Program

You can't achieve a NEW thing by doing the same OLD thing. In weight loss, there ARE restrictions.

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What You Need To Know About Safety Razors

A safety razor is a shaving instrument that has a guard that glides along the skin surface in order to limit the amount of razor blade that you are exposed to. Due to this it greatly reduces the risk of you getting injured during shaving.

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GreatistYou Day 11: Darby and Adrienne Sweat Their Collective Butts Off

Welcome to GreatistYou, a new social experiment where we see what happens when five people decide to change their health—and broadcast their journeys for everyone to see. Four goals, five contestants, and six weeks to crush said goals for the promise of a better life (oh, and $1,000!).

Darby and Adrienne (@greatistdanda) are back at it again! Though Darby was sore from SoulCycle last night, that didn't stop her from going on a run around the neighborhood. She also has two classes planned this weekend: one at The Bar Method and another at Mile High Run Club.

Adrienne is still in D.C. for work, but she isn't treating the trip like a vacation. She's been spending a lot of time in the hotel's fitness center and packed her foam roller and resistance band for some on-the-road physical therapy.

Meanwhile...

• Brandon (@greatistbrandon) was seriously tempted by McDonald's while waiting at the airport but ultimately opted for cheddar cheese and egg whites on a whole-wheat bagel with a side of grapes. Also, quick question: What exactly happened with the sink here to make it your nemesis?
• Jasmine (@greatistjasmine) posed a question we all want an answer to: Why is there still no bacon emoji? But she shouldn't let that stop her from incorporating bacon into every single meal.
• Regina (@greatistregina) is trying her d*mndest to avoid junk food and almost resisted the urge to steal a coworker's french fry. But hey, french fries might be one of the most difficult foods to say no to.

• Jessi (@greatistmentor) always knows what to say when things get tough. "Pro tip: Be kind to yourself. Treat yourself with compassion. You don't need to be mean to be motivated."

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The 30-Minute Pilates Workout for Stronger Abs

We wish it were as easy as a walk in the park, but building a strong core takes time and hard work. Womp womp. The good news is the results are worth it. Once you've mastered the basics like planks or tried out some standing exercises, this Pilates video will help you take your workout to the next level.

This routine takes core-strengthening Pilates exercises like the Hundred and incorporates cardio blasts throughout to get your heart rate up and keep it there. We're not going to sugarcoat it: This workout is challenging. So if it feels too tough at first, try this beginner version or a shorter Pilates workout like this one. All you need is an exercise mat and a yes-I-can attitude.

To recap:

Ab Work
• Frog
• Point and Flex

Hundred

Roll-Up
• Hands Behind Head
• Pulse at Halfway Point
• Rotation at Halfway Point

Roll Over With Jack Knife

Rolling Like a Ball
• Add Hover and Leap

Ab 5
• Single Leg Stretch
• Double Leg Stretch
• Single Straight Leg
• Double Straight Leg
• Crisscross

Planks
• Downward Dog Leg Travel
• Knee to Chest
• Knee to Opposite Elbow
• Knee to Same Side Elbow
• Knee Flex

Push-Up
• Halfway Pulse

Bridge
• Roll Up and Down
• Single Leg Variation
• Pulse at Top
• Leg Lower and Lift
• Leg Circle

Teaser
• Build Up From Feet Down to Full Teaser

Kneeling Side Kick
• Front and Back
• Pulse Up

Prone Work
• Swimming
• Swan Dive

Unwinding

Looking for more short and effective at-home workouts? Grokker has thousands of routines, so you’ll never get bored. Bonus: For a limited time, Greatist readers get 40 percent off Grokker Premium (just $9 per month) and their first 14 days free. Sign up now!

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5 Breakfast Recipes That Legit Taste Like Dessert

This Woman Won’t Let Loose Skin Hold Her Back the Way Her Weight Used To

Instagram user @losinggravity has documented her 100-pound weight-loss journey on social media, and she's attracted a serious following with her inspiring story.

Naturally, people comment on her posts with questions. When she shares photos like the one above, many followers ask: How did you avoid loose skin and stretch marks?

She replied with the side-by-side photo below and said, "I didn't. It's all there." She's proud of the loose skin and stretch marks—they're a marker of all the progress she's made. But she also gets real about feeling insecure. Check out her powerful response below:

The anxiety posting this is REAL. Taken a few minutes apart, flexing in the first. "How did you avoid loose skin and stretch marks?" Heyyyyy, I didn't! It's all there. High-waisted bottoms have become my BFF. Do I regret losing weight? Hellllll noooooo. NEVER. Not even [the] slightest thought. I am more FIT than I've ever been in my entire life. Happier. HEALTHIER. I'd be lying if I said my loose skin wasn't an insecurity of mine. But I refuse to let it consume me. It doesn't hold me back like the weight used to.

This stomach has grown two beautiful boys. Has been through a 90-plus pound gain and loss (100-plus pound lost from my highest weight while pregnant!). Will you have loose skin after losing weight? I can't answer that for you, everyBODY is different. Will it be worth it, regardless? YES. Also for those who have asked, I do plan to have surgery some day, but in the mean time I'm just working on self loooovvveeee.

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Sexual Consent Isn’t Complicated If You Use This Spot-On Analogy

Confused about consent? Nafisa Ahmed doesn't get why some find the concept hard to grasp. (She calls out men specifically, but we'd argue this is a problem that affects women too.) So she shared a foolproof analogy that makes it super clear:

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Chrissy Teigen Snapchats Her Stretch Marks Because They’re No Big Deal

Stretch marks are a fact of life when you gain weight, add muscle, or have an unexpected growth spurt. And Chrissy Teigen is here to remind us all that they're totally normal.

The model and new mom shared an unapologetic and humorous photo of the stretch marks on her thighs to Snapchat. Luckily, a fan account posted the pic to Instagram, so it won't disappear after 24 hours:

We love that Teigen is sharing the message that bodies change and stretch marks aren't something to get worked up about. Her fans seem to agree:

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Ramadan Fasting

Ramadan is a beautiful expression of our desire to show Allah our dedication to self improve through an effort of discipline. The Honorable Elijah Muhammad suggests to us, in Book 1, that: "It is better for your health, however, to eat one meal after dark." In addition, He states in Book 2: " WHEN we abstain from food for so short a time as for early morning until after sundown and darkness begins to appear - we cannot call this is a FAST, for we are eating the same way that we have always been eating (one meal in that day). IT is no FAST to me and my followers to eat a meal after sundown. We cannot call it a FAST!" For those of us in the Nation of Islam, who follow the Hon. Elijah Muhammad and Min. Louis Farrakhan, let's dedicate this month of Ramadan to improving our discipline to 1 meal per day. 30 days of eating proper foods with 15 hours of no food or water can be challenging but also extremely rewarding.

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GreatistYou Day 10: Brandon Is Smiling His Way to the Finish Line

Welcome to GreatistYou, a new social experiment where we see what happens when five people decide to change their health—and broadcast their journeys for everyone to see. Four goals, five contestants, and six weeks to crush said goals for the promise of a better life (oh, and $1,000!).

Week two of GreatistYou is coming to a close, and we've learned a lot about our contestants. Regina loves dancing, Jasmine appreciates pork, Darby and Adrienne cherish eggs, and Brandon (@greatistbrandon) is always happy. Don't get us wrong, the dude does a lot more than sport a wry grin, but a good mood is actually a key part of this competition.

Exercising regularly, spending time outside, and not eating like you're in middle school can do wonders for your attitude. This is advice for everybody, not just our contestants. See, Brandon? We didn't even have to mention that seven-part Snapchat story you made about pooping.

Meanwhile...

• Looks like Jasmine (@greatistjasmine) was able to track down a Whole30-compliant meal on the go. Is that a fruit cup? Can we have a bite? Just a small bite.
• The Bar Method gave Darby and Adrienne (@greatistdanda) a full month of free classes! Look out for the duo's foray into barre classes this weekend. Plus, if you want to try it for yourself, Bar Method is offering free classes to new clients on August 20 and 21.
• Regina (@greatistregina) has almost conquered her sweet tooth and continues to stay strong by swapping conventional desserts with homemade almond milk, cashew butter, and fruit pops. And, as always, our cheerful contestant is brimming with good advice.

• Meanwhile, Jessi (@greatistmentor) reminded us all how important recovery is: "When you're going hard with exercise, make sure you're also going hard with recovery. Enough high-quality sleep + good nutrition = the most important recovery tools. But some soft tissue work like a massage or an acupressure foam roll are way up there too."

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9 Street Food Recipes for When There’s No Truck in Sight

How To Make Extra Money With Your Beauty Skills

Some women seem to have a natural knack for applying makeup, painting nails, pairing clothes to create fashionable ensembles and styling hair. If you happen to have any one of these skills, then you are definitely in luck. There are a number of ways to parlay your talents into an incredibly lucrative career.

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Snack Wisely for Well-Being & Energy

I have several clients who have upped their activity levels as they focus on the well-being lifestyle. One of the biggest challenges they've confessed to me is the tough time they have with snacking. We are a country of snackers and according to the NPD Group's What America Eats report, Baby Boomers snack 20 percent more often than Millennials.

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Do You Work at One of the Healthiest Companies in America? Tell Us About It!

The average person spends 25 times more time at work than exercising daily, so it’s important that your job helps you not only afford your healthy lifestyle (here’s to you, beach vacation in the dead of winter!) but also supports your efforts in other ways.

That’s why, for the fourth year, Greatist is recognizing the Healthiest Companies to Work for in America. This annual list highlights companies of all sizes and industries who are leading the way in offering employees a truly healthy place to earn a living. These companies realize that healthy employees are productive employees, which is why they offer everything from free gym memberships and alternative health insurance to organic cafeterias and unlimited vacation days. (Check out last year’s list—you may find yourself applying for a new job!)

Think your company should be included in this year’s roundup? Tell us why by taking this super-short survey. All submissions must be received by September, 23, 2016. Check back later to see which companies come out on top!

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Push-Up Videos Are Taking Over Your Newsfeed—And It’s Not People Showing Off

The newest social media challenge has nothing to do with pouring a bucket of ice over your head. Instead, videos of people doing dozens of push-ups will fill your Newsfeed (if they haven't already). The 22 Push-Up Challenge raises awareness that an average of 22 veterans commit suicide every day.

Participants record videos doing 22 push-ups per day (using any variation they want!) for 22 days and share their experience on social media. At the end, they nominate three friends to complete the challenge. People all over the world are dropping and giving 20 22. Here are some familiar faces doing push-ups for an awesome cause:

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French Kids Will Know More About Pleasure Than You Do Thanks to This 3-D Printed Clit

If you have access to the Internet (you're reading this, so yeah, you do), you know what a penis and vagina look like. But what about the clitoris? To the naked eye, the clit looks a little like a button—the rest of the female pleasure powerhoue is hidden underneath folds of the vulva. So most people make it to adulthood without knowing the clitoris looks like a wishbone with two bulbous prongs. And that’s a big problem.

“It’s important that women have a mental image of what is actually happening in their body when they’re stimulated,” Odile Fillod, a sociology researcher, told The Guardian. (It’s important for men to know too!)

So Fillod created an anatomically correct, 3-D printed clitoris (see below), which will be used in French sex-ed classes this fall. She hopes the life-size clit will help women understand how they get off, and stop them from feeling abnormal if that doesn’t happen during vaginal sex. In this case, knowledge isn’t just power, it’s pleasure.

Photo: Marie Docher

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Changing Scenarios in Population Health Management

Health care management through IT became the order of the day for businesses. In this process, population health management is going through changing scenarios with respect to rapid strides in wellness aided by IT. Before going through the scenarios that portend the future, it is important to analyze the past.

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25 Healthier Chocolate Recipes That Prove Store-Bought Sweets Are Overrated

Tips For Minimizing Acne Scars

Dermatological experts say that curing the condition of acne or preventing their appearance is not enough; acne scars need to be taken care of also so that you won't have to face this problem as well. For people who are still grappling with acne breakouts and want to minimize and prevent the occurrence of acne scars, below are some useful tips to keep in mind.

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GreatistYou Day 9: Jasmine Resists Temptation and Discovers LaCroix

Welcome to GreatistYou, a new social experiment where we see what happens when five people decide to change their health—and broadcast their journeys for everyone to see. Four goals, five contestants, and six weeks to crush said goals for the promise of a better life (oh, and $1,000!).

Avoiding junk food at home is doable. Most of the time it's as simple as not stocking cookies in your cabinet or replacing fries with, uh, kale. Being out in the wild, on the other hand, can really throw you for a loop.

Jasmine (@greatistjasmine) successfully resisted temptation when she was offered a free (!!!) chocolate cookie. Jasmine, we feel your pain and applaud your strength.

Jasmine also discovered LaCroix, a drink that makes everything else taste like sludge. Seltzer water is a great way to treat yourself during Whole30—and fool your tongue into thinking you're sipping a nice, cold beer (one that is nonalcoholic, free of carbs, and won't make you text mean things to your ex).

Meanwhile...

• Regina (@greatistregina) is keeping busy—like, really busy—with a full training schedule involving swim sprints, conditioning, personal training, and Muay Thai. How she manages to juggle all those activities while still throwing together a shrimp and cashew salad is beyond us.
• Darby and Adrienne (@greatistdanda) can't get enough Sweetgreen in their lives. Honestly, Sweetgreen could chop up a dirty cactus and serve it on a bed of nails, and it'd still taste delicious. #Salads4Lyfe

• Call us crazy, but it looks like Brandon (@greatistbrandon) is really getting into this whole exercise scene. See, Brandon? Working out isn't that horrible after all, especially when Sacramento is your backdrop.

• Jessi (@greatistmentor) suggests finding a partner: "Motivational tip: Have an accountability buddy for your goals. Schedule your workouts/meal prep/whatever at the same time and then check in after you did it! That way you're not just cancelling on yourself, you're cancelling on your friend too." It's called the buddy system for a reason.

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I Was Hit by a Cab and Told I May Never Walk Again. Now I'm a Triathlete

Me in NYC (June 2016) They call it trauma blackout.

When your body undergoes something so shocking your brain retains little-to-no information, and you're left with just a few snapshots in your memory.

From that February night three years ago, I remember the sound of the scissors cutting through my shirt in the ambulance after they lifted me from the pavement of 23rd Street.

I remember my dad whispering, "You're a warrior, Katie, and you're my girl." My brother Matt's shaky hand as he touched my arm at the hospital the next morning.

Waking up from a seven-hour surgery, learning that the plastic surgeon had used bone from my skull to reconstruct my nose and cheek. The warning that if I sneezed, it would all be undone.

The uncontrollable spasm in my shoulder when the nurse lifted me from my bed to the gurney for yet another X-ray.

The sound of my mom breathing as she slept on the cot next to me night after night. The smell of dried blood on my neck brace.

The moment my lawyer told me that the street camera that would have captured the impact between the cab and my body was blocked by scaffolding, so we'd really never know why the driver hadn't seen me crossing the road, as he cruised at 30 miles per hour down Lexington Ave.

In those moments, when I was completely helpless in the hospital, with a shattered face, wired jaw, broken neck, destroyed shoulder, and torn-up knee, I didn't have the brainpower to process anything more than the present.

When my body hurt, I clicked my morphine drip. When they told me I needed food, I let my mom spoon Ensure shakes between my teeth. When the tech approached me with a sponge and bucket, I watched him clean my body. It was primal, and it was raw.

My New Normal

My mom with me in my wheelchair in Battery Park, a couple weeks after my accident (February 2013)

Being at the will of my body's most basic needs while also being completely dependent on others was the polar opposite of the life I had been living before my accident.

Before I walked across the street that night, I was an active 22-year-old girl. An athlete my whole life, I played Division I lacrosse in college and continued working out regularly post grad. In 2012, I moved to New York City and was working at a startup in Brooklyn. I was living the independent, young-adult life I thought I "should" be.

With the physical exhaustion, I seldom reflected on the reality of my situation—or the future.

In the months following my accident, I was living day by day. I was in a wheelchair, back home in Baltimore, living with my parents. My stamina barely got me through one episode of Friends.

With the physical exhaustion, I seldom reflected on the reality of my situation—or the future. I didn't think about the fact that no one had told me whether I would ever be able to run again. I didn't think about how I'd feel when people from my past didn't recognize me with my reconstructed face.

At physical therapy in Baltimore, one month after my accident. I took for granted that there would be a new normal and that I may never have the opportunities I had had in my pre-accident life. In my mind, a complete recovery was just as possible as spending the rest of my life parking in handicapped spots and watching 60 Minutes with my parents.

So I proceeded with a light-hearted "we'll see" attitude—for a while. But after a few months, comments like "You look great" and "You're just so strong" had lost their meaning. Had I really done anything worth praise? It wasn't like I chose to survive this horrific accident; I just got lucky. And I look great? Sure, compared to the Picasso painting that was my face after a cab shattered my eye socket, destroyed my nose, and displaced my six front teeth.

Pushing My Limits

When I moved back to New York several months after the accident, reality set in, and I made a promise to myself: I had been given a very real reminder of how short and precious life is, and I wasn't going to forget it. Though I knew I had years of surgery ahead, I wasn't going to settle for a life that would be qualified with a "given all she's been through."

I had been given a very real reminder of how short and precious life is, and I wasn't going to forget it.

The first thing I did when I got out of my wheelchair: I registered for a half-marathon. After months confined to a chair, I committed to my body and said to myself, “If you're lucky enough to be able to walk, you should be able to run. And if you're lucky enough to run, you might as well run a lot.” So I built up my strength, and one year after getting out of my wheelchair, I completed my first half-marathon.

From there, my determination to up my fitness game only grew stronger. I soon committed to daily 6 a.m. workouts that challenged me in new ways, mentally and physically. Soon that perpetual challenge became a habit. I surrounded myself with people who had the same desire to push their limits and reach new goals, and I fell into a lifestyle that gave me a new reason to be proud of myself and others every day.

Celebrating with a beer after my first triathlon (August 2015) Last summer, when a friend invited me to register for a triathlon, I couldn't think of a legitimate reason not to. So on August 27, 2015, I completed a sprint triathlon on Long Island. Aside from lingering knee pain, I felt strong every step (and stroke) of the way. Today, I'm lucky enough to be training for my fifth triathlon to date.

My next challenge was my career. Though I was fortunate to have previously worked for a company I loved with amazing people, I knew I had more to give. I just needed to find my passion. Since I attributed so much of my physical and mental recovery to the nurses at New York Presbyterian, I entertained a path in medicine, but quickly remembered there was nothing about science that I liked or was good at.

Thanks to patience, relationship building, and a bit of chance, I ended up with an opportunity to combine my love of fitness with my desire to positively impact people. I joined the team at Swerve Fitness, an indoor cycling studio with team-based rides, as director of marketing.

After my accident, fitness had been a way to gain confidence in myself and set goals that I thought I’d never be able to achieve. It was a way to connect with people on a level that was hard to find in any other setting. At work, I get to see people experience these exact same things every day. After a hard ride and a good sweat, people have a confidence that translates to everything they do—whether it’s talking to someone new, making moves professionally, or being a better partner in a relationship.

While I can confidently say that I’m now living my happiest and healthiest life—in large part due to my mental shift after the accident—I genuinely believe that many people in my situation would have done the same.

Once you’ve been in the position of can’t, you’re grateful for every day that you can.

Being a 22-year-old who is completely dependent on her parents for an indefinite amount of time is an incredibly humbling experience. Once you've felt that feeling and thought those thoughts, there’s no turning back. There’s no moment in life that you take for granted, and there are no people in your life you undervalue. Once you’ve been in the position of can’t, you’re grateful for every day that you can.

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Weight Loss - What Is The Best Method For Successful Weight Loss?

We do not blame you if you are looking for the best weight loss method for you to follow. It is natural to want to make the most of your time since it is a valuable resource. It would be counterintuitive to keep trying your luck with different weight loss diets if it were possible to get it right the first time. While we do have an opinion on what we believe is the best way to lose weight, it may not be the answer you want to hear.

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Amy Schumer Opens Up About an Abusive Relationship, Proving It Has Nothing to Do With Weakness

Amy Schumer usually makes us laugh, but she gets candid about a number of serious topics, including an abusive relationship, in her new memoir, The Girl With the Lower Back Tattoo. She knows we think this can't happen to us—we're strong and independent. Schumer felt the same way, but she has a message for everyone: "It can happen to anyone. You're not alone if it's happening to you, and you're not exempt if it hasn't happened to you yet."

In an excerpt originally published on E! Online, Schumer describes this chilling time in her life. Her story reminds us that relationship abuse is complicated and confusing, which makes it so difficult to break the cycle:

It proceeded to get worse and worse, and I started escaping the apartment whenever I could. I'd go to Starbucks, lock myself in the bathroom, and sit on the floor and cry. I knew I should go back to the East Coast, but I thought no one would ever love me as much as he did. I believed he was just as passionate about me as I was about him, and that if I did a better job of not making him mad, we'd be fine. I really felt he loved me. And I really loved him.

I think somewhere in the course of our relationship, I started to confuse his anger and aggression for passion and love. I actually started to think that real love was supposed to look like that. The more you yelled at each other, the more you loved each other. The more physical an demeaning it got, the more you were really getting through to each other. And the more I was willing to stand by him, the more he'd understand I truly loved him and that we should be together forever.

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Censors Said This Body Positive Documentary Trailer Had Too Much Nudity. You Be the Judge

Taryn Brumfitt first made headlines after posting a before-and-after photo and saying she preferred the way she looked after having a baby than the photo of her on stage at a figure competition:

In the years since that side-by-side photo went viral, Brumfitt has traveled the world talking to women about body image struggles. Those experiences turned into Embrace, a feature-length documentary of "one woman's journey to inspire every body."

There's just one problem: The trailer can only play before movies intended for mature audiences because censors said it shows too much nudity. But the two-minute teaser (you can check it out below) doesn't show any more skin than the lingerie ads we see on TV all the time.

These kind of roadblocks are part of the reason it's so hard to talk about body image and beauty standards—and even more reason to share this trailer.

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Ridiculously Pricey Gym Memberships Might Actually Be Worth It

You don't need a gym membership to get in a good workout. Bodyweight exercises, which you can do at home or at the park, will do the trick. But economist Allison Schrager argues in a story on Quartz that if you're going to belong to a gym, you should splurge on an expensive one (if you can afford it).

The business model for gyms, especially low-priced ones, counts on many members rarely (or never) showing up. It's human nature to not care about losing $10 per month on a cheap membership. But if you're shelling out $100 per month, you're going to start feeling guilty if you're not going to the gym.

It's not just the fear of wasting money that makes people show up. A 2006 study found people whose companies paid for their memberships to expensive gyms went about as often as those who footed the bill themselves. Luxury and the allure of a high-end product seem to play a role in getting us to find time to work out, regardless of who's paying.

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3-Ingredient Pesto Tomato Dip With Homemade Pita Chips

What's better than hosting a Friday night get-together with friends after a long week? Making a simple, stress-free appetizer to feed them, duh. Besides, who has time to go all gourmet on a bunch of guests who mostly care about the flowin' wine? Keep their booze-filled bellies full by throwing together a dip that looks like it belongs on Instagram... in less than 10 minutes.

Inspired by the culinary flavors of the Mediterranean (just kidding, this was totally motivated by the colors), this three-ingredient dip will be your new go-to the next time you're playing host. Grab a pie dish and a cookie sheet, a jar of pesto, crumbled feta, a diced tomato, and a pack of pita bread. You're nearly done.

Photo: Rebecca Firkser

If your friends are always late, make your own pesto (you know you have the time). It's easier than you think. If you're on a tight schedule, skip the DIY chips and buy a bag of pita chips instead. But do so with caution—the smell of bread in the oven will have your guests drooling the moment they walk through the door—and that's pretty unmissable.

3-Ingredient Pesto Tomato Dip With Homemade Pita Chips

Recipe by: Jamie Webber
Serves: 12

For the pita chips:
6 rounds whole-wheat pita bread
1 tablespoon olive oil
Pinch sea salt

For the dip:
6 ounces pesto
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1 large tomato, diced
Black pepper
Dried or fresh basil or oregano (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

2. Slice pita bread into triangles (each round makes about 6 triangles).

3. Spread triangles on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt. Bake 5-7 minutes.

6. To make the dip, spread pesto onto the base of the pie dish, then sprinkle on the feta cheese in an even layer. Top with the tomato, pressing gently with your fingers or a spatula to make sure each scoop is nice and compact. Finish with a few grinds of black pepper and basil or oregano, if using.

8. Remove the pita rounds from the oven and transfer to a serving dish.

9. Enjoy with friends, preferrably with a glass of wine in your non-chip-holding hand.

Photo: Rebecca Firkser Photo: Rebecca Firkser Photo: Rebecca Firkser

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The 100-Percent Rule: The Simple Advice That Changed My Life

I have a friend who quit eating sugar two years ago. When we go out to eat, I almost always get dessert. “Will you have a bite?” I ask, testing her. “No thanks!” She always responds with ease and indifference. Must be so hard for her to turn down a beignet every single time—right?

Wrong.

Put simply, it's far too easy waste our time, money, and energy by not committing wholeheartedly to something important to us. We intend to start blogging (for real this time), but keep getting distracted. We spend way too much money on clothes when we try to cut down on online shopping.

But it's our well-meaning "99-percent effort" that is exhausting. It consumes energy without producing results. It’s stressful. It makes us feel like a failure when we’re not—we just haven’t fully committed to something. Putting 99-percent effort into things that matter in life means we are constantly falling short of our potential—and feeling bad about it.

The 100-Percent Rule

When I was at a conference earlier this year, I heard a statement I knew would change my business. I later realized it would also change my entire life.

The statement? Ninety-nine percent is hard—100 percent is easy. Or as Jack Canfield, the best-selling author of The Success Principles, puts it (in slightly more aggressive terms): "99 percent is a b*tch. 100 percent is a breeze." Take a moment to let that sink in.

Then consider the following individuals: my sister, who is a strict vegan; my neighbor, a six-time New York Times-best-selling author; and a comedian who publishes a new YouTube video every week without fail. No exceptions or breaks or excuses.

Is it hard? Maybe when they first got started. But now my sister knows exactly which foods to buy, where, and how to cook them. The author writes every single day, not just when he feels inspired. The YouTuber is constantly learning new skills, researching, and developing new routines, each one better than the last.

If something is tugging at you and has been over time, you’ve probably been "99-percenting" it too long. Here's how to finally give it your all.

1. Identify exactly what needs 100 percent of your attention.

Your writing? Your photography? A side-hustle idea that has been percolating for a while but requires action? A habit you need to quit altogether—online shopping, drinking soda, even seeing a certain toxic person?

Not everything in your life needs 100-percent effort. But your heart always knows what truly does. You don’t have to go crazy and commit to a million projects or banish everything fun from your life. Your "100 percent" right now is probably just one thing. What is it?

2. Put in the effort.

Commit to writing for one hour per day, seven days per week. Pinpoint exactly how to make your first sale for your side hustle (you can do it)! Delete your online shopping accounts, throw out the soda, or end that relationship once and for all. And don’t look back.

For me, I came to realize that my "100 percent" was finishing my book. I had been going at it 99 percent for two years, and after hearing this advice, I finally finished it—in just two months. It wasn’t easy, but it was easier than thinking about my book on the subway, on vacation, when cooking, and when out with friends. Now it’s complete.

When I shifted gears to 100 percent, there were no decisions to make. It was write or die!

Ninety-nine-percenting was so much harder. It weighed on me daily. It was heavier than the actual task at hand. The decision fatigue was killing me: "Should I write or go out?" "Should I write or go grocery shopping?" "Should I write or call a friend?" When I shifted gears to 100 percent, there were no decisions to make. It was write or die!

3. Repeat (again and again).

True happiness is the joy we experience when we move toward our potential. The beautiful part is when we apply the 100-percent rule to a task at hand, we complete it. A project gets wrapped. A once-hopeful intention becomes a habit. A goal is met.

It then frees up adequate mental space for the next priority to become clear, since we’re not plagued by guilt about other multiple half-assed projects. And when we give 100 percent, other not-as-important stuff falls away in the meantime: It’s an awesome perk to an already pretty-awesome rule.

Why do some people succeed over others? Because they commit completely to something. If you know anyone who is self-made and grew their wealth over time, you know they are not half-assed about their investment strategy. If someone writes best-selling book after best-selling book, you know they're not sitting down to write every so often, or whenever they feel like it. If you know someone who's built up a loyal YouTube following, you know they're continually making the effort to put out new, unique content.

It’s called commitment.

Susie Moore is Greatist’s life coach columnist and a confidence coach in New York City. Her new book, What If It Does Work Out?, is available on Amazon now. Sign up for free weekly wellness tips on her website and check back every Tuesday for her latest No Regrets column!

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7 Spoonful Hacks To Help You Lose Weight

When it comes to losing weight, you can use all the help you can get. Try these herbal hacks to help you get rid of excess weight!

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Warning Signs & Symptoms of Pituitary Tumors

Most types of pituitary tumors which make FSH & LH generally do not make enough extra hormones so as to cause any signs & symptoms. These pituitary tumors are therefore considered as non-functioning tumors.

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GreatistYou Day 8: Regina Closes In on Her Goal

Welcome to GreatistYou, a new social experiment where we see what happens when five people decide to change their health—and broadcast their journeys for everyone to see. Four goals, five contestants, and six weeks to crush said goals for the promise of a better life (oh, and $1,000!).

This weekend our contestants proved to be GreatistYou warriors by keeping up their routines despite a blinding heat wave and the allure of the beach.

Regina (@greatistregina) is still keeping a close watch on her diet, but the appeal of a bagel and lox was too much to handle. Hey, a little smoked salmon never hurt anyone... aside from the salmon, of course.

Still, she ended up only 0.6 pounds away from her goal weight on Sunday. And in case you're wondering, your weight can fluctuate up to five pounds per day, so we're def calling this one a win.

If you couldn't tell by the above Instagram post, this week has Regina pumped. We like to think it's because Grokker offered her three months of free videos. But don't be too jealous: The company is offering Greatist readers a hearty discount too. Work out at home and watch TV: win-win.

Meanwhile...

• Brandon (@greatistbrandon) is feeling the pain of healthy eating and has made it clear he won't be giving up his tortilla addiction anytime soon. Stay strong, Brandon. Tortillas are a nasty habit to kick.
• Darby and Adrienne (@greatistdanda) pose some powerful questions with their latest Instagram posts: Can one love and hate a foam roller at the same time? If you work out in an empty gym, does it still count? These ladies are flexing their brains as hard as their their muscles.
• Jasmine (@greatistjasmine) has discovered a major perk of the Whole30 Program: Bacon is allowed! Here are a few other insanely tasty, Whole30-compliant meals to keep the party going (the salmon and artichoke recipe is to die for).

• Jessi Kneeland (@greatistmentor) continues to inspire our contestants and dispel health myths. Yesterday's advice? "Due to natural human body fluctuations, weigh-ins can be useful to track TRENDS, but not exact progress. Try weighing yourself weekly instead of daily for weight loss goals, and remember that the number on the scale has nothing to do with your self-worth!" Amen.

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If You Try This New Fitness Challenge, You're Just Asking to Get Hurt

We're all for trying new workouts, but the chair traverse—a fitness challenge where you sit in a chair, slither between its legs, and return to a seated position, all without touching the ground—is a surefire way to end up with bumps and bruises. The ninja-like move started as a training exercise for intense rock climbers, but now people all over social media are trying it out. There haven't been reports of serious injuries—yet—but anytime you fall on your head, you risk spinal injury.

So if you can't do it as flawlessly as this guy, sit this one out:

Still not convinced? Watch this cringe-worthy attempt:

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7 Gold Medal-Worthy Brazilian Dishes We're Making Before the Olympics End

These Nearly Naked Women Prove You Don’t Know Any Body’s Story

A number of retailers have recently launched body-positive lingerie campaigns, but this photo project takes things one step further. In "Underneath We Are Women," Amy Herrmann photographed ladies in their underwear. Then she asked them to really bare it all by sharing their most vulnerable stories.

Herrmann has collected stories and photos from 100 women and organized them into a book, which she's fundraising for on Kickstarter. “This project is about showcasing the diversity of women’s bodies and sharing the stories that shaped them rather than succumbing to the fictitious default stories that have long been associated with various body types,” Herrman wrote on the Kickstarter page.

The photos are powerful, but the stories are the part that really sticks with you. Check out a few of them below:

"After I had my surgery, I was never really self-conscious of the scar, it was just a reminder of what I had been through... I don't want it to fade... I always want this reminder of how amazing my body and mind really are." —Sarah Somervell

"I wish, as a little girl, I had seen something like this. A disabled role model telling me that I was allowed to love myself, that I didn't have to hide, be ashamed of, or apologize for my body. That I existed. I had to figure this out (for the most part) on my own, and at times it was incredibly lonely, traumatizing, and isolating." —Ruby Allegra

"I've suffered an eating disorder, largely at the hands of the modeling industry. And underneath my confident, positive exterior I've had ongoing issues with, at times, crippling anxiety. I've heard everything from 'you're too tall' to 'you're too happy' to 'you should try plus-size modeling.' You cannot judge a book by it's cover, people. You will never know the story inside if you do. Every body is beautiful and every freckle, hair, blemish, scar, and wrinkle is a trophy to be proud of! " —Carolyn Uphill

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How to Find Your Beach Body!

Bored of the gym and those fad diets? Time running out and your 'Beach Body' still nowhere to be seen?'

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This Super-Fit Grandpa Appreciates the Offer, Does Not Need Your Subway Seat

Subway announcements tell us we should offer up our seat to the eldery, so naturally a rider asked 68-year-old Wayne McEntire if he wanted a seat on a train in Rio during the Olympic Games. McEntire declined in the most spectacular way possible:

If Team USA needs any alternates for men's gymnastics, we know who they should call. McEntire loves the Olympics—he's been to the last five—and he works out almost every day, which explains why he can do this human flagpole move like it's no big deal.

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Smell Awesome Every Time With These 16 Perfume Hacks

You might have a thing about expensive perfumes but getting the most out of them is equally important. Here are 16 perfume hacks that will have you smelling like a million dollars all the time.

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Beware Of Liquid Diets Side Effects

It sounds so tempting, especially if you want to lose weight fast, but beware of liquid diets side effects. Liquid diets are a type of fad diets. Other than for quick weight loss, these diets are also believed to remove toxins from the body. But there are actually liquid diets side effects because you'll be depriving yourself of hefty amounts of essential nutrients.

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One Thing You Can Change to Start Adapting Today Is Your Diet

A good diet isn't rocket science. In order to change you have to understand and get real about how the food and drinks you consume are affecting you. After a meal how long do you last before you get hungry again, or before you want to go to sleep and automatically reach for more coffee? Do you eat when you're not hungry? Just because the clock says it's time to eat. Do you automatically accept the supersize because it's offered for a few cents and It's such good value?

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Vitamin D Deficiency Can Be Serious

Sunlight is the body's main supply of Vitamin D which is necessary for strong bones and teeth. Vitamin D is in almost every tissue so it is important for the health of the whole body. However, 50% of people over 50 have low levels of this vitamin which is not present in many of our foods. Studies have shown that a lack of it can lead to diabetes, depression, heart disease, hip fractures, muscle spasm and multiple sclerosis.

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23 Easy Casserole Recipes That Are Actually Healthy

What Is Sarsaparilla? Benefits As Well As Drawbacks!

You possibly have seen sarsaparilla in a supplement, a tea drink and wondered what it does. This article shares the pros and cons to sarsaparilla and what it really does to us.

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GreatistYou Days 5-7: Our Contestants Prove to Be Weekend Warriors

Welcome to GreatistYou, a new social experiment where we see what happens when five people decide to change their health—and broadcast their journeys for everyone to see. Four goals, five contestants, and six weeks to crush said goals for the promise of a better life (oh, and $1,000!).

Things are starting to get real, people. Like really real. We're getting ready to enter the second week of GreatistYou, and our contestants can't be stopped. Let's jump back to Brandon (@greatistbrandon), who is entering day three of his free week at California Family Fitness. Like everywhere else in California, this gym is adorned with palm trees and plays The O.C. theme song on repeat... probably.

Brandon continues to make big changes in his life while maintaining a normal routine. He's been going on walks with his dog, munching on beet chips, and using a Starbucks cup as a water bottle. Hey, who hasn't DIY'd a water bottle out of an unassuming coffee vessel?

Meanwhile...

• Regina (@greatistregina) impressed us all with her willpower this weekend. She steered clear of booze and gelato—and even managed to fit in a few burpees—during a pretty fabulous-looking poolside getaway.
• Darby and Adrienne (@greatistdanda) also proved their GreatistYou journey follows them wherever they go. They tracked 5.39 miles shopping this weekend. Inquiring minds want to know: What did you buy?
• Jasmine (@greatistjasmine) did what everybody else does in the summer: spend quality time at the beach. But unlike everyone else, she wore sneakers so she wouldn't skip out on her run. Despite the heat, she bit the bullet and jogged/walked 8 miles. Now that's true commitment.

• Finally, GreatistYou mentor Jessi Kneeland (@greatistmentor), gave us some more words of wisdom: "Pro tip: Earn your rests by working hard enough to need them."

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Fartlek and Other Cool Ways To Spice Up Your Cardio

Cardiorespiratory training (Cardio for short) has many health benefits and as little as 10-20 minutes a day can: Give you a stronger heart - Reduce your risk of heart disease - Reduce cholesterol levels (so you can eat more bacon...

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