PopSugar

Speak Up: Do You Fit the Physical Stereotype of Your Nationality?

FitSugar — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:00:27 -0700

In my yoga class last week, I asked one of my students if she was Italian, and she answered, "Yes, did you know because of my big butt?" I was stunned. I said, "No because of your last name. And first of all your booty is far from big, and second of all, I've never heard that Italians are known for their big bums."

I'm definitely not one to promote insensitive, big blanket statements about stereotypes, but some folks identify them and other just plain don't. I am wondering about you. Do you fit the bill when it comes to physical features commonly associated with your ethnic background or not?

Do You Worry About How You Look During Sex?

TresSugar — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:00:00 -0700

We all may have our body image issues from time to time. We might fret when a pair of jeans feels tighter than before or lament the beginning of bathing suit season. But what about while you're naked having sex - do you worry about what you look like?

Megan Fox, who seems very comfortable talking about sex, said recently that she's too self-conscious to make a sex tape because of such concerns. "One shot of me not looking good," she said, "and I would not be able to have sex ever again, because I would always just see myself looking like a hippo having sex." And I remember that classic Friends episode where Rachel and Ross cringe through a viewing of their accidental sex tape only to be relieved that they actually look pretty good during the act.

Do you ever think about your appearance while you're getting down, or are your looks the last thing on your mind?

Trend Alert: Printed Body Suit

FabSugarUK — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 10:00:44 -0700

The '80s revival this season has already brought back crop tops and denim leggings, but now we can add one piece bodys to the mix too. I have noticed a lot of these on the High Street and have even seen several people wearing them. They're great for creating a seamless silhouette and can be quite flattering.

Body suits have been given a funky edge with bright coloured prints and bat wing sleeves. This item may leave you feeling like an extra from Flashdance, but at least you won't have to worry about your midrift being accidentally revealed! I love this striped style by Henrik Vibskov (£94), especially for the bat wing detail. What do you think about this item revival?

Panel One Shoulder Body - £22.00	Splodge Floral Body - £20.00
Purple floral body suit - £16.00	Tiger Print Body - £18.00
HENRIK VIBSKOV - Striped body - £100.00	Multi seamed body - £14.00

What the Right Ear Hears

FitSugar — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 03:00:58 -0700

A new Italian study put a twist on the age-old advice about wanting something done right. In three separate tests, researchers found that when making a request, they had better results when the question was posed to the right ear.

In general, the left side of the brain processes requests better and researchers feel it must also process information that comes from the right ear. It seems the left side of the brain is more amenable to granting favors. As a health aficionado, I do find it ironic that the tests involved asking clubbers for cigarettes in dance halls with considerable background noise. The researchers offer a rather more mundane observation to support their findings: most people listen with their right ear when speaking on the telephone. Could it be the majority of folks are right handed? Bottom line: when you want something, make sure to pose your query in the person's right ear, and don't forget to say please.

Dear Poll: Have Your Body Image Issues Affected a Relationship?

DearSugar — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 16:16:50 -0700

Even the most beautiful and seemingly perfect women have insecurities about their bodies, especially in the bedroom. I guess it's just part of life as a woman! For some, it's relatively simple to embrace flaws, but insecurities can be crippling for others. Since body image issues affect everyone differently, I'm curious. So tell me, have your insecurities ever affected one of your relationships?

Source

5 Things: Your Skin

FitSugar — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:00:00 -0800

I don't think about my skin that much, except on sunny Summer days when I coat myself with sunscreen or when I get the occasional blemish on my chin. More than just a fleshy covering for our muscles, skin is an organ and without it, we would evaporate. Here are five facts you should know about the skin you're in.

Skin, not the liver, is the body's largest organ. Altogether, the skin of an average adult weighs between eight and nine pounds. Skin also grows faster than any other organ. In fact, we are constantly shedding skin cells, to the tune of 50,000 cells every minute.
The skin of an average-sized adult covers 21-square feet and contains over 11 miles of blood vessels. Skin is only 2 millimeters thick. So we are all truly thin skinned. Speaking of thin skin, the eyelids are the thinnest skin of the body and the soles of your feet are the thickest.
On a hot and humid day, your skin can produce up to three gallons of sweat in a 24-hour period. But not all of your body sweats. The nail bed, margins of the lips, tip of the penis, and eardrums do not sweat.

For a couple more cool facts about your skin, read more.

You skin houses at least five types of nerve receptors that respond to pain and to touch. These receptors help keep your brain in touch with the outside world.
Skin does more than just keep the insides of your body inside your body. It also secretes an antibacterial substances to prevent infection, making your skin the immune systems first line of defense. Skin also manufactures the ever important sun shine vitamin - vitamin D, which promotes the absorption of calcium to produce healthy bones.

Hey! Your epidermis is showing. Hope these facts help you appreciate the skin your in.

Source

Dear Poll: Do You Enjoy Being Naked?

DearSugar — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 14:30:00 -0800

Many women have a volatile relationship with their body. One day they love it and the next they hate it, which is why flaunting your birthday suit is not for everyone. Plus, if you're not used to being naked, when you are, it can make you feel incredibly vulnerable. But there are also those women who love just being in their own skin and nothing else. Which sounds more like you?

Source

A Do or a Don't: Checking Out Your Lady Business

DearSugar — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 16:00:00 -0700

Last weekend I spent a giddy night with girlfriends just talking - you know the kind of night I’m talking about! In the midst of our conversation, one friend confessed that she’d never really seen her lady business before. Immediately, the other ladies launched into their own experiences on the matter. I couldn’t help but think of the Sex and the City episode where the girls try to convince Charlotte to check herself out in the mirror - even though she was incredibly uncomfortable, she went through with it!

Personally, I think the more knowledge you have about your body the better, but is grabbing a mirror over-the-top? Have you ever examined yourself down there? Or does the idea make you squirm?

Source

Do Tell: What Part of Your Body Are You Most Insecure About?

DearSugar — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 08:00:00 -0700

No matter how beautiful or perfect you may think someone is, I can almost guarantee that they have their own set of insecurities just like you and me. While the female body is a beautiful form no matter what shape or size, it's really all about the way you feel inside in regard to how you look on the outside. And even though it's commonly just in our heads, most women I know have at least one part of their body that they wish could be smaller, tighter, leaner, prettier, or just plain different from what it currently is. Sound familiar? If so, do tell, what part of your body are you most insecure about?

Source

How To Get a Celeb Bikini Body like Kate Moss and Kelly Brook

BellaSugarUK — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 07:00:00 -0700

Time to ditch the sarong and stop hiding behind the cover-ups.

For a beach body, like Kelly Brook, Kate Moss or Cameron Diaz, just follow these results-orientated exercises, plus beauty treatments, for an A-list body you'll want to show off.

Legs like Kate Moss
The vibrating power plate is the ultimate leg toner and has also been shown to help prevent and reduce cellulite.

For legs like Kate (see pic below), hold onto the bars and squat – slowly pushing back your bum until your knees are at a 90 degree angle. Squeeze your bum cheeks and push back up. Aim for two sets of around 50 seconds, three or four times a week.

Also try, Bliss Fat Girl Slim, (£28), to diminish cellulite and help tone up your pins.

A waist like Kelly Brook
For a teeny tiny waist to emphasise your hourglass shape, like Kelly, try twists. First lie on your back with your knees bent. Then raise your legs up, keeping knees bent and twist both legs to one side. Bring back to the middle, very slowly, pulling in your stomach. Repeat eight times on each side, every other day.
Also try, Rodial Tummy Tuck, (£100), for instant firming.

For how to get a bum like Cameron Diaz and arms like Beyonce, just read more:

A bum like Cameron Diaz
To tone up your glutes and keep your bum looking peachy, go for the lunge. Stand with your feet wide apart, knees bent and the weight through your heels. Squat and repeat five times. Next, stand one foot in front of the other, and lunge forward. This works the back of your thighs, as well as calves.
Also try, Garnier Bodytonic Firming Lotion, (£3.99), to tone and smooth your skin.

Arms like Beyonce
For toned upper arms, it's best to do free standing weights. Speak to your local gym or personal trainer to ensure you're using the right weight for your body type.

Pole dancing, is also excellent to tone arms, as often the tricky moves mean that your whole body weight is on your upper arms. Look for a local class online at Pole Dancing School.
Also try, Phytomer Firming Contouring Cream, (£35), to help firm upper arms and create a more toned appearance.

Eliot/BigPicturesPhoto.com and Source