Fungi can transform your nails into yellowed, cracked fragments of what they used to be. Hydrogen peroxide can kill this fungus quickly and efficiently. In a bowl, mix 1/2 cup of hot water with one teaspoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide. For extra strength, include one teaspoon of baking soda.

Soak your nails in this solution for about ten minutes. If you don’t want your skin to soften, you can soak a cotton ball in the mixture and press it to your nails. If you need to, scrub stains off with a clean, unused toothbrush or a nail brush.

If you’ve ever had to throw away a favorite item of clothing because of a stain, you’ll want to read on.

Remove Ink Stains From Clothes

It’s nearly impossible to rub ink out of clothing. At least, it would be if we didn’t have hydrogen peroxide. For light-colored clothing, you can soak a cotton ball in hydrogen peroxide and dab it on the infected area. Then wash your clothes as normal.

If this doesn’t work, your fabric may need a heavy-duty recipe. Create a solution of 50% hydrogen peroxide and 50% ammonia. The ammonia catalyzes the peroxide to work better. Only use clear ammonia, and don’t use it on wool or silk since the ammonia will eat through the proteins on both fabrics.

Time For Teeth Whitening

According to a 2004 study in the Journal of Dentistry, hydrogen peroxide effectively bleaches teeth. To whiten your teeth, create a solution of 1/2 water and 1/2 hydrogen peroxide. Swish it around in your mouth for at least 30 seconds, or as long as you can stand. Spit the solution out if it hurts your mouth, and don’t swallow it.

The higher the concentration, the brighter the whitening. However, a 2006 study from the same journal reported that higher concentrations could harm the enamel. If you use a higher concentration (25% or 35%), shorten the amount of time that the peroxide is in your mouth.

Coming up, an easy way to make your own fruit and veggie wash.

Wash Your Fruits And Vegetables

It’s essential to wash your fruits and vegetables when you bring them home. You never know who touched them or which pesticides they came into contact with. But instead of paying $8 for a veggie wash, why don’t you use a little bit of hydrogen peroxide?

To create a veggie cleaner, fill your sink with cold water and add 1/4 cup of 3% food-grade hydrogen peroxide. Wash your fruit and vegetables in the mixture, and then rinse them thoroughly with fresh water. According to Poison Control, hydrogen peroxide isn’t toxic, except in large amounts.

Next, you might start using fewer Q-Tips with this hack.

You Can Safely Remove Wax From Your Ears Using Peroxide

A 2015 study from Australian Family Physician supports ear irrigation as the most effective way to remove ear wax. Ear irrigation involves a liquid that softens the wax and dislodges it. Since hydrogen peroxide makes the wax bubble and weaken, it’s a safe way to clean your ears.

Start by lying on your side. Place a few drops of hydrogen peroxide in your upward-facing ear. Wait five minutes, then sit up and use a tissue to absorb any excess liquid. Then do the same on your other ear. Remember to consult your doctor before trying these home remedies.

Do you have burned residue on your pots? Read on to learn how you can get rid of those.

Disinfect Your Walls, Windows, Mirrors, And Countertops

Hydrogen peroxide is an anti-viral and anti-bacterial. That’s why many household cleaners include this ingredient. If you’re running low on kitchen cleaners, use 3% hydrogen peroxide instead. Store it in a spray bottle and use as you would any other household cleaner.

Although hydrogen peroxide is a powerful disinfectant, it takes time to work. You might want to leave the solution on your countertops or walls for a minute before wiping. A mixture of vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and plain soap makes an efficient cleaning solution for windows and mirrors.

Did you know that hydrogen peroxide could be used this way?

Sometimes The Air Needs Cleaning, Too

Clean air can improve your quality of life. Well, you can combine hydrogen peroxide and a humidifier to reduce the germs floating through your home.

You’ll want to dilute your 3% hydrogen peroxide a lot. Mix one part of peroxide with eight parts of water, and add the mixture to your humidifier. If you have a diffuser, you can add some drops of essential oils for a pleasant smell. Then let the machine work its magic. Don’t use this technique if you have pets around.

Reshine Your Rusty Tools

When is the last time you cleaned your gardening shovel, screws, or hammer? Probably never. If your tools begin to rust, it’s time for a scrub. Pour a small amount of 3% hydrogen peroxide onto the rusted area and rub it with steel wool or a brush.

Before you dive into this DIY, test a small of hydrogen peroxide. H202 may react with some metallic irons, although it shouldn’t affect stainless steel, aluminum, or brass. Double-check what your tools are made of before experimenting.

Use hydrogen peroxide to help with a common plumbing problem, just ahead.

Bye Bye, Burn Residue

Burn residue can take ages to scrub off. Since burned debris cakes onto the surface of pots and pans, just scrubbing won’t do much. You need a substance that dissolves and lifts the residue. Use hydrogen peroxide to remove the grime without having to scrub.

Pour a generous amount of hydrogen peroxide (3% is fine) to cover all the burned areas. Then stir in a pile of baking soda. Leave it for at least a couple of hours; aim for six hours. The debris should lift right off! Wipe off any sticky remains until your pot or pan looks like new.

You can even use hydrogen peroxide in the garden, as we’ll see soon.

Hydrogen Peroxide Is A Natural Deodorant

When bacteria breaks down sweat, it creates body odor. Because our armpits sweat more than any other area, they’re the main culprit of body odor. Some people use 3% hydrogen peroxide to kill these germs, and hence halt the B.O.

Hydrogen peroxide is not an antiperspirant, so it won’t inhibit your sweating. But neither do deodorants. Swipe or spray some hydrogen peroxide wherever you’re sweating for odor relief. And it’s certainly cheaper than paying for a deodorant that could contain harmful substances like aluminum.

Remove Labels Or Glue

It can be difficult and frustrating trying to remove a label or a sticker from a product you purchased. More often than not, the label or sticker will break apart into irritating small bits that take way too much work to get off. Plus you end up getting the label or sticker stuck under your nails, and it makes a big mess.

An easier way to remove labels and stickers is by using hydrogen peroxide. Set the product on a flat surface and spray the label or sticker with hydrogen peroxide. Let it sit. After about 10 minutes, the label should easily come off with a little light scrubbing.

Lighten Your Hair At Half The Price

Hydrogen peroxide makes up 6% to 10% of most blonde hair dyes. To save money, you can use the liquid chemical to lighten your hair instead of a lengthy routine. Mix hydrogen peroxide with baking soda, an alkaline chemical that will lower the acidity. Spread the paste through your hair and leave it on from 15 to 60 minutes. Then, rinse your hair with cold water.

While the solution won’t turn your hair bleach blonde, it will lighten the color noticeably. Be careful handling hydrogen peroxide, because it easily irritates the eyes. And if you use too much, it can damage your hair and skin.

Help Your Plants Grow Big And Strong

Hydrogen peroxide works by releasing oxygen. Because plants use oxygen to absorb nutrients from the soil, they love this extra oxygen molecule. This promotes healthier, more vigorous plant growth for your garden.

To encourage garden growth, mix one teaspoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide per one cup of water. After you pour the mixture into a spray bottle, mist your plants. If you want to cover an entire garden, increase your dosage to 35% hydrogen peroxide. You can also use this to pre-treat seeds. Since peroxide kills fungi, it also wards off potential diseases such as root infections.

Soften Those Cracked Heels

Why spend your money on spa foot treatments when you have so many other things to pay for? If you have cracked, rough callouses on the edges of your feet, hydrogen peroxide can soften that skin by breaking down the tissue around it.

Dilute two cups of hydrogen peroxide into two cups of hot water. Soak feet for 30 minutes. After you dry them off, scrub off all the dead skin. Then lather your feet with lotion, pop on some warm fuzzy socks, and hit the hay. Your feet will feel super soft in the morning.

Mix Hydrogen Peroxide With Borax For An Even Deeper Rust Clean

We already told you that scrubbing 3% hydrogen peroxide with steel wool will help remove rust from old metal tools. If even that doesn’t do the trick, try mixing 3% hydrogen peroxide with borax and dish soap for an even deeper clean.

Combine 1/4 cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide with a few drops of regular dish soap, and a scoop of borax to make a solution that will pre-cleanse the rusted surface. Cover the rusted surface entirely and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Then you can srub the rust away as normal.

This Can Alleviate A Painful Canker Sore

Anyone who has had a canker sore knows that it hurts. While hydrogen peroxide can’t make a canker sore disappear, it can speed up the healing. The peroxide kills growing bacteria in your mouth, which may ameliorate some pain.

Dilute 3% hydrogen peroxide with water–no more than half and half. Apply the mixture to your canker sore. Either dip a cotton ball in the solution and press it to your sore, or swish the liquid in your mouth. Either way, make sure not to swallow any of the peroxide. Oh, and it might sting a bit.

There’s no need to call a plumber if you know this hack that’s coming up soon.

Here’s How To Clean Your Toothbrushes

Have you ever thought about how many germs gather on your toothbrushes? The reality is that they attract plenty of bacteria, and yet most people never clean their toothbrushes. According to the Children’s Oral Health Institute, hydrogen peroxide is a safe method of disinfecting your child’s toothbrushes.

Pour 3% hydrogen peroxide into a cup, and place your toothbrushes into it bristles-down. Leave the toothbrushes in there until the liquid stops bubbling. Afterward, rinse the toothbrush thoroughly before use. Another method is to swish your toothbrush through a solution of water and hydrogen peroxide before use.

If You Have Carpet Stains, Check This Out

Commercial carpet-cleaning products contain sodium percarbonate, which is a powdered form of hydrogen peroxide. That’s why cleaners often have “Oxy” or “Oxi” in the name. Why don’t you skip the extra charge and use hydrogen peroxide instead?

Before you start pouring, dilute the peroxide. Mix one part 3% hydrogen peroxide with five parts water. Spray it on the dirty spot and wait for a couple of minutes, and then scrub the stain away. You might want to test it on a small area first.

Give Your Dishwasher More Oomph

Dishwashers make everything easier–when they work. If you don’t clean your dishwasher, the extra residue will cake the walls and leave your dishes less than lustrous. Plus, the hydrogen peroxide will lend your dishwasher soap more cleaning power.

Before you run your next load, add 1/4 cup (or three ounces) of 3% hydrogen peroxide to your dishwasher. Close the door and run it. The hot water will swirl it around, and the peroxide will disinfect the surface. That’s all you have to do!

Help Unclog Your Drain

If your sink drain keeps clogging, hydrogen peroxide may be able to help! Try pouring one cup of hydrogen peroxide down the drain and let it sit for an hour. After an hour has passed, run several hot cups of water down the drain to encourage the gunk to pass through.

For best results, repeat the process every two weeks to keep your drain from clogging up again. It’s always handy to keep a bottle of hydrogen peroxide under the sink!

Cleaning your shower just got so much easier with this next trick.

Protect Your Shower From Mildew

Nobody likes cleaning their shower. That’s why it’s best to clean a shower and shield it from future mold at the same time. Fill a spray bottle with 3% hydrogen peroxide. Spritz the walls of your shower and let it work its magic for 10 minutes. Then, wipe the mildew away.

According to a 2013 study in BMC Research Notes, hydrogen peroxide effectively kills microorganisms such as yeast and bacteria. It also demolishes budding yeast systems, so you won’t have to clean your shower for a while longer.

Stay tuned for a foolproof method of removing harmful mold.

It Can Save Your Dog’s Life

Dog owners understand the risk of accidental poisoning. As soon as your dog eats a lot of grapes or chocolate, you’re on the clock. You can safely induce vomiting by feeding your dog a small amount of hydrogen peroxide. The peroxide creates a mild reaction but not extreme enough to cause harm.

To induce vomiting, give your dog 3% hydrogen peroxide (any higher concentration is toxic). Feed your dog one teaspoon per five pounds of their body weight. The vomiting works ten to 15 minutes after eating, and it can last for up to 45 minutes. Afterward, follow up with your vet.

Kill Mold Without Using Harsh Chemicals

Mold can develop within 24 hours. Leaving it unattended can result in respiratory illnesses; it’s a hazard to those with allergies. While it’s important to kill mold quickly, most people don’t want to spray chemicals everywhere. Here’s a way to eradicate mold without those dangerous cleaners.

Add 3% hydrogen peroxide to a spray bottle. Saturate the mold-infected walls with the solution, and leave it there for ten minutes. Over time, the anti-fungal liquid will destroy the organisms. After ten minutes pass, scrub the area to remove all the stains. Then wipe the surface to dislodge any remaining mold stains.

Read on to learn some ways to clean commonly-used objects that people don’t normally clean.

Finally, An Easy Way To Clean Your Retainer Or Mouthguard

That tiny plastic mold that you have to stuff into your mouth every night is hard to keep clean. But you can clean your retainer for little-to-no money by using hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and water.

Place your retainer into a jar and submerge it in water. Add one tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide and a sprinkle of baking soda. Leave the retainer in there for about ten minutes. Afterward, take it out and rinse all the residue off. Make sure to rinse your retainer thoroughly before popping it back in your mouth.

Your Humidifier Needs Cleaning, Too

When’s the last time you cleaned your humidifier or diffuser? Bacteria adore wet, warm places. Humidifiers remain damp for a long time. Plus, standing water allows bacteria to multiply. Dirty humidifiers can trigger allergy symptoms rather than help them.

To clean a humidifier or diffuser, add two cups of 3% hydrogen peroxide to one gallon of water. Pour it into the humidifier’s water tank and filter, scrub it, and let it sit for 10 to 30 minutes. Then rinse the base in clean water and leave it to air dry.

Re-Beautify Your Makeup Brushes

“Through daily use, makeup brushes can accumulate dead skin cells, dirt, oil, pollution, and bacteria, says dermatologist Dr. Debbie Palmer, who co-founded the Dermatology Associates of New York. Dirty makeup brushes can result in staph infections if they aren’t cleaned properly. Fortunately, hydrogen peroxide sufficiently disinfects them.

Add a teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide to a bowl of warm water. Soak your brushes in the mixture for ten minutes. Swish the brushes around every now again. Afterward, remove your makeup brushes, rinse them with cold water, and let them air dry. If there’s any remaining residue, you can wash it off with soap.

Treat Acne Spots

Hydrogen peroxide works as a spot treatment for acne. When the peroxide touches your skin, it loses an extra oxygen atom. That oxidization process kills off the bacteria, which allows your skin to heal faster. Don’t use it for acne scars, as overuse can damage your skin further.

To spot-treat your acne, saturate a cotton ball with 3% hydrogen peroxide. Dab the cotton ball over the infected areas, leave for five minutes, and then rinse your face with cold water. Limit your use to three times a week, and make sure to wash your face before applying hydrogen peroxide.

Beat That Bad Breath

Hydrogen peroxide not only whitens your teeth, but it also eliminates bad breath. Gargling hydrogen peroxide kills the bacteria in your throat, so it can also assuage sore throats and gum inflammation. Before you pour it straight into your mouth, dilute the peroxide in water.

Pour 3% hydrogen peroxide into water: one part peroxide per two parts water. This will lower the concentration to 1% hydrogen peroxide. Gargle and swish the solution around your mouth for 30 to 60 seconds and then spit it out. Do not swallow. Rinse your mouth afterward, and you’re ready to go!

Clear Your Contact Lenses

If you don’t clean your contact lenses, you run the risk of spreading an eye infection. Instead of buying a solution, you can clear your lenses with hydrogen peroxide. This technique may help people who are sensitive to the preservatives used in contact solutions. To prevent hydrogen peroxide from stinging your eyes, you’ll need a neutralizer as well.

To clean your contact lenses, you can place them in 3% hydrogen peroxide for a little while. Afterward, leave them in a neutralizer for a couple of hours. Usually, the directions on the bottle will tell you exactly how long to leave them in.

Disinfect Your Sponges

When your sponge starts smelling, it’s time to clean it. You don’t have to throw your sponge away every time it smells germ-infested. Hydrogen peroxide will soak into the sponge and kill all bacteria inside the tiniest crevices.

To start, place your sponge in a container. Pour hydrogen peroxide until the sponge is mostly submerged, and watch for the white bubbles. That means the bacteria is dying. After a few minutes, flip the sponge over and leave it for a few more minutes. Then take out the sponge and rinse it. You’re done!

Have you ever considered that there are “right” and “wrong” ways to shower? Dermatologists have, and they’re warning people about common, but unhealthy, shower habits. These practices can dry out your skin, damage your hair, and even spread diseases.

Experts have identified health concerns about everyday habits, such as keeping your loofah in the shower. If you enjoy a long shower, you’ll want to keep reading.

Replace That Plastic Showerhead

Plastic showerheads are worse than metal ones, at least when it comes to health. In an interview with NPR, Dr. Norman Pace, a professor of molecular, cellular, and developmental biology, described the difference. He said that plastic showerheads build up bio-film more than metal, which also gathers more bacteria.

It’s no wonder that scientists from the University of Colorado found more germs on plastic showerheads than on metal ones. You can tell what your showerhead is made of based on the connection material. If it’s a screw-on instead of a secure bolt, it’s likely plastic.

Towel Drying Can Be Too Harsh

Are you drying your body too harshly? If you can describe your routine as “rubbing a towel,” you are. Drying the body should be more of a gentle pat. Hurriedly rubbing yourself dry may aggravate your skin, which will dry it out.

When you step out of the shower, don’t scrub, rub, or wipe yourself dry. Use a towel to gently pat your body. Doing so will keep the moisture on your skin without irritating it. The same goes for your hair; if you dry your hair in a rush, the fragile strands could break off.

You Might Be Showering Too Much!

Showering more makes you cleaner–right? Not so fast. Dr. Elaine Larson, an infectious disease expert, asserts that showering every day could actually make you sick. Over-showering dries out the skin by ripping away natural oils, and bacteria easily slip into those tiny cracks. To prevent disease, washing your hands is mostly adequate, says Larson.

“I think most people over-bathe,” Dr. C. Brandon Mitchell, a professor of dermatology, told Time. “Your body is a naturally well-oiled machine. A daily shower isn’t necessary.” If you want to shower daily, lather your armpits and groin, but avoid the rest. Over-soaping your body will dry it out.

This next bad habit is something most of us are guilty of.

How Long Is Too Long?

Few things are more relaxing than a long, hot shower. But the longer your shower takes, the more your skin will suffer. Why? Because the cells that defend your skin, keratinocytes, are the same that produce your skin’s oil. While it’s good to wash away some of this bacteria-ridden oil, washing it for too long will irritate your skin, making you feel itchy and dry.

But how long is too long? Dermatologists told Insider that an ideal shower lasts between five and fifteen minutes. In general, the longer your shower, the more damage your skin could receive.

Keep Body Wash Off Your Face

Using body wash on your face might be convenient, but this soap isn’t made for your face. Your facial skin is thinner and more tender than other parts of your body. According to dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, body soap can throw off the pH of your skin. Its harsh oils can also deteriorate all of your skin’s natural oils.

The rest is dry, irritated, and possibly red skin. Separate facial cleansers are made for a reason. Aim for a fragrance-free cleanser, since artificial scents may bother your skin. And if you have to use body wash, remember to moisturize afterward.

“Squeaky Clean” Is Too Clean

“Squeaky clean” is a good standard for counters and floors–not our skin. If your skin feels “squeaky clean,” you’re likely over-washing it. According to aesthetician Athena Hewett, this could create dry, flaky, red, and rashy skin. After all, over-washing strips the skin’s protective oils.

This problem is even worse for those with oily skin. Dermatologist Loretta Ciraldo said that this irritated, “squeaky clean” feeling can come from the wrong cleanser. “I see this a lot with acne cleansers,” she told Allure. If you think you’re over-washing your face, reduce the scrubbing time, or double-check your cleanser.

Do you need to wash your hair every day? Learn the answer soon.

Don’t Wash Your Hair Every Day

Although everyone’s hair is different, most people don’t need to wash their hair every day. Yes, shampooing removes harmful bacteria, but it also destroys healthy bacteria. Dr. Dominic Burg, a hair biologist, trichologist, and microbiologist, advises against washing your hair every day. Instead, clean your hair just twice or three times a week.

According to Burg, healthy bacteria create a microbiome that regulates the pH of your hair. When over-washing strips this biome, it clears the way for harmful bacteria to cause inflammation, scalp irritation, and fungi. If your hair feels oily every day even though you’re washing it, you could be using the wrong shampoo, says Burg.

The right away to use conditioner (without causing damage) is coming soon.

The Danger Of Wrapping Your Hair In A Towel

The American Academy of Dermatology warns that wrapping your hair in a towel after showering can damage it. How? Because hair is fragile when it’s wet. If done incorrectly, hair wraps can tug on your hairs and break them.

If you want to wrap up your hair, try to do so without twisting too tightly. Using a thin, delicate towel can reduce damage. Waiting for your hair to dry a bit and combing your hair beforehand will also decrease the potential damage.

Learn the right way to apply moisturizer.

It’s The Worst Place To Wash Your Face

Washing your face in the shower saves time, but most dermatologists advise against it. In short, showers are too hot, too pressurized, and just too much water. According to dermatologist Hadley King, the skin on our faces will dry out if it’s in water for too long. Remember, facial skin is more sensitive than body skin.

On top of that, most showers are hot enough to aggravate the skin. Overly hot water can dilate blood vessels or even break them. If you turn down the temperature and the pressure, you can wash your face in the shower, says Dr. King.

Wash Your Towels More Often

Most people understand that they should wash their shower towels. But according to the American Cleaning Institute, towels should be washed after three to four uses. According to Dr. Mehmet Oz of NSF International, shower towels develop mold, yeast, and bacteria from the warm moisture.

The frequency depends on how well your towels dry. If you throw them on the floor, they won’t dry fully, which allows more bacteria to fester. If you’re sick, you may want to wash your shower towel after each use.

Don’t Leave Your Razor In The Shower

Just as washcloths gather bacteria in the shower, razors do as well. “By storing your razor in the shower, you’re increasing the frequency in which you’ll need to change your blade refill,” says Venus dermatologist Jody Levine. Warm, wet environments cause razors to rust more quickly.

Plus, damp razors are breeding grounds for bacteria. When you shave, you open pores in your skin, making infection far more likely. To prevent this, dry your razors after you use them. Store them upright outside of the shower. They’ll last longer and won’t harm your skin.

Enjoy A Blast Of Cold Water

Cold shower. The phrase is enough to make many people shudder. Even so, research shows that cold showers can strengthen the immune system. During a 2016 study in PLoS One, people who took cold showers were 29% less likely to get sick. And participants only turned the shower cold for 30 to 90 seconds.

A blast of cold water could also improve your mood. According to research in Medical Hypotheses, these showers make neurotransmitters more sensitive to endorphins. Potentially, this response could help people with depression. Remember, just 30 seconds makes a difference.

Are You Exfoliating Too Much?

Exfoliating cleansers and face masks have become common, and they may trick people into exfoliating every day. But this will damage your skin over time. Dr. Aanand Geria of Geria Dermatology recommends exfoliating once or twice a week. Any more will irritate your skin, especially on the face.

By exfoliating sparingly, you give your skin time to produce natural oils that help your skin. When you over-exfoliate, your skin might feel waxy or sensitive, according to Dr. Geria. Redness, peeling, and burning are sure signs that you should drop the exfoliator.

Turn Down The Temperature

If you like your showers scalding hot, you’ll be disappointed by this news. Hot showers are not healthy for your skin. According to dermatologist Erum Ilyas, hot water literally strips the natural oils off of your skin. Since these oils usually guard your skin, your body may feel itchy or dry after a hot shower.

The problem becomes more significant with age, Dr. Ilyas told Insider. As our skin thins, it becomes more sensitive to hot water. Lower your water temperature to warm. If that’s too cold for you, limit the time you spend in a hot shower.

Do you wash your feet in the shower?

Moisturize Immediately For Best Results

If you wait between drying off and applying lotion, you’re making a mistake. Despite feeling wet, your skin will be dried out after a long while in a hot shower. Also, there’s a benefit to immediately lathering on lotion: your body will absorb it more effectively.

“Anything you apply after a shower will be more rapidly absorbed,” says director of cosmetic dermatology Heidi Waldorf. The Mount Sinai Hospital director recommends not putting any product that could irritate your skin. Instead, use an unscented lotion to keep your skin hydrated for longer.

Don’t Leave Your Loofah Hanging

Do you leave your loofah, washcloth, or sponge in the shower between rinses? If so, stop. Bacteria thrive in moist, warm environments. Dermatologists J. Matthew Knight says that leaving loofahs in the shower sets up an environment for mold, yeast, and bacteria.

According to a study in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology, an average loofah hosts dangerous bacteria such as E. coli. These germs are more likely to infect cleanly-shaved skin. To be safe, dry your loofah or washcloth outside of the shower, or simply wash with your hands.

Avoid The Loofah After You Shave

As you shave, your skin opens up tiny holes. These are perfect for infectious bacteria to sneak into. Since loofahs are bacteria breeding grounds, they aren’t ideal for a post-shave wash. Dermatologist Melissa Piliang advises against using loofahs or washcloths for a couple of days after shaving.

Dr. Piliang recommends only using your loofah once or twice a week. Your hands are enough to lather soap across your body, she says. Examine your loofah occasionally; if it smells or starts to mold, replace it.

Stay tuned to learn how your shower water could be harming your skin and hair.

Clean Your Bathtub Frequently

When is the last time you cleaned your bathtub? Despite all the soap, showers and tubs become dirty very quickly. Microbiologist Jason Tetro says that harmful bacteria such as E. coli thrive in the shower. TODAY Home adds that the shower’s damp environment accelerates mold growth.

Tetro recommends cleaning your tub every two weeks and disinfecting your shower curtains weekly. After cleaning, leave the shower door or curtains open. You’ll want enough airflow to dry the bathroom fully, so leave your restroom door open, too.

Coming up is a shaving habit that you should break.

Ditch The Soap Dish

Although soap dishes come standard in almost every shower, they don’t help skin health. Elaine Larson, an associate dean of epidemiology at Columbia University, warns people about germ-infested soap. According to her, leaving the soap bar in the shower is the worst thing you could do.

Bacteria thrive on soap’s slimy coating, which they usually develop on a dish. The good news is that these bacteria won’t harm you unless you have a compromised immune system. Still, you may want to store your soap bar in a dry place.

Wash Your Feet While You’re In There!

Dripping soap isn’t enough to wash your feet. And, yes, you need to scrub your feet. “Your feet are covered with bacteria,” disease expert Dr. Amesh Adalja told SELF. “Said bacteria just so happen to cause foot odor.” Do you want those bacteria to stay on your feet and potentially cause infections?

The best way to clean your feet, according to Dr. Adalja, is to brush them. Exfoliating your feet with a sponge, washcloth, or loofah will effectively remove the bacteria. If you don’t do this regularly, you could get staph infections, warts, or athlete’s foot.

The Right Way To Use Conditioner

Many people pour conditioner on their scalp and work their way down. However, applying conditioner above your crown line may irritate your skin. Colorist Meri Kate O’Connor says that doing so makes your skin oily. Since oil gathers at the crown of your head, adding more oils makes it greasy.

That said, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends conditioning your hair after every shampoo session. O’Connor recommends starting with the bottom of your hair–the oldest, driest part of your hair. Gradually work your way up to prevent an oily scalp.

Why You Should Shower After Exercising

A post-workout shower isn’t just for the odor. It also prevents potential infections. According to women’s health director Holly Phillips, the leftover sweat allows bacteria to breed. In the best-case scenario, this could cause rashes and acne. In the worst case, it could lead to a staph infection.

That said, your skin won’t suffer from the occasional skipped shower. Changing into dry clothes and patting on some baby powder may help if you need to skip a rinse. When you do take a shower, all you need is a five-minute wash.

Stop Using Hard Water

Unlike soft water, hard water contains high amounts of calcium and magnesium. According to the USGS, 85% of the water in the United States is hard. These chemicals can interact with your soaps and shampoos. When calcium and magnesium react with the fatty acids in soap, they make the soap ineffective.

Hard water can also build up in your hair, making it tangled or limp. If your hair has ever felt different after showering at a gym or hotel, it’s because water’s hardness varies by location. To prevent hard water, you can buy a water softener.

Coming up: using the wrong towel could have dire consequences.

Ditch The Old Razor

After multiple drags across your skin, razors accumulate dead skin cells and bacteria. Don’t use a dull or rusted razor; it could nick you more, create little red bumps, and potentially spread infection. Dermatologist Whitney Bowe recommends replacing your razor blade after a few uses.

Fortunately, Bowe has tips for keeping your razor sharper for longer. Rinse your razor after each use, since traces of soap and shaving cream will cause it to rust. Dry it with a towel, and store it in a dry area such as a medicine cabinet.

You Probably Need To Clean Your Washcloth

When’s the last time you washed your washcloth? Has it been more than a couple of weeks? If so you’ll want to take action. Despite all the soap, your loofahs and washcloths get dirty quickly. According to dermatologist Sejal Shah, dead skin cells stick to washcloths, loofahs, and sponges. They stay on and host more bacteria.

In general, aim to wash your shower tools every couple of weeks. You can run washcloths and sponges through the laundry, and wring a loofah with soap. Researchers recommend using diluted bleach in safe quantities. When in doubt, replace any old shower tools.

Why Regular Towels Aren’t As Good As Bath Towels

Have you ever wondered why bath towels feel softer than regular towels? It’s not just for comfort; it’s for your hair health. According to celebrity hairstylist Monae Everett, the rough texture of standard towels may damage your hair.

When hair is wet, it’s more fragile. Wringing your hair with a rough towel may create damages along the hair shaft, which leads to tangles and frizz, says Everett. If you’re out of bath towels, use a microfiber towel or t-shirt. And when you pat your hair dry, be gentle.

Should you replace your showerhead? Learn the answer soon.

Don’t Leave Hair In The Drain

Yes, wet hair in the drain is gross. But if you let hair build up in your shower, the drain could clog. This will create problems for both your plumbing and your health. A clogged drain leads to stagnant water, which allows bacteria to gather more quickly. From a monetary perspective, stagnant water can create mold and even warp your shower floor.

A drain cover can prevent hair from tangling in your drain. Remove leftover hair after your shower is over. Although it seems gross now, it’ll only get worse over time. If your drain does clog, buy a drain cleaner.

Don’t Face The Showerhead When You Turn It On

In 2009, researchers from the University of Colorado examined showerheads across three states. They discovered that over 80% of showerheads contain the infectious pathogen Mycobacterium, which could cause pulmonary disease. If you’re facing the shower when you turn on the water, you may get a face full of bacteria.

The good news is that these germs won’t affect those with a strong immune system. But immunocompromised people, children, pregnant women, and the elderly may struggle to fight it off. Clean your showerhead frequently, and let the water run for a bit before you hop in.

Don’t Skip Your Breakfast

We understand that it can be challenging to find time for breakfast in the morning, but hear us out on this one. When you don’t grub on something in the morning, your body will run on fumes, and your hair won’t get the proper nutrients it needs.

Whatever nutrients and minerals you consume in the morning go to more vital bodily functions before reaching your hair. If you skip this, it can lead to shedding and slower growth, so eat something before work!

Stay On Schedule With your Hairdresser

There may come a point when you try to grow out your hair if you haven’t tried already. When you’re doing so, the first thing you need to do is schedule an appointment with your hairdresser.

If you have split-ends, they’ll travel up your hair shaft, ruining your beautiful locks you’ve been working so hard on. To best deal with this and avoid other damages, schedule an appointment with the hairdresser every two months for more complete and healthy hair. It’s not a science; it’s facts.

Please, Don’t Tie Too Tight!

When you’re having a bad hair day, putting your flowing hair into a ponytail is a quick and easy fix. You must be cautious not to tie it up too tightly and frequently, or you may cause some damage to your roots.

You also want to avoid thin, tight hair ties because they can cause breakage and irritation when you tie too tightly. That’s why you need to find ties that are thick and covered in fabric – avoid nylon at all costs. Bobby pins as hair clips are good alternatives to get your hair out of the way, too.

If It Isn’t Clean, Don’t Let It In Your Hair

If you aren’t about to use a clean styling tool, then don’t use it at all. Unclean brushes and combs have dead skin, germs, and other unwanted residues that you don’t want your hair touching.

That doesn’t mean you have to throw them out and buy a new one regularly. Simply soak the combs or brushes in baking soda and water for one minute and allow them to air dry before using them again. It’s as easy as that.

Choose Your Shampoo Based On Hair Type

Seldom do people ever keep the same type of hair their whole lives. It’s okay to switch things up, but you must watch how what you do after the change because it can affect your hair.

Whenever you get a perm or even dye your precious strands, you can’t keep using the same shampoo. The new style will last longer and look healthier with the proper shampoo and conditioner, so do your research and find the best fit!

Consume Your Proteins

Were you aware that your hair is made up of the protein keratin? Don’t worry, not many know that fact. What you need to know is that you should be consuming a fair amount of protein to keep your hair happy.

If you aren’t, then your body can’t grow healthy hair. Always be sure to incorporate some nuts, beans, fish, or chicken in your diet to help your hair grow and remain strong. No proteins mean no flowing hair on your head.

Style When Your Hair Is Dry

This next tip doesn’t apply to every type of hair, but it’s an excellent rule for the majority. Due to your hair becoming more fragile when it’s wet, it’s better to style and comb when it’s dry.

You can still detangle it when it’s wet, but use a wide-toothed comb and the proper brushing technique (the one we taught you earlier) to ensure you limit breakage. There’s a cost you have to pay to have your hair looking sensational.

Opt For Silk Or Satin Pillowcases

Of course, the standard pillowcase to use is cotton due to its softness and durability, but there are issues with that material. The friction you create when you rub your hair against it can cause split-ends and frizz, two things you don’t need.

Instead, one should opt for silk or satin pillowcases for healthier hair. Besides, satin and silk feel sensational after you’ve had a long day, and it’s time to rest for the night.

Don’t Fall Victim To All The Products

With so many hair products on the shelves and a ton of people and websites making suggestions about which ones to use, it can be tough deciding which to put in your hair. One too many screams and sprays can weigh down your hair or make it oily.

The three that you can consider necessary are shine serums, heat protectors, and dry shampoo, especially if you style your look every day. You need to remember that less is more when figuring what goes on your head.

Watch That Bleach…

We know that brunettes want to see what the blonde life is like, but bleaching your hair isn’t the safest thing to do. While you might’ve already had a feeling that applying bleach to your hair isn’t safe, you might not have known why.

When you add bleach to the equation, it infuses your hair cuticles with chemicals. This process damages your strands, making them appear dry and brittle. Do you want those features being prevalent with your hair?

Heat Applied To Your Hair Isn’t That Great

Making sure your hair gets dry as soon as possible is a high priority when you’re getting ready, but be careful with how high you turn that heat up on your blow dryer!

Also, straightening your hair every day dehydrates it, leaving it prone to damage and dullness. You can dry it every other time you wash it, using the heated drying tools on the medium setting. We’re trying to save your hair here, so trust us.

Relax On All The Treatments

While many of the tips we’ve provided thus far can help the health of your hair, we can’t stress this one enough. Repetitively relaxing, coloring, and perming exposes your hair to too many chemicals.

Naturally, this isn’t great for any part of your body, but it can lead to drier and weaker hair. You need to always inform your stylist of any previous treatment you’ve received so that they can best choose how to work on your hair.

Pumpkin isn’t just for fall anymore. Studies have shown that eating pumpkin all year round can actually benefit your health. Now you have an excuse to make pumpkin pie and eat pumpkin seeds any time of the year. The following is a list of how eating pumpkin regularly can benefit your health, along with a few bonus recipes at the end.

Lower Your Blood Pressure

Do you have high blood pressure or just want to keep it down? Pumpkin seed oil has phytoestrogens, which can help prevent hypertension (high blood pressure). High blood pressure puts you at risk for heat attack and stroke, so it is important to keep it in check as you get older.

Pumpkin Oil

Research showed that rats whose diet included this oil lowered their blood pressure in 12 weeks. That reason alone is good enough to add pumpkin oil to your cooking. Pumpkin oil can be found at your local grocery store and is pretty easy to add to your favorite recipe. You will be surprised how much better soups and baked goods taste with pumpkin oil.

Keep Your Heart Healthy

Do you have a family history of heart disease or want to make sure you’re around for the long haul? Keep your heart healthy by putting more fiber in your diet. So what has a good source of fiber? Pumpkin and pumpkin seeds of course.

Ways to Add More Pumpkin

A good way to eat these is roasting pumpkin and putting it in a soup, adding seeds to the top of a salad, or roasting seeds and eating them plain. You can even add pumpkin into a smoothie for a little more protein and fiber combination. In addition to the fiber, pumpkin seeds have been shown to contain phytosterols, which studies have shown reduce LDL (the bad cholesterol).

Sleep Better

We all could sleep a little better at night, so one way to do this is add pumpkin seeds to your bedtime snack. Pumpkin seeds contain tryptophan, the same amino acid that makes you tired after eating turkey.

Tryptophan

Tryptophan will help you calm down, relax, and unwind so you get a better night’s sleep. Relaxing into sleep is a good way to sleep deeper, longer, and feel more rested when you wake up. You will start noticing the benefits of this the same night you start eating pumpkin or pumpkin seeds, which is a huge plus.

Improve Your Eyesight

Vitamin A is important to keeping your eyes sharp and just one cup of cubed pumpkin contains about twice the recommended daily intake of this vitamin. For example, those who have the degenerative eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa, Vitamin A has been shown to slow down the disease process, according to Harvard researchers.

Vitamin A

Beside eyesight, Vitamin A will keep your bones, skin, and teeth healthy. Pumpkins also have carotenoids, which your body will convert into Vitamin A for the ultimate body protection. The above foods are other sources of Vitamin A that you can mix with pumpkin to make a well-rounded or a delicious soup.

Feel Full and Lose Weight

Since pumpkins have a lot of fiber, about 1.7 grams per ounce, they are a good dietary aid to lose weight. A one cup serving of pumpkin only has 49 calories, so not only will it keep you full, it will keep your calorie count for the day down as well.

Fiber-Rich Diet

Studies have shown that people who eat a fiber-rich diet lose weight faster and easier than those who did not. Fiber keeps you feeling fuller for longer periods of time, which helps you cut down on snacking or overeating. Along with feeling full, fiber helps your digestive health, which can also keep your weight in check.

Keep Cancer Away

According to the National Cancer Institute, beta-carotene may play a role in preventing cancer. While they do not know exactly what causes cancer, research has shown a diet rich in beta-carotene is correlated with reducing the risk of multiple kinds of cancers. So what has a good amount of beta-carotene? You guessed it, pumpkins.

Eat Pumpkin Regularly For The Most Benefits

Eating pumpkin on a regular basis has been shown to be better than taking a supplement of beta-carotene. In addition, seeds of the pumpkin have been linked of keeping certain cancers away as well. Basically, pumpkins are great at fighting cancer so they should be part of your regular diet.

Improve Your Mood

Not only can tryptophan help you relax and sleep better, but it can improve your mood as well. Tryptophan helps create serotonin, which is an important compound in controlling our mood. Serotonin is located in the brain and decreased levels have been linked with depression.

Increase Serotonin

Try eating a handful of pumpkin seeds every day for a few weeks so you can experience the mood benefits. Increasing your serotonin naturally can help you feel better and help fight depression. This is especially helpful if you suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Keep your diet rich in pumpkin to feel good all year round.

Protect Your Testicles

A study in Taiwan showed that pumpkin seed oil stopped the unhealthy growth of the prostate in male rats. The oil contains a lot of healthy nutrients, such as beta-carotene and zinc, which are crucial nutrients to male sexual health. Furthermore, these will help create healthy testosterone levels as well.

Sexual Health

Pumpkin seeds by themselves have about 2.75mg of zinc per quarter cup. This can help men’s sexual health because if men do not get enough zinc, their testosterone may lower after 20 weeks. Low testosterone can bring a variety of problems with it, such as low sex drive, so it is important to keep the levels at a healthy number.

Protect Your Skin

Since pumpkin has a good amount of beta-carotene in it, it will also help protect your skin. Keep your skin healthy and glowing by eating a good amount of pumpkin all year round. Beta-carotene will protect your skin from the sun and help decrease the amount of damage UV rays will have.

Wrinkle-Free

The carotenoids in the pumpkin will keep your skin looking young and wrinkle-free. Dermatologist Kenneth Beer says “Pumpkin is filled with vitamins C,E, and A, as well as powerful enzymes that help to cleanse the skin.”

Eat Pumpkin After a Workout

Need to refuel after a workout? Eat some pumpkin. One cup of cooked pumpkin has 564 mg of potassium. Potassium is an important electrolyte when it comes to helping your body recover properly. Furthermore, this aids your muscles in recovering because it is a necessary component for them to work as well.

Pumpkin Over Bananas

Bananas are known to be nature’s energy bar, but pumpkin actually has more potassium in them. Bananas have 422 mg where pumpkin has 564 mg so re-balance your electrolytes after working out with pumpkin. Take a pumpkin smoothie with you to the gym to drink after you are done with your workout.

Help Your Immune System

Does your immune system need a little boost? With everything thrown at it nowadays, all of our immune systems could use a little help from time to time. Vitamin C is vital to helping protect your immune system and pumpkins contains this nutrient.

Vitamin C

Cook up some pumpkin, because just one cup contains over 11 mg of Vitamin C. This is 20 percent of the recommended daily value for women. There has been some question as to whether Vitamin C helps keep the common cold away. While there has been no solid evidence to support whether it can keep you from getting sick, Vitamin C can help you recover faster.

Low in Calories

Are you looking for something to fill you up without loading you up with calories? Pumpkin has 49 calories per one cup. Furthermore, pumpkin does not have any cholesterol or saturated fat. This makes it a very good snack or addition to your meals because of the vitamins, nutrients, and lack of calories.

Makes a Good Snack

Throughout the day, you may find yourself needing to munch on something to keep your energy up and want something that does not have a lot of calories. Pumpkin or pumpkin seeds are a good option for this. They will keep you full while providing a lot of nutrients.

Keep You Regular

Like most people, you may not get enough fiber to keep your digestive system in good shape, to keep you regular, or a combination of the two. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, you should have between 20 and 35 grams a day. Are you eating that much fiber? Chances are probably not, so add some with pumpkin.

Digest Well

Not only does fiber keep you regular, but it helps you digest your food more efficiently. This aids your body in absorbing the nutrients from the food you are eating, which is an important part of staying healthy. Get the most out of your foods by keeping your digestive system in good working order.

Lung Cancer

Keep lung cancer away by eating pumpkin on a regular basis. According to Michael T. Murray, who is the author of The Condense Encyclopedia of Healing Foods, pumpkin has the compounds to help stop lung disease.

Pumpkin Puree

Pumpkin puree is an easier way to eat it to help keep lung cancer away. The puree can be put into stew, soup, or chili. You can also use it to bake some muffins or bread. There are various ways to use it in your cooking to improve your health and keep away cancer.

Bladder Health

Along with helping your prostate, pumpkin can improve your bladder health as well. Pumpkin seeds have been found to relieve symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This condition causes the prostate to enlarge, which causes problems urinating. The condition can be extremely frustrating, painful, and may need surgical intervention if it gets too bad.

Improved Bladder Function

Studies have shown that people who eat pumpkin seeds on a regular basis showed a better quality of life and reduced the symptoms of BPH. This improved their urination and helped control their overactive bladder. So skip the surgery and eat more pumpkin.

Improve Sperm

Trying to get pregnant or want to make sure your little guys are high quality when you are ready to have a baby? Pumpkin seeds have lots of zinc, which improves sperm quality.

Reduce Infertility

A study in mice found that pumpkin seeds help protect sperm from being damaged by autoimmune disease or chemotherapy. Furthermore, they help testosterone levels, which can also improve your overall sexual health. Be prepared by eating pumpkin year-round so you are ready to go when the time is right.

Cinnamon Toast Pumpkin Seeds

Now that we have covered the benefits of pumpkin, here are some recipes to get you started. Cinnamon Toast Pumpkin Seeds are simple to make and are perfect for fall weather. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Mix together 3 tablespoon of butter, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Toss 1 1/2 cups of pumpkin seeds in the mixture and put them on a baking sheet. Bake for about 40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are lightly brown.

Pumpkin Smoothie

Get your daily dose of pumpkin while on the go with a pumpkin smoothie. Drink it in the morning or after a rigorous workout. Blend together 16 ounces of pumpkin puree, 2 cups of milk, 1/4 cup of brown sugar, and 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon. Blend until smooth and enjoy.

Roasted Pumpkin

What better way to enjoy pumpkin than roasting it in the oven with applesauce?Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Mix together 2 cups of applesauce, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and salt and pepper to taste. Put this mixture into four small sugar pumpkins, place then in a baking dish, and cover with foil. Bake for 1 hour and 45 minutes or until the pumpkins are tender.

Pumpkin Oatmeal

Put 1 cup of rolled oats and 3/4 cup of milk in a bowl then cook for 1 to 2 minutes in microwave. Add milk as needed. Stir together 1/2 cup of pumpkin puree, 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon sugar and add into the rolled oats.

Along with diet and exercise, wearing the right clothing can either help or hinder someone’s appearance, especially when it comes to weight. Each season encourages terrible fashion trends that can make someone’s figure look shorter, wider, and overall unflattering. These are the styling mistakes to avoid so the camera won’t add ten pounds the next time your friend shares that photo on social media.

Reflective Clothing Makes Everything More Noticeable

For special occasions, you may want to wear an outfit with some fun flair, but pass on the reflective materials. Wearing a dress or jacket that is covered in shiny metals or sequins will catch every bit of light, causing the person to look bigger all over.

Flat fabrics are the better option for making the right kind of impression on a big night out.

The Wrong Undergarment Ruins Your Figure

Although you might think that no one can see your undergarments, it’s true that they affect your shape. Wearing the wrong bra can cause bumps to form on the back and sides, which no one wants!

Bulging should be avoided at all costs, it’s better to find a better-fitting bra. Many stores have sales assistants to help customers find the right one.

Leggings With Prints Call A Lot Of Attention

Printed leggings might be a fun temptation, but they won’t help you look any slimmer. Wild printed clothing draws attention to every part of your body it covers.

Especially in the case of tight clothing like leggings– keep the print at a minimal. Never buy a piece of clothing that is entirely covered in a print if you want to look slim.

Don’t Wear Horizontal Stripes… Just Don’t.

For a slimmer-looking figure, you want to look taller, not wider. So why would you wear horizontal stripes? This fashion mistake is one of the worst on the list.

Your eyes are drawn to follow the direction of a stripe, so you want the stripes on your clothing to be running up and down, not side to side.

Jackets Without Shape Aren’t Flattering

There are plenty of jacket options to choose from, so pick one that has some fit and shape to it. Avoid jackets that don’t have any contour to them, as they’ll leave you looking like one big shape.

Trying to hide body shape under a big jacket (even worse, one with large pockets!) would be a big mistake.

There’s one style of jacket in particular that you should never wear. That’s coming up.

Don’t Hide Your Neck With A Turtleneck!

For a slimmer-looking figure, it’s important to show the separation between your face and your shoulders. That means showing your neck!

The worst thing you could do is cover your neck with a chunky turtleneck that will make it look like your head goes straight into your shoulders. It’s best to wear a top that shows at least part of the skin on your chest.

Leave Jersey Netting To The Athletes

Sports fans might feel nostalgic wearing jerseys or clothing pieces made with jersey netting, but have you seen the stuff? Jersey material falls on every bump and bulge, like holding it under a microscope.

Jersey fabric accentuates your curves in the wrong way. Even layering this material is a no-no.

Skinny Jeans Accentuate Everything

Any clothing that is too tight won’t be flattering to your figure. In the case of skinny jeans, the pants hug every curve of your lower half, which will make any and every muscle look bigger.

Taking on fashion trends that aren’t flattering to your figure won’t get you the results you want looking in the mirror.

Cropped And 3/4 Pants Are The Worst!

Cropped pants, or pants that fall halfway between your knee and your ankle have come in and out of style over the decades. It’s best to just leave this fashion trend in the past, as it won’t help your legs look any slimmer.

Wearing pants with the 3/4 cut will make thighs look larger than they are.

Ditch The Puffy Coat

Let’s be honest, who hasn’t owned a big puffy coat at one time or another? Whether you thought it was a good deal at Costco or your mother sent you off to play wearing one, it’s time to make sure it’s out of your closet for good.

Large puffy jackets increase your overall volume and are not flattering for your figure whatsoever.

Coming up: an important lesson on layers.

Baggy Clothes Add More Volume

Some people might think throwing on a hoodie or a large t-shirt might make them look smaller, but in fact, the opposite is true. Baggy clothing adds more volume to your frame, which will always make someone appear heavier than they are.

It’s better to wear clothing that is better fitted to your body.

Embellishments Pack On The Material

Overall, light, fitted materials are the best to wear to avoid making yourself look heavier. The opposite is adding more unnecessary fabric.

Clothing that has embellishments including ruffles, bows, and large pockets can make a person look bulkier– and you don’t want that. Stick with the small adornments, if any.

Chunky Heels Can Look Bottom-Heavy

Yes, even your footwear can have an impact on how slim you look stepping out. Even if they’re your favorite color or pattern, it’s best to bypass the large, chunky heels at the store.

Larger size footwear can lead to your calves and overall legs appearing larger, too. Avoid this mistake that will make your overall look bottom-heavy. Remember – large heels, large legs.

Tight Clothing Makes It Look Like You Can’t Fit Into Your Clothes

Not only is wearing clothing that’s a size (or two!) too tight uncomfortable, but it’s not flattering either. You won’t be doing yourself any favors by wearing a top that’s a size too small, or forcing your figure into a pair of jeans that you’ll end up with your stomach spilling over.

An outfit with tight clothing will make you look like you can’t fit into your clothes.

Don’t Hide Under Layers

Someone might think that adding a vest or layering a collared shirt adds texture and might hide a bit of weight, but they’d be wrong. Adding more fabric to an outfit just adds more volume.

And having too many layers can hide your frame completely, resulting in one large shape that will only make someone look heavier.

There are two types of skirts you should never wear. Do you know which ones?

Patterns Don’t Belong On Pants

Patterns are best on blankets and wallpaper… not on your clothes. If you see plaid pants on display at a shop, just keep walking by. The same goes for pinstripe pants, camouflaged pants, or floral patterns.

Patterns will call attention to every inch of the body, making someone appear larger overall.

Long Skirts Can Make Someone Look Wider

Skirts and dresses can be tricky when it comes to the hem length. It’s important to dress appropriately and not show up with a skirt that’s too short. But having a tea-length skirt or dress can cause someone’s lower half to appear wider.

Avoid skirts and dresses with a hem length just above the ankle.

Skin-Tight Dresses Should Never Be An Option

More often than not, dresses are designed to show off shape. But that doesn’t mean that they should be tight everywhere. There’s no occasion that calls for skin-tight dresses– not even nightclubs.

It’s especially important to avoid tight dresses that have a pattern or bright colors. That will just multiply the problem!

Full Skirts Are Too Big

If you want to dress to appear slimmer, don’t buy a wide skirt! You can never hide weight under big clothing of any kind, it will only make someone appear larger.

In the case of full skirts, the style will make someone’s lower half appear wider. Just leave these skirts behind… let it go.

Chunky Plaids Never Lay Right

Plaid is one of those fabrics that’s so bold that it needs very careful styling to make work with every day outfits.

Unfortunately, a lot of chunky plaid often misses the mark and ends up looking stiff and unforgiving and drawing attention where you might not want it to.

Be Careful Where That Asymmetrical Shirt Is Hitting You

Asymmetrical shirts are a fun fashion statement. But sometimes they need extra attention.

If you’re caught in one without the right undergarment or in a shirt that hits a little too high or low on one side of your chest, sometimes the shirt can look ill-fitting even if it’s the right size.

Ankle Wrap Shoes Are A Bad Fad

Don’t forget about your footwear choice! And don’t always follow the trends. This is especially true with ankle wrap footwear. Experimenting with unique heels might be tempting, but it won’t make your appearance any slimmer.

Ankle wrap shoes and even ankle straps on heels can make someone’s figure appear shorter, instead of taller.

There Was A Reason We All Stopped Wearing Low Rise Jeans

This trend took the early 2000s and 90s by storm, but there was a reason we all started wearing high-waisted jeans again.

Besides feeling more secure, high-waisted jeans help us define our booties and achieve hourglass shapes. Two things that low-rise jeans just don’t usually do.

Chokers Just Close Up Your Neckline

This 90s trend is slowly being brought back into the fold, but chances are it’s not doing any of us any favors. Big chunky colored chokers often close up your neckline.

Pay careful attention to what kind of choker necklace you’re getting. Often times the thinner metallic ones help add a little bling and trendiness to your outfit without shortening your neck.

Maybe Skip The Tube Top This Summer

Tube tops are a great way to beat the heat, but sometimes they just accentuate the skin beside our underarms and cut off our chests.

A square-necked tank top is a great way to stay cool this summer without drawing attention where you don’t want to.

Asymmetrical Necklines

While they’re a fun way to dress up any normal shirt, asymmetrical necklines sometimes create an awkward cut across your body which can make your torso appear shorter.

Sometimes symmetrical shirts are the best move.

Cowl Neck Tops Never Quite Lie They Way We Want Them To

Cowl necks are the somewhat free spirited cousin of the turtleneck and just like them, they can often reveal more than we want them to.

All that loose fabric can create the illusion of there being more to someone’s body than there actually is.

Ballerina Flats Shouldn’t Be Center Stage

Even though they’re a crowd favorite, ballerina flats can sometimes start off on the wrong foot.

Since they don’t have much of a sole or heel to speak of, they often end up creating a shortening effect on your leg and making your ankle wider than it actually is. It’s much better to opt for a pair of sandals with a bit of a wedge to accentuate your height.

Crochet Is A No Way

Crochet adds a nice whimsical and boho vibe to any outfit. But the fabric is much stiffer and looks way stuffier than the carefree lifestyle it’s associated with.

Since crochet is so thick, it can often form an unforgiving tube around the body, and fails to accent any of our best features. Best to let the crochet stay at home.

Elastic Waistbands Are Not Your Friend

While they are so so so comfortable, if you’re looking for a flattering pant to leave the house with, don’t reach for the ones with an elastic waistband.

Oftentimes manufacturers will bunch the fabric up around the waist before sewing the band in, creating pleats or bunching to accommodate for stretching. But often that same technique creates a bubble of air around the mid-section that most people want to avoid creating.

Save The Feathers For The Birds

Don’t fly away and buy that feathered shirt just yet.

While very fashion forward, feathered shirts tend to only add volume not shape. And if they’re concentrated on the top half of you or on your neckline then you end up creating an illusion those areas are bigger than they are.

You may be surprised which trends some people are still sporting, from Crocs to baggy hoodies to unnecessarily bringing in flannel. Are you still wearing these outdated styles? Learn the harsh truth about which fashion trends are officially “out.”

Mismatching Patterns Are Too Much

On occasion, mismatching patterns can look good. Light grey on dark grey? Classic. But loud patterns–such as leopard print, plaid, polka-dots, or neon colors–shouldn’t be mismatched. At worst, it’s hard to look at, and at best, it’s boring.

It’s no secret that combining patterns doesn’t usually work (unless you’re in a music video). But combining bright shades of the same color can also make you look older. When in doubt, always pair loud colors or patterns with a neutral.

Keep reading to learn which common lipstick color is not fashionable.

Hot Pink Lipstick

Hot pink lipstick doesn’t look great on everyone. It may have looked classy in the twentieth century, but nowadays, we have so many colors of natural lipsticks. Why go for the most obnoxious color?

There are plenty of beautiful pink lipsticks that pop on different skin colors. Hot pink just blinds people, and it looks more like a costume than a fashion statement. As with most timeless makeup, subtle is better (unless it’s classy red lipstick!).

Coming up: when contouring goes too far…

Sheer Tops

Why some stores still sell see-through tops is a mystery. Although sheer tops may seem fun in theory, they’re actually a hassle. You have to pick a shirt or tank top to wear under it, which raises the stress level of putting on a shirt.

Why wear a top if it doesn’t cover anything? Fashion aside, clothes are meant to shelter us from the weather. The same goes for white shirts that end up being see-through. They just don’t look good.

Capris

Despite their popularity, Capri pants don’t look flattering on anyone. Their design is inherently flawed; they’re not pants, but they’re not shorts, which makes them always look like a mistake. Since they cut off above the ankle, they make peoples’ legs look shorter.

Because they’re a fashion Frankenstein, it’s no secret that Capris are notoriously hard to style. To pull them off, people often resort to a baggy shirt, which makes them look older. Just don’t buy Capris. Capeesh?

Crocs. Enough Said

Despite being invented in 2002, Crocs’ best year in sales ended up being in 2018. Our question is: why? Crocs are marketed as functional, comfortable shoes, but they’ve also become a meme because of how ugly they are.

Plus, the largest Croc trend happened in the early 2000s, and many people still think about this era when they see the shoe. During their popularity, kids would get their feet stuck in an elevator, meaning that they’re dangerous, too!

Overly-Thin Eyebrows

In the 1990s, thin eyebrows became the rage. Fashionistas in the punk scene would shave off their eyebrows and draw them back on. But these eyebrows don’t look real, and worse, they make you look older.

As we age, our hair thins–including our eyebrows. Thick, bushy eyebrows are back in style, probably because they represent youth. So don’t go overboard with the tweezers, and trust that your natural eyebrow shape is best suited to frame your face.

Applying Too Much Contour

There’s a fine line between highlighting your facial features and covering them with too much contour. When contouring is over-done, people can notice it instantly. Although Kim Kardashian and YouTubers may have popularized contouring, it does not look appropriate (or even fashionable) on everyday people.

In short, the “too much makeup” appearance is outdated. It may make you look older or as if you’re struggling to find makeup that matches your skin tone. If you want to contour, do so lightly.

Stay tuned to learn if you’re carrying around an “old lady” purse.

Tying A Flannel Around Your Waist

The 2010s seemed filled with revived ’90s trends, one of which is tying flannel shirts around the waist. These usually provided an accent for neutral skin-tight outfits of black workout pants and a nude shirt. But they don’t flatter the hips at all.

Flannel can look nice, but tying it around the waist just for fashion isn’t necessary. It widens the hips and changes a figure from natural to clunky. Either wear the flannel or don’t.

Poofy Teased Hair

Did people tease their hair in the ’70s and ’80s? You bet they did! Back then, big hair became a symbol of alternative punk culture. But nowadays, the hairstyle only reminds people of the ’80s. At best, teasing your hair may result in a ’90s do–which is still old!

Teasing and backcombing can also damage your hair because it can rip up your cuticle cells. It’s a recipe for ripping out your hair. Stick to soft, naturally-styled hair.

“Old Lady” Handbags

The style of a purse can age a person. Although vintage handbags can complement a look, “old lady” bags often appear stiff and boring. If your handbag is relatively small, rectangular, and a single color like beige or black, it’s probably an “old lady” purse.

Modern handbags look more loose and fun. They may have some creative patchwork or fun accent colors to make them look more youthful. Meanwhile, a boxy, dull purse may make you seem 20 years older.

This upcoming fashion brand used to be everywhere, and now it’s nowhere…

Foundation That’s Too Thick

Although thick foundation can cover any blemish and spot, it’s also noticeably overdone. The caky, full-covered foundation dates back to the ’90s when pale skin paired with mauve lipstick. It looks overdone–literally.

Nowadays, natural is always better. Thin foundations match your natural skin tone better and draw less attention. If you can see freckles or moles through your foundation, you’re in the clear. But unless you’re going on the red carpet or TV, skip the thick foundation.

Smoky Eye That’s Only Black

Back in the days of Avril Lavigne, punk rockers wore a smoky eye that was only black with all-around black eyeliner. Even Avril has moved on from the all-black smoky eye! The look has “early 2000s edgy teenager” plastered all over it.

Nowadays, people pair their smokey eyes with another color. It could be a bright color on top of the smokey eye or a lighter, sparkly shade in the middle. Either way, it looks much more elegant than all black.

Overly Baggy Jeans

Another trend that started and ended in the ’90s: baggy jeans, usually JNCO jeans. Wide, rectangular jeans don’t compliment anyone’s body type. They transform people into a tent. Even back then, they just looked silly.

Today, most jeans–even the wider styles–still show off some natural leg shape. If you look more like a robot than a human wearing pants, that’s a hard “no.” There’s a style of jeans for everyone, but none of them are JNCO.

Juicy Couture Anything

Remember when celebrities wore Juicy Couture tracksuits on the daily? Yeah, we do too. The nearly universal fashion trend has disappeared since the early 2000s, and today, they only sell on a discount. Even when one New York fashion director tried to bring them back on the runway, people weren’t having it.

The velvety sweatpants and sweatshirts just scream “outdated.” The sparkly stripes and bedazzled words on the butt just don’t look great in the 2020s. Although they’re comfy (arguably), they’re a fashion “no.”

Coming up: this color of tights never looks good!

Patterned Tights

A relic of the 1960s, patterned tights, are slowly coming back into the public eye with celebrities like Kate Middleton wearing them. Multi-colored tights are a clothing item that looks good in theory, but it doesn’t work for everyday life.

Patterned tights are notoriously hard to style. You’d need a neutral dress, and even then, multi-colored tights may look gaudy. Elaborate black lace tights can look good; yellow, red, and blue tights will probably blind anyone who walks by.

Metallic Clothing

The “futuristic” fashion of the 1960s resulted in skin-tight silver clothes. Believe it or not, metallic clothes reappeared on the 2013 runway, and it didn’t look much better. Even if it’s not skin-tight, it still looks “bleh.”

The material of metallic clothing just seems so…synthetic. It never curves or wrinkles in the right way, and the reflective surface only distracts from peoples’ natural body shape. You can’t subtly style this clothing, either; it has to dominate the entire look.

Skin-Toned Pantyhose

Nude tights can look great as long as they match your skin tone. If you wear tan hose that are a shade or two darker than your skin tone, you may look like a lot older than you actually are. It’s one of those fashion trends that’s reserved for grandmas.

Black, multi-colored, and sheer tights are always in style. When in doubt, you can never go wrong with bare legs.

Keep reading for a style of clothing that doesn’t look good on anyone.

Incredibly Bulky Necklaces

When heading to a fancy restaurant, a statement necklace can round out the look. But bulky, clunky jewelry doesn’t look great outside of royalty or a nice dinner party. It just looks unsophisticated and old.

You can’t go wrong with a smaller, subtler necklace. The jewelry compliments the look, but it doesn’t overtake it. In the same vein, don’t layer too many necklaces, either. That’s a ’70s style that shouldn’t come back in any era.

Glitter, Glitter Everywhere

Glitter on your clothes, your eyes, your face–sounds fun, right? It may have been fun when you were younger, but on adults, the glitter tends to be overkill. Going glitter may seem like you’re trying too hard.

Here’s how you know if you’re overdoing the glitter: if an entire article of clothing, from your shirt to your pants, is glittery, you’ve crossed the line. If glitter sprinkles most of your eyes or face, that’s out of fashion.

Shutter Shades

Decades ago, Kanye West popularized shutter shades for seemingly no reason. But the glasses were also in style during the ’80s, and before that, in the 1950s. Originally, they were called Venetian blinders, because you can’t see anything while wearing these glasses.

To start: are they glasses? Hardly. Shutter shades are bars over your eyes, which don’t help your eyesight in any way. They don’t look cool, either. They’re awkward all around and should never be sold again.

Shapeless Clothing

The shapeless, baggy dresses of the 1920s have no place in the 2020s. Wearing an over-sized shirt or skirt does nothing to flatter the figure. Inside of hiding less desirable features, shapeless clothing turns you into a blob.

No matter your body shape, a little style goes a long way. Over-sized clothes can make you seem older, larger, and plain lazy. Keep large shirts and dresses as pajamas, but don’t wear them as a fashion statement.

Tie-Dye Anything

In 2019, tie-dye returned to the runway to a mixed response. No matter how hard people try to push tie-dye, they can’t separate it from an association with hippies. Tie-dye shirts are also a cheap option for broke high schoolers and college students.

In the ’60s and ’70s, tie-dye was viewed as counter-cultural. Today, it’s basic. It’s everywhere, and it rarely looks good. It seems more like a quick DIY project than a thought-out style choice.

Turtlenecks

Turtlenecks have fluctuated in and out of fashion, from the ’50s to the ’80s to even the 2010s. But do they ever stop looking stuffy and uptight? Nope, they’re always too much. Scarves and collared shirts can protect your skin against the cold and look better.

Low turtlenecks, which stand up to the middle of the neck, can look nice in certain contexts. But turtlenecks that touch the chin are too much. They look suffocating.

Ugg Boots

Remember when everyone wore Ugg boots? Nowadays, hardly anyone sees another person in Uggs. The shoe has gone in and out of style since the 1980s. If you ask us, the boots should remain out of style. They never looked good in the first place.

Like Crocs, Uggs were designed for comfort, not appearance. But Uggs fail even at that. The flat sole provides no support, and with no circulation, Uggs are a recipe for feet sweat. Just no.

Trucker Hats

Please–anything but trucker hats. We’d rather see a thousand butterfly clips than these caps that have never looked good. These hats, with a mesh back and an obnoxious design on the front, are a fashion nightmare.

If trucker hats look like a company giveaway item, that’s because they were a standard promotional giveaway in the early 2000s. They appear cheap, campy, and bulky because they are cheap, campy, and bulky. Never bring these hats back.

Each New Year, many people promise to improve their health by exercising more. Starting on January 1st, new diet plans and exercise routines that were made, sadly, fail before they begin. Thankfully, there are some hacks here to help!

Here are ways to make your exercise and weight loss New Year’s resolutions work.

Set Realistic Goals

Arguably the most common resolution made on January 1st is to lose weight. Where they go wrong is the number of pounds people expect to drop.

Instead, set smaller goals that are more achievable. Come up with a plan of how you will go about accomplishing your mission.

Find The Root Of The Problem

Lots of people make resolutions to eat healthier in the upcoming year. Not many of them, however, know how to accomplish this. Identify the problem you want to solve.

Changes to diets can come by cutting down on salt intake, having more vegetables, or eliminating meat from your meals.

Break Up Your Resolutions Into Tinier Bites

Resolutions are meant to be long-term goals. The steps along the way need to be small and detailed. Outlining New Year’s resolutions and breaking them into mini categories makes organization easier.

If the goal is to climb a mountain, mapping out the path will make the journey less difficult.

Change One Thing At A Time

While there is nothing wrong with making a list of resolutions, doing them one at a time is the key to their success.

Rather than promising to drink more water, lower salt intake, and cut down on useless carbs, all in the same week, try accomplishing one thing per week.

Be Specific About What You Want To Accomplish

January 1st is when many resolutions, like wanting to lose weight, are made. They are typically too vague, which leads to failure.

Be specific about what it is you want to accomplish. If weight loss is a goal, write down how many pounds you want to lose and when.

Have A Backup Plan

Batman is not arrogant enough to go to a battle without a backup plan. Making resolutions, sticking to them, and finding ones that work is challenging.

Weather, sick kids, or a call into work might delay workout plans, so doing yoga or cycling at home could be an alternative.

Create An Atmosphere For Your Success

Most resolutions that flourish are the result of proper organization. Making more efficient use of time before going to the gym, for example, allows you to concentrate on the workout alone.

Instead of wasting precious minutes deciding what to wear to the gym, lay everything out the night before.

Don’t Just Make A Statement…Write It Down

When people look into their mirrors and make resolutions, it is just lip service. Instead of speaking about what you will do, write it down.

Someone new to working out should put it into a statement to themself like, “I’m going to start working out __ times per week.”

Avoid The Quick-Fix Guarantees

Fitness resolutions take time to accomplish. Online there are all sorts of advertisements and posts claiming to shorten weight loss time or boost muscle growth without putting in the work.

Magic pills and quick-fix diet plans rarely succeed. After schemes fail, those unsightly pounds make their return.

Variety Is The Spice Of Life

Mix up your exercise routine. Many people stop working out because what they do has become boring.

Switch things around from day to day. You can walk daily and divide the week by doing Yoga, lifting weights, and finding a group class to join once or twice weekly.

Water! Water! Water!

Drinking water regularly is what everyone, not just those exercising, should be practicing. When you do not consume enough water, it can negatively affect your mood, concentration, and physical performance.

While working out, find a fountain or bring water instead of slurping down energy drinks with too much sugar.

“Rome Was Not Built In A Day!”

“Rome wasn’t built in a day” is a saying with a hidden meaning. To accomplish great things, like building a great city like Rome, takes time and will not happen overnight.

Improving a diet plan, like cutting out unhealthy foods, should be something done in moderation, not cold turkey.

“Jump Around!”

Once you have been working out regularly, calories will burn even when seated. So moving more, even slightly, will increase the number of calories flying away.

Walking or biking to work instead of taking public transit or driving your car, if possible, are subtle ways to increase daily movements.

Keep Track Of Your Progress

The best way to know how well or poorly you are doing is to keep track of your progress. Like keeping a journal, writing down the moments, you have made positive results daily goes a long way.

Recording your weight every day will show the fruits of your labor.

Measure The Unmeasurable

Stay with us on this one. Weight and pounds are things that can be measured, but there are also positive achievements that cannot be quantified.

Healthier eating is hard to track by itself, but checking off every time you sit down to eat a nutritious meal can be monitored.

Make And Celebrate The Small Victories

Every time you clear a hurdle in the race toward your New Year’s exercise resolution, time should be spent enjoying it. Setting goals and accomplishing them regardless of size and importance is not easy.

Drinking more water or walking further distances each week are mini-success stories to be celebrated.

Applaud Yourself After Every Win

Provided you do not get a concussion from patting yourself on the back; it is completely acceptable to celebrate accomplishments.

Positively acknowledge any progress you get. Hooting and hollering about your own success helps keep you on the right path. Encouragement, even from ourselves, helps to maintain focus.

Create, Target, And Hit A Deadline

While you do not have to be Tom Cruise because you have a mission to accept or deny that expires, deadlines help accomplish resolutions.

Motivation can come from setting the target date to be the same date as an event. Birthdays and holidays months apart are excellent deadline days.

Still Create A Long-Term Goal

Resolution makers should remember one thing. To cross the finish line, people need to see it and ensure it is visible and in plain sight.

It is encouraged to make and monitor progress in small steps, provided there is a target. The goal has to be attainable long term.

Patience Is A Virtue

Coming up with successful exercise or weight loss resolutions requires time and patience. This is not an exact science. Sometimes people have to find what works for them through trial and error.

If there is something you are doing that is not working, explore all other available options.

Grade Yourself After Every Month

Allow yourself to become a teacher and create a monthly report card to grade your progress, successful accomplishments, and suggestions for improvement.

Giving yourself a mark allows opportunities to find solutions for what might not be working. Perhaps the time of your workout or eating schedule needs to be adjusted.

Eyes On The Prize! It’s About “How,” Not “What!”

Focusing on how you will accomplish exercise goals carries more weight than what they are. In basketball, the “what” is scoring more baskets than the other team, and good coaching provides the “how.”

Sometimes another set of eyes can spot things our eyes cannot and provide ways to improve.

Surround Yourself With Support

Nobody has ever achieved or accomplished their goals on their own. Everyone could benefit from having people around to help keep them on track.

Family, friends, or whoever you trust, surround yourself with those who have your best interests in mind. Shed toxic negativity like it was weight.

Find A “Resolutions Tag-Team Partner”

Since familiarity breeds content, find someone to climb the mountain with you. Numerous studies have shown more positive results come from people working out together.

Motivation and accountability are challenging enough for people to have individually. Together workout partners can create routines set for specific days and times.

Enlist Support Online Or Create A Group

Fitness and health are just as much mental as they are physical. Online support can be found for almost any issue, and struggling to maintain a resolution of importance is one.

Many people find groups helpful because it is easier to progress when they realize they are not alone.

Post Your Resolutions Via Social Media

Using Instagram, Facebook, and other Social Media to post your resolutions forces accountability and provides extra pressure.

Posting can be used as a tool for tracking progress like a journal. The difference is that people online can call you out when you deviate from the plan, a diary cannot.

Seek Out Daily Inspiration

Superman and Wonder Woman work well alone, but sometimes even they need help getting out of bed in the morning. Find yourself a source of inspiration to follow and guide you every day.

Currently, apps have been designed to boost confidence and complement and reassure users about their progress.

Embrace Technology And Use It

Technology is attached to more ears and fingertips today than it ever has. Phones and other devices like “FitBit” can be programmed to monitor progress and display results before, during, and after working out.

The number of apps and devices that are free, reasonably priced, and available is limitless.

Mistakes Happen, So Forgive Yourself

Slip-ups along your path to making your exercise resolutions work are understanding that mistakes are bound to happen.

Indulging in food that violates vows to improve diet occurs occasionally, but a strong workout routine allows for this, or skipping the odd exercise day. Pick yourself back up and continue.

Believe What Your Mirror Says

When you look into the mirror, smile, and tell your reflection, you believe in it. For successful results from your resolutions, there needs to be self-confidence.

Although confidence building takes time and can be a resolution, there is no room for defeating yourself. Trust you’re doing what’s right.

Contrary to popular belief, there is no need for a pricey gym membership. There are easy at-home cardio exercises people can do — and they don’t include running around the block!

From jumping lunges to utilizing those stairs for more than walking to bed, here are some easy at-home cardio moves to get that heart rate up.

Stationary Knee-Lifts

Stationary knee-lifts is a beginner exercise that involves lifting one knee at a time while standing still in one spot.

This exercise can be done seated or using the bottom step of a staircase if there are balance issues. Raise the knees higher and go a bit faster to increase the intensity.

Single Leg Stand

Single leg stands begin with the feet together or inches apart. With the knees slightly bent, lift one leg to a comfortable height off the floor.

Hold that position for no more than 20 seconds before putting the foot back down. Repeat the steps for the opposite leg.

Jogging In Place

Bounce lightly from one foot to the other to execute this exercise. Swing the arms from side to side while bouncing.

Jogging in place can be done as a warm-up before any workout. Jogging increases the heart rate, and the intensity raises with higher speed levels. It is a simple exercise that has people sweating in no time.

Skipping Without A Rope

Proper execution of this exercise involves jumping up and down with the feet together while swinging the arms in a circular motion as if you’re holding a jump rope.

Skipping without the rope is less intense than with one and provides an alternative to jogging in place. Skipping can be incorporated with a warm-up routine.

Dancing (Like No One Is Watching!)

Dancing is fun and burns calories at the same time. Find a suitable area to dance, preferably an open space, and select music that matches the desired intensity.

The focus of this exercise should be on moving the arms and legs simultaneously and not on what type of dance is being done.

Arm Circles

Regardless of a person’s intensity or skill level, this exercise is a good option since arm circles can be done seated or while standing up.

In a circular motion, rotate the arms both clockwise and counterclockwise. People with limited arm mobility can still do arm circles by extending their arms further and making smaller circles.

Jumping Jacks

The nice thing about jumping jacks is they can be done almost anywhere. Start with arms down at the side and the feet hip-width apart.

Jump with the feet apart while raising the arms to the sides straight in the air. Jump back to starting position bringing the arms back into the body.

Snow Angels While Lying Down

Making snow angels or windshield wipers works many areas of the body. Start by lying flat on the back, keeping the feet flat.

Place the lower back on the floor while tucking in the pelvis. Slightly bend the hands and raise them towards the head and back down to the starting position.

Squat Jumping

Squat jumps start by standing with the feet hip-width apart and arms at the sides. Bend with the knees into a squat position.

Jump in the air and extend the hips until the body is straight, landing on the feet with soft knees to protect the spine. Use different arm movements repetitively for increased difficulty.

Skipping With A Rope

Adding a rope to skipping instantly increases the intensity level from beginner to intermediate.

The next way to ramp up this exercise is to alternate between jumping with both feet or from one foot to the other. Boxers vary the arm movements and positions as an advanced skipping routine.

Squat to Front Kick

To perform a squat to a front kick, begin with the feet hip-width apart and arms down at the body’s sides. Squat down while bending at the knees.

While returning to a standing position, kick the leg forward and then repeat the steps kicking with the other leg. Squat to front kick immediately challenges the person’s balance, increasing core strength along with legs.

Trunk Twists

Trunk twists are an excellent cardio and core workout. Hold the arms at shoulder height and twist in a side-to-side motion from the torso, getting the core in.

Performing the twists while holding heavy objects at chest height, such as weights, kettlebells, or an exercise ball, will increase the difficulty.

Jumping Lunges

Jumping or “Screamer” lunges are done by standing with feet hip-width apart. Extend the right leg back to a lunge position.

Push off with the right foot lifting the right knee hip high. Return to a standing position and try ten lunges, then repeat using the left leg.

Stair Climbing

For most people, climbing stairs is an exercise performed daily. There is no need to leave the house or yard for a gym! Whether it is an indoor or outdoor staircase, simply start at the bottom step and step up at least two stairs at a time.

Intensify the workout by running faster or with dumbbells.

Lateral Shuffles

Proper lateral shuffles are typically a warm-up routine for football players or speed-skaters, as it gets their hips moving and their legs warm.

Starting at one end of the room while slightly squatting, shuffle with the feet coming together before shuffling out and forward again. Increased speed and squat depth intensify this workout, as well as using a resistance band.

Mountain Climbers

Mountain climbers are for advanced athletes and workouts. Start in a pushup position with the right leg extended backward and the left leg near the chest with toes on the ground.

With the hands on the ground, hips level, switch the positions of the legs quickly. Continue alternating legs.

Burpees

To execute a burpee, start the body in a pushup position. Push off the balls of the feet, bringing the knees into the chest, landing in a squat.

Jump from the squat, raising the hands up and gently landing back into a squat. Put the hands on the floor underneath the shoulders.

Burpees (Continued)

With the hands still on the floor, explode the legs back into the starting position of the burpees.

Burpees are an advanced total body exercise and an excellent way for people to improve their cardiovascular system. Someone seeking an increased level of intensity can push up using a Bosu ball.

Bear Crawling

The full-body exercise called bear crawls begins in the pushup position with the hands shoulder-width apart and stacked underneath the wrists and shoulders.

Keep the knees off the ground and bent while crawling forward by alternating both leg and arm movements. With a straight back, also keep the hips and shoulders at the same height.

Inchworms

While standing, reach down briefly, touching the toes before walking the hands into a pushup position.

Do a pushup, walk the feet toward the hands, lifting the hips up like the downward dog yoga position. Before walking the hands back to a pushup, closely inch the feet towards the hands.

Squat Jumping

For a squat jump, start standing with the feet at least hip-width apart. Sit down back into a squat as low as possible with the heels down.

Swing the hands back while squatting. Then while exploding up out of the squat, reach the hands overhead before landing back in a squat.

Roller Skating or Rollerblading

Most people cannot rollerblade or roller skate inside the house but can do so safely on their streets, sidewalks, or neighborhood paths.

Skating with inline skates or roller skates both assist in the improvement of the body’s balance, core, and leg strength. Inline skates wheel alignment helps to ease ankle pressure.

Towel Taz

The Towel Taz exercise requires a bath towel or bedsheet as the only prop. This drill is a full-body cardio workout that works the shoulders, core, and legs.

The goal is to move as quickly as possible in every direction while shaking the towel or sheet hard and quickly.

Modified Push-Ups

Push-ups alone might not be enough of a cardio workout, but it is a great strength exercise that increases the heart rate. While push-ups do increase upper body strength, they can be an excellent way to speed up cardio levels and increase core strength.

Adding an explosive movement in and out of the push-up can advance the exercise.

Box Jumps

Box jumps can be done inside or outside of the house. Performing a box jump is similar to the standing leg jump in track and field.

With the feet shoulder-width apart and arms to the sides, squat down and then explode up and land on the second step, box, or any other prop that is able to hold your bodyweight.

Box Shuffles

Stand facing forward beside the bench or whatever is being used. Place the foot next to the box on top of it.

Squat down and jump up and over the box, landing on the other foot. Once over the box, explode and land on the other foot.

Butt Flicks/Kicks

This is an exercise for beginners or for injury-recovery purposes. Alternatively, flick or kick the legs backwards to touch the backside from a standing position.

Anyone dealing with tight quadriceps (a muscle in the thigh) will instantly notice a slight stretching of the thighs. Butt kicks are a great warm-up exercise.

Donkey Kicks

To perform a donkey kick, first, go down to all fours on the floor, and have the palms facing down at the sides. Push through your heels while inhaling, raising your butt and back off the ground.

Squeeze glutes at the top, slowly lowering the back to the ground. Repeat as necessary.

Scissor Kicks

Begin the exercise in a standing position. Kick one leg quickly out in front and then follow it with the other leg.

Keep bouncing from one leg to the other while continuing to kick the legs out in front. It’s important to remember not to lean back too far.

Squat Thrusts

Squat thrusts are an advanced option for the fast mountain climber exercise. Keep both legs together instead of jumping and alternating legs.

Make sure to have both feet together and knees between the elbows while jumping forward. Brace the core muscles while jumping back without sagging the hips.

While you might’ve heard that cardio is the best way to burn the most calories, others might tell you that weight training is the way to go. Regardless of what method you choose, you want to pick an exercise that will burn calories both in the heat of the moment and for hours after you leave the gym.

Intense workouts will have your body craving oxygen afterward to recover and repair your muscles, which in turn will burn more calories in the long run. From the average run to climbing stairs, these are the best exercises for burning calories.

One of these exercises will encourage you to get in the ring and release all your stress!

Jumping Rope Is Easy And Effective

Jumping rope was likely something you did all the time as a kid but as it turns out, it’s also a great fat-burning exercise. Jumping at a rate of 120 skips per minute can burn up to 990 calories per hour.

If you want to up the ante with this simple exercise, using a weighted jump rope will engage your arms and shoulders and potentially help define those muscle groups.

Sprinting Burns Calories In A Short Amount Of Time

Sprinting up a hill or a flight of stairs can burn more than 900 calories per hour. You’ll want to sprint with maximum effort at a pace you can keep up for 20 seconds, then follow with a recovery run at half of that intensity for double the time.

Sprinting is a great way to burn a lot of calories in a short amount of time, while the recovery gives your lungs time to absorb more oxygen that your blood distributes to your muscles.

Kickboxing Burns Calories And Tones Your Body

Kickboxing can not only burn more than 800 calories per hour, but it also gives you a full body workout. It has the ability to burn fat while toning your muscles because it combines cardio with strength training.

Because you’re constantly moving, you’ll also improve your endurance. Just be sure to take short 30-second breaks in between sparring since one of the most important aspects of kickboxing is learning when to breathe throughout the workout.

Read on to see which piece of gym equipment is better than your average dumbbell.

Cycling At High-Intensity Intervals Will Evaporate Fat

If cycling outdoors is more your thing, try incorporating high-intensity interval training into your routine if you want to burn more fat than you usually do. Riding at a steady rate relies on your fat stores but increasing your intensity will burn more calories both during and after your ride.

This type of cycling burns more than 800 calories per hour, while the intervals will increase your lactate threshold, making you a faster rider in the long run.

Running Helps You Burn Calories Throughout The Day

Runners continue to burn calories long after they’ve completed their daily jog. Running at a steady pace will set your body up to continue to burn calories over the rest of the day.

We’ve already gone over the calorie-burning benefits of sprinting, so incorporating short bursts of faster running into your run will give the most post-workout burn. Someone who can do a 10-minute mile burns more than 800 calories in an hour.

Kettlebell Circuits Will Keep You Burning For Three Days

Kettlebell circuits can burn anywhere from 500 to 900 calories per hour depending on the intensity and length of your workout. Unlike dumbbells, the weight in kettlebells isn’t distributed evenly and their off-set center of gravity forces you to be more controlled.

A fluid circuit with no rest between each move will give you the best results while alternating between upper- and lower-body moves will increase your endurance. Kettlebell circuits will have you burning calories for 36 hours after your workout.

It’s something we do almost every day, but the exercise coming up can have more calorie-burning benefits than you think.

Stationary Bikes Will Encourage You To Work Hard

People who enjoy SoulCycle and similar classes burn more than 700 calories per hour. Stationary bikes encourage you to work harder to get a real workout in, while also strengthening your back, leg, thigh, and hamstring muscles.

A great way to keep the calories burning on a stationary bike is to start with ten seconds of intense pedaling, meaning at least 100 RPMs. After following with 50 seconds of rest, keep increasing time spent intensely pedaling while decreasing rest time, turning up resistance as you go along.

Rowing Machines Require Your Full Body

Rowing machines offer a great low-impact workout that really gets your heart racing. They target your back, shoulders, the pulling muscles in your arms, your glutes, thighs, and your calves without you ever having to lift your feet off the ground.

Depending on the machine’s wattage, people who use them can burn more than 700 calories an hour. Rowing intensely at one-minute intervals while taking 30- to 60-second active rests (by planking, squatting, etc.) will give you the maximum benefit.

Stair Climbing Is Convenient And Efficient

Simply opting for the stairs whenever you have the chance is another way to burn more calories. Stair climbing improves your cardiovascular fitness, while also developing the strength in your leg muscles.

Someone who climbs 77 steps per minute can potentially burn more than 600 calories in an hour. You can boost the intensity of a stair-climbing workout by carrying one- to five-pound dumbbells in each hand to work your upper body as well.

Coming up is a gym machine you might see people use all the time, but what exactly is it doing to your body?

Strength Training Does More Than Burn Calories

Strength training is the perfect option for someone who wants to build muscle while also burning calories in the process. Lifting weights can help protect your bone and muscle mass, help you develop better body mechanics, and boost your energy levels.

While strength training doesn’t burn as many calories as cardio-based exercises, it does increase your resting metabolism. To get the maximum benefits, some trainers suggest working your muscles to exhaustion during each set, while focusing on movements that employ more muscle groups.

Employ The Metabolic Resistance Method In Your Circuit Training

Resistance training circuits, like strength training, gives you calorie-burning benefits. If you employ the metabolic resistance training method, you can burn more than 500 calories an hour.

If what you’re used to is doing 30 seconds of work with 20 seconds of rest in between each exercise in a circuit, try decreasing your rest time. Maintaining a high-intensity (but not the maximum) throughout the workout will give you the most benefits.

Elliptical Machines Are Involved But Low-Impact

Elliptical machines are a popular option at the gym if you want to burn calories with a low-impact exercise. These machines mimic the natural movement of your feet and legs, which reduces the strain on your joints, and also works out your chest, back, triceps, and biceps.

The exercise you get from elliptical machines is already very involved but if you really want to work yourself, vary your pace, the incline, and levels of resistance the machine offers.

Read on to see which demanding exercise is one of the most effective exercises to include in your circuit training.

Battle Ropes Will Work Your Muscles In New Ways

Battle ropes are a simple, yet versatile fitness tool. These heavy ropes can be used in a myriad of ways, especially if you’re looking for a high-intensity interval workout that is low-impact.

Using battle ropes will workout your entire back, arms, abs, and glutes– even encouraging you to work these muscles in different ways. Battle ropes burn more than 400 calories and possibly even more if you decide to incorporate jumps, lunges, or squats.

The Flow Of Power Yoga Will Keep You Burning

If yoga is more your speed but you want to get more out of it, try a power yoga workout. Power Vinyasa flow classes encourage you to match your movement with your breath as you move through a continuous flow of various poses.

Most yoga classes are at least an hour long, so one power yoga class can oust at least 550 calories from your body. Some studios and gyms even offer power yoga with the use of small weights for more of a challenge.

Burpees

Burpees might fill some fitness gurus with dread but even they can’t deny the fact that the demanding exercise has tremendous benefits. A popular exercise to include in circuit training, burpees combine push-ups and jump squats to improve your physical conditioning.

Not only do the push-up and squat aspects of burpees increase your own physical strength, but this exercise will also improve your endurance. Good for weight loss and heart health, burpees alone can burn more than 600 calories per hour.

Whether you prefer hitting the slopes or taking a dip in the pool, there are still calorie-burning exercises you can implement coming up

Cross-Country Skiing Will Burn Your Calories Into The Snow

If you enjoy picking up a pair of cross-country skis in the Winter, we have good news. Cross-country skiing can burn up to 20 calories per minute, which adds up to 1,000 calories in one hour. Experienced skiers can achieve this by pushing and pulling at the same rate you would run.

But contrary to running, cross-country skiing will workout not just your legs, quads, and glutes, but also your outer thigh abductors, your core, and your obliques.

Skinning Will Melt All Those Calories Away

An alternative to cross-country skiing would be skinning. Skinning involves skiing uphill or on a level surface and requires special bindings for your skis that will allow you to move your feet up and down as if you were hiking.

Skinning is a strenuous snow activity that can burn up to 18 calories per minute, pretty much burning as much fat as cross-country skiing does. Your hamstrings, glutes, and quads get the best benefits from this workout.

Swimming Will Dissolve Your Caloric Worries

Swimming is a fun water-based activity that can also give you a great workout. Depending on your stroke combined with the duration and intensity of your swim, you can burn anywhere from 400 to 700 calories.

The faster you swim, the more distance you cover, which is why the freestyle stroke has the most potential to burn calories. Alternatively, a breaststroke will allow you to swim longer and more consistently.

Jump Squat All Those Calories Away

Tabata jump squats have the potential to burn more than 13 calories per minute, while also doubling the rate at which you’ll continue to burn calories after you finish exercising. Squat jumps involve lowering yourself into a squat position before jumping as high as you can.

Doing this exercise repeatedly will be sure to wear you out but you’ll also be improving your conditioning and developing the strength of your leg muscles.

Taekwondo Burns Calories And Teaches Self-Defense

Taekwondo is a form of martial arts that actually burns more than 700 calories per hour. With a dynamic series of punching and kicking drills, learning to block, and core-strengthening stretches and exercises, taekwondo will not only help you burn fat but is also a good form of self-defense training.

A form of Korean martial arts, “tae” refers to “foot” or “to step on,” “kwon” means “fist” or “fight,” and “do” refers to “discipline.”