Forget Waist-Up Wearable Tech: Smart Shoes on the Way? | Health and Burn Weight

Many analysts say wearable technology such as Google Glass is the wave of the future, and in India, they're getting on board with smart shoes that connect to your phone via Bluetooth. The shoes vibrate when you need to turn and count footsteps as well as calories burned. Watch this Time video to learn more. July 30, 2014 at 02:14AM

10 Things That Mess With Your Period | Health and Burn Weight

Reasons why your period is heavy, erratic, or missing altogether—and what to do about it. July 29, 2014 at 02:14AM

7 Ways to Stop Procrastinating | Health and Burn Weight

Choices are never easy, especially when it comes to life's big ones. Phoebe, 39, came to see me one day, distraught after learning from a doctor that she might not be able to conceive. "How long have you been trying?" I asked. "On and off for eight months," she told me. Even though she had always wanted a baby and had been married for seven years, she confessed that she'd had a lot of trouble committing to getting pregnant. She didn't understand why; in fact, she'd had a similar problem deciding whether or not to marry her (very) long-term boyfriend, to the point that she almost lost him.



Of course, getting married and starting a family aren't decisions you enter into lightly, but Phoebe had a major case of life procrastination. That's what I call voluntarily putting off something you truly want to do, despite knowing that you'll probably be worse off because of the delay.



People tend to think of procrastination in terms of concrete to-dos—waiting until the last minute to turn in a work report, say, or paying bills late. But it can also take hold when making life decisions both small and large, from Should I join a gym? to Do I ask for a raise? These missed opportunities can damage your career or relationship and also give you a nagging, frustrating feeling that you're stuck in a rut of your own making.



MORE: 12 Ways We Sabotage Our Mental Health



Research shows that about 20 percent of adults are chronic procrastinators, but many more of us occasionally put off until tomorrow what we need—and even want—to do today. Yet for the most part, we don't realize that it's happening or that, in the process, we're undermining our own happiness. Procrastinators tend to be far more stressed than those who don't have this habit; they get sick more often, too. If you can suck it up and act, however, you'll find your day-to-day a lot more pleasant and rewarding: Your mind will be released from all that ruminating and second-guessing, paving the way for other opportunities. After all, life is richest when filled with milestones and accomplishments—not with regrets of what you should've and would've done, if only.



So why would a woman push off a marriage or baby she really wants? Why would someone stay in a job she no longer likes? It's not that they're lazy or overly laid-back. Life procrastinators may dread failure. They may have a fear of success, an urge to be defiant, a perfectionist streak or a need to take risks—all of which can get in the way when trying to make a decision. Take my diagnostic quiz to see if you are a life procrastinator, then keep reading to discover what's driving your indecision and find real-world solutions that will finally set you free.



'I don't want to fail'



If you're so afraid of being bad (or, worse, just OK) at something that you'd rather not try it at all, here's a news flash: You're a perfectionist. Perhaps you hardly ever work out because you'd feel terrible if you killed yourself at the gym but couldn't lose the last 10 pounds or hone that six-pack. Carrying this to the extreme, you may also believe that you are only lovable and worthwhile if your performance at everything is nothing less than outstanding.



MORE: 19 Natural Remedies for Anxiety



Try this: The next time you're hemming and hawing over something you could crash and burn at, take a page from Sheryl Sandberg and tell yourself, Done is better than perfect. Chances are, no one will notice if the results aren't up to your exacting standards; they'll just be impressed that you got results, period.



'I'm afraid of being successful'



On the flip side, some of us become paralyzed by imagining that if we excel, we will be expected to keep performing at that level. Or we freak out that the achievement would change our lives in unpredictable and uncontrollable ways. Concerns you may have: If I ask for that promotion and get it, who's going to help out with the kids if I have to put in more hours at the office? Are my work friends going to stop inviting me to lunch?



Try this: Accept uncertainty. The reality is that any choice you make (even if you decide to keep things status quo) will have upsides and downsides. Imagining the potential negatives (My friend at work will be so jealous) and telling yourself that it will work out (She'll deal, or else I'll find a new confidant) can help you stop obsessing and start doing. Worried that you'll be less available for your loved ones? That's a classic fear of success. Keep in mind that if and when you accept a new position or job, you can set boundaries at the outset. Thing is, you can't do that unless you apply first.



'I don't want to be told what to do'



You aim—fine, you need—to be in charge. You probably grew up with an authoritarian parent who was very controlling. Unfortunately, now you're asserting yourself by delaying things that must be addressed, like making basic updates to your circa-1950s kitchen. Your story is: "Hey! No one can order me around!"—even though no one really is—"I'll do it on my terms!" Which may be never.



Try this: When you find yourself resisting a change, ask yourself how you're really feeling at heart. Indecision often masks anxiety, sadness or anger. Perhaps your parents were always fighting about money, so even though you have the cash to renovate, you feel stressed-out about spending it. Figuring out which emotion is stopping you from acting can make a decision clearer because it becomes more obvious that the conflict over taking action is coming from you. In other words, you are fighting only yourself.



'I get a rush out of doing things last-minute'



Some put-offers aren't anxious at all: They thrive on the excitement of scrambling to hit deadlines, often because they find the daily grind boring—and boredom terrifying. A thrill seeker who wants to go on some fantasy vacation, such as a boat cruise in the Galapagos, may delay purchasing tickets but keep checking to see how many spots are left until, finally, she is forced to commit because the trip is almost booked.



MORE: 25 Surprising Ways Stress Affects Your Health



Try this: If you're always telling yourself that you're at your best when under pressure, prove it (in a small, innocuous way). Do a task—like tossing in a load of laundry or completing your expenses at work—at the last minute, as usual. Then one day perform that same chore ahead of schedule. You'll most likely notice that your overall routine seems a little saner and that you have more free time on your hands when you knock stuff off early. Even better: You'll have a full underwear drawer—and a cool trip to look forward to.



3 Everyday Ways to Just Do It

Quick tips that will help you tackle those little things you put off, courtesy of John Perry, PhD, author of The Art of Procrastination.



NAG YOURSELF

It's hard to ignore in-your-face reminders. Put Post-its on the fridge at night with a list of errands for the next day. Program your computer to send alerts, or try a task-manager app like Any.do. Place the bag of clothes to return to the store right by the door so you have to take it with you.



THINK OF AN OMINOUS TASK

Maybe it's changing the oil in your car or cleaning out the attic. Soon you'll find yourself doing what you really need to do because it's better than the dreaded chore. It's all relative: Some activities may be mundane, but they're not nearly as bad as an oil change.



MAKE TINIER TO-DOS

For instance, instead of writing, Send thank-you cards, jot down, 1. Find thank-you cards. 2. Write them out. 3. Address envelopes. Why it works: The thrill of checking off all those little tasks makes you feel so successful that you're revved to keep on going. Mission, accomplished.



July 29, 2014 at 02:14AM

FDA Approves Painkiller Designed to Deter Abuse | Health and Burn Weight

The FDA approved a new drug that combines oxycodone with another drug that will make the pills useless if patients crush them to get high. The FDA has been under growing pressure to fight the national epidemic of prescription opioid abuse. Watch this Time video to learn more. July 26, 2014 at 02:14AM

This is the First Woman Ever to Qualify For 'American Ninja Warrior' Finals | Health and Burn Weight

Kacy Catanzaro, a former Division 1 gymnast, became the first woman to reach the finals of NBC's competition show 'American Ninja Warrior.' Watch the 5-foot Catanzaro totally dominate the obstacle course. July 18, 2014 at 02:14AM

6 Things You Should Know About Water (But Probably Don't) | Health and Burn Weight

Whatever the latest food trend—chia seeds, coconut flour, kale chips—you're on it. But you might be skimping on the most basic thing you can do for your health: chugging enough water.



"I see this happening a lot with busy women," notes Pamela Peeke, MD, professor of medicine at the University of Maryland and author of Body for Life for Women. "They become so absorbed with work, answering e-mails and texting that they neglect to grab a water bottle." Soon they're parched and draggy.



Other signs of mild dehydration: muscle cramps, dizziness and headaches. Women who are even slightly dehydrated may find it harder to concentrate than those who aren't, according to a recent study in The Journal of Nutrition. And if your body is regularly running low on water, you're more likely to be constipated, too.



Dehydration tends to happen most during the summer months. "On top of transporting nutrients to your cells and protecting your kidneys, water regulates body temperature," Dr. Peeke explains. As you heat up, your skin starts pumping out water to cool you off, which can put you at a deficit if you're not careful. But don't sweat it—our expert guide makes it easy to stay quenched all season long.



Related: 15 Surprising Causes of Dehydration



How much fluid should I drink every day?

You've probably heard you should have eight glasses daily, but it turns out that's a little low. (This popular recommendation has been around mainly because it's easy to remember—8 ounces eight times per day.) "A good baseline is 2.2 liters, or about 9 cups of fluid a day," Dr. Peeke says. You may need even more if you're overweight, live at a high altitude or are working in extremely hot weather, all of which are dehydrating factors. Experts agree that your best gauge is that time-tested one: checking your pee. "You want it to be the color of lemonade," says Kim Larson, RDN, spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. If it's medium to dark yellow, down a glass, stat. Sorry, but you don't get any bonus points for clear urine, a sign that you're actually drinking more than you need. According to a major review published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, there's no significant evidence that guzzling extra glasses will help flush your body of toxins, improve skin tone or reduce headaches any better than being adequately hydrated will.



But wait—don't I have to get more when I exercise?

That depends. If you'll be indoors and have managed to stay hydrated all day before the workout, then no. But if you're in the summer heat, you can easily sweat out the equivalent of 4 cups of fluid in an hour-long outdoor session. In that case, drink 20 ounces of water an hour before, and try to take in about one half of a cup during every 15 minutes of activity, Larson advises. Going for a jog first thing in the morning? Have a drink beforehand. And if you're training for a marathon or playing a sport for a few hours, weigh yourself before and after, says Leslie Bonci, RD, a sports nutritionist at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center: "For every pound you've lost during your workout, drink 24 ounces of fluid to get hydrated again."



Related: 14 Reasons You're Always Tired



Does my daily morning coffee count?

Surprise: It does, per a new study from the University of Birmingham in England. Researchers asked java drinkers to sip either coffee or water and found that caffeine isn't dehydrating. There's a caveat, though. If you never drink caffeine and then have a cup of coffee, it acts as a diuretic and draws water from your body, explains Leslie Spry, MD, spokesperson for the National Kidney Foundation. "But if you have coffee regularly," he adds, "your body becomes habituated and it doesn't have the same effect." Other beverages, including tea, milk, OJ and sports drinks, also work, although you don't want to overcaffeinate or down too much sugar. What to avoid? Soft drinks, even diet kinds. "They have salt, which dehydrates you," Dr. Peeke says. "So many women think, Ahh, how refreshing! But soda just sucks fluid out of your cells."



How much does the water that I consume from foods like fruit matter?

Water in food accounts for about 20 percent of people's daily fluid needs, according to the Institute of Medicine. "And the hydration you get from food is just as good as what you get from drinking water," says Dr. Peeke. For example, a grilled chicken breast, served with cauliflower and one-half cup of spinach, nets you almost a full cup of water. There's even a hidden perk to watery bites: They may help you slim down. (Here are 7 Foods That Help You Lose Pounds.)



If I drink a lot one day, does it make a difference if I don't have as much the next?

Reality check: You are not a camel. Human bodies weren't designed to store excess water. "After a couple of hours, you just pee it out," says Bonci. The reality is, you need to reach your H2O goal every single day to sidestep energy dips and other health troubles. If you tend to skimp, especially at times when you've got a lot going on, tap an app to help; try Waterlogged, which will send you reminders to drink up. The good news is that even if you get seriously thirsty and realize that you haven't been drinking enough water, your body will rebound after you down a glass or two. Cheers!



Related: 21 Natural Ways to Treat Headaches



Do I need a water filter?

Despite mandated monitoring, "there can still be trace amounts of impurities in tap water, including lead that leaches from plumbing," explains Cheryl Luptowski, home-safety expert for NSF International. Even very low levels of lead in water have been linked to cognitive issues, particularly in children. First, call your supplier to get your water report. A simple carbon filter may be enough. But if there's just a tiny bit of arsenic, lead or perchlorates, you'll need a home filtration system designed for your issues. Compare models at nsf.org. Cost: $150 to $1,000.



H2Glow

Four sneaky things that parch your skin—and how to keep your complexion radiant:



The superhigh office AC

"Cool air lacks humidity—which means it takes water from elsewhere, including your skin," says Debra Jaliman, MD, author of Skin Rules. Apply a refreshing gel moisturizer with hyaluronic acid, which locks in water better than your average moisturizer. Try SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 gel ($78; Amazon.com).



Fun in the sun

Exposure can deplete your skin's natural oils, even if you wear sunscreen. And pool chlorine can be extremely drying, so shower off ASAP and rub in lotion while skin is still damp. At night, apply a facial moisturizer with glycolic acid, such as Olay Regenerist Night Resurfacing Elixir ($30; Amazon.com).



Happy hour

Alcohol is dehydrating, and summer faves like margaritas and Bloody Marys are also salty. Head off problems by having a glass of water between drinks—with a cute little cocktail umbrella, if it helps.



Your bedtime routine

You may be tempted to use an alcohol-based toner in the summertime to clear up excess oil, but it can leave your skin too dry. Better to go with an oil-removing cleanser. Try Biore Deep Pore Charcoal cleanser ($8; Walgreens.com).



July 11, 2014 at 02:14AM

Just How Common Are Shark Bites? | Health and Burn Weight

A California swimmer was bitten by a great white shark off the coast of Manhattan Beach, but how often do sharks really bite humans? Watch the video from Time.com to learn more. July 08, 2014 at 02:14AM