HER

Where is the condom within the development process?Condoms are one of the best ways to prevent an unplanned pregnancy and protect against sexually transmitted diseases. However, some people are allergic to latex, or just hate the way condoms feel and decide to not use them. A new condom is slowly in the process of coming available for you to use, and you'll actually want to. This condom is made from hydrogel, a water-based, elastic polymer (used in contact lenses) and is also infused with plant-based antioxidant flavonoids, which promote pleasure-enhancing properties. The compound has anti-AIDS properties, so if the condom were to break or rip, you're still protected from the virus. When will this condom go to testing? Listen in as Mahua Choudhury, PhD, shares the newly designed condom and why you should consider trying it once it's available.

What makes this diet different from other diets out there?If you've made a goal to lose weight, many will tell you to watch what you eat and exercise. That's easier said than done. Every week there seems to be a new diet out that promises to help you shed the weight you desperately want to get rid of. Have you tried a diet, lost some weight but then gained it all (and some extra pounds) back? Unfortunately, it happens, and it can crush your motivation and make you want to throw in the towel. Recent research suggests that your natural body clock might be out of whack, which can cause disturbances in your hormones that pack on fat, especially in your butt, belly, arms, and thighs. What is the three-phase plan that helps re-synchronize your body? Laura Cipullo, RD, discusses the body clock diet for women, and how it can help you lose weight and keep it off.

When shopping, should you consider these dates before buying the product?Confusion over date labeling leads to billions of pounds of food waste every year. It might happen more often than you'd like to admit. You stock up your fridge and pantry with food for the week, but come Saturday, you're regrettably tossing out most of what you bought... and you haven't even opened it yet. Before you waste your food because of a use by, sell by, or best by date, a recent report from the Institute of Food Technologies explains the differences of each of these terms. Listen in as Abbie Gellman, MS, RD, discusses the difference between use by, sell by, and best by dates.

How can you change your eating habits without feeling deprived?It seems like there are tons of nutrition recommendations out there, and many of them might contradict the other. There are unlimited articles suggesting that fat is bad for you, dairy can cause inflammation, and that gluten is to be blamed for your bloating. However, there are other articles suggesting that you should be eating whatever you want, just in moderation. Wouldn't it be easier if there were just a list of simple rules that you should follow when it comes to your nutrition? According to an article in the New York Times, here are some simple rules to follow for healthy eating: Get your nutrition from unprocessed foods. Eat lightly processed foods less often. Eat heavily processed foods even less often. Eat home-cooked meals as much as possible. Use salt and fats (butter and oil included) as needed in food preparation. When you're eating out, try to eat at restaurants that follow these same rules. Drink water, some alcohol, coffee and other beverages. Treat all beverages with calories in them as you would with alcohol. Eat with other people as much as possible. Listen in as Abbie Gellman, MS, RD, shares the nine tips to healthy eating.

Listen in as Pam and Michelle answer your personal health questions.It's YOUR time on HER Radio. Be a part of the show... send your comments and ask your questions by email, [email protected]. It's time to Ask HER. Today, on HER Radio you wanted to know: What are some tips for doing body-weight workouts? Many people may not realize the amazing benefits of using your own body when weight training. Body-weight exercises like push-ups, body-weight squats, pull ups, lunges, mountain climbers, and ab exercises can really make you sweat, while also toning and sculpting your body. When doing a body-weight exercise, make sure your form is correct. By messing up your form, you're putting your body at risk for injury. What are some tips for actually keeping my New Year's Resolutions? Sticking to your resolutions can be tough, but you can do it. When creating goals or resolutions, make sure they're realistic and specific. You might also want to monitor your actions. For example, if your goal is to lose weight, it wouldn't be a bad idea to keep a food journal to hold yourself accountable. You also should create a support group, arrange yourself for success, and lose the negativity. What are the biggest weight loss mistakes? Some of the biggest weight loss mistakes involve not balancing nutritious foods properly. Some other weight loss mistakes include expecting too much too soon, restricting your food intake/certain food groups, relying on weight loss supplements, and giving up too soon. If you have a personal health question that you want answered, Pam and Michelle encourage you to send them in to [email protected].

Why is exercise an important part of losing weight?If you're a little overweight, your doctor might have told you that you need to exercise in order to reduce some of the health risks associated with being overweight. However, when you're overweight, your body is more prone to injury. Your body is also not used to exercise or the impact that comes with it, which can also present a problem. This shouldn't keep you from staying away from the gym or getting your workout in at home. Instead, here are four tips from Prevention on how you can exercise if you have extra weight: Go slow Mix it up Stretch it out Support your soles Fitness Professional Liz Corah shares the four tips to help you start your weight loss journey.

A recent study found that women are even more self-conscious when seeing plus sized models instead of the typical skinny ones.If you've ever seen a billboard, TV commercial, or viewed the Victoria's Secret Runway Show, you might have noticed a familiar trend in the models that are used; they are very thin... oftentimes extremely skinny. Having a weight-obsessed society can make it hard to feel comfortable in your own skin, even though the majority of American women aren't a size zero. Recently, a few brands and companies have been using average-sized or plus-sized women in their ads, thinking it would help women feel more comfortable. Unfortunately, it's done the complete opposite. According to a study from Canada's Simon Fraser University, ads that use plus-size models aren't helping your self-esteem either. Why is that? Listen in as Adrienne Ressler, LMSW, CEDS, discusses why women might be more self-conscious when seeing plus sized models instead of the typical skinny ones.

When a person "gets fat," what is actually happening inside the body?Obesity is a complex disease that involves excessive body fat. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a whopping 34.9 percent of the U.S. population (78.6 million people) are considered to be overweight or obese. It may seem like society is obsessed with fat, including how much of it you have and how much you should be consuming. But, how do you know if you have too much fat and how can sending your fat cells to boot camp help? David Ludwig, MD, PhD, shares how you can take your fat cells to boot camp to jumpstart a healthy lifestyle.

If you happen to be born with "fat genes," isn't there really very little you can do about it?Obesity is a complex and often misunderstood disease. Typically, you might think that the key to losing weight is by following the motto, "calories in and calories out," and the solution to end the obesity epidemic is to strengthen your willpower and simply say no to tempting foods, as well as eat way less than usual. However, that's not as easy and simple as it sounds. Data suggests that Americans are more obese than ever, even though there's been improvements within nutrition organizations and the food industry. Some people are just always hungry. Why is that? Recent research and theories aren't focusing on the issue of overeating, but rather how calories are distributed in your body. The more calories that you consume, the more are stored away in your fat tissue, leaving fewer calories within your bloodstream and leaving your body unsatisfied. Is there a way you can prevent this from happening? David Ludwig, MD, PhD, shares his research on why you're always hungry, as well as if there's a way to prevent your appetite from getting out of control.