Raphael Stevens

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    I Used a Weighted Hula Hoop for 6 Weeks—Here Are My Thoughts

    Of all of the things that TikTok made me buy, one of my most unpredictable purchases was my weighted hula hoop. As soon as I heard a Gen Z-er claiming it was her main form of exercise and it helped her shed a few inches off of her waist, I was all ears.
    Besides the fact that it looked super fun, there were two reasons why I was especially interested in a weighted hula hoop. The first was that, at the time when I saw that video, I was recovering from a minor hip injury I got from treadmill sprinting and weight lifting. The second was that, in just a few days, I was to have a nasal septum surgery that was going to keep me out of my workout routine for at least a month. The weighted hula hoop seemed like a perfect, low-impact way to get my heart rate up during recovery. So, I immediately went to Amazon and hit “add to cart.”

    About Weighted Hula Hooping:
    I took my newfound TikTok fascination to the internet to figure out 1) if weighted hula hooping was legit and 2) what the actual benefits of hula hooping were. And, to be honest, I was surprised to find that there was a lot of information on the topic.
    For a lot of us, the hula hooping we grew up with is already a bit of a challenge, but adding those extra pounds can really take things to the next level in terms of boosting aerobic health. If you’re not too familiar with what exactly that translates to, here’s the rundown: Known benefits of aerobic activity include a stronger, healthier heart, improved blood flow, lowered stress levels, and improved immunity. A strong case for hooping, if you ask me.
    In addition, hula hooping burns calories—specifically, 165 calories in 30 minutes, a number you’d see with other types of dancing. And in a randomized controlled study from 2019 that compared a group of individuals who walked approximately 10,000 steps a day to a group that did around 12 minutes of weighted hula hooping per day, the hula hooping group had better results in terms of abdominal fat loss, decreased waist circumference, and increased core strength. This made my near-impulsive weighted hula hoop purchase absolutely worth it in my eyes.

    Arrival and assembly:
    When it arrived, I had to put it together, which was a bit of a spectacle. Assembly took probably five minutes and, besides the near-tragic mishap that occurred when I didn’t fully lock one of the bendable poles into its adjacent piece (it slingshotted back at my face before I could even blink), I’d consider it fairly effortless to put together. After weeks of waiting, I finally had my weighted hula hoop in hand, and I was eager to take it for a spin. 

    Though I would consider myself a prodigy hula hooper (I won a contest at a backyard barbecue in third grade, no big deal), I definitely had to reorient myself on how to use it—especially with the added two pounds that were likely going to throw me for a bit of a loop. After six weeks of turning to my weighted hula hoop again and again, here are my unfiltered thoughts.

    The Pros:
    First, this thing will get your heart rate up pretty quickly. My typical hula hooping routine consists of hula hooping for six minutes clockwise and six minutes counterclockwise. Within three minutes, my heart is typically pumping at a speed walk or jog rate (for me, around 130 bpm), and I am sweating. After about 12 minutes of hula hooping, I would burn around 80 calories, which, for me, is similar to what I burn when I’m walking or jogging.

    Second, as I anticipated, this was the perfect low-impact workout to get my heart rate up without leaving the house. And since I could do it from the comfort of my living room in pretty much whatever attire I wanted, it was really easy to just grab it and start hooping without much effort or planning. 

    The Cons:
    As with all things, there are a few downsides to it that have kept me from abandoning my past workout methods completely. The first being that, if you’re doing it for long enough, it can be boring as hell. Sure it’s fun for the first few minutes, but if you’re going to do it long enough to see any sort of results—likeburnt calories or a shredded waist—you’ll have to commit more time to it than just 12 minutes. And for me, that’s just about as much as my brain could take before I was ready to jump to the next activity. Picking a playlist I love, watching TV, or listening to a podcast definitely helped to pass the time.
    Another big downside to hula hooping is that while you’re getting your heart rate up and activating your core, you’re missing out on opportunities to practice other functional movements. Sure, it’s good as a supplemental activity to get your heart rate up, but for the most part, your feet are staying in one place. I do use hula hooping as an additional way to get some cardio in, but I don’t use it as an excuse to skip other full-body movements like stretching, yoga, or HIIT workouts.

    The Final Verdict:
    All in all, I love my weighted hula hoop the way that I use it. For 12 minutes a day, it gives me an excuse to have a bit of a dance party, helps me to tap into some aerobic activity for better heart health, immunity, and stress reduction, and is an easy way for me to incorporate activity into an otherwise stagnant day. While I was in recovery, it was the perfect, low-impact solution to make me feel less like a couch potato and give me a taste of being active. Now that I’m recovered, I use it as a tool to help me get moving on days where I’m feeling particularly unmotivated, as a way to make TV time more efficient, and as a warmup to other forms of working out like yoga, lifting, or running.
    Can I live without my weighted hula hoop? Sure. But do I want to? Not particularly. I’ve bought plenty of less useful items under the influence of the TikTok Gods, so, as far as I’m concerned, this solid addition to my workout routine is a 10/10 in my book.  More

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    Kanye West has reportedly moved on from Kim Kardashian with this supermodel

    It appears following the announcement of his divorce from Kim Kardashian, Kanye West has started a new romance with Victoria’s Secret supermodel Irina Shayk.As West celebrated his 44th birthday, he and Shayk have been spotted together in France.Per PEOPLE, sources have said they stayed for three nights at the picturesque Villa La Coste, where they hung out together in New York City before travelling to France.Meanwhile, according to a report by E!, Kardashian isn’t phased by the romance between the pair, as long as it doesn’t impact their four children together – North, Saint, Chicago and Psalm.The reality star even took to Instagram to wish West a happy birthday.“Happy Birthday, Love you for life!” she said, sharing a photo with their children.Separation reportsBack in January, E! News reported the pair – who first met back in 2002, but started dating in 2012 – had separated, but at the time Kardashian hadn’t officially filed for divorce.The beauty mogul and the rapper were effectively living separate lives and hadn’t “spent time together as a married couple in months” and only spent time together with their four children.Difficulties in 2020Last year was a particularly difficult year for West’s mental health. In the latter half of 2020, West began posting a series of erratic Twitter posts regarding personal matters, his family and more.Following this, there were various reports that the couple’s marriage was strained but Kardashian was determined to make it work.At the beginning of August, Kardashian took to Instagram to address the erratic behaviour her husband has been showing and also addressed his bipolar disorder.“As many of you know, Kanye has bipolar disorder,” she began. “Anyone who has this or has a loved one in their life who does, knows how incredibly complicated and painful it is to understand.”She continued to say, “I understand Kanye is subject to criticism because he is a public figure and his actions at times can cause strong opinions and emotions.”The 39-year-old went onto highlight how the loss of his mother has affected him, as well as struggling with mental health issues has put “pressure” on him.“Living with bipolar disorder does not diminish or invalidate his dreams and his creative ideas, no matter how big or unobtainable they may feel to some,” she said. “That is part of his genius and as we have all witnessed, many of his big dreams have come true.”She asked that everyone give “grace” to the individuals, including her husband, who are struggling with mental issues, and also asked for “compassion and empathy” during this trying time.– For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and InstagramImages: Kim Kardashian West Instagram More

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    Our Editors Share What Helps Them Stay Motivated To Workout

    For a lot of us, there’s no better feeling than knowing you crushed a workout when you could’ve just as easily binge-watched six episodes of Schitt’s Creek. But motivating ourselves to get there is a different story and a struggle that always seems to rear its ugly head. And it’s in these moments that we rely on our go-to workout motivation tips to keep us going.
    There’s something about getting our sweat on, pumping up our endorphins, and feeling that “I can do anything I set my mind to” energy that makes working out an obvious addition to our to-do lists. But even though we know what’s good for us, it doesn’t make it easy to find the gusto to get moving, especially when tasks pile up, you’re feeling tired, or the couch is calling your name. Our editors know the struggle, but after plenty of trial and error, we pulled these workout motivation tips that keep us active and ready to be our best selves:

    1. Set specific, tangible goals
    “If I set a goal for myself, I’m pretty keen on sticking to it. And I’m not saying ‘run five days this week’ or ‘work out every day.’ Goals like that never motivate me. But having specific, tangible fitness goals that I know I can reach will. For all of 2021, my biggest fitness goal has been to do 10 push-ups (it’s my least favorite activity and my chest strength is basically non-existent), so every time I’m at the gym, I do a little work to get there. I have other goals, too, like walk 30,000 steps in a day or reach my personal best on the squat rack. Does it get me up on the days all I want to do is sleep? No, but having goals is what has kept me consistent.”
    — Beth, Beauty Content Manager & Associate Editor

    2. Track and share your workouts
    “I’m an elder millennial and thus, need constant validation and positive reinforcement (hello participation medals!). Anytime I do a run or Peloton, I upload my results in Strava, where my friends on the platform can give me ‘kudos’ for my workouts. When I need an extra hit of attention, I’ll take a screenshot from Strava and share it on my social channels. Am I digging for compliments when I do this? 100 percent. Is it an effective source of motivation? Absolutely.”
    — Elle, Chief Operating Officer

    3. View your gym sesh as an appointment
    “Recently, I saw this viral video on TikTok that resonated with me so much. The content creator was basically saying that if we wait to be in the mood to do something (especially if your goal is being more consistent), you’ll never do it. So instead, she suggested viewing your workout as an appointment. You wouldn’t miss a doctor’s appointment, pre-planned dinner and drinks with a friend, or a nail appointment that you’ve had scheduled, so what makes your appointment with yourself at the gym any different?
    If you commit to working out consistently, the odds are that you’re not always going to have the motivation to get there—and that is OK. So if you’re tired, do it tired. Because at the end of the day, the only bad workout is the one that never happened, and the endorphin rush that occurs when you get your body moving is oh-so-worth it.”
    — Ashley, Contributing Writer

    4. Reserve class spots and commit to certain gym times:
    “Having a set time for my classes or workouts keeps me accountable. Whether it’s a live fitness class on Obé or I reserve a spot at my apartment gym (or a fitness class in person one day—eep!), knowing that I have to be at a specific place at a specific time makes me basically never skip my workouts. I want to see what songs my favorite instructor will pick or get the good treadmill at the gym (you know the one), so I’ll stick with the time I set up for myself.”
    — Beth, Beauty Content Manager & Associate Editor

    5. Assemble the perfect pump-up playlist
    “One of my favorite ways to get myself in the mood to get to the gym is to listen to songs that make me want to run through walls and do backflips. Whether I’m listening to Olivia Rodrigo’s Good For You or Eminem’s ‘Til I Collapse (yeah, I have range), I’ve found that listening to my lineup of motivating hits before I even leave my apartment is key to getting me amped up and moving. My tried-and-true pump-up playlist serves as the perfect pregame dance session for any gym appointment and gets me ready to pick weights up and put them down with a little extra pizazz.” (Psst: try out our Workout Playlist!)
    — Ashley, Contributing Writer

    6. Exercise for the right reasons

    “I started feeling motivated to exercise most days of the week when I stopped working out because I’m ‘supposed to’ or to burn off the takeout I ate the night before. I work out consistently because it helps my anxiety and stress levels, and it is the one time of the day where my focus goes into my body instead of my mind. I didn’t always love working out, but I started to love it when I saw it as self-care instead of a punishment or chore. When you exercise for the right reasons, you find yourself craving it instead of dreading it. Rethink your ‘why’ and you’ll never have to ‘force yourself’ to get to the gym again.”
    — Josie, Associate Editor & Wellness Content Manager

    7. Wear your gym clothes long before your workout
    “I really, truly hate the thought of working out. But I know that when I do get past that mental block, put on my favorite leggings, and get to work, I feel phenomenal after. Any stress or anxiety I was feeling is vanquished by my newly released endorphins. I feel accomplished, strong, and healthy. My biggest hurdle has always been working up the courage to simply start a workout. In order to combat this, I exclusively wear workout clothes during the day so that I’m not held back by having to change after work. (I’m fortunate to work remotely and can do this pretty much every day.)
    When it actually comes time to do the thing, wearing workout clothes tricks my brain into thinking we’ve already overcome half the battle. This, coupled with the promise of burning off excess energy and anxiety, is enough to get me back on my bike or yoga mat 4-5 days a week.
    — Garri, Managing Editor

    15 Easy Ways to Keep Yourself Accountable

    14 Realistic Fitness Goals To Set RN More

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    Queen Rania’s touching message to King Abdullah II on their 28th anniversary

    After 28 years of marriage, it appears His Majesty King Abdullah II and Her Majesty Queen Rania of Jordan are still completely in love.Taking to Instagram, Queen Rania shared a touching message to her beloved husband to make their anniversary.Posting an image of herself next to her husband, Queen Rania reveals her husband is ‘dearest’ to her heart.“Happy anniversary to the one dearest to my heart,” she said.The couple first met at a dinner party in 1992 when King Abdullah was then Prince Abdullah. The following year, on June 10, 1993, the pair married.Six years later, in 1999, the then Crown Prince Abdullah bin Al Hussein assumed his constitutional role as the King of the Hashemite Kingdom, with Queen Rania assuming her role as Queen a month later.The couple have four children together – Crown Prince Al Hussein, Princess Iman, Princess Salma, and Prince Hashem.With Queen Rania’s extensive 6.2 million followers on Instagram, there is no doubt many will be congratulating the couple on their anniversary.

    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Queen Rania Instagram More

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    The ultimate list of Father’s Day offers in Dubai

    Make it all about your real-life superhero on June 21 with all the special offers around Dubai for the ultimate day of pampering this year.Whether a delicious meal or a complimentary spa treatment, Emirates Woman has curated a list of places to treat your dad this year.Relish a treat at TBKThis Italian and American fusion eatery serves deliciously marbled meaty goodness on a plate with homemade fries that perfectly complement the star dish which is priced at Dhs180, which your dad can indulge as it’s served in sizzling and subdued secret sauce that is sure to take his taste buds on a trip. Served from 12:30 pm to 11pm, the Steak and Fries dish will make for a memorable dining experience at this haven which is located at the hear of the Al Wasl Road at the Galleria Mall.Complementary hops at Argentina GrillFor celebrating all the dads on June 21, the restaurant will be giving them a complimentary pint of hops along with delicious options such as the Asado BBQ Glazed Ribs with a side of wedges or the grilled tiger shrimps with garlic and a mango balsamic glaze. Located at La Mer and The Pointe, this restaurant is definitely one to visit on this special occasion.For more information visit argentinagrill.rest/dubaiEnjoy Wagyu style at Taiko DubaiThe seven-course set menu is priced at Dhs475 per person, as you indulge in an array of delectable explorations, on a menu that serves a combination of sushi, shawarmas and savoury selections all on one plate, taking each guest on a distinguished world of wagyu like no other. This sumptuous soiree is sure to have your father feeling over the moon in an international yet local destination located at Sofitel Dubai, The Obelisk.For more information visit Sofitel-dubai-theobelisk.comFeast at Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s KitchenFrom a mouth-watering selection of tempting dishes that range from lamb to vegetarian wellington, the award-winning British-inspired restaurant will serve the ultimate Father’s Day feast on Saturday, June 19 and Sunday, June 20, starting from Dhs195 for a roast and dessert and Dhs295 for a roast, dessert and three house beverages, from 12:30pm to 3:30pm. Located at Caesars Palace Dubai, you can enjoy a 500-metre private beach for the ultimate post-lunch chill-out experience.For more information visit caesars.com/dubaiDads go for free to WavehouseBeing one of the coolest destinations in town, on Monday, June 21, 2021 dads can go for free with entertainment, a live band and enjoy the main course and a pint on the house whilst bonding over bowling or gaming in the arcade. Other guests can experience this hub which starts at Dhs99 where guests receive five tickets that they can tear off and redeem on food, beverages and arcade game tickets. With live entertainment finally, on the radar, the timings are from 12pm to 12am with an À la carte drinks menu available.For more information visit atlantis.comUnwind at The Spa at Address DowntownFor a rejuvenating month ahead, fathers can enjoy a complimentary 30 minutes treatment of their choice between a Body Reviver Exfoliation or the Artisan Facial when a Deep tissue massage for 90 minutes is purchased. The package is priced at Dhs795 per person for 120 minutes and is valid from June 14 to June 21 a day of complete relaxation at Address Downtown.For more information visit addresshotels.com– For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and InstagramFeature image: Instagram @johnlegend  More

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    Sheikha Fatima Al Nayhan is all grown-up in new photos to mark her 15th birthday

    New photos have been released to mark Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nayhan’s 15th birthday.The photographs were shared by Sheikha Fatima’s mother, Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is the eldest child of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.In the two photos posted to Instagram, Sheikha Manal wished her “precious and most beautiful Fatima” a happy birthday.Sheikha Fatima is the first child of His Highness Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan – the Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs – and Sheikha Manal.The 15-year-old, who is granddaughter to both Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and the late Sheikh Zayed, founder of the UAE, is an avid horse rider.She even recently took part in the Ladies Endurance Cup which took place in Abu Dhabi back in February.Happy birthday to Her Highness!– For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and InstagramImages: @mmbinrashid Instagram More

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    Is the UAE set for the hottest summer on record?

    As the sweltering UAE summer is upon us, we’ve already had multiple days where the temperature has exceeded the 50 degrees Celcius mark already.The highest temperature of this season was recorded on Sunday, with the temperature rising to a scorching 51.8 degrees Celsius in some parts of the country.Although the highest ever temperature of 52.1 degrees Celsius was recorded in July 2002, this week is the first-time figures this high have been recorded two times in one week, as Friday saw temperatures of 51 degrees Celsius.
    #The_highest_temperature_recorded over the country today is 51°C in Sweihan (Al Ain) at 14:00 UAE Local Time.
    — المركز الوطني للأرصاد (@NCMS_media) June 4, 2021So, this begs the question – could the UAE be on track for its hottest summer on record?A spokesperson for the National Center of Meteorology told the Khaleej Times it’s still too “premature” to decipher whether this will be the hottest summer of all time.Temperatures within the UAE normally rise by 2-3 degrees Celsius in June in comparison to May, however, humidity does tend to decrease towards the end of June.With a steady increase in heat since the 1990s, police and administration have been in discussion in relation to the heat, with Abu Dhabi Police reminding people that leaving children in cars and vehicles is a punishable offence by law which could lead to fines up to dhs1 million and up to a 10-year prison sentence.Residents in Dubai are told to pay extra attention to their vehicles within the hot summer months, as car fires are likely.Drivers have also been reminded to check their tyres, with the likelihood of tyres bursting in the heat, Abu Dhabi Police, as part of the ‘Summer-Safe-Traffic’ campaign, have asked road users to ensure tyres are in good condition to try to prevent serious accidents on the road.– For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and InstagramFeature Image: Emirates Woman Cover Shoot July/August 2020 More

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    Everything to know about Egyptian actress Sherihan’s highly anticipated comeback

    Following her return to the entertainment realm in a Ramadan advert this year, Egyptian actress Sherihan is set to make a triumphant return to television.Signing on to working with Arabic streaming platform Shahid, the new project which Sherihan will take part in will shine a light on the life of fashion house Chanel and its founder Coco Chanel.Announcing the exciting partnership between Sherihan and Shahid, Turki Al Shikh, Chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority said on Twitter, “Stay tuned for the return of the great star Sherihan to the spotlight after an absence of years in a distinguished work on the Shahid platform sponsored by the Entertainment Authority.”
    ترقبوا ..عودة النجمة الكبيرة شريهان للأضواء بعد غياب سنين😍🔥@sherihanفي عمل مميز على منصة @shahidvod برعاية #هيئة_الترفيه #عودة_شريهان pic.twitter.com/KbSDFo89aR
    — TURKI ALALSHIKH (@Turki_alalshikh) June 2, 2021Prior to her return to television in the Vodafone Ramadan advertisement, Sherihan had been out of the spotlight for nearly two decades.The actress overcame all unforeseen odds that were faced over the years, and it was beautifully expressed in this emotional ad, which inspired her audience as it weaved sentiment from the events depicted such as the car accident followed by years-long of her battle with cancer.[embedded content]While being part of a glorious Egyptian revolution, the actress, lawyer and mother has made a fascinating impact in the acting industry, in this region having made her acting at the age of 12 in the year 1977, starring alongside the renowned actor Farid Shawky.With more details regarding the debut yet to be announced, the hashtag #TheReturnofSherihan has been trending on social media, with fans impatiently waiting to see her back on the big screen soon.– For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and InstagramFeature image: Instagram @sherihanofficial More