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10 Things This Woman Wishes She'd Known at the Height of Her Eating Disorder

Lifestyle›Mind and Body

Minna Lee wishes she could show her former self what she knows now.

In case you missed it, today marks the end of NEDA's National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. This year's theme, "Come as You Are," was chosen to spread the message that body-image struggles and eating disorders don't look one certain way, and are valid no matter what.  To add to the conversation, blogger Minna Lee wrote an Instagram caption to her past self. "While I wouldn't wish this upon anyone, I am thankful to be the person I am today who grew stronger and learned so much about herself because of her eating disorder," she wrote. Here, 10 things she knows now that she says she wishes she'd known at the height of her eating disorder.         View this post on Instagram                   things I know now that I wish I could've known at the height of my eating disorder: · you don't have to be at your rock bottom to seek help. more people than you realize struggle w/the same things as you. other people don't get to decide how you feel about your body. YOU do. you don't need to qualify for an eating disorder- there is no such thing as not sick enough. you WILL miss out on being able to fully enjoy your accomplishments + happiness if you keep thinking you're fine when you're not. your outside appearance has nothing to do with how sick you are. no, it's not normal to feel you are about to have an anxiety attack when in a bathing suit. people don't see those stretch marks + dimples like you do. and if they do...how does that make your life any worse? making yourself physically smaller does not make you bigger or better in any aspect of life. fitting in those pants literally makes no difference in your life, other than the fact that you fit into some pants you really don't need to be in. sexy is a state of mind. anyone who feels different about you-- you don't want their mind or body anyway. your eating disorder is not the enemy-- make friends with it. it's just you, asking for help and to pay attention to what's really going on beneath the surface. if food or exercise feels like a reward or punishment, it's time to take care of your mind. therapy will not just save your life but expand it in a way you don't yet see in this darkness. you deserve to feel absolutely blissful in your own skin-- but even feeling neutral is utter freedom from where you are. so start there. don't be afraid to talk to your friends + family about your boundaries while you're recovering. you are not your eating disorder. stop trying to fix yourself. you are not broken. no, your eating disorder and/or your body getting to where you want it to be is not going to solve all your problems. _____ happy #NEDA week to my fellow warriors while I wouldn't wish this upon anyone, I am thankful to be the person I am today who grew stronger and learned so much about herself because of her eating disorder. · #nedawareness #eatingdisorderrecovery A post shared by m i n n a l e e (@livingminnaly) on Feb 28, 2019 at 6:16am PST 1. "Your outside appearance has nothing to do with how sick you are."  Eating disorders are mental illnesses and don't always have the same physical effects. They don't affect one specific group, which can be a harmful misconception. For example, men with eating disorders are at a higher risk of dying, as they're often diagnosed later because people associate EDs with women, according to NEDA. Part of the messaging behind the association's "Come As You Are" theme is that not everyone who suffers from an eating disorder looks the same.  2. "People don't see those stretch marks + dimples like you do, and if they do...how does that make your life any worse?" Answer: It doesn't. 3. "You WILL miss out on being able to fully enjoy your accomplishments + happiness if you keep thinking you're fine when you're not." In a previous Instagram post, Lee listed out some of the things she missed out on because of her eating disorder and other insecurities. She recalled things like "lunches with friends that are a hazy memory because all I could obsess about was how little or much I was eating," and "standing on the podium after winning a skating competition, unable to celebrate the moment because I could only think about not fainting, having not eaten all day."         View this post on Instagram                   stop selectively loving yourself by doing so, you are selectively choosing to rob yourself of some of the sweetest moments and things life has to offer. my eating disorder and other insecurities robbed me of so many memories in my life: -lunches with friends that are a hazy memory because all I could obsess about was how little or much I was eating. -not letting myself be fully enveloped in a hug because heaven forbid, they feel the softness over my bra strap. -standing on the podium after winning a skating competition, unable to celebrate the moment because I could only think about not fainting, having not eaten all day. -relationships + intimacy I ran away from, because who could love the ugly darkness I hid deep within? -trips to the beach or travels I have no photos of because I ran from the camera whenever around. -not being able to sit and watch a movie with someone's arms around me, because a hand grazing my stomach rolls made me want to disappear. -no photos with my dad from a couple of holidays because I hated the way I looked. while some of these may or may not resonate with you, I want you to think for a second of all that you may be robbing yourself of by not embracing your now, just as you are. genuine love, joy, intimacy, freedom, human connection, confidence, and those sweet untethered moments all require one thing at its core: to fully show up with ALL parts of you not the ones you selectively choose to show the world. it's a practice, loving yourself as you are. embracing your now. it doesn't happen overnight. so start practicing. because you deserve every sweet moment and experience life has to offer you, darling so do it for them aka YOU. A post shared by m i n n a l e e (@livingminnaly) on Dec 23, 2018 at 8:32am PST 4. "More people than you realize struggle with the same things as you." Chances are more people in your life have dealt with eating disorders than you know. Many cases are hidden or undiagnosed. An estimated 30 million people living in the United States will have an eating disorder at some point in their life, according to NEDA. 5. "You don't need to qualify for an eating disorder—there is no such thing as not sick enough." Lee points out that you don't have to reach some marker to officially have an eating disorder—and that the category encompasses more than just well-known conditions like anorexia and bulimia.  6. "No, your eating disorder and/or your body getting to where you want it is not going to solve all your problems." Hitting a measurement or weight isn't the key to happiness. Take it from this woman who spread an important message about transformation photos.   7. "Fitting in those pants literally makes no difference in your life, other than the fact that you fit into some pants you really don't need to be in." In the same vein, coming to terms with what size you wear, instead of obsessing over trying to hit a smaller number, can be freeing. (Case in point: Iskra Lawrence Shared a Compelling Message About Body Dysmorphia and Disordered Eating) 8. "If food or exercise feels like a reward or punishment, it's time to take care of your mind." In another Instagram post, Lee shared that the process of changing how she approached food wasn't quick and easy, or finite. "it has taken me 13 years since my ED started for me to really get to this place. 13 years of pain, feeling hopeless, a lot of darkness, therapy, and pure hard ass WORK to get here," she wrote. (Related: I Needed to Give Up Bikram Yoga to Recover from My Eating Disorder)         View this post on Instagram                   I have a shoot on Monday that is for a really exciting project. when I found out about this project about a month ago, I was like oh great, a little extra boost of motivation to really stay on top of my nutrition and workout game because I also have my trip to Europe two days after that, and I just want to feel extra good in my skin headed into those things. and while I have been decently on my game overall, I haven't gone out of my way to adhere to anything specific and have not given myself a hard time for more than a brief moment for missing planned workouts. I wasn't planning on it, but I had drinks every night on this LA trip, an amazing grass-fed burger last night with fries, then airport bacon this morning. this is me yesterday after much of that. what I realized? I don't really need the other stuff anymore to feel good in my own skin. that feeling has much more to do with my state of mental health than any external stuff related to appearance. here's the kicker: it has taken me 13 years since my ED started for me to really get to this place. 13 years of pain, feeling hopeless, a lot of darkness, therapy, and pure hard ass WORK to get here. and it's not some final destination to get to where you are infallible. I still of course have many moments where I doubt myself, feel insecure, and don't feel awesome. but the steadiness in my value, my overall confidence, and comfort is something I now I have that I never have had before. so for anyone still feeling like it's an impossible place for yourself to get to, I'm letting you know it's not-- it just takes a whole lot of patience, compassion for yourself, willingness to get ugly dirty with yourself to do the work, and time to heal those scars but I believe in you. because you are more than capable of getting here too. ----- took this on my @samsungmobile Note 9 - make sure to come join me for my healthy holiday event at the @samsung837 space on Monday! RSVP link in stories. A post shared by m i n n a l e e (@livingminnaly) on Dec 1, 2018 at 9:18am PST 9. "You deserve to feel absolutely blissful in your own skin—but even feeling neutral is utter freedom from where you are. So start there." Lee says she would assure her former self that any step in the right direction counts as progress.  10. "You don't have to be at your rock bottom to seek help." And most importantly, Lee points out that everyone should feel good about prioritizing their well-being, no matter where their mindset and physical health stand. If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, NEDA's toll-free, confidential helpline (800-931-2237) is here to help.

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Skinnytaste Meal Plan (March 4-March 10)

A free 7-day flexible weight loss meal plan including breakfast, lunch and dinner and a shopping list. All recipes include calories and Weight Watchers Freestyle™ SmartPoints®.

First week of March and we are finally getting some snow, crazy winter in New York! A few comfort food dishes like Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore and Quick Beef Chili have been added to this week’s meal planner.

If you’re new to my meal plans, I’ve been sharing these free, 7-day flexible healthy meal plans (you can see my previous meal plans here) that are meant as a guide, with plenty of wiggle room for you to add more food, coffee, beverages, fruits, snacks, dessert, wine, etc or swap recipes out for meals you prefer, you can search for recipes by course in the index. You should aim for around 1500 calories* per day.

There’s also a precise, organized grocery list that will make grocery shopping so much easier and much less stressful. Save you money and time. You’ll dine out less often, waste less food and you’ll have everything you need on hand to help keep you on track.

Lastly, if you’re on Facebook join my Skinnytaste Facebook Community where everyone’s sharing photos of recipes they are making, you can join here. I’m loving all the ideas everyone’s sharing!

Also, if you don’t have the Skinnytaste Meal Planner, now would be a great time to get one to get organized for 2019! There was a print error last year, but it’s perfect now! You can order it here!

THE DETAILS:

Breakfast and lunch Monday-Friday, are designed to serve 1 while dinners and all meals on Saturday and Sunday are designed to serve a family of 4. Some recipes make enough leftovers for two nights or lunch the next day. While we truly believe there is no one size fits all meal plan, we did our best to come up with something that appeals to a wide range of individuals. Everything is Weight Watchers friendly, I included the updated Weight Watcher Freestyle Points for your convenience, feel free to swap out any recipes you wish or just use this for inspiration!

The grocery list is comprehensive and includes everything you need to make all meals on the plan. I’ve even included brand recommendations of products I love and use often. Cross check your cabinets because many condiments you’ll notice I use often, so you may already have a lot of them.

And last, but certainly not least, this meal plan is flexible and realistic. There’s plenty of wiggle room for cocktails, healthy snacks, dessert and dinner out. And if necessary, you can move some things around to make it work with your schedule. Please let me know if you’re using these plans, this will help me decide if I should continue sharing them!

MONDAY (3/4) B: 2 scrambled eggs (0) with 1 slice whole grain toast (3) and an orange (0) L: Taco Salad Meal Prep (7)* D: Cream of Broccoli Soup (4) with ½ a grilled cheese* (7)

Totals: Freestyle™ SP 21, Calories 998**

TUESDAY (3/5) B: Overnight Oats in a Jar (5) L: Taco Salad Meal Prep (7) D: Cilantro Lime Fish Tacos (6)

Totals: Freestyle™ SP 18, Calories 865**

WEDNESDAY (3/6) B: Overnight Oats in a Jar (5) L: Taco Salad Meal Prep (7) D: Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore (5) over 1 cup whole wheat spaghetti (5) with Roasted Asparagus ***(0)

Totals: Freestyle™ SP 22, Calories 881**

THURSDAY (3/7) B: Avocado Toast Egg-in-a-Hole (4) L: Taco Salad Meal Prep (7) D: LEFTOVER Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore (5) over 1 cup whole wheat spaghetti (5) with Roasted Asparagus (0)

Totals: Freestyle™ SP 21, Calories 867**

FRIDAY (3/8) B: 2 scrambled eggs (0) with 1 slice whole grain toast (3) and an orange (0) L: 2 ounces turkey (1) on 2 slices whole grain bread (6) with lettuce, tomato and 1 tablespoon light mayo (1) D: Seattle Smoked Salmon Chowder (7)

Totals: Freestyle™ SP 18, Calories 1,021**

SATURDAY (3/9) B: 4-Ingredient Flourless Banana-Nut Pancakes (4) (Recipe x 4) with 1 tablespoon maple syrup (3) L: Chicken Waldorf Salad (3) (recipe x 2) on 1 slice whole grain bread (3) D: DINNER OUT!

Totals: Freestyle™ SP 13, Calories 716**

SUNDAY (3/10) B: Breakfast Pizza (5) L: The Skinny Tuna Melt (4) (recipe x 2) with an apple (0) D: Quick Beef Chili (4) with 2 tablespoons cheddar (2), 1 tablespoon light sour cream (1) Totals: Freestyle™ SP 16, Calories 981**

*Prep Taco Salad Sunday night for Mon-Thurs lunch. Grilled cheese includes 1 slice whole grain bread and 1 ounce cheddar. **This is just a guide, women should aim for around 1500 calories per day. Here’s a helpful calculator to estimate your calorie needs. I’ve left plenty of wiggle room for you to add more food such as coffee, beverages, fruits, snacks, dessert, wine, etc. ***Boil extra pasta and roast an extra pound of asparagus for dinner Thursday.

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How to Apply Makeup So It Lasts All Day and Night

Sephora Just Launched a New Skin-Care Line—and Everything Is Under $17

Lifestyle›Beauty

You can shop the Sephora Collection cleanser, moisturizer, anti-aging cream, and eye cream in stores today.

Photo: Xuanyu Han/Getty Images When you walk into Sephora, you're probably not expecting to find a huge bargain—it's the kind of place where you can drop a couple hundred on a few products in five minutes without even trying. But that doesn't mean you can't find some really good deals there, too. The brand's own Sephora Collection line is one place to start. While you may already be a fan of their affordable lipsticks and sheet masks, the brand quietly expanded their skin-care offerings online last month with four new products—and, starting today, you can shop them in stores too. Not only do the products contain 'it' ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vitamin c, but they all cost less than one Andrew Jackson. (That's $20, BTW.) TBH that's cheaper than many drugstore skin-care products these days. Despite only being around since January, the products are already building up five-star reviews from fans who say they perform just as well as skin care that's double or triple the cost.  First up in the collection is the Clean Skin Gel ($10, sephora.com), a gel-based daily cleanser that removes makeup, cleanses, and tones. It's safe for sensitive skin and won't leave skin feeling dry and stripped of hydration. (Related: 10 of the Best Gel Moisturizers for Oily Skin)  Next, is the All Day Hydrator ($16, sephora.com), a lightweight moisturizer with hyaluronic acid and vitamins C and E. It moisturizes, helps skin retain moisture, and offers antioxidant protection to prevent premature aging. (Related: Hyaluronic Acid Is the Easiest Way to Transform Your Skin Instantly)  For nighttime use (or when skin is feeling on the dryer side) there's the Nourishing Moisturizer ($16, sephora.com) which uses three natural oils (avocado, marula, and rose hip) to keep skin super hydrated and protected against environmental aggressors. Lastly, there's the Brightening Eye Cream ($16, sephora.com) which uses caffeine and hyaluronic acid to both hydrate sensitive under-eyes and reduce dark circles and puffiness. (Related: The Best Under-Eye Concealers to Help Cover Up Dark Circles)  To top it off, all the products meet Sephora's criteria for their "clean" beauty seal, which means it's created without ingredients known or thought to be harmful. (Related: The Best Clean Beauty Products You Can Buy at Sephora)  Not sure which to try first? You can buy all four products for $58—less than the cost of many high-end creams alone. You're welcome. 

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Where to Buy Kate Middleton's New Balance Sneakers

Fitness›Workout Clothes

You're going to want to scoop them up before they sell out.

Kate Middleton traded in her designer dresses for a sportier look during a two-day tour of Northern Ireland recently. The royal mama of three arrived at Windsor Park Stadium in Belfast wearing a stunning Carolina Herrera red coat dress, black tights, and lace-up booties—but then did a quick athleisure outfit change before taking to the field for a soccer game. (Related: Kate Middleton's Sportiest Moments) The Duchess of Cambridge pulled her hair into a ponytail and donned comfy pants, a lightweight navy puffer jacket over a white varsity sweater, and a pair of super cute indigo kicks to join in a soccer practice with a group of young athletes. Photo: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images Known for her impeccable style—although Middleton could honestly wear a paper bag and we'd all unapologetically follow suit—we, of course, want to know how to get our hands on those cool girl sneakers. Luckily, we scoured the Internet and found her go-to athletic shoes, which are surprisingly priced under $100! (Related: Where to Buy Meghan Markle's Favorite White Sneakers—They're Under $100 Too!) Photo: Zappos The New Balance Fresh Foam Cruz Sneakers (Buy It, $90, amazon.com, zappos.com, sweatybetty.com, and newbalance.com) are fashionable, comfortable, and functional, thanks to nubuck leather details, molded bootie construction, and plush foam cushioning. It looks like Middleton is wearing the indigo nubuck style, but they're also available in a breathable knit version. The bottom line: These shoes offer style and all-day comfort at an affordable price, whether you're working out, tethered to your desk, or running errands in the city. (Related: Kate Middleton Just Got Real About the Stress of Parenting) The best news? The Duchess' kicks are on sale right now on Amazon and Zappos for up to 50 percent off. Snap up Middleton's New Balance sneakers before they're gone—because like everything she wears, they're guaranteed to sell out soon. (Related: The 14 Best Shoes for Anyone Else Who Stands All Day) Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission. This story originally appeared on Health.com by Susan Brickell.

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This 2-Year-Old Was Diagnosed with a Rare Form of Ovarian Cancer

Lifestyle›Mind and Body

She had her right ovary removed and is undergoing chemotherapy.

Photo: Fight with Kenni Facebook When 2-year-old toddler McKenna "Kenni" Shea started to exhibit signs of an on-and-off again fever and bloating in her stomach (on top of classic toddler irritability and picky eating), her parents Meagan and Michael Xydias were concerned and brought her to the doctor. An x-ray revealed merely that her bowels were full, but her parents, who were convinced it was something beyond constipation, wanted a more thorough explanation and were sent to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Scottish Rite Hospital for an ultrasound. What doctors found stunned them: Little Kenni had cancerous tumors, which were officially diagnosed as stage 3 yolk sac ovarian cancer. "Yolk sac ovarian cancer is a specific type of cancer of the ovary called a germ cell tumor, and we do sometimes see them in children," says Stacey Zahler, DO, a pediatric hematologist-oncologist at the Cleveland Clinic. "Germ cell tumors can form in the brain and reproductive organs of children, and happens due to cells that have abnormal mutations." Kenni's case is particularly rare. Germ cell tumors only account for about 3 percent of all childhood cancers, according to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. And according to the American Cancer Society, ovarian cancer is rare in women younger than 40, with most ovarian cancers developing after menopause. (And half of all ovarian cancers are found in women 63 years of age or older.) So how did this happen? Unfortunately, there may not be a specific cause. "A lot of times it is simply a random event," says Dr. Zahler. "Hereditary factors may also increase your risk of germ cell tumors. There are many ongoing research efforts to understand more." So far, Kenni has undergone surgery to remove the tumors. Her surgeons removed her right ovary and five inches of her small intestine. She also started chemotherapy (she is currently on round one of four). Her doctors are using a lower dose of chemotherapy, which they are hoping will have less on her remaining ovary and future fertility. While Kenni's case is rare, thankfully, her prognosis is positive. "Yolk sac tumors are very treatable and very curable, especially when found at less than stage 4," says Dr. Zahler. "I expect her to do well, with at least a 90 percent chance of cure." If you're concerned about this happening to your child, you can look for certain signs and symptoms: "You may notice your baby's belly is getting bigger or has a fullness to it. They may also have pain and cramping in the lower abdominal area. A simple abdominal ultrasound will be able to tell if there is a mass, and if so, then more detailed imaging like a CAT scan or MRI can be done," says Dr. Zahler. You can follow Kenni's journey on Facebook. We're sending you good vibes and love, Kenni!

One Woman Explains Why Weight *Gain* Is an Important Part of Her Fitness Journey

Lifestyle›Mind and Body

"I truly love my body the way it was before and the way it is now."

In a world where weight loss is usually the ultimate goal, putting on a few pounds can often be a source of disappointment and anxiety—that's not true for influencer Anelsa, who recently shared why she's wholeheartedly embracing her weight gain. "One of my followers asked me if I liked the weight I am now or the weight I was before and it's a question I've been asked before," she recently wrote on Instagram alongside three photos of herself. (Related: 11 Women Who Have Gained Weight and Are Healthier Than Ever) In each photo, Anelsa appears to be a different weight. While most photos like this are all about physical transformation, Anelsa's post explores her mental shift. In the caption, she revealed how she's found value in each part of her journey. "I truly love my body the way it was before and the way it is now simply because I got to understand my body at all its different stages and phases," she wrote. "It also allowed me to educate myself and fuel my mind at every stage of my journey."         View this post on Instagram                   This Is How I truly Feel About My Weight Gain! ________ One of my followers @theasexy1 asked me if I liked the weight I am now or the weight I was before and it’s a question I’ve been asked before so I thought I would share it with everyone and not to respond to @theasexy1 with a 1 page essay! _______ I truly love my body the way it was before and the way it is now simply because I got to understand my body at all it’s different stages and phases. It also allowed me to educate myself & fuel my mind at every stage of my journey. ______ If I’m to pick one, I love my body now because the journey leading up to my weight gain has thought me a lot about myself, it has allowed me to focus on my body holistically verses just one aspect of it which was my outer appearance. It also allowed me to be vulnerable and share transparency with others and resonate on deeper level with women just like me that looked at their weight gain as a struggle and a defeat. ______ Don’t get me wrong I’ve experienced that same defeat on my end but I made a conscious choice not to stay defeated but not everyone can find courage to do so. By using my platform to shine light  on that situation to show that there is a way where there is a will I’ve found a community of women that go through the same exact fear, struggle and defeat as I did, but found much doubt in choosing to move forward to develop and curate the best versions of themselves. ______ This why I changed my training style to show you all that fitness is attainable! Though I sometimes go to the gym just for the human socialization and to utilize equipments I don’t have in my home you do not need an expensive gym membership to show up for yourself daily and develop your best self.  A post shared by ANELSA ACTIVE (@anelsaactive) on Feb 17, 2019 at 1:46pm PST That journey has led Anelsa to where she is today—maybe a few pounds heavier, but much more in tune with her body and mind. "If I'm to pick one, I love my body now because the journey leading up to my weight gain has taught me a lot about myself," she wrote. "It has allowed me to focus on my body holistically versus just one aspect of it which was my outer appearance. It also allowed me to be vulnerable and share transparency with others and resonate on a deeper level with women just like me that looked at their weight gain as a struggle and a defeat." (Related: More Women Are Trying to Gain Weight Through Diet and Exercise) That isn't to say that the road has been easy. "Don't get me wrong I've experienced that same defeat on my end but I made a conscious choice not to stay defeated but not everyone can find the courage to do so," she wrote. By being honest about her changing body, Anelsa has found a community of women who've been through the "same exact fear, struggle, and defeat" that comes with weight gain, but have chosen to learn from it, move forward, and continue to strive for the best version of themselves. "This [is] why I changed my training style to show you all that fitness is attainable," she wrote. "Though I sometimes go to the gym just for the human socialization and to utilize equipment I don't have in my home you do not need an expensive gym membership to show up for yourself daily and develop your best self." Anelsa's post is a great reminder that not every fitness journey is the same, nor is it linear. There are bound to be ups and downs but it's the desire to grow from those experiences that makes all the difference. 

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Walmart's Workout Equipment Is On Sale So Much It's Almost Cheap

Ellen DeGeneres Launched a Cute, Affordable Athleisure Line at Walmart

Fitness›Workout Clothes

A full matching set costs less than a single sports bra from other retailers.

Photo: Walmart Move over, Alo Yoga and Zella, there's a new activewear line in town! Thanks to Ellen DeGeneres, we can get even more really cute, cheap sports bras and leggings at Walmart in extended sizes. The comedian-turned-fashion connoisseur just launched her EV1 spring collection exclusively with the retail giant, giving us the affordable athleisure line of our dreams—consider us obsessed. (Related: SoulCycle Just Launched Their First In-House Activewear Line at Nordstrom) Her spring collection features nearly 75 new pieces, including fun printed leggings and sports bras, cool graphic tees, and super stretchy jeans, in sizes ranging from XS to XXXL. There are accessories too, like wristlets, totes, and weekenders, which you could totally use as a gym bag. The new collection is a continuation of her clothing line EV1, which debuted in September. When the line first launched DeGeneres told People that no matter a person's size or budget, she wants everyone to have access to the latest trends. (Related: The Best Yoga Pants for Women That Aren't Lululemon) And she’s done just that with her spring athleisure collection. If you can even believe it, a matching legging and sports bra set only costs $30. But even better? You can style all of the new, affordable hoodies and tees over your workout clothes, too. Keep scrolling to see our favorite activewear sets and other pieces from Ellen DeGeneres' new EV1 spring collection, available exclusively at Walmart.com (and in stores March 14). Photo: Walmart Buy It, EV1 from Ellen DeGeneres Floral Side Stripe Sports Bra Women's, $12, walmart.com; EV1 from Ellen DeGeneres Floral Side Stripe Legging Women's, $18, walmart.com Photo: Walmart Buy It, EV1 from Ellen DeGeneres Camo Sports Bra Women's, $12, walmart.com; EV1 from Ellen DeGeneres Camo Side Stripe Legging Women's, $18, walmart.com Photo: Walmart Buy It, EV1 from Ellen DeGeneres Graphic Stripe Sports Bra Women's, $12, walmart.com; EV1 from Ellen DeGeneres Graphic Stripe Legging Women's, $18, walmart.com Photo: Walmart Buy It, EV1 from Ellen DeGeneres Making History Sweatshirt Women's, $24, walmart.com Photo: Walmart Buy It, EV1 from Ellen DeGeneres Thyme Canvas Weekender, $30, walmart.com Photo: Walmart Buy It, EV1 from Ellen DeGeneres Floral Sports Bra Women's, $12, walmart.com; EV1 from Ellen DeGeneres Placed Floral Legging Women's, $18, walmart.com Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission. This story originally appeared on People.com by Alex Warner.

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Whole Foods Is Closing All of Their Budget 365 Stores

Healthy Eating›Diet Tips & Nutrition

Every location will eventually become a traditional Whole Foods Market.

Photo: Trong Nguyen/Shutterstock After Whole Foods announced in January that it would stop expanding their line of slightly more cost-effective "365" branded stores, the company has decided not to keep any existing ones open either and will close them all. While there were only 12 of these stores nationwide, many consumers had expressed excitement about the growth of a wallet-friendly option to combat the store's "whole paycheck" reputation when Whole Foods made the announcement in 2016. All 12 of the 365 stores are now set to become regular Whole Foods Markets. Every store will remain open during the transformation process and will not disrupt shoppers' experience, Yahoo! Finance reported. Since the 365 stores were focused on carrying private-label products, they are smaller than typical Whole Foods retail locations, and will likely offer fewer services, such as full-service meat counters. However, they will begin to offer more products than the 365 stores currently do now. John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market, initially attributed the halt of 365 expansion to the company's attempt to lower prices in all of their stores and that the need for these lower-end stores would become obsolete with their efforts to diminish price gaps with Amazon. (Related: Why Amazon Buying Whole Foods Makes Total Sense) However, the prices of hundreds of items are actually on the rise. If you live near a 365 store, enjoy it while you can, but know you will still be able to purchase many of your favorite private-label items even after it converts to a Whole Foods. This story originally appeared on CookingLight.com by Lauren Wicks.

These Keto Protein Bars Taste Amazing and Only Have 2 Grams of Sugar

Healthy Eating›Diet Tips & Nutrition

In a sea of duds, these bars are the love of my perpetually hungry life.

No, Really, You Need This features wellness products our editors and experts feel so passionately about that they can basically guarantee it will make your life better in some way. If you've ever asked yourself, "This seems cool, but do I really ~need~ it?" the answer this time is yes. I have very strong feelings about bars. I love the idea of them, especially the grab-and-go convenience. But whatever you call them—protein bars, energy bars, snack bars—so many on supermarket shelves are filled with ultra-processed ingredients or unrecognizable fillers. (Read up: Are Protein Bars Actually Healthy?) Then there's the sugar. Brands love to tout how much protein or fiber their bars deliver on the front packaging. But if you've ever taken a look at the nutritional information on the back, you might have noticed that many can contain upwards of 20 grams of sugar per serving, nearly as much as a Snickers bar (which, let's be honest, is a much more delicious way to consume sugar in bar form). And even if you do find a bar that's relatively healthy, there’s a pretty good chance the texture is awful—overly chalky, sticky, chewy, or crumby. But after trying pretty much every bar out there, I’ve finally found The One. Everyone, meet Primal Kitchen protein bars. If you follow the keto diet, there's a good chance you've heard of Primal Kitchen. The brand's healthy pantry staples have developed a cult following—especially among keto dieters—because many of their products fit the high-fat, low-carb eating plan. Primal Kitchen's grass-fed collagen bars have been on supermarket shelves for some time, and while their nutritional profile is impressive, I'm personally not a big fan of the texture, which is definitely on the chewier side. But last year, the brand launched a new protein bar in three flavors (peanut butter, coconut lime, and almond spice), and I immediately fell in love. (Related: The Best Keto Protein Bars, According to Nutrition Pros) Let me tell you about these bars, which I now buy in bulk and keep in both my pantry at home and desk drawer at work. First, they're *actually* good for you. All three flavors boast recognizable ingredient lists and just 2 grams of sugar—the lowest I've seen in a bar. The subtle sweetness is thanks to natural sweeteners like honey and organic monk fruit extract (no sugar alcohols here). My go-to peanut butter flavor has 9 grams of protein from ingredients like cage-free eggs, flaxseed, and nuts, which helps keep me full between meals. They're gluten-, soy-, grain-, whey-, and dairy-free, as well as paleo- and keto-friendly. In other words, unless you're a vegan or have nut allergies, you can eat these bars. (Related: What You Need to Know About the Latest Alternative Sweeteners) Most importantly, they're delicious. The texture is soft and slightly dense, kind of like a Reese's. (The closest bar I can compare them to in terms of texture is probably the Perfect Bar.) The peanut butter flavor tastes pretty much exactly as you'd expect; almond spice has hints of cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg; and coconut lime delivers tropical vibes without tasting too much like a piña colada or a marg. The only criticism I have about these bars is that they're a little on the small side. They're so delicious, but in four bites it's all over and I have to wait until the next day to get my fix. Primal Kitchen, can you please make a slightly larger version of this bar for your die-hard fans?! (Also, because I know you're wondering: Is It Healthy to Have a Protein Bar Every Day?) The Primal Kitchen protein bars retail for $33 for 12, or about $2.75 a bar, which does make them a little pricier than some other brands. But as someone who's trying to watch her sugar intake, I'll happily pay a little extra to get the convenience of a bar without the sugar crash. All three flavors are currently sold out on Primal Kitchen's website, but you can still get them at Amazon and at Thrive Market.

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Is FitVine Wine Actually Healthy?

Healthy Eating›Healthy Drinks

Dumbbells and runners on a "healthy" wine bottle—legit, or just a marketing ploy?

Photo: FitVine Wine Fact: People are drinking more wine than ever before (there's been a 25 percent increase in gallons consumed over the past decade). Another fact: Alcohol contains a lot of empty calories and can lead to increased weight gain, poor fitness recovery, and long-term brain deterioration. So it makes sense that our keto-obsessed, clean-eating, health-focused society would crave healthier wine options. (Even if wine does have some health benefits.)  Enter: FitVine, a "healthy" wine company that claims to help you "crush life." (There's even a runner on the bottle.) But is it actually any healthier? Here, a FitVine wine review that dives into the ways this "healthy" wine is (and isn't) different from "regular" wine. Sugar FitVine says their wines average less than 0.09 grams of sugar per glass—which is pretty low, depending on what kind of wine you usually drink. Is that enough to make it a low-sugar wine? First, a little wine education: The residual sugar in wine comes from the natural sugars (fructose and glucose) found in wine grapes, says Lauren Cadillac, R.D. The longer grapes are on the vine, the stronger the sugar content becomes, explains Mark R. Warren, the president of FitVine. The fermentation process—and the type of wine—affects how much sugar is in the wine too: "In some 'dry wines,' yeast will convert all of the sugar into alcohol during the winemaking process," says Cadillac. "In other wines, not all of the sugar is fermented, which leaves you with a sweeter wine." That's how FitVine naturally makes their wine lower in sugar: "We pick our grapes a little early, and we ferment to dry (meaning there's no sugar left to ferment) from five to up to 15 days," says Warren. By comparison, he says, massive wine conglomerates can bottle wine in just one to two days using additives that speed things up. (Related: Your Guide to Drinking Alcohol On the Keto Diet)         View this post on Instagram                   We could tell you what's inside every bottle of our NEW Syrah but why tell you when we can just show you! Our Syrah contains more of what you love, like a decadent flavor profile, and less of what you don't, excess sugar, calories and sulfites. Raise a glass in the comments below if this wine is on your must try list!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #FitVine #FitVineWine #Wine #LowCalorie #LowSugar #LowCarb #Vegan #GlutenFree #Keto #Drinkstagram #VinePair #WineGram #HappyHour #RedWine #Cabernet #WineLover #InstaWine #WineSpectator #WineFolly #Syrah #EatClean #DrinkClean #DrinkWine #Sulfites A post shared by FitVine Wine (@fitvine_wine) on Jan 18, 2019 at 1:01pm PST Most times, the amount of residual sugar depends on where the wine is from. "The bigger and more ­fruit-forward the wine, the more likely you have some residual sugar," says Keith Wallace, founder of the Wine School of Philadelphia. As a rule of thumb, you can expect wines from cooler climates to have residual sugar closer to zero. For example, a pinot noir from Burgundy, France, will have only a trace amount of sugar; a Sonoma Zinfandel may have up to 3 grams per liter of residual sugar (about 0.4g per 5-ounce glass); while a sweet Moscato can have 64 grams per liter of residual sugar (about 9g per 5-ounce glass), he explains. FYI: "According to the United States Department of Agriculture, a 5-ounce glass of red table wine usually contains around 0.9 grams of total sugar, while a glass of chardonnay contains about 1.4 grams," explains Cadillac. So, although the difference between the above-mentioned Zinfandel and Moscato may seem huge, there's not always a big difference in sugar levels between varietals. (Here's more about how to buy low-carb wines and which ones to try.) Calories You can't talk about sugar without talking about calories. Wines marketed as "diet" wines can be about 15 to 30 percent lower in calories than standard wine, says Cadillac. (FitVine wines have between 92 and 120 calories per glass; regular wines range between 90 and 230 calories.) "This could save about 30 calories a drink," she explains. "So if you're someone who consumes a lot of wine throughout the week, this can add up to a few hundred calories over time." But if you're just a "glass every now and then" type of drinker, 30 calories won't really move the needle, she adds. (Related: Can You Drink Alcohol and Still Lose Weight?) Alcohol By Volume The reason the calories in wine add up is because of the alcohol. "You can't escape calories, because pure ethyl alcohol has about seven calories per gram," says Wallace. "Every gram of sugar or carbohydrate has about four calories as well. So the best way to reduce your calorie count is to consume low­-alcohol wines without any residual sugar." (A decent pinot grigio from Italy or an albariño from Spain are great options, he adds.) FitVine's ABV (alcohol by volume) ranges from 13.4 percent to 13.9 percent, which is similar to other wines. But Warren says the company's extended fermentation process naturally lowers the sugar levels without lowering the alcohol. "That was the key because we didn't want to make a low-alcohol wine that doesn't taste good," he adds. (If you're okay with reducing the alcohol content, try these low-ABV cocktails.) Reducing the calories in wine makes it lighter in body and less rich tasting, says Wallace. It would also likely be higher in acidity, which affects the taste because they're harvesting less-ripe grapes. To maintain the taste of their wines without adding sugar, FitVine optimizes the wine's pH levels (which affects the texture and the feel inside your mouth) and supplements with grapes from other varietals to create a stronger taste, says Warren.         View this post on Instagram                   Attention shoppers  FitVine wines are now available at more stores in your neighborhood . We're excited to announce that our crisp Sauvignon Blanc, classic Cabernet Sauvignon and full-bodied dry Chardonnay are available at @worldmarket and select @bedbathandbeyond locations! Find a store near you or an upcoming tasting event - link in bio .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #FitVineWine #FitVine #Wine #Drinkstagram #WineTasting #BedBathandBeyond #CostPlusWorldMarket #WorldMarket #WorldMarketFinds #LowSugar #LowCarb #Cabernet #Chardonnay #SauvignonBlanc #Keto #Vegan #KetoDiet #LowSugarDiet #LowCarbDiet #EatClean #DrinkClean #Health #Fitness #Nutrition #Wellness A post shared by FitVine Wine (@fitvine_wine) on Jan 23, 2019 at 2:30pm PST Should You Switch to FitVine Wine? Putting all the talk about calories and sugars aside, you might actually feel better drinking a diet wine. "'Diet' wines claim to have less sugar and fewer sulfites, which may translate to fewer headaches," says Cadillac. FitVine says its wines have less than 35 parts per million (ppm) of sulfites, whereas an average wine sits somewhere between 75 and 150 ppm, says Warren. "With wines that have more sulfites, people tend to get flushing or swelling," he says. "Some people have a sulfite allergy, but that's less than .01 percent of the population—most times, it's the combination of sulfites, histamines, sugar, flavors, and additives that cause a reaction." (More on that here: Do You Really Need to Worry About Sulfites In Wine?) If you can't have a glass without feeling it the next day, FitVine could be a better option for you. "Our wines are low in calories, low in sugar, low in histamines, low in sulfites, and have no flavor additives," says Warren. "It's clean-tasting wine that people can have two glasses of on a Tuesday night and still wake up at 5 a.m. on Wednesday to hit the gym before work without feeling like someone hit you with a hammer." The Bottom Line Is FitVine the healthiest wine? Is it even healthier at all? "As a health care provider, I wouldn't label any alcohol as 'healthy,'" says Cadillac. But wine isn't necessarily unhealthy to begin with. "There are now 20 years of scientific literature showing the healthfulness of drinking wine," says Wallace. Studies have shown that wine (in moderation!) cuts your risk of disease, helps you chill out, can aid in digestion, could help you lose weight, and could even boost your workout performance. So don't look at the label "diet" or "low-calorie" as an excuse to go HAM with a bottle. (There are no regulations specifying what makes a "diet wine," says Wallace, and wines that are marketed as a diet wine have not been reviewed by the FDA.) "As with most 'diet foods,' people tend to overdo it, thinking since it's lower in calories they can have as much as they want," says Cadillac. "Whether you choose a diet wine or not, choose the one you enjoy most and drink it in moderation." Instead, remember that life—and drinking—is all about balance. And that's exactly what FitVine is trying to promote: "A glass of wine is a release from our hectic lives," says Warren. "That's important because it helps people with their overall stress. We just want to help people enjoy wine without feeling the effects over the next few days." Cheers to that!  

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The Ultimate Hotel Room Workout

The Suitcase Hotel Room Workout You Can Do Wherever Your Travels Take You

Dek: 

Who says you need weights to do some heavy lifting? This Tabata workout will give you the quick metabolism boost you'll need before you head to your next destination.

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How many times have you ever used traveling as an excuse to skip a good workout? Or maybe you tried to work out, but the single hotel treadmill was a sad excuse for a gym. Either way, if you're behind the wheel (or in the passenger seat) like millions of other Americans who are taking road trips this year, you're going to be dying to get moving once you finally turn the car off for the night.

Keep your blood pumping by making good use of what's around you with this creative Tabata workout from trainer Kaisa Keranen (@kaisafit). This fast metabolism boost routine proves that if you have a suitcase—the heavier the better!—you can get in a good hotel room workout, anytime, anywhere. (No suitcase? Try this toilet paper workout.) Try it in between destinations so you can feel more chill about spending 5+ hours sitting on your butt (even if the seats are heated). 

Photo: Lincoln

How it works: Do each move for 20 seconds, as many reps as possible (AMRAP). Don't mess around—go hard on those reps. Then rest for 10 seconds and move on to the next exercise. Do the entire circuit two to four times.

Clean to Press

A. Lay a suitcase horizontally on the floor. Stand with feet wider than hip-width apart. Hinge forward at the hips and bend knees to grab end handles of the suitcase. B. Drive hips forward to clean the suitcase up to chest level, flipping it over onto forearms and lowering into a squat. C. Stand and press suitcase directly overhead, stacking hands over shoulders. Reverse movement to return to starting position.

Do AMRAP for 20 seconds. Rest for 10 seconds.

Jump to Press

A. Stand with feet together, suitcase racked at chest level. B. Bend knees and jump, landing in a deep left leg lunge, pressing suitcase directly overhead. C. Jump feet back together and lower suitcase to return to starting position.

Do AMRAP for 20 seconds. Rest for 10 seconds. Do every other set on the opposite side.

Bent-Over Row

A. Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding suitcase horizontally by the ends. Hinge at the hips with a flat back and knees slightly bent to start. B. Row suitcase toward chest, driving elbows straight back next to ribs and drawing shoulder blades together. C. Lower back to starting position, keeping core engaged.

Do AMRAP for 20 seconds. Rest for 10 seconds.

180 Squat Jumps

A. Stand with feet hip-width apart behind suitcase. B. Jump over the suitcase while turning 180 degrees to face the opposite direction. C. Repeat, jumping and turning in the opposite direction to return to starting position.

Do AMRAP for 20 seconds. Rest for 10 seconds.

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Here's Why You Have So Much Gas at Night

Lifestyle›Mind and Body

If you notice your gas is at its worst before bed, you're not alone. Here, gastroenterologists and dietitians explain why it's so common—and what you can do to keep your nighttime gas under control.

Photo: Burak Karademir/Getty Images Let's be real: Gas is always super embarrassing—and uncomfortable. And maybe you've noticed that it gets really bad when you finally lie down for bed at night, which can keep you from falling asleep (or you know, engaging in other sexy pre-bed activities). Rest assured: It's totally normal and more common to happen at the end of your day, according to gastroenterologists and dietitians. Keep reading to find out why—and what you can do to keep your nighttime gas under control. Your body is actually built to be super gassy at night. First, you should understand how your body's digestive tract works to digest food. "The healthy bacteria that live along our intestinal tract (to help us digest food) create gas all day and throughout the night, even during our sleep," says Christine Lee, M.D., a gastroenterologist at the Cleveland Clinic. Unsurprisingly, the largest volumes of gas are produced after meals. So if dinner is your largest meal of your day, it could also be the reason your gas is worse. But even if you eat a super-light dinner, there's another reason your gas may be worse at night. "At night, the bacteria in the gut has had all day to ferment what you've eaten," says Libby Mills, a registered dietitian and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. From ingestion to gas formation, the digestion process may take approximately six hours in a normal gut. Thus, you're likely to experience more gas later in the day because your lunch (and anything else you've eaten in the last six hours) is finishing being digested. In other words, "It has more to do with the accumulation of gas rather than the actual rate of gas production," says Dr. Lee. There's yet another reason that your gas might seem out of control at night, that doesn't have to do with what you've eaten. "Our autonomic nervous system maintains closure of the anal sphincter, especially during the daytime, when we are very active and engulfed in daily activities," Dr. Lee explains. "This causes more gas to accumulate and become ready for release at night when our autonomic nervous system is less active and we (along with our anal sphincter) become more relaxed," says Dr. Lee. Plus, after your responsibilities for the day have concluded, you're also simply more aware of your body, she adds. Your gassiness also depends on your diet. Of course, the foods you're putting into your body at night and throughout the day also play a major role. There are tons of foods that can make your gas worse, especially foods high in fiber. There are two types of fiber, soluble and insoluble. While the insoluble kind stays close to its original form throughout digestion, it's the soluble kind that's more fermentable, and thus more likely to cause gas. "Sources of soluble fiber include beans, lentils, and legumes, as well as fruits especially apples and blueberries, and grains such as oats and barley," says Mills. And sources of insoluble fiber include whole-wheat flour, wheat bran, nuts, and vegetables like cauliflower, green beans, and potatoes. "Since the human body does not break down fiber, we rely on the bacteria in our gut to do the job. The amount of gas produced from fermentation (of food in the gut) will depend on how developed a colony of bacteria is, based on how often we eat fibery foods to feed them," says Mills. So the more often you're eating those foods high in fiber, the healthier your gut microbiome is and the easier it will be able to digest. But it may not just be the fiber itself that's making you gassier. "Foods high in soluble fiber are also high in fructans and galactooligosaccharides, sugars that can't be digested by our guts (but rather rely on gut bacteria to do the digesting, making you more gassy and bloated)," says Melissa Majumdar, a registered dietitian and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Foods high in fructans include artichokes, onion, garlic, leeks, peas, soybeans, kidney beans, ripe banana, currants, dates, dried figs, grapefruit, plums, prunes, persimmons, white peaches, watermelon, rye, wheat, barley, cashews, pistachios, black beans, and fava beans. In recent years, the low-FODMAP diet has gained popularity as a remedy to fight GI discomfort (like gas and bloating) from a diet low in foods containing FODMAPs. FODMAP is an acronym that stand for the poorly digested and fermentable sugars: Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols. This also includes the added fiber inulin, a fiber from chicory root, that is often added to processed foods like granola, cereals or meal replacement bars to give them an extra fiber boost. You can also improve the bacteria in your gut by eating more probiotics regularly. Probiotics promote regularity in the gut when it comes to digestion and should leave you feeling less gassy, says Dr. Lee. The timing of your eating plays a role, too. Besides food choice, how gassy you are may also be a result of how much you ate at different times. "I see people have trouble with evening digestion if they go long periods of time without eating and/or backload (if someone skips breakfast, eats a light lunch, and doesn't have any balanced snacks, dinner is going to be the majority of calories) and makes digestion more difficult," says Majumdar. "If you don't eat or drink consistently throughout the day, the stomach can end up crampy and angry when a load of food hits it"—so finding a consistent eating and drinking schedule is key, she says. Even if you tend to eat your meals later or earlier than average (Dr. Lee suggests breakfast around 7 or 8 a.m., lunch around noon to 1 p.m., and dinner at 6 or 7 p.m.), being consistent is the most important part. When you're irregular and inconsistent with your eating schedule, the body can't set a circadian rhythm, she adds. And, unsurprisingly, your gut will really hate you if you cram in a ton of fiber-filled foods at dinner. "If the body is not used to large amounts of raw fruits and vegetables (and other food sources of fiber), it will have a hard time adapting," says Majumdar. While women need a lot of fiber (25 grams per day, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, if you suddenly increase the amount of fiber you're getting every day too quickly, your gut will be sure to let you know. (Related: These Benefits of Fiber Make It the Most Important Nutrient In Your Diet) Working out and hydrating can help. "Exercise, exercise, exercise," says Dr. Lee. "Being physically active and physically fit is single-handedly the most effective way to keep your GI motility moving, as people with slower GI motility tend to suffer from constipation and or inefficient/incomplete defecation, which produces methane gas, resulting in excessive flatulence." (And FYI, whether you're a fan of morning workouts or an evening sweat sesh probably doesn't make a difference when it comes to nighttime gas, says Dr. Lee.) Drinking lots of water also helps. Why? "Water is a magnet to fiber," says Majumdar. As fiber is digested, it absorbs water, which helps it pass through your digestive tract more easily. This also helps prevent constipation. (Related: What Happened When I Drank Twice As Much Water As I Usually Do for a Week) Bottom line: While gas is a totally normal part of being human, if you're concerned about the amount of gas you have, consider talking to a pro. "No one knows your body better than yourself. If the amount of gas is concerning to you (i.e., new, more than your baseline, or escalating over time), then you should see a physician for evaluation," says Dr. Lee. "Once cleared by a physician, then seeing a dietitian for healthy diet options and choices is always a great idea."    

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The Best CrossFit Shoes for Women

Do Pimple Patches Actually Help Get Rid of Zits?

Lifestyle›Beauty

Pimple patches deliver acne medicine exactly where you need it, plus they prevent those leftover dark marks. Hallelujah.

Photo: Anna Erastova/Getty Images Acne patches are the hottest Korean beauty import, and now a bunch of brands are coming out with their own versions. The latest have been shown to significantly reduce the inflammation, redness, and sebum levels of a pimple—sometimes as quickly as overnight. Here's how they work. (Related: These Are the Best Acne Products On Amazon Under $25, According to Thousands of Reviewers) Pimple Patches: Better Than a Typical Bandage Acne patches are made of hydrocolloid, a substance composed of gums like cellulose or gel-forming agents like gelatin. "Hydrocolloid feels and acts like a layer of skin," says Daniel Kaplan, a co-founder of ZitSticka. The clear, matte oval stays in place even in the shower and absorbs fluid—namely the gunk inside your pimple. "A hydrocolloid patch is ideal for a pimple that's ready to pop," says Fedora Stojkoska-Hristov, a global product development manager behind the Patchology Breakout Box 3-in-1 Acne Treatment Kit ($20, ulta.com). "Instead of squeezing acne, causing an injury that leads to a scab and possibly a dark mark, you can apply a patch to vacuum out the debris and protect the area from pollutants—including potentially dirty hands." (Here are the best drugstore acne products, according to dermatologists.)         View this post on Instagram                   Cover the zit while you defeat it. Rather than messy topical ointments that don't permeate the top layer of skin, #ZitSticka deep-dives into the core of the problem, helping to reduce the size and color of your next zit within 5-8 hours. The StickaTech adhesive behind each patch is so reliable that it will only come off when you want it to. Clean, simple and powerful. Stick it on, see it off!!! Check link in bio to grab your #zitsticka A post shared by ZitSticka™ (@zitsticka) on Feb 20, 2019 at 9:00pm PST Result-Boosting Ingredients Some patches are also infused with acne-fighting medicine, making them ideal for pimples in the early stages of their life cycle. Those with salicylic acid exfoliate the dead-skin layers that clog pores and are ideal for newly formed pimples. For notoriously painful underground pimples, the ZitSticka Killa patch has 24 self-dissolving micro darts filled with salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid, vitamin B3, and a bacteria-killing peptide. "The micro darts painlessly penetrate the skin and disperse the ingredients directly into the zit's epicenter," Kaplan says. "This can stop the pimple even before it surfaces." The Best Acne Pimple Patches On the Market RN Try these acne patches, and you'll never go back to spot treatment again:  ZitSticka Killa - 8 count ($29, zitsticka.com) Patchology Breakout Box 3-in-1 Acne Treatment Kit ($20, ulta.com) Cosrx Acne Pimple Master Patch - 24 count ($6, dermstore.com) skyn ICELAND Blemish Dots - 48 count ($20, dermstore.com) Peter Thomas Roth Acne-Clear Invisible Dots - 72 count ($30, dermstore.com)

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