© Shis issue: (Y Facebook Files: self-censorship and social media ( Lunch of the Week: Tin it to win it (¥ 10 dance moves due for a comeback in 2014 And more! Have an idea for a story? Let us know! Contact: Sophie Isbister, Life & Style Editor Mlifeandstyle@theotherpress.ca www. theotherpress.ca New year, new workout soundtrack » The best songs to get your body moving in 2014 Julia Siedlanowska | Staff Writer N“ year’s resolutions, yada yada yada—I personally don't believe in them. I think arbitrary changes over the course of the calendar year have : just before bikini season (born : procrastinators that we are), but : : if'you do want to go for thatrun : : anew, dancier Miley, and the : surprise of Beyoncé. Popular : music continued to numb us : with pathetic lyrics and beats, : and rising new artists continued : to surprise us. Fantastic music : from other parts of the world : continues to delight our senses : as globalization pushes it : overseas and onto our radio : waves: I wish only to hear more. little to do with my life, and I’m sure most of us think of our years more in terms of the school year anyway. I prefer to set my resolutions regarding specific life goals and changes, and January 1 is little more than a tiny landmark in the sad Vancouver winter for me. However, if one thing about the Kendrick and Miley motivate new year is for certain, it’s that it takes place after a month or more of extreme indulgence. : This tends to lead to an increase : : just did.” Whether it be yoga, : in fitness levels for a few weeks, : orat the very least, crushing guilt. But how do we deal with this guilt? Do we sit on the : couch and ignore our nagging : conscience? Or do we go out : and do something? Yeah, ok—I : know the frenzy will really start : or burn off those gingerbread : men, there’s something to help : you along: music. I’m not ashamed to admit that feeling like Rocky Balboa : is part of the charm of going : fora nice long jog, or that : me ona daily basis. Making : fitness fun is one of the best : ways to actually get you going, to help turn “I should” into “T : sex, running, dancing, or going : to the gym, there's a whole slew : of songs that are just the right : accompaniment to any physical : activity. Scientists say that the : best music to work out to is : between 120 and 140 beats per : minute, placing a lot of recent : pop and club tracks right in the sweet spot. Last year saw the rise of Hore ts my selection of 10 songs to motivate you this January: Trance Dance: “CHATTAHOOCHEE” by Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike Get Crazy: “Watch Out for This (Bumaye)” by Major Lazer ft. Busy Signal, The Flexican, and FS Green Fav Dance Song: “Animals” by Martin Garrix Fav Sex Song 1: “Latch” by Disclosure ft. Sam Smith Fav Sex Song 2: “Do | Wanna Know” by Arctic Monkeys Pump Up: “Radioactive” by Imagine Dragons Get Jacked: “Fuckin’ Problems” by A$AP Rocky ft. Drake, 2 Chainz, and Kendrick Lamar Motivate: "| Love It” by Icona Pop ft. Charli XCX Guilty Pleasure: “Mi Mi Mi” by Serebro DIDID) DIDOlDlD| Did All Time Fav: “Breezeblocks” by Alt-J It's the time of the season for changing » Hitting refresh Natalie Serafini mm, Assistant Editor PA assistant Fe, @theotherpress.ca he new year is an opportu- nity to be and do better, but it’s easy to feel overwhelmed at the prospect of deciding what to change, how to change, and how to make the changes stick. Resolutions taper off as January ages and our resolve grows stale, so here are some templates for gradually improving something that you want to ch-ch-ch-ch-change! Losing weight/getting healthy/updating your work- out routine: First off, be realis- tic. Don’t aim to lose 20 lbs in 10 days because, honey, that’s not gonna happen. Start by deciding ona final weight goal, then aim to lose approximately one pound a week until you reach your final goal. It’s manageable and healthy to take on this “slow and steady wins the race” mentality, and feeling like you're succeeding by meeting your weekly goals will keep you on track and feeling encouraged. Make the process fun by finding a friend witha P| ° —_— © \ ~ = a > : similar goal: work out together or : compare recipes. And speaking : of fun, make sure to choose a : workout class that you truly : enjoy. You aren't going to want : to go to some class that you : grimace your way through, but if : youre having fun you'll actually : exercise. I’ve found that I love : a dance class, stretching through : yoga, or strengthening through : Pilates are all great options. Find : what you enjoy, and you'll find : that you're more willing to stick with the exercise program. Changing your look: Maybe ; you want to change your hair, ; or make your wardrobe more / Bi® kre > > Qe i Be realistic. Set small attainable goals // By predatornutrition.com : : professional. Whatever the : case, manageability is a factor : here. You likely don’t have the : funds to completely revamp : your wardrobe, so see about : investing ina few key pieces, : like a tailored blazer, ora pair : of shoes that will last along : time and still look killer. : kick and box, but dancing it up at : : : hair, don’t make any drastic changes if youre uncertain. : Consider your lifestyle and your : comfort level: if your hair is really curly and you don’t like : high-maintenance locks, don’t : get bangs. Ifyou’re not sure : you'll be comfortable with a : pixie cut, don’t chop your hair : completely offjust yet. You can If you want to update your still ease into shorter hair by : taking your length up gradually : over the course ofa series of cuts : every couple of months, rather : than lopping it offin one fell : snip. There’s something to be : said about leaping in and trying something for the hell of it, but : too drastica change can make you miss your mane. Consult : with your hairdresser about what : : will work for your hair type and : face shape, and consider how : you’d handle a drastic change. : Facing a fear: Facinga fear can : be tough, but if you approach : it gradually—and with some : help—it can be dealt with. : Depending on how debilitating : your fear is, you might need the : help of an experienced profes- : sional, or a group of people with : similar fears. A fear of flying, : for example, might require the : help of someone who knows : how to gradually address the : fear; facing social anxiety with : a group of people who struggle : with the same anxieties can : make you feel less alone. Maybe you don’t have a debilitating fear, in which case : you can challenge yourself ona : regular to semi-regular basis. If youre afraid of trying new foods, : gotoarestaurant and order : something you've never tried : before. Ifyourre afraid ofasking : someone out, push yourself to : doit anyways—what’s the worst : that could happen? (And remem- : ber, the worst that could happen : probably isn’t going to happen.) Addressing a bad habit: Habits : can become really ingrained in > our behaviour, so this can bea : difficult resolution. Whatever : makes it easier for you to address : the habit, do it. Seek support : froma friend, make gradual changes, or quit cold turkey. It’s : not easy, so realize that it might : take time and effort. Aim to stay : on track—even if you set arbi- : trary goals—and reward yourself : for your accomplishments. It can be difficult to decide : how you want to improve on : your fabulous self, and main- : taining the changes you want : tomake can be difficult as life : and obligations get in the way. : Ifyou focus on longevity, rather : than drastic and immediate : change, you'll likely find that : your changes last you long after : January ends. Good luck!