Lauren Gray is a New York-based writer, editor, and consultant. She holds a master's degree from Columbia University and a bachelor's degree from Kenyon College.
Looking to transform your health? You may be able to do so in a few simple steps, researchers say. A recent study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology made waves in the wellness world when it announced that taking just under 4,000 steps per day can significantly improve heart health and reduce your risk of dying from any cause. However, the positive health effects only increase with each additional 1,000 steps you take beyond that number. Benefits purportedly include improved cardiovascular health, better physical endurance, enhanced mood, reduced cancer risk, and more.
To put the theory to the test, Netflix filmmaker and YouTuber Matt D'Avella committed to documenting his own 30-day walking challenge. While taking an aspirational 10,000 steps per day, he weighed himself daily, tracked his blood pressure, collected data on his heart rate, and more—all in an effort to determine how his step count might impact his health.
The experiment marked a major departure from his normal activity levels. D'Avella says that though he regularly lifts weights and considers himself generally active, he averaged under 4,000 steps per day prior to beginning the experiment, an amount that reflects the average American's daily step count, according to the Mayo Clinic.
"If there's one area I definitely ignore, it's cardio. I rarely hit the treadmill, I don't run… I want to finally add more movement into my daily routine, and so, I'm going to walk 10,000 steps per day," he says in the popular YouTube post, which has garnered nearly two million views.
After 30 days, the filmmaker says he was surprised by the results. Read on to find out how walking 10,000 steps per day made a difference in D'Avella's life.
D'Avella says that the first thing he noticed about his new walking regimen is how difficult it is to prioritize it in your schedule.
"One thing that was clear as I made my way through the first week is that it's not always easy to find the time [to walk]. It is surprisingly difficult to get 10,000 steps into the day. I keep finding myself checking my tracker at 8pm at night and realizing that I'm 2,000 or 3,000 steps short. And so, what I've had to do is go out after dark and walk around my neighborhood, which is not creepy at all," he says sarcastically.
He began focusing on incidental exercise.
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In an effort to create a sustainable schedule that he could carry on after his 30 days were up, D'Avella says he began to focus on getting his steps in earlier in the day. He also committed to increasing his incidental exercise.
"Incidental exercise is any movement done in small amounts that adds up over the course of the day," he explains. "We all have choices that we make each day that impact the amount of movement that we get, like taking the stairs instead of the elevator, walking the long way to the gym, or using a smaller cup of water so you have to refill it more often. This type of exercise requires less effort than carving out a dedicated hour to go to the gym and can be built off everyday activities and routines."
Soon after implementing this new strategy, D'Avella says he started to notice a difference in his step count: "A few hundred steps here, a couple thousand steps there." By simply doing more chores around the house, walking instead of driving to meet friends for dinner, or taking his work calls on the go, he found it much easier to meet his step goals.
What at first felt like a chore eventually became something D'Avella looked forward to, he says in the video.
"I started casually listening to history podcasts, I listened to walking meditations, I walked silently around my neighborhood, and I explored new hiking trails around Sydney, and this has honestly become my favorite thing about this city. There are dozens of beautiful hikes, from the bush to the beaches. There are stunning views and moments of complete immersion in nature."
He also began burning more calories.
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Just as he started to find the joy in walking, D'Avella says he also started to notice some tangible results on his fitness tracker.
"I've exercised more, climbed more flights, done more steps, and had more running and walking distance," the YouTuber explains.
D'Avella notes that he also started burning more calories as a result of his increased activity. Before, he burned an average of 470 calories per day, but walking raised this number to over 650 per day.
However, D'Avella says that he began and ended the month at the same weight: 160 pounds.
"If all things had remained equal, you would have expected my weight to go down with the additional calories burned, but my sister was visiting for three weeks during this experiment. I know it's a terrible excuse, but I ate out and drank a lot more than I typically would have."
D'Avella says that by the end of the month, he noticed a difference in his energy levels.
"I feel a lot better, I do," he reports on day 30 of the experiment. "I feel a lot better now that I have gotten this extra cardio in, even if that cardio was as simple as walking more."
In fact, D'Avella often found himself surpassing his 10,000-step goal toward the end of the month, averaging over 12,000 steps per day. In total, the filmmaker says he took roughly 364,000 steps throughout his month-long experiment.
His other health data points remained unchanged—for now.
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D'Avella says that his blood pressure and resting heart rate were at healthy levels to begin with, and they stayed roughly the same from the beginning to the end of the experiment. However, he says he plans to maintain his higher levels of physical activity now that the experiment is over, aiming for at least 7,500 steps per day to reap the health benefits.
Doctors agree that increasing your step count by any amount can be beneficial to your health—and that every little bit of movement is worth the effort.
Ever since the late 90s, low-carb diets—those that drastically limit the number of carbohydrates one consumes—have been at the forefront of the weight-loss industry. Though the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that carbohydrates should make up 45 to 65 percent of your total daily calorie intake, a low-carb diet usually means eating 100 grams or less of carbohydrates per day.The theory goes that by pushing your body into a state of ketosis, a metabolic state in which you burn fat instead of glucose, you'll drop more pounds. To enter such a state, people who follow low-carb diets will typically forego added sugars, grains, refined carbohydrates such as those found in cookies or crackers, fruit, some vegetables, and more.
However, a 2023 meta-analysis published in JAMA Network Open has found that not all low-carb foods are created equally when it comes to weight loss. Those researchers reviewed data from three large prospective cohort studies that included over 123,000 subjects and determined that low-carb diets that focused on high-quality macronutrients from healthy plant-based foods were associated with less weight gain. Meanwhile, low-carb diets centered on animal-sourced proteins, fats, or refined carbohydrates were associated with more weight gain.
Read on for the 10 worst low-carb foods when you want to move the needle on the scale.
In general, processed meats are best avoided for your health because they're high in sodium and trans fats—both of which are unhealthy for your heart. Experts say they can also contribute to weight gain despite being low in carbohydrates.
Michelle Routhenstein, MS, RD, CDCES, CDN, a preventive cardiology dietitian at Entirely Nourished, says this is true regardless of type: Sausages made of processed beef, pork, chicken, or turkey can all slow movement on the scale.
"These are low in carbs but high in salt, which can lead to water retention and bloating, potentially hindering weight loss efforts," she explains.
2. Low-carb cookies or crackers
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If you eat low-carb cookies or crackers in the place of more traditional pre-packaged snacks, this may help you lose weight. However, experts note that these are still highly processed and can be labeled misleadingly, leading to slowed progress.
"Although these may be low in carbs, they are often higher in fat and total calories since they often use ground nuts and seeds in them," points out Liz Weinandy, RD, a registered dietitian at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
She notes that rather than eating low-carb processed foods, it's better to eat healthy carbs from natural sources—for instance, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains.
"Time and time again, studies show those who eat more plant foods have better health and lower risks for many chronic diseases," the dietitian says. "A better approach would be to lower the amount of ultra-processed carbs," even those that are labeled as being low in carbohydrates.
If you've been on TikTok lately, you may have noticed the viral trend of the "carnivore diet," a restrictive meal plan in which dieters eat only meat and other animal products, such as eggs and dairy. However, experts say that not only is this a heart health hazard, but it may also backfire when it comes to weight loss.
"Fatty red meat, like ribeye steak, contains significant amounts of saturated fat, which can increase insulin resistance and inflammation, thereby hindering progress toward weight loss goals," says Routhenstein.
The dietitian notes that deli meats are also poor additions to your weight loss diet: "Processed meats like salami are high in saturated fats, sodium, and preservatives, which can contribute to weight gain and cardiovascular problems."
4. Low-carb cocktails and beer
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When you want to lose weight, it's a good idea to cut back on your alcohol consumption. But simply switching to low-carb cocktails or beer at your previous volume is unlikely to yield the results you're after.
"Even low-carb alcohol still has calories in it, and these can add up," says Weinandy, noting that alcohol slows down the metabolism. "Most beverages with calories, if consumed regularly, can thwart weight loss efforts. This is why water and calorie-free tea and coffee is recommended over any sugary beverage."
When you're following a low-carb diet, it's best to reach for high-quality oils and fats to cook with—for instance, extra virgin olive oil.
"Butter, although it doesn't contain carbs, is calorically dense and high in saturated fat, which can impede weight loss goals by contributing to excess calorie intake," says Routhenstein.
6. Cheese
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Most types of cheese contain few or no carbs—but that doesn't mean they'll necessarily result in weight loss.
For instance, cream cheese—despite being low in carbs—is rich in saturated fats and calories. "Excessive consumption of cream cheese may lead to weight gain and negatively affect heart health," warns Routhenstein.
Condiments are often a hidden source of calories—which is why they can easily sabotage your weight loss goals if not portioned out carefully.
"Just one tablespoon of mayonnaise, about the size of your thumb from the tip to where it meets your palm, is 100 calories," notes Weinandy. "It's easy to use two to three tablespoons on a single sandwich. Low-carb? Yes. Low calorie? No!"
8. Whipped cream
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Whipped cream contains only 1.75 grams of carbohydrates per quarter cup, yet Routhenstein warns against it.
"Whipped cream is low in carbs but high in saturated fats and sugars, which can lead to weight gain and increased risk of heart disease when consumed in excess," she says.
9. Nuts and seeds
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Nuts and seeds can be a nutrient-dense snack that helps keep you fuller for longer. However, they're also calorie-dense—and this can lead to weight gain if you don't consider portion control.
"Nuts and seeds are powerhouses of nutrients, containing many different micronutrients such as magnesium, zinc, selenium, and fiber. However, they are high in fat and calories, too," says Weinandy.
She notes that though nuts contain healthy, monounsaturated fats, including Omega-3 fatty acids, the calories will still add up and can prevent weight loss.
10. Artificial sweeteners
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Though it's a good idea to minimize sugar on any diet plan, some experts say that replacing it with artificial sweeteners can backfire.
"Research is mixed on sugar substitutes, with some studies showing they can help with weight loss and others showing no benefit or even worse—that they may increase appetite. There may even be a larger negative to using these, though. There is concern they may negatively affect the gut microbiome, and over time, this can affect many aspects of our health," warns Weinandy.
The best part about redecorating is shopping for everything from cozy linens to elegant table decor to funky accent chairs. But ask anyone who’s ever spearheaded an interior design project before; home decor doesn’t come cheap—especially when you have your eyes set on trendy pieces from Crate & Barrel or have a taste for the luxurious finishes of là Pottery Barn. However, according to Walmart shoppers, the retailer has home decor dupes for these high-end brands that would leave even Rachel Green impressed. And best of all, they’re up to $1,000 cheaper. Keep reading to see what Walmart shoppers are adding to their carts.
Made from a natural blend of jute, cotton, and wool, this floral accent rug from Walmart is $276 cheaper than its Pottery Barn version. The handwoven, frayed rug comes in a variety of sizes, whether you’re looking for a new doormat or something to position under the living room couch.
“You’re sleeping on Walmart…they are giving us the budget decor,” said one Walmart shopper on TikTok before showing off her dupe find. “It is under $20.”
She noted that the 2’x3’ rug is the perfect “doormat version,” “bathroom version,” or even “kitchen sink version.”
2. Dupe for Crate & Barrel's Swivel Accent Chair
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“Can you even believe this bird cage swivel chair is from Walmart? It looks super high-end and expensive, but it’s super affordable,” raved one TikToker.
With its lightweight, curved frame and upholstered linen fabric, this swivel chair belongs in any room of the house. Crate & Barrel sells a similar version for $1,299, but Walmart shoppers can get the dupe for just $274.
At the time of publication, the Lillian Swivel Birdcage Chair was sold out, but Walmart shoppers can sign up to be notified when it restocks.
3. Dupe for Pottery Barn's Diamond Quilt
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Is your bedroom in need of a major refresh? Swapping out old bedding for new linens, like Pottery Barn’s Belgian Flax Linen Diamond Quilt, that are weighted or a different color or texture can transform your space. Luckily for Walmart shoppers, the retailer has a dupe that’s almost 80 percent cheaper.
“I found these Better Homes & Gardens Diamond Quilts for only $55, compared that to the Pottery Barn Diamond Quilt sets that are $299,” said one TikToker.
You can never have too many vases, and now, Walmart shoppers can score a dupe for the trendy Acacia Wooden Vase from Pottery Barn for just 19.88. That’s a $439 price difference!
5. Dupe for Pottery Barn's Reed 4-Drawer Dresser
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Pottery Barn is beloved for its minimalist furniture, but redecorating can rack up a hefty bill—and fast. That’s why many shoppers are turning to Walmart for bedroom furniture like the Modern Farmhouse 4-Drawer Chest, which is a dupe for the Pottery Barn Reed 4-Drawer Dresser —and it costs $980 less. Walmart customers can even score the same dresser in a rustic white design for even less than the polished wood version.
It feels like 2024 simply won’t let up with health scares, with the onset of bird flu, rising COVID cases, and foodborne illness. Unfortunately, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is sounding the alarm on yet another troubling trend: an increase in human parvovirus cases. While people who contract the seasonal respiratory virus are often asymptomatic, there are certain signs and symptoms you should keep an eye out for.
In an Aug. 13 Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory, the CDC noted the increase in parvovirus B19 (also known as fifth disease) in the U.S. There was an earlier uptick in reported cases in 14 European countries.
Roughly 50 percent of adults have detectable parvovirus B19 antibodies (signaling a past infection and presumed protection against reinfection) by the time they’re 20, and more than 70 percent have them by 40. However, new data from the CDC revealed that the proportion of people of all ages with IgM antibodies—which indicate a recent infection—increased between 2022 and 2024. The greatest increase was observed in children between the ages of 5 and 9.
The virus is “highly transmissible in respiratory droplets,” and people working in schools with children are at a higher risk of infection. Some students and staff are infected during school outbreaks, while others are infected after “household exposure.” The illness can also be transmitted from a mother to a fetus during pregnancy or through certain kinds of blood and plasma transfusions. However, the CDC notes that “transfusion-associated parvovirus B19 infection is extremely rare.”
Those infected with parvovirus B19 might not show any symptoms, but when they do appear, they’re typically mild and appear in two phases. During the first phase, people may experience a fever, myalgia (muscle pain), and general malaise roughly a week after being infected. On its page outlining parvovirus B19, the CDC notes that headache, cough, sore throat, rashes, and joint pain can also occur. People are most contagious during this phase, which typically lasts five days.
During the second phase, adults may have a rash on the trunk of the body and joint pain, while kids often develop a “characteristic facial rash,” also known as a “slapped cheek” appearance. This may also be followed by a net-like rash and joint pain. When the rash shows up, children are no longer contagious.
The CDC notes that people generally only require care during the acute phase and then recover completely. Complications like myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle), hepatitis, and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) are rare. However, those without preexisting immunity to parvovirus B19 who are pregnant, those who have weakened immune systems, and those with a specific form of anemia can have “adverse health outcomes.”
The CDC recommends familiarizing yourself with the symptoms and its respiratory virus guidance, especially if you are at higher risk of severe disease. You should also seek medical care if you are pregnant and have been exposed to parvovirus B19 or show symptoms, as well as if you have an underlying condition and symptoms of the virus.
Inflation fell just below 3% (2.9%) for the first time since 2021, which makes it the perfect time to look at your financial matters with a fresh perspective. But how can you take advantage of the current economic climate? “The top ways to grow your wealth are really simple, almost deceptively so,” self-made millionaire and author of “I Will Teach You to Be Rich” Ramit Sethi tells CNBC. “And they seem boring, but they are the ones that actually work.” So what should you do? Here’s how to save money and grow wealth, according to financial experts.
Consider investing even a small amount of money to grow wealth. “Invest a percentage of your income every year automatically and increase that percentage 1%,” Sethi says. “We often believe that rich people have access to secret investments, and that’s how they make a ton of money. Listen, I have access to those investments, and I can tell you right now, they typically do not perform better than a simple S&P index fund. The ordinary truth is that you can get great returns with a simple low-cost long-term index fund.”
2. Make More Money
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Don’t feel limited by the amount of money you make. "An often-overlooked option to save more money is to make more,” Kevin M. Curley, II, CFP, wealth advisor at Global Wealth Advisors, tells CBS News. “Working to improve or build up a skillset can increase an employee's value and the amount of money someone might be willing to pay them. Market any specialized skills on social media platforms by broadcasting them to anyone who will listen. You don't have to be an influencer to make money on YouTube, for example. It is possible to reach people who are interested in very niche areas and start making money with only 1,000 subscribers.”
2. Plan Ahead
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Plan ahead when doing food shopping or planning to go to a restaurant so you don’t get tempted by something outside your budget. "Be honest with yourself and set expectations with friends and family who might be expecting you to pick up the tab or purchase a gift,” Dr. Kate Mielitz, Accredited Financial Counselor at Beyond Finance, tells CBS News. “Yes, it's hard, and uncomfortable, to say, 'I can't afford it,' but it pays off when you have money in your account at the end of the pay period.”
4. Switch Service Providers
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Consider switching service providers to save money. "As a personal example, I recently switched telecom services and found it was 30% cheaper, and the plan gave me free cell service for the first year," Curley says. “Shopping around for home and auto insurance rates can be a good way to save money,” says Nia Adams, personal finance educator at Perspectives.
5. Is Your Salary Fair?
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Don’t be afraid to ask for a raise to make sure you are getting a fair wage. “Learn the skills of negotiating your salary and getting paid what you’re worth,” Sethi says.
6. Side Hustle
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Consider making more money by exploring side hustles. By using your spare time to work on new projects, you can make more money. “If you really want to increase your earnings, consider starting a business on the side,” Sethi says.
7. Reduce Investment-Related Fees
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Don’t overlook the fees on your investment accounts. "Fees are imperative to consider when choosing an investment because they can diminish your investment returns, and with compound interest, can cost you a substantial amount of money over time," Vincent Grosso, founder at Pascack Capital, tells CBS News. "To save money, investors can look for less expensive fund options. A more expensive fund does not always equate to a superior fund. Evaluating your fund fees can save you money today, and your future self will thank you, as well.”
Netflix fans rejoice—the streaming giant just renewed two major shows. Supacell and The Gentleman will both be returning for season 2 after performing very well in their initial seasons. “The world of The Gentlemen is a little bit of me,” Ritchie previously told Netflix. “We’re looking forward to bringing fans back into that world, introducing new characters and their stories, and I am excited to be doing it with this extremely talented cast.” Here’s what to expect in season 2 of both hit shows.
According to the official description, Supacell is about “a group of five ordinary people who unexpectedly develop superpowers. They have little in common except for one thing: they are all Black South Londoners. It is down to one man, Michael Lasaki, to bring them all together in order to save the woman he loves.”
2. What's Next?
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Creator Rapman says he has a clear idea of what will happen on the show. “I’ve always had it [mapped out] to Season 3. I know how Season 2 ends,” he told Tudum. “I’ve got stuff planned for this story. I’ve had this in my head for years, so I’m ready to go.”
3. Just Getting Started
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Rapman says each of the five Supacell heroes is just getting started. “Supacell Season 1 is my Batman Begins. It’s a prequel of what they’ll be like,” he told Tudum. “Season 2 is when you really see what they become. That future you saw at the end of the pilot in London, that exact future doesn’t exist anymore. They’ve changed everything. It’s going to be interesting when we get into the writers’ room.”
4. What's The Gentlemen About?
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The Gentlemen, based on the Guy Ritchie movie of the same name, is coming back for another 8-episode season. “When aristocratic Eddie inherits the family estate, he discovers that it's home to an enormous weed empire — and its proprietors aren't going anywhere,” says Netflix in their official description.
5. What's Next?
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Even the cast are full of questions and speculations about what’s coming next. “It’d be fun to see the business spread a bit more,” Kaya Scodelario, who plays Susie, tells Tudum. “How do they take it to the next level? They’re very adamant about not getting into the chop game, so how do they then continue to build the empire? Where does that take them? How does the new structure of the business work practically?”
6. What About Susie and Eddie?
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Fans of the relationship between Susie and Eddie should be prepared for anything. “I think they’ve grown to love each other in their own way, but I think they’ll never fully trust each other because they are so different and they’re from such vastly different worlds,” Theo James told Tudum. “There’s a love between them, but ultimately they will never be from the same cloth.”
7. Supacell Rave Reviews
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Supacell scored 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics and viewers alike raving about the show. “Though the excitement of supernatural abilities and the magic of science fiction ripple across the show, the series also explores major themes that disproportionately affect Black people, including human trafficking, extreme surveillance, pervasive global anti-Blackness and predatory medical practices,” writes Aramide Tinubu for Variety.
8. London Superheroes
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Other reviews highlight the unique aspect of having a superhero story take place amongst people of color in London. “This is not your typical superhero origin story, where preserving truth, justice and the American way is the primary concern,” Leila Latif writes for The Guardian. “Instead, the characters are operating in a society where the odds are stacked against them, and they are all struggling to make ends meet and avoid violence. Their priority is to use the unexpected new tools at their disposal to even the playing field.”
9. Cheeky Humor
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Fans of Guy Ritchie will know what to expect from The Gentlemen. “As you’d expect from the prolific and provocative filmmaker behind Snatch, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., the Robert Downey Jr. Sherlock Holmes movies, etc., The Gentlemen is filled with cheeky humor, sweeping camera movements, callbacks to previous plot developments and the occasional use of a graphic that spells out definitions and sometimes does some convenient math for us,” Richard Roeper says cia the Chicago Sun-Times.