Food Charts That Might Change the Way You Think About Your Diet

If there’s one thing I’ve learned for sure as a woman who has been many different weights at many different times in her life, it’s that diets that require you to deprive yourself of everything you love will never work long term.

Human beings want to enjoy our lives, not just live them – with the exception of a few people who would rather be a certain size than enjoy a drink and some dessert with friends, we’re just not going to say no to the “good” stuff our entire lives.

That said, we can shift our belief as far as what’s good and bad, and begin to listen to our bodies and how much they want of any particular food item – and these 18 charts go a long way toward helping people look at food and diet in a different way.

18. Problem number 1? The price.

It should not cost more to eat healthy than to not.

17. Try a few swaps.

You might not even notice!

16. No food is the villain.

Shake the idea that food itself is “good” or “bad,” y’all.

15. Water is life.

It makes more of a difference than you probably realize.

14. Not all fruits are created equal.

Chips are chips, y’all.

13. Calcium is everywhere.

You don’t have to upset your tummy to find it!

12. You don’t have to say goodbye to carbs, y’all.

You can have a lifelong long affair and still be healthy.

11. No contest, really.

You don’t have to say no EVERY time, just MOST of the time.

10. Just a few swapped choices.

And still plenty of “treats.”

9. Still trying to convince my kids they’re all potatoes.

Why do fries have to be so yummy, though?

8. Read labels carefully.

But also just eat the dang thing and take a longer walk later.

7. The fat content is the same.

Make better choices!

6. Fruits are chock full of goodness.

Only some of that goodness is sugar.

5. Maybe just one a day, then.

You don’t have to give them up, just cut back.

4. Don’t put it in the fridge until you’ve got a plan to eat it.

And don’t ignore your nose if something seems off.

3. You’ve gotta stay healthy.

And look how many choices you have!

2. If you want to feel full…

What you eat matters as much as how much you eat.

1. Portions are a huge factor.

So is food quality, though.

Moderation is key! Is there a truer statement out there?

If you’ve found a place where you’re happy with your body and your diet, share your secrets in the comments!

The post Food Charts That Might Change the Way You Think About Your Diet appeared first on UberFacts.

Food Charts That Might Help Shift Your Perspective on Eating

We want to be healthy and to live long lives, but in this day and age we have so many delicious choices – many of which aren’t great for us – that it can be hard to put our future health over the yummy treats in the moment.

That said, our diets are like anything else in our lives – moderation is key, and depriving yourself is never going to work long term.

If you’re looking for a way to help bring balance to your diet and to your relationship with food, these 16 charts might help you see things in a different light.

16. Money is also a factor for many people.

I’d like to see that included in this chart.

15. It’s all about options.

You don’t have to be fully vegan or vegetarian to cut down on your animal proteins.

14. First, identify your goals.

Honestly, the one on the right looks just as good.

13. Read your labels.

Don’t just buy the hype.

12. Make sure you’re getting everything you need.

No matter your specific choices.

11. Treat the higher calorie ones as “treats.”

Do it occasionally, and pick something less fatty for your every day go-to.

10. Food doesn’t make you fat or thin.

There are many factors, not all of which are always under our control.

9. And foods aren’t bad or good.

They are food, and you’re not good or bad for eating them, either.

8. A healthy gut means a happier you.

It affects so much more than you realize.

7. Low sugar doesn’t mean low calorie.

Just so we’re clear.

6. If you want to feel fuller…

Or need to keep your hands busy.

5. Those condiments will get you.

And they’re just so yummy. Sigh.

4. Noone wants to live without bread.

That’s just no life at all.

3. You have to be aware of what you’re putting in your mouth.

That’s honestly the first step.

2. Portions are key.

Be aware of how much you’re putting on your plate every time!

1. Both have their place.

What are you in the mood for today?

These really do shine a new perspective on the choices we’re faced with every day.

If you’ve had some success with intuitive eating and listening to your body, share your tips and tricks with us in the comments!

The post Food Charts That Might Help Shift Your Perspective on Eating appeared first on UberFacts.

Three Acts of Kindness That Might Restore Your Faith in Humanity

It can be hard to remember that people are inherently good. The news is constantly pummeling us with atrocities, and most of tangle with people every day, in real life or online, who make us almost wish another giant asteroid was incoming.

These 3 stories will make you feel the opposite, though, and I don’t know about you, but that’s exactly what I need some days.

3. These are hard times, and community is the only way through it.

Image Credit: iStock

“My mother just called me. She had ordered some flowers from a small local store, to be delivered and dropped on the porch. When they brought the flowers, they said, ‘Hang on, we have something for you.’

The driver went back to the truck and proceeded to bring out a bag of hot meals, and then MULTIPLE bags of groceries. My mom was speechless and asked why. They said, ‘When you called, you mentioned you had promised your daughter not to go out, so we were worried you had no food and brought some.’
My parents have plenty of food. I’ve set up weekly deliveries. But this small business wanted to make sure. And they refused—REFUSED—payment for it. So I would like to shout out this business to the rooftops: Castle’s Garden, Lawn, & Landscape.”

One thing about coronavirus: there have been a shortage of toilet paper, but there absolutely wasn’t any shortage of kindness.

– @maureenjohnson

2. Good people are always willing to go above and beyond.

Image Credit: iStock

Greg Dailey was keeping up with his regular paper route in central New Jersey when an elderly customer stopped him. She’d been having some trouble getting to the bottom of her driveway each morning for the paper, and if he could, would Greg mind pulling up to her garage and throwing it a bit closer to her house?

He obliged, of course. And if this customer was having trouble getting to the sidewalk for her paper, Greg realized, how was she getting her essentials under quarantine conditions? The next day, Greg included a note in each newspaper on his route: “My name is Greg Dailey and I deliver your newspaper every morning. I would like to offer my services—free of charge—to anyone who needs groceries.”

Since, Greg has carefully placed groceries and the morning paper, on the doorsteps of over 100 elderly citizens on his route.

CBS News

1. People really are good. Some of us, anyway.

Image Credit: iStock

“Yesterday, my neighbour left me some homemade soup to pick up from outside; while I am recovering from a mild case of COVID-19.

When I got there, I found not only a big container of piping hot soup, but two huge bags of shopping.

I almost burst into tears. She barely knows me.”

The kindness of strangers never fails to amaze.

@mattprescott

It’s like a salve for your soul, don’t you think?

What’s your favorite place to find heartwarming tales? Share it with us in the comments!

The post Three Acts of Kindness That Might Restore Your Faith in Humanity appeared first on UberFacts.

People Discuss the Unusual Ways Their Grandparents Met

Couples meet in all different ways – always have and probably always will – but back in the days when our grandparents were meeting and falling in love, the internet wasn’t one of those options.

People met in ways we might not think about now, and if you’re someone who loves a fun glimpse into the past, these 14 stories about how people met are going to tickle your fancy.

14. That’s a start to a good story.

No other way it can end.

13. I have never gone to a funeral because I was bored.

But this is totally baller.

12. Sometimes it’s just too much work to kick them out.

I think they know it, too.

11. At least he warned him.

That’s still pretty cold, bro.

10. This one SHOULD be a movie.

I would watch it, anyway.

9. Every grandma needs one.

How else do they get to be completely awesome.

8. I guess she didn’t have anything better to do.

And she liked the cut of his jib.

7. That’s one way to get back at them.

Revenge and living well and all of that.

6. I bet those were some interesting family gatherings for awhile.

Definitely a good story, though.

5. Remember the movie The Gnomemobile?

It’s like that, but with humans.

4. He wasn’t interested in playing games.

Not for seven years, anyway.

3. He knew what he wanted.

You gotta shoot your shot, right?

2. That man called himself out.

He figured they all liked him by then I guess.

1. It’s just like When Harry Met Sally.

I love that movie.

As an author, I love peeks behind the curtains like this.

If you or someone in your family has a fun story like this, please share it with us in the comments!

The post People Discuss the Unusual Ways Their Grandparents Met appeared first on UberFacts.

Parents Who’ve Had It Up to Here With Remote Learning

I think everyone who was not a willing homeschool – or remote school – parent has had it with this school year. That’s normal, really, since even regular teachers are usually ready for the end of the year by this point.

One way to deal with the stress and frustration is just to laugh with other people who have gone through the same thing – a fact these 10 parents are here to help you with today.

10. Some kids are just too smart for their own good.

These are my favorite kids, actually.

9. At the very least they deserve a nice holiday gift.

A gift card, people. Nothing crappy.

8. I think we’ve all learned a lesson here.

Don’t make the same mistake this man did. Unless you want a haircut.

7. I mean, teachers do it.

Not every day, though.

6. All of them.

Literally just pick one with your eyes closed.

5. Hey, learn something new every day.

No judgment here.

4. That’ll work out as well as me trying to teach you math.

Maybe better, to be honest.

3. It’s like, one of the only legit threats we have.

One less thread of control.

2. Stick to your story.

They’ll lose interest eventually.

1. We can’t follow this advice retroactively, unfortunately.

Unless you want to consider divorce in these trying times.

The school year is coming to a close, friends. The end is in sight.

What are you doing to help everyone in your house get through the next few months? Share your tips in the comments!

Thanks, fam!

The post Parents Who’ve Had It Up to Here With Remote Learning appeared first on UberFacts.

Parents Share Their Hilarious Takes on Homeschooling

There have been a lot of parents over the past year who have become unwilling homeschoolers (or remote schoolers), with varying degrees of success. The kids, too, are coping – some of them enjoying it better than others.

The important thing is that we’re all still laughing our way through it, and if you need a pick-me-up yourself, these 11 parents are here to give you the giggles.

11. We’ve adjusted our expectations.

I think that’s an important lesson for kids, don’t you?

10. I’m sorry but this is hilarious.

I would totally do something like this.

9. What a missed opportunity.

I bet teachers are going to take advantage of it going forward.

8. We’ve done our time.

Ask Alexa. She’s always helpful.

Image Credit: Someecards

7. Oh, sweet summer child.

None of us had any idea how far we had to travel.

6. We didn’t think it was sustainable.

And yet, here we are.

5. It’s called life skills, kid.

No, there will be no teacher’s evaluation at the end of this.

4. Everyone is a comedian.

Even when they’re not being funny at all.

3. This has to be a joke, right?

Talk about useless knowledge.

2. Hahaha they thought they were being funny.

And then a year passed…

1. Mom makes the rules, y’all.

You’re in her tipsy world now.

 

We’re all muddling through this, and summer is almost here. But right now it’s Spring and we’ve got a few more months to get through, so please share this with all of those friends who need it.

And let us know how you’re feelings in the comments.

Cheers to that, right?

The post Parents Share Their Hilarious Takes on Homeschooling appeared first on UberFacts.

These Simple Habits Can Help You Look Younger and Feel Better

There’s no question that our society has an obsession with helping people appear younger than they really are – I mean sure, age is just a number, but why not fool people into thinking yours is lower if you can?

Impressions and appearances can matter, even if we wish they didn’t, and that’s why we’re sharing these 22 simple habits to keep you looking young and fresh!

22. You can’t avoid exercise.

Image Credit: iStock

Exercise isn’t something many people enjoy, but there’s no doubt that it helps us stay healthier – and, according to this study, helps us look younger, too.

You’ll prevent muscle loss and sleep better, in addition to keeping your heart healthy.

21. Find the right bra.

Image Credit: iStock

This can be a lifelong battle for a woman, I know, but the more gravity has its way with your body, the more important a good bra is, says style expert Sharon Haver.

“Pop culture research states that over 80% of women are wearing the wrong size bra.”

20. Fill up that water bottle.

Image Credit: iStock

We’ve all heard by now that it’s important for our general health and happiness to drink plenty of water every day, but our skin especially benefits from good hydration, reminds fitness and nutrition expert Erin Palinski-Wade.

“The more hydrated you are, the more plump, subtle, and youthful your skin will appear.

In addition, staying hydrated can improve energy levels and fight against cravings, which makes it easier to stay on target with your exercise goals and healthy eating habits.”

19. Just smile.

Image Credit: iStock

When strangers are asked to assess the ages of people in photographs, happy faces were rated younger than they really were every time.

Neutral expressions earned fairly accurate guesses, while fearful ones tended to make subjects look older.

18. Dress smart.

Image Credit: iStock

Hiding in big, oversized clothing might be comfortable, but it’s not flattering – go for tailored, clean lines, says Haver.

“It’s not about volume but the cut of a garment. It’s better to break free from hiding yourself in your clothing and stand tall and proud in well-fitting garments – not only will you look better but you’ll give yourself an emotional boost by allowing you to step into your star power.”

17. Keep grapes on hand.

Image Credit: iStock

Grapes, pears, plums, and berries are all sweetened by sorbitol, which is a humectant. The substance attracts water, which helps the skin absorb and retain moisture.

16. Lycra is your friend.

Image Credit: iStock

The stretchy material will give your bottom a boost, but Haver says you definitely want to try on before buying.

“If you have a curvy body type, a bit of Lycra makes for a better fit. However, if pants with Lycra are too tight, it creates an unsightly ripple effect.”

15. Pay attention to your hair.

Image Credit: iStock

Our hair changes, become coarser in texture and more naturally dry, as we age.

Hair stylist Jenna Mast recommends air drying, only using an iron on trouble spots, and deep conditioning regularly in order to combat the dryness.

14. Read the ingredients in your skincare.

Image Credit: iStock

Dermatologist Purvisha Patel says you always want to include a SPF to protect your skin from damage from UV radiation, but there are other things you want to see there, too.

“Retinol and alpha-hydroxy acids can rejuvenate the skin and eliminate fine lines and wrinkles. Hyaluronic acid helps your skin retain moisture, which gives it a smooth, glowing look.”

13. Stay plucky.

Image Credit: iStock

Well-groomed and shaped eyebrows help frame your face, drawing attention to your eyes and not any flaws you might want to hide.

12. Pick your neckline carefully.

Image Credit: iStock

Your face shape, hairstyle, neck shape, and shoulder structure all matter when you’re choosing a neckline, but Haver says there is one that works on pretty much everyone.

“A classic V-neck with a collar creates a linear line that makes us look taller and thinner, and the bit of a collar detracts from the appearance of an older neck while spotlighting our face.”

11. Take care of your skin.

Image Credit: iStock

Make sure you wash and moisturize on a daily basis, but never with anything that will dry out your skin.

Find a morning and night moisturizer and avoid toners that contain stringent or alcohol.

10. Study the color wheel.

Image Credit: iStock

As you age, pops of color do you more favors than an all-over hue.

“You can accent your outfit with a modern trend color, but you don’t want to look dated and old by holding on to a trendy color way past it’s expiration date. It’s really not about age but about sophistication – classic neutral colors are always chic.”

9. Dress to flatter your shape.

Image Credit: iStock

For example, if you have a wrinkly or sagging neck, don’t wear tight-fitting or crew-neck tops that will squeeze your skin upward, and if you have a large midsection, opt for dark colors.

It’s easy to find tips like these online that should work across the board.

8. Have fun with accessories.

Image Credit: iStock

Accent pieces don’t have an age or body type attached, says Haver, so you can really use them to showcase your personality.

“If you opt for classic clothes, which are always chic, a dash of an interesting accent by way of an accessory will instantly keep the look modern and fresh so you maintain a relevant and youthful appearance.”

7. Don’t forget about your hands.

Image Credit: iStock

A woman’s age shows up most often on their hands, so a good hand cream is essential.

You’ll want to find one that contains SPF, and also consider exfoliating regularly.

6. Don’t sacrifice style for comfort.

Image Credit: iStock

The older we get, the more we just want to be comfortable everywhere we go, but Haver says that’s not the way to go – you can find something comfortable that also looks great if you’re willing to search for it.

“It’s well worth trying on different footwear brands to find the shoes that are the most stylish and comfortable for your particular foot.”

5. Embrace a colorful plate.

Image Credit: iStock

Vitamin K, which is found in abundance in kale and other green vegetables, helps your blood coagulate and reduce the impact of bruising.

Red veggies, like tomatoes, contain something called lycopene, which protects the skin from UV rays.

4. Stress is your enemy.

Image Credit: iStock

Plenty of studies have shown that stress ages your cells – but also that this aging can be reversed with lifestyle changes that include stress management, says psychiatrist Judith Orloff.

“When you reduce stress and conflict, you are turning off stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol, and activating endorphins, the natural painkillers in your body, which makes everything about you more youthful.”

3. Put down the makeup.

Image Credit: iStock

Go simple, with pink, radiant hues that remind people of natural youth, says makeup artist from What Not To Wear, Carmindy.

“As we age our skin loosens and is no as taut as it once was, so the more makeup you apply, the more it can move, settle, and travel. Less makeup will adhere to mature skin much better so you stay looking fresh all day.”

2. Use highlighter.

Image Credit: iStock

Carmindy’s signature move is to “highlight the eyes using a cream or powder pearlescent champagne hue. Apply it only under the eyebrows and on the inside corners of the eyes.”

When you’re going for eyeshadow, she recommends lighter neutral hues like light brown, quartz, or taupe in a pearl or matte formula.

1. Fishy benefits.

Image Credit: iStock

Salmon and other oily fish are rich in DMAE (dimethylaminoethanol), a compound that helps tone muscle.

Eating the fish a couple of times a week gives you the same benefits as expensive creams that contain the product.

Some of these actually do seem like things that would be simple to incorporate.

If you’ve got a simple tip that would fit on this list, share it with us in the comments!

The post These Simple Habits Can Help You Look Younger and Feel Better appeared first on UberFacts.

These Simple Habits Can Help You Look Younger and Feel Better

There’s no question that our society has an obsession with helping people appear younger than they really are – I mean sure, age is just a number, but why not fool people into thinking yours is lower if you can?

Impressions and appearances can matter, even if we wish they didn’t, and that’s why we’re sharing these 22 simple habits to keep you looking young and fresh!

22. You can’t avoid exercise.

Image Credit: iStock

Exercise isn’t something many people enjoy, but there’s no doubt that it helps us stay healthier – and, according to this study, helps us look younger, too.

You’ll prevent muscle loss and sleep better, in addition to keeping your heart healthy.

21. Find the right bra.

Image Credit: iStock

This can be a lifelong battle for a woman, I know, but the more gravity has its way with your body, the more important a good bra is, says style expert Sharon Haver.

“Pop culture research states that over 80% of women are wearing the wrong size bra.”

20. Fill up that water bottle.

Image Credit: iStock

We’ve all heard by now that it’s important for our general health and happiness to drink plenty of water every day, but our skin especially benefits from good hydration, reminds fitness and nutrition expert Erin Palinski-Wade.

“The more hydrated you are, the more plump, subtle, and youthful your skin will appear.

In addition, staying hydrated can improve energy levels and fight against cravings, which makes it easier to stay on target with your exercise goals and healthy eating habits.”

19. Just smile.

Image Credit: iStock

When strangers are asked to assess the ages of people in photographs, happy faces were rated younger than they really were every time.

Neutral expressions earned fairly accurate guesses, while fearful ones tended to make subjects look older.

18. Dress smart.

Image Credit: iStock

Hiding in big, oversized clothing might be comfortable, but it’s not flattering – go for tailored, clean lines, says Haver.

“It’s not about volume but the cut of a garment. It’s better to break free from hiding yourself in your clothing and stand tall and proud in well-fitting garments – not only will you look better but you’ll give yourself an emotional boost by allowing you to step into your star power.”

17. Keep grapes on hand.

Image Credit: iStock

Grapes, pears, plums, and berries are all sweetened by sorbitol, which is a humectant. The substance attracts water, which helps the skin absorb and retain moisture.

16. Lycra is your friend.

Image Credit: iStock

The stretchy material will give your bottom a boost, but Haver says you definitely want to try on before buying.

“If you have a curvy body type, a bit of Lycra makes for a better fit. However, if pants with Lycra are too tight, it creates an unsightly ripple effect.”

15. Pay attention to your hair.

Image Credit: iStock

Our hair changes, become coarser in texture and more naturally dry, as we age.

Hair stylist Jenna Mast recommends air drying, only using an iron on trouble spots, and deep conditioning regularly in order to combat the dryness.

14. Read the ingredients in your skincare.

Image Credit: iStock

Dermatologist Purvisha Patel says you always want to include a SPF to protect your skin from damage from UV radiation, but there are other things you want to see there, too.

“Retinol and alpha-hydroxy acids can rejuvenate the skin and eliminate fine lines and wrinkles. Hyaluronic acid helps your skin retain moisture, which gives it a smooth, glowing look.”

13. Stay plucky.

Image Credit: iStock

Well-groomed and shaped eyebrows help frame your face, drawing attention to your eyes and not any flaws you might want to hide.

12. Pick your neckline carefully.

Image Credit: iStock

Your face shape, hairstyle, neck shape, and shoulder structure all matter when you’re choosing a neckline, but Haver says there is one that works on pretty much everyone.

“A classic V-neck with a collar creates a linear line that makes us look taller and thinner, and the bit of a collar detracts from the appearance of an older neck while spotlighting our face.”

11. Take care of your skin.

Image Credit: iStock

Make sure you wash and moisturize on a daily basis, but never with anything that will dry out your skin.

Find a morning and night moisturizer and avoid toners that contain stringent or alcohol.

10. Study the color wheel.

Image Credit: iStock

As you age, pops of color do you more favors than an all-over hue.

“You can accent your outfit with a modern trend color, but you don’t want to look dated and old by holding on to a trendy color way past it’s expiration date. It’s really not about age but about sophistication – classic neutral colors are always chic.”

9. Dress to flatter your shape.

Image Credit: iStock

For example, if you have a wrinkly or sagging neck, don’t wear tight-fitting or crew-neck tops that will squeeze your skin upward, and if you have a large midsection, opt for dark colors.

It’s easy to find tips like these online that should work across the board.

8. Have fun with accessories.

Image Credit: iStock

Accent pieces don’t have an age or body type attached, says Haver, so you can really use them to showcase your personality.

“If you opt for classic clothes, which are always chic, a dash of an interesting accent by way of an accessory will instantly keep the look modern and fresh so you maintain a relevant and youthful appearance.”

7. Don’t forget about your hands.

Image Credit: iStock

A woman’s age shows up most often on their hands, so a good hand cream is essential.

You’ll want to find one that contains SPF, and also consider exfoliating regularly.

6. Don’t sacrifice style for comfort.

Image Credit: iStock

The older we get, the more we just want to be comfortable everywhere we go, but Haver says that’s not the way to go – you can find something comfortable that also looks great if you’re willing to search for it.

“It’s well worth trying on different footwear brands to find the shoes that are the most stylish and comfortable for your particular foot.”

5. Embrace a colorful plate.

Image Credit: iStock

Vitamin K, which is found in abundance in kale and other green vegetables, helps your blood coagulate and reduce the impact of bruising.

Red veggies, like tomatoes, contain something called lycopene, which protects the skin from UV rays.

4. Stress is your enemy.

Image Credit: iStock

Plenty of studies have shown that stress ages your cells – but also that this aging can be reversed with lifestyle changes that include stress management, says psychiatrist Judith Orloff.

“When you reduce stress and conflict, you are turning off stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol, and activating endorphins, the natural painkillers in your body, which makes everything about you more youthful.”

3. Put down the makeup.

Image Credit: iStock

Go simple, with pink, radiant hues that remind people of natural youth, says makeup artist from What Not To Wear, Carmindy.

“As we age our skin loosens and is no as taut as it once was, so the more makeup you apply, the more it can move, settle, and travel. Less makeup will adhere to mature skin much better so you stay looking fresh all day.”

2. Use highlighter.

Image Credit: iStock

Carmindy’s signature move is to “highlight the eyes using a cream or powder pearlescent champagne hue. Apply it only under the eyebrows and on the inside corners of the eyes.”

When you’re going for eyeshadow, she recommends lighter neutral hues like light brown, quartz, or taupe in a pearl or matte formula.

1. Fishy benefits.

Image Credit: iStock

Salmon and other oily fish are rich in DMAE (dimethylaminoethanol), a compound that helps tone muscle.

Eating the fish a couple of times a week gives you the same benefits as expensive creams that contain the product.

Some of these actually do seem like things that would be simple to incorporate.

If you’ve got a simple tip that would fit on this list, share it with us in the comments!

The post These Simple Habits Can Help You Look Younger and Feel Better appeared first on UberFacts.

Learn About the Two People Who Made GPS a Reality

There have been many advancements in the past several decades that have changed and improved the way we live our lives every single day, and GPS definitely fits into that category.

Whether it’s helping us get where we’re going anywhere in the world or helping police find missing persons, to a hundred other uses in between (it’s helped me find my dog more than once), there’s no question our society is better for it.

There are two people responsible for turning the idea into a reality – one you’ve probably heard of and one you probably haven’t – and I think it’s about time they got a bit more recognition and credit, don’t you?

Image Credit: GPS.gov

GPS is short for Global Positioning System, and it means that from anywhere in the world, signals can be transmitted by a network of satellites to pinpoint your location within 3 feet. It’s right more than 95%of the time, with the most accurate of devices spotting your position within 12 inches.

The first person responsible for this scientific magic is none other than Albert Einstein, whose theories of special and general relativity play an important role in the process.

The second is a fairly obscure Black female scientists named Gladys West, whose work allows us to understand geodesy and the shape of the Earth well enough to put those physics into action.

Image Credit: NASA/JPL

Basically, you have to know three things in order to interpret signals received from the the 31 operational satellites:

  1. Motion: this includes the motion of both the satellites through space and the motion of the person they’re trying to pinpoint, the motion of the receiver on earth, all of which relate to the laws of Special Relativity.
  2. Curved Space: The gravitational blueshifting and gravitational time dilation of light as it moves between the curvature in space to the curvature on Earth’s surface, following the laws of General Relativity.
  3. Earth’s Gravity: It’s effects may vary by small but still substantial amounts due to mountains and valleys, the thickness of Earth’s crust, and the water present at a given location.

The rules of relativity, put forth by Einstein in the early 20th century, address all of these effects and help us mitigate them neatly.

Image Credit: NASA

Gladys West comes in with the next piece of the equation, which compensates for the fact that the Earth is not a uniform, perfect sphere with the exact same gravitational properties everywhere.

All told, the actual acceleration on Earth can be as little as 9.764 m/s² and as great as 9.834 m/s²: a difference of 0.7%.

Gladys, the second Black woman ever hired as a computer programmer at the Naval Proving Ground in Virginia, specialized in large-scale computer systems and data-processing systems for the analysis of information obtained from satellites.

Image Credit: US Air Force

From there, she put together altimeter models of Earth’s shape in the 1960s, and served as the project manager for Seasat, the first satellite to perform remote sensing of Earth’s oceans.

Through her work, she cut the processing time for these remote sensing applications in half.

Her most revolutionary work, though, was when she programmed the computer that calculated Earth’s geoid to the kind of sufficient precisions that enabled the existence of GPS. To accomplish this, she had to account for every variation in all the forces and effects that can distort the shape of the Earth.

She wrote a guide on radar altimeter satellites, which taught others how to increase the precision of satellite geodesy with her improved technology.

Gladys was inducted into the Air Force Hall of Fame for her efforts, and is universally recognized as one of the Hidden Figures whose work with vital computations allowed the U.S. Military and NASA to complete successful missions before the advent of computing that could take over the tasks.

Image Credit: US Navy

Her commanding officer, Captain Godfrey Weekes, had this to say about his famous employee:

“She rose through the ranks, worked on the satellite geodesy, and contributed to the accuracy of GPS and the measurement of satellite data. As Gladys West started her career as a mathematician at Dahlgren in 1956, she likely had no idea that her work would impact the world for decades to come.”

For West’s part, she still uses a paper map when she travels.

Better safe than sorry, I suppose.

The rest of us, though, say thank you – especially the generations who have never seen a paper map in their lives.

The post Learn About the Two People Who Made GPS a Reality appeared first on UberFacts.

Learn About the Two People Who Made GPS a Reality

There have been many advancements in the past several decades that have changed and improved the way we live our lives every single day, and GPS definitely fits into that category.

Whether it’s helping us get where we’re going anywhere in the world or helping police find missing persons, to a hundred other uses in between (it’s helped me find my dog more than once), there’s no question our society is better for it.

There are two people responsible for turning the idea into a reality – one you’ve probably heard of and one you probably haven’t – and I think it’s about time they got a bit more recognition and credit, don’t you?

Image Credit: GPS.gov

GPS is short for Global Positioning System, and it means that from anywhere in the world, signals can be transmitted by a network of satellites to pinpoint your location within 3 feet. It’s right more than 95%of the time, with the most accurate of devices spotting your position within 12 inches.

The first person responsible for this scientific magic is none other than Albert Einstein, whose theories of special and general relativity play an important role in the process.

The second is a fairly obscure Black female scientists named Gladys West, whose work allows us to understand geodesy and the shape of the Earth well enough to put those physics into action.

Image Credit: NASA/JPL

Basically, you have to know three things in order to interpret signals received from the the 31 operational satellites:

  1. Motion: this includes the motion of both the satellites through space and the motion of the person they’re trying to pinpoint, the motion of the receiver on earth, all of which relate to the laws of Special Relativity.
  2. Curved Space: The gravitational blueshifting and gravitational time dilation of light as it moves between the curvature in space to the curvature on Earth’s surface, following the laws of General Relativity.
  3. Earth’s Gravity: It’s effects may vary by small but still substantial amounts due to mountains and valleys, the thickness of Earth’s crust, and the water present at a given location.

The rules of relativity, put forth by Einstein in the early 20th century, address all of these effects and help us mitigate them neatly.

Image Credit: NASA

Gladys West comes in with the next piece of the equation, which compensates for the fact that the Earth is not a uniform, perfect sphere with the exact same gravitational properties everywhere.

All told, the actual acceleration on Earth can be as little as 9.764 m/s² and as great as 9.834 m/s²: a difference of 0.7%.

Gladys, the second Black woman ever hired as a computer programmer at the Naval Proving Ground in Virginia, specialized in large-scale computer systems and data-processing systems for the analysis of information obtained from satellites.

Image Credit: US Air Force

From there, she put together altimeter models of Earth’s shape in the 1960s, and served as the project manager for Seasat, the first satellite to perform remote sensing of Earth’s oceans.

Through her work, she cut the processing time for these remote sensing applications in half.

Her most revolutionary work, though, was when she programmed the computer that calculated Earth’s geoid to the kind of sufficient precisions that enabled the existence of GPS. To accomplish this, she had to account for every variation in all the forces and effects that can distort the shape of the Earth.

She wrote a guide on radar altimeter satellites, which taught others how to increase the precision of satellite geodesy with her improved technology.

Gladys was inducted into the Air Force Hall of Fame for her efforts, and is universally recognized as one of the Hidden Figures whose work with vital computations allowed the U.S. Military and NASA to complete successful missions before the advent of computing that could take over the tasks.

Image Credit: US Navy

Her commanding officer, Captain Godfrey Weekes, had this to say about his famous employee:

“She rose through the ranks, worked on the satellite geodesy, and contributed to the accuracy of GPS and the measurement of satellite data. As Gladys West started her career as a mathematician at Dahlgren in 1956, she likely had no idea that her work would impact the world for decades to come.”

For West’s part, she still uses a paper map when she travels.

Better safe than sorry, I suppose.

The rest of us, though, say thank you – especially the generations who have never seen a paper map in their lives.

The post Learn About the Two People Who Made GPS a Reality appeared first on UberFacts.