This go-to, one-stop shop for many people is quickly becoming a vegan haven thanks to a surprising number of plant-based products. The freezer section boasts cases packed with vegan brands such as Gardein, Field Roast, and Impossible Foods, and you can even find vegan tuna, chocolate chip cookies, and heat-and-eat bowls. With an abundance of options, Walmart is further proving veganisms place in the mainstream. So, grab your oversized shopping cart (and this list!) to make sure you dont miss these amazing vegan finds.

This mega-store has become more and more vegan-friendly over the years with the addition of a wide variety of vegan products. Occasionally, vegan brands will exclusively launch their products at Walmart before expanding their retail footprint.

In 2021, the store became the first to carry marshmallow brand Yummallos vegan marshmallows at all Walmart locations nationwide. In the same year, the superstore began carrying Impossible Foods vegan meatballs at over 3,000 locations nationwide.

Walmart

In 2022, Beyond Meat launched its first vegan steak product, Beyond Steak, at over 5,000 stores, including many select Walmart locations. In the same year, family-size packs of vegan buffalo chicken wings from meatless brand Like Meat hit the freezer sections at over 3,600 Walmart locations just in time for the Super Bowl.

But thats not all. When Grammy-award-winning artist Jermaine Dupri launched JDs Veganhis very own vegan ice cream brandhe chose to partner with Walmart for the launch. Walmart and I share the same vision of providing consumers with the best products and making healthy alternatives accessible to everyone, Dupri said in a statement.

And beyond food products, Walmart has incorporated more sustainable initiatives into its other product offerings.

But for now, well get into our top editor picks from the superstores offerings. Think vegan meatballs, burgers, mac and cheese, pints of ice cream, cookies, and more.

Whip up one delicious breakfast sandwich by layering these meaty sausage rounds with avocado, tomato slices, JUST Egg, and vegan mayo all on an English muffin. FIND IT HERE

@myrealdish/Instagram

Even mainstream brands like Hellmans are getting in on the vegan mayo game. This giant tub retails for less than $4 and will quickly become a staple in your kitchen. FIND IT HERE

@bigboxvegan/Instagram

The classic vegan biscuit cookie gets a tasty upgrade in this dairy-free, cream-filled treat. Both vanilla and cookie butter varities exist, and they are both irresistible. FIND IT HERE

@theveganzombie/Instagram

Ready in just a few simple steps, this vegan macaroni and cheese makes feeding the kiddos a breeze. Each box retails for less than $3, making them an affordable buy. FIND IT HERE

Dont miss Impossibles cult-favorite sausage grounds available in the freezer aisle. Keep an eye out for the just-debuted red packaging and cook up a deluxe vegan brunch right at home. FIND IT HERE

Field Roast

Melty quesadillas, grilled cheeses, vegan omelets, and so much more get a step up with this creamy, meltable cheese from Chao Creamery. FIND IT HERE

Eat Just

The ever-popular egg substitute is available in the refrigerated goods section at Walmart. Get ready for frittatas, omelets, scrambles, and more. FIND IT HERE

@fiercebrownmama/Instagram

This avocado oil-based buttery spread is delicious on toast, in baked goods, slathered over waffles or pancakes, or for adding that perfect crisp when frying up foods in a pan. FIND IT HERE

@veganwalmart/Instagram

Every major butter brand is recognizing the demand for vegan butter even when its not butter! Plant-based oils make up the base of this perfectly meltable spread. FIND IT HERE

@mama_vegan_finds/Instagram

Dont miss this extra creamy mac and cheese found among the shelf-stable goods. Made with gluten-free pasta, this cheesy concoction makes for an easy weeknight meal. FIND IT HERE

JDs Vegan

Launched by music legend Jermaine Dupri, this vegan ice cream is made from a base of coconut cream for an extra thick texture without the use of animal-derived ingredients. FIND IT HERE

@theveganventures/Instagram

In 2021, this longtime dairy-based company debuted vegan ranch to much acclaim. Grab a few bottles on your next Walmart trip for drizzling over salads or adding to vegan Buffalo wraps. FIND IT HERE

@lakeerievegan/Instagram

These Instagram-famous vegan nuggets can be found at Walmart! Late-night snacking just got a lot better. FIND IT HERE

Daiya

Layered with the brands mozzarella shreds, plus roasted red onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, garlic, and basil, this frozen pizza is a step above the rest. Add your favorite beefy crumbles or vegan pepperoni for some extra heartiness. FIND IT HERE

VegNews

Ready to make the best meatball sub of your life? Pick up a bag of these extra meaty meatless meatballs for stuffing into subs with melty vegan cheese. FIND IT HERE

@hauntedherbivore/Instagram

These original vegan breaded chicken tenders are just so tender and delicious. Add them to wraps or toss over salads for a crispy, flaky protein addition. FIND IT HERE

@veganonthegogirl/Instagram

These classic, chewy treats get a gelatin-free makeover perfect for summertime smores! Were keeping these bite-sized sweets in our cupboard for cereal treats, cookie bars, and hot chocolate. FIND IT HERE

Quinn Snacks

Enjoy all the irresistible flavors of pizza in this bite-sized, on-the-go snack. FIND IT HERE

Larabar/Instagram

Larabars prove that snacks can be healthy, delicious, and made with simple ingredients. This Apple Pie flavor is made with just dates, almonds, apples, walnuts, raisins, and cinnamon. FIND IT HERE

Lightlife/Instagram

Summer isnt complete without hot dogs, so keep these stocked up in the fridge and ready for your next cookout. They have all the flavor, just none of the meat. FIND IT HERE

Nasoya/Instagram

Next time youre hosting and youre short of appetizer ideas, try these tasty Thai dumplings, which are filled with tofu, green peas, carrots, red bell peppers, and basil. All you need to do is heat them up on the stove and theyre ready in five quick minutes. FIND IT HERE

Gardein/Instagram

Crispy, citrusy, and pretty addictive, these Mandarin vegan chicken pieces from Gardein make for a delicious meal when paired with rice. Add a side of lettuce cups for even more sustenance. FIND IT HERE

So Delicious/Instagram

These creamy ice cream sandwiches are made with organic coconut milk, plus, theyre soy-free, which is ideal for those with soy allergies or sensitivities. FIND IT HERE

Tofurky/Instagram

Make the ultimate sandwich by layering up these Hickory Smoked deli slices from Tofurky. Dont forget the chutney and the pickles. FIND IT HERE

Nutiva/Instagram

Forget Nutella, this spread from Nutiva is just as indulgent, just as chocolatey, and just as creamy, only, unlike the OG, it doesnt contain any milk. FIND IT HERE

Natures Bakery/Instagram

Made with real blueberries, figs, and whole grains, these bars from Natures Bakery are a great lunchtime snack. Plus, theyre nut-free. FIND IT HERE

Unreal/Instagram

Peanut butter cups are one of the nations favorite snacks for two very good reasons: theyre creamy and delicious. But you dont need dairy chocolate to enjoy them. These cups by Unreal are made with dark chocolate and theyre just as delectable. FIND IT HERE

Annie Chuns/Instagram

This is another great find to keep on standby for a lazy day. Ready in just two minutes, the Korean-style gochujang sauce is bursting with flavor, and the Hokkien noodles will likely keep you feeling full until bedtime. FIND IT HERE

Miyokos Creamery/Instagram

If you thought you couldnt get that same melty, creamy consistency with vegan butter, then you were wrong, and Miyokos Creamery is here to prove it. Honestly, youll barely even notice the difference. FIND IT HERE

Reddi-Wip/Instagram

Stock up on this Non-Dairy Reddi Wip for the next time your sweet tooth comes calling. Add to milkshakes, ice cream sundaes, or straight from the canno judgement here. FIND IT HERE

@jpolepdistribution/Instagram

If you want a great-tasting, nutritious, easy option for lunch on the go, then look no further than Amys Kitchen Beans & Rice Burrito, which features a mild, yet flavorful Mexican-style sauce. FIND IT HERE

TalentiTalenti

We say sorbet is underrated. This delicious, fruity dessert (which contains sweet mangos sourced from India and a hint of lemon) can compete with any tub of ice cream. Plus, the jar is made of recycled plastic. FIND IT HERE

Sarah McLaughlin (@sarahmclaughlin) is the New Products Editor at VegNews and is always on the search for the newest innovations in plant-based food.

Here at VegNews, we live and breathe the vegan lifestyle, and only recommend products we feel make our lives amazing. Occasionally, articles may include shopping links where we might earn a small commission. In no way does this effect the editorial integrity of VegNews.

See the original post:

The 32 Best Vegan Food Finds at Walmart: The Ultimate Guide - VegNews

Wearing animal fur has long been a way for humans to keep warm in the winter. But nowadays, when there are so many alternatives at our fingertips and discussions about animal welfare are starting to enter the mainstream, the need for fur might have become outdated.

But what about vintage and secondhand fur? Should that be seen the same way as a brand new mink coat? According to artist Alexandra Yvette, the two are not the same. Below, youll find a TikTok that Alexandra recently shared detailing how she was denied entry to a bar because of her coat, as well as some of the responses viewers have shared online.

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Image credits: Markus Spiske (not the actual photo)

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Image credits: preraphaelitequeen

I got kicked out of a bar in New York for wearing fur. And I feel like I didnt get the memo that wearing fur in New York is, I guess, really offensive.

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Image credits: preraphaelitequeen

It was vintage, it was a mink coat from the 30s. So it was very old. And I do feel okay with wearing vintage fur. I know some people dont agree with that. But personally, its never bothered me. I would never buy a fur coat new.

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Image credits: preraphaelitequeen

But anyways, I walked up to this bar. It was like a speakeasy. And the man was like, Is your coat real? And I was like, Yes, its real. Its really old. Its from the 30s. And he was like, That doesnt matter. Fur is not allowed here. You need to leave.

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Image credits: preraphaelitequeen

And I thought he was joking. So I kind of just looked at him and I was like, Really? And he was like, Yeah, please go. It was such an intense moment. I almost wanted to cry because it just felt like such a weird rejection. And then I was questioning my morals.

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Image credits: preraphaelitequeen

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Image credits: preraphaelitequeen

While a soft fur coat might be your ideal choice to keep warm in during the winter, its important to know where that piece of clothing came from and what sacrifices had to be made to create it. According to PETA, about 100 million animals are killed each year for their fur, and prior to being skinned, these creatures are kept in terrible conditions. They live in cramped, filthy cages before being killed through some of the cheapest and most cruel methods available, such as suffocation, electrocution, gas and poison.

Today, over half of the fur in the United States comes from China, where millions of dogs and cats are skinned alive for their fur, PETA reports. This fur is often intentionally mislabeled as well, meaning that theres no way of truly knowing what animal youre wearing in the winter.

Because of how brutal the fur industry is, activists have been taking a stand against fur for decades. You may have seen people get red paint thrown on their real fur coats, particularly during the 1990s, and apparently a handful of NYC establishments have banned patrons from entering if theyre wearing real fur.

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Image credits: Clem Onojeghuo (not the actual photo)

The Back Room, which viewers have guessed was the bar Alexandra was visiting, states, The Back Room does not allow real fur on their site. Vegan restaurant Spicy Moon has a similar message on their door: We prefer that you not wear fur. If youre wearing animals fur, we still warmly welcome you to our establishment but we hope youll open your heart to animals and go fur-free.

While the fur industry is undeniably cruel, as with anything else in the world, this topic requires nuance. Yes, it is better to avoid buying fur than to purchase a new mink coat. But what about leather, suede and wool? Those industries are cruel to animals as well, yet most people dont seem to have a problem with them, the same way most people dont have an issue with eating meat. Cognitive dissonance is prevalent in how many people say that feel about animals versus which industries they choose to support.

And shouldnt we consider secondhand goods to be in a different category than products bought brand new? Our world is producing 92 million tons of textile waste each year, The Round Up reports. Yet still, between 80-100 billion new clothing items are produced around the globe annually. Shopping secondhand whenever possible is much better for the environment. While some might argue that wearing a fur coat from the 30s is still driving up demand because others might see it and try to purchase a similar look, Alexandra did not contribute to creating clothing waste by purchasing it.

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Image credits: Jakayla Toney(not the actual photo)

Personally, Ive been vegan for 7 years, and I will still occasionally buy leather or wool items from a thrift store, as I know theyre high quality and are a better choice than buying something brand new. No, I dont love the idea of wearing animal products, but I still have pairs of shoes that I bought before going vegan that have leather on them as well. Its understandable why Alexandra might not have had a problem with vintage fur, while also saying that she would never buy a new fur coat.

Whether or not its acceptable to wear secondhand animal products is a gray area for vegans. Some choose to avoid them all, while others would rather choose something that was created decades ago than create more demand in the current fashion industry. But as far as whether or not we can tell others what is acceptable to wear, Im not sure thats our business.

We would love to hear your thoughts on this situation in the comments below, pandas. Then, if youre interested in reading another Bored Panda article discussing a similar topic, look no fur-ther than right here!

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Image credits: Adri Jimnez (not the actual photo)

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Read more here:

Vegan Gets Kicked Out Of A Bar For Wearing Fur, Starts Questioning Her Morals - Bored Panda

When the Apple Watch first launched in 2015, it was more of a fashion accessory than a health and fitness device. There was also just one model which came in two sizes and that was that. The only decision you really had to make was whether you wanted the 38mm or 42mm variant and what pricey strap you were going to pair with it.

That's not the case anymore though. There are now not only three models to decide between, but they all offer a slightly different experience and at significantly different price points too. I wore all three for a week whilst working out to see whether you really need the top dog Watch Ultra 2 or whether the humble Watch SE does just fine. Here's what I learned.

If you're someone who enjoys (perhaps the wrong choice of word) high intensity interval training or HIIT as it is more commonly known then you'll probably have learned not all fitness devices are created equal and not all can track this form of exercise particularly well. The quick changes in heart rate mean that unless you have quite an advanced tracker on your wrist (chest straps are better here), you may notice a delay in it registering the peaks and troughs of your heart rate as you move through intervals.

Both the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Watch Ultra 2 are very fast to respond to these heart rate changes in my experience however likely thanks to a combination of the new S9 SiP and the third generation optical heart rate sensor they both offer. Meanwhile, the Watch SE was a little slower by a couple of seconds, but in HIIT, those seconds count. That's not to say the cheaper model isn't capable at tracking HIIT workouts as it most definitely is, but if you want a near enough instantaneous response to your heart rate changes, it's the Series 9 or Watch Ultra 2 you'll want.

Remember GymKit? It was a feature Apple launched way back in 2017 so it's certainly not new but it is hugely underrated, especially if you go to a gym with machines that support it. GymKit has been replaced by third party services in some cases though it's not entirely redundant and whether you use GymKit or a third party service, the premise is the same: you can easily connect your Apple Watch for better two-way metrics. I have a Peloton Bike+ at home and that model has GymKit, which is the reason I bought it over the standard Peloton Bike.

The best thing about GymKit and other third party services is that you don't need to have the Watch Series 9 or Watch Ultra 2 to use them. The Watch SE is also compatible so you can just tap your watch against compatible gym equipment (once set up) or something like the Peloton Bike+ and metrics like your heart rate plus distance and speed transfer between the machine and your watch. This gives you accurate calories burned and heart rate training zones for a better view of how much work you've actually done rather than an estimate.

There are certainly benefits to investing in the Apple Watch Series 9 or the Watch Ultra 2 especially in the case of more extreme sports. The Watch Ultra 2 has double the water resistance (100m) of the Watch Series 9 and the Watch SE for example, as well as being compliant for diving, but if you're just doing some laps at your local pool, all Apple Watch models track the same metrics. The same can be said for other workout types too. Whether it's an outdoor walk, an indoor run, a dance class or Pilates, the Watch SE, Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 all offer up the same interface, the same detail and the same stats.

Take something as simple as an outdoor walk for example, the Watch SE, Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 all offer up time, distance, active calories, elevation gain and heart rate. All three Apple Watch models have built-in GPS too and while the Watch Ultra 2 offers precision dual-frequency GPS (L1 and L5) for more accurate data compared to the Watch Series 9 and Watch SE, this doesn't matter for a walk around the block. If you're a hiker, or you like a bit of adventure then that's a slightly different story, but for most of us, the Watch SE will more than suffice.

While the Watch SE is more than capable at offering superb fitness tracking without the extra bells and whistles you may never use, there is one area where the Watch Series 9 and (especially) the Watch Ultra 2 are superior: outdoor workouts. Now I'm not talking about the sensors because as I mentioned, I got the same maps and same data from all three models whichever device I looked at. When the sun is shining though, the extra brightness on the Watch Series 9 is noticeable compared to the Watch SE. This is even truer for the Watch Ultra 2 that has triple the brightness of the Watch SE so if you are someone that loves an outdoor run or walk, you'll benefit from the Watch Series 9 or Watch Ultra 2 when that winter sun appears.

It's also worth mentioning that these models will be helpful when skiing or surfing too as while I didn't manage to get to the slopes or ride any waves with these three watches on, the reflection from the snow and water will mean a brighter display is beneficial. When it comes mountains, the Watch Ultra 2 also offers higher altitude support than the other models so that's worth keeping in mind too.

Yes, I am talking about training overall here but sleep should be part of your training because without it, you're not going to be able to do that run or cycle to the best of your ability. Learning how well (or not well) you've slept, can help achieve your fitness goals too so it's something that's worth keeping an eye on. As with standard fitness and workout tracking, the Watch SE is as capable as the Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 when it comes to sleep tracking. You get almost all the same data across all three models.

There are extra sensors on the Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 for tracking blood oxygen (how much oxygen your red blood cells carry around your body) and they also have a body temperature sensor for tracking ovulation in women, which can be helpful, but the main sleep data is there across all models. You can therefore see heart rate, time awake, time in light sleep, time in deep sleep, time in REM (dreaming) and respiratory rate no matter what Apple Watch you have.

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Watch Series 9 most certainly have their advantages, especially in the case of the Watch Ultra 2 with its larger display and extra elements, like dual-frequency GPS and 100m water resistance. What I learned from wearing all three for a week to train however, is that the Watch SE really is more than sufficient in pretty much every area when it comes to tracking exercise and workouts. Being able to monitor blood oxygen levels is useful if you are planning on climbing mountains for example, but for day-to-day, it's a nice to have metric and not a necessary one.

With the same software, same access to some excellent health and fitness third party apps and the ability to track the same metrics for most workouts, the Watch SE delivers everything most people need and more, with the Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 merely adding a cherry to an already great cake.

Read more:
I wore every Apple Watch for a week while fitness training and here are 5 surprising things I learned - iMore

January is a great time to add new habits to your routine, especially those focused on health and fitness. Its tempting to set bold new goals for the new year, but overly ambitious workout plans or unfamiliar types of training can lead to injuries and burnout.

The best approach is to be realistic and start small. But if youre kicking off a new running hobby for the first time or getting back into it after a hiatus or an injury, its tricky to know what a sensible new workout plan looks like, which is why so many people love the best fitness apps.

A Couch to 5K app is a gradual training program designed to ease you into fitness. It readies your body for the transition from walking (check out our writer's experience of swapping the gym for 10,000 steps a day) to a confident jog or run over several weeks. It also gets your mind used to the nuances of warming up, exerting yourself, and cooling down.

In this guide, we'll explain everything you need to know about Couch to 5K programs, so you'll feel fitter and happier but also safe and secure as you begin your fitness journey. From understanding what these programs entail to the essentials you need to get started, we'll highlight the best Couch to 5K programs available for download, whether you're gearing up for a January 1st launch or eager to get a head start.

A Couch to 5K is a gradual training program that uses voice coaching to take anyone beginners from walking to completing a 5K run in a matter of weeks.Sometimes, these programs exist as standalone apps, likeNHS Couch to 5K or Couch to 5K Runner. Or you can find similar 5K challenges baked into other fitness apps and fitness trackers, likeNike's 5K Training Plan or Garmin's Couch to 5K running app.

Once you've downloaded an app or signed up for a challenge, you'll answer questions about your fitness level and goals, which will help the app determine your training plan.Beginners will start with a short workout that's mostly walking, with only one or two jogging intervals. Over time, the duration and intensity of your workouts and running intervals will increase as you steadily build up your endurance and cardiovascular fitness.

If you have a high level of fitness or you run, but not regularly, you can still use a Couch to 5K app but most will tailor the experience to you and begin further through the training program rather than at the start.

Because Couch to 5K apps and programs are created especially for new runners, the training is challenging enough so you'll feel the burn and progress each week but easy enough to be achievable and (hopefully) safe, so there are no strained ankles or sore knees. If you do find a session too difficult, you can move back a week or complete a workout again without progressing.

In addition to getting your body used to running, Couch to 5K programs are a great source of motivation, providing you with lots of audio feedback, badges and encouragement although if this isn't your jam, you can customize your experience and silence some of the audio cues altogether.

The great thing about Couch to 5K apps is people can see their progress, which helps with motivation, and workout progression with added intervals keeps things fresh. However, these programs are also gradual, which decreases the chances of injury or burnout.

The beauty of Couch to 5K programs, compared to most other forms of fitness, is that you don't need loads of kit to get started. However, there are a few essential things we'd recommend considering to make the experience more safe and fun.

The most important thing you need is a comfortable pair of shoes that you can run in. Don't agonize over specific features just yet. Unless you know you have something to look out for, you just need to either use a pair you already own or look for a comfortable pair with good stability.

It's that simple. Once you get more serious about running you could find a better, more specific type of shoe. But for now, you just need something reliable. We recommend taking a good look at our best running shoes guide and opting for an option like the Adidas Adistar for those who want to jog slowly or the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 25, a comfortable running shoe designed for long and steady runs.

It's the same story for your running clothes. You don't need to go out and buy new kit. For now, what's important is what you feel good in and this might change the more used to running you get.

For example, you might find a pair of jogging pants comfortable at home or for other forms of exercise, but a pair of running tights or leggings could be less annoying as you pound the pavement.

One thing to consider if you're running in cold weather is to wear lots of layers, this will help you warm up and cool down quickly, depending on what you need. If you're buying new clothes, then look for material that's sweat-wicking, which means it's not going to be soggy as you sweat. You might also want to consider a bright or reflective top if you're running at night.

The best way to use Couch to 5K apps is to listen out for the audio training, this will tell you when to walk, when to run and when to start cooling down, as well as sometimes offering tips and encouragement. You can listen to this from your phone, but it's not ideal, which is why we recommend you get a pair of headphones.

Many headphones will be stable enough when you're just starting a Couch to 5K app and not doing much running, but as you progress you'll need a pair that are going to be sweat-resistant and secure. We suggest taking a look at our best running headphones or best workout headphones guides for some options.

If you want to be able to run for long periods of time without worrying about them falling out, the Beats PowerBeats Pro are our top picks as they have a sturdy design and earhooks that bring you a fantastic fit, as well as good battery life and great sound quality. If you're on a tight budget, try the Jlab Go Air Sport buds instead, an incredibly comfortable pair of running earbuds with decent audio and surprisingly solid bass.

The final thing we'd suggest is one of the picks from our best fitness trackers guide, or our best cheap running watches list. To be clear, you don't need one of these devices to run, especially if you want to do a Couch to 5K program that tracks your activity and coaches you as you move.

However, studies show that people are more likely to stick to their health and fitness goals if they track their activity throughout the day. So if you want to start your 2024 off with a bang, it makes sense to find a way to continue tracking after you've closed your running app.

It can also be interesting to use the data you get from a fitness tracker or running watch to see how your running progress is affected by your sleep, or even your menstrual cycle, and vice versa.

The Garmin Forerunner 55 is a smart, thoughtfully designed entry-level running watch that we recommend for anyone who takes their workouts more seriously or step up from a basic fitness tracker. If you're on a budget, or just want a simpler option, try the Fitbit Inspire 3, our top pick if you want an entry-level tracker that's incredibly easy-to-use.

Below, we've selected our top Couch to 5K running apps that work on their own. But you'll also find some of the best fitness apps, like Strava, MapMyRun and Runkeeper, have their own built-in training programs for 5K, too. So if you're already using one of those, you might want to start there. Other trackers and ecosystems have 5K plan options, too, like Garmin's Start to Run 5K! app.

The Couch to 5K Runner app is one of the most well established and popular options, and for good reason. This app is incredibly easy-to-use and has intuitive, color-coded cues to mark your walking and running intervals and helpful audio feedback.

The standard program that Couch to 5K Runner serves up consists of 8 weeks and 3 running sessions a week for 30 minutes per session, but it'll create a tailored program for you.

This app also offers good integration with other running and fitness apps, as well as your music apps, which means you can listen to your favorite tracks and the voice coaching at the same time.

You can download the Couch to 5K Runner app for free and trial four running sessions, but if you want to continue you'll need to pay a fee starting at $6.99/6.99 for a Premium subscription.

Created by the NHS in the UK, this is an incredibly simple and easy-to-use app. It's also one of the only Couch to 5K apps that's free, which is why it's our top recommendation if you're new to running and new to fitness apps more generally.

One of the nicest touches about this app is it's made in partnership with the BBC and features a number of celebrity voices to motivate you, including comedians Sarah Millican and Sanjeev Kohli, and presenter Jo Whiley.

The standard program from the NHS Couch to 5K app can be completed in as little as 9 weeks, but you can push it longer if you need more time to hit the 5K goal. Like most of the other apps on this list, it works at the same time as your music app and dips the volume so you can hear instructions from whichever trainer you choose.

Zombies, Run! is a popular running app that motivates you to run by telling you a story that zombies are chasing after you. Zombies, Run! 5k Training is from the same creators, but instead it's an 8-week training program and audio adventure specially designed for beginners to help them run a 5km distance.

This app offers a basic 8 week training program with 25 workouts, each accompanied by expert training know-how as well as an incredibly tense zombie story. If you're looking for a running program with a difference, this is it.

With the original Zombies, Run! app you get more features, like over 400 missions, interval training and more, which is why the developers recommend that once you're a confident runner you should switch over. Like the other apps on this list, you'll need to sign-up to a subscription, which starts at $5.99/5.99 a month or $34.99/34.99 a year.

Another very popular Couch to 5K app that's packed with features. If you know your way around fitness apps and want as much customization as possible, this is the running app for you.

It offers everything you'd expect, like personalized running programs, coaching and integration with lots of other apps and services, but it also uses your phone's built-in GPS to map your run, which is a nice touch.

We really like the interface of this app, which has the clean, well-designed look and minimal fonts we'd expect from one of the top fitness trackers. This app isn't free, but there's a trial to see if you like it and then several different subscription tiers are available, starting at $4.99/4.99 a month.

This article is part of TechRadar's Get Fit for '24 week of fitness content.

See more here:
Couch to 5K: Best free apps and how to get started - TechRadar

Cryptocurrency-based crime has metastasized into many forms. Because of the ease with which cryptocurrency ignores borders and enables multinational crime rings to quickly obtain and launder funds, and because of widespread confusion about how cryptocurrency functions, a wide range of confidence scams have focused on convincing victims to convert their personal savings to cryptoand then separate them from it.

Among these sorts of organized criminal activities, none seem as pervasive as pig butchering (from the Mandarin term, sha zhu pan, coined to describe the activity). Most of these scams use dating applications or other social media to lure victims into what they think is a budding romantic or platonic relationship, and then introduce a fraudulent scheme to make money together. In some recent cases we found the scammers using generative AI to write messages to their targets to make them more convincing.

We first began investigating pig butchering scams in 2020 in connection with fake cryptocurrency-trading mobile apps that device users had downloaded at the direction of someone the user had been contacted by more often than not through a dating app or website. We dubbed these CryptoRom apps, and have continued to research the scam rings, and how they evade platform security on mobile devices. One method that has become prevalent over the past year is to leverage the weaknesses of legitimate cryptocurrency applications through their ability to be linked to web applications.

Recently, I shared the details of a scam case in which an individual victim (whom we referred to as Frank) lost over $20,000 USD in a fake mining pool. Based on the details Frank provided, we were able to uncover a much larger set of scams using over a dozen different domains. The infrastructure of these domains was built on five different controlling contract wallets that directed cryptocurrency from victims wallets to other wallets for laundering. This set of scams appears to have interacted with over 90 victims. We have high confidence that the scam was run by three sets of affiliates connected to a multinational Chinese-language crime organization.

Looking back to the beginning of 2023, I found these contract wallets had moved $1.22 million worth of Tether (USDT) cryptocurrency from targeted wallets to destinations laundering the stolen crypto between January 1 and November 20. They appear to have been run by three separate threat activity groups using identical fraudulent decentralized finance (DeFi) app sites, suggesting that they are part of or affiliated with a single organized crime ring.

The ring is potentially much larger. I found traces of two other domains that matched our fingerprint for the site that had been deactivated before I could collect contract data. Examining the wallets that received the funds for laundering, I found additional contract wallets that were moving scammed funds from other victimssome pointing to additional laundering wallets. I continue to analyze the data to identify further scam operations.

In total, the wallets involved in the scheme moved nearly $2.9 million worth of cryptocurrency this year as of November 15, coming from the scams we tracked and other illegal activity.

During our investigation of the scam targeting Frank, I tracked the flow of cryptocurrency from his wallet. The scammers trap was a fake decentralized finance app hosted on the domain allnodes[.]vipa site registered through and hosted by Alibaba.

The app created a smart contractpaid for in Ethereum provided by the scammer in Franks case, and likely in all other scams run by this ringthat gave another wallet address a virtually unlimited allowance, allowing its owner to see the balance of the wallet being linked and to transfer Tether tokens deposited in the linked wallet. This remote addressthe contract walletnever moved cryptocurrency to itself but instead transferred balances to other wallets under control of the scammers using the smart contract authority by authorizing transactions on the blockchain.

Looking at transactions for the control node, I was able to determine that our victim was not the first targeted by this particular scam configuration. The control node was first active on April 5, making what may have been a test transfer of $55 worth of Tether to check the fake DeFi apps configuration; the first victim appears to have had funds transferred the next day, being hit over the following two weeks for a total of $15,400 worth of cryptocurrency. In total before the node went quiet in early August, at least 7 targets would be fleeced by the scammers for amounts ranging from $2,000 to over $50,000totaling $177,560.

Using characteristics of this scam, I went hunting for additional sites that were similar. And it quickly became clear that this was connected to a much larger operation.

By examining domain registry data, I found another domain using the same branding (allnodes[.]xyz) also registered and hosted through Alibaba at a different IP address. The sites were identical in appearance and in underlying HTML and JavaScript code. The sites shared not just the same appearance, but the same script file names and used the same JavaScript-based in-site chat service (tawk[.]to). However, the app at the .xyz domain used a different contract wallet for its smart contract payload.

I expanded my search by examining the web requests from each of these sites and searching for sites with the same JavaScript and filenames. Based on those fingerprints, I found 11 additional domains hosting the same exact code, some sharing the same contract wallets in their configurations.

In total, I found four addresses acting as control nodes across 14 domains. I also found two domains that had ceased operation but matched all characteristics in historical telemetry and third-party data. Examining the sites, I discovered distinct groupings of domains using similar naming conventions, domain registrars and hosts, suggesting different sub-groups were operating identical scam kits simultaneously. This is similar to what we found when investigating pig butchering fake exchange sites, where dozens of sites were using the same code but with different associated wallet addresses.

(US $)

As shown in the table above, two groups of domains had shared contract wallet addresses. And through examining transaction data, I found that both allnodes domains, despite having separate contract wallets, routed cryptocurrency to the same destinations.

Activity for the scam sites and their contract wallets, some of which appeared to be testing the scripts associated with contract wallets, dated back to February. Most of the actual scam activity associated with the sites occurred in the summer months, as shown below by the volume of cryptocurrency moved through each of the primary contract wallets:

Further examining the transaction data for the wallets receiving fraudulent withdrawals, I discovered additional contract wallets sending crypto following the same pattern. They were using the same destination wallets as two of the above groups:

The Ada subgroup used a single wallet to launder funds from both its associated contract wallets. This group of sites was active beginning in March, but the wallets showed signs of scam activity as early as February, suggesting another domain was part of the group.

The Trust threat activity cluster appears to have been active the longest. One of its contract wallets was highly active in January, indicating that another scam site was active in 2022. That wallets activity fell off completely in March, with other wallets connected to newer sites becoming more active. As of November, the Trust cluster was still active, but far less than during the peak of the scam sites I identified.

The Allnodes cluster was the one associated with the Frank case. It started later than the others and shut down activity tied to the infrastructure we identified shortly after we were contacted by the victim and began alerting wallet developers and exchanges of its presence. No further cash out activity was seen on the wallets associated with this threat group after August.

Despite being relatively short-lived, the Allnodes group managed to bring in over $352,000 before its lifecycle was endedmost of which was cashed out through Hong Kong bank accounts.

Figure 8: The funds cashed out by each of the threat activity clusters, from January 2023 to November 2023

In total, the groups using the liquidity mining scam kit brought in over $2.9 million over the course of the year. Its likely that they continue to run other, similar scams with new infrastructure. And there are many other scam operations using similar tactics, tools and practicesas I found investigating tips I received from other scam victims during the course of this research.

Following the same methodshunting for domains that used DeFi and cryptocurrency names or borrowed branding from legitimate cryptocurrency-related brandswe found multiple additional scams. One, I identified, fronted by the domain eth-defi[.]xyz, yielded another contract wallet address: 0x2e7e4df940a2c999bf5b5cdcd15a738b8bb462d5.

Between August 18 and November 28, that contract wallet had pulled $115,820 worth of Tether cryptocurrency from victims. The majority of those funds were cashed out through Binance.

As I investigated these rings, I saw a shift in tools and tactics by other scam operationswhich in part appears to be driven by the response of exchanges and wallet developers to share threat data, enabling them to block scams at the app level. Scam tool developers are taking measures to block harvesting of contract node data, controlling which wallets could be used for the scam, and taking greater care to evade geolocation and analysis. These more cautious scam deployments spanned hundreds of domains.

One example of this variation in scam site toolingrelated to a scam hosted at phpsqo[.]topcame from a victim. The target, a student in Poland, was approached through WhatsApp by someone claiming to be a Chinese woman living in Germany. The interaction led to the target connecting her mobile wallet to a contract wallet through that domain: 0x63809823AD21B6314624621172bAf4532c5B8b72

The target put $1,177.79 worth of USDT in the wallet and saw daily deposits until the entire balance was pulled about a week later.

This contract wallet was extremely active, with over 950 transactions between March 26 and November 15, so manual analysis of the total number of victims and cryptocurrency transferred is still in progress. But drawing from a random sampling of the transactions, I estimate the contract wallet transferred at least $200,000 worth of cryptocurrency over that period.

Getting that data would have been difficult without the victim providing her wallet address, as the site uses JavaScript to detect the web agent connecting and disallows desktop browsers in addition to checking for cryptocurrency wallet connections.:

I also identified through DNS hunting another set of about 100 sites using yet another mining scam kit. This one allows someone to connect to the site with a browser-based wallet but checks the wallet balance before allowing a connection to the contract wallet. Still others use an API from WalletConnect to obscure the contract wallet address and keep out visitors without a specific set of mobile wallets compatible with that service.

When compared to last years investigations, it is clear that liquidity mining scam operations have matured in their techniques, tools, and practices, and that scam decentralized finance app kits have made these operations simpler to scale upwhile being more accessible to less technically-capable cybercriminals. The shifting tactics in newer kits suggest significant technical efforts are being made by tool developers in the employ of the Chinese organized crime operations that back these scam rings.

Because these scams use legitimate applications that have been enabled to connect to decentralized finance applications, the best defense against these ever-maturing scams remains public awareness of the scams and healthy skepticism toward online interactions. Because victims of pig butchering-style scams such as these are often isolated and targeted through emotional appeals, wide public outreach is the only way to prevent or reduce loss.

We continue to do what we can by reporting sites, blocking them through negative reputation scores, and collaborating with hosting providers, law enforcement and cryptocurrency exchanges to get sites and exchange accounts tied to them shut down.

If you believe you are a victim of one of these scams, you should:

A list of the most recently active domains discovered to be associated with these scams and other indicators of the scam operations researched here can be found on our GitHub. Additional domains will be added as we process them.

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Luring with love, a network of pig butchering mining scams robbed millions from victims wallets - Sophos

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KU's Ed.D. in higher education administration and Ed.D. in educational administration are now completely online - Yahoo Finance