Blog Posts by FITNESS Magazine

Jemal Countess/Getty ImagesBy Colleen Moody

Trying to hit the gym more frequently? We've got just the inspiration. Take a look at which A-listers made our fit list for having the best arms, legs, abs, and more in 2012.

Related: The Best Celebrity Makeovers


Best Revenge Body: Katie Holmes
This Broadway star and overall badass mama keeps her shape in check with frequent Soul Cycle classes -- a FITNESS editor favorite! She was even spotted at a class on her 32nd birthday. Now that's dedication.
Runner-up: Katy Perry


Best Legs: Blake Lively
Good genes, yes. But those long and lean stems are the result of hard work, too! The bombshell perfects squat jumps and lunges to keep her gams looking great. Now if only we could forgive her for taking Ryan Reynolds off the market....
Runner-up: Heidi Klum

Best Arms: Michelle Obama
In what many considered to be a risky move, the First Lady donned a sleeveless dress at the Democratic National Convention this year, sparking quite a buzz. But really, with biceps like those

Brian Klutch/Fitness MagazineBy Mindy Walker

Find out how to tap into your inner workout drive (yes, you do have one!) with our customized get-up-and-go plan.

Related: 10 New Rules of Fitness

1. You've been exercising...
A. Only since your sister-in-law was diagnosed with heart disease -- at 40. That's way too close to your age!
B. Regularly, since you tried your gym's popular boot camp class.
C. Like crazy before swimsuit season, intermittently the rest of the year.
D. Forever. Exercise has always been a part of your life.

2. Which situation most closely describes your ideal workout?
A. A session on the elliptical or treadmill, during which you monitor your heart rate, miles covered, and calories burned.
B. Playing soccer on a Saturday morning or walking with a friend.
C. Alone in your living room, doing a body-sculpting DVD.
D. Kickboxing class, to release stress and tension.

3. Warming up for your routine, you...
A. Sneak a peek at the Pilates class at the gym. You've heard that core-strengthening can help

Stockbyte/VeerBy K. Aleisha Fetters

Scrounging for a resolution that will stick? Take a tip from our list of healthy (and totally doable) changes to make this year.

Related: 9 Reasons You Need to Unplug

Cut Refined Carbs
Carbs aren't the enemy. But consider refined carbs your frenemy. They seem harmless, until they're not. Refined carbs (like white bread, white sugar, and candy) have been stripped of their macronutrient content and reduced to a simple sugar that your body quickly digests. The result? You blood sugar spikes, your body pumps out tons of insulin to get the sugar into your cells, your blood sugar plummets, you get très sleepy, and any sugar the insulin didn't deal with gets converted into fat -- typically around your belly. And that abdominal fat can do more than make your skinny jeans look like a poor fashion choice. It can lead to polycystic ovary syndrome, diabetes, and heart disease, says David Grotto, RD, author of The Best Things You Can Eat. On the flip side, well-controlled

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.comBy Rebecca Brown

Whether you're going by boat, plane, train, or automobile, travel bugs are bound to greet you. Here, some cringe-worthy stats on germs and traveling -- and tips on how you can take a trip unscathed.

Related: Look Good on the Go: Best Travel Beauty Products and Tips

1. Stay Hydrated
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the air inside planes has anywhere from 10 to 20 percent humidity, which can dry out mucous membranes and make people more susceptible to germs. Staying hydrated throughout the trip can prevent nasal passages from being irritated, so load up on water and skip the carbonated beverages and booze. "Alcoholic and caffeinated drinks should be followed with water or fruit juice to rehydrate because they are diuretics and can cause water loss," advise Ray Fillmore Garman, MD, MPH, and Susan Spengler, MD, both associate professors with the Department of Preventive Medicine at the University of Kentucky. Sipping on water assists with immune

Miki Duisterhof/Fitness MagazineBy Amy Ahlberg

When it comes to party hors d'oeuvres, it's hard to imagine that just a few bite-size morsels could really do some damage to your figure. Yet those oh-so-cute appetizers are packed with some not-so-nice calories and fat. Take a closer look at the top 10 small-yet-deceiving nibbles -- you'll be amazed how quickly they can add up.

Related: 25 Ways to Fat-Proof Your Holidays

Spinach Artichoke Dip with Chips
Spinach and artichokes? No problem. Now for the caloric culprits: After you mix in cream cheese, sour cream, and sometimes even mayo, you end up with 220 calories and 22 grams of fat for a mere dollop (1/4 cup), says Rachel Beller, RD, founder of the Beller Nutritional Institute. Scoop your dip with just five fried tortilla chips and you're coming in at around 307 calories.

Vegetable Egg Rolls
Don't be fooled by the innocent-sounding name. Those vegetables filling the roll are sauteed in oil, tossed in a fatty sauce, and then deep-fried. "You're looking at 150 to 200

Alexa Miller/Fitness MagazineBy Leslie Goldman

When the temperatures plummet and the sun makes only cameo appearances, the couch can seem infinitely more inviting than a jog around the block. But winter exercise does a body good: The hit of sunlight can boost your SAD mood and vitamin D levels, and it will make springtime bikini shopping more bearable. We bet you'll enjoy a few fun childhood flashbacks too. So swap your fleece-lined slippers for waterproof running shoes and head on out!

Related: The 10 New Rules of Losing Weight

Warm Up First
When Old Man Winter rears his ugly, icy head, warming up is even more crucial. Your body needs extra time to prepare for the frigid temps ahead, says Pete McCall, an exercise physiologist with the American Council on Exercise. "During the first six to 10 minutes of your workout, your respiratory and cardiovascular systems haven't caught up to your muscles yet," he explains. "A warm-up enables your lungs to start oxygenating your blood with the nutrients your muscles

Jeff Harris/Fitness MagazineBy Abbie Kozolchyk

Whether you're jetting off to a beach vacation or heading home for the holidays, you'll want to look your best without packing the entire bath­room cabinet. To help you stay gorgeous -- and spill- and crumble-free -- we asked experts and some glam globe-trotters for ingenious tips for maintaining your beauty regimen on the fly.

Related: Beat-the-Clock Beauty: 21 Shortcuts from the Pros

1. Choose your travel companions wisely.
Save space in your luggage by leaving body wash and moisturizers at home. Whatever you find in your hotel room -- or Mom's bathroom -- will probably do the trick. That is, unless you have a fave product that seriously multitasks: "My must-have is Neutrogena Body Oil [$10, drugstores]," says celebrity makeup artist Amy Oresman. "It serves as my daily hydrator, my skin soother after too much sun, my shaving cream stand-in, and my frizz-and-flyaway tamer." As for shampoo, BYO only if you have damaged and/or color-treated hair, says Rita Hazan,

Andrew McCaul/Fitness MagazineBy Sharon Liao

"It's possible to slash major calories and fat from almost any baked good without sacrificing flavor or texture," says Jessica Crandall, RD, a spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. All it takes to make decadent treats that do minimal damage is one or two modifications -- and we're giving you 24 to choose from! How sweet is that?

Related: 13 Baked Goods Recipes You Don't Have to Feel Bad About

1. Better-for-You Brownies
Spend Wisely: Paying a little extra for high-quality products, like premium chocolate and pure vanilla extract, can pay off. "More-flavorful ingredients make you less likely to miss any calories you've cut," says Kim Macy, the pastry chef at Miraval Resort & Spa in Tucson, Arizona.

Blend In: Puree soft or silken tofu, then use it in a one-to-one ratio to replace half the fat in your favorite brownie recipe. Researchers from Idaho State University found that eight in 10 people enjoyed fudge made with tofu in place of butter. "It has a