Blog Posts by FITNESS Magazine

Peter Ardito/Fitness Magazine

By Jeannette Moninger

You're busy. We get it. But cutting corners in an effort to do more in less time may do more harm than good. Here, six common shortcuts that shortchange your health.

Related: 8 Health Lies Trainers Tell You

You rely on technology to connect with friends.
When you're busy, one of the first things to go is spending time with pals or even chatting with them on the telephone; a recent study found that people text more than they talk. But maintaining close friendships can have a huge impact on your health. A University of California, San Diego, study showed that women who were at a high risk for developing heart disease lowered their odds if they had larger social networks.

Unfortunately, circles of friends are shrinking. A 2006 Duke University study found that Americans have a third fewer confidants for important topics than they did 20 years ago, and nearly 25 percent have no one with whom to discuss these issues, possibly thanks, in

Joseph Montezinos/Fitness MagazineBy Hallie Levine Sklar

You want to work out today. You really do. But what with groceries to pick up, personal calls to make that you didn't get to at work, a dog that needs to go to the vet, and a billion other responsibilities, your motivation is fizzling. We get it -- in fact, we've been there many times. Here, an entire month's worth of smart advice on how to work out no matter what, from top fitness experts and real women who find time for fitness on an (almost) daily basis.

Related: 6 Ways to Find More Time for Yourself

1. Do it in the morning!
Nothing major has likely cropped up yet -- hey, it's only 7 a.m. Now is the time to get in that run or yoga DVD. In fact, research suggests that women who work out in the morning stick with their programs more successfully than those who don't. Not a morning person? Become one. (We know: It's painful at first, but it's worth it.) "The longer you wait in the day to work out, the more excuses you can find to put it off," says Carol Espel,

Alex Palombo/Fitness MagazineWorkout by Kate Albarelli
Make over your backside with these lifting, toning, and shrinking butt exercises.

Lift It: Carving Curl
Targets gluteus maximus and hamstrings
• Lie facedown on floor with head on folded arms, squeezing a 1-pound dumbbell or rolled-up towel behind bent left knee, foot flexed. Tuck pelvis to flatten out low back.
• Lift bent left leg a few inches off floor; lower. Do 20 reps.
• Switch sides, repeat.

Related: More Butt-Sculpting Exercises to Reshape Your Rear

Alex Palombo/Fitness MagazineLift It: Bend and Extend
Targets gluteus maximus and hamstrings
• Stand in front of chair, bend over and place left hand on seat, right forearm atop chair back; tuck pelvis and extend left leg behind you, foot flexed.
• Pulse left leg 10 times (lift and lower by 1 inch).
• Keeping left leg lifted, bend knee and then extend 10 times; then trace 5 clockwise and 5 counterclockwise circles with leg.
• Hold leg lift for 5 counts. Switch sides; repeat.



Alex Palombo/Fitness MagazineShrink It: Slimming Swirl
Targets glutei maximus,

Lynda Churilla/Fitness MagazineBy Hallie Levine Sklar

The only problem with hot weather is that, well, it's so darn hot outside. Put the cool factor back into your workout routine with these tricks from top fitness pros.

Related: 7 Rookie Workout Mistakes to Avoid

1. Adjust your body temperature
Hop into a cold shower before your workout. A German study this year found that a pre-exercise cooldown improves performance in the heat -- probably because it lowers your heart rate as well as core and skin temperatures. Too chicken to try it? Even just cooling your neck or head with an ice pack may make a difference.

2. Check the map
Does your usual running route leave you broiling in the sun? Find a shady new one through the Road Runners Club of America (rrca.org), which features running routes around the country via Google maps. You can also log on to weather.com, which offers a local parks forecast, a fitness comfort index, and an hourly forecast to help you figure out the best time of day to exercise.

3. Keep tabs

Workout by Chelsey Korus

These belly-flattening exercises work your core from the front, sides, and back for strong, sculpted abs. All you'll need is a pair of yoga blocks, such as Gaiam's Yoga Essentials Blocks ($21 a pair, gaiam.com) and a towel. Aim to do three sessions a week on nonconsecutive days.

Related: Watch the Workout Video for More Help


Alex Palombo/Fitness MagazineBird Dog Gets Down
Targets back, rectus abdominis, obliques, and transversus abdominis
• Start on mat on all fours, then tuck toes under and press hips back and up as you step back to form an upside-down V; lift right leg behind you.
MAKE IT EASIER: Keep both feet on mat.
• With right leg lifted, shift body forward to come into full push-up position, shoulders over wrists. Hold for one count; return to start. Do 10 to 15 reps; switch sides, repeat. Do 2 to 3 sets.

Alex Palombo/Fitness MagazineTolasana on Blocks
Targets rectus abdominis, obliques, and transversus abdominis
• Sit on mat with knees bent and ankles crossed, and place each palm atop a yoga block on

Brian Klutch/Fitness MagazineBy Mindy Walker

Sure, she looks sweet, but that cookie monster is up to no good. Here's how to cope when friends and loved ones sabotage your weight-loss success.

Related: Are Your Friends Making You Fat?

Your Partner
See that sweet guy cuddling on the couch with you? Sure, he loves you, but he's feeling lukewarm about the newly energized eat-right part of you. Jennifer Jacks, 29, of Shreveport, Louisiana, who went from a post-pregnancy weight of 230 pounds to 160, can relate. "My husband says, 'Come on, today can be your cheat day.' That wouldn't be an issue if it weren't every day," she says.

Blame insecurity and even jealousy for driving your guy to shoot down your healthy cooking. "Your lifestyle changes can feel threatening to your spouse," psychologist Judith Beck, PhD, president of the Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy in Philadelphia, and author of The Beck Diet Solution says. "He may feel that if you lose weight, you'll start getting more attention from other

Courtesy of Jupiter ImagesBy Colleen Moody

Take a cue from someone who has already walked down the aisle. These brides share the stress tips they wish they had known when prepping for their own "I do."

Related: The Ultimate Wedding Shape-Up Guide

Tip #1: Don't Fret Over Fine Details
"Little details are totally irrelevant after the fact," says Charlotte Milling from Olympia, Washington. "Curling ribbon, wrapping tulle, and folding napkins will never be as satisfying as spending an hour decompressing. You will reflect more on how you felt on your wedding day than on how closely your final product matched your mental image, so don't shortchange your body.'

Another realization Charlotte came to was that she was calling the shots! "I found if I wanted to do something, people would indulge me because I was the bride. So when I decided I wanted to go for a run between the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner, both of our families and bridal party did our own Rehearsal Day 5K. My maid of honor even trained for it! It gave

Fitness MagazineBy 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: 12 Germ-Packed Places in Your Home

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 function -- and in some cases