Blog Posts by FITNESS Magazine

Karen Pearson/Fitness MagazineBy Amy Ahlberg

Are you plagued with period pain, fatigue, or other symptoms that turn you into a zombie for the week? Get relief by upgrading your diet. Here, experts share the foods that can boost energy, beat cramps, banish moodiness, and more.

Related: What's Going on Down There? Answers to Your Period Questions

Iron-Fortified Whole-Grain Cereal
Many women, especially those who consume very little meat or are vegetarians, don't get the iron they need. This saps their energy and makes it difficult for them to concentrate, says Karen Ansel, RD, an American Dietetic Association spokesperson. "For women with heavy periods, iron is even more important because they lose larger amounts with each monthly flow. Iron-fortified whole-grain cereal is an easy way to get your daily dose." Ansel recommends looking for a box that provides at least 25 percent of the daily value for iron, then chase it down with a glass of orange juice -- its vitamin C will help you absorb even more iron. At

Sarah Kehoe/Fitness MagazineBy Christie Griffin

Yes, we at FITNESS love a great early-morning workout. But we also know about the importance of a good night's sleep, and not just because sleep deprivation is tied to weight gain. Here, the most interesting health facts that warn against burning the candle at both ends. Pace yourself, people.

Related: The FITNESS Get-to-Sleep Guide

1. Flu-Z's
If you're sleep-deprived before getting your flu shot, it can take three to four weeks for the vaccine to kick in. Those who don't get appropriate rest have a weaker immune system, which hinders the vaccination's effectiveness.
Source: University of Chicago and Ohio State University study

2. Take This to Heart
Poor sleep is more dangerous to women than to men. Women experience higher risks of cardiovascular problems when they don't get enough rest and they're also more susceptible to psychological distress, depression, and anger.
Source: Duke Medicine

3. Big-C Shifts
There's a link between those who work night shifts and

Cheyenne Ellis/Fitness MagazineBy Marisa Cohen

One morning not long ago my motivation was at a major low point.

I had plans to meet a friend at Zumba, but when I woke at 7 a.m., it was raining, I had a cramp in my leg, and, frankly, staying in bed and finishing that dream about Jake Gyllenhaal seemed a thousand times more appealing than yanking off the covers and heading out into the gray gloom. But then I heard an urgent whisper in my ear: "Get up and get your workout out of the way now; you can always rest later!" It was Janet Evans speaking. Yes, that Janet Evans, the Olympic swimmer who won four gold medals at the 1988 and 1992 Olympic Games. She mentioned this mantra in an interview I watched decades ago. I stuck it in my back pocket back then, and I pull it out for the ultimate kick in the butt when I need it most.

Mantras, rewards, and other little tricks of the mind can be the perfect way to jump-start your motivation on days your energy is lagging, says sports psychologist JoAnn Dahlkoetter, PhD, the

Linda Pugliese/Fitness MagazineBy Jessica Girdwain

If you've ever tried chia seed pudding, you know that superfood doesn't always equal superdelicious. Before you buy another bag of something that looks as if it belongs in a bird feeder, consider this: Just a pinch of oregano can turn even grilled cheese into a disease-fighting dish. "Technically, spices are vegetables in concentrated form," says Wendy Bazilian, RD, the nutrition adviser for the Golden Door Spa & Fitness Resort in Escondido, California. "Like veggies, they contain thousands of healthy phytonutrient compounds, including antioxidants." But spices are calorie-free and require no prep. Pop the tops on these eight pronto.

Related: The 10 Best Foods for Flat Abs

Curry Powder
Health Perks
The starring role in this blend of herbs and spices belongs to turmeric, which contains curcumin, a powerful anti-inflammatory "that's 50 times more potent than vitamin C or E," says Bharat Aggarwal, PhD, a professor at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer

James Michelfelder/Fitness MagazineBy Rebecca Brown

Is your workout really working? Here's how to choose the right routine to help you reach your fitness goals.

So, What's Your Fitness Goal?
If you want to squeeze everything you can out of your jaunt to the gym, you'll first need to establish your long-term objective. We're all motivated by different factors, but trainer and Equinox fitness expert Keli Roberts says there's one pretty common one -- and we bet you can already guess what that is. "The number one reason women come to me is for weight management, or to lose that extra 10 pounds," she says.

But it's not always so black and white -- there's a lot of overlap when it comes to intentions. Some people want to build muscle, but also improve their endurance or flexibility. Either way, it's important to narrow down your intentions as much as possible. So sit down and think about it: Are you interested in weight loss, building and toning muscle, or an overall improved sense of wellbeing? Once you decide, read on to

Courtesy of iStockPhotoBy Melissa Romero

When we get sick, we often blame it on our coworkers or that stranger on our commute who coughed and didn't cover his mouth. But the culprit may actually be found at home -- specifically in the toothbrush holder, on the kitchen countertop, or in that reusable bag you've been toting around. Find out the germiest spots in your home below so you can start feeling better today.

Related: The Dirtiest Spots at the Gym

1. Kitchen Sponges
The very tool that scrubs away the gunk and grime from our dishes is the dirtiest item in the household, according to a study conducted by NSF International, a public health and safety organization. Researchers found traces of coliform, bacteria that contain both salmonella and E. coli, in 75 percent of the sponges tested. Why so dirty? Germs thrive in moist and warm environments, and sponges in particular have plenty of nooks and crannies where bacteria can multiply.

Clean up: Microwave your sponges for two minutes every day and replace

Sarah Kehoe/Fitness MagazineBy Maura Kelly

Last week, scared silly about a speech I had to give, I rode my bike to the event, hoping it would calm my jitters. Luckily, it did that and a whole lot more: Cycling cleared my head so that I was able to remember the lecture word for word without notes. I gave the best talk of my life.

Turns out, that half-hour workout was the smartest pre-speech prep I could have done, according to a number of new studies showing that exercise strengthens the body and the mind. For instance, a recent finding from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign reveals that people perform significantly better on memory tests if they take them shortly after doing 30 minutes of aerobics. "Learning, remembering, reasoning, alertness, and mood improve with fitness," says Patrick Hogan, DO, a neurologist with Puget Sound Neurology in Tacoma, Washington. "A physical workout is better than any medicine. It's the single most powerful thing you can do for your brain."

Add healthy eating to

By Bethany GumperSara Forrest/Fitness Magazine

I have always wanted to be one of those women who jump out of bed and into a pair of running shoes at 7 a.m. What an amazing feeling: to stroll into work after a three-mile jog, a Spinning class, or a series of sun salutations. I wouldn't know.

"Um, really?" my husband asks on Monday night when I tell him I'm going to the gym the next morning at seven. Why the skepticism? He shoots me a knowing look.

Related: 5 Editor-Tested Sleep Gadgets

Tuesday
7:00 a.m. Alarm blares. Ugh, I should get up. SNOOZE
7:15 a.m. My gym clothes are right there! I laid them out on my chair last night! SNOOZE
7:30 a.m. I should at least get up and do a workout DVD. SNOOZE
7:45 a.m. Too late to work out; might as well cozy up and sleep some more.SNOOZE
8:00 a.m. Now I have to get up or else I'll be late.

Clearly my morning sluggishness is cramping my workout style. But can I change my night-owl ways? Because I've snoozed through the better part of three decades, I'm pretty sure I'm just