Blog Posts by SHAPE magazine

by Brittany Risher

Put a new twist on your breakfast classic for a delicious, filling meal you can enjoy any time of day.

Oatmeal with mushrooms, onion, and thyme1. Oatmeal with sauteed mushroom, onions, and thyme: "I love this on a cold morning, particularly as I prepare for an active weekend at the gym, on the road, or about town," says David Olson, the man behind A Bachelor and His Grill. "This dish is gorgeous, fresh, nutrient-dense, full of rustic, earthy flavors, and fills the kitchen with the most amazing of aromas."

Serves: 2 to 4

Ingredients:

2 cups water (1 cup water if using old-fashioned oats)

1 cup steel-cut oatmeal (or rolled old-fashioned oats)
2 tablespoons olive oil, plus additional to taste

1/2 medium onion, finely sliced

2 cloves garlic, minced

6 to 8 ounces crimini mushrooms, sliced

3 to 5 sprigs fresh thyme

1/2 cup finely grated smoked gouda

Flaky sea salt to taste

Cracked black pepper to taste

2 to 3 sprigs fresh thyme leaves, for garnish

Directions:

1. Bring water to a boil in a

by SHAPE Diet Doc Mike Roussell, phD

To fast or not to fast?Intermittent fasting has become increasingly popular over the past several years, especially in the fitness world. But it's not a new trend-fasting has been around for centuries. Fasts have typically been used for religious reasons (Ramadan and Lent are the two most prominent examples), but even Hippocrates used fasting as a means of promoting weight loss:

Obese people and those desiring to lose weight should perform hard work before food. Meals should be taken after exertion and while still panting from fatigue. They should, moreover, only eat once per day and take no baths and sleep on a hard bed and walk naked as long as possible.

It is estimated that 14 percent of adults in the U.S. have used fasting as a method to lose weight. That is pretty significant considering at any given point 44 percent of Americans are dieting.

Recently there has been an explosion of new fasting methods for weight loss. One of the most popular strategies is to fast

by Jessica Smith

Satisfy your comfort food cravings and warm up on cold winter nights with these hearty and nutritious recipes.

RELATED: Eat cheese and still lose weight! Check out these 10 best cheese recipes.

Chili con Carne1. Chili con Carne: This filling chili is made with lean flank steak to help keep the fat content low. Adding both chilies and hot sauce spices things up and boosts your metabolism, but if you prefer a milder meal, omit the Tabasco.

Serves: 8

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 small onion, peeled and diced
1 clove garlic, peeled and minced
1 to 1 1/2 pound flank steak, cooked and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (15 ounces) can dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (4 ounces) fire-roasted, diced green chilies (mild or hot)
1 can (28 ounces) tomato sauce
1 quart beef

by Julie Upton, MS, RD, CSSD

Turn off the tube to turn off your cravingsIf you watch more shows like The Rachael Ray Show, Cake Boss, or Iron Chef as opposed to Homeland or Modern Family, chances are you're eating more too. And if Rach makes a cheesy pasta dish that looks yum-o to you, don't be surprised if you crave Italian, a new study says.
Researchers at William Smith Colleges in Geneva, NY, showed adults a 10-minute clip from either Planet Earth or Food Network. After watching the clip, participants had another 10 minutes to sample chocolate covered candies, cheese curls, and carrots.

Turns out those shown the cooking program ate about 40 more calories of candy than the animal watchers ate, while there was no difference between how much cheese curls or carrots the two groups ate. Since the Food Network segment featured sweet tarts, the study authors suggest that food shows prime the brain to desire the types of foods portrayed in the program.

This adds to previous research showing that food and beverage ads increase

by Jené Luciani

5 no-fuss 'dos you can use on wet hairWhen you don't have time to dry your hair after the gym, try these easy, yet polished looks!

1. No-fuss curls: Kendall Ong of Mane Attraction Salon in Phoenix shares the secrets to keep natural curls frizz-free as they go from wet to dry.
Step 1: After shampooing, work a lightweight moisturizing conditioner (regular or leave-in formulas both work) into your hair, then use a large tooth comb to remove any tangles.
Step 2: Scrunch with your hands to enhance your natural curl.
Step 3: Clip a bobby pin or barrette behind your ear for a fun, trendy side-swept style.

RELATED: 10 Tips to Look Great in Every Photo

2. Wet fishtail braid: This look is easier to create than you may think. Use the steps below from Kevin Gatto, stylist and owner of Verde Salon in Collingswood, NJ, who says that if you take the braid out once your hair is dry, you'll have a wavy ponytail.
Step 1: Work a leave-in conditioner or styling cream into hair and gather into a low ponytail on the side or

by Greg Presto

4 Weight loss and fitness resolutions are popular because they don't work-so people have to resolve to do them again every year. It's time to stop the no-success cycle and try something new in 2013: If you really want to succeed, take what you think you should do, and do the exact opposite. These "reverse resolutions" do just that-turning traditional New Year's pledges topsy-turvy, with expert- and science-backed reasons for choosing the road less traveled. Read on for five surprising promises that sound non-committal but will actually help you slim down and shape up for the long haul. (Related: If you're planning on making a major change in 2013, follow this advice from Jillian Michaels to stay on track and reach your goals in the New Year.)

1. "I will not start going to the gym every day." Everyone (well, almost everyone) who resolves to start hitting the gym falls off the wagon in a matter of months-according to one survey, up to 60 percent of new memberships go

by Cynthia Sass, MPH, RD

Your 7-day clean eating planDo you feel like your diet needs a fresh start? You're not alone. After the holiday season or just any time life happens and you abandon healthy food in favor of whatever is nearby or comes out of a packet or pouch, it's time for a "clean" break. That's why we're bringing you SHAPE's 7-Day Clean Eating Challenge. It's easy and the payoffs include skyrocketing energy, weight loss, better control over your appetite, and even better looking skin.

You don't have to stick to a strict meal plan-we know that's not realistic for everyone. Instead, we've outlined five simple rules to follow, as well as a sample daily menu of meals. You're free to pick and choose your favorite recipes or create your own (as long as you stick to the rules). Check it out and get ready to reboot your body and kick off the New Year right!

RELATED: 40 Easy Meals Under 400 Calories

1. Eat only whole foods: That means eating oats and blueberries rather than a blueberry muffin. When you eat

By Jene Luciani
Audrey HepburnNo matter what year it may be, the classic, chic looks of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, and other simply stunning women will never go out of style. They were blessed with amazing genes for sure-and the aplomb to stand out from the crowd. "These women knew how to play up their best features and had the confidence to emphasize what made them unique," says celebrity hairstylist and makeup artist Peter Lamas, who's worked with several icons. "Far from the cookie-cutter definition of beauty today, the women of the Golden Age of Hollywood were sophisticated and dared to show off what made them different."

Highlight your assets and achieve the timeless, enviable looks these ladies are known for-and turn heads wherever you go-with Lamas' easy step-by-steps.

RELATED: The 30 Top Beauty Secrets from the People Who Know Best

1. Diana Ross: Even though she's as famous for her curled coif as she is for her music, Diana Ross' hair wasn't always as big as