Blog Posts by SHAPE magazine

by Neghar Fonooni

Why take the time to do at least six different exercises when you can hit your glutes, hamstrings, core, shoulders, quads, and more and knock off some heart-pumping cardio at the same time with one move?

This promise may sound like something you hear on an infomercial or see in huge print on a weight-loss supplement bottle, but the kettlebell swing really does work virtually every muscle in your body while boosting your metabolism. And with its focus on your posterior chain, you can sculpt a butt that even Kim Kardashian will envy.

But just like any other exercise, it's only effective if it is done properly. Although it is quite simple when broken down, the kettlebell swing isn't easy, and performing it without the essential foundation could render it not only ineffective but harmful as well.

The swing is made up of two key movements:

The hip hinge
Hip hinge: Sitting back into your hips with a flat back while pulling the kettlebell between your legs (A great way to be sure you

Can DNA testing determine the perfect diet plan for you?by Mike Roussell, phD

Your genes can reveal your risk factors for certain health conditions, but can they determine the best weight-loss plan for you? It's debatable. Although the DNA diet has been making waves recently, SHAPE Diet Doctor Mike Roussell, phD, maintains that while we've come a long way in DNA testing, we still don't know enough about it to be sure of its merits when it comes to healthy eating and weight loss. Here's what he has to say about it:

At this time, DNA testing cannot help you find the "perfect" diet or eating plan. It's fascinating, but we are really not to the point where you will get enough information to create the "perfect" diet for you based off your genes.

Currently one of the more popular and affordable genetic testing services is 23andMe. All you need to do is spit in a tube, pop it in the mail in the provided prepaid box, and log onto their site a few weeks later to see your genetic profile.

The 23andMe report gives you information about your DNA,

by Alanna Nuñez

Is that really tuna you're eating?Being a SHAPE reader, you're seafood savvy and know to order fish that's high in healthy fats and low in mercury. But that doesn't guarantee that what you're served in the restaurant or handed at the fish counter is actually what you requested, a new study suggests.

New York City conservation group Oceana tested 150 samples of fresh seafood collected in the city this year and discovered that 39 percent were mislabeled. In most cases, cheaper types of fish were substituted for more expensive varieties.

Not only is it disturbing to think that you may be eating some unknown fish when you ordered salmon, there are also many health risks with eating mislabeled fish, says Kimberly Warner, senior scientist at Oceana and leader of the study.

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A whopping 94 percent of fish identified as white tuna wasn't tuna at all, but rather escolar, which is also known as snake mackerel. While not poisonous, this fish does contain a toxin

by Joe Donatelli

Why peer pressure can be a good thing!Most people think of peer pressure as this awful thing that makes teenagers drink beer, have sex, and make regrettable fashion choices, but it turns out there is a positive side to this type of influence. New research reveals that peer pressure combined with diet or exercise can be a force for good. Many health-conscious individuals have discovered that a "just say yes" approach to peer pressure and other social stress can help them get (and stay) fit. How? Let us count the ways…

1. The buddy system works: Here's one to remember for New Year's Day. Planning an endeavor and partnering with someone helps you stick to your resolutions. In one British study, researchers split government employees into four groups: Group one was left alone to exercise and improve its diet, group two was asked to recruit a partner, group three was encouraged to develop "if...then" contingency plans (IF I feel hungry, THEN I will eat an apple), and group four made "if...then" plans with a

by Elizabeth Goodman Artis

Red bean vegetable soupBuying canned goods in bulk may seem a slightly paranoid, Doomsday Prepper-esque endeavor, but a well-stocked cupboard can be a healthy eaters' best friend-as long as you're choosing the right stuff. Many canned goods are notorious salt-bombs, which not only cause unflattering bloating but also high blood pressure, and other nonperishables contain trans fats or questionable-and often unpronounceable-preservatives.

With a little shopping guidance and these recipes from Anthony Stewart, head chef at the Pritikin Longevity Center in Miami, FL, however, you can whip up a healthy, low-sodium lunch or dinner in no time by tossing together a few ingredients you're almost guaranteed to have on hand.

1. Red bean vegetable soup: While you could grab one of the many pre-made bean and veggie soup options on your supermarket shelves, making your own soup is bafflingly easy-and exceedingly better for your health. Homemade versions have about 100 milligrams of sodium or

by Greg Presto

Try these quick fixes for happier, healthier holidays!All of the gift buying, wrapping, and party hopping can be overwhelming. Don't let your magical memories get lost in a fog of exhaustion. Recharge and reinvigorate your holidays with these one-minute tips so you're at your festive finest all winter long. (Bonus benefit: They'll help you slip a little fat-fighting exercise into this season of gym-skipping indulgence.)

1. Step away from the shopping to walk taller: If a day of holiday shopping makes you feel slumped over, it's not just because all those bags are filled with goodies that aren't for you. Lugging sacks of gifts around can roll your shoulders forward, making your chest tighten and close, says Chrissy Carter, a yoga teacher and trainer at YogaWorks in New York. Instead of looking and feeling defeated-and not getting optimal breath while you stride around-take a break from the card-swiping grind and try this shoulder and heart opener.

RELATED: Stay Fit on the Fly! The 12-Minute Do-Anywhere Workout

To do it,

by Elizabeth Goodman Artis

8 dinner foods you can eat for breakfastIf you've ever had breakfast for dinner-pancakes, waffles, even scrambled eggs-you know what fun it can be to swap a meal. Why not try it the other way around? "Many cultures eat what Americans view as dinner foods for their first meal of the day," explains Mary Hartley, R.D., an online nutritionist from New York City. And since breakfast is still the most important meal you can eat health-wise, adding new foods to your repertoire not only varies the nutrition, it keeps you from getting bored. Plus, eating a heartier "dinner" meal helps fill you up so you eat less throughout the day. Here are eight foods-and serving ideas-to make over your morning meal.

1. Soup: Miso soup specifically, though any broth-based soup is a good choice, especially if it's packed with veggies and lean protein (stay away from the bisques or cream-based soups). Miso soup, popular in Japan, is fermented, and according to Hartley, fermented foods can help populate the digestive system

by Jené Luciani

How to tell if he's He may leave his dirty socks on the floor, but at least he opens the door for you. When it comes to relationships, you take the good with the bad. But when you're dating a guy you think just might be Mr. Right, how do you determine if he's really the one you're destined to spend the rest of your life with?

We went to the experts to find out how to tell if a guy truly is Mr. Right-or just Mr. Right Now. Here are five tests your soulmate must pass.

1. The chivalry test: Patti Stanger, Millionaire Matchmaker, author, and Bravo TV star, says chivalry is not dead-at least not when it comes to the 'good' ones.

"Things like opening the car door or immediately giving you your portion of food when you're splitting a dish at a restaurant-these are all important signs to look for to know if he'll ultimately treat you right," Stanger says.

RELATED: 7 Tips for Your Best Orgasm Ever

And in this case especially, actions speak louder than words. "Words are often used as a substitute