Blog Posts by SHAPE magazine

by Joe Donatelli

IFeel a cold coming on? Try this remedy!f you smell onions in someone's socks over the next few weeks, do not be alarmed. That person is probably just fighting a cold.

Everyone seems to have a custom "miracle cure" for the common cold, and it seems the more creative the solution, the less bashful they are about sharing. A recent poll of Facebook friends revealed the following methods, all of which the practitioners stand by (in their onion-filled socks, in some cases):

• Heaps of vitamin C
• Chicken soup, preferably homemade by Mom
• Natural foods, fresh colorful veggies, and supplements
• Chopping and eating a raw yellow onion (with a little salad dressing for taste) followed by a warm bath or a long shower to open the pores
• Oscillococcinum, which is a homeopathic alternative medicine
• Thieves Essential Oil
• Coating feet with Vicks Vapor Rub and wearing a pair of socks overnight
• Socks filled with peeled onion layers
• Cardio, a few sips of whiskey, and cold medicine
• Outdoor activity,

by Cynthia Sass, MPH, RD

Hangover cures to try--and to avoidTis the season to drink...and drink...and drink! Between the office holiday parties, family get-togethers, and happy hours, there's a good chance that you may be in need of some relief at least once this holiday season. If that's the case, here are four strategies imbibers swear by and how they actually work to help ease your misery (plus two hangover strategies to avoid!):

Pickles: Pickles are salty and water is attracted to salt like a magnet, so bumping up your intake will help you retain more fluid. When you're severely dehydrated and suffering from a headache and dry mouth (classic hangover symptoms), every little bit helps!

Coconut water or bananas: When you're dehydrated, you lose not only water, but also electrolytes, including potassium - and too little potassium can lead to cramps, fatigue, nausea, dizziness and heart palpitations. Both of these foods are loaded with potassium, and putting it back into your system can give you some quick

by Charlotte Andersen

These strange marathon tips really workWhen it comes to finishing 26.2 miles, these runners will try anything!

1. Who needs bathroom breaks? "I have been known to show up to the start line of marathons with my toddler's diaper in my shorts just in case of emergencies. Those port-a-potty lines are long!" - Kristin Stehly of Stuftmama


2. Sports bro: "I'm a man and I wear a sports bra. But only on long runs (over 10 miles)! It keeps my shirt from chafing my nipples and it doesn't rip out my chest hair like Band-Aids. It's nothing fancy (I like the cheap really stretchy ones) but I will admit to having several different colors!" - Anonymous

RELATED: The Top 25 Marathon Training Tips

3. On-the-go chafing solutions: "During long runs, I sometimes experience chaffing on my rear. To help prevent this, I keep a glob of petroleum jelly in a piece of Kleenex so I can do one reapplication during my run. The Kleenex is for storage, but it is a great way to stay sanitary (no need to use fingers) during

by Holly Pevzner

Steal these healthy habits from your guy!We all know that women are the healthier sex. We see the doc more often. We live longer. So why would we care what good habits guys use to stay fit? Because research shows that men have an easier time losing weight and finding happiness than women do, thanks to key lifestyle differences. Read on for six of his healthy habits that are worth adding to your health arsenal.

Good Habit #1: Eat a Real Meal
"Many women eat too little at breakfast and lunch," says Dawn Jackson Blatner, R.D., author of The Flexitarian Diet. "And without enough calories and the right combination of protein, carbs, and fat in a meal, your blood sugar levels fluctuate." That can leave you feeling hungry, which increases your chances of staging a mid-afternoon vending machine raid or overeating at night.

Adopt His Healthy Habit: In the morning, swap your usual bowl of cornflakes for an egg-and-cheese sandwich (try this super-satisfying egg sandwich recipe) or oatmeal topped with nuts or fruit.

by Mike Roussell, SHAPE Diet Doctor, phD

These six chemicals may be causing weight gainWith obesity rates continuing to climb year after year without epic changes in the amount of calories we are eating, many wonder what else could be a contributing to this growing epidemic. Sedentary lifestyle? Definitely. Environmental toxins? Possibly. Unfortunately the world we live in is chock-full of chemicals and compounds that can negatively impact our hormones. These six in particular could be helping to pad your waistline and while you may not be able to completely avoid them, there are easy ways to limit your contact.

1. Atrazine: According to the Environmental Protection Agency, atrazine is one of the most widely used herbicides in the United States. It's commonly used on corn, sugarcane, sorghum, and in some areas on grass lawns. Atrazine disrupts normal cellular mitochondrial function and has been shown to cause insulin resistance in animals. The EPA last thoroughly examined the health effects of atrazine in 2003, deeming it safe,

by Mike Roussell, PhD

Winter comfort cravings explainedWhy does it always seem that as the weather cools down, cravings for cheesy, creamy, carby foods go up? While indulging in comfort food can be healthy sometimes (that's why they call it comfort food, after all), constantly battling carb cravings can be an indication of a more serious problem. We went to the SHAPE Diet Doctor, Mike Roussell, phD, and nutrition expert to get more information. Here's what he had to say:

Seasonal changes in food cravings are a good example of the tight link between food and our hormones and emotions. If you notice a marked changed in your levels of desire for homemade baked macaroni and cheese (my No. 1 comfort food) as the weather turns colder and darker, it could be due to seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

This condition is characterized by increased anxiety, oversleeping, lethargy, and problems concentrating. Since comfort foods are generally high in fat and carbs, they can increase serotonin production and thus

by Jessica Smith

Nobody would ever call into question the fact that yoga is great for relaxation and can help you work toward touching your toes, but the benefits of yoga don't stop there. With so many different styles, this ancient practice can boost athleticism, relieve stress, and even lead to hotter sex! Decide which goal you want to work on and sign up for the corresponding class today.

RELATED: The 20-Minute, No-Running Cardio Workout

Iyengar yoga1. The best yoga for beginners: Iyengar
Newbies can try any introductory-level class, but if you are looking for a practice that is detailed and full of direction, go with iyengar. "I don't think that anyone would argue that Iyengar is the 'original gangster' of yoga," says Sara Ivanhoe, a certified Yoga Works instructor and star of the Weight Watchers Yoga Starter Kit. "His attention to detail and step-by-step instruction has been the basis of most current styles." This slow-paced class incorporates props such as straps, blocks,

by Jessica Smith

Quick tips for a healthier, happier you!Feeling blue? Put some pep in your step with these tips--you're just seconds away from a healthier, happier you!

1. Have a (very quick) quickie! Relive the high you felt as a teen and make out with your sweetie like high schoolers to increase happiness. "There are more nerve endings in the lips, tongue, and tip of the nose than any other part of the body except for the fingertips and toes," says Lynn Anderson, Ph.D., creator of Aero*boga™. "When we kiss, the body creates an electrical charge of oxytocin-the hormone that makes us feel good-boosts our immune system, and can burn up to 10 calories all in less than two minutes!


2. Go ahead and stare: Looking at something awe-inspiring such as the Grand Canyon for a few seconds is enough to help you feel happier and even enhance your quality of life, says a recent study from Stanford University. Students who watched a 60-second commercial featuring images including space exploration, waterfalls, and whales felt they had