Blog Posts by SHAPE magazine

by Jessica Smith for SHAPE.com

Make your sneakers last longer with these tipsGood workout shoes are a must--but they can also be expensive. Squeeze more miles out of the kicks you already have with these easy tips:

1. Treat yourself to multiple pairs: You have more than one pair of heels, so why not make room for an extra set of kicks in your closet? Using your sneakers on rotating schedule can double their duration. This is also a great strategy if you do a lot of cross training, as you'll likely want to use different types of sneakers for your various workouts (trail runners for outdoors, cross trainers for weight training, for example).

"Shoes last longer when you rotate two or three pairs for your workouts . Just like people, the foam in shoes needs recovery from workout to workout and giving them a few days of rest allows that foam to return to its normal size and function," says Jason Fitzgerald, a marathon runner and author of 101 Simple Ways to be a Better Runner.

RELATED: 5 Tips to Find the Perfect

by Jené Luciani for SHAPE.com

Is your yoga class giving you the peace you crave?More stress is probably the last thing most of us need in our lives, but one anxiety-busting strategy used by millions may actually be increasing your tension: yoga. While not every yogi is looking to relieve stress-some practice to build strength, improve flexibility, or correct a slouching posture, among other things-yoga is one of the first things many people turn to when they need relaxation.

But don't let this news stress you out: Once you know why time on the mat can rack your nerves, you can take the steps to make sure you're getting all the mind-easing benefits you want from your practice.

1. Improper breathing: The yoga breath is an integral part of every pose, but taking too deep of a breath could put stress on your central nervous system. "Too many people-some yoga teachers included-focus on big inhalations and what we call artificial good posture," explains instructor Dana Santas, who has worked with dozens of

by Jessica Smith; photography by Vanessa Rogers Photography

The Spandex Pants WorkoutWhether you want to look super sexy during a workout or on a hot date, the perfect pair of little black pants is essential! This bodyweight circuit is specifically designed to sculpt, lift, and tone everything you want to highlight below the belt (and then some!)

Workout details: Do 1 set of the recommended number of reps for each exercise , moving quickly from one move to the next with little or no rest in between. Once you've finished the last move, rest and then repeat the entire circuit 1 or 2 more times. Work your way up to 3 full circuits.

RELATED: 10 Moves that are Better than Your Abs Workout

Rear lunge to knee drive1. Rear lunge to knee drive: Lift your rear and tighten your thighs with this strength and power combination move.

Stand tall with your feet together. Step back with your right leg and lower into a lunge, reaching your right fingertips to the floor .

Next, push off the floor and explosively

by Charlotte Andersen for SHAPE.com

Why it's great to be a sports fan!From mental to physical to emotional, research shows that being a crazy sports nut makes you anything but crazy--so go ahead, get a little loud. It's good for you!

What's your favorite reason to be a sports nut? Here, Facebook fans and readers share theirs:

1. You have a reason to scream: "It is pure escape-it provides me something to just plain enjoy or get mad at, it connects me to my friends, my neighbors, and to random strangers who feel the same pull and passion of the game." -Becky Simon-Burton

2. They brings drama (in a good way): "In sports, like in life, the worst team can beat the best. There are often remarkable shows of humor, caring, sportsmanship, love. Every human story is played out on a sports field!"-Deb Roby

3. It proves age is just a number: "I usually cheer for whoever the oldest player is on the team or event because they keep me going!" -Candas Jones

RELATED: Confessions of a Pro Lingerie Football Team

4. It's fitness

by Alanna Nuñez for SHAPE.com

How can you tell if your doctor is burned out?Job burnout can strike nearly any occupation, but a recent study shows that doctors may suffer more than those in other professions. The research, which was published in Archives of Internal Medicine, looked at a survey of 7,288 physicians that was conducted in June 2011. Researchers from the Mayo Clinic and the American Medical Association asked physicians to fill out a questionnaire about their feelings of burnout, such as whether they felt feelings of "cynicism" and "emotional exhaustion," or whether they were losing enthusiasm for the job.

The questionnaire, called the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), is considered the gold standard when it comes to measuring occupational burnout. In addition to the MBI, doctors also filled out a shorter questionnaire. Researchers then compared their answers to those of the general population.

RELATED: 5 DIY Health Checks that Could Save Your Life

The results are grim: There's a 50 percent chance that

No matter your age, you can benefit from these foods!

Parmesan cheese1. Parmesan cheese for strengthening bones: Calcium is key for preventing osteoporosis (especially in your 20s). Yogurt and nonfat milk help, but who wants them three times a day? Work Parmesan cheese into your diet; its 340 mg of calcium per ounce - compared to about 200 mg in cheddar or Swiss - goes a long way toward your 1000 mg/day quota.









RELATED: What's Better: Nonfat or Full-Fat Greek Yogurt?


Apples2. Apples boost your immune system: Smart and sweet, apples are rich in quercetin, an antioxidant that can bolster your body's disease-fighting abilities. In one study from Appalachian State University, just 5 percent of people who ate more quercetin came down with a respiratory infection over a two-week period, compared to 45 percent of those who didn't.









Lentils3. Lentils build your iron stores: Low-calorie lentils pack about 30 percent of your daily iron per cup cooked. About 12 percent of young women have low iron stores - at the extreme,

by Danielle McNally for SHAPE.com

Do this move for perfect postureSpend all day at a desk and your posture can slip in Quasimodo territory. To counteract the slump, strengthen your rhomboids-upper back muscles that run from your spine to your scapula and help move your shoulder blades-with this proven move:

Seated Row (pictured above)
Works Upper back, shoulders, arms

1. Sit on the floor, legs extended in front of you. Wrap a resistance band around your feet and grasp each end, palms facing each other.

2. Bend arms and draw hands towards sides, elbows pointing behind you [shown]. Return to starting position. Do 3 sets of 12 reps.

More on SHAPE:
8 Reasons to Lift Heavier Weights
Trainers Reveal: "The Best Abs Exercises of All Time"
The Ultimate Strength Workout for Runners
What's Your Reason to Be Fit?

by Abigail Libers for SHAPE.com

Have more sex tonight! Getting busy with your guy is an excellent idea-and not just because it's fun (although that's a pretty good reason too). Being sexually active also helps beef up your immunity, fight stress, reduce pain, and strengthen your relationship. But if you're like two-thirds of women, you're taking advantage of this health and happiness boost only once a week at most, according to a survey commissioned by the nonprofit organization HealthyWomen.

The question is, why aren't you getting more action? We asked experts about the excuses they hear most often-and what you can do to heat things up between the sheets.



RELATED: 7 Tips for Your Best Orgasm Ever

1. "I'm exhausted!" "The most frequent complaint in my office is fatigue," says Hilda Hutcherson, M.D., clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Columbia University college of physicians and Surgeons. Carving out more time for sleep will obviously help, but so can hitting the gym. "You'll feel more