Blog Posts by SHAPE magazine

You work hard all year long to stay fit and healthy-and there's no better time than Halloween to show off your hard-earned results. So, if your Halloween costume leaves little to the imagination, check out this total-body workout from celebrity trainer Elizabeth Burwell. Whether you've planned a night full of tricks or treats (or both!), this wicked workout routine will tone up those hard-to-reach trouble spots and help you feel sexy and confident as you head out for the night.

How it works: Do these 6 exercises as a circuit, performing 6 repetitions of each exercise in succession. Complete a total of 6 circuits, resting 1-2 minutes between each one.

Note: All of these exercises should be so hard/heavy that you can only do 6! Happy Halloween!

1. Kettlebell step up onto bench: Stand with your right side next to a bench holding a heavy Kettlebell (~16KG) in your left hand, and place your right foot on the bench [A]. Press your right heel into the step and push your body up until

From chocolate bars to candy corn, we've got the scoop on which favorite Halloween candies have more calories than a full-blown meal- and which ones to eat instead.

1. Seven Pixie Sticks vs. 20 pieces of Candy Corn: Wonka wins! Seven straws of this classic candy have 60 calories and 15g sugar, while the candy corn comes in at 150 calories and 28g sugar. 


2. Charleston Chews vs. Heath Bars: For more than 20 grams less sugar, enjoy three fun size Heath Bars (240 calories , 14g fat, 26g sugar). How do the Charleston Chews stack up? A 4-oz box has 360 calories, 12g fat, and 46g sugar. Want more? Check out these 6 sweet snacks for just 150 calories.

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3. Six Tootsie Roll Midgees vs. Eight Starburst Fruit Chews: Tootsie Rolls win, coming in at 140 calories , 3g fat and 19g sugar. It's a small difference-Starbursts have 163 calories, 3g fat, and 23g sugar-but cutting 20 calories here and there can add up. In fact, small calorie cuts may be even better

Fall is officially here! Gear up by stocking up on these healthy fall foods.

1. Apples: There's a reason apples are number one on the list! Probably one of the most versatile fall foods around, nutrient - and fiber-rich apples can be used in everything from beverages to main courses to desserts. Apples are the perfect addition to your weight-loss plan, says Karen Langston, a certified nutritionist and board member of The National Association of Nutritional Professionals. Low-cal, full of vitamins and minerals, and full of fiber, apples help maintain your blood-sugar level, staving off cravings for high calorie no-no foods. Plus, the low-sodium content in apples can help prevent excess water weight and retention, Langston says. Try one of our five favorite apple recipes this fall.

2. Pumpkins: They're not just for Halloween! Pumpkin is not only a super healthy treat, but its also one of the greatest weight-loss foods around, Langston says. Low in calories, but full of fiber, vitamins ,

Dr. Mehmet Oz-bestselling author, TV personality , and renowned heart surgeon-struts into the studio for his SHAPE cover shoot and greets his wife, Lisa, 48, a mother of four and herself the author of a bestseller, with a kiss and a tight squeeze. The spark of excitement between them is palpable even after 26 years together. "I've always thought Lisa was sexy," says Dr. Oz. "I brag about her all the time. "

They even "met cute" in a charming spin on an old-fashioned arranged marriage . Their parents introduced them when Lisa was in college and Mehmet was attending medical school. They dated for six months before deciding to tie the knot, and got married two and a half years later.

If, like us, you're asking, "Can this marriage really be so storybook perfect?" Lisa sets the record straight. "No relationship is flawless," she says. "But if you're committed and willing to put the work in, it can thrive." Despite a quick courtship, two over-the-top busy careers, and four energetic kids,

Another day, another recall, it seems. We've got up-to-date information on some of this year's scariest recalls.

1. March 2011: Lean Cuisine Meals
Food-borne illness: None-but there were red plastic pieces found in the meals.
Foods recalled: Approximately 10,260 pounds of Lean Cuisine Simple Favorites Spaghetti with Meatball entrees that were packaged in October 2010 and were shipped to stores east of the Rocky Mountains.
Outcome: There were no reports of serious illness.

2. May 2011: Organic sprouts
Food-borne illness: E. coli
Foods recalled: While no specific foods were recalled, those traveling to Germany were told to avoid eating raw lettuce, tomatoes, sprouts, and cucumbers.
Outcome: In Europe, more than 2,200 people were sickened and 22 were killed. Four Americans who were traveling in Europe were also sickened.

RELATED: 6 Easy Raw Food Recipes to Try

3. August 2011: Ground turkey meat
Food-borne illness: Salmonella
Foods recalled: Although no direct company link was reported

Halloween is almost upon us! Need a fun idea for a costume? Why not try one of these hilarious fitness-inspired costumes? If nothing else, your friends will get a big kick out of it!

1. Jane Fonda: Pouf your hair, shimmy into a shiny leotard and dance tights, and don't forget the legwarmers! Jane was as much a style icon as she was (and is) a fitness icon!

2. Jack Lalanne: The granddaddy of all fitness was a hit in his zip-front one-piece jumpsuits. Add a headband and a glass of juice if you really want to make it authentic.

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3. Olivia Newton-John: Sure this cutie had lots of movie rolls that are fun to dress up as (Sandy from Grease, anyone?) but who can forget her adorable pink-and-red exercise combo from her Let's Get Physical video? She even makes the fem-mullet look sweet.

4. Cher: Three words: black lace unitard. Don't think. Just do it. Add a long curly black wig and by the end of the evening you'll have your own entourage of fans. (Didn't know

Add these to your food today and spice (ha) up your food in a healthy and flavorful way!

1. Cinnamon: Cinnamon was considered an affluent and elite spice in the middle ages, nutritionist Karen Langston says, and it's no wonder! "Cinnamon is loaded with manganese, fiber, calcium, and iron, making it the perfect spice to add to your meals. It's also a natural appetite suppressant that decreases blood sugar, manages insulin, and revs up your metabolism." Experiment with different varieties of cinnamon: try Chinese cinnamon in meat rubs, Ceylon cinnamon with fruits, yogurt, or ice cream. We love it in this dessert recipe for apple cinnamon crepes.

2. Nutmeg: Nutmeg is low in sodium and cholesterol and high in fiber and manganese, which is a catalyst for breaking down fats and cholesterol, an important process for weight loss, Langston says. Just be sure to use it in small doses, as larger amounts (full cloves) could be toxic. Sprinkle some in this slimmed-down comfort food recipe for

Most of us have at least a few things we'd change about our bodies if we had the chance. But no matter if you're at your ideal weight or if you have quite a bit of weight to lose, you can learn to love the weight that you're at right now. It may sound hippity-dippity, but the more that you can begin to love and respect your body as it is now, the easier it can be to choose healthy behaviors that will allow you to get to your weight-loss goals or maintain your weight.
So how do you start loving the weight you're at? With these tips of course!

1. Focus on what you love. Nobody is perfect, but instead of focusing on what you don't like about your body or your weight, switch your attention to what you do like. This switch in focus harbors self love and acceptance. Need ideas of what to love about your body? See what other SHAPE readers love about themselves.

2. Nix negative self talk. Do you talk to yourself like you would your best friend? If not (and most of us don't), start paying