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    Blog Posts by SHAPE magazine

    • Keep Your Fridge and Pantry Stocked With These 5 New Superfoods

      By Jennipher Walters

      It's amazing how many foods are out there that help with everything from weight-loss to reducing your appetite to improving your sex life. As more studies are done, researchers these days are finding even more amazing superfoods. Read on for the top five new superfoods that should be in your fridge or pantry at all times!

      1. Seaweed. A new study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that seaweed is a rich vegan source of heart-healthy food "bioactive peptides," that are usually only found in milk products. Stock up at your local Asian market!

      2. Kamut. High in iron, fiber and protein, this whole grain comes in everything from flours to pastas. The grain is touted for its concentration of selenium, zinc, and magnesium.

      RELATED: Superfoods For Better Sex

      3. Coconut oil. Once villainized for its high fat content, coconut oil is now one of the hottest health foods. High in lauric acid, coconut oil is now said to be a superfood

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    • 3 New Healthy And Delicious Ways To Eat Oatmeal

      We all know that oatmeal makes a healthy, nutritious breakfast. If you're looking for new ways to incorporate this power food into your diet, look no further! Here are three new ways to think about eating oatmeal.

      1. Oatmeal pancakes: These oatmeal pancakes pack a protein punch, thanks to the addition of cottage cheese and egg whites.
      Ingredients:
      Makes 2- 3 servings

      1 c. old fashioned oats
      1/2 c. fat-free cottage cheese
      8 egg whites
      2 tsp. vanilla
      1/2 tsp. cinnamon
      1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
      Directions:

      Heat griddle to medium high heat and spray with cooking spray. Combine all ingredients and blend with an immersion blender until a smooth batter forms. Pour or scoop batter onto griddle in round pancake-like circles. Let cook until tops of the pancakes begin to bubble and then flip and let cook until they're no longer doughy in the middle and slightly brown on both sides. Top with syrup, nutmeg, fresh fruit, or desired toppings.

      RELATED: Ugly Foods You Should Eat Right Now

      2.

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    • Does More Sweat Mean You Burn More Calories? Surprising Sweat Myths

      Learn the surprising truth about summer workouts and which sweat myths you can ditch.

      True or False: You Burn More Calories During Hot-Weather Workouts?


      True.
      Your heart needs to work harder to both keep your muscles well oxygenated during cardio and to send extra blood to the surface of your skin to keep your body temperature safe. Unfortunately, the calorie numbers are pretty low, so don't think you've earned an ice cream sundae! Think more like one bite of chocolate.

      True or False: You Sweat All the Time?

      True.
      You are always releasing moisture from your skin to help regulate body temperature, although usually not enough to be noticed. And this is taking place over almost the entire surface area of your body.

      RELATED: 25 Fat-Burning Workouts for Summer

      True or False: Sunblock Makes it Harder to Sweat?

      False.
      Don't let sweat myths like these keep you from being sun safe. "Sunscreen does not affect the sweating mechanism, which is your body's way of cooling itself," says

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    • The 5 Best Honeymoon Spots For Active Couples

      Couples who are looking for more than just rest and relaxation while on their honeymoon won't have too much trouble finding the ideal spot. The world is full of honeymoon resorts offering a wide range of activities, from golf to fishing and skiing to SCUBA diving. Our list of the best honeymoon destinations includes tropical, dessert, and mountain terrains, so you're sure to find a spot to satisfy your needs.

      1. Hawaii
      Resort:
      The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua
      Activities: Enjoy the best of Hawaii through the Ritz-Carlton's Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ambassadors of the Environment program. Guests can hike through the Hawaiian rainforest, snorkel in Maui's coral reefs, take underwater photography sessions, and enjoy a wide range of both land and sea activities.
      Price: Pricing for activities ranges from $25 to 249. Visit ritzcarlton.com to learn more about the Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ambassadors of the Environment program.

      2. Greenough, Montana
      Resort: The Resort at Paws Up
      Activities: New for the

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    • No Gym? No Problem! 5 Fun Ways To Get In Shape Outdoors

      During the summer months, it's too hot to be stuck inside on the treadmill! If you're searching for new ways to get fit and have fun, we have five outdoor workouts you just have to try!

      1. Beach volleyball: You'll get "sand legs" and a full-body workout that will keep you looking (and feeling) hot in your bikini all summer. "The sand targets muscles you didn't think you had. You're working twice as hard to move," says Jess Gysin, professional beach volleyball player. The short burst of energy and lateral jumps and moves "target every single muscle," Gysin says. "It is definitely a full-body workout."

      2. Octopush: This underwater version of hockey is played wearing a diving mask, snorkel, and fins. The six-on-six match's objective is similar to regular hockey-score in the opponent's goal. You'll get a toned swimmer's bod and burn calories with the fast-paced movements in octopush. Add competition to any backyard pool party with this unique sport or search for local leagues if you're

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    • 5 Ways to Stay Hydrated on a Long-Distance Run

      It's been a hot summer. In fact, there's a heat wave heading toward the East coast this week. But no matter where you live, it's important to stay hydrated. It's especially important to stay hydrated if you're putting in an intense workout, such as running. So, we asked our readers to tell us how they stay hydrated when they run. Here's what they had to say about their favorite ways to stay hydrated during a long-distance run.

      1. Carry a camelbak: Anita trains for races like Chicago's Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon with her CamelBak (try the Charm 50 oz pack). "The water tube is so easy to grab off your shoulder and take a quick drink," she says. "Your run isn't interrupted at all." Try our running playlist for your own Rock 'n' Roll race.

      2. Tap into free water: For Kathe, running is a great way to see her city, New York. She's tried lots of the water belts but prefers to carry a bottle and take advantage of the city's TapIt program. The website lists cafés throughout the city that

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    • 3 Running Myths — Busted!

      You've probably heard several of them numerous times-"be sure to stretch before you run" and "always finish your runs with a cool down"-but is there any real truth to them?

      We asked exercise science expert Michele Olson, PhD, FACSM, CSCS, professor of exercise science at Auburn University Montgomery, and creator of the Perfect Legs, Glutes & Abs DVD to help us sort out the facts from fiction of these popular running misconceptions.

      Myth: You should always stretch before you run
      The Truth:
      "Static stretching is not the optimal way to warm-up before you run," Olson says. Believe it or not, you could actually strain your muscles with static stretching , and it might even slow you down. Instead, focus on getting oxygen to your muscles and warm them up-literally, Olson recommends. "Start out by walking and trotting: swing your arms; shrug your shoulders and slowly elevate your heart rate for about 10 minutes before you pick up your pace."

      That doesn't mean you should

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    • The 5 Best Sunless Tanners

      Want to get that golden, sunkissed look, but afraid of turning out orange? We've got the five best sunless tanners, and tips from the experts on how to apply them!

      1. Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Tanning Mist
      Self-Tanning Pro Tip: Pick your potion
      "Choose the formula that best suits your skin," says Anna Stankiewicz, of Suvara Airbrush Tanning at the Warren Tricomi Salon at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. Creams and lotions like this work well on dry skin, while sprays and mousses have a lighter consistency-perfect for the acne prone. ($27; esteelauder.com)

      2. Jergens Natural Glow Revitalizing Moisturizer

      Self-Tanning Pro Tip: Reach for the right shade
      "The orangey effect happens when you choose a self-tanner that's too dark for your skin tone," says Stankiewicz. "If you're fair, like Nicole Kidman, use the light-to-medium option; if your skin is closer in color to Eva Mendes' or J.Lo's, go for the medium-to-dark one." ($8; drugstore.com)


      RELATED: Best Summer Perfumes

      3. Aquasun

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    • 5 Bikini-Friendly Beers

      There's almost nothing better on a hot summer day than sitting down to a cold beer. Unfortunately, most cold beers consist of mostly empty calories and carbs - just what you don't want when you're watching calories or trying to lose weight. That's why we decided to search for the perfect summer beer. Luckily, we found five varieties that all clock in at under 150 calories. Best of all, they taste good, too!

      1. Bud Select 55

      Calories:
      55
      Alcohol by Volume (ABV):
      2.4%
      Carbs:
      1.9g

      A 55-calorie beer looks appealing at first glance, but fewer calories means lower alcohol content and very little flavor. A regular Budweiser Select has a higher ABV at 4.3% and still comes in under 100 calories (99 calories per 12oz.). Although Budweiser Select is higher in carbs (3.1g), if you're drinking to unwind, it's worth the splurge.

      2. Michelob Ultra
      Calories:
      95
      ABV: 4.2%
      Carbs: 2.6g

      The original "low-carb beer," Michelob Ultra is your best bet if you typically prefer fruity

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    • Celeb Trainer David Kirsch Debunks 5 Common Diet Myths

      Separate diet fact from fiction and lose weight fast with advice from celeb trainer David Kirsch.

      Myth: Men See Results Faster
      "Not true!" Kirsch says. Both men and women get frustrated when they don't see the results they expect from their dieting. Instead of blaming genetics, consider reevaluating your approach. "You need to first examine your goals and second your methods for achieving the goal." Make sure to set reasonable goals for who you are and where you are in your life.

      Myth: Dieting Means Not Eating
      Wrong! People think of dieting as starving the body, and that is absolutely not the case. "When they want to lose weight, they stop eating and they shut down their body," says New York-based trainer David Kirsch. "Eat!

      RELATED: 50 Tasty Foods Under 50 Calories

      Myth: You Just Need to Burn More Calories than You Eat
      Not exactly. "People think of the quantity rather than the quality. We really need to look at the quality of the types of food were eating," Kirsch says. He

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