Blog Posts by The Editors of Prevention

Have you ever dreamed about losing big? Plenty of us will shed 5 pounds here, or 10 pounds there, but what does truly significant weight loss feel like? What does it feel like when you find yourself 100 pounds lighter?

We took a closer look at The Biggest Loser contestants who've dropped 100 pounds to find out what it felt like and gain some inspiration.

Get a Biggest Loser 1-Week Meal Plan

Matt Hoover, Season 2
Starting Weight: 339

Matt Hoover, the winner of Season 2, was the first contestant to cross the 100-pound mark while on the ranch.

In week 11 of his season, Matt lopped off 10 pounds for the week to put him at 230, down from his starting weight of 339 pounds. Before his transformation on the show, Matt said, "I couldn't stand myself, therefore I couldn't stand anyone around me. I had quit on myself and was just slowly plodding through life." That all changed and his 100-pound milestone reinforced that change.

He would go on to win his season with a total 157-pound loss

What did you learn in 2011?From the truth about cholesterol to natural anti-aging tips for beautiful skin, here are the top lessons we uncovered at Prevention while reporting on 2011's health, fitness, nutrition, beauty, and weight-loss news. Read on for ideas on how to live your healthiest, happiest life.

8 New Year's Resolutions You'll Stick with in 2012

Lesson #1: Fat-free products are so-o-o over.
You need some fat in your diet, even if you're trying to lose weight. The Institute of Medicine recommends that it make up 20 to 35% of your calories. It's the kind of fat that counts. Limit saturated fats, and avoid trans fats in your diet (both kinds can cause health problems), but find a spot for some monounsaturated fats--MUFAs (pronounced MOO-fahs), for short. MUFAs come from the healthy oils found in plant foods such as olives, nuts, and avocados, and may boost metabolism. A report published in the British Journal of Nutrition found that a MUFA-rich diet helped people lose small amounts of weight and body

How do you handle arguments during the holidays? If this is supposed to be "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year," then why can't you get through a single mall trip or holiday party without wanting to punch your spouse? The couples and families you see in movies may be caroling with the neighbors, smooching under mistletoe, and wrapping gifts in a state of yuletide bliss, but that's not real life. For most people, schedules only get tighter and wallets just seem to get thinner between Black Friday and New Year's Day. That added pressure can damage your relationship, sucking the fun out of the festivities and sowing the seeds for resentment in the year ahead.

It doesn't have to be this way. We asked top relationship therapist Argie Allen, PhD, how to navigate some of the most common pitfalls that cause rifts between couples over the holidays. With her tips, you'll be able to enjoy that glass of eggnog--without wanting to throw it in your husband's face.

7 Marriage Mistakes Even Smart Couples Make

The In-Laws Are Awful
You chose your

Do any of these surprising Christmas allergies trigger you?When you wheeze through your fa-la-la's and your nose rivals Rudolph's, it's a little tougher to feel jolly. Although allergies peak in the spring and fall, the holidays may surprise sensitive sufferers with a gift of unexpected triggers, from dusty decorations and potent potpourri to even-say it ain't so-the Christmas tree. Here are seven yuletide allergens, and expert tips to help you stay focused on shopping and wrapping, not sneezing and scratching:

Get 4 Fast Fixes for Holiday Health Problems

1. Trigger: The tree
That's right-the one and only, the centerpiece of all things Christmas, that perfect fir you found hiding in the lot of freshly-cut trees that's now twinkling with the lights you spent hours untangling-may be to blame for your stuffy nose, watery eyes and rash-y skin. "Mold is the biggest problem with live Christmas trees," says Marilyn Li, MD, an asthma and allergy specialist with the Los Angeles County + University of Southern California Medical Center. "Often, they

undefinedundefinedundefinedundefinedundefinedundefinedundefinedundefinedundefinedundefinedundefinedundefinedJust when you thought Grandma's Christmas sugar cookies and hot buttered rum were the worst waistline wreckers out there, these 12 holiday foods from around the world may, er, take the cake. Full of butter, sugar, and notoriously fatty ingredients, the only thing these international foods are giving this holiday season is the gift of girth. See what deep-fried, gravy-layered dish takes first prize for the worst holiday food in the world.

Classic Cookie Recipes Made Lighter

Schäufele, a German pork shoulder dish1. Germany: Schäufele
It's no secret that Germans love their meat, and Schäufele, a southern German dish, does this country proud. This fatty, often cured, pork shoulder dish is made at least two different ways: In Franconia, it's seasoned with salt, pepper, and spices, put in a casserole dish, and covered with root vegetables, onions, and beer. Afterward, it's smothered with gravy and served with potato dumplings and cabbage. In Baden, it's simmered in a bath of wine, water, vinegar, onions, and herbs for hours,

You don't have to go on a deprivation diet or spend hours exercising to ward off disease and be your healthiest self!Staying healthy can feel like so much, well, work (think: logging hours at the gym and whipping up nutritious meals from scratch). However, there are plenty of small moves that you can make in your everyday life that will have big health benefits. We've rounded up 15 practically zero-effort ways to fight disease, whittle your waist, lower stress, and more. Bonus: Many of these good-for-you moves feel good, too. So say sayonara to the old adage, "no pain, no gain" and try these tips today.

Learn 8 Lazy Ways to Flatten Your Belly

Lazy Move #1: Protect Your Ticker By Snoozing
Need a good excuse to grab your comfiest set of pajamas and hit the sack? Skimping on shut-eye may do more than make you cranky or unproductive-it also boosts your risk of a heart attack. According to one Norwegian study, people who reported that they did not wake up feeling refreshed in the morning had a 27% higher risk of a heart attack, those who had trouble staying asleep almost every night in the last month

Are any of these elliptical mistakes ruining your workout results?As the weather drops, more and more people head straight to one machine in their gym--the elliptical trainer. According to a 2008 report from the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association, the number of users of elliptical trainers in health clubs grew sevenfold from 1997 to 2007. And while you may be proud of yourself for making it to the gym and squeezing in some cardio, taking a lackadaisical approach to your elliptical workout and casually spinning your legs while reading a magazine or watching TV isn't going to blast away those holiday cookies. Here, 10 mistakes you frequently make on the elliptical and how to fix them so you maximize calorie burn while adding fun to your ho-hum routine.

1. You're too lazy to enter your information.
Most machines are calibrated for a 150-pound person--but personalizing your stats will help you get a more accurate calorie read. Aim to burn around 100 calories per 10 minutes, says Jennifer Cassetty, an exercise physiologist.

Enter

Mom always said, "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day." And she was right. Morning meals are essential to revving your metabolism and kick-starting your calorie burn, but indulging in a fat- and calorie-laden breakfast from your favorite fast-food chain could easily send you into sugar shock and pack on the pounds. Research shows that people who ate a big morning meal consumed an extra 400 calories per day, setting themselves up for muffin tops and pancake bottoms. Here are six breakfast drive-thru disasters and their Prevention-approved healthier, make-at-home options.

50 Simple Strategies To Lose 10 Pounds

1. Starbucks® Zucchini-Walnut Muffin
Muffins are calorie sinkholes-they pack in the calories but somehow still leave your stomach grumbling. This muffin from Starbucks® seems healthy enough, boasting both zucchini and walnuts, but don't be fooled by its veggie-based name. This morning baked good has close to 500 calories and 28 g of fat.

Try Instead: Zucchini-Raisin