Blog Posts by Vitamin G, Glamour Magazine

By Sarah Jio, Glamour magazine

Do you love holiday food? I do. Pumpkin pie, turkey, cranberry sauce, mmm. I'll take all of it--even the Brussels sprouts. But, like you, I don't want to overdo it this year (or any year), and I want to save room for a slice of pie. So, I enlisted the help of a top nutrition expert to help us with a custom eat-this-not-that health plan for this month's upcoming holiday meals. Read on for your menu...

By Lexi Petronis, Glamour magazine

So 47,000 people ran in the New York City Marathon yesterday (like our own editor Anne, who trained like a superstar and I hope is resting up today like only a superstar can--go, Anne! PS: Be sure to check out some her beginners' guide to marathon posts here, here, and here).

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Unlike Anne and the NYC marathoners, I have not yet run a full marathon. I have completed a few half-marathons, which I loved--and believe me, I never thought I'd say that I loved anything about running. It took lots of time and training in order to learn that lesson.

Another lesson learned? Running long distances can do some very weird things to your body. Luckily, the things are all normal--but even more luckily, there are ways of fixing them:

Chafing, skin tags, and bloody nipples. Indeed. I remember seeing a guy trot toward the finish line with lines of blood streaking his white running shirt (yet he soldiered on!). Hours of

By Lexi Petronis, Glamour magazine

Hey, everyone! It's Lexi--I'm so excited to be hanging out with you guys on Vitamin G for a week or two while Sarah's away. How are you today? Energetic? Relaxed? Stressed? If you're feeling even just a little of the latter, this might be your week...

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The Anxiety Disorders Association of America has named November 6-12 "National Stress Out Week," specifically zeroing in on people who might be feeling stress and anxiety when it comes to their working lives. In other words: lots of us.

The organization points out that, with unemployment rates in the U.S. at about 9 percent, many people with jobs may be taking on extra tasks in their offices and feeling stressed out about staying employed. And many people without jobs are obviously having their own kinds of work-related stress--namely looking for employment and worrying about money.

But one of the points of National Stress Out Week is to take little steps

By Danica Lo, Glamour magazine

In a recent interview, singer-turned-actress-turned-fashion-mogul Jessica Simpson-analysts estimate that her apparel, shoes, and accessories empire will earn more than $1 billion this year-says that not being super-skinny makes her more relatable to women and, thereby, strengthens her brand. Really? Gaining weight, eating like a normal person, and getting made fun of in weekly celebrity tabloids is good for business? Well, count me in!

Related: The Top 10 Ways to Wake Up Prettier

"I got so much scrutiny for putting on extra pounds, but I think that the decision not to make myself anorexic was actually great for branding," Simpson told Lucky. "Because when you're really, really skinny, not everybody can relate to you."

Here's a confession: I've always been on #TeamJessica-ever since she released that music video of her singing in front of a propeller plane, all throughout the Newlyweds years, onwards past her stint as Daisy Duke, and even these days,

By Sarah Jio, Glamour magazine

Just in time for Halloween, the FDA is putting out a surprising warning about a certain candy that may kind of shock you...

Related: The Top 10 Ways to Wake Up Prettier

Beware of black licorice, says the Food and Drug Administration. According to a newly issued warning, black licorice can cause "serious health risks" for adults, especially those over the age of 40. Apparently black licorice contains a certain ingredient that can cause irregular heart rhythms in some people. (I always knew there had to be a reason why I detested this stuff so much!)

"There's a compound in black licorice called glycyrrhizin that interferes with potassium balance and causes potassium to be excreted, and if you don't have enough potassium, you're in trouble," explained Dr. Marian Nestle, a professor of nutrition at New York University. "You get heart arrhythmias and other types of problems."

Do you like black licorice? Red licorice?



P.S. More candy news: Super-candy? And,

By Sarah Jio, Glamour magazine

No wonder many of us tend to gain a few pounds this time of the year. There are so many temptations! Steamy hot beverages, warm baked treats, candy, candy, and more candy?! Hey, a little indulging is fine, but experts warn that some autumn treats are worse than others.

By Caitlin Brody, Glamour magazine

Former tennis pro Anna Kournikova is the Biggest Loser's newest coach...and a big believer in mercifully sane tactics!

Related: The Top 10 Ways to Wake Up Prettier

1. Sleep is as important as gym time.

"Sometimes an extra hour of sleep is more important than working out, if you know you'll benefit the next day. But that means you can't skimp on your next workout-make little deals like that with yourself and stick to 'em!"

2. You don't need a gym!

"I grew up in the Soviet Union in the eighties and nineties. We didn't have gyms, let alone a treadmill. We worked with what we had; you can too. All you need are sneakers and a sports bra to go running. Or try jumping rope for 10 minutes-it's a great workout!"

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3. Just do it, OK?

"Exercise gives us energy and confidence, so why cut corners? It's easier to incorporate it into your life and feel good now, rather than put it off and feel guilty about it a year from

By Sarah Jio, Glamour magazine

Such a sad, and touching, story to report on today. A woman named Stacie Crimm found out she was pregnant and then was diagnosed with terminal head and neck cancer. She chose to put off treatment to save her baby. Sadly, she died, but her baby lived. Today's difficult health question: What would you do?

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So heartbreaking: According to reports, 41-year-old Stacie Crimm found out she was pregnant and then was diagnosed with terminal cancer. She had two options: terminate the pregnancy and try to pursue aggressive treatment to save her life, or forgo treatment and save the baby.

She chose to save the baby, and sadly, she lost her battle to cancer. Her baby, a little girl, was delivered at 20 weeks, weighing just 2 pounds, and survived. Today, months later, she is a healthy 5 pound baby girl living with her mother's relatives.

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I've had three babies, and I have thought