Blog Posts by Woman s Day

By Danielle Braff

8 Tricks for Boosting Your Metabolism

Remember how, during your teens and 20s, you could eat practically anything and not gain a pound? Now that you're hovering around middle age, you've probably found that's just not the case anymore. Part of the problem is that your metabolism decreases as a result of other age-related factors, like decrease in muscle mass. However, there's no need to give in to a bigger pant size just yet! Read on for eight ways to rev up your metabolism and keep those unwanted pounds from your waistline.

Do Intervals
Mixing in fast-paced intervals raises your metabolic rate higher than doing a steady cardio workout, and will continue to do so up to an hour after you're done, says Kristin McGee, a trainer and Pilates instructor whose client list includes Tina Fey and Bethenny Frankel. An Australian study also found that women who did intervals while they were biking lost three times as much fat as those who worked out at a steady pace. If you're a walker, simply

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By Brynn Mannino

Have you been loyal to the rules of weight loss, but the scale still won't budge? Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation out there that may be throwing a roadblock in front of your dieting efforts. Below, experts clarify eight of the most common weight-loss myths-like the notion that eating several small meals throughout the day will speed up your metabolism or that you have to hit the gym to lose weight-so you can get on the right track and lose those extra pounds.

Myth #1: You have to work out to lose weight.

While it's true that a turn on the treadmill burns calories, exercising is not mandatory for shedding pounds. "Weight loss is a simple matter of calories in versus calories out," says American Dietetic Association spokeswoman Karen Ansel, RD. In truth, if you already lack restraint when it comes to intake, exercising may actually contribute to overeating, since you'll inevitably feel hungrier than usual. Understanding how much you really

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By Brynn Mannino

Each New Year's, revelers around the world chow down on specific foods to summon good luck for the next 365 days. While some traditions call for noodles and others call for fruit, all the edibles connote forward movement, prosperity and health. Whether or not you're superstitious, take a look at our list of common celebratory eats. If no luck comes your way, at least you'll go into the new year with a full belly.

Long Noodles

In China, Japan and other Asian countries, it's customary to eat long noodles, signify longevity, on New Year's Day. Since the noodles are never to be broken or shortened during the cooking process, the typical preparation for "Long-Life Noodles" is a stir-fry. Photo: Thinkstock

Pork

In some countries, including Cuba, Spain, Portugal, Hungary and Austria, pigs symbolize progress. Some say it's because these animals never move backward, while others believe it's all in their feeding habits (they push their snouts forward along

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Navigate your computer more easily with the push of a few buttons

by Amanda Greene

Photo: © Thinkstock

Most expert computer users know the basic keyboard shortcuts, like pressing Control (Ctrl) + P on a PC to print a document. But did you know there are plenty of other useful-not to mention pretty darn cool-key combinations out there? From instantly zooming in to a larger view to quickly closing your browser window, these shortcuts will put the World Wide Web and more at your fingertips-because every second counts.

Learn about online services you'll definitely want to bookmark because they make your life easier.

1. Add a Bookmark
Tab your new favorite website for easy access by bookmarking the page with the following quick trick.

PC: Ctrl + D
Mac: Apple key (see right) + D

2. Delete Forever
When you know you want to nix a file forever-instead of sending it to clog up the recycling bin first--tap the keys below.

PC: Shift + Delete

3. Close Browser

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Keep stress and family feuds at bay by heeding this advice

by Lambeth Hochwald

Ahh, the holidays. A time for singing carols, trimming the tree, eating turkey… and dealing with family drama. If memories of Christmases past have you dreading December 25, cheer up. With these 10 rules, you can have a happy, headache-free holiday-really!

1. Don't talk politics.

You know the saying: Never discuss religion or politics. If your relatives didn't get the memo-and you're sick of playing referee every year-be ready to nip it in the bud. At the first sign of Obama-bashing or Palin-baiting, jump in and divert their attention. "Change the subject with a remark like, 'The turkey smells terrific, doesn't it? Let's go check on it,'" says Lisa Gaché, founder and CEO of Beverly Hills Manners. And don't take no for an answer, even if it means gently leading one of the debaters into the kitchen.

If the argument continues the minute you get back, lay down your house rule. "Step in and firmly

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How to Say Learn how to politely decline time commitments without the guilt

by Beth Levine

No. It's one of the shortest words in the English vocabulary, but it's also one of the most difficult for many of us to say.

We all know that setting limits will lower our stress level and save our sanity, but sometimes we are caught off guard by people who simply won't take no for an answer. Read on to learn how to put your foot down with these master manipulators.

Read about how to deal with common bad habits that can hurt friendships.

The Flatterer
Whether it's the friend who tells you how smart you are and how much she'd appreciate your help on a volunteer project she's working on, or the school mom who insists that the students will be so disappointed if you don't make your special cupcakes for the class holiday party, the flatterer plays to your vanity by making you feel indispensable. Photo: © Jessie Ford/Woman's Day

Reality check: If you want to help out because it gives you

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8 Secrets Airline Carriers Want You to Know

Find out how to avoid long lines, score lower fares and more for a better travel experience

by Amanda Greene

If you're flying to visit friends and family this holiday season, you're probably already dreading the lines, crowds and delays at the airport. While travel during this time of year tends to be busier than usual, there are ways to get around common annoyances. We talked to the airlines to learn what they wish passengers knew, including the best way to avoid getting bumped from your flight and the latest tricks to landing the lowest fare available. Read on for insider tips and info that can make your travel experience much more enjoyable.

1. When it comes to flight delays, we often don't know any more than you do.
Boarding a flight and then sitting on the tarmac for upward of an hour is frustrating for travelers, especially when the cause of the delay isn't being explained. But chances are, the airline isn't holding out on you-they don't know much either.

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Save your friendship by dealing with annoyances gracefully

by Denise Shipani

You love your best friend-but you can do without her offensive husband. Or maybe you adore spending time with her-but are getting tired of all the times she "forgets" her share of the bill. If you find yourself swallowing your true feelings in order to keep the peace, you're not alone. "Often, women have a hard time being direct," says Debra Holland, PhD, a Los Angeles-based psychotherapist. Instead, we tend to absorb the anger, annoyance or whatever until we get upset-but that's not healthy for you or your relationship. If you value your friend and want to keep her in your life, it's important to learn how to be honest without offending her. Below, check out eight tricky situations you can get into with friends, and how to resolve them without losing the friendship.

Situation #1: She's Judgmental of Others

You two are at a party together, and your pal comes out with comments about others that make you

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