Blog Posts by Self Magazine

by Sarah-Jane Bedwell

Lentil Salad with Tomato and Dill, Gourmet/Yanes, Romulo A We've all been there -- you sit down to eat at that hip new spot everyone's raving about and there just happens to be nothing you like on the menu. This is even more so of a problem for those of us going meatless, vegetarian or vegan. But restaurants are becoming increasingly accommodating to dietary restrictions, often allowing you to play around with a dish. Even if there aren't a bunch of meatless options wherever you're ordering, you'll be GTG with a few tricks and tips.

See more: 5 Simple Steps to Cellulite-Free Skin

Spruce up you salad. You don't need to be served a bed of lettuce cause you don't eat meat, ladies! Give your salad a boost by adding unique flavor and texture with extras like nuts, hard-boiled eggs, edamame, hummus, cubed tofu or chickpeas. And don't be afraid to order a couple veggie sides, too. Menus often have delicious sides that can easily amp up your meal, like roasted asparagus or garlic mashed potatoes, which can both be delicious when

There's some surprising research-backed news that says "green exercise" may be the best way to lose weight, feel pretty great and even get smarter.

by Marissa Stephenson

More from SELF:

Superfood Recipes for Weight Loss

Lose 2 Pounds in a Week!

The Ultimate Guide to Gym Hair

Top Secrets of the Beauty Pros

by Jasmine Moir

Game on--and it's your willpower up to bat! We asked nutritionists across the country how to hit concession stands without putting thousands of empty calories on the scoreboard.

More from SELF:

Superfood Recipes for Weight Loss

Lose 2 Pounds in a Week!

The Ultimate Guide to Gym Hair

Top Secrets of the Beauty Pros

Stress? Duh. But toothpaste? Yep. Find out what's messing with your skin and fix it asap.

by Beth Janes

More from SELF:

Superfood Recipes for Weight Loss

Lose 2 Pounds in a Week!

The Ultimate Guide to Gym Hair

Top Secrets of the Beauty Pros

by SELF Staffers

A slew of designers from Chanel to DKNY are pairing metallics with daytime looks. Here are a few ways you can rock metallics without going overboard.

More from SELF:

Superfood Recipes for Weight Loss

Lose 2 Pounds in a Week!

5 Simple Steps to Cellulite-Free Skin

Spring's 6 Hottest Beauty Trends

by Rachel Jacoby


Metallic is the "it" color for spring. And while yes, metallic isn't actually a color, it's a thing: Any product that shimmers, sparkles or shines is super of the moment. But there's a caveat: Metallics aren't just for nighttime anymore; in fact, they're even chicer when worn during the day. Think of 'em as your new neutral. But pulling off a gleaming beauty look during office hours can be a bit much -- unless you apply 'em right, that is. We asked celebrity makeup artist Marni Burton (who I graduated high school with, to boot!) to spill the deets on how to shimmer without going into sparkle-overload territory.

FOR YOUR EYES
Burton recommends actually using your favorite powder bronzer as your eyeshadow instead. However, I'm loving creamy formulas that are multipurpose, like the shades in the Topshop Game On quad palette -- either way works. Use a brush or your fingertip to apply color all over the lid and into the crease. Add an element of surprise by using a

by Amanda MacMillan


CN Digital Studio It's obvious that people who are offered money for losing weight will fare better than those who aren't. (Hello, Jessica Simpson!) But a study just published in the Annals of Internal Medicine finds that cash incentives for weight loss are even more successful when awards are based on an entire group's performance, rather than an every-man-for-himself-style competition. See, guys? There's no "i" in team.

University of Michigan researchers found that group-based financial incentives, like those that may be offered to employees if together they can lose a certain number of pounds, led to nearly three times more weight loss than cash awards based on individuals' weight loss alone.

See more: Top Secrets of the Beauty Pros

"Approaches such as 'The Biggest Loser' have received popular attention as ways to harness group dynamics to encourage weight loss," say the authors, "but the 'winner-takes-all' nature could be discouraging for everyone but the most successful

by Marissa Stephenson


Stephanie Rausser Where you work out matters. Match the surface to your get-fit goal.

Grass: You naturally lift your feet higher to clear the blades, says Yale University cross-country coach Amy Gosztyla. So working out on the lawn versus a treadmill, track or pavement acts like a mini butt-and-leg-shaping drill.

See more: 5 Simple Steps to Cellulite-Free Skin

Sand: You'll raise your heart rate 10 extra beats per minute (which means you'll burn more calories) doing sprints on the beach versus a firmer surface, but without feeling like it's much harder or being any more sore the next day, a Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research study finds.

See more: Spring's 6 Hottest Beauty Trends

Road: You're speediest on blacktop, so if you're timing a run, do it here, Gosztyla says. Just make sure your next workout is on softer stuff, like grass, to give your joints a break.

Trail: Jumping over rocks and roots as you hike trails helps you burn 13 more cals per minute than walking on