Blog Posts by Self Magazine

As stocks drop, our scales are rising. Avoid recession pounds with our sanity-saving plan.

By Hallie Levine Sklar

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have a co-conspirator in the war on your well-being: Duncan Hines. During stressful times, overeating is practically our national therapy. In fact, nearly 50 percent of people say they soothe frayed nerves with unhealthy meals, according to a survey by the American Psychological Association in Washington, D.C. Ultimately, calorie overload-and the weight that results-only adds to our feelings of helplessness. The solution: Take control of your diet. "You don't have power over the financial markets, but you have complete autonomy when it comes to your eating," says Heather Bauer, R.D., of New York City. Curbing your binges will also give you a sense of confidence-which may carry over to how you handle your finances. We found four women in dire need of diet makeovers and helped them learn to manage financial stress without Mallomar meltdowns. Read

To me exercise is like brushing my teeth: a non-negotiable. I don't want stinky breath or a flabby, weak body so I just do it, Nike-style! That said, there are days (lots of 'em!) when I'd so rather plant my butt on the couch and squirt whipped cream in my mouth, while watching bad TV (Cycle 12 of America's Next Top Model, baby!) Thankfully, after many years as the Fitness Director of SELF magazine I've learned a few magic motivators that always make me walk away from the Reddi-Wip and move it. Here they are:

SET A GOAL: Have an aim that is specific, actionable, short-term and measurable. Big-picture concepts, like "I want to be slim in six months," don't carry as much oomph as "I want to fit into a size 8 in six weeks." Fit into those smaller sizes with these 30 simple, effective tricks to slim and trim your tummy.

FOLLOW A PROGRAM: If you have a plan before you exercise, then you're accountable to it, and you'll feel more satisfied once you fulfill it. And the better you feel

Q: Despite how well I'm doing at work (good reviews, praise from my boss), I still worry that I'll be fired. How can I feel more confident?

A: I doubt you deserve to get fired-you seem very conscientious! These days, it's natural to be concerned about job security, but I sense the real issue here is a conviction that nothing you do is good enough. Challenge this misguided belief by evaluating your work rationally: Every time your faith in yourself falters, recall a recent success (the stellar presentation you pulled off, for example). The key to building confidence is to be able to reassure yourself rather than rely on outside praise. Also, reflecting on the things besides your job that bring you joy will make it easier to keep work in perspective.

Feel happier at work (and get paid more, too!) How honing your strengths will get you the paycheck you deserve.

By Catherine Birndorf, M.D.

MORE FROM SELF:

• One Small Change
  How a single tiny diet tweak can yield big

Q: My coworker earns more than me, even though we practically have the same job. How can I use this info to get a raise?

No two jobs, or people, are clones. Does your officemate manage more employees, a bigger budget or more profitable clients? Does she have more experience or education? If so, her pay could be justified. If not, you might deserve a raise. Go to Salary.com to see what your peers earn. If your compensation is below par, write a memo documenting how you've helped your company by, say, cutting costs or training employees. Approach your boss when she's likely to be cheery (Friday afternoon, not Monday morning), and don't refer to your colleague's pay. Instead, be positive-"I'd love to discuss my work, my ideas for our department and my compensation." If she can't offer a raise, suggest a bonus tied to a project, or ask for tasks that will increase your visibility. There is one instance in which you should bring up your coworker's salary: if you can make a case for

If you constantly burn the midnight oil and keeping struggle to keep up with an inbox that rivals Mount Kilimanjaro, you're bound to lose your A-game when it comes to your appearance. Don't reach for a paper bag to cover your head-we polled top pros for tricks to look fabulously refreshed when your usual get-up-and-go has gotten up and gone (letting you nix the naps and the Red Bull). Find quick pick-me-ups for skin, hair and makeup, plus 13 products to help you glow outside and in. "Liking what you see in the mirror raises endorphin levels, so you feel happier," says Amy Wechsler, M.D., a dermatologist and psychiatrist in New York City. Getting a more gorgeous look and a sunnier disposition? Now that's a reason to jump for joy!

Power your shower

Break out the bubbly. A stimulating scalp-massaging shampoo preps strands for styling and washes away oil that makes hair limp, says Frédéric Fekkai, a hairstylist in NYC. "Be sure to fully saturate hair so suds flow from root to tip," he

A: The USDA estimates that you should take in 20 to 35 percent of your total calories from fat. If you eat 1,800 calories a day, that works out to between 360 and 630 calories from fat (or 40 to 70 fat grams). More important than the amount of fat you eat is the type. Saturated and trans fats are the worst for your heart and overall health, while consuming close to but not more than 35 percent of your calories from healthier fats such as those found in olive oil, nuts and fish may actually improve your odds against disease. People who follow a Mediterranean diet, which is chock-full of healthy fat, have low rates of heart disease and long life expectancies. Plus, fat is satiating, so it can stave off hunger and help you eat less overall.

Try these treats when you get a craving. They're better for you but still tasty enough to satisfy.

By Joy Bauer, R.D.

MORE FROM SELF:

• One Small Change
  How a single tiny diet tweak can yield big results!
• Stress less!
  

Here's some serious slimspiration for you: Doing only one thing differently can be all it takes to lose weight and improve your life in surprising, healthy ways. We found six women who each flipped a simple dietary switch that set off a chain reaction of positive effects, from getting glowing skin to losing 130 pounds. See which idea will ignite your personal success story.

By Liz Plosser


The planner: Shoshana Davis, 24, New York City

One small change: Mapping out meals

The big payoff: Dropped 130 pounds in a year and found the spotlight

How she did it: Davis attempted dozens of diets before finding the one simple technique that worked for her: plotting out her bites. "It wasn't easy at first-it took time to get used to thinking ahead about every meal and snack-but I'm much less likely to make poor food choices when I've put a plan in motion," Davis says. "If I know I'm meeting my friends for Chinese, I'll look at the menu and decide which healthy dish I want in advance."

Q:What's the difference between a razor cut and a scissors cut, and should I choose one over the other?

You bet! Razors slice hair at an angle, leaving pointed ends that soften the texture of thick or coarse hair and lessen its weight, says Rhys, founder of Jet Rhys Salon in San Diego. Scissors make straight ends, creating a blunt effect. Have fine, curly or damaged hair? Stick to scissors. Razors expose the inner cortex of each strand and make your hair vulnerable to breakage and split ends.

You don't need a dictionary to learn what you want your hair to be: strong yet soft, with lots of shine. Try our pro tips and styling tricks to become your best-tressed in no time.

MORE FROM SELF:

• One Small Change
  How a single tiny diet tweak can yield big results!
• Stress less!
  65 proven ways to beat anxiety for good
• The Great 1-month Slim-Down with Jillian Michaels
  The Biggest Loser trainer shows us how to shape up fast in this exclusive