Peter Ardito/Fitness MagazineBy Peg Rosen

New research shows you can't judge a person's fitness by looks alone. Here, the surprising new thinking on size and exercise.

Your Weight and Fitness
There are two large women who've been in boot camp with me for years. They almost never miss a class and never take it easy. Yet as I've lunged, squatted, and planked alongside them nearly daily, I'm ashamed to admit that one question has occasionally bounced around my brain: With all that exercise, after all this time, why aren't these women in better shape?

Then came the 2012 Olympic Games. The world was poised to witness its most formidable female athletes lock horns in London. And what did we hear? Slams against Australian swimmer Leisel Jones, declaring the eight-time medalist fat and thus unfit to represent her country. Cheap shots about muffin tops and saddlebags on the British women's beach volleyball team. And tweets about British swimmer Rebecca Adlington's physique that became so vicious, she dropped off Twitter

Trying to shimmy into your skinny jeans? Beware the habits that are sabotaging your progressThe countdown to bikini season has begun. But even if you're busting your butt at the gym and following a nutrition plan down to the peas and carrots, you've got to get your head in the game in order to reach your fitness goals, says Rachel Cosgrove, trainer and author of Drop Two Sizes. "If you're not in a success mindset, a positive mindset, then it's going to be really hard to overcome that," she says. So no more easy outs! Be your biggest champion by ditching these damaging habits:

RELATED: 15 Ways to Boost Your Metabolism

Mistake No. 1: You use the word but
One of the biggest challenges many women face: ending negative thoughts and excuses. Any time you use the word but, you completely discount whatever comes before it. For example: "I am going to cook at home this week, but I don't know if that will work because I have a really busy week." Try substituting it for the word and. "I am going to cook at home this week, and I have a really busy week." Now those two things can

Who's Afraid of the Dentist?I admit that I am not a big fan of the dentist. Unfortunately I was in contact with some less than stellar dentists when I was a kid and that fear has stuck with me ever since. I am trying hard not to let my own anxiety interfere with my kids' relationships with their dentist and I am thankful that, so far, none of my children have expressed or shown any fears or anxieties of their own.

We all know that oral health is a large part of our overall health and having access to dental care is important. Finding the right dentist for your child is key. The right dentist will take the time to answer your questions, address your fears, be up to date on the latest research, and know how to help keep your kids at ease.

The dentist chair is intimidating any way you look at it. (Those tools!) It's important to find a dentist who knows how to put those little ones at ease. (And the parents too.) When you are looking for the right dentist for you and your family, there are a few questions you

Kate Middleton: Role model? (Photo by Getty Images)Kate Middleton is in nesting mode, taking cooking class so she can prepare new meals for Prince William, according to a story Monday in US Weekly.

It's an unlikely move for Middleton who has been dubbed a modern-day princess by the media. She wears blue jeans, shops at the Gap, and is a rumored yoga junkie. And like many women, Middleton has an evolved take on love, not only having shacked up with Prince William before they were married but dating him for a whopping 8 years (a move that earn her the nickname "Waity Katie" for waiting so long for a proposal). At 31, she's also an older newlywed, a far cry from Princess Di who was just 20-years-old when she wed Prince Charles and who later referred to her entrance into the royal family as a "lamb being led to the slaughter." And much like any trendy public figure, Middleton has even endured a nude photo scandal.

But for all the ways that Middleton reflects a modern day gal—royalty! They're just like us!—is a princess who's celebrated for

Anna Ipox (center) teaches a class at her Fat Yoga studio in Portland, Oregon. (Photo: Fat Yoga via Flickr)A yoga studio in Portland, Oregon, is busting stereotypes by catering to people who are pretty much the opposite of the typical, lululemon-and-lycra-wearing crowd.

Also on Shine: Studies Show that Gym Classes May Make Women Hate Exercise

Anna Ipox named her studio Fat Yoga, and she's not shy about why.

“I say I’m fat cause, guess what, I know I’m fat,” Ipox told KPTV. “Our American script says, ‘No, you’re not fat, just some other euphemism, thick, fluffy, big-boned, portly, whatever.’”

10 Things Yoga Teachers Wish They Could Tell You

"Fat is simply a descriptive word," she explained on her company's website. "We believe that a person should not be judged by the amount of fat they have, and that there is no “right” amount of fat.  A person’s physical health cannot be determined from simply looking at their shape or weight."

Ipox, who has practiced yoga since 2011, said that some traditional poses are too difficult for fat people to manage.

“Child’s pose is impossible of you have belly fat

By Lexi Nisita, Refinery29

Hopefully, by now, it's pretty common knowledge that the importance of nutrition labels goes way beyond just calories. You should be checking the sodium, the ingredients, the sugar - and above all, the serving size.

RELATED: The Healthiest Junk Foods To Cheat With

What you see might shock you, and even those who consider themselves familiar with healthy portion controlmight be surprised by this Buzzfeed video demonstrating the actual recommended serving sizes of your favorite junk foods. But mainly, we feel bad for that mozzarella stick. Poor little guy, all alone! Maybe he can be friends with that measly pile of Doritos?

Hollywood actor's heights













I blame the pressure for actresses and leading ladies to be unnaturally thin in Hollywood directly on Hollywood's little leading men. Many A-list male actors in Hollywood are short. Though the words "short" and "tall" are relative I suppose. So let's rely on facts: there are more male actors under 5'9″ than over 5'9″ and this is why there is so much pressure on female actors to be teeny tiny and unhealthily thin in Hollywood.

Think about it, if an actress is 5'7″ tall, how on earth is she going to get a role as the leading lady when Tom Cruise is the same exact height? Though men generally are built with a larger frame and bone structure than women, this isn't always the case. Some men are very slight in stature, but the camera tends to help men look meatier (and thus "manlier") on screen and hinder women in the same way, because in our society, skinny is sought after over healthy. So a woman with a larger bone structure, at a healthy weight for her height, is going to appear to be

Taking a little time to plan ahead can make a big differenceIf you have ever been on a road trip in the U.S., you've probably noticed the overwhelming monotony of food exit road signs. A seemingly infinite rotation of major fast-food chains lines the highway system, and unless you're making an effort to plan other arrangements during your journey, chances are that you'll be cruising a lot of drive-thrus.

Check out This Summer's Must-Visit Ice Cream Parlors

Adding another item to your packing list might not seem like ideal way to help you out the door, but with a little time and preparation, you can actually save money and calories. Not to mention that you also have the freedom to choose exactly what you want to eat instead of settling for someone else's menu!

America's 50 Best Bed-and Breakfasts

Drink water
In addition to being the obvious healthy beverage choice, drinking adequate amounts of water can help you to sustain your energy and combat fatigue while counting down the miles. To avoid spending unnecessary money on bottled brands, as