Now, I know that what I'm about to propose might sound as grody to some of you as the idea of eating toenails, but listen: Vintage bathing suits are cute! And germs can be washed away! I'll admit, there is a weird ick factor surrounding not-new swimwear that makes some folks feel mighty hesitant, and on top of that there's the fit issue, which is always challenging/nightmarish-even more so when an item can't be returned.

What about used shoes from eBay? Scary or fine?

However, I'm still going to argue that the merits of a glam retro one-piece, an '80s-fabulous version like this, or a flirty shorts-kini that covers up a lumpy belly far outweigh the minor hygienic risks. Plus, they're cheap! Okay. Let the debate begin.

PS. You can also check out great online sources for new suits by clicking here.

More from Lucky's eBay Obsessed:

• Hot trend I love: Vintage Hawaiian prints
  
• Is there anything from wardrobe past that you wish you still had?
  
• The most

Get ready to be gorgeous on the beach with these exclusive workout tips from stars' trainers!

1. Kate Beckinsale: Celebrity Trainer Ramona Braganza "Combine interval and cardio circuit training for one hour. But don't rest for more than a few seconds between each exercise. This should burn 500 to 600 calories and keep your metabolism moving."

2. Chloë Sevigny: Celebrity Trainer Gregg Miele "Do cardio first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Your body will search for an energy source, and since you'll probably have burned all your carbohydrates overnight, it will tap into fat. You could even have a shot of espresso or cup of black coffee before your workout to further boost your metabolism."

3. Eva Mendes: Celebrity Trainer Harley Pasternak "When you're at the gym, focus on the muscles on the back of your body, like your rhomboids (do reverse incline dumbbell rows), triceps (do lying dumbbell triceps extensions), and hamstrings (do dumbbell deadlifts)."

4. Jennifer Garner:

What's the hardest part about weight loss? Visual temptations. I just had a friend over last night who has a show on the Food Network. The conversation turned to willpower-shattering temptations, and one person said their only dietary weakness was seeing chocolate on their kitchen counter.

It reminded me of the Song of the Siren Slurpee.

Twenty years ago, a roommate of mine who had a weakness for Slurpees found himself stopping at a specific 7-11 convenience store each afternoon. He just could not help himself. Every time he slowed down at the stoplight, his said his car became possessed and turned into the 7-11 parking lot. (Slurp these healthy smoothies instead!)

As time passed and his clothes started becoming tight, he decided if he could not keep his car from driving into 7-11, he would take a different route home, zig-zagging around the 7-11. If the siren song of 7-11 or of Dunkin Donuts is too difficult to resist, there are two choices: Lash yourself to the

0401-reiss-shorts_fd.jpgIn case you hadn't heard, shorts are back in '09. Wait, don't start groaning, stay with me: While you might think that only Aphrodite-types like Gisele can pull them off, there's no need to reach for the thigh master or run for the hills just yet. The trick to feeling and looking good in this warm weather staple isn't magically morphing into a super model bod; it's in these 5 tips for finding the pair that flatters almost any figure. For instance:

This pair of shorts from Reiss is just about perfect, wouldn't you say?

1. Pick a sophisticated neutral color like khaki, taupe, cream. Hot colors can seem kid-ish.

2. Find a medium length (i.e. not Bermuda shorts or hot pants) and avoid pleats (as they make your hips look bulky-and who wants that?).

3. For added oomph: Wear with a beige or neutral colored shoe to make legs seem extra long.

Related: Do you have a good body for clothes?

4. Try a cuffed pair-that extra roll at the hem will make even cheapie finds look

We've found classic one-pieces that seem to do the impossible -- they're both flattering and functional! Hit the beach in vintage style with our favorite suits!

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Dr. Ian Smith in the SELF offices!Losing weight: I research and write about this topic on a monthly basis in the pages of SELF, but as we all know, it's easier said than done. So when Dr. Ian Smith, of Celebrity Fit Club fame, came by the SELF offices to talk about his newest project, The 50 Million Pound Challenge, I asked him about the tough stuff - we're a nation obsessed with dieting and yet we're in the middle of an obesity epidemic! What gives? Why can't we lose the weight? Surprisingly, his answers had less to do with what we eat and more to do with the way we think about weight-loss. "After all," said Smith, "Dieting is 80 percent mental." So true. Read on for his list of top diet mistakes and advice on how to avoid them at all costs!


1. Starting at the wrong time. You need to start a diet during a time you can make weight loss your number one priority - not after a big breakup, not before a big move. Of course, there is not "perfect" time to start a diet, but wait until you'll have the most control over you

I've been thinking a lot about my eating habits lately-probably because summer is approaching, with its shorts, bathing suits, and sundresses.

Here are some guidelines that I've been trying to follow, with various degrees of fidelity:

1. Wear snug-fitting clothes. How I love wearing yoga pants every day! But they are just too comfy.

2. Buy food in small containers. Studies show that people give themselves larger portions out of larger boxes, so I don't buy that economy box of pretzels.

3. Make tempting food inconvenient-put cookies in a hard-to-reach spot, set the freezer to a very cold temperature so it's hard to spoon out ice cream, eat wrapped Hershey's kisses instead of M & Ms.

4. Order the appetizer size.

5. Use smaller plates, bowls, and cutlery. I often use my four-year-old's little plastic Disney Princess plates.

6. Dish food up in the kitchen, and don't bring serving platters onto the table (except vegetables).

7. Pile my plate with

Cig HarveyMyth No. 1: Don't Eat After 8 p.m.

The theory: You burn up the food you eat earlier in the day, while late-night calories sit in your system and turn into fat.

The reality: Calories can't tell time. "Your body digests and uses calories the same way morning, noon, and night," says Mary Flynn, Ph.D., a research dietitian at the Miriam Hospital, in Providence. They may sit around a little longer if you eat, then lie on the couch and watch Letterman, but when you move around the next day, your body will dip into its stores. That said, there are other solid reasons to avoid late-night snacking, not least of which is that snacks you grab when you're tired tend to be unhealthy ones.

The best advice: If you often unwind before bed with a bowl of ice cream or buttered popcorn, try cutting the snack out. The calories saved may be enough for you to lose a few pounds a year. If you're hungry, "eat something on the light side, like a piece of fruit or some cereal with milk," says Ellie Krieger, a