Ever wonder how to use some of the fitness tools in your gym? Well, Amy Dixon, Equinox Group Fitness Manager in Santa Monica, CA stopped by "Summer Shape Up" to give us the skinny on the coolest fitness equipment that will fight the battle of the bulge. Here are five get-fit tools that you may or may not already be familiar with.

ViPR- (Viper) ViPR is an acronym for Vitality, Performance, and Re-conditioning. The rubber tubing varies in weight between 8 - 44 pounds. You can do any movement with this fitness tool and it will build lean muscle, while shredding calories.

Bosu Ballast Ball - This weighted stability ball doesn't roll away when doing various exercises such as Russian twists, crunches, and any plank variation.

Bosu Balance Trainer- This versatile fitness tool is great for exercises such as push- ups, mountain climbers, and side planks. The Bosu Balance Trainer enhances balance and adds to any cardio or strength training.

Kettlebell- Although the kettlebell

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If your morning workout routine includes a workout for your abs but you are not seeing any results, the problem might be related to what you're eating. Your body's overall metabolism needs to be working top notch to really have all that exercise pay off. The foods you eat can play a huge role in how well your metabolism works. Eating oatmeal may be the secret to powering your workout and boosting your metabolism.

Two years ago I started working out and having a more active lifestyle. In the first year I lost almost 20 pounds. However, the last 10 pounds were the hardest to drop. After a lot of research I realized that by giving my body some better fuel in the morning and adding a little bit of cardio, I could set it up for a full day of calorie burning. The best fuel in the morning is a mix of whole grains, fruit, and dairy. However, if you are like me, healthy eating can get boring. So, I discovered healthy eating recipes on the Quaker website .

My favorite oatmeal breakfast has be

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This week, Summer Shape Up paid a visit to celebrity fitness trainer Jackie Warner to discuss her new book "10 Pounds In 10 Days," which divulges her secret formula for getting her star clients red carpet-ready. The program shows you how to lose a quick 10 pounds and how to continue losing weight over 30 days if you have more weight to lose. The book also includes simple food plans and workouts to enhance fat-burning and toning.

The New York Times best-selling author says her five "intensity techniques" are key to burning calories. These exercises jump start your metabolism and help make you look and feel better overall:

1. Cardio-acceleration: a short but intense cardio burst between strength-training exercises, such as jumping rope or using an elliptical machine.

2. High-intensity interval training (HIIT): alternating bursts of high-intensity and low-intensity aerobic activity, such as alternating a three-minute jog with a one-minute sprint.

3. Supersets: sets of two different

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Quaker Instant Oatmeal was a staple in my house when I was growing up. I loved being able to pick out a fun flavor and there were so many to choose from. Now, that I'm older, I still make instant oatmeal. Though, I have come up with a few more ways to enjoy this healthy breakfast option. Here are just ten ways to eat instant oatmeal.

1. Enjoy It While Traveling
If you're on vacation and don't want to get up in time to eat breakfast in the lobby, you can always make breakfast in your hotel room. All you need to do is place your instant oatmeal packet in a coffee mug and place it under the single cup coffee maker that most hotels offer. Once the mug fills with water, stir and enjoy.

2. Cook Some Up at Work
Work is an excellent place to enjoy instant oatmeal. You don't have to hit the fast food place every morning. Instead, keep a package of instant oatmeal in your desk along with some Styrofoam bowls and plastic spoons. Cover the oatmeal with hot water from the water dispenser, stir an

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Eating in a bikini doesn't have to give you nightmares any more. Here, summer snacks that will leave you satisfied without packing on pounds. Plus, some surprisingly easy tips on how to shed those pounds for summer!

#1. Carrots
"Carrot sticks are the best snacks to munch on during the summer because the orange pigment beta-carotene gives skin an extra glow while protecting cells from free radical damage," says Dr. Aaron Tabor, M.D. and creator of Dr. Tabor's Slim & Beautiful Diet. "Carrots protect your skin from sun damage (though you still need to wear SPF) while giving you a boost of energy."

#2. Watermelon

If you have a hankering for something sweet, pick a juicy fruit like watermelon, over a heavy dairy product. "The lycopene in watermelon will boost your skin with a subtle pink glow and protect its moisture level," says Tabor.

Read More: Take a look at these anti-aging skin care tips!

#3. Frozen Grapes
Not only will this icy treat boost your sk...Read More »