by SHAPE Diet Doctor Mike Roussell, phD

How much protein do you really need?Is it true your body can only process so much protein at once?

No, it is not true. I have always found the idea that your body can only "use" a certain amount of protein funny, as what happens when you go over that number? Does it pass through your system undigested?

Protein and how much you need is a very misunderstood topic, most likely because we have traditionally looked at how much protein we need in our diets based on preventing a deficiency and not the optimal amount. If you are looking to ensure you get adequate levels of the essential amino acids, then you will need somewhere between 50 to 60 grams of protein each day. I know many nutrition professionals who believe taking in more than that is a waste.

But I'm going to bet that you are not reading SHAPE to help prevent nutritional deficiencies-you likely want to slim down, train harder, perform better, or all of the above. For this we need to look beyond deficiencies and look at what

ByKeep your yard looking great for less.Woman's Day Staff

Curb Appeal
A manicured front lawn makes a good first impression on guests and can keep you in your neighbors' good graces. And thanks to these savvy tips, keeping your grounds green doesn't have to cost much green. Keep reading to discover how to start saving now. Photo by GettyImages.

Make Compost

Keep a lidded container on a kitchen counter to collect food scraps (fruit cores, veggie trimmings, coffee grounds, rinsed eggshells; anything but meat). Toss them into an out-of-sight pile or a compost bin (recommended in areas with foraging wildlife) on your property along with leafy prunings, excluding weeds. Turn the pile every couple of weeks to encourage decomposition, and within a season or two, you'll have a continual supply of nutrient-rich fertilizer.

COST Free; $100 and up for an enclosed composter
SAVINGS $15 per bag of fertilizer

Lose the Grass (By Choice)
Give over part of your lawn to ground cover, such as vinca, carex or ferns. These

Source: You Can't Eat Anything You Want: Nutrition Tips For Marathon Training

Deciding whether to run a marathon can be a journey in itself, but it's when you actually sign up for a race that the real planning starts. And while your training plan should be at the front of your mind, don't forget that what you eat during those months is equally as important, says running coach and nutritionist Matt Fitzgerald. While you may think that you can eat anything you want since you are burning so many calories during training, not paying attention to diet can cause you to feel more sluggish, have cramps, or show up at the start line above your ideal racing weight, Matt warns.

Matt's book The New Rules of Marathon and Half-Marathon Nutrition: A Cutting-Edge Plan to Fuel Your Body Beyond the Wall ($18) as well as his training and nutrition plans he developed with PEAR Sports are meant for runners who are trying to improve their race times or to just avoid hitting the wall during the race. We

Want to work on those six-pack abs in your own home or train for that 5k sans the cramped environment of a gym? Your smartphone may have all the capabilities to get you motivated and fit. We compiled a list of our eight favorite workout apps that will have you toned and feeling great in no time - all on your own terms.

#1: Map My Run

Map My Run

Whether you're just jogging for fun or training for a marathon, this is the perfect app for all types of runners, from those of us beginners to the more advanced bunch. Using GPS, you can track your distances, routes, splits, and overall progress. There's also a helpful voice that updates you with every mile increase.

#2: Daily Butt Workout

Daily Butt Workout

Hate doing butt exercises for the whole gym to see? This is the best way to tone your behind in the comfort of your own home.

#3: Daily Ab Workout

Daily Ab Workout

Get that same intense workout as if there was a trainer right next to you. Prop your phone up to watch the fitness model and start