Women's Health June 2013

We all want to feel beautiful. And for many of us, that means giving our natural allure a shot in the arm. I’ll admit that I’m secretly envious of (and a bit awed by) women who are confident enough to go without a stitch of makeup—but that’s just not me. (Nor am I the type to plaster on a full face to run a simple weekend errand.) I mostly aim to enhance what’s there—you know, add a little length to my lashes; punch up the color of my pucker! I’m not trying to look like someone else. I just want to be the best, most polished me. And while it’s true that beauty is subjective—it’s in the eye of the beholder, after all— some things can be judged: beauty products!…

1 HOW I AVOID BOREDOM ON A RUN: PODCASTS “I enjoy listening to Pardon the Interruption and This American Life while I’m running. They’re a great way to make long runs feel less monotonous.” 2 HOWI SIMPLIFY DINNER: BLACK BEAN QUESADILLAS “They’re quick and nutritious, and you need only three or four ingredients: tortillas, beans, spinach, and maybe cheese.” WH ADVISORY BOARD ANTHROPOLOGY HELEN FISHER, PH.D. Research professor and member of the Center for Human Evolutionary Studies, Rutgers University; author, Why Him? Why Her? Finding Real Love by Understanding Your Personality Type and Why We Love CARDIOLOGY SHARONNE N. HAYES, M.D. Associate professor of cardiology and director of the Women’s Heart Clinic, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; board member, WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease, Washington, D.C. MAJA…

SIP THIS NOW Yes, you can drink sweet, refreshing cocktails at the beach or pool without packing on the pounds. Get printable recipes for delicious, low-calorie beverages at WomensHealthMag.com/HealthyCocktails. Get a Smokin’ Beach Bod Swimsuit season shouldn’t stress you out. Consult our new online guide to find toning workouts, the best suit styles for your shape, and a 30-day meal plan to get you bikini-ready— fast! Visit WomensHealthMag.com/GetBikiniReady. DISCOVER TASTY NEW RECIPES Break out those kitchen knives and start cooking something fresh. You don’t need to be a pro—just head to Recipes. WomensHealthMag.com for tons of healthy ideas. All of Your Birth- Control Questions, Answered Compare the different types of contraception and learn about your options (plus how to save money!) at WomensHealthMag.com/BirthContro Don’t Forget Dad Let us guess: Dad…

Q What are the benefits of vibration platforms? —Marni, Pittsburgh, PA They may look gimmicky, but vibration platforms have significant benefits, says Will Caton, a trainer and Power Plate master instructor in Santa Monica, California, who trains his clients on Power Plate platforms (go to powerplate.com/us/locations to find one near you). The machine’s vibrations cause muscles to contract faster, so performing regular moves like squats or pushups on the shaky surface engages more muscle fibers than if you were doing them on solid ground. This can help muscles warm up and recover faster than usual, says Caton. Studies suggest this effect can temporarily enhance your performance immediately after use (think sprinting slightly faster, jumping just a bit higher), but research is still mixed on the long-term practical benefits. If you…

Q What’s the quickest (nonphysical) way to turn a guy on? —Wendy, St. Paul, MN Our on switch is pretty easy to flip, actually. Just smile and laugh often, steal a seductive bite of our food, open up to us about a fantasy…all of those work. But the fastest way is to let us in on a dirty secret. For instance, if you don sexy lingerie underneath your work clothes just for your guy, he’ll be buzzing with primed sexual energy. Make a show of putting it on in front of him in the morning, or send him a text to tell him you’re wearing it while he’s sitting at dinner with friends. Want to fire him up even more? Remind him of a recent sexual experience the two of you…

About a third of women age 40 or over haven’t had a mammogram in the past two years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Now, a new trend at clinics across the country may help entice you and your girls (and your gal pals!) to get regular screenings: mamm parties. The fetes often include food and cocktails as well as spa and beauty treatments to make breast exams less intimidating. Just don’t overindulge while you’re there. “To minimize your risk of developing breast cancer, you should have only one drink per day and stay as close to your ideal body weight as possible,” says Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., a clinical professor of ob-gyn at Yale School of Medicine. Look for parties at local imaging clinics and hospitals,…