Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2014 i Women's Health

It’s easy to reduce prettifying endeavors to pure vanity or vapidity. But that would be a mistake. There’s a reason the beauty industry is a multibillion-dollar one: Research actually proves that grooming rituals raise confidence—and that, in turn, helps women gain control of the image they want to project to the world. And these days, women are taking more control than ever. The proliferation of beauty videos on YouTube (they number in the millions) shows just how much how-tos are in demand. Seemingly complex feats of makeup application—such as the smoky eye—are no longer the domain of professional artists. Any beauty vlogger worth her charcoal eye pencil can demonstrate how you, too, can pull of that sophisticated look. Companies such as Birchbox (read more about them on page 118) are…

Can’t Miss Cook-Off Who’s king—or queen—of the healthy kitchen? That’s what the chefs on Cook Your Ass Of compete to find out each week. Don’t miss the season finale, when WH editor-in-chief Michele Promaulayko (above) appears as a guest judge to help crown one chef the grand-prize winner. Airs Sunday, March 16, at 8 p.m. on upwave on HLN. For more details, head to upwave.com/cyao. ACTION-PACKED When you want to blow each other’s minds between the sheets, head to WomensHealthMag.com/Sex, our one-stop spot for all of the best sex positions, orgasm how-tos, and advice you need to pump up your pleasure. Rock It Out Tag @Womens HealthMag on Instagram or Twitter in a #ConcertSelfie that showcases your awesome concert style, and your photo could appear on WomensHealthMag.com! THESE WOMEN DID…

Q/After dating for a year, my boyfriend and I want to get a dog together. Good or bad idea?—Caroline, Richmond, VA A friend of mine moved in with his girlfriend and, a year later, bought a basset hound puppy they named Boris. Sadly, the relationship hit a few potholes, and now my friend has to have an awkward interaction with his ex every time he wants to visit his pup. As you know, people break up—and your one year of dating is a small blip in the decade-plus life span of the average dog. So ask yourself whether or not you could care for a pet solo if you’re suddenly single. If it sounds like too much work, then you’re not ready. But if you’re committed to caring for a…

twenty-seven PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE WHO ASSOCIATE CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH GUILT. IN A STUDY, THOSE WHO FELT BAD ABOUT EATING IT WERE LESS LIKELY TO MAINTAIN THEIR WEIGHT OVER A YEAR AND A HALF COMPARED WITH THE 73 PERCENT OF PEOPLE WHO ASSOCIATE THE DESSERT WITH CELEBRATION. ONCE YOU DECIDE TO ENJOY A SLICE, LOSE THE REMORSE! Source: University of Canterbury SWEET NOTHINGS Fat got your tongue? In a study, obese mice had fewer taste buds capable of registering sweetness than trimmer critters did. “Weight gain may trigger hormones that alter the taste cells, or high-fat foods might change them directly,” says lead study author Kathryn Medler, Ph.D. Either one could spell trouble: If your body doesn’t get the message that you’ve had a cookie, you might go for a whole…

eleven PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE WHO ADMIT TO HAVING ENGAGED IN SEXUAL ACTIVITY WHILE DRIVING, WITH MEN BEING THREE TIMES MORE LIKELY TO COP TO VEHICULAR NOOKY THAN WOMEN Source: A survey of 1,832 adults conducted by Harris Interactive and commissioned by Scout GPS JOINED CIRCLES Want your relationship to last? Get your man to Facebookfriend not just mutual pals, but buds from various parts of your life, like your college roomie or fave coworker. Researchers from Cornell University tracked 1.3 million Facebook users and found that couples whose mutual friends were connected to one another were 50 percent more likely to break up than those who had common pals spread far and wide. “When you introduce each other to friends from different parts of your life, it adds stability to…

Individual style has little to do with who can collect the most expensive designer bags or ankle boots. Anyone can put together an amazing look, even on a budget. All you need is a go-to signature style. My first tip is to look to anyone whose style you admire. Peruse your icon’s fashion habits. Look to see if you have similar pieces in your wardrobe. It’s so much easier to shop once you know exactly what you need! Another suggestion: Figure out your fashion comfort zone. We tend to buy the same piece over and over because it’s safe and familiar (tailored jackets are my happy place). But you need to determine if your staples work for you: Try them on in front of a full-length mirror and truthfully assess…

sneaker shelf life Running shoes usually have around 300 to 500 miles in them, or about six months. Signs you might need an upgrade: Your pair feels “deflated” (like they don’t have any spring; try on a similar model to compare) or has wrinkling on the midsole. Fast Mover This seamless (and seemingly weightless) sneak is the first running shoe produced in a clothing factory for a glove-like fit that helps you race faster through intervals or shave time off your 5-K. (1) Under Armour SpeedForm Apollo, $100, ua.com Free Runner “Light and flexible” can often be code for “not much in between your foot and the pavement,” but this updated best-seller packs just enough of a buffer to keep you bouncing from training runs to high-impact strength circuits. (2)…

Occasionally, getting there is not half the fun. Why some journeys are so uncomfortable. You hit the open road—or ocean, or sky—and while nothing sounds alarming, your ears switch to red alert. Yes, your ears. Deep inside each one sits a series of tiny fluid-filled chambers called semicircular canals. As your head moves, so does the canals’ fluid; it swishes over microscopic hairs that send nerve signals to the brain. The message: Your body is in motion. When you’re, say, running or walking, that message matches visual cues from your eyes. But when you catch a ride, things can go haywire. Moving! say the ears. Sitting still! say the eyes, since most of your immediate surroundings (e.g., the airplane cabin, the book you’re reading in the car’s backseat) are fixed.…

Even one gag-worthy swig of curdled milk can make you paranoid about keeping food past its prime. The problem is, expiration dates don’t indicate what we think they do. “Many people think it’s not safe to eat any product after the date on the label, and if they do, they’ll get food poisoning. That is not true,” says Ted Labuza, Ph.D., a professor of food science at the University of Minnesota. A report released last year found that Americans toss at least 160 billion pounds of food—an estimated 40 percent of what is produced—even though much of it is still good to eat. “People forget that they play a major role in their own food safety,” Labuza says. How fast you get perishable items from the supermarket to your refrigerator;…

Down a detoxing beverage to shrink your tummy, rev your metabolism, and clear up your skin. Bonus: more energy! Red Juices Processed juices are often loaded with sugar, a source of empty calories that can contribute to harmful cellular inflammation, says May Tom, R.D., staff nutritionist at Cal-a-Vie, a health retreat in Vista, California. But pomegranate juice is packed with antioxidants, including ellagic acid, which Tom says assists your liver in its detox duties. And beet juice, known in Chinese medicine as a blood purifier, was recently found to increase athletic endurance. Use them in moderation (e.g., as an ingredient in smoothies). Green Tea It’s chock-full of antioxidants known as catechins, which studies have shown may help reduce belly fat and lower the risk for melanoma. Liquid Veggies If you…

1. Enjoy the Spice of Life Top your omelet with hot sauce and splash sriracha on your stir-fry: Though no-frills foods might seem more saintly, flavorful options—especially the spicy variety—are actually more gratifying than bland ones, says Lawrence Cheskin, M.D., director of the Weight Management Center at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. “The concentrated burst of flavor may send a faster, more powerful satiety message to the brain,” he explains. 2. Have an Apple a Day Start your meal with an apple and, research shows, you’re apt to eat less overall. The fruit’s filling fiber content (a medium one contains four to five grams, or roughly a fifth of a woman’s daily needs) may be partially to thank. Go with the actual solid fruit: In a study published…

Ryan Eggold, 29, star of The Blacklist and the upcoming film The Single Moms Club 1 Your idea of the perfect woman? Nobody’s perfect, but my dream gal would be intelligent. That’s really sexy to me. And kindness is also really, really important. And spontaneity—being open to whatever comes. 2 What’s a dating mistake you make? When I’m on a second date with a girl, I’ll ask myself, Can I marry this person? And we’re just trying to decide between salmon and chicken. I’m totally making an effort to fix that. 3 How do women underestimate men? [By thinking that] the negative stereotypes about men are true—whether it’s that we lie or are unfaithful. I think women can get the wrong idea that all guys are just out to get…

THERE ARE THINGS YOU CAN DO WITH EGGS other than fill a breakfast sandwich OR WHISK ’EM INTO AN OMELET. BUST OUT OF YOUR hard-boiled routine AND LET THESE protein-packed beauties SHINE AT ANY MEAL OF THE DAY. the humble egg isn’t just a foodstuff—it’s an icon in a shell. A golden yolk, poached and broken over a plate of greens or just-made toast, is an instant comfort. And it’s good for you too. A large egg packs a whopping six grams of high-quality protein, which could be why at least one study has found that eating them in the morning may help you lose weight. They’re also full of healthy omega-3 fats, essential vitamins, and antioxidants, which may actually help cut your risk for cardiovascular disease and cancer. Perhaps…

1/SHOW-OFF SPOT: Upper Chest There’s a lot women want to get of their chests—most notably, sunspots and those dang diagonal lines that pop up in your thirties. A retinol cream, like StriVectin-AR Advanced Retinol Night Treatment ($109, strivectin.com), builds up collagen over time to tackle both problems. Start with a pea-size dab a few nights a week; work up to every night. For a faster fix, blur spots and lines by dusting a gold-toned shimmer powder over your collarbone. Try Victoria’s Secret Beach Sexy Bronzing Shimmer Powder ($24, victoriassecret.com). 2/SHOW-OFF SPOT: Upper Back Whether from hairproduct residue or rubbing against a gym mat, this hard-to-reach area is ground zero for back acne. Prevent breakouts by using a shower gel with salicylic acid daily (like Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash, $6.49,…

As beauty blogger Amber Katz wrote on her site, Rouge18.com, having a signature scent is “an alluring siren of an era past… It’s about as likely as wearing a single lipstick shade forever.” On the other hand, it makes little sense for a woman who loves the crisp aroma of grapefruit to feel forced to wear rich, smoky orientals just so she doesn’t fall into a fragrance rut. So here’s the modern solution: Create a perfume wardrobe you’ll actually wear, built around a signature fragrance family. “Your base scent should be something you are comfortable with, something familiar,” says Laurent Le Guernec, senior perfumer at International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF). Already know it? Great! If not, use our checklist (see “Seek Out Family Values,” page 20) to determine it, then…

Similar to real-life couples, some ingredient pairs in skin-care products are a perfect match—while others should really call it quits. “Multitasking products eliminate a few steps and can save you money, but combining several active ingredients may be ineffective or even irritating,” says Dendy Engelman, M.D., a New York City dermatologist. This is especially relevant now, thanks to the rise of BBs and CCs—creams that promise to…well, what don’t they promise to do? (Think: nix zits, fade spots, smooth lines, ward of UV rays, and offer a color tint.) Read on to discover which ingredients are destined for a harmonious marriage. Made for Each Other These ingredients not only get along splendidly, but may even help each other perform better. Stock up! Antioxidants and Sunscreen In addition to leaving skin…

IF YOU HAVE... 30 SECONDS Think of a word that best expresses how you would want a friend to describe your fashion persona. Then turn to “Define Your Style,” page 46, for stylist Rachel Zoe’s advice on building a wardrobe that embodies it. 60 SECONDS Rub sunscreen into your hairline and jawline, which are both vulnerable to wrinkles. For more tweetsize beauty tips, flip to “Shortcuts to Gorgeous,” Beauty Bonus, page 26 2 MINUTES Grab a 30-pound dumbbell and do as many goblet squats as you can. If you can do 15 (with perfect form!), you’re ready to use a barbell instead—which can help you better activate your glutes and build a killer rear end even quicker. “The Workout You Should Get Behind!” page 144 5 MINUTES Combine warm vanilla…

In case you missed a moment ofWH digital happenings, here’s a recap of the most buzz-worthy likes, tweets, and other posts! Instagrams You Heart Brown-bag upgrade: Over 1,900 of you love this way of assembling a to-go salad to keep it from getting soggy. You cheered on WH senior fashion editor Thea Palad as she aced Ballet Bungee. Here’s to trying something new! Hey, it’s OK to have a rest day after a week full of workouts. Reward yourself with yummy eats and laughs with your girls. More than 1,300 of you dig this cute Tasc Performance tank. Buy it at rawthreads.org/bestronganddothework.aspx. WH senior fitness editor Jen Ator and friends crushed six workout videos! Watch ’em at WomensHealthMag.com/QuickWorkouts. Over 1,300 readers can’t seem to forgo a cup of joe. (No…

Soup’s on! A study of more than 4,000 people showed that soup eaters have a lower BMI and smaller waist circumference than those whose diet doesn’t include soup—possibly because the spoonable staple keeps you fuller longer. To ladle up the most rewards, start with a broth-based veggie soup, then bust out the blender: Pureed foods’ nutrients enter the bloodstream faster, increasing the levels of hormones that signal when you’ve eaten enough, says study author James Hollis, Ph.D., of Iowa State University.…

forty-one PERCENTAGE OF U.S. WOMEN AGES 20 TO 50 WHO DON’T DRINK ENOUGH WATER—ROUGHLY 74 OUNCES PER DAY, OR ABOUT 9 CUPS, ACCORDING TO THE INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE’S RECOMMENDATIONS Source: BMC Public Health WHAT IS IT? tho·rac·ic out·let syn·drome \ thaw-ras’-ik out’-let sin’ drohm \ n. A condition in which compressed nerves and blood vessels in your neck (from using one arm in a repetitive pattern) cause pain, numbness, and swelling in your arm. Physical therapy and improved posture can help. Source: Jason Lee, M.D., Stanford University Medical Center THIS JUST IN White Out Seeing bright, chalkylooking spots on your teeth? They’re most likely white-spot lesions—splotches caused by a buildup of plaque that breaks down enamel. Nearly half of former metal mouths have them, since teeth covered in braces are…

Top Knot The best way to preserve a blowout during a major sweat session. Make a high ponytail (the higher the tail, the less likely it is to get drenched), then wrap the pony around its base and secure with another elastic. 45 PERCENTAGE OF NAIL SALONS THAT SAY THEIR MOST POPULAR PEDICURE SCENTS HAVE PEACEFUL NOTES, LIKE LAVENDER OR CHAMOMILE. TURN AN AT-HOME PEDI TRANQUIL WITH THE LAVENDER-SCENTED SALLY HANSEN MOISTURIZING FOOT CRÈME ($7, AT DRUGSTORES). Source: Nails Magazine THIS JUST IN A Different Way to Wash The newest route to healthier, more vibrant-looking hair is a cleansing conditioner—or “co-wash”—that imparts a clean feel without stripping moisture. “It’s like a conditioner with cleansing benefits, not a shampoo with added conditioning,” says cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson. (Translation: It will hydrate…

Shakira is in jeopardy of missing her flight. It’s a Sunday afternoon in Los Angeles, and the singer has 20 minutes to get from her West Hollywood hotel to the airport—which is 30 minutes away, even without L.A.’s infamous traffic! She’s not running late because she requires hours with a glam squad to primp for the airport or because she was up all night partying—though she was up late. She’d actually spent the weekend here shooting the video for her song “Can’t Remember to Forget You,” with Rihanna. “We finished quite late every night,” says Shakira, who is on her way to England to do some last-minute work on her new album, Shakira. “Maybe in the air I’ll be able to sleep, because I haven’t slept in two days.” Then,…

WIN AT THE POWER BALL Slam, toss, and catch your way to a more toned bod. Though you may be after a hard body, going soft can offer some surprising benefits. A Dynamax ball is easier and safer to grip, toss, and catch than its cousin, the medicine ball—but don’t equate its softness with wimpiness. Unlike a rubber medicine ball, whose bounce allows you to build momentum, a Dynamax ball absorbs impact, forcing you to use more strength to keep it moving. This makes it a great tool for developing explosive core power, says Jessi Kneeland, a personal trainer at Peak Performance in New York City. This circuit from Kneeland is designed to capitalize on that, while also firing up your fat burners. “Explosive exercises like the squat to overhead…

Shaving, waxing, lasering, perfuming, even freakin’ bedazzling: Many of us go to startling lengths to artificially style the thatch (or the lack thereof) between our legs. But the skin there is the most delicate on the body, and if we’re not careful we can put ourselves at risk for bacterial infections, chronic burning and itching, or worse. Some women avoid extreme hair removal altogether: In certain circles, fuller styles are being embraced. (Gwyneth Paltrow and Cameron Diaz reportedly prefer it.) Read on to learn the right ways to landscape your nether regions. Waxing or Shaving Almost half of women ages 25 to 29 sometimes or often removed all of their pubic hair, according to recent research by Indiana University. If this denuding is done with wax, the vulvar area can…

Rosemary-Roasted Vegetables with Manchego and Serrano Ham 1 lb asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces 1 lb brussels sprouts, trimmed and cut in half 1 Tbsp olive oil ½ tsp black pepper 2 Tbsp coarsely chopped fresh rosemary 2 oz serrano ham, chopped 2 tsp sherry vinegar 2 oz grated Manchego cheese > Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss cut vegetables with oil, pepper, and rosemary. Roast on a baking sheet, stirring once, until vegetables are tender and charred, 20 minutes. Stir in ham and sherry vinegar and bake 1 minute more. Top with grated cheese. MAKES 4 SERVINGS Per serving: 180 cal, 11 g fat (5 g sat), 12 g carbs, 530 mg sodium, 5 g fiber, 12 g protein Three More Delicious Recipes 1. Baked apple crackers: Preheat…

¼ cup dry quinoa (red, white, or a blend) ½ plantain, sliced into coins 1 tsp olive oil 4 cups chopped kale 1 can black beans (15 oz), drained and rinsed 1 cup corn ¼ cup roasted shelled pumpkin seeds 1 avocado 1 jalapeño, seeded 2 cloves garlic Juice of 1 lemon 8 leaves purple cabbage Cook quinoa as directed and preheat oven to 400°F. Place plantain slices on a parchment-lined sheet, brush with oil, sprinkle with sea salt to taste, and bake for 15 minutes. In a large bowl, combine quinoa, kale, black beans, corn, pumpkin seeds, and sea salt to taste. In a food processor, blend avocado, jalapeño, garlic, lemon, and ½ cup water until smooth. Create 4 shells by placing 2 cabbage leaves into each serving bowl.…

When you and your man get together, he’s pretty much guaranteed to hit a home run, right? And likely, the sequence of steps involves little more than a few kisses before leaping into intercourse. But by skipping “bases,” you’re not living up to your pleasure potential. Extending foreplay can rev up your arousal and your likelihood of having an orgasm. “You may discover things about each other’s bodies you didn’t know or learn new ways to please each other,” says therapist and relationship expert Amber Madison, author of Hooking Up: A Girl’s All-Out Guide to Sex and Sexuality. “Plus, it’s bound to make the experience more intimate, and it can remind you of the early days of your relationship when the sparks were flying.” Follow these tips for holding at…

Female entrepreneurs, it seems, are taking over the business world. And perhaps the key to their ascent is that many of them are doing it in tandem with another ambitious chick: their closest friend. There can be major benefits to working with someone you’re bonded with, but this intimacy can also lead to heightened (read: not totally professional) emotions. The real-life cofounders and pals here have thrived as pairs. Emulate their wins—and sidestep their mistakes. BIRCHBOX A subscription-sampling and discovery service of beauty products, currently with 400,000 users THE PAIR: Hayley Barna, 30, and Katia Beauchamp, 31, who originally bonded at Harvard Business School What’s the best thing about working together? KATIA: It can be trying to start a business, and it can be lonely. Having somebody who is as…

Booties are grabbing some major attention. Who knows why they ever drifted from the spotlight? The glutes are our largest muscle group, and virtually every movement carried out by the lower body requires their activation. Plus, to state the obvious: A firm, lifted butt is seriously sexy. But your backside is deceptively difcult to train. For starters, many women sufer from “gluteal amnesia,” a condition in which the glute muscles act like…well, like lazy asses. Due to the hours we sit behind desks and in front of screens—and compounded by inadequate training—the glute muscles eventually sit back on their haunches and let the hamstrings and lower-back muscles take over their main job of extending the hips and rotating our femurs in their sockets. Over time, this can lead to back,…

MAJOR BROWS the benefit: a more youthful look There’s a reason Brooke Shields has kept her brows full and bold more than 30 years after slipping into her Calvins: “Thick brows speak to health and vitality,” says makeup artist Pati Dubroff. “Thin brows say the opposite.” Apply with purpose: To believably fill, use two brow pencils, one that matches your hair color (for the front of the brow) and one that’s slightly darker (for the arch and tail), says makeup artist Charlotte Willer. Try Nars Brow Perfector ($22, narscosmetics.com). Draw in little upward strokes. The inner two-thirds should be the thickest part, says brow specialist Maribeth Madron. To blend the two shades, brush hairs up and over with a spoolie wand. For especially sparse brows, Dubroff spoolies a brow cream…

1/T3 1" Single Pass Flat Iron ($160, sephora.com) “The ceramic plates make hair silky,” says hairstylist Jenny Cho. 2/Olivia Garden Ceramic + Ion Turbo Vent 100% Boar Brush ($28, ulta.com) The medium size creates wavy or straight blowouts, and the boar bristles won’t melt with heat. 3/Serge Normant Meta Revive Dry Shampoo ($25, nordstrom.com) “Turn a polished blow-dry into bedhead in seconds,” says hairstylist Harry Josh. 4/Suave Touchable Finish Lightweight Hold Hairspray ($3, at drugstores) “Use it after curling hair to lock in the style without leaving hair stiff or crunchy,” says Cho (a spokesperson for Suave). 5/Goody Sectioning Clips ($3.83, at drugstores) and Salon Care Duckbill Clips ($3, sallybeauty.com) “Organization is the key to doing a blowout without losing your temper,” says Josh. “Clips isolate each hair section.” 6/Kashuk…

THE INDOOR-CYCLING QUEEN Laurie Cole is a senior master instructor at SoulCycle. In “It’s Gettin’ Hot in Here,” page 112, she ofers tips on taking a guy to your cycling class. 1 HOWI STAY MOTIVATED: ADVANCE COMMITMENT "At SoulCycle, you sign up for a week’s worth of classes every Monday. Doing so is sort of like making a contract with yourself that’s tough to break. Sign up for classes at your gym ahead of time, or pencil workouts into your cal.” 2 HOW I CUT CALORIES: BOOZE-FREE WEEKDAYS "I’ve found that by the weekend, I don’t even really want to indulge." 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…

Q/Will sleeping with a humidifier help with my allergies?—Taylor, Bowling Green, KY Definitely. Dry indoor air can exacerbate congestion, inflammation of the nasal and sinus passages, and coughing. Adding moisture with a humidifier will keep your respiratory tract lubricated, thus improving and preventing those yucky symptoms, says Neeta Ogden, M.D., fellow of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Just know: Dust and other indoor allergens thrive in overly moist environments. So keep your humidifier on its low setting, and invest in a monitor to make sure your room stays below 50 percent humidity. When I do a forearm plank, I feel it most in my arms and shoulders. Is my form off?—Julia, Chicago, IL Sounds like it—although you should feel it in your upper body, the burn should…

THROW LIKE A GIRL 8.4 PERCENTAGE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE SWIMMING FOR FITNESS OVER THE PAST YEAR, MAKING IT ONE OF THE FASTEST-GROWING WORKOUTS Source: Sports and Fitness Industry Association THIS JUST IN Sweat Away Brain Pain Heads up: Moderate aerobic exercise can ease tension headaches by triggering the release of pain-relieving endorphins, says research in Current Pain and Headache Reports. Try 20 minutes of brisk walking or cycling, and drink plenty of water—dehydration can make head pounders even worse, says study author Nada Hindiyeh, M.D., of Stanford University. ADD IT UP A “fitness age” calculator developed by Norwegian researchers can tell you if your body is old beyond its years. Just plug in some basic info (how much exercise you do, your waist measurement, and your resting…

DON’T BE SO SENSITIVE Have your allergy and eat it too. Research from the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology found that it’s possible to have an adverse reaction to only part of a food, such as a fruit’s seed but not its pulp, because allergens may not be present in both. If you’re curious about the extent of your intolerance—to find out if you react to, say, egg white but not the yolk—make an appointment with an allergist for thorough testing. 74 PERCENTAGE INCREASE IN FROZEN YOGURT SALES BETWEEN 2011 AND 2013 (ICE CREAM SALES CLIMBED ONLY 3.9 PERCENT IN THAT TIME). FRO-YO ISN’T NECESSARILY THE HEALTHIER CHOICE—EVEN LOW-FAT OR FATFREE VARIETIES CAN CONTAIN ABOUT 200 CALORIES AND UP TO 40 GRAMS OF SUGAR PER CUP, SANS TOPPINGS.…

Some figure enhancers work their magic from the chin down. Plus: necklace mates! WH Online For more clothes that will fit your body shape perfectly, check out WomensHealthMag.com/ShopYourShape. PLUNGE Those with a modest chest can pull this off…and still look sophisticated. Fifteen Twenty top, $165, at Arafina, 952-925-1565 Sexy and original: letting your neckline ride high when your top is low-cut. Gold Philosophy necklace, $165, goldphilosophy.com HALTER Dainty shoulders get a power boost in this delt definer. Ramy Brook top, $275, ramybrook.com COWL Perfect for pears who want to draw eyes up. Nautica top, $59.50, nautica.com SQUARE Got curves? A boxy neckline provides a nice contrast. Plenty by Tracy Reese top, $168, at Besselli, 920-884-0202 A personalized charm should hang at the sternum. Jennifer Zeuner Jewelry necklace, $165, neimanmarcus.com SWEETHEART…

Even if your hip-shaking skills are lacking, you can still get a hot bod like Shakira’s with this routine created by Anna Kaiser, owner of AKT InMotion Studio in New York City, the trainer who helped the singer shed baby weight and get back into video-vixen shape. This fast-paced circuit blends heart-pumping cardio with total-body strength and dynamic flexibility for a killer head-to-toe workout. “They’re not only fun moves,” says Kaiser, who appeared as a backup dancer in Shakira’s “She Wolf” video, “but also super effective.” More specifically, the following dance-like exercises—which are all moves Shakira loves, says Kaiser—not only help burn calories, torch fat, and chisel serious definition, but also keep your body healthier. The first three exercises will boost your heart rate while building lower-body strength and actively…

Dental talk: yawn, right? Maybe not—oral health just got a whole lot more interesting, thanks to research showing that what goes on in your mouth can directly reflect what’s happening elsewhere in your body, from your brain all the way down to your private parts. And that conditions such as gum disease can be precursors to scary stuff like cognitive decline, diabetes, and certain STDs. “Any time you have an infection in your mouth, it doesn’t just stay there,” says periodontist Sally Cram, D.D.S., a spokesperson for the American Dental Association (ADA). “It can travel through your bloodstream, affecting your organs and immune system.” It’s too bad, then, that fewer adults than ever regularly visit the dentist, according to a new survey by the ADA. Blowing off your twice-a-year checkup…

Over a thousand years old, tea is the original wonder drink for good reason: Thanks to a potent mix of antioxidants and caffeine, it can boost heart health, bone strength, metabolism, and even mood and energy levels, according to a recent series of studies in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Not to say you should sip it solely for the health perks. There’s just something nice—almost meditative, really—about tucking a tea break into your day. Enhance the quality of your me-time teatime with these trends. Specialty Sips In bars and teahouses or at home, you can get your tea fix in smoothies, lattes, and even cocktails, says Jennie Ripps, founder and CEO of Owl’s Brew, a line of tea blends crafted especially for cocktails. Try these easy DIY spins.…

indulge without bulge To stay below 1,600: Add: ½ cup Breyer’s Natural Vanilla ice cream, drizzled with 1 tsp artisanal olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt (170 calories) Subtract: One waffle from breakfast (85 calories), plus the bun from lunch (80 calories) BREAKFAST Chocolate Cherry Waffles 1 Tbsp chocolate almond butter 2 Van’s 8 Whole Grains waffles 1 cup pitted fresh cherries Spread chocolate almond butter on waffles and top with cherries. TOTAL: 350 calories snack Stir 1 tsp fresh chopped dill, 1 tsp olive oil, and black pepper to taste into 1/2 cup 2% Greek yogurt to make a tzatziki-inspired dip. Serve with 1 cup cucumber slices and 1 cup bell pepper slices. TOTAL: 150 calories LUNCH Burger and Fries 1 Organic Sunshine Garden Herb burger ½ Food…

Jennifer Sierra, now 28, was 13 when her mother first put her on a diet. Among five siblings, “I was always the heaviest,” the Houston, Texas, resident says. Jennifer, who stands just under 5’3", yo-yoed between 140 and 160 pounds till her marriage at 21, when things fell apart without Mom’s hovering eye. “I’d eat greasy sandwiches for breakfast and lunch, then anything fried for dinner,” says Jennifer. In 2009, having a baby left her at a peak of over 180 pounds. The Change Jennifer, whose pregnancy weight stayed put, avoided reality for about a year until late 2010, when she spied an unflattering Facebook pic: “I honestly didn’t recognize myself,” she says. She tried calorie counting for about five months and lost a little weight. But after she hit…

Want to know how to make ensure you don’t skip the gym? Set up a date there. For real. While working out may seem like the worst way to make an amazing impression (you can’t control the lighting, you’ll be sweaty and stinky), it has the perk of helping you really get to know each other quickly. “You’re generating endorphins, which helps you become more tuned in to each other—and more open and receptive,” says Jane Greer, Ph.D., a relationship expert and couples therapist in New York City. “Plus, your mind will be focused on what you’re doing, so you’ll be less self-conscious and more authentic.” Master this new mating ritual by following our advice. Workouts for Two Strength-Training Circuit Why It’s Date-Worthy A fun routine in which you each…

Women are caregivers by nature, and yet we rarely include ourselves on our kindness to-do list. But the truth is, putting ourselves second serves no one. It can lead to poor health, low productivity, and burnout. Self-care is essential for our overall well-being. In fact, not looking after ourselves can actually be irresponsible! Our health impacts how we feel and how we connect with others, as well as the world around us. Here are the reasons you should kick of a self-care practice today, and simple strategies to get you started. 1 Your life may depend on it. Inflammation is at the root of many chronic diseases. Thankfully, you can quell that inner fire. One of the best tactics: eating more veggies and drinking fresh green juices and smoothies. Plants…

BEFORE SHE MADE THE MISTAKE, BEFORE SPASMS ROCKED HER BODY, BEFORE DOCTORS RACED TO SAVE HER LIFE, Rachel* was cleaning out her car. That morning in 2012, as she dug through some junk in the backseat, she found a small bottle of pills. Her psychiatrist had handed her the drug sample months earlier—to try in times of “acute anxiety”—and Rachel had tossed it into her Prius and forgotten all about it. Now, however, it seemed like a godsend. Then in her midthirties, Rachel had been laid of from her gig at a major Bay Area tech company. Jobs were scarce, and paying her mortgage was becoming difficult. Adding insult to injury, she’d just found out that her former Mr. Right, the man she’d dated for years, was marrying a mutual…

Women’s Health beauty editor Jill Percia proves you don’t need a fat budget and a fancy salon to get a gorgeous hair hue—she’s tried them all! Check out her DIY pointers. As a beauty editor, I’m no stranger to being dyed, glossed, and highlighted by the best colorists in the biz, some of whom charge upwards of $300 for their (admittedly beautiful) work. But I still frequently choose the DIY route—the selfies on these pages are of me, post-home-coloring!—because it lets me switch up my hue on a whim. (No appointment? No problem!) That’s why, when it comes to hair color, my brain soaks up expert tips and techniques at press events and in colorists’ chairs faster than porous blonde strands soak up dye. And while I’ve had my share…

MANI MONDAY: NAIL CARE—MANY ADULTS SUFFER FROM BRITTLE NAILS, WHICH CAN BE REMEDIED WITH B VITAMINS. —manicurist Angel Williams, @AngelNailsIt Need a fast, new beauty look for the weekend? Get semiglossy lids by swiping peachy-nude lipstick on your eyelids. DIY! #BeautySchool —makeup artist Jillian Dempsey, @jilliandempsey #Beauty #Tip: Use a foundation w/reflecting ingredients to minimize the appearance of large pores by diffusing light. —dermatologist Fredric Brandt, @drfredricbrandt Silk accessories like sleeping caps, shower caps, and silk rollers help the hair maintain moisture and prevent breakage! #hairtip —hairstylist Kim Kimble, @KimbleHairCare Use a hair oil as a pre-shampoo treatment: apply from roots to ends of dry hair for 20 minutes, then shampoo out. —hairstylist Mark Townsend, @marktownsend1 BE SURE TO COVER YOUR HAIRLINE AND JAWLINEWITH SUNSCREEN EVERY DAY. THESE ARE VULNERABLE…