Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2015 i Women's Health

There was something more to those high school rounds of truth or dare than, you know, the kissing and second-basing. At its most basic, the game forced you out of your comfort zone. Which is often the way the great things happen. Take Cobie Smulders, who we challenged to pose topless for our cover. She took our dare just six weeks after having a baby (!!!) and the results are sizzling! In that spirit, we filled this issue with gobs of ways, big and small, for you to get your brave on. Try one or all, and let me know how it goes! DARE: MAKE MORE MONEY! (Without having to earn more.) I checked my 401(k) deets— something that usually makes my eyes glaze over—and discovered that my company will…

HEALTH Q Solve a household debate: How many times can you use a towel before having to wash it? A / Three or four, say consumer and environmental health agencies. Any longer and towels can breed bacteria and mold. Hang your towels properly: Spread them out on the rack (not bunched up) so they dry thoroughly. Before taking a shower, open the door and, if you have one, turn on the bathroom fan while bathing, so the air is less humid. SKIN My hands are generally pretty smooth—except for one gross area that no amount of lotion will dissolve. Should I be exfoliating more? Whatever you do, put the exfoliant tube down! While sloughing can help turn over dead skin cells from gardenvariety dryness, in this case, it could be…

WHAT IS IT? TWITTER ME THIS “Time to tell last nights pizza whose boss. Yoga with @TriciaDonegan.” —Lady Gaga, @ladygaga Sing it, sister. A recent study found that yogis saw a similar reduction in BMI as those who did low-intensity cardio. For the greatest burn, choose a class that keeps you moving, like those labeled “power” or “Vinyasa.” HIGHS AND LOWS It’s natural for the scale to rise and fall when you’re trying to shed lbs. But those aren’t the only peaks and plunges on the path to Slim-Down Town. A look at the factors (and people) that may impact your bottom line. YAY You join an online weight-loss group. Smart! Interacting with other members can help you melt more off your middle. BOO You ask your hubs to join…

WORTH IT? 89 PERCENT OF YOU ARE DEFROSTING THIS DUDE THE WRONG WAY. Bacteria that can cause food poisoning start multiplying at 40°F and above. To avoid playing chicken with your health, place the frozen raw bird (whole or parts) in a leak-proof plastic bag and submerge in cold (not warm!) tap water; place in a pan on the counter and change the H20 every 30 minutes or so. One pound of breasts should thaw in about 60 minutes. Cook as soon as it’s thawed. Source: RTI International POP QUIZ! Which food is the most addictive? A CHIPS B CHOCOLATE C FRENCH FRIES D PIZZA ANSWER: D. ALL TEMPTING, but ’za is the number-one offender, according to a University of Michigan study. What makes a slice so damn hard to…

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Your Goal: Textured and Edgy STRAIGHT HAIR Spritz a sea-salt spray onto damp hair, then blow-dry while roughing up strands with your fingers. Try OGX Moroccan Sea Salt Spray ($8, at Walmart). When hair is dry, use this rumple-perfecting trick from Suave Professionals hairstylist Marcus Francis: Starting three inches from your roots, put one-inch sections of hair between a flatiron with curved-edge plates, rotating your wrist to the left and then right as you slowly but steadily—don’t stop!—glide the iron toward the ends. Vary the height at which you start the wave for a more natural effect, avoiding the uni-bend. Try (1) T3 SinglePass Straightening & Styling Iron ($160, at Ulta). Mist on a matte-finish texturizing spray to lock in your bends, then tousle with your fingers. Try (2) Shu…

THIS SPRING Birds are chirping, the sun is shining, and flowers are blooming…what better time than right now to reveal your most stunning skin ever? Here’s a primer to help you perfect your skin this season. ONE/ STEP UP YOUR SPF Sorry to rain on your sunny parade: If the sun is shining, your skin needs protection. Sun is damaging to your skin’s health and beauty. Use a tablespoon of broad-spectrum sunscreen for your face—and don’t forget your décolletage. It’s tank-top season. TWO/ CLEANSE A clean palette is a gorgeous skin essential— makeup residue, perspiration and debris can leave skin dull. Choose a gentle, effective cleanser and spend a good minute working it into your skin with your fingertips. Rinse thoroughly. Bonus points: Superclean skin maximizes the benefit of your…

1/ Spray new clothes with several applications of suede protector. Reapply twice a year (or up to weekly on shoes). 2/ Got a stain? Immediately blot it with a slightly damp towel. Once it’s dry, rub with an eraser to remove all traces. 3/ Invest in a suede brush. Its bristles lift dust, dirt, and scuff marks and keep the fabric looking fresh. 4/ At the end of each season, take your suede to the dry cleaner. Anything more frequent can damage the material.…

1 THE FIB: “I always use a condom.” The Truth: Rates of gonorrhea, chlamydia, and herpes are skyrocketing; the CDC estimates that 80 percent of sexually active women will host an STI in their lifetime. Left untreated, such infections can cause infertility or other permanent damage to your insides. So…yeah. Even if it was just “that one time,” ’fess up and get tested. In 36 states, your doctor can now write you and your partner prescriptions, without ever seeing him or her. Even bigger news: If you think you may have been exposed to HIV, new drugs could possibly protect you from contracting the disease, if taken within three days of rubber-less sex. 2 THE FIB: “I never skip a Pill dose.” The Truth: Thirty percent of women miss at…

BINGE DRINKING $4,160 Yearly cost of throwing back four drinks on both Friday and Saturday nights + up to $1,000 Medical bill for the flu. Downing those eight weekly drinks weakens your immune system, making you an easy target for infection. Your move: Head out with just enough cash for two drinks (hand your credit card to a pal for emergencies). Amp up your incentive by prepaying for a gym class for the following morning. CELL PHONE OVERLOAD $30K Lifetime cost of treating carpal tunnel syndrome, a forearm malady that stems from repetitive movement. Tack on up to $10K if you get pulled over for texting behind the wheel. Your move: Send fewer messages, obvs. Barring that, lay your phone on a flat surface and keep wrists straight when you…

Getting a chimichanga in Mexico? Not likely. The deep-fried, cheese-bomb fare we’re used to has almost nothing to do with the country’s bona fide eats, which are— surprise!—totally nutritious. There’s a new wave of U.S. chefs who are dishing out the legit stuff, including plates loaded with dark greens, fresh fruits, and naturally gluten-free corn tortillas. Tacolicious author Sara Deseran shares four myth-crushing recipes bursting with guilt-free flavor— no Tex-Mex monstrosities in sight. 4 The Myth The fish comes battered beyond recognition. The Truth Fresh seafood is more Mexican than apple pie is American. High-protein ceviche is “cooked” by citrus juice’s acid. HALIBUT AGUACHILE WITH AVOCADO AND CUCUMBER 1¼ cups freshly squeezed lime juice 2 Tbsp chopped jalapeño ½ tsp kosher salt 1 lb commercially frozen firm white fish, such…

When her well-meaning but strict mom eliminated sweets in their house, a preteen Caitlin Gallagher would sneak in fistfuls of candy bars from school, gobble them up, and trash the evidence. So began a lifelong battle with junk food. Through her early twenties, Caitlin regularly bought bread, pasta, and pints of ice cream “and devoured it home alone in one sitting.” By age 25, she had grown to a size 20, sending her on a roller coaster of fad diets that contributed to her shedding and gaining the same three sizes over three years. Frustrated, Caitlin piled even more weight onto her 5'6" frame. By 37, the Charlottesville, Virginia, resident was juggling two kids, two jobs as a salon owner and travel agent—and nearly 300 pounds. The Change In September…

WHO GETS IT Ovarian cancer is pretty rare. But it’s the most deadly reproductive cancer, killing about 14,000 women in 2014. You’re at greater risk of developing it if you have a family history or carry a mutation in the BRCA genes. HOW IT’S DIAGNOSED OC can be nearly impossible for women to detect right away because it often displays zero symptoms. The ones that do show may not seem 911-worthy: abdominal swelling or bloating, pelvic pressure or pain, the need to urinate urgently or more often, and getting full quickly. Meanwhile, there are no reliable early-stage screening tests for it. WHAT TO DO If you’ve been noticing these symptoms persistently—we’re talking more than 12 times a month—see your gyno, stat. The earlier cancer is detected, the faster and easier…

• BREATHE BEFORE YOU LEAVE. A few days pre-trip, meditate for five minutes. It’s like a dress rehearsal for when airport security has you screaming inside. • STAY PRESENT. If you start thinking about work e-mail while you’re away, make three observatory statements about where you are right in that moment. Boom—instant refocus! • STRETCH DAILY. Cramped coach seats, rocky campgrounds: rough times. End each evening with a hip opener (sit with your feet next to your hips) to release tension. Source: Jeff Krasno, author of Wanderlust: A Modern Yogi’s Guide to Discovering Your Best Self, published by Rodale Inc., May 2015, publisher of Women’s Health…

Tech-Chic This accelerometer equipped wonder monitors exercise intensity and heart rate (resting, too) and throws you personal goals based on past workouts (deleting them as you go). It also does the zillion other things an iPhone does, because Apple. Apple Watch, from $349, apple.com Two-Faced It’s a bit weighty to wear, but worth it: The analog watch (which buzzes when you get calls, e-mails, and texts) flips over to display everything from step count to your calories as they come in and out in real time. Business in the front, fitness in the back. iFit Duo Watch, $299, ifit.com Whistle-Blower Alerts remind you to move every hour, and an activity timer lets you track workouts and sleep patterns when you sync to the app. The battery lasts an unheard-of year-plus.…

1 LOW RIDER No socks necessary: This cozy minimalist has a next-to-nothing fit that lets you point, flex, and wiggle your toes with ease. Brooks PureConnect 4, $100, brooksrunning.com 2 SWIFT KICK Take your sprint intervals up a notch with a debut whose responsive foam packs extra pep into every step, so you don’t waste a lot of extra energy. Puma Ignite, $100, puma.com 3 FRESH START Whether you’re tackling your first 10-K or aiming to outdo your last half-marathon finish, this model is an ideal fit for runners of all levels. New Balance Fresh Foam Zante, $100, newbalance.com 4 MILEAGE MAVEN This fave of distance chasers just got even springier, so the 16th mile feels as easy as the first. Asics Gel-Nimbus 17, $150, asicsamerica.com 5 DREAM RIDE If…

1. Before you do anything else, CHANGE ALL YOUR PASSWORDS for all your online accounts—e-mail, social, financial— to make it harder for a harasser to hack into anything (see “Build a Digital Fortress,” page 163, for the new password rules). 2. Next, WRITE BACK in a direct-message or e-mail. Don’t worry about being polite, but don’t seek revenge, either. Tell the person once plainly and firmly to cease contact with you. After that, do not reply or comment. 3. For some types of harassment, banning is enough. USE THE BLOCK FEATURE in your e-mail, Facebook, Twitter, and other accounts. 4. Still getting hit? DOCUMENT EVERYTHING. Save or print e-mails and take screenshots of texts or social media comments, making sure to note dates and times. (If your stalker starts calling,…

twitter & facebook Jessica fills Melissa's Twitter feed with harassing comments, and "friends" Melissa's FB contacts. formspring & tumblr Jessica's favorite places to spew terror. One sample post: "You'll be found on the side of the road one day...violated and dumped in the night!" phone calls Jessica inundates Melissa's cell phone, then digs up Melissa's mother's unlisted number. When Melissa's mom picks up, Jessica shrieks, "I found it, I found it!" postcards Melissa's father gets a postcard f r om Jessica at his office in Brooklyn. It's signed: "Yours forever, Jessica." Packages Jessica mails a package to Melissa's sister. Inside is a Kewpie doll for her son with a message attached: "Enjoy your parents while you can." travel threats Jessica tells Melissa exactly how and when she'll kill her at…

THE ROMPER As itty-bitty-sexy as it gets. For an athletic touch, slip into wedge high-tops. (See how these dip slightly in the back? Makes calves look crazy long.) Haute Hippie bustier onesie, $495, at Nordstrom, 888-282-6060; Nike wedge sneakers, $200, nike.com for similar styles FAUX GLOW ON FLEEK There’s a self-tanner for everyone. With these formulas, you’re golden in every way. If you’re grossed-out by that self-tanner stink, try: NKD SKN Tint Tan Mousse ($19.50, at Ulta). It leaves you looking like you spent a week in Aruba, but smells like nothing. (Literally—nada scent.) If you don’t want your sheets to “bronze” too, try: James Read Sleep Mask Tan Body ($60, sephora.com). Clear, serumy formulas like this one are a must if you prefer to self-tan in the p.m. If…

Buy for Your Bod RUFFLES, RUCHING, RACERBACKS—WE’RE OVERWHELMED BY THE CHOICES ALREADY. BUT CHILL: NARROW YOUR OPTIONS BEFORE YOU EVEN LEAVE HOME WITH THIS FLATTER-YOUR-FIGURE GUIDE. SMALL BUST Skip the triangle tops and look for bandeaus— they’ll make the most of what you’ve got. FULL BUST Supportive halters are your bosom (heh) buddies. Bonus points for wide straps and/or underwire cups. LARGE HIPS A string bottom can be adjusted to your perfect fit, then securely tied at the sides so it stays in place. MUFFIN TOP A retro highrise bottom flattens out your tum. HOURGLASS One-pieces (especially oneshouldered) show off that teeny-tiny waist and bangin’ badonk. FLAT BUTT Boy shorts can have a volumizing effect—which is A-OK if you want to give the impression of a shapelier derriere. STRAIGHT A…

LOVE YOU, MOM! Not sure which Mother’s Day present best conveys “I could not have made it through last week—let alone life— without you”? Our gift guide sorts it all out, at WomensHealthMag.com. We Speak Fitness Now breathe through your fingertips… Fitness instructors are fond of some wacky phrases. What would happen if everyone started using them outside of class? We decided to find out—tee to the hee! Watch hilarity ensue on our site. Run a 10-K with Us Join Women’s Health and FEED this fall as we host 10-K runs in major cities across the U.S. Sign up now for an event near you at RUN10FEED10.com and help fight hunger in your ’hood! BEHIND THE SCENES COBIE SMULDERSON… Posing topless, her social media hiatus, and more! Watch her video…

juicy news. shareable stats. convo starters. With more craft beers moving from bottles to cans, aluminum-clad suds are having a retro-cool moment. What’s not so cool: Those cans likely contain BPA, an endocrine-disrupting chemical linked to high blood pressure, obesity, and heart disease. In a recent study, people who tossed back two drinks from aluminum cans saw the BPA in their urine spike as much as 1,600 percent. (Gulp!) Sip more safely by sticking to glassbottled beer, says Karin Michels, Ph.D., of Harvard Medical School.…

BYE AND SELL The ultimate breakup revenge? Making bank from 7 the gifts your ex gave you. NeverLikedltAnyway.com lets you upload a photo of the unwanted love token along with a juicy tale of why you're hawking it Win-win: You get to pocket some cash, and ditching reminders of a past relationship can bring you closure, says Alice Boyes Ph.D., author of The Anxiety Toolkit. Below, what users have sold: MOST EXPENSIVE: An $18,000 engagement ring and a $9,500 Harley Davidson motorcycle STRANGEST A body pillow. "Ourseller discovered her partner was cheating, and somehow the body pillow was involved," says Annabel Acton, CEO and founder of NeverLikedIt Anyway.com. We'll let your imagination wander with that one. TOP BARGAIN: A $6,500 Vera Wang wedding dress that one lucky bride-to-be scooped up…

You have…hard, under-the-skin cysts You need…a treatment product that delivers either sulfur or salicylic acid straight to the spot. Try Dermalogica Concealing Spot Treatment ($26, dermalogica.com). Or head to the derm, who will shrink that sucker with a cortisone shot. You have…oozy red zits, or whiteheads You need…a clay-based mask once a week to draw out impurities, so you’re not tempted to pop. Try Lancôme Pure Focus Purifying Mineral Mask with White Clay ($35, lancome-usa.com). Goldstandard benzoyl peroxide works as a nighttime spot treatment to dry up the pus-like pimples. Try Murad Acne Spot Fast Fix ($16, murad.com). You have…red bumps with no pus You need…exfoliation with lactic or salicylic acid. Try Burt’s Bees Natural Acne Solutions Pore Refining Scrub ($10, at drugstores).…

Dermatologist Ellen Marmur on… MORE WOMEN, EVEN THOSE IN THEIR TWENTIES, are complaining about dark circles. And getting enough sleep isn’t always the answer. Determining your trigger is the first step to a customized solution. I’ve included easy little tests to help you figure it out. THE CAUSE: BONE STRUCTURE Heredity is behind most rings. More precisely: wider orbital bones. When skin drapes over the gap between the bone and lower lash line, the illusion of a dark circle forms. Is This You? Facing a mirror, lift your chin to see if the circles disappear when the light reflects higher on your face. The Fix Both a.m. and p.m., apply an eye cream with skin-plumping hyaluronic acid, such as Murad Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture for Eyes ($62, sephora.com). Once a day,…

WHOA, SEXY! The fitted waist lends an hourglass feel, especially with studded buttons that draw the eye in. POLISHED, TOO! Quickie work-approp fix: Put a blazer on it! The ankle crop cuts a sleek line that nails businesscasual. AND…BOLD! Pop-art top. Aztecpatterned bag. Snakeskin heels. Mixing prints elevates the apron-front denim.…

LIGHTNING IN A BOTTLE No debauched lost weekend with the LIB fest (check the pics on this page!). It takes a wellness approach: WAKE UP, DO YOGA, GRAB AN ACAI BOWL, TAKE A KOMBUCHAMAKING CLASS, THEN, OKAY, DANCE YOUR FACE OFF. WH WILL BE THERE WHEN IT KICKS OFF MAY 21 IN BRADLEY, CA— JOIN US! LEARN MORE AND GET TIX AT LIGHTNINGINABOTTLE.ORG.…

THE SUPER SWAP KAÑIWA INSTEAD OF QUINOA Quinoa’s smaller, sweeter, nuttier cousin offers about four times more iron, along with ample cancer-fighting flavonoids and fiber. Bonus: Kañiwa has no saponins, the compounds behind quinoa’s bitter taste (and the reason why you need to wash the latter so well before cooking). THE SUPER SWAP CHERRIES INSTEAD OF POMEGRANATES An ounce of tart cherries has half the sugar and almost a third fewer calories. Plus, the soursweet fruit is rich in sleep-promoting melatonin. One study found two daily cups of tart cherry juice earned people up to 85 more minutes of sleep per night! THE SUPER SWAP BARRAMUNDI INSTEAD OF CHILEAN SEA BASS Both fish have a meaty texture and mild flavor, but barramundi has much less of the mercury that makes…

The perks of an organic diet? Priceless. Produce with nearly 70 percent more antioxidants. Meat and dairy rich in anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids. And let’s not forget what it lacks: a host of chemicals that have been linked to antibiotic-resistant superbugs, headaches, anxiety, even long-term neurological issues. Too bad, then, that a Florida State University study found that the steep cost of these wholesome goodies keeps most people from making the switch. Even devotees admit it’s a stretch. “Going 100 percent organic is pretty freaking hard— even if you live on a farm,” says James Oseland, editor-in-chief of Rodale’s Organic Life. But it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. “You can selectively buy organic over conventional when it makes sense and still reap a ton of benefits,” he says.…

1 True or false: Exes can remain friends. True. Maybe you’re not in love with them anymore, but you always love them for a reason. 2 When was the last time you were really scared? When my dog died. My grandma called me crying. My heart dropped because I thought something was wrong with my grandfather. 3 Favorite place to see a tattoo on a woman? The shoulder or collarbone area is pretty. 4 What parts of your personality did you get from your parents? My mom is very spiritual. She has a lot of faith, and I got that from her. My dad’s a strong man and he doesn’t often show his emotions. I kind of took that from him, but I don’t necessarily like that, because I’ve always…

Workout to… Errands This waist-cinching, water-resistant army-green parka is a new classic—for rainy runs and just boppin’ around town. L.L.Bean Luna Jacket, $99, llbean.com Workout to… Night Out This body-skimming “blazer” has a stretch fit and is machinewashable— but looks tailored enough to wear to fancy-pants cocktails. Out Incorporated Designer Jacket, $250, outincorporated.com Workout to… Brunch Your crew will love this softer take on a trendy moto jacket as much as you do. You don’t have to tell them it’s made of terry cloth. Under Armour Studio Terry Moto Jacket, $100, ua.com…

YOGA Its drapey, strappy back design and low-cut arm holes let you transition from chair pose to half-moon. So does the just-supportive enough built-in bra. Lululemon Wild Tank, $64, lululemon.com RUNNING The slim—but not suffocating—fit. The second-skin feel. Reflective details for your safety, and a stash pocket for your essentials. No one wouldn’t want to run in this. Gore Running Wear Air Lady Print Singlet, $80, goreapparel.com THE GYM This racerback gives your arms and shoulders free range to pump iron, while the mullet hemline keeps your backside covered as you bend and squat. The North Face Women’s Dynamix Tank, $50, thenorthface.com…

Use passphrases instead of passwords. So, not just "Fido" but "FidoBarfedOnMyShoe." To make it even better, add in numbers and symbols ("F!doB@rf3d0nmy$h03"). It's more important to set up a strong passphrase than to change it often. Go for two-factor authentication. Most sites call for just one type: a password. This waysafer method—offered by all major e-mail and social networks—requires a second password that’s texted to your mobile phone each time you try to log in. Secure your equipment. Install antivirus software on your cell phone, computer, and tablet. Basic programs, such as Avast, are free; other, better options, including Norton Antivirus, cost around $50 per year for up to five devices. Turn off geotagging. Letting your accounts automatically upload your whereabouts with your every pic or comment can give harassers…

“When I exercise, I zone out and collect my mind for the day ahead,” says the actress, who appears in Pitch Perfect 2 (in theaters May 15). Her tote of choice is just as chill: a pale-blue Adidas classic . Street Style Fitness Edition EMILY SIMARSKI, 28 Fitness PR manager in Venice, CA “I like edgy but functional gear that I can accessorize in order to transition from the gym to work,” says Emily. Another addition she loves: her adorable running buddy, Decorah, whom she happily dogsits for a friend. Add a stylish detail to your gym duds, like Emily’s Fabletics Eternity Scarf ($15, fabletics.com), and get the deets on the rest of her look at WomensHealthMag .com/StreetStyle. Even better: Nominate a friend (or yourself) by e-mailing WHFitnessStreetStyle @Rodale.com. “When…

AIR DRYERS Name Your Pain Chronic fatigue syndrome affects around 2.5 million Americans (a number many docs think is conservative), but skeptics have historically given the condition the side eye (aren’t we all pooped?). To help legitimize the ailment, the Institute of Medicine (an independent government advisory) renamed it as a disease: systemic exertion intolerance disease (SEID). The institute also issued clearer diagnostic criteria, such as exhaustion so severe that the simplest task is draining. If this sounds like you, see your doc—it’s not all in your head. LET’S TALK ABOUT… COLD SORES Fever blisters are killing my social life! Bummer. But you’re smart to keep your lips on lockdown; cold sores are contagious from the first tingle. Gross. So how do I get rid of one? Unfortch, once you’ve…

We’re not going to name names, but in a recent poll, 56 percent of Women’s Health readers admitted they always seem to have a zit or two. If you ask us, that’s one or two zits too many. When you’re prone to acne (and studies show so many of us are), anything can set it off and make it even gnarlier: your diet, your workout, and—we wish we were joking about this—even your city. So no matter how on-point your skin-care routine may be, you can’t be truly free of breakouts until you get a handle on those sly culprits. We uncovered five of the most surprising triggers, mapping out precisely where they lurk on your face and how to remedy them fast. So if you’ve got zits, your confessions…

1/It’s versatile. Named after the delicate body part it skims (Anatomy 101: clavicle = collarbone), the clavicut can be worn up or down and won’t send those with long locks into haircut PTSD. “I call it the short cut for long-haired girls,” says Travis Speck, a hairstylist at the Sally Hershberger Downtown salon in New York City. No wonder this style is literally trending. When Kim Kardashian chopped her locks? Twitter. Blew. Up. “My clients come armed with pictures from Instagram,” says Steven DeCarlo, a hairstylist at Mizu Salon in NYC. “There’s this whole new lob community online.” (For the uninitiated, a lob is a long bob.) 2/It’s got just enough edge. The newest spin is to wear the front slightly longer for a graduated angle that “adds a cool-girl…

Waterproof mascara They often require rubbing to remove, which intensifies rings. Switch to a formula that’s not marked long wear. Eyelash extensions These faux lashes are applied with glue that many people are allergic to, resulting in irritation and circles around the eye area. Swimming goggles They add suction and pressure to the undereye area. Reach for a pair of open-water goggles— they rest on the outside of the orbital rim. WH Online > Get head-to-toe beauty tips and tricks at WomensHealthMag.com/May.…

FRINGE BENEFITS This suede knows how to move. Pair with a simple tee so you don’t veer too flapper-esque. Now shake it! ThePerfext, $875, 310-230-8882 PRETTY POINTED Color-blocking is nothing new—unless you do it in pale suede. Then it’s polished enough to step in for high heels. Aerin, $238, aerin.com RELAXED ALREADY So buttery soft, it’s like the badass moto jacket went to a spa and came out all zen. Forever 21, $39.90, forever21.com MINTY FRESH Go boxy and perforated for a mod take on the crop-top trend. BreeLayne, $500, breelayne.com CLUTCH ON THIS A strip of black against a hazy shade of green: the handbag equivalent of a smoky eye. Zara, $79.90, zara.com SHORT STORY Worn with a button-down or tank, boots or sandals, minis are the most versatile…

Maybe you’ve seen those dangling straps at your gym and wondered, Since when do they offer S&M classes here? They’re actually suspension-training systems, and there are some awesome reasons to strap one on: The contraptions tap your body weight and gravity to turbocharge basic squats and lunges, challenging your muscles in a new way. And oh, the things they’ll do for your abs: “Nearly every exercise on a suspension trainer engages your core more than traditional moves do, because they require a lot more balance,” says strength and conditioning specialist Todd Durkin, owner of Fitness Quest10 in San Diego, who designed this routine exclusively for WH. Want a seriously sexy back, too? No problem. “You’re working your entire back through pulling movements, which are hard to replicate using your body…

When we asked around the WH office about who’d had her annual “well-woman visit,” we got blank stares and Q’s like: You mean a physical? and Is that when I go to the gyno? Well, it’s actually a combination of both. Your doctor (or gyno, if you prefer) will check your vitals (BP, weight, height) and perform screenings and tests you’re due for (say, a Pap smear, clinical breast exam, or cholesterol check). This is also your chance to bring up any health concerns, says Nancy C. Lee, M.D., director of the government’s Office on Women’s Health. Maybe you struggle with your sleep, or would like to get pregnant and want to know what vitamins to take. Your sex life, family history, meds— nothing is off the table here. Under…

MONDAY Your Impulse: It’s the ideal time to inaugurate a new diet! You’re off and running after an egg-white omelet…but you cave when your cubemate arrives with homemade cupcakes. Feeling guilty about the splurge triggers the release of the stress hormone cortisol, which can, in turn, usher in cravings and indulgences all week. Cue more guilt, shame, angst, repeat. Keep Calm: Don’t buy into the high-pressure Monday-as-starting-line cliché. Instead, decide to eat healthfully one meal at a time. That way, when you slip up (and everyone does at some point), it won’t feel like a giant letdown. You can forgive yourself and move on. TUESDAY Your Impulse: The average gal’s workload gets most intense at around 11:45 a.m. on Tuesdays. To deal with the crush, you skip breaks and power…

No one plans to scarf a couple of chocolate bars at 4 p.m. Like drunk texting, it just…happens. Research shows that many people tend to hoover a jaw-dropping 532 calories in snacks every day. How to head off the mindless noshing? Have these easy-to-prep, single-serving kits at the ready. Each one clocks in at 250 calories or less and is full of appetite-satisying fuel that—perk!—also revs metabolism and burns fat. Stash one in your car, desk, or gym bag and never face a hunger game you can’t win. CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM Keep these gizmos close for even more slim-down snacking. An opaque bag or a box Research shows that looking at tempting foods makes you more likely to eat too many of them. Make sure they’re out of sight until…

Hanging out with Cobie Smulders is a bit like hanging out with Clark Kent: You start off thinking you’re talking to the girl next door, but by the end of the conversation, you’re all, Who was that mystery woman? Cobie arrives 10 minutes early to our interview at a Mexican café in New York City’s Tribeca neighborhood with damp, fresh-out-of-the-shower hair, zero makeup, and the same friendly smile that won her legions of fans as Robin Scherbatsky on the hit sitcom How I Met Your Mother. Peeling herself out of her massive parka, Cobie chats with the waiters, orders guac and chips, and groans about the rough winter we’ve been having (“There are icebergs in the river!”). It’s all very easy-breezy, polite, laid-back (I mean, we talked about the weather).…

Have Intent When… Choosing a Job When I was younger, I landed what I thought was my dream career launching a music company in India, but within a week of starting, I got horrible stomachaches. The day I realized my work there wasn’t aligned with how I wanted to serve the world and acknowledged that I needed to quit, the pain went away. If your M.D. can’t find a cause for aches, ask yourself if it could be related to your 9 to 5. You may not be able to give your notice, but you can put less mental weight on the crappy stuff by focusing on parts of the job you enjoy most—say, traveling or networking with peers. Have Intent When… Dealing with Stress One day a potential investor…

Space Saver Made of ultra-lightweight plastic, this guy squishes down to the size of a tennis ball. Stash anywhere. Hydrapak SoftFlask, $21, hydrapak.com Running Partner You laugh, but once you log a race with this two-liter pack, you’ll never hit the pavement without it. Bonus: It was designed with women (read: boobs) in mind. Nathan Moxy Race Vest, $120, at Dick’s Sporting Goods Quick Hits This beast has serious squeezability and a killer “water-flow rate” (two biggies when you need agua now). Plus, it auto-seals after each swig and keeps your water cool for hours. CamelBak Podium Chill, $13,camelbak.com…

DO BURPEES TO A BEAT These sicksounding wireless ’phones sync to your cell from 30 feet away and have a built-in heartrate monitor, so you get key intel all in one spot. NOT GOING ANYWHERE! Totally our jam for outdoor runs, these soft silicone buds (sized for women’s small ears) “twist” into place but let in ambient sound (y’know, so you don’t get slammed by an SUV).…

1 ALEXIS MOORE, 40, SACRAMENTO After her credit card was declined at a gas station in 2004, Alexis uncovered an appalling truth: An exboyfriend had emptied and closed her bank accounts. He’d used her passwords and personal information to steal nearly everything she had, then e-mailed her a virus that allowed him to spy on her every keystroke. Police told Alexis her ex hadn’t technically broken any laws. So she went public with her story—then went to law school. Thanks to her cyber stalking-victim advocacy group, Survivors in Action, many of her ex’s past deeds are now illegal. 2 KOURTNEY REPPERT, 29, LOS ANGELES In 2010, eager to boost her modeling career, Kourtney began setting up Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts so she could interact with producers and fans. Two…