grab a fitness mag, a handful of walnuts and hop to it

I picked up the latest issue of Shape magazine while grocery shopping at Harris Teeter the other day. They always have great, healthy recipes and easy-to-follow, speedy work-outs that are guaranteed to get you toned up in no time. I am now a firm believer that a commitment to regular exercise is the only way to really get into shape -- any type/level of exercise is beneficial, consistency is the key. I enjoy seeing things in the magazine and incorporating them into my gym routine. If you need an extra push to get into a regular fitness routine, pick up a magazine like this. Even if you don't have a gym membership, Shape offers plenty of things you can do in the privacy of your living room.

There is an article in this issue on how to beat belly fat. For women, the belly is a) a really hard place to lose fat from and b) a pretty dangerous place to have fat as far as your long term health in concerned. A diet with a lot of fiber/other nutrients will make you less likely to have fat around the middle than a diet of less healthy food but with fewer calories. The article recommends adding more grapefruit, melon, whole wheat bread, walnuts, and a glass of wine (surprisingly!) to your diet while avoiding foods like sugar substitutes, canned soup, and partially hydrated oil. Basically, eat more fiber!! We all need more fruits and vegetables in our lives. A good read on this topic is In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto by Michael Pollan.