If your wedding day is around the corner, it's time to employ a few healthy tips so you meet your big celebration looking and feeling your absolute best. From ways to debloat to tricks to quash stress, read on for our favorite last-minute healthy tips to start two weeks before your wedding day.
Poster Workout: A 7-Minute HIIT Circuit
Seven minutes for a workout — who doesn't have time for that? That's why we've been loving this quick circuit workout from the American College of Sports Medicine, which burns major calories in a short amount of time. Keeping the intensity up — and the rest periods short — is key, so make sure you are pushing yourself during each 30-second spurt! You'll need a mat and a chair or bench. Repeat the circuit up to three times. Learn how to do all the moves here, and get the printable poster of this seven-minute HIIT workout here.
Fit Tip: Try Everything to Find What You Love
The start of any new fitness regimen can be full of many unknowns, like how much you should be exercising and workout myths that might be confusing you. One more important aspect of your new exercise routine you shouldn't ignore? Finding the right fit for you.
While it can be easy to sign up for the closest gym or just tag along with your friends to Pilates class, if you don't take time to find a workout you actually like, then your new beginner's enthusiasm might wane into pre-workout dread — and neglect — before you know it. So take time out to try everything to find what you really love, says Natalie Uhling, a kickboxing and SLT Yoga instructor who found her perfect fitness fit — loud music and lots of movement and intensity — after a lot of trial and error. "I've tried every exercise you can imagine," she told us. "I know what I like." Follow Natalie's advice and think outside your exercise box.
6 Smart Add-Ins For Your Next Smoothie
If your diet is lacking in enough nutrients, adding a smoothie to your diet can help immensely. Toss any of these six ingredients into your next smoothie along with your favourite fruits to get their nutritious benefits without sacrificing taste.
- Broccoli: The fibre-rich vegetable helps keep you full without changing the taste of even your favourite smoothie combinations. You can use raw broccoli or steam it quickly first for a smoother consistency. This 330-calorie peanut butter, broccoli, and strawberry smoothie will keep you full throughout the morning.
- Chia seeds: If you're looking to start the day right, add a tablespoon of chia seeds into every smoothie. The high-fibre seeds are also a great source of anti-inflammatory omega-3s, so you'll feel full and ready to take on your morning. This berry chia seed smoothie recipe masks the taste and texture of chia seeds if you're not a fan.
- Green tea: Want a little energy boost in your smoothie? Add strong, cold green tea to any smoothie instead of water for a subtle caffeinated pick-me-up. We like the refreshing taste of this green tea, cinnamon, and honey smoothie.
Keep reading for more nutrient-rich smoothie ingredients.
6 Smart Add-Ins For Your Next Smoothie

If your diet is lacking in enough nutrients, adding a smoothie to your diet can help immensely. Toss any of these six ingredients into your next smoothie along with your favorite fruits to get their nutritious benefits without sacrificing taste.
- Broccoli: The fiber-rich vegetable helps keep you full without changing the taste of even your favorite smoothie combinations. You can use raw broccoli or steam it quickly first for a smoother consistency. This 330-calorie peanut butter, broccoli, and strawberry smoothie will keep you full throughout the morning.
- Chia seeds: If you're looking to start the day right, add a tablespoon of chia seeds into every smoothie. The high-fiber seeds are also a great source of anti-inflammatory omega-3s, so you'll feel full and ready to take on your morning. This berry chia seed smoothie recipe masks the taste and texture of chia seeds if you're not a fan.
- Green tea: Want a little energy boost in your smoothie? Add strong, cold green tea to any smoothie instead of water for a subtle caffeinated pick-me-up. We like the refreshing taste of this green tea, cinnamon, and honey smoothie.
Keep reading for more nutrient-rich smoothie ingredients.
Poster Workout: A 7-Minute HIIT Circuit

Seven minutes for a workout — who doesn't have time for that? That's why we've been loving this quick circuit workout from the American College of Sports Medicine, which burns major calories in a short amount of time. Keeping the intensity up — and the rest periods short — is key, so make sure you are pushing yourself during each 30-second spurt! You'll need a mat and a chair or bench. Repeat the circuit up to three times.
Learn how to do all the moves here, and get the printable poster of this seven-minute HIIT workout here.
Fit Tip: Try Everything to Find What You Love

The start of any new fitness regimen can be full of many unknowns, like how much you should be exercising and how to do basic strength-training moves. One more important aspect of your new exercise routine you shouldn't ignore? Finding the right fit for you.
While it can be easy to sign up for the closest gym or just tag along with your friends to Pilates class, if you don't take time to find a workout you actually like, then your new beginner's enthusiasm might wane into pre-workout dread — and neglect — before you know it. So take time out to try everything to find what you really love, says Natalie Uhling, a kickboxing and SLT Yoga instructor who found her perfect fitness fit — loud music and lots of movement and intensity — after a lot of trial and error. "I've tried every exercise you can imagine," she told us. "I know what I like."
Follow Natalie's advice and think outside your exercise box. "Take everything. Even if you're like, 'Oh, that description doesn't sound like something I would do' — take it all," she advises. Once you've figured out your fit, take note of what gets you excited to work out. "Do what's best for you, not what your friends do and not what someone's telling you to do," she says. "Do what you love to do, and then you'll be able to incorporate it into your life." And don't let embarrassment keep you from trying that new hip-hop dance class. "Don't be afraid to try anything," she adds. "I've looked like a total fool in tons of classes."
Versatile Greek Yogurt Recipes to Lighten Up Any Meal
It's no secret that we love Greek yogurt around here, and there's good reason why. It's a perfect way to get more protein and calcium in your diet, and the probiotics are nothing but good news for your insides. And not only that, substituting Greek yogurt for cream, mayonnaise, and other high-fat options saves big in the calorie department. From breakfast to dessert and everything in between, here are some of our favorite ways to add flavor, not calories, with Greek yogurt!
Flat Belly, Fast: 15 Ways to Debloat Today
Slimming down for Summer takes time and dedication, but a few quick tricks can help you feel a little bit lighter in just one day. Read on to get our tips on how to feel less bloated and puffy — and have a flatter belly — by the end of today!
Go From Workout to Errands With These Stylish Quick-Drying Options
When the weather starts to heat up, you need workout gear made of technical material that keeps you cool and comfortable — even if you're just taking a trip to the grocery store. We've found a few fashionable workout pieces that do double duty once your workout is over. Check out the fast-drying, sweat-wicking performance gear here!
Low-Calorie, Big Portions: Red Capsicum and Lentil Bake

High in vitamin A, vitamin C, and fibre, red bell peppers make a perfect accompaniment to protein-rich lentils in this low-calorie recipe. Even better news? You'll be surprised at how large an under-250-calorie portion of this cheesy red pepper and lentil bake really is. Make a batch of this dish ahead of time and re-heat throughout the week for a quick evening meal.
Low-Calorie, Big Portions: Red Pepper and Lentil Bake

High in vitamin A, vitamin C, and fiber, red bell peppers make a perfect accompaniment to protein-rich lentils in this low-calorie recipe. Even better news? You'll be surprised at how large an under-250-calorie portion of this cheesy red pepper and lentil bake really is. Make a batch of this dish ahead of time and reheat throughout the week for a quick evening meal.
3 Ways to Boost Your Workout With Caffeine

If your workout needs a little boost, having caffeine before you exercise can be just what you need. Studies have shown that ingesting caffeine before a workout increases your endurance, can help ease post-exercise muscle soreness, and can help sedentary people exercise more vigorously. While caffeinated gels, drinks, and chews help give a much-needed boost during endurance races, you should play it safe when it comes to your caffeinated workout. Stay away from energy drinks, and opt for naturally caffeinated options with these tips.
3 Ways to Boost Your Workout With Caffeine
If your workout needs a little boost, having caffeine before you exercise can be just what you need. Studies have shown that ingesting caffeine before a workout increases your endurance, can help ease postexercise muscle soreness, and can help sedentary people exercise more vigorously. While caffeinated gels, drinks, and chews help give a much-needed boost during endurance races, you should play it safe when it comes to your caffeinated workout. Stay away from energy drinks, and opt for naturally caffeinated options with these tips.

Have a shot: An espresso shot before a workout is convenient, since it won't weigh you down and can be drunk quickly if you're on your way to the gym. Take the shot, which on average contains about 75 milligrams of caffeine, about 30 minutes before your workout to reap the effects of the caffeine during your workout.
Take a coffee break: If you are going to drink a full cup of coffee or tea before you exercise, make sure that you drink it about an hour before so you won't be full of liquid when you work out. Note that a 16-ounce cup of Starbucks coffee contains 330 milligrams of caffeine, so don't drink a full cup before an evening workout if caffeine normally keeps you awake.
Look for caffeinated snacks: A recent study found that eating a small piece of dark chocolate before a workout can help with endurance because it contains a flavonoid that may help muscles resist fatigue. While a small piece of dark chocolate may not contain that much caffeine, the combination of carbs, caffeine, and flavonoids may help give you a small boost. For a bigger caffeinated effect, look for energy gels and chews that contain caffeine.
No matter what your caffeine strategy, if you are training for a race and use caffeine to help your workouts, endurance running and nutrition coach Matt Fitzgerald recommends in his book The New Rules of Marathon and Half Marathon Training to go on a caffeine fast a week or two before your big day. Since your body acclimates to the effects of caffeine, taking a weeklong break will ensure that you feel the greatest effects during your race. You should also take care to not go over the recommended daily intake of 300 milligrams.
10 Total-Body Workouts in 10 Minutes or Less
Sometimes, all you need is 10 minutes to feel healthier, less stressed, and more fit, all while burning a surprising amount of calories. The following total-body workouts range from five to 10 minutes and will work up a sweat while still keeping your busy schedule in mind.

- Do-it-anywhere workout: You can do this 10-minute, no-equipment workout anywhere where you have space for your mat; set up your laptop and follow along to our workout video here.
- Wake-up workout: This short and sweet five-minute workout will help you energize in the morning to get ready for your day.
- Max HIIT workout: Very high-intensity interval training is the way to go to save time and burn major calories — it's even been proven in studies. This seven-minute HIIT workout is the perfect circuit to raise your heart rate while working your entire body.
- Yoga with weights workout: Follow along to our 10-minute hybrid yoga workout for a creative way to strength train: with a stretching yoga sequence that incorporates dumbbells.
- Yoga flow workout: For a more traditional, relaxing yoga sequence, try this 10-minute yoga flow workout video.
Five more intense, short workouts after the break!
Healthy Snacks Under 150 Calories
Snacking in between meals can help you stay on the right track, but choosing what to eat is key. A well-balanced, nutritious snack that's big on whole foods will do much more for you than a bag of empty calories. The following snacks strike the perfect balance between being filling and satisfying without pushing you over your caloric needs. Read on for some of our favorite sweet and savory snack ideas that are 150 calories or less!
— Additional reporting by Jenny Sugar
Should You Be Taking a Nutrition Supplement? Advice From the Experts
A varied diet that features lots of whole, fresh foods can give you the nutrition you need, but should you be using a supplement as well? Read on for recommendations from top nutritionists and dietitians to see if supplements are right for you.
Don't make supplements a substitute: Before you reach for a supplement, evaluate your diet to see how you can improve it. "Whole foods contain dozens and dozens of nutrients, including not just vitamins and minerals, but also antioxidants and phytochemicals, which would be impossible to fully replace with supplements," says Cynthia Sass, registered dietitian and author of S.A.S.S. Yourself Slim. Focus on eliminating processed foods and increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables you eat in order to get the most out of your food. "Eat the rainbow" with these colourful, antioxidant-rich recipes.
Multivitamins can work: "Even the healthiest eater can struggle to get in every vitamin and mineral needed each and every day," says registered dietitian Erin Palinski. She recommends a multivitamin to help ensure you are filling in holes in your diet. If you take a multivitamin, however, make sure you choose a "high-quality, whole-food-based multivitamin/multimineral," says Kimberly Snyder, nutritionist and author of The Beauty Detox Solution.
Get specific: Besides a multivitamin, certain supplements can target specific holes in your diet to suit you better. Supplements like probiotics, for example, can be useful to "help ensure you are absorbing your nutrients most effectively," Kimberly says. Nutritionist and Karma Chow founder Melissa Costello recommends supplements containing B complex, iron, and vitamin D3 because those may still be missing in your food or your body may not be able to absorb all nutrients. "Most of us have poor digestion so we cannot fully absorb all the nutrients from our foods and our soils have been so depleted that the nutrients are not as present in foods today," she explains.
Are You Shaping Up For Summer?

The pattern remains the same for a lot of us — we hibernate during the Winter months and get ready to shed our cold-weather selves as the weather heats up. By the time Memorial Day comes around, we're looking for a few smart ways to shed a few pounds before it's time to don that bikini.
For other's, it's not as frantic: your cold-weather workout routine differs little from your bikini-ready one, and you're careful to balance comfort foods with fresh, low-calorie options all the time.
We want to know: where do you stand on your Summer weight-loss goals? Are you looking to shape up for Summer, or does your diet and exercise plan remain the same throughout the year?
10 Gym Essentials For a Quick Trip
Whether you go to the gym before work or fit in a workout during lunchtime, cutting the time you spend in the locker room can help. Throw these 10 gym essentials into your bag before you go; each will help you save minutes, from pre-workout prep to post-workout primping.
Best Fitness Video Games For 2013
Whether you're a workout newbie or an old pro, working out with a video game can be a great way to burn a few extra calories while having fun. But if you want to maximise the calories you burn in front of the TV, choose wisely. The reviewers at Consumer Reports tested the most popular fitness games for the Wii, Wii U, and Xbox Kinect — read on to learn more about their top choices for burning calories in the comfort of your loungeroom.





