Table of contents for November 2013 in Shape

VISIT OUR SITE DURING NOVEMBER FOR EXCLUSIVE STORIES, GIVEAWAYS & MORE. HERE ARE SOME HIGHLIGHTS! $150 Value! NOV. 1 SNOWY ESCAPE Hit three picturesque slopes in Park City, Utah—for free! One winner and a guest will enjoy a three-night stay at the Stein Eriksen Lodge, including lift tickets to Deer Valley, Canyons Resort, and Park City Mountain Resort (a $2,940 total value). $2,999 Value! NOV. 6 MIGHTY MACHINE One lucky reader can squeeze in a sweat session any time with her own Stairmaster StepMill3. It has 10 built-in workouts that torch upwards of 600 calories an hour. NOV. 4 TOP TOTE Five winners can add a pop of color to their fall wardrobe with this leather Sole Society Faye bag. It’s chic yet roomy enough to hold all your must-haves,…

FIT FIND FASHION & FUNCTION A Trina Turk dress can brighten up any office wardrobe. And now the designer is doing the same thing for your workout wear with her Recreation Collection, created in collaboration with Manhattan Beachwear Inc. Two of our favorite pieces: the moto jacket and mid-length leggings (shown at right, $154 and $80; trinaturk.com). SAVE THE DATE PARENTAL GUIDANCE Remember when you tagged along to work with your mom or dad? Well, it’s time to return the careerlearning favor. LinkedIn is declaring November 7 “LinkedIn Bring in Your Parents Day”—use it to show yours what you do. SPORTY JEWELRY FINISH-LINE DESIGN From the ING New York City Marathon to the Rock ’n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon, fall is prime racing season. Celebrate your accomplishment (or reward your…

Sculpted to the Core C Celebrities are often the first to try the latest workout fads, but Kate Hudson is an (extremely fit) exception. The star has remained loyal to her Pilates practice—and instructor—for more than 15 years. During the duo’s three to five weekly sessions, Nicole Stuart puts our cover star through a challenging routine that includes a different mix of moves every time. But these four toners (or some variation of them) are always in the rotation. Add them to your workout and discover why, for a sexy body, Pilates has major staying power. The plan How it works Three to five times a week, do each exercise in order. You’ll need Nothing! (A mat is optional.) 1 ROLL UP/Works abs Lie faceup with arms extended overhead, palms…

ENHANCE LOCKS Add shimmer to strands with Keratin Complex Sparkle + Shine Keratin Highlighting Powder ($34; keratin complex.com). LASH OUT Up your batting average with Sephora Collection False Eye Lashes ($10; sephora.com). TOE THE LINE With its easy-to-control flex-tip applicator, Almay Liquid Eyeliner in Black ($7.50; drugstores) creates drama in a wink. GLOW ON Dust Clé de Peau Beauté Luminizing Face Enhancer ($95; barneys.com) right above where you apply blush to highlight cheekbones. GET SCENTED Apply See by Chloé Paint a Scent ($35; macys.com) to pulse points and the feminine fragrance will linger well into the night. EMBRACE BRONZE Stand out with a metallic shadow like Topshop Make Up The Damned Collection Eye Gleam in Bronzed ($18; top shop.com). GLOSS OVER BareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss in Rule Breaker ($18; bareminerals.com)…

This season we’re heeding the call of the wild. Look fierce (and not flashy) by pairing one bold pattern with a clean, solid palette: Think the chic heel pictured at right and a sleek, black pencil skirt; or the zebra-striped bag above with your favorite white tee and jeans. From top: SAVAGE STRIPES Rabeanco bag ($498; rabeanco.com) SPOT-ON STILETTOS Rachel Roy heels ($275; saks.com) MATING GAME Dedua cuffs ($89 each; dedua.com) SMALL DETAIL, BIG IMPACT SPLURGEWORTHY! From top: BEASTIE BAG Burberry Prorsum bag ($1,395; burberry.com) CHAINED UP Lauren Merkin bag ($425; laurenmerkin.com) WILD THING Michael Michael Kors sneakers ($275; 866-709-5677)…

Tired of cardio machines? Hit the pool instead, with this water running plan designed by Bernard Baski, co-owner of Trift Club & Studios in Santa Monica, CA. Jogging in H2O burns 10-plus calories a minute and tones nearly every inch, from your shoulders to your calves. During this routine, you’ll walk and side shuffle in shallow water, and then pick up the pace—ideally in the deep end. (Your core has to work harder to keep you upright when your feet aren’t touching the floor.) Give it a try, and find out why getting ft in the pool rules. YOUR WORKOUT PLAN WORKOUT INTENSITY: Moderately hard EQUIPMENT NEEDED: A pool, a flotation belt like the AquaJogger ($53; aquajogger.com) or noodle, and a kickboard TOTAL TIME: 28 minutes CALORIES BURNED: 250** *Rate…

Turkey may be the main event, but innovative side dishes this good (and good for you) might just steal the show at your holiday dinner. These six recipes from Tara Mataraza Desmond’s new book, Choosing Sides, not only come together quickly to get you out of the kitchen—they also put a fresh spin on some old standbys. You may just end up craving them all year long. Sweet-Tart Cranberry Relish SERVES: 10 PREP TIME: 5 minutes COOK TIME: none 2 cups (8 ounces) fresh cranberries, washed and stemmed 1 medium navel orange, peeled, quartered, and seeded 2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses (available in specialty food stores) 1/4 cup sugar 1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, and grated 1. Combine cranberries, orange, pomegranate molasses, and sugar in a food processor. Purée for…

Mini Apple Crumbles MAKES 12 CRUMBLES PREP TIME: 10 minutes COOK TIME: 15 minutes FOR THE CRUMBLE TOPPING cooking spray 1/2 cup rolled oats 1/2 cup whole-wheat four 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon pinch kosher salt 1/3 cup maple syrup 2 tablespoons cold, unsalted butter, cut into small pieces FOR THE APPLE FILLING 2 firm apples, peeled, cored, and diced 2 tablespoons maple syrup 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly coat a 12-cup mini muffin pan with cooking spray and set aside. 2. To make the crumble topping, combine oats, four, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl. Stir in maple syrup until well coated. Use a fork to smash the butter pieces into the oat mixture until crumbly. Set aside. 3. To make the apple filling, add apples, maple syrup,…

POWER UP! Protein is crucial for energy and building muscle—and you need to take in more of it than you realize. Here’s the lowdown, plus easy ways to help you meet your quota. Say “protein” and you might think “eggs” or “chicken breast”—just another component of your diet, like fats or carbohydrates. But inside the body, protein molecules are key building blocks, responsible for cell metabolism, repair, and other important functions. Not to mention that countless studies have linked protein intake to everything from a slim waistline to improved immune function. Yet nearly 30 percent of women ages 20 to 40 don’t consume enough of this essential nutrient, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. The amount needed varies from person to person, depending on weight and activity level,…

LEG CRAMPS—AGAIN? FIND OUT HOW TO PREVENT THOSE P.M. SPASMS. If you’re prone to waking in the middle of the night with an agonizing ache in your calf or foot, you may be thinking about asking your doc for a prescription for quinine. Although physicians have recommended this remedy for decades, the FDA warns that the drug could cause severe side effects and advises against taking it. What can you try instead? While seeing your doc is always smart, we’ve rounded up advice from three experts that may help in the meantime. THE M.D. SAYS… Move more. Make sure you’re getting at least 30 minutes of exercise during the day; then, shortly before bedtime, do something mildly active (such as yoga or riding a stationary bike) for five minutes, suggests…

BethAnn has raised more than $400,000 to date for brain cancer research. NAME: BethAnn Telford AGE: 44 PROFESSION: U.S. Government Printing Office special events coordinator CITY: Washington, DC SHAPE READER: 15 years BethAnn Telford was cruising through the Marine Corps Marathon in October 2004 when, at mile 19, she heard a loud pop near her left ear and started swerving off track. She managed to finish but days later began to experience seizures. BEATING THE ODDS An MRI showed BethAnn had a frontal lobe brain tumor, so intricately wrapped around a major blood vessel that several oncologists gave her a grim prognosis. Finally, one agreed to operate and seemed optimistic, though he said BethAnn would never run again. But merely five weeks after surgery, she was toeing the starting line…

Maple-Glazed Pork Tenderloin With Cauliflower SERVES: 4 PREP TIME: 10 minutes COOK TIME: 30 minutes (plus 5 minutes resting) 1 tablespoon whole-grain mustard 1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary 1 pound cauliflower florets (about 1 small head) 1 1/4 cup dried apricots (about 5), diced 2 teaspoons olive oil 1 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander 3 3/4 teaspoon salt 1 1-pound pork tenderloin 1 tablespoon maple syrup 1. Preheat oven to 425°F. In a small bowl, combine mustard and rosemary and set aside. 2. In a medium bowl, combine cauliflower, apricots, olive oil, cumin, coriander, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Toss to coat and set aside. 3. Preheat a 10-inch oven-safe saute pan over medium-high. Season pork with remaining salt and brush with maple syrup. Add pork to…

MONEY TALKS WITH . . . Stephanie Ruhle As a Bloomberg Television anchor, Market Makers cohost, and former investment banker, Stephanie Ruhle knows a thing or two about finance. The busy 37-year-old mother of three (she just had her youngest, a daughter, in April) shares her wealth of knowledge on everything from making it in a guy’s world to her fave fitness tricks—and why boundaries are her secret to staying debt-free. “My best money tip is to know your limitations. We all want to do fun things, but you have to stay realistic. Being financially responsible can actually be really liberating.” My mom always told me I could do anything I set my mind to—which is why I’m so passionate about Girls Inc. of NYC, one of my favorite charities.…

Designing woman If there was ever someone whose philosophy I share it’s Kate Hudson’s. This month’s cover model literally took the words out of my mouth when she said she doesn’t just exercise for the mood boost—but to look great too. At the risk of sounding vain, I couldn’t agree more! Squeezing in regular workouts can be tough, but payoffs like slimmer thighs and brighter skin help keep me motivated. Wearing stylish, comfy fitness attire does too. And Kate makes that super easy with the fab new line of activewear she’s designing—it’s appropriately named Fabletics. See it for yourself on our double covers (Kate’s wearing pieces from the line) and on the two of us below. After reading our revealing profile on Kate (page 26), be sure to check out…

A FEW OF THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTORS GINGER RESSLER This 39-year-old fitness model demonstrates the bridge in “Rear Admirable” (page 84) and likes to begin almost every workout with the butt-blasting move. “It’s a great way to activate your glutes and hamstrings before doing other leg work,” says Ressler, an Orange County, CA–based mom of three. One of the best things about her job, she adds, is the extra motivation to stay in shape. “I also like that it shows my kids what’s involved in maintaining a healthy lifestyle—and how exercise can benefit you.” Joy Manning “I’m a wine and beer lover, so I wanted to get to the bottom of the connection between alcohol and women’s health,” says Manning, author of “Smashed” (page 166). “I’ve often wondered where to draw…

Move over, messy topknot! This season sleek is chic—and the classic bun has made its way to the nape of the neck. NYC celebrity hairstylist Oscar Blandi, who devised the ’do shown here, provides the lowdown on creating the simplest chignon yet. LAND THE LOOK Blow-dry hair smooth. Slick strands into a low pony, leaving out a small section to cover the elastic; secure with pins. Wrap the end of the ponytail around two fingers and roll it inward toward your head. Fan out the ends so it sits along the base of the neck, and pin in place. Spritz hair with a shine spray for a glossy finish.…

Q/A The outer thighs are one of the most common sites for this surgery because fat there is resistant to diet and exercise. The area also happens to be wellsuited for the procedure: Fat cells here are easily removed, and the skin in this area is thick, so it snaps back into place afterward. No one will be the wiser either, since the tiny scars are hidden in the crease under the buttocks. The results make patients happy Look Great nearly 100 percent of the time. Contrary to what you may have heard, fat will appear in another place only if you gain weight post-op. For example, surgically slimming your thighs will leave you with fewer fat cells in that area. If you then consume more calories than you burn,…

All those gadgets at the gym can help you build a knockout physique, but the smartest piece of gear is right in your mirror. “Using only your body weight to exercise can engage many muscles at once, maximizing your calorie burn and helping you sculpt multiple areas simultaneously,” says Jessica Rucker, a trainer at Monkey Bar Gym in Madison, WI. “Plus, body-weight moves lower your injury risk because they prepare you for everyday tasks—like hauling heavy grocery bags or picking up your baby—better than traditional resistance exercises.” Rucker borrowed from activities like capoeira, wrestling, and break dancing to design this creative, no-toolsneeded plan. Try it today and discover why the ultimate workout machine is you. The plan How it works Two times a week, do each move for 40 seconds…

BLISTER BUSTERS Lightweight under armour CTR Trainer gloves ($20; ua.com) combat calluses and improve your hold on bars. DRY IDEA Sweat it out without feeling soaked in this 2XU Movement tank ($60; 2xu.com) — its supersoft fabric wicks moisture. BOOTY BREAK These WOD Gear Clothing Booty Shorts ($35; wodgearclothing.com) won’t ride up, even during single-leg squats and bear crawls. DOUBLE SIPPER Drink water from your blenderbottle SportMixer ($15; blenderbottle.com) mid-workout, then shake up a recovery smoothie; the metal spring dissolves protein powder fast. JUMP START Keep the 1.2-pound bars inside each foam handle of the C9 by Champion adjustable weighted jump rope ($10; target.com) for resistance; remove them for speedy double-unders. SMART SOCK Protect your shins when you’re doing box jumps or climbing a rope with Reebok CrossFit knee socks…

Coffee House Drinks Caffe Latte whole milk 180 calories 9g fat soy milk 130 calories 4g fat skim milk 100 calories 0g fat Hot Chocolate whole milk 260 calories 10g fat soy milk 230 calories 6g fat skim milk 190 calories 2g fat Caramel Macchiato whole milk 200 calories 8g fat soy milk 180 calories 4.5g fat skim milk 140 calories 1g fat Chai Tea Latte whole milk 200 calories 6g fat soy milk 180 calories 2.5g fat skim milk 160 calories 0g fat Extra, extra These common additions can make or break the calorie count of your drink. Chocolate Shavings (1 tablespoon) 70 calories, 4.5g fat Flavored Syrup (1 ounce) 70 calories, 0g fat Caramel Drizzle (1 tablespoon) 55 calories, <1g fat Whipped Cream (2 tablespoons) 50 calories, 6g…

This bright fall fruit, just arriving at your local market, is ripe for adding to your produce repertoire. Like its cousin the tomato, the persimmon is technically a berry. Unlike the tomato, though, this fruit is often overlooked by American cooks—which is unfortunate, because it’s not only juicy and delicious but a great source of fiber and vitamin A. Of the approximately 200 varieties, your market is likely to carry just two: Fuyu (shown) and Hachiya. The first has a mild flavor and should be eaten while hard and crisp. The Hachiya has a smooth, creamy texture and is best when soft (underripe fruit can be bitter). Chef Josiah Citrin of Meliesse in Los Angeles shares tips for enjoying this tasty choice. SELECT Look for smooth, glossy skin without blemishes.…

Air Pain For some air travelers, the biggest hassle isn’t making it through security. “As pressure in the cabin changes, a vacuum can form within the sinuses and cause a severe headache,” says Jordan Pritikin, M.D., an otolaryngologist in Chicago. Although allergy, cold, and migraine sufferers are most susceptible, these pounders can strike anyone. If you’ve had a so-called “airplane headache” before, try taking a decongestant 30 minutes before liftoff. Then just sit back, relax, and hope for a delay-free departure.…

Next time you’re getting busy, be sure to use lots of lube, says Raleigh, NC–based sex therapist Laurie Watson, author of Wanting Sex Again, who notes that in her practice this complaint outnumbers those about a guy being too small 20 to 1. “Choose a silicone lubricant over a water-based one,” advises Watson. “It will provide a longerlasting glide and won’t get gummy.” Her pick: Jo Premium Personal Lubricant ($15; walgreens.com). Positioning is also important. To accommodate your guy’s size, Watson suggests being on top, which allows you to control the speed and depth of penetration. The first few times you have sex, you might tell him to remain still inside you instead of thrusting. Over time, your vaginal muscles should stretch to accommodate him. And when you’re performing oral…

GILT COMPLEX MOLTEN-METAL BROCADE TAKES A CLASSIC BLAZER FROM STANDARD TO STUNNING. Banana Republic blazer ($175; bananarepublic.com). Bebe bodysuit ($74; bebe.com). Alberta Ferretti pants ($650; Alberta Ferretti, West Hollywood, CA, 310-652-9000). A LEG-BARING SLIT CALLS FOR SILKY, HYDRATED SKIN. GET IT WITH DOVE WINTER CARE BODY WASH ($7; DRUGSTORES), WHICH CONTAINS GENTLE CLEANSERS AND INTENSE MOISTURIZERS THAT DIMINISH DRYNESS. This page: BLACK MAGIC FOR SERIOUS (AND MYSTERIOUS) AFTER-HOURS CHIC, PAIR A SLEEK SEPARATE WITH A HEAVILY EMBELLISHED MINISKIRT. Blumarine jacket ($1,575) and skirt ($3,050; blumarine.com). Sarah Chloe ring ($149; sarahchloe.com). Andrew Kayla clutch ($295; sayastyle.com). Opposite: GOLD STANDARD WHO NEEDS DIAMONDS? THIS FALL, GO 24 KARAT FROM HEAD TO TOE. Christian Siriano blouse ($2,495) and skirt ($595; christiansiriano.com). Charlie by Matthew Zink heels ($360; charliebymz.com). GIVE YOUR LOCKS LUSTER WITH…

Last spring while on a business trip, Lisa*, a married 32-year-old pharmaceutical executive from New Jersey, woke up naked in her hotel room. On the pillow beside her rested a scrap of paper with a phone number. “I remembered meeting a guy while I was eating at a restaurant bar and, after a few glasses of wine, agreeing to go to a club with him,” says Lisa. She assumes she had roughly seven drinks during the evening, though most of the details—including the man’s name—were impossible to recall. These blackouts were becoming common for Lisa, who found herself drinking more as her stress level skyrocketed. After calling the number, Lisa learned that she did, as suspected, have sex with the man, who assured her he had used a condom. Badly…

Get the look Even a natural beauty like cover girl Kate Hudson, Almay’s brand ambassador since 2010, needs a little help to appear pictureperfect. And you can get it too, courtesy of Almay (available at drugstores). 1. With her clear complexion, Kate isn’t a full-coverage gal. Smart Shade CC Cream Complexion Corrector in Light/Medium ($10) has SPF 35 for everyday wear. 2. Sleep-deprived? Try Wake-Up Undereye Concealer in Light ($9). 3. A smudge of pencil along Kate’s lashline creates subtle definition. Try Intense i-Color Defining Liner in Charcoal ($8). 4. Brighten up with a colorcontrasting mascara. For hazel eyes like Kate’s, try Intense i-Color Volumizing Mascara in Midnight ($8). 5. A filled-in brow frames any face for a polished appearance. Try Brow Defining Pencil in Dark Blonde ($7.50). 6. A…

Cool Kate It’s a sunny morning in Los Angeles, and Kate Hudson, 34, is feeling right at home as she lip-synchs to West Coast rapper Ice Cube’s 1993 hit “It Was a Good Day.” Kate shakes her firm booty in a short, white dress, and her performance is quickly met with applause by the crew shooting her for Shape’s cover. When asked how she can so easily recite every last word, she explains, “I’m a California girl! I grew up on hip-hop.”» BORN AND RAISED IN LA, the actress has been singing and dancing ever since she can remember. Her captive audience back then included her mother, actress Goldie Hawn, and Goldie’s longtime partner, actor Kurt Russell (her biological dad, Bill Hudson, wasn’t in the picture). Despite her early love…

BASE NOTE “Primer creates the perfect canvas for foundation,” says Mercier. “It smooths imperfections and keeps makeup looking fresh all day.” Try Laura Mercier Foundation Primer-Radiance ($32; lauramercier.com). CRIMSON KISS “A big smile is better than all the makeup in the world!” she says. Frame those pearly whites with a matte red lipstick—Mercier’s favorite look for fall. Swipe on Laura Mercier Rouge Nouveau Weightless Lip Colour in Moi ($24; lauramercier.com). Meet... Laura Mercier Madonna dubbed her “the Rembrandt of makeup artists,” and her namesake line of products has a cult following. Here, the French master behind famous faces like Sarah Jessica Parker and Julia Roberts shares her secrets to looking très jolie! BASE NOTE “Primer creates the perfect canvas for foundation,” says Mercier. “It smooths imperfections and keeps makeup looking…

BEAUTY BENEFIT: FIRMER SKIN BASED ON the Miraval Signature Facial at Miraval Life in Balance Spa in Tucson, AZ (miravalresorts.com) STEP 1 After cleansing, put three pumps of Clarins Double Serum, a plant extract–packed formula that boosts hydration and collagen production as it protects against premature aging, into your hand. Rub palms together to warm. Apply to face and neck, leaving a thin layer on hands. STEP 2 Massage your face using manual lymphatic drainage, which employs extremely light, soothing movements to stimulate the flow of fluids through the lymphatic system—the skin’s natural way of detoxifying. To do the technique, place your elbows on your knees, then rest your forehead in your hands. This position creates the perfect amount of intensity for the massage. Next, press the pads of your…

Longing for the sleek physique of a dancer? You’re not alone. “More women are taking ballet classes for exercise, even if they don’t have any previous dance experience,” says Mary Helen Bowers, an NYCbased professional ballerina who trained Natalie Portman for Black Swan. “It’s low impact, and the movements are small, but it sculpts sexy muscle.” Perfect these two moves from Bowers’ Ballet Beautiful class and you’ll be prima primed in no time. Swan Arms WORKS SHOULDERS, ARMS, AND UPPER BACK Stand with toes turned out, left heel touching outside of right big toe. Extend arms at shoulder height out to your sides with palms facing the floor and elbows slightly bent. Slowly lower arms [A] until upper arms touch your sides. Leading with elbows, slowly lift and extend arms…

Light Start Tempted to dig into the bread basket before your meal? Order a salad instead, which may help you eat less overall, according to new research from the University of Leeds in the U.K. In the study, participants who had a 100-calorie salad consumed 21 percent less pizza later than those who started with 100 calories’ worth of garlic bread. “Eating a food associated with dieting can function as a reminder to eat less,” explains researcher Nicola Buckland, a Ph.D. student at the university. Munching on indulgent foods, on the other hand, may lead you to momentarily lose sight of long-term weight-loss goals. ADD SOME CRUNCH Just 1 cup of radishes provides 30 percent of your daily vitamin C needs. MAKE IT FILLING Top greens with a hard-boiled egg…

Pear and Cranberry Stuffed French Toast SERVES: 4 PREP TIME: 15 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes SPICED PEAR FILLING 1 large Bartlett pear, thinly sliced 1/3 cup dried cranberries 1 tablespoon maple syrup 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice FRENCH TOAST 2 eg gs 1/3 cup unsweetened almond milk 1 tablespoon maple syrup, plus more to top if desired 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice 8 slices whole-grain bread 1 1/2 tablespoons mascarpone cheese 1 teaspoon unsalted butter powdered sugar (optional) 1. To make the spiced pear flling, combine pear slices, dried cranberries, maple syrup, and pumpkin pie spice in a medium bowl. Toss to coat and let sit for 10 minutes. 2. Meanwhile, in another medium bowl, combine eggs, almond milk, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, cinnamon, and…

WINE WONDER Go the ice bucket one better with the SoiréeHome TemPour ($50; soireehome.com). Just store its gel-filled stainless steel wand in the freezer until you’re ready to enjoy a bottle of wine or Champagne, then attach the wand to the pour-spout and insert directly into the bottle. The frozen wand keeps the wine chilled, while the filter in the dripfree spout traps any stray sediment or pieces of broken cork. Result: the perfect glass of holiday cheer. ASK A CHEF WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO CARE FOR BAKING SHEETS? Homemade foods are only as good as the surface they’re cooked on, but how do you keep baking sheets in smooth shape? Bradley and Bryan Ogden, the fatherson chef team behind the restaurant Ogden’s Hops & Harvest in Las Vegas,…

Get ready to roll Coast smoothly through the airport—and avoid injury—by choosing lightweight luggage (less than 10 pounds) with a side handle for easy pickup, as well as four wheels that move in any direction. These “spinner” suitcases allow you to walk while guiding the bag at your side or in front of you, rather than pulling it behind you—which is an easy way to damage your rotator cuff, says Karen Erickson, an NYC chiropractor and a spokesperson for the American Chiropractic Association. Also, make sure your bag has a retractable handle that reaches your hip, so you don’t have to bend down to grab it. A hard-shell exterior is another plus: It reduces the likelihood of bedbugs—which have made a resurgence in the past decade—hitching a ride home. One…

CAITLIN FLORA AGE: 32 HOME: FLORIDA HEIGHT: 5'5" BEFORE: 332 AFTER: 150 Getting bullied for being a chubby, big-chested preteen caused Caitlin Flora to develop an unhealthy relationship with food at a young age. “My classmates teased me because I was a 160-pound 12-year-old who wore a D-cup bra,” she says. “I coped with the pain by sneaking cupcakes and chocolate into my bedroom and eating all night.” By the time she was 16, Caitlin had dropped out of high school, moved away from home, and started working at a fast-food restaurant where she regularly indulged in burgers, fries, and soda. To deal with family struggles and the stress of a rocky romance, Caitlin often polished of packages of cookies and chips in one sitting. She hit 280 by her…

Dream It, Do It! Want to be so sculpted and powerful you glow with confidence in sneakers and a bikini alike? Break out of your fitness comfort zone. “When you do something that once seemed impossible, it boosts your self-esteem and provides a sense of accomplishment,” says Angela Manzanares, a trainer and the creator of fitbook+, a diet and exercise goal-setting app. “And it can give you the tenacity to continue when you encounter obstacles in other aspects of your life.” Ready to push your workout limits? Set your sights on one or more of these eight goals. They won’t just make you mentally tougher—they’ll help you get a stronger, slimmer, and more flexible body too. THE GOAL Do 5 pull-ups in a row. From middle school to the Marine…

1/Send invites early To make sure your holiday fête is fashionably full, send a save-the-date email shortly after Halloween, advises Annie Lee, the principal planner at Daughter of Design in New York City. “You’ll be competing against not only other friends’ get-togethers but company parties, family gatherings, and kids’ celebrations, so you want to get on the calendar early,” she says. That will also give you plenty of time to think about the actual invitations to follow. “E-vites have been around for a while, so people have gotten a little tired of them,” says Jenny Steffens, a former caterer and home-entertaining blogger in Concord, MA—not to mention that they can end up getting lost in your computer’s overflowing inbox. To make your invite stand out, go retro. “Consider sending a…