Are you a woman with a little bit of extra “wiggle” under her ams? Or do your arms just annoy you, and you want to make them look tighter and more toned? Don’t worry– I’m going to share my favorite move! Curls are often touted as the best arm-thinning and toning exercise out there, and they are an indispensable addition to a workout routine. These ones don’t require you to be in a gym, so you can work out at home and reap the benefits, too.

Here’s how to do them.

1. Take a dumbbell with one hand with your underarm fitting over the bench (or its replacement) easily.
2. Keep your fist facing away from you, and have your thumb on the top of the dumbbell.
3. Bring the weight towards your head, slowly, and turn your fist inwards so it’s towards your head– but don’t move your back or your elbows!
4. Squeeze your biceps before allowing the weight to slowly drop.
5. Try 12-15 reps for 3 sets.

Want to see a visual of other curl exercises? I like this one, which is also great for pregnant women.

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I’ve said again and again that workout clothes make me want to get active, and I’m really not exaggerating. Case in point: I went to Danskin today to check out what they have to offer, and saw lots of new styles. I instantly got excited, zipped around the site thinking how awesome I would look at the gym, and ran down the boardwalk later on. If you ever need inspiration, I swear you need to shop for something, be it bouncy new sneaks, a tech-y rain slicker for running, or a pair of Danskin yoga pants. If you’re an enthusiastic workout gal or a gadget-driven guy, something simple might jump-start your day.

Here are some practical reasons to shop for new workout gear:

1. Sweat wicking fabric is king. Honestly, if you’re a “dripper” at the gym, this will save you trouble of mopping up sweat and the semi-embarrassment of looking like you’re melting (me!).

2. Little additions can protect you. Running shoes with awesome shocks and arch support can save you a serious foot problem down the line.

3. You don’t need to worry. If you’re a girl, you’re going to be happy when you don’t need to layer lots of supportive gear.

4. Odor-killing. If you don’t want to smell funky after your workout, then stock up on new odor-supressing fabrics.

Check ‘em out here! They even have extended sizes.

Photo (c) Danskin

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When I was trying to amp up my health routine, I started to get into mango juice. While I’ve already mentioned that I adore acai (except in the form of GoodBelly), mango is my second choice. It’s an awesome source of beta carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin, and it’s been claimed to aid in fighting cervical and colon cancer.

My Morning Recipe for a Tasty Mango Drink
1 mango, peeled and cut into pieces
1/2 banana, cut into slices
1 1/2 cup of skim milk
1/2 cup of cold water
Sprinkle of wheat germ
Drizzle of honey

Put everything in a blender and let ‘er go. Don’t forget that you are also make a healthy dessert with the above ingredients and a little dash of ice cream instead of banana and water! If you’re stuck for a treat, this one will be a lot healthier.

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I feel like everything I see is advertised as “Trans Fat Free.” Unless you’re seriously in the market for buying some junk food, keep in mind that when the trans fats are ripped out of something, you’ve got to replace it with something else. And as the LA Times so astutely points out, you can be pretty sure it’s “probably not going to be vegetable fiber.”

Now let me muster up some willpower after powering my way through the treats this weekend. Ahem. And step away from that second Dunkin’!

Photo (c) Krispy Kreme

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Need to get motivated? I recommend that you watch this, and then head to the gym ASAP. Beach sprints are brutal, but the simple stretch at the end will do wonders for your legs. I might do it in private though. . . it’s a little awkward for Miami Beach. ;)

Thanks to Mark’s Daily Apple for the motivation.

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