8 Weight Loss Shortcuts That ACTUALLY work

It is never wise to tell you to take weight-loss supplements or to try something super sketchy like the corset diet. In general, making small, sustainable lifestyle changes is the best route to weight loss. If we get that doing something quick-and-easy, then it becomes more appealing. We chatted with the top weight-loss experts to find out which get-fit-quick tricks will actually help you slim down and are also totally, 100 per cent safe. So, what are we waiting for? Let’s go conquer fat! Source

10 Workout Moves to Make Your Breasts Perkier

From doing tons of squats to pushups galore, we know working out can transform our shapes in mind-bogglingly awesome ways. But there are certain "figure fixers" we're more skeptical about than others. Like those exercises we've been told for eons are supposed to perk up our breasts. Is it really possible?

Well, believe it or not, it is! Experts say that targeted exercises and strengthening the right muscles (the pectoralis major and minor) canenhance your "girls." Here, 10 smart moves to try for perkier breasts andperfected posture ... (Shoot for 8-12 reps and up to 4 sets per move.)

1. Sag stoppers: Start in a lunge with a band looped under back foot. Hold an end in each hand by shoulders, arms bent and parallel to floor, elbows behind you. Press arms straight out to front, level with shoulders. Slowly and with control, bring arms back to start so you feel chest stretch open. Switch legs and repeat.

2. Medicine ball pushups: Come into a pushup position with left hand on top of a medicine ball, right hand on the floor. Engage legs and draw belly button up and in. Keeping the body in a straight line, bend elbows and slowly lower down as far as possible. Press up through both hands to return to starting position. Complete the prescribed number of reps on one side and then place the opposite hand on the ball and repeat.

3. X-Raises: Stand with feet hip-width apart, the end of a band under each foot. Hold the other end in the opposite hand so bands crisscross in front of you, hands at sides. Bend knees and squat, extending arms out slightly to sides. As you straighten legs to stand, simultaneously reach up and out. Return to squat for one rep.

4. Chest Pass: Lie faceup on the floor with knees bent and feet flat, holding a medicine ball at chest. Keeping lower back pressed into the floor and abs engaged, throw the ball up in front of you as high as possible. Catch with straight arms and immediately lower back to your chest and repeat. Continue as quickly as possible until all reps are complete.

5. Kickbacks: Stand on a resistance band, feet hip-width apart, holding an end in each hand. With arms down at sides, squat and bend slightly at waist, keeping back flat. Draw the band behind you, keeping arms straight, squeezing shoulder blades together and feeling chest stretch open. Slowly release arms for one rep.

6. Shoulder Presses: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and knees a little bent. Hold the dumbbells a little above your shoulders and press them up until your arms are straight over your head. Hold for a second and lower the weights to where you started. And repeat.

7. Pullovers: Rest your upper back, shoulders and neck in a resting position on a bench, and both feet flat on the floor. Your knees at this point should be bent at 90 degrees. Now hold the dumbbells over your breasts, hands outstretched. Then lower them as much as you can below your head level. Repeat it by lifting the dumbbells back up above your chest.

8. Pectoral flys:  Grasping two dumbbells, lie on your back on the floor or bench. Bring your arms straight to your sides. Lift dumbbells above your chest, internally rotating shoulders, with elbows pointing out to sides. Lower dumbbells to your sides until you feel chest muscles are stretched with elbows in a slightly bent position and repeat.

9. Push-ups: Lie facing the floor with your hands slightly wider than your shoulders. Keeping your core tight and your body straight, raise your body slightly off the floor by extending your arms. Lower your body to the floor by bending arms and repeat.

10. Planks: While in a push-up position on the floor, rest your weight on your forearms, bending them at 90 degrees beneath your shoulders. Make sure to keep your core in tight and spine in a straight line. Hold for 30 seconds to one minute. source

​​11 Reasons to Celebrate Your Big, Awesome Thighs

It's pretty clear that butts are all the rage. And while we're making it like all the booty hype is brand new, women's shapely bums have always had sex appeal, while other parts of our body have gotten the shaft. Like, thighs. Especially curvaceous, substantial, thick thighs. Unlike a big butt, where's the pride in having big thighs?

Well, believe it or not, ladies born with thick thighs needn't hang their heads in shame over "chub rub" or struggling to squeeze into skinny shorts every summer. As it turns out, those fuller legs are actually something to celebrate. Here, 11 surprising benefits of big thighs.

1. You look more polished in the summer. While women with slimmer thighs may be spending the hotter weather months in teeny shorts, you're drawn to supremely more stylish A-line sundresses or cool, linen pants. Fashion win.

2. Your fitspiration role models are the sexiest, most powerful around. Think Shakira, Beyonce, JLo, Serena Williams, Khloe Kardashian. Not waifish runway models.

3. You can have rocking lower body strength. The muscles in your legs are the biggest in the body, which means they could be (at least partially) to thank for those "thunder" thighs. (Let's take that nasty playground insult as a compliment now, eh?) Even if they're not, working on tightening and toning them will pay off. The more muscle on your body, the higher your metabolism, and the more fat you'll burn. Plus, who wouldn't want to be more adept at squatting, lifting, running, dancing, etc.? All perks of strong hammies and quads!

4. Speaking of squats ... A lot of women actually wish they had curvier legs, and thus do specific work at the gym to get what you've already got!

5. You may be at less risk for heart disease. Okay, so research shows the fat that accumulates in the thighs and booty is harder to shift than fat around your stomach, but it's actually better than having a pot belly, according to researchers from Oxford University. Fat around the waist (think apple shape) is thought to be more dangerous and raise risk of heart disease and diabetes.

6. ... and have healthier bloodwork to prove it! The same study found women with bigger thighs have lower levels of cholesterol and are more likely to produce hormones to metabolize sugar.

7. You were an early adopter of Spanx. Everyone and their mama may wear shapewear these days, but you probably jumped on the bandwagon way back, realizing that they'll not only smooth lumps and bumps but prevent chafing, too.Smartypants!

8. You own the vintage "wiggle" dress look. From Marilyn Monroe to Joan Holloway on Mad Men, women have been wearing curve-hugging dresses for decades, and the sexy style simply wouldn't work sans fuller thighs.

9. You can't help but have a more unique style. Whether you're tall, petite, or somewhere inbetween, having big thighs means having to go to throw in the towel on wearing a lot of the same cookie cutter clothes in major retail stores or having your tailor stored in your favorite contacts list! Either way, you're not going to look like everyone else -- which is something to cheer about.

10. You'll have less pain later in life. Researchers at the University of Iowa found that stronger thigh muscles can help protect women (not men!) from the pain of arthritic knees later in life. Hurrah!

11. And less risk of injury. No matter how "big" they are or how they rub together (thigh gap, be damned!), fit inner thighs mean a stronger core, which keeps your spine happy and wards off back injury!

12. You're in kick-ass company. What do snowboarders, surfers, climbers, long-distance runners all have in common? Bigger, muscular thighs, obvi. And they need them to cross those finish lines and take home medals. Now, how's that for something to be proud of? source