We've always known that soda isn't good for your teeth. Well, turns out the acidity and sugar in sports drinks aren't too healthy for your chompers, either. A recent article on boston.com reported they can cause cavities, and the dyes can actually stain your pearly whites.

So what's the solution? Don't bust out the toothbrush right after chugging Gatorade. Studies show that it's best to wait a short period before cleaning teeth.

To prevent tooth decay and other dental problems, rinse with water afterwards or try drinking with a straw to protect your teeth. Or, instead, you can forgo sports drinks altogether and grab some all-natural spring water. H20 won't harm your teeth and will give you a boost after a long, tiresome workout! 

By: Leora Friedman

 

We chatted up super-famous personal trainer Tracy Anderson and, OMG!, her advice was killer. She gets celebs like Ashley Tisdale and Emily Blunt into amazing shape and took some time to chat with GL.

We’ll be spilling more of her secrets in our summer issue, but we had to share why she loves dance so much. Not only is dancing fun beyond words, it’s fab exercise AND keeps you feeling great about your bod. Here’s why...

“If you're doing dance moves, you have to mentally stay in touch with your body the whole time. It's so great for girls to never lose connection with their body. You’ll to feel empowered and in touch.”

That’s enough to make us to make us wanna boogie right this second. What do you girls think? Do you dance to stay happy and healthy?

 

So, you’ve made the decision to get into shape. Go you! With spring approaching, use this as the chance to get your exercise regimen flaw-free. It’s a piece of cake (healthy cake, of course!) to make sure your routine is efficient and safe for your bod. How very fit—not to mention fun!
 
Mistake #1: Reading/Texting While Working Out
Reading or texting may seem great to keep your mind off a tiring work out, but they actually distract you in a bad way. If you’re flipping pages or spelling words, you won’t exert as much energy as if you were focusing 100% on your routine.
 
The Fix:
Try listening to music to get you motivated for a fast-paced workout. Make a playlist beforehand filled with your fave high-energy tunes so you won’t have to fiddle with your mp3 player during your sweat time.
 
Mistake #2: Exercising For Too Long
Everyone thinks that if you work out for hours and hours, you’ll see results faster. But working out for too long makes you get tired faster, which can cause you to become careless with your routine. This spells accidents, exhaustion and more. And on top of that, it makes your all of your previous effort much less worth it.
 
The Fix:
Set an alarm on your watch or cell phone right before you start working out. This should be for a half hour or an hour – then give it your all during that time frame. If you work out harder and with more intensity for shorter periods of time, your routine will be significantly more effective.
 
Mistake #3: Setting Super-Huge Goals
It can be a great motivator to set an “ultimate” goal – something big that you would be thrilled to achieve. But people committed to exercise are more likely to quit their routines if they feel like they aren’t accomplishing goals regularly.
 
The Fix:
Don’t underestimate the pump-up power of reaching small milestones every week. Stay practical and know your limits, while also setting goals that will motivate you to push yourself harder. Keep a list of them in a notebook and get excited to cross each achievement off the list
 
Mistake #4: Sticking To One Routine
Dedicating too much of your workout to the same type of exercise (running every day, too much weight-lifting without a break, etc.) will actually help your body adapt to the athletic stress. This means your body feels like it’s doing something normal no matter how hard you work, making it harder to get in shape. And plus, it’s downright boring to do the same thing over and over again every day!
 
The Fix:
It’s important to find a balance between multiple types so your muscles don’t get too comfortable. Write down a schedule for every day of exercise. Be sure you don’t repeat same exercises too often: if you focus on your arms one day, focus on your legs or abs the next day, then jump to cardio the next. Make it a cycle, not a repetition.
 
Mistake #5: Eating Sweets After Every Sweat Sesh
It’s common for people to reward themselves after a great workout with their fave candy or a cookie. But getting in the habit of rewarding yourself with food each and every day isn’t healthy.
 
The Fix:
Pat yourself on the back with a yummy-but-nutritious snack, like carrots and hummus or strawberries and yogurt. Or, give yourself an hour of doing something not related to food at all, like playing your fave video game.

By: Lauren Carney

 

Rock the Plank 
Swap regular crunches for the gut-zipping plank. Get into a push-up position and lower down on your elbows. Keep your body tight as a board and hold for 30 seconds, then rest for a few secs. Repeat five times. Slowly work your way up to a minute. 

Eat Those Eggs
Eggs contain a fat-burning compound and plenty of nutritious protein, making them a smart choice for girls who wanna get rid of jiggle. Don’t eat more than one or two a day (they’re high in cholesterol), but definitely include ’em in your diet. 

Ditch the Nightly Sit-ups