The weather outside is frightful! How do you girlies stay in shape during the frosty winter months? Are you into yoga and pilates? Or do you sign up for a ballet class at the local dance studio? Let us know how you love to workout when the cold weather rolls in.

Send your fave winter workout to qotw@girlslife.com with the subject line "Frosty Fitness" for your chance to be featured in the mag, or just CLICK HERE. Don’t forget to include your name, age and last initial.

 

Ever reached for Cheez-Its or Swedish Fish when you’re bored or bummed out? Not only are these snacks packed with calories, but new research shows there is a link between processed foods and depression.

Participants in a study were divided into two groups. One group ate a diet of highly processed food like lunchmeat, fried foods and high fat dairy. The other group was on a nutrient-rich diet, which included vegetables, fish and fruits. After five years, they were asked to fill out a survey about their depression. The people who ate processed food were more likely to be depressed than those who ate a diet of whole foods.

Antioxidants and way-healthy omega-3 fatty acids found in the whole foods diet could be a possible explanation for the results. Either way a balanced, nutritional diet with fresh food is the best way to stay healthy and be happy.

Blog it out...What do you girlies think? Do you ever feel depressed after eating lots of greasy food? Does your body love when you eat lots of fruits and veggies?

By: Liz Lebedda

 

 
But it’s not just talking that’s causing the problems. Lots of texting can leave fingers aching because of the quick, repetitive action. Eek!
 
Wanna curb the pain or eliminate your risk?
 
Talk on speakerphones, so your elbow isn’t always bent
 
Use AIM instead of texting
 
Switch hands and stretch out while chatting
 
Blog it out…What do you think? Do you ever feel aches and pains after talkin’ on the phone for hours? Do you digits hurt after texting a ton?

By: Liz Lebedda 

 

1. Get in Some Easy Exercise
Sure, you're probably runnin' around putting finishing touches on your costume but why not take a break for a sweat sesh? Our fave Halloween-inspired workout? Pumpkin pick-ups.

Warm up for five minutes and then start jogging. When you get to a house with a pumpkin on the porch, sprint--until the next house with a jack-o'-lantern outside. Repeat for 20 minutes, then do a five minute cool down.

2. Be Picky
This year, have discerning taste when it comes to the candy bowl and your pillowcase filled with treats. Hate Tootsie pops? Give 'em away or just avoid 'em--you don't have to eat every goodie ya get!

3. Eat Before You Go Out
Whether you're going to a scary film fest at your BFF's or trick-o-treating with your sibs, make sure to have a healthy meal before ya head outta the house. You'll fuel your bod with needed nutrients and it'll make it easier to pass on those Sour Patch Kids.

4. Stash those Seeds
The insides of a pumpkin are super-nutritious (those itty-bitty seeds are loaded with the mineral magnesium and help with bloating when you have PMS). Check out our fave recipe and then sprinkle them on your salad.

5. Floss!
All this sugar can be rough on your pearly whites. Brush and floss before you go to bed (don't forget to rinse after). And get in the habit of flossing nightly--you might even live longer because of it (a study showed folks who floss live 6+ years longer than those who don't). Plus, it'll help keep your teeth lookin' amazing.