I’m Lucy Danziger, the Editor-in-Chief of SELF magazine. My blog is going to give you great advice on being healthy and happy, slimmer and fitter, less stressed, too! All of it in easy, doable (quick!) steps. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/ Tue, 13 May 2008 17:54:08 -0800 Yahoo! http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthieryou/2857/take-5-years-off-your-face/ Your eyes are one of the first places on your face to age. I’ve got nothing against getting older, but anything I can do to prevent looking older, I’ll try (as long as it doesn’t involve needles!). Here are a few easy secrets I’ve learned as SELF’s editor-in-chief. Tue, 13 May 2008 17:51:29 -0800 Lucy Danziger, SELF Edit http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthieryou/2850/your-personal-success-mantra/ When I'm faced with a challenge, like training for a triathlon, I've learned to give myself positive reinforcement: "My body is strong and I can accomplish anything I set my mind to." Having an upbeat inner monologue has helped me reach so many of my personal goals (swimming in open water despite a lifelong fear of sharks) and overcome a myriad of obstacles. Wed, 07 May 2008 22:10:13 -0800 Lucy Danziger, SELF Edit http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthieryou/2833/expert-tested-shortcuts-to-relieve-tension/ I think everyone needs these kinds of symbolic tokens (a Gumby to represent flexibility, a kaleidoscope to represent new vision, even a beautiful postcard) to remind us of all we dream of, and to take us to a calmer place. If collecting stones, shells or tchotchkes doesn't sound appealing, why not try these expert-tested shortcuts to serenity: Fri, 02 May 2008 18:21:55 -0800 Lucy Danziger, SELF Edit http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthieryou/2639/de-stress-in-mere-minutes/ Studies have shown that aside from reducing stress and boosting mood, meditation can ease chronic pain and improve your immune system. You don't have to spend hours on end to become calmer, either. Try these simple, quick ways to savor the moment. No "Om" required! Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:01:33 -0800 Lucy Danziger, SELF Edit http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthieryou/2631/sweat-away-stress/ It may sound surprising coming from the editor-in-chief of SELF, but one of the major reasons I exercise is to beat stress. Seriously, if I go more than 48 hours without my usual morning run around Central Park with my collie-retriever mix, Jenny, at my heels, I start to feel anxious and short-tempered. That's when I know I need to get outside and move, if even just for half an hour. After 30 minutes of heart pumping, I can feel my stress disappearing. And when I'm finished, I feel as if I can weather almost anything that comes my way, especially at work. Fri, 25 Apr 2008 19:20:23 -0800 Lucy Danziger, SELF Edit http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthieryou/2211/why-sleeping-is-almost-more-important-than-breathing/ I used to pull all-nighters back in college, forcing myself to stay awake to cram for an exam or finish a paper on art history, my major. I did it because I thought it would help me get ahead, but in the end it always set me back—I wound up tired, cranky and unproductive the next day. Even though I've grown up (and wisened up) since then, I still have trouble convincing myself to crawl into bed at night: I keep a running tally of all the things I haven't crossed off my to-do list—reading manuscripts, prepping for a TV appearance, even laundry! And I'm always tempted to stay up just a bit longer to get everything done before morning. Mon, 21 Apr 2008 18:29:36 -0800 Lucy Danziger, SELF Edit http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthieryou/2206/leave-work-earlier-and-lose-weight/ This is one weight loss method almost anyone should want to get behind. I know that when I get home late from work, I’m starving and grab whatever food is easiest to eat (my daughter’s mac ’n’ cheese included). I’m not alone: Women who worked 40-plus hours per week were more likely to gain weight than those who clocked out earlier, reports a study in the International Journal of Obesity. Perhaps leaving early one night per week will inspire you to cook a healthy dinner! Fri, 18 Apr 2008 04:56:49 -0800 Lucy Danziger, SELF Edit http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthieryou/2177/4-tips-to-quell-any-craving/ Everyone has that one food they can’t get off their mind. For me, it usually involves chocolate (or chocolate chips!). Whatever you have a hankering for, there are ways to avoid giving in to temptation. Mon, 14 Apr 2008 21:23:59 -0800 Lucy Danziger, SELF Edit http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthieryou/1904/sugar-is-not-so-sweet/ One of the secrets to my recent weight loss has been cutting way down on the amount of sugar I eat. I’m not talking about the natural sugars in fruit and dairy but refined sugars that pop up in processed foods like cookies, brownies and ice cream—yes, I love them all! My easy way of thinking about food is trying to imagine how many steps it took before reaching my mouth. For example, fruit, veggies or nuts look the same on a bush or tree as they do on my plate (so I eat as much of those as I want), while a processed food, like a Pop-Tart, a bag of Fritos or a pack of Oreos, goes through countless steps before appearing in the vending machine. The fewer the steps, the better I feel about the food. Tue, 08 Apr 2008 18:58:03 -0800 Lucy Danziger, SELF Edit http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthieryou/1840/diet-friendly-tv-snacks/ Don’t let the post-strike return of your favorite shows derail your diet. Fix yourself one of these 150-calorie bites to enjoy your snack without a side of guilt. Thu, 03 Apr 2008 17:03:09 -0800 Lucy Danziger, SELF Editor-in-Chief