Smile

Contrary to popular opinion, scrunching your face when lifting weights does not make you stronger. Straining your face when you're working your body just makes you unnecessarily engage muscles in your neck, chest, and shoulders. I am always telling Pilates clients and yoga students to relax their faces when enduring physical challenges, but new evidence leads me to believe I should tell them to smile.

The face is a barometer of our emotions, but research shows that it is a two-way street. Your facial expressions can affect how you feel. Moving your face toward a smile makes it easier for you to laugh. Plus, facial expressions lead to physiological responses associated with emotions — meaning the face leads and the body follows. Rather than grimacing during your next one-minute elbow plank, try a smile instead. Your upturned mouth may make you feel lighter from the inside out.

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When you’re in a relationship, one person’s mood undoubtedly affects the other’s. If you’re angry, he’s going to be worried until he knows what’s wrong, and if he’s sad, you’re going to be concerned until he starts to perk up. But while being in a relationship does make moods interdependent, it also gives you an automatic cheer-up buddy — the person who will pull out all the stops to get you smiling again. Ladies, when you’re down and out, what does your man do to get you up and feeling like yourself again? And do you have any tricks to make him happy?

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I always know I'm in a good mood or feeling happy if I catch myself sporting a big goofy grin just going about my day-to-day business. All it takes is a simple moment or a kind word to perk me up and get me grinning. However, sometimes, and I don't think I'm alone on this, a smile is a lot harder to come by than it should be. In an attempt to make every day smile worthy, I've put together a list of little things that always leave me with a happy feeling. Check them out and add your own!

• Getting a random hug from someone you love.
• A latte executed just how you like it.
• Rain on your roof at night.
• And a sunny morning the next day.
• Scarves, purses, and new shoes!
• A phone call from an old friend.
• Green lights all the way home.
• Receiving an actual card in the mail.
• Getting dressed in the morning and realizing it's going to be a "skinny" day.

To see the rest of my list read more

We all want our teeth to be bright and white. There are so many whitening products and toothpastes on the shelves at my local drugstore. Dentists, for a pretty penny, professionally bleach stained and colored teeth.

There's nothing wrong with wanting to have pearly whites, but these products can make your teeth sensitive to cold and hot temperatures. Which can be surprisingly painful, so why not prevent the stains before they start?

If you're concerned about your teeth becoming stained, try to avoid these as much as possible:

• Coffee, tea, cola, and red wine - consider cutting back if it's not possible to ditch these altogether, and brush your teeth immediately after you drink them.
• Smoking - Don't you have enough reasons to quit?
• Certain fruits and veggies - apples and potatoes can stain your teeth, so brush after eating them. Teeth, like people, are unique and not everyone's teeth will react the same way to the same foods.
• Minerals in the water you drink can also discolor your teeth. Some cities add fluoride to the water supply - excessive fluoride from water or mouthwashes can also cause discoloration.

Fit's Tips: Anything that can stain your carpet can stain your teeth - so brushing after each meal and snack can help prevent stains. Keep toothpaste and a toothbrush in your desk drawer at work, so you can brush after your morning coffe.

Also, make sure to floss your teeth daily and get your teeth professionally cleaned every 6 months. It's good to know that some of these stains can be gently scraped off by your dentist.

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One thing a bride wants on her wedding day is a picture perfect smile. Come to think of it - who doesn't want a lovely smile? There's no time like the present to get your smile ready for your big day (this could be graduation, reunion, or a much anticipated vacation too). Sometimes dealing with dental visits can take several months, or possibly even over a year, so you'll want to get started as soon as possible.

Think about having visible metal fillings replaced with white resin-based composite fillings (they blend in with your natural tooth color). Some people think non-metal fillings are healthier for you anyway.

If your teeth are stained or discolored, maybe you've always thought about getting your teeth whitened. If you cannot afford the expensive whitening treatments the dentist offers, you can try an OTC whitener. Do talk to you dentist about which product is right for you.

If you have some teeth that are out of place, you'll be glad you called your dentist early to set up a plan so your teeth will be straight for the big day.

Whatever the reason, starting your dental work early is a great idea. I know my dentist has so many patients that I have to make appointments at least 3 months in advance. You'll feel more confident about getting your smile set as soon as possible.

Well what do you know, a day after my best friend convinces me we have to go to a Lily Allen concert when she comes to San Francisco, I find out she's way geekier than I thought. Joining the ranks of Teen pop queens Aly and AJ, Allen has recorded her hit song "Smile" in Simlish.

You can record your own rendition of "Smile" by Lily Allen in Simlish - the unique language of The Sims - and enter for the chance to win prizes. Apparently, the top 3 entries will be judged by Lily Allen to determine the winners. Wondering what the heck she's saying in this video? read more