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Eat to beat your genes

By Isabelle Gullo, from Lifetimetv.com

eat to beat your genes

For years, Gwen Swan fluctuated between a size 0 and a size 14. After three unsuccessful marriages, a failed suicide attempt and ongoing depression linked to low self-esteem, Swan realized that her weight problem was not only an emotional burden, it was also making her more prone to illness, particularly heart disease and diabetes -- two health problems prevalent in her family. Swan -- who was raised on "a traditional African-American diet" rich in salt, saturated fats and desserts -- finally decided that enough was enough. "It dawned on me that I did have some control over my health," says the 55-year-old business owner from St. Louis, who embarked on a healthful meal plan and regular workout routine. "Today, I'm in the best shape of my life."

Many women believe that their genetics are their destiny, trapping them in overweight, unhealthy bodies. But Swan is one of thousands who are living proof that a healthful lifestyle can help almost anyone overcome obesity and reduce her odds of related illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes and heart disease. "Genes and family history can increase a person's risk of developing disease by as much as 30%," says Melainie Rogers, a registered dietitian in New York City. "But working out and eating healthfully can attenuate symptoms significantly -- or even correct them altogether." Rogers' advice for battling a family history of illness? "Educate yourself about diseases that may run in your family, and find out how you can reduce the risk through diet modifications," she says. "It can not be overstated how important eating right and exercising are."

To illustrate some common disease-busting eating habits every woman can adopt, we asked Rogers to evaluate the food plans of three women who have changed their diets to beat their genes. Here's what she had to say:

Eat to beat: Hypertension and Diabetes
Forty-four-year-old Franny Gerthoffer, director of lifestyle management at the Hilton Head Health Institute, lost her father to hypertension and her grandmother to diabetes. After realizing that, at size 16, she was also in the risk zone, Gerthoffer reevaluated her relationship with food and dropped to a size 6. "I used to eat all the time," she says. "Now, I don't fall victim to binge eating the way I did in the past."

How To Dress 5 Pounds Lighter
By Megan Gressor for WeightWatchers.com

Many larger women try to conceal their curves under caftans and smocks. But camouflage isn't the answer, according to style expert Laurie Bliss of Chic Simple. "Baggy or loose clothing emphasizes size," she cautions. "Clothing should fit well and skim the body."

Accentuate your assets (for example, a pretty face) with good makeup and attention-grabbing accessories. For example, suggests Bliss, "a bright scarf flatters and draws attention upwards."

Try these tips for styles to favor, and ones to avoid:

Styles to Favor...

Vertical lines to lengthen your silhouette. This can be achieved with long necklaces and scarves, as well as the right fabric pattern or texture.
A single color. "Monotone dressing creates an unbroken line on the body, which is slimming," says Laurie. "Stick to clean and classic lines."
Darker shades. "Black is always flattering," she adds. "But if you like color, team a flattering colored top with a dark bottom."
Long line, single-breasted flowing jackets that end below, not at, your widest point (for example, your bottom or hips).
V-necks. These make your neck look longer, unlike polo necks.
Discreet shoulder pads. "A wider shoulder line on top balances out the pear shape on the bottom," says image consultant Gale Hayman, author of How Do I Look? (Random House) and co-founder of Giorgio Beverly Hills.
Heels. They increase height and lengthen the leg. Stick to reasonably substantial shoes (not stilettos) to balance bulk elsewhere.
Big, bold accessories (earrings, bangles, rings, bags). These make your face and hands look smaller.
Hairstyles that balance your face. Extra volume helps compensate for fullness.

Styles To Avoid...

Horizontal lines and patterns. These increase the perception of width.
Fussy details. Bows, buttons, ruffles and busy patterns simply draw attention to trouble spots.
Pleated trousers. "Well-fitting flat-front trousers are more flattering," advises Laurie Bliss.
Stiff fabrics (like linens and tweeds): These tend to drop in a straight line from your widest point. Softly draping fabrics, such as knits, are far more forgiving. Steer clear of stretch fabrics that hug every bulge.

Finally, don't forget that the quickest way to look slimmer is to simply stand up straight. Imagine there is a string through the top of your head drawing you upwards, and your neck will lengthen, your shoulders pull back and stomach suck in. And keep your chin up!

Playing Down Problems
Have a least-favorite feature you want your fashion choices to hide? Consider these solutions...

Thick Waist: "Silhouette-flattering A-lines should drape and suggest a waistline," advises Gale Hayman. "Large waists can wear belts, but they should be narrow and not buckled too tight."

Large Tummy: "A full skirt, belted at the waistline, will draw the eye away from a big stomach," Gale adds.

Heavy Legs: "Hemlines to the upper calf flatter the legs, particularly when teamed with pumps or slingbacks," says Bliss. "Avoid ankle straps or other straps that 'cut' the leg line." Dark hose make legs look slender. Avoid wide legs and cuffs on trousers; straight or tapered styles are more flattering.

Big Bust: A tailored look is best. Don't draw attention to the area with chest pockets, brooches, etc.

Broad Hips: Avoid tops that end at the hip. Long jackets and A-line skirts divert attention to other areas.

all contents on this page came from www.msn.com

Real women wear menswear By Anne Erickson

Every now and then, a trend hits hard and fast, showing up on runways and in suburban stores simultaneously, ignoring the usual trickle down fashion economics of couture. We have one of those heavy hitters this year: Menswear.

Check out the cover of this September Harpers Bazaar to see a perfect illustration of the breadth of this trend: Madonna, not in couture, but wearing (drum roll please) boyish clothes from the Gap and her own tweed cap.

This fall, youll find menswear from Milan to Muncie: Dolce and Gabbana marches out the gray pinstriped blazers and trousers. Similar pinstripes are appearing in the womens departments at Target. Theres something mannish out there for every woman, no matter what her budget.

Heres a quick menswear primer, whether you want to look the schoolboy or the professor. Also a list of menswear-ers its best not to emulate.

msn shopping

Kors 'Kerr' Sling-Back Pump
$195.00
NORDSTROM.com

More Dress Shoes

Croc-look wallet
$24.00
Coldwater Creek

More Gloves, Scarves & Hats

Strappy sandals
Clutch handbags
Ladies' sunglasses

Menswear for 20-somethings: A lot of the fun of menswear is the juxtaposition of the masculine and feminine. A Brooks Brothers shirt thats tight enough to show youre no boy, or pinstriped slacks with a dangly belt and stiletto heels. Mix boy stuff with girl stuff for maximum impact. Also, if you have a hankering for one of those Oliver Twist-ed caps youve seen on the likes of Jennifer Lopez, nows the time youre young enough for it to say funky instead of found inner child.

Menswear dont: No Avril Lavigne Grammy tuxes. (Remember that? She wore a top hat, bowtie and a skull on her belt buckle.) For special occasions, its still best to dress like a lady.

Menswear for 30-somethings: Menswear for women once meant dressing like male management and suiting up for battles in the boardroom. Today, women in their 30s are defining their own roles, so why not lighten up? Borrow from the boy next door, instead of his corporate climber daddy. Check out Ralph Laurens new womens polos; theyre cut shorter and tighter, and you can customize your shirt/pony color combo. Also look for sporty parkas and jean jackets from Dsquared; twin brother menswear designers who just launched a line for women.

Menswear dont: Too big t-shirts and oversized overcoats just look dumpy, so steer clear of your husbands/boyfriends clothes. The key to going casual with this look is to buy clothes cut for a womans body.

Menswear for 40-somethings: The menswear trend is nudging work wear from frivolous to functional (finally!). Flowing wool trousers from MaxMara, crisp collared shirts from Louis Vuitton, pinstriped blazers from absolutely everybody, and not a bare midriff in sight! (Okay, I lie. Gaultier shows belly-skin with pinstripes in his fall collection, but thats Gaultier.) These clothes are all perfect for women in the prime of life who want some comfort with that style. Keep it current with croc gloves, or round-toed pumps.

Menswear dont: Watch the layers; you want to cut a fluid, femme line, not look like the bundle of floppy chaos that was Diane Keaton in Annie Hall.

Menswear for 50-somethings and beyond: By all means wear this stuff to work, but consider wearing it out at night as well. When the little black dress starts to feel been there, done that, borrow from the gentlemen. Try an elegant smoking jacket with some silk pajama pants. Or a shawl-collared tuxedo jacket with nothing underneath. Whatever menswear you buy this season, think fluid instead of stiff. Jacket shoulders shouldnt be overly padded, pants should move with every step. This time around, were borrowing quality and comfort from mens clothes. Not rigidity.

Menswear dont: Just say no to any look that says early-era Hillary Clinton power suit.

_{Anne Erickson wore a skinny tie in the 80s and shes not
sure shes willing to do it again.}

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