balance

It's not glamorous, but the BOSU, that unassuming half-ball prop at your gym, is a workhorse. Not only can you use both sides of it (which is how its "both sides used" name was coined), but you can also pick it up to add even more dimension to your workout routine. If you've been ignoring the stack of BOSUs in the corner of your gym for far too long, then here are three ways to incorporate the BOSU (or a similar balance-challenging prop) into your routine!

Get unstable: The BOSU makes any workout more difficult, and that includes the ones that are seemingly simple but oh-so effective. The next time you're doing an exercise move, add the BOSU to the mix; everything from a simple deadlift to a side lunge suddenly becomes harder as you use your different muscles to steady yourself on the BOSU. If you need ideas, then try these balance exercise on the BOSU.

Seated ab moves: Spice up even more of your normal everyday moves by sitting on a BOSU instead of the floor. These two-move sequences add the BOSU to traditional seated twist moves make you work your abs that much more.

Change your plank: Those plank moves are always more challenging than they look! But if you're ready to take it to the next level, then use an upside-down BOSU as your planking surface (hold on to the sides), and then do this twisted plank sequence on the BOSU. You may not like it while you're doing it, but you'll thank us later!

Do you use a BOSU or other balancing prop?

We spend a lot of time waiting in line, at the doctor's office, or for a dinner reservation, to name a few. But that doesn't mean time waiting should be time wasted. Strengthen your muscles with only the slightest disturbance to your neighbors. Here are four relatively discreet exercises you can do when standing around in public (with little or no embarrassment!).

Lower-body barre moves: Barre exercises rely on small isometric movements to build muscle, so they don't require a lot of attention-getting moves. If you're near a wall, chair, or countertop, you can do the two standing Pure Barre exercises from this video: the standing pretzel and the semi-push-up. Both work your backside and while they look deceptively simple, you'll feel the burn in no time.

Calf raises: Strong calf muscles are important for flexibility as well as strong ankles, so you should make calf stretches part of your regular routine. The good news is you can do calf stretches anywhere, so remember this three-variation calf stretch routine the next time you're stuck in line.

Two more exercises you can do while waiting in public after the break.

If you enjoyed the bikini body and body toning video workouts from the Tone It Up group, here's a stability ball workout video from Karena and Katrina.

To see detailed descriptions of the exercise moves, read more

I visited my mom a couple weekends ago, and was appalled to discover that as her daily afternoon snack, she devours an entire Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar With Almonds. No, not a regular-sized 210-calorie bar. With her insane sweet tooth, she said that isn't enough. The bar she gobbles down contains over 600 calories. I felt like her mother when I said, "Do you think this is healthy?" And her response was, "Well, I have a really light lunch. That way I can eat as much chocolate as I want and not gain weight." I was shocked.

We had a good long talk about how a person can be thin, but still be unhealthy. I said, "Mom, I want you to live a long, healthy life, and eating this much chocolate every day in place of nourishing foods isn't doing your body any good." I explained that she didn't have to ignore her chocolate cravings entirely, that moderation was the key. I think deep down, she knew eating that much chocolate wasn't good for her, but needed to hear it from someone else.

Yesterday, my mom was happy to report that she's given up the chocolate pig-out afternoon snack sessions. Yay! She said, "I started eating Greek yogurt with fruit, just like you suggested, and I feel so much better." I was so proud.

Tell me, on your quest to live a healthy lifestyle, how have you inspired others along the way?

Yoga isn't just for the mat anymore. Nowadays, people do yoga moves while cradled in a ribbon or hanging from the ceiling, in between hiking hills, and while balancing on a paddle board. Need another yoga trend to try? Slackline Yoga involves doing yoga poses on a tensioned rope or slackline. Talk about challenging our sense of balance.

I had the opportunity to try this type of yoga at a demonstration over the weekend. To find out what I thought, read more

The workplace, whether it's a desk job or otherwise, isn't always conducive to a healthy lifestyle. You may find yourself snacking on chips and candy out of boredom, eating fast food for a quick lunch, unmotivated to hit the gym after a long work day, tempted by birthday and holiday break-room treats, and spending the majority of your day in a sedentary state.

But sometimes taking just a few minutes out of the day to make small changes can make a big difference. For some tips on making your work day healthier, read more.

Mandy Moore appears to accept herself gracefully, brushing off Hollywood ideals and expectations and replacing them with her own. While dealing with a relatable love-hate relationship with her hips, the singer is working to achieve a deeper sense of balance in her life. She told Women's Health, "I'm into having balance in my life and trying to treat myself well." To find out how Mandy nourishes her body and mind, read more