Would you work out in a 105 degree room? How about 110? Hot workouts are all the rage in gyms across the country, especially in New York and Los Angeles, where some gyms are adding heat to just about every class.

You’ve probably heard of Bikram yoga, or some of the other hot yoga styles that have been popping up over the past few decades. But now, you can take classes in Pilates, the Bar Method, cycling, martial arts and more — all while roasting in a room that’s 100 degrees or even hotter.

Devotees of these classes love them because they leave every workout dripping with sweat. They see quick weight loss results, and think that all the sweat is helping them detox. But are they really doing that much good? Or are these benefits outweighed by the possible risks of exercising in extreme heat?

Experts have debated the safety of Bikram and other hot yoga styles for years. Bikram is practiced in a 105 degree room, with at least 40 percent humidity. First of all, doing intense exercise at temperatures that high puts you at risk for severe dehydration, or even heat exhaustion and heat stroke. In order to remain properly hydrated during a Bikram class, you would have to drink 4 ounces of water every 15 minutes. However, hardly any students drink that much water during class. Most of the weight loss experienced by people who work out in the heat is just water weight. And that’s not the kind of weight you want to lose. It isn’t uncommon for students to faint during hot yoga classes – I don’t know about you, but that scares me. Read More »

Summer is the best time of year.  There are virtually no responsibilities (unless you’re stuck with classes or work), it’s always time for a margarita, the beach is calling your name and there are tons of hot, shirtless guys.  What’s not to love?  Oh yeah, the billion degree heat and the humidity!  While you can cool off with the beverage of your choosing, your makeup probably won’t last past noon if you’re out and about. Read More »

It’s summer, and it is HOT. And humid. And sticky.

For us ladies, having generally long hair is a pain in the summer months, especially those of us (not so) blessed with the curls. Step outside for just a moment and that coif goes from fresh to ginormously frizzy. You could pull it into a pony tail and hold down the front with an over-sized headband, but you don’t want to spend the summer looking like you just left the gym. If only there were a cuter alternative…

There is, and in this video I’ll show you exactly how to do it so you can be frizz free, cool and still look hot. Best part? No washing required! I swear, it’s a gift from God.

What the eff happened to summer and how are we already ending our second week of July? Just last week I was wearing my sombrero and making margaritas and now I’m ordering plane tickets to go back to school. Wasn’t it just yesterday I was joyously throwing all my used-up notebooks away and planning my summer reading list? Oh wait, no, that was 2 months ago!

I guess that whole “time flies when you’re having fun” thing really is true, because between the Justin Bieber concert and the 4th of July, this week flew on by. Let’s reflect:

- Remember that little kid from Sixth Sense? Or the boys from Boy Meets World? What the hell happened to them? We get the low-down on the cuties of the 90′s. Newsflash: they’re not such cuties anymore.

- Are you a Diet Coke fanatic? We are. Oh sweet nectar of the Gods.

- It seems like everyone has fallen in love with Bethenny Frankel from The Real Housewives of New York City. Yes, when we grow up, we all want to be Bethenny.

- Should you get implants? The Dude weighs in.

- Dating is tough, especially when you don’t want to come off as the clingy girl. So should you be channeling your inner G.I Joe? Helmets on, ladies. Read More »

Ahhh summer! Time for margaritas, BBQs, shirtless boys…heat and humidity. While summer’s one of the best times of the year for everything else, it’s not so great for your hair and makeup! But don’t worry, you can beat the heat!

I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve to help make the heat and humidity more manageable. I can’t guarantee that your hair won’t frizz, but I can guarantee that it will take a little longer to do so!

It’s springtime, ladies, and that means it’s getting toasty outside. That also means your hair is going to get gross in the heat. If you wear it down, it gets wet and sticky and, if you’ve got curls, frizzy. But what other option do you have? The boring, ugly ponytail?

I’m here to save the day! Here are some cute ways that will keep your hair out of your face without looking like you’re on the way to the gym.

Ahh summer time. The heat is blistering, the Natty Lite is chilled and the pool beckons. For those of us not taking summer classes, these three months are a glorious break from homework, studying and fluorescent lighting. Yes, the whole summer yawns out blue skies and cut-offs until late August and it’s hard to imagine ever going back to school.

Except, I do imagine it. I catch myself worrying about non-existent assignments and responsibilities that won’t resume until September. But even more, I constantly find myself spacing out at work, reminiscing about all the good stuff that comes along with college. Mostly the whole not-bored-at-work-9-to-5 thing.

And I miss it!

Meal Plans: While I’m lucky enough not to be taking classes this summer, I do have to work — which means I’m stuck in a college town all summer long without the benefit of visiting home, and therefore the benefit of home cookin’. My freshman year, I ate dining hall food. My sophomore year, my sorority dues included a meal plan. This summer, with my sorority house closed and the dining halls freshmen-infested, I’m armed only with my apartment’s kitchen and whatever the hell I find when I Google “easy, cheap, healthy recipes” and pudding. Do I enjoy learning to cook? Absolutely. Would I prefer a cook to prepare my meals? Uh, hell yes. Plus, there’s no clean up if you’re not the one using all the dishes… Read More »

There’s something that doesn’t seem quite right about the fact that a college student is more likely to skip class when the atmospheric temp drops below zero than to say “no” to a party.

Sure, we can layer five sweaters, two hoodies, a parka, and a scarf, but once we’ve stepped outside, bookbag in hand, we realize we would much rather snuggle up under our down comforters and hibernate until spring. Yet, when Friday rolls around, we’re willing to trudge across campus in a blizzard, wearing mini skirts and halter tops, just to look cute for Martini Night.

Of course, these practices only snowball (har har har) into bigger problems when we get strep throat, bronchitis, the flu, or other wintery illness since our immune systems have been frozen solid. Rather than braving the cold, risking hypothermia, or sitting in an ice-cube of a car, begging the heat to kick in for twenty minutes just so you can feel the steering wheel to drive to a party, here are some ways to make the weekends work…warmly.

1. Host a floor party.

Especially in suite-style dorms or university apartment complexes, this is a no-brainer. Everyone can pop in and out as they please, nobody even needs a jacket, and you’ll never be stuck being the DD. If your RA is a stickler for the rules, this can be tricky, but if you can get away with it, have an open house on your floor/in your hall/ around the building. Read More »

It was hot the other day. I mean, really hot. Like, 94 degrees hot. But, unfortunately, it takes more than an unseasonable heat wave to make my sweet tooth dissipate.

I had planned earlier in the day to bake cookies, but the thought of turning on the oven in the heat made me feel like I was going to melt on the spot. And then, suddenly, I had a dessert altering memory:

When I was a wee brownie in my second year of the Girl Scouts, I went on a camping trip. After roasting the requisite marshmallows, my girl scout leader whipped out a little surprise: we were going to make icebox cake.

The dopey bunch of us gathered around and put together this seeming mishmash and then, the next morning, we were munching on one of the most delicious desserts we’d ever had.

When I once again made icebox cake the other day, I was pleased to discover that the dessert is every bit as delicious as I remembered it–and every bit as easy. In fact, it’s easier–as Girl Scouts, we made it by leaving it outside overnight in the winter. Now you can use–gasp!–a refrigerator!

Here is the (very easy) recipe. Enjoy! Read More »

It’s finally happened. I’ve finally completely lost my mind.

How do I know? Because I’m really, really looking forward to this.

Yes, you understood that video correctly–there is going to be a show in which reality “stars” from Flavor of Love, Rock of Love, and I Love New York compete for cash (specifically, $250,000). And not the actual stars. It’s going to be the doofuses (doofii?) who competed for the lame stars’ hearts. (Note: New York is not lame. New York is a marvel of nature whose delightful bizarreness I will love for always. Just so’s ya know.)

Annnnyway, let’s take a look at the cast, shall we?

Brandi C. from Rock of Love

That weird blonde chick from the first season who kept calling Bret her boyfriend is back for the moolah. Having tried porn after she got off the show (frankly, not surprising), she was ready to jump back on the screen and into our hearts. Wait, did I say hearts? I meant nightmares.

The Entertainer from I Love New York

The crazo who got kicked off the show for living with his parents is back for more. This guy was pretty freaking crazy–there was an episode where he was convinced the house was haunted, so he wouldn’t take off his construction helmet. And I mean; what those two wacko things even have to do with one another I do not know. Read More »