Get into Shape with Shape

Work-Outs: With Shape, it seems, that every month you can count on two workouts articles with great pictures to demonstrate how to do the moves. There is also a nice card stock page of work-out cards that can be removed and carried to the gym with you. The cards focus on a certain body part each month. Sometimes the work-outs featured require the use of weight machines and equipment only found in a gym. But they do print at home work-outs as well. I would say that they print more, gym required, work-outs than home based.

Nutrition: There is always a great recipe section. It anything from unique low-fat recipes, to modified comfort food. I especially love when they have low-fat dessert recipes. They always include a full nutritional break down and most of the recipes I have tried are pretty good. Occasionally they will print a whole work-out/nutritional program that can be followed for several weeks. I haven't tried any of these because sometimes the food suggested for meals is either too expensive for my budget.

Mind/Body: There are several beauty articles in each issue. They will discuss how to get great looking skin, beautiful, shiny hair, or how to prevent wrinkles. There is also usually one article on a health related topic such as STD, breast cancer, yearly exams, health insurance, etc. You can also count on a few pages of fashion each month. I don't especially like the fashion layouts because the clothes advertised are hard to find, way over priced and usually not things worn in everyday life. But the pictures are always beautiful and fun to look at.

Overall: This is a very well rounded magazine. It is very informative to read and has a lot of tips to help keep you motivated. One of my very favorite things in this magazine is the success stories. They pick 2-3 women each month and do a quick write up on how they lost or gain weight or became healthy. There are before and after pictures and stats on each women.