Category5Style.com is a fabulous online fashion experience dedicated to truth in fashion, shopping, and all things style. Lauren is dedicated to giving women all the tools they need to come away with an insightful, honest, and humorous look at where their style truly resides.

By Lauren Deloach, Editor of Category5Style.com

So much of finding and maintaining your own perfect style is centered on motivation.  You have to feel motivated to want to hunt.  To want to seek and search out the beautiful things in this life.  After all, it’s rare for an entire wardrobe encompassed of one fabulous piece after another to just fall into your lap.  It just NEVER happens!

I take myself as a current example.  While I’m likely one of the most OB-SESSED people with style and fashion you’ll ever meet, the one and only factor that can ever put those feelings to a grinding halt is pregnancy.  Currently pregnant with my third child, my desire to shop is at an all-time low.  Let’s be honest, not much is going to fit now and continue to fit through the next 9 months.  So the rational side of my brain says, “Shop? I’d rather take a nap!”  But fashion and style is not always rational, and what can never be forgotten is that the longer you step away from your style, the harder it will be to find it when you’re ready to pick it back up.

So with pregnancy in mind, and any and every factor that takes your mind away from who you are visually, let’s cover some ways to keep fabulous as a viable option even if “The Thrill is Gone.”

RELATED: Need Wardrobe Help? Try Category5′s Online Redesign!

Pictured above (from left to right): J.Crew Café Capri Pants- $39.99-$59.99, www.jcrew.com; Kate Spade Locked In Studs- $33, www.katespade.com

“Calling all budget shoppers”

No matter if your budget is big or small, at the end of the day most of us live on some type of style budget.  A big part of being able to still shop with no motivation in the queue is focusing your attention on lower price points.  “Why?”  Because who in the world wants to spend a ton of money on style when you don’t even feel like thinking about it in the first place?!?  It’s always easier to rationalize a pair of $30 polka dot flats than it is to stomach the same pair of flats for $130.  It feels like less of a dent in your budget, aka less of an annoyance.  Of course, the rush of adrenaline in discovering a fab find on sale doesn’t hurt either.  It’s that rush that serves as your temporary motivation when the real desire in you has faded.  Finding the sales worth mentioning is all about strategy.

RELATED: Do You Really Know Your Body Shape? Double Check Here!

Do you shop at the beginning, middle, or end of the season?  While shopping at the end tends to get a bad rap, it is really the best time when you have no sense of style urgency.  To break this down a bit, understand that in the beginning of the season, a good chunk of what sells out initially tends to be trendy.  For someone looking to build a lasting wardrobe, this ticket to ride wasn’t for you anyway.  You want longevity, and the most essential wardrobe pieces will not sell out before the end of the season.  Instead, they will go on sale for 50-70% off.  To really stay on top of the game, you must ask yourself a few key questions regarding your sale purchase.

Let’s take a floral print tunic top for example.  If you’re someone like me, who at the moment knows that not much will continue to fit, I have to ask myself a few key questions:  1. Will the longer length of this top cover the massive belly and bottom that is on the horizon? (your question would be whether or not the top fits your current body shape)  2. Will this top carry me from spring-summer to fall-winter? (layered appropriately, yes)  3. Do I love this top, particularly since I don’t even feel like looking at clothes to begin with? (yes, and I love the sale price to boot!)  These are the questions that must be asked when buying at the end of the season.  You must always take into account your body shape, seasonal wear factor, and love of the item in question.

“Just a Spoonful of Sugar…”

Mary Poppins was likely correct when she sang “just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.”  Working on your style can feel like taking medicine when you’re not in the mood to even care.  Whether your reasons are based on health, family life, work, or limited budget, that deep voice resonating through your bones urging you to give up the style fight can easily drown out the quieter voice saying “just take a quick look in the store.”

When focusing on your style feels like taking medicine, you have to figure out exactly what your spoonful of sugar is.  For every woman it can be different.  For some, it’s having daughters, and knowing that no matter how unmotivated you feel, you are their example of what it will mean to love the reflection looking back at you.  For others, it’s the sense of knowing that owning at least one pair of jeans that doesn’t make you look like flattened box from the back will keep you from jumping off a “style cliff!”  Whatever your “spoon” is, you must dig deep and find it, as the alternative will leave you with nothing but desperation and confusion down the road.  As someone who works with women day in and out who never found their “spoon” when they needed it most, I can guarantee you that!

RELATED: Got Style Questions? Email Us Here.

So as I find myself in constant need of a nap and hearing nothing but B.B. King singing “The thrill is gone…” every time I consider shopping, even I have to switch style stations in my mind to Julie Andrews and her melodic notions that no matter how much you fight what you need, finding helpful ways to push through will serve you best in the long run.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

From the legendary story of Marie Antoinette’s hair turning white overnight to the press coverage of Obama’s graying temples, the link between stress and gray hair has been a longtime concern. While some scientists blame the salt and pepper look on genetics alone, others suggest stress can send us straight to the salon[1].

RELATED:  23 Scientifically-Backed Ways to Reduce Stress Right Now

Touch of Gray — Why It Matters
Since going gray is part of the normal biological aging process, even fans of ohm-ing the stress away are bound to sport the silver eventually. Gray hair usually appears around the big 4-0, when the body stops supplying strands with melanin, the pigment that gives hair its color [2]. Environmental factors like oxidative stress can also zap the color from those tresses. Oxidative stress occurs when the body can’t defend itself from dangerous particles in the atmosphere. So chemicals, ultraviolet light, and other damaging agents attack the DNA inside hair follicle stem cells, and the result can be colorless locks. But when most people talk about stress, they’re referring to the kind that comes from looming deadlines, a tight cash flow, and relatives that drive us crazy. That kind of stress may be another culprit behind the Grandpa hairdo…

RELATED: 6 Breathing Exercises to Relax in 10 Minutes or Less

Gray Matter — The Answer/Debate
The issue is anything but black and white: Health experts disagree on how much of a role stress plays in the graying process. Some researchers say worry on, since psychological stress has nothing do with going gray. Others claim genetics largely predict who goes gray when, but that frazzled feeling may also be a factor. (Mental health day, anyone?) Still, there’s some evidence stress can speed up the fade-out. In one study, doctors claimed patients under stress experienced accelerated graying. And other research, conducted on mice, suggests stress triggers biological changes that can cause hair to turn gray. The science is tricky — some researchers think chronic stress makes the body more vulnerable to DNA damage, causing problems that range from gray hair to malignant tumors [1]. And worrywarts have yet another reason to freak out. Stress can cause conditions like telogen effluvium that make hair fall out— and the bald look doesn’t exactly work for everyone.

But there may be a shiny, pigmented light at the end of the tunnel. Currently, a group of German scientists is working to develop the first-ever topical cream that reverses the hydrogen peroxide build-up that makes us go gray. The revolutionary cream treatment would also cure vitiligo, a condition in which the skin loses melanin and white patches appear on the skin, hair, and eyes.

RELATED: 15 Easy Ways to Beat Anxiety Now

For the time being, though, the best solution for those concerned about preserving their lovely locks is to chill out. After all, stressing out about a strand or two might only make things worse.

Originally published December 2012. Updated May 2013

Works Cited

1. A stress response pathway regulates DNA damage through β2-adrenoreceptors and β-arrestin-1. Hara, M.R, Kovacs, J.J, Whalen, E.J, et al. Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina. Nature, 2011;477(7364):349-53.⤴

2. Graying: gerontobiology of the hair follicle pigmentary unit. Tobin, D.J., Paus, R. Experimental Gerontology, 2001;36(1):29-54.⤴

3. A stress response pathway regulates DNA damage through β2-adrenoreceptors and β-arrestin-1. Hara, M.R, Kovacs, J.J, Whalen, E.J, et al. Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina. Nature, 2011;477(7364):349-53.⤴

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Almost everyone has a friend with a hollow leg. You know, that guy or girl who eats tons, never exercises, and somehow (infuriatingly) stays thinner than a clean eater, a vegan, or a paleo fiend? A new study on mice says it’s all about the (skinny) genes.

RELATED: 67 Science-Backed Ways to Lose Weight

What’s the Deal? 
Scientists from the University of Sydney were playing around with Kruppel-Like Factor 3 (aka KLF3), a protein that turns various genes off and on, when they made an interesting discovery [1]. As part of the experiment, the researchers bred mutant mice that could not produce KLF3. They were surprised to find that regardless of food intake, these lab animals didn’t pack on the pounds (or, in this case, ounces).

RELATED: What’s Actually the Best Way to Burn Fat?

Why were the mice able to stay so skinny, even when put on a high-fat diet? After looking more closely at KLF3 and its effects, researchers noticed the mutant mice had much higher levels of adipolin, a hormone produced by fat cells which regulates blood glucose. In general, higher adipolin levels mean less fat, because the body is able to better regulate its blood glucose level and prevent all that extra glucose from turning to blubber [2]. KLF3’s main role is to turn genes off and on — in the mutant mice, production of adipolin skyrocketed when there was nothing telling the body to stop producing it. Basically, the extra adipolin acted as a glucose moderator, enabling the mutant KLF-less mice to chow down on more food without getting more fat.

RELATED: 400+ Healthy Recipes (That Won’t Break the Bank)

Is It Legit?
Maybe. While this study is fascinating, it’s hard to make any grand sweeping statements without first duplicating the experiment on Homo sapiens. We know that mice can make lousy human substitutes for drug testing, but previous experiments on obesity and genetics have indicated that the gap between mice and men might not be so huge. The research is still in the very earliest stages — scientists need to fully understand how KLF3 and adipolin affect humans before we start touting adipolin as the new anti-obesity wonder drug. But there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. If increased adipolin levels can prevent mice from becoming overweight, it’s very possible that it can do the same in humans.

 Works Cited

• Mammalian Kruppel-like factors in health and diseases. McConnel BB, Yang VW. Departments of Medicine and of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Physiological Reviews. 2010 Octoer; 90(4):1337-81.⤴

• Adipolin/C1qdc2/CTRP12 protein functions as an adipokine that improves glucose metabolism. Enomo T, Ohashi K, Shibata R, et al. Department of Cardiology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nayoga, Japan. The Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2011 October 7;286(40):34552-8.⤴

Greatist News examines and explains the trends and studies making headlines in fitness, health, and happiness. Check out all the news here.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

(iStockphoto)

California residents have found waffle tacos on breakfast menus.

By Elizabeth Licata, TheDailyMeal.com Junior Writer

There aren’t enough exclamation points in the world to punctuate this sentence: Taco Bell is testing a waffle taco! No, seriously.

RELATED: Taco Bell Confirms Cool Ranch Doritos Locos Tacos, Testing New ‘Flamas’ Flavor

Flush off the success of the Cool Ranch Doritos Locos taco shell, Taco Bell opted not to rest on its laurels. No, not Taco Bell. Taco Bell strides ever forward, looking for new things to turn into taco shells. This time, apparently, it’s a waffle.

The waffle taco has been spotted on the breakfast menu of at least one Southern California Taco Bell location in Newport Beach, where it was captured by Instagram user Sarah Chavez. Foodbeast found another one in Santa Ana, Calif.

RELATED: Chef Lorena Garcia Discusses Development of New Taco Bell Menu

The breakfast of the future appears to be an Eggo-esque waffle folded into a shape approximating that of a hard taco shell. It’s lined with a sausage patty — also folded into a taco shape — then filled with scrambled eggs. It comes with a packet of syrup.

Chavez actually bought the in-test menu item, which is listed at $0.89. Though her Instagram followers expressed some disbelief at the sight of the new breakfast item, Chavez was quick to defend it.

RELATED: By the Numbers: Taco Bell’s Hot Sauce

“Don’t hate … It was awesome!” she said.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

(iStockphoto)

Let’s avoid the word ‘guys’ and not point out that we’re eating alone.

By Jessica Chou, TheDailyMeal.com Editor

While some of us may enjoy eating alone at a restaurant, nothing is more annoying than a reminder that it’s an anomaly.

RELATED: 11 Things That Make Your Waiter Mad

Eric Weiss, president and founder of Service Arts, spoke to Food Arts about six phrases that should never be uttered in a restaurant or hotel, and some of them are surprisingly common.

The first? “How are you guys tonight?” “Just omit the word ‘guys.’ What would YOU like tonight?” Food Arts writes.

RELATED: Dying Man Gives $500 Tip to Waiter

Other questions involve “Are you still working on that?” which makes eating sound more like a chore, as well as “How are those scallops treating you?” which makes the dish seem almost human.

Even worse is, perhaps, the question, “Just one tonight?” “If a guest is dining alone, make that person feel good about spending the evening in your establishment,” Food Arts writes.

RELATED: Drake Plays Waiter to Beyoncé, Jay-Z, and Alicia Keys

Head on over to Food Arts for two more common mistakes, and how to fix all of these service no-nos. Just don’t scold your waiter the next time this happens; you don’t want to make them mad.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

(iStockphoto)

Is your air conditioning ready for the demands of summer? Take these DIY steps.

By Angela Colley, MoneyTalksNews.com

About 54 percent of your utility bill is from heating and cooling your home, says the U.S. Department of Energy.

Right now you might be enjoying low utility bills, especially if you live in a climate with perfect spring weather. But the “I can’t believe it’s this hot!” summer days are coming, and soon you’ll be blaring the air conditioning around the clock trying to stay comfortable.

That could cost you a lot if your AC isn’t ready.

RELATED: 13 Cool Tips for Lower Energy Bill

In the video below, Money Talks News founder Stacy Johnson has a list of ways to get your air conditioner in shape for the warmer months. Check it out, then read on for an AC to-do list.

Now, let’s break down all the steps you can take yourself to get your AC ready.

1. Change the filters
Replace the filters. It’s probably the easiest AC maintenance you can do, and many people aren’t doing it often enough. The filters should be replaced once a month to keep your AC running smoothly.

For central air systems, the filter is usually located behind a metal panel on the face of the blower unit. Unscrew the metal panel, remove the old filter, and install the new one.

For window units, the filter is located on the face of the unit behind a metal or plastic panel. Many window units come with a permanent filter. If you have one, take the filter out and gently clean it with a combination of white vinegar and water. Allow the filter to air dry before you put it back in.

2. Clean the condensation lines
The pipe that carries condensation away from your air conditioner can get clogged. If the pipe becomes clogged it could back up into the air conditioner (or into your house) and you’ll have a messy problem and a big repair bill. To combat this, locate where the pipe drains out and check to make sure it’s draining properly. If not, use an algaecide to clean the pipe. Algaecide is primarily used to remove algae. You can find it at pool supply stores.

3. Install a programmable thermostat
If you don’t already have one, the California Energy Commission says you can save up to $100 a year by installing a setback thermostat. Fortunately, they’re pretty easy to install yourself and require only a couple of tools. You can get written installation instructions at Lowe’s or see an installation video from Home Depot.

4. Clean the coils on the outside unit
During winter your AC’s outside unit has been collecting dust, mud and other debris, especially if you don’t use a cover. All of that gunk clogs up the unit, causing your AC to run sluggishly. For lightly soiled units, disconnect the power and spray down the outside of the unit with a garden hose. For heavily soiled units, buy a commercial air-conditioner cleaner (available at hardware stores).

RELATED: Save on Energy with Hundreds of Tips

5. Clean the fins
Cleaning the fins on the outside unit will help your AC run better. To clean the fins, use a soft brush such as a toothbrush or small car cleaning brush. Gently run the brush across each fin, being careful not to bend the thin metal.

6. Check concrete slab
After your outside unit is clean, use a level to make sure the concrete slab is level. If it’s not, the unit will have to work harder to keep your house cool. If the slab isn’t level, pry it up with a board and add gravel underneath in small amounts until it is. Remove the board when you’re done.

7. Remove debris from outside unit
Plants, leaves, high grass and debris located close to your outside unit can reduce your AC’s performance. Before you start running your AC, cut the grass, clean out any debris, and consider removing plants that block the unit.

During the summer, check the unit for debris at least once a month.

8. Check ductwork for leaks
According to the University of Florida, you can save 10 percent to 20 percent on your heating and cooling bills by sealing leaky ducts. To check for leaking ducts, look for disconnected joints, separated pieces and small holes. If you find leaks, seal them with tape carrying an Underwriters Laboratories logo. Fabric and rubber-backed tapes break down quicker.

RELATED: Wind Energy is Blowing Away Nuclear

9. Clean the evaporator
Some AC units have an accessible evaporator located above the furnace. To tell the difference, look above the furnace for either a plenum wrapped in foil or one covered by a metal box. If you see a metal box, your evaporator isn’t accessible. If you see foil, your evaporator is accessible and you can clean it.

To do so, gently remove the foil-covered insulation. Underneath you’ll see several small screws holding a plate in place. Remove the screws and the plate. What’s left is your evaporator. Clean the front and back of the evaporator with a wire brush. Screw the plate back into place and reinstall the plenum.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

(iStockphoto)

Angelina Jolie, Uma Thurman, Katherine Heigl and more celebrity moms all gave their daughters classic girl names.

By Sasha Emmons, iVillage.com

If Angelina Jolie, Uma Thurman, Katherine Heigl and more celebrity moms all gave their daughters classic girl names are any indication, granny-chic vintage baby names are a trend that’s only getting bigger. These celeb moms all chose old-fashioned classic girl names for their daughters, names that our grandmothers — or even great-grandmothers — might have had.

RELATED: 21 Crazy Celebrity Baby Names

Why are vintage baby names so popular again? These names stand the test of time while also being unique since they’re not as popular now as they once were. If you’re expecting a girl, here are some of our favorite granny-chic vintage baby names:

Vivian/Vivienne: Both Giselle and Rosie Pope recently chose alternate spelling this moniker, infused with Hollywood glamour. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt may have started the trend when they chose it for one of their twins. It means “lively.”

Rosalind: Often associated with Shakespeare’s As You Like it, Rosalind was the name Uma Thurman chose for her third child. It’s an ancient Germanic name, meaning “gentle horse.”

Gloria: Maggie Gyllenhaal went with this classic, which means “glory,” for her second daughter.

RELATED: 20 Things to Say to Your Daughter Before She’s Grown

 Sadie: Meaning “princess,” the name Sadie will also forever be linked to the Beatles, who name-checked it in “Sexy Sadie” off the White Album. We’re not sure if she’s a fan of the Fab Four, but Christina Applegate chose it for her daughter back in 2011.

Olive: Isla Fisher glommed on to this name for her first child in 2007, but Drew Barrymore solidified its appeal when she chose it for her daughter last year. Meaning “the tree and its fruit,” it’s a perfectly quirky pick for the actress.

Mila: Jenna Bush Hagar wasn’t just inspired by grandma-like names, she named her daughter after her actual grandmothers. Margaret Laura Bush Hagar – Mila for short — carries on a family tradition; both Jenna and twin sister Barbara were also named after their grandmothers.

Emma: Pretty much the personification of the trend, Emma, which means “universal,” was a top name in the early 1900s but gradually fell off until the late 70s, when it started making its way back up. It’s now the 3rd most popular baby name.

Hazel: Meaning the color or a hazel tree, Julia Roberts was ahead of the trend when she chose it for one of her twins way back in 2004.

Lily: This floral pick, meaning the “lily flower,” was popular in the early part of the century before it fell out of favor. But it’s back with a vengeance, now the 15th most popular baby name for a girl.

RELATED: Wish We’d Known: 16 Things No One Told Us About Raising a Girl

Stella: Despite fears that the name will also be used in conjunction with an exclamation point (Stella!) due to its connection to “A Streetcar Named Desire,” this name, which means “star,” was in when the Social Security Administration started keeping track of names in 1912. It fell out in the ’80s and ’90s, but was 73 on the list in 2011.

Clara: This old-fashioned name hit a low in 1978 but has steadily been climbing back up. It means “brilliant” – who wouldn’t want their child to have that quality?

Lydia: This fluid Greek name, which means “woman from Ludia,” hit a low in the 70s but has been on an upswing ever since, cracking the top 100 at 96 in 2001.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Walking into an Abercrombie & Fitch store is like stepping into a catalog full of rail-thin models with perfectly tousled hair and sun-kissed skin—and that’s no accident. CEO Mike Jeffries isn’t shy about his love of beautiful, skinny people and what seems to be a disdain for anyone who doesn’t fit the mold.

This company belief is made somewhat obvious by the fact that the popular retailer only offers women’s clothing up to a size 10 (or large) while competitors like American Eagle, Aeropostale, H&M and Target embrace, and even celebrate, plus sizes up to 18.

Seven years ago, back in a 2006, Jeffries spoke openly about his clothing companies’ employment strategy in an interview with Salon.

“We hire good-looking people in our stores because good-looking people attract other good-looking people … And we want to market to cool, good-looking people,” he explained. “We don’t market to anyone other than that.”

Old wounds were reopened this week when Robin Lewis, author of “The New Rules of Retail” and The Robin Report spoke to Business Insider about Jeffries and these very topics that caused such a stir years ago.

Abercrombie’s judgment is alive and well.

“He doesn’t want larger people shopping in his store, he wants thin and beautiful people,” Lewis said of Jeffries. “He doesn’t want his core customers to see people who aren’t as hot as them wearing his clothing. People who wear his clothing should feel like they’re one of the ‘cool kids.’”

A quick Google search of the phrase “Abercrombie & Fitch” returns the company’s web site with the slogan, “Authentic American Clothing Since 1892.” If this company was truly being authentic to the American people, wouldn’t they sell clothing to fit the majority of the female population who now wear between a size 10 and 14?

“In Denial About Authentic American Clothing Since 1892″ seems like a better fit.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Category5Style.com is a fabulous online fashion experience dedicated to truth in fashion, shopping, and all things style. Lauren is dedicated to giving women all the tools they need to come away with an insightful, honest, and humorous look at where their style truly resides.

By Lauren Deloach, Editor of Category5Style.com

It is never OK to have two separate wardrobes as it impacts both your style and budget!  It’s all about knowing how to purchase pieces you can dress up and down, that will serve many functions in your style life.

RELATED: Need Wardrobe Help? Try Category5′s Online Redesign!

Check out “4 Minutes to FAB Style w/ Lauren Deloach,” the editor of Category5Style.com, and see her FAB examples that will start saving you shopping time and needed money.

RELATED: Do You Really Know Your Body Shape? Double Check Here!

For more details on clothing and accessories shown, visit www.Category5Style.com!

Check out the listing below of all the fabulous pieces featured during the segment:

• Maison Scotch Le Femme Tee (similar style)- $49, sold by www.shopeurotrash.com
• Kule Jayden Jacket- $255 (on sale), sold by www.kule.com
• Current/Elliott Destroyed Boyfriend Jeans- $206, sold by www.shopbop.com
• Elva Fields Statement Necklace, lavender sold out, but similar styles at www.elvafields.com
• 3.1 Phillip Lim “I love Nueva York” tank- $115, sold out at shopbop.com, available in black or white here

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

By Dave Smith, Greatist.com

Wish those workouts didn’t seem to last forever? Research actually shows that people enjoy exercise more than they think they will. In fact, they enjoy it a whole lot more![1] There are about a billion mental and physical reasons to exercise regularly, so why not make the experience as enjoyable as possible? [2] Here are 16 tactics designed to make any workout seem as quick and painless as possible.

RELATED: 17 Smart Ways to Be More Productive at the Gym

FULL STEAM AHEAD — YOUR ACTION PLAN

1. Grab a buddy. 
Life is full of great solo activities, but exercise isn’t always one of them. Working out with a buddy isn’t just a fun way to squeeze in some face time; it provides extra accountability along with an added push to go that extra mile [3]. Friends all booked up? Check out local running clubs, grassroots fitness groups (like the November Project), and local meetups (Greatist even hosts some too!).

2. Join a class. 
Group fitness has come a long way since we were “Sweatin’ to the Oldies.” There really is something for everyone, from surfing indoors to aerial arts. And as always, working alongside others helps make even tough workouts seem to go by more quickly.

3. Plan it out.
There is no magic time frame required for a good workout (it’s about exercise quality, not quantity!). Waiting for the clock to tell you when a workout is done can make time seemingly stand still. Instead, plan an exercise routine before hitting the gym. Now the focus is set on the workout and not the clock.

4. Crank the tunes.
Save the silence for meditation class. Workouts are meant to be energetic! Create a perfect playlist (or let an app do it for you) and then pump the tunes to get better results and have more fun doing it [4].

RELATED: 50 Exercises You Can Do Anywhere

5. Play along. 
What if exercise was actually a game that awarded points and access to new levels for hard work? Enter: Exergaming, dynamic video games that require players to move their bodies as part of the game-play. Plugged-in forms of exercise can seem more enticing to some than traditional workouts, and can burn considerable calories per sweat session [5] [6].

6. Get social.
Exercise flies by when it doesn’t feel like exercise. There are lots of creative group activities that are fun, social and promote fitness. Haven’t seen anything like that in your neighborhood? Try starting up a group that combines social time around yoga in the park, hiking a nearby trail, or anything else physically active and fun.

7. Shorten it up.
Want to really make a workout go by quickly? Cut it in half! Short and intense workouts can be super-effective for building strength and endurance [7]. Thirty minutes of purposeful exercise (that’s right — less chit chat!) will still produce great results without all the lag time.

8. Lose the dread. 
While it’s beneficial to stack the most challenging moves toward the beginning of your workout, don’t feel pressure to kick things off with your most dreaded exercise. Similarly, saving the toughest exercise for very last isn’t exactly motivation to make it to the end. Sandwich the really tough exercises with something more enjoyable and the whole workout will seem much more pleasant [8].

9. Track your progress. 
Nothing makes exercise fly by faster than seeing exciting results! Measuring exercise progress and tracking it in a journal makes gains more tangible and provides a great way to stay motivated [9]. Workout journaling usually includes a checklist of exercises, which can make a workout seem much less daunting than one that doesn’t have an apparent end in sight.

10. Get competitive. 
Nobody likes to be the loser. Whether it’s competing against personal goals or with a workout partner, creating an opportunity to win can help make a workout more enjoyable and more effective [10]. Plus, setting a personal best (or “PB”) is a great motivator to keep coming back for more!

11. Try something new.
People generally like to learn new things (why else would “Jeopardy” still be on TV?). Mixing in challenging new exercises, like kettlebell high pulls and plyometric deadlifts, can provide an extra boost of mental stimulation, keeps the workout exciting, and challenges the body in new ways.

RELATED: Try an Afternoon Workout to Boost Productivity

12. Call in the pros. 
Sure, it’s pricier than breaking a sweat solo, but when workouts start to drag, consider bringing in the big guns. Working out with a personal trainer has been shown to give an extra dose of motivation and intensity, leading to an all-around more effective workout than if you were to go it alone [11] [12]. Plus, they’ll be the ones in charge of watching the clock — not you.

13. Get outside.
Exercising in the great outdoors not only relieves more stress than indoor exercise, it also offers quite a view [13]. Take in the surrounding scenery, wildlife, and people as a source of inspiration (Remember: people-watching isn’t creepy if it’s done while running!). Just 30 minutes per day is all you need to strengthen muscles and bones, prevent disease, and improve the quality of life.

14. Grab an app.
Fitness apps do a lot more than time sets and count reps. Some help plan innovative workout routines, others connect people to make exercise more social, and some even offer financial incentives to get moving! Just be sure to avoid excessive texting or taking calls — talking on a cell phone is a gym etiquette no-no.

15. Learn something new.
Imagine if every workout could double as a study session. The average person spends almost 80 hours exercising each year — that’s a lot of potential learning time! Download some interesting podcasts, TED talks, or an entertaining novel to pass the time while gaining physical and mental strength.

16. Set a reward.
Buying a new outfit, grabbing a post-workout smoothie, or splurging on a massage can all act as rewards that make tough workouts more bearable. The key is to choose a reward that is really desirable and a bit frivolous so that it actually seems like a treat (a big, tasty bowl of broccoli likely won’t cut it!).

While there are lots of ways to make workouts more fun, it’s important to keep in mind that the benefits of exercise are always worth a little hard work. Planning challenging workouts and choosing engaging exercises will go a long way to making fitness fun and rewarding.

• The invisible benefits of exercise. Ruby MB, Dunn EW, Perrino A, et al. Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, 2136 West Mall, Vancouver, BC. Health Psychology, 2011 Jan;30(1):67-74.⤴
• Exercise and well-being: a review of mental and physical health benefits associated with physical activity.Penedo FJ, Dahn JR. Department of Psychology and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 2005 Mar;18(2):189-93.⤴
• Sources of social support as predictors of exercise adherence in women and men ages 50 to 65 years. Oka RK, King AC, Young DR. Stanford Center for Research in Disease Prevention, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA. Womens Health, 1995 Summer;1(2):161-75.⤴
• Effects of music during exercise on RPE, heart rate and the autonomic nervous system. Yamashita S, Iwai K, Akimoto T, Sugawara J, et al. Center for Humanity and Sciences, Ibaraki Prefectural University of Health Sciences, Ami, Japan. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 2006 Sep;46(3):425-30.⤴
• The Health Benefits of Interactive Video Game Exercise. Warburton, D.E., Bredin, S.S., Horita, L.T., et al. Unit II Osborne Centre, Cardiovascular Physiology and Rehabilitation Laboratory, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism, 2007 Aug;32(4):655-63.⤴
• Comparison of Energy Expenditure in Adolescents When Playing New Generation and Sedentary Computer Games: Cross Sectional Study. Graves, L., Stratton, G., Ridgers, N.D., et al. Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Henry Cotton Campus, Liverpool, England. BMJ, 2007 Dec 22;335(7633):1282-4.⤴
• Effect of high-intensity interval training on cardiovascular function, VO2max, and muscular force. Astorino TA, Allen RP, Roberson DW, et al. Department of Kinesiology, California State University, San Marcos, California. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 2012 Jan;26(1):138-45.⤴
• The invisible benefits of exercise. Ruby MB, Dunn EW, Perrino A, et al. Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, 2136 West Mall, Vancouver, BC. Health Psychology, 2011 Jan;30(1):67-74.⤴
• Fundamentals of resistance training: progression and exercise prescription. Kraemer WJ, Ratamess NA. Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 2004 Apr;36(4):674-88.⤴
• Influence of competition on performance and pacing during cycling exercise. Corbett J, Barwood MJ, Ouzounoglou A, et al. University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, United Kingdom. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 2012 Mar;44(3):509-15.⤴
• Effect of certified personal trainer services on stage of exercise behavior and exercise mediators in female college students. Fischer, DV, Bryant, J. Department of Physical Education, College of Saint Benedict, Saint Joseph, Minn. Journal of American College Health, 2008 Jan-Feb;56(4):369-76.⤴
• Influence of supervision ration on muscle adaptations to resistance training in nontrained subjects. Gentil, P, Bottaro, M. College of Physical Education, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil College of Health Science, University of Brasilia, Brazil. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 2010 Mar;24(3):639-43.⤴
• Exercising with an iPod, friend, or neither: which is better for psychological benefits? Plante TG, Gustafson C, Brecht C, et al. Department of Psychology, Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA. American Journal of Health Behavior, 2011 Mar-Apr;35(2):199-208. ⤴

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.