The gym is my happy place. Technique-y O-lifts, complicated choreographed classes, treadmill sprints on a 15 percent incline? Bring it! I'm all like this. But the first time I went to the pool at the Equinox on 63rd and Lex, I felt more like this.

Ruby Tuesday isn't just a restaurant -- it's practically an institution, right? (It seems everyone knows the place.) And what if I told you that you could go out to eat and enjoy an appetizer followed by barbecued chicken or a steak and yummy sides, all without breaking the calorie bank? Welp, it's true. Thanks to the variety of "Fit and Trim" choices on Ruby Tuesday menu, you can enjoy whatever dish you're craving, guilt-free. Here are some of my RD-approved picks.

Need a break from the gym? Try this playground workout circuit, which only requires the equipment from your most favorite jungle gym. And while it's not on the list, if you want to cool down (ahem, play) on the seesaw to finish, we won't judge. [Greatist]

Summer sweat sessions can get kinda gross, but these lightweight, fashion-forward yoga options will help you stay cool. [POPSUGAR Fitness]

Summer is a time for fun books -- stuff you'd read on a lazy afternoon in the sun or, better yet, on vacation (!). But that doesn't mean the books have to stink (as so many "beach reads" do, have you noticed?) So we went looking for five reads that are light and entertaining but still worth the money (and time!) investment. Find one that works for you, or tell us what you'll be reading this summer @SELFmagazine.

Summer is rough on hair color -- isn't it? It's like, no matter how perfectly done your highlights are or how careful you are in the shower, color inevitably gets dull and brassy and gross. EVEN if you are rocking your natural color. (Need a fix? Try these no-fade tips.) My editor, Rachel, and I, have been on the hunt for some products that will not only protect our colored strands, but also make 'em look perfect. (She is getting married in three months, after all -- girl needs a perfect mane!) Needless to say, we've found 'em.

Running and music go together like peanut butter and bananas -- but it's gotta be the right kind of music. There's nothing worse than when you're feeling great and zooming along to Rihanna, and then Johnny Cash just like jumps in with some slow, sad country ballad. (Can you tell my husband and I share an iTunes subscription?) And yes, playlists can -- and do -- solve the slow-jam problem, but sometimes, you just want someone else to do all that curating for you.

(Speaking of music, our annual music issue launched yesterday -- check out this interview with cover star Ke$ha.)

Before you rock your bikini and expose more skin than usual, it's natural to feel a little nervous. If you can relate to this sentiment, then forget what everyone else will be thinking, and start focusing on how you want to be feeling. Looking good in a bikini doesn't necessarily mean having a rock-hard body -- it emanates your confidence! If you're tired of being in a cover-up all Summer long, then take these tips to heart the next time you slip your suit on.

Summer's high temps are awesome for the beach or pool ... but they can mean bad news for your make-up. We've all suffered a make-up meltdown from the heat and humidity (if not more than one!), and it's not fun.

But don't sweat it: Our intrepid beauty blogger, Alex Samuel, has the simple switches that'll help your look stay put -- no matter the hellish temperature. So whether you're in the market for punchy lips, a little bit of glow or an all-over look that'll last all day, check our tips!

Ever wonder how little exercise you can get away with? According to a new study published in the journal PlosOne, the answer may be a mere four minutes. Michelle Olson, Ph.D. (aka Dr. Abs) has also found similar findings through her research. [NYTimes]

Starbucks has announced that starting next Tuesday it will post the calorie content of all its coffee drinks and food items in all its company-owned stores across the nation. [The Atlantic]

Lentils, ladies. They don't get enough street cred. One cup of 'em cooked delivers 16 grams of appetite-curbing fiber and 18 grams of protein, plus adds up to a (measly) 220 calories with virtually no fat. Lentils also cook up quicker than other legumes and easily absorb the flavors of other dishes including soups, veggie burgers, spicy curries and refreshing summer salads.  Lentils come in a rainbow of colors, but I'm personally a big fan of the red ones since they cook in about 15 minutes flat -- no soaking necessary! Learn to love lentils with these tasty recipes.