Holiday slimdown secret: Grab a magazine

Want to drop a few pounds in time for this year's hot holiday bash? Start now and you might be toned and trim come office party time. How do you prep for your seasonal slimdown? Scrap the sweets next time you're in line at the grocery store. Grab a magazine instead.

CalorieLab says there's a whole slew of magazines on the shelves featuring loads of diet and fitness inspiration. October's Shape magazine includes insights from Katherine Heigl and Brooke Shields -- Heigl works out with kettleballs and walks her dog; Shields eats for energy, doesn't count calories, and spins to keep her body fit. Grab the October 6 issue of Woman's World and learn about Hungry Girl author Lisa Lillien, who shares tips for making healthy food substitutions. Score a copy of September's Self, and you'll find plans for people who want to drop a random eight pounds, tone up with cardio, lose baby weight, and break out of the dreaded fitness rut.

Put it on our next grocery list: Magazines. Try some geared toward diet and fitness too, like Men's Fitness and Women's Health. And if your pennies are tight, try a trip to the library and flip through the pages for free.