Mariska Hargitay, one of my favourite prime time TV actresses, is gracing the cover of Self this month. Take a peek between the pages because the stunning Emmy-winning actress is dishing about her healthy habits and how they keep her looking young. Fitsugar has the scoop on some of her notable quotes.

Hargitay, 44, says, "You know how you wake up in the morning and sometimes you look gorgeous and sometimes you look like you got hit by a Mack truck? I've realized my Mack truck is food. If I don't have sugar, yeast, and wine, I have no undereye bags and my skin is perfect!" However, when talking about indulgences, she adds, "I'm not going to give up wine for life. Everything in moderation. It's not about being fat or thin. I'm a full-figured woman. It's about, how am I going to keep up my energy." She also admits that she let her fitness routine fall to the wayside when filming the previous season of Law and Order: SVU but she's determined to get back into it in the off-season.

She sounds like a really grounded, balanced role model, don't you think?

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We learned last month that Jennifer Lopez was training for a triathlon, and now she's sharing more details with Self magazine. As a matter of fact, the diva herself invited Self editor-in-chief Lucy Danziger to come out and train with her and her trainer, Gunnar Peterson.

Lopez is participating in the Nautica Malibu Triathlon on September 14 and is using the race to raise money for Children's Hospital Los Angeles. The race starts with a half mile ocean swim, goes on to an 18 mile out and back bike ride, and ends with a four mile run. And the new mom is ready, spending an hour and a half each day working out in her home gym.

She said she decided to do a triathlon after watching one on TV while eight months pregnant, and credits her high school track background with her "Can do!" attitude. She told Self, "The team was a big part of my life back then and taught me so many things. When I look back on my life and what I'm able to do, it's partly because of that early training. It taught me discipline, how to be committed, about striving to win, stamina, all that good stuff."

Check out the video above to see part of the workout (and Lopez's flat and fabulous abs). And, if you're interested in supporting her cause, you can donate here.

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Here I thought Cosmo was all about sex, seduction, and giving men what they really want. Not so. The magazine also dishes out a lesson or two on health. Right now on its website is a whole how-to piece on giving your skin a monthly once-over in the name of cancer prevention.

In addition to an annual dermatologist screening, you should be following these simple steps. Find something suspicious? Report it to your doc right away.

• Start at the bottoms of your feet and work your way up your legs, torso, back, and arms. Carefully examine every mole and mark. Don't forget to look at your nails and hair. Look underneath every strand of hair. If you need to, use a blow-dryer to part the hair.
• Look for ABCD – asymmetry (one side doesn't match the other), a jagged border, a color that is not brown or contains more than one color within one mark, and/or a diameter larger than a quarter inch.
  
• Document the description of any spot and its location so you can tell your doctor.

My two cents: Have a partner check out hard-to-see areas and consider using a digital camera to capture your spots. Save them on your computer and compare each month's photos.

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AOL Health likes this Self magazine Eat Like Me blog. After checking it out, I do too. I like how the blogger details everyday occasions, like working and vacationing, and offers me, the reader, specifics on how healthy meals can easily be incorporated into busy days. Ever stuck on what to bring to the beach for lunch? How about leftover food from the house, like romaine, cucumbers, carrots, red onion, chickpeas and kidney beans? Thrown all together, they make a tasty and nutritious treat.

Need a mid-morning snack? How about yogurt, a toasted bagel, and a peach? Works for this blogger. Might work for you too.

The bonus with this site is that photos are included -- I got to see the actual yogurt, the bagel with raisins, the peach. And all nestled underneath the photo is serving size information. For this snack, it goes like this: This Meal Provides Approximately: Grains = 3 ounces (-whole), Fruit = 0.75 cup, Milk = 0.75 cup, Discretionary Calories = 40 kcals (sweetened yogurt).

I like this blog. Check it out and see if you do too.

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Does your kid have an internal locus of control? If so, it's a good thing because kids who have one by age 10 are less likely to be overweight at age 30. They also grow up to be healthier adults and are less likely to describe their health as poor or show high levels of psychological stress. Despite childhood IQ, education, and family income, these tendencies remain.

A locus of control is the extent to which people think they can influence events through their own actions. Each of us has one. It's a natural component of a person's personality and is shaped by childhood experiences and interaction with parents. Those who are shaped to believe they are in charge of their lives have an "internal" locus of control. Those who are not have an "external" locus.

"I think it is quite probable that a major explanation why children with a more internal locus of control behave more healthily as adults is that they have greater confidence in their ability to influence outcomes through their own actions," says Dr. Catharine R. Gale, of the University of Southampton in the UK. They may also have higher self-esteem, which can encourage healthy habits.

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Everyone of course! I recently returned from a fabulous vacation with my family at Walt Disney World in Florida. Our six-day adventure was non-stop fun, and a major highlight of this trip were our days at the Disney water parks. We enjoyed both Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon to the max and would love to go back every sunny day of the year.

I had a little sad moment though as I chatted with a father of two little ones in the kiddie section of Blizzard Beach. We were commenting on what a challenge it was to keep perfect track of our children in such a busy, water-filled place. The poor guy told me he was alone with his children, because his wife didn't feel like she could go out in public in her swimsuit. He didn't want the kids to miss out on the water fun, so he took them himself. She stayed back at their resort.

It made me amazingly sad to think that this woman felt so uncomfortable in her skin that she couldn't even enjoy a beautiful day with her family at a ridiculously perfect place. I know we all feel self conscious at times (including me). And even as my profession is to educate and inspire others to be more fit ... I wouldn't want anyone to place their life on hold because of their body shape or size. That woman is a really special part of her family, and I imagine they missed her very much.

SELF magazine and Neutrogena are teaming up to spread the word about summer skin care. Choose from four e-card designs and send messages about sun safety to your friends and family. They're keeping a state-by-state tally of how many e-cards were sent -- more cards equals more donated money for skin cancer charities.

Stay in the shade when possible, but even when the day seems overcast, don't forget your sunscreen. Remember to wear sunglasses that block UV-A and UV-B rays as well. Wide-brimmed hats and clothing that protects your skin are also good options. Check out the gallery for more summer sun safety tips.

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My breasts are dense. I know this because I hear it every time someone examines me, squashes my boobs into a mammogram machine, slides a gooey ultrasound wand up and down and all around my ta tas, or makes me dangle my girls through the slings of an MRI machine. Dense. So dense. Unbelievably dense.

Young women have dense breasts. That's just how it goes. And that's exactly why we youngsters -- meaning any of us under the age of 40 -- must take control of our own breast care. Mammograms are not the best for us -- that's why the imaging test isn't recommended for women under 40. They're not effective because they often don't pick up masses wound up in dense tissue. A mammogram missed my breast cancer a few years back. Ultrasound picked it up, though -- thankfully. But my first line of defense -- and the method that turned up my pea-sized hard tumor -- is self examination. That means once each month, girls, you must check your breasts. Here's how.

Schedule your do-it-yourself boob massage for one week following your menstrual cycle -- fewer hormonal tissue changes this way -- and do this: Recline your body or stand in the shower like I did that fateful day I found my pea. Put your right arm up over your head. Use the fingertips on your left hand to feel your right breast in its entirety. Then switch arms and hands and take care of your left breast. Note what you feel and remember it. Because when you check again a month later, you'll try to detect changes. If you find any, get yourself to the doctor. Because you are young, you may be dismissed -- I was -- but you just stand tall and firm and sure of yourself and demand that you be referred to a specialist, someone who will combine a mammogram with ultrasound, and maybe MRI too. Let your gut guide you. If it tells you something is wrong, it probably is. Pursue your health, my friends. Because no one else will.

Young women, dense as they can be, get breast cancer. I did. You might too. So get to work on saving your life. Now.

For more about young women and breast cancer, visit the Young Survival Coalition here.

When I need a little pick-me-up, especially in the self esteem department, I try to remind myself of all that great things I've accomplished with my body.

Like pushing out two whopper baby boys and enduring a miscarriage. Like running miles and miles and dropping a few pounds with an overhauled diet and more strenuous exercise plan. Like climbing a rock wall in college when I so wanted to give up and back myself right down to the ground. Like mowing our up-hill yard last summer, trying to keep a self-propelled piece of machinery from running off what seemed like nothing less than a steep cliff -- I should mention I'd never before touched a lawn mower. Most of all, I try to remind myself that no matter how much I eat, or how much I exercise, or how much I weigh, my body has conquered something both fierce and deadly: Cancer.

When I really think about it, I realize that my body rocks. It's powerful, strong, capable, and on a good day, it doesn't look so bad either. Sure there are some things I would change about it -- and one thing I will change on April 23 -- but for the most part, my body serves me well. Yours likely serves you well too.

Think about it. What has your body done for you?

I have a sticker on my mirror that says 'you're my favourite' on it. And each morning, before I blow-dry my hair, I look at the sticker, smile at my reflection and repeat what it says while staring myself in the eye. It sounds cheesy, and trust me, I've gotten some weird looks from Jon, but in the long run, it's been worth it.

You see, there's no one in the whole world who is harder on me than myself. I suspect it's the same for you -- all too often, we are our own worst enemies. It seems like we're wired to be critical of ourselves.

But there's no limit to the benefits that self-confidence and positive self-talk can have on both your emotional and physical health. It's not easy to change your behaviour, and the key is to start slow. Every day, while you're primping in front of the mirror, make an effort to say one nice thing to yourself. As for me, I have my sticker to remind, and it does, every day.

Have fitness questions? Fitz has your answer. Our ThatsFit.com fitness expert -- and now your own virtual personal trainer -- will help you get fit, increase your overall health and do it in a fun way. Drop your questions here in the Comments section below and we'll choose two per week to publish on That's Fit! Learn more about Fitz here.

Q. Hi Fitz! I am 29 year old male and I am thinking about starting a workout routine. However, I don't know where to begin. I have a treadmill and that's it. I am 5'11 and about 160lbs. I don't have a lot of muscle, have a low self esteem towards my body shape and would like to change it. Something simple I can do at home with or without the treadmill would be OK. Any suggestions? Jared

A. Sweet Jared. So sorry you're feeling down in the dumps. Hard to know exactly what is causing it all, but getting yourself in shape can certainly be a grand opportunity to increase your physical fitness, confidence and self esteem. It's proven to help people live better and longer. I can help you with your physical goals. If you feel like there may be something else adding to your low self-esteem, please don't feel shy to talk to your medical doctor or a counselor.

Having said that, it sounds like you are long and lean. What a lucky place to start! Let's get you going with a very simple routine which should get you on your way towards the athletic body you so desire. Make that treadmill your home for at least thirty minutes a day, five days a week. Jog for as long as you can, take a two minute walking break, and then repeat. Continue this jogging/walking training until you can jog for 30 minutes straight. Once you get there....increase your time, distance, speed or all three. Up to you! When you feel like you have bricks in your shoes, just walk! It's OK to have some slower days here and there.

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If keeping junk food out of your cupboards prevents you from eating poorly, it makes sense that keeping those cupboards stocked with healthy fare would almost force you to consume only what's good for you. Time to shop then, but only for the most nutritious foods you can get your hands on.

SELF magazine offers this S0-simple shopping list. Take it to the supermarket and load up your cart. You'll be surprised at how easy it is to stay slim and satisfied, say the SELF experts. These healthy and filling choices -- like 100 percent whole wheat bread, low-fat cottage cheese, and even a few sweet indulgences -- will satisfy your taste buds, balance your meals, and fuel your body.

Pop on over here for the mighty list. And happy shopping!

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Care to be happier, healthier, and fitter than ever before? How about accomplishing these three feats in 15-minute bursts of time? The editors of SELF magazine say it's possible if we simply find the right mindset. Here's how.

First, you must learn to love your mornings. Forget saving "me-time" for evenings. Take this time when you're alert enough to savor it. I know, you're thinking that you're anything but alert in the morning -- but consider how tired you are at the end of day, how likely you are to zone out in front of the TV and mindlessly surf the Internet, how unlikely you are to really pamper yourself. Got you convinced mornings are best? OK, now take advantage of the first moments of your day. Take just 10 minutes and stretch, read a chapter in a new book, or sip a cup of hot tea in complete silence.

Second, allot four minutes to nurturing your inner optimist -- it'll make you healthier and happier than your down-in-the-dumps peers. Find the benefit in all situations by solving your problems instead of blaming yourself, realizing what you learned from a difficult time, and keeping low points in perspective. A tough moment is, after all, just one tough moment.

Finally, one minute is all it takes to pump a little spunk into the air. I like the scent of candles -- cinnamon is my favorite -- and I burn one almost all the time when I'm at home. But citrus scents are happiness helpers, say the SELF folks. Try lemon and tangerine essential oils. When a slump hits, spray a little sunshine into your world and breathe deeply.

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One of my all-time favorite goals in life is to feel good about myself. I want to feel good about my state of mind and the state of my health, about my family and my job. I want to feel at peace about the decisions I make and the manner in which I relate to others. I want to feel upbeat and positive about the curve balls life throws at me. And toward the top of my feel-good list is this: I want to feel good in my skin.

I don't have the magic recipe for achieving all this goodness. But SHAPE magazine offers 25 tips that I might just borrow. Here are 12 of them.

• Find balance
• Show off
• Achieve exercise
• Get sleep
• Find support
• Seek mentors
• Take a break
• Write it down
• Do tell
• Forget envy
• Go positive
• Celebrate success

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FitSpirit explores the mind-body connection and the intangible benefits we gain from our efforts to stay physically fit.

You may believe your self-esteem is tied to the number you see on the scale. Many people do. Some become so focused on what they eat and how much they weigh that it compromises their quality of life. They detect a weight gain and feel down about themselves. They notice a drop in pounds and their spirits magically lift.

Basing happiness on the scale can be physically and emotionally draining. Take this advice from Eating Disorders Awareness and Prevention, Inc. -- Don't weigh your self-esteem. It's what's inside that counts.

Now is the time to ensure that what you put inside really matters. Commit to power foods that both nourish your body and make you feel good. Here are a few.

• Fish and chicken
• Lean beef
• Fruits and veggies
• Whole-grain breads and cereals
• Milk, yogurt, and cheese
  
  

Why these five groupings? Check out the gallery below to find out.

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