Mary Hartley, M.P.H., R.D., is CalorieCount.About.com's resident nutrition expert. Read on for her guest post about overcoming weight-loss plateaus, and be sure to check back here soon for more of her healthy insights.

It happens to everyone. You are cruising along on the road to leanness, and then screech! The scale is stuck! What can possibly be wrong? There is no one-size-fits-all answer when weight loss stalls, but if you back up and review the facts, perhaps you can explain it. Start by asking yourself five questions:

1. Has your weight been stuck for less than a week?
If yes, then perhaps fluid accumulation has your weight at a standstill. For women, hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle lead to water retention. In addition, anyone can retain fluid after eating a high-sodium meal or too many high-sodium processed foods. And when the ambient temperature and humidity are high, the body becomes less efficient at removing fluid. Fluid may also collect as a side effect of medications, including oral contraceptives, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and others.
Solution: Drink lots of water and keep your sodium intake low to promote diuresis. If you don't see a change within a reasonable period of time, consult your doctor to rule out serious medical conditions.

It's tricky to sift through all the information (and misinformation) out there about how to reduce your chances of getting breast cancer. You can't do anything about two of the biggest risk factors—being a woman and getting older. But you can take other steps. Here's a guide to what you can do:

1. Perform regular breast self-exams.
Doctors advise all women to start self-exams in their 20s. Do them once a month, the week after your period ends. You may feel awkward at first, but self-exams are worth it: Early detection of cancer is critical. "The earlier it's found, the higher the likelihood that you won't need chemotherapy. Your treatment will be less involved," says breast surgeon Jocelyn Dunn. For an in-depth video demonstration and downloadable, step-by-step instructions, click here—right now!

2. Follow your recommended mammogram schedule.
Some women get a "baseline" test at age 35, though it's not really necessary. (Only one out of eight invasive breast cancers is found in women younger than 45.) But all women should get a mammogram once a year, beginning at age 40—even if there's no cancer in your family. "Most women with breast cancer don't have a family history," says Laura L. Kruper, M.D., assistant professor and breast-cancer surgeon at City of Hope. If your sister or mother had breast cancer before menopause, you should start mammography 10 years before that relative's age of diagnosis.

3. Explore genetic tests.
Scientists think only 5 to 10 percent of breast cancer cases are the result of gene mutations inherited from a parent. But if you are an Ashkenazi Jew, or if you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, you may want to take a test for the genetic mutations known as BRCA-1 and BRCA-2. (If male breast cancer runs in your family, you are also at higher risk for a BRCA mutation.) The test costs $3,400 and is not necessary for most women, but your insurance should cover it if you fall into an at-risk category. And take note: A federal law called GINA (for Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act) prevents discrimination against people because of differences in their DNA that may affect their health.

Ruby's trainers, Drew and Shazia Edmonds of Train Me 24/7, are here to share some tips that'll help you start and maintain a successful fitness program.

1. Start Small. Many people view a fitness program as an all-or-nothing proposition. We believe that making small changes now will lead to big changes long-term. Want some painless swaps? Try replacing soft drinks with water, dessert with 10-minute "metabo" walks around the neighborhood, or family TV time with play time in the park. Too much change at once can become overwhelming and lead to burnout, so take it one small step at a time. Success will follow!

2. Set Goals. Without goals, it is difficult to measure the success of a fitness program. Be sure to set realistic, measurable and time-specific goals. A goal can be anything from pounds or inches lost to a specific number of workouts completed by a selected date. Ruby loves setting goals to keep herself motivated!

We caught up with actress Regina King (seen here at Fashion Week last spring) to get the dish on her personal style...

Denim Diva: I'm a jeans girl. I probably have about 40 pairs of jeans. I love J Brand and Lucky. Also, there's a little el cheapo store by my house that I like. It sells jeans for $29.99—you just have to try them 'cause even if you wear a size 4, they might be fitting like a 1!

Designer Shout-Out: I wish Richard Tyler was still designing. I have a bit of a butt and no hips. His stuff creates hips for me. His dresses fit me so perfectly that I'm forced into buying vintage Richard Tyler.

Fitness Fab: I just started this new class at Equinox in West Hollywood that Reebok and Cirque du Soleil did called Jukari. You're on the trapeze and it really works your core. It looks graceful, but it's hard to do!

Beauty Splurge: I spend way too much money on lip gloss, which shouldn't cost more than $5. Fresh, which is about 20 bucks, is my absolute favorite. I have their lip gloss all over the house, in every drawer!

To see what's happening this Fashion Week, head over to mystyle's Fashion Week News Flash and Real Life/Runway galleries.

Mary Hartley, M.P.H., R.D., is CalorieCount.About.com's resident nutrition expert. Read on for her guest post about healthy comfort foods, and be sure to check back here soon for more of her healthy insights.

Southern food, fresh and simple, is enjoyed throughout the United States. It's rich, filling and aromatic—but often not so healthy. Anything buttered, smothered, battered or fried adds extra calories that lead to overweight. But Southern food can be made healthier without surrendering that down-home taste.

Whether it's soul food, Creole, Cajun or barbecue, the bottom line is: Cut the Fat. Your food choices and cooking techniques can make all the difference between a healthy dish and an unhealthy one.

Ciara gave us a peek at her personal style during Maxim's Hot 100 Party...

What She's Stylin': I don't know who made my dress, but I have on YSL shoes and I'm carrying a Jimmy Choo clutch.

Sex Symbol Status: Maxim is a very respectable magazine, and when they say you're hot, it's pretty cool! So, I'm enjoying the moment.

Body Boast: I like to show off my legs. I do squats and lunges to work them out.

Fashion Philosophy: I like to be comfortable. I like to do something different and take some risks, but I like to have fun and feel comfortable most of all.

Ideal Steal: I really like my new Levi's jeans.

Splurge Urge: Something I spend a lot on is shoes.

Instead of dishing out $25 for a class, why not gather up your friends and schedule weekly retreats in each person's home? If someone in the group is a yoga enthusiast, have her teach a class in the backyard. Towels can be substituted for yoga mats if you're stretched out on the grass. Know an artist? She can give a painting lesson. Your local art store should have an inexpensive set of paints to get everyone started. Cake decorating can also be a blast. Purchase an inexpensive book, like Beginner's Guide to Cake Decorating ($12.44), and hold a cooking retreat right in the comfort of your own kitchen. And don't forget to save us a slice, too!

If you're like us, you've been trying to figure out how Melanie Brown, formerly known as Scary Spice, got her body so freakishly ripped! Well, wonder no more...

"I work out at least two or three times a week doing cross-training and lifting weights," she revealed at the Reebok EasyTone launch party.

Mel B, who began her strict exercise regimen eight months ago to prep for her stint in the raunchy Vegas revue Peepshow, also enlists the help of EasyTone sneakers. "They tone my thighs and bum while I walk," she says. "I was surprised by how good they look. I was expecting big ol' clumpy things."

Mel's shoe of choice for hitting the red carpet? Christian Louboutin's popular Differa heels. "I have the bright turquoise and snakeskin ones. I love doing high, high heels."

Judging by her getup at Us Weeky's Hot Bodies bash (shown left), she also enjoys stilettos poolside!

Getting ready for a fun summer picnic? Here's a healthy dessert from Glucerna that'll have everyone raving.

Raspberry Mousse Bars
Carbs: 21g
12 Servings

For the Crust:
2 tablespoons sugar substitute for baking
5 tablespoons reduced-fat butter, melted
1½ cups finely crushed Glucerna® Crunchy Flakes 'n Almonds Cereal crumbs (about 4 ½ cups of flakes)

For the Filling:
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
¼ cup cold water
¼ cup sugar substitute
1 bottle (8 ounces) Glucerna Strawberries 'n Cream Shake
1½ cups fresh raspberries, crushed
1½ cups non-dairy sugar free whipped topping
½ cup whole raspberries
Fresh mint

Want to beat the heat? Here's a healthy summer treat from Glucerna that'll leave you cool and satisfied.

Frozen Fudge Pops
Carbs: 16g
8 Servings

1 cup skim milk
1 cup (8 ounces) Glucerna® Chocolate Shake
1-ounce package sugar-free chocolate-flavored instant pudding mix
1-1/2 cups thawed sugar-free whipped topping
2 Glucerna Chocolate Caramel Snack Bars (40 g each), chopped
1/2 cup unsalted peanuts, chopped
8 paper cups or frozen popsicle containers
Wooden popsicle sticks or plastic spoons

Love the taste of fresh summer fruit and the indulgence of a creamy dessert? Here's a healthy version from Glucerna that'll make your tastebuds sing.

White Chocolate Mousse With Fresh Berries
Carbs: 22g
4 Servings

1 cup (8 fl oz) Glucerna® Homemade Vanilla Snack Shake
1/3 cup cold water
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1-oz package instant sugar-free, fat-free white chocolate pudding mix
3/4 cup sugar-free nondairy whipped topping
3 tablespoons grated sugar-free white chocolate
2 tablespoons almond slices
1 cup fresh raspberries, blueberries, blackberries or mixed berries
Fresh mint (optional)

We were surprised to hear that Vanessa Minnillo is no longer dating her beau of three years, Nick Lachey, especially since the brunette babe has a reputation of being so low maintenance—a stark contrast from Nick's ex-wife, Jessica Simpson.

She even showed up to the Reebok EasyTone launch party in an über-casual thermal-and-jeans combo. "This is definitely my most comfortable state," said the star, who can go from tomboy to girlie girl with ease. "But don't get me wrong, I love to get dolled up!"

To knock 'em dead, she throws on a Tracy Reese dress. "Her pieces are very feminine and sexy," raved the former Miss Teen USA, who likes to pair the designer's frocks with a shimmering pout.

"My makeup artist and I mix gold pigment powder with lip gloss to get great shimmer," she dished. "We call it Vanebu because my name is Vanessa and she says I'm like her little Malibu Barbie."

Melanie Brown was originally dubbed Scary Spice because of her untamed hair, loud clothing and strong personality. But if the Spice Girls were picking names today, Mel B would replace Melanie as Sporty Spice. We haven't seen abs like this since LL Cool J released his platinum workout!

This weekend, Mel B partied poolside at the MGM Grand to celebrate her 34th birthday and the end of her four-month stint in Peepshow, the Vegas burlesque revue. She showed off her ripped figure with four costume changes, all consisting of very high heels and very little fabric. 

We're all for working out and staying healthy, but we kind of miss Mel B's softer, more womanly curves from when the Spice Girls reunited. Maybe they'll make a comeback for her 35th.

Mary Hartley, M.P.H., R.D., is CalorieCount.About.com's resident nutrition expert. Read on for her guest post about dealing with summer temptations, and be sure to check back here soon for more of her healthy insights.

Summer is the best time to lose weight. Plentiful produce is a bargain, and eating lightly just feels right. But summer is also time for cookouts, parties and carnivals, each offering opportunities to break the calorie bank.

To lose weight, we must eat fewer calories than we burn. Knowing the calorie impact of foods can make the difference between losing weight and not. The trick is to choose interesting foods that are low in calories and tasty, too. Consider the best and worst options at some popular summer destinations:

Cookouts and Barbecues
Problem: Large portions of fatty meat
Fat is "marbled" throughout the meat, so we might not even see it. And nearly everyone eats larger potions than they should. Fix the problem by choosing fish, shellfish and chicken in smaller servings, or buy fresh low-fat sausages at fine food markets. Veggie burgers, sliced tofu and vegetables also grill well. (Note: The meats listed here are in 6-ounce portions, although 3- to 4-ounce portions are enough for most people.)

Grilled rib-eye steak, 6 oz: 500 calories
Grilled tuna, 6 oz: 312 calories
Shrimp skewers, 6 oz: 120 calories

Even though she didn't nab an Oscar for her supporting role in Doubt, Viola Davis is a fashion winner to us. Her most stylish moment? The one-shouldered David Meister dress she wore to SAG.

"It was my favorite because of the yellow," she dished to mystyle at Melanie Segal's MTV Movie Awards gift lounge. "I'm enjoying color now, because it complements my dark skin tone and makes me feel kind of risqué."

The gown also showed off the actress' ultra-toned upper body perfectly. "I definitely like to keep very fit," she explained. "I hike in my neighborhood in the hills and I do weights in the backyard with my husband. We use the gymnastic ball and the 8- and 10-pound weights."

The first lady had better watch out! She's got serious competition for the Most Enviable Arms title.