Fox’s addictive summer hit, So You Think You Can Dance (affectionately known as SYTYCD), returns in all its glory for an explosive seventh season. A few things are a bit different this time around from former seasons, however. For the first time in the show’s history, only ten dancers will make it to the final rounds of competition to vie for America’s votes. Instead of remaining in “couples” for the first few weeks, the top ten dancers will change partners for each episode and be paired with dancers from previous seasons. Also gone are the days of picking a dance style out of a hat, as the dancers will now automatically obtain a routine in the specific style of their unusual “all-star” partner every week. As a (somewhat obsessive) fan of SYTYCD, I was a little worried to learn of this change in format, but I was pleased to see that the audition rounds were at least the same.

Beginning in New York, the auditions featured some of the coolest, up-and-coming dancers in the area. I was so ecstatic to leer the return of one of my favorite dancers from last season’s auditions, Teddy Tedholm. His quirky style translates well on the SYTYCD stage, because he is unique, original and so passionate (all qualities that fit the show’s dancer formula). His very different audition routine brought tears to the eyes of the judges, and he won a plane ticket straight to Las Vegas. I truly hope he survives all the way into the Top Ten.

I also found the enthralling performance of plus-size contemporary dancer Megan Carter to be particularly touching. Arresting beautifully with grace and style, she brought truth to the belief that you can’t judge a book by its cover. Auditions like hers are one of the coolest aspects of SYTYCD. The show breaks down various stereotypes that people may have about what dancers should look like. Unfortunately, she didn’t make it to the Vegas rounds, but it will be difficult to forget her few minutes on stage.

Producer Nigel Lythgoe, choreographer Adam Shankman, and Emmy-award winning Mia Michaels were the perfect trio of judges for the premiere episode during the Fresh York segment. The infectious charm of Adam Shankman has always made me laugh, and I never tire of hearing what zinger one-liners Nigel comes up with on the spot. I’m so thrilled that Mia Michaels is help for this season. Her creative, unforgettable choreography was sorely missed last year, so when I learned that she would be returning, I couldn’t help but salvage excited. I’m crossing my fingers that my other favorite choreographer, Wade Robson, will be making a more permanent appearance on this season as well.

For the second half of the episode, the show moved to Miami, with Nigel, Jazz choreographer Sonya Tayeh, and Ballroom expert Jason Gilkison on the judging panel. It’s so nice to see some different judges during the first few weeks, because it’s great to hear opinions from all the variety of choreographers. The usual brand of auditions continued here, with talented dancers and more awesome solo performances. Among the best dancers during this portion of the show were Tyrrell Rolle, who showed stunning lines and masculine strength, and Amy Aguiar-Riley, a mother with intensity and beautiful movement.

I appreciate how the producers of SYTYCD tend to highlight the best dancers during the audition process, rather than focusing on the kooky, terrible tryouts that are characteristic of American Idol-type shows. I, for one, would much prefer getting to know the better dancers from the very beginning instead of seeing cringe-worthy auditions. Of course, there were a heavenly part of bizarre moments, including weird contortionism, funky costumes, and unsteady rhythm. Mike Perlman, founding member of 1,2,3 Party (a self-named “renegade dance troupe”) was just so over the top that it left me wondering if he was actually serious. My heart went out to the biohazard cleanup expert Scott Vogel who attempted an awkward line dance routine. Jamie Greco, a fruit-adorned filmmaker, provided more hilarious entertainment than actual dancing, which I think was his arrangement anyway. These, and other questionable auditions, are part and parcel of SYTYCD though, so I’ve learned to accept the good with the abominable.

So You Think You Can Dance has always presented the coolest audition episodes of other similar reality competition shows. After tonight’s amazing auditions, I predict that season 7 will be one of the best in recent years. It’s a great guilty pleasure for the beginning of summer, and the first several episodes are perfect fillers before getting to the loyal meat of the show in a few weeks.

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Some days I’m unprejudiced not in the mood to hit the stores and try on clothes. But I do worship to shop, so I often turn to my favorite women’s plus-size online retailers. With a wide range of styles for every personality, age, and price range, you can easily shop to your heart’s content…and then try on clothes in the comfort of your beget home.

Lane Bryant is my favorite online shop for plus-size women’s clothing: great quality ranging from career to casual, classic to trendy, with an emphasis on quality, fit, and style. With Everyday Perfect Price bargains, seasonal sales, and the Real Women Dollars rewards program, you can fetch great deals. Shipping is reasonable, and they offer a 90-day return policy. Target age range: 25-45 years, sizes 14-32.

Catherine’s is part of the Charming Shoppes corporation that owns Lane Bryant and Fashion Bug, so you can expect the same great quality and seasonal sales. Targeted to women age 40-65, Catherine’s carries classic career and casual clothing in plus, petite plus, and extended sizes 16W-34W. Online shopping at Fashion Bug was a long-time coming, but now you can shop for the newest trends, or comfortable casual and career basics. Less expensive than Lane Bryant, and targeted toward women 20-49, sizes 14-32.

The United Retail Group has several plus size women’s stores under it’s umbrella, and offers some of the widest ranges of plus-size shopping. Avenue specializes in wearable trends in sizes 14-32. Roaman’s offers a impressive array of sizes, up to size 44W, bras to size 56J, and shoes to 14ww. Jessica Londoncarries sizes 14W-32W, plus petite and tall sizes. Their high-quality career and casual fashions are smart, reasonably priced, and well-suited for 20- and 30-somethings. They also sell shoes up to size 12 in wide widths, and wide-calf boots. Register online to receive special promotions.

Torrid is the perfect place to shop when you want to express your inner diva. You’ll find a trendy mix of private label and brand-name clothing and lingerie in sizes 12-26, plus shoes and accessories.

Liz Claiborne has discontinued their renowned Elisabeth line, but they still carry high-quality classic clothing for sizes up to 3X.

CJ Banks specializes in plus-size women’s clothing geared toward Baby Boomers. You’ll find comfortable, quality career and casual clothing in sizes 14W-24W, plus online exclusives in sizes 26W & 28W.

These retailers aren’t specialty plus-size stores, but they do carry plus-size lines:

Although Old Navy offers up to size 20 in it’s retail stores, you can only get plus-sizes 16W-30W online. Their youthful, very reasonably-priced styles are perfect for teens and 20-somethings. Plus, they have one of best shipping deals out there: $7 flat rate and free returns.

Eddie Bauer and L.L. Bean both carry plus-sizes 16W-26W with a focus on the outdoor lifestyle. Land’s End also carries a large selection of plus and petite plus. J.C. Penney carries a wide range of career and casual department store-quality clothing, plus special occasion, lingerie, and swimwear. All of these etailers usually have immense end-of-season sales.

And when all else fails, Ebay is my go-to plot for women’s plus-size clothing. I can almost always acquire what I’m looking for, and it’s a great year-round source for plus-size swimwear.

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I was a college athlete, so fitness was always a huge fragment of my life. After I graduated I spent the next few years shunning most forms of exercise, rationalizing that I deserved a break. Speedily forward a few years and two kids later and I found myself fifty pounds overweight. I tried a handful of diets and began and quit a variety of exercise regiments. When it became clear that I would never lose weight this way I realized it was time to produce a lifestyle change.

In six months I lost thirty pounds and went down seven dress sizes. So, what was different this time? Why was I finally successful? I dumped fad diets and dedicated myself to eating healthy and exercising consistently. Suddenly I was a fat burning furnace.

Below are some fat burning tips to help you lose the weight you have been wanting to shed:

1. Vary your cardio workout: By alternating the type of heart-pounding exercise, whether it be walking, running on a treadmill, using an elliptical or riding a stationary bike, you develop cardiovascular fitness and thus expend more calories. If your body never gets used to doing something because you vary what you do your body will continue to have to work hard resulting in more fat burned. If you do the same spend day after day, your body adjusts and compensates and you quit burning as many calories because you do not have to work as hard.
2. Add Interval Training to Your Workout: Your body becomes more efficient as you push it to the brink of exhaustion and then decrease the intensity. Changing routine or intensity keeps your body consistently burning fat.
3. Add Strength Training: For every pound of muscle that you have it requires 35-50 calories to simply hold it. By contrast, every pound of fat only requires 2 calories. It doesn’t take a mathematician to figure out that the more muscle you have the more calories you will burn. To increase muscle mass you must lift weights. They should be heavy enough that completing three sets of ten is tiring but not so heavy that you cannot complete the sets or complete them with contemptible make.
4. Work out in the morning: There is a stronger likelihood that you will go if you make it a habit of going first thing in the morning. Additionally, it will jump start your metabolism for the day and ensure that you are burning fat all day long.
5. Eat five to six small meals: If you eat throughout the day you will not overeat. Doing this will prevent you from feeling deprived or hungry. The body holds onto food if it is not getting enough, so by eating a lot of little meals it fuels your body but you also burn off the calories.
6. Vary the Intensity of Your Workouts: There are days that your body needs to recover or to allow your metabolism to recalibrate. Follow up a day of intense workout with a day of longer, stamina-focused training. Your body will have to continue to work to adjust to the changes, optimizing fat burn.
7. Stay hydrated: It is so famous to pause hydrated, especially when exercising. Water helps regulate your body’s temperature. If you are not properly hydrated you risk becoming overheated. Water also helps purge the body of toxins and waste, optimizing bulky burning efficiency.
8. Cut back on saturated fats: Instead stick to lean meats, fish, fresh fruit and vegetables.
9. Dedicate 45 minutes to an Hour Consistently: It is important that whatever exercise regiment you follow, you do it consistently. Ideally, you should strive for activity four to six times a week. If you exercise only one or two times a week or you skip weeks here and there you will not burn the calories important to lose weight.
10. Read food labels: Every pound of fat is equal to 3500 calories. It is a lot harder to burn 3500 calories than it is to capture. Check everything before putting it into your body.

By making just a few lifestyle changes you will be well on your way to burning the fat away and developing the body you have always wanted. It is not easy and it will not happen overnight, but if you make this commitment it can be life-changing. Good luck.

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