iMag host Jennie Sargen shares summer sun facts from her latest interview.

I don't know about you, but I am addicted to "Grey's Anatomy" and when thirty something doctor Izzy was diagnosed with skin cancer this past season I suddenly became worried all my years of sun worshiping might catch up to me.

I love the sun and think I look better with a tan, but it turns out there is no such thing as a healthy glow. The Academy of Dermatology has some startling statistics that show one person dies from melanoma every hour in the United States. Don't get me wrong the sun isn't all bad -- it's the number one producer of vitamin D, which is important for bone density and mental agility. But you don't need to bake to get the benefits (and remember even people with dark skin are at risk). When I interviewed Doctor Evelyn Minaya she said that regardless of age, coloring, or family history a full body scan is something everyone should get at least once a year, even in this economy. Some places you might not think get a lot of sun damage, like behind are your eyes, are actually more susceptible to cancer cells, so the only way to be sure you're safe is to have a full scan.

The good news is that even before getting that scan you can start saving your skin now. Wear sunscreen and stay out of the tanning salons (as a recovering tanorexic I know how hard this can be). If a tan is the only thing that goes with your new summer dress, wear bronzer or get a spray tan. Click here to read our favorite faux glow products.

For more simple ways to keep your health in check this summer check out my full interview with Dr. Minaya.

iMag travel host Jennie Sargen takes you behind-the-scenes of iMag's latest shoot.

Summer is finally here, but in these tough economic times, most people feel like they can't afford that well-deserved vacation. But after a day of interviews with travel experts (three in a row starting at 8am!), I can assure you that's not the case. What they recommended may be 'off the beaten path', but it will be hard to beat these values.

I met the crew (including my amazing producer Zarine Patel) at Centro Vinoteca, a trendy restaurant in downtown New York. Although it was early in the morning just being out of the office made it feel like a mini vacation. First up I chatted with tour guide Annika Blau about volunteer vacations. While they aren't always the cheapest option they are definitely the most rewarding. Click here to watch the video.

Next I had drinks (non-alcoholic of course) with Thomas Carlson, a veteran travel agent. He said everything is negotiable these days, especially if you're trying to get great deals at luxury resorts and gave me some insider tips the pros use to get first class service at a fraction of the cost ... I am seriously considering using a travel agent from now on. Click here to find out how you can travel like a VIP without paying the price.

For our last interview we went uptown to a beautiful apartment overlooking central park ... an apartment that you might just be able to stay in if you're considering house-swapping. The apartment owner Diane Drey has house-swapped her way across the US and even Europe, and swears it is a great, affordable way to see the world. If you want the inside story on this travel phenomenon click here.

Another take on house swapping is couch surfing, which you can explore at couchsurfing.com. Couch surfing is more of a social alternative than house-swapping because your hosts are there while you visit, and often act as tour guides for your stay. One user described it as more intense form of hitchhiking. And while it may seem intimidating - you'll certainly want to research your host to make sure it's a match - it offers an "insiders look" into the area and culture where you are traveling.

Check out iMag's travel section for more great tips!

Get inspired to shed those extra lbs this summer with these tips from iMag's 10 Pound Takedown candidate Vicki:

I am finally seeing some great results! My energy is way up. I have been waking up an hour earlier before work to hit the gym, and I'm loving it. This is my second week doing that, and it's really working for me this time.

Now, the results weren't dramatic. I felt better after the first week on the program, but after the second week, I have to admit I was getting discouraged. But the third week, it CLICKED.

And now it's on...

The best part about it is that it feels like a lifestyle change. It's not cutting out bread or just eating bland ... it's getting into the kitchen and creating the foods I like to eat.

Here are a few things that have worked for me (that hopefully will help you guys too)!

1)      Do your food shopping on Sunday to get it out of the way.

2)      Mentally figure out what you will eat throughout the week.

3)      Do a lot of cooking for the week on Sunday.

4)      Eat vegetables as a snack (I love cucumbers with a yogurt dip).

5)      Wake up early in the morning to go to the gym (I always wanted to be one of those people but never had the energy or motivation). Now it's working!

Good Luck!

Click here to get started on iMag's 10 Pound Takedown summer weight loss series!

Our 10 Pound Takedown Plan has put Sharon on the fast track to diet success. Check out her amazing progress so far:

I'd like to give Ken and Sari some serious high 5's. Somehow I've survived the past few weeks and I've even come up a few pounds lighter! I lost 2.6 lbs the first week and I literally went on a shopping spree I was so excited! Then, weighing myself after Memorial Day, I found I'd lost another 5.3. And that was after (I'm being 100% honest here, hopefully Ken and Sari won't hate me) drinking and eating all weekend. Between BBQs and weddings (best cocktail hour EVER) I somehow managed to cut enough of the crap I'd usually eat out of my diet and still lose weight. And it helps that those workouts are INTENSE!

I'll never be a picture of nutrition and exercise perfection, but I'm definitely learning when it's okay to indulge and when it's okay to cancel dinner plans and hit the gym. It's been a weird balance but I haven't fallen on my butt yet

Congrats Sharon, keep us posted!

Click here to get started on the plan!

You're almost through week 2! What's the status on those skinny jeans? Get ready for a whole bunch of new meals, recipes and workouts to keep you motivated.

Here's what you'll need to get started on week 3!

Week 3 Grocery List

Week 3 Menus

Week 3 Workouts

If you're going to a bbq this weekend, don't stress! Click here for healthy substitutions that can cut up to 60 grams of fat from your meal. Wowsa!

Keep up the good work and let us know how it's going!

The 10 Pound Takedown isn't all fun and games, people! Sharon had an awesome week at the gym ... but she had an unfortunate run in with the mini-cupcake 100- calorie packs...

I MADE IT TO THE GYM FIVE TIMES THIS WEEK ... so far! I'm definitely looking forward to tomorrow being my day off but I'm even more impressed with myself for actually making it everyday. I've definitely had to move a few things around to accommodate this life change. I went out to dinner with a friend last night and made it my sushi dinner night - and was happy to enjoy some good conversation WITHOUT wine or beer (umm, that's new to me!). So, yay on the gym front.

But now for the cons, or 'Lifestyles of the Not-So-Rich and Not-So-Famous'. I have a sweet tooth. I mean, I have a mouth full of sweet teeth! So I thought I'd struck gold when I found 100 calorie packs of cupcakes. Not the case: I finished the box in just a few short days. Ouch. Three 100-calorie packs do not equal 100 calories. Oh well, I learned my lesson. Guess I'll have to spend a little more money buying them one at a time, since I now know that I can't be trusted with the whole box!!

Check out some pics from Sharon & Vicki's last training session with Ken.

This guy means business!

Ken helps Vicki lunge the right way.

Some weight training ...

Ken shows us the right way to squat! Take notes!

Do you have any good snacking tips? Leave a comment below!

And if you're just getting started on the plan - click here!

Happy Friday! Aside from it being the start of the weekend (it couldn't come fast enough!), it's also time to start prepping for week 2 of The 10 Pound Takedown. Hopefully week 1 went well and you're revved up for another week of great meal plans, recipes and workouts from our experts Sari Greaves (RD CDN) and Ken Szekretar (New York Sports Club Trainer).

We bet those skinny jeans are fitting better already...

Here's what you'll need to print out for week 2!

Week 2 Grocery List

Week 2 Menus

*tasty new recipes are included in the menu above!

Week 2 Workouts

If you're just starting, here's what you'll need for week 1! First, click here to watch our video that explains the program.

Week 1 Grocery List

Week 1 Menus

Week 1 Workouts

Recipe: Baked Salmon Dijon

Recipe: Chicken & Spinach with Creamy Dijon Sauce

Sari's Super Snack List

We're all going to the gym this weekend no matter what good excuses come our way (like a 90210 marathon, knowing that the hot trainer doesn't work on Saturdays, our cute yoga pants are in the wash, it's raining, we need a nap, we walked to work two days ago, etc.).

Have a great weekend, enjoy your Laughing Cow cheese snacks, and if you've learned any good dieting tips and tricks, please leave a comment below.

Let's check in with Sharon and see how Week 1 on the 10 Pound Takedown is treating her!

Okay, so I'm only in the first couple of days but I'm still alive!! I cooked (for maybe the first time in my tiny nyc kitchen) and didn't burn the place down, so I'm thinking it was a success.  And it tasted so good. I've started a folder with the recipes from Sari!

I've been a gym member for years but I've never really had much guidance. So even when I had (what I considered to be) good weeks, I probably wasn't doing as much for my body as I thought I was. Following Ken's guidance and the workouts he's planned is perfect. It takes all the thought out of going to the gym and I LOVE that!

I do however have a love/hate relationship with weight/circuit training. The weights are hard. I've definitely never pushed myself like this before but I'm looking forward to seeing the results, umm ... it's just too bad I didn't see them on Day 1 - gotta love instant gratification. I know I'm going to love the results ... but OUCH!! On my way home from the gym I was thinking how it's similar to dating bad boys (or seeing your ex). It's like regardless of how much it hurts, you know you have to do it, because it's good for you. Wait, does that work? Yes...no matter how much fun you're having dating the bad boy (aka not doing weights) you know that you need to end things (aka go to the gym) because you'll be WAY better off in the long run, which = 10 lbs lighter with a new man!!

I haven't made any plans for this week but it'll be interesting to see how well I'm able to stick with it over the weekend...to be continued!

Do you have advice for Sharon? Have you started the plan? Let us know!

The best part about losing weight with our 10 Pound Takedown series is that you still get to eat snacks! (We're big fans of snacks over here at iMag.) But we've decided to ignore the donuts taunting us near our manager's office and try some of Registered Dietician, Sari Greaves' super snacks instead.

Here are a few of our faves, click here for the full list!

• Frozen Fruit Snacks: Freeze sliced bananas, strawberries, berries, or grapes; enjoy 1/2 cup serving for a refreshing snack
• 3 cups fat-free popcorn
• Spread 1 tablespoon part-skim ricotta cheese on 2 whole-grain crackers (35-40 calories each such as Kavli or Wasa crisps), top with 2 fresh figs (quartered) or 2 tablespoons raisins and drizzle with 1 teaspoon honey.
• Any single serving frozen dessert, 150 calories or less such as Skinny Cow or Weight Watchers single-serving frozen treats, Klondike Slim-A-Bear Chocolate Sandwich
• 1 part skim string cheese or any single serving (1-ounce) reduced fat cheese such as Laughing Cow Light Cheese Wedges or Jarlsberg light slices

Is this your first time on The 10 Pound Takedown blog? Click here to watch the video to get started with our new summer weight loss series!

Print out the Week 1 meal plan

Print out Week 1 workouts

Print out the recipes: Baked Salmon Dijon and Chicken & Spinach with Creamy Dijon Sauce

Stay tuned! On Friday we'll post the grocery list, meal plan and workouts for Week 2! Keep up the good work and let us know how it's going! We'd love to hear from you!

We're glad you're back for day 2 of our new summer weight loss series, The 10 Pound Takedown! If you need some added motivation, tell your friends and co-workers about our challenge and do it together. Here's tomorrow's meal plan, workout, and extra tips!

The Workout: Weight Training Circuit

Created by NYSC Trainer Ken Szekretar

Start this workout with a 10 minute cardio warm-up. Then go through the following circuit three times. Try to use weights that will challenge you to do 20 repetitions of each exercise with good form. Remember to only rest after each full circuit has been performed.

The exercises include:

*Squats with dumbbells or barbell on shoulders

*Dumbbell lateral raise

*Forward lunge

*Dumbbell behind the head tricep

*12 inch box or use a step with 3 risers under each end (do a step up while doing a bicep curl as you are stepping up), do 15/leg, 30 bicep curls total

*Bodyweight push-ups from knees

*Lateral lunges, one arm dumbbell row

The Meal Plan:

Created by Sari Greaves, RD CDN

Breakfast: 6-ounce container of nonfat plain Greek yogurt mixed with ½ cup sliced fruit, ½ cup high fiber cereal, 1 tablespoon chopped nuts or ground flaxseeds. Optional: drizzle with 1 teaspoon honey.

Lunch: Leftover salad or sandwich

Re-heat baked salmon dijon from last night in the microwave and either:

1) Put it over mixed salad greens with chopped vegetables; select a salad dressing option from menu #1; enjoy with 50-60 calories worth of whole grain crackers on the side (2 Wasa or 7 Kashi  TLC crackers).

2) Place leftovers into a "skinny bread" option: Arnold's sandwich thin, 2 thin slices of reduced calorie bread, a whole grain pita or tortilla.

Dinner: Chicken & Spinach in Creamy Dijon sauce

Wondering what to do with leftover sour cream and Dijon mustard? Here's a great way to put leftover ingredients to use. This nutrient-rich recipe reveals the secret to a cream sauce that is rich in taste, but not in calories. Shop at your local farmer's market for seasonal produce, and feel free to swap the spinach for any other dark green vegetable such as asparagus, swiss chard, broccoli or kale.

This recipe makes 4 servings. Prepare the entire recipe and store 2 servings in your refrigerator for immediate use and 2 servings in your freezer for later use.

Serve with a small baked sweet potato (about the size of a computer mouse or ½ large potato). Season the potato with black pepper or cinnamon.

To Microwave-Baked Sweet Potato:

1. Wash sweet potato
2. Puncture a few times with a fork. Place on paper towel on microwave-safe dish. Cook on high for 4-5 minutes. Turn over potato halfway through cooking.
3. If you cook a large potato, store the remaining half in your refrigerator covered for 3-4 days.

Snack Tip: Eating every 3-4 hours can help tame your hunger and prevent overeating later on. Choose 2 snacks daily and on vigorous workout days, enjoy 3 snacks. Vegetables are free and do not count towards your snack allowance unless they are starchy.  If you dunk your vegetables in a dip, follow recommended portions for yogurt dip, hummus, salsa, and dressing.

Print tonight's chicken recipe!

Just starting the plan? Click here to learn about The 10 Pound Takedown and get on board!

**Please note! Sari added some extra goodies to this week's grocery list. Click here for the updated list! New items have been added to the bottom of the list!