More: Sony hacks: A full timeline of every dirty detail revealed

But the movie, which became a nationwide talking point when terrorist threats caused Sony to cancel its premiere and then release it to select theaters and on-demand sites, actually has a few funny scenes — or, at least, scenes that people are going to be talking about. If you want to be a part of the conversation without wasting hours of your life watching a pretty terrible movie, you're in luck — I wasted hours of my life so you wouldn't have to. Here are The Interview's funny, surprising and gross moments that are sure to be talked about in the office on Monday.

Warning: Huge spoilers ahead!

More: President Obama can't believe North Korea is scared of Seth Rogen

Image: Giphy.com

1. Eminem's epic coming out

By now, you've surely heard of the opening scene, in which James Franco's character, Dave Skylark, is interviewing rapper Eminem as he comes out on live TV. It actually gave me really high hopes for the movie, because it happens in the first five minutes and it is hilarious. If you haven't already, check it out below:

 2. "Honey-potting" is probably a thing people will say now

In The Interview, "honey-potting" is what Lizzy Caplan's sexy spy character does to Skylark. Basically, it's just using your attractiveness to get a guy to agree to do something for you, then revealing that you're actually super-intelligent and you planned everything out for him. Casual sexism FTW. Anyway, people are probably going to insist on using this term, so now you'll at least know what it means.

Image: Giphy.com

3. More sexism, plus racism and homophobia

I guess it should come as no surprise that a lot of the humor in The Interview is pretty low-brow — "honey-potting" isn't even close to the most sexist joke. Throw in some serious racism, body-shaming, homophobia and poor taste, and you've pretty much got The Interview in a nutshell. There's a running joke through the whole movie that margaritas are "gay," plus tons of other off-color references to gay sex. Skylark's insistence that malnutrition and poverty aren't problems in North Korea is based on having seen one overweight child (and he makes a ton of mean jokes about the kid's weight). The fake "Engrish" accents the Americans use to make fun of Koreans and the movie's attempts to make light of serious social issues in North Korea, including rampant poverty, starvation and human rights violations, make for a whole movie full of disappointing jokes.

4. Singing Katy Perry

That much being said, not all the gags are terrible. Kim Jong-un's love for Katy Perry is pretty hilarious, and a scene where he and Skylark rock out to "Firework" in Kim's personal tank definitely had me giggling. You can catch the scene at the end of this trailer:

5. The cutest puppy of all time

OMG, that puppy! In case you missed it in the trailer above, there's a close-up below. That is, without a doubt, the cutest puppy I've ever seen. In my life.

Image: Sony Pictures Entertainment

More: First look at James Franco as gay activist (PHOTO)

Bonus: The Interview is a huge hit in China

If you don't care about knowing what happens in the movie but still want to be in the loop, here's a fun fact to share at the water cooler: The Interview is absolutely huge in China. The New York Times reports that more than 300,000 people have pirated the film in China, and the online reviews have been bafflingly positive.

"Perfect, the greatest film in history, all hail Sony," read one online comment. "Their ability to amuse is out of this galaxy," another reviewer wrote of Franco and Rogen.

Although China is North Korea's only major ally, many ordinary Chinese citizens have concerns about their government being so friendly with the North Korean regime — one reason people in China may be so taken with such a mediocre movie, the Times reports.

Divergent: Insurgent

Image: Lionsgate

Shailene Woodley is back as Tris, fighting against the rigid society that seeks to expel her for being different. Ansel Elgort and Kate Winslet also star.

Divergent: Insurgent breaks free at the theater March 20.

More: Zoë Kravitz shares details on bloody injury from the Divergent set

2. A Little Chaos

Image: Lionsgate

Sabine (Kate Winslet), a fiercely independent and talented landscape artist, attempts to design one of the largest gardens at King Louis XIV's new palace at Versailles. Sabine fights to push the boundaries of gender and class while falling in love with the court's renowned landscape artist André Le Notre (Matthias Schoenaerts).

A Little Chaos gets digging April 3.

3. Avengers: Age of Ultron

Image: Marvel

As Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) attempts to revive a long-forgotten peacemaking program, the dangerous Ultron (James Spader) has other plans. Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) and Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) must reunite to bring Ultron down.

Avengers: Age of Ultron blasts into theaters May 1.

More: Age of Ultron — why Elizabeth Olsen may steal Scarlett Johansson's thunder

4. Don't Mess with Texas

Image: Rob Rich/Fayesvision/Wenn.com

When a drug dealer's wife (Sophia Vergara), goes on the run with a police officer (Reese Witherspoon), a lot of good and bad guys pursue them in this action-comedy.

Don't Mess with Texas makes a run for the border on May 8.

5. Mad Max: Fury Road

Image: Warner Bros.

Max (Tom Hardy) is a warrior in the truest sense, even if the war he's battling is against a broken, post-apocalyptic society. Charlize Theron and Nicholas Hoult also star.

Mad Max: Fury Road hits the pavement May 15.

More: Nicholas Hoult spills the beans on Jack the Giant Slayer (VIDEO)

6. Pitch Perfect 2

Image: Universal

The Barden Bellas, including Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson, are back for more a cappella amusements. This one's directed by Elizabeth Banks, who also stars.

Pitch Perfect 2 hits a high note May 15.

7. Jurassic World

Image: Universal

We've seen the trailer and are just counting down the days before the yummy Chris Pratt saves humanity from hungry resurrected dinos.

Jurassic World roars into theaters June 12.

8. Magic Mike XXL

9. Terminator Genisys

10. Masterminds

Image: Ivan Nikolov/FayesVison/Wenn.com

Mastermindsopens Aug. 14, 2015

11. Everest

Image: Joseph Marzullo/Ivan Nikolov/Wenn.com

Based on the real 1996 Everest disaster, Jake Gyllenhaal and Jason Clarke become stranded on the world's tallest mountain during a deadly storm. Keira Knightley also stars.

Everestclimbs into theaters Sept. 15.

12. The Jungle Book

Image: Wenn.com

Based on the beloved children's adventure story, this movie features Neel Sethi as Mowgli, Bill Murray as Baloo, Lupita Nyong'o as Rakcha and Scarlett Johansson as Kaa.

The Jungle Bookswings into theaters Oct. 9

13. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 2

Image: Lionsgate

We are so ready for this franchise to reach to its final conclusion! So much has happened for actress Jennifer Lawrence since the first film premiered in 2012, and we can't wait to see her next chapter.

Mockingjay — Part 2takes flight Nov. 20

14. Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens

Image: Lucasfilm

Set 30 years after the Return of the Jedi, Episode VIIreunites Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, Harrison Ford as Han Solo and Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens is in theaters Dec. 18.

But when it was put in front of me as my only dessert choice, of course I had to take a bite. A bite ended up being me licking the plate about five minutes later, though, because it was good. It's like meringue and cotton candy combined, because it has this slight bit of chew going on with the cotton candy, melt-in-your-mouth kind of thing at the same time.

The best part is that you can top it with whatever you like. Any fruit will do; even some whipped cream in between would be great too. And most important, it's the simplest dessert you can make. Really... Your mixer does all the work, and you just pretty much bake, wait and then dig into this beauty.

Pomegranate-cranberry pavlova recipe

A simple meringue dessert perfect for a New Year's celebration.

Serves 4

Prep time: 15 minutes | Bake time: 1 hour | Inactive time: 1 hour | Total time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 egg whites
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 5 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• 1/2 cup cranberries
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/2 cup pomegranate arils
• 1 tablespoon honey
• Mint, for garnish

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a baking mat.
2. To the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, add the egg whites.
3. Whisk on high speed for about 1 to 2 minutes until soft peaks form.
4. Slowly add the sugar while the mixer is running, and continue mixing until glossy.
5. Remove the bowl from the mixer, and fold in the cornstarch and vinegar.
6. Transfer the mixture onto the baking sheet, making a circular shape and slightly indenting the middle.
7. Place in the oven, and immediately lower the temperature to 250 degrees F.
8. Bake for 1 hour, turn off the oven, and let the pavlova cool completely in the oven with the heat off.
9. Once cooled, start the topping by combining the cranberries, orange juice and honey in a small saucepot over medium heat.
10. Cook until the cranberries start to burst and most of the liquid has cooked off. Turn off the heat, stir in the pomegranates, and spoon on top of the pavlova.
11. Garnish with mint.

More New Year's recipes

Edible party horns
Pomegranate cheesecake
Eggnog roulade with rum buttercream

When I think of strudel, my mind automatically heads to dessert (thanks to my sweet tooth), but this recipe for savory strudel with prosciutto, sweet peppers and mozzarella is something to serve before dessert.

I'm not going to lie. You can deliver this impressive dish with almost zero effort, and your guests will never know how easy it is to make this golden, flaky delight.

Whether you're entertaining or looking for something significant to serve as part of a lighter meal, the sweet peppers, prosciutto and mozzarella get wrapped in a flaky crust (thank you, puff pastry) that keeps them warm and tasty.

Savory strudel with prosciutto, sweet peppers and mozzarella recipe

This is a perfect dish when you're entertaining. It takes only a few minutes to put it together, and the rest of the time is basically spent in the oven. No fuss, no muss! It delivers a pretty presentation, and you can easily switch up the ingredients.

Serves 6

Prep time: 5 minutes | Cook time: 25 minutes | Inactive time: 10 minutes | Total time: 40 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 sheet packaged puff pastry (packages usually come with 2 sheets)
• 6 ounces prosciutto, cut into 4-inch strips
• 1 (10 ounce) jar roasted, sweet red peppers, drained and sliced to lie flat
• 4 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1 tablespoon water
• Flour to dust work surface
• Parchment paper

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Add a sheet of parchment paper to a baking sheet, and set aside.
2. Dust a clean, flat work surface with the flour. Lay out the puff pastry, and carefully roll it into a rectangle, sized approximately 12 x 14 inches.
3. Use a pastry scraper to help lift the pastry up off the work surface so it doesn’t stick when you begin to roll it. Keep it flat on the work surface.
4. Layer the prosciutto out flat over half the dough (on the shorter side of the dough). Be sure to keep a 1-inch edge around the ingredients.
5. Follow with the peppers, and then finally, the mozzarella cheese.
6. Roll the dough from the end with the ingredients all the way to the opposite end. Tuck the edges of the dough under the roll.
7. Place on the baking sheet seam side down. Add the water to the egg, mix, and then lightly brush over the top and sides of the roll.
8. Bake for 25 minutes or until golden, then remove from the oven, and let cool on a rack for 8 to 10 minutes.
9. Slice into 2-inch pieces, and serve.

For tons of great recipes, like our I <3 Comfort Food page on Facebook.

More appetizer recipes

Savory chickpea and sweet potato hand pies with spicy mint sauce
Chickpea, carrot and walnut bundles with yogurt-mint dip
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It's hard to imagine a time when racism was even more insidious than it is today, coupled with undisguised discrimination, which is how things were in this country at that time. However, I worry that the lessons of Selma, and Dr. King, have not been properly learned and that bigots have only mastered the ability to better hide their intolerance. In the wake of Ferguson, and the Eric Garner case in Staten Island, that may be too simplistic an explanation.

If we unfold the past, specifically in Alabama in 1964, perhaps it may illustrate where we are today. President Johnson had just signed the Civil Rights Act outlawing discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin. Yet, George Wallace, the governor of Alabama, and his racist, hate-filled constituency ignored federal law in favor of Jim Crow. These state-mandated segregation laws made it impossible for black Americans to enjoy dining out or simply going to a movie without the fear they would be beaten or arrested. The underpinning of which feels all too familiar.

Dr. King's message was one of peace and unity, advocating for the idea that these are not "black problems" but American problems. Intellectually, it seems preposterous to have an opinion about an entire race, or even an individual, just based on the color of their skin. Shouldn't we judge actions? I hate pedophiles of all kinds. Everyone should. That makes sense to me, but having an opinion about a person based on skin color seems stupid.

As a developmental psychologist I can tell you that racism is learned, it is not innate. Study after study has shown that children play with other children without even a notion of race. Certainly they might notice differences, however they don't form opinions based on those observations. Further, and frankly more disturbing, one particular study at the University of Texas found that it's white parents who do more damage by adopting a "color blind" approach, meaning, they act like they don't even notice color. Research has shown that not discussing racial differences with children can be just as detrimental as promoting negative stereotypes about them. In contrast, minority mothers talk to their children about race all the time. What this and other studies have found was that children come to their own conclusions about race, often wrong ones, and if parents aren't discussing it with them it sends the message that it must be a bad thing.

One of the more disturbing differences between what we see in the film, Selma, and what's happening in our country right now, has to do with televising protests in general. In 1965 people witnessed, for the first time on television, news coverage of white police turning fire hoses and dogs on black protestors. These images galvanized many in the nation to come to Alabama and join the cause along side Dr. King and his fellow civil rights protesters. People of all races did that. Whereas today we are so desensitized to images such as protests, marches and even violence that complaints like, "They're blocking traffic" and "Won't this hurt Christmas shopping?" end up superseding the more important message.

Attitudes about race really haven't changed that much. Viewpoints surrounding Ferguson protests, for example, were so polarized; there really wasn't a consensus or thoughtful discussion. Today, there might be more people of all ethnicities who are concerned and do take action, but the fact remains... we still have the need. The fact that we do is sad and disheartening, but hardly surprising. Racism isn't something that will go away in a couple of generations. It is an ongoing battle that, distressingly, may never end.

10. 3-Ingredient slow cooker pineapple teriyaki chicken recipe

Seriously? Three ingredients and 15 minutes of prep time? This chicken dinner is easier than putting on pants and going out to eat.

9. Warm, comforting slow cooker chili made 3 ways

The epitome of slow cooker dinners: chili. And here you've got three different but equally delicious choices.

8. 5-Ingredient slow cooker rice pudding recipe

I don't even know if I like rice pudding, but this five-ingredient recipe has to be the easiest ever and worth a try.

7. Slow cooker sticky honey teriyaki chicken recipe

The possibilities are endless for dishes you can make with this sticky honey teriyaki chicken. Make it on Sunday, eat all week long.

6. Slow cooker shredded beef burrito-enchilada recipe

After you make this chili powder-infused beef, turn it into mouthwatering personal pans of ridiculously cheesy enchilada-burritos.

5. 4 Big-batch slow cooker cocktails

Slow cooker cocktails practically make themselves, which is a grand quality in a boozy beverage. And because sometimes you need more than one drink, these are four perfect big-batch options.

4. Super-easy slow cooker Bolognese sauce recipe

You know how Bolognese usually requires hours of stirring? Not so much with this easy slow cooker recipe.

3. 3 No-fuss slow cooker cakes

Attention, lazy bakers: These slow cooker cakes are the answer to your prayers.

2. Slow cooker apple cider pulled chicken recipe (plus 2 leftovers ideas)

One easy batch of apple cider pulled chicken leads to yummy leftovers, like this cheesy chicken sandwich.

1. Slow cooker Cherry Coke beef carnitas recipe

Cherry Coke is the perfectly sticky-sweet addition to simple beef carnitas. Think of all the meals you can make with this easy base recipe: tacos, burritos, fajitas, salads. I could go on, or you could just eat it by the forkful directly from the Crock.

For tons of great recipes, like our I <3 Comfort Food page on Facebook.

More slow cooker recipes

Slow cooker Chinese-style mu shu chicken
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Prepping the vegetables is a little bit time consuming, but overall this dish is quite simple to make. There is a lot of boiling — the pasta, the butternut squash and the red pepper — leaving you with time to prepare side dishes for this wonderful meal.

The butternut squash sauce over the pasta is thick and creamy, so I added 1/2 cup of almond milk to the entire pureed squash and pepper, but if you like an even thinner sauce, then feel free to add more liquid until you reach your desired consistency.

If desired, you can leave out the cheese and top this dish with a handful of chopped pecans or other kind of nut. You can also substitute the parsley with basil. Basil has a stronger flavor, which works well with the vegetables if you like basil. Don't forget some salt and pepper, to taste, and this meal is ready to be devoured.

Red pepper and butternut squash pasta recipe

This pasta dish is absolutely delicious and packed with healthy ingredients. The sauce is made with red pepper and creamy, pureed butternut squash, lending a delicious fall flavor.

Serves 6-8 

Prep time: 22 minutes | Cook time: 18 minutes I Total time: 40 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 pound spaghetti noodles
• 1 large red bell pepper
• 3 cups (1 small) butternut squash, peeled and cubed
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Parmesan cheese, for topping
• Chopped parsley, for topping (optional)

Directions:

1. Boil a large pot of water on your stovetop. Peel and dice a small butternut squash. Place the pieces of squash into the pot, and boil until the squash is tender (about 15 to 18 minutes).
2. Meanwhile, remove the stems and seeds from the pepper. Coarsely chop it, and add it to the boiling water about 3 to 4 minutes before the squash is totally softened.
3. In another large pot, boil water, and add the pasta. Follow the package directions for the pasta you are using.
4. To a blender, add the tender squash, tender peppers, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, pepper and almond milk. Blend until a thick sauce is created. Feel free to add more milk (you could also try a vegetable broth) until your desired consistency is reached. Depending on the size of your blender, you may have to do a few batches.
5. Drain the noodles, and top with the squash mixture. Add Parmesan cheese and parsley, if desired.

More squash recipes

Baked butternut squash fries
Chickpea and butternut squash patties
Brown rice and spinach-stuffed butternut squash

Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz announced the arrival of their baby boy by posting a photo on her Instagram page, which showed his little footprints, his weight (6 pounds, 5 ounces) and his Biblically inspired baby name — Genesis Ali Dean.

The name Genesis is a Biblical baby name that means "beginning." The name is a unique choice for boys, as it hasn't ranked in the top 1,000 for over 10 years on the Social Security Administration's list of the top boy names. His middle name, Ali, is a name of Muslim origin that means "excellent" or "noble."

Genesis has been steadily increasing in popularity for girls, however, and is currently ranked as the 55th most popular name. How to Get Away with Murder star Viola Davis actually has a daughter named Genesis.

Keys and Beatz are fond of unique names, as they named their 4-year-old son Egypt. Beatz has three children named Nicole, Prince Nasir and Kasseem from previous relationships.

Although the singer hasn't yet revealed her specific reason for naming her son Genesis, she did open up as to why she picked the name Egypt.

"I took an important trip for myself to Egypt. There were a lot of things that needed to change. I was not as experienced then, so I felt close to a breakdown. I went to Egypt, and I went alone. I sailed down the Nile and I saw the temples, the tombs and the pyramids. It was powerful. It was very Cleopatra," she said. "When we found out I was pregnant, my husband said, 'Egypt was such an important time for you. That really changed your life. Wouldn’t that be amazing as a name?' Once he said that, I was like, 'Yes.'"

Keys did reveal while appearing on Live! With Kelly & Michael that big brother Egypt already had some Disney-inspired names picked out for his sibling.

"He's like, 'What about Prince Eric or Ariel?'" she revealed.

Although they didn't settle on this type of name, Egypt may have been onto something with the Disney-inspired names, as they are a hot trend. Rachel Bilson named her daughter Briar Rose after the princess in Sleeping Beauty and Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling named their daughter Esmerelda after the female lead in The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Gender-bending baby names like Genesis are a new trend with celebrity parents, with many choosing boy names for girls. Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher welcomed a daughter they named Wyatt, while Jessica Simpson named her daughter the traditional boy name of Maxwell.

Tell us: What do you think of the name Genesis Ali? Weigh in below!

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March 2015 is exciting. This is when you finally make that love connection. Best part? He's single, sane, solvent and totally into you. This promises months of bliss and passion until you hit a major speed bump in August and September. Usually it's the guy you're seeing who's got all the problems, but this time it will be you. Be ready to deal with the reappearance of a certain person or stubborn complication from the summer of 2014. What wasn't taken care of then will need to be taken care of promptly. Your love life depends on it.

Up next: Taurus horoscope

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Saturn leaving Scorpio on Dec. 23 signaled the end to the two worst years of your life. Naturally you'll want to put as much distance between yourself and this relationship that soured as you can. And you will. However, Saturn's retrograde back into Scorpio on June 14 will bring your ex back into your life. Trust that there's good reason for it. It may be to help a mutual friend or a loved one who's experiencing a rough time. You both being there for this person shows that you still have a friendship no matter what went down.

Up next: Gemini horoscope

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Saturn in your opposite sign can be a real downer when it comes to love. It will either materialize as circumstances that keep you from your heart's desire (think of Scarlett O'Hara's frustrated crush on Ashley Wilkes) or your lover brings more minuses than pluses to the table. He may be saddled with debt, alimony payments or hobbled by self-doubt. Nevertheless Saturn's tenure in Sagittarius will open your heart in unexpected ways. You'll learn about compassion, sympathy and even sacrifice. For someone who lives so much in her head, this can't help but be a good thing.

Up next: Cancer horoscope

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Relationships are rarely fair and balanced. There are going to be times when your star is on the rise and there are going to be times when it will be his. The past two years have been challenging as you have had to carry the lion's share of the burden while he struggled with one setback after the next. Thankfully this comes to an end on March 16 when Uranus and Pluto form their last square. This is when his luck will change and that confident go-getter you fell in love with will finally be restored to you.

Up next: Leo horoscope

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Saturn out of Scorpio means that you don't have to deal with your crazy family anymore. No more emotional meltdowns, guilt trips or midnight phone calls for money. So is the coast clear for 2015? Nope. In May and June you'll have to deal with your partner's family going bonkers. But look on the bright side. He can't chide you about your relatives anymore as his will behave far worse than yours did. Moreover, your generosity of spirit during this time will prove to those who said you were never good enough for him that you are above reproach.

Up next: Virgo horoscope

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Saturn in that part of your solar horoscope that pertains to hearth and home shows you taking on added responsibilities in order to build a better life. You might take out a home loan to remodel, move to a swankier address or even welcome a new member to the fold. It pays to do this in 2015 but it will also bring high costs. That's what happens with Saturn. The trick to getting through this belt-tightening time is to remember that you'll be rewarded for your efforts with a much more solid foundation for you and your family.

Up next: Libra horoscope

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On March 16, 2015, Uranus and Pluto will complete their final square in the zodiac signs of Aries and Capricorn. These two planets have been wreaking havoc on your home life and your love life since June 2012 upsetting familiar fixtures and turning everything you knew upside down. There have been a lot of dramatic changes and it can even be said that some of these have even been for the better. Nevertheless you'll be glad to have your life back and thankfully your partner (the source of much of this disruption) will be settling down too.

Up next: Scorpio horoscope

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How good are you at sharing? That's the question you'll be wrestling with from June 15 to Sept. 17. Whether it's sharing space, sharing money or sharing yourself you'll find it's harder than you anticipated. You may even be tempted to pick up your toys and leave the sandbox on July 13 and Oct. 10. Don't. If the past two years taught you anything, it's that you really have to work on your interpersonal skills — especially with your nearest and dearest. They're not going to take marching orders like they used to; nor should they have to.

Up next: Sagittarius horoscope

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You're going to have a hard time generating that charisma and sex appeal while Saturn is in Sagittarius this year. Saturn tends to be an inhibiting force. It can make you feel dull, slow and completely unattractive. Ironically Saturn could be a plus because you won't be able to gush, enthuse and over idealize in the ways that you're used to. This might actually allow for someone who wants to court you to get a word in edgewise. You may be surprised to discover that love is a lot easier than you make it out to be.

Up next: Capricorn horoscope

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Why are you holding back? That's the question you'll be asking as Saturn begins its three-year stay in the most sensitive angle of your solar horoscope. You are no stranger to fear. In fact it's your fear of rejection that often hobbles your love life. This year you'll come to the realization that you will probably never vanquish that fear and ironically it's this realization that will liberate you. Sometimes it's not mastery but acceptance that unlocks the door. This insight may not transform your love life overnight but you'll see a dramatic improvement by August.

Up next: Aquarius horoscope

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All work and no play has made you a bit of a dull girl these past couple of years. Thank heavens Saturn moving out of your solar midheaven allows you to rekindle that love life that's been left on the back burner. This will come as a great relief to your partner who was beginning to wonder if you had forgotten how. And if you're a single Aquarian, then you'll find that January, April and November are the best times for dating. But watch out for July and August. Venus retrograde in Leo spells trouble on the romantic front.

Up next: Pisces horoscope

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Your ruling planet Jupiter moves into that part of your solar horoscope that pertains to partnership on Aug. 11. This is known as the "spouse house" in astrology. Jupiter here shows that you will be moving residences (if you're already married) or you will be moving in together (if you're not already married). You may be making the move for practical reasons but you will soon see how a change of scene gives you a renewed sense of purpose and belonging. But what if you're a single Pisces? No worries. You won't be by the time summer rolls around.

More horoscopes

Your weekly horoscope

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The year 2015 marks the halfway point of Uranus’ stay in your zodiac sign. Uranus is the planet of revolution and change; it’s a planet famous for kicking over the game board and sending all the pieces flying. And that’s certainly what you’ve experienced these past 4-1/2 years. However, Uranus doesn’t do this to mess with your life. It does this in order to bring your life into alignment with the greater design. This year that design will start to make a lot of sense as you see important pieces click into place in March, July and August.

Up next: Taurus horoscope

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The year 2015 is all about rebuilding the house and home that got torn apart over the past two years. If you’re not already in a new relationship by now, then you soon will be. Your aim is to recover lost ground, but this could inadvertently lead you to repeat the same mistakes. It’s something to think about during the Venus retrograde (July 25-Sept.6). It would be wise to remember that you can’t go home again, and more importantly, you don’t want to. You are being offered a fresh lease on life, and you should sign it on Oct. 9.

Up next: Gemini horoscope

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Mercury retrograding in all three air signs this year means that you still need to work on your people-pleasing skills. Mercury retrograde in Aquarius (Jan. 21-Feb. 11) shows you trying to win over a new group of friends that won’t be so easy; Mercury retrograde in Gemini (May 19-June 12) shows you having to make a big decision about the future of your romantic relationship; Mercury retrograde in Libra (Sept. 17-Oct. 9) shows that a frenemy is more enemy than friend. Perhaps the biggest surprise of 2015 is discovering who your true friends really are.

Up next: Cancer horoscope

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Two lunar eclipses directly impact you this year. The first one on April 4 pertains to your home life. This should bring a final resolution to a family disagreement or property dispute that’s worried you for months. You won’t like the outcome, but neither will the other party, which makes you even. The second eclipse (Sept. 27) shows you returning to a job or client. You may think that you can pick up from where you left off, but nothing could be further from the truth. A lot has changed, and you’ll be hard pressed to keep up.

Up next: Leo horoscope

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Jupiter comes out of retrograde on April 8. This is when you will get the cosmic green light to move ahead with all of those life changes you’ve been wanting to make. Don’t be shy because this is your peak time. In fact, you’ll recognize this change for yourself as things fall into place and you race forward at a clipped pace. Remember that Jupiter leaves Leo on Aug. 11, so you don’t have a lot of time to exploit your opportunities. Think big, act boldly and you’ll wind up with more than you originally aimed for.

Up next: Virgo horoscope

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You have a lot of dramatic life changes taking place this year with an eclipse in Pisces (March 20), Jupiter entering Virgo (Aug. 11) and a solar eclipse in your sign (Sept. 12). The first part of the year will be dicey because you won’t have a handle on things, but Jupiter in Virgo in August will help you to manage all of this and to make some really smart decisions. It’s not every year when the stars pile so much good fortune on your platter. Making sense of it, however, will still be up to you.

Up next: Libra horoscope

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The first lunar eclipse on April 4 will provide you with an opportunity to reinvent yourself. This is always a tricky prospect because what if people don’t like what they see? Bear in mind that people have grown overly familiar with what they see, which means you are bordering on becoming unremarkable. Take this time to pull out the stops, and you will surely impress! The second lunar eclipse on Sept. 27 reintroduces a certain someone back into your life. After months (years?) of incomplete forward passes and botched get-togethers, it looks like things will finally pan out.

Up next: Scorpio horoscope

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There really is an easier way to live your life, and it begins by not trying so hard. You were born under Mars, the planet of willpower, and Pluto, a planet that always plays for keeps. Both have been dominating your horoscope for longer than you can remember, but in 2015 they lighten up. Take advantage of this shift in energy to choose your battles wisely, to economize efforts and to side with your heart over obsession. Timely planetary aspects from Aug. 9 to Sept. 17 show you reconsidering a not very well thought out decision.

Up next: Sagittarius horoscope

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You may feel overburdened with Saturn in your sign, but you also have ruling planet Jupiter sailing through the highest points of your solar horoscope this year, too. A prominent Jupiter bestows good fortune and protection. This will do a lot to offset Saturn’s baleful influence. And if Jupiter doesn’t exactly neutralize, it will certainly help you to find a constructive way to cope with Saturn’s setbacks. Early August shows that there will be a rematch between you and a certain adversary. Before you were taken off guard, but this time you’re ready. Readiness — and experience — means that you’ll prevail.

Up next: Capricorn horoscope

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Uranus and Pluto form their seventh and final square on March 16. This brings to an end the squid versus the whale battle that has been raging between your need for lasting security and your need to be you. The end result is that you will be setting up house and home in the way you’ve always wanted to. Astonishingly, it won’t cost you your soul like you were afraid it would. In fact, future prospects improve so much on Aug. 11 when Jupiter enters Virgo that you’ll wonder what you were so worried about in the first place.

Up next: Aquarius horoscope

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People see you as a revolutionary. You have a reputation for fighting the “good fight,” and that’s what you’ve been doing for the past two years. However, Aquarius is also known as the architect of the zodiac. You believe in building more than tearing down, and this year you will have a chance to show off what you can do. This will impress higher-ups and change the minds of those who had you tagged as a rabble-rouser. In fact, you will make such a favorable impression that you can expect a reward, benefit or raise in the summer.

Up next: Pisces horoscope

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A solar eclipse at 29 degrees Pisces in March signals an extraordinary change in life direction for you. This is because the 29th degree is considered a critical degree in astrology. You will receive an offer, opportunity or bid that is just too good to pass up. And guess what? It is. The end result will be you finding yourself back on track to achieving the things you’ve always wanted to achieve in your life. There will be costs, however. Saturn in Sagittarius will see to that. Nevertheless, it’s a small price to pay for personal happiness and fulfillment.

More in horoscopes

Weekly love horoscopes: Dec. 29 – Jan. 4
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What's your color horoscope?

More: Valerie Bertinelli is the 6th celebrity to call Christina Aguilera a B

Earlier this month the "Moves Like Jagger" hit maker was celebrating her birthday on Dec. 18 at the Anaheim, California park with her fiancé Matt Rutler and their friends, and all was good and well until it came time to take a photo with Mickey Mouse!

According to TMZ, sources revealed to them that Aguilera and her friends tried to get a snapshot with Mickey Mouse but he declined because he was about to go on break and they were told that they would have to wait. But waiting is reportedly not something that The Voice coach was happy to do and she apparently had a "meltdown" and even declared that Mickey Mouse was an "asshole."

More: Christina Aguilera back on The Voice, but what about Gwen Stefani?

But it gets worse, TMZ reports that Aguilera then dropped the line, "Do you know who I am?" And when that didn't do the trick her crew apparently started "hurling threats" at the character and he had to be ushered into the "safe zone" and out of public view.

It is reported that the police were then called to deal with all the drama but by the time they arrive Aguilera and her crew had already left.

More: Christina Aguilera goes full-on earth mom with baby name

Whether the report that Aguilera threw a tantrum is true or not, one thing is certain, the singer got into the spirit of the park earlier in the day because she posted a cute snap of herself and friends sporting mouse ears.

Not only is this cheesecake topped with plenty of edible sparkles, glitz and gold sprinkles, but they're actually mixed into the crust and the batter too! That means every bite is loaded with enough shine to satisfy any sprinkle lover's heart. Now the real problem with this is stopping yourself after one slice so you don't pop the button off that sequined party dress.

New Year's Eve New York-style glittery cheesecake recipe

Adapted from Handle the Heat

If you're a glitzy, sprinkle-loving girl like me, then this cheesecake is for you! Made with rich cream cheese, Greek yogurt (for a tangy twist) and a ton of gold sprinkles and sparkles, this may be your very best party accessory for any NYE party you attend.

Serves 12-14

Prep time: 20 minutes | Cook time: 1 hour 25 minutes | Inactive time: 4-6 hours | Total time: 7 hours 45 minutes

Ingredients:

For the crust

• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 2-1/2 tablespoons honey
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 cup gold sprinkles

For the filling

More glamorous party desserts

Dessert fondue for two
Colorful candy funfetti dessert bowls
Avocado, chocolate and almond trifle

1. Aisha the baby orangutan

2. Really, though

3. So many panda pictures

4. So, so many

5. Birthday party level of panda pictures

6. Sloths!

7. Giraffe closeups!

8. Tortoises eating watermelon! (Enough with the exclamation points already, we've got it)

9. Pumbaa! (All right, now we've got it)

10. This wee cheetah

11. This important animal topiary

12. Trivia, like what

13. The Fresh Prince in bird form

14. The Great Peacock Giraffe

15. The occasional, on point meme

16. Underwater polar bear shenanigans

17. Relaxing roos

18. Koala mamas

19. Videos that help you determine your spirit animal

20. Facial expressions like this

21. And this

22. And this

23. Elephant dirt baths

24. Seasonally appropriate shots

25. Hump day photos

26. Animal love photos

27. No explanation necessary photos

28. Unknown species

29. More unknown species

30. Rhinos prancing

31. Zebras smiling

32. Eyes glaring

33. Happiness

More zoo fun

Top baby-friendly zoos and aquariums
Best US zoos and aquariums
Favorite California zoos

More: John Oliver is right about a lot of things, but not pumpkin spice

And while we love Oliver, we have to disagree with this particular bash because New Year's Eve is awesome.

1. Everyone isn't sick of the holidays

This one speaks for itself, but I'm always disappointed when the season is over. In the moment, it's easy to be stressed. But once it's gone, I realize each year how meaningful that time with family and friends really is.

2. You can never argue with another day off work

Heck, if our jobs want to pay us for spending a night blowing into noisemakers and wearing silly hats, we're never going to argue against it.

3. I'm never drunk, cold and tired... just tired... and maybe a little tipsy

Everyone doesn't crowd New York during New Year's Eve. Sure, it's a popular destination. But I prefer the comfort of my own home, with my family and friends, and lots of good Champagne.

More: John Oliver hits the FCC hard on the net neutrality issue

4. It isn't that hard to stare at Ryan Seacrest

There's a reason Seacrest is on the air... OK, two reasons. Sure he's good at his job, but he's also pretty easy on the eyes. I could name hundreds of people I'd rather watch less than Seacrest. Not to mention, I'm a fan of the New Year's Eve concerts. They make for great background noise at my yearly party. (See above.)

5. At least we aren't all staring at our cell phone

Oliver says interacting with strangers is one of the three pillars that makes New Year's Eve terrible. Yes, because how dare we all glance up from our cell phones for a night and interact with real humans?

6. If you're sitting around on a couch, you're at the wrong party

Fireworks, a game of pool and Wii drinking games are some of my New Year's Eve go-tos, and I highly recommend all of them. Clearly, you have no idea how to host a good party if all there is to do is sit on the couch.

7. Doing a cleanse wouldn't get me off the hook

If I told my friends I was doing a cleanse, they would tell me I was crazy and shove some french fries in my hand. No, seriously, I'm one of those gluten-free people (and my reasons are an article for another day), but suffice it to say, I barely get away with that. Because my friends are interested and invested in my life.

More: VIDEO: John Oliver and his fans shut down FCC website

8. You can be in bed by 11:45 either way

Just celebrate off a different time zone's clock. Unless you're in Samoa. Then you're the first one to welcome the New Year and we can't really help you there. But for me, in Arizona, I'll be watching that ball drop by 10:00 p.m. Which leaves plenty of time for at least one Die Hard movie, thank you very much.

Check out Oliver's full New Year's Eve bash below.

Do you celebrate the New Year or do you think Oliver is on to something with his rant?

Obviously we don't expect celebs to do the grunt work of figuring out how to color code their Louboutins or keep track of which clothes they already wore (once!). Lisa Adams, owner of LA Closet Design, knows what it takes to create a killer closet. She's a luxury closet designer with a long roster of celebrity clients including Fergie, Jaime King, Kris Jenner, Kyle Richards, Whitney Port and Jillian Michaels. Adams keeps her style-savvy clients happy by creating a space that's fully functional, yet high style.

Photo credit: Lisa Adams/LA Closet Design

Here are her secrets:

Celebrity closet must-haves

At first glance, some of the most popular celebrity closet requests don't seem that much different from a standard luxury closet — TV, seating space and refrigerator — but some requests are special for celeb status.

Vanity and makeup stations are a no-brainer, but Adams says even special cosmetic refrigerators are requested. 'Cause keeping your $300, two-ounce tub of La Mer on the counter just isn't an option.

A three-way mirror with a platform for tailoring is a must. After all, how else can you make sure your bum is paparazzi photo ready?

Seems ridiculous, but totally necessary

When asked which closet amenity seems ridiculous to have, Adams confessed, "I might be the wrong person to ask — I am all for closet amenities in a closet, as ridiculous as they might seem!"

"Celebrities love a purse prep station — a pull-out table and drawer to store your purse contents and make the process of changing out purses easier."

"It might seem like an over-the-top request in a closet, but one every woman and her closet can appreciate."

Celebrities have what in their closets?

Celebs are known for their eccentric demands. Here are a few crazy requests Adams has had to pull off:

• Stripper poll
• Temperature-controlled cabinets
• A three-story closet
• Storage for weapons
• Creating custom 24-karat gold skull-and-crystal drawer knobs
• Changing table for a dog (yes, you read that right)

Best perk of hiring a closet designer

No, it's not the rows of color-coordinated shoes or the ability to pop a bottle of champagne as you're putting on your undies (although that's a close second). The best part about hiring a pro is all the ways they help you stay organized.

Adams explains, "I have also cataloged each item in a closet and created an app for it, so my client can preset outfits for the week and in preparation for trips."

Um, that sounds pretty freaking fantastic, right?

Steal the look

Unfortunately, having a dressing room the size of a Manhattan apartment just isn't in the cards for most of us. But we can still create our own version of a killer closet.

Photo credit: Lisa Adams/LA Closet Design

Adams' playbook for creating a luxury closet for less

1. Lose the wire and plastic hangers and get matching hangers for your closet.
2. Add baseboards and crown molding to create a more finished look.
3. Add a chandelier and ottoman.
4. Update your knobs and handles.
5. Install pull-out valet hooks.

If you dish out the big bucks for creating your dream closet, of course you'll want to keep it organized.

"My top tip for having an organized closet is to assign a place for every item in your closet — if everything has its place, then maintaining an organized closet becomes that much easier," Adams shares.

"Within drawers, use partitioned drawer inserts to keep contents within the drawers organized and in their place. Within shelves, use acrylic or glass dividers to keep purses and sweater stacks tidy."

More closet inspiration

17 Insanely organized closets to inspire you
3 Closets that will make you want to live at Ikea
The world's largest closet is sparking some controversy

This week is the fourth and final week of the 4-week fitness challenge, which means this week you have five days of workouts.

How it works:

• Perform the week 1 workout two times
• Perform the week 2 workout once
• Perform the week 3 workout once
• Perform this week's flexibility routine once

This week's routine can be added to any of the other routines as a cool down, or it can be performed on its own. It's short — only about 10 minutes long — but by the end you'll feel relaxed and refreshed.

• What you'll need: Just your body
• The workout: Some of these stretches are static stretches, while others are more of a yoga flow; perform each exercise as detailed below

1. Chest opener: Static hold, 30 seconds

1. Clasp your hands behind your back, your shoulders relaxed, your posture tall and ears stacked over shoulders, stacked over hips, knees and ankles.
2. Lean back slightly and pull your hands down behind you to help open up your chest. You should feel a stretch in your chest and shoulders.
3. Look up as you feel comfortable and breathe deeply through your nose for the full 30 seconds.
4. Release your hands and return to standing.

2. Triceps side bends: Static stretch for 10 seconds per side, repeat twice

1. Stand tall with good posture, your knees slightly bent, your feet hip-distance apart.
2. Reach both hands up over your head, then bend your right elbow, dropping your right hand down the center of your back as you grasp just above your right elbow with your left hand.
3. Pull your right elbow down slightly to stretch your right triceps, then turn your head to the right to look up at your elbow.
4. Start bending slightly to the left from your waist to also stretch out the right side of your body. Hold for 10 seconds, return to standing and repeat on the opposite side.
5. Perform the stretch to each side two times.

3. Overhead stretch to forward fold

Exercises 3 - 6 start a flow series of active stretching that starts out very similarly to a yoga sun salutation. Perform as a flow. Move smoothly between each pose as detailed, repeating steps five and six three times.

• Stand straight and tall, feet together, arms at your side.
• Reach your arms out and up, extending them over your head as you look up. Hold for three seconds, reaching higher on each inhale and focusing on relaxing your shoulders away from your ears on each exhale.
• Start lowering your arms out straight to each side, stopping when they're extended outward from your shoulders.
• "Swan dive" forward by tipping at your hips, keeping your torso straight and your core tight.

4. Forward fold to half fold

• Bend your knees slightly and continue folding at the hips reaching your hands toward the floor. You do not have to touch the ground — only go as far as feels comfortable to you.
• Inhale and tighten your core, lifting your torso up slightly so your back is straight and parallel to the ground.

5. Move to plank

• Exhale and lower your hands back toward the ground.
• Plant your palms, bending your knees as necessary to accommodate the movement.
• Inhale and step your feet behind you into a full push-up position, your core tight and straight. You should form a straight line from heels to head.
• Hold the plank for 10 seconds.

6. Lower to floor, move to up dog, then downward dog

• Exhale, bend your elbows and slowly lower your chest toward the floor. You can drop your knees to the ground if you need to.
• Once you're on the ground, untuck your toes, extending them behind you. Press through your palms and lift your head and chest up and forward, extending your elbows as far as you can, all while keeping your shoulders relaxed. This is a cobra or upward dog position. With cobra, your hips and thighs are still on the ground. With upward dog, your hips, thighs and even your shins may lift up off the ground as you engage your core.
• Tuck your toes, engage your core and press your hips back and up toward the ceiling until your body forms and inverted "V" in downward dog. Relax your head between your arms and check to make sure your feet are hip distance apart.
• Hold downward dog for 10 seconds, breathing slowly and steadily through your nose.
• Push back to plank and repeat the #5 and #6 stretch series three times (plank, lower to floor, cobra or upward dog and downward dog).

7. Walk the dog: Active stretching, 20 seconds

1. Once you're done holding your third downward dog for 10 seconds, start walking out your legs to further stretch each calf.
2. Bend your right knee, pressing strongly through the back of your left leg, then extend your right knee and bend your left knee, pressing strongly through the back of your right leg.
3. Continue pedaling your feet back and forth like this for 20 seconds, holding each stretch for two breaths. It's a slow and controlled motion.

8. Runner's hip stretch: Active stretching, 60 seconds

1. From downward dog, press yourself forward into a full push-up position.
2. Keeping your back straight, step your right foot forward as far as you can, aiming to place it on the outside of your right hand. If you need to, lower left knee to the floor.
3. Keeping your weight focused over your palms, press your hips slightly forward to engage and stretch your hip flexors. Do not bounce.
4. Hold this position for five seconds, breathing steadily, then step your right foot back to plank position.
5. Repeat on the opposite side, again holding for five seconds. Continue alternating between left and right sides for the full 60 seconds.

9. Cat-cow: Active stretching, 60 seconds

1. Lower your knees to the ground so your knees are beneath your hips, your palms beneath your shoulders. Engage your core, with your back in a neutral, straight position.
2. Inhale, lift your head up and look toward the ceiling as you allow your back to carefully cave.
3. Exhale and reverse the movement, lowering your head between your arms as you arch your back as high as you can.
4. With a slow and steady inhale-exhale pattern, continue the cat-cow sequence for the full 60 seconds.

10. Butterfly: Static hold, 60 seconds

1. Sit on the ground with good posture, your back straight and tall. Draw your legs in toward your body, press the soles of your feet together and allow your knees to drop outward.
2. Grasp your ankles and try to draw your heels in closer to your hips.
3. Inhale, sit up taller then exhale, leaning forward over your feet while using your elbows to press your knees toward the ground. It's OK if they don't touch the ground!
4. Keep your core engaged and hold for 20 seconds, release, then repeat two more times.

11. Hip twist: Static hold, 30 seconds per side

1. Sit up tall and extend your legs in front of you.
2. Bend your right knee and cross it over your left leg. Hug your right knee with your left arm.
3. Inhale, sit up taller and reach your right arm behind you, twisting your torso to the right as you look over your right shoulder.
4. Hold for 30 seconds, release, and repeat on the opposite side.

12. Easy twist: Static hold, 30 seconds per side

1. Lie on your back, your knees bent, feet flat on the floor, hip-distance apart, your arms extended out from your sides.
2. With controlled movements, allow both knees to fall to the left. Make sure both shoulders stay flat on the ground, and turn your head to the right, looking over your right shoulder. Hold for 30 seconds.
3. Return your knees to center and hug your knees into your chest.
4. Place your feet flat on the floor again and repeat, this time allowing your knees to fall to the right.

More four-week fitness challenge workouts

Week 1: The baseline workout
Week 2: The strength workout
Week 3: The endurance workout

How it works:

This week you'll perform this routine once, adding it to the two workouts from week one and week two's workout. So, you're up to four total workouts this week!

The goal this week is to increase your heart rate for intense bursts of work interspersed with periods of rest. High-intensity workouts are short, sweet and tough. Because you get to rest here and there throughout the routine, you're able to push yourself harder and experience a greater calorie burn and cardiovascular load.

• You'll need: Just your body
• The workout: Perform each exercise as fast and hard as you can for 45 seconds, followed by 15 seconds of rest before moving on to the next exercise; rest one minute after finishing all seven exercises; repeat the full series three times

1. T-jacks

1. T-jacks are the exact opposite of jumping jacks. Start with your feet together, your knees slightly bent, your arms out laterally in a "T" formation.
2. Hop your feet out laterally as you draw your arms down to your sides, landing with your knees slightly bent.
3. Continue as fast as you can with good form for the full 45 seconds.

2. Mountain climbers

1. Start in a push-up position, your palms beneath your shoulders and your legs extended behind you, your body forming a straight line.
2. Draw your left knee in toward your chest, lightly touching your toes to the ground.
3. Hop your left leg backward as you extend your knee, and simultaneously hop your right leg forward as you draw your right knee in toward your chest.
4. Immediately hop both legs back to the starting position (left leg forward, right leg back) and continue the exercise as fast as you can for the full 45 seconds.

3. Lunge to front kick

1. Stand with your feet hip distance apart, your knees slightly bent.
2. Lunge your left leg forward, planting your foot with your weight on your left heel. Bend both knees and lower your back knee to the floor.
3. Just before your back knee touches down, shift your weight forward and press through your left foot as you draw your right knee up in front of your body, kicking your right heel forward. Only kick your leg up as high as you comfortably can, and keep your left leg slightly bent to help with balance and stability.
4. Reverse the movement, returning to a lunge before you press yourself back to the starting position.
5. Repeat on the other side, then continue the alternating lunge with kick for the full 45 seconds, paying special attention to form rather than speed.

4. Squat with upper cuts

1. Step your legs out wide, your toes angling outward. Bend your knees and lower yourself into a half squat, your weight centered between your heels.
2. Create fists with your hands and hold them in front of your body, your elbows bent. Tighten your arms, shoulders and core.
3. Punch your right arm in an uppercut in front of your body — punching up and across your body in an angled fashion, your torso may rotate slightly as you punch, so keep your core and hips tight to protect your back.
4. Immediately follow the right punch with a left punch, and continue the right-left uppercuts as fast as you can while maintaining good form. Continue for the full 45-seconds.

5. 180-degree jumping lunge

1. Stand with your feet staggered, your left foot a few feet in front of your right, your weight in your left heel. Bend both knees and lower your back knee toward the floor, keeping your torso upright and tall.
2. Push through your left heel and return to standing, then jump up into the air, turning your body 180 degrees, so you land with your right foot in front, your left foot in back, your knees slightly bent.
3. Go back down into a lunge, return to standing, then again jump into the air and turn 180 degrees.
4. Continue this lunge-hop-lunge sequence for the full 45 seconds. Focus on form, rather than speed.

6. V-thrusts

1. Start in a full push-up position, your hands beneath your shoulders, your legs extended straight behind you, your weight on the balls of your feet. Your body should form a straight line from heel to head.
2. Hop your feet forward, so your knees are pulled into your chest, your back is still straight, your weight on the balls of your feet.
3. Hop your legs back and to the right, so they're positioned diagonally to the right of your shoulders.
4. Hop your feet back up to center, then hop your legs back and to the left, so that this time they're positioned diagonally to the left of your shoulders.
5. Continue this "V" formation as you hop up-back-up-back for the full 45 seconds. Keep your core strong and tight to protect your back during each hopping phase, landing light on the balls of your feet.

7. Super bananas

• Lie on your stomach, your legs extended behind you, your arms reaching in front of you.
• In a single movement, tighten your core and lift your arms and legs from the ground, as if you were flying like Superman. Hold for a second, then lower to the ground.
• Roll over to your back, your arms at your sides and your legs extended.
• In a single movement, tighten your core and lift your legs from the ground as you also crunch your shoulders from the floor. Hold for a second and reverse the movement.
• Roll back to your stomach and continue this superman-banana combination for the full 45 seconds.

More four-week fitness challenge workouts

Week 1: The baseline workout
Week 2: The strength workout
Week 4: The flexibilty workout

This week is all about building muscle. Strength training is an incredibly important part of a fitness routine because lean muscle is compact, taking up less space in your body than fat. This means a leaner, 140-pound person will look thinner than the same 140-pound person who carries more fat.

Not to mention, muscle mass is a natural fuel burner. As you build muscle mass, you'll burn more calories at rest than you would otherwise. As a result, your body will become a lean, toned and strong calorie-burning machine.

How it works

This week, you'll be performing three workouts. In addition to performing week one's 30-minute cardio and strength building circuit twice, you'll add the following strength-building routine once.

• You'll need: Something to use as weights (dumbbells, water bottles or canned goods all work), something to use as a low platform (thick books work great).
• The workout: Perform the sets and reps for each exercise as detailed below.

1. Narrow-to-wide squat: 3 sets, 15 repetitions per set

1. With your feet together and knees slightly bent, your weight centered on your heels, tip your hips back and begin to squat down as you bend your knees.
2. Go down as low as you can while making sure your knees track with your toes without extending over your toes.
3. Push to standing, then immediately step your legs out to each side, your toes angling outward.
4. Tip your hips back and bend your knees, lowering yourself into a wide-leg squat, again making sure your weight is on your heels, your knees in line with your toes without extending over them.
5. Press back to standing. This is one full repetition.
6. Step back to a narrow-leg position and continue the 15 repetitions.
7. Rest 30 seconds between sets.

2. Staggered push-ups: 2 sets, 12 repetitions per set

1. Place a low platform (like two thick books) on the ground to one side of your body.
2. Place your palms on the ground beneath your shoulders, but slightly wider than shoulder width apart, one palm on the low platform.
3. Step your legs out behind you into a full push-up position, or lower your knees to the ground for a modified push-up. Make sure your body forms a straight line from head to knees or head to toes.
4. Bend your elbows and lower yourself toward the ground, stopping a few inches before your chest touches down. Your elbows should bend back and out at an approximately 45-degree angle.
5. Press yourself back to the starting position and continue the set.
6. Rest 30 seconds between sets, then perform your second set, this time with the opposite hand atop the low platform.

3. Side lunge: 4 sets, 12 repetitions per set

1. Start standing with your feet shoulder-width apart, your knees slightly bent.
2. Step your right leg out and to the right several feet, so your right foot is positioned slightly in front of your body, your toes angled outward.
3. Keeping your left leg straight, bend your right knee, tracking your knee in line with your toes but stopping before your knee extends past your toes.
4. Press through your right heel, and return to standing. This is one repetition.
5. Continue performing all repetitions for the first set on the right side of your body.
6. Rest 30 seconds, then perform the second set, this time focusing on the left side of your body.
7. At the end, you should perform two full sets per leg.

4. Reverse fly: 4 sets, 12 repetitions per set

For this exercise, use canned goods, water bottles or dumbbells as weights.

1. Hold a weighted object in each hand at your sides, your knees slightly bent and your feet together.
2. Keeping your lower body steady, tip forward from the hip, your torso straight. Allow your arms to dangle down naturally from your shoulders, your palms facing each other, your elbows slightly bent.
3. Maintaining this arm position (mostly straight with a slight bend at the elbows), squeeze your shoulder blades together as you draw your arms up toward the ceiling, stopping when the weighted objects reach shoulder-height.
4. In a controlled fashion, lower the weights back to start. This is one repetition.
5. Rest 30 seconds between sets.

5. Plie squat calf raise: 3 sets, 15 repetitions per set

1. Step your feet out wide to each side of your body, your toes angled outward.
2. Keeping your torso upright and centered between your legs, bend both knees and lower your butt toward the floor, making sure your knees track in line with your toes without extending over them.
3. Holding this plie-squat position, press through the balls of your feet and lift your heels from the ground. Hold steady for one second, then lower both heels to the ground. This is a balance challenge, so if it's too hard, lift one heel, lower it, then lift the other and lower it. This is one repetition.
4. Perform all repetitions for each set, resting 30 seconds between sets.

6. Dive bomb push-ups: 2 sets, 10 repetitions per set

This is a challenging exercise. Feel free to lower your knees to the floor to perform a modified version.

1. To get into the starting downward dog position, situate yourself in a push-up position, palms beneath shoulders, legs extended behind you. Press your hips up to the sky so your body forms an inverted "V." Your heels do not have to touch the ground — your weight can be on the balls of your feet.
2. Bend your elbows outward and carefully begin lowering your head toward the ground.
3. Before your head touches down, arch your upper back slightly and press your head forward between your palms, as though you were in a low push-up position with your butt pointed up into the air.

4. Carefully continue extending your body forward until your hips are in line with your knees and shoulders, your palms directly under your chest.

5. If your knees aren't already on the ground, you have the option to lower them now or to keep them lifted a few inches from the ground.

6. Press through your palms and push your chest up and forward as you arch your back until your elbows are fully extended. (If you can't extend your elbows fully, just press up as high as you can.)

7. From this position you can return to downward dog by lifting your hips and pressing them back up toward the ceiling. This is one full repetition.

8. Perform one set, then rest a minute before performing the second set.

7. Triceps kickbacks: 4 sets, 15 repetitions per set

For this exercise, use canned goods, water bottles or dumbbells as weights.

1. Hold the weighted object in your right hand.
2. Stagger your legs, your left in front of your right, hip-distance apart. Bend your left knee, keeping your right knee straight, and lean forward at the hips, placing your left elbow on your left thigh for support.
3. Hold your upper right arm directly next to your right side, with your elbow bent at 90 degrees, your palm facing inward.
4. Keeping your upper arm fixed to your side, extend your elbow behind you, tightening your triceps as you extend.
5. Bend your elbow to return to start. Complete the first set, then switch immediately to perform the second set with the left arm.
6. Rest 30 seconds after the second set, then perform the third and fourth sets in succession.

8. Biceps curls

For this exercise, use canned goods, water bottles or dumbbells as weights.

1. Stand with your feet together, your knees slightly bent, a weighted object in each hand.
2. Allow your arms to extend at your sides, your upper arms fixed to your body, your palms facing away from you.
3. Keeping your upper arms steady, bend your elbows and draw the weighted objects all the way to your shoulders. Reverse the movement and lower the weights.
4. Rest 30 seconds between sets.

More four-week fitness challenge workouts

Week 1: The baseline workout
Week 3: Enhance endurance
Week 4: Improve flexibility

If the only curls you've done in the last month were cheese curls (yum), then this series will be challenging but rewarding.

How it works

The program involves a slow build, starting with just two workouts per week for the first week, then adding one additional workout to the program each week. By the end of the four weeks, you'll be up to five workouts per week, including strength, cardio and flexibility training.

• Week one: Perform the below workout two times.
• Week two: Repeat week one and perform this strength training workout once
• Week three: Repeat week two and add this high-intensity workout once
• Week four: Repeat week three and this flexibility routine once

The good news is the workouts are short and sweet. This week's workout is a baseline builder. The idea is to redevelop endurance and strength with a 30-minute circuit routine that involves body-weight cardio and strength training moves. Perform the full routine two times this week.

• You'll need: Just your body!
• The workout: Perform each exercise for one minute, perform the circuit three times through.

1. Cross country ski jumps

1. Start with your legs staggered, your left foot about two feet in front of the right. Place most of your weight on your right heel, your knees bent, your left heel coming up off the ground.
2. Extend your right arm directly in front of you, as if you were holding a ski pole, with your left arm down at your side. Engage the muscles of your arms.
3. In a single motion, hop both feet up, scissoring their positions so you land with your left foot forward, your right foot back, maintaining a slight bend in your knees. As you switch your foot position, also swing your left arm forward and your right arm back.
4. Continue this alternating cross-country ski hop as fast as you can while maintaining good form.

2. Alternating power lunges

1. Stand with your feet hip-distance apart, your knees slightly bent. Lunge forward with your left foot, planting it solidly on the ground and pressing your weight through its heel as you bend your right knee and lower it toward the ground. Keep your torso upright and tall, and watch the alignment of your front knee — it should track with your toes without extending in front of your toes.
2. When your right knee almost touches the ground, shift your weight forward slightly and push yourself to standing through your left heel as you draw your right knee up in front of your body.
3. Reverse the movement to return to start, then repeat on the opposite side.
4. Continue to alternate between sides for the full minute.

3. Step-ups

1. Stand directly behind a sturdy chair or bench (I used a sturdy storage ottoman), your feet hip-distance apart.
2. Plant your left foot solidly on the chair or bench and press through your heel to step up onto the platform.
3. Step back down and repeat on the other side, continuing to alternate for the full minute.

4. Jumping jacks

1. Stand with your feet together, arms at your sides, knees slightly bent.
2. In a single movement, jump both feet out laterally as you swing your arms over your head.
3. Quickly jump back to the starting position and continue.

5. Plank step-outs

1. Stand with your feet wider than shoulder-width apart, your toes angled outward. Bend your knees and squat straight down, planting your palms on the ground directly under your shoulders.
2. Step your left leg straight back, supporting yourself on the ball of your foot and your toes, then step your right leg straight back to meet it, ending in a plank position.
3. Check your form, making sure your body forms a straight line from heels to head, holding the plank for five seconds before reversing the movement, stepping your right leg forward, followed by your left.
4. Immediately step back into a plank position, holding it again for five seconds, before stepping back to the low squat. Continue for the full minute.

6. Rotating push-ups

1. Start in a push-up position. You can either do this on your knees or your toes. Just make sure your palms are planted under your shoulders, but slightly wider than shoulder width apart. Also, check to be sure your body forms a straight line from heels to head or knees to head, depending on your chosen start position.
2. Bend your elbows, lowering your chest toward the floor, your elbows pointing out and back at an approximately 45-degree angle.
3. When your chest is a few inches from the ground, shift your weight onto your left palm and rotate your right hip up toward the sky as you press yourself away from the ground, extending your left elbow and taking your right hand off the ground.
4. Finish the rotation in a side plank position, making sure your hips are lifted so your body forms a straight line from feet to head (or knees to head if you're doing knee push-ups).
5. Rotate back to the push-up position, perform another push-up, this time performing the rotation to side plank on the opposite side.
6. Continue the push-up-to-side plank rotation, alternating between sides for the full minute.

7. Bear crawl

1. Start on your hands and knees on the floor, your heels flexed, your toes planted on the ground.
2. Press through your palms and lift your knees from the floor by just a few inches, so your weight is supported on the balls of your feet and your palms.
3. Step your right hand forward a few inches, followed by your left foot. Then step your left hand forward a few inches, followed by your right foot. Your knees remain off the ground as you crawl forward, your back straight and butt low (not pointing up toward the ceiling).
4. Take several steps forward with your hands and feet, then reverse the movement and take several steps backward.
5. Continue the forward-backward crawl for the full minute.

8.Chair dips

1. Sit on the front of a sturdy chair or bench, your feet several feet in front of you, balanced on your heels, your ankles flexed.
2. Press your butt up off the chair, shifting your weight in front of it.
3. Bend your elbows and lower your butt toward the ground, keeping your elbows in toward your body so that they point straight backward as you bend them. (They shouldn't splay out to the sides.)
4. When your elbows form a 90-degree angle, press through your palms and engage your triceps to push yourself back to start. Continue for the full minute.

9. Reverse plank

1. Sit on the ground, your legs extended, your palms on the ground slightly behind you, your fingers pointing toward your feet.
2. Engage your core and press your hips upward until your body forms a straight line from heels to head. Hold for five seconds.
3. Lower yourself carefully to start, then continue repeating for the full minute.

10. Alternating arm-leg extension

1. Start on your hands and knees on the ground.
2. Engage your core, and in a single movement, extend your left arm directly in front of your left shoulder as you extend your right knee and hip directly behind you. Your body should form a straight line from fingers to toes.
3. Reverse the movement, returning to start, then repeat on the opposite side. Continue alternating sides for the full minute.

More four-week fitness challenge workouts

Week 2: Building strength
Week 3: Enhancing endurance
Week 4: Improving flexibility

1. A runner got real about her ripped body

Runner Lauren Fleshman posted a photo of her "thigh cheese" and the world reacted as she explained that sometimes photos don't represent what you look like all the time. Sometimes, they are just a photo of one moment when you looked awesome because you worked for it.

2. These women discovered how air brushing erased their identity

Buzzfeed photoshopped real women into cover models and filmed their reactions to their touched-up selves. The moral of the story is that the grass only seems greener on the other side.

3. One woman learned about life without wearing any makeup

One of our own SheKnows writers shared her liberating experience without makeup for two whole years.

4. A mom proudly bared post-natal stretch marks for a photo shoot

This fitness mom's photos went viral because she showed off an unlikely accessory in her bikini photo shoot: her stretch marks.

5. This single image sparked a big body image debate

When this blogger's extreme weight loss photo hit the internet, we learned that weight loss doesn't result in one guaranteed body type. Even losing 173 pounds won't make you look like a swimsuit model and that's OK.

6. This powerful video encouraged us all to embrace our bods (and made me cry).

Taryn Brumfitt launched The Body Image Movement after losing weight to compete in a fitness competition, ultimately so she could love her body again. What she learned is that she loved her body more before the transformation.

7. We asked one really important question

Why can Kim Kardashian post big butt selfies, but other women's bodies are deemed inappropriate for Instagram? This woman challenged her banned belfie and asked the internet to redefine "curvy" to be more than just a big butt and big boobs with a still-skinny waist.

8. And these women showed the world a different kind of swimsuit calendar

Four women with different plus-size body types put on swimsuits and modeled at the beach to bring us a plus-size swimsuit calendar.

9. We talked a lot about vaginas...

And we took a good, hard look at them too.

10. These 25 surreal photos confronted body shaming

This 'Stop the Beauty Madness' campaign released a series of disturbing ads that made us think twice about what makes a person beautiful.

11. And then we took things into our own hands with the rise of Femvertising

We proved that women do buy products when brands represent women in a positive and empowering way. Welcome to the fight for pro-female advertising.

12. A before and after pic showed us how dangerous body shame can be

Brittany Miles sent this message: Hey, I may be fat now but I beat my eating disorder and proved once again that sometimes the after-weight-loss picture isn't the one that really represents who you want to be.

13. Harvard's Rugby team sent a very literal body message

The female athletes were asked to write words on their teammates' bodies that mentioned what they admired about them. The photo project sends a really kick-ass message about fighting the scary normalcy of body hate.

14. And big brands did receive the message women are sending

Not all of them, but some of them. And that's what we call progress. Modcloth announced a no-Photoshop pledge and the Pirelli calendar featured a plus-size model for the first time.

15. This fashion blogger came clean with how she distorted her images

She posted photos on her blog that she wished she didn't photoshop and showed the before versions, and now her blog is about fashion and fighting for body love.

16. Even models stood up for body love

When a swimsuit company photoshopped her to be thinner, she made sure everyone knew it wasn't realistic.

17. The fight for body love crossed international borders

Female body builders in South Korea are challenging the ideal that women in their country have to be frail and feminine.

18. A plus-size yogi posted some unexpected photos

Her goal was to prove that not even yogis come in one shape and one size and her photos will inspire you to hit the mat, too.

19. Lingerie Fashion Week featured women with relatable body types

These lingerie models are not what you expect to see at any fashion show, let alone a lingerie fashion show, and they look pretty amazing.

20. We finally have a doll with "flaws"

The Lammily Doll comes with zits and stretch marks, and you can buy one for your daughter.

21. And these women want you to know something about being "black and beautiful"

When a New York Times writer called Viola Davis "less classically beautiful than Kerry Washington," one woman sought to redefine what it means to be black and beautiful.

More on body confidence

5 Ways to love yourself a helluva lot more
My toddler helped me learn to love my stretch marks
6 Things I refuse to demand of my body in the new year